Makeup Discourse

The factual reason I prefer Physicians Formula Healthy Wear  Powder Foundation over any other  Powder foundation is SPF 50, alone.

Physicians Formula claims the product to be Fragrance-free, Non-irritating, Paraben free, Non-Comedogenic, Hypoallergenic, Oil-free and Dermatologist approved

This Powder Foundation is a windfall for me this summer. The texture is powdery and I detest fallout, I use Real Techniques Powder brush and buff onto my skin and layer the fallout over the buffed powder. The coverage is translucent, even though it covers redness around my nose and evens out my skin tone. The powder is hydrating and does not look cakey upon layering or accentuate dry skin.

Though it states that the Foundation is mineral based, I don't notice the illumination mineral foundation results. At times, this does look flat matte.

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear  Powder Foundation has been discontinued. I think I could use this all seasons round. This is my absolute favourite and summer essential.

For most of the days when I am out between 11-5, I top this on Vichy and I am ready to step out.
This alone does not provide enough sun protection, I use it to mattify the shiny sunblock residue.
Talc is the first ingredient listed with Dimethicone (a silicone), a pore clogging ingredient.

I am a touch-up shy, I dislike touching up my makeup or sunblock. I would like a powder/dry sunscreen in a brush, say Brush on Sunscreen. So I could just brush on some dry sunscreen to protect and mattify in one go. =D

Is Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation Cruelty-Free? Yes

Repurchase: It is discontinued. Maybe a different variant.

Liquid Lipsticks carry my strongest interest when it comes to lipsticks. I have a drawer full of them and no amount could suffice my inordinate desire for them. This post is an abridgement of all Cruelty-Free Matte Liquid Lipsticks in one.

the Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick ($17.00)
Available in 12 shades
Paraben Free

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream ($6.00)

Available in 34 shades
Cruelty-Free but not Vegan

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick ($20.00)Available in 21 shades

Cruelty-Free but not Vegan

Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick ($18.00)

Available in 23 shades

Vegan. Paraben and Gluten Free

NYX Liquid Suede Lipstick ($7.00)

Available in 24 shades

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick ($28.00)

Available in 9 shades

Vegan. Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates and Fragrance Free.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick ($5.00) [Review HERE]

Available in 47 shades

Also available in Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick ($5.00) in 16 shades

Vegan. Sulphates and Paraben Free

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20.00)

Available in 28 shades

Vegan. Paraben Free

Ofra Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick ($19.90)

Available in 48 shades

Too Faced Melted Matte Lipstick ($21.00)

Available in 17 shades

Vegan. Paraben Free

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra-Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00)

Available in 15 shades

Gluten Free

Ciate London Liquid Velvet Moisturizing Matte Lipstick ($19.00)Available in 13 shades

Parabens, Sulfates & Phthalates Free

Sweat Stains

For light to moderate sweating, these are ideal. These absorb underarm sweat and prevent Sweat stains.

I use Panty liners underneath almost anything with sleeves to avoid those sweat marks. Works great, make sure you find the soft ones. OR You can find Sweat pads online.

Oily, Sweaty Scalp

I shampoo every alternate day, though my hair turns dull and flat in just about a day. I spray Dry Shampoo or Baby powder before going to bed. I make sure, I keep them untied. So when I wake up next morning, I massage the powder/dry shampoo in circular motion and voila! VOLUME.
For Extra-Voluminous mane, I mix in Batiste XXXL with Baby powder and dust evenly on scalp.
I avoid blow drying since blow drying invites more sweat.

Body/Sweat Odour

How do I keep off body odour/sweat odour without using an Antiperspirant Deodorant?
This is exclusively for masking the unpleasant sweat smell. This does not prevent sweating or clog pores, but instead mildly exfoliates when you wash off in shower.

I grind Alum powder to the finest I can and store into a jar. After shower I take a pinch of the powder and rub on the areas I tend to sweat more. [Credits to a blogger friend]

If you cannot find Alum powder or are lazy enough, Baking Soda works just the same. I am testing a DIY Deodorant as well check back soon!

Taming Fly aways and Baby Hair
I don't have much of baby hair, a few here and there extremely close to the hairline.

I don't like using hair wax to tame them. I simply use a clean mascara wand, spray on some Hair holding spray and brush them in the direction I want. And sometimes, I just tame them with Clear Brow gel. Works just fine for me.

Staying Fresh all day

When I did not use EDTs or EDPs, I did follow this. And I still do. Essential oils are vital part of my Hair care. I use Hair rinses with Peppermint, Rosemary & Lavender to keep my scalp feeling fresh till next wash. And the best part, the more heat your hair accumulates, the more fragrance these oils release.

These rinses promote hair growth as well.
For Face mist: I prefer Peppermint, Tea tree and Sandalwood in 1:3:3 ratio in 100ml spray bottle.
Either Distilled/Mineral or Rose water with a drop of Vit. E oil. Great alternative to store bought Face Mists.
As Fragrance: I apply Rose Essential oil Or Jasmine on pulse points over Vaseline. These are multitasking, for balancing your mind, increasing memory. I use Vetiver Essential oil for boosting memory.
I think I cannot picture my shelves without these.



Blotting Sweat and Sebum
I have used and  despised The Body Shop Tea Tree Blotting Sheets (trashed it before I could use them all). I never repurchased Blotting sheets ever, instead I discovered an inexpensive alternative to them.
I always carry Facial Tissues (two whole packs) in my bag and pat sweat especially on hair line and under eyes. I dust the same tissues with Translucent Powder and when I pat, it absorbs oil and sweat exclusively. I cut them into squares so these Translucent Powder dusted Tissues are easier to carry around in an empty case.

I am compiling a post of Makeup Hacks since November 2014, lying around in my drafts. Its about time...

Bronzing is my newfangled Fancy!



I went into The Body Shop the other day to purchase the Dry shimmering Oil but that thing stained. I want something Neutral-Glistening-Dewy-Nonstaining to wear on my face.
When I ordered this, I wasn't sure if it would be pigmented enough for my Brown-Tan Skin. So if it wouldn't, I would just use it as Face Powder rather than Bronzer. Because if you observe the pan or swatches, they're barely pigmented or visible.
But when I swirled and layered once, I was bemused with the glow. But but the Glowing Cityline disappeared. sigh!



What does Physicians Formula claim

Paraben Free, Oil Free, Gluten Free, Non-Comedogenic, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-Free and Dermatologist approved.





Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Inactive Ingredients: Talc,  Dimethicone, Mica,Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate,  Butylene Glycol,Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract,  Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric, Cetyl Dimethicone,  Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Disiloxane, Propanediol,  Sodium Dehydroacetate, Smithsonite Extract, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract,  Fluorphlogopite, Synthetic, Tocopheryl Acetate,  Phenoxyethanol, Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Zinc Stearate,  May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet, Ultramarines

Price: $14.99 (approx 1040inr)
Is Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer Cruelty-Free? Yes Physician Formula is Cruelty-Free.


Left to Right Swirled, Lower & Upper shades

This dual coloured bronzer has a powdery almost dry texture. A lot of fall out was noticed, I think it runs with all Physicians Formula Powder forms. I do not use the colours individually, I prefer swirling the brush into the pan. I use one layer from the cheek bones to temples and rest of the product on my forehead. Since I do not like contouring much, I prefer Bronzing. I do not use Bronzers to sculpt but to add warmth.
The longevity is average, it starts to fade after 3-4 hours, and if I pat my face with tissue or blotting paper,  the bronzer transfers. Though I have not noticed separation even on my sweaty-oily cheeks.
Though the shimmering city line fades away, the bronzer is not flat matte, but it has a slight sheen to it, almost like mineral foundation.


Indoors around 10 am


Afternoon glow, around 12.15 pm

On my face:
Philosophy No Reason to Hide Moisturizer
Rimmel Stay Matte in 003
Eyes: Buxom Full & Fabulous Mascara
Brows: Benefit Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel in Medium/Deep
Cheeks: Bourjois Cendres De Roses Brune Blush
Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer
Lips: Nivea Fruity Shine Watermelon

How I use this Bronzer
I prefer applying bronzer or blush after setting my base makeup and then setting with the same setting powder again. This blends blush, highlighter & bronzer seamlessly into each other.

Availability is an issue though I might not repurchase. I have other Physicians Formula Bronzers trying to connect with my psyche. =D
Besides, This Philosophy No Reason to Hide Moisturizer is incredible. Can you see, I have redness on my right cheek and one active acne and patchiness here and there?
Obviously, it did not hide my dark circles, so psyched that I might pick that up next.

Eat. Sleep. Shape Brows. Repeat - Anastasia Beverly Hills

My brows are sparse, possibly worse. Back in days, I remember women drawing their brows with pencils. As funny as it could be, I disliked everything about the trend.

I didn't start shaping my brows until I was 22-23 simply because the pain was unendurable. But by the time, I started with eye makeup and smokey eyes. And it became a necessity.

Wisdom, I say =]

For longest period, I would use Brow powders and clear pomade or even eye shadows to fill in my brows.

When I got hold of this, even the brow powders started to seem dull and unnatural.

Selecting the Brow Wiz Shade:
I settled down for Dark Brown.



Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown is a deep brown with a neutral undertone. Dark Brown is ideal for Medium Brown to Black hair.

Price: $21 approx. 1449 INR

Is Anastasia Beverly Hills Cruelty-Free? Yes

Quantity: 0.08grams

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil is a dual ended. But coming to the spoolie part; the spoolie is unique and the bristles are bent inwards which really buffs the pigment, making it look more natural.
The Texture of wiz crayon is dry, somewhat powder finish. The pigmentation is excellent and the ultra fine tip actually mimics as brow hair if drawn using light strokes.
I don't like the fact that this is so expensive.
But it stays on until I remove my makeup at the end of the day ( approx. 7-8 hrs). This did not smudge or rather melted off in Mumbai heat. Nor it did transfer on my face or tissue while patting the sweat.


Bare Brow

Softly filled in with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown

Bold Brow using Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown


Recommendations: Purchase if you don't mind splurging, but I think the longevity validates the price tag. NYX microbrow pencil is exactly the same formula, except for the spoolie which makes a lot of difference in terms of finish.

Repurchase?: No. Since I don't simply rely on this single Brow wiz to fill in or define my brows.

I wanted ColourPop since November 2014, I wanted their 1st Anniversary LE Super Shock Eyeshadow: Birthday Girl. I wanted ALL My Favourite Colour in ColourpPop Cosmetics.
I was irresolute about their products except for Super Shock Eyeshadows. So I decided to pick these for trials: Two Soft, almost pastel colours and Two Brights, just how I love them! ;-)


I have tested these more than thrice and I am glad I just picked only 4. [Hello Satin Mattes! I'll rescue you soon- The Li Girl. ;)]
1st Base is my most Favourite Colour out of these, And second favourite is Mars, Donut being my least favourite of them.


L R: ColourPop Ultra Matte in 1st Base, Donut, Ouiji, Mars

The swatches are clicked with Bare and Prepped Lips, Unlined and are Uncorrected with concealer.

Above: Direct Light. Below: Indoor

ColourPop Ultra Matte 1st Base is a Mid-Tone True pink, as described by ColourPop.
1st base is a Neutral Pink and almost looks subdued Mauve. With one single layer of this, looks amazing. My camera could not pick the right hue, I shall use this in one of my makeup looks.
I wore this first time to T's Birthday Dinner and every time, I want a soft Pink Lip. This mid-tone pink come forth as a cool toned Pink on my Neutral under tone. The warmer the undertone, the pinker it shall be.

ColourPop Ultra Matte Donut is a Bright Peach, as described by ColourPop.
I picked this on whim, a warfare between Solow & Donut. ColourPop Ultra Matte Donut is almost Pastel Peach with warm Brown undertone. This clashes with my neutral undertone and washes me out, or so I think. I think, this should be a great colour for summer.

ColourPop Ultra Matte Ouiji is a Bright Coral Red, as described by ColourPop.
If there is, out there, a theory like: Love at First Sight. This will be it for me. It was decided, Bright Corals warped in Pastel would define my liking?
The Colour is as described A Bright Coral with Red undertone. This is brings out more brownness indoors and more yellow outdoors, either in my skin or in itself?

ColourPop Ultra Matte Mars is a Red Fuchsia, as described by ColourPop.
I have Hues of pinks in my wardrobe, and I always pair Pinks with Bold Lips ofcourse Pink!
So I was torn between Highball and Mars, I was sure Highball would turn Violet-ish on me, so I skipped and friendzoned Mars.
I love the Planet too, fiery & misconceived. And so is the colour, Can I just not tell you how much I love this colour?

Cruelty-Free Status: Vegan & Cruelty-Free
Price: $6 for 3.2g/0.11 oz

Texture & Application:
ColourPop Ultra Matte are 100% Matte Liquid Lipsticks. These Dry completely and does not transfer once they set/dry.
They did crack on my lips in winters, irrespective of the lip balm underneath. And it turns streaky and patchy, if you layer or reapply. But ColourPop Ultra Matte Mars is the only colour that refused to crack or turned streaky on application. I should've bought ColourPop Lip Pencils too.
The battle would've been much easier, I assume.
ColourPop Ultra Matte Donut on the other hand, cracked, turned streaky and worn off patchy.
Reason? The Darker shades stain deeper than the soft ones.
You CANNOT apply and expect flawlessness without prepping or conditioning lips.
I use a Lip mask, a night prior and then exfoliate and heavily moisturize them. Before applying, I wipe off everything, every trace of balm or else these ( esp Bright/ Soft Colours accentuate, every thing.)
Bare but Prepped Lips is what makes it long lasting. Any trace Lip balm underneath degrades the longevity and I find it absurd.

Recommendations: Not for Dry, flaky unprepared Lips. These are not really uncomfortable, but these do crack if you have dry lips. On the other hand, Deeper staining shades are blessings!
I surely love these for occasions where I don't want to touch up. My lips are not dry unless the weather. Own these if you could, at least one to not curb your curiosity.

It was not too long ago, I discovered a miracle product on my shelf. Sweet Almond Oil. I never used any eye creams until I got them as samples. I have always used Almond oil/Castor Oil for my under eye area, with or without dark circles. In the journey of discovering oils in skincare, I switched using oils for everything. From cleansing, to moisturizing to pampering.

That's when I discovered how my skin loves Sweet Almond Oil.

How I wake up to supple radiant skin.

Night Time Routine

You can read how I remove my Makeup here.

After Oil Cleansing Method, I massage my face with Forest Essentials Delicate Facial Cleanser and Rinse off.

Post cleansing, while my skin is damp, I massage a coin sized amount of Sweet Almond oil onto my face and neck including the under eye, lips and eyelashes. Just about every inch and every contour of my face. I have been using the same brand for years now.

If my eye area feels dry, I layer Dermalogica Eye cream.

For days when I feel, my skin is producing more oil. I use Philosophy no reason to hid on the old acne scars and around my mouth. And then smear oil on the lips, eyelashes and under eye area.

I like layering the Forest Essential Rose Petal lip balm upon almond oil since the lip balm has a strong artificial rosy fragrance. I am sure, they use the essential oil. The Almond Oil sweetness just takes it all away.

Daytime Routine

Daytime is all about Makeup for me, so skincare except the Moisturizer & sunblock is a low-key affair. For healing, my night time routine just works fine. I use the same cleanser for day & night routine. But Instead I spray my face post cleansing with Rosewater & Tea tree Essential oil both tone and soothe my skin, especially open blemishes. Tea tree Essential Oil is antiseptic and my acne dries out within a day or two. Holy Grail!
Follow up with Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion with Indian Rose & Marigold. Marigold is used for Acne but this lotion is extremely light for my normal/combination skin.

I layer Sunblock over this and proceed with my makeup.

For under eyes, I pat Neutrogena Fine Fairness Eye cream and after 5 minutes or so, I wipe it off with a damp cotton pad. My concealer smudges and smears with it underneath. Fresh Soothing Rose Eye Gel worked great with my concealer.
I am running out of most of these things. I have switched to this routine since 1st January 2016  with a resolution of making skincare pivotal in my life. I am about to switch to a new routine from 1st March 2016.

How often do you switch routines? *.^

Frizz taming is the most important part my winter haircare routine. I follow quite a low maintenance haircare routine and prefer spending less time in styling them. I'm just a wash-and-blow dry-kinda girl.

What causes my hair to frizz?

Heat (styling and sun; you think the sun doesn't damage hair?)

Humidity

I heat style my short hair thrice once a week. But what affects my thin hair is humidity if not dryness. The weather is punch-drunk with humidity and dry air in winters. So I follow these 5 Ways to Tame my Frizzy Hair.

1) SLS Free Shampoos

Ever since I have switched to SLS Free Shampoo, I have noticed a major difference in the hair texture. Less frizz and More volume. Read my Hair story HERE.

2) Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

This is one more step that I have been combining with SLS free shampoo routine. Cider Vinegar is highly acidic which helps in taming the frizz and adding volume and shine.

3) Cold Water Rinse

If you cannot follow the above to step, You could rinse the ends of your hair with cold water after you condition them. This seals the open cuticles and seal in the moisture you added to them.

You may add a tablespoon of Glycerine in the water for an extra boost of hydration. Or Simply choose Glycerine based Shampoo or Conditioner

4) Heat Protectant Spray

I think styling your hair without one is a sin. When I wouldn't use one, I would often escape the heat styling aftermath with the chopping of the damage. Like it was a war between the strands and the rod, either one would come out alive.

5) Bblunt Climate Control Anti-frizz Leave-in Cream*

I love the sleek hair, poker straight. This smells incredibly good, a floral accent I love! I use this as a styling cream as well as postfix. This works fine as a heat protectant. I find when I apply this before blow drying, it amplifies up the volume with a sleeker outcome. This does keep me frizz free for 6 hours straight (inclusive of being out in sun & traveling hours.) Read more about it here
Price: 450 INR for 150grams 

*The product featured is sent by the brand for consideration.

I was on cloud nine when Colourpop.com accepted my Indian card (I am not talking via Paypal)(how remains a secret).

I placed my first Colourpop order with a Lippie Stix and four Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipsticks (forgot the $5 off discount code, cancelled and placed another). For my second order, I added 11 golds and bronze supershock eyeshadows. I felt as if I needed them all.

I restricted myself and had to refrain myself from placing the third one. I want all their eye shadows, literally.

I wanted this with all my heart! BeautyBlender Make-Up's Best Friend: A 4 Piece Collection (limited edition) which is just precious. I kept procrastinating and after Sephora VIB Rouge sale in November, my nightmares came true. It was out of stock. for. ever. and so was the Kat Von D Lipstick duo I fancied. So I had to hunt this down, I couldn't just sit there and watch other people's hauls on Insta. I searched everywhere and found it on BeautyBay at a higher price tag. *sigh* I had no choice but to order it right away.

I was never excited about Real Techniques Brushes. I always told myself to hold on... I wanted the Bdellium Tools Bamboo Brush Set, but my card didn't process through. So I zeroed down on Real Techniques when they had 30% off throughout their website during Black Friday Sale.

I loved them so much that I ordered the Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes (not included in the picture) from Amazon India. To my amazement, I am glad I waited this long because the brushes have a major difference with the bristles. The ones from Amazon India shed and the bristles are coarse as compared to those from the States. [I believe it is mostly mishandling, but they are authentic for sure.]

My first the Balm, I was restless when theManizer Sisters Palette (limited edition) was Kohl's exclusive. Kohl's won't accept international card. I waited patiently for the Balm cosmetics website to stock them. To avail free shipping, I added the new Nude Dude® Palette. I picked the palette for one colour: Faithful.

For tarte Cosmetics, Beauty.com had few offers running. I added Nars products in my cart as they had 20% off on select Brands. But I changed my mind and I added tarte instead and I wanted to try BareMinerals LE Foundation (that jumbo size!) but Medium Beige went out of stock soon enough. I got these beauties at 20% off!

Great news: tarte Cosmetics now ships to India and many other countries. The minimum cart amount for free shipping to India is over 8,500 INR.

I purchased these from their website using 25% off welcome code. And then they had 40% off the entire website the very next week...ugh. I forgot to add NYX high Voltage lipstick they were offering as GWP. Haste makes waste, serves me right.

That completes my haul for 2016, and my makeup ban began with the dawn of 2016 (that birthday something is an exception).

I have been wearing makeup every day. And it has been one and a half year heretofore. But there is one thing I would like to mention, I either wear  Concealer under Powder Foundation or Liquid Foundation alone, never both. I loathe the layers, I like a glimpse of my real skin even through my bad skin phase.

Initially, I used the Maybelline Biphased Makeup Remover which caused a lot of breakouts. After desolate stages of acne due to Biphased Makeup Removers, I used them exclusively for eyes and lips. My sister was fond Ponds Cold Cream and every Sunday she would pamper her skin by massaging a good amount onto her facial skin and then steaming and cleansing off with a hot towel. [She is a genius, though. :) and while growing up I learnt more from her than on my own.]

So I tried the same method with Ponds Cold Cream and it did work, except I could not withstand the scent. Back then, I had bought a bottle of Olive oil for hair and I tried it to remove my makeup. All that I did was massage the oil onto my face and neck and wipe off with damp cotton. It did work pretty well with zero breakouts. Thereupon I concluded to follow the same method.

After few days, I decided to steam and then wash off using Himalaya Neem Facewash.( I used back in the day.) My makeup removing methods did oscillate with variations until I settled for using blends of Oils followed with a hot washcloth. I was relieved to find something that suited my combination/normal skin.

The blend of Oils included: Olive oil and Grapeseed Oil in 4:1 ratio.

Or Coconut Oil either mixed with Olive Oil & Grapeseed Oil.

I still use the aforementioned method to remove my makeup except that I switch between Oils. Cold Processed Oils have been an integral part of my skincare. I don't purchase fancy concoctions/blends of Oils readily available rather I favour my customised blends. Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil (Sephora Deluxe 5ml sample) converted me to switch to Oil for the night time moisturiser over my Cetaphil Lotion. I don't prefer mixing them for now since Olive oil is slightly acidic while Coconut Oil is Alkaline in nature. I am covering the pH balance in my future post.

My Oil Cleansing Method:
I generously spread Oil blend and massage onto my skin. After all the makeup breaks down, I spray my face with rosewater and the emulsification of Oil and water helps break down the rest.
Next, I just wipe off my face in the downward direction with a baby washcloth dipped and wriggled out.
Post cooling, I hydrate my face with Rosewater and follow up with my night time moisturiser.

For weary days:

I saturate a cotton pad with Bioderma Sensibio h2O and clean away all the makeup.


The Benefit: Retaining the Hydration, Moisture and Oil to maintain skin's elasticity to slow down ageing.

Instagram | Facebook Page | Twitter