Sunday, June 11, 2017

Project Pan Update: Volume I

I have not discarded a single empty container since November 2016. I was knee-deep in work. My vanity is cluttered, so much so that it irks me to a point where I want to throw away everything I no longer find useful. I am determined to discard or giveaway non-cruelty free products. To top it all, I went ahead and selected few products to finish by 30th June.

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50

I purchased this believing this could be used as a gel-based primer. I'm mistaken. This gel would just consume my moisturiser and within an hour, I would end up with a stretchy feeling. My powder foundation would turn blotchy with this underneath. It would peel and flake and come off easily on with sweat.
The only good thing, it does not cause sweating.

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50 Price: INR 395

The Body Shop Drops Of Light Brightening Cleansing Foam

I loved using this in the mornings mostly. But I don't think so it is worth 1500! There are so many affordable alternatives. And how long does a cleanser stay on, a minute? Read my thoughts here

Bath and Body Works Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist

Too sweet for my liking. On me, it bloomed sweet than floral. On my mom, it would bloom sweet floral. Does not remind me of spring at all. The staying power can be prolonged by using a fragrance-free moisturizer underneath.

Bath and Body Works Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist Price is $14.00 for 8 fl oz / 236 mL.

Colorbar Single Eyeshadow in 10 Black Tie

This is from the year I acknowledged makeup as my interest. This is one of the few eyeshadows I bought while building my makeup collection. I could not use this much, black eyeshadow with silver glitter flecks; god! What was I thinking?!
Oh! Another good reason, to toss this out, I am kissing goodbye to all my non-cruelty-free makeup products.

This eyeshadow, by the way, is discontinued.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Audacious Asphalt and Painted Purple

The fixation of buying newly launched products didn't quite develop in me or so I think. I didn't find any much use for these colourful shadows for my everyday makeup. I barely wore full-faced makeup anyway. I used them only in Spring. You can check out my spring makeup tutorial to see Painted Purple looks on brown eyes.
I wish they'd launched matte, neutral dark brown colour which could also be used as eyebrow pomade and eyeliner and eyeshadow, of course.

Maybelline Color Tattoo is discontinued in India.

Suncote Gel SPF 30

This one is prescribed by my dermatologist for hyperpigmentation. In 2014, I noticed shadowy darkness on the outer parts of my face. On consultation, it was darkening due to the sun. I was using Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matte Look Daily Sunblock SPF 40. It was my holy grail only until I discovered that it lacks the sun protection I need.
Suncote Gel is a bit sticky but works great as a makeup primer. Sadly, it does not sit well with my powder foundations and mineral foundations. It does not flake or peel and is sweat proof, if wore without makeup. I conclude this is the best sunscreen for oily skin.
I'd repurchase if I could get high SPF, so I don't have to reapply every hour.

Suncote Gel SPF 30 Price INR 355 for 100 grams

VLCC Sun Defense Matte Look Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 | PA+++*

I was quite excited to try this since it has a slight tint to it. It smells like pineapples dipped in cherry-flavoured expectorant. Can you imagine? I cannot tolerate the fragrance to be honest. When I tested this for the first time, I slathered it all on exposed parts. As soon as I stepped out in sun, I started sweating profusely. To my horror, it melted down in sun. That was one embarrassing situation for me until I cleaned all of it and ended up with sunburn (I was out in the afternoon).
I don't recommend this bummer in a bottle.

Victoria's Secret Lost in Fantasy Body Mist

I loved it even though it was quite fruity on me. For once, I enjoyed the sweet notes of passionfruit.
But boy! I was a failure in panning this, it took me two years to finish this off. I'd use this on and off.
I love the refreshing fragrance, reminds me of beaches and pineapples. The colour blue reminds me of Andamans. This could be weird, but this blooms with sweat that makes it perfect for the humid climate.

NYX Retractable Eyeliner in White

I purchased this to create neon wing eyeliner using my Sleek Acid palette. I could not find this on any of Indian e-commerce websites. NYX is cruelty-free. This is unusable and has passed its PAO date.

Dermalogica Total Eyecare SPF 15

This was a part of the kit. I did not review this then was because I wanted to give it some time to consider if I like it. It fails to sink in and moves my concealer. I tried incorporating it in my evening skincare routine, and it did nothing. No noticeable difference in hydration. I hope there is a better eye cream from Dermalogica.
Dermalogica is cruelty-free!


NYX Eyeshadow Base in White

I don't remember where I bought this from, but there is barely any dent on the surface. I also have NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk which performs much better as an eyeshadow base. NYX Eyeshadow Base in White blends easily but goes on extremely sheer, and the white pigment settles in the fine lines on my eyelids. It did not at all enhance my eyeshadow. I never prefered it except few times when I couldn't find my other eyshadow bases. Concealer works much better as a matter of fact.

NYX Eyshadow Base in White is available on Nykaa and Amazon for INR 725.

Large Stippling Brush from Coastal Scents 22 Piece Brush Kit

Coastal Scents brush kits are probably good for starting out. Some of them are unusable, but face brushes are better in my honest opinion. This was one of my favourite brushes, and I used it almost daily to buff my foundation. Using this as a stippling brush was my way to achieve sheerest coverage ever: just the way I like it. I am looking for a better option, a cruelty-free one; I think I found one but I need to dig deep for the brand's cruelty-free stance.

Lip balms: Maybelline Baby Lips and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15

Baby lips is 50% used, and Neutrogena is all scraped out. I quite like the Norwegian formula!
The best sun protection for lips ever. I seem to repurchase it in spite of the ban, thats how much I like it. I used this up in merely three months! And I did not repurchase, instead, I purchased Sebamed Lip Defense, but that is not cruelty-free either. I am lost here; I need a lip balm that is cruelty-free, has SPF 30 and is not tinted! 


*Sent by brand for consideration



Friday, June 02, 2017

Cruelty free Vegan shampoo | Organic Harvest Daily Shampoo Review and Ingredients Analysis

I purchased this with a curiosity. What surfactant must be used in the formulation? Will this be my Holy Grail Shampoo which is not tested on animals and does not contain animal derived ingredients?
Here is my in-depth analysis on the ingredients. I was excited when I bought this to add to my List of Cruelty free and vegan shampoos.

Organic Harvest claims to use organic and chemical free ingredients. The products made without Parabens, Artifical colourants and animal derived ingredients. The packaging is minimal, almost ordinary.

Cruelty free Vegan shampoo | Organic Harvest Daily Shampoo Review and Ingredient Analysis
Add caption

How I use Organic Harvest Daily Shampoo?

When I first opened the bottle, the liquid with its colour and fragrance reminded me of sugarcane juice. Every time I used it, I wanted to glug down a tall glass of sugarcane juice. The image of sugarcane juice would not leave me alone.
So the first thing I did was looked up the ingredients and researched on them.
I have wasted, a lot of it by using it in exceeding amount. For three weeks I could not decipher the amount that should be used, a lot of it was wasted and lost a lot of hair every time I shampooed. In the hope of that squeaky clean feeling!
But one fine day, I used just a pump and voila there was zero hair fall while shampooing. It is as mild as Baby shampoo. All you need is just one pump for normal-oily hair and two if you have oiled them. My essential oil hair rinses work well with the shampoo. I love the volume I achieve when I use this.
To put the whole review in one sentence, OH Daily Shampoo is the best vegan and cruelty free alternative to SLS based shampoos.
My mother who colours and touch ups her hair every 45 days and thinks that her colour lasts longer.
Mostly, her curly hair is more manageable and frizz free.
I miss the slip while massaging this onto my scalp. That is the only thing I dislike about this shampoo. And missing Ingredients list too!

Sls free sulphate sulphate free shampoo, chemical free shampoo


Organic Harvest Ingredients Analysis

When I could not get the sugarcane juice out of my head, I looked up at the key ingredients mentioned on the bottle. Certified Organic Decyl Glucoside, Glucoside was all I needed.
  •  Aqua
  • Decyl Glucoside is plant derived and biodegradable, derived from corn and cane sugar.
  • Sodium PCA is a humectant; Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid (hydrating agent) additionally functions as skin replenishing agent.
And the key ingredients list comes to an end. Incomplete ingredients, I don't like them!
Organic Harvest does not forget to mention that the Shampoo is Paraben free, Phthalates free, Mineral Oil free, PABAfree, Petrolatum free, Paraffin-free and free of animal ingredients.
And not to forget not tested on animals, not even the raw materials used. The ingredients used in the formulation are USDA-certified organic ingredients as well as Eco-certified ingredients.

Best sls free shampoo for color treated hair


Efficacy

  • Chemical free shampoo? Sulfate free shampoo?
  • I love the body my fine hair has achieved. 
  • My scalp does not turn oily until 3rd or 4th day.
  • I can get away with diluting the shampoo for the mildest scalp cleansing.
  • I have used 450 ml in 7 months. I am left with few more washes.
  • If you dislike the fragrance, you can add essential oils to improve its efficacy.
I don't think I have any reason except the missing Ingredient list. My mother thinks this is the best sulfate free shampoo for colour treated hair. I think this is probably the best chemical free shampoo for thin and fine hair.

Price: 795 INR for 500ml

Organic Harvest is not tested on animals and does not contain animal derived ingredients. 


Friday, May 12, 2017

Colourpop Peachy Keen Super Shock Eyeshadow Quad Review, Swatches and Photos

Colourpop Peachy Keen Super Shock Eyeshadow Quad Review, Swatches and Photos

In my mind, I have glorified the gold. I want to stockpile all the gold eye shadows that I fancy at sight. The hues of gold, champagne, golden bronze, soft gold, dusty gold, golden beige...
And corals, as much as I love the combination I always end up pairing. Coral eye shadows are tricky and I am picky and certain.
Yes, I want the Too Faced Sweet Peach in spite of its mediocrity and the Too Faced fall collection 2017 Just Peachy tops my wishlist. Enough said.

Colourpop Peachy Keen Super Shock Eyeshadow Quad Review, Swatches and Photos


While browsing, I came across this Foursome super shock eye shadows and all I could do was daydream of the makeup looks I could create. Reality check, I wore these only twice this spring/summer: two different looks. I am planning to recreate both. Currently, Colourpop Cosmetics is offering free worldwide shipping.


Colourpop Warm-toned neutral eyeshadow swatches

Colourpop Peachy Keen Foursome includes 4 warm-toned neutrals. Colour wise, they are well contrasted and undertone wise quite well coordinated. These colours are best suited for light to medium skin tones. Kennedy is quite a pastel on Olive/Tan skin tones, I am assuming it would be a bit more whitish on deeper skin tones.


Too Faced Sweet Peach and Just Peachy Affordable Dupes

Texture & Longevity


The tactile texture, to me, feels like moss. (Imagine the cleaner, greener, please.) If you've ever studied moss as a course or curiosity, you'll understand. How plush and cushiony it is to touch and at the same time not much, if you exert a little pressure to the touch, it'll lay bare its soothing dampness.

The staying power is unrealistic, stays on until I am ready to wash off my makeup- say 8-9 hours. That's how long I've let it stay on my lids, but you need a heavy duty oil balm or cleanser to take it off. The metallic and the ultra metallic shades crease on my eyelids. But if I am indoors and wearing Urban Decay original eyeshadow primer underneath, it doesn't budge at all, forget creasing. 9 of 10 times I skip primer since I am always short of time while doing the whole glam face.
Did I even mention NO FALLOUT?!


Budget Beauty Products in USA.Colourpop Cosmetics

Colours, Undertones and Blendability


Crimper: A soft warm gold with multi-dimensional reflect, a bit gritty due to the glitter in it. Metallic Love!

Crimper Soft warm gold budget eyeshadows

Colourpop Crimper supershock eyeshadow swatches review and closeup photo


Kennedy: A matte mid-tone Peach, slightly more cushiony and plush than the others.

Affordable Warm Peach Eyeshadow. Too faced eyeshadow dupe on budget

Colourpop Kennedy Supershock eyeshadow swatches, review photos


Cornelius: A matte soft brown leans caramel, mid-tone to be precise.

Cornelius supershock eyeshadow swatches review photos

Colourpop Cornelius. Best Transition eyeshadow. Affordable soft neutral brown eyeshadows


Bandit: A warm reddish brown with sparse soft flecks of pink, silver and violet.

Budget Beauty true reddish brown eyeshadow. Affordable brown eyeshadows online

Colourpop Bandit supershock eyeshadow review, photos, swatches

Cornelius works as a transition shade and blends effortlessly with any synthetic blending brush. But you would need to blend & build the depth of colour at once because once it sets it turns patchy upon layering. Crimper can be worn as a lid colour as well as a topper and works well both the ways.
Kennedy leans pastel on dark/olive/tan skin tones if worn with an eyeshadow primer performs much better. Bandit can be used to smoke out the edges and add more depth, the combination of Peach from Kennedy and the Reddish brown tint of Bandit creates quite a magical colour combination. All these colours are unique and co-ordinated at once, so many eye makeup looks can be created with just these foursomes.

With Kennedy being more plush and cushiony or mousse-like than the others; it gets difficult to either blend or layer the pigment. At once, Kennedy is both my favourite and least favourite.

Soft Peach and Peachy keen eyemakeup tutorial

Colourpop Peachy Keen Supershock eyeshadow swatches. Golds, Oranges/Corals, Neutrals


Too Faced Sweet Peach eyeshadow dupes. Too Faced Just Peachy eyeshadow dupes, Affordable eyeshadows

Final Thoughts


Anybody who'd like to add some warm-toned neutral shades from Colourpop to their collection, can go ahead and pick this right away. I like these colours, even if I fail to wear them all at once; I use Cornelius as my transition shade whenever I use all Colourpop for eyemakeup. I have to come up with using different ways to use them before they dry and die!


Price in US & India for Colourpop Peachy Keen: $18 and INR 1206

Availability: Colourpop Cosmetics Peachy Keen*

Is Colourpop Cruelty-free? Yes

Vegan? Yes

 * No affiliate link

Friday, May 05, 2017

Vegan and Cruelty-free Brushes | Free Colourpop Brushes with your order? Not as free as they seem


Colourpop Eyeshadow Brush, Colourpop Blending Brush. Vegan and Cruelty-free Brushes in India

This is not an outrage, I love the brand for being Vegan and Cruelty-free and for their steps towards animal welfare and to add their customer care has been a cordial experience so far.
This is an eye-opener post for all the makeup lovers who are planning to purchase from Colourpop Cosmetics and ship/import it in India.

In January 2017, in the hope greed of acquiring more and more Colourpop super shock eyeshadows, I placed an order for 12 super shock eyeshadows. Coincidentally, the brand was giving away free 'newly launched' eyeshadow brushes. Vegan and Cruelty-Free Brushes, and I refrained from restricting myself.

Vegan & Crueltyfre Brushes online India, Synthetic Brushes online India

So I placed an order and I could not wait for it to arrive. I was wondering looking at the brushes and the pricing, really really wondering if I made the right decision by greedily adding 12 eyeshadows for the brushes. It did almost after, 15-20 days(don't remember exactly) and also arrived a shocking fact: Import Customs Duty. INR 2778/ $40 for an order worth $53.
I checked again to see if it is 270 or 2778, to be really sure. My calculations were wrong!
And I sat down to really check if there was no error by calculating online. Here are few websites that let you calculate the import customs duty in India online and for free. Dutycalculator.com needs a subscription.

Colourpop Shipping International Vegan and Crueltyfree makeup not tested on animals

And when I checked the customs bill which was stuck on the outer package, I could see $21 for three brushes and the total was calculated as $79.03 (on the surface.) But if you really calculate everything: 6 brushes and $53 worth eyeshadows, exactly 50% customs duty was charged.
And even if you calculate the whole price including the free brushes, It turned around $95/6507 INR $53 eyeshadows + $42 free brushes, it does turn out less ie 1900 INR. So in fact, 50% is the new duty rate of the 'New' government.

Colourpop Import customs duty on orders to India, Buy colourpop online in India

So was it worth all the hassle? Not so much!
The brushes are custom made for the eyeshadows and work like a dream together. But I don't think they're worth the price tag!

I'd take that as a lesson and hence I decided to shop wisely (hopefully). Spending INR 8000 for an Indie brand, No thank you!

Wednesday, May 03, 2017

Cruelty-free Skincare | The Body Shop Drops of Light Brightening Serum Review



How I discovered the magical results of this serum has a back-story. You can read at the beginning of this post here. I never was a fan of The Body Shop skincare; I tried the Vitamin E range and Aloevera Range and bought myself some breakouts. Until now...
The Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask is my H-o-l-y-g-r-a-i-l! You can read my brainwork here.

I never gave much thought to including serums into my daily skincare routine. I’m a minimalist and do away with a moisturizer, 9 of 10 times. Still, I am not a fan of layering skincare, anymore.  I do battle dry patches and dehydrated flaky skin occasionally and adding serum into my skincare routine before makeup has helped. Here is an in-depth experience of using DOL Pure Healthy Brightening serum with Clarifying Foam wash and Brightening Day cream.

What are Brightening Serums?

Brightening Serums usually focus on evening out the skintone as well as lightening hyperpigmentation. These are formulated with Light Reflectors which adds instant radiance on application. Kojic Acid, Vitamin C or Arbutin tops the ingredient lists which reduces spots and mildly exfoliates.

Texture and Efficacy

The Body Shop Drops of Light Brightening Serum is light and runny. It is almost a colourless fluid that absorbs within a few minutes on application. My skin was instantly transformed into soft velvety hydrated skin. The amount of serum you’d need is 2-3 drops, this serum has a tendency to go on sticky if used more than required. (I sense a high amount of glycerine?)

Cruelty-free Skincare | The Body Shop Drops of Light Brightening Serum Review


Drops of Light Serum with and without makeup

This serum gels well with Silicone based foundations as well as tinted moisturizers. But this serum (with primer on top) works best with powder foundations on my normal-combination skin. This or some ingredient in this does not let the mineral foundation cling to the dry patches or accentuate flakiness.

I tried mixing this serum with Chanel Vita Lumeire and it did not mix at all. I wanted to turn my foundation in serum foundation. Utter FAIL!
This serum works best upon layering rather than mixing. Is it just me? Or I thought I could create serum foundation on my own?

I use this serum exclusively during daytime and avoid using it in my evening/night time routine. It adds a subtle radiant glow to my face when used alone. And it is said already, I cannot afford to skip this under makeup.

Cruelty-free Skincare in India, Malaysia, UK, Phillipines, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia,MalaysiaThe Body Shop Drops of Light Brightening Serum Review

Products that complement DOL Pure Healthy Brightening Serum

I am starting to include all the products I use along with the Skincare products to lay down a brief idea of what goes well with the focused product.

I did not like using the Brightening Day cream from the same range with Face cleanser and Serum. The day cream with the serum is too heavy for my liking. So I either layered Clean and Clear oil balancing moisturizer or The Body Shop Vitamin C moisturizer, both of these moisturizers worked well.
Clean and Clear mattified my skin while Vitamin C added a million watts glow, good enough to go bare face.
The other products that complemented this serum are Bioderma Matte fluid and Nivea Aftershave both which I used as a primers.

Brightening Effects on Blemishes & Scars

When I bought this, all I was anticipating was-clear and even skin. And that is what it delivers. This does exfoliates, extremely mild because when I use this I feel less need to exfoliate.
Apart from adding a radiant subtle glow on application, evening out skin tone and complementing well with my base makeup, this additionally boosts the skin's hydration levels. Major love for that!
So did it work on my blemishes and scarring? No.
But on the brighter side, if wearing alone under moisturizer, the scars and blemishes do appear diffused, due to light reflectors maybe?



Crueltyfree Indian Beauty Blog, UK Crueltyfree blog


Is The Body Shop Cruelty-free? Yes

Is DOL Serum Vegan? Yes

Price In India and UK: INR 2,450 and £ 26.00

Will I repurchase? YES. Perhaps,my only restraint is Alcohol Denat, though it did initially broke me out. But I do see DOL with a potential to be my holygrail serum.