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Saturday, February 03, 2018

Red Lipsticks for Valentine's Day



There is something about the colour red...

and a red lipstick.

How instantly it brightens up the face!

I am in love!

The only way I can make red lipstick work for me is by bronzing and using a corrector to out the pink in my skin. Red is never an effortless colour for me. I love clean, minimal base, lots of mascara and red lipstick. Red lipsticks with blue undertone bring out the golden-brown hues in my eyes.



Here are three hues I have pulled out from my collection. All drugstore pricing; cruelty-free as well.



L.A.Colors Pout Lipgloss Matte in Lusty

I am in love with the texture and everything about this, and the fact that this is for $1. The staying power is amazing, and it does not come off in patches (unless you eat something fried). I bought all 11 shades from ShopMissA, boy! I'm glad. Lusty is true red with neutral undertone. I am wearing this in the GIF. Also, I was testing The Ordinary Coverage Foundation and all the new makeup I received. This one is my favourite of these three.


NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Amsterdam

I adore the texture of soft matte lip creams. Amsterdam was a part of a set; the undertone is yellow, and the red leans more on the red-orange spectrum. I don't know how exactly I feel about this kind (warm undertone) of red. I wear reds with reds or whites exclusively. Nothing more nothing less sort of thing for me. This does bring out yellow in my skin tone.

Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss Matt Effect in Silky Red

This is a warm red with orange undertone. The undertones of my face and body are different and hence the colour shows up differently on both. Check out the difference in swatches here, but I definitely don't like this one, for it just slips away. The only way to make this work is to blot and reapply!



This gif is made out of an accidental video. I accidentally turned on video mode and got occupied in clicking pictures on phone. Cropped out from whole seven minutes. I have more reds with more or less with orange undertones. I need a red with blue undertone. Ruby Woo is all I think of, but I need a cruelty-free option, Milani maybe. Ooooh! And that purchase will be celebrated. ;-)



Thursday, December 07, 2017

Cruelty-free Makeup Brands available in India online

Crueltyfree brands available in India online


I had a phase while transitioning into using cruelty-free products, where I wanted to quit. Because there were not many certified cruelty-free brands available in India. There were a lot of cruelty-free and vegan skincare and haircare options available but makeup wasn't easy. But now they can be accessed on various ecommerce websites. Though the prices are not exactly "drugstore",  you can always get them on discount.

I have compiled few certified cruelty-free brands that are available online in India. Sephora NNNow holds high-end brands such as Smashbox and Becca, while all drugstore brands are available on Amazon, Nykaa, Jabong and Purplle. I will be also listing down the availability of these brands on various websites. I have narrowed down all the cruelty-free, vegan makeup brands that are available online. I will be compiling different brand lists categorising  them into skincare, haircare, makeup and skincare tools and offline brands available in India.

Ardell

Ardell is well known for their lashes. Though they've led off with their makeup line recently. The brand offers various styles of lashes for every ocassion. Demi Wispies are cult favourite!
Ardell is certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa, Jabong, Snapdeal, Flipkart.

Australis

When Australis was launched online in India, the first thing I wanted to do was purchase face and body tint. But upon reading, I concluded that it is nowhere near being similar to MAC Face and Body Foundation.
Australis is certified by Choose Crueltyfree.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa, Jabong, Flipkart, Snapdeal and HOKMakeup.

Beauty Blender

I cannot imagine my makeup life without an orginal beauty blender! Set aside all those dupes and similar sponges, nothing compares this little squishy tool. Shopmissa's Wonder blender is by far the closest dupe. Beauty Blender is sold in China and is categorised as makeup tool and hence does not require animal testing.
Beauty Blender is 100% vegan.
Available online in India though there is no authenticity guarantee (unless stated). You can get it on Camera Ready Cosmetics, Beauty Bay and Cultbeauty; these websites offer worldwide shipping.

Becca

Becca is available online on sephora.nnnow.com exclusively in India. Becca is acquired by Estee Lauder, but the brand remains cruelty-free.

Ciate London

I heaved a sigh of relief when Ciate London was launched in India. I was distraught with unavailability of cruelty-free nail polishes in India. But then I already have the Ciate Advent Calender 2016. Their makeup line looks amazing and fun. Some of their products are 100% vegan.
Ciate London is PETA certified.
Available online on Amazon and Nykaa.

Catrice

I am fancying some good drugstore makeup and Catrice is on the list. Few select products are available online in India, but I believe it was launched in India? I don't know.
The brand belongs to Cosnova and most of their products are vegan.
Available online on Amazon.


Essence

I vividly remember concluding Essence cosmetics as non-cruelty-free. But upon in-depth reading, the parent company, Cosnova, although not certified by any organisation, is considered cruelty-free.
Some products are 100% vegan.
Available online on Amazon, Nykaa, Purplle.

IsaDora

A Swedish makeup brand that is affordable, but it is not quite cheap and cheerful in India.
IsaDora is certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa and Shoppersstop.

Lottie London

The packaging is bomb.com! I am in love with their packaging, and I am hoping to see their makeup line launching soon. Their duo chrome lip glosses and nail polishes are minimalistic and chic.
Lottie London is PETA certified.
Lottie London brushes are available online on Amazon, Nykaa, Habbana.


LA Colors and LA Girl

Both these brands belong to Beauty 21 Cosmetics Inc. Take my word, LA girl Pro HD Foundation is incredible and so are their concealers. Both these brands are certified cruelty-free by PETA.
Almost all the products are available online on Amazon, Nykaa, HOK Makeup, Habbana and Purplle.

LA Splash

LA Splash belongs to Jon Davler Inc. or IONI Cosmetics. The products are glutenfree and some of them are 100% vegan.
LA Splash holds PETA certification.


Iba Halal

Iba Care is certified cruelty-free by PETA. The brand offers halal lipsticks and other makeup products. The lipsticks are inexpensive for 195 INR!
Not all vegan products are halal, there is a difference between both. Halal products donot contain any animal by-product and forbidden ingredients such as alcohol.

Milani

Milani is PETA and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free! The matte lipsticks, the blushes and amore matte lipsticks are hit. Some of their products are vegan.
Available on Amazon and Nykaa.

Natio

Natio is certified cruelty-free by Choose Crueltyfree. Natio is sold in China exclusively online which does not require animal testing. You can read an indepth post on the brands statement here.
Natio offers both skincare and colour cosmetics.
Available on Amazon, Nykaa and Sephora NNNow.

Inglot

Inglot is the brand that goes unnoticed in competition to MAC. But I believe the quality is quite similar to MAC. If only their foundations and shades weren't so confusing. Inglot is available in select cities, but it can be purchased on Nykaa and Majorbrands.

The Body Shop

I am a fan of neither their skincare nor makeup, but I am just glad they are cruelty-free. The Body Shop holds cruelty-free certification by PETA.
Available on all leading websites, Nykaa and thebodyshop.in

Smashbox

Smashbox is PETA certified cruelty-free. Estee Lauder is the parent company and conducts animal testings. Smashbox entered the Chinese market but pulled out immediately.  As of now, the brand is not sold in Mainland China, which requires animal testing.
Smashbox is available on Nykaa and Sephora NNNow.

the Balm

I always thought the Balm is certified cruelty-free but I was wrong. It is not sold in Mainland China, and most of their products are vegan. phew!
Available on Nykaa.

Zuii Organics

An Australian brand I came across when I was looking at organic brands. What caught my attention was that their products are made from flower extracts and plants. Imagine a lipstick made from flowers extracts! Though I am yet to try their line, the pricing is holding me back. The products are certified vegan by The Vegan Society, and the cruelty-free certification  is provided by Choose Crueltyfree.
Available on Nykaa and Amazon.

Wet n Wild

The brand was launched on Nykaa on 1 December 2017. I jumped at the chance and placed two orders. Currently,  I am testing them and am so glad the brand is now available in India.
Wet n Wild is certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny (read their status update here).

NYX

NYX has been a cult favourite with their soft matte lip creams. NYX is owned by L'oreal, but the brands is cruelty-free and certified by PETA.
NYX is available on Amazon and Nykaa.



Most of these brands are certified cruelty-free by PETA. Other brands that claim to be cruelty-free, such as MUA, Freedom London, Makeup Obsession and I  Makeup, and are owned by Tam Beauty are not certified.
Indian brands such as Lotus Herbals, Sugar Cosmetics, Seasoul and LYN are not certified cruelty-free, but they claim that their products are not tested on animals. I am awaiting replies from Lotus Herbals and Seasoul.
I am drafting an in-depth post on cruelty-free standards by the organisations such as PETA, CCF and Leaping Bunny. 

Sunday, December 30, 2012

From Craving to Shaving...

This post is a part of the 'Shave or Crave' movement in association with BlogAdda.com

I have learned: Stubble is the way to win a woman’s heart. Don't believe me? Read it here.

But...

How to Ignite the Craving for a Stubble-Free Transformation in Men?

Source: Pixabay


Join the "Shave or Crave" movement and let's tackle the hairy-beary epidemic together!

I've cracked the code on making men ditch the caveman chic and embrace the smooth look. Here's my foolproof guide:


1. Mock Him!
Give him a taste of his own stubble rebellion! I casually inquired if he was treating his beard to a luxurious shampoo experience along with his hair. The 'look' he shot back was a mix of disbelief and victory. Lo and behold, the next day, I was greeted by a dazzling clean-shaven masterpiece. Victory smells as sweet as his aftershave!


2. Gift him Shaving Essentials.

For the lazy guys with unruly stubble, gift them shaving essentials. Remind them so often that it becomes a background score to their life. Annoying? Absolutely. Effective? You bet. He'll be shaving daily just to shut you up.


3. Drag him to Spas and Salons.
Book those couple spa packages and, if needed, employ some gentle persuasion tactics - literally drag him along. Keep a watchful eye on him, not to be a snoopy spy, but to play pretend. Because nothing says "shave it off" like a pampering session that makes him appreciate the value of a smooth, clean-shaven face. It's spa day, not stubble day!


4. Ban the Stubble.
Set the ground rules - "No stubble days" are non-negotiable. If he protests, take him shopping with you. It's the perfect revenge strategy. Trust me; he won't risk skipping a shave again.


5. Be a Drama Queen.
Channel your inner soap opera star. Hype it up! Show off your acting skills. Throw in some dramatic sighs and gasps. Make a fuss about the stubble like it's the ultimate apocalypse of facial hair. Kiss and make up later, and he'll be running for the razor.
Stubble be gone, the curtain has fallen!


And for those days when he forgets to shave, here are five one-liners to drive the point home:

1) "Did you forget to look in the mirror today? Seriously."
2) "You might need a mask today, babe."
3) "I'm tempted to scratch that scoundrel stubble from your cheeks, eh."
4) "Did you drink that or your stubble did?"
5) "Believe me, baby, it'd take just a day for you to look like Tom Hanks in Cast Away."


P.S. Don't forget to *roll your eyes* while delivering these gems. Happy shaving adventures!
P.S.S. All the one-liners and guidelines are tried and tested. *wink*


No beards were harmed while writing this post. No harm intended - this post is all in good humor and is written for Blogadda.