Playing with Lumiere Pigments

Friday, November 25, 2011
Hey Girls,

A small post about Lumiere Cosmetics I was sent a few 2 samples of their foundations, 3 eye pigments/shadows and 2 blushes.

Here are the pictures

Left - Foundations, Middle - Eye Shadows, Right - Blushes (with Flash)

Left - Foundations, Middle - Eye Shadows, Right - Blushes (without Flash)
 The eye shadows in the centre, i.e. the second and third are actually shimmery grey and silver, but my camera has ruined their shades. They look from the blue family. Anyways, these samples came in really tiny pots and it was quite difficult to take out product from them. So I took very small amount on a tissue and then used.

Swatches



A little information provided by Lumiere about the Warm Foundation Colors -

Foundation Skin Depths -
  (not based on skin colors and tones)

Fair - The very lightest color, Pale like Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Cate Blanchett
Light - A shade darker than Fair, Light like Keira Knightley, Reese Witherspoon, Madonna
Light Medium - A shade darker than Light but lighter than Medium, Light Medium like Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson
Medium - A shade darker than Light Medium, Medium like Angelina Jolie, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Alba
Medium Deep - A shade deeper than Medium, Medium Deep like Eva Longora, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Mendez
Deep - A shade deeper than Medium Deep, Deep like Halle Berry, Beyonce, Jada Pinkett Smith

- Foundation Bases -


Veena Velvet -
Skin type = normal to oily
Coverage - buildable light medium to heavy
Finish = matte
Ingredients = premium grade serecite (colorless mica), titanium dioxide, avena sativa, zinc oxide, iron oxide, magnesium stearate.

Flawless Face -  
Skin type = normal to dry
Coverage - medium to heavy, most opaque base, *colors may be lighter than other bases we offer due to higher levels of titanium and zinc
Finish = matte
Ingredients = premium grade serecite (colorless mica), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxides, boron nitride, silica, magnesium stearate, squalane 

Luminesse -
Skin type = all skin types
Coverage - buildable light to medium
Finish = silky glow, not shimmery
Ingredients = premium grade serecite (colorless mica), boron nitride, zinc oxide, avena sativa, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, tocopherol (vitamin e)

Cashmere -
Skin type = all skin types
Coverage - buildable light to medium
Finish = mostly matte, has a soft silkiness
Ingredients = real silk powder, serecite (colorless mica), titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, boron nitride, iron oxides

My Take on the Lumiere Foundation Bases

These foundation bases are pretty good in providing coverage, almost opaque. The samples were sent to me after I had sent them my picture. And, oh boy, I am so glad. The foundations matched my skin tone exactly. I dabbed a bit on my under-eyes and my dark circles almost look concealed. Yes, worked great as concealer too. A very little amount is needed and though the sample jars are tiny, they would easily last me 12-15 uses or even more. They glide effortlessly on the skin and stay for a quite long time, but come off easily if skin comes in contact with water or sweat. The only drawback I felt was that these foundation made my dry skin even more dry. They have to applied on a well moisturized skin.

My Take on the Lumiere Eye Pigments 
 
I am not very much an eyeshadow girl and hardly use eye shadows when it comes to eye-makeup. The Eye shadow samples i was sent were one matet and 2 shimmery shades. The matte shade is very close to my skin tone and would serve as a great eye makeup base. The other 2 shimmery shades have a lot of glitter in them and would be very pretty for some dramatic eye looks, especially the greyish black one with tons of shimmer. The eye pigments are nicely pigmented and I think they would easily stay for a long time.

My Take on the Lumiere Blushes

What can I say about the blushes ? I recently discovered my undying love for blushes. The blushes are very soft and smooth and glide on cheeks like a dream. They are almost matte without any big chunky glitter. The blushes too, like skin foundation made my skin more dry so I tried using a thick cream before using the blushes. They stayed for about 3-4 hours with the thick moisture layer, which is good enough. Overall, I find the shades really really pretty and very much wearable for girls with light and fair skin tones. The shades won't show up well on girls with wheatish skin tones.

So, here's my short post about Lumiere Cosmetics. I find their products to be of good quality, very fine texture and good staying power. Ignoring the fact that they made my skin dry, I think that these products would work better on girls with oily skin and medium to oily skin.

Have you used Lumiere Cosmetics ? What do you think about their products ?

Disclaimer - Products sent by brand for consideration. Read entire Disclaimer here

Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask - Review

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Hey Girls,

I am back with another review of one of my now favourite brands 'Liz Earle'. I was sent the Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask for review. Like all the previous Liz Earle products I tried and loved, this one is no exception.

 What Liz Earle claims about Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask 

Problem: dull, lacklustre skin.

Solution: our fast-acting ‘minute’ mask instantly revitalises. Containing stimulating camphor oil and toning witch hazel to help give your skin a natural-looking radiance.

Use in the morning or whenever a quick fix is needed.

Naturally active ingredients include aloe vera to help cool and soothe, toning witch hazel and purifying white clay.

Not suitable for sensitive skin


 How to use
  • Use whenever your skin needs a quick fix to leave it radiant and revitalized.
  • Apply to clean, dry skin. Leave for between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. Soak the pure muslin cloth in hand-hot water and gently wipe away residue.
  • Follow with Instant Boost Skin Tonic.

You will experience a slight tingling sensation. This is normal. However, as a common sense precaution, do not use on sensitive skin and avoid the lip and eye area.

Ingredients 
D-panthenol - Otherwise known as pro-vitamin B5, this B vitamin is necessary for the normal functioning of the skin and has a moisturising effect. It also helps stimulate cellular renewal.
Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis) - This light emollient oil produced from almond kernels helps keep the skin soft and smooth.
Witch Hazel Water (Hamamelis virginiana) - Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub or small tree. Its other common names, winterbloom and snapping hazel illustrate its unusually late flowering period and its explosive bursting seeds that can be ejected as far as 20 feet away from the plant. Naturally rich in tannins the distillate produced from witch hazel has a mildly astringent effect, helping to tone the skin.
Green Mineral Silt (Silt) - This natural ingredient is rich in mineral salts, such as calcium, iron and magnesium which help achieve fresher, firmer looking skin.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) - The gel found in this cactus-like plant’s fat juicy fronds contain active ingredients to help cool, soothe and soften the skin. Aloe vera has been used for more than 6000 years to treat a variety of skin ailments, including sunburn, blisters and burns.
White Clay (Montmorillonite) - This super-fine powder helps absorb excess sebum on the skin and draw out embedded impurities.
Camphor Oil (Cinnamomum camphora) - Camphor oil has an uplifting and stimulating effect on both the skin and the mind. Extracted from the evergreen camphor tree, Cinnamomum camphora, Chinese camphor is traditionally considered to be the best quality.
Full ingredients list - Aqua (water), Aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, Montmorillonite, Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water, PEG-20 stearate, Silt, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, Panthenol, Cetearyl ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl alcohol, Cinnamomum camphora (camphor) oil, Parfum (fragrance), Citronellol, Hexyl cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Linalool, Lactic acid, Potassium sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Sodium methylparaben, Sodium propylparaben.


My Experience with Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask

With the onset of winters, my dry skin never loses any opportunity to misbehave. It has already started looking dull and lifeless. This looked like a perfect product for a quick fix to restore the radiance of the skin. Well, I was not at all disappointed. The Brightening Treatment Mask comes in a pump dispenser alongwith a the very famed Liz Earle muslin cloth. I am so much in love with the muslin cloth. Well, that cloth deserves a separate post itself. The Brightening Treatment Mask is creamy and very light in texture, and has a very light beige colour.

As instructed on the product, I applied it on my clean and dry face. It gives a very mild and cooling sensation when applied, which is not at all bothering. I used it at the time of onset of winters and I did not experience any cold feeling of the product on my face. I think this product will be even much delightful to use in the hot and humid summers. The mask becomes almost invisible as soon as it is applied on skin. After applying, I let the mask remain on my face for about one and half minutes. Then rinsed off twice with the pure muslin cloth dipped in hand-hot water. The mask easily gets removed from the skin without any residue and there is no need to use any facial/foaming cleanser to remove. I did notice that my skin, especially the apple of cheeks had a nice subtle radiance, almost like as if I had applied a tiny amount of highlighter. I think you all understood....what I am trying to say. The only downside I felt about this product is that it made my dry skin more dry. But, its something which happens most of the times, like when I rigorously scrub my skin with an exfoliant or use a lot of some foaming cleanser. The dryness can easily be taken care of by an extra blob of moisturizer.
The Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask comes in pump bottle

Swatch

What I liked about Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask
  • The Brightening Treatment Mask delivers what it claims. My dull and dry skin looked instantly radiant after using this mask. 
  • I found the fragrance of this mask to be quite subtle and fresh. It's not at all bothering even to sensitive noses.
  • A great treatment mask when you are in a hurry and don't have the time for the facials, skin treatments to rejuvenate your skin.
  • The treatment mask is creamy and spreads evenly on the skin. After leaving it for 1-2 minutes, it can be easily washed off with the muslin cloth dipped in hand-hot water.
  • I did not face any allergic reactions, breakouts due to this mask. Natural ingredients used in all Liz Earle products.
  • The price is quite reasonable for the quality it delivers and of course the quantity too. The 50ml started kit costs GBP 13.50.
  • The pump packaging is very convenient to store and convenient to carry. No chances of product oozing out unless the pump is pressed.
  • The pump also dispenses only a small product which is enough for one use. The product lasts for a quite long time.
What I did not like about the Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask
  • The mask makes my dry skin more dry and I need more moisturizer/thick creams to reduce the dryness.
  • Cannot be used on sensitive skin.
  • Can be purchased online only from Liz Earle Website

Products send by Liz Earle for review purposes.Read entire Disclaimer here

My Expereince with B.Lab

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I recently came across a new website Beauty Lab, B.Lab for short offering some of the best brands like Elizabeth Arden, Yves Saint Laurent, Shiseido, Emporio Armani, Dermalogica, OPI, Zoya, Victoria's Secret Thalgo, Babor, Vichy, Eminence, Dermalogica, Palmers, La Rochey Posay etc.

What B.Lab claims 

B.LAB is a India based beauty and wellness company that simplifies shopping for beauty and wellness products for both women and men with a simple click of a button. B.LAB, short for Beauty Lab was started by industry veterans looking to create an exciting destination, which brings some of the world’s best brands and solutions to address your beauty needs.

The shop features a large variety of brands and products organized in logical categories intended to help you find products fast. For women, you will find everything from a daily face wash to the most advanced skin care cream. For men, a range of products from shaving foams to advanced hair styling products are available. We partner with some of the best brands in the world with our brand portfolio growing each day. Don’t miss out - register now to get the inside scoop on new arrivals and offers.

At B.LAB, our team carefully selects brands that offer the most effective solutions for common beauty products from some of the world’s top beauty companies. Whether you are concerned about an occasional breakout or hair loss, you will find that B.LAB offers the best of beauty in India.

One of our goals is to make it easy for you to find relevant products easily. Our site features various ways to discover and learn about new and exciting progress in beauty. The B.LAB MAGAZINE features the latest trends, helpful tips, latest offers, and news from the beauty world. Our weekly B.LAB PICKS shortlists hot products. We will continue to add new ways to simplify discovering new brands, products and solutions. Stay tuned by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.





B.Lab offers free shipping for all orders above value of Rs. 400 and also offer Cash on Delivery. I always feel more comfortable shopping on website which offer option of cash on delivery. Do you girls feel the same ?
 

My Experience with B.Lab 

 When I first accessed the website and was browsing through the brands available, I was very much surprised to find some high end brands especially Elizabeth Arden, Yves Saint Laurent, Shiseido. I have never seen the brands on any other website from where I have shopped before. Like I just said, I was quiet surprised to find luxury and high end brands like Elizabeth Arden, Yves Saint Laurent, Shiseido, Emporio Armani, Dermalogica, OPI, Zoya, Victoria's Secret Thalgo, Babor, Vichy, Palmers, Eminence, Dermalogica, Palmers, La Rochey Posay etc.

Just check out the pictures below and feast your eyes :-)


I think I got a bit lost looking at the pictures again. Lol.

Coming back to my experience, I placed order and instantly got an email from them about the items that I ordered. The next day I received a call from one of their representatives to confirm my order and that my order will be shipped after confirmation and will reach me within 3-4 days. A few hours later, I got another email from them that my order has been shipped.My order arrived on the third day itself. The items were tightly bubble wrapped in tons of bubble wrap and securely kept in a cardboard box to ensure no breakage.



The box and the products ordered.

 B.Lab also has its own monthly magazine which includes features like tips on grooming for men and women, gifting ideas for the festive season, new product launches etc. Check out the previous three editions of B.Lab's monthly magazines. You will enjoy reading.

B.Lab also features a separate section for videos for day and night.Check out these videos here

Here's the Day Makeup Video 


The Night Makeup Video 



Have you shopped from B.Lab yet ? Do share your experiences with me.


B.Lab recently  "On the Go" (OTG) offers program. Program highlights are as follows:
  1. A fixed amount of discount will be offered on MRP for a few select products.
  2. Offer will be limited for a short time – 24 to 48 hours
  3. Offers will be updated regularly 
  4. Each visitor will be able to redeem  only 1 product per session – need more? just buy via separate sessions.
  5. Any other offers/promos/coupons we are running will not be applicable to these products.
You can access these offers here. These offers are for a limited time only and B.Lab keeps coming up with new offers on different products every few days. So stay tuned, maybe that Elizabeth Arden lipstick of the YSL blush you have been eying for ages might be available for a big discount very soon. 

Disclaimer - I was given a voucher to make purchases, but my review of www.blab.co.in  is unbiased.

Sigma F80 Flat top Kabuki Brush Giveaway Winner

Sunday, November 13, 2011
Before announcing the winner of my International Giveaway for Sigma F80 Flat top Kabuki Brush, I would like to thank all the lovely ladies who participated and made it worthwhile to have a giveaway. I love this brush so much. well, I think every girl deserves a Sigma F80 Flat top Kabuki Brush, isn't it ? Or may be two..? What say ? Anyways, jokes apart, coming back to the giveaway results.


Here are all the girls who participated 

Lu
Jax
Paola
Lyudmila
Visakhi
g3pinkii
Burcin
Pooja_G
Zara
All Made Up
Riddhi jholapara
 PrettyEyeMakeup
Oana
Theresa
Rekha
Deepika
Ruqaiya Khan   
megha saraf
Nidhi
Dollhouse
Adela
Bebe
EVE-O-LUTION
Stavroula @drugstoreandbargainlover
Precious Pearl
MiLulu
Tras el Secreto de Venus
Dorottya Zsófia Bacsi.
Nóra
Olga
Marilena Maftei
Dramaqueen93
Maryam chaudary
KawaiiBarbie
kindy sohkhlet newmai
Nemtanu Simona
Emilee Frederickson
Bruna Oliveira
Miriam Rivas
Gizzele Alfonso
Alta Infante
Pérolas Pingas
Song Xiong
Joanna Hainey.
Janet loayza
Ana Petrovic
Milos Markovic
*Tasha*
Anja
Andrea
Gift Princess
Csarlyn
Merin
Costin Daniela
Shikha
Vyvy Pham
Linda Gr
Dhriti
Pikletka

Thank you so much everyone. 



Here's the prize...


Now its time for the Winner !!! Hold your breath Girls.....



and the Winner is

Shikha

Congratulations, Shikha. 

Please email me your details within 48 hours. 

For all the girls ho dint win, don't loose heart. I will keep the giveaways coming up for you.

Lashem Double Trouble Mascara

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Lashem Double Trouble Mascara 

If you girls have been reading my blog regularly, you would know that I was recently bitten by the mascara bug. So, when I received this Lashem Double Trouble Mascara, I almost jumped in delight. Well, I was sent the Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel and Double Trouble Mascara. I have used Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel only  for 5-6 days now, So won't be able to review it now. Here's my experience with Lashem Double Trouble Mascara. Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lashem Measurable Difference Lash Gel and Double Trouble Mascara



Lashem Double Trouble Mascara

What Lashem claims about its Double Trouble Mascara 

About Double Trouble Mascara

Now you don't have to choose! Use the volume wand for long and bold voluminous effect and use the length wand to expand your natural lashes. The lengthening fiber mascara enhances lash growth and doesn't clump or irritate your eyes.

Let your lashes do the talking with our infamous Double Trouble Mascara! You know the best part about it? It's a 2 in 1 formula! Now you don't have to choose - Use the volume wand for long and bold voluminous effect and use the length wand to expand your natural lashes. The lengthening fiber mascara enhances lash growth and doesn't clump or irritate your eyes. Extend those lashes for some double trouble fun!

Benefits
  • Define and smooth lashes for an even application without clumps.
  • Flexible cotton fibers wrap around each lash like a tube to help thicken and curl lashes
  • Build length for an instant lash extension effect.
  • Nourish and hydrate for longer, thicker, voluptuous lashes.
  • Volume fiber enhance lash growth for a bolder look.
  • Formula is easily removed, which is great to use on sensitive and fragile lashes. 
Directions:

For best results, apply the volumizing black mascara first, and then finish with the lengthening fiber black mascara for those Double Trouble lashes.

Ingredients (Volume):

Water, Stearic Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Glycerl Stearate, Polyethylene, Polyisobutene, Isododecane, PVP K-30, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Hydrogenate Castor, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Tetrasodium Phytophosphate, Sweet Grape, Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Malus Domestica, Triethanolamine, Polyisobutene, Isododecane, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol.

Ingredients (Length):

Water, Octyldodecyl, Behenyl Citrate Crosspolymer, Brassica Campestris, Aleurites Ford Oil Copolymer, Beeswax, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Hydrogenate Castor, Isopropyl Myristate, Persea Gratissima Butter, Trisostearyl Citrate, Stearic Acid, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Hydrophobic Fumed Silica, Sweet Grape Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Malus Domestica, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol

Price: $19.99  

My Experience with Lashem Double Trouble Mascara

What I loved about Lashem Double Trouble Mascara 


1) The first thing which caught my eye the moment I opened the box was the packaging of the products. The mascara came in a sleek shiny silver tube which was just so pretty. I kept on admiring at both the tubes for few minutes.  They look so classy and elegant, which can give a high end brand a run for its money.

2) The mascara is very thoughtfully designed with both lengthening and volumizing brushes at both the ends. At both ends, there were 2 small tubes, containing the volumining and lengthening. The middle of the mascara had both the brushes attached.

3) Does not clump at all, even after 3-4 coats.The Mascara is weightless and I don't feel that I am wearing anything on my eyelashes.

4) The mascara is free of parabens, fragrance and prostaglandin. Lashem does not test its products on animals.

5) I love love the lengthening product of this mascara. It makes lashes look long and defined.  

6) I have sensitive eyes but it did not sting my eyes at all.

7) Easy to carry 2 products at the same time. Its great to carry in your handbag for touch-ups during the day.


Left Wand - Lengthening, Right Wand - Voluminizing

What I did not like about Lashem Double Trouble Mascara

  1. It is not waterproof, but can washed off easily with a regular facewash or a cleanser.
  2. The volumizing part disappointed me. It did not make my lashes appear thicker or longer, which I was expecting. My lashes almost looked the same as they were after applying the lengthening mascara.
  3. Availability might be a problem as it is not available at all the stores around you, but you can order it online from their official website of Lashem
 Disclaimer - Products sent by Brand for consideration. Read entire Disclaimer here