Bobbi Brown's Unsung Hero: "This Foundation Stick Totally Rocks!"

REVIEW: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in the shade Natural Tan 4.25 (Mac NC 35-40)

By: Shikha Koli

Bobby Brown Stick Foundation available in 20 shades

My skin type: Dry-Normal

Product Price: $ 42 for 31 oz/9 g

Skin Type: For All skin types                                              

Let me just Blurt it out of excitement: This stick ROCKS! ;) It has changed my life..OK.. lets be less dramatic. It has changed the way I do makeup. After many failed trials and tribulations with various drug store foundations, Mac foundations, Kryolan etc. I think I have finally found my Holy Grail foundation. I say 'think' because a girl always has to have more options. I still have yet to test out the more high end ones like Channel, NARS etc :P Well I like options. So, I will keep a look out for an even better base product, but until than this is my HERO and its for Keeps!

What is it? It is a portable foundation stick with buildable coverage from sheer to full. Available in a total of 20 shades and is in the permanent line of Bobbi Brown foundations. It caters to all skin types. 

According to Bobbi Brown: "It is the one thing every woman needs to have in her makeup bag." I agree! :D

My Shade: Natural Tan 4.25 equivalent to Mac NC 35-40.

What I Love about it: Everything! This is a difficult one because I love everything about it. Right from the packaging, formulation, easy application and longevity. 

First of all it is the correct shade match for me. Phew! It has a yellow under tone (what Bobby Brown cosmetics is famous for) without being too yellow and orange like some Mac foundations. If you know what I mean :-/

I dislike powder foundations for obvious reasons (dry skin) aswell as liquid foundations even though dry skinned people are recommended liquid foundations. But I find them too messy and a struggle. This stick has a creamy formulation. It's not messy and in sits nicely on my dry, uneven patchy skin and most importantly does not emphasize the dry patches nor the fine lines on my face. It is almost buttery soft on my skin. 

NOTE: It is one of the recommended foundations for dry/mature skin by none other then makeup guru Lisa Eldridge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsN2oQsWs6Y

PACKAGING: 

The packaging is gorgeous, classy and very elegant. It reminds of the more high end 'Channe'l packaging. The stick is a twist up stick like most lipsticks. It is compact in size and portable. You can just throw it in your purse and take it along with you anywhere for touch ups. Perfect holiday partner! :D

COVERAGE:

It is very flexible and buildable. It is able to go from sheer to full coverage or as desirable without looking cakey. 

It even doubles up as a concealer. You can even use a shade or two darker to your own skin stone for contouring. Wow..Triple Whamy! So it basically is a bunch of different face products thrown in one. A multi-tasking gem! 

Hand swatch: It is quite creamy

APPLICATION: 

Application of this creamy foundation is super easy. You can apply it using your fingers, flat traditional foundation brush, stipple brush, buffing brush, flat top kabuki brush or sponges (beauty blender). I personally like using damp sponges for my dry skin because using brushes on dry skin only exfoliates the foundation and your skin, irritating the skin further.That causes flaky skin and you won't achieve a clean application for a flawless polished look. So in my opinion, for dry skin sponges are the best foundation application tool. I gently pat in and push in the product onto my skin and that way it sits nicely all day. The skin's own warmth warms/melts the product up further for easier application.

blended swatch. Notice the glow?
(swatch only to showcase the glow & not the coverage)

This foundation even gives me this radiant glow to my entire face. Whenever, I wear this foundation, I receive lots of compliments and when that happens you know you have done something right with your makeup. :):):)

It is not a flat Matte foundation nor a dewy foundation. I would say it is in between the two with a slight glow and luminosity quality. 

LONGEVITY:   

As far as longevity is concerned than it stays put without budging for a very long time. It is a good option for long special occasions such as weddings, clubbing, parties, photo-shoots etc. It sits good even in hot humid weather and harsh lights. I personally wore it on my engagement day and I was ready by 9:00 am and it lasted on my face, comfortably all day long, untill I took it off around 7pm. While I was taking it off I noticed my makeup did not have much wear and tear. In fact my face had the glow intact and I still looked fresh. I had to touch up just once during the day on my T-zone area which gets oily in 2-3 hours. 

COMPARISON:

While at the Bobbi Brown store I also happened to try out their Moisture Rich Liquid foundation especially meant for dry skin. I tried the Moisture Rich on one side of the face and the stick on the other side. The Sales lady and me both agreed the the stick foundation looked much better on me and gave a cleaner look.

The Moisture rich liquid foundation was very sheer in its coverage, hydrating too but I noticed it stuck to my dry patches a lot. It just didn't do much for my skin. It is probably a good option for those who have a clear and blemish free skin to begin with and are looking for a sheer everyday foundation. 

Since, I was looking for a full coverage foundation for special occasions which not only gave me a flawless look but hid my lines and dry patches, I gave the Moisture rich one a pass and chose the BB stick.

If I had to compare it to my Kryolan Paint Stick which was my earlier HG foundy and were to choose between the two than I would by far opt for the BB stick because its is far creamier to work with. Kryolan is also a stick foundation and concealer in one but it is on the drier side. Trying to slather that on my dry skin was quite a task. It would just settle into fine lines especially my smile lines and dry patches.

Kryolan is probably a better option for oily skin. Dry skinned should stick to BB stick. 

The Complete Look:

This is how the foundation looked on me on my Engagement post lunch (remember I was ready by 9am).

PROS:

• Creamy
• Multi-tasker (concealer+Foundation)
• Buildable coverage
• Lasts Long
• Gives a glow 
• Even finish
• Easy Application
• Fragrance Free
• Photographs well (No white casts)

Cons:

• None except some might find it pricey for the quantity you get (9 gm). 

Final Verdict: 

I don't know what took me so long or where had this stick been hiding from me but Oh boy am I happy I have finally found it. :D I love it and highly highly recommend it. Its a Must Have product in your kit!
Giving it a 5/5 star rating :-*:-*:-*:-*:-* (It exceeded my expectations)

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain - Tropical Frenzy: Review

Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Tropical Frenzy

By Tanuja Kelkar 

I recently discovered a new website for online shopping and let me tell you that it has become my most favorite one in recent times. The website is www.cherryculture.com It’s an amazing beauty site with lots of US brands on sale, some of which are easy on the pocket too. The best thing about this website is that they accept international cards and ship internationally. Yippie!! Well, international shipping is a costly affair with shipping charges and custom duty et all.

Good luck was on my side and I had my relatives visiting me from the US so I decided to not let go of this opportunity and place and order for all the beauty products that I needed from there. I got lots of lip balms, lip sticks, lip stains, eye shadows, blushes, primers and many more items.

In this post, I want to review the first thing that I tried from all those goodies. I have recently got converted into a lippie lover, I was earlier an eye-liner lover. So, it’s pretty obvious that I would try out all the lipsticks and balms first. So the product that I am going to review is Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in the shade Tropical Frenzy. This range is available in 8 shades and I already have got 4 of them :)

Price: USD 3

The brand claims that it is a moisturizing balm Infused with a Light-Weight Stain, which applies with a Glossy Finish then transforms into the Perfect Flush of Color. It is long lasting.

Now, let’s see if this one is as per the claims made.

As the name suggests, these are retractable sticks that do not have to be sharpened. This also ensures that the entire stick can be used up. J

I used it the very next day of receiving it. It looks and feels like those wax crayons we used in school. The colour of the crayon… opps.. Balm Stain is pretty misleading and looking completely different on the lips. But it has an amazing colour payoff. That day, I applied it at home without checking into the mirror so didn’t even realize it till I saw myself in the office washroom.. opps.. such a faux pas. Tried to wipe it off using tissues but it wouldn’t go away. It stayed put for more than 10 hours and did not fade a bit even after lunch, snacks and continuous sipping of water.

Lip Swatches:

I like the way Tropical Frenzy looks in natural light even but in artificial lights, one needs to be pretty careful about much is applied.

This is something that I was really looking for – super awesome staying power and I got it.. Yay..

On application it feels smooth and lips are hydrated and mositurising, but in 1-2 hours the moisturisation goes away and it stays put as an amazing lip stain. Some of the other shades do not have as much staying power. Shall be reviewing them subsequently.

Pros:

·                      - Long lasting ( it stays on forever)

·                      - The brand has been added to PETA’s cruelty free lust

·                      - Affordable and good quality

Cons:

·                      - Availability or rather lack of availability in India

·                      - Should have been more moisturizing – does a good job of lip stain but not of a lip balm

Will I repurchase it?

Yes definitely – I will buy the remaining 3 shades after seeing their swatches on Shikha. She has got them. 

May skip the N*de one as I like colorful lips.

I give it 4.5 kisses out of 5 :* :* :* :* :

Review: Forrest Essential Nourishing Cleansing Paste

 Forrest Essential Rupam Extra Rich Nourishing Cleansing Paste in Pistachio, Orange Peel & Fresh Jaggery

By Shikha Koli

Sorry about the crushed packaging due to travel.

In my earlier post I mentioned buying this nourishing cleansing paste from Forrest Essential. When I was at the store, I asked the sales lady for a multi-tasking face product. One that would scrub, nourish my dry face and can be used as a face mask too. Now don't we all love products that can multitask and not have to look around or carry a gazzilion products; one for the eye, one for the lips, one for the face etc etc, especially when travelling? I know I do. I remember how ladies would use lipsticks as eye-shadows, blush and lip color :D. I still do that sometimes, especially when I'm in a rush. :p I think its pretty neat! So read on to find out if this really is a milt-tasking product or not?

 My Skin Type: Dry-Normal

 My Skin Tone: Medium-Dusky

Product Price: Rs. 1475/- for 50g. 

The nourishing paste comes in the paper made box (see above pic). The paper back box is quite attractive itself and has directions, ingredients and price written at the back side of the box as well as the jar. Forrest Essential is an Indian brand which makes 100% Ayurvedic or organic products which are not tested on animals. PETA would surely be very happy as well as vegetarian, vegan, and cruelty free conscious cosmetic customers. :)

  Notice the key ingredients like Almond Oil, Pistachio, Jaggery etc.

Product pic

The round jar is fairly big with a gold lid on top which has 'Forrest Essentials engraved on it. The whole packaging has a luxurious feel to it. I think Forrest Essentials paid a lot of attention to their packaging to make their customers happy and satisfied. For women packaging is very important. Lame packaging usually is a turn off. However, I was mighty impressed with 'FE' packaging. It made me feel "OK I'm buying an expensive product at least the packaging is worth the expensive price tag". 

Hand Swatch

Both the product pic (above) and hand swatch show the paste is smooth and milky, mixed with hard brown granules (orange peel and jaggery). Each time you open the jar you can literally smell all the ingredients listed in the Ingredients list. The entire aroma of the product transports me into the kitchen. It almost makes me want to eat it. Being 100% natural, I guess I can? But at my own risk :P So, I'll pass.

Now I have tried a couple of scrubs such as St. Ives Apricot scrub, Ever Youth's scrub and a few others more gentle ones. If you are looking for a gentle gel scrub like the ones by Lakme or Nivea than give this a pass. If you want a superior scrub to the St. Ives Apricot scrub, than this is your beauty. I love the smell and the feel of this Forrest Essential paste. Its very smooth with hard enough granules for a perfect scrubbing session.  Though the granules are hard and actually do the job, it won't peel of your skin. So no worries there.

 It has a similar feel and texture and formulation as the St. Ives ones albeit much better with an amazing aroma. I prefer scrubs along the lines of apricot scrubs, the more gentle ones do nothing for my skin except dry them out even further. For me this is the best scrub I have used so far. So, If you are looking for a good scrub I would whole heatedly recommend this scrub even for sensitive skin because it is all natural and contains no chemical for adverse effects. 

After massaging the paste in circular motion and scrubbing it for 3-5 mins, I do not wash my face with water. Instead, I leave the paste on or I apply another face mask such as sandalwood paste. Once it dries off, I then wash my face. The whole process leaves my face squeaky clean and uber soft. I touch my face and it feels as soft as a babies bottom. :D Trust me! 

So in all, I highly recommend this facial paste. It nourishes, scrubs and regular use will bring a glow to your face without any adverse effects since it is all natural. It smells good enough to eat. The product makes me happy and I enjoy my at home facial sessions. I do feel the price tag is a tad bit on the higher side. I would have loved it even more if it were just below the 1K mark. But oh well..I do find it worthy. After all, beauty and good products come at a price. Sigh!

Pros: 

• Multi-tasker
• Organic
• Smells amazing of all edible ingredients. 
• Efficient (gets the job done quickly)

Cons:

• Expensive

FINAL VERDICT: I highly recommend this product and would surely repurchase this aswell as other Forrest Essential Products. I give it a 5/5 :-* :-*:-*:-*:-*

To Buy Forrest Essential Products online: http://www.forestessentialsindia.com/

Fab Bag - June 2014 Review

 By Tanuja Kelkar 

So, finally my Fab Bag arrived today. This was after a month of waiting after getting my previous bag. This month Clean and Clear decided to add special goodies to make the Fab Bag extra special and so I got an email asking me to indicate if I wanted the bonus samples from Clean and Clear.

 

I saw the picture and wrote back to them that I did not want the Fairness Kit as I don’t believe in fairness creams. But by the time my request reached them, their order processing had begun so they couldn’t assure me of not including that in my bag.

This month the Fab Crew actually kind of revealed the contents of the bag well in advance. They had posted a mailer on Facebook with names of the products being dispatched almost blurred words, but good enough to give a hint of its contents.

  

So I guessed what was coming my way - Beauty Labs Moisturiser, Vichy Face Scrub and Palladio Eye shadow quads(I was hoping to receive Copper n Chic). Along with it I knew that I would get unlucky and receive the Fairness Kit.

Come Friday, I received my Fab Bag and yippie, this was the first time when no one at home had opened it and I got the privilege of unboxing it myself. This month’s bag as their theme says is a pretty pink criss-cross bag. This is my favorite one among all the bags that I have got till date :) The colour is just wow.

As you can see, this one stands out from the rest. :) :) I love it :* :*

Unzipping the Fab Bag

Can't wait to show off what I got:

1.  Beauty Labs Smart Defence Daily Moisturiser SPF 20 (Rs.2800 for30ml.) 

I got a 5ml sample. I think this should last me for 4-5 uses. Waiting to test how different it is from the other moisturisers, given the fact that its so expensive.

2. Vert Fresh Cucumber & Mint Face Scrub (Rs 700 for 55gm)

 

I was pretty excited for the Vichy Scrub that I was expecting. This one looks like a home made scrub, which is nice but it has an overpowering jasmine fragrance, which I don’t like. I would still like to give it a try.

3. Flormar Eye Shadow Quartet – 411 (Full Size - Rs750)

 

Finally, I got an eyeshadow after 6 months of subscription. Yippie.. I actually wanted the Beauty UK eye shadow set in either Earth or Soho. But this one suits perfectly well too. The colours seem nice and can be used to create both day and night looks. It has a curved applicator (never used something like this). I want to use this with the LA Splash Splash Proof Eye Shadow that I received in my May Fab Bag.

4. Clean & Clean Essentials Kit (Bonus)

 

This was a bonus product. A regular brand but we had an option to opt out, which I didn’t, so I am not complaining.

With this my subscription to Fab Bag expires. They have sent a renewal coupon with 5% discount.

Will I re-subscribe to it?

Overall, I say that these bags are a good value for money but yes a bit of customization would be helpful. Though there is a questionnaire for customization, I have received products in the past which are not in line with my needs.

I will not be re-subscribing right away as I have enough products to last me a good amount of time. However, in case any of the bags is really drool worthy in the coming months, I will subscribe it.