Finished in October

I am not going to do a monthly favorites post for October because there was really only one product I kept using, MAC's Face and Body Foundation, so I will do a separate review of that. But I did manage to finish 3 products last month:

1. Philosophy Purity Made Simple - My Holy Grail (HG) cleanser. This is the only cleanser that removes ALL traces of my face makeup, doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or like it has a film on it, and it just works. I professed my love for it here.



2. Phyto Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm - The last time I got my hair cut my stylist gave this to me to try out saying it is the best for calming frizzy hair. She is African American and swears by this product, and I thought if it works for her hair, it will definitely work for my hair! Wrong. My hair is really dry and this stripped all moisture from my hair, and it didn't add any softness. I didn't notice my hair being any straighter with this compared to my beloved Moroccan Oil, so back to the oil it is!

August Favorites

Here are the products that I kept reaching for in August:

1. MAC Fix+ - This was unexpected. I have never really used Fix+ on myself, but after trying out the Urban Decay All Nighter finishing spray and not liking it, I decided to see if Fix+ would make a difference in my daily makeup routine....and it did! What I like the most about this product is that it takes away that cakey makeup look so your skin looks like skin. Of course, it helps that this feels so nice when misted on the face and it helps set makeup so it lasts all day. I have been using up the rose fragrance one that I had picked up during the Rose Romance collection.

2. Korres Body Milk in Jasmine - I love Korres body butters in the winter and the body milk moisturizers are PERFECT for summertime. They moisturize the skin very well, are lightweight, non-greasy, and absorb in the skin immediately. I like the fragrance of Jasmine so this one suits me well, without being too overbearing. 

3. Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 26 - The Rouge Artist Intense formula is amazing. These lipsticks are opaque in just a single swipe! No need to keep applying to get a rich color. There is an amazing shade selection, but I really like this one because it is neutral and goes with everything. I highly recommend these, especially because they are long wearing and at $19 bucks, they wont break the bank.

 4. MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Faux Gold - I normally don't go for MAC's mineralize shadows, but this was just too pretty! I have been using it a lot this past month on my lid with nothing else. It looks great on its own, works for both day and night looks, and is just one of those easy shades that goes with everything. See this shadow in action here. 

What products did you reach for in August?

Costa Rica Cooldown: Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel

I knew the hubby and I would be spending a lot of time in the sun in Costa Rica so I took this along as an after-sun treatment:

This Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel is an after-sun moisturizer that helps moisturize and cool the face and body. It is very refreshing and cooling on the skin, and the effects are better if you put this in the refrigerator before application. Although it says it is a gel, it is more of a combination gel and lotion:

Left: drop of the gel from the tube, Right: blended out

This moisturizer is very soothing on the skin, and when I applied it twice over my husband's sunburnt neck, the redness disappeared after one day! He didn't even peel! I didn't try this on my face because I am so particular with facial moisturizers, but it really gives a refreshing, cooling, and calming feeling when applied to the body. The only negative about this is that it is slightly sticky. If you are sensitive, then you might feel the stickiness all day. If you are not too particular, it will go away after a few minutes.

Kajal Couture Rating: B+

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: I really liked how this felt on my skin and loved that it helps heal sun burns and rashes. I am not a big fan of the sticky factor but I think most after sun gels are somewhat sticky.

Stay tuned....tomorrow I'm posting a few pics from our trip!!

Finished!!

Why is it that products seem to run out at the same time? In a matter of 2 days, 3 of my daily use products finished:

1. Victoria's Secret Hand and Body Cream in Mango Temptation - I used VS lotions all the time and since I use them on my body, I already know they won't last forever. This one was a gift and I don't think I will repurchase this fragrance, as it was more fruity than I prefer, but I will definitely continue with my fave scents Love Spell and Amber Romance. 

2. Korres Ginger and Vitamins Foundation - Yes, I know, you are tired of hearing how much I love this. It just means time to do some Korres shopping!

3. Korres Mango Butter Lipstick in Natural Purple - This lipstick feels like a lip balm but actually provides a bit of color...sort of like a lip tint. It is the creamiest, most moisturizing lip product I have ever used! I actually used this more to moisturize my lips than to add color, the color was just a bonus. And it has SPF 10!! It's not the most long lasting product out there, but definitely the most moisturizing lipstick I have ever come across! I will definitely repurchase and perhaps try out some other shades. Oooh...and if you are interested, they usually have great sets of these lipsticks for the holidays! 

What products are you constantly repurchasing?

What's Your Level of Tint? Fun with Tinted Moisturizers

All through high school I used to wear Clinique's Almost Makeup. I thought it was the greatest invention in the world! It wasn't as thick as foundation but gave me the perfect amount of coverage! However, what I failed to realize back then was that the shade I wore was a bit too cool toned and pink for my olive skin. I'm not sure if Clinique has expanded their shade range or modified it since then, but overall I think their foundations lean more pink than yellow....and like Bobbi Brown, I believe more people lean yellow than pink (even if they do have patches of redness). 

I think tinted moisturizers are a great product for the consumer, but like foundation, it is hard to find a formula you like. Some provide foundation-like coverage...some are lacking the "tinted" part of the product...some are too oily....some are too pink-toned....what's a gal to do? So I decided to play around with a few popular tinted moisturizers and see how the coverage compares to each other. I made a thick black line using a gel eyeliner and applied the various products over the line, just to show you how the coverage differs:

My Honeymoon Makeup Bag

I recently found a couple pics on the makeup I took on my honeymoon, and realized I never posted them. For my honeymoon, I was determined to pack light, at least in terms of my cosmetics, and I am so proud of myself for actually sticking to that!! This is all I took with me:

Here is a list of the products:

Korres Friends and Family Sale, and The Body Shop Sale

The Korres Friends and Family Sale started today and will be going on June 8 - 16, 2010. Check it out:

If you are looking for some recommendations, check out the following:

1. Ginger and Vitamins Foundation - As if I haven't raved about it enough....I LOVE this foundation. Check out my full review here.
2. Lip Butters - Super moisturizing without being sticky, and the flavors are great! I reviewed the Jasmine flavor here.
3. Shower Gels - Korres has a large selection of scents (I love Jasmine and Guava), and these give a nice lather, are non-drying, non-sticky, leave you feeling squeeky clean, and actually leave your skin feeling moisturized after your shower. I love em!
4. Body butters - Again, Korres hit the mark as these are thick, but absorb decently fast, and are non-sticky. Since Korres makes these is many of the same scents as the shower gels, you can layer them for a more fragrant effect.
5. Body milks - I have been meaning to review these for ages. If you like light moisturizers, especially for summer, then these are fabulous! They absorb very quickly into the skin (great when you are in a hurry), are light, but still effective at moisturizing the skin, and smell great! 

I also wanted to let you know that The Body Shop is having a big sale in stores and online. I happened to stop in yesterday and was so excited to see one of my faves on sale:

I picked up a couple bottles of the Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion for only $4! I love this stuff because the smell is natural yet a little sweet, so you can wear it alone or with perfume on top. It has cocoa butter (great for skin problems, including dryness and stretch marks) and other natural ingredients, absorbs quickly into the skin, and the moisture lasts all day. It didn't show up as being on sale online, but my local store did have it on sale so try checking in-store if you want this.

I also like the company's body butters, and they have a few on sale for $10. Not all scents are on sale, but the Vitamin E Body Butter is, and it is one of those that I always like using year round!

There are many more, but these are just a few of my faves. Let me know if you pick up anything!

Primers and Potions and More, Oh My! Korres Face Primer Review and Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer Review

I know my posts have been few and far between lately, but as my wedding gets closer and closer, I am getting busier and busier. My wedding is less than a month away, and I know things are just going to get more chaotic, but I promise I will return to my regularly scheduled posting by June, after the honeymoon and after I have settled in to living with a boy (kinda scary...eeeks)!

Since I am having a traditional Indian wedding, the week leading up to the wedding day will be full of lots of religious and cultural events. For the big events, I am having my makeup done by another professional I really admire. For the smaller events, I am doing my own makeup. I have been test driving various face and eye primers, and there are two in particular I will NOT be using for my wedding.

The first is the Korres Face Primer. This is actually a really popular product since it is one of the few primers that are all natural. I bought the smaller, travel size tube:

Overall, this is not a bad primer, but I don't think it is suitable for special events. I do like that this primer has lots of great vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin E, that are good for your skin. I also like that it is silicone free, so you don't feel like you have a mask on your face. It also provides the skin with a smooth surface for foundation and other makeup, so it does do part of its job. I think this is a good primer for everyday use, but I do wish it had an SPF. What I didn't like was that I feel like it gives the skin a bit of a whitish appearance. Check out the swatches below:

On the left is the primer alone, in the middle is the primer with my foundation on top, and on the left is the foundation on its own. As you can see, the primer and foundation swatch is a bit lighter than the foundation only swatch. A good primer shouldn't alter the color of your makeup, and this is really not good for photography, so I would not use it for special occasions. On the other hand, the primer and foundation swatch is smoother than the foundation alone, so it does a good job of prepping the skin for makeup. In terms of lasting power, I didn't notice any dramatic change, but my makeup was definitely there at the end of the day, so perhaps it does work well for that. 

Kajal Couture Overall Rating: B-

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: If you prefer all natural products, then this is a good one for you. If you are looking for just a basic primer for everyday use, to make your skin smoother and allow an easier makeup application, then this might fit the bill. If you want something that really makes your makeup last and will work for photography, then look elsewhere, this won't meet your needs.

The other product I recently tried is the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer:

I really hoped this would be the same or similar to the Urban Decay Primer Potion, but this doesn't even get close to how great that is! This product did not make my makeup last at all! I feel like I could have used the shadow on its own and gotten better results. Check out my pic below. 

This was after about 5 hours of wear. Can you believe that! This primer didn't even work for 5 hours! The shadow was coming off, the shadow was creasing, and it was just a whole big mess. Ladies, stay away from this primer.

Kajal Couture Overall Rating: D- (I feel bad giving it an F, so a D- is as low as I will go)

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: This primer did not work for me, and I don't even have oily lids. I am sure it works on some people, as they are still making and selling the product, but I wouldn't recommend this. There are others available that are much more effective.

What are your favorite primers?

Lip Balms - One Yay One Nay

Are you addicted to lip balms like I am? I find myself constantly reaching out for a lip balm or lip gloss, and kind of freak out when I can't find something and am left with dry pout. I know that the more you use them, the more you become addicted and the cells stop holding onto moisture, which makes lips even drier. But I can't help myself...I need my lip balm!

I used to like Burts Bees a few years ago, but ever since I discovered my passion for beauty products and have been able to try out new brands, I have learned that Burts Bees and I don't really see eye to eye. Take their Honey Lip Balm for example. It feels ok when you first apply it, but it doesn't last, and it does not leave me with soft, supple lips. Overall, this is a nay.

Kajal Couture Overall Rating: D

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: Don't waste your time on this. I would rather use Vaseline or plain ol' chapstick.

Now this next one is something I find myself reaching for ALL day long! It is the Korres Lip Butter. The one below is Jasmine, and I like it because it is colorless when you apply it, so you can use it as a base without adding color, and then add your lip color over it. I like to use this at night too, and the fact that it is colorless is great because you won't end up with pink marks on your pillow or sheets. Overall, this is sooo creamy and moisturizing, and makes my lips feel sooo good that I just want it on all the time! The one thing that could be better is the lasting power. It lasts a couple hours, but not as long as lip gloss. I guess that is cuz glosses are sticky and so they stay on longer.

In the jar it looks light pink, but applies colorless.

Kajal Couture Overall Rating: A

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: This will moisturize and soften your lips like no other! It definitely lives up to the hype! It's the equivalent of a good body butter for your lips. =)

Korres Ginger and Vitamins Foundation Review

I recently made my first venture into trying out Korres products, and let me tell ya, I am a very happy camper!! I had been on the Korres site many times, and always wondered what to try out. I read many a review before I decided on a couple products. The first that I will review for you is my favorite of what I got: the Ginger and Vitamins Foundation SPF 15:


This is a light-medium coverage foundation, and if you use a wet brush or sponge to apply it, you can sheer it out for a light finish. The product is so weightless on the skin, that it feels like tinted moisturizer. This foundation provides a very natural look, it does not look caked on, or give the appearance that you are wearing foundation, and that is what I love most about it. It is not oily or greasy feeling, but at the same time it is not matte, it gives a very natural, dewy finish. Of course, topped with a powder, you can achieve a very matte look. I bought the shade LF4 and I am usually an NC30 in MAC, and the LF4 matches me perfectly. Here is a swatch:

On the left side is a tiny droplet squeezed directly from the tube, the middle is a droplet blended out slightly, so you can see how lightweight and liquidy it is, and the right swatch is blended out. Keep in mind that is my hand, which is why the foundation does not blend naturally and the color does not match.

This has become my new daily use foundation and I love it! Rarely do I feel that a product is worth every cent, but with this one I do. The other plus is that this foundation is actually good for your skin! It is Korres so it is made of natural ingredients, it has ginger to tone and clarify the skin, and Vitamins C and E to prevent the visible signs of aging! And if that wasn't enough, this baby has SPF 10 in it too! I mean, it's not a lot, but its better than nothing, especially if your moisturizer doesn't have SPF in it. If I had to point out a negative, it would be that after you apply this foundation, you have to let it set a minute or so before applying other face products. For me, that is not hard because I either wait till it dries, or I move on to my eye makeup. Either way, it is definitely worth that extra min or so because the finish is so great.

If you are interested in trying this out, they do have it at Sephora, but if you order online like I did, I heard that the even number shades (LF2, LF4, and LF6) are for people with golden/olive undertones, and the odd number shades (LF1, LF3, and LF5) are for those with pink undertones.

Kajal Couture Rating: A

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: Great foundation for those that want a natural look without looking like you are wearing foundation. Feels great on the skin and it is actually good for your skin too! I highly recommend this one, and it starting to become a favorite of mine.

I was so pleased with this that my next Korres plan of action is to try out their face primer...let's see if my wallet agrees.