November Favorites

My favorites during November revolved around the fact that winter is here and my skin is drier than the desert. I can finish a tube of moisturizer faster than I can finish a Starbucks holiday drink...and you know I love my gingerbread lattes (and caramel brule....my new fave).

1. Lush Sweet Lips - I use a plethora of face scrubs to exfoliate my skin, but when it comes to my lips I rely on this old fave. It makes my lips super soft and tastes like chocolate! I recently found out from a Lush rep that you can actually lick this stuff off your lips! It is all natural so it can be consumed....though I wouldn't just scoop it out and eat it.

2. Make Up For Ever HD Blush in shade 7 - Again, due to the dry winter air I am trying to use creamier products on my face. This MUFE cream blush blends easily in the skin, lasts all day, and doesn't clog or settle in my pores, and it looks very natural. I can build it up for intense color or layer a powder blush on top. My initial review and swatch are here.

My Halloween Devil Look

I don't like Halloween.

There, I said it.

I know most beauty fanatics love this spooky holiday because it gives them the freedom to go cra-zay with makeup, and don't get me wrong, I like that too, but I hate the build-up around Halloween parties. Everyone always has such high expectations over Halloween party and inevitably, the party ends up being just ok. I did go to one really good Halloween party last year, and I think it was great because we didn't have any expectations and it was at my cousin's house so I was just excited to see my cousins.

In any case, I did end up going to a Halloween party this weekend and I wore my standard issue devil costume. This year I decided to do more of a beauty look with a little funky twist. 

Make Up For Ever Fluo Night

Have you lovelies seen this? It is Fluo Night by Make Up For Ever, basically a glow in the dark makeup product! You can click on the image below for more info.



I think this would be perfect for Halloween!

Have you ever tried any glow-in-the-dark makeup? What are your Halloween plans?

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?

My Light Pink Cream Shadows: MUFE Aqua Cream and MAC Fresco Rose

I was shopping through my makeup stash the other day looking to rediscover some products I haven't used in awhile, and I came across my Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Aqua Cream 16...a light pink shimmer cream. Aqua Creams are multi-taskers that can also be used on the cheeks as a blush or highlight, or on the lips. Let's get serious though, most people, including myself, just use them on our eyes.

MUFE Aqua Cream in Shade 16

Once I picked up this shade and started playing around with it, I began to wonder how it compared to my trusty MAC Paint Pot in Fresco Rose.

MAC Paint Pot in Fresco Rose

This began my mini comparison project.

When worn on the eyes, both products are crease resistant, last all day, can be worn alone for a sheer wash of color, or used as a base for powder shadows.

L-R: Fresco Rose heavy, Fresco Rose blended, Aqua Cream 16 heavy, Aqua Cream 16 blended

Although both products are light pink in color, the MUFE Aqua Cream 16 is pretty sheer and adds a light pink shimmer to the skin. Fresco Rose Paint Pot actually adds a bit of pink color and has a slight sheen to the skin and is not shimmery at all. I like both products equally and will be putting them in my makeup rotation for the next few weeks.

L-R: Aqua Cream 16 on the lid, Fresco Rose on the lid

Do you own either product? What do you think?

MUFE HD Invisible Cover Foundation Review

Beauty editors, makeup artists, beauty bloggers, and makeup fans have all raved about the Make Up For Ever (MUFE) HD Invisible Cover Foundation. It's about time I find out for myself what all the hype is about.

The foundation itself has a very thin and liquidy consistency and provides sheer-medium coverage. I've discovered that several other HD formulas are liquidy and sheer, including MAC's Face and Body Foundation (MAC's version of an HD formula) and Smashbox's  HD Healthy FX Foundation. I just don't understand why HD formulas are so sheer! If you need to look good on film you probably need at least a medium coverage foundation, unless you have perfect skin....and realistically, who does? That being said, the HD formulas are buildable, but if you need medium-full coverage and layer a lot, then the foundation will be cakey and unattractive. Thus, I really don't understand this whole HD business. 

Back to my review of the MUFE version. I think it is good if you have perfect skin and don't need much coverage, but not if you have redness or scars that you want covered by foundation. Also, unless you have zero under under eye circles (again, who does), you need to use an under eye concealer. That being said, this foundation does photograph well. 

Keep in mind that I did use a face primer here, but only used one layer of the MUFE foundation. My skin is no where near perfect but it looks pretty good if I say so myself! 

Here is a close up:

The color range of this foundation is really good, but I don't like their numbering system because it is impossible to differentiate between warm and cool shades based purely on the shade number. You basically just have to test out a bunch before finding your right shade. Also, after looking at the close ups of my skin with this foundation on, I realize that this formula looks better in photos than in person. Maybe that is the magic of the HD ingredients? I dunno, but I know that I want my skin to look good both in person and in photos. 

Kajal Couture Rating: B

Kajal Couture Overall Opinion: I found this foundation to be just ok. I wouldn't re-purchase because I think there are much better foundations that feel light but provide better coverage while allowing skin to look good both in person and in photos. My current fave is MAC Studio Sculpt and I will be doing a review of that one soon!

March Favorites

During March I found myself reaching for a lot of oldies but goodies. Here are my faves from the past month:

1. MAC Pro Longwear Foundation

This foundation is my new favorite...I've actually been wearing it non-stop this whole winter! It lasts ALL day, is easy to blend, matches my skin tone perfectly, and has a natural finish that looks like skin. Read my full review here.

2. MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

I have been using this shade a lot in my crease when running late and I just need to add a little oomph to my eye look. This shade is just so easy to use and blends well with any neutral base color.

3. MAC Tweet Me Eyeshadow

This shadow was released earlier this year as part of the Mega Metal Collection. This was the only shade I picked up, and I just had to have it because it is a gorgeous peachy gold.

Swatch of Tweet Me Shadow

 Here I used Tweet Me all over my lid, with Tete-A-Tint in my crease and Mystery 

in my outer V. I lined my eye with Bobbi Brown gel liner in Chocolate. Pretty, no?

4. Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in Shade 29

This is my new go-to lip color. It's slightly darker than my natural lip color and flatters just about any type of makeup look. I also think would make a great bridal lip color for just about anyone! See swatches and check out my full MUFE haul here.

5. Victorias Secret Hand and Body Cream in Secret Embrace

I LOVE this fragrance and the formula of the cream. It is thick and moisturizing 

without being too heavy like a body butter. And the scent is soooooo heavenly! Unfortunately, this fragrance was limited edition and I nabbed a couple at the last semi-annual sale, but can't seem to find it anymore. =( Don't you just hate when that happens?

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by....where did the first 3 months go? I'm looking forward to spring weather and hopefully the sun starts shining a little stronger here in Philly. Are there any products you kept reaching for last month, or throughout the winter? Have you tried any of my March faves?

My MUFE Haul!

I was in NYC this past weekend and my hubby was sweet enough to go with me to the Make Up For Ever (MUFE) boutique. The store was small and had several displays of the products....sort of like a MAC freestanding store, but there were only 2 sales assistants so it was hard to get help. Regardless, I was able to play around with several products and I picked up the following:

 Left to Right: HD Microfinish Blush Shade 7, Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick Shade 29, Pearly Waterproof Eyeshadow Pencil Shade 9 Pearly Golden Pink, and the 14S Brush

All the HD blush shades are super pigmented, and I picked one that would be suitable for all skin tones and for just about any occasion. It is a peachy pink shade that blends beautifully into the skin to make it look natural. So far I really like it and can see myself wearing it a lot.

 HD Microfinish Blush Shade 7 (One Too Many)

I have been eyeing this lipstick shade for months! Every time I go to Sephora I pick it up, swatch it, and put it back. But at the MUFE boutique I really fell in love and just had to have it. You know how people love MAC Viva Glam V? Well I can see this lipstick being my Viva Glam V!

Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick Shade 29 (Satin Rosewood)

The shadow pencil is something I haven't read about so I took a risk in getting it, but the shade was just too beautiful! I will do a full review on it once I use it a bit more...but so far I am liking it!

  Left to Right: Lipstick Shade 29, HD Blush Shade 7, Eyeshadow Pencil Shade 9 direct from pencil, Eyeshadow Pencil Shade 9 blended, and the HD blush again

Since I have never tried a MUFE brush and I LOVE brushes, I decided to try one out. This 14S brush has a small tapered head like a pencil brush, but it is more dense and not so tapered, so it will be great for blending and buffing. I don't have any other brush like it so I am excited to use this.

MUFE 14S brush

What do you think? Do you have any MUFE faves?

My 6 Month Anniversary FOTD and MUFE Goldies!

The hubby and I just celebrated out 6-month wedding anniversary.....can you believe it....it's been 6 months already!!! Where does the time fly? I mean, lots has happened, with us moving from LA to Philadelphia, but still, I can't believe it has been half a year! Anyways, the hubby took me out for a romantical dinner and  I couldn't help but use some new goodies and put on a lil sparkle:

Here's a close-up of the eyes:

I used the following products:

Deepika Padukone Makeup Breakdown

One of my family friends in India is pretty well connected and was telling me how Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone is a desi (Indian) girl next door. She eats real food and actually gets hungry, she doesn't spend every last waking second at the gym, and she is pretty down-to-earth. And another thing, she has natural beauty. A lot of actresses rely on the magic that is makeup in order to keep up their image. Deepika looks great even bare-faced.

That inspired me to read a bit more about Deepika Padukone and in doing so, I came across some photos of her from the Cannes Film Festival this year.

She definitely has a hot body, but I think her hair and makeup are absolutely gorgeous:

Her makeup is simple yet elegant, and is appropriate for everyday and a fancy event. Here is how to create the makeup:

Summer-Proof Makeup Kits!!

I have really been loving Make Up For Ever (MUFE) lately and I have sooo many products to tell you about. However, life has been so busy that I haven't had time to photograph them for you...but I will definitely let you in on my faves during the next couple weeks.

In any case, I saw the most amazing kit while browsing the Sephora website: