Vacation Must Haves

Since I travel a lot I have learned what beauty items I need to pack and what I probably won't use. On my Europe trip I stuck to the same makeup bag that I usually use and packed it with a lot of neutrals and products I know always work for me. I'm not showing you everything I took but here are the products I used just about everyday:

My makeup case is a discontinue black MAC case that one of my best friends gifted to me many years ago. I love it because I have used it a LOT and it is in amazing condition. It does get a bit dirty after a few trips so I clean it with a makeup wipe and then its as good as new. 

The case is long and thin so it lays flat in my luggage. It has a zippered pouch on the inside and a open pocket on the other side, and best of all it easily fits the large MAC palettes. 

I did take some other skin care with me, but these were my absolute can't-live-withouts. 

1. Philosophy Purity Made Simple - The best face wash ever! I have tried many and always come back to this. Even on lazy evenings this is good enough to remove my makeup and cleanse my skin.
2. The Body Shop -Natrulift Firming Serum - I like that this serum is lightweight and absorbs quickly - important for hot weather and when you are in a rush. It helped moisturize my skin and gave it a nice even texture. I will do a full review soon.
3. Philosophy Hope in a Jar for Dry Skin with SPF - I use the non-SPF one too, but it was nice having a all-in-one, especially since we were outdoors most of the day. 

Face Products - Yes, I know this looks like a MAC haul, but what can I say, MAC products are just so reliable and work for me!

1. Fix+ - I am SO glad MAC came out with the mini version last year....I can't live without this product! I used it for setting my makeup everyday, but I also used it as a midday refresher when I was hot or tired, and I also used this in the plane every few hours when my skin felt dry due to plane air.
2. MAC Face and Body Foundation - I decanted it into a small travel bottle because the actual F&B bottle is quite large. Also, I mix different shades and so it is easier to just take the mixed version with me. This is my HG foundation. 
3. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder - Do I really have to talk about what I like this? It's amazing and everyone needs this powder.
4. MAC Blushcreme in Uncommon - Another discontinued product that I wish would come back. This color especially is amazing on medium-dark skin and provides a very natural glow to the skin. It is also so easy to use and blend.

Makeup Products - I did take more makeup but these were the items I kept using over and over.

1. Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler - Again, do I really need to talk about how amazing this is?
2. MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara - This was a risky choice because I purchased it right before my trip since I needed a new mascara. Thankfully, this is a great mascara! It holds curl, adds volume, and is very black. I will do a full review on this though because there is a trick to using this so you don't get clumpy lashes.
3. MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved - The color is dark, it lasts ALL day and glides on easily. What more do I need from an eyeliner?
4. Nars Pro-Prime Eyeshadow Base - Although I didn't wear much shadow on the trip, I used this almost everyday because it helped to make my liner smudge-proof and long-lasting. 
5. Stila Lip Glaze in Kitten - A great peachy-gold gloss that I could wear on its own. I tossed this in my handbag for midday touch-ups. I also used a MAC Tendertone quite a bit, but I forgot to photograph it.

What are your absolute beauty must-haves for vacation?

MAC Must-Haves: Ricepaper Eyeshadow

Just about everyone in the blogging world has confessed their love for MAC Ricepaper, so I figured it's time for me to share why I think it is a must-have.

Mine is almost used up, an indication that I use this a LOT. The color is a peachy beige color with a frost finish. MAC describes this shade as a "peachy gold with shimmer," but on the skin it is not shimmery at all.

I use this mostly as a highlight and inner corner shadow. On light-medium skin tones this also works as a lid shadow, as I am wearing it here:

This reason this is such a popular shade is that it just works. The peachiness allows the color to blend in with the skin and is not look stark like a lot of white-based shadows. This is a must-have for all skin tones and is one of my everyday staples. 

Classic Cheap Thrills That Work! Rosebud Salve Review and Swatch

I've been talking about dry skin remedies a lot lately, but I can't help it...I'm obsessed with trying to cure my dry, cracked hands! One product I keep in my purse at all times is the classic Smith's Rosebud Salve:

This is one of those all-in-one miracle salves that will cure just about anything. I use it mainly on my lips and my knucles.

The salve itself is pink in the tin that goes on clear. It smells of sweet roses, but it is not very strong and it does fade quickly. It is non-sticky, but since it is a balm it is thick and does take a couple minutes to dry down. The look is slightly glossy, but not super shiny. Rosebud Salve is very moisturizing and really does cure dry skin quickly. 

Swatch of Rosebud Salve

I love Rosebud Salve, and at $6 for 0.8oz, you can't beat the price for a salve that cures just about anything. There are more fragrances available, such as Strawberry and Minted Rose, but I prefer the original rose version. I think you can find this at some drugstores but I pick mine up from Sephora. If nothing else, I think this is especially great for travel, since it is not liquid, and it works in a pinch to moisturize lips, hands, and you can even lightly dab it on your face if you suffer from extreme dry skin while in the air. The scent is also subtle enough that it won't bother your fellow travelers. =)

Do you use Rosebud Salve? 

MAC Must-Haves: Love Nectar Lustreglass

Whenever someone asks me for a neutral lip gloss recommendation 99% of the time my response is "MAC Love Nectar Lustreglass."

This gloss is the perfect mix of pink and peach, with and added bonus of subtle gold flecks. It is not too shimmery or too flat...it is just right. I use this a LOT on its own, on top of pink, peach, coral and light plum lipsticks. I also wear this often with just a lipliner underneath to add a bit of color and lasting power.

MAC Love Nectar Lustreglass swatch in natural light

MAC Love Nectar Lustreglass swatch with flash

The lustreglass formula is a slightly less sticky than the MAC lipglass formula, and it has a brush applicator, whereas the lipglass has a sponge tip applicator. I don't really care about the applicator because they both work fine, but the Love Nectar shade is what really makes this product a must-have in my makeup bag. If you want to check out a full face shot of me wearing this gloss, see my last post.

5 Must-Have MAC Shadows for Every Skin Tone

If I could only have 5 MAC shadows for the rest of my life, I would choose the following 5:

L-R: Expensive Pink, Texture, Sable, Bronze, Embark

These 5 shades suit every skin tone and I will tell you why:

MAC Must-Haves: Party Line Lipstick

With fall in full-swing, I have been reaching for a reliable old-fave to ease in to the fall dark lip trend: MAC Party Line Lipstick:

This lipstick is perfect for transitioning from summer's light and bright lip colors to fall's deep, dark reds and plums. Or, as in my case, since I rarely wear reds and plums this is my go-to fall and winter shade. It is not too dark, so perfect for those who are hesitant about trying out bold, dark lip colors. I also love that this is a cremesheen formula, so it keeps my lips hydrated....a necessity when the weather cools and the air sucks the moisture from my skin.

For my Indian gals out there, this is also a great shade to wear with Indian clothes. It adds enough color so that you don't look washed out, but it isn't that typical "aunty" shade of lipstick where you notice the lips before the person.

Have you tried Party Line?

September Favorites

It's that time again....here are my faves from September:

1. MAC Lady Grey Shadow Quad - This quad is not at all special, yet so special! I was not planning to buy this, but when I swatched the colors I absolutely fell in love with the light purple and light green shades, and all 4 colors are unlike the shades I already have. Something about these colors is so magical...they complement each other and blend so seamlessly! These are the only shadows I have been using for the past few weeks! I love this quad so much I will do a separate post (including swatches) on it this week.



2. Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara - This was part of this and this set, and it fits all my requirements for a daily-use mascara. It doesn't smudge, doesn't flake, holds the curl, is a dark black color, doesn't clump even after 2-3 coats, and the brush is nice and large. Although this doesn't lengthen or thicken, you won't believe how hard it is to find a mascara that meets my requirements, so I can live with the lack of lengthening and thickening. If I really need the drama, I use a mascara base or combine this with other mascaras.



3. Stila One-Step Correct - I reviewed this almost exactly a year ago here, and I am still very much enjoying using it! I like that is doesn't break me out, provides a great surface for foundation, and helps minimize the appearance of pores. The one I have now is almost empty, and I will most likely pick up another instead of trying out any of the other great face primers on the market.



4. MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot - I have mentioned this as a staple many times, but I just can't stop loving it! I used this golden peachy base a lot this summer with nothing else on my eyes, and lately I have been using it as a base for the Lady Grey shadows mentioned above. This particular paint pot simply excels at lasting ALL day, on its own and as a primer for powder shadows. The color is simply perfect for any occasion, and it's just one of those fool-proof makeup products that I can always rely on.



September was a pretty simple makeup month for me, what about you?

MAC Must-Haves: Arena Eyeshadow

As you may or may not know, I am a MAC-addict. Since I have tried and religiously use so many of their products, I decided to start a new series that highlights the MAC products that would cause me to have a hissy fit if MAC ever discontinued.

So the first MAC product I absolutely cannot live without is Arena eyeshadow. It is described by MAC as a soft gold-peach with pearl and it has a Satin finish.

From the pan above, you can tell I use this shadow a LOT. I mostly use it as an all-over lid shade or as a blending shade. I often use this on the lid with browns or greys for neutral looks, but I also use this with bold colors too....it goes with everything! It is the perfect neutral for me because it is so similar to my skin tone and is on the warm side of the color spectrum. I also like the Satin finish because it is not matte, but not shimmery......just perfect! 

I have used Arena on ALL skin tones ranging from NC 15 to NC 50 and it just works. Have you tried Arena?

Time to Turn Up the Heat!!! MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect Review

Last week I told you how unimpressed I have been with the recent MAC collections. Flighty was ok...not as bad as it was made out to be...but still not jaw-droppingly amazing. I am hoping the upcoming Surf Baby collection will bring me out of my MAC new collection slump.

In the meantime, I figured I would share with you some of my all-time favorite products from MAC's permanent collection. This first one is a product I have purchased over and over again, and will continue to do so for years to come. It is the MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50:

The first time I bought this it was because I wanted sun protection for my face. I had tried the infamous Shiseido sunscreen for the face and it broke me out horribly. The Prep + Prime Face Protect doesn't break me out and it still offers an SPF level of 50!! Hooray!

Although the product is a white cream like most sunscreens, it doesn't make me look white in pictures and my face doesn't feel greasy all day. This also acts like a primer and helps my makeup last all day and provides a great base for foundation allowing it to blend easily over the skin. You need a really small amount to cover the entire face and neck area so one tube should easily last you through the spring and summer. I even use this as a pure sunscreen on my face when I am at the beach or pool and am not wearing any makeup. I simply apply this on my face and neck and use my regular Neutrogena sunscreen on the rest of my body.

The only thing I don't like is the tube packaging. It's one of those that you can't squeeze completely so you can't get all the product out at the end, and it doesn't have a base so it won't sit up on a table. That being said, I LOVE the product inside the package and for that I will continue using this.

Have you tried this? What sun protection do you like?

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?

Is a $200 Hair Dryer Really Better Than A $20 Hair Dryer?

I have always wondered whether or not investing in a quality hair dryer is really worth it. I recently got my answer when trying out the HANAair Professional Hair Dryer:

This hair dryer, priced at $194.99 on Misikko.com is inspired by Italian design and claims to dry your hair up to 60% faster while maintaining natural shine while promoting healthy luxurious hair.

Hana Salon Air Hair Dryer Features:

• Ion Technology- condition hair & reduces static electricity
• Tourmaline & Titanium Oxide Technology- natural ions promote healthier hair
• Silver Nanotechnology- for antibacterial Protection
• Scratch Resistant Shell with black metallico finish adds durability and is easy to clean
• Long life motor with low noise
• Gyroscopically balanced for easy handling
• Fiberglass concentrator

I recently compared this hair dryer to my basic $20 Conair hair dryer to see if the pricier version is worth the extra money. 

In terms of the dryer itself, they are both around the same size, the Hana has a longer cord which is great but it is slightly heavier than the Conair. Both have cold air capabilities, and they both have multiple heat and power settings:

Hana Settings

Conair Settings

One of the cool things about the Hana is that the cold air function is a button that you press once, you don't have to keep holding it down to get cold hair, which makes it easier to hold the dryer. With my Conair, the cold air button has to be held down. In terms of use, the Conair heats up right away. The Hana takes about 15 seconds to reach the appropriate heat setting, which is kind of annoying. That being said, the Hana doesn't get super hot, but still delivers the results! I really like this because the technology of the Hana allows it to dry your hair without burning your hair! Sometimes with my Conair my hair feels so hot that I think it is dry, but once I let the hair cool down, I realize it is still damp and I have to re-dry that section of hair. I don't have this issue with the Hana. 

Now for the real results. I have used both dryers without the concentrator attachment to do a quick-and-dirty dry, and I have used both with the attachment to get a smooth, straight look. Both hair dryers give me a similar look, but the experience is totally different. Here, I dried my hair the quick-and-dirty way:

Left: Conair-dried, Right: Hana dried

Visibly, you can't tell I used different hair dryers. But when I tried my hair with the Hana, my hair dried completely in half the time it took with the Conair! When I dry my hair straight with the attachment, it takes about 30 minutes with the Conair, and with the Hana it only takes me 15 minutes!! This might not be 60% faster like the company claims, but 50% faster is worth cheering for in my book!

Also, the hair dried with the Hana felt much smoother. Even my hubby noticed (and he doesn't notice much when it comes to hair). 

So to answer my question of whether the $200 hair dryer is better than the $20 hair dryer, my answer is a big, fat YES! Any product that helps me get ready faster in the morning is worth it, especially when you consider how long a product like a hair dryer will last. For me, it saves 15 minutes each time I dry my hair. Consider that times the number of times I dry my hair in a year, and if the drier last several years, thats like days of time that I am saving by using the pricier hair drier! For me, the Hana definitely is the Best Hair Dryer! 

My Addiction With Costco (and Kirkland Makeup Wipes Review)

If you have been following me for awhile, you know that I am OBSESSED with Costco. I love shopping at Costco, I love browsing at Costco, I love eating at Costco, I love samples at Costco, and I even look forward to getting my monthly Costco coupon book. Yes, I need CA....Costco-holics Anonymous.

Back to beauty.

After reading all the rave reviews of Costco's makeup wipes, the Kirkland (Costco's brand) Daily Facial Cleansing Towelettes, I just had to get them for myself. 

So after trying these out for a few months, what's my verdict? These wipes make me love Costco even more than I already did! Here's why:

1. The wipes take off ALL makeup, including waterproof mascara and long-wear eyeliner
2. The wipes are thicker than most so they hold up well and don't rip easily
3. One wipe is more than enough to take off all my makeup, even stubborn eye makeup
4. The wipes have a fresh scent, similar to a light cucumber smell, that is clean and refreshing
5. The wipe amount in each package is varied...the Costco box includes 4 packs of 30 wipes and 2 packs of 15 wipes......ideal for traveling
6. The wipes are cheap! You get a total of 150 wipes for about $11! And some months there is a coupon for the wipes!

So will these permanently replace my beloved MAC wipes? Maybe. There is only one thing I don't like about these wipes: the packaging. The opening is supposed to work like this:

However, I keep ending up with this problem:

The little plastic piece keeps coming loose, and often slips off the package entirely, meaning the package is exposed and the wipes could dry out. Now, I travel a lot and my wipes packages get tossed all over the place, so that might be why I experience this issue. If you only use these at home and keep them on a countertop, you probably won't have to deal with this. It's just a bit frustrating because I don't want my wipes to dry out, and I never had this problem with the MAC wipes. My MAC wipes would get tossed around as well, and since I used to use the 100 pack of MAC wipes, as opposed to the 30 pack of Costco wipes, one pack would last longer and endure more tossing around. But I still never had packaging issues.

All in all I probably will keep purchasing the Costco wipes and just hope they improve the packaging.

Kajal Couture Rating: A

Must Have Shadows!! - The Colors in My MAC Shadow Palette

I have received several requests to name the colors that I listed in My Honeymoon Makeup Bag post. So here it is:

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:

Current Must Have Blusher

I discovered cream blushers about 6 months ago and I have barely used a powder blush since. I love em all....cremeblend blushes, gel blushes, stick blushes....anything creamy and blendable. I even love MAC cream color bases (CCBs), and as of late, I have been using a single CCB shade on my cheeks and all my other blushers are feeling neglected:

This is the CCB in Vintage Rose. It is a MAC PRO color, so it is only available at PRO stores, but they really should make this a permanent product at all stores. I know it looks boring in the pan, but this product is one of those that you pass on in the store, but later realize how amazing and versatile it is. Vintage Rose is the perfect shade of rose, coral, taupe, and pink, all in one, and it complements ALL looks. No really, I have been using it with all types of shadow combinations, smoky eyes...neutral eyes for work...everything!


See swatches below:

Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner Review

At IMATS, I picked up the Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner. This high performance brush cleanser is targeted towards makeup artists, but I think it is the best brush cleanser for makeup newbies and pros alike. I got a large bottle of the cleanser (not pictured) , a small travel size spray bottle, a few handy cleanser wipes, and the cleansing tub:

The formula of the cleanser itself is amazing. It cleans and disinfects in a matter of a couple minutes, and it contains alcohol so the brushes dry very quickly and can be used almost immediately after cleansing. Here is the pamphlet that explains more about the cleanser and the recommended methods for cleaning and disinfecting brushes. If you click on the image below you can view a larger, more readable version.

The mini spray bottle is great for on the go, because you can spray the cleanser directly on the brushes and wipe them clean. The wipes are also handy as you can simply swipe your brushes across the wipe. However, the method that is most effective and recommended is using the cleansing tub. The tub is like a jar and it comes empty without any solution. It has a ring at the bottom with a plastic grate on top. The idea behind this is that the grate is raised about half a centimeter above the bottom of the jar, and when you clean your brush in the jar, makeup and dirt are removed from the brush, fall below the grate, and settle to the bottom. That way, the fluid above the grate is still clean and can be used to clean more brushes. This is the jar empty:

After pouring in some solution (I usually pour enough so there is a centimeter of cleanser above the grate), simply take a dirty brush and dip it in the solution for a couple minutes. Swish the bristles around and rub them against the grate to help loosen makeup particles. 

In a matter of seconds the brush is clean:

My India Beauty Must Haves

I wanted to take my whole makeup kit with me to India.....but in reality I had to pare down what I was going to take with me, and boy was that hard! I did two edits: first I picked all the pieces that I wanted to take with me, and then from that, I cut the number of products in half and took only what would be enough to get by. I took no more than two lip products and cheek products, and managed to limit myself to 1 foundation, 1 powder, the essential makeup brushes, and a few other must-haves. From the products that I did take with me, here are the items I used the most:

First off, since I was attending the wedding events, I really wanted my whole shadow kit with me, but I was able to pick a few (hey, for me, this was a few...) of my favorite colors and assemble them in a travel friendly palette. I used a MAC 15 pan palette and took out the pan separator. This was super easy to do and I still have it if I want to use it again. The entire bottom of the palette is magnetic so the shadow refills will stick anywhere. Thus, I was able to get 25 shadows into a 15 shadow palette. A lot of makeup artists do this to save space and I think its a great idea.

On the left is the MAC Fast Response Eye Cream. This tiny tube is a lifesaver because it works great at depuffing the eye area and making you look fresh. I used this a lot on the trip because I got very little sleep and often woke up looking like I partied too hard....which some nights I did. =) The tube on the bottom is the Korres Ginger and Vitamins Foundation. I reviewed this before and again I must tell you how much I love this. It is sooo natural looking and I really think the vitamins in the product are so good for your skin. The smog and contamination in India can wreak havoc on your skin and I really thought that by using this everyday my skin looked and felt healthier than in normally does in India.

These were my most used eye products: MAC Blacktrack fluidline and Paint Pot in Rubenesque. I really like this better than UD Primer Potion because I can wear it on its own and I really think it lasts longer.

On top is the MAC Cream Color Base in Bronze, and this was my perfect cheek color both for a natural look and for more drama in the evenings. I think this may be a PRO color now, but you may be able to find it in some MAC freestanding stores. In the swatch below (left) you can see how dark it is, but it sheers out to a more natural color (swatch below right). I feel that cream cheek colors tend to last longer and look better in India. For some reason, powder blushers look too streaky when I am in India. I can't explain it but I swear it's true.

Also, I used the MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Stuck on You. It is a berry-ish mauve color and is perfect for nights out because it is dark enough to add drama, but not overly dramatic that people notice your lips and then you (y'all know what I mean). I usually only wear this with Indian clothes because the colors are so bright that I need a bit of a darker lip color. Plus, this is long lasting and I needed that for the wedding events. This formula is very drying so I don't recommend it for daily use, but for special events, it rocks my boat!

I'm still not over my jet-lag, and I still need to upload the rest of my wedding pics. When I get around to doing that I will post a few more. Right now, I am just looking forward to the weekend....almost there!!!!