The Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Raving Red Review, Swatches and FOTD 

Hey everyone :)
The Lakme Absolute Lip Pouts have just got released and I ended up picking a gorgeous bluish red shade -- Raving Red!

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Raving Red, outer cover

How lakme describes its newest lip pouts as:

"

Description

It’s time for the backstage trend to take center stage as Lakme introduces its very own playful take on lip tints. Say hello to Lakmé Absolute Lip Pouts - a chubby lip colour pencil that gives you a luscious tint with a scintillating matte finish. Available in 6 classic matte colours, Lakme Absolute Lip Pouts is your go-to lip tint for that effortlessly vibrant and playful look.

Key Features

• Quick and easy application
• Matte finish with excellent colour pay off
• Comfortable application
• Retractable pencil that requires no sharpener
• Vibrant matte shades

How To Apply:

• Step 1: Pull out the cap.
• Step 2: Start applying from the centre of your upper lip.
• Step 3: Work from the centre towards the outer edges of your lip, following the contours of your mouth.
• Step 4: Glide across the entire bottom lip.

 "
The lip pouts come housed in a crayon like packaging in a similar colour as the lip pout itself. It is fun and very convenient.

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Raving Red, exterior

The self sharpening lip pout is a boon for the girl on the go-- you can throw this in your bag and one swipe can change your look totally.
The lip pouts come covered in a steel cap which keeps the color protected and adds the right hit of oomph.
Gorgeous packaging, I must say.
The color is a bluish toned red, almost hinging towards pink. The pigmentation is buildable -- you can swipe once for a light hint of colour, or a couple more times for a stronger tint. On a deeper swipe, it covers pigmentation and dry patches very well and gives an even textured, velvety finish. It doesn't bleed or feather on prolonged use, just stays put without being too drying or uncomfortable.

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Raving Red, tint colour

The texture, despite of being a matte colour is incredibly comfortable -- it does not highlight dry patches and wears very smoothly, without any tugging.
It stayed on my non prepped, non lined lips for more than 5 hours, fading slightly with a meal I had. It fades off completely after 6 hours and leaves a light tint behind. The bonus is, in the course of its wear time I didn't have to wear a lip balm as my lips didn't get stretchy and dry, my common grief with matte lipstick!
The lip pout is absolutely glamorous and brightens up my wheatish skin tone easily. It will flatter fair to deeper medium tones. One con is it doesn't cover pigmented lips well on a single swipe, they might need a liner underneath to show the true colour.
On the whole, the convenience and  the smooth velvety finish, non feathering and long stay makes it a winner for me. Not to say, the attractive price point!
And here's my FOTD wearing the lip pout:
 Products used:
Lakme Absolute Mattreal Mousse Foundation in 03 Golden Medium
Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner in Black
Lakme Rose Powder in Warm Rose
Lakme Absolute Lip Pout: Raving Red, single swipe

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Raving Red, single swipe

On 3-4 swipes of the Lip Pout:

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Raving Red, multiple swipe

Verdict: 4.5/5
Price: INR 650

NEW RELEASE!!! 

LAKME ABSOLUTE LIP POUT --- ALL SIX SHADES SWATCH! 

Hey everyone! :)
The Lakme Absolute Lip Pouts have just got released and I couldn't help rushing to the store to get my hands on it!
Here's what Lakme has to say about their newest offering --

"Description

It’s time for the backstage trend to take center stage as Lakme introduces its very own playful take on lip tints. Say hello to Lakmé Absolute Lip Pouts - a chubby lip colour pencil that gives you a luscious tint with a scintillating matte finish. Available in 6 classic matte colours, Lakme Absolute Lip Pouts is your go-to lip tint for that effortlessly vibrant and playful look.

Key Features

• Quick and easy application
• Matte finish with excellent colour pay off
• Comfortable application
• Retractable pencil that requires no sharpener
• Vibrant matte shades

How To Apply:

• Step 1: Pull out the cap.
• Step 2: Start applying from the centre of your upper lip.
• Step 3: Work from the centre towards the outer edges of your lip, following the contours of your mouth.
• Step 4: Glide across the entire bottom lip."

Price : INR 650

The lip pouts are available in six gorgeous shades -- Raving Red, Starlet Red, Victorian Rose, Tangerine Pout, Magenta Magic and Pink Fantasy.

The store I had gone to --  The NewU store at Avani Riverside Mall, Howrah, sadly had no testers so I couldnt swatch them -- but I got the colors in the tube up for you all.

The pouts are housed in a crayon like packaging showing the colours of each shade. Its fun, pretty and very convenient. The matte steel cap adds the right hit of class.

First up -- Starlet Red, a light cherry red shade

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Starlet Red

Next up -- Pink Fantasy, a lovely red based pink shade

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Pink Fantasy

Next up -- Tangerine Touch, a vibrant orange based coral shade.

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Tangerine Touch

Next up: Magenta Magic, a blue based fuschia shade

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout --Magenta Magic

Second to last -- Victorian Rose, less rose, more of a berry pink, but still gorgeous.

Lakme Absolute Lip Pout -- Victorian Rose

Last up, Raving Red. A lovely bluish toned awesome red which I couldn't help picking up :D

I'll review it very soon.

Review : The Colorbar Perfect Match/Parfait Marier Primer

Hi everyone :)
Today I'm reviewing a product which has made its place in my kit for a long time now -- The Colorbar Perfect Match Primer.
What Colorbar describes the product as:
"This satiny touch oil free primer masks the fine lines and uneven texture, making skin marvellously soft and smooth.
Dab on a little all over face for smoothening surface or use before concealer and foundation for perfect complexion and lasting effect"
The primer comes in a classy translucent off white packaging with a metal screw cap at the bottom. The controlled cap helps you regulate the amount you need and is hygienic. It is sleek and very travel friendly, but prone to get dirty very easily. Also you can't judge the amount of product left in the pack--another downer!

The Colorbar Perfect Match Primer

The product itself is a translucent gel like fluid. It is absolutely non tinted and without shimmer. It doesn't smell either.
On application it is a slippery gel without any wet feel and blends effortlessly in the skin leaving no residue behind. It diminishes the size of pores and fine lines and mattifies the skin -- on application of the primer my skin stays absolutely oil free for more than eight hours and keeps the makeup very fresh. It does highlight dry patches though, so not much forgiving on dry skin -- you'll definitely need a moisturizer underneath.

Unedited photo -- bare, moisturized skin before primer application

           Unedited photo -- Visibly smoothed out skin post primer application

Overall, it does a great job at everything a primer is supposed to do - good oil control, a smooth matte look and lengthening the wear of makeup. I must also say the product ensures you need lesser foundation. Blushes and eye shadows show their true colors and blending to create looks is a dream using this under the base.
The only con I think of is the high dose of silicones -- not too good for the skin for regular wear, but definitely so worth it when doing makeup.
Quantity: 30ml
Price: INR 825
Verdict : 4.75/5
Love, love this and highly recommend!

Maybelline The Colossal Kohl in Crushed Emerald Review (and a surprise dupe!)

Hi everyone :)
Today I'm reviewing a lovely coloured kohl which has been a mood lifter lately - The Maybelline Colossal Kohl in Crushed Emerald.
What Maybelline says about the product:

COLOSSAL KOHL

• "First of its kind in India with 2 in 1 benefits of a Kohl and Eyeliner
• Go all out with glamorous eyes with the most exciting Colossal Kohl Now in 4 shades – True Turquoise, Jewelled Jade, Crushed Emerald and Smoked Silver which LINES like a Kajal and DEFINES like a liner. The Colossal Kohl is a refreshing twist on the conventional black Colossal Kajal kohl and a must have fashion and beauty accessory.
• Here’s why you’ll love it:
• - Provides 12 Hours of smudge-free intensity
• - Color doesn’t smudge or fade
• - Enriched with nourishing ingredients and Vitamin E to soothe the eye
• - Features a unique tip that glides smoothly for even application
• - 100% suitable for your eyes
• PRICE Rs.249/-"

The kohl comes in the standard canary yellow packaging, similar to the Colossal Kajal. The difference lies in the strip showing the kohl colour which is helpful to identify when in a hurry.

The Maybelline Colossal Kohl in Crushed Emerald--Exterior

The retractable kohl stick is creamy and goes opaque in two swipes. It is very smooth and applies without any tugging on the lids. It doesn't irritate the eyes and unlike the Kajal, stays for around six hours outdoors.
The colour is the most beautiful forest green with the slightest hint of shimmer that doesn't show up on eyelids. It reminds you of evergreen leaves and green moss and is a gorgeous colour to flaunt. It is very jewel toned-- Crushed Emerald is indeed a perfect name for it.

The Maybelline Colossal Kohl in Crushed Emerald -- kohl stick inside

I've used it slightly smudged on my waterline in the following look.

Products used:
Maybelline Color Bloom Lip Balm in Pink Blossom
Chambor Infinite Lengths Mascara
Maybelline The Colossal Kohl in Crushed Emerald

Price: ₹249
Verdict: 5/5 (absolute love!)
Now the surprise dupe.

The Jordana Easyliner for Eyes in Seagreen is THE exact dupe for this colour. And its cheaper too, ₹79 compared to the ₹249 of the Maybelline Kohl.

Swatch of the two eye products:

Left -- The Colossal Kohl, Right -- The Jordana Easyliner

The Jordana one is very slightly less shimmery and the pigmentation is lighter. The staying power too, is a lot lesser. It fades off in about 4 hours on me. But the shades are the same, and for the price, can't be beat!
So which one will you go for?

 Review for Lakme Eyeconic Kajal in Black (and a comparison with The Colossal Kajal from Maybelline)

Hi everyone :)
This is my first review here, and it'll be something I've used daily and is a part of my daily regime most days.
Presenting to you the review of Lakme Eyeconic Kajal in Black.

Lakme Eyeconic Kajal in Black-Exterior

From the stout chubby stick we used several years back to the slim pencil like packaging of today, Lakme has definitely come up leaps and bounds.

Lakme Eyeconic Kajal in Black-  Retractable Kajal stick inside

The stick like exterior is black with a blue rim near the bottom and a retractable kajal pencil inside.
The texture is soft, matte and a bit crumbly. My stick has broken a couple times when I've mistakenly got out more than the required amount, so you have to be careful about that!
The pigmentation on a single swipe is good but not as pigmented as The Colossal Kajal from Maybelline. I've swatched the two together to compare.

Left- Lakme Eyeconic, Right-The Colossal Kajal

The finish is matte but generally goes opaque by three swipes, while The Colossal Kajal's finish is glossy and goes opaque in two swipes. And once it stays, it simply does not budge. It has stayed more than 8 hours on my very oily lids in the very humid August without AC and still has been very difficult to remove with water. The Maybelline one has however washed off from the lids by five hours at max.
It is also dermatologist tested and doesn't irritate my sensitive waterline, so I'm happy there.
The Eyeconic Kajal with its long staying matte finish is a staple for my work makeup, while I recommend The Colossal Kajal for festive uses for its opaque and glossy finish.
And here's the LOTD with the Lakme Eyeconic Kajal.

LOTD with Lakme Eyeconic Kajal

Price: ₹ 200
Verdict : 4.75/5 (I'm running on my fifth pack now, so you know how much I'm fond of it!)

 

Hi everyone :)
This is my first post here.
I'm Srey, the simple girl next door with a big love for make-up.
I've been reading beauty blogs extensively the last four years and found out, other than the rare weekly column and random posts, there are hardly enough blogs devoted to budget drugstore makeup. Why drugstore, you might ask here.
While I admit that premium brands give better finishes, better shade selection and better quality, drugstore make-up with a bit of help, isn't far behind. A lot of people I know would love make-up which would be affordable. And I firmly believe that people can look pretty with makeup even without breaking the bank.
My blog intends to make the best out of drugstore make-up. So there will be product reviews and slowly, tutorials and looks and also the latest news and offers on budget makeup.
I hope you'll love my blog enough to come back over and again.
Constructive critique and requests for specific product reviews are welcome.