Loreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's Blush and Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick My Mahogany - Comparison/Swatches/FOTD

Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick in My Mahogany is one of my must-have lipsticks, and it does seem quite popular going by the rave reviews it gets on every blog.  L'Oreal Color Riche lipstick in Nature's Blush, on the other hand, is a recent discovery of mine and one which, much to my own surprise, I have been reaching for quite a lot recently.  Both are peach-brown lipsticks and relatively inexpensively priced drugstore brands.  When I reviewed the L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's blush, Chaya left a comment asking how it would compare with Maybelline's My Mahogany - so here's a post to help anyone with a similar query decide :)

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick My Mahogany (L) - is also the dirtiest-looking of all my lipsticks!
L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's Blush (R)

In the tube, the two look pretty much similar, but right away, I find L'Oreal Nature's Blush leans a lot to the orange/peachy side while Maybelline's My Mahogany is more of a neutral, soft peachy brown with the tiniest hint of pink to it.  Between the two, I would categorize My Mahogany as the natural/MLBB shade.

Depending on the light, though, the two can look remarkably similar in the tube.  I find the differences more obvious on swatches and on the lips - with the L'Oreal lipstick showing clear brown undertones and the Maybelline version having bit of a pink mixed in to the brown.

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's Blush Vs. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick My Mahogany - Swatches/FOTD

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick - My Mahogany
L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick - Nature's Blush
Both lipsticks have been applied with a lip brush

Between the two, I find Maybelline's My Mahogany the more easier to wear shade.  It's a soft peachy brown and the hint of pink to it, while not really obvious, makes it a much more natural/MLBB shade.  It does tend to wash out darker skin tones (at least that's what happened with me in the summers), and I think pairing it with a darker eye makeup (and/or a darker outfit) helps brighten up the face.  L'Oreal Color Riche lipstick in Nature's Blush, on the other hand, has pretty strong peachy-brown tones to it.  On me, luckily, the peach tones are much more obvious.  I call it peach, but I think it's the sort of peach that drinks a lot of orange juice :P  It's opaque and has a softer creamy finish.  It's not matte, but I don't find it overly glossy either.  If you find Maybelline's My Mahogany difficult to carry off, this might not be your favorite - I would still urge you to give it t a try, though, because a while back I was the girl who would run away from such shades :)  Oh, and both lipsticks have a strong fragrance to them.

Hope this helps - and Chaya, if you are reading this post, thanks for the comment!  On a side note, is L'Oreal discontinuing the Color Riche line or is it just insanely popular?  I was browsing around online, and I found a lot of them out of stock.

TBS Extra Virgin Minerals Foundation Makeup Brush: Review

TBS Extra Virgin Minerals Foundation Brush ($25) - This large, rounded brush feels super-soft on your skin and is ideal for applying and blending powder foundation.  High-density, synthetic hair pick up ultra-fine powders and feel extra soft on the face’s delicate skin. The long-lasting, hygienic bristles resist flattening. Specially-designed handle stands upright.

I was looking for a good, reasonably priced makeup brush to apply powder foundation with when I found the TBS Extra Virgin Minerals Foundation Brush on sale at one of their many awesome sales.  I wasn't sure if this chubby little makeup brush would fit my needs, but it was just too cute to resist.  Turns out this is just as useful as it is cute!

Like all the other TBS brushes, the Extra Virgin Minerals Foundation brush too features synthetic bristles and is an ideal pick for anyone looking for cruelty-free products.  The fibers are very soft and are densely packed into a dome-shaped head. Though it's thickly packed, the brush head moves easily on the skin and does not feel stiff or difficult to work with.  Picking up and applying powder is a breeze, with the brush picking up just the right amount of powder and depositing it just as easily.

There isn't a fault I could find with this brush.  It's an affordably priced makeup brush and a steal if you pick it up during one of Body Shop's many sales.  The quality is fabulous, and I have never had an issue with shedding, loss of softness, discoloration, or any other such issues with this brush (or with any of the other TBS makeup brushes either).  I haven't tried similar brushes from other brands to compare, but I think it would be safe to assume this would hold it's own against some of the best!

My favorite part about this brush, though, is the handle.  Not just because it's the perfect size to hold and use, but because every time I pick it up it feels so smooth and cool to touch.  None of my other brush handles ever feel cool (it's almost cold) to touch - I guess the material used in this just picks up the coolness from the air - but it sure does feel nice :)

Other Brushes From TBS:
The Body Shop Eye Shadow Blender Brush
The Body Shop Mini Makeup Brushes

More Makeup Brushes: 
Ecotools Retractable Kabuki Brush
Ecotools Eye Makeup Brush Kit
MAC 187 Duo-Fiber Stippling Brush
ELF Studio Powder Brush

Lush Porridge Soap: Review

Lush Porridge Soap - Start your day right with a generous helping of Porridge soap. Ideal for sensitive skin; it’s irresistible to everyone else, even bears.  We fill each one with oats to gently exfoliate and cleanse. As the oats mix with hot water, they create a calming milk that soothes and softens your entire body.  Also contains organic orange juice that is full of nutritious vitamin C, ideal for refreshing and brightening your skin, and keeping it clear. Oh, and did we mention the delicious caramel scent? All in all, this soap is just right.

I have dry, allergy-prone skin, and I love caramel-smelling yummilicious products, so of course, I had to try the Porridge Soap from Lush.  While it does smell like molasses or caramel or some kind of yummy sugary goodness, this soap does not really contain any of that.  What it does contain is pinhead oats - and lots and lots of them.  The tiny irregularly shaped oat bits provide a gentle exfoliation and are also soothing for sensitive skin.  The soap smells absolutely delicious and leaves behind a faint bit of the yummy smell on the skin after a bath

As with all Lush soaps, though, Porridge too needs a set of instructions to work with!  I have read a lot of reviews where people complain about the oats scratching their skin instead of being soothing or gentle.  Here's what I find helps:  Ensure that the soap bar is wet and the skin is wet too.  This helps the soap glide on easily on the skin rather than tugging and scratching at the skin.  Another thing to remember is, to get the best scrubbing action use in small, gentle, circular motions over the skin.  Follow these simple instructions, and this yummy-smelling bar will leave your skin smooth and soft.  It is a soap, though, not a moisturizer, so you do have to follow this with a moisturizer of choice to retain skin softness.

Lush Porridge Soap - Ingredients

Since Lush adds a lot of oils to their soaps, they are invariably quite soft and disappear alarmingly fast, especially with hard water.  With soaps that contains bits and pieces in them, like in the case of the Porridge soap, the disappearing act is just faster.  Every bath will leave a few tiny bits of oats lying around in the bathtub/floor - actually look like tiny bugs - but you can just pour some water and wash them away.  I don't think they cause any clogging issues.  It's best not to leave the bar standing in water (just use any regular soap dish with holes or slits to keep the water drained out) and keep the soap dry when not in use.  This would help get a few more uses from each bar.

Overall, I would recommend the Lush Porridge soap to anyone with sensitive skin and/or with problems with dryness.  It's a gentle cleanser with a bit of a scrubby action to it that won't leave your skin dry or feeling stretched.

Have you tried Lush soaps?  Do you have a favorite?  Do share!

Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Parfum: Review

Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Parfum - A warm, oriental floral, with modern sensuality, a fragrance with a strong personality and a contrasting golden sweetness. Created for the ultimate diva, The One is at once tempting, modern, and glamorous, embracing a touch of classicism. The top notes radiate a vibrant luminosity, with a sun-touched citrus while warm fruity notes of luscious lychee and succulent peach add to the delight.  The passionate heart evokes an exploding femininity, with an opulent floral soul, creating a distinct, audacious signature.  An unexpected hint of plum glows as the base finally blooms with luscious allure into the lasting warmth of vanilla and sweetened ambery-musk notes.

I bought the Dolce and Gabba The One Eau de Parfum from Sephora a couple of months back expecting it to be a smaller spray version, or at least that was what was written on the site, so imagine my disappointment when I open the package and find a "Fragrance Pen" inside!  I know Sephora accepts returns, but once I smelled this vanilla-scented perfume I couldn't return it :D

There's a warm, musky sweetness to this perfume that I love, and this is one of the few perfumes that actually lasts and lasts forever on my skin.  I don't get much of the citrus notes, but I definitely do detect a fruity sweetness to it.  Add in some warm vanilla, and I just cannot resist it!  The only issue I have had with this is, again, with the roller ball itself - it doesn't seem to glide all that easily, and I need to roll it over and over again to get it working.  I am not a huge fan of this packaging to start with - keep wondering about all that it's picking up and putting back into the bottle - and I couldn't bring myself to return once I started using it, so I am stuck with it.  Despite my long list of complaints about it, Dolce & Gabbana The One is one of my favorite perfumes.  This is definitely one for people who like sweeter-smelling fragrances and would be better suited for the winters.  I would recommend getting a spray version, though.

Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Parfum - Ingredients

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick Nature's Blush 840: Review, Swatch, FOTD

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's Blush (840) - With nourishing ingredients like omega-3 and vitamin E and a formula enriched with argan oil to condition and soften lips, L'Oreal Color Riche lipsticks feel like an indulgent luxury minus a steep price tag.  The hydrating, rich, creamy lipsticks from this range are some of my favorites.  My latest pick from this range - L'Oreal Color Riche lipstick in Nature's Blush, a fabulously pigmented creamy peachy brown shade.  Read on for photos and swatches:

Like all L'Oreal Color Riche lipsticks, this too has a dull gold matte-finish packaging.

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's Blush (840) - Peachy brown shade.

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's Blush - Swatch

Products Used
Eyes:  Urban Decay Eyeliner Perversion, MAC Fluidline Local Wares, Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara
Face:  NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Annapurna
Chanel Mat Lumiere Powder Foundation
Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Brume D'Or
Lips:  L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Nature's Blush

L'Oreal Color Riche lipstick in Nature's Blush is quite true to the color in the tube - goes on a peachy brown on my lips, and it is opaque enough to cover up the uneven pigmentation on my lips.  I love that it's a neutral with enough color in it to not wash me out, yet it isn't too loud or orangey for my taste.  I find these lipsticks moisturizing and very comfortable to wear on my lips.  The lasting power is about 3 hours (does not last through a meal), but with packging this classy, I don't mind touch ups!

Pick this up if you love neutrals with a bit of warmth and color to them.

Scotch Tape Nails As Easy As 1..2...3....4!

I have never been a huge fan of nail art.  A simple beige/nude shade of nail polish on short nails - creamy, glossy finish with no shimmer or sparkles - that would be my ideal nail color.  Loops and flowers and berries and fruits, let's just say I am a little too old for that.  Plus, I amn't that artistic either.  Things changed, though, and I found a new obsession!  Scotch tape nails are the easiest (most forgiving), and it's what I have been sporting this weekend.  Since I did have that much time on my hands, I took photos along the way to share :D

I wanted to do stripes placed closer together, but botched that quite early on and wisely moved on to this version instead.  I think the stripes should be narrower and the nails longer, but anyway, this is what I ended up with so it stayed.  I used Chanel Vertigo for the base and Chanel Island for the contrast, hoping to get a gold-black stripe version.  The shades mixed up though, and I think I might have just made myself a new Chanel shade!

On to the stripes, here's what I used for my nails:

Nail Polish:  Chanel Vertigo for a darker base and Chanel Island for the lighter contrast
Top Coat:  Sally Hansen Super Shine Top Coat
Scotch tape and scissors to cut up the stripes
Nail polish remover and a brush for cleaning up

How to:  Oh, it's super easy!  Start with the dark nail polish for the base.  After that dries completely, cut thin strips of tape and apply it over the nails.  Mine is a sad attempt at keeping the stripes parallel.  Once the tape is in place, apply the lighter nail color over the entire nail, wait for it to dry (actually, you should peel off the tape immediately but I always mess that up so I wait a bit for the polish to dry) and peel off the tape. Clean up the nail edges if you have any bits of polish anywhere and finish off with a top coat.  Scroll for photos:

So that was my take on scotch tape nails.  What about you - what have you been sporting on your nails lately?

TBS Moringa Body Butter for Normal/Dry Skin: Review

The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter for Normal/Dry Skin ($19) - This rich and creamy Body Butter is a feast for the skin.  It melts straight in to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.  It contains Community Fair Trade shea butter and has a delicate white floral scent.  Provides 24-hour hydration and is great for normal to dry skin.  Fragrance note:  White floral scent.

I know it's still quite warm and sunny in a lot of places, but I can definitely see the little changes in the weather outside.  The occasional leaf drifting down to my patio and the little bits of cold seeping in through the window - all signs of the cooler, drier days ahead.  Time to take out the heavier body butters, and one of my favorites is the TBS Moringa Body Butter.  With shea butter listed right at the top of the ingredients list, this is quite a heavy moisturizer and just what my dry skin needs during the winters.  It's creamy smooth and easy to apply.  Applied immediately after a bath, this leaves my skin hydrated for the whole day.  TBS describes the fragrance as a delicate white floral, but I do think the smell might be a bit too strong for the sensitive noses.  Overall, a fabulous moisturizer for normal to dry skin so long as you don't mind a heavier floral fragrance.

TBS Moringa Body Butter for Normal/Dry Skin - Ingredients

TBS Moringa Body Butter Star Ingredients:  Moringa seed oil, Community Fair Trade shea butter, Community Fair Trade cocoa butter, Community Fair Trade brazil nut oil, Community Fair Trade sesame oil, and Community Fair Trade honey.

Know the Ingredient: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids are becoming increasingly familiar ingredients in a lot of skincare products, from moisturizers and face washes to chemical peels at the dermatologist's office.  The reason for their popularity - their skin-penetrating properties that help to smoothen skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging, and give a healthy glow to the skin.

Some of the common AHAs used as skin treatments include:

• Glycolic acid - derived from sugarcane
• Lactic acid - derived from sour milk
• Malic acid - derived from apples
• Citric acid - derived from citrus fruits

How do AHAs Work?

Alpha-hydroxy acids work by dissolving the protein layers between cells, making it easier for older dull skin to exfoliate and newer cells come to the surface of the skin faster, making the skin look healthy and fresh.

• Promote skin exfoliation - gives a healthy appearance to the skin.
• Provide a temporary skin smoothing effect.
• Higher concentration treatments need an appointment with the dermatologist and claims include reducing acne scarring and pigmentation.

When used at recommended dosages, AHAs are quite safe, especially as ingredients in products like moisturizers and cleansers.  However, some common side-effects do include mild skin irritations, redness, flaking of the skin (severity depends on the concentration).  Stronger concentrations such as in chemical peels have more severe side-effects including blistering, burning, skin discoloration, etc, which should ideally resolve in a day or two after treatment.

General Precautions with use of AHAs:

Alpha hydroxy acids makes the skin more sensitive, and it gets easily irritated by harsher products like scrubs or even sun exposure.  Things that help include

• Avoid exposure to the sun since the skin would be more sensitive and can be easily damaged.  Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and physical protection like umbrellas and hats if you do have to be out in the sun.
• Avoid using harsh products on the skin like scrubs when adding AHA's to your skincare.
• Since they cause some degree of skin irritation, I do not think AHAs are the best option for people with already sensitive skin.

Personally, the only AHA treatment I have tried is a lactic acid peel from Kaya, and I really didn't see any difference with it.  It was only 1 treatment, and I didn't bother following up, so never know.  Have you tried AHA's as part of your skincare routine or as peels?  Do share!

Disclaimer:  This article is merely for informational purposes and is not qualified medical or expert advice.   Please consult a dermatologist or other qualified professional before beginning any skincare regimen and/or before opting for any skin treatment.

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Know the Ingredient
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Anastasia Kisses On My Lips Volume 2 Lipgloss Set: Review, Swatches, FOTD

Anastasia Kisses on My Lips Volume 2 Hydrafull Gloss Set (available here) - $30

A limited-edition HydraFull Gloss set that includes three sheer, ultra-hydrating glosses and three new and exclusive Hypercolor glosses.  HydraFull Gloss features high shine and bold, long-lasting color that’s clinically proven to improve the appearance and texture of the lips. Hypercolor reacts with your skin's chemistry to stain your lips a custom hue that is all your own.

Six full-size lip glosses for just $30?  I love you already :D  The new Anastasia Kisses on My Lips (Vol. 2) gloss set  is just that - a mix of shimmery and creamy glosses - 3 of which are new Hypercolor glosses.  These change color depending on your lip color, so you can be sure nobody else in the room has the same lip color!  Read on for more photos and swatches:

The glosses are quite sticky but pretty longlasting.  The shades offer just a hint of color and the finish is glossy without being overly so.  The Hypercolor glosses are fun - I have posted a photo with Roxanne - which looks like a sheerer pink on swatches and in the tube but turns out quite a bright pink on my lips.  Even when it wears off, there is a slight tint left behind on my lips.  The Hypercolor glosses don't irritate my lips, though, which is something I was worried about.  The paddle-shaped applicator is more suitable for patting on the gloss, but I use a lip brush so I didn't have much issues with it.

Anastasia Kisses On My Lips Volume 2 Gloss Set  - Swatches/FOTD

Overall, I find the new Anastasia Kisses on My Lips Hydrafull Gloss Set a pretty good buy, especially since you get full-sized glosses that can be uses as individual gifts too (so you can save money without skimping on the gifts).  The glosses are quite nondrying and last about 3 hours on my lips.  This product is also bunny approved for being cruelty-free :)

Anastasia Kisses on My Lips Hydrafull Gloss Set (vol. 2) - Ingredients

Anastasia Kisses On My Lips Vol. 2 - Ingredients

PRODUCT PROVIDED FOR REVIEW.

Anastasia Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette

Anastasia Want You to Want Me Eye Shadow Palette (available here) - $34 A deluxe eye shadow palette featuring an array of nude and plum shades and all that you need for a beautiful holiday look.  This mirrored compact with brush features nine matte and pearlized nude and plum shades, Liquid Eye Liner, and Mini Clear Brow Gel to turn your eyes into a velvet goldmine. Illumin8 formula featuring Youthful Synergy Complex® is clinically proven to illuminate, firm, and hydrate the skin. Toss this gorgeous palette in your clutch for touch-ups wherever your night takes you. 

Just when I thought that the Anastasia's She Wears It Well Palette might just be my favorite travel palette, they come out with a new one well in advance for the holidays!  The new Want You to Want Me Eye Shadow palette combines attractive packaging with thoughtfully arranged shades and products for the perfect eye makeup look whether it's for a night out or just a casual day of fun.

The Anastasia Want You to Want Me Holiday Palette contains an eyeshadow palette, a liquid eyeliner, a clear brow gel, and a dual-ended brush, all compactly packed within the main case.  The eyeshadow palette itself can be popped out and carried on it's own, and it has it's own little mirror.

The eye shadow palette can be popped out and used on it's own.  The names of the shadows are
printed on the main package and can be seen when you take out the palette.  Eye shadows
starting from the top row, left are:  Platform Wedge (matte), Front Row Center, Ziggy
Members Only (matte), Power Ballad, Jellies
Graphic T's, Brass In Pocket, Iron On

The eye shadows are all very pigmented, smooth, and easy to apply.  I really did not have any issues with fallout with these shadows, though I think Ziggy might fly around a bit if you get too enthusiastic with the brush.  The shadows are all pretty long lasting (have only tried over a primer), and no creasing problems either.  The eyeliner is a basic black liner, and even with not having used a liquid liner in quite a while, I managed to get a pretty decent application with the thin brush.  It's not waterproof, though, and washes away easily with water and soap.  The clear brow gel does a good job at keeping my brows in place.  On to the swatches of the eye shadows:

Anastasia Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette - Swatches

The Anastasia Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette has a collection of neutral browns and beiges and two darker shades - a brown and a shimmery blackened purple.  There are two matte shades - Platform Wedge and Members Only - which work great for a simple neutral eye.  I tried out two looks with the palette - one using the brown shades (Members Only and Graphic T's) and the other with the darkened purple Iron On.

Have used the liquid eyeliner along the upper lashline

This palette scores major points in being extremely versatile, delivering equally well whatever makeup look you want for the day.  The liquid eyeliner and the brow gel are the perfect bonus duo for completing the eye makeup.  Add to this the attractive (and convenient) packaging, and the Anastasia Want You to Want Me Eye Shadow palette is an awesome pick - whether it's for someone who just needs a fun travel-friendly palette or as a gift.  The product is also bunny-approved for being cruelty-free, so you can look beautiful and feel good too :)

Anastasia Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette - Ingredients

Anastasia Want You To Want Me Eye Shadow Palette - Ingredients

Product provided for review.