Lancome Audacity in Paris Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches

Lancome Auda-city in Paris Eyeshadow Palette ($68) at Nordstrom

Ever since Lisa Eldridge joined Lancome, I have been noticing some lovely new product launches, and the new Lancome Audacity in Paris eyeshadow palette is the latest from the brand.  I have been looking forward trying this mostly because it's the first product designed by Lisa Eldridge for Lancome.  Also, it's a neutral-smokey palette - what's not to like about that?!  The palette feels a bit heavy in the hand and is not very sleek to hold, but the weight does make it feel quite sturdy and safe to travel with.  Inside the palette are 16 eyeshadows in shades ranging from soft mattes to shimmery smokey dark colors.  There is a large/long mirror on one side (with some black embossing over it which does cover a bit of the mirror), and included with the palette is a useful dual-ended brush.  Scroll on for more photos and swatches.

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color Lipsticks - Swatches

Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color Lipsticks ($35 each) at Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown seems to come out with a new makeup range or product almost every month, and while I do end up swatching and sharing most of them on the blog here, I don't think I have ever been truly excited about any of these releases.  The Bobbi Brown Intense Pigment liners are an exception - those mini pigment shadow palettes are a must-have, but for the most part, everything else seems quite similar to existing or older collections.  Given the trend, I was not expecting much from the Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color lipsticks either, but from packaging design to colors, this is one makeup launch you definitely need to check out.  These brand new lipsticks have a beautiful gold packaging, and they feel heavy and luxurious in the hand.  The formula is rich and glossy, and the colors are bight and rich.  There is a mix of neutrals and softer corals and nudes in this range, and there are some deep reds and plums.  Here's a look at the swatches.

Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm - Swatches

Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm ($25 each) at Sephora

Laura Mercier is a brand I tend to miss out on quite often, but I did check out the Laura Mercier Lip Parfait lipsticks last weekend (thanks Bee!), and they are awesome!  These Lip Parfaits are infused with vitamins and butters to moisturize the lips while leaving them drenched in rich vibrant color.  The lipstick has the shine and texture of a lip balm, gliding on glossy, shiny color in one swipe.  There are some rich vibrant colors in the range - bright corals and reds - as well as some glossy nudes.  Here's a look at the swatches.

Guerlain Rose Aux Joues Blush - Swatches - Bloom of Rose Fall 2015 Makeup Collection

Guerlain Rose Aux Joues Blush ($52 each) at Sephora

Also part of the Guerlain Fall 2015 Bloom of Rose Makeup Collection are 6 new shades of blush - Guerlain Rose Aux Joues.  This new blush has a feather light formula with pink-booster pigments to capture the skin's natural pigmentation and enhance the natural pink hue for a soft blushed effect.  The colors include soft peaches and pinks.  Here's a look at the swatches - heavier as well as slightly blended.

Guerlain KissKiss RoseLip Hydrating and Plumping Tinted Lip Balm - Swatches (Fall 2015 Bloom of Rose Makeup Collection)

Guerlain KissKiss RoseLip Hydrating and Plumping Tinted Lip Balm ($37 each) at Sephora

Guerlain KissKiss RoseLip Balms are part of the Guerlain Fall 2015 makeup collection - Bloom of Rose.  Inspired by the natural beauty of the rose, these tinted lip balms come in 6 soft, romantic shades ranging from charming reds to romantic pinks.  Enriched with hydrating and plumping rose extracts, these lip friendly balms give lips a sheer wash of color. The packaging is similar to the Guerlain KissKiss lipsticks except the RoseLip Balms come in a white lacquer packaging (as opposed to the black of the regular Guerlain KissKiss lipsticks).  Here's a look at the swatches.

Feetreat Pedi by LookBeauty Intensive Moisturizing Foot Mask

Feetreat Pedi by LookBeauty Intensive Moisturizing Foot Mask - $9.99 for a pack of 2
Product provided for review

Ideally, I would want a foot massage at the end of every long boring day, but it doesn't happen all that often in real life.  An easy compromise is a foot mask, and I have tried a couple of them over the years.  Most of these foot masks have been clay-based masks - apply, wait, wash off - but the mask I am reviewing today is a bit different.  Feetreat Pedi by Look Beauty foot masks are moisturizing sock masks filled with an intensive moisturizer lotion.  All you have to do is slip on the socks.  Scroll on for more photos and my experience with the Feetreat Pedi foot mask.

OPI - Can't Hear Myself Pink! and The Berry Thought of You (Brights 2015 Nail Polish Collection)

OPI Brights 2015 Nail Polish Collection - Can't Hear Myself Pink - The Berry Thought of You
Product provided for review

The spotlight today is in on two more nail colors from the OPI Brights Nail Polish Collection (2015) - Can't Hear Myself Pink! and The Berry Thought of You.  This collection was released for summer 2015, but I got to try out a few of these nail colors only recently.  I have already reviewed My Car Has Navy-Gation and On Pinks & Needles - a cobalt blue and a pink glitter topcoat.  Can't Hear Myself Pink is a shimmery bright pink while The Berry Thought of You is a glossy fuchsia.  Scroll on for more photos.

MAC Electric Cool Eyeshadows (2015) - Swatches

MAC Electric Cool Eyeshadows ($22 each) at Nordstrom

MAC Electric Cool Eyeshadows are a new, limited edition collection featuring vibrant, bright eyeshadows with a frost finish.  The texture of these eyeshadows is similar to the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre - cream eyeshadows with a spongy formula and a dry powdery finish when applied on the skin.  The shadows can be applied sheer when blended and/or layered for more opaque color.  There are some beautiful colors in this range, and here's a look at the swatches.

Bobbi Brown Intense Pigment Liners ( Fall 2015) - Swatches

Bobbi Brown Intense Pigment Liner ($36 each) at Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Fall 2015 Makeup Collection also includes a new product - Bobbi Brown Intense Pigment Liner. Available in 3 color combinations, these pigment liners are housed in a small compact, each compact containing three shades of highly pigmented shadows.  These are meant to be used either applied along the lashine as a dark eyeliner or smudged out for a smokey look.  This is the product I have been looking forward to ever since I saw promo images, and it definitely does live up to the claims.  Here's a look at the swatches.

Bobbi Brown Greige Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches

Bobbi Brown Greige Eyeshadow Palette ($70) at Nordstrom
Fall 2015 Makeup Collection - Swatches

Bobbi Brown Fall 2015 Makeup Collection is now available display at my local Nordstrom counter and includes a new limited edition eyeshadow palette - Bobbi Brown Geige Palette.  There are 8 eyeshadows in this sleek palette, all in the grey-brown-neutral range (as the name suggests), and with a mix of matte and shimmers.  It's perfect for soft neutral eye makeup and/or can be used to create a smokey shimmery eye.  Here's a look at the swatches.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Palette ($30) at Sephora

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Palette is a limitd edition eyeshadow kit with 12 intense shades, all of which can be used wet or dry.  The colors include warm browns, soft peaches, as well as more vibrant blues and dark matte black. I have been quite impressed with the few products that I have tried from this brand, and the Shadow Couture palette seems to follow the trend. Scroll on for swatches.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Eyeshadow Palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches

The eyeshadows in this palette are all incredibly pigmented and smooth. Going by the palettes I have tried from this brand previously, I have to assume these eyeshadow would be quite easy to blend on the lids and pretty longlasting too.  I love the warm browns in the palette, and the bright colors included in the palette would look great used on their own - if you aren't shy to try a bright eye makeup look - or as pop of color in a neutral eyeshadow look.  Overall, a good eyeshadow palette if you are looking for something with a wide range of eyeshadow colors.

Links provided in the post are for information only and are NOT affiliate/sponsored links. Please do not copy/download images from the blog and repost on your social media channels or blogs.

Maybelline The Nudes - Neutral Eyeshadow Palette - Review, Swatches, Photos, Makeup Looks

Maybelline The Nudes - Neutral Eyeshadow Palette

Maybelline The Nudes eyeshadow palette has been around for a while, but it launched in India only recently.  With its mix of matte and shimmer neutrals, most of them variations of brown, Maybelline The Nudes palette is an affordable option for a neutral eyeshadow palette in the Indian makeup/beauty market.  I generally stay off premade palettes unless I am particularly impressed with the eyeshadows textures or colors.  My most-used palette is from MAC, filled with eyeshadows I picked out myself, so I am definitely not the target audience for this product.  Nevertheless, I bought one out of curiosity, and hopefully, the review is helpful for anyone looking to buy this.  Scroll on for more photos, swatches, and review.

Sheet Masks - Easy Skincare for the Lazy Girl (and Guy)

Sheet Masks by Look Beauty, Dr. Jart, Yes To Grapefruit, SKII

Sheet masks aren't exactly a new thing in the skincare world - they have been a part of Asian skincare routine for a long time - but it's only now that they are starting to become widely available in other parts of the world.  I have been noticing a lot more sheet masks at drugstores and at my local Target.  I discovered sheet masks a while back when I was in India.  There were very few brands available, and most of them were geared toward brightening/lightening more than hydrating.  Since then, I have tried quite a few sheet masks, found some staples, and am always trying out new ones.  For those who are new to the sheet mask trend, here's 5 reasons why you need to give these a try.

Gucci Bamboo Eau de Parfum

Gucci Bamboo Eau de Parfum ($70 to $115) at Nordstrom

Gucci Bamboo is the newest fragrance from the brand, and as the name suggests, it is inspired by the bamboo plant - not the smell but the tenacity and strength of bamboo.  The scent attempts to capture the essence of the modern woman who balances strength and confidence with femininity and poise.  The same is also reflected in the design of the bottle with the facets on the glass bottle contrasting with the soft pink liquid inside.  Fragrance notes (as listed on the Nordstrom website) include Italian bergamot, orange blossom, Casablanca lily, ylang ylang, sandalwood, Tahitian vanilla, and amber.  One look at the fragrance notes, and I knew I would love this perfume, and sure enough, it is one of my favorite perfumes now.  Gucci Bamboo has a light freshness to it starting with the bright citrusy notes it opens with and growing warmer as the floral notes mix in.  Vanilla and amber give it a warm sweetness as the perfume settles in, but overall, it retains a citrusy floral scent.  This a light perfume with no overwhelming notes, but it stays consistently fresh and lasts all day long on my skin.

The light fresh notes in this perfume make it a perfect pick for spring and summer.  Do give it a try if you are on the lookout for something fresh and not too heavy.

Links provided in the post are for information only and are NOT affiliate/sponsored links. Please do not copy/download images from the blog and repost on your social media channels or blogs.  Review based on a sample from Nordstrom.

Bobbi Brown Secret to Standout Eyes - Eyeshadow Palette Set - Swatches

Bobbi Brown Secret to Stand Out Eyes Set ($85 at Nordstrom) - Eyeshadow Palette
Not shown in photo - full-sized Black Ink eyeliner, full-size Smokey Eye Mascara, and a mini liner brush 

Bobbi Brown Secret to Stanout Eyes Set turned up during the Nordstrom anniversary sale and is still available online.  The set includes a limited edition eyeshadow palette, full-sized Bobbi Brown long-wear gel eyeliner in Black Ink, full-sized smokey eye mascara, as well as a mini ultrafine eyeliner brush.  The eyeshadow palette is the typical Bobbi Brown neutral-shimmer mix, and while I find the colors quite repetitive, I do understand the value of a good, basic eyeshadow palette.  I just am not too impressed by some of the eyeshadows in the palette, though.  Scroll on for more swatches.

Curel Rough Skin Rescue Smoothing Body Lotion

Curel Rough Skin Rescue Smoothing Lotion
Product provided for review

I have dry, sensitive skin that is also quite prone to getting pesky little bumps (on the arms) unless I stick to a careful routine of exfoliation-moisturizer routine.  A daily moisturizer with added benefits of gentle exfoliation is just the sort of thing I need.   Curel Rough Skin Rescue Smoothing Lotion is one such simple daily moisturizer.  This formula combines natural ingredients like olive oil and fruit extracts for moisturized and also gently exfoliated skin.  This also claims to be clinically proven to relieve and protect dry flaky skin associated with psoriasis and keratosis pilaris (KP).

Lavanila Vanilla-Coconut Healthy Deodorant

Lavanila Vanilla-Coconut Healthy Deodorant ($14) 
Press sample provided for review

Like a lot of people, deodorants are a must-have for me, but despite the large number of brands available in the market, there aren't very many that I can actually use.  I have very sensitive skin that gets easily irritated, sometimes even with brands that claim to use natural ingredients (or they are just plain ineffective).  While I do have a drugstore brand that I can rely on, I have been looking for a natural, aluminum-free deodorant option for a while now.  The Lavanila Healthy Deodorant is one such product.  I have the Vanilla-Coconut version, but they also make 5 other vanilla-based versions (fragrance-free version also available). This deodorant utilizes natural ingredients to provide anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and of course, odor prevention.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss - Azalea, Cognac

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss ($20 each) 
Press sample provided for review

I am a lipgloss girl, prefer the easy wearability and comfort of glosses to lipsticks, so I was quite happy to get to try out two of the Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Glosses.  These lip glosses combine a glassy, glossy finish with ultrarefined, perfectly dispersed pigments to give a superlight, comfortable blend that feels weightless on the lips but still leaves a bold wash of gorgeous color.  They are packaged in the usual gloss packaging - long transparent tubes that allow the color to be seen through.  The colors I am reviewing today are Cognac - brown berry with fine gold shimmer - and Azalea - a bright pink fuschia.  Scroll on for more photos.

On My Nails Today: OPI My Car Has Navy-Gation, On Pinks and Needles (Brights 2015 Collection)

OPI Brights 2015 Collection (2015) - My Car Has Navy-Gation, On Pinks and Needles
Press Samples

I have been trying to find a good blue nail polish ever since I spotted Serena Williams sporting an awesome blue polish in a commercial.  Needless to say, when I got two new polishes from the OPI Brights Collection (2015), I was thrilled to find a fabulous blue one in the box.  OPI My Car Has Navy-Gation is a cobalt blue with purple undertones.  It's a glossy cream finish that goes on perfect with 3 coats, though you could get away with 2 if you are planning on using a glitter topcoat.  I paired it with OPI Pinks and Needles - variously sized pink glitter particles floating in a transparent base.  Scroll on for more photos.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipsticks - Infrared Matte - Shock Me Pink - Review, Swatches, Photos

Wearing Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Infrared Matte
Product provided for review

Smashbox Be Legendary lipstick ($20 each) collection features a mix of cream and matte lipsticks in supersaturated, pigmented colors for bold bright lip color.  The cream lipsticks are formulated with shea butter for soft, moisturized lips while the matte lipsticks are perfect if you are looking for long-lasting lip color.  I recently got to try two of these lipsticks - Infrared Matte (a true red) and Shock Me Pink (neon pink).  Scroll on for more more photos and swatches.

Covergirl Intensify Me by Lashblast Liquid Eyeliner

Covergirl Intensify Me by Lashblast Liquid Eyeliner
Product provided by PR

A while back, folks at Covergirl offered to send the Covergirl Intensify Me by Lashblast Liquid Eyeliner and Supersize mascara for me to try, and I promptly accepted.  Who says no to makeup?!  Well, I waited and waited but didn't get anything in the mail - or so I thought.  My husband checks the mail every day, but something was wrong with the key to the box, and instead of fixing the issue, he decided to just stop checking the mail.  It took close to a month of getting no mail for me to realize what was happening and then go get all the mail home  Yes, I am the lazy girl who won't even notice mail is missing unless there is a chance of finding makeup in it.  Anywho, my little rant/story over, here's a look at this black eyeliner from Covergirl.

NARSissist Hardwired Eye Kit (Fall 2015) - Six Appeal Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches

NARSissist Hardwired Eye Kit - Six Appeal Eyeshadow Palette ($59) - Fall 2015 

NARSissist Six Appeal Hardwired Eye Kit is a new release for Fall 2015, with a 6-eyeshadow palette, a mini Larger Than Life Eyeliner (Via De'Martelli), and a travel-size brush (#43). The outside top of the palette has a protected mirror finish that looks different from the usual matte black NARS packaging.  The eyeshadows included are a mix of soft neutrals and darker matte and shimmering shades for smokey looks.

NARSissist Hardwired Eye Kit - Six Appeal
Travel-size Wide Contour Brush #43
Mini Via De’Martelli Larger Than Life Eyeliner
Product images - NARS Cosmetics

Scroll on for swatches.

Burberry Beauty Eye Colour Cream Eyeshadows - Swatches

Burberry Eye Colour Cream ($30 each) at Nordstrom

New in the Burberry Beauty makeup range are the new Burberry Eye Colour Creams - cream eyeshadows in a pot.  The packaging is classic Burberry, simple, minimalistic, and so beautiful.  These cream eyeshadows come in glass pots with the Burberry plaid pattern on the square metallic tops.  This packaging is quite similar to that of the Burberry Lip and Cheek Glows.  The creams feel firm to touch, but the product itself has a velvety (silicone-like) powdery softness to it.  There are 8 shades available currently.  Scroll on for swatches.

NARS Fall 2015 - Private Screening Makeup Collection - Swatches

NARS Fall 2015 Makeup Collection - Private Screening

NARS Fall 2015 Makeup collection - Private Screening (as listed on Nordstrom) - features a mix of eye, lip, and cheek products and focuses on a natural sculpted face and dramatic smokey eyes with an iconic red lip.  Making an official launch in this collection are the NARS Velvet Shadow Sticks.  These twist-up pencils come in a range of colors - from soft shimmery neutrals to rich blues and greens - and can be used alone or under/over other eyeshadows to create modern sophisticated looks.  Here's a look at swatches of some of the products in this collection.

Burberry Kisses Lipsticks - Swatches

Burberry Kisses Lipsticks ($33 each) at Nordstrom

Burberry Kisses lipstick feature a buildable, weightless gel formula that can be worn slightly sheer for a softer look or built up in layers to give vibrant deep color.  These lipsticks have a slightly glossy satin finish and claim to have a blend of lavender, tea, and rosehip to provide 6 hours of lip hydration and comfortable wear.  They are available in a range of colors from soft nudes, bright corals all the way to bright plums and classic reds.  Scroll on for swatches.

Dior Eye Reviver Illuminating Neutrals Eyeshadow Palettes - Rosy Nordy Girl (003) - Swatches, Comparisons

Dior Eye Reviver Illuminating Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette - Nordy Girl ($62) at Nordstrom

Dior Eye Reviver Illuminating Neutrals Eyeshadow Palettes are the typical neutral palettes - 5 neutral eyeshadows going from pale mattes to darker satin-textured eyeshadows and an eyeliner - the overall effect meant to brighten and add radiance to the eyes.  The Dior Nordy Girl Palette is the new, exclusive edition (Nordstrom Beauty Exclusive) and features a gradation of rosy eyeshadows.  It includes four shades of eyeshadows with a base/liner that looks brown on my skin.  Used together or on their own, these shades are meant to smooth, widen and define the eyes.  The darkest eyeshadow appears to have a slight purple undertone to it depending on the light (and perhaps skintone).  Scroll on for more photos, swatches, and a comparison with the older Dior Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette (001).

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter - Opal

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector - Opal ($19-$41) at Sephora

I have oily-combination skin that usually does it's own highlighting, and any additional highlighting only helps to advertise skin issues and makes my skin look very greasy - not a good look at all.  For the most part, I stay away from highlighters, but the few that I use are ones with very fine shimmer in them to add only a glow to my face without the chunky glitterfest.  One of my favorites is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal.  I have never gotten around to buying a full-size bottle of this because of all the samples I have hoarded.  In fact, Sephora has a GWP of this going on right now with the code PERFECTOR ($25 purchase), and I am adding in a quick review of the liquid version.

Buxom Eyeshadow Bar - Single Eyeshadows (Refills) - Swatches

Buxom Eyeshadow Bar - Single Eyeshadows - Refills ($12 each) at Sephora
(These are the more vibrant colors in the range)

I haven't tried anything much from the Buxom makeup range.  I guess their products get overshadowed by the more glamorous displays and ads put out by a lot of other brands, and for some reason, I always felt Buxom catered to a younger crowd.  Anyway, what caught my attention, though, were the new Buxom eyeshadow singles-refills, available in a whole lot of colors that can be mixed and matched to make your own custom palette.  I love the idea of a custom palette, and I tried the eyeshadows out at Sephora, and most of them are quite good.  There's an almost equal mix of soft neutral shades as well as some vibrant fun colors in the eyeshadows, and for the most part, they are pigmented, smooth, and almost Urban Decay like in their consistency (and names).  Here's a look at the swatches.