Can’t believe the last 5 under 500 post was in 2019. It’s back now and I intend to do more of these. Keyword is intend, by the way.
1. Insight Cosmetics On The Go Blush Stick in ‘Peach Punch’
These blush sticks are having their moment right now. And for good reason.
They’re very noob-friendly. They pack a lot of punch when it comes to pigment and opacity. You can swipe it on and quickly blend it out with your fingers for a fresh pop of colour. The whole USP of stick blushes is their simplicity. You pop the lid off, swipe it on, blend it out and you’re done. The size of these also make them very easy to travel with.
I also think the little heart embossed on the blush gives it a cute touch.
Now, let me give you my two cents – this blush will not go into my repertoire. It simply doesn’t agree with my dry skin. It clings onto my skin and is a headache to blend out, even with fingers. I find using a densely packed brush yields better results on my face. I simply wish the formula weren’t as stiff as it is because I know it’s a winner in all other aspects.
I think combination and oily skin types will appreciate this formula more. Also, I reckon it’ll perform better on a face that already has base products on, be it foundation or primer. The emollient components in base products will ensure an easier blend. I do not use any base products so it tugs and clings to my actual skin.
‘Peach Punch’ is a peach with a yellow base, perfect for the upcoming Spring and Summer seasons.
PROS: Adorable colour selection, noob-friendly, travel-friendly, long-wearing
CONS: Formula is a tad stiff
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 220 INR for 6.5 grams of product
AVAILABILITY: Insight Cosmetics, Nykaa etc.
2. Nykaa GLAMOReyes Waterproof & Smudgeproof Colored Kajal Eyeliner Eye Pencil in ‘Ruby’
It’s a gorgeous colour, first of all. That’s the reason I bought it. I’m a sucker for red eyeshadows/eyeliners. Especially deeper reds.
The formula isn’t anything spectacular, though. It’s mid.
The pencil is rectractable. And, sure, the formula is pigmented and the shade is opaque. It’s not as smooth as I’d like it to be. It tugs and skips against the skin. But it’s still useable.
Despite the name saying it’s “smudgeproof”, I find it’s actually great for smudging. I mean, that’s the whole point of a kajal (read more here). It’s also not exceptionally long-wearing and just fades away.
Like I said before – the shade is pretty but the product is mid as hell.
‘Ruby’ is a stunning cranberry shade.
PROS: Decent shade selection, retractable component, good for smokey eyes
CONS: Not long-wearing, smudges
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 265 INR for 0.3 grams
AVAILABILITY: Nykaa etc.
3. Etude House Dear Darling Water Tint in ‘#1 Strawberry Ade’
Oh, boy, oh, boy, this product BRINGS BACK MEMORIES. I used to LOVE water tints when I was a teen.
I decided to repurchase this on a whim since they’re only now becoming popular in my country.
It’s as amazing as I remember. The only thing you need to remember while using these is that you have to work fast. Speed is key.
‘#1 Strawberry Ade’ is a deep blue-tinged pink that just makes you look alive.
The watery formula makes it great to use on the cheeks and the lips. Dab it quickly on the cheeks before it stains. On the lips, swipe some on and let it dry to leave the stain. It’s weightless and super duper comfortable. So much so that I always forget I have it on at all.
Remember, speed is key.
PROS: Fresh shades, long-wearing, comfortable
CONS: Stains, can be finicky for beginners to use
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 450INR for 9 grams
AVAILABILITY: Etude House Global, Maccaron, Nykaa etc.
4. Etude House Oh My Line in ‘Brown’
Another blast from the past, haha. This liquid eyeliner still exists even after all these years. * touchwood *
The shape of the bottle is so, so nostalgic for me. It’s such an early K-Beauty shape for an eyeliner bottle to have.
The brush is still one of the best you’ll find. It’s flexible yet stiff when you want crisp edges.
The pigment on these is amazing. They’re fully opaque with one swipe.
I think ‘Brown’ is a lovely alternative to your usual black eyeliners. It’s a dark chocolatey brown but looks much dark once it dries down.
It’s also very long-wearing.
But it can flake off if you rub your eyes so be careful.
PROS: Easy to use, pigmented & opaque, long-wearing
CONS: Can crumble/flake off
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 450INR for 5 ml
AVAILABILITY: Etude House Global, Tira, Nykaa etc.
5. Swiss Beauty Eye Sparkle Sketch Liner in ‘3 Glamour Pink’
Swiss Beauty products have always impressed me. This is no exception.
It gets points from the get-go – the brush tip, the gorgeous baby pink shade that ‘3 Glamour Pink’ is… And then you add glitter?
Jeez. It’s amazing.
It is pigmented but not as opaque in one swipe as I’d like it to be. But it’s also perhaps because of how light the shade of pink is. Another great thing is that these can be built up. So it solves that problem. The longevity is also fairly decent.
They have a brown shade in this line, which I’m interested in too. Will update you if/when I get my hands on it.
PROS: Easy to use, buildable, decent longevity, pretty shade selection
CONS: None, honestly
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 450INR for 5 ml
AVAILABILITY: Swiss Beauty, Nykaa etc.
Leaving you all with this banger below ♥ :
