You know, I really thought I would turn over a new leaf and post at least once a month. Alas, no such luck. I do intend to post more frequently from now on but I’ll put my money where my mouth is.
Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Pact
I’ve used the loose powder version of this product for years now. I only recently switched to the pact, to make it easier for me to manage/handle. This also happens to be my second pact as I’ve already used up my first one.
The product itself is slightly different from its more popular version. The powder, I feel, isn’t as smooth or finely-milled. But it still does what it’s supposed to – mattifies and sets the face.
Now, what exactly do I wish to mattify/set? Well, I smother my face with a creamy sunscreen on a regular basis and I do not like the finish of the sunscreen. Hence, a buffing brush packed with this powder usually turns my grease-ball face into a matte, fully set one.
The pact comes with a puff and a mirror and I like the sturdy, mint green plastic packaging.
PRICE: 800 INR
QUANTITY: 8.5 grams
AVAILABILITY: Innisfree stores, Innisfree online, Nykaa etc.
COSRX Pure Fit Cica Cleanser
This was another attempt by me to break away from my usual rotation of comfort products. The COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, in this case.
I bought this cleanser because it’s COSRX and I genuinely thought this brand could do no wrong for my skin.
I was wrong.
I do not like this cleanser. It doesn’t suit my skin.
It’s creamy when squeezed out of the tube. Add a little water and it lathers up well. It doesn’t have a discernible scent.
While it did work well as the second step of my Double Cleanse routine, as in removing any traces of sunscreen, I found that this cleanser would leave my skin feeling rather dry and irritated.
Once I switched back to my old gel cleanser, the redness and the inflammation ceased to be. So now I’m back to square one.
PRICE: 1050 INR
QUANTITY: 150 ml
AVAILABILITY: Beautybarn, Peaches and Cream etc.
Skinfood Lemon Verbena Body Lotion
This body lotion comes in a unit with a pump, which is super handy to get a specific amount of product onto your palms to then slather all over your body.
It’s a lightweight formula but it’s moisturising enough to get you by. Especially during the warmer months. It won’t be enough during harsher and colder winter nights.
The scent is lovely and right up my alley – it’s a fresh yet punchy citrus scent.
This is a good bang for your buck and I do think this product will make a lovely gift. Now, whether you give it to yourself or to someone else is entirely up to you.
PRICE: 890 INR
QUANTITY: 335 ml
AVAILABILITY: Skinfood, Nykaa etc.
DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
This is a product I repurchased. I remember buying it ages ago, from Japan, and somewhat enjoying it.
I repurchased it just to feel things again. I went for the smallest size available just so I could try it out, as an adult, and decide if I want to get the larger size.
It feels very oleaginous when you slather it on your skin and it breaks down any makeup/sunscreen residue/impurities on your face. You may struggle while trying to take off waterproof makeup (eyeliners, liquid lipsticks) and rub the product in more harshly for it to break them down.
It’s better for everyday-use and is easier on your skin. It doesn’t suck the moisture out of your skin and is gentle.
I also enjoy that it is fragrance-free.
But would I buy a bigger bottle of this stuff? No.
PRICE: 699 INR
QUANTITY: 30 ml
Bioré Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil
After trying the DHC Cleansing Oil, I decided to try Bioré’s offering. It is a lot lighter in consistency and breaks down product build-up on the face more easily. It also does a decent job at removing waterproof makeup.
It doesn’t really emulsify when it comes in contact in water so the second step of your double cleanse is absolutely crucial.
Somehow, I wasn’t too pleased with either of these cleansing oils. I feel like the ones I’ve tried previously set the bar too high and now I’m scrambling to find something that measures up.
PRICE: 720 INR
QUANTITY: 50 ml
AVAILABILITY: Tata Cliq, Nykaa etc.
Maybelline Lifter Gloss in ‘Topaz’.
Maybelline Lifter Gloss in ‘Topaz’
There was so much hype around these glosses when they first launched. They were being compared to Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bombs. Having tried those, I had high expectations from Maybelline. I mean, they’ve been doing dupes for ages now and more often than not, their products are as good as, if not better, than their more expensive, luxury counterparts.
Right off the bat, I liked the rectangular packaging of the product. The beige cap and the heavy plastic body made the product look more expensive than it was. I also like how Maybelline successfully mimicked Fenty’s gigantic applicator. It feels deluxe and coats the lips evenly in one swipe.
The gloss formulation itself is rather nice. It’s smooth and plush. It smooths out any lip-lines you may have and leaves behind a lovely, juicy, glossy finish. It isn’t sticky or uncomfortable in the slightest.
Of course, with it being a gloss, the longevity is highly debatable. If anything, it leaves behind the shimmer specks.
‘Topaz’ is a wonderful rose-brown shade which pulls more caramel on me (as you can see in the swatch photo). I reckon it’s going to suit quite a large number of skin-tones as despite its warm undertones, the shade itself is neutral.
PRICE: 720 INR
QUANTITY: 50 ml
AVAILABILITY: Tata Cliq, Nykaa etc.
Faces Canada Magneteyes Eyeliner
I bought this eyeliner on a whim. I felt like I needed a new liquid eyeliner and I didn’t have the money nor time to peruse like I usually would.
The good news is that I ended up liking this eyeliner a lot. It’s opaque and pigmented. The black is a good, deep black. And the finish is almost matte. Almost. It doesn’t fully dry into a matte-matte finish but it’s less glossy than other eyeliners at this price-point.
The applicator is a little finicky (by that, I mean stiff) and it might take you a few strokes to get used to it.
The longevity of this liner is commendable. I once applied it at the crack of dawn, only to take it off at dawn the next day. The liner, through all the hoops I jumped through on that day, remained the same.
That being said, it can be a bit TOO budge-proof for my liking. The DHC cleansing oil I mentioned earlier gave me a difficult time removing the eyeliner as (a) the oil wasn’t potent enough and (b) the liner was WAY too potent. I did find it easier to take it off with a bi-phased micellar water, though.
PRICE: 270 INR
QUANTITY: 3.5 ml
AVAILABILITY: Nykaa , Amazon etc.
Nykaa Lash Talk Volumizing Mascara
Meh. Not worth discussing.
Let’s move on.
Gucci Bloom Profumo Di Fiori Eau De Parfum For Her
Top Notes: Jasmine Sambac Absolute
Heart Notes: Natural Tuberose, Jasmine Bud Extract, Ylang Ylang
Base Notes: Sandalwood Accord, Sun Drenched Wood Accord, Orris Concrete, Benzoin, Musks
My tryst with the Gucci Bloom scent and its flankers continues till this day. I bought this perfume sometime last year, when a Parcos finally opened up in my own city.
This flanker retains most of the DNA of the original fragrance, which I love. However, this does have a muskier undertone. I also find it a lot creamier than the original, which was pure Jasmine goodness.
I like that it’s floral but is not sickly sweet in its tones. Like I mentioned before, the muskier notes really tame the floral nature of this scent.
It has been my go-to work perfume since I bought it because it makes me feel good when I spritz it on.
A big con, however, is that the longevity is awful and so is the sillage (there is barely any even if I basically bathe in it).
Also, this is extremely personal but I simply do not like the bottle it is housed in. I’ve never liked the colour yellow and I never will.
PRICE: 8450 INR
QUANTITY: 50 ml (30 and 100 ml bottles also available)
AVAILABILITY: Nykaa , Sephora etc.
I don’t think I’ve made up for not posting for five months straight but I really hope the timing between this post and the next will be minuscule. See you all soon.
