Showing posts with label guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guide. Show all posts

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Nail Trends - Summer 2014


Summer is here and it’s time to paint your nails in beautiful peaches, breezy mints, sultry nudes and hot corals.

I’ve put together a list of nail colors that are sooo à la mode this season. All nail colors can easily be found across Pakistan. You can also buy some online from Just4girls.pk or Beautyarena.pk.
  1. OPI Where Did Suzi's Man-go | PKR 990
  2. Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer ASHley | PKR 460
  3. Artdeco Ceramic Nail Lacquer Rose Taboo | PKR 795
  4. Luscious Designer Nail Colors Elan | PKR 295
  5. Color Studio Professional Mojito | PKR 250
  6. OPI Sparrow Me The Drama | PKR 990
  7. Maybelline Colorrama Nail Polish Electric Yellow | PKR 350
  8. L’oreal Pearle De Jade | PKR 699
  9. MUA Love You 24/7 | PKR350
  10. Essie Red Nouveau | PKR 750

What are your picks for summer?


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Product disappointments of 2013


I tried some wonderful products last year. Yet there were the occasional not-so-good stuff that either didn’t work for me or were a total fail. Here’s a list of products that let me down. Hopefully, this saves some bucks.

Sleek MakeUP Lip 4 Lipstick Palette in Ballet
Ballet highlights my lip lines and dries out my lips badly – not impressed.

KleanColor Everlasting Lipstick in 'Pink'
Poor texture and performance – completely dislike.

Luscious Artist Ink Gel Eyeliner in Midnight Ink
The texture is unforgiving and hard to work with. There are plenty of gel eyeliners out there that perform way better.

Bourjois 1001 Lashes / Cils Mascara
They make it sound so amazing but I was very disappointed with it – doesn’t do what it claims to.

Artdeco Skin Perfecting Make-up Base
It pills on my face and does nothing for my pores.

OPI Chip Skip Manicure Prep Coat
It’s dehydration disaster for nails – one of the worst products ever!

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Show Off Mascara
The WORST mascara ever! Does absolutely nothing, NOTHING for my lashes.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cool BB Cream
Has no coverage and doesn't work for my skin.

The Body Shop Delipscious Sheer Lip Colour
I just cannot stand the bitter taste in my mouth. Eww!

Belleme Sky High Mascara 
The formula is gooey and clumps my lashes badly; definitely not for me.

Essence Pure Skin Anti-Spot Wash Gel
Dried out my skin badly; never trying it again.

Sleek MakeUP Flick It Eyeliner
The pen dries out fast – extremely short shelf-life.

Color Studio Professional High Intensity Haute Gloss
Not a fan of the chunky glitter. To boot, the wear time sucks.

Maybelline SuperStay 24H Foundation
It transfers badly and has no oil control whatsoever.

Which products let you down? I would love to know.

Monday, November 25, 2013

DIY: Makeup Finishing Spray


Don’t like that dry/powdery look on your face after makeup? Now more than ever? It’s dry and somewhat chilly out there – I certainly do not regard 30 degree Celsius as winter – then again, this is what we get at this time.

Personally I think that a powdery face makes you look rather old therefore I try to stay away from it. There are plenty of options on the market that will help blend your makeup perfectly and get rid of the nasty powdery effect. My personal favorite is Elf Mist & Set. And then there is MAC Fix+ which is loved by many. But today, I am going to share a homemade spray that I have been using since two winters. I actually like it better than Mist & Set for dry colder months.

Anyway, let’s get to work!

Things required
  1. Glycerin (got this from a pharmacy for PKR 30 If I remember correctly)
  2. Rose water
  3. Bottle with a nozzle
DIY: Homemade Makeup Finishing Spray
How to prepare?
Fill half rose water in a small bottle (30ml). Mix two drops of Glycerin (Three – if you have very dry skin). Shake well and you’re done! Keep the bottle in the refrigerator for later use.

We’ve all heard of the amazing rose water but why glycerin? Well, they say glycerin attracts moisture. It absorbs water from air and locks it in your skin. While rose water hydrates the skin, glycerin holds the moisture in place so the concoction is a good one believe me.

How to use?
Spritz all over your face before or after makeup. I like to mist after my makeup and let it dry. Not only does it take care of the powdery/cakey face but also melts makeup into my skin giving me a natural-looking and slightly dewy effect. Love it!

What do you think about it? Have you ever tried this?

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Makeup Kit For Brides-to-be: Drugstore Version


Having no knowledge of makeup can be frustrating especially when you’re in line for a wedding. There are umpteen brands on the market and picking the right ones for yourself can be tricky. A few weeks ago, I did a high-end version of this post. Here's a drugstore version for you all.

Note: I haven’t tried everything from the list so I strongly suggest looking for reviews online before making a purchase.

PRIMER
  • Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer
  • Avon MagiX Face Perfector
  • Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer 002
  • L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base
  • Monistat Soothing Care Powder Gel

FOUNDATION

Combination/Oily Skin:
Dry/Normal Skin:

SETTING POWDER

EYE SHADOW PRIMER

EYE SHADOW PALETTES

EYELINER

Gel Eyeliner:

Liquid Eyeliner:
  • Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner
  • Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner
  • Wet n Wild MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner
  • Milani Infinite Liquid Eye Liner
  • Prestige Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner

Pencil Eyeliner:

CONCEALER

MASCARA

BLUSH

BRONZER
  • Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder
  • Wet 'n' Wild  Bronzer
  • Rimmel  Natural Bronzer
  • Catrice Sun Glow Matt bronzing powder
  • Bourjois maxi delight bronzer

HIGHLIGHTER
  • Hard Candy Glow All The Way in Doll Face
  • MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighting Powder
  • E.L.F. Studio Blush in Gotta Glow
  • Accessorize Bronzer in Golden Sand
  • E.L.F. Radiance Enhancer
  • Vivo baked bronzer in healthy glow
  • Hard Candy Moon Glow powder

LIP PENCIL
  • Wet n Wild Color Icon Liner Creme Lipliner Pencil
  • Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Liner
  • Rimmel 1000 kisses stay on Lip Liner
  • Jordana Lip Liner
  • Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner
  • Catrice Precision Lip Liner

LIPSTICK

LIP GLOSS

MAKE UP SETTING SPRAY

MAKE UP REMOVER
  • Neutrogena Oil Free eye makeup remover
  • Rimmel Gentle Eye Make Up Remover
  • Avon Moisture effective Eye makeup remover
  • Neutrogena Naturals Cleansing + Makeup Remover
  • NIVEA VISAGE Refreshing Cleansing Milk

If you have something to add to the list, please share in the comments section below.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Makeup Kit For Brides-to-be: High-end Version


Not everybody is familiar with makeup. Knowing nothing about makeup can be maddening especially when you’re in line for a wedding. There are umpteen brands on the market and picking the right ones for yourself can be tricky. To end this dilemma, I have prepared a list of products from the high-end brands that have got good reviews in general. I hope this helps.

Note: I haven’t tried everything from the list so I strongly suggest looking for reviews online before making a purchase.

PRIMER

Dry /Normal Skin:
  • Victoria's Secret Airbrush FX Face Primer SPF 20
  • Merle Norman Foundation Primer
  • Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance
  • Palladio Herbal Liquid Foundation Primer
  • Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

Combination/Oily Skin:
  • Yves Saint Laurent Matt Touch Oil-Free Primer
  • Smashbox Photo Matte Anti-Shine
  • Inglot Under Makeup Base
  • Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15
  • Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector

FOUNDATION

Dry/Normal Skin:
  • Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Liquid
  • NARS Sheer Glow Foundation
  • Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
  • Lancome Teint Miracle
  • MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation

Combination/Oily Skin:
  • Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet PLUS Matifying Foundation
  • Merle Norman Lasting Foundation
  • MAC Prolong Wear Foundation
  • Clarins Everlasting SPF15 Foundation
  • Estee Lauder Maximum Coverage Foundation
  • Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Soft Matte Makeup with SPF 15

SETTING POWDER
  • MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder
  • Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
  • NARS Loose Powder
  • Becca Fine Loose Finishing Powder
  • Chanel Poudre Universal Libre

EYE SHADOW PRIMER
  • Urban Decay Primer Potion Original
  • Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
  • NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

EYE SHADOW PALETTES:

EYELINER:

Gel Eyeliner:
  • Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
  • MAC Fluidline EyeLiner Gel
  • Stila Smudge Pots gel eye-liner

Liquid Eyeliner:
  • Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
  • Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
  • Lancome Artliner
  • Merle Norman Pro Pen Eyeiner
  • TheBalm Schwing Black Liquid Eyeliner

Pencil Eyeliner:
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil
  • Estée Lauder 'Double Wear' Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil
  • MAC Pearglide Intense Eyeliner
  • NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner

CONCEALER
  • MAC Studio Finish Concealer
  • Bobbi Brown Corrector
  • MAC Prolong wear concealer
  • MAC Select Cover-up
  • Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer
  • Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer

MASCARA
  • Christian Dior Diorshow Mascara
  • Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils
  • Lancome Hypnose Mascara
  • BeneFit Cosmetics They're Real Mascara
  • Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara

BLUSH

Powder Blush:

Cream Blush:
  • NARS Cream Blush
  • Illamasqua Cream Blush
  • Make Up For Ever HD Blush

BRONZER
  • Bobby Brown Bronzing Powder
  • NARS Bronzing Powder
  • Benefit Hoola Bronzer

HIGHLIGHTER

Liquid:

Powder:
  • MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Soft and Gentle
  • Nars Highlighting Blush Powder Albatross
  • TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer

Cream:

LIP PENCIL
  • MAC Lip Pencil
  • NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil

LIPSTICK

LIPGLOSS
  • MAC Lipglass
  • NARS Lip Gloss
  • Rouge Bunny Rouge Glassy Gloss
  • Christian Dior Creme De Gloss

MAKE-UP SETTING SPRAY
  • Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray
  • Urban Decay All Nighter
  • Clarins Fix Make up

MAKEUP REMOVER
  • Mary Kay Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover
  • DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
  • Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Make-up Remover
  • MAC Cleanse Off Oil
  • Clinique Take The Day Off Eye Makeup Remover

If you have something to add to the list, please share in the comments section below.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

How To Minimize Pores & Prevent Occasional Breakouts


A pore is a tiny opening through which the hair grows. Sebaceous glands which produce sebum (oil) are attached to the inside of a pore. Production of sebum is necessary to keep our skins soft and hydrated.

There are many factors that contribute to large pores. You can’t shut your pores completely but you can reduce their appearance to a great extent. Generally, people with oily/combination skin types suffer from large pores. Decrease in the skin's elasticity and sun damage, which happens with aging, also cause pores to expand. Another quite common factor is clogged pores. When a pore is bunged with excessive oil, dirt or dead skin cells, it causes it to dilate and as a result, it appears enlarged. Also, blocked pores lead to acne and black heads.

To reduce pores and prevent sporadic zits, you need to make sure your pores are completely clean. Follow these easy steps for a clean and clear skin.

That’s a no brainer. Of course we all know we need to cleanse. Cleanse at least twice a day. Look for face wash with ‘oil-free’ written on it. My personal favorite is Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Bacterial Lathering Cleanser.

If you wear makeup very often, never forget to take it off. Get yourself a good makeup remover or cleansing milk. For myself, I find double-cleansing technique to be most effective. Like I mentioned earlier, pores become blocked with oil and impurities. Oil doesn’t mix with water so chances are your regular face wash isn’t helping much at cleaning out pores thoroughly. Double-cleansing is a Japanese technique which involves cleansing/removing oil or makeup with an oil based makeup remover/cleansing milk and then washing your face with a good facial cleanser. The idea is to break up oil, makeup and grime in the first step and remove it completely in the second. You can also use extra virgin olive oil to remove makeup. I love using Nivea Visage Refreshing Cleansing Milk.

To remove any remaining traces of oil and debris, use a toner after you cleanse. Toning also helps soothe and nourish your skin and reduces the size of pores.

Go for an alcohol-free toner instead of an alcohol based. In my experience, alcohol based toners dry out skin really bad. For product suggestions, click here.

You need to get rid of dead skin cells that sit on the surface of the skin. Look for a good facial scrub preferably with micro beads. Exfoliating once a week is good enough. Too much exfoliation causes skin irritation so that’s a big no no. I find The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion to be very effective for this – love it! An excellent economical option would be St. Ives Green Tea Scrub.

A clay mask is like a pore-purging magnet I swear. It sucks out excess oil and debris like no other. Too much use can cause skin to dry out so I suggest using it once or twice a week. You could try Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque which is my absolute favorite.

I have personally tried these and find them extremely useful.

Take a bowl, mix one or two table spoons of baking powder in some water and make a slightly thick paste. Apply all over your face and let it dry completely. Rinse to remove. Baking powder not only minimizes pores but also gives a nice glow to skin. In addition to that, it gets rid of a tanned complexion.

Try aspirin mask. Aspirin contains salicylic acid which is used to help clear pimples and blemishes. Mix 5-6 aspirin tables in some water. Apply the solution on your face while rubbing in circular motion for a couple of minutes and rinse later. Do not try this if you are allergic to salicylic acid.

Both home remedies require you to tone and moisturize afterwards as they can be quite drying.

A popular belief is that moisturizing makes skin oilier which is in fact not true. People with combination/oily skin skip it only because of this. Stripping the skin’s natural oils results in the overproduction of sebum which is a breeding ground for bacteria that causes breakouts. To maintain a balance, always hydrate your skin with a moisturizer especially meant for your skin type.

Moisturizing before bed at night works brilliantly for me – I highly recommend it.  Night creams are specifically prepared to pamper and nourish your skin while you sleep.  Skin heals itself during the night and putting on a night cream will rejuvenate your skin, improve blood circulation and help balance your skins natural oils.

I always suggest picking up a light gel-based moisturizer for day and night. My most favorites are L'Oreal Hydrafresh Aqua Gel for daytime and L'Oreal White Perfect Transparent Rosy Whitening Night Cream. If you're willing to shell out some bucks, I suggest trying Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.

We all die for that pore less skin, don't we? Makeup can also come in handy to blur out pores in a matter of minutes. There are special primers designed to minimize the look of pores and make your skin look flawless. You can go for Benefit The POREfessional or Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector. A good drugstore alternative would be Monistat Chafing Gel.

Another great way to fill in pores is to do your foundation, preferably powder or cream, with a sponge. Press the sponge firmly against your skin and use a dabbing motion to get the product into the skin. This would give you a smooth, airbrushed effect.

For more budget-friendly suggestions on skin care, click here.

I hope you find this helpful. If you have anything in mind that you would like to add, do share in the comments down below.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Drugstore Foundations For Dry/Normal Skin


Generally speaking, I think people having a dry/normal skin are lucky when it comes to choosing a foundation. It’s us oilies who mostly suffer with foundation sliding off our face which is why I posted a few suggestion some time back. In case you missed, click here. There are plenty of foundations on the market suitable for dry/normal skins but I’ve narrowed down to the ones that are easy on the pocket.

Since we mostly have a hot and humid weather in Karachi, I’ve included a few options with semi/satin-matte formulation for normal skin types. But if you’ve got a dry skin or the weather is cold, ones with dewy/luminous finish should suit you better. Please note that I haven’t tried them all. I have done my extensive research on these and prepared a list. I suggest Googling for reviews before you purchase. I hope you find it helpful.







Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation
Shades: 8
Finish: Natural/Dewy
Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)






Revlon Photoready Makeup Liquid Foundation
Shades:  12
Finish: Luminous/Dewy
Coverage: Medium (buildable)







Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation
Shades: 10
Finish: Semi-matte
Coverage: Medium (buildable)
(Click for a review)









Catrice Photo Finish Liquid Foundation 18h
Shades: 5
Finish: Semi-matte
Coverage: Light to medium











Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Normal/Dry Skin
Shades: 12
Finish: Satin-matte
Coverage: Medium (buildable)







 
Wet 'n' Wild Coverall Cream Foundation
Shades: 7
Finish: Satin-matte
Coverage: Medium (buildable)












Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
Shades: 6
Finish: Dewy
Coverage: Light to medium










Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup
Shades: 12
Finish: Dewy
Coverage: Light to medium








Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse
Shades: 6
Finish: Luminous/Dewy
Coverage: Light to medium






Which is your favorite foundation?



Image courtesy: Google images & respective websites

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Drugstore Foundations For Combination/Oily Skin


I get tons of foundation related queries every single day. Choosing a right foundation for your skin type is just as important as picking up a right shade for yourself. It’s hopeless to purchase a formula that doesn’t work for your skin type. Then again, everyone has a different expectation and experience with a product. Finding your HG (Holy Grail) isn't so simple after all! To make it easy for you, I have narrowed down a list of some good drugstore foundations most suitable for combination/oily skin type. Most of them are easily available in Pakistan. I hope you find it helpful.

Liquid Foundation








Bourjois 123 Perfect Liquid Foundation

Shades: 5
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)







Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation

Shades: 14
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium







Catrice Infinite Matt Make-Up

Shades: 4
Finish: Semi matte
Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)








Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Oily/combination skin

Shades: 20
Finish: Soft Matte
Coverage: Medium to full
(Click for a review)











Bourjois Flower Perfection Youth Extension Foundation

Shades: 6
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium










Color Studio Pro Luminous Foundation

Shades: 4
Finish: Semi matte
Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)









No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

Shades:14
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Medium










Karaja  Stop Shine Foundation

Shades: 13
Finish: Semi matte
Coverage: Medium








Mousse Foundation

 





Bourjois Mineral Matte Mousse Foundation

Shades: 7
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium






Essence Soft Touch Mousse Makeup

Shades: 5
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium
(Click for a review)






Catrice Matt Mousse Makeup

Shades: 4
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium









Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Makeup

Shades: 12
Finish: Satin
Coverage: Light to medium










Avon Ideal Flawless Matte Mousse Foundation

Shades: 7
Finish: Soft matte
Coverage: Light





Which is your favorite foundation?



Image courtesy: Google images & respective websites

Friday, May 31, 2013

Stick Foundation Comparison


A stick foundation is loved by many for it's portable and handy. It's also deemed good value for money since it lasts for quite a long time. Not to mention, the concentrated formula offers medium to buildable coverage which makes it a good substitute for concealer to hide spots and blemishes. There are so many options available on the market but I've only had the chance to try three of them up until now. I get of plenty of emails asking me how these stick foundations compare with one another so I decided to do this post for you today. I hope you'd find it helpful. 

Kryolan TV Paint Stick


Texture: Creamy
Finish: Semi-matte/satin
Coverage: Light to full
Longevity: Good
Shades: Over 250
Price: PKR 800-850

What's good?
  • TV Paint Stick, as the name implies, is basically a heavy duty foundation for photography, film, stage and TV work. It's undoubtedly an outstanding product as it serves its purpose really well. I get why it's such a popular choice among girls out here because it's pretty easy on the pocket. In fact, it was the first foundation I began with when I stepped into college.
  • The formula is creamy, goes on smoothly without emphasizing any dry areas on your face but the product itself could turn a bit dry to use in winter. But the good thing is, you can achieve any amount of coverage with it starting from light to full.
  • It blends in beautifully if you use a damp sponge; doesn't set into fine lines.
  • It's the most saturated stick foundation among all three of them so you only need a small amount to get a good coverage; you can skip a concealer too. 
  • It melts into the skin and gets radiant with the passage of time. I think it looks pretty natural  if it's your right match and you don't cake on too much. Always use a translucent powder to set it for better wear time.  

What's bad?
  • TV Paint Stick clogs pores; it's definitely not friends with oily acne-prone skin. Also, it doesn't hold up well on oily skin and could turn greasy after a few hours. 
  • It doesn't come off completely with a regular cleanser so you need to use cleansing milk to get rid of the last traces of it.
  • Despite plenty of shade options, choosing your shade could be confusing or rather difficult probably because of inadequate swatches online or lack of testers at the store.
  • It's also not very easily available everywhere. Beware of the fake TV Paint Sticks!  
  • It may look caked up if you do multiple layers and don't blend properly. It can also suffocate your skin if you pack on too much.
  • It has a strong smell; something comparable to men perfume. It doesn't bother me much though.
Overall?
If you've got a dry/normal skin type, you will absolutely love it provided that you apply it the right way. People with combination/oily skin would be happy to use it during winter season. It could be your budget-friendly full coverage foundation for evenings and special occasions however, I do not recommend this foundation for daily wear in summer if your skin is combination/oily.

 

Color Studio Professional Matt Foundation HD Stick


Texture: Creamy
Finish: Semi-matte
Coverage: Light to medium
Longevity: Fair
Shades: 5
Price: PKR 850

What's good?
  • CSP Matt Foundation HD Stick doesn't offer a matte finish; it's semi-matte and very natural looking. It feels pretty comfortable on the skin and doesn't clog pores.
  • The formula sustains its creaminess all year round unlike TV Paint Stick and Luscious Stick Foundation. 
  • The application is a cinch! Among all, it blends into the skin the most easily and quickly. You don't have to dread about a cakey looking face no matter how much you build it.
  • The coverage looks natural but it could highlight dry spots in winter months. I'd say it camouflages small imperfections, not major pigmentation unlike TV Paint Stick.
  • This one is totally fragrance-free. Good for sensitive noses!
  • It's suitable for all skin types however not ideal for combination/oily skin in hot humid weather.
  • It's easily available across stores nationwide with an option to try out the testers before purchasing.

What's bad?
  • The limited shade range is a bummer! You may not find yourself a match.
  • The formula isn't so concentrated so it requires some layering to build it up to medium coverage.
  • It doesn't withstand humidity so well; it fades away within four hours around the oily areas on your face even after you set it.
  • It can transfer if you don't set it.
Overall:
This one is suitable for all skin types however it doesn't wear long enough on combination/oily skin in summer. Girls with dry to normal skin can enjoy an absolute skin-like finish with it if they can find a match. I do recommend this for daily usage.


Luscious Cosmetics Foundation Stick


Texture: Creamy to powder
Finish: Matte
Coverage: Light to medium
Longevity: Good
Shades: 5
Price: PKR 850

What's good?
  • Girls with oily skin who find TV Paint Stick greasy should turn to this; your prayers have been heard! Since the finish is very matte, it does make dry spots look more prominent so you must moisturize.
  • The finish is dead matte which is good and bad at the same time. Good because it holds well, doesn't turn your face into a grease ball or get budged by oil or heat. Bad for dry skin or if you prefer a healthy glow however, it does sink in and look more natural after the first hour of wear.
  • It sets to a powdery finish so you don't need to use a translucent powder over it. You may need to touch up your T-zone by mid-day.
  • It doesn't blend in that easily but damp sponge should do the job.
  • In terms of coverage, it beats CSP Matt Foundation HD Stick. You can get a medium coverage fairly easily.
  • It feels light on the skin and doesn't clog pores.
  • This one's also available easily and you can try out the testers before you buy.
What's bad?
  • The texture of this foundation leans a bit on the dry side if you compare it to TV Paint Stick or CSP Matt Foundation HD Stick however, it's not utterly dry that you can't apply it smoothly.
  • Again, the shade range is not enough to cover the wide variety of skins and undertones we have in Pakistan.
  • It can look very unnatural if you've got the wrong shade. It needs some time to adjust to your skin tone unlike TV Paint Stick and CSP Matt Foundation HD Stick.
  • It could cake-up upon layering which is hard to blend too.
Overall:
This is one stick foundation that I totally recommend to girls with oily skin. Even though it's not the easiest to blend but it fares best on oily skin among them all; good for daily wear too. It's definitely not meant for dry skin types.
Tip: To achieve a flawless coverage, do not use stick foundation all over your face. Instead, only apply onto the problem areas of your face and use a damp wedge sponge or a thick powder brush to spread out the concentrated spots of product to get an even natural looking finish.

Final verdict:
To sum up, I think Kryolan TV Paint Stick is good for evening wear or for occasions when you require full coverage. You can use it on daily basis provided that you've a dry to normal skin type. Another option for you could be Color Studio Professional Matt Foundation HD Stick. Both these foundations require setting/fixing. People with combination/oily skin should opt for Luscious Cosmetics Foundation Stick if they expect a matte finish and better wear time. All of them are pocket-friendly but meant for different skin types. Choose wisely!

What do you think about stick foundations? Have you tried any of these out yet?

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Drugstore Pressed Powders For Combination/Oily Skin


Generally speaking, pressed or compact powders are considered to be good options for combination to oily skin types especially in summer as they help you carry a natural, lightweight matte look for most part of the day. But of course, oil-control is something relative which also depends on the climate around you. If you live somewhere where it’s practically hot and humid all year round, you might need to touch-up a couple of times during the day to keep it looking fresh all the way through. For me, a pressed powder is my first choice when I feel like wearing minimal makeup or on those lazy days I just dab some concealer, put on the powder and I’m good to go! If you feel that it gets cakey or powdery, don't worry because you can fix it quickly with e.l.f Studio Mist & Set spray which too is dirt cheap.

Hopefully, this post will help you if you don’t want to shell out a lot of cash on high-end compact powders and you’re at a loss on which ones to look into. If you’ve personally tried any pressed powder and found it to be suitable for combination/oily skin, feel free to share it with us in the comments down below. 





Color Studio Professional Invincible All Day Water Proof & Heat Proof Powder 

Shades: 4
Coverage: Sheer to Light






Maybelline Dream Matte Pressed Powder

Shades: 4
Coverage: Light to Medium





Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder 

Shades: 7
Coverage: Sheer to Medium











Luscious Cosmetics Flawless Finish Powder + Foundation

Shades: 6
Coverage: Light to Medium









Neutrogena Healthy Skin Pressed Powder 

Shades: 4
Coverage: Sheer to Medium







Avon Ideal Flawless Pressed Powder

Shades: 10
Coverage: Sheer to Light









Diana Of London 2 Way Pan Cake Wet & Dry 

Shades: 6
Coverage: Light to Medium








Cover Girl Simply Powder Foundation

Shades: 9
Coverage: Light to Medium






L.A. Colors Pressed Powder 

Shades:7
Coverage: Light to Medium






Maybelline PureStay Powder Foundation SPF 15

Shades: 4
Coverage: Light to Medium





Milani Even-Touch Powder Foundation

Shades:10
Coverage: Light to medium









Which is your favorite compact powder?



Image courtesy: Google images & respective websites