Wednesday 31 December 2014

Crabtree & Evelyn Silk Moisture Enhancing Socks.


Crabtree & Evelyn Silk Moisture Enhancing Socks.

                                    
Crabtree & Evelyn Silk Moisture Enhancing Socks.

           
Crabtree & Evelyn Silk Moisture Enhancing Socks.



(Picture Credits: Faryal Pechuho)

REVIEW:

These pair of socks come in one color only, that is the one shown in the picture above, light brown/Skin color. The material these socks are made up of is extremely comfortable, made up of 100% silk. Not at all itchy or harsh. These are ankle length socks. 
I have been using these socks for some time now and I totally like them. For me, they are dual function; A. They keep my feet warm in winters and B. They make my feet really soft and hydrated.
How do I use these socks: What I do is, I clean my feet at night before going to the bed, I clean it thoroughly with water and soap and then I let them air dry for a few minutes. Next I apply The Body Shop's Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue on my feet and in the end I wear these socks. You may use any moisturiser or even Vaseline. Keep wearing them over night and then take them off the following morning.
Results: I wake up to soft and hydrated feet. No dry scaly reptile like feet anymore.
Over-all I will totally recommend these socks to all, especially in the winters I think they're a must have.
Wash them after every use to maintain the hygiene level. You can wash them with water and soap.

Price & Availability: I bought these pair of socks from Crabtree & Evelyn at Dolmen City Mall, Clifton, Karachi. I bought these socks during a sale at Crabtree & Evelyn for around PKR 530. I'm not sure about the actual price. You mayvisit the shop and check it out. Or if you're not in Karachi you may visit the Crabtree & Evelyn website for further queries here
Visit the Facebook page of Crabtree & Evelyn Pakistan here.

Points in favour:

  • The material of the socks is very comfortable. 
  • Price on sale was reasonable.
  • Can be easily hand washed.
  • Makes my feet very soft and smooth.
  • People living in Karachi, Pakistan can easily visit the shop and get these socks.
Points not in favour:
  • Available in only one color. 


Wednesday 24 December 2014

Sleek Makeup Blusher in Pomegranate (Review+Swatches+FOTD)







Swatch: Sleek Makeup Blush in Pomegranate.

FOTD: Wearing Sleek Makeup Blusher in Pomegranate.






(Picture Credits: Faryal Pechuho/ Curls & Cookies)

What Does Sleek Makeup say about this product?
Our blushers are long lasting and highly pigmented available in a variety of finishes. Each shade glides on smoothly and enables you to create an array of stunning looks. We offer a wide range of shades to complement any skin tone, no matter the occasion.

REVIEW: 
The blush comes in a small, jet black colored plastic pan with an in-built mirror. Contains about 8g of the product. Packaging is sturdy & light weight. 
Sleek Makeup blusher in Pomegranate is a beautiful pink-purple blush with more purple undertones. It is a matte finish blush. Powder in consistency. It is moderately pigmented & I usually have to use multiple strokes of the blush to achieve the desired colour. Fall out of the product in the pan is minimal. Staying power is not very impressive though. Without a primer it hardly stays for an hour or two. With a primer underneath, staying power is extended up to a good five to six hours! It appears as a gorgeous pinkish purple flush on my cheeks. I like to wear this blush with very minimal makeup i.e. nude eyes, flawless base and light pink or light brown lips. 
I apply this blusher using my Real Technique's Blush Brush. Blends in easily. 

Price & Availability: I bought this blush online from a Facebook page Beauty Enhancers, worth PKR 1100. You can also buy this from Sleek Makeup's website here.

Points in favour:

  • Travel friendly packaging
  • Matte finish.
  • Moderately pigmented.
  • Produces a gorgeous pinkish-purple flush on the cheeks.
  • Minimal fall out in the pan
Points not in favour:
  • Not available at local drugstores in Pakistan. Has to be ordered online.
  • Price offered by Pakistani cosmetic pages is a bit too steep. 
  • Staying power of the blush without a primer is very less. 


Saturday 20 December 2014

Highlighters War!



From L to R: MAC Soft & Gentle, MaryLou Manizer, MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter, ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearl and KIKO Water Eyeshadow 208. 

Left: ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearl
 Right: KIKO Water Eyeshadow 208.

From L to R: MaryLou Manizer, MAC Soft & Gentle and MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter.

(Picture Credits: Faryal Pechuho/ Curls & Cookies)

REVIEW:
Highlighters are my favourite and the most important part of my make-up stash. Although each of these highlighters are going to last for a life time I still got my hands on multiple brands, that's how a highlighter hoarder is, no? :D
Moving on with the review, this post is specifically directed at comparisons between different brands of highlighters, their pros and cons, longevity, which will suit the Asian skin tones the most etc.

  • M.A.C MINERALIZE SKINFINISH IN SOFT & GENTLE: 
    M.A.C describes Soft & Gentle as a 'Glided Peach Bronze". Comes in a typical M.A.C packaging without a mirror. However lately, M.A.C has launched this product with a new window packaging. Packaging is not travel friendly in my opinion (as I almost broke the transparent lid while it was in my makeup pouch) so be extra-careful if you have to travel with it. I simply LOVE this product. This was my first highlighter and I bought it around three years back and I still have a lot of product left (haven't even hit the pan yet). So this is going to last you for a life time. It appears as a gorgeous gold-bronze highlighter on my skin tone (Asian Skin, for reference I'm NC 25-30). It has tiny speckles of gold glitter to it which do not really show up as glitter chunks on the face (thank god!) rather appear as an evenly glowy skin. Does not exaggerate my pores or any flaws (provided you keep a light hand while applying). Blends very easily. Pigmentation is pretty good too. I usually like to wear it over heavier makeup/formal events. I believe this is too much for an everyday look.

  • The Balm MaryLou Manizer: The Balm describes MaryLou as a "honey-hued Highlighter, Shimmer & Shadow". Comes in a beautifully designed metal pan with an in-built mirror. Packaging is chic & sturdy. MaryLou Manizer has slight silver undertones in my opinion. On my skin it appears as Golden-silver coloured highlighter. One thing about this product; it is insanely pigmented! Over the time one thing that I have noticed about this product is that it is a bit difficult to blend at times because of which it appears concentrated on the skin thus cheeks end up looking more like 100-watt bulb lights :/ Oh and it magnifies my pores into 30 times the actual size, something I totally dislike about this product. I usually wear this product during the day time. 

  • MUA Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter in Pink Shimmer: MUA describes this highlighter as "Lightweight baked powder that transforms complexion with luminescence shimmer." As the name says, it is a pink coloured highlighter with slight silver undertones. To be honest, I do not reach out to this highlighter much since it is more pink based. I feel that this is not really made for Asian skin tones and would suit people with paler skin more. It is not very pigmented either. Multiple strokes are needed to bring out the desired glow. Quantity is enough to last us a life time. This highlighter has waves like pattern/design in the pan which makes it appear chic. Comes in a white coloured plastic pan with a transparent lid. No in-built mirror. Packaging is sturdy. 

  • ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls: ELF describes this highlighter as "Infused with Vitamin E, Jojoba, Sunflower, Apricot and Grape to nourish and hydrate the skin. The long-lasting baked shimmering color can be applied wet for a vibrant effect or dry for sheer pigmentation." I'm not impressed with the pigmentation of this highlighter much. It blends easily though without much struggle, but multiple strokes are required to bring out the desired glow. This is a light golden coloured highlighter with prominent silver undertones. Is somewhat similar to The Balm MaryLou Manizer in colour but not exactly the same. Comes in a black plastic pan with a transparent lid. No in-built mirror. Packaging is not very travel friendly in my opinion. (For detailed review, pictures & swatches check here).

  • KIKO Water Eyeshadow in 208 Light Gold: KIKO describes this as "A mixture of groundbreaking spherical powders for an outstanding colour effect, bringing together extreme coverage, pure luminosity and long lasting." This is basically a water eye shadow and not a highlighter BUT since the colour is said to be a dupe for the MAC Whisper Of Gilt highlighter thus it can be used as a face highlighter. Since I haven't used MAC Whisper Of Gilt, I will not draw a comparison between the two. The pigmentation is pretty impressive. Honestly I wasn't expecting it to be filled with pigmentation since it is originally a water eye shadow.  Comes in a small sized black plastic pan with a small in-built mirror. It is a golden colored highlighter which imparts a gorgeous glow to my skin and lately I have been reaching out to this more & more. It blends like a dream. 
  1. Product with the LEAST fall out in the pan: The Balm Marylou Manizer.
  2. Product which has an absolute travel friendly packaging: The Balm Marylou Manizer.
  3. Product which blends effortlessly: MAC Soft & Gentle & KIKO Water Eye Shadow 208.
  4. Product which gives the MOST frosty fake look: The Balm Marylou Manizer.
  5. My favourite: MAC Soft & Gentle.
  6. Product with the highest price tag: MAC Soft & Gentle.
  7. Product with the lowest price tag: ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls
Price & Availability:
  • M.A.C Soft & Gentle is worth US$32.00. 
  • The Balm Marylou Manizer is worth $24
  • ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls is worth $3
  • MUA Undress Your Skin highlighter is worth £3.00
  • KIKO Water Eye Shadow in 208 is worth GBP 8.90
If you're in Pakistan, you can purchase these highlighters from several different Facebook pages like Rouge,
HashLush Grooming BargainsBeauty Enhancers. If outside Pakistan, you can purchase these products from
 their respective brand websites.




ELF Baked Highlighter In Moon Light Pearls (Review+Swatch).



















ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls.

Swatch of ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls.



Comparison Swatch: Above; ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls
        Below: The Balm Marylou Manizer.

(Picture Credits: Faryal Pechuho/Curls & Cookies)



What does ELF say about this product?
Create a radiant glow with this illuminating powder that highlights the skin with a sheer wash of shimmering color. Infused with Vitamin E, Jojoba, Sunflower, Apricot and Grape to nourish and hydrate the skin. The long-lasting baked shimmering color can be applied wet for a vibrant effect or dry for sheer pigmentation.

REVIEW: 

ELF baked highlighter comes in total three different shades: Moonlight Pearls, Pink Diamonds & Blush Gems. I will be reviewing ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls today. 
This highlighter comes in a small black plastic pan, with a transparent lid on the top which enables the product to be seen. Does not have an in-built mirror. Contains 5g of the product. Packaging is not sturdy.
This is a light golden colored highlighter with prominent silver undertones. I wouldn't say that it is one of the most pigmented highlighters, The pigmentation is fairly moderate. However when used with a wet brush it does enhance the overall look. On my skin (NC 25-30) this highlighter gives more of metallic finish if not blended properly thus blending is the key. When blended properly it imparts a subtle glow to the face. The quantity of the product is enough to last for a very long time.
When compared with The Balm's Marylou Manizer, latter appears more peachy-bronze with gold undertones as compared to the former which has more silver undertones (Picture shown above).
I usually apply this highlighter using Real Technique's Contour Brush.

Price & Availability: I bought this product online from a Facebook page Beauty Enhancers. Worth PKR 500. Can be bought from ELF's Website here worth $3. 

Points in favour:

  • Affordable price tag.
  • Quantity of the product is enough to last for a very long time.
  • Does not enhance facial pores & other flaws much.
  • Easily blended.
  • Imparts a subtle glow to the face. 
Points not in favour:


  • Not very pigmented. Multiple strokes are required to bring out the colour.
  • Gives more of a metallic finish if not blended properly.
  • Fall out in the pan is too much. 
  • Not available at the local drug stores.
  • Packaging is not travel friendly.



For a comparison review with other brand highlighters, please check here.




Monday 15 December 2014

Jo's Organic Beauty: Turmeric Mix Mask & Whitening & Rejuvenating Soaps.





(Picture Credits: Faryal Pechuho/Curls & Cookies)


What does Jo's Organic Beauty say about their products?
These are natural skincare products that gives you healthy skin & radiant glow from within.Loaded with skin loving nutrients. The ingredients in all our products are finely handpicked & 100% organic.


REVIEW: 

TURMERIC MIX (BRIGHTEN & GLOW PACK)
This Turmeric mix face pack comes in a plastic pouch. It's an off-white coloured mask in the form of powder. Comes with instructions on how to make & use the mask along with brief details about the properties of this turmeric mix mask.
Okay so the first thing is that, I am not very happy with the packaging. And it would have been so much better if it came in a plastic jar/tub instead of a plastic pouch. So the first thing I had to do was to transfer the entire product in to an empty jar. This way it was easier for me to use & work with, without creating a mess.
Preparation of this mask was easy & effortless. It forms in to a smooth paste easily unlike Jo's Organic Clay Mask, with which I had to struggle a lot to make it into a smooth paste. I usually use rose water to make this Turmeric Mix face pack although you can use yogurt or milk too.
The mask has a certain smell to it, it's like a strong turmeric like smell which can put off some although with time it settles down.
Now the results: I wouldn't agree to the claim that this mask/ face pack works as a magic. I have been using it for almost 2 months now and I haven't noticed any magical results on my face. Although I wouldn't say that this product is a complete fail but there is nothing extra-ordinary or magical about this face pack that I have noticed. It works very slowly. So the results will show up on your face gradually. It does impart a glow after regular use but it did not brighten my skin tone as it claims. Good part is that it did not cause me any break outs.


WHITENING & REJUVENATING SOAP

This pair of soap by Jo's Organic is a dark brown coloured soap. The soaps did not work up to their claim of whitening the skin at all. Although I do feel that over the time it softened my facial skin however I did not feel any whitening or brightening affects by this soap. Has a mild scent to it which isn't really bothersome. 

Price & Availability: I bought Turmeric Mix face pack & Whitening & Rejuvenating Soaps online from Jo's Organic Beauty Facebook Page. The Turmeric Mix mask was worth PKR 600. Pair of Whitening & Rejuvenating Soaps were worth PKR 300.

Points in favor:
  • The quantity of the Turmeric Mix mask is enough to last you for a good three to four months.
  • Price is reasonable.
  • Good for all skin types.
  • Did not cause any break outs.
  • Can be used daily.
  • Regular use of turmeric mix mask imparts a natural glow.
  • Soaps are cruelty free ( not tested on animals).
Points not in favor:

  • Turmeric mix mask doesn't really live up to it's claim of brightening the skin.
  • Turmeric mix face pack has a strong turmeric like scent to it which can put off some.
  • Whitening & Rejuvenating Soaps did not live up to it's claim of whitening. 
  • Packaging of the mask is not good.