When this palette released, the whole online world went into a tizzy with the MUG website crashing and people taking onto social media to vent out their frustration on not being able to purchase the palette. Unaware of the craze, I was chilling on the beaches of Bali. When I came back from the vacation, I received a pre-order mail from MUG, I registered for pre-booking and a week later, I received a link for buying the same. I received the palette a month later, but MUG customer care kept updating me on the shipping status on a periodic basis (Kudos to awesome Customer Care!).

The palette is currently available in stock on MUG website. You can purchase it from here.
And if you don't know who Manny MUA is, watch his videos here.

Cost

$45 (9*1.8 gm) +$9 (Shipping) 

Total Value

8 Normal shadows + 1 foiled shadow

• 8*6 = $48 
• 1*10 = $10

$58 + charges for the cardboard palette

Packaging

• The whole collection is inspired by constellations and stars, and the palette itself contains 9 shades including 3 existing MUG shades. 

• The outer cover is all black-silver cardboard packaging with a hologram moon and shooting stars imprinted on top.
• Behind, a small description of the palette and Manny's message is printed.
• Housed inside is a cardboard packaging that has MUG logo engraved in rose gold (I am digging the new logo and new look of MUG)

• The names of all the eye shadows are listed on the backside.
• As you open the packaging, one side has a good quality mirror.

Shades

Leaning to neutral warm, the palette contains 1 foiled eyeshadow; 1 duo chrome eyeshadow; 5 matte eyeshadows; 2 shimmery/sheen eyeshadows.

Swatches

Artemis: A shimmery white with yellow undertones.

Beaches and Cream (Existing): A matte peachy shade crease shade.

Luna: Rose with a golden sheen (Foiled shadow). 

Cosmopolitan (Existing): A true rose gold with a shimmery finish.

Sora: A mid-tone brown with peachy undertone and a matte finish.

Frappe (Existing):  A mid-tone brown with red undertone and a matte finish.

Insomnia (Existing in pigment): A brown-red base and teal overlay in a duo chrome finish.

Mars: A matte burgundy red.

Aphrodite: A matte warm chocolate brown.

Performance

• Sora and Frappe failed to show up on my skin , and I had to add multiple layers for the colors to show up. 
• Matte shades are buttery in texture and hence they do kick up some powder.
• Mars stains the brushes and eyelids a little bit.
• All the shades are extremely smooth and easy to blend.
• Some shades have a gritty feeling when I dipped my fingers for swatching.
• Wears for 6-7 hours without creasing. PS: I have extremely oily lids.
• Shades like Cosmopolitan and Insomnia are very pigmented.

Look

Shades Used

• 0>1>2>3 on crease
• 4 on outer v
• 5 on lids

After 6 hours of wear!

So, are you planning to purchase this palette?

Most Used Eye Brushes

Continuing from where we left off, my most used face brushes, I'm bringing to you, my most frequently used eye brushes. I love buying brushes, but I tend to reach out for the same brushes every single time. These are not my favorites, bjust the most used ones.

1. Makeup Geek Bent Liner Brush l $ 8.50
Makeup Geek has equal hits and misses in their brush line. Beware of their contour and blush brush who were Alaskan huskies in their previous birth, for they shed like nobody's business. This lil gem though helps me apply my gel liner with ease. The bent shape gives total grip and control over the eyeliner application and thus making it a favorite.

2. Lakme Absolute Eye Shader Brush l INR 275

Did you know that Lakme had its brush range back in the day? I have two of these brushes from the "golden era". These weirdly shaped brushes are what I use for applying dark shades on the outer 1/3rd of my eye. I pick up just enough dark shade using this brush and apply it on my outer V, and then blend it using a fluffy blender brush. Not the best guy out there for the job, but does an ok job.

3. Vega Angular Blender Brush l INR 80
My ride or die, eyebrow brush from Vega. I love how inexpensive and impressive it is. I can apply eyebrow powder either in full on-fleek mode or barely there fill up the potholes mode. The brush picks up the right amount of product and the slanted edge makes the eyebrow filling whole easier.

4. Vega Flat Shader l INR 350

A flat shader brush can be used to apply eyeshadow on the inner 3/4 the of the eye, mostly on the center portion. Vega has some bomb.com brushes, and this one is my favorite. I use packing motions for a high payoff, or sweeping motions for a light wash of color.

5. PAC 032 Blending Brush l INR 585
This PAC brush is a recent acquisition, but an essential. I wear matte shades to office and being a hooded eye girl means, I have to take the crease higher than my normal crease line. The bristles fit perfectly into my crease line and gives an airbrushed finish to my eyeshadow look.

So there were few of my most used eyeshadow brushes. What are yours?

What's In My Office Makeup Bag - 2016 Edition

I carry my world in my bag, like the entire world (No, I am not joking), half of which is junk, like who needs their marriage certificate, 3 ID cards, 3 notepads in their handbag? In effect, my bag weighs around a 100 pounds, the weight Mr. G refuses to carry when we are out and about. *Sidenote: Mr. G has enough weight on his shoulders, 62 kgs to be precise ;p

I carry my Forever 21 southwest print bag to carry my office makeup.

1. Marks & Spencer Aloe Vera Hand & Nail Cream l £ 2

The AC at my office is one cranky lady, it's a sin to call an inanimate object a lady, but I choose to say so as that one has a mind of it's own. One moment is all hot and sweaty, the next moment it's freezing cold. My legs and hands always look parched and ghostly with the change in temperature. The hand and nail cream moisturises my legs and hands, making them super soft like a baby's butt (ok, that's too much) well, in general, the exposed part stays soft!!!

2. Basicare Natural Facial Oil Blotting Paper l INR 225

I am 2 short of the big 30! and lately, I have started to notice that my skin is not dry-combination like it used to be. Maybe, the climate in Cochin, or maybe it's my age, but this girl needs to blot the shit out of her face every 4 hours. I searched all the online websites for a good blotting paper; finally, scored this one from Nykaa. It removes shine from my face without dislodging my makeup. Not, the best out there, but I can do with these  ones until I find my prince on a blotting paper.

3. MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC 42 l INR 2290

If you want to see the face of matte god, have a good look at this powder foundation, as this is my OG, my HG (whatever you want to call this!). I prefer a compact version of foundation for easy touchups. NC 42 is a spot on match for me, and the foundation gives a medium coverage. Stays put for a solid 7-8 hours before the oiliness shines through.

4. Marks & Spencer Autograph Blush Perfume l £ 5

I ain't carrying my Dior perfume to office! This perfume is the cheapest option available in the market. Scent category is floral and the sillage is medium. Stays on me for good 3-4 hours.

5. Maybelline Baby Lips Pink Lolita l INR 135

The air conditioner in my office sucks the moisture out of my lips, and so does my matte lipstick. Maybelline Baby Lips moisturizes my lips and gives  my lips  a flushed pink tint.

6. MAC Lipstick Twig l INR 1450

Satin finish, dusty-mauvy pink that rocks my tan boat. This is one of those office-appropriate shades that won't raise eyebrows in your workplace. Talking about raising eyebrows, I don't consider Lustering to be one of those OTT shades, but unfortunately a section of Adams in my office think so.

7. Lakme Eyeconic Pencil l INR 210

My favorite black kohl. (Enough said!)

Forever21 Lipstick Mirror l INR 269

Quick touch-up savior, besides I am a sucker for lipstick prints.

Forever 21 Hair Brush l INR 239

Necessity, talk to my hair please!

So, what are your office makeup bag essentials?

Chambor Extreme Wear Transferproof Liquid Lipstick: 482 and 404

Liquid lipsticks are all in rage this season, and so are Kylie Jennersque brown shades. Indian beauty brands are always a season or two late on the trend bandwagon, but this time, Chambor outdid other beauty companies by launching on-trend matte liquid lipsticks in India. They have come out with 18 shades, the color shades ranging from, reds to pinks to browns.

I am reviewing two shades today: 404 (Fall In Rose) and 482 (Coffee Date)

Claims

 A long-lasting transfer proof liquid lipstick with a smooth sensorial feel and a creamy matte finish. It's extreme coverage provides a deep, intense color in just one stroke.

Price Tag

6ml l INR 845 ($12)

Ingredient List

Packaging 

Comes in a cardboard box with the shade number on the bottom. The shade numbers are slightly tricky to remember. Housed inside is a transparent plastic tube with a black cap. The dispenser is a standard doe foot applicator that dispenses the right amount of product.

Note: While doing my research, I found out that the Chambor website has listed the shade names along with the number. Not, sure why it was not printed on the product.

Smell

Reminds me of the buttercream frosting smell of the NYX  soft matte lipsticks.

Application and performance 

• Opaque in a single swipe. 
• Stays glossy for 10 minutes, post which sets into a completely matte formula. 
• Accentuates dry and chapped lips, and hence apply a lip balm prior to application.
• Stays put for 6-7 hours and doesn't budge until you snack on oily food. With heavy meals, the lipstick tends to wear out from the inner rim of the mouth, and outer edges.
• Slightly drying after 4 hours, I have a tendency to wet my lips as the lipstick tends to become more drying. The shade 482 wore and performed better that 404.
• Removing the lipstick is a pain and I had to use an oil based remover to avoid staining around my mouth.
• Transfer-proof as well as water-proof.

Shades and swatches

482: A rosy brown color, tends to become darker with time.
404: A mid-tone purple.

Verdict

A big thumbs up. Currently, Chambor has the best liquid lipstick in India.

Haul Snippets: Sephora, Colourpop, MAC

Talk about your iPad conspiring against you and your blog. I was supposed to update my Bangalore haul, but sadly my iPad is not working and all the painstaking preparations for the blog images have gone deep down under. I promise to review the haul, once I get my iPad sorted. Meanwhile, leaving you with few snippets of what I shopped last month.

Sephora

My brother's friend is traveling to India, and like any other beauty blogger, I ordered few goodies from Sephora. The image is the screenshot he sent me when he received the products.

• NARS Audacious Lipsticks in Audrey, Jane, and Fanny
• Kat Von D Liner in Trooper
• Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick Lolita 
• NARS Blush Dolce Vita

Samples

• Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme Parfum Intense Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme Parfum Eau de Parfum Spray
• CLINIQUE Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum CLINIQUE Smart Custom-Repair Serum
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
• CLINIQUE Acne Solutions Acne + Line Correcting Serum deluxe sample Acne Solutions Acne + Line Correcting Serum deluxe sample

Colourpop

Colourpop had an amazing site-wide 20% off on May 1st; I couldn't utilize the amazing sale as I had already placed my order the day before. Anyways, here is my loot.

• Lippie Stix in Croquet
• Ultra Satin Lipsticks in JujuRouge, London Fog, Rooch, and Frick N' Frack
• Eyeliner in HoneyDude, Get Paid, and Puppy
• Supershock shadows in Porter and 3

Bangalore

• Estee Lauder Double Wear Light 4.5
• Sephora Body Shower in Mango, Vanilla, and Blueberry
• MAC Lipsticks in Crosswires, Russian Red, and Twig

Miscellaneous

• Chambor Extreme Wear Liquid Lipsticks in 482 and 404
• PAC brushes in 032, 311, and 301
• Beauty Blender
• BH Cosmetic Eye Essential Brush Set

I will be back with another post soon, till then take care!