Before I actually share my Sephora VIB sale haul, I want to be a Negative Nancy, and share few products with you that I will not be spending my hard-earned quids on.

Tarte Magic Wands Brush Set l INR 3000

Image: Tarte Website

Unicorns and rainbows, as a 30-year-old grown-up woman, Unicorns doesn't excite me as much as ponies. Well, I am way over with this trend and I just don't understand the whole Unicorn Movement. The brush set looks more like a collector's item than a useful tool and me ain't no 5-year old to jump around the prospects of having magical Unicorns on my dresser.

Too Faced x Kandee Johnson 'I want Kandee' Eyeshadow Palette l $45

Image: Allure

I am vary of Too Faced collabs. Let's just ignore the fact that 'Unicorns don't grow in the Amazon' (link), but lately, Too Faced has been a major let down. They come out with similar looking items but in cutesy packaging. It's like recycling the gift you received on your wedding (no, I ain't about that life). The shades look just like so many of their other recent launches, and I doubt if it would be woman of color friendly. The shades seem to have a lot of white pigment and would look chalky on tan skin.

Natasha Denona Sunset Palette l $129

This palette has my name written all over it, but my wallet doesn't agree. I just don't know if ever I would purchase a single palette worth this much quids. My only gripe is the cost, otherwise, I would have purchased this palette with my eyes closed.

Kylie Cosmetics x KKW Collection l $45

Image: Kylie Cosmetics Website

Do makeup companies realize that there are skin tones darker than NC35? This collection was knocked out of the radar when Trendmood posted the first glimpse. 4 shades, and each and each of them look like clones with different undertones. The finish is also something that I don't fancy, glossy finish does not go well with my wild hair which has a tendency to get a little cozy with the lips. The only shade I can see work for me is "Kimmie", which doesn't make the kit a worth of a hassle to purchase.

Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette l $45

Image: Ebay

I am over the highlight game, I am sick and tired. I have enough highlighters to last me in this life and afterlife. The last highlighter palette that I invested in was the Becca x Chrissy palette. I have no regrets about the Becca palette as it's more of a face palette than just a highlight palette with blush, bronzer et all. The Huda Beauty highlight palette hype, however, I am not buying into, and if I ever want to switch my career and be a makeup artist (who am I kidding), I have the ABH That Glow palette at my disposal.

So what are the summer releases that you are not interested in?

What's In My Sister's Makeup Bag

Meet, the mini-me, my 21-year old cousin sister who inherits half of my makeup if I were to end this #makeuphoarding way of life. Bhavs is your typical bubbly MBA student who is as crazy about makeup #sistergoals and can wing it like a pro. Handing over to Bhavs as she reveals, "WHAT'S IN HER MAKEUP BAG".

Bhavs:

For a casual day out, I usually go for a bold winged eyeliner, keeping rest of my makeup quite subtle. I have an oily to combination skin, inclining more towards the oily skintype. So it’s very important to me that the products I use are long wearing and don’t require much retouching.

These are few of the products that I use on a day to day basis.

Patanjali Saundarya Aloe Vera Gel l INR 150

For anyone looking for an alternative for a primer, on a shoestring budget, this aloe vera gel is THE answer. There are a lot of benefits of using aloe vera gel on your skin, no surprises there. Not only does it act as a barrier between the makeup and your skin, it also fills in the pores and wrinkles, creating a perfect canvas for you to work on.
Not only this, I’ve also found that it is very effective in controlling oily skin and shine. As a result, the makeup looks a lot smoother and lasts longer.

Usage 

Take some product and warm it up between your fingers. Apply it evenly on your face, starting with your nose and forehead and then moving on to the rest of the face. Once you feel the texture getting tacky, you simply have to dab. Wait for 3-4 minutes before you start applying the rest of your makeup.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte And Poreless Foundation l INR 525

This will come as no surprise when I say that this foundation is by far one of my most loved drugstore foundations. For ladies with oily skin, this foundation is a miracle liquid in a glass bottle. A single layer of this foundation is enough for me to correct my skin for a smooth base and gives me the required amount of coverage, but feel free to layer it up if you wish. The formula is lightweight so it definitely feels more skin like and is very comfortable for a everyday wear.

Usage

You could apply this foundation using your fingers or a brush, but for me personally, I prefer a makeup sponge, and I use the PAC beauty blender. It does the job quickly and gives me a smooth even base. 

Lakme 9to5 Flawless Matte Complexion Compact l INR 400

I started using this compact a year ago, and cannot seem to put it down. It gives me the perfect matte finish that I’m always looking for. I just apply it on my oil-prone area. Although it requires retouching every 2 hours, I am quite happy with the product.

Usage 

I apply it with a powder brush (which works fine, btw), and have recently started using my makeup sponge to apply it in dabbing motions and it has increased it’s lasting power by eons.    

Lakme Absolute Shine Liquid Eyeliner l INR 250

I am an eyeliner junkie. I go crazy and have tried almost all the drugstore liners available in Indian market, yet I always seem to come back to this eyeliner.

It not only dries matte black but also stays put for a long time. Since I like my eyeliner to be ultra matte and super black, I do retouch it with the Faces Magneteyes Kajal, not only does it make it last longer but also helps make it super dark.

Maybelline Hyper Curl Volume Express Mascara l INR 325  

Who doesn’t love full and voluminous eyelashes! This mascara is perfect for everyday wear and gives me super curly and voluminous lashes, this is by far my favorite mascara. This mascara is waterproof and stays put during the hottest of days, which is basically what every working or college going person's ultimate makeup goal.

Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick in High Tea l INR 250

By now you all would have guessed that I love a full matte makeup and so it’s no surprise when I say that I prefer a matte lipstick for everyday wear. The Colorbar velvet matte lipsticks are super matte as they claim. The ‘’High Tea’’ shade is the perfect nude lipstick for me. For a long lasting effect and to avoid any transfer, I usually apply a translucent powder on top of this, or for that matter any lipstick. This trick right here is a complete game changer. It not only helps in prolonging the lasting time of the product but also makes it super matte.

So, hae you used any of the above products?