Social Media introduced me to brands like Makeup Revolution, Morphe, and Colourpop. I am all up for smaller companies and their humble beginnings from Social Media platforms like Instagram. Relatively a newer entrant into the Indian cosmetics market, P.A.C has set the social media genies on fire. I have been hearing tons of good things about this brand so, I decided to purchase a few brushes from their website and put them to test.

Order and Shipping

I placed my order on 29^th March. I used PayUmoney to complete the transaction (Credit card, Online Banking, or Debit card can be used) . PayUmoney is an Indianised version of Paypal. The transaction amount will be released to the merchant only after the customer receives the purchased good and there is even a Dispute option like that in Paypal. On placing my order, I didn’t receive any email from the merchant nor was there any email on shipping (Additional INR 40 was charged for shipping). Surprisingly, I received my package on 31^st.

You can also buy P.A.C brushes from Amazon or Flipkart.

Each of the brushes come in a plastic zip lock bag, which can be used while travelling. 

Tip: Wash your brushes before use.

Brushes

• PAC 385 l INR 383 ($5.5)

 A synthetic flat brush with a tapered end. I use this to apply the eyeshadow on the lower rim.

Alternate Use: Apply inner corner highlight.

• PAC 284 l INR 563 ($8)

A medium sized black blush brush. This brush is not so soft like the RT brushes, neither is it poky like the Vega brushes.

Alternate Use: Remove powder from your under-eye post baking.

Additional Info: Sheds like craaazy, also the stray hair here and there is annoying.

• PAC 335 l INR 428 ($6)

A medium-large blush or powder brush. Black and white bristles are densely packed and the brush is extremely soft.

Alternate Use: Apply bronzer or powder.

• PAC 014 l INR 495 ($7)

Back-up for my MUG and Coastal Scents blending brushes. I haven’t put it to test yet.

Alternate Use: Contour the bridge of your nose.

Additional Info: Bristles are uneven.

P.A.C has a wide variety of brushes for any need and any occasion that too between 300-700 INR range. Overall, I give a (3.5 stars). Do give PAC brushes a try if you are looking for affordable, good quality brushes.

4 MAC Red Lipsticks for Tan Skin

Literally, my life in a quote.

A visit to the MAC store to buy a MAC lipstick can be a very overwhelming experience with the plethora of shades and finishes that they have. For tan skin (NC 42 and above) beauties, it's a pain to find THAT right shade of red that doesn't clash with their skin tone. The famous Ruby Woo is Sahara dessert in a tube and with the Russian Red always out of stock, we are done with options. Little do people know that there are 17+ red shades under the MAC lipstick umbrella, each with a different tone or finish.

Here are some non-conventional (read, "not-so-famous") red lipsticks that you can try on your next visit to a MAC store.

MAC Lipstick Price: INR 1350 ($20)

1. Party Line l Cremesheen

MAC Description: Red-toned Plum
My Description: Plummy-Red

Red lipstick with strong mauve influence, making it a tan skin girl's BFF. Very comfortable on the lips and lasts for 4-5 hours.

2. Sparks of Romance l Matte-Frost

MAC Description: True Red
My Description: Blue based Red

MAC should have named this lipstick, "Sparkles of Romance". The multi-dimensional sparkles can scare the hell out of a newbie red wearer, but the chunky glitter is not visible on application. This lipstick is a limited edition piece from the Heirloom collection. For me, this is the maximum blue-leaning red I am comfortable wearing. Lasts for a decent 6 hours, without  the stretchy and drying feeling.

3. Dubonnet l Amplified

MAC Description: Deepened claret
My Description: Brown-Red that can rock your party.

Very creamy and lasts for 5-6 hours. Read more about it here.

4. Lady Bug l Lustre

MAC Description: Yellow Tomato
My Description: Orange-Red

For ladies, scared to take the plunge into the RED, start off with an orange based red. This lipstick is not so opaque like the others in this post, thus making it easy to wear if you are a newbie. Lasts for 2-3 hours.

Swatches

Honourable Mentions

• Chili
• Brave Red
• Mac Red
• Cockney
• D for Danger

Do you have any red lipstick suggestion for me? Comment down below.

5 Under-Rated Products

With the beauty world changing faster than Cochin's climate, it is a pain to be on top of new releases. Manier times, my existing makeup gets pushed to the darker depths of the drawer to make way for the newer ones. I would like to highlight 5 products that do not get enough credit in the beauty world. Products that doesn't give you 1000's of hit on a Google search.

1. Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel l INR 40

Patanjali is the fastest growing FMCG company in India and I am a big fan of their Aloe Vera Gel. I don't see many Indian bloggers mentioning it, but I absolutely love it and think it's better that any high-end Aloe Vera gel in the market. I use the gel to soothe my skin from sunburn or mix it with the face masks.

2. Chambor Luminous Loose Powder (202 Ocher) l INR 1275

When I was on a look out for a good under-eye concealer setting powder, I couldn't get much info on this lil gem online. Though it's marketed as a luminous powder, I  have to tell you that this is the only yellow loose powder that doesn't make my undereye ashy. Sadly, the Banana shade from ABH doesn’t work for me. This one sets the undereye perfectly making it budge-proof and also gives a nice luminosity and highlight to my under-eye area.

Link: Featured in a previous Favorites post.

3. MAC lipstick in Dubonnet l INR 1450

You must be wondering why a MAC bullet is being mentioned in an under-rated products post. Well, I have a problem with people not acknowledging the color. Dubonnet is a warm brown-red color that looks absolutely bomb on tan skin, but then it's famous red siblings Ruby Woo and Russian Red is so hyped up that no one gives a damn about this poor shade. Next time you are at a MAC store, do give this a try and I am positive that you won't regret your decision.

4. Inglot YSM Foundation (52) l INR1100

Throwback to ages ago when drugstore brands didn't bother to cater to medium-dark skin tone, and MAC was the only option for deep yellow/tan skin tone girls. Inglot YSM foundation gives the most natural finish and stays put for long humid hours. Packaged in a plastic tub, it soon became my travel buddy. I don't see many YouTubers/Bloggers raving about this foundation which is so under-rated in the beauty community.

5. UD Brow Box (Brown Sugar) l INR 2100

I love my ABH Dipbrow Pomade, but that being a non-lazy girl friendly product, I was on a hunt for an easy to use eyebrow powder. I almost bought the Too Faced Eyebrow Kit, but luckily my order didn’t go through and I ended up purchasing this lil gem. It’s a perfect match for my jet black eyebrow. I use the lighter shade in the inner portions and the darker shade around the outer edges. I don’t use the eyebrow wax, the lower chamber houses two tiny eyebrow brushes and a plucker. I couldn't find a single thing online about this kit and this one is an under-rated product within the UD family. If you do get your hands on this, don't think twice, just buy it.

So, do you have any under-rated products that you would like to recommend?