I don't live my life with full of regrets, but yes, I do go into that sweet puppy regret mode post an impulsive purchase, weep uncontrollably about my shrinking bank balance, stuff my face with ice cream, take some pretty Instagram pics, and just move on. I have come to realize that there are certain items in my vanity that I do regret purchasing, either I had fallen into all the marketing traps or enticed by YouTubers telling me how amazing the product was. These are a few items I regret purchasing:

Jeffree Star Liquid Lipstick in Androgyny l $18

The whole beauty community raves about the Jeffree star liquid lipstick formula, I on the other hand am not a huge fan. The color by itself is not the most flattering on my tan skin tone. The liquid lipstick formula disappears from the surface of my lips in 2 hours. Also, the smell does not agree with my nose. 

Kylie Holiday Eye Shadow Palette l $42
*This palette is currently sold out on the website.

Kylie has yet another victim. I purchased this palette, after jumping onto the K bandwagon and truth to be told, I have used this palette just once. I just don't seem to reach for these colors, and even if I do want a colored eye shadow I see myself using the Juvia's Place eye shadows more. The colors don't speak to my soul, and neither are they pigmented to give a second try!

MUG Plus Creme Liquid Lipstick l $14

Makeup Geek produces some of my favorite eye shadows and when they launched their new liquid lipsticks, I was excited and wanted to try them so desperately. Sadly, they did not live up to my expectation. The colors, I can live with, the formula was sub-par with the shade disappearing off my lips in a matter of hours, not something I expect my liquid lipsticks to do.

This specific shade, called the 'OLD SOUL👵' make me feel like an old soul, grumpy, dull, and probably bitchy. The color does nothing for my complexion, the grey pigment makes my face look sickly. Additionally, the product comes in a 3ml tube, which is less than your standard liquid lipstick

MAC Prolongwear Fluidline Gel Liner l INR 1450

We have an oldie here, ooh haaai! Make way for felt tip liner ! I used to be a big gel liner junkie, but with age comes maturity and also, less time on hands to get ready, so I switched over to the felt tip liner. My Zoeva and Kat Von D liners are less of a hassle, require less of a plus one (brush), and stays put all day.

The shade is called "Blitz & Glitz", a very appropriate name for a black gel liner pumped up with multi-glitter chunks. The glitter disappears when you apply the product on your eyes.

Swatches

These are some of the disappointing products I have the bad luck of trying out. Do you have any?

The Lipstick Tag

Most of my friends know me as a lipstick junkie, well I am not gonna rebut that title, just for records, I do love my eyeshadows equally as well.

1. How many lipsticks do you own?

Well, it might come as a shock to many, but I do own 50+ lipsticks (drops my head and walks away). This includes all my tube lipsticks, liquid lipsticks, lipbalms, etc. The number might be high for an average makeup consumer, but well, makeup hoarder in me doesn't seem to learn from rehab treatments. No shame!

2. What was the first lipstick you owned?

A Revlon lipstick (Don't remember the name and it is discontinued). Comes in a golden packaging. I purchased my first lipstick in 2010 after I got my first job. I went to Lifestyle and asked the SA in the first counter to show me a beautiful lipstick. She sold me the costliest lipstick Revlon had at that time (INR 760, back then). Being a first-time makeup shopper, I nodded my head in agreement when the SA told me that the dark-brown glittery lipstick looked perfect for my skin tone. I had a rude shock when I went to pay and realized I was poorer by INR 760!

3. What is your favorite lipstick brand?

Makeup For Ever and MAC for conventional lipsticks and Dose of Colors for liquid lipsticks.

4. What is your most worn lipstick?

MAC Creme in Your Coffee which sadly passed away a few months back!

5. What is your favorite finish?

Comfort + Matte = 💖

6. What was the last lipstick you bought?

Dose Of Colors liquid lipsticks in Los Anjealous and Berry Me 2.

7. How many lip products do you currently have in your bag?

Being an extra, currently, I have three lipsticks (MUFE C211, Colourpop Safari, Kat Von D Lolita 2) and Maybelline Baby Lips Pink Lolita in my office bag.

8. What is your favorite red lip color?

The mommy maroon-MAC Dubonnet. I find maroon to be more flattering on my tan skin. I also, love MAC Russian Red, I find that the shade lightens up my face.

9. How do you store your lipsticks?

I store my lipstick babies in clear acrylic containers. I purchased mine from Amazon.

10. Which lipstick are you currently lusting after?

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick. I have heard so many good things about Bite Beauty lipsticks. Also, would love to try the new ABH lipsticks.

11. Favorite balm/treatment?

Maybelline Baby Lips, all day, every day. I love how easy and comfortable they are on the lips.

12. Best luxury and best drugstore lipsticks?

NARS in the luxury category as it is creamy, opaque in full swipe, and long lasting. At 32 dollars (2340 INR), they are definitely a luxury. As for the drugstore category, I feel, Maybelline has some of the best lipsticks in the market and props to the wide range of colors and finishes.

13. Best MAC lipstick?

MAC Twig or MAC Creme in Your Coffee is my jam. For NC42, finding an MLBB is quite a daunting task, and these two are perfect for pairing with a smokey eye or office look.

14. Most disappointing lipstick?

Makeup Geek liquid lipsticks. The one major thing that I look out for in liquid lipsticks is the longevity and sadly this liquid lipstick does not perform in that category. Also, I am not a fan of the consistency and feel of the lipstick on my lips. I have to reapply the lipstick every 3 hours and it wears out in a very aweful way.

15. Lipliner, yes or no?

Yes and No! I don't apply a liner underneath the lipstick but, I love wearing the liners as is with a lip balm on top. MAC has some of the best lip pencils that I know of. The shades Soar and Spice are definitely universal colors.

16. Best lipgloss?

Not a gloss-kinda person and I don't own any gloss.

That's it, folks! Do leave your answers to the tag in the comment section below.

Lip Products on Rotation

I am at mommy land (post a bout of bad health), sipping coconut water, munching on tapioca chips while enjoying some time off from daily chores. And that means, no access to my makeup treasure vault back at my place. Stuck with a limited number of items for daily use, these are the lip products I have on rotation:

Maybelline Baby Lips in Lolita l INR 175

The only shade of Baby Lips that I have repurchased not once, but thrice. It is the perfect chapstick with the right amount of color. Quick to just apply on-the-go without having to use a mirror. The color is a pretty, bright pink. The glossy, hydrating feeling lasts for 2 hours, but I don't mind reapplying. Keeps my lips hydrated and chap-free in the stripping AC environment.

Colourpop Sheer Lippie Stix in Safari l INR 350

I have a strong feeling, Colourpop discontinued the Sheer range, as I couldn't find them on their site. The shade Safari is very bright coral, appropriate for tan skin tone. Coral is a tough color for me to pull off, and being a sheer lipstick allows me to wear the product without much discomfort. Keeps lips hydrated and stays put for 2-3 hours. The only concern, product meltdown in the hot and humid climate.

Makeup Forever Artist Rouge Lipstick C 211 l  INR 1540

Got this as part of a Sephora sample kit. Being small and handy, it quickly secured a place in my everyday makeup kit. The color can be dubbed as a mauve, but with more white pigments/more gray tones. If you are darker than NC 42, this color may be hard to pull off. The creme formula is very easy to wear, opaque in one swipe, and stays put fo 3-4 hours. I am not a fan of the smell though, there is something annoying about the smell.

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Craving l INR 1450

This is a more pinkier version of another one of my favorites, Brick-O-La. The finish is cremesheen, very comfortable to wear, opaque in one swipe and last for 4 hours on me (without drinking and eating). The shade is a very flattering pinky-mauve, perfect for NC 42 or darker skintones.

Swatches

Sadly, I am missing a pale skin lipstick from this list. Asking Mr. G to get it for me from my vanity is like finding a pin in the haystack and I better not burn my haystack! Have a great looong weekend ya all! while I go back to sipping my coconut water 😎.

Products I Love, But Refuse To Use

I have hoarding tendencies, especially, when it comes to eyeshadow palettes. There is always a new palette that catches my fancy, there is always that limited edition product. The "self-control" struggle is real. Today, I am listing down 5 products that I love with all my heart, but refuse to use for various reasons.

The Original BeautyBlender l $20

I love a good blender sponge, as blending my foundation is the only cardio I am used to. Sponges revolutionized the way makeup is applied and literally, forced brushes out of the market. I have a love-hate relationship with the RT beauty sponge, and my dislike gradually evaporated once I tried the PAC Beauty Blender (*open AMAZON and buy that pink beauty, you will thank me later). I purchased the OG on a whim from BeautyBay, but have never used it in full glory.

Reason: Cleaning. I am perpetually scared of the sponge growing mold. Also, cleaning the sponges can be a bit tricky, especially, getting the soap out of it's inner soul.

NARS Audacious Lipsticks l $32

I own three NARS Audacious lipsticks, they are the best lipstick formula I have tried, opaque in one swipe, creamy, yet, 5+ hours of wear time with greasy/oily food. I can't seem to stop talking about them, and then, they are the least used lipsticks in my collection

Reason: Cost, at 32 Dollars a pop, I have a crazy heart pull each time I take it out of my of the drawer.

ABH Modern Renaissance Palette l $42

The most raved about palette of 2016 is nothing less than a superstar. As much as I love the warm colors, I hardly use them on a day to day basis.

Reason: Most of my office wears clash with the colors and I find them a little too bright for a non-makeup friendly workplace like mine.

ABH Dipbrow Pomade l $18

Brows from the gods, that's the effect this product gives me. The product is an absolute favorite, but I refuse to use it for the following reason!

Reason: Inconvenience. My usual office routine is less than 5 minutes long and to include a product that comes with an additional brush and one that requires a lot of patience is a con.

MAC Painterly Painpot l $ 22

On days when I feel like walking an extra mile, I apply the paintpot as a base for my shadows. This, in turn, increases the longevity and improves the eye shadow vibrancy, as per the textbooks, but I don't use a base whatsoever with my eye shadows!

Reason: I forget! I forget to apply an eye shadow base every freaking time.

So what are the products you love, but refuse to use?

Transition to Fall : Summer Makeup Edition

Fall is here! What fall, asks Cochities! We are still running from the bright sun, sweating like no one business. Summers to me is all about dewy, bronzy makeup. Here is my transition to fall: summer makeup. These are few products I would use to create my golden bronzy goddess fall makeup.

Inglot YSM Foundation in 52 l INR 1100

An oldie but a goodie. This is the kinda foundation that I can bank on knowing that it won't slide off my face. The foundation gives a satin finish and the stays for about 6-7 hrs. The shade is a match made in heaven and unlike MAC Studio Fix, this leans towards a more yellow base than orange.

MAC Strobe Cream l $33

Truth to be told, this product was on the back drawer of both my vanity and mind. After the highlighters took over my life, this product did loose some importance. The Inglot foundation by itself gives a satin finish, but if you wanna up the glow quotient, just add a drop of this runny, white goodness and viola, you are glowing from within like a 1000 W bulb. Beware: The product attracts dirt.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Sunset Blvd l $5

One of the more subtle Colourpop shades from the Kae Pop collection. The shade is a subtle gold, not quite opaque, but loaded with tiny sparkles. You can layer the color and the shadow stays put for 7 hours without creasing on my oily lids.

Chambor Eye Tattoo Liner in ET04 l INR 500

A very beautiful brown shade with a subtle sheen. This sharpenable pencil is very creamy and goes on the lid without tugging or pulling. I blend out the color with my fingers slightly, giving me the smudged brown smokey effect which is perfect if you don't need something very harsh like a black smokey eye. Also, this shade is a dupe of Urban Decay 24*7 pencil in Stag.

Makeup Geek Blush in Bliss l $10

It is a very pretty matte coral shade that suits fair to medium skin tone better. Bliss is one of the older Makeup Geek Blush formulas. The blush kicks up a lot of powder but goes on smoothly. Stays on my cheeks for 4-5 hours.

MAC Crosswires Lipstick l INR 1450

A beautiful coral shade in the cremesheen finish. Goes on smooth with medium opaqueness in a single swipe. You can build up the color to the desired intensity. For NC42 and darker, the shade may clash with your skin tone. Stays put for 3-4 hours before fading.

Prada Candy Perfume l INR 4000 (approx)

This perfume is very summer appropriate, very sweet and caramelly. The EDP version stays on me for 6 hours or so. Sillage is medium!

So what are your favorite summer items that are transitioning into fall?

MAC Products I Would Repurchase

Back in 2013 when I purchased my first MAC lipstick, I was over the moon, roll down to 2016, a lot has changed. I have access to international brands, MAC prices have gone off the roof, and a lot of international brands are slowly foraying into the Indian market. I have tried at least one product from almost every range that MAC offers, and these are the products I would repurchase if I were to hit pan (if ever that is).

Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation l INR 2290

This is the only powder foundation I own and that does say a bucket loads about this product.  I wouldn't change this foundation for anything, not even a good dose of liquid foundation. It's easy to throw inside your purse, easy to apply as an under eye setting powder (don't even attempt if you have mature or dry under eyes) and I just love the coverage and finish; makes me matte instantly.

Powder Blush in Desert Rose l INR 1800

The perfect 'matte' 'muted' 'dusty' 'rosy' cheeks for people who doesn't blush naturally (unlucky bunch). It's my go-to, when-in-doubt blush that pairs well with a lot of looks. I use this blush with a light hand with my PAC blush brush. This is a much-loved item in my vanity and I would definitely repurchase this blush.

Studio Finish Concealer in NC45 l INR 1700

This scary looking Orange monster is a forever purchase to hide my under-eye darkness. The consistency is slightly creamy (towards dry). I pat the corrector under my eyes and then layer over with my brightening concealer (LA Girl Pro.Conceal). This product has one major con, having to dip into the concealer pot with your fingers. On a closing note, I would like to admit that I haven't come across an orange concealer bright enough to hide my hereditary bags.

Lipstick in Plumful l INR 1450

I have shit loads of MAC lipsticks (drops my face and walks away) and there are not many I would give an arm and leg for. I love the shade Plumful which is a Lustre finish lipstick and looks amazing on tan skin. The shade can be described as muted warm purple that is wearable and office appropriate. It is pigmented for a lustre finish, but the staying power is just MEH!

Lip Pencil in Spice l INR 1400

Spice is that perfect matte nude shade that can be pulled off as a lipstick with a coat of lip balm or can be that amazing best friend that changes your soul! I mix MAC Spice and Soar with most of my lighter lipsticks to make it more wearable. I appreciate MAC lip pencils more than the lipsticks, and would love to add few more to my collection, but only if MAC bosses would reduce the cost of the lip pencils which is currently on par with the lipsticks!

MAC Brush Cleanser l INR 1000

One product that I forgot to take pictures with is my beloved MAC brush cleanser as I use it frikkin' every day, YAASSS!! every single day to rejuvenate and quick clean my poor brushes. I am half full...and I have this feeling that I may end up repurchasing this soon.

Swatches

The Ride or Die Makeup Tag

When I was watching Jaclyn Hill's Ride or Die Makeup Tag, I instantly knew that there was no way in this life or after, I would have a ride or die product in each of the makeup categories. There are so many products that I "LIKE", but not "LOVE"! I decided that I will just fill in categories where I have clear winners.

Primer l BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector™

This primer is the oil-sucking Edward Cullen of the primer category. Keeps my skin matte for 6-7 hours, and does a wonderful job in minimizing my pores. If you have dry skin, stay far far away from this primer, as blending the foundation on top will turn your face into a Sahara desert (dry patches).

Foundation l  <Yet to find my knight in shining bottle>

I am a foundation junkie, and I am always on the lookout for the next best thing in the market and for this very reason, I couldn't pick one foundation that rocked my boat. I like the finish of MUFE Ultra HD, wear time of Estee Lauder Double Wear, and coverage of NARS. Unless someone decides to come up with a hybrid as described, I would let this space be empty.

Concealer l LA Girl PRO.conceal Warm Honey l Link

I have raved and raved about this concealer, so much so that it  featured in my 2015 favorites post. You can read the entire review on the link provided.

Eyebrow l Urban Decay Brow Box l Link

My dream eyebrow kit! The kit contains two shades (dark and light), wax, and eyebrow tools for keeping the unruly brows in place. The kit is slightly on the pricier side (INR 2100), but totally worth the moolahs.

Eyeliner l Maybelline Colossal Kajal l Lakme Eyeconic Kajal l Link

Every Indian girl will have either one of the two kajal as part of their daily beauty routine, probably one of the first "REAL" makeup item that we were introduced to. I prefer the later (Lakme) a tad bit more than the Colossal Kajal. I have had better-performing liners (Marc Jacobs), but at end of the day, I go back to these two.

Eyeshadow l ABH Shadow Couture Palette l Link

It was a limited edition palette, but if there is ever a re-launch (Norvina, listen to the prayers of us mortals), I would buy two of these as backups. This eyeshadow palette has everything that you want, beautiful transition shades, crease shades, highlights, and metallic amazeballs. This palette will elevate your average 9-5 girl-next-door look to bad-ass rocker chick look.

Blush l Milani Luminoso l Link

This is a100 W bulb in a pot. The blush gives a nice coral luminous flush to my cheeks and hands down one of the most flattering coral shades on tan skin tone. Good job Milani!

Contour and Highlight l Sleek Contour Kit in Medium l Link

One of my first and most loved contour and highlight palette.The contour shade is perfect for my NC 42 skin tone and the champagne-hued highlight is nicely milled and doesn't leave a streak of highlight that can be seen from the outer space.

Lipstick l MAC Creme in Your Coffee l Link

The perfect "MLBB" shade for NC 42 skin tone. Probably, my most used lipstick!

So what are your ride or die makeup products?

Foundation Matrix for NC 42

Buying foundation online can be a daunting task, especially when it is a high-end foundation. I have put together a shade suggestion list which you can refer if you are looking to place an online order.

Skin Type: Combination-Oily [Requires blotting in 4 hours]

Skin Concerns: Pigmentation around the mouth area

Skin Undertone: Yellow-Golden

What do I look in a Foundation: Matte, long-wearing, humidity-proof (Coastal-area problems)

Notes:

• All foundations contain 30 ml product unless mentioned.
• Products marked in YELLOW are what I have tried out either as sample or in-store. I do not own these, with an exception of MUFE Ultra HD which is still with my relatives in Canada.
• Brands that are not available in India, I purchased from Sephora US or Nordstrom US.

·         FOUNDATION	SHADE	FINISH	COST	COMMENTS
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation	NC42	Matte	INR 2290	Good oil control, Medium-Full coverage, Nice color match, Cakey. Needs an applicator to apply
MAC Studio Fix Fluid	NC43.5	Flat-Matte	INR 2290	Very orange, Full-coverage, Sits funny on my skin, Long-wearing, Extremely plasticky smell, Oxidizes
MAC Face and Body	C5	Dewy	INR	Nice color, Very dewy, Tacky on touch, Transferable on clothes
Estee Lauder Double Wear	4N2 Spiced Sand	Matte	INR 2790	Long-wearing, Sweat-proof, Good color, Heavy coverage
Estee Lauder Double Wear Light	4.5	Matte	INR 3000	A shade dark, Long-wearing, Light on skin
Inglot YSM	52	Demi-Matte	INR 1100	Spot on color match
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless	Syracuse	Demi-Matte	$ 48	Accentuates dry patches, Long-wearing, Good color match, Sits funny on textured skin (around the mouth)
Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless	322 Golden Honey	Demi-Matte	INR 475	A tad ashy around the mouth, Long-wearing, Skin like finish
Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua	B50	Dewy	$ 47	Becomes ashy as the day progresses, Pink undertone which makes the color look off
L'oreal Infallible Pro Matte (US)	108 Caramel Beige	Demi-Matte	$13	Long-Wearing, Skin like finish
L'oreal True Match	W5	Demi Matte	INR 1025	Minute shine (glitter), Ghostly white cast
L'oreal Infallible (India)	322	Matte	INR 1126	Leaning towards pink undertone, Dulls the face
MUFE Ultra HD	153 (Y405)	Satin	CAD 50	Spot on color match. Makes me oily within 2 hours!
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte	310	Demi-Matte	$34	Tad bit light around the mouth area. Long wearing
Too Faced Born This Way	Sand	Dewy	$39	Way too neutral. Causes white cast
L'oreal Infallible Pro Glow	209 Caramel Beige	Dewy	$13	One shade dark. Dewy, non-tacky finish
MUFE Mat Velvet +	65	Matte	$39	A tad darker
Dior Forever Perfect	Honey Beige 040	Demi-Matte	$50	Ashy around the mouth area
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow	Hazelnut	Dewy	$36	A tad bit dark
WISH LIST
FOUNDATION					PROBABLE SHADES	COST
Becca Ever-Matte Shine-Proof					Bamboo	$42
NARS Sheer Glow					Syracuse	$45
UD Naked Skin					6/7	$40

 Swatches

Different Lighting: From L-R, L'oreal Infallible Pro Matte, Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless, Inglot YSM, MAC Studio Fix, MAC Face&Body, Estee Lauder Double Wear, Chanel VitaLuniere Aqua, NARS All Day Luminous Weightless, Estee Lauder Double Wear Light

                                   

Note: My arms are way lighter than my face, so the foundations may appear way dark on my arm.