So now that we are officially in the 12th month of 2016, HO!HO!HO! 🎄

I did have an eventful November with the Sephora VIB Sale, Goa Trip and Alapuzha house boat trip all jammed packed into 30 days. Presenting to you, my favorites for November:

Too Faced Dark Chocolate Soleil Bronzer l $30

I got the Too Faced bronzers as samples and instantly fell in love with the matte bronzy/contoury (makeup experts, pardon me for using the terminologies interchangeably) effect it gave. I had my heart set on the Medium Chocolate Soleil for a subtle effect, but in turn ended up purchasing the darker deeper one. The Chocolate Soleil is cool toned as compared to the Dark Chocolate Soleil that pulls warmer. The powder comes in a whimsical and retro classy packaging with a good sized mirror like every other Too Faced packaging. The bronzer is finely milled and infused with the goodness of cocoa, and added bonus - smells like cocoa too.  

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer l $32

Too Faced much? This again was a sample I received during one of my purchases from the Too Faced website and I absolutely loved the feel of the product on my skin. It has a clear, balmy consistency and goes smoothly on my skin. The product instantly rehydrates the skin and lets the foundation glide on smoothly. The ingredient list is also impressive - Coconut Water, Probiotics, and Skin Revivers. It has a faint coconut smell that might be a problem if you have a sensitive nose. 

I don't plan on using this as a primer as I have quite oily skin, instead, on days when I don’t want the hassle of a full face makeup, I would apply this face primer as a moisturizer by itself. I love it so much so that I ended up buying the full-size product during the VIB Sale.

Sephora Contour 2hr Wear Waterproof Eye Pencil l $10

The blackest eye pencil I have ever tried, even blacker than my soul; this one is a major threat to my favorite Lakme Eyeconic Kajal. Though creamy, it stays put on my very watery-waterline like a needy and clingy girlfriend. You have to sharpen the pencil and hence carrying a sharpener in your vanity bag is a must.

ABH Liquid Lipstick Kathryn l $20

The shade Kathryn is such an amazing warm-pinky brown color that instantly brightens my face. This stays on for 9++ hours. This liquid lipstick would have been perfect if not for the dryness. When I first apply the liquid lipstick, it clings on to all the dry patches on my lips and after few minutes starts to dry out the lips. If you can apply a transparent lip balm in frequent intervals, this shit won’t go anywhere. 

PAC Solid Brush Cleanser l INR 595

An Indianized version of the Beauty Blender solid cleanser, this affordable dupe cleans the brushes quickly and effectively. I used to use Johnson's baby shampoo, and with this, the cleaning time is significantly reduced. Not a big fan of the smell, though. The product comes in a black box and is effective in removing all the dirt and grime from the brushes. I rinse my brush under running water once and then swirl it over the cleanser bar, finally rinsing it again to ensure there is no residue. I air dry the product along with my brushes. 

So what products are you loving lately?

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?

Currently Loving

Makeup Geek Custom Palette l $6 each and $13 for the Travel Vault

I have given my shimmery life a break and have settled for mattes. I have been loving my Makeup Geek custom palette that contains 9 everyday, office appropriate shades (matte and satin). Housed inside the Makeup Geek travel vault in the rose-gold shade, this palette is travel-friendly and versatile.

Shades in the palette: Americano, Mango Tango, Bitten, Mocha, Cocoa Bear, Latte, Vintage, Creme Brulee, Cupcake

Review coming soon.

PAC 045 Brush l INR 350

I wanted a fan brush for the longest time. Why are fan brushes out of all the brushes always out of stock on every freaking website? Finally got my hands on these from Amazon. Don't be fooled by the sparingly spread bristles, this brush picks up the right amount of product (ABH That Glow Kit) and diffuses it beautifully.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara l $10 (4 ml)

Sample size mascara that came in the UD On the Run Palette, this is not the best mascara out there, but I have been using it every single day as I don't want this mascara sitting on my vanity for another year. Semi dry consistency, non-waterproof, and easy to remove, but it didn’t wow my naturally flat lashes, though!

Loreal Lipstick in Pure Amaranthe l INR 995

This lipstick is from Loreal's Stars Pure Reds collection and was curated by Chinese actress Gong Li. In spite of the finish being pigmented matte, the lipstick is very lightweight on the lips, and super flattering on the tan skin. Stays on my lips for 5 hours after which the lipstick starts to crumble and settle into my fine lines.

Bath and Body Works 3 Wick Autumn Candle l $22

This 3 wick candle was a part of my huge BBW semi-annual sale haul. A much as I suck at describing scents here is my pathetic attempt: This candle smells like candied apple, slightly sweet with a hint of sourness. The throw and silage of this candle is awesome and the smell fills up my entire bedroom.
Scent description from the BBW website: Bright red apple, cedarwood, and notes of fir balsam.

Elle Magazine l INR 150

Cosmo remains my No:1, my BAE, Elle comes a close second. This month, I have been enjoying reading the magazine which has model Sayani Gupta on the cover. I am less of a fashion enthusiast and more of a beauty junkie, so when I get a magazine, I instantaneously go to the beauty section.

What products are you currently loving?