Battle of the Oil Replacement Creams.

Hello guys! Hope you all had a good week. Thank you so much for all the love on our last blog post. We will surely do similar posts in the future.

 

In today’s post, we have decided to step into the forte of haircare.

 As Indian girls, we have been told right since childhood by our mothers and grandmothers the importance of oiling our hair and how simply oiling one’s hair can be the solution to all hair problems from lack of hair growth, dandruff to split ends. Some of these are obscure myths. However there is no denying that oiling your hair has its benefits. This procedure of oiling one’s hair is a little too tedious for some of us.

Recently, there has been a craze for oil replacement creams in the market. I was really excited about this product because I am one of those lazy people who for some reason never ends up oiling their hair. Basically this a cream that contains the extract of oils or does the same job as an oil.

First Garnier Fructis launched their "Oil In Cream.” Within a year, their parent brand L’Oreal Paris launched their “Hair Expertise Oil Replacement Cream.” Recently Garnier has launched their “Ultra Blends 5 Precious Oil In Cream”. However we have not yet had the chance to try it out. Whenever we do, we will surely review it for you guys.
 

For now, we will be comparative review of Garnier Fructis Oil In Cream and L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Oil Replacement Cream.



L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Oil Replacement Cream.

• Price: Rs 80 for 100ml and Rs 135 for 200ml.
• Packaging: It comes in a golden plastic tube with a fine mosaic design on the cover.
• Ingredients:  It is infused with 6 nutritive oils, Olive, Argan, Almond, Coconut, Jojoba and Camelina.
• Fragrance: Stronger when compared to Garnier Fructis Oil In Cream due to infused oils.
• Minimum numbers of hours application required for best results: 2 hours.
• Usage: Controls frizz,makes hair look healthier & UV protection from sun.                                                                                          
• Advantage: Hair looks more nourished, does not require too much application time and packaging looks richer compared to Garnier Fructis Oil In Cream.
• Disadvantage: Hair appears heavier compared to Garnier Fructis Oil In Cream and can not be worn as a serum.

Garnier Fructis Oil In Cream.

• Price: Rs 60 for 100 ml and Rs 100 for 200 ml.
• Packaging: It comes in a yellow plastic tube.
• Ingredients:  It contains extracts of Coconut, Almond and Olive oil.
• Fragrance : After 15 minutes of application, it loses most of its fragrance.
• Minimum numbers of hours application required for best results: 5 hours.        
•  Usage: Controls frizz, makes hair look healthier & can be used as a serum.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
• Advantage: Hair looks healthy without too much effort, gentle fragrance, does not weigh the hair down and slightly more reasonable compared to L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Oil Replacement Cream.
• Disadvantage: More of a serum less of an oil replacement cream and long application duration.

Hope you guys liked the post.  We would appreciate your feedback. For regular updates, you can follow us on our Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters/ 

H&M Lookbook.

After the NYX launch in India, we have hit another jackpot with the launch of H&M, one of our favourite high street brand, in Mumbai.There will be not one but two stores.The first store was launched today at Palladium in Lower Parel. The second store will be launched on the 23rd of the month at Phoenix Market City in Kurla. We are really excited about we do not have to wait to travel abroad to shop at H&M. They have an amazing collections of basic clothing along with denims, formals, swimwear, casuals, party wear, accessories and cosmetics.
Guessing by the long queue outside H&M today, a lot of people are excited about the launch, just like us.

In today's post, we decided to show you guys two casual looks by pairing some of our favourite H&M clothes.

For this look, I have teamed black high waist shorts with a white crop top.

I picked up this white crop top from H&M in New York for only $5 over 3 years ago. It is a simple text tee that reads “THAT’S AWESOME”. It is really simple and goes well with high waist bottoms.

The black high waist shorts is one of my recent purchases from H&M. I picked them up from Budapest this summer. They have golden button detailing on both sides which is pretty cute. These pair of shorts can be dressed up with a formal top and a pair of heels or can be worn casually with a simple crop top and your favourite pair of sneakers.

I have accessorized the look with black shades that are from H&M as well, and a black cuff.

To break the monotony, I chose a bold lip colour which is the NYX soft matte lip cream in Copenhagen.

Photography Credits: Siddharth Gautam Dev

So I went to Dubai last December and finally shopped at H&M. Out of everything I bought, the peach-orange top and black pants are my absolute favourites. The top and pant, both are from the Divided collection.

The top is simple and plain with a turtle neck. It is super comfortable and fits so well. It can be paired with heels or sneakers, and can be worn for a party or a lunch date.

The black pants I wore are the most comfortable pants I have. They work well for formal occasions as well as parties and outings.

 For this look, I kept my makeup pretty natural and used the NYX soft matte cream in the shade Stockholm. I accessorised with rings and heels from Forever 21.

 Photography Credits: Sakshi Pitale

That's all for today's post. We hope you are as excited as we are about H&M finally opening in Mumbai. For regular updates, you can like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters We will be back with a new post soon.

Powder Reviews 2.0

Hey guys. Hope you all are doing well. So, like we mentioned in our previous post, we have another post of powder reviews. We got such a good response for the previous post and are hoping you guys like this post as well.

Faces Ultimate Pro Mineral Loose Powder retails for Rs.699 for 7gms. It is available in 5 shades.  It comes in a black cup shaped container with a silver lid that has a sponge attached. This sponge can be removed and cleaned. It also has helps in a quick application or touch up, which is not easily possible with other loose powders. This product feels light on the skin and is a good option to set in your foundation and bake your under eyes. However on a hot summer day this loose powder may not be a good decision. 

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder retails for Rs.500 for 0.49oz. However this product is really hard to get your hands on especially in India and thus the price may vary from place to place and website to website. This pressed powder is the go to powder for a lot of beauty bloggers all around the world. It has been highly recommended for oily skin and has been compared to a lot of high end products. This product does not disappoint. It controls sweat and shine for 4-6 hours according to the weather. It does not feel heavy on the skin. If I have to point out a negative about the product, it would be the packaging. It comes without any applicator or mirror which forces you to carry a brush along.s

Maybelline White Superfresh 12 Hour Whitening + Perfecting Compact retails for Rs.150 for 8 gms. It is available in 3 shades. It is a sleek and light compact which can be carried in your bag easily. It has a mirror and an applicator, which makes it easy to use. The compact has a slight fragrance and is very smooth and light. It has a very silky texture, giving sheer coverage and easily blends into your skin. The compact brighten your face and makes it look healthier and fresh. This is a good option for people with an oily skin. If you're looking for a compact to brighten your face before college without any foundation, this is a good pick. This does stick by all its claims expect for staying for 12 hours. I did need to reapply my compact after 4-5  hours. The sponge is not that great and I personally prefer using a kabuki brush. The affordable price is an added bonus and I will definitely repurchase this compact.

The Body Shop All in One Base retails for Rs 1295 for 9 gms. It is available in 6 shades and has a very simple and sturdy packaging. It has a mirror and a separate compartment for the sponge. The sponge is really good and saves you from the hassle of carrying a brush everywhere. The compact can be used dry or wet, however I have only used it dry. The compact provides good coverage and gives a matte finish. It sets your makeup well and does not need a touch up for 5-6 hours. This does control shine and sweat and is a great option to set your under eyes. I have bought this compact quite a few times and would recommend it but it is a bit heavy on the pocket.

This is all today's post.

 We hope this helps you pick the compact your looking for. We will be back with a new post soon.  Do follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters to stay updated about our posts.

Powder Reviews.

 

Hey guys, in last weeks post we spoke about powders and how much Compact Matters.  So we thought of reviewing some of the compacts we have used, pressed powders and loose powders. We will be covering some powders in today's post and few in the next one. We hope this review helps you make your final pick.

 

 

 

Maybelline Clear Glow Pressed Powder retails for Rs.275 . It is available in 5 shades out of which one is a translucent pressed powder. It comes along with a mirror and a makeup sponge. It is a lightweight compact that could even fit into a tiny clutch. It comes with SPF 26 PA++ which is an added bonus. However it claims to instantly make your fair and control shine, which is not true. If used with a foundation or BB cream, it makes your skin look healthier but does not provide "instant fairness". Like any pressed powder, immediately post application it controls shine but in order to control the shine throughout you have to touch it up every few hours. Over all, it is a travel and pocket friendly pressed powder.


L'Oreal Paris Mat Magique All-In-One Pressed Powder retails at Rs.399.  It Is available in 5 shades. It has a mirror and come along with a sponge. It has a transparent cover with a pink rim, letting you see the shade. It is not very light, but small and easy to carry. It has SPF 34 PA+++ that protects your skin and  keeps your makeup intact and fresh for 5-6 hours, not for 12 hours like it claims to. This is one of the best pressed powders I have used. This definitely gives you a matte finish and absorbs all excess oils. This keeps you makeup in tact and is a good options for special functions or outings. It makes your skin look healthier and gives an instant glow. I apply this with a powder brush, which keeps it light and does not cake up your face. The only thing I don't like is the fact that the mirror is below the compact, thus making you lift the compact layer every time you want to see the mirror. This is definitely something I love and will repurchase.


Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder retails for Rs.475 . It is available in 5 shades. It comes along with a mirror and a make up sponge. Even though the packing is nothing fancy, the quality of the sponge and the box is good and sturdy. If you have been reading Compact Matters for a while, you would know that we totally love the Fit Me foundation and concealer. However, comparatively this product is a little bit of a disappointment. It does a good job keeping your foundation in place but has to be touched up every few hours and for this price, I would expect a little more from Maybelline. I do not mind using this product but I dont think I will re-purchase it.


NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder retails at Rs. 825.  It is a white powder that can be used for all shades and contains 100% pure mineral silica which helps with oil control on the face. It comes in a small plastic box with small holes between the container and the lid to prevent dispensing off too much product. It is available in 3 shades, translucent, mint green and banana. It is really good for setting your makeup specially ender the eye. It lasts pretty long, sets your makeup well and does not need touch ups. This does a good job but I won't buy it again as it is a pinch on the pocket and has a strong chemical like smell.

 

 

 

That is all for this week. We will be back with another post next week. If you have any suggestions or requests, leave a comment below. For regular updates, follow our Facebook page on www.facebook.com/compactmatters.

Powders 101.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well. We are back with our Make up Basics 101 series. In today's post we will be talking about a step after applying your foundation and concealer, Powders. Powders, more commonly known as compacts, is a product that most women own. It is a common misconception that foundation is too heavy on the face for Indian weather and thus most women resort to getting a compact instead. If you are interested in knowing more about compacts, keep reading.

What are powders?
After applying our base, we definitely want it to stay for a long time and not melt in the heat. Setting it with powder is the key to this problem. The powder sets our base and also gives a matte finish.

Types of powders

The two main types of powders are pressed powder and loose powder. Both aim to do the same thing but differ in some ways.


Press powders are packed in small round cases along with a mirror and puff pad. They are easy to carry and not messy at all. However the puff pad on regular use will get dirty and cleaning it is a task. You can use it but a better option would be a kabuki brush or a big powder  brush. The puffy brush picks the right amount and lightly displaces it across your face. The brush is more preferable since it does not displace or rub your base makeup. All you need to do is take the brush with some powder are lightly brush it across the areas to want to set.

L'OREAL PARIS Mat Magique retails for Rs.399 and H&M kabuki brush.

Loose powder is packed in round plastic cases. These are light but really messy, so carrying it in your handbag may not be the bet option.  Loose powder cases generally have a thin plastic layer in the middle with holes, which lets you take the right amount of powder.  There are very few brands which give a puff pad along with it. But there's nothing to worry about since the powder brush is your best friend in this case.Loose powder consists of small particles with a light consistency and the powder brush easily applies it on your face. It is easy to blend and also has less chances of looking caked up.Loose powder, along with setting the base makeup,can also be used for baking.

NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder retails for Rs.825 and PAC Powder Brush 282

Types of Loose Powders

 The translucent powder works great on all when blended well. It sets your makeup and disappears into your skin without looking too much.

Tinted powders give slight coverage and are a good option for everyday use. It gives colour to your face and if applied again and again can look caked up.
So tinted may be a good option for everyday day use it to add some colour along with your primer but if you are looking for something to just set your base, translucent powder is your answer.


How to apply it?
Applying any kind of powder involve the same steps. You start by dabbing your brush or puff into the powder, tap off the extra and then gently brush it across your face. Remember to set the areas you concealed as you want your concealer to stay for a long time. Also do not apply too many layers as your face may look white and caked up.After setting your base you are good to continue with your blush and bronzer.


If you need to touch up your compact, carry your compact along with a kabuki brush. They are not messy and will easily fit into your bag.

That's all for this post, we will be back with a new post soon. 

Photography Credits- Shivam Bhatt.  

The Body Shop Tea Tree Product Reviews.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well. In today's post, we will be reviewing products from The Body Shop's Tea Tree Range. Tea Tree products are best for people with blemished skin or people who have break outs often. We have been using some of these products for years now and thought of sharing our views specially since The Body Shop has a sale on their website till the 14th of July. We hope this post helps you.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Cleaning Facial Wash retails for Rs. 695 for 250 ml. This is definitely one of my favourite face washes. It is a gel based face wash, suitable for everyday use which helps control oil and prevents any blemishes and breakouts. It washes off all the dirt and oils and leaves your skin feeling clean, cool and refreshed. It makes your skin feel healthy and prevents blemishes and pimples. This is a really good buy and something we both love and recommend.

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Night Lotion is priced at Rs. 995 for 30 ml. This lotion is mainly for blemish damaged skin and aims to work on those areas. It has a pump which makes the application  easy and clean. One pump is enough for your entire face. The lotion is light, fresh and non greasy. I don't have a lot of blemishes on my face so this did not help me a lot. However it helped repair the few problem areas and prevents any additional breakouts and blemishes. The lotion stings a bit but makes your skin feel hydrated and fresh.  

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner retails for Rs.795 for 250ml.Though a little heavy on the pocket, this is one of my favourite toners of all time. A few drops of this on a cotton swab is good enough for your entire face after which you must wash your face with water. It thoroughly cleanses your pores and prevents your skin from getting oily. It helps to dry up acne and reduces break outs.

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser retails for Rs.950 for 30ml. It is essentially a pore reducing primer. Like most products in the range, it also mattifies your skin. This is the primer I reach for when I am having a breakout and have to do a full coverage look. If your skin is not dry, you can use this instead of a moisturiser. You can also apply this product all by itself just to tighten your pores and mattify your face. You need only 3 dots of product for your face and you can massage it into your skin gently. Unlike most primers, it makes your skin feel healthy and fresh. 

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask retails Rs.1095 for 100ml. After cleaning your face with a face wash, you need to put a thick layer of the product onto your face and leave it for 15 minutes. You can apply the product with a brush or your fingers. It dries up after 15 minutes and then you can wash it off. This product absorbs all impurities from your face thereby reducing breakouts. I like applying a small amount of it on a new/fresh pimple as it soaks in all the impurities and the pimple dries out within no time

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub retails for Rs.995 for 100ml. It is a gentle scrub with natural exfoliators. You can gently massage the product on a wet face which will help unclog pores and get rid of impurities and dead cells. Unlike most scrubs, you can use this twice a day.

 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Targeted Gel retails for Rs.895 for 2.5ml. This product is my go to product when I am on the go and am having a severe break out. It comes in a small plastic tube with a wand, that comes handy during application. This helps contain the break out until you have the opportunity to cleanse, scrub and tone your skin. This product never leaves my handbag since it really helps dealing with unexpected breakouts.

That's all for this post, we will be back with a new post soon. 

Photography Credits- Shivam Bhatt.  

Image not available Photos not available for this variation

Beauty Formulas - Charcoal Face wash and Mask review.

Hey guys, hope you all are fine. We have got such an amazing response to the blog and are really thankful for your support.

 Now coming back to today's post, I will be reviewing two charcoal products from the brand Beauty Formulas. So charcoal products have been the new sensation and have been talked about by people all over. I wanted to know what the fuss was about and was looking for a good charcoal product in India. Honestly I had not heard of this brand and came across the product in Mangalore in May. However I later found it on amazon.in and saw the different kinds of products they have. Out of the many products they have, today I will be reviewing the Detox Cleanser with activated Charcoal and  Clay Mask with activated Charcoal. 

 

 

DETOX CLEANSER with activated Charcoal retails at Rs. 250 for 150ml. I have used this product regularly for about Two months and it surely did not disappoint. It claims to remove impurities, excess oils, makeup and leave your skin feeling cleansed and refreshed. It does live up to its claims, as it washes off any dirt or oils on your face. It is really great for days when you have applied heavy makeup, as it washes away any makeup left on your skin. The product leaves you feeling fresh and adds a slight glow too. The face wash has a very runny consistency, is black in colour and does not have a strong smell. This is really good for oily skin and can be used for normal skin too. The quantity is really good and is packed in a big plastic tube. It is worth the money you pay and definitely something I recommend.  
 

 

 

You can buy it here-

CLAY MASK with activated Charcoal retails at Rs. 230 for 100ml. This mask claims to absorb excess oils, draw out deep rooted dirt and cleanse the skin. This mask like the face wash washes off excess oils and gives you a clean and fresh face. I don't have sensitive skin but it still made my skin burn a bit. So, people with sensitive skin should be careful and try it on a small patch first. It is a thick grey coloured mask, which needs to be applied for about 10-15 minutes and then washed off. It is packed in a similar plastic tube but is smaller in size.
 

You can buy it here -

The mask and face wash are kind of similar, so if you don't want something for everyday use, you can just use the mask once a week. Both these products are really good and something I recommend.

That's all for this post, we will be back with a new post next week. Let us know if you have any feedback. You can also like and share our facebook page - www.facebook.com/compactmatters. 
We really appreciate the support.