International Make Up Haul: Elf, Tarte, Sephora and more.

Hey guys! Hope you all are doing well.

In this week’s post, I will be sharing a small US beauty haul.

Recently a friend of mine had gone to the States and he offered to get some stuff from there for me. I went ahead and made an elaborate list with prices, shades and pictures of beauty products so I get exactly the products I want. The United States is parNarsadise for any make up lover. The prices for most products are the low. You get amazing deals. Most products launch first in the United States. My final list was a mixture of some drugstore and some high end products.

So lets get into the haul.

The e.l.f. Mineral Pearls in Natural

This product retailed for 8 dollars at Target. Foundation may leave your face looking a little washed out. This product helps you regain that colour simply by using the powder puff, that comes along with it, and buffing it into your skin.

 e.l.f Blush & Bronzing Powder in St.Lucia

This product, that retails for only 3 dollars, is a complete steal. It has some gorgeous matte black packaging and is completely sleek and travel friendly. The bronzer is a dupe for Nars Laguna Bronzer and the blush is a dupe for Nars Orgasm Blush. The Nars Bronzer and Blush are their best sellers which is available for only 3 dollars along with a mirror.

 e.l.f Makeup Mist and Set in Clear 

This product retails for 3 dollars at Target. It is often compared to the MAC Fix Plus Setting Spray and the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. So it not only helps your makeup stay on forever but it also helps enhance your eyeshadow and your highlight only for 3 dollars.

FYI, e.l.f Cosmetics ships to India through their official website.

Wet n Wild Photofocus Setting Spray 

This product retails for 5 dollars at Walmart. It has been spoken about amongst best products in 5 dollars by many Youtubers. In India, we do not have many drugstore setting sprays. So I decided to give this product a try.

Wet n Wild Makeup Brushes

6 brushes retailed for 10 dollars. This range includes cruelty free Vegan brushes. The brush set includes a concealer brush, eyeshadow brush, angled liner brush, blush brush, foundation brush and crease brush. I love the pink white ombre bristles.

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronzer

This product retailed for 15 dollars at Target.I have heard so much about this product by so many Youtubers. It has one of the best fragrances in cosmetics. The packaging is totally adorable.It comes with a tiny brush and mirror. It is perfect for that natural glow.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation in 207 Sand Beige

This product retailed for 13 dollars at Walmart. I personally love their Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation but recently I have been all about the glow. Most of my foundations are of matte finish so I decided to get this foundation and mix things up a little.

Tarte Tartelette Tease Palette

This product retailed for 21 dollars at Sephora. This is a limited palette which is pocket friendly version of the Tarte Tartelette Palette in Bloom. All the eyeshadows are amazingly pigmented and the palette has the perfect combination of matte and shimmery shades.

Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Bold Lip

This set includes 6 high end best seller lipsticks valued at 75 dollars sold only for 28 dollars. It includes 3 liquid lipsticks which are Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Damned, Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint in Yaassss and Ciaté London Liquid Velvet in Head Over Heels. It also includes 3 crayon lipsticks which are Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Aubergine, Laura Mercier Velour Lovers Lip Colour in An Affair and SEPHORA COLLECTION Rouge Cream in 49 Belly Dancing.

That is all for this post.If you would like a detailed review on any of the products or have any suggestions or questions, leave it down as a comment. 

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Photography Credits: Ananya Khatri.

Plum Natur Studio Kohl Review.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well.

In this week’s post, we will be reviewing Plum Natur Studio Kohl Kajal.

A kajal or a liner is a product that is found in every girl’s make up kit. A kajal is one of the first make up products most of us used.

Some of us like to wing our liner, some of us just like to go with a thin, some of us like to go bold and thick and some of us simply line our waterlines. However unlike skin products, most of us look for the same things in a liner. Thus in today’s post I will be reviewing my go to liner.

The Plum Natur Studio Kohl Kajal is the only make up product from Plum, which is a skincare brand. It is a gel liner.Their products are available on Nykaa, Amazon and Flipkart as well as their official website.

Price 

Rs.425 for 1.2g.

Packaging 

The product comes in form of a purple sharpenable pencil. The sharpener must be purchased separately for Rs.150. However on Nykaa they sell the combo for Rs.500.Along with the pencil comes a tiny paper with a recommendation to use only the Plum Sharpener.

Fragrance

 The product does not have any fragrance.

Shade 

The product is currently available only in 1 shade, Black Brilliance which is a jet black colour. The product is super pigmented and one swipe is more than enough to get intense black colour.

Ingredients 

The product contains Castor Oil, Rice Bran Wax and Vitamin E which help in the product to glide on. It is preservative free and mineral oil free.

Longevity 

The product stays intense and in place for 8 hours which is the best I have ever seen. After 8 hours, the product fades away. However it does not smudge. It does not great black patches around your eyes like most liners. Not only is the product smudge proof, it is also as water proof .

Pros

Can be used as liner and a kajal

Since it is smudge proof and waterproof, it is perfect for all weathers.

Does not require touch ups.

Long shelf life of 2 and a half years.

Travel friendly

Cons

The product needs to be sharpened frequently.

My Verdict

This product gives you the intensity of gel liner, the smoothness of liquid liner and the precision of a felstick liner. It is a great purchase. I highly recommend this to college girls or working women or anyone who has long days and could not be bothered about touching up their liner repeatedly. This product makes life easy and pretty for all of us. I have already purchased my second Plum Natur Studio Kohl.

That is all for this post. Hope you liked it. For regular updates, follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters/

Photography Credits: Shivam Bhatt and Ananya Khatri.

Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener Review.

Hey guys! Hope you all are doing well.

In this week’s post, I will be reviewing the Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener.

Price

The Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener retails for Rs.900 for 180ml.

Packaging 

The Innisfree Wine Peeling Jelly Softener comes in a plastic bottle that resembles a wine bottle. The product has a cap and a stopper which can be easily placed and removed. However the stopper is really tiny so it can be misplaced easily.

Fragrance 

The product smells like red wine with a mild floral and citrus tinge.

Ingredients

The product contains wine extracts from France, green complex, different leaf extracts, seed extracts, root extracts and fruit extracts.

Application

The product is a thick white liquid. The product must be applied after a cleanser and can be followed by a toner.The instructions on the bottle say that the product must be taken on a cotton pad and gently swiped around the face.However this does not work not well. I prefer taking a small amount of the product in my palms, dab it all over my face and neck and gently start rubbing it with my fingers. The sales lady at the store also used the same method. Within a minute, you can see your dead cells come out in form of gunk with the product.

Usage

The product works wonderfully as a gentle exfoliator.
It also helps tone the skin and cleans the pores while removing the dead cells.
The product keeps the skin hydrated and does not let it dry out. 

Pros

It works on all skin types.

There are no similar products in the Indian market.

It has a soothing smell.

One bottle will last you for quite a while.

Cons 

It can not be used a substitute to a daily scrub or toner.

The application process could get a little messy.

It is slightly expensive.

My Verdict

All in all I feel this is a great product. Innisfree is an amazing brand and this is one of their best sellers for a reason. Even though it is a little expensive, you are getting quite a lot of product for your money. Also every application only requires very little product. Since it works for all skin types, multiple family members can share this product. I personally suggest that you add this product to your weekly skin pamper routine.

That is all for this post. Hope you found it useful in some way. We will be back with a new post next week. If you have any suggestions or questions, leave it down as a comment. For regular updates, follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters/

Photography Credits: Ananya Khatri.

How To Get A Free MAC Lipstick.

Hey guys! Hope you all had an amazing festive week. It has been 6 months since we started Compact Matters. We would like to thank each one of you who has ever taken out time from your schedule to read Compact Matters. It means the world to us.

In this week’s post, we will talk about the BACK TO M.A.C Program. If you are a MAC regular, you probably already know this but for those of you who don’t, continue reading.

As a part of their CSR policy, MAC has been involved in recycling and waste management. You can help them in their noble initiative and earn yourself a free MAC lipstick in 3 simples steps. These steps also include some personal tips I use.

 Step 1

Collect 6 empty MAC containers. These are the primary packaging containers or the metallic/plastic containers that contained the product.The cardboard boxes are not required. These containers can be of any MAC products. Lipsticks, blushes, eyeshadows pans. They even accept the mini lip glosses. These products can be a few years old and that is not a problem at all. So NEVER throw MAC containers away. If you are not going to purchase any more MAC products, give the containers to a friend.

Step 2

Go to MAC store and get swatching. What I love about this program is not only do you get to do something good environmentally, but also you get to choose the shade of the lipstick you want. I personally like to search for a few colours online before I go to the store. MAC has a lot of lipsticks that fall into the same colour family so take your time and choose your colour.MAC has a beautiful range of colours with a lot of different finishes. There is a perfect lipstick for everyone.

At a MAC store, you are allowed to swatch colours on your lip as they sanitize the lipsticks for you. However I feel it is not practical to swatch every colour you like on your lips. So shortlist 2-3 shades and then probably go for a lip swatch.

The Viva Glam Lipsticks and the MAC Retro Liquid Lipsticks are not included in the program since 100% of their retail selling price is provided to organizations that help people with HIV/AIDS.

Step 3

After you have selected your shade, you take your empty containers to the payment counter. The sales person will check every container and hand you your brand new MAC lipstick absolutely free of cost.

I picked a shade called Craving which is neutral pink.

Lip swatch of Craving.

Hand swatch of Craving.

That is how simple it is to get a free lipstick from MAC.

That is all for this post. I hoped this post helped you and you will probably get yourself a free MAC lipstick very soon.

 For regular updates, follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters/

Photography Credits: Ananya Khatri.

5 Products You Must Carry In Your Bag During This Festive Season.

Hey guys! We hope you all are having a great weekend.  

This is the last post of the festive series. Thank you so much for the positive response, we will surely be back with more posts like these. 

Carrying a stylish bag with your outfit is a must but sometimes it does not have enough place for most of your makeup products, thus making you decide which products to carry and which to leave behind. Well, don't worry in todays post we will tell you about the 5 must have products which will easily fit in your bag.

 Compact 

Compact is one of the most essential products in your makeup kit. It helps you set your base and get a matte finish.Pressed powders are the best option as they are not messy and can be easily slipped into your bag.

Maybelline White Superfresh 12 Hour Whitening + Perfecting Compact retailed at Rs.150 .It is  super smooth,light and has a nice fragrance. It helps you get an even base without applying too many layers. This is a pretty slim compact and very travel friendly. It lasts for a long time and does not feel heavy at all.

You can check the complete review of this product here - 

http://compactmatters.blogspot.com/2016/08/powder-reviews-20.html

Kabuki Brush 

It is a small fluffy brush which can be used to apply compact or loose powder. You need to dab the brush in the compact and just swirl it on your face. It provides light coverage and evenly spreads the powder, without making your face look caked up.The kabuki brush is so small and sleek that it will easily fit into your purse. 

I have an H&M kabuki brush, which is very soft and dense. It easily spreads the powder and does not leave any strokes on my face. 

You can buy the PAC brush in the number 400 which costs Rs 850.

Kajal or Mascara

This festive season is a great excuse to take your makeup routine a notch up. Intensify your eyes with some kajal or mascara. They are two simple options which can help you get a dramatic look.

The Lakmé eyekonic Kajal which retails at Rs. 275, lasts long and does not smudge at all. It is pigmented and gets applied in one stroke itself. It is available in Black, Royal Blue, White , turquoise and grey.  The black kajal works best when you want a smokey or dramatic eye, however you can experiment with some blue and grey as well.

The L'Oreal Paris Kajal Magique which retails for Rs. 285 is one of the best kajals. It is super dark and smooth. Just like the Lakmé Eyekonic kajal, it lasts long and does not smudge. It is available in one one shade- black. 

Both these Kajals are really good and something i recommend.

The Maybelline Volum Expess Falsies retailed at Rs. 500 is one of my favourite mascaras. It defines and curls your lashes without any clumps. It is available in black, is waterproof and lasts long. It highlights your eyes as it provides length and volume to your lashes.

Swatch of L'Oreal Paris Kajal Magique & lakme eyekonic kajal 

Lipstick

 Your festive look will be incomplete without that perfect lipstick, and what better than a red lipstick. Red lipsticks go well with most indian outfits and always stand out. Matte or glossy, red lipsticks are always a good pick. They stand out among all and add an extra touch to your look. 

The NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick retails at Rs 475. The shade Fire Incendie is a great pick for this festive weekend. It   is pigmented, super smooth and gets applied in one go. It feels pretty light and has a slight shine which would go really well with your outfits. 

For the complete review of this product have a look at one of our previous posts- http://compactmatters.blogspot.com/2016/06/nyx-is-coming-to-india.html

Mini perfume

With all this dressing up, heavy outfits and family functions a perfume is a must. The few sprays applied just before leaving the house don't always last the entire evening thus carrying one in your bag helps a lot . Fitting a full sized perfume in your bag may be difficult so i would suggest you carry a mini perfume. It won't take much place, will be pretty light and will serve its purpose. 

Well, thats all for this post. We will be back with a new post soon.  Do follow our Facebook post for regular updates  https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters/

Photography Credits- Ananya Khatri 

Compact Matters wishes you and your family a very safe and happy Diwali. 

5 Products Under Rs.500 To Help You Look Your Best This Festive Season.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing great! Thank you for all the love you have given to the festive season series.

Trying to look your best can be a little heavy on your pocket during the festive season. However you don’t need to be worried. Compact Matters is here to your rescue. We have come up with a list of 5 products to help you glam up your look for the festive season.

PAC Pure Pigmented Eyeshadows retail for Rs.250 each. They are highly pigmented and perfect for this festive season. Since they are individually sold you can choose exactly the colour that go well with your outfit. An overall wash of only one colour is also more than sufficient to make your eyes pop. You do not need any brushes for these eyeshadows too. They apply well with your fingers as well. I have them in 12 and 16. If you would like to see the look I create with these for Diwali, follow me on my Instagram.

Swatches of PAC Pure Pigmented Eyeshadows in 12 and 16

Incolour Matte Me Lip Creams retail for Rs.200.These are dupes for the Sleek Matte Me lip creams. They have an amazing formula and dry totally matte within a minute. They have a variety of shades. However I love the shade 415. It is my go to colour when I do not have time to think and is always in my bag. I would prefer these over the Miss Claire lip creams that are also very popular.

Sivanna Colors Shimmer Brick retails for Rs.350. A lot of brands have similar shimmer bricks like Bobbi Brown and Revlon. However at less than half the price, the Sivanna Shimmer Brick does exactly the same thing like any of them. You can use it as a highlighter, blush, bronzer or even eyeshadow. You can use individual shades, mix a few of them or just swirl your brush around all of them.It is available in a few shades that complement the Indian skin tone really well. This shade is 04.

L’Oreal Mat Magique Powder retails for Rs.400. It is available in 5 shades. For people who do not like wearing a foundation or a BB cream, this is the product they should go for. It provides reasonable coverage, has high longevity and helps your skin stay matte for long hours. The packaging is neat and it comes with a mirror and an applicator. The only downside of this product is that it has SPF 34 which may not photograph well.

Nykaa Nail Enamel retails between Rs.150 to 200 depending on the range. I absolutely love the Nykaa Nail Enamel. They have an amazing quality and a huge variety in terms of colour range. They do not chip off easily. They apply extremely smoothly. I personally own 17 of these and want to add some more colours to my collection. This shade is Lavender Drizzle.This product was recently awarded at the Elle Beauty awards as well.

Swatch of Incolour Matte Me Lip Cream in 415 and Nykaa Nail Enamel in Lavender Drizzle

That is all for this post. Comment below and let us know if you will be using any of these products for your Diwali look.

 Hope you have a prosperous and green Diwali with your loved ones.

 For regular updates, follow our Facebook page

Photography Credits: Ananya Khatri.

5 Products Worth Splurging This Festive Season.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing good.

The festive season is coming soon and I love this time of the year. It is just an excuse to pamper yourself and your loved ones.There are certain products that all of us have an eye on for a while and this season is the best rationalization we come up with to treat ourselves.

I have come up with a list of 5 items that are worth the splurge.

The NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Pallete retails for Rs.2000. This is a highly versatile pallete and has it 8 shades. It has 4 contour shades with which you can play around and create a contour of the intensity of your choice. You can also use these shades to give some depth to your eyes or just define your crease. It has 2 highlighting shades, similar in shade but different in intensity. It also has a setting powder and a banana powder, which works amazingly to set the under eye area. Even though this product is a little steep for a drugstore product, it is totally worth it and has been compared to some pricey high end palletes.

The Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate for Rs.3800 for 30ml.This product is magic in a bottle.It works for every skin type in every weather. It is a serum that repairs your skin and makes it glow.It has a neutral fragrance and the application is totally easy. You can check out our review on The Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate.
 (http://compactmatters.blogspot.com/2016/09/kiehls-midnight-recovery-concentrate.html)

Benefit’s Porefessional Primer retails for Rs.2860 for 22ml. If you are having a good skin day, this product is all you need. Just a pea size amount of this product is more than enough to blur all your imperfections. The primer sets the base for your entire make up. Even when you have 10 layers of different products on your face, this primer ensures that your face does not look caked up. 

MAC Lipsticks retail for Rs.1450. Ever since I was a little girl, I completely adored MAC lipsticks. MAC has a beautiful range of shades with amazing formulation. They have some classic shades that are must haves. Ruby Woo is classic red shade with blue undertones that can amp up a simple outfit.Velvet Teddy is a My Lips But Better shade that was made popular by Kylie Jenner way before her liquid lipsticks hit the market. However I find it a little pale for my skintone and prefer to use Mehr which has a slight pink tone to it. Snob is another classic shade which falls in between Velvet Teddy and Mehr.

Lip swatch for Velvet Teddy.

Lip swatch for Mehr.

Lip swatch for Ruby Woo.

Swatches of Velvet Teddy, Mehr and Ruby Woo. ( Top to bottom)

The Make Up Forever 5 Camouflage Cream Palette retails for Rs.3500. It includes 5 cream concealers with 3 colour correctors in salmon, lavender and mint green. Most of us have certain discoloured patches on our face that may or may not be permanent. This palette gives you a range of concealers that you can use to cover up any blemishes. If you want to know more about colour correcting, you check out our post. (http://compactmatters.blogspot.com/2016/05/colour-correcting-101.html)

That is all for this post. Hope you have a prosperous and green Diwali with your loved ones.

 For regular updates, follow our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/compactmatters/

Photography Credits: Brinda Khatri and Shivam Bhatt.