Play! by Sephora ::: October 2016!!!

For a welcome change, this month’s play was actually good. All of the items were relatively new and has been getting positive hype :-) I am quite excited about all 5 items in this box actually. Lets start with a product that I already have and love :-)

Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in “Driver’s Seat”: I bought this formula a while ago in the limited edition shade “Bawse” (check review here). This is a deluxe size tube which is actually a very good size for lipstick hoarders like me. I absolutely loved that they kept the applicator is same as the regular size one. The sharp edges of the diamond shape applicator makes it super easy to line my lips and fill it in! The shade is a beautiful peachy-mauve shade. It has more of warm orange type of undertone than a mauvy pink one! I can definitely wear it but personally I prefer shades a little bit deeper on my skin-tone.  

The Estee Edit Flash Photo Gloss: Another product that I really liked. It is quite glossy but in a very good way! I have applied it over the Smashbox lipstick and I kid you not, the combo stayed the whole day. It survived breakfast, lunch, a few snacks and of course multiple cups of water. It did not feather or bleed or loose pigmentation and the gloss stayed the entire time. It is not sticky at all. I am really loving it. I did try it over a bite lip pencil but it disappeared about middle of the day.

All these 3 products below I have not tried yet. My skin took a major hit with the 3 week vacation in India. It was very hot, I think that agitated my skin and now there are pimples all over my face. So, I am giving my skin a much-needed break. But I, absolutely am excited about all 3 of these.

Erborian Bamboo Crepe Frappe: What a name! :-) It’s a Korean brand so I have high hopes. It’s a tiny sample though!

Farmacy Skin Dew Mist: This is probably the most exciting product for me. It is a skin mist that can be used to freshen or set makeup. I am really looking forward to using it. 

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask: In my mind, you can never have enough hair mask. However, I got my hair chemically smoothened recently so I am a little hesitant to use it right now! But I will definitely use it in a few months. Depending on the size, this will last me 3 to 4 times.

Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris: it described as a scent with fruity and floral notes over a musky base. I am not a fan! It feels a bit dated for my preference.

Overall, I was really happy to find all these products in my box! What do you think?

Love,

~Arrru

Review & Swatches ::: Essie Fall Mini Collection 2016

I am currently in India for vacation. While shopping for gifts, my mom asked for  a few different nailpolishes. I looked around for options and figured that this was the best set - varsity and cost-wise!! :-)

I reviewed last year's Essie Fall mini Collection (click here to read the review) and I still love us in some of the shades from time to time.

This set has 4 mini polishes with 0.16 oz of products in each for a total cost of $18. I think this is a good deal as you get to try 4 shades in the price of 2. Personally for me, minis work best as I can nurture my hope about finishing the bottle at some point of time. I cannot say the same for a full-size bottle!
















Here are the shades:

Playing Koi: Without any doubt, this is a unique shade. It is a very muted autumny orange kind of shade. Almost, like a pumpkin. :-) Very good formula, one application was enough for getting an even layer. 2 application definitely got me a better look. There was no streak as well.

Maki Me Happy: Now this is a very common shade. Quite a deep crimson red shade, in fact last Fall set also had somewhat of a similar shade. Same thick, nice consistincy for the formula. One coat was enough, but I just feel better with 2 coats.

Kimono Over: Another gorgeous shade with excellent formula, the picture was taken with one coat only whereas rest were 2 coats. It is not an innovative color at all, but it is such an excellent formula that it makes me want to buy the shade for myself.

Udon Know Me: This is not a fall shade per se! But its a gorgeous pale blue. I dont feel conscious or aware when I wear this to work, typically blue is a bit much for me to wear to work. (I still do it though!) :-) This is the weakest formula among this four. It went a bit streaky on the first layer so the second layer was important to get a nice and even application.

I dont know why, but Essie polishes (actually, more or less every polish) chips off at the very tip of my nails. It happend to me this time as well. I wore Udon know me and granted that I was cleaning the house that day, but yeah it chips a very little the second day. These are quite shiny and the shine lasts for 3-4 days before starting to fade. Apart from few minor chips, rest looked OK! It surely did lose the shine after 4-5 days!

My mom seemed to be happy with the shades! Now the question is what shade to wear for the big, fat wedding next week :-)