Lancôme Miracle Air de Teint Foundation

Top & Rings- Forever21

Ever since I started using make up, I was always picky about my foundations. But as I got lured further into the beauty world, I came across so many different products that not only intrigued me but also seemed to suit several requirements. As a result, I have now ended up with what looks like a mock collection, with a foundation for less coverage, a foundation for full coverage, a foundation for when I'm shooting/filming and so on. But on a daily basis, I really don't have the time to meddle into all this because I'm usually running late and I only have 5 minutes to spare on the make up aspect.

I prefer using a light weight foundation on an everyday basis as the Mumbai humidity makes me want to cringe at the thought of caking up. Which is why Lancôme's new Miracle Air de Teint foundation intrigued me. I was kindly sent a sample to try it out for myself and see if it did what it claims. I am partial to pretty packaging and this bottle did it for me! The dropper seemed like a delightful touch while making sure that you don't end up wasting too much product. The consistency of the foundation is very light, almost velvety. If I'm in a hurry, I'll use my fingers to blend it out all over my face and that works fantastically. However, if I have a few extra minutes to spare, I'll use my Sephora air brush finish brush to fix it up. I've noticed that, using a brush does give a slightly fuller coverage, if that interests you. The foundation works best for those who are looking at merely evening out their complexion while blurring out those minuscule flaws that seems to haunt us all. It has a semi-matte finish which works wonderfully for me as I have a Combination to Oily skin type. I prefer not to use powder over it as it sets quickly on it's own and lasts a fair amount of time too.

Now let's talk about the other aspects. The foundation does have a slight scent which settles within a few seconds of application. The colour options are vast and you can visit any Lancôme store to perfectly match yourself to the foundation. It's a non-comedogenic formula which makes it appropriate for regular use. If you have slightly drier skin, I would suggest using a good moisturizer before you apply this. For me, I put it right over top of my sunscreen. I have fairly sensitive skin but this foundation has not broken me out or caused any other issue so I am quite impressed!

So if you're looking to try out a new foundation or if you're looking at investing in a foundation for everyday use, this is a good one. In retrospect, it is easy to blend, light weight and a fairly long lasting foundation which makes it perfect for looking presentable everyday without all the hassle. You can visit a Lancôme store to feel the texture and try it out! If you have already tried the foundation before or plan do it over the weekend, don't forget to comment below and tell what you think of it. Also, do let me know if you guys would like me to do more beauty reviews!

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#MakeoverMarathon

Last weekend on Valentine's Day, I had the chance to host and join the Makeover Marathon with Shoppers Stop at Inorbit Mall. It was a huge set up with some of the most luxurious and incredible make-up brands like YSL, Dior, Lancome, Guerlain, Shiseido and Elizabeth Arden displaying their products! People were free to walk in and get makeovers for the special day, accompanied with some tips from the national make-up artists who flew down specially for the makeover marathon. While they went through the process, we discussed everything from their everyday make-up routine to fashion to what they're doing tonight! Each of them had a story to tell and it was wonderful assisting them through the makeover.

Later on, I too had the opportunity to try out some coveted products from these amazing brands. I went through each brand, one by one and discovered so many new products that I'd like to add to my collection! At the Guerlain booth, I was drawn to their quintessential Terracotta bronzers and the Meteorites Perles light-diffusing primer which gave my skin such a flawless finish and acted as the perfect base for any kind of foundation. I then moved on to the Dior counter where I had to try the Creme de Rose lip balm because I have been trying to get my hands on this hyped lip product but it seems to be sold out everywhere, every time! The texture is amazing and even though it may not seem that life changing when you first apply it, in an hour, you'll be addicted. It makes your lips baby soft and gives them a slight pink tint. I also tried out their Nude compact powder, which is now added to my wishlist! Next I hit up the Lancome and YSL counters, where I touched up with some of my all time favourite products like the Lancome Hypnose drama Mascara, the YSL touche eclat and the YSL rouge volupte lipstick in No.9!

All in all it was a wonderful experience, almost like existing in a beauty dream land where you could play with some of the best products from the best beauty brands in the world! It was also lovely meeting all the wonderful ladies who stopped by. Hope you guys are having a wonderful weekend! To see what I wore to the makeover marathon, head over to my Instagram account!

Next week, get ready for all the 5 outfits I styled for the Clarks Uncovered Project from Monday to Friday!

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How To: Curl It Up

Glam Styler & Blow dryer- Philips Kerashine range, Heat Protectant- Tresemme, Curl Booster- The Body Shop, Old clips, On my lips- Please me by Mac

You know those days when you're in a hurry but you'd also like to look a little different but you really can spare just 10 minutes on your hair before you have to rush out that door? I have a little secret for you! I was sent over the Philips Kerashine range last month and I have been experimenting with it since. Out of all the tools they sent, I was very keen on the Glam Styler! One, because I have never seen a similar looking styling tool before and second because it claimed to give me that just-out-of-bed-but-fabulous hair. I have really long hair at the moment, so it takes me anywhere between 20-30 minutes to style it all but it took me exactly 10 minutes to achieve this causal, laid back yet chic look! It not only got rid of the excess frizz but also added volume, softness and shine due to the Keratin infused properties. I know it's almost too good to believe so I'm giving away one Glam Styler to a lucky winner! All you have to do to win it is :

- Comment below and tell me why you should win this amongst everyone else!

- Don't forget to Tweet your anwsers to me @aayushibangur with the hastag #glamstylerbemine

-I will announce the winner on the 27th February on my Facebook Page

Now on to how I achieved this look using some simple steps.

What you need:- 

The Philips Glam Styler

Heat protectant

Any Curl booster serum/cream

Small clips

Hairbrush

Blow dryer

Steps :-

1) Assemble everything you need to get started.

2) After washing your hair, spray some heat protectant before you use any styling tools. Even though the Kerashine range protects your hair from damage unlike other tools, I would do it for saftey.

3) Blow dry your hair, if needed. You can even achieve this look with second day hair.

4) Divide your hair into sections so that you can quickly and effectively curl your hair.

5) I prefer using The Body Shop Curl Booster cream because it helps the curl to hold better and stay for longer. And it smells really good!

6) Brush a section with the Glam Styler and once you reach the end, start rolling the section up and hold it for about 30-45 seconds depending on your hair length.

7) Twist the top to retract the bristles and softly roll out the hair. Repeat the same steps on all the sections and voila!

I love this look for everyday or those days when I need to get to a meeting or an event and I don't have the time to do my hair or visit a salon! You can even achieve tighter curls by taking smaller sections or holding each section for longer! I am absolutely addicted to this & am so glad that I was introduced to it! Enter the contest and you can have one of your own. 

Goodluck!

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Back To Basics (Beauty Edition) : Mascara

Lancome Hypnose Drama, Maybelline Falsies, Mac Haute and Naughty Too Black Lash, Lancome Hypnose Precious cell,Rimmel's The Max Volume Flash

If one day, I was asked to give up all my makeup and take just one thing from it, I would pick Mascara! I got introduced to this genius of a product 2 years back and I swear, since then it has never left my side. Mascara according to me is a product that instantly elevates your look. So today, I shall take you into my world of Mascara. Are you ready?

Why does one need a Mascara?
Well, who doesn't like pretty looking eyes and fluttering them eyelashes? Mascara lifts your lashes, opening up your eyes which gives the illusion of bigger eyes. I love the fact that a Mascara not only adds that perfect finishing touch to any look but it even works on it's own. There are days when I can't be bothered to do a full face of makeup so I stick to three things- concealer, a Chubby Stick and mascara. Does that do the trick? Most certainly! So if you are a beginner in makeup, I suggest you go get a mascara today and I promise, your life will change for ever.

How to apply?
Now, I know it can look a bit intimidating at first but trust me it's no rocket science. Just follow some rules to get perfect, non-clumpy lashes. When applying Mascara to your top lashes, put your chin slightly up, look straight and coat your lashes. Start from the outward end and work your way in. Where as when applying it to your lower lashes, put you chin down, look ahead and slowly coat the lower lashes. Don't worry about the weird faces you make while applying mascara, as it turns out, that weirdness actually relaxes your face which helps you to effectively apply the product without blinking too much! Use a eye lash curler for an even better end result.

What to keep in mind while buying a Mascara?
Mascara's today cater to all your needs. There are one's that focus on giving Volume, there are some which add length whereas some work on both. Waterproof and Non-waterproof options are available in almost all of them so you can pick what you want! For me, I love fuller lashes so, I am always on the hunt for a good voluminous mascara. Remember, the wands with plastic bristles will give you a more dramatic look where as a wand with natural bristles will give you a softer yet defined look. So depending on your lashes and the kind of look you are going for, pick one that suits your needs the best. However, if you're buying a waterproof mascara, I suggest you buy a makeup remover along with it!

What I recommend and use?
I've tried a lot of  mascara's till date. I usually have 4 mascara's open at any given point of time! However I suggest not doing that, as mascara's dry out within 2-6 months. Maybelline makes the best low cost mascara's! The Colossal Volume Express is an all time favourite! I've also fallen in love with their fairly new Falsies mascara. However these mascaras dry up within 2 months! On the higher end, I swear by Lancome's Hypnose Drama for a night time look, where as the Hypnose Precious Cells works great for the day. The Lancome mascara's last me for a good 4-6 months! However, my current favourite is the new Haute and Naughty Too Black Lash mascara by Mac. A few other's that I've tried before and completely recommend are Dior Show, YSL Shocking mascara, Clinique Volumized, Benefit They're Real on the higher end and L'oreal's Volume Million lashes, Rimmel's Max Volume Flash and Nyx's Doll eye mascara on the lower end!

Do try these out and let me know what you think! And, I love to try new mascara's all the time so if you have a favourite please comment below or Facebook or Tweet them to me and I'll make sure to try them!

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Back to Basics (Beauty Edition) : Foundation

Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup(2WN1),Clinique Even Better Foundation(#03),Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua(B30),Mac pro longwear(NC40)

Flawless looking skin is one of the most coveted things. An efficient skincare routine, healthy eating habits and a good foundation play equal parts in achieving it. This post is for those of you who, have the first two in control but can't seem to find that perfect foundation. So here's some help.

Why does one need a Foundation?

Foundation when applied correctly can help create envious looking skin. Everyone has skin problems, be it in the form of hyper pigmentation, redness, dry patches, scars or blemishes. A foundation can even out your skin tone and cover up those tiny imperfections. It also acts as a base for the rest of your makeup, so if you want your makeup to last longer and look flawless, investing in a good foundation is a must.

How to apply?

I personally prefer using my fingers to apply my foundation. I feel like that gives me perfect control on the amount of  product I want to distribute throughout my face and if I need to focus more on covering specific areas, I can easily tackle that. It's very important that your foundation looks well blended. I start from the center of my face and then move in the outward direction. If you're not comfortable using your hands, feel free to use a stippling brush or a basic foundation brush. You could even use cosmetic sponges which are easily available at any beauty store.

What to keep in mind when buying a Foundation?

When heading out to buy a foundation, there a few things we all need to be aware of. First and the most important, skin tone. A wrong foundation shade is a complete faux pas and that's not a pit you want to fall into. It's essential that you keep your skin and undertones in mind to find that perfect shade match. For example, most Indian skin tones have a yellow undertone so its important that you go with a foundation shade with yellow tones. If you have a pink or olive undertone, pick something accordingly. 

Next, skin type. There are various foundations available in the market today that are specifically targeted towards different skin types :- oily, dry or combination. So while buying a foundation, pick one that suits your skin type. For example, I have combination skin. My t-zone is oily and the rest of the face is normal. So I cannot go for a foundation which is meant for dry skin as that would make my t-zone even more oily. On the other hand, if you have normal to dry skin, longer wearing foundations could make your skin drier which may result in break outs. So make sure you pick a foundation that not only is the right shade but also suits your skin type.

Lastly, you need to be sure of the kind of coverage you want. Foundations today range from light to medium to heavy coverage. So you can pick a foundation depending on your need. For example, for my everyday foundation, I prefer using a light to medium coverage foundation as it's perfect to even out my skin and doesn't feel heavy throughout the day. Whereas for the night time and events, I prefer using a foundation with a heavier coverage. If you're a beginner and can't decide what coverage to go for, I suggest you pick a light to medium coverage foundation. You can use it during the day and build it up in the night time for a heavier coverage. 

What do I recommend and use?

I've gotten into makeup only recently. I don't mind compromising on other products with shorter shelf lives like mascaras, lip gloss,etc. but I always make sure to invest in a good foundation. I've been an ardent user of the MAC pro longwear foundation. It gives medium to heavy coverage and as the name suggests, lasts for a long time. The Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua and the Estee Lauder Invisible fluid makeup are perfect day time foundations. They give you light to medium coverage and feel so good on your skin. The finish is dewy and flawless. The most recent one that I tried is the Clinique Even Better foundation. This foundation is perfect for some of us who are fed up of those stubborn marks as it not only covers them but also treats them and eventually helps them to fade. So if you have problematic skin, this foundation will work wonders for you.

I also recommend getting a sample before you buy the full size product. Most of these brands would willingly give you a sample to try which will help you decide on whether you like the coverage or to see if the shade matches your skin perfectly. If you're going to spend a bomb on these products you might as well be a 100% sure.

I hope this helps you. I am no makeup expert. This is just my personal opinion. I have learnt a lot through trial and error, so I thought of sharing my experiences and tips with you which could help you find your perfect foundation.

Next time : Blushes

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A date with the hairstylist

I always get surrounded by questions about my hair and I even did a blog post showing you the products I that I swear by for my daily routine. I recently visited the salon for a haircut and this time over, we decided to give you a sneak peek!I used to stick to one hair salon, but now I like experimenting and discovering new places. I get my hair cut every 4-5 months. My hair is extremely long and so sometimes I tend to have dry/split ends that I have to get rid of. This time, I even wanted to add some more layers to my hair to improve it's texture. My hairstylist used all Moroccanoil products and that just made me happier. She introduced to me to the Glimmer Shine spray, which is the best shine spray ever! A new haircut always feels good and refreshes your look. I hope you guys enjoyed the video.

(You can buy MoroccanOil products from www.feelunique.com)

Hairstylist & Salon owner- Ishita Thakkar
Shot & Edited by N7Photography

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Top 5 favourite lipstick brands

I was never into makeup products like I am now. It's been almost 2 years since I first started collecting makeup and learnt about the techniques and tools to be used. It's definitely something that intrigues me a lot and now I end up spending a lot of my money on it.
As I got more and more into it, I also figured out how certain brands are better with certain products or simple things like shelf lives of a product and how to spend less money on things like Mascara which can only last you a maximum of 3 months and more on products with a longer shelf life.
My all time favourite make up products would have to be a good concealer, a voluminousness mascara and a bright lipstick! These are 3 things that I cannot live without. I have collected quite a few lipsticks- some high end and some drug store, over the years. Here are my top 5 lipstick brands :-

1) Maybelline

They make such amazing products at such affordable prices. I love their lip products! I own a few of their  lipsticks and Pink Petal is by far my favourite shade from Maybelline. They cost somewhere around Rs.300 and smell amazing (if you care for that). The packaging is alright, not my favourite but it works out. All in all you get more than what you pay for and if you are a lipstick lover like me, you must try these!

2) Revlon

Revlon is such an amazing brand just generally. I love their mascaras, their nail polishes, their lip glosses and of course the lipsticks! They make some absolutely wonderful finishes in gorgeous colours. They range anywhere between Rs.400-600 and usually have a sleek black packaging. My favourite Revlon colours have to be Coral and Pink Pout. Both of them look gorgeous on a skin tone like mine and stay on for a good amount of time! So next time you're at the mall don't forget to check out the Revlon counter!
( I can't wait for their Lip Butters to launch in India. I picked up two of them on my recent Holiday and I absolutely love them!)

3) MAC

Mac by far has the most amazing colour range as far as lipsticks go. They do about 5 finishes out of which Amplified and Creme sheen's are my favourites! Everytime I go to a Mac store, I want to buy more lipsticks! It's kind of a problem. But they are so amazing. Not only do they have a sleek packaging and delicious smell but they are also moisturizing and last on my lips for a decent amount of time. The darker colours tend to stay on better though. They are priced at Rs.990 unless they are from a limited edition collection. My favourites would have to Impassioned, Russian Red and Chatterbox. Do try them if you love wearing lipsticks and want to invest in some good one's. Mac also has a back to mac policy, in which you can take back 6 empty product containers and get a Free lipstick in return! Bonus points!

4) Chanel

Chanel is one of my favourite cosmetic brands. Their products smell so good and every time I use Chanel products, it just makes me happier. Their lipsticks are not the best but they are pretty good. I am not a big fan of their finishes and colour palettes but every now and then I do find a shade I love. They cost around Rs.2000 and are definitely not something I indulge in all the time! Their lip glosses are pretty awesome too. Pluses, they are super moisturizing, smell SO good and I love the packaging. Minuses, over priced.

5) Nyx/ Colorbar

Okay so these 2 brands rank the same for me! They are both amazing and cost the least out of all the brands I've mentioned above. I love the Nyx Matte lipsticks and their Soft Matte lip Creams! I had ordered so many from www.beautyjoint.com( btw, you can get a discount on this site if you use the code- STYLEDRIVE at checkout) last year and since then I have received a compliment every single time I've worn them in person or even in my outfit posts! Their packaging is pretty good but what I love the most is the colour pay off of their lipsticks! Another amazing thing is that their Matte lipsticks are not drying unlike most brands. Really good stuff!

As for Colorbar, I own 3 of their lipsticks and they are all so good! Not a big fan of their packaging but I love their wide range of colors and the fact that they are so affordable! My favourite shade would have to be Smokey Rose.

So these are my top 5 favourite lipstick/lip product brands! Which is your favourite lipstick brand? I love lipsticks and I enjoy trying new shades all the time, so do leave a comment below and tell me if know of a  shade that you think I should try!

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