Hello fellow Bloggers and beautiful Bloggees!

I ordered a new face wash from Sephora the other day, and when it arrived, my package contained several deluxe samples, including a Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, which I was simply thrilled to receive.

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

I’ve been dying to use a mask for a few weeks now, because while my skin is looking pretty decent, I needed a little boost. I’ve had a light smattering of blackheads across the tip of my nose, and my complexion is a little dull right now. When I saw the little black tube, I couldn’t even wait to try it! But I did. Because I’m a freak about reading other people’s opinions on things. Instead of my go-to, of other blogs, I decided to read through the 18 billion reviews for the mask on Sephora’s website. Things ranged from it burning their skin and peeling off hair like wax, and it being the most luxurious thing to ever grace the face. Since I couldn’t come to a decision one way or the other, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.

I washed my face and allowed it to dry. I used lukewarm water for this, as I had already washed my face today, but had my DermaDoctor DD Cream on that I wanted removed before I used any other treatment. I didn’t want to be too harsh on my poor, sensitive skin.

Above: I washed my face, but left my eye makeup and brows done since I wouldn’t be applying the mask on or around that area.

After my skin had dried completely, I looked at how to use the product. According to specialists and most of the reviews that I read, you needed to apply a fairly thick layer in order to get the full benefit. It had a tar-like consistency and I used most of the sample. I might get one more use out of it. The full size is 2.8 oz for $34.00 on Sephora. The sample I received is 0.7 oz. I would imagine that you would get around 8 uses from a full size bottle. Which is fair enough for the price. This isn’t the type of mask I would spread to my neck and decolletage, as I feel the skin there is too sensitive and thin, and might become irritated or even end up with micro abrasions from peeling it off.

Boscia Luminizing Mask

Above: The product as it looks when you squeeze it onto your fingertips.

The mask is deepest black, giving you the impression of having tar smeared across your face. I  It’s a pretty shocking look. The mask spread well enough, but it was difficult to get it even everywhere. I found that using cold water to rinse it off of my fingers worked far better than using warm or hot. It just melted away. I can’t stress enough how thick this is, and that you really, really don’t want to get it near your hairline, or if you have sideburns. I focused on the center of my face, since my nose is my biggest problem area right now. Also, with all masks, be careful if you have facial piercings! You don’t ever want to get any kind of mask stuck in those, as it can lead to infection.

Boscia Mask Complete

Above: As you can see, it’s a very surprising thing to see staring back at you in a mirror.

I carefully avoided my eye, brow, lip and nostril areas to ensure I wouldn’t wind up irritated. Now it was time to let the magic work. You’re supposed to use this for 20-30 minutes, or until dry. At about the 10 minute mark, I noticed it tightening up around my lips and on my nose and forehead, the places where it was applied in a less thick layer. I also noticed my eyes watering uncontrollably. The mask has a strange odor, which reminds me of pickled ginger, that you’d get with sushi! The smell didn’t bother me so much, as vinegar is one of my Holy Grail items, and that’s what it reminded me of, but my eyes hated it! The fumes irritated me until the mask dried up completely. However, they weren’t red, just watery.

At around the 25 minute mark, I tapped my fingers lightly around my face, checking to see that it was dry everywhere. It seemed even, so I smiled my biggest smile in order to get the corners worked up, and began peeling. I always start at the bottom of my face and work my way up. When I smile, it peels up around my lips and I’m able to have a good starting point. The first thing I noticed was it was really, really attached. Not that pieces were left behind. This thing peeled off, for the most part, in one large sheet. I’ve rarely had peel off masks stay together so well upon removal. As I did this, I checked out the part of the mask that had been attached to my face. And ew. Ew, ew, ew. There was so much gunk, little tiny hairs, dead skin cells, flaky bits…I could not BELIEVE the amount of garbage in my pores! My poor face! Anyways, even though it was a very stuck-on mask, it didn’t aggravate me at all. I have sensitive skin, but I would say if you have papery or thin skin, AVOID THIS AT ALL COSTS. You’ll most likely end up tearing your face and going all red and splotchy. My face stayed its normal Tim Burton White tone throughout the entire removal. I noticed in one or two spots on my cheeks, the product hadn’t dried completely, so I let that sit for another five minutes or so. There were a few little bits and pieces that hadn’t come up, and I took a washcloth with cold water and gently wiped them away. They came right off, no problem. I removed the rest of the mask and went to check out my face!

After

Above: After using the mask, my skin is a lot brighter!

As you can see, my skin has lost a lot of the dull, lifeless look from the first shot. Also, this was immediately after removing the mask, so while my face may not be bright red, it’s a little pink in spots due to the washcloth. However, my skin has brightened up considerably! I did a serious nose check, and I didn’t see a single blackhead. Most of the fine hairs covering my face were gone, which is a plus in my book, but you may enjoy your peach fuzz. I was quite pleased with the final result.

Above: Direct sunlight, up close, further back, and in the shade. All photographs were taken outdoors to have the most natural light.

Verdict

Packaging: 8/10 – I guess I’m going to have to get over hating tubes of product, because that’s what people keep coming out with. This wasn’t bad though. A very simple black tube with white writing on it. Since this was just a sample, I didn’t receive a box with it.

Look of Product: 10/10 –  Okay, I’m a sucker for funky masks. I like green ones, gray ones, black ones, red ones…You name it. And this is one of my favorite looks. The pitch black, shiny mask is just…neat.

Smell of Product: 3/10 – Alright, I know I said above that I don’t mind the smell of pickled ginger, which is what this smelled like, seriously, but the fumes irritated my eyes to the point where I considered just removing the mask and scrapping the whole project. It’s the main thing that would keep me from purchasing a full size, but it may not stop me completely.

Texture of Product: 8/10 – While it’s not bad, it’s incredibly thick and tar-like. This can make it difficult to apply evenly. I didn’t mind too much, as it wasn’t tacky like some masks I’ve tried, that feel like glue. This was a whole different can of worms. In a way, it reminded me more of a homemade honey avocado mask, just because it didn’t pull when applying, but it was just so heavy!

Using Product: 8.5/10 – I’m conflicted here. I already put above, in the Smell of Product category, that the fumes irritated my eyes. So I’ll go ahead and give it this rating, because other than that, the mask felt really luxurious on my face. It was like I went somewhere and got a facial! I didn’t tingle or burn as with some masks, and even when it dried, it never felt too tight.

After Using Product: 10/10 – My skin was bright, my blackheads were gone, the excess oil on my nose left, and it livened up my dull complexion. Peeling the mask off may end up being harsh for some people, so be careful! My skin is sensitive, but it’s thick, and I use a collagen booster so it keeps it from getting papery.

Overall Result: 7.91/10

Not bad, Boscia! Highly recommended! Now this is all with the caveat that you have a skin type close to mine. That you can handle pulling something like this off of your face. Imagine duct tape. Now imagine pulling it off of your upper lip. Can you handle that? I would recommend purchasing this product in its full size if you’re okay with that one thing. It definitely illuminated my skin and it removed all the gunk from my pores. I think my skin looks and feels really nice right now, very light and very clean. I stress the importance of using cold water to remove from your hands, or any that’s left on your face. And if your eyes begin to burn, don’t be a martyr unless you’re a blogger like me. Take it off. 

What do you think? Have you tried Boscia Luminizing Black Mask before? Have you tried other black masks? What would you like to see next? And as always, thanks for reading!

Garnier Light Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roll On Review

Garnier Light Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roll On Review

Finally! I have got to try a product which I have been wanting to try for more than a year (remember my crazy wishlist post here?)

Garnier Light Anti-Dark Circle Roll On with Pure Lemon Essence, Caffeine & Mineral Pigments claims to refresh eyes and brighten dark circles. It is also fragrance-free and dermatologically & opthalmologically tested.

Shade ~  Medium

Texture is liquid-like and runny- like thin water color. On my eyes below. Please excuse the lash gluestuck on my lashes. It's a pain to remove!

Without Garnier Roll On

A little amount used

Blended

The Good:

♥  Love the cooling effect it gives especially when my eyes are very strained.

♥  It does brighten up my eyes.

♥  It de-puffs eye bags (see pic above).

♥  The skin soaks it up really quickly (which might not be a good thing at times)

♥  You don't need to set it with powder since it dries to a matte finish.

♥  Cute & convenient packaging.

♥  Inexpensive.

The Bad:

-  It is hard to blend without an eye cream underneath.

-  Roller ball & tip gets really messy (see 1st pic)

-  I doubt the sheer consistency of this would cover major dark circles.

-  Layering it makes it look uneven & flaky. Like applying foundation on top of powdered face.

-  Shade selection might be a problem for some. Even Medium is a tad too light for me. It is also available in Light & Dark, I'm assuming, although they weren't available at the store.

- It won't be suitable for undereyes with lots of lines and wrinkles because it will creep into them. Especially since it dries to a matte-almost-powdery finish, the lines are emphasized when I smile/crinkle my eyes.

-  I'm also afraid it'll cause more lines around my eyes. After this, I decided that I'll apply only creamy stuff under my eyes. Maybe I'll mix this with a cream concealer next time.

*Compare 'Without Roll On' & 'Blended' pics. You'll see that the fine lines are more noticeable in the latter.

To sum it up, it is a product in which the cons outweigh the pros for me personally, and I will not repurchase. I wanted to love it so much but I realized an extra layer of liquid foundation under my eyes looks much better and most importantly, even.

Review: NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow in Club Crawl

Review: NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow in Club Crawl

I've had my eye on Club Crawl since I very first posted about the new-for-2014 eyeshadow singles from NYX last year. I actually ordered this shadow from Ulta back in March and I almost forgot to review it! I rushed to get this up today so that, if you want it, you can get it for 40% off online and in-store at Ulta (sale ends Saturday, 7/5). Instead of paying $4.49, you'll pay $2.69 this week (and there are 87 other shades in the range in case this one isn't to your liking).

NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow in Club Crawl

(retail: $4.49, 0.053 oz)

Made in People's Republic of China

Safety seal

How cute is that bow?

Obviously the packaging looks very much like MAC (with the addition of that adorable bow). Standard MAC eyeshadows contain 0.05 oz. of product for $15, whereas these NYX shadows contain 0.053 oz. for $4.49. But the diameter of the pans looks almost identical to my eye. So if you de-pot these, they should fit in any of your palettes that you would normally use for MAC shadow singles. 

The photo above does not really show you the fine iridescent glitter that runs throughout this shadow. Here's a macro:

Without primer, this is a cool-toned taupe-ish gray with reddish-purple undertones. It has decent pigmentation but it's a bit sheer without primer. It's also more of a satin finish without primer. Over primer, this shadow develops into a darker, shimmery gunmetal. There is a lot of iridescent glitter that you can't see above, so here's a photo I took in lower lighting--it's intentionally blurry because it's easier for my camera to pick up glitter when things are blurry:

Next, a comparison:

NYX Club Crawl vs. MAC Satin Taupe

(both shadows swatched on top of primer)

MAC Satin Taupe is a shimmery, warm-toned taupe. I wanted to show it to you next to Club Crawl not because I thought they might be dupes, but because I think this helps give you some perspective as to just how cool-toned Club Crawl really is when worn over primer.

All three swatches

Overall, this is a nice shadow, but not what I was expecting. I thought it would be more of a true, cool-toned taupe, but it actually looks more like gunmetal when worn over primer. I also had no idea that it contained fine iridescent glitter, which isn't something I like to contend with when it comes to my daytime looks (I purchased this specifically to wear in the daytime). 

The texture of this shadow is smooth but I wouldn't exactly call it buttery. It's not chunky or grainy, but it is a bit powdery and I do see some fallout when picking up color with my brush (and also during application). Staying power is decent without primer (4-5 hours before I see significant fading) but of course it's much better with primer (8-9 hours before I see fading or creasing). 

One more thing: if you have brown, golden-brown, hazel or green eyes, I think this color is going to make your eye color pop. I have hazel eyes and if I wasn't in such a hurry to get this review up (because NYX is on sale this week for 40% off at Ulta), I would have done an eye look to prove this. I think that the purple undertone in this shadow really complements brown/hazel/green eyes. 

FINAL VERDICT: If you don't go into it hoping that this shadow is a cool-toned taupe (like I did!), then I think you'll find this to be a nice, shimmery gunmetal gray. I was initially disappointed to find that it's not a taupe, but when I got over that I discovered that I don't have too many gunmetal grays quite like this. Most of the shades I own that are like this have a metallic finish, so it's nice to have one that's not uber-shimmery. I"m not huge fan of the iridescent glitter, but it's pretty for nighttime looks. This shadow is a bit powdery and you'll see some fallout during application, but it has great pigmentation and staying power when worn over primer. I think it's definitely worth $2.69 if you get it this week for 40% off at Ulta. I'm not sure I would pay full-price ($4.49) for it again though.

Hey everyone!

Today I’m reviewing the reformulated Maybelline Gel liner which replaced the original black gel liner last month in India.

Price : Rs 450

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

My take on the Product

Maybelline’s black gel liner was my first gel liner back in 2010 I think but in a few months, the liner completely dried up in the pot. Since then I’ve not gone back to Maybelline liners until this was sent to me for review last month. The packaging of the reformulated liner is slightly different – its in a square base clear pot instead of the round frosted glass one. The metallic lid has been replaced by a sleek black plastic one. I prefer the new, sleeker packaging. One of the best things about Maybelline gel liners is that they come with a brush of their own!

In terms of texture – the new one feels a little smoother to me though its been a while since I tried the old one. Its quite pigmented – an inky black shade which I like. I don’t need to layer this to get the dark opaque black color I want on the lids. It dries down quickly and still retains the depth and inky quality of the color on drying down. I haven’t tested it for 36 hours (does anyone wear liner for that long?!) but I have worn it for about 12 hours and it stays on well. Except for the small area near the inner corner where it wears off as I tend to touch this area a little. But then almost all liners do! Its quite transfer-proof though, it doesn’t transfer from my lash line to my socket line by the end of the day. Overall, this is an excellent gel liner and the most pocket friendly one if you’re in India. Recommended!

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner – Swatch

I wore this in my Lakme Absolute Face Stylist concealer review post ~

Lakme Absolute Face Stylist Concealer

The one issue that remains to be seen is the liner drying up in the pot. I’m going to be careful this time and make sure to store it upside down (this prevents cream and gel products from drying up) and hope it doesn’t dry up in a couple of months!

I think the Rimmel one is priced the same but I did not like it that much. I’m not sure if I brought it with me from India (I had to leave a lot of products behind) but if I have, I’ll review it soon!

The GOOD about Maybelline 36 hours gel liner : 

1. Sleek, plastic pot packaging
2. Comes with a liner brush
3. Smooth texture, glides easily
4. Inky black color
5. Excellent pigmentation
6. Good wear, doesn’t transfer or move around
7. Did not irritate my lash line or waterline
8. Safe for contact lens wearers

The NOT-SO-GOOD about Maybelline 36 hours gel liner : 

1. Can wear off a bit if you rub too much

Overall Verdict

The Maybelline Eyestudio gel liner is the best gel liner in India you can get if you’re on a budget. The formula is creamy smooth, very pigmented and wears well without transferring or bleeding/flaking. The new formula claims 36 hours wear (not personally tested) but its good enough for full day wear. The packaging comes with a liner brush that is an added bonus! The original formula dried in the pot in a few months, I’m hoping this new one wouldn’t!

Rating : 4.5/5

Top 6 Lakme Enrich Satin Lip Colors For Indian Skin Tones

Top 6 Lakme Enrich Satin Lip Colors For Indian Skin Tones

(There'sonly 5 up there coz I forgot about the 6th one when I clicked that pic, but don;t worry it's down there)

Here my Top 6 Lakme Enrich Satin Lip Colors that I think would suit Indian skin tones- light, medium, dark. Most of them were part of the Gypsy Collection that came out last fall-winter, except for one shade, which was launched with the first batch.

*I didn't bash up the poor lippies. They were squished/dented like that when they reached me.

(L-R) 663, 266, 129, 424, 423

Read on for lip swatches...

663: This is a really nice nude shade with peach undertones. It would suit all Indian skin tones, in my opinion. A better and safer choice than peach for medium to darker skin tones.

266: Darker than 663, although they look almost the same on my hand. I think this is a neither-here-nor-there shade that you can experiment with. I would recommend it for darker skin tones more, but lighter skin tones can also pull it off if the rest of the face is done minimally, otherwise it can make you look older. I would team it with neutral eye makeup and a light sweep of peach blush with brown undertones like Colorbar Just Earth or no blush at all.

129: This is my favorite, for obvious reasons. It's a muted coral-y pinkish shade. If you mix coral, pink & brown, you'll get this shade. It's just a very easy everyday lipstick.

424: If you think orange is too loud for you, and that it belongs only on a pumpkin, then this is a gorgeous alternative. I personally would not have picked this lip color for myself, but when I applied it, I was like 'wow!' It is so saucy! It is the only shade that I didn't have to make any extra effort to apply & click a photo of. ONE shot and it looks good enough, when usually I have to take 3-10 shots to get it right. Now I want a white top with flowers in that color, so I can wear that lipstick in the summer.

423- This is the regular one. Why I applied this one sheerly here? Coz I wanted to show you that it looks like a lip tint a la Benefit Benetint. Just dab a little on your top and bottom lips and spread with your fingertip to get kissable pouty lips. I love it! Since the texture of Enrich Satin is quite moisturizing, you won't feel any dryness that you feel with most lip tints. This one is going in my handbag makeup pouch.

Now the 6th one that's not on the first photo...

Lakme Enrich Satin Lip Color 531

531: This is a light brown shade with yellow undertones. I don't usually wear brown on my lips, but if I had to, I'd pick this shade. It is the perfect color if you want to complement an overall neutral (brown eyeshadows & bronzed cheeks) or smokey eyes look 

Likas Papaya Soap is a local product from the Philippines. It is the pioneer product in the market that used papaya as the main whitening substance, and it is an organic soap that assures to aid in lightening the color of the skin.

Likas Papaya Soap

Papaya has been really a popular ingredient among products of its kind, and other companies have numerously attempted to imitate Likas Papaya Soap. However, it still stays to be on top when it comes to papaya whitening soap in the Philippines. It has only been recently that it also hit other Asian countries, as well as the United States and some parts in Europe. It also ensures to get rid of dark pigmentations due to acne marks, sun spots, and freckles, as well as get rid of active acne on the face.

Likas Papaya Soap contains 100% herbal and organic contents. Its primary potent ingredient is papain extract, which is one of the commonly known natural whitening ingredients. The main action of papain extract is to promote fast restoration of the skin cells. This type of natural enzyme is also efficient in the exfoliation of dead cells and renews properties on the skin.

The herbal and organic contents of Likas Papaya Soap provide the skin’s natural moisture and smooth texture. Aside from its promise of lightening the skin within two weeks of use, it also aids in fighting mild acne and gets rid of hyperpigmentation caused by acne marks. It may be used on the body and on the face, and should use regularly as an alternative of the regular body soap and facial wash. Lather the soap on the skin for about three to five minutes before rinsing it off.

The good thing about Likas Papaya Soap is it contains organic and herbal ingredients, which are not harmful to the skin. There is no hydroquinone or any artificial bleaching agent containing the soap, which is safe for everyone to use. It also has a gentle smell which is enjoyed by most people. Aside from that, it is very affordable and anyone can purchase a 135-gram of Likas Papaya Soap for just $3 to $5. It can be purchased online, and from different Filipino, Chinese and Asian specialty stores. There have also been no reports of severe side effects from this soap. But it is always safe to do a patch test to make sure there will be no allergic reactions.

If you're stressed out, and looking at pictures of underwater dogs doesn't make you feel better (seriously, how could it not?), you might want to try a nice, affordable facial mask. Let's see how the new (previously only available in single-serving packets) Freeman Feeling Beautiful Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask worked for me, shall well?

 Freeman Feeling Beautiful Dead Sea Minerals Facial Anti-Stress Mask

(retail: $3.99, 6 oz)

With a 4.8 out of 5 star average rating on Ulta.com, a 4.4 out of 5 average rating on Makeup Alley and an award from TotalBeauty.com under its belt, this mask has made quite the name for itself since its release. I received this product for review a while back, and I've used it about every two weeks for the past few months.

I've said in the past that products that contain clay (bentonite and kaolin) work extremely well for my oily skin, because clay really absorbs oils and has a way of , for lack of a better word, sucking the oil out from deep down in my pores. So I was happy to see that bentonite and kaolin are the 2nd and 3rd ingredients in this product. (There are also two forms of parabens in this formula, which I wanted to note in case you're trying to avoid those.)

The product itself is a beautiful teal color (hey, I'm a girl...color matters!). The texture is thick, but not difficult to spread across the skin. In fact, it's much easier to spread than other masks of this nature that I've used over the years.

No visitors for the next 20 minutes, please!

I like to keep this mask on for about 20 minutes. As with most masks, you should keep this on your skin until the mask is completely dry (depending on the temperature, this should take about 10 minutes) but I like it keep it on a little longer, until I can't move my mouth or wrinkle my nose, because I just want those clays to "suck" as much oil from my skin as possible. 

Removal is extremely easy. I hate masks that leave me at my bathroom sink for 20 minutes, trying to get the gunk out of my hairline. I don't get that from this mask one bit--it rinses easily and effortlessly, which I very much appreciate.

The fragrance is also quite pleasant and not overpowering. It has a clean, sweet, slightly aquatic scent to it.

After removal, my skin feels fresh, clean and smooth. It doesn't feel dry or tight, and I've never once thought, "Oh no, my skin is parched now" after using this product (note: I have extremely oily skin, which is even worse in the summer). Only once did I encounter a breakout after using this mask, and it was a small one. For those who don't use masks, this is not uncommon. Masks tend to "purge" the skin, bringing impurities to the surface. I've broken out many times after using other masks and I basically expect it after a "deep cleaning". So I was happy that I only broke out once after using this product, and again, it was minor (two small flare-ups on one of my cheeks).

Who might like this mask: 

Those with oily-to-very oily skin. This mask is a miracle-worker if your skin is like mine (very oily), especially now, in the dog days of summer. I don't know about you, but when it gets hot, I feel like I've got a constant layer of grime on my face. Residue from sunscreens, etc. can build up to the point where I just wish I could scrub my face raw sometimes. Thankfully, I don't have to, because this mask soaks up all that ickiness and basically "resets" my skin back to zero every time I use it.

Who might not like this mask:

If you have dry skin, or ever normal-bordering-on-dry, this mask might be too much for you, especially in the cooler months. Basically, if your skin doesn't have much oil to be absorbed in the first place, and you treasure the oil your skin does produce, I would skip this product and go for a mask that adds moisture instead. Also, those who are extremely sensitive to fragrance might want to skip this one, although I don't find the fragrance strong or overpowering (I know that some of you have to avoid fragrance altogether in your skincare, so that's why I'm adding this to the "might not like" list).

FINAL VERDICT: I see now why this product is so universally loved. For those with oily-to-very-oily skin, I think you'll be extremely pleased with how effective this product is at absorbing oils and giving your pores a good cleaning. The high clay content in this mask makes it ideal for my oily skin, and I love that, unlike other clay-based masks, it removes easily with water (no struggling at the sink). For $3.99, I think it's a great product to use in the summertime when you're feeling stressed and want to get that icky summertime "film" off your face.