Make Up Basics #2 : Brushes

       A girl doesn’t need anyone who doesn’t need her
                                     - Marilyn Monroe 

Hello beautiful people. I thought you will not be interested to know about make up basics in detail but after tremendous response to the primer post I decided I will keep up the work and be as accurate as possible. Lets talk about make up brushes now

What is a Make up Brush?
Makeup brushes are the most important beauty tool, for makeup, that you could ever own. Make up brushes are your fool proof investment that will last you almost a life time with good care. 

Why should you use a Make up brush ?
Most of us use sponge to apply powder and Fingers to apply the rest. In that process we apply unwanted pressure on the skin which clogs pores on the skin causing breakouts. Brush controls the pressure and applies required product smoothly on skin.

Types of Make up Brushes.
There are natural and synthetic types of hair used in a make up brush.
Natural hair:  Hair from animals are sterilized and used in these brushes( Badger, squirrel, pony, goat kolinsky, weasel, sable, pahmi)

Synthetic brushes: Two most common synthetics used in makeup brushes today are Nylon and Taklon.

Natural hair make up brushes are best to use for powder consistency products

Synthetic make up brushes are best to use for liquid or gel consistency products.

What should you keep in mind before buying make up brushes?

1. Purpose:  Make up brushes are generally a little expensive so i would like you to be sure before buying a make up brush regarding its use. Make sure you will use it every time you apply make up.

2. Price: There are many brushes which are not very expensive. Research and then invest.

3. Requirement: You don't require every make up brush available in the market. If you are a simple foundation and powder girl then go ahead and buy just brushes that are required for those only. 

4. Quality: before investing in a good brush there are plenty of reviews available in the internet, read and know the positives and negatives.  Is better to be sure than sorry.

                     Basic make up brushes

Face brushes: 

Brushes used on face are foundation brush, concealer brush, powder brush, blush brush, contour brush and a highlighting brush.

As a beginner  you don't require all of them so here is a list of all the basic brushes. I will give you a mac number along with them so that all you mac fans can go ahead and purchase. 

Foundation brush:

You all know how important it is to choose an exact foundation shade for your skin type. It takes years to get that one right. You should also know that even though you have the perfect foundation you may look like a disaster if you don't know how to apply it properly. The best way to apply a foundation is using a brush. You can use a flat top kabuki brush or a normal foundation brush or a stippling brush.  I prefer both a flat top kabuki and a foundation brush. Technically it is better to use a synthetic brush for foundation(liquid) but I prefer natural brush. 
Flat top kabuki- Mac 130
Foundation brush- Mac 190 

Powder Brush:
Once you apply foundation you will soon know the requirement of setting it. Sweating lights and other things will wear down the foundation if it is not kept in place and this is achieved by powder. The best brush would be a large powder brush with natural hair. 
powder brush-Mac134

Blush brush:
Blush is also very important part of face make up. If applied correctly a blush can give a healthy flush to your cheeks. if you are using a cream blush i suggest go for a synthetic brush. If a powder blush go for a natural one. 
Blush brush- Mac 168

These are the three main brushes for face. If you know how to contour your face you can use the blush brush as your contour brush too. this is also helpful to use a highlighter.If you are using a concealer then you can dab your concealer using your fingers or any brush smaller in size would be helpful.

Eye Brushes:
Every one of us know eye make up is almost impossible with out brushes. I am not including eyeliner brush and a smudge brush in this as you know most of us have them with us as they come free along with eyeliners and pencils.

Eye shadow brush:
An eye shadow brush is used to to pat the colour on to the lid. It is genarally a flat brush in the sides and an oval shaped on the top. you can use a natural hair eye shadow brush for the eye since it is very efficient in picking up colour. you can opt for a synthetic brush if you are using a pot paint or a cream eyeshadow. 
 Mac-239

Blending brush:
This is the most important brush required for the eye make up. This is a fluffy brush required to blend the harsh edges of the eyeshadow. This will help you achieve the perfect look and helps you from looking like a clown. 
Mac-217
Mac 217 can also be used to apply highlighter and concealer

Pencil brush:
This is a precision brush used in may ways. You can use it to highlight the inner corners. This brush is also helpful in applying color to the lower lash line. You can smudge your eyeliner to achieve a smokey eye look with this. you can also apply color in your crease with this.  
Mac-219 

 Lip brushes:
You know the importance of a lip brush if you tried red lips. you can change the shape of your lips if you have right tools. 

Lip liner brush:
this brush is very thin and is really helpful to outline the lips and change the shape of the lips if required

Lip brush or lip filler brush:
 This brush is used to fill lipstick or to apply gloss on the lips
 
    

Love,
Mounika Roches

Neutrogena Fine Fairness Brightening Serum Review

Price: 599/- Skin Types: All Skin Types Buy Online: Here
 
What Neutrogena says about this product:
Neutrogena Fine Fairness Brightening Serum is clinically proven to deliver visible whitening results in three weeks. Specially formulated with upgraded Neutrogena Healthy White Complex containing pure Retinol, Lily and high potency Vitamin C, Fine Fairness Brightening Serum works to double skin's whitening power.

Promised Results

• Visibly brighter, fairer and more radiant skin tone
• Hydrated Skin
• Skin feels soft, smooth and bright instantly

Directions to use:
Apply on face after cleansing and toning before moisturizing.

My Take On The Product:
Firstly, Neutrogena is that one brand I trust with my eyes closed.  I still use deep clean foaming face wash when I see intense break outs on my skin and it works amazing on me. I used fine fairness Toner in the past which was great too. I am a huge fan of Neutrogena fairness hydrating mask. I must admit I was too excited to try a serum launched by Neutrogena. The bottle is a white opaque glass bottle with a pump. The packaging is nice and the pump works good enough. The bottle is a little heavy due to the glass packaging but it is travel friendly too. The serum is a yellow in color and the consistency is between cream and liquid. The skin absorbs it quickly with a little massage. The bottle lasted me for about 3 months which is amazing for the price. I love this product to the core. It lightens dark spots and evens out skin tone. It does not leave my skin oily. It tightens the pores and keeps the skin tight. It gives a dewy glow to the skin. It does not whiten the skin but gives it a subtle glow. 

Positives:
Not leaves the skin oily.
Evens out the skin tone.
Lightens dark spots.
Gives a subtle glow.

Negatives
It has a fragrance you may not like.

Will I buy This Again:
Yes. Yes. Yes. I love this product just like other products from Neutrogena.

My Rating:
4/5


P.S: Skin care products work differently for different skin types. Views expressed here are my own and are not sponsored.

Love,
Mounika Roches. 

 

Sluggish sundays: Part 1

Hello Every one,

I am starting a new series where I will tell you about some random things about myself apart from clothes cosmetics and fashion. I hope you will like this session. 

1. What was my first goal?

Okay, Since childhood i was very much interested in modelling but I could never become A professional one because of my parents. My mom and dad are little orthodox so I was always told to stay away from lime light 

2. Who were my first best friends?

I did my schooling in a girl's school. Though I seem friendly, I am very choosy about people who I am emotionally attached to. All my school days I had only two best friends Spandana and mujeeb. 

3. Favorite person from the family?

I love my cousins. My sister vinky along with my cousins are the favorite Trio from my family. 

4. First mobile phone I ever used?

I wanted a 6600 mobile but I ended up with 6610i, Nokia of course!!!

5. Song that is running in my mind these days

Badtameez dil... Badtameez dil (jawani deewani). Any one who followed my twitter account would know this ;)

Love,
Mounika Roches.
XOXO

H2O PLUS WATERWHITE ADVANCED BRIGHTENING TONER -Review.

Price: 1200/-
Skin Types: All Skin Types
Buy Online: Here

What H2O Plus says about this product:
Refreshing toner noticeably refines skin's texture and dramatically fades dark spots with Knotted Sea Kelp, Asian Brightening Botanicals and Vitamin C.
 

Promised Results:

• Advanced formula sweeps away lackluster surface cells to help soften, clarify and intensify brightening
• Marine Brightening Technology, powered by knotted sea kelp and Asian plant extracts, diminishes discoloration and amplifies skin's luminosity
•  Moisture-rich antioxidants derived from sea minerals and plant extracts promote soft, smooth texture and help skin resist and repair the visible signs of aging 

Directions to use:
Using a cotton pad, sweep over cleansed face and neck.

My Take On The Product:
The product comes in a transparent bottle which is very cute according to me. I love the packaging. The product itself is a clear liquid like water. I personally love the fragrance, it is quite refreshing. It picks up dirt and oil left over from the cleanser efficiently. Skin feels soft and supple. This brightens up the skin giving it a subtle glow. The ingredients are amazing in the toner which is why the results are dramatically fast. I use this toner twice a day every morning after cleansing and follow it with serum and moisturizer. I sweep it on my face to see excess dirt and oil extracted on the cotton pad. The bottle is not huge but a very little amount will suffice for one time use. It lasted me for almost three months. This is by far the best toner i have ever tried. I heard many people raving about this product working on dark spots but that did not work for my skin. I did attain even tone using this toner. 

Positives:
Love the Fragrance
Skin is brightened
Soft and supple skin is attained
Effective cleansing
Even skin tone

Negatives:
I find it a little pricey
Does not work on dark spots
Not effective on aging

Will I buy this again:
I absolutely love this toner but I think it is not worth repurchasing.  It did not meet the promised results for me

My Rating:
3.75/5

P.S: Skin care products work differently for different skin types. Views expressed here are my own and are not sponsored.


Love, 
Mounika Roches

BI-WHITE Lightening Deep Cleansing Foaming Review

Type of cleanser: Foaming
Price: 1290/- for 100ml
Skin types: All Skin Types.
Buy online: Here

What vichy says about the product:
Bi-White Reveal: unique association of Bio-Assimilated.Ceramide and LHA which significantly decreases skin cells’ pigmentation load and exfoliates melanin-filled dead cells accumulated on the surface.

Promised Results:
Skin is perfectly clean, fresh and soft. Significantly fairer and uniform complexion.Inner radiance revealed through refined skin texture

How to use:

Use morning and night on damp skin.Make foam in the palms of your hand with water.
Avoid the eye area. Rinse thoroughly.

My take on the product:
This foaming cleanser comes in a white tube. Packaging is not flattering but is good enough to make you opt for the product. The consistency of the cleanser is creamy in nature and turns into rich foam while cleansing. After cleansing skin feels a little firm and perfectly clean. My skin is oily and a little stubborn so i use a toner after this. I find very little dirt on the toner which means this cleanser will work perfectly fine on most of the skin types. This cleans left over make up, dirt and pollution. I swear by this product for tan removal. Yes! you heard it right. On using this there is a definite improvement in skin tone. Skin is brightened and lightened.
I use this every day morning and evening followed by toner, serum and moisturizer. It contains salicylic acid which helps to prevent break outs and reduces acne. Since my skin is prone to break outs, this cleanser works amazingly fine in preventing them. Skin feels soft, fresh and hydrated. It has some fragrance in it which feels quite refreshing to me.

Positive:
1. Creamy texture
2. Effectively cleans skin

3. Improves skin tone

4. Tan is measurably decreased

5. Contains Salicylic acid- prevents break outs

6. Removes melanin -filled dead cells 

7. Luminous skin is achieved 

  

Negatives:

1. May dry out the skin for extremely dry skin people 

 

 

Will i buy this again?

100%

 

Rating :

4.5/5

 

Love,

Mounika Roches 

     “Achievement has no color” 
                                     ―Abraham Lincoln

This post is not a beauty related post. I am an Indian, South to be more precise, and was always told a girl is beautiful only if she is fair complexioned. I personally had no age and maturity to chose what to believe when I was introduced to this practice of racism between my own family. I pitied people with darker complexion and envied people with fairer complexion because I was neither dark nor fair. I was beautifully brown with a yellow undertone. By the time I realize what complexion i actually fit into I was forced into the darker complexion side. Before I could properly adapt or react, scrubbing away tan became my daily schedule. Most of my friends faced similar situations. 

The Asian skin care range was ready to cash this entire system. The so called fairness creams and whitening lotions were all over the place. The commercials did not concentrate on the product but they insulted every dark complexion man and woman in it. A woman would be rejected by everyone for marriage because of her complexion and she encounters this amazing cream from a friend. She magically transforms into a fair complexioned girl and the guy will fall for her. How ridiculous is that! That girl has no self respect and no identity apart from complexion? 

 I agree to the fact that there should be some skin care which ensures perfect cleansing and  moisturizing to repair the sun damaged skin. Personally my body which is not exposed to sun is relatively fairer to some parts of the body like face, hands and legs which are tanned and damaged by the sun and pollution. I don't mind using anything which even's out my skin tone. I have enough melanin in my skin which helps it look younger and healthier so obviously I don't need tan. People from western countries have sun bath's to get tanned because white skin has very less melanin so the signs of aging is very clear on their skin. 

Today, when I have brains to believe what I chose to believe, I seriously think beauty has no complexion. There are so many dusky beauties around us who are absolutely gorgeous. One should love a woman for her heart and not for her complexion. Its high time people realize this and stop taking unnecessary pains to look fair because only fair complexioned people know brown is beautiful in the long run. 

Love,
Mounika Roches 

Make up Basics#1 :PRIMER

                

"No Amount Of Makeup Can Mask An Ugly Heart"

Hello lovely ones. Today I want to discuss about  face Primer/Base in this new feature where we will discuss about every type of products required in make up. After cleansing, toning and moisturizing the first step is to apply a primer.

WHAT IS A PRIMER??
A Primer is a product you apply on your face before applying foundation. It smoothens,  mattifies and brightens the skin. It helps your make up last for a longer time. It smoothens your skin so that your foundation application is easier. A primer also forms a thin layer between skin and make up thereby reducing the chances of break outs due to make up.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRIMERS:
There are several different kinds of primers available. 
1.Smoothing Primers
2. Pore minimizing primers
3. Color correcting primers
4. Brightening primers
5. Mattifying Primers

Smoothing Primers: 
These Primers give you a smooth slippery effect on skin. They create a smooth base for foundation and make it easy for the foundation application. They sometimes have oil control properties and are mattifying. EX: LOREAL PARIS STUDIO SECRETS PROFESSIONAL SMOOTHING PRIMER

Pore minimizing Primers:
As the name suggests these primers are suitable for people who have large pores on skin. These primers minimizes the appearance of large pores. Benefit cosmetics came up with their new POREfessional primer which is raved about by many youtubers. 

Colour correcting primers:
These primers have a tiny amount of color in them which counter acts red/yellow and orange undertones. NYX manufactures affordable color correcting primers which help in neutralizing the overly warm tones of the skin. Green tinted primer counteracts the redness of the skin and minimizes the spots.  Lavender tinted primer works for yellow/orange tones.

 

 

Brightening primers:
As the name suggests these primers instantly brightens the skin adding some glow to the skin. There are some times some shiny light reflecting particles which cause the glow on skin.  These might be a little dewy so i do not suggest this for a very oil skinned people. Benefit cosmetics 'that gal' primer is a brightening primer which has highest ranking.

Mattifying primers:
These primers are a gift for oily skinned people. They not only control oil but also minimize pores. They eliminate shine and instantly mattify oily skin. They increase the wear time of foundation and prevents from wearing off because of their oil eliminating properties. Make up forever's All Mat primer is perfect for oily skin people. 

CHOOSE YOUR PRIMER:
Once you know your skin type it is not very difficult to choose a primer. If you have dull skin you can opt for color correcting primers or brightening primers. If you have oily skin you can chose mattifying primer or pore minimizing primers. If you have dry skin you can chose brightening primers . If you have redness then you can opt for color correcting primers.

HOW TO APPLY A PRIMER
* Applying primer is almost the first step of your make up so after toning and moisturizing wait for few minutes until your moisturizer is completely absorbed into the skin
* Dot your primer all over your face and spread using your fingers or brush. I personally use fingers as it saves a lot of product and also the warmth of the finger helps to blend the primer nicely.
* Wait until the primer is completely absorbed by the skin. This may take approximately 5 to 10min depending upon your skin type. Proceed to foundation.

PRIMERS I USE:
1.NYX Photo loving primer Lavender
2. Revlon Photo ready colour correcting primer
3. Loreal paris magic perfecting base

NYX photo loving primer is the best I have. I use it every time I apply make up on. It mattifies my T zone as well as corrects my tone imperfections. Buy online here

Revlon photo ready primer works as a mattifying as well as smoothing primer for me. I have used it couple of times and it works fine for me. Buy online here.

Loreal paris magic perfecting base is also a mattifying base but somehow this primer smoothens my skin. I love this primer. I use it when i feel my skin needs some extra pampering. Buy online here

Always remember to try these primers before purchasing. If you have acne prone skin or sensitive skin consult a doctor. If you are allergic to silicons please go through the ingredients list. 

Love,
Mounika Roches.