Review: MAC Patent Polish Lipsticks!

What’s up, everyone?

Being the lipstick junkie that I am, I am going to review another lipstick that’s been on the market for years now, 2014 to be precise.

Why have I never reached for this before, you may ask? Because your girl has been obsessed with the strong, bold audaciousness of a potent matte lipstick. Besides, it’s never done me any wrong so why fix what’s not broken?

But my tip of the choice for the last year has been a comfortable lipstick, it can be anything moisturizing, simple to wear, and is even allowed to fade after a good meal really..

Patent Polish is described as: ” a lip color that combines the sheen of a gloss with the precision of a lip pencil.

The highly popular Patentpolish Lip Pencil returns as your go-to magic wand for high-impact lips, with a single swipe imbuing the ultimate high-gloss shine. Enjoy colour in an expanded range of 14 shades. This sleek, all-in-one tool offers the comfort of a balm, the colour and sheen of a gloss and the precision of a lip pencil. With an effortless twist-up applicator, you’ll never have to sharpen.

KEY CLAIMS AND BENEFITS

• Provides instant softness and suppleness
• Smoothes and conditions lips
• Provides instant and long-term hydration”

Ingredients:Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Squalane, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Synthetic Wax, Diisostearyl Malate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Tocopherol, Dicalcium Phosphate, Water\Aqua\Eau, Tin Oxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol, Flavor (Aroma), Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Carmine (Ci 75470), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985)]

My Experience:

• I love the comfort this lipstick provides, it’s so moisturizing
• It has intense pigmentation, so if I want a sheer application I dab it on and spread it from there; for a fuller coverage I glide it on directly
• For obvious reasons, because of its finish, it does not last after a meal
• I finished the lipstick in a span of 2 months with regular use, the quantity you receive is around 2.3 g / 0.08 US oz, .7 g lesser than the regular MAC lipstick
• Since this is something you would easily re-apply, I didn’t like enjoy the fact that it got over so quick
• It has a fainter fragrance compared to the regular MAC lipsticks
• It does feather around you lip if you apply to much and you can look like someone who went overboard with gloss in hopes of trying to overline (not cute)

Swatches:

PS: I just found out they discontinued this product.

So, a good dupe should be the Clinique Almost lipstick, while it does not hydrate as the MAC patent polish, it shares the similar idea!

I hope this helps!

Avec Amour,

Ranita x

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Review: ROUGE SIGNATURE L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature, Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick

L’Oréal launched their signature Lasting Matte Liquid Lipsticks sometime in Spring 2019 I want to say? But don’t quote me on that. I’ve been curious about these bad boys ever since I swatched them at CVS. So naturally, when my payday arrived – I picked one up!

Did these babies live up to my expectations? Read below!

Product Description :

Introducing New Rouge Signature Parisian Sunset: 8 new shades inspired by the sunset of Paris with delicate pink hues, twilight purples, and coral nude lipstick shades. Lightweight matte colored ink that delivers a stain-like feel with the color impact of a matte liquid lipstick. High pigment, matte finish, and lasting wear. Less texture* more color: Sign your lips with statement shades. Rouge Signature is a lightweight matte colored ink that delivers intense pigment loads with a weightless, bare-lip sensation. This ultra-comfortable liquid matte colored ink provides lasting matte color and gives lips luminous color finish. The no makeup feel of a stain combined with the color impact of a liquid lipstick. Find your signature shade from our captivating 20-shade range of beautiful reds, corals and pinks that mimic the colors of twilight or in our bold range of original statement shades. Use with our precision applicator to shape and lines lips for a precise and perfectly applied lip.

When I originally swiped this lipstick, it felt cool & had a ‘watery’ texture. My initial thoughts were – this wouldn’t be pigmented but would definitely be comfortable.

Thoughts:

• Love the feel of this on my lips, it’s so light & absolutely a delight to wear
• The pigmentation is NOT as strong as a liquid lipstick but you can see it, I don’t want to term it as a lack of pigmentation, but it’s a beautiful stain
• You can most definitely layer this and it will NOT feel heavy on the lip
• Do you know that horrible ombré effect you get on your lips after a meal when you wear liquid lipstick? Yeah, this lipstick does not do that! It makes your lip still look hella cute & NOT crusty
• I love the way this lipstick makes my lip feel, it’s like I have nothing on!
• Love the doe-foot applicator, helps with precise application
• Affordable price!
• Lasts well throughout the day despite eating and drinking, 8 hours for me personally
• Minimal transfer on your hand or coffee cup

I don’t have any bane with this product really, I would even pick another one up! I would recommend this product to someone who loves wearing minimal makeup, new to wearing lipsticks or if you just don’t like feeling anything on your lips.

Price: $11.99

Shop here: https://www.lorealparisusa.com/products/makeup/lip-color/lipstick/loreal-paris-rouge-signature-lasting-matte-liquid-lipstick.aspx?shade=434-i-savor

Swatches of IEXPLORE:

I hope this review helped you out!

Avec Amour,

Ranita S Sheetal

Simple Bridal Makeup!

Hello everyone!

My flat mate just got married, and I was honored when she asked me if I could do her makeup!

This was the first time I got to work on a client after moving to New York!

What’s most important at time like this – is the bride is most comfortable in her attire and makeup!

My friend, Maria had a simple wedding & she wanted to look simple but the best version of herself.

Maria, is not used to wearing a ton of makeup on a day to day basis because she suffers from Lupus, and her skin is currently peeling – so trying something new or going heavy handed with extra layers of foundation on her wedding day would be a big NO NO.

My goal was for her to feel like the best version of herself on her special day.

So, I used simple powder foundation on (one that she has been using and her skin is accustomed to)

With here eyes, I used a neutral palette from ‘Makeup Revolution London’, just two shades – a matte brown to contour the shape of the eye & a shimmer to highlight the inner corner of the eye.

Maria wanted to fill her own eyebrows so I let her do that!

I then lined Maria’s eye and gave her a slight flick to lift her eye and open it. Topped it off with 3 coats of waterproof mascara and layered the lightest pair of ‘Arden Lashes – Whispies’

While I wanted to go with a deep red on Maria (Anastasia Beverly Hills – Heathers) on her lips because I thought it would compliment her outfit and her beautiful face, she was comfortable with a nude shade, therefore I used ‘Elf’s matte lipstick in Brown’.

I avoided highlight because of the texture in her skin & contoured the jaw and cheekbones.

This completes Maria’s wedding look, I hope you enjoy some of the pictures below!

Here’s to wishing Maria & her husband a very happy married life!

Please let me know what you think of this look!

You can follow me on Instagram here!

Avec Amour,

Ranita Sheetal S

Review: Natasha Denona BIBA Palette!

Oh Natasha Denona, this brand costs you a fortune! Why did I still do it you may ask? Here’s why..

Two months ago, I had the opportunity to attend a Master Class conducted by Natasha Denona herself in the big city – New York! So while I got to explore the shadows and techniques really front the creator itself! During the shop we created looks using the Sunset & Cranberry Palette along with a couple of face products. I fell in love with the quality, texture and feel of the palettes that I had to buy myself the Cranberry Palette ($50) cause the Sunset Palette costs $129. Wow! I know!

While I throughly enjoyed my cranberry palette, the last two months, it was my 25th birthday and soon enough I realized I needed an all neutral palette. After thorough research I decided to buy the Biba Palette ( a little gift from me, to me). So did this live up to my expectations?

Here are my thoughts about the Biba Palette..

PROS:

• Brilliant assortment of neutrals! You won’t find two colors duplicating each other even though they look similar in the pan (they have different formulae hence different levels of payoff)
• You get the same quality as you do with the ND Palettes
• The packaging is sturdy, hardcase & comes with a mirror (which I apparently use)
• A good mix of mattes, cream to powder, powder & shimmer textures and formula
• Fragrance free
• You don’t have to apply them wet
• Swatches beautifully with fingers
• The mattes are my favorite and blend beautifully and stay intact throughout the day
• Brilliant intensity of the matte shadows!

CONS:

• Upon attending the class, the one thing I’ve learnt is that Natasha uses her fingers to apply her shimmer shades. Now for me, sometimes I have nail extensions and when I happened to use a brush to apply the shimmer shades it just wouldn’t show up as intense as it would with the finger (quite disappointed)
• There is a technique to apply these shadows for no fall down but if you’re new to makeup you would experience fall down because the shadows are so soft and creamy
• Uh my black eyeshadow popped out of the pan and it was a task to get it back into the palette cause it could’ve easily just broken down and spread onto all the other colors & before you say/think it, no I did not drop my palette for that to happen
• The shimmers creased on me throughout the day, and I personally think for the amount I’m paying, I should NOT be requiring an eye shadow primer to help or enhance the shadows (She did use her primer on the lids during the class)

Fortunately there aren’t too many shimmers so I can’t be bothered.

Do I regret this purchase?

Honestly since this cost me $129, I did have high expectations. It’s a 50-50 sort of feeling for me. I don’t hate the palette but I don’t LOVE it. The Biba Palette satisfies my cravings for an everyday neutral palette but the cost is unjustifiable to me personally.

Price:

$129, 15 x 0.08oz/2.5g

Shop at:

• Sephora

https://www.natashadenona.com/biba_palette

Swatches:

Avec amour,

Ranita Sheetal S

Review: ELF Liquid Matte Lipsticks in Blushing Rose & Praline!

Hey, there!

As if it isn’t apparent that I have a serious obsession with lipsticks through my previous posts, here’s another post to prove it!

I recently saw the ELF liquid lipsticks on one of the aisles of Shoprite. I was long due for some good nudes anyway and hence picked up two of the shades. Did these lipsticks blow me away? Find out below..

Product Description:

This Liquid Matte Lipstick achieves a long lasting, gorgeous matte finish. The slim, diamond shaped applicator gives you flawless application in just one stroke! The formula is enriched with Vitamin E to help nourish and condition the lips.

Ingredients:

Praline: Isododecane, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Hydrogenated Polybutene, Triacontanyl PVP, Propylene Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Kaolin, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve) MAY CONTAIN: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090)

Blushing Rose: Isododecane, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Hydrogenated Polybutene, Triacontanyl PVP, Propylene Carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Kaolin, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve) MAY CONTAIN: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090)

PROS:

• Sleek Packaging!
• Doe foot applicator, with a small hole in the middle to help drain out excess lipstick that may get picked up
• Does not feel heavy/cakey when you layer constantly
• An opaque formula, you get intense pigmentation with one swipe
• Lasts throughout the day, even after a good meal, I found that I didn’t really have to reapply my lipstick
• Easy to layer with any lipstick, over an under
• NO fragrance!
• You can constantly lick your lip and it won’t peel or flake off!
• Versatile – can be used on your eyes, lips & face!
• Great value for money!

CONS:

• I know that the name says liquid matte lipstick but if you’re someone who isn’t accustomed to wearing a true matte lipstick, you may find this on the drier side.
• While I know I mentioned it does not feel heavy upon layering, you can definitely feel it’s presence on the lip and I did not enjoy it

Would I repurchase this?

No, I don’t think I’ve fallen in love with this product to repurchase it again.

Swatch:

(Top : Praline

Bottom : Blushing Rose)

SHOP HERE:

• https://www.elfcosmetics.com/liquid-matte-lipstick/400034.html

Avec Amour,

Ranita Sheetal S

Review: Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Mousse™ in 820 Crimson Sky!

Hey guys,

In my last post I reviewed the MAC Powder KISS formula and said I’d promised a dupe, well here it is, in my opinion at least!

My review is in comparison to the performance of the Powder Kiss Lipstick. I’m comparing the with MAC Burning Love

Read below to see what my overall thoughts are about the Hyper Matte Lipstick!

Product description:

Creamy and hyper matte? It does exist, in our pigment-packed, moisturizing lip mousse, which stays smooth for up to eight hours.

• Vibrant, hyper matte color meets creamy comfort with this lightweight, non-smudging lip mousse that lasts for up to 8 hours 

• Loads of microfine mattifying powders glide on smoothly, without ever feeling dry 

• In fact, your lips feel phenomenally soft and hydrated thanks to this lip color, even with the matte factor 

• Our plush, precision-tip applicator was designed to provide the perfect application—because this much pigment deserves some extra attention! 

• And, to make the formula extra special, we added a touch of creamy mango and whipped vanilla scent 

• Available in 14 hyper matte shades

PROS:

• Love the packaging, super cute
• Has a sweet smelling fragrance that does not last long upon its application
• Love the pigmentation but I do have to say, it’s not as intense as the MAC Powder Kiss lipstick one
• It last beautifully for 8 hours and even leaves a stain on your lip once it fades by the end of the day or after a meal
• I love how beautifully I can blend this lipstick to a light sheer/natural finish with my fingers. It looks like my lip but better!
• It is so comfortable on my lips, I don’t find the need to exfoliate constantly before applying this (but it is recommended)
• The applicator helps with precise application and the best part about this formula is that it does NOT bleed or feather around the lip
• It does leave a nice balm feel on your lip after application that makes it comfortable on the long run!

CONS:

Just by comparison to the MAC shade burning love, it’s not as pigmented. But that does not take away from the fact that the color still looks beautiful!

You cannot keep layering this constantly as it won’t built up the intensity (it only moves the product around) , if you do – you’ll want to use light layers and give it a few seconds to dry down.

Would I repurchase this lipstick? Most probably yes! I reach for this more that my MAC one. It’s super comfortable leaves a beautiful stain on my lip at the end of the day!

Price: $12, 5.9ml

Swatches:

Shop from:

Shoprite, Target, Walmart or any drugstore!

• https://www.revlon.com/lips/liquid-lipstick/revlon-ultra-matte-lip-mousse?shade=crimson%20sky

Avec Amour,

Ranita Sheetal S

Review: MAC Powder KISS Lipstick

Hi guys, long time no see?

MAC just launched their Powder Kiss lipsticks in India just a few months ago & since it’s been a while in the US, I’ve had the time to experiment with it & type this post.

Product description:

• Moisture-matte texture
• Weightless formula
• Soft-focus color
• Backstage-tested,
• Artist-approved

So the idea of this lipstick is to create a blotted lip, one that you would get if you tried to buff a Matte lip color out. But, this lipstick provides moisture too!

PROS:

• Despite the matte effect it leaves, it is hydrating on the lips
• Provides a beautiful blotted effect as per designed by MAC Cosmetics – soft focus effect
• Pigmented
• Does not have the same signature fragrance like that of the usual MAC lipstick, this, in fact, has a sweet candy note attached to it
• It can be used to create a stained effect on the lip
• Smooth on the lip, super comfortable to wear!
• Leaves a light stained effect in your lip once it wipes out!
• This looks absolutely brilliant on any skin tone! (I fall in between NC 40-42)

CONS:

• Feathered around my lip after a meal, I used a deep shade – ‘Burning Love’ and it looked like I had overlined my lips in a super weird and noticeable way
• The strong color pay off ended up fading throughout the day, which is not necessarily bad per se, depends upon your preference really
• You’ve got to exfoliate your lips or it would look textured!

What do I think of this?

To be honest, I love the idea! I especially am into the ‘au naturale’ look at the moment, and just mentioning the terms like moisture, balm draws me to this product. But it’s just that the shade that I had is not something that I can whip out of my bag and apply – on the go, I feel like it has to be worked/dabbed into to make it stay put. In short words, the darker shades do need some effort.

A lighter shade would be much easier to apply without hesitation.

So although I love the feel of this lipstick, I would not repurchase this shade (maybe a nude) because it feathered around my lip & it didn’t look like the initial application (maybe cause it has a balm-like texture?)

I’ve found a drugstore alternative to this product that produces the same effect but does. It feather/bleed around. Don’t forget to catch my next post!

Swatch –

Shade: Burning Love

I hope this review helped you out! Please let me know if you have any other queries in the comments & I would love to resolve them!

Avec Amour,

Ranita Sheetal S

Lookbook: 90’s baby 👶🏻

Review: Pat Mcgrath Lust – High Shine Lipgloss in Flesh 04

Hi guys!

If there’s one brand that I’ve been obsessed with it’s Pat Mcgrath. Apart from her adept make up artistry skills, lifelong experience in the beauty industry backed by supermodels & celebrities, the whole idea behind every product followed high class marketing & not to mention its deluxe packaging, every single aspect draws me to it!

Pat Mcgrath came out with these High Shine Lustre Glosses & since it’s winter here, I decided to pick up something that’s comfortable to wear in cold NYC.

Product Description from the Website:

Ethereally erotic colour meets surreally seductive shine in LUST: Gloss. This orally fixating balm glides on, flawlessly soothing and smoothing your lips while evoking three-dimensional lustre. Turn your lips on in ravishingly resplendent hues – ranging from teasing transparencies to negligee nudes to poetic pinks – in 32 never-sticky, sinfully scintillating shades. But beware: Mother’s conjured the ultimate in luxe lip paraphernalia, bound to elicit soft core seduction as unforgettable as the searing memories, passion and pleasure of first love.

Features:

– 1 Lip Gloss (0.15 FL OZ /4.5 ML)

– An exquisite blend of lustrous oils soothes and nourishes, wrapping lips in smooth softness.

– It delivers a rush of high-shine glossiness, in the non-sticky texture of a lush balm.

– Its innovative formulation infuses lips with multidimensional shine and gorgeous volumizing effects.

– Translucent colour glides on beautifully with exceptional adherence.

– Captivating finishes – ranging from pearlescent, glitter, and opaque to transparent – lustfully complete any look.

LUST: GLOSS SHADES

Gloss: Nude Negligee
Prima Donna
Aphrodisiac
Secret Lover
Wicked Whisper
Flesh Fantasy
Flesh 4
Flesh 6
Heavy Petal
Twilo
Blood 2

Shimmer: Love Potion
Dare To Bare
Peach Perversion
Faux Real
Belladonna
Flesh Astral
Sunset Rose
Paraphernalia
Divine Rose
Bronze Temptation

Glitter: Gold Allure
Bronze Divinity
Bronze Venus
Blitz Gold
Earth Angel
Future Femme
Aliengelic
Pale Fire Nectar
Carnal Desire
Astral Flashdance
Astral Moon Flower

What do I expect from this? Sheer colour & intense hydration after the colour fades away.

PROS:

• Sheer pigment, I absolutely love how this colour just makes my lips look like – My lip but only better!
• I use this as balm to hydrate my dry lips, it instantly moisturises & hydrates deeply & not just on the surface level.
• The lipgloss glides on my lips and does not ‘sit’ on top of it. It’s a little tricky to explain but this gloss is my absolute favourite.
• It’s not too heavy like the my Fenty Universal Lip Gloss. I can layer this many times & the color does not look heavy and neither does the formula on my lips.
• It smells of vanilla and if you know me, that’s one of my favourite flavours in the entire universe!
• This lasts as a regular gloss but the after effects are that of a balm! My lips feel so supple even after the gloss fades away!
• Simple yet classy packaging

CONS:

• Honestly, the price is all I can think of, but that’s what you pay for Pat Mcgrath & the quality does not disappoint!

Although there are no cons to me personally, I did have a close friend try the same gloss on and she found it to be ‘too glossy’ for her liking.

Would I repurchase? 

YES! I already have! I have gone through my first tube like water. I have used & abused it every single day & I love it!

The shade flesh 04 gives me a lush, my lip but better look. I helps with the whole ‘au naturale’  I’ve got going on at the moment!

Price:

$28, 4.5ml

Swatch:

Shop from : Pat Mcgrath Website

Hope this review helped you out!

Avec Amour,

Ranita S Sheetal

Lookbook: Professional Shoot Makeup

Hi guys!

I don’t know if most of you know but I am currently pursuing my Masters in Computer Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ. We had the chance to get our business portfolio pictures to be taken. So after I received my pictures – a good friend suggested that I use them for a blog post to help others with the dos and don’ts of makeup when it comes to business portfolios!

What a brilliant idea!

So here I am, sharing the most essential tips for achieving you personal best professional picture! Whoop-de-do!

DO:

• Mask the night before, I usually use a good plumping, hydrating or brightening mask. Something gentle to just enhance your glow from within
• Remember, you don’t have to cake foundation on to look flawless, you can use a thin layer and add extra coverage to spots or areas that need extra concealing with a concealer
• Always wear Mascara and line the upper lash line to emphasise your lashes and add definition!
• Don’t forget to fill in your brows with a powder or brow gel because eyebrows frame the eyes. Make sure you fill then with light strokes to make them look as natural as possible
• Wear a lip colour that is natural to your specific skin tone. The goal here is to brighten or accentuate your features. If you do opt for a nude make sure to not go too light that your lips disappear
• I tend to go a bit heavy when it comes to a professional shoot that require flash. Flash photography can reduce makeup by 30%, so don’t forget to balance it out with a little extra blush and contour
• Contouring is KEY as it enhances the shape of your face! If you do not know how to contour make sure to bronze your face slightly for dimension
• Always powder, I add a little extra just to look ‘poreless’ ( I should warn you this does look a bit OTT, but the results are phenomenal) But, you MUST powder the areas that tend to shine throughout the day!
• If you are going to wear lashes, like I have here. Make sure they are a natural pair that flatters your eye shape

DON’T:

• I tend to avoid eyeshadows. I try to stick to just using my bronzer in the crease to enhance the shape of my eye, nothing more than this
• Avoid highlighters, as much as you love a highlight from space or just a dewy glow, highlighting your face can make you look greasy. Trust me – been there, done that. Highlighters are not flattering for professional shoots
• Avoid dark lipsticks (anything that can come off as black or just funky, not that your compelled to but we’re trying to keep it professional here)
• Don’t try to experiment with your look on this day, try to stick to an au natural or the products you know work best & the look you know brings out the best version of you!

Quick pointers, would be to wear neutral colours (be it makeup or nails), don’t forget to smile & work with your best angle. But most importantly, be yourself & have fun! This picture is going to float around for a while – so make it worth it!

I hope this post helped you out! Please let me know if you use any other tips in the comments!

Avec Amour,

Ranita Sheetal