Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Our Gerard Cosmetics Collection

The one brand that was most difficult for us yet to photograph and work on was none other than Gerard Cosmetics. You want to know why? Because it is in GOLDEN color.We were so obsessed with its golden packaging that we wanted to lay hands on it as soon as possible. Our first purchase was few of its lipsticks from a reasonable deal they offered, and second was again from their deal on shopping above some specific amount which assured us free delivery. So now finally as I have taken the pictures, without further ado I will start my post.

About Brand:

Gerard cosmetics is a UK based brand created by its CEO Jennifer Gerard.
"Gerard Cosmetics was created with a pure passion and clear vision to offer every woman products that were the solution to everyday makeup blunders."

About the product:

Star Powders:

Whether you're going to a breakfast at Tiffany's or taking a Roman Holiday this will be the highlight for you. Inspired by one of the world's most celebrated Hollywood icons, this Star Powder will make you feel your prettiest. Audrey is a warm champagne gold that is reflective and high shine. Build it up for an intense glow or dust it lightly on your cheekbones for a subtle sheen. Pure pigment and an ultra smooth and blend able formula will make this your go-to highlight.  Click here



We bought three shades
1) Marilyn: (A subtle highlighter with pale golden hues)
2) Grace: (A opalescent, frosted white gold with a beautiful sheen)
3) Audrey: (Warm champagne gold with yellow undertones) 

Packaging:
It comes in black matte card board packaging. The highlighter comes in square shaped golden compact with a soft button click to open it. the product is secured with a plastic lid which is really impressive as I haven't seen any other brand using a extra lid to secure the product. It has a large mirror in it too which makes it ideal to keep in bag all the time, I mean who doesn't like a handy mirror? On the back of the compact the shade and ingredients of the highlighter are mentioned,

Left to Right: Marilyn, Grace, Audery

Left to Right: Marilyn, Grace, Audery


My thoughts:
The product is really soft milled powder compressed tightly in the compact, which is smooth to apply. I am however in a love-hate relationship with the highlighters. The shades Marilyn and Audrey are really subtle highlighter shades which are ideal for someone who doesn't like SO much prominent highlighter, it really blends well in the skin. Specially the shade Marilyn is a great soft substitute for The Balm Mary Luminizer. Audrey has yellowish undertones which I am confused that how I really feel about it. Shade Grace however was such a disappointment because it was powdery and had so much fall out. Also I didn't like the formula on Grace which was different than other two. I applied all of them with fan brush, but when I touched pan on Grace, it was all over the place. On applying it too it just looked out of space. So I didn't like "Grace" from my purchase, the other twos are not bad.

Lipsticks:

Lipstick shades that we will be talking about today are:
1) 1995 (The most sought after shade of Gerard, with the grudge revival matte nude shade of 90's)
2) Tequila Sunrise (A creamy fresh and peachy coral matte lipstick)
3) Sangria (A creamy beautiful berry shade which reminds us of freshness all year along)
4) Merlot (Notes of Red and Berry combined together to create this matte vampy hue)







Packaging:
On our first order they didn't have any package for lipsticks but we got our lipsticks in second order within card board packaging. The lipsticks which are shaped as bullets define class and elegance. The packaging is fancy and the lipsticks caps are not lose.

Left to Right: 1995, Tequila Sunrise, Sangria, Merlot

My thoughts: 
You guys have absolutely NO IDEA about how much I wanted to get 1995 and after I got it how many friends asked me to let them apply it as they wanted to see what all that rave was about. The shades 1995 and Merlot are matte while the other two have kinda creamy consistency. Well again I have love-hate relationship with these lipstick. The shade 1995 is a beautiful shade but not really pigmented. I have to swipe it 3-4 times to get the required shade, and the shade Merlot has inconsistent application. It gets streaky and uneven on lips after second swipe, the shade however is really gorgeous. Tequila sunrise also need 2-3 swipes to get the color on the lips but the shade is beautiful and really soft which makes it perfect for everyday use. Sangria has to be my favorite one from all of these not because of its vibrant berry shade but also the formula. It is really creamy and pigmented. It appears darker in tube lipstick but applies lighter in a really beautiful shade, on lips. The staying power of matte shades is 4-5 hrs without eating and Sangria stays for 3-4 hours but its worth it.

Final thoughts:
I don't know if I will get any more of Gerard's products, may be their SLAY Setting sprays because I have seen many You tubers using it. We got it from their website and they keep on having many reasonable deals, if you want to see it, you can check their Instagram.

I will rate it 2.75 / 5

What do you think about our picks and do you own any of Gerard Cosmetics product? Do tell us in comments below.

With Love,
Maria & Sana.




Monday, October 17, 2016

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SunBlock

"Want to get rid of dark circles?" Apply Sunblock
"How to avoid wrinkles?" Apply Sunblock
"How to avoid breakouts?"Apply Sunblock
"Want glowing skin?"Never forget applying sunblock
and the list goes on...

For someone like me who had never bothered to apply sunscreen before, it was such a daunting sight to see in almost every article. My initial idea was that the white stuff on cricketer's face is sunscreen and I do not want that white cast on my face at any cost so I was like "NOPE, thanks". This summer I decided to take this risk and started my quest for a good sunscreen. From one of the local drugstore shop in my colony I came across "NEUTROGENA Ultra Sheer- Dry Touch Sunblock"





As on their website

Neutrogena® Ultra Sheer® Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55 is dermatologist-tested formula that contains Helioplex® Technology. It helps prevent damaging UVA rays from penetrating deep under skin's surface. Dry-Touch technology helps leaving a clean, lightweight, non-shiny finish
erious sun protection never felt this light on your skin.
This product features Helioplex®, a breadth of stabilized sunscreen technologies that delivers superior protection from the sun. To learn more about Helioplex® Technology, .

  • Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB
  • Water resistant (80min)
  • Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
  • Oil-Free
  • PABA-free

About product:

It comes in a cardboard box(which I have lost and it has ingredients mentioned on it), the tube is soft squeezable with flip cap. It has a cream like texture with a pleasant faint fragrance. 


Texture and color of product

After application on skin


My thoughts:

Oppose to my fears Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock doesn't leave white cast on the face. I have dry skin and I have been using this whole summer and it did not make my skin more dry or scaly. I was scared that it will budge my foundation or BB cream which I apply on daily basis at work, but it did not, infact I feel like it helped my BB cream to stay in place even after 7-8 hrs at work. If you ask me if I felt any drastic difference in my skin tone or if it actually did help me to avoid getting tan, then I wont be able to help you in that case as I work indoor and I am in direct sun for very few minutes. But as far as the product overall performance is concerned, I am satisfied and happy to use it. It did not break me out, it does not have white cast to it, it does not shine or become oily with time, it does not separate my BB cream/ foundation. I apply pea size product on my face and neck and it absorbs right in. You can get more information about how "Helioplex broad spectrum uva-uvb rays" work on their website. 

Pros:
  •  Doesn't leave white cast.
  • Locally available.
  • Travel friendly.
  • Does not make your skin oily or dry.
Cons:
  • None yet.
Price and availability:
I purchased it from a drugstore shop near my home for 650/- Rs.

With Love,
Maria

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Why APPLE CIDER VINEGAR is my favourite DIY staple?

"Apple cider vinegar, otherwise known as cider vinegar or ACV, is a type of vinegar made from cider or apple must and has a pale to medium amber color Wikipedia"


I first learned about Apple cider vinegar from Huda Beauty's blog while searching for DIYs I suppose and trust me I got glued to her blog for days to follow and I did suggest it to almost everyone I know to check her blog. (If you want to read her blogposts on ACV Click here, DIYs from kitchen cabinet, Increase Hair Volume and many more). Apple Cider Vinegar seemed like a holy grail to me after reading all this and some further research, and let me tell you I am not disappointed.

Its been few years I have started using it and currently I have ran out of it (Must Purchase it On Next Grocery Shopping- Mental note) and I can't wait to restock it. I will be mentioning few things that I used it for.

1-Treating Acne:
Few properties that help are
  • Anti-Bacterial and Antiseptic properties help to kill bacteria that block pores and cause acne
  • Its alpha-hydroxyl acid rejuvenates the skin by exfoliating the dead skin cells.
  • It helps to restore the skin Ph. level by balancing acid-alkaline levels.
  • It works as astringent which means it dries out the pimple which helps to get of them faster.

I have a sensitive dry skin and I rarely get pimples but some of them do need extra attention. When I feel like a pimple is going to pop up the next day or there is redness/itching on my face which means I will get one tomorrow, what I do is I mix few drops of ACV in equivalent amount of water and apply directly on the spot. It do sting a little at first but that doesn't last for more than mere seconds. If I feel my skin is dried out from that spot after pimple is healed, I use scrub to get rid of it

2-Hair Mask:

Like Huda suggested, I used to pour a mug of water with few drops of ACV at the end and after few minutes wash it again pouring few more mugs of water. It does makes your hair soft and shiny. it helps to clear your scalp from excessive oils too. If you have lice problem you can treat it too with ACV, apply a diluted ACV on head and cover it with shower cap for half hour and wash it with regular shampoo later. It can be used in the same manner for people with dandruff issues.

3- Increase Metabolism/helps in digestion:

Although many people claim that it will reduce extra fat and makes you loss weight in weeks, no its not true. Abundance of one thing can never give you any required results, its always about "mix and match". I love to drink it in morning before breakfast, just mix one tea spoon in water and drink it. I do not like its smell btw (its CIDER Duh!! ) but I have heard Organic ACV does not have foul smell.
I feel light and active in days when I take this in morning as it helps in digestion and with continuous use you can reduced few pounds as it betters the metabolism function of your body, with right exercises and diet you can easily achieve your weight loss goal.

Other uses of ACV includes:
I will recommend everyone to include this in your pantry and take as much advantage of this natural staple as you can. It has been beneficial for me from years, it will help you too. It is easily available on super markets, I have been using American Gardens one but now I am planning to get BRAGG as its organic.

Please do tell me in comments if you have used it too for any cause or planning too.

With Love,
Maria.