New Hair Faves

Let me start by saying, I am not much of a hair care kind of person. But after looking at this new line of products that deliver what they claim, I’m hooked!

I recently read a post on Kristin Ess’ product line at target. Honestly, I never walk thru the hair care aisles at target. It’s also coz I keep looking at what’s new in the drugstore beauty aisles.

I read a few posts about her line and saw that people really loved her products. So I went in and purchased the leave- in conditioner, the blow dry mist and the soft matte pomade. I should tell you that I am really impressed! The leave-in conditioner smells so refreshing and reduces frizz in my hair. It’s just a simple product that works!

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The blow dry mist reduces drying time from like an hour to 10 minutes for my thick Indian hair. I use it along with my T3 Cura hair dryer; usually the night before to optimize my time in the morning. A little goes a LONG way with this mist.

I apply the soft matte pomade after I’ve styled my hair using hot tools or otherwise. I use it to curb my baby/ frizzy hair and smooth it out. It smells great and gives it this matte appearance that I like. The styling lasts for a while with this product. I notice that I just have to apply the one signature hair water to revive the styling from the night before and voila! It is fresh again. That’s what the hair water does with a little bit of tszuj; making your hair less flat.

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My hair is wavy/curly with lose curls if I let it air dry. But it does look frizzy if I don’t apply any product to it. So if I am feeling lazy, I’ll start with a little bit of the leave-in conditioner throughout my hair after I towel dry. I follow up with the air dry crème and kind of scrunch them once my natural curls start to form. Then I apply 2 pumps of the working serum throughout my hair to seal it all in. This definitely does the trick; my hair is shinier and looks like I made an effort 🙂

I would definitely recommend trying some of her products if you haven’t already. Her dry styling and finishing collection also  have good reviews and I will be trying more from this line for sure! Let me know in the comments below if you guys have tried any!

Concealers that make me look natural

When it comes to concealers I like to keep it simple and natural. I have personally been through the phase of cakey under-eye and I conclude – it is NOT cute. I’ve finally found lightweight concealers that get the job done. To give you guys some background, I have a little bit of darkness under my eye and EVERY concealer creases on me. I have tried everything from the Tarte maracuja concealer to the shape tape one. I have now accepted my dark circles and the creasing issue. So now I have a few concealers that are up right my alley and I wanted to share them with you.

My favorite concealer/highlighter is the YSL touche éclat. My shade is 2.5 luminous vanilla for under the eye and it’s really perfect. The texture is light and it has good wear. I was nervous before purchasing this because of the price ($42) but now I know why SO many people love it! It also covers darkness by highlighting giving a very fresh appearance.

My next favorite is the Garnier SKINACTIVE anti dark circle eye roller. It is very lightweight and thin in texture. I enjoy the roller ball that makes for a fast and easy application. The coverage is light and doesn’t cover everything but I do like it for everyday wear. It also has caffeine that is great for de-puffing and circulation under the eyes. so it is a skincare/makeup item in one.

I have been enjoying the Glossier stretch concealer for that dewy look. It does crease the most out of the three but I don’t mind it. I use the Glossier Wowder to set it, which does not make it look totally matte. I just blot under my eyes to deal with the creasing during the day. The concealer gives a fresh feel without looking too greasy and is perfect for drier under eyes.

Last but not the least, I also love the Maybelline age rewind concealer that a LOT of people rave about. It is totally worth the hype, provides medium coverage under the eyes and is perfect for an evening out. I wear the shade medium which also brightens my under eyes. The sponge tip applicator is great just like the roller ball. A little bit goes a long way with this one. I do feel like it creases the least out of the four and I like the more matte look it gives. I do have to set all my concealers with powder to make it long-lasting and avoid as much creasing.

So this is a short and sweet list of concealers I love. I hope to discover a few more along the way and will make sure to share them with you all. Please feel free to leave any suggestions you have!

New Brushes!

Each year, as my birthday gets closer, my shopping bug is activated. I bought a couple of new things that I will share eventually on my social media. But today I wanted to share a few more brushes I have invested in and incorporated into my collection.

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I am a big fan of Charlotte Tilbury make-up. I feel like her lipsticks and eye shadows are flawless. But surprisingly, her makeup brushes are just as good. I recently purchased her eye blender and smudger brushes and I have to say they are great! I liked them so much that I went back and bought the travel set too! I take them everywhere I go. They are quick, easy and get the job done effortlessly.

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I also wanted to try the Sephora collection PRO featherweight complexion brush #90 after using the eye shadow brush from the same line. This brush can do everything! I mean not everything, but it can be used to apply foundation, setting your makeup, apply contour and blush. It is featherweight and so fluffy that it gives seamless application. I have washed this brush many times and it still feels the same. Loving it!

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This set from Amazon was so affordable and they make good alternatives for the Artis brushes if you are on a budget. I don’t think I could spend $62 for a face brush. The set I purchased is all black and the bristles are very soft. The handles are plastic and I’ve read reviews mentioning that the handles easily break. I use them almost everyday and have washed them multiple times. They still feel the same and the handles haven’t come off. It has helped me to apply my foundation and concealer in less than a minute. I love this set!

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I also wanted to mention that I clean my brushes using the Sephora collection solid clean brush cleanser. It really deep cleanses my brushes and keep them in their original condition. I’ve had some of my brushes for over two years and they are still going strong. A good brush cleanser is a must to retain the quality of the brushes you invest in.

I hope you enjoyed this post and have found inspiration to find new brushes. Please feel to leave suggestions below as I’d love to check them out!

 

 

My recent favorites!

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I consider myself a person who is always open to change and never easily satisfied. The last time I moved, it was rushed and the apartment wasn’t the best. But, I have finally settled into a beautiful apartment now and have been loving it! Also, my family visited me from India last month, for three weeks which was so much fun! It is hard to be away from family, so I made most of our time together. Through all the craziness last month, I wanted to share some of my favorites- beauty and others! Let’s start with beauty-

  1. Tatcha Kyoto Cleanse: I have been really loving this kit from Tatcha. I use it to double cleanse. My skin feels quite smooth after using it. The camellia cleansing oil is awesome for removing makeup at the end of the day and the powder cleanser is great for after. The powder turns into a creamy foam when mixed with water and cleanses beautifully.
  2. Tatcha Indigo soothing rice enzyme powder: After buying the kyoto cleanse kit, I went ahead and bought the full size of the indigo enzyme powder. I ended up loving this one too! I use it everyday and feel great. I feel like the indigo powder is softer than the classic one from the kit. I’ve kept the classic just for travel!
  3. Chanel CC Cream: To be honest, I love Chanel foundation products. I have been enjoying the lumiere velvet and the vitalumiere. The CC cream works so well for this season. It is SPF 50 which is perfect and its medium to full coverage. Its great for everyday and keeps my T-zone at bay.
  4. Charlotte Tilbury legendary brow gel: I recently went to the Charlotte Tilbury counter at Nordstrom (where I love to shop) and went a bit nuts. I gotta say, I love her products. I am really enjoying the eyes to mesmerize in Mona Lisa with her blending brush. I have dark brows and I don’t usually fill them in. But the brow gel in the shade supermodel is perfect for me and holds the brow hair in place all day. It’s a great pick me up for the brows. I love it!

 

Now over to the random stuff:

  1. Humidifier: Last month I went through a bout of allergies. They got so bad that I had to get an allergy test done. It was no surprise that I was allergic to pollen. I had so many sleepless nights because of dryness and congestion. But the humidifier has been my best friend through it. I have been getting a good night’s sleep and to this day I get congested if it isn’t on while I sleep.
  2. Dagne Dover midi tote in Bleecker blush: I have been eyeing this bag for so long. When Dagne Dover had their warehouse sale I jumped with joy. To be honest, this looked smaller online than it really is. It is a very spacious bag and fits everything I need for the day. They still have the 13- and 15-inch tote on sale, that are very functional for work. Definitely worth checking out. I am loving the bag!
  3. Podcast- At home with.. by Lily and Anna: I follow a lot of beauty and lifestyle bloggers on different platforms like youtube and bloglovin’ etc. Obviously you cannot watch youtube or read any blog while driving. So I was really thrilled when Lily pebbles and Anna Newton came up with their podcast. I have been really enjoying their conversations with women from various backgrounds. The talk, about their work, road to success and their beautiful home, among other things. I love how visual their podcast is! Surely makes for a great listen on my daily commute. I also have been mixing it up with some episodes of TED talks.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my recent favorites, and found something for yourself!

Sibling Love

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We always have that one friend who never leaves. The one who stays through all your idiosyncrasies. The one who protects and shelters through tough times. For me, this person is my sister: My one and only. She is the one who has always been with me, through the darkest of days.

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I was a typical teenager: rebellious, the one who thought she knew everything there is to know. Sometimes disrespected my parents by doing exactly the opposite of what they told me to. I always wanted to do things my parents would say no to, just to irk them. Obviously, I was going through my teens. Some may say teens might not even be humans. I do agree a little bit. I was horrible myself. But through all of this; sneaking outside the house, giving me her pocket money, standing up for me, my sister has always been there for me. And I know, that I have ALWAYS taken this fact for granted.

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There have been times when I have disrespected her in public, only to make her feel bad about herself. When I think about it now I feel pathetic about the person I was to her. Being the older one, I should’ve protected her, been there for her. Now that we are adults, we are much closer than we were before. This is because I left home to be in the US, and distance made our hearts grow fonder. I am really lucky my sister stuck around to know me better, even though I wasn’t around much for her. I definitely am lucky to see the kind of person she turned out to become. I feel like I never really influenced much of her life. But it is great that she became her own person. The values and the standards she has set for herself are distinguished. I love her very much.

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If your sibling is estranged for some reason, reach out to them today, let them know that you still care. For every human, it is important to have that sense of belonging; whether it is family, a loved one or even a friend. You already have that friend, embrace them without question. Understand that, no two people are the same. The differences fuel the fire to move forward and why not take your sibling with you on this journey you can enjoy together? Some things I can never change about my sister, but the important qualities I would never like to change.

First impressions!

I recently bought a few new products and wanted to share my thoughts on them! I have only used these for a week or two. So they are technically very new to me.

1) Origins A Perfect World Age- Defense treatment lotion with White tea: I have been on the lookout for a good toner. I tried a few before I found this at Sephora. It has a nice and pleasant fragrance and I instantly liked it. It definitely soothes my skin and preps for the next step. I have also used it to just refresh myself after work when I am feeling a little lazy to wash my face and do the whole routine.

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2) Missha Time revolution night repair ampoule: I have read SO many good reviews about this product – I had to try it for myself. Honestly, I’ve used it for a week and I really like it. Definitely made my skin feel very hydrated. Thumbs up for now!

3) Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid: I have the cream version of the ceramidin which I REALLY like. I had to try the “serum” version. I’ve used it a couple of times, but I need more time with this one to really see the difference. I use it in combination with the cream.

4) Burt’s Bees Hand Salve: Let me start off by saying that I have very scaly and rough hands. Everyone who has held them agrees. The hand creams that I have used in the past apart from the one I mentioned in this —> post, have disappointed me. This hand salve, as the name suggests, “a farmer’s friend”- is really my friend. Not that I am a farmer but my hands do feel like I am laborious. The hand salve is not greasy at all, smells like eucalyptus, which I love and keeps my hand feeling luxurious and soft.

FullSizeRender5) Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream: This cream is heavier than those I have used in the past. But it layers well under my concealer and doesn’t make my under-eye look dry and textured. I enjoy combining the cream with the eye patches I got in this deal from Nordstrom – Totally worth it! I don’t use the patches everyday but once in 4-5 days for a little mid-week pick me up.

6) Petitfee Black Pearl and Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch: I am a fan of eye patches and I recently read #ITGTOPSHELFIE of a reader where these were mentioned. I read good reviews on Amazon and bought it. I’ve only used it once and was impressed. I did not keep the patches in the refrigerator before using them, but they did feel cooling and relaxing after a long day. More on this on my IG stories soon!

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I hope you guys liked my opinion-filled (LOL) post about these products. I’ll provide an update on them again on my Instagram. Stay tuned!

Loving lately

Just wanted to share a few things that have got me excited in the past couple months. Apart from dreaming about my wishlist, I have truly enjoyed the things I have mentioned below.

  1. MUJI Bag: I was strolling through MUJI three weeks ago to get their acrylic drawers for $10 (as if I didn’t have enough) but the deal was too sweet to resist. You can store a LOT in these drawers. I found bag organizers on sale and this particular bag caught my eye. It has a blue denim kind of look and is water resistant (tried and tested over the weekend in the rain). It’s a small bag that is perfect for everyday essentials and I have been carrying it every day to work. It’s just easy-peasy and fulfills my desire to be super organized! You can check out what’s in my bag here.
  2. Trader Joe’s: Since I have started controlling what I consume every day, I have much appreciated and driven miles to find a Trader Joe’s. The variety of snacks they have makes me want to buy everything. And the dark chocolate is amazing. What more can you ask for. Who knew I would get this excited about grocery one day. Loving Trader Joe’s.
  3. Cole Haan Jacket: This jacket has been a savior in the cold weather. Winter has been bearable with this jacket. It is really comfortable and not too heavy for a long coat. It’s made with 100% down/feathers and the wine color I love!
  4. Apple watch: I am glad that I splurged on my apple watch for New Year’s. I am really happy with it. I had the Series 1 which had terrible battery life so I returned it. The Series 2 was definitely worth the wait. It reminds me to do everything!! Like to stand up when I am lounging like a hippo, breathe when I am super busy and don’t have time. I love it! And its looks so chic like all other apple products.
  5. Skin care: Last but not the least, I am loving my skin care routine right now. I look forward to it every morning when I wake up and at night before bed. It keeps me feeling fresh and lively. When you feel good about yourself you can definitely conquer the world. At least I think so. I know I have been saying this for too long. But I am working on getting my skin care routine up soon. Meanwhile, you can follow me on Instagram (@sonalkam7) where I will be posting my skin care edit in pieces.

I hope you also have a few goodies that you have been loving. Please feel to share them in the comments below!

My Wishlist

I hope you guys are enjoying 2017. It’s been a good start for me personally. I’ve got the ball rolling on the whole healthy lifestyle situation. I don’t eat when I am not hungry. I am not thinking or dreaming about food when I am idle. So far so good.

There are a few things that I wish for this year and I thought I would share them with you. NOTE: I might sound greedy as you read through the post but hear me out. I plan to only indulge on special occasions and only if I have earned it by accomplishing my goals. I hope you find inspiration in these pieces and work towards what you wish for.

So here goes!

  1. Dagne Dove- Charlie Tote: Go to this website and look at the bag. You’ll know exactly why I want this. It’s absolutely gorgeous! It has a pocket for everything you want to carry through the day. It even has a pouch for shoes or maybe an extra top/tee you’d want to carry if you are going out after work. And the best thing is the detachable key leash. I am pretty sure I’m not the only one frantically looking for the house keys in my bag while its freezing outside. This one is top on my WANT list. It is extremely pricey ($495) for me but someday I will afford it!
  2. Perch by Urbio 5-piece starter kit: This is such a chic way of organizing your desk or vanity or even plant some succulent in them. I love how clean it looks and you can see it in action on Tamira Jarrel’s blog post. This is good inspiration for my desk/ vanity that I will be setting up when I move in a couple of months. It is affordable ($39) and you can also purchases additional pieces to go with it.
  3. Umbra Storage: This website makes me want to buy everything! I love their HUB Ladder in White ($80) to use as a entryway coat rack or just for your throws by the couch. Their wall planters are so modern and chic and some of them also have shelves for storing some books or a small speaker. I love their variety for jewelry storage from stands and boxes; they have it all. Once you scroll through the site you’ll probably end up buying things you didn’t know you wanted. Definitely looking into Umbra for my next apartment storage and organization.
  4. Charlotte Tilbury Instant look in a palette Seductive Beauty: This palette is so beautiful. The shades are subtle and smoky at the same time. I REALLY want this palette. It is everything you would need for travel except for a lip color. But she even has kits with the lipsticks of your choice. It is also a pricey purchase ($75) but this has made it to the top of my beauty wish list. It’s perfect!
  5. Chanel Skin care: I have been looking to switch to Chanel for skin care. I don’t what it is, but the creams and also their makeup are so luxurious. I love how they smell and feel on the skin. The fragrance isn’t overwhelming at all. I am looking into the Chanel Hydra Beauty Crème ($87), Le Lift crème anti wrinkle eye cream ($105) and the Rinse-off foaming mousse cleanser balance+ anti-pollution ($45). Obviously I cannot afford all of them together. But I will work on acquiring them one at a time. Goodbye Savings! LOL.
  6. Mejuri 360 earrings: This pair ($95) is made in 14k solid gold. I love indulging in earrings cause I wear them everyday as opposed to necklaces or rings. It is definitely next on my jewelry radar. Mejuri has a great selection of everyday fine jewelry and I think they have something for everyone.

I hope you have enjoyed my wish list and want to indulge in luxury yourself. It’s always great to have goals and some motivation (shopping) to achieve them. These beautiful pieces are certainly going to keep me on my feet this year. Wish me luck!

Don’t Brush it off

Makeup and skincare have only been in my life for the past two years. I must say, I have enjoyed every bit of it. I love having multiple brushes to do the job, mainly because I am lazy to clean them. I wanted to share some of my absolute favorites that I have been using since I got into makeup.

Let’s start with Face brushes and continue with eye brushes: I love having multiple for foundation or CC creams. Firstly, because I wear foundation almost everyday, second I don’t have enough time to wash them every single day.

  1. IT Cosmetics heavenly complexion perfection luxe #7 brush: Okay, so this brush is way up there in price, like $48. But as the name suggests it does exactly that. I enjoy the seamless finish that it gives with every product I have used. Since, it is dual ended,  I use this brush whenever I travel cause it does everything from foundation, concealer, blush, powder, eye shadow, you name it; the brush does it all.
  2. E.L.F cosmetics bare blending brush: It looks like a fluffier fan brush, except that its great for cream products. The brush gives a non streaky application and the size makes it great for travel too. I can literally fit in my pocket.
  3. IT cosmetics Airbrush smoothing foundation brush: Well, IT cosmetics really does great brushes. I think their price is fair and great for the quality they provide. I have had their brushes for almost two years now. I washed them a million times (of, course not a million, but you get the point) and they are still in great shape. This brush is great for everyday – Apply foundation, buff and out the door in 5 minutes.
  4. BeautyBlender:You might say that this isn’t a brush, I know but, I only use it for concealer and have to say no other brush wins the concealer challenge better than the beautyblender. You need to get one. Period.
  5. Morphe E2 brush/ Real Techniques powder brush: Both of these brushes are so large and fluffy that they work great with setting powders for your face. They cover a large surface area so it’s quick and easy. No fuss. Most times powder brushes can be quite a rip off, but these are reasonably priced for great quality.
  6. Morphe E45: I use this brush for applying concealer at times but definitely for setting it with powder. It has the perfect size for under the eyes. I love this brush for how soft it is. It feels smooth and applies the product seamlessly.
  7. Eye brushes: I use the Sephora collection PRO featherweight crease brush #38 for the crease. The bristles of this brush are soft and apply the eyeshadow without any tugging. I absolutely love this brush. Also I alternate between Morphe M433 and M441 to intensify my crease shadow. These are a cult favorite and do the exactly what they are made for. These 3 brushes I cannot live without for my eye makeup.
  8. Morphe M421: I know it says that it is a concealer brush, but I use it to pack on lid color whether it’s cream or powder eyeshadow. It is tightly packed and provides controlled application without too much movement. Love it!
  9. E.L.F cosmetics mineral powder brush: This is a great brush for blush application. Sometimes I also use it for powder application after I apply my foundation/ CC cream. An all-in-all great brush for just $3. In general, E.L.F  has some great brushes which don’t hurt the wallet.
  10. Morphe M310: This fan brush needs no explanation. It is perfect for powder highlight application. The brush is made with natural hair which work best with powder.

So these are some of my favorite brushes. I hope you enjoyed this post and would try some of these for your makeup routine. I usually go for affordable options if I can. But if I do need an expensive brush, it better sweep me off my feet.

5-minute make-up drawer

I recently gave in and invested in MUJI drawers. I got two of the large acrylic 2-drawers with/ without lid. To tell you the truth, I love them! They are so sleek and neat, they look really classy on my bulky chest of drawers that I got from Wal-Mart when I moved 2 years ago. They are quite functional and store a LOT of products for your morning routine.

Obviously, no one has the time for make-up in the morning. There have been times I have landed on my desk like a street urchin. But these drawers have helped me to pick exactly what I need to look my best and get a head start to my day. I make sure I have at least 5-7 minutes every morning to prep myself.

To give you a break down of my routine- After my skincare (which isn’t included in these 5 minutes because I consider that part VERY important), I start with Glossier priming moisturizer. This makes for a really hydrated base which works best for the gloomy and colder days. Then I have been truly loving my Chanel CC cream in 40 beige to give me a natural “dewy” look. And my t-zone doesn’t get oily through the day which is a plus. Sometimes I switch it out for the Vitalumière Moisture rich fluid makeup SPF 15 in 40 beige. This is equally good but I do need to use blotting paper once in the day. The good thing is both have SPF.

For my everyday concealer, I have been using the Glossier Stretch concealer in 30 Dark. I apply both using the IT cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Complexion Perfection brush #7. The kabuki side of the brush applies any cream product flawlessly and the other side is great for concealer. It gives a no-streaky application.

Once I have my base on, I apply the medium shades in the Chanel Les 4 Ombres in 266 Les Essentiel in my crease to give definition. Then I use my Hourglass Ambient lighting blush in Luminous flush which is the perfect shade for a natural “flush”. Then I use the Becca Skin Perfector in Opal on the high points of my cheeks, cupid’s bow and all the good stuff. Or it is the Glossier Haloscope in Moonstone. Then I wear any lip color lying in my top drawer. Lately, I have been seriously loving the Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in 214 Message. Another favorite has been the Glossier lip gloss which isn’t too goopy and great for everyday. Unfortunately, this is sold out. I alternate both with my YSL rouge volupte shine in 48 Smoking plum. It is still one of my favs. All of these are great for winter as they do not exaggerate dry lips and are quite moisturizing.

There you have it! This has been my go-to or 5-minute make up: whatever you call it. I hope you enjoy these products if you choose to buy them. I will definitely be following up with my recent skincare routine so stay tuned!

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