Eight Travel-friendly Summer Palettes With Bolds and Neutrals

Eight Travel-friendly Summer Palettes With Bolds and Neutrals

Wishlist Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, May 28, 2015

Palettes on my wishlist this Summer, with bolds and neutrals.

When I travel, I usually know what palettes to pack. Something like theBalm's Balmsai or Sleek Vintage Romance will see me through a week. If my trip is shorter or only includes day-events or formal occasions, I go in for Too Faced Chocolate Bar or an IT Cosmetics matte palette. But not this time.
The problem: I was packing for my six-week trip to the UK/Europe when I realised that none of my palettes would suit - unless I wanted to cartload three or four palettes, or pack a whole Sephora Blockbuster and chuck out a dozen clothes, the mac and wellies (hello again, London). I have formal day-events, evenings out, theatre trips, meetings with friends and even a circus planned, so I need variety.
What I want: about four or five colourful shades which include a couple of jewel tones (purple and blue, definitely) and a couple of brights, and six or so neutrals, from beiges and browns to coppers, greys, plums and a smoky black. A nice mix of mattes and shimmers. And, the whole thing must not take up much room. I don't ask for much, do I?
The immediate solution: Pack a basic trio or quad and go shopping on arrival. I have made a list of options.

Here are eight versatile, travel-friendly eyeshadow palettes with a versatile mix of bold and neutral colours on my wishlist this Summer.

Holiday 2014 Gift Guide: Must-have beauty accessories and tools

Holiday 2014 Gift Guide: Must-have beauty accessories and tools

Wishlist Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, December 07, 2014

No matter what makeup and skin care products you use, the right tools and accessories can make a huge difference to your final look. Be it the perfect makeup applicator or the most thorough sonic face cleansing brush, these handy devices are must-haves in your cabinets. I have not included hair styling products, as we could be here all week otherwise. And I have tried to pick just the one product from each category, except while considering different skin types. I am giving away one of these products, so do read on to enter the giveaway and you would be taking home one of these gifts!

Check out the must-have beauty tools and accessories for Holiday 2014.

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Eyeshadow Palettes

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide: Eyeshadow Palettes

Wishlist Cosmetopia Digest   Saturday, December 06, 2014

Whether you want to shop right before Christmas, or on the Boxing Day Sales across the British Commonwealth, shopping during the Holiday Season is guaranteed to get you black eyes, bruised skin, half-pulled hair and a titchy temper. Last year, I was in travelling in the Persian Gulf during Boxing Day, and Zara, H&M, Topshop and Debenhams were nightmares. There was some dress Kate Middleton had worn once and the fight over the last piece was epic. I ended up buying nothing. Which is why online shopping is an easier choice.
Over the coming week, I will pick out my suggestions for eyeshadow palettes, makeup and skincare treats, tools and stocking stuffers, and gift ideas for the man in your life - December 19th is the cut-off date on most websites for domestic delivery before Christmas, and December 9th is the date for international delivery.
Pick one or more of these for a cherished family member or friend, or for yourself - each of these choices is guaranteed to be much-loved by the recipient!

Here are some eyeshadow palettes that will make great Holiday gifts!

My Fall 2014 Beauty Wishlist

My Fall 2014 Beauty Wishlist

Wishlist Cosmetopia Digest   Thursday, September 25, 2014

I have had to amend my mid-year makeup wishlist, seen here. There have been just too many new launches which I absolutely need. We have all been there. Besides, I did manage to get a few of the things from my mid-year list, namely, Benefit Big Easy, Lorac Pro 2, Ciate Flower Manicure Kit, YSL Rouge Volupte Shine lipstick and IT Cosmetics Celebration foundation. I also gave up on Benefit Agent Zero Shine and the Rimmel Stay Matte Mousse foundation from the list, because neither worked for me upon swatching. Not all of the products on this wishlist are Fall releases - some have been around for a while. And, mind you, this wishlist has been edited, culled and minimised to an extent I once thought impossible.

Just when you think you have all the palettes you need, they go out and release THE mother of all palettes - it happens to me every time. This Fall, I have three palettes on my must-have list. Not to mention a bunch of other goodies, some of which you have already seen on my mid-year wishlist.

A quick look at the beauty products I want to buy this Fall.

Mid-year makeup wishlist for 2014

Mid-year makeup wishlist for 2014

Wishlist Cosmetopia Digest   Wednesday, July 02, 2014

Half the year is over already! It seems like only yesterday that I was building this blog. I had begun this blog mainly to keep an eye on my growing stash and to restrict myself from buying things left, right and centre. How has that worked out so far? Ermmm... not very well. But, I can tell you two things:

1. I have not bought any products just to blog about. Whatever I have bought was purchased after much wanting, with every intention of using. Some products have let me down in terms of colour because of weird store lighting, though.
2. I used to have monthly wishlists, remember? Now I only have a wishlist quarterly, but it contains only half a dozen products, so I combine them into half-yearly wishlists. It is a start!

Here is a bit more about each makeup product on my mid-2014 wishlist.

February empties and March wishlist

February empties and March wishlist

Wishlist Cosmetopia Digest   Sunday, March 03, 2013

I'm on a spending ban for now, but once it ends, here's what I want this month (giveaway will take place post-ban, before my birthday in mid-April):

1. L'Oreal nail art sticker in python: Love this pattern.
2. The Body Shop sleep mist: I'm a restless and tense sleeper, so let's try this out.
3. YSL Vernis Pur glossy stain: I love the packaging and badly want it, in a shade that suits me. Let's see - I plan to visit YSL later this month (my mum wants one, too).
4. Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner: I really hope they still produce this. It's on my list when I go Lush-hauling to mark the completion of my spending ban.
5. Caviar microbeads: From MUA or wherever. Doesn't matter. I've wanted to try this effect out, but I'll have to go easy, because the  beads don't last for days and you can't reuse them. Maybe a birthday mani?
6. Burt's Bees lip balm: A regular favourite.
7. L'Oreal primer: I tried a tester and found it quite silicone-y. If it is a good enough alternative to Porefessional, why not?
8. Shiseido Lacquer Rouge
9. Maybelline Rocket mascara: Blame Hannah for the presence of this on this list!
10. The Body Shop Peppermint pumice foot scrub
11. Lush Buffy Bar: Or any body butter bar, and a couple of massage bars, really.
12.  China Glaze Scattered and Tattered: I don't see myself buying this anytime soon, but if divine forces, if any, are reading this....
13. O.P.I. Polka.com: As above.
14. Shiseido Camellia Compact: This is more of a wish to swatch it and see if it's fab. If not, Benefit Fine One One?
15. Shiseido Shimmering Rouge: It'll be either this or the lacquer rouge mentioned above, depending on which one has greater staying power.
16. Rimmel Waterproof Liquid Liner: A couple of my liquid liners are nearing the end of the bottle, especially deep blue and brown, so....
17. China Glaze Transitions, in any shade, really.
18. L'Occitane hand cream
19. Lancome Tresor Midnight Rose Eau de Parfum: I've finished a sample and I know I'm buying this soon :)

Now for my empties this month:

Lush Blousey Banana shampoo: Loved this - the smell, the feel, everything! Contains ALS, though.
Olay Body Wash: Whew, took forever for that to get over.
Lush Whoosh Shower Jelly: Bought this only in January, but I was rushing through it to get five empties!
The Body Shop Satsuma Body Lotion: A February favourite. Loved the smell and the soft feel it gave my skin.
Lush Curly Wurly shampoo: While it is a non-drying yet cleansing shampoo, the coconut bits kept clogging my drain.
Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation: I've had this for a while - very little is enough, and no white residue/shine. Besides, this is great for those days you're too lazy to wear SPF.
Max Factor Lipfinity 180: They changed the formula so that Lipfinity is now quite flaky and sticky. This is pre-change. I saved it for a long time because I love the shade and finally decided to finish it off.