Tag Archives: Indian beauty blog

Fragrance

Chanel N°5 Eau De Parfum Spray – Review

After nearly a year of silence, my blog’s cursor blinks back at me like an old friend. Life happened, time slipped, but the words never really left me. So, here I am with my reviews on a few cool products I tried. Hope you are going to like it 🙂

Background & Legacy

Chanel No. 5 is not just a perfume — it’s a cultural icon. Launched in 1921 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel and perfumer Ernest Beaux, it was the first fragrance to bear a designer’s name. Its revolutionary use of aldehydes and abstract floral notes broke away from the traditional single-flower scents of the time. With endorsements by legends like Marilyn Monroe, who famously claimed to wear “nothing but Chanel No. 5 to bed”, it has solidified its place as the epitome of luxury and timelessness.

Chanel No. 5 EDP Review

Scent Profile

Top Notes:

  • Aldehydes
  • Neroli
  • Ylang-Ylang
  • Bergamot
  • Lemon

The opening is instantly recognizable: sparkling, soapy aldehydes that create a clean, effervescent impression — almost like champagne bubbles. The citrus adds freshness, while the ylang-ylang contributes a slightly spicy floral touch.

Heart Notes:

  • Iris
  • Jasmine
  • Rose
  • Lily of the Valley

The heart is undeniably floral, with a rich, velvety blend. Jasmine from Grasse — specially cultivated for Chanel — stands out, along with powdery iris and the romantic softness of rose. This bouquet is abstract, meaning no one flower dominates; instead, they blend into something luxurious and harmonious.

Base Notes:

  • Sandalwood
  • Vetiver
  • Vanilla
  • Amber
  • Musk
  • Patchouli

The dry-down is warm, sensual, and elegant. The creamy sandalwood and vanillic amber give it depth and staying power, while the vetiver and musk ground it. It evolves over time from fresh and bright to a powdery, warm skin scent that lingers beautifully.

Chanel No 5 EDP Review

Longevity: ★★★★☆

Chanel No. 5 EDP typically lasts almost 8 hours on my skin, sometimes more. I have not tried the EDT but I think the Parfum version has even better longevity and sillage.

Projection/Sillage: ★★★★☆

Moderate to strong in the first few hours. It leaves a noticeable but sophisticated trail — assertive, but never cloying or aggressive.

Packaging: ★★★★★

The bottle is a masterpiece of minimalist design: rectangular, clean lines, and an elegant typeface. It reflects Coco Chanel’s philosophy of simplicity and class. The weight of the glass add to its luxury feel.

When & Where to Wear:

  • Occasions: Formal events, evenings, romantic dates, professional settings
  • Season: Year-round, though the richness shines best in fall/winter or cooler spring evenings
  • Mood: Sophisticated, classic, confident

Chanel No. 5 is not a casual or playful scent — it’s commanding, refined, and best suited for occasions where you want to feel polished and empowered.

Price & Quantity:

It is available on Nykaa and on the official Chanel website. In India it is retailing for Rs 11950 and Rs 16750 for a 50 ml and 100 ml bottle respectively.

Who Is It For?

While traditionally marketed toward mature women, Chanel No. 5 can be worn by anyone who appreciates classic, floral-aldehydic compositions. It is not a youthful, trendy scent — it’s for those who appreciate heritage, artistry, and elegance in perfumery. So, if you are under 30, I would not recommend this.

Pros

  • Iconic and historically significant
  • Complex, layered composition
  • Long-lasting and refined
  • Luxurious bottle and packaging
  • A statement of class and confidence

Cons

  • Not for everyone: can feel “old-fashioned” to some due to aldehydes
  • Pricey, especially in Parfum concentration
  • May clash with very casual settings
  • Over-application can be overwhelming

Final Verdict: 8/10

Chanel No. 5 is a masterpiece of modern perfumery. It’s timeless, elegant, and daring in its structure — a bold olfactory abstraction that changed the perfume industry forever. While it might not be love at first sniff for everyone, it’s a fragrance that grows on you with age and appreciation. Owning a bottle feels like owning a piece of fashion and cultural history.

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Product Review, Skincare

Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch – Review

If you are someone who has got dry under-eye skin, then this review is for you. I have been noticing that my under-eye area became quite dry due to longer hours in front of screens. Eye creams helped definitely but I also tried the Petitfee Gold Hydrogel eye patch and I quite liked it

Price:

One pack(84gms) of the Petitfee Hydrogel Eye patches retails for Rs 1599. It contains 60 patches (30 pairs). I got it from Nykaa. They are also available on the Petitfee website.

Product Description:

Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patches contain a blend of premium ingredients focusing on treating dry skin. They actively work on reducing dark circles and wrinkles and provides instant recharging and hydration to your skin while moisturizes it. These gold patches are soaked in the essence of 24k gold powder and ginseng extract and act as your 15-minute nutrition recharge routine for treating dry skin. These under-eye patches improve skin elasticity and help in skin tightening while leaving your skin deeply hydrated. Made with a skin-friendly pure hydrogel containing seaweed, these patches hold a lot of water in them to provide immense hydration and cooling to the skin.

Ingredients:

Water, Calcium Chloride, Glycerin, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Xanthan Gum, Methylpropanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Chlorphenesin Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. Betaine, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Limonene, Mineral Oil, Gold.

  • Tidy the skin of your eye rim with toner after facial cleansing.
  • Scoop the patch with a spoon and apply it to fit the shape of your eye.
  • Take off the patch after taking a light rest with a cool feeling for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Gently massage the area after use.
  • Wrap up with a moisturizer if necessary.

Note: This product is a hydrogel type. Be cautious as it may tear off if handled roughly when applied. You can keep it in the refrigerator for an enhanced cooling effect.

My Take on the Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch:

Packaging: They come in a plastic golden tub with a small spatula to take out the product. I store it in my refrigerator for that extra cooling effect. It contains 60 very thin films of eye patch. It may get teared apart while taking out. So, be careful. The patches are super slimy and has a gold shimmery effect.

Ingredients: They contain fragrance. I don’t understand the need of it. I couldn’t smell much of it though. I am not sure of the 24k gold part but overall they contain a lot of hydrating ingredients.

Texture: The eye patches are soaked in a slimy hydrating liquid. I put on the masks and also slowly without any pressure blend the liquid around my eyes. I keep it on for maximum 20 minutes and it leaves a visibly hydrated and bright under-eye area.

Am I going to repurchase this? This is more like a good to have product for self-care. I will probably try out some other eye patches in future but these are also not bad.

Have you tried any other eye-patches? Let me know in the comments section.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Chloé Nomade Eau De Perfume – The Peach Diary Review

Hi everyone, posting here after a long break. I have tried out quite a few excellent products during this time and wanted to share my honest opinions on these. So, let’s start with a sweet fragrant one, the Chloé Nomade EDP. This EDP has really surprised me as it was a blind buy. I didn’t know much about this brand but I took a shot reading about some of the reviews and I must say I didn’t make a mistake. The Chloé Nomade EDP is available on Nykaa and on Tira.

Chloé is a French luxury brand which was founded in Paris in 1952. They are originally a luxury fashion brand. Their Chloé perfume is a popular classic around the world. Only carefully selected and high-quality ingredients are used for the production of a Chloé fragrance. This guarantees a premium-quality product and an unforgettable fragrance experience.

Price and Quantity:

The Chloé Nomade EDP comes in 2 sizes, 50 ml and 75 ml. They cost Rs 7850 and Rs 10200 respectively. I bought it from Tira on a good discount (around Rs 1000 off). I bought the 50 ml version and this is going to last me quite long.

Ingredients:

Alcohol Denat., Aqua/Water/Eau, Parfum/Fragrance, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Citral, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate.

Description:

Top Note of this cologne is Mirabelle plum. Heart Note is Freesia. Base Note is Oak moss. The intense, mineral character of the oak moss is shrouded in the voluptuous sweetness of the mirabelle plum. From this freshness emanates a sensation of flowery luminescence carried by freesia. These natural ingredients, brought together by perfumer Quentin Bisch, are highlighted by exhilarating harmonies-just like the feeling of escape, they inspire.

The woody fragrance is a mix of softness and strength: the facets of this floral chypre blow like the winds of freedom. The Chloe woman carries with her a freedom and an immutable, natural elegance. Confident, inspiring, she flourishes through her experiences and encounters, asserting who she is without ever imposing it. This inner strength leads her to embrace otherness. Her gaze turns to other horizons, her energy propels her towards new faces. At this very moment, in this light, facing the unknown, she embodies all the world’s possibilities and this bond to others that erases borders. She leaves in her wake, a fragrance that defines her everywhere she goes, in every place she travels. A perfume in her image … Nomad, just like her.

My take on the Chloé Nomade Eau De Parfum:

Packaging: The glass bottle is very classy, feminine and oozes sophistication. It embodies a signature romantic Parisian elegance. It comes with a golden cap with a tiny leather ribbon around it giving it a look of a prized possession on my dressing table.

Fragrance: The fragrance will make your presence felt wherever you go. It is not super sweet, fruity nor intensely woody but it hovers around somewhere in between being sugary floral with a woody undertone. My husband says whenever he smells it on me, he gets transported to the streets of Paris. Now that is something because he has a sensitive nose and any strong fragrance gives him a headache. Chloé has managed to strike a fine balance between freshness from freesia and the sweet floral essence of the Mirabelle plum along with the intense woody character of the Oak Moss. Overall I can certainly say it smells ‘Different’. It is not something you come across frequently. The perfume exudes confidence of a modern strong woman and this is why it has become my go to choice whenever I need to make an impression.

Performance: Another full marks in the longevity/performance category. It lasts long. I could smell it on my clothes days after I have sprayed it on. Even on my skin it lasts the whole day. I can wear it on a humid day or in monsoon, it stays on. Super happy with the performance.

Did I like it? Absolutely 100% and I already know that this is going to be one of the permanents in my collection (if they continue to make it of course). The scent is very charming and make me feel good about myself. The lasting power is amazing. Of course this is not cheap and it should not be either. However, it is not as expensive as some of the big names in the fragrance domain and it still delivers better than a lot of them. I would give it a 5 out of 5.

If you have tried this EDP, please let me know your views in the comments section.

Here is a list of some of the other perfumes that I loved

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Makeup, Product Review

MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint (Light 4) – Review

I recently purchased the MAC Strobe dewy tint in the shade light 4. I am not a regular foundation/concealer person but I love to put a skin tint while going out. I love the MAC strobe creams and decided to give this Strobe dewy tint as well and I must say I was not disappointed.

Price and Quantity:

The retail price for the 30 ml tube is INR 3300 with 36 months expiry date. Mac runs offers on their products all year round, however, I found the product to be quite expensive. I remember in my college days I loved applying a CC/bb cream. Skin tints fall in the same category but this MAC one is totally out of reach for college goers. I bought it from the Tira website. You can also get it from official MAC website or Nykaa.

MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint Review

Product Description:

A sheer, illuminating tinted moisturizer with light-bending effects that’s infused with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, squalane and vitamin E.

Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer, Hydrating, Sheer Buildable Coverage

Give your skin a hint of sheer, luminous tint with our tinted moisturizer featuring pearlescent, light-bending effects. The colour-true tinted moisturizer in 16 stretchable shades features sheer, buildable coverage with a lightweight gel-balm texture that cocoons skin for a comfortable, soft all-over glow. The formula is infused with good-for-skin ingredients including hyaluronic acid, shea butter and squalane. There’s also antioxidant-rich vitamin E to protect skin from environmental aggressors such as blue light and pollution.

Ingredients:

I could not find a detailed ingredient list online. They mentioned only Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, squalane and vitamin E. The full list is available on the outer packaging.

My Take on the MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint:

Shades: MAC always provides a lot of shade options suitable for all skin types. I think they launched almost 16 shades but in all the Indian websites I mostly found 8 shades. However, I found that those 8 shades will cater to most of the Indian women. Now, coming to the shade choosing part, I think you should test it out in a store first to get the correct shade. I chose light 4 but I feel it is not an exact match for me, it makes me look a bit bronzed.

Packaging: It comes in a transparent white tube with a black lid. It is a very light-weight travel friendly packaging.

Texture and Finish: The texture is quite thick and takes time to blend. Do not expect this to be as smooth as the strobe creams by MAC. Also, one needs to be really careful with the quantity as even 1/4th a pea size may look too much. So, just go really easy first and then choose the exact amount you need. It leaves a very even looking, smooth finish and a stunning glow. In their product description, MAC mentioned a ‘light bending effect’ and they stood true too their claim. It highlights my features at the right places and gives a sculpted look if I may say so. It stays like that through out the day. Doesn’t make my skin look extra oily or greasy at all. Still if you are worried you can use a setting powder to tone down the shimmering effect. It will set off to a beautiful satin like finish.

Coverage: It says that it gives a sheer coverage. I don’t expect or want a skin tint to be high coverage.

Finishing Thoughts: This skin tint is definitely what I am going to repurchase if they keep it in the market. I found the finish better than the Thank You Framer Luminous CC Cream. There are a lot of shade options for everyone. A tiny dot is what it takes for the desired result in my case. So, one tube is going to last quite a lot of time. It gives the naturally radiant finish under indirect sunlight or in an in-house setting but do test it out before going out, otherwise you may look like a bulb under sunlight :p

I personally would recommend to use a primer underneath so that it helps you to blend the product easily and you will not end up using a lot of product as well. If you are in a hurry then mix it up with your spf/ face moisturizer on your palm and then spread it out evenly.

Hope you found this review helpful. Do let me know in the comments about your favorite skin tint.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Zara Fleur d’Oranger EDP| Zara Emotions | Review

Hey Lovely People!! Hope you are enjoying a great summer 🙂

I recently purchased a couple of Zara perfumes during the recent sale. Most of these perfumes are known to be pocket friendly yet good dupes for some very luxury and popular scents. Also, I was quite surprised to find out that Jo Malone collaborated with Zara and created several EDPs under the Zara Emotions and Zara Olfactive range. I did not waste much time and picked up a few based on my testing at the store. Let’s find out if I like them or regret my purchase.

My first purchase was the Zara Fleur d’Oranger from the Zara Emotions range, a collection created by Jo Loves. So, actually Jo Malone, the original creator behind the famous fragrance brand ‘Jo Malone’, sold her company to Estee Lauder long back and after that she came up with a second one named as ‘Jo Loves’. If ‘Jo Malone’ is for more matured customers, ‘Jo Loves’ targets younger ones. I loved Jo Malone’s Wood sage and sea salt eau de cologne(EDC) and I simply knew that I have to buy a few from the Jo Loves X Zara collection for sure because the nose behind both of these brands are the same and I quite liked it.

Price:

The original price for the 90ml EDP version of the Fleur d’Oranger is Rs 1990 in India. I got it at a 50% discount. The UK version retails for 25.99 GBP. They also have it in a travel size(40 ml). While writing this review I could not find it available in the Zara India website but it was available in the store. In India I don’t see any other ecommerce websites selling Zara perfumes. You will have to get it either directly from the Zara website or from the store. Also, be mindful that if you are ordering it from the Zara website they charge a shipping charge of around Rs 290 unless you are purchasing full priced items and the total cost of your purchase exceeds Rs 2999.

Description:

As Jo Malone notes, “Royal and regal moments should always be celebrated with orange blossom.” This is the motivation behind this creation. The fragrance reveals notes of orange blossom, neroli and ylang-ylang.

My Take on the Zara X Jo Loves Fleur d’Oranger EDP:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimalistic and classy, quite similar vibe that we get from Jo Malone’s original packaging. It has textured white outer packaging with a white simple box. Within the box, you will find a transparent glass bottle with a black cap. It reminds me of Jo Malone Cologne bottles but the packaging is understandably more minimalistic.

Ingredients: ALCOHOL DENAT. · AQUA · PARFUM · LINALOOL · LIMONENE · HYDROXYCITRONELLAL · GERANIOL · CITRONELLOL · BHT · CITRAL · BENZYL ALCOHOL · BENZYL BENZOATE · FARNESOL

It is made in Spain with a 5 years expiry date. For a 90 ml bottle this will go a long way and quite a pocket friendly option.

Fragrance: Now coming to the most interesting part. So, before buying the Zara Fleur d’Oranger EDP I saw in some Youtube videos that this is quite similar to Jo Malone Orange Blossom which is quite popular among the British Royals. Now I haven’t tried the original Jo Malone Orange Blossom but given that the nose behind these two are the same, I believe they must at least have some similarity.

Leaving the comparison part, if I evaluate this fragrance on its own, I quite liked the opening. It’s bright, citrusy, floral and clean smelling. It is more neroli and less orange. There is not much mystery to it, very linear and perfect for wearing in summer. You can spray it on after bath or wear it in the gym because of its very fresh and clean smell. It is not overpowering at all. Nobody is going to be bothered in your presence after wearing this. The dry down is simply soapy. If you like soapy smell, you are good. If you don’t like it, then it may be headache inducing after a while. The first 30 minutes can feel too much but after that its intensity goes down sharply. Perfumes obviously are very personal and what works for me may not work for anyone else. So, that’s why I am trying to be as objective as possible.

Performance: Its staying power is slightly better than Jo Malone’s colognes which stays on for only 1-2 hours. This one I would say lasts for 3-4 hours on my skin. Surprisingly it stayed longer in my clothes. I could smell it till the next day.

Did I like it? I expected a bit more citrusy punch but I still liked the opening. However, I am not too fond of the soapy smell. The first time I sprayed it on it felt unbearable and I had to spray some other perfumes to overshadow it. Now, I am quite used to it and I have figured the right amount to spray so that it does not bother my nose to much. I don’t think I am going to repurchase it. If I had to score it, I would give it a 3 out of 5.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Let me know your views in the comments section.

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Favorites, Makeup, Product Review

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder (Medium) – Review

I have never been a powder person. I am talking about any type of powder here like talcum powder or setting powder or loose powder. However, the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder has changed my view. It’s been a life-saver for an oily skin girl in a super humid weather. I have used the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Setting Spray previously and has been in love with it. The Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder didn’t disappoint either, in fact it surpassed my expectation.

Price

The 8 gm product retails for Rs 4300 on Nykaa website. I know it is too pricey. They also have a mini version which costs around Rs 2500. They have a refillable version too available on their brand website but I don’t think they have launched it in India yet.

Product Description

A super-finely milled powder that feels like cashmere on your skin, blurring the look of lines and imperfections for a soft focus-finish. Sweet almond oil and rose wax help to promote smoothness and moisture of the skin. Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder features nourishing ingredients to prevent excess shine and brighten the look of your complexion. It gives your skin a long-lasting, soft-focus airbrushed looking finish. You can use the powder on its own to mattify oily areas or on top of your concealer and foundation to set and perfect.

Supercharged Ingredients:- Rose Wax (Rosa multiflora flower wax): Extracted from the flowers of the Multiflora Rose, the wax helps to nourish and moisturise the skin.– Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil: A vegetable oil containing oleic acid, with softening and moisturising properties.– Light-reflecting Pearls: Pearlescent pigments diffuse light at it hits your face in such a way that it helps to luminate the complexion.

Ingredients

Talc, Mica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Zinc Stearate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pei-10, Propylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Rosa Multiflora Flower Wax, Tetrasodium Edta, Water, Dimethiconol, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract (Tilia Cordata Extract), Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, [May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499)].

How to Use

Using the Powder & Sculpt Brush, apply Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder around the nose, T-zone and any other oily areas that need to be mattified. This can be used on top of any Concealer or any Foundations to set them.

My Take on the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Powder

Packaging – This powder comes in a beautiful rose gold metallic case with a mirror and the CT logo. It is very lightweight but the downside is that it does not contain any applicator/sponge. This felt really inconvenient to me. Often I forget to carry a separate brush for the setting powder while travelling. I think for a high-end product at this price point, this is a let down. Also, I noticed the outer side of the compact is very prone to attract finger prints which makes it look very messy sometimes.

Texture – The texture of the powder is silky smooth. It is definitely very fine milled as claimed by Charlotte herself. It spreads like a dream on the face and honestly I never really feel that I applied powder on my face. It gives a matt finish but does not make the skin look dry at all. Since I have oily skin, I have noticed that after an hour or so my face looks dewy with a subtle glow and I absolutely love that. It gives my skin that healthy natural glow and also keeps my makeup underneath it totally as it is.

Does it do the job? yes and it is amazing at it. Here are the Pros of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

  • The powder blends like a dream. It is finely milled and the texture feels silky smooth.
  • It sets the makeup instantly and keeps it that way for 5-6 hours.
  • Although it mattifies the skin at the beginning but after a while it leaves a beautiful radiant glow to the face once it blends with the natural oil of our face. However, it does not look greasy or oily at all. More like a soft dewy finish with a healthy glow.
  • Hides the pores around my nose. Does not crease. Does not make my makeup appear cakey.

Are their any Cons? Unfortunately yes but still I will give this product a 8.5 out of 10 and I am definitely going to repurchase it.

  • It is quite expensive.
  • It does not have any applicator. Disappointed 😦
  • They have only 4 shades – Fair/Medium/Tan/Deep. I think for average Indian skin tone, the fair one is too fair. I purchased the medium and it is somewhat a neutral shade. I think they can introduce a few more other shades like their other product ranges.
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Fragrance, Product Review

YSL Libre Intense Eau De Parfum – Review

Hello! Thank you for dropping by.

Recently, I received the Yves Saint Laurent Libre Intense Eau De Parfum as a gift. Since the time I received the shipping notification, I was waiting with so much excitement to get my hands on it. I have heard so much good things about it. Now, I also need to mention that the YSL libre range actually comes in three variants – the YSL Libre (EDP), the YSL Libre Intense (EDP) and the YSL Libre Le Parfum. The one that I got as a gift was the YSL Libre Intense EDP. So, here is my quick review on the YSL Libre Intense Eau De Parfum.

Price

YSL is a luxury french brand known for its exquisite fragrance line. The YSL Libre Intense EDP comes in two sizes. The 50 ml bottle costs INR 7900 and the 100 ml bottle costs INR 9900 on the Nykaa website. On the other hand, the YSL Libre EDP comes in 4 variants with a slightly less expensive price range and the YSL Libre Le Parfum comes in 3 variants with the highest price range.

Description

This is how YSL describes their Libre intense EDP, “A fragrance like a shout of freedom, the freedom to live everything with excess“. This fragrance is a twist to the their original Libre EDP in a more sensual and magnetic way. It contains signature notes of lavender essence from France and Moroccan orange blossom combined with glowing orchid and warm vanilla to push this perfume to the extreme. YSL’s vanilla is sustainably sourced from Madagascar.

My Take on the YSL Libre Intense EDP

First of all, I was blown away with the packaging. It feels like you are holding a work of exquisite art in your hand. The glass bottle has a sharp silhouette with embellished YSL logo in golden metallic design. The fiery gold color of the fragrance compliments the packaging of the bottle and takes it to a next level. It is one of those bottles which I am going to find really hard to discard once I finish this.

It is well known that French fragrances are a class apart. This YSL EDP is not an exception. If somebody asks me to describe the fragrance profile of this EDP, I would use three words Bold, Sensual and Magnetic. When I first sprayed it on me, I was actually quite disappointed. It seemed too strong and overpowering for my taste. The dual impact of the orange blossom and bergamot were very hard-hitting to my nose. However, after half an hour or so I met a friend and her exact words were ‘Wow, you smell amazing!’ and instantly I smelt my pulse points again and I was awestruck. The magic was in its drying down. It smelt like sensuous warm vanilla with a captivating floral punch to it owing to the dried up orange blossom, lavender and orchid accord. It is super addictive. For the entire evening my mind was captured by this scent. Also, kudos to its longevity. I could literally smell it the next morning as well.

It has become one of my favourite scents of all time. I am not sure if it is a unisex fragrance. It is somewhere in between earthy masculine and bold feminine. I find it is more suitable for an evening wear or for Winter. In Indian Summer, I will recommend to stay away from it as it may seem a bit too strong. I am usually inclined to more subtle and airy fragrance. However, Liber Intense EDP definitely stretched my boundary. It offers a powerful mix of confidence, luxury and magnetism. It will make your presence felt. It has a more matured vibe compared to airy, fresh feminine scents.

If you are planning to buy the YSL Libre Intense EDP, I will say go for it. You are not going to regret it. Just keep in mind that that less is more and wait for it till it dries down.

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Favorites, Makeup, Product Review

Bobbi Brown Fluid Powder Foundation (Shade – Natural) – Review

If you are an oily/ combination skin person, chances are that you are really choosy like me about the foundations you apply. For many years, I have avoided wearing any foundation because it simply made my skin look horrible after 2 hours or so in humid weather like in India. Also, it was difficult to buy and try high-end products on a student budget. I was simply happy with a bb cream or a compact powder. Now, after so many years, in my thirties, I have started understanding my skin so much better and what products work for me. I recently purchased the Bobbi Brown skin long-wear fluid powder foundation with SPF 20. Bobbi Brown products never really disappointed me. I like their products because of their natural finish which makes me look like me just in a better way. So, let’s give you my honest opinion about the Bobbi Brown Fluid Powder Foundation.

Price and Quantity: I bought this foundation from Nykaa at INR 3700 for a 40ml tube. This is also available at Bobbi Brown stores and in Sephora stores and on their websites too. I know it is pricey but they have 36 months of shelf life and this particular foundation works really well for oily/combination skin which you will get to know more about in this review. I felt this is a good investment.

Product Description (As per the packaging): Bobbi Brown’s first-ever liquid-to-powder foundation that self-sets into a comfortable, soft-matte finish. Formulated with a Power Protein Complex to help skin look smooth and healthy, this lightweight, sweat-resistant formula controls oil and stays color true all day. Plus, it keeps skin protected on the go with environmental, blue light and UV filters.

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Ensulizole, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide.

Inactive Ingredients: Water\\Aqua\\Eau, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isopentyldiol, Hdi/Ppg/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hydrated Silica, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Whey Protein\\Lactis Protein\\Proteine Du Petit-Lait, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Trisiloxane, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Triethyl Citrate, Valine, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Dimyristate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tromethamine, Sodium Chloride, Glycine, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Disodium Edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499)] .

My take on the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-wear Fluid Power Foundation:

  • Packaging: The foundation comes in a stylish dark black tube packaging which I absolutely loved. It is so much easier to take out the exact amount of product that I need from a tube than from a usual glass bottle. There is no need to worry about spillage. Also, it is so much easier to carry when you are travelling. I really like the fact that Bobbi Brown tries to make the packaging of each of their products very travel-friendly. Check out my review on their skin concealer stick. It was also designed to be used on the go.
  • Texture: The texture of this powder foundation felt very smooth and soft when I first took out a small amount on my palm. Also, I quickly realized it is extremely lightweight compared to any other foundation I have tried so far. It looks and feels like a tinted moisturizer but the surprising thing is that it sets very quickly. That is why they call it a powder foundation. So, it is important that we blend it very quickly while applying it on the face otherwise it will be really difficult to blend it due to its powder finish. What I do is, I simply put 2-3 dots on one side of my face and then dab it with a damp beauty blender and after that, I start working on the other side of my face.
  • Finish: This powder foundation gives medium coverage and a natural finish. It makes my skin even-toned and fades the dark spots. Although it gives a powder finish, it never made my skin look too dry. It says it is suitable for all skin types, but based on my experience this is actually a great foundation for oily or combination skin. Dry-skin people need to use a moisturizer before applying this powder foundation. If you are looking for a full coverage foundation then probably it is not the right product for you. I believe this powder foundation was designed specifically targeting people who love fuss-free make-up and probably don’t spend too much time layering up products.
  • Staying Power: I have worn this foundation for a good 8-9 hours and believe me or not, it kept my skin completely oil-free even at 35-36 degree celsius. I did not use any setting spray or any compact on top of it. I was blown away by its staying power. This is the perfect foundation for office make-up as I can guarantee you will not need to touch-up. Your face will look the exact same the whole day as it was when you entered the office. It also has SPF 20 which makes it suitable for day use.
  • Shades: Another good thing is that they have multiple shades available suitable for brown skin. On the Nykaa website, they have at least 12 shades. I would recommend going to a store and picking the one matching your skin tone. I bought it online and went for the shade ‘N052-Natural’ which worked for me perfectly. It does not make me too white or too dark. This powder foundation gives me a very natural finish yet makes my skin look even-toned and bright.
  • In this pic below, I have not used any primer or moisturizer or concealer and applied only 2-3 drops of the foundation on my skin for a light coverage.

Let me quickly list down the pros and cons of the Bobbi Brown Fluid Powder Foundation

Pros:

  • Keeps your skin oil-free and even-toned the whole day
  • Buildable, light-weight formula
  • Gives a very natural finish, fades dark spots
  • SPF 20
  • Travel Friendly

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • May not be suitable for dry skin

Hope you found this review helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Have a nice day 🙂

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Makeup, Product Review

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray – Review

A very new addition to my makeup bag is a setting spray. I recently purchased Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and I am definitely loving it. Charlotte Tilbury’s make up range is available in Nykaa. Setting sprays are very essential part of any makeup artist’s kit. They act as a good primer and when applied on top of makeup, they keep the makeup intact for the whole day and also leaves a dewy finish to the skin.

Price and Quantity: The travel-size 34ml spray bottle comes at a price of INR 1750. The 100ml bottle comes at a price of INR 3000. I think it makes sense to purchase the 100ml bottle because it will go long way and it is simply travel friendly. Even if you are outdoors or at the office restroom, you can just quickly spray it off for instant hydration.

Product Description:

Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray weightlessly primes and sets for up to 16 hours* for the perfect looking makeup day, every day. Instantly lock in your look with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray for makeup magic that looks just applied! This delicately scented, long-lasting, next generation setting spray is a magical beauty amplifier inspired by the smoothing, pore blurring effects of Charlotte’s world-famous airbrush makeup family. The high – performance formula works in harmony with your complexion-enhancing foundation, concealer, bronzer and powder to create a weightless veil of hydrating goodness and a flawless – looking finish! No melting, no fading, no creasing!

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Parfum (Fragrance), Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenethyl Alcohol

My take on the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray:

  • Comes in a transparent glass spray bottle with a rose gold lid. It is a familiar Charlotte Tilbury branding and packaging. The product has a slight floral scent. Not too bad for my taste but I wish they could avoid the fragrance.
  • The formula is very light, doesn’t make my skin oily or greasy yet gives my skin a hydrated dewy look. The product claims that it locks in makeup for up to 16 hours, with no melting, fading, or creasing. I have not tested it for 16 hours but I can say I have seen that it kept my skin oil-free, my concealer did not crease under my eyes, nor did my eye shadow got smudged.
  • I hold this setting spray at my arm’s length and spray 2-3 times max and that does the job. Also, make sure to shake the product before use so that you get a fine mist spread evenly over the face.
  • I sometimes use it also as a primer. This helps to blend the powder foundation or concealer really well into the damp skin. Also, it definitely increases the staying power of the makeup. Even you can quickly spritz it after few hours of the initial application of the makeup to get the fresh dewy look instantly.
  • It works well for both dry and oily skin. If you have dry skin, it will give you the much-needed hydration and definitely prevent making your skin look cakey and tired. If you have oily skin, it will take the extra shine off your skin. You don’t need to use a setting powder if you are using this setting spray. This spray is just a fine mist and does not make the skin too wet. It gets absorbed instantly into the skin with a few gentle pats.

Let me quickly list dows the pros and cons of this product.

Pros:

  • Works well for both oily and dry skin
  • Set the makeup for quite long hours without a retouch
  • Fine mist, easy to get absorbed
  • leaves a dewy finish

Cons:

  • Expensive for the Indian market but one bottle will go a long way.

Hope you will find this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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Makeup

Nykaa Eyes On Me! 10-in-1 Eyeshadow Palette – Beachside Peach – Review

Nykaa launched the 10 in 1 eyeshadow palette almost around this time last year and I bought the shade beachside Peach. Unfortunately soon after that the entire world went into lockdown and this palette also got locked inside my dresser 😀 Now that slowly everyone is returning to normal, I have also started using makeup and especially eye products to highlight my eyes as most of my face is always covered with mask 😦

So anyway let’s talk about this palette first. There are 5 options available in this range.

Out of these 5, I chose to purchase Beachside Peach as looking at the range I felt I can create soft looks for office wear and also can glam it up for night outs. There is another one that I want to try in future is Sundowner Stunner. Some of the shades are little similar among these 2 options but sundowner stunner will give more dewy natural looks.

Price and Quantity : First of all they are super cheap. Each of these palettes contains 10 shades and they come for only Rs 599. You will have to accept that is really affordable.

Nykaa Eyes on Me 10 in 1 Eyeshadow -Beachside Peach

My take on the product :

  • The packaging is not very sturdy but at this price point we need to forgive them for that. It also contains a two sided applicator.
  • Out of the 10 shades, FIVE are super matte shades,3 of them are little blingy /metallic shades and rest 2 just adds a little bit of coral and peachy shine to your eyes. They are easily buildable and will give you versatile looks. You can easily go from a daytime peachy look to a night time glam look. All the shades are complementary to each other and fall somewhere between peach, beige, copper brown and chocolate brown. The color payoff is up to the mark and easy to blend. So we are not really compromising in terms of quality.
  • Although they are marketed as long wearing (10+ hours), I found them to be fading after 3-4 hours.
  • It is also not tested on animals.

Overall I really liked these palettes and will rate them 4/5. One point deducted as they did not seem to be a long-wear product.

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