June has come and gone. Half of 2016 is over already! Wow. It is insane how fast time is flying.

However, I'm back to wrap up this month with my June Makeup Edit. This month, I've been keeping it very simple. Trying to stay away from foundations (except for special occasions) and focusing more on skincare.

For my base, I'm sticking to my favorite Lakme CC Cream in Bronze, applied with fingers and set with Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. That's it! I'm even skipping on concealer. For my lips, I've been using the Maybelline Lip Gradation in Mauve 1 (a huge favorite of mine). For my eyes, its just a couple coats of Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara. And that's it!

My simple, easy June makeup edit.

Maybelline is one of my favorite makeup brands. And I absolutely LOVE matte lips colors, which is why I had to give the Maybelline Velvet Matte Lip Colors a try. I chose the shade Mat 6 which is a deep berry shade.

For the price of Rs. 475 for 5ml, these lipsticks come in your typical lip gloss packaging, with doe foot applicator. It applies easily and is quite creamy to start with. A few minutes later, it settles down to a satin-matte finish. It is not a completely matte lipstick.

After using the Lip Gradation and the Color Show Creamy Matte lip products, I feel that Maybelline could have done better with this product.
As gorgeous as the shade is, I won't be repurchasing.

I've been giving my favorite Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion a bit of a rest and experimenting with other cleansing milks, such as the Himalaya Refreshing Cleansing Milk.

This cleansing milk contains Lemon, Grape seed and Mentha extracts, making it a "special blend of herbs that gently removes dirt, makeup and daily impurities while maintaining the skin's natural moisture balance."

And I completely agree. This milk has a thick consistency and I massage a coin sized amount with my fingertips all over my face (avoiding eyes) into dry skin. It breaks down my daily sunscreen and moisturizer and when I remove it with a warm wet washcloth, I'm left with clean, soft skin. This cleanser has a light flowery scent which I find quite refreshing.

This cleanser has not broken me out or irritated my skin in any way. I would recommend this cleanser to all skin types, from oily to dry. Everyone can use it. One warning: don't let this cleanser get into your eyes, it will sting and make your eyes water.

I will definitely repurchase this cleanser and have already gone through a few bottles of it!

Price: Rs. 80 for 100ml

Sometimes when my skin is feeling a bit dull and tired, I like to do a thorough cleanse with a cream cleanser. I give myself a little face massage while I'm at it and remove the cleanser with a warm wet washcloth. It really makes a difference in my skin's appearance. Here are my favorite cream cleansers so far:

1) Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion: HOLY GRAIL. Can't do without it. Super mild, fragrance free and doesn't irritate my skin. I take this cleanser around my eyes and it doesn't sting at all. I've been using this cleanser for years and it has been my all time favorite.

2) Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser: Fragrance free, non comedogenic, thicker than Cetaphil. This cleanser leaves my skin feeling super soft and clean, without drying. It doesn't sting my eyes and is really gentle on the skin. Absolutely perfect!

3) Himalaya Refreshing Cleansing Milk: The thickest cleanser of them all, this one has a nice, refreshing scent. It is especially great for days when you're in the mood for a facial massage. Don't take this around your eyes though, fair warning.

4) Dr. Batra's Natural Cleansing Milk: The chamomile scent of this milky cleanser is very soothing. This cleanser is the thinnest in consistency out of the other cleansers I've mentioned before. As with the Himalaya cleanser, don't take this one near your eyes. I love this cleanser as it cleanses my skin without drying or irritating.

These are my favorite cream cleansers/cleansing milks. Which are yours?

I'm a huge fan of Lotus Herbals Sunscreens. Their SPF 40 (matte look) and SPF 50 (gel) have been a part of my skincare routine for YEARS.

I decided to explore the brand a little more and brought home their Lemonpure Cleansing Milk. According to Lotus "this unique cleansing milk is ideal for deep cleansing and removing make-up. The astringent property of lemon lifts impurities from the skin. Turmeric works as an antiseptic, maintains moisture level and preserves elasticity of skin. The lemon peel extract draws out younger skin."

This cleansing milk has a fresh, lemony scent, perfect for mornings when you're looking for some refreshing scents that perk you up! This cleansing milk is great for deep cleansing the skin.
It comes in a travel friendly pump bottle and a little goes a long way with this one.

I take a few pumps of this pale yellow cleansing milk and massage it into dry skin with my fingertips. It definitely breaks down makeup and removes lipstick as well! I haven't used this cleansing milk near my eyes for the fear that the lemon peel extract will irritate my sensitive eyes. The cleansing milk is very effective at removing makeup.

However, however, after I remove this cleanser with a warm wet washcloth, I find that it still leaves a slight residue on my skin. It doesn't rinse off clean and I have to follow up with a foaming cleanser. Ladies with dry skin will appreciate this extra moisture that the cleanser leaves behind. However, combination acne prone skinned ladies should be careful with this one.

Despite its efficacy at removing makeup, I won't be repurchasing this cleansing milk. The residue that it leaves behind is a turn off for me. I will recommend this cleanser to dry/normal skinned ladies who are looking for a good cream cleanser/makeup remover.

Price: Rs. 225 for 80ml and Rs. 325 for 170ml
          

I had great results after using The Body Shop Rainforest Shine Shampoo. Next up on my list was their Banana Shampoo.

Let me tell you, first up, I'm not a fan of the smell of this shampoo. It smells nothing like bananas. It smells more like bubblegum. And it is quite a strong smell. I was quite put off by the smell to be honest.

This shampoo comes in a plastic (100% recycled plastic, according to The Body Shop) flip cap bottle of 250 ml. This shampoo, unlike the Rainforest range, contains sulphates. It is said to contain honey and real banana purée.

The banana shampoo foams up quite well and cleanses my hair thoroughly. I use this shampoo once a week, sort of like a clarifying shampoo, to get rid of product build up. I don't use this shampoo each time I wash my hair because it can be too drying for my hair.

Yes, this shampoo does a decent job at cleansing my hair, but I won't be repurchasing it. I'm not an anti sulphate shampoo fanatic here, I just don't like the smell of this shampoo. That strong bubblegum scent is too much for me.

Price: Rs. 795

I have been using the Philips Kerashine Air Styler for almost a year now. It's a surprise that I haven't reviewed it!

This is a blow dryer/hairbrush hybrid that aims to give you a blow dry like finish with minimal effort. Heaven knows it is difficult to hold a brush in one hand and a blow dryer in the other. Your arms end up hurting halfway through your DIY blow dry, especially if you have thick hair like yours truly.

This appliance has been a lifesaver for me. After washing my hair, I apply a serum/heat protectant and let my hair air dry for as long as I can, before whipping out this bad boy. Please take note, THIS IS NOT A HAIR STRAIGHTENER. For straightening hair, you'll need a straightening iron.

The Air Styler helps me tame my curly/frizzy long hair. It minimizes frizz and helps straighten hair TO AN EXTENT. It won't give you poker straight hair. Just frizz free, wavy, presentable hair. The brush part of the styler is detachable, so you can dismantle it and travel with it with ease.
I bought the air dryer from Snapdeal on sale last year and I think it is worth every penny.
It has really, really helped my hair. If you are looking for an appliance to make blow drying your hair a whole lot easier, give the Philips Air Styler a shot.

Price: Rs. 2695

Two of my favorite contouring brushes come from Real Techniques and I wanted to do a blog post comparing the two of them.
The Real Techniques Flat Contour Brush is a part of their Bold Metals collection. With its rose gold handle and pristine white bristles, this brush is a beauty. Its more humble cousin is the Real Techniques Sculpting Brush; part of the regular Real Techniques range, sold separately as well as in their Sculpting Set.


Let's get straight to the comparisons:

1)Real Techniques Sculpting Brush:

Pros:

Economically priced.

Synthetic bristles that work with liquids and powders alike.

Easy to clean.

Soft bristles.

Slanted tip: gets product right into the hollows of the cheeks.

Cons:
If you're a sucker for pretty packaging, you won't like this brush as much as the Flat Contour Brush.

2) Flat Contour Brush:
Pros:
Rose gold body, weighted handle and white bristles make this brush a work of art.

Flat tip makes it really easy to define and contour cheeks and jawline.

Synthetic bristles: can be used with liquid and powder alike.

Makes contouring very easy.

Soft bristles.

Easy to clean.

Cons:
Expensive.

Brush takes time to dry after cleaning.

If you are after a contouring brush, I'd suggest the Flat Contour Brush, it makes the job very, VERY easy. But, if you are looking for a budget option, try the Sculpting Brush.

I personally prefer the Flat Contour Brush. It makes it so easy to fake chiseled cheekbones!

Have you used either (or both) of these brushes? How was your experience?

My skin was feeling quite dry recently, due to over exfoliation and I turned to this savior from L'Oréal. The Hydrafresh Mask In Lotion.

This "lotion" has a very runny texture, almost like a serum. It contains French spa water, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. This product comes in a screw top bottle. You need only a tiny amount per use.

I pour out a little of the lotion onto the palm of my hand, before spreading it out all over my cleansed skin and massage it in. The lotion sinks in very quickly. I layer this mask in lotion with more heavier creams at night and it works really well with them.

The condition of my skin has improved ever since I started using this offering from L'Oréal. My skin is softer, calmer and more hydrated. This product has not broken me out. I would recommend this one to every skin type, especially dry skinned beauties.

The L'Oréal Hydrafresh Mask In Lotion gets a thumbs up from me.
Price: Rs. 425 for 200ml

My skin was feeling a bit over exfoliated and irritated a few weeks ago. Along with scaling down my glycolic/salicylic acid use, I switched to more hydrating, soothing cleansers (such as my favorite, Cetaphil).

During this time, I came across the Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser. This no fuss, fragrance free, non comedogenic cleanser is right up my alley. It comes in a simple pump bottle. I use this on dry skin, about one and a half pump is sufficient per use.

The cleanser has a creamy, lotion like consistency that spreads easily. I massage the cleanser into the skin with fingertips, thoroughly working it into the skin. I can take this cleanser around my eyes and it does not sting. I remove this cleanser with a warm washcloth and it rinses off completely, without leaving a residue. My skin feels soft and smooth after using this cleanser and there is no dryness whatsoever.

I use this cleanser as my only morning cleanse and my second evening cleanse. I will highly recommend this cleanser to every skin type. Dry, normal, acne prone, sensitive. Everyone can use it. It won't irritate your skin or break you out.
I will repurchase this, for sure. It has become one of my favorite cleansers.
Price: Rs. 449 for 200ml