If I'm in a hurry and I need to look 'fresh' and presentable, I turn to my five product face. This is what I use:

1) Apply Lakme CC Cream (or any tinted moisturizer I have on hand) all over my face.

2) Dot Revlon Colortstay Concealer under my eyes and on blemishes and use fingers (or my Real Techniques Sponge) to blend.

3) Apply a line of liquid liner on my upper lids. No wings. Current favorite: Maybelline Hyper Matte Liquid Liner.

4) Apply mascara. Current choice: Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara (waterproof).

5) Apply a lip product. Preferably matte. I love the Maybelline Lip Gradations and Colorstay Matte Balms for their easy application. Pictured here: Maybelline Lip Gradation in Mauve 1.

I might add blush, if I feel like it. Its optional though.

What are your five product face essentials?

It all started when I was searching the internet for inexpensive makeup primer recommendations. The Nivea Men After Shave Balm (sold abroad as Nivea Men Post Shave Balm) had glowing reviews for its alternative role as a primer. I had seen this product pop up on my Instagram feed as well! I decided to give it a go.

On a trip to the supermarket, I picked up a bottle of the Sensitive variant of the After Shave Balm. It comes in a hefty glass bottle with 100ml of product.
This "balm" is very runny in texture. Almost a serum/gel like consistency. It also has a strong, masculine fragrance.

I applied this all over my face, massaging until the finish became a bit tacky/difficult to move around. My skin felt quite hydrated, which is because this product has glycerine as its second ingredient! 

I applied my foundation and concealer over this as usual and my makeup glided on seamlessly. The scent of the balm also disappeared completely. I set my base with powder and went about my business.

During the half day mark, I noticed that my makeup still looked fresh, just as it had been in the morning. Only a little bit of oil had seeped through around the nose area (which is very common). I simply powdered my nose area.
At the end of the day, my makeup still looked intact, almost as fresh as it was in the morning! The after shave balm had done a better job than any makeup primer I had ever tried!

This is one primer that will work for almost all skin types. It is not like those silicone based primers (which have a tendency to break me out). This primer hydrates the skin, and keeps makeup looking fresh and put together. For Rs. 235 for 100ml, this bottle will last you a long, LONG time! I'd like to recommend this primer to EVERYONE, it is a total winner. I have decanted the balm into smaller plastic bottles for travel, as the glass bottle can be a bit heavy/fragile to carry around.

I will keep using this as my makeup primer for as long as it is available. A definite repurchase, it gets two thumbs up from me!

On the days when I want to get a full, even coverage (and I have the time to play around with brushes), I use this two brush foundation application method.

First I apply a thin layer of foundation all over my face using a flat foundation brush (Real Techniques Foundation Brush). I then buff the foundation into my skin using a dense brush (Real Techniques Expert Face Brush). I do one layer all over my face and the second layer concentrating on the problem areas, followed by spot concealing.

This two-brush method gives me the most solid, flawless coverage, perfect for special occasions. This method works best with liquid foundations.

What is your favorite foundation application method? Brushes, fingers or sponge?

February, the shortest month of the year, saw a bunch of new products enter my makeup routine. Let's get started:

Base: I've been loving the Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation (mixed with a little Revlon Photoready Skinlights for a glow), applied with either my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush or the Miracle Complexion Sponge.
For concealer, I've been sticking to the Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Creme for a full coverage look, concealing the spots and under eye circles (I had a bad acne breakout in January end).
I've been skipping powder whenever I can.

Eyes: A new favorite, Maybelline Hyper Matte Eyeliner has taken center stage along with my trusty Maybelline The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara.

Lips: I've been a fan of matte MLBB (my lips but better) shades this month. On constant rotation are: Maybelline Color Show Creamy Matte Lipstick (Mysterious Mocha), Maybelline Lip Gradation (Mauve1) and Maybelline Colorsensational Lip Liner (Velvet Beige).

Also, after reading this post, I realized that there are a LOT of Maybelline products here! No, I have not been sponsored by Maybelline, its just that I've been loving their new launches a bit too much!

Which are your makeup favorites this month?

Among my favorite sheet masks from Leader's Insolution is their Wrinkle Filler Sheet Mask. Now I don't have any visible wrinkles, I still enjoy using this mask.

It is soaked in a thick, hydrating essence that just melts into my skin. The mask fits snugly to my face, ensuring that every drop of essence sinks into my skin. I put this mask on for 45 minutes to an hour and it thoroughly moisturizes my skin. This mask hasn't broken me out, nor has it irritated my skin.
Other than Aquaringer and Mela-Tox, this one is my favorite from Leader's sheet masks.
It really soothes and calms my skin.
Just a tip: Stick this mask into the fridge 15 minutes before application for an enhanced cooling effect. You'll love it.