Meera asks:
Hey IMBBians,
My name is Meera (from Cochin, Kerala). I stumbled upon IMBB about 2 years back, I found all the articles very informative and yes, some have been useful for me 🙂
Coming to MY STORY: I have been trying to look good right from my college days.(I’m 23 now!!) But I have not yet been able to track down the right products for my skin.
To begin with, I am medium complexioned (not too dark, not fair as well) with “easily prone to breakout” oily skin, not to forget blemishes and dark circles 🙁 From the college days, I have tried out a few products (right from Pond’s white beauty cream to Garnier BB Cream. Garnier BB Cream makes me look darker than my natural self.:-(] Though I could say I’ve been able to control the break outs (by washing face at least two times a day]. Right now, I’m on a look-out for the best makeup products I can have on my dressing table (would like to know the inexpensive ones).
Foundation – I have heard good reviews about Lotus Pure Radiance Matte Foundation. I tried purchasing it from various sites but everywhere it is ‘out-of-stock’ [even at lotus herbals website]. Which one would you people recommend?
Compact – I have used Lakme Perfect Radiance compact [Rose medium shade, one suggested by the shopkeeper :-O Sorry, there was not a single lady at the shop.:-( But I wasn’t disappointed because I felt that the shade somehow suited my skin tone). Which one do you suggest as a perfect compact?
Concealer: I have never used one! So, please please help me generously!
Lip stick/gloss – I use nivea lip balm, at times I use Streetwear lip balm.
Kajal- Should I use kajal? I have dark circles 🙁 I never dared to use it because I was a bit worried if it would draw the attention to my dark circles.
Please please please, I really need your help people, I know my mail is very lengthy, but I really need help. 🙂
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Myra Vitaglow Tinted Facial Moisturizer
Dermalogica Sheer Tint Moisture spf 15
Hi Meera,
For concealers, these are the best, the low priced ones are not at all good, MAC would be great for you:
Revlon PhotoReady Stick Concealer:
https://makeupandbeauty.com/mac-select-moisturecover-concealer-double-end-review-usage/
Foundation:
I would say Lotus Herbals Pure Foundation is the best, its lightweight, covers blemishes to an extent, and does not break out skin. You can also check out Bourjouis healthy mix foundations or Max factor or if you can invest in MAC, go for the MAC foundation compact.
For compact: Lakme perfect radiance is pretty good. If you want a 2-in-1 foundation compact, go for MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation.
For lip balm, there’s nothing better than Maybelline baby lips. You can even try the new Nivea lip balms that come in different flavours.
Lip gloss: Maybelline purestay glosses are amazing.
Kajal: Maybelline colossal, it does not smudge and stays on for long.
I have oily skin. lotus foundation is the best 🙂 As It doesnt oxidise. I broke out badly after using Lakme radiance compact 🙁 maybelline clear glow suits me well 🙂 . Better switch to maybelline baby Lips from Nivea. Nivea lip balms are not as moisturising as maybelline.
Coming to Kajal… Im Kajal-o-maniac
I have used almost all Kajals available and trust me Amway attitude Kajal is the Best among all 🙂 🙂
dip Kajal in gel eyeliner and apply to waterline n do not blink eyes for few mins until it is set 🙂
wasn’t aware of that last bit of detail. that’s very useful. thanks.
u r most welcome 🙂
Hi Meera, I’d like to answer your few queries, I think if you are searching for a budget friendly foundation, try Elle 18 newly launched foundation or Lakme CC cream works just as well, it hides all the scars if you dab it twice and I’d say if you have dark circles, don’t use a kajal as it’ll only highlight your dark circles, for lipstick try Faces, Maybelline, Coloressence or Elle 18.
Hi Meera,
I have combination (leaning towards oily). I use the following:
Foundation: Lakme Absolute white intense cover(looks like a 3-n-1 stick but it s a liquid foundation.
Concealer: MAC prolong wear. I have really really bad dark circles and this is the best concealer I have used and believe me I have tried nearly 10 other brands atleast and I always come back to this)
Compact: MAC skinfinish mineralize
Lip balm: Nivea/Maybelline (I alternate between these).
Kajal: Shahnaz Hussain/Lotus kajal
Liner: Maybelline gel liner/Body shop Liquid liner
comment awaiting moderation
Thanks a lot jomol, sakina and arzoo. 🙂
I’m on d look out fr lotus foundation. Its jus out of stock everywhere! 🙁
Once i get hold f all these products will inform d result. 🙂 Thanks again and again.
I had replied earlier but comment was awaiting moderation and now i dunno whr my comment faded off. Hope this one gets posted. 🙂
Heylooo meera.. we have so much in common i should say..same age,same skin type and same complextion.. seriously.. *clap* *happydance* ..let me tell u my favorites…
Foundation – the best foundation i have used is the bourjois flower perfection one..its grt for oily skin .. its a little pricey bit worth every penny.. recently o have been loving the lakme cc cream as it has decent coverage as well..top it up with a pressed powder and u r good to go.. i am facing the exact same problem with the lotus foundations..
Compact – the one which i have found best is the Rimmel stay matte pressed powder. Its just 350 bucks and amazing than alot high end brands.. u can find it on flipkart as well..it is superb..
Concealer – nothing is even close to MAC when it comes to concealers… comcealer is something which has to match the perfect undertone and complxtion otherwise it ll totally spoil your look..my first concealer was MAC and i dont think i will ever try anything else..
Lipgloss / lipstick – go for maybelline baby lips is moisturising along with a hint of color.. lotus purestay, maybellines glosses are amazing too..totally inexpensive but very beautiful in pigmentation.. for lipsticks you can go for maybelline color vivds, colorbar or even elle18 lippies are very good..
Kajal – i dont think dark circles have alot to do with it but more with your eye shape..you should give them a try.. i have terrible dark circles but i cannot live w/o a kajal.. lakme eyeconic is a great choice or even maybelline collosal..
If u dont wish to use a kajal go for a mascara then , maybelline mascaras are really good… as it ll add definition to your eyes.. or u can always use an eyeliner..
I hope it helped !! *pompom*
(Had replied but post disappeared :)).
Here it goes again:
Foundation – lakme absolute
Concealer : MAC prolong wear (i have really dark circles and this has worked best)
Lip balm : nivea
Kajal : shahnaz husain/ lotus
Liner : maybelline gel liner/body shop liquid liner
Compact : MAC skinfinish mineralize
I have combination skin (leaning towards oily) and these products above work wonderfully.
Comment awaiting moderation (and now my previous post is also awaiting moderation hahaha rofl rofl )
Thank you aru and nivedita. 🙂 the response has been very endearing. 🙂 I’l get d products soon and inform d results. Very much helpful 🙂
And its my bday today 😀 😛 🙂