Burberry Warm Glow Natural Bronzer

I actually bought the Warm Glow Natural Bronzer from Burberry in August, which makes sense considering one usually wants a bronzed look in summer. But I'm finding myself reaching for it even more often now that my complexion really needs some warming up. It might be a psychological thing or simply the change in light, hard to tell. Besides, Warm Glow #01 (this specific shade is also named Warm Glow. Obviously Burberry wants us bronzed and confused) doesn't make me look tan, it just gives a little color and life, especially when applied with a light hand and blended carefully.

It's hard to describe and define bronzer shades- they vary by their levels and ratio of brown-gold-orange. I find Warm Glow #01 to be the less orange on my skin* and most natural. It really doesn't look like makeup, which is probably why it's such a great choice for the season. It can be built up, though, for a more sun-kissed effect.

Burberry bronzers, like their other powder products, feel very luxurious and finely milled. They have a satiny finish that makes skin glow with no actual shimmer or any visible shiny particles. The texture is the silkiest imagined and a pleasure to apply. I've been using several bronzer and face brushes and it works with all of them- I can't say I have a specific favorite for this bronzer, but Edward Bess Face Brush is probably the best.

Mark It Kit Trend Color Compact - Review & Swatches

I love kits and palettes mostly because they are a great value for money ! If I was someone who traveled a lot - I'd probably love it for that too.

Often I get questions from readers looking for a great everyday kit that they could just throw into their bags and head out. Other times I get asked about kits for beginners who want a little bit of everything in a small, compact, non-overwhelming form. And then there are kits that need to be given as gifts. When you are traveling to India to meet with relatives / spend some time in Des you take gifts for relatives - all Asians do this. And I get a lot of questions from folks traveling to India / Pakistan / South Asia in general requesting recommendations on mini makeup kits that they could give as gifts.

In short - there is a huge demand for mini all in one kits.

I have one kit here that satisfies all of the above needs - The mark It Kit Trend Color Compact. At $20 its a cute little thing that packs a lot !

Its a flip compact - as in you have a few things on one side and you flip it to find few more things.

On one side are three eye shadows (black, grey, beige) and an almost matte bronzer.

On the other side we have three lip glosses ( mauve pink, fuchsia, clear shimmer ) and three triple use color creams ( deep pink, bronze taupe, light pink).

Over all its a very well thought out palette. The eye shadows come in a decent size - not those tiny squares that wont even fit your finger. The three shades should look good on most skin tones and are versatile enough for day and night. The bronzer is good for some color / for contouring.

But my most favorite part is the other side with the lip glosses and creams. The creams can be used on eyes / lips / cheeks. I love using the deep pink color on my cheeks and using the light pink one as a highlighter under my brows, on top of my cheek bones / on the bridge of my nose. The bronze taupe I use on its own all over my lids. When I apply a thin layer it doesn't crease much and gives just enough color for day wear. Combined with some black shadow along the lash line and mascara - I'm good to go !

The lip glosses are not deeply pigmented - all three are sheer. The fuchsia pink gives the most color to my lips but the mauve pink is my favorite for day. It has a gorgeous shine that though not long lasting looks incredible the short time that it stays on. For longer wear and more color I've started applying the deep pink creme color on my lips and topping it off with any of the glosses - too cute !

My only complaint is the slightly sweet taste of the glosses. I don't really lick my lips or eat lipstick but the one time I just happened to...the sweet taste reminded me never to. None of the products have any scent, which is great coz my olfactory senses drive me crazy. And the lid has a hollow design so your lip gloss wont get on the lid of the compact. Messy compacts are yuck.

Overall - its a very handy kit ! This is my first time with a mark product and it has managed to get me interested in the brand.

Give Your Foundation An Energy Boost - It Makes The World A Warmer Place

I kid you not. This is about giving your foundation a much needed energy boost.

Which in turn gives your face a shot of something like Emergen C.

Which in turn makes you look & feel warmer and radiant.

Which in turn makes the world a warmer place.

Which is all we want.

This should be called the ripple effect.
Makes science so much more interesting.
To kick off this glorious cycle you begin by placing a dose of gel or creme bronzer on the back of your hand. Now adjacent to the bronzer you place a dose of your creme liquid foundation.

Mix it and spread it all over your face and neck. I simply use my fingers.
Clean ones only.

The products that work for me are St. Tropez Radiance Mousse and Becca Luminous Skin Color.

The St. Tropez Radiance mousse is some good stuff bro.
You've gotto try it bro.
You've got to bro.

Sorry. That's my Jersey Shore withdrawal syndrome ...

I love my Becca foundation but I always thought it missed a little something. A bit of warmth may be ? And somehow adding bronzer to it makes a huge difference in how pretty it looks.

This is also a great way to warm up your winter foundation for spring.
Nobody wants to look pale in spring ! GLT baby. GLT !

Love,
Indian Girl

St. Tropez Radiance Mousse : Review & Swatches : Easy Highlighter

For over a month now I've been using this product almost everyday. If it means anything I even wore it on my birthday. I dab it on top of every blush and use it on my bare face even. Its just so easy to work with.

The St. Tropez Radiance Mousse is a bronzy peach mousse that can be used to highlight your cheeks, shoulders, décolletage, the front of the legs - anywhere, to give a light shimmer effect. The product has sheer to medium pigmentation and comes in a whipped mousse like texture which is what makes it so easy to work.


I'm really not much of a décolletage person.
Not to be confused with no décolletage person.
Wait, that's not coming out right...

I'm really not much of a décolletage highlighting person.
That doesn't sound right either...

This is a family fun blog so lets forget the whole décolletage talk.

I'm a highlighted glowy cheeks person and keep this mousse right on top of my makeup cabinet so I can reach for it all the time. All I need is one dot on either cheeks and Dab it using my finger tips.

Do not use a brush. I repeat Houston - DO NOT use a brush.
Everything will be ruined . A dot and a clean finger is all you need.



The best part is the value - For $35 you get 41 grams of product. In other words for $35 you get almost six MAC Cream Blushes ($18.50 for 6 grams) !

You do the math.
Not really.
I've already done it for you.

Its Wednesday and I've got a giveaway coming up soon. Are you ready ?

I said - ARE YOU READY ????

Love,
Indian Girl

This article contains a sample product sent for consideration by PR. For more details on the disclosure policy please refer to it at the bottom of the page.

Illamasqua Bronzing Duo - Glint & Writhe , Blush - Create : Review & Swatches

I talked about a bronzer / blush combo that I've been crazy about all week ! And this is it folks.

This is it.

Its the Illamasqua Bronzing Duo - Glint & Writhe paired with Illamasqua blush - Create.

Create is a beautiful honey beige. I had no idea how to describe the color ! So, I went on Sephora and they called it honey beige. Come to think of it ...Create is a warm deep beige !


This is a shade that naturally contours without meaning to. It is what I call a super shade - will look brilliant on everybody, blondes, brunettes & goddesses with raven hair. Personally I am glad to be moving away from the regular often repeated peach, apricots, pinks and rose shades. Honey Beige is my new IT shade.

Vampie Alert !

The winter has made my skin very pale. Very very pale. Almost vampire like. I scare myself at night, I kid you not. I look like all the life blood has been sucked out of me. So I need this, I need Create to bring back life onto my face. I am also taking some iron supplements but that is no fun.

With my Smashbox Blush Brush I apply Create along my cheekbone. Not on the apples of my a cheeks. Along the cheek bone.

That's not all. I'm not done yet

I then take my Clinique fluffy blush and apply the darker shade of the bronzing duo under the cheek bone. Follow with the lighter shade on the apples of my cheeks.

And then just throw a bit of both along the hair line on my forehead.


The last time I got this excited over a bronzer, was for the one from Bobbi brown. However, I find the Illamasqua duo a lot more easier to apply . It is a more versatile shade and gives me the glow as oppose to the bronzing that my Bobbi Brown Bronzer does. This is my quick fix to liven a dead face. And it has a partner in crime.

The effect - bronze goddess with killer cheeks / cheekbones. All this with hardly any effort on contouring, highlighting and special products.

Now you know why I went to bed dreaming of it and woke up excited to be able to wear it.

Makeup Math

The Illamasqua bronzing duo is 4grams of each color , total 8 grams for $28. The Bobbi brown bronzer is 9 grams of product for $33.

The Illamasqua blush is 4.5 grams for $23. MAC powder blushes are $18 for 6 grams of product. Bobbi Brown Blushes are 3.7 grams for $22.


Celebrity Inspirations


This is exactly what the combo of Create + Glint & Writhe does to me. The shade on Kim K is not ordinary peach. It is honey beige. Gorgeous ! Also this is how I am working the blush these days ! Very sexy !


Kate Moss too ! Her blush is honey beige ! See how it contours her cheeks without meaning to ? That's what I'm talking about !

In Other News...

I am planning on opening a new segment on AIMB.

Though I would die without a bronzer, the one makeup product I always have on is a lipstick. Sometimes lip gloss or lip balm but essentially I always have a lip product on. So I am thinking about doing a Daily Lip Look. Just posting what ever I have on, that day and you guys can share with me what you have on ! May be even send in pictures !

Who is up for this ? Am I setting myself up for too much ? I know it will be fun and it'll help us put an effort into digging out the sleeping shades and putting them to good use. New lip combos will be made....

Also what should we call this segment ?

Help me out here, will ya ?

Love,
Indian Girl

RAW Minerals Discovery Kit. : Review. Everything You Need But Do You Really Need Everything ? And A 50 % Discount Offer !!!

Hiya Ladies !

This morning I set out writing a post on Boys but then I got into other things and never finished it. I then figured we need a dose of it on any given day. So I'll be sure to post it on Wednesday - just when you need it the most.

Or I .

Instead lemme get to a story on foundation. I thought it would be a great followup, now that we have shared a few tips on how to apply foundation better.


I've been testing out the RAW Minerals Discovery Kit for a while now. I used it for a couple of weeks, took a break during the dry skin period and went back on it once my skin was back to normal. Been back on it for a couple of weeks now and its all been good !

The RAW Minerals Discovery Kit comes with 7 items

Two Different Foundation Shades
Mineral Glow
Active Veil SPF 18
Concealer Brush
Multi tasking Retractable Brush
Maximum Coverage ( Flat Top) Foundation brush

The Foundations

I went with the Medium Kit. The kit came with two foundation - L3 and M1.

M1 is just the perfect shade that matches my skin tone. Especially my chin which is notorious for being a shade darker than rest of my face. I love the choice of having two foundations. We can either mix the two together to make a suitable shade or you do what I do. I use M1 on my whole face and then dust L3 lightly on the center of my face. My eyes, extending it to the top my cheekbones , nose and center of the chin. The result is the JLO like effect. The one where she looks bright and awake !

I love the foundation a bit more than my Clinique powder foundation. Its like adding a dose of Vitamin C to my face. Just pumps it up, infuses it with energy and warmth. I find most powder foundations dull and anything but exciting. This one is different. Mostly because it doesn't cake up in four hours to make me look like a cracked doll. What you see at the beginning of the day is almost exactly what you will look like after eight hours. That, that to me is magical !

PS : Ignore the fact that I just called myself a doll ! Good God what have I come to !

L to R : Nekkid skin, One layer of M1 , Two layers of M1 + bronzing powder

The Others

The Flat Top Brush is very good at laying the foundation and blending it into the skin. It feels light and stays on for hours. I do use a primer underneath (Smashbox Photofinish Oil Free Primer). Personally I think a primer is necessary for powder foundations. Just as much as bread is to a good sandwich.

The Mineral Glow is a bronzing powder and is just as good as the foundations. You know I cannot live without bronzers and my light olive oil mayo. But that's another story for another time.

The Active Veil is a setting powder with SPF 18. Though the power of powder SPF's is debatable, I would any day choose one with it than one without it. It being SPF. Though the powder looks white-ish, it is a translucent powder and doesn't make skin look any bit lighter.

But Then....

Yeah there are a few but thens...

The retractable brush is not great. The retractable part is great . The brush part is not. I would have loved it if they use the same material they used to make the flat top brush. Now that one is fab !

You order online so there isn't a chance to try it out forehand.

You must have a good understanding of what your skin tone is. Most of us have an idea. It could be the wrong idea. Just saying...

I lucked out when I ordered Medium. The photos on their site helped me. But mostly its the several foundation runs I've done in the past years to Sephora and Nordstrom that have given me a good understanding of my skin tone. I strongly suggest spending the rest of the weekends this year at Nordstrom . Its a good lesson to learn.

It comes in a sifter jar. I dislike sifter jars with a passion.

And then there is the question of what if ? What if you didn't want the other shade ? Just the one shade is working wonders - I'd rather have two of this one ! Not possible.

The kit costs $180.
It is all natural, mostly organic product. Still $180 ?

Each foundation box contains 2g (0.07 oz) of product. We get two of these foundations in the kit. If bought individually each costs $30. Though it is an all natural mostly organic product, I am not sold on the price. My Clinique Super Balanced Makeup Mineral Foundation has 17 grams (0.63 oz) of product and costs $34.50. And it comes with a futuristic grinder that shaves the right amount of foundation for me.

Told you, I love gadgets !!

But Just For You Offer

The folks at RAW Minerals have a wonderful offer for AIMB readers. You can now order the kit for $90 . That is a 50% discount ! Not 10 or 15 or even 20. A full 50 percent !!

And...FREE shipping too !

All you have to do is use the promotion code DISCOVERY50 during check out. There is no minimum amount of purchase required for this code. You can order anything and use the code for it.

This essentially brings down the average price of each product in the kit form $25.71 to $12.85. And if we get only the foundation, it will be for $15. And $15 only. Yay for free shipping !

Offer ends on 12/31/2009

Dinner Table Conversation

The kit was sent to AIMB to be considered for a post. I have been sent a few mineral foundations from different brands in the past but they never made it because they weren't fun or exciting. This one was fun and hence I write about about it.

You can now give it a go at $90 but what about later ? Later when you are as addicted to it as I am, would you pay $30 to get 2 grams of your foundation fix ? Just something to think about when you're having lunch this afternoon. Or dinner. Its a great topic for dinner table conversation !

I think so.

Which reminds me, I need FOOD now .

Love,
Indian Girl

Review : Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder. If You're Thinking About It, You Should Get It !

Ask me now what my most favorite makeup product is. Without a second's thought I'd answer - Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder

Ask me again.
Still Bobbi Brown Illuminating Bronzing Powder.
Wanna go at it again ? I can do this all day ! So much fun !!

Why , How , What and Should

It costs $33. And its Totally worth it. My friends don't get it when I tell them how much I love it. Well that is why I love you guys. I need you coz only you will understand when I tell you how much joy these 9 gms bring me. I know you will totally get it when I tell you - I have never loved anything this much. You, right there, thank you for nodding your head in agreement. Did I tell you, I love you...

My idea of the shades is like this. If you have light - medium skin tone then go for Maui, Antigua, Barbados tan ( a little on the coral side) or Aruba ( light golden bronze). Maui and Antigua have lots of pink in it. Medium - Deep Skin tones go for Bali Brown or Bahamas or Aruba. A lot of these shades will look great on almost any skin tone so its all about what you prefer whether its pinks or corals or golds or bronze.

Bali Brown Beauty

The shade that I went all weak in the knees for was - Bali Brown. Its a golden bronzer with a hint of terracotta to it. The closest Drugstore version of it has got to be the NYX Terracotta but I like BB better coz its a bit more warmer and lot more bronzer-ish. I'm crazy about it right now ! But, you know me, that isn't going to keep me from finding the next best thing in makeup. So until then, rejoice in the beauty that BB Illuminating Bronzing Powder brings !

Love,
Indian Girl

NYX Powder Blushes : Swatches and Review

The beauty community's love for all things NYX is well documented on the Internet. So, I am not going to tell you about how good this stuff is, about how it blends brilliantly, how it is so wonderfully pigmented, how it is so fine milled and I am definitely not going to tell you about how it so cheap and yet on par with department store stuff. No I'm so not getting into all that.


What I will tell you about are these two shades I have - Mauve and Terracotta. Mauve is the ' cant you see I'm at a conservative work place ' kinda shade while terracotta is a 'fun in the sun' kinda shade. Mauve - you can give it a miss unless you are looking for a ' cant you see I'm at a conservative work place ' blush. Terracotta you must go get. It works well as a blush, as a bronzer on ( deeper skin tones) and gives a wonderful golden glow along with some terracotta goodness. If you had to spend $6 and get only one NYX blush I'd strongly recommend this shade. Its Gawgus !

Have y'all tried this good stuff form NYX ? Whats your favorite shade of blush from them ? Tell me, don't you totally agree with me on Terracotta. Hawt !

Love,
Indian Girl
PS : Forgive the absence of another 't' in terracotta. Lets make do with one 't' for today.

After giving up on finding a self-tanner for face that would delight both me and my skin, I've been rocking the bronzers. I was always a fan and have several good ones at hand: There's my trusted Paula Dorf that I use year-round and is excellent in bringing color to sallow winter skin and keep me from looking like this:


There's Dallas for a nice, tanned look that is just right for summer days. It's not shimmery and is always appropriate. I also have a compact of Besame Cosmetics Boudoir Rouge in Sun Kissed, which gives a warm glow. I wore it for nights out during the winter, since it's a bit deeper than the Paula, but that's just me. It works just as well for summer days.

All that has left me in need for summer nights mega-watts bronzing action. Something that goes well with tropical makeup and a tuberose perfume. I found it in Tarte's Mineral Powder Bronzer in a color unfortunately named "Hotel Heiress". That's as bronze as you can get with a nice, subtle shimmer.

It requires a light hand and a good brush, goes nicely all over the face, cleavage and shoulders and looks fabulous. It never fails to get me compliments from men and women: Not on the makeup but on my lovely tan. This bronzer definitely lives up to the promise of making one look like she's just came back from an island vacation.

A couple of months ago I had my sister try it. Her skin tone is several degrees lighter than mine (no trace of olive in her complexion. She's quite pale, actually), but this same bronzer looked great on her. She looked like she's just spent a month in the Caribbeans, and came back very tanned and very happy. It's worth trying even if you're Snow White.

With celebs still rocking the oompa loompa look (and in Christina Aguilera's case it also includes lipstick on the teeth), maybe it's the time to remind everyone that there's a kinder, gentler way to fake a tan. A bronzer gives you much more control over the level of color, and unless you make a seriously wrong choice won't turn you orange.

I love Paula Dorf's pressed powder bronzer. It's as finely milled as it promises to be, goes on lightly and easily (I use a full brush that distributes the powder evenly) and gives me the touch of sun that I'm craving these days. My color of choice is Bronze (it's also offered in a lighter and a darker shade) which on my skin looks naturally sun-kissed. Just without the guilt. Normally, it's also available from Sephora, but their online store is out of stock at the moment.

Not That Anyone Has Asked, But...

The bloggers that were featured in August's Allure were asked for their list of ten favorite products. Apparently, some of those lists were slightly altered (read this post by the Beauty Addict), but they did get to name their absolute favorites. So I've been trying to compile mine. It's not as easy it seems. I'm sort of cheating, as in certain places I picked a whole product range. But, it's my list so I make the rules...

1. Leave-in conditioners. There are several on the market and I alternate between a few. It doesn't really matter which one I use, as long as my hair gets its moisture fix. My favorites are Aveda Elixir and Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk Touch.

2. Body washes and creams from L'Occitane. I love everything that they make, in every fragrance and line. The shea butter products are wonderful in winter, mimosa is a dreamy summer scent and I also adore the Honey Harvest line. Their web site is horrible, though. You need to know exactly what you're looking for, otherwise you'll miss most of the products. So I highly recommend a trip to their nearest store.


3. Bliss Sole Train set. Everything one needs for feet (except for polish). The Diamancel Buffer is amazing (they also sell it on Drugstore.com, and their lotions and potions are wonderful. I only wish it all smelled like Rosy Toes. What's better than having your feet smell like roses?

4. Mario Badescu's seaweed night cream. I've talked about it before and can't say enough good things about this product. They sell the entire line in Nordstrom, and I also recommend taking their consultation online, because in a few weeks you will receive an envelope full of samples of products recommended for you. That's how I became a fan of their products.

5. Lancome eye liners. If I had to choose only one eye makeup product, it would have been eye liner, and if I had to narrow it to one brand it would be Lancome. The pencils and liquid in a pen are all beautiful, durable and easy to use.


6. Chanel Vitalumier foundation. I haven't succumbed to the mineral trend. I like the silky feeling of a liquid foundation and the fool-proof application. Vitalumier is semi-sheer. You get more coverage if you use more product. It blends well with my skin and has a lovely, natural finish. My color of choice is beige, and it's the best match for my skin out of the many products I've ever tried.

7. Dallas by Benefit. It's a blush and a bronzer. It gives my skin the perfect natural-looking glow and I have no idea what I used before discovering it. Well, I do know, but now I can't picture myself without it.

8. Besame Cosmetics Enchanting Lipstick in Chocolate Kiss. I've already declared it as my holy grail lip color. The more I use this reddish brown lipstick, the more I love it. It's very pigmented, the texture is perfect and the color is neutral enough to be wearable for either day or night, but still bold enough to be noticed and make a difference in my look.

9. O.P.I Start to Finish base & top coat. I've tried so many nail products. From the ubiquitous drugstore products to the top notch Lippman Collection. This is the best I've found. It's a 2-in-1 product that gives outstanding results. It makes applying polish a breeze and the manicure lasts for well over a week.

10. Perfume. My mother has taught me that you should never leave the house without putting on some perfume. I also wear it at home. It makes everything prettier and finishes off the look. I don't think that it really matters what anyone is using, as long as it's something they love and feel good wearing. I'm always looking for new ones, not as a holy grail thing, just building my fragrance wardrobe.

One Size Fits All

I’m usually not a fan of products that declare themselves as right for any skin tone. From my experience it just doesn’t work this way. Just think: how many shades of lipstick or blush that look great on your friends would compliment you? A good example for this is Nars’ Orgasm blush. It gets such rave reviews and it seems that everyone is buying it. I tried it at Sephora a couple of times, with the same result: it looks wrong.

So I was skeptical about Benefit’s Dallas bronzer (or whatever you want to call it). Everyone loves it. And Everyone has a very different skin tone than mine. Still, my curiosity got the better of me and I found myself at Bloomie’s Benefit counter trying it on.

In my first try I had too much powder on the brush. It’s a thin brush with short, stiff bristles and no handle. It takes a moment to get used to, but as soon as I figured just how much product to use and how to sweep it across my face there was magic. My nose and the area around it are quite tan at this point in the season (I should really be more diligent about sunscreen, but I love being in the sun and my skin gets a pretty tan), so I just use it on my forehead and cheeks to complement my tan.

The color is, indeed, a sun-kissed rose. It makes my skin glow in a healthy looking tan. Since getting Dallas I completely abandoned my Paula Dorf bronzer and my Lancôme blush. I just sweep this and my face is done.

I have no idea how it works just as well for paler women with different undertones to their skin. All I know is that this Non-Blonde is hooked.