An update and a new beginning

My apologies to all my readers for being absent without any information.

When I had started blogging here, it was a space where I could let my hair down and relax. A place where I could talk what, how and when I wanted to talk. But, over a period of time, I realised that every post became like a chore (something which Tine has covered on her blog beautyholicsanonymous.com ) I would fret and be upset if I was not able to post or do something for the blog regularly. This started impacting my daily life and I became increasingly irritable. What had started as fun became tiresome.

                                                    Image Credit   

And, then one fine day, I decided to take a step back. Go back to the roots. Relax and then start with the basic.I have been away for some time now and feel good about it. But, that hunger to blog is slowly coming back. I have decided to move my blog to wordpress and would be blogging from there.

Spending Habits

At times we are forced to acquire some behavior/habits which in hindsight are good for us. Since I have been staying at home mostly, my spending habits have changed a great deal.
I have been forced to look for online options rather than department stores and I prefer the former.

You remember, I had done a 21 days challenge as an effort to control my mindless spending. Now, lets be real its not easy. Being a makeup addict, its hard to pass the counter with beautiful displays or not hit the 'checkout' button. But, I have come up with set of tricks( flow chart) which work for me. It may sound ridiculous but believe me it works for me and makes dollar stretch for me. Now, hardly any purchase is done on spur of a moment.

Each time I want to buy something, it goes through sieve of these questions.

• Do I need it ??

         If I need it, like a skincare or concealer etc. no further questions are asked, items are purchased.
         Its a different story when its a 'want'. And most of the time its a 'want'.

• Do I have something similar already ??

          A new purchase is made only if anything similar doesn't exist in my collection. I am not buying it just
          because its on sale or I am getting it as part of good deal.
          For example, seeing the swatches of Illamasqua Neutral Palette, I really wanted it and had almost hit
          checkout on ASOS when I realized that I have UD Naked Palette. The transaction was cancelled.

• How am I going to use it ??

          There is no point buying something and not using it enough.
          For example, I had a serious lemming for MAC Skinfinish in Superb. I won't deny its pretty but
          I am not sure if I can wear it during day time. I hardly go out during nights so I knew this won't get
          the use it deserved.
          A lemming was weeded out.

• Can I get it online ?? 

          If I can get it online, I am not buying it in store. Seriously, the Australian markups get me all worked

          up. I mean how, can you explain Revlon Lip Butter retailing at $21.95 AUD when you can get the 

          same for less than $ 8 USD...almost 3 times the price !!!! I think the drugstore brands

          ( excluding Face Of Australia, Australis) are really taking us for a ride.

          Why should I spend this kind of money in store when I can get way cheaper online ??

          I buy makeup in store only when there is a fabulous offer, like buy one get one free or when I have 

          a gift card.

• Can this purchase wait ??

          I have lost count of times when I have bought something just because its 'Limited Edition'. Not,

          anymore. No, I am not going to fall for this trick. I will buy it only if its really special. If something

          is from permanent range, it can always wait. I sleep over them.

• Conjure up the mental image of existing makeup collection and how you use it

          This came to me by complete chance. I was arranging my dresser and it made it sick realizing the

          amount of makeup I have piled up. Having them is not bad, what makes it sickening is that I hardly

          get a chance to use them. Just to highlight the fact,  I have used Chanel Ombres Perlees de Chanel 

          only twice and there is a Burberry foundation still in its packaging.

          When everything fails then all I need to think is of existing makeup and walk away.

Do you have anything that works for you ???

Dead Or Alive

I have been missing in action for quite some time..which explains the title.

  Image Source: Budget Travel

I had been overseas for a month which consumed all my time and energy. In fact when I came back, I was so tired that I couldn't hardly stay awake or muster any energy to housework. Family trips are emotionally draining and physically tiring.

But, now I plan to be more regular and post here more often. I know, I know I have said this earlier too, but at times real life takes over blogging life.

Thank You !!

A huge thanks to all my readers and followers for their wishes and their patience while I was away.

I have been very busy with the baby and hardly getting any chance to blog, but I am trying to get few posts lined up.

So,please stay tuned and thanks for your patience again.

The days are shorter and nights are longer....

This is a non beauty related post.
Last week there was a change to my role - I became a new mom.

This means new learnings every day and very few hours to do anything else.
I try to keep up with other blogs and will try to be more regular in posting here.
While I would be blogging, but there might be delay in responding to comments.

Let me know in comments, what has been happening lately in your life.

Introduction to Drugstore Gems Series

I have been using makeup for quite sometime now and having buying both from drugstore and department store. Being a beauty blogger means there is always something new which gets my attention and like bee I hop from one product to another.

Inspite of this frequent hopping, few products standout in their performance which make me go back to them.

And its not just Deparment Store/Boutique products but some of the star perfomers/gems are from drugstore.
In coming weeks I will be having a series of posts discussing the various drugstore gems I have in my
repertoire.

Stay tuned !!

I think I shop too much..

Okay, please don't think that I am bragging about all the shopping I have done. I am doing this post more in an attempt to keep a check on my lemmings and their conversion to quick depleting bank balance. It seems ( in fact it is true) that I have got an insatiable desire for shopping and I feel I need every product which is raved about.
And somehow I find ways to rationalise the shopping also.

So, I have decided to do posts on whatever I have shopped in a month and then view it before buying any more.
I will also do post on any slip ups...its more like putting myself out there to be corrected.

I personally think, it would help me, if I can see  my previous shopping ( and not think in my head, that I haven't bought anything for long) before doing any more.
Again, please don't mistake this as bragging, I am really try to fix something here.

Here, is all the shopping I have done in month of June till now.

I got these from Priceline 50% off Bourjois Sale.
Items in pics

• Healthy Mix Gel Serum Foundation in no. 56
• 3D lipgloss in no.04
• Felt Tip Liner in black
• Duochrome eyeliner in no.57
• Sweet Kiss Lipstick in Rose Corset
• Ultra Shine Nail Polish in Cerise Noir
• Anti Choc No Chips Nail Polish

Items are

• Nivea Creme in Tin
• Nivea Creme in tub
• Cutex 2 in 1 base coat
• Face Of Australia Nail Polish Remover

They are 3 eyeshadows from theBalm.

2 nail paints from Nicole By OPI

Items are

• MAC Powerpoint Pencil in Blue Noon from Surf Baby Collection
• MAC Satin finish lipstick in Mocha

Estee Lauder nailpaint in Sizzling Taupe

Other items which were purchased but I couldn't take their pics

• Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Hand & Body Lotion
• Crabtree & Evelyn Lip Butter
• Crush Cosmetics 120 eyeshadows palette
• Elf angled eye brush
• Elf blush brush
• Elf eyebrow kit
• Inglot eyeliner in navy blue
• Chanel nailpaint in Morning Rose from Spring/Summer 2011 collection
• Chanel Coco Shine in Bonheur

Now, that I have this here, I am going to refer to it before I have lemming for another hand cream or nail paint...

Edit : Not everything was bought in one go...it was over a span of 2 weeks

Upcoming Posts

For the coming week, I have got following posts lined up

-> Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Lipsticks
-> Bobbi Brown Lipsticks
-> Ulta 3 nail paint
...and some more..

So, stayed tuned for fun!!!

No Spend Challenge

After months of shopping binge, I have decided to go on another No Spend Challenge starting as of today.

Rules are same
-> Items bought only if I finish it
-> Only absolute necessary things will be bought
-> Can buy gifts for family and friends

Based on previous challenge, I know the first few days will be real tough.But I really want to take this up as a shopping detox ( I am completely making this term) and finish few items while I am on this challenge.

Wish me luck.
Any one doing something like this ??

I am Back !!!

After a gap of more than a month, I am back.
It was a nice time spent with family..but I missed coming here and talking with my readers about the things I love...

So, here I am ..

What about you gals ? How have you been ?

Quick Update

My apologies guys...I am really sorry. I had been swamped with work lately and now my family has joined me,which means I have almost no time on hand for updating the blog..

I shall be back soon in full swing...

Update

It’s been long since my last post. Few things have happened since.
I have turned a year older…hopefully wiser as well.
I have got a new haircut…nothing too drastic just a little change
I was also occupied with work and other things in life.
I have got new followers…Welcome all and thanks for stopping by and putting your comments. As a blogger it’s very encouraging to see that someone actually reads what we write.

For past few days, I am feeling very little inspired to do make up or try any look. It’s the usual liner and that’s it. The only thing which I have been wearing daily is the Illamasqua Cream foundation (Review coming soon!!)

I plan to try some new looks this weekend…lets see how it goes

And, last but not least, my birthday present..15 MAC brushes...all from permanent









Isn’t it gorgeous…absolutely love it.

I also bought some make up as part of birthday pampering

-> Illamasqua Cream Foundation
-> Illamasqua Lipstick Climax
-> Chanel Nailpaints Paradoxal
-> Chanel Nailpaint

Can you believe, I have still not tried most of the stuff except of the foundation **sighs**

The Humble Qtip

Yes, I think this is the most humble item in my entire makeup kit. I hardly credit it for what it generally does for me. Its one of the most used item in my armour




Image Source : luxurytyme.com

I use it for

-> smudging my eye shadow

-> smudging my eyeliner on upper lash line

-> removing the eyeliner from lash line. I just dip in it eye makeup remover and gently run it along the lash line.

-> Removing any residual eye makeup from under eye area

-> Correcting any makeup mistakes like bleeding lipsticks or shaky eyeliner application

-> Removing any foundation etc which gets stuck in eye brow (it happens to me)



This is the most used item on my dresser.

What about yours?? Who is the humble warrior in your troop ??

Coffee with Akisa

I always wanted to know the people behind the blogs I read regularly, to meet them and talk about skincare/makeup stuff.And today, I got to meet lovely Akisa, from
www.akisalove.com and www.beautyswatch.com

The first thought in my head as I saw her was "Oh my God, her skin is amazing"...seriously its amazing...beautiful. And she is such a sweet person, I instantly liked her.The funny thing was that although we were meeting for the first time but it was as if makeup/skincare had already connected us. It was so much fun talking to her, she also told me some real good tips.

If you are after lipstick swatch on lips, all you need to do is to head to www.beautyswatch.com

Can't wait to meet her again!!!!