Before you worry, I assure you that I am not leaving the beauty community but I am limiting my beauty purchases. 

I know that's a big statement to make, especially as a beauty blogger.

I have shared my story of how I got into makeup and beauty blogging multiple times. What you might not know or perhaps realize is that while I am a blogger and I review makeup and skin care products, I am also just another consumer. I know that I own a lot more products than an average person, but with that comes a problem of product wastage. So I wanted to write up a rather candid post about why I am limiting my beauty purchases. 

When it comes to buying makeup, I am just like you. I often go through a lot of reviews before clicking the 'add to cart' button. After all, I want to make sure that I'm buying items that are of good quality available at a price that I can afford. I do sometimes give in, and buy products that I've been longing to have for a long time (like my one YSL lipstick), buy products that are intriguing or those which are cult favourites, so I can share with all of you whether they are worth the hype. 

Over the past three years I have amassed quite a bit of makeup, or to be more precise a lot of lipsticks. When I receive a new product in the mail, I get so excited and continue to use the product for as long as that excitement dies down (that is until I find another intriguing product). Recently I have taken a long, hard look at my collection and felt disappointed at how I had forgotten about some products I used to enjoy so much. It is not even the case of not liking the products anymore, it's just that I have forgotten to use them. Buried under products I didn't like, products to test out, and review were items I used to love which have unfortunately already hit their expiry dates before I could use them up.

For one thing, this led me feel like I've wasted my money (no worse feeling than guilt), and for another my heart fell at seeing the amount of wastage. It's disappointing to not have finished up a product entirely. Anyone who loves makeup would share with you how satisfying it is to hit pan. There's nothing like seeing how well-loved that eyeshadow, or lipstick was. 

 After 3+ years of blogging I feel like I know exactly what I would like and what I would not, so that I can avoid going through a tedious trial and error process. This doesn't mean I won't be open to trying new products, it just means that I'll be approaching them with better awareness.

I am not sure if this means that I am going down the path of minimalism. However I will be monitoring what I buy, and making sure I only purchase the bare necessities for a change. I am not even sure how I will cope 😋 but I figure I'll be fine. At least, this will allow me to use up the products I love. 

What do you think about this change?

Let me know in a comment down below what you think, or if you have any words of support.

Thank you for reading my blog,

Much Love,

It's no secret that Instagram is my favourite app. I do spend quite a bit of time scrolling back and forth on my feed whether it be to gather inspiration for my blog posts or articles, or to find new beauty products that I would want to try, or even to escape small-talk in the real world. I would describe myself as a creative person, and I often switch up my Instagram stories to explore that creative side and embrace a change. This year, I was able to discover 3 apps that allowed me to create the perfect Instagram Stories that I love. 

VSCO 

Image via vsco.co

This app is nothing new. In fact I had it installed a couple of years ago, but didn't quite see its utility. This year, I reinstalled it, and absolutely fell in love with the ease with which it allows me to edit a photo. The filters are also a plus point! The best part is that most of its features are free. Once I take a photo from the camera on my Iphone 6s, I adjust the exposure, saturation, white balance, and tone with this app. As for the filters, I mostly use them for my feed. Once I edit one picture, the app makes it really convenient to copy and paste the edits on to the newer ones.

Snow

Image via itunes.apple.com

 I love adding vintage effects on my photos. The first camera I requested from my dad was in fact a Pentax camera. Since I don't even own a Polaroid, I've always been on the hunt for an app that would allow vintage effects. I was using another app that created polaroid photos which developed by shaking the phone three or four times. The first few times were fun, and then it got really annoying.  That's when I found Snow. I absolutely love the polaroid effect with the burn on the side and the rainbow effect, the VHS video effect, and film roll effects. It has many other filters which I personally do not find useful including rather odd face altering/ shaping ones.

 

These apps will surely help you enhance your Instagram stories. I hope you found this post useful. Let me know if it did in a comment down below, or if you have any other recommendations for me.

Mentioned In This Post

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Snow

NET WT: 3.2g (0.11oz)

Claims:

This thin, lightweight formula smoothly glides on the lips leaving SUPER intense pigment with a bold, ultra-matte look. It is very long-wearing and 100% kiss-proof AKA no transferring!

The boldest formula of our liquid lipsticks - in one smooth swipe, you’ll get intense color payoff that dries down to a super matte, transfer-proof finish.

Cloudscape is described as a muted chocolate.

Packaging:

The liquid lipstick comes in a box which bears the ColourPop logo and the name of the product, with the name of the shade on the side. The product is packed in a clear tube with a silver cap. It bears the name of the brand in their typical holographic silver print. 

The name of the shade is clearly stated on the bottom. 

The applicator is the usual doe-foot applicator.

Wear:

Cloudscape is described as a muted chocolate and if by 'muted' they mean to say that this isn't a warm-toned, rich and creamy chocolate, then I agree. It pulls off as a slightly cool toned brown, and appears almost as if it is a mix between a taupe and a brown when dried. Typically dark lip colours are difficult to make, in terms of getting the formula and the pigmentation right. It appears that making this shade was a struggle because the pigmentation is below par. On first coat, I could see my lip colour seeping through. So I applied one coat, and waited for it to dry before applying another to achieve full and opaque coverage. I mean, you could say it is buildable but ColourPop has managed to get that one swipe full pigment in some of their other lipsticks, so this was a let-down. If you are planning to buy this anyway, make sure to add a matching lip liner to the basket to be more precise around the edges.

I will say that the formula is true to its claims of being thin and lightweight, hence it glides with ease. It doesn't transfer which is a definite positive. I did find it to be a little more drying in comparison to their other lipsticks.

It lasted around 4 hours in general on my lips. I noticed the product on the inner part of my lip was wiped clean (meaning I digested it) after a breakfast of toast, eggs and sausages. I noticed the lipstick flecks on my teeth upon close inspection. Yikes! However I will say that re-application was not an issue. 

Would I Recommend It?:

Not really. If you're a fan of trying different colours then you might be interested in having this. If you're someone who's looking for a long-lasting, pigmented colour for everyday wear (especially if you have chocolate skin), then this is not for you.

Shop This Post:

ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Cloudscape  

What do you think about the ColouPop Ultra Matte Lip In Cloudscape? Let me know how your experience with it was in a comment down below.

Thank you so much for taking time to read this!

Much Love,

Today I wanted to share with all of you my current "everyday" makeup routine. By every day I mean most days, because my main priority as of now is to improve my skin, and to allow my face to have a breather.


I start with my brows first. I line and fill them in with the Dip Brow Pomade by Anastasia Beverly Hills. This is more dramatic than a pencil liner but I really like having thicker brows right now. The next step is a weird one, and I'm not sure if anyone else does this so take it with a grain of salt. I brush my spoolie against some Vaseline or clear lip balm and comb through my brows. I find this gives it a shine, kind of like the Glossier brow look.





As for eyeshadow, I really want my makeup to look as subtle as possible. So I just apply my base colour of Shooting Star by ColourPop cosmetics in the Dream St. palette. Next I add some of Magical from the same palette on the crease, and add the brown colour, My Type, from the I Think I Love You Palette by ColourPop. Next I line my upper lash line with the Maybelline Colossal Kajal. The task of removing liner from the bottom lash line is tedious, and quite frankly too much work for me after I get home. So I line only my top lash line. Next I apply my Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. This mascara is the most long lasting mascara I've used. It.does.not.budge. 



It's safe to say I'm over full coverage foundation...for now. I was never the biggest fan of thick foundations to begin with. My only positive experience happened to be the Revlon ColourStay and that was a full coverage foundation. As my focus this year is on skin care, I've been searching for lightweight products. So instead of foundation, I've been consistently using BB cream thanks to my little discovery of the L .A. Girl's Pro BB Cream. I use use the Pro conceal-High definition concealer by L.A. Girl to conceal blemishes and scars from pox (which are finally beginning to fade-YAY!). I do want you to keep in mind that it's completely normal to have marks and spots. It's just a part of life, however if you want to cover them up that's okay too.

Finally, I dab on the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Ultimate Beige to finish off the look.

Et Voilà!

That's the completed look.

Shop The Post:

Vitamin E Moisture Cream by The Body Shop
Dip Brow Pomade by Anastasia Beverly Hills
Vaseline
Dream St. palette by ColourPop Cosmetics
I Think I Love You Palette by ColourPop Cosmetics
Maybelline Colossal Kajal
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Pro BB Cream by L. A. Girl
Pro conceal-High definition concealer by L.A. Girl 
Liquid Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal by Becca Cosmetics
Pressed Powder by Jordana Cosmetics
Rouge Volupte Lipstick in Ultimate Beige by Yves Saint Laurent 

Hope you guys enjoyed this makeup look. Let me know your thoughts on it in a comment down below.

Much Love,

What's on your Playlist for June? Let me know in a comment down below.

Thank you for checking out my blog!

Much Love,

Hey everyone! Hope you've all been well. Today, I thought I will share with you my reflections and experiences from the month of May.

Birthday Celebrations

Rain and Thesis Presentations

We usually expect downpours during the months of April/ May, and we certainly experienced it (on another level) this year. This is my favourite kind of weather. The kind where I could just disappear into my room, with a book in hand, and cup mug of tea by my bedside. Ah bliss! I also managed to present my Master's Thesis which was overwhelming, and also engage in the Final VIVA (what I dreaded most as an undergrad). 

The #MeInArienti Campaign

Something very exciting came up in the last week of May, which was the #MeInArienti campaign. As you may know if you've followed me on social media, I've been a huge fan of Arienti. They have a generous variety of styles, and their clothes are of great quality for such affordable prices. When they reached out to me about spreading the message about the campaign, I was more than happy to do so. I also managed to capture this shot in line with their theme of 'Arienti and a Meal'. The struggle was real when it came to getting good shots of outfits especially when you are both in front of the camera, as well as the photographer- all the while holding a plate with a single donut doused in chocolate. All I can say is, it takes a lot of patience! 

Reflections

Upon reflecting on the happenings of this month, I wanted to share with you a message, or a tip really.
If your friend is distancing from you or other friends, losing interest in daily activities and things he/ she used to enjoy, looking upset for more days than not, please make sure to let them know that you are there for them. They might push you away, and respond with a 'I'm fine', but they might not be. Notice the little changes, and make sure they know they can rely on you.

That's pretty much what happened in the month of May. 

Kylie just launched 4 new red lip kits featuring 2 mattes and 2 velvets which makes us Sri Lankans red with envy as they don't ship to Sri Lanka. Somehow we make up for it thanks to ColourPop. Reasons to love the brand you ask? a) they ship to Sri Lanka, b) the local ColourPop website ships available products super fast, and c) needless to say the low price tags of ColourPop products makes the process of shopping so worthwhile. Their Ultra Matte Lip in Avenue is a red hue that anyone can rock.

NET WT: 3.2g (0.11oz)

Claims:

This thin, lightweight formula smoothly glides on the lips leaving SUPER intense pigment with a bold, ultra-matte look. It is very long-wearing and 100% kiss-proof AKA no transferring!

Packaging: 


The liquid lipstick comes in a box which bears the ColourPop logo and the name of the product, with the name of the shade on the side. The product is packed in a clear tube with a silver cap. It bears the name of the brand in their typical holographic silver print. 
The name of the shade is clearly stated on the bottom. 

The applicator is the usual doe-foot applicator.

Wear:

Would I Recommend It?:

Absolutely! If you're looking for a red for a night-out, then you have to pick this up. I think this lipstick performed exceptionally well, and this is a red that anyone can pull off because of its neutral undertones. 

 Shop This Post:

ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Avenue (Local website)