5 must have lip shades for yellow skin and my favourites

While the words "5 must have lip shades" may not sound like rocket science..I feel that finding the right shade that suits one's skin tone within "the must have shades" is a task na? Any girl who is wee bit into fashion and beauty would know what the most in or the must have lip shades. But what I find most helpful is when I come across blog posts/articles that mention shades that suit a  particular skin tone.

So I thought i'll share my bit of research with you all. I am yellow skinned, (I know most Indians are right?) but my skin has no warm tones just cool ones. And I've tried lots of reds, sometimes wasted money, by buying a particular lipstick and then not wearing it cos I feel it looks weird on my complexion. But yes! after a lot of trials I have across these 5 shades that are as distinct from each other as they can be, but yet suit my yellow coloured skin. And the best part - All of them are really affordable and super lasting as well!!

For me to judge a lip colour -a hand swatch is just not enough, because so many a times it looks different on the hands and when applied on the lips it looks different ( lip pigmentation has a role to play here you see!) and thus, I have put both hand and lip swatches for you'll to judge.

#1  A baby pink lipstick 

A baby pink shade for all those times when you want your lips to look naturally flushed. You know something that you feel like putting on when your mood is in between a sheer lip balm and a lipstick?
The one that suits me the most is - L'oreal Infallible Tender Berry. (MRP - Approx 700)
This shade when swatched on the hand looks purplish but is not! I had spoken about this lipstick in my post here. Love the texture cos its creamy and not very drying.

#2  A bright pink lipstick

Because you are a girl and you love all things pink! For those days, when you don't care what the world thinks, and want to wear pink unapologetically!
The one that suits me the most is - Maybelline Super Stay - Stay with me Coral. (MRP - Rs 450)

Is it just me who feels that this shade shouldn't have been called Coral? You can look at the pictures above and below. Everything about this lipstick screams fuschia pink. 

This pic is a lil blurry but the shade is much brighter in real                              

(Btw Revlon Just Bitten - Sweetheart comes a close second here)

#3  An orange lipstick

Image Source

When I saw this pic of Kareena's I knew I had to get an orange lipstick. Not many girls can carry off an orange lipstick. But once you find the right shade, you'll love the sunkissed effect it gives to your face.

The one that suits me the most is - Colorbar - Obssessed with Orange. (MRP - Rs 250)
Believe me you'll really get obssessed once you start using this colour. This shade just magically matches everything that I wear.It's not peach it's not coral it is orange but yet does not look stark and blends so beautifully with my skin tone. I'm totally in love with this one right now!

#4  A nude lipstick

On the days when you feel like you've all grown up and want to keep it subtle and classy!
The one that suits me the most is - Chambor - Desert Rose. (MRP -  Approx Rs 500)
I had worn this shade here with a gloss on top. Although, this shade is great and is the perfect nude for yellow skinned people without making them look tan ( a la Gauri Khan) it is slightly drying and will need a gloss to be applied to avoid making one's lips look chapped. 

#5  A red lipstick

Because it is red and everyone's wearing it!!!
The one that suits me the most is - Colorbar - Hearts & Tarts (MRP -  Rs 250)
I think when it comes to lipsticks Colorbar beats any other brand be it MAC, Revlon or Inglot! They are super lasting, super affordable and what a range! All colours are so apt for the Indian skin. I have tried many reds, reds from Indian brands as well but nothing comes close to this one when it comes to lasting power + red that suits and does not make you look cartoony/slutty.(Disclaimer: I have not tried the much acclaimed MAC Ruby Woo, but I'm happy with this one currently!)

And the customary hand swatches

So what are your favourites? Have you tried any of these? what do you think about them? Go ahead and tell me. I would love to hear!

Girls (TV show) Review

When I wrote this post about which girly TV shows to watch, fellow bloggers Marlen and Jamie recommend saying I should watch Girls.

Image Source

The reason why it was not included in my list was because I had seen the pilot episode but somehow I was little grossed out by the in your face sex scenes,foul language etc. But then Gossip Girl ended and New girl season 2 was getting kinda boring so I thought why not give it a second chance. And boy! was I hooked. I finished watching 2 seasons in flat three days. The reason why I have still not seen the season 3 is that it is still in the making. So here's more about the show and what I like/dislike about it..

The Plot

When the Pilot was first aired a lot of publications thought it is this generation's Sex and the City. If you think about it you can't really blame them, there are indeed many common points. 4 single 20 something ladies, best friends, New york city as the backdrop, based on love, sex and relationships, protagonist is a budding writer and the list goes on. The Sex and the City comparison basically summarises the plot. I would actually call it a prelude to the actual Sex and the City as the girls here are still maturing.

Here's the trailer to give you a better idea of the storyline.

The characters

The characterization is the highlight of the show. The 4 girls although best friends couldn't have been more different from each other. Each character is so uniquely crafted.

Marnie - Perfect in everyway. Hot bod, smart, miss goody two shoes, likes the securities in life

Jessa - Bohemian by natures, dresses to reinforce that, mysterious, beautiful in an exotic way, British accented, follows her heart and as she calls herself - adventurous

Hannah - Whimsical, aspiring writer, chubby has lost some fat trying to lose some more, mostly unemployed, spunky, humorous (her character will touch you the most. She is also the writer, director of the show. No wonder she kept the best role for herself :p)

Soshana - The youngest of the lot but preaches the most, still a student, innocent, comical, pristine

Out of the male leads the character that will grew on me the most was Adam. There's something about that guy. Unconventional, crazy, but then turns into someone so sweet and caring. So somewhere from finding him hot you'll start finding him cute! I'm not putting up a picture of his because I just googled and his pics don't do justice to him!

What I liked/disliked about the show

First of all if you are an Indian, you will be shocked..culturally SHOCKED. Even if you an Indian like me who is used to watching American shows you will be Shocked, probably grossed out with the every 2 minute -there's a sex scene in your face. I for one just do not understand how is it humanly possible to have sex so randomly. But once you get over this, then you will slowly start feeling for the characters. I love Jessa's character she's so intriguing. She got pregnant last year (off screen) which is why you will see lesser of her in season 2. The fact that one sees lesser of her want's one to know her more. There are some very real moments like peeing behind the bushes while your friend is watching for you, or wanting your ex to suffer for atleast 6 long years after a breakup or even feeling betrayed by your parents when they no longer want to support you.

The show has it's humour intact, but as Marlen and Jamie would call it - it's a different side of humour, not dark, not in your face, not subtle, just different!

So go ahead and watch it and don't judge it by the pilot episode like me!

Checklist 2013

I had done a wishlist way back in 2009! When I look at that list I wonder how small my wants were..I ended up checking off most of the things from the list that year except for the Swarovski ring (which I still haven't bought!!). And I'm back again with a wishlist 4 years later (naming it checklist, because these are not exactly wishes, and definitely not a bucket list as it is restricted to this year) with bigger wants!! I guess we all just keep demanding more and more from life. So here goes - 5 things that I have to, want to and (maybe need to) do this year: 

Get my nose pierced 

When it comes to piercing, I have got my ears pierced (well not surprising since 99% of Indian girls do). Got them done when i was a kid so don't remember how bad the pain was. I also have gotten a tatto done so yes, nose piercing shouldnt be that bad. But I'm struggling to find a good jeweller who does it in Mumbai. Anyone knows anyone in Bandra or town who can do it for me? Would love to know.I plan on wearing a simple, tiny diamond stud like the one seen below not into nose rings much.

Image Source

How pretty it looks on Sonali!

Take a trip on my own

I have been wanting to do this since a long long time now. Probably since, the time I read Eat Pray Love. It may not be the best book that I have read but one thing it did was inspire me to travel on my own.. Its surprising how common it is abroad to travel alone.. but we Indians think that it's quite a looser-ish thing to do na? But really I want to take up  a trip maybe not very far and just within the country. Maybe somewhere up north in the hills not very commercial and just laze around for a week and explore. 

The book that inspired me

Get an add - on done to my tattoo

I have a small cute-sy tattoo right above my right ankle. Frankly, when I got it done I was just checking off something off my bucket list, and although I knew I wanted some pretty looking thing on my leg I didn't really put any thought to it. So now, I have something in my mind that will not just add some meaning to my tattoo but also mean something to me. Will put up pictures of this once I get it done, to explain this better.

Take a European Holiday

This is mainly because of two reasons 1) I want to go on an international holiday 2) I'm bored of Asia, have gone to Thailand, Dubai, Malaysia, Bali, Singapore so you see besides Hongkong there's not much left to see. And flying to the USA is as expensive as a full vacation. So I'm trying to plan a trip for me an my husband either to Turkey (Istanbul, Cappadocia, Izmir) or Italy (Rome, Naples , Amalfi). Keeping my fingers crossed for this one.

Image Source

Image Source

Get working on that draft 

I have an idea, not very unique, but want to put it down. And this year I better get working on it. I know many bloggers aspire to write a book someday. Ive been wanting to write one too. I don't know how good or bad it'll turn out to be. But one can always try right?

So here's my small but heavy checklist! Do you have one too?