The Monochromatic Blog

Saturday, September 22, 2018

What I am loving this month! - September Favorites

Nikki September 22, 2018 1

I usually don't have time to shop during the semester but I spent summer break with my parents and we did just that. I got a couple things from India and also some from stores such as T.J Maxx and Target (which has great deals by the way - I especially love the clearance section!)

Would you like me to continue this series every month (whenever possible)? Let me know in the comments below!

favorite lifestyle and beauty products september fall

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means that I get a commission if you choose to purchase after clicking a link. This doesn’t cost you anything, and I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!

Kama Ayurveda Face Cleanser (Rose and Jasmine)

kama ayurveda face cleanser facewash skincare

I discovered this product when I forgot my facewash at my friend's place and used this same product that she owns. I fell absolutely in love with the Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser just in my first use! I love how my skin feels after using this god-sent cleanser - it leaves my face glowing! What is also amazing is that it is made from natural ingredients. I am not sure if it is animal cruelty-free since it doesn't mention that however, it does say that the product is 100% vegetarian. The cleanser is around $15 (unless the price changes by the time you click on the link above!). The cleanser is great if you have oily and/or acne-prone skin as it helps get rid of acne spots and scars! I highly recommend this product. 10/10!

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Concealer

I have really been loving the Wet N Wild Photo Focus Concealer (my shade is Medium Tawny - 842B). Once again, I discovered this because my friend had it and I guess it was just convenient seeing that the shade matched my skin perfectly and I didn't have to worry about ordering an unknown product that I wasn't sure was going to work for me. This concealer is pretty small, it is cruelty-free (woohoo!), and has a wand applicator (kind of like what a lot of liquid lipsticks have). I don't know if the applicator is the best especially considering that sometimes I get breakouts and I wouldn't want bacteria to get into the bottle. However, I wouldn't expect a pump mechanism for a $3.99 product. I think this product is very affordable and completely worth it!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish

I have been searching for the perfect shade of nude nail polish for ages and I finally found it! For me, it's the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail 143 in "nude-tral". I would say that the formula isn't the best. The nail polish does chip easily and peels sometimes. At the same, though, it has been the best nude I have ever owned. It's not too light and it isn't dark as to be classified as a "brown" - it's, in my opinion, the perfect nude! Of course, it can also depend on your skin tone and color preferences what your perfect nude is. For me, I love that it is very close to my tan skin tone and I prefer to have it that way!

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish nude shade

The Body Shop Shea Body Mist

This product is a very simple favorite. The Body Shop Shea Body Mist is a simple product that smells great! I personally prefer sweet smells because stronger scents can sometimes give me a headache. Once again I love that the company is an animal cruelty-free. I got this at T.J Maxx for a pretty good deal at the clearance section and thought I'd give it a try and so far I love it! It suits my skin well and it's a simple and good product!

many lives many masters dr. brian weiss book reincarnation

I've recently gotten back into my spirituality and I decided to re-read books from one of my favorite authors - Dr. Brian Weiss. If you want to learn about or are curious about Past Lives, Hypnosis, Regression, Spiritual planes, etc. you should definitely read the books by Dr. Weiss! Currently I am reading Many Lives, Many Masters. I can't wait to read all the others I have as well!

many lives many masters dr. brian weiss book

Have you used any of the products above? Do you like them or do you have a better dupe/option?
Comment below!

author bio niharika shinde the monochromatic blog

www.themonochromaticblog.com

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Saturday, September 15, 2018

Makeup and Skincare Products I Can't Live Without! - Must Haves

Nikki September 15, 2018 25

makeup must haves skin care routine essentials

I love experimenting with new products and trying out different routines for my makeup and skin care. However, there are certain steps and products which will always be an important part of my makeup or skincare routine. I can never skip these steps no matter what. Scroll down to find out my makeup and skin care essentials.

chanel benefit nars makeup flatlay photo

Mascara

This has got to be my absolute favorite makeup product. Even when I don’t feel like applying any face makeup I still always apply mascara. I first lift my lashes with a curler to open up my eyes and then apply mascara, this adds volume and some definition to my eyes and are me look more alive. My favorite mascara has to be the Le Volume De Chanel Mascara or the Benefit Cosmetics roller Lash Mascara. These don’t clump my lashes and give the perfect volume and length to my lashes.

Contour/ Bronzer

I really feel this is a need when it comes to my makeup routine. I like to warm up the periphery of my face and the hollows of my cheeks. I don’t like the monotone look of just the base, adding bronzer/ contour really warms up your face and gives it some dimension. I use the NARS pressed powder in the shade Valley as contour, it is lightweight and blends easily so I don’t have to worry about messing it up. I apply it near my hairline, the hollows of my cheeks and my jawline. After this, I use the MAC Mineralize skin finish in Global Glow as bronzer only on the hollows my cheek. I like the sheen that it adds and complements well with the highlighter that I add on my cheekbones.

Rosewater

I have not stopped using this since the day I picked up the bottle. I religiously apply this every single day, multiple times a day. I love the way it refreshes and cools my skin, and the fact that I have really oily skin, it really helps give just the right amount of hydration. I use the Kama Ayurveda distilled rosewater. It lasts long, and they have a travel size bottle, perfect for when you’re traveling. This gives a natural, subtle and healthy glow and I highly recommend this. I use this before my makeup in place of a moisturizer. This is because moisturizer adds up to the already existing oils on my face, making me look sweaty and doesn’t help with making my make up last longer.

Moisturizer

Finding the right kind of moisturizer is always tricky for me. I have really oily skin, and some people believe that people with oily skin do not require any moisturizers. However oily skin is also dehydrated skin, which is why your skin thinks it needs more moisture and so it produces more oils. I finally came across this moisturizer, which is water-based, perfect or my skin type as it does not add access oils but rather hydrates it. I recently purchased this Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme. It has a gel-like consistency and melts right into my skin, and the fact that it is water based just makes my skin happy. The camellia flower extract gives the best cooling effect. I usually apply this at night, or when my face feels dull and needs an extra boost of hydration during the day.