Its official, I’m obsessed with skin and make up products. The biggest issue for me personally, is finding products that suit my skin tone, and more importantly the weather. Keeping that in mind, I always test the product out, and if it doesn’t hold up, I get rid of it. All my testing has lead me to three make up pouches full of stuff that I use and love. I’m not one to hold on to my beauty secrets, so I decided to put together a little post full of things I can’t live without.

Hydrate

This is most crucial for all those who think they might age earlier than most – I’ve learned not to leave the house without SPF. The best I found for Mumbai weather is Fab India’s Vitamin E with SPF 15. I know it’s not strong enough, but it’s light so you don’t feel too sticky when you go out. I end the day by applying Lancôme’s Youth Genifique and Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. Never too early to start using wrinkle cream, I’d say start in your mid to late 20’s.

Face: Foundation/ Concealer/ Powder

These are the basics for any make up crazy girl. Bobbi Brown is the god of all these to do with concealer, it’s a cream base so it sticks to your skin all day. Over that I use a little L’Oreal True match and then finally to set it all, Bare Mineral powder. Powder is an essential in humid weather it keeps your make up from melting off. Also, all three of these brands have a wide variety of shades to match your skin tone!

Eye: Shadow/ Mascara/ Liner

Here are some products that are most used and most treasured! A bit of mascara can go a long way. To really bring out the eyes, for night or day I feel the Maybelline Chai Latte quad is perfect. It has a nice copper colour and two nude shades, plus a great highlight, good for any occasion. The mascara at the moment for me is the Double Extension by L’Oreal (the blue one). Its the blackest mascara I’ve got, I don’t personally feel like the browns or coloured mascara are good for our skin tone. Also the BEST product ever for eye make up removal has to be the Bi-Facil by Lancôme. It comes up super fast and without itchy burning eyes.

Lip: Lipstick/ Balm

Big tips here, if you play up your lips, then keep your eyes and cheeks subtle. Don’t emphasize all your features at once. Highlighting one feature at a time is less distracting and more chic. Keep away from those lipsticks that have a clear set coat, they only dry out lips on the long run. There is no real long lasting lips sticks, I prefer to just re-applying. Always have a classic red, and nude, the rest is up to your taste. I love the MAC lip tint, can be used on cheeks too. My everyday lipstick is Lakmé – cocoa Pink. For ultra sexy lips I love my Versace in racy red!

Nails: Polish

Both MissMalini and I tried out the Opi Red nail polish, and considering how hectic our lives can get, they nail polish, wait for it, didn’t chip or even scratch! Nail polish colours are truly a matter of taste, however, I find these Chanel colours absolutely perfect for any outfit or occasion or you name it. I’m a Chanel fan just in case you didn’t guess right off the bat.

Best Make up Tutorials Online

All my Make up lessons I learned from these two sisters, Samantha and Nicola aka Pixiwoo. Not only are they fun to watch and listen to, but they know their stuff. They have trend reports, Basic tutorials and tips on how to look like your favorite celebrity. I can watch them for hours and not get fed up, here are some videos I found were very helpful.