Get a Grip Mommy #3: Elizabeth Arden's 8 hr Lip Protectant Stick Review

Winters found their way to Mumbai finally..yay! the shawls and sweaters and boots will find their time to shine.. even if it is only for a few weeks..*sigh*

Endless cups of teas and drowning in cocoa butter cream, touching my nose to feel the nip in the air (nose becomes an unofficial thermometer)..bliss! bliss!! bliss!!!

What goes a 180 degrees though are my lips... even though i make a conscious effort to NOT lick them, or breathe through my mouth (blocked noses anyone?)..they still dry out like they took a trip to the north pole!

I knew it was time to buy a lip balm.. just go to a chemist and get one in a nice fruity flavor..did i do that? NO! why? same old same old.. too bored.. so instead of spending 200 bucks on it, i decide to visit a mall, i like to pamper myself sometimes..like a reward for making it without prozac.

So i picked up a lip balm for 800 bucks.. Why?  It had won awards.. lip balm - AWARD - WINNING.. yes, there is such a category!

But that's not all. it also does all of the below:

• Treats your lips to Eight Hour® Care.

• Helps moisturize, soften and smooth lips.

• Relieves chapping and cracking.

• Helps guard against the damaging effects of UV exposure with SPF 15.

Presenting, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Creme Lip Protectant Stick..( even the '8 hr' is copyrighted, that says something? doesn't it? :-/) Don't eye roll.. drum roll!

Ok, fine, i know i am trying too hard to justify a LIP BALM and you might still not be convinced, so below are the pros and cons:

The good part:

1. It does NOT have an overwhelming fruity smell..just a faint clove oil aroma which is extremely gratifying.

2. It does NOT need to be reapplied after every cup of tea, lips still feel smooth and supple and hydrated.

3. Lipstick application over it is smooth. Not patchy, not slippery.You know the feeling of trying to paint a waxy surface.. it DOES NOT do that on your lips.

4. does not feel sticky or heavy on lips at all. has it ever happened to you that you start speaking with exaggerated lip movements because the lipgloss you applied so darn heavy that you have to make a effort to move your lips? No, well, i can give you a dozen of lip glosses to try out then!

5. It is not a tub, not a tube..it's a STICK.. See, i was done with tubs..very inconvenient and always thought the tube retained too much of product to throw away.. quite a miser i am like that! No, i just like to stretch my penny.. like every other middle class educated Indian does!

6. the packaging and product look so dull and fragrance so non inviting that my little one does not consider it a toy..Phew!! That is a BIG PLUS if you have a toddler rummaging through your bag at every given opportunity.

The Bad part:

It is expensive :(

For me, it was totally worth it.. does it's job really well and i don't have to worry that my son would smother it on the walls anytime soon. Did i mention SPF?

Totally Worth it!

BTW: Arden Beauty was my all time favorite perfume.. it was so 'me'..was heartbroken to hear it got discontinued... If anyone at Arden is listening, please get it back..pretty please!

Get a Grip Mommy #1: 5 minute make up for busy Indian moms

My day begins like this...actually, i don't know when my day begins..i am still nursing my little one through the night and when the alarm rings, it feels like i just fell asleep a minute ago! Get that feeling?

Then the day just rushes by with - Breakfast for hubby and me - nursing baby - getting dressed for work - nursing again - running out of the house - hunting a rickshaw - running for the train - struggling for a taxi - till i finally reach office. LATE.

But the office is a different world.. you have to respect it.You wanted this. You worked hard for this. You can't let motherhood be an excuse for your unenthusiastic appearance - GET A GRIP MOMMY!

So the first thing i do after i reach office is smarten up my appearance in 5 mins flat! 

5 products, 5 steps and 5 minutes to a  glowing you!

L R: Lakme Eyeconic kajal, Bourjois concealer stick, Bourjois Happy Light foundation, Bourjois Healthy mix blush, Rimmel Moisture renew lipstick

Step 1: Dab a medium coverage foundation all over face. ( i tried BB creams. didn't work. I have pigmentation now. need a thicker base) I have used Bourjois Happy Light foundation in N52. This foundation is very easy to work it. spreads like a dream and gives a flawless effect without the 'made up' feel.
I rate it: :-D
Please note: i wear a moisturizer and sunscreen when i leave home.

Step 2: My new best friend - the concealer. No one at work wants to know how many times your baby woke up last night. Give the haters some more reasons..no dark spots! Bourjois concealer stick in Golden Beige blends in so well with my skin that even i start believing i had a 10 hr beauty sleep!
I rate it: :-D

Step 3: Kohl my eye and waterline with Lakme eyeconic kajal. Nothing fancy here. It does not stay all day. But does glide on easily. I don't know what it is, but kajal somehow makes my make up feel complete.
I rate it : : -|

Step 4: Nude lipstick for my lips.. i am a crazy person.. it's either nude or red! Since i am still going low key with my looks..it's going to be nude lips till i get my umm..groove back?! Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in Nude Delight. If i may say so, this shade is very close to MAC Yash..only it's creamy and not matt. But i am no expert. Performance wise, You have to re- apply post lunch. like any other lipstick out there. It has a soft texture and feels very light on the lips. In the 'nude' of health.
I rate it: :-)

Step 5: Contour the chubby cheeks with a matt blusher/bronzer. i have used Healthy Mix Blush in No. 41. It gives a good healthy glow but does not last all day on my face. I need to reapply post lunch to keep the cheeks flushed.
I rate it: :-(

Now do up your hair. look into the mirror and pout!

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