High-end/Luxury cosmetics

I was never a careful spender, however, I used to prefer getting more products than spending more on single product. Then I noticed I am not really using up the products and most of them ended up in garbage, often with more than half of the content left in the containers. I started calculating the amount of time taken to finish up a product and purchased accordingly. Soon, I realized I could actually afford one or two luxury items with same planning. Initially I bought only one high-end product per year. However, on-site assignment made more brands accessable (in terms of availability and affordability) and high end products​ increased in my stash.

Chanel:

1. Mat Lumiere compact powder: few years ago, when I finished my Revlon compact, I realized it is a product I use for more than 2 years and worth splurging on. My first choice was Mac - my new found interest and even tried few of them (not big on window shopping, for me trying is one step behind buying). Then I came across Chanel counter in Lifestyle mall (which is not available now 😢), for some reason I always dreamed of getting something from Chanel - the name itself sounds luxury. That's how I got my first high-end product. It wont give a full coverage nor a dramatic transformation, but provides with a nice finish and a polished look.

2. Mademoiselle body spray: after getting the compact, I was even more drawn to Chanel and I wanted to get their famous mademoiselle lipstick. When traveling to Paris, I first came across Chanel in discounted price (Chanel don't normally give discounts). Unfortunately, I didn't feel the​ lipstick suited me, so went for it's namesake perfume. I bought body spray instead, as it's half the price as perfume - also wanted to test the fragrance as I have the tendency to stop liking the scents I loved in first sniff😁. Though, this heavenly fragrance proved to be an exception - will definitely get the perfume version.

3. Stylo Eye shadow pencil in 187 Brun Chatain: I saw Chanel with offer for second time in Paris Marionnaud store - this time it's buy 2 get 1 free. When I was a kid, I was fascinated by pen style makeup products. I used to think, when I get to college, I would carry two types of pens - one to write in notebook and other to apply makeup. It didn't happen in college, but my attraction carried on. So, when I came across my favorite pen style Stylo makeup line from my favorite brand in offer, I would be crazy not get them 😋. Brun Chaitan is a beautiful brownish shade with nice shimmer - I usually don't like shimmer, but liked this one. I sometimes wear it to office too. My only issue is how to finish this product in 6 months - I don't think it is possible even if I wear it every single day.

4. Rouge Coco Stylo in 212 Recit: another product I got in 2+1 offer. In fact, this is the main product I wanted as I couldn't get Chanel lipstick after 2 close encounters. It's not yet opened as I am waiting for my Dior lippy to get over 😐.

Dior:

1. Lipstick in 663 Guipure: , Dior lipsticks got translucent finish which I didn't feel would suit me. When Chanel mademoiselle turned out to be a different shade to what I expected, I got bit upset and didn't try other lipsticks in that brand. Moreover, since I already got spray from Chanel and I don't have anything from Dior, I thought of getting a lipstick. This one is a nice hot pink, not too bold but quite different to the neutral colors I was used to.

2. Pro Liner water proof eyeliner: another pen shaped product I got from Marionnaud. I wanted a subtle color and not black or brown as I already have those. I was thinking purple, but this is of grayish shade. It also got a unique flat shape contrary to regular round liners. I think it would be like in-between eye pencil and liner. I am waiting for my TBS pencil to get finished before opening this, but that seems to take forever, so I will be opening after I get through my Maybelline curvy eyeliner. 

3. Miss Dior Absolutely Blooming perfume: As much as I wanted Chanel mademoiselle perfume, I still got the deo variant. I tried various options and narrowed it down in few but then when I get to the Heathrow airport, I saw the promo of recently launched Dior perfumes. For some reason, I liked the advertisement and picked this one instead from the duty-free (of course I liked the fragrance too)

Clarins: I was drawn to their lip glosses as soon as I set my eyes on them but I didn't try them out for a long time. One fine day, I was roaming in Stratford mall with my friend and there is a perfume & cosmetics store selling them for lesser price. I tried one, but didn't immediately get them. As we walked out of the mall, my friend remarked that it is looking very good and suggested that I should get it. I was about to go to Paris in few days and decided to get them from there (as it's a french brand, I though the price would be lesser there). As it turned out, there isn't much of a difference - still I got 2 with 2+1 offer in Marionnaud.
No. 12:

YSL touche eclat highlighter pen 05: I read good reviews about this product (even saw it in what's in my bag video of Selena Gomez), but never knew what it is - even the people who loved and reviewed it weren't too sure. Anyway, I use it as high-lighter below my brows, above cupid bow and on top of cheek bones. Initially I only use it during special occasions as I thought it looks good in photos, but recently, I am using it more regularly as it is not getting over and it's supposed to be used within 6 months after opening (seriously how is is even possible).


Bobbi Brown: one of my initial products, I had extremely high expectations for this product. I wanted one ever since I came to know that the makeup artist in TV series Castle use Bobbi Brown lipstick for the lead character - I love her subtle look in the show. When it first launched in India, its available only in Delhi. So I asked one of my friends travelling to Delhi to get one for me. I checked loads of reviews online before choosing the shade Soft Rose and it still turned out to be different that I expected.

The fragrance is amazing (quite similar to that of soil wet with new rain), but I was bit disappointed with the texture - its kinda drying. However, I later tried one in London and it was amazing. I wouldn't buy a lipstick again without trying it directly.