Monday 11 June 2012

Save Or Splurge: Top Five Picks For Summer

Do you, like me, feel as if you’re preparing for battle when summer looms in? I always feel as if it’s me against the scorching sun, the summer heat and not to mention the humidity that charges in during midsummer.  Over the years I have created an army of beauty products that have helped me survive the summer months.


 Here are my top five picks that are a must have in my summer survival list. These are the things you can easily get your hands on in Pakistan.


Sun Block
The most important arsenal in my list is a good sunblock. I can step out of the house without any make-up on but I never, and I repeat, never leave without applying a sunblock. The reason why it’s so important is because sun exposure is it accelerates the aging process and causes skin damage. There are those, like me, who dread the idea of uneven skin tone. Yes, vanity always gets the better of us.


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Neurogena’s Fine Fairness Moisture 
I have oily skin and in the past I have used the normal Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock with SPF 100 and I hated it. I had to use it because it was the best and also because of the high spf, trust me it did not look pretty. In the end I had to succumb to mixing It in with a matte moisturizer to make it work for me.


Neurogena’s Fine Fairness Moisture with SPF 50 is great for both oily and dry skin. This is what I imagined the Try Touch version to be like. It absorbs quickly, leaves a matte finish and feels light on the skin.  On humid days it feels just a tad bit heavy and oily, nothing a good face powder can’t work it’s magic on.
 It claims to prevent appearance of brown spots and skin darkening due to sun exposure, as well as new dark melanin from forming. It provides protection for maintaining fair, even-toned skin. I'd personally feel better if it had a high Spf!


Price: Rs770

Splurge

Luscious cosmetics took Pakistan by storm with their innovative beauty products designed especially for Asian skin. One of their best selling products is their Whitening Base with Spf 35. This is supposed to be ideal for our part of the world, and according to Luscious Spf 35 is the ideal recommended by dermatologists for our skin (I prefer using a higher Spf). The base is available for normal to dry and oily skin types.


Don’t let the term “whitening” frighten you though. It doesn’t leave any white film over the face, nor does it make you look grey. This is a two in one product that can be used as both a primer and a sunblock.


Price: Rs 975


Best For B.O


This is just as important as sunblock, because nobody wants to smell nasty or be near someone who does.


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Patkari is also known as the alum stone and crystal deodorant. This is easily found in Lahore, Al-Fatah carries them. You rub this on your arm pits and I guarantee you’ll smell odorless all day long. Obviously nothing transfers on your skin because it's just a stone, but for some reason it controls body odor in the best way possible. When I'm going out I spray my favorite perfume after using the patkari, and it helps make the scent last longer. What you can do is crush the alum stone and mix it with rose water and store the mixture in an empty roll on deodorant bottle


Price: Rs 60/70 depending on where you buy it.


Splurge

There’s not much of price difference here but this is also a great (not so natural) product for hot summer days. The FA roll on deodorant is amazing. They have a wide selection of scents to choose from which honestly lasts all days. This is truly a confidence booster in my book.


Price:Rs 150


Face Powder


My defense against an oily skin is a good face powder. As you’ve probably guessed by now I have oily skin, and I am always trying out products that help me combat it.


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Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder is my favorite drug store face powder. I cannot say enough good things about it. On a good, dry summer day it keeps the face shine free for up to 5 to 6 hours (or slightly more depending on your skin type). On a humid day I find after 5/6 hours it doesn’t necessarily get shiny, but it starts to oxidize (changes color; i.e. turns darker or orangey) on me. Often, people with darker skin tones complain that they can’t find their shade, because all the seven shades look fairy light. The shade “translucent” has no color to and it ideal for both very fair to dark skin tones.


Price:Rs 550


Splurge

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish: I am someone who rarely wears foundation, and it took me a while to find something that kept the oils at bay but still gave decent coverage to hide bits of redness on my face. This on me lasts for more than 6 hours and doesn’t oxidize a bit.  Also, it provides as an excellent base for my make-up.


Price: The price varies at different stores. Al-Noor is selling it for Rs 4500 and Green Valley for Rs3500


On Trend Lipstick Shade


Neon is “in” in a big way this spring/summer. The trend has consumed clothes, bags, accessories and make-up in it’s wake. This is the time to invest in a good neon/fuchsia pink lipstick. A bright pop of pink makes a great style statement.


Save:

Luscious Cosmetics Lip Couture in Paparazzi is a great way to dabble in this trend. It’s also great for those who prefer to wear lipgloss instead of lipsticks. Lip Couture is opaque and provides excellent color pay off.


Splurge


Maybelline’s Fuchsia Fever #140 is a favorite amongst make-up artists and beauty bloggers alike. The quality of the lipstick is amazing and long lasting. The shade is right on trend for spring/summer.


Price: Rs925


Mascara


Good mascara is the perfect finishing touch to one’s look. It doesn’t look over done; instead it just enhances your natural features. During the summer days mascaras tend to smear and end up giving the wearer the dreaded panda eye, instead of a glamorous finish. That is why investing in a good water proof mascara is important.
Save: Maybeline’s Define-A-Lash is one of my favorites and is often sold out at most Maybelline counters in Lahore. It’s an excellent dupe for the iconic L’Oreal Telescopic. Define-A-Lash (as the name suggests) defines every lash while providing volume and length. Multiple coats can make the lashes look dramatic.


Price: Rs 800


Splurge: Bourjois Volume Glamour Max (water proof) mascara is probably one of the best I’ve tired. It doesn’t clump or smear, which makes it ideal for summer. It’s perfect for anyone who wants dramatic, fuller, glamorous eye lashes.


Price: Rs1250

*All the images except for Neurogena’s Fine Fairness Moisture are taken from Google. 


Let me know your top five picks.