This is the fourth instalment of this series, and I’m featuring a few things that aren’t worth anyone’s time (amongst stuff I actually liked).
1. Swiss Beauty Tint Me On Lip Balm in “01 Mauve Muffin”.
This was a gift from a dear friend and I usually do not review gifts. But since this met the criteria of this series, I thought I would feature it anyway.
This is marketed as a tinted Lip Balm but it’s not nourishing enough to be a balm. It does provide hydration through its smooth and creamy formula but it’s not something that would soothe or repair the dryness of one’s lips.
It’s more of a tinted sheer lipstick.
As a tinted sheer lipstick, it’s lovely. The colour is sheer but can be built up into a more intense tint. It feels comfortable on the lips,has decent longevity and is easy to re-apply.
I like that the packaging matches the shade of the product and it’s just a cute little product to have.
More shades in this line-up would be great.
’01 Mauve Muffin’ is a rosy mauve.
PROS: Cute packaging and decent as a sheer, slick lipstick
CONS: Not as hydrating as a proper lip balm
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 249 INR for 3.5 grams of product
AVAILABILITY: Swiss Beauty, Nykaa etc.
2. Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
These masks went viral last year and they were all influencers would talk about. Local resellers would price these up and make a pretty penny. Now that they’re officially available locally, you needn’t break the bank.
This hydrogel mask is divided into two parts, one for the lower part of your face and one for the upper part. I recommend sticking on the lower part first. Being gentle and patient while applying them is crucial for these types of masks because of how easily they tear.
You can use this mask without anything underneath but using a toner/light moisturiser before it also helps.
You also can sleep with it on, but I usually keep it on for a maximum of 2 ½ hours.
This mask works great for me. It leaves my skin feeling moisturised and glowy/dewy. It also minimises the appearance of pores.
I think it’s something that you can use to treat yourself after a really busy week. It needn’t be a part of your regular routine. I just think it’s one of those nice things to have, a product to relax and unwind with.
PROS: Leaves skin feeling glowy and moisturised, nice treat for your skin
CONS: Effects aren’t long-lasting enough, too expensive to be a regular part of one’s routine
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 380 INR for 34 grams of product
AVAILABILITY: Tira, Nykaa etc.
3. Hyphen Tinted Lip Balm in ‘Hazel’
This is a product and formula I’m completely neutral about. It’s not something that has impressed me nor is it something I think isn’t worth trying.
I just don’t think it’s worth writing paragraphs and paragraphs about.
It is a tinted lip balm and it does its job. It has a smooth consistency and leaves your lips feeling hydrated and looking glossy. It’s not the most nourishing formula but it’s nice enough to keep reapplying throughout the day. I like the slanted applicator too.
If you leave it lying around for too long, like I did, the oil and the tint separates so you might want to give it a nice little shake before application.
Like I said, it’s a decent product. It’s not a life-changing, heavy duty product. It’s just a tinted glossy balm. The price is fine, and if you can find yourself a coupon to get it for cheaper then that’s even better.
‘Hazel’ is a peachy nude shade.
PROS: Decent formula, pretty tint
CONS: Effects aren’t long-lasting enough, not nourishing enough
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 399 INR for 10 grams of product
AVAILABILITY: Hyphen, Nykaa etc.
4. Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh (SPF 50+ and PA++++)
I really loathed the original sunscreen that the brand came out with. It was so hyped on social media that I felt like I absolutely needed to try it, only to hate it and tuck it away in a corner on my vanity. I thought it was oily, the finish made my skin feel gross, sticky and it pilled if I were to put anything else on top.
Soon enough, the brand came out with this version and marketed it as the more lightweight version of their overhyped original. I was once again made to feel like I needed it in my life. Their marketing is INTENSE.
Because of my scepticism, I bought a tiny sample size to try out and I actually really like it. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave a white cast. I like how it sits on my skin. It sets into a semi-matte finish after a couple of minutes.
I am still on the fence about getting the full-sized tube, mostly because I do have other sunscreens that I already like as well as a long list of others I’d like to try.
PROS: Lightweight formula, no white cast
CONS: None as such
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 350 INR for 10 ml of product
AVAILABILITY: Tira, Nykaa etc.
5. Blur Smells Like… Solid Perfumes
Now, I have saved the worst for last.
These were and still are so heavily marketed that even my galaxy-brain-sized self fell for the trap.
I do not like these at all.
If the brand spent more into developing a better product instead of all the influencer-led marketing, I would have given them the kudos they deserved but alas.
I think this is a very generic product and I don’t think people should be falling for the craze that the marketing has created because it’s all manufactured not organic.
I have tried better solid perfumes over the years. This isn’t one of them.
The scents meld into the same old scents you’ve smelled a thousand times over. There’s nothing unique or interesting about the scents themselves. I really don’t think they’re distinctive enough to have multiple variations.
The longevity drives me nuts because these actually have decent lasting power. But because I don’t like the scents themselves, I just want to scrub them off.
However, I do like the packaging but that’s because I have a gigantic bias towards anything that come housed in tins.
If you’re a student or someone who doesn’t want to spend much on a perfume, I still wouldn’t recommend these. There’s much better products at similar price-points or even lower.
I just I do not fuck with these and you shouldn’t either. You deserve better. I deserve better.
PROS: NONE, ugh.
CONS: I hate these with a passion so everything is a con minus the tin packaging.
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 399 INR for 10 grams of product
AVAILABILITY: Blur, Nykaa etc. (DON’T BUY IT, PLEASE, I BEG YOU.)
Listening to this to calm down. Jeez.
Have a good weekend. I’ll see you soon.
