I was recently reminded that for Indians living in India there are limited options for purchasing many of the products I like and use. No-one wants to pay a 30%-50% import tax + other charges when buying online from outside India

I cannot disagree with this analysis.

However, if you are reading this blog, the chances are you do know a NRI or several that will at some point pass through India. They may even have asked what you’d like….(and if you don’t know anyone of this variety, I suggest you make new friends (and I am not even kidding here).

A reader recently asked me what products I would buy under US$27 or INR 2,000 per product from the USA.

Today’s blog is just about the make-up products I would purchase and tomorrow’s blog will be the skincare products under US$27.

Thankfully, I would take advantage of the prolonged and never-ending sale that has afflicted colour cosmetics.

…BUT if there is one thing that I absolutely would buy, is the Huda Beauty Advent Calendar 2020

This advent calendar offers absolutely ridiculous value for money. It has a combination of skincare and make-up but at US$122 it is a bargain.

Available for sale at Huda Beauty online USA store. Priced at US$ 123 from US$175.

Full list of products: (1) WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, (2) Huda Beauty Hoodie #23 Lenghtie Lashes (3) Huda Beauty Lip Contour in shade Icon (4) WISHFUL Thirst Trap Cocoon Mask (5) WISHFUL Get Even Rose oil (10 ml), (6) KAYALI MUSK | 12 (10 ml), (7) Huda Beauty Medium Nude Obsessions Palette (8) Huda Beauty Melted Shadow in shade Pink Champagne & Bubble Bath and Life Liner Duo Pencil & Liquid Line (9) Huda Beauty Mini Liquid Matte in shade Bombshell (10) Huda Beauty Power Bullet in shade El Cinco De Mayo (11)  KAYALI VANILLA | 28 (10 ml) (12) Huda Beauty Mercury Retrograde Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty life liner double ended eyeliner liquid and pencil

No Indian women ever has enough black eyeliners.

This product costs US$12, reduced from US$25. Available for sale at this LINK

Pat McGrath Eye Ecstasy Eye Shadow Palette Sublime

Colours included in this palette (Sublime) are: Sinful (Platinum Gold Metallic), Illicit (Deep Brown Matte with Gold Sparkle), Gold Nectar (Gleaming Golden Bronze Metallic), Corruption (Fiery Bronze Duo Chrome) and Sextrovert (Brilliant Bronze Metallic) 

Again this will find much use in the endless party/wedding season that afflicts Indians of all classes.

This product costs US$14, reduced from US$ 28 and free domestic shipping in the USA. Available for sale at this LINK.

NARS mini-orgasm double duo

This product costs US$16, reduced from US$ 24, and yes its a Christmas bauble. But so what? Available for sale at this LINK.

NARS oversized Iconic Cheek Duo

This product costs US$ 27.50 from $39. Available at Space NK (USA store)

Kevyn Aucoin All Over Highlight Palette

This product costs US$ 15 from US$ 48. Available at Space NK (USA store)

Urban Decay Stoned Vibes Mini Eyeshadow Palette

Costs US$ 12.50 from US$25. Available at Urban Decay USA store (there is ground shipping though)

Urban Decay Chill Cooling and Hydrating Makeup Setting spray

I have hooded eyes and I love eyeshadow. Urban Decay’s setting eye primer and setting spray have been an absolute Godsend for me. I don’t at all have to worry about smudged, panda eyes.

Costs US$16.50 from US$33. Available at Urban Decay USA store (there is additional ground shipping to pay).

Lipsticks from Pat McGrath

I am not quite sure why Pat McGrath is literally giving these lipsticks away at US$12 from US$38, but I am not complaining. My only wish is this offer had been around when I had actually bought lipsticks last year!

With the Blitztrance lipsticks (as above), I am all for the Blood Rush (Classic Red with Copper Pearl) and Flesh Fatale (Bronzed Rose with Golden Pink Pearl)

From the matte range, I live Venus in Furs and Candy Flip (mid-tone Coral)

Lipsticks from Net a porter for under US$25

CODE8 + Emilia Wickstead Matte Velour Lipstick (US$22 from US$55)

NARS Full Vinyl Lip Lacquer – Valencia (US$ 16 from US$26)