Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack: Boon for Oily Skin?, Indian Beauty Blog, Skincare

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack: Boon for Oily Skin?

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack: Boon for Oily Skin?

Hey guys,

Now I know the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack is already reviewed on the blog by Nidhal few days ago, I wanted to talk more about it, coz the Himalaya Neem Range and I go back a long way 😀

Yes, I have been using the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash and Face Pack since I was in high school and college, basically more than a decade. And as a beauty blogger, I have to try different products and new launches, but I always keep coming back to the Himalaya Herbals Neem range.

Today I am talking about the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack and how I use it.

What it does: Himalaya’s Purifying Neem Pack brings together the goodness of Neem, Fuller’s Earth and Turmeric, which work together to regulate excess oil secretion, clean clogged pores and prevent the recurrence of pimples.

Key ingredients:

Neem is an excellent skin care ingredient known for its antibacterial properties. It improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections such as acne, boils and ulcers. Neem tackles bacteria from the root and prevents the recurrence of pimples and blemishes.

Turmeric has been used as an antiseptic for centuries. The herb also has strong anti-inflammatory properties which soothe your skin gently. It also makes your skin soft and supple.

Fuller’s Earth is an excellent cleanser. It removes deep-seated dirt and skin pollutants.

Directions: Apply Purifying Neem Pack evenly over cleansed face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes and mouth. Let the mask dry for 10-15 minutes, and remove with a wet sponge or towel. Rinse with cool water. For optimal results, use once a week.

Best for oily and pimple-prone skin.

MRP: Rs.70/- for 50g, Rs.130/- for 100g

It comes in the trademark white and green Himalaya Herbals flip cap tube packaging. While you must have already read the review, let me tell you how I use it.

Initially when I was in college, I had acne prone and oily skin due to hormonal changes. And also the break outs during that time of the month were a little severe, I used to use this once a week. Now I cleanse my face first and do not dry it completely but leave it a little damp for the mask to glide on easily. This tube needs to be shaken well before removing the product coz the clay and water sometimes separate. Take three fingers full of the mask, be generous, you need a little extra with this. And apply it all over the damp face and leave it on for about 15 minutes. When it is completely dry, I wet my hands and massage the product on the face and then wash it bit by bit. Another way I used it was, I apply it on and around the break out or acne at night and leave it overnight.

Now since I have normal to combination skin, I use it once in two weeks or sometimes even less, if I don’t break out. But during summers like right now, there are 1-2 months that I do break out coz of the mangoes and heat, that is when I get back to this.

It’s a boon for people with oily skin because the neem and turmeric being antiseptic and anti-bacterial do not let the germs in the acne spread around all over the face and kill them at the base. And in turn will also soothe the skin and let it heal faster. Fuller’s earth will absorb extra oil from the pores and deep cleanse it, so that more oil or acne is not produced.

It also comes in a small sachet form at Rs.15/- for 16g which is good for one time use and to carry for travelling. They also have this new TVC..

I absolutely love the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack and do recommend it.

You can check out Himalaya Herbals on Facebook HERE and on twitter HERE and also more from their Face Care Range HERE

Have you tried the #HimalayaHerbals #PurifyingNeemPack yet? What do you think of it?

Make Him the Man of the Hour with these Magnificent Watches

Make Him the Man of the Hour with these Magnificent Watches

They say, ‘there could be no better gift than the gift of time’. I say, take this beautiful little metaphor a tad too literally and gift your favourite man one of our favourite timepieces! Look no further than the G Shock range of Casio Watches, each of which is an undeniable testament of ‘watchful’ mastery. But for those treading into the unchartered terrains of luxury timepieces, we know just how overwhelming the quest for the perfect watch can be! Rest easy because we’ve got you covered with the best picks of Casio Watches from Ethoswatches.com that combine functionality and competence in dauntless style.

Casio G Shock: GBA 400-2C

A watch that merely tells the time? Words you’d only hear in a bygone era! Technological advancement has given rise to greater functionality, and we sure as heck love what Casio’s done with this model! This piece of beauty is tailor-made for sports & gizmo-freaks. In addition to being shock & water resistant, this marvel of a timepiece can be synced to your phones via Bluetooth… which basically means you’ve got seamless, wireless access to beats that get you grooving, anytime, anywhere. And those eternally worried about battery life, take a moment of silence to appreciate the adjustable LED display!

Frequent fliers are going to love this feature that’ll save you the hassle of rotating the dials when travelling abroad. The Casio G Shock can be switched to Airplane Mode and be synced with 35 time zones! Available in digital as well as analogue formats, you also have in-built Flash Alerts that buzz after every hour and an alarm system that accommodates up to 5 alarms.

Casio G Shock: GST210D-9A Gold

If you’re the kind who would go for a sophisticated sass, this steel timepiece is a solid piece of great finesse in all its seriousness. An offspring of the G-Shock Range, this shock-resistant heavy-duty 195g metallic Casio watch serves a lot more than just telling time; you can use it as a stopwatch or an alarm, and it comes with LED lights that provide afterglow for both the face as well as the back of the watch, and it’s synced with 32 time zones. The bold blend of a metallic grey and bronze stands true testament to the beauty to metal.

Casio G Shock: GA-100-1A1

Nothing has made an impact in the world of fashion like street-style, and be rest assured Cassio Watches keep a keen eye on changing trends. When you choose the GA-100-1A1, you’ve not compromised with comfort to look stylish. The anti-magnetic structure of this Casio watch is both water and shock resistant, with the capacity to set five alarms, and double up as a stopwatch. The sturdy, bulky build with black resin belts keep the style basic yet casual, with visibly unmatched performance and power!

Casio G Shock: AWG-M100B- 1A

If you’re looking for a suave black beauty, you may blindly go for the AWG-M100B-1A. Neither too dainty, not too bulky, this model is sized just right for daily use and wearable for all occasions. The watch is equipped with three LCD displays that showcase date, day and second information, and just like others in this range, you could set alarms and use the stopwatch function too. Of course, the shock & water resistant features go without saying, by now! But lo and behold, the most remarkable feature: solar power is what keeps this one ticking hard and strong!

Casio Rangeman: GW-9400-1

For those struck with wanderlust and forever found a map in their hand, on the lookout for new adventures, GW-9400-1 Rangeman from the series of G Shock Casio is just the best gift for them. The triple sensor feature helps it to function as a thermometer, barometer as well as a compass, making it a perfect fit for those on the go. With the mentality of an adventure-seeker in mind, the Rangeman is not just resistant water, but also dust and mud resistant. The tough band and solar powered battery make it all the more compelling!

There you have it, 5 of our favourite macho Casio G Shock watches, the perfect pieces to present to the gentleman in your life. Take your pick, and we’ll bet he’s going to be thanking you for it!

How To Get a Bigger Butt Naturally With Exercise

How To Get a Bigger Butt Naturally With Exercise

By Shelja

Kim kardarshian is the founder of bigger butt syndrome, if you look in Instagram there are tons of fitness models earning because of their big butts, of course thanks to science and technology you can get bigger rounder butt instantly, but let’s be real is it worth it? There are many hidden side effects related with these kind of Beauty enhancements which only cause regret at the end, however there are many natural ways through which you can get that hot booty you always dreamed of! Keep scrolling!!

When you’re trying to gain muscles on your glute (butts) it will take time. But the good news is, if you perform the following exercises correctly you will achieve it! It is advised to follow these exercises 2-3 times a week. All exercises are to be performed 3 times with 15 repetition however if you’re a beginner 10-12 per set will be fine. (Personally tried and tested)

1. Squats : This is a staple exercise when you’re trying to gain a good booty, Make sure your knee is not bent, chest upright while going down and getting up. Once you’re up it’s important squeeze your butts inside for a second and feel the burn, doing so will get you faster results. Beginner’s can do it without weight once you’re comfortable gradually add in light weights.

2. Jumping squats : This is exactly like squats only difference is you will jump while performing it, this will also burn fat around your legs, this will also improve your workout stamina. This workout does not require any weights and can be performed at home.

3. Single leg squat : This will be slightly uncomfortable for beginner’s however regular practice is the key. This also focuses on your glute muscles, this workout is often underestimated and ignored, if performed on regular basis you can really go big!

4. Lunges : This is a simple easy home workout, you can either perform it with light weight or even two same sized water bottles can be a quick fix.

5. Donkey kicks : This is one of the most effective workouts targeting your glutes, perform it correctly to avoid any injury. Use a Yoga mat to avoid knee pain.

6. Kick backs : This is just like donkey kicks the only difference is your standing while performing it, you can use light weights or can completely skip weights. This workout can also be performed at home holding a stable chair.

7. Dead lift : This exercise is often performed on back day but this is excellent way to target those glutes, if you’re a beginner you can use light weights or empty rod, gradually increase weights when your comfortable.

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Editor’s Note: That’s a nice post Shelja, need to start doing these 😀

Do you guys do the basic squats and lunges everyday?

Top 10 Berry/Wine Lipsticks Available In India, Prices, Buy Online

Top 10 Berry/Wine Lipsticks Available In India, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

Berry wine lip colors are really trendy and it is definitely not confined to winter now. Previously, girls used to think twice before going for a dark lip color but now, thanks to the winged liner or neutral eye makeup, it is very easy to sport a dark vampy or berry wine lips, flaunting every bit of boldness. The color berry/wine itself compliments the warm Indian complexions so much that literally every brand has their own version of it. To narrow down the search for your favorite berry/wine color, scroll down for the list compiled for the top 10 berry/wine lipsticks available in India.

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Black Cherry – 599 INR (BUY HERE)

This Super Lustrous Crème lipstick from the house of Revlon is counted amongst one of the most popular wine/berry shade. The versatility lies in the color which suits every complexions so beautifully that it will make you feel like a diva! The lipstick is formulated with silk-enriched mega-moisturizers and vitamins, which keeps your lips soft and supple. This ultra-creamy saturated lip color is enriched with LiquiSilk technology that moisturizes your lips and boosts hydration. For the price, I would say this is a steal!

2. Maybelline Superstay 14 Hrs Lipstick-Wine and Forever – 575 INR (BUY HERE)

Wine and Forever from the range of Maybelline Superstay 14 Hrs Lipstick is one of the popular lipstick and also a dupe of Kylie Jenner berry lip color. It is a deep plum/berry wine with hints of maroon in it. The lipstick has 14 hour long lasting formula with ultra-light texture that glides on the lips like a dream. The pigmentation is rich and intense and successfully hides every layer of discolorations on the lips. It is incredibly comfortable to wear all day long with satin matte finish with luxurious texture and vivid color.

3. Sugar Vivid Matte Lipstick Big Bang Berry – 599 INR

Sugar Vivid Matte Lipstick Big Bang Berry is a beautiful purple tones berry color devoid of any shimmers. It is, by far, the best and comfortable matte formula I have come across with such an implausible texture that glides on the lips without tugging yet that a gel-matte formula to it. The shade is best suitable for medium to dusky Indian complexions. The lipstick is extremely long wearing and price point is great.

4. Streetwear Color Rich Ultra Moist Lipstick Berrylicious – 220 INR (BUY HERE)

If you are looking for a pretty rich berry shade with a blue/purple pearl undertones, then Streetwear Color Rich Ultra Moist Lipstick Berrylicious is the one for you. The texture is beautiful with soft satin formula and without any gaudy shimmers. It’s not very hydrating but it’s not drying either. The lipstick has a faint vanilla scent with a soft satin finish to it. The color is also long wearing and a great budget friendly berry/wine color.

5. MAC Satin Rebel Lipstick – 1450 INR

A lipstick compilation is incomplete without the inclusion of a MAC lip color. MAC Satin Rebel is deep plum shade with rich berry red undertones that augment on to the intensity of the shade on the lips. The texture is startlingly intense and incredibly comfortable to wear all day long. The color saturation is great and single swipe gives you the rich and dark color. The staying power is also commendable and moisturizing on the lips that doesn’t accentuates on fine lines.

6. NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Transylvania – 999 INR (BUY HERE)

The Soft Matte Lip Crème of NYX are the all-time hits and counted among the best matte lipsticks. I recently came across this color in this blog itself (Sahiba’s review and swatches) and loved the color. It is a dark berry with a deep plum undertones. The color will be a flattering one on any Indian complexion, especially for special occasions. It doesn’t make your lips feel dry and gives you a smooth and matte finish. Further, the lip color is extremely long lasting and highly pigmented.

7. MAC Media Lipstick – 1450 INR

Another stunning lip color from the house of MAC. MAC Media is a stunning deep burgundy plum color. It has a very creamy and smooth texture but not shining and glossy. The pigmentation is praiseworthy with two swipes and great when paired with neutral eye makeup and most mauve / pink blushes. With the signature vanilla scent of MAC, this lip color stays for a very long time without getting patchy. It will also suit all skin tones easily when worn correctly.

8. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lipsticks Persistent Plum – 999 INR (BUY HERE)

The Persistent Plum is a beautiful wine shade with a touch of plum which makes it an ideal shade for brides and winter occasions. It is also a great warm wine color for Indian complexions. The lip color gives an intense pigmentation is a single swipe and will effortlessly cover any lip pigmentation. The hydrating vitamin E locks in moisture while to give your lips nonstop moisturization and yet has a satin finish on the lips. The lip color is extremely long wearing but doesn’t feather or bleed.

9. Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Wine Not – 599 INR (BUY HERE)

The Super Lustrous Matte range has the color Wine Not, a deep wine red color with slight brown accents that looks gorgeously for any winter and bridal occasion. It glides easily on lips evenly and without any tugs and gives a comforting matte finish. The lip color does not feel dry or settle in fine lines and you can easily skip the lip liner if you want. It is extremely long wearing and one of the best wine colored lipstick with such an impressive price tag.

10. Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick in Grape Wine – 325 INR (BUY HERE)

This lip color, Grape Wine is a beautiful deep plum with pink undertones. It is enriched with sun filter and exotic botanical butter formula to make your lips smoother and suppler than ever. Although the name suggest matte, it has a satin formula without any obvious creaminess though it glides on the lips like a dream. The color stays well for good 5-6 hours after the application. It doesn’t accentuates on fine lines and has a admirable staying power without bleeding.

Editor’s Bonus/Must Have: L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Lipstick in Sonam’s Pure Garnet (BUY HERE)

If you want to have own just one berry shade in your stash, the L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Lipstick in Sonam’s Pure Garnet is an absolute must have! Just buy that and you are sorted. It is the most unique and universally flattering deep berry shade. This shade also won the Vogue Beauty Award last year and I always get complimented and asked what shade I am wearing, when I have that on! Definitely try it or just buy it 😀

Editor’s Note: I loved the list Sanchita, my favourites are L’Oreal Paris Pure Garnet, Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick Kin and Sugar Matte As Hell Lip Crayon in Poison Ivy. I also have a limited edition Colorbar shade called Wild Mauve which is not berry but a deep mauve purple, I love that!

Which berry/wine lipstick is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.

Faces Cosmetics Ultime Pro Mineral Loose Powder Review, Swatches

Faces Cosmetics Ultime Pro Mineral Loose Powder Review, Swatches

Hey guys,

I have been using the new Faces Ultime Pro Mineral Loose Powder since quite some time now, they have revamped the packaging and now it comes in this all new, fancy black and silver packaging.

What the Company claims: FACES Mineral Loose Powder is an innovative non-comedogenic formulation which offers protection from harmful UV radiation and imparts a silky, irresistible touch to facial skin. It does not clog pores and is hypoallergenic. It comes with a unique, spill-proof, easy-to-use applicator. Suitable for light to medium coverage on all skin types.

Shades Available: (Lightest to darkest)

  • Natural Beige
  • Ivory Beige
  • Sand Beige
  • Honey Beige
  • Golden Beige

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.699/- for 82g (BUY HERE)

To start with the packaging, I absolutely love this new packaging. It does not spill off extra powder as only the required quantity comes off the sieve. And the sponge picks up the product well, which you can directly dab on the face, wherever required.

I have the shades 02 Ivory Beige and 03 Sand Beige. Now 03 Sand Beige is a good match for me which is the mid shade, Ivory Shade is a little lighter which makes it perfect to set the under eye concealer and for baking under the eyes and below the contour.

The sieve comes covered with a thick white paper which is supposed to be peeled off and later you can directly cover it with a sponge or keep the paper if you don’t want the powder to be on the sponge, when not using.

The powder is extremely soft and silky and very finely milled. I love the smooth finish and texture, and it glides on well on the skin. It keeps the skin matte for a good few hours and would also prevent your under eye concealer from creasing and settling into the fine lines.

This powder has some coverage, but it would be a little less than the normal compact powder, so don’t expect too much coverage from this. This is basically a setting powder which you have to use to keep your base makeup in place and not melt or transfer or slide off.

Left: Sand Beige, Right: Ivory Beige

I also like the fact that there are 5 shades available. It is a little on the expensive side but the quantity is quite good. Faces India is also a cruelty free brand and doesn’t test on animals, if you use only cruelty free brands.

Overall I would say, I definitely like it and recommend it, but as a loose setting powder, this won’t and cannot replace your compact powder, especially if you are looking for coverage. However if you use your compact powder as setting powder, you can try this. I am sure you will like it.

Have you tried the new Faces Ultime Pro Mineral Loose Powders yet?

New Asus Zenfone Max Review, Pictures #LiveUnplugged

New Asus Zenfone Max Review, Pictures #LiveUnplugged

Hey guys, If you follow me on Snapchat (bhumika_t), you must have seen this phone a lot by now, right from the secret it was to the unveiling on 23rd May, it’s been a week and I have experimented a lot with this phone, so here are my two cents on it.

Features:

  • Powerful Performance: Octa-core processor, 2GB/ 3GB RAM variations and 32GB internal storage expandable up to 64GB
  • Uncompromising Battery: 5000 mAh battery with OTG cable that turns the Zenfone Max into an innovative charger for other devices.
  • Colors: Available in 3 colors and super stylish design, Black, Orange and Blue

MRP: Rs.9999/-

The new Zenfone Max is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-Core processor and provides the users an option to opt for a 2GB or 3GB RAM. The internal memory of the phone has now been increased to 32GB, in addition to an expandable memory of up to 64GB. Zenfone Max with 2GB RAM is available for Rs. 9,999 and can be pre-ordered on Flipkart while Zenfone Max with 3GB RAM is available for Rs. 12,999 and can be purchased from Amazon, Snapdeal and Flipkart. The 3GB RAM variant will also be available at ASUS Exclusive stores and all other retail stores across India, at a later date.

Equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, the Zenfone Max can last longer without charging and is also capable of being a power bank for other gadgets making it an essential product for daily use.

Available in three different colours – black, orange and blue, the new Zenfone Max boasts of an extremely thin body that measures only 5.2 mm at its thinnest edge. The surrounding metal-like edge makes it durable while the back with the look and feel of embossed leather makes the phone look chic and fashionable for every occasion.

More details about the battery: The powerful 5000 mAh battery requires fewer charging cycles making the phone last longer and more efficient. The lithium-polymer battery, when fully charged, provides 914.4 hours of standby time or 37.5 hours of 3G talk time or 32.5 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing or 72.9 hours of music playback or 22.6 hours of video playback. The accompanying OTG cable turns the phone into a charger to power up the users’ other gadgets, making it a useful everyday accompaniment.

Battery usage

Camera: The new ZenFone Max has a 13 Megapixel, f/2.0-aperture rear camera with the ASUS PixelMaster 2.0 technology and dual-LED flash for natural-looking photography. It also features Laser Auto Focus technology that helps photography enthusiasts focus on an object in as fast as 0.03 seconds. ZenFone Max’s front camera is a 5 Megapixel, f/2.0-aperture camera with 85̊ wide-viewing angle that helps in incorporating more information and details into the picture.

Screen: Featuring a 5.5 inch HD (1280 x 720) IPS display with full-screen lamination and ASUS TruVivid technology, the new Zenfone Max provides superior clarity, brightness and touch responsiveness. The Bluelight Filter for Eye Care protects the users’ eyes from strain during prolonged usage.

Coming to my experience:

Asus Zenfone Max comes with a USB charger, OTG cable and a warranty card.

OTG cable

It is slightly heavy at 205gms but then a 5000mAh battery comes with a little weight 😀 I love the look and feel of it, especially the textured back cover feels expensive and nice.

When I opened the phone on 23rd May, it had no battery, so I had to charge it fully and it did take a lot of time, because 5000 mAh does take time to get fully charged. The charger is 1amp and a 2amp charger might help you to lessen the charging time, but I am not sure if the phone has the capacity for that.

Battery Test

Once it was fully charged on 23rd May night untill today right now, I haven’t charged it even once, it’s been almost 6-7 days. Right now too the battery is 51% left. To be honest, I have not used it extensively like for gaming, etc., just the camera, apps, surfing and normal stuff, but I haven’t come across a phone yet, that did not charging for 7 days straight! I am pretty sure with gaming and more extensive use too, this phone would last for 2-2.5 days easily!

Talking about the next fabulous feature, the OTG cable. How amazing it is to charge other phones and devices through a phone and not a powerbank coz your phone itself is a powerbank 😀 The OTG cable that comes along with Zenfone Max turns the phone into a powerbank and you can charge any device with it’s USB through this.

The camera is pretty decent, I would not say it’s the most amazing camera I have seen, but at this price point, I may. The 13MP rear camera captures details, colours and clarity fabulously. I absolutely loved the front camera though, it’s pretty clear and you can even adjust focus. The camera features are the same as in all ASUS phones, read more about the camera features in detail HERE.

Here are some unedited pictures clicked with the rear and front camera..

Unedited pic- Rear Camera
Unedited pic Front camera- Beautification Mode

It is dual sim and comes with 2GB RAM,32GB internal memory and supports 4G. The Asus UI is pretty decent too, it does come with some pre loaded apps but you can always remove those. The USP of this phone is the battery and the OTG cable! I haven’t come across a phone with all these features at a price of Rs.9999/- yet.

Definitely recommend it for people who use their phones a lot throughout the day and don’t prefer carrying power bank and USB cords with them, you won’t need to with this phone, just charge it through the night and you are sorted for 1.5-2 days easily even with heavy use! My brother is one such person, his work solely depends on his phone and he is on calls throughout the day. His phone is always dead by the time he reaches home, so I am surely gifting the Asus Zenfone Max to him 🙂

What do you think of Asus Zenfone Max?

P.S: Phone sent by the brand in exchange of honest review.

New Maybelline Vivid Matte Lipsticks India, Price, Shades, Swatches

New Maybelline Vivid Matte Lipsticks India, Price, Shades, Swatches

Hi guys,

So ever since I saw the new Maybelline Vivid Matte Lipsticks on Habbana, about a week ago, I was itching to get my hands on them! Finally I went shopping today and saw them at Lifestyle stores.

First of all, I am not happy with the fact that only 4 shades are launched in India, same as the Rebel Bouquet, Bold Mat and Pink Alert, why only 4-5 shades get launched in India where as US has almost 10-12 in each range :/ So unfair.

They are named Vivid1 to Vivid4 but thankfully they also have names this time!

Shades:

  • Vivid1 Scarlet Red
  • Vivid2 Neon Pink
  • Vivid3 Violet Pink
  • Vivid4 Rosy Orange

MRP: Rs.475/- for 3.9g

It comes in a sheer red cap and black base packaging, all the lipsticks have the same packaging unfortunately, the base is pink and red though shade wise.

The finish is glossy which turns into semi matte exactly like the Bold Mat lipsticks. Also if you notice Vivid 1, 3 and 4 have some shimmer, so the finish is more glossy.

Left to Right: Vivid1,Vivid2,Vivid3,Vivid4

Vivid1 Scarlet Red is a cool toned bright red

Vivid2 Neon Pink is cool toned bright candy pink

Vivid3 Violet Pink is a deeper pink with purple undertones

Vivid4 Rosy Orange is a warm orange red.

Now both Bold Mat and Pink Alert were priced at Rs.375 when they launched, then I believe they increased it to Rs.425. I don’t know why this range is priced at Rs.475/-, coz the qty being same, the price of Rs.400-425 was just perfect for this. Not happy with the additional rise, although not much, Maybelline is supposed to be the most economical brand, and I hope it stays that way.

Vivid2 Neon Pink is I believe the shade named Fuchsia Flash in US (which is supposed to be MAC Candy Yum Yum dupe) and Vivid3 Violet Pink is the shade named Vivid Rose.

I did not find the red and orange to be very different, I liked both the pinks though, both are quite unique and fabulous. I tried both of them on me and picked up one, coz I felt one shade was pretty dupable in my stash.

Guess which one I picked 😀

Have you seen the new Maybelline Vivid Matte Lipsticks yet? Which one did you like?

Celebrating #WorldInteriorsDay with #AsianPaints

Celebrating #WorldInteriorsDay with #AsianPaints

Hey guys,

If you follow me on Snapchat, you must have seen that day before yesterday I went to the Asian Paints Signature Colour Store in Bandra to celebrate World Interiors Day with them. Actually ‘World Interiors Day’ is today 28th May, but they had a small little workshop 2 days earlier with Film Production Designer Shruti Gupte.

Shruti Gupte has designed for movies like Aisha, Taare Zameen Par, Khoobsurat, The Lunch Box to name a few. She talked about how one can draw inspiration from homes and office spaces designed in popular film and incorporate them in your house and how colours and designs can change your entire space.

The workshop was centered on the theme ‘Intelligent & Inspirational Interiors, from Silver Screens to Your Home’. This Colour Store initiative offered consumers the unique opportunity to bring to their homes, the look and feel that they love, admire and aspire for, from their favorite films. The brand is determined to encourage consumers to take that leap and be experimental and creative with their décor choices.

Shruti possesses a deep understanding of the style and sensibilities of the modern-day consumers. Through examples of her films, she covered various aspects from designing homes of characters in movies, to tips on how consumers can use designs seen in movies as an inspiration while decorating their homes.

She also gave examples from Khoobsurat, Aisha and Taare Zameen Par. For eg.: Vikram Rathore in Khoobsurat had a sad twist in his past and that’s why he had that ‘khadoos’ personality. His room was monochromatic, grey, boring yet he was very organised, so things were in place with proper lighting. Whereas Minnie i.e. Sonam Kapoor was loud and out there. She had a colourful personality which reflected in her room which was lilac and/or lavender both in Aisha and Khoobsurat. When she came to the palace and was given a simple guest room, she immediately made it colourful with all her bright scarves and clothes around the bed, on the lamp, etc.

She mentioned how colors and textures are not to be feared but embraced as part of our personality. How our personal and professional environments are an extension of our personality and should inspire our days, help create memories or convey our aspirations. It’s a simple decision to step out of our comfort zone and experiment. Especially these days, when Asian Paints Color Store allows us to realize our dreams before we choose to make it permanent.

We also had a small activity where we had to pick 4-5 different things from pictures to wall colour to fabric to make our very own mood board. This is what I made 🙂

We also got a DIY kit with some colors, sheets, etc. to experiment and make something of our own, let’s see what I come up with 😀

For those who are always looking for new ideas to do up your personal space with all that’s in vogue and colorful, visit the Asian Paints’ Colour Store, Bandra and you can discuss with the team there, experiment your thoughts and you might come up with something exactly in your mind.

The Asian Paints Colour Store does events on design for consumers so if you are interested, you can reach out and share your details at the store and you would be informed about future events.

Do you take inspiration from movies? Do you experiment with your space?

The Body Shop British Rose Shower Gel, Body Scrub Review

The Body Shop British Rose Shower Gel, Body Scrub Review

Hi guys,

I have been using The Body Shop British Rose Range Shower Gel and Body Scrub since quite some time now. And here is what I think of it..

The Body Shop British Rose Gel Body Scrub

What the Company claims: Exfoliating feels exquisite with this beautiful gel textured body scrub with real rose petals. Infused with the essence of roses from Britain, it effortlessly melts onto the skin and gently refines to reveal smoother, fresher skin.

– reveals smoother, fresher skin
– fresh dewy gel texture
– with real rose petals
– with the essence of hand-picked british roses

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.1295/- for 250ml

The Body Shop British Rose Shower Gel

What the Company claims: Awaken your skin with the irresistibly dewy scent of roses. Our cleansing Shower Gel is infused with the essence of hand-picked roses from Britain to make showering feel blooming beautiful.

– Soap-free cleanser
– Rose scented and Lather rich
– With the essence of hand-picked British roses

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.450/- for 250ml

First of, I love the entire light pink and black packaging of this range. It looks fabulous, plus the British Rose range is so delicate and fresh.

The body scrub comes in a black tub plastic packaging. It is a gel based scrub just like the Virgin Mojito and Fuji Green Tea Ranges. It has soft brown beads for exfoliation which are walnut shell powder, as per the ingredients. And the base is water based and jelly like with a soft pink tint. The smell is amazing, not at all strong, but feminine and soft.

The scrub particles are not harsh and it leaves the skin gently exfoliated. If you expect hard core exfoliation, then this alone won’t do. I would suggest you use this body scrub with The Body Shop Exfoliating Gloves.

The shower gel comes in a transparent bottle with black flip cap. The bottle is plastic and not heavy. The shower gel is thin and runny and has a light pink tint. I absolutely love the smell of this, this smells more of ‘British Rose’ than the body scrub too. It foams well and washes off well, without leaving the skin dry.

I tried using it without loofah and you end up using a lot and it won’t foam enough. So I suggest using it only with a loofah.

This range also has a Bath Foam (if you have a bath tub at home), Body Butter, Hand Cream, Exfoliating Soap and EDT. EDT sadly was out of stock everywhere. I am definitely looking forward to try the EDT once I get my hands on it.

Overall, I would say, I absolutely love the fresh British Rose smell and this range. It is not at all strong or artificial like usual rose scented products are. You can smell the difference in the first whiff. It is soft, feminine and delicate but refreshing. Although the smell doesn’t stay for long with 1-2 products, it would if you use 3-4 products from the range together i.e. along with the body butter and EDT. Highly recommend this range!

Have you tried The Body Shop British Rose Range? What do you think of it?

Top 5 Yoga Asanas To Get Glowing Skin

Top 5 Yoga Asanas To Get Glowing Skin

By Nidhal

Apart from following a nutritious diet and timely application of herbal packs/masks, there is one more step, which if performed, will complete the entire regimen for getting healthy, radiant and gorgeous skin. It is none other than physical workout. Oh no, do not cower in fear or snap back while giving up. You might be wary of hitting the gym or enrolling in a strenuous workout regimen for a multitude of reasons be it-paucity of time, physical/financial constraints or plain lethargy but that shouldn’t deter you from enjoying the bounties of what physical workout can do to your skin 🙂

All you need is time, patience, grit and a mat. You’re done. How? Take a minute and think what is the West adopting to bring peace of mind while battling the hustle and bustle of their daily lives? Couldn’t surmise? Here you go with one more clue- It originated in India. Got the answer? It’s none other than Y-O- G-A.

Our ancient science of Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that has been prevalent in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism for centuries. So, why practice Yoga and simple, doable asanas at that initially so that we aren’t daunted as we take our first step? On that note, let us have a look at the TOP 5 YOGA ASANAS TO GET GLOWING SKIN 🙂

Tadasana

1. TADA-ASANA- This asana works on one’s muscles so that one’s posture is not only better, but also pain-free while one is at their sedentary desk job. As indicated in the picture, if followed carefully and regularly, Tada-asana helps in improving one’s overall body posture, strengthens thighs and buttocks and improves skin’s texture. Hold this pose for 20-30 seconds each time you do it. Avoid it you have high blood pressure, suffer from insomnia, or have a low blood pressure.

Uktasana

2. UKTA-ASANA- All you have to do is sit on a chair. Easy? Ummm… not really. The chair is hypothetical. That’s it. Make sure your spine is perfectly straight else things go in for a toss. Avoid it if you have a low blood pressure, arthritis, insomnia, chronic knee ache or any issue with your ankle. Hold for 30 seconds each time you do it and then, relax. Begin with 5 sets daily and then, increase its frequency depending on your ease 🙂 It helps to strengthen spine, hips, torso, chest and legs besides toning your muscles in the legs. As a result, the skin look taut and youthful.

Halasana

3. HALA-ASANA- A little challenging but highly advantageous and relaxing (at least I find it so when I do it)if mastered, Hala-asana should be performed after your body has been acquainted with regular physical stretches. It helps to improve the digestive organs, and therefore, improves digestion and regulates appetite. It helps relieve the symptoms of menopause and stimulates the reproductive system. It also brings blood to one’s face thereby increasing oxygen intake thus, imparting radiance. Hold for 30-60 seconds in each set. Avoid it if you are menstruating, have a low blood pressure or any injury in your spine/neck.

Matsyasana

4. MATSYA-ASANA- Also known as the ‘fish pose’, Matsya-asana helps in relieving respiratory problems as it encourages the right kind of breathing. Moreover, it gives the hip flexors and the muscles between the ribs a good stretch. It enables the throat and the digestive organs get a good massage, which rids one off a double chin thus, improving one’s semblance 🙂 Hold on for 30-40 seconds in each set and avoid it if you have high or low blood pressure, suffer from insomnia or have a back injury.

Shirshasana

5. SHIRSH-ASANA- Unarguably, the most challenging asana of all, Shirsh-asana results in blood gushing down to one’s face thereby, increasing oxygen intake and imparting a prepossessing glow. However, please perform this asana under the guidance of a Yoga practitioner after you’ve acclimatised your body to stretches and are able to balance really well. It is small wonder that pimples and wrinkles are often caused by inadequate removal of waste materials and insufficient nourishment from the blood. Shirsh-asana directs an oxygen rich flow of blood to the facial skin thereby improving the facial complexion 🙂 Avoid it if you have back ache, neck injury, low blood pressure or a shoulder injury.

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5

Editor’s Note: That’s a nice post Nidhal, I will try some 😀

Do you practice yoga? Tried any of these asanas?