Singapore Travel Guide: Things To Do, Places To Visit, Indian Travel Blog, Mumbai Blogger

Singapore Travel Guide: Things To Do, Places To Visit

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Singapore Travel Guide: Things To Do, Places To Visit

By Sanchita

Introduction – Singapore, the beauty island which is a global city in Southeast Asia and the world’s only island city-state. Be it a honeymoon trip, bachelor’s party or a simple travel destination – you will love every bit of this mesmerized landmass. From beautiful water to beaches sci-fi architecture, billion-dollar gardens, contemporary art and the wonderful places to visit – Singapore is a must-visit place in Asia for sure. Discover the beauty of this little magical island with us and read on to know more about it in details.

Places to Visit

Singapore indeed has numerous destinations for sure and I have mentioned you the notable few and I am sure you will love them as well. Scroll down for more.

• MARINA BAY – It was a quiet water but now this portion now stands as a spectacular example of how this miniscule country has come to be one of the world’s most luxurious travel destinations. Having the most iconic hotels in Asia along with the exotic Marina Bay Sands resort, this is a must visit place in Singapore.

• SINGAPORE FLYER – Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest giant observation wheel is something you can’t simply miss out if you are visiting Singapore. An outstanding experience and built over a three-story terminal building, the Flyer is 150 metres in diameter, 165 metres high, and travels at 0.21m per second. It gives a beautiful sight of the city including the as the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Empress Place and the Padang.

• CHINA TOWN – As the name suggests, the place like a mini-China by culture with all the excitement and hustle. Its main focus is on the Chinese immigrants who lived a hard life and were the main group of people who founded Singapore in earlier times. It has the Chinese Heritage Centre as well as the impressive and beautiful Sri Mariamman Hindu temple and Buddha Tooth Relic temple. It has colourful shop-houses and numerous historical attractions along the walk.

• CLARKE QUAY – An enchanting riverside which is crowded with various bars and restaurants which you just can’t resist trying out. In fact, this is one of the best attractions from the tourists. The place is dotted with alfresco-style dining to be had in an endless number of eateries set around the water’s edge. This place is also a shopper’s heaven and hence if you are a shopping freak, this is a place you must visit

• CLOUD FOREST – The Cloud Forest is a 35-metre tall mountain covered in lush vegetation shrouding the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and up to 2,000 metres above sea level. It is flushed with the unique biodiversity. The best thing is to take a stroll a walkway in the clouds for an aerial view of the canopy and mountainside below. The view is like a one-time experience in life.

• MACRITCHIE NATURE TRAIL – MacRitchie provides a calming, reminiscent jungle escape by walking through the water’s edge and snake through the mature secondary rainforest along with the macaques and huge monitor lizards. It has been well highlighted with well-signposted offshoots along with a 250m-long suspension bridge, perched 25m up in the forest canopy. The best time to visit is during October-November.

Singapore has SGD as their currency i.e. Singapore Dollars which are around INR 48-49 per dollar currently. You can get your currency converted/buy forex beforehand or even once you reach there.

Ideal for Honeymoon

Singapore is also one of the best honeymoon destinations as well.

• Take a long romantic walk down holding your lover’s hand down the Changi Point with a spectacular view of the sea, offshore kelongs and boats. The best time is the sunset where you get the enthralling view of the heritage trees, the hilltop chalets and the lush greenery.

• The scenery at Bukit Batok Town Park is as breath-taking as it could be and best place for that wonderful photo sessions for the couples. The serene and peaceful picture-view is something you would love to experience with the love of your life.

• The Jewel box is the best place to take your partner for the lovely dining. It gives a beautiful picturesque view of the whole city including the harbor. Having the romantic dinner mid-air is something you have to experience, at least once!

• The Sentosa Island is famous for the pristine beaches, sea sports and retreats, enjoy a relaxed morning on the white sands with your partner and you indulge in the ‘Spa Two-Gether Day’ at the luxurious Spa Botanica for a lush experience at the end of your perfect day.

• You can also visit the tranquil settings of St John’s Island is the best place to have a quite romantic day out of the newlyweds for sure. And, if you are lucky, you might see some dolphins in the blue lagoons as well.

Shopping to do in Singapore

Yes, we girls look for this element anywhere we visit and Singapore is dotted with branded shops as well as the perky local goods. For the shoes, they have the Charles & Keith stores and the quality is unbelievable. For the street shopping you can surely visit Bugis street or China Town. It has various shopping malls as well like Suntec, Ion mall and Plaza Singapura. Last but not the least, it has Sephora with numerous brands you can’t even fathom!

Singapore Cuisine

Singapore Cuisine is largely affected by Chinese, Indonesian, Indian and Western influences. There are few notable dishes that you have to try in Singapore. One of them is the Chili Crab which is Hard-shell crabs cooked in semi-thick gravy with a tomato chili base. Then there is Char Kuay TeowBroad which is basically white noodles fried with black Soya sauce, fish cake, bean sprouts, clams and Chinese sausage. You can also try the skewered grilled meat (pork, chicken, beef or mutton) served with rice cake called the Satay.

Conclusion

All in all Singapore is an experience worth having. Be it for the romantic getaway or a serene holiday, Singapore holds a beauty on its own. This place is a melting pot of cultures with fantastic architecture. With English being one of the national languages, travellers find it

So either plan your itinerary on your own, if you have time in mind or check out the numerous Singapore packages online.

This is a fabulous post Sanchita! I so wish to go there, right now, after reading this 😀

Image Source: 1, 2, 3

Have you been to Singapore? Or planning it next? I hope this guide helps you.

Pakistani Brides Who Make Your Heart Skip A Beat

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Pakistani Brides Who Make Your Heart Skip A Beat

By Nidhal

Gorgeous, glamorous, ravishing, awe-inspiring… these adjectives are insufficient when used to delineate our fellow South Asian neighbours, particularly, the ladies from our neighbouring country- Pakistan. It will be a lie and a white one at that if we say that we do not drool over these winsome lasses! From their lustrous mane to their piercing eyes, from their porcelain clear skin to their sharp features, Pakistani ladies have it all. All thanks to Zee Zindagi channel now, we can have a sneak- peak into their lives from the confines of our home and hearth. It goes without saying that besides thought-provoking plots presented in the most understated but compelling manner, our eyes have been treated to some jaw-dropping gorgeous faces. Let’s have a look at some Pakistani ladies who on their D-Day made your hearts skip a beat!

1. SANAM BALOCH- She’s blessed with an angelic, cherubic and winsome face. Period. She began her acting career with ‘Kalaq’ on PTV and subsequently went on to carve a niche for herself by doing meaty roles in the hit Dastaan, Akbari Asghari and Noorpur ki Rani. She tied the knot with Abdullah Farhatullah who fell for her simplicity and positive outlook.

2. SANAM JUNG- Beginning her career as a VJ, Sanam Jung soon ventured into the Pakistani drama industry and essayed leading roles in hit dramas like Dil-E- Muztar where her sizzling chemistry with co-star Imran Abbas Naqvi was the talk of the town. She tied the knot with Syed Abdul Qassam who is a pilot by profession.

3. SANAM SAEED- She’s inarguably the first woman crush of my life. Zindagi Gulzar Hai had me smitten to this Britain-born Pakistani lady whose understated portrayal of Kashaf Murtaza struck a chord with me. And it’s no cakewalk to have a girl smitten when you’ve Fawad Khan as your co-star in the same drama 😀 This lady broke a number of hearts (including mine, Yes, I am serious when I say that she’s my crush) when she tied the knot last year with her childhood sweetheart Farhan Hassan who is a banker from Karachi.

4. AYEZA KHAN- She’s the lady whose smile can melt hearts. Gorgeousness-personified! Ayeza Khan got hitched to fellow co-star Danish Taimoor who himself is a celebrated name in the Pakistani drama industry. The couple has been blessed with a baby girl- Hoorain who seems to have inherited her mother’s genes.

5. SYRA YOUSUF- Incepting her career as a VJ, Syra embarked on her acting career with the Sanam Saeed with ‘Mera Naseeb’ in the year 2011. She went on to essay leading roles in successive dramas like Bilqees Kaur and tied the knot with Shehroz Sabzwari- an actor in the same industry. Doesn’t she look like a fresher from a college? :p What will dilate your eyes is the fact that she’s a mother. Yes, a mother. Nurse your broken heart now 😛

Editor’s Note: They all look absolutely gorgeous, dream brides indeed. Thanks for sharing this Nidhal

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

Which one is your favourite? I know it’s tough to pick!

Boroline Suthol Antiseptic Skin Liquid Review

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Boroline Suthol Antiseptic Skin Liquid Review

By Rashmi

Hello everyone.

Hope you are doing great. I am here with my very first review in this space. I am reviewing the Boroline’s SUTHOL. I swear by this product at all times and during summers,this is the solution to all my skin problems. Summer brings with it skin problems such as rashes,itches,skin irritations etc. But with this product you can have a hassle free summer.

I found this amazing product around 3 years back and have been using it since then. I have a sensitive skin so i get rashes during summer. But,thanks to suthol, i have no skin issues now. Boroline is a trusted name in almost every household in India. So,when i got to know about Suthol, i had to give it a try. And I am so glad that i did. It’s a must have product for me now.

The packaging is nice. It comes in a transparent bottle with a green coloured cap. The liquid is also green in colour. It has a mild fragrance. Though it is an antiseptic liquid it doesn’t smell like one. I find its fragrance very refreshing. It gets absorbed in the skin quickly. I like using it after my shower.

What the product claims – Forget prickly heat, rashes and itchy skin. Absorbs fast, deep action and quick skin relief is written in the label. And it does its work pretty well. Forget kirikiri, stay fresh. The product has been manufactured by G. D. Pharmaceuticals.

Main constituents of Suthol- Suthol antiseptic skin liquid contains Cetrimide, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Neem, Turmeric, Marigold and Aloe vera.

Cetrimide

Cetrimide is a quatemary ammonium disinfectant and cationic surfactant. It dissociates in aqueous solution into a relatively large and complex cation and a small anion.Aqueous solutions containing 0.1 to 1% have been used for treatment of wounds and burns, for pre-operative cleansing of skin and for removal of scabs and crusts in skin disease.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that is active against Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. Chlorhexidine solutions leave a residue on the skin which gives a persistent anti bacterial effect lasting 1 or 2 days. Its actions are not affected by blood, pus or soap.

Turmeric

Turmeric prevents rashes, infections, itching and redness of skin.Turmeric is also known for its natural antiseptic, antifungal property and healing qualities.It helps in speeding up wound healing and assists in restoring damaged skin.

Neem

Aqueous extract of Neem leaf prevents rashes and itching.Neem is effective against skin infections.

Price- INR 60 for 200ml

Suthol is best for summer season and suits all skin types.

How i use the product:

I use it as an after-bath or pour a few drops into my bathing water. I use Suthol whenever i have minor cuts and wounds,i directly apply Suthol to the affected area with a cotton pad. It really has helped me in getting rid of summer rashes. I also use it after waxing. It has a very soothing effect. I am so glad that i came across this product.??

Pros:

1. Affordable

2. Suited to all skin types.

3. Can be used after bath to keep rashes away and stay fresh.

4. Can be used for relief from itches,summer rashes.

5. Use after shave to disinfect and soothe.

6. Use after waxing.

7. Use it to disinfect, sanitize and cure cuts,minor burns, insect bite irritation.

8. Comes in a spray bottle too.

9. Absorbs really quick.

10. Makes one feel refreshed for hours.

Cons:

None. I couldn’t find a single one. Probably I am obsessed with the product??

My rating- 5/5

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Rashmi, specially for use post waxing. I will definitely check this out.

Have you guys tried Boroline Suthol yet?

DIY Homemade Hair Mask for Strengthening Hair

DIY, Hair Care, Hair Mask, Home Remedies, How To, Tips, Tips and Tricks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DIY Homemade Hair Mask for Strengthening Hair

By Nidhal

One can never run short of ways or ideas to pamper their crowning glory. There is a hairstyle or hair cut that you’d been thinking of getting at any point of time. There’d be those accessories that you’d be dying to experiment with. There would be hair products that you would have played with to give your tresses that bounce of life. But amidst all this, being Indians, we cannot never turn a blind eye to our Good Ol’ home remedies, can we?

So, why not treat our hair to the bountifulness of natural ingredients today and drool over them all over again? March straight to the pantry for there lies your paraphernalia for this DIY recipe.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED-

1. CURD- Enriched with the bountifulness of lactic acid, curd/yoghurt (called Dahi in Hindi) helps to eliminate dandruff, foul smell and dullness. It adds unprecedented gloss and softness that you just can’t get over.

2. TULSI POWDER- Being a plant that has been revered in Hinduism for centuries, Tulsi has benefits galore for your mane. It treats lice, dandruff, itchiness and scalp infections. Yes, your granny was right when she said that Tulsi is a miraculous plant. No questions asked anymore!

3. ALMOND OIL- Being a storehouse of Vitamin E, almond oil helps in locking moisture and adding that enviable sheen to your locks. Prefer organic/cold-pressed almond oil and not the ones that are laden with mineral oil. In my opinion, Almendrop 100% pure almond oil is a wise choice.

4. METHI/FENUGREEK POWDER- Now comes the wonder ingredient which cannot be done without. Methi helps to add shine in addition to imparting softness. It also accelerates the rate of growth of hair which spells cheer for those ladies waiting anxiously to flaunt long luscious locks. Opt for methi powder for grinding is a tad cumbersome and finely grinding takes patience (which sadly, today is a lost virtue).

PROCEDURE-

1. In a clean and dry bowl, add 5-6 tbsp of curd. This is the amount for shoulder length hair. Increase if you have longer hair.

2. Add 3 tbsp each of methi and tulsi powder.

3. Add half a tbsp. of almond oil

4. Mix well thoroughly to form a smooth and consistent paste.

5. Apply generously all over your scalp as well as length (of hair).

6. Wash off after 45 minutes with a mild herbal/organic shampoo. Condition if you feel the need to do so.

7. Repeat twice a week to expedite the results and acclimatise your scalp to these natural ingredients.

That is all for now, folks. Feel free to post your queries and results with me through the ‘comments section’ and try this DIY recipe to get locks which you cannot stop drooling over.

Pssst… It compels you to keep stroking your fingers down your mane intermittently!

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Nidhal and methi and tulsi are very good for dandruff too. I am definitely trying this, have to get methi and tulsi powder now.

Have you tried this DIY before? If not, do so and let us know how you find it.

Top 10 Forest Essentials Products, Prices, Buy Online

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Top 10 Forest Essentials Products, Prices, Buy Online

By Archana

With the growing awareness about the harmful effects of chemicals in beauty products, we can see an increased number of ayurvedic and natural brands entering the market. Forest Essentials is one such luxury, ayurvedic brand which is slowly becoming popular. “Make space on your bathroom shelves for a gourmet feast for your skin.” That’s what they claim! And well, I have to say that I have a soft corner for beauty brands & Made in India. Luxury Indian brands on par with international luxury brands! That’s my dream. Coming back to Forest Essentials, there is a lot of debate among beauty bloggers whether the quality justifies the very high prices and also the missing ingredients lists annoys many people, including me. But their unique products and methods of preparation definitely tempts me. Given a chance, I would really wish to visit their factory and watch their preparation process in detail. Anyway, today lets look at the best FE products that you should give a try.

1. Hand Pounded Organic Fruit Scrub (BUY HERE)

There are brands coming with hand pounded sambar and rasam powders! Well, okay, but that’s boring! How about a hand pounded fruit scrub? 😀 Made with organically grown dates and peaches. Blended with finely ground almonds. Top it with pure apricot kernel oil and honey… And hand pounded to right consistency… Slurp! Sounds delicious. Imagine treating your face to this luxury scrub. It gently exfoliates the dead cells and tan and reveals your natural, glowing complexion. Definitely give this one a try.

Price: Rs.1675 for 50g.

2. Eternal Youth Formula Date & Litchi (BUY HERE)

The name “Eternal Youth Formula” sounds tempting and yes, it has a lot of good reviews among beauty bloggers. If you are in your late twenties and just beginning an anti-ageing routine, this is a good start. It firms, tones and makes the skin more youthful. FE prepares it by soaking date and litchi fruit in pure rose water in clay pots buried under the ground to ferment. The cream is hand-mixed and FE claims that mantras are chanted while mixing to imbibe positive energy into the product!

Price: Rs.3600 for 50g

3. Moisture Replenishing Bath & Shower Oil Honey & Vanilla (BUY HERE)

FE is most popular for its wide collection of Bath & Shower oils. I would definitely recommend you to try one of these in winters. These are basically water soluble oils made from pure distilled essential oils to leave your skin supple and silky smooth. The delicious aroma of raw honey and vanilla oil instantly rejuvenate your senses and is an excellent way to pamper yourself in your night time bath routine so as to nourish your skin overnight.

Price: Rs.1675 for 200ml.

4. Advanced Soundarya Age Defying Facial Serum With 24K Gold (BUY HERE)

This ayurvedic anti-ageing serum is prepared with purified 24 Karat Gold Bhasma which is infused in a mix of oils, herbs, fresh cow’s milk, pure ghee and root extracts. The infusion is simmered over slow fire and left in copper vats to soak up the benefits of the metal. The final result is a intense, potent serum to make the skin younger, radiant, supple and naturally glowing. A Harry Potter miracle potion! Give it a try and reverse-age magically…

Price: Rs.3395 for 25ml.

5. Body Mist Iced Pomegranate with Fresh Kerala Lime

This was a newly launched body mist last year and it had a good reception due to its unique ingredients list. I mean, for our intense Indian summers, FE has nailed it with this combination of Iced Pomegranate and Fresh Lime. It instantly refreshes and cools the senses while the organic pure aloe vera juice helps to soothe and hydrate the skin.

Price: Rs.1675 for 100g.

6. Luxury Sugar Soap Bitter Orange & Cinnamon (BUY HERE)

These are clear sugar soaps handmade with pure unprocessed raw cane sugar. The sugar acts as a natural humectant and doesn’t dry out skin. The fresh, tangy scent of bitter oranges along with the warm, aromatic cinnamon stimulates and rejuvenate the senses giving an out of the world experience. Comes in other variants too like Rose & Cardamom, Oudh & Green Tea, Jasmine & Mogra, etc.

Price: Rs.395 for 125g.

7. Lightening & Brightening Tejasvi Emulsion (BUY HERE)

This is a luxurious facial massage cream specially formulated with whole cream cow’s ghee and other ayurvedic herbs which help to lighten blemishes and pigmentation. FE claims this particular product takes many months to prepare. Extracting potent ghee from cow’s milk, ageing the ghee with saffron and herbs and burying this mix in earthen pots under banyan trees for 2 months. Finally, it is simmered on fire by adding cow’s milk, virgin coconut oil and fresh rose petals.

Price: Rs.2275 for 50g.

8. Cleansing Shower Butter Nargis (BUY HERE)

We have heard of body butters, lip butters and TBS has even hair butters. But a shower butter! This is the first brand am noticing that’s offering a cleansing shower butter. This is a surely a luxurious creamy bath product to pamper yourself in winters. A blend of kokum butter and shea butter with the light fragrance of Nargis flower. The soft butters melts into a creamy lather which cleanses your skin while also nourishing it.

Price: Rs.1450 for 200ml.

9. Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir (BUY HERE)

Sanjeevani is a renowned herb in Ayurveda for its excellent skin rejuvenating properties. It “brings back the skin to life” and gives a luminous glow to dull skin. This is especially suitable for dry, aging skin and helps to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, plump up, soften and increases the elasticity of skin. FE prepares this using the traditional ayurvedic method of infusing the herbs, soaked in cold water overnight to absorb the rays of the moon. Sounds impressive!

Price: Rs.3175 for 30g.

10. Facial Tonic Mist Panchpushp

This is a water-based floral toner prepared using the purest form, from the condensation collected during steam distillation of flowers. It contains a blend of five flowers – rose, jasmine, kewda, marigold and saffron. This facial mist gives a gentle boost of hydration to the skin after cleansing.

Price: Rs.650 for 100ml.

The above is just a handful of their best products. Also, I would recommend their hair care range of sulphate free, paraben free, silicone free shampoos and conditioners and hair oils. Also their range of masques and ubtans are widely popular. Psst! FE has announced a new product, yet to be launched – Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste with Almond, Pistacho & Honey. 😉

Editor’s Note: I absolutely love FE products Archana, have tried only a few though, but each and every product is so effective and works amazingly well. I am quite intrigued with the Tejaswi Emulsion and Nargis Shower Butter. I would also like to add a bonus 11 i.e. Kashmiri Saffron & Neem Delicate Facial Cleanser, it is excellent! Speaking of price point, I know it’s expensive but some of the FE products are totally justified. I would say the bath & body products can be replaced with similar brands like Iraya and Auravedic but the skincare is excellent and irreplaceable. I would anyway prefer FE skincare over Clinique, etc. 🙂

P.S: All Images from Forest Essentials website

So which FE products have you tried? What are your opinions on it? Do you think the high prices are justifiable? What other Indian brands are your favorites? Share your comments below.

May 2016 Fab Bag Unboxing & Review

Eyeshadows, Fab Bag, Face Wash, Lifestyle, Makeup, Night Creams, Nyassa, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 2016 Fab Bag Unboxing & Review

Hi guys,

So I got the May 2016 Fab Bag today and it’s the ‘Summer Escapade’ theme, perfect for the season.

Read my previous Fab Bag reviews:

MRP: Rs.599/- per month (Buy HERE)

It’s a green colored mesh bag, very helpful to see through products and I like carrying such mesh bags for travel, so that can identify what is stored.

Products I got:

  • Sea Soul Eyeshadow Duo in Deep Purple: Rs.950/-
  • The Nature’s Co. White Tea Night Cream (20ml): Rs.895/-for 50ml
  • Inveda SPF30 PA++ Sunscreen Cream Gel : Rs.275/- for 75ml
  • Nyassa Tea Tree Face Wash (30ml): Rs.400 /- for 145ml

To start with the Sea Soul Eyeshadow Duo, I absolutely love it! It has two shades and comes with a mirror, one is a deep bluish purple and the other is a duochrome gold/purple/denim blue shade. I can’t even describe how gorgeous the duochrome shade is. Both the shades are super pigmented and buttery. It’s an Australian HD makeup brand and I am so glad Fab Bag introduced a new brand this month. I have done a look with this eyeshadow duo on my YouTube channel HERE

I also loved the Inveda sunscreen cream gel, it’s very light and feels gel like in texture. Non sticky and gets easily absorbed, definitely using this up this month.

Nyassa tea tree face wash is also perfect for summers and this 30ml bottle is quite nice. Decent qty and good for travel too. The Nature’s Co. White Tea Night Cream is pretty expensive and this is a deluxe sized 20ml jar. Feels very rich and hydrating and perfect for night time, the smell is light and not very overpowering or bothering.

Overall, I would say I am pretty impressed with 2 full sized products including one new brand’s full sized makeup product. And two deluxe sized samples. I do like May’s Fab Bag and definitely recommend it.

What did you get in your May Fab Bag? Do let me know in the comments below.

Nature’s Essence Nourishing Neem & Aloe Vera Moisturizing Lotion Review

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Nature’s Essence Nourishing Neem & Aloe Vera Moisturizing Lotion Review

By Nidhal

One is a saviour for those with dry, patchy, lustreless and dull skin. Another is a potent weapon to fight acne, pimples and blackheads. Their blend is bound to be promising for one’s skin. The first ingredient is Aloe vera (called Ghritkumaari and at times, Kumaari in Hindi) and the second is Neem. Do I need to elaborate even a little on the bounties of these two skin saviours? There would be few who’d not have tried either on their skin. If you are one of those, go grab a few leaves of Aloe vera and a handful of Neem leaves. Mash and treat your skin to their virtues to leave it thanking you.

However, if you are an indolent soul who would choose to watch whatever is being on TV than move a bit to grab the remote and change the channel, then doing the above (preparing the mask ) would surely be the last thing on your mind, right? 😛

So, let’s slather something that is made from these two skin saviours instead? In line with that thought, I zeroed in on NATURE’S ESSENCE NOURISHING NEEM AND ALOE VERA MOISTURISING LOTION one fine evening. Let us prepare its report card today.

PRICE –Rs 85/- for 60 ml

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Gently apply the moisturiser in right quantity on face and body and welcome your skin to a world of nourishment and optimum care.

KEY/ACTIVE INGREDIENTS- Neem, Aloe vera extracts and aroma oil.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- A handpicked blend of antiseptic neem and nourshing aloevera extracts. Added aroma oils soothe the mind & body and give a nourishing treat to your skin.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a simple plastic tube with a cap on top, the packaging of NATURE’S ESSENCE NOURISHING NEEM AND ALOE VERA MOISTURISING LOTION is fine. It is spillage-free since the cap is sturdy, hygienic and travel-friendly. I do not have any problem with respect to packaging. It is up to the mark for me.

The texture of the lotion is underwhelming for me. It is predominantly runny which when applied on skin makes it oily/greasy. My skin type is dry and after applying a pea-sized amount of it, my skin felt uncomfortably oily. I have applied oils beforehand on my skin to moisturise them such as- extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, virgin sesame oil, etc. but none of them made me feel like a ‘pakora’ being drawn out from a ‘kadhaai’! I admit, I give ‘Desi’ examples to help people visualise things.

So, if a person with dry skin feels that it makes skin oily, there is little in fact no reason for people with oily/extremely oily skin to invest in it. The staying power too, is underwhelming. It stays for ½-1 hour at max at a stretch in summers. Naturally, during winters, when moisture levels will drop in the atmosphere and our skin’s thirst for hydration will augment by leaps and bounds, this lotion will turn out to be disappointing. The aroma is mild and temporary.

A major limitation is that its ingredients’ list hasn’t been furnished. Only key/active ingredients are mentioned which is highly irresponsible, evasive and negligent on part of Team Nature’s Essence. Rules and regulations regarding production and provision of information about herbal and natural products in our country are very lax. Companies milk this to their advantage by adding merely a few herbal ingredients/their extracts and marketing it as a ‘natural/herbal’ product. In this regard, I am sceptical of Nature’s essence too for it has also abstained from providing the complete list of ingredients.

Even if we keep this aspect aside for a minute, as a product it falls flat on nearly all parameters. Its texture, staying power and after-effects are nowhere commendable. Chuck it away! This one’s not worth your time and hard-earned money.

GOOD-

1. Fine packaging

2. Readily available

3. Available in different sizes

4. Price is budget-friendly

5. Aroma is mild hence, won’t irk those with a sensitive nose

BAD-

1. Complete list of ingredients has not been furnished

2. Runny texture. Lotions should have a thick/creamy texture. If not, at least specify which skin type should opt for it.

3. Makes skin oily/greasy on application. Thus, unsuitable for oily/extremely oily skin type.

4. Does nothing commendable. No glow. No softness. No lustre.

RATING-0.5/5

Editor’s Note: Oh God, what a dud! Never going near it, thanks for the review Nidhal

Have you tried Nature’s Essence Nourishing Neem & Aloe Vera Moisturizing Lotion? If not, don’t!

Top 12 Nude Lipsticks for Different Indian Skin Tones, Prices, Buy Online

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Top 12 Nude Lipsticks for Different Indian Skin Tones, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

Nude or neutral lipsticks play a very important role when it comes to deep dark smoky eye makeup. also, while going for formal occasions, office wear or any neutral makeup look, you prefer going for a nude or neutral color which is give a nice look to the lips with a MLBB feel without washing out completely or looking like a pale ghost. Now, choosing such a color like this isn’t very easy and depends a lot on complexions. In the west, a lot of MLBB colors are used but when the same colors are used on Indian skin, it looks completely washed out. Now, Indian skin tones is very comprehensive in terms of shade card (remember the times when we complain about foundation shades) and has a lot of mixed complexions if you see it as a larger picture. Not every light brown come across an MLBB color so you have to choose as per your skin tone. Hence, I have divided the list into three categories – fair, medium to wheatish and dusky to deep. So, let’s look at the lip colors.

FAIR (NW-NC 15-30)

1. MAC Lipstick Honey Love – INR 1450

MAC has an extensive range of nude and neutral lip colors with brown, pink, beige or pale base. Honeylove has a deep yellow-beige base which shall suit the flat fair complexions. The texture is thick and creamy when applied and settles down to matte finish. MAC lipstick has all the quality you can ask for and the price is surely worth. MAC Yash is another gem from the brand which would happily look great on fair complexions. Both the colors has a special appeal when it is paired with dramatic smoky eyes.

2. REVLON Super Lustrous Crème Lipstick 87 Fleshtone – INR 550

I would highly recommend this shade for the warm fair complexions. It is a light beige or milky brown nude kind of color that looks extremely gorgeous. The Super Lustrous is an excellent range with reasonable price tag. The texture of the lipstick is creamy smooth and hydrates the lips like anything. It is also forgiving on chapped lips too. The color is well pigmented and doesn’t need much layering. It gives a crème sheen finish to the lips and stays for a considerable amount of time.

3. Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick Undressed – INR 250

The shade Undressed from the Lasting Finish range is a neutral toned milky peachy-brown shade with no shimmer or frosty touch. It will suit both warm and cool undertones very nicely. The texture is a very creamy and glossy one that has the tendency to melt in summers. The pigmentation is wonderful and single swipe give a complete opaque look to the lips. The staying power is good for a creamy lipstick and doesn’t bleed at all. For the price, it is one of the best budget friendly nude lipstick for fair complexions.

4. Maybelline Color Show Creamy Matte Lipstick – Mysterious Mocha – INR 325 (BUY HERE)

Mysterious Mocha is a very light brown with pink undertones. The color is best suited for cool tones or porcelain fair skin tones. Maybelline Color Show range has a wide range of colors and the quality is great for the price you pay. It comes in a slender cylinder packaging with a regular lipstick-bullet packaging. The texture is thick creamy and settles into a matte finish. It needs not be layered and the pigmentation is good with just 1-2swipes. It requires a well-prepped lips and stays for around 4 hours as well.

MEDIUM TO WHEATISH (NW-NC 35-42)

5. Colorbar Take Me As I Am Bare Dare Pink – INR 900 (BUY HERE for 855) Swatches HERE

This is one of the best MLBB color I have used so far. It is a nude pink shade but has sufficient warm undertones to suit the medium to wheatish Indian complexions. It is in the form of a chubby wooden pencil that requires to be sharpened. The texture is creamy but has a light weight formula that doesn’t go heavy or waxy of the lips. It has a satin finish with a tiny layer of sheen to the lips. The color is richly pigmented and looks fabulous as an office wear too. The price is slightly high but the color is a total winner.

6. L’Oréal Color Riche 456 Beige Crème – INR 925 (BUY HERE)

L’Oréal Color Riche is one of the popular range from the brand luxurious color palette with lasting hydration for an ultra-glamorous look. Beige Crème is a nude brown with a strong pink undertones to it. The color looks amazing on medium to wheatish complexions as a neutral one. The creamy texture with an opaque color pay with just a single swipe will make you fall in love with the color. Moreover, it is a great choice if you have dry and chapped lips. The staying power is around 4-5hours.

7. Chambor Powder Matte Lipstick Desert Rose – INR 645 (BUY HERE)

One of the bestselling colors from the house of Chambor till date. The color Desert Rose is a neutral tea rose pink with slight brown undertones. It is a one-of-a-kind color and is enriched with SPF 15. The texture is smooth yet not entirely creamy and the finish lives up to its name – powder matte. A nice comfortable matte finish that require 1-2swipes to bring out the pigmentation and the price tag is also reasonable for the color and quantity you pay for.

8. MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick – INR 1450

Like I said before, MAC has extensive range and for the medium to wheatish range, I found MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick is the best choice. It is a neutral kind of pink beige with very fade brown undertones which actually compliments the medium skin tones. The lipstick has a lasting matte finish that goes ever smoothly when applied, either directly or with a brush. The staying power is as commendable it gets and so as the wonderful pigmentation which gives brilliant color pay off with just single swipe.

DUSKY TO DEEP COMPLEXION (NW-NC 44-55)

9. Revlon Colorburst Lipstick Rosy Nude – INR 610 (BUY HERE)

This color Rosy Nude is true to its name as the color looks like a rosy pink neutral color with slight brown undertones and look like a nude sort of color for dusky to deep complexion of Indian skin tones. The packaging is nice and sturdy one with a compact bullet tip. The lipstick is creamy in texture which gives a rich and smooth layer to the lips. The finish is glossy and stays for around 3-4hours on the lips. When it fades off, it gives a natural pink-brown tint to the lips with hydration.

10. Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick in Bare – INR 325 (BUY HERE) Review & Swatches HERE

If you love comfortable matte lipsticks and with a budget friendly price tag, Colorbar Velvet Matte is the range you should go for. The shade Bare is a neutral brown with slight peachy undertones and is a stunning one to be precise. It has a satin smooth texture that glides so well yet gives a semi-matte finish and you won’t have to worry about the dry going all high and dry. The staying power is around 5-6hours and it also leaves behind a pretty stain with going patchy and uneven.

11. Lakme 9 to 5 Lip Color Toffee Nexus – INR 450 (BUY HERE for 360)

The 9 to 5 range of Lakme has around 40+ shades and each one is as stunning as it gets. For the dusky to deep complexion I would highly recommend the lip color Toffee Nexus neutral color with the right balance of pink and brown. The color requires only 2swipes to get that complete opaque look and settles down to a powdery matte finish, very similar to the Chambor Powder Matte range. You also try the color Red Chaos or Coffee Command which has brown undertones to it. The price tag is reasonable and the lipstick is decently long wearing too.

12. Colorbar Deep Matte Lip Crème – 004 Deep Earth – INR 675 (BUY HERE)

Liquid lipsticks are such a rage now-a-days and Colorbar Deep Matte Lip Crème has a reasonable price tag too if you compare the quality of it. The color Deep Earth is an earthy peach-brown kind of color which looks nude on deeper skin tones while slightly deeper on fair skin tones. The crème is smooth in texture and spreads well on lips and gives hydrating matte finish which is extremely comfortable to wear for dry lips as well. It gives a fuller pout and doesn’t settle into fine lines at all.

Editor’s Note: This is a fabulous post Sanchita! I absolutely love it. Colorbar Bare is an old favourite. I also love Maybelline Colorsensational My Mahagony and Crazy for Coffee. I would like to add Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Sultry for Deeper skin tones, Chambor Extreme Wear Transfer Proof Liquid Lipstick in 402 for Fair to Medium skin tones. Also MAC Cosmo is my ultimate favourite and is perfect for fair to medium skintones.

What are you favourite nude lipsticks?

Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Creams Review, Swatches

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Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Creams Review, Swatches

By Devika

Hi guys,

Hope you all are doing great! So today I am going to be reviewing yet another beautiful matte and super affordable Miss Claire Soft Matte lip cream. This season happens to be the season of liquid lipsticks with Indian market overflowing with their sudden arrival ranging from high end brands like Kylie, Sleek Matte Me, Colourpop, Stila, Incolor to Chambor, Colorbar, Aerezia, NYX. Though many of these are still unavailable online, new trend of Instagram stores selling these, has solved the problem somehow .Through these stores I got to know of these Miss Claire ones and when I heard of their price, (Greedy Me), I immediately ordered 6 of them (haven’t owned these many shades of same brand ever). Ordering and delivery was completely hassle-free, thankfully!!!! Miss Claire range is a super affordable dupe for the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream.

Product details – It’s not lipstick nor is it gloss. It’s like nothing that you have experienced before. It’s lipstick that goes on smoothly but looks matte.

Price and availability: No price tag mentioned and varies from the place you are buying from…150 to 300! Depends whether you are buying from instastore or directly from shops. I got mine for 180 INR from instastore (comment below if you wanna know the name of shop).

Ingredients:

Shelf life: 12 months from date of opening

Total weight of product 6.5g

My experience

Packaging: These soft matte slip creams comes in transparent plastic tube bottle with the black screw cap with a wand applicator attached which picks up just the right amount of product and aids in even coverage on lips. The bottle is quite lightweight and easy to carry around. The shades are numbered (and not named) which is written below but one can easily identify the shades from transparent bottle. For the price they come in the packaging is quiet decent and I love it.

Shades – The Miss Claire lip creams come in many shades ranging from Nudes to Pinks to Red. There are 18 shades available. From these I own no. 05, 07, 08, 12, 16A, 17A. No names, just number coded but it isn’t an issue for me as the tubes are transparent.

In detail review of each shade:

Shade 05: This is a coral pink with a peach undertone. Perfect for summer evenings. This shade is a very flattering for fair skin tones but would look washed out on medium to dark skin.

Shade 07: It is a hot pink, bright, more like a fuchsia pink. Nude eyes with this shade is all that’s needed. Would look great across all skin tones.

Shade 08: This is my absolute favorite. It’s a shade darker than no.05 and thus will suit medium skin toned girls too! This is my go-to everyday color.

Shade 12: My 2nd favorite from these, this shade is vibrant magenta and darker variant of shade no. 07 but with purple undertone to it. This would suit all kinds of Indian skin tones. The face looks brightened up on wearing this shade. It’s suitable for both day and night wear.

Shade I6A: Again a bright summer shade, pink with orange undertone to it. Darker than 05 but lighter then 08.This shade I consider as repetitive in my Miss Claire collection though.

Shade 17A:  This is the perfect peach color that would suit fair skinned girls.

Texture / Formula – The texture is so creamy & light. It’s easy to use formula applies as a smooth cream on lips which dries to a matte finish in about 2 minutes. Once dried, it comfortably sits throughout the day. It is nontransferable, tends to fade from center of lips only after heavy oily meals; survives light meals though. These doesn’t settle into fine lines at all. Despite being matte these didn’t dry up my lips at all, but prior exfoliation and moisturizing is must. The formula & texture of these is very similar to the NYX Matt lip creams. It smells of vanilla but not at all overpowering. I love the smell!

Pigmentation- The pigmentation is opaque, medium coverage and it’s buildable. You don’t need multiple swipes to get true color, nor is it so badly pigmented that you can’t correct a mistake. In comparison to NYX ones, the NYX lip creams are a little more pigmented than these. The lighter shades of Miss Claire are less pigmented than the deeper ones, but a second swipe sorts you out & shows the color. You may also apply lip liner of similar color underneath to make the lip cream long lasting. It does not bleed at all.

Staying Power – This lipstick gives you great color for around 5- 6hrs. It sustains light meals but loses color from center of lips following a heavy oily meal. A touch up can fix that easily though. They fade away evenly without being patchy. Impressive staying power! It doesn’t stain the lips post removal and can easily be removed with oil based makeup remover.

Pros:

1) Extremely inexpensive (reason I picked up these many shades)

2) Ease of application

3) Decent sleek packaging, similar to the NYX ones

4) The color does not smudge for 3-4 hours minimum

5) Extremely light weight and travel friendly

6) Efficient applicator for precise application.

7) A variety of shades available to choose from

8) Creamy texture that settles down with a nice matte finish.

9) Doesn’t make the lips uncomfortable with dry matte texture.

10) Non-transferable and doesn’t settles into fine lines.

11) Good pigmentation with just 2 swipes.

12) Long lasting on the lips for 5-6 hours without touch ups.

13) No weird smell

14) All ingredients listed

15) Cruelty free

16) Paraben free

Cons:

1) No testers available

2) Not available online and in most cosmetics stores

3) Requires prior prepping (exfoliation plus moisturisation) of lips.

Overall, I just loved the texture, the color range and the price they come in, is like a total steal. One can never ever go wrong with these lip creams. They did a lot more than what I expected them. I totally recommend these to all as in this price range you can’t expect more!!

Rating 4.8/5

Will I Repurchase – Absolutely yes!!

Editor’s Note: Fabulous review and pictures Devika, I was eyeing these since long. I know they are available at Beauty Center, but I always get lazy to go there, I am definitely getting 12 and 17A.

Have you tried the Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Creams yet?

7 Denim Tricks You Cannot Afford to Miss!

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7 Denim Tricks You Cannot Afford to Miss!

By Lovleen

Denims are a staple aspect of almost any wardrobe, and thus owing them is a no-brainer task. After all the versatility, comfort and vividity that they are able to deliver is phenomenal. But, wait aren’t you missing something? Well, though you have a huge collection of denim but are you happy with time? Does it make you a standout from the crowd? If not then this article is just for you. As here we will focus on some easy yet exclusive denim tricks and hacks that you help you reinvent the same old denim wardrobe the fashionable way. Because denim magic will never occur on its own, a little effort, innovative thought and creative tools can take your denim success a long way.

1. Start With Zipper Style

The usual denims that you wear can be taken as a layout which can be structured just the way you want with your creativity. This concept can be fruitfully used for transforming your denim into a zipper style denim. For this style all you need is a zipper, scissor and needles. First determine the area when you wish to place the zipper and then rip that area to create desired space for it. Consequently fix the zipper at the space and there you have it, a magnificent zipper style denim that speaks for itself.

Style Tip: Zippers can be fixed anywhere at the bottom of jeans, hips and thighs too, just let your creative mind do the job.

2. Denim and Shoes

Known to all Denims have remained to be a versatile asset in everyone’s wardrobe, so why restrict them with one type of shoes? Experiment with a plethora of shoes that you always wanted to wear, where women can have their sexy look with high heels, skinniest feel with boots, sporty touch with two roll flats and formal look with wedges, similarly men can make their move using the formal shoes, sporty running shoes, casual sneakers and many more,

Style Tip: Be careful with the colors that you pick and remember that the match up should always complement each other.

3. Lace It Up

This hack is just for the beauties out there, who can take their denim to a new dimension by lacing it up. Now, each one of us are a huge fan of laces then why not have them here too. Pick up the appropriate lace that you love, crop up your denim and stitch it up, it is as easy as it can get. But, the difference that it is going to create on the aesthetic appeal of the denim is something to watch out for. So, have you selected your perfect lace yet?

Style Tip: Lace is the key of this hack, go with black, cream, white or other self colors, avoid those that have amalgamation of various colors in one fabric.

4. Rip and Fill The Denim

Everyone is loves to have ripped denims, but now it's time to fill the ripped parts not with denim but a wide range of fabric. Fill this ripped areas with designs, patterns, fabrics or any other idea of your choice. If you do not have a ripped jeans then just take scissors to rip them off. Later, take the fabric that you want to attach with the denim and stitch it up.

Style Tip: Colors that you pick can be the reflection of your personality (black, blue, red) or the way you are (white, green, pink).

5. Sand and Stain Denim

Next style hack is an amazing one where you will have the ability to transform the aura of your denims. To do the stand and stain hack you are going to require a sand paper for sanding the denim, filer for scratching it and then a fabric marker for staining it. The stand and stain looks best near the hips and thigh region of jeans so it’s best to do them at its mid length. In this technique first you will have to sand the jeans with a sand paper for a while until the threads are visible and then scratch these threads with the help of a filer. Once the white inner threads of the sanded area are prominently visible then make sure of a fabric marker to stain these threads. Here, you can use any color depending upon what your styling preferences

Style Tip: Have the sand and stain area across different parts of the denim with variations in colors of the marker.

6. Crop the Denim

Bored with the same usual long pair of denim then why not crop them? Take the appropriate measurements, or the length until which you want to crop then and then go for it. During this process you can implement various designs through the art of cutting and stitching too. This means that by simply cropping an old denim you can bring it back to life but a new and refreshed look. Fashion experts believe that cropping a long denim is just like repairing it and bringing it to the gateway of unlimited fashion as its hard to go wrong with crop denims.

Style Tip: Pair crop denims with cool pair of shoes and tops to look your best and never forget those classy sunglasses.

7. Spray Vodka For Targeted Action on Stains

Presence of stains can hamper the aura of your denims, so it’s time to get rid of them with just a few sprays of vodka. Transfer the vodka into a spray bottle, and spray it on the stain for two-three times, allow it to dry and witness the stain disappear.

Style Tip: Regular care and maintenance is crucial for keeping your denim stylish and fashionable.

Editor’s Note: Absolutely love these hacks Lovleen. I would love to try the sanding, and also rip and fill.

Image Source: Google Images

Do you like these hacks? Have you tried them? I am definitely trying 1-2 😀