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Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

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Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

By Nidhal

“What goes on your skin, goes in your skin” is the mantra that we Indians swear by when it comes to skin care. Naturally, we believe in ‘feeding’ in our skin. And since nutrition is best derived in its unprocessed, raw and virgin state from nature with minimal processing, it is small wonder that we Indians nourish our skin to the bounties of nuts, fruits, herbs and everything natural!

On that note, let’s give all Non-Indians a sneak-peak into the spices that Indians incorporate into their skin care regimen. Sounds a good idea or should we better keep our treasure trove well-guarded? Let us be benevolent for a moment and spill the beans today.

1. TURMERIC- I am pretty sure there’d be hardly any Indian mother who wouldn’t have prepared/recommended/forcefully slapped a mask predominantly yellow in colour on their kid’s face while the poor child would’ve either succumbed to her persuasion or hid himself/herself to avoid being daubed that weird-looking and (apparently) unpleasant-smelling mask. Ask any Indian mother on the virtues of turmeric and brace yourself for information will flow at a pace that even Google would hide in shame!

Let me summarize why turmeric is our go-to spice. Turmeric helps one bid adieu to skin hazards such as acne, wrinkles, fine-lines and imparts a bright skin tone. Face packs made up of turmeric not only help to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also diminish excessive oil secretion by the sebaceous glands. It should then not come as a surprise that, Hindu weddings have a ceremony devoted to haldi application in order to impart a winsome glow to the bride as well as groom’s face.

A word of caution from my side. Please use either Amba Haldi or kasthoori manjal/haldi only for skin care. They are exclusively meant for skin care. The one in your masala daani is meant for pakoras not packs. Kasthoori haldi/manjal (whatever you prefer to call it) can be easily purchased online. I would recommend Dhathri’s Kasthoori manjal that is, priced at 25 INR for 50 grams.

2. CLOVES- In order to incorporate cloves in one’s beauty regimen, one has to invest in clove oil for that is how its bounties are harnessed. Clove is highly potent for obviating acne and removal of scars left by the same. It is to be applied topically to the affected areas. It is often blended with face packs or massage creams for application on the skin. It gives a tingling sensation when applied. The reason behind this tingling sensation is the potent nature of clove oil.

Skin woes, such as blackheads, whiteheads, scarring, pimples and scaly skin are signs that characterize the skin ailment known as acne. Acne commonly happens during adolescence due to hormonal imbalance. So, if you’re pestered by acne, ditch those over-the- counter medicines and invest in an organic brand of clove oil or you can crush some cloves, add a heaped tbsp. of besan and rose water and voila! Bid adieu to this pesky skin woe!

3. CINNAMON- Next comes the saviour of acne-prone skin. It is tingling but boy, it is effective to the hilt. Cinnamon (Dalchini in Hindi) delivers fantastically when it comes to speeding blood circulation which makes your skin breathe thereby removing acne. This is done by drying the skin and bringing blood and oxygen to the outer skin surface. Thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, cinnamon helps enhance one’s complexion.

However, please always use only a pinch (one-eighth a tbsp.) of cinnamon as a little over that can sting your skin excruciatingly. Personal experience corroborates this. So, do not go overboard 🙂 Just add a pinch of it to all your face masks and you will be good to go.

4. GINGER- Being a potent antiseptic and cleansing agent, ginger helps in keeping the skin clean, smooth and free of blemishes. Besides that, it also invigorates and stimulates one’s skin. It is the best natural acne-fighting weapon as it minimizes the rate of acne formation and eruption by killing and clearing the acne-causing bacteria. Acne-prone ladies, did I see your eyes dilate on discovering the perfect weapon to kick away those acne scars?

The next time you go grocery shopping, you have your reasons to add ginger to your shopping cart, right? Do not just brew it in your tea, let your skin savour its virtues externally too 🙂

5. SAFFRON- Now, comes the spice from the Northern corner of our country which we fondly call ‘Heaven on Earth’- Kashmir. Although this spice is going to be a bit straining for your pockets, yet its beauty benefits will compel you to turn a blind eye to its price at least once. Okay, enough of this ‘Guess my name’ game.

The spice I am talking about is kesar and this is an elixir for our skin. Is there seriously anything that this wonder spice doesn’t do? From imparting an enviable glow to one’s complexion to treating acne, blemishes and blackheads thanks to its anti-fungal content, from softening skin to making it supple, this spice is a must-have (at least 1 gm) in our beauty stashes.

Feel free to add 2-3 strands of it in whichever pack you whip. Let it stay undisturbed for half an hour and once the colour changes to yellow, it is a prefigure to not only slather it on your skin but also that you have bought authentic saffron.

Image Source: 1,2,3

Editor’s Note: Loved this post Nidhal. Have used Cinnamon, turmeric and honey a lot!

Do you use these spices for DIY skincare recipes?

Givenchy Eyebrow Pencil, Mister Brow Filler Brunette Review, Swatches, FOTD

Eye Brow Pencil, Eye Makeup, Eyebrow Filler, Givenchy, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Givenchy Eyebrow Pencil, Mister Brow Filler Brunette Review, Swatches, FOTD

Hi guys,

I have always had full eyebrows except the in between phase when you go to some other salon and the lady over threads and makes them super thin :/

I never used to fill my eyebrows but I have been doing it since almost 1-1.5 years now and I am obsessed. They completely change the way your face looks and makes your face look more polished and defined. Thick eyebrows also make one look younger 😀

I have been using these two brow products from Givenchy since about a week now and I am in love! From the very first use, I absolutely loved these!

Givenchy Eyebrow Pencil Brunette

What it is: A powdery matte-finish eyebrow pencil

What it does: This pencil offers precise and natural brow definition. Perfect application is guaranteed with an ultra-slim, gliding tip for perfectly defined brows. The formula, developed using talc and intense pigments, leaves a powdery matte finish, and the easy-to-apply texture creates immediate payoff. The pencil also features a brow brush on the opposite end for an all-in-one brow tool.

What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens

Shades Available:
01 Brunette
02 Blonde
03 Dark Brunette

Suggested Usage:
-Brush brows to reveal their natural shape.
-Use the brow pencil to define the edges and fill in for a natural look.

MRP: Rs.1975/- for 1.1g

It is a long and sleek sharpenable eyebrow pencil with a spoolie brush on one side. It also comes with a sharpener. I love eyebrow pencils which come with a spoolie brush as they are travel friendly and very handy. You just need one pencil to carry along for your brows whenever you are travelling.

The pencil is super pigmented. I was amazed by the pigmentation, just a single, light handed stroke also gives a lot of color. So use it with light hands and make sure you soften the lines with the spoolie brush coz you can easily over fill with this and also without blending in, the color would look harsh.

It is slightly waxy and glides on very easily, it settles to a matte finish. So there is no extra creaminess and it doesn’t bleed all around the eyebrows. The texture is absolutely perfect.

The eyebrows stay in place whole day. I love how easy and quick it is to use, as with most pencils I have to go over quite a few times to fill them. With this, I am just done in one stoke and one brushing!

Since I just need one stroke and hardly use any product, I haven’t even had to sharpen it yet. This will last me really long! Even though it may seem expensive, this would last for a long time, making it very economical for the quality.

I am only using this since the time I have got it and I think I am pretty much sticking to this 😀 I can say, this is by far the best eyebrow pencil I have tried! Highly recommended!

Givenchy Mister Brow Filler Tinted Waterproof Brow Filler

What it is: A gel brow filler that dries into a natural powder finish.

What it does: For perfectly natural-looking brows, Mister Brow Filler fills in any sparse areas and flawlessly shapes the brows. Containing hybrid silicone particles, its waterproof, liquid formula instantly dries down to a powder finish on application. It naturally and evenly highlights the brows. The innovative curved brush follows the eyebrow’s natural shape for an intuitive application that anyone can master. Its waterless texture adheres uniformly to the skin.

What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens

Shades Available:
01 Brunette
02 Blonde
03 Granite

Suggested Usage:
-Start from the inner corner and apply following the arch, moving toward the end.

MRP: Rs.1975/- for 5.5g

Now I am more of a eyebrow pencil person and my eyebrows don’t move around a lot, so I don’t use brow fillers. But on days when you are going for a very natural, ‘no makeup’ makeup look, I would suggest using only brow filler.

Not only it brushes and combs the brows and fill them in, but it would dry and keep the hair in place all day long! Also it is water resistant, so you can wear it even during monsoons or on a humid day.

Again, even this is very pigmented and you just need to go over once on your eyebrows. I use both when I have a long day ahead with events, etc. when I want my eyebrows to look perfect and not budge at all.

The shade Brunette in both matches me absolutely well and would work for most Indian skin tones.

Here is my Before-After using both the products..

I prefer my eyebrows natural looking, so I do not outline on top and bottom and overline them and then fill in completely like those eyebrow tutorials on Instagram 😀 (mostly on Anastasia page) I find that very fake and made up. So I have filled them in naturally, mostly towards the inner part as I have more gaps there.

FOTD..

I would suggest going with the Brow Filler if your eyebrows don’t stay in place and move around a lot and/or you are not much of an eyebrow person and want just some natural looking definition.

If you are looking for a good, pigmented eyebrow pencil which is travel friendly and you have sparse eyebrows with more gaps to fill, go for the eyebrow pencil.

If you want your eyebrows to be on fleek all the times, go for both! You will be sorted, trust me 🙂

I absolutely love both, use either or both depending on the event and day. Givenchy is available at Sephora across India and also at few Shoppers Stop outlets.

Do you fill your eyebrows? Which is your favourite brow product?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum Review

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Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum Review

By Archana

Hi all,

If you had read my previous post, you would know that I have recently started with an anti- ageing skin care routine with Biotique products. The set consists of a serum, day cream, night cream and sunscreen lotion. After 3 weeks of using it, am ready with my report and scorecard. Today, I will be reviewing the serum – Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum. Read on to know how well it fares.

Products claims: Dandelion is a rejuvenating herbaceous plant known for its ageless properties. This lightening serum is a rare combination of pure dandelion, rich in Vitamin E and minerals, blended with nutmeg oil. Used regularly, it helps brighten skin, fade dark spots and ease away wrinkles for a flawless complexion.

Ingredients: Bihidana Seeds – 10%, Halon (Chansaur) Seeds – 1.5%, Jaiphal Oil – 0.5%, Badam oil – 1%, Surajmukhi oil – 3%, Khamir powder – 8%, Doodhal (Dandelion) Root – 0.2%, Beeswax – 2.5%, Groundnut Oil – 4.5%, Purified Water Q.S.

Directions to use: Massage a few drops into cleansed face and neck, before moisturizer, morning and evening.

Packaging:

The serum comes in a tiny translucent plastic bottle with green screw-on lid. On opening there is a tiny hole for dispensing the product. The bottle is housed inside an outside carton which has all the products details on it. For travel purpose, you can just chuck the carton as it is bulky and take only the compact bottle with you.

Texture and fragrance:

The serum is white in color, water-based and gel like with a smooth consistency. It has a faint herbal smell which is not strong and won’t bother sensitive noses.

My experience:

I have been using the serum for the past three weeks. Arounds 3-4 drops is needed to cover the entire face and neck. Being water based, it is very light and gets absorbed quickly without any greasiness or stickiness. Like all serums, you need to follow up with a moisturizer. For the first week, I didn't observe any major difference. Biotique products are based on ayurvedic formulations which take time and continued usage to show results. I have seen many people skip on Biotique products because the results were not quick enough. But ayurvedic products contain natural ingredients which take time to show effects, but the results are long lasting and harmless in the long run.

After the second week, I could see visible lightening of my skin. My tan was removed and it evened out my skin tone. I had few dark spots and acne scars. I could see them lightening too. But not faded completely. I might need to use another bottle or two for it to completely fade.

The serum also revitalised my skin and it looked plumper and healthy. There was a slight glow on my face. My pores were also more refined as I initially suffered from large pores. It helps to tighten and firm skin.

The bottle has finished in three weeks. Am going to repurchase this again to see continued results. If you ask me, this is one of the most affordable serums in the market. And its also organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free. You just need to be patient with the results.

Pros:

* Light and non-sticky. Gets absorbed easily.

* Suitable for all skin types.

* Lightens and evens out skin tone.

* Works on fading dark spots.

* Revitalizes skin and makes it look plumper and healthy.

* Gives a subtle glow.

* Tightens pores and firms skin.

* Affordable.

* Organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free.

* Compact packaging.

Cons:

* Doesn’t work on wrinkles as claimed. I had a few fine lines on my forehead and they haven’t improved. Maybe continuous usage is required.

Price and quantity: Rs.230 for 40ml.

Rating: 4.8/5

Verdict: Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum is one of the most affordable and effective serums available in the market. Considering the fact that it is made of ayurvedic formulations, is organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free, what more can one ask for. I would definitely recommend this serum for healthy, clear, bright and glowing skin.

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good, I would give it a try sometime.

Have you tried the Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum?

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser Review

Body Wash, Kama Ayurveda, Reviews, Shower Gels, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser Review

By Pallavi

Hiii Beauties,

As you all might know till now that I am a skin care junkie. I like investing in skin care products. But what you don’t know about me is that I am a bath junkie too. I love bathing and thus investing in bathing products is a must for me. And that is the major reason why I shifted to shower gels and bathing gels years ago. Till date I always buy lots of shower gels. Both from drugstore and high end or luxury brands.

And trust me many of you might think that shower gels are a bit expensive. But no they are not. A bottle of shower gel lasts for at least 2-3 months. And that way you can understand that shower gels lasts quite long and are cost effective??? So, till date I have used a number of shower gels. This time I thought of why not trying with body cleansers and thus here follows the review of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser.

Product Claims: A wonderful shower gel with Pure Essential Oils of Lavender, Patchouli and herbal extracts. Lavender relaxes the body and Patchouli cleanses and purifies. Aloe Vera nourishes and Sugar adds glow to the skin.

Price for Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser: INR 595 for 200ml (Buy HERE)

My Views:

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser comes in a long, slender plastic bottle which is transparent. You can easily see the amount of product which is left inside. The jar has a cap opening which is quite easy to use. The jar has the packaging quantity, claims, and ingredients written all over it which is quite informative for the customers.

The shower gel is of runny consistency. That is why it tends to spill out from the bottle so you need to take care while storing it. The shower gel is of light green colour and it smells of lavender but the smell is not very strong and disappears as soon as you spread it on your body. When you dispense the shower gel on loofah, you don’t need much water to dilute it and it foams easily on your body. The shower gel is very gentle on the skin.

Also, you require a very little amount per usage. So, a single bottle will last you easily 2-3 months.

Now, let me tell you how I use this body cleanser on my body. I take out a bit of cleanser on your loofah. Wet the loofah before the body cleanser. Now, apply the cleanser all over your body. Rinse it with normal water after some time.

Coming to the after effects of the shower gel, it is not at all drying on skin. Normal to oily skin types will not require a moisturizer after this. Even the dry skinned people can easily skip a body lotion in summers. But for winters dry skin people will need a heavy body lotion post usage of this body cleanser.

For dry skinned people like me this shower gel is a total thumbs up. I love shower gels which are gentle and not drying on skin. So, that I can easily skip my body lotions at least in summers. And this one is perfect for that.

Pros of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser

1. Trustworthy brand

2. Travel friendly size available

3. Easy to use

4. Moisturising on skin

5. Cleanses the body thoroughly

Cons of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser

1.  Slightly pricey

Rating: 5/5

Last Thoughts: Every skin type can use it in summers but in winters dry to combination skin types will require body moisturiser.

Editor’s Note: I love lavender and have tried almost all lavender based body wash/cleansers 😀 I am definitely trying this!

Have you tried Kama Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser yet?

Top 10 Red Lipsticks Under Rs. 1000 in India, Buy Online

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Top 10 Red Lipsticks Under Rs. 1000 in India, Buy Online

By Pallavi

Hii NLM lovelies,

NLM has made us addicted to a number of things. Red lipsticks are one of them. Every girl has it’s first love as red lippy. But when you are a lipstick beginner you won’t like to experiment with premium or costly lippies. So, why not begin with cost effective red lipsticks which are equally efficient in terms of performance.

So, here we have prepared a list of best hot red pout lipsticks which you can try under 1000 bucks.

So, let’s begin with the list –

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – Cherries in the Snow (Price – Rs. 550) (Buy HERE)

A deep red with pink undertones in it. It is moistursing on lips so you don’t need a lip balm underneath.

2. L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Color Riche Collection Star Lipsticks – Pure Scarleto (Price – Rs.995) (Buy HERE for 865)

Such a gorgeous rich red very apt for Indian skin tones. Highly pigmented but with a slight drying texture. So, don’t forget to apply a lip balm underneath.

3. Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick Pleasure Me Red (Price – Rs. 425) (Buy HERE for 356)

A deep red shade with very strong pink undertones. The colour looks fab on cooler skin tones. Adding to which the lipstick has a gorgeous soft creamy sheen.

4. Lakme 9 to 5 Lip colour – Red Coat (Price – Rs. 400) (Buy HERE)

Such a wearable red for your office. The collection is of office range and wearing a red colour to office is not at all easy. But this is such a fab colour for the office.

5. Lakme Absolute Lip Pout Matte Lip Colour – Raving Red (Price – Rs. 650) Review HERE (Buy HERE for 520)

A gorgeous red shade with matte finish. But unlike other matte lipsticks it feels very soft and creamy on lips. Also, the colour is not very visible so you can easily pair it at day time too.

6. Colorbar Velvet Matte Hearts and Tarts (Price – Rs. 325) (Buy HERE)

Such a fab and wearable red shade. It is a perfectly balanced bright colour and makes it a perfect choice for the day time occasions.

7. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick Fatal Red (Price – 475) (Buy HERE for 400)

Such a gorgeous red for Indian Skintones. This makes it a perfect choice to brighten your complexion at the day time without going over the top.

8. Lakme Absolute Sculpt Hi Definition Matte Lipstick Red Envy (Price – Rs. 750) (Buy HERE for 600)

Another orangey red but with excessive matte formulae. Such a fab colour for the festive occasion and extremely wearable for the upcoming festive occasions.

9. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – Love that Red (Price 550) (Buy HERE)


This lipstick is sure to brighten up your complexion And the lipstick looks fab on warmer as well as cooler skin tones too. It is such a wearable red color for the universal skin tone.

10. Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick Hot Hot Hot (price – Rs. 325) (Buy HERE)

It is an extremely pretty and hot red shade. Looks awesome and is perfect to brighten your complexion. Even it stays for extra long making it a perfect red lip choice.

So, these were some of the fab red lipsticks which you can try to enhance your pout. And they all are below 1000 bucks. Such a steal deal right.

Editor’s Note: I love the L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Freida and Aishwarya’s Red. Freida’s Red is universally flattering a perfect red for all skin tones!

Which is your favourite red lipstick under Rs.1000? Do add in the comments below and let us know.

Kara Facial Wipes Review

Facial Wipes, Kara, Makeup Remover, New Launches, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kara Facial Wipes Review

Hi guys,

If you remember last week I reviewed the new Kara Nail Polish Remover wipes, see HERE. Today I am reviewing all of their facial wipes.

About Kara: Kara is a quality product brought to you by Future Consumer Enterprise Limited. Each Kara wipe is made from Viscose fibres, a 100% natural bio-degradable fibre. It is pure, soft and has high moisture absorption capacity.

Kara wipes are dermatologically tested. They are hygienic, skin-friendly and do not leave lint on the skin. Each formulation is a selective blend of aqua, skin-friendly ingredients and herbal actives with a precise functionality that results in a distinctly superior product experience on application. These are free from harsh chemicals like alcohol.

Enliven and revitalize your face with Kara Refreshing Facial wipes.

Made from 100% viscose, these refreshing wipes won’t leave behind residues of lint. These bio-degradable wipes from Kara are eco-friendly and perfect for boosting freshness.

You can use these alcohol-free wipes for cleaning excess dirt and oil from face and neck.

The wipes are packed in a resealable label making it easy for you to pull a wipe and later reseal the pack.

The unique packing system of Kara Refreshing Facial Wipes help in locking the moisture of the wipes for a long time, thus avoiding dry-up till the pack lasts.

Variants & Price:

  • Refreshing with Mint Oil & Aloe Vera (Rs.40 for 10, Rs.75 for 20, Rs.95 for 30)
  • Refreshing with Cucumber & Aloe Vera (Rs.40 for 10, Rs.75 for 20, Rs.95 for 30)
  • Moisturizing with Honey & Almond (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Deep Pore Cleansing with Jojoba & Avocado (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Sunscreen with Plum & Aloe Vera (Rs.175 for 25)
  • Makeup Removal with Seaweed & Lavender (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Toning with Rose & Thyme (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Cleansing & Refreshing with Neem & Tea Tree (Rs.75 for 10)

Availability: Available online on Nykaa.com and offline at Big Bazaar, Health & Glow, Star Bazaar, Hypercity, Beauty stores, etc.

First of all I absolutely love the fact that they come in a pack of 1,5,10,20 and 30 so that one can buy according to their needs at a particular time. We all buy the big bulk wipes pack and then most of them dry quickly and not work as well.

You can carry the 1 and 5 pack ones for everyday use or when you are travelling for a few days and keep the 30 pack for use at home. Though I am highly impressed that they did not dry as much as other wipes and still worked well even after 7-8 days of opening the pack.

Each wipe is meant for different use and has different ingredients and properties. Here are the main ingredients and their benefits in each wipe:

Deep Pore Cleansing: Enriched with goodness of Avocado extracts, these tissues are known to be rich in essential nutrients that soothe and moisturize the skin.Infused with jojoba, it unclogs pores, detoxes, and thoroughly exfoliates the dead skin cells.

Refreshing: Kara Refreshing Facial wipes are enriched with the goodness of Aloevera and Mint, Aloevera & Cucumber. Aloe Vera is a natural leaf juice of Aloe Vera plant that keeps skin hydrated and nourished. Cucumber is known to soothe and soften the skin which can get you relaxed in no time. Mint is known for strengthening the skin tissue and helps reduce oily skin.

Toning: Thyme is a great herb for treating acne prone skin and has astringent properties, whereas Rose imparts a fresh and nourishing feel.

Moisturizing: Loaded with goodness of honey, these moisturizing tissues protect and soften your skin. Almond enrichments are great for reducing signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.

Sunscreen: The sunscreen face tissue comes with SPF 20 that protects your skin from harmful UVB rays 20 times more than the usual.Enriched with Aloe Vera, Kara Sunscreen Face Tissue protects your skin from sunburns and rashes and keeps it hydrated.Infused with goodness of plum and Vitamin E, these wipes are known to clear lifeless pores, dead skin cells and slow down skin ageing.

Makeup Removal: The facial wipes from Kara contain Lavender and Seaweed extracts that exfoliates the skin in a gentle manner and helps in keeping your skin youthful.

Although these are thin and long and cover the face well, the quality is really good and these don’t tear apart easily unlike a few cheaper brands. Each variant smells really good!

The refreshing ones are perfect to carry in your bag in a humid city like Mumbai where you sweat all the time, this will instantly refresh you, take care of all the sweat and also cleanse your face by getting rid of the top layer of dust and grime.

If you travel a lot whole day, use the Deep Pore Cleansing wipe at the end of the day and you will be astonished by all the dirt and grime that comes out. I really love the Deep Pore Cleansing one, it does it job of cleaning the pores from deep within.

If you have acne prone skin and do not like to use a toner, the Toning ones will do the job of toning plus are really handy to use. Moisturizing ones are good for dry skin. Cleansing & Refreshing with Neem & Tea Tree are perfect for oily skin. I am not personally a fan of Sunscreen wipes as I feel it can never compensate the use of sunscreen, but if in case you have forgotten to use a sunscreen and have these, you can use them.

Makeup Removal ones are an absolute must have if you wear makeup on a daily basis or for a makeup artist/makeup professional. These are so moisturizing and remove every bit of your makeup without irritating your skin or eyes or stripping off any moisture from your skin.

My favourites are the Deep Pore Cleansing ones and Makeup Removal ones for night, the Refreshing ones and Cleansing & Refreshing one for travel and day time.

Have you tried the Kara Facial Wipes?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

What’s in My Makeup Pouch?

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What’s in My Makeup Pouch? (Makeup On The Go)

By Linda

Hi everyone,

Today I will be talking about the makeup products I carry everyday along with me. Yes every day!!!!!. As I only prefer to allot 5 mins for a simple and natural makeup. In case of parties / events or other functions obviously the products would be different and it won’t be relevant to today’s post.

As I’m always on a run , be it for work/ meeting with friends, in which case I mostly do my makeup either in my car while I’m commuting or head straight to a decent ladies common room ..yeah that kind of a crazy person I am. Rather than digging into my bag for each product or forgetting it at home I prefer carrying these few products in a pouch, where ever I go. Let’s admit one thing that makeup last for at least 4-5 hours depending on the weather conditions or your skin type. It’s always better to carry this pouch for retouches. And I don’t want load my bag with all unwanted makeup that I don’t use daily.

I did mention it’s a makeup pouch , since a pouch can carry minimal but most important things that serves our purpose. Secondly it’s light weight and travel friendly.

So let’s get to the point and find out what’s in my pouch

1. Mac Studio Fix Foundation plus Powder [Shade: NC 41]

This is a highly recommended product. Firstly it functions as a foundation plus powder. Secondly within the container it has a sponge for easy application of the product and a mirror build in (you need not carry an extra mirror).So now you can imagine how multipurpose this product is . I will be writing a detailed review of this product soon. Keep watching!!!

2. Maybelline Dream Sun Triple Bronzing powder [Shade: 02 Brune]

This is another all-time favorite product of mine. The detailed review of this product is HERE. As I mentioned in the review this a multipurpose product. It can be used as Bronzer, for contouring and highlighting ,and at times as a blush as well. Trust me these 3 shades can do wonders on your skin.

3. A Blush by Rimmel London [Shade 190 Coral]

What I like about this blush it gives you a flushed natural look, as it has tiny amount of shimmer. Also it is light weight and smaller in size.

4. Bourjois Kohl & Contour Eye Pencil (Review HERE)

A water proof and smudge proof eye pencil is all you need. And a sharpner along with it is an add on.

5. Perfume vial (Milano by PRADA)

This vial always comes handy to revive the freshness of your fragrance you already applied. All you need is to invert the vial on your finger tip and dab it behind your ears and wrist, and then you are are all set to go.

6. Lipstick /Lip balm

It’s always advisable to carry a lipstick of a neutral shade (browns) and cool toned (shades of pink and mauve) lipstick of your choice. I carry a neutral lipstick from Mac Shade Whirl which is reviewed HERE

7. Bourjois Volume Glamour MAX definition Mascara

Any look is incomplete without a mascara. The wand has fine and short bristles that coats your eyelashes giving a voluminous look.

8. Essence Eye Pencil & Eyeshadow [Shade 05 Cute Copper]

This is a neutral bronze pencil eye shadow, creamy formula, easy to apply. You don’t even need a brush. Easy to blend with your fingertips.

I carry all my products in a light and small-medium size pouch I picked from H & M.This is a zipper pouch in a metallic color. Easy to carry where ever you go and fits into any size of bags.

Believe me all these items easily fits into a small pouch only try to select items that are multipurpose, light weight and travel friendly.

Hope you enjoyed reading this post…

Editor’s Note: Ya I guess these things are enough, I would just add an eyebrow pencil and highlighter for me 😀

What’s in your makeup pouch?

Benefits of Using a Wooden Comb & Joy by Nature Neem Wooden Comb Review

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Benefits of Using a Wooden Comb & Joy by Nature Neem Wooden Comb Review

By Nidhal

For some strange reason I always had a fixation for lustrous hair that is, hair that flows as the wind caresses it, remains tangle-free and adorns one’s curves like an ornament! Stroking one’s fingers down such locks is a ‘thing of beauty’ to borrow Joh Keats. While we have countless weapons at hand to get such gorgeous locks, yet one weapon that I was long oblivious of was a ‘wooden comb’.

One day, I stumbled upon the virtues of using a wooden comb and thrilled by the same, I placed an order for one on Amazon. It was none other than Joy by Nature Neem Wooden Comb for Women. Needless to say, here is my review of the same.

PRICE- 125/- INR for each comb (Rs.85 on Amazon HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Use like a normal comb except when your hair is wet/semi-dry. NEVER use a wooden comb on hair drenched in water.

INGREDIENTS- Made up of wood

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Joybynature wooden pocket combs are made from natural neem wood that has been used since olden days in hair care. Neem bark, leaves, fruits, twigs, flowers are all used in medicinal preparation and are also part of new age products including combs, hair oils, tooth paste, moth balls, disinfectant and skin ointments. It is rightly given the name in Sanskrit as ‘Sarva Roga Nivarani’ in other words ‘Cure for all ailments’.The Joybynature wooden pocket combs are made from this powerful neem wood and designed aesthetically to suit the requirements of today’s generation while matching with the requirements for proper hair care.

Joybynature.com delivers goodness and joy from nature to your home. With over 10,000 Authentic Certified Natural/Organic products, Joybynature.com is the global hub of nature-led well-being.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a simple (and highly flimsy) plastic pack, this wooden comb screams for a better packaging! Once taken out from the package, you need to find a place/case for the comb to be stored. That aside, I have been using this comb for over two months and it’s worth mentioning that it works wonders to tame frizz and impart softness.

Wooden combs are supposed to have rounded teeth (as compared to regular plastic combs with pointed teeth) that avert hair from developing frizz. Since frizz is taken care of, expecting hair to be softened is natural and that’s what happens.

My hair is dry and within a period of two months of usage, I can assert that it has managed to soften my locks very well. On the downside, the comb is prone to breakage. The dark brown part that you see in the picture has been stuck to the main comb and it is prone to separation. In fact, it would be surprising if it lasts for even two months. Cleaning the comb is another cumbersome affair as you cannot use water on it (it’s wooden after all). So, I clean it by using a cotton swab soused in coconut oil. Moreover, I clean it once in every 3-4 days.

In a nutshell, it benefits your mane only if used regularly and cautiously. It comes with its fair share of “dos and don’ts” when it comes to usage so, weigh them beforehand.

Here are some of the benefits of using wooden comb over plastic combs-

1. Controls and prevents frizz

2. Adds shine and softness

3. Stimulates the scalp thus, accelerating hair growth

4. Boosts blood circulation of the scalp

5. Spreads the natural oils in our tresses uniformly

GOOD-

1. Rounded teeth of the comb ensure that my scalp as well as hair’s follicles aren’t roughened

2. Tames frizz overtime

3. Price is reasonable

4. Readily available (I bought it on Amazon India)

5. Made up of wood

6. Softens hair overtime (personal experience corroborates it)

BAD-

1. Packaging needs improvement. By parting with 125/- INR, a simple flimsy plastic package is what the comb comes packed in.

2. The comb is prone to breakage

3. Cleaning the comb is an arduous affair.

4. Size is small (it’s a pocket comb)

RATING- 3/5

Editor’s Note: This definitely does sound like worth trying, or maybe I will try to find more options. But looking forward to trying a wooden comb

Do you use a wooden comb?

First Colourpop Haul, Review, Swatches | How to Buy in India

Colourpop, Eye Brow Pencil, Eye Liners, Eye Makeup, Eyeshadows, Hauls, Highlighters, Lip Pencils, Lipsticks, Liquid Lipsticks, Makeup, Reviews, Shopping, Site Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

First Colourpop Haul, Review, Swatches | How to Buy in India

Hi guys,

Finally I am sitting down to write this post, I know this took forever and I am really sorry. In fact, I bought more Colourpop after this but will include it in a separate US haul post.

For now, let’s start with this. I wanted to try Colourpop since a long time but they did not ship to India. Once they announced they are starting international shipping, I had my wishlist ready and as soon as they started it, I tried to place my order and I got the shock of my life! Shipping was $25! Yes, my order was $30 and shipping was $25 which is close to double. Obviously I didn’t want to spend that much and many people complained on social media regarding this, Colourpop replied that they have flat rate shipping of $25 so you can order more items for same shipping amount.

If in case you have to place a huge order or 2-3 friends are combining an order, then buying directly from Colourpop made sense. Since I didn’t want to place a huge order as that attracts customs and wanted to just try a few things initially, it was not very economical for me.

Enter ‘Ship Out From USA‘. Magali did an entire video on them and explained how to use it, you can watch the video HERE.

Basically what they do is, they create a virtual USA/UK address for you and you can use that address to place order on any website which does not deliver to India directly. They will receive the items, repack it well and send it across to you. Like an intermediary, and of course it has some charges.

Charges without the discount are a little high, but I have a huge 40% discount code for you all i.e. “NEWLOVE40” (code to be applied on the Ship Out From USA website, not on merchant website) This code will not have an expiry period! So you can use it anytime and to buy from any website, valid for both virtual USA and UK orders. I would definitely suggest make use of it during sale periods (Black Friday sale is coming soon) and also ‘Free Shipping within USA/UK’ above certain amount.

That way is turns out to be pretty economical. After the 40% discount and using Ship Out From USA, it was pretty decent a price to pay for Colourpop considering all sellers here have a good amount of margin and it turns out to be much cheaper than that.

Also all Colourpop products are $5 and $6, plus they are very high quality and full of pigments! From eyes to cheeks to lips, all products are full of pigments and are long staying!

So let’s see what all I got in my first haul..

T-B: November, Point Zero, Beeper, Lumiere

I have been using some of the products since quite some time now, especially the lipsticks. I got one from Lippie Stix ($5), two Ultra Satin ($6) and one Ultra Matte ($6). And I also got one eyebrow pencil ($5), one creme gel liner ($5), three Super Shock eyeshadows ($5) and one Super Shock cheek highlighter($8).

Now the eye and cheek products of Colourpop are very buttery and should be used only with hands, especially eyeshadows. You cannot get the colour pay off with brushes. Also they break easily, I got one eyeshadow slightly broken when it came but then their nature is such, that will easily break even if dropped once. And also their products dry up pretty quickly if kept open, so they mention to close the lid pretty tight!

So I got two Ultra Satin Lips in November and Point Zero from the recent KathleenLightsxColourpop collaboration and the Lippie Stix in Lumiere from her previous collaboration. I love Kathleen Lights and all the shades she created in the recent collab were pretty amazing, so I had to get these! Apart from these, I got the Ultra Matte Lip in Beeper which I wanted since a long time! That shade is gorgeous and a must have!

The Lippie Stix are like a matte chubby lip crayon but much more creamier and pigmented. They stay for about 3-4 hours and longer without eating or drinking. The Ultra Satin Lip also stays for about same time, but it is a proper liquid lipstick formula which is completely matte. But fortunately they are not drying. Ultra Matte is drying but stays the longest and is the most pigmented!

L-R: November, Point Zero, Beeper, Lumiere
L-R: November, Point Zero, Beeper, Lumiere

Lumiere is a dusty mauve pink

November is a mid tone warm peachy pink

Point Zero is a cool toned grey brown

Beeper is a warm mid tone taupe

The eyeshadows I got are So Quiche, Nillionaire and LaLa.

These swatches are just one swipe each! Also I tried hard to capture the exact colour, but the shades are gorgeous and the camera was just not picking up the exact colours or doing justice to the shadows.

The eyeshadows are so creamy and the colours are gorgeous! They are very different and unique with a beautiful combination of reflects.

So Quiche

So Quiche is ansoft olive with a highly reflective gold and pink violet glittery duo chrome metallic finish

Nillionaire

Nillionaire is warm bronze with tons of gold and multi coloured glitter in a Metallic finish.

LaLa

LaLa is a satin finish rose gold

L-R: So Quiche, Nillionaire, Lala

And I also picked the Brow Pencil in Bangin Brunette which is the perfect shade for my dark eyebrows and hair. I love the fact that it has spoolie at one end which makes it very convenient to use and you do not need extra brushes. And I wanted a nice, nude eye pencil for my waterline since a long time and my search ended at Colourpop Creme Gel Liner in Honeydude which is a perfect peachy nude for my waterline.

Highlighters are my weakness, so I had to get one highlighter! 😀 I picked Lunch Money which is a gorgeous soft light gold shade with reflective duo chrome. This is one shade which will work for a lot of skin tones from light to medium. It will be a little light for very dark/deep skin tones. It is super buttery and creamy and very pigmented, absolutely love the shade!

And the quantity is huge! I think only the highlighters are a little more than their usual $5 and $6, but even for $8 the quality and quantity is amazing!

Here is how a few shades look on me.. (First is November, then Point Zero and Beeper)

I absolutely love each and every thing in this haul and highly recommend each of these! You can just close your eyes and get these, for the price, they are amazing!

Also you can trust on my research that I would pick shades after spending hours in finding out the best shades 😀

Also Colourpop has free shipping above $50 and $4.99 below that just for 3-4 days currently, if in case you want to get something, right now is the time 😀 Or else my 40% off Ship Out From USA coupon code ‘NEWLOVE40’ is valid forever and for everything you want to buy from US/UK.

I paid around $51 for everything (they have $5 off for new registered members) plus the shipping through SOFU was around 2000 which came to about INR 1200 after the 40% discount. So in total around INR 4500 with shipping for everything. But I would highly suggest placing the order in the next 1-2 days if you are really planning to get something, coz of their free shipping offer 🙂

What is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below.

Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose Review, Swatches

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Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose Review, Swatches

 By Pallavi

Lipsticks form a very important part of your personality. When you start applying lipsticks then you realize that you need to own not only 1 but at least 4-5 pairs of lipsticks, one for every occasion.

Confused well let me help you out. You need to have a nude lipstick as per your skin tone. This is mostly for offices or any formal occasion. Other than this on numerous occasions when you all dressed up and glammed up then you can apply a nude lipstick in order to tone down your entire look. Next comes the dark red lippy which is a must have for festive looks and special date nights. Next is a fuchsia colour which is perfect for any bright day or days when you want to perk up your mood. And finally comes the time for a light pink colour lipstick which is also perfect for most of the occasions. I believe you should have at least 2-3 pairs of light colour lipsticks so that you can alternatively try them whenever you wish.

So, with similar thought I bought this lipstick from the house of Colorbar. Let’s see how it fared on me.

Product claims: Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick comes with the promise of lips that are eloquent and luscious. It comes with lovely rich colours and rich in moisturizing properties making lips look fuller and creamier all day long. It has sheabutter, Vitamin E and sunscreen agents at SPF 15 level which nourish and protect your lips against UV rays. It glides on effortlessly for flawless, even coverage for that perfect pout. Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick are the perfect way to pamper your lips, not only you will love the rich, lustrous colour, but the lovely creamy texture of the lip colour as well.

Price : Rs. 450 for 4.5 Grams

My Views :

Packaging wise the lipstick is classy. It comes in a medium sized bullet which can fit easily inside your pocket. It has an outer packaging of steel which looks very classy. It has the price and batch name and details inscribed. The shade name of the lipstick is mentioned at the base of the lipstick.

This lipstick from the house of Colorbar comes in crème range and thus it is very creamy and extremely moisturizing. It feels very comfortable on lips. And for dry lips like me this lipstick is a boom. I would love to try others shades from this range. But this range has a big downside. The bullet of the lipstick is more or less flimsy. If you end up twisting a bit more lipstick then there is a fear that it might break down. Also, if by mistake the lipstick falls down then there is a higher chance that the bullet will break.

Coming to the shade of this lipstick from the house of Colorbar it is Candy Rose which is very light pink. It is more of a frosty or cool toned pink colour. This colour will look fab on fairer skin tones. But duskier skin tones like me can also rock this lipstick. This is perfect for regular usage.

But there are some special application tips before you begin with this lipstick. You must clean your lips with a lip scrub or a simple baby tooth brush. Then only apply the lipstick. It is because the lipstick has a crème and slightly messy finish. So, in order to prevent flakes on your lips it’s best to begin with clean lips.

In terms of longevity the lipstick stays for a really long time. I apply it in the morning and till lunch it is very much there. Even after a heavy lunch it fades evenly. After which I re apply a bit and then it is again there till there end of the day.

The bonus with this lipstick is that after drying it never settles into lip lines which I absolutely hate. After the colour fades the lips still feel soft and moisturized.

Pros of Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose

1. Available online and offline

2. Affordably Priced

3. Has a crème finish

4. Universal colour

5. Stays quite long

6. Lips is soft and moisturized

7. Comes with a goodness of SPF 15

Cons of Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose

1. Lipstick bullet can break easily

2. Application can turn nasty

Rating :

Packaging : 4/5

Texture : 4.5/5

Longetivity : 5/5

Shade – 4.5/5

Overall rating – 4.5/5

Editor’s Note: That’s a pretty shade indeed! I hear one of their best selling in this creme touch range.

Have you tried Colobar Lipstick in Candy Rose yet?