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Tips & Tricks to Click the Perfect Makeup Selfie, Coolpad Note 5

Tips & Tricks to Click the Perfect Makeup Selfie

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Tips & Tricks to Click the Perfect Makeup Selfie

Hi guys,

Now if you follow me on Instagram, you know I post a lot of selfies! Majority are clicked on the spot, coz I get the best lighting in the car which is not direct and yet bright enough near the windows.

I am using the new Coolpad Note 5 and have clicked quite a few selfies with this. The camera offers Night mode, Beauty Mode and Pro mode. You can adjust everything manually in the Pro mode.

It also has Watermark, Long Exposure, GIF and Panorama settings.

Here are few tips and tricks to click the perfect selfie, I have included the Do’s and Dont’s in pic form.

1. Always click facing the light, not against

This is the most important thing. Face the window or a source of light when you click a picture, never the opposite side of the window or the window being behind you. See the difference here..

When the source of light is behind, the picture would be very dark, and also your dark circles would be emphasized.

2. Try and use the rear/back camera

Majority phones have a better rear camera and the sharpness and clarity would make a huge difference. Now you may not be able to see where and how it is being clicked, but with practice, you will find the perfect angle 😀

See the pic above with the front and rear camera..

3. Keep the phone slightly above the face angle

Never keep your phone below your face angle while clicking, that is the most unflattering angle for your face and would also show up your double chin :/ Clicking from above gives a defined face structure and jaw line 😉 See the difference..

4. Never click exactly from the centre

Now when you keep the phone exactly at the centre, you may look squint as both your pupils face the lens and also the features are not very flattering from the centre. Slightly tilt your face towards left or right, whichever side is your best angle. You will find it with trial and error. See the difference here from the centre and slightly tilted..

5. Basic makeup for the perfect picture

Now we have the ‘Beauty’ feature to make us look pretty even without makeup, but a little concealer and brightening the under eye area and high points of your face, will also make a huge difference. Always use a concealer for under eyes, bridge of nose, center of forehead. Use a nice, bright lipstick, pink, red or berry. Bright lipsticks instantly brighten your complexion. Now I have not crossed the pic with nude lipstick here, as nude is also OK but bright is better! A little blush and highlighter would give a nice flush to the skin and give a dewy appearance to the skin. A good volumizing mascara will open up your eyes.

6. Use the ‘Night’ mode

If your phone has a Night mode, make sure you use it for all the pictures clicked during night time. With regular camera mode, the pictures may turn out to be more grainy and unclear.

7. Editing

When all else fails, a little bit of editing helps 😀 Crop your picture to hide something unflattering or when you do not want a particular area to be included. VJ Anusha doesn’t like her big forehead and the veins showing, so she usually clicks cutting her forehead or crops it later. Also adjusting the Brightness/Contrast/Structure/Warmth makes a lot of difference. I use Aviary and Snapseed.

And still if you are not happy with your pictures, there are always ‘Filters’ 🙂

I hope you liked these tips, I tried to include pretty much everything.

I am loving these pics clicked with the all new Coolpad Note 5. It has 13 MP rear camera and 8MP front camera with LED flash. You will be amazed hearing the price, it’s only Rs. 10999/-

See more details and buy HERE

Do you follow these tips? What are your secrets for a perfect selfie?

How to Fight Under-Eye Discoloration Naturally?

Dark Circles, How To, Skin care, Tips, Tips and Tricks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How to Fight Under-Eye Discoloration Naturally?

By Nidhal

Eyes are the windows to one’s heart. So true! But they are a lot more than that. They are also indicators of your health. Given the kind of lifestyles we all are living, we frequently tend to cross paths with dark circles, patchiness, discoloration, puffy eyes and what not. The first stage is of denial when we see signs of these pesky woes. Conveniently and more aptly sceptically we wring up our hands in disbelief brushing aside those signs.

A few more days roll by and then those signs begin drawing unwanted attention for people point it out. That sends the ‘Oh-No- Something’s-Wrong’ flag soaring high. Petrified, we wade across over-the-counter measures and what not to allay them but more often than not, such products do not throw positive results. Disappointed, we fall into a whirlpool of pessimism. But hey, worry not. We have a treasure trove of pocket-friendly recipes-none invasive, painful or costing you an arm and a leg at your disposal that’ll leave you heaving a sigh of respite.

1. MALAI/MILK CREAM- Milk has great lightening abilities for the skin and can be a very affordable option for dealing with dark circles under the eyes, which can have great results. Milk cream is a derivative of milk. Being a powerhouse of fats, malai is what you need if you suffer from under-eye discoloration.

PROCEDURE- Simply dab and massage a tbsp. of fresh milk cream using your ring finger (for it is the gentlest in massaging) carefully on your under-eye area. Do not let it enter your eyes. If it does, wash off immediately. That’s it. Sleep with it. In the morning, you can wash it off. Let it work its magic overnight. Continue every night for at least a week. It shows results and how! I vouch for this method provided it is followed painstakingly and regularly. And yes, it softens the area too. Double-whammy, did I hear you say that?

2. ALMOND OIL- Here comes the weapon that has been relied upon since times immemorial to banish those dark circles- Almond oil. Shouldn’t there have been drumrolls in the background as I introduced it?

Coming to its virtues, almond oil is anti-inflammatory, thus it reduces puffy bags under the eyes and dark circles. It is a good source of vitamin K, which improves clotting, reducing discoloration under the eyes.

PROCEDURE- Application is simple. Simply slather and massage the under-eye area with almond oil (few drops) every night dedicatedly without fail for at least a fortnight. Sleep with it and let your skin repair itself overnight.

3. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL- If almond oil has made an appearance on this list, can EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) stay far behind? EVOO is the best grade of olive oil for it is least processed and contains maximum nutrition. It comes in glass bottles and is higher than all other variants. It works wonders in allaying wrinkles. Ladies approaching their twilight years can still shed a few years of age off their skin with the help of this wonder oil.

PROCEDURE- Massage a few drops of it on your under-eye area. Please note that massaging is important. That is what matters else the oil will merely sit on your skin and not nourish it the way you want to. Do this every night for 5 minutes gently for at least a fortnight. You will be spellbound with the positive turn of events.

4. GREEN TEA BAGS- Packed with a number of antioxidants, green tea helps banish dark circles and keeps them at bay for as long as you continue sipping (or as I do, gulping) it.

PROCEDURE- Put two green tea bags in the refrigerator for at least an hour. After that, keep them on your eyes. It’s alright if it’s not entirely on your under-eyes. It nourishes eyelashes too so, you have the best of both worlds there.

5. CUCUMBER JUICE- Not only is the cool cucumber (you surely would have heard the phrase ‘as cool as a cucumber’) rich in vitamins and minerals which helps to hydrate, nourish and tone skin, but also brighten the under eye area, so that you can say ‘good bye’ to those pesky dark circles permanently. What needs to be done?

PROCEDURE- Mince a cucumber into a few slices. Actually, two would do. Freeze them for half an hour and then, keep them on your eyes. Bid farewell to all those woes pertaining to your under-eye area.

Editor’s Note: Those are fab tips Nidhal. I swear by almond oil, I am currently using the Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil and 3 drops are more than enough! Also just wanted to add, be careful when using the oil, make sure you don’t go too close to the eyes or it doesn’t enter inside, it kind of blurs vision for the entire night :/ Also I recommend the Rogan Badam Shirin, it’s the most economical and easily available option when it comes to purity.

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

Have you tried any of these for under-eye discoloration? What do you swear by?

Elle 18 Color Pop Matte Lipsticks Review, Swatches

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Elle 18 Color Pop Matte Lipsticks Review, Swatches

Hi guys,

I know this post has been much requested, I got the package late as it went to my old address, but finally here is the review..

Shades Available: 20

MRP: Rs.100/- (Buy HERE)

If you remember my previous Color Pop Boost Lipsticks review, I absolutely loved them! So Elle 18 came up with this matte range recently, let’s see what I think of it..

It comes in the black Elle 18 packaging with a round shape on top and the trademark cartoon print on it. The Color Boost Lipsticks were priced at Rs.150 and these ones are even cheaper at Rs.100. Also those were in 10 shades, while this new range has 20 shades!

Packaging is kind of ok, it is a little flimsy but the cap shuts tight. At 100 bucks, I cannot expect a fancy packaging and I am pretty ok with this.

In terms of pigmentation, they are amazing. All the swatches you see here are 2 swipes each. 2 swipes will give you full, opaque coverage on the lips.

Staying power is also pretty decent, they stayed for 5-6 hours on me without eating/drinking and about 4 hours with light snacks/drinks. Even after food, it doesn’t go away completely. Also leaves a nice, deep stain behind.

They come off easily with any makeup remover/cleanser. It does get into fine lines on the lips, but doesn’t accentuate them.

Clockwise: Selfie Red, Deep Pink, Chocolate Day, Let’s Tango, Rose Day

The shades I have are Selfie Red, Deep Pink, Chocolate Day, Rose Day, Let’s Tango

Here are the swatches..

L-R: Selfie Red, Deep Pink, Chocolate Day, Rose Day, Let’s Tango

Selfie Red is a neutral apple red

Deep Pink is a gorgeous deep pink, as the name goes

Chocolate Day is a gorgeous deep berry brown

Rose Day is a beautiful rosy pink

Let’s Tango is a coral orange

And here are the shades on me..

Clockwise: Selfie Red, Deep Pink, Chocolate Day, Let’s Tango, Rose Day

Please excuse the dryness around my lips, the skin there is behaving really bad and that particular dry patch is just not going, whatever I use! It comes right back even with oils, as soon as I stop using them :/

My favourites are Deep Pink, Rose Day and Chocolate Day. Chocolate Day is the perfect fall/winter shade. I can’t wait to check out more shades. Only con with this is availability. They would only be available at local beauty stores, online on Amazon they have high delivery charges.

If you find them at a store near you, grab them! You won’t be disappointed, these are absolutely amazing. Highly recommend. Total value for money at Rs.100/-

Update: Also did this video..

Have you tried the new Elle 18 Color Pop Matte Lipsticks? Your favourite?

Top 10 PAC Cosmetics Products Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

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Top 10 PAC Cosmetics Products Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

PAC is brand which I first saw on this blog itself and I loved the way Bhumika reviewed the Beauty Blender sponge which looked exactly like the Original Beauty Blender sponge. Ever since that I have been following the brand on Instagram and I love the new launches they are into. Most of the time the products turned out to be an excellent ones from various bloggers and experts across India and in fact, their products are also very high in demand. I believe they have a store in Andheri, Mumbai where you can easily access all the products and apart from that, the brushes are available on Flipkart and many other products are also on Amazon India. The only thing I don’t like is that I have to pay shipping charges for each and every product and the product are of very limited availability. The quality is impeccable which is why I really think they should expand the branches and make it more easily available for us. Another thing I would like point out is that their products are very different and something which won’t get in the Indian market easily.

So, let’s get on with the list.

1. PAC Beauty Blender Sponges – Pink Sponge (485 INR) Black Combo (745 INR) Mini Blenders (285 & 385 INR) (Buy HERE & HERE)

This is one of their bestselling product and a very close dupe of the Original Beauty Blender sponge. It is red and black in color. They also have quite a variety when it comes to sizes. Firstly, the big sponges have two variants – one with the tear drop shape and the other with the RT sponge shape. Also, the mini sponges are available in two variants as well. They have soft in texture and bloat in size when you squeeze under tap water. However, Bhumika has already updated that sponges are to be dealt very carefully as too much roughness will tear it out easily. It blends smoothly without absorbing too much product and a great option if you don’t want to invest on the expensive Original Beauty Blender.

2. PAC Brushes and Master Stroke Brushes (Price varies from product to product) (Buy HERE)

Brushes are as important as good quality makeup and I absolutely adore the collection they have. Most importantly the range is huge – from eye brushes, lip and face brushes, they have it all. Most of the brushes are also a close dupe of MAC brushes (which will cost you a fortune!) and the quality is no less. They have soft bristles, properly trimmed and blends everything like a dream. Also, they have a whole collection of Master Stroke brushes, which are available as a set and also individually. These brushes are the dupe of Artis Oval brushes and the bristles are smooth and soft like a dream. Overall, the brushes of PAC are the best investment for makeup tools.

3. PAC Eyeshadows (250-350 INR) (Buy HERE)

There are very few Indian brands which has single eyeshadows and also the variety of colors are insufficient and incompetent compared to the MAC ones or Makeup Geek. However, PAC has these single eyeshadow refills (which you can easily put it in a magnet palette and make your customized eye palette) available in a very affordable price tag. These have shimmery, frosty, pigment and matte finish along with good pigmentation and smooth blending ability for a great eye makeup look. The wear time is also nice. It is great for beginners as well as professionals.

4. PAC Lip Pots – 485 INR (Buy HERE)

These are the little lip pots which comes in small tub like packaging. The packaging includes a lip brush which will help you to apply the lips colors properly and you won’t have to use your fingers. They glide on the lips very easily and the texture is smooth and creamy. It gives a satin matte finish to the lips a very comfortable to wear for dry lips. It lasts quite long on the lips. The colors don’t fade too much or feather or bleed at all. The only thing is that it transfers slightly.

5. PAC Long-Lasting Kohl Pencil – 350 INR (Buy HERE)

The Long-Lasting Kohl Pencil has a sharpenable functionality with a smudger at the end. It has a super pigmented feature, creamy texture that glides on the eyes very easily. It gives a rich pigmented layer with a couple of strokes and great for regular kohled eye or smoky look. It doesn’t smear and hardly smudges. The kohl has a very good lasting power, around 6-7 hours with minimal fading. For the price, it is surely cost effective.

6. PAC 2 Way Big Eye Mascara – 595 INR

The PAC 2 Way Big Eye Mascara is surely an innovative one at that. It is a dual ended mascara with a slimmer wand for lower lashes and bigger one for upper lashes. It gets the job does quicker, better and easier. It adds both length and volume which is surely a great one. It hold the curls well and the unique design of the bristles help the lashes a lot. It is surely one of the best mascaras in this price and great for everyday wear.

7. PAC Eye Lashes – 165 INR (Buy HERE)

PAC has an array of Eye Lashes which is surely something to look forward to. The eye lashes look very natural yet dramatic enough to perk up your eye makeup look. They are very much reusable with a little care and carefulness. The eyelashes are very affordable and the bristles are soft. Overall, these are one of the must haves.

8. PAC Intense Duo Eyeliner Pencil – 585 INR (Buy HERE)

PAC Intense Duo Eyeliner Pencil comes in an attractive silver pencil with the retractable functionality. The texture of the pencil is extremely creamy and smooth which glides on the eyes like butter. This is surely a versatile product as you can easily use this an eyeliner and kajal. The finish is satin matte and the pigmentation is surely one of the best for the price range. The black color is rich and dark for an intense look. The staying power is also impressive.

9. PAC Studio Finish Primer – 885 INR (Buy HERE)

This Studio Finish Primer is a silicon based primer which has a thin clear gel like texture. It goes on the skin very smooth with its light weight formula. The weightless texture doesn’t feel oily or sticky at all and blends wonderfully into the skin. It also blurs out the pores as well. It helps the base makeup to go on very smoothly without any creasing for a good amount of time. The primer would suit bot dry and oily skin.

10. PAC Color Lock Long Lasting Lip Liner – 385 INR (Buy HERE)

PAC Color Lock Long Lasting Lip Liner has a sharpenable functionality with a beautiful texture. It is extremely creamy which doesn’t tug or pull at all and glides well on lips. it is better to exfoliate the lips beforehand. The pigmentation of the colors are impeccable and gives a beautiful matte finish which is comfortable to wear. They are long lasting, prevents bleeding or feathering of lip color and well-priced as well. The only con is that the shade range has too many reds and no other colors.

Editor’s Note: I liked the pink blender when I first used it, but it tore in first wash which I updated in the blog post. Also when I tried YBP, I realized YBP was much better! But double the price, so in the price range of INR 500, this is surely good. I haven’t tried their duo sponge pack yet. Neither any of the eye shadows or eye lashes. Love some of their makeup brushes, really good! You missed their Eyeliner Pen, which is my absolute favourite

Have you tried PAC? What is your favourite?

The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3 in 1, Daily Solution Review

New Launches, Reviews, Skin care, The Body Shop, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3 in 1, Daily Solution Review

Hi guys,

Today I am reviewing these two new products added in The Body Shop Tea Tree Range. I have been using these since about 2.5 weeks now and here are my thoughts..

The Body Shop Tea Tree Range 3-in-1 Wash Scrub Mask

Claims: A clean and mean multi-tasking cleanser with foaming kaolin clay, volcanic minerals and Community Trade Tea Tree Oil that tackles the appearance of clogged pores, blackheads and shine. Perfect for those with blemish-prone skin. Use this triple threat cleanser as: 1. A daily wash to purify 2. A scrub to clear and tighten the appearance of pores and smooth the skin’s surface 3. A mask to deep cleanse and mattify the skin’s appearance

MRP: Rs.1295/- for 125ml

Ingredients:

This is the star product of this range. It’s a wash, scrub, mask all in one. It comes in a green flip cap tube packaging.

It has a white creamy base with small grey-black granules in it. Now when you use it as a face wash, it doesn’t foam and you actually end up using it as a scrub.

So I feel it should have been scrub/mask only. But as a scrub, it works great. It exfoliates very gently and would be perfect for sensitive skin too.

I love using it as a mask though. And then once it is dried, I wet my hands and scrub it, so basically I use it like both, at once 🙂

It dries super quick, in about 5-7 minutes, since it it clay based. It has a tingly, minty smell and feeling. Skin looks clean and completely matte post washing. It feels tighter and the pores look closed. Since it has tea tree and kaolin clay, this mask is absolutely perfect for oily, acne prone skin.

And the fact that it is multi-tasking is nice, as you can carry only this when you are travelling. Recommended.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Range Anti- Imperfection Daily Solution

Claims: Our 100% Community Trade tea tree oil is infused into the NEW Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution for just the right amount of all-over-face application, to pack a punch against blemishes. The result? A lightweight, fast-absorbing serum at an effective dosage.

MRP: Rs.1595/- for 50ml

Ingredients:

This comes in a big glass bottle with a dropper. The bottle is transparent but has a green tint.

The formula of this daily solution is very light, it feels exactly like water. It is runny and you need one pump i.e. about 8-9 drops for using all over the face. It has a strong tea tree smell.

Tea tree oil is a little concentrated and should be used only on acne and diluted with another base oil or water, if you have sensitive skin. This daily solution is already diluted and hence, safe to use all over the face, even for people with sensitive skin.

With time and regular, continuous use, it also helps in fading acne spots. It also has salicylic acid, alfalfa extracts, aloe vera, tocopherol (Vitamin E) along with tea tree oil.

It does not irritate the skin at all. I have not had any major breakouts since the time I am using this. One-two white heads on the nose, which have also settled down, on their own.

If you have always been a fan of the classic tea tree oil from The Body Shop, you will love this too! It may seem a little expensive, but the quantity offered is a lot. Especially for the Daily Solution, it is 50ml and you need 8-10 drops per use.

The main ingredient of this entire range i.e. tea tree is being sourced from Kenya, helping the farmers there and enriching their lives. As always, The Body Shop does it’s bit.

Also they have a special game created for this range ‘Battle of the Blemishes’, you can play it HERE. You can unlock special offers from The Body Shop clearing each level!

I recommend both these products for oily, acne prone skin. These are perfect additions to the Tea Tree Range.

Have you tried The Body Shop’s 3 in 1 and Daily Solution yet?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

New Luxury Beauty Box: VanityCask | Review & Unboxing

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New Luxury Beauty Box: VanityCask | Review & Unboxing

Hi guys,

I have come across a new luxury beauty box in the market which is VanityCask. I tried their skincare box this month and here are my thoughts..

About: VanityCask is a beauty box that gets delivered to your home periodically. It contains samples of luxury beauty brands, handpicked by experts, to suit Indians. Our first box, for example, contains 5 skincare samples from international brands such as Clinque, Vichy, Votre, Kama and Thalgo.

MRP: Rs.999/- per box (Buy HERE)

This is their first skincare box, next they are coming up with haircare and bath & body box.

It comes in a sleek, black box packaging with a magnetic fold. They have their logo in pink on top. The box is quite sturdy and nice, the contents inside are in a pink cloth tie up bag.

Products I got:

  • Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream
  • Kama Ayurveda Rejuvenating & Brightening Night Cream
  • Thalgo Ultra Hydra Marine Mask
  • Votre Absolute Hydration Moisturizer
  • Vichy Capital Soleil SPF50 Sunscreen

Now I like the fact that they have not included sachets, but good decent sized samples. Especially Clinique & Votre are very good sizes. Even Kama Ayurveda night cream is pretty decent size. I would have liked 2-3 more tubes of Thalgo and Vichy though.

The box comes with a booklet which has more details about each box, including the key ingredients and directions to use. Also they have a few offers at the end, like this time they have the Anjali Mukherjee’s Rs.1000 voucher.

They claim to have luxury beauty brands only and each box will have 5 items. So that’s a plus point, as we know there would be no unknown brand and 5 items for sure.

I would have liked the price to be Rs.800-850 though, as Rs.999/- is a little expensive, but if I get a few more tubes of each sample, then I guess it’s fine. Also if they come up with a luxury makeup box, then I definitely don’t mind Rs.999/-. I hope soon 😀

Things I liked:

  • Decent sized samples
  • All luxury brands
  • Free Shipping & Payment on Delivery
  • Assured 5 items
  • Discounts & offers
  • Detailed booklet

Things that could be better:

  • Priced a little lower
  • More quantity of smaller tubes

Overall, I would say it’s a nice box to try if you love luxury beauty brands and would like to try more samples first, before investing in full sized products. Especially for people who don’t live in metro cities and do not have easy access to the stores to go and check out the testers or get samples. Now you can sit at home and try out these luxury beauty samples, and then order the full sized online, if the product works for you.

Have you heard of VanityCask? What do you think?

October 2016 Fab Bag Review & Unboxing

Fab Bag, Makeup, Reviews, Subscription Boxes, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

October 2016 Fab Bag Review & Unboxing

Hi guys,

I just got the October Fab Bag and recorded a video, here is the unboxing and a small review..

Read my previous Fab Bag reviews:

MRP: Rs.599/- per month (Buy HERE)

It’s the Festive/Diwali edition and the bag was a metallic gold clutch this time. I like the clutch but I wish the quality was a little better and it was stiffer.

Products I got:

  • CAL Finish Up Compact C02: INR 650
  • Votre Lip Gel Scrub (10g): INR 300
  • Kaya Brightening Serum (5ml): INR 1490 for 30ml
  • Vedaearth Cleansing Facial Oil: INR 350
  • Stay Quirky Nail Polish: INR 165 for 6ml

Total value of the products: INR 1715

I am quite happy with the CAL full sized compact and cleansing oil. Also liked the serum and nail paint, not a fan of the smell of the gel lip scrub, though I would use it. I hope the smell doesn’t bother much.

Overall, pretty decent bag. You can pick any makeup product of your choice, I went with the compact. Recommend this month’s Fab Bag.

Did you get your October Fab Bag? What did you pick?

Himalaya Herbals Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask Review

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Himalaya Herbals Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask Review

Hi guys,

If you follow me on social media, you would have seen this summer kit I got from Himalaya Herbals few days ago including this Orange Peel-Off Mask. I have used something like that ages ago, so I was quite excited to try it again as peel-off masks are fun! 😀

So here are my thoughts on it..

Claims: Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask is an effective blend of the natural skin lightening extracts of Orange Peel and Honey which help reduce skin tan from the very first use. Orange Peel works to control melanin synthesis with the peeling action helping to remove skin tan and lightening the skin tone. Honey soothes and moisturizes skin.

Key ingredients:

Orange Peel effectively lightens skin tone and can be very beneficial as it eliminates excess facial oil without damaging the skin. The Vitamin C and antioxidants present in Orange Peel work collectively to provide even-textured skin while acting as natural cleansers.

Honey contains superior antibacterial, probiotic, and healing properties and is extremely nourishing and hydrating.

Directions for use: Apply Himalaya Tan Removal Orange Peel-Off Mask evenly over cleansed face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Allow the mask to dry for 10-15 minutes. Gently remove the peel from the side of the face. Use once or twice a week, based on skin type. Do not apply on broken or inflamed skin.

A patch test is recommended before using on the face for the first time. Apply the mask in a 2×2 cm area on the inside of the hand below the wrist 24 hours before facial application. Follow the directions for use to ensure skin tolerance.

Ingredients:

MRP: Rs.130/- for 100g (Buy HERE)

It comes in a standard Himalaya Herbals white tube packaging with a green flip cap. The smaller 50g tube is very handy and travel friendly.

It has a prominent orange citrusy smell and looks and feels like a gel. Though it is slightly tacky and dries pretty fast, so be quick in application. You need a very thin layer and it glides on the skin easily.

It dries completely in about 10-15 minutes (thin layer 10 minutes, a little thick 15 minutes), and then comes the fun peeling part. Be mindful of the mask completely drying or else it won’t peel off.

Orange peel is full of Vitamin C which not helps in giving healthy, plump skin but also helps in fading scars with time and evening out the skin. Honey is anti-bacterial, so helps against acne and also moisturizes the skin. The peel-off action basically removes all dead skin cells, and hence with gradual use, removes tan.

Also peeling off helps in blood circulation on the face coz of slight stretch and that gives a nice flush/glow on the skin.

Skin feels fresh, glowing but matte, post the mask. It does not crave moisturizer.

I love using peel-off masks and currently enjoying this. It will help in getting rid of tan with regular use i.e. about twice a week. Recommend this 🙂

Have you tried any peel-off masks? Which is your favourite?

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