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Top 15 New Bridal Mehendi Designs for Hands, Indian Bridal Blog, Indian Beauty Blog

Top 15 New Bridal Mehendi Designs for Hands

Bridal Files, Mehendi Designs, Mumbai Bridal Diaries, Tips, Tips and Tricks, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 15 New Bridal Mehendi Designs for Hands

Hi guys,

If you know I had my ‘Mumbai Bridal Diaries’ series covering my engagement and wedding and all posts related to that, see HERE. I am kick starting the Bridal Series again as the wedding season is approaching and what better than starting with mehendi designs.

Sanchita will take from here..

Hello everyone,

Bridal season is going to start soon and I am sure the would-be brides are busy planning everything. Internet, now-a- days, is flooded with every bridal need – from hair style, makeup artists to lehengas. But with so many choice it becomes very difficult to choose the one for your D-Day. Therefore, we thought of bringing you the Bridal Diaries where we would short listed the best of the best for everything a bride needs. This time we came up with the best bridal mehendi designs for hands.

No matter which part of India you belong to, mehendi is a must have thing for the brides except for few traditions. Mehendi has been a part of marriages since time immemorial and there is a reason why the bride applied mehendi or henna on her hand. Firstly, weddings are stressful and tiring and applying henna, which is a very powerful medicinal herb, helps to cure the headache.

It cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense. This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house nerve endings in the body. It is also antiseptic and protect from viral diseases. Further, improves blood circulation in the body and improves general health.

It is also considered to be a sign of good luck and festive occasion. Traditionally, it says that mehendi has a rich smell that act as a powerful aphrodisiac and boosts the romance in the initial days of wedding. It is better to use the pure and herbal mehendi or henna which is derived from plants to be used on hands. Chemical ones often causes irritation and contains toxic chemicals in it. The mehendi should be dark burgundy, brown or coffee in color, especially which are natural.

Let us see the wonderful mehendi designs for hands.

1. Peacock designs are the common favorite for everyone when it comes to bridal designs. It has a very feminine and gracious look and widely used in various ways.

2. This is another full hand peacock design but the designs are extremely elaborate. It has several floral and leaf patterns in between which would look flattering for the wedding.

3. A rich floral design which is extremely easy to translate. When the mehendi stains the skin with its deep brown or coffee color, the flower seems to almost come alive in all its glory.

4. An elegant peacock mehendi design with floral patterns. The combination is beautiful.

5. Circular motifs are wonderful and has an aesthetic appeal to it. They look beautiful and well decorative. This is a wonderful design who wants simple and elegant look.

6. A typical bride-groom design. What can be better than this for a wedding?

7. A fine art floral design with semicircular pattern. It has a very soothing touch to it.

8. A full hand floral design for the brides.

9,10,11,12 – These are all the peacock designs combined with the floral and Arabic pattern. All the designs are ideal for weddings.

13. A diamond shaped elaborative floral designs for full hand.

14, 15. The floral and leaf designs combination tiny paisleys are woven together to create a delicate design pattern, the result is a very alluring and looks amazing.

Tips to make mehendi last longer on hands –

  • Keep the mehendi on the hands for a minimum of 8-9hours. It is best if you can keep it for a whole night, around 12hrs of so.
  • Make sure the hands are dry when you are applying the henna or mehendi.
  • Make a juice of lemon and sugar syrup or powdered sugar. The mixture will be sticky but this will give a glorious color to the hands and shine as well.
  • You can also warm the hands under a light or heated box.
  • Use mustard oil to remove the scrubbing particles when you are going to remove it. Take few drops on the hands and rub together to remove.
  • Do not use water for a few hours after taking off the mehendi particles from hand. This will make the color even richer and will last longer on hands.

Editor’s Note: These are some beautiful designs Sanchita, loved the compilation! I loved the no.6 Bride Groom and last no. 15 especially.

Which is your favourite?

Bollywood Ladies Who Dazzle in Swimsuits

Bollywood, Fashion, Fashion Trends, Lifestyle, Outfit Ideas, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bollywood Ladies Who Dazzle in Swimsuits

By Nidhal

Remember the previous post on Bollywood ladies who sizzle in bikinis? Weren’t you left slobbering, drooling and wanting for more? The ladies certainly sported bikinis with enormous aplomb, confidence and a sense of pride in their bodies that one couldn’t help but have their heartbeats race at a pace most F1 racers would be put to shame. So here you with a brief rundown of those Bollywood Ladies whose swimsuit avatars have been the most graceful, tasteful and magnetic of all.

1. KATRINA KAIF- If you thought her abs in Kala Chashma were a treat to your eyes, think again! The lady’s got more to soothe your eyes. Her pink swimsuit avatar in Sau Aasmaano song from Baar Baar Dekho gives one a no-holds barred view of her sculpted sun-kissed body as she saunters on the picturesque beaches in the song. Katrina Kaif donned a pink swimsuit in Baar Baar Dekho and made sure that she brought a carefree and laidback attitude to an otherwise sultry swimsuit.

2. PRIYANKA CHOPRA- Priyanka Chopra, PC for short ensured that the temperature on the beaches of Miami increased by a few notches when she strutted in a shimmery golden swimsuit in Dostana. What I can say for certain is that cine-goers back home had their jaws drop in awe.

3. SHILPA SHETTY- And here comes another Dostana girl! Shilpa Shetty Kundra has a body sculpted to perfection. Period. But when she swaddles herself in an itsy-bitsy swimsuit while grooving to the tunes of ‘Shut Up and Bounce’ all you can do is look at her unblinkingly while controlling yourself from slobbering.

4. SHRADHHA KAPOOR- Her face and frame both bill her as a typical happy-go- lucky, effervescent and exuberant girl-next- door whom you would have always wanted to ask out for a date but couldn’t summon the courage to. But when the livewire Shraddha sports a swimsuit (with an enviable bralette) not only do you get an impetus to modify your beach wardrobe majorly but also you are left gasping for more.

5. KIARA ADVANI- The Fugly actress ensured that she took all her fans by surprise as she posed in a black swimsuit for the magazine cover of Maxim India February 2015. Kiara Advani’s sensual avatar here certainly grabs one’s eyeballs.

6. ESHA GUPTA- The Desi Angelina Jolie- Esha Gupta oozed seduction, magnetism and appeal as she swaddled herself in an itsy-bitsy swimsuit for Elle Magazine. The cover of the magazine reads “Esha Gupta in summer’s sexiest swimwear”. After having a look at it, one cannot help but nod almost hypnotically in approval.

7. JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ- Sri Lankan import and former beauty queen- Jacqueline Fernandez unleashed her sensual and sultry facet as she sent the carnal interests of one and all into a tizzy with her audacious and alluring swimsuit appearances in Murder 2. She certainly raised the visual appeal of the thriller by a few notches, we say!

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

Editor’s Note: I saw the movie yesterday and Katrina looked fab, the only good thing to see in the terrible movie :p She looked mesmerizing in that hot pink bikini with voluminous, blow dried hair and that tan! Also Esha Gupta and Shilpa Shetty can rock anything! Super hot bods! Agree on PC too, that gold bikini scene is unforgettable 😀

Your favourite?

OOTD, Pictures clicked with Asus Zenfone 3 | Review

Asus, Reviews, Smartphone, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

OOTD, Pictures clicked with Asus Zenfone 3 | Review

Hi guys,

I have reviewed many Asus phones including the tab before, read all HERE. I have to say this Zenfone 3 is the most exciting one, coz of the camera!

Colors: Moonlight White, Shimmer Gold, Aqua Blue, Sapphire Black

Price: Rs.21999/-

It comes with USB-C type charger, user guide, headphones with additional caps.

The Zendesign and front and rear 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass makes it look elegant and classy (also scratch free) and the design has won a few awards already!

Absolutely love the sleek design and the metal outer frame, plus it is very light weight!

PixelMaster 3.0 packs a 16MP camera with the latest Sony® IMX298 sensor, six-element Largan lens with a large f/2.0 aperture, and subject-tracking TriTech auto-focus for variable distance and lighting clarity in just 0.03 seconds. Optical and electronic image stabilization for blur-free shots and video, color correction sensor for true color photography, and true 4K UHD video recording.

The TriTech ultra fast 0.03s auto focus is the first of its kind and exclusive only to Zenfone 3. For the first time in the smartphone world, the engineers at Asus have combined three focusing technologies — laser, phase detection and continuous auto-focus — into one harmonious system. The optical image stabilizer prevents any blurry/shaky photos coz of hand movements.

The 64MP Super Resolution and Real Time HDR makes the pictures look absolutely true to life and super vivid and sharp! The pictures in Super Resolution mode are better than DSLR’s too! But of course, the files are very heavy in size.

Zenfone 3 not only looks amazing and has a fabulous camera, but also comes packed with power! It has 4-bit, 2.0GHz octa-core Snapdragon™ 625 processor, 4GB memory and desktop-grade Adreno™ 506 graphics performance. This powerhouse processor has revolutionary 14nm Fin Field Effect Transistors (FinFETs) to deliver full-on performance while reducing power consumption by 35%. World’s First 14nm Snapdragon processor with with 64-Bit Octa-Core CPU @2.0Ghz : S625 is much more powerful than previous generation thanks to new full 8 core @ 2.0Ghz. 2016 S625 is around the same level of performance of 2015 S800 series. 14nm is the most advance process technology in 2016. FinFet LPP technology increase the powering saving more than 35%. As conclusion, S625 is not mid end processor , it’s middlle-high end processor with great user experience.

It has 4G/3G dual-SIM bay for complete flexibility for up to 300Mbps (Category 7) downloads via either card, and the latest 802.11ac technology for Wi-Fi connections that scream at up to 433Mbps. ZenFone 3 even offers accelerated charging, with a five-minute top-up adding two hours of talk time to the powerful 3000mAh battery — and reversible USB-C for any-way-up connectivity convenience! The USB-C also ensures that the phone never heats up while getting charged or while playing games/surfing the web.

It has 4G LTE and works on Android Marshmallow. It comes with both 5.2 and 5.5 inch display size, this is the 5.2 inch one in Shimmer Gold, love the halo it creates.

The camera of course comes with all the classic Asus features like HDR, Super HDR, Panorama, Selfie Panorama, Sepia, Beautification, Time Lapse, Slow Motion, etc. It also has an in built editor with various filters/frames and some basic editing options.

The 16MP rear camera is super sharp and clear, I have clicked some pictures and they are all raw/unedited, I have only resized them as each picture was around 3MB!

Also used the front 8MP camera for some selfies. Front camera also has Beautification, HDR Pro mode, etc. I have clicked in normal Auto mode, Beautification mode and in HDR Pro.

Auto
Beautification
HDR Pro

I am loving the pictures!

Game Genie, Sonic Master, Finger print sensor are some of the other fabulous features to look at!

All these features and specs definitely deserve a price much higher, but 21999 is a steal for Asus Zenfone 3! I believe it has everything one needs in a smartphone from camera to battery life to performance! Total value for money! You can check more or buy them on Flipkart www.flipkart.com/zenfone-3

What do you think of Asus Zenfone 3?

Fabindia Tea Tree Essential Oil Review

Essential Oils, Fabindia, Oils, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fabindia Tea Tree Essential Oil Review

By Monika

Hello everyone!!

I was on the lookout for a good product to treat acne since a long time and that is when, I read about how tea tree oil works wonders for acne. My main concern, was deciding whether to buy the Fabindia one or The Body Shop one but, I came to the conclusion that I’ll buy the fabindia one given that, I’ll have to shell out only half the amount .So without further ado, I headed straight to the fabindia store and bought myself the tea tree oil which is supposedly to work wonders for acne as well dandruff the latter not being a major problem in my case.. To know more about my experience with the product read on.

Price and quantity: Rs. 350 for 10 ml

What the product claims: This oil helps combat dandruff and acne. Fumes help in easing nasal congestion

Ingredients: Tea tree essential oil.

My views on the product

The product comes in a dark blue colored glass bottle with a screw cap which, has a dropper inside that makes sure that, you use the product sparingly which is very important in case of essential oils. I wouldn’t carry the product around as; I would have the constant fear of breaking it. I apply a few drops of the oil with a Q tip at night only on my acne avoiding the eye area. The oil has an extremely strong fragrance and causes a stinging sensation as soon as applied which, I am ready to forsake if it actually worked for acne. But to my disdain it did not, and the next day I saw 2 new pimples on my face. The effect probably varies from person to person but for my skin it clearly did no good .I continued using this product for a few days only because I didn’t want to waste my money but, it did nothing about the acne or the scars.

This product has ensured that I wouldn’t buy any product with tea tree oil in it cause of the recurrent acne that I saw on my face with regular usage of the product.

Pros:

  • Lasts for a long time since you have to use only a few drops in a single application
  • Comes with a dropper
  • Comes with a screw cap which prevents leakage

Cons:

  • Doesn’t reduce acne or scars
  • Causes stinging sensation
  • Overpowering smell
  • Can cause dry patches on skin
  • Not travel friendly

Final word

I would not recommend this product to anyone since, it has proven to be a complete waste of every penny spent and would do nothing about the acne instead, it would cause more harm like dry patches on skin. So, if you are looking for a good tea tree oil then, this is definitely not the one.

Rating: 1/5

Editor’s Note: Oo..I am surprised this didn’t work because I have heard a lot of good things about the Fabindia oils too. The Body Shop one is definitely amazing, I have tried that. I think you should try The Body Shop one.

Have you tried the Fabindia Tea Tree Oil? Did you have the same experience?

Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion Review

Biotique, Reviews, Skin care, Sunscreens, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion Review

By Archana

Hi all,

Today, am reviewing the last product in the Biotique Anti-ageing Skin Care Routine which is the sunscreen lotion. No skin care is complete without a suncare product. Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF UVA/UVB Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion not only helps in anti-ageing but also gives a flawless, radiant skin. Let’s move on to the review.

Products claims: Nectar is the sweet fluid that flowering plants produce each day, used to sustain ageless beauty from the beginning of time. This nourishing and brightening lotion is blended with pure honey, wheatgerm and seaweed. Replaces natural oils and replenishes lost moisture. Softens and brightens skin for a noticebly fairer complexion. Protects skin with SPF 30 UVA / UVB sunscreen.

Ingredients: Ghritkumari (Aloe barbedensis), Methi (Trigo foenum graecum), Madhu (Honey), Ankurit gehun (Tritcum vulgare), Kusumbhi (Carthamus tinstorious), Lotion base Q.S.

Price and quantity: Rs.199 for 120ml.

Availability: Buy online HERE

Directions to use: Apply evenly over cleansed face and neck, before sun exposure, each morning. Wear alone or under makeup.

Packaging:

The sunscreen lotion comes in a tall, translucent cylindrical plastic bottle with a screw-on cap. I wish it came in a pump packaging instead as those are more convenient. The bottle is housed inside an outer carton which has all the details of the product. I have carried this during my travels and haven’t faced any leakage or spillage.

Texture and fragrance:

The sunscreen lotion is white in color and has a medium consistency, neither thick nor thin. It has a faint herbal scent which is not bothersome.

My experience:

I have been using this sunscreen lotion along with the other products in the anti-ageing routine. I have slightly dry skin and this sunscreen lotion suits me perfectly. I sometimes skip moisturizer and use only this sunscreen. So this serves as a dual-purpose product. It gets blended easily without leaving any white cast unlike other sunscreens and gives a dewy look. Only a small quantity is needed each time so one bottle will last for a long time.

It offers high sun protection of SPF 30 and protection from both UVA and UVB rays. I feel it also improves skin texture and makes my skin soft, smooth and nourished. I haven’t faced any breakouts while using this lotion. However, I doubt whether it would suit oily skin as it might cause them to sweat more.

Pros:

* High sun protection of SPF 30 and UVA and UVB protection.

* Does not leave any whitish cast.

* Doubles up as a moisturizer as well.

* Makes skin soft, smooth and nourished.

* Less quantity is needed, so lasts for a long time.

* Impressive natural ingredients list.

* Affordable.

Cons:

* Might not suit oily skin.

Rating: 4.3/5

Verdict: Overall, Biotique Bio Morning Nectar 30+ SPF UVA/UVB Sunscreen Ultra Soothing Face Lotion is a good ayurvedic sunscreen lotion which also moisturizes and nourishes the skin. It is free from harmful chemicals and preservatives, so you can use this safely. All skin types except oily skin can use it.

Editor’s Note: I absolutely love Morning Nectar, I had the normal version, not this sunscreen version. I used this at night since it is little heavy or during winters. But I love how it make my skin perfectly balanced and hydrated/nourished the next morning.

Have you tried Biotique Morning Nectar/Sunscreen lotion?

Aroma Essentials Orange Crush Mask Review

Aroma Essentials, Face Mask, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aroma Essentials Orange Crush Mask Review

By Nidhal

Ever watched those orange-juice commericals wherein the model squeezes fresh ripe oranges over herself and feels refreshed out of the blue and wondered HOW? No, don’t frown, there are such adverts. If the purpose is the latter (that is, refreshing your skin and adding a desirable hue of radiance)and not the former (that is, squeezing oranges on your face which by the way, even sounds odd), then there is someone listening. Any guesses? It is none other than the natural skin and hair care brand from the Silicon Valley of India ‘Bangaluru’- Aroma Essentials 🙂

Having relied on a number of products from their eclectic range in the past, I zeroed in on their Orange Crush Mask to see how far it fares on my skin and get that instant burst of energy thanks to the zingy aroma of oranges. And if all that happens sans pumping toxins in one’s body, what better could I ask for? 🙂 On that note, let us check out how Aroma Essentials’ Orange Crush Mask fared for me.

PRICE- 300 INR for 30 gm

DIRECTIONS FOR USE– Scoop out a generous dollop, massage on your wet and clean face and neck for 5 minutes. Leave to dry and rinse with cold water when completely dry.

INGREDIENTS- Crafted using the finest natural ingredients such as- orange decoction, orange essential oil and extracts.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Throw away all your chemical-laden face masks that harm more than they benefit. Here is Aroma Essentials’ orange crush face mask that drives away all the dirt and tiredness while brightening your complexion like never before!

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a simple plastic tub with a cap on top and another layer of plastic covering inside, the packaging of Aroma Essentials Orange Crush Mask looks and is quite simple. But that does mean it is flimsy. How? The cap is sturdy per se and the additional layer of covering inside averts chances of leakage altogether. I have carried it a number of times while commuting and not once, has it spilt. On that account, I find the packaging up to the mark and definitely travel-friendly.

The mask has the consistency of crushed tomatoes (yes, visualise that peppy song of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara wherein the characters played with tomatoes during the La Tomatina festival of Spain, to get an idea)! Upon opening the lid, your nostrils are in for a pleasant surprise for the zesty aroma of this mask bewitches one. I can clearly make out that it contains orange essential oil and I am glad that the aroma is not achieved by the virtue of cheap fillers/toxins.

As instructed, I smeared a liberal amount of this mask on my drenched face and neck, massaged in circular motions for five minutes and let it undisturbed for the next ten minutes. After that, with a little water in my palms, I gently washed the mask. Not only was my face visibly brighter (yes, the results were noticeable in the first use) and softer but also squeaky-clean. Since I applied the mask when it was cool (I store it in the refrigerator as was instructed), I was relaxed all the while it stayed on my face.

It does not suck moisture off my skin which is why, I find it compatible for dry skin. Even normal skin can go for it but I doubt its efficacy for use on oily skin maybe because the texture spells qualms. On the whole, for instant freshening/brightening, it works wonders but not for eliminating blemishes/scars.

GOOD-

1. All natural-content. No toxins are added.

2. Gingers one up with its zesty fragrance

3. Brightens complexion almost instantaneously

4. Does not suck moisture

5. Compatible for normal and dry skin types the most. Oily skin can use but in my humble opinion, it would benefit the former two skin types the most

6. Made in India

7. Amazing aroma. It perks one instantly. It isn’t strong so, those with a sensitive nose need not fret.

8. Travel-friendly packaging. The provision of a plastic cap inside allays the fear of leakage/spillage

9. Cruelty-free

10. Free from artificial fragrances under the garb of which a number of noxious chemicals are added

11. Dermatologically tested

12. Chemical-free

13. Order can be placed either on their Facebook page or on WhatsApp. Hence, there is ease in placing orders. COD (Cash on Delivery), however is not available yet.

BAD-

1. For the price paid, I wish the quantity were a little more. Shelling 300 INR for 30 gm sounds implausible.

2. Does not eliminate scars/blemishes

RATING- 4/5

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good, would love to try this out!

Have you tried Aroma Essentials products?

The Body Shop Oils Of Life Sleeping Cream, Essence Lotion Review

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

The Body Shop Oils Of Life Sleeping Cream, Essence Lotion Review

Hi guys,

I had reviewed The Body Shop Oils of Life Revitalizing Facial Oil last year HERE. And I have often mentioned it on my Snapchat and my monthly favourites on YouTube! It is my absolute favourite!

I tried two other products from this same range including the recent addition, the ‘Sleeping Cream’. Here are my thoughts on them..

I use the Body Shop Oils of Life Essence Lotion at first, followed by 2-3 drops of the Facial Oil and the Sleeping Cream at the end. I have been following this regime every night since the past month.

The Body Shop Oils Of Life Intensely Revitalizing Essence Lotion

Claims: Enjoy a highly-sensorial experience, with its bi-phase (oil + water) formula, this Intensely Revitalizing Essence Lotion supremely combines the freshness of water and the nourishing feel of oil. Our Essence Lotion has a lightweight refreshing texture that glides onto skin and leaves a pleasurable soft touch finish without a greasy feel. Our Essence Lotion provides instant visible results while preparing and activating skin for the next steps of your routine.

MRP: Rs.1895 for 160ml

Ingredients:

It’s a bi-phase oil and water formula and needs to be shaken well before use. It comes in a long, sleek plastic bottle and the dispensor dispenses quite a few drops. You can use it either on a cotton pad or directly with your hands, I have tried both.

It feels just like water and the oil content cannot be felt, it is very light weight and has a refreshing smell. It gets absorbed in a few seconds and it is meant to prep and activate the skin for the next step.

I was quite excited to try this out as I have never tried a oil + water essence before, but unfortunately it was giving me small whiteheads all around and on my nose. I was using this on and off and didn’t realize it was only this product. I was still figuring out what was causing the break outs and I gave my skin a break for few days and stopped using anything. Again after few days when I started using this, I got those whiteheads.

A few days ago Shalini from Be Beautilicious reviewed this product and she mentioned that this essence lotion was giving her whiteheads and I was like OMG, it is this! I finally realized it was this product that was causing those whiteheads thanks to Shalini.

I stopped using it then and now I only use the oil and sleeping cream. Though I feel I can use this on the other parts of my face avoiding the nose, I will try to use this again.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Sleeping Cream

Claims:  A night time cream, to moisturise, revitalise and nourish the skin whilst you sleep. Skin looks and feels:

– Revitalised
– More supple
– Nourished
– Visibly Rested
– Reduced appearance of ageing

MRP: Rs.2495/- for 80ml

Ingredients:

It comes in a heavy glass jar and has the same golden yellow tint outer see through packaging with the black cap. It has a white separator on the top, but I usually just slid it on top so that I don’t have to lift it each time.

The cream is light yellow in color and has the same smell as the oil, I love the smell! Though the cream is a blend of oils and has the same three blend of black cumin, rosehip and camellia (along with other oils too), it is aqua based and very light in texture. It does not feel greasy or heavy or leaves no sticky residue on the skin. It gets absorbed immediately.

I love my skin the next morning, it leaves the skin soft, supple, nourished and rested, exactly as it claims! This sleeping cream will work for all skin types as it balances the oiliness and dryness perfectly and leave the skin hydrated and moisturized from within.

How I use it: I remove my makeup and wash my face with a face wash. I use the facial oil and follow it up with the sleeping cream. I also used the essence lotion earlier before the facial oil. But since the essence was breaking me out, I only used these two.

I love it and highly recommend it! Both the facial oil and the sleeping cream, I have already recommended the facial oil to so many people and this sleeping cream is the perfect addition to it! Though it is slightly on the expensive side, it will last you for a long time! I still have 50% of my facial oil remaining and I have been using it since last year!

I would not recommend the essence lotion if you have acne prone or sensitive skin or break out easily. I will still give that a try again avoiding my T zone, but the other two products are must haves!

Have you tried the new Body Shop Oils of Life Sleeping Cream yet?

Oriflame The One Illuskin Blush Review, Swatches

Blush, Makeup, Oriflame, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oriflame The One Illuskin Blush Review, Swatches

Hi guys,

This post was in my drafts since a long time, I have been using these Oriflame blushes since a few months and here are my thoughts..

Claims: Versatile duo-shade blush lets you create perfectly contoured cheeks. Darker shade sculpts and defines while lighter, shimmering shade highlights. HaloLight Technology™ for subtle lustre. Light, silky texture and comfortable to wear.

MRP: INR 599 for 4g (On offer: INR 449)

They come in three shades and have a small, tiny square packaging. Very light weight and handy, perfect for travel. They have a mirror inside, they do not come with a brush though.

Luminous Peach: It has a satin finish deep peachy coral blush and a beige and silver highlighter

Shimmer Rose: It has a satin finish peach blush (ya it’s peach and not rose) and a peachy gold highlighter. The highlighter is beautiful, and more like blush actually since it’s peach and can be worn like a blush

Pink Glow: It has a matte coral pink blush and a beige pink highlighter. If you like matte blushes, this one is for you

The best part is you can use them individually or combined, they look good both ways.

L-R: Pink Glow, Shimmer Rose, Luminous Peach
L-R: Pink Glow, Shimmer Rose, Luminous Peach

The names are pretty confusing though coz the rose is also a peach shade and most of them are in peachy coral family. But the plus point is they work beautifully on all Indian skin tones.

You can use only the blush side for day time and combine both for night time or even use both together for day time, since the highlighter is very soft and satiny and not shimmery.

My favourite is Luminous Peach and it will look good on all skin tones from fair to dark. They are pretty pigmented and all these swatches are just one swipe, you do not need too much or do not need to go over many times with this. Staying power is decent, they stay for 4-5 hours. Only disadvantage is you need a Oriflame representative to buy these.

For the price point, they are quite good and I would say definitely buy one of these during their offers. Recommended.

Have you tried the Oriflame The One Illuskin Blushes?

Elizabeth Arden Ultra Ceramide Lipstick Brick Review, Swatches

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Elizabeth Arden Ultra Ceramide Lipstick Brick Review, Swatches

By Simran

“Show off your lips, show off your lipstick”

Hello everyone!

Don’t we all enjoy an amazing red lipstick? A red lipstick is something which instantly makes you look glorious even if you are only wearing the lipstick alone. A red lipstick has its own pros; it makes you look younger, feel confident, it is perfect for every occasion and you can wear any outfit with it. Every girl probably needs to own a luxurious red lipstick in their vanity.

So, I will be reviewing one of my favourite luxury red lipstick from Elizabeth Arden, The Elizabeth Arden Ultra Ceramide lipstick in Brick.

Claims: This lustrous, colour-saturated lipstick is infused with Volulip and delivers brilliant, moisturizing, colour-lasting comfort shine, for plumper, fuller-looking lips. Lips look fuller, more defined … and feel youthfully smooth, soft and nourished. Ceramide Triple Complex helps strengthen and re-texturize skin’s appearance, holding in vital skin-plumping moisture. Lips look fuller and younger. Contours seem more defined.

Key ingredient: Volulip ceramide triple complex.

Price: $24 or approximately INR 1650.

Packaging: The lipstick tube is black in colour with trails of golden near the cap. I bought the lipstick last year from duty-free but now the company has changed the packaging which is embossed with a design inspired by the iconic Elizabeth Arden Red Door and textured golden in colour. Despite the change in packaging, the texture and colour remained the same.

Texture & Colour: The lipstick is not exactly a glossy lipstick, it leaves a sheen on your lips; it is more of a demi-matte or moisture-matte in finish. The texture is buttery smooth and it glides on your lips like a dream and gives you a rich feel. It is very comfortable on the lips to wear. The lipstick does transfer a lot if you do not set it with powder.

Coming to the colour, the hue of the lipstick is a cool toned red or brick red. It is very pleasing to the eyes and can be worn daily to your work place.

My take on the product: The lipstick being a moisture matte lipstick is one of my favourite go-to red lipsticks. The brick red colour will ideally suit Indian skin tones. I like to turn down the lipstick to a complete matte by patting some translucent powder over it.

The staying power of the lipstick is a good 7-8 hours after which it will start fading from the centre of the lips; the lipstick can survive a good 4 course meal. It does not bleed or settle in to fine lines.

The Volulip ceramide triple complex does help in giving the illusion of plump lips and the lips appear more fuller. The company claims that the lipstick lasts a good 20 hours, which I highly disagree with.

Overall, the pigmentation of the lipstick is great and it offers an amazing colour pay off in just one swipe.

Though the lipstick is not transfer proof. I recommend using the Elizabeth Arden Beautiful colour smooth line lip pencil in the shade Crimson along with the lipstick as a lip liner underneath.

Pros:

  • Appreciable Lasting power
  • Great pigmentation
  • Will suit Indian skin tones
  • Plumps lips and gives a fuller look
  • Does not settle into fine lines
  • Gives a luxurious feel
  • Does not bleed upon application

Cons:

None I can think of.

Rating: 4.5/5

I recommend this lipstick to anyone looking for a great cool toned red lipstick for everyday use; this is one of the best options to try out in the luxury section.

Editor’s Note: That’s a pretty red!

Have you tried any Elizabeth Arden Lipsticks yet?

Top 10 L.A. Girl Products Available in India, Prices

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Top 10 L.A. Girl Products Available in India, Prices

By Sanchita

Hello everyone. I was jumping with excitement when I spotted L.A. Girl on Nykaa. Finally, a well-priced amazing quality product launched in India! I placed a huge order immediately and to my surprise, every product turned out to be a blockbuster for me. L.A. Girl is one of the most raved budgeted brands in abroad and if you follow beauty bloggers on YouTube you would know that some of the product are like Holy Grail. Although all the products are not launched in India for now and I really hope they do that in future. For now, let’s get on with the best L.A. Girl products that we can easily access without paying heavy duty charges.

1. L.A. Girl PRO Conceal HD High Definition Concealer – 535 INR

I had start off the list with this one. There had been million times I wished I could have them and finally when I saw them online (with reasonable price tag) I bought it. The High Definition Concealers are one of the bestsellers from the brand. They come in a small light weight tube with a synthetic brush attached to apply the product. It has a creamy light texture, the coverage is medium to buildable and blends on the skin like a dream. It helps to banish the appearance of all imperfections and blemishes, ensuring that the skin emits nothing but purity, clarity and decadence whilst simultaneously maintaining a natural finish. It comes in around 20 shades and 3 color correctors so you will surely find a match. The product is so versatile that it will conceal, corrector, contour and highlight for you when you go for the right shade. This is a must have product for everyone.

2. L.A. Girl Glide Gel Liner – 450 INR

A gel liner in a pencil form? Absolutely yes. The Glide Gel Liners are available in 19 shades and comes in a slender pencil form and has to be sharpened for usage. The texture is creamy smooth and feels literally nothing when you apply. The formula glides on the eyelids and waterline equally smooth, imparts a richly pigmented color that is guaranteed to make a statement. Thus, you wear it as a kajal, eyeliner and even provide a base for smoky eyes. The formula is Cruelty-free, waterproof and smudge proof. It is a closer match of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil.

3. L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss – 575 INR

The L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss is available in 15 beautiful shades. The packaging is of a plastic cylindrical one with a doe footed applicator. The texture is creamy-liquid and spreads on the lips well. Although it says gloss, the liquid dries up on the lips giving a flat matte finish and deep rich saturation of color. The color doesn’t bleed or stains at all but has a slight drying touch so exfoliation of lips is a must! The smell is a slight put off but I love the matte formula it gives and lasts the whole day on the lips. (Warning: The lighter shades are beautiful, the darker ones are a little patchy!)

4. L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick – 550 INR

If flat matte isn’t your cup of tea, go for this one. The L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipsticks are available in 26 shades, ranging from nudes, reds, browns, pinks, mauves and even blue and black. The lipstick has the traditional bullet packaging with a creamy soft formula that not only imparts high-opacity color to the lips, but also deeply conditions and nourishes at a cellular level, resulting in a soft, supple and hydrated finish. It has a satin matte finish and lasts long on the lips.

5. L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Sticks – 750-800 INR

The L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Sticks are divided into three categories – blush, bronzer and highlighter. The product has a fat and chubby packaging with retractable function. It glides on the skin very smoothly, deposits rich amount of color and blends very easily without any patchiness. It is infuses Jojoba See Oil and Shea Butter to deeply nourish and condition the skin even at its deepest layers but doesn’t make the skin oily. The variety of color, easy to apply method with Paraben and Cruelty-free formula and long lasting nature makes it worth the steal.

6. L.A. Girl HD Pro BB Cream – 650 INR

L.A. Girl HD Pro BB Cream comes in 8 shades which is excellent because Indian skin tones vary a lot and a mere 2-3 shades are surely not sufficient. It has a light creamy texture that comes in a tube form. The BB cream gives a medium to buildable coverage and a perfect choice for every day wear and you can easily skip the foundation. It is enriched with the goodness of Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, doesn’t breakout cruelty-free product and also paraben and fragrance free. The finish is somewhere between dewy and matte and also long lasting on skin. it never broke me out despite having acne prone skin.

7. L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paint Gloss – 650 INR

This is a close dupe of the Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipstick. The L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paint Gloss comes in a tube applicator and has a texture of a gloss with the color-payoff of a liquid lipstick. It gives a nice coverage on the lips and feels very hydrating all day long. It is infused with the skin nourishing Vitamin E and the ultra-cooling Peppermint Oil that deeply nourishes the lips at a cellular level. The only con is that it is transfers a lot.

8. L.A. Girl Beauty Brick Blush – 999 INR

The Beauty Brick Blush is available in 4 variety of shades and would suit every complexion. Each palette has 4 shade – 2blushes, 1 bronzer/contour powder and 1highlighter. It has a pressed powder formulation with matte and shimmery finishes for multidimensional color. The colors are nice pigmented, cruelty and paraben free and extremely great when you are travelling as you won’t have to carry too many products. They blend seamlessly and lasts fairly long on the skin. For the price, it is a steal.

9. L.A. Girl Pro Prep HD Smoothing Face Primer – 850 INR

Primer is very essential to make the makeup last long and the Pro Prep HD Smoothing Face Primer is a star product. It gives a smooth appearance by filling in fines line and pores while providing the perfect surface for foundation. It is formulated with light diffusing particles and skin nourishing Vitamin E giving you a flawless finish on or off camera. It is best suited for oily to combination skin and is completely paraben and fragrance free. It helps the makeup stay on longer in humid weather too.

10. L.A. Girl Pro HD Setting Powder – 1000 INR

Baking is the trend of the season and the L.A. Girl Pro HD Setting Powder makes the job very easy for us. It has super fine milled texture and the powder is translucent in color which is why it won’t provide any coverage but set the makeup seamlessly. It doesn’t reflect any whitish cast and photographs extremely well. It has been formulated it 100% Mineral Silica that provide a super luxurious finish, setting the makeup perfectly. The product will last long and is also cruelty-free product paraben and fragrance free.

Editor’s Note: Already ordered the Pro HD Concealers and highly recommend them, also the orange corrector for correcting Indian dark circles. The BB Cream and Contour Sticks are next on the list. Matte Pigment Gloss I would love to try the lighter shades, the darker ones are very crumbly and patchy, so check the review of each shade before ordering.

So which is your favorite L.A. Girl product?