As it is said that you should listen to your mother. She is always right. And similar to every household my mother passed on some of the age old things to me. Her beauty and skin care secrets were some of the things she passed me. Among which BOROLINE stands as no. 1 skin care secret. Boroline Antiseptic Ayurvedic Cream is an age old cream. It’s not a recent discovery. I guess many generations in India have been using this. And it’s a definitely a hit product.
So, today i am reviewing one of my favourite and everyone’s too – Boroline Antiseptic Ayurvedic Cream.
Price : Rs.40 for 40 grams
Directions : Take the cream in your fingers. Apply on any of the cracked or chapped part of your body. You can apply on your foot heels, lips, hands, face and likewise. Blend the cream a bit with your hands after applying.
Shelf life : 5 years from the date of packaging
Smell : Ayurvedic
Colour : White
What Boroline Claims : A protective and soothing emollient for chapped skin, cracked nipples, cuts and dry skin diseases.
My experience with Boroline Antiseptic Ayurvedic Cream
Boroline antiseptic ayurvedic cream comes in a wide tub. Recently boroline has revamped its packaging. It earlier used to come in tube form. But now, it comes in tub form too. That also in 2 sizes – 40 grams and 100 grams. i find the tub packaging quite easy to use. It’s true you have to dip your fingers inside. But at least you get a different packaging. And this packaging actually has a lot of product inside as compared to the tube one. You have the product details mentioned on the base of the tub.
The antiseptic cream is white in colour. It is thick and creamy in texture. The texture is really irritating some times. It is very thick and you need to blend a lot to sink the product inside but even then it sits on the top of your skin.
But the cream has exceptional moisturising properties. It heals and repairs almost every part of the body. Right from your cracked heels to your chapped lips it moisturisers anything. I would suggest severely dry skin ladies to use this as this is a sure shot formula to get soft smooth supple skin.
The cream smells heavily of ayurvedic which is not at all troubling for me. But sensitive noses can find it troublesome. Also, the longetivity of the cream entirely depends on your amount of use. They have no doubt a lot of product inside and even with daily usage the product is sure to last for months.
Let me list you down how should you use this cream –
Heals extremely dry lips
Works against dry skin
Works as a first aid in case of minor cuts and wounds
Can serve as an antiseptic in case of allergies
Conclusion – Boroline Antiseptic Ayurvedic Cream is a winner for me in all respects. I always recommend to this one when i have nothing else for my dry skin.
Editor’s Note: I have somehow never tried Boroline, always see the ad and feel like I should try it, now will definitely keep a small tub at my place. Nice review Pallavi 🙂
Have you tried Boroline Antiseptic Ayurvedic Cream?
Johara Instant Radiance Face Scrub, Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion Review
Hi guys,
If you remember I had reviewed Johara Cosmetics before (See HERE), they have come up with two new products i.e. the Johara Instant Radiance Face Scrub and the Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion. I have tried the Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Mist before and it smells absolutely amazing, so I was quite excited to try the body lotion.
Coming to the review, let me start with the face scrub first.
What the Company claims: Johara® Instant Radiance Face Scrub is formulated with natural exfoliating ultra-fine walnut grains and a blend of lemon peel extract and neem oil to gently slough off dull skin layers, remove impurities and promote natural cell exfoliation. Brighten up lackluster skin with this creamy formula enriched with Cococin™ CG , a nutrient rich extract from green tender coconut water to rejuvenate skin to leave skin feeling clean, smooth and toned for a simply radiant complexion.
:: Moisturizes your skin better from the inside out
:: Cleanses the skin of impurities
Directions:
Step 1: Cleanse your face with Johara® PhytoBright Whitening Cleanser to remove all the dirt and pollution.
Step 2 : Take a dab of the Johara® Instant Radiance Face Scrub and massage it all over face and neck. Be careful not to rub too hard. Recommended use is twice in a week. Regular use of face scrub exfoliates dead cells, blackheads and reveal instant radiant skin.
It comes in this bright red tube with a grey flip cap. It’s an off white creamy scrub and has a strong herbal smell.
The scrub is very very creamy and has walnut shell powder for exfoliation. The shells are grainy enough for perfect exfoliation and the cream base is so amazing that it moisturizes the skin at the same time and does not leave the skin dry at all.
I love creamy scrubs and this is one perfect face scrub, but do not use it for more than twice a week. I prefer using it once a week as I do not exfoliate the skin much.
It’s definitely slightly on the expensive side but the 100g quantity is huge and if one has to use it 1-2 times a week, this would last pretty good. You can buy it directly from the Samidirect website or from Flipkart, Shopclues, Snapdeal, etc.
Now coming to the body lotion,
What the Company claims: Johara® Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion is enriched with the goodness of Amaranthus oil which deeply hydrates and helps the skin to maintain moisture. A fast absorbing body lotion that moisturizes and softens the skin. Enriched with Cococin™ CG, a nutrient rich extract from green tender coconut water that rejuvenate and leaves skin feeling smooth and nourished.
It’s a body lotion but it comes in this green and white flip cap tube form. It is white in color and has quite a runny consistency, not as fluid as liquid but it is water based.
It smells absolutely amazing, the combination of Amaranthus and Amazon Lily is amazing, I am not a fan of floral smell but this is something very unique and nice. It is not that sweet kind of fruity floral.
The base in the lotion seems almost the same as that in the body mist of this range, coz it feels watery and dries off immediately after applying on the skin, just like the mist. It is super super light, perfects the lightest body lotion I have ever tried. It is not hydrating enough for winters and definitely needs reapplication but it is perfect for summers or humid climate.
I am going to use this more often in summers as I prefer richer lotions for winters.
Currently both the scrub and body lotion come with a smaller pack free which is perfect for travel. Again it is slightly on the expensive side for a body lotion, but if you prefer natural and sulphate, paraben free products, then very few brands have good options and this is definitely one of the best.
Highly recommend the face scrub and the body lotion is good for summers.
Rating: Scrub
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 4/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Rating: Body Lotion
Quality: 3.5/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Do you like Amazon Lily & Amaranthus combination? Have you tried Johara products?
Why are acetone nail polish removers so much better for you!
Acetone or Non-acetone—that is the question?
We have been asked times innumerable about the safest way to remove nail polishes, are acetone based removers safe and whether or not non-acetone removers are better for the nails? So here we have a short post which hopefully will appease your queries.
The pondering over the question in regards to the safety of acetone removers is as intense as the heated debate on the health benefits of chocolate. But you do not need to drown in the frenzy of arguments, as we have planned to bring forward some logical set of reasonings.
What exactly is acetone?
Acetone is the second safest solvent in the nail industry, after water. And clearly, we cannot use water to remove nail polishes, because if we could, the nail industries would have never established. Ok, enough on that. Undoubtedly there are many other solvents in the world, but none are as safe as compared to acetone.
Does acetone have any health hazards?
Health hazards? No, not any that we have heard of. Some people tend to believe that acetone has the potency to aggravate carcinogens and thereby cause cancer. This is NOT THE TRUTH. No scientific institution or research has ever proved this.
Secondly, the market hype about non-acetone nail polish removers has made people believe that acetone can get absorbed by your skin and in the process can get mixed with your blood stream. Girls, acetone CAN NOT pass through the dermis level of your nail bed. Acetone gets evaporated a bit too fast to get absorbed into your nail plate. So, it’s safe.
Why should you choose acetone removers over non-acetone polish removers?
Markets today have very strategically created the image of non-acetone removers to be the better version of acetone removers. In reality this is not true. Acetone based nail polish removers are slightly safer than non acetone removers, which basically constitute methyl ethyl ketone and ethyl acetate. Both of which are harmful for the healthy growth of nails. Surprised much?
Coming to the argument that acetone removers are drying, we could not contest it. But so are non- acetone removers, undoubtedly. In fact non-acetone removers are much more drying than acetone removers as they are not as effective as acetone removers when it comes to removing nail polishes.
Non-acetone removers were made to work basically with acrylic nails, as they used to get dissolved when tampered with acetone removers. Thus they are less effective than acetone removers, there by leaving us with no other choice than to let it be in contact with the nail and nearby skin for longer periods of time. This causes much more dryness than any ordinary acetone remover.
What to do in order to avoid dryness caused by acetone based removers?
The basic question is why do your nails feel dry after setting in contact with acetone removers? Remember when I told you that acetone was a good solvent and it dissolves all the polish very effectively. Similarly, acetone being a solvent also dissolves the natural oil and moisture from the skin surrounding your nail bed. Simple enough, eh?
Talking about the solution, it is a complete no brainer. Feed the skin with what the acetone could rip it off of. Oil! I mean if the acetone tends to strip off natural oils from your skin, slather some olive or almond oil on to the skin (not the nails, just the surrounding skin) which will be getting affected by oil.
By doing this one simple step, the acetone will be dissolving the oils applied externally, safeguarding most of your natural oils and moisture in the skin. Easy peasy!
Ok, so I am in a good mood today. Let me just throw in a bonus trick for you gorgeous girls to enjoy.
BONUS TRICK: Gel nails are beautiful and they are all the rage in the nail industry nowadays. But let us accept it, they can be expensive; and the additional expense to get them removed at the salon can be too overwhelming for some. Now, that we know that acetone is far better than non-acetone removers, let us try a simple trick here. Dab some oil on to the skin surrounding your nails. Taking a cotton swab completely doused in acetone nail polish remover place it onto the nail and cover the nail with a foil paper (the one sitting handy in your kitchen) and let it be for about 3-5 minutes. Do not unwrap the foil; just pull it straight off the tip along with the cotton.
The same trick can be used to remove chunky glitter polishes, but the acetone dipped cotton covered with foil should not be left on the fingernails for more than 3-5 minutes. It can damage your natural nail bed.
After all the heated debates and settled arguments, I have finally come to the conclusion that acetone removers are all the much better than non-acetone nail polish removers for your skin.
The only problem that acetone can cause is drying and to avoid the unquenchable-nail feeling, you can try the following acetone based DIY recipe for gorgeously nourished nails. Just take:
1. Ten parts acetone (any kind of pure acetone will do)
2. Two parts of water (normal or tap water)
3. 10-15 drops of any oil of your choice (I personally prefer using olive oil)
4. 5-8 drops of vitamin E (you can even use one or two vitamin E capsules for this purpose)
Just add these four simple ingredients into any old nail polish remover bottle and voila! You have a customized acetone based nail lacquer remover which will remove the most stubborn of nail polishes without ever drying your nails. I swear your friends will be jealous of your beautiful nails 🙂
Editor’s Note: That’s quite an interesting post Ishleen, also loved the last DIY recipe and would be trying that out. I have tried acetone free ones thinking they are all good, but the nail paint just won’t come off :/ I usually love using this oil based nail polish remover pads. This DIY thing sounds quite good and economical.
Have you tried non-acetone nail polish removers? Don’t you find them drying plus they do not take off the nail paint at all! Will you try this DIY recipe?
This is a brand familiar to every girl. Before we grew up and lusted on brands like L’Oréal Paris, MAC, Bobbi Brown, etc, Lakme is all we knew. There range of products were phenomenal and still now a rage in the beauty industry. The array of products provided by this brand has become cult favorite of every women. The best thing about Lakme is they know the exact need of every women and has an entire range dedicated for that. The Classics include some great budget friendly options while 9to5 has subtle colors and products for professional purpose. The Absolute Range, endorsed by the beauty icon Kareena Kapoor, has some amazing products and professional look.
Coming to today’s list of top 10 products from Lakme, it is indeed the toughest to choose. Even if I go for top 20, the list wouldn’t be complete for Lakme. Seldom have their launches failed and each and every product has a beauty of their own. You know they say that you can’t have it all, right? The same goes for this list. Please forgive me if I have not added your favorite product in the list. Read on to know the raved Lakme products in India. (Click on product links to read reviews or see swatches) (See Maybelline Top 10 Products HERE)
1. Lakme CC Cream (MRP: Rs.275/-) – a great multi-functional cream for all those busy women who needs to even out their skin tone yet wants to make it quick. Loaded with mild SPF 20, brightening agents add a certain glow to brighten your skin, conceals faded marks and refreshes the skin, this is like a must have! One more thing that is raving about this CC cream and sets part from other is that it is extremely flexible for the skin type. It suits every skin type – it hydrates the dry skin while gives a non-greasy look to the oily skin all-round the year. To make it look matte, you simply need to dab a mattifying powder and you are good to go.
2. Lakme Eyeconic Kajal{210 INR(BLACK) 275 INR (COLOR)}– with a staple black color and also other 5 colors, very recently to added few more shades to the eyeconic kohl group. If you are a fan of creamy kajals that gives a total smudge free and water proof look even in summers for around 6-7hours, you are absolutely digging this one. I have tried so many kajals like any obsessive makeup lover but always come back to this. Moreover, the colors are matte, creamy and looks drop dead gorgeous!
3. Lakme Enrich Satin Lipsticks(INR 260)– probably the oldest and budget friendly range of lipsticks in India which have been used by woman from every walk of life. The packaging has been very recently revamped to the steel body which looks glorious. The new shade collection and packaging has been an instant hit and received appreciation from everywhere. They have some amazing red, browns and pinks for every occasion. The finish is satin velvety and hydrates the lips as well. For such a budget friendly price tag, buy at least one from this beautiful range.
4. Lakme 9 to 5 Foundation (INR 575) – 9 to 5 is personally my favorite range and the quality is as remarkable as it gets. Out of every product of this range, my favorite is the foundation which seem to be the right match for me. It is brightening yet looks like my own skin. The beauty of the foundation lies in its texture which can also be blended with the finger tips when you are in a hurry. It works for all skin tones and gives a sheer to buildable coverage. The staying power is good hardly requires touch ups. Now they have come up with the revamped formula and packaging, the Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation.
5. Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tints – chubby lip balms are becoming a craze now a days and also the ‘matte’ mania in the beauty industry. Our very own Lakmé has brought forward the Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tints which are both chubby and matte. With a soft texture that glides like a dream yet settles matte along with an amazing pigmentation, the lip tints were an instant hit when it launched. Although it has 6 shades, every shade is absolutely stunning.
6. Lakmé Absolute Kohl Ultimate (INR 700) – Lakmé’s Absolute Kohl Ultimate known as the blackest black kajal in the market. The richness of the color and intensity of the pigmentation is to die for. It is undoubtedly long lasting and hardly budges even after 12hours. It is also a multi-purpose one as you can create some smoky look for parties and worth every penny you spend on it.
7. Lakme Nail Polish Remover(INR 70)– this has been in the market forever and also another impeccable one. There are glitter and sparkle nail paints which are a pain to remove from nails but with Lakme Nail Polish Remover I have seen it working like a magic. I have used various nail remover which does work on regular nail paints but this one is a stunning beauty which works for everything.
8. Lakmé Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural Mousse Foundation(INR 700)– another gem of a foundation from Lakme. It comes in a very cute round packaging and has 3 shades. It is feather light on the skin and also evens out the skin. It doesn’t block the pores like other foundations and let the skin breathe. Even though it is a matte foundation, it can be used for winters and yet doesn’t accentuates to dry areas. It blends flawlessly and quite budget friendly for the quality it delivers.
9. Lakmé Perfect Radiance Range(INR 275-700)– the best skin care range one can opt for. It has proper items for both oily and dry skin and with continuous usage you will notice the transformation of the skin. From face wash to gloss crème to serums – it will cater every need of yours and gives a radiant glow to the skin. It also has a night crème and capsule treatment that leaves your skin healthy and blooming in just a month. Highly recommend for the would-be brides
10. Lakme Absolute Gel Addict Eyeliner (INR 800) – the last but not least, the Gel Addict Eyeliners. With the craze of cat eyeliners, came the craze of gel liner and every brand has brought forward their versions. Lakme went a step ahead and launched the beautiful packed gel liner with the brush. The colors are gorgeous and perfect for every occasion like party, office, weddings and the list continues. It is so easy to apply and travel with that you must have one from the range.
Editor’s note: Nice compilation Sanchita, I love the Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tints and Kohl Ultimate Kajal. One of my all time favourites and/or must have is the Lakme Absolute Face Stylist Compact Powder 🙂 I would also like to add the Lakme Absolute Sculpt Studio Matte Lipsticks, love them, and the Drama Stylist Eye Crayons.
Which are your Lakme favourites? Or the Top 10 Lakme Products?
Lifestyles today are more stressful than comfortable, despite the luxuries that we can indulge in. Computers, mobiles, and all the electronic gadgets that we have involved to make our lives simpler have further disturbed our working schedules, that too on the cost of the health of our body. More work, less sleep; and the direct results are clearly visible in the puffiness and dark shadows around our eyes.
Raccoon eyes, under-eye bags, dark circles, shadows, panda eyes; all these are names of the same problem. So what basically causes our eyes to develop such conditions?
Read below to know more.
Causes
Whether you may know it or not, the skin which appears to be bluish black under our eyes is because of the skin in that area being too thin, thus making the blood vessels visible all the more. No, your blood vessels are not exactly blue; but only the wavelengths of blue and purple colors are allowed to be reflected by your under-eye skin, thus giving an impression of bluish-black under eye bags.
1. Genetics
One of the major causes of recurring or prominent dark circles is genetics. If your parents have thin skin around the eyes, or more than average blood vessels, it is almost certain that you will be passed on with the unfortunate trait.
2. Age and Gender
Dark circles under the eyes can begin to be dominantly visible in your 20’s, both in males and females alike; but they are most daunting in the old age. In old age, our skins loose elasticity and do not have the ability to regenerate the skin cells at a steady pace, thus the predominance of raccoon eyes.
3. Fatigue and sleeplessness
In case of fatigue, skin produces a chemical named cortisol, to give your body dynamism when it is working on low levels of energy. It increases the volume of blood in the body, thereby enlarging the blood vessels by creating more pressure in them. As the skin is thin around your delicate eyes, the engorged blood vessels are more prominently visible.
4. Ruptured blood vessels
At times, blood vessels under the eyes can get ruptured and the blood leaking from them starts oxidizing; leading to dim shadows on the lean membrane underneath the eyes. However this is nothing to be much apprehensive about, as in the company of the right type of treatments; this hitch can be easily rectified.
5. Excess of sleep and other lifestyle reasons
Dark under eye circles can even be caused by high sodium intake; which helps in retaining more fluids in body, leading to puffiness; which in turns makes dark circles more visible. Sleeping on your stomach for prolonged periods of time, leads to the accumulation of fluids in the facial area, especially around the eyes, causing freaky dark circles. Or say, when you have been crying uncontrollably, for any reason whatsoever, the salinity of your tears leads to puffiness around your eyes. So forget what happened and just smile 🙂
Remedies
If you are one of those few unlucky ones who have to bear with the problem of dark under eye circles, no matter what, and you do not want to spend on swanky under eye creams or laser surgeries; these home remedies await you.
a) Cucumber apart from acting as a cooling agent, also works as a lightening instrument and an astringent for your skin. Placing cucumber slices on your eyes, or gently rubbing cotton balls dipped in fresh cucumber juice can help to reduce the dark circles. Though the cucumber juice works better if you leave it overnight. Don’t worry; your skin will readily absorb it.
b) Potato juice is great to reduce the puffiness around the eyes, and is often used for treating tan spots and blemishes. Grate a raw potato, extract its juice, and apply the freshly squeezed juice to the affected area. Leave it on overnight if possible.
c) For added goodness, mix both cucumber and potato juice, and with a soft cotton pad, dab the juice gently on to the skin. Leave the juice on for about half an hour, and wash the face with cold water.
ADDITIONAL TIP: To keep the eyes moisturized, follow up by gently massaging olive, coconut or almond oil around the eye area. Remember not to put too much pressure around the eyes.
2. Frozen metal spoons
For instant relief from under eye circles caused by lack of sleep, or sleeping in the wrong posture for prolonged periods of time; all you need is two frozen metal spoons. Make it a habit to keep two metal spoons in your freezer so that you can utilize them any time you want. Just place the rounded edges of the spoon on the eye area and let it rest till the temp of the spoon becomes normal. The cooling effect will help stimulate blood circulation and also decrease the quantity of fluid accumulation around the peepers.
3. Chilled Green tea bags
Green tea is chock full of anti-oxidants, and anti-oxidants are good for your skin. Period. Dip two green tea bags in boiling water, and let them stay immersed for about 3-4 minutes. Take out the tea bags and place them in the freezer, letting them stay till they are chilled. (In the meanwhile, enjoy the goodness of your green tea.) Once the tea bags are chilled enough, place them onto your under eye areas, one bag on each eye, and let them rest for 15-20 minutes. You will notice the results for yourself.
4. The goodness of rose water
Pure Rose water is one product which is the answer of almost all skin care problems. Yes it is that good. Dab a pair of cotton balls in cold rose water, and apply it to the eyes. Let the cotton balls stay on the eyes for as long as possible and wash your face off. Do not forget to follow up with a rich moisturizer.
5. The Wonderful Tomato juice
Most of the treatments for dark under eye circles lie in our own kitchen. Tomatoes comprise of lycopene, which is a great anti-oxidant and has the ability to lighten your skin. Squeeze the juice of one ripe tomato, or mash the pulp and mix in a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice again acts as a bleaching agent and has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce puffiness. Apply this mixture under the eyes and let it stay for about 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water for better results.
6. Crushed mint leaves
Mint has amazing cooling properties which helps in instantly soothing the skin and reducing the appearance of dark discoloration around the eyes. Crush a few mint leaves using a mortar and pestle and apply the leaves as it is under the eyes. Wait for about 15 minutes and then remove any residue with a damp cotton swab. You can even mix the goodness of cucumber juice to the crushed leaves for better results.
7. Cold compress or ice pack
Cold compress works on the same principal as that of the metal spoons. The chilling effect will help stimulate blood circulation, thereby diminishing puffiness and rectifying the temporary pigmentation under the eyes. Either use a gel based cold compress, or take a few ice cubes wrapped in a thin cloth, and place them under your eyes till the ice melts off completely. Goodbye, raccoon eyes. 😉
8. The efficient milk and fenugreek seed paste
This DIY under eye face mask can work wonders to rectify dark circles. Take a few fenugreek (methi) seeds and soak them overnight. The next day, grind the seeds to form a fine paste. To this paste add a tablespoon of milk and a pinch of turmeric. Mix well, and apply the paste under the eyes.
9. White bread and milk
Milk has both fats and proteins, making it the best moisturizer for our skin. Mix this elixir of goodness with a slice of white bread, mixing it into a fine paste. Apply this paste daily on your under eye area for smoother and even toned under eye skin.
10. Say goodbye to bad habits
Smoking, drinking and stressing a tad bit too much are the main causes which can lead to hyper pigmentation around the eyes and leads to fluid accumulation, causing puffiness. For eyes that do not resemble that of a panda, try bidding goobye to these bad habits of yours.
Till when are you going to hide the dark under eye area with corrective concealers and heavy-duty foundations? It is high time you followed one of these easy tips listed above and bid goodbye to these nasty shadows which never allow you to look your best. But remember that all the points listed above are purely natural and you should not expect instantaneous results; patience is the key.
Editor’s Note: Well written post Ishleen, I am going to try some of the tips myself 😀
Do you have dark circles? Use any of the tips mentioned? Also add your own tips in the comments below which work for you.
Well if you haven’t read my part 1 yet, go HERE. And if you have, we talk about the 2nd main thing in Jaipur now, the food!
I had a fulfilling breakfast at The Bazaar at Zone by the Park in Jaipur for 2 days.
Also I am very picky about my tea, and it was perfect, just the way I like it! They serve it a mini Parle G and some crispies.
They do have buffet options for both lunch and dinner, hubby went with the buffet once. I went with a-la-carte coz I like to try different things.
I tried the Caesar Salad and Zone Chilli Cheese Khakhra Toast the first day, loved both the khakhra was real spicy and not for the faint hearted 😀
Ordered Biryani for room service once and loved it too, perfect blend of spices and served with raita, just the way a biryani is meant to be.
And also tried the Alfredo Pasta once
Not much of a fun, coz I like my pasta more cheesy. I wanted to try their wood fired pizzas which are their speciality but there was some technical issue in the oven and I could not, my bad luck!
Other items I tried were Veg. Dumplings & Noodles with Honey Chilli Potatoes, Mango Blueberry Panna Cotta, Gajar Ka Halwa and Moong Dal Halwa. I found the dumplings a bit under cooked, absolutely loved the honey chilli potatoes. The artificial mango taste killed the panna cotta but it was not the season, so can’t blame them. Love their Indian desserts, moong dal halwa and gajar ka halwa were terrific!
I recommend their buffet and Indian sweets apart from the pizzas, salads, biryani and breakfast of course is included in the stay. I saw many people visiting just at the Bazaar restaurant for the dining experience too.
Few other places that are a must visit in Jaipur when it comes to food are:
Doodh Mishtan Bhandar (DMB Sweets) for sweets of course and kachoris, mirchi wadas, all farsans are equally good.
Rawat Sweets, for their Pyaaz Kachori! They are mind blowing, even got them packed. And rest of the sweets plus ghevar, got all packed! Mawa Kachori is also good if you like sweet stuff, a little too sweet for me. The stuffed khandvi was the best! Hated the lassi, full of essence and way too sweet.
Chokhi Dhani, you cannot not come here when in Jaipur. It’s an experience in itself, a little pricey at Rs.900/- per plate, but it includes an entire experience of seeing around. You can do activities like boating, camel riding, or playing games, buying stuff,etc., at an extra cost. But looking around, watching the dances and shows, and the different historical and religious places recreated is all included in the entry. The food is amazing, authentic and pure Marwadi food full of ghee! The way they serve and feed you is amazing.
Coming back to Zone by the Park, they also have a mini infinity pool, a rooftop bar, a gym and a spa. They have a separate club area which they were making sound proof and the work would have been completed before 31st Dec.
Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
I also tried a spa service, went for the Swedish Body Massage as I wanted something with light pressure coz of my back and leg fractures. The masseuse was very gentle and I felt completely relaxed. I was a bit nervous at first since this was the first body massage post the accident, but she was quite light with her hands and I loved it! She used lemongrass oil for the body massage and it also covered head massage. My body felt light and skin felt super hydrated even in that cold climate, post bath too and without any additional moisturizer.
Swedish Body Massage at Zone By The Park Spa
I do recommend trying out the spa services too and burning all the calories from the yummy food at the gym or by swimming! You have so much to do in Jaipur outside and within the hotel too!
This was one memorable trip for me!
Have you been to Jaipur? Tried all the yummy food?
So a few days ago I went to the L’Oreal Academy for the L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Ritual Experiental. Let me tell you a little more about the Mythic Oil Range and the service.
Mythic Oil Range: A unique range infused with 4 precious oils to unlock the secret to that legendary hair you’ve always wanted!
Argan Oil, a deeply hydrating oil known to restore smoothness and shine
Cotton Seed Oil, an oil that helps in regeneration
Rice Bran Oil, deeply nourishes each hair strand to leave hair smooth and soft
Cranberry Oil, A precious oil with illuminating properties to enhance the radiance
Your Mythical Must-Have: Mythic Oil Rich Oil
The Mythic Oil Rich Oil is a versatile oil like no other! Try it before you shampoo, to give you that deep nourishment! Use it as a styling product for that legendary look with a magical shine or overnight for intensive nourishment.
Rich Oil is a perfect blend of the most potent oils in nature; Argan oil from the magical argan tree or “tree of life” and rice bran oil. This versatile oil is immediately absorbed for a light weight feel, leaving the hair looking deeply illuminated and magical nourishment. This Oil is sure to be your mane-favourite!
It has 8 different types of rituals which depend on the condition of your hair. Since I had travelled to Jaipur and the hard water and climate there made my hair quite dry, we went with the ‘Mythic Repair Magic‘.
Mythic Repair Magic, a deeply nourishing ritual, specially designed for repairing extremely dry and damaged hair. It gently treats the scalp and helps protect hair against frizz and also illuminates it.
Here is a small vlog of the procedure:
Coming to the procedure:
1. Usually the ritual starts with application of a mix of ‘Rich Oil’ and ‘Oil Bar’ concentrate. But since my hair was not washed 2-3 days prior, the expert first washed my hair and blow dried it, for the ritual to work better.
2. And then a mix of oils is applied on every section of the hair and the scalp.
3. Scalp is massaged for about 5 minutes.
4. Hair is washed again with the Mythic Oil Shampoo.
5. Then the mask is applied on each section of hair, which has a few drops of the ‘Rich Oil’ mixed in it.
6. It is kept for about 10-15 minutes
7. Hair is washed again but only with plain water this time.
8. Blow dried and the Rich Oil is applied towards the lower half and ends.
I absolutely loved how my hair felt post the treatment. As mentioned above due to travelling and change in climate, my hair was in the worst condition possible and very dry, it was back to normal and more softer and smoother.
Duration: Around 1-1.5 hours
Price: Rs.1000 to 1500/- depending on the salon from where you get it done.
L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Ritual is available at all major salons all over India.
Here are the ‘Before-After’ pics, ignore the half hair behind :/
The ritual is pretty economical and any salon nearby you would be doing it for about 1000 bucks, I definitely recommend getting it done once in 2 months, if you don’t have the time to get it done once in a month. It makes a huge difference to the hair.
I also got the Mythic Oil range for personal use and would review the range too after using it for about a month or so.
Have you tried the L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Range yet? Will you try this experiental?
P.S: Services were offered by the brand in exchange of review but that has not affected my opinion.
Today we are talking about the perfect engagement look i.e. the makeup, hairstyle and the jewellery. Let me share a few engagement looks you can opt for:
1. Traditional Look
The traditional look would be the basic gold/bronze/copper eyes and a dash of green/purple/blue according to your outfit. Match it with a hot pink lipstick and soft curls for the hair. You can part hair at the centre for the maang tikka and add a nice necklace to finish the look. This look is perfect for a daytime engagement look. Also don’t forget to add false lashes, I had used them too! And they make a lot of difference.
2. Fun & Girly
If it’s a small ‘family only’ function and you are wearing a simple anarkali, you can go for neutral brown/gold eyes and soft peach lips. An updo with curls on the side would look great and a maang tikka with heavy statement earrings will finish the look. You can skip the necklace here as you don’t want the ‘over done’ look.
3. Boho Chic
For the modern boho bride, you can opt for a messy fishtail bride and accessorize it with a necklace. Soft brown eyeshadow, winged liner and matte red lips on the makeup front. Wear a bindi to finish the look. Polki necklace and earrings are the perfect match with this look.
4. Modern Evening Look
If you have a night time engagement cum party kind of a function. opt for a gown and a glamorous night time look is your best bet. A nice messy bun and smokey eyes with nude lips are perfect. Go for nice statement chandelier earrings and a cocktail statement ring.
Few things to keep in mind:
1. Don’t over spray your hair, it is quite visible and looks made up. I had gone for soft curls with a pouf and my hair is way too soft, I had to spray a lot to keep them in place and trust me, it doesn’t look good in person.
2. Contouring looks good in pictures but you would be meeting a lot of people personally, so don’t over contour, keep it very light and natural.
3. If you opt for false lashes, go for very natural looking ones and not too over sized or dramatic. Also make sure they are glued and stuck well, you don’t want them to come off in the midst of your function.
4. Nails, it will be all about your ring and the hands 😉 Well manicured nails with some pretty nail art and you will get amazing pictures. I went with the classic French manicure, coz I believe they look beautiful with the mehendi. You can also add rhinestones or some floral studs on the white French.
5. Bangles, this is the day when you go all out. They look pretty and complete your entire outfit and look beautifully.
6. You can also add a waist belt/jooda if you are wearing a saree or lehenga.
You can always mix and match the above looks, you need not stick to any single style. I had opted for tight curls with a pouf on top for my engagement. I did not go for a maang tikka but just necklace and earrings and of course lots of bangles. Makeup wise, I went with a mix of bronze and brown with hint of blue as my outfit was blue. Soft pink lips and a small bindi completed my look.
Three things that you must do for any look:
Dewy, highlighted skin
Filled eye brows
False Eyelashes
Rest is upto you and your outfit 🙂
Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Wella Professionals Elements Range Launch & First Impressions
Hi guys,
A few ago I attended a new launch by Wella Professionals, the Elements Range at House of Tales in Kala Ghoda. It was launched by Wella Innovation Expert Dr.Kerstin Meyer Lipp and the Elements Range Brand Ambassador Nimrat Kaur.
Since it is all about green, forest and natural, the theme was white and green and the entire setup was white and green too. We were even sent a ‘Peace Lily’ plant invite in a white tea pot which is extremely cute and useful. I have kept it in my balcony 🙂
Wella Professionals introduced Elements to the Indian market ; it is the first Wella Professionals range of care products which are free of sulfates, parabens and artificial colorants. Wella Professionals has also specially created a new fragrance, inspired by the green wood’s of the Amazon forest.
Wella Professionals Elements is inspired by nature to provide up to ten times more strength against breakage* for renewed hair vitality. Wella Professionals Elements protects the integral keratin structure, keeping your hair shiny and healthy, but without some of the chemicals usually associated with hair care products. Keratin is the principal component of hair – a protein which acts as the building blocks of the hair. If the keratin is degenerated, the hair will become weak and will lose its shine.
Sulfates, parabens and artificial colorants are commonly used, safe ingredients in hair care and have been extensively tested but some people wish to avoid them, so the scientists at Wella Professionals have developed the exclusive NuTREE complex.
The NuTree complex is enriched with natural tree extract – a powerful antioxidant which helps reduce free radical damage. Sustainably sourced in Germany, the natural tree extract also has anti-irritant properties to balance and calm the scalp.
The natural tree extract is joined by panthenol, also known as pro-vitamin B5, which penetrates deeply into the hair to repair the inner keratin cell structure and bind moisture in the hair. The result is hair which looks smooth, healthy and is nourished from the roots to the tips.
Commenting on this addition to the Wella Professional range of Products, Wella Innovation Expert Dr.Kerstin Meyer Lipp said, “I think natural products have made their way back in fashion. People are becoming increasingly aware of the ingredients contained in the products that they use in everyday life– such as hair care products. As part of trying to live a healthy lifestyle, they are now looking for more natural alternatives which contain fewer chemicals, but do not compromise on performance.”
Nimrat Kaur talked about how she goes through a lot of heat and hair styling and dozens of chemicals in those hair styling products, on an everyday basis. And she would love to use something natural and free of chemicals as her scalp is quite sensitive and something that soothes and calms the sensitive scalp is perfect for her. She tried the Wella Pro Elements Range over her oiled, styled hair and was astonished by the results.
On the first row listening attentively like a student 🙂With Vipra and Aditi
I have used it 3-4 times till now and here are my first impressions.
Claims: Renew hair vitality and reveal its natural beauty. Elements’ NuTREE complex helps to repair and protect hair from keratin degeneration and is perfectly suited for colored hair.
Renewing Shampoo Claims: Sulfate free shampoo that renews the moisture of the hair, preserving and nourishing it from root to tip. Exists in 30 ml, 250 ml, 1000 ml.
HOW TO USE: Apply to damp hair and massage gently into a lather. Rinse thoroughly.
TEXTURE: Luxurious foaming experience
Ingredients:
MRP: Rs.975/- for 250ml
Renewing Mask Claims: Paraben free repairing mask that intensively restores and preserves the natural inner structure and strength of the hair. Exists in 30 ml, 150 ml, 500 ml.
HOW TO USE: Apply after shampooing. Massage and leave for 5 minutes. Rinse out.
TEXTURE: Extra lightweight cream
Ingredients:
MRP: Rs.1075/- fro 150ml
It comes in a white bottle with green plant picture on the packaging. It is a flip cap bottle and let me warn you that it is not travel friendly. I carried it along on my recent trip to Jaipur and it messed up my entire bag :/ If we intend to carry it with you, make sure you tape or seal the cap, then you are good to go.
The mask comes in a tub packaging that is safe to carry around and easy to store and use.
The shampoo is transparent and slightly runny in texture. It has this woody, foresty smell which I really liked. It foams like nobody’s business. It will help you get rid of all the oil in one go, but if your hair is quite oily or dirty or if you are using hard water, you may need to shampoo twice. I had to use it twice in Jaipur with the hard water.
The renewing mask is thick and white in color and it has the normal ‘shampoo’ fresh smell. The mask is quite hydrating and nice, it controlled my frizz even in super cold climate.
Using both the shampoo and mask together gave soft, smooth, hydrated, frizz free hair. But make sure you do not use too much of the mask or it will weigh your hair down.
I am really happy that this range is sulphates and parabens free. If you have straightened/colored your hair or have gone for cysteine or anything such, this range is perfect for you as going sulphate free will keep the color/straight effect for a longer duration.
L- Mask, R- Shampoo
Plus sulphate free is anyway good for all types of hair, just that it takes a few washes for the benefit to show on your hair since the hair is so used to the normal sulphate shampoos.
Though the range is slightly on the expensive side, it is like an investment to maintain your color/cysteine.
Wella Elements is available in all leading salons across India such as Jean Claude Biguine, Affinity, Bodycraft, Toni & Guy , Strands, Tresslounge and Headturners.
What do you think about Wella Elements Pro? Which sulphate free range do you use? Will you try this range? Do let me know in the comments below.
I am not sure if I missed anything, I covered it all 🙂 Let me know your 2015 skin and hair favourites in the comments below. Makeup favourites coming up next.
