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First Colourpop Haul, Review, Swatches | How to Buy in India, Colourpop Best Sellers, Indian Makeup Blog

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

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

Hi guys,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lumiere is a dusty mauve pink

November is a mid tone warm peachy pink

Point Zero is a cool toned grey brown

Beeper is a warm mid tone taupe

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

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

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

So Quiche

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

Nillionaire

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

LaLa

LaLa is a satin finish rose gold

L-R: So Quiche, Nillionaire, Lala

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose Review, Swatches

Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose Review, Swatches

 By Pallavi

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

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

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

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

Price : Rs. 450 for 4.5 Grams

My Views :

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pros of Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose

1. Available online and offline

2. Affordably Priced

3. Has a crème finish

4. Universal colour

5. Stays quite long

6. Lips is soft and moisturized

7. Comes with a goodness of SPF 15

Cons of Colorbar Crème Touch Lipstick Candy Rose

1. Lipstick bullet can break easily

2. Application can turn nasty

Rating :

Packaging : 4/5

Texture : 4.5/5

Longetivity : 5/5

Shade – 4.5/5

Overall rating – 4.5/5

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

Have you tried Colobar Lipstick in Candy Rose yet?

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner Noir Black Review, Swatches

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner Noir Black Review, Swatches

By Linda

Hello ladies…

Today I will be reviewing a liquid eyeliner that I purchased around 3-4 months back from a drugstore, and it is called Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner. I was looking for an easy non messy and glossy application of winged eyeliner and the sales assistant at the counter suggested for this product. Was really impressed after testing it for the first time and decided to go ahead and purchase it. Recently I was going through Maybelline website (India) and noticed there are two products that appear to look almost similar in regards to felt tip application that is Maybelline Colossal Liner and Maybelline Eye studio Hypersharp Liner. I haven’t used either of them so won’t be able to comment on it. So let’s go ahead and find out about Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner

Maybelline Website Claims:Master flow with our exclusive ultra-thin 0.4mm brush tip applies continuous flow for smooth, even, perfected lines. No mess or excess.

Master Intensity with our ink technology that keeps pigment saturated.Long wearing, water and smudge-proof eye liner. Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested. Fragrance free. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lenses wearers.

Ingredients:

Price: 3.5 Kuwait Dinar (KWD) / Approximately 800 INR

Shelf life of 6 months from opening

My take on this liquid eyeliner

Packaging: Lightweight, Pen shaped with a fine soft felt tip. Travel friendly. The cap fits on tightly due to which the formulation does not dry out easily.

On application this eyeliner enables you to draw precise and defined lines since it glides on smoothly over the eyelids. It is because of the fine soft tip you can achieve a neat defined line of varying thickness. I would say this product is ideal for the beginners who are trying to rock winged eyeliner.

The soft textured formulation gives jet black pigmentation with a glossy finish. On my oily eyelids it did last for 6-7 hours and it definitely did not smudge. For non oily eyelids, trust me it will last even longer. This product is not water proof as it claims; with one splash of water you will end up looking like one melting panda. So due to its fine tip and being non-water proof, it isn’t ideal for your water line.

I always apply this eyeliner over the eyelids and it does not irritate at all.

If you are looking for a quick easy application then definitely go for this product. But if you are looking for something that is really long lasting ,for waterline application and for super oily eyelids then definitely this is not the product you need

Pros:

  • Travel friendly
  • Ideal for beginners
  • A sophisticated look can be easily achieved
  • Reasonable price
  • Did not cause any irritation

Cons:

  • Non water proof
  • Requires multiple swipes
  • Few seconds are required for the formulation to dry after application

Rating: 3.5/5

Would I recommend Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner? Yes for beginners .But for experts there are many other better options available in the market.

Editor’s Note: Sounds ok. My favourite here is the Maybelline Colossal Liner, but I will give this a try if it launches here.

Have you tried the Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner yet?

Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12 Hr. Wear Waterproof My Boyfriend’s Jeans Review, Swatches

Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12 Hr. Wear Waterproof My Boyfriend’s Jeans Review, Swatches

By Pallavi

Hii Girlies,

When any of the international clothing or makeup brand gets launched in India, it becomes a gala time for all of us makeup and fashion lovers. So, you can imagine the level of excitement when Sephora launched it’s first store in Delhi. I heard someone referring that it was like a “Sabzi Mandi” for makeup enthusiasts. Yes, the crowd was crazy and the excitement knew no bounds. I was also very thrilled by the opening of Sephora but I anyhow controlled myself and decided to check the place some days later or may be some weeks later. So, after 2 weeks I visited the place and I couldn’t stop myself. It was really fun to see brands like NYX, Burt Bees and many more there. I was really tempted for some of them but 1 product out of the entire lot there was really special for me. I couldn’t wait to lay my hands on the Sephora eye pencils. I have heard a lot of praises about them and I was dying to try them. So, I bought the and here follows the review of the same.

Product Claims : A Contouring eye pencil for a big, beautiful look that lasts up to 12 hours. Enhance and enliven your eyes with bold, long – wearing color of these eye pencils. The silky formula is resistant to water, heat and humidity up to 12 hours of smudge less wear.

Price : Rs. 890

My Experience:

Packaging wise most of the Kajal pencils are just same. They come in pencil shape which is really sleek and slim. It has black body with the electric blue cap at the top. There are some details enclosed on the body of the pencil which I really appreciate. The pencil can be easily fit inside your pocket and thus extremely travel friendly. You need to sharpen the pencil every now and then which of course leads to product wastage.

Coming to the formula of this Kajal is has a very smooth tip. It glides on the eyes also very easily and smoothly. It is very soft on eyes and even sensitive eyes would not feel any irritation. I wear lens on regular basis but I didn’t feel nay irritation or burning sensation in my eyes. It is extremely comfortable.

Coming to the shade which is aptly named as “My Boyfriend’s Jeans Electric Blue” of this Kajal and it is true to it’s name. It is more of a neon blue which is a fun and peppy shade. It is a perfect summer shade and will add glamour and style to your look and entire personality. It is bright and thus is a perfect day time color. But if you want to wear it in night then it will look Fab with monochrome or black outfits.

I apply this eyeliner on both of my upper and lower lash lines. I begin by sharpening the kajal at the tip and then apply it both the upper and lower or water line. After applying it, I let it set for about 5 minutes or so and then I am good to go.

Coming to the staying power of this Kajal is stays on me entire day long. I apply it in the morning at around 9 A.M. and till 7 P.M. it is very much visible and intact. The Kajal does not smudge or fades on the upper line.

But the story is entirely different on the lower lash line. It smudges on the sides and even fades a bit. So, I stick to applying the Kajal only on the upper line at present.

Pros of Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12 Hr. Wear Waterproof – My Boyfriend’s Jeans

1. Terrific shade

2. Long staying power

3. Does not irritate eyes

4. Smooth texture

5. Easy in removing

Cons of Sephora Contour Eye Pencil 12 Hr. Wear Waterproof – My Boyfriend’s Jeans

1. Does not stay that long on the water line

2. Not easily available in India other than Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore

Rating – 4/5

Editor’s Note: That’s a pretty shade of blue.

Have you tried the Sephora Contour 12 Hr Waterproof Eye Pencil yet?

YesStyle.com Unboxing: Korean Skincare & Makeup

YesStyle.com Unboxing: Korean Skincare & Makeup

Hi guys,

I am a big fan of Korean brands when it comes to skincare & makeup. Their makeup has super cute packaging and pigmented and bright, pretty shades! Also their skincare is fabulous, they follow extensive routines and an average Korean girl uses 14-16 products in the morning & night separately! Can say looking at their clear, translucent skin!

I got a box full of Korean skincare & makeup products from Yesstyle.com. Yesstyle stocks all Korean brands from Missha, Etude House, The Face Shop, Innisfree, Laneige, Tony Moly,etc. It also has Japanese brands like Shu Uemura, SK-II, Canmake, etc. And not only just beauty, it has fashion items from clothing, shoes, bags, accessories to basically everything. You will be hooked onto the site for hours!

Let’s look into the products I got, I got Top 10 Best-Selling Must Try products of 2016. They have a separate Top 10 Must try products category and all these products are listed there, go HERE

  • Berrisom Oops My Lip Tint Lovely Peach
  • Tony Moly I’m Real Mask Sheet 1pc- Rice
  • Beauty People 10 Seconds Auto Pencil Eyeliner Diamond Brown
  • Berrisom Oops Tint Cheek Cushion Sugar Pink
  • TOSOWOONG Blackhead & Sebum Out Nose Pack 8pcs
  • Laneige Lip Sleeping Pack 20g
  • MACQUEEN Creamy Lip & Cheek Tint (#01 Light Pink)
  • Etude House Collagen Eye Patch
  • Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Cover & Bright Fit SPF30 PA++
  • Etude House Color My Brow 9ml

All the products are pretty interesting. I have already tried the Berrisom Oops My Lip Tint Peel Off in Lovely Peach and also recorded a video, that will be coming soon. Subscribe to my channel to stay notified.

I have tried the Etude House BB Cream before, it was in a different packaging then, read HERE. Or if this is a different variant, I am not really sure coz the name is the same. I absolutely loved that BB Cream and I would so glad if it’s the same one and the same shade.

Also excited to try the Blackhead nose pack and eye patch. My lips need the sleeping pack/mask as they are in a very dry state right now :/ I am glad I got this at the right moment.

Also both the Macqueen Creamy Lip & Cheek Tint & the Berrisom Oops Cheek Tint are soft mauve pink and everyday shades which I am looking forward to try.

I was looking for a brow mascara since a long time and the Etude House Color My Brow in Brown is just perfect. And also the Diamond brown eyeliner. Also have tried many sheet masks but I don’t think I have tried one from Tony Moly, so would try that soon. You can follow me on Snapchat (@bhumika_t) for mini reviews, pictures, experiences 😀 I share it all.

Overall I am quite happy with all the stuff and excited to try most of these 😀

Have you tried anything from Yesstyle.com? Do you like Korean skincare & makeup?

Busting Shaving Myths- Part 1

Busting Shaving Myths- Part 1

Hi guys,

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know I had taken the Gillette Venus #SubscribeToSmooth challenge last year, read more HERE

There are many myths associated with shaving which only scare girls to try out shaving, while the truth is shaving is the most easy, non painful, time saving, effective and economical method of hair removal!

I have been shaving since quite a few years now and even I was scared initially, but later on I realized how everything we heard about shaving was untrue and it is actually so, so convenient! I am hooked to shaving and want more girls to try out shaving without hesitation.

I will be busting some myths associated with shaving and explain why they are totally untrue. I have divided the myths into few parts, so I will be busting the first myth in this post and few later in other posts

Myth 1: Shaving makes your hair grow thicker, darker and faster

It is just the top part of the hair we cut when we shave, so the hair that grows and comes out later is the inside part which is in the roots of the skin already,which is a little darker as it has more melanin and hence we feel that the hair is growing thicker and darker. It is just that the hair that was within the skin comes out and we feel it is different when actually it isn’t. It is a part of the same hair follicle. So there is no change in hair texture or color or thickness in anyway due to shaving. Hair growth/colour depends on genetic factors and is internal, shaving cannot make your hair grow faster or thicker or darker.

So your genes and hormones determine your hair regrowth and it is not related to shaving at all.

I hope I busted the myth and cleared some concepts. If you have been wanting to try shaving but feel unsure because you felt your hair will grow darker or thicker, I hope you do try now 🙂

Gillette Venus Razor and the Satin Shave Gel are my go-to. The only razor for women in India currently which are super easy to use and economical too. You can buy this All In One Pack HERE.

Have you tried shaving? If you have any other queries/doubts regarding shaving, do let me know in the comments below 🙂

September 2016 My Envy Box Review & Unboxing

September 2016 My Envy Box Review & Unboxing

Hi guys,

I got my September My Envy Box just now. This month’s theme is ‘Travel’ and I absolutely love the suitcase shaped box! Definitely keeping this box 😀 It looks so cute, I love the designs each month.

MRP: Rs.850/- (Available HERE)

Products I got:

  • Dermalogica Oil Free Matte sachet: Rs 3825 for 50ml
  • Kronokare City Detox Face Wash 30ml deluxe sample: Rs 395 for 100ml
  • TRUUTH Beauty Formula Tablets: Rs 400 for 30 pills
  • Ma Earth Botanicals Rose Facial Scrub 40g Deluxe Sample: Rs 875 for 125g
  • C.A.L Detail Me Mascara: Rs. 450 for 12ml
  • C.A.L. Muah Collection Lip Gloss: Rs 450 for 10ml

Unfortunately my Kronokare face wash leaked inside the box, half of the face wash smeared all over the box. I cleaned the box and let it dry, I hope it doesn’t feel soapy or sticky.

The Kronokare City Detox face wash has grapefruit oil and lavender oil. It smells really good, looking forward to try this.

Another product that impressed me is the Ma Earth Botanicals Rose Scrub, it’s in dry form with crushed rose petals in it. Smells absolutely amazing, I am most excited to try this out.

I got two full sized makeup products from C.A.L. I have never heard of this brand, so I searched a bit. CAL Cosmetics LA is a new Indian brand and have a range of face, eyes and lip products. I got the lip gloss in the shade ‘Spicy’ from their Muah Collection, not sure if it’s High Gloss or Stay On, but considering how pigmented and staining it is, I believe it is from Stay On Range. I love the bright coral colour and the staying power is pretty good for a gloss, it’s more like those Maybelline Velvet Matte Lip Colours.

Also got the CAL Detail Me Mascara. I quite like the gold packaging, the outer boxes for both the products were a little rusty. I am not sure why.

The TRUUTH Beauty Formula pack of 30 tablets is a new ‘supplements’ introduction in My Envy Box. It has Biotin, Collagen and claims to be good for hair, nails and skin. Since this has red mark, I am not sure if I will have these as I am a pure vegetarian. I wish they had included something with green mark which everyone can have, or confirmed before sending this or given an option.

And finally Dermalogica Matte Sunscreen small sachet sample, I don’t like sachets so don’t have anything much to say about this. Dermalogica always has super tiny one time use samples. If My Envy Box includes Dermalogica samples, they should include at least 4-5 of these.

Also this month My Envy Jewellery Box has Simran Chhabra designs, you can get extra 10% off using ‘SIMJB10’ and get the box at Rs.2205/-

Overall I quite like the Ma Botanicals Rose Scrub and looking forward to try both of the CAL products. In terms of value for money, this month’s box is definitely total value for money! You get 3 full sized and 2 deluxe sixed samples worth Rs.1700! Recommended

What did you get in your September My Envy Box?

Top 15 New Bridal Mehendi Designs for Hands

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?

7 Exercises To Get Those Perfectly Toned Legs

7 Exercises To Get Those Perfectly Toned Legs

By Nidhal

Whatever be the attire, if you have got a pair of sculpted and toned legs to flaunt, it’s going to be a much-needed icing on the cake. When it comes to Western wear particularly those that reveal one’s legs such as- shirt dresses, skirts, hot pants, capris or even an itsy-bitsy two-piece, a pair of toned legs is a sight to behold. Given the paucity of time at hand, here is a rundown on some easy exercises that you can incorporate in your life to leave you with a pair of absolutely enviable toned legs.

Awaken the fitness freak in you!

1. SQUATS- You would have probably heard that squats are the key to tighter and toned butts. They are. What’s lesser known is that squats also leave you with absolutely drool-worthy legs that you just can’t stop looking at with sheep’s eyes. Squats assist in building muscles (including one’s quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves). Simply stand with your feet apart, roughly as much as the distance between both your shoulders. Stand straight- this is the MOST important point. If done erroneously, it will undermine your entire body posture. Bend over your knees and make a 90 degrees angle. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Increase the frequency with experience and ease.

2. SKATER LUNGE- To do this exercise, you need to have a considerable hold on your body that is, balance. Don’t fret, you don’t need to be an expert, just a little control on your posture. How to do this? Cross your right leg behind your left leg as you bend your left knee into a half-squat position. Extend your left arm out to the side, and swing your right arm across your hips. Hop a few feet directly to the right, switching the position of your legs and arms. Done? Great, that’s one rep. Continue hopping from side to side till you reach 10 reps. Increase the frequency overtime.

3. LEG LIFTS- This one’s a cakewalk! Simply lie flat on your back with your legs stretched out in front of you. Now, bend your knees, straighten your legs and straighten your legs until your feet are pointed at the ceiling. Hold for 30 seconds and that’s it. One rep is completed! Didn’t I tell you it was a piece of cake? Increase the frequency as you get accustomed to it.

4. HIP BRIDGE- The bridge (also known as the hip raise) is an excellent exercise for strengthening the back of the legs as well as the core. Please do not do this you have back injuries. To those who don’t, doing this is a cakewalk. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Then, raise your hips in such a way that your body forms a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Pause and then slowly lower your body back to the floor. That’s it! You have aced one rep.

5. STANDING FORWARD BEND/UTTANASANA- Here comes an asana from a centuries-long science of healing and well-being- Yoga that would leave you with sculpted legs in no time. If you have any back injuries, please do not give it a shot. Uttanasana looks arduous yet once developed a hang of, it becomes a cakewalk. All you need to do is keep your knees straight, place your fingertips or palms on the floor beside your feet, or touch the back of your ankles with your palms. Hold the pose for 30 seconds and revert to the original posture.

6. WARRIOR POSE 3/VIRBHADRAASANA – Another Yoga asana to your rescue, Virbhadrasana helps one battle cellulite. Simply lift your left leg backwards as you inhale, extend your hands, ensure that your back is straight and once your left leg and hands are completely horizontal, exhale. That’s all, wasn’t it cushy?

7. LOW LUNGE- This exercise not only works on one’s legs but also aligns the back incredibly. All that needs to be done is extend one’s leg (say-left) backwards while keeping the other one (right)bent. Then, clasp your hands together and stretch upwards as much as you can.

Image Source: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Editor’s Note: That’s a much needed post Nidhal, thanks for this.

Do you follow these exercises?

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

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?