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DIY Facial Serum for Night, Acne Prone Skin, Indian Beauty Blog, Skincare

DIY Facial Serum for Night

DIY Facial Serum for Night

By Sanchita

To begin with, I have extremely sensitive, acne prone, oily skin that is always on the verge of breakouts. Due to this reason, I avoid moisturizers (except for aloe vera gel) all my life. However, as I am approaching towards late 20s, I have been noticing that the texture of the skin looks very unhealthy and that natural glow is missing somewhere. Hence, I wanted something to rejuvenate and nourish the skin. After searching high and low for all the ingredients that works on acne prone skin without giving much trouble, I made this night serum for myself and to my surprise, I did work! I have been using it past a month and thankfully I observed some good changes in my skin. Firstly, it never broke me out and also nourished the skin. Secondly, it hydrates the skin throughout the night with getting oily or greasy. So, here goes the night elixir for acne prone skin.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Aloe Vera Gel – you can either take it directly from the plants and blend it smooth to have the gel consistency or simple buy one!
  • Jojoba Oil – Works wonder for oily acne prone skin. You can also substitute it for Avocado OR Almond Oil for preference.
  • Rose Water – either homemade or store-bought will work.
  • Vitamin E Capsule – easily available across the counter otherwise you can also opt for Vitamin E oil.
  • Sanitized Bowl – since it is a face product, it is better to have a sanitized place to start with and then transfer it to a dropper bottle or any container.

STEPS

Step 1
  • Add 1 tbsp. of rose water in the bowl.
Step 2
  • Next, add 2 tbsp. of aloe vera gel. Mix it thoroughly as both the ingredients have different consistencies and takes effort to blend well. You can also add 1 tbsp. if you want a runny consistency but I wanted sort of a slightly thicker one, so I added 2 tbsp.
Step 3
  • Add 2-3 drops of Jojoba Oil and again blend it in.
Step 4
  • Lastly, take out 1-2 Vitamin E Capsules and poke them to take out the oil. Add the mixture very comprehensively unless you see a uniform consistency without any lumps.
Final outcome
  • And Voila! You night serum is ready!

TIP: Do not make it in a large quantity because it is handmade and hence, the preservatives are missing. Make it enough for a week or two at the most.

FOR DRY SKIN – Since dry skin or mature skin needs more than just aloe vera gel, they can use shea butter or cocoa butter instead of aloe vera gel. They can also incorporate the essential oils like Almond, Rosehip, Grapeseed, etc. as per their own preference.

BENEFITS OF THE INGREDIENTS –

  • Vitamin E – Vitamin E is the main ingredient I would vouch for. It has excellent properties to revive and renew the skin cells at night. It treats the scars and marks on the skin due to ageing or acne. Being a great moisturizer, it nourishes the skin well without making it greasy or clog the pores when applied. It soothes and treats the sun burns and regular tanning of the skin. Most prominently, it make collagen that decreases the rate of aging signs like wrinkles, fine lines, etc.
  • Aloe Vera Gel – this is the HG for every oily skin. Seldom moisturizers suit us and we always find our way back to this. Aloe Vera, known as “plant of immortality”, it has numerous benefits for skin. It moisturizes the skin, heals the scars and soothes the skin from acne and nourishes without any greasy layer which gets absorbed in a jiffy. It also lightens skin pigmentation and slows down the ageing sign.
  • Jojoba Oil – it is known to fight wrinkles, stretch marks and cellulite. With high amount of ceramides which cover skin cells, it hydrates and nourishes the skin like no other. Oily skin doesn’t go well with other oils but this is an exception. It is so light weight and gets blended very easily. It also has anti-bacterial properties that treats acne and allergies.
  • Rose Water – the beauty of rose water in indefinite. From toner to face packs, makeup setting spray to hydration – it can do everything. It treats acne, soothes the skin from sun burns, refreshes and invigorates and has many anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties for sensitive skin.

Do let me know how you liked the DIY.

Editor’s Note: I swear by Vitamin E capsules, but they are so sticky and messy while applying. I guess the mix of rose water and aloe vera gel will make applying Vitamin E easier. Also I am all for essential oils, I love using them. Definitely trying this Sanchita.

Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème Review

Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème Review

Hi guys,

Today I am reviewing one of my favourite products from the Lotus Herbals YouthRx Range, the Serum + Creme.

It contains the highest concentration of the revolutionary ‘Gineplex Youth Compound’ which gives it 10 times the anti-ageing power of a day crème. It’s a 2-in-1 formula of Serum + Crème –

1. Serum penetrates the skin quickly and delivers 10X* more ‘GINEPLEX YOUTH COMPOUND’ to the dermal layer, boosting collagen production.

2. Crème nourishes, hydrates and restores skin moisture.

MRP: Rs.695/- for 30ml

Directions:

Ingredients:

One of my most favourite product from this range. It comes in a very thick glass bottle with a cap and a pump dispensor. Again a mix of gel+cream consistency. It is very light and gets absorbed into the skin in a jiffy. I just need one pump and it hydrates and nourishes the skin. I can even skip a cream post using this, coz it hydrates wonderfully even in these winters. Skin feels soft and smooth instantly.

It smells really nice and the packaging is quite good. The bottle is sturdy and perfect for travel too. I only carry this when I am going to my parents’ place for 1-2 days as it solves the purpose of both a serum and a moisturizer.

Skin feels soft and supple immediately, it hydrates the skin but does not leave a heavy, greasy feeling. You can use only this in summers, for winters, I would suggest following up with the Day Cream from the same range.

I love the Ginseng, Ginger, Milk Peptide i.e. GinePlex ingredients, you can feel it working on the skin. It is definitely soothing, I can’t really comment on lifting but skin does feel firmer with regular usage.

It is not just meant for 30+ or anti-ageing, I would recommend it to everyone in mid 20’s too, I am in my late 20’s and definitely loving it.

Even though it is slightly on the expensive side, but the ingredients are impressive and it definitely works. Also a little goes a long way.

Rating:

Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Have you tried the new Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

Feb 2016 Zotiqq Jewellery Subscription Box Unboxing, Review

Feb 2016 Zotiqq Jewellery Subscription Box Unboxing, Review

Hi guys, If you have read my January box review, you already know about Zotiqq. If not, go HERE.

MRP: Rs.1500/- per month (Buy HERE)

The Zotiqq jewellery subscription box is priced at Rs.1500/- per month but if you go for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months subscription, you get an amazing deal!

 

Feb box theme was ‘Aqua’ or ‘Sea Animals’, I think it is dedicated to ‘Pisces’. The box as usual comes in a deep navy blue and beige super sturdy box. You can store all your jewellery in it later too. Each item comes individually packed in plastic wrapping.

 

What I got:

  • A black star fish textured statement necklace
  • A bronze textured star fish ring
  • Pearl double sided strand earrings
  • A sea horse pendant long chain
  • Blue rope bracelet with an orange algae shaped hanging charm

The sea horse pendant long chain is perfect for your t shirts and sweaters. I absolutely loved the earrings, they would work with so many dresses and are super light yet chic at the same time.

The starfish ring makes quite a statement covering the entire finger beautifully, it looks like the ring is hugging your finger 😀

The mono colored black statement necklace will make a mark on a mono colored outfit i.e. all white or all green/blue. And the bracelet would work with your casual wear.

These are quite unique and interesting pieces and loved how they are combined together for the Aqua theme. I see myself wearing the ring and earrings a lot.

Definitely worth checking out the Feb Zotiqq box. I can’t wait for the March box now, looking forward to the new theme.

Have you tried the Zotiqq Jewellery Subscription box yet?

Top 12 Best & Affordable Eye Shadows in India

Top 12 Best & Affordable Eye Shadows in India

By Sanchita

Hello everyone! I am a complete eye shadow junkie. Palettes are my favorites and I swear by Rimmel and Sleek Makeup for eye shadows. Now-a-days eye makeup looks are the biggest ‘in’ thing and we love to add the dash of eye to brighten up the entire makeup look. The whole aura of any eye makeup look – be it a smoky and sultry or simple neutral eye makeup, you need some really good pigmented eye shadows. In my opinion, the Indian market really lacks budget friendly pigmented eye shadows. Be it palette or mono pans, whichever decent product is there, it is priced very high. There is another thing I noticed is that the shades are very repetitive and mattes are almost missing. Nevertheless, today I have compiled the top 12 eye shadows available in India (online and retail) which are pretty economical.

1. Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick – 415 INR

These are my favorite eye shadow sticks and I love the kind of colors they. From matte browns to beige and deep blues and greens – they have it all. It comes in a chubby fat sharpenable pencils. The texture is so smooth that it glides like a dream and blends very easily. Pigmentation is top notch and single swipe gives you the saturated color. It gives you enough time to smudge and set the color and then doesn’t budge at all. It is thoroughly water proof and smudge proof as well. The colors, when set properly, hardly creases (after 9-10hours) and can also be used a base for powder eye shadow. For the price, they are a steal. (P.S: Bronze is my Favourite!)

2. Makeup Revolution Single Eyeshadow – 295 INR (BUY HERE for 234)

Makeup Revolution has been one phenomenal budget friendly brand and has got popular among various bloggers. A lot of e-commerce sites have been stocking their mono eyeshadows and palettes and we love the variety they have. The mono eye shadows and pigments in particular are very convenient to use. They are richly pigmented, blends really well and doesn’t crease much on the lids. These are appropriate for creating various makeup looks and lasts longer on the lids without fading off.

3. NYX Single Eyeshadow – (300-400 INR)

They have a variety of matte, pearl, shimmers and duo chrome eye shadows to choose from. There are numerous colors and quite some popular ones as well. The packaging is sturdy and great for travelling. The texture is good and gives a nice color pay off. From shimmers to matte and neon, you will get every possible color. These are ideal for beginners and they perform wonderfully. You can also try the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils (Review HERE) which are equally raved among beauty bloggers. (P.S: Absolutely love ‘Yogurt’, works amazing to highlight inner corners and brow bone. The shade ‘Milk’ acts as a perfect eyeshadow base for lighter shadows)

4. Inglot Single Eye shadow single – 550 INR (They have raised the price to 550 INR, also they discontinued the round refills which were a bit cheaper. Now they only have square ones) (Some available on Nykaa & on MajorBrands HERE)

When Inglot was available online, I couldn’t be happier about it. The only reason was to shop eyeshadows. They have an amazing collection of eyeshadow pans and most of them are great dupes for MAC (MAC eyeshadows costs a bomb!). The Inglot Freedom System palette is also available which enables you to choose the perfect color combination palette you want in your life. They have pearl, shimmery as well as matte finish and more than 400 shades to choose from. The texture is wonderful to blend in and pigmentation is top notch. They hardly crease and stay put the whole day. You can also try their rainbow pans (consisting of three hues of a same color)

5. Coloressence Single Eye Shadow – 170 to 200 INR (BUY HERE)

Coloressence is quite a well-known brand in the market and they have some really good products. One of them is the mono eyeshadow collection which comes in a durable black casing. The numbers of colors in this range is slightly low comparatively but the quality is surely great to work with. They have pearly and satin matte collection and some of the very famous are the gold, burgundy, blue, black and brown. These are soft in texture and I found pigmentation is superb with one swipe.

6. Colorbar Emphaseyes Eyeshadows (Available in 27 shades and priced at Rs.550/-) and Emphaseyes Baked Eyeshadows (Available in 10 shades and priced at Rs.599/-)

Versatility of Colorbar is surely enthralling. All the finishes from matte to pearly to high shimmer available in both the ranges and hence you can create a lot eye makeup looks with these. With a proper blend of ingredients, the texture is satin smooth and a commendable pay off for your eyes. The baked eyeshadow can also be applied wet which gives an insane color pay off and rich effect to the eyes. The fall out issues are minimal and the long lasting formula makes these totally a winner.

7. Revlon Colorstay Shadow Links Eye Shadow- INR 195 (BUY HERE for 165) (Review & Swatches HERE)

If you are a beginner or want to create your own customized palette without bankrupting, this is the one for you. You can buy any desirable shade from the collection of 15 available shades and attached with one another to create the exact palette you want. The texture is smooth and really workable. Again some of them are super pigmented and nice, plus pretty economical. Definitely check out the shades Bhumika has swatched and the Copper and Gold shade is what she swears by!

8. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Mono Eyeshadows – INR 525 (Review & Swatches HERE and HERE)

With a small tub packaging, these mono eyeshadows from L’Oréal are incredibly good. It has the velvet powdery texture and soft and silky formula which glide on the lids like a dream. The pigmentation is very good and it gives a rich satin look to the eyelids. The staying power of 8-9hrs is truly praiseworthy and hardly creases even without primer. Most of the shades have metallic effect and the sheen is gorgeous for very occasion. This is one of the best quality eyeshadow available in India with such reasonable price tag. Bhumika has already reviewed the Endless Chocolate which is a stunning brown for warm skin tones. (P.S: Also love All Night Blue which is the most gorgeous blue eyeshadow in my stash)

9. MUA Makeup Academy Single Eyeshadow – 431 INR

MUA makes some really eyeshadows and be the palette or singles, each of them were great. The single eyeshadows, available in 34 amazing shades with a wide range of mattes and pearly touches, helps you creating a variety of looks for both day and night. The texture is extremely soft and super blendable and the color payoff is pretty impressive. The matte black (20) is greatly pigmented rich matte black for the smoky looks while the brown (19) can be used for neutrals and crease effect.

10. Freedom Makeup London Mono Eyeshadow – 350 INR

Very recently I bought few shades from their collection and I have to agree, they are great value for money. Comes in small round packaging, there are available in mattes, pearly (glided collection) and also certain base shades. The base shades are perfect for creating an even canvas or simple winged liner look. All the shades are well pigmented with soft textures, smooth and easy to apply for an everyday look.

11. Oriflame The One Cream Eyeshadow – 449 INR (Review & Swatches HERE)

Cream eye shadows are so beautiful and easy to work with that you won’t know until you use one! The Oriflame The One Cream Eyeshadows are available with a very reasonable price tag and definitely check out the swatches done by Bhumika. The color payoff is extremely rich, intense and creamy and the texture is so forgiving that anyone will find it easy to work with. Bhumika feels that these are just perfect to use when you are in a hurry, just blend, layer and set and you are good to go for the day.

12. Deborah Milano 24Ore Velvet Eye Shadow – 395 INR

Deborah Milano has some pretty beautiful shadows available in singles, duos and quad. Thse eyeshadows have a satin soft texture and gives a beautiful finish to the eye makeup looks. The pigmentation is worth talking about and when you use the eyeshadows in the wet form, you would notice the thrilling intensity of it. All the shades are so beautifully matches with the Indian skin tones is that, one wouldn’t be enough for you at all. It stays fairly long even without primer and dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.

Editor’s Note: I love this list, have quite a few from the above. Absolutely love the Oriflame Cream one and the L’Oreal Infallible Monos. I used to love the Maybelline Color Tattoo, sadly they are discontinued now but I still have and love the Bad to the Bronze and Pomegranate Punk.

Which is your favourite eyeshadow? From this list?

L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Review & FOTD

L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Review & FOTD

Hi guys,

If you have not seen the L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Swatches yet, go HERE.

Today I would be reviewing these lipsticks and the L’Extrordinaire Mat Lip Colours.

L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star Moist Mat Lipstick – Rs.990/-

L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star L’Extraordinaire Mat Lip Colors – Rs 950/-

To start with the packaging, the Moist Mat lipsticks come in a regular matte black packaging with the gold band at the center. The texture as the name suggests is moist mat, they are velvet matte in texture. The shades in this range need a bit of layering, with 2-3 swipes you get the perfect opaque coverage but for pigmented lips, you will need to layer more. Also the lighter shades in this range are slightly less pigmented than the darker ones and would work for fair skin tones only, they will wash out the medium/wheatish skin tone. The lipsticks also deepen on the lips and get a bit darker after 5-10 minutes of application.

The lipsticks are neither drying nor moisturizing, you will need to exfoliate your lips and apply a lip balm and blot it before using these otherwise it would accentuate dry patches and fine lines on the lips. These do not transfer much and surprisingly stay well. The lipsticks stay for 3-4 hours on me and leave behind a deep stain which again stays for 1-2 hours.

L- Liya, R- J. Lo
L- Sonam, R- Julianne

Coming to the L’Extraordinare Mat Lip Colours, they come in the square packaging with the color peeping through the centre. The doe shaped wand applicator picks the right amount of product and is flexible to spread the product evenly on the lips in one coat. These are quite pigmented and feel moisturizing and buttery. The finish comes out glossy and it needs some time to settle down to a matte finish, about 20-25 minutes. Only one swipe gives a full opaque coverage, I did not have to dip the wand in the gloss again. The finish is not completely matte but semi-matte, these stay for about 2 hours and again leave behind a nice stain, especially the deeper color Julianne.

I like all the dark shades from this collection, they compliment medium skin tones really well. I would recommend the shades Liya, Eva, J. Lo and Julianne for mostly all skin tones. Sonam, Katrina and Aishwarya for slightly fairer skin tones.

Here are all the looks..

Liya
Julianne
J.Lo
Sonam
Katrina

Overall I would say some of these lipsticks are an absolute must have, try it at the counters, I am sure you will end up buying 1-2 shades. Though the price is slightly on the higher side, the qty is quite good with the lipsticks being 4.2g and the lip colours being 5.5ml.

Rating: (Lipsticks)

Quality: 3.75/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Rating: (Mat Lip Colours)

Quality: 3.5/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Which shade did you like the most? Do let me know in the comments below.

Why Is Mauritius An Ideal Honeymoon Destination?

Why Is Mauritius An Ideal Honeymoon Destination?

By Sanchita

Introduction

You have often heard about the saying ‘Travel is about gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown’. And, when it is the Paradise Island to spend the honeymoon with your beloved, you can imagine the gorgeousness of the travelogue. Mauritius a multiethnic island located on the east of Madagascar, is also the land of pristine white sand beaches with a stunning horizon of a blue sky that no brush can transform into a canvas, the legendary sunsets, and crystal blue lagoons with beautiful coral reefs. It is irrefutably the best destination for newlyweds for their honeymoon. The aura of tropical climate, indulging spas, exotic food and cultures, romantic walk to isles, the scenic beauty of the land will be an unforgettable memory, to be cherished till the end of time. So, let’s embark the journey of Mauritius and see why it is an ideal honeymoon destination.

Places to visit

  • Mauritius Botanical Garden

Located near Port Louis, it is considered one of must-visit places of Mauritius. It is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere and was built in 1767! From the gigantic water lilies, auspicious spice garden to the exceptional varieties of palm trees around the Indian Ocean, this Mauritius Botanical Garden (also known as Pamplemousses Garden) is beautiful in its own delicate way.

  • Île aux Cerfs Island 

A beautiful picturesque which is known as the deer island, is dotted with remarkable white sandy beaches, lagoon, magnificent view and the majestic houses the Bernard Langer golf course. Île aux Cerfs Island is the perfect place for invigorating the mind and soul with the beauty of the scenery around. There are also various fun activities around this 100 hectares of land. Do try the parasailing to unveil the beauty of the place from the bird’s view.

  • Grand Bassin Sacred Lake 

An extinct volcano, Grand Basin is now a lake in the mountains about 1700 feet above the sea level. It is considered another tourist attraction and also a pilgrimage place. Beside the beautiful lake, situated a temple with a 33mts high statue of Lord Shiva. There is a beautiful and uniqueness of the place which makes it an ideal destination of sacredness and mysticism.

  • Trou aux Cerfs

High extinct volcano located in Curepipe, Mauritius, Trou aux Cerfs is a 605 m high. It is one of the best attractions of Curepipe which allows you a spectacular view of the Island itself. This dormant volcano was active until 600,000 to 700,000 years ago and now the crater has a beautiful lake. The beauty of the place cannot be described and is a must visit of all time.

  • Ile aux Aigrettes

Ile aux Aigrettes is a tiny coral island dotted with rare and endangered natural species. It is breathtaking conservation site where you will get to see the most beautiful and rare birds like kestrel, the Green Gecko Phelsuma, etc. At the end of the Ile aux Aigrettes Island, you will be able to rediscover some of the extinct species of the Mascarene Islands in our museum.

  • Waterfalls of Mauritius

The most distinguished waterfalls of Mauritius are Chamarel waterfalls, Alexandra waterfalls, Exil waterfalls and Rochester waterfalls. The Rochester Falls, located between St Félix and Soulliac, crosses through sugarcane fields. It is the wildest waterfall in Mauritius. The abundance of fresh water crashing the old rocks from 10mts high, the setting is beauty in itself. The sound of the water crashing on the rocks and the beauty of the scenario is surely worth watching. There is a place to walk along the river bed for the romantic walk. Chamarel waterfalls is an impressive waterfall of 127m height. It also follows a road until you reach the Colored Earth of Chamarel. Due to different chemical reactions the earth has 7 different colors. It almost looks like moonscape. The Alexandra Fallsis a 105ft waterfall located on the Hay River in the Northwest Territories which is also the 3rd highest in the NWT.

Ideal for honeymoon

The scenic beauty and charisma of the Island, makes it a perfect destination for honeymoon or to propose your beloved. The allure of the white sand, the sunset, the long romantic walks and reminiscing the memories of the relationship will bring the hearts closer than you think. For couples, the foremost thing is to enjoy the beauty of the sunset on Sunset Catamaran Cruise from the South east coast of Mauritius along the east coast. From the slow setting of the sun behind the mountains, the beauty of the sky while altering colors and the reflection on the water is beyond blissful. For the adventurous couple, there are various wild sanctuary and natural reserves to explore and get to know the beautiful yet endangered wildlife.

Mauritius is also famous for shopping arena where everything from ship models and jewelry to Asian handicrafts, clothes, etc. are available. The place is also dotted with various spas and resorts providing the Indian, African, Chinese and European therapeutic traditions. So while you sip on the margarita or a wild berry daiquiri, indulge yourself and enjoy the blissfulness for a while.

It makes for a perfect honeymoon destination, you can either plan the entire trip yourself or choose any of the Mauritius Honeymoon Packages.

Things to do in Mauritius

  • Drive around. The beauty of this island is inexpressible and the only way to explore it is to drive through it. You can easily rent a car and explore the streets and the ethnicity of the place.
  • Walk through the sugarcane fields in the inland area. The place is very airy with a subtle climate and walking through the fields is nothing but a pure ecstasy! You can also visit the visit L’Aventure Du Sucre – a sugar museum with its own sugarcane fields.
  • The beaches. A heaven of white sand, sun and loads of memories. The top spots are the Belle Mare Beach, the hidden La Cuvette beach in the north, and the rugged beaches of the South, especially Le Morne. Sip on your favorite drink and enjoy the heavenly place.
  • Water sports is another great attraction for tourists. The sports includes the exciting snorkeling, exotic deep-sea diving, deep-sea fishing, thrilling parasailing and the fun of scuba diving. There is also a chance of undersea walking where one is on hold meters below the sea with an eyeshade to provide a continuous supply of oxygen.
  • Visiting the Eureka House is another exciting thing to do in Mauritius. It is a unique Creole house built in 1830 situated by the river of Moka. It is a sophisticated Créole house originally owned by British and French aristocrats in the 19th century. It is well known to be one of the largest houses on the island, with 109 doors and windows. Provides an intriguing glimpse into colonial life and has various antique photos and a beautiful garden worth visiting among other thing.

Mauritius Cuisine

Having a diverse population and a distinguished travel spot, the Mauritius cuisine is delicious. It has mostly the spicy taste of Indian, Creole, African and Chinese cuisine. The curry is the famous and a must try for every foodies. Along with that you can also try the rice, roti, niouk nien (dumplings) or mine-frit (Chinese fried noodles.). Cari poule (usually chicken curry) is accessible in most restaurants and street sellers. For curry, they mostly use tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves.

Gateau piment or chilli cakes, is one of the famous snacks of the locals, is made with split peas (dhal or dholl), they also contain red or green chillies, coriander, onions and cumin. They are golden brown in color and deep fried. Salads are enormously popular in Mauritius. From the fruit salad to Millionaire salad, you have it all. The Millionaire salad is made from salad leaves and a palm tree heart, a vegetable taken from the inner core of definite palm trees. The dressing has oysters, shrimp, crayfish, prawns, smoked marlin and crabs. Therefore, the beautiful fusion of various cuisines is incredibly good.

Conclusion

The place is indeed called a paradise or something even better. Be it for a romantic destination with sapphire waters and alluring white sand of the beaches or simply adventurous journey among the craters, lakes, garden, forest, sanctuary – it is worthwhile to visit it once at least. The uniqueness of the place is the best attraction and the beauty is endless.

Mauritius is definitely on my bucket list, what about you?

P.S: Pics from Google

Nivea Body Lotions Review

Nivea Body Lotions Review

Hi guys,

So I got these 4 body lotions from Nivea to try out and review for you guys, and I did so one by one, here are my thoughts on each.

They have an interesting concept of hydration, they have 1 to 5 range of hydration and each body lotion would fall in between 1 to 5 where 1 is light and 5 is the most rich lotion. Also each lotion also mentions if it is meant for ‘dry skin’, ‘very dry skin’ or ‘all skin types’. The smaller bottles comes in a curved shape, and the sizes vary from the smallest bottle to the huge 400ml pump bottle. The smaller ones are perfect for travel and the pump ones are handy and quick to use at home.

Nivea Smooth Milk Body Lotion

What the Company claims: The new non-greasy softening formula now with double amount of precious Shea Butter, repairs skin dryness to give deep moisturisation and long lasting smoothness.

The moisturising body milk for dry skin

Experience a unique care experience. NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion with Hydra IQ and Shea Butter provides long-lasting moisture. The formula absorbs quickly and pampers your skin with a velvety feel. For an irresistibly beautiful skin: NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion.

RESULT:

The formula with Hydra IQ technology provides long-lasting moisture.
Cares for the skin with a formula with valuable shea butter.
Velvety texture is quickly absorbed and gives a smooth feel.
Apply regularly to experience a smoother and softer skin for days

The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use.

Long-lasting softness and protection

MRP: Rs.210/- for 200ml (BUY HERE for 183)

Ingredients & Claims:

This Smooth Milk Body Lotion falls in the mid in the light to rich parameters, so it would be ideal for all skin types, especially in winters. In summers, would suggest it for dry skin. It is slightly runny but easy to blend and gets absorbed quickly.

It has shea butter and is quite moisturizing yet not super rich at the same time. If you are someone with very dry skin and use only body butters, you might feel the need to reapply at the end of the day, for me it gives just enough hydration and I do not feel the need to reapply.

I love the soft floral smell and definitely recommend this to everyone.

Nivea Oil in Lotion Cocoa Nourish Body Lotion

What the Company claims: Enriched with coconut oil and cocoa butter. The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use. It provides deep moisture and smoothes away dullness

MRP: Rs.215/- for 200ml, Rs.330/- for 400ml (BUY HERE for 264)

Ingredients & Claims:

It has coconut oil and cocoa butter, as the name goes ‘Oil in Lotion’, it has actual oil and is obviously on the richer side. It is 4th in their light to rich parameter. It’s a little thicker and not like a lotion, but like a liquidy body butter. It takes some time to blend and has a cocoa smell. Quite moisturising and perfect for the current winters and for people with dry skin. Even dry skin will not feel the need of reapplication, skin stays hydrated, moist and supple throughout the day. Perfect for people with dry, itchy, flaky skin, you should give this a try.

Nivea Body Milk Nourishing Lotion

What the Company claims:The formula with Almond oil softens the skin. Give your very dry skin intensive care. Long-lasting softness and protection

MRP: Rs.299/- for 400ml (BUY HERE)

Ingredients & Claims:

This comes in the rich category and is 5th in their hydration parameters, so it is one of the richest (or the most rich) Nivea body lotion. Surprisingly it is quite runny and not as gooey and thick and blends easily too. It has a soft floral smell. Going by the texture and the way it blends easily, you will not expect it to be that hydrating or rich. But the skin feels super soft and smooth in an instant, I think it is all thanks to the almond oil in it. Though I would recommend this for dry to very dry skin and people who have itchy, flaky dry skin, this would be the perfect  post shaving body lotion for everyone. As it rich but not sticky and greasy and is super easy to apply. Definitely recommend this!

Nivea Extra Whitening Cell Repair & UV Protect Body Lotion

What the Company claims:

  • Formulated with super fruit extracts of camu camu and acerola cherry, this lotion offers 50 times higher Vitamin C*, and helps to repair the years of dullness and damage on skin
  • The formula with SPF 15 is free of Paraben, Mineral Oil, Colorants and Bleaching, proven to protect the skin from sun effectively without leaving harmful residues
  • NIVEA Extra Whitening Cell Repair and UV Protect Lotion with SPF 15 helps repair: Accumulated dull damaged skin, dark spots, uneven skin tone, rough skin, flaky skin, cracked skin, itchy skin
  • Visible Results in 2 weeks

MRP: Rs.347/- for 350ml (BUY HERE for 278)

Ingredients & Claims:

It is the one of the most expensive of all Nivea Body Lotions, but I would say rightly so. One of my friend never gets tanned during summers even when she wears sleeveless and when I asked, she said she swears by the Nivea Extra Whitening Body Lotion. You know those tan lines of sleeves, shorts, necklines, etc, they are the most irritating. And although we have a lot of DIY’s to remove tan (Read HERE), admit it we are too lazy most of the times and if a body lotion moisturizes our skin and removes our tan at the same time plus gives SPF, then why not! We all need such good things 😀

It is quite runny and super light, it falls 2nd in their hydration parameter, I would not recommend it for winters as you would need to reapply quite a few times but for summers, this is an absolute must have! Get SPF, get rid of your tan plus moisturise your skin, this is all in one and more. It has 50 x Vitamin C and will also work on spots and uneven skin tone, we do work on our face and use all the Vitamin E and C for it, but hardly ever for our body, and body obviously needs equal care and attention.

I would highly recommend this one for summers.

L-R: Nivea Smooth Milk, Cocoa Nourish, Body Milk, Extra Whitening

Overall I would say I love the fact that all Nivea Body Lotions come in different sizes from the smallest to the biggest and different price points, each one is meant for different skin type and use, and can be used accordingly. I suggest Smooth Milk & Extra Whitening for Summers and Cocoa Nourish and Body Milk for winters.

Have you tried Nivea Body Lotions? Which one is your favourite?

L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Preview & Swatches

L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Preview & Swatches

Hi guys,

I know a lot has already been written about the new L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection and you must have already seen lots of pictures on Instagram too.

Last year, L’Oreal Paris had launched the Pure Reds Collection which had beautiful reds and deep pinks and berry shades. That collection was super hit, I absolutely love the Pure Amaranthe, Pure Garnet, Pure Rouge and still mostly keep reaching for them. A year before that they had come up with the Infallible lipsticks which were again fabulous, Forever Fuchsia and Charismatic Coral being my favourites.

Now they have launched the Collection Exclusive Star Pink La Vie En Rose Range which is entirely pink, now we girls love pink, don’t we, there is a pink for every skintone in this collection. It consists of 7 Moist Mat Lipsticks, 5 L’Extraordinaire Mat Lip Colors and 3 Color Riche Nail Paints. La Vie En Rose in French literally means #LifeInPink.

  • L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star Moist Mat Lipstick – Rs.990/-
  • L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star L’Extraordinaire Mat Lip Colors – Rs 950/-
  • L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star Color Riche Nail Paints- Rs. 295/-

The range is called ‘Collection Star’ because every L’Oreal Paris ambassador in the world has one shade each in this collection which represents them and the shade has their autograph too. From India, we have Sonam Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif shades and we have their nail paints too.

L- Liya, R- J. Lo
L- Sonam, R- Julianne

Lipsticks:

  • Eva’s Pink – Light Dusty Rose
  • J.Lo’s Pink – Deep Plum Pink with fine fuchsia shimmer
  • Naomi’s Pink – Pale N*de Beige
  • Aishwarya’s Pink – Light Baby Pink
  • Blake’s Pink – Light Peachy Pink
  • Doutzen’s Pink – Bright Barbie Pink
  • Liya’s Pink – Muted Carrot Pink

L’Extraordinaire Mat Lip Colors:

  • Fan Bingbing’s Peony Pink – Milky Pink
  • Gong Li’s Lilac Pink – Soft Lilac Pink
  • Katrina Kaif’s Orchid Pink – Muted Barbie Pink with fine gold shimmer
  • Sonam Kapoor’s Azalea Pink – Coral Pink
  • Julianne’s Mongolia Pink – Plummy Pink

Nail Paints:

Katrina
  • Sonam – Dusty Mauve
  • Katrina – Neutral Pink
  • Aishwarya – Deep Rosy Pink

Here is a little preview and swatches for you..

L- Liya, R- J. Lo
L- Sonam, M- Julianne, R- Katrina
Sunlight
Indoors

I would be doing a detailed review along with some looks in the next post.

What do you think of the L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection?

Types of Anarkalis & Choosing Anarkali for your Body Type

Types of Anarkalis & Choosing Anarkali for your Body Type

Hi guys,

When it comes to Indian wear, anarkalis have been back in fashion since the past 5-6 years and they are still in trend, I don’t think that trend is going anywhere. Simply because they are super comfortable and easy to wear for weddings, etc. too. Anarkali is the only outfit which is traditional Indian wear and yet very comfortable to wear and roam around in 😀 When you get best of both worlds, stick to it.

Today I am talking about different types of anarkalis and how to choose one according to your body type.

1. Cotton Anarkali

These are the most simple and basic kinds, which you can wear to work or a light function. Comfortable yet traditional and very light. There are many options of anarkali suits online by BIBA and on Myntra, Jabong, etc.

2. Silk Anarkali

Silk ones can be a little heavier or lighter depending on the embellishments on it, but certainly expensive. You can go for the lighter silk ones for a daytime function and the heavier ones for some big function or wedding.

3. Asymmetric Anarkali

Asymmetric Anarkalis are quite in trend and look chic too. These again can be in lighter cotton ones or heavier silk or bridal ones. I love how it is shorter in the front and slightly longer behind, this would work on short girls too. I know how it is difficult to find a anarkali when you are short. Been there :/

4. Layered Anarkali

Again just like the asymmetric ones, layered ones are also pretty IN and I absolutely love them. They give a jacket kind of look or 2-3 layers which are shorter and keep on increasing in length. Currently the mesh capes are quite in trend and would look good over an anarkali too.

5. Bridal Anarkali

Now this is something very heavy, Sikh brides usually wear a suit or anarkali during their Anand Karaj. They can opt for a super heavy embellished anarkali. Also if you want to wear one for your mehendi or sangeet, the bridal ones are perfect.

Choosing an Anarkali according to body type

Inverted Triangle- If you have an inverted triangle body type i.e top heavy with broad shoulders, avoid boat necks, high neck collars or bulky shoulder patterns as that will bring more attention towards the broad shoulders.

Hourglass- Well if you have an hourglass figure, all anarkalis will look fabulous on you. Just make sure it accentuates your waist well and the flare starts below the waist.

Apple shaped- If you are apple shapes, wear empire line silhouettes in anarkalis which means the flare starting just below your waist which will help you hide your core problem area.

Pear shaped- If you have a well defined waist, then you can go for anarkalis starting below the waist and the flare will hide your lower problem area or else again empire line will work the best.

Short, petite girls- If you are short or petite, go for shorter kurtas with less flare as you don’t want the anarkali to look like a gown and neither like you wearing a tent.

If you are tall, anarkalis are made for you! You can wear them anytime, anywhere 😀

I hope this helped, do let me know in the comments below. If you are a bride-to-be, keep these tips in mind and choose an anarkali according to your body type.

Do you like Anarkalis? Which is your favourite type?

Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash Review

Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash Review

By Archana

Today I will be reviewing another face wash from Curatio. I have already reviewed their Fash Gel Face Wash and liked it. This is a foam based variant of the the face wash. I haven’t come across many foaming face washes till now. Himalaya has the Neem Foaming Face Wash which is good. The ones from Sebamed and Vichy are expensive. And then there are the Saslic foaming face washes which are a little strong. This one from Curatio is a milder as well as an inexpensive option. Read on to know how it works and whether you should go for it or not.

Product Claims: Fash Foam is an innovative approach to gentle skin cleansing. Fash Foam helps remove dirt, dead cells and excessive oil.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Wet face. Pump adequate foam onto the palm of your hand. Gently apply the foam on the face and massage for 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.

Packaging: The face wash comes in a transparent plastic bottle with a convenient pump. There is a sturdy, plastic cap covering the bottle. The packaging looks attractive. Also, there is an outer carton to house the bottle. It is no doubt bulky for carrying around. But you can be assured there won’t be any leakage with this double protection.

Texture and fragrance: The face wash looks like a blue liquid in the bottle. But on pumping, it dispenses as a bluish white foam. The fragrance is very mild and not bothersome.

My experience: I have combination skin type which gets oily in summers. But some of the oil-control face washes I have used tend to dry out my skin excessively, causing an uncomfortable stretchy feeling. But Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash has worked well for me in controlling oil as well as not drying out skin much. I need about 3 pumps of the foam to cover my entire face and neck. I massage for a minute and then wash off. Unlike the Fash Gel, this is very easy to apply and rinse owing to its foam texture. It deep cleanses my face of all dirt and oil and gives a squeaky clean feeling. It also makes my face feel very smooth and fresh which I think its because it removes dead cells too to an extent. Although, it doesn’t cause any dry, stretchy feeling, I need to follow up with a good moisturizer, unlike the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash while using which, I used to skip moisturizer at times. It also gives a matte look and helps to control oil for a long time, around 5-6 hours. My combination skin is very prone to whiteheads frequently. After continuously using this face wash, I can feel my whiteheads have reduced considerably. The cleansing effect of this foaming face wash is deeper and thorough than the Fash Gel. So I feel its apt for oily-combination skin people. Dry skin people can skip this. One bottle of this can easily last for two months so its not expensive either. Coming to the availability of this brand, I have not seen it in regular shops/supermarkets but it can be easily got in any pharmacy.

Pros:
* Deeply and thoroughly cleanses pores of all dirt and oil.
* Keeps face oil-free for 5-6 hours.
* Makes skin smooth by removing dead cells.
* Controls whiteheads.
* Doesn’t cause a stretchy feeling.
* Mild fragrance which is not bothersome.

Cons:
* Contains SLS.

Price and quantity: Rs.270 for 100ml.

Rating: 4.3/5

Verdict: I liked both the face washes from Curatio. They are not harsh on the skin but still deeply cleanse the skin. Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash is a great option if you have oily-combination skin and don’t mind SLS face washes. Especially in summers it can help control oil effectively. Normal-dry skin types or those who prefer SLS-free face washes can go for the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash.

Editor’s Note: This looks quite good, I too have combination skin. And it controls whiteheads which is fab, would definitely give it a try.

Have you tried Curatio Fash Face Wash yet?