Loving using face mists throughout the day, and it’s important both in summers and winters because dehydration and dryness are two separate things. Dehydration is a lack of water and dryness is a lack of oil, in simple terms. And your skin needs both, hydration internally by drinking at least 2-3 litres of water daily and externally through soothing, calming mists. Of course, dryness is tacked with moisturisers.
Some of my current (and some long-time) favourites;
Revoir skincare Re-plenish Hydrate and Glow: It has Glycerin, Panthenol ( Pro-Vitamin B5), fermented rice water, fruit extracts, ceramides, and blue light protection. The mist on this is super fine and just amazing!
Avene Thermal Spring Water: As the name suggests, it is thermal spring water. I know some of you would wonder why water, thermal spring water has a unique mineral composition that calms, soothes, and softens the skin. It balances the pH and reduces skin sensitivity, and redness, and the postbiotic microflora help with that. The finest spray and this is always my first skincare step. I have been using it on and off for years. Another similar one is Uriage Spring Water.
Akind beauty (By Mira Kapoor) Bounce Back Soothing and Purifying Toner: It has glycerin, bamboo water, soothing Centella, and antioxidant-rich Japanese Yuzu extracts. Apart from these, it has floral extracts, Niacinamide, and a low % of lactic acid which helps in improving skin’s NMF (Natural Moisturising Factors)
Buy on Tira Beauty, out of stock currently.
Forest Essentials Rosewater Facial Tonic Mist: This again is an oldie but a goodie. Just pure steam-distilled rose water that soothes, calms, and softens the skin.
Moody Derma Soothe Gentle Dew Face Mist: This one again is a barrier-repairing toner and has Rice water, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Ceramides. However the mist on this is harsh and throws water directly, I wish it was smoother because the product is really good.
I get asked about skincare often and it’s not just about applying external products but also some internal changes and lifestyle changes required for good overall skin health.
Of course, you can’t control the hormonal changes during that time of the month but try to make some regular changes for the skin to improve and improve each day.
Some changes have worked well for me.
1. Excluding/limiting sugar
This will be the number one change required in your diet. Excess consumption of sugar leads to chronic inflammation which leads to acne and in the long term, loss of collagen and elastin which will make your skin dull and age the skin faster. This includes all forms of sugar, which are a part of ingredients in most processed/packaged foods. Read your labels, before buying anything. Check the quantity of sugar as a % and if it is more than 3-4% of the total, do not buy it. I know it is difficult to give up sugar altogether, so try and eliminate it slowly. First, from your tea or coffee which you consume daily, then restrict the sweets to once a week and limit the portion size. You can switch to natural alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or artificial sweeteners like stevia (nothing with aspartame) but again in limited quantities. Some other alternatives are coconut sugar and jaggery which are not exactly better in terms of calories but they at least have some nutrients, in case you crave something sweet and cannot resist.
2. Excluding/limiting dairy
Milk and milk products are highly processed these days and are loaded with hormones which lead to acne and breakouts. If you cannot stop having dairy products completely limit your intake. Yogurt and buttermilk are better since they are probiotic and are good for gut health. Limit the milk, cheese, and paneer intake, or try and switch to alternatives like tofu, soy milk, oat milk, or any nut milk.
3. Exercise
Try and get some body movement every day, at least 20 minutes a day. Walking, jogging, running, stretching, home workout, yoga, whatever is comfortable for you. Blood circulation and muscle movement during exercise are important for both your body and skin.
4. Massaging/Dry Brushing
Body massage, facial massage, or just dry brushing at home, works the same way as exercise and is even better post-exercise. Again it helps with blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, i.e. it removes the toxins from your lymph nodes. Try to include some sort of massage in your routine at least once a week, if not more.
5. Cleansing the skin
It is equally important to cleanse your skin thoroughly each night and apply some moisturizer for your skin to work on, while you sleep. Your skin regenerates at night and that is the most important time for your skin to be nourished. That is the main reason why everyone advises not to sleep with makeup on 😀 But again, just removing it with a face wash and not cleansing properly will be of no use as some makeup could still be clogged in pores. Start with an oil or balm to melt all your makeup at first emulsify it with water and wash it off. Then go ahead with a face wash, again use a cleansing tool is preferable as your fingers cannot remove the makeup in your pores thoroughly. But the cleansing tool shouldn’t be harsh as that will, in turn, break your capillaries and lead to excessive dryness and irritation. I love using the Foreo LUNA 2 as it is super gentle and removes my makeup thoroughly. I can even see some leftover makeup on the device after a good first cleanse! The opposite side can be used for light massaging which helps absorb skincare products better. You can also try the LUNA Play which is a smaller version and perfect for travel.
6. Sleep
It is important to get 6-8 hours of sleep (depending on the body and physical work during the day) every day. And also to have an approximate fixed time range for your sleep, if not exact, as the body gets used to going into sleep mode around that time. As mentioned earlier, your skin regenerates when you sleep and if the body and skin don’t get the required sleep, your body will be tired and lethargic and your skin dull and lackluster. It will first be visible through your eyes, leading to dark circles, puffy eyes, under-eye bags, etc. Along with good sleep, massaging the eye area also helps in increasing the blood circulation around the eyes which means fewer dark circles and under-eye bags and delays in wrinkles. 😀 I love using a good eye cream and massaging the eye area with the Foreo IRIS every night before sleeping. I wake up to fresher-looking skin and eyes, with no bags or puffiness 🙂
7. Supplements
Your body does not receive all the nutrition from food and with the changing lifestyle and highly processed foods (including chemical-laden fruits and vegetables). It is important to supplement the body externally with nutrients. Even though all vitamins and minerals are equally important for your body, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, Omega 3, Iron, and Zinc will keep your oil and hydration levels in place, and in turn will help with acne and breakouts and overall health of your skin and hair. Try and include foods that have more of these vitamins or a daily supplement orally. (get it prescribed by your physician)
8. Water
This has been spoken about quite a lot already, having 8 glasses of water a day is the standard we have read for everything since the time we were kids 😀 But it’s true, water helps in flushing out all the toxins and waste from your body. If you have acne-prone skin and break out a lot, just add one additional litre of water to your daily intake and you will see a major difference in your skin in 10-12 days. In case you are already having enough water, you need not increase it. If you have too much water and not enough salts/sodium, that would do more harm than good with low blood pressure, etc. Everybody is different and try and figure out what works for your body. Ideally, between 2-3 litres is good but it also depends on your exercise/physical activity (how much you sweat, etc) and if you have more water, make sure you include some salts in your body.
And goes without saying, sunscreen is the most important and without that, anything else you do is of no point.
These are some of the changes required for good, healthy, glowing, plump skin. If you try and incorporate these changes, you will surely see a huge difference in your skin health.
On a hectic day there is nothing more annoying than having to keep going and checking yourself out to make sure you smell right 🙂 For me my days are packed and I have to look fresh and sweet smelling for every engagement.
A few months ago I came across Fiama Scents, recommended by a friend who couldn’t stop talking about the fact that with a slight rub on the skin, this body wash actually last for 7-8 hours.
I am a fan of both the Juniper Berries & Geranium and Mimosa & Neroli body washes (though I have to admit that the latter is my favourite) – It’s like magic, you just rub the skin and you smell fresh again, as the scent bubbles get activated.
So with a little bit of technology magic called fragrance encapsulation, the brand has hit the nail on the head providing me with the freedom to do as many things in a day without those momentary break to “check” oneself.
These are also priced economically at, 250ml for ₹199 and a travel pack of 100ml for ₹55 (Buy HERE or HERE) Bright and fun, the smaller 100ml bottles are perfect for travel. If you live in a humid city (like Mumbai), Fiama Scents are definitely a must try because we need something which keeps us smelling fresh through the day. I definitely recommend them.
NEW Sugar Cosmetics Nothing Else Matter Lipsticks Review, Swatches
Hi guys,
Sugar Cosmetics has launched a new formula, Nothing Else Matter Powder Matte Longwear Lipsticks.
They have launched 11 shades for now and these are priced at Rs.499/- for 3.5g
Claims: The lipstick of your fantasies is finally here. Get ready to applaud utter gorgeousness itself – SUGAR Nothing Else Matter Longwear Lipstick. We bring you the rich experience of a lipcolour which has smooth application, intense water-resistance, premium opaque matte finish that doesn’t feel heavy on the lips and a plush comfortable wear. Long-lasting and delivering utmost perfection to your pout are the 11 extraordinary shades to complement every mood, every day. For the woman who likes to live her life on her own terms and who doesn’t get bothered by the world even a tad bit – This. Is It! And, nothing else matters.
SUGAR Nothing Else Matter Longwear Lipstick has a soft, matte premium finish that settles in an intense, opaque look. It is water-resistant and masks the unevenness of the lips. The paraben-free formula stays all day long without any fade. This product is dermatologically tested & approved and 100% safe for your skin.
The packaging is similar to their It’s A Pout Time Vivid and Never Say Dry Creme Lipsticks but the cap shuts quite tight and is very secure.
One issue with this packaging is they are all plain black and now can’t differentiate between these 3 formulas too.
I love the pigmentation and texture, it’s a plush, powder matte look and feel, just as it claims. It is super comfortable on the lips and very light weight. It doesn’t feel like you have any lipstick on. I am all about the matte finish but have dry lips, so this fills in the lines and doesn’t accentuate them and is still matte.
It doesn’t transfer much, there is minimal transfer and stays put easily for 7-8 hours. With a full oil based meal, might need touch up at the centre but is very easy to touch up and layer.
Although this is made in China, usually all Sugar lipsticks are made in Italy or Germany, the formula or pigmentation is pretty good and Sugar quality as usual.
Oct 2018 Fab Bag Unboxing | 10 LIPSTICKS?! 10% off Coupon Code
Hi guys,
I thought I posted this blog post, because I edited pics and all, but I guess I got confused :p
I got my Oct Fab Bag early this time, on 29th Sept which was amazing! And I just a mail the previous day that they had 10 mini lipsticks this month and I was pretty excited.
The theme for the Oct month is ‘The Colour Your Way’ Bag and the bag itself is quite nice and sturdy.
Seduction Las Vegas Mini Lipsticks Set of 10 – Rs.499
Tvakh Elixir Hair Growth Concentrate – Rs.400 for 20ml
The Soap Company Hand Crafted Luxury Pomegranate Soap – Rs.350
Bioayurveda Miracle Moisture Toning Face Cream – Rs.875/- for 20g
Total value of the products come to around Rs.2100/- I love the lipsticks set and they have all the shades from a nude to orange, to deep berry, to cool and warm toned reds. These are perfect size for travel and very handy. These are quite pigmented and semi matte, not bad at all quality wise and I love that there are 10 shades in total!
01,02,06,07,08,09,10,11,16,19
Also the hair elixir is something I am looking forward to try, as it has onion extracts too which is amazing for hair growth. Handmade soap of course, is great for everyday use.
I definitely recommend this month’s bag, love the lipsticks they have included.
You can get 10% off using my code ‘BHUMIKA10‘ on 6 and 12 months’ subscription of Fab Bag. It’s not an affiliate code.
Konjac Sponge Company Angel Cloth Bamboo Charcoal Review
Hi guys,
This review was long pending, I had used the Konjac sponge cloth for quite some time and had written this review, it was in my drafts. Finally posting this 🙂 I really like the idea of konjac sponge and cloth, and was glad I could try it.
About the Konjac Sponge Company: The Konjac Sponge Company is the original and leading supplier of premium Konjac Sponges to stores all over the world. You can find us in luxury stores such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Fenwick. Our sponges originate in South Korea and are a staple feature in Korean beauty regimes – the gentle exfoliation and deep cleansing is their secret to silky smooth skin! 100% natural and mineral rich, our Konjac Collection is certified Vegan and Cruelty Free. Not only are they perfect for even the most sensitive skin (including babies); they contain different French clays so you can be sure there is a sponge that will suit your skin type.
As the original Konjac Sponge Company, we take pride in the quality of our products. All of our sponges are handmade and tested for authenticity and purity, unlike mass-produced Chinese copy brands. We only produce sponges free from chemicals, colouring and additives for a nourishing, skin-friendly exfoliation. Always check for our logo to ensure you have the genuine product!
About Konjac: The Konjac Potato or Konnyaku is a perennial plant native to Asia, and can be found growing wild at very high altitudes. A totally natural food source, Konjac is 97% water, rich in mineral goodness and low in calories. Naturally alkaline, Konjac is pH neutral which leaves skin perfectly balanced.
Konjac vegetable fibre is blended with the following clays and powders to target specific complexions:
100% Pure Konjac: All skin types/ normal
Charcoal powder: Oily and spot-prone
Green French clay: Oily t-zone and combination
Red French clay: Dry, damaged and mature (also, eczema & rosacea)
Pink French clay: Tired and devitalised
Chamomile powder: Soothes angry, irritated skin
Green Tea powder: Antioxidant-rich to purify and calm skin
*How to use – Soak in warm water for a few minutes until the dry sponge becomes squishy and soft like jelly. Massage on the skin in a circular motion to reap the full exfoliation and cleansing benefits.
*After use – Gently but thoroughly squeeze out the excess water from your Konjac Sponge and hang by its string in an airy, dry place (eg. Radiator or heated towel rail.) It is important not to leave it in a pool of water or hanging from a tap, as this will cause the sponge to go mouldy or even disintegrate. With correct care, our Konjac Sponges can last from anywhere between 1-3 months.
They have normal konjac sponges and recently they have launched angel cloth which is shaped like an angel but is in cloth form and is kind of like a muslin cloth on the skin. They had the basic white one it which won many awards, and now they have launched the Bamboo Charcoal one in the angel cloth. Bamboo Charcoal making it ideal for oily and spot prone skin.
About Konjac Angel Cloth: Our amazing innovative facial cloth. Shaped just like an angel.
But once wet, the angel cloth unfolds to a soft exfoliating cleansing cloth. Perfect for cleansing with both hot and cold cleansing systems or to simply to replace using a muslin or flannel. Also ideal for removing face masks.
The angel cloth is kinder than muslin or flannel which can be too harsh and over exfoliate the skin. Our angel simply exfoliates and leaves the newly formed skin conditioned, fresh and undamaged, so no tightness or dry patches. After use, skin is refined, looks radiant and has benefited from the deep yet gentle kiss of our Konjac angel. The wafer like cloth made of 100% pure konjac fibre should be hydrated under warm water and then gently squeezed out. Simply add a small amount of your favourite cleansing products, to remove your make up. If you are wearing water soluble make up, or no make-up at all, no additional cleansers will be needed. The cloth should then be rinsed out before being hung on a towel rail to dry.
The cloth is delivered in dry form, hydrate in water before use.
The black bamboo and charcoal one is specifically meant for oily and acne prone/spot prone skin. You can use this either with a cleanser or even directly, also if you use a cleanser, you need very little amount with this. I have tried it both ways.
Dry
Wet
It is not at all harsh like other facial brushes or exfoliators, it feels just like a cloth and exfoliates very, very gently. You would not notice a major difference or it doing anything on your skin initially. It takes about 7 to 10 days of regular usage and you start noticing a difference. Initially you might even break out, just as I had explained in the cleansing brush video HERE, since all the dirt comes out from the pores on the upper layer, one tends to break out when skin starts clearing up!
It is a little expensive but you can use it everyday for about 3 months if maintained well and the results are astonishing! You are not using any external product or applying anything on your skin and yet just by cleansing with a cloth, you see difference in your skin! It is 100% natural and recyclable and does not have any chemicals or does not harm the skin in any way.
You have to use it regularly though to see visible results, but I am sure you will when you see the noticeable results. If you have oily, acne prone/spot prone skin and it starts clearing up completely, you will absolutely love using this every single day!
Total value of the products comes to around Rs.1350
I had an option to pick one shade out of all the MyGlamm Perfect Curves Lip Crayon. I have the shade Debutante and I love it. I love the formula, shade everything. I picked 01 Biscotti which is a perfect peachy brown with a hint of pink. An everyday wear nude shade.
I am pretty excited to try the Hip Hop Nose Strip, I love using nose strips once a month or so. Other products look hit and miss, not happy about all the brands this time.
It’s an ok bag, not a must have. I would suggest getting it for the MyGlamm Lip crayon if you anyway planning to try it.
I just got the May 2018 Fab Bag and did a quick unboxing. The theme for this month is ‘The Beauty Project’ and it’s a perfect summer bag. I love the colour and doodling on it, I wish it was a little thicker and sturdier though. It’s slightly thin and transparent.
Products received:
NELF USA Velvet Touch Creamy Matte Lipstick Pink Spice- Rs.799/-
NELF USA Professional Eyeliner Blue- Rs.225/-
Aroma Magic Sun Block SPF 30 PA++ – Rs.75/- for 20ml
Fem De-Tan Orange Peel Creme Bleach- Rs.40/-
Imiana House RhoCo 2 in 1 Scrub & Mask- Rs.300 for 25g
Tjori Night Skin Repair Elixir- Rs.995/-
Again I had an option to pick one lipstick shade from NELF USA and I chose Pink Spice. I absolutely love this shade, it’s a perfect neutral and the formula is velvet matte, not sheer or glossy or too creamy. I love the formula and shade, it reminds me of the Maybelline Inti-Matte Nude in Almond Pink which is another favourite of mine.
The blue eyeliner was a surprise as I wasn’t expecting two makeup products, it’s pigmented and very pretty. Perfect shade for summer.
Sun Block sample is ideal for travel and I am going to travel soon, so would carry that definitely. Fem De-Tan bleach is a one time use pack and again good for someone like me who doesn’t bleach usually and might try once in a while.
The coffee 2 in 1 scrub & mask and the Tjori Night Skin Repair Elixir look interesting and I am looking forward to trying that.
Total value of the products = Rs.2435/-
I was pretty disappointed with last month’s Fab Bag but absolutely love this month’s bag. All the products are pretty good and useful this time, and mostly full sized. Loved the lipstick shade I chose and the blue eyeliner is very pretty and pigmented, perfect for summers.
I do recommend the May 2018 Fab Bag, what did you get in your bag?
Catrice Ultimate Lip Color 490 Plum & Base Review, Swatches
By Linda
Hey Ladies,
Today’s review is about a lipstick from the Brand CATRICE. This if my first purchase Catrice. There are around 15 shades in Ulimate Lip Color range of lipsticks, suitable for most of the skin tones. I wasn’t sure if I could carry a plum shade, hence decided to give it a try and now it’s in my collection of lipsticks. As I tried on the shade I was amazed with the texture and finish of the product on my lips. So let’s know more about this product.
Claims and Packaging:
Highly pigmented lipstick
Supple, creamy texture
Long-lasting
Vegan
The CATRICE Ultimate Lip Color is packed in a Black Shiny lipstick tube container with the shade mentioned on the bottom of the container. It wasn’t packed in any lipstick carton. It is light weight can be easily carried along. The expiry date (36M) and other information is mentioned on the lipstick container. Unfortunately there aren’t any ingredients mentioned on the lipstick container.
This is a plum to mauve kind of a shade with a berry undertone. The lipstick is smooth on application and creamy in texture, without stretching the lips. It’s highly pigmented and the shade can be buildable. A single swipe is enough to evenly transfer the color on to the lips effortlessly. On multiple swipes you can achieve a deep color without looking vampy.
The shape of the bullet is good enough to outline the lips, hence a liner may not be needed. What I like about this product is, it gives a semi-gloss, moisturized finish. I feel my lips are not dried or rather chapped after few hours of application. The coverage is good enough to stain your entire lip. I normally smudge the product on my finger tip and then dab it on my lips to get a stain of the shade on my lips
This shade is ideal for a day time and night/ indoor occasions. I personally feel this shade would look amazing for any indoor events/ black n white photo shoot.
I’m not very happy with the stay power, as you would definitely require a retouch after you eat or drink, as the lipstick would transfer. On several swipes it does stay put but not beyond 4-5 hours but it does stains your lips
I would say this is worth the cost. Suitable for most of the skin tones and matured skin. If you are someone who likes matte lipsticks then this is not for you.
Pros:
Budget friendly
Good coverage/buildable
Creamy texture
Shade suits most of the skin tones.
Glides on smoothly
Does not bleed
Cons:
Poor Staying power ( need to reapply)
It does transfer on the cups/glasses
Not sure about availability in India
Rating: 4/5
Would I repurchase CATRICE Ultimate Lip Color Lipstick? Yes, if you are looking for semi glossy deep berry undertone shade.
I am doing an outfit post after ages! I didn’t shoot anything new since Sept, almost 5-6 months apart from 1-2 campaigns in between which were not proper outfit shoots as such.
My photographer was busy with weddings and I wasn’t too keen in between. I had a bunch of things to shoot this time from this dress, to shoes and bag. I have also shopped a lot in the past 2-3 months from ShopBop, Zara and online H & M and Lulu & Sky, so expect more shoots and posts 😀
We did three outfits this time, and the first one was this. It’s a little difficult to get the venue and match the availability of photographer, venue and me i.e. on days when I don’t have events, shoots or any family stuff. So shooting 2-3 outfits at one go works best. But after two changes and clicking the third outfit, it gets a bit tiring :p
So anyhoo, coming back to this bright orange dress! I love yellow and orange, they are my favourite colours, apart from red. Anything bright and colourful and I am instantly attracted. I am loving mustard yellow, sunflower yellow, this orange and all sunset hues this summer (in fact, all year round :D)
This orange straight fit dress is from Afamado. It’s neither a shift dress nor a tight bodycon, but a straight, comfortable fit which hugs your body but doesn’t cling it.
Afamado has sizes from S to 6XL, so you can be any size and still you can get the dresses and they even have a ‘Made to Measure’ option where they can customize the outfit for you as per your exact measurements.
When I got this dress initially, it was quite loose and then they altered it for me. I lost some weight and it’s still a little loose, I clipped it from behind so that it gives a better fit 😀 But basically, it’s a boon for people who do not find the correct size in clothes as per their body type or have basic, boring things which they never like.
I love the interesting cold shoulder ruffled sleeves it has. I am not into sleeveless clothing, and this works perfectly for me. It’s not see through or sheer and I didn’t have to layer anything underneath.
Truffle Collection
I paired it with nude bow design shoes from Truffle Collection, these are the most comfortable pair of shoes I own and I have many! I am not comfortable wearing heels for a long period of time, but these I can wear. They are super comfortable and light weight, does not give any shoe bites plus look so cute! They work with everything from dresses to denims.
Loeffler Randall
I chose this colourful Loeffler Randall sling with round pom pom kind of floral work on it. This bag is super cute and colourful and even though the dress is bright, the shoes were nude and the accents of this bag matched the dress well as it had orange too.
Overall I really liked this outfit and how it came through. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Also I am looking for something lemon print, top or dress, do let me know if you find it :p
