Best Bridal Makeup Artists in Delhi, Prices, Contact Details
By Sanchita
Wedding makeup isn’t easy. You just cant cake up the face and look like you have kilos of makeup and end up looking nothing like yourself. It is such an occasion where you just can’t get away with the wrong shade of lip color or blush because the spotlight will always be on you, throughout. Therefore it is best to rely on the professional bridal makeup artists. Delhi has a bunch of stylists, and makeup artists to choose from and thus the bride is surely spoilt for choice for her wedding day. But, choosing the best amongst so many options is definitely a difficult task to begin with. We have enlisted the best bridal makeup artists and you may consider booking an appointment with for your wedding day.
1. Guru Makeup Artist (Gursewak)
Gursewak Singh (popularly known as Guru Makeup Artist) is one of the top bridal makeup artists in Delhi. He has worked for famous brands like MAC and Make Up For Ever and later took up freelance bridal makeup assignments all over Delhi & NCR. He is also available for destination weddings. Most of his brides have minimal and contemporary makeup look with enhanced features and also does the makeup according to the preference to the clients. Apart from bridal work, he has also worked for fashion shows, movie industry, photography, TV, etc. You can surely take a look of his brides on his website www.gurumakeupart.com
Ambika Pillai is the most popular bridal artists of Delhi. Her awards for makeup include Vogue Best Make-up Artist Award 2011, Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female Awards for Best Hair and Makeup Artist 2009 and Bharat Nirman Super Achievers Award 2007. The bridal services include hair wash, hairstyling, draping as well and hence you won’t have to look any further. However, she is not available for destination weddings but her senior makeup artists are. Every bride of her looks elegant and flawless and you can check more details on her website www.ambikapillai.com
CONTACT DETAILS – D-16 South Extension Part 2, 3rd floor, above Fitness First, New Delhi – 110049. Mobile: +91 8377019766 and Email: customercare@ambikapillai.com
3. Chandni Singh
Chandni Singh is one of the most high-priced bridal artists of Delhi but she’s totally worth it. Every bride of her has this charming look where she accentuates the features and tries minimalistic look on her brides. She lays emphasis on the base which should be smooth and flawless. Chandni Singh’s offered services for brides includes hair, makeup, and nails. You can check more of her work on her webpage www.chandnisingh.com
Komal Gulati is an expert on international bridal makeup and her work is pure magic. Her lays emphasis on how the bride should look dewy, glowing and yet keeps the bridal makeup minimal and classy. She is mainly Delhi-based and also takes freelance assignments. She makeup courses include Professional School of Makeup London and another course from the famous Beyond The Fringe, Sydney. Thus, she is a thorough professional in her field. She does air-makeup as well and also check out her works on www.komalgulati.com
Shruti Sharma is Delhi based bridal makeup artist who started as a freelance makeup artist in 2008. She has her own bridal studio at Chattarpur, New Delhi and she is available for outstations as well. Her fee ranges between Rs. 20k to 40k in general. Every bride of hers has flawless glowing skin with expressive eye makeup. You can see glimpses of her work on her website www.shrutisharmamakeup.in
CONTACT DETAILS – Phone: +918800578358 / +919899048153 and Email: roguealert@gmail.com
Top 6 Matte Pink Lipsticks under Rs.500 in India | Swatches | Giveaway
Hi guys,
I love pink lipsticks and I love matte lipsticks, so it was only fair that I do the Top 6. Now I didn’t feature Colourpop and all those brands that are not easily available and not within the budget of Rs.500.
From my favourites, I managed to pick not 5 but 6 beautiful matte pink shades, all under 500. So here goes..
It’s a bright neon candy pink shade, would work for fair to medium skin tones. Keep the rest of the makeup minimal with just a winged liner when you wear such a bright pink shade
PM 11 is one of my favourites, this range has some pretty good shades and very affordable at Rs.295. It’s a neutral pink that will work for all skin tones, especially fair to medium
3. Elle 18 Colour Pop Matte Lipstick Rose Day- Rs.100/- (Buy HERE)
Again a neutral pink that will work for all skin tones, especially fair to medium. Very affordable and 20 shades to choose from, one of my go-to pinks. This has a soft matte finish and stays for a pretty decent time.
4. Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Cream No. 12- Rs.160 to 180 (Buy HERE)
Comfortable soft matte liquid lipstick, No. 12 is my most favourite shade in the Miss Claire Range. A mid tone pink, not very bright, but easy to pair with everything. This will work on all skin tones.
5. Nykaa So Matte Lipstick 02 Frisky Fuchsia- Rs.399/-
Nykaa has a lot of pinks, I like 2-3 of them but Frisky Fuchsia is my favourite pink out of them. It’s a slightly warm rosy fuchsia pink. Everyday wearable shade and would look good on fair to medium skin tones.
6. Sugar Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick 02 Brink of Pink- Rs.499/- (Buy HERE)
This is a recent addition to the list, a deep bright pink. These are very drying but very long lasting. Brink of Pink would work on all skin tones, especially deeper skin tones.
If you want to see all the swatches on me, here is the video..
These are my favourite matte pink lipsticks, I hope you like this list.
I am giving away Maybelline Vivid Matte Lipstick in Vivid 2 to one of you, it’s only for YouTube subscribers, so all you have to do is like the video, subscribe and comment with your favourite shade.
I will announce the winner after 2 weeks in the info bar of same video, ends 17th April
Best Bridal Makeup Artists in Bangalore, Contact Details
By Sanchita
Hi guys,
We have already covered Kolkata, see HERE. Continuing the bridal makeup artist series from various cities, today I am going to cover the silicon valley of India, Bangalore. Bangalore is known for the trendy and classy fashion sense and the weddings have its exceptionality in itself. Over the passage of years, there is no shortage of bridal wear, designers or makeup artists and hence, to prevent you from the confusion, we have listed down the top 5 makeup artists in Bangalore.
For the D-day, a girl always dreams to have the perfect outfit and makeup to preserve the memory forever and hence you can’t afford to go wrong at all. Therefore, if you are wondering whom to book for the bridal makeup, here’s an inclusive list of the top ten bridal makeup artists from Bangalore.
1. Gouri Kapoor
Gouri Kapoor’s work
Gouri Kapoor has been in the industry for around 15years and sure an expensive but experienced makeup artist. She has worked with celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Neha Dhupia , Sonali Bendre, Yana Gupta , Mahendra Singh Dhoni , Katrina Kaif , Lisa Ray, etc. and also for brands like Tanishq , Kingfisher, Nike and Vogue. You can blendly trust her makeup prowess and she always keeps in mind the outfit of the bride while doing the makeup. She prefers to keep the look natural and elegant whereas giving special focus on the eye makeup.
Her prices and availability are known on demand.
Contact – gourikapur@gmail.com
2. Ralph Daniels
Ralph Daniels’s work
Ralph Daniels is an excellent self-taught makeup artist with various talents and now a well-known name in the world of fashion and glamour. He is one of the most comfortable makeup artists to work with and customizes your look for every occasion where you look your best. He generally avoid heavily clad foundation and the makeup is generally very subtle and gorgeous. Thus, the makeup is naturally flawless yet radiant. His choice of products are also excellent.
Contact – ralphdaniels08@gmail.com
3. Sabrina Suhail
Sabrina Suhail’s work
Sabrina is a very famous trained bridal hair and makeup artist from Bangalore. She is ready to travel across Bangalore for shoots, weddings, etc. apart from various magazines, designers, fashion shows and models, she has done makeup for bridal purposes. She even conducts training sessions in makeup. She started off as freelance makeup artist. Sabrina mostly uses high end makeup products and she has a knack for both bold and subtle looks. She balances the outfit and makeup pretty well.
Contact – Makeup by Sabrina Suhail Bangalore. (Her Facebook page)
4. Shalini Narayanan
Shalini Narayanan’s work
Shalini believes that ‘less is more’. Her incredible journey from a college student to a makeup artist is phenomenal. She has worked as a makeup consultant at Mac cosmetics and also her various Ads, corporate shoots and bridal makeup. Her makeup looks are versatile and she prefers to enhance the natural features of a bride with sophistication. Every bride of hers has a very distinct, soft, subtle and glowy look which looks glamorous and natural at the same time. You would seriously love her polished touches for your bridal makeup.
Contact – 096114 04000 or Makeup Profile By Shalini Narayanan Bangalore (Her Facebook page)
5. Vejetha Anand (Makeup By Vejetha Anand)
Vejetha Anand’s work
Vejetha Anand is one of the most sought after bridal makeup and makeover artist in Bengaluru who has a decade’s worth of experience in her kitty. Her perfection and creativity is well reflected in her bridal work, makeovers, high profile ad campaigns, fashion shows and celebrity photo shoots. She states that she loves meeting new people from various walks of life and transform them into their beautiful best on the most important day of their life. Surely, her hands know how to create magic with colors and brushes. She has no particular look but delivers mostly what clients want or would look good. If you want that dreamy bridal look for your D-Day, she is the one for you.
Contact – Makeup by Vejetha Anand (Her Facebook page)
Editor’s Note: All look great, I loved Gouri and Sabrina’s looks.
Do you know of any Bangalore based bridal MUA’s? Add them in the comments below.
Top Natural Face Serums in India, Prices, Buy Online
By Nidhal
Given the amount of pollution, grime, grunge and contaminants our skin is subjected to on a quotidian basis, smearing a chemical-laden cream/lotion/moisturizer would exacerbate the fettle of our skin. That’s truism, duh! Even opting for a chemical-free cream/lotion/moisturiser 24*7 may not be the sanest of choices if one has oily/acne-prone skin.
Going minimalist by zeroing in on a facial serum which does away the need to spruce one’s face every now and then, seems a viable option, doesn’t it? On that note, given the torrent of facial serums inundating the markets today, you can steer clear of them and instead opt for the following chemical-free all-natural facial serums to satiate the needs of your skin!
1. Khandige Organics Kumkumadi Tailam – Operating from Electronic City of India aka Bengaluru, Khandige Organics has certificates in galore under its belt to boast off. Offering not just cosmetic products which presently span over hair oils (such as- Bhringamalkadi Tail, Doorvadi Oil, etc) and a kumkumadi face serum, you can unleash the conscious foodie in you while checking out their enticing range of edibles such as- Chawanprash, Ashvagandha Rasayana, Brahmi Rasayana, Amlaki Rasayna, so on and so forth.
The Kumkumadi Tailam from Khandige’s range is by far, the most budget-friendly oil in India given its efficacy. With a deep orange hue that works wonders for Indian skin shades, a month long use is bound to clear one’s complexion notably provided you don’t suffer from serious skin infections. A subtle aroma lulls you into a good night’s sleep while the awe-inspiring ingredients in it work their magic. Felicitous for use by all skin types, it is free from fillers, chemicals and preservatives of any kind. Formulated with pure saffron, this luxurious oil helps in smoothening out fine lines and fading spots/blemishes overtime. An indispensable beauty treatment to indulge in, one needs to give it a shot for sure!
2. Tarika Night Oil Saffron- One may run out of reasons on why Tarika Ayurlabs is inimitable but all those reasons even when clubbed won’t do justice to how efficacious, ethereal and addictive their all-natural, chemical and toxin-free products are! Operating from the picture-perfect Pondicherry, years of experience, and hours of single-minded dedication as well as brainstorming on how to blend and what to blend go into the preparation of each of their product.
Coming to their facial serums which are offered in four variants at present namely- rose, lavender, saffron and jasmine, it is Tarika Night Oil Saffron that swept me off my feet. Thanks to the timely recommendations by the team that runs this toxin-free brand, I tweaked my skin care regimen and could see the results within a week! Isn’t it incredulous?
Healthy, luminous and clearer skin vis-à- vis what it was a week ago, I need to say this that I would kill for another bottle of this magical elixir! It is truly praiseworthy. That said, let me clear the air that my skin care regimen has been completely free from chemicals for years, so it is tacit that I would note results sooner vis-à- vis a person who loads chemicals on their face/neck.
All in all, the bottom line is that this brand has churned out yet another winner (something they have a habit of doing) and deserves hats to be doffed at it for treating us to quality- products. Kudos!
3. Brown Boi’s Jojoba oil- To all those getting confounded with each passing minute thinking what to add to your shopping carts head to Brown Boi! A leading essential oil manufacturer, this vibrant enterprise may be the youngest kid on the block (merely a few months old!) but it has in itself to give all the big fishes a run for their money. Offering pure therapeutic grade essential oils, their range of carrier oils- all cold-pressed and packed aesthetically, are a sight to behold (as well as covet).
The simplest of all, Brown Boi’s Jojoba oil is ‘Food for Your Skin’. Overflowing with Vitamins B and E, it helps lighten dark spots and minimize the appearance of pores. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help fight dandruff, dry skin, acne and wrinkles. Obtained via the cold-pressing of jojoba nuts, it has a thick consistency and an uplifting aroma. Ideal for use by all skin types and also in DIY preparations/remedies, it is the simplest, most no-nonsense and soothing face elixir you can envisage. Add essential oils from the same brand or use it individually, with Brown Boi in your beauty arsenal, your skin is going to be pampered to the hilt! Bask in its virtues. Psss…It won’t cost you an arm and a leg too.
Price- 199/- INR for 10ml, 249/- INR for 15ml and 399/- INR for 30ml (Buy HERE)
4. Inatur Herbals’ Kumkumadi Tailam – Incepted in 2007 by Ms. Pooja Nagdev, a cosmetologist and an Ayurveda expert, Inatur Herbals (pronounced INA-TUR) is on our list. In its inimitable name, I stands for Innovation and NATUR stands for Nature. NATUR in Spanish also means nature. Offering Silicones, Parabens, Phthalates, harmful or synthetic fragrances-free and GMP/ISO & HALAL certified products, their eclectic range is expanding and that simply gives your skin and hair, reasons to get exhilarated. The aroma of their enticing products is based on pure essential oils.
Coming to their range, the one that caught my fancy was Inatur Herbals’ Kumkumadi Tailam. The 100% natural formulation sinks effortlessly into your skin (given that you massage it well which is a no-brainer), soothes dry patches and leaves your skin well-moisturised for long. It goes without saying that luminous skin can be eagerly anticipated by you once you devote your time and effort to this miraculous oil. Application every night for at least a fortnight will certainly leave your singing paeans in its honour. It is not at all greasy, travel friendly and comes with an easy to use dropper bottle. It can be used directly on the skin (3-4 drops) or mixed with cream/lotion. A unisex beauty oil available readily on Flipkart, Myntra, Nykaa, Purplle, Voonik, MSM, Firstcry, Paytm, Shopclues, Homeshop, Big Basket, etc. it wins my vote of approval.
5. BLUE NECTAR- As much as their aesthetically-packed products may entice us, we cannot turn a blind eye to how efficacious their deftly and assiduously crafted products are! Offering luxurious hair oils, relaxing body massage oils and nourishing facial serums- all of which are based on Ayurvedic principles, Blue Nectar is here to sweep you off your feet.
Coming to the facial serum from their tempting range, the one that became the apple of my eyes instantaneously was Blue Nectar’s Kumkumadi Serum. For those who have a predilection for relying on our ancient recipes as far as skin care is concerned, Blue Nectar picks up the gauntlet to package and present an ancient Ayurvedic formulation in a contemporary way. Their kumkumadi serum sends you into an illusory world where your olfactory senses are well taken care of, rather I should say cast a spell over and your skin, pampered to the hilt. An inimitable blend of herbs and oils to keep one’s skin youthful and vibrant, it works effortlessly to minimise fine lines. With the mantra of ‘A little goes a long way’ being the cornerstone of their kumkumadi tailam/serum, do not repine for a single bottle needs to be used sparingly.
Best Herbal/Natural Face Masks for Acne & Acne Scars in India, Prices, Buy Online
By Nidhal
To say that we all are subjected to the vicissitudes of weather would be truism. To say that we all bear the brunt of those weather changes that shows on our skin is yet again sooth. While we may have a multitude of quick-fix solutions at our disposal yet for those who do not eye quick results but rather long-lasting and non-toxic results, it makes sense to zero in on face masks that are not only devoid of deleterious chemicals but also infused with the virtues of natural ingredients in their virgin form.
On that note, here is a list of those face masks available in India that would help you bid farewell to zits/spots/marks.
1. Tarika Ayurlabs – At Tarika, the endeavour is to be as faithful to the principles of Ayurveda as possible. Right from the procurement of herbs to the packaging stage, there is indubitable synergy in the combination of herbs. The manufacturing process described in detail in Ayurveda is followed conscientiously sans taking shortcuts. No chemicals, preservatives or additives are added to the products. Incepted in 1995, the glorious enterprise’s owners realised that even though Ayurveda is a vast ocean of goodness to be delved into, not much attention is given to it by the government, policy makers and people at large.
Coming to their eclectic range, it is Tarika’s Pimple/Acne Removers mask that has me smitten. Claiming to treat stubborn acne, its inimitable formula was developed in 1996. Proven to be efficacious for all types of skin throughout the year, it is a 100% natural product. Shipped all over India, everything about it is impressive. It certainly cleared out my skin within a short span of time. I don’t have acne hence, can’t comment on its efficacy to tackle it yet I am certain of its bountifulness. Wondrous, I say!
2. Kan’s Natural Beauty Care- Mrs. Kanchana S Babu’s all-natural, preservative and artificial- fragrance free venture, all the way from Chennai has all the reasons to be on our list. Keeping an eye on each and every facet of her products right from sourcing her ingredients to the composition of the products, she is an encyclopaedia of home remedies. Incredibly patient to lend an ear to your skin/hair woes, she recommends products on the basis of what would work for you rather than force a product down your throat.
From her bewitching range of chemical-free products that span hair masks, face masks, hair oils and body scrubs, what caught my eye was the Kasturi Anti Pimple Face Pack which is made of 100% natural ingredients. Its natural ingredients include sandalwood, Vetiver, Rose petals and Neem, all of which are great anti-bacterial agents that control even the most severe of pimples and reduce marks and blemishes. Apt for use by everyone, it helps one achieve a more even and luminous skin tone overtime. For the price you are paying, you surely are getting a value-for- money product!
PRICE- 195/- INR for 50g
AVAILABILITY- Facebook
3. Raw Rituals- Composed of sandalwood powder, lodhra bark extract, ginger lily powder, fuller’s earth powder, wild turmeric powder, nutmeg powder and Aloe vera powder, Raw Rituals’ Tarditional Healing Face Pack spells luxury from the word go! Owned and operated by the courteous Mrs. Lovina Agarwal from the Manchester of India aka Ahmadabad, Raw Rituals’s range of products is not only chemical-free but also handmade and vegetarian.
With the aroma of their products attained by the virtue of addition of pure therapeutic grade essential oils, your nose won’t have to crinkle into folds in utter repugnance when a tub/pot/bottle of their product is opened. Rather, brace yourselves for you will be swept off your feet.
Apt for use by all skin types, it not only fades blemishes overtime (realistically) but also imparts a winsome glow temporarily which is augmented, if used regularly. Packed scrupulously in an aesthetic and travel-friendly package, it can be carted conveniently while travelling.
4. Quinta Essentia Organics- A little biased towards my fellow Delhi-ites, Quinta Essentia Organics- an organic skin, body and hair care venture is helmed by the lovely duo- Ms. Arti and Atika Gaur. No points for guessing, it is based out of Delhi and churns out indulgences.
No, I won’t call them “products”. They are far above than mere products. At the helm of affairs, is Arti who holds years of experience and a degree in Ayurveda from Dhyan Foundation. With a degree in biotechnology, comes Atika into the picture. Conscious consumers as the two call themselves, we cannot help but gawk at their drool-worthy range of indulgences spanning- body butters, cold-pressed soaps, hair masks, body oils, lip butters, mineral makeup, chawanpraash (formulated as per ancient Ayurvedic texts and wildcrafted/certified organic ingredients), sun veil, organic lip sticks and so on.
From their enticing range, what caught my fancy was the Olive Clay Soap. Packed in a tub which may confound one and all, it comes in a semi-liquid form and takes just a few minutes to work its magic. For use on damp skin, the time limit is 20 minutes whereas for those using it like a face wash, restrict it to 5-7 minutes. Post washing, it not only clears your skin tone instantaneously but also imparts a tinge of luminosity that looks incredulously natural- something most makeup products also fail in eliciting!
PRICE- 1,200/- INR for 70g
AVAILABILITY- Facebook
5. Vedantika Herbals- With a range that encompasses not only beauty products but also health food, Vedantika Herbals is here on our list. Known to keep the ingredients’ list of their products minimal, their beauty care range of products spans a body polishing ubton/ubtan, anti-aging face mask, skin glow mask, anti-acne mask amongst others. Shipped all over India, their beauty care products are packed in aesthetic bottles that make them handy as well as durable. Adding no nasties like- parabens, sulphates, phthalates, petrochemicals, SLS, SLES, alcohol and the ilk to their products, they believe in keeping pernicious chemicals at an arm’s length from their tempting products.
I find the Anti-Acne Mask from their range worth a mention. While I do not suffer from acne, I can’t comment on how efficacious it would be for a person suffering from the same yet, what I can comment about is, is its cooling and rejuvenating properties which make it an ideal pick for blistering summers. Good to enough to be used daily, it doesn’t suck up the moisture of your skin and is safe for use by all skin types. Pulverized finely, it won’t scratch your skin too. Creditable, isn’t it?
Best Bridal Makeup Artists in Kolkata, Price, Contact Details
By Sanchita
Every bride wants to be decked by a professional makeup artist. In previous days, it was the friends and relatives who used to dress by the bride but now the equation has changed all over.
If you want to look dreamy and stunning at the same time, then you have to hire a pro for the makeup. The spotlight and attention have been always on the bride on this D-Day and thus we have to make sure that the makeup, dress, hair and everything is just next to flawless. Also, you don’t want to look back and see the flawed makeup, obviously. . If you are in Kolkata and looking for a makeup artist, this post is just for you. So, here’s the compilation of the top 5 bridal makeup artists of Kolkata.
1. Aniruddha Chakladar
Aniruddha Chakladar is one of the renowned makeup artists in Kolkata. If you want to him for the D-Day, you have to book at least a year and a half in advance. He has been in this field for more than 20years and worked with various celebrities as well. He has the ability to highlight the best features and conceptualizes the entire look. His signature look is the kohl clad eyes and subtle lips for the typical Bengali bride. He operates mainly from his studio, located conveniently near Gariahat.
Contact No: +91 98300 39699, +91 332440 3513
Email: anichakladar@gmail.com
Address: 8/13 Fern Road, Kolkata – 700019 West Bengal, India
Package – Rs. 12,000+ (approx.)
2. Nabin Das
He is another well-known makeup artist in Kolkata and also a busy professional and hence it is best to book him at least a year in advance. His specialty is deep kohl eyes and red lips – which is slightly conventional but he makes it look like a dream! He has done various bridal and fashion photo sessions as well and every makeup look is mastered by him. He mainly works from his studio, which is located in the hub of Kolkata. His brushes bring out the best features of any woman smoothly and give her the perfect, poised look.
Address: 5/246 Gandhi Colony, Mina Para Road, Kolkata – 700080
Studio: 166c/6/7 Lake Gardens .Near Lord’s More, Allahabad Bank
Package – Price on request
3. Abhijit Chanda
Abhijit Chanda is a young professional makeup artist from Kolkata and quite a renowned one in the fashion and film industry. His forte is bridal makeup and not just the typical bridal looks, but also the conventional bridal makeup as well. You can also opt for paid trials before booking him for your D-day. If you want to get an appointment during the busy wedding season, you have to make sure to get your appointment early. His bridal make-up package consists of make-up, hairdo and saree draping. He works from the studio as well as comfortable in taking the outstation assignments. He mainly focuses on subtle shades and natural beauty of the bride.
Another well known makeup artist in the Tollywood industry, Arpita Ganguly has eight years of bridal makeup experience and she has been trained under some of the best makeup artists in the country namely Cory Walia, Jawed Habib and others. She believes that blending is the most important step in makeup and she always tries to bring out the beauty and character from the most common faces through colors. The major advantage that this MUA has is that she works indoor, outdoor as well as outstation. However, you have to book her in advance. She is also well versed in unconventional non-Bengali bridal make-up.
Contact: Hair & Beauty family Salon
Address: 25/9, Hospital Road, Kalikapur, Kol – 700078
P. Anwer Shah Bypass Connector, Bus Stop Prince Park
Contact No: +91 9748275583
Package – Rs. 10,500(approx.)
5. Ujjwal Debnath
Ujjwal Debnath is a young and popular bridal makeup artists, hailing from Kolkata. Traditional Bengali bridal make-up is Debnath’s forte and he always keeps the eye makeup stunning and tally with the lip color. Ujjwal regularly engages himself in both bridal make-up, as well as photoshoots. He has received promising reviews from his clients and their friends. Make sure you book him keeping at least 6-8 months in hand.
Top Natural Skin, Hair and Body Care Brands in India
By Nidhal
Tossing away all those chemical-laden cocktails into the trash seems a herculean task given the paucity of alternatives at hand at present, isn’t it? Not anymore. You do not have to repine anymore for there are some niche brands that are not just environment-friendly in their approach but also cent per cent transparent about the ingredients’ list of each and every product of theirs. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it?
No need to glower at your high-end chemical-laden product anymore for burning a hole in your pocket and not throwing any commendable results for here you go with a list of Indian brands- all of which sell via Amazon India, that are not just safe for topical application but also budget-friendly.
1. MAHAGRO – A small but incredulously devoted team based out of Hyderabad, MahaGro may have entered the natural skin, hair and body care market recently (2012) but earns a thumbs up from one and all thanks to their nourishing all-natural, chemical-free, preservative-free, artificial-fragrance- free and cruelty-free products.
Offering not just beauty products (like- herbal bath powder, pimple pack, face pack, hair wash powder, etc.) but also ingredients that can be used to whip one’s own recipes (like orange peel powder, tulsi powder, etc.), their products don’t cost an arm and a leg if you’re contemplating adding the same to your shopping carts. Owned by the obliging Krishna Karthik, they are about to launch herbal soaps and shampoos soon in addition to shipping products PAN India.
My vote of approval goes to the following products-
(a) Herbal bath powder- Enriched with the benefits of myriad herbs in dried form with a lingering aroma of camphor predominantly, Mahagro’s herbal bath powder makes for an efficacious face pack too in addition to being a bath powder. Ideal for use in summers when the mercury rises to unprecedented levels, it cools one’s skin instantly, thereby soothing it.
(b) Herbal hair wash powder- To those who are fond of giving a wide berth to chemical-laden hair masks/packs, Mahagro’s herbal wash powder is of use. Composed of only dried herbs and leaves sans any chemical preservatives, teaming it with one’s base ingredient of choice say- coconut milk, would work wonders for one’s mane. Regular use will obviously throw much more flattering results vis-à- vis a single use.
2. TARIKA AYURLABS- The picture-postcard Pondicherry (called Pondy by the locals) gives one’s eyes not just sights to behold but also one’s skin and hair, oodles of unadulterated nourishment through a brand that targets beauty woes through the ancient Indian science- Ayurveda. Not even 1% of the composition of any of their 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free and chemical-free products contain any nasties that’d compel you to grimace.
Crafting a wholesome combo of products, ranging from hair oils, face serums, face masks to face scrubs, each product impresses with its unique composition. From offering products that seek to address the woes of aging, pimples/spots, foul body odour, excess hair fall to having lacklustre skin, they offer beauty combos that work wonders in allaying the same with regular use.
I would recommend Tarika’s daily facial sandal face mask as well as night oil for face (saffron) to all those whose skin loses its lustre and glow thanks to the barrage of chemical-laden cocktails we pour on ourselves daily in a bid to get the same. A little goes a long way that’s what I realised after using both the gems! Versatile enough to be blended with raw milk and neem decoction, the mask suits every skin type, leaving your skin inherently cleansed and nourished NATURALLY.
The cherry on the cake is Tarika Night oil for face (saffron). The aroma is ethereal, heavenly…a sort of aphrodisiac, taking your olfactory senses to a ride. Upon applying, with a little massage, it blends in with one’s skin easily. Sleep with it for within a few days, you will wake up with skin that looks restored to life. Let’s be rational- one or two uses won’t throw wondrous results. Given the kind of environs we inhabit, we need to be persistent in application. And if we are, the beauty combo from Tarika Ayurlabs leaves you chuffed.
PRICE-
Daily Sandale Beauty Mask: INR 480 for 50g (Buy HERE)
Night Oil for Face Saffron: INR 695 for 30ml (Buy HERE)
3. ISHAAN ENTERPRISES: RAYAAN HERBALS- Based out of Hyderabad, this all-natural venture helmed by Mrs. Reshma Thakur believes in giving a wide berth to chemical preservatives. Incepted in 2013 with a vision to craft exquisite skin, hair and body care products sans any hogwash (read: chemicals), Rayaan Herbals (the brand) that comes under Ishaan Enterprises (the company) came to the rescue of all those fraught with seeing chemical-laden products inundate markets! With an expanding range that seeks to cater to varying needs of its customers, if you are at the sea, don’t repine for you can touch base with them (Facebook) and get products tailor-made to suit your needs. Another feather in their cap is that they manufacture the products themselves so every facet is scrutinised to the backbone.
Coming from raw parts of a plant say- stems, flowers, roots, leaves, etc. their herbal products are intricate mixes of herbs. In my humble opinion, one should give a shot to their Hair shining pack. A natural fix for those whose locks look lustreless and drained off gloss, mixing it with the base ingredient that’s most compatible with one’s locks will ensure that it packs a punch at other hair woes too like- lack of softness, brittleness, etc. Dedicated use overtime will surely leave one with more thunderous results than single/two-time uses. It performs to a great extent on what it claims, however, do not get dispirited within a few uses for everyone’s hair condition differs and depending on how damaged one’s locks are, it will work.
4. IRAYA- ‘From the earth’ as is meant by its name in Sanskrit, Iraya- based out of Ahmedabad brings forth to our notice, the bountifulness of nature, which when harnessed ethically nourishes us to the backbone. Without elaborating much on what all the brand offers (Because we all know that! Iraya is a established name. One needs to be living under the rock to be unaware of it), what the USP of Iraya is to me, is that they not just ferret out the most esoteric herbs and blend them to concoct nourishing skin treats but also name their products in a way that is strongly reminiscent of the days when people relied on Ayurveda and natural remedies to tend to her beauty woes instead of store-bought products.
The product I recommend is the Kantivardhak Lepa which does justice to its name- imparts a winsome glow (Kanti) to my face and neck within a few applications without stinging it. Versatile enough to be blended with as many base ingredients (such as- curd, buttermilk, rose water, etc.) as you can come up with, it gets my vote of approval. I find it apt for use by all skin types. Slough it gently while removing to aid the process of scrubbing. Wouldn’t that be equivalent to saying that we are getting the best of both worlds- scrubbing as well as getting a glow? Yes, it surely would be.
5. RAW RITUALS- Handcrafting taken seriously- that’s how I delineate Raw Rituals. Based out of Ahmedabad, this organic skin and hair care venture is helmed by the warm and welcoming Mrs. Lovina Aggarwal and makes no about doing everything manually be it- boiling, whipping, blending, packaging, or designing. If that’s insufficient then, they have all the feathers in their cap to sweep you off your feet- cruelty-free, organic, preservative-free and cent per cent transparent about the ingredients added.
Offering lip balms, face packs, face scrubs, hair oils, body massage oils, face serums and cold-pressed soap- all free from chemicals, there is no reason why Raw Rituals doesn’t deserve a place on our list. I would recommend Raw Rituals’ peppermint and orange lip butter to all those looking to soothe their perennially dry lips that yearn for all the more moisturisation as the mercury goes down. The USP is that it is colourless, thus apt for use by men/boys too. The subtle aroma is capable of sending you into a tizzy thanks to peppermint essential oil which it is replete with.
Read the reviews of the orange lip butter HEREand their Ethereal Face Serum HERE
Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes
By Nidhal
“What goes on your skin, goes in your skin” is the mantra that we Indians swear by when it comes to skin care. Naturally, we believe in ‘feeding’ in our skin. And since nutrition is best derived in its unprocessed, raw and virgin state from nature with minimal processing, it is small wonder that we Indians nourish our skin to the bounties of nuts, fruits, herbs and everything natural!
On that note, let’s give all Non-Indians a sneak-peak into the spices that Indians incorporate into their skin care regimen. Sounds a good idea or should we better keep our treasure trove well-guarded? Let us be benevolent for a moment and spill the beans today.
1. TURMERIC- I am pretty sure there’d be hardly any Indian mother who wouldn’t have prepared/recommended/forcefully slapped a mask predominantly yellow in colour on their kid’s face while the poor child would’ve either succumbed to her persuasion or hid himself/herself to avoid being daubed that weird-looking and (apparently) unpleasant-smelling mask. Ask any Indian mother on the virtues of turmeric and brace yourself for information will flow at a pace that even Google would hide in shame!
Let me summarize why turmeric is our go-to spice. Turmeric helps one bid adieu to skin hazards such as acne, wrinkles, fine-lines and imparts a bright skin tone. Face packs made up of turmeric not only help to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also diminish excessive oil secretion by the sebaceous glands. It should then not come as a surprise that, Hindu weddings have a ceremony devoted to haldi application in order to impart a winsome glow to the bride as well as groom’s face.
A word of caution from my side. Please use either Amba Haldi or kasthoori manjal/haldi only for skin care. They are exclusively meant for skin care. The one in your masala daani is meant for pakoras not packs. Kasthoori haldi/manjal (whatever you prefer to call it) can be easily purchased online. I would recommend Dhathri’s Kasthoori manjal that is, priced at 25 INR for 50 grams.
2. CLOVES- In order to incorporate cloves in one’s beauty regimen, one has to invest in clove oil for that is how its bounties are harnessed. Clove is highly potent for obviating acne and removal of scars left by the same. It is to be applied topically to the affected areas. It is often blended with face packs or massage creams for application on the skin. It gives a tingling sensation when applied. The reason behind this tingling sensation is the potent nature of clove oil.
Skin woes, such as blackheads, whiteheads, scarring, pimples and scaly skin are signs that characterize the skin ailment known as acne. Acne commonly happens during adolescence due to hormonal imbalance. So, if you’re pestered by acne, ditch those over-the- counter medicines and invest in an organic brand of clove oil or you can crush some cloves, add a heaped tbsp. of besan and rose water and voila! Bid adieu to this pesky skin woe!
3. CINNAMON- Next comes the saviour of acne-prone skin. It is tingling but boy, it is effective to the hilt. Cinnamon (Dalchini in Hindi) delivers fantastically when it comes to speeding blood circulation which makes your skin breathe thereby removing acne. This is done by drying the skin and bringing blood and oxygen to the outer skin surface. Thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, cinnamon helps enhance one’s complexion.
However, please always use only a pinch (one-eighth a tbsp.) of cinnamon as a little over that can sting your skin excruciatingly. Personal experience corroborates this. So, do not go overboard 🙂 Just add a pinch of it to all your face masks and you will be good to go.
4. GINGER- Being a potent antiseptic and cleansing agent, ginger helps in keeping the skin clean, smooth and free of blemishes. Besides that, it also invigorates and stimulates one’s skin. It is the best natural acne-fighting weapon as it minimizes the rate of acne formation and eruption by killing and clearing the acne-causing bacteria. Acne-prone ladies, did I see your eyes dilate on discovering the perfect weapon to kick away those acne scars?
The next time you go grocery shopping, you have your reasons to add ginger to your shopping cart, right? Do not just brew it in your tea, let your skin savour its virtues externally too 🙂
5. SAFFRON- Now, comes the spice from the Northern corner of our country which we fondly call ‘Heaven on Earth’- Kashmir. Although this spice is going to be a bit straining for your pockets, yet its beauty benefits will compel you to turn a blind eye to its price at least once. Okay, enough of this ‘Guess my name’ game.
The spice I am talking about is kesar and this is an elixir for our skin. Is there seriously anything that this wonder spice doesn’t do? From imparting an enviable glow to one’s complexion to treating acne, blemishes and blackheads thanks to its anti-fungal content, from softening skin to making it supple, this spice is a must-have (at least 1 gm) in our beauty stashes.
Feel free to add 2-3 strands of it in whichever pack you whip. Let it stay undisturbed for half an hour and once the colour changes to yellow, it is a prefigure to not only slather it on your skin but also that you have bought authentic saffron.
Having a flat and taut tummy is one such accessory that grabs eyeballs instantly. Be it a figure-hugging one-piece or the graceful 9-yards (read: saree), a flat tummy is the ideal finishing touch to any attire. Not only does it manifest that one takes her body and its appearance seriously but also is a mark of proper upkeep. Keeping in mind that life these days is fraught with stress and unhealthy diet (envisage as many insalubrious food items you stoked in to your system right now… Yes, I know guilt would be knocking you down now), here is a brief rundown of 7 easy exercises that you can incorporate in your daily fitness regimen to kick that flab off your body!
1. CRUNCHES– Crunches help one tone and tighten the muscles in the stomach and you do not need any sophisticated equipment to get going too! Just flat on the ground and wake up- it is as simple as that. However, the key is to wake up while keeping your entire body (from your head to the waist) straight (as if in a line) and focus on an object (say the ceiling). DO NOT bend your head/neck. It will undermine your entire posture. 15 reps is a good enough number for a novice.
2. SIDE PLANKS- Planks are one of the best exercises for a flat, toned stomach because they work on all the muscles in your core. To do so, all you need to do is, lie on your left side with your knees straight. Raise your body up on your left elbow and forearm, feet stacked. Raise your hips until your body forms a straight line from your ankles to your shoulders. Hold this position for half a minute. That’s one rep. 10 reps are good for a beginner. Increase the frequency and duration as you get habituated with it.
3. MOGUL JUMP- Mogul jumps give one’s hips, abs and back muscles a strenuous workout which helps one kick fat promptly. To perform the Mogul jump, raise your knees a few inches off the floor while keeping your hands and feet in their position. Make a jumping movement, shifting your feet to the left. Then, similarly jump them to the right. During this ensure that your feet stay together.
4. BURPEES- Burpees set a lot of muscles to work in our body which helps one lose fat from the belly swiftly. To do this exercise, stand up straight with your legs apart about shoulder-width. Start lowering your body till your palms lie flat on the floor, the same width apart as your legs. Kick your legs out from under you in backward direction so you are in a position to perform push-ups. Do a single push up and pull your legs back. Then, stand back up with a jump, and repeat the whole exercise. That’s it, wasn’t it cushy?
5. ELBOW PLANK- The elbow plank is a slight variation of the simple plank. All you need to do is now balance on the part of your hand extending from the elbows to the fingers. Do not let your hips or abdomen droop. Hold the position for half a minute and there goes one rep!
6. THE V-HOLD- The simplest of all the exercises so far- the V-Hold requires you to lie down on your back while placing your hands under your butt for leverage. Lift back and legs off ground. Hold “V” position for 15 to 30 seconds.
7. THE WINDMILL EXERCISE- The windmill exercise targets the oblique(meaning side) abs. To perform it, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold a kettle-bell (any bearable weight) in your left hand. bring the weight onto your left shoulder and press it overhead. While you rotate your chest to the left, you need to look at your kettle-bell (or any weight that you may have opted for) as you reach your right foot with your right hand. Pause for half a minute and revert to your former self. You have perfected the exercise, lady!
Today I am listing my top favourite blushes, 5 out of 6 are matte and perfect for day time. Only the Jordana one has shimmer but that is not much visible on the skin.
Maybelline Cheeky Glow Blush in Peachy Sweetie
It’s a light dusty rose pink and completely matte. The most affordable blush in the market and is pigmented enough! I recommend this to everyone, even if you are not a blush person and would like to own just one and not invest much in it, you can try this.
L’Oreal Paris Lucent Magique Blush of Light in Fuchsia Flush
Another super gorgeous hot pink shade! This is very bright and pigmented and you have to go with a very light hand when using this. It is priced at INR 850 but will last you forever. Absolutely love the packaging.
Marks & Spencer Limited Blusher in Damson
My go-to everyday blush, this is a light n*de mauve kind of shade, you can go lightly with this or layer for more intensity. The most natural looking blush I own
Jordana Blush in Sunlit Bronze
Again a very nice, everyday neutral shade. It’s a light brown with some shimmer. Very pigmented and use it with a light hand again as otherwise it might look muddy.
Sigma Blush in Cheeky
It’s a muted rosy brown shade, perfect for medium to fair skin tones.
MAC Bite of an Apple Blush
My most favourite blush ever, it’s a medium coral pink and looks beautiful on fair to medium skin tones. This will even show up well on deeper skin tones.
All the pictures in this post are clicked with the new Coolpad Mega Selfie Maker 2.5D! It has 8MP front camera and 8MP rear camera! I absolutely love the Royal Gold Color, and it is not at all heavy for 2500 mAh battery.
The pictures are vivid and true to colour! They have not been edited at all, only resized so that the post doesn’t take long to load. It is standard 5.5 inch screen and looks super stylish and expensive! 16GB internal memory and 3GB RAM, it supports dual 4G too.
This is the selfie I clicked with it, both a screenshot and the actual selfie.
It has Whiten, Smooth, Slim and Enlarge features for the front selfie camera. This is the Smooth effect.
It is priced very affordably at INR 6999 only!!! I can say this is the best budget smartphone I have come across! The sale starts on 24th August, you can register for it right now, go HERE
Do you like the pictures? What are your favourite blushes?
