Bedtime Skincare Routine

If you saw my Morning natural skincare routine video, you know that I try and stay away from harsh chemicals as much as possible. I hold the same philosophy when it comes to my night time skin care routine.
All I wish to achieve with my night skin care ritual is to rid the skin of any grime, dust and impurities that may have settled in during the coarse of the day.
I cleanse the skin and then just provide it with some nourishment and moisture through a cream. Needless to say, sleep and rest as prerequisites for healthy skin and I try to get as many hours of precious beauty sleep as possible.

Products and Tools used : 

Johnson Baby Oil (Used as make up remover)

Clarisonic Mia

Loreal Youth Code Texture Perfector

Biotique Bio Myristica

All Natural Morning Skincare Routine

I believe in the "Law of Love" and the Law of Attraction", unfortunately sometimes I forget to apply in it various spheres of my life. My skin is one such department that received no love from me for the longest time, forget love, it barely ever received any attention from me. The few occasions that I did stop to notice my skin, it only received loath from me - the pigmentation, the breakouts, that's all I could see and notice. Needless to say that is what I got more and more of in return from my skin.
This continued till I  met Nisha Rajpal, who simplified skincare for me and made it super convenient. She convinced me that beautiful skin is not time and effort indulgent, but we often tend to make it so.
So I set out on a mission to start loving the skin I am in. I needed a skincare regime that make my skin feel nourished and loved without making it seem like hard-work to me.
Here is the routine I started following..

I try and stick to natural products as far as possible, since that seems like the better way of doing it, to me atleast.
I will be honest, initially fitting this new ritual into my schedule was a little tough, I had plenty of excuses always ready. But I pushed along and within a few days this new routine fit snugly and comfortably into my everyday routine.

It literally takes 5 minutes and leaves the skin feeling happy for the rest of the day.
I dont know if doing this has helped my skin drastically or if it is just a placebo effect, but irrespective, my skin feels loved and I feel loved in return. Like my mother-in-law says "often with things and hair, the love you give it in your younger years start bearing fruit when you turn 40 and 50".
The younger lot might not understand it but the thrill of hearing "OMG you don't look 30/40/50 at all" is just something else. So make that investment into your skin, create a skincare routine that works for you, eat a healthy diet and don't forget to tell me all about it.

Blog To Business With Mehak Of Peachesandblush.com

Blog to business, building blog traffic, investing in your blog, developing a business model, outsourcing, luck and success...if this concoction is starting to sound interesting to you than stick along because this post promises all this and much more, straight from the beauty and wedding blogger Mehak.

I have spent most of my Sunday thinking about how to do justice to introducing her, though I know she needs no introduction, but I still haven't found those magic lines...

She says she was a tom boy growing up but its hard to believe that this petite beauty guru to millions of Indians was at one point happy being one of the guys. Fast forward to 2014, she is a beauty, makeup guru and genie to the brides, founder and proprietor of peachesandblush.com and wedmegood.com, she is a fierce professional and the speed at which she moves and works can put a tornado to shame.. 
Here is what she told me...

1. Tell us a little bit about your foray into the blogging world. Did you think at that point that it would grow into the huge success that it is today?

Well , there is nothing much to tell. I wrote 3 really awful quality crappy posts with images downloaded off the internet about products I had been using. No one read those 3 posts for 3 months, and I thought "oh ok lets delete this thing". Then as if by magic, I suddenly saw my first hit- someone commented. That one comment made me think "OMG!! , I can actually get someone to read my stuff " and it just grew from there.

2. At what point did you realize that peachesandblush.com could be turned into a business? 

I am not sure I still see it like a business honestly. I don't market myself, which I should. I don't network, I just write! so yeah I still don't think its a 'business; really but I think it was about 2 years down the line when Mac cosmetics flew me to Dubai to cover mac trends. I was the online spokesperson for India- it was SUCH a big deal for me, i thought "OMG! these people at Mac think I am good enough to represent India in the online medium???" 

3. Did you instantly have a business model in mind or was it a process? Should everyone have a business model in mind when they start blogging?

I had no clue about any business model when I started. I tried a few things in the middle to monetize some of which work, some don't...but yes if you are looking at things seriously...start with having a business plan.

4. Looking back, what were the 3 mistakes you made or the 3 things you would do differently - things that maybe could have turned the venture profitable quicker.

- Doing stuff for free: as a blogger you think oh wow this brand wants to hold a contest, this website wants me to write about them and give me 500Rs worth of free stuff! All that is a bunch of crap. What you give the brand in return is valued at a lot more than their 500Rs voucher.  This is a lesson I actually learnt from In-Fb (indian fashion bloggers).. Value your blog, Value your traffic and don't do free stuff  and free giveaways for brands too much (unless of-course its a brand you cannot pass up)

- Not finding my niche: every blogger needs to find his/her niche and figure out - why people come to my blog. I had to do something DIFFERENT apart from the usual reviews on every other beauty blog. So I started my lust lists, my bridal series, my fridays 5, my panel all of which are now really popular features.

- Not Investing in it : Treat it like a free thing, it will give you nothing . Put money into it, it will give money back.

5. When you started out, I am sure you had days of 10 and 20 page views, how did you handle those days and what are the steps that you took to improve traffic.

Here are my key traffic mantras:

- Comment meaningful comments on other blogs. This will get you your first 100 followers and your first 5 blogger friends who will be VERY essential to your success. 

- Promote on Social media. I don't do this because i don't have the time to, but just broadcasting a link of your post on social media is not enough. Turn your facebook page into a portal itself with new pictures and content that people will want to tune into

- Guest blog: Guest blogging gives you exposure and traffic !

- Learn a bit about SEO: There is not much to it, but having a bit of knowledge helps

6. They say that for any business to grow, you need to invest in it. What are the 3 things bloggers should invest their time in and what are the 3 important things that money should be invested in, to better chances of success.

Time- content, and social media. Also networking.

Money - Maybe hire some part time writers to grow and provide valuable content.

7. Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done, taking images, editing, writing, posting, promoting, social media, emails..etc etc..how do you remain sane? How do you prioritize?

I do feel overwhelmed actually. I used to be on top of everything till about a year back now I am AWFUL. My emails get lost all the time, I need to organise ASAP. But I like to take stock once a week of the emails I need to see, and respond to. Also having a daily plan helps, like today - I will spend 2 hours writing, then I shall edit, then I shall be on facebook. Stuff like that.

8. A lot of people look at the lives of successful people and give luck all the credit for the success. What do you have to say about that? What is that key to your success?

Luck has a part to play. I was at the right place at the right time - when there weren't too many bloggers out there. Apart from that it was just hard work. I have an obsessive personality, I get hooked to things and become obsessed. Its scary actually, so for a year i was OBSESSED with my blog. I got up just to see comments, I fell asleep after replying to comments..I just did nothing else.

Apart from that I think the fact that I did not look to earn money from it early on helped. When you are not monetising you have the freedom to write about what you want which is what will get you readers, so value that.

9. Do you have days of self doubt, insecurity and worry? How do you overcome them.

Absolutely. With wedmegood.com I experienced a new level of self doubt, because its my new born baby! I am lucky to have a husband who is the exact opposite of me. I am a worrier, and a pessimist. He is an optimist to the core. Like if I am thinking "we will get only 5000 visitors in our first month", he is thinking : we will get 2 lakh. Reality is always in the middle !!:P So he balances me out a lot. The other thing is I think- what is the worst that can happen? The worst is never half as bad a you make it out to be.
Thank you Mehak for doing this and for being so honest and forthright with sharing your experience with us all.
More interviews
Natural Beauty Regime : Nisha Rajpal
Forest Essentials : Tanushree Saxena
Yummy Mummy Fitness : Zahra 

Ageless Beauty Nisha Rajpal : All Natural Indian Beauty Products

We stumbled upon her natural line of beauty products, by chance, luck or fate, whatever you wish to call it. It was 3 years ago, when I wasn't blogging and wasn't even interested in doing much for myself, even at that stage in life, it was easy to get drawn to her - her glowing radiant aura, her charming smile and needless to say her flawless skin. She was like a magnet with a strong field of force and we just got pulled in.

Her products are equally fabulous too - all natural, hand made with love. We were sold on "All Naturals" products 3 years ago too, but life got in the way and skin care took a backseat.

A few months ago, a tiny voice inside said that I needed to get rid of the toxins and chemicals in my daily beauty regime and substitute them with all natural beauty products which are an inherent part of our Indian culture. 

So we met Nisha Rajpal again and never looked back...here is an excerpt of our chat with her..

And did I mention that she is much over 40 (gasppp!!) never uses beauty products, no facials, no hair dye....

An all natural Indian beauty she is......

Tell us about your beauty regime

I am a real woman, a mother and I do everything to lead a normal and balanced life. Time is at a premium for me like it is for any woman and mother in this day and age. So I keep things simple . The idea is not to fuss too much about your appearance or skin. 

I follow a simple 5 minute routine every morning wherein I apply a face pack mixed with milk from my own line of products ! I use my face pack even when I am travelling and it even works as an excellent make up remover for the rare occasions that I do need to put make up on.

And then its just wash and go, I am ready to face the rest of the day! I don't use any sunscreen or any other over the counter products because I am so confident of the contents and nourishment value of my own face packs that my skin needs little else.

This is the only skin care routine that I follow on a daily basis. Every month or 2 months I give myself a home facial using egg yolk and a pack from my line, as egg yolks are very nourishing, I follow that up with steaming my face to clean my pores of any dirt and then rubbing an ice cube over my face to close open pores.

 I firmly believe that less is more when it comes to skin care. The more you handle your skin and apply multiple chemical products the more its likely to get damaged and sag over the years.

How did you start your journey in skin care ....

I was always interested in skin care and a summer course in beauty culture in Hyderabad is what got me started . I went only to learn how to better look after my own skin and never imagined I would create a line of products for retail purposes!

I always turned to herbs and natural products for skin care but herbs alone when used on the face can be very harsh . You need something to tone down the harshness of herbs and add a nourishing element. This is what got me interested in the use of dry fruits for skin care . Just dry fruits are too greasy when used on the skin , so the challenge was to arrive at the right combination of herbs and dryfruits. This is what I have achieved through my line "All Naturals" the right balance of nourishing dryfruits and beneficial herbs.

I started with helping my family with their skin issues , soon I was helping friends with their skin concerns .

On 16th December , 1996 over lunch with some girlfriends a dear friend announced that I would be taking orders and offering my skin care products and that was the spontaneous start of my career.

Word spread and soon I had a steady clientele. I would never have my products sold over the counter by some sales person as very often sales staff do not have in depth knowledge of the products they sell and the right instructions on how to use them.

 I strongly believe in having a very personal connect with each of my clients. It is very important for me to at least speak to each new client on the phone if not meet her in person to understand her skin issues and to understand which place she will be using my products in, as the climate in Mumbai is very different from the climate and weather conditions in Dubai.

I do customise and recommend my products for each client depending on their skin concerns and where they live. Two dry skins are also treated differently . A lot of thought and love goes into creating and recommending my products . It is very rewarding to see results and  hear great feedback shared by my clients. I feel it is a big responsibility to live upto the trust and faith of all the people who use my products.

What mistakes do you see young women make when it comes to skin care

I feel a lot of young women these days are using too many over the counter products , make up and bleach that will eventually damage skin in the years to come.

I dont believe in anti-wrinkle creams that claim to reverse wrinkles because essentially wrinkles are irreversible unless you undergo an invasive procedure.

Fairness creams are just bleach in a tube which is very harmful . My products contain Manjishtha and Almonds which are both natural mild bleaching agents . With regular use they even work on lightening facial hair to some extent.

My advice would be to not do too much and apply too many products on your skin. Start with a simple routine while you are young , be consistent with it and you will see good results.

A lot of women find the need to use make up and foundation inorder to achieve uniformity of skin tone on the face and to cover up pigmentation ,an even single tone is one of the results of using my skin care products and soon you will find no need to use foundation.

Tell us about your hair care products...

Good healthy hair is a result of a good diet and a balanced lifestyle.

I offer a hair oil which is a combination of 5 different oils in which I soak fresh herbs like Brahmi, Amla , Bhringraj etc for about 8 to 9 months . The oil is excellent in treating all kinds of hair and scalp concerns.

My line also has a hair pack which is all natural and contains essential herbs like shikakai , amla, reetha  , hence is acts both to nourish and get rid of dandruff if any.

At your age, you are a picture of radiant good health, tell us about your diet and exercise routine....

I am conscious about what I eat but its not an obsession, I try to include fruits , green tea and salads in my diet but I eat regular meals with my family and we do enjoy socialising and having friends over as well. So again its all about striking a good balance.

I have been very regular with practicing yoga for the last 10 years.

Tell us 3 ways that will help  women  continue to look fabulous in her 40s and 50s

1. Dont be too obsessed. Follow a simple routine. If its too complicated its unlikely you will follow it for more than a few days! Be consistent.

2.Eat right 70% of the time . You are what you eat. Find time for some physical activity 4-5 times a week maybe a walk or some yoga.

3. When you are your natural self you are at your best...

I have personally been using a couple of products from the All Naturals range and they are excellent (I will write a detailed review of the products soon). 

Meanwhile if you would like to get in touch with Nisha you could mail her at neesharajpal@yahoo.co.in with your skin issues, location and age.
or even better just call her 08975379400

Proactive : Review Video And Giveaway

I started my youtube channel in July 2013 and we now have over 150 subscribers, its not a very big number but its big enough to celebrate..yay!!
Also, the blog has completed 200 posts, not super big either but a milestone none the less and a reason to celebrate..yay!!
The celebrations are tucked away in the form of a giveaway, towards the end of the post, yes its my wretched way of getting you to read the entire post :)

A while back I was hit by a problem that I had conveniently skipped in my rebellious teen years...acne!! Just when I had started feeling safe and smug having outsmarted acne (at age 30) it hit me..n hit me hard.
Just when one pimple (yikeesss hate the word) would start fading a pair of twins would pop up and then another one and on and on..
I tried working on my diet, putting all kind of funny smelling and sounding things on my face, I prayed every night for them to disappear by morning and I jumped out of bed every morning hoping that my prayers had been answered. When nothing worked I decided to give those too good to be true Proactive infomercials a go.

I ordered it and started off on the Proactive way of life that's supposed to be life changing and all...well if its life changing for Celina Jaitley it can sure be for me ..right?
I did not see to much change initially, but then I received a call from Proactive about the correct way of using the Proactive system, once I implemented those instructions - slowly but surely I started to see change..Lo and behold the acne started to clear..yay!!

Here is what I was told about the correct usage of Proactive
Step 1 : Take shirt button size cleanser in palm and work into wet skin. Wash off.
Step 2 : Take a cotton pad, add 2 drops of water and about 3-4 drops of toner, wipe skin with it. Allow the toner to air dry.
Step 3 : Take half shirt button size moisturizer and apply on skin.
Use two times a day, once in the morning after a bath and once at night before bed.
Do this consistently and you are sure to see results.

There are plenty of acne systems in the market and some are supposed to be even better than Proactive, however these are not really available in India yet.

Ok now lets get to the celebrations!!

I am giving away a complete 3 step Proactive kit worth approximately Rs3500 and all you have to do for a chance to win is:
Step 1 : Subscribe to the lookingoodfeelingfab youtube channel (here)
Step 2 : Leave a comment below this video, telling me that you have subscribed and wish to win.
Thats it!!

Open to Indian residents only and open till Feb 4th 2014.
Do request your friends and family to join the party too :) and thank you so much for your love and support.

Forest Essentials : An Experience And An Interview

Over the years, I have come to love and respect the brand 'Forest Essentials'. Love - for the beautiful stores and products that work. Respect - for keeping with the Indian sensibility, perpetuating our rich Ayurvedic heritage and bringing it to us in pretty packages.
So a new email alert from Forest Essentials caused not just my phone to buzz but also my heart.
It was an invite to experience Ayurveda the Forest Essentials way and needless to say, the invite was as beautiful as everything else about the brand.

At the event, my response to an extensive questionnaire was analysed by a qualified Ayurvedic Doctor and it was established that I was predominantly of the Vata Dosha type. The doctor recommended some simple lifestyle changes apart from addressing my skin issues of dryness, breakouts and ageing.
I was told to have loads of warm water, practice Pranayam and to try the Date and Litchi cream for the night. Having milk is also supposed to be good for me, yay!! because I love my milk and the no dairy revolution that's going around, robbed me of my one indulgence - Milk!
The consultation was followed by some product sampling - pure heaven - trust me. If it hadn't been for the haunting memories of, lessons in proper behaviour and etiquette, from my convent school teachers, I would have bathed myself in every product variant at the store..

After all the sampling, I must say that the one product I love and lust over is the Soundarya Facial Cream - pure luxury in a bottle.

My quest to understand the brand Forest Essentials better, led me to Tanushree Saxena (Senior Manager, Marketing and Brand Communtication). Here is my interview with Tanushree.

With Tanushree Saxena, Senior Manager, Marketing and Brand Communication, Forest Essentials

Q The Forest Essentials brand language has undergone a transformation, everything about it looks more beautiful. What was the thought behind doing so?

I think Forest Essentials has maintained a very clear and sophisticated approach right from the start which entails being very open to our customers about the products. We have always stressed on helping our customers understand the product, the ingredients and the traditional methods that go into making them. Our presentation has been our key attribute and is done in a manner that pleases a customer in owning a Forest Essentials product. We have looked deeply into the aspects of beauty and then brought through the traditional Indian styles and patterns that, have touched our customers dearly. 

Q Ayurveda is a vast subject that was traditionally practiced by vaidyas. Thanks to part knowledge having trickled down, today every person seems to be an Ayurvedic expert. What makes Forest Essentials the expert that can be trusted?

Forest Essentials was started with the collection and practice of Ayurvedic knowledge that has been put together by Ayurvedic vaidyas and tuned to modern conveniences such as time and ease, by our teams of bio-chemists. We follow the traditional texts in Ayurveda that speak of health, beauty and wellness. These include the Charak Samhita, Bhavprakash Nighantu and Dhanwari Nighatnu that are classic 6000 yr old Ayurvedic text. Not only do these texts advise the ingredients but their apt usage and processes that maintain the benefit for results to show. 

Q Walking into a Forest Essential store can sometimes be a little overwhelming - the enchanting aromas, the beautiful packaging and the promise of Ayurveda can all cast a spell. How does one know which the right product, for them, is?

We take pride in our staff who have been trained to identify one's skin type and recommend the right products. Ayurveda includes the use of natural resources and ingredients that have been tried and tested over centuries for their benefits like cleansing, lightening, brightening, toning, de-stressing etc. Our staff have the ability to guide you to identify your skin concern and provide a suitable, natural solution that is made from fresh, pure ingredients.

Q Forest Essentials is a luxury brand, not everyone can afford it, but everyone can aspire towards it. Why do you think everyone must try it?

Because you want to do good to your skin, it is crucial to realise that the skin is alive.l It absorbs everything we feed it and does so in seconds, unlike blood which takes hours. Our promise of natural, pure and fresh ingredients is the reason I feel one must try the products to see actual benefits.

Q A lot of Ayurvedic products have been found to have high levels of toxic compounds and heavy metals, how does Forest Essentials maintain quality?

Estee Lauder Group of Companies became our strategic partner back in 2008,after having identified our quality conscious products devoid of chemicals. To better them and to bring them to a standard that is globally exacting to Estee Lauder, we work with the group closely to bring to you traditional Ayurvedic beauty care. 

Q Why are Forest Essentials products priced on the higher side of the beauty products spectrum? How are they special?

Our quality and standards are exacting to that of Estee Lauder and hence have  a global recognition. We are and have been the pioneers in traditional Ayurvedic Beauty care, and bring to you a pleasurable experience in product usage, also keeping the benefits intact, of all Ayurvedic ingredients.

Q Are there no preservatives and chemicals in the products? How is the shelf life achieved then.

For some of our products we use natural preservatives like corn starch. We also do advise that the products are used within a certain period to retain the potency of the natural ingredients used in them.

Which is your favourite Forest Essentials product and experience? Do tell :)

Winter Essentials : Fashion Beauty And For The Soul

Hello ladies, I hope you all had a lovely weekend and are all set for the festivities that follow. My city is finally experiencing winters in their full form and glory. For the first time in years I think I am actually enjoying this weather..I do believe its all in the mind..the winters haven't changed but my, what has changed is me.
So to pay homage to this new way of thinking and to my new found love for the winters, I have put together a video, which hopefully will convert a few winter haters and make winter lovers fall more in love..
Its all the things I am enjoying this season, I hope you enjoy them too..
Wishing you a very happy holidays and loads of love..

Here are three looks from the video..please do leave your comments and do subscribe :)

Big hugs and loads of love..

Black T: thrifted old

Leather Jacket : massimo dutti (Dubai)

Printed Pants : brasstacksmadras.com

Denim Jacket : shopnineteen.com

Sweater : gift

Scarf : thrifted

Everyday Makeup For Dummies

"Mirror mirror on the wall

Who's the prettiest of them all?"

YOU

There is a pretty girl inside each one of us..

Sometimes she is shy, sometimes she is scared, sometimes she feels intimidated and at other she feels ignored and hides.

There is a pretty girl inside each one of us..

Sometimes she needs a little encouragement, sometimes a compliment, sometimes a warm smile and at others just a little magic..

A little magic can come in many forms...

through a wand borrowed from a fairy tale or  through a little makeup bought from a local store.

A little makeup can do magic not just for the face but for the soul..

Sometimes it adds confidence, sometimes joy, sometimes it just brings a smile.

For all my life, I ran away from makeup, I think I was scared..but now that I have started playing with it (just a little though...baby steps) I am amazed at its ability to transform, not just faces but also personalities.

This video talks about my steadily growing relationship with makeup and my disastrous experiments with it.

I also share some products that are absolutely fool proof.

And a quick simple makeup routine that will have you out the door, looking and feeling fab, in less than 5 minutes.

If makeup and you haven't been BFF's...here is where you can start.

Products:
Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator
Revlon Kajal Pencil
L'oreal Blush 102 True Rose
MAC Lip Pencil Stripdown
MAC Lip Gloss Natural Flare

I could not resist digging out old post pictures, to show you what a big difference a little makeup can make.
Here is a picture from one of my first posts..(ughhhhhh makes me shudder!!)

This one is after I learnt a thing or two about hair and makeup :) (Thank God for Makeup)

I hope you enjoyed the video...want to see some more? SARI, RED LIPS

October : What I loved And Learnt

October :  What I loved And Learnt 

Everyday the sun comes out, I open my eyes and I know its another opportunity to live, love and learn. October being my birthday month and the month that kicks in the festivities in India, I wanted to start sharing some of my loves and learning's each month with all of you.

So even though we are in the middle of November, I really wanted to start this series off..

Well better late than never right?

So the video contains 5 things I am currently using and loving and a few things that I learnt that made a huge impact and made me think :)   

There is a BB cream, Body shop shampoos and my birthday gift to myself in the mix...

A few additional things I wanted to tell you (yes, there is still more...hehe..)

1. I do not claim to be a BB or CC cream expert, I have not tried all the BB creams available. But I have tried the Ponds BB cream and I liked it.

2.The Oriflame Diamond Cream can usually be purchased at around Rs 1800 (The sellers usually have points etc accumulated or the product will be on discount) so please check for the discount.

The Anti-ageing And Glowing Skin Diet

The Anti-ageing And Glowing Skin Diet 

So glowing gorgeous skin, rosy cheeks and all have been on my wish list forever..but I had no idea how to get there. I tried different creams and facials, but they really provided just a temporary facade. So I set out on a quest to understand the secrets to effortlessly beautiful looking skin, I stumbled upon a few things that worked and a few that just did not.
The one thing that I can vouch for is an alkaline diet, it does lead to clear lovely skin it also additionally has anti-ageing properties. Sone pe suhaga...like they say :)
An alkaline environment in the body promotes good health, good skin and ensures that all our organs function efficiently. Studies show that cancer cells cannot survive in an alkaline environment. These internal benefits surely reflect on the skin externally.
An acidic environment inside the body ages it at a rapid pace and our organs cannot function efficiently, thus reflecting on the skin in the form of breakouts, pigmentation etc.
A few tweaks to your diet and a little thought before you put something into your mouth is all it really takes to see results on your face.
So what is this alkaline anti-ageing diet?? I have it all put together for you in this video.

Top anti-ageing and glowing skin foods

                            

             I hope you enjoyed the alkaline and anti-ageing diet video? Ready to start glowing?

MAC Ruby Woo Dupe And Perfect Red Lips For Indian Skin Tone

MAC Ruby Woo Dupe And Perfect Red Lips For Indian Skin Tone

As promised in the previous post, I am revealing the dupe for the MAC Ruby woo in this one.
Even if you are not part of the Ruby woo cult following, if you have ever wondered - even if just for a second, "maybe I should try red lips", this video is a must watch.
I have never before dared to wear red lips, but I have often admired Deepika and Sonam's perfect red pouts. I love how red lips instantly inject a big doze of glamour to any look.
But before you go on to watch the video, a little disclaimer, I am not a make-up expert, so my method might not be the technically right or perfect way, it simply is what works for me.
I do urge you to try red lips..
I urge you to make every event a red carpet event..(even just picking kids from school..)
I urge to to celebrate everyday of your life...
I urge you to try red lips - perfect for Indian skin tone.

                                 

Details:
Concealer: Mac studio finish NC42 or any concealer
Lip Pencil : Bourjois Lip Pencil Rouge 20
Lipstick : Maybelline Bold Matte 4

Procedure:
Concealer
Outline with lip pencil
Fill in with lip pencil
Blot
Fill with lip pencil again
Lipstick
Blot
Lipstick
So many layers, I know, but to get that deep red hue, I think it is needed.
You could try the lip pencil alone, the lipstick alone or both together like me.
I hope you enjoyed my discovery of the perfect red lipstick for India skin tone, which also seems like a Ruby Woo dupe!!

Pencil Dress, Red Lips, MAC Ruby Woo Dupe : So Excited

Pencil Dress, Red Lips, MAC Ruby Woo Dupe : So Excited

I am so excited about today's post. Its all about the things I am absolutely loving, namely, the pencil silhouette and red lips!!
Pencil dresses are so contemporary and chic, yet they manage to transport me into a vintage era, when cigars were a fashion accessory for men and gloves and hats for women.
When everything was always prim and proper, when there was a formal elegance to everything.
This pencil dress is so Mad Men, all I am missing is a big beehive updo and Ill be all set for a vintage party..
I found the dress at Just Casuals (Rs400), I obviously had to have it. After a little nip and tuck...voila!! the perfect pencil dress :)
I am also currently loving the red lip trend. I think I am a little late in catching up with the trend, but I wanted to give myself enough time to decide whether it was true love or just a passing school girl crush..true love true love it is!!
I set out wanting the MAC Ruby Woo, but I think I found my perfect dupe instead :)
If you like the red lipstick, stay tuned for the next post where I will reveal the dupe I discovered and also share my step by step for perfect red lips

 Stay tuned for the next post...I am super excited :)

More pencil silhouettes HERE, HERE HERE and HERE 

Hair, Baking Soda And No-Poo

Hair, Baking Soda And No-Poo

There is a hair revolution of sorts that is taking over. An underground movement, conventionally known as the "no-poo" method...no no no I am not refering to bowel movements, ughhh, not at all.
I am referring to the NO shamPOO method.
I love experimentation, especially when it is natural, organic and promises great things for my hair or skin. I am pretty vain like that, I have drunk vinegar, swallowed some nasty things and applied some stinky stuff on my face and hair, much to the husbands disgust. But some sacrifices have to be made if you want a pretty and vain wife :)
So, a few women with lovely long locks talking about the No shamPOO method is all it took, for me to sprint and jump on to the  no-pooing bandwagon.
Here is what you do..you use baking soda in place of your shampoo and follow it up with an apple cider vinegar wash.
Why do this?
Well shampoo and all its chemicals strip the hair of its natural oils, this leads to the scalp producing more and then to counter that we shampoo more and then the scalp produces more...vicious cycle that leads to product build up and damaged hair...

Image source HERE

The Method:
Baking Soda Shampoo
The Recipe
Mix 1 part baking soda with 3 to 4 parts warm water.
Let the mixture come back to room temperature.
Work the mixture in the scalp through to the ends of the hair.
Let it sit for a minute.
Rinse it through.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
The Recipe
Mix 1 part ACV with 3 to 7 parts water.
After cleaning your hair with baking soda apply this mix to the hair.
Let it sit for a minute.
Rinse off.
My Experience
1.The first 2 times I did it, my hair felt great and I felt great having used something without so many chemicals in it.
2.I could go longer between washes, and the hair did not get so greasy and eeky.

After a couple of weeks of using the no-poo method, my hair started feeling brittle and a little dry.
Due to the dryness, I noticed a little breakage while combing my hair.
Warning bells started ringing...my hair is very precious to me..VERY PRECIOUS..

So I shampooed and conditioned my hair today after 3 weeks...yeah I know it sounds gross but it wasn't that bad.
And ahhhh does it feel good..my hair is soft and smooth...loving it.

What about my experiment you ask?
I think I will alternate between lots-of-poo and no-poo.
Will let you know how that goes :)
I do urge you to try it on your hair, if you need more details let me know :)

Work Wear : Outfit And Makeup Collaboration

Work Wear : Outfit And Makeup Collaboration

 So last post I promised you a more practical work wear look, and here you have it.
I do think the world would be a happier place if everyone could dress like Carrie Bradshaw all the time.But lets face it, most of us cant strut into office in sky high Manolos and a nameplate necklace, without raising some eyebrows really high.
So for those of us who love Carrie but are not brave hearted enough to copy her style from head to toe, here is a look that is work appropriate without being boring.
A few cues I took from Carrie to help stay away from yawn kind of work wear while still steering clear of her dangerous style.
1. One bold colour : work wear does not always have to be grey and black, feel free to add a sprinkling of a jewel toned hue. Just ONE is the key here. A deep maroon shirt with tan accessories. Graphic scarf with black suit...you get the idea.
2. Accessories : When you want to make a statement, I recommend you do it with your accessories. A bold necklace, a great watch, nice studs are all great for work.
3. Heels : Just a little heel can do magic for your confidence, really just try it. Dont go for stilettos that make that annoying tick tock noise as you walk in, unless you want all heads to turn and take notice, go for wedges, block heels or the less noisy variety of stilettos.
I always carry my heels in my bag and put them on as soon as I get off the car, cab, bus or train. I would not advise you to try getting into a Mumbai local and brave the rush hour in high heels. If you do, I think it would call for a bravery award.

4. Makeup : I know this is the most ignored bit, and only because we all have the misconception that it looks cakey and takes a lot of time. To get rid of these myths we have Samyukta in the house hoot hoot....yup..she is showing you a couple of nice simple natural looking looks that are perfect for office. Go HERE for the makeup. She really is awesome...make sure you check her out NOW :)

Let us know what you think about these looks..wearable or not?

Review : Olay Total Effects Cream + Serum Duo

Review : Olay Total Effects Cream + Serum Duo

On a dull Tuesday afternoon, a little package with my name on it arrived, just in time to add some spark and excitement to my day. It was a beautiful little bottle of Olay total effects 7 in one cream + serum duo. I was to use the product for 7 days and review it.
Ok so first things first,
It is packaged really well, love the little bottle and a its dispensing pump.
It smells great, not too strong not too mild.
I have really really dry skin and a lot of creams, even after multiple applications leave my skin feeling dry, not this one, no sir, skin felt moist and supple with just one application.
Another problem I have is that a lot of creams especially the ones with SPF just sit on my skin (do not get absorbed) after an hour if you rub the skin, the cream comes off. I, however did not have this problem with Olay, It felt great.
So I used it for 2 days and by the 3rd I started breaking out, yup unfortunately I had to stop my experiment with Olay, because break outs is not something I want to take chances with.

So all in all, I think it is a great product, just not for me.
If you are acne prone, I would advise you to tread with caution.
So that is my review of Olay Total Effects Cream + Serum Duo, do share your experience with the product.