Say no to naked nails

Review: The Nykaa matt nail enamel in 5 shades – nougat bar, rasberry tart, blueberry frosting, pink meringue and nutcracker dreams

As much as we would love to see nail paint brands like Essie, Ciaté London, Formula X and OPI opening stores in India, it’s a pleasant surprise to discover Indian brands such as Nykaa launching such fantastic quality, reasonable nail paints. The huge shade selection, the different finishes, the affordable price point, and the superb quality, make these nail polishes my top favourites for 2017.

I’m the kind of person who can’t manage to have perfect nails for more than one day. The obsessive cleaning freak that I am, I often end up with chipped nail paint on day 2. My nail paints also lose their initial gloss, become duller and also a bit yellowish as we tend to use a lot of turmeric in our food and essentially eat with our hands.

However, these matt polishes are the whole package. I am not exaggerating when I say that these last on me for at least 3 days without chipping, dulling or discoloration. And that’s a big deal because I haven’t found a nail paint that stays unscathed on me for that long. And I’ve tried heaps. If I had to be on a vacay where I don’t do the dishes or scrub the bathroom, then these would last the week, for sure!

They are almost opaque in one thick coat, setting to a complete matt finish in minutes. They are fast-drying and go on smooth without much effort. No clumping and no dragging.

The applicator brush is perfect in that you need 3 steady swipes to paint each nail neatly. If there was one drawback, it would be that the darker colours tend to start losing their matt finish after day 3 (at this point, I’m just nitpicking).

The nude collection has a nude for every girl. Grey toned, pink toned, brown toned – they’ve got all bases covered. The non-nudey colours also have some gorgeous shades. Reds, pinks, rare grey-blues, and strange colours that I can’t wait to try, like the deep vampy grey chia pudding or the goth green matcha tiramisu. The names are certainly innovative.

All in all, such value for money — Nykaa have totally nailed it with this product! In fact, I would buy them even if they were not so cheap. For me they are absolute winners.

Until next time, stay calm and polish on! XOXO

Disclaimer: All products mentioned are bought by me with my own money. My reviews are neither sponsored nor biased. I review only those products that I deem fit to recommend to others, staying mindful not to exaggerate or undermine their quality, value and usefulness. This post does not contain any affiliate links. 

Go Gaga over Gigi

Review —The Maybelline X Gigi Hadid Limited Edition black eye liner and fiber mascara

Say Hello! to Gigi Hadid’s Coast to Coast Makeup Collection in collaboration with Maybelline New York. A limited edited collection featuring eye liners, brow products, matt lipsticks, mascaras, lip liners and travel palettes, Gigi Hadid has transformed this plain Jane drugstore brand with her chic, stylish touch. Divided into three categories, namely the West Coast Glow Makeup, the East Coast Glam Makeup, and the Jetsetter Travel Makeup, there is something exciting for every girl. Mostly raving of nudes and a girl-about-town sort of colour palette, this line of Gigi’s is a go-to for the average makeup wearer.

This collection is limited edition, meaning that it will retail only till stocks last.

The colour selection among the lipsticks didn’t blow my mind (nudes and reds, not exactly unique), neither did the gel-to-powder slanted brow pencils. Instead, I decided to try the gimmicky sounding fiber mascara and the one thing I don’t leave my home without — a matt black kohl eye pencil.

Gigi Hadid Fiber Mascara

Wondering what this is? This mascara is a dual-ended, black mascara with one wand for applying the mascara and another for coating your lashes with ‘fibers’ that will give you dramatic volume and length in three simple steps. Allow me to elaborate!

First, you sweep your inner lashes with the mascara in an upward and outward motion from the root-to-tip of the lashes (basic knowledge eh?). Wait. The plot thickens. Next, you swipe on the ‘fibers’ to build length and volume. Finally, you reapply the black mascara for a second coat.

My first thought with this product was that this might be a marketing gimmick — and, to some extent I was right. However, the so-called ‘fibers’ do add volume to the lashes and the black mascara itself adds great length, glides on effortlessly and stays on for hours. The spoolie brush is of excellent quality and makes application flawless. However, you will need a waterproof makeup remover to get it all off. All in all, it’s a good mascara. Two coats of it (with or without the dreamy ‘fibers’) should get you the Minnie Mouse flutter effect. And, that’s good enough for me.

The packaging is a gorgeous blush pink with ‘Gigi Hadid’ scribbled on top, in rainbow sparkly letters. Oh yeah. I would have bought it even if the ‘fibers’ were nonexistent.

One question though. What happens when we exhaust the ‘fibers’?! Hmm.

Will I repurchase? Maybe. Do I use the ‘fibers’? Uh, no.

Gigi Hadid Black Eyeliner Pencil

I am devoted to my Maybelline Colossal Kajal in black. I never use any other kohl. I do own others that are really good (L.A. Girl. glide gel liner, M.A.C kohl pencil, NYX slide on gel liner, among others), but nothing stays as unworn on me as this one. They are either too soft, too smudgy, too dry, not matt enough, not black enough, or lack decent wear-time.

Now, WAIT FOR IT. This blush pink half-footer is LEGEN-DARY (who else loves Barney Stinson?). It is creamy (but not too much), blackest black, matt-est matt, and ultra long-wearing. Again, you need a legendary makeup remover to get it all off. Arabian princess eyes in just a few bucks. Cheaper doesn’t always mean better, but this time I’m not complaining.

Again, eleven on ten for packaging. Your usual auto twist-up gel liner, made for falling in love. Get ten of these, because ladies, you ain’t getting any one month later!

The one other thing that I want to try from this limited edition range, is the Jetsetter Travel Makeup Palette. It contains 2 lip balms, 2 concealers, 4 eye shadows, 1 blush, 1 matt bronzer, 1 highlighter, 1 mini Volume Express Colossal Mascara and 1 mirror. Sounds like a dream to me, but the reviews seem to be yo-yo-ing with respect to the quality of this palette. Also, priced higher than a Morphe 35 shadow palette (that I know will deliver), I’m not sure if this palette is worth it? Tell me in the comments!

Until next week, XOXO

Disclaimer: All products mentioned are bought by me with my own money. My reviews are neither sponsored nor biased. I review only those products that I deem fit to recommend to others, staying mindful not to exaggerate or undermine their quality, value and usefulness. This post does not contain any affiliate links.

Don’t hide it. Period.

Let’s talk about the ‘period’ — says nobody in India. So, this Valentine’s Day let’s talk about a different kind of red. The most primitive phenomenon behind the source of our genesis, the ‘period’, is often associated with shame, embarrassment and secrecy. In a resolute attempt to break the menstrual taboo, The Better India campaign is working towards improving menstrual awareness, knowledge and hygiene in rural women, encouraging them to use clean, disposable sanitary wear.

The lack of clean toilets, affordability and accessibility to sanitary wear and insufficient knowledge with respect to menstruation, manifests itself in the health, education and work sectors of our rural society. The implications are deep, delving into the space of overall women empowerment.

#donthideitperiod is a bold and thoughtful campaign towards making the ‘period’ less of a social stigma, and more of what it actually is — just a ‘period’. Taking the most natural physiological phenomenon in the world from a place of embarrassment to a place of inspiration, NH1 design (a Delhi-based branding & design company) has created something unique and desirable out of an ‘ugh!’ sanitary pad. A candid and uninhibited designer twist to the deathly boring sanitary napkin packaging, NH1 design has done something nobody ever thought of — made sanitary wear look and feel awesome!

In fact, they encourage you (especially the men!) to take a ‘selfie‘ with the donthideitperiod sanitary napkin and post it on Instagram with a #donthideitperiod, and share a few unabashed words about your thoughts on the ‘period’. A whole new level of awesome. This is what our country needs. Some balls and some voices.

But, I digress. So, to continue — the box includes 10 sanitary napkins that come packaged in a brown, rather classy, cardboard box (reusable), inside which is a custom canvas bag printed aesthetically with beautiful blots of red. The sanitary napkins are superior in quality and each single pad comes enclosed with an honest, unreserved quote about the period.

Classy, fun and innovative, this brainchild is not just a show puppy — in fact, #donthideitperiod is a social initiative towards improving the health and menstrual hygiene of rural women in Rajasthan, India. 100% proceeds from the sale of these beauties go towards two charities — The Better India and Akhar Innovations. These two organizations together, aim to set up a manual factory in Ajmer (Rajasthan, India) that will manufacture and distribute cheap, biodegradable sanitary napkins. The initiative is aimed at making sanitary wear easily available and affordable to rural women, and making the ‘period’ a subject of pride rather than shame. It also aims to provide employment to local, rural women by training them to manufacture and distribute these low-cost napkins.

In time for you to watch a similar socially relevant film ‘Padman’, I hope this post will encourage you to make your next period a designer one. Get your box of inspiration today at Nykaa or at DontHideItPeriod and help make a small change. Embrace the period. Support the cause. Limited stocks only.

For more information, visit www.donthideitperiod.com.

Until next time, rock your PMS belly.

Afterall, it is just a period. Period.

XOXO

Valentine’s day gift guide – for Her

Let me begin by emphasizing the fact that I belong to the anti-mush club. I have never really cared about Valentine’s day, neither have I given (or accepted) any gifts. But, I do love shopping for friends and family and often find ways to personalize a materialistic object to suit my signature, creative style. Those who know me, know that when I want to make someone happy, I go all out with it.

Although I may not be exchanging any presents this year as well, I can definitely play the part of your online personal shopper and assist you with deciphering the girl-gift-code. So, here goes my first ever blog post addressing the men who love their women, the men who have been friend-zoned and wish to throw the bait one last time, or single friends who stand by each other on Val day.

I have an exhaustive list to match every girl type there can possibly be; you are sure to leave this page with your most confusing agenda point of February resolved. Afterall, a wrong gift can be a matter of life and death! From INR 999 to INR 9999, whatever your budget, I’ve got you covered baby.

Disclaimer — I have steered clear of chocolates, soft toys, flowers, perfumes and anything with photos in it. You should too. Give all the mushy, meaningless goo a pass and get her something better, deeper — let her know that you put thought and time into it. That will you get you the bonus brownie points.

Valentines day gift guide 

For the girl you barely know ~ The Kama Ayurveda pure floral mist box containing 3 pure floral distillations (50ml each) for face or body in rose, lavender and jasmine, packaged in a gorgeous, pastel, filigree-d gift box.

For the girl who needs her me-time ~ A subscription to the ‘Sweat‘ by Kayla health & fitness app or the ‘Headspace‘ meditation & mindfulness app (I highly recommend the latter).

For the girl who loves adventures ~ A great way to capture her special moments with the most photogenic & the most photographed Polaroid camera there ever was — the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 or the limited edition versions, the Instax Minion-Mini 8 or the Hello Kitty Instax Mini.

For the wannabe beauty junkie ~ A set of makeup brushes and/or a beauty blender. See my previous post for tips on using these makeup tools.

For the hair styling addict ~ The revolutionary Dafni Hair Straightening Ceramic Brush, also available in a travel friendly (and budget friendly) size. Read more about the incredible father-daughter duo creators of Dafni here (Founder & CEO Sharon Rabi, a mommy of two, appeared in the Forbes 30 under 30 for her exceptional entrepreneurship).

For the dream catcher girl ~ Fairy lights, string lights with wooden clips for Polaroid pictures, or a set of paper lanterns with bulb holders.

For the organizational freak ~ A kick-ass makeup storage unit (no acrylic ones please) or jewellery storage unit.

For the book lover who wants to learn about makeup ~ Face paint: The story of makeup by Lisa Eldridge

For the arty socialite ~ A set of silver jhumkas from the KO jewellery shop.

For the selfless good Samaritan ~ A box of the ‘Don’t Hide It. Period‘ designer sanitary napkins. Yes, you heard that right. A thoughtful initiative towards improving the health and hygiene of rural women in Rajasthan, NH1 design (A Delhi-based design company) has designed this limited edition box of 10 sanitary napkins, 100% proceeds of which will fund the startup of a rural, small-scale factory (in Ajmer) to produce low-cost, biodegradable sanitary wear and make it available to rural women. More about this initiative in a future post.

For the girl who wishes to practice positivity ~ The Five Minute Journal by Intelligent Change (I use the app every single day) — training the mind towards positivity and gratitude, five minutes a day, one day at a time.

For the quirky stationary lover ~ The 2018 diary/planner, wall calendar or table-top planner from Alicia Souza (a mega talented, super cool, amazingly witty, fellow Bangalorean — show her some love on her IG page of infinite happiness @aliciasouza and check out her shop here).

For the makeup collector ~ A limited edition product from the Maybelline X Gigi Hadid collection (review coming soon), the L’oreal X Balmain collection or the M.A.C X Nicki Minaj collection (or any other exclusive limited edition product).

For the trendsetter ~ A goodie bag full of ‘Ultra Violet’ beauty products, the Pantone colour of the year 2018.

For the single friend (shot or chai lover) ~ Shot glasses or cutting chai glasses. For single girlfriends, there is always the option of binge watching SATC (please tell me you know the acronym!), drinking wine and getting Chinese takeout (or a huge tub of ice-cream).

For the baker babe ~ Goodies from Lakeland, a fantastic UK-based bakeware brand now available in Westside Gourmet in India.

For the gym freak ~ Sassy activewear from Zivame.

For the healthy eater ~ A green tea infuser water bottle, or a healthy recipe book perhaps?

For the girlboss ~ The ‘girlboss‘ office or stationary organizer, or books such as #girlboss by Sophia Amoruso or How to Walk in High Heels by Camilla Morton.

For the budding entrepreneur ~ The books Zero to One by Peter Thiel, The Lean Startup by Eric Ries or The Sell by Fredrik Eklund.

For the gardening lass ~ Hand-painted railing planters or an easy maintenance house plant like a succulent or some cacti. For a bit of drama, add on a hanging terrarium container to grow mini plant babies.

For th DIY freak ~ Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint (available in several shades), the Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Spray Paint or the Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Acrylic Spray Paint in Gloss Candy Pink (Obv.).

For the mommy-to-be ~ A book on ‘Why Mommy Drinks‘  (by Fiona Stevenson) for the days when a cocktail will be her only survival tool, or the witty guide to help every new mother cope with baby things, Bringing up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman. You could also gift her the best concealer in town (sleep-deprived mothers often need dark circle management!) — The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer wand or the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer pot, OR just stick to the mommy basics and get her a nursing/feeding pillow (nothing like going hands-free and reading a book or browsing her phone while she nurses her newborn in the wee hours of the morning).

For the tomboy ~ An appointment at the best nail salon in town! Or a pair of fresh, white converse sneakers! (unless she has five of these already)

For the upcoming blogger ~ A subscription to Picmonkey, a fantastic photo-editing tool with a hub to store your work and the flexibility to go back and re-edit the layers. I use it all the time, and it’s everything I need in a photo editor.

For the geeky goddess ~ Sexy shapewear from Zivame or M&S. You do know that geeky is the new sexy right?

For the perfect hostess ~ A hand cleanser and hand cream duo for the powder room OR a reed diffuser with her favourite fragrance of diffuser oil.

For the homebody ~ Some innovative homeware from Ek Do Dhai like the ‘namak mirch‘ salt and pepper shakers or a set of colourful cushion covers from Chumbak.

For the really busy mommy and office goer ~ Find her a housekeeper who will cook, dust, clean, do laundry, tidy the home, babysit and manage the pantry. Almost impossible, I know. The single most important thing in life — peace of mind — is something that money cannot always buy. So, just give her a day off from everything! *no online links available in this category :)*

Irrespective of what gifts you give this year, focus on all the love, comfort and belonging she brings into your world (and save the gift receipts, just in case you need to return anything!).

P.S No luxury gifts have been included in this guide but if you wish to buy her a present on mortgage then look at the Brellini umbrellas — the most enchanting, colourful umbrellas, hand crafted and made with love in Italy. I feel like I have now done complete justice to this gift guide because God knows I’ve pinned (yes, on Pinterest) these umbrellas a million times and could easily be the official serial swooner of their IG feed (@brelliniofficial). In the hope that a kind admirer will FedEx one to me, I’ll wrap it up for today.

Until next time, XOXO.

Disclaimer: This post does not contain any affiliate links.

#bossbabe

What this post is about: Staying gorgeous on-the-go, whether it’s through traffic, long journeys or appointment hopping.

Looking like a gorgeous mess doesn’t happen by accident. Looking perfectly imperfect, finding balance in the chaos and owning the #bossbabe attitude takes careful preparation.

I am at my absolute worst when I have to keep up with a million tasks to accomplish, a million places to go and a million people to meet – all on the same day. My thoughts are all over the place, and I slip into a creative brain freeze. Reminds me of the cliché, ‘you are not perfect, but your outfit can be’.

So for all my #bossbabes hustling, parenting, travelling or just feeling hurly-burly, here are some hacks to help you look and feel like a million bucks on-the-go.

The LBD of beauty

I call it the little black dress of beauty – a basic beauty/refreshment bag that helps your hair and makeup stay intact. Let everyone believe that you’ve got it all under control.

Your basics ­– concealer, finishing powder (ideally with a mirror), hair serum, lipstick, hand cream, a perfume mini,  and a comb.

Rosewater mist – this will do multiple things – refresh and hydrate, calm irritated skin, set makeup and soothe tired eyes.

Hair-tie – just in case the weather acts up, your hair falls prey to humidity and ends up looking like a bird’s nest, refusing to behave. Keep these handy.

Outfit considerations

Flats – always carry a pair of flats if you think your sexy heel isn’t going to last all the hustle-bustle.

Outfit change – It may prove wise to carry an outfit change depending on the nature of your job (or the weather). Sweaty underarms, ketchup or mayo on your shirt, buttons bursting at the seams – not ideal scenarios for when the nerves are acting up.

Health and hygiene, before everything

Mints – whether you ate a burger with a lot of onions, smoked like a chimney or brushed your teeth more than 8 hours ago, mints will help you steer clear of bad breath.

Baby toothbrush and Colgate – this is the better alternative to chewing too many mints and smelling constantly like a walking-talking menthol addict. Also good if all the sugar in the mints is something you want to avoid. Did you know that a baby toothbrush cleans adult teeth much better than a normal one? Try it.

Paracetamol/Aspirin – stress and headaches are two sides of the same coin. I may be a firm believer in the power of healing with positive thought, but honestly, this is not the time to try it. A painkiller is going to keep you going till you get home to your bed. Especially, if the ugly menstrual cramps make an uninvited guest entry.

Food – something to munch is always a good idea. Store handy, healthy, fuss-free food in the car or in your bag. Energy bars (for me, it’s my mum’s Ragi laddoos), a packet of nuts, a fruit, some dates, or anything that gives you instant energy is an absolute must-have. Trash the chips, cookies and sweet treats — they slow down metabolism and make you feel sleepy and lethargic. Eat smart and don’t stay hungry.

Who can say no to chai and hot pakoras? #guiltyascharged

Feeling it in your bones

It’s not enough to look great; you must feel great in order to be the best version of yourself when the occasion calls. Before getting out of the car, in the washroom, or anywhere where you will not be disturbed for 3 minutes – close your eyes, compose your thoughts, speak to yourself, deep breathe and calm down. If you find it impossible to find such discipline, use an app like Headspace; they have SOS 3-minute modules for different stress situations. Take control.

Nerdy is the new sexy

Organizing your thoughts by listing them, making notes or revising them in your head, is the best way to feel confident and walk in your high heels – chest out, butt out. Gone are the days when nerdy was boring.

The TMI* category

Saving the best for the last!

Sweat pads – Don’t allow stress and sweat to ruin your clothes or put you in an embarrassing situation. Wear sweat pads under your arms, or on a hot humid day, carry a pair in your handbag.

Wet wipes – Food spillage, nasal boogers, or any sticky situation, wet wipes are the ultimate multitasters. Ask a mom what she would do without wet wipes!

Clotrimazole talc – For itchy or irritated underarms, girly parts (the jock itch for the male sex) or sweaty feet, a clotrimazole dusting powder absorbs extra moisture, tackles foul odour and helps you stay fresh on the go. It is also great for battling minor, chronic fungal allergies.

Breast pads – This is specific to breast-feeding mothers, and if you are one (or have been one), you know how messy and inconvenient it can be to have your clothes wet all of a sudden. Wearing breast pads can help (to some extent) cope with these situations presumptively.

Extra pair of panties – Self-explanatory!

Sanitary wear – Because, life screws you over when you least expect it.

*TMI – Too Much Information

Until next time, be a #bossbabe on-the-go. Because, Mondays belong to the go-getters! XOXO

 

Beauty resolutions to make for 2018

What this post is about: I’m proposing 8 beauty resolutions that you need to make and follow in twenty eighteen! Who’s with me?

It’s time to own up! One month of twenty eighteen down, are you still going to the gym? Not eating ramen for dinner? Working on being more productive? Or training your mind towards positivity? Commiting to new year resolutions is not as easy as having to keep them up all year-long. So this year, why not make some resolutions that you can truly keep? Even if you already consider yourself the makeup pro, chances are, you are too lazy to commit to some of the following beauty rules — with beauty, there is always room for improvement! Revamp your daily makeup routine, experiment a bit, and jazz up your beauty game — with 8 resolutions to start the year right.

Prep and Prime

Starting with a flawless canvas is the key to makeup that goes on easily, looks impeccable and stays on till the drunken selfies at dawn. Layering products seamlessly and bringing out the vivid colours of your blushers and shadows, is all a result of how well you prime before you paint. Never ever skip the primer.

There’s nothing worse than looking in the mirror only to notice that your lipstick has faded away by midday. To ensure that your lip look stays put, your cupid bow is enhanced and your lip colour stays unscathed, make sure to apply a lip primer, followed by a lip liner. Then, finish off by dabbing a tiny bit of translucent powder over your lips.

Tip 1. If you have oily skin and your kohl seems to smudge all over the place, turning your smokey-eye into a dark circle cloud, use translucent powder under your eyes to keep eye products from over-smudging.

Tip 2. If you can’t be bothered to stack a mug full of lip liners or don’t want to spend big bucks on hoarding a tonne of them, just pick one nude liner (high coverage, long-lasting) that will cover all bases.

My recommendations: The Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer (an all-natural, cruelty-free dupe for the very pricey Benefit Porefessional), the Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder, M.A.C Prep + Prime Lip for lip primer (see my review here); M.A.C lip pencil in Spice or Boldly Bare.

Choose a foundation with SPF

This year, become BFFs with sun protection. If a full-blown sunscreen is adding too many layers to your skin care, get involved with a foundation or BB that has some SPF in it. Korean beauty brands offer cushion foundations with broad-range SPFs that are as good as using a sunscreen.

My recommendations: The Face Shop BB Power Perfection Cushion SPF50+ PA+++ (see a full review here) or the Garnier Skin Naturals BB Cream SPF24/PA+++.

Remove makeup before bedtime

As basic as this might sound, you know you don’t really follow this rule. And hence, it bears repeating.

Sleeping with makeup on is torture for your skin. Remnant makeup mixes with the dirt and oil in your skin and clogs your pores. Clogged pores further lead to acne, breakouts and blackheads. Stock up on some makeup remover wipes or a micellar water. A French favourite, and one that doesn’t need any rinsing, micellar water has tiny oil molecules (or ‘micelles’) suspended in soft water that help lift any scum, dirt, oil or makeup from the surface of the skin. This no-rinse facial cleanser has the power to gently remove makeup without any vigorous rubbing or tugging. Just saturate a cotton pad with the solution and gently wipe away the makeup. Hold the cotton pad over your eyes for 5 seconds before you wipe your eye makeup off. Be kind to your skin at the end of the day and check this resolution off your list.

My recommendations: The La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution for Sensitive Skin, the Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water, or a personal favourite, the Neutrogena Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover (a much cheaper and super functional alternative to the M.A.C Gently off Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, especially for waterproof makeup).

Bring sexy back with some gloss

Who’s sick of matt lips? I’m definitely not but on some days I miss the good ol’ lip gloss. No primer, no liner — just one sexy lip gloss that enhances the pout and makes lips look full and juicy. So this year, perfect the 90’s lip. Line the borders of your upper lip and lower lip with a lip liner that matches your lip gloss (you could overdraw if you like). Next, make an X on your cupids bow with the liner. Now fill in with some lip gloss and voila! you have the prettiest looking, well-defined, ombré pout.

So, this Valentine’s day, dump the matt red lip and go glossy.

Makeup brushes and beauty blenders

A flawless-looking complexion is all about how you apply your base make up. Instead of dabbing it on with your fingers, put some liquid foundation on a damp beauty blender, then use gentle tapping and rolling motions to blend the foundation seamlessly into the skin. The beauty blender is great for concealing under the eyes or around the nose.

Do a smokey eye like a professional with the right set of brushes — a crease brush, a blending brush and a lining brush. When there’s glitter all over your face and your clothes, it’s time to use a brush to do your highlight (also your bronzer and blush). And, if you wish to start learning how to contour, then now is the time to invest in a good set of makeup brushes.

Try the Real Techniques Core Collection Set and get a feel of the art of face painting.

Jump on the colour correcting train

I’m not the one to be easily convinced with a new beauty trend. For example, I’m not mad about ombré lips or purple-mauve blushers. So, it took me a while to accept colour correction to be a transformational trend. But, let me tell you that this trend is here to stay and rightly so. Dark circles, sallowness, dullness, pigmented skin, dark spots, or just lack-lustre complexion — whatever your skin lacks, these correctors will compensate for it. Peach, yellow, orange, lavender or green, there is a colour for every complexion and skin-colour. Read up on what you need, and start correcting!

Try some drug store correctors this year, and take your base makeup to a whole different level. See a full review and some tips on colour correcting in an older post here.

My recommendations: The drug store L.A. Girl Pro HD Colour Correctors or the more high street Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid (these do not retail in India).

Learn to master the highlight

Yes please. No, you don’t need to necessarily look like a shiny disco ball. Not if you are doing it right. A highlighter pulls double duty — it enhances your bone structure and adds a natural glow to your face such that when the tiny shimmer particles catch light, your facial features look more pronounced, infusing life into your makeup look. There are a tonne of you tube videos that will walk you through how to apply highlight the right way, but very briefly, these are the 8 ways/places to apply highlight — under the brow bone, apples of the cheeks or diagonal along the cheek bone, bridge of the nose, inner corner of the eye, cupid’s bow, centre of your eyelids or all over the face when mixed with your foundation/BB cream.

I always use the top row of my Morphe 35F Fall into Frost eye shadow palette (see a full review here) for doing my highlight and it’s perfect for me. I never really go heavy on the highlight, so I don’t believe I need another one (though Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop is on my 2018 wishlist!). Unfortunately, both Morphe Brushes and Becca do not retail in India.

Less is more – apply with a light hand

When it comes to makeup, ‘the more the merrier’ does not always hold true. Applying too much bronzer or blush can totally transform your makeup look—and not in a good way. Overdrawing you lips too much or going crazy with the contouring can make your look go from classy to trashy in 10 seconds. So, this year I encourage you to apply all your products with a lighter hand. Go slow, go easy. Tap excess product off your makeup brushes before applying and start small—you can always build up for more intensity. Find a comfortable chair to sit down and do your makeup. These are precious 5-8 minutes of my kind of sit-down meditation. Don’t you agree?

What beauty resolutions are you making this year? Tell me in the comments down below!

If you need me, I’ll be taking some long, romantic walks along the makeup aisle at Sephora. Care to join me?

Until next time, XOXO

Baby, it’s cold outside

What this post is about: My winter essentials for battling chapped lips, lifeless skin and all the havoc that harsh winters inflict on your mind and body.

I’m that person who feels cold all the freaking time. Don’t get me wrong, I love myself some winter sun basking, but late night parties dancing in the lawn with rattling bones and chattering jaws is not exactly my favourite weekend activity. Winters come with a whole lot of nuisances – dry skin, flaky lips, allergic eczema, and toes that never see the light of day. Winter takes its toll on your mind and your body. So, today I’m sharing some beauty and wellness hacks that will help soothen matters this cold, gloomy winter!

On a more positive note, winter is also hot chocolate weather and backyard bonfire weather, so I’m not really complaining! I’m all about cold days, warm hearts 🙂

H2O

Drinking enough water is as important for your skin as it is for your body. Warm water will also aid better digestion and will help avoid the contagious flu that catches on with weather change.

Coconut Oil

As an Indian, coconut oil has been a huge part of my skin care and hair care through my growing years. It is the ideal massage oil for hair, skin or nails. Fantastic for presumptive prevention of stretch marks in pregnancy or for adding to homemade body butters (see recipe here), coconut oil is a cheap, effective, and miraculous alternative to many luxurious skin care and hair care products. However, for those suffering with dry/allergic Eczema (like me), avoid the use of oil-based moisturizers. Stick to products that are water-based.

My go to winter moisturizer is the Palmer’s Cocoa butter formula. I used it through my pregnancy and still love its sweet smell. I also use it for my toddler and absolutely love his chocolatey smelling cuddles!

 Perfect pout

White lips, pale face, breathing in snowflakes! Nobody wants a selfie ruined by a chapped pout. Just like the rest of your face, your lips need some winter TLC too. Use a gentle sugar scrub or any lip scrub of your liking for some gentle exfoliation to keep chapping and flaking at bay.

This winter I rediscovered a super effective multipurpose healing balm from my childhood – Boroline! Remember the familiar green tube and the mild herby scent? I still think it makes for a great winter lip balm. Also effective for dry baby cheeks!

Those pretty feet

It’s all well thinking of cold cozy nights, warm blanket snuggles and velvety soft socks! But, when the cold winter floor feels like a huge block of ice, remember to keep your feet  moisturized before getting them toasty in some really warm socks. A good foot cream will ensure you get through winter crack-free (see my foot pamper routine here).

Try The Moms Co. Natural Foot cream; it’s all natural with peppermint essential oil that leaves your feet feeling cool and tingly!

It’s in your hands

It’s not only the skin on your face that’s prone to dryness in the winter.  Your hands face the same harsh environmental elements, and so it is imperative that you add a hand cream to your skin care routine this winter. Stash one in your car, on your work desk, on the kitchen counter and in the bathroom. Apply generously every time you use a hand wash or a hand sanitizer as these often have drying agents in them.

See a review of my trending favourite hand creams here.

Face-off

Harsh winters that make the skin oh-so-dry require you to amp up your skin care game. Your regular day moisturizer just won’t cut it. After using a mild facial cleanser to remove make up (better still, use a micellar water) consider switching to a water-based moisturizer to hydrate and rejuvenate your skin when you sleep at night.

Some great micellar water options: La Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution for Sensitive Skin or the drugstore cult fave, the Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water.

Using a thick night cream like the Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream or a rich daily moisturizer like the La Roche Posay Toleriane Riche can help prevent excessive skin dryness or flaking.

Read more about my K-beauty skin care routine here.

Facial mist

Mist your face with a setting spray instead of using a pressed powder that may accentuate dry patches. Use a pure rosewater mist to add hydration to your face, soothe tired eyes or set your makeup. Refresh every couple of hours to stay hydrated and dewy-skinned on-the-go. Hold the spray 8-10 inches away from the face, close your eyes and spray in an X and T motion.

The Kama Ayurveda Pure Rosewater Mist is the absolute best I have used so far. I have one in my hand bag for whenever my skin aches for a burst of moisture. The fragrance and travel size bottle are added bonuses.

Tip: For some gentle homemade exfoliation, mix 2 tbsp of gram flour, 2 tbsp fresh cream, and 2-3 drops of your favourite essential oil in approximately 4 tbsp of pure rosewater (soak some rose petals in water overnight or use store-bought) to make a sticky paste. Use as a gentle scrub all over the body and rinse off with some warm water. This one is a well known, Indian, homemade beauty hack.

Other great face mists: La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water, Vichy Thermal Spa Water or the Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist.

Dial it down baby

Nothing like a hot fuming shower on a cold winter evening, yeah? But hot showers can dry out your skin, stripping your skin of its natural oils and moisture levels. Hot water can also leave your skin feeling itchy, red, tight and raw (not the greatest feeling!). So think beyond what you put on your skin – dial down the temps in the shower to lukewarm.

Comfortable clothes

Wearing a layer of pure cotton clothes inside woollen or synthetic outerwear can prevent further irritation to dry and flaky skin. Ensure that your sleepwear is made of pure soft cotton and that your sheets and pillow cases are made of cotton too. I hate my hair standing up with static charge when it makes contact with polyester bedding! Ugh!

Tip: Frizzy haired girls may find that sleeping on satin pillowcases ensures that you don’t further tangle you mane while you toss and turn in bed. Wake up with hair that’s willing to behave without spritzing your hairspray around like a maniac.

Adding back moisture

Winter air is often low in moisture, especially if you live close to a desert like me. This can make your skin look and feel lifeless and may trigger allergic eczema in those prone to severe skin dryness. Central heating further saps the air of its humidity. Investing in a humidifier can counteract this, as they add moisture back into the environment. They also help your skin retain optimum hydration, so they are worth every penny. Keeping open broad-mouthed bowls of water in the corner of every room with a few drops of your favourite essential oil is another way of adding moisture back to your surroundings.

Humidifiers are also wonderful for babies suffering with dry skin or a dry nasal passage. Keep it running while your baby sleeps at night and both of you will benefit from it.

Plant babies

Nature seems to be in hibernation for the winter and it can be rough to go without seeing some green leaves for months on end. Finding some low maintenance house plants to liven up your spaces can help lift spirits temporarily until spring arrives. Succulents are friendly house plants for those that lack a green thumb.

Dealing with Eczema

Eczema is an allergic reaction, but the cold, dry, windy weather can often be a trigger. From your face cleanser in the morning, to the detergent you use for your inners, to the bath soap you use at night, protecting your skin before it flares up is the name of the eczema game. Look after yourself before it’s too late. Many of the pointers above should help with making it easier for you this winter.

For those aching to see the sun, hold on – you’re almost there. If winter’s here, spring can’t be far behind.

Until next time, look after your skin, you gotta live in it forever.

Disclaimer: This post does not contain any affiliate links.

Body type: works out, but definitely likes donuts

How many times in a week do you look at a piece of cake and want it to stop staring at you with bedroom eyes? I don’t know if you can be honest but it happens to me every single day. And I’m not even a big fan of cake. But I’m not supposed to eat cake, which makes me want to eat a whole loaf (I feel less guilty when I’m offered banana bread instead of banana muffins; you know what I’m saying?)

{sidenote – It does’nt help that I enjoy baking; close friends always ask ‘who eats all the cake, if you can’t?!’ Well, if you are my neighbour, you know the answer!}

There are two types of women – those blessed with slender frames and long legs, and those blessed with curvy bodies and stubborn genes. Whatever category you fall under, you are never satisfied with the way you look. The grass is always greener on the other side. Somebody will always ‘seem’ more beautiful. And I get it. But imagine if we obsessed about all the things that we love about ourselves? If we accepted our hair, body type, legs or skin for what they were!

My body type is best summarized by the title of this post. For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with body weight. I cannot tell you how much of my life I’ve spent hating my body. As women, we put ourselves through hell, feeling as though we are never enough. Missing out on parties, vacations and night-outs because we can’t wear a certain kind of outfit. Missing out on taking photographs with our babies because we can’t see ourselves looking so out of shape post pregnancy. Wearing a sweatshirt and jeans because we fear that any body show might be judged. Living in fear of not being accepted by others when all we really need is to be accepted by ourselves first. One day, you need to wake up and put this all behind you. You need to wake up feeling like you can wear what you want and feel great about it. No matter what you do, people will stare. Make it worth their while. Own your body.

It took me 30 years, one baby and a whole lot of self-loathing to get to a point where I am happy and comfortable in my own skin. Whatever I am or am not is my doing. It is a consequence of my decisions and my choices.

If I ate cupcakes and refused to workout, stayed up nights watching Suits and ate at odd times, I saw my mind and body suffer. But, I accepted that everybody is allowed a bit of slack time once in a while! I also knew that if I put good food into my body and good thoughts in my head, I could change both. Acceptance made me stay in control and feel in control. Now, I eat a cupcake and tell my mind to ignore it and please please not to store it! It almost always works.

I am very far from where I would like to be with my mind and body, but I feel at peace knowing that I am working on myself every single day. I don’t care when people call me fat (or other similar adjectives). I know I’m working towards a healthy body and a healthier mind. I may have cheat days and sometimes even cheat weeks, or may succumb to midnight snacking (on brownies) on blah days, but every choice I make I’m okay with. There is no guilt or regret. There’s always tomorrow and I will do better, be better tomorrow.

So, here’s a humble request to babes with swimsuit bods – throw around kindness like confetti on those that are fighting the struggle of self-love. The fine line between confidence and arrogance is to stay humble irrespective of how your reflection in the mirror looks. Send a smile, not a smirk to those in baggy tees and cargo pants.

And until next time, remember to prepare your mind before you gobble down that packet of chips. Tell your mind – I’m going to eat this and I’m going to be okay’. Now eat very slowly and relish every bite. Hallelujah.

P.S. You can’t eat chips everyday and throw a fit when you go up two sizes. Moderation ladies, please. Save the chips for season finales only.

So, let’s begin twenty eighteen by being kind to our bodies, and by obsessing about the little things that make us amazing. Until next time, wear what you want to and feel great about it. XOXO

Im Prada, you’re nada

Tis the season to be merry and wear all the party outfits you bought on that midnight sale!

But, putting the perfect outfit together is not as easy as slurping up spaghetti pomodoro. Ask a woman who is going on a job interview, a first date or out with friends who are taller and slimmer than her. It takes skill, practice and a whole lot of mumbling to oneself – ‘I really need new clothes‘.

And then comes the irrational fear of wasting a good outfit on an insignificant day! Or wearing the wrong colour altogether – like red to a funeral or white to a wedding, burgundy in summer or sky blue in winter, blush pink for a night out or ruby-red for a blind date! If your head isn’t reeling with confusion already, add to this the pressure of matching a bag, shoes and accessories to your OOTD! Well, one thing’s for sure, stress doesn’t really go with any outfit. So, let’s do a quick, basic run through on the know-hows of dressing on point.

Life is too short to dress boring. Great style emerges from taking risks, not from dressing in neutrals. You could wear blue jeans and a striped tee with a blazer, a pair of beige pumps and a black classic hand bag – and look fabulous. But how do you take it to the next level? From fabulous to flat-out fabulous? Think outside the box. In fact, think as if there is no box at all.

I want my outfit to match my mood. Real life scenario. When I’m trying to write a sassy post like this one, I’ll always pull my hair out of a ponytail, do a couple of hair flips, allow my fringe to cover one eye and feel the vibe. It helps the creativity ooze. Often, your mood will define your style, and rarely your outfit will uplift your mood. Either way, they’ve got to be in sync for the magic to happen. Dressing up is all about reflecting how you feel.

I plan my outfit based on how much food I plan on eating. You should too. Hold the skinny jeans for a disco night; embrace the shapeless boyfriend jeans for a pizza night. Adapt this idea laterally to all facets of dressing. Cobblestone pathways and kitten heels. No. Bustling streets and cross-body bags. Yes. Wild night kissing strangers and ruby woo. Well, this one swings both ways. Take your pick.

Note: When mom read a draft of this post, she was horrified that I was asking readers to wear their boyfriends’ jeans. So much for asking her for her inputs!

I layer after reading weather predictions. I hate it when I’m like ‘Hell, it’s so hot!’ and someone’s like ‘Why don’t you take your jacket off’; like bitch no, this is my outfit. You feel me? It is always wise to dress for rain if you see dark clouds or layer smart so you can adapt to small weather surprises without ruining your outfit. An umbrella for your thoughts.

Simplicity is the key-note of all true elegance – Coco Chanel says it best. Simple need not be boring. Simple could mean one statement accessory, or one bold lip or one standout dress – and not all three together. Wear the outfit; don’t let the outfit wear you.

Exercise? Oh! I thought you said accessorize. Yes, i could easily say something like that. Though I’m not the girl to accessorize too much (a watch, some earrings and a cross-body bag), I still think accessories can make or break an outfit. That definitely does not mean that you match your bag to your dress. NO. Match your bag to your shoes. Make one part of your outfit pop (smokey eyes, bold lip, hair up-do, dress, shoes, bag or jewellery), and keep the rest basic.

Always dress like you are going to bump into an ex-flame. This one is a good example of how life screws you over when you least expect it. Don’t we all remember that one instance in the ‘messy bun and getting stuff done’ mode, when our exes bumped into us with their flaming hot dates? That cringy feeling of wanting to be swallowed into the earth right then and there?! Always dress as if you are going somewhere better later. Keep him guessing.

Clothes mean nothing unless someone lives in them. Whatever you wear, you gotta feel it, own it. Get others to notice you in your outfit, rather than notice just your outfit. Whether your style is boho chic, tomboy, classy-girls-wear-pearls, or plain Jane – if looking at your OOTD in the mirror makes you happy, by all means, take a selfie and click send. Remember, your character is also a part of your outfit.

The serendipity of dress shopping. Serendipity (n.). Finding something good without looking for it. When you find the right outfit and you can’t stop thinking about it, buy it. It doesn’t happen all the time. In fact, when you go shopping for clothes with a mission to come home with 5 perfect outfits, you end with a paper bag full of veggies, a baguette and at best, a new M.A.C lipstick (because you were so depressed that you needed lip therapy!).

In a world full of trends, be a classic. Fashion is ever-changing, but classic fashion is a style that lasts several seasons, sometimes several years. Like Chanel No.5, white converse sneakers, trench coats, leather bomber jackets, the perfect fitting jeans, the sophisticated work flats, the chunky sweater, the striped tee, or the leather-strapped watch. As fun as it is to adopt a new fashion trend or go ga-ga over a new fad, classic wardrobe staples that are timeless, are the easiest to put together and to carry with poise.

Friends don’t let friends wear bad outfits. Unless you are both after the same man! When in doubt, always ask a friend to help choose your outfit, one who understands your style. Be open to criticism and experimentation. If you get a lot of compliments, thank your friend. If you get a lot of subtle eye rolls, raised brows and stifled giggles, choose better next time – both the outfit and the friend.

Dressing up for someone can inspire genius. Even if it involves wearing a nude lipstick and crushing on your gym instructor! Nothing is more intoxicating than looking good and feeling good. Sometimes you do it for yourself, sometimes for others. If all you need is a bit of motivation, what the hell, just think of him and poof! you’ve got yourself the perfect OOTD.

It’s funny how motivation can fuel innovation, expression and confidence (trying not to sound like the tagline of a multinational company!).

Lastly, I always prepare for a faux-pas. Overthinking it is better than landing up with a broken shoe or bird poo on your pants. Losing a shoe may have been swell for Cinderella, but the world is full of Cruellas who aren’t going to rescue you when you have an outfit faux-pas. Yes, if you fall, make it part of the dance and all. But, for all practical purposes, if you have a long day ahead, prepare to change into flats, comfortable pants or carry an extra safety-pin. Whatever it is, being prepared means being in charge.

Finally, everything is figureoutable. Now go ahead and turn some heads.

Merry Christmas! I’ll be back one last time before ringing in the new year. Until then, XOXO.

Trending beauty staples

What this post is about: My current beauty favourites – products that are part of my daily makeup bag and those that I can’t stop raving about.

I call it the beauty junkie’s block. You know when you love a product and can’t stop using it, when you forget about all the other awesome stuff sitting in your drawers, when you refuse to try anything new because you are so consumed and chuffed with your present beauty drill? (also, because you are getting all those compliments from strangers at work and at the children’s park!). I’m going through it right about now and as a gentle reminder to my beauty brain, I wanted to write this post and tell y’all what’s rocking my boat these days. These products are my go-tos when I need to get my make up on in five minutes (on autopilot mode) with my toddler blah-blahing incessantly in the background. Music to my ears.

Not dripping with sarcasm anymore – I really think these beauty basics are great value for money and do their job well. I’m narrowing it down to six of my makeup bag essentials. Here we go!

Base: The Face Shop Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel

The Face Shop Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel – This is the most soothing, calming, comforting and cooling aloe gel that you can possibly find in the market. If you have sensitive skin, this can be a wonderful gel base for your makeup. It can also be used as a post-wax soothing gel to calm angry or irritated pores. Superb for summers, as it absorbs in seconds, hydrates profusely and doesn’t run with sweat. I can’t live my life without this in my makeup bag.

Conceal: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer – Finally available in India, this was the much awaited every-beauty-blogger’s-most-gushed-about concealer for dark circles. I was so thrilled when I got my hands on this concealer and I’m glad that it did not disappoint. One happy miracle in a weird clicking-tube situation, this concealer is almost impossible to beat at the drug store level.

Light-weight, smooth and almost opaque, it is fantastic for concealing or brightening under eyes, and can alternatively be used as a handy base for eye shadow. Also great for combating redness around the nose and spot concealing, this one is definitely a makeup bag staple (even if you own a luxury one already). Try it and you’ll see.

I am in the shade ‘medium’ (I am brown-skinned with a fair to medium skin tone).

Brows: NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil

NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil – I never did my eyebrows until I tried this one, and now I can’t stop using it. It comes with a twist-up auto pencil at one end to fill brows and a spoolie brush at the other end to tame brows. Compact, precise, easy to use and does the job perfectly.

I use the shade ‘Brunette‘. This shade may seem too light for Indian skin, but to be honest it gives me the most natural looking, shapely brows. A great colour if you need to fill in any gaps; this colour will not give you those angry brows that ruin your no-makeup makeup look.

Cheeks: The Body Shop All-in-One Cheek Colour

The Body Shop All-in-One Cheek Colour – This range of blushes by The Body Shop is simply stunning. All the colours are gorgeous and extremely pigmented. They can be doubled up as an eye-shadow or can be used to add a hint of colour to the apples of the cheeks. The are long-lasting, smooth, buttery and provide a natural flushed appearance. Can’t wait to get some more of these!

The shade I own is called ‘Macaroon’ (a medium, warm peachy pink).

Lips: M.A.C Prep + Prime Lip

M.A.C Prep + Prime Lip – I was urged by my bestie to get this one ‘right now!’ And whatever she says, I do. So, now I want to go kiss her, because I love this lip primer to death. Until now, I always used a lip balm under matt lipsticks, but balms make lipsticks less matt, slippery and messy. Balms are also inconvenient if you need to use a lip liner (I almost always use M.A.C Spice under all my lipsticks, it’s my MLBB shade of liner), because they hinder even, clean application.

This lip primer comes in a twist-up chapstick-like pen. Ideally, you apply it generously on your lips before you begin your makeup. Wait for 5 minutes and allow it to hydrate and mattify your lips. Then go in with the lip liner and the lipstick. It definitely improves the staying power and colour pay-off of the products you apply on top of it. It prevents matt lipsticks from tugging at the lips and helps in achieving even application of deeper shades. Absolute must have. A bit of a splurge, but then a M.A.C product is irreplaceable.

Lips: L’oreal Paris Color Riche Le Matt Lip pen

Le Matt Lip pen – ‘She’s so matte‘ is currently my handbag pal. Pretty-looking, deeply matte and non-drying, these lip pens are so handy. A twist-up lip pen, the L’oreal Le matt range has five shades to choose from. Unfortunately, all the other colours are shades that don’t flatter my skin tone. I only wish they launched a few more shades in this range, as the formula, colour pay-off and staying power are so great.

I love the shade ‘She’s so matte‘. It’s a beautiful peachy pink nude, perfect for day wear and surprisingly opaque for a nude shade; it is a versatile colour that compliments many looks.

Tell me, what’s trending in your beauty stash this month? Comment down below!

Until next time, XOXO.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned are bought by me with my own money. My reviews are neither sponsored nor biased. I review only those products that I deem fit to recommend to others, staying mindful not to exaggerate or undermine their quality, value and usefulness. This post does not contain any affiliate links.