My Take : Avon Naturals Water Lily & Aloe Hand and Body Lotion

I have weird skin. And I know most of us say that about our skin, but mine really is.I have never been able to understand the needs of my skin since it has different needs for different parts of my body.I have combination skin (veering towards oily in summers and dry in winters) on my face, sensitive skin on my hands, extremely dry skin on my legs and a variety of combination on other parts of the body.So you must imagine how difficult it is for me to zero in on a single product for my skin.Over the years I have experimented and explored innumerable products and though I still haven't found that one great HG body product I make do with home remedies and ok products.So over the course of the next few months I will discuss each of them with you.

This water lily and aloe lotion though has very recently become one of my favorite products.I mentioned it in my Great Bargain Buys Under Rs100 post and I think it deserves a full fledged review.

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Whipped TLC : Wrinkles

Take care or you'll end up like this cute dude

Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the natural aging process.With the passage of time the skin tends to loose moisture and elasticity giving birth to wrinkles.Many external factors such as smoking, sun exposure, light skin and even genetics also contribute to wrinkles sometimes even prematurely.

There are a plethora of cures and remedies for the treatment and cure of wrinkles but minor changes in our lifestyle and taking extra care of our skin needs may definitely prolong the appearance of wrinkles.

Here are two wrinkle creams that can be applied to prevent the appearance of wrinkles.The key is to keep your skin well hydrated and protected from sun exposure.

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Nailed It: Nails In Custom Made Peach

Browsing the internet one fine day I chanced by the Chanel Nail Paint in Miami Peach.And it was love at first sight.Lately I have sworn off pinks and nudes as too girly and was venturing into deep dark shades but this is one color that I had to have.Being a lesser mortal(read no access to high end stuff like Chanel) I had to improvise(this word is fast becoming a favorite).

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A Lakme Change of Heart

Remember the little white package from Lakme that I talked about the other day.Well I think the time is ripe to share the story with my readers.

Well a couple of months back I had to make an emergency purchase from Lakme - Perfect Definition Eye Pencil in Midnight,since I had forgotten my regular pencil at home and I simply can't survive without an eyeliner.This was for a wedding and because I was not making a regular purchase I decided to go for something a little cheap.Plus I'm not very confident about Lakme products so didn't want to waste any extra money.Boy was I disappointed.Even for a temporary, emergency, no other alternative purchase it was 175 bucks down the drain.I do not really begrudge the money spent but I was appalled at the lack of quality.

The liner smudged within half an hour of application and could not even stay put for more than an hour, not to mention the gooey mess it left in the corner of my eyes.

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Chemical Peels At Home - Part 1

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A chemical peel uses a chemical solution to improve the skin texture by dissolving dead skin on the skin's surface.The result is smoother skin with fewer wrinkles.Chemical peels are also helpful in reduction of blemishes,acne scars and uneven skin pigmentation.There are various kinds of chemical peels having varying strengths and can be performed by a dermatologist or by yourself using a home-kit(the internet is flooded with them).

However these usually contain strong chemicals and can be quite unsafe if not used carefully (remember Samantha from SATC) not to mention expensive.A safer option would be to prepare these chemical peels at home yourself by using ingredients commonly found in the kitchen.They have the benefit of being natural,cheap and most importantly safe.But do not try to make stronger peels at home.These should be formulated and applied by a licensed specialist only.

In this 3 part series I'm going to cover the basics of concocting chemical peels in the safety of your kitchen.In this post I'm going to introduce the concept of homemade peels and in later posts I will concentrate on two specific types of peels.

Types Of Chemical Peels

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Freshly Shopped : A Day of Couriers & Parcels

Remember that song about magpies from your childhood : one for sorrow, two for joy, three for letter........

Well I saw 3 magpies today in the morning and since I strictly adhere to the song I started expecting a letter(or rather an email), but I never expected parcels of beauty goodies.Ok 2 parcels to be precise.The first one from Avon containing my latest haul and the other a surprise from Lakme(more about that in a later post [link here]).

Here are some pictures and first impressions of my Avon haul :

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Whipped TLC : Blemishes

Blemishes are marks on the skin due to boils, pimples, acne, itching, rashes or some other skin problems.Blemishes can spell doom for most of our kindred, but more so for the fair-skinned.Me being a prime example.I suffered from acne in my teens and even though now I'm zit free(most days) the blemishes on my face make me cringe every time I look in the mirror.Makeup can be a temporary solution for a problem that is more or less permanent if not treated.

There are many laser and chemical treatments available but many things found in our kitchen can help get rid of blemishes to a great extent.

Here are two recipes whipped up to help reduce blemishes:

Gram Flour Pack

2 tbsp gram flour(besan)

pinch of turmeric

few drops of lemon

1 tbsp curd

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Skintillating: Love Thy Skin

It is said that beauty is skin deep.And nothing could be more true.Skin is the largest organ in the body and probably the most neglected too.We buy expensive clothes,shoes,makeup but never once do we gauge our skin needs and respect them.Committing a skin sin is a horrendous crime which can have heavy repercussions.

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1. Accept

We crib and cry about our skin type,tone,texture,color on a daily basis and never appreciate it for what its worth.The first step towards loving our skin is to accept it.For a very long time I cribbed about my oily skin.Nothing I did made a difference.Finally I accepted it and stopped pretending otherwise.I adopted a skin care routine suitable for my oily skin and that has made a huge difference because I'm no longer unhappy with my skin anymore.

Throw away fairness creams/lotions.Seriously they are a waste of your money,time and quite honestly your intelligence.Skin color is genetic and nothing can change it.Instead wish for a healthy skin and invest in sun protection.Which brings me to my next point.

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How To Spend Less On Makeup/Cosmetics

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Shopping is addictive business and shopping for cosmetics.....Don't get me started.Every time I pass a makeup counter at the mall,store,supermarket, every time a new catalog arrives, every time I hear of online discounts, I'm filled with an inexplicable urge to shop(with my sub conscious berating me constantly).

One might thing buying high-end brands are responsible for the dent in our pockets but in reality even the drugstore route can take you the same way.Reason? Trying new colors, replacing old makeup and following new trends not to mention whims and urges are responsible.

However cosmetics can be bought without sending your budget in an overdrive.Just keep the following in mind and you will be safe.

Keep An Inventory

The first thing to do is inventorize your makeup possessions.Sounds like a tedious job, but it's the easiest way to know what you have so that you don't end up buying it twice.When I finally plucked courage to do an inventory I realized I had four lipsticks in almost the same shade from different brands, 2 black eyeliners and 3 blue eyeliners.I keep buying my favorites over and over again without realizing I'm duplicating them.So trying out new colors in the name of buying makeup is actually a farce.Swatch your lipsticks, eye liners,eye shadows and blushes on plain white paper and sellotape over it.Write the name, color and brand below it, so that you know in a glance what you have.

Barter Makeup

Ok so what to do if you do end up with duplicate stuff.Or buy something only to realize later that you don't like it. Have a makeup swap with friends.Take all your unused makeup and get your friends together to trade them.This way you are not burdened with makeup you don't want and gain something you might want in the bargain.Just make sure to swap unused stuff only.

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My Take : Aroma Magic Peppermint Exfol Gel

I had read a lot about Aroma Magic products over the blogs and my curiosity lead me to my local departmental store hunting for their products.I was basically looking for a scrub and had heard a lot about their mineral glow scrub, but at the store the peppermint exfol gel caught my fancy.Why?Well it seemed more suitable for my sensitive,oily skin and claimed to contain AHA,which I'm currently obsessed with(more about that in my next post).So I went ahead and bought it even though I had no prior knowledge about it(meaning I had not read about it in the blogosphere).And I was so confident I went ahead and bought the 120 ml pack.

As you can guess from my tone, I'm regretting my purchase.

It comes in a tube packaging and is in the form of a transparent pink gel.Smells fresh and minty and is cooling on the face.

What it claims?

This gentle gel formula contains AHA a multi-fruit acid mixture that eliminates dead surface cells, blackheads and fine lines uncovering smoother and softer skin.Your skin will look amazingly revitalized in just one day.

Directions for use:

Apply onto face and leave it on for 10 minutes .Gently massage it off.Rinse afterward.

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Rules Of Use : Eye Makeup

Eyes are the most expressive features of your face and communicate your feelings much better than words can.So it makes sense that attractive eyes can make you go from ok to oomph in a matter of seconds.Although the trick lies in proper application.

Keep the following in mind while doing your eye makeup:

1. Prime your eyes:

An eye primer basically makes your eye shadow application smoother,makes it stay longer and brings out the color much better.Those with oily eye lids should make an eye primer an essential part of their makeup routine.

2. Compliment the color of your eyes:

Complimenting the color of your eyes does not necessarily mean using shadows and liners of the same color.You should choose shades to bring out the color of your eyes.Most of us Indian women have brown/black eye which gives us a huge color selection variety.Though to make your eyes really pop use pink,green and violet.If you have blue/gray eyes absolutely avoid blue eye shadow.Instead opt for earthy colors with a purple or slate base.For green eyes use purple to add drama with brown and beige bases.

3. Highlight with care:

A highlighter is often used in conjunction with eye shadow to add depth to the colors used.It is not a must and in fact is too bothersome for everyday makeup, but if used it should be used very carefully.Blend it well with the eye shadow so that it does not stand out, but should seem one with the eye shadow.Apply to the outer edge of the crease to make eyes look bigger.Avoid using it on the inner corner or you will end up with beady eyes.

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Style Diary : Emo

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 Emo is a sub-culture that finds its root in both Punk and Gothic fashion though these days Emo refers to a softer choice of Punk fashion and cosmetics.I rudely came across the term when my cousin turned up at my place with neon pink streaks in her hair and I was patiently educated about the concept of Emo.I was fascinated and put my Google skills to test.
I discovered that Emo is a style of rock music typically characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics(Wikipedia).

It is basically short for Emotional and depicts personality traits such as shy,sensitive and touchy.These emotions carry over onto the outward appearance with dark made up eyes,poker straight black hair with bangs, electric,neon highlights,tight,fitting clothes and the quintessential chucks or converse.

Emo is often misinterpreted as rebellious and attention seeking because of its raw in your face style,but nothing can be farther from the truth.Teenagers who adopt it are not looking for attention but draw inspiration from the emotional hardcore music they listen to.

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Happy Independence Day

The term Independence can mean a variety of things today but for our forefathers 63 years ago it meant freedom from the tyranny of fellow humans.Let us not make their blood,sweat and toil go in vain and endeavor to keep fighting to attain freedom from oppression,abuse and terrorism to emerge as free souls.

Happy Independence Day.

Jai Hind.

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Freshly Shopped : My Goodies From IMBB's Giveaway

Warning : This post may induce the green-eyed monster in you.Caution is advised.

I'm two days late in posting about the scrumptious stuff I got from Rati's 500 posts Giveaway.In my defense I was drooling all over the stuff for the last two days and was waiting for my camera which I had lent to my cousin.

However I decided that I should compromise and use my phone to click them because these goodies deserve to be shown off to the world.

The box was filled with colorful foamy marshmallows,a post it from Rati and of course the goodies themselves.Each with a tiny sticker on it.

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Makeup Tricks For Perfect Features

One of the most essential uses of makeup is to hide our facial flaws and bring out our features.But most women apply makeup mechanically without any attention to detail.However this attention to detail can transform ordinary makeup to make you look gorgeous with perfect 10 features.

Here's how:  

Flawless Skin:
The 3 C's will work their magic to flaunt flawless skin-Cleanse,Conceal,Cover.Use a mild scrub to clean your face before applying makeup.It will help remove dead skin and tan.And nothing can beat the glow of freshly scrubbed skin.Moisturize next while face is still wet.Use Concealer to camouflage the flaws on your face(read blemishes and under eye circles).Apply foundation and blend it well to get an even skin tone.Dust face with loose powder to finish making sure to blend the excess. 

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My Take : NYX Mosaic Powder in Highlighter

This product had been on my wish list ever since I first laid my eyes on it and needless to say I ordered it online the first chance I got.I was basically looking for a highlighter cum blusher and after an exhaustive search found the Mosaic Powder.

It is marketed as both a highlighter and blusher and comes in a variety of 12 shades but the shade I bought Highlighter is most suitable to be used as a highlighter.It is a mosaic of 5 colors(Pink,Lilac,Brown,Beige and Cream).However when blended together it is a sheer pearlescent pinkish white which looks awesome on my pale skin.

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Whipped TLC : Dry Skin

Dry skin means low level of sebum which leads to a parched look caused because the skin is unable to retain moisture.

Dry skin is usually sensitive and feels tight and uncomfortable after washing unless you apply a moisturizer.Extreme temperatures,genetics and skin disorders are the primary causes of dry skin.

Dry skin is more susceptible to wrinkles and fine lines if proper care is not taken.

Whip up the following recipe to soothe and replenish dry skin:

 

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Great Bargain Buys Under Rs100

My one prerequisite while buying cosmetics and skin products is that they should deliver what they claim.Over the years I have come to realize that the price tag is not an indication of how good a product can be.All of us goof-up while buying stuff and nothing is more of a mood killer when you end up with rotten products that cost you a leg and a half.

But I have managed to find some great stuff which apart from being pocket friendly(less than 100 bucks) are quiet effective and useful. 

Elle 18 Eyeliner Black

Rs 45 for 4.5ml

An eyeliner is not part of my daily makeup routine but I like to apply it when I'm all dolled up.This product was highly recommended by a friend who swears by it and after buying it I can understand why.Its easy to use especially for amateurs like me and the applicator is super thin which gives a nice precise thin line and glides easily without creating a mess.The quantity is good enough for the price and lasts for 4-5 months after which it dries up.Though it is not waterproof and stings when it comes in contact with the eyes but since I use it very occasionally I'm willing to compromise.

Ponds White Beauty Lightening Facial Foam

Rs 60 for 50gms

This is by far the best face wash I have ever used and I will carry this to my grave and not just because its cheap but because it delivers what it claims.This is supposed to be a skin and spots lightening product and is in the form of a foam.Just a pea sized amount is enough and after application my oily face is squeaky clean with no residue or oily film left.And I love it just for this reason.It definitely helps in lightening skin tone and does not leave your face dry.Super for my sensitive and oily skin.

Aloe Gel Tub

Rs 65 for 50gms

This is a lifesaver and I look for excuses to use it.Although fresh Aloe-Vera is supposed to more effective,this can save you time and effort and is multi-purpose.I bought this from a pharmacist and it comes in various sizes though the 50gm jar suits me.

Can be used on minor cuts and burns and to soothe skin.When I'm feeling too lazy to whip up a pack I simply slather this on my face and wash it off after 10 minutes.Great for massaging oily skin.Helps in combating dark circles and lightens blemishes.Can also be applied on hair.This little jar is a must have for every gal.

Avon Naturals Water Lily & Aloe Hand & Body Lotion

Rs69 for 100ml

I bought this because I was bored with the body lotions available and desperately wanted a change.I'm happy I did.It is quiet moisturizing with a pleasant fragrance.It contains Water Lily Extracts which is known for its soothing properties and Aloe Vera which conditions skin.It is light with a runny consistency and can be used in the summers without making you sweat.It's not sticky and is absorbed by the skin quickly which makes it a good hand lotion also.

Oriflame VisionV Lipstick

Rs79 for 2.5gms(Current Catalog Price Rs69) 

I actually bought this for Rs35 back in March and since they were so dirt cheap I bought around 5-6.My only regret is that I should have bought more because I'm left with only two now.These are absolutely great.They come in a variety of 18 great shades comprising of pinks,browns,mauve's,reds and maroons.The color pay-off is good.Staying power is around 2 hours.Contain Vitamin E and keep lips hydrated.Super easy to carry.

Swatches(L-R):Elle 18 Eyeliner Black,VisionV Lipsticks in Pink Lips & Pink Berry

Sunsilk Conditioners

Rs99 for 180ml 

Conditioners are normally used to detangle your hair after shampooing and leave a coating of silicon to make it softer and manageable.All the conditioners do the same thing irrespective of their price.If your not sure check out the list of ingredients at the back of the bottle and you will find that they are the same for most conditioners.Sunsilk is one of the oldest brands in the country and has never compromised in quality.I have used different conditioners but I keep coming back to Sunsilk.My favorite variants are the yellow and pink one.I use these for my pre-shampoo treatment because they are cheap and I can slather it without feeling guilty.A big thumbs up.

With prices sky rocketing everywhere it comes as a relief to know that my most beloved and trustworthy products won't dent my pockets.

Do you have a great bargain buy under Rs100?

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Makeup SOS : Emergency Makeup Alternatives

Each one of us at some point or the other in our tryst with makeup face the inescapable situation where we run outta our makeup essentials. And usually this happens when  we are at our most vulnerable(read early in the morning getting ready for work).

So does that mean we step out of the house without our MU better halves. Absolutely not. We resort to the next best thing: Improvisation.

And that's exactly what I have done.Come up with a list of improvised makeup emergency alternatives.These are tried and tested and have never failed me yet.

1.Foundation

Substitute:Loose powder + Moisturizer

Mix loose powder or even compact(will be a little difficult to remove) with your fave moisturizer and apply like you would normally apply foundation.Use powder sparingly for sheer coverage and increase the amount according to your requirement.The final consistency should resemble your foundation.You can go a step ahead and add your sunscreen to get instant foundation with sun protection.Agreed its not the best solution but its better than going naked.

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My Take : Oriflame Soothing Foot Cream

Being the shoeholic that I’m,obsession with my feet is part of the deal.But I hate fuss of any kind so getting a regular pedicure is outta the question.I normally scrub my heels by a pumice stone everyday and soak them in hot water occasionally, but my idea of a foot cream until recently was a jar of cold cream and I must confess I was pretty satisfied.Then I saw this product in the oriflame catalog and bought it.It looked promising and hola was on a 50% DISCOUNT.

I’m glad I did because I’m hooked.

I could feel my feet become soft instantly after application and a week of regular use made them baby soft,something my pumice and cold cream could never achieve.Plus it smells heavenly a mix of flowers and peppermint candy.

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