Three Random Things Vol.23

Dear Readers,

Almost exactly 2 years ago was my last post about Three Random Things. And it was about Durga Puja. So I thought this would be a good time to revive the series, now that the 2017 Durga Puja concluded a week ago.

For this week my three random questions are.... based on fasting. Why? well lots of fasting  festivals during this time of the year.... Just a random thought that struck me.

Q1. Do you fast for faith or health or any other random reason?

Answer: I fast fast for faith. I have dedicated Friday's to my chosen deity and I eat cereals (rice/wheat based food) only once that day. Through that day I eat only fruits, milk and a fist full of mixed nuts. I feel it helps instil a sense of discipline and I'm not munching just any thing that I can get my hands on. Perhaps it makes me eat healthy that one day.






Q2. Have you ever gone on a complete fast, avoiding even water?

Answer: Yes, once. I was in college and decided to challenge myself on Kali Puja (New Moon day in October/November) also known as Diwali. This fast requires the nothing, not even water will pass your lips. This fast begins just before sunrise on that day and continues through the day, into the night and into the wee hours of the next morning till the Kali Puja rituals are concluded which could be about 2.00 am. So a total of almost 24 hrs. To say the least it was exhausting and I have never tried it again.

Q3. What tempts you most if you are fasting (by choice or by force)?

Answer: Cake. Rich chocolate cake.....

I tag you to answer these questions. You may answer one, two or all three. Please answer in the comments section below. 

Q1. Do you fast for faith or health or any other random reason?
Q2. Have you ever gone on a complete fast, avoiding even water?
Q3. What tempts you most if you are fasting (by choice or by force)?

Think and Stay Beautiful!

What's In My FabBag October 2017

Dear Readers,

It has been a long time since I have posted..... a really loooong time. There were moments when  I wan't sure I wanted to continue beauty blogging. I have been crazy busy living life. And beauty blogging was being pushed out of my list of priorities far too often. Besides, I wasn't able to work on any new material. All I was doing was just some beauty subscription roundups....

Incidentally this  post is more of the same. However, I want to revive my Random Things series. A lot of product reviews are due. and I know I haven't done a Cook With Me post in a long time. Let's give this another try....



So really what's in my FabBag this month? The theme for this month is 'Steal the Limelight'.

The Bag this month itself is quite blingy with gold and silver accents. Pretty attractive and eye-catching. 

And here is what's inside...... 

Yuana Premium Hair Oil

Product Price INR 337/- for 50 ml

Sample Size in the Bag: 50 ml

This hair oil is a mix of 7 fine oils. However, the base is light mineral oil. Hmmmm. I don't think I will use it on my scalp, but definitely on the hair lengths. 

Kronokare City Detox Face Wash

Product Price: INR 150/- for 30ml

Sample Size in Bag: 30 ml

I have always loved all the Kronokare products I have ever used, there body washes, body lotions. I am looking forward to try this face wash too!

Sugar Arch Rival Brow Definer in 01 Jerry Brown 

Product Price: INR 499/-

Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

What I love most about Sugar is the tongue in cheek names for their products! I do not have very thick brows and I need to fill them out when I wear more makeup than usual. I have already used it and I am quite loving it!

Mond'sub Gold Facial Sheet Mask

Product Price: INR 250/- for 60 gms

Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

This looks like an absolute luxe product! I am going to use it on Diwali day and give you an account of what it will do for me.

Total Value: INR 1236/-  For a Bag that is  priced at 599/-, this month is good value for money

Overall Verdict: Apart from the hair oil,  like all other products. Would I recommend buying? I would. The Brow definer, face wash and sheet mask are absolutely worth it!

FabBag is a monthly subscription service starting at INR 416/-. Each month's bag contains 3-5 products from national and international brands ranging from drugstore to luxury. Product sizes range from small sample sizes to full size. To join this service click HERE.

My Going-To-Work Make-up Routine

Hi Everyone!

I've never done a makeup video, so here is a first. It is obviously nowhere close to a whole bunch of Beauty You-Tubers. I any case, i'm not trying to teach anyone, I'm only showing what I do. Hope you like the video! If you do, don't forget to give me a THUMBS UP. Subscribe only if you want...






Products Used:

1. L'Oreal BaseMagique Transforming Smoothing Primer
2. Colorbar Perfect Match BB Cream in 02 Honey Glaze
3. Lollipop Concealer in 24 Biscuit
4. Maybelline Clear Glow All in One Compact Powder in 02 Nude Beige
5. Bellapierre Mineral Blush in Autumn Glow
6. NYX 3 Color Shadow Palette in Love in Rio
7. Lakme Eyeconic Kohl in Brown
8. Elle 18 Liquid Eyeliner in Blackout
9. Sugar Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick in 05 Rust Lust 

Feel Free to leave your comments...

Think and Stay Beautiful!

Empties Post: June 2017

Hi Everyone!

I haven't done an empties post in a while and I have this huge stash of empties sitting in my cupboard. However, this time, instead of a written blog post, I am doing a quick video.

Products mentioned in the video:

1. Oriflame Pure Nature Organic Aloevera and Arnica Extract Soothing Toner
2. Lisa Haydon Naked Lotion Potion. Buy HERE
3. Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Day Cream (Gentle). Buy HERE
4. The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil. Buy HERE
5. Gratia Pure Tea Tree Oil. Buy HERE
6. Natural Bath and Body Whipped Cream with Vitamin E. Buy HERE
7. O3+ Whitening Mask. Buy HERE
8. Nivea Lip Care Lip Balm. Buy HERE
9. Sand for Soapaholics Deadly Face Mask
10. Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Scrub. Buy HERE
11.Botega di Lungavita Vita Age-In Intervento Scrub Viso. Buy HERE
12. Natio Meditate Hand Cream with Yoga Scented Pink Lotus Attar
13. Splurge Daily Moisturiser with Sun Protection
14. Johara Instant Radiance Face Scrub

Think and Stay Beautiful!

My Envy Box: June 2017 Edition

Hello Readers,

Today's post is about the second beauty box I subscribe to, that is My Envy Box. This month's theme is the monsoon rains. The Box has this beautiful blue watery accent. Just looking at the box makes me feel so cool and fresh! 




So What's inside the Box?

Vetro Power - Footwear Protection

Product  Price: INR 1500/- for 100 ml

Sample Size in Box: 25ml

Votre After Sun Mist

Product Price: INR 850/- for 100 ml

Sample Size in Bag: 50 ml

Essence Eyeshadow in (35) Party All Night, metallic effect

Product Price: INR 199/- for 2.5 gms

Sample Size in Box: Full Size

Essence Colour & Go Nail Polish in 104 Sweet as Candy

Product Price: INR 199/- for 8 ml

Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

Essentials Teenage Day Cream

Product Price: INR 1850/- for 30 gms

Forest Essentials Kumkumadi Teenage Night Cream

Product Price: 1975/- for 30 gms

Sample size in Bag: 4 gms each

Calvin Klein Eternity Intense Perfume

Product Price: INR 5800/-

Sample Size in Bag: 1.2 ml

                                       

I got this freebie coupon too. Do feel free to use this chance to get an eyeshadow applicator set on purchase of Essence products HERE

MyTake on this Month's Box

Its an interesting curation this month. Apart from the regular makeup, skincare and perfume, there is this footwear protection spray. I'm looking forward to using this completely new product. Forest Essentials is my favourite and I am glad they have sent me the teenage creams since i have very oily and acne prone skin, so i'm hoping these two creams will not be too heavy for my skin. The Votre After Sun Mist is also a welcome addition to the Box. I love a cool spritz on my face after an outing in the sun. I am loving the Essence Nail Polish and Eyeshadow. I have used them both and they are really nice! As for the Calvin Klein Eternity Perfume? Who does not like a vial ti keep in the purse and spray it on when the occasion demands?

Total Value of Box: INR 2076/- (approx). Excellent, sine you pay only 850/- for the box. 

Overall Verdict: Just go for it!

My Envy Box is a subscription service which brings you 4-5 trial sized beauty products (typically 2ml-10ml) from the top international luxury and prestige brands delivered to your door step every month. Priced at INR 850/- for a month, it may be subscribed for 3, 6, or 12 months. You may subscribe to this service HERE

What's in My FabBag? June 2017 Edition

Hi Everyone!

I know I had completely disappeared in the month of May and put up no new posts. A whole bunch of things were going on. My Dad's cook and my cleaning lady had gone on a month long leave and I had to shuttle between my home and Dad's to manage everything. On top of it all, I was under the weather for at least 10 days! So it was all crazy and I had no time to put up any posts. I did shoot a couple of videos but couldn't manage to edit them on time.... so...

Anyway, here we are. Let's do a quick roundup of what FabBag has for us this month.

The June FabBag is themed Boho Chic.


I like the understated Jute finish bag.



So here is this month's collection. There are 4 products in the Bag this month

BioBloom Foot Cream (Eucalyptus)

Product Price: INR 335/- for 50 gms

Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

Johara Creme Rich Lip Colour Cocoa Delight

Product Price: INR 395/- for 4.5 gms

Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

Sugar Twist and Shout FadeProof Kajal on 01 Black Velvet

Product price: INR 399/-

Sample size in Bag: Full Size

APS Cosmetofood Activated Spring Water

Product Price: 270/- for 50 ml

Sample size in Bag: Full Size

Hey that's all four full sized products! What I like best in this month's bag is the Sugar Twist and Shout Kajal. The Johara lipstick was this month's product of choice, so I chose this neutral brown. It will make a nice present, since I am drowning in lipsticks at the moment. The BioBloom foot cream is nice too, the Eucalyptus variant is quite refreshing and the cream itself gets absorbed quite easily. As for the APS Cosmetofood Activated Spring Water, check out the detailed video of my first impressions HERE

Value of Bag: INR 1399/-. That's great, because I paid INR 416/- for the bag (I have an annual subscription)

Overall Verdict: Great value for money Bag! Though none of the products were those that I desperately wanted, a woman can never have too many Kajals. If you like what you see, book your June Bag today!

FabBag is a monthly subscription service starting at INR 416/-. Each month's bag contains 3-5 products from national and international brands ranging from drugstore to luxury. Product sizes range from small sample sizes to full size. To join this service click HERE.

First Impression: APS Cosmetofood Activated Organic Spring Water Face Cleanser and Makeup Remover

Hello All!

Its after a long time that I have filmed a video. This time its about a new product that I received in my June 2017 FabBag. It is called APS Cosmetofood Activated Organic Spring Water Face Cleanser and Makeup Remover. Hmmm.... quite a mouthful.
India has been introduced to micellar water cleansers through Vichy, Bioderma and a host of other French brands that have launched here in the last couple of years. 

APS is an Indian brand and this product has been manufactures in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. This is where many of the products of beauty brands are manufactured as well.

Anyhow, do click on the video below to see what I thought of this product.

Don't forget to give me a thumbs-up if you like the video. I prefer to keep my videos raw and real in this world of lighting and other editing trick.  

Stay real and beautiful!

My Envy Box: April 2017 Edition

Hi All!

I seem to be on a filming spree! So here's another video, this time giving you a quick tour of My Envy Box April 2017.

What do you think of the Box? You can still place a order for it at www.myenvybox.com 

Think and Stay Beautiful!

My Envy Box is a subscription service which brings you 4-5 trial sized beauty products (typically 2ml-10ml) from the top international luxury and prestige brands delivered to your door step every month. Priced at INR 850/- for a month, it may be subscribed for 3, 6, or 12 months. You may subscribe to this service HERE

What's in my FabBag? April 2017 Edition

Hello Readers!

Its been a long time since I did a video. So watch below for a lowdown on the April 2017 Fab Bag.

Did you like the video? Let me know in the comments section below....

Think and Stay Beautiful!


FabBag is a monthly subscription service starting at INR 416/-. Each month's bag contains 3-5 products from national and international brands ranging from drugstore to luxury. Product sizes range from small sample sizes to full size. To join this service click HERE.

My Envy Box March 2017 Edition

Hi Everyone!

We are moving from spring into summer. It means that the air around us is changing. So our beauty regimen needs to change too. Starting from skin care and make up, to fragrances, pamper yourself from inside out. The theme itself for this month is RELAX. RENEW. REFRESH

My Envy Box will help you pamper yourself as the season shifts. Let us see how.....

The Box itself looks lovely and fresh with water - colour floral accents. 

Gardener Street Tea - Glow

Product Price: INR 450/- for 20 sachets

Sample Size in Box: 3 sachets

I love green tea. And when it comes enriched with hibiscus and marigold, it jus reaches another level! 

All Good Scents Jasmine and Rose

Product Price: INR 1190/- for 50 ml

Sample Size in Box: 2 vials 2 ml each

Perfumes are perennial, but it is an essential in summers! These two fragrances, rose and jasmine are very typically Indian. I have always been partial to floral scents and I'm happy that these two are part of this month's box.

Eyova Hair Oil

Product Price: INR 590/- for 50 ml

Sample Size in Box: Full Size

I did not know about egg oil. Now I do. I am really curious about this product and I'll let you know how it works for me.

Essence Lip Liner in 15 Honey Berry

Product Price: INR 129/- for 1 gm

Sample Size in Box: Full Size

This month MEB allows you to choose your preferred makeup product. They offered 3 variants of Essence Lip Liners. I like this idea since I can pick colours I do not have or those more suitable for my complexion.

Wicca Beauty Potion

Product Price: INR 700/- for 15 gms

Sample Size in Box: Full Size

I've used this product a couple of times. On first impression it did not feel very moisturizing or hydrating on my skin. The air is quite dry with very low humidity right now. So I'm going to reserve my judgement of the product till I use it in the more humid months.

Neemli Coffee and Cocoa Body Wrap

Product Price: INR 550/- for 75 gms

Sample Size in Box: Full Size

A product to pamper the body too. I love coffee. I am looking forward to trying out this body wrap!

Total Value of Box: INR 2086/- approx. Great value for money since you pay only INR 850/- for the box!

Overall Verdict: I really like this month's box. It brings you not 4 but actually 7 products, of which 4 are full size. Each of the sample targets a different beauty concern. I would say, close your eyes and buy it!

My Envy Box is a subscription service which brings you 4-5 trial sized beauty products (typically 2ml-10ml) from the top international luxury and prestige brands delivered to your door step every month. Priced at INR 850/- for a month, it may be subscribed for 3, 6, or 12 months. You may subscribe to this service HERE

What's in My FabBag? March 2017 Edition

Hello Everybody!

This month FabBag gives me yet another reason to love it! FabBag usually sends 4 to 5 products of which gnerally 1 is a full sized product. This month they have packed 6 products of which 2 are full sized. So let's do a quick roundup and see if you should pick one up this month.

I'm not sure I like the leatherette bag, FabBag has had better.

Moha Herbal Shower Gel

Product Price: INR 105 for 100 ml

Sample Size in Bag: 30ml

The product smells fresh and herby with a strong minty fragrance. Great as a travel pack. Nice!

Seduction Las Vegas Lipstick 06 Nude Love

Product Price: INR 180/- 

Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

The lipstick was the customer choice item for this month. It i a nice pinkish brown shade which makes for a lovely nude on my complexion. Given its price point, its quite good!

Ayorma SPF 40 Sun Block

Product Price: INR 349/- for 50 ml

Sample Size in Bag: 10 ml

Ayorma is a small brand, but it delivers quality products. I have used their facewash, scrub and night cream and I really liked them. So I am looking forward to using their sunblock too.

Sugar Tip Tac Toe Nail Lacquer 013 Break on Blue

Product Price: INR 249/-

Sample Size in Bag: Full Size

I'm currently wearing this nail lacquer on my toe nails. I'm not confident enough to wear on my fingernails. And I'm liking my matte blue toenails!

Kronokare Flower Power Face Toner 

Product Price: INR 295/- for 100 ml

Sample Size in Bag: 55 ml

Kronokare also has some great products in its stable. I have already enjoyed using their body wash, body oil and moisturizer. So the Face toner looks promising.

The Nature's Co. Sandalwood Turmeric Anti-Blemish Cream

Product Price: INR 895/- for 50 ml

Sample Size in Bag: 20 ml

The Nature's Co. is a well known brand with some great products. Since I have acne issues and marks that they leave behind, I'm hoping this product will work for me.

Total Value of Bag: INR 1050/- approx. Decent Value for money if you are going to pay INR 416-599/- (depending on your subscription)

Overall Assessment: I think its a good bag and if you like what you see, quickly order yours!

FabBag is a monthly subscription service starting at INR 416/-. Each month's bag contains 3-5 products from national and international brands ranging from drugstore to luxury. Product sizes range from small sample sizes to full size. To join this service click HERE.

Easy Peasy Home made Holi Colours

Hi Everyone!

Holi, the spring festival of colour is just 2 days away! How many of you are afraid of playing Holi because of all the horrible and harmful chemical colours? I know I used to break out in painful rashes after people rubbed chemical gulal (powder colour) on me. The solution? Use herbal colours. Of course it is quite easy to find skin-safe, herbal gulal in the market. But is feels much better when you have made the colours yourself, using things that you can find easily in your kitchen cupboard. 

I ran a quick google search to see what tips were available out there. Most of the things I saw there were difficult to make with complex steps or used materials which are not always handy or readily available. 

What if I told you that you could make your own holi colours in under one minute? Don't believe me? Keep reading....

Photo Courtesy Nita Ganguly

For a bright yellow colour

Mix Turmeric powder and besan (chickpea flour) in a 1:1 ratio.  If applied as a dry powder, it is easily brushed off. If you mix water an make it to a paste like consistency, it will leave a pale yellow stain on the skin, which will wash off in a day or two. Far from harming the skin, it is a staple in your skincare routine!

For Red colour

Mix in 1:1 ratio Roli or sindoor (vermilion powder) and maida (white flour).

 

For Blue Colour

Mix in 1:1 ratio Robin Blue powder (or any indigo powder) with white flour.

  

For Green colour

Either use henna powder on its own or mix it with white flour.

Use these natural, safe colours to play Holi this year.You may even pack these up in zip-lock bags and gift them to your friends and family so they can play a safe Holi too!!

Do you have any easy peasy holi colour recipes? Share them in the comments section below.

Happy Holi!!

Disclaimer: None of the above photographs are mine.