Lakmé launches the Pro Stylist Studio in Mumbai

Makeup lovers now have reason to rejoice! Lakmé has launched Lakmé Pro-Stylist Studio – a flagship retail store nestled in Grand Galleria, High Street Phoenix, Mumbai. 

The store is a unique confluence of retail and salon, offering one-stop access to latest products, quick salon services and Lakmé’s unique backstage and runway expertise through makeup experts, all under one roof.

Inspired by runways around the world, this glamorous store has a distinct layout and built-in digital experiences that recreate the magic of the Lakmé Fashion Week through every element.

Talking about the launch, Purnima Lamba, Head of Innovation, Lakmé said, “The Lakmé Pro-Stylist Studio is our effort to bring forth all our properties and expertise on a single platform. Through this space, we wish to redefine the beauty retail industry and allow our consumers and become the nerve-center for makeup enthusiasts, helping them experience Lakmé like never before. Our backstage experts will be available at all times in the store to provide ‘pro-stylist’ advice to customers for their beauty purchases as well as overall looks. We want this store to be the hub where conversations on beauty and glamorous backstage looks from Lakmé fashion week come to the forefront, making them more accessible to all.”

So, if you want to discuss the latest Lakmé beauty statements or learn runway secrets from Lakmé Fashion Week backstage experts, the community table at the store is sure to become your favourite haunt. And for those looking to indulge in services like a quick nail art or a sculpting skincare ritual while shopping with your girls at the mall, the Lakmé Pro-Stylist Studio is your go-to destination!

Look forward to more such studios in other citites, especially in Kolkata :P

Maybelline's New Rebel Bouquet Collection: Lipstick shade REB04 & REB05 review

Maybelline New York India has introduced its first ever Spring Summer Collection in India - The Rebel Bouquet Collection 2015.

Spring Summer is all about bright pastels and Maybelline offers just that for your Summer this year. The Rebel Bouquet collection introduces bright summery shades as a part of their spring summer collection.

As a part of this collection, they have introduced new six bold shades for their popular Color Sensational range namely the Color Sensational Rebel Boutique Lipsticks.

I got to sample the REB04 & REB05 shades. I am very happy with the shades. They are bright pastel colors which is sure to complement Indian skin tones. The are rich and creamy in texture, not very matte which works for dry lips very well :).

 Lipsticks are well pigmented and one swipe gives you a rich color. However, I prefer 2 swipes. The brand claims that the lipsticks have colour bloom technology with honey nectar formula.

REB04 - is a bright reddish pink color with a bluish undertone
REB05 - is a orange- red shade 

Highlights of the Color Sensational Rebel Bouqet Collection:

• Lovely bright pastel shades
• Nice creamy texture
• Well pigmented, gives a rich colour with just a swipe
• Stays on for a good 6-7 hours
• Doesn't dry your lips too much

The Lipsticks are priced at Rs.450. 

Here is a look I created using the Colossal Kohl, Liner and the Color Sensational Rebel Bouquet Collection - Shade REB05 from the range :)

Apart from lipsticks, the following also form a part of their Rebel Bouquet collection:

• Colossal Kohls(in bright colours) and Liner (You can read more about the product here: http://lovehealthnbeauty.blogspot.in/2015/04/maybelline-indias-new-colossal-kohls.html and  http://lovehealthnbeauty.blogspot.in/2015/03/maybelline-colossal-liner-review.html http://lovehealthnbeauty.blogspot.in/2015/03/maybelline-colossal-liner-review.html)
• Dream Satin Skin Liquid Foundation
• Dream Satin Skin Powder
• Color Show Go Graffiti 

You can buy the products by clicking here :)

The Review of the Go Graphiti range will be up soon. Do check out :)

Follow Maybelline on Instagram for interesting updates: www.instagram.com/maybellineindia 

Product Review: Scentbox from All Good Scents

If you like try different fragrances, AllGoodScents.com has the perfect option for you. 




Pic courtesy:https://allgoodscents.com/

They provide an unique opportunity to sample three different perfumes in one go, the ScentBox. The samples come in 2ml tester tubes and is priced at Rs. 55 per tube.The best part is you can choose your testers according to your choice and you will get them delivered to your doorstep. 

 It also allows you to try out all the new launches and comes with some nice promotional vouchers.


The ScentBox which I got had three superb fragrances:

• Flirty
• Evoke
• Love & Joy

As the name suggests, Flirty is a nice, playful fragrance which I am sure all girls will like. Though I do not like sweet smelling perfumes too much, but you sure cannot miss this one. It is sure to draw your attention the moment it is in your hands.Find out more about the perfume here: https://allgoodscents.com/flirty

Evoke is a slightly musky, spicy fragrance. It is stronger than Flirty yet not too overpowering. You can read more about the base, heart and top notes here: https://allgoodscents.com/evoke

Love & Joy is a a youthful, floral fragrance that is super elegant. The base note of the perfume has white musk which is one of my favorite. The smell lingers on for about 8 hours and still feels fresh at the end of the day, which is one of the best part of the offering. You can find out more about the perfume here: https://allgoodscents.com/love-and-joyhttps://allgoodscents.com/love-and-joy .

To order your favorite perfumes, you can log onto : www.allgoodscents.com/. It also gives you an interesting opportunity to find out the perfect fragrance for you. It asks you some simple questions based on the pictures you choose and they choose a perfect fragrance for you.

I totally loved the Love & Joy and Flirty fragrance from the brand. However, if you are a perfume lover and keep on reapplying your fav fragrances through out the day just for the fresh feel of it[just like me ;) ], the tester tubes might not be enough for you ! :)

Disclaimer: PR sample, Honest review

Summer Essentials : Body Mists you can't miss this season

Body Mists are a blessing in the summers. Even on a sultry hot day, they make you feel refreshed and make you smell nice. If you a lover for good fragrance, body mists are the first things on your mind on any day. If its a tough working day, one sniff instantly energizes you.

Therefore, it is important to invest in a good body mist/ EDP . Lets look at the some of the best options that are available for you:


1. Forest Essentials Oudh and Green Tea Body Mist:

  This is a refreshing combination of Oudh(Agarwood – a traditional precious fragrant wood resin) and  green tea. The fragrance is strong and you can make out the smell even from the outside without opening the pack. The fresh smell is neither too fruity not floral. I find it perfect for the hot summer months. You can use it either as a day wear or as an evening wear.

 It stays on for a good 7-8 hours which is very good for a body mist. The best part of the product is that it has infused essential oils and you can feel the magic of it the moment you catch a sniff of it.  Gentle, sooth and refreshing - this body mist made of natural products is a must buy. 

The Body Mist comes in a light, plastic bottle which is easy to carry and is priced at Rs.1475 for a 100ml bottle.

You can buy the product from here: http://www.forestessentialsindia.com/


2. The Body Shop Moringa Body Mist:

 Body Shop has some of the best Body Mists on offer at an affordable range. Be it fruity fragrances like the Satsuma, Strawberry Body mist or the floral fragrances like Japanese Cherry Blossom, Moringa and many more, yo are spoilt for choice the moment you enter a TBS shop. My current is the Moringa Body Mist. The light, floral fragrance is perfect for the summers. Made of natural ingredients, the body mist is a good buy.

It is priced at Rs. 745 for a 100ml bottle. Though it comes in a glass bottle, I do not find carrying it in my handbag cumbersome. The packaging is fresh and floral just like the product itself :)

To go through more Body Mist optiond offered by TBS, you can click here: http://www.thebodyshop.in/categories/Fragrance-Body-Mist/cid-CU00110956.aspx

Explore more with the My Airtel App

Airtel is constantly on the innovation spree. After launching 4G services, the latest one on offer is the My Airtel App.

The best part about The My Airtel app is the kind of convenience it provides. Whether you are travelling or are in between meetings, you can easily pay your telephone bills through a click. I usually recharge my phone through the app as it is more convenient for me than using a desktop as I am always near my phone and it gives me the freedom to recharge no matter where I am or What I am doing at the moment. It will help my parents as well if they access to this app as they can easily make their own payments without stepping out of the comfort of their homes. What’s more satisfying is that they store your payment details after you have made a payment. As a result, you do not have to go through the hassle of entering all your card details again and again amidst your busy schedule. I get very irritated if I have to enter all my credit card details every time I make a payment.

And here comes the best part !! Surprise offers!! We all love it right? Every time you make a payment or recharge your phone, there is a surprise Airtel coupon in store for you. You can redeem it to shop across categories.

My Airtel App also comes up with an efficient personalized offering. You can save your tasks that you do regularly on the app. Say for example, you usually recharge your phone using the app, and you can save it under "I want "option. So the next time you log in to recharge your phone, the one touch tab will take you to your desired location. Therefore, you do not have to browse unnecessarily through all tabs on the app to make your regular payments. 

Often because of their busy schedules, we miss out tracking on our bills or data usage. It’s a constant worry for me as I often lose track of my data usage and run out of data pack before it expires. Them I am left with no option but to wait till I get time to recharge again. But with this alert system in the app, I will be alerted beforehand and I can plan to get my recharge done on time through the app.

Like all other Airtel advertisements, I liked their recent advertisement as well on this new app. It is lively and will definitely make a mark among the audiences.

Overall, I feel My Airtel App will surely appeal to the younger generations who are constantly busy with their smartphones and consider them to be their best friends. Easy, Convenient, User friendly and Quick- the new Airtel app definitely gets a thumbs up from me.

Five Reasons Why You Should Watch PIKU - My Take

Source: en.wikipedia.org

I am no movie critic, neither am I a movie buff. Yet, the movie PIKU inspired me to write this post. This is totally my take on the movie. Please feel free to drop in your views on the same.


1. It celebrates the lovely dynamics of a father daughter relationship: 

Source: movies.ndtv.com

You must have read about this point in all movie review, yet I could not avoid this point as it is one of the major USPs of the film for me. Very few films have explored this relationship as well as this movie has. Though Deepika shouts at her father at every outset and so does her father, you cant miss the concern in her eyes every time there is a call or text from her dad :). Hardly do you relate to things on the screen as as this one. This totally gains brownie points !


2. Showcases the Bengali household quite well : 

Source: zeenews.india.com

Right from intelligent discussions to the freedom and respect that the daughters are given, the film captures the Bengali household quite well. For the first time on screen, you see a Bengali family which not just talks about their love of 'macher jhol' and 'rasogolla' which is not true for most of us ! It is more about their intellectual capabilities and fierce independence. Kudos to that !

3. No over the top PDAs: 

Source: movies.ndtv.com

Though we all share a lovely bond with our fathers, how many times in real life have you actually said " I Love you" ? Not that is it a taboo, but we just don't express that way in real life. The film portrays just that. No over the top PDAs, the daughter expresses her love by her concern for his health and well being. You can't miss the scene where she screams at her dad for having kachooris and cycling despite having health problems which do not permit him to do all of that. This is what I think every Indian family will relate to. This totally made me a fan !

4. Lovely characterizations : 

Source: www.indiaglitz.com

If you ask me, the characters have been written very well. The father who constantly complains of his health issues, the fiercely independent daughter who speaks her mind and is constantly on the edge yet loves her family too much, we sure can relate to them all.

5. Superb performances by all the lead stars & smart direction: 

Source: www.youtube.com

When you have so many established actors in the film and it is directed by a gem like Shoojit Sarkar, you can expect a genius film. And, the stars stand up to the expectations. All of them are at their best in the film and the result is a visual treat for all.

I would have been very sorry if I had missed this film. Thankfully, I didn't. 

What do you think about the film ? Do share your views :)

5 things you should do on a Sunday morning

Sunday Mornings are cherished by all. After a difficult week, Sunday mornings should be peaceful and relaxed. A Sunday well spent gears you up for the week ahead. Sundays are family days. They should be spent doing things that you cherish but hardly find time to do because of your busy schedule.

I remember as a child, I used to look forward to Sundays, not because it was meant to be a holiday but because that was the only day my dad, mom and me used to get quality time to spend with each other. Right from having dosas for breakfast to preparing for lunch together to going out in the evenings, those memories will always be cherished.

Here I have collated a list of things you should do on a Sunday morning:


Source: diatribe.org

1. Go for a morning walk: Often on weekday morning, we do not get time to go for a walk. Therefore, we should not miss out on this on a Sunday. Nature is at its best then. The chirping birds, the cool air provides the perfect balm for the soul. Do remember to take your partner along and enjoy !


Source: www.dreamstime.com


2. Have a lavish yet lazy breakfast: A lavish spread for breakfast is a luxury for working people on weekdays. Often we end up eating cereals or munching on a fruit for breakfast. Utilize your Sundays to treat yourself with a sumptuous breakfast. Take your time and enjoy meal with your family.

Source: imgkid.com


3. Cook : In my opinion, cooking is the best stressbuster. The satisfaction you get on cooking a delicious meal is unbeatable. I love to cook on Sundays for my parents and experimenting on usual stuff. Team up with your partner and cook together for that Sunday special meal. 


Source: www.wrightrealtors.com

4. Clean up & bond over it: Well, this is one of the chores which cannot be avoided on a weekend. Be it doing the dishes, washing clothes or cleaning your house, team up with your partner and make it fun.


Source: www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

5. Switch off your phones : This is a almost a luxury for people in our profession.Be it a Monday or Sunday, we just can't switch off our mobiles for a day. If your profession allows you this, please grab the opportunity. No work calls and no constant work pings is a comfort in itself. It is you date with the family


Source: www.schoolhours.com.au

6. Invest in "Me Time" : Indulge in yourself on Sundays. Be it going for that spa session, reading a book or catching a movie, make sure you spend quality time with your best companion - Yourself !! 

Have a Lovely Sunday people. Enjoy to the fullest. 

If you love to do any other thing on a Sunday morning, do share with us :)

Review of FACES Ultimate Pro Velvet Matte Lipsticks

FACES Cosmetics, a renown brand with more than 40 years of expertise in the Color cosmetics business globally has come up with their new range of matte lipsticks - FACES Ultimate Pro Velvet Matte Lipsticks.

FACES Ultimate Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick review

The best part about the range is its rich colour and fantastic gliding quality. With just one stroke, you get a nice velvety feel and luxurious rich colour on your lips.

On application, the lipstick feels light and gives you an even application. FACES has launched about 12 shades as a part of this signature collection which covers almost all moods of a woman. Be it a bold red or a flirty pink shade, you will find the colours difficult to resist. 

I fell in love with the "Bonded" shade and was lucky enough to get my hands on it. A close second favourite would be " Say My Name" shade.



The shade - Bonded is a nice earthy red colour which flatters all Indian skin tone. The rich colour can be go well with both office and night out looks. If you are not bold enough to try put the reds, you should certainly give this colour a shot. The colour has a warmer tone and adds an extra glow to your skin.

FACES Ultimate Pro Velvet Lipstick - Shade Bonded

The texture is creamy matte which works well for people with dry lips. However, it does sometimes settle in between the lip lines after meals. A retouch helps you fix that. Though the brand claims that it stays on for about 8 hours, for me it was on for a good 6 hour span. The best part is that it doesn't leave behind any unwanted pigments. 

Well there is a thumb rule for all people with dry lips when using matte lipsticks. You should always moisturize your lips well before application to avoid visible lines. Invest in a good lip balm.

Swatch of FACES Ultimate Pro Velvet Matte lipsticks

The lipsticks comes in a no-nonsense sleek black packaging and if you ask me, it looks extremely elegant.

Net content: 4.5gm

Price: Rs. 649

FACES Ultimate Pro Velvet Matte lipstick

FACES Ultimate Pro Velvet Matte lipstck

You can find the product at any nearby Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, New U store near you..

Lets take a quick look:

Pros:

1. Bold, rich colour with just one swipe
2. Gives you a velvety feel to the lips
3. Stays on for about six hours
4. The texture is creamy matte so works for people with dry lips
5. Fresh new shades; there is one on offer for every skin tone

Cons: 
1. The problem with dry lips remains though the texture is creamy matte
2. After meals, it does settle down in between lip lines 




P.S: PR Sample; honest review

#StressFreeMom - Keeping her relaxed with Aromatherapy

Mothers are magic words!! Words that mean unconditional love, security, care, the kinds of hugs that makes everything seem fine. But being in the role of a mother might also be all about stress, worry, anxiety, strict deadlines and a routine life.

How many times have we seen out mothers running from one corner to the other putting things in place in the morning so that you reach your office on time. 

How many times have we seen her worried sick when you are getting late from work?

How many times have we seen her getting angry on us because we neglect our health?

How many times do we see her screaming at us for not eating properly?

Well, it’s a daily episode at my place. And, I am sure it might be the same story for you as well.

Though over the years, I have told her innumerable times to relax and enjoy her life, there is nothing which can keep her away from running after us. Every time I am a little to make a call, I can hear the panic in her voice. Every time I am not well, I can sense the worry in her eyes. Every time I am hurt, I can feel the pain in her. The feeling probably are never shared by anybody other than your parents. Even a little thing as a relative coming and commenting that I have lost a few kilos is enough to make her become anxious about my health and the kind of work stress I am handling.

She definitely needs to unwind and relax. I would love her to enjoy her day. A Parachute Aromatherapy Oil Massage will be the perfect way to unwind for her. It will help to stimulate blood circulation and help her relax. This followed by a nice relaxing bath will be an added bonus. This will be the perfect “Me Time” for her and help her concentrate on herself. A little bit of shopping, as all women know, is the best stress buster will be a close second !! :P

Aromatherapy Oil massages have a lot of benefits in reducing stress and fighting anxiety.

The benefits have been harped upon by our grandmothers who constantly harp on hot oil massages for distressing. However, Parachute Advanced Aromatherapy has made the process easier and accessible to all of us.

So, go for it and treat your Mom with the best aromatherapy massage.

“I’m blogging about why my mother needs to de-stress with a Parachute Advansed Aromatherapy Oil massage for the #StressFreeMom activity at BlogAdda.

Summer Essentials: Drinks you cannot miss in the heat

With the mercury setting new records everyday, it getting very difficult to keep yourself safe from the heat. Humidity levels are on an all time high and water retention becomes an absolute challenge for all. Though Doctors advise us to avoid the heat, is is impossible for the working folk to skip their work commitments citing the weather as the major reason. 

So how do we quench our thirst in the summers and keep ourselves fresh? Age old tips from passed onto us by your grandmoms come to our rescue. Here are a list of drinks which all our elders swear by in this season:

1. Aam Panna: You might remember your mothers making this drink during the afternoons of your summer vacations. This refreshing drink is made by boiling green mangos and is known for its heat resistant properties

Image Courtesy: whatscookingmom.in

2. Lassi : Made of yoghurt, it is an absolute hit in Punjab and now all states have their own versions of it ! Yoghurt is boon for people with lactose intolerance. It helps in digestion and cools your digestive tract. Therefore, its an absolute necessity in the summers. It not just cools your body but works wonders for your stomach as well

Image Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

3. Jaljeera: What better than a drink which not only cools your body but aids in eliminating toxins and aiding weight loss. The drink is loaded with both flavours and nutrients and is recommended all year round to aid digestion related ailments

Image Courtesy: www.manjulaskitchen.com

4. Juices: Take about any summer fruit, put in a blender and blend a magic. Be it mangos, watermelons, sweet lime, grapes, the result will be delicious. You can also try combos of these fruits and surprise yourself every morning

Image courtesy: blazeminds.com

5. Lemonade: You will see lemonade being sold all over your city during the season. A simple drink which is loaded with health benefits which is not just about cooling the body, but is also recommded by experts to aid weight loss

Image courtesy: paoc.org