Summer Essentials - Himalaya Herbals Aloe and Cucumber Body Lotion

Aloe and Cucumber themselves sound very comforting in the summers, don't they ? Himalaya Herbals' Aloe and Cucumber body lotion brings the combo in your body lotion. 

Himalaya Herbals Aloe and Cucumber Refreshing Body Lotion

Himalaya’s Aloe & Cucumber Refreshing Body Lotion is a light and cool body lotion that hydrates and refreshes your skin without leaving it sticky. The lotion gets absorbed fast and leaves the skin rehydrated. Aloe and Cucumber being the primary ingredients, they provide a cooling effect the moment you apply the lotion.

I have tried applying the lotion after my bath and at night before bedtime. I love applying lotions which have a nice fragrance. This lotion has the fresh smell of cucumbers and it gives me a fesh feeling everytime I apply it. The consistency is slightly runny but thankfully does not contribute to the greasy feel that alreay gets quite bad during the day, thanks to Kolkata summers.

However,the lotion does not last long on my dry skin.It gives me hydration for around 4-5 hours and I need to reapply it once during the day. But it might work fine for those with normal or combination skin. 

The lotion comes in the signature Himalaya packaging and is good for travel. The flip lock cap fits well and there is no leakage. 

Lets look at the pros and cons of the product:

Pros: 

• The combination of Aloe and cucumbers, give a refreshing feel to the skin
• The lotion provides instant hydration and lasts for about 4-5 hours on dry skin
• The fragrance is very refreshing
• Its texture is perfect for the summers

Cons:

• No SPF in the body lotion meant specifically for the summers is a huge miss. This would have made the product an abosulte winner
• I just wish the hydration lasted a few hours more on my skin

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Disclaimer: PR sample, honest review

The Yellow Straw - Kolkata 1st Juice Bar Chain

Ever since I came to Kolkata, I realized there are hardly any options for people on the move looking for a refreshing drink. Barring some specific areas like Camac Street and College Street, you do not find any decent road side juice shop as well :(

The Yellow Straw - Kolkata's 1st Juice Bar

Therefore, when I heard about The Yellow Straw, Kolkata's first juice bar chain, I was excited to try out their offerings. Due to hectic work schedules, I could not find time to visit the place. But thankfully I managed to visit the place recently. It perfectly fits the Summer Essentials series I am currently running on my blog :)

Conceptualized by Piyush and Vikram, The Yellow Straw is a unique concept in Kolkata. Their juices are cold pressed and they keep the pulp intact. Hence, the juices are filling with no use of water in them. They have two outlets in Dalhousie and several smaller stalls/carts in Ecospace, RDB,Tolly Club etc. You can easily spot them in several important fairs and exhibitions of Kolkata as well.

The outlet is peppy and is done up in yellow with fun posters. While you wait for your juice to arrive, you can keep yourself busy with the numerous games they have.

When I was asked to order, I asked Piyush for recommendations. When he heard that I like spicy food, he suggested the perfect thing for me - their Chilli Phataka Straw. Oh, what a delight that is ! A mixture of kiwi, pineapple and green chilly, this gives your taste buds the required punch. One glass of the juice was close to a satisfying meal and so healthy ! 

Chilli Phataka Straw

They have several others including Healthy Straw, Skin Glow Straw, Yummy Tummy Straw to name a few. And the best part is the fact that they don't cost a bomb :)




Next we tasted the Melody Melon Straw, a blend of watermelon and muskmelon. This is one of the new items on their menu, especially for the summers. A perfect drink to rejuvenate and relax, this was just what we needed to beat the heat outside.

Melody Melon Straw

Some of the other new launches on their menu are:

1. Heart Beet Straw (Tomato, Beet, Carrot, Ginger, Lemon)
2. Rejuvenator Straw (Apple, Pineapple, Lemon)
3. Citrus Granate (Sweet Lime/Orange, Pomegranate)
4. TYS Special Straw (Strawberry, Grapes, Watermelon, Pineapple)
5. Melody Melon Straw (Watermelon, Musk Melon)
6. Banana Melody Shake (Banana, Musk Melon)
7. Fruit Salads
8. Fruitzee Sundae
9. Kiwi Granate Straw (Kiwi, Pomegranate)

It is interesting to know how they have turned the most boring vegetables and fruits into refreshing drinks. If you cringe while having your daily dose of veggies, try having it here in your juice at The Yellow Straw.

They also have snacks and yummy desserts to satisfy your hunger pangs and sweet cravings. Their mango sundae is quite popular among their regular visitors. I missed out on the dessert this time as I was already full post the juices and the cheese chilli toast. However, It tops my 'must try' list next time I am there :)

Cheese Chilli Toast at The Yellow Straw

If you have visited the place, please share your thoughts. If you haven't been to this place, do check it out and share your reviews.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Gradation - Review and Swatch

Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Gradation Review & Swatches

Maybelline India has been on a roll. They have added some amazing products to their portfolio - the boldest kajal, the Fit Me range and the best of the lot is the Color Sensation Lip Gradation pencil. 

So what exactly are these Lip Gradation pencils ?
They are lip colour pencils with a cushion blender tool at the other end. Sounds interesting ? With this product, Maybelline introduced Korean ombre lips trend in India. Simply put, ombre lips are gradient lips, wherein you apply colour in the center of your lips and lightly blend it to the outer corners of your lips, giving it a look as if you just sucked a popsicle. :P

Maybelline Lip Gradation - Review and Swatch

I tried out Maybelline's Lip gradation pencil in the shade Red 2 and I am quite impressed with the product. The product comes in a nice lip crayon like plastic packaging with the blender on the other end, both protected by plastic caps. The outer body of the pencils gives away the shade of the lipstick. Hence, it is easy to pick out the shades when placed in a stack of lipsticks.

Red 2 is  beautiful tomato red colour but you can easily adjust the intensity of the colour with the use of blender. The texture is matte, yet it does not have a drying effect on your lips.This is another reason why I liked the product. In one swipe, the pigmentation is good and gives a nice colour. 

Maybelline Lip Gradation - Red 2 review and Swatches

The lip pencils come in 8 bright shades which are not really unique but will work well for your daily makeup routine. Priced at Rs.500, they are a good deal. :)

What I liked about the product ?

• Nice matte texture, which does not dry your lips
• Great pigmentation with just one stroke
• Gives you an easy acess to the international ombre lips trend
• The cushion blender does its work quite well
• I am quite impressed by the staying power of the lip pencils. Though initially the colour gets transferred, it lingers on till for a good 6-7 hours

What could have been better ?

I feel the quantity offered by the product is a little less.

Overall, I loved the product and would be purchasing the pink shade very soon :)
If you plan to buy the product, do share your feedback with me!

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 See you soon !

Maybelline's new Colossal Superblack Kajal

Maybelline India's Colossal Kajals are one of my favorites. Even their coloured kajals are quite impressive. Therefore, when Maybelline came up with this Superblack formula, I was really eager to try it !

Maybelline Colossal Kajal SuperBlack

Maybelline's colossal range works well for my eyes, though I have extremely sensitive eyes and a lot of kohl pencils start wearing off in a few hours time. Thankfully I have never faced this with Maybelline.

The new product claims to be 2X blacker and smudge-proof for 16 long hours.  
It glides on easily and feels smooth on the eyes. In one stroke, you get a nice, bold matte colour. However, for the 2X colour as per the product claim, you will need atleast 2 strokes. The smooth matte texture of the kajal is the best part of it. 

It glides smoothly on the eyelids and there is no smudging for about 5-6 hours. However, because of the increased humidity and the sensitivity of my eyes, the kajal starts to fade a little from the outer corner of my eyes after about 5 hours. But most of the kajal stays in place and refuses to go off even after you wash your face. Therefore, this is a good bet if you are looking for a bold black kajal.

Maybelline Colossal Kajal Superblack

This kajal is priced at Rs.300, which I feel is a bit too much, keeping in mind that the Colossal black ones are priced at Rs.175. All competitor products are also priced within the price bracket of Rs.250.

Maybelline has changed the iconic yellow packaging for this one. It is now black in colour with yellow detailing. It comes in a retractable tube and cap fits well with a click.

Pros :

• Nice, bold black colour
• Glides on smoothly 
• Texture is matte, which is the best part of this kajal
• Stays on till the end of the day, with almost negligible smudging

Cons:

• I feel the product is a little too overpriced as compared to the other Colossal kajals

However, the bold black matte texture might convince me to buy this kajal again :)

Read about some of the other products from the range here: http://bit.ly/1SVB1w3

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Vivel Cell Renew Night Creme Review

Vivel Cell Renew Night Creme

Vivel Cell renew from ITC has come up with a new Night creme. 

The product has derma refine complex,a formula which promises to boost ceramide synthesis at night when the skin's metabolism is high and helps to repair the damage caused by the harsh environment and the sun.The Derma Refine complex also renews skin by antioxidant replenishment and there is an instant surge of hydration.

Ceramides make 40% of the lipids on the topmost layer of the skin. Ceramide content is affected by exposure to sun and harsh environments. As a result, the skin's defence system can also become weak. This can cause the sun to cause further damage to the skin leading to pigmentation, black spots and dullness.

Vivel Cell Renew Night Creme review

I used the cream for about a month or so before writing about it. The process is simple. Just cleanse your skin and apply the cream in a circular motion every night.

What I felt about the product ?

• The cream was light in texture. Even in this humid weather, it did not feel too heavy on my skin

• I like the packaging of the product. Unlike other creams which come without a spatula, there is no contact with the cream, so there is no contamination. The smart packaging allows only the required amount of cream

• My skin felt hydrated every time I applied it

• The cream has an amazing light smell which feels nice and fresh at night.At the same time, it's not very overpowering

A 50g pack is priced at Rs.649.

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Disclaimer: The product was sent to me by the brand; Honest review

Budget Friendly Mascaras in India

Mascara is a must-have in every makeup lover's kitty. On days when you don't want any heavy makeup on your face, you can just easily depend on your mascara,kohl and lip gloss. And tadaa, they save your day at work or college and how ! 

And if anyone ever had told you, you need to speand a lot to look nice, must read this post. I try and bring to you the best and help you choose without burning a hole in your pocket. I hope you all enjoy the posts :)

Here I bring to you some of the best mascaras available in the market today under Rs.500.

1. Maybelline HyperCurl Volume Express Mascara : This waterproof mascara is the best that Maybelline offers. The new gel based formula is a complete winner and the angular brush makes application extremely easy. The mascara lasts all day and there isn't any clumping, giving the lashes the necessary volume. Priced at just Rs.300, the product is a must buy :) you must also check out the online portals like Nykaa and Jabong for some good deals !

2. Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara : Maybelline's Colossal range is a cult in itself ! All the products in this range are extremely popular and they stand by their promise. I am a fan of this range. This mascara is available in both waterproof and non-waterproof varieties. They stay for a good 8 hours.This is also priced at Rs.350 but you will get good discounts online.

3. Lakme Eyeconic Curling Mascara: This is a part of their Eyeconic range. Priced at Rs.350, the mascara is waterproof and has an angular brush. This also gives a fuller look to the lashes and lasts for about 7-8 hours.

4. Lotus Herbals Maxlash Botanical Mascara : This is a mascara which has herbal products and I am extremely confident when it comes to cosmetics with natural ingredients. This mascara is not waterproof but the ingredients promise not only ggive you longer lashes but also ensure no damage is done to them.Priced at Rs. 265, you can safely couch for this product if you are sure that there will be no contact with water on a given day !

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Nosh Cafe - Perfect place for automobile fanatics

Nosh Cafe

If you want to take your beau for a treat, Nosh Cafe is THE place for it.
If you and your guy friends want to spend a day out, Nosh Cafe should be your preferred place.

Why do I say do ?

Well, very few Cafes in Kolkata welcome you with a sexy Lamborghini at the entrance.You will notice fancy bikes and bike accessories the moment you enter the place. You might just be surprised if you have entered the right place. But if you see a huge signboard of Machiner's Paradise and Nosh Cafe, rest assured you have entered the right place. On the other end, you will see seating arrangement amidst an interesting decor of  automobile and bicycle tyres. You can enjoy a game of foosball or watch cricket while you wait for your food. 

Nosh Cafe

There is a room inside where they had colourful seating arrangements. You can also play games in here or enjoy a match. The decor had interesting bikes. The outdoor seating area of Nosh Cafe is the best thing about the place. There is an interesting swing like seating where you can enjoy coffee and chat while the swing takes you back to your childhood. Match screening is also available outside.

When we were invited by Zomato, we were told that we are in for a surprise. We came to know later that they will be rolling out their non-veg menu for us and we get to taste them first. Thank you to both Zomato and Nosh for the honour. :)

Dips at Nosh Cafe

We were first served some amazing drinks. I ordered for a green apple lemonade and it was extremely refreshing in the weather. Then came the dips. Interestingly, there were hand sanitizers on the table. A huge thumbs up to the management for that :)

Stufed Mushroom

Family Garlic Bread

Then the food started coming in. First was the 'Mai ka Lal Nachos'. Unfortunately, the nachos aren't as interesting as the name suggest and it appeared soggy to me. I loved the family garlic bread. It was loaded with cheese and was quite different from the garlic bread that you usually get. I just wish they were a little hot. The stuffed mushroom was superb. The cheese filling was sinful yet tasted great.

Chicken Wings

Mexican Chicken Skewers

The non-veg menu was next. We were served chicken wings first. It was nice but it was too sweet for my taste. For people who know me, I can not tolerate sweet in my food. The Mexican chicken skewers were good. The fish finger was also okayish, only if it was a little hot, it would tasted good.

The BBQ grilled chicken sandwich was also good. They also have a Baingan Bharta sandwich which is quite interesting, but unfortunately,I was full by this time and had no space for the Khujliwala Burger and the baingan bharta sandwich. I just had to taste the pasta just for my love of it. The pasta was good.

Next on the table were the desserts and they were great. I loved the way the food was served in pans.

Fish Fingers

BBQ Chicken Sandwich

Pasta in Red Sauce

P.S : Some of the lovely pics you see in this post is by Indrajit Lahiri of https://mohamushkil.wordpress.com, a celebrated food blogger of the city. :) Thank you Indrajit da :)

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Disclaimer: I was invited to the cafe by Zomato and Nosh.