B.B.B First Blogoversary :D

Hey sweethearts, say " Happy Birthday " to my little blog as it turns 1 year old when the clock strikes midnight!


I know it sounds so cliché, but I still can't imagine that it has been a year that I created this blog, and my first post went live by 2nd June, 2011 :D

This one year has been ecstatic, with all the accolades, support and love from you guys. With 200+ posts,150K + views and 400+ followers and 600+ fans, I am on cloud nine! Every word of encouragement from you has meant a lot to me! 
So a big THANK YOU to all of you! :-*

Here is a piece of cake for you,


And not only this, but 4 exciting giveaways coming up your way. Let's' celebrate this whole day, with one giveaway up every few hours :D.

Here is a sneak peak of what is to come ;) 



So stay tuned! ;)

Beauty Check - Part 8

Hey I am back again with this series! And today's topic would be Ombré Lips. The "Ombré Effect" trend started from last year, be it in Ombré Nails, Ombré Hair and now we have Ombré Lips! :D

What is this Ombré Effect?
Ombré is French for an effect with a gradual colour transition from light to dark.

How to achieve the Ombré Effect pout?
  • Find two contrasting lip colors (preferably matte) that are in the same color family.
  • Apply the darker, opaque lipstick and fill in the entire lip.
  • Apply the lighter lipstick in the middle of your pout.
  • Blend and add some clear gloss.
  • Keep the rest of you makeup neutral.

Here is a video tutorial to help you!


Skip to 2.00 minutes to see the tutorial.

Hope you liked the post! Do let me know if you enjoy this series! You can check the other posts under this series here.

I don't claim the ownership of any pictures/videos in this post. They have been used for representation purpose only. Read my disclaimer.

PR Info: Experience the magic of 3 R’s this season: Repair, Replenish and Revitalise your hair and skin at Lakmé Salon

Have you looked in the mirror with a worry that pre-mature ageing and fine lines are beginning to appear on your skin? Are you afraid that your hair is beginning to look duller and has lost its sheen? Indulge in Lakmé Salon’s new Repair Replenish and Revitalise Service which includes Algae Collagen Masque for your skin and the Time Restore protein treatment for your hair. Experience these rejuvenating hair and skin services as part of a whole list of special offerings that are Just Out @ Lakmé Salon.


The Algae Collagen Masque reduces any signs of pre-ageing, maturing and dehydration of the skin. It wipes out these signs with ingredients like Sea algae, Chondrus Crispus, Glycerin and Lavender Oil. It nourishes, revitalizes and hydrates the skin in 30 minutes.


The service starts off with gentle cleansing and toning of your skin, thus ridding it of all the impurities like dust, grease and pollution. A gentle facial massage follows putting you completely at ease as the algae masque is then applied to your skin. The face is then massaged with an ultrasonic facial massager for about 15 minutes which allows the goodness of the masque to penetrate into your skin entrench it with its rich properties. The masque is then allowed to rest on your skin as you blissfully relax knowing that the service will leave your skin feeling relaxed and invigorated, giving you a radiant and youthful glow.
Be Fussy Frizzy no more with the Time Restore Protein Treatment for your hair! As hair matures, vital keratin production in your hair subsides and they tend to become limp, brittle and coarse. This treatment activates the production of keratin which aids the hair to an optimum youthful composition. Replenish the lost protein in the hair with the New Amino Cell Rebuild Technology that stimulates hair roots and increases the keratin levels that bring back the life and sheen in your hair.
The Time Restore Protein Treatment repairs and revitalises hair roots and is a 30 minute service that involves a gentle hair wash, followed by a luxuriating head massage and deep conditioning. The entire treatment leaves one feeling pampered, relaxed and above all with lustrous hair.
Lakmé Salon is known for its expertise in providing the perfect beauty solutions for the contemporary Indian woman. With the launch of the new services at the salon, women can now rest assured that their beauty needs are well taken care of by a brand that has been a pioneer in the beauty industry in India.
So book your appointment for these services at the nearest Lakmé Salon for younger looking skin and vibrant hair that is sure to make heads turn.

***
About Lakmé Lever
Lakmé Lever Pvt. Ltd (Lakmé Lever) is dedicated to the contemporary Indian woman’s exploration of the fine art of beauty. It operates India’s first and leading chain of Lakmé Studios and Salons that offer expert services in Hairstyling, Skin and Beauty care. The studios and salons offer a differentiated experience, delighting women by the expertise of their professionally trained hair designers, hair artists, skin experts and consultants, and now to men also.
Lakmé Lever also operates Lakmé Academies in partnership with Pivot Point, USA, world leader in ‘beauty education’. Combining international cosmetics, hair and skin care technology with an in-depth understanding of the Indian woman’s needs, Lakmé Studios and Salons offer their customers a holistic ‘Beauty Sutra’ experience.
Lakmé Lever has a presence of 175 Lakmé Salons at premium locations in 40 cities.

For further information please contact:
Tanisha Bhasin / Henna Punjabi
Genesis Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +91 98201 37266, / +91 98208 80243
E-mail: tanisha.bhasin@bm.com / henna.punjabi@bm.com

My Experience with Oasap.com and OOTD

What does fashion mean to you? Is it being on the current trend? Or creating some uniqueness out of your own? Oasap.com has a variety of options for both!


ABOUT: Oasap is a global online store dedicated to high-street fashion by offering various kinds of women’s apparel, bags, shoes, jewellery, accessories, etc. Oasap was founded in late 2011, however, has already had thousands of SKU by far. We keep updating products at a high rate every day.
Now we update more than 500 new products each week. Those products mentioned definitely belong to the latest fashion trend. Oasap's mission is to make you close to the planet's most cutting-edge fashion, no matter where you are or what class or age group you are in. Pursuing fashion is the right of every woman.

MY EXPERIENCE: What do you do when you see an International shopping site with free international shipping with no min. purchase? *Jump with joy*! What do you do when you see mouthwatering boots at so affordable prices? *Die coz of happiness*! What do you do when you see cutesy Korean fashion clothing? *sigh*!


When I saw this white blouse on the site, I immediately added it to the cart. The little lace detailing is so feminine and cute. It comes in one free size and it fits me well. Check out my OOTD (the first one ever on my blog) below!



  • Lace Chiffon Blouse from Oasap.com
  • Jeans from Jealous 21
  • Bag, Shoes (not visible), Watch from New Market
  • Gold chain

It took a few days between confirmation of order and the shipment, and I received emails on the status of my order meanwhile. They didn't provide any tracking details, which I found a bit disadvantageous.
But the product came within the 10 days bracket as was mentioned in the confirmation mail of the shipment. I received it in 8 days! :D The product exactly matches as shown on the site and the quality is decent.

Overall, I am definitely looking forward to many more buys in the future. You must checkout the huge inventory of Oasap.com and I am sure you will fall in love with it too! :D

**Received discount credits on the purchase but it doesn't influence my honest opinion! Read my disclaimer.

The Sun Sets On My Nails NOTD, a haul and my recent wins and goodies and some rant

Pardon the lame post title. I am bad at giving names. :P To add to the list of what I am bad at, I suck at photo editing and can never understand how to use photoshop ( and I am Masters in Computer Application... ha! ), I can't sing, even in bathroom :( , I suck at drawing straight lines even using a ruler (I guess you already heard that before), I suck in GK (oopsie! can't remember the dates and names :P), I suck in....okay I better stop loathing myself and this self pity rant here and get on with today's NOTD.

As a child, when I used to go for the art classes, and were asked to draw a scenary, I loved to draw a setting sun with mix of colors and hues of reds and oranges fading into one another. And this NOTD reminds me of those days *sigh*. 


I tried Sponging Nail Art for the first time yesterday. There is a long way for me to go to get it perfect but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is really fun and I would love to do some more in the future.

Now on to my recent wins,
I won a chance (in shortlisted 4) to date Rannvijay,! \:D/ (No Kidding! Check out this contest) but I had to decline the offer since I can't go to Mumbai in three days notice. :( I wanted to win that Shuffle Ipod but had hit the jackpot.  =))

My only consolation was that I won a few more giveaways and contests *giggles*. 


I won the Purplle.com Cleopatra Eyes Contest. And I got these lovely gifts. The Faces quad in Purple was love at first sight. Thanks a lot Riddhi. :D
(P.S. Did you know Purplle.com  is the official Online Beauty partner for the movie Love Recipe? Check out their new contest!




I also won a NYX hamper from StyleCraze in their weekly draw. Be a part of their lovely community,to win many more exciting prizes.

I had also won a beautiful dress from Elle Fashionwear India sometime back. They were having a referral contest on their FB page. Sorry forgot to take a picture, but you can check it out here.

And there are a few more prizes which are still on their way ;)

Oh and here is my recent haul.


P.S. Thanks to my dear friend Renji for the sweet gift *hugs*.
And a huge thank you to all of you for reading my blog, encouraging and motivating me. Those little increasing numbers on the sidebar makes my heart do some *jiggy dance* :D Thanks for all the support. Love ya all :-*

PR Info: Illamasqua launches the sultry new collection, Naked Strangers

A place where alter egos are laid bare and naked flesh is a source of unashamed inspiration. In this delicate tipping point between intimacy and pleasurable detachment, we revel in the unknown; exploring the distance between pure Monogamous, gilded Faithful and uninhibited Swinger. Exposed nude tones, adorned with rich licks of gold, leave you gasping for more. Don’t restrain yourself. Unless, of course, you enjoy it. 


“Naked Strangers captures inner glows and depths. The deeply and darkly alluring exists alongside ethereal shimmering brilliance. We are complex and multifaceted whilst also being naked to the world.”
Alex Box, Illamasqua Creative Director.

“Naked Strangers represents everything about borderlines...the human edge between romance and permissive intimacy...a step beyond control, a step past the edge and a collection of gilded moments upon the tip of sensation. Beautiful nudes with metallic edge set amongst eclectic textures.”
David Horne, Illamasqua Director of Product Development.
  

Products:

Nail Varnish (£13.50)
Dress up your nails and explore your fantasies with our award-winning Nail Varnishes. Are you Monogamous (creamy flesh pink, matt finish), Faithful (coppered metal) or Swinger (glistening platinum gold)? Apply a lustful layer then answer our question.

Lipglosses (£13.00)
Lick your lips then smooth on a rich layer of Intense Lipgloss in Stranger (platinum gold) for obscene levels of pigment. Alternatively, apply Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy (nude pink brown) on naked lips, to tease and tempt your lover. Or lovers…

Blushers (£16.50)
Stark naked might mean no clothes, but who said anything about no make-up? Create a provocative flush that lasts all night with Powder Blusher in Naked Rose (neutral beige brown) and Cream Blusher in Zygomatic (naked pink brown). 

The Naked Strangers collection is available from Thursday 31st May 2012 globally.

Registered members of Illamasqua.com have the exclusive opportunity to buy the Naked Strangers Nail Varnishes before anyone else from today. Click here to log in or register.

Garnier Pure Active Pore Unclogging Wash Review

Hola ladies! Today I am going to review another face wash which is a recent add to my stash. It is the Garnier Pure Active Pore Unclogging Wash. I have been using it twice daily for almost a week and I thought of sharing my views on the product.



PRICE: Rs.79

QUANTITY: 50gm

INGREDIENTS:


WHAT IT CLAIMS: 
"The new Garnier Pure Active pore unclogging wash deeply purifies pores and removes inlayed impurities and prevents formation of imperfection marks to give a perfect skin result.
Its refreshing formula delivers a double anti- spots & anti marks action:
Enriched with an excellent exfoliating ingredient, it deeply purifies pores.
Enriched with a natural regenerating active, it prevents the formation of imperfection marks. "

MY EXPERIENCE: Garnier Pure Active Pore Unclogging Wash is a pale blue face wash with liquid like consistency. It lathers easily and washes without leaving any residue. It has got a minty smell and it gives a cool, refreshed, cleansed skin hence I feel its a perfect facewash for the summers. However, I wish that the cool feeling lasted longer. Now the biggest con for me is the packaging. The screw-top cap packaging isn't travel friendly at all. As the face wash consistency is runny, it tends to leak from the tube no matter how tight you shut the cap. Moreover, a lot of product gets wasted by accumulating in the cap if one keeps it inverted. Also, in the first few tries, I poured a lot more product than necessary. 


As for the claims, it is not totally anti-acne, as I still got an acne, two days after using it, but this product is not the cause, as I get one/two acne every month during PMS. I think it works slightly as per the anti-marks claims as skin looks more clear and the spots are visibly lightened (but not completely gone). In a gist,

WHAT I LIKED:
  • It lathers really well and cleanses skin effectively.
  • As you might already know, I dig minty flavours and smell. So I really like this product.
  • Love the cool, minty feeling on skin.
  • Helps to lighten acne spots to some extent.
  • Pocket friendly and comes in variable quantity to suit everyone's needs.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
  • The packaging is not tavel friendly and the product tends to leak.
  • This won't stop the occurence of acne.

VERDICT: Had the packaging been leakproof it would have scored more brownie points. All in all it's a really nice facewash esp. for summers as it leaves skin feeling refreshed and squeaky clean without overdrying it! Might not suit extremely dry skin in winters.

RATINGS: 4 out of 5

**Product sent by PR for consideration but it doesn't influence my honest opinion! Read my disclaimer.

Lotus Herbals On The Benefits And Usage Of Sunscreens This Summer.

Hi! We all know in summer the harsh sun causes tanning and sunburn to our skin! But do we ever wonder how it happens or why is it dangerous? Lotus Herbals being a leading player in sunscreens have taken the intiative to update all the beauties on the benefits and usage of sunscreens this summer.



Understanding UV rays and their effect on human skin and health.
How UV rays affect the human skin?

UV rays affect the human skin in the following ways:
• They cause skin tan (simplest form of sun damage)
• Wrinkling and ageing of skin including brown spots etc.
• Sunburn
• Skin cancer (UV rays are increasingly responsible for skin cancer all over the world
especially due to depletion of the ozone hole).

What are the types of UV rays and the associated damage?

Scientists classify UV radiation into three types or bands - UVA, UVB, and UVC. The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs some, but not all, of these types of UV radiation:
UVA: Not absorbed by the ozone layer; causes tanning/darkening of skin and long-term skin damage. Mostly responsible for ageing of skin.
UVB: Mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but some does reach the Earth's surface; causes sun burn and wrinkling

UVC: Completely absorbed by the ozone layer and oxygen.
“UVA and UVB that reach the Earth's surface contribute to the serious health effects listed above”

What is a Tan?
A tan is the skin’s simplest response to exposure to Ultra-Violet (UV) rays of the sun. The UVA component of the UV radiation is mainly responsible for triggering the pigment forming cells,
called melanocytes. These melanocytes produce the skin tanning/darkening pigment called ‘melanin’ which rises near the outer layer of skin thus making the skin look darker in color.

Why is Sun Tanning dangerous?

It has been scientifically proven that Tanning is actually the simplest form of skin damage. In some countries where fairer skinned people like to tan, there is a growing movement to tan just a little bit and not cause irreversible damage to the skin.

Is the Sun Tan of concern to South-Asian/Indian Skin?
Absolutely yes, 85% of South-Asians/Indians have brown/wheatish skin which is the most prone to tanning out of all the skin types. This has been concluded after exhaustive studies across the
world when determining the skin’s reactions to sun shine (Fitzpatrick’s Skin types).
Fitzpatrick’s Global Skin types


As shown in the above chart, the Indian brown or light-brown skin is the most prone to tan.

Does a Sunscreen/Sun Block protect against Tan?

Absolutely yes! Only products with full-spectrum UVA and UVB protection can guarantee. Protection from all the UV rays including the UVA rays that cause Tanning/Darkening. The amount of Tan Protection/Prevention depends on the combination of UV sunscreen filters used. For Tan prevention a higher concentration of UVA filters are used.

Understanding how to measure Sun Protection? What is SPF and PA and how are they measured?
 
SPF:
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure for a sunscreen’s/sun block’s ability to protect from UVB rays on the skin for a period of time.
           Time without sunburn on application of sun block
SPF = ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Time for sunburn to occur without application of sun block

So, with an SPF of 30 you can stay out in the sun for 30 times longer, in ‘perfect conditions’, than you normally would do without your skin getting burned. Example, if your skin gets burned
in 20 minutes, with an SPF of 20 it will get burned not before 20 x 20 = 400 minutes.
Perfect conditions mean that you aren't in water or sweating, two things that usually go hand in hand with the sun. This also doesn't reflect sunscreen that can rub off from your clothing.
 
PA:
PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA system and is the Japanese measurement of sun protection, which is based on the Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) reaction reading at 2-4 hours of sun exposure. The Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) method is a method of measuring UVA protection, similar to the SPF method of measuring UVB light protection.
These are the three levels of UVA protection that are commonly used:
PA+, PA++ and PA+++.
PA+ provides some UVA protection with a factor of PPD 2-4
PA++ provides moderate UVA protection with a factor of PPD 4-8
PA+++ provides good UVA protection with a factor of PPD > 8
Which means, you’re better off picking a sunscreen with PA+++ which will provide you with the greatest protection.

The need for Higher and Better Sun Protection

Do I need higher SPF?

Most people use far less sunscreen than is recommended, high SPF sunscreens can offer better protection. Higher SPFs can help!
Higher SPF values offer some safety margin, since consumers generally do not apply enough sunscreen. To evaluate SPFs in a laboratory setting, testers apply two milligrams of sunscreen
per square centimeter of skin. But in everyday life, most people apply from only 0.5 to one milligram per square centimeter of skin. Consequently, the actual SPF they achieve is approximately 1/3 of the labeled value.

Do I need SPF-70 or SPF-90 even if SPF-30 blocks 96% of UVB rays?
Yes, if you want a healthier skin over a lifetime! A higher number is better. 99% is still better than 97% or 96%. Over a lifetime, a few more percentage points of protection can add up to a lot less sun damage!
Also, consumers typically apply very less sunscreens to achieve the protection levels as labeled on the products. To get the SPF on the pack, you must use a liberal amount on your body. And
that’s another benefit of wearing a UVB-UVA sunscreen with the highest possible SPF. Blocking an extra percent of UVB rays makes a significant difference over a lifetime! UV radiation also impairs the skin’s immune system in alarming ways. Sun exposure reduces the number of watchdog cells that help recognize and respond to antigens, and alters their function so they are as effective as dozing prison guards. The effect on immune suppression can set in
even before a sunburn.
A study in The British Journal of Dermatology in 2010 found that applying less than two ounces over the entire body at one time can leave people with an SPF rating far lower than what is on the bottle. Some studies have shown that people typically apply just 10 percent of the amount recommended.
“Consumers do not typically apply sunscreen in the proper amount, and only use anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent of the recommended amount. So they are not getting the protection they think they are getting."
Add to this, consumers do-not re-apply every 2hrs or the product gets wiped away by sweat, rubbing, touching or by clothing.
So, a sunscreen/sunblock with higher SPFs used over a lifetime may translate to healthier and better skin in later life. While the difference in the percentage of UV radiation blocked betweenan SPF-50 and SPF-90 may be slightly less than 1%, applying an SPF-90 may lead to much less cumulative sun damage over a lifetime and hence a much more healthier and better skin.
 
In summary:
  • Consumers use anywhere from 20 percent to 50 percent of the recommended sunscreen/sunblock amount. So they are not getting the protection they think they are getting
  • Consumers do-not re-apply sunscreen/sunblock every 2hrs or the product gets wiped away by sweat, rubbing, touching or by clothing.
  • Over a lifetime, a few more percentage points of protection can add up to a lot less sun damage skin.
  • 99% is still better than 97% or 96%.
  • Higher SPF formulations also tend to last longer.
  • Blocking an extra percent of UVB rays makes a significant difference over a lifetime!
Why would you not want the opportunity to use a higher and better sunscreen?

Will a higher SPF damage/irritate my skin?

A sunscreen/sunblock with higher SPF does have higher amount of UV filters. Ofcourse! This necessarily does not mean it will damage/irritate your skin. There is no scientific proof in this
myth.
Lotus Herbals has gone a step ahead and formulated its higher SPF products without any preservatives (like parabens and phenoxy ethanols) but infused them with nourishing and neutralizing botanical extracts like Avacado and Carrot extracts.
Some dermatologists say SPF-30 or SPF-40 is more than optimum for Indian skin but some have started prescribing higher SPFs, which ones should I follow?
As sun protection is an evolving dermatology area, not all dermatologists may agree to the level of sun protection required for consumers. Follow the dermatologists you trust and make the
right choice for your skin.

I need to go to beach, which SPF should I use?
The level of skin protection depends upon:
1. Your Skin type – fairer skins require more UVB (SPF) protection than darker skins.
2. Duration of sun exposure.
3. Altitude – higher the altitude, higher is the protection required. People in mountainous regions need more protection.
4. Latitude – lower the altitude, higher is the protection required. Nearer to equator is higher protection need.
5. Time of the day – 12PM to 3PM is when you need high protection.

Also remember: many consumers returning from beach holidays or ski trips complain of burning within 45mins and aggressive tanning despite using SPF-40. The reason that they forget to re-apply every 2hrs or the product gets wiped away by sweat, rubbing, touching or by clothing.

Dark skin doesn't burn, so I don't need sunscreen?

All complexions can burn! A dark-skinned African consumer doesn't need as high an SPF sunblock as someone with fairer skin and red hair, since she has more melanin in her skin for natural protection. Still, that extra melanin doesn't guard against the UV damage that accelerates aging or causes cancer. If you have dark skin, you need a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Produced by Lotus Herbals Ltd. Research & Development Lab.
© All rights reserved.

Aloe Veda Mango Lip Butter Review

Hola ladies! Recently I won a few giveaways *yay* :P :D (would share about the goodies in another post later on). So lovely Lancy was cohosting a giveaway with Aloe Veda on her blog a few weeks back and I won a little prize from that. They sent me the Aloe Veda Lip Butter in Mango and today I am posting my review on it.

PRICE: Rs.115

QUANTITY: 10g

INGREDIENTS:

SWATCH : 



MY EXPERIENCE: This came in at the right time as I was on the lookout for a new lipbalm as my other lipbalms were either misplaced, or have been given/taken away, or not in the state to use on lips :P. And what's more, the lipbalm has a lovely Mango smell (though I am not a huge fan of mangoes but I really like it on my lips) and it is just perfect for the summers. The lip butter as the name suggests is soft and buttery that just melts on application. Claims to have sunscreen which is another plus point (though I can't vouch how effective it is on that part as my lips don't darken under sun). It is not suitable to wear under lipsticks as it turns quite oily when it melts down on lips. Gives temporary relief from chapped lips and requires a bit long time to get absorbed fully (unless you lick it off :P). As always with tub packaging, you have to dip your fingers in which I find a bit unhygienic. One thing that got me miffed was that when I opened the package for the first time, 1/3 rd of the product seemed as if scooped out (see the pic below). I mean why can't they fill up the whole tub with the product?


WHAT I LIKED:
  • Like the non-waxy, smooth, buttery texture.
  • Has got a slight Mango flavor and smell too.
  • Moisturises dry lips and keeps it hydrated for long.
  • Price is economical and comparable to other lip balms.
  • Only a little amount is required so the product would last long.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
  • The texture turns oily as it melts on lips and won't be suitable under lipsticks. Preferably works as a night lip balm.
  • Feels a bit heavy in the summers.
  • I am not fond of tub packaging.
VERDICT: It is a better option than a petroleum jelly. For the price, it does a good job. Would have preferred it in a tube packaging.

RATINGS: 3.75 out of 5

Haul and my Shopping Experience with Jabong.com

Hey ya friends! *Me soo happy*. I am finished with the last semester of my masters and awaiting the results which would be out in June-July!  *Phew* No more exams, No more studying :D
And meanwhile I got a chance to do some online shopping and review another site which is Jabong.com.



ABOUT:
" Jabong.com is a young and vibrant company that aims to provide good quality branded products. Jabong.com caters to the fashion needs of men, women and kids across footwear, apparel, jewellery and accessories.
At Jabong.com we strive to achieve the highest level of “Customer Satisfaction” possible. Our cutting edge E-commerce platform, highly experienced buying team, agile warehouse systems and state of the art customer care centre provides customer with:
  • Broader selection of products
  • Superior buying experience
  • On-time delivery of products
  • Quick resolution of any concerns "

MY EXPERIENCE:
Jabong.com has already created a buzz with their Ad campaign. I was little apprehensive to review the site as I read a friend's negative review about it a while back (though the Jabong team later compensated that friend), but then I heard a lot of praise on other forums and decided to give it a try. 


Jabong.com has a wide range of products. I especially like their Accessories, Bags and Shoes range and lust after a few items. I can spend hours surfing through all the products catalogue. 



All the products had their inventory details, so you would know if you are getting the last piece :P. 


I selected a few products and added them to the cart.


I placed the order with them on 15th of May. Got a confirmation call from their representative on 16th and received the package on 17th afternoon. That was really fast and commendable service. Shipping was free (no minimum shopping required) and I opted the Cash on Delivery option (which was free too), though there is a limit of Rs.20,000 in one transaction when opted for COD.

Here is the package securely wrapped,




and here are the items I ordered,



  • Modacc Black belt. (I wanted a nice black belt for a long time and this one is a double belt which I really liked)
  • VLCC retractable lip brush(This is Out Of Stock at the moment)
  • Konad Rhinestone Deco Sticker
All the products were in good condition. Overall, I really had a good experience shopping with them. I wish they provide some better discounts on the apparels, bags and footwear.
Do check them out. I hope you too have a great time shopping there. 
 

** PR provided a discount coupon for the purchase, but it doesn't influence my honest opinion! Read my disclaimer.

Petition to bring back Pond's TM


Update: Recently, I got in touch with some people from Pond’s. They told me about the stock still available in Kolkata. Following are the places where you can still get your favourite Pond's TM from.
  • ROYAL STORES NEW MARKET
  • MADHUSUDAN BEHALA
  • ASHA VARIETY STORES BESIDE NEW MARKET BUILDING
  • NEW MOLLEE NEW MARKET
  • SPENCERS HYPER EM BYPASS

HUL, the mother brand has decided to take Pond's Tinted Moisturiser off the shelf.
Stylecraze.com's idea behind this petition is to let them know how much their product is loved and will be missed. And how can they take it off the shelf when so many of us tell them that it is an integral part of our lives….

Click on the image to see the petition,

All we need is 5000 signatures. Each time, one of you signs this petition, a mail will go to the following email IDs to let Ponds know how much we love the Tinted Moisturizer
levercare.customer@unilever.com
mediacentre.hul@unilever.com

We believe that collecting 5000 Signatures should bring back the product. So show us your love by putting one of the following badges on your site. We have also put the embed codes next to them.
Please also share this Petition on your Facebook, Twitter and Google plus. We require as much support as possible.

If you want the product back, then please do sign the petition!

PR Info: Pond's White Beauty Blogger Contest

Have you found your Perfect Match? You have heard of genetic DNA, but have you heard of social DNA? 

Pond’s White Beauty presents ‘The Pond’s Perfect Match Contest’, a perfect opportunity for you to find your perfect match from your list of friends on Facebook, win a ‘dream date’ with the charming hunk – Rannvijay Singh & a chance to feature on the cover of one of India’s leading women’s magazine.
 

What are you waiting for? Participate now by visiting http://on.fb.me/WBPerfectMatch

You are one in a gazillion. All your little charming quirks, interests, likes and dislikes add up to making you who you are, beautifully rare! This is what we call Social DNA. So how can you find your Perfect Match? Just log onto the Pond’s India Facebook page and enter the Pond’s Perfect Match App which scans your Social DNA and finds you with the highest compatible match from your Facebook list of friends.


Make sure you also enter the contest to know if you are the perfect match for Rannvijay Singh! Girls, if you score the highest on compatibility with Rannvijay, you can win an iPod shuffle for the day, every day till 25th May 2012!


Four lucky shortlisted girls with the highest match score with Rannvijay will be groomed by a panel of experts from Pond’s!

And this is not all, the most compatible amongst the four wins a dinner date with the dreamy Rannvijay in a beautiful yacht setting. She will also be given a glamorous makeover and be featured on the cover page of one of India’s leading women’s magazine.
Wait, there’s more! Share the application link with your blog readers and the top 3 blog posts can also win an iPod shuffle!
So log on to http://on.fb.me/WBPerfectMatch , share with your friends and find your Perfect Match right away!
 

Find your Perfect Match with Pond's White Beauty

Introducing the new Pond’s white beauty™ Visible Lightening Day Cream SPF 20/ PA++ with GenWhite™ formula. 

After researching with over 20,000 genes, the Pond’s Institute identified a specific gene that significantly affects melanin production. Through this discovery, our most effective
skin lightening formulation containing the revolutionary GenWhite™ formula has been created. It adapts to your unique skin to successfully lighten and even-out your complexion and prevent discolorations at the source.

What’s amazing about it is that the product works differently on each person. So, if there are areas on your skin that need extra help and contain more melanin, the formula concentrates on lightening and brightening those exact problem spots.


Sizes Available  50g        35g      25g    15g      9g

Price                Rs 249  Rs 140  Rs 80  Rs 49  Rs 10


For further queries, please contact
Shweta Pawar – 9930258678/spawar@ipanhillandknowlton.com Ishani Sanghavi- 9920924422/isanghavi@ipanhillandknowlton.com

Two new Nail polishes in my stash and my NOTD

Hey girlies! This is a short and quickie post. I got two new polishes in my stash. *yay* :D
One is from Faces in Persimmon and the other one is NYX girls NP in Spotlight :) Reviews would be coming up soon! :P


And here is my NOTD,


Yeah, I messed up my index finger! 
*Please ignore my untended cuticles* #-o

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash Review

Summers leads to accumulation of dust, grime and sweat on skin. Add to that oiliness and it's perfect environment for a bunch of pimples/acnes to rear their head. It is important to wash our face frequently through out the day, to get rid of the dirt and oil before it causes any reaction to our skin. And a face wash ensures that skin is cleansed properly. Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash has been my go-to face wash ever since my high school days. And I thought of reviewing it for all of you,


PRICE: Rs. 115.00

QUANTITY: 150 ml

INGREDIENTS:


WHAT IT CLAIMS: "Purifying Neem Face Wash is a soap-free herbal formulation that gently removes impurities and prevents pimples. Enriched with Neem and Turmeric. 
Neem , well known for its antibacterial properties, helps in controlling acne and pimples, and their recurrence.
Further, when combined with Turmeric , it effectively eliminates acne-causing bacteria."


MY EXPERIENCE: Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash comes in a tube packaging with fliptop cap. the face wash is light green in color and of medium consistency. It has got a fresh, sweet herbal smell which I really like. Spreads and lathers decently, leaving a very cleansed feeling on skin without any drying or stretchy effect. It clarifies skin to certain extent, though it doesn't stop the occasional pimples on me. However, a friend of mine, who has severe acne problem, swears by this product as it helped to clarify her skin a lot and diminished the occurence of acne/pimples too and I have seen the results myself. 


WHAT I LIKED:
  • It lathers decently and cleanses skin effectively without making it too dry/stretchy.
  • I am really fond of the sweet herbal smell and it has a relaxing effect on me.
  • Clarifies skin to a great extent. Though I won't say it stops pimples completely!
  • When I feel lazy (read: most of the times), it doubles up as a makeup (non-waterproof) cleanser for me and quite effective at that too.
  • Economical and comes in variable sizes to suit your pocket.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
  • I can't think of any. Maybe the fact, that it doesn't lather huge like other soapy products, I use a bit extra amount of product and it finishes up quickly!

VERDICT: If I ever get to choose only one face wash, this would be it. It is pocket friendly and effective as per it's claims (mostly). Do let me know if you have tried this one! 

RATINGS: 4.75 out of 5

PR Info: New Fair & Lovely Advanced Multivitamin is not just a cream, it’s a fairness treatment!

An interesting revelation found that 80% of women in Mumbai, 78% in Kolkata and 76.5% in Hyderabad believe that the best possible fairness results can be achieved by getting a fairness treatment from a skin expert. This was found in a survey conducted by Fair & Lovely that mapped the beauty requirements of Indian women. In spite of this, only 12.2 % women have actually undergone Treatments.

Responding to this inherent desire for the perfect fairness Treatment, Hindustan Unilever unveils -‘New Fair & Lovely Advanced Multivitamin’ – a one-stop, fairness treatment in a tube. It targets marks like a laser treatment, sun tan like a face polish treatment, dullness like a face peel treatment, dark circles like an antioxidant treatment and lightens skin colour like a vitamin mask giving you flawless treatment like fairness, everyday!



New Fair & Lovely Advanced Multivitamin is an answer to the fairness challenges faced by Indian women. Just from the first use, 9 out of 10 women saw treatment like fairness.
Speaking about skin concerns faced by women across geographies in India, Dr. Kumar Subramanyan, Director, Clinicals, Unilever Research & Development said, “At Unilever, we recognize the dynamic beauty landscape and the skin requirements of Indian women. We continue to evolve our product technologies using advances in science and our interactions with skin experts around the globe. This product contains a proprietary blend of fairness actives and sunscreens developed by Unilever. With our latest launch New Fair & Lovely Advanced Multivitamin, we deliver clinically proven ’expert treatment like’ benefits to our consumers that’ll improve multiple dimensions of skin fairness. When used every day New Fair & Lovely Advanced Multivitamin delivers truly stunning results”.
Here’s how the New Fair & Lovely Advanced Multivitamin works to give you the best fairness treatment:
Problem
Ingredient
How does it work
Marks
Vitamin
B3 and Vitamin C

It targets marks like a laser treatment. These actives work on melanin at the source and lighten existing marks. They also prevent new marks from appearing.
Sun tan
Hydroxystearic acid , Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C

It targets sun tan like a face polish treatment. These actives stimulate skin cell turnover, promote skin renewal and thereby gently remove the effect of sun tan.
Dullness
Hydroxystearic acid and
Vitamin B3 and Vitamin C
It targets dullness like a face peel treatment. These actives remove dull dead cell layers of skin and promote new skin generation for renewed glow.
Dark circles

Vitamin E and Vitamin C
It targets dark circles like an antioxidant treatment. These actives reduce free radical damage to the skin, thereby effectively reducing dark circles.
Skin colour
Vitamin B3, B6, Vitamins C and E

It lightens skin colour like a vitamin mask. These actives penetrate into the skin layers to lighten skin colour from deep within the epidermis.
* Based on consumer study, 2012.
’Fairness treatments’ refers to treatments in the cosmetic domain. Results not equal to clinical/ invasive treatments. Cosmetically targets the same flaws as above treatment

-----------------------------------------------
About Fair & Lovely:
Developed in 1975, Fair & Lovely is the World’s No1 fairness cream and HUL’s largest skin brand with a presence in over 30 countries. Fair and Lovely’s fairness technology is known to be the best in the world and the brand is continously innovating to pioneer the development of cutting-edge fairness solutions. Today, 250 million consumers across the globe strongly connect with Fair & Lovely as a brand that stands for “beauty that empowers a woman to change her destiny”.

About Hindustan Unilever Limited:  Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is India's largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods company touching the lives of two out of three Indians. HUL works to create a better future every day. We help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others.
Incase of any queries contact IPAN Hill & Knowlton;
Priya Bendre [077385 70894] pbendre@ipanhillandknowlton.com
Shweta Pawar [099302 58678] spawar@ipanhillandkinowlton.com

Maybelline Lasting Drama Swirl Gel Liner - Shade Brown & Gold Review

Hola ladies! Ever since my introduction to this beauty-blogosphere, I am learning about new products everyday. Like take the case of gel liners. Three years ago I didn't know what a gel liner looked like and now, I can name atleast 5 different brands of gel liners :P One of them, that doesn't bite your butt pocket is from the brand Maybelline, their Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black, which I never got around to try, as I would always look at my existing eyeliner stash and see too many black liners to finish up. But, I yearned to try atleast one gel liner. So when Maybelline launched a bunch of new products in India, the Lasting Drama Swirl Gel Liner being one of them, I knew I had to snag a piece! :P  


PRICE: Rs.425  

QUANTITY: 3g  

INGREDIENTS:   


WHAT IT CLAIMS:  "Smudge-proof, creamy gel comes in two distinct shades of midnight black/ shimmery silver & bronze/ shimmery gold that can be used separately for either an intense line or dramatic shine. When mixed together, the two shades create a subtle shine that gives eyes a quiet elegance. Flat tipped eyeliner brush delivers precise and even strokes for flawless application."    

SWATCH:  
 

MY EXPERIENCE: The Maybelline Lasting Drama Swirl Gel Liner has a dark brown gel base with a strip of gold in swirl pattern. The gel liner comes with a liner brush which is really handy. The texture is really creamy and soft and glides easily on eyes. I thought applying it would be a complete hassle, but no, it applies real easy and fast. It settles and dries up quickly, and doesn't smudge or flake or fade for more than 8 hours, that's how long I tested it. Though the gold swirl strip looks highly cute in the tub, it isn't of much use for everyday looks, and the golden glitters in it are dispersed unevenly and requires multiple swipes to get an even line and somehow it doesn't look pretty on my dark rimmed lids. Also, it's better to moisturise your eye area properly prior to using this if you have dry skin, else it would profound the fine lines of your eyelids and might feel a bit stretchy. I have tried on both upper lashline and tightlined my lower lash line with the brown part, and it never irritated my eyes. But if you have really sensitive eyes, then I would advice not to use it for tightlining because of the gold glitters.  

WHAT I LIKED: 
  • The liner is of soft creamy texture and glides easily on the lids even on tightline it never tugs or cause discomfort.
  • This shade is a dark chocolate brown which I love.
  • Dries up real fast on the lids and doesn't budge at all for 8+ hours.
  • True to it's claim of smudgeproof and waterproof and long lasting. Requires a cream/oil based remover to wipe it off completely .
  • Comes in a chubby tub packaging (though the tin lid looks a bit cheap) with it's own applicator.
  • Compared to other gel liners in the market, it is easy on the pocket.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:  
  • The golden swirl though looks pretty in the tub, isn't much of use to me and doesn't look good on my eyes.
  • It accentuates the fine lines on the lids if the eye area isn't moisturised properly.
  • Gel liners have a probability of getting dried up in the tub, but I hope it doesn't occur any soon.

VERDICT: This has become my go to liner these days and I am really digging it. Apart from the golden strip I really like this one and wish Maybelline comes up with more shades in this gel liner range. If you would like to try a budget gel liner then I would recommend you this one.

RATINGS: 4 out of 5  

Khadi Aloe Vera Moisturiser Review

Surfing through random shopping websites, at random hours and hoarding buying random products is becoming my favourite pastime. On one such spree, I got myself this Aloe Vera moisturiser from Khadi. Why? Because, a) I wanted a different moisturiser to try out and b) I haven't ever tried the Khadi brand. So after a couple of weeks of using it, I am here with my review.



PRICE: Rs.100

QUANTITY: 210ml

INGREDIENTS:


WHAT IT CLAIMS : "Nourishing & Oil-free moisturiser which helps to replenish the lost skin moisture. Use after skin treatments. Can be used for all skin types."

MY EXPERIENCE: Khadi Aloe Vera is a pale green moisturiser, that is runny in consistency and spreads easily. However, it takes a little time to seep into skin completely. So I need to massage it longer. It feels a little heavy after the initial application. But when it gets absorbed fully, it leaves skin soft, smooth and well moisturised for long hours. I don't feel the need of re-application (can't say if the case would be same in winters or not, but I am hoping it would work all the same). It has got a sharp herbal smell that is pertained by the skin. It comes in a flip-top cap jar packaging. It's a bit bulky and I think it might spill under pressure, so not very travel friendly.



WHAT I LIKED:
  • The moisturiser is thin in consistency and spread easily so a little product is enough. Ofcourse you can layer more according to your needs.
  • Didn't cause any irritation. Rather gives a cool feeling on application which might be due to the Aloe Vera. 
  • It has got a sharp herbal smell, which doesn't bother me and I kinda like it. 
  • My skin remains moisturised almost the whole day.
  • Very affordable and economical for the quantity you get.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE:
  • Requires extra blending time to get totally absorbed.
  • Feels a bit heavy after application which I hate.
  • The no-nonsense packaging is too boring. :P

VERDICT: This is a pretty decent moisturiser which does it's work and I guess it would suit all skin types (might turn a bit oily for oily-skinned ladies in summer). For the price and the goodness of herbal ingredients, I would surely recommend you  to try this.

RATINGS: 4 out of 5