Get Smokin' with Smoky Eyes Trio from Bourjois Paris

Heyyy Girls!!!
Today I will be reviewing the Smoky Eye Trio eye shadow palette from Bourjois Paris. It's basically two shades of eye shadow in a powder base and one illuminating shade. For all those Girls who always struggle to create a decent smoky eye look, now you can use this eye shadow palette to create a fashionable smoky eye look in minutes! Sounds to good to be true? Let's find out...

Bourjois claims:

"Manufactured with the same process which has made our Little Round Pots famous since 1863, these eyeshadows possess the same qualities of flexibility and softness: an ultra fine, silky, micronised formula for an amazing blend, lasting 8 hours.

The ergonomic, double-tipped applicator has been specially designed to outline your eyes according to your wishes.

And what’s more, its formula respects the delicate eye area :

- Enriched with mineral powders

- Free of fragrance

- Dermatologically tested"

You can buy these palette's in 6 different combinations with an extensive options of colors to choose from. I chose to buy the Gris Dandy palette which is basically Grey eye shadow since I very much love the ever popular black-grey smoky eye look.

The packaging is a handy round case made of plastic and extremely easy to carry around. In case you don't really know or have never tried to create a Smoky eye look before, there is a set of easy to follow instructions beneath the case. Bourjois has also provided an applicator with the palette but honestly it is nothing to write about. It wasn't easy to use for me because I normally prefer my E.l.F eye shadow applicators over the ones provided by the make up companies. 

Just like the Bourjois blushers, the eye shadow is also made by oven-baking and hence the powder is soft to touch and blends well. It contains mineral powder too and is thus suitable for sensitive eyes or lens users. Bourjois claims that these eye shadows give an up to 8 hour wear but I haven't really given that a try. I wear it usually when I go clubbing and it has never smudged or messed up with all the sweat from dancing and to add to that I have oily eye lids, so yes it gives a pretty good wear to me. Also I suggest you apply these with a wet applicator because baked eye shadow apply and look more pigmented when worn wet.

Overall, Bourjois Smoky Eye Trio eye shadow's are a pretty good deal given you get three sets of gorgeous, shimmery powder eye shadows to create a stunning look. Priced at INR 625 for 4.5 gms these are best buy's for eye make up lovers everywhere!!

Yellow, Orange, Green & Blue : The New Artistica line of nail paints by Maybelline

Heyyy Girls!!!
I have yet to meet a Girl pal who doesn't go absolutely crazy over nail paints. We love to beautify our nails so much so that these days, we've moved on to Nail Art which involves creating designs and patterns on your nails using nail extensions, paste on's and some good ol' nail paint.

 But painting your nails with the same reds, pinks and done to death Goth black is so passé. So today I'll be sharing with you Beauties, the Artistica line of nail paints from one of my favourite wallet friendly brands Maybelline.

Maybelline Colorama Artistica Nail paints

Maybelline has an extensive range of nail paints on offer with the New Colorama Artistica. I have previously used the Maybelline Express Finish that would actually live up to the promise of "Dry in 40 seconds flat". Plus, Maybelline nail paints are quiet inexpensive when compared to the other brands offering the same colors and same formula. The Maybelline Express Finish comes with a price tag of just INR 185. 

However they do not offer nail paints with a younger, fresher look under the Express Finish range and hence I decided to try out the new Artistica line which has some really eye catchy colors to offer. The Artistica line comes in glass bottles with contents of 8 ml. priced at INR 85 only. Now isn't the price alone a reason to splurge on one of these? 

Maybelline claims:
"High-gloss nail color with 5 day wear! Combine a visually stunning palette of pigments, pearls and glitters. It’s the ultimate accessory that transforms your look from day to night, fun to funky and classic to daring…in a flash!"

I have four shades from the Artistica line. The nail colors are either glitter based that are very technicolour and regular matte ones that are effervescent. So I bought two of each to check the consistency and staying power.

The first shade is Roxo Metalico which is a glitter based purple nail paint. The glitter is electric blue in color and gives a stunning look to the color once on your nail. You can wear this nail paint with most colors and in both day or night

The only complaint I had was that the color tends to get thick and layer up even after repeatedly shaking the bottle and diluting the nail paint. Other than that, this is one foxy color and something every Girl who enjoys dark nail paints should consider investing in.

The second shade is Laranja Citrico, a matte bright orange. The nail paint is creamy and applies well. I used two coats in the picture below.

The color is bright and hence recommended for informal outings. I wouldn't pair this one with outfits in colors like pink, green or blue. Stick to pastels or white and black with this shade. Recommend this one for young Girls and older one's with an experimental streak in them.

The third shade is Glitter Prata which is a transparent nail paint with silver glitter particles in it. Its transparent so you can use it as a top coat on any matte nail paint you may want to glitter up.

This nail paint will work in day and night and at work or otherwise. If you are not too fond of glitter nail paints yet want to try one, this might be your pick for its classy yet glittery look.

And the final shade is Amarelo Sol a sunflower yellow nail paint which is again matte. I found this one to be the most eye-catchy of the lot and hence this was the first one I wore.

It generated a lot of curiosity because I usually stick to red, pink or corals for nail color and I loved that everyone noticed the change! Its got a creamy application and two coats is all it takes to get the cheerful yellow from the bottle to your nails. 

Overall, I liked the Artistic line of nail paints for the variety they have to offer and yes, the pricing is a plus point too. I found that these nail paints didn't stay for 5 full days as claimed by Maybelline but then I am a germophobe and wash my hands every 2 hours or so. Another thing I found unsatisfactory was that the matte nail paints simply peel off, in large chunks instead of chiping like regular nail paints. Well, you got to lose some to gain some and I'm a sucker for the variety of color Maybelline has to offer with the Artistica line so will have to overlook the cons.

So go ahead! Paint your nails  with these beautiful colors or simply use them in your at home Nail Art sessions and set a bright and bold fashion statement for all to follow!!

Gloss it up with MAC Dazzleglass lipgloss

Heyyy Girls!!!
After a short refreshing break, I'm back today with the review for MAC Dazzleglass lip gloss.

As all you Girls must be very well aware, Make up Art Cosmetics better known as  M·A·C is one of the premium and most popular brand of cosmetics in the world. Founded in Canada in the year 1984 by the Late Frank Angelo, it was initially specifically designed for make up artists but in the year 1991, they opened their first store in the city of New York for all of their consumers. MAC is currently a boutique brand owned by the luxury cosmetic giant Estée Lauder.

MAC Dazzleglass Lip Gloss

MAC claims:

"Lip colour that dazzles with light and shine to bring an exciting dimensional pop to your lips. Large particle pearls reflect and refract light to mimic the brilliance of quartz and opal crystal. Provides exceptional shine with a crystalline iridescence. Non-sticky, non-tacky, lightweight and moisturising. Glides on. Wear alone, or layer over lipstick or Lipglass for dramatic effect. Features our signature M·A·C vanilla aroma ." 

I simply dig lip glosses and the shinier they are the better! This is exactly what got me to pick these up. In fact I've had them for quiet some time now and these are my go to glosses for any special ocassion or whenever I need to feel fancy.

MAC Dazzleglass lip gloss come in glass tubes of 2.7 gms priced at INR 1040.

They are sleek enough to fit in any of your handbags or hand clutches for touch up's on the go. Since this was my first time buying a Dazzleglass (I usually prefer the Lustreglass) I decided to play it safe and pick up two of my all time favourite colors Pink and Red.  

1. MAC Dazzleglass lip gloss in Extra Amps 

Extra Amps is a pretty baby pink color with pink, silver and even blue glitter particles in it. In the tube it looks like a pink lip gloss with lots and lots of glitter. But all my Girl friends who are glitter-phobic the glitter you get with this one comes with a very grown up look. 

The color is sheer and I usually use it on top of any lipstick I want to glam up. On bare lips that are pigmented it comes as a clear super shimmery gloss. MAC's claim of  Dazzleglass being non-sticky is so not true because several times I've found my perfectly blow dried hair stuck on my lips (ugghh!!) when I'm wearing this. But the way this gloss looks on my pout and the yummy vanilla scent makes me want to give it a thumbs up!

2. MAC Dazzleglass lip gloss in Love Alert   

Love Alert is a hot raspberry pink lip gloss with red and pink shimmer particles in it. Don't freak out just looking at this one in the tube. It comes off as a very pretty raspberry on your lips. This is once again sheer and will go very well on any lipstick from the red family but you would also love wearing this one on bare lips (I do!). 

For those Girls who think the color red is only for mature women, you have to pick this one up. It gives a very festive look and brings a glow on your face. Its also sticky like Extra Amps but I guess that's what you get in the bargain with long wear glosses. Love Alert is the Dazzleglass I will certainly re-purchase.

Please Note: I would recommend wearing a lip balm (Nivea, Body Shop) beneath this lip gloss to slightly minimize the sticky feeling and smoother application.

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Blush a lil': Review for Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush

Heyyy Girls!!!
"As beautiful as a woman's blush...I as evanescent too..." this is a beautiful quote describing the beauty a blush brings as it rises on our faces but with today's products I'll help you make sure that your blush is not evanescent and lets you stay as beautiful as you ever wanted to be!

First a quick history lesson on how blush or blusher came into existence and became such a vital part of our make up kits. Historically, Rouge or what we now refer to as Blush was used as early as in ancient Egypt. It was also applied on the lips, the way lipstick is used today. In some times and places, both men and women wore rouge, such as during the Regency period in England. In Britain's Victorian age where make up was associated with low morals, ladies resorted to pinching their cheeks and biting their lips to make them appear red instead! In mid 14th century Britain, dresses were open clear down to the navel and women would apply rouge to their open nipples to make them more appealing to the eye.  

Various substances have been used as rouge. In ancient Greece for example, crushed mulberries were favoured, while red beet juice and crushed strawberries have also variously been used.

Thankfully, times have changed and today we need not collect or crush mulberries or pinch ourselves to get some color on our cheeks! All we need to do is walk in to the nearest mall. But the product I am reviewing today does have some history attached to it. After all it's been around for more than 150 years now. Though not a very renowned make up brand in our sub-continent, Bourjois Paris has a huge presence in Europe. Founded in the year 1863, it is the pioneer in the method of  baking cosmetics and introducing the world to the concept of make up in a pot. Their contributions to the world of beauty and the innovation in their cosmetics has been awarded and recognised all over the globe. And how grateful I am to them for finally having come up with a counter, albeit a very miniscule one at the local mall! I've picked up quiet a lot of stuff from Bourjois since and I've found them to be of very superior quality and have good staying power.

Bourjois Paris Little Round Pot Blush

I have the Bourjois Little Round Pot Blush in 3 shades and one illuminating powder pot as well. The shades have adorable names in French which make me feel " très pretty". The blush comes in, as the name very well describes, little round pots which are extremely cute and can overcome any space crunch because its so small that it could easily fit in, even in a clutch! The price is INR 550 for each pot and the net weight is 2.5 gms. The powder is baked and hence very silky to touch and blends well on your cheek. The best part about the packaging is that it comes with a mirror and application brush shaped like the contour of your cheeks for easy and apt application. The second is that the packaging is in the exact same shade as the contents, so you can easily know what color you're looking for even in a crowded make up kit. If you do not enjoy shimmer on your cheek and prefer matte blushers, this little pot's packaging will help you find out if the particular shade you're about to buy has a shimmer or a matte base because like I said previously it is identical to the blush shade down to the tee. The blush smells nice with a subtle perfume, something which reminds me of talc I used as a child.

The first shade is number 22 Tomette D'or which is a deep peachy color. It has lots of golden glitter particles in it which give a suitable depth to the color once on your cheek. The shade can easily be worn on both dark and fair complexion.

Its a nice pigmented shade and very dark so you are better off using just a single swipe of blush on your cheek at a time. It reminds me of Bobbi Brown's Shimmer Brick in Rose. This is a nice bold color which I prefer to wear to either weddings or any late night outings.

The second shade is number 35 Lune D'or, a peachy champagne shade which looks so delicate and is perfect for the day. It is the lightest shade in the blushers range from Bourjois. Wear it to work or play because this one will give you the perfect flushed look that will keep you glowing all day long. Make sure to use it generously if you're looking at getting more color on your cheeks.

Its a very light shade and has gold glitter too. This one is similar to an illuminating powder so invest in it and it will do the job of both. This is my personal favourite from Bourjois because it really gives me a healthy glow. I even wear it when I run some errands because I love this one so much! Mind you, none of the golden glitter looks cheap once you have it on, it is exactly what helps you get the glow-y look. Fair or dusky, if you are looking to buy just one, make sure this one it is.

The third shade is number 95 Rose de Jaspe which is a rosy pink color with some little silver shimmer in it. Will recommend it for everyone who loves having rosy cheeks (who doesn't?). It gives you the "baby doll" look or what I also like to call "the pretty girl next door" look. 

I always use this one a little more generously. Its the perfect shade of pink for me and I'm sure to replace it once this one's over. I wear it both in the day and night because this color is perfect for both. Next time you are looking for a nice rose shade in blushers, make sure you try this one.

And finally the Illuminating Touch pot from Bourjois. I bought this one much before I purchased Lune D'or to use it as a illuminating powder for all my make up requirements. The color is a pretty peachy one which will look pretty on all complexions.

Don't limit this one for your face. I use it on my collarbones, shoulders and décolletage if I'm heading to a party. At first it looks extremely shiny but don't let that put you off. It's like an instant "pick-me-up" on the face and the glow is superb! I have a few matte blushers and sometimes you wish that they had a little shine in them and that's also when I use a touch of this illuminating powder over them. This is a must buy for all your illuminating needs.

Hope this review helps with all your blush requirements and keeps you blushing forever because you know the saying,"When a Girl ceases to blush, she has lost the most powerful charm of her beauty."

Monsoon Make-Up Must Have's: Water Proof Eye Make Up

Heyyy Girls!!!
Lets see what are the most essential items in a Girls hand bag on any regular day. Hair brush, lip gloss, mascara, compact, wallet, some mint and maybe a few other random items. However with rains there are many new things that you might need to add,remove or even replace in your handbag, starting sometimes with your bag itself. Maybe one made from plastic or other such water-proof material. Also if you travel back and forth from work by public transport then you need to protect yourself from the rain water. Rain water is not good for both your hair and skin so in case you do get wet in the rains, do take a bath as soon as you get home. Most Girls I know also cut back on the amount of make up they wear in the rains, only sticking to basic stuff like kohl or lip gloss. They worry that with the rains the chances of ruining their make up while travelling are high and hence the prefer to skip it altogether. But not any more because that's exactly what water proof make up is for, right?

Enjoy the rains with waterproof make up

It is generally difficult to retain the freshness of makeup due to heat, sweat and humidity, more so with the Mumbai rains. This is exactly where Water Proof make up steps in to tackle these problems, now you can use Water Proof cosmetics for your regular, every day make up.

Foundation, mascara, eye liners, blushers etc are all available in international brands. You can look naturally beautiful through out the day without any smudges and fading. You can use Water Proof makeup and cosmetics in your normal routine but make sure you remove the makeup before going to bed at night to avoid break outs.

In today's post we'll be discussing the different kinds of Water Proof make up available in the Indian market and the best buys both for you beauty and your budget.

1. Water Proof Mascara

     Mascara in meant to open up your eyes and make them look bright while giving your lashes extra volume or length or both as required. If you want those flirtatious eyes you always see on the billboards, you need to invest in a good mascara. But a good mascara need not be expensive. My favourite go to mascara is from L'Oreal. Actually there are two and both are from L'Oreal. They are the Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara and the Double Extension Mascara.

Sadly, these two do not have a Water Proof formula so I have to avoid using them and replace them with an alternate during rains. The only Water Proof mascara that I've ever purchased is the Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara. And purchasing just one product and sticking to it is very unlike me. So, the best explanation for me still using this mascara from Maybelline for all my Water Proof needs for the past 3 years is that its delivered on every promise that it makes.

Maybelline says:

• "Creates really big lashes, in one single coat. Patented MegaBrush + unique Formula plump lashes one by one. Available in 2 variants- washable and waterproof."
• • 
    
  As you can see the packaging is very attractive and easy to spot amid the rest of your make up. The pricing is pretty inexpensive too given that you have to replace your old mascara every 6 months or it will dry up. It retails for INR 260 for 10 ml. Application is pretty much the same as your regular mascara but here is my way of applying mascara:

How to apply Mascara:Place your hand on your brow bone and pull the skin up very gently. Place the mascara wand on the roots of your eye lashes and slide gently across the entire length. Pay special attention to the finer and smaller lashes at the corners of your eyes. Apply a second coat as per requirement.

The only drawback with this mascara is that you cannot wait for the first coat to dry if you want to apply a second one. You have to apply both in quick succession because the mascara dries up very quickly and you may end up with some really spiky or lumpy looking lashes. Yes, this mascara also has the tendency to clump up so please clean the excess product off the mascara wand every time you use it. Also the promise of 7x more volume does not deliver but I'm still not complaining because whatever volume it did give to my lashes is just what I was expecting from this one. Over all Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara is my recommended Water Proof mascara for you this rainy season given that its priced reasonably and stays put on your lashes even on a rainy day.

2. Water Proof  Liquid Liner
     Liquid Liner is not a part of my daily make up fix so I have never bothered to find out which brand is offering which kind. Whenever I wear eye liner, its in the gel form as one can use it too experiment with different looks. However, I do have the Relvon ColorStay Liquid Liner for the occasional wedding I may attend and this one has never let me down.

Revlon says:

"Elegant, sexy and sophisticated! Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner allows you to emphasize your eyes with precision! Dries quickly and lasts all day! Enriched with Vitamin E and Aloe! Smudge-proof! The flexible tip applicator is perfect for creating a precise line! Ophthalmologist tested, suitable for contact lens wearers!" 

The ColorStay range from Revlon is a range of long wear cosmetics and hence this eyeliner has a Water Proof formula. It comes in a black tube with a flat bottom. Retails for INR 550 for a 2.5 ml tube. It has a regular eyeliner wand but the tip on this one is a little soft so the application is easy. You can make a thick or thin line easily as per your requirement. I have the  Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in Black Beauty. The color pigment is very dark and it dries of quickly after applying so you don't have to wait with your eyes shut for it to dry.

Contrary to the promise of a 16 hour wear I've noticed that it will last for me up to 6 hours only and that too if I wear it on a powder based eye shadow (maybe because I have combination skin) but that could just be me. Also when removing it, it always comes off in little flakes which get all over one's face. But its nothing which a cotton ball and make up remover can't take care of. Overall, I've always felt the need to touch it up some where in the middle of the day whenever I've used this one. But it has never smudged or flaked even in the hottest, most humid climate (weddings, in all the heavy finery do get the perspiration going). So my bet for all you Girls out there who love to wear the 'winged eyeliner' look even in the rains, you may want to buy this one.

3. Water Proof Kohl/Kajal
     I hardly know any Indian girl who does not wear kohl and the search for that sumdge proof, long wear kohl for these girls is an on going and very frustrating process. But I'm happy to announce that I have successfully broken the code and found the ultimate long lasting kajal. Yes, its none other than the widely advertised Maybelline Colossal Kajal.

Maybelline Colossal Kajal

Maybelline says:
Our Deepest black pigments + unique tip deliver the blackest black shine ever. Color glides on smooth and so intense! Never before 6 hours of smudge resistant wear. Our exclusive color fix formula guarantees intense color results that won't smudge, budge or fade. No more touch ups. The ultimate in care with a combination of 5 caring ingredients. Formula enriched with Vitamin E soothes the eyes.

The Colossal Kajal promises 6 hours of wear without any smudges, fades or raccoon eyes. Also its enriched with Vitamin E and 5 other such caring ingredients which help in soothing your eyes. I've worn this one to the gym and trust me it doesn't leave me looking like a panda at the end of my workout which the kohl from far more expensive brands like Revlon and MAC do! Its priced at just INR 150 so it has to be a must buy, even if you have tons of other un-used kohl pencils lying with you. The color pigment is very intense and it comes in a mechanical pencil style liner so you need not keep a sharpener handy. Plus there is no wastage of product. This is my most beloved cosmetic purchase to date (and mind you, I have a whole lot of cosmetics) and I want to thank Maybelline India on behalf of every Indian girl who wears kohl for launching this one!

Me wearing Maybelline Colossal Kajal

TIP: Please note that removing Water Proof Make up from your eyes with soap and water is not recommended. You can use a gentle eye make up remover by a reputed brand. I personally prefer Neutrogena, L'Oreal or Clarins. But if you don't have any of these Johnson Baby Oil or Olive Oil are good enough to remove these products efficiently. 

So this is it from me Girls! I'm sure you all will also love these beauty rescue cosmetics for the rains as much as I have. Please subscribe to my blog for other such reviews.

Monsoon Fashion Must Have's: Jumpsuits

Heyyy Girls!!!
The advent of the rains brings with them joy and relief for finally the long sweltering summer days are behind us. We Girls look forward to those first rains with much anticipation due to the pleasant change in the weather and the many romantic possibilities they bring with them (wink! wink!). But sadly fashion has to take a back seat over ease and comfort due to the muddy wet roads and hot humid environment. We have to put away those nude peep toes we love so much and the flowing summery dresses. The rains sure demand that we make necessary changes to our wardrobe but that doesn't mean that you have to surrender your self to being a fashion casualty.
Shorts, mini-skirts, capri pants and knee length dresses are some wise choices for the rains.

 Team these up with some cute color full flip-flops.

Accessorize your outfit with long necklaces with charms and rings shaped like your favourite flowers for the adorable girl next door look.

The biggest fashion grace for me these rains are the jumpsuits! Yes, they are back with a big bang this year too and have gotta be a fashion staple for your wardrobe because they definitely are in mine!!

Jumpsuit originally referred to the utilitarian one-piece garments used by parachuters/skydivers, but has come to be used as a common term for any one-piece garment with sleeves and legs.

Me in a skirt style jump suit from Forever 21

So what was once the garment worn exclusively by aviators, astronauts, formula one drivers and janitors has now made it to the pages of high fashion magazines like Vouge, Grazia and Harper's Bazaar. Jumpsuits are one piece garments so they provide comfort but at the same time with the detailing, cuts and different necklines available you are sure to set high fashion alarms ringing. You can choose from noodle straps to tube top jumpsuits. Ankle length, calf length or short jumpsuits come for all tastes and moods so you have a whole lot of variety to select from.

Colorful and floral patterns look best for both summer and the rains so make sure to pick up one of these. Also different fabrics like cotton, polyester, spandex, nylon and jersey can help in giving a variety of shapes and fittings to your jumpsuit which is just right for your body type.

Me in a black jumpsuit from Encanto

So go ahead, get that super chic jumpsuit that will help you tide over the fashion hassles that the rains bring with them and let you enjoy them looking as fashionable as you always want too.

Smoooooch Worthy : Review for Maybelline Watershine Lipstick

Heyyy Girls!!!
Today I'll be reviewing my new smooch worthy product. And its none other than the fabulous Maybelline Water Shine Pure Lipstick. I've recently purchased two shimmering shades and loved them so much that I just had to share them with you Girls!!

I love wearing lipstick because it reminds me of my childhood when I was a kid and my mom wore lipstick when we were all going out to town. Lipstick is one of the most important part of my make up kit because whenever I step out without some on, I feel naked! It gives me some much needed color and brightens up my face. I recommend lipstick for those days when you're feeling dull and low because take my word, it'll make you feel like the diva you are.

Maybelline Water Shine Pure Lipstick

Maybelline first came out with the Watershine Lipstick in India, back in 2004. It was one of the IT brands patronised by most middle class Indian women given that it was promoted with the international name of Maybelline New York and gave them the joy of wearing a lipstick worn by some really stunning super-models. Plus it was a very welcome change from one of the longest selling cosmetic brand available in Indian markets 'Lakme'. So suddenly we had the "Maybe she's born with it... Maybe its Maybelline" factor happening for us too! I remember my first few gloss purchases were from their Water Shine Liquid Diamonds line. I loved wearing sparkle-y, glossy colors on my lips as a teen and still find myself picking a couple of shades that take me back to those teen years. This was definitely one of those purchases but the delightful part was that it was in a lipstick!! Yes, its like having sparkles and wet glossy lips for Big Girls!!!

 

Maybelline says : Wet shine in a classic lipstick. New formula with spring water for the freshest wet shine and sheer color. Fresh Moisture for thirsty lips!

  

The Lipstick comes in a cute silver case that looks so trendy that you would love to find a reason to flaunt it with many touch up's through the day. The color is sheer and shiny. One step up from your chapstick, so it doesn't look really dramatic. If you enjoy wearing matte lipsticks, steer clear of this one because its very glossy and more on the moisturising side. The price is very reasonable too at INR 230 only! Applies so smoothly and you may have to go over your lips a couple of times to increase the intensity of the color (it is quiet sheer). This is a perfect lipstick for the day either at work, college or lunch date with girlfriends. If you enjoy more shine, top it up with a gloss in the same shade or maybe something clear.

Shade C 22 is a nice coral pink that has just the right amount of shine and color. It looks pretty on Girls with fair and dusky complexion alike.

C 22 Swatch on hand

C 22 lipstick on lips

M 31 is a berry red color especially recommended for those scared of wearing anything from the red family on their lips. So, go ahead make this one your first red lipstick!

M 31 Swatch on hand

M 31 lipstick on lips

This is a must buy for all the Girls who are afraid to try lipstick's and color because they are "so-grown-up". Get over those nude shades and get this one and add some color to the dull rainy season!! And you'll also be raving about this Smooch worthy lipstick!!

Size 'does' Matter

Heyyy Girls!!!
There is a very famous quote that I would love to share with all you gorgeous ladies out there. Here goes,
"The average woman would rather have beauty than brains, because the average man can see better than he can think."
Does it ring a bell? For me it does. It bring a sense of deja vu because there have been times when I've found myself trying to hard just to catch the attention of someone I fancy. I'm sure its happened to everyone reading this. But does having the sexiest figure and most gorgeous face is all that matters? If yes, to what lengths are we willing to go to attain it? With the rising popularity of skinny jeans and size zero body measurements, the pressure to look like a million bucks all the time is rising on every girl. But does this million dollar body actually exist? Or is it just another hoax of the fashion and beauty industry? Are the people who promote the mantra of "Thin is In" work out as hard as we do and make as many dietary sacrifices or are we just a bunch of fools? Lets find out...

Kim Kardashian in a Photoshopped picture

In today's day and age things have changed. You can see the change in people's mind and the attitude. Its quiet simple actually: Looks Sell. The media is flooded with pictures of beautiful men and women having physiques that can one can only dream of possessing. These un-realistic images create un-attainable goals for us and we end up succumbing to look thinner than we need to be or look younger than we actually are. Fad diets, liposuction, enhancement surgeries are as common among today's generation as getting a new hairstyle or buying a new pair of jeans. What we don't realise is the long lasting damage we do to ourselves in this rat race. Today, I'll be sharing with you the pro's and con's of all these diets and surgical procedure that are suddenly being advertised everywhere.

Size Does Matter

Isabelle Caro, a french model who died of anorexia related complications 

When celebrities loose weight, it makes the headlines in the 9 pm news! Yeah, that's become a trend these days. Stop eating all together or barely survive on glasses of orange juice and cups of green tea or black coffee to supress your hunger pangs and when you do lose weight, get your publicist to get you in the media to talk about your "weight loss" through exercises and healthy diet. Most of the times our celebs undergo body sculpting surgeries to get that fab body. Well in all honesty, you can't really blame them. They live extremely stressful lives with hectic schedules so working out can't always be a priority. That's when tummy tucks or butt implants do the trick. The sad part is that it has a direct effect on the mind of the young and impressionable among us. Women succumb to fad diets and there are some desperate enough to start skipping meals and even stop eating altogether.

Steroid abuse has become alarmingly common among young men these days

 Men on the the other hand need to flaunt six pack abs too! They remove all fat and carbs from their diets and start using supplements to achieve quick results. But these 'short-cuts' are very short term and extremely harmful. Hair fall, brittle nails, dull dry lifeless skin, dark circles under the eyes, irregular menstrual cycle etc. are just a few of the many ill effects of such fad diets. Men who use steroids and other such supplement or work out excessively using heavy weights suffer from liver and kidney disorders, low immunity and there was also a case recently wherein an ex-model/actor suffered from impotency after leading such a lifestyle for a couple of years. Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia nervosa etc. also plague many. These eating disorders have also resulted in un-timely death of many young women.

Side effects of steroids

                                                           The Healthy way to Skinny

Yes, contrary to popular belief there is a way to loose weight and get into a pair of leather pants without avoiding food. Its the simple, tried-tested and successful formula of Exercise + Healthy Eating. If you have already heard of this before and wondering where to start to get results you want, lets get into how to apply this formula on yourself for immediate healthy and sustained weight loss:

Weight loss happens when your body is deprived of calories required daily to maintain your current weight. This is known as your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). You can easily calculate this online. Now 1 pound of fat is made up of 3500 calories. Yeah, that sounds like a lot but we can easily loose these pounds by following the tried tested healthy weight loss formula. When you lose weight by following fad diets and or completely skipping meals, you may see the numbers dropping on the weighing scale but this isn't "Fat Loss". Its simply the loss of muscle and water stored in your body. Your body is deprived of the food it needs to survive and in response it enters what is known as "Starvation" zone. Here, the body starts breaking down muscles to survive and preserves fat because fat is what would help us survive in case there was an actual famine and we indeed starved to death. Now fat has more volume than muscle which means that 1 pound of fat in your body would take more space than 1 pound of muscle. Muscle in lean and burns upto 30 calories on its own, in a day. While 1 pound of fat which makes you appear bigger/wider burns only burns upto 10 calories. So now we know that Muscle has higher metabolic activity than Fat which means that we should have a high muscle mass and lower fat percentage to look lean, be strong and stay thin the healthy way for the better part of our lives.

Health Experts say that our physique is a result of two important factors put together. They are Diet + Exercise. The importance of our diet cannot be under estimated when trying to loose or maintain our weight. The importance of diet and exercise should be put at the ratio of  70:30. Yes, our body is influenced up to 70% by what we eat. Any amount of exercise can't help if your dietary habits are poor or unhealthy. Its important to eat a balanced diet comprising of all major food groups. There is a common myth of avoiding carbohydrates and sometimes even completely eliminating them from our diet. This is extremely harmful because carbohydrates give us glucose which is the fuel for our body. Eliminating carbohydrates from our diet can cause constipation, bloating, tiredness, mood swings and bad breath among other problems. Avoid refined carbohydrates like white flour or white rice and try to opt for the healthy alternates like multi-grain flour and brown/red rice which are loaded with fibre and vitamins and will help you fight hunger pangs caused due to fluctuating blood sugar levels.
Include the three essential food groups Protein, Carbohydrates and Fat in your daily diet in recommended quantities and combine this with regular exercise for a healthy and efficient weight loss. Also break down your meals from 3 large servings to 5 small ones spread all over the day to keep your blood sugar levels stable and your metabolism high preventing your body from starving and storing fat.

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