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{Easy Autumn Eyes} With StudioWest

anushka — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 04:23:00 +0000

If you’re an Indian millennial, chances are you’ve heard of, if not shopped at the Westside stores across the country. I’ve personally loved their clothing collection, as seen here in my favourite trousers of all time, not to mention their fabulous decor section which served as the perfect pick and mix for many a room decor overhaul over the years.

Which is why I was particularly excited when I heard they launched their very own beauty range, ‘Studiowest’, packed with skincare essentials like delicious smelling face wash and silky body moisturizers, sensual fragrances and a range of makeup products I now can’t imagine my beauty bag without. I couldn’t make it to the launch event as I was traveling, but to include me in their Westside Beauty Carnival festivities, they sent over a box of their most exciting products to take out for a spin.

As I was opening the box, a little leaflet fell out encouraging women to leave behind their boring, tried-and-tested but done-to-death makeup looks and try something completely different. Which is precisely what I did. I waved goodbye to my trademark punchy lip colours, highlighter and pink cheeks and opted instead for a super easy autumnal makeup update – earthy tones and a doubled-up winged liner. Since I had never dabbled in bronze, gold, olive, copper and brown hues before, I tread a bit cautiously at first, but found my footing fairly quickly and am quite happy with the final result. Here’s how you can DIY it:

Step 1: Base

I started out with Studiowest’s ‘Pure Passion’ foundation in ‘Honey’ which is a lot heavier in coverage than my usual foundation, but stayed put on my face all day and was the most perfect match to my skin tone – which is usually a problem I often struggle with when looking for a foundation at other brands. There were, however, a few points that could take this foundation to a whole other level of perfection: (1) The smell, while not unpleasant, could be a little more refreshing and invigorating (2) It should be a little easier to take off with makeup wipes. My usual foundation comes off easily in 1.5 wipes, but this one took 4. The perfect formulation is incredibly sought after by makeup brands, which is why they keep launching new foundation formulations every few months. However, I believe that the Pure Radiance foundation was pretty close to perfect at their very first try.

Step 2: Brows

They don’t have a brow filling product yet (that I am aware of), so I just used a dark brown eyeshadow I found in my makeup bag on a wet cotton bud and filled in my very fine brows for a fuller look for fall..

Step 3: Blush

Their ‘Pure Passion’ blush in dusty pink had the perfect brown undertones to go with the rest of my earthy autumn look, while still lending a healthy pop of colour to my cheeks so they didn’t look sallow. It blended easily, lasted for ages and had the perfect amount of colour payoff so I could build the colour up gradually.

Step 4: Shadow

I used the ‘Goldmine’ crystal eye shadow palette from their ‘Maaya’ line to add colour and definition to my eyelids. I began with the gold colour in the centre and added definition to the outer corners and crease with the metallic brown colour on the right. I blended them together using a blending brush and then added a touch of pearlescent white shadow from my own kit under my brow bone and on the inner corner of my eyes to open them up a little. The shadows were metallic without being too shimmery and had great colour payoff without being pigment-like.

Step 5: Lashes and liner

This was my favourie part and definitely the focal point of the whole look. I used their Pure Passion Dramatic Eyeliner in Black along the length of my upper lashline. I absolutely love this liner because the applicator has a long and stiff brush which makes creating liner flicks super easy! I then used their Extreme Eyeliner twist-up pencil in Olive and drew a line right above the freshly drawn black one. Only, I extended the olive one outwards and upwards to create a winged look. I dipped a fine shadow brush in loose translucent powder from my makeup bag and dusted over both lines to set them, make sure they don’t bleed into one another or smear onto the crease of my lid. I also used a little of the same olive kohl on my lower waterline for a pop of colour and then finished off with their mascara in black, which served its purpose beautifully, creating lashes with volume, lift and curl, without appearing spider-y.

Step 6: Seal

I banished any excess shine from the foundation and sealed my makeup in for the rest of the day with their Pure Passion flawless finish compact, keeping me oil-free for a few hours.

Step 7: Lips

And last but not least, I finished off the look with their Cashmere Chubby Lipstick in ‘Barely pink’ which, just like the blush, had

the perfect slightly brown undertone to match my earthy look, with a pop of uplifting colour. Westside sent across four different types of lip products in their box – the Pure Passion lipstick, lumionous lip glaze, long lasting lipstick and Cashmere Chubby lipstick. Each product was intensely hydrating, which I loved, to keep dry skin at bay and avoid unsightly mid-day lipstick clumps on your lips.

Got home at the end of the day and after using my trusty makeup wipes, washed the rest off with their ‘Aloe Vera and Green Apple’ face wash which smelled good enough to spread on a sandwich and eat for the rest of your life and then re-hydrated my elbows and knees before bed with their Delicate Jasmine nourishing body lotion, which did the trick, but could do with a little tweaking in the fragrance department.

Overall, I think the products are great investments and super affordable for the every girl looking to upgrade her beauty bag on a budget for the coming season. Check out the Studiowest products the next time you happen to be near a Westside store and let me know what you think!

{OUTFIT DETAILS} Dress: Hill Road | Jacket: Splash (similar here) | Necklace: Phantom Jewels | Makeup: Studiowest by Westside

{PHOTOGRAPHY} Aksara Zagday at Yellow Pixel

* This post has been sponsored by Westside, however, all opinions are entirely my own. Read more about how I keep my integrity while partnering with brands by scrolling down to the ‘You Must Probably Know’ section on this page.

{Honeymoon} Beauty Essentials

anushka — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 14:04:27 +0000

It’s a bright lip and bronzer time of year again and I’m celebrating by packing away my knitwear, boots, oxblood lipsticks and wine nail varnish till England’s almost perpetual chilly breeze decides to unleash her wrath on us again in a few short months.
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Last summer was easily my best one yet – my 25th birthday, the most fantastic trip to see James, exploring London, Wales, Manchester and Chester and finally capping it off with getting engaged.

This summer looks as if it could come very close, if not beat last year, as we’re setting of on our honeymoon to Italy! Long walks along the Amalfi coastline eating gelato, lounging by the pool at our hotel in Sorrento, going on photo expeditions to Pompeii, taking boat rides to Capri and eating all the pizza we can in Naples calls for a beauty look that is fresh, glamorous, romantic and stays on all day, without having to worry about touch-ups. Here’s what I’m packing for our dream trip:

1. Garnier Protect and Glow SPF 20 Moisturizer

I personally love a gorgeous bronze, sun-kissed look, but peeling, red, sunburned skin isn’t a good look on anyone, which is why it is absolutely essential that the building block of any of my summer makeup looks not only moisturizes, but protects from the sun, too.

2. Clinique Superprimer Universal Face Primer

If you need your makeup to last for ages like I do, I wait for my moisturizer to be absorbed into my skin completely (about 10mins) and then apply a light coat of primer to smoothen the skin’s texture and prepare it for makeup.

3. Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation in ‘Fawn’

Hands down the best foundation I have ever used, period. It is so light, silky and natural looking but still provides great coverage. Two of the makeup artist friends I have introduced it to say it has the exact same consistency to a YSL foundation they use on their clients regularly. I buy this stuff in bulk. No jokes.

4. Natural Collection Sun Tint Bronzing Powder

After applying my foundation, I move on to a light powder bronzer. I love this shade because it doesn’t make you look orange, but provides the just the right amount of bronze to leave you with a healthy holiday glow. I use a blusher brush to very lightly dust it on my temples and chin. I then use a contour blush, suck in my cheeks and leave it on the area left out to contour them a little. Finally, I use it on either side of the bridge of my nose to give it a slimmer look.

5. MAC Mineralize Blush in ‘Petal Power’

I was so in love with this, I used it on my wedding day. This blush is the most gorgeous shade of pink, with just a little bit of gold mixed in that serves as a highlighter. I use a blusher brush, smile wide and apply this to the apples of my cheeks.

6. Collection 2000 Shimmer Shades in ‘Way To Glow’

I love a multi-tasking product when I’m on vacation, because it means I end up carrying less. This handy little palette doubles as a highlighter and a neutral eyeshadow. So I use a blending brush to apply a line of shimmery highlighter right at the top of my cheekbones so it catches the light in the sun and gives my skin a gorgeous, healthy glow. I then use it to make a line on the bridge of my nose and under my brow bone and then blend, blend, blend.

7. Clinique All About Shadow Quad in ‘Jenna’s Essentials 02′

Another great multi-tasking product, not only is this the only thing you need for the perfect daytime nude eye, you can also use the darker colours to build on it and create a brown smokey eye for the evening. I also use the dark brown shade as brow powder by dabbing some on a cotton bud and filling in the gaps in my brows.

8. Eyelash curler

With most of the face done, it’s time to move on to the fun bits – the eyes and the lips. Since this look focuses on glowy bronzed skin and bright lips, I’ve chosen to eliminate eyeliner altogether and opt for a nude eye. I blast an eyelash curler with my blow dryer to heat it up a little, and then use it to curl my lashes.

9. L’Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mascara

I’m not going to say this is the best mascara I’ve ever used. While I love the name and the look of the tube, I’m not a fan of the bendy brush or the fact that my lashes look a little clumpy after I put it on, but I do like that it lasts for ages and ages, and is completely sweat-proof so it doesn’t even smudge if you use it at the gym.

10. Clinque Long Lasting Lipstick in ‘Runway Coral’

It took me a while to warm up to this lipstick. I thought it was a tad too bright initially, but I gave it a chance and I am not sorry! It looks absolutely gorgeous against a canvas of glowy, bronzed skin and is a pretty, delightfully girly pastel pink if you dab it on, but a fiesty, punchy neon if you swipe on a couple of coats.

11. Propshop 24 Lady Bug Lip Balm

I always lightly dab on a little lip balm over a matte lipstick to keep it from drying out my lips and to avoid the product clumping. This not only moisturizes, makes your lips look kissable, but is just so darned cute! I mean, look at it! I’ve named mine Linda!

12. Emery board

My face finally done, it’s time to move on to my nails. I’ve never been a fan of long nails. I prefer to keep them short, cute and non-fussy. I use an emery board to file them straight across, and then round the corners slightly.

13. Dior Vernis Gel Shine Nail Lacquer in ‘Victoire’ and ‘Tra-La-La’

Applying my nail varnish is one of the last things I do before I leave home, because otherwise it always gets ruined! I use ‘Tra-La-La’ a lovely pale pink shade on my fingers (since it doesn’t show mistakes easily since it’s so light!) and Victroire, a gorgeous orangey-red on my toes to pack some punch into my summetime sandals.

14. Estée Lauder’s ‘Modern Muse’ fragrance

I’ve never been a big fan of floral frangrances, but this one is a game changer. Delightfully light, fresh and perfect for summer, it not only smells lovely, but looks great on your dresser, too! A handy little trick to avoid leaving behind a thick cloud of perfume when you walk by? Spritz the air with perfume and then walk through the space a couple of times. Trust me, it works!

15. Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte

It’s no secret that this is my favourite compact ever for combatting shine. I’ve spoken about it before here and here. I keep this baby in my purse at all times and use it to blot out oil during the day. In fact, I’ve used this product for years now and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, so I can safely expect it to be the third wheel on our romantic getaway!

And there you have it – my honeymoon beauty look + all the essentials I use to achieve it. If you’d like to see pictures of me sporting the look on Instagram, let me know in the comments section below.

If you liked this post, don’t forget to check out this post on what I carry in my purse on a long flight. Oh, and in case you were wondering, my clutch is Forever21, hat is Forever New and sunglasses are from The Snob Shop.

Beauty And The {Bridal Box}

anushka — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:01:49 +0000

While I happen to have my dress, shoe and bag situation in control for my big day, makeup is something that has eluded me. Which is funny considering I absolutely love makeup and wear it almost all the time, even if it is only a dab of concealer and a swipe of lipstick before I head out the door. With all the craziness demanding every spare second I possibly have before I leave, I just assumed I’d leave my wedding makeup to a professional, sit back and relax in a chair while she erases my stress lines and paints on my bridal glow.

But as my friends rightly pointed out to me, it is always good to have a basic idea of what you want your bridal makeup to look like before the actual day. In addition to hitting Pinterest for references, it is also a great idea to schedule a makeup rehearsal before your wedding so you know which products work best for you and avoid the ones that don’t (and the breakouts they bring with them!).

Also, weddings are joyous occasions and may be surrounded by tons of other functions if you’re having a big Indian wedding or celebratory dinners with friends and family who couldn’t make it to the ceremony, for which it is also absolutely necessary to have your makeup on-point.

With this idea in mind, I set aside an afternoon to visit the Clinique store to try out their new Bridal Trousseau service. The service, priced at Rs. 15,000, available on appointment and 100% customized to each unique bride, is exclusive to India and it’s exotic, world-renowned brides. It is available in select stores across Bombay, Gurgaon and Bangalore and is conducted by one of only eleven specialists in the world certified to perform the service.

The service began with a warm introduction and a heart congratulations from my Clinique Colour Specialist of the day. I started to relax as soon as she began to chat with me excitedly about the big day, the dress and the stress! Soon after, she brought out a tablet and asked me to do a quick quiz to see what products I would need based on by skin type, skin tone, stress levels and problem areas.

She then gently cleansed by skin of all makeup using their Liquid Facial Soap, exfoliated it with their Clarifying Lotion and nourished it with their Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator (one of my favourite products from the whole service -my skin felt so healthy, pampered and luxurious to touch after slathering a light layer on!)

She then prepped my skin for foundation using their Superprimer which gives your skin a smooth base that foundation just glides over. Soon, it was time for foundation. She used Clinique’s Even Better foundation with SPF on my skin and then concealed the area under the eyes with their All About Eyes concealer.

The best thing about the service is that not only do they apply the makeup for you, but they teach you how to apply the makeup as well. She did up one side of my face with foundation, and then patiently directed me while I used the brush to do the other side. With every area she finished at a time, I worked on the other and used her expert tips to master the look in case I needed to do it on my own.

She patted the whole base in place using their Even Better Compact Makeup, and before you know what, we were ready for some colour! She filled in my brows using their ‘Instalift’ pen and then set to work on my eyeshadow. We decided on a gold and brown smokey eye which she began working on using the Jenna’s Essentials shadow pallete, with a dab of Bountiful Beige (a beautiful, sandy gold) in the center for a pop.

She then lined my eyes using Clinique’s Brush On Cream Liner in ‘True Black’ on my top lid while I nervously tried to apply it to my other eye with shaky hands! Once finished, she moved on to the lower lashline and applied a thin line of brown shadow, which she then smudged and proceeded to apply a generous helping of Lash Power mascara to open up my eyes.

Shortly after, she moved on to my cheeks. This is where I fell head over heels in love with their delicious looking ‘Cheek Pops’. i thought about biting into them as she applied a light dusting of ‘Ginger Pop’ – a light peachy tone which wouldn’t draw attention away from the gold on my eyes or the red on my lips, to my cheekbones.

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And finally, she moved on to my favourite part – the lips. She lined them using a neutral lip pencil, then went over them in a sultry, sexy yet scrumptious shade of red called ‘Crimson’ from their ‘Soft Matte’ range. The colour will pop perfectly against my larger-than-life, ultra glam ivory and gold sequin wedding dress and wouldn’t dry my lips out in the winter chill! Win/win!

Till you have the time to visit the store and avail of the service for yourself, here are 5 great tips I learned at Cliniqe on Bridal Makeup:

1. When applying foundation, always use a brush for a less greasy finish and stroke the brush outward from your nose and then downward towards your jawline. This makes sure the little hairs on your face that you can barely see lie smoothly.

2. When applying liquid / gel liner with a brush, make very tiny, light strokes instead of long, strong ones.

3. Blusher should always be applied on the apples of your cheeks, and then upwards towards your ears (forming a ‘✔’ of sorts). This contours face and acts like a mini facelift.

4. Use the lightest touch ever while applying your makeup to ensure your skin isn’t pulled and tugged in the process. This can be achieved by holding your makeup brushes further back, almost at the ends.

5. The last thing you need on your wedding day is a zillion lipstick touch ups for photos. Play it smart by applying a lip liner in a similar colour before you swiple on your lipstick. This makes sure the colour stays on longer, and if it rubs off, you’re not left without any colour underneath.

She ended the 2.5hr service by spritzing me with a little fragrance. ‘Happy’ by Clinique was fresh, energetic and would have summed up my mood on the big day perfectly! She also handed me a face chart with the unique makeup look custom-designed for my wedding as well as a list of products for reference. And, like all brides, I was also presented with an absolutely breathtaking Bridal Trousseau Box housing my favourite products from the service, (within Rs. 15,000/-).

The boxes also make for great gifts for your bride-to-be best friends, so keep it in mind the next time someone from your posse is getting hitched. I had an absolutely amazing time and have a feeling I will be returning very soon to stock up on some of these products which I now can’t live without!

Make sure you’re following Clinique on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to receive updates about their drool-worthy products. I know I am!

Photography: Vinita Jeswani

{Sanctuary} in the City

anushka — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 07:21:24 +0000

The wedding planning hasn’t even officially begun yet, and I already feel like I’ve reached breaking point. Who knew guest lists, party favours, flowers and dress fittings could take such a toll? Pinterest says these are supposed to be the fun parts of the process, and as happy as I feel, when I look in the mirror, stress, lack of sleep and unhealthy eating patterns have me lacking my bridal glow.

Luckily, when L’Occitane called and asked me to come visit their spa in Lower Parel, ‘Spa La Vie’, I managed to clear an afternoon for some much needed R and R. Who knows? These quiet, blissful moments may be the last bout of tranquility and me-time I get for the next couple of months.

L’Occitane’s reputation precedes itself, of course, so I knew I was in for a wonderful day. But when I walked through those glass doors, slipped off my sparkly flats and stepped into a pair of the spa’s bamboo slippers, I never wanted to leave!

I was personally greeted by the spa manager who offered me a detoxifying honey, ginger, lime and holy basil tea while I filled out a little form, letting them know of my health conditions, lifestyle choices, pressure preferences and body zones that needed working on, so that they could provide the ultimate customized experience.

Shortly after, he led me on a guided tour of the exquisitely decorated 8000sq ft spa, with boasted a mani/pedi section, a special section reserved for sparties, bridal and baby showers, luxurious couple rooms and spacious single rooms, fitted with in-built tubs and saunas. My room was tastefully furbished with candle votives, fresh flowers, soothing artwork and the special oils selected for my massage. I was presented with a bath robe, shower cap and disposables to wear by the senior spa technician, Manju, who was absolutely wonderful throughout my visit.

After adjusting the room temperature to my preference, prepping me with a relaxing foot soak in Lavender foaming gel and spritzing the massage table pillow with fragrance, she announced that she was ready to begin. The first procedure lasted 60mins and was a relaxing aromalogical massage using lavender, tea tree and germanium oil, the mixture of which smelled absolutely heavenly! The massage used Swedish, Chinese and Belanise acupressure techniques, where she worked on my legs, upper back and shoulders using firm but gentle pressure, like I had requested in the form I filled.

Once we were finished, we made our way to the Hammam room for an exciting new massage I couldn’t wait to try! I was told to spend some time detoxifying in the room’s private sauna (I never wanted to get out of there!) before Manju led me over to a warm marble massage table under five shower nozzles.

Hammam means shower and is a Turkish massage conducted on a warmed bed, while you lay under what felt like warm rain drops that fell from the heavens and washed away all your stress, anxiety and muscle tension. This massage was a lot lighter on the touch than the previous one and was carried out with Lavender foaming gel.

Once the treatment was finished, I had the choice of taking a regular shower, using L’Occitane’s shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. They were also kind enough to grant me a blow dryer so I wouldn’t walk out soggy.

On my way out, I filled in a feedback form and was more than happy to give them a five star rating on all accounts! Not once have I been to a spa that takes it’s customers’ every little need into account, and makes them feel like total VIP’s. The only point of improvement? It would be great if they had given us a little goodie bag with tiny samples of the products they used to keep as a memento. The only drawback? The location. It’s a little difficult to find so I’d suggest doing your research, opening Google maps and calling ahead for directions.

L’Occitane’s Spa La Vie has outlets all over India, which makes it the perfect spot for a bridal detox, couple’s massage, bridal or baby shower. Check out their brochure here. If you plan on visiting, make sure you follow them on Twitter or Facebook for updates on their latest treatments so you don’t miss out!

{A Scent} To Call My Own

anushka — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 08:31:47 +0000

Like any bride-to-be, I’ve been spending hours every night browsing Pinterest, looking for the best ideas to infuse my wedding with personality, using quaint little touches that make it memorable for James, myself and our guests.

One of my favourite ideas. however, was a little more personal than ice cream tricycles and bubbles instead of confetti. A bright, happy pin suggested that I invest in a signature fragrance to wear only on my wedding day. You see, scents trigger memories, so thereafter, whenever James or I would smell it, we’d be immediately flooded with memories of the happiest day of our lives. I couldn’t wait to try it!

I set out to the mall to begin my hunt for the perfect wedding fragrance, and stopped only when I hit the Ralph Lauren counter and found ‘Midnight Romance’.

Delicate, sensual and romantic, it reflected my current state of mind perfectly. With passionate notes of pink peony, raspberry and rich black vanilla, it made me feel feminine, sophisticated, graceful and grown up, all the things a bride needs to feel to give her confidence on her big day.

I highly recommend heading to the stores to give it a little sniff. What’s your signature scent?

{In Review} The Fab Bag

anushka — Sun, 18 May 2014 08:14:36 +0000

I love a little beauty treat as much as the next girl, or perhaps a little more if you saw my collection of lipsticks. Which is why the idea of a box arriving at my doorstep each month, packed to the brim with surprise beauty goodies was one I couldn’t wait to try!

Beauty boxes have been doing their rounds for a while now, but I never got around to trying one. Which is why when I saw an ad for the Fab Bag splashed across my Facebook feed on a night when insomnia decided to get the better of me, I clicked my way through their website. And because I love a good bargain and was instantly drawn to the prices, I filled in the online questionnaire, pulled out my credit card and decided to give it a whirl.

The delivery took about ten days, which is a little long in my opinion considering companies are now shipping parcels to customers in 2-3 working days, but who am I to question logistics? Like a child on a sugar rush on Christmas morning, I tore through it’s packaging to be greeted with a bright red printed makeup pouch – a cute touch considering I have an unhealthy obsession with cosmetic cases and have a different one for almost every purse I own.

However, the contents of the pouch were a little disappointing. Four sample sized products along with printed literature explaining each one fell out, but weren’t particularly impressive. The ‘brands’ section on their website boasts of beauty bigwigs like Elizabeth Arden, Clinique, The Body Shop, Bath And Body Works, Clarins and Benefit to name a few. However, my bag produced three out of four brands I had never even heard of (and believe me, I’ve tried a lot of different beauty brands across the world). Which is okay I suppose, because this is a way of discovering new products and brands you’ve never tried before. But a little research showed that they were international drugstore beauty brands you would normally skip right past on the way to a L’Oreal / Rimmel counter. Think along the lines of Jordana or VOV.

The Natio Renew Line And Wrinkle Day Cream

I’m not even sure why this was in my bag. When I filled out their questionnaire online, I didn’t opt for any anti-ageing / wrinkle creams since I still have a good few years ahead of me before I need to be dragged kicking and screaming down the ‘ageing skin’ route. However, this still showed up in my bag. And if everyone gets the same bag each month, what’s the point in making us fill out the long, elaborate questionnaire?

Kama Lavender and Patchouli Hair Conditioner

Like all girls, I like my hair to smell fantastic. Which is why when I closed my eyes and took a whiff of this little number, expecting to be transported into a field of lightly scented lavender, I was in for a bit of a shock. Maybe it’s because the product is Ayurvedic (and let’s face it, those things never smell great!). All I know is, I don’t see myself using it on my tresses anytime soon for fear of the smell giving me a headache.

Beauty UK Blush And Brush

Another product that has confused me. Is this shade supposed to be one that goes with everyone’s skin tone? I honesty don’t see that happening. The pink is far too bright, to the point that it looks almost crayon-like. It has no subtle shimmer particles mixed in like most modern, good quality blushes do, but is completely matte and flat when applied to the face. It doesn’t particularly glide on smooth either, and looks a little chalky. Next!

I love…Strawberry Face Mask

Call me a skincare nazi, but this product didn’t seem particularly confidence invoking. I took to the web to research it a little before I tried it and their website had a range of fun products that didn’t look particularly harmful so I figured it was safe to give it a go. It didn’t do miracles for my face, but it didn’t have me erupting into hives either, which is great! Right?

By far, my favourite part of the experience was the little makeup pouch which has instantly been assimilated into my favourite handbag. If you ask me, they need to improve the brands they fill the bags with, quality of printed literature and provide more specific options based on the questionnaire, or just get rid of the it altogether. Because to spend twenty minutes filling it out, only to not have your requirements tailor-made is just a waste of time, and we all know how precious time is for a busy girl.

THE VERDICT: Will I be trying it again? Sure, but only because I believe in second chances.

Have you tried the Fab Bag? Tell me about your experience in the comments below.

{Tip Jar} Life-Changing Hair Secrets

anushka — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 16:05:49 +0000

Like all girls, it’s safe to say I’ve had a love-hate relationship with my hair. One flip through my Facebook photos will reveal my hair’s very own history book complied of not-so-flattering pictures of a bob I had when I was 19, the thick block fringe I sported when I first started blogging and a failed attempt at a top-knot with a hot pink scrunchie I now look back and cringe over. It’s a good thing the pictures of my childhood ‘mushroom cuts’ and blonde streaks I insisted on getting in ninth grade never saw the light of day!

In the same album. however, is a more mature me in polished poker straight hair, side-swept bangs and luscious waves I’ve mastered and can now pull off in my sleep. But it’s only after years of trial and error, self-cut bangs, damage, frizziness, bad colour jobs, chemical treatments and fights with my mother that I can finally say my hair and I are in a good place. Here are the life-changing tips that helped get me there. Try them on for size and spare your hair years of trauma:

1. SHAMPOO IN REVERSE

And by this I mean, apply conditioner to the length and tips of your hair, then wash it off after about 2-5 minutes. Then apply shampoo only to the roots and wash off (applying shampoo to the length and tips of your hair dries it out. Instead, when you rinse it off your roots, it’ll clean out the rest of your hair on it’s way out). This little trick leaves your mane glossy and moisturized.

2. RAID YOUR KITCHEN

They say massaging your hair with warm oil makes it glossier. But I swear by mayonnaise! The fats in the mayonnaise make your hair look insanely shiny, just remember that it might take 2-3 rounds of shampooing to get rid of, or you’ll smell like a sandwich. It’s worth the extra effort, though. Once a month is enough for this little treat.

3. DAB ON SOME MAGIC DUST

I used to spend insane amounts on dry shampoo, till I realized that baby powder does the same job and is less damaging in the long run on both, your hair and your wallet! So when your hair starts to get a little greasy at the roots, prick a few tiny holes into the lid of a bottle of baby powder and squeeze it out onto your scalp. Rub it in well with your fingers for instantly clean looking and smelling hair!

4. GET LAZY

Shampooing everyday strips your hair of it’s natural oils. Instead, space out your washes to once in three days or twice a week, using the powder trick from above on your in-between days.

5. BUILD YOUR OWN TEXTURE

My hair is naturally quite straight, so getting the beach waves I love takes ages and usually falls flat about 45 minutes after. The trick, I’ve discovered, is tricking your hair into believing that it’s naturally wavy. So after I wash my hair, I let it air dry (or blow dry, depending on how much time I have) and when all the moisture is almost gone and my hair is just slightly damp, I tie it into a bun and leave it for a couple of hours (or all night if you can swing it). When I open it out, my hair has natural waves formed so all I have to do is define the few odd strands that it didn’t work on with a curling iron. This is way healthier for your hair than using tongs or hot rollers all over.

6. HYDRATE WHILE YOU SLEEP

While I’m not enough of a girly-girl or magazine-worshipper to follow what they say and sleep on silk pillowcases so my hair doesn’t tangle, I do dab on some Moroccan oil before I go to bed so my hair is glossy, soft, manageable and easy to style when I wake up in the morning. The best part? It doesn’t get your sheets sticky and doesn’t need to be washed off, either!

7. TRIM OFTEN

You’ve already heard this one, but trimming your hair every 2-3 months really does make it look more manicured, gets rid of split ends, decreases hair fall and reduces the overall weight of your hair, leaving it bouncier. Why wouldn’t anyone want these things?

8. EAT TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT

Not eating properly leaves your hair dull, prone to breakage and falling out. I find that eating spinach, almonds, eggs, fish and taking a good multi-vitamin pill does wonders for your hair.

9. WATCH WHAT YOU USE

I find that the best tools I’ve ever invested in for my hair are a wide-toothed comb and a blow dryer with various settings that help reduce damage. I also steer clear of little hair ties with metal clasps. Sure they may come in pretty colours, but the metal bits tear your hair and ruin it’s texture over time. Plus they really hurt when you try and remove them! Another thing to avoid like the plague are towels. You’re allowed to wrap your hair in one to soak up moisture after a shower, but do NOT towel dry. This will lead to irreparable breakage and the broken strands tend to curl up, looking like frizz!

10. DO YOUR RESEARCH

I have a friend who swears by keratin treatments for her curls and invests in them regularly, but another who says it’s the worst thing she could have ever done to her hair and regrets trying it even once. Moral of the story? Different treatments work for different hair types. Speak to as many people as you can with a similar hair type to yours who have tried a treatment / product and then weigh your options accordingly. Never hesitate to call your salon and pester them with questions regarding the service and it’s before and after care. If you have highly sensitive skin, chances are you’ll have a sensitive scalp, too. In which case, check if a product you’re using or service you’re opting for is hypo-allergenic before you take the plunge.

What hair care tips do you swear by? Share them with me in the comments section!

Photography: Mehi Shah

Make Like A {Mermaid}

anushka — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 19:17:21 +0000

Always an advocate of the fact that you don’t need to leave the city to have a vacation, when my love is visiting from out of town, we like nothing better than to put the dramas of daily life on hold and head down to the pool to catch a few rays and spend some quality time, just us.

While we love the feel of the sun on our skin and sipping on chilled vodka lemonade all day, there’s nothing we enjoy more than a good old dive into a cold, blue pool when things start to get too warm.

I was careful to slather on the SPF whenever I got the chance, but there are a few things I could have done differently to avoid frizzy hair and freckled skin entirely. Here’s what you should be doing when you next head out for a well-deserved swim:

STRESS-FREE STRANDS

I don’t even need to mention the damage chlorinated water does to a girl’s hair. We’ve all been there. And unless you’re seriously committed to oiling, conditioning, deep conditioning and wearing those ghastly swim caps while in the pool, it can leave your hair dry and rough to say the least. It lightens hair colour, makes highlights brassy and gives you split ends if you swim everyday. The horror! However, I find that wetting my hair completely before I get in the water and then applying a thin layer of your regular conditioner as a sealant prevents your hair from absorbing any chlorinated water and leaves it smooth and silky after.

THE PERFECT TAN

If it’s a tan you seek, we’re in the same boat! There’s something so glam about a nice, warm, cinnamon glow. Just make sure you know your basics before you begin:

1. Never skip sunblock – Your skin will start to go red, peel and become a playground for freckles. Slathering sunblock on won’t stop you from getting a tan, but it will definitely lessen the damage and give you a better overall colour.

2. Know your SPF – Those little numbers on your sunblock tubes don’t determine how strong the product’s formula is or how effective it is in protecting you. Basically, an SPF number is the amount of time you take to burn in the sun, multiplied by ten. so if you start to burn in the sun after 20 minutes, SPF 20 will keep your protected for 120 minutes of sun exposure. I find SPF 50 to be perfect for just about anyone.

3. Reapply whenever possible – If you take a dip in the pool, the water washes away most of your sunblock. Towel-drying after doesn’t help the situation either. Always re-apply once you’ve been in the water to ensure you stay protected.

4. Flip regularly – To make sure you tan evenly, lie on your back or stomach for equal lengths of time. For areas that don’t tan easily like your decolletage, cover up the exposed areas that tan easily, and leave the tricky areas exposed for as long as you can.

5. Know that tan lines are inevitable. Sexy even. Embrace them.

SUPPLE SKIN

Always make sure you take good care of your skin during and after sun damage.

1. Stay hydrated – The sun and chlorine in the pool really wreak havoc with a girl’s skin, often drying it out completely. Drink lots of water while you’re down by the pool to stay hydrated.

2. Moisturize – After you’re done sunning for the day and head home, apply baby oil after a shower when your skin is still damp to lock in moisture, then slather on your favourite moisturizer to make up for the natural moisture your body lost during the day.

3. Exfoliate – Wait a day or two for the damage to settle after your pool day, then use a loofah or scrub all over your skin and repeat the intense moisturizing process mentioned above to give your skin an iridescent glow.

FAKE BAKE

1. If you want to enhance your new tan or perk it up when it starts to fade, mix a little powder bronzer with your daily moisturizer and apply it to your arms and legs like you usually would.

2. Love the way the sun hit your face? Replicate it by opting for a foundation one shad darker than the one you usually go for. Then lightly dust bronzer onto your cheekbones, temples and on either side of the bridge of your nose.

3. Get your glow on by using a highlighting powder at the top of your cheekbones, your collar bones, shoulders and along your shins.

What beauty tips do you swear by for a day by the pool? Share them with me in the comments section below!

Photography: James Moore, Anushka Hajela

{The Lipstick} Bucket List

anushka — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 20:48:55 +0000

It doesn’t take more than just a quick glance to figure out what my beauty obsession is. And can you blame me? On a day when the world seems less than forgiving, a bright, cheerful lip really helps boost a girl’s spirits. Which is why, between you and me, most days all I put on my face is moisturizer and a swipe of colour on my mouth, and I’m ready for whatever the day throws my way.

When chosen with care, the right lippy can brighten up your skin tone, whiten your teeth, compliment your outfit, dramatically take your look from desk to dinner in a flash, or in my case, give me a boost of confidence that makes me feel like I can move mountains! Which is probably why studies suggest that the average woman has approximately five lipsticks in her beauty bag on a daily basis.

Not one to be outdone, cleaning out my purse last week resulted in me chancing upon a treasure trove of lipsticks, balms and glosses in mild to wild shades to suit my every mood!

Experimentation is key, and while not every colour suits every skintone, there is a shade in every colour family that is made just for you. All it takes is a little trial and error at a cosmetic store near you, which, let’s be honest, can hardly be considered a chore! Here are the shades every woman absolutely must try before she kicks the beauty bucket!

1. Red

The ultimate symbol of glam, red isn’t only a great option for a night out, but has made it’s way into daytime beauty for the long run. My favourite shades are ‘Scarlett Creme’ by L’Oreal, ‘Non Stop Red’ and ‘Pleasure Me Red’ by Maybelline and ‘Hot Hot Hot’ by Colorbar.

2. Electric Pink

Nothing screams ‘fun’ like a hot pink pout worth shouting bout! The go-to shades I stock my beauty drawer with at all times are ‘Pink Forever’ by L’Oreal, ‘Lickable’ by MAC and ‘Eternal Rose’ by Maybelline.

3. Subtle Pink

Perfect for the daytime or a first date, a subtle, feminine petal-tinted pout is a girl’s best friend. Keep one of these babies in your purse at all times: ‘Silky Pink’ by Maybelline, ‘Yum Bubblegum’ by Faces or ‘Cerise Pink’ by Oriflame.

4. Magenta

A quirky alternative to hot pink, this unusual colour packs quite a punch! ‘Magenta’ by Faces, ‘Addictive Magenta’ by Colorbar and ‘Rock N Mauve’ by L’Oreal ought to do the trick.

5. Coral / Orange

Goes perfectly with a cinnamon tan, a coral lipstick is what I reach for when I head out on a beach vacation or spend the day by the pool. Here’s what you’ll need: ‘Juicy Papaya’ by Revlon, ‘Miss Coquelicot’ by Lancome or ‘Orange Tease’ by Lakme.

6. Nude

Nude lipstick is a tricky one! When worn right, it can balance out a smokey eye or perfect the ‘no makeup’ look. Get it wrong and it can make you ill and age even the freshest of faces. After lots of trial and error, the ones that worked best for me were ‘Naked Pink’ and ‘Irish Rose’ by Colorbar and ‘Buff’ by Maybelline.

7. Wine

How I love reaching for a deep, plum lip when the cooler months descend upon us. Reach for ‘Rebel’ by MAC, ‘Yummy Plummy’ by Colorbar or ‘Pink Romance’ by Lakme for a dose of drama.

8. An ‘I Would NEVER’ Shade

Here’s a challenge – sport an outlandish colour of lipstick and take to the streets just once. Be it a sweep of gold or a smudge of charcoal. I did it in black and lived to tell the tale!

Which shades of lipstick are you crushing on at the moment? Share them with me in the comments section!

diy : peppermint sugar lip scrub

anushka — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:21:00 +0000

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly : Chemist | Sugar Cubes, mint flavour and food colouring : Local grocer | Bowl, spoon : Kitchen | Jar : Old lip balm

After trial and error, I discovered that regular sugar was too chunky and castor sugar was too smooth for a scrub. Sugar cubes give you the best gritty texture to really get rid of all the dead skin. Use any heavy object you find to help crush the sugar cubes (I used two cubes)

Add about half a teaspoon spoon of Vaseline to the crushed sugar and mix. Add more if you feel the need. This lip scrub isn’t really about specific portions, but going along with what texture you want (how smooth / grainy) and how big your jar is.

This step is completely optional. If you don’t want the colour or the strong mint flavour, feel free to avoid it completely.

If you do, be sure to go slow. Add a drop at a time of each and sample as you go along. If you don’t have a dropper, dip a toothpick in the bottle and wait for a drop to form at the end.

Mix well with a spoon (Don’t use your fingers unless you want them to be pink for a week after. The food colouring really stains) and add to a lip balm jar.

Ta-dah!

Your new lip scrub is easy to tote around, costs close to nothing, is completely edible and barely took any time away from being fabulous!

photography : ankita phalle

Bold lips have always been my beauty signature. And I’ll let you in on a little secret : the key to owning the look is starting off with a smooth, debris-free canvas.

The solution, I found, is in a tiny pot of lip-smacking deliciousness I call the Peppermint Sugar Lip Scrub. The best part about it? I made it myself. Even better, it took a total of five minutes!

Here is the lazy girl’s answer to a pout worth shouting about.

Bisou bisou,
Anushka