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I walk on a road lush with dreams,
a road of forgotten and veiled dreams,
sometimes slowly, sometimes gaily,
sometimes lost, sometimes profound,
I walk a road of unknown mysteries,
fervently finding my way through the endless path.....

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Self proclaimed Messiahs, A letter for you!

Dear trumpet blowers of liberation,

Please ignore us. The wails against veil, laments for liberation, fetishism with feminism and jeremiads of moral judgements. It's high time you realised, none of it, is any of your business.

Have all global issues ceased to exist? Poverty, health problems, financial crisis, Global warming and climatic changes. Why are they not pertinent enough for your attention?

Why this obsession with oppression? 
What makes you feel we are in need of your salvation? 
Necessitating a protection which holds and passes all judgements on the presence or lack of a piece of cloth.

Some monsters in India decide to rape one of us and every argument boils down to what the victim wore. (Much respect to Khap Panchayat by the way, they at least blamed chowmein and fast foods for such crimes)

A country like Saudi Arabia obligates Hijab on all it's females as a means of 'protection'.

France decides to leap ahead in this 'race of protection and freedom' and banned Burkini recently. The Mayor justifying it as a 'measure to ensure protection from terrorist attacks and ensure hygiene on the beaches'. 

And yesterday, ISIS decided to ban burqa. Islamic state deems Hijab as a security problem in Iraq. Read Here

How very supreme of you all! 
All problems and solutions are, according to you, concealed in this little cloth piece. A mighty magical wand? 

Lecherous men, increasing crime rates, lack of education, intolerance, are obviously by-products of the menace caused by women and their illustrious 'clothes'. Isn't it? 

If only your reason gifted mind could 'discriminate' let alone identify us beyond our outward appearances.

We are bone and flesh too. I understand, it's hard to digest that a clan you glorified as 'distressed damsels' since time immemorial can be anyone more except a dumb-mute puppet of your propagandas but frankly my dear morons, we too are in possession of a sensible mind. 

Do us a favour, will you? Shun your illusions and idee fixe and make peace with the above stated fact. 
For once, let us just take our own decisions and decide what we want to wear. How we want to conduct ourselves. Our choices.
Burkini or swimsuit. Hijab or hair. Skirt or sweatshirt is for my body and that needs neither your safeguarding nor concerns. It was/is/will be never your property. No matter if it's France or Iran.

Stop hiding your libido behind pseudo-intellectual concerns of liberation. We have known you long enough and know this, we loath such care more than your carnality.

If only you would have burdened your soul with a little self control, banning or baring would have been less fascinating to you.

And did I hear you say, 'but we intend no harm?' If you can't support your daughter's decision to study further. Your sister's male friends. Your wife's difference of opinions and your working mothers, then better shut up your false cries of freedom, protection or liberation. 

The very sight of you now seems destructive to our independence.
Your mighty egos have suffocated our bosoms and souls long enough. As if patriarchy was not enough already.  Please spare us the horror of sabotaging our basic rights of freedom.

If the popular belief that you are inhabitants of Mars and we are from Venus is true, then how desperately I desire that now has the time come, we go our separate ways. Life on Earth is more about morality rather than humanity, all thanks to you! 

That would be freedom. Liberation. Honour. Justice. Redemption.

Sincerely,
confined by your existence
We, Women.




Sunday, August 14, 2016

Story of a suicide- behind and beyond

Ending your own life. Have you ever contemplated upon it? 
Envisaged ways to achieve it? 
Engulfed in a despair so cluttered that the idea of death lured you more than the reality of life? 

Stats reveal that every 40 seconds, one person commits suicide globally (WHO-2012 report). What's worse is, India has been accounted for highest estimated number of suicides according to the same report.

The issue isn't why, but 'what' is so tempting in the entire situation that drags a victim to a path of no return.
Impulsiveness and fear might be a reason. Depression isn't ( studies reveal that less than 10% of those suffering from depression choose to end life).

I strongly feel that the portrayal of suicide by various forms of media has been playing a very important yet negative role.
We must realise that 'awareness' isn't always good. More so, if it comes across as an easy choice.
Media has been showcasing suicide simply as an action, a glorified one sometimes. But what about the consequences? The before and the after of this journey to a never land.

Every suicide has a story, behind and beyond. It is this 'story of a suicide' which needs to shared, analysed and most importantly understood to envision the complete picture.

I happen to read one such story of suicide few days ago. 

'The story of a suicide' is a brainchild of Nalandaway founder Sriram Ayer. 

Image courtesy: www.storyofasuicide.com

Genre : Contemporary fiction

Book format : E-Book consisting of 31 chapters.
What's interesting here is that the book is a visually rich amalgamation of audio, video, illustrations and how do I's. 

Where to read : You can read the book on author's blog at http://www.storyofasuicide.com/ (It is present in 'all-device' friendly kind of format). The navigation tools are also pretty neat. Plus it is free for all. 

What is it about : Set mostly in a college campus, the story revolves around Mani, Hari, Sam and Charu.
They are not only college mates but their lives are linked to each other in many other ways too.
The story progress to unfold poignant issues dealt by today's youth. 
Through the lives of these four characters, Ayer has divulged through matters of Child abuse, Homosexuality, Rape, Cyber bullying and suicide. 

The characters have been sketched in a way that a readers will not face any hurdle in identifying themselves or those in the vicinity with them. 
Entrapped in emotions of love, rage, fear, jealousy and confusion, they are as real as you and me. 

Storyline: The story begins with a chapter named 'I give up'. It's a letter addressed to the world by someone who has made up his mind to end his life.
Subsequent chapters dive in the story further and as the plot thickens, the reader finds himself entwined in a tale which explores the dilemmas faced by youth of today.

Narration: Being a contemporary fiction, book is narrated in a language easy to grasp. 
Sometimes, I did feel the narration could have been more crisp. Also, there was an explicit description of sexual encounters but a similar description was lacking in terms of emotions and sensitivity. 
I failed to feel what the character felt in many a places because of a somewhat superficial narrative. 

Things worthy of mention: The part in which Charu plays the role of 'Draupadi' and her dialogue with Caesar was quite captivating and a novel idea.
Also, Charu's Facebook post addressed to 'Dear Penises' was a challenging but applaudable effort by the writer. 
Other special features of the book :

1) The curtain raiser video directed by Surya Balakrishnan. This one gave me goosebumps. 

2) Illustrations by Ghana. All through the book, one finds these richly coloured drawings which play a great role in enhancing the reading experience. Some of them are so vivid that I couldn't help but ponder over them for a length of time. 

3) How do I's by Mansi S. Mehta. 
A very special feature of the book. As mentioned earlier, that the book expands over 31 different chapters. 
At the end of every chapter, they present you with a set of 'How do I''. Which is basically a 'book within a book' sort of a creation. 
It is self-help guide to enlighten the reader with ways to deal with situations as and when they arise in the form of fiction throughout the book. 
So basically, as I read the book and was confronted upon a situation which a character was under-going and wondered, 'yes, I identify myself with him/her but how to cope up with it?'. 
A set of 'how do I's' immediately came to my rescue.

On coping up with suicidal thoughts:

I have had a chance to work with patients suffering from psychiatric ailments during my internship days. 
There were patients who had attempted suicide multiple times and then there were others who had been on a verge of doing it after a long battle fighting this dilemma.
Most of them had a story to tell. 
When we tried to connect to them ,I realized that such tendencies were somehow linked to 'fear'.
Fear of the unknown. Such overwhelming fear that it blurred all thoughts, every desire to foresee any future, good or bad.

If at all, the victims could find an outlet to vent out their fear, I believe they can undo this impulsive desire to end their life.

That is why 'talking about it' plays a major role.

Everyone must realize that like all thoughts, wanting to end one's life is a thought too. And like all others, it comes and goes.
So let it pass.

To understand and identify with an issue as sensitive as suicide, two things should be kept in mind. They ironically are contrasting to each other.

one, stop 'glamourizing' it. By this I mean, do not understand suicide to be like how they show it in movies or soaps. It isn't that.

two, stop 'loathing/criminalizing' it. This simply means that don't judge the victims or survivors of suicide. Don't call them as criminals or think that they are any different from you and me or any member of our family. They are not.

Although I couldn't identify much with the characters of the book, I did manage to find a reflection of me and those around me in this book as a whole and that is what makes the book so gripping. 

Most of all, as mentioned earlier, this book IS actually the need of the hour. 

We need to hear more such 'stories of suicide' and not merely the 'inconspicuous news'.
We need to talk over and about it. Discuss it. Help and ask for help. Reach out, within and without.

I have always believed in the words of Plato who said 'be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle'. 

It's time now to do that. 

Ending on this little rhyme by Dorothy Parker: 
Razors pain you,
Rivers are damp,
Acids stain you,
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful,
Nooses give,
Gas smells awful.
You might as well live.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Band Baaja Beauty! My Envy Box- July'2016 Review

Wouldn't it be great to see a box full of specially curated, fabulous beauty products knock your doorstep every month? 

It might sound unreal to some but My Envy Box is designed to give you just the same. 

It is your portion of luxury sized and latest beauty samples in a beautiful and elegant box, reaching you every single month!

This month's box (July'2016) has been curated by Wed Me Good and happens to be a monsoon wedding special kinda edition. It has been rightly named a 'Band Baaja Beauty' box! 

Before proceeding to the contents of the box, let's have a first look (I know, you are as excited as I am!) 

      First look- Wedding special Box

I was totally mesmerised by the vibrant pinkish hue and golden detailing. 

Now, was the time to open the magical box. 
So here we go . . .

              On opening the box

On opening, I saw these 3 cards first

The first one called as 'Band Baja Beauty wedding check list' mentions the contents of the box and how can we put them into use. 
It also mentions the full size as well as Envy Sample and price of a full size product. 

         Card with wedding checklist

This gives you a fair idea of not just the products you receive every month but also their prices. 

The second card mentions the ongoing 'I love my Envy box contest' wherein you need to take a selfie with your Envy Box and post it on facebook and Instagram tagging your friends to win some exciting goodies! Sounds fun, right? 
And on the other side of the same is a discount offer their Olivia Dar Edition. 

The third card is actually a 'tippy tippy tap' game we used to play as kids. Remember? 
This one is to help you plan you wedding day with a help of Wed Me Good and their app. It also provides you  a few tips regarding wedding preperations while you play this nostalgic game. 

   Tippy tap helps you plan your D-Day

After reading and enjoying the game for a while, I moved ahead to check out the beauty products offered by this month's box.

SKINYOGA MARIGOLD FOOT SOAK

                   SkinYoga Foot scrub

What is it? 

A beautifully yellowish tinted powdered foot soak, it is aimed to relieve you of aching and burning feet. 
This foot soak helps to de-tan and de-stress feet and muscles and also help clean. 
To my delight, the product is fragrance, preservatives and paraben-free. 

Why in this box? 

Since this is a wedding edition, a foot care product is obviously indispensable.
Hours of shopping, sitting, walking for that perfect trousseau and dress trials. Also, long sangeet and pre-wedding party nights make your feet the most vulnerable yet neglected part indeed. 

Quantity? 

Size: 100g
Price: Rs. 695 for 100g

This full size sample will easily last me for as many as 8-10 soaks.

My verdict?

Loved it totally. A must have in every bride's de-stressing box. 

KERASTASE FRAGRANT OIL

          Kerastase Fragrant Hair oil

What is it? 

A gorgeously scented hair perfume with a combination of fragrances of Tea Rose, Light Woods and Musk. It is alcohol free and claims to make your luscious locks not just smell amazing but also shiny and smooth. 

Why in this box? 

All eyes are on the bride on her D-Day. Which means she needs to take care of her skin and manes well in advance. 
A few drops of this soothing oil will nourish the strands and give them a good shine. 
Even after the wedding, this fragrant oil will help keep the monsoon's unpleasant smells at bay, thanks to this product. 

Quantity?

Size: 3ml
Price: Rs. 5,600 for 120ml

This vial is good for 3-5 uses. 

My Verdict? 

Well, to be honest I had never thought of the importance of a fragrant oil but using too many styling products at ones leaves my hair not just dull and dry looking but also an amalgamation of too many unpleasant smells. 
This one is a definite product to have in your box. 

KAMA KUMKIMADI AYURVEDIC FACE SCRUB

                 Kama Face Scrub

What is it? 

A face scrub which is formulated with as many as 12 precious ingredients like saffron, almond, lotus, Goat's milk, Glycerin etc. 
It claims to smoothen fine lines, even out skin tone and give a lovely bridal glow to your skin. 

Why in this box? 

A glowing skin is every bride's ultimate desire and she spends endless days, nights and money to achieve that prior to her wedding day. 
A blend of all natural ingredients, this scrub will help you achieve all of that and in a skin friendly way. 

Quantity? 

Size:5g
Price: Rs.995 for 50g

This tube would last for about 4-5 uses. 

My verdict?

The best part about this scrub is, its Ayurvedic with no harsh chemicals in it. 
Most of us these days are extremely cautious about our skin specially the face products one uses and so an all natural product is definitely a welcome breeze. 

However, I would have loved to receive a bigger sample of this one. 

KAMA HAND CREAM

                Kama Hand Cream

what is it?

It is an enriching hand cream made with organic cold pressed sweet almond oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, Aloe Vera etc.
This hand cream is aimed to reduce dryness and also nourish, soften your hands. 

Why in this box? 

Well manicured hands are a bride's delight and onlookers too.
This cream with all natural ingredients will give you lovely and soft hands so that your rings and mehendi looks even prettier. 

Quantity? 

Size: 5g
Price: Rs.645 for 60g

This tube will last for 4-5 uses. 

My verdict?

The cream smell great and is extremely nourishing too. 
It does not sticks to your hands after applying and yet retains the desired moisture. 

I wished the quality would have been a bit more but never mind!

GULNARE GLOW GIRL SHIMMERING DRY OIL

     Glow Gulnare Shimmering Dry Oil

What is it? 

This is a light-weight, amazingly scented and subtly shimmery body oil to give you a sun-kissed bronzed look. 
It is a dry oil which means it will not leave an oily feel on your skin yet moisturise, scent and bronze it evenly and beautifully. 

Why in this box? 

To add perks to your nicely toned, freshly waxed and glowing skin making it irresistible to touch;)
A sun-kissed bronzed glow is something which so many of us aspire to get and is made so simple and easy with this absolutely awesome shimmering dry oil. 

Quantity?

Size: 60ml
Price: Rs. 1,250 for 60ml

This full size sample will be sufficient for around 10-15 uses. 

My verdict?

My favourite product in this month's box!  This has got a very subtle shimmer and fragrance and lives upto its claim of giving a envy worthy bronzed glow.

And now, last but not the least

Why I think you should subscribe for this amazing beauty box...

- Every Women deserves her monthly iota of beauty and love. My Envy Box will shower you with it month after month with new products making you feel special and beautiful that you are, inside and out! 

- Its a steal deal! Why? Because a monthly subscription which costs about Rs. 850 is worthy of almost double the amount every month with many deluxe sized and full sized samples.

- The box is designed to give you a wide range of beauty products and samples ranging from hair care, skin, perfumes, make up and much more. 
Which means literally having a whole beauty world on your palette err box :P

- It keeps you updated of the latest products in the market. Things which you may have missed and brands which might cater your needs and desires. 

- My Envy Box is itself a lovely designed box in vibrant colours and motifs which is a great item worthy of re-use to keep your jewellery, nitty-gritty. A pure delight for collectors! 

At last, I believe that the money spend on grooming ourselves and maintaining the lovely you is worth every penny.  

And this envy-worthy box is a best step towards a confident, radiant you each month. 

To subscribe, gift or simply have a look, check out www.myenvybox.com 

Any other queries? Let me know in the comments! 

Be gorgeous. Be you.

Monday, February 8, 2016

Piri and rotating needle


In medivial Ottomon, when the heydays of the Sultans had not ended and Europe was still far from awakening to modernity and civilization, there lived a boy who would roam through seas on high-mast ships. 
His uncle was a naval commander for the ottoman navy and the boy aspired to become one like him someday. 
Once the little boy was given a “box with a rotating needle” to play to which his uncle remarked “It is the guardian of your life and destiny on sea, so learn to use it, for one day you would leave sea for land and then you ll have to thank it”.
 For hours after then the boy used to gaze into the compass and while holding it in one hand, he used to scratch weird lines on the shiny deck wood.
One day his uncle found him old enough to make him join the fleet of naval officers and he since enjoined him in battles that were fought on high-seas.
Years of playing with the compass and scratching shorelines in the wood made him gaze into the powers that lay inside the “small box with a needle”.

 He could look at seas and predict shorelines from a height none of his fellow could. In lost seas he navigated his ships through rough tides escaping shipwrecks but also arriving on shores whose sand and coastlines he could predict days before arrival. 

He detracted enemy ships, made his own invisible in the sea and knew of lands and islands existing in oceans that none knew before. 
It was famed that while ‘compass guided sailors, compass itself obeyed Piri’. 
In the fateful Battle of Lepanto, that changed the cource of world history, Piri was a hero to many who held the command of the victorious ships but Piri himself lost his beloved uncle. 
Saddened by his death, he withdrew from the world of seas and ships to the world of books and libraries, still holding his compass in nostalgia. It was now he thought  was his time to give gratitude to the “box with the rotating needle” as his uncle had once remarked. 

Piri set himself to the task of compiling his travels and the travels before him, not in any worded narration, but in maps. In libraries, with his compass by his side he would devour through sea of books to look for accounts of travellers and cartographers so that he could bring about the exact account of his own travel. 
Piri Reis gave to the world the gifts of his navigation in form of numerous maps covering almost all corners of the globe in his Book of Navigation. 
He described therein the secrets to many uncharted sea territories and advices to sailors to avoid shipwrecks. Most of his work was destroyed or stolen from libraries over the cource of time. Of what remained is a torn map which he drew in 1513. 
The map shows the coastline of Western Africa, North America and South, Europe and Greenland, but was still inconceivable to the world-Antarctica, which was only discovered 300 years after his death.





This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

My To-Read List


Nothing can beat the pleasure of curling up in a cozy place,away from all worldly trouble and reading a good book. 
Although reading a good book is itself a pleasurable thing, be it any place or time of the day. 

For someone who loves reading, their to-read list ever increasing. 
Every book that seems good enough becomes a part of the list. 
Then, there are recommendations from fellow book lovers. 
All favourite author's new releases are in the list too. 
Then there are some long desired classics to add up to the list. 
Finally, some books have created such an impact that they need to be re-read and that piles up too. 

Indeed, book lovers know that there can't be enough time ever to read.

Also, it's a pleasure to know what other people are reading. That is why I simply love the goodreads.com and other related sites. 

So, I decided to share my 'to-read' list here too. 
Do let me know what do you think about it and if you have read any of these. Or maybe they are a part of your to-read list too. 

I am mentioning them under broad categories (created for my own ease) but in no particular order. 

CLASSICS 

1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
2. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
3. Emma by Jane Austen
4. Sense and sensibility by Jane Austen
5. To kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
6. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

AUTHORS

1)Haruki Murakami
A. Norwegian wood
B.  Kafka on the Shore

2)Stephen King
A. IT
B. The shining
C. Salem's Lot
D. Carrie

3)Daphne Du Maurier
A. The house on the strand
B. My cousin Rachel

4)Mitch Albom
A. Tuesdays with Morrie
B. Have a little faith: A true story

5)Dan Brown
A. Digital Fortress

6)Sophie Hannah
A. Little face
B Woman with a secret

7)Gillian Flynn
A. Dark Places
B. Sharp Objects

Now coming to my favourite genre, which is thriller. 
If I could I will add all thrillers ever written to my to-read list and make best efforts to  
read them before I die. 
But since a list needs to be comprehensive   and not always exhaustive, I will just add some of the very best apart from those I have read. 
These are like 'Absolute must reads' in the thriller genre and A lot of study of different lists, reviews and recommendations have gone into creating this list of fantastico fifteen books. 

1. The murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
2. The book thief by Markus zusak
3. Eye of the needle by Ken Follett
4. In cold Blood by Trumen Capote
5. The spy who came in from the cold by John Le Carrie
6. The Bourne Identity by Jason Bourne
7. We need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver 
8. Killing Floor by Lee Child
9. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
10. Strangers on a train by Patricia Highsmith
11. Defending Jacob by Willian Landay
12. The girl on the train by Paula Hawkins
13. In the woods by Tana French
14. If Tomorrow comes by Sidney Sheldon
15. Coma by Robin Cook 

Keep reading! 







This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

PCOS- impact of Homeopathic medicines and cure


PCOS, known as Polycystic ovarian syndrome has become an extremely common problem occurring in today's women and also one of the commonest causes of infertility. 
Polycystic ovarian syndrome results due to imbalance in two major female hormones namely Oestrogen and progesterone, leading to the formation of multiple pearl-like cysts in a female ovary. 

PCOS is marked by a decrease in female sex hormones, this condition may cause women to develop certain male characteristics, such as:

1. excess hair on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes
2. decrease in breast size
3. deeper voice
4. thin hair

Other symptoms include:
1. acne
2. weight gain
3. pelvic pain
4. anxiety or depression
5. infertility
6. Cardiac troubles

According to the U.S department of health and human services, between 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women of childbearing age suffers from PCOS. The condition currently affects up to 5 million women in the United States alone. 

The cause of PCOD is unknown. But it is linked to genetic causes. Also, overproduction of androgen is linked to PCOD. Androgen is predominantly a male hormone and present in negligible amounts in female. However, when it is over produced in some women, it can lead to PCOD.

While there exists no particular treatment for the cure of PCOS in the modern medicine except the use of OCP's to regularise menstrual cycles and treating sign and symptoms superficially. Homeopathy offers a cure. 
Homeopathy has proved effective in the treatment of PCOS and has not only helped in reducing the size of cyst in the ovary but also complete relief from associated symptoms like acne breakouts, infertility, weight gain, facial hair growth etc. 
This is because Homeopathy focuses on treating and curing the root cause of the problem. The Homeopathic philosophy of disease is not based on the external causes of diseases. Homeopathy believes that the human body has been perfectly enabled by nature to keep itself disease free. It is only when the immunity or its own internal vitality is deranged that the body becomes incapable of keeping itself disease free. Therefore Homeopathy tries to restore the balance of that vitality. Once the vitality regains its original balance, it is able to nurse itself back to health without any external aid.
Again, I am mentioning some of the popularly used homeopathic medicines to treat PCOS,the choice of remedy is solely based on the person's individual characteristics.
So, it is best to consult a homeopathic physician near you rather than being your own doctor. 

For more details you can contact me on my E-mail: sarahdelhi11@gmail.com

Some medicines proved efficacious in treating PCOS are:

1.  Sepia- one of the best medicine for treatment of PCOS. usually given in cases where there is scanty or late menses. Also good in treating infertility associated with PCOS. 
2. Pulsatilla- Another great women's remedy. Irregularity of menses since puberty, acne and anxiety. However, symptoms totality should match with the patient totality. 
3. Thuja - Thuja has supreme power to dissolve abnormal growths and tumours anywhere in the body and therefore works great in the treatment of PCOS. 
4. Natrum Mur- This is a remedy made from common salt and is great where PCOS is associated with retarded menses. It is also beneficial in treatment on acne, depression provided symptom totality matches with the patient totality. 
5. Apis Mel- It is specially indicated in case of right sided ovarian cysts. Other symptoms are menstrual irregularities, burning and stinging sensation anywhere. Patient cannot tolerate heat in addition to other mental symptoms.

There are many other medicines which act beneficially in the treatment of PCOS like Lachesis, Calcarea Carb, Silicea, Sulphur etc. 







This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

5 Fantastico make-up products on my wish-list


Makeup is every girl's weakness. No matter how many cosmetics products one buys, their is always desire and room for more.
The market is getting flooded with new make-up products and brands each day. And the good part, they keep getting better each day.
Lipsticks getting glossier, foundations with better coverage, eyeliners and mascaras more pigmented and water-proof.
One just can't afford to ignore these and gives in the pleasure of trying and buying them. 
I am no different. Every time I see a new product getting launched in the market or getting rave reviews, it automatically becomes a part of my wish-list.
Apart from the new ones, some well known brands and their amazing but extremely costly products are a part of my wish-list too.

I thought why not share in some products from my 'current' wish-list.

1)MAC Lipsticks- MAC is one of leading make up brands of the world and rightly so. Each and every product has a class and power to make you look good. 

As for their lipsticks, well, I have been eyeing them for quite some time.
They have such great reviews and known to make lips look uber sexy. 
So these are the ones on my wish-list. A little costly (around 2000-3000 INR).

1.  MAC Ruby woo- This is an absolutely amazing red from MAC. I simply loved all those I saw wearing it and have been wanting to have it in my make up box too. 
2. MAC Rebel - This is another shade from MAC which is not just glamorous but extremely stunning too. This one is plum and pouty. I loved this hue. Perfect for giving lips centerstage
3.  MAC Please me- This one is a gorgeous matte shade in pink. Best for a college girl sweet and innocent look. Lovely shade! 

2)Laura Mercier under eye cream- Laura Mercier is a wonderful high-end brand. Having heard great reviews about this under eye cream, this one is on my soon to be bought wish-list. 

3)Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner -  Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner comes in a tiny tub and a specially designed brush. The texture of these liners is very creamy and gives intense lines with smooth and even application. It’s similar to liquid eyeliner, except, it dries faster and lasts throughout the day.

4)MAC Pro Long Wear Concealer -  Another product from MAC. I came to know about this while watching some beauty and make up videos. I noticed that almost all of them were using MAC pro long wear concealer and instantly I knew this product would be worth it and it became a part of my wish-list. 

5)L'oreal Infallible 24Hr Powder Foundation - L'oreal products are one of my favourites. This seems to be a great powder foundation and as per the reviews is quite long lasting and perfect too. 

So that was my wish-list as of now. 
What is yours? And have you tried any of these products? Do let me know your opinions about them. 

Stay beautiful!






This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Must haves for a fantastico Bridal Make Up kit


Wedding is the most important affair in every girl's life. 
All of us have this inert desire to look our best not just the D-Day but also occasions preceding and following it. 
We buy the best of clothes, Jewellery, accessories and make up. 

As important as anything else in these wedding preparations is your vanity or the make up box.
One needs to exercise great care in what make up products to buy and what not. 
Since there are a plethora of products available in the market, the costs soaring high and brands launching a new product almost everyday, it often gets a little difficult to make a choice. 
Then there are other factors too like skin tone, skin type, coverage needed etc.

But some products are literally hands down. If you know what they are, this work of compiling the whole make up box can get so much easier. Isn't it? 

However, reading detailed reviews and then selecting and deciding is quite a time taking job and wedding shopping doesn't leave one with so much time. 
So, I decided to make your work easier and present my list of make up products which are an absolute must for a fantastico bridal make up kit. 

Some of them are high end products and may be a little costly. But they sure are worth the price! 

PRIMER
1.L'oreal Paris base magique transforming smoothing primer. Price: Rs.875
2.Colourbar Perfect match Primer. Price: Rs.875

FOUNDATION
1.Make up forever HD foundation. Price: Rs. 2100
2.Mac Matchmaster foundation. Price:Rs. 2100

COMPACT POWDER
1.L'oreal Paris Infallible Compact powder foundation. Price:Rs. 800
2.Maybelline Dream Matte Powder light. Price:Rs. 475

CONCEALER
1.Mac pro longwear concealer. Price:Rs. 1100
2.Revlon Photoready concealer. Price:Rs. 750

LIPSTICKS 
1.Mac ruby woo. Price:Rs 1500
2.Lakme 9 to 5. Price: Rs. 400
3.L'oreal Moist Matte Lipstick. Price:Rs. 900

BRONZER
1.Lakme Absolute Sun Kissed Bronzer. Price: Rs. 699
2.Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer. Price:Rs. 990

EYELINER
1.Maybelline Lasting Drama Studio Gel Eyeliner. Price: Rs.410
2.Revlon Colorstay Gel Eyeliner. Price: Rs. 690

PENCIL EYELINERS
1.Maybelline Colossal Kajal. Price: Rs. 175
2.Lakme Absolute Eye Pencil. Price: Rs.
199

MASCARA
1.Lakme Eyeconic Curling Mascara. Price: Rs. 250
2.Maybelline Colossal Volume Mascara. Price: Rs. 330

Apart from this your make up needs these:

1.Make up brushes (Recommended: Mac brushes) 
2.Eye lash curler
3.Eyeshadow Palette 
4.Blusher
5.Tinted moisturiser or BB cream (Recommended: Laura Mercier Tinted moisturisers with broad spectrum SPF 20)
6.Sunscreen
7.Under eye cream (Recommended: Shahnaz Hussain shasmooth under eye cream)
8.Lip Balm (Recommended: The Body Shop's Lip Balm)
9.Make up remover (Recommended: Oriflame's Make up remover)
10.A variety of nail paints 
11.Tea tree oil( For quick fixing acne if you have oily skin. It will take away the redness.) Recommended: The Body Shop's Tea tree oil

I think that's pretty much it. That is, the make up part. 
I kept the recommendations to one or two's in each category since I feel that too many recommendations can again lead to confusion. 
However, other good products are available in the market too. 
And most importantly, It depends on your skin tone. So make sure you don't compile the kit in a hurry and end up wasting money on products which doesn't suit your skin tone. 





This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.