I usually keep one arm distance from anything that looks like cream. But, this is one powerful Vitamin C Serum with Wild Harvested Kakadu Plum Extract, an Australian super fruit which is the world's richest source of vitamin C. 70 times of that of orange! Tempting isn't it?

From the start of the year, I have been blindly using rose water as face mist. The great quality of Good Earth should be blamed for the same. Then, I saw this one with Sandalwood and Mangosteen. Though sandalwood is easily available in India, Mangosteen is not. The combination of both made it irresistible for me.

I can never miss trying new face oils. Especially when the brand offers oils with different formula and ingredients to suit different skin type. I picked the one for Normal to Oily-Combination.

You know how much the ingredients list matter to me. I picked this face wash solely because the ingredients list attracted me. Green Tea and Tamarind is not something that you see usually. Plus, there other ingredients are also excellent. Cherry on the cake - sulfate free.

I was thinking of doing a post about my favorite skincare products this year only to realize that the most loved and heavy used products from the later part of the year are from Sensatia Botanicals. Since they are not available in India, I had to exclude them from the main list. But, they are good so they do deserve a post. 

I discovered Sensatia Botanicals in Bali. I liked their simple packaging, the unique combination of ingredients, use of pure ingredients, and the fact that they completely disclose their ingredients. This is very basic and even several good Indian companies fail here. The brand started with just three people in 2000. They saw high growth recently and opened several stores in Bali. 

I went to their Seminyak Village store and here is what I picked from them.

More about them in their review post.


READ: Bali Haul Featuring Local Brands

I recently got the chance to try some beauty products from South Africa. My husband had a fortnight trip and being a dedicated blogger I am (yes, the joke is on me), I sent him a list of brands that are made in South Africa. I wanted to try products that are made there and also few products that are not avialble in India. I told him to randomly pick whatever catches his fancy (except for few things).  What he got for me surprised me 😊

A couple of months back one of my foodie friends moved to Mumbai (The who lived in Chandigarh). He took my husband to Doolally, and he was fascinated by the place. So, my husband had to take me there when we met in Mumbai this weekend. He was sure that I would love it because that foodie friend and I share the same taste. I was not at all interested because we had a flight to catch in four hours and you learn to be a pessimist when you get stuck in Mumbai traffic for 2.5 hours.

He went to Andheri one but took me to Reclamation, Bandra because he wanted to me to visit Linking Road as well. I tell you, he can be one hell of an optimist at times. But, I did manage to visit Linking for half an hour. Husband 1. Wife 0.

Does the name 'Doolally' strike you as odd for a pub? Here is the back story. Deolali was a British camp which was also the set of a British sitcom. Thus, takes the birth of the slang noun 'doolally tap', loosely meaning "camp fever," and referring to the apparent madness of men waiting for ships back to Britain after finishing their tour of duty. By the 1940s this had been widely shortened to just "doolally," an adjective meaning "mad (insane)" or "eccentric."  [It was written on their door, and I also referred Wiki]

My first order was Mango Cider. I never had it before. The girls on the table beside us were excited that it is available so, I ordered it. Turned out to be the best drink I had this year. I did something that I never do. I called for a repeat - the same drink. My husband could not believe it and continued - "Don't you wish to try something new."

This year I had the opportunity to discover Bombay. A city which was a big complex web of train lines now feels simpler. Thanks to various people who recommended me places and taught me how to move around in Mumbai. Last weekend, I got another opportunity to discover more in Mumbai. So, I went to a place which was added to my list the moment I returned from Colaba. The place is Fort. 

So, where in Fort? My plan was to visit 

• Britannia & Co (for Kohinoor uncle and their Berry Pulao) 
• Hotel Deluxe (for some yummy Kerlite Food and especially for their Onam Sadya) 
• Yazdani Bakery (For Brun Maska) 
• Ideal Corner (For Dansak and Custard) 
• Cafe Military (Sali Boro and Caramel Custard) 
• Also, roam around a bit 

But, I could go to only two places as I only had one afternoon with me. This post is about the first place I went to. 

Right after my I checked into in my hotel, I took an Uber to Fort. Directly to Britannia & Co. The moment you enter the place, you know that it is going to be unique. The checked tablecloths, the menu on those table cloths secured with a glass top, a simple rooster for the menu (the rooster is Robin and was a pet here), the same Bentwood furniture that were imported from Poland during the its early years, interior made by Japanese carpenters, life-size cut-outs of the Prince William and Kate Middleton, India's flag along with Iran's flag and the Union Jack, picture of Mahatma Gandhi along with the Queen...the list goes on. You have to be there to absorb it all. 

Bioderma Sebium H2O  Purifying Cleansing Micelle Solution Review

My hibiscus obsessed brain cannot have enough hibiscus for hair care. I am serious. Google and you won't find many good products with the miraculous ingredients. Even when there are few products, they are all filled with other ingredients that I keep my distance from (Read: sulfates, silicones, mineral oil...you get the picture here) 

I finally found this oil from Just Herbs. It's seemed like a good choice because my favorite choice of hair oil - coconut oil - freezes during winter (Oh Nature! Why? Why so cruel?) This is not a new product but they did revamp the whole packaging for this one.

Price: Rs 445 for 100ml

I did a similar post with my favorite perfumes for Spring and Summer. So, why should my favorite season fall behind? Especially when I love complex and heavier perfumes, and they work their charm in winters. I love perfumes that you can smell on yourself after some intervals especially when you are subject to heat. I always appreciate this character of perfume. It shows that good oils are present in it. Also, these nuances of a perfume are best observed in colder weather.

Here are my favorite winter perfumes that make getting out of my blanket, putting on clothes, and stepping out totally worth it.

It the mid of the month and we have The Envy Box with a special theme. I loved the print on the goes and it goes perfectly with the theme - Lashes and Pouts. As you could have guessed by now the products are for your eyes, lashes, and lips. The best part - there are five products and each of them is full size. 

Kronokare The Frizz Kiss Cooling Explosion Lip Balm Review

A year back, in December, My Envy Box sent this lip balm. I used it at times but recently I started to enjoy it more. In fact, when I was traveling in the last few months, this was the only lip care product I had. Lucas PawPaw joined in later but more than in another post.

Price: Rs 95 

Packaging: Old school balm tube, screw-in cap, refreshing blue color. Even after being tossed inside makeup bag for long, it looks good.

Flavor: Mint. My favorite is mint. Burt's Bees converted me. For me, they work most effectively to heal chapped lips.

Do you use face or body scrub? Have you noticed how many scrubs lists artificial ingredients as scrubbing agents (some are even banned in several countries) and some list apricot or walnut kernel powder? This made me wonder how about using apricot or walnut kernel powder. They sound much better alternative to using the cream based scrub which uses them as abrasive agents and is loaded with other chemicals to make it last long. Frankly speaking, after knowing about Karya Skincare, I am little biased toward powder products.

Then, I found Junaili. This is a family owned business which retails Apricot Kernal Scrub and Apricot Oil. Yes, just two products. The products are made in small batches by cold press method. They make the products in small batches to respect the sustainable practices. Plus, they are pocket-friendly.

A couple of weeks back my cousin got married to his long-time girlfriend. Now, she is not someone who is into makeup, but she has good skin. I was not here to entire time as I was traveling so, the discussions related to wedding makeup went our my head. One the very next day of her wedding, she told me that she was getting rashes on her skin. The reason of those was without a hint of doubt the makeup she had on her wedding. While I tried to calm down her rashes with The Body Shop 3 in 1, she canceled on her makeup artist for the wedding reception that was supposed on the next day. On her reception, I used an oil-free moisturizer and just a thin layer of this - no primer - and the makeup neither flaked nor bulged. Everyone appreciated that she looks far better on her reception than her wedding. No, I didn't experiment on her. I tried it on myself on her wedding day and was amazed my the results. During this wedding season, I am thankful to the Lakme Absolute Illuminating Foundation.

Price: Rs 750

Price: IDR 259,000 (around Rs 1300) for three.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture-Protect Emulsion SPF 30 PA+++

Do you remember your first Body Shop product? My journey started around December 2010. I lived in Noida back then and worked in Gurgaon. The dry weather made The Body Shop Vitamin E Crème my best friend. But, after I moved to Kolkata, I reduced its use. Another product that I liked from the range from Vitamin E Serum in Oil. So, yes, the love for the range is always there. 

Last month, I spotted this new product in their Vitamin E range – a quick absorbing emulsion with SPF 30 and PA+++. But, is it worth the price tag?

Price: Rs 1,495 for 50ml

When the sweaty summer and humid monsoon bids adiu, Kolkata welcomes winter, the most bearable season. To enjoy it more, there is always a fair that you can go to. This time, I went to the West Bengal State Handicraft Expo (Poschim Banga Hastashilpa Mela). I went there last year as well and since I love it there, I could not miss it. 

Here is what I picked

• Handmade Kalamkari Fabric Shoes for just Rs 300. Unbelievable, no?

La Roche Posay Serozinc

• Number 1 was obviously the La Roche Posay Effaclar Astringent.  Read review and comparison here 

• Number 2 was this amazing face mist with Zinc Sulphate that people in UK are raving about. Being a lover of zinc oxide creams (Sudocream to be specific because it can do things that other cannot even dream about. A person prone to rashes and acne should always keep that handy), I was sold to the idea. Finally, we have it in India - La Roche Posay Serozinc. A simple but brilliant product.

I have been very serious with empties posts. They not only help me declutter but also encourages me to completely use all the products that I have. But, this year, I have been away for most of the time around the end of the month, and I do not like doing empties in the middle of the month. So, they kept on getting avoided, and now I have this huge pile at home which I unearthed during this weekend. (I have mass cleaning going on as I was not able to do it for long and there are piles of clothes to be donated now). BTW, as I was living in the same hotel for a long time, I also did a post about the products that I finished there n the Hotel Edition Empties Post.

Its the first of December and FabBag already delivered the FabBag to me. They shipped it yesterday. I mean this is going crazy and I am loving it for being so strict with timelines. Let's see if the products live up to it

It's December and its winter in India (almost everywhere) 😏. Your skin must be demanding extra love and care. So, I wanted to do a shout out with these lovely care goodies from Himalaya.

Himalaya Lip Care: I don't know a person who likes chapped lips. Everyone used a lip care product time to time. While there are a million choices in the market but there are hardly those which are free of mineral oil, petroleum jelly, preservatives, and silicones and yet doesn't burn a whole in your pocket. I tried these lip balms in February and absolutely loved it. Even the colors and Vitamin E used in the lip balms are 100% natural. There are five variants to choose from. I reviewed them here.

There is something about grey. They works as neutrals and still manages to stand out. They work well with almost every color. While you can get grey clothing easily, grey nail polishes are not that common. For long, MUA Koala Bear has been my go-to grey nail polish but the formula was not perfect. Now, I have these.  

I got both of them in my Nykaa haul. (Hope you have seen it)

The Vintage Handbags are the ultimate comeback from the last century, a classic fashion statement that’ll be distinctively yours, for not many can put up with its age-old charms.

So while you go opting for that classic vintage piece of yours, keep in mind a few of these style hacks to pull off that vintage appeal!

Accessorizing the right way 

While sporting a Vintage ladies bag can be a tricky affair, accessorizing it right can totally amp up your look. Opt for a statement accessory that compliments the style & tone of your bag, probably even match up with the embellishments, maybe jewelry or scarves, a pair of sunglasses to go & so much more, balancing the art of doing it right. Not only will it look subtly purposeful, but it'll also be the perfect blend of vintage & modern – top to toe.

Bollywood has been our stylopedia for generations. B-Town beauties and their flawless fashion avatar have kept us hooked for years. Especially, when it comes to special occasions, one looks up to the Bollywood divas for styling tips. In the wedding season, every eye is on soon to be hitched Bollywood damsels. And why not! They are the ones who set the style trend for the brides-to-be. So here’s the B-town look book to pick up some dazzling fashion hacks for your wedding. 

Vidya Balan kept it a glittery affair with gold

Crimson brides love to indulge in their passion for gold jewelry. And we know, it’s something they can’t help! After all, the grand wedding procession is bland without the yellow metal. Vidya Balan truly represented the love of Indian brides for intricate gold jewelry. Decked in gold jewelry, she kept it vibrant yet understated. While Ms. Balan wore multiple strands of gold jewelry, she kept her matching earrings relatively subtle.

One of the reasons to start a blog was to share my nail art. When was the last time I shared one here? I do not even want to look back and feel guilty. Recently I tried this simple one my nail and many appreciated it when they saw it on Instagram. Thank you 😙

So, by popular demand, here is what I did.

FabBag Get Set Glow November 2016

Okay. I know. I am late. This arrived last month. But, I was not at home, Technically, I should skip this review as this box cannot be ordered anymore. But, I have been waiting for this box, and I also got some amazing products. So, I wanted to share this with you.

After a certain chain of events, I found myself right out the Innisfree store at 10 in the morning. I stopped and stayed there. Why? Because I saw the ad of cushion foundation though the net shutter of the store. I stayed there because I wanted cushion foundation for long. I found The Face Shop ones in Bali, but none of them were of my skin color. But, I had hope that things were going to change at Innisfree in India.

So, after waiting for an hour, I found them opening the store. I made a beeline to the cushion foundation section. To my surprise, they offered customizable cases! Could things have gone any better? Yes. They were offering two free hand creams on the purchase of cushion foundation. 

And the best thing - I found my shade in the formula I wanted.

Keeping my fingers crossed that it works for me.

I am guilty of not doing empties post as much as I should have. But, I have been travelling way too much this year. I am away from home and living in hotels for about three months in a row now. Thankfully, tomorrow I will be going back to Kolkata. While I pulled out thing to pack, I discovered all these things that I finished during this time. This is not the exhaustive list, but you will get the idea. I discovered something new and fell in love with things that were there forever.

Just Herbs Haul

Nykaa While Chocolate Ganache, Almond Crumble, S'mores Milkshake, Matcha Tiramisu, Black Cherry Pie, and Black Squid Ink Matte Nail Polish Swatch and Review

Nykaa Online Shopping Haul

Diwali is over. Now, I am back after being pampered by my mom-in-law and sister-in-law during this festive weekend. I reached my hotel late yesterday night and then I got a call from reception, "Ma'am you have two parcels as well." Ahh bliss. The fun of opening packages brings in life even inside the sleep deprived me who has been traveling for the whole day.

One of the packages was the Festive High FabBag. I love each of them. The bag is festive inspired - gold pouch like case with flip cover with magnetic closure. Now, let's explore what came inside:

The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution Review

If you have skin with acnes or blemishes, you must have heard of Tea Tree. While there are products which have Tea Tree but the concentration have to be high enough to make an impact. So, why not use pure Tea Tree essential oil? Because for most, it is not easy to take essential oil and mix it with a carrier oil in the perfect ratio to get the best result. So, The Body Shop did it for us in The Body Shop Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution.

What is an Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution? A pre-serum with organic Tea Tree Oil from Kenya in the right concentration which gentle enough for everyday use. It also contains other potent ingredients like Castor Oil, Salicylic Acid, Alfalfa Extract, and Aloe Vera.

Colorbar Blackness - The Perfect Matte Black Nail Polish?

During my teens, I first saw the ad of a peel-off mask on TV. It was a revolutionary thought for me. The fact that one can pull off all the impurities from the skin and have a mask with contours of your face was mind boggling for me. Even now in my late 20s, I am equally intrigued to try new peel off masks. Unfortunately, there is just a handful of them in India. Bored of the available choices, once I tried to make a peel-off mask at home using gelatin - not one of the proud moments of my life. So, I was had to try the Himalaya Orange Peel Off Mask. A peel-off mask with orange and honey? I will be a fool to skip it.

Price: Rs 130 for 100g

Pantene Pro V Hair Fall Control Shampoo and Conditioner #14DayChallenge

For thin, loose skin, there is really one method that significantly tightens the skin best - laser skin tightening. This procedure not only tightens, it also noticeably reduces wrinkles. You've heard of aesthetic lasers, but do you understand what is involved in the process?

How does a laser tighten skin?

By using a specific wavelength of light, a skin tightening laser can focus it's energy on an area to contract the skin to tighten it. That light-based energy also heats the deeper layer of skin to stimulate both elastin and collagen production to fill in thin skin pockets. This method is not considered surgical, though it does use a medical quality laser device.

While you may find cosmetic lasers for sale, know that they are only available for use by certified trained technicians and medical personal and not intended for the common consumer to use. They are safe in the hands of those who are trained to know what settings to use and what to avoid to keep from harming patients.

The Body Shop Pinita Colada Shower Gel, Scrub, and Body Butter Review