Category: Beauty

15 Best Beauty Advent Calendars For 2019

There are so many things that I love about the festive season and advent calendars is one of them. What more could a fashionista ask for when there are some amazing beauty advent calendars full of fabulous surprises out there! Who wouldn’t love to unbox those cute little bottles of perfumes, dreamy makeup products, luxurious haircare stuff and fancy face creams every single day! The best part is that there is an advent calendar for everyone, with prices starting as low as under £50. At the same time, you need not compromise with the quality of the goodies in there because some of the industry-leading brands offer these options. So whether you are in a mood to splurge this holiday season or want to pamper yourself on a budget, I have a list of advent calendars that you can explore. And I’ve even categorized them price-wise for you!

Price Under £50

  1. Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar
    £ 40, Buy Now
Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar
Credits: Amazon

Priced at only £40, this one is a must-have for all beauty beginners. It features 24 essential products that a fashionista would need in the festive season and ahead, including multiple lip products, makeup and a Foreo Luna Mini. If you want to spend within budget yet pamper yourself this season, this one nails it for you.

Price: £40
Click here to buy

2. Boots No7 25 Days of Christmas
£42, Buy Now

Boots No7 25 Days of Christmas
Credits: Boots

I’ll start my wish list for the season with Boots No7 that brings makeup and skincare treats worth £173.50 at a quarter of the price. And this year, you’ve got the chance to win a Golden Ticket to redeem an impressive £700 on any No7 products. There are seven Golden Tickets in all, so go ahead and try your luck! 
Price: £42
Click here to buy

3. Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar
£40, with £25 spend in-store; Buy Now

Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar
Credits: Marks & Spencer

I suggest that you pick an M&S 2019 beauty calendar because they’ll all be gone before you know. This one is a true treasure, with miniatures of the best in skincare, haircare, cosmetics and bath and body. And you will get some makeup brushes as well, all in just £40 if you spend £25 in their store. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it!

Price: £40, with £25 spend in store
Click here to buy

Price £50- £100

4. L’Occitane Luxury Advent Calendar 
£79, Buy Now

L’Occitane Luxury Advent Calendar 
Credits: L’Occitane

My personal favorite is the L’Occitane Luxury Advent Calendar, which brings the most delightful skincare, haircare and bath and body treats without costing a fortune. A festive packing makes it even more special because it takes you on a 24 day journey, you will discover the Tree of Dreams story. You open a drawer each day and discover a tip to help nurture nature. Amazing, isn’t it! 
Price: £79
Click here to buy

5. Lookfantastic Beauty Advent Calendar
£79, Buy Now

Lookfantastic Beauty Advent Calendar
Credits: Lookfantasic

I gifted myself this one last year and I’ll get it this year too. Amazingly, it promises products worth over £420 just in £79. Surely sounds like a superb deal, doesn’t it! When you’ll unbox this 25 day calendar, there will be some top brands like Elemis, Prai, GlamGlow, Eyeko AND Illamasqua, and Rituals hiding behind each door. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and grab one?
Price: £79
Click here to buy

6. Lancome Advent Calendar
£95, Buy Now

Boots Lancome Advent Calendar
Credits: Boots

If you’ll pay heed to good advice, I suggest that you pick a Lancome beauty calendar because they’ll all be gone before you know. This one is a true treasure, with a mix of the brand’s biggest hitters, including a classic red lip, kohl, Miel-en-Mousse and more. There’s even a 3oml La Vie En Belle fragrance.
Price: £95
Click here to buy

7. 24 Days Of Clinique Advent Calendar Gift Set
£85, Buy Now

24 Days Of Clinique Advent Calendar Gift Set
Credits: Selfridges

Another one that I would recommend for making this festive season special is the Clinique Advent Calendar. You’ll find a range of skin care and makeup favourites behind 24 windows, with some award-winning moisturisers and cult makeup favourites to absolutely spoil you for choice. The products are worth £201, making it a great pick at this price.

Price: £85
Click here to buy

8. Clarins 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar for Women
£60, Buy Now

Clarins 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar
Credits: Clarins

This one is another treat I’ll recommend this Christmas if your range runs below £100. Clarins’ 12 Days Of Christmas features an impressive line-up of the best-selling skincare and makeup products that the brand offers. It features two full-size and 10 travel-size products, with the popular products like the much-loved Beauty Flash Balm and the cult favourite Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil.
Price: £60
Click here to buy

9. Glossybox Advent Calendar
£99, Buy Now

Glossybox Advent Calendar
Credits: Glossybox

The Glossybox Advent Calendar features 25 products that you’ll love to own.  Each day, you’ll open up goodies from cult brands like Dermalogica, NYX, and Tarte. What’s more, you get products worth an astonishing £370 at a fraction of the price!.
Price: £99
Click here to buy

Price £100- £200

10. Kiehl’s x Selfridges Advent Calendar
£125, Buy Now

Kiehl’s x Janine Rewell 2019 Advent calendar
Credits: Selfridges

Kiehl’s is a brand that I love and this calendar is definitely in my wish list for the season. Designed exclusively for Selfridges, the calendar not only offers an impressive lineup of products but also brings sustainability on the plate. It is crafted from an organic canvas and has12 pouches which contain the bestsellers like the Ultra Facial Cream and Crème de Corps. You can refill the product and use the outer packaging to plant flowers in your garden.
Price: £125
Click here to buy

11. MAC ‘Starring You’ Advent Calendar
£129, Buy Now

MAC Starring You Advent Calendar
Credits: MAC Cosmetics

‘Starring You’ is as amazing as it sounds. You get to lay your hands on £265 worth of MAC products in just £129, which is my idea of a great Christmas gift. There are 24 goodies inside, including cult classics such as the Strobe Cream in Pinklite, Velvet Teddy lipstick, and the In Extreme Dimension 3D Lash Mascara.
Price: £129
Click here to buy

12. John Lewis & Partners Beauty Advent Calendar
£150, Buy Now

John Lewis & Partners Beauty Advent Calendar
Credits: John Lewis & Partners

Another one I’d absolutely want to lay my hands on is the John Lewis & Partners Beauty Advent Calendar. It offers a collection of Collection of 25 full and deluxe size products, which means that you have something to start each day on a special note till the Christmas arrives. The calendar contains products from revered beauty brands such as Clinique, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Becca and Clarins.
Price: £150
Click here to buy

13. Liberty London Advent Calendar
£215, Buy Now

Liberty London Advent Calendar
Credits: Liberty London

The retailer’s fastest-selling product ever, the Liberty London Beauty Advent Calendar is all set to repeat the last year’s feat once again. The 25 days calendar is worth over £600, but comes at just £215. This one has full size and mini products from my favourites like Byredo and Le Labo, Bobbi Brown, Votary, Aveda, Nars and Diptyque. I’m sure that you’ll love it as much as I do.
Price: £215
Click here to buy

14. Jo Malone Advent Calendar
£320, Buy Now

Jo Malone Advent Calendar
Credits: Jo Malone

This year, the Jo Malone Advent Calendar follows the theme ‘Magic & Mayhem’, which makes it an exciting one to own. Since this one is always a sell out, I suggest that you pick yours as soon as you can. It promises to deliver 24 days of pure joy as it unveils a mini cologne, candle or bath and body product every morning. The miniatures are ideal for storing in your handbag or taking along on holiday.
Price: £320
Click here to buy

15. Dior
£340, Buy Now

Dior Advent Calendar
Credits: Dior

Let’s get ready for the season of joy with 24 days of sheer luxury and fragrances that the Dior Advent Calendar brings. The calendar offers a generous collection of candles, fragrances and body products. Plus, you can expect some exclusive festive surprises in it. This is probably the best Christmas gift you can ask for this year.
Price: £340
Click here to buy

With festive kicking in we are always working hard to cover things that are important to you. Hope you love our blogs and drop us a comment or contact us to say what you want to hear more from us.

Remedies to Hair Fall, I have tried and tested.

Hair fall is everyone’s nightmare and its effects tend to creep up and make us feel low. I have suffered from this too, and fortunately, there are plenty of remedies – DIY and store-bought, that have helped me overcome this stressful phase. Here are some steps that helped me to get stronger, luscious locks.

1. Aloe Vera Pulp and Coconut Oil Mask:

This emulsification of aloe vera and coconut oil is a wonder for all hair problems. Aloe vera has similar composites to those of keratin, that coax damaged hair cells to rejuvenate, gain elasticity and prevent breakage. Coconut oil stimulates hair growth and is a natural conditioner.

2. Hot Oil Massage:

This age-old and easy home remedy provides remarkable results. Massaging hot oil into your scalp increases blood flow, hair growth,  strength and elasticity, and prevents hair fall. And there are many options if you are less inclined to using popular coconut oil. For instance, vitamin E in almond oil is great to make your locks strong and shiny and olive oil is known to repair and nourish every strand of damaged hair. 

3. Hair Masks: L’Oréal Paris Deep Nourishing Creambath Hair Spa

Hair fall can often be predicted by deteriorating finer and lifeless tresses. The L’Oréal Paris Deep Nourishing Creambath Hair Spa comes highly recommended for dry and damaged hair. A generous smear of this water lily induced mask once a week produced visibly nourished, shinier and healthier results for my hair. 

L’Oréal Paris Deep Nourishing Creambath Hair Spa
Price: £29.99
Click here to buy

Kérastase Paris Masquintense Fine Hair

Another mask great for repairing hair damage from pollution, treatments, styling and other stresses of life is the Kérastase Paris Masquintense Fine Hair.

Kérastase Paris Masquintense Fine Hair
Price: £32.99
Click here to buy

4. Back to Basics: Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Shampoo and Conditioner

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal

When my problem with hair fall became almost uncontrollable, I turned to this champion duo of shampoo and conditioner. In addition to healthy ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E, it also contains oleanolic acid, a botanical extract which fights free radicals that kill growth cells and stimulates healthy growth.

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Range

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Shampoo 1 Litre
Price: £60
Click here to buy

Maria Nila Head & Hair Heal Conditioner 1 Litre
Price: £63
Click here to buy

5. Moroccanoil Treatment:

Moroccanoil treatment

This product has been on the market for years and is a favourite of hairdressers, stylists, and advisers. The key ingredient, argan oil conditions the scalp for healthier hair growth, reduces breakage by giving elasticity and strength to hair strands and reduces frizz for more manageable and soft hair.

Moroccanoil Treatment 100 ml
Price: £32.85
Click here to buy

6. Sugar Bear Gummies:

Hair Vitamins

I was equally skeptical and intrigued by these vitamin supplements. But the chewy, sweet, berry flavoured, candy-like vitamin gummies are a delight to eat and a boost for hair growth. The main ingredients include biotin, folic acid and Vitamin D that help to thicken hair, grow healthier hair cells and create new follicles, respectively.

Sugar Bear Vitamins for Hair

Sugar Bear Hair Vitamins – 1 Month
Price: $29.99
Click here to buy

7. A Healthier Lifestyle:

Stating quite the obvious, but I realised that there is no product or treatment in the world – natural or otherwise, that could substitute for a well-balanced diet including my daily five, minimum intake of two liters of water, and eight hours of good sleep, because they equally affect hair as they do other vital organs of the body. I’ve also learned that I do not need to style or put my hair through treatments as often as I have in the past. And even if I do, I always make sure to use treatment protection to curb the damage as much as possible.

healthy eating concept

My hair feels stronger and shinier and definitely less damaged and lifeless. But everyone has different experiences, so please feel free to share your remedies so we can all learn from each other.

Five Tips for Keeping Your Cosmetics Kit Tidy

Keeping your cosmetics kit tidy not only helps you get through your beauty routine more easily, but it also looks much nicer and has many other benefits too. Keeping makeup past its sell-by date could cause spots on the face and also makeup begins to not look it’s best when it has been open for too long. If you are awful at keeping your cosmetics de-cluttered and all in one place, then look no further. Here are five simple tips to help you sort out your morning routine. 

Check the Expiry Date

One of the most important things we need to check when looking at our cosmetics kit is the expiry date of the product. Almost all makeup has some sort of expiry date or use by date on it, usually telling you to throw it away after 3, 6 or 12 months, as a rule. This helps to keep your kit de-cluttered and if you see you’re throwing away basically a full tube of something then this is also a great way to check what makeup habits are setting you back dollars for no reason. 

Buy a Cosmetic Kit Holder

A cosmetic kit holder is a godsend for someone who is constantly routing through their drawers for their makeup or moisturizers in the morning. The beauty of cosmetic kit holders is there are so many to choose from and so many ways to organize your cosmetics that you can find a way that works for you and the space you have.

This makes the space look much better too, meaning you can have more fun doing your makeup. If you’re into DIY, then why not check out these DIY tips for storing makeup and cosmetics. 

Clean Your Brushes Regularly

To keep your cosmetics tidy, you need to keep them clean. Failing to clean brushes can lead to all kinds of bacteria and dirt building up on the bristles. This leads to patchy makeup and can cause all kinds of skin problems. You clean your face daily, so why then put dirty brushes all over your face? Cleaning your brushes can be a pain but you can purchase brush cleaner to ensure your bristles stay intact and healthy between washes. Dedicate some time each week to do this and you will soon see the benefits. 

Throw it Away!

We are all guilty of having cosmetics in our storage kits that we don’t use anymore. If this is the case it is time to let go. Whilst it can be difficult throwing away things that we have bought, sometimes cosmetics don’t suit us or aren’t right for our skin, but this is how we learn what is right for us. If you can and it’s hygienic, see if you can pass on the cosmetics to someone or sell it if the makeup is still sealed. If you want to save some money after throwing away your old cosmetics then check out these free offers for beauty supplies. 

Organize by Category

An easy way to keep your kit tidy is to organize it by category. This means having different pots for different parts of your face or storing it in order of how you apply it. This makes your cosmetic routine so much easier and quicker and saves a lot of hassle. For those who like to keep things organized, this is the best way to do so. Many of the famous beauty Youtubers swear by this method as a great way to keep their cosmetics kit tidy. 

Keeping your cosmetic kit tidy will save time in your beauty routine and ensure that everything stays clean. As you are constantly putting these products on your face, it’s important to keep your kit clean and tidy to ensure your face stays free from spots. 

Best 5 Foundations – Tested & Tried

Flawless finish has always been my mantra with makeup and nothing matters more than the choice of the right foundation. But since there is so much that goes into choosing the right one, I never take it frivolously. Here is the checklist I follow- it should be the right shade to match my skin tone, give me an awesome coverage and flawless finish, and be good to my skin too.

Well, this makes the choice tricky and so does the fact that there are some amazing options from my favorite brands out there.

With a lot of hit and trial, I have arrived at this list of my hot favorite foundations this season. Let’s check them out.

Pro Longwear Foundation by Mac

I have been using this product for over six years now, which is enough to prove how much I love this one. A creamy foundation, it gives me full coverage and lasts as long as 15 hours, which makes it just perfect for weddings and photo shoots. And the best thing is that it is oil-free and sweat and humidity-resistant as well. For my skin tone, I use NC 40 for winters and NC 42 for summers.

Pro Longwear Foundation by Mac
Price: £28.00
Click here to buy

Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 by Bobbi Brown

While Mac has been in my makeup box for years now, Bobbi Brown is one is my latest favorite. As it claims, this longwear weightless lasts really, really long but feels totally natural…like weightless! It is great for every day long stay looks and I can vouch that because I have worn this from 6 am to 12 o clock at night with no touch-ups and still looking flawless. You can build it from medium to full coverage. My shades are natural tan and warm natural.

Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 by Bobbi Brown
Price: £ 32.00
Click here to buy

Faux Filter Foundation Milkshake 100B by Huda Beauty

This one became a huge rave right from the day it hit the shelves and I could not just resist the temptation to try it. And I am glad that I did because it blends seamlessly with my skin to offer me great coverage for special occasions. It gives heavy coverage but the consistency is really good.

Baklava is the shade that works for me and as with all other Huda products I’ve used till date, this one too does not disappoint.

Faux Filter Foundation Baklava 340G by Huda Beauty
Price: £32.00
Click here to buy

Tient Idole Ultra Wear Foundation by Lancome

My beauty fundamental is never to compromise with quality; if you want to get good results, you should not think twice about investing in good skin products.

Lancome is a brand that I absolutely trust and Tient Idole Ultra Wear Foundation from this brand makes it to the list of my favorites. The long stay foundation gives a perfectly natural look that is ideal for work, events and shopping.

There are 40 shades to choose from and I’m sure you’d find one that is a perfect match for yours, my shade is 038. The bottle lasts long and I love its consistency.

Tient Idole Ultra Wear Foundation by Lancome
Price: £ 32.00
Click here to buy

Power Play Foundation by Cover FX

This is a brand I’ve tried recently and I’d say that I am pretty impressed by the products. The Power Play Foundation offers medium coverage which you can build to get a natural finish. In fact, this is the reason that I have started using it as one of my everyday foundations currently. My shade is G50. Interestingly, their website has a quiz that helps you find the right shade based on the brand shade of foundation that you are using currently. This feature saves time for busy bees like us as we need not test on the counter and can find the right one with just a few clicks.

Power Play Foundation by Cover FX
Price: £44.00
Click here to buy

Go ahead and try out these incredible products. I’m sure you’d love them as much as I do!

Cover FX Beauty Haul and Review

Amongst hundred beauty brands that surface every few months, there has emerged a victor with a focus on customized beauty over a large range of foundation shades, promising a fit for everyone. Cover FX is a vegan brand that lets users be stress free about the repercussions of parabens, gluten, talc and other nasties of the like, and is born from careful formulations for every skin type. It’s focus on creating a family of multiple foundation textures, and colour and radiance enhancing products are what make this brand unique. Here is my review on some of the wonderful products I have laid my hands on.

1. Blurring Primer

This is pre-base product with balm-like consistency. I dabbed and blended it onto targeted areas which blurred and minimized the appearance of enlarged pores on my cheeks and soft focused fine lines to reveal seamless and smooth skin. I did use a large dollop, at first, and found that my foundation did not sit well on it. However, when I used a lesser amount the next times I realised a little goes a long way with this product and a pea-size squirt was just right.

Blurring Primer
Price: £30
Click here to buy

2. Cream Concealer

This water based, highly elastic and blendable concealer is an all-rounder covering my under-eye circles, spots and redness. Again, a little goes a really long way, so my only worry is squeezing too much out of the tube. While the formula added a little glisten to the targeted areas, I was easily able to remedy and mattify that with a light dusting of powder.

Cream Concealer
Price: £24
Click here to buy

3. Power Play Concealer

This product is the light weight yet long-wearing relative of the cream concealer. And it is this consistency that also makes it fabulous for multi-use as a concealer, contour and highlighter. The range offers 30 diverse shades to choose from. My perfect match was shade N50. The doe-foot wand made for precise application on targeted areas and is simple and effective. With a promise of crease-proof, transfer-proof and pollution-defence coverage for all skin types, this is my preferred product between the two high-performance concealers.

Power Play Concealer
Price: £24
Click here to buy

4. Contour Kit

This clever quad contains four cream products for contouring, highlighting and strobing but I have also used one of the shades closest to my skin colour as a full-coverage foundation or spot concealer. Because of its heavy formula, I build it up with light and sheer layers using the brush that comes with the kit, till I get the desired result. It is also important to set this product well with powder because of the heavy cream texture.

Contour Kit
Price: £18
Click here to buy

5. Shimmer Veil

A sheer liquid with specks of luminescent glitter particles evenly distributed. While these multi-purpose products can be used anywhere on the skin, my favourite use of them is as eye shadow.

It comes with an easy brush applicator without the fuss or worry of any fall-out. The luminosity gives a very angelic halo effect on the lids. It is definitely the stand-out product for me.

Shimmer Veil
Price: £22
Click here to buy

6. Matte-Finish Bronzer

I used the shade “Suntan” for a bronzed look. The colour is neither too orange nor too grey, making every swipe perfect for a sun-kissed effect and the talc free formula guarantees that my skin will not look dry or cakey. While this is a great buy for those with a more oily skin, this may not be the most ideal product for those who prefer a bit of sheen with their bronzer.

Matte-Finish Bronzer
Price: £25
Click here to buy

7. Illuminating Setting Powder (Travel-size)

This loose setting powder in shade Medium set the cream products, giving longevity to my makeup without adding any extra coverage or colour. The mica in the powder gives a boost of radiance and a soft luminosity. What sets this powder apart from others on the market is the talc-free property which prevents skin and makeup from looking dry or cakey.

Illuminating Setting Powder (Travel-size)
Price: Approximately £10
Click here to buy

8. Mini Perfect Light Highlighting Powder

Available in a mini size, this pressed powder highlighter has an almost creamy texture making it a dream to apply and blend. The finely milled silver pearls ensure a subtle radiance instead of a chunky sparkle and look beautiful even on my shoulders and decolléte.

Mini Perfect Light Highlighting Powder
Price: Approximately £10
Click here to buy

9. Correct Click – Redness

This is a great layering product beneath foundation or concealer, to correct any redness caused from skin irritation or bad weather. The shade yellow, is perfect for my wheatish complexion with olive undertones to correct mild redness. I swipe a light layer on my problem areas, namely around my nose, on my forehead and on my chin where I have some irritated skin.

Correct Click
Price: £15
Click here to buy

10. Correct Click – Undereye Circles

My biggest area of concern, when it comes to discolouration, is under my eyes. The blue and purple peek  very easily through my skin and this corrector in the shade Peach has really helped to even the tone under my eyes. After adding a bit of concealer on top, my under eyes look much brighter and awake. Packaged in a stick form, this is an easy and portable product.

Correct Click
Price: £15
Click here to buy

11. Cover Click

The Cover Click Stick is a high performance and high coverage, long-wearing base product. It’s dual performance as a foundation and concealer make it the ideal companion for those on the go. It is also extremely versatile and an arsenal of a few shades make for a sculpted and strobed face. I use shades N35 as my base and N40 to sculpt.

Cover Click
Price: Approximately £9 – £10
Click here to buy

12. Enhance Click

This has been my solo power product for a lit-from-within glow. This cream highlighter glides on like butter on the skin and a swipe on the eyelids also gives a luminous monochromatic look. While I use the shade Gold Dust on an everyday basis, because of my cooler undertones, the peachy pink iridescence of the shade Golden Peach has worked well for my skin tone during those vacations by the sea. These two shades are now a hand bag staple for me.

Enhance Click
Price: £15
Click here to buy

13. Custom Cover Drops

This product is not your average foundation, but actually is what the name suggests – a way for you to custom match your favourite foundation to best match your skin tone. I have enjoyed mixing shades G40 and N50 for a perfect match with my moisturiser for a light weight tinted moisturiser coverage. These products blend in seamlessly for buttery smooth skin.

Custom Cover Drops
Price: £36
Click here to buy

14. High Performance Setting Spray

A few sprits of this after makeup application promises increased longevity for up to 24 hours while also protecting your skin from pollution, without feeling dry or dehydrating.

It left a natural finish without looking too matte or too dewy and was sweat-proof even in humid environments.

High Performance Setting Spray
Price: £23
Click here to buy

15. Mattifying Setting Spray

As the name suggests, this is the mattifying counterpart of the Cover FX setting spray family, specially created for normal to oily skin types. While I prefer the High Performance Setting Spray myself, I can tell that this mattifier will deliver the same results for those whose skin is more suitable to this formulation.

Mattifying Setting Spray
Price: £23
Click here to buy

16. Custom Enhancer Drops

This award-winning product comes in my top 3 products from Cover FX. These concentrated metallic liquid drops are a great way to add the exact amount of glow that you want to add to your complexion.

While you can use them on their own as a liquid highlighter, I have enjoyed layering peachy blushes over the shade Blossom for a lit-from-within flush.

Custom Enhancer Drops
Price: £34
Click here to buy

So this has been my experience with Cover FX thus far, and I can safely say I am more than satisfied with the products. Are you going to equip your makeup kit with any of them?

Christmas Gift Ideas for 2018

Holiday season is finally here, and while it brings with it the promise of all things fun – parties, presents and playful time – it can also bring some stress when it comes to finding the perfect gifts for the ones we love and care for.

But don’t worry – if you’re stuck in a rut when it comes to finding the right presents this Christmas, I’ve got you covered!

Everyone knows that a girl can never have enough makeup, and cosmetics are a good place to start when it comes to gifts for the lovely ladies in your life. You can’t go wrong with a good, multi-purpose eyeshadow palette like the classic Naked 3 by Urban Decay, or the Rosy Nudes Eye Palette by Esteé Lauder.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Palette, Naked 3
Price: £ 33.57
Click here to buy

Estée Lauder Pure Colour Eye Palette, Rosy Nudes
Price: £ 32.30
Click here to buy

Alternatively, a good makeup brush set always comes in handy, and the Pro Essential Teddy Bear set by Too Faced is perfect for the festive season, with its gorgeous pink and gold tones, and makeup case to match! A gift card for a subscription service like Glossybox is always a failproof gift as well – I know I would absolutely love to receive on.

Too Faced Pro-Essential Teddy Bear Hair Brush Set
Price: £ 44.10
Click here to buy

For ladies (and gentlemen) who are looking to spruce up their skincare routine, a great, high-quality tool will always be appreciated. The Foreo Luna cleanser is a keeper, and the mini version is great for people who travel regularly.

Foreo Luna Cleanser
Price: $199
Click here to buy

And if it’s haircare that is top-of-mind for this friend or family member, you can’t go wrong with the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer (loved by men and women alike!) or the Dyson Airwrap for those gorgeous, luscious curls.

Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer, Iron/Fuchsia
Price: £ 299.99
Click here to buy

Dyson Airwrap Smooth + Control Styler
Price: £ 399.99
Click here to buy

Ladies who love accessories will always appreciate a beautiful jewellery box to go on their dresser, like the stunning Blush Pink one by Stackers, which comes with handy compartments as well, or a handy jewellery stand to organise their day-to-day baubles – again, Stackers has a fantastic rose gold option which can be used for necklaces, bracelets and earrings – what’s not to love? Better yet, why not gift your loved one a unique piece of jewellery – if you can personalise it with their name or something that is meaningful to your relationship with them, even better!

Stackers Jewellery Box Lid, Blush Pink
Price: £ 25.00
Click here to buy

Stackers Rose T-Bar Jewellery Stand
Price: £ 30.00
Click here to buy

The Louison Crystal Stud earrings by Swarovski make an excellent gift for a girlfriend or sister, as do any of the minimalistic piece by modern brand Missoma. If jewellery isn’t what you’re looking for, a gorgeous scarf is always a thoughtful gift, and a valuable accessory in every woman’s wardrobe.

Cashmere scarfs come in handy for the cold winter weather, while bolder ones like Cobalt/Orange piece from Chesca can be used to spruce up a dull outfit, tied to a handbag for some extra oomph and doubled up as a wrap and coverup when on vacation. A girl can never have too many!

Swarovski Louison Crystal Stud Earrings, Silver/Clear
Price: £ 69.00
Click here to buy

Missoma
Click here to buy

Chesca Tartan Print Wool Silk Scarf, Cobalt/Orange
Price: £ 75.00
Click here to buy

If you’re looking for the right gift for your favourite homebody, or simply someone who appreciates a good scent, candles are always a safe bet. Jo Malone is top-of-mind when it comes to heavenly candles that are delightful to look at as well – I’m currently loving the citrusy Lime, Basil and Mandarin one, while The Pomegranate Noir scented candle makes a great unisex option.

Jo Malone London Lime Basil & Mandarin Home Candle, 200g
Price: £ 47.00
Click here to buy

Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir Home Candle, 200g
Price: £ 47.00
Click here to buy

Kitchen tools and accessories are great options as well – a pair of statement shot glasses like the lovely copper ones by Tom Dixon, a nice cheeseboard for the perfect spread or bold, stand-out crockery are gifts that will be loved and well-used.

Tom Dixon Plum Shot Glasses With Alcohol Measure Gift Set, Set of 4
Price: £ 70.00
Click here to buy

Books are always a thoughtful gift. If you don’t know which title is next on their reading list, opt for a universally-loved piece of literature.

Popular titles like Sapiens: A Brief History of Human Kind by Yuval Noah Harari (excellent choice for non-fiction lovers!), or Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (a sure-fire favourite for anyone who has a creative bone in their body) are definitely the way to go. Try to list out the topics, people and activities that your friend or family member is interested in, and find the best titles in categories that are relevant to them.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Human Kind by Yuval Noah Harari
Price: INR 99.0 (Kindle Edition)
Click here to buy

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Price: INR 234.65 (Kindle Edition)
Click here to buy

If you have a slightly higher budget, tech products are always an excellent choice! The Apple watch is a gift that almost anyone would love to receive, and if you have a health fanatic in your life, a Fitbit is definitely the way to go. These are gifts that they will use every day, and will last them for seasons to come as well.

Apple watch
Click here to buy

Fitbit watch 
Click here to buy

And finally, for those people who just “have everything” – gift them an experience that they will remember for life. Websites like Tinggly.com allow you to find and gift the perfect experience to your loved one – everything from canyon jumping to romantic horse rides on the beach, and so much more. They have something for every budget and every type of person, so you are bound to find something for the loved ones in your life – give it a go!

Christmas trinkets like baubles make excellent stocking stuffers, or gifts in their own right – if you can get them personalised, even better! Alternatively, you can even fill the baubles with small gifts, making for a delightful and fun surprise when they are opened.

Above all, ensure that you make quality time for your family, friends and loved ones this season – gifts will come and go, but memories will last a lifetime. Merry Christmas!

Top 10 Beauty Advent Calendars For Christmas 2018

For the beauty-loving divas out there, Christmas advent calendars are always so much fun. In fact, they are one of the reasons that you probably wait for the holiday season all year long. Isn’t it amazing to wake up to an incredible beauty treat every morning up to Christmas Day! What more, it can save you a lot of money as there are always impressive deals around. Here are some of the favorites I have listed for Christmas 2018. While I share them with you, we will have to wait and see which one I’ll end up buying!

  1. Luxury Advent Calendar – L’Occitane 

This calendar contains 24 travel sizes of the brand’s premium goods. Each of the drawers is packed with a pleasant surprise. The entire range of products is infused with natural ingredients such as almond, cherry blossom and shea butter.

Luxury Advent Calendar – L’Occitane
Price: £ 89.00
Click here to buy

  1. The Little Beauty Parcel-Feelunique 

The Little Beauty Parcel by Feelunique offers a wonderful collection of hand-picked beauty treats from the famous brands across the globe. Get ready to start 24 wonderful days by revealing a full size and deluxe pack of your favorite skincare, makeup and haircare products.

The Little Beauty Parcel-Feelunique
Price: £ 75.00
Click here to buy

  1. Enchanted Advent Calendar- The Body Shop 

Another advent calendar that I recommend for Christmas 2018 is the Enchanted Advent Calendar from The Body Shop, which is awesomely, reasonably priced. Get a myriad of treats all 24 in number, from bath and body surprises to skincare favorites, makeup, haircare and fun accessories.

Enchanted Advent Calendar- The Body Shop
Price: £45.00
Click here to buy

  1. Estée Lauder Holiday 12 Day Advent Calendar 

Priced at £80, this 12-day advent calendar may sound a tad expensive but believe me, it’s worth every penny spent. There a deluxe travel-sized pieces to start each day in luxury, in addition to the Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex, the innovative product from the renowned brand.

Estée Lauder Holiday 12 Day Advent Calendar
Price: £80.00
Click here to buy

  1. Ultimate Beauty Advent Calendar- Debenhams 

Another one that I would love to recommend is the Ultimate Beauty Advent Calendar by Debenhams, which is 24 days of sheer pleasure. Amazingly, you get treats worth over £150 by spending less than half the amount. Open up products from some top international brands and get a chance to try some new ones too.

Ultimate Beauty Advent Calendar – Debenhams
Price: £70.0
Click here to buy

  1. Glam Sparkle Beauty Advent Calendar-Selfridges 

Selfridges packs some incredible goodies from the best selling beauty brands such as Lancôme, YSL, Kiehl’s, Viktor & Rolf AND Urban Decay. The limited edition presents haircare, skincare and cosmetic products that every trendy diva would want to own.

Glam Sparkle Beauty Advent Calendar-Selfridges
Price: £ 130
Click here to buy

  1. Lookfantastic Advent Calendar 

This is the one that I would definitely want to have, considering that it gives your products worth over £300 in just £79. The premium collection of 25 treats is sheer luxury, with anti-tans, cosmetics, haircare and branded tools that you can choose to look dazzling this Christmas.

Lookfantastic Advent Calendar
Price: £ 79
Click here to buy

  1. All I Want- Glossybox Advent Calendar 

Another advent box that you can gift yourself this holiday season is the All I Want- Glossybox Advent Calendar. The deal sounds too good to be true- 25 ultimate products, 17 of them are full-sized from the biggies like HUDA Beauty, bareMinerals and NARS, all worth over £300!

All I Want- Glossybox Advent Calendar
Price: £ 99
Click here to buy

9. Beauty Advent Calendar- Liberty London 

Get ready for the most iconic holiday countdown with the Beauty Advent Calendar by Liberty London. Though priced on the higher side, it is for the woman who settles for nothing but the best. 25 pieces that guarantee a super-awesome holiday look!

Beauty Advent Calendar- Liberty London
Price: £ 195
Click here to buy

10. John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 

This is an amazing collection of 25 full-size and sample-size products, with my favorites in skincare, makeup and fragrances of some of the best beauty brands. Unlock one door every day and pamper yourself with a beauty treat all through the festive season.

John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar
Price: £ 165
Click here to buy

If you want to try new stuff and are looking for some excitement during the holiday season, try one of these advent calendars this Christmas.

My New Favorite Face Products

It is a truth universally acknowledged that healthy, glowing skin is a byproduct of a nutritious diet and carefully chosen skin products. Apart from eating the right kind of food, I also invest in skincare products that promise to deliver good results.

Every now and then, as I find the various lotions and potions I use diminishing in quantity, I explore new skin products and find the right combo to fit my needs. Here’s my take on some of the latest finds – hope my review helps when you’re out product-hunting next!

Sukin CTM Products

First, let’s look at this new brand I have tested Sukin, which is an Australian organic skincare brand. I have here tested their Foaming Facial Cleanser, Hydrating Mist Toner, and Facial Moisturiser as well. I wanted to replace my usual CTM products with organic cosmetics to test if it really made a difference.  

The Sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser is an inexpensive facewash that is great for everyday use, if you have combination or oily skin. It removes excess oil, without leaving my skin dry and patchy, though I definitely need to use a moisturizer after. I feel it leaves my skin feeling cleansed and soft, with a mild fragrance.

I follow up the cleanser with a generous spritz of the Hydrating Mist Toner. The toner has a lovely fragrance and hydrating effect, which ensures that I never miss the toning part of the CTM routine. I often use the toner on warmer days to simply freshen my face before a touch-up – I simply love the soft floral fragrance it leaves behind.

The Sukin Facial Moisturiser comes after the cleansing and toning. It is a light-weight moisturizer which leaves my skin feeling fresh. It doesn’t clog my pores or leave an oily sheen as some other moisturizers do. I often use it at night time and wake up with hydrated skin, no oily T-zone.

I would say that the Sukin products I tested are an affordable basic skin care range for people with combination to oily. I’m not sure how these products would fare for dry-skinned people, but my experience with them has been great so far.

Sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser
Price: £7.95
Click here to buy

Sukin Hydrating Mist Toner
Price: £ 7.95
Click here to buy

Sukin Facial Moisturizer
Price: £ 7.95
Click here to buy

SkinCeuticals Anti-Ageing Serum

Getting past basic skincare, let’s come to one of my most exciting finds – the SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense. Now, this is a product that gets a big thumbs-up from me. The product markets itself as a salicylic acid acne treatment for ageing skin.

With only two weeks of regular usage, I found that the serum was working its charm and how! My skin felt smoother, with better texture and radiance, and lesser oiliness at midday and even after a full night’s sleep. The serum has a clear fluid that spreads easily over the skin and it absorbed quickly. In my opinion, this product is worth purchasing again, even though it is slightly pricey. I will probably continue using it in the long term for clear, youthful skin.

SkinCeuticals Anti-Ageing Serum
Price: £ 78.00
Click here to buy

Burt’s Bees Lipsticks

Now let’s get to some makeup products. Burt’s Bees lipsticks – #532 Russet River, #524 Wine Wave, and #551 Magenta Rush. The lipsticks have a semi-matte finish, are highly moisturizing, and apply smoothly without tugging. They stay on me for a good 5-6 hours without touch-up though they do transfer on eating or drinking.

Russer River is a deep brown shade with red undertones which is great for office or evening wear. Wine Wave is a luscious purple-brown that I typically wear to evening dates or afternoon events. The Magenta Rush is a bright, playful shade that I reserve for casual outings in the daytime. These lipsticks are a wonderful addition to my vanity and used frequently these days.

Burt’s Bees Lipsticks
Price: £ 9.99
Click here to buy

The Soap Company Haul

Coming to the new bath products I tried; I got some lovely handcrafted soaps by The Soap Company, India, and they were every bit as lovely as I hoped. Handcrafted with nourishing ingredients, these soapy beauties promise to enrich the skin, leaving it scented, clean, and fresh. I got 4 beauty bars – Rose, Tangy Orange, Lemon Bee, And White Musk Shea Butter. What I love about them is that they are handcrafted with pure natural ingredients, thus reducing the skin’s exposure to chemicals. Also, unlike other soaps, these do not leave the skin dry and flaky,and are foamy enough for a luxuriant bathing experience. Kudos to The Soap Company for the lovely fragrance and sskin-energizing properties of their beauty bars.

The Soap Company India Handcrafted Luxury Rose Soap
Price: INR 125
Click here to buy

The Soap Company India Handcrafted Luxury Tangy Orange Soap
Price: INR 110
Click here to buy

The Soap Company India Handcrafted Luxury Lemon Bee Soap
Price: INR 120
Click here to buy

The Soap Company India Handcrafted Luxury White Musk Shea Butter Soap
Price: INR 125
Click here to buy

True North Products

Finally, let’s look at the True North skincare range that won me over. This brand has a unique, scientific approach to skin solutions and offers products based on biometric analysis of your skin type. I first tried their Timeless Eye 5.3 eye-gel which turned out to be an absolute wonder. It comes is a 15g tube, and is to be applied 1-2 times a day. I used it every night before sleeping and with two weeks of usage, could see the results; the under-eye area was definitely more supple, soft, and bright than before. I would recommend it to anyone with tired, sunken eyes – it really worked for me!

I also tried the De-Stressed Day 2.1 day cream, which is meant for normal to oily skin. I applied it as part of my CTM routine and was pretty satisfied with the results. It has a light, smooth texture, and is absorbed quickly into the skin. I felt that the cream left my skin feeling soft and radiant, without any post-usage greasy sheen; that’s what I need in a good moisturizer!

I also tried the De-Stressed Serum 4.1 which claims to be a super-hydrating product for all skin-types. I used it at night, along with the eye-gel, and felt that my skin looked healthier, softer, with just a week’s usage. I’d say it’s a good buy for people with dry, patchy skin.

True North Timeless Eye 5.3 eye-gel
Price: £ 29.60
Click here to buy

True North De-Stressed Day 2.1 day cream
Price: £ 32.00
Click here to buy

True North De-Stressed Serum 4.1
Price: £ 39.20
Click here to buy

So this was all on my new face product finds. What about you? Do share!

Top 5 Perfumes for this season

I’m an avid lover of all things fashion and makeup because I love to dress well and look fresh – and to my mind, perfume completes the trio, because it’s important to smell as good as you look. Plus, I believe that you can tell a lot about an individual and their personality from their scent of choice. I’m always on the hunt for unique scents that catch my eye (well, my nose, if you must), and in this post, I’d like to share five new perfume launches that I am absolutely living for!

Floral by Coach

To my mind, this feminine scent captures summer in a bottle. It’s a feel-good, uplifting scent, with notes of fragrant flowers like jasmine sambac, rose tea and gardenia, as well as other distinctive notes such as creamy wood, patchouli essence, and musk. The gorgeous pink bottle, featuring a Tea Rose charm, is modern while paying homage to unique Coach characteristics. For example, the turnlock-shaped cap is inspired by the closure that one would find on Coach bags in 1954! Priced at £35 for 30mL, £49 for 50mL and £69 for 90mL, this relatively affordable perfume is a great addition to your collection, and perfect for warm summer afternoons and beach-side holidays.

Click Here to Buy

Girl of Now by Elie Saab

Just like the bold statements that the fashion house’s gowns make, this perfume is full of seduction, femininity, and boldness, in the best way possible. Featuring notes such as pineapple, pistachio, ylang-ylang, jasmine, mandarin orange, almond and orange blossom – to name a few – this scent is perfect for power women who love to embrace their individuality and femininity, and wear it proudly. The bottle is simple and feels rich, with a flower motif around the neck that is inspired by those that are found on the label’s clutches. The smallest bottle is 30mL and priced at £38, while the largest, 90mL version comes with a £74 price tag. There is also an in-between 50mL bottle priced at £58. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind scent, this is the one for you. Plus, the gorgeous bottle will make a stunning feature on your dressing table!

Click Here to Buy


Udaipur by Etro

This scent is inspired by Udaipur, which is fondly known as the ‘white city’ of India, because of the palaces dotted around the lake, and the infamous stunning palace made of white marble, that stands tall and proud in the centre of it. With notes of Indian jasmine, gardenia, lotus leaves, bergamot, pink pepper, magnolia petals, patchouli, cachemire wood and musk, this fragrance is as deep, intriguing and full of stories as the city that inspired it. It’s feminine, floral and fruity, in the best possible way. It’s priced at £140 for 100mL – a little bit pricey, but definitely worth it, as this perfume, was launched in celebration of the brand’s 50 year anniversary and is likely to be a limited edition.

  

Festival Vibes by Hollister

As the name suggests, this perfume is easy-breezy, ultra fresh and forever cool, inspired by clear blue skies, memorable moments, celebration, music, and life itself. It’s a duo, coming in both a ‘his’ and ‘hers’ version, making it a great gift for both couples and individuals. The ‘her’ scent’ features notes of bergamot, quince, goji berries, pink peony, oasmanthus, vanilla orchid, coral hibiscus, cashmere woods, creamy tonka and soft musk. It comes in a gorgeous, coral-coloured bottle with a bright pop of yellow – paying homage to the carefree festival goer with a floral crown in her hair and music on her mind. The ‘his’ scent features notes of fresh pineapple, birch leaves, crisp marine air, woody accord, ginger root, bay leaves, oakmoss, tonka bean, and ambergris. The bottle is blue like the perfect festival sky, and the perfume speaks to the guy who lives in the moment and loves making memories. Both versions start at £22 for the 30mL bottles, going up to £39 for the 100mL bottle.
Click Here to Buy

Narciso Eau De Parfum Rouge by Narciso Rodriguez

The brand describes this scent as “sublimely seductive” and the description couldn’t be more accurate. Bursting with notes of musk, Bulgarian rose, iris, tonka, vetiver and cedar, this perfume oozes femininity and seduction. The name and the packaging, which is red in colour, is apt, because fiery red is the colour of attraction, seduction and all things sexy. The signature bottle is instantly recognisable for its simplicity and bold colour statement and makes for a standout piece on the dressing table as well. Priced at £41 for the 30mL version, £62 for 50mL and £74 for 90mL, this is definitely a timeless, must-have scent that you can wear all year round, and for many years to come.

Click Here to Buy

New Hair Products Finds of the Month

I am always on the hunt for new hair products that help my mane look – and more importantly, feel – like a million bucks. Recently, I have discovered a host of great products, some by popular brands and others that are equally great but from lesser known brands. As someone who knows the struggle of finding great haircare products, I thought I would share my recent finds with you, in the hopes that they will work as well for you as they did for me!

The first brand I want to talk about is Sexy Hair – a very apt name because that’s exactly how your hair looks and feels after you’ve used their products. They are known for their hairspray, which comes in the iconic red can (in fact, they sell a can of hairspray every 4 seconds!) but have many more products beyond that.

I’m a fan of their Weatherproof Humidity Resistant Spray from the Big Sexy Hair product line, which is the ultimate weatherproof spray that works all year round. I love that it shields that hair against humidity and heat, and keeps styles in place for longer than normal without that awful crispy feeling that many sprays have. It’s such a saviour during the summertime! I also love the So You Want It All Leave-In Treatment from the Healthy Sexy Hair line, which (as the name suggests) does everything you want it to and more. From detangling messy hair to nourishing, soothing and moisturising damaged hair, while adding shine and elasticity to your tresses, this is definitely a must-have product in your hair care arsenal. Finally, the Support Me 450° Heat Protection Setting Hairspray from the Hot Sexy Hair collection is essential for anyone who uses heat on their hair. Not only does it protect your locks from being damaged by the heat; it also helps in holding curls and other styles for a longer duration of time. As you can tell, I am so happy about my discovery of this brand, and I can’t wait to try more products from their many, many lines.

Now, Toni & Guy is an oldie but a goodie when it comes to haircare brands. I recently tried out their Style Fix Waver, which is a professional styling tool that is perfectly sized – it can fit into your handbag! You can create many styles with this – my personal favourite is the big, beachy waves. One thing I absolutely love about this product is that my hair feels shiny and healthy after using it, and never has any unwanted frizz. As with all heat style tools, I would recommend using a heat protection product, like the one mentioned above, for extra protection.

Another great find for creating everything from beachy waves to big curls is the Professional 24k Gold Curl Bar 32mm by Hot Tools. Rest assured that the unique design is not just for the heck of it – the designs ensure that this tool is very ergonomic and easier to hold and use than most traditional curling tools. Along with that, it comes with many useful features, including temperature controls to ensure that your hair does not burn, and curl timers that you can set in advance to achieve the exact type of curl that you are looking for.

Finally, I’m absolutely loving the 3 Minute Miracle Line by The Aussie. As the name suggests, this product line is dedicated to providing your hair with the TLC that it needs – in 3 minutes, flat! That makes it perfect for busy girls on the go who want their hair to look great, but don’t have hours to spend in salons. These deep conditioning treatments will transform your hair – and trust me, the results last. The best part is that there is a wide range of products to choose from – Moisture, Colour Matte, Shine, Nourish, Frizz Fixer and Beach Mate, to name a few – so you can pick the one that suits your haircare needs the most. What more does a girl need?

SmoothSkin Muse Review – Easy Hair Removal Solution

As someone with a strong love for fashion, I have always been interested in permanent hair reduction – mainly, so that I can wear whatever I want, whenever I want, without having to worry about finding time for a last-minute wax beforehand. Let me give you a quick example of a mini-crisis I had last year.

While I am usually quite good at planning and scheduling my wax appointments, last year, I had to attend a last-minute event – and instead of wearing a gorgeous dress that I had hanging in my wardrobe, that would be perfect for the event, I ended up having to wear jeans instead, because my legs weren’t as smooth as I would have liked them to be. Personally, I feel a lot more confident when I have smooth skin, and I just didn’t think I could look and feel 100% in a dress that evening. Now, if I had had my hands on Smooth Skin’s latest product at that point – it would have been a different story!

Although I had heard a lot about the IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology and treatment, I had never thought about trying it, because rumour had it that IPL does not work on darker skin tones. And then, I heard about the SmoothSkin Muse. After doing some research, I learned that this product does, in fact, work on darker skin tones, and decided to give it a whirl. This life-changing product uses IPL technology for hair removal, using the energy of light to break the growth cycle of hair, and prevent regrowth. Having used it for a short amount of time, I have seen some excellent results so I wanted to share my experiences and tips with all of you as well.

As I said, the best part about this product is the fact that in comparison to many other IPL solutions, it works on a wider variety of skin tones. I have relatively darker skin and yet, I can already see the results – there are fewer and finer hairs on my legs. And as if the results weren’t great enough – the product is very easy to use as well! The great thing is that it scans your skin before every flash, and sets the intensity to the right level, to ensure safety as well as efficiency. What more does a girl need? The safety aspect means that you can not only use it on your arms and legs but also more sensitive parts of your body like your bikini line, underarms and face as well. When you start off, it’s best to do one session per week for about 12 weeks, after which you can reduce the frequency to one session every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on your needs.

Watch below the Full Review of SmoothSkin Muse

In a nutshell, I think that the SmoothSkin Muse is a great product and definitely gives you bang for your buck. I love the ease of use, the fact that it actually works on my skin tone and the results I’ve seen so far – so I highly recommend it if you’re in the market for a more permanent hair removal solution.

What’s in My HandBag – Summer 2018

Ladies, it has been a hot minute since the last time I did a ‘What In My Makeup Bag’ post. In the spirit of summer, I decided that now would be a great time to take a peek into my daily kit – and bring you along with me.

‘Yes To Cucumber’ Facial Wipes

Facial wipes are an essential in my makeup bag – they’re a great way to refresh my skin after a long day, fix makeup mistakes on the go and gently remove the dirt and grime that accumulates after a day out. In the summertime, I prefer facial wipes that are cooling and soothing to my skin – and these ones by Yes To, enriched with cucumber and aloe extract, are excellent at doing just that.
Product Link: Yes to Cucumbers 30 Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes

Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Bang! Mascara

Whether I am wearing a full face of makeup or going au naturel, I never leave the house without a volumizing mascara – and this is currently one of my favourites. All you need is a couple of swipes to have you looking like you’re wearing a full set of falsies. It doesn’t clump, transfer or smudge during the day, so that makes this mascara perfect for the summer weather as well.
Product Link: BADgal BANG! volumising mascara


Bioderma Photoderm MAX SPF 50 Tinted Moisturiser

Another product I never leave the house without is a good moisturiser with a high dose of SPF. The best part about this one by Bioderma is that along with being SPF 50, it is also tinted, which means that it evens out your complexion, brightens up your skin and reduces the appearance of blemishes. It’s perfect for warm days when you don’t feel like sporting heavy foundation – one application of this, a couple of coats of mascara and you’re good to go.
Product Link:  Bioderma Photoderm MAX SPF 50 Tinted Moisturiser

Clairins Lip Balm

Many people forget to nourish their lips and give them the TLC that they need, but your lips need moisture too – not only in the summer but all year round. Clarins does great tinted lip balms that not only give your lips the moisture they crave but also, a slight hint of colour as well. These balms are perfect for no makeup days, quick trips to run errands around town or some post-beach colour. I can’t get enough!
Product Link: Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

Accessorize London Travelcard Holder

If you tend to lose your cards a lot, like me, I have a solution for you. I picked up this sweet pouch from Accessorize, because I love the London print, which pays homage to one of my favourite cities in the world. Plus, it’s a great way to make sure that I have all my cards in one places and its compact enough to carry even in small bags.
Product Link: Accessorize London TravelCard Holder

Grazia

For those long tube rides or in-between-meeting breaks, we all need some fashion inspiration to keep going! Grazia is my go-to magazine for the latest trends, the best fashion inspiration, and the most entertainment. I always have a copy with me. You never know when you need it!

Product: Grazia Magazine
Use Code: FFRTEN%! for 10% OFF any order over the value of £24
Valid on: All print, digital and package magazine subscriptions.
Code Expires on 31 Dec 2018


Sunglasses

Another essential that goes with me everywhere – my sunglasses! Whether you’re trying to cover up a hangover, dark circles under your eyes or simply trying to shield your eyes from the sun, sunglasses are an excellent, multi-purpose product to have with you. Plus, it’s a little-known fact that they actually help your skin as well! If you drive without sunglasses, you tend to squint more, which means you’ll develop lines around your eyes much faster. That isn’t a good look, so I always have a pair of sunnies in my bag and my car.
Product Detail: Accessorize Bella Extreme Cat Eye Sunglasses

Charlotte Tilbury #GLOMO Collection

Healthy, glowing skin is something we all aspire to. But to have your skin looking great in all its dewy glory, religious upkeep is a must, as is using the right kind of makeup. In keeping with the latter objective, Charlotte Tilbury’s new #GLOMO collection is set to provide you with a sun-kissed glow that’s all the rage this season. Read on for my review of some products from the Charlotte Tilbury #GLOMO collection:

The Unisex Healthy Glow Tinted Moisturizer is a great product that will appeal to people who prefer the au naturel look. It leaves the skin supple and glowing, but without a greasy or cakey finish. Being a tinted moisturizer, it certainly doesn’t provide the same degree of coverage as a foundation would, but it does even out the skin tone in my experience. It has SPF which makes it a great summer product, especially for casual wear and morning dos. Best part it, both men and women can benefit from its hydrating goodness, and it makes perfect for spring and summer season when you want your skin to be free of heavy foundations soaking up the sun.


Price – £35.00 for 40ml
Rating – 4 stars
Buy Here

The Goddess Skin Clay Mask is another product I tested,  and found this to be more of a pampering product than a skin treatment product. The product combines exotic ingredients including Spanish clay, Frangipani flower extract, and sweet almond oil. It promises to tighten pores, clear imperfections and leave your skin visibly brighter with just one application. You just slather on a light layer of the mask, massage it into your skin, and wash it off with warm water in 10 minutes. When I used the mask, I did feel it made my skin softer after washing, but I feel it didn’t pull out the impurities quite as well as some other similar products do. All in all, a decent product for general skin pampering.


Price – £38.00 for 75ml
Rating – 3.5 stars
Buy Here

The Magic Foundation was perhaps the best investment of the lot. I got myself the 6 Medium shade which is a neutral golden yellow for medium, olive skin tones. The formula is light and airy, provides very good coverage, has SPF 15, and also promises collagen-boosting anti-ageing benefits. I have tried many foundations from various brands and this stands above several of my favourites. The best thing about it is that it doesn’t dry too quickly, thus making it easier to blend into the skin or with other products. There are 15 shades in this collection which is quite commendable, and once you find your match, it will surely do you wonders!


Price – £32.00 for 30ml
Rating – 4 stars
Buy Here

So, this was my experience with the Charlotte Tilbury #GLOMO collection. Drop me a line below of what things you need help with and guidance on and I will try and come back to you asap.

Trending Bridal Hairstyles in 2018

Wedding bells bring out the diva in all of us. We want to look our best on that special day and go to great lengths to find the perfect outfit, the perfect jewellery, the perfect everything – right down to the shade of lipstick. But what often gets ignored in the exhaustive rush of planning your bridal look is the all-important hairdo! The way you fashion your hair can make a huge difference to your overall appearance. A last minute “do your best” directive to the salon hair-stylist can go very wrong. In order to avoid any such issues on D-day, it’s best to plan your wedding hairdo in advance, just as you plan your outfit, footwear, and makeup.

If you are looking for some wedding hair styling ideas, the recent trends in the bridal couture industry could be your inspiration. We have picked up two of the popular hair trends from this season that have universal appeal and suitability. Regardless of your height, face-cut, and wedding dress style, these hairdos will complement your bridal look. So read on for our top picks for bridal hairdos this season!

Bejewelled Up-do

Traditional Indian brides typically wear their hair in a bun since they need an up-do which their heavy dupatta or palu can be attached to. But modern brides have begun experimenting with the classic bun and also the way they drape their dupatta. We say, why not do the traditional up-do with modern stylistics? Perfect balance, isn’t it?

hair

This season, bejewelled hair accessories are all the rage. Go in for a soft bun and highlight it with hair accessories that match your jewellery. From the front, keep the look relaxed, with tendrils and wisps in a careful disarray. This will give you a soft, delicate appearance and also prevent the discomforts of tightly styled hair.

 

Waterfall Braid

Brides in the western world wear their hair in many different ways. Some leave them open with a little bit of styling while others go in for complex buns, braids, or even ponytails. Our favourite this season in the waterfall braid which can be as simple or fancy as you please. Just make sure to discuss it with your hairstylist before because they can take a while to get right.

Waterfall braids can be further enhanced with hair accessories or even flowers. We suggest using pearl accessories and/or white flowers since these add much elegance to the final bridal look. And the best part is, you do not have to worry about too many pins or clips in your hair since as far as keeping the hair in place goes, waterfall braids are rather low maintenance. Sounds great, right?

While these are our top picks, you can customize these further to better suit your sensibilities or even go in for something else. But keep two things in mind when selecting your wedding hairdo; one, it should be as comfortable and fuss-free as possible, and two, it should be distinctive enough to add more glam to your bridal turnout. You’ll not go wrong if you follow these rules!

Stila Make-up Haul Reviews

When it comes to cosmetics, I love experimenting with new products and trends. I always keep my eyes peeled for unfamiliar vials, pots, and bottles at makeup counters, and recently picked up several Stila products I’ve never used before.

As a luxury makeup brand, Stila promises and delivers the best kind of flair and finish with its products. Here is my experience with three Stila products I’ve begun using recently:

The Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow is my favourite find of the lot. I bought the Rose Gold Retro shade and have worn is to several outings in just a few weeks. The eyeshadow has great staying power and does not smudge at all. A little quantity goes a long way, and you can adjust the intensity by increasing or decreasing the strokes. Since the pigment is deep and has a glittery finish, I usually put on just a single layer. The product in general and this shade, in particular, is very versatile and can be used as an accent to other darker shades. I have even used the eyeshadow as an eye-liner and that worked well too! I love this sparkly range of liners which are all in soft, glowy shades.

Price: £23
Star Ration: 3.8 Stars
Buy Here

The Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick is the other product I was quite impressed with. I quite like the Bacca (Raspberry) and Tesoro (Orange Red) shades which complement my complexion and create a bold-lip look. The lipstick is formulated with several nourishing ingredients including Vitamin E and avocado oil which makes the finish matte and smooth. You do not need to worry about dry and cracked lip colour since the texture is creamy and formula hydrating. This range by Stila would be a good option for long-wear, and with 32 shades to choose from, you can find the right shade for each occasion.

Price: £16
Star Rating: 4 stars
Buy Here

My suggestion for all the lipstick junkies is to go for the Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set. Each set contains three shades of the collection in 0.05 fl. Oz vials. These miniature bottles are very handy and best for when you’re carrying a clutch or travelling light. Also, you get three different shades in the price of almost one full-sized lipstick of this range. Sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it?

Price: £20
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Buy Here

Overall, I’m very happy with my makeup haul from Stila. My rating for the products I used is a high-flying 4.5 stars. I’ll probably be stopping by for more eyeshadow and lipstick shades soon.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation and Custom Highlighting Drops

Being an avid makeup enthusiast, I love experimenting with the latest beauty products. Recently, I come across Lancome and it’s amazing collection. Let’s check out a few of the items from their brilliant series.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

Foundation is the key to a flawless look. I always choose a foundation that has got longevity because without a solid foundation, it’s hard to create a look that can last the long hours we endure in life these days from jobs to events or evening dates. And, Lancome has got a perfect solution to such problems.

Even with a minimum application on the skin, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear offers high coverage that stays up to 24 hours of optimal comfort without any need for touch-ups. It adds a radiant and velvety complexion and enhances the glow of the skin.This foundation has got 40 brilliant options to choose from and is available in 40 unique shades. It feels really light and smooth, even when applying.

While being extremely long-lasting it can probably work for most skin types.

Even if you’re out dancing and sweating or in the morning, don’t worry your skin will shine and still look perfect with this amazingly long lasting foundation. This foundation also contains SPF 15. However, I don’t think it provides adequate protection from the sun. All in all, Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation is an amazing foundation for combination skin.

PS: Don’t forget its smudge proof as well, we don’t you leaving foundation marks on phone screens or worst on someone jackets 😉

Price: £32.00 | Buy Here

Lancome Custom Highlighting Drops

Anything with the word highlighter makes me gaga. So when I heard about new Custom Highlighting drops from Lancome have been launched, there was no reason for me to not try them.
These beautiful highlighters are available in four beautiful shades:  rose, champagne, bronze or gold, and One can get that totally customized glow and Gift your skin a healthy and radiant glow with these amazing highlighters. Apply directly on top of your foundation, focusing on the areas that you’d like to define and Get that shimmer look done. You can also mix these drops into your favorite foundation for a more concentrated glow. The texture is lovely. Also, they are very smooth and easily blendable. I have somehow found a new love for liquid highlights vs. the powder ones.

Champagne Glow: This shade really brightens up the skin and adds fresh sparkle similar to pearls to your skin.
Price: £26.00 | Buy Here 

Rose Glow: Another beautiful shade that gives the skin that little something that boosts and wakes up the skin. It also boasts a rouged shimmer and gives the skin stunningly beautiful appearance.
Price: £26.00 | Buy Here

Here is a look that I have created using Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation and Custom Highlighting Drops

Christmas Gift Guide : The Ultimate Guide on What to Buy

As said, Christmas is a season not only for rejoicing but of reflection. Finding a perfect gift for Christmas is not an easy task. However, the best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family, all sitting together and ejoying the holidays. Happiness is certainly the best gift you can give to someone. And, here we enlist a few ideas for Christmas gifts, which can definitely bring happiness to your friends and families.


MAKEUP & SKINCARE & MAKEUP TOOLS

Makeup Gift Sets: Makeup is just like a best friend for her. For the occasion of Christmas, the list is endless. However, we suggest you give a Spa Find and Dead Sea Spa Magik. This year they have launched 6 gift sets which allows you to take the benefits of each product from the comfort of your home. Out of 6. Pamper and Sparkle set are a special range for incredible skin care. (Link)
Lipstick is a pretty start. Then, why not Stila Stay All Day Lipstick Set that gives a matte finish. It comes in three beautiful pink colours and berry toned lip colours.  (Link)
Price: £20

Candles & Skincare: Your beautiful skin requires commitment and one candle can light thousands of candles. Crabtree & Evelyn giving you the opportunity to buy both from one place ranging from affordable to luxurious products, they have endless options. Select the best one for yourself. (link)

Eyeshadow Palletes: And again eyeshadows are perfect for this Christmas occasion. Such a colourful gift that adds youth and allures the beauty of a woman. We suggest you gift MakeUp Revolution- My Sign Eye Palette. They have 15 shades that add shimmer and gives you perfect eye look. (link)
Price: £6

Do you also love those neutral matte shades? Urban Decay’s Naked Palette is a generously perfect choice which gives glittery pigments and also adds shine to your skin. (link)

Naked Eyeshadow Palette 3Anti- Ageing Cleansing Brush: Ageing is a fact of life. But, Looking your age is not. Sensee have the perfect range of anti-ageing cleansing brush that can be used on a regular basis. It can help in reducing wrinkles and thereby giving you perfect smooth skin. (link)
Price: £39.00


Affirm your style statement with Essentialle
REMEDY MULTI-ACTIVE RE-BALANCING FACE OIL: This can be used in daily use to fight with oily skin and problematic skin. This one can be perfect and a very beneficial gift. (link)
Price: £62.00
REVIVAL NECTAR NOURISHING FACE OIL: Gift them this wonderful oil that can help them in restoring their skin’s hydration and in getting that nourished glow back. (link)
Price:£70.00

Hair Curler Curls run the world. We all want easier curling with lesser strain and HOT TOOLS® PROFESSIONAL launches first of its kind 24k gold angled CurlBar is the perfect solution in this case. (link)
Price:  £100.00

Spa Day Voucher: Relax, indulge and love yourself or give this voucher to your loved ones. Spoil yourself with Spa.

Makeup Brushes: There’s no such thing as having too much of makeup brushes. SoEco Brush would be a great idea as it is not just facing friendly but eco-friendly too. You must get this. At a very minimum price, you get branded brush sets. (link)
Price: £18.00


Perfume: Perfume is the key to our memory. Though invisible, yet an unforgettable accessory that she will never forget. Add glamour with this amazing Jimmy Choo rose Gold edition perfumes. (link)
Price: £54.00

Urban Veda Gift Sets: Nature is the perfect way to help your skin. Gift your loved ones this amazing set of Natural Skincare by Urban Veda. Give them a reason to remember you. (link)


CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES

Jewellery: This one is a sure shot winner when it comes to gifts, once can never have too much of jewellery be it necklaces, pendant, rings or bracelet. Featured here is Under the Rose Jewellery Rose Gold Thread Wrap Bracelet, a sure shot winner. (link)

Pj Sets: At the end of the day, Pajamas are a good option and are good for the soul. As everything is better in pyjamas. Then, why not gift them a beautiful pair of pyjamas. make them feel a little more comfortable and better.  (link)

Winter Cute Slippers: Good Footwear leads you to good ways. Winters are the time when you can gift your loved ones an amazing pair of footwear or a cute slipper. Check out Fatface and select from an amazing range of footwears from there. (link)

Socks: Who doesn’t want a new pair of socks for the Christmas? Henry J Socks would be our suggestion. “The gift that keeps on giving.” What could be better than that? (link)

Watches: Time is the most precious thing you can ever gift to someone. If you are unable to give them time, try gifting them a watch as a symbol of your time. Accurist have a special range of watches for both him and her. They are great as they add a touch of understated glamour to anyone’s Winter Wardrobe. (link)

HOMEWARE:
Phillo Flowers Wreath and Candle: Phillo Flowers specialize in beautiful flowers and also design customized wreath for special occasions like Christmas. They also provide a free consultation. Give them this wonderful piece of decoration and make them feel your presence in their homes. (link)

T2 Tea: Festive Time is the perfect time to connect with your friends and nature. Celebrate the hidden flavours and patterns in the outside world. Wild about Green Rose Gift Pack from T2 Tea is a glory in itself with pretty floral flavours. (link)
Price: £30

Aequill Candles: A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. And gifting Aequill candle is such a pretty idea. They make such handcrafted candles and for the candle making is much more than a art. Light a candle for someone and give them this amazing candle.  (Link)

These are the few things I’d suggest to you all. You may select either of them or even think more. So, what will you gift to your near and dear ones? Let me know in the comments section below.

Huda Beauty | #FauxFilter Foundation

Finding the best foundation for your skin is exactly like winning a lottery. Foundation can either make or break your skin. One should choose the foundation which unifies the skin tone and makes the skin look as natural as it can.

Having a great skin feels perfect. But, it doesn’t happen by luck. All it demands is the right amount of care and right products that are suitable for your skin tone. You definitely don’t need a lot of makeup. But, a slight amount of good skin care with the right products to help your skin get better. Thanks to Huda Beauty for launching #FauxFilter Foundation that is available in around 30 shades.


#FauxFilter is a full-coverage velvety foundation. In just one application, it will give you a flawless long-lasting look. It helps in hiding away your blemishes. The formula contains pigments that fades the uneven skin tone and blemishes into oblivion.

#FauxFilter works perfectly to remove your imperfections. This spectrum of 30 shades perfectly does the work of all of your Instagram filters.

Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation Swatch – Baklava 340G

It is perfectly blended with a high percentage of ultra-refined pigments, which evens the skin texture and also diminishes the redness, thereby, creating a flawless and matte finish. It is made of argan oil and centella asiatica, both of which are known their hydrating propertiers. Argan Oil contributing to healthy side by providing protective and making a nourishing cover over the skin.

Though it is thick creamy, but it spreads out easily. Work fast with it as it dries out quickly. #FauxFilter perfectly creates skin colour mask for your skin. Get the perfect shade that matches your skin so that it can make your skin look flawless naturally. It is an extremely long lasting foundation. I love the fact that it comes in 30 shades and works on almost all types of skin. However, not that good for sensitive skin as it might block pores.

Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation Makeyp

I love this foundation and must say truly holds to the Huda Beauty aesthetic. Go for it, if you want to cover up your scars without using too many products. It is an excellent choice if you love to take pictures and wants to get pretty skin naturally.

Star Rating – 4 Stars
Link to Buy – Click Here

Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation Makeup