How Blessed!

How does it feel when your so called blood-related folks act very weird, but somebody in other parts of the world miss you so bad? How blessed are you? I am not trying to make a bit thing out of it, but I wanted to share about things that changed my life forever! My value for relations has heightened to a greater extent!

Never in my life I thought a wee part of my heart would miss UK, thanks to Body Shop! If not every body, most of you know my relation with Body Shop staff! My Body Shop fever started since January 19th, 2010 which is hardly 5 months! I came across two angels in the name of staff! Margaret and Vicky aka humanity personified! I can keep talking about those two for ages nonstop!

As mentioned earlier, I never had great friends! I was always ready to give, but nobody was ready to accept! Life proved that time and again! May be I was too good! I thank God for giving me more enemies instead of friends coz that's what made me close to my mother like nobody's business! My mom will always remain my first best friend forever! Most of my life, I came across devils in disguise but this is my first experience coming across angels in disguise! It obviously takes time to digest the fact that you are truly blessed!

Lovely gesture ever!

Every visit to the store made me feel very special! Nobody made me feel that way earlier save my family and besties! Just five months, they knew I worship their products! Margaret is obsessed with cats! She keeps talking about them the whole day just the way I do about body butter! Customers are her love! Meaning, she calls each "Love!" She is definitely a treasure to the store! Vicky is an "early-twenties" soul striving hard to make her mark in this world! The sweetest part of her; she doesnt want to be a celebrity! That is the sole reason she did not confront the camera for my blog sessions! If they were able to tolerate a customer like me, you can estimate their patience levels!

My mom taught me never to be the reason for somebody's tears! I believe I made my mom proud, but! I was the reason for their tears in a good way, of course! Margaret being decoction and Vicky being milk, they made a perfect cuppa together! They called themselves "The Troublesome Twosome" whereas I used to call them "The Awesome Twosome!" They taught me the essence of life without their knowledge! They were always there to share my happiness and sorrows! They cheered me up in the best ways possible!

At one time, hubby was so conscious about my Body Shop frenzy! Next day, I took him to the store and introduced Margaret and Vicky! Guess what! From then, it was hubby's turn to take me to the store! He used to interact more since then! Can you believe? Credit goes to??? Your guess is right! I was a resident of that place for more than one and half year, but I regret meeting them so late! Should I curse my fate to meet them so late? Should I thank God for giving me such precious friends at least at this stage of my life?

So touching!

I was given the most beautiful card in the world! Shock was the only reaction when I saw my name spelt so right on the card! My name always being butchered in my home land, it was definitely a pleasure to see that spelt so right by sweet strangers from the other side of world! Why so? They never called me by my name! Whenever I had to make a call to the store, I was like, "Hello, its me!" Whenever I had to visit the store, they were like, "What brings you to the store today?" What else? Obviously Margaret and Vicky!

I still remember their last words with tears in their eyes! "Take care! Wherever you are, be happy! We will always miss you! Dont forget to stay in touch! You are not a customer, but definitely our friend!" My last words being "Hope I get to see you again in this life time!" Motherly love from Margaret and sisterly love from Vicky! What else could anybody ask for? If you are in Scotland, especially Stirling make sure you visit Body Shop @ Murray Place! Give Margaret and Vicky a warm hug on my behalf! You will definitely get the same in return, I promise! God Bless Margaret and Vicky! Missing you from the other part of the world!

P.S - All I wanted was to vent out my feelings for those two angels, so I dont mind if this post goes totally unnoticed! My heart feels light, now! I am still not sure how they feel about me, but this is how I feel towards Margaret and Vicky! Hoping you were really sad to see me go, angels :)

Ahoy!!!

Did some one forget me? Hope not! I am back for good, but it might take me a while to get into full time blogging! Guess what! I am back to India, forever! I thank each and every lovely soul who helped reduce my blood pressure regarding travel tantrums! I can't thank you enough for all the loving and oh-so caring messages dropped by! I am so sorry I couldnt reply to those as I was head over heels occupied! Just wanted to share, all my stuff finally reached safe and sound especially the Body Shop lot!

I did some shopping like Sleek palette, MAC lipstick, The Body Shop body butters, YSL Rouge Volupte etc in the last couple of days! I will definitely rant and rave about those as well! I might come up with a blog sale soon! Dont ask me when, girls! My body clock is misbehaving! I am claustrophobic, so I hate flying! I had a hard time travelling from Glasgow to London Heathrow to Mumbai to Bangalore! Phew! Bloody hell! I can hardly stand air-conditioned vehicles! Imagine my plight during the flight! It might take a while to get used to the normal routine, but I will surely come back!

(Courtesy: nataliedee)

Ramblings shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes, so I take leave with your permission! See you soon, all!

Sayonara!!!

It's time for formal good-byes to you and to O2 broadband as well! I will be totally disconnected from this world for indefinite amount of time! Broadband goes off by friday! As of now, I am not so sure about my comebacks! Might be weeks if you are unfortunate or months if you are fortunate! Pray for the latter part!

When am I leaving UK? For some stupid reasons, our tickets are not either blocked or booked! God knows better about our flight back to India! I wish to go back as soon as possible, though! Lately, my posts have been nothing, but ramblings! There is no point in taking much of your valuable time! Connect to you all next time from India! I love that sound!

Bruxsel.org

Please, Help Me!

What's with the stupid attentive titles these days? Well, to gather ton lotta opinions! I am ready for YSL Rouge Volupte, but not sure which shade exactly! Other day, I couldn't stop staring at the Rouge Volupte display! The tube was too heavy for a lipstick, but who doesn't fall for the once-in-a-life-time packaging? I am talking as if I am the first one to discover YSL Rouge Volupte! To be honest, I have a bunch of shades in my mind! I prefer mauve-nude-muted-rose kind of shades! Am I clear?

Love shades - Rouge Volupte #9 in Caress Pink, Rouge Volupte #23 Luscious Pink, Rouge Volupte #11 Rose Culte and Rouge Volupte #29 Opera Rose! I appreciate any links to Rouge Volupte swatches! Transit at Dubai, so I have my eye on Duty Free! I wonder if there is any difference in the price range! I heard enough jazz about Duty Free shopping! My knowledge; I thought the price would be less at Duty Free compared to the stores! Last visit, I bought MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation for £20, which originally retails for £19 at the stores! What's with the Duty Free, then?

Can't help drooling! Love the last shade towards right!

Seems it costs around 1700 INR whereas it's worth 1600 INR in UK! Any ideas how much would YSL Rouge Volupte cost at Dubai Airport? Should I try at Glasgow Airport? Would it better to visit my local Debenhams, instead? Will there be any price difference at all? I leave you at peace for now! I really appreciate any kind of information regarding YSL Rouge Volupte!

Attention, Lovelies!

It's time for goodbyes! Please control yourselves, lovelies! Dont make it any harder! I know it must be a sudden blow like bolt from the blue! LOL

Jokes apart! I am going back to India coming weekend, supposedly on 1st May! I can hardly type! I can hardly stop giggling! My prayers are finally answered! Now, I need your help!

Did you travel to India lately, especially via Emirates? I need some info on check-in luggage! Is there any restriction on the quantity of makeup you carry in check-in luggage? I am a bit worried as I have tonnes of Body Shop products! May be, around 9 kilos! I know, its too much!

Kindly let me know! If you are not sure, please find out from your friends or family! If you forward this to 10 people, a friend of yours will gift you a MAC lipstick from their latest launch whatever it is called! If you break the chain, a friend of yours is going to lift your latest MAC purchase! Here, take my word! Just kiddin'

Lovelies, please let me know! I really appreciate any kind of information regarding check-in baggage! What if they have a TBS-lunatic daughter like me? Oh, no! I can't imagine whats gonna happen next!

Star Of The Month - II

21. What's your take on tanning? Natural or artificial?

Artificial tanning is the most preferred way as it is safe! But in India, who needs tanning? We need to get fairer! Bronzers hardly work here!

22. Any backstage experiences?

It's a pandemonium! Backstage with makeup, brushes and what not flying here and there! Love the adrenaline rush! Model tantrums, designers fainting and all that happens! The best thing to do is to make sure your made-up model looks flawless on the ramp! Nothing makes me happier!

23. Would you like to share any tips and tricks learnt so far, which you think are not taught at Beauty Schools?

I have many many many of those! Using two foundations on the face for a flawless natural effect, using loose powder in a dusting as a primer before foundation, apply eye liner by taking product from the mascara, using crème highlighters, the no makeup look etc! The best trick to keep your lips from looking wonderful with a lipstick on is to use a lip tint! Preferably the colored ones from Bourjois under your lipstick! The silicones in the liptint keep the lip color lasting for hours and hours! You learn something new everyday and every minute! Kindly follow the link! http://beautytraveller.blogspot.com/2009/02/legendary-makeup-tips.html

24. What's your favorite look? I love a lot of iridescent makeup and transparent skin! Lately, I have started liking a lot of rosy-flushed looks with tones of mascara and lipgloss! I love the Estee Lauder Double Wear Collection and their signature blush in Plum Nuance, which is ultra gorgeous! Its in the line for review!

25. What's your take on nude lips and smokey eyes?

It's a conventional way to look glamorous! The key in this makeup is to get creative! Sometimes strong and sometimes demure is the essence of such makeup!

26. Would you like to share the latest trends in makeup? What colors are in this Spring?

Coral is the IT color this Spring/Summer! Various shades of apricots, salmon pink, oranges, tangerines etc follow as lip colors! I have always been biased to turquoise and lilac as true spring colors! Yet, I am loving teal this season! Maybe a teal liner from Lancôme’s new collection paired with Beach Coral lipstick and Precious Posy blush from Clinique!

27. What does your professional kit look like? What products do you take on a daily basis?

Its about 5 train cases of makeup and overflowing! I generally ask the photographer or wherever I work to give me a basic idea about makeup looks and pack accordingly! Or else, it goes haywire! Sometimes just a small bag is all I need! I am looking forward for products from MUD Cosmetics, Eve Pearl and My Face Cosmetics that are considerably good and easy to carry!

28. Your pearls of wisdom to our readers who want to choose Makeup Artistry as their profession! Preferably, the ebbs and tides!

Doing makeup is not easy as it looks like! It needs a lot of creativity, patience, urge to learn more, new contacts, cosmetics, energy and most of all ambition to be a makeup artist and not to give up easily! This is not a glorious field as we see successful makeup artists doing Vogue and Elle! But, its fun. It's a job that gives 100% satisfaction! You can see the results of the work you do immediately and the transformations are mind blowing! When becoming a makeup artist, you should choose which path you want to opt for like film makeup, television makeup, fashion and editorial makeup and special effects makeup! There are others like bridals and all which are not branches per se thanks to the reason 99% brides do not get married again LOL! Makeup is truly enticing if its considered as an ART and not a business!

29. Do you think a person should be certified by an organization to launch his/her career as a Makeup Artist? Like professional courses?

Any form of education never goes waste! There is always something to learn in class! It's not just a waste of time! Sometimes, we do end up paying exhorbitant amount of money for learning makeup! But, at a point of time its the "satisfaction" that matters! Another reason I feel everyone should do a makeup course because they teach you the color theory, makeup in different lightings and so many things which you can only learn there or through your mistakes! In a gist, once we come to know the rules in makeup from a makeup course, we know how to break them better!

30. To what extent do makeup books help? Any must-have recommendations?

Makeup books make sure that you don't look dumb in front of the makeup counter! You either know or at least guess what is what! If you read and then practice what you have read, they really help! I love Robert Jones, Kevyn Aucoin and some random books I got from Amazon, but lost with time! I also love the book written by Francois Nars! The only bad thing about reading books is that they compare many models and actresses who are almost perfect and this only acts as a source of inspiration! They never talk about the common woman!

P.S - Final session! I can't thank you enough for taking your time, Dr. Neeraj! We look forward for more sessions in the near future, but expect wiser questions!

Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Body Butter

Claims - An intensive creamy all-over body moisturiser with the zesty pink grapefruit fragrance! It absorbs into the skin easily to condition and soften providing moisturization for up to 24 hours! Keep your skin super-smooth and soft with a rich, intensive cream that provides zesty, fruit-scented moisturization! Suitable for normal skin!

Key Ingredients - Pink Grapefruit Seed Oil is rich in essential fatty acids that help restore skin smoothness and suppleness while rebuilding the skins barrier function! Cocoa Butter is an excellent moisturiser that melts at body temperature leaving the skin silky smooth and soft! Shea Butter is a great natural moisturiser that helps condition the skin while acting as a barrier to seal in the moisture! If you don’t read the labels, this is for you! Trade with the Kuapa Kokoo community enables the development of projects such as schools and village wells in addition to providing small-scale farmers with income to support their families!

Peachy pink 200 ml - 192g - 6.7 oz tub retails for 745 INR or £12.50 or $20! The 50 ml mini version tub retails for £5 or $8! I am not quite sure if the mini version is available in the Indian market! Consistency is creamy! Product might appear white, but it is pale pink in reality! If you are not into top note citrus scents, you might not like Pink Grapefruit fragrance! But, chances are you might like it! I find the Sweet Lemon range sickeningly nauseating, but Pink Grapefruit range has a place in my heart! Must-have for summers! Feels so refreshing! Such a pick-me up fragrance!

A bunch of Body Shop body butters feel the following way! In fact, Pink Grapefruit contributes more towards that feel! A while after application, skin feels so cool to touch! Just the way mint does to breath! Now, you know why I call this a must-have for summers? You might not feel the same way, so better watch out! I don’t say its frosty or freezing cold, but still I consider that my skin cool on touch! A penny size product is more than enough to cover a large surface area! Again, no harm if more or less! All I meant to say was a little goes a long way! Apart from Buriti Baby body butter, I find the Pink Grapefruit formula kind of magical! The product is easy to work with! Once it touches the skin, it sinks in! The formulation is totally body-friendly! Skin looks absolutely dry, but in fact the formula richly moisturizes my skin! Anything for such a healthy looking skin! Staying power of the product is phenomenal! Fragrance stays for more than 6 to 7 hours, which is definitely a bonus in sweltering summers! The fragrance lingers whole day unless you are too much into the water! Beach or water rides, for instance!

As mentioned earlier, Pink Grapefruit fragrance is citrusy! Sweet Lemon body butter smells like lemon rind! Pink Grapefruit body butter smells like Pink Grapefruit rind! Grapefruit seed extract claims to have strong antimicrobial properties with proven activity against bacteria and fungi! Grapefruit peel oil is used in aromatherapy! Historically known for its aroma, Pink Grapefruit oil helps boost confidence, happiness and peace levels! Helps treat depression, fatigue, exhaustion, burnout, fear and stress! I am yet to explore the aromatherapy version of Pink Grapefruit, but will let you know if it really helps in the above mentioned conditions!

Store your body butter in a cool dry place! Basically, the life expectancy of this product is 12 months! I never mind stocking up more body butters as I consider most of the ingredients natural! I know it sounds gross! You can either continue using the product post expiry or simply toss it out! After all, it is your choice finally!

I can give anything to try the Pink Grapefruit lip butter! How beautiful is the wee tub! As far as my observation goes, the body butter fragrance is a bit different compared to the lip butter fragrance! It can get either intense or mild! Will I repurchase Pink Grapefruit body butter? Definitely not! The Body Shop launches a couple of new fragrances every year! If I keep purchasing the same fragrance, don’t you think I will be missing something? Do I have any staple body butters, then? Yes, of course! Japanese Cherry Blossom and Buriti Baby will remain my all time favourites! I believe nothing can replace those two! At least, so far!

Other products available in the Pink Grapefruit range are soap, puree body lotion, shower gel, body scrub and lip butter! Cleanse using Pink Grapefruit shower gel or soap! Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells two to three times a week using Pink Grapefruit Body Scrub! Complete the ritual with Pink Grapefruit Body Butter!

Ingredients - Aqua, Citrus Paradisi, Cocoa Butter, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Shea Butter, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citral, Sodium Hydroxide, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, CI 15985, CI 17200.

P.S - Fragrances are very personal! I love the pink grapefruit fragrance doesn’t mean you will obviously like it! Does the Pink Grapefruit body butter sound like heaven in tub? Better try the mini version to see you how you get on! If you have no access to the mini version as such, my recommendation would be Pink Grapefruit lip butter! Just in case you are interested, the 10ml lip butter tub retails for 275 INR! It is exactly the same, save the intensity of fragrance! Did you ever get to try The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit range of products? How do you like the fragrance?

Star Of The Month - Series II

Continuation of Series II...

11. What skin type do you find the most challenging?

I find dry skin very challenging as I have seen foundations cracking and falling on people's clothes! They have so many wrinkles and their skin looks dead! The "greying" of makeup can be best seen on dry skins! But I love dry skin as whatever you put them is taken in! The other challenge that I love and face is blending a cream blusher on the cheeks! Its tougher than applying a straight line with an eye liner and needs to be really mastered especially on a lady with dry skin! On dry skin, foundation can go horrendous and I have seen people looking literally haggered! By the way, powder is a no-no for dry skin!

12. Must-have products for oily skin?

Clinique 3 steps in skin type 3 and 4, Clinique Moisture Sheer Tint SPF 15, Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Refinisher Serum, YSL Matte Touch Foundation Primer, MAC blotting sheets, Shiseido Pureness compact powder, Clinique Pore Minimize Instant Perfector, Elizabeth Arden Intervene Fluid SPF 15, Lancôme Aqua Fusion Tint! I swear by Shiseido Dual Balancing Foundation, Clinique Superbalanced makeup, Clarins Instant Smooth Perfect Touch, Benefit Complexion Balm, Guerlain Parure Aqua Light Foundation, Dior Diorskin nude natural makeup and Clinique blended loose powder! I do love products from Body Shop and Dermalogica, but I am doubtful of recommending them as they feel very harsh on my skin!

13. Must have products for dry skin?

Clinique 3 steps in skin type 1, Shiseido Benefiance Day & Night cream, Clinique Youth Surge SPF 15 moisturizer, Estee Lauder Time Zone moisturizer and all La Prairie products! Not seen many dry skin products yet! In foundations, I like Clinique Supermoisture makeup and MAC Studio Tech foundation!

14. Must have products for normal skin?

There is nothing like a normal skin concept in India! People have mixed skin types and its funny to place anybody under normal skin category!

15. Must have products for combination skin?

For combination skin, the above mentioned products work in a fine manner depending on the oily and dry side of the face! I love to dab a little more oil-free-moisturizer on the cheeks to hydrate them so that they dont feel dry! Nothing particularly helps, so its seasonal!

16. Any advice on skin care routine for teenagers?

Its all about acne control and banishing oil and its problems in teenagers maximally! Thankfully blame the raging hormones, bad eating and sleeping habits and too much of addictions of any sort! First of all, one should correct those! For blemishes and acne, I swear by the entire range of Clinique anti-blemish solutions as that's the thing that really works on acne and cures them gently! Other skin care product every teenager should use is a sunscreen to prevent their skin from future damage by sun and environmental aggressors! A dab of liquid foundation, a little gel blush, mascara and gloss suits young girls well!

17. Any advice on skin care routine for women in 20s?
Use products that "protect"!

18. Any advice on skin care routine for women in 30s?

Use products that "protect and prevent" environmental and stress induced damage!

19. Any advice on skin care routine for women above 40?

Use products with "anti-ageing" label only when your skin is really concerned! An antioxidant and peptide rich moisturizer does wonders!

20. Must-have SPF product recommendations?

SPF should be really strong and effective! Clinique Solar Smart range is one of its kind sunscreen that is tested for photo-allergies, photo-sensitivity and photo-stability on application! Antioxidant-rich, oil-free and go well as makeup primers and do not break on exposure to sun! I also love Dr.White SPF 20 from Givenchy and Stila Illuminating tinted moisturizer SPF 15!

P.S - To be continued in the next post!

Star Of The Month - Series II

Where do I begin? Blogosphere has known him as another beauty blogger! Not many know him in real, save his followers! His blog speaks his true love for makeup! He is passionate about Estee Lauder, which paved a way for his current career! His blog might end your search if you are brand-conscious! He appears very composed, but that's not the real "him"! He appreciates sincerity on his blog! He proudly calls himself the "makeup man"! Want to know the real person whose destiny changer was just a lipstick? I feel so honored to present to you Dr. Neeraj Navare, skin care consultant, Clinique!

1. About you in your own words!

I am a bachelor in medicine and surgery! MBBS doctor with diverse interests! I always loved the art of beauty, thanks to the paternal genes! My father is a commercial artist and an amazing painter! I got more interested in makeup when my best friend gifted me a Lakme lipstick for fun and I thought why not make a career out of it! I feel makeup is an art! I am a beholder trying to do the best and contribute the best I could in this field to make things easier and better!

I am 27, single, fair and trying to be fairer! I use a lot of products that I generally write about on myself and my clients, colleagues, friends and whomsover I meet including professional models and all! I work as a skin care consultant with Clinique @ Mumbai! I love my work! I teach people how to maintain their skin, look the best on occasions and also teach makeup as a part of my profession! I am a freelance makeup artist, as well! My lovely blog is a medium to tell my friends all over the world what I know about makeup!

I also like gardening, reading everything and love my new Alsatian puppy Zeus a lot! My inspiration is the day-to-day woman who has to do everything at her work and home and still look beautiful! I try my best to translate the latest in the fashion trends to this woman of today through my blog! I sometimes do write articles for guys and shall write more!

2. How did you land on your current job?

For me, Clinique is a dream job! This is where I wanted to work after I was introduced to their skin care and makeup! I think no other brand can do so much and make so many people happy over the entire world! I always considered MAC, but when I saw the MUA there I changed! MAC, which I use in copious amounts did not cater to my taste in makeup and I was somehow too demure and conservative to work in a brand like that! Estee Lauder Companies are fabulous employers and thats the bliss I enjoy! Its tough to land in a field with too much of competition! But if you have faith in yourself, nothing's impossible! One should always dream and find out ways to fulfill it!

3. You come from a place where make up for men is considered a big NO-NO! What brings you to makeup artistry?

I always considered makeup as an art and a way of self expression! In India, its always the "makeup-man"! Makeup is also a male-dominated field here, especially films and TV! I love to play with colors and enjoy seeing them transform someone! If you see a dirty caterpillar turning into a butterfly, you would admire the nature's work! That's the metamorphosis I love to see in the woman and man of today! Makeup is about enhancing someone, but not changing someone's identity! This is what I love doing everyday!

4. How were the first days of your profession?

I had to struggle a lot as I shifted from medical profession to full-time cosmetology and makeup artistry! Lot of my time went in discovering brands and seeing what works! It was only when 90% of what I used hardly worked, I started writing my blog! I thank my parents a million times everyday for being so supportive and patient enough when I chose this career! They were the ones who invested on all these expensive products I write about today!

5. Do you remember the first faces you worked on?

I got a chance to work with many people, but this is something that happened quite long time back! Finding the traces of my memory though! By the way, my first model was my mother!

6. Name your personal favorite brands!

Somehow, I dont admire Indian makeup brands and make it a point to look past them as they dont appeal to my taste of makeup! Something extraordinary is always loved, but it is the rarest! International brands that I love and rave are too many, but let me write a few! Clinique, MAC, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Benefit, Clarins, Shiseido, Smashbox, Elizabeth Arden, YSL, Chanel, Dior, NYX Cosmetics, Scott Barnes, Too Faced, MAX Factor, Cover Girl, Guerlain, Bourjois and Lancome!

7. Name your favorite brands @ work, preferably on clients!

Shiseido, Clarins, MAC, Estee Lauder and YSL! Skincare, predominantly Clinique!

8. Which brands do you feel are most hyped?

Guerlain, La Mer, Chanel, Lancome and YSL! They are overtly priced and ridiculously expensive! But, this is only in India and not anywhere else! I do understand that they fall in the luxury division, but that doesnt mean we should pay almost 40% more of what people pay in other countries!

9. Which brands do you feel are under-rated?

MUD Cosmetics and Eve Pearl Cosmetics! They have genuinely the best products to offer in the market, but unfortunately no one knows them!

10. Do you believe a makeover can really change a person's appearance and attitude? Does it help boost their confidence levels?

Compared to women without makeup, studies show that makeup boosts confidence in very high levels in women with makeup! Makeup is about hiding nooks and corners of the face and revealing the best ones! I never felt makeup should alter someone the way they look! It should always be enhancing the best features that are always the unique identity of an individual! Makeup can create wonders and add in the effects that God forgot to give us! Long lashes and high cheekbones, for instance! Makeup is always a medium of self enhancement and putting the best face forward! I hate women who hide themselves in veils of makeup trying to lose their true self somewhere! I admire women who take care of themselves, look gorgeous and carry themselves inspite of wearing a bright fuschia lipstick for work everyday!

P.S - To be continued in the next post! He was very kind to oblige for the session! Thank you, Dr. Neeraj! If you can spare a couple of minutes, do check his amazing blog with wonderful brands! Blog that speaks about discontinued and "IT" brands!

Sneak Peak

Body Shop has launched their summer range of products apart from their classics! The most-awaited launch includes Sweet Lemon bath and body products! Very refreshing! Claims best for normal to dry skin! Lemon range includes community trade soya bean oil and lemon seed oil! Lemons are grown and hand picked from Italian Riviera! I have never been a big fan of lemon-scented products, thanks to my sickness! But, I cant wait to get my hands on Sweet Lemon lip butter! Fragrance of the body butter and lip butter slightly differs, only if you notice!

Seems Body Shop is about to promote their makeup in a massive way this spring/summer! The launch might see the dawn of sheer lip colors and tinted balms! Natural fruit flavors! Natural fruit seed oils! 100% food grade ingredients! Delipscious Lip Colour range is available in shades #01 Sheer Lychee, #02 Sheer Toffee, 03# Sheer Watermelon, #04 Sheer Candy, #05 Sheer Elderberry, #06 Sheer Grape, #07 Sheer Raspberry, #08 Sheer Saffron and #09 Sheer Pomegranate! Includes community trade cocoa butter! Retails for £9. Delipscious Lip Balm range is available in shades #01 Peach Crush, #02 Watermelon Crush, #03 Berry Crush and #04 Papaya Crush. Retails for £7.

"Nomadic Goddess", their summer makeup range features products solely meant for dramatic eyes and neutral lips! Baked-To-Last shades include community trade organic olive oil!

Courtesy: Chic Profile

Baked-To-Last Bronzer - A natural-looking bronzer, handmade and slow-baked for up to 8 hours of deliciously rich colour! Perfect for a sunkissed looking glow! Available in #01 Golden Bronze and #02 Warm Glow! Retails for £14.

Baked-To-Last Eye Colour - A duo of dazzling shades, handmade and slow-baked for up to 8 hours of deliciously rich colour! Shimmering tones for gorgeous eyes! Available in #01 Copper, #02 Moonstone and #03 Jade! Retails for £9.50.

Waterproof Mascara - 100% waterproof and smudge-proof! This rich hard-working formula helps repel water! Its designed not to clump and gives a long-lasting intense colour! Available in #01 Black! Retails for £10.

Love Gloss - 9 gorgeous shades plus one innovative heart-shaped applicator brush results in a perfect pout! Available in shades #01 Natural, #02 Golden Coral, #04 Blush Pink, #11 Raspberry Pink, # 13 Pale Pink, #15 Dusky Lavender, #16 Fushia Flush, #17 Sweet Peach and #18 Tropical Pink! Retails for £9.50.

Carbon Eye Definer - Catch their eye with a stunning new eye definer! Double-tipped eye liner, liner at one end and smudge brush at the other! Retails for £8.

Big & Curvy Mascara - Makes lashes appear 9 times thicker and much curvier! Advanced brush loads and sculpts lashes coating them from root to tip and a unique formula holds them in place for a curve that lasts and lasts! Contains Community Trade beeswax and marula oil! Available in #01 Black! Retails for £10.

The launch also includes floral summer accessories like nail file, buffer, compact mirror, mini manicure set and cosmetic pouches! What makes the launch  more summery is their first dry-effect deodorant with 24 hour protection without aluminium salts! Minimizes white marks! Contains volcanic minerals, essential oils, community trade alcohol from sugarcane and community trade aloe vera! Available in Roll-on and stick forms; Cool & Zesty (Green), Fresh & Floral (Pink) and Chilled & Breezy (Blue)! Best part, roll-on refills will be available! Deodorant retails for £4 whereas the refill retails for £3!

Body Shop never ignores fragrance lovers! Their latest home fragrance collection includes body, room and linen spritz! Great indoor and outdoor scents, they are specially formulated to use on skin! Available in duos, they retail for £6! Pomegranate & Raspberry, Mandarin & Tangelo, Jasmine & White Frangipani, Green Tea & Lemon, Vanilla & Tonka Bean, Sandalwood & Ginger, Aloe & Soft Linen!

Now that my job is done, wait for the launch in your own place! I can hardly wait for the lip products! What are you waiting for?

What's In Rati's Bag?

Finally, the future You Tube sensation agreed to give us a sneak peek of what's exactly in her bag! Thank you very much, doll! What are we waiting for?

Little red diary, pocket diary, specs, sunglasses, comb, gum, Crocin Cold & Flu, Dove deo, wet wipes, tissues, sanitary napkin, water bottle, eye drops, sewing kit, Tic Tac pins, Business Cards, Q-Tip, Chubby (doll), Safety Pin and hair ties!

Silver makeup kit, Inglot Paint Pot, Lotus Bubbly Nude Lipstick, Lakme Bridal Sutra lipstick # 226, Lotus Kajal, The Body Shop Shea lip butter, handy mirror, Lotus compact, Maybelline Chai Latte Quad, eyelash curler (love curling my lashes every now and then), Colorbar blush in Cinnabar, eyeliner in Midnight Black and hand Cream! Forgot to include medium-sized wallet, signature pen with leather cover and pencil!

Damn ! I am embarrassed now! This is the most basic bag that I love to carry every where! I have been using this for almost 6 months, but I am kinda getting bored of it now! I would like to thank Divija for this eye opener! Guess I'll shed some stuff from my bag right away! Still wondering what the heck is Crocin Cold & Flu doing in my bag! Lol!

P.S - I cannot thank you enough for the credits, Rati! Love the uber chic basic black bag! Agree your bag was sure a mess! Get rid of all the junk, if you hadn't! Dont wait for me, lovelies! Feel free to mail me the pictures of your bag! You dont need to be a blogger for this!

Get Ready To Unsubscribe!

Many things happening on my end, its hard for me to blog! I am preparing myself for the final trip! Now that you know the reason behind my absence, I will not be updating my blog very often like I used to! Feel free to unsubscribe from my blog as I am not able to visit and comment on your blogs like I used to! I am about to take an indefinite leave from my blog!

Chances are great to continue blogging! I like to stay away from all these things for a great amount of time, at least! I did make some plans for a brighter future! I can't wait for that to happen! Wish me good luck!

I noticed that I am blogging about too many Body Shop products these days! Practically speaking, who wants bath and body products when the whole world is obsessed about high-end makeup brands? Yes! That includes myself! This is what I told my friend the other day! Compared to the comments my earlier posts received, I feel my blog targets nobody these days!

My answer to the anonymous mails! I hate to confess, but I have no intentions to change my blog name! My identity is everything to me! Spring brings blooms! Request brings reviews! I will randomly update my blog, so be prepared for the worst! For my dear friend, I am about to post the pictures of Body Shop Strawberry Bathe & Bloom range!

P.S - Kindly do not follow my blog expecting the same in return! I cannot follow your blog for many reasons! If your blog falls under my criteria, I will surely do that without your asking! I too had my early days, so I know how it feels! Understand, I am not attitudey!

Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25

Claims - A premium, up-to-the-minute loose powder foundation made from minerals! Long-lasting, blendable powders act like a veil to help defend the skin against sun damage with SPF 25! Ultra light powders apply evenly and blend easily for a radiant, natural-looking complexion! Color builds easily to provide an adjustable light to medium coverage! Effectively reduces the appearance of redness, imperfections, blemishes and visible pores! Helps minimize the appearance of fine lines! Clinically proven as suitable for sensitive skin! Dermatologically tested! Non pore-clogging!

Nature's Minerals makeup has no added preservatives! Fragrance-free! Oil-free! Contains nature's finest minerals! 5 g tub retails for 1145 INR in the Indian market! Originally retails for £15 in UK! Shade #6 retails for £7.50, for some reason! US, retails for $25! Body Shop UK has 8 shades whereas Body Shop India has 6 shades! TBS India has shades #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6! Additionally, #0 is available only in UK! #6 and #0 are not available in the US market!

Packaging is the same for Nature's Minerals range! The lid shimmery black! The show stealer is the mesh/net sifter, not the porous ones! The product hardly goes waste! The best part, SPF 25!

My first thoughts on Body Shop Nature's Minerals Foundation SPF25! Remember, they might change as well! So soft to touch! Just the way Fuller's Earth/Multani Mitti feels to touch! I am not sure if that's got anything to do with the foundation, but I can detect some inky smell! The harder I tried to sniff, the faster I began to sneeze! Excuse me!

I wish Body Shop introduced a wider spectrum of shades to suit all skin tones! It would do good to people like me! I can get makeup and bath & body products at the same store! #6 and #7 suit darker skin tones! Lesser the number, lighter the shade! Blends like a dream! Provided, you master the blending techniques! As per the claim, its buildable! Gives light to medium coverage! Feels light on the skin! Oil control part is not exceptional! Stays for about a couple of hours!

Application - Turn the tub upside down to help the powder deposit in the lid! Work the powder into your brush! Tap off any excess! Use circular motion to apply! Re-apply to build coverage! Perfect partner is Nature's Minerals Foundation Brush! Retails for 1145 INR, $26 or £15! No harm if you are comfortable with your favorite foundation brush/kabuki!

Key Ingredients - Kaolin clay is and Mediterranean clay are absorbent minerals that provide long lasting coverage! Mica adds lustre and has light diffusing properties to help disguise fine lines and pores! Titanium dioxide and iron oxide provide a natural-looking color palette and protects the skin from sun!

Ingredients - Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Kaolin, Illite. Pots are recyclable and lids include recycled material! No fillers!

P.S - Review requested by Lavanya, hence dedicated to her!

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner #1 Black Ink

Claims - This innovative eyeliner offers the precision of liquid liner and the ease of a gel-based formula! Long wearing, water resistant color can be used to create subtle to dramatic looks! Apply with Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush! Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested!

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner is available in Black Ink, Black Mauve Shimmer Ink, Black Plum Ink, Caviar Ink, Chocolate Shimmer Ink, Espresso Ink, Forest Shimmer Ink, Granite Ink, Graphite Shimmer Ink, Ivy Shimmer Ink, Sepia Ink and Violet Ink!

Application technique - Dip the tip of Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush or your favorite eye liner brush into the gel formula! Coat both sides of brush head! Wipe off excess on tissue before applying to eye! Work quick as the product becomes transfer-resistant once dry!

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner comes in a 3g wee glass pot/tub! Retails for £15! The shade we have is #1 Black Ink, supposedly the blackest black! Product doesnt have any fragrance! Correct me if I am wrong! Consistency is thick, creamy and gel-based! Make sure you tighten the lid once you are done! As mentioned earlier, its hard to work once the product is dry! It doesnt go even on the skin! Can get chunky whateva! Once dry, the product can turn powdery!

Not sure if I can call it downside, but I wish the pigmentation was more intense! Its the blackest black available yet, but I prefer jet black! May be, I should use a greater amount! My opinion, the price is just too much for my budget! For me, it's a splurge! I dont compare Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner to any gel liner available in the market coz its my first gel liner! So far, I have used liquid, felt-tip and gel-based liners! I find liquid the easiest, felt-tip trickiest and gel-based very professional! Do I sound insane?

The first time I used Bobbi Brown eyeliner, I was on cloud nine! I never thought it would be so damn easy! I heard it's water proof and staff told me the same! I applied this in the morning! I was very surprised to find this intact until I took it off! Only thing, it was not as pigmented as it was earlier! Who cares? Personally, I find lining the right eye is tougher compared to the left eye! Especially, Bobbi Brown eyeliner with Ecotools angled liner brush! Did you experience the same? Now, I totally forgot how it was with the other liners!

Gel liners dont come with any applicators, so pick your own tools! Bobbi Brown suggests Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush! If you are comfortable with your favorite eyeliner brush, that should be fine! I use the Ecotools angled liner brush! But, I love to try artist brushes from craft stores! You can also try any pointed brush, as well! Make sure you dont poke your eyes!

Many wonder if gel eye liners are water-line safe! My perspective, I am yet to try! My eyes are more towards watery and sensitive end! So, I hardly mess up with my makeup! But, will surely let you all know when I line my water line! You can use any oil-based eye make up remover to get rid of your eyeliner! If you are comfortable with your favorite makeup remover, that should be fine!

P.S - Requested by bestie! If you dont agree with my review, kindly ignore this post! As you can see, pictures are crappy! Bad weather, again! Lavanya, your mineral makeup review will be up soon! Sorry for the delay, sweetie!

Body Shop Sale Update

As mentioned earlier, I visited TBS again to get hold of their permanent Shea Butter range! I was tempted to buy Wild Cherry and Mango ranges as well, but passed it for some reason! Here is another acquisition from the crazy sale!

Body Shop Shea Butter Bathe & Bloom originally retails for £17.50, but marked down to £5! The products included are 250 ml Shower Gel, 50 ml Body Butter, 50 ml Body Scrub, 100 g soap and Two-Toned Beige & Brown Bath Lily!

Body Shop Sale

Dont ask me how long this is going to last! If you are near to TBS, its time to rush! Why? A crazy sale has come up! I am so excited I can hardly type! All I can do is post the pictures! Can you believe? You have to! I am the sole proof!

Strawberry Bathe & Bloom originally retails for £17.50 - £20, but it was marked down to £5! The products come safe in a rigid card box! Strawberry range includes 250 ml Shower Gel, 50 ml Body Butter, 75 ml Body Polish, 100 g soap and Two-Tone Red & Beige bath lily!

Moringa Bathe & Bloom originally retails for £17.50, again marked down to £5! Same packaging! Moringa range includes 250 ml Shower Gel, 50 ml Body Butter, 50 ml Body Scrub, 100 g soap, Two-Tone Yellow & White bath lily!

Higher heavens! Would it be wise to expect more for a fiver? How could anybody resist this sale? Don't you call this a crazy sale? TBS sold these like peanuts in half an hour! If I am fortunate enough, I might get hold of the Shea and Wild Cherry range as well! The sale also includes Mango and Coconut range!

New Moringa Bathe & Bloom packaging!

What's your next task? Only for Body Shop addicts! RUN! Why? The Body Shop Lip Butter retails for £5! Do I have to say more, comparitively? Do your math! I did review Moringa Body Butter and Strawberry Body Butter earlier! If you like to see the products seperately, do let me know! Will surely post them!

P.S - Deals might vary according to the market! Kindly visit your local store every week for latest deals and updates! Seems Body Shop India has instore offers from March 2nd to March 31st, 2010! Papaya body butter is being discontinued soon! A little birdie told me Olive body butter might be discontinued as well!

Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter

Claims - An intensive creamy all-over body moisturiser offering up to 24 hours moisturisation with a sweet berry fragrance! It contains moisturizing strawberry seed oil, shea and cocoa butter! Suitable for normal skin! Available in 50 ml and 200 ml tubs!

Body butter is an intense moisturizer that can be used on entire body! They are specially formulated to maximize skin hydration! They are likely to be used during dry times of the year or when the skin suffers from severe lack of moisture! The ingredients contained in body butter often offer the skin both hydration and protection!

The body butter comes in a 200 ml or 192 g or 6.9 OZ tub! Retails for £12.50! Body Butter tubs usually carry a color theme that coordinates with the fragrance! The tub is deep berry colored with strawberries on the lid! The product is pale pink in color! Consistency is creamy! Sinks in, but work out well! Doesnt mean its hard to work out! You can make out the oily formula dry after a while! Doesnt leave any greasy residue! The formula has strawberry seed oil extracted from strawberry pips!

Very hydrating formula! Gives a healthy sheen to the skin! Skin is visibly soft! Apply the moisturizer on damp skin! It helps lock the moisturizer better! Fragrance is kinda strong! Very refreshing! Very summery! Smells just like freshly crushed strawberries! If you are into strong flavors, this is for you!

For a longer lasting fragrance and to maximise the skin care benefits, use together with other products from the Strawberry range in a layering regime!

The staying power of the scent is phenomenal! Strawberry body butter is a fragrant moisturizer! Perfumey-kind! Better use strawberry body butter alone! There might be a chance of fragrance mishap! Better be alone than in a bad company!

Key Ingredients - Strawberry seed oil provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help repair moisture barrier of the skin, thus helping to restore moisture, smoothness and suppleness! Shea butter has a high level of antioxidant vitamins A, E and F, which help to protect and nourish the skin! Moisturises and helps soften the skin! Cocoa butter is an excellent moisturiser that melts at body temperature, leaving the skin feeling soft and silky smooth!

Ingredients - Aqua, Butyrospermum parkii, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Theobroma cacao, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lanolin Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Methylparaben, Fragaria ananassa, Propylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Fragaria chiloensis, Limonene, Sodium Hydroxide, Cinnamal, Rosmarinus officinalis, Linalool, Citral, Caramel.

Products from Strawberry range include perfume oil, shower gel/cream, soap, puree body lotion, body polish, fragrance oil, lip balm!

P.S - Review requested by Tanveer Parmar! Fragrances are personal! Act smart before you invest! Performance differs according to the weather conditions! Check your local website for the best deals! Gift takeaways vary according to the markets!