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Review: Always Personal Care Range

2021-09-12T13:44:00.002+05:30

Hi friends, again after a short hiatus (which is becoming a regular on this blog now) I am back with a new brand in personal care products.

Called Do More Always, this brand has been launched by a group of athletes with the intent to provide clean high quality products for active people.

Their current personal care range includes a face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, body wash, and a body lotion. All products are paraben free. Let's dive right in and see what each of these products has to offer.

Always Cleanse Foaming Face Wash

This face wash comes in a pump bottle of 60ml, just the right size for travel. The face wash itself is a foamed product which feels very very light on the skin. I used about 3 pumps to cleanse my face and neck. It washes off easily and leaves behind a super clean yet soft feeling skin. I actually did not need a moisturizer after cleaning my face. The face wash contains neem and aloe vera which make it ideal for acne prone skin too.

Price: Rs 400 (60 ml)

Always Hydrate Moisturizer

A non greasy moisturizer which boasts of Niacinamide, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin E, all ingredients that are meant to repair and hydrate the skin without making it greasy. The moisturizer has a very light weight texture and immediately gets absorbed into the skin. With regular use the actives in this moisturizer can boost skin health that gets deteriorated due to the daily grime.

Price: Rs 500 (50 ml)

Always Essential Skin Kit

Always Protect Sunscreen

The sunscreen Always Protect has SPF50 and a non-comodogenic cream with a very light texture. It gets absorbed easily and does not leave a white cast. It comes in a small pump bottle making it a good travel companion so you can re-apply as necessary.

Price: Rs 500 (50 ml)

Always Essential Skin Kit Swatches

Always Fresh Body Wash

Oh this one smells AMAZING! Yes this body wash would be loved by all coffee lovers. The whiff of coffee as you pour out this body wash engulfs you in the shower. This body wash contains aloe vera, cucumber extract, coffee extract and tea tree oil. All these ingredients are antibacterial and perfect for an after gym shower. Always Fresh body wash also targets body acne though I will have to use it longer to give a verdict on its efficacy. It comes in a flip-top bottle of 200ml.

Price: Rs 450 (200 ml)

Always Body Fit Combo

Always Nourish Body Lotion

I really like how the face moisturizer, sunscreen and even this body lotion are made with a non-greasy formula. Always Nourish Body Lotion is made with rich body butters like shea butter, mango seed butter, and cocoa butter, yet it feels light in texture. This one is also infused with coffee oil which keeps the skin supple though it does not have a strong coffee fragrance. That is good because I wouldn't want to smell of coffee all day long!

Price: Rs 450 (200 ml)

Always Body Wash and Body Lotion Swatches

Currently the brand has discounts going on all their products and even offer face care and body care kits that come in cute pouches.

You can purchase these on Amazon.in for good discounts and sometimes extra discount coupon over and above the discounted price.

My favourite product from the range is the body wash followed by the foaming face wash. Do try these out and let me know in the comments what you think about this entire range.

10 Popular Dinner Ideas to Keep You Warm This Winter

2021-01-27T23:43:00.000+05:30

Winter is a special season worldwide. Everyone gets ready for the holiday dinners and celebrations. While winter time is quite enjoyable, figuring out perfect dinner ideas to keep you warm during this period can be tedious. Fortunately, there are many dinner ideas that not only keep you warm during the winter period but are also healthy, providing you with the right nutrients. To get the most of these winter dishes, it is advisable to use a hot case or casseroles. A right casserole set will ensure your food remains warm until it is time to serve. Below is a list of 10 winter dinner ideas to keep you warm.

1. Gajar Ka Halwa

When it comes to winter, especially in India, Gajar Ka Halwa is a popular dish in every Indian household. Though it is served as a dessert, only one look at the piping hot halwa, and you can’t help but slobber. The dry fruits which appear on top of the dish make it more irresistible. What makes this even more popular during winters is that good quality carrots are rampant during the season. Carrots are the main ingredient used in making Gajar Ka Halwa dish. You can prepare the halwa and store it in a stainless-steel casserole to retain the warmth and taste for a longer duration.

2. Slow down cooker curry chicken and spinach

This dish is essentially a chicken and lentil stew. The long cooking allows the condiments to reveal all their aromas. Curry powder is the basis of this dish. However, you need to know that it's not made of just one spice. While curry leaves add flavor to a dish, curry powder is a blend of several spices. This sumptuous meal will not only satisfy your tastebuds but also keep you feeling warm during the cold winter.

Review: Deyga Anti-Acne Kit

2020-12-28T15:00:00.021+05:30

Hello everyone! A few days back I shared my views on the Deyga baby care products. Today I am sharing my views on the Anti Acne kit by the same brand.

The Deyga Anti Acne kit comprises of 5 products. It aims at treating acne along with clearing clogged pores. All products are natural and handmade.

The five products in the kit are a cleaning bath bar, tea tree oil, neem seed oil, a tea tree toner and aloe vera gel. There are two bars of the soap in this kit. They come in a cute jute bag.

You can purchase these products separately as well. Check out the Deyga website: https://deyga.in/collections/combo/products/acne-control-kit

Deyga Anti Acne Kit

From left to right in the above pic we have a toner, aloe vera gel, tea tree oil, neem seed oil and soap.

The tea tree facial toner comes in a plastic bottle with a spray nozzle. A quick spritz gives a fresh feeling. Tea tree in this toner acts on the active acne by eliminating impurities and leaving the skin clean and shine free. I spray this on my face (keeping my eyes closed) and then gently pat my skin until it gets absorbed.

The aloe vera gel comes in a small plastic container and you need to dip your hand inside to take out the product. It is best to use a small spoon to scoop out whatever amount you need so that you don't contaminate rest of the product. Aloe vera is known for its moisturizing properties. This is the best moisturizer for acne prone skin as it does not give an oily feeling and doesn't clog pores. The best part is it can be used under make up as well.

The tea tree oil in this kit comes in a tiny glass bottle with a dropper lid. Tea tree oil is known as a natural antiseptic and has been part of every acne kit I have every tried. Pure tea tree oil is very strong and must be used with care.

This kit also contains neem seed oil. I have never used neem seed oil before on my skin. I have used it to kill insects on my plants. I have used neem leaves directly on my face as a teenager. The Deyga Neem Seed Oil is 100 % pure and you will surely notice the strong neem smell when you open the product. It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. It's a heavy oil and does leave it's smell on the skin until washed off.

The soap in this kit is a Charcoal bath bar, this can be used on the face as well as body. I used one for my face and kept the other to use in the bath. Activated charcoal in this soap helps reduce acne and really gives a very clean feeling after use. On days when I was lazy I would simply use the soap while I skipped rest of the regimen.

Price: Rs 2060

Deyga Neem Seed Oil

The team at Deyga recommends using this kit in a particular sequence.

1. Rinse your face with water

2. Apply a few drops of neem seed oil to the whole face and let it sit for 30 minutes

3. Clean the face with Charcoal soap

4. Apply tea-tree toner over the face and pat dry

5. Apply aloe vera gel

The above sequence does not mention anything about the tea tree oil. The way I used it is to add a couple of drops to the neem oil and use it as part of the step 2 above. Tea tree oil can also be added to bath water. Remember to not go overboard with tea tree oil, it is strong and needs a carrier oil or base oil to work.

One unique tip I got from the Deyga website was to use a drop of the neem seed oil on my belly button before sleeping to help get rid of acne faster. And it works!

When I started using the kit I had quiet a lot of active acne specially on my back. So I used it for my face and also started using the charcoal soap on my back. Following the regimen regularly did help heal my active acne. Unfortunately I got caught up with house work so much that following the whole regimen seemed like too much of a task so slowly I drifted away. Now that I again have active acne I plan to return to this regimen once again. Whenever you start using any skin-care product kit it is important to follow the regimen because the products are designed to work together. The above products are good individually as well but they work the best when used together.

Here's hoping I will step into the new year with clearer skin!

Happy Holidays!

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Review: Deyga Natural Handcrafted Baby Care Products

2020-12-25T23:33:00.000+05:30

Hi friends!

I'm not sure how many of my old readers are still here reading my posts, this one is coming after a very very long time. If you are reading this, thank you for being with me as my virtual family!

Having a baby and then this pandemic, life turned upside down. Motherhood is something that filled me with gratitude and now as I watch my son grow it amazes me every single day.

Sometime back a brand called Deyga contacted me to see if I would be interested in trying out their products. I checked out their website and saw their products are pure handmade, natural and without any chemicals. I surely wanted to try them out. Ever since my pregnancy I have been very selective about what I use for myself. And now I follow the same for my boy.

I tried out two different categories from Deyga products. In this post I will first share my views about their baby care range. I tried out the Deyga baby massage oil and baby soap.

Deyga Baby Care - Baby Massage Oil and Bath Soap

Deyga Baby Massage Oil comes in a plastic bottle with a flip cap. The oil is thick yet flowy which makes it easy to apply on the skin. It is made up of Organic Sesame Oil, Jojoba Oil, Cold Pressed Almond Oil, and Calendula Oil. The blend of these natural oils leaves the skin extremely smooth.

I did find the smell of the oil a little strange with a smoky note. It's mainly because there is no added fragrance. It's the natural smell of the oils that have been blended together.

I normally massage my baby about half an hour before giving him a bath. I take a little bit of oil in my palms, rub them together to warm up the oil and then use gentle strokes to massage him. Massaging with Deyga leaves his skin very soft and he doesn't feel any dryness after his bath.

Price: Rs 1150 (for 250 ml)

Deyga Baby Care Range

The Deyga Baby Soap comes in a lovely handmade pouch and is wrapped in a paper. Inside the soap is a white bar which is extremely soft to hold. The shape of handmade soap is not like a regular soap so you will find some irregularities in it's shape. There is no prominent fragrance in this and that is a plus point. I hate artificial fragrances in baby products.

The ingredients of this soap are extra Virgin Olive oil, unrefined Shea Butter, sweet Almond oil, cold pressed Coconut oil, and cold pressed Castor Oil. All these ingredients make this soap smooth and gentle on the baby's skin. Almond oil is extremely beneficial in nourishing the skin. It doesn't lather like artificial soaps but cleans well.

Price: Rs 390 for 1 bar

If you like to use natural ingredient products only for your child then you must try these out. You can continue to use these cruelty free products even when your child grows up.

Do let me know if you've tried any handmade products for your baby.

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POSITIVE Root Therapy + Advanced Onion Oil for Hair Growth - Review

2019-11-06T17:00:00.000+05:30

My last review was of a product from the POSITIVE brand. I tried two of their products as I mentioned in my previous post. Today I'm reviewing their Root Therapy+ Advanced Onion Oil for Hair Growth.

The Onion Oil for Hair Growth comes in a plastic bottle with a pump cap. The consistency is quite rich and it has a pleasant fragrance that reminds me of saunf or Anise. The pump makes it very convenient to dispense the oil and there is no spillage in case you topple the bottle over with your oily hands (yes this is a real life possibility when you are oiling your own hair).

This Root Therapy hair oil is a unique blend of 18 essential oils and 37 herbs! Onion Hair Growth oil is power packed with nutrients like sulfur, amino acids and Omega 9 fatty acids known for their nourishing properties. The brand claims that regular usage of this oil helps improve the life cycle of hair and may even encourage hair growth.

POSITIVE 3 in 1 Activated Charcoal Peel-Off Face Mask Review

2019-11-05T14:44:00.001+05:30

Hi everyone! I'm trying to get back to product reviews slowly and the first product being reviewed this month is Positive 3-in-1 Activated Charcoal Peel Off Mask.

Positive is a brand that I'm trying out for the first time and I noticed it because of their onion hair oil. Onion hair oils are really creating a buzz these days but more on that later as I've got a review of it in my next post coming out in quick succession to this one. Back to the activated charcoal mask.

The mask comes in a tube with a flip cap and is ready to use straight out of the box. I love these kind of masks where I don't need to bother about mixing ingredients myself. They are easy to use and are travel friendly.

The mask is black in color and has a shiny appearance. It's thick enough to easily get applied to your skin but runny enough to come out of the tube if you open the lid and let it sit pointing down - basically you'll get a hassle free application if you use your fingers or a brush for putting it on your face. I prefer using a brush for an even application to my skin.

What To Wear During Pregnancy - Stay Fashionable

2019-06-15T10:23:00.000+05:30

Pregnancy brings about a lot of changes in a woman's body. I've heard that women become concsious of how they look but trust me, if this is your planned pregnancy, the joy of having a life grow inside you is beyond all looks and appearances.

Looking fabulous during this time only adds to your happiness and gives you confidence that this is the best phase of your life so far. So, here are some tips based on my own personal experience.

1. Be proud of your bump. The bump in most cases doesn't really start to show until the third month. Once it does, flaunt it, it's something to be proud of and not hide (unless for some reason you need to keep the news under wraps!)

2. Always wear comfortable clothes. I stopped wearing fitted clothes like jeans etc from day 1, the reason being I wanted no physical discomfort or stress on the womb. You can decide for youself what feels comfortable. Do not purchase maternity clothes in the first trimester unless you are really growing in size rapidly. As time progresses so will the size of your bump.

3. 2nd month onwards visit maternity stores to find out clothes that are specially made for maternity specially if you like to wear pants or leggings. I got 2 very comfortable pairs of maternity leggings from MAX stores, 1 pair of jeggings from H&M (gifted by my sis), 1 pair of jeans and a pair of leggings from H&M. I also bought 4 cotton full length dresses/kurtis. Since it was summers and hormonal changes were making me feel awfully hot, these came in very handy. Some of my old clothes like western tops and kurtis actually fit me fine right uptil the beginning of the third trimester. If you are working you definitely need more clothes because who likes to wear the same things again and again.

Maternity pants and leggings are a must have. They are amazingly comfortable and give a little bit of support to your growing belly.

3. Buy bra extenders - they will help you save a lot on lingerie. I bought 3 new pairs of bras and the rest I managed with extenders. Remember for nursing you will need separate bras and that too you need to purchase in the last month when your breasts are the right size. They will grow once you start feeding as well so invest wisely.

4. Underwear - I grew one size during the second trimester and another size up in the 8th month. There are special maternity underwear as well but I didn't need them personally. I prefer bikini style underwear but hipsters felt more comfortable during and after pregnancy.

5. Shrugs - all my shrugs came in very handy. While I flaunted my bump throughout my pregnancy, I did use a shrug to make my outfits look more polished for work. A shrug also works well if you are wearing an older garment that looks just a wee bit tighter than you would want it to be, yet feels comfortable to wear.

6. Shoes/slippers - in the second trimester when my feet swelled up (almost in the 6th month) I outgrew my old ballerinas and slippers overnight. One fine day I woke up and nothing seemed to fit. I had my mom send over her shoes (a pair of basic ballerinas from Sketchers) that I wore throughout the rest of my pregnancy. I had my sister pick up a pair of household slippers for me one size bigger than my existing pair and thankfully I didn't outgrow these. (The reason I wasn't shopping myself was due to limited exertion allowed as my pregnancy was high risk)

7. New socks - if you wear socks and your feet are swell up you'll need a bigger size for sure.

Depending on the season you will have to tweak the above to suit your needs.

This is about it. Go stylish as you flaunt your bump, take regular photos that will later remind you of this incredible journey, and enjoy yourself in whatever makes you feel happy! I took one pic every single day mostly in the office restroom since I wanted to capture each day in some form. They are basic mirror selfies nothing grand. If you have the time you could get professional pictures taken each week as well!

This is your time, don't listen to people telling you you're wasting too much money on clothes that would later not fit, do as your heart desires and stay fashionable, always!!

Pregnancy Third Trimester + Hospital Checklist

2019-03-14T17:51:00.001+05:30

Sharing the story of my third trimester journey, this post was written around November 2018.

***

I'm into my 9th month of pregnancy as I write this post. The third trimester for me began with a hiccup. My baby's scan revealed a nuchal cord twisted around twice. Although doctors say it is common but it does reduce my chances of a normal delivery. I have another scan to go before the doctor makes the final decision.

Wearing Vera Wang

The most crucial difference in the third trimester is the increased difficulty in sleeping. I have woken up after an hour of sleep and stayed awake for hours until sunrise. Doubts about how things would unfold, increased baby movements, and just the need to use the restroom were enough to keep me awake. And on top of that if there is any emotional stress in your life, say bye bye to sleep.

Turning over in bed became extremely difficult. The pelvic area hurts badly as the body prepares for the birth making things awful at times. Not having an understanding person to help you out in such a situation can be daunting. Make sure your partner is aware of this so that he can help you out. If you are alone and need to turn make sure you turn very slowly with proper support. Don't get up straight, turn over to one side and then get up. Sit in the bed for a few seconds before getting up so that your blood circulation is normalized and you don't lose your balance. I read so many places that moving both legs joined together while turning helps, it did initially but with time even that became painful.

As I entered my third trimester I was asked to do a simple excercise. It's called the chakki aasan or churning the mill pose. That is the only excercise I've really done through my pregnancy. There were no antenatal classes near my place so I can't really say if you must attend one. I feel they would help specially if the husband accompanies you so that you both get to understand the nitty gritties together. Talk to your doctor to get proper guidance before you undertake any form of excercise.

Third trimester also brought on lots of swelling. My hands and feet would swell up at night and hurt. It was difficult to hold my toothbrush without feeling some pain. This is the time when shoes became a problem. I couldn't buy new ones for work because the length of my feet hadn't changed and in India the concept of separate wide foot shoes simply isn't there. I actually borrowed my mom's shoes to wear throughout the last trimester.

You will also be asked to take the OGTT which is a Glucose test. You get your blood sugar measured on an empty stomach after which you need to drink 75gm of glucose dissolved in 250ml water. Two hours later another blood sugar reading is done. My test was done at Dr Lal Pathlab and the collection center messed up my data, the test report showed extremely high fasting sugar and just normal 2nd reading. I instantly stopped all sweets and sugar intake. When I visited my doctor she asked me to repeat the test after a week. This time I got it done at a different place and my reading was normal. High sugar in your blood can lead to birth problems with your child and hence this test is important.

Doctors will also monitor your BP to rule out pre-eclampsia. This is a condition where your BP can shoot high and can cause a lot of complications.

Breathing became difficult specially whenever the baby moved higher up towards my rib cage. My heart burn condition worsened as well. And till date I have this really bad heartburn that gets triggered by eating past my mealtime, eating spicy food, and eating very hot food.

Another thing which I faced was a high emotional state. Normally when people say things you don't like, you can ignore them. But if you are having trouble on the emotional front every little thing just builds up. There have been nights I've cried wanting to hug someone badly and talk to someone who would understand what I was going through. I would talk myself out of these episodes by reminding myself that it was bad for my little one. Do whatever keeps you happy. The baby can and does sense your emotions. You will immediately notice a change in the way the baby moves.

Thankfully girl friends who have sailed in the same boat are saviors during these times. Talk to them, talk to your partner, just find someone to talk to. It's important to share your feelings so that you can feel lighter and happier.

I also took this opportunity to post positive assertions on my other blog channel where I write little quotes as "thought for the day" posts.

Baby Shower Cake

My birthday fell in the third trimester and my friends surprised me with a special baby shower cum birthday party. They got me a new dress, a tiara and a sash. The cake was super cute and we really enjoyed ourselves. I wish my mom and sister could be a part of this but unfortunately the circumstances were such that they could not be a part of it. It was a little break we took from office during lunch hours to celebrate. (Hubby got me a 3D pen which I'm really excited to use as soon as I get some time, I love DIY and it is perfect for that)

Another thing I did through pregnancy was write to my baby. Every week I wrote a diary, a few sentences mostly talking to my unborn child about what was going on outside. Someday I hope to share them with my child.

As I approach THE day I'm getting my hospital stuff ready. There is a good checklist available online. I'm sharing mine here for those of you who'd like to know.

1) 3 dresses if you are going to have a cesarean. Else lounge sets preferably with a button down shirt would be more comfortable. I've kept a feeding gown (team.mumsie), an off shoulder dress which is super easy to nurse in, and one pajama suit.

2) Maternity pads (I've kept normal pads since maternity ones would be available at the hospital)

3) Underwear (basic ones, I've bought a size bigger as they feel more comfortable)

4) Nursing bras - I've got two nursing bras and two nursing tank tops

5) Toiletries- basic stuff, you can keep whatever you normally do when heading out overnight

6) Toilet roll - I'm sure my hospital won't have this but you don't need one if your hospital provides these

7) Shawl since the weather is getting slightly cold

8) Jacket

9) Towel

And for the baby

1. Clothes (4 sets, unfortunately I cannot use new clothes so I can't carry the cute onesies at this time)

2. Sweater sets (again because this is winter season)

3. Towel

4. Swaddle sheets or any cotton sheet you can hold the baby in

5. Diapers/nappies

6. Baby wipes

7. Booties, mittens, caps

8. Blanket

9. Baby sheets to keep under baby

10. Sheet protector

Apart from this don't forget to keep your medical documents and insurance papers with you.

*****

Update: I had a baby boy through cesarean at 39 weeks. I got to see him being taken out of my tummy and then gently hug him before he was taken away.

All of you in your third trimester, good luck for the final countdown. Excitement and a little worry go hand in hand at this point in time. Trust that God is looking after you. All the best and congratulations for your bundle of joy!

Pregnancy Second Trimester

2019-01-18T17:28:00.000+05:30

Second trimester of pregnancy can be considered the honeymoon period of sorts. This is the time when you should start to gain back your appetite. You will be somewhat used to the initial hormonal changes that were driving you nuts in the first trimester.

Second trimester is also the time when your next major ultrasound scan will be conducted.When I went in for my scan I was ecstatic and could barely control my tears as I saw my little one - head, body, legs, arms and those cute tiny hands and feet. The feeling is out of this world.

Ethnic Wear During Pregnancy

The only downside for me were two cysts on my baby's head which suggested that I should get extra checks to determine likelihood of down syndrome and other such diseases. The doctor said my age also played a role here and hence the tests were important to get done. I kept my heart in the hands of God and let my fears vanish.

As time progressed I started experiencing baby movements, tiny little flutters which changed to noticeable kicks as time progressed. I was back in office and my spirits were in a much better shape.

One important thing I learnt was how important it was to keep a gap in between medicines specially calcium and iron otherwise they are not absorbed properly. Some doctors forget to mention this but it's better to have a minimum gap of 2 hours between these two medicines. Take calcium with milk while iron is best absorbed once you have had some citrus food or best on an empty stomach.

Second trimester is the time when your bump will start showing, you might need new clothes, I did. I decided to invest in 4 full length dresses/kurtis which I could grow in. They were all anarkali style where the middle stitching ends just beneath the breasts giving the garment enough room on the belly area. Those still fit me well into my third trimester.

If your bras have started feeling tight, measure yourself. In my case the cup size remained the same while the band size increased. This meant I really didn't need a new bra, I needed bra extenders. I got a set of 5 from amazon and it turned out to be a cost effective saviour.

A few things that you must be careful about:

1. No stretching of hands above your head level as it puts undue strain on your belly; no bending with legs straight, if you have to bend, squat a little and then pick up whatever you need to. I used to lift things with my foot to avoid bending completely. If in doubt consult your doctor.

2. Vaginal hygiene - ask your doctor for a good vaginal wash and cream to ensure no infection is there. A vaginal infection can spread into the womb making it dangerous for your little one.

3. Waxing: is completely fine as long as you are used to it. If you've never done it before now is not the time to experiment since the skin can be very sensitive.

4. Keep your makeup and skin care simple and chemical free as much as possible. I invested in a virgin coconut oil bottle (bought from amazon) which served as a moisturiser and makeup remover. The only makeup I wore everyday to work was my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation which is safe to use during pregnancy. Retin-A products and those with salicylic acid are to be avoided completely. Trust me at first it's difficult to let go of everything (you'll realize how many chemicals your skin ingests everyday!) But for that little life inside of you, you'll go all the way to avoid chemicals in your skin care.

5. Stick to flat shoes to prevent any fall, don't buy new ones unless you really have to since your shoe size will change as you enter the third trimester.

6. As your belly grows it will be difficult to cut your own nails, go in for a pedicure or take someone's help. Unfortunately I had to do mine on my own and it became a challenge each time specially since toe nail growth increased considerably due to the hormones.

7. Listen to your body, stop and relax no matter what the situation. Depending on how the baby is positioned inside you, there will be times when each step would be difficult to take. Don't worry and don't try to match pace with others.

Second trimester seemed to fly by the fastest.

This a good time to start reading the Garbha Sanskaar or listening to it's music. The child can start hearing your voice and these chants and rhythmic sounds will help develop the child's brain as well. This is what I read and was told by friends so I tried to do it as much as possible. It is important that not only you but your husband also reads this. It is said that the child will learn from it's father's voice too. A screaming foul mouthed parent will pass on the same traits to the child while a loving parent with a soft gentle voice will lead to a calm baby. You can make this part of your couple time or just have it play in the background while you go about your individual tasks.

Eat right, stay happy and connect with your baby, these should be your only focus activities at this time. Oh and yes, do make sure all your queries are answered by your doctor, each woman goes through something unique since we all have different bodies, no question is trivial!

Stay blessed!

Nursing Your Baby - Importance and Style Guide

2018-12-28T16:04:00.000+05:30

Ever since I got pregnant I new I wanted to nurse my baby. As a first time mom I had no idea about special clothing for breastfeeding or about the agonies associated with it.

First I'd like to focus on what you need to keep in mind if you plan to breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding is said to help the baby grow healthy and is surely advised to all new mothers.

If you have a normal delivery chances of your baby easily accepting your feed are higher than if you need a cesarean. There are many reasons for this. Keep in mind the following points and be prepared while you're pregnant not after you've delivered.

1. If you have to undergo cesarean you will be away from the baby for a longer period depending on the hospital you're in.

2. You will be given I.V. which delays breastmilk

3. Breasts need to be properly massaged to help the milk flow.

4. A lot of gynaecologists do not inspect the breasts for any issues while you are pregnant. Talk to yours before hand and make sure she is able to guide you well before time.

5. Make sure the hospital allows your baby to latch within 4 to 6 hours of delivery, even if it was a surgery. This is very very important and unfortunately ignored by a majority of hospitals.

6. Even if you're baby doesn't latch at first keep trying. If your baby doesn't take the feed your body gets the signal that milk is not needed and it will slowly stop producing milk, it's a vicious cycle. This is where a breast pump comes in handy. Keep pumping to tell your body that you need the milk.

7. Stay happy and stress free - one very important point and yet the most difficult when you are trying to breastfeed but are not successful. I have cried every single day yet consoled myself by holding my baby knowing that eventually things will settle down.

8. Do not bottle feed unless it becomes an absolute must. Bottle nipples make it very hard to switch the baby to the breast (yes even the costly branded ones like Avent are pathetic)

9. Use a spoon or a paladai - see image below if you need to formula feed your baby.

Paladai - Newborn Feeder

I hope I've covered a majority of the points above. In case you have your own experiences please do share in the comments. Also let me know if you have questions and I will try to answer to the best of my knowledge.

***

And now coming to nursing in style.

The first time you nurse will be at the hospital so one piece of clothing that you need in your hospital bag is a nursing gown.

Standard nursing gowns are very frankly not stylish or comfortable. When looking for options for myself I came across a brand on Instagram called Team Mumsie. They have these really cute nursing gowns which can be worn like a dress and come with matching onesies and swaddle cloth for your little one. They also have kaftans that come in pretty prints.

(Excuse my super exhausted pictures with unkept hair, I'm still a mess!)

I picked out a dark blue set for my hospital bag. The nursing dress looks really cute but look at that tiny onesie, isn't it adorable!!!! In a diagonal from the neck to the armpit area the gown has buttons which can be opened to nurse. When closed it is a pretty dress with a contrast belt.

I couldn't actually wear this at the hospital since I was in a lot of pain after my surgery but once I could get up on my own I put this to good use. I also teamed it up with my existing maternity leggings on days when it was cold and it still looked just as stylish. If you are looking for a nursing gown do visit the team.mumsie page and get yourself and your little one a cute option to stay stylish.

***

Another option for nursing in public is a poncho. I chose one from Pluchi, another brand I stumbled across on Instagram. This poncho was on my baby wishlist because of two reasons. The poncho can be worn before nursing, as a cover-up, it can be worn later on as well like a regular poncho. But the reason I picked up a poncho from Pluchi was mainly because of the very cute matching blanket and toy sets that they offer.

I wore this poncho to work when the days started to get slightly cooler, I teamed it up with a fitted t-shirt (one that would look weird had I not worn this poncho) and my maternity jeans from H&M. The material is 100% cotton but the knit makes it super soft and warm. My baby loves being swaddled in the matching blanket and the toy is his very first teddy.

I will surely recommend you check out Pluchistore page for all the color options. These would be really nice as baby shower gifts as well.

***

Other nursing options include a full zippered gown, tank tops which come with a detachable front, and nursing bras. You can check out some of these at H&M and Inner Sense on amazon. I also found off shoulder dresses helpful, the ones that have an elasticated neckline.

***

Say goodbye to hiding under shawls and boring gowns, stay happy as you nurse your little one in style.

Pregnancy First Trimester - Everything You Wanted To know

2018-12-16T16:49:00.000+05:30

The first trimester of pregnancy is the most difficult and overwhelming.

The first time you find out that you are pregnant can be jittery, scary, full of excitement, happiness all rolled into one. If you've been trying to get pregnant for sometime, the first sign of pregnancy on that little pregnancy test strip would make you doubt yourself and head over to test again (and maybe again just to make sure!)

I tested 3 times just to be sure that I wasn't under an illusion of some sort. I was thrilled beyond explanation and the moment I shared this news with Mr Husband was something we'll remember forever.

Then came the first visit to the doctor, and since we'd read-up a lot about pregnancy, we got the hCG blood test before we went to see the doctor. She did a basic checkup and told me my first scan would happen at week 6. She told me to relax and think positive (owing to my past history) and sent us home. I went to work while Mr H went home to give the news to his family.

When I came home in the evening I was tired and decided to rest. By night I found I was bleeding. It was a ghastly experience since I had seen this before and knew what it could mean. But I tried to remain calm through my tears, and went to the nearest hospital in emergency. The doctor there did an IVS* and told me it was too soon to tell what is going on, gave me a few injections to stop the bleeding and told me all I could do was pray and take the medicines. She told me to keep my thoughts positive. And so I tried my best.

A few days went by before I again saw blood. Mr H was at work at the time and I couldn't stop worrying. After about an hour in emergency I was told the baby was fine and again given a few injections to stop the bleeding. I was put on daily injections. Even though I heard the baby was fine I couldn't control my tears because I was tired, tired of worrying about what all could go wrong. Not this time I prayed.

Another week went by before I again ended up in emergency. With God's grace the baby was still doing fine, we could hear his heart beat which was reassuring. The cause of my bleeding was that the placenta had slightly detached from the uterus. My pregnancy was declared a high risk pregnancy and I was on complete bed rest for the entire first trimester.

I slowly got used to fearing more blood but being grateful when there was none. All the scans so far were IVS which for me were traumatic for they are invasive and extremely embarrassing.

It was the normal ultrasound with 3D imaging that I got done at 2 months time which brought back a sense of relief. This was the first time I was seeing my baby with a faint silhouette. The radiologist tried to move the baby around to get a good look and do all the measurements. I was finally getting a sense that all this was real. I was going to get through this. The baby was doing fine, the cause of my bleeding was clear and a low lying placenta was declared. This meant no exertion at all.

I was left to keep lying down in my room with the TV, my laptop and phone as company. There were days when I felt lonely as sharing your innermost fear only makes people laugh at you or spite you in the name of being overly concerned. I couldn't swallow basic things like chapati, hated the smell of anything cooking, and could not bear the slightest amount of chili in my food.

But I made it through this immensely difficult time all thanks to the continuous support I got from my family. I started working from home and gradually became prepared to head back to office. At this time I had a fall. Due to dizziness after a bath, I fell badly on my back taking the shower curtain down with me. I hurt my shoulder and hip but what I was worried about was having hurt my baby. It was a very difficult day, but God was kind enough and my baby appeared fine in the ultrasound. I couldn't thank my stars enough. I knew now that God was going to make this miracle come true.

In a few days time I rejoined work which is my catharsis. Friends and co workers were extremely supportive and just being out there helped me recover mentally and physically. I was not exerting myself, had my work area set up to keep my feet up for the long hours and life slowly retuned to a more sane and happy state.

Now after this long story about my first trimester here are a few learnings I had which I hope can come in handy when you get pregnant.

1. Be prepared to visit the doctor and follow her instructions. Do not ignore any sign of danger. Any odd vaginal discharge mandates a visit to your gynaecologist. Remember early treatment can save your baby in case of an emergency situation. So don't ignore anything that doesn't feel right.

2. If nausea is a problem speak to your doctor. Mine gave me medicines that ensured I would not vomit. I was already losing a lot of weight.

3. Eat whatever you can keep inside, don't worry too much about nutrition at this point. Starving yourself is not the solution. Since I was not able to eat anything healthy like daal and chapati, I ate whole wheat bread with cheese or plain butter. Thankfully I was able to drink milk. Occasionally I would have a pizza, strange cravings come during this time and all I craved was the exotica pizza from Pizza Hut. Eating outside food is not advisable so keep it to the bare minimum. Avoid all processed foods as they contain preservatives. Coffee and alcohol are taboo and you will find a lot of information on the internet about what you should and should not eat.

4. Do not consume pineapples or papaya. These are the only things normally asked by doctors to avoid. I was asked to avoid all sour things as well as these two. This meant no nimbu paani or fresh juices as well. This made things more difficult for me but I survived.

5. Make sure your bathroom is non slippery. Invest in a good bath-mat as well as a non slip shower mat. You do not want to take any chances here. I ordered the mat seen below online and it was well worth the money.

Non-slip Shower Mat

6. Your old clothes should fit you for the first month but you will notice your bras getting tighter as you enter the second month. If your cup size is the same don't buy a new bra just yet. Instead buy a few bra extenders. They are very cheap and help you save big bucks on those expensive bras.

Bra Extenders

7. Try to keep your feet up as much as possible. Buy a foot stool for work and get yourself a few cushions to raise your feet while you are sitting in bed.

8. Stay positive! Easier said than done. Your husband and family might be pampering you from their side but you will be more sensitive to any remarks they make at this time. The hormones in your body are not just working on setting up your womb but are silently playing havoc on you emotionally. I had times when the slightest joke made by Mr H would bring me to tears and I would hate him for not understanding my plight. As they say, a man and a woman have a baby but it's the woman who is pregnant!!

Listen to soothing songs, read books, watch TV, spend time with friends; whatever keeps you happy.

9. Don't worry if you lose weight. When you get pregnant you prepare yourself for weight gain but if you have nausea and difficulty eating, you might end up losing a few kilos instead. This is all normal and nothing to worry about so long as your doctor knows.

10. The belly - don't expect to see a bump just yet. If you are skinny you might notice a small bump by the second month but mostly it is noticeable only to you. My bump started showing early because I was always bloated. But again it wasn't something others would notice.

11. Sign up to a few good online resources for pregnancy. I downloaded 2 apps on my phone which provide a plethora of information and help you connect with pregnant women from across the globe. These are BabyCenter and WhatToExpect

Remember each pregnancy is unique so listen to your body. Whenever in doubt and you feel something is not right, talk to your doctor. A lot of people will have a lot of advice to give you. Take it with a pinch of salt, do your own research and discuss things with your doctor.

If you have any questions please do comment below and I'll try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

Wishing all moms-to-be a pleasant first trimester!

*IVS - intra vaginal scan

Instagram Giveaway

2018-12-15T19:27:00.000+05:30

Hi friends!
This is a quick update to let you know that a giveaway is now live on our Instagram channel (@OurExternalWorld)

Rules are mentioned in the post and are pretty simple. The more participants we have the more wellw have winners. So go ahead, participate and get your friends to participate too!

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Life Changing Announcement

2018-12-05T11:00:00.000+05:30

Update: I was meant to post this last week but before it went live things changed. So read this and head down for the latest update!

******

Hi friends, for those of you wondering why I've been on and off from my blog with very few posts in between, it's because my life has changed, literally!

I'm pregnant!!!!

Yes, this is the most awaited most remarkable change in my life that I've kept under wraps for all sorts of reasons starting with plain superstition and fear. 4 years ago I had had a miscarriage and it took me years to come out of the trauma. During that time I was blogging yet those of you who follow me must have noticed a gradual decline. But life and time do help you heal, so long as you are open to healing. My family's support during that time was all that I ever needed and it's because of them that I stand where I do today despite whatever life has thrown my way.

And today, I am thrilled to announce that I'm finally blessed with the opportunity to bring a new life into this world. I'm 39 weeks due and the baby will be entering our world anytime now. (I might actually be in labor by the time you guys read this!)

I'll be sharing what all happened during the different trimesters with my tips for all moms-to-be who've started their journey.

Fairy sparkle dust to you all!!!
******

And now for the update to this post, I have been blessed with a baby boy, my life has changed and how! He was born on 5th December and is very small for me to share his photo yet. Need your blessings for me and my baby as we start a new life together!

Lujo Box - A New Subscription Beauty Box

2018-10-29T22:00:00.000+05:30

Hi Everyone!

Today's post is all about a new beauty subscription box that just launched. It's called the Lujo Box (pronounced as lu-ho box)

The box that came in for the month of October is a black cardboard box which looked quite nice to open. Inside it housed a card with details of this month's box contents, a t-shirt, some products enclosed in a nice looking paper with the Lujo Box logo all over it. And below all this was a red velvet storage pouch which can be used to actually keep jewelry.

Subscription to Lujo Box is priced at Rs 1250, you can subscribe Here

Now let's dive in to see what beauty products came in the box.

Lakmé 9 to 5 Naturale Matte Sticks - Blush Site Review and Swatches

2018-09-02T21:00:00.000+05:30

I must be like the last blogger reviewing this product. I've just been missing from the action scene lately. Another one of my, "better late than never" posts!

I'm going to share my views on the (new) Lakmé 9 to 5 Naturale Matte Sticks that have been launched by Lakmé under the umbrella of products containing the goodness of Aloe Vera.

The Matte Sticks are long crayon sticks that come in a very nice metallic packaging with a gradient effect of soft green and rose pink. It looks classy and interesting. These are retractable which means the bottom part of the stick is twistable so you don't waste product by sharpening it.

Lakmé’s 9 to 5 matte sticks’ collection boasts of aloe vera and honey to heal and soften the lips. It's sad that the brand has not listed the ingredients anywhere, neither on the outer box in which this product comes nor on their website.

The texture is semi matte, it glides on smoothly like a creamy crayon but gives a matte finish to the lips. You will notice a hint of shimmer but nothing that looks gary.

The lipstick is transfer proof and although a lot of people claim that this lasts a good 5 hours, my experience is that with one heavy meal it is gone.

The good part is that the lipstick feels weightless on the lips so you can easily go back and reapply. It can exaggerate any dryness of your lips so make sure to use this over well exfoliated lips. The first time I tried this over chapped lips (to test the moisturising properties) it looked horrible to say the least.

Price: Rs 451 (2.2 g) available online [ launched at a price of Rs 550 ]

Pralay, The Great Deluge, by Vineet Bajpai.

2018-08-28T21:36:00.000+05:30

Looking for a good fast paced fiction to pick up and read, check out my review of
Pralay, The Great Deluge, by Vineet Bajpai.

You can head over to my other blog http://words-are-me.blogspot.com where I've posted the full review of Pralay, The Great Deluge.

This book is a great amalgamation of History, Mythology and a healthy dose of fiction to keep you glued to your seat.

This is the second book in the series, first one was Harappa that I reviewed here: https://www.ourexternalworld.com/2017/07/book-review-harappa-curse-of-blood-river.html

I'm excited for the third in the series that gets released in September 2018.

Happy Reading!!!!
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Vaadi Herbals Divine Honey and Sandal Shower Gel - Review

2018-08-20T22:11:00.000+05:30

Hi friends! I've been trying to move to more natural chemical free products lately and during my search for something gentle to use in the shower, I came across Vaadi Herbals Shower Gels.

The ingredients mentioned by the brand are all natural. I even tried to confirm from their customer support and in the online chat they confirmed that their products are 100% natural and paraben free. So I went ahead and ordered myself one of their shower gels to try out.

I picked out the Divine Honey and Sandal Shower Gel which claims to lighten the skin.

Sandal is known for it's skin loghtening and brightening proeprties while Honey is a skin elixir of sorts as it helps moisturise the skin.

The brand claims that honey eradicates the skin of dirt while Sandal helps clear up acne. I've been suffering from bacne again and this was the reason why I chose this particular variant from the shower gels from Vaadi Herbals.

The shower gel comes in a fuss free transparent bottle, it has the ingredients mentioned on the bottle. The bottle has a disc top cap which makes it convenient to use in the shower.

Price: Rs 205 (300 mL) [ purchased online from https://amzn.to/2N0HTHG ]

My Experience With Vaadi Herbals Divine Honey & Sandal Shower Gel

My first reaction to this shower gel was actually doubt. The fragrance is very strong and I know Sandal based products usually do have a strong fragrance but this one had a kind of chemical Sandal fragrance.

Say No to Roadster!

2018-08-04T14:22:00.001+05:30

Are you an online shopper? I am, and I shop for everything online, clothes, shoes, grocery, electronics, almost everything.

For fashion shopping I really enjoy shopping from sites like Jabong and Myntra that offer a lot of discounts. Rarely have I had problems with product quality. Until recently!

I was shopping for myself when I noticed this good looking pair of canvas shoes on Jabong from a brand called Roadster. I thought my husband would like to pair these with his denims. I knew the brand was owned by Myntra and never suspected a qaulity issue.

Roadster Canvas Shoes

The shoes were originally priced at Rs 1899 but due to the sale weekend Jabong was offering them for Rs 700. Since I had other things in my cart there was no shipping charge for me.

I placed the order and the shoes arrived within a week. The packaging was fine, the shoes appeared to be nice. They fit well and looked quite nice. Mr Husband started wearing them about once or twice a week with very little walking involved - car to work, a little walking on the carpeted floor in office, and that's about it.

After about 3 weeks he noticed the fabric inside starting to wear off. Within 4 weeks the shoes were ready to be thrown out! I contacted customer support but was told nothing could be done about it because the warranty period was over. I requested to be put in touch with the brand customer support but they sent me the same standard reply of out of warranty product.

Normally I would have let it go thinking it's a one of incident but then I googled about Roadster shoes and realized a lot of people have had problems with their quality.

With no support from Jabong, no way to add reviews to their website, I decided to post this here so that anyone reading this can bebwarned before wasting their money.

If you ever plan to buy anything from Roadster, think it over, rather, go out and buy something from a local store. Local stores will not only give you a minimum 3 month warranty on shoes, but they would also help get the shoes repaired if possible.

We used to wear canvas shoes in school, run around in them and still they would last a couple of years (until you outgrew the pair). But these shoes from Roadster seem to have cardboard support inside which you can see creeping through from where the fabric is torn out. From the top the shoes appear all nice but inside the quality is so poor that they are heading into a bin within a month.

Even if the products are heavily discounted, the discount is meant to be genuine and not a means to get rid of poor quality products.

Roadster is one brand you need to steer clear off no matter how much discount they offer.

I hope you find this post useful and you read it in time before heading for a pair of shoes from Roadster.

Say NO to Roadster!

Vaya - Drynk To Stay Cool Through The Day

2018-07-07T14:05:00.000+05:30

Hi friends! Last week I styled my basic drink - plain cold water - in a bottle that makes heads turn wherever I take it along! I'm introducing you all to my new thirst companion, the Vaya Drynk in Gold.

Vaya Drynk in Gold

Drynk is a sipper and gulper all in one. It comes in a variety of colors, a glossy finish as well as a metallic finish, and two different sizes, 600mL amd 350mL. I chose the Gold metallic finish in 600mL size. The Gold Drynk looks classic. Now coming to what makes this bottle so cool. This bottle comes with a flip top sipper cap, and one gulping cap. It also has two travel friendly glasses. The whole set comes in a convenient pack. The bottle itself is made of stainless steel which means its easy to clean and maintain. The lids and glasses are BPA free making them safer than regular plastic bottles. While the larger boytle is great for water and juices, the smaller size is perfect for tea and coffee.

Vaya Drynk Sipper & Gulper

The sipper cap is designed so that you never hit your nose while sipping. It has a magnetic lid which means you'll never have hygiene issues with a lost cap cover.

Custom Printed Cushions

2018-06-26T20:30:00.000+05:30

Hi everyone! This time I'm sharing a quick experience I had in getting a custom cushion printed. I was searching for a cushion to use in office and wanted something that would stand out.

Based on my previous experience with canvaschamp.in from which I got two canvas prints done (read about canvas print surprise), I decided to explore their site for other custom things. I saw that they had a custom cushion priced at Rs 399 only for a 12x12 size cushion. This includes the cushion as well as the custom printed cover.

I did not want a very personal photo to be printed and instead chose a fun Disney quote that I found online. I love Winnie The Pooh series and decided to get this image printed.

And here is the cushion which came in 5 days. It was packed tightly in a hard cardboard cylinder. The cover was folded separately.

The cover did have some wrinkles due to the folds but within a day they smoothed out after I put it over the cushion. The fabric is synthetic with a satin feel to the outer surface. You can print on the back as well for an extra charge but text is free. I got 'Winnie & Friends' written on the back just to give it that full Winnie The Pooh feel.

I love the final product and think this is a great gifting option. Would you gift a custom cushion, if yes what kind of print would you get done?

Unboxing: My Envy Box - June Beauty Paraben Free

2018-06-16T11:15:00.000+05:30

Hi everyone!

It's time to share the contents of the June My Envy Box. This month the luxury box is all about natural skin care. There are four full sized products and one sample product.

The box is such a refreshing bubble gum colored one, quite unlike the earthy products inside.

Price: Rs 850 (buy at myenvybox.com)

Products worth: Rs 3600

1. Shankara Deep Cleanse Facial Ubtan (Rs 700 for 70gm)

The ubtan comes in a powder form and works as a cleanser, a scrub and a mask. You can mix the powder with a little bit of rose water, lemon juice or milk depending on your skin type. Rose water usually works well for all skin types. Lemon is great for oily skin while milk acts as a moisturiser for dry skin.

Shankara Deep Cleanse ubtan is paraben free and an all herbal product. I think this is a good product to use specially for the summer months.

2. Plump - Gold Dust Body Oil (Rs 1499 for 50ml)

I was really looking out for an oil that I can use in replacement for my moisturiser because I'm trying to go all natural and chemical free. This sounds promising with the base of grapeseed oil. It is quite expensive but considering the claim for real 24K gold, I hope this works well. It also contains Vitamin E oil, Ylang Ylang essential oil, orange oil and lemon grass oil.

3. Elenblu Waterproof Mascara (Rs 599 for 8gm)

This is a jet black mascara with a wand that has a rounded tip (sort of) to give high volume lashes. With the rainy season approaching this is a must have in every girls vanity. Voluminous lashes make a huge difference to the way your face looks so this is another good product to try out.

4. Ras Luxury Oils - Skin Clearing Face Elixir ( Rs 470 for 3gm)

Now this is a high end luxury product that is being raved about. Made up of essential oils this serum is targeted towards leaving you with clear skin specially if you have acne. It has to be used on a clean face and just a few drops are good enough for the entire face.

5. Bio Bloom - Facial Scrub Gel (Rs 350 for 50ml)

A face scrub that contains essential oils of ylang ylang, rose, aloe vera and walnut particles to scrub away dead skin cells without leaving you with parched skin. I've started using this already and really like how it leaves my skin feeling moisturized but not oily. The walnut particles are very fine and gentle enough for a good scrub.

Overall a good value for money box once again. Which of these products excite you the most?

Unboxing: My Envy Box Resort Edition

2018-05-25T17:30:00.000+05:30

[Delhi summers are killing us all, but that doesn't mean we can't pamper ourselves, right?
Well, this month's My Envy Box came as a relief with some well thought out products for summers. It is called the 'Resort Edition' and rightly so.

Look at how gorgeous the box is. I want to run off to a nice beach!
This month's box has products worth Rs 3250 and a product worth Rs 999 free!!!

Price: Rs 850 ( book for 3 months at Rs 2000 by using the code FLAT2000) - available at http://www.myenvybox.com

Now coming straight to the contents of the box. This month's box comes with 4 full sized products and an extra product thrown in with the coupon code MOTHERSDAY (which they later changed to COCCOON)

Unboxing: My Envy Box April Beauty Box

2018-04-17T17:30:00.000+05:30

Hey everyone! How is life? I'm excited to share this month's My Envy Box which comes with 5 full sized beaty products!

Take a look at the beautiful cardboard box first.

The box is priced at Rs 850 and you can buy it or subscribe for it at www.myenvybox.com

Now let's take a look at the products inside (if you follow our insta stories you must have seen these beauty products already!)

1. All Good Scents - Miss Diva Body Mist (Rs 450 for 150ml)
I got the fragrance Showstopper, a little too heady for my taste but would surely be loved by a lot of girls. I know I'm gifting this to someone.

FACES Ultime Pro Second Skin Pressed Powder - Review, Price, Swatches

2018-03-25T14:21:00.001+05:30

Summers are here and so is the time to take out those pressed powders for finishing off your makeup.
Today I'm sharing the FACES Ultime Pro Second Skin Pressed Powder. I have already reviewed the Faces Ultime Pro Second Skin Foundation

The packaging is very nice, a black container with silver embossed letters make it look chic. The lid opens to reveal the powder puff inside while the lower half opens up to reveal the actual product as well as a mirror. This is perfect for travelling.

The powder puff is nice and soft and gives a very even application. A tip - remember to press down the puff on your face instead of swiping it all over. Pressing it down allows the powder to settle easily without wasting product and also gives a more neater finish.

Price: Rs 899 [available online for Rs 692 HERE]

Unboxed: My Envy Box March 2018

2018-03-22T23:08:00.000+05:30

Hi everyone! It's time to share the contents of My Envy Box that I received this March.

The box has a calm soothing print on it - another keeper for sure.

You can get your box on the website www.myenvybox.com for Rs 850 for one month's box.

This month's box came with four products only but all of them are full sized products. There is something for your skin as well as some makeup - all set to doll you up!
Let's take a look at the contents.