The Eating Beauty

Fab Bag v/s BeautyWish Bag – sneak peek and review :D

2013-12-26T01:40:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, long time, no write. I've been buried in medical textbooks for a month now. My final exams got over an hour ago, and here I am, back with a BA(N)G! :P

Today, I’ll be comparing two beauty bags that I subscribed to in December. First one is the Fab Bag, earlier known as the Vellvette bag (check out my review for their November Bag here), and the second one is Nature’s Co.’s BeautyWish bag.

Yes, I left no beauty stone unturned this month. A little extra pocket money and a few days of starvation enabled me to buy two beauty bags this December. And before I comment on how I still did not lose a single ounce of weight, let's check out the bags -

The left one is the BeautyWish Bag looking all jutey. Their theme this month was 'travel' and they've sent products accordingly. The bag on the right is the Fab Bag.

The BeautyWish Bag contained these -

All of these are travel-friendly, small sized organic goods. While I love the smell and the quality, I was disappointed that the Nature's Co. Bag will never contain any make-up goods (it sells all-natural beauty products). The products I received are -

(L to R) -

1. Cocoa body scrub

2. Coffee face scrub (Oooh...orgasmic)

3. Red and Green tea Sunscreen lotion (with no mention of any SPF) :/

4. Citronella Insect Repellent (Yes, 'travel' edition)

5. Jasmine Body mist

6. Orange and Lemon soap

7. Sandalwood hair cleanser and conditioner

8. Mixed berry body lotion

(all are sample sized products)

Whereas the Fab Bag came with -

1. LaSplash nail paint in Sparkling Rose - full sie

2. Mua lip boom (doing good) - full size

3. Anna Andre Nail enamel remover - full size

4. rusk W8less Plus shaping and control hairspray - sample size

The overall cost of the Fab Bag is worth 4 times what I paid for it, whereas the BeautyWish bag hardly gives me a value for my money. Nevertheless, the products given by the Fab bag are something I wouldn't go and buy on my own, and neither will I buy them after these are over. On the other hand, with a hefty discount of 35% on all the products they sent me (check out the pic below), and products that smell divine besides being natural and cheaper, I am already contemplating on visiting the nature's Co. store.

There's a coupon for a free 10 minute spa treatment at their store, as well. :D

My final verdict -

	Fab Bag	BeautyWish Bag	Winner
Cost	INR 499	INR 595	Fab Bag
Look	Starry	Jute(y)	Fab Bag
Total Value	INR 1749	INR 595	Fab Bag
Products	Not needed regularly	Daily use organic products	BeautyWish Bag
Products worth buying	Nah	Yep! Plus, 35% off!	BeautyWish Bag
Bag worth buying	Definitely. It’s a steal.	Nah! I don’t get more than my money’s worth.	Fab Bag
Winner			Fab Bag

You can book the BeautyWish box here and the Fab Bag here.

My November Vellvette Bag: Sneak Peak and Review

2013-11-26T01:43:00.001-08:00

Hi there lovely people! I’m here today to review what is currently my BFF/Santa/BF right now (it has not once failed to surprise me with awesome beauty products every month!)

Don’t know what a Vellvette bag is?

Vellvette is a company that sends you surprise beauty products each month for a very minimal subscription price (ranging from INR 300-499 per month). So you buy (or gift) the bag, and then fill a brief questionnaire regarding your hair and skin type, and any problems you might be facing like hair-fall, pigmentation, etc. Once that’s done, you sit back, drink coffee, and wait. You wait till the last week of the month (which I feel, is the best part, because that’s when all my pocket money gets over :p). Then the doorbell rings, and a big cardboard box arrives. Open it carefully (or just tear it apart) to find a little cute ‘themed’ bag inside. And inside the bag will be atleast three, atleast sample sized beauty products (that’ll typically last you for 15-20 days) personalised to your skin/hair/nail type. So you get to sample the top beauty brands of the world, and you get hefty discounts if you buy the same online at www.vellvette.com J

Why did I say ‘atleast’, twice?

Well, most of the times, you get a bonus product. I’ve received 4 products 4/5 times that I’ve subscribed to the box. And 5/5 times, I’ve received a few full sized products. I now have a full bottle of a shampoo, a pretty royal blue eyeliner, a shower gel, a lip inflation lipgloss, a mascara, and an eye-shadow palette in my collection. And I’m only talking about the few full sized products that I’ve received, in mere 5 months! Well, needless to say, I’m happily hooked for life. :D

Price – INR 3599 (Rs. 300 p.m.) for an annual subscription. Monthly subscriptions are for INR 499. Quarterly and half-yearly subscriptions are available too. You can order the bags here.

Back to the topic –

So about the November bag (gosh! I really do speak (type?) a lot, don’t I?), this month’s theme is ‘BAND BAJA BEAUTY’. The bag is glossy pink, with cute little black polka dots on it. For skin that glows and style that stands out, Vellvette has partnered with 5 new brands this month to gear us up for the wedding season. Cutting to the chase (finally, you say? :/) here’s what I got in my adorable pink and black November bag –

I also received an Ofra Radiance face and body scrub (7g) which isn’t mentioned in the list above.

1) The LA splash mascara – Abyss – full size

The card I’ve received is of the glitter eye-liner, though. L

2) The Votre pore shrinking toner – 50 ml

3) Kama Ayurveda Lavender Body Lotion – 50 ml

4) Ofra Radiance face and body scrub – 7g

- Didn't receive a card for that one.

Overall, I’m fairly satisfied with my November bag. The cute pink and black bag now accompanies me wherever I go, and the products are decently sized and definitely useful. Vellvette has, once again, made my day (or month). Can't wait for the bag by Santa during Christmas! :D

TEB rating - 5/5 (for all the happy surprises)

Anyone of you subscribes to the bag? What did you get?

Revlon Moon Candy Nail Art (Milky Way) Review

2013-11-24T08:03:00.000-08:00

Hi there, again!

How are you all doing? Winters do seem to be just around the corner, don’t they?

November has been all about nails for me, thanks to 1) the amazing free time I’ve been getting because MUHS just wouldn’t take our final MBBS exams, and 2) the awesome generosity of Maybelline as they keep mailing in trendy colors that I can’t help but drool over.

I recently discovered the Revlon Moon Candy Nail Art Collection during one of my online shopping sprees. These are a collection of double sided nail paints, one of which is a regular crème nail paint to be used as a base, while the other is a complementary coloured glass-type flakie, which is to be used over the base.While they have several shades as bases (with names inspired from outer space, like Satellite, Universe, Eclipse, and so on), I decided to try the one called Milky Way.

So Revlon says -

Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy allows you to get a gorgeous, iridescent effect inspired by outer space. The holographic glitter top coat is illuminated by the dark cream base coat, giving your nails a multi-dimensional look. The dual-ended package gives you everything you need to create a fun, cosmic look.

The Eating Beauty’s say –

Milky way has a dark grey crème base, and silver holographic flakies and gold micro glitters. The crème glides on very smoothly, making it very easy to apply. The brush has a very nice length which effectively covers larger nails too in a single smooth coat. One coat, and you’re done. The color is dark, smooth and dries off before you finish the other nails on that hand. The flakies, are not as obedient though. If you just swipe over your nails with the brush, you are sure to end up with unequal coverage with one nail looking too shiny than the other. Hence, you ideally scoop through the bottle to pick up and dab them on the nails to get an even coverage. As the flakies dry, the surface ends up all bumpy. And yes, that can be a pain.

But well, the gain sure makes it worth the effort! The effect is just heavenly (pun intended :P)!!! These nail art collections are different from any other in the market right now, and I highly recommend them to any one who wants a very glamorous nail art look on a limited time and pocket budget. Also, the dark grey creme can be used by itself as well, on those days when you do not want shimmery nails.

Price – INR 300/-

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1. Dab the flakies on your nails instead of gliding the brush on to get an even coverage.

2. Use a top coat on your nails after the nail art is done. This will not only help your nail art stay longer, but also smoothen the bumpy surface.

Maybelline special: Color Show Denim Dash and The Hypercurl Volum Express Waterproof Mascara Review

2013-11-21T13:27:00.000-08:00

About Denim Dash -

As mentioned in my previous post http://theeatingbeauty.blogspot.in/2013/11/maybelline-color-show-nail-paints-review.html, the Maybelline Color Show nail paints are a rage this season. A courier arrived at my doorstep a few days ago, and to my sweet surprise, it was by Maybelline. (Maybelline is such a delight! <3) The package contained Maybelline Color Show Denim Dash. I was exhilarated, because I had been eyeing that colour for a few weeks now. Why, you ask? Read on...

The Denim Dash nail color is very different from the nail paints I’ve tried so far. It’s that awesome kind of satiny-matte with silvery micro-shimmer particles. I have never seen a blue like this one. This one really looks like denim!!!

The application was smooth, like all other nail polishes of this range. While the first coat was opaque enough, I still do recommend a second coat to make the nail paint last for a good 4 days without chipping.

The Eating Beauty recommends –

Everyone in college should have this colour! Pair it up with jeans and a simple pair of flats, and you’re good to go!

Price - INR 75

TEB rating – 5/5!

About the Maybelline Hypercurl Volum Express Waterproof mascara –

The product claims –

Volumised curl lashes for 18 hours.

With exclusive curl lock formula.

Product variants – washable and waterproof.

Price – INR 200

The Eating Beauty’s say –

The Maybelline Hypercurl Volume Express Mascara comes in an oh-so-cute fat black bottle with a silver cap and pink descriptions. I have been using this mascara for over 3 months now, and it’s great for daytime use. The brush is curled up, which gives better results than those straight brushes, but it’s a little fat and applying the product becomes difficult if not used carefully (by difficult, I mean it can easily stain your eye lids if you aren’t careful enough). It does curl up my lashes and makes them more defined, but the results are not very dramatic for those evening parties or fancy dinners. Also, the mascara is rather thick and can clump the eye lashes if they aren’t combed prior to the application. The best part about the product is that being waterproof, it did not make my eyes look black and racoony even after a good 10 hours. It is easy to remove too, and goes off in about 3-4 rubs, if a make-up remover like this one is used http://theeatingbeauty.blogspot.in/2013/10/lakme-absolute-bi-phased-make-up.html.

In a nutshell –

PROS –

1. Perfectly suited for daytime office/college wear use when you want to fake awesome eye lashes. :p

2. Does curl up the eye lashes (no need for a curler)

3. Stays for a good 8-10 hours.

4. Waterproof, but easy to remove (no more racoon eyes)

5. Great value for money.

CONS –

1. Clumps the eye lashes (do comb them)

2. Fat brush makes application on lower lashes difficult. The product may transfer to the lids.

TEB rating – 3/5 (for not-so-dramatic effects)

Foodie Deepavali Special : M.O.D Mad Over Donuts

2013-11-03T01:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a quick post for Deepavali on The Eating Beauty!

Mad Over Donuts is a great place to grab a donut (in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune so far), and it was good to see some special donuts out for Diwali!

We were pleasantly surprised with the festive donut additions, which followed their disappointing Krishh 3 themed donuts (which were basically standard choco-donuts with simple Krishh 3-related images on top, made using powdered sugar),

Here are the four special edition donuts available:

Boondi Bomb - Donuts topped with Boondi (did not mention the filling)

Nuts over Mohanthal - Milk choco & almond+pistachio flakes on top, with a filling of mohanthal custard

Ka-Boom - Filled with kaju katli custard and topped with teeny kaju katlis!

Coconut Blast - White Chocolate with coconut sprinkled on top (did not mention the filling)

Now, I for one, am wary of Indian sweets fused with anything western like chocolate, so much so that I am not even a fan of the Chocolate Burfi.

Nuts Over Mohanthal's filling brought back memories (Yours Truly hasn't had it in a while), and the combination with chocolate and nuts was different, and as I always say, different is good!

Though the amount of filling was less, the chocolate more than made up for the missing sweetness.

Ka-Boom looked tempting with the little Kaju Katlis on top of the generous layer of chocolate.

Having a cute topping is fine and dandy, but does the donut deliver?

Yes indeed! Tear it apart, and the yummy kaju katli filling comes to view.

A bite of this goodness hits your taste-buds with a fusion of yummy kaju custard AND chocolate rounded off with the familiar taste of donuts.

All-in-all, a good showing by Mad Over Donuts, in convincing even a skeptic like me, that these fusion delicacies can be enjoyed without diminishing any of the unique individual flavours.

Looking forward to more such special edition goodies M.O.D.!!

Maybelline Color Show Nail Paints Review

2013-11-02T03:52:00.000-07:00

You know how Lays states “No one can eat just one”? Well, I think Maybelline is using a similar tagline of ‘No one can have just one’ with regards to their new Color Show nail polish range.

Why do I say that?

Priced oh-so-affordably at INR 75 for a 6 ml bottle, the Color Show collection boasts of over 40 shades, including glossy, matt, shimmer and shredded nail paints. They vary in their texture and consistency, but can blend well each other to create the perfect mix-n-match variety. Also, they are easily available at Maybelline counters and online too. The best part about all of them (apart from the price), is the fact that they dry real fast. The nail paints are dry-to-touch by 50 seconds to 1 minute. The last time I checked, nail paints that good used to cost over 190 rupees! The brushes are of the perfect size, and application is easy. Maybelline generously sent in a Color Show nail paint called Midnight Taupe. It came, it was applied and it conquered. ASAP, I rushed to the stores to buy 2 more, the Fiesty Fuschia and Ladies’ Night.

About Midnight Taupe –

‘Taupe’, as Wikipedia says, is a dark grayish brown or brownish gray color. The texture is a bit runny and one coat ends up appearing patchy. But then I applied a second coat. And voila! Sexy dark wintery nails smile back at me. The color is matte but lustrous, and did not even require a top coat application for added shine. Not using a top coat, it lasted for about 4 days without chipping.

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1. Stock up your nail paint range with this amazing color for the winters.

2. Go to the office wearing the Midnight Taupe. It’s a very good alternative to the classic reds and wines.

3. Use it on your toes too. It’s a perfect matte shade. (I personally do not like shimmery toes, and prefer classic dark shades)

About Fiesty Fuschia –

The texture here is just right. Neither runny, nor patchy. It did not even require a second coat. Fiesty Fuschia is the classic matte pink that goes down in the list of essential must-haves of any nail paint collection. Like the Midnight Taupe, it is lustrous and no top-coat was needed for added shine. It stayed on for 3-4 days without chipping even a slight bit.

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1. Mix-n-match this bright pink with blues or golds for a traditional effect this Diwali; and with tangerine, greens and blacks for that funky western look.

2. By itself, the Fiesty Fuschia is a perfect off-to-college shade.

About Ladies’ Night –

That is one sexy name! This nail paint is all shimmery and blue, which seems to be the color of the season. While I am usually not a fan of shimmery shades, this one was a love at first sight, considering the upcoming festivities. A second coat was only applied for a better finish, but is not needed at all. Shiny as the Ladies’ Night is, again, I did not use a top coat here, and it stayed on for 5 days, giving my nails that perfect metallic finish.

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1. As the name rightly suggests, this shade is perfect for classy evenings and party nights.

2. The Ladies’ Night will go equally well with gowns, dresses, sarees and salwar suits.

By the way, here is a quick nail art I created using the Fiesty Fuschia and the Ladies’ Night. It’s the simplest of nail arts that gets done in less than 2 minutes.

The Indian Market is waiting for the Maybelline Color Show Polkadots range, which looks absolutely drool-worthy.

Check it out: WoW!

Please go ahead and launch it soon Maybelline. Pretty please?

Lakme Absolute Bi-phased Make-up Remover Review

2013-10-26T04:51:00.001-07:00

Aloha Eating Beauties!

As promised and advertised in my previous post on the L’Oreal cleanser, here’s a review of my favourite make-up remover. It’s a bi-phased product by Lakme, which basically means that it consists of two different liquids of different density, that is, blue oil which stays at the bottom of the container, and water as the top layer. You just need to shake the container well, so that the liquids are mixed and ready to use. (Oooo...Technology these days! :D)

The product claims (and actually does) –

The bi-phased makeup remover has a unique formula that gets activated on simply shaking the bottle. The oil helps in lifting off the makeup while water helps in deeply refreshing the skin. It gently but thoroughly removes all kinds of makeup, even long-wearing & water-proof lip, eye & face make-up, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Cyclomethicone, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Dimethicone, Caprylyl / Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Fragrance, D-Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Hydrogen phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

The Eating Beauty’s Say –

Let’s start with the packaging, shall we? The product comes in a sturdy pump dispenser, so you have control on the amount you wish to take on your cotton ball. I prefer about 3-4 pumps sprayed on to the cotton. It’s leak-proof and hence, portable too.

Next, about the bi-phased part: The immiscible liquids mix only on shaking, after which you’re supposed to pump the product on the cotton. The oil portion is for dissolving all the waterproof makeup and the water helps further cleansing, so that you’re not left with an oily face after you have used it. It is meant for removing your base-makeup on your face, as well as that on delicate areas such as your eyes and lips. Cool, I say, except those times when I forget to shake the product before using it.

But does it work? Oh, yes! It removes even the tiniest traces of make-up from the face, around the eyes and the lips too. It leaves the face feeling soft, and is gentle on the skin. I still prefer to use a normal cleanser after this, because this product does have a significant amount of oil in it, which tends to leave a thin film.

In a nutshell –

PROS –

1. Does what it claims – effectively removes even long-wear make-up.

2. Easy availability online, at Lakme counters and even at certain drug-stores.

3. Not harsh on skin.

4. Can be used all over the face, including sensitive areas.

5. Sturdy packaging.

6. Very affordable.

CONS –

1. Presence of siliCONes :P (Silicone layers on top of the skin to keep moisture in, but also ends up trapping any sebum, dirt and/or bacteria that may already be on the skin. This is a reason why people experience acne and break-outs, but let’s leave that for a future post.)

2. You’ll need to follow up with a face-wash as the product leaves a thin oil-film behind.

3. I usually forget to shake the bottle before use, and end up wasting the product.

Price – INR 210/- for a 60 ml bottle (Yes, super affordable. One bottle will last you quite a while!!)

The Eating Beauty Recommends –

1. DO NOT sleep with your make-up on, EVER!

2. DO NOT forget to shake the bottle before use.

3. If you have oily skin, use a cleanser after this product, and follow up with a moisturiser.

TEB rating : 4.5/5 (-0.5 for the thin oil-film it leaves behind)

Happy make-upping (and removing)!

Foodie Review: Alfredo's, Viviana Mall, Thane

2013-10-22T13:01:00.003-07:00

Welcome back Eating Beauties out there! Today we check out Alfredo's which is open now at the spanking new mall Viviana in Thane West.

Alfredo's looks good and feels good. You've gotta love what they've done with the interiors.

Yup! Those are actual bikes on the walls! :O We are, therefore, hoping for faster home deliveries once they begin one. :p

They serve almost everything continental, from pizzas to pastas to sizzlers. The menu looked reasonably priced.

Menu: Link

We began with a Crumb Fried Chicken Basket. Though the dish was well-cooked and went well with the cocktail sauce dip, we were disappointed that it was served with potato wedges and not French Fries as mentioned in the menu.

We decided to go for the sizzler, and settled for the Paneer Shaslik with BBQ Sauce. Now the sizzlers were to be served with
Any two from -tangy onion rings, paprika potato wedges, french fries, sauteed garden vegetables
Any one from - pepper basil rice/garlic noodles.

We were limited by the fact that they did not have french fries, and that we already had the potato wedges along with the starter. And, the pepper basil rice was not available.
Taste-wise, it was pretty bland (even for a sizzler), and the only saving grace was the tangy onion rings.

The worst part of the evening was the dessert. Apparently they hadn't included desserts in the menu, so we were verbally given 3 options. We chose the cheesecake, and were shocked when we were given this: (God knows what it was, but it certainly wasn't cheesecake)

On bringing this to the attention of the staff, we were told that the cheesecake wasn't available, hence we were served this anonymous dessert. Being as we were, partial to any dessert, we did not raise a fuss about the same, but we sure were utterly disappointed with it.

On the whole, Alfredo's has to pull up its pants with this outlet. A good-looking interior and a fine menu does not make up for poor service and dishes not being up to what the menu/staff state.

Approximate Cost for Two (without alcohol) - INR 1000

TheEatingBeauty Rating:

Ambience -> A
Service -> C
Menu -> B+
Taste -> B-
Value for Money -> B+
Overall -> B

P.S. Viviana has quite a few uber-cool restaurants coming up, from Mainland China to Stir Crazy to The Yellow Chili. Watch this space for more!

L’Oreal Go 360 Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser Review

2013-10-19T04:12:00.001-07:00

Hola people! How have you guys been doing? Here’s our first product review. This is what I’ve been using for the past few months.

Let’s see what L’Oreal claims about the product –

Go 360° Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser is L’Oreal’s most powerful acne-fighting formula with The Scrublet™. This super-soft, flexible cleansing disc applies the cleanser with 500 extra-supple touch points that gently glide across the skin. Go 360° Clean Anti-Breakout is specially formulated with 4 key ingredients:

• 2% Salicylic Acid – a beta-hydroxy acid that causes the cells of the epidermis to exfoliate more readily to open clogged pores and remove bacteria. the result: penetrates pore by pore to help clear breakouts and prevent future ones

• ER195 LHA – a proprietary and internationally patented molecule that provides micro exfoliation; leaves healthy skin intact while sloughing off dead skin cells

• Glycerin – a humectant that deeply hydrates skin; ensures that the formula is effective but gentle, not over-drying or stripping the the skin

• Menthol – a refreshing ingredient that creates an invigorating sensation, leaving skin feeling fresh and clean

Break free of breakouts with this clear complexion secret!

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (2% Acne Treatment)

Other Ingredients: Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Coco Betaine, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract (Peppermint), PEG 150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Zinc Gluconate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid), Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Pentasodium Ethylenediamine Tetramethylene Phosphonate, Menthol, Polyquaternium 47, Fragrance

The Eating Beauty’s Say–

I have been using this cleanser for about 3 months now. One bottle of 178 ml will usually last about 4-5 months for one person. The reason I bought this product is the cute little thing in the middle of the bottle, what they call a scrublet. It’s soft, and doesn’t irritate the skin. It works wonders on the skin, and can be used daily (or even twice daily) unlike face scrubs. The consistency of the cleanser is a little runny, and it is transparent without any excess perfumed fragrance. The cleanser is stronger than a facewash, so can be used for make-up removal as well (although I still recommend a make-up remover made especially for that purpose. Review coming soon! :P #shamelessselfpromotion) The product contains 2% salicylic acid, which does help combat breakouts, but may over-dry the skin for many people. The menthol in the product is refreshing, and leaves the face with a cool feeling.

In a nutshell –

PROS of L’Oreal Go 360° Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser:

• Controls breakouts.

• The scrublet is really soft.

• Economical. One bottle lasts for 4-5 months.

• Removes make-up better than other face-washes.

CONS of L’Oreal Go 360° Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser:

Not suitable for people with dry skin
Does not completely get rid-off acne. Don't substitute it for your skin specialist.
Is not a very effective make-up remover
May give rise to slight tingling sensation, although that occurs with any product containing salicylic acid.

Cost – INR 399/-

The Eating Beauty Recommends –

· Usage of this product two times daily, as an oil balancing face-wash

Useful for oily/combination skin

· Usage of other make-up removers for the purpose

· Weekly use of a scrub for effective exfoliation

· Use of a moisturizer after cleansing to get rid of the dryness.

TEB rating – 4/5 for being an economical, effective face-wash.

Review: Kapils Salon and Academy

2013-10-12T05:58:00.001-07:00

What they say about themselves - We are a chain of Salons equipped with internationally skilled experts. We are trendy and innovative unisex salon that caters to all age group and genders. We have branches all over Mumbai.

What I think about them –

Cost - Decent, with clean-ups and hair-cuts starting from as low as INR 250, and can go upto INR 800 or above depending upon the add on masks and bleaches.

Ambience – This is probably the best part of Kapil's Salons. All their branches have spic and span interiors, clean towels, properly functioning lights and comfortable chairs.

Service – Ah! Now there could be a discussion. The service is average, with many staff being typical Indian women taunting you every chance they get. While the hair-cut or clean-up itself is good and reasonably priced, I hate that I have to talk to those females and listen to them ridiculing a paying customer. Up-Selling products is fine by me, but doing it in a degenerative manner isn't how to go about it. Need examples? I’ll give you three based on recent experiences.

1. Me – "Mere baal mein thoda dandruff hai. Hair wash ke liye aapka anti dandruff shampoo use karna please."

Service Assistant (Khushi, at Thane, Viviana mall)– "Thoda? Madam aapko bahut zyada dandruff hai. Aap hamari therapy kyun nahi le leti?"

2. Me – "So I would like to avail the free insta clean-up.

Service Assistant (Sapna, at Thane, Viviana Mall) – "Aapko acne hai, skin puri tanned hai aur pores pure khulle pade hai. Aapko D-tan facial and bleach ki zarurat hai. Isse kuch fayda nahi hoga aapka."

Me – :Haan par ab toh aap woh wala hi kar do. Baad mein dekhenge."

Service Assistant – "AS YOU WISH" (and storms out of the room!!!)

3. (Getting a manicure done)

Service Assistant (At Borivali west) – "Kya karti hain aap, madam?"

Me – "Main MBBS kar rahi hu, JJ hospital se.

Service Assistant – MBBS kar rahi ho and aapke haathon ka khayal rahi rakhti? Kisne banaya aapko MBBS?" (With special emphasis on the word MBBS)

Jeez! Now that is what I call a taunt. Do I pay you for calling me these things?

Last two times, I was not even provided with tea/coffee/tang, which is something I look forward to at Kapils. Why? Because I am already a member and I have prepaid for my services?

While they should tell me my skin and hair problems and suggest services for the same, taunting me is not the way to do it. And passing comments on what path I’ve chosen as a career is definitely not acceptable.

We go to salons and spas and spend big bucks not only to look good, but also to feel good. The service, the beverages, the ambience, the very temporary blow dry, they are all designed to make us feel a million dollars while we are there, and for a short time thereafter. With Service Assistants passing comments like that, my ego is hurt and my inner goddess looks for potholes in the ground to bury herself in.

The Eating Beauty’s final verdict – No, I won’t go there again. I’ll go until all my prepaid services are over, and then I’ll hunt for more welcoming salons.

Foodie Review: The Irish House, Phoenix Market City, Kurla, Mumbai

2013-10-09T09:53:00.001-07:00

And we're back with another Foodie review on TheEatingBeauty!

This time, we decided to head down to Mumbai's biggest mall, Phoenix Market City, Kurla, to check out The Irish House.

The interiors are nice, with some funny quotes and antiques on the walls.

The staff were helpful, but boy is the music L-O-U-D!!!
There's usually a match running off the projector in case you are looking to catch a game with your mates.

The menu is varied, with the starters being the most extensive of the courses available. Pretty good if you need to snack with your drinks.

Link: Menu on Burrp.com

We started off with the 'Irish Sergeant Potato Skins' which might not sound tempting, but trust us, this baked potato stuffed with corn and cheese is amazing. There's nothing that compares to the feeling of warm melted cheese on your tongue!

We decided to try the "Irish" specials, and went for an 'Irish Princess', which is basically an in-house take on a Pina Colada.

Bewarned, they do NOT have a washroom within the premises, so be prepared to wind your way up to the mall's washroom for a break.

For the main course, the option to try the Make-YourOwn-Pasta was tempting, but we decided to try their 'Drunken Fettuccine', basically ribboned pasta in tequila, and veggies in creamy sauce.
Nothing exciting though, either in quantity or taste.

Dessert time!! The Dark & White Irish Chocolate Torte was recommended to us, and it wasn't a disappointment, but it was nothing to write home about either.

Overall, don't go there for the food specifically, its just a place to chill with the guys and catch a big game on-screen, with a pitcher of beer!

Approximate Cost for two (without alcohol): Rs. 1800

TheEatingBeauty Rating:

Ambience -> B-
Service -> B
Menu -> B+
Taste -> B
Value for Money -> B
Overall -> B-

Mini-Photoshoot : Fashionophilia.

2013-10-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Fashion - One small word that has made women go weak in the knees.

Fashion - One small word that has made many men go down on one knee.

Fashion - The reason I chose to subscribe to a beauty product service with the last of my hard-saved pocket money, instead of spending it on ‘The Handbook of Clinical Examination in Paediatrics’.

Nothing can lift up a woman’s mood more than a shopping spree. For me, it’s a shopping spree followed by a photo-shoot. :D I love dressing up for hours together, picking up those liners and mascaras, glossing up that pout and adding that little bit of pink to my cheek-bones. Every cell in my body does the hula-hoop when the photos look every penny’s (and every hour's) worth in the end.

I believe that even a few well-chosen accessories can provide that extra edge to any outfit. Whether we are talking about a well-contrasted belt, elegant jewelry or a simple scarf snugly curled around a handbag, these small details work together to create an ensemble that expresses your style and who you are.

Lastly, it’s all about the attitude. I remember one of my favourite quotes by Oscar de la Renta, which said -

"Walk like you have three men walking behind you."

The Look-
Dress: Global Desi (INR 1899)
Heels: Catwalk (INR 1495)
Accessories: Navanya (Earrings - INR 99, Bangle - INR 149)

Photography by VJ

Foodie Review: Pizza Express, Colaba, Mumbai

2013-10-06T06:23:00.005-07:00

Pizza Express is part of a global chain of restaurants specializing in pizzas. Located near the Gateway of India in Mumbai, it is the perfect spot for a meal after a boat ride at the Gateway.

The menu was deliciously tempting and yet had enough variety to make our mouths water.
Link: Menu on Burrp.com

The open kitchen was a nice sight, and the staff were extremely helpful in helping us choose.

The starters menu consisted mainly of breads and bruschettas.
We began with the Dough Balls, a Pizza Express exclusive. These were soft, warm, and garlic sauce went well with it. We recommend you finish it off before it cools down!!

The Bruschetta Piccante (on the right) was pretty decent.

Though we were tempted to try a pasta, we were eager to try the Pizza, and hence went right for it.
For the main course we went with a mixed-pizza, i.e., a pizza with two different halves. Which was perfect in helping us try two different pizza types at the price of one.
The (Tandooi) Apollo and Pollo Ad Astra were the winners in our eyes.

It was extremely thin (in a good way), toppings were appropriate, cheese content was just perfect (unlike standard Pizza chains who sometimes overdo it).
The Pollo Ad Astra was heavenly due to the sweet peppadew pepper toppings.

Drinks available included wines, spirits and beers, but we missed having the option of fresh juices.
We chose an Elderberry Belvoir Juice which was recommended to us by the staff. It was very nice, smooth as water, but with that extra fizz, and mild elderberry aroma.

(In case you can't get enough of it, and you'd like some at your abode, you can find various Belvoir Juices at Dolce Vita in Palladium, Phoenix Mills, Parel.)

For dessert , we were shown the options of the Banoffee Pie, Tiramisu, Chocolate Fudge and Cheesecake.
I usually judge a restaurant's quality of desserts by its cheesecake, so the choice was inevitable.

The cheesecake looked lovely, and had a rich taste, but was let down by the vanilla gelato served on the side.

If the dessert menu doesn't have the variety you seek, we'd recommend Cafe Moshe's, right opposite Pizza Express.

On the whole, a great experience, and a must try for pizza-connoiseurs!

Approximate Cost for two (without alcohol): Rs. 1500

TheEatingBeauty Rating:

Ambience -> A
Service -> A
Menu -> A+
Taste -> A+
Value for Money -> A
Overall -> A+

A Beauty Haul! :D

2013-10-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have been freelancing fashion articles for a blog for 3 years now. But then I thought, why not start my own?

What better than a huge gigantic beauty haul to kick-start my blog? :D

Yep! This is how my Saturday was. It started pretty badly because I woke up at 4 am to study for the exam at noon. I prayed to the Lord and left my house in a hurry. I must have prayed really hard, because the events that unfolded after that are follows -

1. The security guy handed me a courier on my way out. It was my September Vellvette bag.

2. Needless to say, the bag and all its contents were an absolute delight!

3. The exam went super well.

4. I attended the Vellvette event at Clarins, Palladium, Mumbai. Got 6 super samples to suit my skin type.

5. If the above wasn't enough, I shopped at Lush and Faces for a few products too.

6. Last, but definitely not the least, Sunday was an off! :D

Anyway, now that I'm done bragging about how awesome my weekend was, here are a few detailed pics.

Here's what Vellvette gave me -

1. Organic surge shine boost conditioner

2. A very cute travel-friendly brush/mirror combo.

3. Beauty UK eye shadow palette - Naked.

4. H2O plus Marine Calm Face Complex.

And this is what Clarins provided me with, again, thanks to Vellvette -

1. Gentle foaming cleanser.

2. Hydra Matte lotion.

3. Pure radiant mask.

4. SPF 40 sunscreen lotion.

5. Lotus face treatment oil.

6. Clarifying face toner.

Lastly, this is what my saved pocket money gave me -

1. Faces pressed powder compact.

2.Fresh Pharmacy face cleanser by Lush.

3. Atomic toothy tabs by Lush.

4. Veganese conditioner by Lush.

This indeed was just a trailer. Do wait for the entire movie in the form of reviews coming up this week. Many products are to-die-for and have provided me with amazing results in just about 2 days. Till then, thank you for reading this. Do drop in your comments. :)

The Eating Beauty is up!

2013-09-29T08:19:00.001-07:00

Eating Beauty - Every one of us can closely relate to at least one of these words. There’s the anorexic model walking the ramp, the man with a BMI of 32 found hogging on a Chicken Maharaja Mac, and then there’s us. People like you and me who struggle to find a balance between the two, while occasionally succumbing to that delicious burger. :D

Just how life is meant to be about sugar, spice and everything nice, this blog takes it to another level of fashion, food and everything fine.

Expect contributions from fashion junkies, friend-certified foodies, and even the wannabe-anorexic model! : P: P: P

Enjoy our posts and do follow us on Facebook @TheEatingBeauty.

Cheers!