Maybelline Color Show Glitter Mania Review:

Hey my lovelies! How are you all doing? I had this party where I was wearing a golden yellow kinda dress and I needed something glittery golden for my nails! And then I saw this ad on TV where Alia Bhatt was flaunting her beautiful sparkly nails. That was it. It looked so pretty that I had to buy one. Here's what my dress looked likee

This was a perfect occasion to wear Maybelline Color Show Glitter Mania in the shade 'All that glitters"!. Ok so now moving on to the review:

The color is light golden with some silver sparkles in it. For a full coverage I hade to apply two coats of the shade. It feels quite uneven and gritty on nails due to liquid sand technology but if that kinda bothers you, apply a clear nail polish over it for a smooth effect. 
Another plus point was its staying power. It stayed on a good 4 to 5 days on my nails which is quite impressive. It did not chip and even after 4 days the color was quite fresh. Only the tips of my nails looked a bit faded. Its such a party wear shade and a must have since we all have goldens and silvers in our wardrobe. We all know that removing glitter nail paints from our nails can be quite challenging! But to my surprise, this one came off quite easily. So overall I love it and there is not a single reason not to repurchase it. Maybelline color show glitter mania comes in a variety of colors and I am pretty excited to try them also! This is how it looks like:

Hope you guys enjoyed it. Whats your favorite shade from the range?

Love
Shikha 

Summer makeup Dos and Don'ts :

Hey everyone! How are you guys doing. Today I am gonna discuss some important Dos and Don'ts for summers. With the change in season we need to constantly alter our makeup products. Here I am not just talking about the products we use, but also the technique in which we use them. Only some small tweaks here and there, and you are ready to face the summer beautifully. Here's what you should keep in mind.

1. Less is more:

With the hot climate taking a toll on our skin, you don't wanna go over board with excess makeup. Just do not forget that less is more. Summer makeup should be kept as natural as possible. So before dabbing that foundation on your face, try to keep it as minimal as possible. The more you try, the more it shows. Remember the key word is to look 'effortless'.

2. Dont forget to change your lip products:

Its not only our nails, or eye shadows that need to be changed, our lip products too need a change. I like to use gloss and stains for summers. They look so cool and have a more of a summery feel to them. Lip butters also are a great option.

3. Dont forget your sunscreen:

A good sunscreen is a must have for summers. Also choose makeup with SPF in it. SPF is important all year round but you just cannot skip it in summers. You just can't! Choose one which suits your skin type and carry it with you always. And dont forget to reapply it every 4 hours.

4. Exfoliate often:

This is a very crucial step in summer skin care. Do make sure to hydrate but hey keep in mind that slathering on the moisturizer wont do any good to dull skin, if it is not exfoliated. you can also use a sugar and salt scrub in the shower to slough away dead skin cells.

I hope these tips were helpful. 
Be confident to step your best foot forward this summer. 

Love 
Shikha
 

Loreal Paris Casting creme gloss-400 dark brown review:

Hey all my lovely ladies. Today I decided to review the hair color from Loreal casting creme gloss range in the color dark brown. I am a big fan of this range primarily because it is quite convenient to use and it always turns out to be okay! Plus they have a variety of colors to choose from. I have brownish black hair so I picked up shade 400 that is dark brown. Now you might ask how is it? Well for starters their claim of conditioning color is totally up to the mark as my hair were left feeling so soft and smooth after the application.

This hair color has made my hair super glossy, soft and voluminous! One thing which I absolutely love about it is the fragrance. You can smell it even when you open the box! The pack contains 1 tube of creme colourant, 1 bottle of developer, 1 bottle of nutri shine conditioner, 1 pair of professional quality gloves and an instruction leaflet.

I have a few grey hair and it actually DID cover all my greys. I kept it for around 20 mins and then washed it and used the conditioner which you get with this. The result was glossy beautiful hair with no greys! This is pretty much what I wanted. The color lasts for a good 30 days after which you need to reapply! I have got a lot of compliments in my office ever since I said YES to hair color! This is one product which I would definitely repurchase! Here are the results!

And

So this is my hair color at present. Which is your favorite hair color at the moment?

Love
Shikha

Makeup essentials when you are on a holiday:

Hey everyone! Most of us have the same problem: An over flowing makeup bag stuffed with 'n' number of beauty products but no clue exactly what to do with all of these. I travel a lot and my main concern is to pack my makeup bag carefully so that I dont end up packing all the unwanted stuff! So here's a list of things which I think is really crucial to find a place in your makeup bag. 

1. Foundation:

This is one absolute must have while you are traveling. It will even out your skin and mask all the imperfections of your face. Choose a foundation according to your skin type. While traveling , you can skip taking along makeup brushes. This way you save space. Simply dab the foundation on your face and use your fingers to blend well.


2. A natural blush:

This is another must have and can make you look as if you are blushing. Choose a light shade for a more natural look and consider skipping any shimmers. Just apply a small amount on the apple of your cheeks and you are ready to go! 

3. An eyeliner:

A good quality eyeliner is very essential and the best thing is that it occupies minimal space in your makeup kit! I love to use a black kohl pencil on my lower waterline because it makes my eyes look more lively. For your upper eyelid you can use a black eyeliner but if you want a softer look I suggest go in for brown or light purple! 

4. Sunscreen:

It does not matter where you are going or how mild the sun is, sunscreen is a staple for a holiday makeup bag! After all you do not want to end up with a sun burn on a holiday! So before stepping out grab a nice sunscreen according to your skin type and use it generously on all your exposed body parts. 

5. Cleansing:

Shopping, dancing, site seeing, music, fun and frolic are a few words to describe a holiday! After all this hectic schedule treat your skin with a good cleansing cream. Choose a cleanser which is mild yet effective in taking away all the impurities from your face and removes your makeup gently! So before hitting the bed, use a cleanser for a squeaky clean face. 
These were some beauty must have when you are on a holiday. Happy holidaying everyone!

Love
Shikha 

5 easy tips to avoid your makeup from fading:

Hey all you lovely ladies. Everyone wants to look fresh and beautiful but this hot weather is taking a toll on our looks! We all know that our  makeup can fade away very quickly, making us look dull. What is needed is some simple tips and tricks to make our makeup look intact and fresh in spite of this hot weather. After all whats the point in investing in good quality costly makeup which fades away quickly. Here I share with you some tips to prevent your makeup from fading!

1. Wash your face to begin with:
 This is a crucial step to long lasting makeup. You wanna start fresh and choose a cleanser according to your skin type. If you have oily or combination skin then you want to make sure that there is absolutely no oil on your face else there is no point in doing makeup on oily face! So first things first , wash your face properly.

2. Prime your face:
Ok we all know this and there is nothing new to it. But what surprises me is that although we all know this, but we don't really follow it. I mean not all of us invest in a good quality primer! I suggest, go in for a good primer for your face which will even out your skin tone and help your makeup last longer. Try to choose one which contains sunscreen. The purpose of doing all this is not only long lasting makeup but it also creates a barrier between our skin and makeup thereby preventing our pores from getting clogged! So go ahead and grab one good quality primer today!

3. Use oil free makeup:
When you are trying to figure out ways to prevent your makeup from fading try to use oil feel formulas. These last longer and keep your skin matte. After applying your foundation, lightly dust it with powder to lock it all in. 

4. Set your eyeliner:
One thing which I cannot live without is my eyeliner and I love to use it on my waterline! But one drawback is that it hardly stays there and fades away quickly. If you face the same problem then I have a handy tip for you. First line your waterline with an eyeliner and then set it with a powder eyeshadow in similar shade. What it does is, it makes your eyeliner last longer and there is no need for touch ups!

5. Blending is the key to long lasting makeup:
Take your time to blend your makeup well. This not only makes it look better but also helps the makeup last longer. Blending hlps to ensure that your makeup bonds and gives you hours of wear! So next time do not forget to blend.

And lastly do not forget to lock it all up using a good makeup spray! So these were some simple tips I like to use in order to prevent my makeup from fading. I hope they were helpful.What are your favorite tips?

Love
Shikha

Lakme 9 to 5 Mattifying Super sunscreen review:

Hey my lovelies. With summer in full swing one MUST have product is a good sunscreen. I have tried a lot of sunscreens because I have sensitive skin which gets irritated very easily. So I have to be super cautious while trying anything new on my face. Initially I was a bit skeptical about Lakme 9 to 5 Mattifying super sunscreen but one of friends strongly insisted on trying it out. So I gave into the temptation of trying this and here is my experience on this much hyped product. So lets directly get onto the review now.

 What the product claims:

Lakme 9 to 5 Mattifying Super Sunscreen SPF 50 PA+++ broad spectrum UVA UVB is a feather light formula which when layered below your 9 to 5 makeup sets up your 9 to 5 look for the day. Dermatologist tested, non comedogenic, and hypoallergenic.

My take on Lakme 9 to 5 Mattifying super sunscreen:

The packaging is not very innovative and is simply a peach colored plastic bottle with a regular golden cap. It comes with a pump which is quite easy to use and carry. Nothing fancy!
Ok now moving on to the sunscreen. It is white in color and has a lingering fragrance which is quite soothing and pleasant. Being quite a light weight sunscreen it gets readily absorbed in the skin. One thing I love about it is that it does not leave your skin feeling oily or heavy. It is mattifying (as you would have guessed it from the name) and gives a clear and non oily look to your face. 
It has 50 PA+++ SPF which means your skin is protected from the harmful rays of the sun! But like most other sunscreens you definitely need to reapply it after 4 hours. But hey wait, doesnt it claim 9 to 5 protection? Well yes it does but does not really live up to the claim. Hmmm having said that I like the product but I am not sure if I would repurchase it though!
Here are some swatches:                   

 

After rubbing it looks like this:

 

 
 Have you tried it out yet?

Love 
Shikha

Lakme Absolute Gloss Addict Pink Temptation Review:

Hey all my beautiful ladies. The latest lipstick coming from the house of Lakme Is Absolute Gloss Addict which I am quite excited to review here. As we all have seen in the advertisement, it is quite glossy and super shiny. But does it actually deliver those awesome results as seen on the TV? Read on to find more..

What it claims:

Join the gloss revolution! Get addicted to the best of both worlds – Incredible hi-shine of a liquid lip gloss & one stroke application of a lipstick. Introducing Lakmé Absolute Gloss Addict: Created by backstage Experts at Lakmé Fashion Week for Runway-Ready lips in 15 Glamorous Shades! Lakmé Reinvent.
Price: INR 800

My take on the product:
The new Lakme Gloss addict comes in a pretty and chic packaging and is quite easy to carry which makes it quite travel friendly. I would describe the shade as a bubblegum pinkish shade with lots of gloss to it. The pink is cool tone and will flatter fair skin tones and if you are on the duskier side you may wanna skip buying this. This lipstick glides on pretty smoothly and has a gorgeous shine to it. One thing I love about this lipstick is that it is very moisurizing! It nourishes your lips and you are left with a feeling of soft and supple lips. It is highly pigmented and one stroke is enough for that glossy effect. It stayed on for a good 3.5 hrs on me.

 

  So whats your favorite shade this summer?

Love 
Shikha

Five easy ways to brighten your eyes instantly:

1. White Eyeliner:

Using a white eyeliner is an effective way to brighten your eyes and make them look bigger! You may wanna start with a bone colored pencil, placing it rite in the inner corner of your eye. This is probably the easiest trick to brighten your eyes and make them look fresh.

 
2. Conceal your dark circles:

A lot of us have dark under eye area which we must conceal in order to make our eyes look fresh. This is because dark under eye make us look tired. So start by choosing a right foundation for your skin tone and mask those dark circles. You may also want to consider a good concealer for the same. One important point to be kept in mind is that do not forget to blend it well. You dont wanna make your eyes look cakey.

3. Use a hint of shimmer:

You can also consider using shimmer for your eyes to make them look fresh! I am not talking about using glitters but a hint of shimmer will definitely do the trick. Just go in for your favorite shade of eye shadow and swipe it along your lid to get that BRIGHT effect!

4. Use a pink blush:

There is some sort of co-relation between using a pink blush and bright eyes! I mean just try it for yourself and you will feel the difference. Take your pink blush and place it right on the apple of your cheeks. You will notice how it makes your face look fresh and brightens your eyes. I mean there is no harm in trying. Right?

5. Curl your lashes:

This is one very crucial step in making your eyes appear brighter and bigger. Curling your lashes make them look fuller and longer and lifts your eyes. All you have to do is curl your eye lashes using a good eye lash curler and apply 2 coats of mascara to it. Remember not to overdo the mascara as this may make your eyes look smaller.

 
So ladies, these were some simple tips and tricks to brighten your eyes. What's your favorite trick?

Love
Shikha 

My absolute favorite lipstick this summer!

Hey my lovelies! Hope you all are doing good. Today I am gonna share with you my favorite shade of lipstick this summer which is MAC Shy Girl cremesheen. It is a soft beige peach with a hint of pink. It has a soft white shimmer and reflective sheen to the finish. The best part is that the color is not too warm so it can flatter a variety of skin tones.

This is what it looks like

It gives a nice full color coverage and a supple shine. I wont call it totally opaque as you can see hint of lip freckles underneath.  It glides on smoothly and stays on a good 4 hour on me. I totally love the fact that it compliments a lot of skin tones! MAC Shy Girl is a good shade for summers and I just LOVE it. Here are some swatches:

Some more

and

Which is your favorite shade this season? 

Love
Shikha

Amazing homemade face masks for your skin in summers:

With a whooping rise in temperature our skin is becoming dull and lifeless! There are so many products available in the market but nothing can really beat the freshness and glow offered by homemade face masks. I really love to use simple and natural tips and tricks when it comes to my skin. If you are like me and dont like applying all those harsh chemicals on your skin and want to go natural, then this article is just for you. Here I have listed some very easy face masks and packs which will rejuvenate your skin and add that much desired extra glow. Just try them once and you will instantly notice the difference.

1. Cucumber face pack for oily skin:

Cucumber is packed with a lot of vitamins like Vit A,E and C. It is a good source of luteins and carotenes. These act as anti oxidants and fight against reactive oxygen species (responsible for aging). I like cucumber for my skin as it is non irritating to my sensitive skin. It offers a cool and refreshing sensation. Ok here is what you can do: Take 1 tbsp of turmeric powder, half cup cucumber pulp and 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix these well and apply on your face for 10-15 minutes. Wash with water and see the difference.

 

2. Rose face mask for combination skin:
If you have combination skin then you should try rose face mask. It is perfect for balancing the oily and dry areas of your skin. All you have to do is take 5 fresh rose petals, 3 tbsp rose water, 1 tbsp yogurt and 1 tbsp honey. Soak the rose petals for some time and crush them. Mix with rose water, yogurt and  honey. Leave it on for 15 mins and rinse. This will leave your skin feeling fresh and supple.

3. Yogurt face mask for dry skin:
This face mask is perfect for dry or irritated skin. Take 1 cup natural yogurt and add half a cup oatmeal to it. If you have dry skin add honey else add lemon juice to this mask and keep it on for ten mins. Wash off with luke warm water. It gives a nice glow to your face and soothes your skin. 

 
Hope you will try these simple face masks at home. Dont forget to send me your feedbacks. 
Love 
Shikha
 
 

Quick tips to make your nails grow faster and stronger!

We all want well groomed nails which look beautiful, but for some reasons they just wont grow at the desired rate. Here are some easy yet effective tips and tricks for all of you to grow your nails quickly. Lets get started!

1. You need to understand that our nails are made of keratin which is a protein also present in our hair. So for healthy and strong nails you must have food rich in protein such as eggs and beans. This will not only give you strong nails but also healthy hair!

2. Dont forget to regularly trim your nails to get rid of any weak part. 
Another useful tip which I would like to share with you is apply petroleum jelly on your nails and cuticles before going to bed. 

3. Apply Olive oil to your nails in order to moisturize them. Dry and dull nails are easily prone to breakage. I like to take a few drops of olive oil and rub it gently between my palms and nails. This instantly softens my hands and imparts a healthy shine to my nails.

 
4. Avoid biting and scratching your nails:
Sometimes people tend to bite their nails when they are worried, bored or just like that. If you are one of them then STOP this immediately. 
 Not only is it unhealthy, it also makes your nails very weak and brittle. 

5. Go easy on water:
If you are constantly in water your nails may become weak and fragile. They will tend to break easily. Nails are porous and absorb water. So thoroughly dry them with a hand towel to prevent breakage.

 
So these were some easy tips to get strong and beautiful nails. I hope you will keep these in mind. For more tips feel free to comment and subscribe. 

Love 
Shikha

One hair care product which you must try:

 Hey my lovelies! This hot weather is taking a toll on our skin and hair. My hair are becoming super frizzy these days. I tried a lot of products (literally) but none could really tame my tresses! Then I came across this wonderful product from Matrix named Opti Care smoothing shampoo and conditioner. And let me tell you, this was the answer to my hair problems. This is how it looks like:

What the product claims:

Opti.care smooth and straight is a professional haircare line formulated to help control and smooth chemically straightened hair. It is enriched with silk amino acids and Shea Butter to help protect, condition and moisturize for healthy looking, silky, shiny hair.
This is what i feel about the product:
Matrix Opti Care SHAMPOO:

Lets talk about the shampoo first. It comes in a beautiful orange bottle with a flip open cap. The shampoo is white in color and has an amazing fragrance. It cleans your scalp very nicely and leaves your hair feeling nice and fresh. But wait , the STAR product is the conditioner! You must use it for that anti frizz and smooth effect.

The Opti Care conditioner:

I absolutely LOVE it! Just take a small amount on your palm and apply on wet hair (avoiding the scalp). You will instantly feel its smooth and silky effect. Once you rinse it off, you will notice a HUGE difference. At least whenever I use it I feel tangle free and frizz free hair with a lovely gloss effect(which lasts for at least two days). 
After washing and conditioning my hair looks like this:

Will I repurchase it?
YES, off course I will. It has made my frizzy hair so manageable that I cant resist touching my hair all day LOL. I would definitely recommend it to all of you. 

LOVE 
Shikha 

5 ways you are ruining your health without even realizing it!

In the quest of a perfect body or a successful career you might be doing some things which could potentially damage your health and you might be completely unaware of these. After all who doesnt want a perfect body and those oh-so awesome curves! Most of us are so busy in making money that we hardly get any time for our health, forget a perfect body! But here are some useful tips which can keep in mind all day to get a healthier lifestyle. If you are guilty of any of these, its time to look back and think as to what you need to do in order to get a healthy life.

1. You simply dont eat enough:
Do you agree with this "You dont eat enough!". This may be due to fear of calories or it could be due to lack of time! Whatever be the reason it may damage your health a lot. Not eating enough may cause pre mature aging and even digestive issues. So starting from today just take care of this point that you must eat and eat healthy I would say to increase your work productivity.

2.You are working overtime everyday:

We all have to meet our goals and sometimes we tend to forget that we need to take good rest and sleep properly to increase our work effeciency. Are you always working overtime and taxing your body way to much? Ask yourself and if the answer is YES then take a break step back and give yourself some well deserved rest. 

 3. You might be skipping your veggies!

Eating processed food may literally ruin your health. Nothing can be better than fresh vegetables and the good thing is that you can eat them as much as you like without gaining weight. So learn to love your veggies and you will remain healthy and happy!

4. Water Water Water!

This is one very important thing which you might be forgetting but is very important. Water! It keeps you hydrated, energized and improves your skin's texture! So next time you are thirsty opt for water instead of other drinks. 

5. Anger and stress!
You might be carrying  alot of anger and stress with you. Trust me, this can ruin your work efficiency and deplete your energy! Just let go off all the negative thoughts and anger and try to focus on your goals. This will not only increase your ability to work but will also keep you happy and stress free.

  Keeping these simple points in mind can help you to improve your health and lead a happy life. Hope that was helpful.

Love
Shikha