Sunday 30 April 2017

Oriflame Eco Beauty Face Cream Review (Product Code: 32199)

Indulge your skin with the best nature has to offer. Oriflame has sourced some of the finest natural and organic ingredients, with all vitamins and nutrients preserved, for naturally healthy and radiant skin and name it ECOBEAUTY.

About Ecobeauty:
This range consists of complete skin care package namely Cleaning Milk, Toner, Face Crea, Eye Cream and Serum. EcoBeauty is the most natural, ethical and environmentally responsible product range that the brand has ever created. All products are of natural or certified organic origin. Each Ecobeauty product contains two key ingredients that have been carefully selected for their unique effects on the skin. Because of the gentle extraction process, the essential vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids are kept intact.

I'm reviewing Ecobeauty Face Cream today. EcoBeauty Face Cream is certified by Fairtrade and it contains no silicons, mineral oils or synthetic fragrances and Paraben. 
Product claims:
Intensely hydrating cream nourishes your skin with Arctic Lingonberry and Sea Buckthorn Seed Oils. Infused with natural oils rich in antioxidants, Vitamin E and essential fatty acids to replenish skin. The result? Softer, smoother and brighter skin.
Ingredients:Lingonberry and Sea Buckthorn Seed Oils are rich in two fatty acids which the body cannot produce naturally. These fatty acids are essential to healthy skin and help hydrate skin. Lingonberry and Sea Buckthorn Seed Oils also contain Vitamin E, thus helping to offer antioxidant protection to your skin! So bid farewell to tired-looking eyes and say hello to a smoother, brighter skin with EcoBeauty Face Cream and Eye Cream.

Price: 1699 for 50 ml 

Ecobeauty cream comes in a handy pump dispenser bottle. The bottle has beautiful Lingonberry plant printed on it that is one of the key ingredients other than Sea Buckthorn. It's quite effortless to take out the product from bottle.
This white colored cream is actually a superfood for skin. The key ingredient Lingonberry seed oil extract used in the formula is loaded with vitamin C, provitamin A, B, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and Omega-3 fatty acids in great quantity. All of these are directly inflential for maintaining normal functions of skin cells. The regular use of the cream reduces skin sensitivity, and promotes tissue regeneration. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, the cream works to soothe the skin irritation. The fatty acids present in the formula improve the appearance of the skin, reduce water loss and offers a more moist, less dry skin. Sea Buckthorn Seed extract has healing and rejuvenating effects on the skin and works like a great cleanser.
The cream is too light to absorb in a matter of few second of massage. There is no white cast or shine left behind. My skin is loving the light-textured cream so much. The fragrance is a mix of floral and woody which is nice to inhale and short-staying. Though the packaging mentions it as a Day Cream, I've incorporated it in my night time skin care regime too and it's doing really well that way.
In long run, Oriflame Eco Beauty Face Cream is sure to improve the health of skin by enhancing hydration and elasticity. 

Wednesday 26 April 2017

Inspiring My Students Disney Style

I've completed 15 years of being in Teaching profession this month (on 7th April) and in all these years, I explored so many new skills that I never knew I had in me.

I've been designated the Wardenship for the first time in this new academic session and I'm expected to enforce certain rules and regulations at the institution. In this process, one of my responsibility was to motivate the students by putting up some thoughtful ideas on the bulletin board at the corridor passage from where the students walk towards their respective classrooms.

Till date, I had seen and admired many of my colleagues exhibiting best of thoughts on this board, but what I had in my mind was something distinct than those strenuous quotes by famous personalities which the students of tender age find hard to relate. This Monday, I put up my bulletin board on the theme Disney and I was so joyous to find many students taking a halt near the board, reading and going ahead with a smile.

The idea was to present the simple yet inspiring dialogues of our favourite Disney characters that each of us should live by. So sharing with you how my board looked like...






I'm still waiting for the feedback of Head of the Institution on my idea to motivate students indirectly instead of imposing them to rote learning. But feeling happy that it is liked by those for whom it was created ;)


Tuesday 25 April 2017

How our kids are becoming the wind beneath our wings

For many of us, our dreams and aspirations tend to get buried because of our personal or professional responsibilities. I can attest to this as I have my own that were packed away and stored on a cupboard shelf for many years. My camera has been collecting dust for quite some time now as I put it away when motherhood became my priority. Other reasons like finances and time also played a vital role in its going into storage.

But sometimes Karma has a wonderful way of showing usthat we’ve not been forgotten and that we’ve done some good that will be repaid. It was my son who observed my secret obsession for photography and always admired my random clicks. He consistently complimented me on my pictures and unknowingly renewed my faith in my old hobby. My kids motivated me to brush up on my skills and also got me enrolled in an advanced photography course. I was amazed how much blind faith these kids had in me. Today, I can proudly say that my children helped me get back to my forgotten dream of photography.

After my kids did so much to ensure I was back on track with my DSLR, I started to notice similar encouraging cases with friends and family around me. While visiting a close friend recently I was surprised to find her house crammed with our neighborhood children, all engrossed in reading books. Naturally it piqued my curiosity and I was informed that it was my friend’s mother-in-law who had orchestrated the ‘event’. She explained that her mother-in-law always wanted to do something creative with children, but her financial situation didn’t permit and thus she opted for a more “traditional” desk-job that forced her to shelve her dream. I empathized with her.

Her children noticed how she loved to organise things for the kids in the building and made sure that it was always educational, as it was fun. She never did speak of her dream to work with kids, but noticing her actions and passion, her children continuously encouraged her to do more. With all the time on her hands post retirement, she started a small library in their home to which even her grandchildren contributed. She was apprehensive at first, feeling that supervising children might be a rather strenuous task, but her family didn’t let her quit. From making the right modifications to her diet to getting her to start brisk walks daily, they were by her side all the way. Soon she became a woman to reckon with inspiring a whole new generation of readers with a motto to #livenonstop.

Another instance of children supporting a rather unique dream of a parent was that of my uncle’s. On his 50th birthday, his children and wife gifted him a monogrammed music composition book as he announced he was taking up music as a hobby. He was quite surprised and overwhelmed with the wonderfully personalized and thoughtful gift. His perseverance toward his dream and his family’s support made it evident that keeping dreams alive is the key to ensure anyone can #livenonstop.

It may sound unlikely, but in these changing times, children are coming forward as staunch proponents of their parents’ ambitions. The world is definitely seeing a positive adaptation where children are introducing and exposing parents to various avenues of opportunity and success that they may have only dreamt of in their younger years.

As a parting thought, if your children care for your dreams, be thankful and proud that you raised such supportive individuals. And remember to #livenonstop without giving up till your dreams become a reality.

For more inspirational stories of people living nonstop, check out this interesting link. It will ensure that you’re inspired and motivated to fulfil those dreams you’ve neglected and #livenonstop.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd; however, the views shared in this article are my own.

Sunday 23 April 2017

Infuse Your Home With Elusive Aroma ft. MKC Diffusers

Probably no one can resist a 'good' smell, at least I cannot. When I ponder so much about the fragrance I wear on my body, isn't it obvious to catch on the equal endeavour to fill my home with irresistible aroma too. Well! my current obsession while building up a collection of aromatic product for our new home includes the Siddharth by MKC Reed Diffusers. Sounds like a new name?? Lemme introduce the brand...

Brand Info:
Every space needs a little something more. To give your personal haven that sensory upgrade, Siddharth by MKC brings their selection of aromatic fragrances which brings the essence of the choicest ingredients for that invigorating experience. Siddharth by MKC is where retail therapy meets ethical, cultural and aesthetic values. All the indulgence, none of the guilt.

To begin with, the MKC diffusers come in 'classy' packaging. The moment you open the box, you're 'in' for a visual and sensory treat for sure. A delightful fragrance and the octagonal diffuser bottle placed against a floral cutout will win your heart in the first sight. The box looks no less than a sophisticated gift-set.

Each of the MKC Diffuser box contains a clear glass decanter (bottle) filled with aromatic diffuser oil and 9 reed sticks. The cork fixed on the neck of the decanter keeps the fragrance intact until you start using it. I liked the little cards hanging next to the bottle that clearly reads the descriptors of fragrance that you smell upon using the diffusers.

These diffusers are easy to use, as you just need to place the reed sticks in the bottle so that it starts absorbing the aromatic oil. After a while, simply flip the sticks so that the dry side of the sticks is now immersed in the bottle while the wet side is up to naturally spread the fragrance into the air. This practice can be repeated as and when you wish to boost the intensity of fragrance and experience a luxurious atmosphere around you.

I received two of many available variants in Carnal and Ittar fragrances.
 Carnal 
Invigorating freshness spiked with white musk and precious woods. It is a modern scent that evokes power.
Top notes: Bergamot, Lemon
Heart notes: Lavender, Precious Woods
Base notes: White musk, Sandalwood
Ittar 
An ode to Jasmine Ittar - the favorite perfume of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
Top notes: Jasmine, Orange Blossom
Heart notes: Sweet Pea, Rose, Oakmoss
Base notes: Musk, Woody, Cinnamon
If you are looking for something convenient and practical to spread subtle, continuous fragrance throughout your place, then a diffuser might well suit you better than any other options like aroma candles or room sprays. 

I like using diffusers as these are a better and exciting alternative to aroma candles for the reason that I need not to keep an eye on burning candles while deciding an apt corner to keep a lit candle in my house and there is no melted wax spilled behind. I don't even need to use a burner to heat up the oils, the reed sticks do the job. These are absolutely handy if you prefer a unadulterated and long-lasting scent in your cozy abode.

Both the fragrances that I used are genuinely relaxing to welcome me back home after a tiring day. I've been a fan of woody aromas of late and the subtly evocative Carnal diffuser with a blend of Bergamot and precious woods makes me feel peaceful at heart. On the other hand, Ittar diffuser has gently sweet and refreshing Jasmine scent perfect for the season. The diffuser oil used in all MKC diffusers is alcohol-free to offer us a pure sensory pleasure. Without being overwhelming to senses, these perfectly balanced scents are elegantly comfortable to smell.
The brand presents a decent range of diffusers variants to appease you with captivating aromas like Oak, Mist, Dew, Nectar and Velvet. Order your preferred aroma at Rs. 1100/- each. And when you make a purchase, you feel glad that the brand contributes a share of every purchase towards funding for health and education of underprivileged.
These diffusers are not basically ornamental, but with their attractive shape and golden etching, they certainly make a stunning focal point for any room's decor. It also makes a lovely gift for your loved ones to leave a lasting impression.
I strongly recommend to use MKC diffusers in almost every environment including your home, workplace, hotel room or any personal space to promote holistic wellness with these aromatic products and discover the transformative power of essential oils used in its fine blends.

Monday 17 April 2017

Fuschia Garden Lavender Face & Body Invigorating Scrub Review

There is no specific time of the year when you need a good scrub for your skin. We all want to exfoliate our way to super soft skin always and forever. To give my skin a squeaky clean feel, I've using Fuschia Garden Lavender Face & Body Invigorating Scrub since a month or so. And I'm up with a review today...

Product Info:
Enriched with Lavender, this scrub acts as an astringent and controls acne breakouts. This scrub not only tones and soothes your skin but calms your senses.

Directions for use:
Apply the scrub to moist skin and rub it in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Ingredients:
Aloe Vera, Lavender Flower, Olive Oil, Wheat Germ Oil
Garden Lavender scrub is a gray colored scrub with blackish grains embedded within. It smells heavenly beautiful, all natural floral scent of Lavender without artificial perfumes. The first time, when I smeared it on my face, I left it on skin for next few minutes just to enjoy the refreshing smell. It felt like I've stepped into a luxury spa ;)
A look at the scrub gave the impression of a gritty texture, but it's really gentle on skin yet coarse enough to remove the dead skin. The essential oils used in the product make it a balanced formula not to cause excessive dryness. The scrub doesn't sting like some salt-based exfoliators, and makes a good choice specially for oily skin type. I recommend dry skin people layer up their skin with a good moisturizer or body oil after rinsing the skin.
Since the scrub can be used for face as well as body, it does a good job to prep your arms and legs for waxing session plus it works even better on my elbows and feet (mentioned many times in my posts that I'm extra caring for my feet). The rinsing and cleaning the product off my skin is not messy as it comes off easily. The quantity provided in a 100 gm pack would last really long as little quantity is enough.

In short, this scrub gets your skin surface free of all kinds of impurities resulting in a toned, smooth skin. To add to all this, the product is free of SLS, parabens, phthalates (means no side effects) What more do you ask for? So get one for yourself.

Sunday 16 April 2017

Glamour Home Delivered ft. MyGlamm

Good News for Chandigarh Tricity !!

Taking out time to go to the beauty salon is now a thing of the past. 

I introduce you to MyGlamm - a mobile app for on-demand salon services at your doorstep. Frankly, for the lazybones like me, the concept of home salon services is a boon. Why? Because most of the times, it hinders me to get myself indulge into some self-pampering when I cannot spare a few hours of travel to a GOOD salon in the city.

MyGlamm brings to you a range of premium salon and spa services right at the comfort of your home. They not only offer basic grooming like waxing, threading, facials, manicures and pedicures, but lets you avail more elaborate services like bridal makeovers, nail extensions, scalp treatments & relaxing spas without stepping out of your home. They use premium and professional products like Forest Essentials, Christine Valmy, L’Oreal, MAC and MoroccanOil to make sure you enjoy best-in-class services. The MyGlamm artists go through intensive training and strict background checks before being hired, that means they are skilled in their job. 
MyGlamm had been extending its services in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Indore, Mumbai, Pune, Udaipur, Jaipur since long and recently made a debut at Chandigarh. So I decided to have a one-to-one experience with the salon and today, after taking two consecutive sessions with them in a fortnight, I'm ready with my review on the services.

First Session:
In my first session, I booked for a Detan pack and L'Oreal Hair Spa. The artists (Duvij and Reema) arrived at my place about half an hour late due to extremely bad weather, but gave me a prior intimation over the phone that I really appreciate.

As soon as they arrived, they looked for the suitable place to make me seated comfortably and we chose the dining area due to proper lighting, table setup and closest electric point to plug-in their appliances. The floor under my chair was covered with water-proof tarpaulin sheet before the process began. The products to be used in the services were nicely laid on the table including fresh disposable sheets and gown. 
The hair spa was given to me by the male artist, while the female did my Detan service. It shows the salon makes sure that the clients don't feel uncomfortable while taking certain service by male artists.
The hair spa involved four essentials steps in the process - Shampoo, conditioning, hair mask and massage. But I was asked to rinse my hair thoroughly since I had washed my hair day before. The products used during the spa came from L'Oreal range only.
The head massage with Smoothing Creambath not only made my hair smell beautiful, but provided essential nutrients for the good health of my tresses. I liked the concept of carrying portable appliances along, just like the one that was used to give steam to my scalp. The Techni Art Liss Control serum and Inner Spa Scalp Treatment worked magical to control my unruly hair and keep them in place after I rinsed my hair. During the service, the artist kept on advising me with further more tips that I should/shouldn't follow to improve condition of my hair better. Great work!!
For the Detan service, just a treatment pack was used from brand Sara Cosmetics that had been a new name for me ;) But later I discovered that it's an organic product range. The pack gave a cooling sensation when on skin. The goodness of camphor and eucalyptus oil in the pack cleansed my skin and provided visible change on skin. 

Second Session:
After a satisfactory experience, I decided to go for another session in which I chose to take Forest Essentials Advance Facial. Artist Jyoti arrived with her bagful of items and set everything on the table next to my bed.
The facial began with cleansing followed by exfoliating. Jyoti recommended not to use steam on my for the fear of aggravating skin dryness and I agreed. The Advance facial not only involved manual massage, but the artist used an ultrasound machine on my face so that the product penetrates deeply into skin.
The lady had been really polite and inquired me frequently if her hand-pressure had been convenient to me during massage. I thoroughly enjoyed the back massage towards the end of process that relieved my aching muscles. My skin looked and felt supple n invigorated after the facial treatment.
Based my experience, I would say MyGlamm is doing wonderful job delivering an entire gamut of beauty services by trained therapists using branded products & serving you with a hygienic salon experience at the safe environment of your home. So, if you too are looking forward to pamper yourself with much-needed makeover or relaxing massage, I strongly recommend utilizing a service with them. You may book an appointment either via a phone call on toll free number 1800-103-1516 or using mobile app available on Android and iOS.
To know how to book an appointment with MyGlamm, check out the latest video
Now, it's the time for a quick contest...
To avail a FREE service from MyGlamm, head to my Instagram and check out the contest post. One winner will be randomly selected. Contest wraps up in two days.

All the best!!

Winner Update:

The winner name is announced on the contest post on Instagram. 

Nelf HD Triple Effect Makeup Review (Shade 04)

Hi friends

A few days back, I shared that Nelf Cosmetics is about o launch its 3D makeup products line soon. Also I had reviewed the Kissproof Lipcolor from this range last week. Today I've got a chance to talk about Nelf Triple Effect Makeup.
This product is basically meant for face makeup, but is a multi-functional product. The packaging and look of the product is similar to a Compact. It's a square kit in classic black color with white letters on it. No embellishment or adornments, just simple packaging; which I find quite decent. The product kit is enclosed in a black cardboard box externally.
The packaging opens into a dual-layered kit. The top opening has a mirror and the compact cake; while the bottom layer has a rectangular applicator sponge. The kit doesn't open loosely. It's easy-to-carry and travel friendly packaging.
The product is a creamy formula (don't confuse it with a powdered one). So the technique I follow to apply this is to use my finger for dotting the product on my face and neck & then blend it well using the sponge provided within the kit. I'm glad that the sponge has replaced the traditional puff that is better accompanied with powdered compact. The product would need little effort to blend properly, else looks patchy.
The compact that I received is in Shade 04 which looked slightly fairer for my skin tone when in the packaging, but upon application created a flawless base for further makeup. I primed my skin using Nelf Primer before using the product, otherwise my skin looks drier and too matte. Since the product is yet to be launched, I'm unaware of availability of other shades.
The reason why it is called a Triple Effect Makeup product is that it would serve as a concealer, foundation and compact. It effectively covers skin imperfections like light marks, blemish etc and stays put for 4-5 hours. I like using it for giving 'no makeup look' effect to my face for everyday purpose. But the women who love heavy coverage would also find it appealing.
To sum up, Nelf HD Triple Effect Makeup is a fabulous product to combine three functionalities into one step, especially when you're packing your stuff for travelling and wanna reduce your makeup kit's weight.
The product priced at Rs 825 is expensive as compared to some other good brands, but is worth a try if the shade is good to suit your skin tone.


Thursday 13 April 2017

Kick Start Your Day With 'Classic Coffee'

Nothing tastes better than a cup of coffee to kick start your day. I bet it's one of the beverage that charm us equally whether taken hot or cold. We've been brewing and drinking coffee in our home since years, but I believe relishing a cup of coffee is definitely about exceptional flavour that can come only from finest quality beans. What say!!

Classic Coffee takes pride to bring Premium grade coffees that originate from the verdant hills of Bababudangiri in Chikmagalur, and Sakleshpur in the Manjarabad region. The coffee experts at the Classic Coffee labs carefully analyse various attributes of green and roasted coffees including fragrance, aroma, size, body, acidity levels, flavour & finish.

The brand offers a unique palette of flavours and taste profiles ranging from hints of spice, fruity and floral notes. Every sip of these fine coffees tells the story of expertise in cultivating, picking, processing, milling, sorting and roasting of the magical beans. The brand has been kind enough to send me two of their most-loved blends in Classic Pride and Classic Mountain from Craft Coffee Range. 
Classic Pride, the epitome of Arabica and Robusta blend, comes in a tin container in green and deep red colour theme. The container depicts the lady plucking red ripe cherries at the estates and is truly fascinating. The container is certainly a reusable one with tight lid, so I'm gonna preserve it after I finish my coffee.
Classic Pride is the splendid culmination of the evolution of coffee aroma. The Arabica beans of Bababudan Hills are infused with the subtlety of Robusta beans to create a fragrance that is reminiscent of the lost art of coffee making.
A wholesome rounded cup of Classic Pride is punctuated with flecks of sweet acidity and topped with deep flavours of chocolate, caramel, nuts and malt. The underlying thread of bitterness accentuates the deep, yet fascinating mysteries of the cup - a must for early risers and as a final fill-up to a sumptuous meal. This variant is best brewed with South Indian Filter and is priced at Rs 395 for 250 gms.
Classic Mountain, the traditionally ingrained quality coffee, is a 100% Arabica offering. Every cup of this coffee tells a story of individually hand picked beans washed in clear mountain springs and sun-dried in pristine daylight.They are sealed in special bags to retain a distinctive natural flavour. The bags are further packed in beautifully decorated sacks with string fastening. 
Each cup promises an exquisite brew of an aromatic coffee balanced with subtle chocolate notes to take you through an inspiring day. Interestingly, this variant is also available in beans form. It is best brewed with Aeropress & Frenchpress styles and is priced at Rs. 290 for 200 gms.

Other than the brews I received, you may also lay your hands on their fruity, floral flavours under Premium Coffee Range consisting of Blaze (The Morning Blend), Matinee (Afternoon Blend), Sundower (Evening Blend), and Afterhours (Night Blend). 

Classic Coffee also educates the home-brewers about many delightful brewing techniques so that a delicious cuppa comes to your table in just the perfect proportion. So next time when you get yourself craving for a aromatic coffee, don't forget to check out Classic Coffee for pure indulgence.

You brew it strong or like it light,
Drink it in morning or sip in the night.
Classic Coffee unfolds mystery of the Cup,
And you know, with whom to curl up 💋