7 Ways to Ensure You Enjoy Your Diwali

Diwali is all about celebrations, happiness and a perfect time to enjoy with your loved ones. No matter what your age is, no one can escape from the merriment of the festival. To keep the celebratory spirit alive this year and always, we bring you the interesting ways to make your Diwali more enjoyable..

Forget your Calorie Count for A Day:
Delicious sweets are the best of perks that this festival has to offer ;) Be it your relatives, friends, colleagues or neighbours; you would love the smile on those faces when you exchange a box of sweets with them. And this smile gets really broader when you offer homemade sweets and savouries to your dear ones. Obviously, who doesn't appreciate the effort gone into preparing tasty delicacies made with love in our hygienic kitchen and show your concern by preparing some exclusive sugar-free recipes too that won't make you feel guilty of disturbing your calorie intake.

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Revamp Your Home Decor:
A spotless house is definite way to welcome Diwali under the clean air. Not just cleaning the house should be one of the mandatory rituals, but create a fresher ambiance for your home by re-arranging the furniture, switching to colourful curtains, cushion covers and bed covers. Getting your house decorated with flower arrangement is probably the best way to show your happiness.

Pass On Old Stuff To Charity:
After a thorough makeover of your house, you certainly find couple of old items that you won't like to use again. Instead of piling it up for some more years, it would be a noble gesture to donate such items to less-fortunate people who might utilize those to optimum usage. Go ahead inviting your neighbours or colleagues to initiate a 'donation drive' and collect few items each to pass on to some NGOs. I bet no joy can compare to the contentment of helping the needy ones.

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Create the things you wish existed:
Diwali is indeed the most favourable time to show your talent to everyone. Start planning in advance what you want to gift to others, how you want to decorate your space and what all material is available with you. Invest some quality time thinking what would be the most appropriate gift for others and start carving beautiful creations of your own. Welcoming guests with colourful motifs of Rangoli at the entrance of your house is one of the popular ways to exhibit your knack for creativity.

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Gift A Smile To Someone:
We all get so many boxes of sweets from our dear ones every year on Diwali!! This time, stack up extra packs of eatables, go out and distribute it to those didn't expect it ... like your society's watchmen or guards, your driver or your housemaid. Do not hesitate inviting them to join you in your firecracker session to brighten up their day. While you go out enjoying Diwali outdoors, just ensure your family stay protected from bugs and mosquitoes. Being a mother, I'm always worried for my child's protection when he is outdoors. And because of this festive season, he is spending most of his leisurely time playing all around leaving me more stressed. All thanks to my neighbouring friend, who introduced me to a 100% natural, outdoor repellent from Good knight Fabric Roll-On which is the perfect blend of Eucalyptus and Citronella Oil and does not have contact with the skin. When I learnt that the product is child-safe too, I decided to give it a try. It is the easiest way to stay protected from mosquitoes outdoors. Simply apply 4 dots on your child's clothes before he/she steps out and help him stay protected from mosquitoes for long hours. I'm so relieved that in my absence also, there is something that is protecting my child.

Be Easy on Noise:
Triumph of light over darkness is so gracefully achieved on the Diwali night when we all light up our house and locality with earthen diyas and candles. But do not let the 'festival of lights' turn into a 'festival of noise'. Pollution reaches a new level every Diwali, so make a pledge to burst less number of firecrackers this year and do something good for environment.

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Glorify the Festival:
After the entire splurge, house makeover and socializing with friends; it's a good way to end the day on a positive note. This Diwali, go an extra mile by paying a visit to underprivileged people at nearby orphanage or old age home to add fervour to someone's life who deserves to be equally happy on the festival. A small action of love is indeed the most heart-touching way to make a big difference to someone's lives.

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Well! that's the time to boost your festive spirits with enthusiasm. So let's bring a novelty in our traditional celebration this year by taking away darkness from someone’s life and end all things negative, coz the world needs more of happiness around :)

Wishing all my readers a Happy and Prosperous Diwali!

Oriflame Body Sprays Review-Love Potion, Rebel, Tenderly

Nobody wants to smell awful in public. Thank goodness for the countless options in fragrances, the task of keeping oneself smelling good is so much easier. Today's post talks about inexpensive body sprays from Oriflame that actually guarantee you will smell good. The reason why I'm reviewing more than one at a time is to recommend these according to the occasion it can be be worn for.

Tenderly, a girly pink coloured packaging gives me instant feminine feel. And when sprayed, it's a mild floral, fruity fragrance. It perfectly fits for an everyday office wear scent. The fragrance lingers on for 4-5 hours that is moderately long duration. It's ideal for wearing on occasions that call for fragrance that stays close to the skin and doesn't invite too much attention.

Love Potion body spray comes in the love-laced print in symbolic red with a hint of black. It's a sensuous scent that lives upto it's name to ignite feelings of love and passion ;) This scent radiates  around the wearer for fairly enough duration and the need to reapply rarely arises. Anyone who is partial towards powerful scents may go for it.

Rebel, the spray in a bold mauve coloured container sounds too catchy to me ;) It's a masculine kind of scent; but somehow this one happened to be my favourite among all three tested. It's intensity makes it last longer than other two and it fades quite slowly. Don't hesitate to confidently wear this alluring fragrance to an evening dance party. Just ensure to wear it in moderate amount because applying too much of a strong scent can be off-putting for others.

Each of the body sprays is available at Rs. 249 and weighs 75ml which I consider a lesser quantity than other brands, but the quality makes up for the price. One can liberally apply the body sprays that double up as deoderants too.

Trendsetter Gifts from Tupperware #one4everyone

Diwali is the most appropriate opportunity to celebrate our relationships with closest buddies. The festival brings loads of excitement as I start planning for gifts for my friends and relatiaves, but my excitement usually turns into anxiety when it comes time to pick out the perfect gift for everyone's liking. I always make a point to choose a gift of utility that are practical and appreciated.

This Diwali, ditch those clichéd gifts and show your love by surprising everyone with fully functional Tupperware products. I received a giftpack from the brand containing 2 Illumina Bowls and a set of Sip-n-Shine Celebration Bottles few days back and I thought of showing off ;) 

Illumina Bowls came in a cute potli bag. These are beautifully printed containers with lids and are available in many colours. 

These are ideal to carry cut fruits or salads to office like I am using these now a days. You may also refrigerate mixed dough, leftover food or any gravy item in these bowls without worry of spilling because its classic airtight and liquid tight seal will ensure that food remains odorfree and doesn't leak. 

The best things about Illumina Bowls is that they stack-up one above the another with tight locking and are great space-savers.

Another cute pack contained a set of 4 colurful square bottles with quirky phrases "Let's Celebrate ...." printed on each of those. 

The bottles are leakproof, BPA free, microwave safe & Dishwasher safe. The small size of the bottles (i.e. 500 ml) makes it ideal to carry one in your handbag while you are out or to send it with your child's tiffin to school.

The brand has vast variety of safe, innovative, premium-quality products manufactured using advanced technology to ensure quality and performance. So, choose a specialty one to compliment your already stocked kitchen or to express your love to dear ones this festive season because there is #one4everyone. You'll not only shower them with love, but will be giving a gift that helps them get their lives off to a healthy start.:)

Kaya CC+ Complexion Perfector Cream Review

Kaya brings forth this Complexion Perfector Cream that will blur imperfections and lend you a naturally good looking skin. Promising an instant glow, this cream with SPF 25 will shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays and other free radicals. Regular use of this cream will bring back natural glow and work perfectly on uneven skin tone. This cream weighs 30ml and is priced at Rs. 990/-. 

Ingredients
Aqua, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate (and) Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (and) Benzophenone-3 (and) Phospholipids (and) 1,3-Butylene Glycol, Glycerol Stearate (and) PEG-100 Stearate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Titanium dioxide (and) Aluminum hydroxide (and) Dimethicone, Imperata cylindrica Extract, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Pisum sativum [Pea] Extract, Carbomer, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499.

Kaya Complexion Perfector Cream is acronymed as CC+ that referes to Cover Correct+. It comes in a really nice black n golden bottle that is sleek for your easy grip. In the first instance, I took it as a tube due to its appearance, but is actually a hard n sturdy dispenser bottle. The packaging looks tall to look at, but is light-weight and easy to carry around since it weighs just 30 ml.

The pump dispenser work absolutely smooth and gives out the product without struggle and excess pressure. The nozzle opening is tiny enough to bring out little quantity because you actually don't need much of the product to apply on your face and neck in one go. 

I received the Kaya CC+ cream in shade Ivory which looked lighter than my skin tone, but on application it doesn't look ashy. I'm not aware of any other shades available, but this one may suit most Indian skin tones. The product features also mention it to be hydrating; but for my dry skin type, a layer of moisturizer underneath is a must. Those with oily or normal skin type may directly apply the CC cream. 

Its texture and consistency makes the product easily blendable. It gives light to medium coverage and evens out the skin tone. Any light marks or spots are covered with nice finish after you apply the product. I like the brightness that my face gets and still looks natural. I prefer using a compact over the CC cream to enhance its effect and avoid touch-ups after few hours. 

This cream with SPF 25 promises to shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays and other free radicals. But for the ones who remain outdoors throughout the day, I would recommend using a higher SPF sunscreen too. 

All in all, the Kaya CC+ Complexion Perfector Cream is good for everyday no-makeup kinda finish on your face and should be used in sync with other product products like concealer, compact etc for a flawless party look.

Grooming Aisle For Every Man - North for Men UNLIMITED

If you think that men's morning ritual only involve shaving and bathing, think again! Men also like to spend a few minutes in front of mirror gazing at themselves thinking how to effectively handle their skin issues provided there are some great grooming products available at their disposal.

At present, I'm rambling about some great stuff from Oriflame in my grooming kit -

When you wake up with dullness on your face, the reasons can be the dirt, grime or excess oil on your skin. The same goes for hair and scalp which might be feeling itchy or oily waiting to be washed. How about having access to a universal cleansing product for entire body including hair, body and face?? Sounds strange? North for Men Uulimited collection brings Unlimited Hair, Body & Face Wash (priced at Rs. 479 for 250ml) that gets everything covered. It perks your tired face up on those mornings after late night parties or overtime at office. A savior for sensitive, easily irritated skin; this product does complete justice for its multitasking capabilities. Bright red in color, medium thin in consistency and so energetic in fragrance; I'm by now a fan of it's good lather for a spa-worthy shower. It's super convenient when you don't have to switch to different products for body and hair under shower.

If you're the one who slather shaving product on your face every morning, you definitely would love a  classy move to Unlimited Shaving Foam (priced at Rs. 449 for 200ml). Many men would prefer shaving creams over foam for their age-old habit. I personally wasn't much convinced of being comfortable with shaving foam, but Unlimited Shaving Foam goes on easy on skin, smells awesome and ensures a closer, smoother shave. This canned foam can be directly applied to wet face and can be smoothened on face with hands. It'll save you those precious 2-3 minutes when you lather a traditional shaving cream using a brush. A shaving foam also makes it perfect for dry shaving for those who travel a lot.

There may be chances that after buying and using a quality shaving cream/gel/foam, many men would skip investing in a aftershave lotion. Contrary to that, I believe "the key to an expert shave is in the last step." An aftershave is equally essential part of my shaving routine. Currently I'm using Unlimited Aftershave Splash (priced at Rs. 449 for 100ml) that gently soothes irritated shaven skin and minimizes redness. The gentle formula wards off annoying burning sensation, if any. It prevents infections that may be caused due to tiny cuts left behind after shaving. Lemongrass essential oil infused in the formula pumps required moisture into skin for a relaxed feel.

North for Men UNLIMITED is definitely a combo of excellent grooming stuff for gentlemen who love to master the art of looking good effortlessly.

Reviewed By:
Amit

Sparkling Diwali Contest (Closed)

#SparklingDiwaliContest begins now...

Win Ozone Organic Advantage CTM kit & Ozone ITIS Plus Care worth Rs. 1100 each.

Rules:

1. Like Alive n Kicking and Ozone Ayurvedics
2. Answer in comments - "How to take best care of eyes or an easy home remedy for eye care". Tag your friends with your answer. That's it!! 

Contest closes on 5th October midnight. We'll pick 2 winners from pool of qualified entries.

About the hamper that you may win:The Organic Advantage CTM kit includes 4 full-sized products i.e. Ozone Classic Cleanser, Walnut Scrub, Classic Rose Toner and All Purpose Almond Massage Cream that will give you instant glow that we all crave for festive season.

ITIS Plus Care Eye Drops is a herbal solution for eyes enriched with 11 organic herbal actives with the added advantage of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) are eye drops which protect against eye strain and tear loss by keeping them moist, nourished and protecting against fatigue, dryness, irritation, itchiness, infection, pink eyes, conjunctivitis, swollen eyelid, watery eyes, burning sensation in the eyes and grittiness.

So get going and post your entries!!

Winners Update (7.10.2017)
Mahua Banerjee and Aaron d Verma have won this contest. The winners are requested to DM us the postal details to claim their gifts with 24 hrs, else new winners will be selected.

Optifresh Kids Strawberry Toothpaste Review

Sparkling gel toothpaste with delicious strawberry flavour makes brushing teeth more fun. Contains the recommended daily dose of fluoride for cleaning and strengthening milk teeth. Gentle cleaning suitable for children from 2-6 years old.

Whatever number of teeth your child has, you certainly need access to best quality toothpaste for his dental hygiene. Most parents would look for a gentle formula recommended by dentists, pediatricians, and pharmacists to clean teeth. 

For the little ones who love fruit flavours, Oriflame brought a flavourful toothpaste Optifresh Kids in Strawberry taste. The bright red coloured gel paste looks so lovely that it can simply get those locked jaws open easily ;) 

The tube is decorated with happy croc and comes in a small 50ml tube so that it easier for kids to handle. Attractive, colourful packaging like this one really interests children. 

I first tested the toothpaste myself and found that it's a very soothing treatment to the gums and teeth. It's best suited for first time brushing and for the sensitive gums.

It doesn't foam like the ones that we adults use. But I think a pea-size quantity is sufficient for kids to clean their little teeth, else they swallow a part of it. The child should be supervised by any of the parents to spit out and rinse the mouth after brushing.

Ingredients:

SORBITOL, AQUA, GLYCERIN, HYDRATED SILICA, PEG-8, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, CELLULOSE GUM, AROMA, SODIUM SACCHARIN, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM FLUORIDE, TRISODIUM PHOSPHATE, MICA, SODIUM CARBONATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CI 16035, CI 77891, CI 15985

Order the product just for Rs 99

This toothpaste doesn't cause damage to natural enamel of the teeth neither it gives any white spots on teeth arising due to excess fluoride rather it contains minimal amount of fluoride that benefit developing teeth of kids. 

For the age group of 2-6 yrs, Optifresh toothpaste provides an active defense system against bacteria and promotes a habit of daily brushing for shiny, white teeth of your little ones.

Navratri Special Giveaway - Win Dresses

Need something to bring fervour to your Navratri / Durga Puja Celebration? Someone very dear of mine has come up with a brilliant contest for this festive season and I'm super excited for it. 

Let's congratulate E-Mega Mart India for the launch of their website and providing many categories of products including clothing, makeup, skincare, jewellery and much more.

For Navratri contest, here is your lucky chance to own some nice ETHNIC CLOTHING from their newest collection that will end your search for a lovely dress to flaunt this festive season.

What can you win: 
3 winners will be picked from pool of qualified entries based on active participation. Judges decision will be final and binding.

• Winner 1 gets a Lehanga Choli worth MRP 1159/-
• Winner 2 gets a Stitched Kurti worth MRP 1050/-
• Winner 3 gets an Unstitched Dress Material worth MRP 599/- (presently on discount at the website) 

Compulsory Steps:

1. Post the link of your favourite dress from emegamartindia.com in the comment under this contest post.
2. Like E-Mega Mart India on  and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
3. Like Alive n Kicking on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
4. Don't forget to share the contest post on all the platforms and invite your friends.
5. Comment on this post for extra entry. 

Please note:

– Contest closes on 28th September, 2017.
– It's a sponsored contest, so Alive n Kicking won't be held responsible for delay/loss of prizes. The prizes will only be sent in available size and no customization / preference will be entertained.
– Contest is open to residents of India only of age 18 years and above.
– Previous winners are eligible to win again, but the unfollowers/unsubscribers won't be allowed.
– The winners will be required to acknowledge receiving their prize and share the picture.

Winners Update: We've selected following winners in sync with a discussion with the brand.
1st prize goes to Chetna Kundalwal.
2nd prize goes to Simran Sandhu.
3rd prize goes to Shivani Kunal Gupta
Congratulations ladies!! Do send us your complete postal details via DM within 24 hrs (else new winners will be selected) so that we may forward it to the sponsors. Please acknowledge receiving your gifts once its delivered and share the pics.