Lakme has launched many new products recently. What is significant is that the price points are much higher. Till now, it was an affordable brand... not anymore with the new launches. Many women are not happy with this. I second the thought.

I have read a lot about the Lakme Gel Stylist nail paints- good and bad. I didn't want to spend 400 bucks on Lakme nail paints. That kind of money is reserved for Inglot.

I finally picked up the nude shade- Caramel Melt. The others didn't seem too unique. I am sure I have a similar shade in Revlon.

Below manicure has been done with the Lakme gel stylist and L'Oreal color riche Le Vernis 822.

 My views on the nail paint:
- Streaky
- Needed 2 coats atleast
- Did not dry fast
- The consistency is strictly ok... nothing great
- Does not feel like gel. I have the Inglot gel top coat and it gives a very polished look to any nail paint. Not with this one

Will I re-purchase? No... never. Beauty bloggers who have given these nail paints awesome reviews should close down their blogs. They are deceiving their readers.

Don't bother spending 400 bucks on this one.

I went to Dabur New U stores today and the hand and feet mask caught my eye. I picked them up. I think there is a dearth of products for hands and foot care. Brands are launching new things... but not exciting enough. How many foot soaks are there in the market? Exactly!!!

The hand mask is of the brand- Beauty Formula. It is priced at Rs 175 and can be used once. It contains 1 pair of gloves with a gel inside. You need to wear it for 20-30 mins. It claims to make hands smooth and improve the texture. It has peach extract and shea butter.

This is what the gloves look like. The size will fit anyone. I put it on for 30 mins, after which my hands felt very soft and moisturized. There was some gel, which is non sticky and smells peachy, and I rubbed the hands together. It was instantly absorbed. My hands are still feeling soft.
It is expensive for 1 time use but I don't mind using it once in a month. It does a better job than some of the hand creams. A must have for winters.

The foot mask is also from Beauty Formulas priced at Rs 175 for 1 pair. I put it on my feet and they instantly felt relaxed. On removing them after 30 mins, there was white gel on my feet. I massaged it in and my feet felt soft. It smells like green apple since there is apple extract. My feet felt like they would after a pedicure in the salon.

The pair will fit any size.

These Beauty Formulas hand and feet mask are a must try. You will find them in Dabur New U stores.

Winter is knocking. It is not cold enough for overcoats or jackets but blazers and cardigans need to be pulled out.
For Friday casual, I wanted to wear all black with my jakaas parrot green blazer. I could not find an acceptable black top and decided to wear navy blue stripes.

Jeans- Levis (3 years old), Top- Done by none (donebynone.com), Blazer- Forever 21
I accessorized  with silver neckpiece from Forever 21 and earrings (bought many years back from somewhere).

 I have only 1 OPI nail color... because it is an effort to find them. They also cost a bomb (Rs 520). Ok, I know... I buy Inglot... why not OPI? Ok, I guess I will buy more.

I love this shade. It is called Chop Sticking to my story. It is neither true orange nor true rust. Somewhere in between.

It goes on completely opaque in one coat and I love that. Only problem- it seems to have become slightly think. I am used to my nail paints lasting years. Not happy about that.

Will I re-purchase? In another shade, Yes. But, if that also becomes thick then it is a deal breaker. 

I don't do posts on looks, make up etc because I am a normal, working person. This blog is a hobby. It has taken me years and hours of practice just to get a basic make up look perfect. I don't apply elaborate eye shadows on normal days (who does???). Only beauty bloggers or celebs do that. Also, I don't have the time. I have a full time job, gym sessions, hubby, house etc. So, yes.... make up posts are far and few between. Plus, I don't own a DSLR. I have a normal digicam which works well and my phone has an awesome cam (Nokia Lumia 820). I managed to click a good pic of my blush yesterday and decided to post a review.

Mac lip and cheek tint- Evening Stroll. This was part of a limited collection launched last year. I liked how easy to wear it seemed and picked it up.
It is a nice pink- dark pink... rani pink (if you know what I mean).
I think I bought this for Rs 1300 for 13 ml.

Without Flash. Looks a little dull here.

With Flash. This is the actual color.

The blush can also be used as a lip tint but I don't really use it that way. The product is smooth and easily comes on the fingers when swiped. It does not feel sticky or hard. 

Below is a swatch- without flash. On top is unblended and bottom is blended.

With flash.

You need to apply it with fingers and then blend it out. I generally use a brush since that gives me more control.

On the face it does not look very pigmented since it blends out. That is why it is a cheek tint and not a normal blush. It gives a nice glow and color to the face. I have applied a few layers below and yet it seems sheer.

The tint lasts for 4-5 hours which is good because all blushes last that much on me since I have a very oily skin. The tint works very well in winters but in summer it is another story. It makes my face looks greasy and makes the imperfections stand out.
As a winter product, this works well for all skin types but for summer, oily skin people avoid.

Will I re-purchase? Sure. Finishing this one itself will be a task. 

I rushed to the Clinique store after work and picked these up.
- Clinique even better concealer. MRP Rs 1650. I have a Clarins under eye corrector which is not the correct shade. I picked up this one in orange color. Hope it works on my under eyes.
- Clinique even better compact: MRP Rs 2100. This is a cream based compact which turns into a powder after application. It has heavy coverage which makes it perfect for touch ups. I prefer medium to heavy coverage since my skin has a lot of problems.

Reviews will be up soon. 

I just received my Vellvette box and am very happy with their delivery timeline this month.

It is a navy blue bag this time which contains the following:
- Full size products of Vantiv lemon shower gel- MRP Rs 214 for 180 ml
- Full size Vantiv moisturising shampoo- MRP Rs 187 for 250 ml
- Florelle wet and dry blush - MRP Rs 750
- Origins make a difference rejuvenating treatment lotion - MRP Rs 2000 for 150 ml

I have mixed feelings about the bag. I like the navy blue bag which will come handy. The shampoo and body lotion are manufactured by some company in Dehradun. Isn't the bag supposed to contain only 'premium' products?
I could not find any reviews for the Florelle blush online.
Thankfully, for Origins I did find reviews but the it is just a sample size. Don't know how long it will last.

I am wondering if the bag is worth the 500 bucks I am paying.

I don't understand how other bloggers can rave and appreciate these products. It has become a fad without actually evaluating anything.

Where have the Clarins, Clinique, Dior products gone? 

Nail paints used: Maybelline Colorshow Shocking Seas, Maybelline Express Finish Fuschia Fun

Colorbar Moss Agate. Love this shade.

Max Factor nail paint (hate tiny nail paints) with L'Oreal color riche Le Vernis gold polka dots. Looks like a 80s saree design.

I was very happy to see the Maybelline Color Show nail paints in the stores. Apparently, there are some 40 shades launched but I saw only 15-20 shades in the store.

This shade is called Miss you Blue and is priced at Rs 75 for 6 ml. I love how cheap the nail paints are. Sure, they are only 6 ml but that works out to be better 'coz I rarely repeat nail paints... maybe 2-3 times in a year.

This shade is light blue with shimmer (not glitter). It is a different shade and not everyone may like it. I do not own any color like this.

The nail paint applies opaque in 1 coat itself. I have applied 2 coats below. The paint is for a good consistency- neither too thick nor too runny. 

And here is the best part. It lasts 4-5 days. Below is the pic of my left hand where there is minor chipping on 2 nails. It also dries quite fast. 

I cannot think of even 1 negative in these nail paints. They are superb products at cheap prices. Love them. 

This is what my nails have been upto:

Maybelline Colorama ... don't know which shade this is... cannot read it... don't know why I bought it... it looks bad. Discard.

Inglot... like this shade.