Biotique bio morning nectar flawless skin lotion

Price (as per volume):

120 ml - Rs. 199
190 ml - Rs. 280
800 ml - Rs. 1,250

Packaging: White plastic bottle with a green screw cap. There is a small hole at the top to prevent wastage of lotion.

Swatch

Absorption: Quick absorption into the skin.

Feeling on the skin after absorption: Lotion gets absorbed by skin as soon as it is spread over our body. Skin feels effectively moisturized. Does not feel heavy on the skin and remains moist after absorption for a few seconds. You can feel the (extremely light) moisture of this lotion for about 2 hours after which, it starts declining.

Immediate effect after complete absorption by the skin: Skin feels soft for about 3 hours. 

Suitable for..: Dry skin. Perfect for Mumbai winters.

Effect after using it for a month: 




Pros: 

Contains only natural ingredients.

A pleasant scent: Easy on the olfactory senses. Lasts for 2 hours.

Great to apply on hands and feet as well.

Skin looks visibly less dry after lotion is completely dried up on our skin.

No animal testing in any Biotique products.

Great for applying before make up but use very minimal amount in Summer and Monsoon.


Cons:

Suitable for use in Winters alone.



Something to wonder about..

I wonder how the product lasts for 3 years if it contains only natural ingredients and no preservatives.

Conclusion:

Really depends on how dry your skin is, to decide if you want to apply this lotion on your face in seasons apart from Winter. 

References:

http://www.biotique.com/bio-morning-nectar-15070.html


Shopping links:

http://amzn.to/2pI9QLc
http://amzn.to/2qIhHXD
http://amzn.to/2qIpNiF

P.S:
The pictures seen here are that of a sample bottle. Such bottles are not available for sale.

Pincuk casual dining

This casual dining restaurant offers Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and Thai.

Meaning of the name: Pincuk= 'Banana leaf'

Address: Shop no. 1, Sul Building, Sector 20D, near NKGSD bank, Airoli, Navi Mumbai-                      400708

Food: Great in terms of taste and affordability! I loved that they serve large portions here (no need to order too many food items!). We had ordered ‘Pincuk ramen’ (Price= Rs. 330) and ‘Nasi Goreng rice’ (Price= Rs. 310). Pincuk ramen is ramen noodles served with chicken, prawns, egg and shiitake mushrooms. The ramen broth, noodles and prawns were amazing. Shiitake mushrooms were ok (or maybe it’s just my taste buds which don’t agree with their taste) and I am sorry to say that the chicken pieces tasted a bit undercooked in the centre. Refer menu page no. 8, item no. 605 on Pincuk's Zomato page.

If you are a fan of seafood, you will looooove Nasi Goreng. Pincuk's version of Nasi Goreng is rice tossed in Thai herbs, chilli and shrimp paste, with prawns served with fried egg, satay chicken, prawns crackers and sambal sauce. There are two versions of the sauce- the spicy and the non-spicy one. We went for the non-spicy one. The taste of the fish in the sauce could have been more subtle. While the sauce is a wonderful addition to the rice, the rice tastes delicious even without it! Refer menu page no. 6, item no. 409 on Pincuk's Zomato page.

We were given this 'aale paak-like' item (Maharashtrians know what I am talking about) which had a light taste of ginger to it, after our meal. This is the equivalent of 'saunf' given in Indian restaurants and hotels.

Service: Is impressive. In spite of being a small place area-wise, the staff was pulling out chairs for customers. One could see the owner serving food with the rest of the staff. Everybody cared a lot about our opinion on the food. Staff answers everything you have to ask about the place. Name tags for every staff member would make the service even better.

Ambience: Is spacious and has minimalistic décor. Don’t want to give away any more spoilers. Go there to experience yourself!

Will I go there again?: Yes. Looking forward to another visit. :)

References:

https://www.zomato.com/mumbai/pincuk-airoli-navi-mumbai

FRUSTRATION

Once you arrive 

you wanna stay for 

long.

Never alone

friends always tag along.

Helplessness 

and an empty life

invite you

to stay over my mind.

Making me yell,

making me cry,

doing things

that I mindlessly

won't try.

Bewildered,

people ask-"Whats this 

and WHY?"

realization hits

and brain gets a fry.

Ghosts of the 

past

terrorize 'bout 

future

"There's no way out

of the

mess you are in

just deeper and deeper

in the muck within."

Sucking away 

my zest for

life.

Biting at it 

just like mice.

Lack of creativity

Right here, right now

today 

is boring.

A very  good day

for some

writing.

Subjects are many,

knowledge is vast.

                                                                   Pace of creativity

is not equally fast.

It could be something,

it could be everything,

be it anything

but don’t give me a nothing.

 Time limit given

                                                                     is 9.30.

                                                                     Write it all

                                                                     with complete

                                                                     honesty.

From the brain

to the paper,

the ink will flow.

Just trust your heart

and let yourself go.

                                                                         Fake speech,

                                                                         fake clothes

                                                                         fake

                                                                         is your smile

                                                                         Poems allow me

          inside your head,

           For atleast a mile.

Keen listener,

good scheme,

mistakes are few

but nowhere in the poem

can I see you.

Still cannot give a title to this poem.

Yaadon ne tumhari 

sataa diya hai mujhko

“Pagal hue ja rahi hu..”

batau bhi kis-kis ko?

Tumko pakar khoya                       

ya khokar tumko paya

samajh na aaye mujhko

“hey ram,karu kya me ab..?”

Puchaa mene sabko

Sochkar tumko ruthu,

toh hasa deti hai mujhko

Haskar tumko sochu,

toh rula deti hai mujhko.

Yaadon se ab tumhari

mukti chaiye mujhko

Zindagi me tumhari kami ka

Ehsaas dilati hai mujhko

Khali baithe rehne se

darr lagta hai ab toh

Dard deti he… aur rahengi

nahi jeena ya jhelna inko!

Elle 18 color pops matte pink show p24 review

It's amazing how girls can now easily afford a lipstick because of  Elle 18. You already know the product and the brand but I still couldn't resist writing a review. It's an absolutely lovable daily wear lipstick.

Type: (advertised as) Matte but actually is more of a creamy matte lipstick.

Double swipe at the top. Single swipe at the bottom.

Price: Rs. 100

Weight: 4.3 gms

Colour: Pink

Shade name and number: Pink show, P24

Packaging: Black retractable lipstick case with the face of a girl. Shade name, number, weight of the lipstick and other packaging details at the bottom.

                             

                             

Pros:

Super affordable lipstick.

Application: No need to put lip balm before application. This lipstick is sufficiently moisturised. Glides smoothly even on dry lips. Layering does not cause any clumps. Hides pigmentation of the lips well. Leaves a colour stain after its completely gone from the lips.

Lipstick colour may vary as per brightness settings of your screen.

Fragrance: Lasts as long as the stain of the colour. You can smell the fragrance as soon as you open the case and even while applying it.

Packaging: Case shuts with a click. Twist mechanism click locks when the lipstick is completely inside or outside the case.

Cons:

Uneven shape of the lipstick: I bought this as well as another shade from this range during last year's Diwali. When I opened to have a look, I saw the lipstick was in a bit of an uneven shape. (I wish I had taken a picture then.) The irregular shape evened out after a few applications.

Colours don't match: Colours of lipsticks in this range don't match the shades given in the colour pamphlet provided by the company (I bought this lipstick in a shop). Don't bother looking at the pamphlet. If visiting a shop, just open the case and check out the shade.

Unstable twist mechanism: Lipstick goes inside during application. Needs to be applied in a light handed manner.

Repeated application: Takes at least 2 swipes for the colour to show completely on the lips.

Not exactly matte: This lipstick has a little shine to it.

Transfers easily even after an hour of being applied: Some lipstick transfers after eating. A lot of it fades away after eating.

Sweaty lipstick?: Little drops of vapour are formed on the lipstick.

A disagreement with the product claim:
It took me 2 strokes of application instead of just one to properly colour my lips.



Final thoughts:
In spite of all it's cons, I would still buy this lipstick because it is oh-so-affordable. I would like to explore some more shades before I decide to buy another one from this range.



References:
http://www.elle18.in/products/lips-balm-colour-pops
http://amzn.to/2op7PkN
https://makeupandbeauty.com/elle-18-color-pops-matte-lipstick-pink-show-review/

Victoria's secret blush fragrance lotion grapefruit blossom and magnolia review

A great alternative to perfumes and deodorants! Not really something to buy if you have dry skin and are expecting to keep it soft. There is no mention of how exactly this product is going to give us 'nourishing moisture'. Suckers of fragrant products who aren't really aiming to moisturise their skin can buy this.

Price: $ 18

Weight: 226.7g/ 8 oz

Packaging: A tube with a press open lid that clicks shut. This makes it travel friendly. Just don't put too many things in your handbag/purse along with it because something might press against the lid and open it inside your bag. The entire lid can be rotated to open and shut like any other tube package.

Absorption: Takes about 5 seconds to disappear on the skin after applying it in circles (for me) and a few more seconds to get absorbed by my skin. To be used in small quantities because even a little will cover a large area of the skin.

Feeling on the skin after absorption: Does not feel heavy on the skin after absorption.

Immediate effect after complete absorption by the skin: Skin feels only a slighty bit softer than it was.

Effect after using it for a month: 


Pros: 

A delightful scent: A little hard hitting in the beginning when it comes right out of the tube (or maybe it's jut me) but later, pleases the olfactory senses, making you feel wonderfully fresh. Enough for a passer-by to take notice.

Long lasting: Fragrance lasted for about 4 hours.

Cons: 

Irritates my facial skin: Do a patch test if you have sensitive skin. Did not affect the rest of the skin on my body.

Made very little difference to my skin when it comes to skin turning soft.

Does not mention exact species of magnolia.

Contains parabens: Use it as per your discretion. Whether to use it daily or only when venturing outside is really your own decision.

A regret: 

I wish I had some real magnolias and grapefruit blossoms nearby to compare their scents with the fragrance of this moisturiser. Please do compare the fragranes if you have these flowers growing in your neighbourhood. 

References:

https://www.victoriassecret.com/beauty/mists/blush-fragrance-lotion-the-mist-collection?ProductID=305701&CatalogueType=OLS


P.S. : I will be updating this review to let you know the changes in my skin after a month.

Ae dil hai mushkil review

Rating: 2.5/5

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor as Ayan, Anushka Sharma as Alizeh, Fawad Khan as Ali, Aishwarya Rai as Saba, Lisa Haydon as Lisa

Director: Karan Johar

The film is a mash up of KJo’s earlier films like Kuch kuch hota hai, Kabhi alvida na kehna and Kal ho na ho. This movie glorifies friend-zoning and one-sided love.  (People already do it in real life. Why waste time and money to watch a film on it?) Ranbir’s situation with the leading lady (Anushka Sharma) and his friendly banter with her reminds one of ‘Rockstar’ and ‘Tamasha’. The fancy décor, scenery, peppy songs and glamour (KJo’s signature style) fail to please the audience as much as a good story would have. 

Certain moments between Ranbir and Anushka were amazing.  One cannot disregard the good job done on the portrayal of the madness of a love triangle, how stupid people behave when they are in love or what they do instead when there is no real love.  And of course, there is a sprinkling of love lessons throughout the film.

In spite of having seen him in similar roles before, Ranbir is the preferred actor over others in this movie.  He has become extremely well at expressing the pain of heartbreak (Kudos to the song- ‘Channa Mereya’). Aishwarya could have offered a lot more than she did had her role been worked upon a bit more (maybe she could have studied the personality of Shayars and brought it out in her body language?) One wishes her ‘Shayra’ held as much meaning as the shayaris written for it. Sure, Shayras can be smart, successful and independent but how did it contribute any magic towards the film? ‘Saba’ could have been given any career and she would have still not been able to fulfill the purpose of her part. Anushka is great as someone who was never completely over someone she deeply loved (Fawad Khan) but still chooses to part ways with him because of how things turn out to be every time he enters her life...The rest of her role provides very little or nothing to mull over.  Not much can be commented on Fawad’s role due to the unfortunate timing of the film’s release and the effect it had on the length of his role. Lisa Haydon has done a fantastic job at providing some comic relief.

To sum it up, parts of the film are beautiful but as a whole the movie is unable to deliver the magic promised by its trailers. People who like movies based on heartbreaks should go for this one.

P.S. : I know it is too late to have written this review but I have still put this up so that I can know the level of my skill as a movie review writer. 

Cheers!

Any constructive feedback is welcome.

Chambor Extreme Wear Transferproof Liquid Lipstick 483 review

This is my first lipstick and it greatly cheered me up in terms of the kind of lipstick I was looking for. Great for those times when you are just too busy for a touch up. Even better if you are keen on making a first good impression. Read on to find out more.

Type: Liquid Matte

Price: Rs. 845

Weight: 6 ml

Colour: Pink with coral undertones (when applied fresh)

Shade number and name: 483 Rose Boudoir

Packaging: Glass bottle with a doe foot applicator


Pros: 

Great shade: I love this shade because it makes my skin look brighter. This is an important quality to look for in a lipstick when attending interviews or being on a job related to any service industry where you are expected to personally deal with people on a daily basis. Earlier, I had my reservations about wearing dark lipsticks but after using this one a couple of times, getting used to seeing myself in a dark lipstick, receiving compliments and women enquiring about it.. I was finally convinced. Whatever the colour of my clothes, I can confidently wear it with MOST of them.

Application: Smooth application on non dry lips.

Long lasting: This lipstick lasts for about 5-6 hours (when you don't eat anything in between).

Transference: It takes 2-3 minutes for this lipstick to settle. Does not transfer on dry objects. Transfers only when lips are rubbed with some force. Does not bleed (after drying) either.

Opaqueness: Highly pigmented lipstick. Use little amounts initially before applying and then use some more as per the left out spaces on your lips.

Coverage: Covered my lips in a single swipe. 

Fragrance: Has a hint of a sweet scent to it.

Special mention:  As per it's website, all 'Chambor' products are free from animal ingredients.

Cons:

Application: Is not so smooth, if you have dry lips and are applying this lipstick in small amounts without a lip balm. As is the case with most liquid lipsticks, this one too, when applied carelessly, will cause the extra liquid to become an uneven layer on your lips, if it has no blank spaces to fill. Later, it will bleed/transfer if not dabbed away lightly with a tissue. Some of this layer can also get transferred onto our teeth while talking or eating.

Not foodproof: Most of the colour fades after eating. 

Not waterproof: One will have to clean their lips with a dry tissue after eating.

Metallic taste: Try not to lick this lipstick before it settles. 

Not travel friendly: The lipstick bottle is made of glass. You will need to use extra protection around it if you are planning to carry it in your handbag/purse because the outer packaging is a simple box which will lose its sturdiness over time. It's been around a year since I bought this lipstick and the contents of the product seem to spread out more and more around the mouth of the bottle because I had to keep it horizontal on the floor to click it's pictures. Make sure you always keep the bottle in an upright position when storing it away after use.

Turns orange when lip balm is applied as a base: I have dry lips. So I have to compulsorily wear lip balm before applying lipstick. Turns out, when the two come together, it turns the shade a bit orange.

Lips feel extremely dry without a lip balm. Dry lips (like mine) will also flake a tiny bit if this product is used without a lip balm.

Shade name not mentioned anywhere on the packaging or bottle.

Tips:

If you have dry lips, please exfoliate them before applying this product. Also keep drinking lots of water before and after application to keep your lips hydrated.

References:

http://chambor.com/lips-lipstick-extreme-wear.asp

P.S. : Please have patience until I click good pictures of swatch and lipstick applied on my lips.

Panasonic EH-HW19 Hair straightener review

This was the first time I had ever straightened my own hair. Actually.. this was the first time I had ever straightened any hair and the experience left me quite pleased. Here are some of the reasons I feel Panasonic EH-HW19 hair straightener is a great one, especially for beginners.

Price: Rs. 1,388 on Amazon   

Pros:

1)  Only 2 temperature settings i.e '0' and '1'. Zero means 'off' and 1 is extremely hot (200 degree Celsius). The straightener gives the desired effect. Heats up quickly.

2) Light in weight: Does not put a strain on the hand while straightening.  It's easy to hold (see specifications).

3) Not too large in size: Easy to store. Can be carried in a handbag effortlessly (see specifications).

4) Around 1 inch width plates: Can be used for straightening and curling. Best suitable for short and medium length hair (see specifications).

5) Comb-like teeth on both sides of 1 plate:  One of the plates have tiny teeth on both it's sides. Helps in preventing hair strands overlapping while straightening.

6) Cap for the plates: The cap comes in handy as an extra measure of protection for the plates when stored away after use.

7) Universal voltage: One does not have to worry about different voltage supply when travelling abroad.

Specifications:

Model Number	EH-HW19
Dimensions (HxWxD)	230 x 28 x 32 mm
Weight	267 g

Cons:

Ceramic coated plates: Can get chipped in time, bringing our hair in direct contact with the metal underneath, causing it to snag. So this is something NOT meant for everyday use.

The straightener in the picture above has been used twice a week for 3 years. Works very well so far.

Result on my hair:

My hair remained straight for 2 days after using this product. One of my friends had straightened hair for almost a week. All of us used this straightener without a hairspray.

Straightened section of hair on the left.

A disagreement with the product claim:
The comb-like teeth on the sides of the plates are not big enough to save us from combing our hair before straightening as claimed by Panasonic on it's website (see link below).

Warranty Policy:

Subject to the Terms and Conditions mentioned on the product warranty card, Warranty shall be valid for repairs against any manufacturing defects for a period of 24 months from the date of purchase mentioned on Purchase Invoice.

Helpline: 

Panasonic Customer Care call centre: 1800 103 1333/ 1800 108 1333

Email: helpline@in.panasonic.com

References:

http://www.panasonic.com/africa/consumer/beauty-personal-health-care/womens-beauty/hair-straighteners/eh-hw19.html
http://amzn.to/2odswBT
http://www.hairstraightenerstudio.com/material/(may or may not use infor from here.)

http://blackhairmedia.com/product-review/the-difference-between-ceramic-titanium-flat-irons/