Have I just discovered a natural hair softener?

I got back from my holiday in Benicassim with dry, straw like hair, all thanks to days spent on the beach sunbathing and then dipping into the sea for a swim (I am not complaining) And because we were camping at FIB (Festival International Benicassim) there was no room for long luxurious showers which resulted in my hair going without deep conditioning for a week. I had expected the worst when I got back to London. I thought the damage I had done to my hair was irreparable. Surprisingly, when I stepped out of the hour long shower in the comfort of my own bathroom, my hair was soft. It's even got its natural waves and curls back. It's not frizzy and definitely doesn't feel straw like. I conclude that sea water and cold showers may indeed be good for your hair. Any one else feel that way? 

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Fantastic blog about beauty tips that needed to be shared. 
http://www.chercabulasmindbox.com/2009/05/out-of-ordinary-beauty-tips-that-work.html 

Unruly, frizzy, dry hair... bye bye!

There's a lot of reasons why I love summer and one of them is that I can let my hair dry naturally for a change. I also love the beach curl, wavy look that's almost effortless to wear during summer.

My go to trick is simply leaving hair to dry naturally and following it with a leave-in spray. There's still some frizz and for that I've recently started using my blow dryer on a low speed, high heat setting and then leaving my hair to dry naturally and following it with the spray.

Easy trick and it seems one that a senior stylist at Trevor Sorbie has recommended in this month's Glamour magazine.

Back to Basics - Palmer's Cocoa Butter

Source: Palmer's

Who hasn't owned a bottle of good ol' Palmers Cocoa Butter? I love it. It's inexpensive. Extremely rich and moisturising. Throws my dry skin right out the window! It's especially good if you suffer from stretch marks and blemishes. And here's a little secret. If I want to fade away my post-acne scars over night, I rub a bit of Bio Oil and follow that up with a Cocoa Butter face massage. Twice a week and there'll be no sign of scarring. Defo a product to stock in the bathroom cabinet.


More Back to Basics to follow soon, I promise x 

Could this be my HG moisturiser?

I have been on the quest for a good moisturiser that won’t break the bank. Yes, I am a little demanding. I want a moisturiser that provides SPF, I want one that does all the lovely things for my skin. I want one that will transform my skin. OK, I admit, it’s only a moisturiser and I shouldn’t really expect miracles, but you know what, I think someone up there heard my prayers. For, I have found a product that does all that.

It is the Origins Vita Zing SPF moisturiser. Here’s why I love it – it contains SPF 15, so I don’t need to use two products to do one job. It works like a tinted moisturiser and yet, it is not a tinted moisturiser. If that makes any sense? Let me explain.

Image source: Origins UK

The product contains tiny grey particles which when blended adapt to the colour of your skin. Clever eh? Which means, it saves me an extra 5 mins in the morning and I can skip my foundation routine. A little bit of blush and lipgloss and I am ready to go.

However, if you are looking for a moisturiser that will truly transform your skin, then perhaps, you should look elsewhere. There are are better moisturisers that do the job.

This on the other hand is a go-to moisturiser.

I think I paid about 25 quid. Which isn’t bad for 50 ml of the product and I must stress that you only need pea size amount of the product. It’s not a foundation or tinted moisturiser so if you make the mistake of being generous with the application you might end up looking like a greasy mess.

I personally haven’t experienced any breakouts. It does say it’s oil free. Like I mentioned earlier, a little will go a long way, don’t be generous with the application.

When is too much too much?

I found out that a certain youtube beauty guru I follow is no longer blogging. It seems that she had received some hate messages and personal attacks on her blog. I have heard a few beauty bloggers mention negative comments they receive and was curious to find out more about. I came across a blog that addresses this issue.

This particular blogger mentions how she would receive emails saying things such as -"please send me your makeup that you don't want - anything basically.  I can't afford it and don't think it's fair that you have so much."

I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to receive these emails. But part of me paused for a second to reflect on what this particular person . had said

Now, I am a fan of the beauty community that exists online. I am always on makeupalley and youtube checking out products that I am interested in buying or generally curious about. But what I don't understand is how there are beauty bloggers who haul the heaps of makeup and beauty products they own.

Two reasons why. Firstly, I don't think there are people (especially young girls who look up to these girls) who can afford to own so much makeup. And secondly, let's be real - are you really going to be using the 16 pans of MAC blushes? Especially because cosmetic products have a shelf life and sooner or  later you'll realise that you've spent £13 of your money on something you'll only wear thrice. 

I for one can't afford to own that much makeup. For someone who has moved away from home, I think I can find better ways to spend money than on umpteen amounts of makeup. 

Having said that, it doesn't mean I dislike makeup or beauty products. I love it. 

I just feel that maybe, these gurus need to show some responsibility when addressing their subscribers. And maybe, there needs to be a consciousness about the way money is spent. Call me old fashioned or dull but I can think of a thousand ways I could use a tenner. 

Where I come from in Mumbai, there are young girls who are probably never going to see a nail varnish in their lives and part of me never forgets that. I am not saying I am a saint, all I am asking is to take stock and be real.  

Budget liner that does the trick.

I don't know what got into me to go to a Collection 2000 counter in search of an eyeliner. I know that sounds a little bit snobbish on my part. But I am unfortunately from that school of thought, like many I'm sure, who believe that if there's no hype around a brand or a product there's good reason why.

Image from collection2000.co.uk

How wrong was I, AND I am glad I did walk to the Collection 2000 counter. For I am in love with their 'Extreme 24 hour felt tip liner' - does what it says on the tin.

Yes, 24 hour it is. It just stays put. I could go to bed with the liner on and the next morning it will still be there. The felt tip makes it easier for precision application and for those in a hurry who can't be bothered with the brush. The only colour I have tried is the black, which had good pigment. But for a really good pay off I had to apply it twice, once the application and then again to give that intense colour.

There's no downside, only a upside. It costs £2.99 and YES I will be repurchasing again.

More...

Since, I am done with my Clinique 3-step, think a blog should follow soon.

Later x