Moisture White Shiso BB Serum | The Body Shop

Hi Lovelies,

When it comes to makeup I either stick to the products I've long tried, tested and trust or go for something totally new. When I purchase something new I go with my instinct rather than what the salesperson tell me (you do that too?). I feel so proud to say that my instincts have never gone wrong when it comes to makeup (at least!). The same instincts told me to go for the new Moisture White Shiso BB Serum by The Body Shop the first time I had a look at it. 'I'll take this please', I directed the salesperson and off I went with a new product I had no clue about. It all happened in the spur of a moment.

I have been trying my all time favorite L'Oreal True Match Foundation for a while now which gives me the desired coverage, I thought why not try a BB serum since I look for medium coverage rather than sheer or full. Moreover, this would be my first attempt with the BB serum (yeah I know BB creams have been the rage for ages now!) so there is no basis of comparison. The idea that it's somewhere between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation is quite appealing to me. Even though I'm not too fond of The Body Shop cosmetics section my instincts told me it was worth trying.



Moisture White Shiso BB Serum is part of The Body Shop's Moisture White Shiso which is a skin brightening range designed to minimise pigmentation, brighten and even out skin tone and deliver moisture to the skin. I had already tried Moisture White Shiso UV Protector that worked wonderful on my skin. I guess that is what gave me the confidence to try this product too. It comes in a similar white packaging like rest of the range. The light weight plastic bottle is 30ml size and can be easily carried around in your handbag. I love the fact that it comes as a hygienic pump which gives you so much control on the amount of product you need. For me one pump of the product is enough for the entire face and neck.

As far as the texture is concerned - its thick. When I gently rubbed it on the tips of my fingers and started applying it onto my skin I initially though it would be super heavy. I worried how it would settle on my skin! Maybe I felt this way since I have previously always used liquid foundations. But before I could get any more sceptical and as I started working it on my face I felt it gently and nicely blending in. When I was done, the serum had settled nicely on my face giving me exactly the kind of coverage I needed. Since it is suitable for all skin types my skin felt hydrated with no dry patches or oily feeling in the later hours. I loved how it appeared so natural and gave my skin such a beautiful glow. I finished it off with a bit of loose powder and I was good to go!

Another fact that makes Moisture White Shiso BB Serum by The Body Shop a really good product is that it protects your skin against UV with SPF 25. This for me is an added sun protection as I already use a sunscreen in my daily makeup routine. Overall, I believe it is a quality product. If you feel the need to get a break from your routine foundation and try something lighter and more natural then this product is for you. The only down side is that this is the only shade. If you're lucky enough like myself, you will find this really good. If it's too light or dark for your complexion then I would suggest not to go for it. So do give it a thorough try before you decide to purchase.

What is your favorite BB cream?

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"Summer In The City" Nails | Clinique

Hi Lovelies,

A pop of color is what I need these days as I'm a bit tired of plain, nude shades. Today I have picked "Summer In The City" from Clinique which is a beautiful sunny, watermelon shade. As explained in my previous post this nail shade is part of the Clinique's limited edition range 'A Different Nail Enamel'.

Weather these days is beautiful in my part of the world. The sun in nice and warm and the breeze is lovely. I love to step out of my room, go downstairs in the garden to look around the blooming colors everywhere. I love how some of my neighbors have put in so much effort to plant Sweet Peas - my favorite flowers. These blooms were my fantasy as I was in school. I grew older looking at them blooming every year in our school garden. I cannot forget how they would fill the air around them as these were so many in number in a long long row. Credit goes to the old school gardener who put in so much effort back then so that we keep it in our memories.

Clinique's A Different Nail Enamel in 'Concrete Jungle' £ 12.00

Back to the future - 'Summer In The City' is beautiful. 

It's the perfect color to embrace spring. If budget is not your issue I would definitely recommend these Clinique shades which will ensure your sensitive skin is taken care of. I would love to put this nail polish on especially when I'm having a white shirt on. I think the white is going to make this look super fresh and pretty. What I like most about this nail polish shade is that it's bright enough for spring but not as much as a neon. I think I'm not a neon-nails type of a person. So this works just perfect for me.

Would you go for a watermelon pink shade in spring?

Purchase online at Debenhams @ £ 12.00

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Strawberry Mini Body Butter | The Body Shop

Hi lovelies,

Love is sweet so are strawberries. In ancient Rome, these red heart-shaped strawberries were considered a symbol of Venus, the goddess of Love and Beauty. We still continue to make strawberries a mainstay for romantic occasions like Valentine's Day, for symbolic reasons. While there are several ways to serve strawberries to set that romantic mood I thought I'd give you an extra tip. Since the Strawberry Body Butter from The Body Shop smells like real strawberries give your skin extra pampering by smoothing this all over your skin before you apply anything else. So while indulging into a bowl of strawberries today, I thought I'd share my views on how this sweet smelling and smooth Strawberry Body Butter from The Body Shop is.

 Strawberry Body Butter @ £ 13.00 (200ml)

Strawberry range from The Body Shop is divine and my second favorite after Moringa. Enriched with real strawberry seed oil this range is an aromatic bunch! It comes in a tub of 200ml (mine's a 50ml tub that was purchased in London probably around Christmas). I have always appreciated plastic tub as they are more convenient to store and take around with you due to it's light weight. All The Body Shop body butters have their respective key ingredient picture pasted on the top lid, so has this one. I cannot begin to explain how much I love applying it on my hands and praising the strawberry fragrance. Now I understand why all The Body Shop body butters have specifically 'unfit for consumption' mentioned at the back of their packaging. Anyone using these products would want to taste these for sure. (Don't ever try to taste Chocomania, it tastes so bitter!) All these are no doubt so 'delicious'.

Coming back to the Strawberry Body Butter, I love the light texture of this one. While I was shooting photos for this post the strawberry nicely fitted in the tub due to the texture. Open the tub and it smell like a strawberry bucket. Since my skin has dried up dramatically I tried using a little amount on my face (not recommended) as well which I mostly do not to avoid breakouts. Till now it hasn't given me any breakouts so that's another plus for me.

Did I mention that Strawberry Body Butter is one of the bestsellers of The Body Shop? It's created with cold-pressed strawberry seed oil which gives it an amazing aroma and hence the best seller. If you have used many The Body Shop body butters this one will without doubt become your favorite too. I love how it quickly absorbed without a greasy feeling. If you plan to step out, finish off with

Strawberry Body Mist (£ 7.50). Strawberry Body Butter and its entire range is a perfect Valentine's Day and Mother's Day gift so note it down. If you end up purchasing it or have already used it do leave below your thoughts. You can also comment on my Facebook fan page and follow me there.

Will I repurchase it? Definitely!

Available online @ £ 13.00 (200ml)



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Amplify Your Look with Glamour Serum Drops | Toni&Guy

Happy weekend!

Time for me to beat the annoying fuzz once in for all! Though I religiously use hair serums to finish off my styling but I never give up on trying new products in this department - handling frizzy hair and fly aways. After using and absolutely loving Dove Hair Fall Rescue Serum I came across my long loved brand when it comes to hair care - Toni&Guy. In the past I have used their hair serums and loved the way it made my hair looked so glossy and beautiful.

Toni&Guy is a well know and trusted haircare brand. When I came across their Glamour Collection a while back I knew I had to give it a try again. While I shampoo my hair and apply conditioner regularly I prefer using hair serum to tame any hair that may give an illusion of dry hay sticks. I picked Toni&Guy Serum Drops to do the job. First off, I love the packaging and the glass bottle. It has a touch of glamour and looks rich. It comes with a pump which really helps you control the amount of product you want to use. This magical glass bottle looks almost clear and comes in 30ml. The bottle is small enough to fit in your handbag and would accompany you on the go. The glass bottle might add a bit of weight to you shoulders but you can choose to take it along with you on special occasions. Moreover it will last forever, trust me. With my kind of regular usage it lasts almost 3 months! The scent is very soft and pleasant. It makes your hair smell so ..umm romantic. The kind of smell you'd love for dinners and special occasions. It almost smells like vanilla (you agree?).

Toni&Guy Serum Drops @ £ 7.49

I usually work 2 - 3 drops of this serum between palms and smooth through mid lengths and specially ends of dry, blow dried hair. Though it's meant to be used on dry hair I use a drop or two while my hair is still damp and reapply after I blow dry or straighten them. The serum glides nicely and sets onto your hair in seconds. It will not leave your hair or hands greasy after application. I love the way this serum seals the ends of my hair making it look healthy. Since I usually wear my hair straight I believe Toni&Guy Serum Drops works best on straight hair. It adds that luster and shine to your hair to make them look healthy and would help calm down those fly aways. My hair feel incredibly soft!

Here's a DIY recipe for Milk & Honey Hair Smoothie that you can try once in a while to deep condition your hair and fight frizz.

You will need:

1 can of pure coconut milk.

1 ripe avocado.

2 tablespoons of pure honey.

2 table spoons of olive oil.
 

How to make:

Add ingredients to blender.
Mix the mixture at high speed reaches a smoothie consistency.

How to apply:

ªSection hair into 4 segments.

ªGenerously apply evenly to hair from rots to ends concentrating on tips as these are most prone to tips.

ªSmooth hair into a ponytail or a bun.

ªLeave on hair for 15 - 30 minutes.

ªRinse, rinse, rinse!

Do share below your favorite DIY hair treatments as I'd love to give it a try. Off course if you do not wish to go through this trouble you can always purchase a deep conditioner for regular use and a hair mask for weekend hair rituals followed by the magic serum!

Have you tried Toni&Guy Serum Drops yourself?

Do you like it as much as I do?

Available online at Boots @ £ 7.49

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"Concrete Jungle" Nails | Clinique

Hi Lovelies,

Spring is around the corner and I'm already looking forward to new shades that take me to a calm, beautiful beach away from the cold weather. I wouldn't want to wear darker shades while the sun starts to show up more often during the day. And you wouldn't want to turn to same old corals that everyone turns to as weather changes. I had been really looking forward all winters to try the four nail polishes from Clinique's A Different Nail Enamel range that I won on Twitter. This range comes in an array of pretty shades.

Clinique's A Different Nail Enamel in 'Concrete Jungle' £ 12.00

Out of the four shades, today I picked Clinique's 'Concrete Jungle' nail enamel which is a gorgeous shade of white-grey-cream. It's part of the permanent color collection. The bottle is heavy and stands out on your vanity because of the super shiny cap. First two coats are almost opaque so I applied nice three coats to get the color on. It's also quick drying which is definitely a plus for me. It's long wear that's easy on the eyes meaning it wont irritate your eyes or skin and is perfect for sensitive skin. This super glossy neutral is endlessly versatile and flattering for my hands. If you want to come out of those darker winter colors and need to go subtle with a skin tone shade this is your color.The thing I like most about Clinique's 'Concrete Jungle' is the fact that it looks sophisticated yet doesn't male your skin look pale. It's understated glamour, which you must confess you need from time to time to refresh yourself.

Would you go for such a shade in spring?

Purchase online at Debenhams @ £ 12.00

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Japanese Cherry Blossom Perfume Oil | The Body Shop

Hi Lovelies,

One of my most favorite range from Scents of The World by The Body Shop is the Japanese Cherry Blossom range (followed by Madagascan Vanilla Flower). After trying and absolutely adoring everything from this range I came across this adorable jar of Japanese Cherry Blossom Perfume Oil is a very interesting way. It happened when one of my close friends stepped into my office wearing this lovely fragrance. Since I'm a big admirer of bold fragrance (and this being a perfume oil) I couldn't stop asking her what fragrance she was wearing. Out came the cutest little bottle with pink tag around the neck. I said to myself if I loved Japanese Cherry Blossom Fragrance Mist I would definitely adore this one too which was me trying to persuade myself in a way for the purchase. So when I went to purchase Moringa Body Butter I went ahead and got this tiny one too for myself.

Scents of The World Collection was launched by The Body Shop to capture the exotic scents from around the globe. Previously when I purchased Japanese Cherry Blossom range I couldn't resist the romantic, captivating fragrance of cherry blossom - Sakura. The beauty of this delicate flower has always inspired me. So much so that I had used its images as background of my blog too. Cherry trees in full bloom are a mesmerising sight and so is the Japanese Cherry Blossom Perfume Oil. It comes in a small 15ml jar clear jar with a cute pink cherry blossom tag which confirms its alcohol-free nature. Its a concentrated perfume oil infused with the fragrance of Japanese cherry blossoms. You do not need a lot rather just a bit on the right places especially the pulse points.

Before I go ahead and share how wonderful an experience purchasing this little jar was I want to share a funny (really?) incident. For the post photos I thought it would be better to take photos outdoors in my garden. Sun was out and the weather was pleasant making it a perfect day for photographs. I was trying my best to place the bottle in different corners to get a nice, clear photograph. One of the walls of my garden is fully covered with creepers and makes a great location for such photos (check this post!). Hence I placed the bottle there and *click click click*. Now as I was trying to move it around a bit to shoot from different angles it fell off the wall out in the street. Would you even believe it if I'd tell you I searched for it for hours literally! Under those piles of crisp leaves, under the neighbours car, behind trees, around the garden, inside, outside - the bottle was 'nowhere' to be found. Nobody could have taken it away as the street was empty. It could not have fell too far out as the wall is hardly five feets tall. Out of desperation and because I was only in the middle of the photoshoot, I asked my mom, sister, aunt to help me out so all four of us were searching for it. My brother, dad and uncle also joined the hunt but to no avail. 'The bottle mysteriously disappeared' as I'd like to call it before I officially started using it. Haha..

 Had a great fall..?

Nevertheless, it's only a matter of purchasing a new one on my next visit to the store. I may have lost the bottle but I cannot forget the fragrance. It was like an escape to Japan with cherry blossoms. I would like to call it a beautiful, romantic fragrance with a captivating blend of floral and hinoki wood accords inspired by a spring day in Kyoto or for that matter all the possible locations known for Sakura in Japan. Did you know that cherry blossoms only bloom for a week!? Also that spring time in Japan is magical as the land is filled with these pink blooms between late March and mid April. People from around the world come to see this pink flower blanket the country in soft, colorful splendor. So next time you or a friend asks for an advice for that perfect romantic destination abroad tell them to visit Japan during spring time and take along Japanese Cherry Blossom Perfume Oil to complete the package.

Which one of the range from  from The Body Shop Scents of The World collection you like the most?
Let me know why you like it.

Purchase online @ £ 7.00

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Romantic Reads

Hi lovelies,

Valentine's Day might be over but "love is on the air". While you might have had your share of Valentine's Day dinner and lunch dates, strawberries and champagne, everything heart shaped, lovely lingerie and what not, romance has filled the air and hearts of everyone. What better way to keep it going than a romantic read.

I managed to pick my TOP FIVE favorite books and thought of sharing these with you. If you have already read any of these how did you find them? Do drop in your comments.

1. How To Fall In Love

by Cecelia Ahern

Available on Amazon @ £ 6.99

Buy: How To Fall In Love

She has just two weeks. Two weeks to teach him how to fall in love - with his own life. Adam Basil and Christine Rose are thrown together one late night, when Christine is crossing the Ha'penny Bridge in Dublin. Adam is there, poised, threatening to jump. Adam is desperate - but Christine makes a crazy deal with him. His 35th birthday is looming and she bets him that before then she can show him that life is worth living. Against the ticking of the clock, the two of them embark on wild escapades, grand romantic gestures and some unlikely late night outings. Slowly, Christine thinks Adam is starting to fall back in love with his life. But is that all that's happening...? A novel that makes you laugh, cry and appreciate life.

 

 

 

2. A Lover's Dictionary: A Love Story in 185 Definitions

by David Levithan

Available on Amazon @ £ 5.59

Buy: A Lover's Dictionary: A Love Story of 185 Definitions

How does one talk about love? We are all beginners when it comes to love, from those tentative first dates to learning how to live with, or without, someone. David Levithan's A Lovers Dictionary starts where we all once started - with the alphabet. Constructing the story of a relationship as a dictionary, Lavithan explores the intimacy and works of love through his nameless narrator, to paint a moving portrait of love through everyday words. Cleverly using the confines of language to provide an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being part of a couple, Levithan gives us an indelible and deep moving portrait of love in our time.

 

 

 

3. The Map of Love

by Ahdaf Soueif

Available on Amazon @ £ 7.49

Buy: The Map of Love

In 1900 Lady Anna Winterbourne travels to Egypt where she falls in love with Sharif, an Egyptian nationalist utterly committed to his country's cause. A hundred years later, Isabel Parkman, an American divorcee and descendant of Anna and Sharif, goes to Egypt, taking with her an old family trunk, inside which are found notebooks and journals which reveal Anna and Sharif's secret.



4. Me Before You

By Jojo Moyes

Available on Amazon @ £ 3.50

Buy: Me Before You

Lou Clark knows a lot of things. She knows how many footsteps are there between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick. What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing that what's coming is what keeps her sane. Will Traynor know his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels so small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that. What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of color. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.



5. Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus

by John Gray

Available on Amazon @ £ 8.99

Buy: Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus

In 1900 last but not the least, the book that helped millions of people transform their relationship. Now viewed as a modern classic this phenomenal book has helped men and women realise how different they really are and how to communicate their needs in such a way that conflict doesn't arise and intimacy is given every chance to grow.

 

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