Dot & Key Skincare New Hydration Heroes : Hyaluronic Acid Infused Range - Serum, Sleeping Mask, Eye Mask & Eye Cream Review

Hi everybody! Today I've got a fantastic post for you to peruse! Dot & Key is a brand that we had discovered quite some time back (find a detailed review of their underarm serum and mask HERE) and have been using their products and liking them since. Just short of a month ago, the brand kindly sent us a few of their new products to try out. After more than 3 weeks of testing them out, here's my detailed review of them all. Read on to discover an exciting hyaluronic acid range!

This new hydration range by Dot & Key - CHECK IT OUT HERE features Hyaluronic Acid as its star ingredient so that your skin can dive into a pool of refreshing moisture and emerge plump and dewy! Say hello to your new buddies that will give you glass skin, effortlessly.

25 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self : Part 4

That's right folks! It's that time again where I share some wise tid-bits to my younger self again (but hopefully, these resonate with you too)!
The thing is, a lot of the time, I remember feeling 'down' or simply put, having a low emotional state because of unhappiness stemming from my inadequacy.

So let's remedy that today okay?

25 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self : Part 3

As I had said earlier, I've compiled another list of 5 things I wanted to share with you.

I know I know, I couldn't keep up with the regularity of posting this series. That's one bit of advice for you as well today, time management.

Alright, let's get into it!

The Basics of Toning

Now that we are done talking about cleansing & exfoliating let's move on with our skincare basics. What's next? Toning.
(Oh, if you haven't read the earlier posts in the series yet, I suggest you do that first and come back here - CLEANSING ; EXFOLIATION - HERE & HERE). 

Okay, so toners. You either use them or you don't. I fall in the former category. I like using them - yes, at any given point of time I have a couple going - I choose depending on how my skin feels or I alternate between them or use 1 in  the morning & 1 at night. 
You don't need 2 or 3 necessarily. But if you aren't using any yet you might want to add 1 in your routine and up your skincare game a little.

YBP Color Creams

Lately, both Smriti and I have been streamlining our cosmetics. You can say that we kind of got exhausted by this never ending market and new launches at the drop of a hat!

Rather than buying more, we're choosing to use what we already have, and if possible in multiple ways to add fun!
(Refer to our multi-tasking post to know more)

That's where these YBP colour creams fit in (they can be used on the face, lips & eyes), and now was the perfect time to dedicate a full post to them :)

We might be one of the last people reviewing these perhaps :D But nevertheless, if you are curious, read on! 

Dot & Key Skincare Serums : Vitamin C Serum Concentrate & Skin Clarifying Face Serum

Hello everyone, 

If you follow us on Instagram you would have seen us unboxing and talking a bit about the newly launched serums from Dot & Key. 
It's been about a month of me using the 2 serums they had kindly sent over for us to try.  
Here's what I think about it. Read on

The Basics of Cleansing

Continuing our "Basics of Skincare" series, today we are discussing a bit about cleansing. 
I hope you have read all about Exfoliation in our previous posts - Physical exfoliation HERE & Chemical exfoliation HERE. 

So let's get into some detail. 

Double-Up : How to Multi Task With Makeup

One question to you all.

How many times have you bought makeup that you really did not require?

Count me guilty. There have been many times when my decision was guided by greed, not need. I'm sure this is something that you will identify with. Having a large makeup stash is pretty to look at, till you realize how overwhelming and confusing it gets to pick out one product in a hurry!

So let's talk about multi-tasking, your answer to getting the most out of your stash, sensible beauty brought to you by us!

Masaba By Nykaa Lipstick - Swatches - All 12 Shades!

Hi everyone! 

Firstly, thank you so much for all the appreciation on the Masaba By Nykaa Nail Enamel post! We never thought that you all will like it so much and we are truly grateful. (If you haven't seent that, go check it out already!)
Yes, we were brutally honest in that post and your comments on Instagram made it all worth it! 
The old constant readers of our blog already know this - We will always be honest with our thoughts & reviews! It's a promise you guys! :)

Okay, before I get all emotional, let's just dive into the swatches!

(Image Source)

Masaba by Nykaa Nail Enamel Review & Swatches

Hello everyone! 

If you follow us on Instagram, then you would have known that we picked up 4 of the nail enamels from the new Masaba by Nykaa Collection last week. 

We have already done 2 huge Swatch Fests of the Nykaa nail enamels before, so make sure you see those two. It is important. You will see why at the end of the post.
All Nykaa Nail Polishes In My Stash - PART I 
All Nykaa Nail Polishes In My Stash - PART II

So without any delay, let's dive straight into the new collection! 

Keeping the Samsung Galaxy S10 Fresh – LED Cover

We did a small post on whether the Galaxy S10 was still relevant, especially with the Pixel 4 and the iPhone 11 coming out later this year. The answer to that question though, in case you were wondering, was a resounding yes!

Which is why I am really impressed with all the stuff that Samsung is doing in order to keep the S10 fresh. Samsung has a lot of pressure on it, being the first flagship launch of the year, and it has been supremely successful so far, with sales of the S10 still strong despite the launch of the One Plus 7 Pro.

One of the most interesting gizmos though, and the subject of this review, is this awesome LED case. This little beast snaps on to your S10, connects via NFC, and displays fancy icons, moodlighting stars and Emoji on certain events, like getting a call, getting a message or having a missed call.

Here’s some of the most important consumer purchase questions answered for you:

Is the Samsung Galaxy S10 still relevant in mid 2019?

The Galaxy S10 was the first mainstream flagship smartphone to launch in India, and that has led to a very high burden of expectation on it to stay relevant across the year. Especially with the launch of the One Plus 7 Pro, and with the upcoming launches of the iPhone 11 and the Pixel 4. We examine below why the S10 might still be worth it, even mid way through 2019

NYX Butter Glosses - Still loving them after 3 years!

I hope you all know that we are doing a full week of our favourite NYX products on Instagram. Do check out our page if you haven't already! 

Today I am sharing my love for the NYX Butter Glosses! 
It's been 3 years since I first spoke about them on the blog and I still use them a lot- now that's love! 

I have successfully added another shade to my collection of these yummy Butter Glosses! Take a look! 

NYX Lid Lingerie Shadow Palette

Hi all!

As you might be knowing, NYX is celebrating their third birthday in India and fangirling after them has led to many NYX additions to our stash over the years.

So what better way to show you all our recommendations, than a celebratory week of NYX! We started it on Instagram but today's feature deserves a blog post of its own.

25 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self : Part 2

Hey, you made it through the first five morsels of advice, good job!

I can’t wait to share a little more, so let’s have a chat, you and I!

25 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self : Part 1

Hi everybody!

It was my birthday recently, and I feel overwhelmed to have reached the quarter mark, a silver jubilee of sorts if you will.

As with all birthdays that have come post mid-teens, this one too bore slight hues of melancholy. I no longer am over-enthusiastic about adding another year to my age, not because I fear to turn old, but because that +1 makes me reflect on my previous days and all the things I wish I had known then.

I get it, wisdom comes with experience, but I’ve always felt that wisdom also comes from delving within oneself. And with that thought, here I am, compiling a list of 25 things I wish I could tell my younger self. I hope this can serve as gentle reminders of the things that matter to me as I make my way towards 30, but as I put my thoughts down, I wish they can help you too, whatever be your age.

After all, it’s just a number, right?

I’ve broken down this post into parts, as it is a lot of food-for-thought, and much better digested in small doses

Reasons why you should wear a sports bra

We always pay such close attention to our clothes, don't we? We take so much time to
choose them; we take time to dress ourselves up.
Unfortunately, many of us do not pay attention to the innerwear, and, the one thing most of
us tend to completely ignore is - the Sports Bra.
You may think that sports bras are an easy job but finding one which fits you perfectly &
does its job well is pretty complicated.

And while all of us love our traditional bras & lingerie, the ever-humble, but very much
necessary Sports Bras are quite often forgotten.
Here are 7 reasons why you need to get & wear a Sports Bra

Products I Regret Buying

Hi everyone! How's it going? 
A while back I had asked you all on Instagram if you would be interesed in seeing products I regret buying and majority of you all said yes... so here you go! 
Take a look :

Disclaimer - While these products somehow did not work out for me, they might work/or might have worked for you. This in just my personal view. 

Dot & Key : Underarm Color Correction Mask & Serum

A few days back I had mentioned these 2 products on our Instagram stories and some of you messaged me asking for more details about them. 

So, since I have been using the Dot & Key Underarm Color Correction Mask & Serum since over 5 months now, I thought why not cover the products on the blog and let you all know more.
Take a look :

(Oh & I have shared close up photos of my underarm before & after applying the mask and serum....just a heads up. If such photos gross you out, skip looking!).

Forest Essentials Lightening & Brightening Tejasvi Emulsion

A while back I did a small Forest Essentials Haul & the Tejasvi Emulsion was a part of it. Like I said in that post - I wanted to get into at home facial massages. 

Now that I am fairly regular in doing them, it is the right time to share my thougths about this product. 

LA Girl Fanatic Blush Palette - Blushed Babe

I love blushes. Surprisingly though, I do not buy a lot of them. 
I have a few good ones in my stash & I am quite happy with them. 
However, the one thing missing from my "blush collection" was a blush palette. I really wanted to add one in there (Hey, they'd come in super handy while travelling! I would just need to carry one palette!). 

There have been a few palettes in the past which have tempted me a lot (the Estee Lauder Violette collection....I am looking at you!), but their price tags always stopped me. 
And then, the LA Girl Fanatic Palettes on Nykaa! I was won over immediately. Nothing could stop me now :D *air fist pump* YESSS!

Blue Eyeshadow Look : Monsoon Makeup

I do love me a nice blue on the eyes. I will however admit that before today, I kept blue limited to an eyeliner or a blue toned kajal/kohl on the lower lash line. Last year I picked up a blue mascara to dive further into the color. 

But never did I think that I would do a full blown BLUE EYESHADOW LOOK!

But, I have been playing with colors lately! And I am loving it! 

Don't believe it? Check out my : 

Green Eyeshadow look - Done here

Yellow Eyeshadow look - Done here

Also, since it looks like the rains aren't coming this side any time soon (while most of the country has started enjoying their rainy days)...I thought I might as well enjoy some shades of blue, very apt for the monsoon:D

Bobbi Brown Crushed Liquid Lip Review & Swatches : Smoothie Move & Bitter Sweet

Last year Bobbi Brown launched their Crushed Lipsticks (reviewed here) and they were a huge hit! Both Smriti & I love those lipsticks too & between the 2 of us, we own a fair few shades. 

Their new launch this year are the Crushed Liquid Lips and I couldn't have been more excited! I love the brand...I loved the crushed lipsticks & I have been loving glossy moisturising formulas! It seems like hybrid formulas are the new in thing now!

It was super difficult for me to zero down on the shades I wanted...I loved all of them so much. But finally I picked out Smoothie Move & Bitter Sweet (for now...hehe!).

Using A Soap As a Face Cleanser? Kama Ayurveda Red Sandalwood Soap : Review

I am a huge fan of Kama Ayurveda. Their products have always worked for me, and I have tried plenty so far! 

I have been using their Rose Jasmine Facial Cleanser for almost 3 years now and I love it. On my last trip to there store, I spotted the Red Sandalwood Soap, which is especially for acne prone skin. I had to give it a try! 

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara, Espresso : Review

If you have been regular on the blog lately, you must probably know that we have developed a soft corner for brows! So, when you do not actually pay attention to them, they seem fine. But once you start grooming them, then there is no looking back. 

Over the past few months we have reviewed a number of brow products : The Maybelline Fashion Brow, L'Oreal Genius Kit, while Smriti got the Freedom Duo Powder.

While I have shared those, I somehow have failed to mention the one product I use everytime I do my brows. Every single time! Since 2017! 

So, here's the NYX Tinted Brow Mascara!

Yellow Eyeshadow Look for Summer!

I have always been a neutral eyeshadow girl, but I don't know what has happened to me lately. I have been loving colors on the eyes! A LOT! 
I did a green eyeshadow look recently  - SEE HERE & since then I have played so much with different colors. Maybe summer is totally inspiring me!

Anyway, here's another look featuring Yellow Eyeshadow! Yes, you heard me right.
If someone would have told me last year that one day I would be digging yellow eyes, I would have laughed so much.
But oh my word! It looks super nice (at least according to me) & so so apt for summer! Also, it doesn't hurt that yellow eyeshadow is super trending right now! So, what are you waiting for?!

The Balm Jour Creamy Lip Stain : Ciao, Hello & Salut

Is it a lip gloss? Is it a lipstick? Is it a lipstain?!

That's what your mind goes like when you first apply theBalm Jour Creamy Lip Stains. It really does blow your mind away!

When I first got my hands on this (I got only 1 shade) it completely changed my idea of what a lip gloss should be like. 

Before I knew it, I added 2 more colors in my stash.I mean, you don't come across a product everyday that is a lip gloss, but the color stays on & on, do you? 

Let's talk more about this wonderful product! 

Happy Father's Day!

Here's to ordinary men turned by love into Heros, Adventurers & Story-tellers. They aren't anchors to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there...but a guiding light whose love shows us the way....always!

Image Source : https://hindi.indiatvnews.com/

The Basics of Chemical Exfoliation : Acid Toners, Acid Peels (AHAs & BHAs)

Acid peels are the new star in skincare. A millenial concept, with hundreds of brands catering to this new demand via a variety of products and formulations can come across as daunting for someone who is just trying to make the switch to this gentler variant of exfoliation.

Chemical exfoliants work by loosening the dead skin cells sitting on top of your skin, gently and evenly. By doing this your skin can shed them easily, revealing healthy plump skin cells that lay hidden beneath! 

Let's discuss a little on the topic of AHAs and BHAs. Abbreviations for alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids, it's a term you will frequently find in the ingredient list of any chemical exfoliant. AHAs also go by the name 'fruit acids' as they are found in a variety of citrus fruits and are water soluble. BHAs on the other hand are lipid (oil) soluble and so can expect them to penetrate better and get rid of excess sebum. Speaking simply, if you have oily and acne prone skin you are likely to fare better with a BHA containing peel.

The Basics of Physical Exfoliation : Getting down to the nitty-gritty!

Exfoliation is an integral part of any well-orchestrated skincare routine. And with the simple rule of thumb that applies to all skincare, 'One size does not fit all,' holding true for this too, we thought that maybe it was time to let you in on what knowledge we've gathered, through experience (and a tiny bit of dermatology) to help you make an informed decision!

Why is exfoliation important?

• Well, for starters it gets rid of the flaky dead skin that sits at the very top, giving rise to texture.
• It reveals a smooth and glowing complexion.
• When done right and followed up with targeted products, exfoliation can boost your skin, reducing pigmentation and increasing collagen production.
• Getting rid of the dead skin can actually reduce the chances of your pores getting clogged, preventing bumps and acne from forming.
• It allows all your other skin care products to penetrate better.
• So overall, your skin is much healthier!

The Ordinary Skincare Review - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution , Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

When DECIEM came out with a whole line of products under The Ordinary banner, the beauty world could not stop talking & raving about it! I get why. They offered no-nonsense, clinical skincare products at affordable prices. (though unavailabilty in India still makes sourcing their products a bit steep).
An array of serums concentrating on individual ingredients targeting different concerns & skin needs. It allows you to pick ingredients suited to you & make your own regime.
Also, their products are usually fragrance-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free, oil-free, nut-free, cruelty-free and vegan.

It has taken me sometime to feature these products here, but I always like trying skincare for a good amount of time before sharing my thoughts with you all. Anyway, here you go! 

Ohria Ayurveda Kansa Face Massage Wand

When it comes to face massages, I am a lazy bum. I know how important they are & their benefits, but honestly, I used to do a face massage once in 45 days or so!
Now, about to touch 30 & determined to keep my skin healthy (well....it's scary to be reaching 30!), I have been getting more & more regular with face massages. It is tough & not something I am used to doing daily, because my younger self could have gotten away with it. Not any more! 

Also, I am all about doing as much skincare as possible at home. Naturally, I looked for tools that can make facial massages easier by self. 
So, in the past few months I have tried a couple of tools - Jade rollers & Gua Sha. I will speak about them in a seperate post soon! 

Today is all about something very much Indian - Our own ancient art of massaging for natural radiance. There is a reason why century old rituals are popular even today - They Work! 

Let's talk about the KANSA WAND!

All Nykaa Nail Polishes In My Stash : Part II (Swatch Fest!)

You guys loved it when Smriti shared all the Nykaa nail polishes currently in her stash....that was one post sure to make any nail polish lover go la-la-la-la. 
So we thought why not make you just a little more happy? Here's another swatch fest of all the Nykaa nail polishes in my stash at the moment! 
Take a look! All my favourites are marked with an *
Caution : Picture heavy post!!

(UPDATE : The new Masaba By Nykaa nail enamel collection reviewed and swatched HERE!!)

Eid Mubarak

May the magic of this Eid bring lots of happiness in your life and fill your heart with love. We hope this special day brings peace and prosperity to everyone. 

Eid Mubarak!

P.S Don't forget to check out our super simple but glam Eid makeup look Here!

Lots of love,

Smriti & Swati

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

Ever since I have shared my love for the Glam Glow Supermud mask, many of you have been asking for alternatives to that one. 

Of course, the steep price tag of the GlamGlow mask makes it a bit unreasonable. After my 15ml mini tub got over, I wanted to buy the full size of it but kept delaying it for months as well. 

In the mean time, I actively searched for possible replacements which were a bit more affordable. There are a good number of charcoal masks available in the market today (& I tried many) but I was looking for something quite specific & I think I have found that in The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask. 

Eid Makeup Look

Hi! Up today is a simple but gorgeous Green Eye Look which would be perfect to wear with Eid around the corner or any other time when you fancy a bit of color!

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

When it comes to base makeup, I strongly gravitate towards Bobbi Brown. Their philosophy of Skin which looks like skin is something I believe in too. Plus they have a great shade range to cater to most skin tones particularly yellow undertones which is quite common in Indian women. 

So, when I wanted a good hassle free concealer I had to head over to Bobbi Brown without a second thought. 

The Creamy Concealer Kit was my very first base product purchase from the brand (the number has now grown over the past few months :D)

I was torn between their Instant full cover concealer & this one and after much contemplation, I went ahead with the kit. (pssst... I got the other one a couple of months later..hehe).

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipsticks : Nude Nuance & Touch of Spice

Every once in a while you come across a product which looks and feels like a high end but comes at humble price. The Maybelline Colorsensational Creamy Matte lipsticks in Nude Nuance & Touch of Spice are exactly like those kind of products. 

Not that I need any more lipsticks, but these 2 shades have been raved about so much that I just had to add them to my stash. And I do not regret it one bit, since I wear both of them so so much. 

I Gave In To Temptation!! HUDA BEAUTY: Rose Gold Remastered Eyeshadow Palette

Yes! I finally gave in to the temptation and got my very own Rose Gold Palette! Aaaa!!!
I resisted for almost a year but there's something about this beauty, I don't know what exactly...the shimmers, the colours... the hype...So well, yeah! Here I am, a good amount short on the pocket, but all smiles nevertheless. ☺ Just look at it! Ah! It's what dreams are made of! 

OPI Big Apple Red

Ever since I got OPI Tickle me France-y (reviewed here), I have been wanting to try out more of their shades. Reason being : OPI gets nailpolishes right! Loads of colors & super interesting names, but more importantly - lovely formula, great finish and longentivity. Their polishes are indeed one of the best I have come across and give you a salon like finish!

So, after the demure neutral color of Tickle me France-y, I went in for a bright bold red - BIG APPLE RED!

Makeup and the Medico Life : Lessons we learnt and our tips to help you!

 When you think of a doctor, what comes to your mind? And we're talking about an image.

All throughout our medical schooling, the one thing that we realised is that appearance matters. No, supermodel akin beauty is not the theme here, rather how you present yourself to the patient is what's important. Health care is a field that demands discipline and dedication, more sobriety than others. 

So how do you incorporate a love of makeup into this life? 

Luckily, we've put together a few notes that should help you juggle these opposites with ease. Keep it classy, keep it professional- but don't miss out on the fun!

Busy Mornings, Tasty Breakfasts : Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Recipe

When I was an intern, more often than not, I'd be running around the hospital at erratic hours fulfilling the call of nurses, PGs DUTY ( have to keep reminding myself that 😛 ).

The first few weeks saw me skipping meals frequently until it dawned on me that at this rate, I'd end up in one of the wards myself! And you know, doctors are the worst patients. So that's how I selected a couple of easy recipes that would come together quickly, keep my tummy full and happy, and also fuel me throughout the day.

Also, they are healthy and that's always a win-win!