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!!

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!

Pixi Glow Tonic

If you follow British beauty bloggers, Caroline Hirons particularly (gosh, I love her!), you've probably seen the Pixi Glow Tonic talked about plenty of times. It's up there in almost all favourites, everyone recommends it and simply put it made every skincare enthusiast go "ga-ga". And with good reason! I mean, come on....it is called GLOW TONIC! 

The skincare junkie in me couldn't wait for much longer, could she? It's a shame Pixi Skintreats isn't avaiable in India yet (Why?!Oh why?!), but there are plenty of websites/online sellers from whom you can get a hold of this golden liquid. 

Skincare Haul!

I shared a makeup haul post recently and had promised you all to share the Skincare products I bought as well. And here it is! 

I am a skincare junkie! Yes makeup love is always and will always be there...but when it comes to skincare, I might be becoming slightly obsessed! Ahem! I am sure it isn't a good thing especially for the people around me, but I think my skin should be realtively happy. 

Anyway, take a look into what I got : 

All Nykaa Nail Polishes In My Stash : Swatch Fest!

Hello there!

I thought I'd compile a quick list of all the Nykaa nail polishes I own, for you to peruse. Don't get me wrong, I do have a number of other polishes from various brands, which you may have seen on the blog before. It's just that Nykaa's formula is the ONLY one I'm gravitating towards these days. It's smooth, long-lasting (4-5 days without chipping), priced well, and easy to stack!

Swati has a few more beautiful shades in her collection, so maybe we can have a second round of this swatch fest. All in good time, ladies!
UPDATE : Part II of the swatch fest & more colors HERE. 

Let's jump into it already! Grab a cup of your favourite beverage and stay a while 'cause this post is going to be picture heavy 😀😀😀

(Disclaimer : This is not a sponsored post. All products have been purchased by Curios and Dreams).

Mitti Se Wild Essence Face Wash, Rose Water, and Almond Oil : Review

2019 saw me taking a leap into clean beauty. The transition will be tricky and I cannot hope to replace all my skincare/makeup with green options with a click of my fingers, so slow and steady it is!

I think our market now has a fair share of natural and organic options for those looking to dip their toes in the world of conscious and sustainable beauty. Navigating through them can prove confusing and so I was happy to be approached by a new brand called Mitti Se. Indigenous and incredibly ethical, all their products are pure, natural and organic, vegan, and cruelty-free - the whole deal!

On my testing table for the past couple of weeks have been their face wash, rose water, and almond oil - all of which I was able to incorporate seamlessly into my routine and am now ready to share my experience with you!

Makeup Haul

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! ☺

I hear you, I have done quite a good number of hauls recently! Don't make me feel too gulity now. But, what's a better way to start the new year than sharing a makeup haul?! 

I did not get them all at once, no. Consider this an accumulation of many small purchases over the past few months of 2018. 

Some of these products have made it into my "BEST PICKS OF 2018". I have shared that on Instagram Stories in case you are interested :)

It is a good mix of things. Take a look :