Perfect Weekend for the Bikers: Ride - Grill - Camp

A bunch of die hard riders are coming up with an exciting event this weekend. Read on to find more! 

Every true-blue biker desires a perfect ride or a perfect night out with his or her buddies "Downshift Group" is organizing that perfect ride and night out together. Hence, we ride to Karnala which is 58 Kms from Mumbai & 110 km from Pune. This night out will be totally different for your regular night outs, it will be a pure bikers night out where everything will be related to the motorcycling world. Once you reach the camp site, you will experience the scenic beauty and the motorcycling twist we have given to the place. At the same time everyone will experience the purity of nature and a proper camping environment. So gear up, rev your engines and get ready for this completely different experience.

Location: BRT Karnala Camp Ground
Date: 3rd & 4th May 2014
Ride fees Rs. 2200/-
(Includes – Tents sharing according to 3 people, 5 people and 10 people, sleeping bags, barbecue dinner veg/non-veg, breakfast)

Last Date to register is 30th April 2014! Time is running short, get going!!!

Package also includes:

• Unplugged band performance
• Treasure Hunt
• Photography & Videography Contest
• Mr. Control - Slow Riding Race
• Roadtrip Story Contest
• Night/Morning Trek

For more details, visit www.bikersnightout.wix.com/bikersnightout

For tickets, contact:
Gaurav Prabhu - 9819138077
Saurabh De - 9987998686
Shrey Sunil - 9819245624

*Terms & Conditions Apply
Official Camping Partner - Big Red Tent

Product Review: Nivea in-shower body moisturiser

I have used a lot of Nivea products before. Especially the Nivea cold cream in those pretty blue tin boxes. The smell of Nivea products is enough to make one smile and bring back a lot of childhood memories. Thankfully, their new offering is as good as other products.

Today, I am reviewing the recent launch of Nivea - the in-shower body moisturiser which claims to be 
"The next generation of body care"

It is a moisturiser for your body while you are still in the shower. The moisturiser leaves a soft layer after your rinse. It is not necessary to use it daily of you have a normal to dry skin. It did save my time from applying any other lotion after bath.

How to use it?

1. You need to have your usual bath first and then brush off that extra water from your body.
2. Take the Nivea in-shower mosituriser and dab patches on your body and massage a little. Take only a small amount as it spreads well.
3. Rinse off after 2 minutes.
4. Dry yourself, dress up and you are good to go!

Yes, it is THAT easy.

Packaging

The moisturiser comes in a sturdy inverted hard plastic container with a flip cap, making it easy to use and a secure shutting. This convenient feature makes it travel friendly!

Pricing

250 for 250 ML, not bad at all! 

Experience

Firstly, the product succeeded in making my skin hydrated. My skin definitely needed this. I have a moderate oily face but a normal to dry body.

The smell stays in a tender way for sometime after the bath. Once you rinse off, it leaves your body with a soft bounce.

"Get silky, soft skin - while in the shower"

Do share your views on this product. Will you give it a try?
Final rating - 4.5/5

*I got this product as a winning prize on Beauty Frontline's Valentines Day giveaway. Review is unbiased and based on personal experience after using the product for more than a fortnight.

Wardrobe addition: Summer Sling bag from India Circus

It’s time to go minimal this summer. With summer coming in full force a small sling bag is the perfect accessory to go outdoors with you. You can ditch your hefty handbag this summer and grab a sling bag, perfect to stash in your summer essentials and travel!

I recently got a sling bag from India Circus, packed perfect in a sponge sheet; delivered within 5 days of request.

About India Circus

India Circus Retail Pvt. Ltd. offers contemporary-chic, sophisticated, and affordable style for various areas of your life, from home decor to personal accessories. With an All-Indian palette, we draw our inspiration from both Mughal Royalty as well as road-side chai. We offer a diverse and distinct array of moods and tones, which we feel represents India.

India Circus seeks to curate the essence of life in India, and transcribe this loud and colorful experience into contemporary and sophisticated style. From luminescent lamps to totes a la mode, we have a lot to offer for various corners of your life!

The vibrancy of the colors combined with the nuanced heritage of the designs makes each piece created at India Circus exceptional. All of our creations offer sophistication with a dash of 'Indian-ness,' without draining your wallets.

How to place your order on India Circus?

Go to www.indiacircus.com.

Choose from the categories; Home Decor, Dining, Accessories, Rugs, Fashion, Wall Art, Curated and more.

Chose the one you want

India Circus has a beautiful collection of casual bags available to buy and add to your summer wardrobe. The collection is feminine and fun. You have Sling bags and Jhola bags to choose from a wide option.

What I chose!

Product link: http://indiacircus.com/world/india-vibrant-looped-sling-bag.html 

Payment options

You can pay by card, or paypal or choose COD. Shipping is free.

Done!

and here's my summer love from India Circus :D

I opened it and It was 'wao! this is beautiful'. The first thing which catches your attention is the design on the bag. It’s like carrying a youthful India into your style. It is bright, young and opulent. I found it feminine and fun.

The sling bag which is perfect to carry my daily essentials :)

You can style your sling bags in more than one way. Be it with a summer dress, white crisp shirt and shorts, with a floral skirt or even your regular denims.

Here, I have styled the sling bag with a summer dress I recently got from the Delhi. 

I am in love with the bag. How will you style yours?

Rating – 4/5

Minus points - I would have really loved shorter shoulder straps. I found them pretty long. 

Second, the flap closure in front should either have a magnet button or other hold. It tends to open too easily when and if too much you try and put in.

Have an amazing summer and don't forget to buy your summer love from India Circus :)

Bag: India Circus

Dress: Delhi Flea Market

Earrings: Goa Handicraft Shop, Vasco

Shoes: Bandra Hill Road, Mumbai

Shades: Borrowed from Sis 

Picture credits: Lens - Where life meets Dreams

Offers on India Circus this week

Have you ever shopped from India Circus? Would louve to know your thoughts! :)

*The product was sent to me by the PR team for review. Unbiased review from my end, as always.

Best way to store your makeup!

A reader recently wrote to me and asked how she can possible store and preserve her lipsticks and gloss. I wanted to answer her query with a blog post, and here it goes :)

The life of your makeup varies from product to product. All the products usually have an expiry date printed over it. However, there are some products which you don't use even after months and months of buying them. The question arises, how to store packed and unused makeup? No matter whether used or unused, all the makeup needs to be stored wisely. the actual shelf-life of any makeup product (opened or not) depends on how you store it and hence it is best to store them in a dry, cool, dark place as the products ingredients (such as pigments) might react to UV light and bacteria thrive on heat and humidity.

Since products containing oil are more susceptible to bacterial growth over time, your powder eye shadow will have a better shelf life than a mascara, a lip gloss or a moisturizer containing SPF.

I have made myself a box to store my makeup. It is always kept in my almirah which is usually cool and away from sunlight. Pictures below.

The oldest lipstick I have is a year old right now. Haven't unpacked. Once opened it shall go on for another next year as the expiry date is yet to come. 

• When polish expires, the consistency turns gooey. They are sensitive to temperature extremes and humidity, so avoid storing lipsticks in the bathroom. Keep them in your dressing table or that pouch you keep at home. 
• Keep checking on unused makeup once a while.
• Protect your sunscreen by keeping it out of sunlight's reach. Once opened, sunscreen should stay active for a year.
• Always close the caps of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products tightly. Otherwise, water and air can get in, breaking down the formulas or causing them to separate. Shampoos and conditioners, if not opened; stays for 2 years. 

Simple steps to follow:

1. Wash and dry your hands properly before putting your fingers into a product. 
2. Avoid reinfection. Stop using all eye makeup if you have an eye infection and lip products if you have a cold sore. Just cleaning with a tissue won’t suffice. 
3. Choose a cotton-tipped swab or disposable sponge to apply makeup to a pimple — and avoid double-dipping.

Some tit-bits on keeping your make-up & cosmetic fresh 

• Keep makeup containers tightly closed and out of sunlight; light can degrade preservatives.
• Keep in mind, natural products expire quickly, so store creams and liquids in the refrigerator.
• Always use clean hands and brushes when applying, and use a spatula instead of fingers to dip into skincare jars.
• Don't use eye cosmetics if you have an eye infection, such as conjunctivitis, and throw away all products you were using when you first discovered the infection.
• Never add any liquid to bring the product back to its original consistency. Adding that could introduce bacteria that could easily grow out of control.
• Never share- it's the fastest way to spread bacteria!

I hope these tips help you out in someway :) Do share your tips on how to store makeup!

Love,

Megha :)

Product Review: Vivel Cell Renew Fortify+Repair Body Lotion

Hello beauties! 

Winter has almost closed in on us but there's a product which stayed with me all throughout the season and took care of my skin and is continuing to do so in this summer.

For the first time I tried a Vivel product (thanks to a giveaway win). We all know that Mumbai is not very cold that dehydrates your skin but skin definitely needs moisturisation in the breeze and wind. 

What Vivel Cell Renew Fortify+Repair Body Lotion claims:
The cell renew line of skin care is powered with 10x vitamin E benefit. It penetrates deep within the skin to repair skin damage cell by cell and help your skin fight the effects of environmental damage;
1. Repairs the damaged skin barrier and forms a protective layer.
2. Prevents the breakdown of collagen due to harmful sun rays
3. Fortifies skin cells against oxidative damage by free radicals
4. Replenishes lost nutrients and moisture


Ingredients:

Price: Rs225/- for 250ml.

Application: I would suggest to apply it on your dry skin after morning shower and before sleeping at night for best results.

My Experience

This was my first trial of a Vivel product. This Cell Renew range with vitamin E from the brand Vivel was launched this winter and I received this as a part of a win. This Cell Renew range apart from Lotion also has face moisturizer, hand cream, cleanser, etc.

The lotion has a fine packaging. White bottle with a pump cap on top, making it an hassle free use. This not only makes it hygenic but also convenient. The pump prevents it from any leakage and easy to carry with. 

The texture is just like any other lotion or moisturiser, White. I would advice to take only a little amount as it is more than sufficient to moisturise the body. It is light, smells divine and gets absorbed real quick leaving no-greasy feeling! 

The lotion stays on for long on my skin without giving it a dry feeling. Talking about the smell again, its awesome and stays on for quite sometime. It made my skin a soft and smooth touch. You can use it on your hands, legs and yes even on face to have the perfect moisturised skin. Since it leaves no patch or greasy feeling, not hampering my skin at all. I have continued to use this in summer and I would draw this conclusion that its meant for all round the year except Monsoon.


Good talks -

• It is suitable for any skin type
• Best for winters and ideal for summers too
• Good packaging
• Affordable pricing
• Beautiful scent
• Moisturises well, for a long time
• Gets absorbed real quick
• Non-patchy or greasy
• Contains Vitamin E
• Easy to use
• Good availability

Not so good talks -

• Not free of chemical ingredients
• cannot substitute for sunscreen, as no SPF present

Final Rating - 4/5

*** I am not compensated for writing and the review is 100% true and correct as per my experience.

Product Review - Oriflame's Studio Artist Cream blush

Hello beauties! :)

Here I am reviewing a lovely product after a long time. This time it is the 'Oriflame - Studio Artist Cream blush in shades Soft Peach and Pink Glow'.

Price: Rs 549 for 20 ml

What I think about the product?

I have never used cream blushes and this was my first time. If ever I use blushes, I go for powder blush with minimal application.

and then I saw these. Cream blushes in the Indian market is not a common sight. The best thing I liked about these are that they are handy. Look at the small tube, easy to carry and definitely convenient. You can carry it away in your bag or even a small makeup pouch. These blushes aren't too creamy and didn't make my skin feel greasy. 

My favorite among these is the Soft Peach. Not too intense and to the face. You need to take a small amount and apply at first and then takeout more if needed. Its perfect with those floral you are going to welcome this summer. If you have a fair to medium medium skin tone, this is best for you. If you are a dusky beauty, it will hardly show on your skin.

I found the Pink Glow shade a little intense. Again, start with a small amount. This one's is a vibrant color. You can pair it up with bold lip colors/polishes.

• If you are going with these over bare skin, expect it to stay for about 3 to 4 hours. 
• If using foundation beneath, a soft shade of color will stay even after 5 hours. 

Soft Peach

The blushes didn't leave any patch on my skin, loved this fact to the core. Also, they have this natural aura to them that it doesn't feel too much on your face.

 Pink Glow

The good talks:

• The product is very easy to use and the packaging is good.
• The blushes are non-greasy and not too runny. Light texture.
• Easily blends with your skin
• No patches!
• Perfect for those cheeks
• If you are a lover of Powder blush, use these cream blush as a base. That will make it stay for long.
• Looks natural
• The tube has a lot to giveaway.

The not-so good talks:

• If applying on bare skin, the product won't stay for more than a couple of hours

Its a really beautiful product. For me, the must-have is "Soft Peach" but for you, it can be "Pink Glow". So better buy and try both! :)

Would you use this? Do leave in your lovely comments.

*unbiased review, sample sent from PR*

*** Also read - Product Review of 'Neutrogena Sunblock' ***