Kiehl's Original Musk: Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser #Review

If you ask me about what makes a weekend start off at an amazing note, it has got to be definitely a good sleep the night before. However, what also makes the morning cheerful is a bubbly relaxing bath! Weekend is the time when I get to spend more time on myself and for personal care. First and foremost is cleaning your body properly. Let it moisturise from deep within and be fresh. All your creams and powders and perfumes will only add to it, but what’s the foremost step is to clean it well :)

I had heard about the Original Musk series by Kiehl’s long back but could never get my hands on it. Until now! Quite a lot of International bloggers whom I follow recommend this or have reviewed it at least once on their blog. What is it made of and how it fared on my body is what I am writing down below to share with you all.

Product Photographer: Stuti Shrimali

What does the product says
This richly foaming bath and shower gel with glycerin, sweet almond fruit extract and sodium PCA gently yet effectively cleanses skin, leaving it superbly soft, clean and sensuously fragranced with the distinctly modern scent that is Kiehl's Original Musk. Non-drying for a soft after-feel. Not tested on animals.

My thoughts
Been a while that I have stopped using a soap bar on my skin. Cinthol and Dove have always been my favourite apart from Pears; however, with changing times and season, my skin has got more adapted to shower gel plus, it is SO convenient to use, carry, keep, etc. Don’t you agree?

The Kiehl’s Original Musk manages to do what it claims, i.e. leave my skin feeling superbly soft and generously fragranced. 

Product Photographer: Stuti Shrimali

Key ingredients are: Aloe Vera, Glycerin and Sodium PCA. 

• Now, Aloe Vera is my personal favourite when it comes to skin. The plant’s gel is known to soften and soothe skin since ages. I have this plant at my home and manage to use it on my skin every Sunday before washing it off with lukewarm water.
• Second, Glycerin… Now we all know the essential usage of this ingredient, which is to moisturise skin. It helps the skin to gain more elasticity and make it plump.
• Next, Sodium PCA: This is something that I had to google about and the primary characteristic of this is to increase skin’s softness. It is derived from amino acids and highly water-absorbing, partly responsible for the skin’s moisture-binding capacity. Phew!

We all know how to use the shower cleanser, don’t we? Well, for this one, you wouldn’t need to much amount because only a couple of drops are sufficient for the whole body. Apply liberally in-shower or bath to cleanse and soften the skin. Leave in for a few seconds and then, rinse.

That’s it :)

Your skin will not only get cleansed, will smell good but also, soften over time. Adding this product to my favourite list and recommending you all to use it at least once!

The one in the picture is a 250 ml bottle priced at 1250/- INR.

Will you try it? Tell me in the comments section below about your favourite Kiehl’s product or a body cleanser/shower gel you LOUVE!

Hair Care tips I swear by + Oriflame Giveaway

Hey friends! It has been quite a tiring month and I cannot wait to move to September. Hair fall has risen and I can see the age is getting on me, don’t you think? Frizz never goes away and the problems stay… a major reason for the same being the Monsoon. So how do I make sure that the mane is happy and the life seems better?

1. Wash hair twice a week: Let’s count Sunday and a Wednesday as two, I make sure that my hair is washed twice a week. If you have got them drenched in rain, make sure you wash them to avoid itchiness and hair loss.
2. When outdoors, cover: Always carry an umbrella, raincoat with a cap or simply a scarf.
3. Lukewarm water is what you need: Not too cold, and not too or. Hot water leads to hair fall and makes it brittle!
4. Do not comb wet hair or tie them: Be it summer or rains, do not comb wet hair. It makes them weak and leaves with broken n strands. Leave them open to brittle and lifeless hair away.
5. Dry them well: Drying your hair properly and not going overboard with the hairdryer is the key. Be gentle and use your towel to dry from the scale to the ends. Do not tie up the towel on your hair for long.
6. Oiling: Oil you hair once a week do it right. Too much oil on the hair doesn’t mean good hair. Use optimum amount and try to lukewarm it before using.
7. Use the right shampoo and conditioner: Use one which is gentle on the hair an. Check your hair type and go for what suits it. Avoid too much conditioner or it may make them look flat.
8. Go for a hair spa: Pampering sessions for you and your hair will leave you feeling rejuvenated. Once in 3 months, is what I suggest!

No colouring, too many hair products, styling, etc. can ruin your hair more during monsoon. Go for a short haircut and keep them clean. 

A secret tip to keep the dandruff away: Use Aloe Vera gel on your scalp. Do not buy the product from the market but grow a plant in your garden and apply the natural gel. Rub it on the scalp, keep it on for 30 minutes and wash it off with first, normal water and second, clean with shampoo and conditioner.

Coming onto celebrating the last weekend of this month and an almost goodbye to Monsoon, here’s an Oriflame giveaway for you all!

You can win this Hair Restore Therapy Kit by following these simple steps:

1. Leave a hair care tip that you swear by in the comments section below OR tweet to me using the hashtag #OriflameHairCarexMegha

2. Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for an added point(s).

3. Share this blog on your social media platforms using the hashtag #OriflameHairCarexMegha and don't forget to tag me where you post it.

Easy right? :) I have used this product before and loved it thoroughly!

Go on, participate. The contest is open until 15th September! Good luck <3

Note: Open to Indian Residents only. There will be ONE winner only. 

Love,

@WanderlustGirl_

Guest Blog: Best jobs to get into if you think about food all day!

It doesn’t matter if you eat to live or live to eat, food is an undeniably important part of our lives. Most people now have a stable nine to five job where you walk in and meet the same people every day and get into a routine, being jaded is only a matter of time .For most cooking is a form of therapy, something that takes our mind off things after a long day of work. But what if you could be around food all day, here are some professions perfect for foodies!

What you will need before getting started:

Before starting on your foodie dream I would recommend getting some experience in either a hotel or a restaurant so that you have a fair idea of how the business is run, better yet find a chance to do it overseas so that you can bring a new and exotic flavour to your cuisine .Check out some great job offers at Neuvoo. I personally did my internship at a Mövenpick hotel but it depends completely on your goal .

Food truck chef: 

This one has been a bit overdone in the past few years the number of food trucks went up exponentially, but there is a reason behind why the food truck is so popular .It’s because there are very little start-up costs, typically just a van and maybe a backup generator both of which are pretty much onetime costs. The second advantage of a food truck is mobility, you can test different parts of the city and evaluate how big the market is, and even play with prices to experiment and find out which is most profitable .The prices and market can then be compared with rent levels if you would like to start a restaurant in the future .This is something that many food truck owners often miss out on!

Take a look at Brothers Maine lobster and their success story, after getting an investment this small company is now franchising and has really grown from when it first started.

Image source: www.tes.com

Personal Chef: 

This trend is really gaining momentum, the concept is cooking for a small group of people for a special occasion, most personal chefs often work on a free-lance basis but there are a few companies that offer the service and signing up with them could be looked into. The reason this is becoming so popular is the customer’s desire for personalisation and to get away from crowded restaurants. The biggest advantage about this job is probably getting to meet and cook for some VIP clients if you are really good!

Writing a cook book: 

The amount of paperback books being bought is definitely on the decline with more and more people become more conscious about the environment and fewer people having time to read .However social media has given us a way to put our recipes out there without having to find a publisher .Starting a you tube channel or a Facebook page could be an outlet that you could explore .I would also recommend looking into the Paleo diet (which is pretty much eating like a caveman) this age old way of eating has now become a major trend !

Food production and retail: 

Okay this one come with its large number of challenges ,but if you have the perfect recipe to make something that tastes great and you think you can make money on it then go for it .However bringing production costs down can be a big issue as finding a big kitchen to make your wonderful recipe would be expensive .Then when that is done having it in retail will eat into your margins (pun intended) .Online selling is a good option but shipping costs could make your product less competitive .

Take a look at a start-up that makes customized granola bars called element bars!

Food critic and columnist: 

This one takes a bit of writing talent, however could be a great way to try a different restaurant every day, it also means having a stable job with a newspaper or magazine.

Opening a beach shack: 

Okay so I saved the best for last .The lifestyle of having a shack is unbelievable not to mention your office will probably have a great view of the sea .The biggest difference about working in a restaurant that caters to leisure travellers as opposed to business travellers is the mind-set that your customers would have ,having a beach shack would mean your service time could be longer and you would probably have to deal with fewer complaints as most of your customers are in a holiday mood, paradise often comes with its dangers, competition can be stiff and business can be seasonal not to mention the licences that you would have to pay for in advance.

Image Source: www.holidify.com

Thank you for reading and let me know if I have missed out on any great foodie professions .Let me know what you think and do share your experiences if you have been involved in any of these professions yourself .

By: Manvendra Kikkeri

A student and part time writer, Manvendra's current obsessions are food and travel. He is currently studying hospitality and hotel management.

Reach him on Facebook

Bridal Lingerie by Zivame

What each of us consider sexy is a matter of personal preference. That’s where the versatility of lingerie comes into picture; tailored to your lifestyle, mood, shape and occasion.

While the brides-to-be are stressing over which lehenga they should go for, neglecting what goes beneath is not an option. Wedding Lingerie and Nightwear is often overlooked and is not given the due importance. As we are approaching wedding season, we have lot of bride-to-be hunting for the perfect outfits for their special occasions. Bridal lingerie being one of the key elements of any bridal trousseau, Zivame sets forth its beautiful bridal collection which is not just in trend bridal lingerie but is also available in a variety of sizes.

About the brand
Zivame is India’s premier online lingerie store, featuring over 2000 lingerie styles to choose from: bridal lingerie, plus size lingerie, every day wear, shapewear, leisure wear, nightwear and swimwear for women. Today, Zivame is one of the most preferred lingerie destination for the women across the country.

Why does your choice of Lingerie matters?

1. Feeling sexy on the inside, is what reflects outside
2. The right size does wonders to your posture – after you have spent so much time scouting for the perfect dress, am sure this one’s really important, isn’t it?
3. It’s personal - for you and your partner’s eyes only.

Now that you know why picking the right bridal lingerie is important to you, let me tell you how to go about it when you are shopping on Zivame:

• Pick colours: Colour is a very important factor when it comes to Lingerie. You don’t want your bridal pick to resemble that of a regular, neither would you want it to be flashy. Zivame has some pleasing colours available like Light Blue, Pink and White.
• Variety: From lace to satin, you will find quite a lot of options to shop from. I have picked out some favourites for you all, at the end of this blog post.
• Pay attention to comfort: The last thing you want is to mess around with your lingerie on the wedding night or the honeymoon. Zivame is offering help in all sectors: 
• Zivame Fitting Lounge 
• Bra Size Calculator 
• Caring for Lingerie 

Lingerie Party: Does this ring a bell? I think every bride deserves a bachelorette! Zivame Lingerie Party is not that but how about you make it so? What the brand says, “Gather your group of girlfriends - colleagues, kitty party friends or college pals and get ready for two hours of fun! We throw in exciting lingerie games, fitting sessions and some sipping over gossip, followed by exploring lingerie together.” Mamma Mia! Every girl deserves this ;)

Moving on, I have picked my top 5 from their collection. Do tell me in the comments section below or tweet to me which one is your favourite!

The sensuous combination of lace and mesh makes it a stunner

When you want to leave little to the imagination, leave it to this elegant lace.

Indulge in sheer lace with this convertible strap design

Monochrome is never out of mind, never out of sight and never out of trend. flaunt a cross-back design with its detachable strap option.

 

Available in 3 subtle colours, get creative with this beautiful lace embroidered style

Zivame ships internationally and hence an amazing collection for the Plus size too. Double whammy right? Go on, indulge your senses in some beautiful lingerie ;)

Love,

@WanderlustGirl_

The all-new Fair and Lovely Powder Cream | First look

How much time do you girls take to get ready in the morning? I personally do not take much time since makeup is not my ritual but I have friends whom I have waited for hours listening to, 'reaching in 5 minutes'. But, what do I do to keep my skin glowing throughout the day? 

Cleaning it with rose water is one and the second is applying aloe vera every weekend/fortnight. Long term effect? Good. But what about keeping your face glowing all day long at work/college? Morning you are fresh and by the time you reach office or it is lunch time, skin looks drained out.  

Few days back I attended the Fair and Lovely’s Bloggers Meet for the launch of their new Powder Cream variant. For someone like me who spends major part of her day train travelling, knowing this product better has been a key highlight for me this last week.

What the product claims
“Skip the hassle of constantly checking your look with the new Fair & Lovely Powder Cream that ensures instant & long lasting fairness for not 1 or 2 but 14 hours. The unique brightening powder absorbs oil and the advanced multivitamin creams gives you expert treatment like fairness, helping you maintain a long lasting fairness look. Fair & Lovely Powder Cream blends naturally with Indian skin tones adding a soft & smooth glow to the skin, leading to flawless fairness all day long.”

The Bloggers event was fun with the 13 other fellow beauties whom I met after a long time! Photograph sessions, fun activities, games and team challenges made sure that we all had an amazing afternoon at the Bungalow 9, Bandra. Each blogger got a one-on-one with Mr. Pratik Ved, Senior Brand Manager, Fair & Lovely, who introduced the Powder Cream to us and explained the ideology behind the new launch.

The product comes in a handy neon pink and white tube with a flip cap. It has a dual role as we all reckon from the name itself. One, it contains a cream that nourishes your skin, and on being absorbed leaves a matte finish. Second, it has a fine brightening powder which keeps the possibility of reapplication away. 

It manages to not leave a white patch on my skin and goes well with my dry to combination skin quite well. A soft smell, Fair and Lovely Powder Cream comes in the trademark colours of pink and white and is super affordable for all walks of women with priced at Rs.55 for 18g, Rs.115 for 40 gm. Be it in office, or college, or just a fun outing with friends, make Fair & Lovely Powder Cream part of your daily skin regime.

Try it for yourself and don’t forget to share the experience with me. Since I have recently started using the product and it has been only a couple of days, a full review shall follow soon.

Keep an eye out for an amazing Fair and Lovely giveaway on my blog & stand a chance to win a hamper for yourself! Stay tuned to Twitter/Instagram for a updates.

-------------------------------------------

Update!

Hey friends, you can now win a Fair and Lovely Powder Cream for yourself along with a lovely goodie bag from my side :) All you have to do is:
1. Comment in the section below with why you want to win this giveaway
2. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for brownie points.
3. Share the giveaway!

That's it! Contest open until 25th August, 2016.

Keep Smiling,
@WanderlustGirl_

A healthy step ahead with Thyrocare

Aye people! It has been raining incessantly here in Navi Mumbai since last night and am home ridden. One good thing about being home is amazing food which mom feeds, don't you think so? 

This changing weather has given me major jitters; headaches, illness, tiredness, aching muscles and what not! Speaking of falling sick, remember the last post I did on quick easy steps to a fitter better life? I mentioned about a Thyrocare service and how it became utmost important for me to try it out and get check for the rapid weight gain which has given me the scare of life! Fortunately, I do not have thyroid. But that doesn't deny the fact that I shouldn't be taking care of the weight gain and banish it completely. How I plan to do it? Wait (weight!) and watch.

Why one needs to get checked for Thyroid? There are many clues which your body throws at you to say that the Thyroid gland is not functioning at its optimal level.

1. Fatigue
2. Digestion problems
3. Skin/hair problems
4. Depression/anxiety
5. Menstrual irregularities and fertility issues

Identify these, consult your doctor and get yourself checked at the earliest. In today's blog post, I am going to tell you all how the Thyrocare service fared and why one should try it out too.

About Thyrocare

Thyrocare is India's first fully automated diagnostic laboratory with a focus on providing quality at affordable costs to laboratories and hospitals in India and other countries.

With a belief that 'Quality' is the heart of any intelligent management, Thyrocare became one of the first Indian diagnostic laboratories to obtain internationally renowned quality accreditations like ISO 9001-2000 rating as early as 2001, which is now escalated to ISO 9001:2008; NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) in 2005 and CAP (College of American Pathologists) certification in 2007.

I got to know about this facility through my Father who happened to read about it in the newspaper. I googled about it more and found out that there are 4 ways to book this service: website, call, whatsapp or email. I went for an email.

Flow of service:

• Send the NAPME (Name, Address, etc.) details to Thyrocare
• Call is made from their end for fixing appointment for sample collection
• On your availability coordination is done with service provider for home service
• Sample is collected on the said date and time by the blood collection technician
• Sample reaches Thyrocare central processing laboratory for assessment
• Reports are generated in 48 hours and auto - generated mail is sent to the customer
• Hardcopies are sent to the customer in coordination with TSP (Thyrocare Service Provider), if the customer has paid Rs. 35 additionally.

Sounds too convenient right?

After a quick approval from my doctor, I sent them an email with the required NAPME details and they replied within a few hours with a confirmation on the desired time and day of blood test. This was soon followed by a call from the centre who reconfirmed about my preferred time and date and informed that the representative would call me to check on the address soon. 

Call was followed by a message, representative's call and the blood test was done right on time as was asked for. The report was in my mail box within 48 hours followed by a hard copy of it sent to my address within 3 days.

I am mighty impressed by the whole process and suggest you all to go for it as it is: secured, assured and reliable! Not to forget, fast too. That's what we need in our lives these days, don't we?

Keep it healthy,

@WanderlustGirl_