Skin Care With the Obagi360 System

The Skin Care Industry is at an all-time high, and only expected to grow in the upcoming years. This boom raises the question, “at what age should we be doing something about our skin health?” There are many different answers to that question and each are dependent on each individual consumer, however, it is probably a safe generalization to say that everyone wants a healthy, smooth, young skin appearance. With that being said, while you are young and still have a generally smooth skin complexion, our skin health isn't really a huge priority. In several reports, researchers have found that the average age of customers starting to use professional-grade skin care products is approximately 41 years of age. But skin health needs to be looked at as something more than just for mature people. It is ideal for any individual at any age, and it is also more than just looking good on the outside. Sure, it is a huge factor in deciding to begin a skin care regimen as skin appearance has both visual and social impacts as it clearly reflects the consequences of aging, but it also has many physical health benefits that are not visible on the outside. This clarification is hope that many people will start taking their skin health more seriously in their younger years, rather than begin when damage is already apparent and visible. 

Kaya Insta - Brightening Micro Mask - Review

Insta Brightening Micro-Mask is a light silky gel, transparent rinse-off mask with a unique combination of botanical extracts of Scutellaria Baicalensis, White Mulberry, Saxifraga Sarmentosa and Grape that work together to give you visibily brighter and radiant skin in just 20 minutes. The unique Micropatch technology releases the whitening active into the skin even long after the mask has been removed.

Kaya Insta - Brightening Micro Mask

Price - Rs 1800 for 15 ml

Ingredients - Aqua, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Disodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Pueraria Lobata Raat Extract, Methyparaben, Algin, 2-Phenoxyethanol, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum

How to Use - Apply generously over entire face and neck post cleansing. Leave it on for 20 Minutes and then rinse with water.

Lime Crime Velvetine Utopia - Review + FOTD

You guys already know by now of my love for matte bright shades and the latest addition to my stash is the new Lime Crime velvetine in the shade Utopia. I must thank Reshma of Dazzlegloss3 who was very sweet to get this for me and ship it all the way from Australia. Both of us did a makeup swap and I got lots of Aussie makeup which I'll show you in a few days time. Let's talk about Utopia today.

Lime Crime Velvetine Utopia

7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik - Book Review

Lakshmi massages Vishnu’s feet. Is this male domination?

Kali stands on Shiva’s chest. Is this female domination?

Shiva is half a woman. Is this gender quality? Why then is Shakti never half a man?

Taken literally, stories, symbols and rituals of Hindu mythology have much to say about gender relationships. Taken symbolically, they reveal many more things about humanity and nature. Which is the correct reading?

The fourth title in the bestselling ‘7 Secrets’ series focuses on the Goddess, and respected mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik tries to unravel the secrets locked within her stories, symbols and rituals.

I have been a history and mythology buff for as long as I can remember and I thank my grandfather for making me one. It started off long long back with me listening to stories from him every night before going to sleep of powerful Gods and Goddesses and that fascination with mythology never left. It was a friend of mine who introduced me to Devdutt Pattanaik's books a couple of years ago and the first one I read was 'Devi' and I was smitten. Devdutt Pattanaik is an Indian physician turned leadership consultant, mythologist and author whose works focus largely on the areas of myth, mythology, and also management. What I love about his books is the simple style of storytelling which is backed up by solid research and facts. It is not religious propaganda in any way but a conscious effort to unravel the secrets behind each story, ritual and tradition that we've grown up listening and following.  This is the latest book in his 7 secrets series and the author takes us on a tour of the stories, myths and beliefs associated with seven Goddesses - Gaia, Durga, Kali, Gauri, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Vitthai.

Oriflame The ONE Illuskin Foundation – Review + Swatches of all shades

In October, Oriflame launched The One, a new range of color cosmetics and this month’s products include the Illuskin foundation, Concealer, Volume Blast mascara and the Eyeliner Stylo – a sharp liner with a firm felt tip end. I’ve already spoken about the two shades of the Eyeliner Stylo in an earlier post. Today, it’s the turn of the Illuskin Foundation.

Oriflame The One Illuskin Foundation

Inside My Envy Box Anniversary Edition

The October My Envy Box is an anniversary edition and has been curated by the Vogue India team. Want to know what's inside? Read on.

M.A.C launches A Novel Romance Collection

Fall in lust with A Novel Romance, a color collection teeming with luscious shades that will have you feeling overwhelmed with desire. Eyes tantalize in Electric Cool Eye Shadow, Fluidline Eye Liner and Mineralize Eye Shadow quads, as lips provoke in seductive shades of Lipstick. Cheeks flush in shimmering Powder Blush, and Nail Lacquers tempt you to take the plunge in intriguing nocturnal hues. 

LIPSTICK 

Myself - soft shimmery nude beige (lustre) 

A Novel Romance - light cool dusty pink (cremesheen) 

Good Kisser - mid-tone fuchsia (matte) 

Hearts Aflame - mid-tone brick red (matte) 

Lingering Kiss - deep plum red (matte) 

INR 1,450/- 

LIPGLASS 

Bared for You - soft rose gold 

Reckless Desire - sheer pearlescent lavender grey 

Pure Fiction - mid-tone violet pink 

Wanting More - washed-out lavender 

Talk Sexy - dark purple 

INR 1,450/- 

HAUTE & NAUGHTY TOO BLACK LASH 

Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash black 

INR 1,850/- 

BRUSH 

213 Fluff 

INR 1,800/- 

224 Tapered Blending 

INR 2,550/- 

A NOVEL ROMANCE QUAD 

My Fantasy pale neutral olive (veluxe pearl) 

Fall in Lust mid-tone cool grey mauve (frost) 

Dance in the Dark deep blackened brown (matte) 

Rising Passions greenish charcoal with gold pearl (velvet) 

INR 3,100/- 

AN AMOROUS ADVENTURE QUAD 

Sable gold plum with bronze pearl (frost) 

Sex & The Oyster mid-tone seafoam green (veluxe pearl) 

Brawn mid-tone plum brown (satin) 

Black Tied black with silver sparkle (velvet) 

INR 3,100/- 

STUDIO NAIL LACQUER 

Before Dawn - green grey 

Midnight Storm - deep magenta 

Sunset Sky - mid-tone crimson 

Midnight Strata - dark violet 

Midnight Ocean - dark royal blue 

Midnight Sky - deep charcoal 

INR 990/- 

FLUIDLINE EYE PENCIL 

Atomic Ore - gold 

Earth Sign - deep brown 

Deep Blue Sea - deep ocean blue 

Metropolis - deep metal gray 

Water Willow - deep khaki green 

BRUSH 

242 Shader 

INR 2,100/- 

ELECTRIC COOL EYE SHADOW 

Pure Flash! - pale champagne 

Love Power - soft shimmering rose 

Superwatt - light shimmering taupe 

Coil - copper bronze 

Gilded Thrill - gold (frost) 

Switch to Blue - rich cobalt 

Highly Charged - rich purple with pink pearl 

Blacklit black - with multidimensional pearl

Smoked Purple Makeup Look for Autumn/Winter

As much as I love my bright reds and hot pinks, I find it very hard to resist dark and vampy lipstick shades. MAC's Dark Side is an all time favorite and I wear it irrespective of which season it is. Last month, MAC launched the Pro lipstick shades and one color that I was drawn to was Smoked Purple, a dark black purple matte color very similar to Cyber from the permanent range. Cyber looks terrible on me but somehow Smoked Purple did not when I was trying it out at the store and after I got a vote of confidence from the SA, came back home with it.

Avon Far Away Gold Perfume - Review

If you like rich, exotic scents then you must get your hands on Faraway Gold, Avon's latest perfume. It is an oriental floral fragrance and features peach, orange, jasmine, vanilla, ylang-ylang, amber and coconut notes. I received the perfume about a week back and I've been wearing it everyday since then which says how much I'm loving it.

Avon Far Away Gold Perfume

Experiencing the Matrix Biolage Advanced RepairInside Treatment + Hair Makeover

Do you know what cause hair damage?

1. Excessive heat styling when done without heat protection and
2. Overprocessing when done using incorrect protocol and poor quality products

Hair gets damaged from both inside and outside.

Inside - damaged protein bonds & a broken hair skeleton making it very porous
Outside - undernourished, rough, dull, lifeless and prone to split ends

Matrix Biolage is now here with the 1st dual repair treatment that reconstructs hair from inside and outside and I got to experience the Biolage Advanced Repairinside treatment recently at the Matrix Technical Studio in Kolkata. Suman Das, the Matrix Training expert carried out the treatment on me and also explained how the treatment and the products work on the hair. Biolage Advanced RepairInside brings together the goodness of Nature with Soya Oil and the power of molecular science with Arginine to effectively repair damaged hair. These rich ingredients help in creating a powerful combination to reconstruct damaged protein from inside and restore the cuticle shield from outside.

Memebox Jackpot Box 8th Place - Review, Unboxing

Memebox had come out with a limited edition Jackpot box late August priced at $32 and you could get products worth $155 to $1000 depending on the 'place' you got. I stayed awake till 2 a.m with a few fellow bloggers trying to snag one of these boxes. I always have horrible luck with contests/giveaways etc so wasn't really expecting to get a first, second or third place box. Got eighth place (at least wasn't last!)  and my box contains products worth $165. 

Lime Crime Velvetine Wicked - Review, FOTD

The burgundy/oxblood trend is huuuge this season and if you want to jump on the bandwagon and sport this color on your lips, get Lime Crime's Velvetine lip color Wicked. This shade was launched early this year as part of the Clueless Witch collection along with Salem and Black Velvet and one look at it and I was in love!

Lime Crime Velvetine Wicked

Axe Signature Collection for Men Suave Body Perfume - Review

I actually thought I would give this perfume to a friend of mine and write his review of it but then one whiff and I said "No way am I giving this away". So here I am sharing my thoughts on Suave, the new men's body perfume by Axe priced at a very reasonable Rs 225.

Axe Signature Collection for Men Suave Body Perfume

AXE celebrates the signature scent of a man with it’s first-ever collection of AXE Signature Body Perfumes. This definitive collection features four invigorating fragrances that bring alive the masculine scents with a blend of oriental spices and sweet woods, and are perfect for all occasions. 

Available in four zesty variants – Suave, Mysterious, Intense and Rogue, each of these definitive fragrances is a combination of sensual, warm and sophisticated aromas that you will love at first sniff and that will impeccably personify the true scent of a man. It provides its wearer a lively, spicy bouquet with stimulating notes that include green hazelnut, tonka, tahitian vanilla, mimosa flower, rosemary and lavender. It's an evocative but mature construction that's great for a broad variety of casual activities. With the new AXE Signature Body Perfumes, let your fragrance be your signature scent!

Durga Puja Special - Win a Lifestyle Gift Voucher worth Rs 2500! Contest Ends 10th October

I am back with another contest for you and this time the prize is sponsored by Lifestyle! One lucky winner will get a gift e-voucher worth Rs 2500 to use at any Lifestyle store across India. All you need to do is answer a very simple question in the comments below, follow the rules and hope to win :). Here goes the question..

'Name the mall in Kolkata where the Lifestyle store is located'

Mandatory Rules: 

1. Like my Facebook page and share this post on your Fb wall
2. Follow the blog via GFC (Google Friend Connect) - the widget is to your right. Click on Join this site.
3. Follow @PoutPretty on Twitter
4. With your answer, add your Fb name, the link to the Fb shared post, your Twitter handle, the name with which you are following the blog and your email id in the comments below. Your entry will not be considered if all this information is not provided.

Important Information

1. Contest is open only to Indian residents above the age of 18

2. Contest starts 24th September and ends 10th October. The winner will be announced on 12th October

3. If there are multiple correct entries, I will select the winner at random

4. I am only responsible to host the contest. The voucher will be sent by the brand.

All the best everyone and wish you a very happy Durga Puja and Navratri in advance :D

Preview of the Festive Collection at Lifestyle, Quest Mall + Contest Teaser

Shubho Mahalaya everyone. Just a week to go before the Goddess comes home and I am super duper excited. This time I did most of my shopping from the various stores at Quest Mall in Kolkata and bought quite a few clothes from Lifestyle. I went to the store during the weekend and loved the festive collection they have now especially some of the Indian wear. Thought I'll help you out with your shopping and show you a glimpse of what's available.

Inside My Envy Box September Edition

Good God can you believe that September is already on it's way out and there are just three months to go for this year to end. Didn't this year just start?? I am so not looking forward to the months ahead. I've always been a summer girl and totally dislike the dull, dreary and gloomy winter. Plus, Daylight Savings starts in the US which means my office time gets pushed an hour back and I finish at 3.30 a.m. Sigh :(. Anyway, enough of cribbing and let's get to the topic of this post - The September edition of My Envy Box (Rs 850).

My Envy Box September 2014

MABH Fast Growth Hair Oil - Review

Today is my turn to talk about the oil that is taking the Indian blogosphere by storm. It is the Makeup and Beauty Home Fast Growth Hair Oil, a creation of a fellow blogger Lancy. She was sweet to send over a sample for me to try out sometime back and I must say that I'm very impressed with the product.

An unique magical combination of natural herbs and essential oils present in the MABH Fast Growth Hair Oil penetrates deeper into your scalp to provide rich nourishment. It also improves blood circulation, thus resulting in faster hair growth. It takes care of dandruff, premature graying and rough hair. Our product makes your hair shinier and manageable from the first use itself. It stops hair fall within weeks of regular usage and helps you grow longer beautiful hair!

Share a #ColossalSelfie and win a Maybelline Hamper! Twitter Contest Only - Ends 16 September

Every girl loves her Kajal and when it’s Colossal Kajal, there are a little too many reasons to adore it. Earlier this year, Maybelline presented the Colossal Kohl Turquoise and now, it’s time for some more news!

Presenting  The Maybelline Colossal Cab! The Kajal keeps your eyes smudge free during the rains, but this year, Maybelline wants you to be safe inside the cab too! Wrapped around the Kohl colors (Black, Yellow and Turquoise), the Maybelline Colossal Cab has been a hit on the streets of Mumbai!

While all of you might not be able to hitch a #HitchAColossalRide, you can still show your support by wearing the Maybelline Kohl(s) and click a #ColossalSelfie. And win a Maybelline Hamper!

Here are the rules:

1. Contest open only to female Indian residents above 18
2. Contest starts 12 September and ends 16 September
3. Follow me on Twitter @PoutPretty (Mandatory)
4. Click a selfie wearing the Maybelline Colossal Kajal or Kohl and send it to me on Twitter tagging @PoutPretty
5. Each participant can send a maximum of two selfies
6. I will select the three best selfies and the winners will receive the Maybelline Colossal Cluster consisting of the Colossal Kajal, Colossal Kohl and Colossal Volum' Express Mascara.
7. Winners will be announced on 17th September.
8. I am only responsible to host the contest. Prizes will be sent by Maybelline.

Start sharing those selfies girls. Can’t wait to see your beautiful eyes, ColossalEYESed! All the Best!

Experiencing Khad Khazana at the Eden Pavilion, ITC Sonar, Kolkata

If you are in Kolkata and want to treat your taste buds to some authentic Khad cuisine, head straight to ITC Sonar's 24-hour fine dining restaurant, Eden Pavilion that is hosting Khad Khazana from 12-21 September as part of the dinner buffet (Rs 1850 plus applicable taxes per guest) . I got to sample some dishes from Khad Khazana yesterday prepared by Master Chef Kailash Maharaj and I can only say "I never thought vegetarian food could also taste this good". Non-vegetarians, don't lose heart because there's quite a bit for you too and they taste equally good but the veg fare is amazing!

Khad cuisine is intrinsic to the regions of Marwar, Mewar, Shekhawati and Hadhoti. The subtlety of vegetarian as well as rich non-vegetarian hunter’s fare are enhanced with the spice of Mathania Chilli, JodpuriLongiMirch, Pipla Mool and Pipal. Taking in the nuances of Jain cuisine cooked without garlic and onions as well as Marwari culinary traditions.

Chef Kailash Maharaj born and brought up in the Newai district, honed his culinary expertise in the rustic kitchens of his village. He specialized in Marwar Barbeques and served the royalty of Udaipur and Jaipur. He has showcased this unique cuisine across the country as well as abroad.