Banish Those Greys - #FaceItSolveIt with True Roots Botanical Hair Tonic by Marico

The first time someone spotted a grey hair on my head a few years ago, I had a mini panic attack. I was suddenly consumed by the thought of turning all grey which was a scary feeling for me as I was not ready. My dad faced greyed really late whereas my mom greyed in her 30s, so I thought that I had inherited early greying from my mom. Thankfully that 1 strand has turned only to 5 in a few years which is not bad at all but I am always consumed by the fear of suddenly turning grey. While I try my best to have a work-life balance, there is a lack of balance quite a few times which makes me worry that, that will be the cause of my greys. 

Your Child's Essential Shield This Summer - The Baby Sebamed pH 5.5 SPF 50 Sun Lotion

Summer is already here! I mean I felt like it was summer in Mumbai right in the middle of February itself with temperatures hitting 38 degrees. Google also proves this to me every morning when it sends me messages not to step out as the UV rays are too strong. Things change with time, but who knew that with time the world would become a hotter place to live in! Well the issue of global warming is affecting us since a few years now, but instead of taking measures to slow it down, our country leaders continue to make developmental plans, which to fulfill, they do not mind chopping off humongous amounts of trees and mangroves that reduce atmospheric Carbon dioxide and prevent larger amounts of greenhouse gases from reaching the atmosphere. I remember when I was a kid, summer vacations would be the best part of the year because we would visit our native towns and play in the sun all day. In my childhood days, I never had a sun stroke or used any kind of sunscreen to stay safe from the sun because in those years, the UV rays weren't able to reach us that easily and there also were enough trees to protect us and reduce the atmospheric heat, but today that is not the case. Now we have this constant confusion on how to save ourselves from the heat and what to use to save our skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

A Newfound Freedom with the All New Whisper Ultra Soft!

Well that is a true picture of me on my period, and enjoying a bike ride! Not taken just to pose but to actually demonstrate how comfortable and practically non existent the newly launched Whisper Ultra Soft sanitary napkin feels! Thanks to the cute hamper that Whisper sent across to me before the launch event, I actually could try it out before the launch and vouch for everything that was revealed about the pad at the event.

Launch of the New and Innovative Fair & Lovely Powder Cream!

It may come as shocker to most of you but according to a study, an average mother gets only 17 minutes of ‘me time’ each day for herself. This however wouldn't shock most mommies like me because I'm sure we all can count those 17 minutes on our fingers ;-) Motherhood can mean a lot of changes but looking good needn't take a hit as that should be one of the few things that we must focus on in our ME TIME. I had shared a 5 minute Mommy Make-up tutorial with you guys in the past to show you how possible it is, but my latest discovery is going to make that time even shorter, as well as reduce the repeated need of touch-ups thus saving so much effort and time. I am talking about the new Fair & Lovely Powder Cream that combines brightening powder with fairness cream which works its effect for up to 14 hours while keeping the skin nourished, and gives you a flawless look throughout the day without the need for touch ups, thus giving you a set look for the whole day.

Wella Professionals Elements Range Review + Summer Giveaway!

Sulfates free, Parabens free and Artificial Colourants free - Sounds magical to the ears right?! Well that exactly is the case with the all new Wella Professionals elements range that was launched recently and I have been hooked onto the products since the last few months thanks to its composition and effects. A squeaky clean and healthy scalp along with nourished and vibrant hair are the results of using this amazing all NATURAL range.

Nioxin Diaboost - the perfect hair boosting formula!

Nearly 50% percent of the women in this world suffer from hair thinning. Some people(like me) are born with fine hair which looks visibly thin through life, and some people over time lose hair which makes their hair look thin. While most people start losing hair once they start aging, one is never too young to start losing hair and if  you're genetically predisposed, it can start as early as in your teens. It could also be due to health issues and hormonal changes and so if you are noticing a visible change, it is always best to go to the doctor and get yourself checked. A lot of people get really worried when they hair thinning starts and start drug-based regrowth treatments or go for hair camouflaging treatments like hair weaving to correct the issue. What they don't realize is that they could be susceptible to a lot of side effects which could only make life more miserable. What they need to do is think of holistic ways to treat the condition.

The All New 'Whisper Ultra Clean'!

If you guys follow me on Twitter, then you must have seen this cute little invite hamper that Whisper India sent to me for the Whisper Out Loud Blogger Hangout, and it meant to motivate women to take all those steps required to banish all the stupid taboos that are associated with our periods.

Thank u @Whisperindia for this motivating invite! You are damn right- #OwnThose5Days is the way to go! #Takethatstep pic.twitter.com/jLPJdQxgWU

— Ritcha (@RitchStyles) December 18, 2015

Step out of your comfort zone! - #OwnThose5Days

Such a big deal is made about those days of the month - for some it's 3, for some 5 and for some 7, but then what's the need to make an issue out of it? First of all I don't understand why is it called those days of the month when it can be called getting your periods or menses as it commonly known as, or simply getting your chums, after all we all exist thanks to this phenomena being in existence and so it has got to be a woman's best friend. It gave me Aryaa and I would not want it any other way. Secondly there is nothing so yucky or inauspicious about it, because basically you are pointing fingers at someone like me for something that is God given, and that just defies logic. It honestly is all about accepted practices and thoughts that are comfortably observed, because it has become a matter of comfort not to defy what has been said through the ages. It's time that everyone got out of that comfort zone to progress.

Product Review : Vichy LiftActiv Supreme

For the longest time in my life which was till the age of 25, I never bothered too much about skin care products for my facial skin. A simple moisturiser or face cream with SPF was the most I used to care about as I have dry skin. After I turned 25, people told me to start using anti-ageing products and I used to think "Damn! I am only 25, what rubbish are these people talking" and ignored their suggestions which till date I don't regret. However I did move onto superior day creams and night creams but never anti-ageing. Turning 30 was the point when I started considering anti-ageing products but again it was never a regular affair. Good products was always the consideration and not anti-ageing. But now as I inch closer to my mid 30s, anti-aging products have started becoming a regular part of my life. Well chosen, carefully researched and effective products from good brands is what I concentrate on now for my daily regime.

As I thoroughly research every time I plan on trying out a new product, the evolution of skincare products especially in the anti-ageing segment have totally blown my mind lately. One such product that I have started using is the Vichy LiftActiv Supreme which I will say has been my best find till date. What's so different is what you must be wondering? Well, it's not just a regular anti-ageing product focused on long term ageing - it's a product to combat day ageing! It deals with the simple problem of looking older in the evening than in the morning better known as over-day ageing which is something that most of us don't pay attention to or know little about. Day ageing in the form of a dulling complexion to fine lines is what contributes to long term ageing and hence correction must be brought in at the early stages. LiftActiv Supreme by Vichy is the first product in the market to combat this problem.

I have been using this cream for a month now which you can very well see with the amount that has already been used up :) I went for the normal to combination skin variant as this summer I saw my skin behave more normal than dry - something that was not the case before I had Aryaa. In a way it's good because having dry skin only makes fine lines and wrinkles appear much earlier than other skin types and needs a lot more care. The first thing that I felt was how radiant, supple and fresh my face looked even at the end of the day. Over a few days I also noticed my skin feel more hydrated and smooth without the oiliness even a few hours after application. Lastly I could see a reduction in the fine lines around my eyes and my laugh lines that had started to appear recently, along with the skin feeling much firmer. However the real test has taken place in the last 2 weeks when my daughter fell really sick and I barely slept taking care of her and being stressed. This product has worked wonders not letting any of it take a toll on my skin. You can no way tell looking at my face how stressful the last 10 days has been all thanks to this product. This is what has made me truly believe in the efficacy of the Vichy LiftActiv Supreme and how amazing it is. The only claim that I can't really comment on is the anti-wrinkle bit because thankfully I haven't developed any wrinkles yet :)

The main ingredient of this cream is Rhamnose(5%) that is responsible for the increased toning and firmness of the skin. Next is the powerful antioxidant Neohesperidine(0.2%) that fights fine lines and wrinkles. Together these two ingredients work wonders. To support them is Caffeine(0.2%) that fights puffiness and tiredness and Adenosine(0.1%) that helps prevent wrinkles. It also contains fortifying and soothing Vichy Thermal Spa Water and claims to be Paraben-free which makes it suitable for sensitive skin too. Hence you can apply it to the eye area too without any worries.

While in the jar the cream looks thick, it actually is very light and absorbs easily into the skin without leaving any white residue. It also doesn't feel greasy or sticky on touch. There also is an instant glow that appears to the skin once it absorbs the cream which is visible clearly in the second picture above. This is due to the 3D optical correctors that the cream is enriched with that creates an immediate blurring effect to give a luminious glow for the instant youthful appeal. I love the sweet fragrance of the cream which is unlike any of the creams I have used till date. You need to use just a pea size amount for it to work its magic. It's the perfect base for your make-up too. If you are stepping out in the sun, you need to use a sunscreen as it doesn't contain any SPF. I would only recommend this to be used if you are 30+

The packaging is very normal in a light silver jar(that looks more white in the pictures) and the only attractive part is the mirror effect cap. However the jar is made of really heavy plastic whose only benefit is that it will not break if you drop the jar. I missed having a spill proof lid which for a cream of this texture should have been present. I didn't really miss a spatula because as far as my face is concerned, I would rather use freshly washed hands to apply the cream than a spatula which stays dipped within the cream or has to be washed everyday before using the cream as I am very finicky about such things. It costs INR 2350 for 50 ml which is very justified for the effects it has on the skin and for how long it lasts. 

I must say that Vichy after 10 years of research has created a one of its kind promising product with the Vichy LiftActiv Supreme that truly does what it says and this is just the beginning of my long relationship with this brand.

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Product Review: L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfect 30+ cream

Anti-ageing is the buzz word these days and in my post here I had revealed to you the recently launched Skin Perfect Range from L'Oréal Paris for 3 age groups - 20s, 30s and 40s addressing skin care needs specific to those ages. Now since I am in my 30's, I used the 30+ cream and here is my verdict on what I thought about the range.

I have dry skin and if not moisturised everyday dry skin ages earlier. So for me it was imperative that the cream I used had to have an effect lasting through the day which was the first most quality that this cream won on. Also since I step out quite frequently, this cream was perfect as it had SPF 21. Infact anybody who steps out for 5 minutes in a day, needs to protect themselves from the UVA and UVB rays. These are the first thoughts on what would make me consider a cream.

Here are my first impressions on the packaging. The cream comes in a sturdy glass pot bottle and is not very heavy. Once you open the pretty golden cover which closes quite tight, you see a spill proof lid with an easy to pick up finger-grip which is very essential for creams to avoid leakage. The bottle has the details mentioned very clearly on it and the paper box packaging mentions all details that you need to know on every main ingredient before you make the buying decision.

The cream looked a little heavy when I first opened the lid, but on touching it realised it was light and fluffy and not at all heavy. The cream is off white in colour and has a lovely smell to it. The skin absorbs the cream instantly and doesn't leave any film but that may be because I just take a pea size amount and spot it into 5 points on my face and rub it in and also because I have dry skin. I did have a few tiny breakouts on my forehead which disappeared in 2 to 3 days but then once in a while I do get some breakouts, so I don't know if it was because of the cream.

I have been using the 30+ Skin Perfect range for over 2 weeks now and have noticed a certain radiance to my face as well brightening of my skin. This must be the effect of the Vitamin 3X complex that this cream contains that acts on melanin responsible for dullness and darkness and Vitamin E which possesses anti-oxidant properties. Also my skin feels quite smooth which is the effect of the pro-collagen. I can apply make-up over it without the fear of my skin turning greasy which is a very important consideration for me while buying a skin cream. I leave it for 5 minutes before applying any make-up. Priced at INR 425, it is definitely one of the most reasonable creams in the market.

 A combination of the above satisfying features is definitely why I will consider buying this product.

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Skin care for every age - L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfect Range

Skin care at any age is very important. In our teens, 20s, 30s and 40s, each one of us wants to look younger and do all that it takes to preserve our skin for the long run, basically try to make sure that we never look our real age. I believe in 'aging gracefully' which means nourishing my emotional body as much as my physical body to slow down the ageing process than fighting aging. While doing so, I've realised that every age needs a different skin care routine that I have religiously followed and has really helped me, and which I can confidently claim does not make me look my age. However there are many women out there who don't really look into a specific skin care routine or products that are best suited for their age. They pick up products that are available in the market if it just says anti-ageing, not knowing whether it suits their age group. The most ignored facts are that if harsh products are used for younger skin, they will damage your skin rather than help it, and if mild products are used, they won't really benefit you. So it is really important to be using the products meant for your age group targeting those specific problem that comes with a specific age. Not many brands in the Indian market provide age-specific solutions and most brands that do levy a hefty price tag.

L'Oréal Paris recently launched their Skin Perfect Range and sent me all the creams from their range to try out. I was pleasantly surprised to see creams for 3 age groups - 20s, 30s and 40s addressing skin care needs specific to those ages. This range has been launched after 10 years of extensive research at the Global and Indian L'Oréal Research and Innovation Labs and is a revolutionary skin care range.

The  L’Oréal Paris Skin Perfect uses superior Vitamin 3x Technology and the main ingredients are Vitamin B3, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. These have been known for their skin boosting as well as whitening properties that eventually aid anti-ageing. 

This table will give you a quick rundown of the different age solutions and offerings from the range

I found the range really interesting with the stages it step-wise looks at dealing with, according to age. The fact that SPF is introduced only from the 30+ products is interesting to note too. Price wise I found it pocket friendly keeping in mind the other products available in the market. You can check out more on the range here - http://goo.gl/mubybJ

I am currently using the 30+ cream and will be sharing my review very soon with you guys, so stay tuned!

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Just Be Yourself

My pregnancy was filled with futile shopping visits most of the times that I wanted to buy clothes. Having not put on too much weight other than a little bit on the tummy and on the curvy areas, maternity clothing didn't fit me well and regular clothing my size would be super tight on the tummy. What I needed was good plus size clothing which most brands in this country don't really believe in despite most Indian women actually being endowed with curves in the right places. I mean being curvy is good - Ask the ones who have the curves! Since I am extra choosy and picky and can't make do with just something not up to the mark, I managed with existing clothes in my wardrobe that were either flary or were picked up abroad(they actually have great clothes catering to plus size and curvy women). Even when I wasn't pregnant, because of being heavier on my lower body, I always craved for well fitting pants that I didn't have to alter to fit my waist, because I always had to buy larger sizes as per my butt size! I constantly wondered why hardly any brands ever bothered about it, and if they did then why did they not care to make stylish clothes instead of drab and boring ones.

My recent visit to Westside seemed like an answer to all my prayers. Sassy Soda, its latest trendy collection designed for women who love their curves and believe in 'Have it, Flaunt it' definitely displays a unique understanding of the fashion needs of the curvier youth of today.

I had a great time exploring the collection cause it was too good to be true, and put together a few outfits too to show you how awesome this collection is!

I love how they have taken care to incorporate all the latest trends, be it fun prints and silhouettes and colours that pop to add oomph to your wardrobe. Finally curvy girls are going to dress up without any compromises.

Plus size fashion in India is not going to be the same anymore. Westside has definitely added SASS to this segment! :-)

By the way, it's not just Sassy Soda that they launched recently. They have also introduced their first in-house stylish and affordable lingerie brand called Wunderlove. They have 3 different collections to suit different moods - Daily Essentials that are your everyday must-haves. Everyday Pretty that lets you explore your fun, playful side and Fancy Pants of alluring and elegant separates. Something to suit everyone's taste. I am a crazy hoarder of lingerie and I know for a fact that I am going to go back to pick up not one but loads of their gorgeous pieces. Lovestruck is the apt word for what I feel about Wunderlove! 

These launches scream out to me "Just Be Yourself"! 

I'm sure you guys want to know what all I picked up but what's the hurry? :-) Soon Soon.. Very soon... Till then do go and check out these new launches at Westside! 

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