My (chotu) HAUL from Blisscovered

Hello people,

How are you doing?? I wanted to buy something from blisscovered after I got their first box (shown here). So I went ahead and ordered for a MUFE lipgloss in chrome (hazel nut).

I ordered on Tuesday and Monday morning I received my gloss. Wanted to share the pics of the haul with you. It came safely and securely packed in a cardboard box filled with thermocol.

Omved Mint Lip Balm Review

So, how was your weekend. I had super fun at a friend's place who had invited us over for lunch. We took our baby along and he had a fun-filled day at their place, mostly busy exploring nooks and corners of their home. She also cooked some awesome food for us, which all of us thoroughly enjoyed. All in all a very fun-filled weekend.

So, today's product is a Omved Mint lip balm which I received as a part of my blisscovered January box (shown here). I had never heard of this brand before blisscovered happened as they have stores in Mumbai only.

My Eyeliner and Kajal Pencil(s): Swatches

Hey people,

This article is my fourth in the series, where I have been sharing the contents of my makeup stash with you (previous articles here, here, and here).

Today, I would be sharing the pics and swatches of the eye pencils which I currently own and use. Let me begin by saying that I love eye pencils. I have them in almost all the basic colors. I find them great for daily use, as I don;t have much time to put on eyeshadows daily and these help me bring a pop of color on my face (would be soon sharing my 5 minute daily makeup with you guys shortly).

Chambor truly lasting lipstick: Does it last??

Hello People,

Today I am reviewing the Chambor Truly Lasting Lipstick in Truly Sunset (914). I got this shade (also shown here) after swatching all the shades on the Chambor counter. It was indeed love at first sight. Though the website mentions 21 shades, I found around 10 shades at the Westside counter from where I got this.

I got this for INR 575 for 1.9 gm of product, which is almost half when compared to the normal lipsticks (4g). Thus it comes out to be quiet expensive.

It is packaged beautifully, a rectangular blue case with a silver lining with a silver rose printed on top of the cap. The lipstick is encased as a thin bullet inside the thin cylindrical silver bullet.

Guerlain Idylle (Eau de Parfum) Review

Hello People,

Today I am reviewing the Guerlain Idylle (Eau de Parfum) which was part of my blisscovered January box (shown here).

I got 1ml of the product in a smallest spray packaging, which I have ever laid my eyes upon. The packaging I felt is great carrying around in our handbags for an emergency or unplanned outings.

Happy Republic Day 2012

Today all of us are celebrating 63rd Republic Day of India. 

 

Wishing all readers a Happy Republic Day 2012. Proud to be an INDIAN.  

Jai Hind.

Take care...

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Nail Paint of the Week: Elle 18 Nail Pops 05

Hello People,

Today I will be sharing with you guys my Nail paint of the week, which is Elle 18 Nail Pops in 05. Let's see how it fares in my opinion.

I got this online for INR 50 for 5 ml of the product. The packaging is very basic but functional. The bottle is super duper small and cute, round bottle. Can be easily carried in your clutch for ready touch ups.

Zangoora - the Gypsy Prince at Kingdom of Dreams

Hey people,

Hope all of you had a nice weekend. I for one had a blast with my hubby. It was my anniversary on 22nd Jan (sunday). Started celebrating from Saturday itself. Wanted to share the happiness with you guys.

On Saturday, we went to Kingdom of Dreams, well it's less than 5 kms from our home to watch Zangoora. We have been to the culture gully earlier with my baby, had been planning to go for Zangoora. What could be a better occasion than our anniversary?

The entrance of Kingdom of Dreams is grand as in GRAND. Elephants, drums, and royal Indian decorations greet you at the entrance.

The culture gully is a separate space inside which you would find food, jewellery, clothes, and gift items from various Indian states.

above: entrance culture gully

MotherCare feeding bottles: A boon for working mothers

Hello beautiful ladies,

The weekend is here, tomorrow is my anniversary (sixth to be precise) and the second one with the baby around. Now at 17 months, he is learning things everyday and enjoying life to the hilt. Seeing him explore the world around him has encouraged me to do the same.


Everyone of you must remember the one habit (for me it was an annoying habit, not any more), which each mom possesses: feeding the child (sometimes forcefully). Actually, once you are a mom you don't realize that it is not force feeding, it is just that a mom cannot live with the thought that her child is hungry. You just constantly seem to worry about, comes naturally once you are a mom, I guess.

So, the first concern I had when I was about to resume my job, was the same "How will my child have milk once I am gone?" Of course, feeding bottles have been used since ages but then again how about sterilization? Maximum infections babies get is due to usage of an unsterilized teat. Moreover, I didn't want to burden my mom-in-law with the bottle sterilization. Already, keeping an infant alone for the whole day is a daunting task. Second concern was that my Pedeatrician was against the bottle, so was my mom, and few other elders, who thought that the baby will leave taking mother's milk once it is fed using a bottle. Both of these concerns were solved in one go at Mothercare.

 

Urbantouch Haul

Hello everyone,

Hauled from Urbantouch. They currently have an offer going on: On each prepaid order you get a Vedic Line Honey and Fig moisturizer (50 ml) for free.

After my good experience with the Vedic Line Sandalwood and Turmeric Face Wash (review here), I have been wanting to try more from this brand. So, I ordered a few items from Urbantouch on Thursday and they delivered within a day (got the order on Friday).


As usual, UrbanTouch delivered all the stuff in a nice cardboard box, each item separately bubble wrapped. Love those boxes!!! Moreover, they delivered within a day (I had ordered on Thursday, got the order on Friday).

Got my blisscovered box (yay!!!) and the contents are...

Hello People,

Had promised you guys pics earlier. Here we go...

Got my blisscovered box and the contents are....

Hello people,

Have got my blisscovered box earlier than expected. Needless to say everyone (including me is amazed by the products and sample sizes in a good sense of course). Thank you blisscovered !!!

It reached me at 4:00 pm to be exact in a cardboard box, inside which was the blisscovered box. Had a ribbon tied around.

The contents of the box are: Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate (5 ml), Guerlain Idylle (Eau de Parfum) (tiny one, don't know how much it is), Forest Essentials Brahmi Hair Oil (50 ml), Omved Mint Lip Balm (full size, 8g), Clarins Clear Softening Peeling Gentle Renewing Lotion (30 ml).

Am little disappointed with the hair oil (may be was expecting a little too much). But the whole experience is just so awesome.

Would be sharing the pics soon........

Take care...

My Foundations, Blushes, and Compacts

Hello People,

Hope all of you are having a blast!!! I am feeling happy, happy, and ummm......... happy. Probably, watching Toy Story 3 last night has its advantages. I skip movies many a times only to watch them a year later. Loved all the characters, especially Woody, Buzz, and even the evil ones baby, teddy, oh loved all of them. It was very cute, fun, and the animations were wonderful (no dobt about it). Have you guys seen Toy Story 3? Liked it? Do share your thoughts.

Now, coming to the third post in the series of posts where I have been sharing my makeup stash contents with you guys (earlier posts here and here).

Today's post is all about face makeup (which I currently own and use), for example, foundation, compacts, and blushes. I am not using concealers as of now because I have really good skin (just bragging a little ...).

To begin with I am NC 35 in MAC (to give you guys an idea about my complexion tone).

OK, so on with it. I own two compacts, one from Maybelline and the other from MAC. Maybelline is in shade Nude and MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder is in shade NC20 (even though I am NC 35, the MUA recommended this shade and advised to wear this on my T-Zone only as it would provide highlighting effect as well). To this date, both these are working fine with me.

Nails of the week: ColorBar Pro Nail Lacquer 021

Hello folks,

Just realized that it is already mid week. Weekend is just two days away. Wow!!! Actually am excited as it's my marriage anniversary over the weekend and I am looking forward to spending it with my hubby. Hope you also have some nice plans in place for the weekend.

I decided today morning that I should start doing nail of the week posts. Generally, I have a single nail color for the entire week, as I don't find enough time in between to change my nail color. This results me in testing nail colors for a whole week and indirectly their lasting power. So, I thought why not share my finds with you guys.

So on with the nail color for this week, it's ColorBar Pro Nail lacquer in Sweet Mama (021). It's a very soft pink with silver shimmers. The price is INR 300 for 15 ml of the product (quiet a lot in my opinion). Honestly, I thought this was too expensive but went ahead and bought it because it matches exactly with my Benaresi saree, I was intending to wear for an upcoming wedding.

Corallista's one year giveaway

Hey Girls,

There is a giveaway being organized by Corallista (first year anniversary international giveaway). Check it out here !!! Exciting times ahead, what say !!!

She would be choosing three winners each getting awesome gifts from LANCOME, Givenchy, MAC, and stylecraze.com. The giveaway ends on 29th February, 2012. Also, the rules of the giveaway are super simple, so what are you waiting for ???

Take care...

SALE ALERT: FLAT 20% off on INGLOT online

Hello beauties,

INGLOT is offering flat 20% off on online shopping. Visit shopatmajorbrands to avail the discount.

Happy shopping.

My Lipstick collection and swatches

Hello People,

How's your day, I am in an introspective mood today, over analyzing each of my thoughts and actions. Today I have been analyzing my buying patterns in makeup and have realized that most of the times I buy my makeup drug store brands, because grocery stores have also started sticking these up and grocery trips are mandatory for me every weekend.  And then since I own a particular makeup shade (from a drug store brand) I avoid buying the same shade from the good ones (case in point being MAC). This year though I have decided to break the habit by first visiting my dream makeup stores before making a trip to the grocery store (wishful thinking).

I think this is not going to work, as I have realized slowly that I am a shopaholic. So, enough introspecting for the day. Let's move on with the post. This post is second in the series of posts (where I would be sharing with you guys my makeup collection), dedicated to lipsticks (which I currently own and use).

Besan (Gram flour) burfi

Hello people,

Recipe time!!! By now you know my baby's sweet tooth has already been developed (a trait which Ithink he got from me as I also have a sweet tooth).

So, this also a very simple recipe to follow, ingredients are easily available at home itself.

LipGlosses: A little (but never) too many

Hey there, good morning!!!

I am starting off today on a bright, sparkly and colorful note. It's bright and sunny here but windy too.

I have shown all you a glimpse of my makeup stash. In a series of posts, I would be breaking down my makeup stash and do individual posts on makeup products for face, lips, nails... (you get the flow), which I currently own. Also, at the end of each post I would be sharing my wishlist in each category for the current year.

Let's begin. Today's post displays my lip glosses with their swatches. Below you can see a picture of the lip glosses I currently own and use.

From left to right: Inglot lip duo (#26), MAC Creamsheen lipgloss (Geo Pink), Loreal GlamShine 6 hr (my hubby got this from japan, so don't know the shade number, but it's a beautiful pink-red colored gloss), Integrate Lipglosses ( one pink, other peach; again from Japan, read my review here)

MAC PowerPoint pencil in Bordeauxline

Hello people,

How are you doing today. I hope the world is treating you well today. Not me on the other hand, feeling slightly anguished and tired after a not so fruitful day at work (and it's only half way through).

So, what do I do to cheer myself up? Grab a nice cup of de-stressing green tea and ogle at my favorite power point eye pencil from MAC (Bourdeauxline).

Almond burfi

Hello people,

Being a working mommy takes its toll on you, but teaches you alot of things. From my experience, I would say it has taught me time management and some very quick, easy to make, or 5 minute recipes, one of which I would be sharing with you today. There would be more such recipes in the coming days, hope you guys like this and cook this for your near and dear ones. This is my baby's favorite sweet as well.

Cracking like crazy with INGLOT Crazy Nails 216 and a quick NOTD

Hello People,

What a bright day today (at least I would like to think so). So, with all the SALES happening around, went to mall, and bought some necessary stuff.

But, what I splurged (that's what colleagues say) on was INGLOT's crazy nails nail enamel. At a cool INR 750 each (15 ml bottle), these comes in seven captivating shades, I got # 216 (it's white colored cracking nail enamel).

Looking for soft hands and cuticles in winters? Jergens Hand and cuticle cream may be your best (drugstore) bet

What are the 5 things I don't leave your home without daily: peppermints, wallet, cell phone, MAC lipglass, and Jergen's hand and cuticle cream.

Write a Guest Post

Hello people,

Welcome to Kumkum's Beauty and MakeUp World !!! Would love to have a guest contribution from you. If you are interested please read on.

I accept product reviews (skincare, cosmetics, body care, etc.), tutorials, how-to-do, recipes, do-it-yourself, product comparisons, as well as tips and tricks (which have made your life simpler).

Everything That Matters 100th post Giveaway

Hi everyone,

Jyoti from Everything That Matters has announced her 100th post Giveaway. Please follow this link to participate in her giveaway.

She has a host of AVON goodies to give (see pic below). I have already entered you too can enter this wonderful giveaway.

All the best to all of you for participating.

Take care...

Strawberries are in the air with TBS Strawberry Body Polish

Hello people,

Just came out from shower and the whole family is smelling strawberries in the air. Even my cutie boy is smelling them and trying to find out the source...

Well, I just had a bath with "The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish". Its the most most awesomest smelling strawberry scrub, which I have used till now.

L'occitane Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner equals Luxury treat for hair

Hiya everyone,

What do you do when you have mass of limp, fine hair, which refuses to stay put in any hairstyle and refuses to be tamed in place with clips (just gets them out)????

Inglot India Launches Bridal Collection

Hello people,

Inglot introduces Bridal Collection, now in stores... All the brides to be (along with their friends and family) do check it out.

Take care...

FabIndia Khus and Aloe vera Body Wash

So, how's your day coming along. I for one am getting along quite well with the thought of coming weekend and sales going all around me...

Waiting to just rush to the malls and revel in the sale goodies, and of course more makeup. I think people at my home are getting pretty bored of going shopping with me as I shop mostly for makeup, skin care or other such stuff only... Sigh!!! How to make them understand is a big task, and I have now left them to their own devices. So, once we enter the mall, the family splits up and everyone is on their own...

Enough!!! Just brought myself back from day dreaming... It is a heavenly experience. I guess most of you must have indulged in it sometime. Again digressing from the topic.

One of my must haves in my skin care regime is a body wash (stopped using soap since the olden days when LUX came out with their first line of body washes). Recently, purchased this online (urbantouch, where else??), and have been using this for past two weeks now. You can also purchase it online from FabIndia website also.

SALE ALERT: Debenhams, ZARA, Charles & Keith, Promod

Yay,

I guess this weekend is going to be so much FUNNNNNNNNNN!!!

Sale is in the air, with everyone going on sale. So, ladies and gents (also), hop on and rush to your nearest malls, for shopping with ZARA, Debenhams, Charles & Keith, and Promod going on sale...

Take care...

Facial in 10 minutes flat: Might just be possible with TBS blue corn 3-in-1 deep cleansing face mask

Hello people,

Me soooooooooooo hungry now, just want to go ahead and break my resolutions for not eating any junk food. Even had museli, an hour ago, but still feeling oh so hungrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyy. What to do? 

So, while deciding upon what to eat or get another cup of green tea, to calm my mind and hunger pangs (of course!!!), I decided to write a post, about my current favorite face care product. it is the Blue corn 3-in-1 deep cleansing mask from The Body Shop (TBS).

Price: INR 830 (I got it on 20% discount about a month back). Quantity: 100 ml. Comes in a round tub.

Sale Alert: La Senza's semi annual sale is on!!!

Hello co-shopaholics,

The semi-annual La Senza sale is on !!! Go grab your innerwear. Happy shopping

More sale alerts: Lifestyle, Pantaloons, and BIBA (on till 6th Jan) are also going on sale. With so many sales around, will make credit card bill ever dip below 10K ???

Still wondering, but planning to shop a lot...

Take care...

FabIndia Aloe Vera Under Eye Gel: Miracle product for undereye skin?

Hello people,

Howdie do? Well, I am sounding a little crazy right now because I am feeling like one. Winters is not one of my favorite seasons and I just hate, mind you hate layering on clothes. It takes around half an hour every morning to get ready, while earlier it used t o take just 10 minutes. Some people totally wait for these moths, like my hubby, but I have always been the summer lovin gal. Enough of this ranting, I am already on a countdown to spring.

So, as I sip my green tea, I just wanted to share a new product, which I started using only after I got this as a free gift from urbantouch, the FabIndia Aloe vera under eye gel (they had a surprise gift on every purchase of INR 500). Believe me I have never ever used under eye cream / gel ever in my life. Do I like it?? I have never used an under eye cream or gel ever, even when I got this I was about to give it someone else 'cause I don't have dark circles and I don't believe if any cream or gel could cure them. I think there are a million other things causing them, including sleep deprivation, food habits, genetic factors..

Samantha Jones inspired nail art (SATC 2)

Hello beauties,

I hope all of you have a blasting start to the New year. Today, I was a feeling a bit lazy, maybe it's the weather, maybe it is after effects of the weekend celebration, but lazy it is.
So, I decided to perk myself up with a new nail art / manicure. My inspiration was Samantha's manicure from SATC2. The half moon nail art she dons during the wedding at the beginning of the movie (see pic below for reference).

This is what I managed. Not very neat and the moons are not perfect rounds, but nonetheless it made me happy. And made my day from lazy to super duper excited. Even hubby liked it...

Nail Polish Lovers Rejoice: Hiphop Nail Polish remover wipes are here

Hello people,

Today's product review is on Hiphop nail polish remover wipes which I recently received as a New year gift from a dear friend.

As I mentioned, she got these from Urbantouch. The box contains 30 wipes and retails at INR 75. Though on urbantouch these are sold at INR 68.

Lush Box and Blisscovered

Hey everyone,

There are some new concepts arising in the world of beauty. Lush Box is offering free subscription and an oppurtunity to everyone to try out luxury beauty brands. All you have to do is follow the link below, enter your three friends email and subscribe.

http://signup.lushbox.in/?lrRef=jP5Kj

Each month you would get luxury products to try at home for free. So, all the beauty divas follow the link to LUSHBOX.

I have already signed up for this, recommended my three friends, and would encourage all of you to take part in this new revolution.

Yummy nan khatai (indian cookies) recipe

Hello people,

To make your new year sweeter a bit more, I would share with guys another awesome but very simple recipe for indian cookies (also known as Nan Khatai, see pics below for reference). Though it would be imposiible to believe, the ingredient list is very small and easily available in everone's home.

This is the most relished and requested dish from my friends and relatives alike, with everyone keeps asking for more every time. The recipe is just so awesome and took away my fear of baking. Since, baking is one of my things to do this year, will share more baking recipes with you in the coming days.

Moong dal halwa recipe

Hello people,

So, the new year is here. Why not start it on a sweet note? Today I am going to share with you guys a healthy moong dal halwa recipe (a staple sweet dish in my home during winters). It is a favorite with all the members of my family from the eldest to the youngest. So, let's make some delicious moong dal halwa recipe in the new year.

First, the ingredient list (it is quite short you see):

1 bowl Moong dal
1and half bowls ghee
half bowl fresh cream
1 bowl sugar
2 bowls water
a few strand of saffron
Grated cashews and almond (for decoration)

Happy New Year 2012

Hello everyone,

Here's wishing everyone lots of happiness, success, joy, and good health in the coming year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 !!!

Take care...

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