Year End Beauty Haul from FacesCanada

"Treat your makeup like jewelry for the face. Play with colors, shapes, structure - it can transform you.”    - François Nars

Well, the quote above is quite relatable for most women. Many women who love wearing makeup acclaim feeling naked without it, thus makeup becomes one of the most critical aspects of their wardrobe. 

I personally don't wear makeup on daily basis except coloring my pout, but when it comes to looking presentable, accentuating my features and creating a mood on special occasions, then I love dressing my face well. And today, I'm sharing my cosmetic haul experience from one of the most popular globally acclaimed brand FaceCanada 

Though FacesCanada needs no introduction, but just to brief a bit, they offer an exclusive line of high-quality makeup and skincare products. Their products are thoughtfully crafted to suit every ethnicity, skin type, skin tone, complexion & skin texture. 

I've been buying FacesCanada products from retail stores earlier, but when i noticed some exclusive deals n offers on their website, I couldn't resist my temptation to get my hands on some of my faves. So here's what my mixed-bag shopping looked like-

As I stated earlier, lipstick is my go-to makeup product without which I don't step out, so my first pick was long lasting liquid lipsticks. Though I prefer usual bullet lipsticks, but matte texture attracted me and I chose two of them in shades End of Story 03 and Hope This Helps 06. Both the lipsticks have ultimate stay or i should say the longest stay I've got with any lipsticks. It feels light on lips, not overdrying and survives meals without transferring stains.

Next on my list was a combo for well-defined eyes i.e. Magneteye Kajal and Magneteye Matte Eyeliner. Both come in a sleek packaging and give intense black strokes. So easy to glide, doesn't itch your lashline and stays decently for whole day.

Also got two base makeup products to wear them occasionally - the Hydra Matte Foundation and the Face Blush. The Blush comes in three gorgeous shades that flatter every skin tone. The powder blush is beautifully pigmented and gives your cheeks a mattified, HD finish with a natural glow.

On the other hand, the foundation has ten versatile shades to choose from. This is a multi-purpose foundation that duals as a moisturizer cum sunscreen too. Not only it gives a high-coverage but offers a broad UV spectrum of SPF 30 and the goodness of a moisturizer all packed in one product. So that makes it a steal deal for sure. Just make sure to pick the suitable shade closely matching your skin tone while ordering. 

There’s something spellbinding and mesmerizing about every product in my haul. The USP of the brand is that they strictly disapprove of animal testing and always use safe ingredients. Their products are cruelty free and hypoallergenic. 

I'm absolutely satisfied with my purchase. So if too are keen to get FacesCanada products for yourself, these're available in over 140 cities with over 1500 cosmetic retail stores across India. The online shoppers can order it at their convenience from brand website or ecommerce websites like Nykaa, Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Purplle etc. 

Do check out their exclusive Year End beauty Haul offers and make the best of it.

Happy shopping!

Understanding Body Shapers & Waist Trainers

Curves on the female body have always been an attraction. Seeing a curvaceous woman feels like a pleasant view not just to the men, but also to fellow women. Majority of women love their bodies only till the time they're shapely and they feel themselves as the epitome of femininity. Because long lean legs, stick-like arms, full in the chest or butt region define the stereotypical beauty mold. On the other hand, plus-sized women usually find it difficult to embrace their body shape easily and are unhappy for being plumper.

Though a woman’s mindset should be that of celebrating her body and loving every inch of it even if she has cellulite or extra fat, but the modern day body shapers are like miraculous products for them to help moving with grace, class, and sensuality. 

The slimming, stretchy undergarments aka full body shapewear that are consciously designed, actually make desired marvels achievable for flabby females and can help them go down a dress size and make their body seem smaller and firmer. 

When worn with some common sense, these compression garments are perfectly safe. Modern body shapers are made of skin-friendly and breathable materials that are more comfortable, if properly selected and worn. While picking a full body shapewear, it's important to choose the appropriate fit that makes your body comfortable and allows free movement. And wearing an appropriate size also means that your silhouette will look smoother in your clothes as you wish to.

Another trick to effectively get into the right product is to look for the target area that you wish to slim down or shape up. Because shapewear are not only meant for those who are overweight, but can also be worn just to give a perfect shape for certain body parts. Some variants that top the list are waist trainers, thigh slimmers, slip shapers, top shapers, extended briefs and much more. 

For females who are keen to wear their body hugging outfits and showing off their torso usually opt for high quality waist trainers and wear them under their dress just like a concealed corset.

The concept behind a waist trainer is to gradually train up your body for wearing it for longer periods of time each day and mold your waist & hips to sculpt a more well-defined hourglass figure. Ideally one should be careful while wearing a waist trainer and make sure all the muscles are smoothly held in places tightly and should avoid any pinching of muscles or skin portions to prevent health issues.

Women who're still skeptical whether to wear these garments, might try them confidently as these shapewear are extremely flexible and the stretch of their fibers is up to 500%. Just need to be smart about your choices. Because the reward you get for a boost of self-confidence due to the smoothening of extra flab is worth a try.

iTokri - Delivering Authentic Handloom Weaves At Your Doorstep

I've always been in the awe of traditional Indian weaves, especially the handlooms. I feel handlooms are an integral part of our national legacy and exhibit the richness of our country while showcasing the weavers' artistry in a beautiful way. Since ages, weaving by hand has been a treasured cultural ethos of our country. It has been sustained by transferring skills from one generation to another over the centuries. While Indian handlooms proudly boast of their uniqueness, it has always shown adaptability to innovation for the modern fashion industry. Why I adore handloom fabrics because they are least burdensome on the ecosystem.

Usually the authentic handloom fabrics can be procured from their place of origin. But it might not be easy for everyone to get one's hand on them by visiting the place. In my case, I have been resorting to some trusted online portals that offer myriad fabrics from all parts of the country under one roof and that too at pocket-friendly prices.

iTokri.com is one such online marketplace that has been my MOST favourite since the time I first shopped from them. I usually buy unstitched fabrics and get them tailored for my measurements. But this time, other than the fabric for my outfit, I explored their Men's Section for the first time and bought a decent Short Cotton Kurta for my brother. The kurta not just makes a graceful attire, but gives the reflection of a laidback and carefree attitude. 

Kurtas are often considered to be a traditional attire but short kurtas have now become common everyday wear in modern times. One can style a kurta with tight pyjama/pyjami to attend a social gathering or can pair it with jeans as a casual wear. Their versatility of kurtas is evident by the fact that these have become a favorite of younger generations and older generations alike because these're so comfortable yet stylish. iTokri offers the best possible patterns and styles in conventional primary colors combinations to contemporary colors that are suitable for all age groups. The exclusive men's collection on iTokri extends the range from shirts, t-shirts, boxers, dhotis, nehru jackets and much more. 

This marketplace sources products, including jewelry, dress materials, metalware, bed linen, paintings, household items etc from thousands of artisans across India, making it the largest curated portal for art and handicraft products with a huge listings. The portal adds hundreds of new products on a daily basis, so I recommend you visit them frequently and handpick product of your liking. 

To sum up, when you buy from local artisans, it's your indirect support to preserve the rich textile heritage of India and to create a sustainable future.

Devouring Classic Indian Delights ft SweetkaramCoffee

Snacking industry has been revolutionized extensively in the past decade. As a 70s kid, I remember myself looking forward to the day when my parents would go shopping on first Sunday of every month and bring home a bagful of snacks as a part of monthly grocery shopping and we, the kids in the family, would wholeheartedly enjoy tasty mom-made delicacies in that formidable hour between lunch and dinner especially over weekends. Despite munching tit-bits all the time, there was no stress of eating unhealthy junk as everything was unadulterated those days.

But when I see my kids ordering online snacks in a jiffy during study break or on-the-go, I literally feel worried about the amount of noxious food eaten by them. 

In a quest to find some authentic homemade food items, I chanced upon SweetkaramCoffee.in and it felt like my childhood memories were brought to life. 

Sweet Karam Coffee is a platform that is basically your smart solution to grab classic Indian delights that are not just authentic, tasty, and healthy, but also sans any chemicals or preservatives.

Since most of us don't have time to stress over how should we get our hands on healthy eatables, having access to Sweet Karam Coffee seemed to be life-changing. 

I explored their exclusive range of homemade delights that makes it place on the shelves of their online store and found some options like Banana Chips, Murukku, Filter coffee powder, Ghee, Rice, Avakkai, Idly podi, Puliyogare paste and so much more. 

You'll find products thoughtfully classified into categories and it's quite a smooth navigation from one stop to another. I decided to place a mixed-bag order to give it a shot and included a couple of products from almost all categories. So here is how my order looked like-

As an enthusiastic home-cook, I first picked some everyday cooking spices from Masalas & Instant Mixes category that could bring a flavourful and aromatic novelty to my routine food items. The adjoining category of Pickles caught my eyeballs and I chose to add our favourite Garlic Pickle and Green Chilli Pickle to my cart. 

When it comes to everyday cooking, one shouldn't miss some organic lentils that are a good source of folate. The Daily Essentials store of Sweet Karam Coffee left me amazed with variety of options including organic rice, millets, grains, sugar, oils, butter and everything else you may need on your kitchen shelves. 

Not just I bought lentils for my hearty meals, but picked some healthy organic gluten-free flours also that our chapati/ breads can be more nutritious using a combination of whole wheat flour, barley flour and gram flour. 

My kiddo insisted on getting Sandwich Bhakarwadi, Mixed Millet Poha and vegan Masala Mixed Dhal for tea-time snacks from their Sweets & Snacks category. 

My order was shipped in next 24 hours and I was intimated about transit updates via email and SMS. The order was packed carefully and every item I received was freshly packed. 

A few items from my order have already been consumed by me and I'm satisfied with the quality and taste. 

After a delightful shopping experience with Sweet Karam Coffee, I've already made my mind to order some delectable homemade brownies, cakes, cookies, chocolates and bakery products for my friends and relatives during upcoming festive occasions that they may enjoy without guilt. The Onam Spl Snacks is also one of the highly recommended sections.  

India's favourite destination good food store for your entire family with zero preservatives and zero toxic chemicals.

So, it's time to devour classic Indian delights with a healthy and homemade twist and unleash happiness because 'Happiness is Homemade' ❤️

Sourcing Versatile Fabrics Made Easy ft Fabcurate

“Fit is everything. I don’t care what your body type is like: 

If you’re not wearing clothes that fit you, you can’t have style.”

— Stacy London

The quote above totally resonates my styling mantra that emphasizes the importance of exquisite clothing in enhancing one's physical appearance. Though majority of modern generation might plump for readymade garments as those are readily available in varied choices, designs, and patterns; but there is a large chuck of population that still tilts towards tailored clothing where you can always have a say in even the minute details of making of your garment and flaunt your fit inch by inch.

For those who fall in second category like me, and are keen to explore versatile fabrics, we've got you covered. If you’ve not heard me talk about Fabcurate earlier, this is an online fabric supplier platform based in Surat, serving a nationwide community of talented artisans. They have a selection of over thousands different fabrics from over hundreds of wholesale suppliers, which serves as an impressive library to source fabrics from.

While you may find tons of recommendations for branded physical stores for dress materials, I highly recommend you to have a thorough hunt at this digi-market and trust me, you won't be disappointed.

As the festive season is in full swing and it makes a fab excuse to buy new clothes to get dolled up, I've handpicked some gorgeous pieces to upgrade my wardrobe very thoughtfully and get the most snazzy ethnic ensembles curated for special occasions.

Here I enlist some of my favourite gems for dress materials you would certainly love-

Chanderi:
If you are planning for an alluring attire in Chanderi fabric, the bigger motifs are the best bet. A huge selection of quirky patterns, digital prints, geometric prints and dyeable fabrics is offered that can be your smartest fashion inns for this year. From Kurtis to skirts, dresses to tops, lehanga to saris - everything looks ravishing in Chanderi.

Raw Silk:
One of the smooth and delicate form of fabric that can easily be woven into different types of clothing items. Opt for the solid, printed, embroidered or checkered one - the garment made of raw silk can make for a gorgeous attire in any case.

Sequins Georgette Fabric:
Georgette fabric is durable, stronger, lightweight and a choice for younger women as its easy to carry. The beauty of a printed georgette fabric can be taken to next level when it's embellished with beads and sequins. The sparkle of sequins is quite voguish this year. Bright colours and neutrals both styles are getting an extra kick with all that glitters.

Organza:
Yet another most loved fabric of younger girls is Organza. Who doesn't love its stunning sheer! The translucent fabric reflects light beautifully and the attire looks so dreamy with matching accessories. Definitely a must have!

Fabcurate also gives its customers the choice to get their favourite designs printed on the fabric of their choice. Wow! Isn't it mind blowing to get your custom fabric printed with your own design to create something totally unique..

The best part is that they've an exclusive Men's Section wherein you may find premium quality fabrics for suiting, shirting, kurtas, sherwanis etc for casual wear, work wear or party wear. Don't miss out on Home Furnishing section to aesthetically beautify your space.

Fabcurate has become my go-to digital fabric marketplace coz they efficiently address the needs of an independent customer as well as emerging fashion designers. No minimum order quantity, easy reordering process, effective searching and filtering and competent prices are their distinguished USPs.

So what are you waiting for? Just explore the website to find practically everything that exists in fabric industry!

Interesting Raksha Bandhan Gift Ideas for Brothers

Raksha Bandhan is considered as one of the most loved festivals throughout India. Since ancient times, sisters tie the thread of love on their brother's wrist and in return, the brother showers her with gifts and sweets.

While your brother is busy scrambling for lovely presents for a lovely sister, why not surprise your 'favourite enemy' by the means of some cool return gifts that he might not be expecting from you!

Sisters who're contemplating as to what could be the perfect gift for their brothers, I've got a few amazing recommendations:

1. Customized or Handmade Rakhi: 

Raksha Bandhan is always special, but you may take it to another level by getting a personalizing your Rakhi with brother's name, initials or picture of you both. The unique rakhis available these days on online portals can be worn as bracelets even when the festival is over. 

The sisters who are skilled in craft can make the sacred thread of Rakhi at home using silk thread, wool, satin ribbon, foam, wool, sequins, tassels, beads and much more. Your brother would surely adore you for your efforts.

2. Premium Fragrances & Grooming Kits:

Spoil your brother for choices with some premium perfumes and finest grooming kits that he may utilize on every day basis. For the men who prioritize self-care, a luxurious grooming kit curated thoughtfully with shaving essentials, skin care essentials and bathing essentials is definitely a failsafe idea of conveying your love to your brother.

3. Classy Fashion Accessories: 
Men grab more attention when their well-endowed look is complete with a few classy accessories. Some premium fashion accessories that are undoubtedly the best picks include a leather wallet, a bowtie, lapel pins, cufflinks, neckties, silk scarves etc. You may actually choose to order accessories giftsets online from trusted websites like Mensome as there're plenty of options to choose from and that too in special packaging at pocket-friendly prices. 

  

4. Vegan Snacks & Sweets: 

With a widespread awareness of veganism, people have switched to healthy and plant-based eatables and drinks. A combo pack of guilt-free snacks consisting of roasted, sugarfree, protein-packed snacks gonna be a stand-out return gift for your diet-conscious brother that he may indulge into without having to count calories.

5. Fitness-Oriented Gifts:

For the gym rat in your life who loves spending time in shaping his body, a plethora of gift options are open to win over his heart. Choose from a portable blender, personalized shaker, foam roller, yoga blocks, gym bag, resistance band set, muscle massager or simply a gym-friendly outfit-the workout enthusiast brother will thank you for helping him melt away his body fats. 

The gifting choices for a special sibling are simply endless, however, I would choose to move away from traditional options and consider giving my brother something to enhance his individual style and separate him from the crowd.

Do share in comments which option did you like the most.

#HappyGifting 

Adorn Your Space With Artistic Bedlinen ft. WorldofEk

"Rooms should not be put together for show, but to nourish one's well-being.”

My family loves making modifications to our home decor every now n then, especially when season changes because we feel that introducing a few smart upgrades may be the best way to avoid the blues.

While it's highly wasteful and spendthrift to change furniture like sofas, dining table or bed every year, the trick is to enhance the aesthetic conveyed by same furniture by switching up the textiles used. With the similar thoughts in my mind, I wanted to give my bedroom a new lease on life by changing up soft furnishings and incorporating happy colors like fuschia, marigold orange and pastel green in my bedlinen.

In a world where it is hard to find comfort and elegance together, the magnificent collection of ethnic bed linen from WorldofEk makes it possible. I stumbled upon WorldofEk while searching for some cotton beddings with traditional prints and I was literally hooked to its vibrant aesthetic appeal. 

WorldofEk is the signature label of Ektaa R Kapoor that presents handpicked collection of home décor, spiritual jewellery, wellness accessories, premium copperware and dining ware inspired by our rich heritage. 

From the wide array of bespoke product range, I loved the Bagh Journal Collection that has beautiful exotic collection of bedsheets, dohars and cushion covers in a variety of colours and designs to amplify the ambience of any space. I ordered the Coral Bagh Journal printed Double Bed Dohar for my bedroom. 

I was pleased to receive my order in a no-plastic packaging. The dohar was neatly packed in a muslin cloth bag with brand logo printed on it. 

This dohar (coversheet) is made of 100% pure cotton that is breathable an temperature regulating. It uses natural dyes that is non-allergic and safe for even the most sensitive skin. The highest quality yarn in a beautiful weave provides you with the perfect cozy sleeping environment. I liked how this dohar gave my bedroom a sense of freshness with stunning floral patterns in a subtle color palette. 

WorldofEk has some awesome decor items created for the contemporary Indian home that one can add to give a refreshing modern twist to mainstays. 
Having said it all, its vital for a homemaker to choose colours that are calming and bring positivity, pick material that is easy to maintain and incorporate exotic prints to create a perfectly relaxing ambiance for their happy place.

Be Unique with BeYouNick Street Style Trends

The weather is heating up in most parts of the country and it's the perfect reason for the guys out there to refresh their wardrobe. 

If 'fashion merged with function' sounds like your aesthetic, KRA's trendy street style clothing is certainly your best bet. Go from the sofa to the street with ease in a tasteful, relaxed and functional outfit that doesn't stop you from having fun under the sun.

KRA is the brainchild of BeYouNick (@BeYouNick on Instagram), one of the most leading names in the content creation space. The brand focuses on philosophy of 'celebrating the streets' and offers men's fashionwear that aces style game without sacrificing on comfort.

Let me reveal the essential clothing stuff for looking good in the sun this season. 

Pick up a versatile Shacket in a shade of your choice - grey, blue, black top the charts. Essentially, a shacket is a mashup between a jacket and a shirt. Think of it as a heavier button-up shirt that you may rock as outerwear. Shackets are not just better-looking, but play really well with layering. You can elegantly layer it up by leaving the shirt unbuttoned and effortlessly tossed over a solid T-shirt.

The one I bought from KRA is a Long Sleeved Oversized Shacket made of 100% cotton, has got bellows pockets to add to its charm. Red zippers and brand logo patch on the sleeves enhance the appeal for reasons so good. The best part of owning a shackets is that it can be worn with almost anything all the year long - under a coat in winter or over a t-shirt in spring, summer and autumn.

Once your topwear is all set, it's time to individualize your style by choosing a well-coordinated bottomwear. Try pairing shorts with a long-sleeve button-down and cuffed sleeved shirt. Woven fabric shorts are remarkable because they also offer a refined look and add a dash of texture.

The Summer Essential Navy Woven Shorts I bought from KRA is certainly a summer staple in men's wardrobe. Whether lounging on the beach or strutting the city streets, this one will put your legs in a relaxed movement. 

Overall my shopping experience with KRA has been absolutely satisfactory on following pointers-

• Easy and flawless ordering process
• Quick dispatch and timely delivery
• Smooth navigation on the website
• Correct product info especially sizing and fabric
• Excellent product quality

KRA is currently offering amazing discounts on most of the product categories including Shirts, T-Shirts, Hoodies, Jackets, Joggers and much more under Knockout Summer Sale. So avail the exclusive offers and fill up your summer closet with some chic and easy summer wardrobe updates.

A Tokriful of Handloom Gifts For the Women ft. iTokri

Finding the perfect gift for the woman who has your heart is easier said than done and when it’s time to express respect and gratitude towards special women in your life on the occasion of Women's Day, you won't like to miss out on making her feel loved with a thoughtful gift. 

Most women have their personal favourites ranging from elegant ornaments to indulgent spa treatments to dinner dates and what not, but one of my favorite ideas is gift them the most treasured present of the season which makes a gift of utility as well. 

Luckily, many online platforms are flooded with exciting gift ideas these days, but not all of them are equally useful for every woman. So this time when I was planning to order gifts for my mum and sister, I decided to first evaluate the personality of my wonder women and then buy gifts depending on their current needs. Instead of sending across a surprise gift, I had a casual chat with them about the gift and caught the hints they dropped. 😉

And finally I shopped for beautiful Jacquard South Cotton fabrics from one of the trusted website iTokri.com for all of us in the colour and patterns of everyone's choice. My shopping experience went so good that I couldn't resist sharing with you all.

First thing first, why I did I buy these South fabrics? 
As the temperature has started rising in North India, it's important to make smart fabric choices that looks graceful without showing sweat patches during the heatwave. Cotton fabric is the best pick for its breathability, light weight and easy maintenance attributes. Amongst various variants available for cotton fabrics, the bordered South cotton literally has my heart. Available in hundreds of colours on iTokri, each one is prettier than the other depicting vibrant spirit of India. 

A special mention goes for the no-plastic packaging of my order (as seen in pic above). Team iTokri is not only making waves across community with their ultimate business ethics, but also is mindful of phasing out plastic and sticky tapes etc with recyclable alternatives which results in improved sustainability. My package arrived in a paperboard box with a handwritten note and two indigo cotton hankies as a sweet gesture. Kudos!

Those who're keen to explore the site, the good news is that iTokri not only houses fabrics but also offers a multitude of clothing items like sarees, stoles, skirts, kurtis for women of all age groups. You may even find jewellery, accessories, bags, face masks and footwear etc that will help you create a complete curated look for yourself. 

I love that exclusive section of the website which presents an array of authentic handicraft items fetched from different states of India. One can handpick folkart paintings, handcrafted stationery, pottery items, bamboo items, copper and brass items in wallet-friendly prices. Such items make an excellent corporate gift item too. 

Last but not the least, quick delivery is the major USP of iTokri that definitely earns them more of satisfied and returning customers like me. ✌
Hope you 'njoy shopping with them!

Guide for Choosing Women Shapewear

"There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection." - this sounds so thought-provoking, yet is not accepted the way it should be. 

Most women crave to flaunt an aesthetic body featuring their physical proportions that are symmetrical and balanced like famed celebrities. They make every possible attempt to resemble the iconic hourglass figure conforming to ‘smaller-waist-bigger-bust’ standards. But it’s important to remember that the perfect measurements that those celebrities show to impress us are not as real as they seem to be. In my opinion good dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and certain tweaks to our fitness routine can certainly influence the way our body looks. 

However, if you want to lose inches around your waist, hips or chest, there are fashionable compression garments making a buzz in the women-centric fashion world to effectively create an illusion of flatten tummy. Yes! we're emphasizing the use of body shapers for women that beautifully smoothen any lumps and bumps while accentuating the bust. Wearing a shapewear helps the body contour for achieving a feminine silhouette. Women body shapers have a typical elasticity. They not only help the body gain spinal support but also prevent concerns like humpback, flat hip, bulky leg etc. These body shapers are tight, body-hugging and completely discreet so they cover up women's weak spots while rendering a great posture for an ultimate confidence boost.

Since shapewear make women look sassy and graceful, many of them prefer to wear these on special occasion to zip themselves in a specific type of outfit. But there have been anecdotes from real users who vouch for the efficacy of shapewear when they wore it as workout waist trainer on regular basis while enjoying their everyday activities including the gym. 

Many women who initially found it difficult to even get the hooks closed for their waist trainers were successfully able to transform their figures incorporating a well-fitted workout waist trainer in their training regimen. 

For a last piece of advice while picking up the appropriate shapewear or waist trainer, I would suggest to select a garment wisely that targets your problem area, fits properly as per your hi-waist, low-waist and hips measurements & doesn't cause you pain or numbness in any body part. Because if you want to live in a compression garment for few hours every day, it should feel like your second skin.