Chic Reviews: Beauty buys of the season

Chic Reviews: Beauty buys of the season

This summer I tried on several new skin care products. Liked some, didn’t think much of some, and fell in love with a couple of them. Here is my take on the products I tried. Would love to know what you think of them.

Sun care

Nivea Sun Light_Feeling_Face_Fluid
Nivea Sun Light Feeling Fluid SPF 50+
This sun screen fluid is Nivea’s attempt to stand out from other sun care products. For one, it’s really a fluid- the milky texture surprised me, and so did the saffrony tinge. The flowy liquid is easy to apply, and performs its job well (sun protection), though I found it a bit greasy initially. Also the price (Rs 449 for just 50 ml) is a bit steep.

Chic Score: 3.5/5

neutrogena-ultra-sheer-dry-touch-sunblock-spf-50-88-ml

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 50+
What can I say about Neutrogena?  The brand almost never disappoints, and this product lived up to its promise as well. The light fragrance and the equally light feel is just what I needed for summer. It has now replaced my Kiehl’s sun screen, which was four times the price! I use it on my face and rest of the body as well when I step out or go swimming.

Chic Score: 4/5

Face care

Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion

Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Day Lotion
I asked my friend to buy me this cream from the Sephora store in Delhi on a whim. All I had heard about Burt’s Bees was that the products were derived from natural ingredients. This cream is an excellent facial moisturiser for my dry skin, and I love the non-sticky feel. This cream has quickly made it to my top favourites list.

Chic Score: 4.5/5

NIVEA-Pure Effect-Total Face Clean Up

Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup
Despite the product packaging clearly stating that it’s meant for normal to oily skin, I was intrigued by the multiple uses (cleanser, scrub, pack) and the #just5mins claim. I’ve tried the face wash all three ways, and the product delivers on all its claims, from blackhead remover to visibly clearer skin. Despite my skin type, I just can’t stop using this “face wash”. If only they had a variant for dry skin, I would make it part of my daily routine immediately. (Anyone from Nivea reading this?)

Chic Score: 4/5

Body care

Forest Essentials Cream Vitamin_E
Forest Essentials Velvet Silk Body Cream (Vitamin E)
From the whole bunch of products I bought using a Forest Essentials gift voucher, this is my favourite! I have extremely dry skin, and this lightly aromatic cream is an absolutely rocking moisturiser. I loved the Vitamin E fragrance that lingered on my skin for hours, and the cream kept my body moisturised all day long. Unlike heavy creams, it was easy to glide over my skin. I’ve finished the 200 gram container already and I am very tempted to buy my next one, despite the price. The cream is worth every rupee of Rs 1,175 (MRP)!

Chic Score: 5/5

Makeup

Avon VitaLuscious lipstick

Avon VitaLuscious Lipstick

This affordable lipstick is deeply pigmented, has long-lasting colour (colour stays on even after lunch), and it really does soften my lips. I’m trying the Reviving Red shade, and it’s a lovely maroonish red—perfect for Indian skin tones! The best thing is of course, the price—Rs 329 wonly!

 

Which new skin products have you liked this summer?

Chic 2012: Brands that created buzz

Chic 2012: Brands that created buzz

New Movers

Formal wear suddenly became important with the launch of Kenneth Cole and Thomas Pink. I’m especially excited about the Kenneth Cole though the Indian tax-laden prices could stretch anyone’s wallet.

Kenneth Cole store

Thomas Pink store

WonderBra lifted Indian women’s hopes (pun intended) by making their debut on Zivame.com, while Furla’s accessories made for a colourful display at their Palladium store.

Wonderbra on zivame

Superdry got the best launch publicity ever with Shahrukh Khan wearing a Superdry vest in Challa from Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

SRK in Superdry- Jab Tak Hai Jaan - Copy

And Sephora’s first store in India was the best Christmas gift ever! Can’t wait for it to come to Mumbai, even though a friend has promised to bring me some goodies from the Delhi flagship at Select Citywalk this week. Fingers crossed.

Coming soon

Lipsy for party dresses and red carpet gowns; Stuart Weitzman for pricey men’s and women’s accessories; Dune for footwear and accessories that are a bit more affordable.

Lipsy

With Indian law now allowing 100% FDI in single-brand retail, we can expect many more brands like Topshop and H&M to consider setting up shop on Indian soil.

Almost disappeared

Esprit called off their deal with Madura, so the brand’s flagship stores in India are already shutting down. Miss Sixty is nowhere to be seen either—any idea if the Italian brand’s around at all?

This is the second in a series of posts rounding up the Indian fashion scene in 2012.

Chic OMGs: Venus Williams in lace jumpsuit at Wimbledon, Sephora coming to India?

In yet another tennis fashion disaster of the Venus Williams kind (ahem!), the American player has got fashion critics wagging about her new on-court outfit. Here’s what it looks like:

DV_To_Getty_5044692_0 venus williams jumpsuit back

The outfit is a very low neck sheer lace jumpsuit (or playsuit, as some would say) with a gold zipper in front, crest on the upper left, coordinated innerwear, and cut-out sleeves and back. Accessories are dangling earrings and a superthin belt.

And then the lady says:

“Right now I’m really trending towards simplicity. I’m not sure why. It’s just how I feel right now. Everything is getting more simple.”

Really?

We’re not anti-trends, and while we think a lace jumpsuit is actually quite sporty cool, we don’t like:

a) Its presence on the tennis court (sheer is a look ALL sportspersons should avoid.)

b) Trying to make making it work too hard with too many trends

c) The cut-outs are a bit too glam to be on a tennis court

Not sure how long it will take us to get over this one.

Sephora coming to India?

Ladies, we’re not sure when this will happen, but the corporate grapevine has it that LVMH is in talks with Reliance Brands to bring Sephora (one of our favourite beauty stores) to India. (FYI: LVMH owns Louis Vuitton, Sephora and a gazillion other fashion and beauty brands). They’re even scouting for store locations!

It’s been a while since Reliance Brands jumped on to the retail bandwagon, tying up with foreign brands and retailers interested in paving their path to India. Cases in point: Diesel, Steve Madden and Timberland.

No news yet of how long this will take to materialise (if it does at all), so keep your fingers crossed! Meanwhile, here’s couple of photos of my recent Sephora makeup haul:

Sephora makeup haul

NARS blush from Sephora

Chic OMGs: Venus Williams in lace jumpsuit at Wimbledon, Sephora coming to India?

In yet another tennis fashion disaster of the Venus Williams kind (ahem!), the American player has got fashion critics wagging about her new on-court outfit. Here’s what it looks like:

DV_To_Getty_5044692_0 venus williams jumpsuit back

The outfit is a very low neck sheer lace jumpsuit (or playsuit, as some would say) with a gold zipper in front, crest on the upper left, coordinated innerwear, and cut-out sleeves and back. Accessories are dangling earrings and a superthin belt.

And then the lady says:

“Right now I’m really trending towards simplicity. I’m not sure why. It’s just how I feel right now. Everything is getting more simple.”

Really?

We’re not anti-trends, and while we think a lace jumpsuit is actually quite sporty cool, we don’t like:

a) Its presence on the tennis court (sheer is a look ALL sportspersons should avoid.)

b) Trying to make making it work too hard with too many trends

c) The cut-outs are a bit too glam to be on a tennis court

Not sure how long it will take us to get over this one.

Sephora coming to India?

Ladies, we’re not sure when this will happen, but the corporate grapevine has it that LVMH is in talks with Reliance Brands to bring Sephora (one of our favourite beauty stores) to India. (FYI: LVMH owns Louis Vuitton, Sephora and a gazillion other fashion and beauty brands). They’re even scouting for store locations!

It’s been a while since Reliance Brands jumped on to the retail bandwagon, tying up with foreign brands and retailers interested in paving their path to India. Cases in point: Diesel, Steve Madden and Timberland.

No news yet of how long this will take to materialise (if it does at all), so keep your fingers crossed! Meanwhile, here’s couple of photos of my recent Sephora makeup haul:

Sephora makeup haul

NARS blush from Sephora

Shopping spree: Accessories (belts, shoes, bags) and makeup galore!

You can’t shop fashion unless you’ve got the right accessories and makeup to go with your clothes! Here are my top accessory picks from the shopping I did on my Spanish holiday:

Shoes: Studded sandals and brogues

Studded sandals from Shana Brogues

Jewellery: Leaf necklace

(Note to self: Gold polish still rules the accessories world.)

Leaf necklace from Bershka

Belts for all occasions:

Super wide to slim…

Belts: white, purple, lace, black

Bags:

The floral summer tote and Blanco clutch define cute-n-casual chic.

Bags for summer

Makeup haul: Lips, eyes, face, nails… it’s all there!

 Makeup haul from Spain

Note the brands we’re missing here in India: Bobbi Brown, NARS and Sephora. I wasn’t going to let some of the world’s best makeup pass me by! BTW, the Bobbi Brown foundation is flawless and invisible, like second skin. No kidding.

Smashbox lip gloss set: I L.O.V.E [heart] lip glosses, and I got this Smashbox set for just Rs 1000 (approx).

Smahbox lip gloss set

NARS Blush: Makes me blush! 😉 Also bought orange-red lip colour in pencil form.

NARS Blush in Gina

Happy weekend shopping, ladies!

Related Post:

Shopping spree: What I raided from Mango, Zara

Shopping spree: Accessories (belts, shoes, bags) and makeup galore!

You can’t shop fashion unless you’ve got the right accessories and makeup to go with your clothes! Here are my top accessory picks from the shopping I did on my Spanish holiday:

Shoes: Studded sandals and brogues

Studded sandals from Shana Brogues

Jewellery: Leaf necklace

(Note to self: Gold polish still rules the accessories world.)

Leaf necklace from Bershka

Belts for all occasions:

Super wide to slim…

Belts: white, purple, lace, black

Bags:

The floral summer tote and Blanco clutch define cute-n-casual chic.

Bags for summer

Makeup haul: Lips, eyes, face, nails… it’s all there!

 Makeup haul from Spain

Note the brands we’re missing here in India: Bobbi Brown, NARS and Sephora. I wasn’t going to let some of the world’s best makeup pass me by! BTW, the Bobbi Brown foundation is flawless and invisible, like second skin. No kidding.

Smashbox lip gloss set: I L.O.V.E [heart] lip glosses, and I got this Smashbox set for just Rs 1000 (approx).

Smahbox lip gloss set

NARS Blush: Makes me blush! 😉 Also bought orange-red lip colour in pencil form.

NARS Blush in Gina

Happy weekend shopping, ladies!

Related Post:

Shopping spree: What I raided from Mango, Zara