Burt's Bees Radiance Exfoliating Body Wash : Review

Hard to go wrong with something that is 99.02 % natural !


A few weeks back I came to you guys, asking if you'd tried Burt's Bees products before . Apart from the occasional lip balm I was fairly new to the brand and started my adventure with their Radiance Exfoliating Body Wash.

The main ingredients in the product include royal jelly - for moisture and jojoba beads - for exfoliation. The moisture from the product is good- as in I never experienced any dry skin issues for as long I used it . But the jojoba seeds don't do much for exfoliation - they are just there that's all.

The body wash cleanses like no other - it has become my favorite after work out body wash. Every drop of sweat & dirt is washed out without any stripping or drying of skin ! Lathering is minimal but overall a great entry into the brand for me. I look forward to checking out the moisturizers in the radiance line...hear they are just as great !

In Other News

Speaking of all things natural, your girl here made her first green juice a few days back. This is the recipe I used : Kale leaves + ginger + celery + lemon juice. All organic and fresh ingredients. I made the juice using a regular blender and then used a strainer to squeeze the pulp out. Later I mixed the pulp with some mashed potatoes and made kebabs out of it - but that's a whole another story for another time. The juice wasn't bad at all except for the raw smell of the greens. Lemon and ginger made it so much better !


But that's not all - I swear to you I felt like my skin was way brighter and fresher after a couple of cups of green juice. It is not totally in my head - a majority though may be. Apparently green juice feeds the body with extra oxygen and cleanses the system making for better skin !

But then of course you've heard all this if you've been following me on twitter. Sorry about the repeat telecast ! I have a few other recipes for green juice - will share them as I make em ! have you tried green juice ?

Love,
Indian Girl

NYFW Fall / Winter 2010 : Sephora Look For Dennis Basso - Dark Dramatic Eye With Pale Lips and Skin

The Look

The makeup for the Fall 2010 Dennis Basso collection was a dark dramatic eye paired with pale lips and skin. To create this face, the Sephora PRO Beauty Team led by Kabuki used the following products


For the eyes

· Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ($30)
· Givenchy Magic Kohl Eye Liner Pencil ($21.50)
· Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Liner in Matte Black 1($20)
· Nars Cream Eye Shadow in Zardoz ($22)
· Sephora lashes ($8-10)
· Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black ($24)

For the face

· Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer (Now $31.50)
· Make Up For Ever Star Powder ($19)
· Nars The Multiple in Luxor ($38)
· Make Up For Ever HD Foundation ($40)

For the lips

· Nars Sweet Lip Lacquer in Sweet Charity ($24)

Love,
Indian Girl

NYFW Fall / Winter 2010 : Sephora Look For Charlotte Ronson - Natural Face

The Look

For Fall 2010, Charlotte Ronson wanted the makeup to be a natural face with a heavy eye. To create this face, the Sephora PRO Beauty Team led by Gilbert Soliz used the following products.

For the eyes

· Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in Pearly Brown 2L ($17) was used to create a soft, winged eye with added definition
· DiorShow Mascara ($24) was used to give volume to lashes and finish off the eye.

For the lips

· Sephora FACE Very Sexy Nourishing Lip Balm SPF 15 ($7) was used to give lips a natural, soft look.

Love,
Indian Girl

Reader Ria Meets Bollywood Actress Priyanka Chopra

Lovely reader Ria (pretty in blue !) was shopping at SFO Bebe store when she ran into Priyanka Chopra. According to Ria - Priyanka wore a very matte face and matte lipstick - no surprises there !

Big thanks to Ria for sharing the picture with us ! This is so much fun !

Love,
Indian Girl

Bobbi Brown Spring 2010 : Color Strips Collection - Preview

“Don’t be afraid of color. Each palette has one bright eye shadow that really stands
out—the rest of my hand-picked shades for eyes, lips and cheeks will make it wearable.”- Bobbi Brown

Three new palettes
Each one with Five shadows & Three shades of Pot Rouge
$60 each
Endless Combinations !


Bonfire Color Strips Palette
Orchid Color Strips Palette
Aquamarine Color Strips Palette
Love,
Indian Girl

I Got Slender Feet Y'all - Not.

There are a few things I'd rather not tell y'all about my feet. But I will anyway. Because I know the people who hang around here are all friends. So here we go...

They are big feet. Well, on the bigger size.

Size 8 1/2

And broad.

Broad as in not slender.
Broad as in - no way that shoes fits me, yo.
Broad as in original true broad.

Every time I leave my slippers right next my best friend's ( Yeah, yeah...Indians and footwear and at the doors) I feel a little bit like big foot. She is a size six or smaller. C'mon man, how does a woman have such small feet. How do they balance a grown woman's body ?

This is when I say thanks to the Lord for my sturdy, dependable big feet and put on my special "for big feet" shoes.

To top it all off, I hate toe cleavage. Even the most gorgeous pair of shoes will not be bought if there is any toe cleavage.

In short I was drowning in misery of having no cute shoes, when then this happened.
*cue heavenly music*A pair of black ballet flats from Lindsey Phillips ($64). Arn't they just the cutest pair ever. They fit my big feet like a comfortable glove. No toe cleavage. No tugging. No pulling. Even the elastic band at the back is soft like feather. You slip your feet in and you enter a feet coma. A general sense of calmness prevails all over your body because your feet are so comfortable. Now anybody who has died a million deaths in high heeled nightmares knows why this is so important and so good.

Comfort apart - these shoes are part of their switch flops family. As in, you can switch the flower snap on top with any one of their fifty snaps ! Its as easy as pulling the old one out and snapping in the new one . Each one adds a little more fun and transforms your regular ballet flats into something new and something better. When I first saw them, there weren't as many snaps($12 each) but now they have a whole lot more !

I am absolutely in love with these new snaps. When Spring rolls over I plan on getting the gold flops or a pair of flip flops and a couple of new snaps. The switching is not only for snaps but also for their flip flops where you can change the straps ! If you have fairly broad feet and don't feel as comfortable in most ballet flats, you should give this a try. I get the feeling you'll love the lush feel of this one !

Guess what ? I'll be meeting my best friend in a few days and guess what shoes I'll be wearing ...
Aah haan ! You got that right, mate !

Love,
Indian Girl

Beauty News & Deals & Value Kits

CLINIQUE

Milly for Clinique Cosmetic Bag : This year's - Spring Milly for Clinique cosmetic bag is Michelle Smith’s second Clinique creation. A sophisticated, glamorous and completely colourful foldover clutch style that’s easy to throw in a purse when on-the-go. Filled with Clinique’s best of spring beauty items, this one-of-a-kind Milly design is free with any Clinique purchase of $25 or more; $75 value.

Available at Bloomingdale’s counters nationwide and Bloomingdales.com from February 7 through February 21. - last day today !

“Colour plays center stage in my collections,” says Michelle. “The bright, fun print of the new Milly for Clinique bag makes me excited for spring.”

SMASHBOX

Sweet & Sultry Beauty Kit($53) : Includes 4 shimmering shadows, 3 cream liners, cheek color, and 2 glosses, a mini double ended brush for lining and smudging - $105 Value!

Includes:
Blush in Blushing Rose
Lip Enhancing Glosses in Hype & Illume
Instant Eyes Shadow & Liner Palette

Beauty In Bloom Kit ($68) : A fresh collection of gorgeous Spring shades for lips, eyes, and cheeks. Includes two brand new products and over 13 limited-edition hues - $195 Value!

Includes:
Lip Tech in Posey
Baked Cheek & Highlighter Palette in Blossom
Fan Brush #22
Lip Enhancing Gloss in Petal
Beauty in Bloom Eye Palette
Bionic Mascara in Jet Black

JULIE HEWETT

The New Spring Palette (48) : To create a green goddess look - Use silk eyeshadow and blend onto the brow bone and all over eyelid. Tap a light layer of malachite cream shadow on your lower lid area, then sweep zen eyeshadow over the malachite and blend inward. If you'd like to deepen the color a little more, use malachite cream one more time patting over and blending into the crease. This layering helps your eyeshadow color pop as well as last all day. lastly, sweep coral blush onto your cheeks for a summer glow.

ILLAMASQUA

Illamasqua's Global Nail Varnish Competition - Fall 2010 : Illamasqua is looking for the next hot Nail Varnish color, and beginning on February 21, 2010, it could be created by you! Submit a description of your dream color and what inspired it, along with an image or photograph, and you could have your shade created by Illamasqua. The winning shade will be sold as an exclusive on Illamasqua.com, and through UK-based Selfridges department stores and Selfridges.com, beginning in October of 2010. One winner will be selected and notified by 5th May.

The rules:

* The contest is open globally from Feb 21, 2010 through March 14, 2010
* In 50 words or less, submit a description of your dream color and what inspired it - pictures are encouraged, whether a photograph, swatch, material etc... - to Illamasqua
* You can submit only ONE entry
* Entries can be submitted three ways:
o via email: competition@illamasqua.com
o via blog post: email the link to competition@illamasqua.com
o via mail:
COMPETITION
c/o Illamasqua
6-8 Anwell St
London
EC1R 1UQ

ROCK & REPUBLIC

Cosmetic Train Case($400) : Rock & Republic has created a collection of cult favorites and stashed it in a sleek patent leather train case for maximum jetset style. Each kit, offered in either warm or cool colors, contains three lip glosses, one eye shadow trio, an Accentuate Bronzer/Highlighter, as well as the complete brush collection and limited-edition Essie “Matte About You” matte finisher polish -a $1000 value

For My NYC Ladies

COMPLETELY BARE SPA : Completely bare spa is on Facebook & would like to offer y'all an oppurtunity to receive $20 off of a service or a purchase through the website by becoming a fan of completely bare at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/completely-bare-spa-Cindy-Barshop/210297410040?ref=ts

ATTUNE HOLISTIC FITNESS STUDIO : Founded in 2005 , the Attune Studio promises to help you meet your fitness goals, this summer using holistic fitness principles like harmony of mind , body and spirit is the key to lifelong vitality. If any of you check it out, I'd love to hear about your experience !

Love,
Indian Girl

Winners Of Curel Itch Defense Skin Balancing Moisture Lotion Giveaway

Congratulations to the five winners of the Curel Itch Defense Skin Balancing Moisture Lotion Giveaway - Samara, Rai, Marcia, Stephanie, Preeti !

Big big thanks to everybody who entered the giveaway !
More chances to win coming up soon !

Have a great weekend y'all !

Love,
Indian Girl

NYFW Fall / Winter 2010 : Bobbi Brown Look For Brian Reyes - Modern , Sophisticated & Edgy

"The Brian Reyes girl for fall is modern and sophisticated from head to toe, but she has an edge, which her makeup reflects. She's a very cool girl who is comfortable in her own skin." -Wendy Rowe for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Inspiration

Makeup for the Brian Reyes Fall 2010 collection captures the strength and confidence of the Brian Reyes woman herself. A fresh face showcases a dramatic eye. Top lids are glossed with aubergine and the lower lashline is lined with mint green shadow. Skin is clean and matte, and lips are a youthful pink, allowing the eyes to electrify with modern sophistication.

Products Used

Skin: Hydrating Face Cream ($50), Hydrating Eye Cream ($45), Foundation PStick ($40), Creamy Concealer ($22), Corrector ($22)

Eyes: Snow Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow ($20), Eggplant Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow ($20), Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow in Aqua ($22) and Black Plum Kohl Eye Pencil (Black Velvet, Fall ’10, $22) as liner, No Smudge Mascara ($22) on lashes

Cheeks: Sandstone Blush ($20)

Lips: Beige Lip Color ($20)

Brows: Natural

Love,
Indian Girl

NYFW Fall / Winter 2010 : Bobbi Brown Look For Elie Tahari - Warm Metallic Hues

Inspiration

Tahari’s Fall 2010 collection is all about texture, and the makeup is no exception. Skin is velvety, soft and natural, with a dusting of blush on cheeks. Bronze and gold shadows are layered on eyes, reflecting metallic hues from the collection. Icy, shimmering lips add the final touch of glamour.

Products Used


Skin: Hydrating Face Cream ($50), Hydrating Eye Cream ($45), Foundation Stick ($40), Creamy Concealer ($22), Corrector ($22)

Eyes: Sandy Gold Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($22) and Chrome Eye Shadow in Gold on lower-lid, Bash Metallic Eye Shadow and Indigo Nights Metallic Eye Shadow as liner, Everything Mascara ($22)

Cheeks: Pink Rose Blush (Fall ’10, Denim & Rose Face Palette $60)

Lips: Ice Lilac Glitter Lip Gloss (Fall ’10, Denim & Rose Face Palette $60)

Brows: Natural

Love,
Indian Girl

NYFW Fall / Winter 2010 : Sam Brocato Salon For Nima - 70's Inspired Soho Chic Hairstyle

“Nima’s collection had strong design elements on the right shoulder and we decided that a low ponytail that fell on the left side was a perfect complement to the clothes, “ says Sam.

Inspiration

THAT 70’s SHOW
Take Lauren Hutton’s hair from the 70s, mix it with Blake Liveley’s waves of today, and you get the inspiration behind the hairstyles at the NIMA Fall 2010 Fashion Week Presentation. “We tried to create a look that was very modern and Soho chic, yet still had a 70’s feel to it,” says Sam Brocato.

How To

Sam and Matthew Fugate from the Sam Brocato Salon give step-by-step tips on how to achieve this trendy style at home.

STEP 1: GETTING READY FOR PRIME TIME
“I prepped hair with Brocato Back to the Beach Spray to give it volume,” says Sam. After spritzing the models’ hair with the spray, Sam used a blow dryer to set the wavy look.

Matthew Fugate used dry shampoo to add texture to the models’ hair. “I wanted to dirty it up and give it that ‘I just got out of bed look’,” says Matthew.

STEP 2: ON THE SIDE
“Using a large barrel curling iron, I took different strands of the hair and curled it to give it more volume and texture, “explains Matthew. “I created a deep side part and used a clear elastic to secure the low ponytail.”

To give the ponytail added chic factor, the stylists used strands of the models hair and wrapped it around the elastic.

STEP 3: LOCK IT DOWN
“Since this was a two hour presentation, we had to make sure that hair could keep its shape and style,” says Sam. He used Brocato Moveable Hold Hair Spray to set all of the models looks.

Love,
Indian Girl

NYFW Fall / Winter 2010 : Estee Lauder For Derek Lam

For the very first time in the Estée Lauder brand's 64 year history, they were at New York Fashion Week - sponsoring the beauty look (makeup & nails) for the Derek Lam AW 2010 runway show!



Inspiration

Bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails ruled the catwalk at the Derek Lam Show.

Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux lead a team of 15 artists to create the stunning look on 22 models - While famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team polished their nails with a new color that was tested backstage!

"When Derek showed me the fabrics that inspired his Fall 2010 collection – bold and muted tones mixed with earthy pigments including terracotta, greens and browns – I thought the makeup shades should be complimentary. So we chose a blend of bold blue shadows on the eyes, shimmering copper lips and flawless, matte skin created with a light foundation -- an on-trend beauty preview of what we will see for Fall 2010." Tom Pecheux, Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director.

Products Used

Eyes: New Estée Lauder EyeShadow Tested Backstage – Shades Launching Fall 2010
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil in Midnight Blue
Estée Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara in Black

Lips: Pure Color Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Beige

Cheeks: Bare

Skin: Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation

Nails: New Estée Lauder shade Tested Backstage

Love,
Indian Girl

John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine : Review

Glass like crystal clear shine, y'all !

I first came across the John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine ($9.99) during the golden globes when I learnt that celebrities use this as a hair glazing treatment before big events. If its good enough for red carpet and costs only $9.99 - it had to be tried !

If you know me, I generally don't write about something unless I've used for a month or two but really this one is just so incredible that I had to tell y'all ASAP !


All you have to do is apply this all over your hair (minimum amount- no overload needed) after shampoo/conditioner, spread it well using a wide tooth comb, wait a couple of minutes and then wash it off. Blow dry your hair and you'll see what I mean. I have a lot of hair on my head and it is heavy. But with this product my hair is so smooth, shiny and soft that it takes away all the heaviness that comes with fairly dry hair. I'm loving this !

The product can be used 2 - 3 times a week. But I guess I'll save just for special occasions coz in general I don't have a lot of problem with my hair. Its pretty good overall. But the Color Glaze Clear Shine takes it to a whole new level ! And the compliments - endless !

It has silicones in it but I don't have any problem with them. So people are allergic to it so keep your receipt.

More About John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine

Luminous Color Glaze Clear Shine contains a blend of shine enhancers and lightweight silicones that work together to impart dazzling shine and ultra-smooth texture. Clear Shine has a lower level of silicone than other shine products on the market, and it not only provides visible shine immediately but improves texture by mending hair’s damaged “pores,” making strands look smoother and shinier. This remarkable fix means that shine isn’t washed away with your next shampoo.

Smashbox Loves Stanford

Saturday, February 27th - An exciting day folks at Stanford !

Smashbox Cosmetics will be hosting an interactive event in Stanford based on photography and makeup hosted by Hank Hoffman, celebrity makeup artist for Smashbox and Steven Khan, celebrity photographer.

Location :
355 Stanford Shopping Center
Palo Alto, CA

The event is from 11-7 pm and is open to the public. Meet with Hank Hoffman and Steven Kahn and with any $100 Smashbox purchase, each customer will take professional head shots by Steven Khan (celeb photographer) and walk away with a CD !!!!

Love,
Indian Girl

Easy Simple Hairstyle - Pony Tail Out Of A Bun

I've been having great hair days thanks to this new HerCut shampoo + conditioner. And this is the time to play around ! I was inspired by actresses who twist a tiny strand of hair around their pony tails hiding the hair tie. Except for this hairstyle you drown the hair tie with half your hair.

*don't mind the pajamas and the unedited pictures from the phone. This is The Real IG

This is how I did it

Do a side part.
Divide your hair into two parts at the back.
Pull the hair on the right side into a low side ponytail.
Now comb over all the hair from the left side over the center onto the right and roll it tight.
Now twirl the rolled hair around the hair tie and tuck the end in with a bobby pin.

* I still cant do a pull up...but am willing to try...

* behind those doors are all the beauty goodies

* Brownie points if you can name the products...

That's it ! You have a cute round bun with a pony tail coming right out of it ! I think it looks cute and hardly takes five minutes !

Bobby pins bend, break and hardly keep my hair in place so I had to use a sturdy metal hair pin which is not really invisible. But so be it.

Simple aint it ! You willing to give it a try ?

Love,
Indian Girl