Beauty Review : Chumbak’s Skincare Range

Chumbak as a brand is all about joie de vivre. Their stores are so vibrant and eclectic that every visit fills you with zest and delight. I love their motto of #makehappy 😊. Recently, the brand came up with their skincare range, something very different from their usual categories. The packaging is aesthetically pleasing and the nomenclature is quite artistic. The products are devoid of any parabens and carcinogenic substances. And the best part, they are all hand processed and Chumbak is against animal testing.

Here we are reviewing the shower gel, hand sanitiser and lip balm :

Good Things Shower Gel :

– priced at 395 rupees/250 ml.

– very mild with a subtle floral fragrance. The fragrance reminds me of a soap i used as a kid though I can’t recall the name.

– not very effective for cleansing and doesn’t lather much.

I am a big fan of shower gels from The Body Shop, there are so many to choose from different skincare ranges and each has a special purpose. I hope Chumbak comes up with more and better options in this category.

Good Things Hand Sanitiser :

– priced at 195 rupees/50 ml.

– floral fragrance similar to the shower gel.

– gets absorbed quickly.

Sanitiser has become an essential thing given the number of germs and viruses in the environment, but I always dread the smell of these. This is a great product from Chumbak , you get clean hands without that pungent smell.

Tangerine Tales Lipbalm :

– priced at 195 rupees/8 ml.

– light texture and quite moisturising.

– can be a perfect base for matte lipsticks.

– tantalising aroma of tangerine.

This is my favourite out of the three. I do not prefer glossy balms as they ruin the matte effect. This one is not heavy and yet very hydrating for the lips.

So the sanitiser and the lipbalm surely won my heart. I will definitely be reviewing other products from their skincare range soon.

Wedding & Lifestyle Exhibition : Jhalak

“Jhalak” : A Hindi word which means ‘glimpse’, and a glimpse into lifestyle and societal trends is what I get at these expos. This one was held in the plush banquet of hotel Holiday Inn, Jaipur. With the festive season coming up, it was the perfect place to shop for ethnic outfits, jewellery, accessories, shoes and a lot more.

These exhibitions with their colourful textiles, beautiful ornaments and quirky accessories give you a chance to witness the real India that comes alive in her streets. There were shoes with Ajrakh and Kalamkari prints, Meenakari done on fabric jewellery, Phulkari embroidered bags and so many traditional crafts conceived in a contemporary manner.

Exploring India is incomplete without food and this is where these expos should work on. Jaipur has so many traditional delicacies to offer, adding them would make it an amazing experience.

Here are the pictures :

 

Wedding & Lifestyle Exhibition : Urge

Another expo in the pink city, but with a very elaborate and eclectic decor. Shopping is such a great experience amidst such vibrant spaces and with so many unique things to choose from. It was an amalgamation of apparel ranging from gotta patti to block prints, embellished footwear and quirky juttis, handbags and ornamented clutches, mobile covers, semiprecious jewellery and even some organic cosmetics.

Enjoy the pictures :

We have a separate category for all the expos that happen in Jaipur, here’s the link . Do follow us on Facebook and on Instagram.

Beauty Review : It’s Skin Mask Sheets

When it comes to giving much needed nutrition to the skin, nothing beats sheet masks. Dearpacker sheet masks are my absolute favourite, Sephora ones didn’t impress me much and now it is time to review sheet masks from another Korean brand called It’s Skin. The masks are priced at rupees hundred each, there was an offer going on so I got one mask free on purchase of two. These are available on Nykaa and also on Amazon.

Here’s my experience with the three masks :

1. Aloe : Moisture & Calming

Aloe Vera is the epitome of all things salubrious, so I decided to try this one first. It is intended to provide moisture and to soothe the skin. It did have a smoothing effect on my skin. Though it didn’t have a cooling effect, which all aloe infused products have generally. So I would say it is moisturising but not calming.

2. Pomegranate : Clean & Vitality

This was a disappointment as I didn’t notice any discernible changes in my skin. I expected it would remove impurities and will make skin more clear, but it failed. The only good part was its fragrance.

3. Olive : Nutrition & Firming

This was better than the pomegranate one, it was moisturising and also imparted a bit of glow on the skin.

Overall, I will rate these masks as moderate. I like them more than the Sephora ones owing to their affordable pricing, but Dearpacker still has all my heart.

Hope you found this review helpful. Do follow us on Facebook and on Instagram , it means a lot 😍.

Pop Up Couture : Funky Fish 2nd Edition

Funky Fish was our very first blogpost on the trend of pop up couture. It is a tad different from regular handicrafts and lifestyle expos. These events are not about promoting regional crafts or artisans, but primarily have designer/high-end labels showcasing their collection to people of a particular city.

Also, it is a pertinent medium for brands which only have an online presence as customers get to understand and feel the vibe of their products. “Enchanted Garden” was the theme of the previous edition of Funky Fish held at Hotel Hilton, Jaipur. This time the theme was “Dreamcatcher” , here are the pictures :

Overnight Sleeping Masks : Sephora & L’Oocitane

As mercury increases and days get warmer, you need to up your game in terms of skincare , so that your skin stays moisturised and luminous. Overnight sleeping masks is a new category of beauty products that caught my fancy. Night is the best time for any kind of nourishment to the skin as the product stays for long. Also can you think of a more relaxing moment than this? A moment just for ourselves, with a mask on our face, soft music and a glass of wine or a piece of dark chocolate in your hands.

These masks can help in detoxifying/ purifying the skin. Each of these masks is based on a different formula to suit different skin needs. They are easy to apply and do not feel greasy or oily on the skin plus there is no need to rinse. I decided to try sleeping masks from two brands : Sephora and L’Oocitane

Here’s the detailed review :

• Sephora : I tried the rose sleeping mask which is intended to give intense moisturising and an instant radiance boost. It has a gel like consistency and feels very light on the skin. The mask is priced at 400 rupees and is for a single use but it has enough product to be used 2-3 times. I did not feel any moisture surge or radiance on my skin after getting up in the morning. The sheet masks are a much better alternative both in terms of quality and pricing.

• L’Oocitane: Pivoine Sublime Mask – This non-oily, light-textured gel-mask is aimed at reducing signs of fatigue like dullness and dehydration. This one too gets absorbed quickly and doesn’t feel greasy at all. I couldn’t notice much of a visible difference when I got up in the morning , as in my skin did feel a bit more soft, but it didn’t wow me. Given the pricing (390 rupees), I had more expectations.

I ordered L’Oocitane one from Amazon and the Sephora one from their online store. Hope you find this post helpful, do tell us your experience with any of the sleeping masks that you have tried. Ciao ❤️❤️

Hidden Treasures : A Lifestyle Show

Being a blogger, I have had the privilege of covering so many wedding and lifestyle expos. Apart from the collection showcased by the participating brands, one thing that really stands out in any such event is the decor. It makes shopping feel like an artistic experience, renders luxury unintimidating and big-brand browsing feels refreshingly fun. Hidden Treasures was one such expo which was held at the  Diggi Palace, Jaipur. The whole outdoor area was done up with white paper lamps, artificial flowers and soft lighting, giving the place a very graceful and dainty vibe.

The exhibition had clothing, shoes, bags, precious & semi-precious jewelry, lifestyle accessories & artifacts, paintings & furniture, organic products & more from all across the nation and overseas. I don’t know which i like best : wearing jewelry or photographing jewelry 🙂 . There was also a live band and some cafes to enjoy in the beautiful settings, making this lifestyle show a perfect experience for all.

Here are the pictures :

 

Shimmer : Wedding & Lifestyle Exhibition

The summer season is here and so is the wedding season, the latter calls for endless shopping trips to prep for various events like mehandi, sangeet, wedding, reception etc. A wedding exhibition/fair gives you the option of having everything under one roof. There are numerous boutiques/labels, which take part in these events to showcase their collection. It is also the perfect place to shop for accessories like clutches, footwear, hair adornments, jewelry due to the sheer variety and competitive pricing.

Shimmer is a wedding and lifestyle exhibition, which took place at the Birla Auditorium in Jaipur. There were some amazing stores selling all wedding related stuff. Here’s a look at the pictures from the exhibition –

A Visual Delight : Part 2

So here we are with the second part of this blogpost, continuing with the visual gratification. This post covers prime government buildings like the Legislative Assembly, Martyrs Memorial, Statue Circle, Secretariat etc. I have learnt a new word “Splendiferous” , which means a wonderful sight. This is the perfect post to use this word 😉 –  The city looked splendiferous in a bountifulness of vibrant lights. 🙂

Here are the pictures :

A Visual Delight : Part 1

January opens the box of the year and brings out days that are bright and clear. January is an amazing month to be in Jaipur, there are so many multifaceted exhibits and festivals that happen in the balmy days of this month.

Tourists from within and outside the country throng the city to witness its eclectic cultural heritage. The whole city is decked up like a bride during this period, also to commemorate the republic day of our country. For the part 1 of this series, we bring the majestic Albert Hall (Museum of Jaipur) to you in a plethora of colourful lights.

I think I better not write too much in this post 😂. I will leave you to take in the visual delight of these stunning images-

My beauty haul at Sephora

So during my stay in Delhi, I visited the Sephora store at the Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. I wish Jaipur had a Sephora store too, it is very convenient to have all the makeup / skincare brands under one roof plus you can get detailed information about any product from their beauticians. I was looking for a face mist and some face-sheet masks from a long time, at Sephora I got a chance to try my hands on various kinds of brands , which sell these products.

Here’s a look at what all I purchased –

1. MAC lipstick- shade – Mehr

I loved my first MAC purchase- the Ruby Woo lipstick, it is perfect for outings/festivals and the texture is impeccable. So it was time for another sumptuous buy from the same range, I bought the Mehr matte lipstick which is a beautiful rose taupe shade and is perfect for everyday use. I will be reviewing it soon in the beauty review section.

2. MAC lip pencil- shade- Hip-‘N’-Happy

Though I wasn’t planning to buy a lip pencil, a beauty expert suggested this particular shade and said that it can go with a lot of peach/pink undertones. I prefer thin/ well-sculpted lips instead of the bee sting ones, and after using this product I have realised that a lip pencil can prevent your lipstick from getting messy and slipping off your lips. It also reduces the amount of lipstick required per application.

3. Forest Essentials– Facial Tonic Mist- Bela

I had been searching for a face mist that can be used to hydrate the face at any given time of the day and which can be applied onto makeup too. There are a lot of brands selling toners but they are meant to cleanse the skin and their frequent use can lead to dryness. On the other hand, a mist is used to refresh the face especially when we do not have the privilege of washing it. I was looking for a rose based fragrance but that wasn’t available so I bought the Bela flower one. I have been using it almost 3-4 times a day and it really helps in rejuvenating the senses. A blogpost soon on my love for mists ❤️

4. Sephora – Pearl Face Mask

During the journey 😂

Sheet masks are a great invention- easy to apply and no need to rinse them off. They hardly require 10-15 minutes of your time and can help in making the skin of your face healthier and more beautiful. I used this mask during a long journey through the mountains, it did help in moisturising my face and reducing the dryness caused by the harsh winds. But the result was a little less than what I was expecting as Sephora sheet masks are priced at 400-500 rupees each, which is four to five times the price of other sheet masks. I didn’t experience any cooling/brightening effect, which could have helped in reducing the fatigue. Therefore, I won’t be buying this particular mask again.

5. Sephora – Rose Face Mask

This one is intended to give a plumping and brightening effect, will be reviewing it after use.

6. Sephora – Peony Fizzing Cube

The cube dissolves in bath water, making it milky and scented. It seemed like a perfect thing for some in-house pampering. Review soon.

Hope you liked my beauty haul, we would love to know your experience at Sephora. Also, if you have used any of the above products, do share your feedback 😍