brandreview – Aroma Of Life

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 😍.

Decor : Gulmohar Lane 2

If you haven’t read the first part of this blogpost, quickly head to this link . Gulmohar Lane website is like a decor journal in itself, there’s a dedicated video explaining the genesis of each of their collection and even a visualisation of their furniture in different kinds of spaces. There’s even more stuff like lots of ideas on home decor, furniture care and thousands of pictures to take inspiration from.

Gulmohar Lane furniture in Veere Di Wedding.

I absolutely love the way in which they have taken inspiration for their multifarious collections. Whether it is the Udaipur armchair or the Samode pond cushions or the Persian garden print, there’s a vivid evocation of the place in the designs.

Adorning Parineeti Chopra’s home in Mumbai.

The best part has to be their bespoke feature wherein you can choose a fabric online and a sample swatch is sent for you to witness and understand the feel of it. This is life made really easy, choosing furniture and fabric of your choice sitting in the comfort of your home.

(Please Note : All images taken from Gulmohar Lane’s website)

Decor : Gulmohar Lane 1

It was while doing our Homes of the stars post that i came to know about Gulmohar Lane, a bespoke furniture label based in Jaipur. They have designed a lot of stuff for Parineeti Chopra’s home in Mumbai, which came as a big surprise as most star homes and their objects are completely opposite of anything unostentatious. So this was followed by some research about the brand’s ethos and then finally a wonderful interaction with the couple who owns this amazing brand.

Shweta Mewara and Saurabh Ailawadi, both NIFT graduates who worked with some of the leading brands in the fields of design, interiors, retail and brand management. During these job years they switched cities very frequently, every time styling a new space and turning it into their abode. This is when they realised the glaring gap between the demand and supply of simple, elegant and affordable furniture especially the one which is customised as per demand.

So the idea of Gulmohar Lane was born, with the aim of creating furniture that is comfortable, high on quality and adds beauty to a home. When I met the couple, the brand felt like a mirror image of their personalities : easy-breezy and quaintly charming. The duo is very clear on what they do not what to sell, you would not find any synthetic upholstery and only natural fabrics are used. Same rules apply to the wood being used. It’s amazing to come across brands which are conscious about their ecological impact.

Here are pictures from our visit to their store in Jaipur :

(All pictures were clicked during our visit to the Gulmohar Lane Store in Jaipur)

In the second part of this blogpost, we will be giving you a glimpse into some of their different collections of furniture and upholstery. Stay Tuned. 😊😊

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 :

Brand Review : Woodgeekstore

Wood + Geek – the combination appears to be quite an eccentric one. They are geeks with a passion for all things wooden and are trying to break the conventional image of wood by exploring it beyond its traditional uses. There is the usual walnut, bamboo, mahogany, rosewood, teak etc, but used in a plethora of bohemian ways. An artist truly has a wild mind and a disciplined eye.

Woodgeekstore offers an eclectic collection of customised wooden posters, journals, notebooks, pens, bow ties, phone cases, sunglasses along with cover. Imagining wood in such an unconventional manner speaks volumes about the creativity of the Woodgeeks team. Moreover, these products are the perfect thing to gift- eco friendly, quirky and personalised with a design or message of your choice.

I didn’t face any issues while ordering stuff from their website. Cash on delivery is available for non-customised products and it takes about a week for the stuff to get delivered. For personalised items, they do share a digital mockup for the customer’s approval and then it is actualised.

Here’s what I ordered-

1. Personalised sunglasses cover-

These can be an ideal gift- creative and economical. The cover looks good, can be personalised and is very sturdy.

2. Personalised sunglasses along with a free customised cover-

There are various styles available- wayfarers, round, aviators etc and you also have the option of choosing the wood of your choice from rosewood, bamboo, mahogany etc. Full marks for creativity but I am not so content with the quality of the glasses used, the wooden frame is good and given that natural is the new cool so the sunglasses look super chic.

Hope you enjoyed our review of the Woodgeekstore, it is our constant endeavor to bring such creative stories to you. Ciao 😍

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 😍

Beauty Review : The Body Shop’s LipScuff

A girl can never have too many lipsticks, a vibrant lip colour can suddenly transform the look from work-appropriate to party ready. But the excess use of cosmetics combined with the vagaries of the weather can leave the lips flaky and chapped. The Body Shop has launched a unique product called lipscuff, which is basically a scrub to buff dry lips, leaving them soft and supple. It is shaped exactly like a lipstick and is to be applied in the same manner, leave it on for 1-2 minutes and then wipe the residue with a tissue.

Pros –

completely organic and cruelty free.
exfoliates and moisturises lips, leaving them smooth.
easy to carry and easy to use.
soothing minty fragrance.

Cons –

None absolutely 😍

Overall Rating- 9 on 10

If you have ever used this lipscuff or plan to use it, Do share your experience with us ❤️

Beauty Review : Revlon’s Scented Nail Enamel

When it comes to fragrances, I prefer subtle ones which keep you fresh and at the same time prevent the person sitting next from getting a headache 😂. That’s the primary reason I mostly choose mists over perfumes for everyday use, fragrance that feels as if it is organically emanating from the body gives a much better impression and delights the senses too.

So how about having a nail paint that gives a vibrant shade to your nails and also emits a soothing fragrance, this is what these scented nail enamels from Revlon are meant to do. The aromas range from Bordeaux to fresh linen, here we are reviewing the African Tea Rose –

Pros –

gives a smooth-matte finish.
light, enticing fragrance that lasts for about 4-5 hours after drying.
cute packaging, combining the look of nail-paint cum scents. Easy to carry.

Cons –

starts getting chipped after 1-2 days, can’t be compared with the lasting power of a gel nail paint.

Overall Rating – 9 on 10

Loved the concept, and would definitely recommend it as a product to be used for special occasions.

I bought this scented nail enamel from Jabong for 389 rupees. Hope you have an amazing day ahead ❤️

Brand Review : Snob Box 2

In our previous brand review- blogpost, we introduced you to a unique styling service for women called Snobbox. We took you through the entire procedure from placing the order to getting your snob box, which is personalised as per your conversation with their stylist.

So here we are unraveling the details of what all did my snob box contain, there were 3 main sections- jewellery, apparel and handbags. The box also contained a detailed list of all the items sent with their pricing, all you have to do is simply login to their website and select which all items you would want to keep and pay for them online. The entire process was hassle-free and after 2 days the return pickup was arranged where in you just need to return the stuff you do not wish to keep, along with the return shipping labels already provided in the box.

1. The accessories were a mix of tribal themed earrings and neckpieces in silver/golden metallic tones, they were quite up to my expectations, since I had asked for accessories with a bohemian touch.

Box of accessories

2. The apparel section included- a shirt embellished with pearls, an off-shoulder top, an Aztec print top, a white crochet top, a black basic flare top. I was happy with the variety offered, all pieces were different from each other. But the fabrics were bit of a concern; given the humid weather, I cannot imagine wearing polyester or other synthetic fabrics.

3. There were 3 kind of bags sent across in the box – a black sling bag, a grey backpack and a cream flap handbag. I really liked the sling and the flap bag, the backpack was a bit of a disappointment. I decided to keep the sling bag and return the other two.

Here’s the detailed list of all the stuff sent in my snob box –

Overall Experience- A very interesting concept and a flawless execution, I was satisfied with the accessories and handbags, though would definitely want the brand to improve their apparel offerings. I would recommend Snobbox to all our readers, as you get to experience something very unique at a nominal price and within the comfort of your home. I will be placing a new Snobbox order soon 🙂

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Brand Review : Snob Box 1

It was through a Facebook advertisement that I came to know about – Snobbox , a first of its kind styling service for women. The phrase “styling service” intrigued me into finding more about the brand. Snobbox is an online shopping platform but what differentiates it from other shopping portals is the feature of trying things at the comfort of your home and then paying for whatever you like. So it is giving you the experience of shopping at a store sans the traffic and effort.

It is a novel concept and full marks to the founders for coming up with this idea. Snobbox gives you the facility of speaking to a stylist and letting her know about your taste in clothing, accessories, etc. Here’s my step by step experience with snobbox –

Step 1 – Placing the order

I placed my order on 22nd July through their website, which is quite user friendly. It takes you through a questionnaire regarding your fashion preferences, sizing details and what you would not like to see in your snobbox. You can even upload a picture to help their stylist in understanding what would be apt for you. Once you are done with all this, a styling fee of 180 rupees is charged to confirm the order. You will receive a confirmation mail for the same.

Screenshot of the email received

Step 2 – Call from Snobbox stylist

I received a call and an email on 26th August from Rashi, who is one of their stylists. She enquired about my style preferences in terms of jewellery, bags and apparel, which I would like to see in my snob box. I briefed her that I am looking for vintage/tribal style jewellery, a backpack style in handbags and monochromes in apparel. She took a note of my preferences and apprised me that best possible stuff will be sent as per my taste and that I would receive my snobbox in 3-4 days.

Step 3 – Snob box received 🙂

I received my snob box on 1st August, Apart from the accessories and apparel, it consisted of a handwritten note from the stylist, return shipping label and a detailed list of all the items sent along with their prices. You get 48 hours to decide whatever you want to keep from the box, after that the return courier request is automatically scheduled.

So this was part 1 of my experience with Snobbox, what all did the box contain? The mystery will be unravelled in part 2 of this blog post 😉

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Brand Review : Amydus

As the title suggests, this post is about my shopping experience from Amydus . I had seen a lot of advertisements of the brand on Facebook and there were pictures of happy customers wearing their apparel.

The order I placed was for a star print shift dress in powder pink colour. The shopping experience on their website was hassle free and both cash on delivery/exchange options are available.

The star print shift dress I ordered, image from Amydus website.

The package arrived in perfect condition within 3-4 days of placing the order. My expression changed from that of excitement to dismay on opening it. The dress was quite loose ,but that was not a problem as they do facilitate exchange, the issue was with the vibe of the apparel. It looked like a “dress” in the pictures I had seen, which can easily be worn to a movie night or to a casual luncheon with friends. But in reality, the fabric, cut and print was making it look more like a nightdress and not a dress that is meant to be worn beyond home 😦

I still didn’t lose hope and thought maybe the reason is it’s ill-fitted. I mailed them asking for an exchange, for which the reply was quick and within two days a pickup was arranged. The return took seven days and when I tried the new dress, I realised that it was meant to be a nightwear and nothing can change that. I don’t sleep in clothes made of satin and given the weather it seems impossible.

This maybe a one time disastrous experience and there might be some other good stuff to buy, but with so many clothing startups and options to choose from, I won’t be putting another 1200 bucks at risk.

Do tell us if you have ever shopped from Amydus and how was your experience. Hope you are following our Facebook page, lots happening there.

Bbye 🙂

Brand Review : Krafted with Happiness

I recently ordered some stuff from a shopping portal called “Krafted with Happiness” and decided to share my experience with you. I came to know about the site through Facebook and i was super happy to see the “pom-pom scarf” in their collection ,which i was looking for from a long time. I keep browsing through lots of such shopping portals for style ideas but what enticed me into ordering from this site was super affordable pricing and unconventional designs.

After placing the order, i received a confirmation call from the site about my order. I had placed a “cashon delivery” order for which they charge additional 40 bucks per item. The package arrived within two days of placing the order and was in perfect condition.

I had ordered for a “pom-pom parade scarf”(price – 399 rupees) and a “majestic mandala ring”(price -399 rupees). They also give you a discount coupon for first time order. Both the products met my expectations and i am planning to order some other drool-worthy stuff soon.

The brand offers a panoply of accessories, footwear, bags etc all having an Indo-contemporary vibe. One more appealing factor is the hassle-free shopping experience on their user-friendly website. And unlike certain labels which do not allow you to return accessories, this portal allows you to return a product if it does not meet your expectations. I also liked the way they have given eccentric names to each of their products, which definitely lends a unique charm.

Do have a look at – “Krafted with Happiness”

Here are pictures from my experience and of some of my other favorite stuff from the site.

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