Tied Up


Most young men don't seem to own more than a skinny black tie and a vague printed one they stole from their dad for that one annual day.

I think (and this has to do with girls too), once we hit 20ish, we need a grown-up wardrobe. And we need to stop borrowing. I know for a fact that my mother keeps her cupboard keys with her at all times so I can't steal her perfumes or jewelry.

Anyway.
I hope this infographic (That I made - CC ONLY PLEASE) helps you guys out.
It consists of ties that you need to kind of build a collection instead of blindly buying them for occasions.


Good luck!

MFA.


I’m fortunate enough to have male friends who let me play dress up with them. I have gone shopping with more of them than I have with my girl friends.

And what I’ve noticed is that very few of them know:
1.       What is on trend
2.       What actually looks good
3.       What looks like s***
4.       90s revival isn’t an excuse to be wearing what you wore when you were 14 because you can’t be bothered to shop


And many, many more.


So I decided to make a list. As usual.

And boys seriously, take note. This will change your life. And you won’t have to drag your mom shopping (she DOESN’T enjoy it.)

1.       Shirts have different fits – slim, extra slim, medium, regular, traditional . So telling me your size is 38 doesn’t really mean much. You need to look into what kind of fit suits you.
2.       Perfume is mandatory. I do not need another rant.
3.       Graphic tees are acceptable. But stay away from low quality rubber print options that peel off like nail varnish after one wash.
4.       Don’t be afraid to wear colors other than blue or black. Pastels are a good alternative for wardrobe expansion if you’re looking at formal/semi formal shirts.
5.       Pink is manly. It’s the new white.
6.       Stop buying stone washed jeans.
7.       Please.
8.       Your jeans should fit one leg properly, not have room for another.
9.       If the hem is ripped, throw it away.
10.   Invest in pieces like a waffle knit sweater or a v-neck to layer up looks
11.   Stop running to your dad for every tie, cufflink or formal shoe need. It’s time you built your own collection
12.   Stop saying you don’t care. It isn’t cool. People will not take you seriously as you get older. Effortless style takes skill and effortless does not mean LACK OF IT.
13.   Buy a grown up boy belt. That one with the car print? NO. Get one formal and one informal.
14.   Chappals cannot be worn with everything.
15.   Invest in a blazer from Zara or a similar brand if you don’t want to buy a suit. Make sure it fits you well. You can throw it on during interviews and look like you know your shit.
16. If you Reddit, go on MFA. Or Lookbook.nu for some styling options.
17. Don't be scared to take a few risks. 

Godspeed.


12 essentials for your grown-up wardrobe



This post is dedicated to my cousin who gave me the idea.
I claim no credit. :P



Okay. So I moved out of home…yesterday? And when I was packing, I realised that I have some semblance of a big girl wardrobe. It is by no means done, but there are a lot of staples I feel will really fit into my post-22-working-girl set of clothes. They’re a lot of basics, which multitask and can be used with a wide variety of looks, no matter what your style spirit animal is.
If any of you are making the transition from college to work, I think this list will help you.

1.       A Blazer
I’m an extremely small person, so most blazers drown me – especially with the shoulderpads. I found this gem in Delhi on the streets. It’s cropped, and it fits like a dream. I throw it on whenever I want to fool people into thinking I have my life together. Works every time.

2.       A well fitting black tank
A MUST HAVE. It goes under tops, sheer shirts, blazers, cardigans and with skirts, jeans, trousers…it’s endless. Invest in a couple.

3.       A silk or silk imitation non-iron blouse
This is a lifesaver for when you’ve got an impromptu meeting and nothing to wear. Very low maintenance, looks extremely chic.

4.       A transition blouse or top
On those days where you know you’re going to be going out after work, this top does the job. Still fits in with the semi-formal work restrictions and can be styled up with some jewellery and darker makeup for the evening.

5.       Black pants
Goes with everything. Be it work or play. Get something stretchy so you can show off them legs.

6.       A printed skirt
An alternative to a dress for an evening/night out. Not exactly work appropriate (mine isn’t, purely because of the length) but can be worn with a multitude of tops and you can dress it up or down as per your liking.


7.       Bandeau bra
This is a lifesaver for those sheer/low armhole tops when you don’t want to wear a slip, but you still want to cover up your chest business.

8.       Kurti
The best option for those days where you want to look like you made an effort but you really didn’t. A nice kurti can do wonders when you’re over the whole formal wear situation and want something a little different.  Slap on some kohl, put on some nice dangly earrings and you’re good to go.

9.       A nice statement necklace
Always have a couple handy to add some drama to your outfit. Keep a couple in your bag/workplace to throw on when you need to go out.

10.   Nice perfume
It’s just right of passage to have your own ‘smell’ when you get older. Invest in a nice perfume that becomes your signature scent.

11.   Grown up watch
I know. We all have cellphones that tell us the time. But a watch is irreplaceable. There’s something really nice about wearing a watch on your wrist. I tend to look at that more than my phone these days.

12.   Pair of black heels
Invest in a pair of nice heels that you can wear to work (yes, work) and still wear with LBDS/LSDS/LRDS. Makes you feel like a million bucks.

The deal with deos






I am going to try and keep this post as rant-free and emotionless as possible, but this is something that I feel so strongly about, that I don't think that'll happen.
Apologies in advance.

I do not know what it is about some men and women in India. Without the fear of sounding like I'm pulling statistics out of my ass, I can safely say I am talking about a good 60-70% of the population.

When. When did it become alright, in a country as humid and sticky as ours (especially the southern states) to NOT WEAR ANTIPERSPIRANT? WHEN?

Yes, I am going to go ahead and add a disclaimer here and say that I am aware some people are allergic to roll-ons and I obviously cannot aim this at you guys.

I have gone to both school and college in Chennai, and I have had my fair share of bad body odor experiences. Girls AND boys, I'm talking about here. Socially aware and educated. The need to wear antiperspirant is equivalent to the need to brush your teeth with toothpaste. Imagine if we all rinsed our mouths with mouthwash every morning and didn't brush. That kinda thing.

Let me blow your mind.
Most companies/websites sell you the picture that Deo sprays are antiperspirants. No. They're not.
IT'S A TRAP.
Spraying Axe or KS or Wild Stone or any other weird sexually innuendo-ed sprays do not stop you from sweating, hence the that is what ANTIPERSPIRANTS do.
So spraying yourself with that isn't going to do shit for you once you head outside and get your sweat on.

Dousing yourself in perfume is NOT the way to start your day, idiots. Your 5K Cool Water isn't fooling anyone.

I know that aerosol deos are deemed as harmful and all that jazz. I don't use it anymore, myself. But there are roll ons.
And god, the number of times I've gently tried to hint at it, asking people to wear deo, I get 'Oh, I don't sweat that much.'

That doesn't mean you don't smell like day old garbage under your pits. It's offensive and unfair.

It isn't fair that certain people think that B.O isn't even a problem and that they can subject the person sitting or working around them to it.

Your underarms pack in a tremendous amount of heat and ferment the bacteria that hang around there or some really gross shit and hence, let off stink waves. #sciencereference #credibility

People please. Wake up. This isn't something I can go around telling individuals and I'm sure a lot of people have been in the same boat as me.

Share this post on your wall, maybe and people will take a hint :P

EDIT :
For men : Highly recommended from well, man sources. Old Spice and Nivea
For women : I love Nivea Whitening and Sure (couldn't find a link but it's available any old where!)


Why every girl needs bold lipstick

I was someone who didn't for the life of me know how to lipstick on till I turned...19?
They scared the living shit out of me. And the whole lipliner deal. And bold lips? Forget it.

I think it changed because I thought I was ready to buy some 'big girl' make up so I went to MAC at Express Avenue and bought (of ALL the colors) Russian Red. :P

After that, the lipstick buying started. I wore lipstick if I was going out at night ONLY cause I didn't have the guts to pull off a bold lip during the day :P
Then I was like, to hell with it. If I want hooker lips at 1pm, so be it.

But to the girls who want to buy a bold lipstick but really don't want a red - I suggest this.
A wine/berry shade. It's SO flattering. It's dark, yes, but I find it so sophisticated.
I steal my mum's lip liner if I'm really going all out, but I usually apply it without anything (I know, I know, that's not the best). But I'll get there :P

I recommend a matte lipstick over glossy/creamy because it's a lot less INYOURFACE and you can stain it out if you chicken out (I've done this MANY times :P)


I'm wearing L'oreal Moist Matte Lipstick in Arabian Nights (bit of a discount here :here)
Perfect for holiday lips :D

Happy Diwali!





Bombay Shopping Diaries - The highlights



Street shopping for me is a source of delight. If I come across one of those shops with export rejects (yes, there's a difference between the fake ones that claim to be 'H&M' or 'Zara' and the actual export rejects).
Thankfully, 4 years in fashion design school taught me what to look for, which ones to ditch and how to drive a really hard bargain.

I did buy a considerable amount in Bombay this time but SURPRISE SURPRISE, 50% of the stuff wasn't for me :P. In fact, I think the presents outweighed the haul I got for myself. That's okay.
There's always a next time :P

I am not including the stuff I got at malls, cause I went basics shopping, and I don't want to bore you guys with the Extremely Exciting Black Pants That Fit Perfectly (being a 26 really f&^#s with your options) or the White Top That Can Make Even Me Fake A Figure (trust me, Nicki Minaj can go around hating on us 'skinny bitches' all she likes, but finding a well-fitting top is almost impossible)

Here are a few pieces that I thought were pretty different from the stuff that I'd usually pick up when I go street shopping. I'd definitely consider these the highlights.

A huge thank you to my best friend for taking these pictures. And for waking up.

I am pretty camera shy when it comes to the whole 'posing' deal. Excuse the lack of face.
I will hopefully get better with the next post :P

Look! Detailing!

Awkward pose 1

Should've steamed this top damnit


I carry far too much shit in this bag.

Shit where's my phone

All three tops were a whopping 250 INR each (yes, I had to haggle).
Skirt was 500 INR.
Brilliant quality, all of them.
Really happy.

Happy Friday!

Eye-Conic Checklist






I know, I know the whole Eye-conic pun has been made before but meh :P

Since I turned thirteen, I don't think I've ever fallen out of love with eye make up. Started with that stick of kajal we all used to have at the bottom of our schoolbags, and as I got older, the liner came along and with it, mascara.

I swear, if I lost almost everything in my make up bag, and the only thing I had left was the kajal and maybe liner, I'd be totally okay with that.
Eye make up, when applied correctly can trick people into thinking you're awake/give a shit.
How do you think I got through college juries?

Now, at 22, I don't think anything has changed in terms of what I do to my face when I go out.
It's all about the eyes, people.

But what I would like to focus on in this post is that I think that I have found the perfect set of holy-grail products that make up my eye routine. I've probably used more brands of kajal/liner/mascara than I can even remember. But this, this set I am happy with.

And I'd like to share. So here are four steps to hooker worthy  smouldering peepers!



1. Colossal Kajal
 Everyone owns this, or has owned this at some point in life. It gets over far too fast but whatever. We still buy it. I have tried that Kajal Magique business and the Eyeconic but I found both way too...hard? This one is creamy, I can use it to smoke out eyeshadow if I want and it DOESN'T MOVE. I can cry my eyes out over The Fault in our Stars and it'll stay put.

2. Revlon Color Stay Liquid Liner in Black Beauty with Flocked Tip I Don't Even Know What That Means
Even though the name makes me reminiscent of sheep, I am really happy with this recent find. Its 'flocked tip' (I Googled, it means it's pointy) is conducive to winged eyeliner which I love. You don't get the super sharp flick that you'd get with the brush applicators, but I'm okay with that. (Sometimes. I put the Lakme Instaliner wand in this formula. So I can get a sharper wing. As you can see, I like to live on the edge.)

3. Eyelash curler
I cannot tell you. How much of a difference. This step makes. Using an eyelash curler makes your lashes look like falsies. I swear. I don't use the curler if I'm going to say, a friends house. But on a night out, definitely. I bought this one in Thailand like, three years ago. There are some really good brands on the market, I suggest you take a look.

4. Loreal Volume Million Lashes in Extra Black
I love this mascara. To death. If they ever stop making this, I'd go into mourning.
The wand is huge. And a couple of coats of this and BAM. Your lashes touch your eyebrows (I'm not joking. With this on, my lashes leave mascara flicks on my glasses). It lives up to it's name, really does give you x-factor million lashes.

So that concludes my gushing.
I'm so happy with these products that I have, they really work for me and I don't think I'd be changing them anytime soon.

Happy Sunday!

Necklace Layering - 2 ways



So as I was rummaging around in my jewelry, I realized I have far too many necklaces.
And most of them never see the light of day, but I keep buying more.

And then I felt really bad and vowed never to buy more.

Then I realized that would never happen because YOLO.

So, jumping on the layering bandwagon, I decided to style two sets of necklaces two ways. Almost a 'Good Girl gone Bad' teeehheeehee.

*clears throat*
Anyway.

This first set is a pair of statement necklaces. I think layering statement necklaces is something that you can totally get away with if you're wearing a really plain blouse, or a top. Make sure that the necklaces are related in some way (or not, if you're going for that). This can be in terms of tones, the stonework, the shape, whatever.
I wore this with a collared shirt because I think it adds that extra dimension - you can put one necklace so that it peeps under the collar, and the other one can be all out.

One necklace must hang lower/wider than the other, or they will end up sitting one on top of the other and give you this very unflattering 'aunty at a wedding' vibe that just isn't a good look at all. Fail.



 




 Behind the scenes :P. Me myself and I need to get that tripod back from my friend's house :P
Or my FRIENDS could take pictures for me (WINK WINK, HINT HINT)



This second set is a lot edgier and something I love wearing. Anyone who knows me knows I love me a little  lot Gothic Lolita, so the crosses and skulls are right up my alley. Here the key is balancing out the lengths. Make sure you've got one closer to the neck and one that sits nicely near your well, boob area, and in between can be whatever you want. I love how they get all intertwined (intertwined, not tangled) because it looks very rocker chic.






So let me know how you guys get on with this. I am not sure whether this will make you look at the millions of necklaces that I am sure you all own and encourage you to utilize them better or go the completely opposite way and will send you out on a spree to buy more pieces to layer with.
I am not responsible for the latter.

P.S If you do end up buying more, please tell me, because I will feel so much better about myself :P

Happy Tuesday!

Online Shopping Checklist




As more and more people prefer to shop online over the ol' brick-and-mortar option (which I still personally love more), I decided to do a blogpost dedicated to the things you should definitely check off in your mind before making your next purchase.

These are lists purely from trial and error and copious amounts of shopping online that may or may not have been done in the past year or so.  There are a lot of extremely deceptive little tricks that the smaller and even a couple big retailers do to fool you into thinking you're buying some high quality product which will turn out to be one really sad piece of clothing or a cheap looking piece of jewelry. My cousin recently had an incident where she thought what was embroidery on a kurti turned out to be this weird looking foil print. Not nice.

There are tonnes of options when it comes to retail sites and although I have my favorites, I would definitely try shopping at a few new ones soon!


So. Let's get into it.

Things to look out for:

1. Sizing charts : This is the number one reason that people return clothes that they buy online. Because they obviously haven't tried it on, there is no way to tell how something will fit, unless you've tried the exact same item at a store and it's merely on some special discount online. Check the measurement chart ALWAYS. S/M/L means different things for different brands. There is also the matter that UK/US/AUS  etc sizing runs very differently. So please, always check the sizing charts and keep a tape measure handy!

2. Color Options
Sometimes sites do not have those tiny icons which let you view the same item in different colors; it takes a significant amount of scrolling to figure this out. It's extremely annoying but I cannot count the number of times I see the same dress that I didn't want in blue but see in red a couple of days later and is already sold out in my size because I didn't check properly. It takes a while but don't give up! Make sure you've checked the whole site exhaustively. Of course, after you've narrowed down the search. Don't scroll through all 44,834 items, please :P

3. Returns Policy
Most sites offer 30-day returns. But in reality, how easy is it to actually return an item that you don't want? Make sure you check exactly what the terms and conditions of these policies are. More often than not you won't get your money back, only store credit.

4. Legitimacy of a Site
MAKE SURE you're going on a site that is legit. Maybe you can check if it has a Facebook/Twitter page where you can see other customers' feedback and issues. The 'Customer Testimonials' are more often than not written by the person who owns the site. I've seen many, many instances on Instagram where girls are just losing their sh*t and spamming the comments section of these Instagram pop-up shops because items haven't been delivered, but they've paid the money. Which is completely unfair.

5. Price Comparison
Because a lot of sellers retail the same brands, it's always good to compare prices on at least FOUR sites before you make your purchase. (Take into account the delivery and shipping charges too!)

6. Tracking?
Check if they have a decent tracking system. Ask around. This will make your life easier, especially if you want it delivered on a specific date.

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY:

1. Materials/Vague descriptions of materials
 A few of the bigger online shopping sites do have extremely comprehensive photos of each product from around ten different angles. And sometimes, on a model too, if it's clothing/accessories/jewelry. Zoom in to see what kind of fabric it is. If you can't zoom in that much, just pray that there's a decent description of the material content. Otherwise, it really is an at-your-own-risk thing. Do not be fooled by vague descriptions of materials such as 'Flowy green top'. Really? What is it even made of :/? You may expect a nice chiffon top but in reality, it might be jersey knit (the thin material our t-shirts are made out of) and hang very awkwardly on your body, in the most un-flowy way possible. Also, if the clothes aren't on models or really really well laid out, I'd really suggest not shopping at that site. Too much of a risk.

2. Detailing 
Sometimes you'll order a bag, or a pair of shoes, or even a top, expecting decent quality trims (buckles, rivets, buttons, zippers, embroidery) and you'll end up with some really cheap looking, questionable stuff. Especially with jewelry - more often than not I've bought a piece thinking it's metal and it ends up being plastic. Fail. Make sure you gauge from the pictures what exactly you're dealing with. Sometimes what you think is a pretty embroidery detail on a dress will end up being a flat print.

3. Sizes of Jewelry/bags/other accessories 
At your own risk. If measurements/pictures on a model aren't provided, be prepared for it to be any size, really :P Maybe use something as small a stone, or a link/clasp on the chain to kind of put the whole piece into relative proportion. Because you know how big that'll be more or less, so it'll work itself out. Same with bags - look at the buckle or a zip.

4. Shoes - the soles and straps
A lot of the cheaper shoes online have cardboard, yes, cardboard in their soles. Watch out for these! And always check how the straps are held in place, if any. If you can tell it's shadily glued in place - then please do NOT buy them. It'll last you a grand total of three days. People who street shop in Delhi/Mumbai a lot - you'll know what shoes will and won't last and more often than not - THE EXACT SAME ONES ARE SOLD ON THE SITES TOO.

5. Material 'claims'
Be smart when you shop. If there's a wallet or a purse that's INR 200 and it says 'GENUINE LEATHER' it's probably very low grade leather not at all. And some sites do not literally mean 'Leather sling bag' for INR 400, they mean imitation. But they'd rather NOT put that out there.

6. Deceptive Photography
Be very wary of highly edited pictures. They probably have something to hide. GAUSSIAN BLUR - YOU'RE NOT FOOLING ANYONE.

7. Buying Makeup/ body products (especially on Ebay)
Make sure it says brand new. And the picture doesn't look shady. Of course, they may just put up an existing photo of the product in it's prime, but look at the seller. Make sure they're trusted.




So now you're ready to plunge deeper into the world of shopping for lazy-girls. It's ridiculously addictive :P

End of the day, however, I am Team Brick and Mortar. That satisfaction you get when you're home after a day of shopping is just unparalleled.
P.S Any suggestions to new sites or sellers will be welcome :P
Sigh.
Happy Tuesday!


Purchases: A few new buys (for fall)










Well yes. I am one of those people who cannot stand the A/C below 24 and the moment the monsoon rolls in, I bring out my sweaters. I am useless. But I am a true Chennai child. I need my warmth.
And I exploit that five degree temperature drop we get after August. I call it 'fall'. My parents laugh but I really enjoy layering clothes and buying darker colored lipstick/nailpolish.
And that is just what I did.

I also managed to try out a site called everstylish.com. I saw some really cute jewelry on sale there so I thought I'd give it a go. I will give you my honest opinion on that too.

NOTE: The sweater in the picture is not something I got recently although for those of you who like that kinda stuff - Mango and M&S do some adorable sweaters, both thick and thin.

The three pieces of jewelry that I picked were all very different. One of them was statement-ish, one more subtle and one because it had a freakin' skeleton hand. Enough said.
As with all online shopping, you can never really tell the quality from the photo. You can never tell if it's plastic or metal. But, once you've shopped around enough (I'm not proud of it) you know what to look for to tell the difference. Also, they're on sale now so if you want to pick some stuff up - go here

1. Braided gold chain pendant (INR 499)
    I really loved this piece. Possibly my favorite from the lot. It was exactly what I expected it to be, all       metal. The chain was really good quality too. Can see myself wearing this a lot with plain tops or collared blouses.



2. Silver and black statement necklace (INR 399)
 A nice, bold piece to wear with both Indian (I definitely think so) and regular clothing. Very versatile. I was a bit disappointed though - the chain was metal but the pendant pieces were plastic. It still looks like metal though so I don't mind so much.




3. Skeleton hand necklace (INR 199)
This one was an impulse buy. It was purely for the pendant more than anything. I could tell the chain was plastic from the picture itself. I probably will switch up the chain for a black leather strip or thick thread.
The pendant itself is a lightweight metal. Love the detailing on it. Phew.


Overall, I thought this site is a big hit-and-miss and has a lot to do with luck. I am not a fan of the pretty-yet-deceptive photography. Also the range is pretty small. But some of the pieces are very unique (lolita-esque wrist chains, hamsa pendants and a couple of really nice statement pieces that are all under the INR 500 mark). I'd give it a 3/5.

And now to the two 'fall' make up items.
I got away with the first one using the 'it's my birthday soon' excuse.
Story of my life.

4. L'oreal Color Riche Moist Matte (phew) in Arabian Nights (INR 899)
Holy crap. This goes on like a dream and sets into your lips SO WELL. You can hardly tell that it's matte. Doesn't dry out or look cakey. I am no beauty guru but this lipstick is the bomb. Vogue thinks so too, it won the Vogue Beauty Award for the shade Raspberry Syrup in the same line (check that out too)
It is a very flattering berry-plum color that reminds me of MAC's Rebel. I honestly think I prefer this one. If you're in the market for a color that isnt the regular red or pink, I think you should look at this one. Don't be fooled by the lipstick itself - it looks really dark. But when it's actually on you, it's a lot more subtle. If that's what you like.

5. Maybelline Color Show nailpolish in Crazy Berry (INR 75)
This was literally SUCH an impulse buy. I walked into Health and Glow with my friend, needed 200 to swipe my card, saw this near the counter, grabbed it and billed. I didn't expect it to be anything great. Looked like a run of the mill purple. Credit goes to said friend for picking the color.
BUT NO.
On my fingers, it looks like this vampy-sexy-malificenty-vixeny color that is a very good alternative to black.
P.S Not a fan of the name. A lot of the names for this line sound like they were just thought up overnight. By a 7-year-old.


I will do a post showing how the lipstick and the nailpolish look on me as soon as I can, if this can help a few of you out :)




DIY: Heel Resurrection AKA My Battle with a Glue Gun






I've been seeing studded heels everywhere and I think they're the easiest way to add a little rock'n'roll to an old pair of shoes that have seen better days.
So I brought out the old glue-gun (yes, it is pink) and decided to use up some of my leftover studs from my design collection.

This is great for those shoes in which a bow or a little detail has fallen off. You can't replace it so you may as well rip the other one off and cover it all up with studs :P
(Mine had a ginormous bow on the front that fell off the left heel)


You will need :

  • 1 woebegone pair of shoes that have seen better days 
  • A gluegun or very strong adhesive from a hardware store (no fabric glue or fevibond please, these are shoes, and it'll come right off)
  • Studs (I got mine from a place in Perimet - people who want to stud up their jeans or bags or shoes or whatever, go explore that place. It has everything. Studs, spikes, rivets, chains and buckles)


I feel like instructions for this are laughable/redundant and would be insulting my readers intelligence  but here are a few tips :

  • Start by cleaning the shoes as best you can. It'll help the studs stick on better if there's a clean surface.
  •  Studs stick on suede really well as opposed to any other kind of material purely cause it's a rougher            surface. 
  •  If you're using a glue-gun, put the glue on the shoe, and then press the stud onto it.
  •  After you've finished the design, carefully put Anabond or Fevikwik inbetween the studs to set it all in    place.

Tada! Here is the finished product :



Good luck!

IMHO: Best Budget Perfumes




































Personally, the biggest compliment I get is when people tell me I smell good. I get all warm and fuzzy inside. It's a little bit sad, actually, but I put a lot of effort into it.
Although my brother tells me I smell like liquorice, it's fine. I like it :P

I tend to go for fresher, lighter smells in the summer and frutier, sweeter smells during the winter   monsoon. God I wish we had a proper winter in Chennai. No snow and all, just nippy cold winter.

Between me and my mum, we have quite the perfume arsenal. From the Victoria's Secret splashes, to the Cerrutis, the Diors and the Elizabeth Ardens, there is probably something for every mood and occasion.
They range from around a few hundred rupees to disgusting amounts that I'm sure neither of us is proud of (most of them are presents so it's FINE.)

I completely agree that the higher end ones have a ridiculous lasting power and sillage (this is basically the trail of scent that you leave that makes peoples heads turn and go WT*) but I have uncovered a few which are all under 1000 INR and I think are very good quality for the price and definitely last quite long.
So if you're just starting out your perfume collection and don't want to go straight into Parcos and drop a few thousands, these are some lovely ones that you can dabble with before you're ready to buy your big girl perfume :)

(I am going to do a men's perfume one because god, if all men smelled as good as some I know, the world would be a happy, happy place)

NOTE: Perfumes smell different on different people because of body chemistry, so I recommend always trying a perfume on your wrist, leaving it for a few hours and wander around the whole mall OR come back the next day and buy it so you truly know what it smells like on you. Never go by the papers test that they do especially if you're buying an expensive one. Paper isn't skin. 


1. Zara Silk - INR 890

The first perfume I bought from Zara. When I saw the price, I thought there was a 1 missing at the beginning. Or that something was wrong. 890 for 75ml WHAT. I grabbed it. Ran to the counter and asked the guy five times if that was the price. They started looking at me so weirdly after I asked them third or fourth time.
Anyway. A nice, light daytime perfume. A fresh floral scent, not to sweet.

Staying power: 4/5 It lasted a good 4-5 hours but did wear off almost completely after that.


2. Zara Tulle - INR 890

From the same line as Silk, comes this little beauty. This one is a lot sweeter and the staying power is considerably more than Silk. The top note is apparently melon, so that explains the fruityness. It's definitely not overpoweringly sweet, so I wear this pretty much all the time in the day.

Staying power: 5/5 Lasted all day. And my clothes smelled of it the next morning. WIN.

3. Marks and Spencers Sunny Daze mini - INR 700 (Approx)

I love the M&S minis. Some of them they get really, really right and you can just carry it around in your purse and keep spritzing. A real lifesaver for college and work. Some of them are really weird smelling, I'm not going to lie. But I love Sunny Daze. It literally smells like it sounds - a sunny, happy day. Sweet notes, reminds me of sunshine in a bottle. Cue Natasha Bedingfield :P. Well that's pocket but you get the idea. I am not sure if they've discontinued it ( they had another lovely one called Perfection) but DO go to M&S and check out the minis they have this season - they're really good for the price point (all under INR 700).

Staying power: 4/5 Lasts a good 5 hours. And the mini size makes it really convenient to carry around and re-spritz if you need to.

4. Victoria's Secret Fragrance Mist in Pure Seduction - INR 675-775 (Approx dollar conversion) or INR 700 - 1000 (Flipkart/Jabong)

I sent one of my close friends to VS in Singapore last year to pick one up for me and he came back with two (aw, bless him). I think you can judge the strength of your friendship with a guy if he's willing to avert his eyes (or not) and brave the raw sexy that is a Victoria's Secret store and come back with a body mist for you.
I LOVE THIS SCENT. I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH. As you can see, I'e used it a lot. I thought I would never love anything more than the Strawberries and Champagne one but god this is a close second. It smells like fresh berries in a bottle. I used to wear this all of last year in college and a couple of my classmates knew I was in the room purely by the scent. If you have someone in a VS retailing nation - please get this one. Or Strawberries and Champagne.

You can buy this one here (125ml) (it's on sale!) and the full size here (250ml).

You can get more of them here: http://www.flipkart.com/search?q=victorias+secret&as=off&as-show=off&otracker=start


Staying power : 4.5/5 It does vary though, I've had people who've said body mists do not last on them at all. But I tend to have it last the whole day. Tip - spray it on your skin more than your clothes. I find that it doesn't cling to fabric.

5. Bath and Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Sky - INR 840 (Approx dollar conversion) or INR 825 - INR 1300 (Flipkart/Jabong)  I was fortunate enough to get it on sale for, wait for it, the equivalent of INR 180.

Bath and Body are an another company that do great mists. I love this one which is basically violet and lily. Super fresh and summery. It smells like a perfume. The staying power I feel is a bit longer than the VS ones, and they tend to stick to clothes a lot more.

You can get them online (for less than 1k!) : http://www.flipkart.com/all/bath-body-works~brand/pr?sid=all 


Staying Power : 5/5 Again, same as the VS one. Varies. But if you're in India you obviously can't test but for the price you really can't go wrong. I recommend them :)

Well that wraps this up.
I do know that Westside, Fab India and a couple of other smaller brands also do body mists but I haven't really tried them out to know the staying power but I definitely will soon. If any of you have found alternatives, please comment and tell me where you get them from, cause I'd love to try them :)

Have a nice weekend :D


Make Up Essentials for College/Work





I am in no way someone who wears a lot of make-up, but I do believe that a little war-paint goes a long way.

When I was in college, I would sometimes have to meet people after a day of work, or stay over at a friend's. So I constantly had a trusty make-up bag with me, holding all the essentials I may ever need in case of an emergency.
There is nothing worse than being without the mascara-kajal-chapstick pick-me-up and somewhere to go. I was the source of some flack from my friends (they thought I was being high maintenance) but when they started borrowing stuff off me for their own emergencies, somehow, I was praised more than blamed. (You girls know who you are :P)

Also, I get quite a few questions from friends who want to buy their make up basics, so I thought I'd share what I personally feel would be a good starter kit. All of these are available in your local Health n Glow, or department store or even your Selvam/Kannan/Murali stores. I sincerely advise you to physically go make up shopping instead of buying things online (unless you're repurchasing). You can never actually judge colors or textures otherwise.

So grab a make-up pouch and start filling it in!

1. Powder 
   I may as well start off by saying I do not wear powder unless I'm going for something along the lines of a wedding or a sit-down dinner. Here in namma Chennai we tend to have make up melt off our faces within the first ten minutes unless you're guaranteed an A/C venue. Even then. The walk from the car to the entrance may destroy you anyway (you know I'm not exaggerating). But I do recommend the L'oreal True Match powder. Any Loreal counter should stock this (I think Shopper's Stop or Lifestyle may have it). It's extremely blendable, doesn't look cakey on your skin and has pretty good color matches.

2. Blush
I feel like a good blush can really make you look healthy and awake. Most people I see tend to think that darker blushes work on darker, Indian skin. And then they proceed to the Lakme counter and pick out some shade that looks like powdered brick. NO, LADIES. A healthy 'flush' is something that is a coral, or a rosy pink. There are so many brands with so many different light shades that we Indian women shy away from because we think it won't show up on us. They will!
I have currently been loving Pearlescent Pink by Wet n Wild. A US purchase. Works wonders for dusky and fair skin. VERY versatile. If you have an uncle/aunt/brother/sister/boyfriend/cousin in the States, ask them to go to their nearest Wal-mart or drugstore and pick this up. It is $2.99 and according to the make-up gurus, a real dupe for the higher end blushes that cost ten times more.

3. Liner
Eye liner is something that can really define your entire look. It is part of my holy trinity (liner, mascara, kajal) and I almost NEVER leave the house without my little cat-eye (or big, depending on my mood). Experiment with your liner to see what shape suits you most and stick with it.
I think every single girl I have ever met has the ridiculously cheap but awesome Lakme Insta Liner. I've used this from the time I was 14 and have never looked back. Only problem is, it isn't waterproof AT ALL. It's okay. Reapply through the day if you need to.
I do own a couple of more expensive ones, but I think if you're carrying this to college or work, stick with something that you wont cry over if lost/stolen (personal experience here).


4. Mascara
Mascara is a staple for that 'I'm wearing make up but not really' look. It requires no time at all to apply, and can really open up your eyes. You can even do away with liner and kajal sometimes, and just put this stuff on and run to college. You'll still look put together. I recommend waterproof in the summer but a regular formula post August.
I use the Volume Million Lashes by Loreal. A little pricier than your average Maybelline ones, but worth it. It does what it says. As someone who has average lashes (not too sparse, not too thick) this makes me look like I'm wearing false lashes sometimes. Best part? It doesn't clump. I recommend also Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Mascara (thicker, more dramatic) and Lakme Iconic Curling Mascara (a more everyday one)

5. Kajal
Every Indian woman knows the power of this item. All my late nighters are followed with a copious swipe of kajal under my eyes in the morning. You can double this up as an eyeliner, too. It truly is a lifesaver.
I prefer the thin twist ups over the fat pencil variety purely because they don't need sharpening. But I do know that they don't last very long. The day that they make a long-lasting twist up, I will be the happiest person alive. I recommend Maybelline The Colossal Kajal and L'oreal Paris Kajal Majique.

6. Lip Balm
Hydrated lips are extremely important. Nothing is worse than well-done make up and chapped lips. And they're actually a make up essential for me. When I don't want to wear lipstick, I feel like a bit of lip balm sheen still makes you look put together. I swear by the Himalaya Lip balm. It costs a grand total of INR 25 or so and when I have chapped lips, this fixes it in 24 hours and makes them soft and supple. When I want something with a little bit of color, I've been loving the Body Shop Born Lippy chapstick in Plum that I spoke about in my last post.

7. Cream Eye Shadow
Why cream eye shadow, you ask? Because they're awesome.
Powder shadows in single cases or in quads are all well and good when you're getting ready at home, but when you're stuffing this in the bottom of your college bag or handbag there are very high changes of it shattering and staining your make up pouch (again, personal experience). I find that my blush never shatters, funnily. Maybe because it's bigger? No idea.

I think a single, neutral shade of cream eye shadow is something that you can swipe on with your fingers if you ever have to go out anywhere directly from work or college. The Maybelline Color Tattoos (I'm using Pomegranate Punk) or the L'oreal Infallible 24 hour eyeshadow (a powder-cream formula) are an absolute godsend (I wish I had used these in college). My lovely friend gave one of the former to me and I've been carrying it around in my bag ever since. Cream eye shadows stay on your eye a fair bit longer than powder ones do, so any impromptu nights out/clubbing plans can be saved by this and this alone. Smoke it out with a bit of your kajal and there. You're ready to roll.

8. Lipstick
I could do a whole post on just how much I think lipstick can change your life. But that's another story.
I think that even though you may not wear the lipstick every day, all day, it doesn't hurt to carry around one with you. It's such a pick-me-up, it can make you feel like the sexiest woman alive. Lipstick honestly changes my mood. I carry around a couple with me and depending on what I need I either go full-on, or sheer it out by mixing it in with a bit of my balm. In my bag currently is MAC's Russian Red and Revlon's Ruby. The former is an in-your-face matte red and the latter is a shinier, more cool toned one. Love them both.

9. Moisturizer
I cannot emphasize enough on the use of a good facial moisturizer. Especially after you've washed your face. It helps restore the balance of your skin and prevents drying. I carry around the age-old, tried and tested Olay Moisturizing Lotion which is good for face and body.

So that wraps up this post, I hope you guys find this helpful.
Contents of a make up bag is just like a wardrobe, you have to build it. Don't go out one day and buy 7 or 8 essentials all at once. Spend time hovering around the counters especially for lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes and powders which are all skin tone specific.I strongly advise again buying these items on the internet for the first time (unless you're sure of the shade and it's cheaper online). Check that you're not allergic to powders/blushes by patch testing it on the inside of your wrist.

And most importantly, ALWAYS take your make up off before you go to bed!


Purchases: Smooth Sale-ing



So I recently went to Express Avenue to go to The Body Shop to pick up a couple of things with the vouchers I had. And somehow, two other items ended up in my bag. I have no idea how that happened. But come on, sales suck you in. Those red stickers/markers which just boast of 20, 30, 50, 70% off the original price. Think of all the money you'll actually be saving! What if you need something similar in the future but it's full price? You'll regret it then.

And so on.

1. The Body Shop Seaweed Purifying Facial Cleanser - NOT ON SALE
    It was a toss up between this and the Tea Tree face wash, but as I recently purchased something very       similar to the latter (I honestly think it works just as well), I went for the cleanser. Now I'm one of those people that strongly believes that foamy face washes or cleansers are the only ones that actually work. It's some weird placebo that makes my face feel cleaner. It's the same with shampoos and body washes (am I alone here?) But this cleanser (I've been using it for about a week now) is amazing. I use it twice a day and it leaves my skin feeling absolutely velvety soft. I have been caught many a time poking at and stroking my cheeks because I simply cannot believe how a tiny blob of cleanser can make such a difference. I have mild combination skin (the t-zone is dry most of the year but during the summer it gets oily) and I find that this just evens everything out and makes it super super supple. A definite repurchase.






































2. The Body Shop Born Lippy Sticks in Plum
    I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I've wanted a chapstick that gives a TINY bit of color
without looking like a tint and this really does the job. And I'm allergic to 9/10 of them. As someone who absolutely despises the little potted ones (they get sticky, stuff gets inside, and they burn your lips off more often than not) I really like the stick versions. The only downside is that they don't taste as good as they smell. They don't taste like anything, actually which I find sad because they smell really, really fruity. It was around INR 200 (originally priced at INR 395). Pricey for a glorified chapstick, but I think this works for those days where I want a LITTLE bit of color on my lips.



















3. Head Over Heels - Black sandals
    Oh my god. If you're going to EA anytime soon, go to Westside and see if you can find these in your size. I absolutely love them. They go with both day AND night time outfits without looking too casual or too dressy, whatever the case may be. And I love the zipper detailing on the back. Perfect, perfect, perfect. The original price was around INR 1200 but on sale, it was around INR 699 which is a really good deal. I love Head Over Heels sandals and flats purely cause they last a long time. I used to travel by train and bus with them all year round and they don't come apart easily AT all. Trust me, with people stepping on your feet all the time on public transport, you need a pair of hardy shoes to do the job.







4. NUON Lace Dress

   When I saw this dress, my world stood still. It's like nothing even existed anymore. As long as I could have it, the universe would be alright, I'd get a job, be successful and win at life.

It wasn't the gorgeous black lace at the front.
It wasn't the sexy bandage back.
It wasn't even the cost (INR899, people.)
It was an XXS.
Being petite and skinny isn't fun. Finding a well-fitting dress that doesn't gape or isn't too long is almost impossible. When it's my birthday, or New Years, or Christmas, or an event which requires me to find a nice dress, I don't get excited at all. Because I'm sure that no matter where I go, nothing will fit. And if it does, there'll always be something wrong with it. Color-wise, fabric-wise, trim-wise, price-wise.
BUT THIS. THIS WAS PERFECTION. It fit like a dream.

(I will take a picture of this dress when I find someone to take a picture of me in it :P)

Have a nice week!
    

IMHO: Top fashion/style websites

When I'm spending (wasting) time on the laptop, there are a few tabs that will constantly be opened the second my Chrome fires up. Apart from the usual social media, these six sites are what give me my input of fashion and style information from all corners of the globe, apart from the ten million blogs that I read.

I've met quite a few people who are not in fashion but love it and would like information that doesn't come in the conventional form of Vogue/Elle which, awesome as they are, they are only monthly magazines. These sites update themselves daily, providing the reader with an absolute trove of information that gets you oohing and aahing over the latest styles on the street, the runway or from the past.

I recommend quite a few of these sites, if not all, for those of you who are into this sort of thing. Especially fashion students - it is essential to stay updated and be aware of what's going on. I swear they should start putting these sites into course curriculum in schools for kids who want to do design or fashion instead of making them balance ledgers and code programs when that's clearly not what they're into. </end rant>


1. Who What Wear


A great one for runway bytes, street style, beauty and celebrity fashion. It has those buzzfeed-esque list compilations which make for happy scrolling time and inspiration. They do a really good job in making runway fashion and stories understandable, highlighting key ideas, trends, make up looks and where to find knock offs.

2. Lookbook
By far, my favorite street fashion compilation site. Users from all over the world post OOTD photos and share them for inspiration and viewing pleasure. If you're stuck on styling a particular piece in your wardrobe, chances are, someone here has done something similar.
Some of these users have links to their own blogs, which  I always find an interesting read. And if I like them, I'll proceed to stalk them on Bloglovin' and Instagram. And Twitter.

3. The Cutting Class


This one caters a little more to students of fashion and design. It has posts on details, patterns, drapes and stitches that designers have displayed on the runway along with a really nice analysis and the occasional how-to. Really pays attention to detail and the pictures are absolutely brilliant. Lovely minimal layout too, I must say.

4. Style.com


Another all-rounder in terms of content, this one really gives you all the runway news as SOON as the shows come out. When the world was watching the World Cup, glued to their televisions, I was sitting up on my laptop, waiting for the pictures of the Fall/Winter couture shows to surface. They cover almost EVERY designer's fashion show, with pictures of every single look. A real designer's encyclopedia. 

I find this similar to Who What Wear, actually. But I still go on it. You can never have enough of these sites in your life!

Somewhere deep inside me, is a Gothic Lolita begging for release. I wear far too much black, lace, black lace, have an obsession with 19th century literature, fashion and life and absolutely adore the Lolita style. Sigh.
But aside from that, I adore Japanese fashion. More specifically, street fashion. The streets are teeming with youngsters who redefine fashion and change conventional aesthetics every single day. The tiny little micro trends that they start in the east on the streets of Shibuya are often scouted by some trendspotter for H&M or Forever21 and then copied and reproduced on a mass scale. The streets are rich with inspiration and theatrics. This site is a street photography compilation of just that. Maybe you won't dress EXACTLY like them, but I'm sure you can find some crazy trends that you can incorporate in your own way. I know I have!

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