Giving up?

Hi everyone!

Hope you are doing great. Ah! I know, it has been ages I wrote my thoughts here. So let me explain what I have been doing since last year, since the time this blog went dormant.

I decided last August(2016) ,that I need to do something about my life, maybe study again or change job. I decided on the first one. I started preparing for the same, and that involved studying for GRE and IELTS. Till December, I was fully engrossed in it. From January onwards, my college applications took most of my time. If anyone of you has gone through it, hats off to you! It is so cumbersome. This continued till June,along with various other formalities.

If you have been following me on Instagram, then you would know, I have been taking Deutsch lessons as well and it is still going on. It is a tough language, and I need it for my life over there in Germany. Yep! I said it. I will be soon shifting to Germany for my Masters studies and will be spending a long time over there.

With so much going on in my life, I try posting mini reviews on my Instagram account. So that’s where you can find your answers. I am active there and its much easier to handle it. Once I reach there, I will post mini reviews on German beauty brands as well.  😉

So the answer to the title, “Am I giving up my blog? “, is NO. I will be continuing the same work, through my Instagram account, and this blog domain, will remain active for my occasional travelogues.

Wish me luck! I am scared a little for venturing outside my beloved India. :-\

Take care lovelies :-*

 

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Does it matter?

Hi!!

Hope you are doing well! I guess this post will be little personal than what I usually post.

I had my birthday on Monday i.e. 13th March. I am not like those who wants their facebook bombarded with birthday wishes from people who wish out of courtesy.So obviously, I had removed the Birthdate. Naturally, I didnt see any wishes from anyone. I have been doing this since 2014. 

It is that part of life when I don’t even get bothered anymore. My family wishes and some close friends.That makes it about 7-8 people. Infact, some friends with whom I talk regularly, they also forgot.

I do understand the busy schedules and stressful life. But the most weird thing is, I am not angry and neither I am feeling weird that they didn’t wish me. I am still talking with them and consider them my friends.

Is it normal? Has this happened with you where you are least bothered ? Am I too easy for everyone? 

Risks and Benefits of Using Activated Charcoal in Your Beauty Routine

Activated charcoal has been around for a very long time, but it’s only in the recent years that it’s getting the spotlight as a new miracle beauty product. However, is it worth all the hype? We sometimes tend to follow health fads without examining them closely, and this can lead to potential harm. The aim of this article is to examine this beauty trend and see if it has any real benefits and how can we use it in our beauty routines.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is carbon that has been processed by high temperatures and gas to create small, low-volume pores that give it excellent absorption qualities. It has been used in medicine to help treat drug overdose or alcohol poisoning, but now it is seeing a much wider range of application. It has the ability to absorb toxins and certain chemicals, and that’s generally the reason people have started using it in various hair and skin treatments, and even as a form of teeth whitener.

Benefits

A lot of skin experts seem to agree that activated charcoal definitely brings benefits to our skin, with its ability to clean it thoroughly and get rid of all the excess oils. Acne prone skin responds to charcoal treatments especially well, and many people have started making facial masks and using it as a gentle scrub. As acne treatments go, this is a pretty good one, as it reaches deep into our pores and gets rid of all the dirt. A lot of spa professionals and aestheticians are using activated charcoal to help resolve various skin problems related to inflammation and even to get rid of cellulite.

Another popular way of using activated charcoal is as teeth whitener. The trend is very popular in Australia, where people like to mix a small amount of the substance with their toothpaste, and then brush their teeth twice a day. Everybody seems to have their cosmetic dentist in Sydney on speed-dial these days, so it’s no wonder that this trend is taking off, seeing as Australia is on the list of top countries when it comes to dental health. However, not all professionals are on board with charcoal toothpastes, so it’s best to schedule a consultation before you try anything. The health of your teeth is best left to a good dentist.

Besides the cosmetic purposes, activated charcoal can be used for its original purpose – to help settle your stomach, ease bloating, and collect any toxins related to food or alcohol poisoning.

Risks

The greatest risk of activated charcoal comes in case of an overdose, when it can cause severe cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. Other than that, it’s actually pretty safe to use, but you should always consult your doctor, especially if you intend to use it in form of capsules.

While there are no great risks involved, there is surprisingly little data that supports the use of activated charcoal and its benefits. Some health professionals seem to think that it’s a passing trend, made popular mostly because of charcoal powder’s intense black colour. The colour makes it look more interesting and so we are easily fooled. Some people also report that it left their faces stained black, and irritated.

Final Thoughts

What it all comes down to is that activated charcoal seems relatively safe to use, if seemingly ineffective. But this is mostly down to individual experiences – what works for one person might not work for the next. It certainly doesn’t hurt to try because a lot of people still swear by it. From DIY facial masks to toothpaste, the trend doesn’t seem to be dying out. Luckily, it’s entirely inexpensive; so, you can give it a go to see if it does anything for you. Test it on a small patch of your skin and then have fun experimenting.

About the author:

Zara Lewis is a designer and a regular contributor to highstylife.com , devoted to implementing healthy life habits in every aspect of life of her family and friends. She seeks for beauty in everything that surrounds her. Romantic soul and tech geek in one body. She enjoys hiking, cycling, yoga and cooking.

 

Skincafe Choco chip cookies lipscrub

 I am back!

Ignore my Arnold Shwarzenegger swag! 😉

I am truly sorry for being away from my blog and from all of you. Trust me! It wasn’t an easy task .I want to be honest with you all and tell you why I wasn’t writing.

I had some career priorities and decisions to make so felt to focus on it entirely. It required my decision and constant discussion with my parents which needed me to stay away from any other priorities. ( my blog).

I also apologise to the brands which sent me their products for reviewing.Usually I don’t break my commitments with regard to posting on time.So please forgive me if I didn’t post it when it was supposed to go live.

Now back to the topic, eh? I was sent this cutie pie for reviewing and since I have used it several times,I can write about it.

About the brand: Skincafe is a brand which makes fresh products after you place your order.They use essential oils ,natural ingredients,herbal infusions and mild food colouring without any preservatives and all the harmful parabens. Checkout their website for product and price listing.Most interesting thing you will find that they post food pictures instead of product picture to show the flavor or the ingredient.That actually caught my eye. 

Availability: You can order through their website and also their Facebook page..I don’t think they sell through any retail centre.Currently they ship within India only.

Price: INR 950 for 9 gm.This might look costly but trust me,you really need a little everytime.So this tub will last you pretty long.Free shipping on all orders.

Ingredients: You can see in the picture below,everything is natural and there is almost no trace of chemicals in it.

Packaging: It comes in a cute cardboard box which is quite sturdy.When you open it,you are greeted with a spatula and a small glass tub.Being a glass,it is best to keep it in the box and carry.The box won’t open easily,so perfect for travel.The size is small as well,so definitely portable.

What I felt:  From the first day itself,I noticed a huge difference.

Earlier,I used to scrub my lips with a worn out toothbrush and coconut oil/Vaseline.Since I have started wearing lipsticks,specially matte ones,on a daily basis,you know how they affect our lips.My lips are currently in a normal state,but these lipsticks do make it flaky after 2- 3 days of wearing lipsticks.So I scrub my lips twice a week.

This lipscrub has cocoa bean granules so when you are scrubbing,it will tend to fall down.It is not sticky so you have to take a little amount and  work your way fast.The spatula provided is apt for the quantity to be taken.

It is indeed choclaty and being allergic to chocolates,it didn’t cause any reaction to my skin.(Surprising no?).The jojoba oil provides moisture .

You rub the scrub gently for 30 secs and wash it off.You can actually notice your lips are plump and super soft.If you have dry lips,then follow the drill as and when required ,but make sure,gentle scrubbing is there,because dry lips tend to lose skin fast and may cause bleeding.

I also felt that pigmentation of lips due to lipsticks tend to fade a little with this scrub.

Is there any con? I don’t think so.It works  and the amount will last you for easily 3-4 months if you have lips like mine.If you want to grab it,click here

I would definitely recommend this investment.

Thank you for reading my post. 🙂 If you like my posts,don’t forget to subscribe here by clicking on ‘follow by e-mail’ in the righthand pane . Also follow me on Instagram at @simplybful and Twitter @simplybful for crazy snippets from my life and beauty world.Find me on Pinterest @simplybful to know what I love in hair and makeup.

See you all in my next post,Take care,bye 

Things You Should Know When Reading a Cosmetic Label

Deciding on a cosmetic product that will actually work for your beauty routine is not as easy as it seems – there are so many things you need to take care of before purchasing. It is not just about the beautiful packaging or its wonderful scent – an ingredient list should be your top priority. If you are not quite sure how to read it properly, stay with us. Here are four crucial things you should know when reading a cosmetic label.

Read the label from top to bottom

The first thing you should do before making a final decision is reading the label carefully – from top to bottom, not vice versa. This is essential since ingredients are listed in proportional order – highest quantities are always at the top of the list. Check out the first half of it and see if there are some ingredients you don’t like – if that is so, you may want to leave such product on the shelf. This is particularly important since our skin absorbs around 60% of what we apply to it directly into the bloodstream. That sounds really scary, right?

Is ‘organic’ really organic?

                                                                                Image source: Flickr

Since there are no laws that regulate ingredients used for the production of organic cosmetic products, you can never be sure whether it is really organic or not. The sad truth is that a company can label their product like that even if it consists of only 1% organic ingredients, which is truly devastating. However, there are certain certification bodies, such as COSMOS, that attempt to establish standards for such cosmetic products all over the globe. In order to get their certification, a brand needs to meet a strict set of standards in order to be recognized as organic. Just make sure that you always go shopping well-prepared – knowledge about specific items will help you choose an appropriate health-friendly product for yourself.

Know your irritants

Knowing about the ingredients that tend to be most irritating is of utmost importance, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Artificially added fragrances are irritants that can make your skin condition even worse, as well as preservatives such as Phenoxyethanol, a compound that retards the formation of bacterial growth. Brands such as Cosmedix have come up with preservative-free products that don’t put you at risk of absorbing those deep into your skin. Parabens also belong to this category, and they are added to cosmetic products to extend their shelf life and stop fungus and other microbes from growing in them. These can actually mimic estrogen and even cause breast tumor cells to grow, so make sure that you have read the label thoroughly before buying in order to avoid these.

                                                                                Image source:Flickr

Know how to decode expiration date

Decoding an expiration date of a product you are about to purchase is very important, and you should pay extra attention to particular symbols that can be seen on the label. The one with a floating lid jar, with a number and an ‘M’ will tell you the truth. For example, if it says 12M, you are allowed to use the product for 12 months after opening. Blushes, eye shadows, and moisturizers and last up to two years, whereas lipsticks, brow pencils, and eyeliners are appropriate for everyday use for only one year after you open them. When the time is up, you should better throw them away – you don’t want that bad product to go directly into your bloodstream, right?

As you can see, seeking an appropriate cosmetic product is definitely not as easy as it seems – there are so many things you need to know before purchasing. Unfortunately, a wide range of harmful chemicals are a part of formula when it comes to a lot of products, which is why you need to pay extra attention to their labels. Be informed and know exactly what you want – this is the only way to do it right!

About the author: Zara Lewis is a designer and a regular contributor to highstylife.com , devoted to implementing healthy life habits in every aspect of life of her family and friends. She seeks for beauty in everything that surrounds her. Romantic soul and tech geek in one body. She enjoys hiking, cycling, yoga and cooking.You can look her up @ZaraELewis on twitter.

 

Ida Naturals Calendula infused mango butter soap review

Heya!

How is your week treating you?

Well! mine is going tiring. For the past 2 days,I am returning home at 9 PM. 😦 But I am trying to keep my word,blog comes first when I come back from office.

This is my first review of a soap,because firstly,it takes a lot of time to finish a soap to try the next and secondly,I am scared to use any other soap apart from my trusted Avene emollient bodywash gel.

About the brand: Ida Naturals was conceptualized in Bangalore (India), as an effort to revive the past and create an awesome, natural and environment-friendly line of bath and body creations. We create gentle, nourishing and effective products applying ancient Indian skin-care methods & herbal remedies using finest natural ingredients. Ida Natural’s creations are completely handcrafted & bio-degradable ensuring unsurpassed quality with no waste. We love creating and using our products and hope you love them too.

Availibility: You can buy it from their facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/IdaNaturals/

They have lot of products so you can choose from there or get it customized like I did.They also ship international.

Ingredients: Saponified mango butter,clendula infused sunflower oil,coconut oil and castor oil.These are the main ingredients.

All the ingredients are moisturizing in their action and specifically,calendula is good for sensitive skin/eczema-prone skin.

Packaging

What the brand claims: This conditioning, rich, nourishing goodness is extra-mild and works great even on sensitive skin.The conditioning properties of Mango Butter and healing attributes of Calendula makes this soap a truly must-have in the household.

Works great on :

❖ Baby skin ❖ Mothers-to be skin ❖ Extreme Sensitive Skin ❖ Toddlers / kids with sensitive skin

Unscented soaps eliminate the chances of skin irritation / reaction of sensitive skin to essential oils

Packaging

Price & quantity : Rs. 240/- to Rs. 250/- ( based on weights ).All shipping modes including COD are available. I believe this is apt and cheap.My soap is about to get finished and it lasted me for over a month.It is best to order in combination with other products due to shipping fee applicable.

Fragrance: None

Packaging: Comes in a simple plastic wrapper with the soap name and its information.

Texture: Isn’t that foamy but glides smoothly on the skin.

My thoughts: This soap actually works!It doesn’t dryout your skin and nourishes it.It is moisturizing in nature but if you have extremely dry flaky skin,you may not find it that useful.

Homemade soaps tend to weep but this didn’t even during Delhi humidity.Another plus point!

It doesn’t melt easily.I have tried soaps from notable brands,which tend to melt easily,but this baby didn’t.

It cleans well even though it has moderate foam.

I have sensitive skin and this didn’t even burn or cause irritation.So that’s my favourite point of choosing this soap.

However,if you have cuts or bruises,it will sting you.

This soap definitely has pros overall,so you can give it a try.This soap is organic,handmade and suited to normal,sensiitve-dry skin.What else do you need! 😉

Thank you for reading my post. 🙂 If you like my posts,don’t forget to subscribe here by clicking on ‘follow by e-mail’ in the righthand pane . Also follow me on Instagram at @simplybful and Twitter @simplybful for crazy snippets from my life and beauty world.Find me on Pinterest @simplybful to know what I love in hair and makeup.

See you all in my next post,Take care,bye 

 

 

Deutchland Reisebericht(Germany travelogue)

Halo!

Wie geht es Ihnen? ( Gosh! I remember from my German class)

This is another chapter from my Europe tour.If you haven’t already gone through my earlier travel posts,I will link them below.

London Diaries

Amsterdam travelogue

After an amazing Amsterdam experience,it was time for Germany.All of us have heard its famous for its beer and Oktoberfest.But there’s more to it.It is immensely strong in its technological frontiers as well.

We boarded our coach in the morning from our Amsterdam hotel to visit Cologne cathedral situated amidst bustling lanes of Cologne.

Now,I know,obviously your mind will wander off towards,” Is the Eau De Cologne invented here? “

To answer that,bear with me and go through the rest of the beauty this city has.Cologne is notable for its Gothic architecture.The familiar arches and tall cathedrals will mesmerize you for sure.

Look at the height!

Still not able to photograph all of it!

And one such cathedral is the famous Cologne cathedral.It is the most visited site in Cologne and is dear to the native people.You literally have to strain your neck to photograph it in its mighty glory.It contains the bones of 3 wise men or 3 kings which is gilded into elaborate golden sarcophagus.It is a must visit sight if you want to be spellbound.

Sarcophagus of the 3 kings

After taking in all the wonder this cathedral has to offer,we went around  in the nearby market.Now let’s come to your question.Eau de cologne as you may have heard,was developed by the Farina family of Italy. In 1803 Wilhelm Mülhens was granted to use the Farina family name and opened a cologne shop.Later on,it was denied and then,the house no. through which the cologne was sold,was used to brand the cologne name.Any guesses? 😉 It is none other than 4711. We did buy vials and a perfume from their official store in the same market adjoining the cathedral.

Next we went for River Rhine cruise along which the city of cologne thrives.It was an hour long cruise which took us through serene waters.It was indeed a peaceful cruise.We all sat on the deck,soaking up the Sun.It has a bar as well and I tried the famous beer Kölsch. It was amazingly having a sweet tinge to it.We could see lot of castles and medieval rest houses on the hills,which is the touristy part of this cruise.

Beer eh!

Our cruise boat

medieval rest house

Me awkwardly posing

On deboarding it,our coach took us to Heidelberg to get a feel of past European life.You can easily spend a day roaming aimlessly on the streets. 😀

The brass mice on the bridge

The brass monkey with mirror

bridge entrance

Alstadt

If you see the pictures above,  there is a mouse and a monkey.Monkey symbolizes that neither the city-dwellers nor the outsiders are better than each other and that they should look over their shoulder to remeber this while crossing the bridge.It is believed that if you touch the fingers of the Bridge Monkey it would ensure your return to Heidelberg, touch the mirror for wealth and touching the mice will ensure fertility.I didn’t touch the mice ofcourse. 😀

Next day,we drove to Black forest.I guess the tasty blackforest cake derives its origins from this part of Germany.Black forest is home to fir trees and an apt fairytale setting.Also,it is an abode to Cuckoo clocks.Worldfamous Cuckoo clocks!All of us had,atleast once in their lifetime,have possesed this clock or seen it somewhere. We watched a demonstration on how its made .We did empty our pocket as well .:-P We bought a battery operated clock as its convenient.There’s a shop called Drubba.They have 3 stores in there.The one which comes first,will fit your budget.Drubba family is the oldest family which is continuing this clock business.Hope my history is correct.

We had free time to ourselves to stroll the streets.We bought some souvenirs.Personally,I would love to visit Germany once again,as I feel I havent even touched 1 % of their things to see.

Shopping tip:When in cologne,we saw that there’s a ‘Deutch Markt’ just up ahead in the market ,which is like a drustore.They also have Eau De Cologne 4711,which is sold at cheaper prices.I feel it’s best to buy from there.We already bought our stuff from the official store,so couldn’t do much.

Thank you for reading my post. 🙂 If you like my posts,don’t forget to subscribe here by clicking on ‘follow by e-mail’ in the righthand pane . Also follow me on Instagram at @simplybful and Twitter @simplybful for crazy snippets from my life and beauty world.Find me on Pinterest @simplybful to know what I love in hair and makeup.

See you all in my next post,Take care,bye