For long, I had been on the look-out for a nice face pack that I could use while travelling. I have used face masks in the past which were not exactly a pleasant experience, mainly because they came off in bits and pieces and not as a peel as I would have liked them to. But even though this was not a face...
Have you been to a Health and Glow store? Well, most of you must have! But for the rest who haven't, let me brief you about this place. This is a place swarming with SAs who know nothing but want to help you with everything! Hmmm, okay almost all SAs, if not all!!! Let me go through what you will most likely experience in...
As you can see, I could not stop myself from ordering the October Vellvette box even though I was not quite happy with the September one (Read about the September box here). This came through DTDC courier in the afternoon and I was not at home; so he asked me to collect it from his office. I tried calling him again several times just...
Alpha Whitening Cream
Vedic Line Alpha Whitening Cream (De-pigmentation Cream) Review and Swatch
October 18, 2012
I got this whitening/depigmentation cream some time back and you must have also seen it in my haul post (read here). Some of the readers wanted me to review it. It is almost 11/2 months now that I have been using it and would now like to share my experience with all of you. Before that, I would like to know what these companies...
Indian Beauty Cafe received its third award - the 'One Lovely Blog Award'. I have been honored with this award by the friendly Poorva of All Things Beautiful and I would like to thank her for this gesture. Do join her in her 'beauty-full' journey! ...
As we all know, no matter how expensive a cream we slather on our skin; a proper diet, fitness routine and lifestyle are of utmost importance in achieving good health and beauty. In our modern-day lives, we somehow tend to neglect these factors. We rely a lot on ready-made stuff, laden with preservatives and chemicals. As a result, there is a build-up of...
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Cafe's Star Product - Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in 'Fierce and Tangy' Review and Swatches
October 04, 2012
This is the story of a love triangle. The story is set around 2 weeks back in time when I went in quest of Kryolan products to the only store in town that would probably have them. But all they had were some palettes (which I did not want) and the TV Paintstick (which I already have). I was just about to leave...
I had placed an order for the September (and also my first) Vellvette box a week ago and received it today by Aramex courier. In my excitement, I ran and got the scissors and madly tore away all the outer packaging . And what do I see? A black box tied with a pink ribbon! So far, so good. Now let us see what...
Sunshine Blogger Award Indian Beauty Cafe was recently honored with the Sunshine Blogger Award! I would like to thank my blog-buddies who graced me with this award: Aparajita (http://colorsofmylife13.blogspot.in/) Poorva (http://beauty-fulljourney.blogspot.in) Niesha (http://www.indianbeautyforever.com) I hope to keep up the good work. Thank you once again! ...
"Charm is a glow within a woman that casts a most becoming light on others" - John Mason Brown, late American drama critic. Whenever I apply face pack, Junior has this game kind of thing with me where I have to act like a ghost. I pretend to scare him and he pretends to get scared. I say 'pretend' because these days, the kids do...
Colossal
Kohl(ed) Cafe - Maybelline Colossal Kajal versus Lakme Eyeconic Kajal Review and Swatches
September 21, 2012
After ruling the Indian kohl world for nearly a year now, Maybelline Colossal Kajal is witnessing a new competitor in the form of Lakme Eyeconic Kajal. A similar wave has hit upon the makeup market with most online and offline stores declaring a 'Sold-Out' on the latest Lakme eyeconic kajal. As for me, the Colossal has been and continues to be a favourite...
Brightening Berry
Clean and Clear Morning Energy Brightening Berry Face Wash Review
September 11, 2012
"Music is supposed to wash away the dust of everyday life" - late Art Blakey, American jazz musician and Grammy Award winner. Come to think of it, that's all a face wash is required to do too i.e., wash away the daily dust and dirt from our face. I already have a 'gentle' face wash and was actually looking for a replacement for my...
Haul posts are my favourite kind of posts. Irrespective of whether the haul is small or huge, it never fails to attract me. If you ask me, it is an extension of retail therapy. A strange and special kind of happiness takes over me when I see a haul, even if it is someone else's. Hope you like my haul too. Here are...
Banana Kheer
Cafe Cuisine - Pazha Pradhaman Payasam/ Banana Kheer/ Banana Pudding
September 06, 2012
Pazha Pradhaman Payasam I am posting here the recipe for the Pazha Pradhaman Payasam that you all saw in My Onam 2012 post. Pazha Pradhaman is a payasam of ripe, mashed plantains in coconut milk and jaggery. The plantain ('Nenthra Pazham' in Malayalam) is a member of the banana family, though lower in sugar content and more energy-packed than a normal banana. Here is the recipe......
Palada Payasam As promised, here is the recipe of the Palada Payasam that I showed you in this post. For the benefit of readers who are unfamiliar with this dessert, I shall first tell you what is palada paayasam... So what is 'payasam'? It is similar to the North Indian 'Kheer' or the English 'pudding'. What is 'ada'? It is made from whole...
Our Pookalam, with a Traditional Lamp placed in the Centre First of all, I hope that you all of you had a wonderful Onam! And those of you who are not aware of this festival, let me enlighten you! Onam is originally a Hindu festival of Kerala. However, in central Kerala, where I hail from, this festival is celebrated with equal spirit and...
Wishing Everyone a Very Happy and Prosperous Onam!!! Image Courtesy ...
Cafe's Star Product
Cafe's Star Product - Kryolan TV Paint Stick FS45 Review and Swatches
August 28, 2012
"The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural" - Calvin Klein, American fashion designer, also known for his perfumes, watches, and jewellery.This is easier said than done. For the natural look, finding an appropriate foundation or makeup base in the right shade and then finding the best way to apply it - do this and more than half...
"The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes another's, smile at someone and receive a smile in return, are to me continual spiritual exercises" - Leo Buscaglia Some years back, I had read an article by this name in a leading newspaper. I had also just seen the film, 'The Devil...
Indian Beauty Cafe was recently honored with the Liebster Blog Award! Here, I would like to thank my blog-buddies who graced me with this award: Apoorva (http://apoorvathinks.blogspot.in/) Swati R (http://serendipitybyswatir.wordpress.com/) Smita (http://smitazzworld.blogspot.in/) Sudhaa Gopinath (http://shadesforduskywomen.blogspot.in/) Poorva (http://beauty-fulljourney.blogspot.in) Niesha (http://www.indianbeautyforever.com) Thanks a lot for this award. ...
"Nothing revives the past so completely as a smell that was once associated with it." Vladimir Nabokov, the late multilingual Russian writer and poet could not have been more right. Smells play a significant role in recalling past memories and incidents. A mere shampoo can take you back to your childhood where your mother used to lovingly wash your hair with a similar-smelling one. Not all...
"Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax" - these are the words of the late German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer. Just as warmth softens wax, a little politeness in your personality adds gentleness and makes you a wonderful human being. As for these facial wax strips, they definitely soften and melt with warmth but are they polite to your skin? Come,...
Floralstay
Lotus Herbals FloralSTAY Long Lasting Lip Color in 'Purple Daisy' Review and Swatches
August 08, 2012
"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth", so said Mike Tyson, the American professional boxer who obviously spoke from his experience inside the boxing ring. By the way, I last saw Mr. Tyson in the hit comedy film, 'The Hangover' and that entire sequence involving the tiger was hilarious, I think. ...
After sharing my regular makeup-removal routine with you here, I thought of also sharing my current oil-based make-up cleanser in this post. ...
"The oil can is mightier than the sword" - said Everett Dirksen, the late American politician. It is so true. When it comes to make-up removal, I consider oil to be my 'bestest' friend. Like most of you, I love make up. And, like most of you, I hate spending time to remove it, at the end of the day. I tried using wet wipes (J&J,...
I have a Lip Balm OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). I need to apply my lip balm every now and then, whether my lips are dry or not. I need to have lip balms everywhere - under my pillow, on the table, in my dresser drawer, in my handbag, everywhere. I wonder if my lips really are as dry as they pretend to be when...
Body Lotion
Cafe's Star Product - Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer Review
July 31, 2012
"Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star", said the late William Clement Stone, a self-help book author. Lovely thought, that one! So in my quest for the moon, err..... the body lotion, I hit upon this star - the Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer with Vitamin 3. After trying different brands and different formulations for my very dry...
"Beauty has a lot to do with character" said Kevyn Aucoin, the late American celebrity make-up artist and photographer. It is so true. I mean, what is the point of a product that looks all attractive and nice but has no quality and performs badly. However, this eyeshadow refill very much conforms to the quote. The packaging is plain, boring, and unattractive. But...
"That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet", said Juliet to Romeo in Shakespeare's famous play. Chambor seems to have taken this line seriously and has decided to name any random color made by their company as "rose". Agreed that the Chambor logo is a rose engraving and some shades do look like roses; but this does...
Colorbar
Colorbar Full Finish Long Wear Lipstick in 'Plum Dressing (09)' Review and Swatches
July 24, 2012
If I had a penny for each time that my little son speaks, then I would have had enough money to buy me all the Chanels, Nars, MACs, and Estee Lauders to last me for this lifetime. My son, who I will be referring to as 'Junior' in my posts and blog, will turn 5 this November. Being a late speaker, he could...
2000 Kisses
Diana of London 2000 Kisses Wonderful Lipstick in 'Red Rose' Review and Swatches
July 21, 2012
Dark lipsticks seem to have a bad reputation! I think almost all fair to medium-skinned women run far from such dark lip colors. However, I love dark lipsticks! I think they suit my dusky complexion far better than the lighter shades. In my experience, the texture and finish of a lipstick is as important as its color. Even a pretty pink-colored lipstick can look tacky...
The Cafe's Star Product series will feature star-worthy products, currently shining in the Indian Beauty Cafe. And, to kick-start this series, I bring to you the Kryolan Translucent Powder... I have been hearing a lot about this brand, Kryolan, these past few months. I wanted to try atleast one of their products and this is how I bought the Translucent Powder. To be frank,...
Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net So, what is brewing in the Indian Beauty Cafe? Cappuccino, Mocha, or South Indian Filter Kaapi???? Nahhh.... The Indian Beauty Cafe is a beauty and lifestyle blog featuring beauty product reviews, makeup, travel and other lifestyle-related articles. Here, you can expect to find well-written and researched posts that I hope will make your life easier. Hope to see you more often.... :)...
