Fab Bag v/s BeautyWish Bag – sneak peek and review :D

I know, I know, long time, no write. I've been buried in medical textbooks for a month now. My final exams got over an hour ago, and here I am, back with a BA(N)G! :P

Today, I’ll be comparing two beauty bags that I subscribed to in December. First one is the Fab Bag, earlier known as the Vellvette bag (check out my review for their November Bag here), and the second one is Nature’s Co.’s BeautyWish bag.

Yes, I left no beauty stone unturned this month. A little extra pocket money and a few days of starvation enabled me to buy two beauty bags this December. And before I comment on how I still did not lose a single ounce of weight, let's check out the bags - 

The left one is the BeautyWish Bag looking all jutey. Their theme this month was 'travel' and they've sent products accordingly. The bag on the right is the Fab Bag.

The BeautyWish Bag contained these - 

All of these are travel-friendly, small sized organic goods. While I love the smell and the quality, I was disappointed that the Nature's Co. Bag will never contain any make-up goods (it sells all-natural beauty products). The products I received are  - 

(L to R) -

1. Cocoa body scrub

2. Coffee face scrub (Oooh...orgasmic)

3. Red and Green tea Sunscreen lotion (with no mention of any SPF) :/

4. Citronella Insect Repellent (Yes, 'travel' edition)

5. Jasmine Body mist

6. Orange and Lemon soap

7.  Sandalwood hair cleanser and conditioner

8. Mixed berry body lotion

(all are sample sized products)

Whereas the Fab Bag came with - 

1. LaSplash nail paint in Sparkling Rose - full sie

2. Mua lip boom (doing good) - full size

3. Anna Andre Nail enamel remover - full size

4. rusk W8less Plus shaping and control hairspray - sample size

The overall cost of the Fab Bag is worth 4 times what I paid for it, whereas the BeautyWish bag hardly gives me a value for my money. Nevertheless, the products given by the Fab bag are something I wouldn't go and buy on my own, and neither will I buy them after these are over. On the other hand, with a hefty discount of 35% on all the products they sent me (check out the pic below), and products that smell divine besides being natural and cheaper, I am already contemplating on visiting the nature's Co. store.

There's a coupon for a free 10 minute spa treatment at their store, as well. :D

My final verdict - 

	Fab Bag	BeautyWish Bag	Winner
Cost	INR 499	INR 595	Fab Bag
Look	Starry	Jute(y)	Fab Bag
Total Value	INR 1749	INR 595	Fab Bag
Products	Not needed regularly	Daily use organic products	BeautyWish Bag
Products worth buying	Nah	Yep! Plus, 35% off!	BeautyWish Bag
Bag worth buying	Definitely. It’s a steal.	Nah! I don’t get more than my money’s worth.	Fab Bag
Winner			Fab Bag

You can book the BeautyWish box here and the Fab Bag here.

My November Vellvette Bag: Sneak Peak and Review

Hi there lovely people! I’m here today to review what is currently my BFF/Santa/BF right now (it has not once failed to surprise me with awesome beauty products every month!)

Don’t know what a Vellvette bag is?

Vellvette is a company that sends you surprise beauty products each month for a very minimal subscription price (ranging from INR 300-499 per month). So you buy (or gift) the bag, and then fill a brief questionnaire regarding your hair and skin type, and any problems you might be facing like hair-fall, pigmentation, etc. Once that’s done, you sit back, drink coffee, and wait. You wait till the last week of the month (which I feel, is the best part, because that’s when all my pocket money gets over :p). Then the doorbell rings, and a big cardboard box arrives. Open it carefully (or just tear it apart) to find a little cute ‘themed’ bag inside. And inside the bag will be atleast three, atleast sample sized beauty products (that’ll typically last you for 15-20 days) personalised to your skin/hair/nail type.  So you get to sample the top beauty brands of the world, and you get hefty discounts if you buy the same online at www.vellvette.com J

Why did I say ‘atleast’, twice?

Well, most of the times, you get a bonus product. I’ve received 4 products 4/5 times that I’ve subscribed to the box. And 5/5 times, I’ve received a few full sized products. I now have a full bottle of a shampoo, a pretty royal blue eyeliner, a shower gel, a lip inflation lipgloss, a mascara, and an eye-shadow palette in my collection. And I’m only talking about the few full sized products that I’ve received, in mere 5 months! Well, needless to say, I’m happily hooked for life. :D

Price – INR 3599 (Rs. 300 p.m.) for an annual subscription. Monthly subscriptions are for INR 499. Quarterly and half-yearly subscriptions are available too. You can order the bags here.

Back to the topic –

So about the November bag (gosh! I really do speak (type?) a lot, don’t I?), this month’s theme is ‘BAND BAJA BEAUTY’.  The bag is glossy pink, with cute little black polka dots on it. For skin that glows and style that stands out, Vellvette has partnered with 5 new brands this month to gear us up for the wedding season.  Cutting to the chase (finally, you say? :/) here’s what I got in my adorable pink and black November bag –

 I also received an Ofra Radiance face and body scrub (7g) which isn’t mentioned in the list above.

1)      The LA splash mascara – Abyss – full size

The card I’ve received is of the glitter eye-liner, though. L

2)      The Votre pore shrinking toner – 50 ml

3)      Kama Ayurveda Lavender Body Lotion – 50 ml

4)      Ofra Radiance face and body scrub – 7g 

 - Didn't receive a card for that one.

Overall, I’m fairly satisfied with my November bag. The cute pink and black bag now accompanies me wherever I go, and the products are decently sized and definitely useful. Vellvette has, once again, made my day (or month). Can't wait for the bag by Santa during Christmas! :D

TEB rating - 5/5 (for all the happy surprises)

Anyone of you subscribes to the bag? What did you get?

Revlon Moon Candy Nail Art (Milky Way) Review

Hi there, again!

How are you all doing? Winters do seem to be just around the corner, don’t they?

November has been all about nails for me, thanks to 1) the amazing free time I’ve been getting because MUHS just wouldn’t take our final MBBS exams, and 2) the awesome generosity of Maybelline as they keep mailing in trendy colors that I can’t help but drool over.

I recently discovered the Revlon Moon Candy Nail Art Collection during one of my online shopping sprees.  These are a collection of double sided nail paints, one of which is a regular crème nail paint to be used as a base, while the other is a complementary coloured glass-type flakie, which is to be used over the base.While they have several shades as bases (with names inspired from outer space, like Satellite, Universe, Eclipse, and so on), I decided to try the one called Milky Way.

So Revlon says - 

Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy allows you to get a gorgeous, iridescent effect inspired by outer space. The holographic glitter top coat is illuminated by the dark cream base coat, giving your nails a multi-dimensional look. The dual-ended package gives you everything you need to create a fun, cosmic look.

The Eating Beauty’s say –

Milky way has a dark grey crème base, and silver holographic flakies and gold micro glitters. The crème glides on very smoothly, making it very easy to apply. The brush has a very nice length which effectively covers larger nails too in a single smooth coat. One coat, and you’re done. The color is dark, smooth and dries off before you finish the other nails on that hand. The flakies, are not as obedient though. If you just swipe over your nails with the brush, you are sure to end up with unequal coverage with one nail looking too shiny than the other. Hence, you ideally scoop through the bottle to pick up and dab them on the nails to get an even coverage. As the flakies dry, the surface ends up all bumpy. And yes, that can be a pain.

But well, the gain sure makes it worth the effort! The effect is just heavenly (pun intended :P)!!! These nail art collections are different from any other in the market right now, and I highly recommend them to any one who wants a very glamorous nail art look on a limited time and pocket budget. Also, the dark grey creme can be used by itself as well, on those days when you do not want shimmery nails.

Price – INR 300/-

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1.       Dab the flakies on your nails instead of gliding the brush on to get an even coverage.

2.       Use a top coat on your nails after the nail art is done. This will not only help your nail art stay longer, but also smoothen the bumpy surface.

Maybelline special: Color Show Denim Dash and The Hypercurl Volum Express Waterproof Mascara Review

About Denim Dash -

As mentioned in my previous post http://theeatingbeauty.blogspot.in/2013/11/maybelline-color-show-nail-paints-review.html, the Maybelline Color Show nail paints are a rage this season. A courier arrived at my doorstep a few days ago, and to my sweet surprise, it was by Maybelline. (Maybelline is such a delight! <3) The package contained Maybelline Color Show Denim Dash. I was exhilarated, because I had been eyeing that colour for a few weeks now. Why, you ask? Read on...

The Denim Dash nail color is very different from the nail paints I’ve tried so far. It’s that awesome kind of satiny-matte with silvery micro-shimmer particles. I have never seen a blue like this one. This one really looks like denim!!!

The application was smooth, like all other nail polishes of this range. While the first coat was opaque enough, I still do recommend a second coat to make the nail paint last for a good 4 days without chipping.

The Eating Beauty recommends –

Everyone in college should have this colour! Pair it up with jeans and a simple pair of flats, and you’re good to go!

Price - INR 75

TEB rating – 5/5! 

About the Maybelline Hypercurl Volum Express Waterproof mascara –

The product claims –

Volumised curl lashes for 18 hours.

With exclusive curl lock formula.

Product variants – washable and waterproof.

Price – INR 200

The Eating Beauty’s say –

The Maybelline Hypercurl Volume Express Mascara comes in an oh-so-cute fat black bottle with a silver cap and pink descriptions. I have been using this mascara for over 3 months now, and it’s great for daytime use. The brush is curled up, which gives better results than those straight brushes, but it’s a little fat and applying the product becomes difficult if not used carefully (by difficult, I mean it can easily stain your eye lids if you aren’t careful enough). It does curl up my lashes and makes them more defined, but the results are not very dramatic for those evening parties or fancy dinners. Also, the mascara is rather thick and can clump the eye lashes if they aren’t combed prior to the application. The best part about the product is that being waterproof, it did not make my eyes look black and racoony even after a good 10 hours. It is easy to remove too, and goes off in about 3-4 rubs, if a make-up remover like this one is used http://theeatingbeauty.blogspot.in/2013/10/lakme-absolute-bi-phased-make-up.html.

In a nutshell –

PROS –

1.       Perfectly suited for daytime office/college wear use when you want to fake awesome eye lashes. :p

2.       Does curl up the eye lashes (no need for a curler)

3.       Stays for a good 8-10 hours.

4.       Waterproof, but easy to remove (no more racoon eyes)

5.       Great value for money.

CONS –

1.       Clumps the eye lashes (do comb them)

2.       Fat brush makes application on lower lashes difficult. The product may transfer to the lids.

TEB rating – 3/5 (for not-so-dramatic effects)

Foodie Deepavali Special : M.O.D Mad Over Donuts

Welcome to a quick post for Deepavali on The Eating Beauty!

Mad Over Donuts is a great place to grab a donut (in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Pune so far), and it was good to see some special donuts out for Diwali!

We were pleasantly surprised with the festive donut additions, which followed their disappointing Krishh 3 themed donuts (which were basically standard choco-donuts with simple Krishh 3-related images on top, made using powdered sugar),


Here are the four special edition donuts available:

Boondi Bomb - Donuts topped with Boondi (did not mention the filling)

Nuts over Mohanthal - Milk choco & almond+pistachio flakes on top, with a filling of mohanthal custard

Ka-Boom - Filled with kaju katli custard and topped with teeny kaju katlis!

Coconut Blast - White Chocolate with coconut sprinkled on top (did not mention the filling)

Now, I for one, am wary of Indian sweets fused with anything western like chocolate, so much so that I am not even a fan of the Chocolate Burfi.

Nuts Over Mohanthal's filling brought back memories (Yours Truly hasn't had it in a while), and the combination with chocolate and nuts was different, and as I always say, different is good! 

Though the amount of filling was less, the chocolate more than made up for the missing sweetness.

   

Ka-Boom looked tempting with the little Kaju Katlis on top of the generous layer of chocolate.

Having a cute topping is fine and dandy, but does the donut deliver?

Yes indeed! Tear it apart, and the yummy kaju katli filling comes to view. 

A bite of this goodness hits your taste-buds with a fusion of yummy kaju custard AND chocolate rounded off with the familiar taste of donuts.

All-in-all, a good showing by Mad Over Donuts, in convincing even a skeptic like me, that these fusion delicacies can be enjoyed without diminishing any of the unique individual flavours.

Looking forward to more such special edition goodies M.O.D.!!

Maybelline Color Show Nail Paints Review

You know how Lays states “No one can eat just one”? Well, I think Maybelline is using a similar tagline of ‘No one can have just one’ with regards to their new Color Show nail polish range.

Why do I say that?

Priced oh-so-affordably at INR 75 for a 6 ml bottle, the Color Show collection boasts of over 40 shades, including glossy, matt, shimmer and shredded nail paints. They vary in their texture and consistency, but can blend well each other to create the perfect mix-n-match variety. Also, they are easily available at Maybelline counters and online too. The best part about all of them (apart from the price), is the fact that they dry real fast. The nail paints are dry-to-touch by 50 seconds to 1 minute. The last time I checked, nail paints that good used to cost over 190 rupees! The brushes are of the perfect size, and application is easy. Maybelline generously sent in a Color Show nail paint called Midnight Taupe. It came, it was applied and it conquered. ASAP, I rushed to the stores to buy 2 more, the Fiesty Fuschia and Ladies’ Night.

                                  

About Midnight Taupe –

 ‘Taupe’, as Wikipedia says, is a dark grayish brown or brownish gray color. The texture is a bit runny and one coat ends up appearing patchy. But then I applied a second coat. And voila! Sexy dark wintery nails smile back at me. The color is matte but lustrous, and did not even require a top coat application for added shine. Not using a top coat, it lasted for about 4 days without chipping.

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1.       Stock up your nail paint range with this amazing color for the winters.

2.       Go to the office wearing the Midnight Taupe. It’s a very good alternative to the classic reds and wines.

3.       Use it on your toes too. It’s a perfect matte shade. (I personally do not like shimmery toes, and prefer classic dark shades)

About Fiesty Fuschia –

The texture here is just right. Neither runny, nor patchy. It did not even require a second coat. Fiesty Fuschia is the classic matte pink that goes down in the list of essential must-haves of any nail paint collection. Like the Midnight Taupe, it is lustrous and no top-coat was needed for added shine. It stayed on for 3-4 days without chipping even a slight bit.

                                             

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1.       Mix-n-match this bright pink with blues or golds for a traditional effect this Diwali; and with tangerine, greens and blacks for that funky western look.

2.       By itself, the Fiesty Fuschia is a perfect off-to-college shade.

About Ladies’ Night –

That is one sexy name! This nail paint is all shimmery and blue, which seems to be the color of the season. While I am usually not a fan of shimmery shades, this one was a love at first sight, considering the upcoming festivities. A second coat was only applied for a better finish, but is not needed at all. Shiny as the Ladies’ Night is, again, I did not use a top coat here, and it stayed on for 5 days, giving my nails that perfect metallic finish.

The Eating Beauty recommends –

1.       As the name rightly suggests, this shade is perfect for classy evenings and party nights.

2.       The Ladies’ Night will go equally well with gowns, dresses, sarees and salwar suits.

By the way, here is a quick nail art I created using the Fiesty Fuschia and the Ladies’ Night. It’s the simplest of nail arts that gets done in less than 2 minutes.

The Indian Market is waiting for the Maybelline Color Show Polkadots range, which looks absolutely drool-worthy. 

Check it out: WoW!

Please go ahead and launch it soon Maybelline. Pretty please?