YOUR ANSWER TO EVERYTHING

I wake-up in the morning with my phone alarm, and the phone resting right next to my pillow, and as soon as I wake-up I start listing things in my head, things I have to do to get the day started. So I walk to the bathroom, then to the kitchen and start my robotic mornings. But this is just the start, make lunch, then pack lunch, some extra fruits perhaps an apple in the name of health, get ready, look sharp even if u want to crash again on the bed after the chores.

Over the crowded traffic signal and busy roads, reaching office is not that smooth and nor is the office, especially if you are a woman. Everyday you have got to prove your worth to your fellow male colleagues and bosses. while your fellow male colleagues often escape for a tea and a smoke you keep working, but that does not make any difference to them, for you being a woman always need to leave ON Time, so that you can sort another set of jobs waiting at home. And this story runs day after days, month after months, with occasional Sunday breaks which is never enough.

SO THE QUESTION IS WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS???? ORRRR CAN WE ????

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS.

THE ANSWER IS WHO CAN,  IF NOT U?

The doctors says avoid stress, I took this words as medicine and literally kept my distance from stress.The results were amazing not only I live a stress free life but there is  a vast difference in how even people look at me now, however there are few things I had to do to achieve this, and I am gonna share that we you today:

• No Fights, just try or you must, to walk away from the argument..it can be your husband, your boss, a friend, family or stranger...say no to fights and arguments consciously. Fights are number one reason of stress and it spoils the whole day, some times dayssss.
• Divide work load between you and your husband.. does not matter if both are working or not...cause working home too is working full time, and if you are working outside home then its even more essential.
• Get a project, a new book, DIY'S, make  a new dress, redecorate home, clean your wardrobe, meet a friend, anything which requires your attention.
• Get a hobbie, indulge yourself in things you use to enjoy once, may be traveling, songs, youtube, draw, dance, gym, blog, beauty anything, you just need an eye.
• Organize stuff, clean a old box to keep your jewellery or cosmetics, organize space around you and de-clutter to feel fresh.
• Shopping( i need not describe this) but its a major stress buster.(only if you dont go over board).
• Listen to Vedic mantras it really works and calms your senses.
• Hunt all good food joints and relish..food is a good way to kill stress.
• Pamper yourself, a healthy mind leads to a healthy body.
• No need to win, winning is stressful.Giving your best is more important.

The results you see will surprise you, remember.....

"ITS ONLY WHEN YOU LOVE YOURSELF, PEOPLE AROUND YOU WILL LOVE YOU."

Once you make these habits a routine and follow for 2 months straight, you are actually conditioning yourself to be in a permanent sate of happiness. Problems will come, shit stuff will happen, but dealing will get much easier.

I hope this must have inspired you to start afresh, everyone has a happy indulgence, I found mine in painting and cosmetics, just being around with so many colours and shiny things make me happy..

FIND YOUR INDULGENCE and turn it positive....THIS IS THE YOUR ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.

and stay pretty :)

I carry my UNIVERSE around...

Hello fellas,
My rusty hands were itching to scribble something, but my mind was in a far away land....and exactly when this body & mind combo was not quite working, I leaned over to reached out to my bag for my green diary (or pretty soul diary... heheheh :)). It just clicked that if I need anything, all I have to do is find my bag lying around and go straight to it.. boom!!! work done.NO PROBLEM.

In a world where we girls are homemakers, office goers, mom's, blah blah blah blah..u got it right?
We  have got to be ready for everything coming, and our partner in crime is our big huge everything bag. We literally carry everything we need under the sun and moon.. our life perhaps..few moments, few things and lots of confidence and safety. It doesn't matter what size what color or what style, we women have got a talent to squeeze the world into it.

So after a super lengthy intro .. I dedicate this blog to my lovely big everything handbag, and share what all I carry around.. lets dig in (like literally...) :)

So a while back i got this blue bag from zara (in sale... ;-) ).
The primary objective was to buy a bag for my frequent travels and airport stuff ...Nooooo this is what I tell myself when I have to justify it in my mind (naughty wink). But its a perfect carry everything bag.

Ok so unlike all my horizontal bags its a vertical tunnel kind of bag which I like. It has a small usual pocket inside for cash or whatever.




















It also has two cute little side zippers to keep phones or chargers or anything handy in need.

Welcome to my bag :)

SO HERE IT GOES:

• My wallet - For money CAN buy a few things, my friendzzzz...
• My Green diary - To note down things worth remembering...
• A small pink pouch - where i keep all my  makeup essentials together so that if a cutie passes by, I am not google-ing inside my bag
• Body Shop face powder - Obviously for touch ups...
• My Mp3 player - For times that I need some Music to liven me up!
• A towel - Daily essential kept handy
• Wet wipes  - Dude, I live in Chennai!
• My roll on perfume
• Comb
• Mints
• EOS lip balm
• EOS hand lotion
• Different kajals which I rubber tie them together
• Pen
• A small handy mirror
• And definitely my phone, with which I am clicking right now

Some times there are books, jewellery & other stuff too...but lets not get into the details.

 So this my friends are few of my essentials. This summer ditch your cute little bags and get a huge everything bag and make some room. you might find this blog help full others might hate but for either of them pls drop in your comments below and share your story.

And stay pretty!! muuah!!!

Summer Skin Care

Ladies get your drinks or whatever cause this is gonna be a long read. :)

Yes, and we meet again!!, summers just arrived and while the basking sun and shining sand with a icy drink does all the trick, the skin quite does not enjoy so much. So lets share some summers pampering tricks, things my skin likes to feel and more...

Summers is that time when i like it less, so my cosmetic drawer takes a back seat (other than some nice evenings or parties) and my skin care stuff gets more air.

We often go to the parlors for every month routine but generally during the hot scorching heat i prefer to stay home and do some home facials or mask's in the cools and comforts of my home. In this blog i am gonna share some products and stuff which will make home facials more fun  and easy. So lets  dive in!!!

My skin type is oily, so this blog will be more helpful to girls with oily to normal skin. But since we are talking about heat and keeping the skin cool everyone is invited.



Home Facials:

1. So whenever i decide to go for a home facial myself, i start the process by generally lighting a scented candle (completely optional, love cinnamon, just saying..), it really adds that extra soothing touch to my mind and soul. Try it yourself, Oder online there are  many options available in the market.

2. I clean my face with a mild face        wash or a cleanser. Since i have a       oily skin i use bodyshop tea tree  face  wash range. For normal skin recommend any face wash with lemon or orange extract since it helps the  skin to cool. I recently tried the faceshop lemon face wash too and ladies its really good, but its only available at sephora outlets. If u can, try.

3. The next step is scrubing and is very crucial as it removes all the dead skin cells and makes way for a fresher healthier skin, remember not to over scrub or use hard pressure as it aggravates oil cells and it can result in breakouts. After trying a number of scrubs i finally found a very natural, raw, smooth option for my scrub and it is Fab India charcoal scrub.

After using this product i can't stop raving about it..its cheap, its natural, its healthy, it has smaller softer grains which does not hurt the skin, its black in colour made out of actual charcoal, so after washing it off it feels super clean and new. Highly recommend!! :)

4. Next after washing off the scrub, don't super dry your face with a towel, instead pat dry. Apply a good mask on, and get a nice nap till the mask dries. This step makes all the difference cause, only now u r letting the goodness of the mask sink in your all ready prepped skin.

I am currently using bodyshop tea tree mask, it specialises in oily skin treatment and takes out all the excess oil. But i keep my mask changing from time to time. So the other options are khadi, they are all  natural, easily available in khadi stores and effective. Faceshop sheet masks, these are in sheet form and extremely good for traveling, provides good moisturising and hydration to the skin, the watery extracts from the sheets gets inside the pores making the sheet dry in 30 minutes, you can definitely see the difference, and home made masks (such as besan, honey and curd) Try using natural mask as possible.

Bask in the glow while the candle continues to spread the aroma...home facials are more fun and simple then we think, we use authentic and special products in the comfort of the home. Play some music, get creative!!!

Remember the difference  lasts only a few days as your skin needs more water in hot weather.
Repeat the whole process twice or thrice a month.

Post a comment if you find the blog helpful. Do suggest if you have any other products in mind, list the products in comments box below and share.
Happy Summer!!! :)

Love.

Prettysouldiary: Wedding must haves... :)

Prettysouldiary: Wedding must haves... :): So, the year has ended, a new year has begun but the wedding season is sill around. The fever does not leave anyone, so i was like what th...

Wedding must haves... :)

So, the year has ended, a new year has begun but the wedding season is sill around. The fever does not leave anyone, so i was like what the heck..lets do something about weddings..
Below listed products are my personal wedding favorites and in my opinion a must have for all the pretty ones out there, who want to make an impression this wedding season. So lets dig in...

Face:
After moisturizing your face, apply a primer evenly. The primer helps the makeup to say longer and brighter.
Use a good concealer, which is very similar to your skin tone, apply a bloating powder after the concealer, a bloating powder will ensure no sweaty face. After bloating powder seal in all the base with a good setting powder. countor the face with a deeper shade of bronzer for a chiseled look.

My recommendations:

Primer: Porefessional by benefit
Concealer: NYX concealer pot
Bloating powder: NYX bloating powder
Setting powder: Loreal true match
Bronzer: NYX matte bronzer

Wedding means blushing and hence a charming warm blush is extremely important in the wedding must haves. Use a nice radiant blush, after which add a touch of highlighter on the apples of the cheeks to highlight  the cheek bones and the top of the nose.

My recommendations:

Blush: Fine one one by benefit or NYX blush in shade Cinnamon
Highlighter: Mary lou by balm

Eyes:
Conceal your eyelids with a primer or a concealer for your shadows to sit more longer and smoother.
Start with the darkest shadow on the lower lid and lighter on the crease of your eyelid for a blending effect.
Use the same highlighter under your  brows, to highlight them. Finish with a good dark eye liner and a kajal in your lower lid water line. Put loads of marcara for long fluttering lashes.
Shape the eyebrows with a eyebrow wax or a brown eyebrow pencil for a sharper eye look.
After finishing make sure there's no dust or fall out on your cheeks, so wipe it off with a powder brush again.

My recommendations:

Eye Pallet: Boudoir eye by too faced
kajal: Maybelline colossal
Eye liner: NYX fat eye liner
Eyebrow liner: NYX auto eyebrow pencil or Rimmel eyebrow pencil in dark brown
Mascara: Volume express by Maybeline

Nails:
Go all glitter this season with Maybeline glitter colour show mail paints, to add that bling bling some more. 

Lips:
For lips during wedding seasons, go for a bright shade, it tends to brighten your face and makes the teeth look whiter.
My recommendations:
The new 9 to 5 range crease less has some amazing options. My personal favorite is the above shade Flaming Function, its a bright deep pink shade absolutely stunning for Indian skin. Its creamy but matte looking, very long lasting.

So this was the whole sha-bang, now don't waist time, grab and go. Look pretty and shineeeeee!!!
bling it on girlzzz. :)

Prettysouldiary: Tools of perfection (face brushes )

Prettysouldiary: Tools of perfection (face brushes ): Hello Pretties, Yes yes yes, found guilty as crime. I am writing after a long long time...blame it on the recent job i took... together ma...

Tools of perfection (face brushes )

Hello Pretties,
Yes yes yes, found guilty as crime. I am writing after a long long time...blame it on the recent job i took... together managing the house and my work is demanding a lot from me ( no complains). The only regret is that I don't get enough time to write as usual. some how with all this, the love of makeup has taken a back seat.. but dear blush I have not forgotten about you, and here I am writing reviews again for my passion and for people it matters to.

So without any further delay lets dive in. A recent call from my little sister inspired me to write about face brushes this time. How often we talk about all glittering things and face products without giving any credit to the tools of perfection, the face brushes. Here are some options to look out for, grab and feel for yourself
 ( that sounds so wrong, anyways ). :)

Before knowing which brushes are the best we must know which ones not to buy strictly.
Worst brushes ever:
wega
colorbar
bare essentials
The market is flooded with cheap options of face brushes but these brushes not only spoil the texture of your expensive products they even spoil your face, resulting in breakouts and uneven application.The bristles are so hard that the majority of products falls off.
So say no no to the above brands of brushes.

Best brands of brushes:
#Real Technique
#Sigma
#Eco tools
The sad part is that these brushes are not available in the Indian retail market, however these are available on flipkart.com and amazon.in...but if you have any friends or family living abroad then try order from U.S or U.K ( afterall what are friends for  :) )!!

Eye brushes:

This eye brushes set is callled the #Real Technique Starter Kit it retails for 1765 rs. on #amazon.in.
It consists of all the imp brushes used to apply shadow and brows.

Face brushes:

This face brushes set is called #Real Technique Core Collection Set it retails for 1599 rs on #amazon.in.
Consisting of a blush brush, face powder blush, contour blush and a concealer brush.

Both the sets are real value for money, comes in a black case which is used for travelling and has a super high end brushes experience. Trust me friends brushes do make a hell lot of difference.

Apart from these the other makeup tools to look out for are:

 #Makeup sponges:
 My friends who enjoy liquid foundations or bb or cc creams , these sponges are miracle for them. its blends into the skin smooth and even. They are available easily everywhere and are washable.

 #Retractable brush:
One retractable brush from ecotools or oriflame giordano.

 #Lip brushes:
Lip brushes from faces canada work good.

 #Clair's sponge brush:
This is available in all clair's stores... its the best brush for liquid foundations and its handle makes it easy to hold and use.

Eye shadow sponges:
Dont underestimate these little things: whenever u get them in your eye shadows collect them...they are very handy while travelling or when u have to apply a lighter eye shadow base.

 #Cotton pads:
Last but not the least the good old cotton pads, a makeup essential.

So this is all for a flawless face. I hope it was useful. Use them, see a difference and don't forget to wash your brushes after every 2 to 3 uses, for better results. Wash them with a mild shampoo and towel dry them..keep them on towel in your room till they dry completely.
stay pretty!!!

TRAVEL BAG ESSENTIALS :)

   SO... all my sistas in travelling pants.. in this blog post i m gonna write about the absolute 2 loves of  my life... no no i am not having an affair ( but i like the way u think). M talking about my love for travelling and beauty essentials while travelling.

Yesss,am basically a Delhi girl :) but i currently live in Chennai..so this arrangement of my life makes me travel too much to and fro (no complain).

Well traveling has become such an imp part of my life but i belive in  DONT TRAVEL LIGHT..TRAVEL BEAUTIFULL...haha. so for all your next travel plans, holidays,weddings, visit...i got few stuff together and tips..hope u enjoy..read on..

So first things first we need  is a travelling cosmetic bag ... there are various cute funky options everywhere. This one is my current traveling pouch which i got from #lifestyle. pretty cool right!!!

FACE BASE:

1. SUNSCREEN: Carry a good SPF sunscreen before stepping out, a healthy skin is  the base for a good makeup. Make sure ur sunblock has SPF and PA++ . I use neutrogena sunblock which has both, it retails for 499 rs.
2. PRIMER: Use a good primer if u know u will stay out till long or use makeup. Primer makes the makeup stay longer with better results closing ur pores. I use the porefessional by benefit, it retails for 2700 rs @ a sephora store. choose your options from sites like #nykaa.com or #fabbag.com.
3. BB CREAM:  Next comes a good bb cream for skin tone perfecting, evens out the skin tone and moisturizes too. I currently use the garnier bb cream, it retails for 199rs for 40g.
4. SETTING POWDER: Seal in the base with a setting powder, matching your skin type. I usually carry my #sephorasculptingdisc which has powder, bronzer and a highlighter all in one. it retails for 1200rs @ sephora stores.

EYES:

1. EYESHADOW PALLET: I carry my too faced boudoir eyes ,eyeshadow pallet and urban decay naked basic pallet for eyes. its small, its compact and definitely travel friendly.(http://prettysouldiary.blogspot.in/2014/07/so-my-dears-there-are-around-zillion.html)
2. A good kajal which does not bleed like the mabelline colossal kajal in black.
3. My recent discovery- palladio herbal mascara for those fluttering lashes to brighten ur eyes while u smile. it retails for 550rs @ fabbag.com (do try).
4. And a good eye liner, for me its NYX super skinny marker.

CHEEKS:

 For cheeks my choice for travelling is NYX BLUSH  in shade cinnamon and BOURJOIS PARIS blush in shade rose de or. Both have very compact small packaging, so easy to just slip in the bag. You can find them @ nykaa.com, amazon.in and even flipkart.com. Bourjois also has its outlet @ westside and lifestyle stores. 

LIPS:

This is really important for all those facebook pics and wats app dp's. My personal favorite lip products to carry while travelling are..

NYX tinted lip balm

Bodyshop lip balm for well moisturized lips always.

Revelon colour burt lip crayons for they are amazingly  long lasting colour on lips and easy to carry.

and NYX matt lip creame in shade LONDON...coz i love matt.

do carry a lip gloss for that extra shine in evenings. (m not a gloss person).

OTHER ESSENTIALS I CAN'T DO WITHOUT:

1. Makeup wipes
2. My roll on perfume
3. Himalaya under eye cream ( u don't want to have puffy eyes in photos right? ).
4. A good hand cream.

 

Make your own list, I hope this was interesting to go through, grab the things which u think might be needed from the post, carry a good book and your stunning smile...n u r good to go PRETTY!!!




 

back to college..

  Once upon a time, back in my college days...no one came to my rescue, nooooo one...with very little knowledge about makeup and stuff..day after day I use to go to college competing with boyz... hahahah!!!
Now that I feel all fancy, thought to share some tips and tricks to make college dayz more happening and fun.

So  I dedicate this post to all my sistas and friendz who feel lost as I use to ... so girlz collect ur pocket money, grab a pen and lets go..

FACE:  No beauty regime is complete with a flawless complexion..and with the pressure to finish college projects, travelling, teachers, fights and all the drama it just gets a little tuff to pamper ourselves.
Trust me your best friend should be a good scrub, a BB creame and a face powder.
Select a scrub for your face type (oily, combination, dry skin), but scrubing once a week is imp.
But not more then once a week cause your skin is still young and soft.

I use a scrub from Soap and Glory which is available only @ Sephora, Delhi., the other good options are Body Shop, Biotique, Clean n Clear and Himalya.
REMEMBER the more natural or organic ur product the lesser the damage.

Every company is coming up with a BB cream or a CC cream...but the best one by far i recommend is the Garnier BB cream, blends into ur skin with no traces of makeup atall..n still hides the spots.

Using a compact powder or a setting powder is not so imp everyday to college but is quite helpfull in special dayz or functions... selecting the correct shade for ur skin type is very imp. I suggest Loreal Paris True Match, it retails for 990rs but last a long way...definitely worth the hype...try it to believe it.

GEMS IN MY BAG:  After u get that clear complexion, its time for everyday makeup..

Start with a good kajal which does not bleed, one such kajal is maybelline collosal, i have been using it since years now and no prob..stays the entire day without giving me a panda eye...u knw what i mean? hehe.

A dash of mascara for those fluttering lashes and my winner is yet again maybelline falsies volume express.

A coloured eyeliner now and den for special occasions, my best is NYX liner pencils,available at sephora stores and beauty sites like fabbag.com, nykaa.com, amazone.in, but there are a number of other brandz too..explore..

For cheeks again not suggested a blush daily to college but if u still want to look ur glowing best try a cream blush such as oriflame liquid cream blush. Try sticking to neutral shades of peaches n coarals..no pinks for day time.

Make sure u have super hydrated lips, u dont want to look flaky and chalky while u talk to cute boyz right?
bodyshop lip balm stick is amazinggggg....u get it in different flavours too. the other amazing option I discovered these dayz is tinted lip balms from NYX. unlike other sheer lip balms it definitely has a bit of tint to it with good hydration, specially for those who like a hint of colour...available @ sephora delhi again, and even websites like nykaa.com.

If u are a fan of lip glosses over ur lip balms then go for " I LOVE" lip glosses from fabbag.com, they are sheer, flavored and absolutely non sticky (hateeee sticky lip glosses). and for those evening out with friendz or movies dab on the lakme absolute lip glosses which have amazing staying time n a bit of colour too.

NAILS: Maybelline colour show nails paints are cute, small, colourfull, glittery and retails for 75rs...create a wardrobe of nail paints and mix n match.

LAST but not the least carry a efficient roll on perfume every time in ur bag for instant freshness anytime.

JUST SAYING: All above suggestions are tried and tested, u r welcome to explore on ur own, but happy if i could help...LOVE, ROCK UR COLLEGE N STAY PRETTY!!MUUUAHHHH..

SEPHORA SCULPTING DISC REVIEW.

   Every time I enter sephora, I get lost to the large make up varieties and it gets difficult to pick and choose, like a child in a candy shop.Still standing at the sephora's own cosmetic counter I looked at this beautiful round disc....and you know the rest of the story.. within no time the disc was in my shopping bag..ahhh!! pleasure.

Introducing my new SEPHORA SCULPTING DISC..

PRICE: It retails for 1200 rs  @ the sephora store delhi. so as compared to other stuff in sephora its kind of affordable.

PRODUCTS:  The disc includes a bronzer, a setting powder and a highlighter. For 3 products in 1 its a pretty good deal I guess.

BRONZER:  For our Indian summery climate bronzer is one must have product in your cosmetic bag..a bronzer gives u that golden sheen which is perfect for our warm skin tone. The sephora bronzer is very pigmented and apt for sculpting the hollows of the cheeks.. The formula easily glides without the feeling of too much product on your face.

POWDER:  Everyone knows the magic of a good setting powder..after a liquid foundation, a setting powder does the job of setting the base of your makeup. Sephora setting powder which is in the center of the disc..has a light creamy texture, hence it blends into the skin well without making the finish very cakeky.
The powder is translucent and hence goes with all skin tones.

HIGHLIGHTER: In my opinion the best part of the sephora sculpting disc is its highlighter. the highlighter can instantly brighten the whole face..but this highlighter in perticular can also be used as a blush. Its breaks away from the pink blushes category and is perfect for evenings out.

Alltogether following are the points which you can think before this beautiful investment.

1. Travel friendly packaging to take along.
2. 3 products in 1 disc, hence no extra clutter.
3. Amazing quality.
4. One stop shop for your make up base...carry this n you are done.
5. Huge mirror, very handy.
6. Good pricing for 3 products.
7. Smell amazing (if that matters).

The disc also has a small manual as to how to use the disc at the back of the disc. very cool.

I hope u found this helpful..but if u gals travel a lot like myself..go grab, u will enjoy it..tks and stay pretty!!!