Blisscovered - India's very own BirchBox

Blisscovered is a fast-growing e-commerce company and the first of its kind in India. Over the last few months, blisscovered.com has been serving customers by hand-picking and delivering the best in beauty to their doorstep. This exclusive subscription-based e-commerce service delivers deluxe samples of luxury beauty products to women, which they can try in the comfort of their own home and subsequently purchase the full-size products with confidence.

The team at blisscovered believes finding the right beauty products should be a blissful experience, but with an ever-expanding range of products and brands out there, all claiming to work miracles, choosing the right one is tougher than ever. That’s why, every month blisscovered trawls and test hundreds of beauty products from premium and luxury brands to find the selection of products best for the customers.

Upon joining, customers complete an online beauty profile, that helps the team carefully select products that will work for the particular customer. Every month customers receive a special Blisscovered box filled with at least 4-5 trial products from luxury brands across beauty categories, be it skin care, hair care, cosmetics or luxury bath products. Customers also get a step by step usage guide so they can try them out in the comfort of their own home. Members return feedback about the products so that their next box of trial products can take into account what they liked and didn’t like.

Blisscovered also offers free and hassle-free delivery of any full size products you want to purchase through their website. Members also get exclusive discounts on full size products.

They have tied-up with a number of international and domestic luxury beauty brands including Clarins, Forest Essentials, Kiehl’s, Lancome, YSL, Make Up For Ever and more.

The company plans on adding even more brand partners and reaching customers across India over the coming months.

PS: Information sent by the company. 

How to lose or gain Chubby Cheeks? {Health}

[Source: VistaBold.com]

Sometime back, I had done a post on 3 places for fat accumulation, a reader has asked me how to get chubby cheeks. So, I started doing a post on that but somehow, the losing and gaining of cheek fats is very inter-related so I thought I shall address them together.

Lean Cheeks and Sunken Cheeks

Some people are naturally endowed with thinner bone structure and less flesh on their face so they cheeks look slim. And, then, there is another case in which the cheeks sink inside. That happens with age. So, your face develops a hollow look. In either case, a fuller looking face is desirable. Having a fuller face also makes you looks young. 

Drinking from the straw

Using straw actually causes the cheeks to sink in or lose their fat. So, if you are trying to thin your face, make use of straws and if you want your cheeks to be in proper shape, always avoid straw. This is from personal experience actually and when I stopped using straws, my cheeks came back to proper shape. 

Exercise

Sometimes, heavy exercises cut out the cheek fat too. So, if you are looking for gaining the cheek fat, I wouldn't advise you to leave exercising. But, facial exercises and facial massages can help with gaining and losing of cheek fat. Specially, massaging with sesame oil or any other fatty vegetable oil helps in developing chubby cheeks.

Blowing Balloons

Have you ever tried to blow a balloon? Do you know how much it exercises your cheek muscles? Puff up your cheeks or fill your mouth with as much air as you can hold. Wait for a minute and blow out the air gently. This helps in gaining cheek fat. 

Chewing Gums

As blowing balloons help in gaining cheek fat, chewing on chewing gums helps in losing cheek fat. So, chew the non-sugar chewing gums otherwise the sugar in the gums can make you gain weight. 

Healthy Fatty Foods

Finally, eating healthy but fatty foods is very important for overall body. So, eat lots of nuts and seeds and oils. They help in building up the skin's fat layer and increasing the chubbiness of the body. And, as I said earlier, healthy weight is a good for the body as well as for your looks.

Do you have other ideas to gain or lose cheek fat? Pin It

Pomegranate Saffron Skin Toner {DIY}

So, did you have fun in the guessing game held a day back? The two ingredients were: Saffron and dried Pomegranate peels. As you all know, Pomegranate has emerged as a potent anti-aging ingredient in the recent days. And, as orange peels are extremely rich in juices, similarly pomegranate peels are also valued for pomegranate extracts. So, we shall make the toner which will have anti-aging properties. 

Ingredients:

• Pomegranate peels (fresh or dried) (I had one Pomegranate peel)
• Water
• Saffron (optional) (The Saffron I used was also not of good quality)

Method: 

• Take half liter water and put the pomegranate peels in the water. 
• Let the water boil and then simmer till 1/4of the original quantity of water is left. 
• The liquid would be dark golden color by this time. Let the liquid cool.
• The liquid would be red color by the time it cools off. Add a tea spoon of saffron strands to the liquid now and dissolve it nicely.
• Strain the liquid and store in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator for longer shelf life.

How to use? 

• Use it as a toner after washing your face.
• Mix with face packs and scrubs. 
• Mix a spray of the liquid with your mositurizer and apply it on your face.
• This is something I haven't tried but you can: Make ice cubes of this liquid and apply it after a long and tiring day. This is something I would do in summers.

Did you try anything with Pomegranate? Pin It

Moon Cycles and Hair Growth {Hair Care}

[Source: Google Images]

Myth: If you cut your hair on full moon, it grows faster.

I wanted to share this very interesting myth with you all. The question is whether I believe it or not? I came across this myth almost a year back and I actually had a hair cut on the full moon in January last year. So, what do I feel now.

What's the Myth?
Everything in the entire universe radiates its individual energy and contributes to the global energy patterns. And, you must be well aware how moon phases affect the life on Earth (tidal waves in the ocean, sowing, harvesting periods of the crops, etc.). Following this theory, our hair also has energy and somehow the energy patterns of the moon affects our hair growth. When the moon is at its full radiance, it imparts more energy and consequently, our hair grows faster. And, the opposite happens when the moon dies every month.

Now, there is another clause to this myth. The growth of the moon has more energy than the full moon itself so it is advised to make use of the energies of the moon while it is in the waning phase or when the full moon is coming nearer. This is because if you cut your hair on the full moon, though the hair grows faster, it also becomes thin and brittle. So, for healthy and thick hair, a hair cut is advised three days before the full moon or three days after the new moon. Because, these are the times when the moon's energy is at its max.

Then, the myth also talks about the months or Zodiac sings in which hair cuts are supposed to be the best - Cancer (July), Leo (August), Scorpio (November), Capricorn (January) and Pisces (March). These are fruitful months for promoting healthy hair growth. And, consequently, if you want to lose hair or for hair removal (epilation, waxing, etc.), the new moon is a good time and the months not mentioned above are best.

My Observation after my hair cut
Ok, to speak frankly, my hair has been healthier and its growth has been faster when compared to the previous years. But, I may also say that I did take care of my hair and my hair did under go lot of changes this year (towards good). So, attributing my hair health only to my hair cut on full moon is actually not correct. But, I have no problem in following the moon phases to schedule my hair cuts, to be frank.

My theory about the myth

As I said, I have no problem in trying it out. In the olden or rather ancient days, everything was done according to almanacs or 'muhuraths' as we call in hindi. These days, its restricted to special occasions but you would find folk tales saying that people used to consider good and bad days even for venturing outside the house and taking foreign tours. And, this is something which was followed even in other civilizations, I suppose, not only restricted to India. So, full moon was considered to be an auspicious day for hair cuts, may be. Anyway, this argument doesn't appeal much to me. Because, according to this, we should get a hair cut at night time or may be evenings.Anyways, it was just fun so I thought of sharing it with you.

What do you think of the myth? Pin It

Can you guess what they are? {Your Opinion}

Ok, so, I have a fun guessing game for you all. Guess what the snaps are and write your answers in the comments section. No prizes for the winners but it will be fun as we have an upcoming DIY recipe which is going to use both these things. So, that's your hint too. Let's see who guesses right. One is easy and one is a bit harder.

Don't forget to register your opinions on:
Oil before hair mask?
How often should you change your pads?
How many products do you layer on your face?
How long do you leave the conditioner?
Is Vanity Silly?
Hair Mask first or Conditioner?
Budgeting on Shopping
Face Mask Sheets or Face Masks?

Multiple Uses of Vaseline

“Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly Ek,  Istamal Anek”

Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly, the humble jar of petroleum jelly that was discovered over 150 years ago has become an integral part of our daily lives today. It was originally discovered to be of medicinal use during World War II, when it was used to treat minor cuts and burns. This wonder product has today become a household, medicinal and even beauty staple with multiple uses!  

Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly undergoes a three step purification process which involves hydrogenation and double filtration, thus resulting in the purest form of petroleum jelly. Over time, this versatile product has become widely known for its excellent skin moisturization properties, as it forms a protective layer on the skin and traps in all the skin’s natural moisture.

It's amazing how many things you can do with one little jar of Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly! Consumers have discovered unique and innumerable uses for this marvelous product! It’s most commonly known to treat chapped lips, cracked heels, dull and dry elbows, rough and ashy knees, minor scratches, amongst many other uses.  

Well known for its anti-bacterial properties, this little jar of magic also has many more innovative personal uses such as treating nappy rashes and healing scabs. Surprisingly Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly has also become a beauty staple with many cosmetic uses. It can be mixed with leftover lipstick to create a brand new lip gloss and cream blusher and can also be used as the cheapest and most efficient make-up remover.

Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly is available in 3 variants at affordable sizes and prices:So rush out and buy your favorite Vaseline® Petroleum Jelly and enjoy its multiple uses!!

Why do natural products break you out? {Skin Care}

[Source: Google Images]

Have you started using a new product which has instantly led to breakouts on the skin? When you start using a new product, it is always advisable to do a patch test so as to know beforehand whether the product is going to suit your skin or not. Let us be frank and say that we often assume that the product is going to work and do not do this patch test. In over-the-counter products, not doing a patch test doesn't really make a difference because almost all the products contain same ingredients and do not affect the skin adversely. The problem starts when you either use an entirely natural product or a medicated drug prescribed by the dermatologist for anti-aging purposes or for addressing the problem of wrinkles or even acne. These are highly concentrated products. In such cases, a patch test done on the hand may not be effective so it is advised to do the patch test on the skin behind your ear.

  

Potency of the product and its effect on the Skin

The medicated products have high concentration of chemicals which are useful for the skin but in higher doses, these useful products may well become harmful. For example, retinoids are great for wrinkles but cause photo-sensitivity and can also make the skin sensitive if used too often and at wrong time. So, read the product literature properly and use the products only when advised. Such products are restoratives are usually supposed to be used at night and compliment with other products so that the concentration of the products is not too high. In case of medicated drugs, do not dilute the products. Just use less of the product to make your skin used to the product.

Similarly, if you have a natural products which is made up of original essential oils, your skin may react to the high concentration of EO's. In such cases, it is always best to go from a lower dose to a higher one. You can dilute the product with other complimentary product and use it on the skin. When your skin gets used to that concentration, you may increase the concentration to a higher level or continue using at the same level if you see benefits. 

Acceptance of Product by the Skin

When we keep on changing the products very often on our skin, our skin sometimes becomes really sensitive and stops accepting new products and reacts in the only possible way it can - by breaking out. Thus, if you skin is showing any such behavior, review all the products you have lately used and stick to ones which compliment each other. 

Also, if you are trying out a new product, do not change it as soon as it break you out. It might be just a phase of skin where skin is getting used to the change in the product so give your skin a little bit of time to get adjusted and decrease the amount of product you use as I have mentioned in the above case. Test out the product for a month at least before discarding it. Generally, a rest period of two to four weeks is required to determine if your skin is accepting the new product or not. If after that, there is no change, you should definitely discard the product.

And, also remember, consistently changing the product can also cause your skin to become sensitive and unreceptive to the new products you introduce to the skin. So, keep your skin care routine simple and minimal.

Did you face any such problems with any product you have changed? Pin It