Wear and How - What to wear to work

The big question, always!

Office wear can be tad bit boring since you have to keep in mind various protocols before going "all out there". You still can try out few things to make yourself stylish, yet all sophisticated and "proper".

You would need the following things in your wardrobe to allow yourself to mix n match:

Here goes:

1) Basic tees

Yes you heard me right, a basic tee is what you need. Don't think it is going to look casual as it has many uses. You could opt for a basic "v" neck or a conventional "u"neck tee.

2) Shrug

Invest in good shrugs, a basic black, a short sleeve structured one. These can be teamed over your basic tees and they would not look basic and informal anymore!

3) Scarves

For me a girl's best friend! So simple yet so versatile. It can complete any look and are good for day as well as night. At work front they can add that bit of edge to your look. Wear your basic tee and wrap a nice stole around it and wear it with your trousers.

4) Stockings/Leggings

A good asset in your wardrobe! In summers opt for leggings and pair it with kurtis & tunics. They can pep up your work wear. In winters, stockings could prevent the cold and keep you warm and stylish.

5) Footwear

Last but not the least, footwear can make even the boring outfits stand out and make you feel good! Invest in nice footwear for work, from ballerinas, pumps, strappy ones, wedges, you could experiment to complete your look. Shoes can come to your rescue on those boring work days!

Let me know your essentials or feel free to add/suggest!


(wear & how is going to be the weekly column, watch this space for for more ideas and suggestions)

Top 5 beauty products for this summer!

The scorching heat can always get the better of you! We feel uneasy and uncomfortable in the unbearable Delhi heat. However, we have many things to rescue us from being restless and unhappy! I have put together my top 5 products for this summer which will embrace this summer in all its glory.

~Read on~

1) Sunscreen

First things first, summer is incomplete without a good ol' sun protection cream. You need to have a nice, high on SPF product which protects your skin from the harsh rays of the sun. My product this season is the Lotus Matte Sunscreen in SPF 50, since it feels light on the skin and "mattifys" the skin in seconds. A great sunscreen for people with oily skin.
You could also try Blossam Kochhar's sunscreen which is also a non-sticky one which is good for people with combination skin.

2) A perfect pout - Brighten up!

Summers for me are no make up months, since there is no point of loading stuff on your face which will just be wiped off in matter of minutes! Also it feels uncomfortable on the skin as well. The only make up I use would be a perfect bright colourful lipstick or gloss! Corals and neons are quite the rage this season as well and they instantly brighten up the face! Here are few suggestions of the same. 

Summer hues!

1. Maybelline Bold Mat 1
2. L'oreal Moist Matte Lipstick in Lincoln Rose
3. Revlon Color burst Lipgloss in Papaya
4. L'oreal Shine Caresse in Bella
5. Revlon Balm Stain in Rendevous
6. Baby Lips brights in Tangerine
7. Maybelline Shine Gloss in Coral Sunset

3) Hair care

Summer can make the hair dry and unmanageable. Since most of us just like to keep the hair tied up, we still look for smooth ends. A light weight hair serum does the trick like the L'Oreal Hair serum smooth intense the budget friendly option or the expert one which is pricier.

4) Face Mist

A great way to freshen up your face is using a face mist. You could just spray it on your face before you step out and it gives a nice dewy finish to your make up as well, also help keeps make up put for a long time.

Colorbar Skin, Stay the Day Finishing Spray

5) Nail it!

Last but not the least, keep care of your nails. There are such pretty colors out there these days in the market and you could opt for any of them. There are corals, neons, textured, bling, you name it and you got it! 

My top recommendations are: 1. Maybelline Colorshow in Fiesty Fuschia, 2. Keep up the Flame, 3. Coloresence's Moss.4. Colorbar Twisted Peach, 5. Beautiful Pink.

If you would like me to do a detailed review on any of the products, you could write in the comments below, or email us at theblissfullbag@gmail.com

ciao!

L'Oreal Paris Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Impuslive Fuschia

A girl can never have enough of lipsticks. She needs one with every dress, occasion and now with every texture, be it matte, glossy, balmy, creamy, etc. All thanks to the influx of some great new products, an average lipstick addict is more aware of quality, packaging and how the product feels like.

Anyhow, coming to the product I have for you is by L' Oreal, called the Rouge Caresse lipstick I'm Impulsive Fuschia.

L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in Impulsive Fuschia

The colour 

It is a beautiful Fuschia pink colour which just looks perfect for day as well as night. For someone who are fair to medium skin tone this will instantly brighten up the face since it is more pink based. For reference NC 30 to NC40 will find the colour appealing.

Pigmentation

The rouge caresse lipsticks have a decent pigmentation which can further built up in multiple swipes. I like to layer it out for more colour payoff, also since it glides easily onto the lips, it is easy to apply. The good thing is the saying power which is a decent 3-4 hours with meals and drinks!

Texture & Packaging

It is more of a balmy texture rather than a "lipsticky" kind of texture, hence the kind of staying power it gives, its totally worth it! The packaging is sturdy, I have carried it around in my bag quite number of times and it was all safe. It is worth the price for sure.

Do I suggest?

Yes totally! You must try one color from this range if you like feel good, balmy lipsticks. It feels light on the lips and the colors launched are very pretty! I can vouch for this shade as it is a great colour for the season.

Price: Rs 499  (You can find it on discount at various websites, so look out for deals)

If there is any other product you would like me to review please leave comments below, you can also email us at theblissfullbag@gmail.com

Daily fix for a healthy looking skin!

We hardly care for our skin. Now don't say that fortnightly visit to the salon for a facial or clean up is your solution. Well, we all must do that once a month or two months since it gives us the much needed pampering we need. However, on a daily basis doing what you can for your skin is a must especially in the heat of Delhi. Over the years I have tried a lot of things and did good with some and failed with few. So here are few solutions you can try to for your skin apart from the monthly visit to the spa and salon.

Photo credits: Google Images

Dry Skin

Those with dry skin experience a host of problems. When it comes to applying makeup, or when you are in the AC or out and about, you tend to feel the itch and uneasiness on the skin. I particularly have combination skin so I experience both dry and oily skin.

Here are some tips for the dry skin:

1) Wash your face with a face wash soap which is non drying. Well you make ask what on earth is that? All of them dry the skin. Don't they? Here are few products you can try which have worked for me.

~ Dove face wash

~ Khadi orange face wash for dry skin

~ Blossam Kocchars strawberry face wash

I keep alternating between these three which is also one of the things you must do in case of dry skin. You should also:

~ Use a heavy moisturizer for example, Nivea which feels heavy on the skin works well for dry skin types, Just herbs offers a great moisturizer as well. Both work well for me!

~ Have tons of water! Yes, the good old theory of having lots of water helps keep your skin hydrated and gives that natural glow.

~ Follow a basic night time routine. Wash your face, apply a night cream and use boroline or vaseline for your dry areas before sleeping. You will see the difference it makes when you wake up in the morning.

Oily Skin

Those with oily skin face a herculean task of keeping a matte finish and non sticky/oily look especially in the summer months. For oily skin people it is a must to wash the face regularly even thrice a day to keep the stickiness out.

Photo credits: Google Images

If you have oily skin you must:

~ Wash your face regularly with a face wash which tightens your pores.

Blossam Kochhar Grape face wash which works well. Alternatively, Khadi offers great face washes for the oily skin types.

~ Keep a pressed powder in your bag always and keep touching up your T-zone. It helps in overcoming the shine and keeps the oiliness away.

~ Avoid using foundation or any kind of cream on your oily areas i.e. your T-zone. This will limit the shine on your face. Use compact powder in this case.

 Hope these tips were useful to you! Will bring you more tips and help for your skin. 

If you wish for a detailed review of any of the products, please leave a comment below.

Thanks & take care!

Make a statement this summer!

Summer means all kinds of things to different people. For some it is about the unbearable scorching heat which keeps them indoors and for some (read: us girls), it is about embracing the summer hues and sporting the trends and styles of the season. We all in our head think of what we going to wear for an outing, keeping the rising temperatures in mind but also keeping the style quotient in mind. One trend which can pep up any kind of outfit you wear is the neck gear! Yes, statement necklaces are here to stay. They can make the most mundane of outfits look chic and glamorous if that what your aim is. Otherwise they just look fabulous.

Here's how you too can make a statement!

1)  the casual look

Going out for a quick coffee meet, or just hanging out with friends. Happens so many times that we are just too lazy to style ourselves for that casual meet up with friends. You can adorn these casual pieces on your tees, tunics or kurtas if that's your style.

Bought from Pantaloons 

2) the formal look

Going for a party, a family function or even a night out. these statement neckies pack a punch! You could just wear them close to your neck so that they look perfectly fit to your neck and add that appeal to your outfits.

Neckpiece from All About Eve

3) the edgy look

Want to dress out of the box but scared to go overboard? You could opt for an edgy neckpiece which stands out as well grab a lot of eye balls. You must look out for the different and unique pieces for your collection.

By Pieces accessories bought from jabong.com

4) the traditional look

Summer also calls for wearing the breezy easy kurtis more often since they are the super comfy attire which can be worn easily without thinking too much. Colorful, bold and vibrant neckpieces can make the look complete, you can just wear them with your kurta with denims, or just a formal salwar suit look. Wearing big junky earings are a passe' go fill your neck with fabulousness!

From a flea market in Manali

5) the date look

While statement pieces are sure to rock your outfits for a casual as well as formal needs. The subtle occasions like your date night call for girly feminine touch which is elegant, sleek yet make a statement. The pendants and long chain neckpieces work the best! You can wear them with your pretty little dress, a low neckline top, your peplum tops, or whatever you wish to wear!

 

Hotberries Neckpiece bought from Jabong.com

from all over

Neckpiece bought from All About Eve

The summer girly goodness!

Yay! Summers are here and I am glad! The winters were just too long in Delhi this time around! It gets boring after a while wearing too many layers, the same kind of make-up and following the same skin routine. My skin goes completely dry during winters and lacks complete hydration, hence I have to work hard to achieve a healthy skin look during winters. Well, leaving winters aside, the sunny days are here, nice and bright, which I am sure are going to go worse in the coming months as the heat progresses from bearable to the unbearable!

But you can distract yourself by adorning the best part of the season. The cool hues fabric, splash of color, comfortable yet stylish footwear, the bling, the ethnic and what not! I have listed some cool ideas for this summer for you, so lets rock 2014 with the best of what is available!

What to wear?

Comfort is the key my friend when it comes clothes. Don't be pestered into wearing stuff which is high on fashion but not comfortable at all. You don't want the fabric sticking to you, in the gruesome heat and for sure you don't want to get sun-burned by wearing dark color clothes.

Most of us who are plump and chubby (yes count me in) feel zonked as the summers approach. Removing the lovely cozy cardigans and jackets mean that the flab is at its fabulous best. Anyway embrace summers with the hope that we going to rock what we wear! ;)

1. Go for lighter fabrics like cotton, chiffon and the flowy stuffs. You can invest in colorful kurtis and churidars. They go never out of fashion and are can be accessorized very well. Wear jhumkis with them to complete your look.

2. Ponchos are a good option as well. Go for cotton for day and chiffon or georgets which go well for the night. You can team them up with denims for that indo-western look. Wear small studs and a nice bracelet to complete your look.

3.  Palazzo pants you must buy! They are here to stay. They look good on all body types. You can choose between cotton, lace, chiffon, khadi, etc. They are extremely comfortable and wearable both for the day as well as night. Wear it with a tee or a nice fitted kurti with a statement neck piece.

4. Jumpsuits are a must have in your wardrobe this season. Trust me, the "chubbier us" can wear it as well! You can totally rock this look buy choosing jumpsuits in fabrics which will compliment your body type. I think

5. Buy nice and colorful stoles this summer. They can make a boring, old looking tee look chic. You can wear it over a white tee, with blue jeans and voila you are set! Good for hiding the flab as well! :)

Beauty and Make-up

My favorite part! :)

Even though it's a task putting a look together in the sweaty months ahead, you can by following few simple tricks look summer fresh and fabulous!

The most important! Invest the most for your face this season. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated, this definitely shows on your skin. Use a nature based face wash, like Khadi, Aroma Therapy by Blossom Kochhar, Fab India, etc since they don't use chemicals and keep the skin supple and natural. Wash your face twice or thrice depending on if you were out or about! After cleaning your face, apply a generous amount of sunscreen which contains enough moisturizer. You can try Blossom Kochhar's sunscreen, I personally find it more wearable than others since most of them are heavy in application. Even a gel based like Lotus Gel Sunscreen works which contains SPF 50 or more.

For make-up use BB cream as a base for your everyday makeup. The Garnier BB creams, as well as Maybelline BB cream are a great budget option, they are light and apply easily too. If you want to go for foundation, then go for a very light foundation which gives a healthy dewy glow to your skin. Heavy foundations tend to bleed and don't look natural in the Delhi heat. For an evening out you can try the Bourjois foundations in Healthy Mix or the Happy Light foundation, or Mac Face and Body Foundation, and even Body Shops All in one Foundation which are great for summers.

Put on a light blush and a slight bronzer to contour and you are done for face. Nothing looks more pretty then lightly blushed cheeks and bronzy contours in summers. You must try the Maybelline Cheeky Glow blush they look super cute and are easy on the pocket as well.

I tend to avoid Kohl in summers as nothing stays on my eyes, everything smudges so if you are like me you can go for a smudged eyeliner look if you want to. You can go all out with the lips, wear bright colors as they are the trend this season! Glossy stains are very much in these days like the Loreal Shine Caresses Lip glosses, they are long wearing and come in great colors.

Invest in a good face mist this season. It helps in keeping the make up on for a long time plus also acts as a toner. They make you look hydrated as well. You could try Colorbar Stay The Day Mist, The Body Shop Face Mist, they work well for me!

A huge trend this season is "Orange"! I will do another post on how to wear orange this summer.

Let me know if you want more summer ideas in the comments section.

Much love,

Adi xoxo!

Not too vain...

I don't want to speak for every girl out there but surely one thing is more or less defined that every girl loves to splurge and shop till she drops! (Probably we are just designed that way!)

I have been following beauty bloggers and YouTube beauty "gurus" for about more than two years now and I have always been fascinated with the amount of makeup and beauty products they own for that matter. Not to deny that it is every girls envy owning so much. But what is a the limit when it comes to buying stuff!

Do we really need that lipstick, of that similar shade or that blush, or that kohl pencil when you already have numerous lying attracting dust! The answer is a pin drop silence! Well at least for me.

The answer is that every girl loves to shop and yes without being apologetic about it, that is a talent.

I too love to explore things, be it make up, beauty and wellness products, hair, clothes and as much I love doing it discreetly I would love doing it here on this very blog itself. One of my much 'longed' desire to have a beauty and wellness blog.

The Blissfull Bag is all about your love for all things you desire, your love for make up, love for clothes and all the other unnecessary "necessities"!

Wait for my posts and I hope you enjoy reading them.

Much love,

Adi xoxo