Offbeat Goa Itinerary ! Holiday like a Pro !!

Goa is such a popular holiday destination and people flock there for the beaches, the parties and the beer !!

There is so much more than this in Goa if you wish to do things differently. If you are like me and like your holiday to be super memorable and Instagrammable then go ahead and read this….

I can tell you some great places to stay, eat and party in style !!

So lets begin with some great places to stay :

If you are travelling with kids or if you  like the service of a 5 star hotel and wish to be pampered then some of the best  stays are as follows :

1. Taj Exotica,
2. Taj Fort Aguada
3. Taj Holiday village
4. Park Hyatt
5. Alila Diwa
6. The Sol

These are great if you are travelling with Children and need to keep them entertained during the day !!!

If you are travelling  without kids there are some absolutely offbeat yet luxurious stays in Goa… Here s the list:

1. Ahilya by the sea
2. Coco Shambala
3. Avanilaya
4. Casa Colvale

Where to eat :

These are my absolute favorite eat outs in the city…. and you might want to try a few……

1. Gunpowder (Toddy shop style south Indian food)
2. The lazy Goose (Sea food and Continental) (*Great location)
3. Lila Cafe (Some great breakfast)(*Croissant sandwiches)
4. Matsya freestyle kitchen (mostly organic) (*farm to table)
5. L’Atelier at Anahata Retreat (French ,Seafood) (*great location)
6. La Plage (Authentic French)(*Seasonal)

Most of these places need reservations so make sure you call in Advance and secure your table !!! These places serve such world class food with the absolute Goan Vibe !!!

What to do when not at the beach :

1. Soak in some Goan History…visit the Reis Magos Fort or Fort Aguada for some great views
2. Walk through Old Goa
3. Shop some vintage classics at Panjim
4. If you want to splurge head to Le Souk, Goa s luxury market !
5. If not head to the Anjuna Flea Market or Mackie’s Night Bazaar
6. Hit the casinos and make some money !! (or lose it!!!)
7. Party at the newest hotel W !!
8. Head to South Goa, Explore the backwaters
9. Explore a traditional Goan Temple
10. Try surfing, Head to Vaayu village for some surf and turf
11. Try a yoga cafe

Some of these places are seasonal and only open between October and March. So do check online before heading to these places.

I hope you like my ideas of a Goan Holiday !!! These are solely my views and i do not claim that these are the best !! I hope this list helps make your Goan holiday better !!

Do let me know your views and experiences !! Have a great Holiday !!!

 

 

Skin care for men

I think most Indian men neglect their skin and just use any product that says ” for men” in the packaging!! Most of those products are harsh, loaded with chemicals and are absolutely not necessary for you to look manly !!

Most men are very lazy when it comes to following an extensive skin care routine. But a little effort can stop skin from wrinkling , ageing and tanning.

So here s a quick and easy to follow daily routine for men !!

You have to cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day .

To cleanse use a mild face wash like the nutrogena liquid wash or the clean and clear face wash. The body shop Maca root face wash is great. But my favourite is the Kama Ayurveda Himalayan Deodar cleanser.

Toner is really important for men . It helps keep your pores clean. Do not skip this step. The organic Harvest neem toner is a good option. Brands like Nutrogena and Kama Ayurveda have an array of toners. You may also use pure rose water !

To use a toner : spritz a few drops of toner on a cotton pad or ball and apply all over face after washing thoroughly with a cleanser. If ur super lazy get a toner that comes in a spray bottle and spray it over ur face and pat with clean fingers.

Moisturise … the key step to anti ageing! Keep it hydrated . Use an oil free moisturiser for the day preferably.

The Chia seed hydrating cream is one of the best moisturisers I ve found !

Shaving cream or foam or gel !!

You need to remember that your skin is not as hard or tough as animal skin. You really don’t need those harsh chemical based foams and gels to shave everyday. The residue of such harsh creams could lead to a lot of skin problems including skin cancer.

Make a switch to milder, chemical free shaving creams especially if you shave daily. The body shop and Kama Ayurveda have some great options .

These are more brands like The man company and ustraa which are coming up with some wonderful products . You make check them out too!

After shave .. opt for an alcohol free after shave lotion . Since alcohol does burn your skin and causes pigmentation.

Also please get rid of your harsh soap bars. Opt for a mild gel body wash in summers and a cream based body wash in winters. A mild scrub could be used too.

Sunscreen : Don’t skip this even if you work in a corporate office. Opt for SPF 30 or higher since it covers you longer. You don’t need to reapply often. The face shop has some good sunscreens.

Use a moisturiser on your body post shower.There are a wide range of In-Shower moisturisers available in the market. Saves time and energy.

Use a good lip balm. Chapped lips are not a great thing to sport. The burst bee”s lip balm is my personal favourite.

If you are over 30 years invest in a good night treatment cream.

Good skin is a sign of well being. These few steps along with a good diet and exercise will help you achieve that !!

Pls post your comments below !!

Winter skin care for normal / oily or combination skin

The weather s getting cold and our skin is getting dry . It’s time to hydrate and moisturise without the added grease and oil from thick creams!

Okay so let’s begin with face wash …opt for a milder face wash in winters. Ditch those harsh scrubs. Cleansing balms are great ..

I use the body shop vitamin e face wash and the Natio argan and almond cleansing balm. If you have acne prone skin please stick to a mild gel face wash. The nutrogena liquid wash , the Kama Ayurveda rose and jasmine face cleanser are some great options.

Use a mild toner in winters. I just use pure rose water .

I can never get away with thick moisturising creams. They clog my pores and face turns greasy even in winters. This is my newest discovery and I absolutely love it. I haven’t found anything as good as The Face Shop Chia seed moisturiser.

It is so light yet super hydrating. It’s like my face drank up a glass of water. The Koreans really make high class skincare products and this is a great example!! The pure rose water gel by forest essentials is good for acne prone skin! I like the clean and clear oil free moisturiser too which is an affordable but good alternative.

If ur skin can handle heavy creams there are great options like the body shop vitamin e range or drops of light.

Sunscreen is essential in winters too. The winter sun is more harmful and causes pigmentation and patches. When buying sunscreen pls remember a higher SPF does not give more coverage it just protects you longer. I stick to my favourite The la roche posay effaclar duo. It’s great for all skin types.

However lotus and nutrogena have some great sunscreens too. Pick a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white undertone and one that’s light. Reapply if ur in out in the sun for too long.

Avoid clay face packs in winter . Make simple fruit based packs at home or buy sheet masks. They are hydrating and brightening at the same time.

Bananas and honey are great for dark spots. Avocado is a great moisturiser. Saffron infused milk with gram flour brightens face.

Steam your face with water infused with fresh rose petals for 2 mins and rinse with cold water once a week. This will unclog pores.

For night cream I stick to my favourite forest essentials jasmine and patchouli night treatment .

Vichy has some great night creams for problematic skin. Plum is a new brand which has really affordable chemical free products. The night cream is quite good.

I also use my Clinique pep start eye cream both in the morning and at night. A good affordable alternative is the biotique seaweed under eye gel. It reduces puffiness instantly. The body shop vitamin e eye gel is a good option too.

This is the time to invest in a good body moisturiser and a lip balm.

I use virgin coconut oil post shower all over my body .I will have to write a new blog if I have to list out the benefits of virgin coconut oil. It’s anti ageing and has a lot of medicinal values.

I sometimes mix it with my moisturiser for added benefits and it smells better.

Opt for a moisturiser that contains Shea or cocoa butter. If you are prone to acne on your body you can still use virgin coconut oil mixed with an oil free moisturiser.

I hope this blog was informative !! Please leave your comments and queries below !!

Smoky eyes …. in three easy steps !!

Things you need :

1. Jet black kohl pencil

2. A neutral eyeshadow palette

3. Eyeshadow blending brush

How I did it :

I stared off with prepping my eyes with the MAC paint pot in the shade “ layin low” all over my eye lid. This is purely optional. If you do not want to spend on an eyeshadow primer just use a thin layer of concealer or some pressed or loose powder over your eyelid . This helps to avoid creasing and gives you an even look and makes your eye shadow last longer.

Line your upper lash line roughly with a jet black kohl pencil. Make multiple lines and make it thick. (Don’t worry.. you don’t need to make clean lines)Now use a smudging brush and smudge it all out until it’s even and grey. I used the Color bar just smoky eye pencil in the shade “Just Black”. It comes with a smudger

It ll look like someone has bashed you in the eye at this stage !! So to create a more subtle look you need a neutral brown or grey eyeshadow. (Shimmery or matte)

I used the NATIO “ Golden” palette and used the shade the arrow is pointing . It’s a bronze gold shade. I used my MAC 224 which is a tapered eyeshadow blending brush and using a very light hand blended that shade into my crease starting from the outer corner using back and forth motions. This creates a gradient smoky eye.You can use any eyeshadow blending brush. Avoid the ones that come with the palette however !

I used the lightest Color in the palette just under my brow bone to highlight my eyebrows.

Then I used the same kohl pencil on my upper and lower water lines and also on the outer corner of my top lash line with a light hand. I used a mascara on my top and bottom lashes .

Tip : keep ur lips nude when you do an intense eye look to balance out.

Add a pair of false lashes and a winged liner to add more drama to your eyes !

This takes all of 5 minutes or less !!

Do try your smoky eye look … and drop your comments below !!

My list of great Shampoos !!

This blog has taken many months of me testing out various shampoos and conditioners in the market until I found a great combo !!

My hair is quite dry and brittle these days but my scalp tends to get oily very soon. I work out at the gym quite regularly which makes my scalp sweat … so I need to shampoo 3 to 4 times a week ! So I cannot afford those crazy expensive shampoos which the salon guys convinces me into buying every time I go for a haircut or spa !!

So I started my own research on Mid range shampoos… not drugstore ones … until I hit the jackpot!! I use the Matrix biolage Repair inside shampoo with the Matrix biolage fiberstrong conditioner.This combo keeps my hair really soft and shiny. It helps with the breakage also.

However you must understand that a shampoo will not help with hair fall. If you do have a lot of hair fall then you need to correct your diet. You might need to amp up your iron and folic acid intake. If it’s really severe then you must consider getting a thyroid test or check for vitamin deficiencies.

It also helps if you use a good hair oil to strengthen your roots.

This shampoo and conditioner are priced at Rs 345 (200ml) and Rs 280 respectively.

If you are willing to splurge .. then definitely try the SP ( System Perfect ) range by wella . The products are outstanding. I use the Sp hair repair mask twice a month.

Or if you want to go chemical free but still have soft and frizz free hair then the Best is the Kama Ayurveda Sanobar range. But there will always be a difference in results when you use all natural shampoos. You will have to deal with a bit of frizz.

Tip : If you have dry and brittle hair.. shampoo your scalp only. Every Time you shampoo your hair you are taking away all the moisture . So shampoo your scalp well and wash off and then use conditioner in the hair ends. That way you ll be left with soft hair every time ! Always use a heat resistant spray or cream before you blow dry to reduce breakage.

These are results based on my hair type !! If you love some other shampoo which works well for you .. do continue using it .. and let me know as well !!!

Let me know if you would like me to review any specific product .. I shall do that for you. And do leave your comments below 😊

Sheet Masks … A revolution in skin care !!

Thanks to the Koreans and their attention to detail when it comes to skin care,for introducing us to this wonderful product.

They are inexpensive, extremely hydrating, and gives your skin that instant glow.

The sheet masks can be used anytime during the day as a post sun coolant or a pre party perk me up mask… however I like to use it at night twice a week . It leaves a wonderful glow next morning as though I’ve got a facial.

The application is so simple. You just need to unfold the mask and leave it on your face for 15 to 20 minutes and then rub the excess serum into your skin. No washing required.. Does it get simpler ? It’s perfect for lazy souls like me.

You can also try the sleeping masks by Sephora … They are awesome too !!

I love the sheet masks by Sephora, The face shop, Lab collection, and Nykaa

If you haven’t tried one yet.. pick one according to your skin type and try it out. I’m sure you’ll be surprised by the results.

You can buy sheet masks at a Sephora store or on www.nykaa.com in India !

ENNs closet !! First impressions!!

I bought a face pack and a lipstick from ENN at the Vanity fair in Chandigarh, India. Was a little apprehensive at first since I had not heard about the brand before. But the packaging of their products and display was so attractive it caught my attention. The packaging of the lipstick is very similar to the NARS lipstick!! It’s also a bonus that it’s all 100% natural .

The Lipstick

I picked the shade 24 Vintage ENN which is a plum and mauve kinda colour .. It glides on smoothly and is quite pigmented and opaque. The colour I picked is quite pretty ….perfect for fall and winter. However it does wear off when you eat or drink so you might want to touch up often. But that’s a little thing when you know your lipstick is all natural and is good for your lips. There are other pretty shades as well.

The face pack

I picked up this face pack called AC NAY which is an anti Acne pack. I have a combination skin and I do break out now and then. My skin is not covered in acne so I can’t really say if it cures acne or not. However it’s a clay mask with Aloe Vera. It controls oil secretion. My skin felt very dry but still clean and fresh. This mask is good for people with really oily skin or people with combination skin in summer months. The do have a variety of other packs that were quite attractive.

The lipsticks are priced at Rs 925 and the face packs at Rs 750

Check out their website www.ennscloset.com

My skin care essentials !! Products that I love !!

I am 32 years old. I have combination skin. It turns quite oily in the summers and dry in winters. I used to breakout quite often until I discovered products that perfectly suit my skin type. I thought this regime could be helpful for you to take care of your skin as well.

Okay let’s begin with face wash. I use a mild face wash in the morning like The body shop vitamin E gentle face wash and a thorough cleanser like the Biore’ charcoal wash at night to remove grime and makeup.

For toner I use the Organic Harvest Neem and Tulsi toner in summer and the Kama Ayurveda pure rose water toner in winter.Both of these are so refreshing and alcohol free!

It’s been such a change in skin texture since I switched from a cream to gel moisturiser. Honestly… if u have acne prone skin … please ditch any cream moisturiser that you use. I use The Body Shop Seaweed Oil control cream.

For sunscreen I use the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo SPF 30. Oh !! I love this … added benefit … it evens your skin tone and lightens spots !!

I’m in my thirties now and I really believe it’s time to have a good night routine. I invest in a good eye cream and night repair cream these days. For my eyes I swear by the Clinique pep start eye cream.

For my night cream I love the forest essentials Jasmine and Patchouli night treatment cream in summers.

I find it a little drying in the winter months so I switch to the Clinique smart night in winters. (Trust me ! I’ve Spent a lot of money trying out various night creams… )

I also use the body shop Tea Tree oil if I notice a bump on my face or on spots at night. It works wonders. If you have a big pimple it might not work but if it’s just about to appear it ll vanish !

Apart from this I use a sheet mask twice a week. They are so nourishing without the pain of washing off. I love the ones by Sephora and Innisfree. The lab collection mask is wonderful too.

That’s pretty much my skin care routine. I must say my skin has cleared so much and is soft and supple after I changed quite a bit of my skin care. I’m not prone to acne as much as I was earlier. So do let me know if this was of help to you.

Tip : If you have acne prone skin stop using towels. Use dry face tissues instead. Do not use a scrub very often.

All these products are available in stand alone stores and most products are available on www.nykaa.com in India. ( except the Biore charcoal wash which I source from the USA )

#skincare #skincareroutine #acnefriendly # makeupartist

LA ROCHE-POSAY Effaclar Duo spf 30

I have been loving this product lately. It works as my day cream and sunscreen. I have a combination skin … I’m oily around the T-zone and dry on my cheeks and this cream sits well on my face. This range is also supposed to be acne friendly and it clears your skin. It has lightened a few spots on my face. It also says it corrects imperfections which I can’t guarantee since I have been using it only for 3 weeks now .

I like it because it’s really light and not white and greasy. It doesn’t provoke breakouts. It’s works as a good base underneath your makeup too.

It’s available in India on www.amazon.in and www.nykaa.com for Rs 1350 for a 40ml tube. I bought it from a drugstore in London for approximately £10. It’s available worldwide on www.amazon.com

Nyx butter gloss

I tried two shades … peaches and cream also Angel food cake. The glosses are not very shiny and stay true to their name, they are as soft as butter. If u have really pink lips then you can wear them on their own for a day look . If your lips are slightly pigmented like mine you can layer them with other lipsticks or wear them with a concealer underneath. I use them over matte lipsticks to get a soft glossy feel and they last longer that way.

They are priced at Rs 550 in India and $5 in US based sites. I bought them on www.nykaa.com

Its great value for its price.