Hi there, my darlings! This month has been all about traveling and travel essentials on ColorSutraa...but since I knew I'd be traveling around and staying in a tropical climate for a couple of months, my focus before I left was on beauty products that could potentially stand up to the summer heat! Being born in and having spent a large part of my teenage years in India, I'm no stranger to the brutal heat and humidity of the Indian summer. But, when a girl's spent so many years away from home, she tends to forget...time dulls unpleasant memories. But, as soon as I landed in Calcutta, I was reminded of the heat and just why I had subconsciously prepared so diligently for my trip home. So, when the lovely people over at Beautyspin.com offered to send me another product of my choice to review on the blog, I wanted to choose something that was not only travel-friendly but also could potentially make my stay much more pleasant. Yup! I'm talking about fragrance-- this time, I chose COACH Poppy .




IMPRESSIONS : From my earlier review of Coach Poppy Flower, which you can find HERE, you may recall that I raved about the packaging. This bottle of Coach Poppy is presented just as beautifully! Emblazoned with Coach's logo and in shades of coral-red and gold, the box itself would stand out even on the dresser of the beauty-obsessed. The glass bottle is accented with a gold, engraved stopper and a cute, little coral-red bow. Coach just knows luxury and how to make things look GOOD!




Now, let's talk about the fragrance itself. No matter how good the bottle looks, a fragrance is judged by how long it lasts, how it smells and more importantly, how it makes you feel! Believe me when I say, Poppy scores on all three counts! An intense, sultry floral with notes of tangerine and rose, this fragrance is perfect for special occasions--on those lazy summer nights when romance calls or when you want to make sure you stand out from the crowd.




Despite the scorching temperatures of the Indian summer, this baby didn't let me down! In fact, compliments abounded and I was so glad I decided to bring this bottle along with me--3.3 oz meant that it was totally allowed in my carry-on! Thank goodness because I stepped off a 19-hour plane ride exhausted but smelling great!




Before I sign off, how about a little comparison between Coach Poppy and its sister, Coach Poppy Flower? As you can see from the picture below, both are packaged similarly--while Poppy is resplendent in shades of coral-red, Poppy Flower is super cute in fuchsia. Do you associate certain colors with certain moods or qualities? I know I do. The coral-red of Poppy is sexier, edgier, more vibrant--just like the fragrance within, meant for a special occasion. Poppy Flower, as evidenced perhaps by the girly shades of pink, is more delicate, feminine and lighter--an everyday fragrance!




So there you have it, my darlings! If you would like to add Coach Poppy to your stash or pick it up for a loved one, you can find it at a great price on Beautyspin.com HERE.


To discover all the other products that they carry or to learn more about new arrivals, you can follow Beautyspin.com through the outlets below :

Facebook
Twitter


What is your current go-to fragrance for summer? I'd love to hear your opinions in the comments section below!



Until next time,
<3
B




****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****




Hi there, my darlings! Today, let's talk about summer...and if you're like me, how to survive it. I think every summer I complain about how I don't like the heat...how I really, REALLY don't like the heat. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong, but I probably whine more about the summer heat than the brutal cold of winters in NYC. That's probably because summer is not good to me. My hair gets really unmanageable at times, my nails get really brittle and my skin...my poor skin just breaks out in all sorts of things. So, I try to baby my skin as much I possibly can during the summer. I have to admit that I often skip moisturizing (I know, I know...but being in India, moisturizers cause more harm to my skin than good), but I love a good cleanser and an even better weekly scrub. This brings me to today's post--Michael Todd's Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser and Jojoba Charcoal Face Scrub.


First, let's take a look at the cleanser :

CHARCOAL DETOX is the first step in your skin balancing routine. Specifically designed to lift deep-set impurities without stripping the skin of its’ natural hydration balance,CHARCOAL DETOX CLEANSER removes pore blockages and preps the skin for additional balancing treatments.


Who Should Use it?
Ideal for oily and blemish prone skin types.


Benefits & Key Ingredients

--Activated Charcoal
• Highly absorbent to eliminate excess oil & impurities
• Draws out deep set blockages from pores

--Sugar Cane, Maple and Bilberry Extract
• Stimulates cellular turnover to heal dark spots and retexturize
• Dissolves blockages, preps pores for following treatment steps

--Tea Tree Oil
• Antibacterial & anti-inflammatory healing properties
--Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice
• Nature’s first aid kit is known for its’ soothing properties
• Contains Auxin known for its’ anti-inflammatory properties
• Contains Gibberellins to heal and stimulate the growth of new cells


IMPRESSIONS : Right off the bat, let me just say, I love charcoal products! I didn't have the chance (read : space) to carry this to India with me but I did have the opportunity to test it for a couple of weeks before I left. This cleanser is gentle enough not to irritate sensitive skin when used daily while still being strong enough to really clean your skin of all the makeup, sweat, oil and pollution that accumulates on a typical summer day. Whenever I used it, in combination with my Soniclear which I reviewed HERE, the gel-based formula left my skin soft, squeaky-clean and glowing--a rare feeling for me on hot summer days. I do have acne-prone skin so I really appreciated how well this cleanser maintained the look and feel of my skin with each use. I really wish I could have brought it along with me! I genuinely look forward to returning to the US and making this a part of my daily routine. A big thumbs-up from me!




Next up, the scrub :

Keeping skin free of blockages without causing irritation is a key step on the way to balanced healthy skin. JOJOBA CHARCOAL SCRUB is gentle yet effective at clarifying pores and re-texturizing flawed complexions.


Who Should Use it?
Suitable for all skin types.


Benefits & Key Ingredients

--Activated Charcoal
•Draws out deep set blockages from pores
•Highly absorbent property to eliminate excess oil & impurities

--Jojoba Wax Beads
•Stimulates cellular turnover to heal dark spots and smooth
•Smooth spherical shape that won’t cause microlacerations
•Gentle & effective exfoliator to remove build up & re-texturize

--Tea Tree Oil
•Antibacterial & anti-inflammatory healing properties 

--Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Juice
•Nature’s first aid kit is known for its’ soothing, healing and anti-inflammatory properties


IMPRESSIONS : A good scrub is the best at-home spa treatment you can give yourself! Don't have time for regular facials? Yeah, neither do I. Which is why I love a good weekly scrub. Just like cleansing is key to healthy skin, I feel a good scrub goes a long way in keeping my skin bouncy and young. Why? One word. Exfoliation. A good scrub exfoliates the dead skin and impurities which age your skin and leave it healthier. This...is a GOOD scrub! The tiny wax beads haven't irritated my skin but at the same time, I can really feel them working. Best part? I saw a visible reduction in blackheads on and around my nose. All in all, another huge win for me!





So there you have it, my darlings! If you would like to try either of these fantastic charcoal-based products yourself, you can find it on the company's website HERE--the cleanser is priced at $23.00 and the scrub at $19.00. In my opinion, worth every penny!



To discover some of their other products, you can follow Michael Todd through the social media platforms below :


Have you tried a charcoal-based skincare product? Which one? I'd love to hear from you in the comments section below!



Until next time,
<3
B





****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****




Hi there, my darlings! Most of you probably know by now that my baby sister is obsessed...and I mean, OBSESSED with lip balms. Whenever I fly home to India, there are just two staples on her wishlist--Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies...and yup, lip balms! I kid you not when I tell you that I cart home bags of this stuff for her! So, when the makers of Mwah lip balms approached me with the request to review their lip care products, I had to say an enthusiastic yes! After all, I had to do one for the Gummy!


So, what so special about Mwah's line of products?


Mwah® was launched in 2014 by Clio®, a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of personal care and beauty care products sold in over 25 countries. Our vision with Mwah is to offer an innovative, effective, fresh and healthy spin on lip care that’s still affordable for young women. Mwah lip care products are natural, void of harmful chemicals and preservatives, never tested on animals, and are produced in our 100% solar powered factory in southern California.




Mwah products are produced in our 100% solar powered facility in southern California. The sun nourishes the mangos that go into our super-moisturizing formula and also powers the facility where Mwah is manufactured.

Drawing from 100,000 watts of solar energy, our facility combines solar power, low energy demand equipment and motion activated lighting to reduce our carbon footprint and the environmental effects from manufacturing our products.

Mango butter is one of the healthiest and most beneficial ingredients for the skin. When it comes in contact with skin it deeply hydrates and nourishes it.

Mango butter has great emolliency and provides excellent protection against the suns damaging UV radiation. It is said to prevent drying of the skin and formation of wrinkles as it provides the skin with moisture and vitamins A, C and E. Mango butter also reduces the degeneration of skin cells and restores elasticity. Mango butter’s hardness makes it a great butter for stick formulations such as lip balm and lotion bars.

Mango butter can also treat dry skin, heal skin peeling from tanning, heal sunburn, fight frost bite, and promote healthy, rejuvenated skin. Dermatologists often recommend mango butter for treatment of wrinkles, as many people who use it will notice decreased signs of aging and the disappearance of lines and wrinkles within 4 to 6 weeks of daily use.

IMPRESSIONS : Mwah carries a range of fruity lip balms, glosses and lip balm "sliders" (essentially little slide-out pots of balm. I was sent three sliders and three balms to review and share with you all.

The "sliders" are super convenient, slim packets of lip balm that you can slip into your purse or even your pocket. These babies come in Coconut Chick, Sweet Tart and Mango Tango. Application is a breeze--just swipe a little on your finger and you're set. Great for travel!




The lip balms come in brightly colored tubes in 3 flavors--Mango Madness, Creamsicle and Strawberry Sweetheart. Super moisturizing yet surprisingly light, I loved the tropical flavors of these balms! These balms stood the test of the brutal heat of the Indian summer and came out with flying colors!






My fave flavor? Hands down, Mango Madness! Takes me back to my childhood where our most anticipated summer treat was an ice-cold mango shake!




So there you have it, my darlings! If you would like to pick up a couple of Mwah's balms for yourself or a balm-obsessed friend, you can check them out on their website HERE. They can also be found in your local CVS, Target, Walmart, Walgreens as well as on Amazon.



To learn more about all of their products, you can follow Mwah through the social media outlets below :

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram




Until next time,
<3
B





****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****










Hi there, my darlings! So, many of you may have noticed that the predominant theme of the past few weeks on ColorSutraa is TRAVEL...yup, IN CAPS! Why? Because I've been traveling so much myself--so far, I've flown from NYC to Calcutta to Bombay to Goa then back to Bombay. And guess what? I still have a couple of trips left! With so much traveling, I have very little time for a beauty regime...or rather, a consistent beauty regime. But I try to make time to take care of my skin and my hair. So, while I travel, I've brought along a few travel-friendly products to test and share with you all! While most good hotels provide essentials like soap, shampoo and conditioner, they are often lacking in the facial cleanser department. And carrying a face wash? I'm often petrified of the mess that may result from the decision to carry my own. Whatever to do then? That question brings us to today's review of Feather and Bone's Face Gems.


Intrigued? Take a look at what these gems really are :

Feather and Bone : Exfoliating skin care from all natural Ayurveda ingredients

Each tablet is good for one wash and contains just 3 all natural ingredients :

1. Sandalwood : Cleanser    

  • An antiseptic agent
  • Gives a Natural glow
  • Removes dirt from pores
  • Anti-aging
  • Relaxes the face

2. Fuller's Earth : Exfoliator    
  • Improves blood circulation
  • Removes black heads and white heads
  • Tones the skin
  • Soothing effect
  • Gives natural oils to the skin
3. Starch : Moisturizer    
  • Natural moisturizer for oily and dry skins
  • Relieves itchy skin
  • Keeps skin fresh
  • Removes dead skin
  • Cools the Face

Here's a pic of my adorable little sister using the product :




IMPRESSIONS : You know what the best part of being home with my sister is? I have a partner in crime to help test new products. And we both give this product a big thumbs up! I have combination skin that's prone to random breakouts while my sister has super sensitive skin. These face gems worked for us both and left our skin baby-soft, glowing and refreshed! Plus each gem is so easy to use--just pop it out of its foil packaging like you would any tablet, mix with a few drops of water to form a paste and apply. Once dry, you can rinse off and you're done! Best past? I could slip it into my carry-on when traveling--it takes up hardly any space and I'm not afraid of a mess. Win-win!


So there you have it, my darlings! If you would like to try Feather and Bone's all natural Face Gems for yourself, you can find them on their website HERE for the price of $15.



To learn more about all of their products, you can follow Feather and Bone through the social media outlets below :

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram




Until next time,
<3
B





****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****















Hi there, my darlings! If you recall my post from a few months ago, you may remember my post about U by Kotex® feminine hygiene products--specifically their pads with 3D Capture Core which made "that" time of the month just a little bit better. Well, today, we're talking about their Lightdays® Liners, which help me stay fresh and confident on ANY day of the month. And like I said back then, a confident woman is a beautiful woman! So, to help me stay and FEEL confident, I never leave home without arming myself with wet wipes, body spray, mints...and a couple of Lightdays® Liners tucked into my purse, ESPECIALLY when I'm traveling! It's how I #BringComfyBack to my life!


Why Lightdays® Liners, you ask? Because, let's be real. No matter how pretty our beloved lacy undies or how soft our cotton panties are, sometimes, like when you're traveling on those exciting summer trips, getting and staying comfy is a challenge. Ask me! A flight from NYC to Calcutta is a whopping 19 hours. And during all this time, those pretty lacy undies I love so much are a real pain in the butt...literally. Riding up into that dreaded wedgie, chafing, dealing with the blast of Indian heat and humidity...well, you get the picture. Talk about uncomfortable! Is it any surprise that my face often looks like the pic below after that kind of experience?!





That's why I love, and I mean LOVE the Lightdays® Liners. It keeps me fresh, dry and feeling comfy in my undies when I'm enduring those interminable flights or on the move on those hot summer days creating special memories. I keep a few tucked into my purse, along with my other travel essentials, and a quick duck into the ladies' room means the difference between a pouty grimace and a comfy smile. Do you get a pouty look, like mine, or a generally uncomfortable look? If you do, then you'll be thrilled to know that U by Kotex® is offering an exciting opportunity for you to win amazing monthly prizes, including one grand prize with the #BringComfyBack Contest!

To enter the #BringComfyBack Contest, click HERE and upload a creative pic or gif showing off that "I'm uncomfortable and I show it" look.

Each month, one lucky winner will receive a $200 Urban Outfitters gift card, a Go Pro Hero 3 white camera, a $100 Sephora gift card and U by Kotex® products.

At the end of the contest, the most creative selfie will be chosen and the winner will receive a trip to L.A. with a girlfriend, an exclusive U by Kotex® photo shoot to be their new social star and $2,000 spending cash!

So, go ahead--get creative and share away!




But wait! Want a chance to experience the U by Kotex®  Lightdays® Liners and see for yourself why I love them so much? Just click HERE to order your FREE SAMPLES!




Until next time,
<3
B



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