What Indians need to do

I want to take the opportunity to write about the underlying theme that the Ram Mandir represents, which, if you are not Indian, may escape your attention.  This blog is principally an appeal to all Indians, especially the Indian diaspora,

Click to read more

How Hindus reject other Hindus

It’s been a super ODD fortnight: I can live with the Western media’s disregard of fact-checking and wildly berating India because that’s their modus operandi. Even if they had some valid criticisms of how India will/is autocrat, journalistic write-ups disregarded

Click to read more

22 January 24 and Ayodhya

Multiple things can be true at the same time: the demolition of a mosque by rioters was wrong. Period. Indians condemned it at the time, and they continued to do so. Secondly, this mosque was built by the Mughal invader

Click to read more

Peace is a choice

I’ve been contemplating whether to write this post, mainly because it goes against prevailing sentiment (and as I’ve written this post, I’ve conviction in my view). Reflecting on my law college days (UCL), the Israel-Palestine conflict dominated so many arguments/heated

Click to read more

Sunscreen trends

I recently resumed reviewing sunscreens AFS in India. It reminded me that now is an opportune time to get into the nuts and bolts of sunscreen and where there is an opportunity for innovation. This post is a summary of my more

Click to read more
Erudition

The celebrity skincare brand

Kim K of the Marilyn Monroe dress fame, or more accurately, the 41-year-old billionaire, whose USP is her image, is launching a nine-piece skincare routine that costs US$ 630.  She is unapologetic about the price tag, as the quality of

Click to read more

Are you uncomfortable enough?

When I don’t think with clarity (which I haven’t done for a good month), things get bundled up, and they all come exploding simultaneously. But here is the bang: I will make you (distinctly) uncomfortable (and that’s) the intent. I

Click to read more
Product review

Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask

This is a product review of Tatcha’s Kissu Lip Mask, which is a first for me. I don’t usually review such indulgent products because the money comes out of my own pocket.

Click to read more
Skincare

Basic guides to lips

I think its stating the obvious, when I point out the following about our lips: the skin on our lips is much thinner than the rest of our face. In fact, it sometimes feels like a thin, barely there covering

Click to read more
Erudition

What is occupying my grey cells

I want to talk about religion and commitment, which as an Indian, is everyone’s choice of poison. Let’s start with the first bundle of joy. I am an itinerant Hindu – I’ve had so many questions about my faith that

Click to read more

Product road test

I am starting a new skincare routine, after literally months of not using skincare. I know. It happens to the best of us. Obligatory before photos My observations on NOT using skincare are: My pigmentation is out of control. I

Click to read more
Skincare

What is an adaptogen?

I have seen a recent trend in beauty products, claiming “adapatogenic” benefits to the product and its sounds like BS to me. If you are on the same page, keep reading!

Click to read more
Skincare

Who am I?

Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a woman of wealth and taste. I’ve been around for a long, long years. Stole million man’s soul and faith.

Click to read more
Sunscreen

BIOSOLIS Sun Milk SPF 30

Be review this sunscreen, its good to remind ourselves of this… What damages are we trying to protect against when we use sunscreens? Sunscreens contain UV filters. I like the EU definition which is, ‘UV-filters’ means substances which are exclusively

Click to read more

The weight of our tears

I wanted to take this opportunity and talk about a recent incident that made me realize that in all truth, we become our parents. Growing up, I was never much of a “Cryer” but more of a constant, relentless complainer.

Click to read more

Life without my own sprogs

I haven’t written for a while, and I get withdrawal symptoms when I don’t write.Think of a crack addict without their drug of choice. Yes, if you think I am in two minds about what crack is – speed or

Click to read more
Sunscreen

Sunscreen bans and coral reef safety

Which countries ban sunscreens?
I can only name one country that bans ALL sunscreens, and all other countries ban some ingredients.
IAMGE
The above list is only some territories who’ve adopted some type of position on sunscreens
All other countries (including Australia down to Papua New Guinea, which host most of the globe’s coral reef) permit sunscreen use, irrespective of the ingredients contained.
What is coral reef safe sunscreen?
Like most of sunscreen regulation everywhere, there is no agreed upon definition by manufacturers or governments on what “reef safe” is.
When you see the following words on a sunscreen, I’d like you to ignore them.
IMAGE
How to buy reef safe sunscreen?
Given there is no agreed upon definition, you need to decide what your attitude to marine life is and appreciate that some choices are better than others…
Here is a little graph

Click to read more
Shopping reviews

October shopping guide

I want to shift part of my focus in these shopping guides to generally sustainable and second-hand purchases at a discount. Therefore, going forwards as much as possible, my key mantra will be, “is this second-hand in pristine condition?” or

Click to read more
Shopping reviews

Jo Malone 2021 Advent calendar

The value for money proposition for some brands is non-existent as a concept, especially luxury brands, where it is demand that dictates pricing. Jo Malone is one such brand and its advent calendar offers the least value for money.

Click to read more
Skincare

Remembering 9/11

Do you remember 9/11?   I do.  I was at college at the time.   In the aftermath there was this sheer horror of the event reinforced by the newly born 24 hour news cycle. I’ll be honest with you.  I didn’t

Click to read more
Product review

Ingredient focus: Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate

As promised, I will take a deeper look into individual Vitamin C derivatives over the next few blogs. What is Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate? Ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate is a stable, lipophilic derivative of Vitamin C.  In English, this means: it is a stable

Click to read more
Sunscreen

La Shield Sunscreen Gel SPF 40 PA+++

This is the second La Shield sunscreen that I am reviewing. I reviewed La Shield’s mineral sunscreen recently, and you can read the review here. Initial thoughts The product is extremely, extremely heavily fragranced. I don’t know what the hell

Click to read more

How long should we tolerate the intolerant?

I wanted to use today’s post and talk about a profoundly upsetting experience. Without divulging too much information, imagine a network of at least 10,000+ people (mainly men), who are at least college-educated and have a post-graduate degree, occupying every

Click to read more

The karmic cycle of war

Like yourselves, I am hoping for lasting “peace” everywhere. With the sting of COVID-19’s second wave in much of India, really the last thing any of us need on our conscience is more dead children.

Click to read more

My COVID thoughts this week – as a Hindu

Indians, irrespective of their GPS coordinates, will not be ok for a while.  I find myself flitting between getting on with my daily life against an overarching background of comatose shock/grief/numbness. Even my laughter sounds empty and hollow. My best friend

Click to read more
Product review

Neal’s Yard Geranium & Orange body balm

What’s the difference between this body balm and (e.g.) a moisturiser? For starters, Neal’s Yard mainly use organic ingredients (and hence they are more expensive). The body balm has no water (i.e., its anhydrous). Such a product is more intense

Click to read more
Product review

juicy chemistry rose and fig lip balm

Based on my past experience of using this product’s formidably cheap ECOCERT products, I had mentally prepared myself for disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised and its a lesson for me to believe in “never say, never.”

Click to read more
Skincare

Why are my views contrarian?

I’ve been dodging this line of enquiry for too long: the core of this enquiry (or questions I get from multiple readers) is why are my views are so different from everything else that they read on the internet.

Click to read more
Sunscreen

SPER sunscreen SPF 40

A regular reader asked me to review the efficacy of this sunscreen. While I don’t ordinarily comply to review sunscreens based on such little information, it was not a hard call here.

Click to read more
Skincare

Today’s post is about the “problem.”

I have wanted to write a post like this for some time. It’s purely self-indulgent, and usually, when I write my thoughts, there is clarity, and my posts write themselves.However, therein lies the “problem” because I have no clarity Today’s

Click to read more
Product review

Bioderma vs Avene sunscreens

A reader recently asked me if Bioderma Photoderm SPF 50+ or Avene very high protection cream SPF 50+ offered higher protection against UVA radiation. After all, “Bioderma had a PPD of 42” and surely that was higher.

Click to read more
Product review

fabindia lightening & brightening face pack

If you don’t know what fabindia is, then I am sorry I can’t help you. I am kidding (not really). The marketing blurb from their website is, “Fabindia is India’s largest private platform for products that are made from traditional techniques,

Click to read more
Product review

Wedding skincare preparation

You may be anticipating that this blog is about the bride. Let me disabuse you of that notion: this blog is for everyone attending the wedding except the bride. In the cruel light of inept camerapersons (all the aunts that

Click to read more
Skincare

My start to 2021

My fortnight of mindful recovery came to an abrupt end this week, by two events— first, mind-numbing boredom and secondly, the GOP’s actions. I’ve previously written about how the GOP is an increasingly illiberal right-wing party, whose interests are not

Click to read more
Skincare

My year in review

I had my last sessions of professional coaching/mentor catch-up of the year, which provides perfect material for this short and bitter-sweet finale. I look forward to imagining myself lying on a beach, as the warm sun nourishes my soul and

Click to read more
Product review

What is the Solar UV Index?

The Solar UV Index or UVI is a useful indicator of when to protect yourself against UV radiation. The WHO have provided guidelines that countries can adopt at a national level, ensuring global uniformity.

Click to read more
Product review

Juicy Chemistry Hair Mask

I am not a big fan of hair masks, mainly because I (wrongly) believe my maggi noodle hair is beyond any redemption. This hair mask is the second product of Juicy Chemistry that I am reviewing. You can read all

Click to read more
Shopping reviews

Diwali – the jewellery edit

If you are Indian, than I am hoping this blog requires little explanation. It is traditional to buy “gold” on the festival of Dhanteras that precedes Diwali. As with my other blog on Diwali, I have varying price points for jewellery.

Click to read more
Shopping reviews

What to buy for Karva Chauth

As many of you know, Karva Chauth is a fast kept by women in India for the long life of their husbands/partners/partners-to-be or simply, people they love. My blog is a judgment-free zone, so if you are going to spew

Click to read more

John Lewis beauty advent calendar 2020

The great thing about departmental stores in the UK, is that they are able to leverage their position and get multiple brands to participate in their advent calendar.  It’s a beautiful thing.  Does it deliver value for money?  Let’s find

Click to read more
Product review

At home exfoliating treatment

Yes, you did read that correctly. I am staggered at the price of some of body polishers, scrubs and the general quality of these that are available in the market. Uma’s anti-aging body scrub is US$ 50 for possibly 1

Click to read more
Shopping reviews

5 things to buy in London now

I want to portray the image that I (really) do not enjoy shopping as much as I used to. That COVID-19 is the pandemic I have been eagerly awaiting, so that I may realise the finite nature of life and

Click to read more
Product review

UMA anti-aging body scrub

This is the second product I am reviewing from the uber chic brand, Uma oils. Given the disappointment that was the uma brightening face mask, I am keeping my fingers crossed as I try this product.

Click to read more
Product review

Top sunscreen recommendations

One of my most read blog pages is “Top 5 sunscreen recommendations,” that focuses mainly on sunscreens available in India. Since then, I have written close to one hundred blogs just on sunscreens and looked at hundreds of sunscreen labels.

Click to read more

Subscribe to mailing list. Get a free book on blue ling too

Our site uses cookies.  By continuing to browse you accept our cookie policy