Drunk Elephant Sunscreen SPF 30
This is a formulation review of Drunk Elephant’s SPF 30 sunscreen which is a mineral only sunscreen
Empowering women. Brutally honest. Love science
This is a formulation review of Drunk Elephant’s SPF 30 sunscreen which is a mineral only sunscreen
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
How should the beauty industry respond to calls for sustainability?
Kojic acid is a well-known skin lightener that has been around for ages. Its not my favourite and I don’t write about it, until now!
In today’s blog, I write about my beauty entrepreneurship journey – what are the pitfalls and key learnings that can propel you forward.
I am doing my deep dive into Niacinamide and its importance to the skin. But before then, its absolutely essential to get some background
The reason for writing this blog is experiential and to reaffirm my own understanding of what Niacinamide is and does as an ingredient
A reader highlighted that LOreal sunscreens had a new UV Defender range of sunscreens. This blog discusses the Mexoryl filters
Today’s blog I am looking at what measures you should take to protect your skin during the summer and especially the heatwave.
The European summer the Brits are having is catastrophic and many Brits may not know how best to protect their skin.
Modern day lipstick technology is the best it has ever been: matte lipsticks are AMAZING!! So why are natural lipsticks on the rise?
I am frequently asked about Kumkumadi Tailam, which is the premiere face oil that is based on Ayurvedic principles.
Skincare products (have water + nutrients) in hot countries provide good support to fungus, bacteria and other less pleasant infections.
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
Today’s blog is about one of the most controversial ingredients that are used in skin whitening products, globally.
If you’ve been to your recent Sephora, you’ll know that the lipstick division (and it is a division) is intimidating and overwhelming. So many lipsticks – what do they all mean?
It’s Earth Day, and here is my two pence. I want you and me to be more conscious consumers. Over-consumption is terrible for the planet. But my bug-bear is actually sizing.
I am frequently asked how to improve skin health through diet. Well this is an easy guide for anyone to follow.
What are waterless beauty products? My entire skincare range is waterless and its time I explained the motivation for having it as such
This blog is a 50,000 feet view of how to read an ingredient label for products that are made in India. But broadly, rules apply to most countries.
As summer month’s approach, how do you keep smelling good all day OR how do you ensure that your fragrance lasts a really long time?
I sometimes hear phrases and I am embarrassed to ask what they are – and for me, I didn’t always know what “LAYERING” meant
This blog is part one in a series around skin colour and how cosmetics seek to regulate skin pigment, melanin, thereby giving lighter skin.
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!
In this blog, I am going to well in advance of Holi, tell you how to protect your skin. Protecting your skin avoids all manner of problems.
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.
The 8th March 2022 is International Women’s Day. This year the theme is breaking the bias.
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.
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
Personally, Diwali for me is the triumph of the light and optimism within us over the darkness, and as COVID recedes, it’s good to see the light.
In today’s blog, I’m reviewing the first significant beauty exhibition to have taken place this year. We are not at pre-pandemic levels,
Personally, this issue is like the elephant in the room. I want to be the go-to person for women of colour, but I refuse for excellent reasons (see later) to review the bulk of Indian skincare products. However, I am
At the outset, I want to tell you that if you are confused by labelling in India and how it doesn’t instil any confidence, then honestly, its because the rules governing this area are really poorly drafted. (In plain English,
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
During the monsoon season, I regularly get asked what one can do to get rid of lack-lustre and dull skin. Here is the answer!
As part of my skincare formulation course, I surveyed a bunch of women in the 40 year+ demographic and surprisingly, only 3 out of 10 women exfoliated regularly
Is it possible for you to multi-mask? That is, use more than one face mask at a time without completely damaging your skin?
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
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.
Over the next six months, I am preparing to divert my $$$ to India to fight against COVID. I can only donate small amounts, but that’s ok.
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
Residential parks covered in fires of the burning flesh of our deceased (young, old, loved and unloved), next to homes, schools and hospitals, surrounded by helplessness, fear and anguish along with people struggling to breathe, would be a worthy Dantesque
One of the many facets of American life is a reluctance to discuss the causes of a crisis during said crisis. For example, Republicans frown up discussing gun control after one of their numerous mass slaughters involving semi-automatic weapons. It’s
I write about skin lightening frequently enough on my blog, because this is a part of our cultural identity, much like cricket.
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.
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
This week has been all about the Harry and Meghan interview. As always, things are never black and white for me. As I get older the morality of my decisions weighs more heavily than the decision itself.
In this blog, I have highlighted some of the thought-provoking responses I got to the question, “how does it feel to be a woman during a pandemic?”
The 8th March 2021 will be celebrated around the world as women’s day. I am unsure if I am feeling the love this year.
If post-pandemic you need to attend an Indian wedding, than this is an essential guide to surviving the unwritten nuances of such an event.
How do you choose a facewash that WON’T damage your skin??
I have a confession to make (and it will probably not come as a surprise to many of you). I have been struggling recently. Actually, I have been struggling for about a month because the life with whom I envisaged
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
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
I am elated that Joe Biden, an American patriot will become the 46th president of the USA. In our pandemic dominated year, his victory is all the more poignant and resonant of a time that was “normal.” I feel as
The solution presented by governments in the form of lockdowns is inadequate. Alternative strategy/ies could have prevented countless deaths.
For women there is constant pressure to look effortlessly amazing. I am a feminist and self-care is consistent with my value system.
Nepotism in Bollywood appears to be that piece of sticky gum that you just can’t get rid of.
My process for writing is simple: I procrastinate until an issue I care about and I, cross paths. Its freefall from then on, as I obsessively think about said subject. My obsessing over an issue is nothing short of a
I vividly remember the first time Barack Obama was elected. I was euphoric for at least a week, as if India had resoundingly beat Pakistan in the World Cup, with MS Dhoni spearheading the victory. It was a time of
The origin of the word, nepotism, is from Italian, nepotismo. It refers to the practice of Roman popes appointing their “nephews” (or usually, illegitimate sons), positions of power and privilege in the Roman Catholic church. Don’t worry, this practice was
Today’s topic personally affects me, and I was in two minds about writing this post. However, if I do not speak for myself, companies and two-a-penny social influencers have taken it upon themselves to be my mouthpiece. The falsetto tones
I’m back from my summer hibernation. I’d be overjoyed if this break from work had left me (miraculously) rejuvenated and spiritually replenished. It has not. Instead as my rose tinted glasses shatter, I am rudely brought back to reality and
I am taking the month off to do absolutely nothing. Yes, just as the lockdown begins to unwind and our lives return to some semblance of normality, I, decide to take time off. I assure you it is not at
As I write this blog, my energy in investing in this troubling line of argument wanes. At its core, it reflects two of my own character weakness. First, I am unashamedly a people pleaser of the highest order. Second, as
In today’s blog, I’ve encapsulated everything I wish I had known before I started to used my nuface device
COVID-19 throws in sharp focus the things that we do not need. These are a few that I definitely never need.
I don’t like fashion magazines. They feed into my deep-seated insecurities, most notably that I am overweight (which I am) and that everything I own indisputably belongs to a museum. Irrespective of the season, I always come away thinking this
This blog outlines the benefits of using Gluconolactone
This blog outlines the benefits and side effects of using Mandelic Acid
In this blog I outline the benefits of using Lactic Acid and its side effects.
What do you most need from a luxury shop? Find out what’s on my bucket list and why this is changing.
The lockdown will be hard on everyone. You and me included. However, small businesses will only survive with our support.
Here are a few suggestions of treatments to try at home during the lockdown
This month I am very overwhelmed by factors that are outside my control (I will write a blog on that too!) And its at times like this, that I find solace in shopping for make-up. With the coronavirus in full
My obligatory words on Women’s Day. #EachForEqual
While I respect every readers decision to choose paraben containing cosmetics, I’m still going to inform you on latest scientific developments.
I am about to tackle skin lightening products and this is a controversial area. Here is my twopence.
This is a hands on guide to buying and using your FIRST Vitamin C serum.
Out of six, I favour only 3 serums, as they’re backed by clinical data and a patent.
Have I survived Diwali to lose any weight at all?
There are 70 days to the end of this decade. I will be honest. I haven’t fared as well as I thought I would at the start of this decade. In fact, that is the understatement of the century. The
Quick reference guide for sunscreens that everyone should have on their shelf.
Women, more so than any man I have met, doubt their own self-worth. I explore this issue with two recent incidents that I came home to.
Invited to a destination wedding this summer? Planning it for months? I speak from experience: you haven’t planned enough
High heels in the workplace are so common that no-one really thinks twice about them. Should we?
How should we cover the current achievements of successful women? Should glamorous professions be all we aspire to?
Short guide on make up mistakes to avoid at an Indian wedding
Indian weddings are a melting pot of rituals, which reinforce a “status” based hierarchy of women, placing married women at the top and relegating single, widows, divorced to the bottom of the heap.
In the introduction to this series (Chemicals to Avoid – Parabens), I wrote I’d periodically highlight chemicals we should avoid based on these guidelines: What is the primary use of the substance? How is the substance used in cosmetics/skincare/personal care
On Women’s Day, my thoughts on whether the narrative for women is genuinely changing. Is there always hope?
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