Should i blame the sugar?

All mothers have had one of those nights, i am sure, when the little one refuses to sleep. He wants to talk and play and play some more.. This is absolute fun on a friday or a saturday but from Sunday  to Thursday nights, it is well, tiring! .. if only my one year old understood the concept of time and weekends to unleash his wild side.

So last night when my kid went on hyper drive,I played along till my last bit of energy, though continuously thinking what was causing his adrenaline to pump and decided that it was definitely sugar talking. But wait a minute, i didn't give him anything sugar laden to cause this! And then, i remembered co- incidentally, that the kheer and toberlone bits were a night before and he went off to sleep on bang on schedule!

While my son is going beserk at 1 a.m , i am raking my brains on this whole 'sugar rush' concept..is it really true or is it one of those things of the west that we have blindly aped like the cheeseburger?

I couldn't google any established facts, just a few theories and case studies: Below is what Webmd taught me;

Where Did the Sugar-Hyperactivity Theory Come From?

The notion that food can have an effect on behavior grew popular in 1973 when allergist Benjamin Feingold, M.D., published the Feingold Diet. He advocated a diet free of salicylates, food colorings and artificial flavoring for treating hyperactivity. Although Feingold's diet didn't call for eliminating sugar specifically, it did suggest to many parents that food additives might be better avoided. Little surprise, then, that refined sugar soon came under scrutiny.

Then a 1978 study published in the journal Food and Cosmetics Toxicology found that hyperactive children given glucose tolerance tests had results that suggested reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). As yet, though, there are no good theories to explain the connection.

What We Know About Sugar

In the past 10 years, several studies have examined the effects of sugar on children's behavior. Here are the aspects of the studies that make them credible:

• Known quantities of sugar in the diets were studied.
• The studies compared the effects of sugar with those of a placebo (a substance without any active ingredients).
• The children, parents and researchers involved in the studies never knew which children were given which diets (this is known as a "double-blind" study and helps to prevent unconscious biases from affecting the results).

An analysis of the results of all these studies was published in the November 22, 1995 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The researchers' conclusions? Sugar in the diet did not affect the children's behavior. The authors did point out, though, that the studies didn't rule out completely that sugar might be having a slight effect on a small number of children.

There you go.. it's all a farce..at least from my experience and lack of substantial evidence. Bring out the cake!

My friend at work pointed out today that when i buy a new bag, shoe, dress  etc i am so excited sharing pictures with friends, thinking what to wear it with and when.. and literally spend hours and hours talking about it..it's adrenaline and happiness..That's what last night was for him! He was happy being with us and excited to play and didn't want the night to end..I am his new bag or shoe :) It makes me super grateful.. if only i could rationalize it last night than trying to put him to bed, i would have enjoyed it a lot more..hmpf!

Till he prefers to find happiness in materialistic things, i am game for this adrenaline junkie! 

What my one year old taught me

As my son grows into his own, i am confronted with tantrums, stubborn screams, dramatic refusals and a whole lot of drama. But that is only one aspect of it. There is an equally elevated level of love, tenderness and affection all in a span of a few minutes!Sometime i feel it might be the beginning of a bipolar disorder for me. So, for my own sanity, i thought one day to take a step back and see what is really going on.

This is what i learnt:

1. He is an individual. This is a HUGE learning because all this while i wanted him to behave the way I wanted him to be. Why should he? He has a sharp mind. Has likes and dislikes like any one of us. He prefers to play with our shoes than his toys. it's HIS choice. Accept it. When i started giving in to these silly playthings, i realised that he was at the shoe game for a whole 5 mins then moving on to banging the spoon game or just plain distracted by a colourful balloon. What it saved me was a whole lot of back and forth screaming and preserving my sanity a little longer. Banging on the glass table is still off limits, FYI.

2. He has the right to choose how affectionate he wants to be with extended family and friends. OK, so just because i am close to a cousin, does not mean he has to be as well. If he does not want to Hi five my cousin, then so be it! I am not close to a lot of people and if you would force me to hi five them i would give you a look that could drain all your blood out! Then why do i expect him to share the affection that i share with another individual? He can take his time to know people better and trust them before giving out hugs and kisses. And anyway, for the kind of world we live in, i think its better off for my son to not go around kissing.. even the flying one.

3. PATIENCE: This has to be learning number 1. Every-time i want him to hurry up, only because the world expects it.. i have to consciously remind me to slow down. Like, when he would not crawl for a very long time, i did meet with some snide remarks and lots of free advice. It does get to you, to think your child is not upto mark. Thankfully, my husband was least bit affected and would only tell,'He will when he is ready'. it's true.. so true..because when he started, he would just not stop! like the little jerry mouse going all around the house, nibbling every little thing that crosses his path..would not stop even for a bit, not even to change the diapers..sweet misery! It all gets repeated again when the nosy relatives show their disappointment that my son does not walk on his own yet.. I smile..knowing very well that it's just the lull before the storm hits.

4. He is learning about this world. I know how to walk, climb, eat with my hands, wear my shoes not because i am a genius but i had my parents teach me all that. And i forget that climbing up a step is a learning that he has to go through. I was such a fool for him 'to know' how to climb up an uneven path..he stood there not taking a step forward because he could not balance himself up the incline..and i wondered for a fraction of a second what happened. Dumb mommy moment.. but the fun of it was that as soon as i took him up the incline he loved it so much that for the next 2 minutes we were going up and down the bumpy road! It's amazing to watch him build his confidence and enjoy the basic things in life that i had long forgotten. It is a humbling moment.

5. Living in the moment:  The minute you stop worrying about the milk that got spilled, the food that got burned, the bread crumbs on the floor, the nappy that needs cleaning, the clothes he pulled out of the closet and is sweeping the floor with and just look at him, you will smile.. with joy.. with love.. with the realization that this is the moment that memories are made of. that you will not get this day again.this time again..EVERYTHING ELSE CAN WAIT.

Did you see that?

This post is an epiphany. It has NOTHING to do with my son or me or my motherhood-ness..this is THAT OMG moment when i discover something and have absolutely no idea who to scream it out to.

So, if you have been following me by any chance, (i know you havn't) i have recently fallen in love with a lot of these pakistani salwar suits because they are stylish, smart, etc.. read it here if you want to know more.

Naturally i indulged in a lot of shopping to satisfy this craving. Bumped into a designer called Ali Xeeshan who's designs seemed cool and quirky...much like apna Manish Arora.  Picked up the suit below, but like all pakistani lawn suits, I had to assemble it like Ikea. Respite being that i could place the embroideries where i wanted them.

Mine is a tad different than what the model has worn but thats not the point here. What i would like you to focus on, dear readers, are the embroidered patches. The below one in particular.

Now while this Eid collection came out in Aug 2014, what has recently been launched in the classier part of the world, is -hold you breathe- Louis Vuitton 2015 Resort wear by Nicholas Ghesquiere (of Balenciaga fame) and it LOOKS LIKE THIS!!

Saw it on highheelconfidential, my go to blog with the first cup of coffee every morning in office while waiting for  my mails to download.

Now i shall breathe.. because you know now apart from me, that the BIGGEST conglomerate in the luxury world has blatantly copied a design from the much less known designer from one of the third world countries!

Below is Mr. Xeeshan with and in his creation.

Escape from Mommy Guilt

I resumed work almost six months ago, i needed that space.. needed that time out to do things that i enjoyed, to remind me what it was like to be 'ME'. I must admit that i am quite lucky  in that regard because my son has grandparents going ga ga over every little antics of his, loving him obsessively and taking excellent care of him. We also have a maid to help around with the mess he creates.

I know he is fine, i know his routine, i know he is loved and taken care of BUT every morning i walk out that door my heart goes in knots, my stomach churns and i want to rush back and hug him.. it takes every single ounce of will power to not look back and run..into the real world..into the buzzing maddess of this world.

A mom's got to do what a mom's got to do and unfortunately i don't believe there is any cure to all the guilt that mothers go through.. but you can always cheat your heart with loads of distractions.

Below are my top 5:

1. Listen to peppy, loud, meaningless music on your way to work (honey singh, beiber, lady ga ga). DO NOT listen to any beautiful meaningful songs because trust me, every good song WILL remind you of your little one.
2. Use the travel time to apply nail paint, the focus on your nails will take away the attention on the guilt.
3. Think about the bitchy co workers, all that negative energy will get routed towards them and will flush the guilt out of your system. DO NOT think about family..even an obscure uncle living in the south pole making a snide remark will cascade to what everyone else in the family also said and WILL make you even more miserable.
4. Go window shopping on your phone or if you are feeling really low, just shop..but don't make it a habit because a mommy has to budget EVERYTHING.
5. Read. Read.. READ engrossing thrillers, murder mysteries..anything enticing, cold, chilling..a complete 180 degrees to what you are going through.. It helps me like nothing else does..transports me so far away that sometimes, i need to be reminded that i have reached work already. This is the best way to time travel, cheat - heart travel, alternate universe travel..you get it. But please stay away from romantic, 'notebook' sort of books..  trust me, you are already drowning in the pool of emotions that your heart is churning out this very minute..you need something to halt that feeling not aggravate it.

Hope it helps.. and do let me know what your escape route is.

Get a Grip Mommy #3: Elizabeth Arden's 8 hr Lip Protectant Stick Review

Winters found their way to Mumbai finally..yay! the shawls and sweaters and boots will find their time to shine.. even if it is only for a few weeks..*sigh*

Endless cups of teas and drowning in cocoa butter cream, touching my nose to feel the nip in the air (nose becomes an unofficial thermometer)..bliss! bliss!! bliss!!!

What goes a 180 degrees though are my lips... even though i make a conscious effort to NOT lick them, or breathe through my mouth (blocked noses anyone?)..they still dry out like they took a trip to the north pole!

I knew it was time to buy a lip balm.. just go to a chemist and get one in a nice fruity flavor..did i do that? NO! why? same old same old.. too bored.. so instead of spending 200 bucks on it, i decide to visit a mall, i like to pamper myself sometimes..like a reward for making it without prozac.

So i picked up a lip balm for 800 bucks.. Why?  It had won awards.. lip balm - AWARD - WINNING.. yes, there is such a category!

But that's not all. it also does all of the below:

• Treats your lips to Eight Hour® Care.

• Helps moisturize, soften and smooth lips.

• Relieves chapping and cracking.

• Helps guard against the damaging effects of UV exposure with SPF 15.

Presenting, Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Creme Lip Protectant Stick..( even the '8 hr' is copyrighted, that says something? doesn't it? :-/) Don't eye roll.. drum roll!

Ok, fine, i know i am trying too hard to justify a LIP BALM and you might still not be convinced, so below are the pros and cons:

The good part:

1. It does NOT have an overwhelming fruity smell..just a faint clove oil aroma which is extremely gratifying.

2. It does NOT need to be reapplied after every cup of tea, lips still feel smooth and supple and hydrated.

3. Lipstick application over it is smooth. Not patchy, not slippery.You know the feeling of trying to paint a waxy surface.. it DOES NOT do that on your lips.

4. does not feel sticky or heavy on lips at all. has it ever happened to you that you start speaking with exaggerated lip movements because the lipgloss you applied so darn heavy that you have to make a effort to move your lips? No, well, i can give you a dozen of lip glosses to try out then!

5. It is not a tub, not a tube..it's a STICK.. See, i was done with tubs..very inconvenient and always thought the tube retained too much of product to throw away.. quite a miser i am like that! No, i just like to stretch my penny.. like every other middle class educated Indian does!

6. the packaging and product look so dull and fragrance so non inviting that my little one does not consider it a toy..Phew!! That is a BIG PLUS if you have a toddler rummaging through your bag at every given opportunity.

The Bad part:

It is expensive :(

For me, it was totally worth it.. does it's job really well and i don't have to worry that my son would smother it on the walls anytime soon. Did i mention SPF?

Totally Worth it!

BTW: Arden Beauty was my all time favorite perfume.. it was so 'me'..was heartbroken to hear it got discontinued... If anyone at Arden is listening, please get it back..pretty please!

Himalaya baby diapers - DON'T GO THERE!!!!

If you have read any of my previous posts, you would know i had a soft spot for Himalaya baby products. Good Quality, great fragrance.. Indian origin.. what was not to love?

Till they introduced their disposable baby diapers. Being a cloth diapering person, to be excited about a disposable knowing very well of the consequences, i still gave it a try..you know because its 'Himalaya'.

So hard i have tried to find at least ONE good thing about the diapers for old times sake and because mom told me to always look for the goodness in others, i failed....

Below are all the reasons why you need to put in that exact same amount of dough or maybe even less for a pack of pampers or huggies.

1. It looks like a sanitary napkin wrapped in butter paper, cheapest quality EVER!
2. It leaves crystals of solidified urine on my baby's private parts. ( I am sure there is a whole lot of chemicals touching my poor baby right there)
3. It makes the sound of crumpled paper every time my baby moves (Even in sleep)
4. Does NOT fit well at all. it feels frumpy and a little too narrow around the bums.
5. Mentions Anti Rash but gives my baby red marks all around his waist and crotch due to the stupid material it is made of.
6. It does contain the pee and poop (so do the others, including cloth..this is not even a valid point as i type)
7. The emotional turmoil it put me in when i realized that the brand that i once trusted had betrayed me.... excuse me, i need to call my lawyers now..

So, like i said before..Don't go there.. and you guys at Himalaya - I disown you from my baby's and my life.. goodbye!

Sudocrem - A story of love realised

The great thing about friends is that they introduce you to some really good products which you blindly abuse, leading to the worst thing, which  is that, you realize how good the stuff is only after you finish it to the brim.

Honestly, i was gifted a big jar of sudocrem and it seemed to work fine for my baby's rashes.they never seem to spread much and the rashes barely lasted more than a day or two. So, i assumed (yeah, stupid right?) that this is the way ALL anti -rash cream work - till the day Sudocrem was gone - Over-

This turned out to be like a  relationship 'mills and boons' are made of -  guy does not give girl her due- she leaves one day unannounced- he panics- realizes how incomplete his life is without her- goes to search for her and wins her back....ONLY i bought her back- literally.

Here's why this relationship is for keeps:

1. IT HEALS - yes, i tried others while i could get my sudocrem back.. but the rashes didn't budge, they grew- PAINFUL for my baby..till i slathered sudocrem again.
2. the fragrance has a calming effect on me- call me weird BUT it does contain lavender oil which is known to calm nerves down and acts as a great antisceptic.
3. I have used it on me for the rashes due to the sanitary napkins and it WORKS!
4. I have used it on my baby for mosquito bites and it helps dry it out.
5. Used it when i had minor burns, zits and skin abrasions - IT WORKS!

I understand that there might be better creams out there that work or that suit your baby..i didn't find any better than this...like it was made for me and my baby..

So, if you are still looking for 'The One' , please give sudocrem a chance, it might be just what's been missing from your life.

Like a fairy tale ending, 'And We lived happily Ever After'.

P.S: it did come with a huge price tag - INR 775 for 125 gms from firstcry.com. But worth every bit of it!

Get a Grip Mommy #2: Dressing up with the Enemy

Very dramatic, i know! I like drama...only the ones i create..am pretty selective like that. :) Though i am enjoying the drama my little one does...well, not all, especially NOT when he pretends to puke.. i jump to his rescue, frantically rub his back, sip him water, alert everyone at home to keep the mop ready and bathroom empty, only for him to  suddenly look up to give me the most mischievous smiles....WHATTHE!!...had it been ANY other soul on this planet and the neighboring, he would have got one big 'fatak' from me. Hmpf. But well. The heart is a fuzzy ball at this moment.
 
What the heart does, the body follows.. body is a giant fuzzy ball as well..  my low waist trousers itch at the c -section stitches (the ones i can manage to get into, that is) and the big belly on top resembles a giant muffin.. shirts look like bolero jackets.....basically i need a Prozac when i look at my wardrobe.

I have been hiding myself in yards and yards of anarkalis of late ( you can put up a tent for four in all that fabric!) and now i am bored..though i must admit my little one likes to hide in them once in a while..it's our little game :) so he crawls between my legs and he becomes invisible..it's true, no one can find him then..how huge am i??

Moving on from self pity, i have found solace in these Pakistani style shirt trousers (they are basically salwar kurtas but that is what they like to call it across the border). Its made in the softest of cottons called Lawn and are uber stylish..doing a fantastic job of giving you a smart silhouette and can pass off as formals or stylish casuals.. comes in loads of variety, you can have net or chiffon sleeves, beautiful colours and patterns...suddenly i have found a playground!

No more of trying to squeeze into the Vero Moda type clothes- synthetic BO inducing - bought on sale like 50,000 other girls & women - but a customized - well tailored- attire that goes from office to party..AM IN LOVE! (Nothing in the world can bridge borders like love, music and fashion!)

Oh yeah, didn't tell you, you can customize the stuff.. they generally come with embroidery patches which can be worn as you please.. and the length of the kurta can go on forever..

REMEMBER: longer the kurta, thinner the hips.

Throw in a saree once in a while and you have a neo Indian, classy work wear! Bring on the excel sheets!!

Mitthe paan di gilory,
Lattha suit da lahori,
Fatte maarti Phillauri,
Jugni mel mel ke, kood phaand ke,
Chakk chakaudde jaave…

 

(You are like) A Mouthful of sweetened paan,
Wearing a Lahori Cotton Suit,
Strong as the woods of Phillaur,
The Firefly(girl) is leaping, swinging, jumping,
Fearlessly moving…

Wearing Mashaal by Lala Vol 2, 2014 collection

Little one has discovered 'Fear'

Quote by the Buddha; A silent prayer for my son and everyone out there

 I always thought that 'fear' was a learned behavior. that till i don't teach my little one what fear is, he would be a dare-devil raring to go! for example, i assumed that only when i started to resort to 'dhuan wala', 'gabbar singh' or 'green goblets'  who would eat my baby up or take away his favorite toy if he didn't behave, he would not know what fear is. And i had decided long ago that i would not use these characters to make him do the right thing. I would reason it with him instead. hmm...hello, first time mommy, remember?

 Suddenly, no i could see it coming.. but i chose to ignore, thinking it would be a one off thing, but now my baby fears things..things that he loved once..i agree he always cried when the pressure cooker would whistle but these days; the diaper changing rooms, lifts, darkness and gulp! a bath  will make him cling to me and scream like his pants were on fire!! I mean, he took to swimming like a pro and now he cries every time i bathe him.. and what's with the claustrophobia? he was in an absolute dark, confined space for 9 months!!!these places should feel like home to him!! The shrieks in the lifts and diaper rooms are so scary that if you ever heard it, you would definitely call the ambulance!

I was wrong about the whole 'fear' business. Even if i don't teach him to fear..he will still learn.. and guess what, it's a part of his emotional development.. it's true.. negative emotions emerge between 7 to 12 months..no wonder my happy - go -lucky- decided it was time to be cranky - go - scream y.

So i have decided to 'mommy up' about it and make him feel safe in the 'fear zone' and when he is ready, we will start breaking down his fears one by one..( looks like this is going to be a long list)

To anyone who wants to know more about these development, am leaving you with a few excerpts:
 

Emotional Development in the First Six Months

• In the first month or so, crying is the only way a child can voice feelings of displeasure. By the third month, however, crying may cease and make way for real outward displays of emotion. Smiling will become a way to communicate. By four months, she gets even better at communicating needs, and begins to notice other people's emotions, too. When someone seems happy, she may smile, or if anger is shown, she might become upset. At five months, a baby may laugh for the first time, show preference toward familiar people, and demonstrate emotions through facial expressions. At six months, a child will start to imitate a parent's actions and emotions.

Emotional Development in Months Seven through Twelve

• At seven months a child might start to show fear. Between eight and ten months, a child will show facial expressions that correspond with basic emotions, and stranger anxiety will be in full force. Towards the end of the first year, he will show signs of independence, and continues to show every emotion he has. It isn't until his second year that a child learns to somewhat manage his feelings.

Emotional Development in the First Six Months

• In the first month or so, crying is the only way a child can voice feelings of displeasure. By the third month, however, crying may cease and make way for real outward displays of emotion. Smiling will become a way to communicate. By four months, she gets even better at communicating needs, and begins to notice other people's emotions, too. When someone seems happy, she may smile, or if anger is shown, she might become upset. At five months, a baby may laugh for the first time, show preference toward familiar people, and demonstrate emotions through facial expressions. At six months, a child will start to imitate a parent's actions and emotions.

Emotional Development in Months Seven through Twelve

• At seven months a child might start to show fear. Between eight and ten months, a child will show facial expressions that correspond with basic emotions, and stranger anxiety will be in full force. Towards the end of the first year, he will show signs of independence, and continues to show every emotion he has. It isn't until his second year that a child learns to somewhat manage his feelings.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_4578422_infant-emotional-development.html

Emotional Development in the First Six Months

• In the first month or so, crying is the only way a child can voice feelings of displeasure. By the third month, however, crying may cease and make way for real outward displays of emotion. Smiling will become a way to communicate. By four months, she gets even better at communicating needs, and begins to notice other people's emotions, too. When someone seems happy, she may smile, or if anger is shown, she might become upset. At five months, a baby may laugh for the first time, show preference toward familiar people, and demonstrate emotions through facial expressions. At six months, a child will start to imitate a parent's actions and emotions.

Emotional Development in Months Seven through Twelve

• At seven months a child might start to show fear. Between eight and ten months, a child will show facial expressions that correspond with basic emotions, and stranger anxiety will be in full force. Towards the end of the first year, he will show signs of independence, and continues to show every emotion he has. It isn't until his second year that a child learns to somewhat manage his feelings.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_4578422_infant-emotional-development.html

Emotional Development in the First Six Months

• In the first month or so, crying is the only way a child can voice feelings of displeasure. By the third month, however, crying may cease and make way for real outward displays of emotion. Smiling will become a way to communicate. By four months, she gets even better at communicating needs, and begins to notice other people's emotions, too. When someone seems happy, she may smile, or if anger is shown, she might become upset. At five months, a baby may laugh for the first time, show preference toward familiar people, and demonstrate emotions through facial expressions. At six months, a child will start to imitate a parent's actions and emotions.

Emotional Development in Months Seven through Twelve

• At seven months a child might start to show fear. Between eight and ten months, a child will show facial expressions that correspond with basic emotions, and stranger anxiety will be in full force. Towards the end of the first year, he will show signs of independence, and continues to show every emotion he has. It isn't until his second year that a child learns to somewhat manage his feelings.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_4578422_infant-emotional-development.html

Emotional Development in the First Six Months

• In the first month or so, crying is the only way a child can voice feelings of displeasure. By the third month, however, crying may cease and make way for real outward displays of emotion. Smiling will become a way to communicate. By four months, she gets even better at communicating needs, and begins to notice other people's emotions, too. When someone seems happy, she may smile, or if anger is shown, she might become upset. At five months, a baby may laugh for the first time, show preference toward familiar people, and demonstrate emotions through facial expressions. At six months, a child will start to imitate a parent's actions and emotions.

Emotional Development in Months Seven through Twelve

• At seven months a child might start to show fear. Between eight and ten months, a child will show facial expressions that correspond with basic emotions, and stranger anxiety will be in full force. Towards the end of the first year, he will show signs of independence, and continues to show every emotion he has. It isn't until his second year that a child learns to somewhat manage his feelings.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_4578422_infant-emotional-development.html

Get a Grip Mommy #1: 5 minute make up for busy Indian moms

My day begins like this...actually, i don't know when my day begins..i am still nursing my little one through the night and when the alarm rings, it feels like i just fell asleep a minute ago! Get that feeling?

Then the day just rushes by with - Breakfast for hubby and me - nursing baby - getting dressed for work - nursing again - running out of the house - hunting a rickshaw - running for the train - struggling for a taxi - till i finally reach office. LATE.

But the office is a different world.. you have to respect it.You wanted this. You worked hard for this. You can't let motherhood be an excuse for your unenthusiastic appearance - GET A GRIP MOMMY!

So the first thing i do after i reach office is smarten up my appearance in 5 mins flat! 

5 products, 5 steps and 5 minutes to a  glowing you!

L R: Lakme Eyeconic kajal, Bourjois concealer stick, Bourjois Happy Light foundation, Bourjois Healthy mix blush, Rimmel Moisture renew lipstick

Step 1: Dab a medium coverage foundation all over face. ( i tried BB creams. didn't work. I have pigmentation now. need a thicker base) I have used Bourjois Happy Light foundation in N52. This foundation is very easy to work it. spreads like a dream and gives a flawless effect without the 'made up' feel.
I rate it: :-D
Please note: i wear a moisturizer and sunscreen when i leave home.

Step 2: My new best friend - the concealer. No one at work wants to know how many times your baby woke up last night. Give the haters some more reasons..no dark spots! Bourjois concealer stick in Golden Beige blends in so well with my skin that even i start believing i had a 10 hr beauty sleep!
I rate it: :-D

Step 3: Kohl my eye and waterline with Lakme eyeconic kajal. Nothing fancy here. It does not stay all day. But does glide on easily. I don't know what it is, but kajal somehow makes my make up feel complete.
I rate it : : -|

Step 4: Nude lipstick for my lips.. i am a crazy person.. it's either nude or red! Since i am still going low key with my looks..it's going to be nude lips till i get my umm..groove back?! Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in Nude Delight. If i may say so, this shade is very close to MAC Yash..only it's creamy and not matt. But i am no expert. Performance wise, You have to re- apply post lunch. like any other lipstick out there. It has a soft texture and feels very light on the lips. In the 'nude' of health.
I rate it: :-)

Step 5: Contour the chubby cheeks with a matt blusher/bronzer. i have used Healthy Mix Blush in No. 41. It gives a good healthy glow but does not last all day on my face. I need to reapply post lunch to keep the cheeks flushed.
I rate it: :-(

Now do up your hair. look into the mirror and pout!

                             BEFORE                                                                               AFTER