The Brunette Diaries

Beauty Product Review: Mcaffeine Silver CAFFEINE Glow Gel

About Mcaffeine:

Mcaffeine is India’s First Caffeine Infuse Personal Care Brand. It’s an extension to the hyperactive lifestyle and individualistic identity.

About the Product:

1. Pure Silver Skin Rejuvenation

2. Even Toned Skin

3. Paraben Free and cruelty free

4. 100% Vegan, for All Skin Types.

Ingredients:

Nano-silver
Caffeine
Argan Oil
Vitamin E
Cucumber
Glycerine
Aloe vera gel base
Approved preservatives/fragrance/color

The main active ingredient in this gel is nano silver and caffeine.

Usage:

Take a liberal quantity, spread it evenly all over your face and massage with gentle, upward strokes until absorbed. For best results, use 3 times a day (morning, afternoon & night) after cleansing your face with MCaffeine Face Wash.

Check Out our Video Review on our YT channel: Click here

TBD’s honest review/opinion:

I have been using this product for more than a week now. The ingredients stand true in this product, one of the most refreshing gel I’ve used. As this product is caffeine based, it exfoliates your skin and gives you a smoother and fairer skin but more importantly a healthier skin type. I was skeptical as it is a gel-based product and I have oily skin, so I refrain myself from using gel as it tends to be sticky. But this product surprised me with how the gel seeps into the skin and is dried off. You don’t feel sticky rather like a layer of ice on your skin. That’s why it’s the best pick especially in summer season. It keeps your skin healthy and refreshed. You should definitely give this product a shot, you’ll be surprised too.

It retails for Rs. 549 and you can buy it directly from Mcaffeine’s website or from Amazon.

We hope you found this information useful and that you will use this product or atleast give it a TRY

What Does Tattoo Mean To A Person?

On World’s Tattoo Day, let us all share our stories and experiences about why we got inked, what importance does a tattoo hold in our lives. Getting inked is a tradition, followed since centuries, it holds great importance, many tattooed their victories in war, some tried to hold on to their lost dear ones onto their skin, it may be a hip culture for a lot of people now, and for others tattoos are the stories they can’t narrate themselves.

There are three reasons to as why people get inked:

1) Memories

Have you ever lost a pet that you grew up with? Lost your parent or a best friend? If yes, you will understand the pain of the loss. The memories will always haunt us, you can’t escape it, you only have to accept it and move on and tattoos help people do that. Getting those same memories skin deep makes you feel like you’re carrying them onto your life ahead with you. It is more than preserving something for eternity.

2) Art

Art has many shapes and forms, it literally comes from anywhere and is shared through any medium. Some paint it on a canvas or a wall, dance on a stage or streets, cook for their families or in a restaurant, art is simply everywhere. Tattoos are a form of art. People share stories through their art of tattoos. It is as our bodies are a piece of blank canvas and we’re painting it full of colours and depicting our emotions.

3) Love/Passion

It basically summarizes why people with ink, get inked. Their love or passion makes them ink it deep in their souls onto their bodies. It can be a quote very dear to you, an old photograph, your parent’s name or even an important date, it can be anything that you’re absolutely passionate about!

Here, at TBD, many of our team members have got really special tattoos onto their souls. Each tells a different story, you can say it’s a peek through a curtain into their life.

1) The big boss of our team is a mysterious person of us all, but her tattoos speak for themselves. She is an old-school book lover (Bibliophile tattoo) but is also fascinated with all the mysterious theories of our world. She knows that in life you need to write your own story and hence the “Quote-Unquote: Life is unwritten make your own quotes”. She lost her grandfather whom she was very close to and chose to get his birth year and the year he died, to be inked on her skin forever, cherishing his memories.

2) Our next teammate is everyone’s favorite lil bundle of joy, she says, “I am a hardcore believer of karma. I think we should get a tattoo of something that we learn throughout our lives and want to take to the grave. It’s an endless knot of karma which means you cannot escape your karma unless you do it without expectations!”.

3) This next human is known for her baby face and an always excited nature. She got stars inked on her neck. She loves being random and tries new experiences. “An always up for an adventure” kinda gal, so when her girlies would get ear piercing, she got herself a bunch of stars inked.

4) Lastly, I got this tattooed for my mother (quite evident). It was six years ago when she fell sick terribly. It was a moment when doctors had told us to bid our goodbyes to her, but God smiled upon her and she survived. It was mother’s day when she came home post her discharge and wanted to tell her how much she means to me and thus got this inked on that very same day.

We encourage you to share your stories with the world, write to us at [email protected]

Here’s Why You Look Older Than Your Age

You are taking care of your skin and feel proud of your fine lines and wrinkles, but do you feel that you look older than your actual age? It could be that there are other factors, aside from your skin, that is making you look older!

1) You’re wearing the wrong bra

Believe it or not, the bra you wear can instantly make you look taller, thinner, and younger or not. Wearing the wrong bra isn’t just uncomfortable (as basically anyone who’s ever sat through a workday with her bra straps digging into her shoulder can attest)—it can also affect the way your clothes fit and inadvertently cause you to slouch, both of which instantly age you more than ten years. Look for a seamless style with molded cups that will hug your curves and lie flat under clothes.

2) Trend slave

Trends come and go, so if that’s all you’re buying, you’ll soon be left with an outdated closet full of clothes and shoes that make you look behind the times. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t ever buy something trendy, if you really love something, buy it!

3) Your heels aren’t high enough

The more casual your shoes, the older you’re going to look, no matter what else you’re wearing. If you’re still wearing flats or low heels, swap them out for a pointy-toed pump, like these, instead, which will both up the sexiness factor on your favorite date-night outfit and help you look sophisticated. Not a heels person? Go for a pair of pointy-toed or ballet flats instead.

4) Your love for florals

Florals and paisley can be hit or miss, especially if the patterns are pale, dull, or neutral. Instead, try geometric patterns and stripes in a bright hue for a more playful look.

5) Oversize clothing

Instead of wearing oversize clothing to hide the parts of your body that make you feel self-conscious, choose pieces that accentuate what you like about your figure. A high-waisted pencil skirt, for example, cinches you at the smallest part of your waist, creating a flattering, youthful shape.

6) You’ve lost the shine in your hair

There’s a reason your hair isn’t as lustrous as it was when you were a kid: We produce less natural hair oil as we age, leaving hair dull and dry. To restore youthful-looking moisture, use hair oil after blow-drying and styling. Similar to the way body oil revives dry skin, hair oil can help restore shine and soften brittle texture.

7) Your eyeshadow sparkles

While it may sound counterintuitive, wearing matte shadow will actually make you look younger than wearing eyeshadow that shimmers. That’s because light-reflecting eyeshadows can settle into fine lines and wrinkles, making them more apparent. If you can’t avoid the allure of glittery eyeshadow, use it sparingly, like on the inner corner of your eye, and in combination with non-sparkly colors.

Make these small changes and see yourself sipping on eternal youth 😛

10 most common makeup blunders and how to avoid them

Come on ladies let’s face it; a little bit of good makeup is all that we ever need and we’re good to go! “Wake-up-and-makeup” is very common place in today’s times. But who would want to pay a bomb to any regular makeup artist every time? It’s the DIY age and makeup enthusiasts are not at all lagging behind when it comes to teaching or learning newer techniques to enhance your favorite features.

But hold your horses, ladies! It’s true that makeup if done right can work wonders for a woman, but there’s always a flipside to it. If your makeup goes wrong it can actually make you look 10 years older! And no makeup artist will tell you this but there are some really easy mistakes that you could make even with the traditional techniques. But worry not, because we at The Brunette Diaries have got your back. Read on to know what to avoid during your daily makeup routine and still look ever so pretty.

Moisturizer

Rule of the thumb: Always moisturise well! A good shine-free moisturizer is a must-have for every woman. But mind you, one can easily go wrong with this one. Using a heavy moisturizer will only make your skin shiny and allow your makeup to sink into your pores. Not only that, it could even result in highlighting your lines and wrinkles let alone hide them. So make sure to use the right moisturizer for your skin. A light oil-free moisturizer would be the best bet.

Foundation

Using the wrong colour of the foundation or the wrong type depending on your skin will only add to your woes. Choose the best foundation by applying some on the jaw line and checking whether it blends in with your skin shade. Powder foundations are best for oily skin; however, liquid foundations are easier to apply and blend well.

Concealer

This one can be really tricky. Going too heavy with concealer under your eyes will only make your dark circles standout. Make sure to use the right shade of concealer and try using minimal amount. The best shade is just one tone lighter than your skin.

Mascara

This makeup must-have is meant to lengthen the lashes and make the eyes look bigger. But if the mascara isn’t applied correctly it could give your lashes a clumpy look. This mistake is usually committed when you don’t curl and brush your lashes before using mascara on them. Using a wrong mascara brush will also do no good. Take this tip: use a water-resistant light mascara to help keep it from running.

Blush-on

The old adage goes by smiling wide and applying blush-on to the apples of your cheeks. But the clown-like rounds are far from flattering. Besides, that makes your face look saggy or jowly. Avoid using too much blush-on if you want to keep your makeup simple yet chic.

Lip Liner

Wearing a lip liner that is too dark in comparison with your lipstick may give the illusion of having a ring on your lips. Your lip liner should be of the same shade as your lipstick to avoid jarring.

Eye Liner

Too much liner will attract attention to your eyes are and sometimes, if gone wrong, you may end up looking ‘Goth-like’. Make sure to apply a thin stroke very close to your eyelid.

Powder/Compact

You’d think that powder or a compact can never go wrong. We’re sorry to say that it sometimes does. Women who apply powder or compact to set the makeup in place don’t usually realise that it accentuates the wrinkles and fine lines on their face. Make sure to apply compact sparingly and avoid the under eye area.

Eyebrows

Overly tweezed eyebrows make a face look considerably thinner and older. Go for a shape that suits your face type. If you have scanty brows, use a pencil two shades lighter than you hair colour and make soft, short strokes and blend them in properly. This will give your face a lift while adding to the oomph.

Blending it in

Any makeup artist would agree that when wearing makeup it shouldn’t be overwhelmingly obvious. Learn to blend your makeup well. Using a soft round sponge, blend your makeup keeping in mind to highlight your best features and downplay the flaws.

And you’re good to go! We hope this helps you when you wear makeup next time around. Remember ‘Less is more’.

Beauty shortcuts that cost you more than what your makeup did

At times, in this fast-paced life we hardly find time to spare for vanity. Hence, you may find yourself rushing through your makeup routine more often than not. While taking the easy way out is okay at certain times, some of the beauty shortcuts are best avoided. It must be understood that beauty does not come with the swish of a wand. Here is a list of some beauty shortcuts to avoid.

Sleeping with your makeup on:

Makeup certainly makes you look pretty and helps you feel more confident. But if you are too lazy to remove your makeup before bed, you might do a lot of harm to your skin. Sleeping with makeup enlarges the pores which may lead to bacteria that would only bring more acne. Be sure to use a good cleanser to remove your makeup. Coconut oil is also an effective natural option for makeup removal. But be sure to use a toner afterwards to help close the pores.

Applying makeup over makeup:

In a bid to save time, some women tend to apply makeup on a face that already has previous makeup on. This must be avoided at any cost, as too much makeup will harm your skin and clog your pores resulting in blackheads.

Avoiding sunscreens:

Stepping out for a lunch date and it is bright outside? Taking a trip to the beach? Planning to go shopping on a sunny afternoon? Don’t forget to apply sunscreen. The sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can profusely harm your skin and in the long run it may lead to different types of skin cancer.

Using dirty makeup brushes:

Using an unclean brush to apply makeup will badly contaminate your skin. When it comes to skin care, one cannot take any chances. If you don’t have time to clean your brush, use a new spare one.

Heat-styling wet hair:

While it is alright to blow dry your hair once in a blue moon, try not to heat-style your hair very often. Too much blow drying or ironing could damage the hair beyond repair. Your hair may become dry and brittle and lose its shine. If it’s really necessary to use a drier, make sure you keep the temperature not very high.

How to enhance your best features using makeup

Do you have a hard time enhancing your facial assets? Ever had a makeup-gone-bad experience? We all did. But what we did not do was take advice from the right source. No problem, there’s good news for all. The Brunette Diaries spoke to a few local MUAs and makeup pros and had all our doubts cleared about how to enhance the best facial features without looking caked-up.

Also read: 10 most common makeup blunders and how to avoid them

Our experts had us turning red in shame when they quizzed us about the CTM. We stood guilty. So lesson number one is: Always cleanse, tone and moisturise your face! Healthy and flawless skin is essential if you want to sport minimal makeup. Experts suggested a weekly face pack for a healthy glow.

The primary rule is, to prime before applying makeup. This takes care of the uneven skin and makes application of products easier.

Then we proceeded to the base of the matter – yes, the base. It’s best to use a foundation in a shade exactly matching your skin tone. Natural looking skin grabs the most attention. So it is crucial to pick the right shade. Further, use a concealer and highlighter to make thin lines on your favourite areas and best features.

Pick a foundation that matches your skin tone

If you have sexy, high cheek bones, use a little bit of blush to highlight them. If your eyes give competition to a doe (just saying!) then mascara should be your best friend. Apply some highlighter on the inner crease of your eyes to enhance them further.

Blush on is best to highlight cheek bones

This may interest you: Beauty shortcuts that cost you more than what your makeup did

If you’re proud of your pout, flaunt your favourite colours on your lips. We’re talking peaches, plums, hot pinks, scarlet, fuchsia etc. Apply little bit of foundation on the centre of your upper lip before finishing off with gloss, and voila!

Experiment with bolder colours on your lips

Finally, take a clean, fluffy blending brush and work your way all over the face.

Check out: Fashion habits that are bad for your health

Hairstyles That Can Make You Look Stylish Instantly!

Whenever we need to go out to a party or a function, one of the major things that we are apprehensive about is “How will my hair look?”, “How are they supposed to look?” Here we dole out some tips to you ladies so that you flaunt what you’ve got! So, glam up and look your best.

Before you embark on a mission to change your hairstyle, ensure that it is always well conditioned, and don’t forget that conditioning hair serum – it is a saviour! Now, choose your style!

Up-dos

Opt for a deep side parting, start at the left temple and sweep across to the right ear. You should go for one of them, either go for a super slick wet-look up-do or leave a few strands loose on your face for a soft, dainty feminine feel.

Mermaid Waves

Mermaid curls look extremely casual and sexy

This is good news for all the lazy ones! The latest trend this year is laid-back, fuss-free mermaid waves. The more randomly placed and tousled the better! All you have to do is plait your damp hair and sleep.

Short hair

Bob cut is back and how! This cut has ruled the roost on the ramp this year, and more and more girls out there are opting for this easy-to-maintain look. Try a side part long pixie cut, an undercut inspired by a punk or you can go for a close crop also.

Fringes

Whether you have a short bob cut or a bowl one, you can make a statement from your fringe this year. If you are the one who prefers a soft cut then long fringes will frame your face.

Wet look

The season’s most in look is the wet look and is wearable. Yes, seriously! Spread high shine serum on your hair before styling and go out flaunting that wet look of your hair.

Low ponytail

Abandon bad hair days by mastering the fashion ponytail. Super sleek and secured low at the nape of the neck or brought in front; make a low ponytail and finish with a ‘spritz’ of high gloss hairspray for a chic look.

Skin care tips for open pores

Open pores gives you an appearance of premature aging. Usually, those with the oily skin type are largely affected by this problem. The most common cause of open pores is acne infection and picking on pimples. The pores may be most apparent on the nose, cheek and chin where the oil concentration is higher. However, if you are willing to take that extra effort to take care of your skin, you can conceal such open pores and make your skin healthier than it is.

Exfoliation

Most people with open pores tend to think that scrubbing the skin excessively can cause the pores to appear closed. However, over-exfoliation can worsen the problem. Make sure you exfoliate only once or at the most twice a week without being too harsh on your skin.

Pimples

When you pop a pimple, your pores get damaged and this prevents it from returning to its original size. Rather, use some soothing remedy than touching a pimple, so that you can prevent scarring and open pores.

Sunscreen

Everyone seems to overlook the advantages of sunscreen and settle for a natural tan. However, sunscreen actually prevents damage from ultraviolet rays rather than just tanning. Collagen degradation can cause open pores as well, and if you use sunscreen effectively you can manage to keep your collagen levels optimal.

Home remedies

There are several home remedies to help with this problem. Lemon juice, aloe vera, curd, honey and vinegar and apricot are some ingredients that are usually used to prevent swollen open pores.

Microdermabrasion

Another way to reduce the size of the pores is with microdermabrasion. This method is normally conducted by a healthcare specialist. In this technique, fine crystals are used to mechanically peel the skin that helps to reduce open pores.

Beauty essentials for brighter and younger looking skin

Who wouldn’t want a flawless skin? Whether you are a teenager, a tweenager or nearing your late forties, age is just a number! A good skin care regimen can make you look years younger. If you don’t follow a skin care routine yet, it’s never too late to start. To get you started, find some beauty essentials listed below…

Moisturizer:

No skin care routine is complete without moisturizer. Always use a good moisturizer with SPF 15 before you step out of the house, as the sun can age your skin well before you do. Even before you go to bed, you must follow a CTM (cleansing-toning-moisturizing) code. The results will surprise you within a few weeks.

Skin serum: A good skin serum infused with vitamins B12, A, E can help in effectively combating wrinkles and fine lines. You can find the best anti-ageing serum at any good cosmetics outlet.

Anti-wrinkle day/night creams:

No, these anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle creams will not give you results within a day. Skin care goes a long way. If you want wrinkle-free skin at 40 then you must start taking proper care of it from the time you are in your late twenties. Use anti-wrinkle creams in the day as well as the night and keep yourself well hydrated.

Sunscreen: A good sunscreen is a must have for every girl irrespective of her age. The harmful UVA and UVB rays emitted from the sun cause tanning, dullness, and premature ageing. A sunscreen with SPF 20 or more should be regularly used for a flawless complexion.

Follow these tips and be assured of turning heads around!