Wishlist: Vegan Beauty Products

1. Derm Organic Shampoo - Its really hard to find shampoos that are not harsh for hair, would make them beautiful (not just in the short term but would do good to your hair in the long haul) and which is cruelty free - all at the same time. Ever since I discovered DermOrganic Shampoo I've been coveting over this product. It claims to have facial cleansers, which means no harsh chemicals, is crulety free and is enriched with Argan Oil and Omega-6 and Linoleic Acid, Vitamin E, Panthenol, Rice Amino Acids, and anti-oxidant plant extracts. Just can't wait to get my hands on it soon. I've tried the Moroccon Oil Shampoo and it's a rubbish product full of chemicals. Hoping this one is as natural as it claims. 

2. Lucas Papaw Ointment - Chapped lips, sunburn, minor burns, eczema - all problems one solution Lucas Papaw Ointment. Its a vegan ointment that has been in existence since over 100 years and has a big celebrity following too. I use Elizabeth Arden 8 hrs cream that has similar use, but with very different ingredients. Minor gripe, Lucas uses petroleum jelly. But I am definitely going to try it, on my wishlist!!

3. Stark Cleansing Balm - A balm that works as a cleanser and a hydrator; it melts away daily grime and dirt replenishing your skin with healthy antioxidant rich plant derived oils and butters. Plus its vegan. Now isn't that a wonderful product? The About us section of Stark Sincare is very compelling. It reads "We don't like the beauty industry, and lo and behold, we make all-natural skincare products. Some might think that's a bit of a conundrum, but we're ok with it. We're comfortable in our own skin, and we want you to be as well", I was sold by it and their products are a big on my wishlist. In fact Green Tea Detox Clay Mask from Stark is another vegan product that I would love to try.

4. Betty Hula Champagne and Spice Moisturising Cream - I found this on Glamour Magazine's "How to be naturally beautiful" List and have been wanting it ever since. It read "It not only comes in cutest pot known to womankind, but it smells absolutely divine and leaves the skin super smooth. Plus, the potent mix of natural shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe vera and coconut oil makes it great for smoothing irritations and fading scars and stretch marks." All of this in a vegan moisturisier, I am totally excited to lay my hands on this vegan product too.

5. OCC Lip Tar - I've used Lip Tar and I am in love with them (read here). Their reds are divine reds and I am sure the other colours from their lip tar range are equally amazing. I got them from US to India through a friend, and the product was amazing. It's really hard to find good vegan makeup, especially the lip colours. This product by all standard is amazing. Want them in all colours!!!

FOLLOW ME TO....

 






















Aren't these amazing?

FOLLOW ME TO... a series of pictures taken by Russian photographer Murad Osmann that creatively documents travels of his girlfriend Natalia and himself around the world. Each shot is taken in a similar composition at different geographies across the world - London, Paris, Hong Kong, Granada, Austria ..... etc etc etc (lucky chap). 

I totally loved them. You can follow them here.

NEW LOVE - OUTHOUSE JEWELRY

 

This fashion era is all about making a strong statement - bold yet beautiful, audacious with spunk, feminine with androgyny. Fun, fearless and audacious  that's what Outhouse Jewelry is all about. Brainchild of designer sisters Kaabia and Sasha Grewal, who come together to create edgy and eclectic baubles that have stirred the jewelry world.

From New York to Paris - just two years in existence and they've made a big mark not only in India but international markets as well. Baroque pearls, rose gold, coloured gemstones, spikes brought together in rich craftsmanship make a wonderful statement.

I am totally in love with the pearl necklace, just so many ways I can wear this to pep up any outfit.
 

Mozez's Mughal Pop

 

Tradition twisted, these amazing pieces are the work of Mozez Singh - a writer, filmmaker, and a product designer. Singh twists the tradition and heritage of India  by giving it a contemporary, modern and artistic look in the form of beautifully crafted furniture and home decor. Any one piece of furniture from his collection will transform your space from cool to uber cool.

 

Most interesting part? Their names are equally cool, my fav piece from the collection is called - 'Akbar is a Star' the white rocking chair with literally a star. In case this post tickled the urge to check out these quirky, interesting Mughalish pieces, you can find them at Good Earth.

 

 

Almost Vegan Bags: Angela&Roi Handbags

Square Tote

Palette Cross Body

Sunday Tote

Its always a delight when I discover a good vegan brand (I'd say the same for shoes). In my online journey, I stumbled on Angela and Roi - its a brand and the names of founders who created a range of vegan fashionable handbags.

Although the couple were not really trying to create a vegan brand (their vision is to create affordable high quality fashionable handbags, and keeping them vegan apparently helped them keep their bags in 'affordable' category over leather), nevertheless it happened to be vegan and that's admirable. I can never understand how shallow can people get - just for the sake of fashion they can take a poor living being's life and make them go through excruciating suffering. Well I hope Angela and Roi continue to keep it vegan and not harm animals even if their lives come cheap.

Back to the bags, they're basic classic styles with fun colours. Made in Korea, totes, shoulder and cross-body are the three key styles. Sunday range of totes are my favourite from their range (ostrich tote the least favourite) - caramel and neon yellow the favourite colours.

The bags have ample space to carry daily essentials including ure iPad and even inside and outside zipped pockets and two mobile pockets to keep your stuff organised - love the fact that they paid heed to the basic utility and functionality which even the most luxury brands miss most of the times.

Few interesting and useful things about their bags that sets them apart -

- Quality assurance: one of the rare gestures, their website describes the process used for making the bags with design materials used. They're so sure of their quality and assembly. We like that

- 90 days warranty: if the quality assurance was not enough their bags even come with a warranty. Any defect in materials and workmanship within 90 days and you'll get a replacement of refund

- For a cause: every colour from their range of handbag represents a cause towards which a portion of each sale will be donated. For example sale proceeds of bag that comes with the Green Ribbon will be donated for patients suffering from Anxiety and Depression, similarly red is for Aids, gray ribbon for diabetes, so on and so forth. Isn't that clever and very thoughtful?



I am beginning to like Angela and Roi, would love to meet these folks. And yes, I am totally loving their bags, though with a major gripe - why keep the trademark ribbon (inspired from Cancer ribbon) in leather when everything is vegan?.

I'd buy them when they change the ribbon to vegan, but I really felt sharing them on Beautify.

Have a great week

 

Home Decor: White-spiration

Here's how you can make the white work in your house

 

 

From Beautify's Pinboard

Cannes 2013 - Best Dressed

Oh yes its Cannes Film Festival again, this time Cannes 2013 (I am still not sure whether it is Oh yes with a smile or the Oh yes with a frown)... either ways you can't ignore it thanks to its ubiquity everywhere - whether its TV, magazine, online or the newspaper.

So yes Cannes FF 2013 is here - that time of the year when we spot beautiful women coming out int heir best attires from around the world all at one place - Cannes, France.

 Here are some of the best clad women at Cannes (and we have some wonderful Indian women making the list, with Sonam Kapoor totally rocking it in an Anamika Khanna saree and a nose ring)

 Freida Pinto in Gucci Halter in Fuschia

Sonam Kapoor in Anamika Khanna Couture and Sunita K jewelry at Cannes 2013

Sonam Kapoor at Cannes 2013

Solange Knowles in Stephane Rolland Couture Dress

Who's your favourite? We know ours is Sonam Kapoor.
 

Spring me up - Coveting Over

Topshop Split Spot Top, MSGM Neon Bag, Stella McCartney Brocade Pants, KG Shoes

Spring is here and I couldn't resisting checking out some Spring New Ins in the stores. Spring's florals, prints and neons is getting better every year.

Each season I promise myself to stay away from browsing Online Stores and only buy what I really need. Thank God this time lucky for me the pieces I am coveting over are a little steeply priced, which would keep me away from swiping my card. But hey there's no price to creating a wishlist, and you never know who'd pop up and gift me one of these (I hope someone's listening).

Which is your favourite pick?

Dries Van Noten Spring 2013

"Spot on" describes Dries Van Noten Spring Summer 2013 Collection - a breathtaking collection that made checks (tartan, plaid) deceptingly feminine and chic and grunge refreshingly beautiful.

Van Noten's SS13 collection completely took my breath away, don't know how did I miss it and when I spotted its pieces while browsing something online, was completely smitten by it.

  

Source: Vogue, Lecikitty

Vogue, Cosmo Up for Grabs - Zinio Giveaway!!!

 FREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FROM ZINIO - BEAUTIFY'S GIVEAWAY

 
   

   

I love to get my hands on magazines whenever I can. And ever since I got an iPad I have been hooked with Zinio - the best digital newstand. Its the best app ever!! In fact, Zinio has received the Best iOS Magazine App During Best Ever Apps Awards at 2013 Mobile World Congress. In fact, Zinio is celebrating their success with special promotions only for limited time

- Spring Ahead promotion where you get up to 50% off on select titles including Maxim, GQ, Allure, Conde Nast Traveller, Eating Well, W, Reader's Digest and more. Promotion is only up to 19 March 2013

When Zinio emailed me for sponsoring a Giveaway on my blog, I couldn't say no (I don't do Blog Giveaways, and this is the first time I was convinced for one)

You must be thinking what's this Giveaway all about? Zinio is giving away 10 free digital magazine subscriptions to Beautify's readers, so you can read your favourite magazine wherever and whenever you like.

Since I couldn't help but keep one for myself (thanks Zinio), Nine Beautify's readers now have a chance to win free subscriptions from Zinio (oh and don't worry, no credit card required and no strings attached).

To win your Free Subscription, all you have to do is -

- Visit Zinio Library and leisurely browse through their collection of over 5,000 magazines from over 200 countries in 33 languages and take your pick

- Once you are done, head back to this post and leave a comment with your Full Name, email address (mandatory) and name of the magazine you would like a free subscription of (from Zinio Library) if you win, (I don't guarantee but will definitely try to match your preference)

- Follow Beautify-flr blog through google connect (just click on Join this site tab on right)

- Head to Beautify's Facebook Page and 'Like' us

- And finally wait for the email in your Inbox with your subscription details (if you win)

You have upto 31 March 2013 to participate in this Giveaway

It doesn't matter which country you are from, you have an equal chance of winning this free subscription.

Have questions? Just leave a comment or email me at beautify.flr@gmail.com.