#NaturesCo #BeautyWish Box for Valentine's Day

"The Greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance"

-Brian Tracy 

"For everything else, Gift a Beauty Wish Box to your friends, family and sometimes self. Like I did"

- HauteKutir

February is here again. The month of love and Valentines. The love is in the air throughout the year though. However, celebrating it that one special day is indeed a beautiful feeling. To make the celebration even richer, joyous and beautiful, one of India's leading natural and eco-friendly beauty [bath & Body] products selling brand- TheNaturesCo has curated a special Valentine's day Beauty wish subscription box for its customers in India.

As you would know by now, their theme for February was- V Day.

The Valentine's day box came in a cute and sturdy heart shaped. red cardboard box. It contained few sample products from the brand itself that included-

1. Nature'sCo Chocolate Mint Body Butter- Special edition- in a small heart-shaped plastic box
2. Nature'sCo Cherry Face Wash
3. Nature'sCo Rose Bath Salt 
4. Nature'sCo Chocolate Creme Body Wash [ Err too much of chocolate]
5. Nature'sCo Body Mist- Passion Fruit
6. Nature'sCo Body Mist- Water Lily
7. The Nature'sCo  Berry Lip Balm- Bonus gift
8. A couple of chocolates

The brand promised to deliver the box before Valentine's day and they did so. 

My Experience: This was my 2nd subscription ever since the company launched its services in October 2013. I loved the concept and kudos to team The Nature'sCo for coming up with this lovely theme and ensuring that it was customized to the T. I liked the range of products in the box that covered from face wash to body mists [I love them] to body butter to bath salt/ cream wash to lip balm. What I did not like was the quantity and range of ingredients. For eg- Though I loved Rose flavored products but having an additional dose of chocolate was little too much for me. However, I loved the berry face wash more [review coming soon]

The box came with a red scroll [it was a lovely, lovely thing] and few discount vouchers with a limited period offer up to 35% discounts. 

Beauty Sampling in India-

It is a very common practice in abroad wherein you can visit the cosmetic brands and stores and requests for a "sample" products to try before actually buying the retail product. In India, it is still unknown and mostly considered as "uncouth" practice. Yeah, surprisingly!

Unlike Birchbox and Glamguru in West, India offers a handful of beauty box/bag services. Primarily, players like Vellvette [Now Fabbag], Enchantess and Envy box are ruling the roost. While I have tried Fabbag and Enchantess [my review here], Envy box is yet to entice me enough to subscribe for it. The industry is little over-rated in a country where a lot of key players ends up selling otherwise free samples or some drugstore products and a lot of time inferior products in the market/subscribers. 

Why #BeautyWish Box from #NaturesCo

Ok so I have not painted a very good picture of beauty boxes in India and that made me wonder why should you then buy @TheNaturesCo products? 

Well for a simple reason that unlike other bags that collects, compiles and send assorted products from assorted brands, TheNaturesCo uses its own products. The products wherein are all natural and eco-friendly. [They even help you recycle the empty boxes/containers of their products and you end up getting discounts too on that]. Isn't it a cool idea? Besides, you would be aware of the quality of products and know who and were to reach next time you have to pick your favorite product or send your feedback etc.

Besides, it is a good gifting idea as well.

If you are wondering if I am paid by them, well no. The opinions on www.hautekutir.com have always been unbiased and based on merits & facts.

#Anatomy of #TheNaturesCo BeautyWish Box

The products, theme, box type varies from month to month basis their current themes. However, the structure as of now is little consistent to avoid any heartburns. Here's a small illustration, interpreting the same.

The box is available through a subscription model. The details of which you can find at their website. You can subscribe to this box on either monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. For eg- monthly subscription cost you Rs 595/- per box. 

Haute Kutir Recommends- Yes! At Rs 595 per month, the box is worth trying given the unique theme it brings every month and good customer service that it offers. The brand is not a garage-based, unknown identity but shows it's seriousness in business by having flagship stores across the malls in your city. Like Infinity 2 in Mumbai, Malad West.

That's all for now, readers! In case, if you have any question or query, do get in touch. Happy Shopping, Happy Grooming!

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Get Flirty with Jabong

If looks could kill...people would have dressed to kill. Well they do, while they do it, lets see if we can recreate a little miss Bo Peep look back. Here's few tricks, here's few clicks that you need to sport to get on with that flirty look with Jabong!

Here's the ensemble-

1) Tops and Tunics Sleeveless Solid Blue Dress
2) Mishka Full sleeve self-pattern white shrug [optional]
3) Bag- Miss Bennet Orange Sling bag
4) Shoes- My Foot Blues Stilettos
5) Watch- Citizen Eco-drive Silver Blue Analog Watch
6) Earrings- Caratlane fourstone diamond stud
7) Bracelet- Ratnakar Silver bracelet

 The entire look is created using the products is available at Jabong.com. To know more about the product or purchase, do click the link on each. Happy Browsing, Happy Shopping and Yes happy go killing-by your beautiful, stunning looks.

The Retro-Metro Man!

The Metro men are no longer the white shirt, black pants dressing anymore. The metro men are evolving. His boundaries are getting widened. From the traditional home-office-family function-casual- business dining" routine, the metro men are celebrating various occasions in his life, and dressing up is no longer just a women's arena.

Let's make him more dynamic, without experimenting too radically. They say no- one step at a time. Here's we go, creating a pub, party semi-casual look for the metro men, the urban-sexual to cool his heels off, dance, party, and be winsome at the same time.

The Metro Men- Look

1) Shirt- I have chosen the usual favorite [a color that makes a lot of men look electrifying- blue. The shirt here is- US POLO ASSN Navy Blue Solid Casual Shirt

2) Jacket- to bring that added flair to the usual blue jacket, I chose here- Arrow Grey Solid Blazer. 

3) Pants- John Player Blue Slim Fit Jeans 

4) Tie - have a fascination with men in a tie...hee hee..no, not that wild. The tie is handy when the man you are dating acts funny and the fabric acts as a perfect tool to strangle his neck..oops back to fashion and pl do not have such ideas. The one in the picture is Zeal Maroon/Macroon fiber tie. It should be tied loose and the knots should be left hung casually.

5) Shoes - Woodland Khakhi Loafers. The rugged look looks cool and with that maroon tie and blue jeans, it spells magic

 6) Belt- Puma Ferrari lifestyle Brown Leather belt

7) Watch- Fossil FS4736Brown/Silver Chronograph

8) Fragrance- what else but Hugo Boss bottled EDT

9) Wallet- Let us be little sporting here and give him- Woodland Brown Leather Wallet

10) Sun Glasses- Aha! This one is tricky, however, I chose Ray-Ban Pink Golden Aviator

11) Cufflinks from Orosilber Silver Enamel Cufflinks

SO that was a look idea for men's clothing, styling courtesy Jabong. Hope you like it. For any suggestion/ comment, do drop in your message here, in the comments box below.

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For collabs, email at hautekutir@gmail.com

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Jabong and Mid Summer Dream

Let's Live a Midsummer Dream with Fashion, Beauty & Style!

Summer is fast approaching. Time to stake away all your layers, heavy woolens, cause it is time to "Break Free" and be the "bonhomie" self. Summer Bonhomie!

Blue Cerulean Sky, blue water, and blue bonhomie, lo and behold that give an idea of creating a new summer look- Bonita Blue.

Here we go, creating a "Bonita Blue" look from Jabong, India's no 1 online shopping portal [my experience says so]

Bonita Blue- The midsummer Bonhomie Look

The look to be created here considering the sweaty nature of summer is kept minimalist, sober, and easy to carry. I am experimenting with the idea of wear-ability, multi-purpose dressing [suiting 2 occasions at least], comfort, and Chic quotient. Here we go-

1) The outfit

I chose "Summer Loving Kaftan dress" by Wendell Rodricks  

2) Footwear-Sandals- Floy Cream Sandals by Jabong. 

3) The Bag- Lavie Altura Beige Dome Satchel Handbag- you can sling, you carry in hands, nevertheless, it looks smart and big enough to hold your summer accessories incl scarves, etc here!

Given that outfit is flowing, I would rather give her a bag that is neat and more in control and above all that doesn't mess with the dress.

4) The watch- Espirit Vivid Orange Analogue watch. 

To accentuate the look, make it bolder, I chose the orange color than underpaying with the usual beige. The leather is a perfect choice than a metal strap.

5) Sunglasses- Brown Square- Cateye Sunglasses, 

6) Neck Accessory- Two strings of Youshine Blue/Green Necklace. 

Time for Make-up...with so many vibrant colors being introduced in the market, it is time to experiment and accentuate that dull look to a more warm-up, enticing face, Here's how-

7) Eyes- Lakme Eye Color Quartet Silk Tanjore Rush Eye Shadow. Esp the colors of golden yellow, green and blue to make eyes look dramatic and stand out. 

8) Eyes-Kajal- Lakme Eyeconic Kajal to define those peeps

9) Lips- Lakme Enrich Satin Lip Color 651.  Post heavy eyes, I prefer to keep the lips nude. The orange tint in it would bring a subtle glow and the satin-smooth will complete the look.

10) Nails- Lakme Absolute Gel Stylist Caramel Melt- a color to not a shock but melt in your heart and bring cool effect is summer madness

11) Face- Lake Rose Powder with Sunscreen- to be sweaty, the shineless skin at bay with minimal makeup and easy touch-ups.

12) Fragrance- Davidoff Coolwater Deodorant- who says masculine smells entice no women? ;) It is summer bro!

Check out my new Amazon Beauty haul. 

Well, that was The mid-summer Bonhomie- Blue Bonita looks. Additionally, we can enhance the look with a scarf of your choice.

So here we go. Beat your summer blues with Bonita Blue and render in bonhomie and shades of hue. Cheer!

Haute Kutir,

Ekta

Update: Dear Readers, the links have been removed for hygiene purposes as the Jabong website, we all know is no longer functional. Thanks.

Check Out a few of My YouTube Fashion and Beauty Videos here 

Ethnic Haul for All

WHY Primer?

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For collabs, email at hautekutir@gmail.com

Follow Me On Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Snapchat [ektakhetan]

Review- Marico Launches New Saffola Total Oil

The Oily Business & The Indian Continent

Edible oil is an inseparable part of Indian cooking and that explains the reason why the market is flooded with a plethora of brands and companies claiming to be better or cheaper than others. The market has been so enticing and ever growing that even foreign entrants esp in Olive Oil category are eyeing at Indian markets, increasing the ever competitive oil sphere in India with each company trying to outdo others by introducing new varieties of oil with even newer "refined" aspects. The focus has shifted from "Taste" to "Health" and "price" to "value proposition".

I can boast a lot cause I come from a family who had once owned an oil mill in a town of MPCG and eventually have to shut the business as they refused to compromise quality over margin pushing. Nevertheless, being a health-conscious professional that I am, I chose my oil very carefully and aim to strike balance between health, taste, and price of course.

About Saffola and SaffolaLife.com

Saffola is widely known as a heart care brand in the food category. It offers many products in the same category which includes- Cooking oil, Rice, Salt and off late functional foods. The brand esp in the edible oil category has been recommended as good by doctors in IMRB Track. To know more about their products, interesting recipes, video, do visit their website- www.saffolalife.com

Saffola Total

FMCG Major Marico has recently launched a new oil in its health category- Saffola Total. Having used their other variant including oats and Muesli, when the brand reached out to me to try their new product and post my honest feedback about them, I could not say no to one of the favorite brands of the nation. 

What the product/brand Claims

The brand claims that it is better than olive oil and has-

            

My Interpretation

Every time I read the word "high in antioxidants", I could not resist trying that product. No thanks to so many free radicals [which also occurs by even heating cooking oil in high temperature], our body needs antioxidants to fight the ill effects of the same. Saffola Total claims to have 5 antioxidants than 2 as present in Olive oils which are less suitable for Indian cooking but considered healthier than the "double/triple" refined oils which tend to get even harmful at each step of refinement. Talking is cheap and they say the proof of the pudding is in eating. So I used this oil and cooked all my meals for a week using the same. Here's my experiment with truth.

My Cooking Experience

I cooked various dishes with this oil to have a better idea and be able to post an honest review. The stuff that I cooked included- Parathas [India Bread] with and without stuffing, Legumes like Pulses [daal fry, Black Gram etc] Sabjis and Kadhis and breakfast items and also used it to make french fries etc.

I am an avid user of Olive oil and I use from Leonardo to Borges to many another variant as available in the market. I shelved away all my oils including olive, mustard and other refined oil that I use in everyday cooking to bring a different flavor and here are my two pence on it-

On Product

• The oil is indeed promising and gives a good cooking experience.  
• The oil has no typical or strong scent and is neutral to smell which is a good thing
• The oil is light and is low in saturated fats
• The oil does not get smokey when heated hence produces less free radicals. Hence, a good option for deep frying.

• It can be used for wide range of Indian foods i.e. Paratha, Vegetables to Rajasthani Kadhi to Methi Malai Matar [recipe coming soon on www.hautekutir.com] to Daal fry, Khichdi and all.

Price

I tried 1ltr pack prized at Rs195 is little high if you compare with other oil in general category. However, if you are health conscious and seeing the oil really works for you, comparing it with rates of overprized Olive Oil in India, it is competitively priced.

Packaging

The 1 ltr variant came in a plastic bottle with a usual design from Saffola. However, given the nature of oil [any oil for that matter], a jar makes good when it has necessary space to hold it, which was amiss here. Even the mouth [top] of bottle is too wide for direct supply to cooking wok, could have been better if it was as narrow or pointed like some olive oil that I use :)

Place

Well in today' world of converging screen and marketplace, the oil is well placed at all retail outlets including online stores like aaramshop.com. Availability seems to be no issue given the wide length and breadth of retail coverage of Marico's product in the market and their sale-ability.

Promotion

You would have seen TVC on various channels, here's one from a private channel showcasing real customer's opinion. Disclaimer- The below video does not belong to author nor the lady in the link is anywhere related to her. The link is taken from Youtube.com via aaraamtv.

The Final Verdict by HauteKutir

So after a week of detailed Indian Cooking with Saffola Total Oil, I came out with a fairly good experience. It is not just me who is talking this but also includes my father, a generation that hates all oil and being a diabetic, very conscious of type and amount of oil that goes in his food. He too liked the oil and we continued to cook with its day. Next on my wishlist is Pasta and Chow-mein [to experiment global cooking]. 

[Make a Saffola basket and use it for gifting purpose- indeed a healthier option than cookies etc that we do not eat much and often ends at notional value. A Gift of Health & nutrition. Image & idea courtesy- www.hautekutir.com]

 Would I recommend this oil?

The answer is yes. The oil is indeed good for daily use. It not just offers to be double with antioxidants but the usage of two oils is a good proposition. However, one suggestion here that I always tend to tell myself is- No matter how good the oil is, still it should be used in moderation. I had this tendency to add additional oil esp in case of Olive oil and this one [given the health benefit] but trust me, I cook with less oil instead of adding cups of it to just make food cooked fast and taste like a restaurant. 

Value for Money: Yes [4/5]

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, bring home a "Saffola Total oil" today and notice the difference. You can also make a gift pack of this [like I show in the picture above] with other Saffola variants and earn brownie points. Here's a cheer for "Simple Living and Higher thinking". Hip, Thigh, Hoorah! 

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Disclaimer: all products reviewed on this site [whether own or sponsored] are genuine and are reviewed without any push from brands/products/agency as such. The opinions/ reviews expressed here are original and valid. You can rest assured for 100% right review here. And that is the reason I do fewer but qualitative reviews here.

To get your products/ services. website review on hautekutir, do drop me a mail at hautekutir@gmail.com and I will get back to you. Thanks.