You can watch this here on my YouTube Channel [ekta khetan] video link
PRODUCT DETAILS AND IMAGES
GIVEAWAY Rules of the Giveaway
1) Name at least 3-4 unique ingredients mentioned in the video
2) Subscribe me on YouTube and share your feedback on my channel /videos [very important rule]
3) Tag your friends and share this giveaway with as many people you want
4) Follow me on Instagram [ektakhetan] Lujobox for extra points
Only 1 winner will be selected
the winner could be male or female or even transgender
Giveaway is open only for India/Indian addresses.
Selection of the winner
1 winner will be selected basis the performance quality.
THE HAUTE KUTIR VERDICT
It is a lovely box and worth buying one. Go for it. Update The contest is closed and the winner is chosen. The winner for this giveaway is- Saumya Gupta, Rajneesam on Instagram Congrats Soumya, we liked your consistent performance on our videos and Instagram. Pl email your address and photo id to us at hautekutir@gmail.com
Thank you others for your participation. We had quite some good participation from other contestants like Anita, Amrita, and Kashu among others.
You must be wondering- how come a beauty blogger like me who advises natural and home care formula, yet visits a salon occasionally? But here's a thing about occasional indulgence and self-pampering that you cannot ignore. I do like visiting salons at a time to get my dose of indulgence. Except for the hair, I can do everything at home that the salon offers. And often more hygienic and cost-efficient way than the salon. Yet the idea of visiting a well-done salon and get a little served by someone else is tempting. Tempting enough to waste the shit load of time and money.
I am neither promoting salon culture nor bringing it down. But I would love to avail of a good offer whenever it comes my way. And men, I really love getting pampered.
In this blog, I will reminisce about one of my salon outings in Ahmedabad. I will talk about the services I had there, my experience, and overall feedback. I know it is more interesting to get the services by yourself than reading about someone else's experience. However, if you are in the same city, I am sure every review makes a difference. Here's let me make this one worth your time.
A Day [or two] at the Salon
It was that time around Karwa Chauth and Diwali when El Dios offered me to try their new festive package worth Rs 4000. It is the same new salon where I got my hair keratin done [blog/vlog coming soon]. Since my hair was behaving decently I thought of giving the salon another try. I anyways had to get the regular threading, waxing done which unfortunately was not part of the package. Ahh! grooming goes down the drain.
So, what was the part of the package?
It was a special Diwali Grooming package. The package comprised of 4 services including a facial, a hair spa, a basic manicure, and a basic pedicure.
What I availed?
I got a facial, a basic manicure, hair wash with a blow-dry and a complimentary eyebrow threading. The pedicure never happened in spite of several reminders.
What I liked most?
Indeed the facial and the hair blow-dry. After all, who does not like a good facial? and someone washing your hair on a salon chair is quite relaxing. I requested the same hair technician who did my hair keratin and he happily obliged.
Read the Facial Segment for detailed experience.
Salon Tour and The complete experience
It actually took 2 days of sittings to finish the above services. Do check out my detailed video for the salon tour and detailed experience.
Have you seen Japanese people's skin? Isn't it so clear and beautiful?
Well, while demography, DNA and weather play their own role, getting skincare secrets from experts always helps. And cross-cultural rituals are fun to try.
So when the salon suggested this wonderful facial by the Japanese brand, I was all curious. It was the first time that I think I tried this Kanpeki Facial.
Men, I was quite intrigued and excited by the whole package. Since I was shooting the vlog, the salon took me through the entire package and process. I had to maintain the video length, so I needed to chop that segment though. Besides, it was more personal based on my skin type.
Yes, they have different variants starting from Rs 2000 for different skin types and concerns.
How was my facial session? Oh, I just loved it. The spa room was done tastefully and had a calm and peaceful aura about it. Check more on my video.
The seed mask was the most amazing and intriguing part of it. It took around 40-45 minutes to finish the ritual which included 10 minutes of the massage and 2 different types of the mask. Oh yes, I liked the glow.
Do not get daunted with the wooden platter and accessories as shown in the video as they were mere props and not used during the process.
If you are going for the same facial, you can bring the box as a memoir [suggested by the salon head].
Hair Needs a tender Head Massage and Wash
The tress needs to get de-stress too. I was recommended a simple hair wash and blow-dry. Cause I had recently got a Keratin treatment and salon advised to not take the hair spa. Given the time constraint, I settled for the hair wash. Cause my D'ORO Keratin shampoo and conditioner were yet to arrive and my hair needed the wash.
The hair keratin video is going to be coming soon on my YouTube channel. I have delayed it to give a more realistic picture of the treatment. Cause talking about a treatment immediately always results in unclear and ineffective feedback. It is always better to wait for some time before getting carried away with salon-fresh hair to gauge better.
If you are planning hair keratin, my vlog is going to be helpful. So do ensure that you subscribe and follow me on the blog as well YouTube
Ending it with a Classic Manicure
Like our face and hair, our nails are equally important and hence I opted for a quick manicure to file and paint my nails. I chose a bright yellow for nail color so it contrasts well with my mehndi. Do check out my Instagram from the final nails look. Share your comments on how did you like the color and the Henna design. here's the link
Well, that's all for today. I hope you liked this vlog. Do not forget to share ur feedback with me. do subscribe like and comment on the video.
Overall Experience
It was a decent experience and I thoroughly liked the sessions. The only setback was the service orientation and salon wait time. In spite of an almost empty salon, I spent a lot of time waiting. All the services were pre-selected and ideally, it should have taken only 2.5 hours or max 3 hours to complete. It, unfortunately, took more than 5-6 hours combined.
However, I loved the facial and hair wash. I have paid separately for the chocolate waxing and although the pricing was on the higher side, I was happy with the waxing per se.
The decor is quite beautiful. I really liked the quirky hair quotes on their wall. Overall neatness and cleanliness had been maintained as well.
Overall, the salon is quite new and needs some more time on managing the service levels. For example- the water for a manicure was extremely cold and getting the nail paint done from the disinterested staff was tedious. The pricing was on the higher side and should be tone down keeping the service and the customer experience in the mind.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my salon day [s] at El Dios.
Thank you, Deepak, Khushbu, and Soyeb for your services.
Stay Groomed, Stay Haute
Haute Kutir
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PS: this is a partially sponsored post where a couple of services were given complimentary for the vlog/blog. Experience and opinion are unbiased and may vary from person to person.
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You may also like to watch [click on the text below the image to watch the videos]
Quite literally, in today's Trial Thursday, I have reviewed an amazing makeup product from "Sugar Cosmetics". It is their Ace of Face Foundation Stick.
I have bought this foundation from Amazon India at Rs 999 for 12 gm. After months of charming my makeup bag, it finally made on to my test list. Whoa! I have heard quite some good stuff about this stick and have been meaning to review it from a long long long time. Finally, last Tuesday, I took it out of my bag and tried.
The shade I chose: Breve 04
My skin type: Combination
Complexion: Wheatish to Medium
Tone: Warm
Name of the product: Sugar Ace of the Face Foundation
MRP: Rs 999 for 12 gm
Watch The Video Review and Trial on YouTube
What were my first impressions? Aha, I have compiled the entire experience in a video and here we go. Do watch this video my dearies and share your own experience.
Please note that the views suggested/expressed in this video are absolutely personal, non-sponsored and basis the first impression I had trying this product.
If you liked this video, do give me thumbs and comments below. Pl share your love and let me know if there is any other "cruelty-free" makeup that you want me to review. Ah! how much I would love to do that! :)
What Worked for me
1) Sleek, easy to carry design
2) A little product is sufficient
3) Cruelty-Free
4) A detailed list of Ingredients.
What Could Have Been Better
1) The brush is more of a decorative accessory and it doesn't work as good with the foundation as it should have. Instead, the brand should consider replacing it with an in-built beauty blender.
2) Pricing should have been < INR 800 to meet competition and increase horizon.
3) Expiry details and other vital information should be printed on the main product.
The Longevity Test:
So I wore this foundation for more than 5-7 hours. I felt that the finishing got better with time [say 1 hour after the application".
The look and feel of the foundation did undergo certain changes at different intervals. To begin with, it appeared a little grainy and sticky. Oxidization is there too. You need to set the stick with a compact or any loose powder to increase longevity and blend well. The overall look off-camera is decent and towards the natural finish.
love,
Ekta
#Notsponsored Review, opinions are personal!
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I have also done a comparison video of this foundation stick with Colorbar Stick Foundation that I reviewed earlier this year. Do check it on my YouTube Channel link
Last week, Hindu Indian women around the world, celebrated the traditional Karwa Chauth day. A day when women especially married Indian women, observe a whole day fast for her husband, till the moon arrives.
The fast is often a water-less fast wherein the women who are keeping this fast go without drinking water for the whole day until she worships the moon that evening or night [considering the moon takes its own time to rise this evening. or is it what we feel so?]
The married women, stores water in a Karwa [a clay pot or a metal pot], which she uses during the "Karwa Chauth Katha" ritual [officially below the sunset]. And she uses the same pot to offer some water to the moon god and opens her fast after drinking water from the same pot.
Hence, the Karwa or the Pot is quite an integral part of this pooja.
This post is essentially about the Karwa [the earthenware pot] used for the pooja. Since the Karwa is such an important part of this day, a lot of women [including your struly] give quite an emphasis on selecting a nice one [read well-designed].
A lot of lovely designs are available in the market. You can source these pots from the local potter or the shops selling pooja items. Last year, I bought a well-designed Karwa from the local market in Andheri West, Mumbai, viz- Apna Bazaar. It was quite a hub to source different worship items including other household stuff. However, this year we shifted to Ahmedabad and notwithstanding my inability to find an "Apna Bazaar" equivalent market in Ahmedabad, I settled for wild hunting in the auto-rickshaw.
I got the pot from a sweet co-resident in my society who sourced it on her way to her early morning badminton practice. It was a simple, plain one though, giving way and inspiration to my DIY project.
The DIY Project
So I wanted to pep up my Karwa. I also contemplated buying another one with a design. I found one on my way to the salon. Although I decided to use the one I had at home. The challenge was to design it. But how? Many thoughts wandered my head- from pasting bright golden "Gota Patti" to "Glittering clothes" to paints. I realize I could not recall any decorative item at home and needed to shop. Does this happen with you? I am sure to find all these items the very next day at my home but never mind, a good excuse to explore the city with my manicured nails, expensive facial and just shampooed/blow dried salon hair!
Woohooo, a little instruction from WhatsApp ladies group, I headed to satellite area to find the very famous "Gloria restaurant" a landmark for many shops guided by my Skyz Girls.
It is on the same road as the tailor I went to get my festival blouse stitched and like I missed the navigation while searching for tailor's address, I missed for this one and went far ahead than the destination. Ah! My "Instagram ready" hair, what art thou?
Finally, I landed in some shop wherein after quite a showcase surfing, I dropped the idea of using bling and jumped to the stationary shop next door, ahem after 2-3 doors. I did buy a fevicol and some mirror pieces from this boy but boy oh boy, the girl at stationery shop was really helpful in making me select colors, glitter, and stickers for my DIY project.
DIY Karwa / Pot design
After lot of contemplation and rejecting the idea of using glasses, I settled to make a simple, basic Karwa with red color and some sticker. However, when you are into something or start the design process, a lot of time the thoughts changes and you end up making something other than what you originally planned.
The same happened to me too. To know more and how I made my first DIY Pot, do watch my video [which I painstakingly edited for you all].
I hope you liked my video. If yes, please do subscribe and share.
In case, if you liked my design, let me know. In case, if you have some ideas to add, do let me know too. I would also love to hear your video requests. Though I have some videos lined up, and I would come with them soon.
In case, if you have any DIY request, I would love to know them. And if my saga of exploring the city in broad sunlight with freshly manicured hands and salon treatment makes you curious to know more, do check out this video about the same.
Ah! I know I could have done a vlog for Karwa Chauth but you see, I am a one-person blogging army with a very erratic staff. So if I get a little delayed in answering your queries, do not lose heart. Ping me here or DM on Instagram.
PS: I am quite active on my Instagram stories you see :)
The Post DIY feeling
So I finally did a DIY decor which made me feel really so good about myself. It is not that I have never done a DIY. In fact, I have done several DIYs especially wedding decors. However, pot painting was quite pervasive on my mind. It encouraged me to paint the "Diya" for the Diwali. Well, Diwali 2019 is quite a past now. But my DIY spirit is still going good.
Aha, I must tell you that how I forgot to soak that paintbrush in a bowl of water, and how guilty I feel to have it stuck with the paint. So as soon as you finish your DIYs [or this one in particular] do not forget to soak that brush immediately. I have also spoken about a few other tips [in the video] like using a plastic sheet to protect the floor which may come handy.
Wonder what to do with the Karwa once pooja is done? Well, simply hand it over to your mother-in-law so that she too could admire your efforts and feel good about it. Maybe you and she can try painting a few stuff.
Meet you soon with a new blog, a new video and more content on my Social media platforms [Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and now tikTok]
Today's post is Navratri special where I will show you my dress, a quick makeup tutorial and some Garba fun that I had in Ahmedabad.
Sounds exciting? Well, I was quite excited while shopping and shooting for this video. So much that I forgot to add additional bindi while filming the makeup and rushed to see the Garba Raas.
Nevertheless, I am so happy with my makeup other day and feel so content with the way it turned.
Shopping for the Chaniya Choli
Chania Choli is the traditional Navratri Attire from the Gujarat heartland. As a kid, I had one "Gujari" kind of lehenga [perhaps the only lehenga that I owned all my childhood] It was a very simple type of lehenga in black, red and yellow dots. My Maasi got for me, for my younger Maasi [mother's sister's] wedding.
While I had a couple of lehengas in my stack, I decided to go all Gujarati this time.
It all started with shopping for the right Chaniya Choli. I wanted something festive, traditional and yet not over the top. The problem was where to buy and how much is the good price. No no. That is not all. There were other problems like- which one to buy?
When I went to the market, I saw some really lovely pieces out there. And I was so lost that I had to seek my friend Pina's help. Pina is a graceful lady, she immediately agreed and together we went on the Chaniya exploration from shop to the shop. It was clear that I wanted something in black+red or white+black+red combination. However, all I could see were colors like Yellow [how many Yellows will I buy?], green, blue, pink and all.
Finally, we shortlisted 2-3 pieces and due to a shortage of time, we picked one and rushed home. Watch my video for more details.
Makeup Tutorial
Given the bright and contrasting colors in my dress, I wanted a sober yet illuminating look for the evening. Of course who plays Garba in the day time?
So after returning, I washed my face with my new Daughter's Earth Face wash and then took a cube of ice and rubbed it all over my face. I have seen the rush at YMCA Garba night [check my Instagram stories] and realized that the makeup needs to be really strong and attire needs to be light [including accessories]. Not that I had time [my last minute preps as always] and neither I could find a suitable matha Patti during that time. The recent hair spa made me realize that trying to attach anything on my hair would be a futile attempt unless I tie my hair in a tight bun and use big pins to secure the hair and the jewelry. Naah. Not this time.
I wanted my face to shine more than my bling, hence I tried experimented with two of my favorite makeup tricks in this look. And they worked too! Voila. What are those two tips? Well, you need to watch my video to know more. yeah.
I have demonstrated the entire makeup step by step, just in case if you want to try it.
Here's the video-
The Garba Night
I am a big fan of Dandiya and ever since I heard the Kammaria and Choga Tara song, I have been gyrating on it, inside out and outside in. Arent those beats lovely? I even found the rotating dandiya sticks but the peddler asked quite an amount and I was in no mood to bargain. Nor was he. So he let me move ahead to the bangle seller. "Ah I should come once I select the outfit" was my logic to my stupid self, reinstating how an opportunity not redeemed immediately maybe result in an opportunity lost!
But I got a pair of lovely earrings that I picked from two small girls trying to sell them in the basket. My friend and I, picked one each. They were of not great quality but if buying an earring worth Rs 50 could bring a smile on two washed-out faces, it is worth the effort. I will soon pair them with the green skirt that I bought from the same market. Want a look? Let me know :)
The Garba night was quite fun and action-filled. I did do a Sheri Garba with the building ladies and gyrated on some Bollywood nos too. Little shocked to find my otherwise invincible man also dancing to the madness with male counterparts. I couldn't play "Neele-neele Ambar pe" for him at that time but we indeed found and played "Saat Samundar Paar" on his close Friend's behest.
Food? You must be wondering how a foodie like me survived that evening? Well, the building had snacks on the "pay and eat" system. And assuming that I may lose calories while doing the Garba, I popped in a few 1000 more via some sandwiches, pizza, and aerated drinks. You cannot keep me away from the food- makeup or no makeup.
Oops, wanna know what happened to my makeup when we returned home that night at around 3am, after Outdoor Garba, celebrating a neighbor's birthday and hogging 2 bottles of Coke Cola? Well, the answer is in my video. Go watch it out :)
How about a colorful palette with 9+ exclusive shades, made from natural ingredients?
And not just that, all the colors come in an attractive palette with a wide mirror, a lipstick brush, a lipstick highlighter, and a mixing tray wherein you can mix two-three different shades to make a new one?
Well, you got to try this lovely Rangde Lipstick Palette bearing the lovely Tikuli art.
1) Subscribe my YouTube Channel
2) Follow me on Instagram @ektakhetan
3) Watch the complete video and tell me the shade's name that looked good and bad on me.
Isn't that simple? Well, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and do the needful. One lucky winner will get this beautiful lipstick palette.
The giveaway/contest is for India only. Even males can participate. However, brownie points will be given to the subscribers with the most visible efforts.
Daughter Earth is a beauty care brand that
combines Ayurveda with Green Biochemistry and sells natural, cruelty-free, non-toxic skincare products.
When they contacted me first, I almost brushed it off
thinking as a just another brand but when I checked their website and all the science they deploy behind their products, I was quite impressed.
Another
thing that inspired me is their corporate social responsibility. They share 10%
of their profit in CSR activities like afforestation and girl child education.
Highlights
As per the brand's claim, all the products in this range are-
1) Dermatologically tested
2) Scientifically formulated
3) Made with high-performance ingredients. The brand claims to have extracted the botanicals at their peak potency i.e. prime when the botanicals are fresh and have attained all the natural properties.
The Products and the Images
I have tried the 4 products from their basic skincare regime viz-
You can watch the demonstration of each on my YouTube Video. In this video, I have not just demonstrated each product on camera but have also shared my first-hand opinion.
Video
Watch the detailed video of me trying the products here or on y YouTube Channel
Here are some important facts about the brand
The brands contribute 10% of profits in CSR
What I Liked
1) Cruelty-Free
2) Natural and botanical extracts at peak potency [ as claimed by the brand]
3) Beautiful Packaging
4) Sturdy Design
5) Good Utility and Effectiveness
6) Free from Beeswax
7) Mild yet pleasant fragrance
8) List of ingredient mentioned on all products
Haute Kutir Verdict
I loved the range and I definitely recommend it to you.
Stay Haute, stay Natural and Love Cruelty-Free
Ekta Khetan
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