Hey lovelies!
After I shared details of my mehendi outfit and makeup in the last post, a lot of you who are following my bridal series wanted to see more pictures of my engagement outfit as well. While I have shared a few pictures on my Instagram page, here I am sharing more pictures of my Dolly J gown and the makeup and hair which was done by Misha Vig.
When I had to pick an outfit for the engagement function, I had the exact picture of what I wanted in my head - a gown which was classy yet not very heavy in terms of work and detailing; and also something not very heavy on the pocket (my budget was upto Rs 60,000).
So, I explored stores like Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, Frontier Raas, few designer boutiques in Shahpur Jat - but none of them caught my fancy.
Finally, I ended up checking Dolly J's collection at her Defence Colony store and fell in love with this saree gown I picked. The gown was available in a royal blue color at the moment, but I badly wanted to wear an outfit in a red/wine shade. So, after thinking it through and discussing with my mother-in-law - we ordered this gown on the same day - in a wine color (after we saw a different gown in the same shade at the store and hoped this design will also look perfect in the color I chose).
The gown was finally ready after 30 days, and I was delighted that my vision of the gown in the wine color was made to perfection. Now, the other task was to finalise the look that will complete the outfit ie. the makeup and hair - without looking like an over made-up doll. I had chosen Misha Vig as my makeup artist for both the engagement and wedding functions, after checking out a lot of other makeup artists.
But once I met her and shared my vision of not going overboard with the makeup, but a dewy face with glam eyes and nude lips. On the D-day, I definitely fell in love with the entire look - as it was completely like I had always imagined to look like on my engagement - nothing more, nothing less.
Here are a few pictures from the occasion :
As there was a lot of drama happening with the outfit and makeup already, I kept the accessories minimal - a Guess watch, Swarovski bracelets and a statement ring from Suhana Jewels to complete the look. I wore a sleek gold necklace and earrings, that were actually a gift from my mother-in-law and complimented the gown really well.
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| Gown : Dolly J Makeup & Hair : Misha Vig Makeup Studio Watch : Guess Bracelet : Swarovski Photography : Photoroosters Studio |
So, this was my (sorry for making it lengthy) engagement outfit story! What's yours? Let me know in the Comments below, I would love to know about what dress you chose and how!
Love
Nitika
10 Curvy Fashion Labels You Need to Try and You Will Love | Curvy Style Guide
Saturday, 5 May 2018
Hey everyone!
Being curvy and loving fashion was a bad thing in India till a few years ago. Ask me why? Well, because hardly any brands understood the fashion needs of curvy and plus size women. While I used to find my size with many brands, a lot of my friends had difficulty finding trendy clothes as most curvy fashion brands made clothes that were anti-fit and boring.
Thankfully, when a lot of international brands started introducing plus size lines along with their main lines; Indian brands also realised that this market has a lot of potential as women in India also started loving their curves and wanted to flaunt them in the best away.
I also realised this when I had introduced the section 'Curvy Style Guide' on my blog, and many of my followers came up to me and told me how much they appreciate my posts and that it helped them feel confident about flaunting latest trends no matter what size they are.
Last week, I received a few queries regarding the best available brands for curvy women, so I have made a list of 10 brands including a few of my favourites that are doing plus size fashion right :
- ASOS : One brand that I truly admire and love shopping from regularly is ASOS. They have a Curve line and includes many styles as an extension to their regular line. If you are looking for trendy dresses, tops or even swimwear - you can trust to find the best designs at ASOS.
The international shipping could be one con, but it's nothing if you want the best fashion for curvy sizes. You can read my earlier online shopping experience with ASOS here.
- Half Full Curve :
I came across this brand while reading an article online and loved their classy dresses that you can pick for special occasions. Though the number of styles available currently on their website are limited, but have few beautiful draped dresses for those cocktail parties.
- Marks & Spencer :
The high street fashion house has off late started including styles till size UK 24 in the plus size line and is one of the best options if you wish to buy office wear or smart casuals.
- StalkBuyLove :
If you love fast fashion, you would admire the chic styles and reasonable prices of StalkBuyLove which offers plus size apparel and introduces new designs regularly.
- Amydus :
I haven't tried this brand myself, as they don't offer my size. But they include plus sizes, starting from Size 0 (here it is UK Size 16) and goes up to size 5 (UK 26) and includes western wear as well as ethnic wear like kurtas and palazzos in their collection.
- Afamado :
Unlike other plus size brands which only offer bigger sizes, Afamado offers all styles in sizes varying from XS to 6X, therefore making sure that any woman who is looking for trendy clothes online can pick a style no matter what their size is.
- Lastinch :
If you are looking for wardrobe basics likes casual tees, tops, maxi dresses and more, you can try Lastinch which offers comfortable and reasonable clothing for women with curves.
- MANGO :
I didn't know about the plus size line Violeta by MANGO until I checked out their website recently. While I didn't see a lot of the plus size clothes in their stores, the website offers a wide range of styles in tops, dresses, bottom wear, swimwear and more in sizes upto 54, that you can get delivered anywhere in India.
- Faballey :
Another fast fashion label, Faballey has a lot of its regular styles available in plus sizes (just like the dress I am wearing above from their regular line) - therefore being more size-inclusive and offering latest high-street trends at reasonable prices.
- Calae :
Again, I haven't tried this brand personally as they don't keep my size, but I loved the styles that they have. While other brands focus on just a couple of styles with mostly neutral colours, Calae had off-shoulder, one-shoulder styles in variety of colours that are perfect for every occasion.
Love
Nitika
( PS : A lot of plus size brands start from UK Size 16 or 2XL (like Asos Curve, Amydus etc), while others start at UK Size 12 or L .)
5 Unique Gown Styles to Explore for your Cocktail/Engagement | #TSDBridalDiary
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
Hey lovelies!
When it came to my wedding wardrobe, the one occasion where I knew I could channel my inner Cinderella and fulfil my dream of wearing something close to a western wedding gown was my engagement party.
While I couldn't wear a white gown (due to religious beliefs, black and white can't be worn by the bride in a Hindu wedding); I knew I wanted a gown in wine/marsala color as I had decided to go for a non-red lehenga.
And when I went out to browse the latest gown styles, I came across these five trends that you can also totally rock at your engagement/cocktail in 2018 :
Saree Gown - A style that I also picked for my own gown, a saree gown is a beautiful blend of a western gown and the trendy Indian saree. You would have seen Kishwer Merchant rock a similar style by Gaurav Gupta at her wedding reception; and ever since I have seen a lot of newer versions and styles.
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| Kishwer Merchant in Gaurav Gupta Saree Gown |
Tulle Gown - Want to fulfil your Cindrella dream? Well then a tulle gown is all you need. And you don't have to pick from the tacky fluffy gowns, you can pick an embellished gown with a layered tulle hemline or a romantic soft tulle gown in pastels that is perfect for a Summer wedding.
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| Shyamal Bhumika Tulle Gown |
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| Carolina Herrera Tulle Gown |
Gown with a long trail - For a dramatic entry and those Instagram-worthy pictures, you can pick a cocktail gown with a trail that will surely make you stand out from the other brides. Listing a couple of my favourites that I found while I was browsing the styles on Pinterest -
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| Source : Pinterest |
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| Source : Pinterest |
3D Work Gown - One gown style that catches the light and will make you feel like a glamorous diva, is one with an intricate 3D appliqués and embellishments which is impactful without being over the top. With all the elaborate details on the dress, you would just need a stylish hairdo, minimal accessories and stilettos to compliment the gown.
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| Marchesa |
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| Shyamal Bhumika |
Sheer Gown - If you love experimenting with your style and are willing to make a bold style statement at your engagement or cocktail ceremony, this is one trend that will definitely catch your fancy.
Pick an embellished gown with the right amount of sheer that will amp up your style quotient and make you a trendsetter this wedding season.
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| ATG by Amit GT |
So, which one is your favourite style out of these beautiful engagement gowns? Let me know in Comments below!
Love
Nitika
Review - My Online Shopping Experience with Jivaana | Ethnic Shopping Online
Monday, 30 April 2018
Hey everyone!
It's been quite sometime that I reviewed an online shopping portal. With the wedding preparations, I was mostly busy shopping for my trousseau and hardly had time to update the blog about my online purchases.
While I was looking for ethnic accessories and clothes online for my wardrobe, I came across an online shopping portal which has the best ethnic collections be it bags, clothes or jewellery - all at one place.
I am talking about Jivaana.com - a website which has a beautiful collection of party clutches, juttis, jewellery, kurtas, sarees and a lot more - basically a hub for all your ethnic needs.
About Jivaana -
"JIVAANA offers a wide mix of carefully-curated ethnic clothing, bright jewellery, bold accessories, and playful footwear that are perfect for your special occassions. whether it’s a lunch with the ladies or a night-time sangeet, you can find something perfect for you."
Their ethnic collection boasts of beautiful jewellery and apparel, and while browsing the vast range, I couldn't resist buying a pair of earrings and a potli bag which has intricate work and compliments my ethnic wardrobe really well.
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| Kundan and Pearl Earrings by Label Amara |
I received my order carefully packaged in bubble wrap within few days of placing the order, and I was delighted to see the products that I had ordered. Not only they looked as beautiful in person as they do on the website, but also the quality is remarkable.
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| Label Amara Potli Bag |
Infact, if you are looking to buy few potli bags online for a special occasion or to amp up your outfit, you should definitely check out their curated collection that starts from as low as Rs 1,500 and features some beautifully handcrafted bags that will compliment your traditional sarees to fusion lehengas as well.
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| The parrot motif potli bag featuring an intricate zardosi and sequin work |
Jivaana also offers international shipping and Free Shipping all across India. And if you don't wish to pay online, Cash on Delivery method is also available on more than 10,000 pin codes across India.
My other favourites from the website are the classy jewels by Shilpa Purii, printed juttis by Vanshika Ahuja and casual kurties by IDAR :
So, if you are also looking forward to buy some ethnic wear and accessories online, whether for your trousseau or for your ethnic wardrobe - try Jivaana where you can find them all at one place. Happy Shopping!
Love
Nitika
10 Must-Have Beauty Products in your Bridal Vanity Kit - Beginner's Guide | #TSDBridalDiary
Thursday, 26 April 2018
Hey lovelies!
So I am back with another post from my bridal diary, and this time I am sharing my tips on one thing that every bride-to-be worries about (especially if she is new to makeup) - what to buy for her vanity kit?
Well, with the honeymoon and so many family dinners and outings planned after wedding, one can't rush to a parlour every time to get ready. Therefore, its important that you have all the necessary beauty products handy so that you can get ready at home.
Well, with the honeymoon and so many family dinners and outings planned after wedding, one can't rush to a parlour every time to get ready. Therefore, its important that you have all the necessary beauty products handy so that you can get ready at home.
And no, you don't have to break the bank to make a beauty kit that would last you for good 6-12 months (some even more, based on your usage) as am sharing the products that would fit every budget and are easily available in the market as well as online.
I personally prefer having two sets of beauty products - one for daily usage (mostly drug store brands) and one for occasion makeup (high-endbrands) - that helps me get the desired look as well as doesn't get heavy on the pocket.
So here's my list of 10 beauty products that you must have in your bridal vanity kit :
So here's my list of 10 beauty products that you must have in your bridal vanity kit :
Face :
- Concealer - A concealer that suits your skin tone and skin type the best can work as your makeup BFF in many ways. Not only it comes in handy to hide all imperfections or a pimple that strikes just on an important day, but can also cover dark spots and dark circles.
I rely on the Bobbi Brown concealer kit which is a heavy-duty concealer that you can trust for all the important occasions; while you can keep the Colorbar full cover makeup stick handy if you don't want to carry concealers and primers with you.
- Foundation - A good foundation is one that blends well, gives the most natural finish and provides optimum coverage. If you have already found the foundation that works best on your skin, then you are good to go. Else, you can try the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup which might be a little heavy on the pocket, but is the best foundation I have ever tried
If you want a more reasonable option, you can try Oriflame's Giordani Gold Longwear Mineral foundation which is really light weight and provides decent coverage and is a part of my daily makeup routine.
- Blush - My favourite beauty product for face ever has to be a rosy blush, which not only instantly brightens the face but also brings life back to the face. Depending on your skin tone, choose a blush which gives you an instant flush of color and gives a natural glow.
My favourite blush is the MAC Peachykeen which is a pretty shimmery blush that adds a natural colour (a beautiful blend of peach and pink) to the cheeks and lasts all day. For a more reasonable option, you can pick Oriflame Giordani Gold Bronzing Pearls in shade Natural Radiance, which add a beautiful colour and radiance to the cheeks, and one pack will last you for more than an year's usage.
- Setting Powder/Compact - A lot of us don't think a setting powder is essential, but, once you have done your face makeup - a setting powder can help lock the concealer and foundation giving a smooth finish as it helps absorb excess oil and shine.
MAC Setting Powder and FACES mineral loose powder are my favourites as they are light and give a silky smooth finish to the face.
Lips :
- Lipstick - Let's come to my favourite beauty product that's a lipstick, if you follow me on Instagram, you all would know about my lipstick-fetish (and the hundreds of lipsticks that I have). However, you really don't need a lot many lipsticks if you are not a hoarder like me.
Invest in 3 good lipsticks in shades of red, nude and pink that match your skin tone, that will go well with most of your outfits. I will really recommend MAC Ruby Woo, MAC Mehr and NYX Soft Matte lip cream in Prague shade.
- Lip Balm - Summer heat can take a toll on the lips, especially if you wear lipstick every day. Therefore, its a must that you not only keep a go-to lip balm in your vanity kit but also in your handbag and apply it whenever you feel your lips are drying or are chapped.
I swear by the Body Shop shea lip butter which keeps lips hydrated and has a very mild nutty scent. Maybelline Baby Lips balm is also a good alternative.
Eyes :
- Eye Shadow Palette - I have come to realise that for a dressy look, your face is incomplete without eye makeup - even if you only go for a single shade on your eyelids. I would suggest picking a palette which has a mix of shimmery and matte eye shadows.
My favourites are the Makeup Revolution Girl Panic eye-shadow palette and Urban Decay Naked3 palette.
- Mascara - To accentuate your eyes for a dramatic effect, a mascara is an absolute necessity in your beauty kit. Whether you want length or volume, a mascara can totally up your beauty game.
I love the Maybelline Hyper Curl mascara for that volumising effect and Benefit They're Real mascara for a beautiful lengthening effect.
- Eye-liner/Kajal - I think we all know the need of a Kajal as we have been applying it ever since our birth (well technically our mothers used to apply it on us to prevent us from evil eye) - but I have hardly come across anyone who doesn't like a good ol' Kajal.
You can pick a Kajal which works both as an eye-liner and kohl, just like the MAC Technakohl liner and L'Oreal Paris Kajal magique.
Mini Brush Kit - Last but not the least, you need a mini brush kit - especially if you are buying products that don't come with a brush like your blush and eye shadow palette.
I recently picked this really cute rose gold brush kit from MAC Snow Ball limited edition collection which has three useful brushes in travel sizes. You can also pick a kit from Vega brushes that will fit the bill.
Other Essentials that you should definitely keep handy apart from the beauty products above are :
Other Essentials that you should definitely keep handy apart from the beauty products above are :
1. Facial Wipes/Blotting Paper
2. Nail Paint remover (Kara has these nail polish remover wipes that are quite easy to use and travel-friendly0
3. Moisturiser (pick a travel-friendly bottle that will fit in your handbag too)
4. Perfume (check out ZARA for their collection of mini perfumes that are reasonable as well have a great scent)
5. Safety Pins (they are really a life-saver)
6. Small Mirror
7. Eye Brow Pencil or an Eyebrow Kit
Hope you enjoyed reading this post! You can catch up on the other posts from my bridal series HERE. And if you want me to share my experience on certain things that I missed out from my bridal diary, do let me know and I will surely pen it down.
Love
Nitika
6. Small Mirror
7. Eye Brow Pencil or an Eyebrow Kit
Hope you enjoyed reading this post! You can catch up on the other posts from my bridal series HERE. And if you want me to share my experience on certain things that I missed out from my bridal diary, do let me know and I will surely pen it down.
Love
Nitika
5 Beauty Looks to Steal from Sonam Kapoor this Summer | Summer Beauty Trends
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Hey lovelies!
Sonam Kapoor has been giving us Outfit goals ever since she stepped into the industry, but these days even her makeup game is totally on point. So, we have picked five of our favourite beauty looks on her that are totally worth stealing this summer -
1. Ice Blue Eyes - This summer is all about going gaga over the ice blue eye-shadow. And not only Sonam Kapoor, event the international runways have spotted this trend which is a fresh way to make your eyes pop and get a summer-fresh look.
If a blue eye-shadow is too much for you, you can also pick a blue liquid eyeliner from MAC or Maybelline and flaunt it with nude lips and rosy cheeks.
2. Glazed Lips - Finally a trend that we had been waiting for - tuck away your mattes for the glossy, stained lips that gives a glamorous look. Sonam Kapoor shows us how to do this trend right by flaunting her glazed red lips with subtle eye makeup and just a hint of blush.
Some products you can try to achieve this look are M.A.C Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Colour and NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lustre Glossy Tint.
3. Rose Gold Cheeks - Nothing looks than cheeks with a subtle rosy gold flush for a summer wedding. We are in completely in awe with Sonam's glowing look as a bride on the cover of Brides Today.
You can achieve the look with NARS Super Orgasm blush or Urban Decay Naked Illuminating powder in shade Aura for a mega-radiant summer glow.
4. Top Bun - If you think top-buns are so last season, well have a look at Sonam's recent retro look flaunting a sleek hairdo with a top bun that is complimenting her quirky jumpsuit from her label Rheson.
5. Curled Lashes - Fresh glowing skin with dewy makeup and curled eye lashes with dramatic effect. If you are a fan of falsies - you can take your pick from various multi-dimensional lashes available in the market, or go for a super volumising mascara like L'Oreal Paris False Lash Superstar Mascara or NYX Doll Eye mascara.
So, which one of these is your favourite beauty looks by Sonam Kapoor? Let us know in Comments below!
Love
Nitika
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