So I am sure if you love to see the skin care routines of the Supermodels or Victoria’s Secret Models on Youtube there is one product which I have seen a lot of them absolutely swear by for their gorgeous lips and that is Laneige Lip sleeping Mask.Also, this is probably one of those products which I could actually afford :p
Now coming to the product; Laneige is a very well known Korean skin care brand.I have noticed that they do not come up with a lot of products every now and then.They are very specific about a few key products that are actually really popular.So generally the quality standards are really high.
Price and Quantity: It comes in 2 sizes – 8 gms for INR 500 and 20 gms for INR 1150.I would recommend you to go for the 8 gms tub because it goes really long way trust me!
Description: – A leave-on lip mask that soothes and moisturizes – Has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips – Offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend – Forms a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture – For smoother and more supple lips
My take on the Laneige lip mask :
Well I honestly did not have an idea of what a lip mask is before buying this.Also, I am a person who is generally averse of the idea of putting a mask before sleeping.I mean it is kind of weird right ! But to put all your worries away let me clarify this is not like a mask you will generally think of.This product has a balmy texture and has a sweet berry like taste (in case you lick it accidentally,whoops!).It has no color at all; totally transparent and glossy. The texture is thick and sticky; almost like you have put honey on your lips but it quickly melts into your lips.It comes in a cute pink tub and I know it feels kind of gross to dig your finger to take some of the product out but this is actually a mask and not a balm.Hence, the product consistency is not something which you could package in a stick.
Now coming to the main question; did I notice any difference to my lips ?
Yes I did and that is why I absolutely love this product and can’t stop going gaga over this. It actually works.A lot of Korean brands have really conquered the skin care market and out of them Laneige is quite a silent but really steady player.Their product gives you result.I wish I could show you a before and after picture of my lips but I actually forgot to click one before I started using it.I am no experienced beauty blogger 😦
However, I can describe my experience. I got dark outer lip lines due to sun damage.I used lip scrubs but somehow the pigmentation did not really go away.I religiously used this product for 2 weeks; every single night and I could see the darker lip line to fade and gradually the pink soft lips coming out; as if my older pink soft lips getting a rebirth. The product is rish in Vitamin C, shea butter and berry extracts and lots of good ingredients.No paraben and totally cruelty free. Why is it called a mask? I assume if we actually used it as a balm we would end up eating it :p . Using it as a sleep mask helps to absorb it totally while we are sleeping.
I came across the Nykaa Prep me up Face Primer just before the Summer started.Previously I was using Smashbox primer water both as a face primer and make up fixing spray.Then I found this primer which comes at almost half the price.I just picked this one up to try and let me tell you; I don’t regret.
Price : 499 INR
Quantity: 30 gm
Description: So the product says, “Prep your canvas before you start with the art of makeup with Nykaa Prep Me Up! Face Primer. This lightweight, non – greasy Formula instantly blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines to create a flawless base.”
Claims :
Leaves a sensational velvety Matte finish
Silky smooth on skin
Ideal for all skin type
Extremely light weight
It fills in the pore and fine lines, so
makeup glides on flawlessly and smoothly
Contains Vitamin E that neutralizes
free radicals & promotes healthier skin
My take on Nykaa Prep me Up Face Primer :
Well the product looks like a transparent thick gel like formula.Since the consistency is so thick it gives a great coverage on my skin,like a second transparent layer of my own skin ,hence, less visibility of open pores around my nose. As it claims it always gives the matte finish and absorbs all the extra shine and oil from my skin.
Now since I have a super oily T zone if i don’t use a primer and directly use a BB cream or a foundation; it never gets blended with proper consistency and coverage.Hence, I highly recommend using a primer before putting on anything else.Also, sometimes I actually just put on the primer for an even toned fresh skin without any extra layer of make up.This face primer for Nykaa helps to get a smooth finish and my face never looks too oily.
Lastly, this product is not tested on animals and free from Paraben. It also has Vitamin E.
So I have been locked down in my home for almost a month and I have been trying to utilize it to catch up on things which I don’t usually get time to do.Amazingly I managed to watch 7 very good movies in the last 7 days and I would recommend you to watch them as well. Here goes the list!
Shutter Island: Shutter Island is a 2010 mind bending American psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on Dennis Lehane’s 2003 novel of the same name. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels, who is investigating a psychiatric facility on Shutter Island after one of the patients goes missing. Mark Ruffalo plays his partner officer; Ben Kingsley is the facility’s lead psychiatrist.Although It was well received by the critics,the movie is not that well known.I discovered it during my quarantine days and it managed to absolutely engross me till the end.A must watch for all the psychological thriller lovers.
The Departed: Now this one was quite popular and won 4 Oscars but somehow I missed it.This one is another must watch by Martin Scorsese. It is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. The Departed stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg, with Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, and Alec Baldwin in supporting roles.The film takes place in Boston. Irish Mob boss Francis “Frank” Costello (Nicholson) plants Colin Sullivan (Damon) as a mole within the Massachusetts State Police; simultaneously, the police assign undercover state trooper William “Billy” Costigan (DiCaprio) to infiltrate Costello’s crew. When both sides realize the situation, Sullivan and Costigan each attempt to discover the other’s identity before they are found out. The character Colin Sullivan is loosely based on the corrupt FBI agent John Connolly, while the character Frank Costello is based on gangster Whitey Bulger. The movie will keep you glued to your seat till the end.
Seven: Seven is a 1995 American crime thriller film directed by David Fincher. It stars Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey.The film tells the story of David Mills (Brad Pitt), a detective who partners with the retiring William Somerset (Freeman) to track down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as a motif in his murders.Although I have watched it long time back I watched it again for the nerve wrecking suspense till the end.This just says about my love for crime thrillers especially the ones with serial killers in it :p Watching the young Brad Pitt was another hidden motive of course!
The ballad of buster scruggs: This was a Netflix recommendation and I must say it was really something to spend your time for.The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is a six-story anthology set in a stylized version of the American West; it was written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen in 2018. Each story, with its own cast of characters, is distinctive in tone, plot, and setting.They do not have anything particular in common plot wise, but thematically they all tell the huge story of the Wild West – the dark & crazy, sometimes sad side of it. This is a really a tall tale of death wrapped in comic reliefs.
Margin call: Margin Call is a 2011 American drama film written and directed by J. C. Chandor in his feature directorial debut. The principal story takes place over a 24-hour period at a large Wall Street investment bank during the initial stages of the financial crisis of 2007–08 and that is why it feels relevant during this tough economic situation. In focus are the actions taken by a group of employees during the subsequent financial collapse.The ensemble cast features Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci.
The perks of being a wallflower: The Perks Of Being a Wallflower may seem like an unusual title but it’s a simple story dealing with some important issues.This movie is about feeling Love,friendships and of course pain.One of the protagonists is Charlie who is hiding a big secret inside him but dealing with it on daily basis. We can relate to his struggles on many instances.The characters are vibrant,funny,likable but all of them are dealing with relatable real issues and still enjoying their lives.The movie is not a shallow teenage drama.The music was really great and I recommend it strongly.
Forrest Gump: I will end the list with the sweet one. I am sure most of you have already watched it.This is a really feel-good movie which lifts your spirits up even after 25 years because of its innocence may be.This story still inspires me to go the distance and see the world like Forrest did. This movie talks about not giving up in most terrible times of our lives and also caring for our loved ones and understanding their feelings.This will reinstate your faith in the good.Of course Tom Hanks is just incredible in it !!
I will come back with more recommendations!Stay healthy 🙂
Are you also a tea person like me? Do you also love to explore different flavours of tea?Then probably our tastes will match 😉
So here are my top 5 favourite tea brands from India.You will find a variety of flavours from them.
Organic India: ORGANIC INDIA is the first company in the world to introduce the sacred Tulsi to the international market as a delicious herbal tea. Tulsi, also called the Holy Basil, is revered throughout India as a sacred herb infused with healing powers. It is considered to be the ‘queen of herbs’. Abundant in antioxidants, our certified organic Tulsi Tea is not only great in taste but also offers relief from stress, increases energy and boosts the immune system. Organic Tulsi tea blends and infusions come in delicious flavors and are available in tea bags or in the loose-leaf form – which come packed in boxes, canisters and in bulk.In India this brand is available across major super markets, Bigbasket, FAB India stores and also in Amazon.For international shipping you can directly order from their website.
My favourite flavour : Tulsi Ginger Turmeric Tea, Tulsi Cleanse and Tulsi Masala Chai. Typically for 25 tea bags you will have to pay for around INR 150-200.Quite a deal for taste plus health benefits 🙂
Teatrunk : I discovered teatrunk from instagram.Their cute logo, unique flavours and packaging caught my eyes.I ordered their apple spice variant instantly and it got delivered within 2 days.Trust me all my guests who tasted that one asked me where I got that tea from.It is really gooood!!!Tea Trunk was founded in 2013 by Tea Sommelier Snigdha Manchanda to source teas direct from farmers and craft them into unique blends.You can shop from their online store for different health benefits or just by for the unique taste. You can also buy teaware from them.
My favourite flavour is definitely Apple spice tea.It comes for around 500 bucks for 15 tea bags.Little pricey but worth it!
Teabox: Teabox is another online discovery of mine.Teabox offers a handpicked selection of the freshest and the finest teas from India and Nepal. Our catalog features a wide selection of single-origin teas from over 150 tea gardens across Darjeeling, Assam, Kangra, the Nilgiris, and Nepal. In addition, there is an exciting range of iced teas, flavored and non-flavored blends to choose from.You can directly order from their website.They offer both teabags and loose leaf tea and you can sort them based on health benefits or your taste preference.Their website is also very informative.Even if you are ordering for the first time no need to hesitate as you will get enough information regarding the taste,color,aroma and basically whatever goes into it!
My personal favourite is Paan rose green tea.The complex flavors of paan that come together will definitely ease you with your festive indulgences. Fennel, rose petals, green cardamom, it’s all there for a complete paan experience.It comes for INR 349 for 100gms.
Teame : This one is a pretty affordable and easy to find brand in supermarkets especially Godrej nature’s basket.Also you can order them online as well. TE-A-ME brings alive a wide spectrum of feelings, through a fascinating range of Iced Brews, Black Tea, Green Teas, Flower and Fruit Infusions.Â
My favourite one is apple cranberry tea.TE-A-ME cranberry apple is made with real apple, cranberry, rosehip and hibiscus. Cranberry apple drink is best for summer time as a mocktail or ice tea.It comes for around 200 bucks for 25 tea bags.The color looks dark pink…I know quite unusual for a tea 😀
Ripple Tea : Last but not the least this one I discovered during my latest visit to Munnar,Kerala. We visited the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations and the tea museum and bought varieties of tea from their store their.You can also buy them online form the link given.
Most of their teas are very affordable within INR 200 range for 100 gms .I particularly liked their black ginger tea and the oolong tea.Worth a try!
Hope you liked the post and will buy a few ones for yourself 🙂
Kerala backwaters is almost a 900 km waterway consisted of a network of lakes and lagoons interconnected through canals.The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from western ghat range. In the midst of this landscape there are a number of villages and small towns, which serve as the starting and end points of backwater cruises.
When we planned out trip to Kerala, Alleppey (also known as Allapuzha) backwaters cruise in a houseboat was on the top of the list.Houseboats are basically hotels but inside a boat.Yeah as fun as it sounds.Typically inside all the houseboats you will find bedrooms,washrooms,dining area and kitchen.We actually found hard time to finalize the houseboat for ourselves and hence I decided to write this blog to help others.
How to reach Alleppey:
We took a direct one hour fight to Kochi from Bangalore.Kochi airport to Alleppey boat jetty distance is around 80 Kms and will take you around two hours by car.Now we stayed in Fort Kochi for a day and started for Alleppey the next morning.The distance from Fort Kochi is lesser; around 60 kms and took us less than one and a half hour.We booked an outstation cab(AC sedan) from Ola for thousand bucks but the driver cancelled and within a minute he called me back to and agreed to come with us for the same fare but without OLA’s intervention.I was initially skeptical but we did not have any other option and we were also getting late.Thankfully the driver was really nice and the experience was seamless.So I will suggest you to book a cab through local travel agents because OLA service is not great there.Anyway the journey was really great.You will get to see some beautiful churches and luscious greenery on your way.
How did we book our houseboat:
Well we booked our houseboats at least more than a month prior to coming.You can book through booking.com.However, the type of houseboats available there were mostly shared and we were looking for private accommodations and also Google reviews were not great about those houseboats either. The most important parameters we took into account before deciding on a houseboat were of course price,hygiene and safety.You will get premium houseboats with all the luxuries and the price for one night stay can go up as high as 50K(INR).The price for deluxe houseboats starts from around 7K (INR).From a friend who recently visited Alleppey we got to know about http://thehouseboatkerala.com or more commonly this one is known as bluelotus houseboat.I contacted them through their whatsapp number and they promptly responded.Based on the number of people they will suggest you the perfect houseboat for you.If you are going for a honeymoon or a romantic holiday then the one bedroom houseboat will be perfect for you.The one bedroom houseboat costs for 8K (INR) inclusive of all taxes and 3 times food as well.You will have to pay 2K upfront and rest 6K on your arrival day.
Things to expect on your houseboat:
So ours was a one bedroom houseboat. Ideally in all the houseboats there will be one captain,one cook another helper. At the front there is a dining area and also the captain of the houseboat steers from there.The bedroom had a very clean attached bathroom with all the necessary amenities.I will advise you to bring your own towel and other toiletries. One side of the bedroom had an entirely glass wall and at the night you can just look out the window and you will feel you are just floating in the sea in the midst of nowhere. Amazing right! The kitchen was at the backside with a refrigerator,cooking gas and drinking water cans.The most amazing part is obviously the upper deck where we spent all our time( except the sleeping part).There were sofa,coffee tables,fan and a bluetooth speaker as well to play our favourite songs.Overall the houseboat was super clean and that was definitely a heart winning point.
Food:
Once you book the houseboat you will receive a mail asking for your food preference Veg/ Non -veg. The non veg options can be either fish or chicken.For vegetarians you can ask for local Kerala style meal and you will be up for a treat.For lunch they served both rice/roti, fries, salad, daal (lentil soup), 2 kerala style sabzi (curry), beetroot and curd chutney (local dessert).For evening snacks they served coffee and bread pakoda and in dinner again they made separate veg curries along with chapatis.For breakfast along with coffee local breakfast dish ‘Puttu’ (made with rice flour and coconut) was waiting for us.
Puttu
How was our day in houseboat:
So we started from Fort Kochi at around 9.30 am and reached the Alleppey finishing point/boat jetty at around 11.Our houseboat captain guided us till the parking area and then he escorted us to the houseboat.He already bought all the fresh vegetables and drinking water.We entered the boat and got freshen up and the boat immediately started at around 11.15 am.The owner already communicated that the AC timing is 8pm till 7 am in the bedroom.So we immediately went to the upper deck along with a cup of tea.A serene view along with the soothing breeze was just the perfect for the soar eyes.Along with us there were plenty of other houseboats but all of them maintained distance from each other.Based on your budget the houseboats will pick up the route.
Our houseboat first anchored at around 1.30 pm beside a paddy field, away from all the hustle and bustle.We had our lunch and then again it started at around 2 and went on cruising till 4.30 pm.We already asked them to arrange for a canoe tour so that we can enter the canals where the houseboats cannot go.Accordingly the canoe came and took us for an amazing experience to feel and breathe in the local life.We clicked pictures, saw some unknown birds,waved at strangers and yes it was a very happy experience away from the worries 🙂
We came back to our houseboat at around 5.30 and there was local ayurvedic spa as well.Although we did not opt for it and instead went for a stroll beside the banks of the river and picked up a few raw mangoes :p After coming back to the boat they slowly took us to a place just beside our captain’s home and anchored there for the night.The sunset looked serene behind the coconut trees.
The houseboats cannot operate after 6 pm as per the local guidelines.So make sure the boat is parked at a safe place for the night.So that was the end of the day for us.Honestly I was little disappointed as I was expecting a night cruise as well but that was not allowed.Hence, nothing to do about it.
Again in the next morning we woke up early and went to the upper deck to experience the sunrise and yeah trust me that view was surreal.Pictures will not do justice to the feeling.
We had our breakfast and our captain dropped us to the finishing point (where we started) at 9 am. They helped us with our luggage till the parking lot and it was the end of my houseboat experience but surely something I will forever keep in my heart.
Some further tips:
You can book your houseboats at the jetty on the same day as well but be prepared for bargaining and during the tourists season I will advise you to book it atleast a month back.
The ideal time to go is basically the end of monsoon till the beginning of summer i.e. September to February. If you want to experience the famous snake-boat race then you can go somewhere in between September to November.
We did not experience any mosquito bites but you can carry an odomos and carry your other toiletries kit as well.
I will not recommend solo travelers especially girls for a night stay at the houseboat.You can opt for day cruise in a shikara. That will be much cheap as well.
Was it worth it? Yes for a one night experience spending 8k-10k for the experience was worth it.However I will not recommend for staying more than a day.If you are on a budget a day cruise will be perfect for you.You can also stay at lake palace resort which is situated overlooking the Vembanad lake and was exactly opposite to the place where our houseboat was anchored for the night.
Hope you find this blog helpful.Keep travelling 🙂
After their super popular contour de force blush range Sugar Cosmetics also launched a range of blush sticks in 3 different shades – Coral climax,Pink Prime and Mauve Marvel.For my love of pink I picked up the shade ‘pink prime’ which is a beautiful peachy pink one.
Description: Presenting, the SUGAR Face FWD Blush Stick range in 3 gorgeous shades to give your face just the right pop of color when you need it! Just a few dabs go a long way, and the colors are buildable to get the desired intensity with a flawless matte finish.
Buildable formula
Gives a matte finish
Super pigmented
Travel-friendly
This product is vegan
Ingredients: You will find the detailed ingredient list in the outer package of the stick.The product is made in Korea.
Quantity: 7 g
Price: INR 799
My take on the product:
It comes in a sturdy retractable stick which I find very useful as you don’t necessarily need to use your finger to put on the product.The packaging is very travel friendly.You can just throw it inside your bag and you are good to go.
The product is highly pigmented and blends nicely into my skin.You can use either your fingers or a sponge to quickly blend it to get a nice flushed skin.
As I have a slightly oily skin I have noticed that color tends to blend naturally over time with the natural oil of my skin and hence it gives a very natural yet brighter finish.
The formula is not too creamy either.The other cream blushes available in the market are quite pricey as compared to this one.Also, you get a quite good amount of product at this price point.This should serve your cheeks for quite a lot of time.
Overall, a big thumbs up from my side.I really liked this blush stick and particularly this shade.Hoping to try the other ones from this range soon.
I have been a fan of Lakme 9 to 5 lipsticks range for a long time and I found them perfect for office wears.Hence, I decided to write a review on 3 of my favourite shades from this range.
Description: Matte Lipstick with built in primer, keeps lips non-stop matte for 12 hours.This range gives you an intense color payoff without touch-ups.They all come in beautiful rose gold sturdy packaging.However, you cannot spot the shades from outside.That’s a problem sadly!
Shades: This range offers 42 shades
Price: INR 500 (but I am pretty sure you will get a good discount in Nykaa)
Quantity:3.6 gm
My take on these: I will come to the individual shades later.Overall this range of lipsticks are perfect for office wears and really gives a good color payoff in just one swipe. However, they are not smudge proof or transfer proof. After a meal you will need to reapply it but sometimes I actually like the stains these lipsticks leave on my lips which just give a very natural look. Also,they do not leave a dry effect on the lips although they are matte ones.After few minutes of applying it will give your lips a nice matte effect.The formula feels very light and glides smoothly and evenly.If you have pigmented lips it will take care of that too. Last but not the least you have 42 shades of muted pinks/reds/browns to choose from.Now that is amazing :p
From L to R: Rosy Sunday, Brick Blush, Maple Map
Maple Map: I was a fan of a particular shade known as ‘Red chaos’ from the earlier range of lakme 9 to 5 but the company discontinued that shade.On the look out for a shade similar to that one I picked up Maple Map.This shade makes your lips look just like themselves just better.It is a very pretty nude shade with a coral undertone, perfect for everyday use and suits every skin tone.
From L to R: Maple Map, Brick Blush, Rosy Sunday
Rosy Sunday: First of all, I got a lot of compliments for this one :p This shade is something which will make your face instantly brighter and trust me you don’t need any other make up.This is one of those lipsticks which I always carry in my handbag. A quick touch up and you are good to go.
Brick Blush: Now for this one you may need more than one swipe to have an opaque coverage.As the name suggests it is a brick shade,more on the orange side.However, I think you can use it any time of the day just to brighten up your face.In this entire range I think this one is slightly different than the other muted/nude ones.
Hope you found this review helpful. Stay happy like a puppy 🙂
I am someone who always struggles to use concealer.Thank God I don’t have that much of dark circle problems .However when I came across the Boi-ing Brightening concealer from Benefit Cosmetics I wanted to give it a try as I am a total fan girl for their other products.They have a wide range of concealers with pretty much good range of shades.Now the one I have chosen is a brightening concealer in shade ’02’ which is for light/medium skin tones.
Shades offered: This particular range of brightening concealers come in 6 different shades.
01 -Light
02 -Light/Medium
03 -Medium
04 – Medium -Tan warm
05 – Tan/Warm
06 – Deep/Warm
Description : Say goodbye to dull, tired eyes, dark circles and discolouration with boi-ing brightening concealer. This full coverage, creamy concealer contains brightening melon undertones to colour-correct under-eye circles & imperfections.
Net Weight : 4.4 g
Price : INR 2110
Claims: Full coverage concealer, color-correcting concealer – Creamy, blendable formula – Hides dark circles and brightens eye area – Conceals imperfections and gives a radiant finish – Brightening Melon undertones – Same formula & shades as erase paste!
My experience with it: Before starting the review I need to tell you about my skin type.I have oily skin with fair complexion.
This comes in a tub which is a disappointment as everytime I need to dip my fingers and a little product gets stuck under my nails. Ahh gross I know 😦
This concealer has a thick texture.I haven’t used their erase paste formula earlier but I can guess why they are calling this one as its substitute.For blending I will suggest you to use a brush instead of your fingers; otherwise you will end up with wasting a lot of product.
A very minimum product gives a good coverage along with a radiant look.Especially because I have oily skin, it blends really well and gives a glowing skin for the entire day I spend at my office without making it look cakey or even too oily.Although I will suggest you to apply a makeup setting spray after 15 mins of applying this product.Remember to use a primer as well for the perfect blending.
Overall I am really happy with this product as it suits my skin really well and also it offers a good range of shades.Remember to blend really well to have the perfect finish. I will give it a score of 3.5 out of 5.
Hope you find this review helpful. Keep smiling 🙂
Kochi/Cochin is part of Ernakulam district or Kerala.Popularly known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’ Kochi is well connected with rest of the world and maintains its rich historical heritage along with diversity in culture.Here is a quick guide to places which you can visit in just a day.
How to reach Kochi: We took a direct flight from Bangalore to Cochin Airport.If you book almost a month ago; price will be somewhere around INR 2000.If you are coming from any other part of India flight price will vary.Also, you can take a train till Ernakulam Jn.
Where to stay in Kochi: I will recommend you to stay in Fort Kochi as most of the major tourist attractions are here only.Now Fort Kochi is around 44 kms away from Cochin International Airport and you may take an OLA which will cost around INR 800-1000.On your way you will find Lulu mall which is one of the largest malls in area.You will also get a glimpse of the sea and the ports.
As I was on a tight schedule and had just one day to see the must visit places here is how my day looked like
Arrival at the Cochin Airport: 9 am
Reached hotel at Fort Kochi: 10 am
Had breakfast and got freshen up: by 12 pm
We booked an auto for 400 bucks to show us all the tourist spots.Now here is a tip.If you are staying in Fort Kochi most of the tourist spots are within walk-able distance,even the sea beach.However, I will advise you to book a local auto as you will be able to cover a lot of places quickly but it is highly likely that they will take you to the spice stores or souvenir shops and force you you to buy something from there.So be careful with that and stick to your plan.
St Francis Church: This church was built in 1503 (yes, that old).Even Vasco da gama’s body was initially buried here and you will get to see the place there.However, his remains were later moved to Portugal. This church is a protected monument under Archaeological Survey of India and is a pleasant visit to see its architectural intricacy.There is no entry fee and it is open on all days(except Sunday probably) till 7pm. .
Santa Cruz Basilica: This is pretty close to St Francis Church and is among the nine basilicas in India.This church displays Indo-European architectural grandeur along with Gothic color schemes.It was originally built by the Portuguese.No entry ticket is required and this place is open on all days.Timings may differ on Sundays.
Indian Naval Maritime Museum: After that our auto took us to the Indian Naval Maritime Museum.This place is usually open from 10.30 am to 5 pm.However, 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm will be the lunchtime and hence, entry will not be allowed.Entry fee is required (40 -50 bucks per person).I personally liked this museum very much and if you have interest in Indian navy’s glorious past you will like it too.You don’t need any guide here as everything is explained through video clippings and display boards.Once you enter you will find two air-conditioned museums on your left and right where you will get to see various historical sculptors designed in a very nice story telling format,weapons,missiles,miniatures of ships,navy uniforms and badges.At the open area there is a well maintained garden and you will get to see a ship and a helicopter as well.I got to see some of the artifacts of the navy which I only heard about in history books or movies and that was really exciting.
Indo Portuguese Museum: After spending time in the navy museum we walked towards Indo Portugues Museum.There is a beautiful garden with fountains along with the bishop’s home, outside of the museum.However, the entry was not allowed for visitors.The museum is slightly towards the inner corner of the garden.I was honestly little disappointed to see this one as things did not seem very well maintained.The entry fee was 20 bucks for a person.There were two floors and on the upper floor you will get to see antique costumes and artifacts from the Portuguese era and at the basement there are remains of the original fort which stood there many years ago.
Paradesi Synagogue: The synagogue is one of the oldest active synagogue or Jewish worship house.It is located in the Jew town.It was built by Spanish speaking jews and hence is called Paradesi synagogue or foreign synagogue.You will find colorful Belgian glass chandeliers, lamps, hand painted beautiful porcelain tiles here.There is also a small well where you would find lots of fishes.It is open on all days except Friday and Saturday.
Jew Street: Once we came out of the synagogue we explored the Jew street.If you want to buy souvenirs this is one of the best place for shopping but things are little bit on the expensive side.You will find antique handicrafts,paintings,clothing items,embroidered table cloths and curtains but remember to bargain.
Mattancherry Palace: From the Jew street our auto driver took us to Mattancherry Palace.In this palace you will find beautiful murals, portraits, stamps, coins and many more exhibits of the Rajas of Cochin.Make sure to tell your guide or the local auto driver whoever is accompanying you to show you this palace as it gets closed around 4 pm.So adjust your timings accordingly.
Spice Market: There are plenty of local spice shops which claim to be Govt verified for quality.However, if you plan to buy a lot of spices at an affordable cost then make sure to visit the wholesale spice market.Our autodriver was not willing to take us there as most of the times they get commissions from their known local shops.You will varieties of tea, coffee(although I will recommend you to buy tea/coffee from Munnar),cinnamon,cloves,cardamom,black pepper,cashews,sandalwood soaps etc.
Chinese Fishing Nets: I will recommend you to come to beach at the end,preferably just before the sunset to see the Chinese Fishing nets; an ancient fishing practice.You can also buy some souvenirs like fridge magnets,small wooden handicrafts etc. from the street shops at a considerably affordable rate.You will also find a lot of fish stalls.So if you are a fish lover you are going to be here for a treat.
Fort Kochi Beach: The sunset time at the beach feels so beautiful.You can take a walk or just sit around to feel the beauty.I will recommend you to visit the beach at the end of your day and absorb all the fresh air.
So that marks the end of my one day trip.The next day I took a cab to Alleppey. That story will be told later 🙂
Recently I received Sugar Matte As Hell Crayon Lipstick in the shade Princess Peach as a complimentary gift from Sugar Cosmetics as I bought a whole bunch of products from them.Now these Matte As Hell Crayon lipsticks have always been my favorites; especially Scarlett o’hara and Poison Ivy.Now let’s give you a quick review of this one.
Price: INR 799
Net weight: 2.8 Gram
Description: This is a cruelty free product i.e, not tested on animals.It is made in Germany.
My take on it:
This lipstick looks like a crayon as you can see in the photos and is very easy to apply on your lips.However, you will have to sharpen it like a pencil.Good part is Sugar sends the sharpener along with the product.
The lipsticks blends super smoothly and you will not feel dry after applying but you will have to build the color through multiple application.
It is not smudge proof or transfer proof.
You will have to reapply it after having a meal.It looked a little flaky after I reapplied it.So I tried to brush my lips with my fingers to give it a more natural and even look.
The color payoff is good and this shade is somewhere in between coral and peach shade.
Overall I was not too happy about it as much as I was for Scarlett o’hara in terms of the color payoff and suitability to my skin.This can be used for daily office use but you need to be little cautious while applying as it does not give a very opaque coverage in just one swipe.Also, if you have pigmented lips like me you need to be extra attentive around those corners of your lips.Otherwise it may ruin your entire look.I think one of the better alternative for this lip crayon will be Maple Map from Lakme 9 to 5 range with better finish at affordable price point.
Hope you found this review helpful.Stay happy like a puppy 🙂
The Peach Diary 