{REVIEW} LAKME ABSOLUTE SALON gives me a Fresh look for 2015!

Its almost a tradition. Before the eve of New year, I always get a hair-cut(Or perhaps the only time of the year sometimes!!! I dread hair cuts, but believe me, 1 hair cut every 3-4 months is good for the hair, I have realized) Though I am conservative when it comes to experiments with hair, in the last 1 year I have been keen. Thanks to blogging, I read more and more about experiences of people around the world & then experiment.Remember my first hair color experiment? This time, around christmas, Lakme Salon tempted me with their Show-stopping Hair collection. 12 hair-styles that will transform how you look. I booked my appointment happily & here are the results!

PHOTOS by SURABHI GAWDE

Ambiance:

A 5/5 to the ambiance at the Lakme absolute salon. This store format is different from the regular lakme salons. Step inside & you will be greeted with a friendly staff . The ramp lights hanging from the ceiling & pretty bulbs decorating the mirrors make you feel like a model getting ready for a ramp-walk back-stage! 

Stylists:

I was assigned a stylist as I made an appointment for the show-stopping collection. He showed me the lookbook which is a very good aid to decide what can look good on you. Every girl in the lookbook has a different face-cut and you can relate to atleast one! While I seemed totally disinterested in getting any streak of hair colored or chopped,the stylist influenced my decision entirely.He was patient and listened to me before he threw in his ideas. He insisted I should go for "Auburn blend" with a twist as per my taste. It took me a while, and then I gave in to his advice. So instead of the bright red streaks, I opted for muted burgundy. As my hair is wavy, I didn't want the side bangs as they would curl up after the blow-dry goes away.

Process :

It began with a nice hairwash. Color from Schwarzkoff was then applied on streaks of my hair and then wrapped in foil. The color looked like strawberry milkshake in his color bowl. I had no clue how it will look like after the wash, so I kept reminding him my preference.After 30 minutes,the color was washed with a shampoo from TIGI. A slight blowdry and then the stylist began chopping my precious strands of joy! In about 15 minutes a new hair cut was ready. Another blowdry & my hair behaved like never before!The color looked a fiery reddish orange in bright sunlight while indoors it looked pure burgundy,what a delight!  See for yourself!

Final Verdict:

Its been over a month now and I still get compliments! The hair cut enhances my face & the color suits my complexion. Such a welcome change without any drastic changes. My fear about hair coloring strands has also gone because this color didnt even smell after application. My hair are smooth & nourished without use of any serums. This means the color streaks didnt dehydrate the hair strands. I am surely returning to Lakme Absolute Salon for another makeover after 3 months!

Would you like to try a makeover at LAKME too? Tell me your favorites from the looks below:

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What I wore in Paris ft.Notre Dame

 

THE LOOK:( I CALL IT A SUPER-STEAL!)

  Slogan jumper- (HILL ROAD, Rs.250)

oxblood skater skirt- VERO MODA( Sale Rs.700, MRP- 1800 approx, Yr.2012)

Black Suede leather boots-  Springfield( From Pax-Colaba at just Rs.990, for an export piece of 55GBP)

Grey floral thermal tights- Marks & Spencer(SALE Rs.600,MRP Rs.1200 approx) 

Sunglasses-BATA (Rs.800, I LOST THEM IN PARIS...Sob!Sob!)

Sequin & beaded cuff- PROMOD( SALE Rs.300, MRP Rs.1000)

Feather earrings-PROMOD( SALE Rs.200, Yr 2011)

So you just saw this last photo. What just happened? No, I am not one of those tourists who pull locals from the crowds for photos (ROFL). While I kept getting clicked myself , Uncle- as I would like to call him ran and stood with me and said, 1 with me too! And this happened twice in PARIS :O
**No comments**


So back to this look, I wore it on the 3rd day in Paris when I was to visit the famous Notre Dame cathedral and wander the streets of the heart of Paris- starting from the 4th district.This was also the day I caught a cold so terrible it left me after a week only after I was back in Mumbai. Aaachooo! Imagine catching a cold and feeling all cold in temperatures ranging 8-10 degrees. I decided not to feel defeated and defeat the cold instead. I kept my cool,stayed happy from within and thanks to determination, I could channelize all the positive energy and enjoy the remaining 7 days with a stuffy nose and a painful sore throat.Oh and that is the famous AMORINO gelato in my hands- I am a FANGIRL. AMORRRINNO!I had this gelato on atleast 3 days after catching cold :D :D  I used tonnes of tissue papers to wipe my nose. Sorry france,If I used too much paper, I had to enjoy you anyways. Everywhere I went I was collecting tissues.I killed the cold, not physically, but mentally :D

Well, again, back to this look!!! God was so kind! I was passing by Bandra,hill road 3 days before I was to travel for Paris! This TRES CHIC jumper lined with fleece is one cosy and totally 'ON TREND' find . The typography trend is big since SS14 and I could not resist grabbing this piece even if it was a bit loose.

I somehow end up with vacations in Autumn/winters which is why I never get to wear the summer clothes. This time I was determined to wear my favorite skirt and the thermal tights were a blessing.

The thermal tights are another lovely steal from the M&S SALE in August this year! They surprised me with how warm and cosy they are & the style++.
WARM.TRES CHIC :)

Did you like this look? And does my nose look stuff here ? :D
More PARIS posts coming soon. Only if you enjoy them :D

Till next time
STAY TRES CHIC!

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Tendance Boheme

Tendance Boheme by ilawise featuring Pavers England,Debenhams,Marie Claire,Promod,Daniel Wellington

Hello, Fashionistas!

This is yet another holiday set that I will be wearing on my next vacation . You saw the first one here.  Everytime I explore places, I reveal the styling only after I am back from the vacation. This time I decided to do it the opposite way! Thanks to POLYVORE, a fashion website where you can upload your product images or search from a huge selection and create your own collages.  

These collages will also ensure I do not forget to pack all the accessories along. Whenever I travel, I tend to pack a certain style together unless I wish to repeat it due to luggage constraints. This time, I am visiting a place where Autumn will set in and the temperatures will range from 10 degrees to 16 degrees. The place is a surprise , so that you don't lose track of my TWITTER and INSTAGRAM accounts for regular updates! Wouldn't it be exciting to see this collage when I actually wear it? What do you think?

Till next set, CIAO!

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Liberating the Prints

                                                           Photos by the Lovely Surabhi

Mixing prints comes as second nature to us Indians. The best example of print mixes are on the Indian streets, where women effortlessly wear patterned jacquard blouses with printed sarees or kurta pyjamas with mixed prints pattern.

For people like me  who find comfort in western attires, print mix is seldom common . When I entered the Max store, my eyes were stuck on all things PRINTS! And they did have amazing variety. I knew it was the right time to do the PRINT-MIX with MAX!

Their AW 14 collection is a surprising trend festival of sorts. Not the usual blacks or greys but much more color.They have Jerseys in sporty letter prints, reminding me of Archie’s comics. For the hipsters at heart- floral culottes, signature velour hoodies and for the classy -parisian cardigans with gold buttons - A lot of Vintage classics!

For me Max was always a one stop shop for lounge wear and warm hoodies. But now I see there is a lot more to choose from! The Autumn winter collection has a certain 70s vibe with oversized floral jerseys which can be teamed with jeggings/leggings/warmer tights or balloon skirts like I did. 

 KNOW HOW TO MIX YOUR PRINTS 

There are no absolute rules , but if you like to be cautious, you could follow these observations

from the runway trends over the years:

1. Always try mixing the same color family. Its effortless.

2. Polka dots/Stripes with any other print is a usual suspect for Print mix- quite safe too. 

3. Patterns in Black and white make for a great print mix

4. Geometric patterns also go well with floral prints

5. If you are petite, avoid large prints . You could print mix your scarf with your blouse!

Isn't that simple? Lets liberate the prints! And yes, mixing prints is a liberating experience! You can surprise yourself each time!

 

MY PRINT-MIX LOOK

My first print mix is the family-PINK-my favorite! Besides being a refreshing mix of prints, It is also a fusion of cultures. The indian block print skirt almost falls in harmony with the watercolor print jersey from the West. I am loving the vibrant colors and the fact that its warm for light winters and perhaps can be layered for lower temperatures.

My second look is the safest- Polka dots with floral print. I am sure you have tried this too! The floral green culotte is one of the surprising finds at Max, never saw this trend before in Max. Green is something I don't like wearing, but this combination surprised me and I had to pick it for its freshness!

Would you dare a print mix? Have you mixed prints in the past? I would love to see.

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{FASHION} MiMaMo Gypsy girl with GLOBAL DESI

 

 

Global Desi , is a brand that cannot escape the cupbard of the Indian boho-chic girl. I especially love the brand for its affordable runway fashion made available to the masses. Global Desi has sizes suited to the Indian frame. So I luckily fit into an XS. Petite girls might need some tailoring to get fitted. Every global desi piece is a story. I love how much thought they put in every collection. Remember last season, this collection was inspired by MELA  and had motifs from the indian melas. 

Here's what the A/W 14 MiMaMo collection has in store:

"Fashion meets timeless art as Global Desi celebrates the ancient art of Madhubani fused with kaleidoscopic elements of mosaic with the launch of its Autumn Winter 2014 collection – MiMaMo. Enhanced with symbolic images such as the lotus plant, moving fish, birds, turtle or sun gods that symbolise wellbeing, luck, prosperity and have been an intrinsic feature of Madhubani art- this boho-chic collection highlights the innate beauty of Indian heritage and the vibrancy of medieval art. Mithila, Madhubani and Mosaic are the three main inspirations behind the MiMaMo collection making it a sartorial marriage of tradition and global fashion, a seamless mélange of contemporary styles with a unique Indian stamp."

I totally fell for two maxi dresses- One with a mosaic pattern and other- PAKSHI DRESS with bird motifs on it,featured here. Check out their collection on their Facebook page or website!
Which one is your favorite?

 

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