5 Reasons Why ASUS Zenfone2 Should be in Your Wishlist!

After sparking a revolution of sorts in the mobile market with the launch of its ZenFone series of smartphones, Taiwanese brand ASUS is now earning laurels with another flagship device - the ASUS ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML), with a massive 4-GB RAM and some high-end technology upgrades to its previous ZenFone devices. And with the kind of interest this phone has generated, it looks like all ZenFone fans are looking forward to getting their hands on the new ASUS ZenFone. 

As a ZenFone fan, I for one am really looking forward to enhancing my smartphone experience with the ASUS ZenFone 2. I already have a ZenFone C and ZenFone 5 in the family, and it's the addition of advanced specs and a more ergonomic design that has made ZenFone 2 too worth coveting. If I were to list down reasons on why I feel ASUS ZenFone 2 figures in my wishlist, then the following 5 reasons would figure in the list.

1. 13MP PixelMaster Camera - Yes, I will start with the camera first, because as a travel blogger, my biggest concern and priority is getting good photos, and that too without hassle. When one is travelling and needs to get moments captured quickly while on the go, there's hardly any time to get the bulky cameras out. And during  such  moments, having a good phone camera really comes handy. With specs like 13MP PixelMaster rear camera, capturing precious travel moments would be more fun than ever. 

Plus since most of my travel photos are captured on phone cameras, a better phone camera would only ensure that I rely more on my camera phone rather than exhausting energy on tugging cameras along.

2. 64-bit Intel Atom Processor with 4GB RAM - So far as the tech specs go, ASUS ZenPhone 2 is powered by 64-bit Super Quad Core Intel Atom Processor, and has a whopping 4GB of RAM. Also it comes with an Intel LTE-Advances modem for 4G/LTE connectivity. Of course this up-gradation makes web surfing and performing other tasks on the phone super slick.

3. More personalised ZenUI Experience - On the ASUS ZenFone 2, the ZenUI too has been upgraded with more features added to make the phone more personalised and user-friendly.

The brand new ZenUI on ZenFone 2 comes with exquisite visual design and boasts of a variety of new features such as ZenMotion, SnapView, Trend Micro Security and ZenUI instant updates that enhance usability, ensure security and privacy, and deliver a seamless user experience. Besides this, it's brighter and there are also multiple themes to chose from.

4. BoostMaster Technology - If snail speed of battery recharging figures in your phone woes list, then it's time you switch your phone to ASUS Zenfone 2, for it comes with BoostMaster Technology, that helps charge the ZenFone at double the regular speed.

ASUS BoostMaster Technology is ASUS-exclusive technology that charges devices much faster than traditional speeds. So with this technology you need not have to worry about your phone taking forever to charge. In just 39 minutes, your ZenFone 2 battery will be 60 percent recharged.

5. Ultra-Thin Ergonomic Arch Design - The ASUS ZenFone 2 is beautiful to look at. While the technical specifications of the yet to be launched ZenFone 2 have already won me over, it's luxurious design is like icing on the cake. 

I am sure it's going to look good in my hand, and if you thought that the plastic back panel of the previous ZenFones was a let down, then the fancy brushed metal finish of the back panel of ZenFone 2 is sure going to cheer you up. Then there's also the 1920x1080 Full HD IPS Display to look forward too, for the clarity it will give to the screen display would be interesting to check out.

ASUS Zenfone 2 is another brilliant product from ASUS stable, and with the kind of features the phone has incorporated, it definitely is piquing buyers' curiosity in India!

Product Review: Dabur Baby Massage Oil

Friends, I am back here with a product review after long. If you have been following this blog, then you must be aware that I am not a frequent reviewer, however whatever products are reviewed here are done so after thorough checks to ensure that the readers get to read an unbiased and clear review of the product. 

Today I am reviewing the new Dabur Baby Massage Oil with Olive & Almond, and the samples of this product came from BlogAdda under their #FirstLove activity. My curiosity in this new massage oil was piqued because of my little nephew - and I thought it would be interesting to try this new massage oil on his and see how he reacts to the change in his massage oil. Also because this oil is from the tried and tested Dabur brand, I did not have any apprehensions about trying out a new product on a toddler.

Massage forms an essential and integral part of an infant's health care and grooming routine and helps in the baby's growth, so it is imperative that we use a massage oil that is not just enriched with healthy ingredients, but is also devoid of harsh chemicals. On first glance this is where Dabur Baby Oil Massage scores - the oil is parabens and paraffins free. Here's why the tag paraben and paraffin-free matters -

• Parabens are chemical preservatives used to increase the shelf life of cosmetic products.
• Recent research says parabens may be linked to breast cancer and fertility issues.
• In some studies, skin problems such as dermatitis, and skin allergic reactions have been linked to parabens.

• Paraffin oils are petroleum by-products obtained from petroleum refining process. 
• Lately there have been studies and reports that say paraffins might be carcinogenic, and since they easily penetrate the skin, one can imagine the kind of risk it poses.
• Refined petrochemicals are generally regarded as unhealthy so it's an unnecessary risk to regularly use therm on your skin.

Besides being paraffins free, the new Dabur Baby Massage Oil with Olive & Almond also does not contain any artificial colours and is dermatologically tested to ensure skin safety. 

Key Ingredients: Natural oils containing Sunflower, Sesame, Olive, Almond and Jojoba. Fragrance, Antioxidants - Tocopheryl Acetate and TBHQ.
TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) is a synthetic antioxidant used as a stabilizer in oils. 

It's almost a week now that we have been using the new Dabur Baby Massage Oil on my nephew and though one can't really comment or judge how the oil is inwardly affecting the toddler's body, we can all vouch that he definitely looks happy and healthy, with glowing skin and cuddly muscles, touchwood. And given our faith and trust in age-old Dabur brand,  I don't see any reason to not believe in their new product. 

Pros of the product:
- Paraffins free

- Contains natural oils
- Dermatologically tested
- Spill-free, plastic bottle packaging
- Easy on the wallet - 100ml bottle for Rs. 110
- Shelf life of 2 years

Cons of the product:

No con really, but it is slightly thick compared to other baby massage oils, and probably because of this, it takes a slightly longer time to get absorbed.

Note: Some skin types may be allergic to certain natural ingredients. So it's always advisable to do a patch test before using the product.

I am writing about Dabur Baby Massage Oil with the goodness of olive and almond for the #FirstLove activity at BlogAdda.

Latest Fashion Trends in Saree Gowns!

The wedding season has just gone by and just as I am done packing up the huge dry-cleaned anarkali that I wore for my cousin's wedding, I get some incredibly good news! A very close friend's marriage just got fixed! So, yay, some more dressing up to look forward too! The D-Day, I am told, is a few months away, but of course that does not deter me from checking out the latest trends. So far as wedding fashion is concerned, I am absolutely done with heavy anarkalis and lehengas for a while! They are  everywhere, so a big break from ethnic please, and time to pick up some chic fusion wear or perhaps something else that is more smart and trendy!

So with my heart and mind set on picking up something trendy for my friend's wedding, I had been browsing not just random showrooms but peeking through online stores. And it was during one of my random website browsing sessions that the same friend suggested that I check out Kalki Fashion, a fashion house popular for their expertise in not just crafting exquisite wedding trousseau, but also creating and stocking a huge variety of outfits that carry traditional Indian sensibilities. And trust me, one look at their collection and I knew I was on the right shopping track!

Photo Courtesy: kalkifashion.com

Photo Courtesy: kalkifashion.com

What say, are not the designs and the intricate detailings super gorgeous! Right on the first page of the website are listed some of these ravishing saree gowns and one look at them and I am hooked! Precisely the kind of outfit I had in mind, a perfect coming together of traditional saree design and contemporary silhouette! And if my fashion knowledge is anything to go by, saree gowns have been quite in vogue for some time now, with many top notch celebrities  wearing them at glamorous events.

Photo Courtesy: kalkifashion.com

A saree gown does not just makes for a fashionable and trendy outfit, but is also super comfortable and easy to carry. If, like me, the idea of wearing (and holding intact!) a traditional saree gives you hiccups, then saree gown is just the thing for you - traditional to look at, and easy to zip up, for we know it's a gown really! Plus to top it all, one wouldn't really have to worry about the outfit coming undone in case they decide to hit the dance floor! Bonus!

And guess what! In between giving all the gyaan on saree gowns, I have actually short-listed a few saree-gown designs on kalkifashion.com that I want to explore in detail.  It's good that there's a dedicated chat support on the website, so I can get my queries addressed right away! So while I go and chat with the support staff on the website, I leave you with one of the designs that I have been eyeing! Do let me know what you think of it? :)

Photo Courtesy: kalkifashion.com

#ComeCloser to Radiant Skin

There's an age old expression that says beauty is only skin deep, and that it's one's character and personality that are more important than the superficial glow on the skin. Of course one couldn't agree with this adage more, but then striving for some 'skin deep' beauty doesn't really hurt anyone. The idea of beautiful skin complimenting your beautiful personality sounds much better, no?  I remember as a young girl growing up in a fairly conservative household, there was never any overt pressure to work on my average looks. Cosmetics were a strict no, no and no fancy face-creams or powders were allowed in the house for it was common belief that they all contain harmful chemicals that do more harm than good. The only exception in our plain Jane household was the VICCO Turmeric Cream, for it had ayurvedic formula base and contained turmeric, the super ingredient that keeps all skin issues at bay.

Now after all these years, despite the advent of all kinds of complex skin creams and lotions, VICCO Turmeric Cream continues to hold its ground in India's  cosmetics market, thanks to its ayurvedic roots and people's continued trust in the brand.

Talking of ayurveda, when it comes to skin care regime, one can vouch for the fact that ayurvedic products score over chemical based creams and lotions. The natural ingredients used in ayurvedic products do not just clean and improve the texture of our skin but also they do not leave any side effects unlike the chemical based cosmetics. For example these days there are so many chemically strong acne creams available in the market, that clear acne but then either leave marks behind or adversely affect the skin texture. Therefore instead of using such products, relying on simple home remedies for skin issues always make more sense. 

Now that we are discussing skin care tips, here are 3 easy home-made beauty tips that can help you rejuvenate your skin.

1. Turmeric face pack - The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of turmeric make for great skin cleaning agent. To make a simple turmeric mask, mix one spoon of hone, a little yoghurt and a few tablespoons of turmeric and make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on freshly washed skin, leave it do dry and then wash off with cold water. 

2. Use leftover bananas for radiant skin - If you have leftover bananas that have become too soft to be edible, then they can be mashed and used as an excellent pack for face and neck. They help in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Use potatoes for healthy hair - I am sure you have never heard that potatoes can be used in any beauty regime, but yes, they make for excellent hair conditioners. Grate a couple of potatoes and squeeze out the water. Put the water in a bowl and add some yoghurt in it. Mix it well and apply on your hair and wash it out when it dries. Apply this mix every two weeks and see your hair becoming healthier and shinier.

There are hundreds of simple and easy beauty tips where natural ingredients from the kitchen can add to the beauty of your skin and hair! For now use these and do share your feedback on how they helped you #ComeCloser to radiant skin!