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An insider's guide to must-have products that deliver—think multi-tasking tints, glow-boosting serums, frizz-fighting formulas, scents worth the splurge & more 

By Sneha Mankani 

PSA: Tata CLiQ Palette’s Moments That CLiQ Sale is live, with the most epic deals running all through August 11. From Internet-famous products that you cannot ignore to OG favourites as well as splurge-worthy innovations that have spent way too much time on my wishlist (lookin’ at you Dyson), I’m ready to scroll, shop and load up my cart. Feel free to replicate. 

 

Viral products on my radar   

Spare me the #morningshed (who really has the time for an ‘unlayering routine’ in the AM?). Instead, give me multi-taskers and effective formulas that everyone on the Internet is talking about and are worth the hype. Like a goopy layer of #snailmucin that has over 1 lakh posts raving about its ultra-hydrating abilities on Instagram, a Korean-approved lip tint that looks like I was born wearing it and pleasantly doubles up as blush or a cult stay-all-day mascara’s upgraded version that hides every evidence of my exhaustion. Throw in a playful little formula that works with my skin’s pH to impart colour true-to-my-skin tone. These viral products have got my attention, and I can’t wait to play with them.

Team homegrown 

A multi-active serum that targets acne, pigmentation, dullness and premature lines all at once, an Ayurvedic blend of brightening saffron and detoxifying neem to keep my face clear and unclogged, a warm-toned nude lipstick tested on and made for brown skin—these brands know what India wants. They keep in mind my moody skin, erratic weather and never-ending city-girl problems to create products that solve it all.

Replacing my empties  
Sales are a great time to stock up on the OGs you use on the daily. The ones that have stood by you through various phases of your skin cycle, whose efforts to make you feel good lasted till the final drop. Like a potent yet gentle exfoliating liquid, a lightweight hydrator with SPF, or an antioxidant rich serum you could use all year long. Below, the ones I refuse to say goodbye to, some of which I will be adding to cart twice for good measure, and because my love for them is 2x.

For mane energy TLC  

I’ve come to accept that the rains and my hair can never be friends. So, weekly pamper sessions dedicated to my tresses are mandatory. Pre-requisites include heavy duty formulas that cleanse, deeply nourish and protect, including an oil massage that doubles up as therapy. This means, deep conditioning hair masks, soothing hair cleansers, anti-hairfall solutions and a bond-building superhero need to be part of my beauty haul.

Makeup that feels like second skin

I’m looking at light-weight textures that are easy to blend. Formulas that I can build on. And colours that add a natural flush. You feel me?

Fragrances on my wishlist  

In my experience, when cult status perfumes go on sale, it’s a great time to upgrade your fragrance wardrobe and experiment with new notes From dreamy florals, earthy, green notes and fresh, aquatic blends to musky, leathery ones with a hint of amber--all the ones I keep returning to, and some I can’t wait to try, are on this list.

This August, all I really want are...  
...tools, because I’m in my beauty-tech era. Remember all those times you fried your hair because you did not have the patience to dry it before you straightened? This just-in Dyon innovation does both simultaneously Plus, a derma roller from House of Beauty that boosts collagen, among others.

A spa at home  
Sales are also a great excuse to tick off indulgences you had set aside for yourself but never acted upon. For me, it’s self-care. I’m promising myself to spend more me time, less screen time on the regular with these rejuvenating, relaxing, luxuriant blends that take me to my favourite spa retreat amidst lush landscapes.