Forest Essentials Kolkata
Forest Essentials Store, Forum Mall, Kolkata

     Forest Essentials finally setup shop in Kolkata! I’m going to take a moment here and enjoy this warm fuzzy feeling 🙂 It has been a year of changes for our city and a lot of brands are finally setting up a presence here. The retail scene has been picking up slowly but is getting stronger day by day. It is so good to finally have access to beloved brands in our backyard and not having to travel to other cities just to stock up. Some of us were invited by the PR of the brand to experience the new store and latest launches. I must say that from all the launches that I have attended so far this was among the top most simply coz of the one-on-one attention that they gave us. 

Forest Essentials Kolkata
Mirrored shelves add a touch of class to the display

 

Forest Essentials Kolkata
Newest addition Oudh & Green Tea gift pack 

     Their store is situated right next to Inglot outlet at Forum Mall. When you approach it, right off the bat the scent captures your senses completely and you are drawn into the store. Lined with mirrored shelves on two sides, dark wood paneling on the third and black & white flooring…the layout of the store beckons you in next. They even have a basin smack in the center where they carry out product demonstrations for the interested client. I was interested in knowing what kind of service a respective customer can get when they walk in with regard to understanding their skin based on the doshas. I was told they would be given a very basic consultation to determine their skin type and then if they have any specific concerns which needed addressing after that then further consultation would be done. The staff is trained in the basics of Ayurveda and have had extensive product training.

Forest Essentials Kolkata
Range of ubtans, face creams, etc.

 

Forest Essentials Kolkata
Full sized products gift pack

 

     We were sent in a questionnaire prior to the event to figure out our “doshas” according to Ayurvevda. Then we were setup for a personalized one-on-one consultation with Dr. Ipsita Chatterjee at the store. She told me that I had mixed doshas ie Vaayu and Pitta. From telling me about my nature to pointing out my skin issues she had me pretty much mapped out with was quite interesting. Except for a point or two I felt like a bobble head doll agreeing to whatever she said about me 😀 She then demonstrated some products that were recommended for me and gave me some diet and lifestyle tips too. Did you know that some of their products take upto 4-6 months to prepare? They apparently store the ingredient blends in an earthen pot and then bury it to let them breakdown/process. Some exotic ingredients like Figs, Lychee etc, which I have not heard of being used before in any cosmetic, can be found in their products.

Forest Essentials Kolkata
Travel sized products and Body Mists range

 

Forest Essentials Kolkata
Travel sized products gift box

     They have recently launched new lines – Nargis and Oudh & Green Tea. I picked up a Bhringraj Hair Vitalizer and a Mysore Sandalwood & Vertiver Body Mist based on the doc’s suggestion. Btw they are sample-friendly aka you can ask them to give you samples and they will happily oblige as they believe it is important for you to see if the product works for you before you make an investment in it. Dr. Ipsita was a sweetheart to talk to and among all the analysis and suggestions I even got to hear some stories regarding the beauty practices of some famous women of ancient India 🙂 She really took her time with the entire consultation and patiently answered all the questions I kept asking her with respect to my doshas.

Forest Essentials Kolkata
Dolon of Pout Pretty with Dr. Ipsita Chatterjee (in beige sari) and rest of the staff

     It was quite an informative afternoon! I got to try out some promising products which I intend to purchase in the near future and also get some great tips and advice from the doc. Some of the things I was already doing/choosing right while others that I thought were wrong for me actually might end up benefiting me. The staff is really sweet and patient so you can look forward to an enjoyable shopping experience. Even the carry bags that you will walk out with are scented! When I bought mine back home Miku inserted his head in the bag and refused to come out f it 😀 Check them out the next time you are in Forum. I will be reviewing the products that I got after thorough testing so keep a look out for that. See ya guys soon…ciao!