We all love a bright, bold lipstick - something that can perk up even the most basic look and a simple outfit. On some days, all we need is a red lipstick to spruce up a look. Of course, the perfect icing on the cake would be something that is affordable, with a good formula and pigment. And yes, a lipstick that doesn't transfer and lasts long. Something that offers the perfect blend of good quality, pay off and the right tint? With ongoing festive sales and discounts, it is a good time to get your hands on a good lipstick, without burning a hole in your pocket. Well, don't fret! Our series 'Beauty on a Budget' is back again, and this time, we've got our spotlight on the bold and beautiful - The Red Lipstick. Here's a round up of the best budget red lipsticks under 500 INR (in no particular order). These are tried, tested and approved by Team Dancebee. So, get ready to fill your shopping cart with these budget beauty top picks.

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick 

Shade: Siren in Scarlet

Price: Rs 299 (available for a lower price on discount)

What we love: Good pigment, light packaging and quite long lasting for the price you pay. You can even use this shade as a blush for flushed cheeks. 

Nykaa So Matte Lipstick

Shade: Scarlet Siren 29M

Price: Rs 399 (available for a lower price on discount)

What we love: Creamy matte finish with a decent pigment. Packaging is nice, and the lipstick feels very lightweight.

Lakme Cushion Matte Lipstick

Shade: CR5 Red Blaze

Price: Rs 275

What we love: Soft, creamy formula - which is non-drying and transfer proof. The colour is deep and long lasting. The texture feels really good, and lasts for a good 5-6 hours.

Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick

Shade: Heart Beating

Price: Rs 275

What we love: Glides on smoothly. Long lasting formula which feels comfortable and quite creamy - even for a matte lipstick.

Nykaa So Creme! Creamy Matte Lipstick 

Shade: Bon Appetit Baby

Price: Rs 299 (available for a lower price on discount)

As Superstar Dhanush celebrates his 38th birthday this year, I thought it would be exciting to recreate his recent chartbuster 'Rakita Rakita' from 'Jagame Thandhiram'. While the euphoria surrounding his birthday has hit a peak - with #HappyBirthdayDhanush trending all day on social media and fans pouring their hearts out with incredible wishes - we thought of presenting our own humble, heartfelt surprise. The video was shot at home due to the covid-19 restrictions, and this is also the first time that I've tried wearing a 'Tamil Veshti' (if I've got the method or draping wrong, my apologies. But, I would love to keep trying and improvise). I truly enjoyed every bit of recreating this foot tapping number. 

Here's my fun MASS attempt, and I truly hope you guys enjoy it. Let's Rakita!!

Finally, I got a slot on CoWin and managed to get (partially) vaccinated. But, not without my dose of adventures - where I got stuck due to #Mumbai ki Baarish and (almost) missed my #vaccine appointment. Also, I had a recording session lined up between.

 After patiently waiting an entire year (and growing my hair like a straight, blank canvas), I finally decided to get a fresh, new haircut (the balayage had worn out and I wanted a change) for my birthday month. Being a responsible citizen, I took all precautionary measures, and stepped out on a chilled Sunday to get myself a brand new haircut. And, the timing couldn't have been better - I got this done exactly hours before the partial lockdown was announced in Mumbai - whereby it was announced that Salons would be shut for an entire month. Guess, somethings are meant to be!

Hope you enjoy this vlog.

 It's tough. It's tough when you have to muster up the courage and write for someone, whose incredible work on the big screen would make a million hearts skip a beat. For someone who was so pure at heart, and incredibly passionate about his work. For someone, who would always warmly greet you with the brightest smile and a twinkle in the eye. You know why this process is so difficult? Because it feels so arduous, linking words like 'was' or 'no more' with an individual - who feels like he is very much around. Sushant Singh Rajput may have crossed the bridge and landed among the stars, to explore the universe (just the way he liked); but his untimely and unfortunate demise continues to pierce our hearts even today. I fondly remember texting or tweeting the actor on his birthday, and receiving the sweetest responses (something I terribly missed since the last 1-2 years, and shall now miss forever). His kindness was always a class apart, and so was his remarkable intelligence, whereby the man could discuss Shakespeare to Saturn in a single breath. I thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with the man, whom I fondly called 'Bright Star' (and rightly so). Little did I know that the star would find his way in the universe so soon. 

Honestly, I couldn't get myself to write any feature or tribute in 2020. Perhaps, I wasn't ready. Or, maybe I could not weave words together to explain my state of mind. However, January 21 marks SSR's 35th birthday. On this special day, I decided to put together some fond memories and quotes by the maverick, from our conversations and interview archives. His words were powerful. Strong enough to always leave an impact. And on his birthday, if there is anything I would like to celebrate, it would be his 'Words' or as he would say - 'Musings'. And no, I wouldn't call it a 'Birth Anniversary' or 'Tribute', because the brightest stars shine - they never die.