FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about Shaalik — answered honestly, completely, and without marketing fluff.
About Shaalik
Who is behind Shaalik Artisan Collective?
Shaalik was founded by Mandira Mukherjee in New Delhi. It began as a handcrafted bag brand built on one belief — that Indian artisan craft belongs at the highest level of global luxury. In 2025 Shaalik expanded into India's first Dual-Cryo botanical cooling mist — a formula Mandira spent six months developing through forty-three test batches before the first bottle was filled.
Every bag is made by Indian artisans. Every mist is formulated and poured in small batches in New Delhi. Every wooden box is sourced from Sheesham craftsmen in India. This is a genuinely small-batch, founder-led brand — not a corporation pretending to be one.
What does Shaalik mean?
The name Shaalik comes from the Shaalik bird — known in Indian tradition for its grace, its grounded nature, and its quiet confidence. It reflects everything the brand stands for. Authentic. Rooted. Quietly extraordinary.
Where is Shaalik based?
New Delhi, India. All products are made, packed, and dispatched from New Delhi — 110035. Grins Commerce is the registered entity behind the Shaalik brand.
Is Shaalik a sustainable brand?
Yes — genuinely, not performatively.
Every handcrafted bag uses natural sustainable materials — rattan, jute, palm leaf, cane, macramé fibre — that are biodegradable and sourced responsibly. Every mist is alcohol-free, paraben-free, sulphate-free, phthalate-free, and cruelty-free. The wooden boxes are sourced from Indian craftsmen working with Sheesham — a durable, sustainably sourced wood.
We do not use synthetic materials in our bags. We do not use alcohol or synthetic fragrance in our mists. We do not use plastic packaging where we can avoid it.
Sustainability at Shaalik is not a marketing claim. It is a formulation decision made at every stage.
The Botanical Cooling Mist
What is the Dual-Cryo engine?
The Dual-Cryo engine is the cooling system inside every Shaalik botanical mist — and it is what makes Shaalik India First.
It combines two cooling agents that work in sequence rather than isolation:
Menthol — activates TRPM8 cold receptors in your skin within 3 seconds of contact. The instant freeze you feel the moment the mist lands.
Menthyl Lactate — a sustained-release cooling agent that extends the cooling sensation for 2 to 3 hours without reapplication. Re-activates with water anytime.
No other brand in India combines both. This is the verified India First claim — zero domestic or international brands in Indian retail offer this combination alongside active Panthenol (Vit B5) and Plant Squalane in a 100% botanical, alcohol-free formula.
What is Panthenol (Vitamin B5) and why is it in the mist?
Panthenol is Vitamin B5 — an active tissue repair ingredient that your skin converts into Pantothenic Acid, a vitamin used for cellular regeneration and skin barrier nourishment.
While Menthol cools the surface of your skin — Panthenol works underneath, actively repairing your skin barrier, nourishing cells, and counteracting the drying and damaging effect of heat exposure.
No other Indian cooling mist carries Panthenol. Shaalik is the first. At 1ml per 100ml of formula — precisely calibrated to the efficacious dose without causing the slight tackiness that higher concentrations can create.
What is Plant Squalane and what does it do?
Plant Squalane in Shaalik is derived from sugarcane — the same plant that gives India its sugar and its jaggery.
Squalane is a skin-identical lipid — meaning your skin recognises it as its own and absorbs it without resistance. It creates a pearlescent dewy skin film in seconds. It locks fragrance molecules to your skin for 8 or more hours. It adds a natural glow that looks like your skin on its best day. And it leaves zero greasiness.
This is what separates Shaalik from every other cooling spray on the market. Other products cool and evaporate. Shaalik cools, repairs, and nourishes — leaving your skin better than it found it.
Why is there something floating inside the bottle?
Look closely. Those are not manufacturing defects. They are active botanical ingredients.
V1 Eternal Mitti contains: A live Vetiver root strand from Kannauj — the city that has been distilling Khus for a thousand years. This hand-cut strand continually infuses the mist with a deep, earthy petrichor baseline.
Two Bold Menthol crystal shards — wider than the dip tube so they stay inside the bottle and continuously release Menthol into the formula as you use it.
V2 Arctic Citrus & Neroli contains: A hand-dried Blood Orange wheel — dried slowly at low temperature to preserve the botanical oils. Slowly releases a dark, floral-citrus sweetness into every spray.
Two Bold Menthol crystal shards — as above.
These botanicals are stable for the full 24-month shelf life of the product. They are not decorative. They are functional — active pillars of the fragrance architecture as your bottle describes them on the neck tag.
Why must I shake the bottle before using it?
Shaalik is a dual-phase botanical formula. The essential oils and the water-based hydrosol base are both natural — and like all natural combinations, they separate when the bottle is still. This is not a flaw. It is proof that the formula contains no synthetic emulsifiers that would force them to stay artificially combined.
Shake vigorously for 5 seconds. The two phases fuse into a milky, pearlescent cryo-cloud. This activates the full Dual-Cryo engine and merges the fragrance matrix. Never spray without shaking — the formula will not perform at its best.
How do I use Shaalik correctly?
The five-step ritual for maximum performance:
1. Shake — vigorously for 5 seconds. Activate the cryo-cloud.
2. Mist — onto pulse points. Neck, wrists, inner elbows, chest, behind the knees. Pulse points emit heat which continuously releases the fragrance throughout the day.
3. Inhale — deeply. Let the Arctic hit. The Menthol activates in 3 seconds.
4. Re-activate anytime — splash or mist clean water on the sprayed area. Menthyl Lactate wakes back up instantly. The cool returns without reapplying.
5. Keep Refresh — the best application method. Apply on damp skin immediately after shower. Your pores are warm and open — Panthenol (Vit B5) and Plant Squalane penetrate deeply. The fragrance anchors all day. The cooling effect is stronger and lasts longer.
Pro tip: Store your Shaalik bottle in the refrigerator. Apply cold. The arctic shock is extraordinary.
How long does the cooling last?
With correct application — 2 to 3 hours of sustained cooling from a single spray. The Menthyl Lactate re-activates with water — so effective cooling can be extended through the day.
For maximum duration — apply post-shower on damp skin using the Keep Refresh method.
How long does the fragrance last?
8 or more hours with correct application on pulse points. The Benzoin Resinoid in the formula acts as a natural fragrance anchor — physically bonding essential oil molecules to your skin's lipid layer rather than simply slowing their evaporation. The fragrance does not just sit on skin. It bonds to it.
For maximum fragrance duration — apply on damp skin after shower. The open pores allow deeper penetration and the anchor holds longer.
Is the mist safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. The formula was designed specifically with sensitive skin in mind.
No alcohol — which strips and irritates sensitive skin. No synthetic fragrance — which is the most common trigger for skin reactions. No parabens, no sulphates, no phthalates, no camphor, no harmful chemicals.
The active ingredients — Panthenol, Plant Squalane, Aloe Vera, and botanical hydrosols — are all skin-nourishing, not skin-disrupting.
If you have a specific allergy to any botanical ingredient — please read the full INCI list on the product page before purchasing. If you are unsure, please contact us at support.shaalik@gmail.com before ordering and we will advise you directly.
Is it safe to use during pregnancy?
We recommend consulting your doctor before using any new skincare or fragrance product during pregnancy — including Shaalik. While all ingredients are 100% botanical and alcohol-free, essential oils including Peppermint, Neroli, and Vetiver should be used with medical guidance during pregnancy. Please check with your healthcare provider before use.
Can men use Shaalik?
Absolutely. V1 Eternal Mitti was designed with the Indian man firmly in mind.
Kannauj Vetiver — known as Khus — is one of the most deeply masculine fragrances in Indian heritage. Every man who grew up with Khus sherbet or Khus attar knows this scent. Mysore Sandalwood warms it. Peppermint sharpens it. The Dual-Cryo engine cools a 44°C afternoon without any of the alcohol or camphor that conventional male body sprays use.
V2 Arctic Citrus & Neroli is equally wearable by men who prefer a brighter, more energising fragrance profile. Mandarin and Petitgrain are traditionally gender-neutral in fine fragrance.
What is the shelf life?
24 months from the date of manufacture — unopened. 12 months after opening when stored correctly.
Store away from direct sunlight. Store away from extreme heat. Refrigeration is acceptable and actually enhances the cooling experience on application. Do not freeze.
The live botanicals inside the bottle — Vetiver root, Blood Orange wheel, Menthol shards — are stable for the full shelf life. They were sterilised before bottling and are preserved by the formula itself.
What does V1 Eternal Mitti smell like?
Deep. Earthy. Grounding. Ancient.
Top notes of Rose and a whisper of Peppermint open the spray. The Kannauj Vetiver — the true heart of V1 — emerges in the first minute. Rich, smoky, petrichor-like. The scent of Indian soil after the first rain. Mysore Sandalwood warms and deepens it. Benzoin Resinoid — the fragrance anchor — holds it close to skin for hours. As it dries down it becomes intimate, warm, and personal.
If you have ever loved Khus — Vetiver attar, Khus sherbet, the smell of Indian summer — you will know V1 the moment it touches your skin.
What does V2 Arctic Citrus & Neroli smell like?
Bright. Sparkling. Luminous. Alive.
Cold-pressed Mandarin opens with a burst of clean citrus energy. Organic Neroli — the most luxurious floral in perfumery — follows within seconds. Petitgrain bridges the citrus and the floral. Mysore Sandalwood anchors the heart. And then the Dual-Cryo engine hits — the cold rising through the fragrance, making it feel simultaneously warm and arctic.
This is the fragrance that fills a room.
The Handcrafted Bags
Are the bags really handmade?
Every single piece. Not assembled by hand from machine-made parts. Made by hand — from material to finished bag — by Indian artisans who have spent years or decades mastering their craft.
Rattan bags are woven strand by strand. Macramé bags are knotted knot by knot. Jute totes are loomed by hand. Cane bags are shaped, woven, and finished entirely by human skill.
This is why no two pieces are identical. Because machines make identical things. Hands make unique ones.
Are Shaalik bags cruelty-free?
Yes — completely. The Craft Collection uses no animal leather. Hardware is metal. Linings and trims use vegan leather and natural fibres. No animal products are used in any Shaalik bag.
How do I care for my Shaalik bag?
Rattan and Cane bags: Wipe with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Do not soak. Do not machine wash. Store in a dust bag or wrap in cloth when not in use. Keep away from prolonged moisture — natural rattan and cane can soften if left wet.
Macramé bags: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Air dry flat. Do not machine wash. Do not wring. Store loosely — never compressed.
Jute and Palm Leaf totes: Wipe clean with a dry cloth. Jute can absorb moisture — keep dry. Store flat or hanging.
For all bags — avoid direct sunlight for extended periods as natural materials can fade. Store with a light stuffing of tissue paper inside to maintain shape.
Can I get a bag repaired if something comes loose?
Yes. Contact us at support.shaalik@gmail.com with photos of the issue and your order details. For genuine manufacturing defects within 7 days of purchase — we will repair or replace at no charge. For wear and tear after extended use — we will advise on repair options and costs.
Ordering and Delivery
How do I place an order?
Browse the collection. Add to cart. Proceed to checkout. Pay via Razorpay — all major cards, UPI, net banking, and wallets accepted — or choose Cash on Delivery at checkout.
You will receive an order confirmation email immediately. Dispatch confirmation with tracking within 1 to 2 business days.
Is Cash on Delivery available?
Yes. COD is available across India. Select Cash on Delivery at checkout and pay when your order arrives at your door.
For COD orders — please ensure someone is available at the delivery address to receive and pay. If a COD order is returned undelivered, re-dispatch may incur an additional charge.
What are the shipping charges?
Free shipping on all orders above ₹2,000.
For orders below ₹2,000 — a standard shipping charge applies at checkout.
Pan-India delivery. Orders are dispatched within 1 to 2 business days of payment confirmation. Delivery typically takes 3 to 5 business days depending on your location.
Do you deliver outside India?
Currently we deliver across India only. International shipping is being planned for late 2026. If you are outside India and wish to order — contact us at support.shaalik@gmail.com and we will do our best to help.
How do I track my order?
Once your order is dispatched you will receive a tracking number via email and WhatsApp. Use this number on the courier's website to track your delivery in real time.
If you have not received tracking details within 2 business days of ordering — please contact us directly.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Please photograph the damaged packaging and product immediately upon receipt and email us at support.shaalik@gmail.com within 48 hours of delivery. We will resolve this with a replacement or full refund — no questions asked.
We pack every order carefully. But couriers are not always gentle. If they damage your Shaalik — we will make it right.
Returns and Refunds
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 7 days of delivery for:
✦ Products that arrived damaged or defective
✦ Products that are significantly different from what was described
✦ Unopened and unused products in their original packaging
We do not accept returns for:
✦ Products that have been opened and used (mists)
✦ Products returned without their original packaging
✦ Change of mind after a product has been used
For all return requests — contact support.shaalik@gmail.com with your order number and reason for return. We will guide you through the process.
How long does a refund take?
Once we receive and inspect the returned product — refunds are processed within 5 to 7 business days back to your original payment method. For COD orders — refunds are processed via bank transfer.
What if I received the wrong product?
Contact us immediately at support.shaalik@gmail.com with your order number and a photo of what you received. We will dispatch the correct product within 24 hours and arrange collection of the wrong one at no cost to you.
Bulk and Corporate Enquiries
Do you do corporate gifting?
Yes — and it is one of the things Shaalik does best.
A Shaalik Wooden Box Edition with custom laser engraving is one of the most distinctive corporate gifts available in India right now. Your company name, logo, or message on the lid of a Sheesham wooden box containing India's first Dual-Cryo botanical cooling mist — this is a gift that recipients keep, display, and talk about.
Minimum 10 units for bulk orders. Pricing tiers from ₹1,799 per box. Pan-India delivery. Tax invoice provided.
Visit our Bulk Enquiry page or email support.shaalik@gmail.com.
Can I get custom engraving on the wooden boxes?
Yes. Custom laser engraving is available on all Wooden Box Editions for bulk orders of 10 units or more.
You can engrave your company name, a couple's wedding date and names, a personal message, an event name, or a brand tagline. Up to 40 characters. An engraving preview is shared within 48 hours of order confirmation.
What is the minimum order for bulk pricing?
10 units. Below 10 units — standard retail pricing applies. From 10 units upward — bulk pricing and custom engraving become available.
How long does a bulk order take?
7 to 14 business days from order confirmation and advance payment — depending on quantity and whether custom engraving is required. For urgent Diwali or wedding orders — contact us at least 3 weeks before your required delivery date and we will prioritise.
Contact and Support
How do I contact Shaalik?
📧 Email: support.shaalik@gmail.com
📞 Phone: +91 9220290223
📸 Instagram: @theshaalik
🌐 Website: shaalikcollective.com
We respond to all enquiries within 24 hours — Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm IST. For urgent matters — WhatsApp is the fastest route.
I have a question that is not answered here.
Write to us. support.shaalik@gmail.com. Mandira or someone from the Shaalik team will respond personally — not with a template, not with an automated reply, but with a real answer from a real person who knows these products inside out.
That is the Shaalik promise. Always.
Crafted In Nature. Defined By Elegance.
Pure Ingredients · Pure Intentions · Pure You
Trusted by 1,000+ patrons across India · Handmade · Handcrafted · India First · @theshaalik