Lush Dark Angels Face Cleanser {Product Review}

Price: Rs 700 for 100 gms (approx.)

Ingredients

Rhassoul Mud, Cold Pressed Avocado Oil (Persea gratissima), Glycerine, Powdered Charcoal, Black Sugar (sucrose), Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Perfume, *Linalool, Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album), Rosewood oil (Aniba rosaeodora)

 

Pros

natural ingredients

makes the skin really soft

exfoliates amazingly!!

Cons

doesn't control oil production

doesn't remove oil or cleanse really well

very expensive!!

My Experience

I got this in June and have been using it on and off since then. I had been wanting to try the product since a very very long time so was very excited to try it out. So, how to use it a very big problem and trust me when I say its damn messy!!! It will blacken your washbasins and everywhere else it touches. 

How to use? Take a pea size amount and pour a drop or two of water on it and make a paste which will be a little watery and cleanse with it thoroughly. Though, I would like to say that it doesn't really cleanse well. I use oil to remove the traces of sunscreen from my skin and this product doesn't cleanse that oil as thoroughly as I would like. 

But, its a damn good exfoliator. It leaves the skin soft and smooth and removes the whiteheads but it didn't really have any noticeable effect on my blackheads. I use it on alternate days to scrub my face properly. Its not at all harsh. Oh btw, avoid looking in the mirror or you might frighten yourself :D Yes, it looks like black paint on the face!! 

 

Its definitely expensive and would last two months at max if used regularly which I think is way too less. The expiry period of the product is probably four months from the date of manufacture but I do have issues with this date things in Lush. They provide date of packaging and expiry but the date of packaging is date when you buy the product. So, how do they calculate the date of expiry? Honestly, Lush is not really working out well for me!!

Have you used Dark Angels?

Other products I love or hate from Lush:

Lush Caca Noir

Lush Aqua Marina Cleanser

Lush Gorilla Perfumes - Short Description

Update on Lush Caca Noir

Auravedic Botanical Actives Pulpy Facewash Honey Almond {Product Review}

Price: Rs 150 for 100gms

Ingredients

Pros

- made of natural ingredients

- no SLS (I am searching for a face was without SLS) 

- cleanses the skin really well 

- leaves the skin soft and doesn't stretch it

Cons

- stings the eyes real bad!!! 

- not suitable for excessively dry skin as it stings badly!!

- if you use excess of product, it makes the skin feel stripped

- it would have been great if it came in a flip top packaging

My Experience

I got this product back in February for review. But, that time, my skin was going through a dry patch so when I used this for two-three times, it really stung my skin badly. So, from personal experience, I can say that this product is really potent and is not for people who suffer from any skin issues like eczema and psoriasis. For the record, I don't have any.

it smells really funky like a jelly (in a good way)

So, I had to discontinue using this product that time and I had talked to the Auravedic people too regarding this issue. They also advised me to stop using it immediately. But, last month, I ran out of my face wash stock so I decided to give this a try again!! My skin was healthy and not going though any rough patches that time so the face wash was good. 

Coming to the cons again, the biggest problem I have with this product is that it stings my eyes every time I use it. It was really frustrating. Yes, I do understand that it has natural ingredients which are not suitable for the delicate eye area. But, I do expect not to end up hurting my eyes every time I wash my face. Otherwise, it cleanses the skin really really well. 

Also, another issue with the product is that since it comes in tub packaging, sometimes I do pick up a little more of product and if I do use excessive product at one time, it really makes my skin feel stripped off and dry. The usual amount to be used at one time is a pea size of the product and it forms a good amount of lather and leaves the skin really soft and doesn't stretch it at all. 

A flip top packaging would be a great idea for this product so that one can control the amount of product coming out of the bottle. Overall, I do want to give another variation (Rose-Saffron) of this a try but I am holding back just because of the stinging issues. Yes, it is definitely worth a try and one tub lasts for a month easily!!

PS: Product sent by brand. 

Other products from Auravedic:

Auravedic Reviving Body Cleanser

Auravedic Pure Brightening Skin Polish Amla Tamarind

Auravedic Facial Skin Repair Moisturizing Lotion

Auravedic Pomegranate Grapeseed Face Polish

Biotique Bio Honey Gel {Product Review}

In my quest for a natural or herbal face wash, this was one of my tries. So, lets see how it went?

Price: Rs 149 for 120ml

Ingredients

My Experience

The USP of this product for me was the absence of SLS. The cleanser is pink in color as you can see and has an artificial fragrance. The consistency of the product is like a gel - neither too runny nor too thick. Now, how it cleanses? I have noticed that it cleanses the face very well and keeps the skin really soft. It doesn't cause your skin to dry out but you do need moisturizer afterwards. The major advantage is that it does help keep the blackheads at bay.

Now, a major disadvantage of the product is that it leaves a film behind and the skin feels slippery when you are trying to wash off the face wash which takes a lot of time to get rid of and wastes a lot of water too. Warm water does a better job at washing off the face wash. Otherwise, it is a really good product.

Now, I do not think I noticed any lightening of the complexion so nothing on those grounds. And, it doesn't leak while traveling even though it has a wide mouth but it does make more quantity come out of the bottle which is very irritating.

My Recommendation

If you do not mind the slippery feeling, it is definitely a must try!!!

Also read other reviews from the same brand:

Biotique Basil and Parsley Cleanser

Biotique Watercress Fresh Nourishing Conditioner

Biotique Bio Henna fresh Powder Hair Color

Biotique Mountain Ebony Fresh Growth Stimuating Serum

Biotique Carrot Protective Lotion

Biotique Avocado Body Massage Oil

Biotique Basil and Red Sandalwood Powder Talc

Biotique Kelp Hair Growth Protein Shampoo

Biotique Bio Pistachio Ageless Nourishing and Revitalizing Face Pack

Biotique Bio Musk Root Hair Mask

Winter Skin Care Lotions

Nivea Refreshing Cleansing Milk {Product Review}

This was another of my longing impulse buys as the packaging looked really cute to me. I have never ever used a cleansing milk before this so when I used it, I am not sure I liked it much. And, then, the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth cleanser arrived and this lay forgotten. But, I had to dig it out again after the Liz Earle sample got used up and believe me the 30ml sample did last me quiet long. Ok, may be due to the reason that I only need to take off the sunscreen!!! But, I am missing it!!! So, back to this review.

Price: Rs 159 for125ml

Ingredients

Did you see the ingredient list??? So, simple!!!!

My Experience

Ok, the main disadvantage with this is that you have to wash your face and neck with a face wash or a cleanser after using this. I am not sure if you need to do that with any other. Otherwise, it is a really good cleanser. Since it is liquid, it is easily to apply and massage in without needing to add water and removes all the dirt and grime and sunscreen I have applied. It doesn't however remove the kohl/kajal from my eyes but I have heard this is a really impossible feat for almost all cleansers. And, the cleanser doesn't make my face dry or oily or anything of the sort. After washing the face also, my face is comfortable and not too dry or anything.

My Recommendation

It is a good cleanser and looking at the ingredient list and my love for Nivea, I would say yes!!!

Episoft Cleanser {Product Review}

This post is more of a recommendation than a review. 

I don't have a HG face wash so I do keep experimenting and if someone asks me to recommend some, I would say Episoft cleanser which I have used and have discontinued using coz of its cost and availability issues but it is really good and better than Cetaphil actually and I am speaking for this coz I have used both of them and have seen the difference. So, in case you are in search of a good face wash, you can try it out. 

Regarding the cost, both cetaphil and Episoft cost the same. 

The cleanser is really light weight and non-greasy and leaves the skin just as it is (not dry or oil but clean). I have compared their ingredient lists too and did find that the Episoft ingredient list was better and gentler. And, comparing the cleansers, Episoft is gentler. I have used some 2-3 bottles of this cleanser on and off where as I have used Cetaphil only once and never went back to it. 

Regarding the availability, you can ask for it at Apollo pharmacy and they will definitely get it for you in case you do not get it at other drug stores. They might or might not have stocked it so that it a hitch in being regular with this cleanser.

One more thing I would add is that I had this cleanser prescribed by a dermatologist whom I didn't much like and she had prescribed this one for my dry skin problem on my hands which had developed weird dry patches. When I used this cleanser over those patches, the condition normalized gradually in sometime so I can safely say that it is a damn good cleanser for people with such issues.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser {Product Review}

This is a small bottle which you get free on the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sun block.

Price: 80 INR for 50ml

Ingredients

Only 3 ingredients which is quiet a change from the long list we generally see and it does have SLS

My Experience

They have tried to make it smell a little citrous.So, first concern which may arise for everyone is the presence of SLS. After all, it is on the top of the list and with only 3 ingredients, I would say its quiet a unique product. I have been using this product since probably a month and only half of it is finished as you can in the first pic. Now, one thing I would mention is that even though it has SLS, it doesn't lather as much as the shampoos and other face washes. It lathers quiet less and cleans rather thoroughly. I have one complain with this face wash that I always feel it leaves a film on my face which I hate completely but it has never made my skin dry or stretchy. Instead, the face does look a little brightened and fresher. And, now the best part of this face wash, since it claims to do deep cleansing of the pores, it actually stands true on the claims. I would say that my blackheads have reduced quiet a lot and recurred less since I have started using this face wash regularly which is more than I can say for nay other face wash. It is for normal to oily skin so yes it suit my combination skin well. And, it is quiet affordable and lasts long.

My Recommendation

It is a good cleanser for oily skin with a lot blackheads trouble. Not for dry skin at all.

Franc Essential Cleanse and Body Melt {Product Review}

I will be talking of two products today and I will be writing about the remaining two in the next post. I received a sample each of all the four (above pic) so this won't exactly be a review. Instead, I would describe my limited experience with the samples. Lets start with the Cleanse and wrap up with Body Melt. Do visit their online store to check out their other products. They do have an interesting range of products and their ingredient lists are worth a look (almost natural).

Franc Essential Cleanse

Ingredients

My Experience

I have used this cleanser only two times. The first time I used I felt it to be a little drying for my skin but the feeling did not recur after the second use. It takes away all the impurities and cleanses well and I found that it need not be followed with a face wash like some cleansers do. But, I felt a very faint feeling that probably it leaves behind a film which I never like in my product so I always use a face wash to get rid of the effect. Otherwise, it left my skin supple and soft both the times and also did a little brightening job. It doesn't feel heavy and it did suit my combination skin.   

Franc Essential Body Melt

Ingredients

Full of Cocoa and Shea Butters

My Experience

I have used the body melt mainly for my hands and legs. I found it to be a bit hard to take out from the sample first of all. It is a thick cream and requires a lot of rubbing in the skin to get absorbed as opposed to its name. It didn't definitely melt on my body but the amount was less so I can't give a judgement on the product. It moisturized my skin well but it took a lot of time to get absorbed and later (around after half hour) my skin felt soft but till then the cream felt a little heavy for me on my hands but it was great for the legs. This product is mainly for dry skin as it is extremely creamy and moisturizing.

PS: Product provided by the brand for consideration.

Lush Aqua Marina Cleanser {Product Review}

Pink Mass wrapped in the sea weed

My second purchase from Lush and not much of a hope!!!

Price: 643 INR for 110 gms

Ingredients

full of amazing ingredients which is really a good thing - glycerin, calamine powder, Irish moss infusion, aloe vera, sea salt, nori seaweed, sweet orange, patchouli oil, carrageenan and perfume

My Experience

It looks peachy encircled in green and really gross green, actually, but since it is seaweed and Lush, you will forgive everything. So, you require a really less quantity of the cleanser - more like a peanut size. The direction is to make a paste with water and use as a regular cleanser but it is better to take the peanut size and rub it all over your wet face. It dissolves easily that way and many of the reviews suggest the same thing. You can feel the clay. It smells weird but likable once you get used to it so nothing to worry about. And, since it is so costly, I would like to get maximum out of it, so I massage it for 2-3 minutes over the face. It does cleanse the face really well. Does not leave any residue behind and leaves the skin soft. But, it can not even remove a simple kajal so it doesn't remove make up at all. 

I have been using this on and off since February and I have noticed that it used to dry my face during the colder temperatures where as it is just fine now a days. I have a combination skin which is towards dry side. So, keeping that in view, it wouldn't suit people with dry skin (I don't think it is meant for them) and people living in hilly regions. The climate there is too dry so you need something which can hydrate and moisturize your skin. I donno if I have a very strong reason but I can just say that it is fine but nothing great for me certainly nothing special after looking at the price I bought it for. Well, I get better results using besan which costs only pennies. Not that I am abusing Lush or something but my experience with both the products I have used till now (Caca Noir, this one and even Porridge Soap which I haven't yet reviewed) has not been great. So, I think I'll take a little break from Lush and revisit at a later point it for some masks and scrubs which is a better idea.

My Recommendation

Try it in the shop and wait for an hour or two and then decide for yourself if you want it or not. Try it on your face not hands. Don't feel ashamed or anything. You are after all gonna pay a lot for it. You might end up liking it coz it did get rave reviews all over the blogosphere.  

Cleanse your face with Rose Milk {DIY}

I had posted about the DIY rose milk I made couple of days back. I used it to cleanse my face at night with it without using any cleanser. Since the texture of the milk is scrubby but not spiky so it is perfect for a 2-in-1 cleansing at night. The cleansing action of the rose milk is due to the lactic acid present in milk so I am not sure how well the rose milk made from water would cleanse the skin. 

Take a little of the rose milk in your hand and rub it on your face just like a cleanser. Massage the face very gently. The soft rose petals do not exfoliate the skin as such such but they feel nice against the skin and make the skin super soft. It can be drying for some too so following with a moisturizer is very important. But, it cleanses the face really well. 

I do not wear makeup and I wasn't even wearing kajal so I am not sure how well it will remove the makeup though it can be used in conjunction with the makeup remover. 

Honey as face cleanser

Happy Karwachauth to all of you :)

Well, I did nothing innovative today. I was just feeling like pampering myself and the only thing I had was honey. So, tried to use it as a cleanser. Today I used it after my scrub but a few days before, I used only honey to cleanse my face after a very long day. And, it worked so wonderfully :)

You do not have to do anything except take a little honey in your hands and rub it into your face in upward massage movements. I did the massage for around 15 minutes and then left it for 5 minutes. You should apply honey even on the eye area. Do not miss it out. It is good for wrinkles. After waiting, I washed it off with warm water followed by water at room temperature. My skin was amazing. It was glowing and had perfectly even skin tone. 

Note: Try to use organic honey. 

My blackheads did not disappear though. But, I did not expect them to. They need a little more work than simply working honey into your face. So, happy cleansing with honey and do share your experiences :)