Nivea Whitening, Cell Repair & UV Protect Body Lotion {Product Review}

Price: Rs 225 for 950ml

Pros

gets absorbed really quickly into the skin

keeps skin hydrated and moisturized for a long time 

very thin in consistency and you don't require much

has UVA protection

Cons

doesn't have UVB protection

I am not sure about the whitening claims

can't be applied at night coz of UV filters in the product

My Experience

To start with, the consistency of the product is really thin so it gets absorbed very easily but do not underestimate its moisturizing or rather the hydrating properties of the product. It keeps the skin in a great supple condition for almost 6-8 hours and that's the max I have used this product because I remove it in the evening.

I had read somewhere (in someone's review, don't remember which!!) that it helps curb tanning but I don't think I really saw anything like that. The product boasts of 40X Vitamin C but I really didn't see it do anything extraordinary. I think the reason may also lie in the fact that I used it only while going out and not at night or otherwise.

I think it would have been better if the product did not have UV filters so that it can be used at anytime and probably might show some effect on tanning.I totally don't like the whitening claims and regarding UV claims, I always prefer to use sunscreen. I tend to stay away from products which say they moisturize as well as protect. So, I used to layer this upon the sunscreen.

Overall, I am not really sure about the product so I guess they should launch the same in a variation which doesn't have sunscreen. Have you used the product? How did you like it?

PS: Product sent by brand.

Other products I love or hate from Nivea:

Winter Skin Care Lotions 

Nivea Fruity Shine Dragon Fruit vs Pomegranate 

Nivea Refreshing Cleansing Milk

Nivea Repair and Protection

Nivea Nourishing Body Milk

Nivea Sun Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50 PA++ 

Nivea Sun Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 PA++

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

Chocolate Sugar Body Scrub {DIY}

After a really long time, I resorted to some DIY and I have huge expired Cadbury cocoa powder jar. So, what can be a better way to use it all :) Enjoy the recipe and don't forget to try it out!!

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 1 Tbsp Raw Sugar
• 20 drops Body Oil /  Essential Oils

Method

Mix them all in a container. Make sure that you use a steel one if you plan to use essential oils. Plastic can change the composition. Add honey at the end just when you are about to enter the shower otherwise the sugar would melt!! When you mix the ingredients, it becomes a chocolate mousse (a little thick in consistency) and smells all of chocolate. In fact, it was a waste for me to add the body oil as its smell got masked by that of the cocoa powder. But, I guess essential oil should be good. Give it a try!!

Results

Well exfoliated skin which smells delicious and is so soft and hydrated. If possible, after scrubbing, keep the mask on for 5-10 minutes. Definitely recommended for a home pampering session.

Related Posts:

Chocolate Mask for you skin care

Chocolate Anti-Aging Mask

Forest Essentials Mashobra Honey & Vanilla Bath & Shower Oil {Product Review}

If you remember my June mega haul, you would have noticed this. This was among my first buys from FE and honestly, the brand is expensive and I always thought it was over-priced. Yes, I am cynical about most things :) Let's see how I like this.

Price: Rs 340 for 50ml/1.69 Oz

Ingredients

Gokharu - Its an aphrodisiac and used for vata and pitta doshas. Its great for eczema and psoriasis and also relieves itchy skin.
Deodaru - Its extracted from the deodar tree. Its an insect repellant and has anti-fungal properties. Its used mostly in aromatherapy because of its aromatic properties.

Pros

smells absolutely divine

very light oil; doesn't get greasy on skin OR hair

moisturizes the skin adequately

fragrance lingers on the skin 

elevates the mood instantly

Cons

expensive!!

My Experience

To start with, the entire FE haul didn't really empty my pockets because I bought them against the gift voucher I received on redeeming my credit card points. But, this body oil was worth it!! So, lets start analyzing the product. I bought the travel-sized version because I wanted to try out many products though its also available in a bigger size for 1000 bucks.

I really don't know how actual vanilla essential oil smells but this was a bliss. To bathe with this oil soaked in my bath water elevates my mood instantly and really relaxes me on the whole. And, the fragrance of the product smells natural and is strong but doesn't hurt my nose at all. And, my nose is very particular about what it likes!

The oil is extremely light and disappears into the skin immediately. It keeps the skin well-moisturized and I am sure it would serve well enough in winters. Pouring 20 drops in hand-hot bath water gives off a very peaceful aroma and wraps you in the fragrance. A perfect choice for a luxurious and pampering evening or night.

I did try using it yesterday as a hair leave-in, taking two drops and distributing it evenly on the hair strands concentrating on the ends and after that was done, I rubbed my palms on the scalp. And, surprisingly, my scalp wasn't feeling dry (which it had been for past few washes) and my hair is not weighed-down even a bit and is soft and added advantage was that curls are more defined.

Yes, I absolutely love it and would recommend it to everyone. The only hitch for me is that its expensive. FE has four bath oils. I have the Tuberose one as well but this product is more strong and I love this more. Somehow, I am not a fan of rose essence!! Seems surprising but actual rose doesn't smell as awesome. Nor does Jasmine even for that matter. Both are strong and pungent and take a little getting used to. 

Related Posts:

5 tips on How to use Bath Oil?

Neev Almond Rose, Lemongrass and Patchouli Handmade Soaps {Product Review}

What's Neev?

Since I am reviewing only handmade soaps, I shall keep it to Pros and Cons. So, lets start. 

Price: Rs 80 for 100gms (for all soaps)

Neev Almond Rose Soap

can you see the almond grits?

Ingredients

Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Lye, Rose Oil, Geranium Oil, Palmarosa Oil, Rosemary Oil, Roasted & Ground Almonds

Pros

feels really luxurious when you use it

moisturizes the skin

has almond grits in the soap which tends to do a bit of superficial exfoliation

feels really soft on skin

Neev Lemongrass Soap

Ingredients

Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Lye, Lemongrass Oil, Lavender Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil

Pros

moisturizes the skin but not as much as the Almond Rose soap

it smells refreshing and feels refreshing on skin!!

Cons

does dry out the skin a bit

Neev Patchouli Soap

Ingredients

Patchouli Oil, Lavender Oil, Ylang Ylang Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Coconut Oil, Mahua Oil, Palm Oil, Lye

Pros

moisturizes the skin but not as much as the Almond Rose soap

it smells bit like Patchouli essential oils

Cons

does dry out the skin a bit

Cons (for all soaps) 
melts away easily so its better not to use it directly on body

fragrance of the soap is not strong

How to use the handmade Soaps?

Lather the soap between palms and then apply lather on the body. This prevents the soap to melt away soon.

Raw Sugar and Rock Salt {Ingredients}

I have been always raving about sugar and salt scrubs but I have heard so many complaints about sugar being too harsh on skin. So, I wanted to share the sugar and salt which I use for my scrubs.

Fab India Raw Sugar

Raw Sugar is called Khandsari in Hindi. It is a less refined sugar, next to jaggery which is completely unrefined. It melts easily on skin and is not at all harsh and exfoliates really well. You can use it in place of sugar as well. Its less sweet, as well!!

Price: Rs 150 for 100 gms (approx.)

Skin Type: Dry to Matured

Patanjali Sendha Namak

Rock Salt is amazing for skin. I found only Patanjali selling rock salt in Hyderabad so I used it. In fact, rock salt is a little clumpy and not free flowing but this one is as fine as normal sugar so I do have doubts on the quality. If you know of anything better, do feel free to use it.

Price: Rs 10 for 1kg

Skin Type: Combination to Oily 

So, do check out this amazing DIY using the above ingredients which makes your skin glow like anything!! And, do let me know your experience :)

Tips on How to use Bath Oil? {Five Series}

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Yes, as you can discern from the post title, I am starting a new series called the Five Series. I shall be covering all the topics as much as possible in which 5 points on the topic would be covered. You can send me the post requests too!! I shall try to keep these posts short and quick so that you can read them easily.

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Massage and Moisturize

The regular use of oils is as a moisturizer. Aromatic bath oils are amazing for massages as they are extremely relaxing for the body and mind.

Aromatic Baths

This is my fav of all of the ways. I love to tip the bath oils into my bath water and add 5-20 drops depending on my mood and enjoy my bath. Yes, I smell amazing after that and can forgo moisturizing if I am feeling lazy. Great for hot baths as warm water releases the scent better (yes, a beauty sin!).

Facial Treat

Drop 5 drops in steaming hot water and steam your face. This relaxes your senses. Also, add it in your Pedicure and Manicure routines as well. 

Perfume 

Apply the bath oil on your pulse points and enjoy the aroma.

Hair leave-ins

Yes, these bath oils are generally light so you can take a drop or two in your palms, rub them together and pass them through your hair concentrating on the ends.

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

Vedic Line+ Exfo 10 Avocado Face Scrub {Product Review}

Price: Rs 175 for 100gms

Ingredients

check out the oils - sesame, sweet almond, apricot, avocado oils and glycolic acid and glycerin!! and, it has papaya extract as well, wheatgerm oil which is listed just below yellow line and Portulaca extract which is supposed to have great anti-oxidant properties and fatty acids

Pros

- does give immediate brightening

- has apricot kernels or something which is not at all scratchy

Cons

- doesn't do anything for the blackheads

- may leave a creamy residue on the face after being washed off

My Experience

This product contains glycolic acid which made me very curious about the product. Its packaging or rather the color of the packaging is something I really love -  a bright pink. The product is creamy in color and consistency and has lots of small granules which are walnut shell powder. 

Interestingly, the granules are not harsh at all. They feel like apricot scrub, soft and gentle on the skin. I like to help myself to a generous amount of scrub but the product will easily last for around two months if used regularly. And, results of the scrubbing is that the skin is left brighter and softer. 

And, if you noticed the ingredients, it has quite some oils which is interesting!!! But, I do have an issue with the product which is that the scrub does leave a creamy residue after being washed off. I do not like my products to leave any residue on the skin. Otherwise, its a really good and gentle scrub which will suits all skin types, even oily. 

PS: Product sent by brand. 

Other products from Vedic Line:
Vedic Line Apple Green Toner
Vedic Line Fig & Honey Moisturizer
Vedic Line Papaya Scrub and Papaya Face Pack
Vedic Line Neem & Brahmi Disinfecting Face Wash

Just Herbs Cascade Moisturising Day Care Lotion Aloevera & Wheatgerm {Product Review}

Price: Rs 345 for 100ml

Ingredients

Key Ingredients -Aloevera 5% **,Wheatgerm oil 0.5%, Jojoba oil 0.2%, Apricot kernel oil 0.2 %, Vetiver extract 0.1% ,

Other Ingredients -Aqua ( Purified/Mineral water) , Sunflower seed oil**, caprylic Capric Triglycerrides ( Fractionated Coconut Oil) Glyceryl stearate citrate/cetearyl alcohol/glyceryl caprylate*, Glycerine** Shea butter** Soy Lecithin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate*, Parfum, CI 14720 (colouring agent), Octyldodecanol*,  Disodium EDTA, Herbs-Essential oil Complex( Natural Preservative) Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

** Certified Organic Ingredients

*  Natural Ingredients certified by ECOCERT

98.2% NATURAL RAW MATERIALS from renewable resources (Total amount of ingredients whose usage in cosmetic formulations follows sustainable standards)

Pros

- gets absorbed very quickly

- leaves the skin dewy and radiant

Cons

- not moisturizing for dry skin

- can make you sweat more

My Experience

the left is the Cascade Lotion

The product is very thin and gets absorbed into the skin pretty easily. And, I really like that it makes my skin look hydrated and moisturized without getting heavy. But, the main issue with this product is that it makes me sweat a lot if I am not in AC or in front of the cooler. I have used the product on my entire body and liked the way it kept my skin moisturized for 6 hours straight. 

The packaging is also very handy and travel-friendly. It comes with a pump. Only two pumps are required to cover my face and neck. Ok, this is a good product for normal to oily and combi skin but not suitable for dry skin. So, even if you have a combi dry skin, its not the product for you. I did face dryness sometimes.  Overall, its a good product to try out and see if it suits you. 

Also, I would like to point out that last time when I had reviewed the Silksplash face wash, I had complained about the secretive cleansing base, the PR guys from Just Herbs had reverted back immediately and furnished me with the entire ingredient list for this product. They also said that their packaging and ingredient listing policies are going to change soon in the near future. So, I am looking forward to the revelations :)

PS: Product sent by brand. 

Do you wash your face first thing in the morning? {Your Opinion}

When do you wash your face? In the shower or when you brush your teeth? I generally wash my face in the shower, howsoever late that may be. Its very rare that I wash my face first thing in the morning. But, it is supposed to be a good routine to wash your face first thing in the morning to remove all the oil accumulated at night as well as to remove the dead cells which have been accumulated when the skin repairs itself. Also, scrubbing in the morning is said to be extremely beneficial to remove the dead skin cells and reveal glowing skin. So, when do you wash your face?

Related Posts:

How to wash your face?

And, last day to enter the Aloeveda giveaway. Hurry!!

Image Courtesy:dovebeauty.co.za

Do you feel confident in your own skin? {Your Opinion}

So, after eons of ages, I went out for an outing at night (for a dessert party) today with some of my colleagues and enjoyed it so much. I did get dressed up as well with my really cute top and my Oasap flip flops. Me and my friend had brownies with ice cream but since it was CCD and not Barista, they were not as tasty :( Anyway, so, my question for today is just the one which you get asked in the Dove ad. Can you go out without makeup?

To answer the question myself, yes. I am absolutely comfortable in my own skin and in fact, I feel better without having even a moisturizer. My skin looks natural and in fact, I love going out at nights because I don't have an obligation to apply anything on my skin :D No sunscreen or any BB cream t prevent the white cast, yay!! And, that was one of the reason why I loved the outing :)In case you are thinking that my skin is flawless, no, its not!!! I have hell lot of pigmentation issues and my skin is sensitive to hyper pigmentation which makes it super important to apply the sunscreen regularly and my skin has great amount of yellow tones as compared to pink tones and my forehead is darker than my face and my neck is really pigmented and more than my neck, the joint of the neck and the shoulders have lot of pigmentation. So, you see I am not really flawless as some people really are. But, I love my skin as it is. Oh I forgot to mention the amount of facial hair on my chin, sideburns and neck which is probably the worst.

So, what about you? 

Image Courtesy:flawlessskin.net

How much moisturizer do you use? {Skin Care}

Did you know that you just need a pea size amount of moisturiser for your face??? I am in the league of people who always end up using more than enough of the product, be it any, howsoever much I may try. So, I decided that I would educate you all on this very important issue as it saves our bucks and our skin as well :) Excess of product is really not good for skin as it sits on the skin and ends up clogging the pores.

Just a pea drop!!

I have come to love the pump packaging more than any other as they deliver right amount of pea size we need for covering the face and another for the neck. I always take only a pump and rub my hands and simply press it on to my face starting with cheeks and going all over the face including forehead, nose, chin and skin between lips and nose and of course, the eye area. 

How to apply the moisturiser?

Rubbing the palms melts the moisturiser a bit and makes it more runny and pressing the palms gently on the face allows the moisturiser to get absorbed into the skin quickly without leaving any residue on the palms. Try this out today and you will love this method. The best part of this is that you don't need to move the skin on the face and the under-eye area and that, of course, prevents any unwanted wrinkles!! 

I always start out with the cheek area and then, go on to forehead, chin and then nose and at last, the skin around the eyes. I saw this method on Paris's blog and have been following it since quite long and I am loving it. This method is great for even the moisturisers which come in tub but generally, we do end up scooping out more than needed.

How do I use a toner? {Skin Care}

Toner is a product which has been under constant attack by everyone saying it is a useless step and doesn't really do anything for skin. But, you might have checked out my many DIY toners. So, yes, I do use a toner on and off and since face mists have hit the market, they have been favorites with every gal. So, I wanted to share a tip today. Using a toner regular can improve the hydration levels of the skin. And, for that, you need not go any far.

What toner do I use?

A simple rose water is enough to do the job. Or, green tea as well. I had also prepared a toner with essential oils which I had shared here. Frankly, I have used only one commercially available spritzer otherwise all my toners are DIY's. They are inexpensive and also I can play with them as I want. 

How do I use the toner? 

I store my toners in spray bottles and try to use them both morning and night but generally, I miss them in the mornings!!! I collect the toner in my palm by spraying 5-8 pumps and rub the palms and apply the toner on my face and neck. No, generally, I don't spill the product.

Results

Whenever I apply the toner on my face and then, follow immediately with facial oils, I have always noticed that the products get absorbed super fast and also leave a very dewy look. Also, the amount of moisturizer / oil required is less comparatively to when skin is not dewy. And, if you use green tea as a toner, it also helps with breakouts and acne!! 

My skin is more hydrated and supple and if I miss toner 2-3 days continuously in a row, my skin goes dull again :( So, I am working on making 'applying toner' a very religious affair. Do give this tip a try and lemme know how it goes for you :)

Rose Water with EO twist {DIY}

I did a post recently on how I use essential oils. In that, I had mentioned about a DIY toner which I am currently using. So, let's check out the recipe for it. Again, the heart and soul of the toner is use of EO's. 

yes, it went milky when I added the EO's

Ingredients

• 100 ml rose water (I used Patanjali Rose Water)
• 10 drops ylang ylang
• 10 drops lavender
• 5 drops neroli
• 7 drops frankincense
• 7 drops patchouli

Method: Mix all of them store in a spray bottle. Shake before using. 

How to use?

I use 10 sprays at a time and mostly I use it at night. I collect the product in my palm and then apply it to the face. Then, I nicely slap my face :D Ok, pat the face gently so that the toner is absorbed well. And, voila, I am done!! It moisturises my skin so well and my skin looks really dewy. A perfect one for the hot summers when I hate applying moisturiser to my face coz I feel hot and also, my skin gets oily by morning. But, with this, my skin remains just dewy, glowy and plumped in the morning. And, I am so loving this. Btw, it smells really amazing!!! 

What do you think?

My Top 5 Home Remedies this Summer {DIY}

[Source:radiomirchi.com]

Summers are beating the hell out of me and as I said earlier, I am not a fan of this weather at all. I prefer winters. So, I thought I would share my 5 favourite home remedies for skin. 

Tomato

Yes, I am not a fan of lemon. I find it too drying for my skin and its too acidic as well so I prefer to garnish my salads and dals (lentils) and sabzi's (curries) with lemon instead of applying it on face. Tomato is much gentler and equally amazing at almost everything. 

It removes tan, blemishes and dark spots, evens out the skin tone and makes my skin bright and glowing. And, not only that, I can use it on my hair for the extra shine and to undo the effects of sun damage. And, it doesn't leave my skin dry. And, its perfect even for sensitive skins for which is lemon is not really suitable. 

And, since I am lazy, I take a slice of tomato from my salad and rub it on my skin and let ot dry up and then, I wash it off. 

Cucumber

Who doesn't love cucumber in summers? They feel so hydrating and cool to eat and not to speak of their effects on skin. They are again amazing at evening out the skin tone and removing the tan. And, I forgot to say this above but both tomato and cucumber are great on acne and breakouts too. It cools off ths skin inside and outside both. 

Watermelon

Ok, this is not on my favorite fruit list and is highly unlikely it will ever make to one. But, I wouldn't deny that its the fruit which makes me feel refreshing on the name itself and its a favourite among many people. Again, it gives a hydrated skin staying true to its name and also helps with blemishes and tan. 

Coconut Water

Ok, to be frank, I have never used coconut water on my skin. But, I have heard so many people rave about it that it always makes me curious that how well does it do for the skin and hair. But, still, I can't deny the changes it does to skin even from the inside ;D It keeps the body temperature cooler from the inside and is supposed to be amazing for the complexion. 

Buttermilk

Yes, my favorite. Thought I love to drink it more than applying it on my skin, I do that sometimes. And, its just fabulous. Be it tanning or breakouts or blemishes or need for a glowing skin, this one remedy address to all. And, if you can spare a cup of buttermilk, add it to your bath as well. It shows a lot of difference. 

So, those were my favorite home remedies for the summers. What are yours???

Related Posts:

Summer Skin Care Essentials
Dry Skin and Cracked lips in Summers
Take a refreshing Orange Bath
Wear a scarf - Summer Hair Care
Drink, Drink and Drink - Summer Skin Care
Take care of your skin and hair by drinking water

Earth Store Cinnamon Spice, Jasmine Lavender and Mountain Rose {Product Review}

Earth Store Cinnamon Spice 

Price: Rs 95 for 100gms

Ingredients 

Pros

- Smell is incredible!!! Your whole bathroom will smell of Cinnamon while the soap will last :) The fragrance is uplifting. 

- Moisturising and doesn't leave the skin stretched. 

- Soap lasts for a month which is good for a handmade soap. 

- Love that its a natural soap and has amazing ingredients. 

- Stinging nettle powder acts as an exfoliant too.

Earth Store Jasmine Lavender

Price: Rs 95 for 100gms

Ingredients 

Pros

- Smell is incredible!!! Your whole bathroom will smell of Jasmine while the soap will last :) The fragrance is uplifting and very relaxing. 

- Moisturising again!!! 

- Soap lasts for a month  

- It looks beautiful too. 

Earth Store Mountain Rose

Price: Rs 90 for 100gms

Ingredients 

Pros

- Smell is great but not incredible. Smells exactly like roses.

- Moisturising and doesn't leave the skin stretched. 

- Soap lasts for a month 

- Natural again

- Has little exfoliating granules but I don't know what are they

Cons for all soaps

- Palm Oil comes from Palm trees which are getting endangered. 

- I don't know if the ingredients are organic.

Availability
Online - Earthy Goods Website

Other products from Earth Store:
Earthy Goods Forest Honey Nourishing Handmade Soap

Omved Intense Moisturizing Cream {Product Review}

Price: Rs 440 for 40 gms

Ingredients

DM water, extract of harida, baheda, glycerin, aloe vera juice, carbopol ultrez 21, phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, green tea extract, oils of lavender, chamomile, vertiver, sodium hydroxide.

Pros
- gets absorbed into the skin very quickly

- moisturises instantly

- moisturising stays for long time 

- doesn't really get washed off with water
- keeps the nails and cuticles moisturised too

- awesome ingredients

Cons

- very expensive

- doesn't help extremely dry skin

My Experience
Let me start by saying it smells really weird. But, once you get used to it, you will actually like it and sniff your hands for it. I used this small sample only to moisturise my hands. When I had received this in February, my hands were extra dry and I was hoping to improve their state with this.

The sample is not as big that I can actually review it but I can give a decent verdict on the product because of its concentrated use on one part. It is a thick cream which I used to apply after washing my hands and it moisturised my hands pretty well and instantly. It spreads easily and gets absorbed quickly without leaving any greasiness behind.

But, I also noticed that it didn't really help my extremely dry skin which was a con but gradually, my hands came back to the normal state so I am hoping that a continuous use of the product does show effects. This is an all-purpose cream which can be used on any part of the body. And, I definitely like the smell now :)

Availability
Online - NaturalMantra.com (10% discount valid till 31st March)

PS: Product sent by brand. 

PS 2: I have taken the images from Corallista.com owned by Ankita and I am really thankful to her for allowing me to use the images. Do check out her review on the same too.

Skin Care for Brides {Bridal Files}

As a second post in the series, nothing is more important than how to take care of the skin for the ultimate D-Day. And, I am not talking only about the face but also of the entire body. Surely, you wouldn't want your hands to look dry or feet to look cracked. So, this is a just a start up on that series. 

[Source: medtips.in]

Moisturize well

Dry skin always gets dark and dull and its your special time so you can go any lengths to invest in products. Get a good moisturizer and moisturize yourself well day and night. Especially, now. The weather is changing and it takes toll on the skin.

Dry Brush

Another of amazing saviors. It helps me fight excess weight, fat accumulation, improves blood circulation and makes my entire body glow. I would definitely advise you to get the Catus Brush from TBS but yes, its expensive so you can choose some of the lesser priced ones too. But, let me tell you that the cactus (I don't know if its really cactus, though ;P) bristles are more likely to prove more useful than flat brushes. 

Soaps and Scrubs and Masks and Other Treatments

Ok, if it was my marriage, I would most definitely invest in the charcoal range of Lush. Its a dark desire :D Seriously, the range fascinates me with its face cleanser and body scrub. But, I am not too fond of Lush soaps to be honest. I have used one and didn't really like it. So, if I were to advise you, I would say Earthy Goods has good soaps at lesser prices and Rustic Art soaps are little expensive but equally good. 

Regarding masks, no harm in trying out Lush coz I have never tried. The only issue is you should be able to finish them before they expire otherwise your money goes down the drain :( Or, you can try your favorite masks or facials at the salons or even the DIY's. Btw, if you are going for salon treatments, make sure you go to a good reputed salon and always get a trial beforehand to make sure the facial and the ambience of the place suits you.

Body Massages

Getting body massages is a good idea if you are not inhibited. I personally am so I do it on my own at home and follow it with a good scrubbing session. I really love spending on oils and I recently got the TBS Polynesian Monoi Oil which I had been coveting since long and which is definitely pretty expensive. But, its good for my skin. So, get a few body oils and some EO's can help you too. [I shall do a post on EO's separately]

Other things for glowing skin

The usual recital of water, sleep and food and even exercise follows. So, don't ignore them. Trust me they work wonders when synced with each other harmoniously.

A little tip: Try to sleep by 10. I know its difficult but nothing relaxes body better than that and it helps with many things too. More in some other post.

Skin Care Essentials {Skin Care}

[Source:Google Images]

Last week, I discussed about how a man's skin differs from a woman. But, the skin care routine stays more or less the same for both the genders so let us discuss some points.

Good Cleanser

Using a good cleanser is very imperative to a clean skin. The cleanser should be mild and be able to clean out the dirt out of your pores. Using medicated cleansers presecribed by dermatologists is also an option.

Exfoliate

This is another carnal rule of skin care. You don’t want your pores to be clogged. So, exfoliate using gentle scrubbers which remove the dead skin easily and do not really tear the skin. Once a week is sufficient if you are using a really powerful scrubber but it can also be extended to twice a week depending on your usage of products and exposure to natural forces like pollution and sun.

Sun Protection

You don’t really want to look aged at any age, right? So, get a good sunscreen with adequate protection for yourself and slather it on before you venture out even if it is for 5 minutes or even for 2 minutes. Preferable, get a Zinc Oxide based sunscreen which is skin friendly and environment friendly too.

Wear Shades

Getting a good quality sun glasses which wrap around your eyes is a very good idea to protect your eyes from not only sun rays but also from letting the dirt and pollution inside the eyes. Don’t hitch to spend on a good quality shade.

Protect Hands

Hands again are important as they are continuously doing our work and come in contact with so many germs. So, it is our duty to keep them soft and healthy looking. Slather on a rich face moisturizer on your hands before you sleep. And, do not forget to use a moisturizer on hands after washing them every time.

Lip Care

Your lips are sensitive and do not have any sun protection. So, make sure you always slather on a good lip balm on your lips and it is even better if the lip balm comes with sun protection.

Facial Moisturizer

Again very important and easily ignored by many people, your skin needs a lot of moisture from outside as well. So, use a good moisturizer which suits your skin and keep it looking soft and healthy.

How do you take care of your skin? Pin It