Empties #14

MAKEUP

KARDASHIAN BEAUTY Deeply Felt Precision Tip Eyeliner

This is my favourite liquid eyeliner and the more liners I try, the more I stand by that claim. Due to a lovely formula, it glides on the eyes like a dream and flicks were super easy to do. It lasted all day without smudging or flaking, basically it was just perfect. The only thing that I can point out as a negative is that it dries out a lot quicker than L'Oreal's Super Slim and that the brush applicator frays in time.

Repurchase: Yes.

COLLECTION Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer

1 Fair

This is a very similar concealer to Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, especially when it comes to coverage. I have the whole side by side comparison in my review, but I'll say again that I don't notice much difference between the two, except that Nars has a far better shade range for us Snow Whites. The coverage is pretty much full and it has excellent staying power. It can look cakey under the eyes after a while if you use tons, but it's better than anything we have in Slovene drugstores when it comes to full coverage.

Repurchase: Already did.

SKINCARE

GREEN LINE Clear Active Micellar Cleansing Water

I think that out of all the drugstore micellar waters I've tried, this one is the most effective one, especially now that I've used up most of them. However, the packaging is stupid. The screw cap is positively medieval and the design of the top part of the bottle prevents you from getting the last drop out. I would buy this again, but I would move it to another bottle. Unlike most micellar waters, this one is scented.

Repurchase: Probably.

EBELINE Ultra Sensitive 20 Feuchte Washlappen

I just used these for taking of swatches or fixing mistakes, but even so these didn't leave me with a lasting impression. They could be softer considering they are meant for sensitive skin.

Repurchase: Only if they are the cheapest option when I'll be buying a new pack.

Lavender Hydrolate

I originally got this because I hoped it would smell like lavender and I could use it as a fragrance mist, but it smells horrible, like lavender vinegar - yuck. I used it as a face mist and I think it worked well on my skin. The effects were nothing drastic, but my skin did look better when I used it. Lavender oil has anti-bacterial properties and it helps regulate sebum, so maybe that's why. 

Repurchase: I will get something similar.

BODY

BALEA Creme & Duche Cocos & Nektarine

One of my favourite shower gel because of the gorgeous peach bubble gum scent. I have a few in my stash.

Repurchase: Yes.

BALEA Totes Meer Salz Dusche Pfirsich - Mango

Though this is marketed as being for dry skin, I find it's just a classic Balea shower gel. They don't dry out my skin, but I know many dislike Balea shower gels because they are just too basic. To me this was a pleasant shower gel with a nice mango tropical scent (candy version), but not much peach.

Repurchase: It's likely.

BALEA Rasiergel

Summer Garden

A staple in my bathroom and I always have a spare because you never really now when exactly it will run out. This was by far my favourite limited edition version and it features a candy tropical scent.

Repurchase: Already did.

YVES ROCHER Vanille Collect'OR 

Eau de Toilette Intense

This is the most authentic gourmand vanilla scent. It literally smells like vanilla extract for baking. It's quite an intense scent and because it's a one note fragrance, it's nice for mixing with other scents.

Repurchase: I'm tired of vanilla scents at the moment, but someday I might.

THE BODY SHOP Vineyard Peach Body Butter

Probably my favourite body skin care item ever. It smells AMAZING and I aspire to have the whole collection. The texture is really moisturising and thick, which is how I like my body butters.

Repurchase: I already have another and yes, I would.

YUMMY Strawberry Body Butter

I loved the smell of this as it smells like strawberry chocolate or strawberry yoghurt, though I did get tired of the scent after a while. The texture was nice, somewhere between a cream and body butter, so it was nice for everyday use, but wasn't quite enough for super dry skin on my soles and elbows. 

Repurchase: No or maybe in a different scent.

HAIR

KÉRASTASE Masquintense Epais-Thick

My absolute favourite hair treatment in the world. This makes my coarse, dry mane feel like normal hair. Time and time again I'm astonished at how well this works for me. I use it primarily for special occasions because it's quite expensive, but so worth keeping in the stash.

Repurchase: Already did.

REDKEN All Soft Heavy Cream

I can't say I was impressed by this. It's good, but not 20 € per pot good. In fact it reminded me of the conditioner in the same line. It actually has the same effect on my hair and the conditioner is cheaper than the mask. It made my hair more nourished than an average drugstore treatment, but the margin was rather small. It was so unremarkable, I never even properly reviewed it, even though I had the pictures ready. It has quite a heavy sweet deep scent. This should probably work better on someone whose hair isn't as dry as mine.

Repurchase: I'm not sure, probably not.

Le Petit Marseiliais Masque Nutrition

While this was a very nourishing mask, I never felt like it does all it should for my hair. I mostly missed the silkiness that conditioners and masks usually leave, which is important if you have such coarse hair like me (it's silicone free). I ended up always mixing it with some other silicone based conditioner. The masks smells lovely, like honey. 

Repurchase: No.

PHYTO 9 

This disappointed me from the start. I expected a smooth, nourishing cream-serum-oil, but it turned out to be like I'm applying an actual face moisturiser to my hair. I never felt like it really fixed my dry ends whether I used it on dry or wet hair, but what bothered me most was that it leaves white bits in the hair, like the cream never completely melts, which on my dark hair looked like dust and as if my hair was dirty. I ended up mixing it with Nuxe shimmery oil for a better effect.

Repurchase: No.

TIGI Bed Head Urban Anti-Dotes Conditioner 

Damage Level 2

A nice conditioner, but not ground-breaking. Most people with moderately dry and damaged hair will like it because it not heavy, yet it moisturises well. It smells typically Tigi-ish, tropically sweet, like a mix of pineapple juice with Kiki sweeties.

Repurchase: No.

PHILLIP KINGSLEY Elasticizer

This was a massive disappointment for the price. I expected a lot because of the ton of raving reviews and because it's supposedly a cult favourite, but this doesn't hold a candle to Kérastase Masquintense. It's a pre-wash treatment that you apply on damp hair and leave on for 20 minutes (or overnight if your hair is really damaged). Apart from the hair feeling silky when I was rinsing it off before shampooing, I noticed no particular effect on my hair. It wasn't more manageable, or shiny, it really didn't do anything special.

Repurchase: No.

LEE STAFFORD Hold Tight Hairspray

My favourite hairspray by far. It's super light on the hair, not sticky or stiff, but it holds very well. The scent is annoying, but worth putting up with.

Repurchase: Already did.

PANTENE Expert Collection AntiAge Conditioner

I don't have any kind words about this apart from that it smells nicely clean. It didn't do squat for my hair and I ended up using it instead of a shaving gel.

Repurchase: No.

PHYTO Phytosquam Intense

Sample

A new dandruff treatment by Phyto that is quite unique as far as my experiences with anti-dandruff products go. I've tried all of Phyto treatments before and so far they were the best ones, however, didn't completely help me get rid of the problem, just alleviated it. This product is one that you apply on dry scalp, leave for 5-7 minutes, then add water to emulsify it and rinse off. Regular Phyto's shampoos are very runny, but this is closer to how average shampoos are like in terms of texture. It's a thick gel that I had a hard time distributing evenly on my hair, simply because I was working with a sample bag, but also because I have very thick, long hair, so it's not easy getting product on the scalp. The full size has a nozzle, so that should work a lot better. One bag had a lot of product inside, 12 ml, but I used up all and I still could have a few ml more to completely cover my scalp. When it was on my scalp, I didn't feel anything, so no tingling or anything similar. Once I added water it emulsified well, like a normal shampoo, which is surprising since Phyto's shampoos, don't foam well. Once I rinsed it off, my hair felt super squeaky clean, which is not something I'm terribly fond off, but that's just because I have dry hair. Where I managed to get on a thick coat of the treatment, it did remove most of the dandruff that is stuck on my scalp (about 85 %), while where I only had a light coat, a lot of the dandruff was still left, which leads me to believe this is a product that would be empty very fast. But results are promising. It removed the persistent layer of dandruff and let my scalp breathe a bit. The itching was still a problem, but for the first day there was significantly less of it. Impressed by the sample, I purchased a full size.

Purchase: I did a few days ago (Leposana 20.50 €).

Have a great day!

My Haul and Other Things

So, I am back to Hyderabad and wallowing in sadness :D And, as you all would be probably aware that my camera had not been functioning properly so I got my other camera this time from home. And, now that I can again take many snaps, I wanted to share some of the hauls in the past months and some other things. Do check out till the end :)

Kara Wipes and Neutrogena new sunscreen from New U and got a nail buffer free :)

Neev soaps from naturalmantra, Parachute body lotion dry skin and body shop haul :)

A word about the above products - Neutrogena new sunscreen is pretty light and oil free but extremely expensive (400 for 30 ml), Kara wipes good as always, Parachute body lotion is good but not for summers obviously ;), ginger body butter is not at all worth the cost (I am regretting it) and I love, love and love the Polynesian Monoi oil.

Essential Oils - rosemary, lavender, neroli, frankincense, bergamot, patchouli, cedarwood, ginger, cinnamon bark

 and, cocoa butter from moksha lifestyle

Loving the essential oils but undecided on the cocoa butter. And, now, a very very very special thanks to Taps for this sweet gift :) Well, remember the huge Glossy Box debacle??? Yes, Taps of Beauty Through my Eyes (she has her first giveaway on so don't forget to participate) sent me this wonderful gift as a substitute for the giveaway win even though I told her not to many times. Thank you sooooooooo much, Taps :)

 

I have been hearing such good things about the chocolate mask that I was very much tempted to get this but I restrained myself as I have so many products to finish. Now, I'm gonna use it ASAP, yippeeee :) And, that's another Neev soap to the collection. And, the third is the fresh line Blue Chamomile mask which was also one of the products I wanted to try. So, this weekend is gonna be a pamper session for me :D

How to start caring for your hair? {Hair Care}

[Source:happynews.com]

Ok, weird title!!! I know. Actually, what happened was that I had ignored my hair for too long and got horrible case of split ends because of which I was so angry that I chopped off a good length of my hair and now, my hair is back to the shoulder level. Now, I am trying to improve my hair health and grow them out.

So, I thought I would revisit the basics. So, in one way, you can say that this post is for my benefit instead of yours :P I shall try to include as many things as possible in this. And, I do get a lot of queries regarding hair care and hair loss so guess, next time, I can simply point to this link :D Ok, let's get started.

Moisturise the hair regularly

As I talked about in my hair diaries, I got cocoa butter for myself last month. I wanted to use it to as a hair mask because last year, the Lush Caca Noir really softened my hair a lot. And, I'm making it a point to not skip on the conditioner ever. 

Get a good hydrating conditioner as well which doesn't weigh the hair down. Ok, I can't recommend anything because I am on the search still but I remember that Biotique Watercress did very well for me so I might just get that.

Weekly hair conditioning is very important but don't forget to do the lighter conditioning every time you wash your hair.

Use good comb

I can't stress this enough coz I know how much the condition of my hair has improved since I switched to the TBS Wooden Comb. It really keeps my hair happy. Or, get any wide-toothed comb for yourself.

Scalp Care

Yes, very important. Try to massage the scalp everyday. That helps with hair growth and is relaxing as well. Also, if you feel your hair is not behaving, I would suggest to go for a hair wash immediately. Don't forget to get a gentle shampoo as it will keep your scalp in a good condition. 

Use satin pillow covers

The cotton ones suck all the moisture from hair and also increase the static in your hair so get the satin pillow covers or silk is even better!!! Make sure that you change the pillow covers regularly too to keep away the bacteria and the oils on the pillow cover from the face.

Oil lightly before washing

Even if you are not big on oiling your hair and I can understand that in summers but it helps a lot. So, to make a compromise, try coating your hair lightly with oil just half hour  to an hour before washing your hair. That really helps. 

These are some of the tips I am following regularly. And, next time, I shall talk about few remedies which were helpful in my hair growth.

My Hair Diary - March 2012

What did I do in March?

• I have been using Rosemary EO since two months. As to how much its working, I am still unsure but I do definitely think its helping but as I said earlier, its too soon to say anything definite. 
• And, as I promised in my last post, I did research on the essential oils to stimulate hair growth so some of the essential oils I have added to the stack are: Ginger, Cinnamon, Cedarwood, Lavender and Patchouli. 
• Also, I got cocoa butter for myself because I wanted to use it as a hair mask to soften my hair and keep it moisturised as a weekly treatment. 
• So, I made myself a DIY mask adding hair oil to the cocoa butter but its been two times I have used, the mask so I am not sure how well it is working. So, when I spend a little more time using this mask, I shall post its recipe too :)
• Also, I would add a word about both the oils I am using - Biotique and Kama. They are both amazing and really good. I shall publish the reviews after I finish with the product but this is just a word on them.
• And, my split ends have grown to huge extent so I gave myself a hair cut in March and again, I shall do it today. Yes, I can trim my hair on my own :) It saves a lot of money and hair length too :O

Products used in March

• Shampoo - Dove Nourishing Oil Care Shampoo 
• Conditioner + Leave-in Treatment - Sunsilk Dual Treatment Shots
• Hair Oil - Biotique Flame of the Forest + Kama Ayurveda Brigandi
• Combs - The Body Shop Detangling Comb

Related Posts:

My Hair Diaries - February 2012

My Hair Diaries - January 2012

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.

My weekly hair routine {Hair Care}

[Source: Google Images]

I have been trying to take care of my hair since quite long and have been trying to keep a sustaining routine. This is what I do weekly.

• Since my hair is curly and dry, I wash my hair only twice a week unless I go out somewhere in the dirt and pollution and specially in the day time or afternoon. Generally, I do not go out so my limit of shampooing twice weekly. Remember my article on how often should you shampoo hair?

My Weekday's Routine

• On the weekdays, when I wash my hair, I oil my hair and try to give it a hot oil treatment. At the very least, I try to cover my hair with shower cap and cover with a scarf for extra heating.
• If not so elaborately, I do heat the oil and then apply it on the scalp and generally massage my scalp for 15-20 minutes while watching something on the television. 
• Then, I leave the oil overnight and wash my hair next day. 
• I do try to massage my scalp every night but I am not so very regular with it.
• And, I give my hair a trim once in every two months. I do it on my own generally to avoid spending so much of money!!! But, twice in a year, I do prefer to go to a salon for a good hair cut. That reminds me of my next hair cut :)

Washing and Conditioning

• I use a dollop of shampoo and mix it with a fist full of water and dilute it.
• I wet my hair thoroughly with water and then, apply the diluted shampoo to my scalp and massage the scalp for sometime.
• Then, wash it off an follow with the shampoo second time if I have oiled my hair otherwise once is enough.
• After washing my hair, I squeeze the extra water from the hair and then, I apply a good amount of conditioner on damp hair and keep it on for 3-5 minutes minimum.
• After that, I wash my hair thoroughly, obviously, and remove all traces of the conditioner.
• I generally air-dry my hair. I use the towel to squeeze out all the water from my hair and gently wrap it in the towel for sometime to catch all the dripping water. This is something I do in the winters where as in summers, I leave my hair as it is. 
• I use a cotton towel instead of a turkey towel as the turkey towel is more fluffy and can cause the hair to dry out more than the cotton towel. And, I use a separate towel for my hair - the cotton ones which are extremely thin. 
• Anyways, after that I run a drop or two of the hair serum through the damp hair and since my hair is curly, I prefer to detangle my hair when it is 80-90% dry instead of letting it dry completely. The dampness helps the hair to detangle easily as compared to completely dry hair.

My Weekend's Routine 

• I do try to do a weekly deep conditioning treatment as my hair is dry, curly and thin and they get rough and dull very easily so I have to take care of them pretty regularly.  
• In the summers, I prefer to use home remedies like eggs and curd and such things but in winters, I am using the hair masks. 
• But, I do not apply the hair masks on the scalp so I use the aloevera gel for my scalp. And, I keep the conditioning treatment for an hour minimum and wash off my hair. 

So, this is my weekly hair care routine. Nothing elaborate but it helps keep my hair soft, shiny and manageable and routine hair cuts ensure no splits. 

Products I am currently using for hair:

• The Body Shop Detangling Comb
• Rogan Badam Shirin Almond Oil
• Dove Nourishing Oil Care Range
• Pantene Total Damage Care Shampoo and Conditioner
• Neutrogena Deep Clean Conditioner
• Biotique Bio Almond and Cashew Fresh Replenishing Serum

Is your skin itchy? {Skin Care}

[Source: Google Images]

Winters are almost on the door step and my skin has already started to feel the cold and chill in the air. And, my skin has also turned itchy lately. So, why is it so? Because of the lack of moisturization. Yes, if you are facing the same problem, you might want to explore more options in the moisturizer and body butter departments.For me, I would say that Nivea worked really well. Yes, the original blue tin Nivea. 

If budget is not a consideration, The Body Shop body butters are pretty much famous but if you do like to keep a tab, then, Nivea or any thick lotion would do the trick. And, if you still want more, you can go for the combination of body oils followed by body lotions. The key to control itchy skin is not let it get dry and this can also be helped from the inside by feeding on nuts. This is especially useful for people living in hills.

How do you counter your skin dryness? Pin It

Also read:
How to protect skin this winter?
Winter Skin Care Lotions

Dry Burshing - Why? {Skin Care}

My Cactus Brush (don't ask me if they are real Cactus bristles) [Price: Rs 945]

Of course you must have heard all about Dry Brushing by now. So, today, I wanted to discuss about its benefits and if it actually is worth all the hype it gets. I had bought a body brush (Cactus Brush from TBS to be precise) in February (rather it was gifted) and have been suing it on and off since then. Of course, there have been times when I had completely left it off for days together (not months, though) and I can easily tell the difference now. So, how did dry brushing effect my skin?

What is Dry Brushing?

You have a brush much like a coat brush and your use it to brush your body instead. It doesn't need to be wet like in other cases of exfoliation so it is called 'Dry'. 

Benefits of Dry Brushing

• extremely soft and glowing skin
• gets rid of Cellulite
• removes dead skin cells thereby avoiding flaky skin
• helps in the skin regeneration process
• improves skin elasticity
• improves the blood circulation in the body
• improves the lymphatic system of the body which helps in getting rid of the body wastes and toxins from the skin
• it opens up the clogged pores (though pores getting clogged on the body is little difficult)
• tones up the skin and the muscles

And, many other benefits which I really don't want to recount here coz it will make the post unnecessarily long. But, you can be sure that half of these claims will hold true in the long run. 

How to do Dry Brushing?

Ok, the key to dry brush your body is to move toward the heart from any part of the body. Always remember that and follow that.

• Start from the toes and move towards the ankle by moving the brush in circular motions. Proceed to the knee in the same circular motions. Once you reach the knee, proceed towards the hip joint along the thighs repeating the same circular motion with the brush. 
• Once you reach the hip joint, repeat the whole process again starting from toes to hip joint for a finishing touch. Instead of circular motions, this time you can go for long quick strokes with the brush in the upward direction. Don't forget to always work towards the heart. 
• Repeat this with the other leg. 
• Now, coming to the stomach area, proceed towards the heart using circular motions horizontally covering the hip, waist and then, the thorax (diaphragm) region. Repeat for second time using the circular motions only. 
• Work with circular motions on the upper shoulder region but towards the direction of the heart (that is downward). 
• Breasts should be done carefully because the skin is more sensitive. Use light hand on the breasts and avoid the nipples completely. Gently brush in the direction of the breast. 

Note: It is recommended not to dry brush the breasts but if you are using a light hand and doing it carefully, it can, in fact, help firm the breasts and keep them in proper shape. Be gentle otherwise you might end up with sore breasts. 

• For hands, start from the palm and move in the circular motions towards the shoulder balls. Once you reach the shoulder, again repeat the whole procedure using long quick strokes (just like the leg) for a second finishing touch.
• Repeat with the second hand. 
• Now, come to the back. It is very difficult to dry brush the back even if you have a long-handled brush (which is recommended). Start from the buttocks in circular motion and proceed horizontally to the point where you can no longer repeat the same movements. Then, start with vertical movements along the spinal cord in long quick strokes because circular motion is not easy and moving horizontal is impossible. If you can get someone to do it, that would be great. Finally, end the back brushing by thoroughly brushing the upper shoulder on the back which is the area which is most likely to be forgotten and has most of the flaky skin. Avoid the neck, though. 

This whole procedure would take 15-20 minutes a day and is recommended to be done in the day instead of at night because it makes the body feel alive and awake. 

What kind of a brush should be used?

• Long-handled so that you can easily reach the back.
• Natural Bristles instead of Synthetic as they are softer and gentler on the skin and don't tear the skin.
• The bristles also provide an acupressure massage during the routine. 

My Experience

So, I use the Body Shop Cactus Brush. I had bought it with the intention of being able to wash my back better and this Cactus Brush is not actually a dry brush. Instead, this is what TBS says about it:

Take your lather farther by pairing this handy brush with your favorite shower gel or soap. Leaves skin massaged, smooth, and soft. Pour a small amount of body wash onto wet bristles and brush over the skin in circular movements.

Well, I did try that for the first time but the wet bristles were extremely harsh on my skin. So, next day, I decided to use the brush as a dry brush and it was actually perfect for that. And, also, it is a wooden brush so wetting it everyday isn't an option either. So, now I use it as a dry brish and I make sure that I dry brush myself at least 3-4 days of the week. 

So, how did it affect my skin?

• It became more smooth and more glowing.
• I think I had little cellulite patches on my thighs before which I now see are no more so yes for that too.
• Earlier, I had the impression that dry brushing helps in weight loss but I was wrong, it toned up my skin so my frame looked better, the shoulders and thighs, specially.
• It does make me feel more awakened if I dry brush myself in the morning and it is a very relaxing routine too.
• My skin flakes very easily especially on the back and more specifically, the upper back and shoulder region and the stomach area. And, if I don't dry brush everyday, the skin starts flaking off. It did happen whenever I stopped my routine so it was like a wake up call to go back to dry brushing.
• The oils get absorbed more quickly.
• My breasts were more firmed up.  
• Dry patches on the skin are gone. I had a dry patch on my right leg which is not dry any more and the elbows and knees do not trouble me with the dryness.

Well, these were certain things which I noticed. Do not know about the lymphatic system or my blood circulation, though. 

My Advise

Well, I think one should take to dry brushing as a regular routine if not a daily routine. And, yup, investing on a good dry brush does give results in the long term. 

My Shelf is overfull - Body Care {Beauty Products}

So, hope you enjoyed the sneekpeek into my skin care products. Today, we would be continuing with body care.

Soaps

how am I ever going to finish so many soaps?? all hotel stuff except the two big bars

Products already reviewed:

• Makari Clarifying Exfoliating Antiseptic Soap

Body Scrub

yeah, I still have this after 9 months around!!! read the review here

Body Oils

In case you are wondering about Apricot oil, it is thick and has a nutty flavor

Products already reviewed:

• Biotique Avocado Body Massage Oil
• Fab India Seabuckthorn After Bath Oil

Body Lotion

one from the September Haul

Deodrants and Talc

Products already reviewed:

• Biotique Basil and Red Sandalwood Powder Talc
• The Body Shop Aqua Lily Body Mist

So, this was about my body care products.

The Body Shop Aqua Lily Body Mist {Product Review}

I bought this one at 20% discount recently in May.

Price: 545 INR for 100ml

My Experience

Since this is a body mist, it has 75% Denat Alcohol. I have applied it both on bare skin and on the clothes and even though it has so much concentration of alcohol, I didn't find it drying my skin. Before I review this, I would say that I can't take strong smells. They give me instant headaches. So, when I first used it, I hated the smell coz I found it was too strong for my taste and instantly regretted wasting all that money. But, gradually, I started using it just to finish it and I found that though it is an artificial smell, it does relieve you when you are tired. It has a refreshing smell and one gradually tends to like it. But, a very big con with this one is that it doesn't stay for more than 3-4 hours. One has to either spritz it again or spritz it so strong in one go only that it becomes difficult to handle the smell. But, otherwise, it is worth a try!!!

My Recommendation

Do spritz it in the shop and decide whether you like it or not before buying it. I was in a hurry and chose this just on the basis of its name but I am not regretting it, though. But, yup, it is definitely costly coz I wouldn't say that bottle will last more than a month for one who uses it regularly.

The Body Shop Olive Body Scrub {Product Review}

You can love it or hate it!!!

Price: 300 INR for smaller tub (approx.) (I got it at 50% sale)

Ingredients

I have the smaller tub and I guess ingredients are not listed on it.

My Experience

The first thing you notice is its smell. Its bad :( The scrub is a gross green in color and is not runny at all which is good. It has apparently apricot granules and they are not scratchy or harsh like in their Spiced Vanilla Scrub. Except for its smell, its actually a really nice scrub though it might feel a little mild for some people on the body especially on the areas of thighs and hips where there is more of fat. It makes the skin really soft and supple. It does not dry the skin out but you should always follow scrubbing with a moisturizer. And, it keeps your skin soft for 2-3 days easily. 

A big disappointment I faced with TBS scrubs are that they get over really soon and when you are paying such high prices for a product you do expect 10 washes out of it at least. So, that's a con. A very big problem also arises due to the fact that the product gets stuck on the lid and the screw area of the lid. Its sold in the tubs (big and small) so a little of water does enter every time you use the scrub which is pretty unhygienic if a lot of people put their hands in the tub.

My Recommendation

Yes. It will suit the normal to dry skin and even sensitive skin. It is gentle enough for that but kindly keep away from the face. A bit harsh for it.

The Body Shop Bath Gloves {Accessory Review}

They are so famous among the blogosphere. So, I had to try them.

Price: 225 INR for a pair (I got at 15% discount!!)

My Experience

First of all, the biggest point of these gloves are that they are so easy to put on even when your hands are wet. I have extremely small hands and generally no size fits me. I have to wear kid gloves. These gloves are elastic fit and free size so one fits all. And, not only that, I have never been in my entire life able to wear gloves properly without taking them off at least once. But, this one is so easy to put on and I have never gone wrong with them till now. I have used these gloves like probably four-five times. In the starting, the gloves might feel a bit rough but they soften up in the consequent uses but it is very necessary to use the gloves with a light hand otherwise it can cause the skin to become sore due to over-exfoliation. It is very easy to go overboard with the gloves.

They make the soap or face wash or body wash lather well (I do use face wash as body wash too sometimes!!). And, they clean the skin really well. Squeaky clean. I guess they will remove the film which some products tend to leave but since I use no such product, I have no idea. Also, the gloves don't entirely dry out the skin leaving it to feel stretchy or something. They are not that costly especially for a TBS product but they should be washed after every usage coz they get really dirty!!! I toss them into surf after every use (which I am really not sure is a great idea so next time I'll see what to do). And, yes, the gloves leave the skin feeling extremely soft and supple and hydrated after the bath. That's the reason why your skin doesn't feel stretchy. But, I have no idea how long a pair would last!! Some change it in a year and some in six months so it depends mainly on how much you use them. Oh, and you can see the loops which are for hanging the gloves. And, it really makes the skin glow.

I tried to use this on the face but it made my face really dry afterwards. I used only a single finger very lightly for scrubbing the face so it wasn't very harsh on the face. But, it is best to avoid it on the face and neck as they are sensitive regions and can get sore very quickly. The best part is that they are very portable and handy during travel.

My Recommendation

It is great for all kinds of skin but I am not very sure if it is a good idea for sensitive skin. So, sensitive skin gals should watch out!!! Otherwise, it is a must try at least once :) and I am sure, you wouldn't leave them ever. They can be used with exfoliators too but I guess that would be too harsh (I am not sure, though) but for me, it replaces the body scrubs. I don't belive in over-doing things so if I am using this, I wouldn't use anything else and if I use the body scrubs, I wouldn't dream of using this.  

Combs and Hair Care {Accessory Review}

Combing is one of the most essential activity of our daily routine. And, the quality of our combs determine the health of our hair. I have changed a lot of combs in my life and my preference has always been the wide-toothed comb even before I had become interested in beauty and started reading about it. Wide-toothed combs make it easy to detangle and comb through the hair whatever the mass of the hair be. So, let us see how various combs in my latest years ave affected my hair. 

My yellow Giant Comb

This one I had received as one of the goodies from Sunsilk when they had launched their revamped version sometime in 2006 as part of the promotions in malls. And, since then, I have not touched another comb.

See the nice rounded edges of the comb

As you can see, the teeth in both parts of the comb are wide and they help in combing the hair very very easily. So, since I had started using this comb, my hair had improved drastically. Also, his comb has rounded tips though the plastic is jagged at some places due to the poor finishing.

Bad Buy - Roots Comb

Then, I got interested in vanity and read everything about hair care which includes a huge section on hair accessories of which combs are a staple part. Now, somewhere, I had read that the tips of the combs should touch the scalp and distribute the oils equally. Now, my yellow comb had been over-used in the years (2006-2010). So, I decided that it wasn't doing its job well-enough and I had to get a new comb. So, I hunted low and up in some vanity store (starts from 'K' and I am not able to recall its name though I have been trying since quite a long time). Finally, I checked all the combs and decided that roots would do the job well even though I could have settled for 30 bucks cheaper on another comb which was essentially the same (don't remember the brand). Bought it and very happily tried it on my hair, a little more hair than usual on the comb. I decided that was due to the change in the comb and hair will get accustomed.

Edges are not looking pointed but are pretty sharp!!!

Now, when I opened the comb, I got the shock of life coz its edges were really pointed though they didn't feel at all that way through the packing. They even look rounded. So, I was a lot disappointed coz the combs are not supposed to be rough on the edges as that snags and pulls the hair. Subsequently, my hair fall went to worse when I started usign this comb very regularly. I couldn't' guess the reason at first though the thunder bolt struck me probably a month or two after. I shifted back to my lovely yellow comb which I had so ruthlessly disposed off and voila, my hair fall was back to normal. 

Moral of the Story: Check the combs properly while buying combs. Do not settle for something which is cheaper coz your hair pays heavily afterwards. And, yes, your combs might be leading to your hair loss. Analyze them now. 

History of Combs

So, let us come to a little history of combs. Earlier in ancient times, single sticks of either wood or animal bones were used as combs to detangle hair. Since, wood would splinter so animal bones were preferred. In the Victorian era, there were ivory combs too. But, then, regard for animal life increased and such luxuries became privileges. I definitely do not support elephant slaughter for tusks. Or, any other animal for any part of theirs. So, we do not have animal bone combs any more. They were majorly made out of Sharks teeth and ribs. But, now, some companies do sell combs made of artificial keratin coz they don't get jagged. Otherwise, a simple substitute is wooden comb which is available for a cheaper rate courtesy The Body Shop. 

The Body Shop Detangling Comb

So, I was searching madly for a wooden comb since I had no access to bones comb. And, when I saw it in TBS, I felt crazy happy. I wasn't aware of TBS as a brand and didn't trust it so didn't buy the comb and 295 INR for a comb seemed really costly to me. Then, my birthday happened and this was one of my self-selected gift set. And, I obviously used it without further ado. And, voila, my hair was so soft in the first use. Though, the first time you handle this comb, you wouldn't feel comfortable. It needs a little getting used to and the wood gets little polished with regular usage. So, probably in a week or two, this was my favorite comb and this time, I didn't dump my yellow comb. But, here is the catch. When I tried combing my hair with the yellow comb after my hair got used to the wooden comb, there were more strands to be seen on the yellow comb which clearly proved that wooden comb is better. 

I have been using this comb since February and I can say there are less splits considering my previous track record with the split ends, my hair is more shinier and softer, has a better growth rate as far as I can tell, hair fall which I had been facing had reduced to a considerable extent, probably has a little more volume (can be attributed to the growth fact) and no breakage (I had little breakage earlier). Overall, my hair quality has improved with this comb. Now, I have wavy to curly hair and curly hair people should not use brishes as they lead to more hair fall so I am more of a comb girl (more coming on brushes in some other post!!). Ok, yeah, it is a little costly but I think worth spending for the results!!! 

Look at the rounded edges of the teeth

Now, here comes the biggest catch of this comb. Cleaning. It is wooden so cleaning with water is something unthinkable. So, I have no idea how to clean it. I do use water coz I have no other choice. I sprinkle baking soda on the comb and use a wet brush to clean the comb between its teeth. I nicely scrub the comb with the baking soda and when I feel its done, I wash it quickly with water to keep it for as less time as possible in water. IF you can suggest a better method to clean, please do so!!! Another problem is the packaging. The comb comes with a sticker stuck to it and the sticker is literally stuck to it. It takes weeks to scratch out the sticker (you can't use water, remember!!) and its really sticky. I don't know why TBS does that horrible packaging but that is something where it can be improved upon.

The comb itself is really small and extremely handy. It has polish on the upper frame. It is a wide-teethed comb which is said to detangle wet hair but I don't use it on wet hair. I use it on damp to dry hair. It says that it distributes the oils well. Well, seeing the results, it certainly must be doing its job. The edges of the teeth are not pointed but not even rounded. They are blunt edges and are wide enough to distribute the oils properly. Wooden combs also reduce the static in the hair so less frizzy hair. It is made up of the wood from trees which are some forest steward council approved (I don't remember what exactly it was but I think it was a rain forest preserve or something!!! It was on the sticker).

My Recommendation

Absolutely!!! You should invest in this comb for better hair. And, this is for people who have gorgeous hair too.

Don't forget to give this a try!!! Pin It

The Body Shop Wooden Shaving Brush {Accessory Review}

So, guys!!! I am back with a little different product review. I went to TBS in February and came across their shaving brush. It was really soft and amazing so I thought about gifting it to a friend of mine who had birthday around the same time.

Price: 495 INR (on the site but I don't remember and I got it at 15% discount at that time)

Experience 

It is the best shaving brush I have ever used.

Obviously, I haven't used it but only rubbed the bristles on my skin and the bristles are so soft and don't really hurt the skin at all as opposed to other shaving brushes available. Now, I don't know how many people still use the shaving brush (since th advent of Gillete gels and foams and all) but it really glides on the skin without hurting it or scratching is what I have been told. It is supposed to have been made from synthetic hair and it really feels so. 

 

My Recommendation

Well, it is not always girls who need pampering so ladies, go and pamper your darlings!!! It is definitely worth it.

The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Body Scrub {Product Review}

Yes, I joined the Body Shop community, yayyy!! So, this body scrub is one of the first products I hauled at TBS. I went on February 1st and spent around 2800 INR which includes a membership card. I got this scrub at 50% so I would say it was quite worth that. Its an amazing product. But, doesn't last long, unfortunately :(

Price : 875 INR for a single tub of 200 ml (very expensive!!)

Ingredients

Ok, sometimes, I just leave out reading the ingredients list if I like the look of the product and I wanted vanilla so I picked it up. It has a lot of coca butter which you will see in the snaps below. And, has walnut shells and spices among other things. But, then, TBS is not a herbal brand so I do ignore that. And, a complete list of ingredients is also not mentioned.

My Experience

Lets start with smell. It just smells awesome - vanilla with a lot of hint of spice. As you can see it in the pic, it is creamy colored inclining towards brown due to cocoa butter and has a lot of spice and walnut shells. The walnut shells may feel harsh for the first time coz I didn't enjoy it at all. I think sensitive skin should give it a go. But, the second and third time were amazing with the scrub. Using it after shower is a good idea coz the skin is wet thoroughly and warm so the butter gets absorbed well and moisturizes the skin from inside. And, the scrub is not so harsh on the skin.The scrub is extremely creamy and moderately thin in consistency so it keeps on sticking to the cap of the tub if it gets tilted or turned upside down. 

The packaging of the scrub is a huge problem. Some of the scrub gets stuck in the screw grooves of the tub - both cap and the tub as you can see in the pic. And, when you try to take out the scrub, water does enter in the scrub if your hands are wet so that's something one needs to be careful about. Another prob is that I have used it only 3 times on my whole body and the scrub is nearly down 1/3rd or probably 1/4th of the tub by the look in the pic. Probably, a single tub lasts only 5 washes so you might want to be a little miser. I didn't splurge the scrub but then I was not saving also so I think you can squeeze the tub if you are not so generous to 6-7 or at max 8 uses which is pretty bad for something so costly even at 50% discount. It did cost me 450 bucks or something. I mean, its not cheap at all.

So, now coming to the best part of the experience, it is a fabulous body scrub. I applied the whole scrub on my body and kept on massaging for probably 2-3 minutes or may be 4 and then, I washed it off. My skin was so soft and smooth and well moisturized. I didn't use any body lotion or anything just to see how well it keeps my skin. And, guess what, my skin was not at all dry for the whole day and even next day it was very little dry (means I ran a nail tip on my thigh and leg areas which get pretty dry at the end of the day and there was barely a white line to be seen). Of course, its summers too so yes, the weather might have also contributed. And, my skin is soft even today though I used the scrub on Tuesday. So, if you use this in summers, you would need to apply a moisturizer which is a good thing considering lotions can make the skin pretty oily if its too hot or humid. I just wish it had been a little cheaper and lasted more or even either of the two. And, my advise to get the best of this product is to let it stay a good 10-15 minutes on your body while you are in the shower. Come on, you need to get your money's worth, ain't it?? And, no one is gonna peek into your bathroom and see how you use your products :D

My Recommendation

Yes, yes and a yes!! Only for people with normal to dry to combination skin, not for oily skin coz Cocoa Butter might make your skin greasy but get it only when there is a sale at TBS otherwise you will feel cheated out of your money as it runs out so fast.

Body Shop Sale Again !!

I am sure you would have heard of it already but for those who haven't, Body Shop has prolonged the sales till 1st March with special offers on perfumes till Valentine's Day. Some products also have 50% discounts so do go and check out. I did a small haul at TBS today and did, of course, become a member finally!! So, would post the reviews in due course on the items. 

Member Benefits (for all those who are newbies)

To become a member, you need to pay extra 500 bucks. There is no offer such as if you spend a particular amount, you would get the membership card free which often goes on in Spencers, Pantaloons and certain other places. The membership is valid for a year and you have to renew it again by paying 500 bucks. I wish they would reduce the renewal amount. May be 300 or 200 would be very tempting.

A member gets a 10% discount on all the products whenever they go to purchase. The current offer is that members get an extra 5% discount on the products along with the already existing discounts. It seemed like a quite a good bargain if you go for products with 50% discounts though there was a very small batch of such products and I got Vanilla Spiced Scrub from that lot.

Body Shop Promotions and Offers

Ok, guys!! I was cribbing about Body Shop offers a few days back. If you have not read it, read it here. But, it seems I was wrong about their sales offers. Some really great offers are going on at Body Shop. Some are for members and some for non-members so overall, it is a win-win situation.

Deals for Non-Members 

Deals for Members

Valid upto: 28th January, 2011
One more thing is that certain shop to shop offers are also running so do make sure you are aware of all the deals you can get. 
Agreed not much for non-members so I have decided to become a member :) So, hoping you are all rushing to the stores. Happy Shopping !!