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Maybelline Lip Gradation Coral1, Red2 Review, Swatches, Indian Makeup and Beauty Blog, FOTD

Maybelline Lip Gradation Coral1, Red2 Review, Swatches

FOTD, Lip Crayons, Lipsticks, Makeup, Maybelline, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Maybelline Lip Gradation Coral1, Red2 Review, Swatches

Hey guys,

So I had swatched all the Maybelline Lip Gradation shades earlier HERE and also reviewed my favourite shade from all Mauve1 HERE.

I had mentioned how Coral1 would be my next pick and yes, I got these two.

What the Company claims: Go Bold Or Graded And Sexy On Your Lips With The New Color Sensational Lip Gradation. It’s time to experiment with your lip makeup. For the sexy, bold and adventurous woman, Maybelline New York brings international trends with the newest Lip Gradation. Available in 8 bright, matte shades, this double-sided lip product will inspire you to experiment with your looks and bring out your unique style and personality. The color stick at one end will give a gorgeous pop of color while the cushion blender tool at the other end will give a sexy, graded look. For a complete trend-on look, apply color on the centre of your upper lip and use the sponge smudger to extend the color to the outer edges till the contours of your lips or use it as a matte lip color or a lip liner.

Here’s why you will love it:

  • 8 bright, matte shades
  • Easy to apply
  • Fun, flirty, versatile way to color your lips
  • Innovative product with cutting edge technology

For Best Results: Apply Lip Gradation in the center of lips and blend outwards using the cushion blender.

Shades Available: 8

  • Red 1
  • Red 2
  • Pink 1
  • Pink 2
  • Fuchsia 1
  • Mauve 1
  • Orange 1
  • Coral 1

MRP: Rs.500/- (BUY HERE for 400)

They come in a twist up crayon packaging and have to be twisted from the end, from where the blender is. There is a white blender on the other side. The crayon has a black cap and the blender has a transparent small cap.

The texture is super creamy, it feels like butter and the pigmentation is amazing too. The glide on easily and you get opaque coverage in one swipe with darker shades and if you have pigmented lips, you might need to layer the lighter shades twice.

You can either apply it to inner half and/or outer half and create a shaded effect with the blender or mix two shades for an ombre lip. I like to use it normally as a lip crayon overall, as I am not a fan of the ombre look with one shade on a day to day basis.

I love the powder matte finish, it is very comfortable and not drying, feels very light on the lips. Stays put for 4-5 hours, but won’t survive full meal, can survive light snacks though.

L-Red2, R- Coral1

Coral 1 is a beautiful peachy coral shade, very flattering on a lot of skin tones. I always get asked what lipstick I am wearing, when I have this on. It gives a fresh, not overdone look to the face. But it being a lighter shade, looks patchy on dry lips. So exfoliate and moisturize your lips before using this.

Coral1

Red 2 is a beautiful cool toned red, one which makes you teeth look whiter. It’s total glam and perfect for night time.

Red2

I only don’t like the quantity for that price, there’s not much product in there. I only wish they have more qty for that price. I remember I had said, I wish they were priced around Rs.400, but you get this for 400 online on Amazon India, so I don’t mind 😀

Other than that, no con. Once again, Maybelline has successful launched something innovative and new.

Rating:

Quality: 3.75/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Totally recommend getting them online from Amazon for Rs.400. I love the shades Mauve, Orange, Coral and Red2.

What is your favourite shade out of the Maybelline Lip Gradations?

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack Review

Face Mask, Himalaya Herbals, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack Review

By Nidhal

If you have ever had the displeasure or ill-fate of eating it, chances are your face would have turned into the most hideous possible contortions for it is bitter beyond description! It is that ingredient which Grannies have coaxed us into chewing as kids and teens and then, we would pretend to gulp it down while waiting anxiously to look for a basin to spit it out. God forbid if she’d catch us red- handed spitting it, she’d shove double the quantity of those leaves in our mouth (at least mine did) to help us “fight infections and skin problems” (as per her). She, without an iota of doubt was right for Neem (yes, do not twist your face in disgust) indeed is a storehouse of benefits. Neem has antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties that not only benefit your health but also can help you get rid of common beauty problems.

Today, I will review a product that has neem as its core ingredient and it is none other than HIMALAYA HERBALS PURIFYING NEEM PACK. Let us see if this deserves a place in our beauty armoury or is an ‘All sizzle no steak’ 

PRICE –Rs 130/- for 100g (BUY HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Apply evenly over cleansed face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Allow to dry for around 10-15 minutes. Remove with a wet sponge and wash with cool water. Use once/twice a week. Do not apply on inflamed or broken skin.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS- Neem is an excellent skin care ingredient known for its antibacterial properties. It improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections such as acne, boils and ulcers. Neem tackles bacteria from the root and prevents the recurrence of pimples and blemishes. Turmeric has been used as an antiseptic for centuries. The herb also has strong anti-inflammatory properties which soothe your skin gently. It also makes your skin soft and supple. Fuller’s Earth is an excellent cleanser. It removes deep-seated dirt and skin pollutants.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Himalaya’s Purifying Neem Pack brings together the goodness of Neem, Fuller’s Earth and Turmeric, which work together to regulate excess oil secretion, clean clogged pores and prevent the recurrence of pimples.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Himalaya herbals purifying neem face pack comes packed in a simple plastic tube with a flip-top cap. The cap does not lose its grip overtime and sturdy enough to avert leakage/spillage. Overall, as far as packaging is concerned, I find it up to the mark and there is no need to revamp it unless a novel feature is added (which does not mean ‘Change the colour/illustration on the package because there is no novel ‘feature’ in that).

The pack has a slightly thick texture. It has a brown tinge which doesn’t leave the colour on your face thankfully when you wash it off. Once applied, it imparts a cooling sensation and that is music to one’s ears given how blistering summers in India are. It takes 5-7 minutes to dry (my skin type is dry. Duration may vary slightly) and washing it off too, is a cakewalk. It imparts a squeaky clean look and a little glow too but it renders my skin all the more dry. Because of its drying nature, I won’t recommend it to ladies with dry skin. Steer clear off it. It did warn you beforehand by printing “For Normal to oily skin” on its package in the first place so, neither you nor I can pin the blame on it squarely. I can’t comment on its ability to soak up excess oil because my skin type, as you know by now, is dry.

However, I asked two ladies from my family to try this to form a clear idea about its performance. My mother has normal skin while my cousin has oily (not excessively oily) skin. For my mother, the results were the same and she was satisfied with it. But it was my cousin who went gaga over it for this mask soaked excess oil off her. The fact that it is handy spells cheer for her.

All in all,I can say is that it imparts a clear look and glow. However, the glow is transient so please have realistic expectations. Given the fact that is pumped with parabens and DMDM Hydantion (list of inactives), I don’t find developing a hang of it a wise idea for any one. To sum up, it is efficacious but meant to be used sparingly 

GOOD-

1. Readily available

2. Economical price

3. Sturdy packaging

4. Imparts a squeaky clean look

5. Adds a subtle glow (it is temporary however)

6. Works wonders for oily/extremely oily skin

BAD-

1. Not suitable at all for dry/extremely dry skin

2. Chemical-laden. Contains parabens and DMDM Hydantion

RATING- 4/5

Editor’s Note: I totally agree with you Nidhal, not for dry skin. I have combination skin which was more towards the oily side during my teens and I have used this a lot! Absolutely loved it, the fuller’s earth would absorb the oil and clear & tighten the pores while the neem and turmeric helped calm down acne or avoid breakouts. My brother who has super oily skin, also loved using it 😀 However the Neem face wash from this same Himalaya range is my HG, and I come back to it always! Can blindly trust that.

Have you tried the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack? It’s a must try if you have oily, acne prone skin.

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Mega Gloss Review, Swatches

L'oreal Paris, Lip Gloss, Makeup, New Launches, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Mega Gloss Review, Swatches

Hi guys,

L’Oreal Paris has launched the new Infallible Range for Cannes 2016, if you follow me on twitter or Snapchat, you must have seen the images and videos of Aishwarya Rai from the launch event. The range has the Infallible Liquid Foundation (Review HERE), Infallible Powder (Review HERE), Infallible Lipsticks (Review HERE) and Infallible Lip Gloss, Lip Liners and Silkissisme Eye Liners.

I got this kit which has lipsticks, lip glosses and eye liners. I will be reviewing the eyeliners next, and the lipsticks are already reviewed on the blog.

So I have 5 lip glosses from the new L’Oreal Paris Le Mega Gloss Range. I have been using these since few days and here is my review..

What the Company claims: High level of pro-shine, 2x compared to classic gloss

Unique lip shaper-applicator that contours lips precisely and gives an impeccable deposit
Delicate texture glides onto lips creating a veil of color with a luminous, non-sticky shine
Available in 3 unique finishes – cream, dazzle and extreme resist
Each finish has it’s own addictive fragrance – praline, disco fruit and powder fresh

Available in 3 unique finishes cream, dazzle and extreme resist, infallible le gloss lets you change your look for different occasions. From subtle to bold, simple to sophisticated, now create your signature lip color in just one step. Each finish has its own addictive fragrance.

ZERO COMPROMISE GLOSS. MEGA SHINE ALL DAY.

Treat your pout to the bold lip gloss shade it deserves. The Mega Gloss formula is a highly tinted shade with mirror-like shine and no stickiness. The efficiently designed lip-hugging applicator fits lip contours for a perfectly glossy pout.

3 Unique Gloss Finishes:

DAZZLE FINISH– For sparkly party ready lips
CREAM FINISH– For daily flawless lips
XTREME RESIST FINISH– For impeccably glossy lips

A great synergy of elements creating a perfect balance. 5 hours of fresh hydration, adds 2X more volume to the lips with no stickiness. Certified 6X for zero dirty colour and 2X payoff versus a classic gloss.

How to Layer your gloss:
FILL: Fill the applicator with the mega gloss infallible texture. Thanks to its unique design, this incredibly accurate applicator extracts the right amount of gloss.
APPLY: Apply the gloss first onto the lower lip, from the center to the corners. Repeat the movement on the upper lip. This application ensures a perfectly shaded effect: denser and shinier in the middle of the lips.
LAYER: For an even glossier effect, feel free to add more product, this time only to the heart of the lips (top and bottom), with a slight emphasis on the top part.

MRP: Rs.850/- for 8ml (BUY HERE)

I have 3 from Cream Finish and 2 from Xtreme Resist Finish. To start with the packaging, I quite like the clear packaging with the black top and the square shape. Also clear packaging is quite convenient to find out the shade. Also, I would mention that the names are pretty interesting, I love them. Who’s The Boss, I Got The Power, etc. 😀

The wand is pretty interesting with a lip shape, one side works well on the lower lip and the other side on the upper lip i.e. the cupid’s bow. It was very easy to apply and with this wand, you just need one swipe for full, opaque coverage.

I did not have to dip my brush the 2nd time and all these swatches are with the first swipe itself.

Pigmentation wise, these are pretty good, being a lip gloss. Especially the Cream Finish ones are super pigmented and give opaque coverage, so people with pigmented lips too can wear these on it’s own, without a base lipstick. The Xtreme Resist ones are on the sheer side though. These are completely non sticky and stay put for a long time, if you do not eat or drink, they will stay on for 3-4 hours. It would survive light snacks and drinks and still be there, with slight fading. But would go away completely after a proper meal. The darker, deeper shades leave behind a nice, pink tint though. They are quite moisturizing and won’t bother even if you haven’t used a lip balm.

I love the fresh and fruity smell of both the cream and xtreme resist finish. Each finish has different smell. The cream finish ones are numbered from 100, xtreme resist from 500 and Dazzle Finish from 200.

Shades:

Cream 110 I Got The Power – An everyday pinky nude shade, something good for office wear or college wear.

Cream 106 Alerte Rouge – A matte neutral red

Xtreme Resist 504 My Sky Is The Limit– Sheer cool toned pink, this looks really good on it’s own and even layered over a lipstick.

Xtreme Resist 503 All Night Long– Bright Coral with a lot of gold shimmer

Cream 107 Who’s The Boss- Beautiful deep berry, this is perfect for night time. It instantly brightens the face.

Here are the lip swatches..

L-R
Top: I Got The Power, Alerte Rouge, My Sky Is The Limit
Bottom: All Night Long, Who’s The Boss

I have shared the FOTD’s with each on my Snapchat today, so if you are following me, you must have seen them. And if not, add me bhumika_t to see them till tom 3 pm 😀

These are on the expensive side at Rs.850/- but the quantity is 8ml. I believe L’Oreal Paris should have kept the qty 5-6 ml and reduced the price to Rs.500-600 which would have been ideal. But nonetheless, you are paying for the quantity and quality here. These being so pigmented and the qty being 8ml, it will last you months easily!

I absolutely love the shades Who’s The Boss and I Got The Power, one if perfect for night time and the other for day time. Also like My Sky is The Limit. Definitely recommend these three!

Rating:

Quality: 4/5
Value for money: 3.75/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4/5

Would I buy it again: Yes, these three shades, I might.

Have you checked out the new L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Mega Glosses yet?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

Purple Duochrome Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial

Eye Makeup, Eyeshadows, Fab Bag, How To, Makeup, Makeup Tutorials, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Purple Duochrome Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial

Hey guys,

A lot of you asked me to do a look with the SeaSoul Eyeshadow Duo in Deep Purple that I got in my May Fab Bag, so here it is. I hope you like it 🙂

Products used:

Face:

Sephora Smoothing Primer
Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation (Buy Online)
Khuraira Orange Corrector
Lakme Absolute Face Stylist Concealer (Buy Online)
Lakme Absolute Face Stylist Compact
Marks & Spencer Limited Damson Blush
Revlon Nearly Naked Powder in Medium Deep to Contour (Buy Online)
MUA Undress Your Skin Highlighter Pink (Buy Online)
Colorbar Stay The Day Finishing Mist (Buy Online)

Eyes:

Faces Ultime Pro Eyeshadow Crayon in Staying Alive (Buy Online)
SeaSoul Eyeshadow Duo Deep Purple
Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette (Milk Chocolate to blend and White Chocolate to highlight)
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil Yogurt
Maybelline Colossal Superblack Kajal (Buy Online)
Essence Lash Princess Mascara
PAC Cosmetics Liquid Liner Pen (Buy Online)
Maybelline Fashion Brow Duo Brown

Lips:

Sugar Cosmetics Lip Crayon Holy Golightly
Sigma Lip Vex in Tint

Brushes: Sigma, Sedona Lace, Liz Earle, Colorbar

I have used the purple eyeshadow crayon as base and the deep purple eyeshadow on top of that. Concentrated the purple on the inner and outer corners to give a halo effect for the duochrome at the center.

Another way to use it would be the duochrome on the entire lid and the deep purple at the outer V and outer half of lower lashline only. That would also be slightly smokey but would have more concentration on the gorgeous duochrome. I would try that next.

I loved how the look turned up, do let me know your thoughts in the comments below. And also if you try either of the two looks, do tag me, I would love to see it.

Bio Oil #YummyMummy Yummilicious Fashion Walk

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Bio Oil #YummyMummy Yummilicious Fashion Walk

Hey guys,

Bio Oil had this fun event on Saturday called the Yummilicious Fashion Walk where pregnant mothers were going to ramp walk. They had a contest where they chose 12 pregnant women to walk the show. Carol Gracias and Shveta Salve, both being pregnant too currently, walked along with them.

Carol had choreographed the show and all the ladies wore beautiful outfits by Inaaya By Shivangi Lahoty. They also had floral jewellery, hand harness, armlets, etc. made by Shivangi. From the hair and makeup to the outfit, entire appearance of the mommies-to-be was taken care of, and they all looked beautiful and glowing!

Pregnancy is the most beautiful phase in a woman’s life, but a lot of mothers-to-be usually shy away from social events during this phase, as they are mindful of the way their body looks. This initiative of Bio-Oil on the occasion of Mother’s Day was a welcome change.

Bio-Oil aims to be a facilitator for expecting mothers to shed their inhibitions and celebrate this beautiful phase of motherhood. What better way than flaunting their flawless baby bump skin.

Both Carol and Shveta talked about how they have been using Bio Oil religiously. While Carol has been using it from her 3-4th month, Shveta has been using it from the time she came to she is pregnant.

Also present at the event were celebrity gynaecologist Dr. Kiran Coelho and dermatologist Dr. Rashmi Shetty. Dr Coelho mentioned how using anti-stretch marks oils such as Bio Oil certainly makes a huge difference and women do not have to worry about the post-pregnancy sagging skin and stretch marks, which makes them feel under confident, and they can enjoy their motherhood bliss.

The specialists highlighted various concerns related to health and skincare during pregnancy. They shed light on the ideal time after which mothers may start exercising in order to shed their pregnancy weight as well as recommended tips for improving the skin post-pregnancy. Dr. Rashmi Shetty mentioned how the major worry that every pregnant woman has is, whether the stretch marks are ever going to go. The answer for which is try to minimize stretch marks during pregnancy by regularly applying moisturizers and oils such as Bio Oil, which contain Vitamin E, Lavender, Calendula and Rosemary. She emphasized on the need for mothers to take as much time as they require, post giving birth, to get back to exercising.

Encouraging women to come out of their shell, boosting their morale and making them feel beautiful was the focus of the event. The brand created a platform for expecting mothers, to help them come out of their cocoon and dazzle the ramp. This Mother’s Day, Bio Oil partnered with Yummy Mummies across the country to encourage them to celebrate and enjoy their pregnancy phase rather than shying away from the world.

There were also three winners i.e. the Cutest Bump, Glowing Skin and Yummy Mummy. The Yummy Mummy title was won by Parul.

I loved seeing the happy moms walk the ramp and it was indeed a super cute initiative by Bio Oil.

Pakistani Brides Who Make Your Heart Skip A Beat

Bridal Files, Lifestyle, Mumbai Bridal Diaries, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pakistani Brides Who Make Your Heart Skip A Beat

By Nidhal

Gorgeous, glamorous, ravishing, awe-inspiring… these adjectives are insufficient when used to delineate our fellow South Asian neighbours, particularly, the ladies from our neighbouring country- Pakistan. It will be a lie and a white one at that if we say that we do not drool over these winsome lasses! From their lustrous mane to their piercing eyes, from their porcelain clear skin to their sharp features, Pakistani ladies have it all. All thanks to Zee Zindagi channel now, we can have a sneak- peak into their lives from the confines of our home and hearth. It goes without saying that besides thought-provoking plots presented in the most understated but compelling manner, our eyes have been treated to some jaw-dropping gorgeous faces. Let’s have a look at some Pakistani ladies who on their D-Day made your hearts skip a beat!

1. SANAM BALOCH- She’s blessed with an angelic, cherubic and winsome face. Period. She began her acting career with ‘Kalaq’ on PTV and subsequently went on to carve a niche for herself by doing meaty roles in the hit Dastaan, Akbari Asghari and Noorpur ki Rani. She tied the knot with Abdullah Farhatullah who fell for her simplicity and positive outlook.

2. SANAM JUNG- Beginning her career as a VJ, Sanam Jung soon ventured into the Pakistani drama industry and essayed leading roles in hit dramas like Dil-E- Muztar where her sizzling chemistry with co-star Imran Abbas Naqvi was the talk of the town. She tied the knot with Syed Abdul Qassam who is a pilot by profession.

3. SANAM SAEED- She’s inarguably the first woman crush of my life. Zindagi Gulzar Hai had me smitten to this Britain-born Pakistani lady whose understated portrayal of Kashaf Murtaza struck a chord with me. And it’s no cakewalk to have a girl smitten when you’ve Fawad Khan as your co-star in the same drama 😀 This lady broke a number of hearts (including mine, Yes, I am serious when I say that she’s my crush) when she tied the knot last year with her childhood sweetheart Farhan Hassan who is a banker from Karachi.

4. AYEZA KHAN- She’s the lady whose smile can melt hearts. Gorgeousness-personified! Ayeza Khan got hitched to fellow co-star Danish Taimoor who himself is a celebrated name in the Pakistani drama industry. The couple has been blessed with a baby girl- Hoorain who seems to have inherited her mother’s genes.

5. SYRA YOUSUF- Incepting her career as a VJ, Syra embarked on her acting career with the Sanam Saeed with ‘Mera Naseeb’ in the year 2011. She went on to essay leading roles in successive dramas like Bilqees Kaur and tied the knot with Shehroz Sabzwari- an actor in the same industry. Doesn’t she look like a fresher from a college? :p What will dilate your eyes is the fact that she’s a mother. Yes, a mother. Nurse your broken heart now 😛

Editor’s Note: They all look absolutely gorgeous, dream brides indeed. Thanks for sharing this Nidhal

Image Source: 1,2,3,4,5

Which one is your favourite? I know it’s tough to pick!

Boroline Suthol Antiseptic Skin Liquid Review

Boroline, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Boroline Suthol Antiseptic Skin Liquid Review

By Rashmi

Hello everyone.

Hope you are doing great. I am here with my very first review in this space. I am reviewing the Boroline’s SUTHOL. I swear by this product at all times and during summers,this is the solution to all my skin problems. Summer brings with it skin problems such as rashes,itches,skin irritations etc. But with this product you can have a hassle free summer.

I found this amazing product around 3 years back and have been using it since then. I have a sensitive skin so i get rashes during summer. But,thanks to suthol, i have no skin issues now. Boroline is a trusted name in almost every household in India. So,when i got to know about Suthol, i had to give it a try. And I am so glad that i did. It’s a must have product for me now.

The packaging is nice. It comes in a transparent bottle with a green coloured cap. The liquid is also green in colour. It has a mild fragrance. Though it is an antiseptic liquid it doesn’t smell like one. I find its fragrance very refreshing. It gets absorbed in the skin quickly. I like using it after my shower.

What the product claims – Forget prickly heat, rashes and itchy skin. Absorbs fast, deep action and quick skin relief is written in the label. And it does its work pretty well. Forget kirikiri, stay fresh. The product has been manufactured by G. D. Pharmaceuticals.

Main constituents of Suthol- Suthol antiseptic skin liquid contains Cetrimide, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Neem, Turmeric, Marigold and Aloe vera.

Cetrimide

Cetrimide is a quatemary ammonium disinfectant and cationic surfactant. It dissociates in aqueous solution into a relatively large and complex cation and a small anion.Aqueous solutions containing 0.1 to 1% have been used for treatment of wounds and burns, for pre-operative cleansing of skin and for removal of scabs and crusts in skin disease.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that is active against Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. Chlorhexidine solutions leave a residue on the skin which gives a persistent anti bacterial effect lasting 1 or 2 days. Its actions are not affected by blood, pus or soap.

Turmeric

Turmeric prevents rashes, infections, itching and redness of skin.Turmeric is also known for its natural antiseptic, antifungal property and healing qualities.It helps in speeding up wound healing and assists in restoring damaged skin.

Neem

Aqueous extract of Neem leaf prevents rashes and itching.Neem is effective against skin infections.

Price- INR 60 for 200ml

Suthol is best for summer season and suits all skin types.

How i use the product:

I use it as an after-bath or pour a few drops into my bathing water. I use Suthol whenever i have minor cuts and wounds,i directly apply Suthol to the affected area with a cotton pad. It really has helped me in getting rid of summer rashes. I also use it after waxing. It has a very soothing effect. I am so glad that i came across this product.??

Pros:

1. Affordable

2. Suited to all skin types.

3. Can be used after bath to keep rashes away and stay fresh.

4. Can be used for relief from itches,summer rashes.

5. Use after shave to disinfect and soothe.

6. Use after waxing.

7. Use it to disinfect, sanitize and cure cuts,minor burns, insect bite irritation.

8. Comes in a spray bottle too.

9. Absorbs really quick.

10. Makes one feel refreshed for hours.

Cons:

None. I couldn’t find a single one. Probably I am obsessed with the product??

My rating- 5/5

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Rashmi, specially for use post waxing. I will definitely check this out.

Have you guys tried Boroline Suthol yet?

DIY Homemade Hair Mask for Strengthening Hair

DIY, Hair Care, Hair Mask, Home Remedies, How To, Tips, Tips and Tricks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DIY Homemade Hair Mask for Strengthening Hair

By Nidhal

One can never run short of ways or ideas to pamper their crowning glory. There is a hairstyle or hair cut that you’d been thinking of getting at any point of time. There’d be those accessories that you’d be dying to experiment with. There would be hair products that you would have played with to give your tresses that bounce of life. But amidst all this, being Indians, we cannot never turn a blind eye to our Good Ol’ home remedies, can we?

So, why not treat our hair to the bountifulness of natural ingredients today and drool over them all over again? March straight to the pantry for there lies your paraphernalia for this DIY recipe.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED-

1. CURD- Enriched with the bountifulness of lactic acid, curd/yoghurt (called Dahi in Hindi) helps to eliminate dandruff, foul smell and dullness. It adds unprecedented gloss and softness that you just can’t get over.

2. TULSI POWDER- Being a plant that has been revered in Hinduism for centuries, Tulsi has benefits galore for your mane. It treats lice, dandruff, itchiness and scalp infections. Yes, your granny was right when she said that Tulsi is a miraculous plant. No questions asked anymore!

3. ALMOND OIL- Being a storehouse of Vitamin E, almond oil helps in locking moisture and adding that enviable sheen to your locks. Prefer organic/cold-pressed almond oil and not the ones that are laden with mineral oil. In my opinion, Almendrop 100% pure almond oil is a wise choice.

4. METHI/FENUGREEK POWDER- Now comes the wonder ingredient which cannot be done without. Methi helps to add shine in addition to imparting softness. It also accelerates the rate of growth of hair which spells cheer for those ladies waiting anxiously to flaunt long luscious locks. Opt for methi powder for grinding is a tad cumbersome and finely grinding takes patience (which sadly, today is a lost virtue).

PROCEDURE-

1. In a clean and dry bowl, add 5-6 tbsp of curd. This is the amount for shoulder length hair. Increase if you have longer hair.

2. Add 3 tbsp each of methi and tulsi powder.

3. Add half a tbsp. of almond oil

4. Mix well thoroughly to form a smooth and consistent paste.

5. Apply generously all over your scalp as well as length (of hair).

6. Wash off after 45 minutes with a mild herbal/organic shampoo. Condition if you feel the need to do so.

7. Repeat twice a week to expedite the results and acclimatise your scalp to these natural ingredients.

That is all for now, folks. Feel free to post your queries and results with me through the ‘comments section’ and try this DIY recipe to get locks which you cannot stop drooling over.

Pssst… It compels you to keep stroking your fingers down your mane intermittently!

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Nidhal and methi and tulsi are very good for dandruff too. I am definitely trying this, have to get methi and tulsi powder now.

Have you tried this DIY before? If not, do so and let us know how you find it.

Top 10 Forest Essentials Products, Prices, Buy Online

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Top 10 Forest Essentials Products, Prices, Buy Online

By Archana

With the growing awareness about the harmful effects of chemicals in beauty products, we can see an increased number of ayurvedic and natural brands entering the market. Forest Essentials is one such luxury, ayurvedic brand which is slowly becoming popular. “Make space on your bathroom shelves for a gourmet feast for your skin.” That’s what they claim! And well, I have to say that I have a soft corner for beauty brands & Made in India. Luxury Indian brands on par with international luxury brands! That’s my dream. Coming back to Forest Essentials, there is a lot of debate among beauty bloggers whether the quality justifies the very high prices and also the missing ingredients lists annoys many people, including me. But their unique products and methods of preparation definitely tempts me. Given a chance, I would really wish to visit their factory and watch their preparation process in detail. Anyway, today lets look at the best FE products that you should give a try.

1. Hand Pounded Organic Fruit Scrub (BUY HERE)

There are brands coming with hand pounded sambar and rasam powders! Well, okay, but that’s boring! How about a hand pounded fruit scrub? 😀 Made with organically grown dates and peaches. Blended with finely ground almonds. Top it with pure apricot kernel oil and honey… And hand pounded to right consistency… Slurp! Sounds delicious. Imagine treating your face to this luxury scrub. It gently exfoliates the dead cells and tan and reveals your natural, glowing complexion. Definitely give this one a try.

Price: Rs.1675 for 50g.

2. Eternal Youth Formula Date & Litchi (BUY HERE)

The name “Eternal Youth Formula” sounds tempting and yes, it has a lot of good reviews among beauty bloggers. If you are in your late twenties and just beginning an anti-ageing routine, this is a good start. It firms, tones and makes the skin more youthful. FE prepares it by soaking date and litchi fruit in pure rose water in clay pots buried under the ground to ferment. The cream is hand-mixed and FE claims that mantras are chanted while mixing to imbibe positive energy into the product!

Price: Rs.3600 for 50g

3. Moisture Replenishing Bath & Shower Oil Honey & Vanilla (BUY HERE)

FE is most popular for its wide collection of Bath & Shower oils. I would definitely recommend you to try one of these in winters. These are basically water soluble oils made from pure distilled essential oils to leave your skin supple and silky smooth. The delicious aroma of raw honey and vanilla oil instantly rejuvenate your senses and is an excellent way to pamper yourself in your night time bath routine so as to nourish your skin overnight.

Price: Rs.1675 for 200ml.

4. Advanced Soundarya Age Defying Facial Serum With 24K Gold (BUY HERE)

This ayurvedic anti-ageing serum is prepared with purified 24 Karat Gold Bhasma which is infused in a mix of oils, herbs, fresh cow’s milk, pure ghee and root extracts. The infusion is simmered over slow fire and left in copper vats to soak up the benefits of the metal. The final result is a intense, potent serum to make the skin younger, radiant, supple and naturally glowing. A Harry Potter miracle potion! Give it a try and reverse-age magically…

Price: Rs.3395 for 25ml.

5. Body Mist Iced Pomegranate with Fresh Kerala Lime

This was a newly launched body mist last year and it had a good reception due to its unique ingredients list. I mean, for our intense Indian summers, FE has nailed it with this combination of Iced Pomegranate and Fresh Lime. It instantly refreshes and cools the senses while the organic pure aloe vera juice helps to soothe and hydrate the skin.

Price: Rs.1675 for 100g.

6. Luxury Sugar Soap Bitter Orange & Cinnamon (BUY HERE)

These are clear sugar soaps handmade with pure unprocessed raw cane sugar. The sugar acts as a natural humectant and doesn’t dry out skin. The fresh, tangy scent of bitter oranges along with the warm, aromatic cinnamon stimulates and rejuvenate the senses giving an out of the world experience. Comes in other variants too like Rose & Cardamom, Oudh & Green Tea, Jasmine & Mogra, etc.

Price: Rs.395 for 125g.

7. Lightening & Brightening Tejasvi Emulsion (BUY HERE)

This is a luxurious facial massage cream specially formulated with whole cream cow’s ghee and other ayurvedic herbs which help to lighten blemishes and pigmentation. FE claims this particular product takes many months to prepare. Extracting potent ghee from cow’s milk, ageing the ghee with saffron and herbs and burying this mix in earthen pots under banyan trees for 2 months. Finally, it is simmered on fire by adding cow’s milk, virgin coconut oil and fresh rose petals.

Price: Rs.2275 for 50g.

8. Cleansing Shower Butter Nargis (BUY HERE)

We have heard of body butters, lip butters and TBS has even hair butters. But a shower butter! This is the first brand am noticing that’s offering a cleansing shower butter. This is a surely a luxurious creamy bath product to pamper yourself in winters. A blend of kokum butter and shea butter with the light fragrance of Nargis flower. The soft butters melts into a creamy lather which cleanses your skin while also nourishing it.

Price: Rs.1450 for 200ml.

9. Sanjeevani Beauty Elixir (BUY HERE)

Sanjeevani is a renowned herb in Ayurveda for its excellent skin rejuvenating properties. It “brings back the skin to life” and gives a luminous glow to dull skin. This is especially suitable for dry, aging skin and helps to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, plump up, soften and increases the elasticity of skin. FE prepares this using the traditional ayurvedic method of infusing the herbs, soaked in cold water overnight to absorb the rays of the moon. Sounds impressive!

Price: Rs.3175 for 30g.

10. Facial Tonic Mist Panchpushp

This is a water-based floral toner prepared using the purest form, from the condensation collected during steam distillation of flowers. It contains a blend of five flowers – rose, jasmine, kewda, marigold and saffron. This facial mist gives a gentle boost of hydration to the skin after cleansing.

Price: Rs.650 for 100ml.

The above is just a handful of their best products. Also, I would recommend their hair care range of sulphate free, paraben free, silicone free shampoos and conditioners and hair oils. Also their range of masques and ubtans are widely popular. Psst! FE has announced a new product, yet to be launched – Deeply Nourishing Facial Cleansing Paste with Almond, Pistacho & Honey. 😉

Editor’s Note: I absolutely love FE products Archana, have tried only a few though, but each and every product is so effective and works amazingly well. I am quite intrigued with the Tejaswi Emulsion and Nargis Shower Butter. I would also like to add a bonus 11 i.e. Kashmiri Saffron & Neem Delicate Facial Cleanser, it is excellent! Speaking of price point, I know it’s expensive but some of the FE products are totally justified. I would say the bath & body products can be replaced with similar brands like Iraya and Auravedic but the skincare is excellent and irreplaceable. I would anyway prefer FE skincare over Clinique, etc. 🙂

P.S: All Images from Forest Essentials website

So which FE products have you tried? What are your opinions on it? Do you think the high prices are justifiable? What other Indian brands are your favorites? Share your comments below.

Nature’s Essence Nourishing Neem & Aloe Vera Moisturizing Lotion Review

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Nature’s Essence Nourishing Neem & Aloe Vera Moisturizing Lotion Review

By Nidhal

One is a saviour for those with dry, patchy, lustreless and dull skin. Another is a potent weapon to fight acne, pimples and blackheads. Their blend is bound to be promising for one’s skin. The first ingredient is Aloe vera (called Ghritkumaari and at times, Kumaari in Hindi) and the second is Neem. Do I need to elaborate even a little on the bounties of these two skin saviours? There would be few who’d not have tried either on their skin. If you are one of those, go grab a few leaves of Aloe vera and a handful of Neem leaves. Mash and treat your skin to their virtues to leave it thanking you.

However, if you are an indolent soul who would choose to watch whatever is being on TV than move a bit to grab the remote and change the channel, then doing the above (preparing the mask ) would surely be the last thing on your mind, right? 😛

So, let’s slather something that is made from these two skin saviours instead? In line with that thought, I zeroed in on NATURE’S ESSENCE NOURISHING NEEM AND ALOE VERA MOISTURISING LOTION one fine evening. Let us prepare its report card today.

PRICE –Rs 85/- for 60 ml

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Gently apply the moisturiser in right quantity on face and body and welcome your skin to a world of nourishment and optimum care.

KEY/ACTIVE INGREDIENTS- Neem, Aloe vera extracts and aroma oil.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- A handpicked blend of antiseptic neem and nourshing aloevera extracts. Added aroma oils soothe the mind & body and give a nourishing treat to your skin.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a simple plastic tube with a cap on top, the packaging of NATURE’S ESSENCE NOURISHING NEEM AND ALOE VERA MOISTURISING LOTION is fine. It is spillage-free since the cap is sturdy, hygienic and travel-friendly. I do not have any problem with respect to packaging. It is up to the mark for me.

The texture of the lotion is underwhelming for me. It is predominantly runny which when applied on skin makes it oily/greasy. My skin type is dry and after applying a pea-sized amount of it, my skin felt uncomfortably oily. I have applied oils beforehand on my skin to moisturise them such as- extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, virgin sesame oil, etc. but none of them made me feel like a ‘pakora’ being drawn out from a ‘kadhaai’! I admit, I give ‘Desi’ examples to help people visualise things.

So, if a person with dry skin feels that it makes skin oily, there is little in fact no reason for people with oily/extremely oily skin to invest in it. The staying power too, is underwhelming. It stays for ½-1 hour at max at a stretch in summers. Naturally, during winters, when moisture levels will drop in the atmosphere and our skin’s thirst for hydration will augment by leaps and bounds, this lotion will turn out to be disappointing. The aroma is mild and temporary.

A major limitation is that its ingredients’ list hasn’t been furnished. Only key/active ingredients are mentioned which is highly irresponsible, evasive and negligent on part of Team Nature’s Essence. Rules and regulations regarding production and provision of information about herbal and natural products in our country are very lax. Companies milk this to their advantage by adding merely a few herbal ingredients/their extracts and marketing it as a ‘natural/herbal’ product. In this regard, I am sceptical of Nature’s essence too for it has also abstained from providing the complete list of ingredients.

Even if we keep this aspect aside for a minute, as a product it falls flat on nearly all parameters. Its texture, staying power and after-effects are nowhere commendable. Chuck it away! This one’s not worth your time and hard-earned money.

GOOD-

1. Fine packaging

2. Readily available

3. Available in different sizes

4. Price is budget-friendly

5. Aroma is mild hence, won’t irk those with a sensitive nose

BAD-

1. Complete list of ingredients has not been furnished

2. Runny texture. Lotions should have a thick/creamy texture. If not, at least specify which skin type should opt for it.

3. Makes skin oily/greasy on application. Thus, unsuitable for oily/extremely oily skin type.

4. Does nothing commendable. No glow. No softness. No lustre.

RATING-0.5/5

Editor’s Note: Oh God, what a dud! Never going near it, thanks for the review Nidhal

Have you tried Nature’s Essence Nourishing Neem & Aloe Vera Moisturizing Lotion? If not, don’t!