Category Archives: Face Scrubs

September My Envy Box Review, Chloe, Bottega Di Lungavita, ZA, L'Occitane, Thalgo, Indian makeup and beauty blog

September My Envy Box Review

September My Envy Box Review

If you guys don’t know what is My Envy Box yet, go HERE.

Check out my previous months’ boxes:

MRP: Rs.850/-

We have a new sleeker packaging, I got a coral pink box (no idea why its looking fuchsia here:/with gold symbol embossing on the top. I love it, smaller, sturdier and pretty. And few got a shiny pouch inside. I wanted that shiny one :/

What I got in my box:

  • Chloe Roses De Chloe Perfume vial 1.5ml- If you love roses, you should absolutely try this!
  • ZA Perfect Solution Restoring Collagen Cream– Its an anti aging one, which I already have full sized. But I feel not everyone needs an anti aging product, they should not send it in all boxes and start customizing boxes.
  • Bottega Di Lungavita Vita Age In Face Scrub 5ml- I have tried 1-2 Bottega Di Lungavita products and liked those. Looking forward to try this scrub. The cost of the whole pack is just Rs.790/-. Its not that expensive and I was expecting minimum 3 small 5ml tubes of it
  • L’Occitane Creme Allegee Almond Shaping Delight– 2 sachets of 8ml each- This is a good quantity of 16ml but when it is expected to firm your body, you can hardly use it once and not expect/see any results.
  • Thalgo Cryodetox Mask 5ml- Again only one single tube of 5ml. 2 would have been better.

Overall I felt it was pretty ok. The quantity in samples was quite less, we could have had 2-3 mini tubes if there are 5ml tubes only. One needs minimum 10-15ml product to try it properly or judge if it works for them. Also, I have no idea when will they include makeup samples which is being promised since a long long time.

You can request an invite for My Envy Box HERE.

Are you subscribed to My Envy Box ? What did you get in your September Box ?

Everyday Skincare & Makeup Products on a Budget

Everyday Skincare & Makeup Products on a Budget

Hey everyone,

So as many of you know that I am nominated for the Elle Beauty Awards ‘Blogger of the Year’ 2014, we had an interesting challenge in round 2.

We had to buy skincare and makeup products which we use on an everyday basis i.e our ‘daily’ ‘face’ stuff within the budget of Rs.5000/-

And since we had to buy only from Jabong and from the brands available on the site, it added up to the challenge 🙂

This is the perfect kit for you, if you are in college and surviving on pocket money and don’t have big bucks to spend on luxury products. Spending big bucks is not even required actually, you can create a nice kit for yourself within this budget.

For brides to be, this also makes a part of my Bridal Diaries. If you are someone who was never into skincare and makeup, then this kit would work for you too. Or if you want to buy stuff for your trousseau within the budget of Rs.5000/-

I  have linked products to their reviews which I have already reviewed on my blog before or have given my 2 cents here on products I have used, but not reviewed yet.

So here we go..

1. Ponds White beauty Naturals Spot Less lightening Cream- Rs199 for 50g

Reason: Super light in texture with no greasiness. Has camellia (Green Tea) leaf extract, niacinmide and tocopheryl acetate which help in fading spots and regeneration of skin cells. Added bonus: SPF (titanium dioxide aluminum hydroxide stearic acid). This can be your perfect affordable daily moisturizer.

2. VICHY Normaderm 3-In-1 Cleanser – Rs.450/- for 50ml

Reason: A unique combination of Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid and 25% Clay with a soothing agent. Use it as a cleanser/face wash or a scrub or apply a thin layer as a mask. The blend of salicylic acid and clay is perfect for oily skin and prevents from breakouts. Glycolic acid helps in mild exfoliation. I won’t recommend it using everyday. For everyday use, a mild cleanser like the Auravedic Saffron Almond one we selected, is good. But its perfect to use for a weekly scrub/face pack. It dries quickly too, not taking too much of your time. If you use it weekly, its going to last long and turns economical for its multiple uses.

3. VLCC Lip Balm Strawberry- Rs.125 for 10g

Reason : Heals chapped lips. Smells nice (Strawberry fragrance). Gives a pretty pink tint.Added bonus: SPF10

4. L’Oreal Paris Uv Perfect Aqua Essence Sunscreen Moisturiser- Rs.475/- fro 30ml (Review HERE)

Reason: A Sunscreen with good SPF protection is a must. Whether you are in your teens or in your 30’s, you need to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence has SPF 30 PA+++ UVB UVA protection with a PPD of 15.5. It also has Advanced Mexoryl XL Filters (only found in L’Oreal Paris sunscreens- this and Vichy Capital Soleil which is on the expensive side) that protect against broad spectrum UVA/UVB rays, Adenosine that repairs deep skin damage and fights wrinkles, and Vitamin E that helps fight against free radicals and external stress. It also hydrates and moisturizes the skin. Best part: It somewhat protects skin from tanning too.

5. Forest Essentials Facial Tonic Pure Rose Water Facial Mist- Rs.575 for 100ml

Reason: Natural toner. 100% Steam Distilled Rose Water. Alcohol based toners rip the moisture from the skin. One should go for alcohol free toners as much as possible. It cools, soothes and moisturizes the skin. You can also carry it along in your bag. (You need one in the Mumbai heat especially in summers!)

6.Biotique Bio Almond Oil Soothing Face Eye Make Up Cleanser – Rs.149 for 120 Ml

Reason: It’s a blend of almond, castor, sunflower and few other oils. Oils are always the best makeup remover one can use. It melts off toughest of your waterproof mascara. No stinging or burning. One of the pretty decent and affordable makeup removers in the market.

7. Maybelline Colossal Kajal 12 Hour Smudge Resistant – Rs. 175 (Review HERE)

Reason: One of the deepest and most pigmented rich black kajals in India right now. It stays whole day and hardly smudges. I recommend this to everyone all the time. Does’nt even hurt the pocket at 175. Best budget buy for college girls too. I guess most of us love our kajal and lip balms and swear by it everyday whether you in college or working. This is definitely a must have!

8. Maybelline Vex Falsies Waterproof Mascara- Rs.425

Reason: Who has the time and patience to apply falsies and remove them everyday ?! But we still want those fluttery, long lashes right ? Well, look no further. Maybelline Falsies Mascara is the answer. With 2 coats of this, you get a false lash effect! I mean it. Do try it for yourself. And at 425 if you get killer long lashes, it does not hurt, right ? :p

9. Maybelline Hyper Sharp Liner- Rs.425 (Review HERE)

Reason : No reasons are enough for this baby. Its my favourite liner ever. Pigmented. Stays long. Perfect stiff tip. And the hypersharp tip gives the thinnest most defined lines to more thicker wings. It also does not dry up quickly and works as good as new for a long long time.

10. Maybelline Color Sensational Mirrored Mauve High Shine Lip Gloss- Rs.350 for 5ml (Review HERE and HERE)

Reason: Pigmented, High shine, Affordable, Good qty, Non Shimmery, Prettiest Nude Mauve shade ever. This is bang on for your everyday wear whether for work or a day out with your girlfriends.

11.Maybelline Cheeky Glow Blush- Fresh Coral- Rs.275 (Review HERE)

Reason: If you have to include one affordable blush in your kit, it has to be Maybelline Cheeky Glow. Its matte, smooth, pigmented and long staying. 7g of quantity would last for a long time. Fresh Coral is a warm coral pink and gives that ‘just out of the gym’ healthy pink flush. One of the best budget blushes in India.

12. Street Wear Color Rich Perfection Compact Powder- Rs.160 for 7g

Reason: Cute packaging again. Provides medium coverage and controls oil and shine. Thoughtful hygienic packaging, the separator in between prevents the foam applicator from getting dirty. No more expectations at this price and quantity. Again a perfect budget everyday compact.

13. Street Wear Color Rich 11-Pink Passion Lipstick- Rs.180 for 4.2g

Reason : Street Wear has nailed it with this latest Color Rich Range and these Ultra Moist lipsticks are the best in the collection. Cute packaging. Semi matte texture, Long staying power, Economical price and quantity. A perfect bright pink shade to perk up your evenings or weekends. Psstt: It’s a dupe of MAC Flat Out Fabulous 😀 I am sure you want this in your kit! Plus it won’t pinch your pocket.

14. Ponds White Beauty Blemish Balm Cream- Rs.125/- for 18G

Reason: A BB Cream that also acts as a moisturizer and sunscreen and gives amazing coverage! Gimme! I use it everyday. Its one of my favourite BB creams out of the lot in the market right now. It has Vitamin B3, Vitamin E and Allantoin which helps against pigmentation and heals the old scars/spots faster. Has SPF30PA++. The shade suits me perfectly and the coverage is medium, more than any other BB creams. Stays put the whole day. The silicones in it make it work as an eye shadow primer too!! Beat that. And all for this price is fantastic.

15. & 16. Auravedic Revitalizing Face Care- Rs.325 for a combo of 2 products (Pulpy Saffron Almond Face wash and Pure Aloe Vera Gel) (Review HERE and HERE)

Reason: Both the products separately cost you a little more, so buying a combo means savings 😉 The Radiance by Nature is one of the best face washes I have personally tried and recommend. Its made up of natural ingredients and a blend of essential oils. No SLS or parabens. Chemical and color free. Cleanses skin well leaving no dryness or stretchiness. There is a neem and tea tree variant for oily skin and a rose and saffron variant for dry skin. And 50g lasts really long. Total value for money.

Pure Aloe Vera Gel is packed with green tea and pomegranate extracts and a blend of essential oils again like lemon, avocado, grapeseed, olive. Its super cooling and gel like in texture. Smells amazing. Keep it in the fridge in the summers and apply it whenever your skin feels dehydrated or thirsty. I am sure you will love this refreshing cold aloe gel in the harsh summers. No preservatives and chemicals. Also recommended to be used as a hair styling/shaving gel. I personally use it post waxing/threading coz it instantly soothes and reduces the redness on the skin. Quite a multi tasker this is!

17. Auravedic Almond & Grapeseed Night Repair Cream- Rs.350 for 100g

Reason: Skin cells are the most active and repair itself during the night time. The whole regeneration of new skin cells takes place during night. A rich, heavy night cream with some essential nutrients is a must have. It nourishes your skin inside out and also helps delay signs of ageing. This rich night cream has almond butter, grapefruit oil and few other essential oils. Auravedic has no SLS,parabens or chemicals. And you need just a tiny bit, so 100g would last you really long. But investing in a good night cream is a must. It is as important as a sunscreen.

18. Star’s Cosmetics Bronze-2 Pressed Eye Shadow Rs.195/- for 1.66G

Reason: Even if you are not a daily eyeshadow person, you need one bronze/gold shadow in your kit. Indian weddings are when you will need it the most. Or just smoke it out with a black kohl base for a night out. Instant glam!

Overall View: I think it was an interesting challenge. I included everything necessary from skin care to makeup used in day to day life. (and covering weekends/occasions too) A total of 18 products,and also saved on some bucks (Though 27 :D)

Skin care: Face wash, Toner ( Facial Mist), Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Makeup Remover, Night Cream, 3 in 1 (Cleanser, Scrub, Mask) for your weekly pampering, Pure Aloe Vera Gel for shaving/post waxing,etc.

Makeup: BB Cream, Compact Powder, Lipstick, Lip Gloss, Blush, Kohl Pencil, Liquid Pen Eyeliner, Mascara, Eye shadow.

I have not included nail paints, shower gel,shampoo, conditioner, hair serum/oils coz it was ‘daily face’. You need to add those too which will be another 750 bucks approximately.

I hope you liked my kit. If you did, I would love for you to vote for me HERE. Just click on the heart under my name ‘Bhumika Thakkar’ and it will turn red 🙂 Or you can tweet to @elleindia with the hashtag #EBA2014. Thanks in advance.

 What all would you include in your kit within the budget of Rs.5000 ?

Organic Harvest 3-in-1 Face Wash Review

Organic Harvest 3-in-1 Face Wash Review

What the Company claims: A Paraben free formula which cleanses, scrubs, and provides whitening to your skin. The active used in this face wash is pure Ribose, a natural pentose obtained by biotechnology from corn seed sugars. It restores energy to the skin for a global anti-aging action. It has irregular-shaped granules which are soft enough to prevent scratches on the skin.

Direction for Use: Pour into palm and apply to thoroughly wet face. Work up lather. Rinse thoroughly.

MRP: Rs.395/- for 100ml

Key Ingredients:

It comes in a olive green colored tube packaging with a flip cap opening..it does’nt shut tight..but I have carried it during my travel and it did not spill or anything.

Its a light tinted blue gel like formula with soft blue minute granules..it foams decent. (not as much as the foaming cream face wash..I don’t like those anyways). The granules as claimed are super soft and not at all scratchy or abrasive.

It has a mix of ayurvedic cum bubblegum smell..kinda different..but not bothering as such. My skin feels super refreshed,soft and smooth after using this. Even though it has scrubbing granules, I do use it daily but not twice, just once a day. And there has’nt been any issues as such with it. The other time I use my trusted HG face wash Himalaya Neem.

It also helped me reduce my tan to a great extent..I am going to continue using it. I love how my skin feels with it..plus its paraben free and made of natural ingredients..so all the more good. Skin did not crave moisture after using this..but felt just right. Dry skin might need a moisturiser.

I only felt that it being a paraben free and natural brand, why only key ingredients are mentioned. This policy is only allowed in India which some brands are taking advantage of.

Pros:

1. Cleanses and scrubs as claimed..not sure of whitening, but helped with reducing the tan to a great extent.

2. Granules are very mild and soft and suitable for use everyday.

3. Paraben free and made of natural ingredients.

4. Skin feels super refreshed and soft after using this.

5. Right amount of moisture..skin does not feel dry with it.

Cons:

1. Slightly expensive..but I am using it from a long time and still a lot is left I guess..you don’t need much.

2. Availability is an issue..only available online right now.

3. Only key ingredients mentioned.

Overall, I would say, its one of the best face washes I have tried in a very long time..my skin feels amazing after using this. I cannot describe it in words but I am surely loving it..this one is a must have !! Highly recommended.

Rating:

Quality: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Availability: 3.5/5

Overall Rating: 4/5

Would I buy it again: Yes!

Have you tried the Organic Harvest 3-in-1 Face Wash ?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review.

April My Envy Box Review

April My Envy Box Review

For those of you who don’t know what My Envy Box is..read HERE…and check out my Feb box HERE and March box HERE.

MRP: Rs.850/-

If you follow me on Instagram, you must have seen the pic of the products I got..

This time the box was a nice pink colored one..I loved it..always their boxes and packaging..though the cute pouch was missing this time..I guess coz 1-2 products were big in size..

There was also this 10% off coupon for the site www.monsoonandbeyond.com

Products I got:

  • Benefit Porefessional– 0.15 ml sachet
  • SkinYoga Almond Orange Face Scrub – 5.67g
  • Avene Sensitive White Whitening Essence -3ml
  • Za True White Day Cream– 5g
  • H2O+ Sea Moss Replenishing Body Wash– 60ml

Ok, so coming to the products..I only liked the SkinYoga and H2O+ samples..and I wanted to try out Za..so kinda that though 5g is too less..I am not a fan or endorser of Whitening products..so Avene Whitening Essence is not what I would really choose, if given an option..

And let me not talk about Benefit Porefessional..coz 0.15ml is too less for even one time use :/ Few boxes had Benefit Fake Up Concealer..and that was still a decent sample..I would have preferred if they would have sent some other brand’s deluxe sample rather than Benefit !

So the April box was a mixed bag..I liked only 2 products..I hope next month’s box has something better..I mean 0.15 or even 1-2 ml products should be avoided in my honest opinion ! ‘You know what I mean’ :p (Did you watch the Sonam Kapoor’s Koffee with Karan episode ? If not, go watch now 😀 )

You can request an invite for My Envy Box HERE

Have you tried My Envy Box ? What products did your box have ?

Auravedic Sandal Turmeric Skin Polish, Pure Aloe Vera Gel Review

Auravedic Pure Lightening Skin Polish with Sandal Turmeric, Pure Aloe Vera Gel with Green Tea & Pomegranate Review
These reviews have been long long pending..really sorry for that.What the Company claims: Auravedic Pure Lightening Skin Polish with Sandal Turmeric is a delicious skin polish that fortifies the skin with fruit acids and essential vitamins. Buff away dead cells to unveil smooth, supple and bright skin.

Turmeric blended with red sandal and jojoba beads helps improve overall skin with age spots, hyper pigmentation, uneven skin tone and sun discoloration.

(Suitable for all skin types .Specially beneficial for pigmented and uneven skins.)

Ingredients:

Directions: Scoop on to fingertips and gently massage over moist skin. Leave polish on skin for a few minutes before gently wiping it off with a cotton ball. Can wash off if required

MRP: Rs.300/- for 100g & Rs.180/- for 50g

It comes in a plastic jar packaging..with a cap in between..is light berry in color..and more of a creamy scrub..the particles are not that abrasive..

How I use it, is like a normal scrub..massage on moist face..leave it for about 5 minutes and then wash off..

I like the fact that it works as a scrub cum pack..and has sandal and turmeric as main ingredients which are known for cooling and brightening the skin..and turmeric is also anti bacterial making it good for acne prone skin..I would only suggest to massage very lightly if you have fresh acne..

No SLS, no parabens..and made of herbal ingredients..its quite good..skin feels smooth and brightened..though the glow lasts for a day or two..

I feel it should have been priced a little lower..and availability is also an issue with Auravedic..see where all its available HERE

Also available online on various sites..and that too on a discount..if you are an online shopper.

Auravedic Pure Aloe Vera Gel with Green Tea & Pomegranate

What the Company claims: Made from 100% Pure Aloe Vera Gel, with out all the chemicals! This pure aloe is an instant One of nature’s most effective skin conditioners, aloe soothes and hydrates dry, rough & sun burned skin on contact.

Apply regularly and generously to skin to soothe minor burns, sun burns, cuts, bug bites and stings. Ideal for use as a daily moisturizer, hair styling gel and shaving gel.
Come experience 100% purity with Auravedic.

MRP: Rs.225/- for 100g

Ingredients: Aloe Vera extracts, green tea, pomegranate oil, tea germ oil, avocado oil, avocado oil, olive oil, grape seed oil and lemon oil.

It comes in a small plastic jar with a white lid in between to separate…and is off white gel like in texture and smells a mix of aloevera and lemon oil..

Aloe Vera gel is very handy and a must have..super cooling, works as a toner, cools your skin in summers, helps post waxing or sun burns, rashes, cuts, also on nails to moisturise and strengthen them, etc.

This one has added pure essential oils ands smells good too..I just use it as a moisturiser at times when I do not want anything heavy on the face..

This absorbs quick and does not settle like a slick layer..and also works post waxing or threading to soothe the skin.

They also recommend using it as hair styling or shaving gel..quite a multi tasker this is..plus all natural…with no added preservatives or chemicals..

I highly recommend keeping one of this at home..for not only yourself..can be used by everyone.

Auravedic Pure Lightening Skin Polish with Sandal Turmeric Rating:

Quality: 3.75/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Would I buy it again: Yes

Auravedic Pure Aloe Vera Gel with Green Tea & Pomegranate Rating:

Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Would I buy it again: Yes

Have you tried the Auravedic Skin Polish or AloeVera Gel ?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review.