Category Archives: Lip Balm

Winter Skincare Routine for Face/Body/Lips feat. Himalaya Herbals

Winter Skincare Routine for Face/Body/Lips feat. Himalaya Herbals

Winter Skincare Routine for Face/Body/Lips feat. Himalaya Herbals

Hi guys,

If you don’t already know, I have got a fracture and I have been on bed rest since the past three weeks. I am at my parents’ place and the only thing I carried along with me in terms of skincare is this Winter Bundle I got from Himalaya Herbals.

I am so glad that all the things I would need in this winter season are a part of this bundle. I have been using these since the past 3 weeks and let me tell you my thoughts..

Starting with body care, I have three body lotions from Himalaya

  • Himalaya Herbals Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion (With Cocoa Butter & Wheat Germ Oil- for extra dry skin)
  • Himalaya Herbals Nourishing Body Lotion (With Aloe Vera & Winter Cherry- for normal skin)
  • Himalaya Herbals Soothing Body Lotion (With grape seed and almond oil- for dry skin)

Each one is priced at Rs.140/- for 200ml (Buy HERE)

They all come in the standard white Himalaya Herbals packaging with the green flip cap. They all have Hydra-Nutri Balance which is ‘Hydration’ i.e. locking skin’s moisture and increasing skin’s capacity to hold moisture and ‘Nutrition’ which is some ingredients that help benefit the skin. Each body lotion has different blend of ingredients, as per the skin type.

I don’t have very dry skin but it does get more dry during winters. Especially the hands and legs. I use the Nourishing or Soothing Body Lotion during the day time and the Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion during the night time. My skin remains soft, supple and moisturized. It does not crave moisture and I don’t get white patches or flaky skin after few hours. I am really enjoying these body lotions and I would recommend the Cocoa Butter one for people with dry skin and the other two for normal skin.

Coming to the face creams, I have

  • Himalaya Herbals Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream (Lightens Skin tone & UV Protection- with Licorice & White Dammer) MRP: Rs.250/- for 50g (Buy HERE)
  • Himalaya Herbals Revitalizing Night Cream (Restores moisture balance, nourishes & repairs- with White Lily & Tomato) MRP: Rs.200/- for 50g (Buy HERE)

Day Cream Claims:

Ingredients:

Night Cream Claims:

Ingredients:

They come in a clear glass jar packaging with a curved green cap and a white separator in between. The day cream is beige in color while the night cream is white. They both are super light in texture and doesn’t leave any greasy/heavy feeling. They get absorbed instantly. The day cream has a soft licorice smell while the night cream has a soft lily smell, as the ingredients in it.

The day cream also has Cinnabloc which helps in UV protection, but the SPF is not mentioned, so I would not advise skipping your sunscreen. Additional UV protection though is always welcome. It has licorice extracts which help in fading dark spots/acne scars and evening out your skin tone.

The Revitalizing Night Cream from Himalaya Herbals is one of my Holy Grail products, I have done a detailed review years ago HERE. It was my first night cream.

I absolutely love the affect of this cream on the skin overnight. In just 3-4 days, you will notice a difference in your skin. Both tomato and white lily are very good for your skin and it does make my skin very supple and plump, leaves it evenly moisturized and hydrated with no dry areas in the morning.

And there are two face and body creams, which work for both..

  • Himalaya Herbals Nourishing Skin Cream (Light & Non Greasy- with Indian Kino tree, Aloe Vera, Winter Cherry) MRP: Rs.125/- for 100ml (Buy HERE)
  • Himalaya Herbals Winter Defense Moisturizing Cream (Dry/Extra Dry Skin- with Jojoba Oil, Wheat Germ, Almond Oil) MRP: Rs.125/- for 100ml (Buy HERE)

These can be used for both face and body. I use the nourishing skin cream on my face & hands right after bath. It is not very heavy, but if you compare it to the day cream, then yes it is heavier. If you have dry skin, you would like this Nourishing Skin Cream more than the day cream, coz your skin will need more hydration.

And the Winter Defense Moisturizing Cream is very heavy, I would recommend using it for dry patches on the body like the knees and elbows and the feet. I love applying a thick layer of it on my feet and cover my feet with warm socks and keep them overnight. If you have cracked feet, this will help you in healing them. Do it daily for 7 days, and your feet will be super soft with no dryness or cracks.

Coming to the lips, I have..

  • Himalaya Herbals Natural Soft Vanilla Care (MRP: Rs.125/- for 4.5g- Buy HERE)
  • Himalaya Herbals Strawberry Shine Lip Care (MRP: Rs.125/- for 4.5g- Buy HERE)

They both come in a standard lip balm twist up packaging with matching caps. The vanilla one has white and beige vanilla-cocoa swirls on the inner tube. I love the way it looks and smells, absolutely love the soft and warm vanilla scent. It is clear and a perfect night time lip balm. It hydrates the lips overnight and keeps them soft through the day. I have super chapped lips, they are dry as a desert throughout the year and more so in winters. But thankfully this time around, these lip balms have kept me away from chapped and painful lips which I suffer from each winter.

Strawberry Shine one has a soft pink tint which is good for day time, not a fan of the scent of this one though.

I love the fact both Himalaya Herbals lip balms are free of mineral oil and petroleum jelly. I know most of us have used petroleum jelly for our lips before, but what it does is, it seals/locks the lips and does not allow the external moisture to reach the lips. Lips and the skin around eyes don’ have oil glands and cannot get moisturized (produce natural oils) on it’s own. So when it comes to lips, they start feeling dry and require constant application when petroleum jelly is used. I also read it in Dr. Rashmi Shetty’s book ‘Age Erase’ recently. She recommends beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, etc. based lip balms, and hence these are absolutely perfect. You can feel these are free from mineral oil and petroleum jelly, the texture is very waxy and not oily.

Overall, I would say I am in love with most of these products and they are absolutely perfect for winters. I am only using these since the past three weeks and I have carried only these with me. Highly recommend them! My favourites are the day and night cream, body lotions and the vanilla lip balm.

Have you tried these products? Let me know your current winter skincare routine.

Patanjali Strawberry Lip Balm Review

PATANJALI STRAWBERRY LIP BALM REVIEW

By Simli

Hi guys!

Its November, winter is almost here. Our skin is drying and our body has started losing moisturiser already.

Apart from our skin drying we also start having chapped lips. Recently I went to a local cosmetics shop for buying lip balms for the coming winter, there I noticed apart from other well-known non herbal brands which are known for their lip balms Patanjali also has its lip balm. I bought this strawberry one, thinking why not give it a try and it also doesn’t cost much.

I am using it for a while now and let’s see how it fares..

I like to carry it around with me and apply whenever I feel my lips are drying. So today I’ll review it which you already know from the caption above. Lets start.

Packaging:

The packaging of this product is unlike the other lip balms. It is not like that of a lipstick type rather it is in a tube form with a slanted tip, from which the product comes out on squeezing. The portion from which the product comes out is not straight but rather its slanting like a new lipstick which makes it easy for applying as there is no wastage of the product. The tube has a red screw cap which means that the product wont come out if we don’t open the cap , also it doesn’t comes out on its on if we don’t squeeze the tube.

Texture and colour:

The texture of the product is perfect like it should be. It is creamy but not too thick. The colour of the product is very light pink with shimmers. On applying the product the product you’ll notice very light tint of pink on your lips , which is almost invisible.

Price: Rs 25 for 10 grams.

Ingredients: Every 10 gram contains:

Butyrospermum parkii 500mg

Olea europea 100mg

Prunus amygdalus 100mg

Triticum sativum 100mg

Symplocos racemosa 10mg

Rubia cordifolia 10mg

Cow’s milk fat 10mg

The base material: Natural waxes , vit E , sugandhit dravya.

How to use: Apply on craked lips twice a day. Also you can apply before going to bed, as I do.

Usage: Useful in dryness, roughness and rehydrates lip moisture.

My experience:

Lip balms are very essential for winters, we all know this so I use lip balms everyday. I use lip balm before applying lipstick. I also use lip balm before going to bed at night.

Now, I have been using this lip balm for a week now and I’m quite satisfied with its result. For something costing only Rs 25 honestly I wasn’t expecting too much. But it showed good results and now I have no cracked lips.

I love its fruity smell, its very mild. The portion from which the product comes out makes it very convenient for applications. After applying the lip balm on my lips, I can feel my lips becoming softer. It doesn’t have any colour which is actually good I think because it makes it the perfect lip balm to be applied before lipstick. I sleep with this lip balm on my lips and it feels like I don’t have anything on my lips at all , it is so so so light weight.

The only problem I found after using this product is that it doesn’t stays on your lips for long even if you don’t anything thing which is very disappointing. You have to reapply it again and again after like an hour.

This is because of the not so very thick consistency of the lip balm, I think so. But apart from this it is a good product for people who doesn’t want to invest more in daily use, non pigmented lip balm.

Pros:

  • Value for money product.
  • Good fruity smell.
  • Availability.
  • Easy application.

Cons:

  • It doesn’t stay for long

Rating: 4/5

Editor’s Note: I believe it is quite good for the price, would give it a try.

Have you tried the Patanjali Lip Balm yet?

Top 10 Handmade Lip Balms/Lip Butters in India, Price, Buy Online

Top 10 Handmade Lip Balms/Lip Butters in India, Price, Buy Online

By Nidhal

Chances are a great many of you who’d be reading this may be addicts and I mean that cent per cent when I say it. But addicted to…? Ah, no need to strain your brain. You may not be addicted to something you’d NOT receive a lashing from your parents from (Desi kids remain kids after all, no matter their age and size). It is none other than the little delectable pots/tubes of sinful indulgence- LIP BALMS/LIP BUTTERS!

It needs no elaboration that markets are flooded with a wide variety of lip balms/butters today, however, there is something about a hand-crafted lip balm that strikes a chord. The fact that someone invested his/her time, effort and care along with manual dexterity, catches my attention.

So, here is a brief rundown on the Top 10 Handmade Lip Balms/Butters in India. Let’s rouse the lip-balm addict in ourselves.

1. AROMA ESSENTIALS- Ensconced in the Electronic City of India- Bangalore, Aroma Essentials strives to replace very chemical-laden cocktail off your shelf with its all-natural, preservative and chemical-free products that are handcrafted by trained and skilled individuals. Spearheaded by Mrs. Madhurima Ramakrishna, they offer both lip butters and chapsticks (tube packaged balms) in a wide variety of flavours and fragrances (which are achieved by the virtue of addition of essential oils and NO artificial fragrance). Glance over their lip- smacking lip butters and you’ll find yourself slobbering uncontrollably. The aroma of their lip products is hands down, the BEST I have come across. Many a time, I can make out which essential oil has been added to a product of theirs.

PRICE- 175/- INR for a lip butter, 250/- INR for a ChapStick

AVAILABILITY- Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp Madhurima(+91 7760988272)

2. GREENVIV-A new kid on the block which crafts products to perfection, Greenviv’s lip balms are a treat for sore, chapped lips seeking a quick-fix solution. Not only are they ideal for wearing to school (where usually rules and regulations restrict one from experimenting much with their looks) but also easy on the pocket. Based out of New Delhi, they ship all over India. Their handmade lip butters bear a mild aroma (again, no nasties here) and last for a good 2-3 months which is worth the investment.

PRICE- 169/- INR for each pot/tub (regardless of the flavour) for lip balm, 199/- INR for lip scrub

AVAILABILITY- Amazon India and Facebook

3. BIO ORGANIC AND NATURAL (BON ORGANICS)- Drumrolls please for India’s most eclectic and prolific organic skin care brand that has a USDA Organic certification to boast off, is here on our list. Bio Organic and Natural, BON Organics for short is ensconced in the quaint Auroville, Tamil Nadu. A brainchild of Mr. Ganesh Chandrasekaran, it is helmed by Ms.Nishantainidevi Chandrasekaran now and the lady is leaving no stone unturned to establish it as a leading organic skin care brand in India. Their lip stains, as they call it are handmade with certified organic ingredients and oodles of care by trained women in Auroville. Shipped worldwide and for free in India (perks of being an Indian!), one needs to give their lip stains a shot. Who knows your exorbitant chemical-laden lip-stick may go down the drain after it?

PRICE- 400/- INR for each pot/tub

AVAILABILITY- www.bonorganics.com, Facebook and Instagram

4. STAY WILD CHILD- Handcrafting products sans adulteration, nasty chemicals and preservatives, Stay Wild Child’s policy is simple- Add what can be eaten. Their Shea butter and olive oil enriched lip balm nourishes lips, heels cracks and makes them supple in no time. The USP is that it won’t pinch your pockets too!

PRICE- 60/- INR for each pot/tub

AVAILABILITY- www.staywildchild.com, Amazon and Facebook

5. LAST FOREST- Last Forest takes simplicity to a new high. With not just skin care products to your disposal, you have organic food supplements and health food too as you surf their eye-pleasing website. Their pure beeswax lip balm with soothing and medicinal honey helps to keep one’s lips smooth naturally.

PRICE- 90/- INR for each tub/pot

AVAILABILITY- HERE

6. JUICY CHEMISTRY- Operating from Chennai and spearheaded by Megha and Pritesh Asher, Juicy Chemistry will compel you to ditch those nasty chemical-laden products off your shelf. Not even 0.1% of their products contain any chemicals or preservatives. They furnish all the relevant details on how to use their products which is the need of the hour given how insouciant we are in using skin care products more so organic products. As of now they offered lip ‘butters’ but they are soon going to treat your pucker to soothing lip butters in the form of a stick/tube. Didn’t that get you all agog?

PRICE- 200/- INR for each

AVAILABILITY- www.juicychemistry.com, Facebook and Instagram

7. GIA BATH AND BODY WORKS- Operating from the City of Dreams- Mumbai, Gia Bath & Body Works is helmed by Mrs. Gayatri Acharya Brown and named after her vivacious daughter-Gerogia, Gia for short. The more we say about her all-natural brand, the less it seems because offers nearly everything and packs it to perfection. Her organic cocoa butter lip balms are a treat to the driest of lips.

PRICE- 350/- INR

AVAILABILITY- www.giabathandbodyworks.in, Facebook and Instagram

8. ORGANICMILL- Taking their “no preservatives and chemicals added” mantra to an altogether different high, OrganicMill- the brainchild of Mrs. Dishi Kumar Jain and based out of Noida. With lip balms/butters available in mouth-watering flavours such as- rose, orange, peppermint, lemon and strawberry, you wouldn’t want your lips to miss a chance of wholesome pampering. That their range encapsulates other products catering to one’s beauty needs is a cherry on the cake.

PRICE- 250/- INR for each pot/tub

AVAILABILITY- Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp (+91 9971648091)

9. ISLAND KISS- Mark my words- this brands awakens the hedonist in you! The moment you grab an Island Kiss Lip Moisturiser, all what plays in your mind is you sauntering on a tranquil beach with waves and breeze caressing your feet and hair respectively. And in the midst of all this, you unleash your inherent diva by gliding a decadent Island Kiss Lip Moisturiser.

Currently available in 3 flavours, Island Kiss helmed by Shaili and Siddharth, is about to launch 2 more enticing flavours soon that will spoil you for choice. And not to forget, their lip moisturisers besides being handmade are crafted with certified organic ingredients.

PRICE- 399/- to 499/- (varies as per the flavour)

AVAILABILITY- HERE

10. COSMETIC JUNCTION- Based out of Salem in Tamil Nadu, Cosmetic Junction’s mouth-watering range (yes, mouth-watering because at times you’d forget that you are looking at skin products!) encapsulates cold-processed soaps, lip balms, serums, face packs, scrubs and face scrubs. Spearheaded by Ms. Anshutha Maheshwari, their lip balms (available in stick/tube form too) is hand-crafted with the finest of natural ingredients sourced from far and wide.

PRICE- 100/- for each tube

AVAILABILITY- Facebook and Instagram

Editor’s Note: That’s a well compiled list Nidhal

Have you tried any of these? Or planning to next?

Raw Rituals Orange Lip Butter Review

Raw Rituals Orange Lip Butter Review

By Nidhal

Summers are here and sadly, showing no signs of mercy especially up in the North. Oh, wait… Who am I trying to fool? The entire India seethes as if set on fire during the inclement summers, right? 😛 While one would have checked their beauty armoury and stashed all essentials needed to brave the unforgiving summers, yet those of us who have highly chapped lips would be in a dilemma for the thirst of intense hydration of their lips would weigh on their minds. While at the same time, investing in a lip ‘butter’ (I know you might be wondering as to who’d invest in such ‘heavy’ lip products in summers) might sound impractical. 2 states… Not the flick but of your mind are having their own tussle and you are left puzzled!

Hold on. What if there is a lip butter that works to soothe your chapped lips deeply while not making them feel greasy/oily/heavy all the while it has been put on? Oh, and what if it is 100% natural, free from chemicals and vegan? I know I have ignited your interest you Obsessive-Compulsive- lip-balm- addict 😛 Scroll down to read my verdict on Raw Rituals Orange Lip Butter.

PRICE- Rs 150/- for 5g (Buy HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Swipe on lips as often as desired.

INGREDIENTS- Unrefined beeswax, cocoa butter, shea butter, virgin coconut oil, cold pressed almond oil, Vitamin E oil and Orange essential oil.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Pamper your pucker with our lip butter daily to keep them moisturised, soft and supple.

MY VIEWS-

Packed in a plastic tube with a see-through cap on top, the packaging of this lip balm is simple, hygienic and handy. The cap has not lost its grip even after a month of regular use. On that account, it is up to the mark in terms of packaging for me.

The lip butter has the smoothest possible texture I have cover across till date. It glides so effortlessly that at times, I swipe it more than what is required simply because I enjoy the ease with which it glides 😛

It is neither waxy nor greasy that we expect most lip ‘butters’ to be. It is lightweight and when applied feels very natural. The staying power is good at 4-5 hours and so is the moisturisation ability. No wait, let me correct it. The moisturisation power is phenomenal! Your lips feel deeply…intensely… hydrated. And even after it gets wholly absorbed, you can note that it just did not sit on your lips all this while. It worked to heel them. For this reason, I’d recommend it to all those with severely chapped lips.

The aroma, although transient, refreshes you for it isn’t artificial and quite mild. It is so deeply hydrating that you can wear the most ‘drying’ lipsticks with sheer abandon if you have coated your lips with lip butter in the first place. With light meals, I haven’t experienced the need of a touch-up while with heavy ones, there is. I can turn a blind eye to it for that’s a minor flaw.

On the flipside, there is only shortcoming with this lip butter which I cannot ignore and that is its inability to impart any colour/tint. It is colourless which is why, those with pigmented lips may not be able to cover the darkness of their lips. So, that is the only input from me to Team Raw Rituals. All else for me falls in place. Pout without a doubt if you have this lip butter by your side 🙂

GOOD-

1. Commendable moisturisation power. Keeps lips well hydrated for 4-5 hours. Duration may vary depending on the condition of the lips but the point remains that it has an amazing moisturisation ability. Even after it gets absorbed fully, your lips feel softened.

2. Heels the cracks well.

3. Natural aroma. I am glad it hasn’t been pumped with artificial aroma. And the faint aroma of orange essential oil is refreshing. It isn’t long lasting but for the time it stays, you don’t feel that you have murdered your nostrils with a fake fragrance (under the garb of which many chemicals are added)

4. Packaging is on par. Stick packaging is handy, hygienic and avoids contamination.

5. Well-priced. It is budget-friendly.

6. 100% Natural

7. Chemical and preservative free

8. Made in India

9. Works wonders for the most chapped lips. Again, duration of healing may vary but it is a wondrous choice given its efficacy, ability, price and content.

10. A single stick lasts a good 3 months.

11. Can be purchased through Amazon India.

BAD-

1. No tint/colour imparted. Thus, unable to cover pigmentation/darkness of lips.

RATING- 4.75/5

Editor’s Note: I haven’t tried Raw Rituals products, but they seem good. Will definitely try something.

Have you tried Raw Rituals skincare?

Rouge Bunny Rouge Tinted Luxe Balms Review, Swatches

Rouge Bunny Rouge Tinted Luxe Balms Review, Swatches

What the Company claims: Here comes the perfect combination of non-invasive lip treatment and beautifying colour: comfortable, plumping and intensely moisturising, delicately scented, our Tinted Luxe Balm DAZZLING SIP is just that – creamy anti-aging skincare available in three luminous shades.

As we age, our lips lose colour, elasticity and volume: the unique Tinted Luxe Balm formula is exclusively aimed at making a difference.

The Tinted Luxe Balm is based on a powerful active complex designed to bring back the original volume within four weeks of daily use, all while smoothing fine lines, nourishing and brightening the skin. An Ecocert-approved, patented active complex derived from natural Sunflower oil intensely hydrates and softens (clinically approved).

A unique blend of oils, waxes and state-of-the-art pigments create an inimitable glossy sheen and a lovely, flattering brightness of colour.

The Tinted Luxe Balm glides across your lips as gently as a touch of soft air – its impressive repairing, hydrating, plumping and redefining properties are delivered in a highly lightweight, non-sticky texture. It is much more long-lasting compared to other balms.

Free from parabens.

MRP:€29.00 excl. shipping (3.5 g / 0.12 oz e) (INR 2200 each approx)

Ingredients:

Tips: To make lips soft and full again, use daily for at least four weeks. Can be worn on its own or layered under your favourite lipstick or gloss: allow yourself to play with shades and textures. Apply the nude shade as a treatment and base at the beginning of your make-up to prepare your lips. Use the nude shade as a night treatment for super soft and healthier lips when waking up. Frame your lips with a nude shade of our Long-lasting Lip Pencil to enhance the lasting power of the Tinted Luxe Balms.

Shades:

  • A Pinch of Nude: A juicy, transparent and luminous light beige/nude
  • Sip of Pink: A juicy, transparent and luminous soft raspberry-pink with light peach undertones
  • Specks of Cerise: A juicy, transparent and luminous shade – like crimson-red cherries

To start with the packaging, it is the most luxurious lip balms I ever owned! (And most expensive too) It has a thick black metallic packaging, the outer cover is hardcore metal and no plastic is used anywhere. It has a magentic closure and it’s quite heavy. It has the RBR trademark symbol on top of the cover and a floral self print on the case.

The formula is the best I have ever tried, it melts in contact with skin or lips. But it is not so soft that it just breaks, you have to be careful in summers though, because it is made of rich oils and butters. It moisturizes and softens the driest of lips in 15-20 minutes!

These are aptly named ‘Tinted Luxe Balms’ coz these are pigmented and the tint stays for a long time. They feel amazingly light weight on the lips, while hydrating them all the time. These won’t cover pigmented lips though, as they are lip balms after all.

The nude shade ‘A Touch of Nude’ is a clear lip balm with very fine gold shimmer and can be worn anytime, even night time as mentioned in Tips.

Sip of Pink is the most beautiful everyday soft pink

Specks of Cerise is a deep wine but very wearable.

Here are the swatches..

I absolutely love these and highly recommend these if you like investing in luxurious lip balms once in a while. The other two pigmented shades are great for dry lips like mine for regular use, where one wants a rich lip balm but also some nice deep colour on the lips.

These are definitely on the expensive side and availability is also an issue. But the quality is top notch, which only a few brands would come close to. I have not come across any RBR product untill yet with which I am disappointed with or have not liked.

Have you tried any Rouge Bunny Rouge products yet? Your favourite shade here?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

Top 5 Neutrogena Products in India, Prices, Buy Online

Top 5 Neutrogena Products in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Devika

Hey loves!

Hope this post finds you in best of your summer fighting spirits 😉 As the Sun is shining bright on our heads, our skin yearns for more care with products that alleviate our skin from the scorching harsh summer’s effect. So I have sorted, based on my long experience of working with them, top 5 products from Neutrogena which is a drugstore, dermatologically recommended brand!!!(I so wish if it could be available during my early teens).It has a wide range of products spread across all skin types and skin concerns. Their popularity speaks for itself so without further ado let’s find out.

1. NEUTROGENA ULTRA SHEER DRY TOUCH SUNBLOCK SPF 50 (BUY HERE for 449)

OMG! This is my Holy Grail sunscreen.
Loaded with SPF 50, water and sweat proof, mildly fragrant, gets absorbed like a dream without leaving a ghostly chalky white cast look (which other sunscreens do)
Doesn’t break out, suited for all skin tones. A must have!!!
Regular size 88ml retails at 499 INR and travel friendly size 30 ml retails at 199 INR

2. NEUTROGENA DEEP CLEAN FACIAL CLEANSER FOR OILY SKIN (BUY HERE for 301)

It’s a gel based face wash best for oily, acne prone skin (contains salicylic acid) ,oil and alcohol free making skin cleaner and calm. Maintains skin oil balance, doesn’t breakout, mildly fragrant though lathers less but that doesn’t effect its efficacy. May not suit dry skin as name suggests. It’s best at its price
Regular size 200 ml for 350 INR and travel friendly size of 50 ml at 95 INR

3. NEUTROGENA NORWEGIAN FORMULA LIP MOISTURISER (BUY HERE)

Another must have product is this lip balm which comes in a pocket friendly packaging with secure snap on cap. As it is transparent, fragrance free and has SPF 15 it is perfect for daily use. Keep lips hydrated without being heavy or giving a waxy feel, prevents tanning. Ideal for lone use or under matte lipsticks. Moreover it is PABA free.
It retails for 149 INR for 4g 

4. NEUTROGENA OIL FREE MOISTURIZER WITH SPF 15 (BUY HERE)

My personal favorite is this 2 in 1 product (moisturizer cum sunscreen) which is non-greasy, alcohol free and non-comedogenic with SPF 15. It absorbs into skin very quickly, consistency is just right, quantity needed is very small to cover whole of the face-a little goes along way! Perfect for oily, acne prone skin. Absolute fragrance free is an added advantage. I also adore this for the travel friendly packaging as pumping dispenser comes with the lock so its 100% spill free in your bag. In all, excellent moisturizer to wear under everyday makeup.
Retails for 349 INR for 115ml

5. NEUTROGENA DEEP CLEAN BLACKHEAD ELIMINATING DAILY SCRUB (BUY HERE for 216)

Last one to make it to top 5 is mild daily scrub, gel based with small orange granules which aid in cleaning and unclogging the pores without being harsh on skin as many other scrubs do and thus its suited for daily use. Salicylic acid being one of the ingredient makes it safe for oily acne prone skin though elimination of blackheads in Toto isn’t seen but one can feel the deep cleansing it does.
Retails for 240 for 100g of product

So these were my recommendations based on my reviews. Do let me know if these worked wonders for you as well.

Editor’s Note: I love this list and totally agree with all of these, I love the sun block and facial cleanser too. And the scrub is on my list.

What are your favourites from Neutrogena?

Burt’s Bees Replenishing Regenerant Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil Review

Burt’s Bees Replenishing Regenerant Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil Review

By Nidhal

There’s no shortage of lip balms in an average lady’s armoury but still, one cannot simply get over them, right? There will always be a lip balm that will entice you towards itself the way we are lured to the kitchen when our mothers whip our favourite dish 😛

One lip balm that has been on my to-buy list has been BURTS BEES REPLENISHING REGENERANT LIP BALM. Since winters have wrapped up, I have bid adieu to my lip butters and cleared my ‘armoury’ to make way for lip balms. It goes without saying that after burning a hole in my pocket, I managed to grab this lip balm and today, its report card by me is right before your eyes. Scroll to see if it emerged with flying colours or flunked.

PRICE- Rs 950/- for 4.25 g

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Glide on lips as often as desired.

INGREDIENTS- Not mentioned

WHAT IT CLAIMS– Give your thirsty lips a whole lot of love with our lip balm with antioxidant-rich Pomegranate Oil. 100% natural, it happily hydrates and revitalizes your lips with a hint of color for an even, beautifully toned appearance.

• Packed with the power of Pomegranate Oil.
• Sweet Pomegranate flavor.
• Single tubes and twinpack available

MY EXPERIENCE-

Burt’s bees replenishing regenerant lip balm comes packed in a cardboard container with the main balm being ensconced in a sturdy plastic tube with a cap on top. Due to the provision of the balm in a tube, I find it a lot less troublesome to use than lip butters which require the user to dip their fingers in the tub of the lip butter. Its cap is sturdy too and hasn’t lost its grip despite a month of use. On the whole, it is up to the mark in terms of packaging.

The balm has a smooth, non-greasy and non-buttery texture. It is lightweight and in spite of being swiped several times, you won’t get a heavy feel. Its staying power sadly, is not praiseworthy given its price. It stays for 1-2 hours in case of my lips which are not dry. With heavy meals, retouch is tacit.

Even though it looks pink, yet it is absolutely colourless. No matter how many times you swipe it, it just doesn’t throw any colour. That’s’ a major put-off for me for I think those with slightly/highly pigmented lips won’t be able to use it. Its moisturising power isn’t commendable. I don’t find it hydrating my lips deeply. So, for those with chapped lips, again it is of limited use.

Despite using it for a month, I didn’t notice any noteworthy result in the condition of lips. A bad investment? Yes, absolutely.

GOOD-

  • Sturdy packaging. The balm never gets stuck in the tube despite regular use (exceptions may exist).
  • Mild and pleasant aroma

BAD-

  • Highly expensive for a lip balm
  • Disappointing staying power for the price paid
  • Almost zero tint. It won’t cover pigmentation hence, of less use to those with dark lips or even slight pigmentation.
  • Does not hydrate lips intensely
  • Availability is an issue. It isn’t still easy to spot in neighbouring markets.
  • Hasn’t impacted the condition of my lips in any noticeable way despite a month of usage.
  • Ingredients’ list has not been furnished.

RATING- 1/5

Obviously do not recommend and not buying it again.

Editor’s Note: Whoa, I have heard such mixed reviews. Some of the Burt’s Bees lip balms are pretty amazing. I have one which is pretty good. Also I did not find this Regenerant one on their website, but only the basic moisturizing Pomegranate one, so this one is discontinued now I believe.

Have you tried this Burt’s Bees Replenishing Regenerant Pomegranate Lip Balm yet?

Maybelline Baby Lips Candy Wow Peach Review, Swatches

Maybelline Baby Lips Candy Wow Peach Review, Swatches

Hi guys,

So today I am reviewing this latest launch by Maybelline India, the Baby Lips Candy Wow in Peach.

What the Company claims: Baby Lips has launched a new range of lip balms called the Baby Lips Candy Wow range to make your winter exciting and fun. Baby Lips has moved beyond the basic lip balm stick and now comes in the form of a crayon pen! Enriched with Vitamin E, this chubby stick will help you wow your lips in 5 candy shades – Raspberry, Mixed Berry, Orange, Cherry and Peach. Now take intense care of your lips this Winter and pop them with a dash of color with the fun and sweetness of a candy.

Here are the reasons why you’ll love the new Baby Lips Candy Wow:
Available in 5 new shades
– Delicious, candy flavors
1st lip balm in a pen
– Enriched with Vitamin E to make your lips look better
– Gives supple and better-looking lips
– Visible results instantly
Only for Rs. 275/-

Flavors Available:

  • Peach
  • Orange
  • Raspberry
  • Cherry
  • Mixed Berry

MRP: Rs.275/- for 2g (Available on Amazon)

Ingredients:

It comes in this pen kind crayon twist up form. Packaging is quite cute, but also a little broader and longer if you want to carry it in your wallet or denims. I usually carry my normal Baby lips in my denim pockets, this is a bit longer to carry around easily.

This is the complete quantity and it is just 2g which will not last really long if you reapply lip balms 2-3 times a day.

Peach is a very light pale peach that will only work for fair skin tones, doesn’t work well on me. Also Peach is not that pigmented.

Orange is a light fanta orange shade

Cherry is reddish shade

Raspberry is a beautiful pink

Mixed Berry is a light purply pink

These are quite pigmented, a little more than few of the original Baby lips. Moisturising and hydrating enough, stay for 3-4 hours. It has a faint candy smell, but doesn’t last long, just for a minute or so.

Here is the swatch of the Peach shade..

And on me..

Difference between Baby Lips and Baby Lips Candy Wow:

  • Price: Baby Lips are Rs.150-175 and this is pricey at Rs.275
  • Qty: Baby lips is 4g and this is just 2g
  • Pigmentation: Baby Lips Candy Wow some shades are more pigmented than Baby Lips
  • Size: Baby lips are more travel friendly and handy
  • Packaging: Baby Lips Candy Wow look cuter with the bright crayon packaging

Overall I would say, if you need something cute and more pigmented than normal lip balms, Baby Lips Candy Wow is a perfect option. If you want something handy and value for money with good qty and affordable pricing, then stick to Baby Lips.

I have seen the swatches online and I love Raspberry and Cherry. Peach is the least pigmented. I definitely recommend checking out or buying Raspberry and Cherry, I am getting those next!

Rating:

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

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Have you tried the new Maybelline Baby Lips Candy Wow yet?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

New Maybelline Baby Lips Spiced Up Review,Swatches

New Maybelline Baby Lips Spiced Up Review,Swatches

Baby Lips Spiced Up not only gives your lips the moisture it needs but does much more.

Listed are a few benefits:
• Deeper shades to suit Indian skin tones
• Stronger flavors to suit Indian tastes
• 12 hours of intense moisture
• Soft lips
3 variants: Berry Sherbet, Tropical Punch and Spicy Cinnamon
• Enriched with SPF 20 to protect your lips
• Priced at Rs. 175

Now you must have read a lot of reviews on Maybelline Baby Lips in general, then they launched the Electro Pop Range. And now Maybelline India has come up with the new Spiced Up Range and all three shades are quite suitable for Indian skin tones.

I like the packaging how the tubes match the shades, pinker one with pink and berry one with berry. I have always liked Maybelline Baby Lips as they somehow have worked for me and really soften my most dry lips and also these are not very glossy or slippery, so perfect to wear under a lipstick too.

The shades I am reviewing today are Tropical Punch and Berry Sherbet.

Tropical Punch is on the pink side, but not barbie pink or neon pink, a proper true deep pink

Berry Sherbet is obviously a nice berry shade, not very deep though

Top- Berry Sherbet, Bottom- Tropical Punch

And the third variant is Spicy Cinnamon which on the brown side and the most pigmented and deepest. I would highly recommend Spicy Cinnamon for everyone with a wheatish complexion i.e. NC 40 and above. It looks beautiful on warm skin tones! You won’t feel you are wearing a lip balm coz it is almost opaque and pigmented like a lipstick.

I love both Tropical Punch and Berry Sherbet too, I am only using this when I am heading out and I don’t want to wear a lipstick. It will work for pigmented lips too unlike most sheer lip balms. It keeps the lips moisturized for 4-5 hours and then you can always re-apply. It is easy to carry and very travel friendly. I have one Maybelline Baby Lips in each of my hand bags, like literally 😀 The additional sun protection of SPF 20 is a bonus.

Here are the swatches:

Top- Berry Sherbet, Bottom- Tropical Punch

At 175, these are economical and a value for money! Totally recommended.

Rating:

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

Overall rating: 4/5

Have you tried the Maybelline Baby Lips Spiced Up? Which is your favourite?

Lakme Lip Love Lip Care Contest- 4 winners

Lakme Lip Love Lip Care Contest- 4 winners

Hey guys,

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, all brands want to do something special for their loyalist fans and have come up with contests..here is another one for you guys.

Lakme Lip Love Lip Care is the latest launch by Lakme..a new lip balm that provides color + care.

What you need to do:

Share with us your lip care regime or your secret lip DIY/experiment in the comments below.

Tag/Post/Tweet/Instagram/Share this contest on social media.

Like New Love on facebook, follow @bhumika_t on twitter and Instagram

The contest runs for 2 weeks and we have 2 winners each week who win Lakme goodies. It starts today and ends on 24th Feb. Open to Indian residents only.

Good Luck 🙂

Update: Week 1 winners are

Bhavya Nerchehal and Tarannum

Week 2 winners are

Disha and Sheetal

Congrats all 4 ladies..please mail me your details soon 🙂 And thank you guys for participating..we have many more giveaways/contests coming up.