Category Archives: Reviews

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25H Nude Foundation Review, Indian Makeup Blog

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25H Nude Foundation Review

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25H Nude Foundation Review

By Linda

Hey,

Happy New Year to all you beautiful ladies out there…So today I will be a reviewing my first product for the year 2017 and it’s a drugstore liquid foundation from the brand RIMMEL LONDON.I was looking for a daily wear, low cost foundation mainly for work and outings, a product that is lighter and suitable for my combination skin. This is the first time I tried a foundation from this brand, otherwise I normally buy lipsticks and nail paints as they have good range of shades.

They have two launches in the 25 H lasting foundation range,

1. Lasting finish original foundation (Red cap)

2. Lasting finish nude foundation (white cap).

When I visited the drugstore counter I did not find the lasting finish original foundation may be I missed it. Hence I cannot speak much about the former product. So let begin with the later one that’s Lasting Finish 25H Nude Foundation.

There are six shades available in the nude foundation range: 010 Light Porcelain, 100 Ivory, 200 Soft Beige, 201 Classic Beige, 303 True Nude and 400 Natural Beige.

What RIMMEL LONDON Claims: Medium coverage foundation that feels hydrating and moisturizing. Light weight formula blends instantly into the skin creating a nude, poreless effect. As per my experience this product did stick to what it claimed in regards to coverage,application and finish. Sweat, heat ,humidity and transfer proof for up to 25 hours. Coverage that won’t let you down. Dermatological tested.SPF 20. It does have a fragrance which is not mentioned.

Packaging

This foundation is formulated in a glass bottle with a pump dispenser and a cap that fits on top. The pump dispenser is very convenient which dispense considerable amount of product in one puff. Unfortunately the ingredients are not mentioned on the bottle.

Cost: Approximately INR 1030 [4.6 KWD] for 30mL.

My take on RIMMEL LONDON LASTING FINISH 25H NUDE FOUNDATION

I have a medium to fair skin tone; combination / sensitive skin. The closest suitable shade I picked up was 303 True Nude. I’m a little disappointed with the limited range of shades as I found this shade to be a tad bit darker on my skin tone and the previous shade to this was lighter for my warm skin tone. On application at first the foundation blended smoothly and effortlessly in to the skin. My skin evened out giving a clean smooth finish. It seeps into your skin within seconds covering the pores and minor discolorations. So definitely a concealor is required for dark spots, circles or blemishes if any. I did lock the foundation with the compact powder. This foundation is buildable, so begin with a minimal amount and gradually increase if you require more coverage.

It does claim 25H lasting finish but honestly I do not prefer carrying makeup on my skin for more than 10 hours so I did not test if it lasts for 25 hours. I noticed it really lasts long for approximately 8-9 hours but after 3 hours my skin did show oiliness on my T-zone. But throughout it gives you fresher looking skin

It is ideal for work and also suitable for clubbing , parties as it doesn’t not flash on photographs, neither creases nor it oxidises and even does not look cakey. During extreme winters or summers I tend to develop dry skin patches on my skin but on application none of these spots were highlighted and no skin irritations were developed.

Advise you to well mositurize and prime your skin along with powder for long lasting results. If you are looking for a daily wear long lasting foundation then this foundation is worth the money. I applied this product during the day time and outdoors and noticed it did not oxidise and remained throughout but yes the oiliness did appear so it’s not 100 percent sweat proof. Works well with a beauty blender or sponge applicator rather than a brush.

Pros:

  • Evens out the skin
  • Pump dispenser( you can control the amount of product)
  • Long lasting during summers (8-9 hours)
  • Doesn’t give a cakey look
  • Photo friendly
  • Reasonable price
  • Works well during summers and winters
  • SPF 20

Cons:

  • Not travel friendly (glass bottle)
  • Medium coverage
  • Limited range of shades
  • Availability (in India)

Rating: 3.5/5

Would I recommend RIMMEL LONDON LASTING FINISH 25H NUDE FOUNDATION? If you are on a budget and beginner with makeup then you should try this foundation.

Editor’s Note: This sounds pretty good for daily use. I would love to give it a try.

ColourPop Matte X Lippie Stix Poppin Review, Swatches

ColourPop Matte X Lippie Stix Poppin Review, Swatches

By Saniya

Hello NLM Squad,

This is my very first post on New-Love Makeup. Being from an Engineering background never thought I would be doing a Review on Makeup & Beauty Products LOL. But thanks to my latest addiction for Makeup and Skin Care Products which landed me here. Thank you NLM for being an Ocean for Makeup and Beauty Lovers like me 🙂 I am really excited to share my thoughts on this super cute baby which I got during my ColourPop Haul from the US. So without further ado let’s get into the review.

Price: 5$

Availability: ColourPopCosmetics.com , beautybuyindia.com and some Instagram Stores [Beware of the fakes though]

Product Claims for this Shade: If you need us we’ll be poppin bottles in this vibrant raspberry .

Shades Available: ColourPop keeps on adding new shades to their Lippie Stix Collection and I bet each one of us would definitely have something or the other to choose from their numerous shade range.

Packaging: ColourPop is famous all over the social media for their lovely white packaging. The lippie stix comes in a white cardboard box with the brand’s website and address specified and the shade is mentioned on the bottom of the box as well as at the bottom of the lipstick. The packaging is sturdy and travel friendly.

You just need to twist the lipstick so that the product slides upwards and becomes available for application. It has a white cap which clicks when shut.

Texture: The texture of these lippie stix is velvety matte, but at the same time it feels quite smooth and soft during application.

Shade and Pigmentation: Intensely pigmented, with a great raspberry pink shade, these lippie stix have won my heart as far as pigmentation is concerned. Just one swipe is all you need.

My Thoughts:

The only thing that made me by these lippie stix was the hype over the entire social media. I love the packaging and the pigmentation, but other than that these did not impress me. The shade being bold would be great for festive or party looks.They are easy for application and the edgy design can be used to outline the lips and the flatter end be used to fill in the lips. This shade stains, bleeds and transfers a lot.

Staying power is around 3-4 hours without any munching, but if you are like me who like to eat and simultaneously does not like when a lipstick transfers to coffee mugs, spoon, etc while eating I would not recommend this. Also the matte formula of the lippie stix settles into fine lines and becomes really difficult for removal.

Pros:

  • Great Packaging.
  • Highly pigmented.
  • Affordable.
  • Sleek & Travel friendly design.
  • Cruelty free.
  • Numerous shades to pick from
  • Velvety matte formula
  • Super comfortable on the lips

Cons:

  • Availability in India.
  • Settles into fine lines.
  • Not transfer proof
  • Oil based makeup remover is required for removal.

Overall Thoughts: For the price, packaging and pigmentation these lippie stix are a great buy. I would personally not buy these again because I hate when a lipstick stays on the lips less and stains on every other thing else more.

Rating : 3.5/5

Editor’s Note: That’s a pretty shade. I personally love the Matte X formula as its matte yet non drying and super comfortable. Plus super pigmented. Nice review Saniya, welcome to NLM 🙂

Have you tried Colourpop Matte X Lippie Stix? Which is your favourite shade?

Jan 2017 Fab Bag Review & Unboxing

Jan 2017 Fab Bag Review & Unboxing

Hi guys,

I know I am a little late this time in the unboxing of Fab Bag. I am at my parents’ place and the Fab Bag gets delivered at my place and from there I got it here today.

The theme this month is ‘Bring It On’. The bag is a bright pink clutch, it’s nice to travel along with and it fits many things in.

MRP: Rs.599/- per month (Buy HERE)

Read my previous Fab Bag reviews:

Products I got:

  • Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon in Mary Poppins (Full size- Rs.799/-)
  • O3+ Derma Fresh Mask – 50g (Full size- Rs.425/-)
  • MCaffeine Neem Caffeine Face wash (50ml) – Full size Rs.449/- for 150ml
  • The Nature’s Co. Fucus Anti-Ageing Cream (20ml)- Full size Rs.895/- for 50ml
  • Wella EIMI Perfect Me BB Lotion (6ml)- Full size Rs.900/- for 100ml

I had an option to choose one makeup product and Sugar Matte Lip Crayons were also a part of those options. I was confused between Mary Poppins and Rose Dawson and didn’t have both, but finally went with Mary Poppins as I have many nudes and this is a very unique bright pink.

Also liking the full size face mask, would be trying it out right now. Rest three products are deluxe sized samples. The face wash looks decent, not very happy with the anti-ageing cream, I would have liked a scrub or day/night cream.

I have the full size bottle of the Wella Perfect Me BB Lotion and it’s really good! The 6ml sachet should be worth Rs.54/- but the sachet mentions Rs.150/- which is more than 3 times the value.

Overall the value of all the products comes to around Rs. 1790/- I am happy with the lipstick and face mask. I love the Wella BB Lotion and would be carrying this sachet the next time I travel. I am not sure about the face wash and anti-ageing cream but I don’t mind trying those.

Also got a special discount coupon from Housejoy, INR 500 off on beauty services worth INR 999 and above.

The bag is pretty decent, not bad. Definitely worth buying.

What did you get in your Jan’17 Fab Bag?

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.

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC 41 Review

MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation NC 41 Review

By Linda

Hello Ladies,

Again I’m back with another review of a MAC product that is a highly recommended and belongs to the Studio range of collections. The sales assistant helped me out in picking the closest shade[NC 41] for my yellow toned medium to fair skin.I would recommend you to first try a suitable shade yourself before purchasing since these are high end products with varieties of shades and what you buy should be worth the money . I read many good reviews of this product due to its dual performance as a foundation plus powder hence made up mind that I’m definitely purchasing this product.

What MAC Claims: A one step powder and foundation that gives skin a smooth, flawless, all matte finish with medium to full coverage. Long-wearing, velvety texture allows skin to breathe.

Packaging

Packaging consists of a classic MAC black compact case which has a built in mirror, the compressed product (in the mid section) and a third compartment where a sponge applicator is stored. A convenient packaging which can be carried easily where ever you go. What I like about the packaging is the separate compartment for the sponge applicator [please excuse my sponge since I haven’t washed it since I purchased this product ,Yes bad me !!] .In most of the compacts, the applicator is kept on top of product due to which the excess product is picked by the applicator when not in use hence forth the waste of product.

Cost: 2290 INR for 15 g

My take on MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation [Shade NC 41]

As I applied this product on my well cleansed and moisturized skin, the first thing I noticed was my pores vanished in seconds. The powder is fine and so soft that it blends easily into the skin. The biggest bonus in this product is the sponge applicator. I found the applicator to be of a very good quality .I have been using this product for more than a year and the sponge is still intact. In fact I use this sponge for blending my other liquid foundation and it gives me a flawless finish.

On application of this product the oiliness on my skin did vanish giving a medium coverage to my skin. It does not seem to look cakey at all and even does not highlight the dry patches on my skin. The product lasts for around 5-6 hours on my combination skin. After which I do a touch up on my T zone. What I noticed is, it doesn’t completely cover the dark spots and minor blemishes and dark circles [hence medium coverage].

I have used this product alone most of the time, but somehow I feel a liquid foundation would help in giving full coverage along with a concealer and a flawless finish .As I mentioned earlier it doesn’t give a cakey look even after layering several products on the skin and it even does not flash on photographs. It just feels like a second skin.

A drawback I noticed was when you use a sponge applicator, it picks up more product than usual hence you tend to finish your product sooner. So in that case a blending brush is always helpful.

The product I’ve been using is almost over but it hasn’t broken as yet since it is fine milled and compressed well into the container. Hence no product wasted.

TIP: Dampen the sponge applicator a little with water and apply the product on to your skin. The product lasts on skin for a considerable longer time than usual and controls oiliness too. [Based on personal experience].

Definitely this is a multipurpose product that can be used alone or along with a liquid foundation which gives a flawless finish.

Pros:

  • Diminishes pores within seconds
  • Doesn’t give a cakey look
  • Photo friendly
  • Controls oiliness giving a matte finish
  • Can be used alone or along with a liquid foundations
  • Highly recommended for oily skin
  • Travel friendly light weight packaging
  • Long-lasting product

Cons:

  • Heavy on pockets
  • Medium coverage
  • Works better with liquid foundation

Rating: 4.5/5

Would I recommend MAC Studio Fix Powder plus Foundation? Yes definitely I would recommend since it’s a multipurpose product.

Editor’s Note: I would like to add one thing here, it broke one of my friend really bad every time she used it. So I would recommend trying it out first 2-3 times at the stores and see if it suits your skin, before investing in it. If it works for your skin, then it is indeed a great powder with very good coverage.

Have you tried the MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation?

Sugar Lash Mob Limitless Mascara Review, Pictures

Sugar Lash Mob Limitless Mascara Review, Pictures

Hi guys,

I love Sugar Cosmetics lip products, their lipsticks and lip crayons are really good. Even the kajals and eyeliners are of great quality, considering they manufacture at Schwan Stabilo in Germany where majority of the brands do.

So now they have launched a mascara. This is the basic black shade called ‘Black with a Bang’, I feel they will be launching more shades in mascara real soon and that would be interesting as we don’t have many colored mascaras in India.

Claims: Looking for a magic wand that will transform you from Plain Jane to Queen Bee in seconds? The all-new Lash Mob Limitless Mascara from SUGAR gives you just the drama your eyes need! Whether you’re a fan of super volume or clump-free formula, we bet that your lashes will thank you once you’ve had your first date with this beauty. Creamy-textured and incredibly easy to apply, this paraben-free Mascara does a stellar job of separating, defining and combing through each lash so you’ll experience lashes like never before!

Benefits: This wonder mascara houses specially designed micro-bristles that lift, separate and unstick every lash hair and coat it with our clump-free volumizing formula. That’s not all! This game-changing makeup product also boosts the growth of your natural lashes thanks to the nourishing vitamins in the tube and contains anti-oxidants that protect them from pollutants. How’s that for packing so much punch in one miracle product!

MRP: Rs.699 for 9ml (Buy HERE)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Synthetic Beeswax, Paraffin, Iron Oxides CI 77499, Stearic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum (Acacia Senegal), Triethanolamine, Butylene Glycol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Cera Carnauba), Polybutene, Triacontanyl PVP, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearate, Polyquaternium-65

It comes in a slender matte black tube packaging. The brush is nice and thick and I thought it would be quite volumizing looking at the brush.

I prefer slightly wet formulas in mascaras because that helps coat lashes well. The formula of this is dry, not stiff dry but not wet either.

It lengthens and curls the lashes but does not give enough volume. If you try to layer with multiple coats for volume, it clumps up the lashes.

I am not sure of the lash growth claim as I am not using it everyday. But if you just need some curl and length on an everyday basis and it also helps in the growth of the lashes when used everyday, this is a good work wear option.

It comes off very easily at the end of the day as it’s not waterproof, but this makes this easily smudgable. It transfers easily on lower lashline and smudges with even slight rubbing.

Before, 1 coat, multiple coats

Here you can see my before-after with one coat and 2-3 coats. I like how it defines and curls with one coat, which is good enough for everyday. But as you can see here, it clumps with more coats and transfers on lower lashline.

It is decent for everyday use, but considering the price, I wouldn’t recommend it as it’s very expensive. I love my Essence mascaras which are fabulous and very affordable.

Have you tried the Sugar Lash Mob Limitless Mascara? What do you feel?

Soulflower Coldpressed Olive Oil Review, Benefits, How to Use

Soulflower Coldpressed Olive Oil Review, Benefits, How to Use

By Sanchita

INTRODUCTION – Olive oil is a multipurpose oil and a very important part of my skincare and haircare. I have been using this oil for quite a long time now and I am really surprised how beneficial it can be. The brand, Soulflower is a well-known one, for making different carrier and essential oils. I have tried various products from them and was really impressed with the quality.

So let’s get straight into the details.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION – Olive Carrier Oil – Coldpressed have ability to nourish, moisturize and improve skin elasticity, acts as a deep conditioner & a dandruff controller, giving hair shine & strength.

PRICE – Rs. 300 for 200ml (Buy HERE)

MY REVIEW

The Soulflower Coldpressed Olive Carrier Oil comes in a slender plastic bottle with a transparent body. It has a white opaque screw cap with a flip open lid and a small opening that dispenses the right amount oil and controls the flow as well. The packaging is really travel friendly and light weight. I always dreaded carrying oils while travelling but this one causes no spillage at all. It was easy and handy. The olive oil is golden yellow in color with a thicker consistency. It is slight sticky as well due to the consistency and few other addition of ingredients in it. There is no complain regarding the thicker consistency because cold pressed and chemical free olive oils are like that. There is a slight hint of olive aroma and nothing artificial at all. It isn’t a very pleasant smell but it won’t put you off.

Before moving on to the various uses, I would like to discuss the ingredients. This product is Cold pressed (which is purist method of producing oils to retain much more of their valuable nutrients) and hence the olives are pressed and grinded in low temperatures in order to retain its aroma, flavor and nutritional value. You would often use various ‘olive oils’ with a light consistency, non-greasy feel but those oil have mineral oil in them and such products are harmful for the skin. As a result, this product is hexane free. The brand claims to extract this product from the seeds of the Olea Europaea (Olive) plant, which is a great source of Vitamin E and also contains Vitamin K and D3.

HOW TO USE –

1. Makeup remover – Oil is the best makeup remover ever! Be it coconut, olive, castor or any other oil, it is going to remove every trace of waterproof and smudge proof makeup. My eyes are super sensitive and thus I avoid using any makeup remover wipe or chemical near it. I use this olive oil or sometimes make a concoction with castor or coconut oil and soak lightly in a damp cloth or cotton ball. I apply on the eyes for 30-40 secs and then swipe gently to remove the makeup. It comes off easily and effectively.

Also, the eye area feel soft and nourished. For face, you can simply massage the oil in circular motion and you would the makeup coming right off. Swipe off everything in a damp cotton and wash the face as usual.

2. Eyes – Eye area is naturally dry and the skin around it is very thin. It loses moisture easily and thus require extra nourishment. I dip a Q-tip in the oil and apply all over the eyelids and under eyes, along with the lashes and eyebrows. I massage the oil slightly and let it soak overnight. Therefore, whenever I wake up, the area feel nourished and hydrated all day long. This is helped me a lot and prevented the wrinkles around the eyes.

3. Skin – Olive is antiaging and contains various vitamins like Vitamin E, Vitamin K and D3. It helps to prevent fine lines, crow feet and wrinkles. Olive oil also nourishes and moisturizes the skin. if you have dry skin, simply apply the oil to the dry patches and you will wake up with renew and rejuvenated skin.

4. Body and Aromatherapy – Olive Carrier Oil has the ability to nourish, moisturize and improve skin elasticity. This is why it is an excellent product for body massage and aromatherapy. You can also mix with other essential oils and massage. Initially, it feels slightly sticky but given some time, it gets absorbed well. In fact, you won’t need a body lotion throughout the day. You can also use this for body scrub. Take 2-3tbsp. of crushed almonds, coffee and add olive oil with it. Massage it thoroughly before bath.

5. Nails and Hands – It serves as an excellent hand nourisher and nail cuticle oil. For dry hands, simply massage the oil for 5-6mins and wear a glove for 30mins. Once you open the glove, your hands will be as soft as a baby’s skin. For nails and the dry area around nails, apply olive oil and let it soak for an hour. You would never see dryness if you do this regularly.

6. Hair – My favorite part is to apply a concoction of 3 oils – olive, castor and coconut. This methods works like a charm for me and prevented split ends and dryness. I massage the oil on the scalp and length of the hair and keep it overnight. I wash off in the morning with a mild shampoo and conditioner and the hair feel soft and manageable. I even add the olive oil in my homemade hair masks as well for the extra nourishment.

7. Lips – Lips feel dry and chapped every day and simple lip balms are not good enough to keep them soft and supple. I mix olive, castor, shea butter and coffee grinds and scrub the lips once a day, before hitting the bed. It helps to remove the dry patches and keep the lips soft and pouty.

8. Shaving – Shaving with olive will save you time and money. You won’t have to apply any body lotion or oil post-shaving as the olive oil is enough to nourish and hydrate it. Thus, if you are in a hurry, simply apply the oil generously on the area to be shaved and use the razor.

WHAT I LIKED

1. Well packaged and travel friendly.

2. A golden yellow color with subtle notes of olive.

3. Thick consistency.

4. Hexane free.

5. Extracted from the seeds of the Olea Europaea (Olive) plant, which is a great source of Vitamin E and also contains Vitamin K and D3.

6. It has versatile uses.

7. Affordable.

8. Easily available.

WHAT I DISLIKED

1. None!

RATING – 5/5

OVERALL – Soulflower Coldpressed Olive Carrier Oil is one of the best and affordable oil that that versatile uses and an essential part of the skincare and haircare. It is authentic and has no side effects whatsoever. Moreover the oil will last you a long time. I would highly recommend this one.

Organix Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo Review

Organix Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo Review

By Ria

Hii Girls,

Presently I am on a “Detox Mode” for my stash. I have a bad habit of buying lots of stuff and hoarding them for life long. And recently when I had to shift my place then it became hell lot of a task. So, I pledged to first empty my stash and get done with all the present stock I have and then only I will buy new stuff.

Recently I was done with my shampoo stash and then I headed for a new shampoo for my very fine and dry hair. I have seen shampoos from Organix brand and most of them had good reviews. So, I thought why not finally buy a shampoo from this brand and make my very own impression. So, I went ahead with the online hunt and finally zeroed in on Organix Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo.

Product description – A high performance blend of powerful ProVitamin B7 biotin infuses nutrients into every strand, while plumping collagen adds volume and dimension, and hydrolyzed wheat protein strengthens, for thicker, fuller, healthier looking hair.

Why you want it…

After just one use, strands feel thicker and look fuller and more abundant! Helps to thicken and texturize any hair type. Immerse your skinny looking strands in this super volumizing formula to create fuller looking, shiny hair after just one use.

What you do…

Apply organix shampoo generously to wet hair, massage the lather through ends. Then rinse hair thoroughly. After shampooing, follow with organix conditioner.

Price : Rs. 725 for 385 ml. (Buy for Rs.688 HERE)

Packaging – Organix Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo comes in a huge purple sized bottle with matte golden cap. The shampoo comes in size variants and I bought the bottle of size 385 ml. I like my shampoo bottles a bit bigger as I shampoo every alternate day so I need a good amount of shampoo every month. The bottle has entire product and price details. The bottle is round and the cap is tightly enclosed to prevent any spillage.

My Take on Organix Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo

The shampoo is medium in consistency and purple in colour. This is first time in my life that I saw a shampoo of purple colour and I was really excited when I had the first look of the shampoo. Shampoo is diluted with water to get the desired consistency. After which you can easily spread the shampoo on your palms and finally on your hair.

When it comes to the performance of any shampoo I judge it mostly by two factors. First and foremost is how good the shampoo lathers. And this one didn’t lather that well. So, I was a bit skeptical at the beginning that will it cleanse my heavily oiled hair. But yes the shampoo cleaned it. My scalp felt squeaky clean and the oil was completely removed with this shampoo.

This is a thickening shampoo though, and it is widely known that Voluminizing and thickening shampoo dry out your hair texture. But I have read good reviews that this one locks the moisture in your hair. And once my hair dried I also felt the same. My hair was very soft without even an inch of dryness or roughness in it. Plus as far as the thickening effect is concerned it created beautiful waves on my hair. There was no sudden or dramatic increase in volume but my hair had beautiful waves which I absolutely loved. The effect stayed on till the second day after which I washed off my hair.

Also, economy wise on my medium length hair and on thrice usage every week the shampoo lasted me 2.5 months which is perfectly fine for me. So, there you get huge quantity inside the huge bottle.

Pros –

1. Easily available – online and offline

2. Huge quantity for the price

3. Gives nice bounce and volume.

4. Smells nice

5. SLS free

Cons –

None

Rating – 5/5

Would I recommend Organix Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo – In a nutshell, I finally found a shampoo which my hair and I both love. It is great and one of the best and affordable shampoo I have used till date. I have tried a number of shampoos even from high-end brands but this one by far remains the best.

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good. I will give this a try.

Have you tried the Organix Thick and Full Biotin and Collagen Shampoo?

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Review, Price, Buy Online

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge Review, Price, Buy Online

By Sanchita

INTRODUCTION – Hello everyone. Hope you all are doing well. The Miracle Complexion Sponge of RT family was a part of my haul and I have been waiting to use it for a long time. I have already reviewed the Real Techniques Core Collection Set and love the brand. Beauty Blender wasn’t available and thus I had to go with this one. I have used the PAC Beauty Blender before but it wasn’t long lasting and started tearing apart with few months and I had to buy another one. After using this one for 2 months, here’s my review on it.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION – Optimize your beauty routine with the #1 branded makeup sponge*! This versatile beauty tool was designed with a revolutionary foam technology to evenly blend makeup for a smooth, enhanced finish. Use damp for a dewy glow or dry for a full coverage.

  • Rounded sides blend large areas of the face with a dabbing motion.
  • Precision tip covers blemishes and imperfections.
  • Flat edge for contouring around the eyes and nose.
  • Ideal for liquid foundation.
  • Latex-free.

For best results, replace your makeup sponge every 1-3 months.

PRICE – $6 (worldwide), ₹ 550 on Amazon HERE

MY REVIEW

The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge comes in a thick synthetic plastic sort of a material which is sturdy but not good enough for storing the sponge. So I believe you have to use proper storage for the sponge. The sponge is bright orange in color but with passage of time and regular usage, I have seen the color fading but it never deposits any chemical on the face. Coming to the most important part of the sponge, the shape. It has a unique shape of conical end with flat top edge. The RT sponge is considered to be a step-sister of the Beauty Blender which works pretty much same like this. The sponge is bigger is shape (compared to my PAC Beauty Blender) and I feel this one is much easier to work with.

When first touched the sponge as soon as I opened the box, it felt small but the moment you run it under tap water and squeeze it, it increases in size, almost 40 to 50% of the original size. It also feels firm yet soft enough to gentle on the skin. I have used it under eyes and it has never been hard and irritating to blend. The firmness ensure that the sponge isn’t easily going to tear down while using and washing and the softness is great enough to blend. The sponge also doesn’t absorb too much product even if it is a liquid foundation or liquid concealer. In this way, it doesn’t sheer out the coverage of the product as well and deposit and blend the color on the skin.

Also, I apply the foundation on the skin with the help of fingers and then blend with the sponge well. The pointy end of the sponge is great for under eyes. It reaches out to the difficult portions like inner corners and sides well and blend beautifully. The dome shaped body is great for dabbing the color on the skin and blend them. The flat edge is ideal for covering the larger areas easily. The sponge is also a good one for apply mineral powder foundations and even compacts! I have applied powders for baking and also blended strobing cream on the highest points. It works as good as brushes and sometimes even better than brushes.

The cleaning of the sponge is also easy. In a small bowl, I fill in with baby shampoo or any gentle shampoo and mix water with it to form a solution. I soak the sponge for some time and gentle rub the sides to clean off. It easily washes off and doesn’t tear out. The takes some time to dry out completely but never loses the shape at all. This is why it is durable and it is going to last preferably a very long time for me even though I use it twice or thrice a week. The RT sponge has been compared with the stepsister Beauty Blender numerous times and since I don’t have the latter I can’t comment on it. But one thing I would say that RT Sponge is easily available on discount but Beauty Blender is way too expensive for a sponge.

OVERALL – Thus, the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge is a makeup sponge which would give you a flawless finish for the base and coverage as well. it takes very less time and makes the application as easy as it can be. Whether you are a pro or a beginner, this is surely a must have tool for you.

WHAT I LIKED

  • Good quality.
  • Proper and innovative size.
  • Doesn’t absorb too much product.
  • Gives a seamless base.
  • Makes the application easy.
  • Less time consuming.
  • Great for every product – foundation, concealer, powder, highlighter and contour.
  • Easily washable.

WHAT I DISLIKED

  • None

RATING – 9/10

Editor’s Note: I have never tried this, my PAC one also tore in the first 1-2 washes itself. I absolutely love the YBP Makeup Perfector, it’s my favourite and makes blending everything super easy and seamless. I might try this sometime, have heard a lot about it.

Have you tried the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge?

Himalaya Herbals FOR Moms Range Review

Himalaya Herbals FOR Moms Range Review

Hi guys,

So The Himalaya Drug Company launched a new FOR Moms range dedicated to mothers.

The Himalaya Drug Company is proud to dedicate ‘Himalaya FOR Moms’, a specialized herbal skin care product range to mothers and to be mothers that is completely safe and is enriched with aroma benefits.

The range comprises of Soothing Body Butter (Rose, Lavender, Jasmine), Toning Massage Oil, Anti-Rash Cream and Nipple Care Butter.

Since this range is meant for moms, one of my friends delivered a baby few months ago and I gave the Toning Massage Oil and the Nipple Care Butter to her for using and sharing her experience. While I tested the Soothing Body Butters and Anti-Rash Cream

Soothing Body Butters

Claims: Why Body Butter?
The skin, after expanding and shrinking during and after pregnancy, tends to get dry and itchy. Body butters have soothing and moisturizing elements which are effective in relieving itching. Body butters which contain soothing and healing fragrances are especially effective in helping de-stress too!

What Himalaya for Moms Soothing Body Butter Does:
Himalaya for Moms Soothing Body Butter is a daily-use cream that intensively moisturizes and nourishes your skin, making it soft, supple and glowing. Cocoa Butter soothes dry, irritated skin, and Glycerin keeps skin hydrated for a longer time. Himalaya for Moms Soothing Body Butter contains Vitamin E which protects the skin from damage and irritation and comes in the three calming fragrances of Lavender, Rose and Jasmine.

Key Ingredients:
Cocoa Butter is a natural antioxidant which soothes, hydrates, and balances the skin.
Glycerin is a humectant that locks in moisture and keeps skin hydrated for longer.

MRP: Rs.200/- for 100ml, Rs.320/- for 200ml (Buy HERE)

Variants: Rose, Jasmine, Lavender

It comes in a flat tub with the usual white and green Himalaya packaging. It has a white separator in between to avoid spillage.

It is quite thick in texture and very rich. It is perfect for the body skin, especially for moms who have dry skin or who experience more dryness on the body during pregnancy because of the stretching. But it does blend in the skin well and gets absorbed, does not leave stickiness or greasiness.

All three scents are really soft and nice, lavender is my favourite but surprisingly I loved Rose & Jasmine too equally.

This will be perfect to use post shower on the moist skin, and especially around the tummy area.

Toning Massage Oil

Claims: Why is Massage Important?
Massage is proven to be effective for faster postpartum recovery and better health as it increases flexibility while also toning muscles. An effective massage can stimulate blood circulation, thus reducing pain and swelling. Massage also helps with improved milk secretion, relieves stress and promotes sound sleep.

What Himalaya for Moms Toning Massage Oil does:
A daily massage with Himalaya for Moms Toning Massage Oil helps in strengthening and firming the skin. The soothing Lavender aroma moderates your mood, stimulates your senses and leaves you rejuvenated and relaxed.

Key Ingredients: Sesame Oil is considered the most superior oil in Ayurveda for its skin firming properties. It moisturizes and soothes the skin, thus preventing it from dryness and infections. Its natural Vitamin E content is an emollient and antioxidant.
Country Mallow, also known as Bala in Ayurveda, helps to improve muscle and joint strength.
Winter Cherry soothes and calms the skin and reduces stress with its rejuvenating and skin-conditioning properties.
Aloe Vera heals wounds and soothes the skin.

MRP: Rs.200/- for 200ml, Rs.400/- for 500ml (Buy HERE)

Ingredients:

This one was tested by my friend. It is perfect for new moms who still have their massage going on everyday, with the baby. I would recommend using this on yourself, even after the regular massage sessions are done.

Massaging anyway helps a lot, but with the right product, it works even better.

Also not just stomach, it can be used on thighs, on the cellulite, on the breasts for better milk secretion, etc. And the lavender scent is like a cherry on the cake. It smells really good.

Anti-Rash Cream

Claims: Why do Rashes Occur?
Rashes can occur due to sweat, rubbing together of folded skin, or irritation caused by normal skin germs. The deeper the folds are, the more likely the chances of a rash. The most prone areas are between and under the breast, under the stomach, in the arm pits and between the thighs.

What Himalaya for Moms Anti-Rash Cream Does:
Himalaya for Moms Anti-Rash Cream is an herbal formulation that effectively reduces itching and rashes, and gently soothes the skin. It is very useful in relieving rashes during pregnancy, as well as other dermal cuts and scratches which cause minor itching. The comforting Lavender aroma will not only calm the rash but also distract your mind from the irritation.

  • Key Ingredients:
    Yashad Bhasma is known to lock in moisture and have antiseptic and astringent properties. It is helpful in treating eczema, itching and other skin disorders.
  • Aloe Vera helps to heal wounds and soothe skin.
  • Almond Oil, which is rich in Vitamins A, B and E, is easily absorbed, and helps to maintain skin moisture. It is known to nourish the skin and make it soft and supple.
  • Manjishtha has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is known to provide blemish-free, clear skin.

MRP: Rs.75/- for 20g, Rs.150/- for 50g (Buy HERE)

Ingredients:

Now I do keep getting rashes at times. I loved using this anti-rash cream as it was very soothing and calming. The redness reduced in a day and the bump or itchiness, if any, also went down.

The aloe vera and almond oil calm down the redness and irritation and the Manjistha and Yashad Bhasma help in reducing itchiness and since antiseptic, does not spread the bacteria and doesn’t leave a scar.

Nipple Care Butter

Claims: Why do nipples get dry and sore?

Nipple care is usually done the traditional way. A cloth dipped in warm water is used to wipe away excess milk and saliva. Sometimes, harsh soap is used to clean nipples. Enzymes from baby’s saliva, water or even soap residue can remove moisture from sensitive nipple skin, thus making it sore and cracked.

What Himalaya FOR MOMS Nipple Care Butter Does?

Himalaya FOR MOMS Nipple Care Butter is an herbal formulation with the goodness of 100% natural oils. Ideal for both expecting and lactating mothers, it helps prepare nipples for effective nursing and also helps in the prevention and management of sore and cracked nipples.

Key ingredients:

Kokum Butter is used for ulcerations, fissured lips, chapped skin and skin disorders. It exhibits excellent emollient properties and deeply moisturizes and promotes healthy, supple skin.

Virgin Coconut Oil has cooling properties and helps in strengthening muscle and tissue. It has antibacterial, antiseptic and cleansing properties. The natural Vitamin E present in Virgin Coconut Oil promotes healthy skin, and helps in smoothening and protecting skin from cracks and fissures.

Directions for use: Apply Himalaya FOR MOMS Nipple Care Butter to the nipple and areola and massage gently, or as directed by your physician.
Safe during nursing, however it is advisable to clean nipples before breastfeeding.

MRP: Rs.75/- for 20g, Rs.150/- for 50g

Nipples usually become dry because of baby’s saliva. Also cleaning it several times in a day takes away the natural oils on the skin and nipples which keep them moisturized. So we need to add the moisture back by using an appropriate cream/moisturizer.

This nipple care butter is specifically made for the sensitive skin on the nipples. Kokum butter and virgin coconut oil keep the nipples moisturized and coconut oil is also anti bacterial. The dryness on nipples causes itching and sore, cracked nipples at times. This would help prevent that too.

My friend has been testing this and she really likes it so far. She had not heard about nipple care butter earlier, but is definitely going to repurchase this.

I am glad Himalaya has launched a special range FOR Moms and I hope they introduce more products to this range. Many of my friends are moms and some are to-be-moms, I would definitely recommend this range to them and recommend to you all if you have been looking for some specific products meant for moms.