Hi guys, I had this Moisture Repair Range since a long time but never really got to use it. Since this range is meant for dry and damaged hair, I thought the winters would be the perfect time to use it.
MoroccanOil products are sulphate, phosphate and paraben free and Color Safe.
What the Company claims: Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner are for hair that has been weakened or damaged by color, chemical processing or heat styling. They restore hair by bathing it in a highly concentrated formula rich in antioxidant argan oil, reconstructive keratin and fatty acids. Both products restore elasticity, moisture and manageability. The formulas are free of sulfates, phosphates and parabens, so they’re safer for the environment and won’t dry, fade or strip color-treated hair.
Directions:
To Use the Shampoo: Because Moisture Repair Shampoo uses a highly concentrated, water-loving formula, begin by using plenty of water to activate the shampoo into a rich, luxurious lather. Add more water if necessary. Massage through hair and scalp. Rinse and follow with Moisture Repair Conditioner.
To Use the Conditioner: Gently squeeze excess water from hair and apply a small amount of the highly concentrated conditioner from roots to ends. Leave in for 1–2 minutes. Rinse well.
To start with, I love the blue and white round packaging, the color is quite bright. It has a flip cap and the shampoo being blue and conditioner being white, it’s easy to distinguish.
It has an off white tint and is quite runny. It foams and cleanses the hair well, but if you have oiled your hair, you will need to shampoo twice. Also as they have mentioned in the directions above, it does need a wet base and lot of water to foam up. Since I wash my hair twice a week, I do need to shampoo twice to cleanse my hair well.
The conditioner is thick and creamy and off white in color. It is quite rich in texture, it does hydrate the lower half and ends where it is applied, really well. Also it is easy to wash off.
Hair is soft, smooth and frizz free. No trace of dryness at all.
Both the shampoo and conditioner have a slight argan oil kind of smell, not very pleasant but kind of ok. It’s quite a rich range and even though I used it for winters, it is still rich for me. I have normal hair which are straight to wavy, they are not very dry or voluminous and neither damaged. I do not use heat, color, chemicals on my hair, so my hair is quite healthy and for my hair, this range was over rich. It weighed down my hair and also my hair looked oily 2 days post washing, which does not usually happen. My hair stays well behaved for 3 days post washing, sometimes even 4. (Perhaps I should also try the ‘Reverse Shampoo’ technique with this, do you guys know about it? Would you like a blog post?)
I loved the ingredients, it has argan oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, chamomile leaf extract, lavender extract, rosemary oil, castor oil, glycerine and even panthenol and hydrolyzed keratin. It has all the ‘good things’ needed for the hair. It is the best thing for dry and damaged hair coz the keratin and panthenol along with all the oils will deeply repair the damage and also control the volume and frizz.
For me since I do not have dry or damaged hair, I would skip this, maybe I would use this once a month or so or when I have travelled a lot or my hair has gone through some heat. I would love to try their other Hydrating Range. For now, I have switched back to Wella Pro Elements Range.
Moroccanoil is pricey and also available at selected salons, but now you can get it online on Amazon too. But being all chemical and sulphate free, it is perfect for cysteine, rebonded, colored hair or that has gone through any chemical procedure. And while being color and treatment safe, it will also repair, nourish and hydrate at the same time. Definitely recommend this range for dry, damaged and treated hair.
Rating:
Quality: 3.5/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Would I buy it again: No, not this range. Maybe the other Hydrating one.
Have you tried MoroccanOil Shampoo and Conditioner before?
Today I am reviewing one of my favourite products from the Lotus Herbals YouthRx Range, the Serum + Creme.
It contains the highest concentration of the revolutionary ‘Gineplex Youth Compound’ which gives it 10 times the anti-ageing power of a day crème. It’s a 2-in-1 formula of Serum + Crème –
1. Serum penetrates the skin quickly and delivers 10X* more ‘GINEPLEX YOUTH COMPOUND’ to the dermal layer, boosting collagen production.
2. Crème nourishes, hydrates and restores skin moisture.
MRP: Rs.695/- for 30ml
Directions:
Ingredients:
One of my most favourite product from this range. It comes in a very thick glass bottle with a cap and a pump dispensor. Again a mix of gel+cream consistency. It is very light and gets absorbed into the skin in a jiffy. I just need one pump and it hydrates and nourishes the skin. I can even skip a cream post using this, coz it hydrates wonderfully even in these winters. Skin feels soft and smooth instantly.
It smells really nice and the packaging is quite good. The bottle is sturdy and perfect for travel too. I only carry this when I am going to my parents’ place for 1-2 days as it solves the purpose of both a serum and a moisturizer.
Skin feels soft and supple immediately, it hydrates the skin but does not leave a heavy, greasy feeling. You can use only this in summers, for winters, I would suggest following up with the Day Cream from the same range.
I love the Ginseng, Ginger, Milk Peptide i.e. GinePlex ingredients, you can feel it working on the skin. It is definitely soothing, I can’t really comment on lifting but skin does feel firmer with regular usage.
It is not just meant for 30+ or anti-ageing, I would recommend it to everyone in mid 20’s too, I am in my late 20’s and definitely loving it.
Even though it is slightly on the expensive side, but the ingredients are impressive and it definitely works. Also a little goes a long way.
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Have you tried the new Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème?
The Zotiqq jewellery subscription box is priced at Rs.1500/- per month but if you go for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months subscription, you get an amazing deal!
Feb box theme was ‘Aqua’ or ‘Sea Animals’, I think it is dedicated to ‘Pisces’. The box as usual comes in a deep navy blue and beige super sturdy box. You can store all your jewellery in it later too. Each item comes individually packed in plastic wrapping.
What I got:
A black star fish textured statement necklace
A bronze textured star fish ring
Pearl double sided strand earrings
A sea horse pendant long chain
Blue rope bracelet with an orange algae shaped hanging charm
The sea horse pendant long chain is perfect for your t shirts and sweaters. I absolutely loved the earrings, they would work with so many dresses and are super light yet chic at the same time.
The starfish ring makes quite a statement covering the entire finger beautifully, it looks like the ring is hugging your finger 😀
The mono colored black statement necklace will make a mark on a mono colored outfit i.e. all white or all green/blue. And the bracelet would work with your casual wear.
These are quite unique and interesting pieces and loved how they are combined together for the Aqua theme. I see myself wearing the ring and earrings a lot.
Definitely worth checking out the Feb Zotiqq box. I can’t wait for the March box now, looking forward to the new theme.
Have you tried the Zotiqq Jewellery Subscription box yet?
Hello everyone! I am a complete eye shadow junkie. Palettes are my favorites and I swear by Rimmel and Sleek Makeup for eye shadows. Now-a-days eye makeup looks are the biggest ‘in’ thing and we love to add the dash of eye to brighten up the entire makeup look. The whole aura of any eye makeup look – be it a smoky and sultry or simple neutral eye makeup, you need some really good pigmented eye shadows. In my opinion, the Indian market really lacks budget friendly pigmented eye shadows. Be it palette or mono pans, whichever decent product is there, it is priced very high. There is another thing I noticed is that the shades are very repetitive and mattes are almost missing. Nevertheless, today I have compiled the top 12 eye shadows available in India (online and retail) which are pretty economical.
1. Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick – 415 INR
These are my favorite eye shadow sticks and I love the kind of colors they. From matte browns to beige and deep blues and greens – they have it all. It comes in a chubby fat sharpenable pencils. The texture is so smooth that it glides like a dream and blends very easily. Pigmentation is top notch and single swipe gives you the saturated color. It gives you enough time to smudge and set the color and then doesn’t budge at all. It is thoroughly water proof and smudge proof as well. The colors, when set properly, hardly creases (after 9-10hours) and can also be used a base for powder eye shadow. For the price, they are a steal. (P.S: Bronze is my Favourite!)
2. Makeup Revolution Single Eyeshadow – 295 INR (BUY HERE for 234)
Makeup Revolution has been one phenomenal budget friendly brand and has got popular among various bloggers. A lot of e-commerce sites have been stocking their mono eyeshadows and palettes and we love the variety they have. The mono eye shadows and pigments in particular are very convenient to use. They are richly pigmented, blends really well and doesn’t crease much on the lids. These are appropriate for creating various makeup looks and lasts longer on the lids without fading off.
3. NYX Single Eyeshadow – (300-400 INR)
They have a variety of matte, pearl, shimmers and duo chrome eye shadows to choose from. There are numerous colors and quite some popular ones as well. The packaging is sturdy and great for travelling. The texture is good and gives a nice color pay off. From shimmers to matte and neon, you will get every possible color. These are ideal for beginners and they perform wonderfully. You can also try the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils(Review HERE) which are equally raved among beauty bloggers. (P.S: Absolutely love ‘Yogurt’, works amazing to highlight inner corners and brow bone. The shade ‘Milk’ acts as a perfect eyeshadow base for lighter shadows)
4. Inglot Single Eye shadow single – 550 INR (They have raised the price to 550 INR, also they discontinued the round refills which were a bit cheaper. Now they only have square ones) (Some available on Nykaa & on MajorBrands HERE)
When Inglot was available online, I couldn’t be happier about it. The only reason was to shop eyeshadows. They have an amazing collection of eyeshadow pans and most of them are great dupes for MAC (MAC eyeshadows costs a bomb!). The Inglot Freedom System palette is also available which enables you to choose the perfect color combination palette you want in your life. They have pearl, shimmery as well as matte finish and more than 400 shades to choose from. The texture is wonderful to blend in and pigmentation is top notch. They hardly crease and stay put the whole day. You can also try their rainbow pans (consisting of three hues of a same color)
5. Coloressence Single Eye Shadow – 170 to 200 INR (BUY HERE)
Coloressence is quite a well-known brand in the market and they have some really good products. One of them is the mono eyeshadow collection which comes in a durable black casing. The numbers of colors in this range is slightly low comparatively but the quality is surely great to work with. They have pearly and satin matte collection and some of the very famous are the gold, burgundy, blue, black and brown. These are soft in texture and I found pigmentation is superb with one swipe.
6. Colorbar Emphaseyes Eyeshadows (Available in 27 shades and priced at Rs.550/-) and Emphaseyes Baked Eyeshadows(Available in 10 shades and priced at Rs.599/-)
Versatility of Colorbar is surely enthralling. All the finishes from matte to pearly to high shimmer available in both the ranges and hence you can create a lot eye makeup looks with these. With a proper blend of ingredients, the texture is satin smooth and a commendable pay off for your eyes. The baked eyeshadow can also be applied wet which gives an insane color pay off and rich effect to the eyes. The fall out issues are minimal and the long lasting formula makes these totally a winner.
7. Revlon Colorstay Shadow Links Eye Shadow- INR 195 (BUY HERE for 165) (Review & Swatches HERE)
If you are a beginner or want to create your own customized palette without bankrupting, this is the one for you. You can buy any desirable shade from the collection of 15 available shades and attached with one another to create the exact palette you want. The texture is smooth and really workable. Again some of them are super pigmented and nice, plus pretty economical. Definitely check out the shades Bhumika has swatched and the Copper and Gold shade is what she swears by!
8. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Mono Eyeshadows – INR 525 (Review & Swatches HERE and HERE)
With a small tub packaging, these mono eyeshadows from L’Oréal are incredibly good. It has the velvet powdery texture and soft and silky formula which glide on the lids like a dream. The pigmentation is very good and it gives a rich satin look to the eyelids. The staying power of 8-9hrs is truly praiseworthy and hardly creases even without primer. Most of the shades have metallic effect and the sheen is gorgeous for very occasion. This is one of the best quality eyeshadow available in India with such reasonable price tag. Bhumika has already reviewed the Endless Chocolate which is a stunning brown for warm skin tones. (P.S: Also love All Night Blue which is the most gorgeous blue eyeshadow in my stash)
9. MUA Makeup Academy Single Eyeshadow – 431 INR
MUA makes some really eyeshadows and be the palette or singles, each of them were great. The single eyeshadows, available in 34 amazing shades with a wide range of mattes and pearly touches, helps you creating a variety of looks for both day and night. The texture is extremely soft and super blendable and the color payoff is pretty impressive. The matte black (20) is greatly pigmented rich matte black for the smoky looks while the brown (19) can be used for neutrals and crease effect.
10. Freedom Makeup London Mono Eyeshadow – 350 INR
Very recently I bought few shades from their collection and I have to agree, they are great value for money. Comes in small round packaging, there are available in mattes, pearly (glided collection) and also certain base shades. The base shades are perfect for creating an even canvas or simple winged liner look. All the shades are well pigmented with soft textures, smooth and easy to apply for an everyday look.
11. Oriflame The One Cream Eyeshadow – 449 INR (Review & Swatches HERE)
Cream eye shadows are so beautiful and easy to work with that you won’t know until you use one! The Oriflame The One Cream Eyeshadows are available with a very reasonable price tag and definitely check out the swatches done by Bhumika. The color payoff is extremely rich, intense and creamy and the texture is so forgiving that anyone will find it easy to work with. Bhumika feels that these are just perfect to use when you are in a hurry, just blend, layer and set and you are good to go for the day.
12. Deborah Milano 24Ore Velvet Eye Shadow – 395 INR
Deborah Milano has some pretty beautiful shadows available in singles, duos and quad. Thse eyeshadows have a satin soft texture and gives a beautiful finish to the eye makeup looks. The pigmentation is worth talking about and when you use the eyeshadows in the wet form, you would notice the thrilling intensity of it. All the shades are so beautifully matches with the Indian skin tones is that, one wouldn’t be enough for you at all. It stays fairly long even without primer and dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.
Editor’s Note: I love this list, have quite a few from the above. Absolutely love the Oriflame Cream one and the L’Oreal Infallible Monos. I used to love the Maybelline Color Tattoo, sadly they are discontinued now but I still have and love the Bad to the Bronze and Pomegranate Punk.
Which is your favourite eyeshadow? From this list?
L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Review & FOTD
Hi guys,
If you have not seen the L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Swatches yet, go HERE.
Today I would be reviewing these lipsticks and the L’Extrordinaire Mat Lip Colours.
L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star Moist Mat Lipstick – Rs.990/-
L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star L’Extraordinaire Mat Lip Colors – Rs 950/-
To start with the packaging, the Moist Mat lipsticks come in a regular matte black packaging with the gold band at the center. The texture as the name suggests is moist mat, they are velvet matte in texture. The shades in this range need a bit of layering, with 2-3 swipes you get the perfect opaque coverage but for pigmented lips, you will need to layer more. Also the lighter shades in this range are slightly less pigmented than the darker ones and would work for fair skin tones only, they will wash out the medium/wheatish skin tone. The lipsticks also deepen on the lips and get a bit darker after 5-10 minutes of application.
The lipsticks are neither drying nor moisturizing, you will need to exfoliate your lips and apply a lip balm and blot it before using these otherwise it would accentuate dry patches and fine lines on the lips. These do not transfer much and surprisingly stay well. The lipsticks stay for 3-4 hours on me and leave behind a deep stain which again stays for 1-2 hours.
L- Liya, R- J. LoL- Sonam, R- Julianne
Coming to the L’Extraordinare Mat Lip Colours, they come in the square packaging with the color peeping through the centre. The doe shaped wand applicator picks the right amount of product and is flexible to spread the product evenly on the lips in one coat. These are quite pigmented and feel moisturizing and buttery. The finish comes out glossy and it needs some time to settle down to a matte finish, about 20-25 minutes. Only one swipe gives a full opaque coverage, I did not have to dip the wand in the gloss again. The finish is not completely matte but semi-matte, these stay for about 2 hours and again leave behind a nice stain, especially the deeper color Julianne.
I like all the dark shades from this collection, they compliment medium skin tones really well. I would recommend the shades Liya, Eva, J. Lo and Julianne for mostly all skin tones. Sonam, Katrina and Aishwarya for slightly fairer skin tones.
Here are all the looks..
LiyaJulianneJ.LoSonamKatrina
Overall I would say some of these lipsticks are an absolute must have, try it at the counters, I am sure you will end up buying 1-2 shades. Though the price is slightly on the higher side, the qty is quite good with the lipsticks being 4.2g and the lip colours being 5.5ml.
Rating: (Lipsticks)
Quality: 3.75/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Rating: (Mat Lip Colours)
Quality: 3.5/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Which shade did you like the most? Do let me know in the comments below.
So I got these 4 body lotions from Nivea to try out and review for you guys, and I did so one by one, here are my thoughts on each.
They have an interesting concept of hydration, they have 1 to 5 range of hydration and each body lotion would fall in between 1 to 5 where 1 is light and 5 is the most rich lotion. Also each lotion also mentions if it is meant for ‘dry skin’, ‘very dry skin’ or ‘all skin types’. The smaller bottles comes in a curved shape, and the sizes vary from the smallest bottle to the huge 400ml pump bottle. The smaller ones are perfect for travel and the pump ones are handy and quick to use at home.
Nivea Smooth Milk Body Lotion
What the Company claims: The new non-greasy softening formula now with double amount of precious Shea Butter, repairs skin dryness to give deep moisturisation and long lasting smoothness.
The moisturising body milk for dry skin
Experience a unique care experience. NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion with Hydra IQ and Shea Butter provides long-lasting moisture. The formula absorbs quickly and pampers your skin with a velvety feel. For an irresistibly beautiful skin: NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion.
RESULT:
The formula with Hydra IQ technology provides long-lasting moisture.
Cares for the skin with a formula with valuable shea butter.
Velvety texture is quickly absorbed and gives a smooth feel.
Apply regularly to experience a smoother and softer skin for days
The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use.
This Smooth Milk Body Lotion falls in the mid in the light to rich parameters, so it would be ideal for all skin types, especially in winters. In summers, would suggest it for dry skin. It is slightly runny but easy to blend and gets absorbed quickly.
It has shea butter and is quite moisturizing yet not super rich at the same time. If you are someone with very dry skin and use only body butters, you might feel the need to reapply at the end of the day, for me it gives just enough hydration and I do not feel the need to reapply.
I love the soft floral smell and definitely recommend this to everyone.
Nivea Oil in Lotion Cocoa Nourish Body Lotion
What the Company claims: Enriched with coconut oil and cocoa butter. The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use. It provides deep moisture and smoothes away dullness
MRP: Rs.215/- for 200ml, Rs.330/- for 400ml (BUY HERE for 264)
Ingredients & Claims:
It has coconut oil and cocoa butter, as the name goes ‘Oil in Lotion’, it has actual oil and is obviously on the richer side. It is 4th in their light to rich parameter. It’s a little thicker and not like a lotion, but like a liquidy body butter. It takes some time to blend and has a cocoa smell. Quite moisturising and perfect for the current winters and for people with dry skin. Even dry skin will not feel the need of reapplication, skin stays hydrated, moist and supple throughout the day. Perfect for people with dry, itchy, flaky skin, you should give this a try.
Nivea Body Milk Nourishing Lotion
What the Company claims:The formula with Almond oil softens the skin. Give your very dry skin intensive care. Long-lasting softness and protection
This comes in the rich category and is 5th in their hydration parameters, so it is one of the richest (or the most rich) Nivea body lotion. Surprisingly it is quite runny and not as gooey and thick and blends easily too. It has a soft floral smell. Going by the texture and the way it blends easily, you will not expect it to be that hydrating or rich. But the skin feels super soft and smooth in an instant, I think it is all thanks to the almond oil in it. Though I would recommend this for dry to very dry skin and people who have itchy, flaky dry skin, this would be the perfect post shaving body lotion for everyone. As it rich but not sticky and greasy and is super easy to apply. Definitely recommend this!
Nivea Extra Whitening Cell Repair & UV Protect Body Lotion
What the Company claims:
Formulated with super fruit extracts of camu camu and acerola cherry, this lotion offers 50 times higher Vitamin C*, and helps to repair the years of dullness and damage on skin
The formula with SPF 15 is free of Paraben, Mineral Oil, Colorants and Bleaching, proven to protect the skin from sun effectively without leaving harmful residues
NIVEA Extra Whitening Cell Repair and UV Protect Lotion with SPF 15 helps repair: Accumulated dull damaged skin, dark spots, uneven skin tone, rough skin, flaky skin, cracked skin, itchy skin
It is the one of the most expensive of all Nivea Body Lotions, but I would say rightly so. One of my friend never gets tanned during summers even when she wears sleeveless and when I asked, she said she swears by the Nivea Extra Whitening Body Lotion. You know those tan lines of sleeves, shorts, necklines, etc, they are the most irritating. And although we have a lot of DIY’s to remove tan (Read HERE), admit it we are too lazy most of the times and if a body lotion moisturizes our skin and removes our tan at the same time plus gives SPF, then why not! We all need such good things 😀
It is quite runny and super light, it falls 2nd in their hydration parameter, I would not recommend it for winters as you would need to reapply quite a few times but for summers, this is an absolute must have! Get SPF, get rid of your tan plus moisturise your skin, this is all in one and more. It has 50 x Vitamin C and will also work on spots and uneven skin tone, we do work on our face and use all the Vitamin E and C for it, but hardly ever for our body, and body obviously needs equal care and attention.
I would highly recommend this one for summers.
L-R: Nivea Smooth Milk, Cocoa Nourish, Body Milk, Extra Whitening
Overall I would say I love the fact that all Nivea Body Lotions come in different sizes from the smallest to the biggest and different price points, each one is meant for different skin type and use, and can be used accordingly. I suggest Smooth Milk & Extra Whitening for Summers and Cocoa Nourish and Body Milk for winters.
Have you tried Nivea Body Lotions? Which one is your favourite?
Today I will be reviewing another face wash from Curatio. I have already reviewed their Fash Gel Face Wash and liked it. This is a foam based variant of the the face wash. I haven’t come across many foaming face washes till now. Himalaya has the Neem Foaming Face Wash which is good. The ones from Sebamed and Vichy are expensive. And then there are the Saslic foaming face washes which are a little strong. This one from Curatio is a milder as well as an inexpensive option. Read on to know how it works and whether you should go for it or not.
Product Claims: Fash Foam is an innovative approach to gentle skin cleansing. Fash Foam helps remove dirt, dead cells and excessive oil.
Ingredients:
Directions to use: Wet face. Pump adequate foam onto the palm of your hand. Gently apply the foam on the face and massage for 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.
Packaging: The face wash comes in a transparent plastic bottle with a convenient pump. There is a sturdy, plastic cap covering the bottle. The packaging looks attractive. Also, there is an outer carton to house the bottle. It is no doubt bulky for carrying around. But you can be assured there won’t be any leakage with this double protection.
Texture and fragrance: The face wash looks like a blue liquid in the bottle. But on pumping, it dispenses as a bluish white foam. The fragrance is very mild and not bothersome.
My experience: I have combination skin type which gets oily in summers. But some of the oil-control face washes I have used tend to dry out my skin excessively, causing an uncomfortable stretchy feeling. But Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash has worked well for me in controlling oil as well as not drying out skin much. I need about 3 pumps of the foam to cover my entire face and neck. I massage for a minute and then wash off. Unlike the Fash Gel, this is very easy to apply and rinse owing to its foam texture. It deep cleanses my face of all dirt and oil and gives a squeaky clean feeling. It also makes my face feel very smooth and fresh which I think its because it removes dead cells too to an extent. Although, it doesn’t cause any dry, stretchy feeling, I need to follow up with a good moisturizer, unlike the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash while using which, I used to skip moisturizer at times. It also gives a matte look and helps to control oil for a long time, around 5-6 hours. My combination skin is very prone to whiteheads frequently. After continuously using this face wash, I can feel my whiteheads have reduced considerably. The cleansing effect of this foaming face wash is deeper and thorough than the Fash Gel. So I feel its apt for oily-combination skin people. Dry skin people can skip this. One bottle of this can easily last for two months so its not expensive either. Coming to the availability of this brand, I have not seen it in regular shops/supermarkets but it can be easily got in any pharmacy.
Pros:
* Deeply and thoroughly cleanses pores of all dirt and oil.
* Keeps face oil-free for 5-6 hours.
* Makes skin smooth by removing dead cells.
* Controls whiteheads.
* Doesn’t cause a stretchy feeling.
* Mild fragrance which is not bothersome.
Cons:
* Contains SLS.
Price and quantity: Rs.270 for 100ml.
Rating: 4.3/5
Verdict: I liked both the face washes from Curatio. They are not harsh on the skin but still deeply cleanse the skin. Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash is a great option if you have oily-combination skin and don’t mind SLS face washes. Especially in summers it can help control oil effectively. Normal-dry skin types or those who prefer SLS-free face washes can go for the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash.
Editor’s Note: This looks quite good, I too have combination skin. And it controls whiteheads which is fab, would definitely give it a try.
Aloe Veda Distil Cold Pressed Hexane Free Castor Oil Review
By Pallavi
Hello Beauties,
Here i am with yet another one of my cult products. I like products which you can use in multiple ways. And some time back the concepts of oils have been quite a hit. You can use them in numerous ways be it on your hairs, skin or anywhere. Castor oil is one such significant oil. Since time immemorial people have been raving about this oil.
Actually, this oil is very thick and extremely sticky. And i have absolutely thin fine hairs. So, i thought that this oil will further weigh my hair down and i will have completely flat hair. But after researching a lot i thought that if i use this oil properly then, i will definitely get immense benefits out of this.
So, my first experience with this oil began with Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil. Read on to know how this fared on me and the multiple uses of this oil.
What the Company claims: Distil’s Castor Oil has many medicinal and curative uses. Contains ricinoleic acid that inhibits many viruses and bacteria, and as castor oil is able to penetrate skin tissue deeply, this makes it an effective treatment for acne. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal properties of ricinoleic acid protects the scalp and hair from infections that can cause hair loss. The omega-9 fatty acids in castor oil nourish the hair and prevent the scalp from drying. Rubbing castor oil on your scalp and the roots of your hair will regenerate new hair growth and also thicken thinning hair within months. Rub in a small amount around your eyes and face before bed, washing it off the next morning. Castor Oil breaks up external and internal scar tissue and prevents new scars from forming. It softens rough or thickened skin, including calluses and corns and cures skin infections like athletes foot and ringworm. Rub a small amount of castor oil over your stomach and thighs daily to prevent stretchmarks during pregnancy or periods of weight gain.
Product description:
Effective Treatment for Acne
Promotes Hair Growth
Medicinal and Curative Uses
Penetrate Skin Tissue Deeply
Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungicidal
Prevents Hair Loss
Nourishes Hair
Prevent Scalp Dryness
Anti Scars
Anti Stretch Marks
Price: 225 INR for 200 ml.
Shelf life: 24 months from the date of packaging
My experience with Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil
Castor oil is one of the most famous oils available in market at present times. But people say that the best version of castor oil is cold pressed castor oil. This is believed to be the purest form of castor oil. Castor oil is thick in nature. So, actually you should buy it in the smallest bottle size, but i mistakenly bought the biggest one and it is lasting me since ages.
Anyways coming to this bottle it comes in thick plastic bottle which doesn’t breaks or spills oil even if thrown accidentally from a good height. The bottle has a little hole at the between which ensures little oil dispersion only. I use it on my hair. But i advise strongly not to use it directly, as it will make your hair too sticky and you will not be able to wash it off. So, i use these oils by blending it with other oils. This makes a very powerful connotation. This oil is believed to be hair growth stimulator. So, i have used it regularly on my eyebrow and you won’t believe i gained average amount of hair within a month or two. Many people use castor oil in their eyebrows every night.
Coming to the economy of this bottle single bottle will last you long enough. So, invest in the smaller one.
Good about Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil
Natural brand
Cold pressed form
Huge quantity
Affordable price
Multipurpose use
Doesn’t smell bad
Bad about Aloe Veda Cold Pressed Hexane Free castor oil
None for me
Rating:
Availability : 4/5
Performance : 5/5
Overall rating : 4.5/5
Editor’s Note: Yes, many use castor oil every night on eyebrows and eye lashes, definitely recommend trying this you are looking to grow your eyebrows or want thicker eye lashes. Also as mentioned by you, mixing it with other oils for your hair. And the mix also works well on stretch marks. Nice review Pallavi 🙂 Also would like to mention I love some of the Aloe Veda products, their French Lavender Body Wash is my all time favourite!
Do you use castor oil? How do you use it and which one?
Top 10 Foundations for Oily Skin in India, Prices, Buy Online
By Sanchita
Summer is almost here and it is just a matter of a month now. With summer, comes back the oiliness, greasy feel and of course, the infamous breakouts. Therefore, the oily skinned beauties are always in hunt of oil-free foundation that would not only keep the oiliness at bay but also stay long. The oil secretion increases with the passage of time and the foundation along with the blush and bronzers also starts melting down, creating a big mess. Hence, choose the foundation very cautiously. With so new launched every month and the discontinuity of several products, it is very difficult to choose one product. Therefore, I have compiled the 10 best foundations for oil free look with various coverage. Let’s take a look at it.
1. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation – 525 INR (BUY HERE for 417) (Review coming soon)
The newest baby from the Maybelline. The brand is exceptional well in bringing out great products at a very budget friendly price tag. The foundation comes in 6 shades and most of them are warm toned, will specifically suit the Indian skin tones. They provide a medium to buildable coverage (bit not heavy) and gives a satin-matte finish. It makes the pores look slightly blurry and soft and has a very good oil control factor. For the price, it is wonderful choice for oil skin.
Another great foundation for oily skin from the very own desi brand Lakme. It is has the light whipped mousse texture, as the name suggest and blends on the skin like anything. The texture is so good that even a beginner would have no issues with the product. The coverage is sheer to medium with a soft matte finish and the presence of silicones aids in smoothening the pores. It looks just like your skin and great for everyday use.
3. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 – (APPROX. 1800 INR)
One of the popular and remarkable foundation of all times, is the MAC Studio Fix Fluid. MAC can provide you the best shade card and seldom people go wrong with the shades. The foundation has light weight silky texture, blends really smoothly and has a very good coverage. It also has certain special skin-conditioning ingredients yet looks completely matte. It absorbs and disperse oil and gives an airbrushes look to the skin. The wear time long and considered the best foundation for brides.
4. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Reno Liquid Foundation- 1325 INR (BUY HERE for 1126) (Review and Swatches HERE)
Bhumika has already tried, tested and reviewed the foundation and she believes it is a great foundation for oily skin. It has 11 shades with adequate warm and cool tones. The texture is nice to work and it is advisable by her to blend in with a damp brush or sponge. It feels completely matte on the skin, there is no shininess or dewiness with it. It gives a nice medium to heavy coverage without blocking the pores at all. It has SPF 18 but it doesn’t gives any whitish cast and also photographs well.
5. Bourjois Happy Light foundation – (APPROX. 1600 INR)
A light foundation tailored for the oily skin. It blends into the skin just like a natural coating with an airbrushed touch to it. It feels extremely light to wear it and doesn’t suffocate the pores at all. There isn’t any issue of breakouts and the foundation has several warm shades for the Indian skin. It gives a moderate to buildable coverage but won’t work much on stubborn acne marks. It has a soft dewy finish but not oily at all. It has an excellent wear time of 8-9hours.
6. L’Oréal Paris Nude Magic Liquid Powder Foundation – 899 INR (BUY HERE for 872)
A great liquid powder foundation for oily skin that works perfect for regular usage. It has a light and runny consistency that blends into the skin within no time, even with fingers! It gives a soft matte yet not a dull finish to the skin and spears very lightweight. It has sheer to buildable coverage and wont accentuates to fine lines and dry patches. It doesn’t oxidizes underneath a sunscreen and has a staying power of 5-6 hours.
7. Chambor Sheer Delight Ultra Matt Oil Free Foundation – 845 INR (BUY HERE)
This is something you won’t ever regret of buying. Considered one of the best foundations for oily skin, this one gives a sheer to medium coverage and looks ultra-smooth. Although the finish is matte, it provides a kind of healthy glow to the skin in no time. It is heat and sweat proof for a certain period of time and doesn’t oxidize. It is an ideal foundation for office wear and has a very good wear time of around 8-9 hours with minimal blotting.
Every product of Clinique is tailored for specific skin type and this matte foundation works incredibly well on oily skin. It has a gel-cream texture and available in 13 shades, from where you’re to get your match. The product blends in as easily as possible without any cakey or uneven finish. It is matte and also aids in controlling oil and shine on the face. It suits sensitive skin and there isn’t any issues about breakouts. The product also photographs very well in flash.
Many bloggers consider it their HG foundation and surely it has too many reason for it. it comes in 30 shades and has a petite packaging. It has a medium consistency liquid texture that blends generously and then sets into a matte finish. Despite having an SPF it photographs really well and hence, will work great for brides. It stays on the face for around 8-9hours without melting down or oxidizing. It gives a medium to buildable coverage and feels almost weightless. Although the price is slightly high, but you won’t mind splurging on this at all.
10. Revlon Colorstay Makeup 24 Hour Combination/Oily Skin Foundation – 974 INR (BUY HERE for 895)
Revlon has some very good range of foundations and Colorstay is one of them. It has a light and water proof texture that blends seamlessly with damp brush or sponge and gives a soft matte finish to the skin. This foundation has two variants – one for dry skin while the other for Combination/Oily Skin. This is another great choice for problematic skin and gives a medium to heavy coverage. It photographs exceptionally well and doesn’t oxidize. It is available in shades and perfect for Indian skin tones.
Editor’s Note: Again a super helpful and nice compilation Sanchita. I have combination skin and love the L’Oreal Infallible. Currently trying the Maybelline Fit Me one which is also the cheapest in this list, super economical!
P.S: I just realized this is our 2000th post 😀
Which is your favourite foundation? Your suggestion for foundation for oily skin? Leave them in the comments below.
Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 Review
By Archana
Hi all,
Today, I am reviewing a sunscreen from the brand Nature’s Essence. They have a wide variety of products at very budget-friendly prices. All their products are made primarily with natural ingredients. This is possibly one of the cheapest sunscreens available in the market. Read on to know how the ‘Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60’ fares.
Products claims: SUNBAN is a moisturizing sun protection lotion which provides full spectrum protection to the skin from UV rays. The natural added extract protects the skin against suntan. Good for all skin types. Can be used on all skin types.
Directions to use: Apply Sunban lotion on face, neck and other exposed parts of body before going out. Avoid contact with eye area.
Packaging: The sunscreen comes in a yellow squeezable tube packaging with a flip-open cap. Nothing fancy in the packaging but a basic functional one. Its convenient to be carried around in your handbag without any fear of leakage. But one thing though, the cap seems to be flimsy and it broke within few uses as you can see in the pics.
Texture and fragrance: The sunscreen is sandal-colored with a slightly thick and creamy consistency. It has a mild herbal fragrance which is not bothersome. The fragrance proves that it contain natural extracts unlike other sunscreens I have used which usually have a chemical smell.
My experience: I have always chosen sunscreens based on the SPF factor. But till now I have never heard of TPI factor. So I googled around a bit and found that TPI is Tan Protection Index. Basically SPF helps to protect the skin against UV rays, cancer and sun burns. Whereas TPI specifically helps to protect the skin from tanning. This was a new info to me.
So coming back to this sunscreen from Nature’s Essence, this has both SPF and TPI. It takes a little time to blend it in completely. Though it appears tinted, after applying there is no tint whatsoever and it gives a natural finish. Unlike other sunscreens, this doesn’t leave any whitish cast. I have oily-combination skin and I find it little heavy and greasy for use nowadays as summers have started. Within 3-4 hours, my face starts becoming oily. I think it might be more suitable during winters. Dry skin people can use it year around.
Now the strange thing that I have observed is, although it claims of TPI 60 and SPF 30, I am still getting tanned. I don’t know if it is just me or anyone else too felt it, but overtime of trying out different sunscreens, I have observed that those from higher end brands like Avene, Vichy, TBS, etc. or even mid-range brands like Neutrogena, Plum, Christine Valmy, etc even if they have lower SPF of 20, they seem to prevent tanning to a large extent, while those from budget brands, though they claim of higher SPFs, they fail to prevent much tanning. Am not sure about it, but I feel sunscreen is one product where the ones with completely natural ingredients might not really be effective. While we can opt for natural products in face washes, face packs, shampoos, etc., when it comes to sunscreens I don’t think they are much effective. Its just my observation. Please share your views and experiences with natural sunscreens in the comments below.
Pros:
* Doesn’t leave any whitish cast.
* Has TPI along with SPF .
* Contains goodness of natural ingredients like aloevera, turmeric and basil.
* Suitable for normal-dry skin.
* Very affordable.
Cons:
* Might not suit oily/combination skin.
* Not much effective in preventing tan.
* Complete ingredients list missing.
Price and quantity: Rs.95 for 60ml.
Rating: 3.7/5
Verdict: Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 is a very budget-friendly sunscreen with natural ingredients. But the results are average and its not very effective in preventing tan. Maybe if you are spending most time indoors, you can try it. But skip it if you spend more time under sun or going on a vacation or beach holiday.
Editor’s Note: That’s a fabulous review Archana, from whatever little I have read, heard and interacted with dermatologists, they all say sunscreens are good for protection but they cannot prevent skin from tanning. I am not sure how TPI works but I haven’t heard of any full proof sunscreen which prevents absolute tanning when you are out in the harsh skin for a long time. I remember using the Avene SPF50 spray all over my body during the Beauty & The Blogger shoot and we were out in the super harsh summer sun from 11 to 3 and I get tanned super easily, the area of the skin within the clothes and the area exposed to sun went black and white literally, that tan took almost 8-9 months to go away completely! So to prevent tan, one has to be covered and protected all the time, sunscreen will only help in protecting and this one sounds good for winters or for dry skin.
Sorry for the long rant 😀
Have you tried the Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60?
