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Best of 2017 - Skin & Hair, Indian Beauty Blog

Best of 2017 – Skin & Hair

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Best of 2017 – Skin & Hair

Hi guys,

2017 comes to an end, another year passed. It feels like yesterday it was 2010, no idea where time is running. As always, my 2017 skin and hair favourites are here. I have been doing this since 6 years now and this is the 7th year 😀

See the previous years lists here:

Now this list is not about only new products that have been launched this year. I include all my favourites, some which I have tried this year and some which are my Holy Grail since years. Basically all products which I have used the most in 2017. We will start with skin and hair today, and then move on to makeup.

Click on the links for complete reviews..

Skin:

Face Wash: Avene Cleanance Gel, Forest Essentials Delicate Facial Cleanser Kashmiri Saffron & Neem (It’s very gentle and perfect for daily use)

Cleanser/Makeup Remover: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Cleansing Water, L’Oreal Paris Micellar Water, Ciracle Absolute Deep Cleansing Oil, PixiXCarolineHirons Double Cleanse

Toner/Mist: Avene Thermal Spring Water, Pixi Glow Mist

Moisturiser: Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil, La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (when I break out), Pixi Beauty Glowtion Day Dew

Sunscreen: Suncros, Dr. Sheths Basic Brightening Daily Sunscreen (Lovee this!)

Serum: None, just oils

Eye cream: Himalaya Youth Eternity Eye Cream

Face Scrub: Clean & Clear Blackhead Clearing Daily Scrub, The Body Shop Tea Tree 3 in 1, Pixi Glow Tonic, Zenmed AHA/BHA Refining Scrub (more of chemical exfoliation this year)

Face Pack: Kawar Dead Sea Facial Mask, Korean sheet masks, The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Mask, The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Mask

Face Oil: Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil (the same as moisturizer too)

Night Cream: Pixi Beauty Sleep Cream, Above face oil as night cream/serum/oil too.

Body Wash: The Body Shop Olive Shower Gel, The Body Shop Vanilla Chai Body Wash

Body Scrub: The Body Shop French Grape Seed Body Scrub (It’s amazing!)

Body Lotion/Body Butter: The Body Shop Japanese Camellia Body Cream (LOVEE), Biotique Winter Cherry Body Nourisher

Body Oils: The Body Shop Thai Makrut Firming Body Oil

Lip Balm: Biotique Bio Almond (highly recommend this!), Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Hair:

Oil: I didn’t oily my hair much this year 🙁 I should get back to it

Hair Scrub: The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Hair Scrub

Shampoo: Sebastian Professional Penetraitt Shampoo (Lovee this!), Wella Pro Oil Reflections Shampoo, The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Shampoo, L’Oreal Professionnel INOA Color Care Shampoo

Conditioner: Sebastian Professional Penetraitt Conditioner, The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Conditioner

Deep Conditioner: Wella Pro Oil Reflections Mask, L’Oreal Professionnel INOA Color Care Mask

Serum/Leave in: Kerastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Oil Cream, L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil

Dry Shampoo: Wella EIMI Dry Me, Batiste Dry Shampoo, BBLUNT Spring Fling Dry Shampoo

Other Tools: Gillette Venus Razor, Face Razors for Dermaplaning

These were all the products I have used and loved the most in 2017. The categories and products have reduced compared to previous years. I realize right now I haven’t been using too much for skin care, in terms of masks or exfoliation. I used multi use products which work as moisturizer/serum/oil all in one. I think I was just plain lazy this year especially the past 3-4 months. I will try and take more care of my skin and hair the next year as I just turned 30 🙂 It is all the more essential for me now to stop being lazy and give my skin some TLC.

What about you? What are your 2017 skin & hair favourites? We will cover makeup next.

Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser Review

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Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser Review

What the Company claims:  This soap-free and paraben-free gel gently cleanses and purifies your skin while respecting its pH. It cleanses the skin gently without abrasion (no rebound effect). It is suitable for young, oily, blemish-prone skin as it purifies the skin and controls oil secretion, leaving your skin fresh and non-irritated. It contains 60% Avène Thermal Spring Water which has amazing soothing properties and the new sebum-regulating ingredient Glyceryl Laurate. This cleanser prepares the skin for treatment. It is an economical product, as a small quantity is enough to be effective.

Price for 200 ml is Rs 1100 (Buy HERE)

How to use: Use Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser morning and evening on your face and body. Apply to wet skin, lather and rinse thoroughly. Remove any remaining traces of make-up on the face and soothe the skin by spraying with Avène Thermal Spring Water.

Ingredients:

Cleanance Range:

  • reduces/limits sebum production
  • soothes irritations
  • Nips acne right at the root
  • leaves the skin feeling fresh and mattified

I have been using the Avene Cleanance Gel since quite a few weeks now, actually post my break out, I am only stuck to this. Read on to know what I think about it.

I researched a bit about Glyceryl Laurate, which is the new ingredient of the Avene Cleanance Range. It is a monoester of glycerin and lauric acid, skin conditioning agent and helps as emollient and surfactant. It basically forms a film on the skin and gives the skin a smoother, softer feeling. And also helps in sebum regulation.

To start with the packaging, it comes in this sleek plastic bottle with a white cap which you have to swivel to get the dispensor and dispense the product and swivel back again to close, something you see in talcum powders but this has just one tiny hole to dispense which is the perfect size.

It will not leak while you travel with it, but since this is a bit bulky and huge, I would not say it is travel friendly. I would have loved if it would have been available in smaller sizes too.

It is a bit thinner in texture and not exactly like gel, it has this hint of blue in it. I wash my face, take some product in my palms and then just blend some in my palms and some on the wet face directly.

It removes my basic makeup i.e eye liner, non waterproof mascara, sunscreen, BB cream, etc. without any hassles. It does not burn or sting the eyes at all! Something I really like, which most of the cleansers do, on my eyes. You will feel a thin film on the face but not something uncomfortable. It did not dry out the skin at all!

Coming to the main part, it definitely helped in my acne, no breakouts ever since I am using this and my previous scars have also almost faded. I am currently using this once a day, not twice a day since I have combination skin and not purely oily or blemish prone skin.

Though it is on the expensive side, the quantity is a lot and this 200ml bottle would easily last you at least 3-4 months depending on the usage.

I absolutely love it and recommend it. The most gentle cleanser I have used in a long time which removes my basic makeup, cleanses skin thoroughly from deep within, controls my break outs and even helps in fading the acne marks. And does not dry out the skin at all. It is a must try and will work for majority skin types, but if you have oily/acne prone/blemish prone skin, definitely get it today.

Rating:

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

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Would I buy it again: Yes!

Have you tried the new Avene Cleanance Gel Cleanser yet?

Avene New Dry Touch Emulsion Sunscreen SPF50+ Review

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Avene New Dry Touch Emulsion Sunscreen SPF50+ Review

What the Company claims: The unique Dry Touch Experience

Squeeze the Emulsion from the specially created air-free tube… you’ll feel the difference in the texture as soon as it’s on your skin. The lightweight formula sits easily even when liberally applied (as it should be, for the best and most complete protection) and lets your skin breathe easily too. It’s transparent on application, so you won’t have that unnatural white cast or spots. Moisturising yet non-sticky, it offers a mattifying effect so your skin appears natural and nourished.

What makes Avène New Dry Touch Emulsion so special?

Has a very high SPF of 50+
Paraben free, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic
Stays for a long time
Prevents skin damage
Soothes skin because of the presence of thermal spring water

MRP: Rs.1250/- for 50ml

Ingredients:

So Avene has reformulated and relaunched their sunscreen and made it ‘Dry Touch’ means non-sticky and non-greasy.

It looks like a tube packaging but it has a pump dispensor with a cap. Its white in color and creamy in texture, goes on smooth and blends on the skin, even if you take a little more quantity. Feels light on the skin, no greasiness indeed. It has a mattifying effect.

The most surprising thing was no white cast even though its SPF50+. I like the fact that it offers such high protection. And it is completely non-sticky which is rare in sunscreens. Paraben-free too and non-comedogenic so oily skin can also use it, without the fear of breaking out.

I would suggest re-applying it every 3-4 hours though if you are going to be out in the sun whole day. Also this is water resistant, so good for swimmers too.

I quite like it, only issue being,it is quite pricey, for you need a good amount for liberal application when it comes to sunscreen. Dry skin might need additional moisture but oily skin can skip the additional moisture. The thermal spring water, being one of the ingredients, will also soothe the skin.

Overall, I would say its quite nice as a sunscreen and I do recommend it. It does what it claims! Especially if you have sensitive skin or sunscreens don’t somehow work for you,give this a try.

Rating:

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

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Have you tried the new Avene New Dry Touch Emulsion Sunscreen SPF50+? Which is your favourite sunscreen currently?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

April 2015 My Envy Box Review

Avene, Beauty Box, Catrice, EDP, Kama Ayurveda, Lip Pencils, Makeup, My Envy Box, Night Creams, Reviews, Skin care, Sunscreens, ZA, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 2015 My Envy Box Review

Hey guys,

I am late in reviewing the April My Envy Box but here it is..

Read more about My Envy Box HERE and check out all the previous reviews HERE.

This time they have changed a few things in the box. Its a peach colored box, usually they have a pouch in which all the products are, this time there was no pouch and the products were all separate within the box. Also there was only one card this time with information of all 5 products unlike 5 different cards for each, which is good.

MRP: Rs.850/-

Lets take a look at what all I received in the April My Envy Box:

  • Za True White Exfoliating Clay– A deluxe sample of 30g which is quite good (Full Size Rs.399/- for 100g)
  • Catrice Longlasting Lip Pencil in Prince Cherry- Full size (Rs.300/-)
  • Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream 1.5ml small vial (Rs.5700/- for 100ml)
  • Kama Ayurveda Rejuvenating and Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream– 2 small jars. I guess they are 5-6g each. (Full size Rs.1195/- for 50g)
  • Avene VHP Dry Touch Emulsion SPF50+ 5ml (Rs.1250/- for 50ml)

I love the products this time, a full sized makeup product is a perfect addition. The Catrice lip pencil is a very pretty red and would work with so many of my red lipsticks. I like Kama Ayurveda products and looking forward to trying out the night cream which I am glad comes in 2 jars and is a good quantity. The Za True White Exfoliating Clay is a new launch and is exclusively a part of My Envy Box, so again something new to try.

I am already using the Avene Dry Touch Emulsion and love it, so this would go into my travel bag, useful for a 1-2 day short trip. And the Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream smells like a dream indeed, fresh and floral but a bit light though for my taste.

Overall, I am quite happy with this month’s My Envy Box. I hope they continue with this, coz I see such good boxes only once in 3-4 months and not every month unfortunately 🙁

You can request an invite for My Envy Box HERE

Did you like April My Envy Box?

July My Envy Box Review

Beauty Box, Hair Care, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

July My Envy Box Review

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

Check out my previous months’ boxes:

MRP: Rs.850/-

This time too, a lavender box like the previous June one.

What I got in my box:

  • Three 10ml bottles of Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment– Full size Rs.450/- for 100ml- I am glad that there are 3 bottles this time. One bottle of 10ml is enough for 2 uses, coz its supposed to be used only on the scalp. This is going to last a long time and I like Kama products. Hope this works for my hair. Would update you guys
  • Eau Thermale Avene Very High protection Sun cream SPF50+ (5ml)– Full Size Rs.1250/- for 50ml- I have used Avene VHP SPF50+ Sunscreen spray before and liked it. This is a little richer though and meant for normal to dry skin.
  • Two 6ml sachets of L’Occitane Aromachologie Control Styling Prep Cream– Full Size Rs.1990/- for 200ml- Its a leave in conditioner. Have not used it yet. Sounds good though
  • Kama Ayurveda Mridul Soap Free Face Cleanser- small sample- Full Size Rs.295/- for 40g- Its an ayurvedic, natural soap free cleanser which is to be mixed with water and massaged all over the face. I wanted to try this from a long time and I am glad I got to. Really liking it so far.
  • Eminence Organics Red Currant Balancing Concentrate- 2ml sachet- Full Size Rs.6413/- for 35ml- I am not a fan of Eminence Organics or small 2ml sachets. Not happy with this.

I would have loved to try the H2O Sea Moss Replenishing Body Lotion instead of the Eminence Organics Concentrate since I am not much into anti-ageing skin care.

Overall its a mixed bag yet again. I liked the Kama products and the fact that there are 2 hair products in the box this time. But definitely expect much more from My Envy Box.

You can request an invite for My Envy Box HERE.

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

Avene Very High Protection SPF50+ Spray Review

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Avene Very High Protection SPF50+ Spray Review

What the Company claims: Ideal balance between pleasure and security – Fulfills all demands: Efficacy, quality, pleasure in use and reliability – Benefits from an exclusive combination of actives, “SunSitive Protection®”, a product of Pierre Fabre Group Research:

*A complementary and synergistic photoprotective active complex, guaranteeing minimum chemical filters in our formulas.

* Pre-tocopheryl, a photostable Vitamin E precursor, gives additional cell protection.

*Avène Thermal Spring Water with natural soothing and anti-irritating properties.

*Light and no greasy texture : invisible, non-oily texture for particularly pleasant application. – 98% protection in 4hrs – No white effect

Broad UVA and UVB protection

MRP: Rs.2050/- for 200ml

How to use it:

  1. 30 minutes before exposure, apply uniformly and in sufficient quantity
  2. Reapply frequently in case of prolonged exposure, and after swimming.
  3. Using this product should not encourage the user to prolong sun exposure.
  4. Avoid exposure between midday and 4pm (maximal sunshine)
  5. Avoid solar exposure for child between 0 and 3 years
  6. Use clothing protection

Ingredients:

A sunscreen in a spray bottle..I have tried the Lotus SPF50 Spray before and it was my HG. I loved it a lot..so I was expecting this to fare well too.

Coming to the packaging, I love the bright orange packaging..and the cap shuts tight..the spray is good enough..but takes a lot of sprays to cover one part of the body too.

It has a milky kind of texture and is quite runny..you cannot assume the qty you are using since they are just sprayed and you would never realise..if its the 1/4 th teaspoon rule of sunscreen for face and neck each..and 1/2 teaspoon per arm, coz you just spray and blend.

Also, it is not completely light and does give a shiny look to the face..and leaves a whitish cast too. Needs lot of powdering. I mostly use it for arms and legs..and very rarely at times for face.

The main test of it was when I went for the Beauty and The Blogger show. I was carrying this with me..and the previous day after seeing the shoot in the sun and getting burned, the next day I made sure I went to my room especially to apply sunscreen on my arms and legs. I used it all over my hands and legs, could’nt use it on the face as the makeup was done..and somehow I forgot my neck :whyy: :pullshair:

I was out in the scorching sun from 11 to 3-3.30 directly under the sun with no protection whatsoever and we were literally burning all over. My hands and legs got 2 shades darker but my neck got burnt badly and it got 4-5 shades darker! So, thankfully, even though I did not reapply and do not know if I covered each and every area well with enough sunscreen, my hands and legs were somewhat saved coz of this ! I get tanned very very easily..and I have been cursing myself a lot for forgetting my neck 🙁 Still do and would do so for months, till the tan goes away completely..looks difficult :/

Thats one spray qty

I do like the fact that is has broad UVA and UVB protection and offers SPF50+ though..not that we need it regularly..but times as such, we definitely do!

Pros:

1. Did not clog pores or sweat me out.

2. Has thermal spring water and beneficial sunscreen actives.

3. SPF50+

4. Helped my skin from getting burned or severely tanned.

5. Nice bright packaging and cap shuts tight.

6. Claims to give very high protection against the sun.

Cons:

1. Not very travel friendly..a little bulky and I do not see a smaller version of it.

2. Does give some shine..and a whitish cast.

3. Very expensive!

Overall, I would say, if you are someone who stays out in the sun for a long time and need very high protection or you get tanned easily like me, this is the only savior! Definitely required for us! But if you have oily skin or do not stay out much in the sun anyways, you can do with your normal sunscreen and skip this.

It also comes in emulsion and cream form..I have not tried those. But considering the very high protection calimed and a savior against tanning, I would say try those too and go for either one whichever you are comfortable with.

Rating:

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

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Would I buy it again: Maybe..not very sure considering the heavy price tag!

Have you tried Avene Very High Protection Spray SPF50+ ?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

April My Envy Box Review

Beauty Box, Body Wash, Face Scrubs, H2O+, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

April My Envy Box Review

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

MRP: Rs.850/-

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

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

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

Products I got:

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

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

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

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

You can request an invite for My Envy Box HERE

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

Avene Presents A Three Step System for Acne this Monsoons

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Have a clear day in the monsoons!
Avene Presents A Three Step Treatment

Avène’s Reassuring Three-step Solution for Acne with Avene Cleanance, Avene TriAcneal, Avene Cleanance Deep-cleansing Purifying Mask

For many years now, Avène has been offering a complete product line that has become the reference in the field of dermocosmetics for blemished skin. No matter what the problem – from simple hyperseborrhoea to the accompaniment of irritant medical treatment for severe acne – there is a product that exactly suits your needs.

Specifically developed for cleansing and moisturising oily skin, the Avène new  line  of treatment contains specific ingredients which…
* reduce sebum production
* soothe irritations
* leave the skin feeling fresh and mattified

The entire range of products has been meticulously researched and developed to ensure that Avène is the optimal solution to today’s growing awareness on acne, in the Monsoons

1- Cleanse with Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser (200 ml at 1100 Rps)
2- Treat and eliminate imperfections with TriAcneal (30 ml at 1350 Rps)
3- Restore radiance with Cleanance Deep-cleansing Purifying Mask (50 ml at 1200 Rps)

Three Steps:

Step 1
Cleanse with Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser
It cleanses and purifies your skin while respecting its pH. This very gentle paraben-free cleansing gel is perfectly suited for young, oily blemish-prone skin of the face and body. It purifies the skin and controls oil secretion without abrasion (no rebound effect). Its seboregulators and anti-bacterial key ingredients eliminate impurities and excess oil. Key ingredients like Cucurbita pepo help minimize excess sebum, while Avène Thermal Spring Water soothes the skin, leaving it clear, fresh and non-irritated. It prepares the skin for treatment. This is a very economical product, as a small quantity is enough to be effective.
FACT: This product was tested morning and evening for 21 days by 30 people with acne-prone skin, and 100% of the users noticed that their skin was clearer after 15 days!
 
Step 2


Treat and eliminate imperfections with TriAcneal
Paraben-free TriAcneal helps eliminate severe imperfections while smoothing your skin. Effectiose ®, a patented innovation from PFDC Research Center (France), regulates the influx of irritating substances at the follicle level. Glycolic acid helps to peel away impurities, while Retinaldehyde regulates the formation of skin flaws and prevents residual marks. The soothing effects of Avène Thermal Spring Water provide the skin with a feeling of instant comfort in this formulation as well.
FACT: This product was tested on 47 people with skin imperfections. As early as the second week, 85% users noticed a decrease in residual marks on the face!


Step 3

Restore radiance with Cleanance Deep-cleansing Purifying Mask
Have oily skin with light imperfections? This paraben-free mask, which turns into a scrub, erases, eliminates impurities and tightens pores, a three-in-one way to perfect skin! Enriched in soft clay and vegetal key ingredients, this mask absorbs excess sebum, while its micro-particles unclog your pores gently, giving your complexion clarity. Its mattifying qualities help restore your skin’s velvety texture.
FACT: This product was tested by 32 people with oily skin once or twice a week and 97% of the users felt that their skin was purified, smoother and exfoliated satisfactorily! 80% of the users said they experienced a visible no-shine result as early as one hour following application!

About Avene
Avène brand is recommended by health professionals and preferred by consumers, by combining pharmaceutical research with cosmetic appeal. Based on the famous Avène Thermal Spring Water formulation, its products are more particularly recommended for sensitive, intolerant and allergy prone skins.

The Avène products are formulated with the Avène Thermal Spring Water as key ingredient, and are covering the main skin requirements as Moisturising, Anti Ageing, Anti Acnea, and Sunprotective Products for all types of skins, from dry to oily skins.
Avène is a French Brand of Dermocosmetic. Leader of the market in Europe, the products are now available in India in leading chemist stores in  Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Pune.

Find the nearest location on our website http://www.aveneindia.com/

P.S: PR Info