Scrubbing is extremely essential in winters as the development of dry skin needs to exfoliate to preserve then natural radiance of the skin itself. Honestly speaking, I prefer my winters with oversized sweatshirt, hot chocolate, a warm bed to snuggle in and reading a soul touching book. Yes, I am one of those lazy girls who like to keep the skin well-scrubbed of dead cells and yet do nothing about it. This is when a dear friend of mine told me to make a ‘scrub bar’ that would clean and exfoliate at the same time. My heart leaped with just with the thought of such multipurpose body care product and I immediately thought of making it. So it’s time, my dear readers of NLM, to let you know how to DIY this amazing thing!
Things you need:
Crushed soap bar. (a gel based one works better and easier to deal with)
Olive oil.
Glycerin.
Ground coffee. (not the instant one which blends in but the grounded beans for filter)
Empty container.
Steps:
Step 1
1. In a double boiler or on top of a boiling water, place the cut out pieces of the soap. Do not put it directly under the flames which would lead to burning.
Step 2
2. Once the soap melts in heat, simmer it down and add 2 tbsp. of olive oil and glycerin each. Then, mix it well with the liquid soap.
Step 3
3. Now add the coffee in it and again use a spoon to mix it well.
Step 4
4. Remove the mixture from the heat and pour in it the container. Now, this has to be done very quickly as the soap has the tendency to get sticky.
Step 5
5. Keep it in the refrigerator for 1-2hours. It also depends upon the soap on how much time it requires to solidify. Mine was done in 1hour.
Final
6. And you homemade scrub bar is ready to use!
P.S: You can also add big granules of sugar to exfoliate. Sugar is slightly coarser when solidified and hence I generally feel it is too rough for my normal skin but if you have dry skin, you can incorporate that. Also, you can make a separate scrub bar with sugar and walnut particles for feet as well.
As we all know, soaps are excellent in washing the dirt and therefore I added it to cleanse the skin. Olive oil and glycerin is extremely hydrating and hence, while scrubbing you will get the desired moisture to be restored. Lastly, the coffee particles are coarse and semi-fine milled which helps in exfoliation- gently and effectively. It stimulates the blood flow while scrubbing and tighten the skin thereby reduces cellulite and great for anti-ageing.
Overall, this has been a lifesaver for me. I imply invest less time for skin care yet get the best of it. Do let me how you liked my DIY.
Editor’s Note: This sounds amazing Sanchita and I love the coffee smell, definitely trying it out.
Have you tried making something like before? A DIY Scrub Bar? Will you try this? It’s easy peasy.
MAC Sheertone Blush Pink Swoon Review, Swatches, FOTD
By Ishleen
Hello gorgeous ladies!
How are the winters going for you? Delhi has started to turn out cold—like really cold! And with cold weather, my skincare regimen goes off the drain—quite literally! No, not because I want to, but because I become too lazy to wake up early in the morning, or take my lazy bum out of the warm blankets at night to undergo a proper cleansing-toning-moisturising routine! And water intake you may ask? Yes, that pretty much is negligible too! Yes, I am that kind of lazy!
But looking at all those wintery-flushed rosy-posy cheeks, I so envy girls with naturally pink looking skins! And this is when the dire need to get some really cheeky-naturally-enamouring blushes comes to play! So if you are anything like me, and you want a pure matte blush which gives your cheeks the look that you would expect to have right after a run in the winter morning, girl, you need Mac Sheertone blush in pink swoon in your life! No kidding here!
The deal with the blush is that I am straight heads over heels in love with this little tub of pink goodness and have no cons to state whatsoever! So I am starting with what I like about the blush and will be explaining each aspect of it on the way! Let us dig in then!
Price: Rs.1450/- for 6g
Packaging and Price: Okay, like all mac powder blushes, this one too comes in a matte black tub with a see through lid and all the details on the back side of the tub! What I personally love about my mac blushes is the way all of them come in this really chic outer cardboard packaging which makes me feel so good about my vanity! Hmm, height of my vanity, I know! But I did spend 1450 bucks for this little tub—a classy packaging is the least I could have wished for! 😉
Shade: How can I even begin expressing the major drool attack I had when I saw this blush at the mac store about 3 months back—but me being the miser me, I needed double-trouble-quadruple assurances about the supposedly pale, cool toned looking blue based pink blush to be suitable for us warm Indian skins! And when I could not find a suitable answer to my anxieties, I had to go on and take the lunge and was I taken for a surprise? Although the blush is undeniably cool toned, blue based candy pink it looks so darn natural on the cheeks that it is hard to believe that I actually have worn a blush, or if I just heard Diljit Dosanjh say my name (fan crush, sorry :p)! Yes, it looks that natural and gives a nice flushed look to your cheeks—especially in these winters! Yum!
Pigmentation and Coverage: Coming from the sheertone range, this is indeed a very sheer-tone blush and if you swipe your finger across the blush pan, you will not find much product upon your fingers! Which trust me girls is the perfect thing for a daily wear blush like this one! It is so sheerly pigmented that there is no chance you can go overboard with this baby! Plus, if you are a newbie who struggles with the clown-cheek look every time you play with your makeup, Pink Swoon is here to stay! And the good part is that it is totally buildable and can be layered up as per your needs and taste!
Texture and Finish: The blush is such a classic example of a matte baby pink blush man, I cannot even tell! Not an ounce of sheen to be seen—just a daily wear mate pink, so undoubtedly it gives a very natural finish to the cheeks! The texture of Pink Swoon like all mac powder blushes is utterly smooth and not at all chalky or excessively powdery! But what I personally love about Pink Swoon is that despite being devoid of any shimmer or glittery sheen, it catches light at all the high points of your face and gives the face a luminosity—a natural radiance, if you know what I mean!
Staying Power: Although the shade is quite light and I use a couple swipes on my NC 39-40 skin for it to show up as a natural swipe—it stays put for quite some time! I mean I have never worn my makeup for more than 7 hours at a stretch and except for a slight fading at the hairline this blush despite being so light stayed for a good 6 hours in direct sunlight! And mind you, I do not wear primer under my makeup generally, so I can just guess how long it would stay if I had a primer on!
So this is pretty much it for the review of this glorious little pinky tub which is a new cult-favourite in my stash and is my daily wear blush! The only thing which I think can be a downer for some that it is not going to show up on skin tones above NC45 or so! But if you can manage to make it work, go grab it ASAP!
Rating- 5/5
Love it!! <3
Editor’s Note: It indeed looks gorgeous Ishleen, especially on you! Loved it.
Have you tried the MAC Pink Swoon Blush Yet? Your favourite blush from MAC? Mine is Bite of an Apple which was a LE
January 2016 Fab Bag theme is ‘Beauty Resolutions’ coz we all have New Year resolutions 😀 The makeup print on the bag is super pretty and this is the perfect cosmetic bag for travel or storage, one of my most favourite Fab Bag bags!
Let’s come to the products, so I had an option to select one product in this month’s bag out of all the makeup options, and I had already tried everything else, so I went with the Laqa & Co. Nail Polish Pen coz I have never tried a nail polish pen and it was a nice, summery peach shade which I can’t wait to wear in summers.
Products:
Natural Bath & Body French Red Clay Face Mask 20g (Full size Rs 450/- for 100 ml)
Natural Bath & Body Vitamin E Whipped Cream 15g (Full size Rs 275/- for 50 ml)
Laqa and Co. Nail polish pen (Full size Rs.1000/- for 5ml)
Votre Face Serum Full size (Rs 1670/- for 12 ml)
BBlunt Spotlight Hair Polish mini- Rs.250/-
I love the sound of both the Natural Bath & Body products and also the ingredients are pretty good. The French Red Clay mask has virgin coconut oil, turmeric powder, sandalwood extract, beetroot powder, kaolin clay, fuller’s earth, etc. And the Whipped cream is a blend of Vitamin E and argan oil. The cream is perfect for winters but I would prefer using the clay based mask in summers as clay based masks dry out my skin more though the coconut oil should balance it out, my skin is already super dry these days and I won’t risk it.
The Laqa & Co. Nail polish pen is in the shade Tweedledee is a nice pastel peach shade and also my first nail polish pen, quite happy that it’s a full sized product, can’t wait to try it out.
I love using serums and oils especially at night and in winters, currently I am obsessed with The Body Shop Oils Of Life Revitalizing Facial Oil, and this Votre Face serum sounds amazing with all the blend of essential and cold pressed oils in the ingredients. But my only worry is only active ingredients are mentioned :/ I hope it doesn’t break me out coz the Just Herbs Rejuvenating Beauty Elixir in the previous Fab Bag did break me out. I like the fact that this again is a full sized product.
And last but not the least, the BBlunt spotlight mini hair spray. Now I have 2 of the full sized ones and also one mini of this and I absolutely love it, it is perfect for adding some shine post your hairstyle and it gives slight hold too, though not much. It doesn’t make your hair stiff or hard and gives a nice sheen on the hair. This mini version is perfect for travel and/or handbag.
In all, I would say I loved this month’s Fab Bag and the fact that I got two full sized products, one hair spray mini and 2 deluxe sized samples and all the products are pretty good. Absolutely recommend getting this month’s bag if you still haven’t, also the bag in itself is really cute & quite useful.
Last month’s bag was also quite good, I hope this continues coz the products and bags have been really good from the past 2-3 months (except Nov) Touchwood!
What did you get in your January 2016 Fab Bag? What makeup product did you choose?
What the Company claims: Go Bold Or Graded And Sexy On Your Lips With The New Color Sensational Lip Gradation. It’s time to experiment with your lip makeup. For the sexy, bold and adventurous woman, Maybelline New York brings international trends with the newest Lip Gradation. Available in 8 bright, matte shades, this double-sided lip product will inspire you to experiment with your looks and bring out your unique style and personality. The color stick at one end will give a gorgeous pop of color while the cushion blender tool at the other end will give a sexy, graded look. For a complete trend-on look, apply color on the centre of your upper lip and use the sponge smudger to extend the color to the outer edges till the contours of your lips or use it as a matte lip color or a lip liner.
Here’s why you will love it:
8 bright, matte shades
Easy to apply
Fun, flirty, versatile way to color your lips
Innovative product with cutting edge technology
For Best Results: Apply Lip Gradation in the center of lips and blend outwards using the cushion blender.
Shades Available: 8
Red 1
Red 2
Pink 1
Pink 2
Fuchsia 1
Mauve 1
Orange 1
Coral 1
MRP: Rs.500/- for 1.25g
It comes in shaded twist up crayon form with the crayon on one side and the white sponge on the other side for blending or creating a color gradation or ombre. The pencils match to the shades and hence easily identifiable.
Pigmentation wise, these are quite pigmented and cover even the most pigmented lips in max 2 swipes. It has a super creamy and buttery formula and glides and blends easily.
The finish is matte but it is very moisturizing and not at all drying. It also feels super light on the lips, you won’t feel you have lipstick on. Staying power is ok, it stays for 4-5 hours without eating or drinking, but with whole meal it goes away from the centre and needs to be reapplied.
The full size & the shade Mauve 1
The shade Mauve 1 is not mauve but a rosy brown, more on the brown side with a hint of mauve.
Here is how it looks on me..
Overall I would say I am quite happy with this, but would have preferred a price of Rs.400/- and also the launch of more shades and the wines and burgundies too. I would recommend checking out this Mauve shade and the Coral and Orange.
Colorbar Perfect Match Foundation Review, Swatches
By Pallavi
Hello Girlies,
I was in hunt of everyday foundation. But i wanted something lighter not those heavier cakey foundations. Those heavier cakey foundations are meant for parties and night outs, not for daily wear especially in mornings. Now, most of you will recommend BB and CC creams for this. But sadly i have used a number of BB and CC creams but none stood as per my expectations. So, i resorted to foundations. But i was looking for foundations which could serve as a daily wear.
Thus, i went to my nearest store and the SA there recommends me this foundation from the house of Colorbar. The SA swatched this one on my hand and i liked it’s finish. Thus, without further adieu i bought this.
So, here is the Colorbar Perfect Match Foundation with UV Filters for all you ladies. Read along to know if it’s worth your skin or not.
Company Claims:
A fluid foundation that adapts itself to the color of the skin.
Moisturizing and filling benefits
UV filters for sun protection
Lightweight, Oil Free
Dermatologically tested
Available in 3 shades
Shades Available:
Classic Ivory
Nude Beige
Warm Beige
Price: Rs.725 for 30ml
Ingredients:
My experience with Colorbar Perfect Match Foundation with UV Filters
This foundation comes in a rectangular medium sized silver carton box. The packaging looks very chic and shining. It has entire product details inscribed on it.
Inside the silver box there is a sleek skin colour tube. The tube has a very unique and appealing shape. The bottom of the tube which is the cap is silver in colour. The cap is screw cap which needs to be twisted to bring out the product. Inside the tube there is a thin nozzle out of which the product comes out. Once when you have twisted the cap you need to press the tube slightly to bring the product out. A very little product comes out.
This is the medium shade ‘Nude Beige’. The foundation is light cream in colour. It has a thick consistency. You need to take the product in a little quantity because after blending too the product has a yellowish cast. You need to further blend the product to minimize the yellowish cast. So, words of caution take a little product only. This will make your swatch easier.
Now, i apply the foundation in dots on face. You need to move the fingers to blend the product completely. The product has UV filters which will protect you from sun exposure. The finish is very natural. It does not feel heavier on skin. It has slight illuminating particles. The product is perfect for daily wear foundation and gives medium coverage.
Pros of Colorbar Perfect Match Foundation with UV Filters:
Trustworthy brand
Widely available
Lasts pretty long
Little product goes a long way
Very natural finish
Has UV filters
Does not feel heavy on skin
Survives entire day
Cons of Colorbar Perfect Match Foundation with UV Filters:
Only 3 shades available
Needs a lot of blending
Rating :
Quality : 4/5
Value or money : 3/5
Availability : 4.5/5
Overall Rating : 4/5
Editor’s Note: I think it’s a nice everyday option, especially for office wear, also the fact that the shade adapts to your skin is good. But minimum 5-6 shades would have been a much better option. Nice review Pallavi 🙂
Have you tried the Colorbar Perfect Match Foundation yet?
How is everyone doing? It has been quite some time since I got the time to sit down and write something up for you gorgeous sweeties! So here I am with a very interesting review—something which is raved by bloggers and vloggers all across the internet, alike! Review for the best selling red lip liner from the house of MAC—Cherry liner!
MAC cherry lip liner is my first and perhaps the most cherished purchase from MAC! Though an impulse one, I can undoubtedly say that this is one shade of red which will suit almost all skin tones across the spectrum—no matter the undertones!
Price: Rs 1400 (prices have been further hiked) for 1.45 grams of product
What MAC has to say about Cherry Lip Liner?
A pencil designed for shaping, lining or filling in the lip. Lip Pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for lining the lips or filling them in. They are available in a wide selection of colours that each work well with many different lipstick shades.
Packaging: The lip liner is quite long and 1.45 grams of quantity is quite a lot for a lip pencil. The lip liner comes packed snugly in the trademark black outer covering in which Mac liner’s generally come. The wooden pencil in itself is quite sturdy and the best part is that it is a sharpenable pencil—which means less wastage and more hygiene; plus, crisp lines every time. The cap is a classic, plastic-y shiny black and shuts down tightly, leaving no scope for air to dry out the pencil. Plus, it is tight enough to avoid it from opening in your vanity or makeup bag.
My Experience with Mac Cherry Lip Liner!
Shade: MAC describes Cherry shade as a “vivid bright bluish-red”! And man, could they be any more correct? True to the description, the shade is a very vivid, leaning towards a bright, bluish-red! But what makes cherry different from all other blue based reds is that it is not stark enough to look OTT or odd on Indian skins! It suits warm skins as much as it will suit pink tones or cool toned beauties! I swear this shade is one of the must try from Mac’s range of lip liners.
Texture: Like most of the Mac lip liners, the texture of this one too is a waxy matte which gives a beyond gorgeous matte finish on the lips. Though the lipsticks are waxy and matte in texture, they do not tug or pull even on non-prepped lips and glides on smoothly. The lipstick settles down to a beautiful matte finish and also, does not settle into the fine lines of the lips or accentuate them. The texture is so that it can be worn both alone, as a full blown lipstick (by using it is a liner as well as a filler—the way i generally use it); or as a lip liner, or as a base for your favourite red lipstick. But do try to apply a lip balm or top it off with a clear gloss if you plan to wear it alone as a lipstick, as it can feel a tad bit drying—but nothing unbearable.
Pigmentation: Had this been a lipstick or a pencil with a large bullet, I would have said that “One swipe, and you are all set to go”—but because this is not a lipstick and is technically a pencil—so one swipe can in no possible way be enough to cover up the entire lip. But you get the idea right? The lip pencil is insanely pigmented, and maybe this is why it is always among the best selling pencils in the range. The colour pay-off is enough to cover up even the most pigmented of the lips. And i can say this with experience—no, i do not have pigmented lips, but some of my friends do—and being the only “makeup fanatic” or as they like to call me—“beauty blogger” amongst my friends—i am the makeup artist for them on all special college days! 😀
Line and filled lips with the lip liner, worn all over the lips
Staying Power: Mac definitely leaves no scope for complaints with this exquisite lip liner. Even the staying power of the pencil is such that it left me awestruck. I have, or rather had a habit of licking my lips after applying anything on them, and man, did the colour even budge? But yes, after having oily meals, or meals in general, the corners of the mouth did look a bit smeared, but that is just me seeking perfection with my lips! The overall lip look was quite balanced and looked quite amazing even 5 hours of constant wear. You may need a touch up to brighten up the colour after 4-5 hours of application, but that too if you like your lipsticks to look bright at almost all the time.
Post 5 hours of application
Pros of MAC cherry lip liner:
Long staying
Insanely pigmented
Universally flattering red shade
Does not smudge, smear or bleed
Stays put for a minimum of 4 hours
Waxy-matte pencil
Does not tug on the lips
Creamy-matte application
Matte finish
Can be worn alone or paired up with other lip products
Can be layered with ease
Does not accentuate the fine lines
Does not settle in lip crevices
Sharpenable wooden pencil
Cons of MAC cherry lip liner:
May seem expensive to budget-beauties
Can be a tiny-teeny bit drying after a few hours of application of not topped off with a balm
Technically, i could not think of any cons, i had to list them just for the sake of it!
Rating: 5/5
Would i recommend?
Do i still need to answer this question? It is a big thumbs up from my side! Go buy it and thank me later. And yes, beginners, this includes you too! :*
Editor’s Note: That’s quite a convincing review Ishleen, I am definitely checking this out and trying out next 🙂
Have you tried MAC Cosmetics Cherry Lip Liner yet? Your favourite red lip liner? Do let me know in the comments below.
Hand cream is an essential item in my handbag always during winters. I can’t survive without hand creams during this cold, dry season. Recently, I had gone to TBS to purchase a gift for a friend’s birthday and as the SA was giving me a whiff of various fragrances to try, I loved the Moringa variant fragrance and got tempted to picked the hand cream from the range. Read on to know how ‘The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream’ fares.
Products claims: This flowery Moringa daily hand cream helps soften and protect hands with light, juicy moisture. The instantly absorbing formula is ideal for on-the-go hydration. Non-greasy moisture. Wonderfully light gel-cream formula. Absorbs instantly. Enriched with Community Fair Trade Shea Butter from Ghana.
Ingredients:
Directions to use: Squeeze a small amount onto hands and massage well.
Packaging:
The hand cream comes in a compact, sleek tube packaging with a tiny black screw cap. The tube is shiny with a very pale yellowish green color. The full ingredients list is mentioned on the back side. I find the packaging very travel friendly as it fits easily in a handbag or even a purse without taking too much space. Also, there is no leakage or spillage whatsoever.
Texture and fragrance:
The cream has a pale yellowish color with a medium consistency, not too thick or too thin. The fragrance is light floral jasmine scent similar to the other products in the Moringa range. Though it is a floral fragrance, it is not very feminine, so its actually a unisex product.
My experience:
The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is made with cold-pressed seed oil from hand-picked moringa pods. I squeeze a pea sized amount of the cream and rub it in my hands while massaging. It spreads and blends easily due to its right consistency and gets absorbed completely in a couple of seconds. The fragrance lingers for a while and yes, the scent is a little strong, so that whenever I apply this hand cream in office, my team mates ask where is this jasmine fragrance coming from and start looking around! 🙂
It moisturizes and nourishes my hands instantly and relieves the dry feeling. The moisturization effect lasts for around 3 hours or till you wash your hands. Since it gets absorbed quickly, you can go back to your work immediately without worrying about the cream transferring to other items. Unlike some hand creams which I have used in the past, they used to stain my keyboard with the cream stains if I start typing without waiting for it to be fully absorbed. With this Body Shop cream, I haven’t faced any such issues.
However, this cream might not be for very dry hands. I was travelling for sometime last month and stopped using the cream during that time. After the travel, I fell sick. As I had neglected my hands for a long time, they became very dry and started peeling due to the cold. My hands started itching and there were rashes on my fingertips. During that time, when I tried this hand cream, it didn’t work for me at all. I apply the cream and barely within two minutes, my hands started feeling dry once again. I had to go back to my trusted savior, The Body Shop Cocoa Body Butter, to heal my hands.
Pros:
* Moisturizes and nourishes hands adequately.
* Gets absorbed quickly.
* Does not make hands greasy.
* Doesn’t leave any residue which might transfer to other items while working.
* Nice floral jasmine fragrance.
* Compact, travel-friendly packaging.
Cons:
* Not suitable for very dry skin.
Price and quantity: Rs.350 for 30ml.
Rating: 4.2/5
Verdict: The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is a perfect go-to cream to have in your work desk in office and in your handbag wherever you go. It is light, gets absorbed quickly without any greasiness and has a lovely floral fragrance. However, if you have extremely dry skin, then it might not be suitable for you.
Editor’s Note: Sounds refreshing for summers, I might give it a try in summers. I love the L’Occitane hand creams though, especially lavender. Also currently loving the Crabtree & Evelyn.
Have you tried The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream? Which is your favourite hand cream?
As you all might know that there are majorly two types of skins – dry and oily skin. All other skin types fall into broad categories of these two only. I am a dry skinned girl. And when i say dry skin i mean severe dry skin. My lips are dry and badly chapped all round the year. I have to apply a thick cream like boroline on my lips all round the year. And about my skin i need to apply body moisturisers at least on every alternate day even in summer. And coming back to my face, i apply light moisturisers like aloe vera in summers. But here when winters are knocking on your doors, i need something strong for my face. I need a strong moisturiser which will heal my dry skin.
Since Aroma magic is one of my favourite skin care brand, i decided to trust on AM products. Thus, without further delay, i opted for their Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream.
Read along to know if it’s worth your skin or not.
Product description: Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream is a hydrating skin cream that is rich in vitamin A, B & E. It prevents the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, dry skin, dark circles.The blend of Neroli and Jasmine essential oils prevents moisture loss, regenerates cellular tissues as well as slows down skin ageing process and restores its elasticity, texture and firmness. Benefits Reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles effectively Makes skin soft and smooth. Slows down the process of skin aging Brings back skin elasticity.
Direction to use: Dig your finger inside the tub. Take out the cream and apply the cream in dots all over your face. Cover the neck area too. Now, join the dots and blend the cream smoothly.
My experience with Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream
Aroma magic almond nourishing cream comes in wide small sized carton. Inside which there is a small but wide tub. The packaging of the tub and the carton is like snowy winter. It reminds that this is a perfect winter moisturising cream. Inside the tub there is a lid covering which acts like an extra layer of protection for the cream. Once the lid is removed the cream smells heavily of almonds. This is very natural and soothing smell.
Texture wise the cream is heavy. You need to blend the product to sink it into the skin. You will have to invest a lot of time to blend the product thoroughly. After which also, you are sure to feel the stickiness of the product. It is really an uncomfortable feeling. You can remove this feeling by applying only a bit of product.
Now, coming to the performance of the product it is really 100% moisturization cream. It provides moisture to my face like never before. Trust me there are very few creams which works in winters for me. And this worked like a magic. It healed and moisturised my skin like never before. It made my skin really soft and supple within a week of usage only. And my skin is like soft and hydrated just like summers before even the tub finished. I use it as a night cream because in that way i don’t have to worry about the chip-chip part. And by morning it’s all back to normal. Even then i apply a strong face wash. You can apply it in the morning too but make sure you apply only a little amount.
Pros of Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream
1. Herbal skin care brand
2. Impressive ingredients list
3. Packaging attractive
4. Cream is perfect for winters
5. Heals extremely dry skin
6. Makes skin soft and supple
Cons of Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream
1. Almond smell may not be appreciated by everyone
2. Feels quite heavy on skin
3. Can cause pimples or clog pores for oily skinned
Final verdict – this cream is a boon for dry girls in winters. But oily skin people should stay far as much as possible.
Rating :
Quality : 5/5
Value for money : 5/5
Availability: 4.8/5
Overall rating: 4.8/5
Editor’s note: This sounds perfect for dry skin or winters, I like using such rich creams for winters coz my skin tends to get very dry in winters, might give this a try sometime. Nice review Pallavi 🙂
Have you tried the Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream?
Lifestyles today are more stressful than comfortable, despite the luxuries that we can indulge in. Computers, mobiles, and all the electronic gadgets that we have involved to make our lives simpler have further disturbed our working schedules, that too on the cost of the health of our body. More work, less sleep; and the direct results are clearly visible in the puffiness and dark shadows around our eyes.
Raccoon eyes, under-eye bags, dark circles, shadows, panda eyes; all these are names of the same problem. So what basically causes our eyes to develop such conditions?
Read below to know more.
Causes
Whether you may know it or not, the skin which appears to be bluish black under our eyes is because of the skin in that area being too thin, thus making the blood vessels visible all the more. No, your blood vessels are not exactly blue; but only the wavelengths of blue and purple colors are allowed to be reflected by your under-eye skin, thus giving an impression of bluish-black under eye bags.
1. Genetics
One of the major causes of recurring or prominent dark circles is genetics. If your parents have thin skin around the eyes, or more than average blood vessels, it is almost certain that you will be passed on with the unfortunate trait.
2. Age and Gender
Dark circles under the eyes can begin to be dominantly visible in your 20’s, both in males and females alike; but they are most daunting in the old age. In old age, our skins loose elasticity and do not have the ability to regenerate the skin cells at a steady pace, thus the predominance of raccoon eyes.
3. Fatigue and sleeplessness
In case of fatigue, skin produces a chemical named cortisol, to give your body dynamism when it is working on low levels of energy. It increases the volume of blood in the body, thereby enlarging the blood vessels by creating more pressure in them. As the skin is thin around your delicate eyes, the engorged blood vessels are more prominently visible.
4. Ruptured blood vessels
At times, blood vessels under the eyes can get ruptured and the blood leaking from them starts oxidizing; leading to dim shadows on the lean membrane underneath the eyes. However this is nothing to be much apprehensive about, as in the company of the right type of treatments; this hitch can be easily rectified.
5. Excess of sleep and other lifestyle reasons
Dark under eye circles can even be caused by high sodium intake; which helps in retaining more fluids in body, leading to puffiness; which in turns makes dark circles more visible. Sleeping on your stomach for prolonged periods of time, leads to the accumulation of fluids in the facial area, especially around the eyes, causing freaky dark circles. Or say, when you have been crying uncontrollably, for any reason whatsoever, the salinity of your tears leads to puffiness around your eyes. So forget what happened and just smile 🙂
Remedies
If you are one of those few unlucky ones who have to bear with the problem of dark under eye circles, no matter what, and you do not want to spend on swanky under eye creams or laser surgeries; these home remedies await you.
a) Cucumber apart from acting as a cooling agent, also works as a lightening instrument and an astringent for your skin. Placing cucumber slices on your eyes, or gently rubbing cotton balls dipped in fresh cucumber juice can help to reduce the dark circles. Though the cucumber juice works better if you leave it overnight. Don’t worry; your skin will readily absorb it.
b) Potato juice is great to reduce the puffiness around the eyes, and is often used for treating tan spots and blemishes. Grate a raw potato, extract its juice, and apply the freshly squeezed juice to the affected area. Leave it on overnight if possible.
c) For added goodness, mix both cucumber and potato juice, and with a soft cotton pad, dab the juice gently on to the skin. Leave the juice on for about half an hour, and wash the face with cold water.
ADDITIONAL TIP: To keep the eyes moisturized, follow up by gently massaging olive, coconut or almond oil around the eye area. Remember not to put too much pressure around the eyes.
2. Frozen metal spoons
For instant relief from under eye circles caused by lack of sleep, or sleeping in the wrong posture for prolonged periods of time; all you need is two frozen metal spoons. Make it a habit to keep two metal spoons in your freezer so that you can utilize them any time you want. Just place the rounded edges of the spoon on the eye area and let it rest till the temp of the spoon becomes normal. The cooling effect will help stimulate blood circulation and also decrease the quantity of fluid accumulation around the peepers.
3. Chilled Green tea bags
Green tea is chock full of anti-oxidants, and anti-oxidants are good for your skin. Period. Dip two green tea bags in boiling water, and let them stay immersed for about 3-4 minutes. Take out the tea bags and place them in the freezer, letting them stay till they are chilled. (In the meanwhile, enjoy the goodness of your green tea.) Once the tea bags are chilled enough, place them onto your under eye areas, one bag on each eye, and let them rest for 15-20 minutes. You will notice the results for yourself.
4. The goodness of rose water
Pure Rose water is one product which is the answer of almost all skin care problems. Yes it is that good. Dab a pair of cotton balls in cold rose water, and apply it to the eyes. Let the cotton balls stay on the eyes for as long as possible and wash your face off. Do not forget to follow up with a rich moisturizer.
5. The Wonderful Tomato juice
Most of the treatments for dark under eye circles lie in our own kitchen. Tomatoes comprise of lycopene, which is a great anti-oxidant and has the ability to lighten your skin. Squeeze the juice of one ripe tomato, or mash the pulp and mix in a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice again acts as a bleaching agent and has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce puffiness. Apply this mixture under the eyes and let it stay for about 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water for better results.
6. Crushed mint leaves
Mint has amazing cooling properties which helps in instantly soothing the skin and reducing the appearance of dark discoloration around the eyes. Crush a few mint leaves using a mortar and pestle and apply the leaves as it is under the eyes. Wait for about 15 minutes and then remove any residue with a damp cotton swab. You can even mix the goodness of cucumber juice to the crushed leaves for better results.
7. Cold compress or ice pack
Cold compress works on the same principal as that of the metal spoons. The chilling effect will help stimulate blood circulation, thereby diminishing puffiness and rectifying the temporary pigmentation under the eyes. Either use a gel based cold compress, or take a few ice cubes wrapped in a thin cloth, and place them under your eyes till the ice melts off completely. Goodbye, raccoon eyes. 😉
8. The efficient milk and fenugreek seed paste
This DIY under eye face mask can work wonders to rectify dark circles. Take a few fenugreek (methi) seeds and soak them overnight. The next day, grind the seeds to form a fine paste. To this paste add a tablespoon of milk and a pinch of turmeric. Mix well, and apply the paste under the eyes.
9. White bread and milk
Milk has both fats and proteins, making it the best moisturizer for our skin. Mix this elixir of goodness with a slice of white bread, mixing it into a fine paste. Apply this paste daily on your under eye area for smoother and even toned under eye skin.
10. Say goodbye to bad habits
Smoking, drinking and stressing a tad bit too much are the main causes which can lead to hyper pigmentation around the eyes and leads to fluid accumulation, causing puffiness. For eyes that do not resemble that of a panda, try bidding goobye to these bad habits of yours.
Till when are you going to hide the dark under eye area with corrective concealers and heavy-duty foundations? It is high time you followed one of these easy tips listed above and bid goodbye to these nasty shadows which never allow you to look your best. But remember that all the points listed above are purely natural and you should not expect instantaneous results; patience is the key.
Editor’s Note: Well written post Ishleen, I am going to try some of the tips myself 😀
Do you have dark circles? Use any of the tips mentioned? Also add your own tips in the comments below which work for you.
UrbanClap: Local Service Professionals at Clap of your Hands
Hi guys,
These days we have 1-2 new apps coming up every other day, so what makes an app different and are all the apps in the market actually helpful? Nah! But one app I came across in December is actually very helpful! One of my friend works full time, both the husband and wife work whole day on weekdays and they only get weekends to chill or go out, her major concern always was cleaning and the home stuff. I was at her place last to last month and she told me she calls for whatever services she needs on this new app ‘Urbanclap’. One Sunday it is bathroom cleaning, and one Sunday it is sofa cleaning, she even calls for the beauty services she needs, she need not go to a salon or take an appointment, etc., her life is sorted!
I thought that’s an amazing idea, I downloaded the app to see how exactly it works. Last month before my Jaipur trip, I did not have the time to go to a salon and I called for beauty services at home on the Urbanclap app. If you follow me on twitter, you must have read a mini review of the services too. They have Rs.300/- off over services of Rs.800/- offer going on, they keep having offers, so watch out for that.
The app is super easy to use, understand and navigate. Select the service you need from the list of services, it catches your location and lets you know the fixed prices for blue collared jobs, or asks for your exact requirements from the options available for white collared jobs and the service providers send you a quote. You have three different price options too according to your budget. You have the option of the service providers calling you or you calling them, the latter is always safer and better unless you wish to be bombarded by calls whole day! You can even directly pay on the app for the blue collared services with fixed prices.
All the blue collared services have fixed pricing per hour which is around Rs.199/- Currently I am looking for a plumber for some minor work and all local plumbers tell me they will charge Rs.500/- for visiting even if 5 minutes job! Thank goodness for apps like this for saving us from being exploited.
I was looking for a yoga trainer at home for my back issue, and I chose that service and the ‘home’ option and my budget. These are the quotes and providers I got already within 5 minutes.
Things I did not like and which could improve, even after selecting the lower budget option here i.e. below Rs.3500/-, I got contacted by all providers giving a quote of Rs.4000 to 6000. Only the providers who give services within the mentioned budget should be able to give a quote or contact the buyer, coz it’s a waste of time.
I think Urbanclap is a huge help for working couples who hardly get time to get home stuff sorted, and even otherwise for families when you cannot find local services easily, now you can with just a touch on your phone! Apps like these sort your life, it has already received three rounds of funding and much deserved.
If you still haven’t tried Urbanclap, do so now! For Android users, go HERE and for Apple users, go HERE. You can thank me later 🙂 Currently it only available in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai, but they are expanding to other cities this year.
