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Top Natural Skin, Hair and Body Care Brands in India, Indian Beauty Blog, Skincare Blog

Top Natural Skin, Hair and Body Care Brands in India

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Top Natural Skin, Hair and Body Care Brands in India

By Nidhal

Tossing away all those chemical-laden cocktails into the trash seems a herculean task given the paucity of alternatives at hand at present, isn’t it? Not anymore. You do not have to repine anymore for there are some niche brands that are not just environment-friendly in their approach but also cent per cent transparent about the ingredients’ list of each and every product of theirs. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it?

No need to glower at your high-end chemical-laden product anymore for burning a hole in your pocket and not throwing any commendable results for here you go with a list of Indian brands- all of which sell via Amazon India, that are not just safe for topical application but also budget-friendly.

1. MAHAGRO – A small but incredulously devoted team based out of Hyderabad, MahaGro may have entered the natural skin, hair and body care market recently (2012) but earns a thumbs up from one and all thanks to their nourishing all-natural, chemical-free, preservative-free, artificial-fragrance- free and cruelty-free products.

Offering not just beauty products (like- herbal bath powder, pimple pack, face pack, hair wash powder, etc.) but also ingredients that can be used to whip one’s own recipes (like orange peel powder, tulsi powder, etc.), their products don’t cost an arm and a leg if you’re contemplating adding the same to your shopping carts. Owned by the obliging Krishna Karthik, they are about to launch herbal soaps and shampoos soon in addition to shipping products PAN India.

My vote of approval goes to the following products-

(a) Herbal bath powder- Enriched with the benefits of myriad herbs in dried form with a lingering aroma of camphor predominantly, Mahagro’s herbal bath powder makes for an efficacious face pack too in addition to being a bath powder. Ideal for use in summers when the mercury rises to unprecedented levels, it cools one’s skin instantly, thereby soothing it.

Price- 179/- INR for 200g (Buy HERE)

(b) Herbal hair wash powder- To those who are fond of giving a wide berth to chemical-laden hair masks/packs, Mahagro’s herbal wash powder is of use. Composed of only dried herbs and leaves sans any chemical preservatives, teaming it with one’s base ingredient of choice say- coconut milk, would work wonders for one’s mane. Regular use will obviously throw much more flattering results vis-à- vis a single use.

Price- 179/- INR for 200g (Buy HERE)

2. TARIKA AYURLABS- The picture-postcard Pondicherry (called Pondy by the locals) gives one’s eyes not just sights to behold but also one’s skin and hair, oodles of unadulterated nourishment through a brand that targets beauty woes through the ancient Indian science- Ayurveda. Not even 1% of the composition of any of their 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free and chemical-free products contain any nasties that’d compel you to grimace.

Crafting a wholesome combo of products, ranging from hair oils, face serums, face masks to face scrubs, each product impresses with its unique composition. From offering products that seek to address the woes of aging, pimples/spots, foul body odour, excess hair fall to having lacklustre skin, they offer beauty combos that work wonders in allaying the same with regular use.

I would recommend Tarika’s daily facial sandal face mask as well as night oil for face (saffron) to all those whose skin loses its lustre and glow thanks to the barrage of chemical-laden cocktails we pour on ourselves daily in a bid to get the same. A little goes a long way that’s what I realised after using both the gems! Versatile enough to be blended with raw milk and neem decoction, the mask suits every skin type, leaving your skin inherently cleansed and nourished NATURALLY.

The cherry on the cake is Tarika Night oil for face (saffron). The aroma is ethereal, heavenly…a sort of aphrodisiac, taking your olfactory senses to a ride. Upon applying, with a little massage, it blends in with one’s skin easily. Sleep with it for within a few days, you will wake up with skin that looks restored to life. Let’s be rational- one or two uses won’t throw wondrous results. Given the kind of environs we inhabit, we need to be persistent in application. And if we are, the beauty combo from Tarika Ayurlabs leaves you chuffed.

PRICE-

Daily Sandale Beauty Mask: INR 480 for 50g (Buy HERE)

Night Oil for Face Saffron: INR 695 for 30ml (Buy HERE)

3. ISHAAN ENTERPRISES: RAYAAN HERBALS- Based out of Hyderabad, this all-natural venture helmed by Mrs. Reshma Thakur believes in giving a wide berth to chemical preservatives. Incepted in 2013 with a vision to craft exquisite skin, hair and body care products sans any hogwash (read: chemicals), Rayaan Herbals (the brand) that comes under Ishaan Enterprises (the company) came to the rescue of all those fraught with seeing chemical-laden products inundate markets! With an expanding range that seeks to cater to varying needs of its customers, if you are at the sea, don’t repine for you can touch base with them (Facebook) and get products tailor-made to suit your needs. Another feather in their cap is that they manufacture the products themselves so every facet is scrutinised to the backbone.

Coming from raw parts of a plant say- stems, flowers, roots, leaves, etc. their herbal products are intricate mixes of herbs. In my humble opinion, one should give a shot to their Hair shining pack. A natural fix for those whose locks look lustreless and drained off gloss, mixing it with the base ingredient that’s most compatible with one’s locks will ensure that it packs a punch at other hair woes too like- lack of softness, brittleness, etc. Dedicated use overtime will surely leave one with more thunderous results than single/two-time uses. It performs to a great extent on what it claims, however, do not get dispirited within a few uses for everyone’s hair condition differs and depending on how damaged one’s locks are, it will work.

PRICE- 550/- INR for 100g (Buy HERE)

4. IRAYA- ‘From the earth’ as is meant by its name in Sanskrit, Iraya- based out of Ahmedabad brings forth to our notice, the bountifulness of nature, which when harnessed ethically nourishes us to the backbone. Without elaborating much on what all the brand offers (Because we all know that! Iraya is a established name. One needs to be living under the rock to be unaware of it), what the USP of Iraya is to me, is that they not just ferret out the most esoteric herbs and blend them to concoct nourishing skin treats but also name their products in a way that is strongly reminiscent of the days when people relied on Ayurveda and natural remedies to tend to her beauty woes instead of store-bought products.

The product I recommend is the Kantivardhak Lepa which does justice to its name- imparts a winsome glow (Kanti) to my face and neck within a few applications without stinging it. Versatile enough to be blended with as many base ingredients (such as- curd, buttermilk, rose water, etc.) as you can come up with, it gets my vote of approval. I find it apt for use by all skin types. Slough it gently while removing to aid the process of scrubbing. Wouldn’t that be equivalent to saying that we are getting the best of both worlds- scrubbing as well as getting a glow? Yes, it surely would be.

PRICE- 445/- INR for 50g (Buy HERE)

5. RAW RITUALS- Handcrafting taken seriously- that’s how I delineate Raw Rituals. Based out of Ahmedabad, this organic skin and hair care venture is helmed by the warm and welcoming Mrs. Lovina Aggarwal and makes no about doing everything manually be it- boiling, whipping, blending, packaging, or designing. If that’s insufficient then, they have all the feathers in their cap to sweep you off your feet- cruelty-free, organic, preservative-free and cent per cent transparent about the ingredients added.

Offering lip balms, face packs, face scrubs, hair oils, body massage oils, face serums and cold-pressed soap- all free from chemicals, there is no reason why Raw Rituals doesn’t deserve a place on our list. I would recommend Raw Rituals’ peppermint and orange lip butter to all those looking to soothe their perennially dry lips that yearn for all the more moisturisation as the mercury goes down. The USP is that it is colourless, thus apt for use by men/boys too. The subtle aroma is capable of sending you into a tizzy thanks to peppermint essential oil which it is replete with.

Read the reviews of the orange lip butter HERE and their Ethereal Face Serum HERE

PRICE- 150/- INR (Buy HERE)

Editor’s Note: That’s quite an interesting list Nidhal. I have tried and loved Iraya. Tarika sounds pretty interesting and I would love to try that!

Have you tried any of these natural brands? Your favourite natural brand and product?

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

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

By Nidhal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AVAILABILITY- Amazon India and Facebook

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

PRICE- 400/- INR for each pot/tub

AVAILABILITY- www.bonorganics.com, Facebook and Instagram

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

PRICE- 60/- INR for each pot/tub

AVAILABILITY- www.staywildchild.com, Amazon and Facebook

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

PRICE- 90/- INR for each tub/pot

AVAILABILITY- HERE

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

PRICE- 200/- INR for each

AVAILABILITY- www.juicychemistry.com, Facebook and Instagram

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

PRICE- 350/- INR

AVAILABILITY- www.giabathandbodyworks.in, Facebook and Instagram

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

PRICE- 250/- INR for each pot/tub

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

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

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

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

AVAILABILITY- HERE

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

PRICE- 100/- for each tube

AVAILABILITY- Facebook and Instagram

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

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

Patanjali Body Ubtan Review

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Patanjali Body Ubtan Review

By Nidhal

There are few things as nourishing, relaxing and advantageous for your skin as slathering a rich blend of all-natural ingredients on one’s skin. Nuts ,fruits, herbs… all finely powdered to form an aromatic blend of ‘Ubtan’ is a treat for one’s skin. Not only is one’s skin deep cleansed but also the layer of dead skin cells is exfoliated. Expectations certainly skyrocket when an all-natural Ubtan comes from Patanajali- Baba Ramdev’s pharmacy. It goes without saying that I will review PATANJALI BODY UBTAN today and let you know how it fared for me.

PRICE- Rs 60/- for 100g

DIRECTIONS FOR USE– Add sufficient quantity of water to 20-30 g of Body Ubtan to make a consistent paste. Apply on body. Massage gently. Rinse off with water.

INGREDIENTS- Chironji, red lentil, black gram, barley, mustard seeds, soybean, rice, almond, turmeric and camphor.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Enhances fairness, imparts glow to skin, reduces dark spots and blemishes.

MY EXPEREINCE-

Packed in a simple plastic pack, Patanjali Body Ubtan’s packaging is somewhat disappointing. Why? Once cut open, the contents need to be transferred to a container because 100 g cannot be used in one go. Storing it in the pack in which it comes makes it prone to contamination as well as spillage. While the argument that it costs merely Rs 60/- per pack which is dirt cheap is admissible yet the provision of a zipper pack would have altogether eliminated all these woes once and for all. Hence, there is room for improvement as far as packaging is concerned.

The ubtan is predominantly fine with few coarse granules. They aren’t harsh or abrasive. So, do not fret that your skin will redden on slathering/massaging it. I think it can be conveniently mixed with rose water, raw milk ,curd or any base ingredient for that matter. Adding water is a mere recommendation for the producers which I followed. The paste so obtained has a pleasant and not overpowering aroma. I have used it a number of times and even if kept for more than half an hour, it does not stain your face yellow.

The presence of slightly coarse granules facilitate scrubbing and aid removal of dead skin cells’ layers. Upon removal, my skin looks squeaky clean, deeply cleansed and radiant. It does not suck moisture off one’s skin and that spells cheer for those with dry/excessively dry skin. I can’t comment on its efficacy or the lack of it when it comes to oil removal for oily/excessively oily skin type. Mine is dry and it hasn’t made my skin dry post wash ever. That said, it doesn’t even moisturise it either which I have no issues with because it doesn’t claim to do so.

I find it suitable for use by all skin types. If you are on a shoestring budget, grabbing a few packets of this won’t even pinch you. This one’s a good investment in my humble opinion 🙂

GOOD-

1. Budget-friendly

2. Readily available

3. Deep cleanses skin

4. Does not suck moisture hence, apt for dry and extremely dry skin types

5. Imparts radiance and NOT fairness which is plausible

6. Imparts a squeaky clean feel

7. All-natural composition

8. Apt for use by all skin types

BAD-

1. Packaging needs to be revamped.

RATING-4.5/5

Editor’s Note: This sounds very good Nidhal, definitely in my Patanjali haul list.

Have you tried the Patanjali Body Ubtan yet?

Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review

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Ancient Ayurveda Invigorating Tailpatra Woodash Soap Review

By Nidhal

Remember those days when we used to vacuously smear that colourful bar of soap that smelled heavenly and looked comely on our skin (and sadly, on our faces too) while unleashing the inherent model in us in our bathrooms? 😛 Days would roll by but all what it left was dry, parched skin that felt smothered after the ‘wash’. Quite naturally, it was bound to. Why? Did you care to read the labels? “Ummm… not really”, says a voice in your head right now. So, that is the reason my friend.

Cut to present and markets like always are inundated with soaps of myriad shapes, sizes, colors, flavours (err…chemicals) and packets. One thing is constant and that is our incorrigible habit of ignoring the labels. Having emerged delusional with soaps years ago, I switched over to ubtans (homemade powders for cleansing), however, one fine day, I came across a brand that used 2 words in its name which caught my eyes- Ancient Ayurveda. Intrigued, I began scrolling down their range of products when I came across their soaps. The realisation dwelled upon me that it would be just one of “those brands” that pull wool over consumers’ eyes by printing catchy words like “invigorated with XYZ essential oil”, “handmade” and so on but I was in for a pleasant surprise. The brand is the textbook definition of being ‘ethical’.

While most brand publish what their products contain, Ancient Ayurveda upped its game and went on publish what all their products do not contain IN DETAIL (see the picture for better understanding). Impressed, I zeroed in on ANCIENT AYURVEDA INVIGORATING TAILPATRA WOODASH SOAP to see how far it performs (or flounders). So here goes my review of the same 🙂

PRICE- 238 INR for 116 gm (Buy HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Smear on your drenched face and body with a natural luffa. Wash off after scrubbing gently.

INGREDIENTS- Homogenous coconut shell charcoal, coconut tree inflorescece charcoal flaxseed wheat germ oil, Ashwagandha tailam, Ark tailam, black cumin seed oil, bala taimbu, somaraji tailam, chandan bala, lakshadi tailam, jatyadi tailam, karanj tailam, virgin coconut oil, kasisadi tailam, zest of soapnut, kumkumadi tailam, rice bran oil, rice bran wax, nilibringhadi tailam, castor bean meat, whole pscralea corylifolia oil, zest of ‘Koshtum’, castor oil, coconut water, coconut meat, cow’s milk, zest of copra, grapeseed oil and neem oil.

A detailed list of fillers/items not added into the soap is provided as a leaflet once you place an order. And… You will be left speechless on seeing that most of them have been added in even the so-called handmade soaps that you use. Handmade does not mean ‘natural’.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- This soap does not contain Steric Acid (animal derived hardening agent, primarily from butchered pigs and cows) which makes the mainstream handmade and commercial soap melt-less.

MY EXPERIENCE-

GOOD-

Packed in a simple paper packing with the soap enclosed in a plastic cover, the packaging of the soap is quite simplistic. I disliked the plastic cover but realised that in India’s tropical weather, if the soap were packed in a plastic/cloth pack, it would have melted and rumpled the entire product rendering it useless.

As a result, given the product’s composition (which is primarily a blend of oils), the packaging is legit. Though it cannot be carried while travelling yet, I won’t pinpoint to it as a drawback because carrying soaps anyway is inconvenient while travelling. In a nutshell, the packaging is fine 🙂

The soap has a hard texture when stored in the fridge but take it for 5 minutes and witness the magic as it melts (all thanks to Sun God who unleash their fury on us from May to June all the more) 😛

I prolong its use by cutting it into 10 pieces 5 minutes after taking it out from the fridge (so that it softens enough for my knife to work). Each time I step into the shower, I take a piece (1/10 th part of the soap) with me along with a natural loofah/luffa. I smear it on my drenched skin and gently rub a luffa. 1/10 th part is sufficient for a use. I do not overdo or use beyond requirement. I know we Indians have a tendency to slap products in excess if it works but that is what we need to control. Use enough not in excess 🙂

After scrubbing my skin with the luffa for 7-8 minutes, there is a little froth which I rinse off and step out of the shower. My skin feels soft and deeply hydrated. This spells cheer for my skin is dry and this is the first time that my skin’s moisture level has not witnessed a nosedive 🙂 With use overtime, I noted a subtle glow too that looked natural. Besides feeling clean, my skin looked clear and refreshed. My mother who has normal skin used it and has been singing paeans since then. I recommended it to a friend of mine who has oily skin and so far, even she is impressed with its performance. While I can’t vouch for its efficacy for oily skin, I can safely say that it will become the HG soap of those with dry and normal skin 🙂

In one word, it is phenomenal!

1. The most natural soap one can land.

2. Mentions what it contains and what it does not (which is quite informative) clearly. Hence, the epitome of ethics.

3. Works wonders in softening skin.

4. Made in India

5. Associated with the NGO- Prajwala which works to rescue sex-trafficked women. There is a sense of complacency one experiences in contributing to such a noble initiative.

6. Highly impressive ingredients’ list

7. Imparts a subtle glow. No, you won’t glow like an incandescent LED that is shown (read: exaggerated beyond description) in TV adverts. The glow is subtle but noticeable.

8. Works well for all skin types but best for dry skin. It won’t weigh down oily skin but works exceedingly well for dry skin. I wonder how it does so.

9. Easily available. You can place an order on Amazon India.

10. Heals chapped skin overtime.

11. Price is reasonable given its effectiveness.

BAD-

1. Since it a blend of oils, it melts (yes, you read it right M-E- L-T- S) when the temperature rises to 33 degrees or above. In fact, since India is predominantly warm for most part of year, a major bugbear is the storage of this soap. It actually liquefies. To allay this, I let it out at room temperature for a few minutes. It softens somewhat when I cut it into 10-12 pieces with a knife. I use one piece each time I step into the shower and stash all the remnant pieces into the refrigerator 🙂 So, that is the only limitation which too, is taken care of.

RATING- 5/5

Editor’s Note: That sounds fantastic Nidhal and what a detailed review! I am surely trying this. Also I saw a few other soaps they have, all look great!

Have you tried any Ancient Ayurveda Soaps?

Patanjali Divya Gulab Jal/Rose Water Review

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Patanjali Divya Gulab Jal/Rose Water Review

By Archana

Rose water is one common product in everyone’s skincare regime, irrespective of skin type or concerns. It is a multi-purpose product with many benefits. There so many brands offering rose water nowadays, right from budget friendly ones like Dabur, Banjaras to high- end luxury brands like Kama Ayurveda and Forest Essentials. Today’s review is about a budget friendly rose water from Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali. Read on to know whether you should go for it or not.

Product Claims:

Ingredients & Directions to use:

Price and quantity: Rs.25 for 120ml.

Packaging:

It comes in a transparent plastic bottle packaging with a pink screw cap. On opening the cap, there is an inner stopper which closes the mouth of bottle. You need to use a pin to make a hole in the stopper. But carrying it around is not a good idea as I have noticed some spillage while travelling. I now transfer some to my Fabindia spray bottle for travel purposes. One big con I didn’t like in the packaging was that all the details of the product are mentioned in hindi. Considering the fact that Patanjali products are sold all over India, I think they should start printing in English.

Texture and fragrance:

It is just like plain water in color and consistency. The fragrance is very soothing and natural of fresh roses. The ones that I used from Dabur and Banjara’s, I felt were kind of artificial. But this one has a more natural fragrance. But it is very mild and not overpowering and so won’t bother sensitive noses.

My experience:

I have been using Patanjali Rose Water in many different ways. Firstly, I use it as toner after washing my face. It hydrates my face instantly and also helps to blend in the moisturiser easily. After coming home from travelling in the hot sun, I spray some on my face. It instantly refreshes me and soothes and cools the sun-burned skin. I also used this rose water to mix my homemade face packs for extra benefits. For eyes, I soak two cotton pads in this rose water and place over my eyes and relax. It calms down irritated area under the eyes which occurs while scrubbing and also relieves puffy eyes. As I have very sensitive skin under the eyes, most of the eye creams and gels don't suit me. But this has helped to keep my under eye area well-hydrated and healthy. I haven’t faced any breakouts with Patanjali Rose Water and I feel it can be used by sensitive skin types also.

During winters, I mix few drops of glycerin to this rose water and apply all over body to nourish and moisturize dry and parched skin. Since, its very affordable I find it apt to be used on body too, unlike the expensive rose waters from higher end brands. It doesn’t give any miraculous results but then at this price point what can you expect. It is just a daily use product which helps to maintain healthy skin.

Pros:

* Light and hydrating.

* Soothing and natural fragrance.

* Can be used in multiple ways.

* Suitable for all skin types.

* Budget friendly.

Cons:

* Packaging is not travel-friendly.

Rating: 4.1/5

Verdict: Overall, Patanjali Divya Gulab Jal is a budget friendly rose water for everyday use. It can be used in different ways for face, body and even hair. Compared to the other brands like Dabur and Banjara’s which fall under the same price range, I feel Patanjali rose water is more natural from the fragrance. I would definitely recommend all of you to give this a try.

Editor’s Note: Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel and Rose Water are their cult products, very economical and good quality. Nice review Archana

Have you tried the Patanjali Rose Water?

Khadi Trifla Powder Review & How to use for Hair

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Khadi Trifla Powder Review & How to use for Hair

By Nidhal

The most common and irksome hair woe everyone be it a man or a woman faces today is the dreaded 8-lettered word ‘HAIR FALL’. Didn’t it send shivers down your spine? Its roots (no pun intended) find origin in myriad causes ranging from stress to poor/substandard quality of products used, from bombarding oneself with chemical-laden products to diet deficient in proteins. ‘When everything fails, head to Granny dearest’ is the mantra I espouse and live by both metaphorically and literally.

My grandmother’s pearls of wisdom in the realm of hair care have always had one product since times immemorial. No points for guessing ( for you would have already seen what it is thanks to the title of the post), it is TRIFALA POWDER (also called ‘Triphala’). It is a blend of three herbs- Amlaki (Amla), Haritaki (Harar/Hadad) and Bibhitaaki (Bahera/Baheda). And the three together, pack a punch at so many hair woes that you’d be left wondering why on Earth didn’t you use it before.

Trifla Powder is also excellent for people suffering from constipation, acidity and irregular bowel movements. You just need to have one spoon with water whenever you feel bloated or have irregular bowel movement. Do not have it regularly as the body gets used to it.

I grabbed KHADI TRIFALA powder from a Khadi store in Delhi a few months ago. Today is the time for us to know if it deserves a second try or not 🙂

PRICE- Rs 45/- for 200 g

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Mix Khadi Trifala powder in the base ingredient. Mix well. Apply on scalp and hair. Rinse with cool water.

INGREDIENTS- Amla, Harar and Bahera

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Trifala is good for constipation and acidity. It regulates bowel movement. (This indicates that the product is edible)

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a simple plastic pack, the packaging of Khadi Trifala powder is way too simplistic in fact, underwhelming. Once cut open, the contents need to be transferred to either a clean container or a zipper pouch. Carrying it while travelling is a hassle both ways. As a result, I think it would be better if Khadi revisits its packaging decision for the current one for this product is disappointing.

Khadi Trifala powder is finely powdered and that makes it a cakewalk to mix it with the base ingredient of one’s choice be it curd, water, raw milk or anything that suits one’s hair type. Since my hair type is dry, I team it up with coconut milk. I suffer from one hair woe and that is why I opt for coconut milk because of its intensely hydrating properties.

I have used the above concoction for a month consistently without fail twice a week and what I noted was an improvement in my mane’s volume, strength and frizz control. It softened and imparted shine/lustre too but that wasn’t as praiseworthy as some of the herbal powders I had used in the past such as-hibiscus powder. It is important, I believe to be realistic. One product cannot be a Hindi film hero who’d bash all the goons to pulp, mouth one-liners that’ll make the audience whistle in awe, rescue his leading lady and basically do everything 😛

This product is no different. When used consistently over a period of time with the right base ingredient, it works wonders in some spheres (say-volume increase, strength, frizz control) but doesn’t perform as well as expected in some (shine and softness). Perhaps, addition of a few more ingredients to the above mix help me achieve my ‘unachieved goals’. All in all, it is a good investment keeping the price and its benefits in mind. Go grab a few packets to treat your mane naturally!

GOOD-

1. Dirt-cheap

2. A single pack will last long. Each pack contains 200 g of Trifala powder which is sufficient to last long.

3. Finely powdered hence, mixing with any base ingredient is cushy.

4. Gives complete volition to the user to mix with whichever base ingredient one wants to say- milk, curd, water, etc.

5. Strengthens hair overtime

6. Removal is easy

7. Other ingredients can be added to the Trifala+ base ingredient mix such as- Reetha powder, shikakai powder, tulsi powder, etc.

8. Makes one’s tresses voluminous

9. Suitable for use by all

10. Natural. No chemicals pumped into it hence, a safe solution to combat hair woes.

BAD-

1. Limited availability. It isn’t easily available online. The only option currently is to visit a Khadi store and grab it.

2. Does not impart as much shine as is expected from Trifala powder (Amla imparts shine)

3. Packaging needs to be improved. The provision of a zipper pack will be better.

4. Does not soften hair much. I have used some herbal powders before and this powder does not soften my tresses as much as those did. That said, it does not even dry my hair too.

RATING-4.5/5

Editor’s Note: Trifla is fabulous, I have had it often as a part of capsules if I suffer from irregular bowel movement. But I have not used it directly as a mask, though a part of hair masks in general. I would surely give this a try Nidhal.

Have you tried using Trifla powder for your hair?

Kama Ayurveda Pure Lavender Water Review

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Kama Ayurveda Pure Lavender Water Face & Body Mist Review

What the Company claims: Pure Lavender Water face & body mist

Handpicked from the wild in the Himalayas, this lavender water has unparalleled soothing properties that provides an instant boost to the skin and reduce stress. An excellent facial toner, it cools & refreshes in hot weather.  The steam distillation process used to create this wonderful water ensures a high level of hygiene and purity.

No artificial colours. No artificial fragrance. No animal ingredients. No petrochemicals, parabens, urea, propylene glycol or sulphates. All our organic products are internationally certified. Not tested on animals.

100% Natural

MRP: Rs.725/- for 200ml

It also comes in a smaller travel sized version I believe..

Kama Ayurveda already has a rose water which is like quiet famous and their one of the most selling products..so now they also came up with Lavender water..

I, personally love lavender more than rose..so if I have to choose, I would go with Lavender.

It comes in a brown tinted plastic bottle with a nozzle spray and a plastic cap..the packaging is quite sturdy, travel friendly and good..no issued with the spray.

Kama Ayurveda Waters i.e rose, lavender, vetiver, sandalwood and mogra all act as toners basically. And purest forms of toner..

Love the lavender smell. It soothes and refreshes instantly..and is a must have in my bag in this scorching heat.

Pros:

1. Love the lavender smell.

2. Soothing and refreshing.

3. Very convenient to use..and the travel sized bottle would be perfect for travel.

4. Good sturdy packaging and spray.

5. Must have for summers.

6. Lavender Essential Oil also helps in insomnia..and I also spray it every night, just before sleeping 🙂

Cons:

1. Little expensive..but I guess this 200 ml would last real long..coz I am using it everyday..and its not even 10% empty yet..so totally worth it.

Overall, I would say, it is not something that makes tall magical claims..it is meant to soothe and refresh the skin..and give the skin a boost in these horrible summers..and it does exactly that.

You can choose any Kama Ayurveda Water out of the five, depending on your choice. I love Lavender and I would be sticking to this 😀

Rating:

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

Overall Rating: 4/5

Would I buy it again: Yes

Have you tried Kama Ayurveda Water yet ? If yes, which and how do you find it ?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review.

Just Herbs Livelyclean Honey Exfoliating Face Cleansing Gel Review

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Just Herbs Livelyclean Honey Exfoliating Face Cleansing Gel Review

What the Company claims: This every day-use foaming face cleansing gel is enriched with Neem, Holy Basil and Turmeric known for antiseptic properties. It provides gentle exfoliation with Arjuna, Symplocos bark and jojoba meal, banishes impurities from the clogged pores. It dissolves and eliminates dead epithelial cells exposing the tingling fresh clean skin beneath with the help of Orange peel. Gentle scrubbing stimulates blood circulation which detoxifies, oxygenates and activates skin immunity. Honey helps in maintaining moisture balance in the skin.

Ingredients: Arjuna (terminalia arjuna) 2%, neem 2%, symplocos bark 2%, tulsi (holy basil) 2%, orange peel 2%, curcuma longa 1%, honey 2%, jojoba meal, cleansing base.

Hypo-allergenic. 100% natural recipe. Free from animal by-products. No animal testing.

No artificial Fragrances, colours, harmful chemicals.

Certified Ayurvedic by AYUSH, The Ministry of Health, Govt. of India/

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certified.

MRP: Rs. 295/- for 100ml

It comes in a long slender plastic bottle..with a nozzle opening and a plastic cap…since it has honey, turmeric, etc..its yellowish in color with a brown tinge..it has small exfoliating brown granules..probably the jojoba meal and arjuna bark as mentioned..has an ayurvedic smell too..a mix of honey and herbs kinda..

Its a very light, gentle cleanser..does not foam much..good for everyday cleansing..and exfoliates a little too..

Pros:

1. I love the ingredients and that each has its own properties..being antiseptic, exfoliating and dissolves dead skin cells.
2. No parabens or SLS or any harmful chemicals..this can be used without any fear of harmful chemicals..as it is completely natural.
3. Gentle cleansing..it does not strip the skin of oils..and leave it supple and soft.
4. No animal testing.
5. Certified Ayurvedic.
6. Though its priced high…its good enough to be priced that way..and 100 ml is a good quantity.

Cons:

1. Packaging is a little inconvenient. The product does not come out many a times..and the beads are hardly there..so I have to open the dispensor every time to remove the product..I guess a pump dispensor would have been better.
2. It does not foam much..so those who are into deep cleansing or love foaming face washes..this one is not for you.
3. Availability is an issue with Just Herbs..it can be found on UrbanTouch and Natural Mantra.

Overall I quite like it..its very gentle on skin..and refreshing too..you do not have dry stretchy skin after washing..as with other face washes..its very mild..and also gently exfoliates at the same time…and completely natural !

Rating:

Quality: 4.5/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
Availability: 3.5/5

Overall Rating: 4/5

Would I buy it again: Yes..I love natural products..plus that work well too.

P.S: Product sent by brand for review but it has not affected my opinion. 

Natural Kitchen Remedies for Skin and Hair

Hair Care, Skin care, , , , , , , , , ,
Natural Skin and Hair Care Products in your Kitchen
 
Guest Post by Kate
 
 
Women tend to do anything to look beautiful and gorgeous. Hence they don’t mind putting lots of their money in getting home costly cosmetic products for their beauty care. However, most of these cosmetic products are chemical based and at times can be lethal to your skin regardless of the small and big brand they come from. You might be lured and attracted to massive ads pertaining to beauty and cosmetic products promising you instant and good result. However, at the end of the day you hardly get anything trying them day in and day out. At such junctures, switching over to natural products can be a wise decision to make. Moreover, if you get beauty solutions in your kitchen only, what more would you want in life.
For your Hair and Scalp
 
For dealing with dandruff, using the juice made up of tomato can give good results. You can rid of scales by soothing dry and itchy scalp and reinstates its pH balance. People with dry hair can use Mayonnaise. It’s your treatment mask for deep conditioning. Mayonnaise contains egg yolks which caters your hair with vinegar, protein helping you in normalizing the pH balance of your hair. Use it along with vegetable oil it helps in lubricating the hair follicles. The dull hair can be given life and proper color using pure fruit juices. For best shining effect you can try out pure lemon juice, while apply highlighting cranberry juice in case you have dark brown hair.
 
For Eyes
 
If you have dark circles under your eyes or you find your eyes with some puffiness, make sure you try applying cold water, ice cubes, wet tea bags, tea, milk or try out the slices of potatoes or cucumber. By trying any of these options for around 10 minutes, you can make your delicate and soft tissues normal from being tight and shrink. If you see your eyes pretty tired especially when you return from a hectic day at work, try using the saturated cotton piece along with cold or chilled milk and lie down for around 15 minutes. Then rinse to get the good feel. Or you can use ice cube based chamomile tea along with water instead of milk to get the necessary cool effects.
 
For Face and Skin care


 
You can get rid of the aging signs like lines and wrinkles over your forehead by using oils. Oil comprises of fatty acids similar to the one you see in your skin fat and hence competent to complement your face skin. If you have a small surface blackheads, you can exfoliate them using oatmeal or cornmeal or sea salt. And for people with deep seated blackheads, try applying a blend of two teaspoons of sesame oil, cornmeal along with yoghurt. Try applying them for seven days to get the best result.
 
Final Word
Trying these homemade kitchen based solutions can work wonder and that too without any side effect or fatal result. And above all you get them all at pretty minimal cost or no cost as most of these ingredients you use, you often find in your kitchen or your refrigerator. So what are you waiting for?
 
About the author: Kate is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Besides this, she is fond of watches. She recently bought a watch from Skagen Watches latest collection. These days she is busy in witting an article on Bulimia nervosa for her blog DIY health.
 
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Shingar Herbal Hair Oil Review

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Shingar Herbal Hair Oil Review

What the Company claims :

One hair oil for all body types
Shingar Herbal Hair Oil is specially formulated blend using three vital/base oils – COCONUT OIL, CASTOR OIL & MUSTARD OIL. Since each body type has different needs, using only one type of oil may not be beneficial for you if you are not using the oil that is suitable for that body type. Regular application will grow your hair positively and show faster results than a regular oil.
Benefits of Shingar Herbal Oil
·         Perfect Hair Oil For Your Body Type.
·         Conditions Hair
·         Prevention of hair fall
·         Nourishing and strengthening of hair
·         Keeping dandruff away
·         Relaxes & Cools Scalp
·         Keeps Greys away
·         Makes Hair Dark, Soft & Silky.
Key Ingredients
·         Neem Oil – Works as anti-bacterial
·         Jatamansi Oil – Prevents Thinning & Hair Loss.
·         Tulsi Oil – Provides Hair Luster & prevents Hair & scalp related infections.
·         Lavender Oil – Strengthens Hair
·         Brahmi Oil – Replenishes the Hair Roots & relaxes scalp inducing sound sleep.
·         Amla – Rejuvenates & makes Hair Thick & Shiny.
·         Jojoba Oil – Provides Intense Conditioning
·         Kapurkachari – Works as an anti-septic & coolant.
How to apply
·         Apply SHINGAR Herbal Hair Oil everyday on scalp.
·         For Best Results, massage gently with fingertips on the scalp. Leave it overnight & wash next morning.
MRP-
·         50ml- Rs. 60
·         100ml- Rs. 95

     Its a small easy to carry bottle and has blend of all the base and essential oils..each having different benefits,so you get it all in one. Its light yellowish green in color and has the smell of all blended essential oils.

Pros:

1. I liked the blend of oils in it…it has coconut,castor and mustard as base oils..each suited to a particular dosha..like kapha, vitta,kapha
2. It has a perfect blend of essential oils too.
3. It did cool the scalp.

Cons:

1. Its a little sticky and difficult to wash away.

I did not see any much of a change in dandruff or hair fall..so cannot comment much on that. But yes I liked the combination of oils that go into my head when I use this..so overall I do like it.

Rating:

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

Overall Rating: 3.75/5

Would I buy it again: Yes

P.S: Product sent by brand for review but it has not affected my opinion.