Tag Archives: Indian makeup and beauty blog

Johara Instant Radiance Face Scrub, Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion Review

Johara Instant Radiance Face Scrub, Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion Review

Body Lotion, Face Scrubs, Johara Cosmetics, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Johara Instant Radiance Face Scrub, Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion Review

Hi guys,

If you remember I had reviewed Johara Cosmetics before (See HERE), they have come up with two new products i.e. the Johara Instant Radiance Face Scrub and the Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion. I have tried the Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Mist before and it smells absolutely amazing, so I was quite excited to try the body lotion.

Coming to the review, let me start with the face scrub first.

What the Company claims: Johara® Instant Radiance Face Scrub is formulated with natural exfoliating ultra-fine walnut grains and a blend of lemon peel extract and neem oil to gently slough off dull skin layers, remove impurities and promote natural cell exfoliation. Brighten up lackluster skin with this creamy formula enriched with Cococin™ CG , a nutrient rich extract from green tender coconut water to rejuvenate skin to leave skin feeling clean, smooth and toned for a simply radiant complexion.

Paraben, Sulphate, Formaldehyde , Synthetic dye Free

Benefits:

:: Gently exfoliates the skin

:: Nourishes, hydrates and softens the skin

:: Leaves your skin clean, refreshed and renewed

:: Moisturizes your skin better from the inside out

:: Cleanses the skin of impurities

Directions:

Step 1: Cleanse your face with Johara® PhytoBright Whitening Cleanser to remove all the dirt and pollution.

Step 2 : Take a dab of the Johara® Instant Radiance Face Scrub and massage it all over face and neck. Be careful not to rub too hard. Recommended use is twice in a week. Regular use of face scrub exfoliates dead cells, blackheads and reveal instant radiant skin.

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Stearate & Sucrose Cococate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Palmitate & Pentaerthrityl Tetraisostearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Stearic acid, Cetostearyl Alcohol, CI 77891, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Zea Mays (corn) Starch, Niacinamide, Azadirachta Indica (Neem) Seed Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel extract, Phenoxyethanol & Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance, Cocos Nucifera Juice, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Amino Methyl Propanol, Pentaerthirtyl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnmate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Menthol, Disodium EDTA.

MRP: Rs.500/- for 100g

It comes in this bright red tube with a grey flip cap. It’s an off white creamy scrub and has a strong herbal smell.

The scrub is very very creamy and has walnut shell powder for exfoliation. The shells are grainy enough for perfect exfoliation and the cream base is so amazing that it moisturizes the skin at the same time and does not leave the skin dry at all.

I love creamy scrubs and this is one perfect face scrub, but do not use it for more than twice a week. I prefer using it once a week as I do not exfoliate the skin much.

It’s definitely slightly on the expensive side but the 100g quantity is huge and if one has to use it 1-2 times a week, this would last pretty good. You can buy it directly from the Samidirect website or from Flipkart, Shopclues, Snapdeal, etc.

Now coming to the body lotion,

What the Company claims: Johara® Amaranthus and Amazon Lily Body Lotion is enriched with the goodness of Amaranthus oil which deeply hydrates and helps the skin to maintain moisture. A fast absorbing body lotion that moisturizes and softens the skin. Enriched with Cococin™ CG, a nutrient rich extract from green tender coconut water that rejuvenate and leaves skin feeling smooth and nourished.

Paraben, Sulphate, Formaldehyde, Synthetic dye Free

Benefits:

:: Luxurious blend to pamper and nourish your skin

:: Optimum moisture balance with natural skin protection barriers

:: Restorative nutrients to afford soft and smooth skin

Directions: Apply onto body and gently massage.

Ingredients: Aqua, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate & Sucrose Cocoate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cyclotetrasiloxane (and) Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone (and)Trisiloxane (and) Phenyltrimethicone (and) Isoparaffinic hydrocarbon, Cetyl Alcohol, Methyl Gluceth – 20, Carpylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Palmitate & Pentaerthrityl Tetraisostearate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Gluconate, Amaranthus Caudatus Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol & Methylisothiazolinone, Pentaerthirtyl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Carbomer, Amino Methyl Propanol, Cocos Nucifera Juice, Mica & CI 77891, Disodium EDTA.

MRP: Rs.550/- for 200ml

It’s a body lotion but it comes in this green and white flip cap tube form. It is white in color and has quite a runny consistency, not as fluid as liquid but it is water based.

It smells absolutely amazing, the combination of Amaranthus and Amazon Lily is amazing, I am not a fan of floral smell but this is something very unique and nice. It is not that sweet kind of fruity floral.

The base in the lotion seems almost the same as that in the body mist of this range, coz it feels watery and dries off immediately after applying on the skin, just like the mist. It is super super light, perfects the lightest body lotion I have ever tried. It is not hydrating enough for winters and definitely needs reapplication but it is perfect for summers or humid climate.

I am going to use this more often in summers as I prefer richer lotions for winters.

Currently both the scrub and body lotion  come with a smaller pack free which is perfect for travel. Again it is slightly on the expensive side for a body lotion, but if you prefer natural and sulphate, paraben free products, then very few brands have good options and this is definitely one of the best.

Highly recommend the face scrub and the body lotion is good for summers.

Rating: Scrub

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

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Rating: Body Lotion

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

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Do you like Amazon Lily & Amaranthus combination? Have you tried Johara products?

Kaya CC+ Complexion Corrector Cream Review, Swatches, FOTD

CC Creams, FOTD, Kaya, Reviews, Skin care, Swatches, Tinted Moisturizer, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kaya CC+ Complexion Corrector Cream Review, Swatches, FOTD

Hi guys,

A new review after a long time, this one was pending from months. Kaya launched this CC+ Complexion Corrector Cream and the Hydra Cleanse Makeup Remover both in November. I would be reviewing the remover too, since I shifted in December, there was a lot going on and also I misplaced some stuff, so until I settle down 😀

Anyway coming back to the review,

What the Company claims: Kaya’s Complexion Perfector Cream is a one-step solution to give your skin instant coverage and even skin tone with a perfect make-up finish. Kaya’s CC cream is specially formulated after careful research and development by dermatologists to suit all skin types and give you all in one skin benefits. The CC cream instantly blurs imperfections, reduces fine lines and gives your skin a smooth finish. It contains Imperita Cylindrica which provides moisturization and hydration for your skin to give it a natural looking instant glow. Containing SPF 25, the CC cream ensures sun protection from both UVA and UVB rays. To provide long term skin benefits it contains Niacinamide–a potent whitening active makes skin tone lighter and even toned with regular use.

MRP: Rs. 990/- for 30ml

Ingredients:

It comes in this black hard bottle packaging which looks like a tube but it is hard and cannot be squeezed, it looks like a tube but is more like a bottle. I love the pump dispensor and cap which is hygienic and easy to use.

It is moisturizing and does not make the skin feel uncomfortable, very light on the skin and good enough for daily use. I do need a moisturizer underneath currently as it’s colder, but I used this as it is in November and it worked just fine.

Sadly it only comes in one shade, which is good for medium skin tones. It gives light coverage and evens out the skin tone and redness but will not conceal your dark circles or acne scars. It looks quite light in the swatch but somehow matches the skin tone, but I think it will look a bit ashy on deeper skin tones.

I am glad that it gives SPF25 protection and has Niancinmide and pea extract in the ingredients which also heals the skin and fades acne scars. Pea extract contains antioxidants, amino acids, minerals and proteins.

Here is how it looks on me..

As you can see it has covered my dark circles and spots lightly but they are still very much visible.

Price and availability is an issue, though it is available online too now, it is surely priced on the higher side. But coming from Kaya Skin Clinic, you can be assured you are getting some skin benefits unlike other cosmetic brands’ BB/CC Creams. I would have liked at least 3-4 shade options and the price to be a little reasonable. Also all ingredients should have been mentioned.

Rating:

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

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Have you checked out the Kaya CC Cream yet?

MAC Sheertone Blush Pink Swoon Review, Swatches, FOTD

Blush, FOTD, MAC Cosmetics, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon Peach me Review, Swatches, FOTD

Faces Cosmetics, FOTD, Lip Crayons, Lip Pencils, Lipsticks, Makeup, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon Peach me Review, Swatches, FOTD

By Pallavi

Hello Beauties,

I had some earlier lipstick collection. But they all had been quite boring for me. So, decided to dump my earlier lipstick stash and buy some new recent launches. I divided my current lipstick collection in 2-3 broad categories – nudes, everyday pinks, hot pinks and everyday reds. And with this intention in my mind I went for shopping. I had no plans of purchasing anything from faces but while I was passing through the faces store, I saw their recent launches. Any I thought why not update my lipstick collection with some recent launches. And thus, I jumped to the store. The SA was well informed and gave me time to try all the lipsticks which ever I liked. And finally I bought this new beauty.

So, here comes Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon – Peach me 08 for all you beauties. Read along to know if the product is worth purchase or not.

Price : Rs. 799 for 2.8 grams

Shelf life : 36 months from the date of packaging

Directions to use: Scrub your lips with either baby brush or sugar crumbs. Now, apply a lip balm underneath. Take the lip crayon and sharpen it to get the perfect crayon tip. Re-apply to get that perfect opaque finish.

Colour: Muted peachy pink

What Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon – Peach me 08 claims: A collection of lip crayons featuring timeless matte shades with superior color pigment & hydration.

From beautiful nudes to striking reds to shades of pinks and corals there’s a shade for everyone. Dresses up lips in statement shades in matte finish with rich, color-bright pigments, while being super comfortable on lips. Four super hot matte shades with light shimmer inspired from the backstage makeup.

My experience with Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon – Peach me 08

This lip crayon from the house of faces comes in very attractive packaging. It is a thick crayon with product name, shade and other details mentioned on the crayon itself. The body of the crayon is in the shade of the lipstick. The cap is transparent so that you can see the tip of the crayon. It comes with a sharpener which can be used to sharpen the lipstick.

This lip crayon from faces comes in the pro matte range. The shade is peach me 08 which is perfect everyday peach. It is perfect for office wear as well as day outings. It will suit a number of skin tones and can serve as an MLBB shade for many girls. The lip crayon is matte but even then it is moisturizing. It does not settle into lip lines even after many hours of application. It stays evenly on lips. It easily survives lighter meals but fades away with heavier meals. It can stay with lighter meals and drinks. Anyways the shade lasts easily for 6-8 hours. The crayon is thick and it needs to be sharpened with daily usage. Now, this is the bad part. At least you need to sharp the product on every alternate day. I feel it’s too much of product wastage. Pigmentation wise the shade is pretty fine. Single swipe gives good amount of colour. But anyways you can re-apply the colour to build up the finish.

Conclusion – I am loving this shade and range both. This has become my everyday colour to office. Looking forward to trying more colours from this range.

Good about Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon – Peach me 08

  • Trustworthy brand
  • Available – online and offline
  • Attractive packaging
  • No bothersome smell
  • MLBB shade
  • Will suit a number of skin tones
  • Lasts pretty well
  • Pigmentation too good

Bad about Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayon – Peach me 08

  • Product needs to be sharpened
  • Some may find it pricey

Rating:

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

Overall rating – 4.5/5

Editor’s Note: That was a nice review Pallavi, Peach Me is a fabulous shade indeed. I have these in Midnight Rose & Sugar Coated, love Midnight Rose.

Have you tried any shade from the new Faces Ultime Pro Matte Lip Crayons? Which is your favourite shade?

Colorbar Perfect Match Foundation Review, Swatches

Colorbar, Foundations, Makeup, Makeup Base, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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?

The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream Review

Hand Creams, Reviews, Skin care, The Body Shop, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream Review

By Archana

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?

Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream Review

Aroma Magic, Creams, Moisturizers, Reviews, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream Review

By Pallavi

Hello beautiful souls,

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.

Price: Rs.350 for 50 grams (BUY HERE at Rs.325)

Shelf life: 36 months from packaging

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?

Top 10 Best Lakme Products in India

Lakme, Makeup, Top 10, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Best Lakme Products in India

By Sanchita

This is a brand familiar to every girl. Before we grew up and lusted on brands like L’Oréal Paris, MAC, Bobbi Brown, etc, Lakme is all we knew. There range of products were phenomenal and still now a rage in the beauty industry. The array of products provided by this brand has become cult favorite of every women. The best thing about Lakme is they know the exact need of every women and has an entire range dedicated for that. The Classics include some great budget friendly options while 9to5 has subtle colors and products for professional purpose. The Absolute Range, endorsed by the beauty icon Kareena Kapoor, has some amazing products and professional look.

Coming to today’s list of top 10 products from Lakme, it is indeed the toughest to choose. Even if I go for top 20, the list wouldn’t be complete for Lakme. Seldom have their launches failed and each and every product has a beauty of their own. You know they say that you can’t have it all, right? The same goes for this list. Please forgive me if I have not added your favorite product in the list. Read on to know the raved Lakme products in India. (Click on product links to read reviews or see swatches) (See Maybelline Top 10 Products HERE)

1. Lakme CC Cream (MRP: Rs.275/-) – a great multi-functional cream for all those busy women who needs to even out their skin tone yet wants to make it quick. Loaded with mild SPF 20, brightening agents add a certain glow to brighten your skin, conceals faded marks and refreshes the skin, this is like a must have! One more thing that is raving about this CC cream and sets part from other is that it is extremely flexible for the skin type. It suits every skin type – it hydrates the dry skin while gives a non-greasy look to the oily skin all-round the year. To make it look matte, you simply need to dab a mattifying powder and you are good to go.

2. Lakme Eyeconic Kajal {210 INR(BLACK) 275 INR (COLOR)}– with a staple black color and also other 5 colors, very recently to added few more shades to the eyeconic kohl group. If you are a fan of creamy kajals that gives a total smudge free and water proof look even in summers for around 6-7hours, you are absolutely digging this one. I have tried so many kajals like any obsessive makeup lover but always come back to this. Moreover, the colors are matte, creamy and looks drop dead gorgeous!

3. Lakme Enrich Satin Lipsticks (INR 260)– probably the oldest and budget friendly range of lipsticks in India which have been used by woman from every walk of life. The packaging has been very recently revamped to the steel body which looks glorious. The new shade collection and packaging has been an instant hit and received appreciation from everywhere. They have some amazing red, browns and pinks for every occasion. The finish is satin velvety and hydrates the lips as well. For such a budget friendly price tag, buy at least one from this beautiful range.

4. Lakme 9 to 5 Foundation (INR 575) – 9 to 5 is personally my favorite range and the quality is as remarkable as it gets. Out of every product of this range, my favorite is the foundation which seem to be the right match for me. It is brightening yet looks like my own skin. The beauty of the foundation lies in its texture which can also be blended with the finger tips when you are in a hurry. It works for all skin tones and gives a sheer to buildable coverage. The staying power is good hardly requires touch ups. Now they have come up with the revamped formula and packaging, the Lakme 9 to 5 Weightless Mousse Foundation.

5. Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tints – chubby lip balms are becoming a craze now a days and also the ‘matte’ mania in the beauty industry. Our very own Lakmé has brought forward the Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tints which are both chubby and matte. With a soft texture that glides like a dream yet settles matte along with an amazing pigmentation, the lip tints were an instant hit when it launched. Although it has 6 shades, every shade is absolutely stunning.

6. Lakmé Absolute Kohl Ultimate (INR 700) – Lakmé’s Absolute Kohl Ultimate known as the blackest black kajal in the market. The richness of the color and intensity of the pigmentation is to die for. It is undoubtedly long lasting and hardly budges even after 12hours. It is also a multi-purpose one as you can create some smoky look for parties and worth every penny you spend on it.

7. Lakme Nail Polish Remover (INR 70)– this has been in the market forever and also another impeccable one. There are glitter and sparkle nail paints which are a pain to remove from nails but with Lakme Nail Polish Remover I have seen it working like a magic. I have used various nail remover which does work on regular nail paints but this one is a stunning beauty which works for everything.

8. Lakmé Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural Mousse Foundation (INR 700)– another gem of a foundation from Lakme. It comes in a very cute round packaging and has 3 shades. It is feather light on the skin and also evens out the skin. It doesn’t block the pores like other foundations and let the skin breathe. Even though it is a matte foundation, it can be used for winters and yet doesn’t accentuates to dry areas. It blends flawlessly and quite budget friendly for the quality it delivers.

9. Lakmé Perfect Radiance Range (INR 275-700)– the best skin care range one can opt for. It has proper items for both oily and dry skin and with continuous usage you will notice the transformation of the skin. From face wash to gloss crème to serums – it will cater every need of yours and gives a radiant glow to the skin. It also has a night crème and capsule treatment that leaves your skin healthy and blooming in just a month. Highly recommend for the would-be brides

10. Lakme Absolute Gel Addict Eyeliner (INR 800) – the last but not least, the Gel Addict Eyeliners. With the craze of cat eyeliners, came the craze of gel liner and every brand has brought forward their versions. Lakme went a step ahead and launched the beautiful packed gel liner with the brush. The colors are gorgeous and perfect for every occasion like party, office, weddings and the list continues. It is so easy to apply and travel with that you must have one from the range.

Editor’s note: Nice compilation Sanchita, I love the Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tints and Kohl Ultimate Kajal. One of my all time favourites and/or must have is the Lakme Absolute Face Stylist Compact Powder 🙂 I would also like to add the Lakme Absolute Sculpt Studio Matte Lipsticks, love them, and the Drama Stylist Eye Crayons.

Which are your Lakme favourites? Or the Top 10 Lakme Products?

Jaipur Diaries: Part 2 (Food & More Food)

Food, Lifestyle, Restaurant Review, Reviews, Travel, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jaipur Diaries: Part 2 (Food & More Food)

Well if you haven’t read my part 1 yet, go HERE. And if you have, we talk about the 2nd main thing in Jaipur now, the food!

I had a fulfilling breakfast at The Bazaar at Zone by the Park in Jaipur for 2 days.

Also I am very picky about my tea, and it was perfect, just the way I like it! They serve it a mini Parle G and some crispies.

They do have buffet options for both lunch and dinner, hubby went with the buffet once. I went with a-la-carte coz I like to try different things.

I tried the Caesar Salad and Zone Chilli Cheese Khakhra Toast the first day, loved both the khakhra was real spicy and not for the faint hearted 😀

Ordered Biryani for room service once and loved it too, perfect blend of spices and served with raita, just the way a biryani is meant to be.

And also tried the Alfredo Pasta once

Not much of a fun, coz I like my pasta more cheesy. I wanted to try their wood fired pizzas which are their speciality but there was some technical issue in the oven and I could not, my bad luck!

Other items I tried were Veg. Dumplings & Noodles with Honey Chilli Potatoes, Mango Blueberry Panna Cotta, Gajar Ka Halwa and Moong Dal Halwa. I found the dumplings a bit under cooked, absolutely loved the honey chilli potatoes. The artificial mango taste killed the panna cotta but it was not the season, so can’t blame them. Love their Indian desserts, moong dal halwa and gajar ka halwa were terrific!

I recommend their buffet and Indian sweets apart from the pizzas, salads, biryani and breakfast of course is included in the stay. I saw many people visiting just at the Bazaar restaurant for the dining experience too.

Few other places that are a must visit in Jaipur when it comes to food are:

Doodh Mishtan Bhandar (DMB Sweets) for sweets of course and kachoris, mirchi wadas, all farsans are equally good.

Rawat Sweets, for their Pyaaz Kachori! They are mind blowing, even got them packed. And rest of the sweets plus ghevar, got all packed! Mawa Kachori is also good if you like sweet stuff, a little too sweet for me. The stuffed khandvi was the best! Hated the lassi, full of essence and way too sweet.

Chokhi Dhani, you cannot not come here when in Jaipur. It’s an experience in itself, a little pricey at Rs.900/- per plate, but it includes an entire experience of seeing around. You can do activities like boating, camel riding, or playing games, buying stuff,etc., at an extra cost. But looking around, watching the dances and shows, and the different historical and religious places recreated is all included in the entry. The food is amazing, authentic and pure Marwadi food full of ghee! The way they serve and feed you is amazing.

Coming back to Zone by the Park, they also have a mini infinity pool, a rooftop bar, a gym and a spa. They have a separate club area which they were making sound proof and the work would have been completed before 31st Dec.

Rooftop Restaurant & Bar

I also tried a spa service, went for the Swedish Body Massage as I wanted something with light pressure coz of my back and leg fractures. The masseuse was very gentle and I felt completely relaxed. I was a bit nervous at first since this was the first body massage post the accident, but she was quite light with her hands and I loved it! She used lemongrass oil for the body massage and it also covered head massage. My body felt light and skin felt super hydrated even in that cold climate, post bath too and without any additional moisturizer.

Swedish Body Massage at Zone By The Park Spa

I do recommend trying out the spa services too and burning all the calories from the yummy food at the gym or by swimming! You have so much to do in Jaipur outside and within the hotel too!

This was one memorable trip for me!

Have you been to Jaipur? Tried all the yummy food?

UrbanClap: Local Service Professionals at Clap of your Hands

Apps, Lifestyle, Reviews, Tech, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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.

Have you tried the Urbanclap app yet?