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Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

DIY, Skin care, Tips, Tips and Tricks, Women, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Grab these spices from your kitchen to whip skin recipes

By Nidhal

“What goes on your skin, goes in your skin” is the mantra that we Indians swear by when it comes to skin care. Naturally, we believe in ‘feeding’ in our skin. And since nutrition is best derived in its unprocessed, raw and virgin state from nature with minimal processing, it is small wonder that we Indians nourish our skin to the bounties of nuts, fruits, herbs and everything natural!

On that note, let’s give all Non-Indians a sneak-peak into the spices that Indians incorporate into their skin care regimen. Sounds a good idea or should we better keep our treasure trove well-guarded? Let us be benevolent for a moment and spill the beans today.

1. TURMERIC- I am pretty sure there’d be hardly any Indian mother who wouldn’t have prepared/recommended/forcefully slapped a mask predominantly yellow in colour on their kid’s face while the poor child would’ve either succumbed to her persuasion or hid himself/herself to avoid being daubed that weird-looking and (apparently) unpleasant-smelling mask. Ask any Indian mother on the virtues of turmeric and brace yourself for information will flow at a pace that even Google would hide in shame!

Let me summarize why turmeric is our go-to spice. Turmeric helps one bid adieu to skin hazards such as acne, wrinkles, fine-lines and imparts a bright skin tone. Face packs made up of turmeric not only help to clear acne scars and inflammation, but also diminish excessive oil secretion by the sebaceous glands. It should then not come as a surprise that, Hindu weddings have a ceremony devoted to haldi application in order to impart a winsome glow to the bride as well as groom’s face.

A word of caution from my side. Please use either Amba Haldi or kasthoori manjal/haldi only for skin care. They are exclusively meant for skin care. The one in your masala daani is meant for pakoras not packs. Kasthoori haldi/manjal (whatever you prefer to call it) can be easily purchased online. I would recommend Dhathri’s Kasthoori manjal that is, priced at 25 INR for 50 grams.

2. CLOVES- In order to incorporate cloves in one’s beauty regimen, one has to invest in clove oil for that is how its bounties are harnessed. Clove is highly potent for obviating acne and removal of scars left by the same. It is to be applied topically to the affected areas. It is often blended with face packs or massage creams for application on the skin. It gives a tingling sensation when applied. The reason behind this tingling sensation is the potent nature of clove oil.

Skin woes, such as blackheads, whiteheads, scarring, pimples and scaly skin are signs that characterize the skin ailment known as acne. Acne commonly happens during adolescence due to hormonal imbalance. So, if you’re pestered by acne, ditch those over-the- counter medicines and invest in an organic brand of clove oil or you can crush some cloves, add a heaped tbsp. of besan and rose water and voila! Bid adieu to this pesky skin woe!

3. CINNAMON- Next comes the saviour of acne-prone skin. It is tingling but boy, it is effective to the hilt. Cinnamon (Dalchini in Hindi) delivers fantastically when it comes to speeding blood circulation which makes your skin breathe thereby removing acne. This is done by drying the skin and bringing blood and oxygen to the outer skin surface. Thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, cinnamon helps enhance one’s complexion.

However, please always use only a pinch (one-eighth a tbsp.) of cinnamon as a little over that can sting your skin excruciatingly. Personal experience corroborates this. So, do not go overboard 🙂 Just add a pinch of it to all your face masks and you will be good to go.

4. GINGER- Being a potent antiseptic and cleansing agent, ginger helps in keeping the skin clean, smooth and free of blemishes. Besides that, it also invigorates and stimulates one’s skin. It is the best natural acne-fighting weapon as it minimizes the rate of acne formation and eruption by killing and clearing the acne-causing bacteria. Acne-prone ladies, did I see your eyes dilate on discovering the perfect weapon to kick away those acne scars?

The next time you go grocery shopping, you have your reasons to add ginger to your shopping cart, right? Do not just brew it in your tea, let your skin savour its virtues externally too 🙂

5. SAFFRON- Now, comes the spice from the Northern corner of our country which we fondly call ‘Heaven on Earth’- Kashmir. Although this spice is going to be a bit straining for your pockets, yet its beauty benefits will compel you to turn a blind eye to its price at least once. Okay, enough of this ‘Guess my name’ game.

The spice I am talking about is kesar and this is an elixir for our skin. Is there seriously anything that this wonder spice doesn’t do? From imparting an enviable glow to one’s complexion to treating acne, blemishes and blackheads thanks to its anti-fungal content, from softening skin to making it supple, this spice is a must-have (at least 1 gm) in our beauty stashes.

Feel free to add 2-3 strands of it in whichever pack you whip. Let it stay undisturbed for half an hour and once the colour changes to yellow, it is a prefigure to not only slather it on your skin but also that you have bought authentic saffron.

Image Source: 1,2,3

Editor’s Note: Loved this post Nidhal. Have used Cinnamon, turmeric and honey a lot!

Do you use these spices for DIY skincare recipes?

Givenchy Eyebrow Pencil, Mister Brow Filler Brunette Review, Swatches, FOTD

Eye Brow Pencil, Eye Makeup, Eyebrow Filler, Givenchy, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Givenchy Eyebrow Pencil, Mister Brow Filler Brunette Review, Swatches, FOTD

Hi guys,

I have always had full eyebrows except the in between phase when you go to some other salon and the lady over threads and makes them super thin :/

I never used to fill my eyebrows but I have been doing it since almost 1-1.5 years now and I am obsessed. They completely change the way your face looks and makes your face look more polished and defined. Thick eyebrows also make one look younger 😀

I have been using these two brow products from Givenchy since about a week now and I am in love! From the very first use, I absolutely loved these!

Givenchy Eyebrow Pencil Brunette

What it is: A powdery matte-finish eyebrow pencil

What it does: This pencil offers precise and natural brow definition. Perfect application is guaranteed with an ultra-slim, gliding tip for perfectly defined brows. The formula, developed using talc and intense pigments, leaves a powdery matte finish, and the easy-to-apply texture creates immediate payoff. The pencil also features a brow brush on the opposite end for an all-in-one brow tool.

What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens

Shades Available:
01 Brunette
02 Blonde
03 Dark Brunette

Suggested Usage:
-Brush brows to reveal their natural shape.
-Use the brow pencil to define the edges and fill in for a natural look.

MRP: Rs.1975/- for 1.1g

It is a long and sleek sharpenable eyebrow pencil with a spoolie brush on one side. It also comes with a sharpener. I love eyebrow pencils which come with a spoolie brush as they are travel friendly and very handy. You just need one pencil to carry along for your brows whenever you are travelling.

The pencil is super pigmented. I was amazed by the pigmentation, just a single, light handed stroke also gives a lot of color. So use it with light hands and make sure you soften the lines with the spoolie brush coz you can easily over fill with this and also without blending in, the color would look harsh.

It is slightly waxy and glides on very easily, it settles to a matte finish. So there is no extra creaminess and it doesn’t bleed all around the eyebrows. The texture is absolutely perfect.

The eyebrows stay in place whole day. I love how easy and quick it is to use, as with most pencils I have to go over quite a few times to fill them. With this, I am just done in one stoke and one brushing!

Since I just need one stroke and hardly use any product, I haven’t even had to sharpen it yet. This will last me really long! Even though it may seem expensive, this would last for a long time, making it very economical for the quality.

I am only using this since the time I have got it and I think I am pretty much sticking to this 😀 I can say, this is by far the best eyebrow pencil I have tried! Highly recommended!

Givenchy Mister Brow Filler Tinted Waterproof Brow Filler

What it is: A gel brow filler that dries into a natural powder finish.

What it does: For perfectly natural-looking brows, Mister Brow Filler fills in any sparse areas and flawlessly shapes the brows. Containing hybrid silicone particles, its waterproof, liquid formula instantly dries down to a powder finish on application. It naturally and evenly highlights the brows. The innovative curved brush follows the eyebrow’s natural shape for an intuitive application that anyone can master. Its waterless texture adheres uniformly to the skin.

What it is formulated WITHOUT: Parabens

Shades Available:
01 Brunette
02 Blonde
03 Granite

Suggested Usage:
-Start from the inner corner and apply following the arch, moving toward the end.

MRP: Rs.1975/- for 5.5g

Now I am more of a eyebrow pencil person and my eyebrows don’t move around a lot, so I don’t use brow fillers. But on days when you are going for a very natural, ‘no makeup’ makeup look, I would suggest using only brow filler.

Not only it brushes and combs the brows and fill them in, but it would dry and keep the hair in place all day long! Also it is water resistant, so you can wear it even during monsoons or on a humid day.

Again, even this is very pigmented and you just need to go over once on your eyebrows. I use both when I have a long day ahead with events, etc. when I want my eyebrows to look perfect and not budge at all.

The shade Brunette in both matches me absolutely well and would work for most Indian skin tones.

Here is my Before-After using both the products..

I prefer my eyebrows natural looking, so I do not outline on top and bottom and overline them and then fill in completely like those eyebrow tutorials on Instagram 😀 (mostly on Anastasia page) I find that very fake and made up. So I have filled them in naturally, mostly towards the inner part as I have more gaps there.

FOTD..

I would suggest going with the Brow Filler if your eyebrows don’t stay in place and move around a lot and/or you are not much of an eyebrow person and want just some natural looking definition.

If you are looking for a good, pigmented eyebrow pencil which is travel friendly and you have sparse eyebrows with more gaps to fill, go for the eyebrow pencil.

If you want your eyebrows to be on fleek all the times, go for both! You will be sorted, trust me 🙂

I absolutely love both, use either or both depending on the event and day. Givenchy is available at Sephora across India and also at few Shoppers Stop outlets.

Do you fill your eyebrows? Which is your favourite brow product?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum Review

Biotique, Reviews, Serums, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum Review

By Archana

Hi all,

If you had read my previous post, you would know that I have recently started with an anti- ageing skin care routine with Biotique products. The set consists of a serum, day cream, night cream and sunscreen lotion. After 3 weeks of using it, am ready with my report and scorecard. Today, I will be reviewing the serum – Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum. Read on to know how well it fares.

Products claims: Dandelion is a rejuvenating herbaceous plant known for its ageless properties. This lightening serum is a rare combination of pure dandelion, rich in Vitamin E and minerals, blended with nutmeg oil. Used regularly, it helps brighten skin, fade dark spots and ease away wrinkles for a flawless complexion.

Ingredients: Bihidana Seeds – 10%, Halon (Chansaur) Seeds – 1.5%, Jaiphal Oil – 0.5%, Badam oil – 1%, Surajmukhi oil – 3%, Khamir powder – 8%, Doodhal (Dandelion) Root – 0.2%, Beeswax – 2.5%, Groundnut Oil – 4.5%, Purified Water Q.S.

Directions to use: Massage a few drops into cleansed face and neck, before moisturizer, morning and evening.

Packaging:

The serum comes in a tiny translucent plastic bottle with green screw-on lid. On opening there is a tiny hole for dispensing the product. The bottle is housed inside an outside carton which has all the products details on it. For travel purpose, you can just chuck the carton as it is bulky and take only the compact bottle with you.

Texture and fragrance:

The serum is white in color, water-based and gel like with a smooth consistency. It has a faint herbal smell which is not strong and won’t bother sensitive noses.

My experience:

I have been using the serum for the past three weeks. Arounds 3-4 drops is needed to cover the entire face and neck. Being water based, it is very light and gets absorbed quickly without any greasiness or stickiness. Like all serums, you need to follow up with a moisturizer. For the first week, I didn't observe any major difference. Biotique products are based on ayurvedic formulations which take time and continued usage to show results. I have seen many people skip on Biotique products because the results were not quick enough. But ayurvedic products contain natural ingredients which take time to show effects, but the results are long lasting and harmless in the long run.

After the second week, I could see visible lightening of my skin. My tan was removed and it evened out my skin tone. I had few dark spots and acne scars. I could see them lightening too. But not faded completely. I might need to use another bottle or two for it to completely fade.

The serum also revitalised my skin and it looked plumper and healthy. There was a slight glow on my face. My pores were also more refined as I initially suffered from large pores. It helps to tighten and firm skin.

The bottle has finished in three weeks. Am going to repurchase this again to see continued results. If you ask me, this is one of the most affordable serums in the market. And its also organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free. You just need to be patient with the results.

Pros:

* Light and non-sticky. Gets absorbed easily.

* Suitable for all skin types.

* Lightens and evens out skin tone.

* Works on fading dark spots.

* Revitalizes skin and makes it look plumper and healthy.

* Gives a subtle glow.

* Tightens pores and firms skin.

* Affordable.

* Organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free.

* Compact packaging.

Cons:

* Doesn’t work on wrinkles as claimed. I had a few fine lines on my forehead and they haven’t improved. Maybe continuous usage is required.

Price and quantity: Rs.230 for 40ml.

Rating: 4.8/5

Verdict: Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum is one of the most affordable and effective serums available in the market. Considering the fact that it is made of ayurvedic formulations, is organically pure, preservative free and cruelty free, what more can one ask for. I would definitely recommend this serum for healthy, clear, bright and glowing skin.

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good, I would give it a try sometime.

Have you tried the Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum?

Bollywood Fashion Faceoff: Who Wore it Better?

Bollywood, Fashion, Fashion Trends, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bollywood Fashion Faceoff: Who Wore it Better?

By Nidhal

Choc-a- bloc schedules with film assignments, dubbing, movie promotions at myriad venues, advert shoots, press conferences, store launches, award ceremonies and frequent outdoor shoots… phew! It would be arduous to swaddle oneself in the trendiest of outfits and showcase one’s sense of style every time a star steps out. The struggle is all the more tedious for a Bollywood actress who is screened from top to toe for her style, while a male celeb may evade the lens of the fashion police, scot-free even after committing the most heinous of fashion faux pas.

In the midst of all this, B-town celebs, particularly the female ones end up crossing each other’s paths swathed in the same outfit! Now, that is not a blunder per se. One may have an idea of what they would wear for a particular event, but how is one supposed to have any inkling of others sartorial choices given one’s hectic schedules? So, while wearing the same attire is admissible and not at all cringe-worthy in my opinion, yet we can surely assess who wore it better – that is, who brought to the outfit their sense of style, individuality and panache? They say- Never let clothes wear you. So, let us check out who did the same. Let it out in the comments section.

1. DEEPIKA OR SONAM- ‘Great minds think alive’ so goes an adage. Certainly, in this case, when two of Bollywood’s leading ladies in the present time and ace fashionistas think alike, we get to treat our eyes to their winsome appearances. Both the ladies decided to wear the same sarees but at different events. While Deepika swaddled herself in a cut sleeve blouse and a high pony at one of the events of Chennai Express’ promotions, Sonam sported a vintage look with three-quarter- sleeved blouse and a loose bun for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag promotions.

2. YAMI, PARINEETI OR ALIA- All belonging to the new crop of Tinsel-town- Yami Gautam, Parineeti Chopra and Alia Bhatt decided to team a see-through black-n- white top with denims to keep the look easy-going and laidback. Although there may emerge a winner amongst Yami and Alia, but Parineeti underwhelmed thanks to the faux pas she suffered.

3. KAREENA OR DEEPIKA- And now that’s what you call an exact replica! The dimpled Deepika stepped out in a mesmeric houndstooth print outfit to promote Ram Leela on the sets of Kapil Sharma’s comedy show. Coincidentally, not long ago, the feisty Kareena Kapoor Khan posed for the cover of a magazine in an exact replica of the outfit.

4. SHILPA OR DEEPIKA- And here come the ladies who have the best bodies in Bollywood without any iota of doubt! Naturally, any dress would complement the two, but what if the two sultry lasses zero in on the same attire? Scroll upwards and decide for yourselves. Baffled, aren’t you? Clearly here, only the skirt of both the divas is common yet, even that is sufficient to draw parallels. While Deepika teamed up her floral print Zara skirt with a bishop sleeved top, Shilpa opted for a loose white top gathered with a belt with the same skirt.

5. DEEPIKA OR PARINEETI- Opting for a blue and red number with psychedelic prints, the statuesque Deepika Padukone and the pert Parineeti Chopra both held court at the respective events they wore it to. While Deepika wore the dress first at a Film Awards announcement conference in January 2016, Parineeti was seen wearing the dress at a photoshoot a few months later.

6. KATRINA OR SONAKSHI- Clad in a short printed dress, both Katrina Kaif and Sonakshi ‘shotgun’ Sinha looked like sisters cut from the same cloth. While Katrina wore the one-piece at the audio launch of Bang Bang, Sonakshi swaddled herself in the same raiment in one of the songs of Action Jackson.

7. KAREENA OR DEEPIKA- And it is Kareena Kapoor Khan versus Deepika Padukone again! Both the A-list actresses of Tinsel-town seem to have a similar taste in fashion, don’t they? This was the second instance when they stepped out wearing the same attire. Kareena walked the green carpet of IIFA 2014 in a black Giorgio Armani gown, a slight variation of which Deepika sported at IIFA 2016. While Kareena added a sheer to cover up her frontal bare, Deepika decided to bare it all and raising the oomph of the apparel by leaps and bounds.

Editor’s Note: 4 out of 7 are Deepika :/ I hope she has better stylists now 😀

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5

So, who do you think should be crowned the better dressed?

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser Review

Body Wash, Kama Ayurveda, Reviews, Shower Gels, Skin care, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser Review

By Pallavi

Hiii Beauties,

As you all might know till now that I am a skin care junkie. I like investing in skin care products. But what you don’t know about me is that I am a bath junkie too. I love bathing and thus investing in bathing products is a must for me. And that is the major reason why I shifted to shower gels and bathing gels years ago. Till date I always buy lots of shower gels. Both from drugstore and high end or luxury brands.

And trust me many of you might think that shower gels are a bit expensive. But no they are not. A bottle of shower gel lasts for at least 2-3 months. And that way you can understand that shower gels lasts quite long and are cost effective??? So, till date I have used a number of shower gels. This time I thought of why not trying with body cleansers and thus here follows the review of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser.

Product Claims: A wonderful shower gel with Pure Essential Oils of Lavender, Patchouli and herbal extracts. Lavender relaxes the body and Patchouli cleanses and purifies. Aloe Vera nourishes and Sugar adds glow to the skin.

Price for Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser: INR 595 for 200ml (Buy HERE)

My Views:

Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser comes in a long, slender plastic bottle which is transparent. You can easily see the amount of product which is left inside. The jar has a cap opening which is quite easy to use. The jar has the packaging quantity, claims, and ingredients written all over it which is quite informative for the customers.

The shower gel is of runny consistency. That is why it tends to spill out from the bottle so you need to take care while storing it. The shower gel is of light green colour and it smells of lavender but the smell is not very strong and disappears as soon as you spread it on your body. When you dispense the shower gel on loofah, you don’t need much water to dilute it and it foams easily on your body. The shower gel is very gentle on the skin.

Also, you require a very little amount per usage. So, a single bottle will last you easily 2-3 months.

Now, let me tell you how I use this body cleanser on my body. I take out a bit of cleanser on your loofah. Wet the loofah before the body cleanser. Now, apply the cleanser all over your body. Rinse it with normal water after some time.

Coming to the after effects of the shower gel, it is not at all drying on skin. Normal to oily skin types will not require a moisturizer after this. Even the dry skinned people can easily skip a body lotion in summers. But for winters dry skin people will need a heavy body lotion post usage of this body cleanser.

For dry skinned people like me this shower gel is a total thumbs up. I love shower gels which are gentle and not drying on skin. So, that I can easily skip my body lotions at least in summers. And this one is perfect for that.

Pros of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser

1. Trustworthy brand

2. Travel friendly size available

3. Easy to use

4. Moisturising on skin

5. Cleanses the body thoroughly

Cons of Kama Ayurveda Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser

1.  Slightly pricey

Rating: 5/5

Last Thoughts: Every skin type can use it in summers but in winters dry to combination skin types will require body moisturiser.

Editor’s Note: I love lavender and have tried almost all lavender based body wash/cleansers 😀 I am definitely trying this!

Have you tried Kama Lavender Patchouli Body Cleanser yet?

Top 10 Red Lipsticks Under Rs. 1000 in India, Buy Online

Lipsticks, Makeup, Top 10, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Red Lipsticks Under Rs. 1000 in India, Buy Online

By Pallavi

Hii NLM lovelies,

NLM has made us addicted to a number of things. Red lipsticks are one of them. Every girl has it’s first love as red lippy. But when you are a lipstick beginner you won’t like to experiment with premium or costly lippies. So, why not begin with cost effective red lipsticks which are equally efficient in terms of performance.

So, here we have prepared a list of best hot red pout lipsticks which you can try under 1000 bucks.

So, let’s begin with the list –

1. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – Cherries in the Snow (Price – Rs. 550) (Buy HERE)

A deep red with pink undertones in it. It is moistursing on lips so you don’t need a lip balm underneath.

2. L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Color Riche Collection Star Lipsticks – Pure Scarleto (Price – Rs.995) (Buy HERE for 865)

Such a gorgeous rich red very apt for Indian skin tones. Highly pigmented but with a slight drying texture. So, don’t forget to apply a lip balm underneath.

3. Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick Pleasure Me Red (Price – Rs. 425) (Buy HERE for 356)

A deep red shade with very strong pink undertones. The colour looks fab on cooler skin tones. Adding to which the lipstick has a gorgeous soft creamy sheen.

4. Lakme 9 to 5 Lip colour – Red Coat (Price – Rs. 400) (Buy HERE)

Such a wearable red for your office. The collection is of office range and wearing a red colour to office is not at all easy. But this is such a fab colour for the office.

5. Lakme Absolute Lip Pout Matte Lip Colour – Raving Red (Price – Rs. 650) Review HERE (Buy HERE for 520)

A gorgeous red shade with matte finish. But unlike other matte lipsticks it feels very soft and creamy on lips. Also, the colour is not very visible so you can easily pair it at day time too.

6. Colorbar Velvet Matte Hearts and Tarts (Price – Rs. 325) (Buy HERE)

Such a fab and wearable red shade. It is a perfectly balanced bright colour and makes it a perfect choice for the day time occasions.

7. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick Fatal Red (Price – 475) (Buy HERE for 400)

Such a gorgeous red for Indian Skintones. This makes it a perfect choice to brighten your complexion at the day time without going over the top.

8. Lakme Absolute Sculpt Hi Definition Matte Lipstick Red Envy (Price – Rs. 750) (Buy HERE for 600)

Another orangey red but with excessive matte formulae. Such a fab colour for the festive occasion and extremely wearable for the upcoming festive occasions.

9. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick – Love that Red (Price 550) (Buy HERE)


This lipstick is sure to brighten up your complexion And the lipstick looks fab on warmer as well as cooler skin tones too. It is such a wearable red color for the universal skin tone.

10. Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick Hot Hot Hot (price – Rs. 325) (Buy HERE)

It is an extremely pretty and hot red shade. Looks awesome and is perfect to brighten your complexion. Even it stays for extra long making it a perfect red lip choice.

So, these were some of the fab red lipsticks which you can try to enhance your pout. And they all are below 1000 bucks. Such a steal deal right.

Editor’s Note: I love the L’Oreal Paris Pure Reds Freida and Aishwarya’s Red. Freida’s Red is universally flattering a perfect red for all skin tones!

Which is your favourite red lipstick under Rs.1000? Do add in the comments below and let us know.

L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Hair Masque Review

Hair Care, Hair Mask, L'oreal Paris, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Hair Masque Review

By Monika

Hello to all the NLM readers!!!

L’Oreal is currently one of the leading brands in the market be it for hair care, makeup or skin care. Since I take care of my hair a tad bit more than my skin I was eyeing for a good hair masque after all, some extra care for your hair wouldn’t do any harm. As mentioned earlier L’Oreal is widely known for its hair care range so it only seemed fair that I bought the masque from their Total Repair 5 Range. Continue reading, to know my views on the product and how I use it.

Price and quantity: Rs 369 for 200gms (Buy HERE)

Shelf life: Best before 3 years from the date of packaging

Directions for use: Gently massage into washed and towel dried hair. Leave it on for 2 minutes for intensive treatment.

Product Claims

  • Hair is nourished, smoother, stronger.
  • Helps fight the signs of hair damage.

Ingredients: Water, cetearyl alcohol, mineral oil, dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium, methosulfate cetyl estres, lactic acid, phenoxyethanol, tridecth-6,chlorhexidine digluconate, limonene, linalool, benzyl salicylate, amodimethicone, 2-oleamido- 1, 3-octadecanediol, fragrance, cetrimonium chloride, butyl phenyl methylpropional, hexyl cinnamal.

My views on the product

The packaging of the product is somewhat similar to other products of the total repair 5 range apart from the fact that this hair masque comes in a tub. I personally would have preferred a tube or a bottle instead of the tub since, that ensures hygienic application. Otherwise, the packaging would have scored a perfect 10 for; the red colored cap along with the white colored tub which has white and golden detailing is extremely eye catching.

The tub is quite sturdy and leak proof so that you can carry it around while travelling. If you are carrying this in your travel bag or, for that matter if you are using it at home on towel dried hair you can most definitely skip your conditioner since it does condition the hair. There is not one specific way by which I use this product but, multiple ways which include using it as a mask before washing my hair, using it as a conditioner on towel dried hair after washing it. When used as a conditioner I leave it on for a good 5 minutes and then rinse it off with water. At times when my hair is feeling especially dry I take a pea sized amount of the product and use it as a leave-in conditioner. I have an oily scalp with slightly dry ends so I use this mask only at the ends but people with dry hair can go all out and use it onto their scalp as well as the ends. All of this being said, make sure that you use this mask not more than twice a week because the alcohol present in the ingredient list can be a bit drying.

The white colored mask has a pleasant fragrance which stays on the hair for 1-2 days after the wash. The texture as well as the working action is exactly similar to a conditioner and I see no reason why someone should pay extra amount of money for something that is no different from a conditioner. I, in particular had high expectations from the mask but it did nothing extraordinary apart from the general conditioning. The brand claims to help fight 5 signs of hair damage but even with regular usage I did not find any major difference in my hair. It does nothing to improve the hair texture, strength, shine and growth. This is one of the few products that I regret buying since it doesn’t live up to the expectations and is not cost-effective.

Pros:

  • Availability
  • Conditions hair
  • Travel-friendly packaging
  • Can be used in multiple ways
  • Pleasant fragrance

Cons:

  • Doesn’t help fight the 5 signs of hair damage
  • Heavy on the pocket
  • Can a bit drying coz of alcohol

Rating: 2/5

Final word

I wouldn’t recommend this mask to anyone and for the people who really are eager to try out the product can just try the conditioner from this range and that in itself would give similar results in spite of shelling out less money.

Editor’s Note: Sounds ok. Though I feel it’s not very expensive, coz all hair masques in the market are priced around the same.

Have you tried the L’Oreal Paris Total Repair 5 Hair Masque? What do you think?

Kara Facial Wipes Review

Facial Wipes, Kara, Makeup Remover, New Launches, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kara Facial Wipes Review

Hi guys,

If you remember last week I reviewed the new Kara Nail Polish Remover wipes, see HERE. Today I am reviewing all of their facial wipes.

About Kara: Kara is a quality product brought to you by Future Consumer Enterprise Limited. Each Kara wipe is made from Viscose fibres, a 100% natural bio-degradable fibre. It is pure, soft and has high moisture absorption capacity.

Kara wipes are dermatologically tested. They are hygienic, skin-friendly and do not leave lint on the skin. Each formulation is a selective blend of aqua, skin-friendly ingredients and herbal actives with a precise functionality that results in a distinctly superior product experience on application. These are free from harsh chemicals like alcohol.

Enliven and revitalize your face with Kara Refreshing Facial wipes.

Made from 100% viscose, these refreshing wipes won’t leave behind residues of lint. These bio-degradable wipes from Kara are eco-friendly and perfect for boosting freshness.

You can use these alcohol-free wipes for cleaning excess dirt and oil from face and neck.

The wipes are packed in a resealable label making it easy for you to pull a wipe and later reseal the pack.

The unique packing system of Kara Refreshing Facial Wipes help in locking the moisture of the wipes for a long time, thus avoiding dry-up till the pack lasts.

Variants & Price:

  • Refreshing with Mint Oil & Aloe Vera (Rs.40 for 10, Rs.75 for 20, Rs.95 for 30)
  • Refreshing with Cucumber & Aloe Vera (Rs.40 for 10, Rs.75 for 20, Rs.95 for 30)
  • Moisturizing with Honey & Almond (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Deep Pore Cleansing with Jojoba & Avocado (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Sunscreen with Plum & Aloe Vera (Rs.175 for 25)
  • Makeup Removal with Seaweed & Lavender (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Toning with Rose & Thyme (Rs.75 for 10)
  • Cleansing & Refreshing with Neem & Tea Tree (Rs.75 for 10)

Availability: Available online on Nykaa.com and offline at Big Bazaar, Health & Glow, Star Bazaar, Hypercity, Beauty stores, etc.

First of all I absolutely love the fact that they come in a pack of 1,5,10,20 and 30 so that one can buy according to their needs at a particular time. We all buy the big bulk wipes pack and then most of them dry quickly and not work as well.

You can carry the 1 and 5 pack ones for everyday use or when you are travelling for a few days and keep the 30 pack for use at home. Though I am highly impressed that they did not dry as much as other wipes and still worked well even after 7-8 days of opening the pack.

Each wipe is meant for different use and has different ingredients and properties. Here are the main ingredients and their benefits in each wipe:

Deep Pore Cleansing: Enriched with goodness of Avocado extracts, these tissues are known to be rich in essential nutrients that soothe and moisturize the skin.Infused with jojoba, it unclogs pores, detoxes, and thoroughly exfoliates the dead skin cells.

Refreshing: Kara Refreshing Facial wipes are enriched with the goodness of Aloevera and Mint, Aloevera & Cucumber. Aloe Vera is a natural leaf juice of Aloe Vera plant that keeps skin hydrated and nourished. Cucumber is known to soothe and soften the skin which can get you relaxed in no time. Mint is known for strengthening the skin tissue and helps reduce oily skin.

Toning: Thyme is a great herb for treating acne prone skin and has astringent properties, whereas Rose imparts a fresh and nourishing feel.

Moisturizing: Loaded with goodness of honey, these moisturizing tissues protect and soften your skin. Almond enrichments are great for reducing signs of ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.

Sunscreen: The sunscreen face tissue comes with SPF 20 that protects your skin from harmful UVB rays 20 times more than the usual.Enriched with Aloe Vera, Kara Sunscreen Face Tissue protects your skin from sunburns and rashes and keeps it hydrated.Infused with goodness of plum and Vitamin E, these wipes are known to clear lifeless pores, dead skin cells and slow down skin ageing.

Makeup Removal: The facial wipes from Kara contain Lavender and Seaweed extracts that exfoliates the skin in a gentle manner and helps in keeping your skin youthful.

Although these are thin and long and cover the face well, the quality is really good and these don’t tear apart easily unlike a few cheaper brands. Each variant smells really good!

The refreshing ones are perfect to carry in your bag in a humid city like Mumbai where you sweat all the time, this will instantly refresh you, take care of all the sweat and also cleanse your face by getting rid of the top layer of dust and grime.

If you travel a lot whole day, use the Deep Pore Cleansing wipe at the end of the day and you will be astonished by all the dirt and grime that comes out. I really love the Deep Pore Cleansing one, it does it job of cleaning the pores from deep within.

If you have acne prone skin and do not like to use a toner, the Toning ones will do the job of toning plus are really handy to use. Moisturizing ones are good for dry skin. Cleansing & Refreshing with Neem & Tea Tree are perfect for oily skin. I am not personally a fan of Sunscreen wipes as I feel it can never compensate the use of sunscreen, but if in case you have forgotten to use a sunscreen and have these, you can use them.

Makeup Removal ones are an absolute must have if you wear makeup on a daily basis or for a makeup artist/makeup professional. These are so moisturizing and remove every bit of your makeup without irritating your skin or eyes or stripping off any moisture from your skin.

My favourites are the Deep Pore Cleansing ones and Makeup Removal ones for night, the Refreshing ones and Cleansing & Refreshing one for travel and day time.

Have you tried the Kara Facial Wipes?

P.S: PR Samples. Honest Review

September 2016 Lip Monthly Bag Unboxing

Beauty Box, Lip Crayons, Lip Liner, Lip Monthly, Lip Pencils, Lip Stains, Makeup, Reviews, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

September 2016 Lip Monthly Bag Unboxing

Hi guys,

I got my September Lip Monthly bag a few days ago. Let’s see what all I got..

Lip Monthly Bag is a beauty subscription bag where you get 4-5 full sized lip products every month, it can be anything related to lips from lip balm, lipstick, lip butter, lip oil, lip scrub, liquid lipstick. Sometimes they add a pigment or eyeshadow too.

What I got:

  • J.Cat Wonder Lip Paint- $4.99
  • Starlooks Lip Crayon- $19
  • NCLA Nail Stickers- $11
  • Model’s Co Lip Liner- $20

Total Value: $54.99

MRP: $12.95

They have free shipping worldwide and you can get 50% off on the first bag using the coupon code ’50OFF’. Also they have much cheaper and value for money deals on 4 months and 12 months subscription plans.

Join today using COUPON CODE:
“3FREE” to get 3 months FREE on Annual Subscriptions!
“1STFREE” to get your first month for FREE on 4 Month Subscriptions!
“50OFF” to get your first month for 50% off on Monthly Subscriptions!

Subscribe to Lip Monthly HERE

I am loving the colors, both the J.Cat Queen of Hearts Lip Paint and Starlooks lilac crayon are super unique and amazing. The Starlooks crayon shade is pretty similar to Aishwarya Rai Cannes lilac shade 😀 J.Cat is a dupe of OCC Lip tars and I can’t wait to try out this shade. It’s perfect for fall.

Even the Model’s Co. Lip liner is perfect for outlining and defining the lips.

The bag this month is a total value for money!

What did you like the most?

How To Do A Simple Face Clean-Up At Home

Himalaya Herbals, How To, Skin care, Tips, Tips and Tricks, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How To Do A Simple Face Clean-Up At Home

Hi guys,

I don’t generally go to salons for facials and clean ups, I prefer taking care of my skin at home and follow the basic skin care routine regularly. If you spend even 5-10 minutes on your skin daily and the scrub/mask routine once/twice a week, you won’t need any fancy or expensive salon facials/clean ups.

Now a clean-up is important coz sometimes the blackheads and whiteheads are not really visible but they do develop when the pores are blocked or there is dirt in the pores which is not cleaned regularly.

Here is how I do a mini clean-up at home:

1. Wash your face with a face wash. My Holy Grail is the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem face wash.

2. Cleanse your face with a milk based cleanser. Now there are quite a few options available, you can also try the Himalaya Herbals Refreshing Cleansing Milk. Massage for a minute to two and wipe it off with a damp cotton ball

3. Take steam on the face. If you don’t have a steam machine, just boil some water and bend your face over it covering with a towel. It will do the job equally well.

4. Extract comedones, either use cotton on both of your hands to press the skin and extract it or use a blackhead extractor for deep rooted blackheads. You get it for about 50-60 rupees. Just sanitise and clean it before using and even after using.

5. Scrub your face. I use the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Scrub when I am breaking out or have 1-2 acne or the Himalaya Herbals Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub if my skin is a little dry or in winters. Scrub for a good 2-3 minutes concentrating more on nose, forehead, chin, sides of nose, etc. Wipe it all off with a damp cotton ball.

6. Toner. You can either use rose water or cucumber water or any alcohol free toner to close the pores. It is very important to close the pores which have opened with the steam.

7. Follow it up with a face pack. Now again I would go with either the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack if I have acne or the Himalaya Herbals Fairness Kesar Face Pack if I want to get rid of tan. Keep it for 10-15 minutes and also use cotton balls soaked in rose water over the eyes and just relax. Take it all off with a damp cotton ball. Wash your face with water if you feel like.

8. Moisturize your face with your regular moisturizer.

9. Apply a sunscreen/sunblock

That’s it, you are done. This whole procedure will take about 30 minutes including the face pack. You can do it once a week on a Saturday or Sunday, you can spend at least 30 minutes in a week over your skin, if not, once in two weeks is a must! Also if you do not do it regularly, the whiteheads and blackheads will not be extracted, the skin won’t be exfoliated. Dead skin cells will form a layer and the blackheads will turn to acne.

Regular skin care is important even if you have good skin, to maintain it. Do not take your skin for granted. Your skin gets regenerated every 21 days, so at least follow this simple clean-up at home once every 2 weeks i.e. 14 days.

Few points to remember:

1. Always use products according to your skin type or how your skin is behaving during that time.

2. Do not be harsh on your skin, do not scrub vigorously or over exfoliate.

3. Always end with a sun block/sunscreen even if you are not stepping out

There are a lot of products available in the market if you do not have extra time to DIY at home. I like Himalaya Herbals products and have been using them since my college days. They are affordable and easily available.

You can check out Himalaya Herbals on Facebook HERE and on twitter HERE and also more from their Face Care Range HERE

How do you do a clean-up at home?