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Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack Review, Indian Beauty Blog, Skincare blog India

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack Review

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack Review

By Nidhal

If you have ever had the displeasure or ill-fate of eating it, chances are your face would have turned into the most hideous possible contortions for it is bitter beyond description! It is that ingredient which Grannies have coaxed us into chewing as kids and teens and then, we would pretend to gulp it down while waiting anxiously to look for a basin to spit it out. God forbid if she’d catch us red- handed spitting it, she’d shove double the quantity of those leaves in our mouth (at least mine did) to help us “fight infections and skin problems” (as per her). She, without an iota of doubt was right for Neem (yes, do not twist your face in disgust) indeed is a storehouse of benefits. Neem has antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties that not only benefit your health but also can help you get rid of common beauty problems.

Today, I will review a product that has neem as its core ingredient and it is none other than HIMALAYA HERBALS PURIFYING NEEM PACK. Let us see if this deserves a place in our beauty armoury or is an ‘All sizzle no steak’ 

PRICE –Rs 130/- for 100g (BUY HERE)

DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Apply evenly over cleansed face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Allow to dry for around 10-15 minutes. Remove with a wet sponge and wash with cool water. Use once/twice a week. Do not apply on inflamed or broken skin.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS- Neem is an excellent skin care ingredient known for its antibacterial properties. It improves general skin health and immunity, combating bacterial infections such as acne, boils and ulcers. Neem tackles bacteria from the root and prevents the recurrence of pimples and blemishes. Turmeric has been used as an antiseptic for centuries. The herb also has strong anti-inflammatory properties which soothe your skin gently. It also makes your skin soft and supple. Fuller’s Earth is an excellent cleanser. It removes deep-seated dirt and skin pollutants.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Himalaya’s Purifying Neem Pack brings together the goodness of Neem, Fuller’s Earth and Turmeric, which work together to regulate excess oil secretion, clean clogged pores and prevent the recurrence of pimples.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Himalaya herbals purifying neem face pack comes packed in a simple plastic tube with a flip-top cap. The cap does not lose its grip overtime and sturdy enough to avert leakage/spillage. Overall, as far as packaging is concerned, I find it up to the mark and there is no need to revamp it unless a novel feature is added (which does not mean ‘Change the colour/illustration on the package because there is no novel ‘feature’ in that).

The pack has a slightly thick texture. It has a brown tinge which doesn’t leave the colour on your face thankfully when you wash it off. Once applied, it imparts a cooling sensation and that is music to one’s ears given how blistering summers in India are. It takes 5-7 minutes to dry (my skin type is dry. Duration may vary slightly) and washing it off too, is a cakewalk. It imparts a squeaky clean look and a little glow too but it renders my skin all the more dry. Because of its drying nature, I won’t recommend it to ladies with dry skin. Steer clear off it. It did warn you beforehand by printing “For Normal to oily skin” on its package in the first place so, neither you nor I can pin the blame on it squarely. I can’t comment on its ability to soak up excess oil because my skin type, as you know by now, is dry.

However, I asked two ladies from my family to try this to form a clear idea about its performance. My mother has normal skin while my cousin has oily (not excessively oily) skin. For my mother, the results were the same and she was satisfied with it. But it was my cousin who went gaga over it for this mask soaked excess oil off her. The fact that it is handy spells cheer for her.

All in all,I can say is that it imparts a clear look and glow. However, the glow is transient so please have realistic expectations. Given the fact that is pumped with parabens and DMDM Hydantion (list of inactives), I don’t find developing a hang of it a wise idea for any one. To sum up, it is efficacious but meant to be used sparingly 

GOOD-

1. Readily available

2. Economical price

3. Sturdy packaging

4. Imparts a squeaky clean look

5. Adds a subtle glow (it is temporary however)

6. Works wonders for oily/extremely oily skin

BAD-

1. Not suitable at all for dry/extremely dry skin

2. Chemical-laden. Contains parabens and DMDM Hydantion

RATING- 4/5

Editor’s Note: I totally agree with you Nidhal, not for dry skin. I have combination skin which was more towards the oily side during my teens and I have used this a lot! Absolutely loved it, the fuller’s earth would absorb the oil and clear & tighten the pores while the neem and turmeric helped calm down acne or avoid breakouts. My brother who has super oily skin, also loved using it 😀 However the Neem face wash from this same Himalaya range is my HG, and I come back to it always! Can blindly trust that.

Have you tried the Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Pack? It’s a must try if you have oily, acne prone skin.

Khadi Herbal Body Wash Rose and Honey Review

Khadi Herbal Body Wash Rose and Honey Review

By Monika

Hi to all the lovely people out there!!!!! This is my first time writing a beauty blog so do let me know in the comments below whether you find this review helpful or not .I was looking for a good, herbal and economical body wash for daily usage and that is when this product comes into picture which, I bought on one of my online purchases. This product has made me love khadi products even more so; to know more about the product and my opinion on it continue reading.

Price and quantity: Rs 130 for 210 ml (BUY HERE)

Shelf life: 2 years from the date of manufacture

Product claims: Khadi rose and honey body wash indulges your senses with beautiful soap-free cleansing gel that will leave your skin feeling cleansed, refreshed and soft with a whisper of beautiful rose fragrance.

Directions for use: Apply to wet skin all over the body. Lather and rinse. Use daily if required.

Ingredients: Water, geranium oil, aloe vera, rose centifolia, ananas cosmosus, crocus sativus, azadircta, honey, base qs.

My experience with the product

The product comes in a transparent bottle through which you can see the lovely pink color of the gel. It has a sturdy flip cap that prevents leakage which makes the product extremely travel friendly. The packaging is common to all the khadi body washes in the market. I must say that, I am more of a shower gel person rather than soap and given the price it is a steal. The product has a pleasant smell of roses which dies down within minutes after you come out of the shower that according to me is a major drawback since; I expected the pleasant smell of roses to last a lot longer. The wash lathers very well and only a coin sized amount is required if used it with a loofah, rinsing off isn’t problem as well. Also, the cleansing action of the wash is very good, leaving the skin soft and supple. I personally would recommend using this wash with a loofah as it would make sure that you do not use excess of the wash and will last a lot longer. It has a gel like consistency and in my opinion would be suitable to all skin types. The gel based formulation is neither moisturizing nor drying and you may want to use a moisturizer depending on the climate. I would like to conclude by saying that, if you are looking a good wash for regular usage which is economical then it sure is a great buy ignoring the longevity of the fragrance.

Pros:

  • Cleanses well
  • Decently priced
  • Travel friendly
  • Great for regular usage
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Easily available (prefer buying it online as you can get some great discounts on this product, which I did)
  • Natural ingredients

Cons:

  • The fragrance does not last for a long time
  • It is not moisturizing so have to use a moisturizer after the bath which in my opinion you should anyways be doing.
  • Generic packaging

Rating: 4.5/5

Final word:

I would like to recommend this product to all you beauties, since it does its job pretty well without burning a hole in your pocket and would last a long time. I love it so much so that I have already restocked on the product.

Editor’s Note: This sounds quite good Monika, nicely reviewed 🙂 I will definitely try this.

Have you tried the Khadi Herbal Body Wash Rose and Honey?

Medimix Ayurvedic Intimate Hygiene Wash Review

Medimix Ayurvedic Intimate Hygiene Wash Review

Hey guys,

So Medimix has launched a new intimate hygiene wash recently and I have been trying this out since quite a few days. Here are my thoughts on it..

What the Company claims: The house of Cholayil brings to you Medimix Ayurvedic Intimate Hygiene Wash. It is the world’s first Intimate Wash formulated using the expertise of Cholayil and the rich secrets of ancient Kerala Ayurveda. Made using only the choicest natural ingredients like:

*Lime * Rosemary * Neem * Sage * Aloe * Thyme * Vetiver * Bisabolol

MRP: Rs.150/- for 100ml (Buy HERE)

It is the ideal chemical-free cleansing wash for the vagina. Additionally, it also contains lactic acid which encourages the natural vaginal acidity. Not only this, it confirms to a pH level of 3.5-4.5 which is an ideal level according to prominent Gynecologists around the world.

Medimix Intimate Hygiene Wash is an Ayurvedic formulation and all its ingredients are natural as opposed to synthetic components in beauty products. Medimix Intimate Hygiene Wash is free of chemicals like:

  •  SLES (Sulfate free)
  • Nitrosamine free
  • Paraben free
  • Soap free

It has mild baby care product surfactant. Since it is free of harmful chemicals, Medimix Intimate Hygiene Wash is safe and mild while protecting you against dryness, unpleasant odor, itching, irritation and infections. What’s more, it is gynaecologically and dermatologically tested to ensure that the delicate vaginal skin gets the gentlest of care.

Ingredients:

I had been using Lactacyd Vaginal wash since the longest time, I had discovered it a few years ago and I knew how lactic acid balances the pH and maintains the acidic environment of the vagina.

Lactobacilli is the good bacteria found in the vagina and they protect the vagina from harmful bacteria and balance the pH level and also help protect against vaginal odor, infections, etc. If the vaginal balance is disturbed and less lactobacilli is produced, the bad bacteria would increase in number leading to more infections as there is no protective barrier. The vaginal balance can be disturbed due to number of reasons like pregnancy, tight clothing, use of strong body wash/soap, synthetic underwear, inappropriate hygiene, etc.

A balanced vaginal flora helps to prevent bacterial and yeast infections. What we can do is use a a product that contains ingredients which support the growth of the good bacteria to prevent possible infections and promote recovery if the symptoms have already developed.

I have used Medimix soaps before and always trust Medimix when it comes to ayurvedic/natural skin care. You may ask why not use the same for the vaginal area too, since this is chemical free and natural too. But being a soap, it is slightly drying and if you dry out your vaginal area, as you read above, it causes vaginal imbalance leading to bacterial growth. Over washing/foaming will definitely dry out the area. An intimate wash is made specially for only vaginal use, coz it is very gentle and will not dry out your vaginal area plus maintain the pH balance.

It comes in this flip cap packaging which is handy and nice to keep in your bathroom or even carry for your travel, as its tiny and light weight. You just need few drops i.e. very little amount per use, so this 100ml bottle would last you long. I love the natural, herbal smell plus it’s not too powerful.

It foams well and does not dry out your delicate vaginal skin. I absolutely love it and recommend it, and definitely repurchasing it. If you ask me to choose now between Lactacyd and Medimix, I will go with Medimix 🙂

Also there are some online sites where currently they have the Medimix soap free on buying this wash, combo going on. So, do check that out.

Have you tried the #MedimixAyurvedicIntimateHygieneWash yet?

May ‘Summer Romance’ Edition Sugarbox Unboxing

May ‘Summer Romance’ Edition Sugarbox Unboxing

Hi guys,

There have been a number of subscription boxes in India in the past 2-3 years. One such amazing subscription box called ‘Sugar Box’ launched last year.

It’s a mix of beauty, fashion, lifestyle & gourmet items and all full sized, no samples or deluxe samples.

Sugarbox is a curated box full of exclusive goodies which are hand picked by our team of in-house stylists and epicureans just for you. By subscribing to Sugarbox, you will receive the latest international offerings in fashion, beauty, lifestyle and gourmet products at your doorstep, every month. Not to mention the first bragging rights that come with it!

It is priced at Rs.1499/- for 1 month (when unrevealed), Rs.4197/- for 3 months and so on, a little more discount for more no. of months. If you book the annual subscription plan, the box comes to Rs.1199/- per month which is pretty good.

For the month of May, they have the ‘Summer Romance’ Edition theme, and have all summery, beachy stuff.

Let’s see what all I got in my box..

  • A cute coral off shoulder crop top
  • A beige bucket bag with metallic gold chain detailing
  • A stiff brown summer hat
  • Tropical Cocktail flavour Tang
  • Gulnare Pumpskin Face Wash 60ml
  • Floral Gold Headband
  • Double layered Charm bracelet

I am totally digging off shoulder crop tops these days, and I was so glad when I saw this! Plus the coral colour is so bright and summery, can’t wait to wear it. The bag is pretty amazing too, fabulous quality, quite soft in texture. The gold accents go pretty well with the beige colour. Bucket bags are also IN these days, and this makes a perfect beach bag too. It’s quite spacious and huge, reminds me of my orange bucket bag from StalkBuyLove.

I have never tried the Tropical Cocktail flavour in Tang, so I am looking forward to trying this one. A hat is perfect for summers too, whether on beach or otherwise, a good stylish hat, can take your outfit a notch higher. I am not much into diamante on my accessories, but the stars in the double layered bracelet look quite cute.

The floral headband has to be my favourite, wear it like a proper headband or a little lower like Alia Bhatt in Ladki Beautiful Kar Gayi Chull song, with loose beachy waves for that boho vibe.

I am all about organic skincare and I haven’t tried a Pumpkin face wash yet and nothing from Gulnare skincare, so looking forward to trying this one too.

Book you box HERE, I absolutely recommend them! Since this box, theme and contents are revealed, the price is Rs.1899/-. Totally worth the price, you get products worth much more than what you pay for! I also have a special 20% off coupon code for you all, use ‘bhumika20’ at checkout on everything from individual items to previous boxes, limited edition ones and this Summer Romance Box. Coupon code is not valid on subscription plans though, as they are already discounted 🙂

After discount, this month’s box comes to Rs.1519/- Go for it, I say! If I have to see ‘Value For Money’, this is the best subscription box in India currently! Fabulous job done by Niharika Jhunjunwala, the founder.

Have you tried Sugarbox yet? What do you think of it? Your favourite item?

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Mega Gloss Review, Swatches

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Mega Gloss Review, Swatches

Hi guys,

L’Oreal Paris has launched the new Infallible Range for Cannes 2016, if you follow me on twitter or Snapchat, you must have seen the images and videos of Aishwarya Rai from the launch event. The range has the Infallible Liquid Foundation (Review HERE), Infallible Powder (Review HERE), Infallible Lipsticks (Review HERE) and Infallible Lip Gloss, Lip Liners and Silkissisme Eye Liners.

I got this kit which has lipsticks, lip glosses and eye liners. I will be reviewing the eyeliners next, and the lipsticks are already reviewed on the blog.

So I have 5 lip glosses from the new L’Oreal Paris Le Mega Gloss Range. I have been using these since few days and here is my review..

What the Company claims: High level of pro-shine, 2x compared to classic gloss

Unique lip shaper-applicator that contours lips precisely and gives an impeccable deposit
Delicate texture glides onto lips creating a veil of color with a luminous, non-sticky shine
Available in 3 unique finishes – cream, dazzle and extreme resist
Each finish has it’s own addictive fragrance – praline, disco fruit and powder fresh

Available in 3 unique finishes cream, dazzle and extreme resist, infallible le gloss lets you change your look for different occasions. From subtle to bold, simple to sophisticated, now create your signature lip color in just one step. Each finish has its own addictive fragrance.

ZERO COMPROMISE GLOSS. MEGA SHINE ALL DAY.

Treat your pout to the bold lip gloss shade it deserves. The Mega Gloss formula is a highly tinted shade with mirror-like shine and no stickiness. The efficiently designed lip-hugging applicator fits lip contours for a perfectly glossy pout.

3 Unique Gloss Finishes:

DAZZLE FINISH– For sparkly party ready lips
CREAM FINISH– For daily flawless lips
XTREME RESIST FINISH– For impeccably glossy lips

A great synergy of elements creating a perfect balance. 5 hours of fresh hydration, adds 2X more volume to the lips with no stickiness. Certified 6X for zero dirty colour and 2X payoff versus a classic gloss.

How to Layer your gloss:
FILL: Fill the applicator with the mega gloss infallible texture. Thanks to its unique design, this incredibly accurate applicator extracts the right amount of gloss.
APPLY: Apply the gloss first onto the lower lip, from the center to the corners. Repeat the movement on the upper lip. This application ensures a perfectly shaded effect: denser and shinier in the middle of the lips.
LAYER: For an even glossier effect, feel free to add more product, this time only to the heart of the lips (top and bottom), with a slight emphasis on the top part.

MRP: Rs.850/- for 8ml (BUY HERE)

I have 3 from Cream Finish and 2 from Xtreme Resist Finish. To start with the packaging, I quite like the clear packaging with the black top and the square shape. Also clear packaging is quite convenient to find out the shade. Also, I would mention that the names are pretty interesting, I love them. Who’s The Boss, I Got The Power, etc. 😀

The wand is pretty interesting with a lip shape, one side works well on the lower lip and the other side on the upper lip i.e. the cupid’s bow. It was very easy to apply and with this wand, you just need one swipe for full, opaque coverage.

I did not have to dip my brush the 2nd time and all these swatches are with the first swipe itself.

Pigmentation wise, these are pretty good, being a lip gloss. Especially the Cream Finish ones are super pigmented and give opaque coverage, so people with pigmented lips too can wear these on it’s own, without a base lipstick. The Xtreme Resist ones are on the sheer side though. These are completely non sticky and stay put for a long time, if you do not eat or drink, they will stay on for 3-4 hours. It would survive light snacks and drinks and still be there, with slight fading. But would go away completely after a proper meal. The darker, deeper shades leave behind a nice, pink tint though. They are quite moisturizing and won’t bother even if you haven’t used a lip balm.

I love the fresh and fruity smell of both the cream and xtreme resist finish. Each finish has different smell. The cream finish ones are numbered from 100, xtreme resist from 500 and Dazzle Finish from 200.

Shades:

Cream 110 I Got The Power – An everyday pinky nude shade, something good for office wear or college wear.

Cream 106 Alerte Rouge – A matte neutral red

Xtreme Resist 504 My Sky Is The Limit– Sheer cool toned pink, this looks really good on it’s own and even layered over a lipstick.

Xtreme Resist 503 All Night Long– Bright Coral with a lot of gold shimmer

Cream 107 Who’s The Boss- Beautiful deep berry, this is perfect for night time. It instantly brightens the face.

Here are the lip swatches..

L-R
Top: I Got The Power, Alerte Rouge, My Sky Is The Limit
Bottom: All Night Long, Who’s The Boss

I have shared the FOTD’s with each on my Snapchat today, so if you are following me, you must have seen them. And if not, add me bhumika_t to see them till tom 3 pm 😀

These are on the expensive side at Rs.850/- but the quantity is 8ml. I believe L’Oreal Paris should have kept the qty 5-6 ml and reduced the price to Rs.500-600 which would have been ideal. But nonetheless, you are paying for the quantity and quality here. These being so pigmented and the qty being 8ml, it will last you months easily!

I absolutely love the shades Who’s The Boss and I Got The Power, one if perfect for night time and the other for day time. Also like My Sky is The Limit. Definitely recommend these three!

Rating:

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

Overall Rating: 4/5

Would I buy it again: Yes, these three shades, I might.

Have you checked out the new L’Oreal Paris Infallible Le Mega Glosses yet?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

Boroline Suthol Antiseptic Skin Liquid Review

Boroline Suthol Antiseptic Skin Liquid Review

By Rashmi

Hello everyone.

Hope you are doing great. I am here with my very first review in this space. I am reviewing the Boroline’s SUTHOL. I swear by this product at all times and during summers,this is the solution to all my skin problems. Summer brings with it skin problems such as rashes,itches,skin irritations etc. But with this product you can have a hassle free summer.

I found this amazing product around 3 years back and have been using it since then. I have a sensitive skin so i get rashes during summer. But,thanks to suthol, i have no skin issues now. Boroline is a trusted name in almost every household in India. So,when i got to know about Suthol, i had to give it a try. And I am so glad that i did. It’s a must have product for me now.

The packaging is nice. It comes in a transparent bottle with a green coloured cap. The liquid is also green in colour. It has a mild fragrance. Though it is an antiseptic liquid it doesn’t smell like one. I find its fragrance very refreshing. It gets absorbed in the skin quickly. I like using it after my shower.

What the product claims – Forget prickly heat, rashes and itchy skin. Absorbs fast, deep action and quick skin relief is written in the label. And it does its work pretty well. Forget kirikiri, stay fresh. The product has been manufactured by G. D. Pharmaceuticals.

Main constituents of Suthol- Suthol antiseptic skin liquid contains Cetrimide, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Neem, Turmeric, Marigold and Aloe vera.

Cetrimide

Cetrimide is a quatemary ammonium disinfectant and cationic surfactant. It dissociates in aqueous solution into a relatively large and complex cation and a small anion.Aqueous solutions containing 0.1 to 1% have been used for treatment of wounds and burns, for pre-operative cleansing of skin and for removal of scabs and crusts in skin disease.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that is active against Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. Chlorhexidine solutions leave a residue on the skin which gives a persistent anti bacterial effect lasting 1 or 2 days. Its actions are not affected by blood, pus or soap.

Turmeric

Turmeric prevents rashes, infections, itching and redness of skin.Turmeric is also known for its natural antiseptic, antifungal property and healing qualities.It helps in speeding up wound healing and assists in restoring damaged skin.

Neem

Aqueous extract of Neem leaf prevents rashes and itching.Neem is effective against skin infections.

Price- INR 60 for 200ml

Suthol is best for summer season and suits all skin types.

How i use the product:

I use it as an after-bath or pour a few drops into my bathing water. I use Suthol whenever i have minor cuts and wounds,i directly apply Suthol to the affected area with a cotton pad. It really has helped me in getting rid of summer rashes. I also use it after waxing. It has a very soothing effect. I am so glad that i came across this product.??

Pros:

1. Affordable

2. Suited to all skin types.

3. Can be used after bath to keep rashes away and stay fresh.

4. Can be used for relief from itches,summer rashes.

5. Use after shave to disinfect and soothe.

6. Use after waxing.

7. Use it to disinfect, sanitize and cure cuts,minor burns, insect bite irritation.

8. Comes in a spray bottle too.

9. Absorbs really quick.

10. Makes one feel refreshed for hours.

Cons:

None. I couldn’t find a single one. Probably I am obsessed with the product??

My rating- 5/5

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Rashmi, specially for use post waxing. I will definitely check this out.

Have you guys tried Boroline Suthol yet?

May 2016 Fab Bag Unboxing & Review

May 2016 Fab Bag Unboxing & Review

Hi guys,

So I got the May 2016 Fab Bag today and it’s the ‘Summer Escapade’ theme, perfect for the season.

Read my previous Fab Bag reviews:

MRP: Rs.599/- per month (Buy HERE)

It’s a green colored mesh bag, very helpful to see through products and I like carrying such mesh bags for travel, so that can identify what is stored.

Products I got:

  • Sea Soul Eyeshadow Duo in Deep Purple: Rs.950/-
  • The Nature’s Co. White Tea Night Cream (20ml): Rs.895/-for 50ml
  • Inveda SPF30 PA++ Sunscreen Cream Gel : Rs.275/- for 75ml
  • Nyassa Tea Tree Face Wash (30ml): Rs.400 /- for 145ml

To start with the Sea Soul Eyeshadow Duo, I absolutely love it! It has two shades and comes with a mirror, one is a deep bluish purple and the other is a duochrome gold/purple/denim blue shade. I can’t even describe how gorgeous the duochrome shade is. Both the shades are super pigmented and buttery. It’s an Australian HD makeup brand and I am so glad Fab Bag introduced a new brand this month. I have done a look with this eyeshadow duo on my YouTube channel HERE

I also loved the Inveda sunscreen cream gel, it’s very light and feels gel like in texture. Non sticky and gets easily absorbed, definitely using this up this month.

Nyassa tea tree face wash is also perfect for summers and this 30ml bottle is quite nice. Decent qty and good for travel too. The Nature’s Co. White Tea Night Cream is pretty expensive and this is a deluxe sized 20ml jar. Feels very rich and hydrating and perfect for night time, the smell is light and not very overpowering or bothering.

Overall, I would say I am pretty impressed with 2 full sized products including one new brand’s full sized makeup product. And two deluxe sized samples. I do like May’s Fab Bag and definitely recommend it.

What did you get in your May Fab Bag? Do let me know in the comments below.

Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Creams Review, Swatches

Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Creams Review, Swatches

By Devika

Hi guys,

Hope you all are doing great! So today I am going to be reviewing yet another beautiful matte and super affordable Miss Claire Soft Matte lip cream. This season happens to be the season of liquid lipsticks with Indian market overflowing with their sudden arrival ranging from high end brands like Kylie, Sleek Matte Me, Colourpop, Stila, Incolor to Chambor, Colorbar, Aerezia, NYX. Though many of these are still unavailable online, new trend of Instagram stores selling these, has solved the problem somehow .Through these stores I got to know of these Miss Claire ones and when I heard of their price, (Greedy Me), I immediately ordered 6 of them (haven’t owned these many shades of same brand ever). Ordering and delivery was completely hassle-free, thankfully!!!! Miss Claire range is a super affordable dupe for the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream.

Product details – It’s not lipstick nor is it gloss. It’s like nothing that you have experienced before. It’s lipstick that goes on smoothly but looks matte.

Price and availability: No price tag mentioned and varies from the place you are buying from…150 to 300! Depends whether you are buying from instastore or directly from shops. I got mine for 180 INR from instastore (comment below if you wanna know the name of shop).

Ingredients:

Shelf life: 12 months from date of opening

Total weight of product 6.5g

My experience

Packaging: These soft matte slip creams comes in transparent plastic tube bottle with the black screw cap with a wand applicator attached which picks up just the right amount of product and aids in even coverage on lips. The bottle is quite lightweight and easy to carry around. The shades are numbered (and not named) which is written below but one can easily identify the shades from transparent bottle. For the price they come in the packaging is quiet decent and I love it.

Shades – The Miss Claire lip creams come in many shades ranging from Nudes to Pinks to Red. There are 18 shades available. From these I own no. 05, 07, 08, 12, 16A, 17A. No names, just number coded but it isn’t an issue for me as the tubes are transparent.

In detail review of each shade:

Shade 05: This is a coral pink with a peach undertone. Perfect for summer evenings. This shade is a very flattering for fair skin tones but would look washed out on medium to dark skin.

Shade 07: It is a hot pink, bright, more like a fuchsia pink. Nude eyes with this shade is all that’s needed. Would look great across all skin tones.

Shade 08: This is my absolute favorite. It’s a shade darker than no.05 and thus will suit medium skin toned girls too! This is my go-to everyday color.

Shade 12: My 2nd favorite from these, this shade is vibrant magenta and darker variant of shade no. 07 but with purple undertone to it. This would suit all kinds of Indian skin tones. The face looks brightened up on wearing this shade. It’s suitable for both day and night wear.

Shade I6A: Again a bright summer shade, pink with orange undertone to it. Darker than 05 but lighter then 08.This shade I consider as repetitive in my Miss Claire collection though.

Shade 17A:  This is the perfect peach color that would suit fair skinned girls.

Texture / Formula – The texture is so creamy & light. It’s easy to use formula applies as a smooth cream on lips which dries to a matte finish in about 2 minutes. Once dried, it comfortably sits throughout the day. It is nontransferable, tends to fade from center of lips only after heavy oily meals; survives light meals though. These doesn’t settle into fine lines at all. Despite being matte these didn’t dry up my lips at all, but prior exfoliation and moisturizing is must. The formula & texture of these is very similar to the NYX Matt lip creams. It smells of vanilla but not at all overpowering. I love the smell!

Pigmentation- The pigmentation is opaque, medium coverage and it’s buildable. You don’t need multiple swipes to get true color, nor is it so badly pigmented that you can’t correct a mistake. In comparison to NYX ones, the NYX lip creams are a little more pigmented than these. The lighter shades of Miss Claire are less pigmented than the deeper ones, but a second swipe sorts you out & shows the color. You may also apply lip liner of similar color underneath to make the lip cream long lasting. It does not bleed at all.

Staying Power – This lipstick gives you great color for around 5- 6hrs. It sustains light meals but loses color from center of lips following a heavy oily meal. A touch up can fix that easily though. They fade away evenly without being patchy. Impressive staying power! It doesn’t stain the lips post removal and can easily be removed with oil based makeup remover.

Pros:

1) Extremely inexpensive (reason I picked up these many shades)

2) Ease of application

3) Decent sleek packaging, similar to the NYX ones

4) The color does not smudge for 3-4 hours minimum

5) Extremely light weight and travel friendly

6) Efficient applicator for precise application.

7) A variety of shades available to choose from

8) Creamy texture that settles down with a nice matte finish.

9) Doesn’t make the lips uncomfortable with dry matte texture.

10) Non-transferable and doesn’t settles into fine lines.

11) Good pigmentation with just 2 swipes.

12) Long lasting on the lips for 5-6 hours without touch ups.

13) No weird smell

14) All ingredients listed

15) Cruelty free

16) Paraben free

Cons:

1) No testers available

2) Not available online and in most cosmetics stores

3) Requires prior prepping (exfoliation plus moisturisation) of lips.

Overall, I just loved the texture, the color range and the price they come in, is like a total steal. One can never ever go wrong with these lip creams. They did a lot more than what I expected them. I totally recommend these to all as in this price range you can’t expect more!!

Rating 4.8/5

Will I Repurchase – Absolutely yes!!

Editor’s Note: Fabulous review and pictures Devika, I was eyeing these since long. I know they are available at Beauty Center, but I always get lazy to go there, I am definitely getting 12 and 17A.

Have you tried the Miss Claire Soft Matte Lip Creams yet?

Jac Olivol Body oil with Italian Olive oil Review

Jac Olivol Body oil with Italian Olive oil Review

By Pallavi

Hii Girlies,

For dry skinned girls like me you can’t leave without body oils in winters. And especially during the February and summer months when the winters gets reduced but the air turns dry. That is the time when i felt my skin feeling much more dryer. And that is when i realised that only body lotions are not going to soften my skin. i need something stronger. Let’s go for body oils. Now, can you imagine whole winter i didn’t used any body oils but when the winter was on the verge of ending i needed a body oil. And that is when i landed with Jac Olivol Body oil with Italian Olive oil.

Price : Rs. 54 for 100 ml.

Ingredients:

Company claims : For a soft, smooth, glowing and healthy skin, reach out for Jac Olivol, which is enhanced with Italian olive oil. It has a light texture with sandalwood aroma and nourishes your skin with ayurvedic elements.

   Absorbed by skin easily

   Makes skin soft, smooth and radiant

   Effective herbal body oil

   Golden liquid of 200 ml ensures healthy skin

My experience with Jac Olivol Body oil with Italian Olive oil

The packaging of this olive oil impressed me. With oils I always have a fear that they will spill out and damage my clothes and all. But this one comes in medium sized yellow bottle which has product details inscribed on it. The bottle has the cap at the top which when tightly secured ensures that the oil will not spill out.

Now coming to the texture of this oil it is really free flowing and light. It spreads easily on your skin and since it is light it does not feel sticky. You need a very little amount per usage. so, a single bottle can survive you easily for one winter. With regular usage you can see that the oil is taking care of your dry patches. Also, it brings a healthy glow to the skin.

Good about Jac Olivol Body oil with Italian Olive oil

1. Natural brand

2. Little product required per usage

3. Inexpensive

4. Spreads easily on skin

5. Soothes dry patches on skin

6. Healthy glow to the skin

Bad about Jac Olivol Body oil with Italian Olive oil

1. Not meant for oily skinned beauties anytime of the year

Rating – 5/5

Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Pallavi, I have combination skin and definitely need a rich oil like this for winters. I would surely give this a try.

Have you tried the Jac Olivol Olive Body Oil yet?

Rassna Wax Pack Katori Wax Review

RASSNA WAX PACK KATORI WAX REVIEW

By Nidhal

Hair is aptly termed the crowning glory. Not only does it raise one’s glam quotient by leaps and bounds but also changes one’s look drastically (at times, unfortunately) 😛 thanks to a number of hair styles at our disposal. However, when the very same hair makes an appearance for no reason on your face (read: you are a woman), panic button is pushed. Getting facial hair bleached every few days is not at all a pragmatic decision given the kinds of toxins and nonsense they are imbued with. Waxing them off seems a pretty doable idea, doesn’t it? Not only is the hair pulled out but also the layer of dead skin cells is extricated. However, there is a catch. The wax you use for your body (legs, under-arms, hands, back, etc.) is not what you are going to make use of here for your facial skin. This one is different. Colloquially, it is called ‘Katori wax’ and today, I am going to review Rassna Wax Pack Katroi Wax.

PRICE – Rs 83/- for a single tub

DIRECTIONS FOR USE– Heat the tub in a double-boiler system and using a wooden spoon apply a little amount when it is warm (and not hot). Spread it well using the spoon and wait for 3-4 minutes. Carefully pull out the peel and wash your skin that has just been waxed with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

INGREDIENTS- Not mentioned anywhere.

WHAT IT CLAIMS- Removes superfluous hair off face that is, from upper lips and chin.

MY EXPERIENCE-

Packed in a cardboard box enclosing a metallic tub in which lies the wax (cold and solidified), the packaging of Rassna Wax Pack katori wax is fine. There is a complimentary wooden spoon provided in each pack. If being used at home, it is hygienic and the metallic tub stays intact till the product is used completely. I don’t find it suitable for being carried while travelling not because the packaging is such but it is so because it needs to be heated before use.

The wax is cold and solidified but upon being heated for 1-2 minutes, its consistency changes to that of honey. In fact, it looks exactly like honey. Upon being slathered on one’s upper lip area (do not use katori wax for eye brows. Ever), it dries up almost instantaneously. Here comes the painful part for you need to pull it out at lightning quick speed to pull out the hair. Usually, one layer is sufficient for me but when I use on my sideburns, a single layer doesn’t bear results. So, I have to bear the brunt of the heat as well as the sensation on pulling it off, more than once.

The bottom line is that it works effectively, however, given the stubbornness of the hair follicles, number of applications vary. Also, never use it on the bikini line, eye brow area or such precarious’ regions. Even before using it, consult with a dermatologist or someone who can offer sane advice regarding skin care. If used improperly, you might end with scalded skin. Do not play with fire! (I couldn’t have come up with a better idiom)

GOOD-

1. Pulls baby hair very well

2. Dirt-cheap

3. Chemical-free solution. It isn’t as noxious as getting bleached on a regular basis is.

4. Softens skin (since hair is pulled out so, the area appears soft and smooth naturally)

BAD-

1. Limited availability. I haven’t seen it online yet.

2. Process of application is messy

3. If one has hardened hair, you will have to apply it more than once to pull out the hair.

RATING- 4/5

Editor’s Note: I have heard so much about this Nidhal, never able to find it anywhere. I needed it for my upper lips, but since the time I have got Braun Face, I am sorted. Though having this backup is always good. Where did you get yours from?

Have you tried Rassna Katori Wax before?