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Nature's Essence Lacto Tan Clear Sun Tan Removal Review, Indian Beauty Blog, Skin care

Nature’s Essence Lacto Tan Clear Sun Tan Removal Review

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Nature’s Essence Lacto Tan Clear Sun Tan Removal Review

By Archana

Hi all,

Summers are slowly starting and its already becoming very hot here in Bangalore. No matter what sunscreens and lotions we use, at times we get tanned badly when we are out in the sun for a very long time. Recently, I had been travelling to my aunt’s place where I spent a lot of time outdoors and hence got a very bad tan. I usually follow home remedies of besan, cucumber and lime to get rid of sun tan. But this time I was very busy in office with a project release and hence couldn’t spare time for it. I had read good reviews of this ‘Nature’s Essence Lacto Tan Clear Sun Tan Removal’ and decided to give it a try. Read on to know whether it is effective in removing sun tan.

Products claims: Milk proteins & honey enriched special tan cream helps remove the epidermal sun tan, thereby restoring the natural fairness of the skin & also preventing pigmentation due to harmful sun. Its matte effect is ideal for hot climates and the cream also helps enhance after facial glow.

Key Ingredients: Milk, honey and geranium oil.

Directions to use: Apply layer on the face/skin and keep it on for 10-15 min & after soft massage remove with water. Advised to be used every day to restore natural color & glow of the skin.

Packaging:
It comes in a yellow squeezable tube packaging with a flip-open cap very similar to the sunscreen from the same brand. Earlier it used to come in a tub packaging. But now they have revamped and come with this new tube packaging. Its better and convenient to be carried around easily.

Texture and fragrance:
It is a white-colored cream with a slight artificial fragrance. The texture is very smooth and looks very much like the bleach creams we get.

My experience:
For starters, this is neither a face pack nor a regular bleach which contains ammonia. It is actually very similar to the Spinz Sun Tan Remover which became quite popular last year. The creamy consistency makes it very easy to spread and apply. I leave it on for 15 minutes as mentioned. It causes a slight tingling sensation. I then wash it off. Since its very creamy and tends to stick, you need to massage slowly to remove it completely. After washing, I could see some of the tan, mostly the fresh tan, had been removed. But not completely. I kept using this alternate days and after 6-7 uses, almost 80% of the tan (even old tan which I had for a long time) had been removed and also lightened pigmentation and dark spots. Though its mentioned it can be used everyday, I thought it might be harsher and so went with alternate days. Skin does feel dry and stretchy post usage. So its necessary to follow up with a good moisturiser.

The efficacy of the product is really good but still I doubt whether just the key ingredients milk, honey and geranium oil can give this result. There must be lot of other chemicals added to give this effect. I felt the same with Spinz Sun Tan Remover. Actually that was even more powerful than this. It just needs 5 minutes of application and removes almost 80% tan in just a single use. And also makes your face so dry, stretchy and ghost-like. The unnatural effects of these creams makes me doubt whether it is safe to be used regularly. I would recommend using them only in rare occasions like before a party or after returning from a beach holiday with heavy tanning. Also, there is another variant in this ‘Nature’s Essence Lacto Bleach Tan Removal Cream‘. Am not sure what is the difference between them. When I looked at the key ingredients list, it was the same milk and honey, but instead of geranium oil, this one had lavender oil. Let me know if you would like a review on this as well.

Pros:
* Removes tan and restores natural color of skin.
* Lightens pigmentation and dark spots.
* Can be used for hands, foot or anywhere on the body.
* Convenient, travel friendly packaging.
* Affordable.

Cons:
* Dries out skin.
* Complete ingredients list missing.

Price and quantity: Rs.85 for 40g.

Rating: 4/5

Verdict: Nature’s Essence Lacto Tan Clear Sun Tan Removal is a quick, easy way to get rid of sun tan. Although, it is laden with chemicals and I would recommend to use only in rare situations when nothing else helps or you need instant results. Once you have managed to remove the tan, I would suggest to switch to home remedies or herbal face packs for regular maintenance.

Editor’s Note: I have used this and it works so well! It was the only product then that removed tan so quickly. Now we even have the Spinz Sun Tan Remover which does the job well, but still if you want a more natural version, then Nature’s Essence on is your best bet. Well reviewed Archana.

Coloressence Mesmerizing Lip Colour Poetry Pink Review, Swatches

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Coloressence Mesmerizing Lip Colour Poetry Pink Review, Swatches

By Ishleen

Hello munchkins!

I know its been quite some time since I spoke to you darlings, and I am so sorry for the long disappearance! But today I am here to make up for my absence with this gorgeous review of one of my first and my most favourite matte deep pink lipsticks! I mean this was the first ever deep pink lipstick I ever owned, and I do not know why I had stopped using it as of late! But with the responsibility of reviewing it, I finally got a chance to use it again, and fall in love, all over again!

What Coloressence says?

Mesmerising Lip Colour, a unique combination of coriander and basil extract. This lip colour nourishes, protects, moisturizes and is hypoallergenic. Volumises the lips.

Ingredients:

Although the full ingredient list was not mentioned but the active ingredients are mentioned here!
Almond Oil, Vitamin E. 100% Vegetarian. No animal ingredients used!

Price and Quantity: 175 INR for 4 grams of product (pretty cool, huh?)

Packaging

Packaging wise, coloressence lipsticks have never impressed me much but this lipstick still looks pretty classy for the price it comes at! It comes in a very sturdy m ate black packaging with silver detailing and a functional silver bullet! The packaging is all in all really sturdy, and elegant, so thumbs up for that!

Shade

As I said, the shade is love at first sight! Such a pretty wearable deep pink which isn’t bright but still adds warmth to your skin! The shade is precisely a deep red-toned pink which does not look OTT even during day time and is pretty wearable for Indian skin tones! A perfect deep pink for beginners.

Texture

Texture wise this lipstick is a dud! Excessively dry, tugs on the lips, settles into fine lines and application is a nightmare! I mean it is so dry that I have to pull it across my lips in order to cover the entire lip line! Settles into a completely matte finish but makes the lips look parched! I mean looking at the shade, this rough texture is really sad to work with!

Pigmentation and Coverage

Despite being excessively dry and all that shizz, this pretty baby is bang on pigmentation! Loade don colored pigments which impart a full blown colour in just two tugging swipes! And is fully capable of covering up any pigmentations in 3 swipes max!

Staying Power

As this lipstick has a matte finish, it is relatively long staying! Though I wouldn’t say that it does not transfer, because it does, but that is unnoticeable! Thus giving a wear time of a good 5 hours before smudging off the edges and leaving behind stained lip look!

Pros

Lovely colour
Sturdy, elegant packaging
Full on pigmented
Covers lip pigmentation
Stays put for 4-5 hours straight

Cons

Excessively dry texture
Settles into lip lines
Makes the lip look parched
Does not apply well

Final Recommendation

If you are a hardcore matte lover and do not mind your lipsticks to be drying and shizz, you are going to love this gorgeous little deep pink matte lipstick!

Rating: 3.7/5

Editor’s Note: That’s such a pretty shade, would work on all skin tones from fair to dusky. It’s a perfect Priyanka Chopra kind of shade, she wears such brick reds and deep reddish pinks.

Have you tried Coloressence Lipsticks? Which is your favourite shade?

Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème Review

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Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème Review

Hi guys,

Today I am reviewing one of my favourite products from the Lotus Herbals YouthRx Range, the Serum + Creme.

It contains the highest concentration of the revolutionary ‘Gineplex Youth Compound’ which gives it 10 times the anti-ageing power of a day crème. It’s a 2-in-1 formula of Serum + Crème –

1. Serum penetrates the skin quickly and delivers 10X* more ‘GINEPLEX YOUTH COMPOUND’ to the dermal layer, boosting collagen production.

2. Crème nourishes, hydrates and restores skin moisture.

MRP: Rs.695/- for 30ml

Directions:

Ingredients:

One of my most favourite product from this range. It comes in a very thick glass bottle with a cap and a pump dispensor. Again a mix of gel+cream consistency. It is very light and gets absorbed into the skin in a jiffy. I just need one pump and it hydrates and nourishes the skin. I can even skip a cream post using this, coz it hydrates wonderfully even in these winters. Skin feels soft and smooth instantly.

It smells really nice and the packaging is quite good. The bottle is sturdy and perfect for travel too. I only carry this when I am going to my parents’ place for 1-2 days as it solves the purpose of both a serum and a moisturizer.

Skin feels soft and supple immediately, it hydrates the skin but does not leave a heavy, greasy feeling. You can use only this in summers, for winters, I would suggest following up with the Day Cream from the same range.

I love the Ginseng, Ginger, Milk Peptide i.e. GinePlex ingredients, you can feel it working on the skin. It is definitely soothing, I can’t really comment on lifting but skin does feel firmer with regular usage.

It is not just meant for 30+ or anti-ageing, I would recommend it to everyone in mid 20’s too, I am in my late 20’s and definitely loving it.

Even though it is slightly on the expensive side, but the ingredients are impressive and it definitely works. Also a little goes a long way.

Rating:

Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Have you tried the new Lotus Herbals YOUTHRx Youth Activating Serum + Crème?

P.S: PR Sample. Honest Review

L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Review & FOTD

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L’Oreal Paris India La Vie En Rose Collection – Review & FOTD

Hi guys,

If you have not seen the L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Swatches yet, go HERE.

Today I would be reviewing these lipsticks and the L’Extrordinaire Mat Lip Colours.

L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star Moist Mat Lipstick – Rs.990/-

L’Oreal Paris La Vie En Rose Collection Star L’Extraordinaire Mat Lip Colors – Rs 950/-

To start with the packaging, the Moist Mat lipsticks come in a regular matte black packaging with the gold band at the center. The texture as the name suggests is moist mat, they are velvet matte in texture. The shades in this range need a bit of layering, with 2-3 swipes you get the perfect opaque coverage but for pigmented lips, you will need to layer more. Also the lighter shades in this range are slightly less pigmented than the darker ones and would work for fair skin tones only, they will wash out the medium/wheatish skin tone. The lipsticks also deepen on the lips and get a bit darker after 5-10 minutes of application.

The lipsticks are neither drying nor moisturizing, you will need to exfoliate your lips and apply a lip balm and blot it before using these otherwise it would accentuate dry patches and fine lines on the lips. These do not transfer much and surprisingly stay well. The lipsticks stay for 3-4 hours on me and leave behind a deep stain which again stays for 1-2 hours.

L- Liya, R- J. Lo
L- Sonam, R- Julianne

Coming to the L’Extraordinare Mat Lip Colours, they come in the square packaging with the color peeping through the centre. The doe shaped wand applicator picks the right amount of product and is flexible to spread the product evenly on the lips in one coat. These are quite pigmented and feel moisturizing and buttery. The finish comes out glossy and it needs some time to settle down to a matte finish, about 20-25 minutes. Only one swipe gives a full opaque coverage, I did not have to dip the wand in the gloss again. The finish is not completely matte but semi-matte, these stay for about 2 hours and again leave behind a nice stain, especially the deeper color Julianne.

I like all the dark shades from this collection, they compliment medium skin tones really well. I would recommend the shades Liya, Eva, J. Lo and Julianne for mostly all skin tones. Sonam, Katrina and Aishwarya for slightly fairer skin tones.

Here are all the looks..

Liya
Julianne
J.Lo
Sonam
Katrina

Overall I would say some of these lipsticks are an absolute must have, try it at the counters, I am sure you will end up buying 1-2 shades. Though the price is slightly on the higher side, the qty is quite good with the lipsticks being 4.2g and the lip colours being 5.5ml.

Rating: (Lipsticks)

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

Overall rating: 3.75/5

Rating: (Mat Lip Colours)

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

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Which shade did you like the most? Do let me know in the comments below.

Nivea Body Lotions Review

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Nivea Body Lotions Review

Hi guys,

So I got these 4 body lotions from Nivea to try out and review for you guys, and I did so one by one, here are my thoughts on each.

They have an interesting concept of hydration, they have 1 to 5 range of hydration and each body lotion would fall in between 1 to 5 where 1 is light and 5 is the most rich lotion. Also each lotion also mentions if it is meant for ‘dry skin’, ‘very dry skin’ or ‘all skin types’. The smaller bottles comes in a curved shape, and the sizes vary from the smallest bottle to the huge 400ml pump bottle. The smaller ones are perfect for travel and the pump ones are handy and quick to use at home.

Nivea Smooth Milk Body Lotion

What the Company claims: The new non-greasy softening formula now with double amount of precious Shea Butter, repairs skin dryness to give deep moisturisation and long lasting smoothness.

The moisturising body milk for dry skin

Experience a unique care experience. NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion with Hydra IQ and Shea Butter provides long-lasting moisture. The formula absorbs quickly and pampers your skin with a velvety feel. For an irresistibly beautiful skin: NIVEA Smooth Milk Body Lotion.

RESULT:

The formula with Hydra IQ technology provides long-lasting moisture.
Cares for the skin with a formula with valuable shea butter.
Velvety texture is quickly absorbed and gives a smooth feel.
Apply regularly to experience a smoother and softer skin for days

The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use.

Long-lasting softness and protection

MRP: Rs.210/- for 200ml (BUY HERE for 183)

Ingredients & Claims:

This Smooth Milk Body Lotion falls in the mid in the light to rich parameters, so it would be ideal for all skin types, especially in winters. In summers, would suggest it for dry skin. It is slightly runny but easy to blend and gets absorbed quickly.

It has shea butter and is quite moisturizing yet not super rich at the same time. If you are someone with very dry skin and use only body butters, you might feel the need to reapply at the end of the day, for me it gives just enough hydration and I do not feel the need to reapply.

I love the soft floral smell and definitely recommend this to everyone.

Nivea Oil in Lotion Cocoa Nourish Body Lotion

What the Company claims: Enriched with coconut oil and cocoa butter. The formula with Hydra IQ, reactivates your skin’s own moisture network to give 24 hour moisturisation with just one use. It provides deep moisture and smoothes away dullness

MRP: Rs.215/- for 200ml, Rs.330/- for 400ml (BUY HERE for 264)

Ingredients & Claims:

It has coconut oil and cocoa butter, as the name goes ‘Oil in Lotion’, it has actual oil and is obviously on the richer side. It is 4th in their light to rich parameter. It’s a little thicker and not like a lotion, but like a liquidy body butter. It takes some time to blend and has a cocoa smell. Quite moisturising and perfect for the current winters and for people with dry skin. Even dry skin will not feel the need of reapplication, skin stays hydrated, moist and supple throughout the day. Perfect for people with dry, itchy, flaky skin, you should give this a try.

Nivea Body Milk Nourishing Lotion

What the Company claims:The formula with Almond oil softens the skin. Give your very dry skin intensive care. Long-lasting softness and protection

MRP: Rs.299/- for 400ml (BUY HERE)

Ingredients & Claims:

This comes in the rich category and is 5th in their hydration parameters, so it is one of the richest (or the most rich) Nivea body lotion. Surprisingly it is quite runny and not as gooey and thick and blends easily too. It has a soft floral smell. Going by the texture and the way it blends easily, you will not expect it to be that hydrating or rich. But the skin feels super soft and smooth in an instant, I think it is all thanks to the almond oil in it. Though I would recommend this for dry to very dry skin and people who have itchy, flaky dry skin, this would be the perfect  post shaving body lotion for everyone. As it rich but not sticky and greasy and is super easy to apply. Definitely recommend this!

Nivea Extra Whitening Cell Repair & UV Protect Body Lotion

What the Company claims:

  • Formulated with super fruit extracts of camu camu and acerola cherry, this lotion offers 50 times higher Vitamin C*, and helps to repair the years of dullness and damage on skin
  • The formula with SPF 15 is free of Paraben, Mineral Oil, Colorants and Bleaching, proven to protect the skin from sun effectively without leaving harmful residues
  • NIVEA Extra Whitening Cell Repair and UV Protect Lotion with SPF 15 helps repair: Accumulated dull damaged skin, dark spots, uneven skin tone, rough skin, flaky skin, cracked skin, itchy skin
  • Visible Results in 2 weeks

MRP: Rs.347/- for 350ml (BUY HERE for 278)

Ingredients & Claims:

It is the one of the most expensive of all Nivea Body Lotions, but I would say rightly so. One of my friend never gets tanned during summers even when she wears sleeveless and when I asked, she said she swears by the Nivea Extra Whitening Body Lotion. You know those tan lines of sleeves, shorts, necklines, etc, they are the most irritating. And although we have a lot of DIY’s to remove tan (Read HERE), admit it we are too lazy most of the times and if a body lotion moisturizes our skin and removes our tan at the same time plus gives SPF, then why not! We all need such good things 😀

It is quite runny and super light, it falls 2nd in their hydration parameter, I would not recommend it for winters as you would need to reapply quite a few times but for summers, this is an absolute must have! Get SPF, get rid of your tan plus moisturise your skin, this is all in one and more. It has 50 x Vitamin C and will also work on spots and uneven skin tone, we do work on our face and use all the Vitamin E and C for it, but hardly ever for our body, and body obviously needs equal care and attention.

I would highly recommend this one for summers.

L-R: Nivea Smooth Milk, Cocoa Nourish, Body Milk, Extra Whitening

Overall I would say I love the fact that all Nivea Body Lotions come in different sizes from the smallest to the biggest and different price points, each one is meant for different skin type and use, and can be used accordingly. I suggest Smooth Milk & Extra Whitening for Summers and Cocoa Nourish and Body Milk for winters.

Have you tried Nivea Body Lotions? Which one is your favourite?

Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash Review

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Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash Review

By Archana

Today I will be reviewing another face wash from Curatio. I have already reviewed their Fash Gel Face Wash and liked it. This is a foam based variant of the the face wash. I haven’t come across many foaming face washes till now. Himalaya has the Neem Foaming Face Wash which is good. The ones from Sebamed and Vichy are expensive. And then there are the Saslic foaming face washes which are a little strong. This one from Curatio is a milder as well as an inexpensive option. Read on to know how it works and whether you should go for it or not.

Product Claims: Fash Foam is an innovative approach to gentle skin cleansing. Fash Foam helps remove dirt, dead cells and excessive oil.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Wet face. Pump adequate foam onto the palm of your hand. Gently apply the foam on the face and massage for 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and pat dry.

Packaging: The face wash comes in a transparent plastic bottle with a convenient pump. There is a sturdy, plastic cap covering the bottle. The packaging looks attractive. Also, there is an outer carton to house the bottle. It is no doubt bulky for carrying around. But you can be assured there won’t be any leakage with this double protection.

Texture and fragrance: The face wash looks like a blue liquid in the bottle. But on pumping, it dispenses as a bluish white foam. The fragrance is very mild and not bothersome.

My experience: I have combination skin type which gets oily in summers. But some of the oil-control face washes I have used tend to dry out my skin excessively, causing an uncomfortable stretchy feeling. But Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash has worked well for me in controlling oil as well as not drying out skin much. I need about 3 pumps of the foam to cover my entire face and neck. I massage for a minute and then wash off. Unlike the Fash Gel, this is very easy to apply and rinse owing to its foam texture. It deep cleanses my face of all dirt and oil and gives a squeaky clean feeling. It also makes my face feel very smooth and fresh which I think its because it removes dead cells too to an extent. Although, it doesn’t cause any dry, stretchy feeling, I need to follow up with a good moisturizer, unlike the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash while using which, I used to skip moisturizer at times. It also gives a matte look and helps to control oil for a long time, around 5-6 hours. My combination skin is very prone to whiteheads frequently. After continuously using this face wash, I can feel my whiteheads have reduced considerably. The cleansing effect of this foaming face wash is deeper and thorough than the Fash Gel. So I feel its apt for oily-combination skin people. Dry skin people can skip this. One bottle of this can easily last for two months so its not expensive either. Coming to the availability of this brand, I have not seen it in regular shops/supermarkets but it can be easily got in any pharmacy.

Pros:
* Deeply and thoroughly cleanses pores of all dirt and oil.
* Keeps face oil-free for 5-6 hours.
* Makes skin smooth by removing dead cells.
* Controls whiteheads.
* Doesn’t cause a stretchy feeling.
* Mild fragrance which is not bothersome.

Cons:
* Contains SLS.

Price and quantity: Rs.270 for 100ml.

Rating: 4.3/5

Verdict: I liked both the face washes from Curatio. They are not harsh on the skin but still deeply cleanse the skin. Curatio Fash Foam Face Wash is a great option if you have oily-combination skin and don’t mind SLS face washes. Especially in summers it can help control oil effectively. Normal-dry skin types or those who prefer SLS-free face washes can go for the Curatio Fash Gel Face Wash.

Editor’s Note: This looks quite good, I too have combination skin. And it controls whiteheads which is fab, would definitely give it a try.

Have you tried Curatio Fash Face Wash yet?

Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 Review

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Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 Review

By Archana

Hi all,

Today, I am reviewing a sunscreen from the brand Nature’s Essence. They have a wide variety of products at very budget-friendly prices. All their products are made primarily with natural ingredients. This is possibly one of the cheapest sunscreens available in the market. Read on to know how the ‘Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60’ fares.

Products claims: SUNBAN is a moisturizing sun protection lotion which provides full spectrum protection to the skin from UV rays. The natural added extract protects the skin against suntan. Good for all skin types. Can be used on all skin types.

Key Ingredients: Aloevera juice, Turmeric extract, Basil Oil

Directions to use: Apply Sunban lotion on face, neck and other exposed parts of body before going out. Avoid contact with eye area.

Packaging: The sunscreen comes in a yellow squeezable tube packaging with a flip-open cap. Nothing fancy in the packaging but a basic functional one. Its convenient to be carried around in your handbag without any fear of leakage. But one thing though, the cap seems to be flimsy and it broke within few uses as you can see in the pics.

Texture and fragrance: The sunscreen is sandal-colored with a slightly thick and creamy consistency. It has a mild herbal fragrance which is not bothersome. The fragrance proves that it contain natural extracts unlike other sunscreens I have used which usually have a chemical smell.

My experience: I have always chosen sunscreens based on the SPF factor. But till now I have never heard of TPI factor. So I googled around a bit and found that TPI is Tan Protection Index. Basically SPF helps to protect the skin against UV rays, cancer and sun burns. Whereas TPI specifically helps to protect the skin from tanning. This was a new info to me.

So coming back to this sunscreen from Nature’s Essence, this has both SPF and TPI. It takes a little time to blend it in completely. Though it appears tinted, after applying there is no tint whatsoever and it gives a natural finish. Unlike other sunscreens, this doesn’t leave any whitish cast. I have oily-combination skin and I find it little heavy and greasy for use nowadays as summers have started. Within 3-4 hours, my face starts becoming oily. I think it might be more suitable during winters. Dry skin people can use it year around.

Now the strange thing that I have observed is, although it claims of TPI 60 and SPF 30, I am still getting tanned. I don’t know if it is just me or anyone else too felt it, but overtime of trying out different sunscreens, I have observed that those from higher end brands like Avene, Vichy, TBS, etc. or even mid-range brands like Neutrogena, Plum, Christine Valmy, etc even if they have lower SPF of 20, they seem to prevent tanning to a large extent, while those from budget brands, though they claim of higher SPFs, they fail to prevent much tanning. Am not sure about it, but I feel sunscreen is one product where the ones with completely natural ingredients might not really be effective. While we can opt for natural products in face washes, face packs, shampoos, etc., when it comes to sunscreens I don’t think they are much effective. Its just my observation. Please share your views and experiences with natural sunscreens in the comments below.

Pros:
* Doesn’t leave any whitish cast.
* Has TPI along with SPF .
* Contains goodness of natural ingredients like aloevera, turmeric and basil.
* Suitable for normal-dry skin.
* Very affordable.

Cons:
* Might not suit oily/combination skin.
* Not much effective in preventing tan.
* Complete ingredients list missing.

Price and quantity: Rs.95 for 60ml.

Rating: 3.7/5

Verdict: Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60 is a very budget-friendly sunscreen with natural ingredients. But the results are average and its not very effective in preventing tan. Maybe if you are spending most time indoors, you can try it. But skip it if you spend more time under sun or going on a vacation or beach holiday.

Editor’s Note: That’s a fabulous review Archana, from whatever little I have read, heard and interacted with dermatologists, they all say sunscreens are good for protection but they cannot prevent skin from tanning. I am not sure how TPI works but I haven’t heard of any full proof sunscreen which prevents absolute tanning when you are out in the harsh skin for a long time. I remember using the Avene SPF50 spray all over my body during the Beauty & The Blogger shoot and we were out in the super harsh summer sun from 11 to 3 and I get tanned super easily, the area of the skin within the clothes and the area exposed to sun went black and white literally, that tan took almost 8-9 months to go away completely! So to prevent tan, one has to be covered and protected all the time, sunscreen will only help in protecting and this one sounds good for winters or for dry skin.

Sorry for the long rant 😀

Have you tried the Nature’s Essence Sun Ban Sunscreen Lotion SPF-30 TPI-60?

Faces Ultime Pro Metaliglow Opal, Champagne Review, Swatches

Faces Cosmetics, Highlighters, Makeup, New Launches, Reviews, Swatches, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Faces Ultime Pro Metaliglow Opal, Champagne Review, Swatches

Hi guys,

Today I am reviewing something which can give us that glow we all desire 😉 Yes, a highlighter. I love highlighters and I am obsessed with them especially liquid ones coz you can use them in a numerous ways.

Faces Metaliglow is an old product which they have revamped and brought the new Ultime Pro Metaliglow in this pump packaging, of course with a new price too. Is it worth investing in? Read on to know..

What the Company claims: Faces Metaliglow is a gel based illuminator that glides easily, brightens the complexion and adds instant luminosity. Ultrafine light-reflecting pearls melts into the skin for a polished, natural-looking radiance. It has high percentage of thin pearls to deliver a precious, homogeneous glow. Its aqua based formula leaves a cooling effect on your face. It is dermatologically tested and paraben free.

Metaliglow can be used alone or mixed with a lotion to be used all over your face and body to highlight and create a sun-kissed, bronzed look for a sexier you!

Use it as a highlighter or just pat it over your foundation for a subtle glow.

Ingredients:

Shades Available:

  • Opal
  • Champagne
  • Topaz

MRP: Rs.799/- (Available online on Nykaa)

It comes in this sleek packaging with a black cap and a silver pump dispensor. The pump dispensor is anyday better than the previous packaging which required you to physically remove the product and must have led to a lot of wastage and messiness.

The shade Opal has a silver sheen and is the lightest, would work well for lighter skin tones.

The shade Champagne has a golden champagne sheen and is the mid shade, this would work for all skin tones, especially Indian warm skin tones.

The shade Topaz has a rose gold sheen and is the darkest, would work for medium to dusky skin tones.

I have the shades Opal and Champagne with me today. Talking about the texture, these are quite runny and feel gel like in texture, but are super light and blend easily. But once set, it doesn’t budge, so blend quickly and don’t let it dry. The swatches on my hand were quite difficult to remove.

It gives the softest glow ever, you cannot go overboard with this, as the shimmer is ultra-fine and not even much visible, just giving a beautiful highlight to your face. It never looks heavy or stark. This is the perfect highlighter even for day time.

It stays almost throughout the day, I have worn it for about 8-9 hours and it lasted well.

You can either mix it with your foundation or directly apply it over the foundation on the highest points of your cheeks or do both. See the complete strobing step by step tutorial HERE. You can even layer this with a powder highlighter for more hold and glow.

Here are the swatches:

L-Opal, R- Champagne

I wore the shade Champagne in this video HERE.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this, coz the quantity is pretty good for the price, and there are very few good highlighters available in India especially liquid. This is one of the best in the market currently and the shade Champagne would be universally flattering and work for everyone.

Rating:

Quality: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Availability: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Would I buy it again: Yes

Have you checked out or tried the new Faces Ultime Pro Metaliglow Highlighters  yet?

P.S: PR Samples, Honest Review

Essence XXXL Long-Lasting Lip Gloss Matt Effect Velvet Rose Review, Swatches

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Essence XXXL Long-Lasting Lip Gloss Matt Effect Velvet Rose Review, Swatches

By Ishleen

Hello girlies!

Starting this post with a quick question! Apart from the conventional Indian market brands, have you tried any German based brands, and if yes, were there any that you fell madly, deeply, strongly in love with? Well, if someone asked me this, I would scream at the top of my lungs that I am heads-over-heel sin love with Essence! And I am so thankful to Indian markets for having accepted this cute little brand so warmly and making it available for us Indian makeup addicts! I mean they are so affordable, such good quality and have such a vast range of products that you just cannot ignore it!

So today I am reviewing one of my most beloved lip creams from the house of Essence!

Product Description: Essence describes this gorgeous artefact in the following expression. “Matt=a must! If you love this lip trend, the velvety-matt, long-lasting lip glosses are ideal for you! The light, mousse-like texture lasts on your lips for several hours without drying them out. Particularly easy to apply, thanks to the flat applicator.”

And man, oh man! Did they exaggerate even once while writing their product claims? I am afraid, not! Ok, agreed that the lip creams do not give the matte effect that the claim talks about, but apart from that—the product is a treat to have!

MRP: Rs.279/- for 4.5ml (BUY HERE)

Packaging, price and Quantity!

The lip creams come in nice long cylindrical tube like packaging which are made of see-through material which makes the shade selection a breeze if you have more than a single shade form the line! Nothing too fancy about the packaging, tbh! Just a regular lip gloss kind of packaging but the fragrance of the product—oh god! I cannot even begin to start praising the sweet vanilla-ish fragrance that this lip cream has! I mean, for 279 bucks you get 4.5 ml of heavenly scented goodness! Trust me I’ll purchase it again and again for the fragrance alone! It is such a mood up lifter, truly!

Shade!

I prefer my lip products very subtle and under stated, and did this particular shade did not let me down even once! On first look (and application) it seemed a bit too light for me and most warm Indian skin tones, but the shade is so workable and can be used as a top-up shade for nude lipsticks which can make the lips look all the more plump and luscious kind of soft! To be honest, the shade is a pale pink with warm undertones and can be used as a perfect nude for lighter skin tones—but for women of colour it can be worked up to lighten your blood lipsticks or to intensify a nude shade!

Texture and Finish of the lip cream!

If you have ever known a soft-matte finish lip cream which is so velvety to apply and feels as if it was whipped up especially to make your lips look luscious—you know what exactly XXXL Long Lasting feels on the lips! The texture literally feels velvety and has a whipped up, almost airy-light-weight formula! One let down to this lip product is that it is not matte—not at all matte! Ok, I can give it a pass by calling soft-matte, almost velvety finish but matte? Not really!

Pigmentation, Coverage and Staying Power!

Not the most pigmented of the lot, but the lip cream is sort of medium coverage! The good point is that it is totally buildable, so there are chances that pigmented lips can give this a try! Though I would recommend using a deep nude lip liner or any lipstick underneath to make the shade work for deeper Indian skin tones!

Staying Power!

To be honest, the lack of mattifying effect, it does transfer very easily so it does not stay put for a very long time! But it can easily get through 3-4 hours with light snacks and drinking (with straw, of course)! The best part is that it fades very evenly, and does not crumble or get accumulated in the corners of the mouth! So this is a win-win! <3

Pros:

Creamy, air-whipped texture
Velvety matte finish
Medium coverage
Stays for 3-4 hours
Makes the lips look lusciously soft and plump
Nice packaging and flat applicator

Cons:

Not the most pigmented
A little pale for Indian skin tones

Rating: 4.8/5

Would I recommend: Definitely yes! If not this particular shade then at least try some other one, but definitely do! The texture and quality is really amazing!

Editor’s Note: I have this one in the shade ‘Silky Red’ and love it, although would have loved better staying power coz I have tried numerous matte lip creams with better staying power later, but for the price it’s really nice. Well reviewed Ishleen 🙂

Have you tried the Essence XXXL Long Lasting Lip Gloss yet?

Kryolan TV Paint Stick Foundation Review, Swatches

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Kryolan TV Paint Stick Foundation Review, Swatches

By Sanchita

INTRODUCTION – I have heard so much about Kryolan from every other MUAs I have met that I had to try out this brand. One thing that draws me closer to this is the innumerable shades that they offer. Getting the perfect match for a foundation and concealer is like a dream come true for every girl (Okhay! I exaggerated that :P) I do not have such skin issues but I have worst possible dark circles that surely needs to be corrected and concealed well. Last week I paid a visit to the store and picked up the TV Paint Stick Foundation in the shade FS 28.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION – Successfully proven cream make-up in stick form. The special base of TV Paint Stick allows a gentle make-up application that provides effective covering at the same time. The Kryolan assortment of more than 250 color nuances for selection is truly extraordinary – which makes this preparation indispensable for stage, film, TV, video work and more.

PRICE – 1000 INR for 25g

Ingredients:

MY REVIEW

Packaging – The Kryolan TV Paint Stick Foundation comes in a dull silver and grey packaging. It has a screw cap and the foundation is in the form of a stick which needs to be twisted up like a lipstick. The packaging is surely efficient but if I have to go for the looks, I am not much impressed. The hygiene factor is also there as you have to use fingers every time. The printed mask reminds me of ‘V for Vendetta’ which surely isn’t something I want on my makeup. Nevertheless, it is light weight and completely travel friendly. The foundation has a weird smell but nothing to put you off completely. It isn’t very overpowering as well so I wouldn’t complain much.

Shade – Coming the shade, it is FS 21. They have countless shades so you really have to choose carefully. This shade I am reviewing today, will suit mostly NC 42-45 and I am actually NC 41. Hence, it comes off as slightly darker on me so I simple use it on the outer perimeter of my face, conveniently skipping the bronzer. However, it works as a great concealer, provided you know the application well. It has strong yellow-peach undertones and hence will be an excellent choice for warm Indian skin tones. It has some deep shades as well which you can use for contouring.

Texture – the texture is thick and unless you are well accustomed with foundations, I would say – stay away from this one. It is in the form of a pan cake stick and the texture is thick. However, it isn’t very hard to deal with if follow certain procedures. The texture makes it slightly time consuming to blend, especially if you have dry and patchy skin. Therefore, use a good moisturizer and primer underneath. It doesn’t have SPF and there isn’t any white cast spelled on the face.

Application – before the application, make sure you have well moisturized canvas to paint this one. The best way to apply this TV Paint Stick is to use fingers and damp sponge. Warm up the product between your fingers and apply on a small area (do not load up too much products at a time). Now, take the damp sponge and keep buffing unless, you see this blending onto the skin. This is a tip I learnt from the MUAs that for this kind of thick texture, it is better to buff with a sponge than drag and blend. For eyes also, warm up the product and softly pat to blend in.

Coverage – coverage is medium to heavy. It has the ability to conceal acne, scars, dark circles (even the worst cases), pigmentation and the list goes on forever. In fact, coverage is the best thing for which the TV Paint Stick is famous for. It doesn’t look ashy or uneven or unnatural, but good coverage to hide and conceal any blemish whatsoever. It is great for a difficult skin which suffers from flaws and also for the wedding and party purposes.

Finish – I have oily skin and the foundation look dewy to transforms to oily in an hour. Therefore, you have to set it with a good powder (preferably loose) and then you are good to go. Dry skin won’t need a powder except for under eyes as it looks dewy on them. I use the Kryolan TL4 which is a yellow base powder to give a brightening effect to the matte skin.

Criticism – the foundation has certain bad points as well. It is very heavy and doesn’t let the skin breathe at all. It blocks the pores very badly and hence, every time I use this, I end up with tiny zits all around the face. So, this isn’t a foundation to be worn every day. The product wont suit sensitive and acne-prone skin so be cautious when you pick this up. For those, you can try the Dermacolor range which is equally good and oil free.

Staying Power – the foundation stays pretty well and survives around 7 hours even during summer. It doesn’t melt down and create a mess but I always use blotting paper or powder touch ups when I feel that the skin is getting slightly oily. It is also water proof as well.

OVERALL – the foundation is multipurpose and efficient. It has high coverage, dewy finish for dry skin and great staying power. On the downside, it takes a lot of time and effort to blend and break outs due to its thickness. For the price, the amount will last a long time.

WHAT I LIKED:

  • Handy and travel friendly packaging.
  • Countless shades to choose from.
  • Can be used as foundation, bronzer and concealer.
  • Blends well into the skin
  • Heavy coverage and doesn’t look unnatural if applied properly.
  • Dewy finish for dry skin and can be made matte with loose powder.
  • Staying power of around 7 hours.
  • Sweat proof.
  • A little amount will last a long time and hence it is surely value for money.

WHAT I DISLIKED:

  • Dull and unhygienic packaging.
  • Not for beginners as it requires a lot of techniques to blend in.
  • Breaks out on skin due to heavy texture.
  • Can’t be used as a regular foundation.

RATING – 3/5

RECOMMENDATION – I have a love and hate relationship with this. Due to the breakout issues, I simply don’t use it very often but only when I want to opt for heavy coverage for special occasion. Normal to dry skin can use it well with proper moisturization and blending and for others, but only if you are looking for super heavy natural coverage.

Editor’s Note: I have heard so much about this Sanchita, and I always wanted to try. But then again I am not much into super heavy coverage and usually prefer water based and light foundations. Though I feel this is perfect for someone who has to be photographed or has to be in front of the camera all the time.

Have you tried the Kryolan TV Paint Stick Foundation yet?