Tag Archives: Skin Care

Oriflame Discover Phuket Exotic Paradise Body Scrub Review

December 21, 2010UncategorizedBody Scrub, Oriflame, Reviews, Skin CareBhumika

Oriflame Discover Phuket Exotic Paradise Body Scrub Review

I had bought this too with my other Oriflame purchases. Its a body scrub from their Discover Phuket range. Its gel like in texture with very small green beads i.e the jojoba esters in it for exfoliation.

What the Company claims: Get soft skin and enjoy the sparling zesty scent.

Directions for use : Apply on wet skin in circular movements and rinse.

MRP- Rs 349/- for 200 ml (I got it for Rs.198/-)

Ingredients: AQUA, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, GLYCERIN, POLYETHYLENE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE,ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, PARFUM, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, METHYLPARABEN,JOJOBA ESTERS, BENZOPHENONE-4, 2-BROMO-2-NITROPROPANE-1,3-DIOL, CI 77288, CI 19140, CI 42090

Pros:
1. I love the smell !! Its very exotic kind truly.
2. It exfoliates well. I felt the difference.
3. A little bit is needed and it foams a lot.
4. I liked the tube packaging.Handy..
5. Its perfect as a body scrub.

Cons:
1. Has SLS…please don’t use it on your face. Its not mentioned but I won’t recommend that as SLS washes away the moisture from your upper layer of skin…which is very thin on the face.
2. Price…if not on offer..349 is a bit steep for this.
3. May be a bit drying for dry skinned people.

Rating:

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

Overall rating-3.5/5

Would I buy it again- Yes may be when on an offer. I want to try the Sea Algae Scrub…I have heard thats even nicer..

Have you tried Oriflame scrubs ?

Oriflame Soothing Foot Cream Review

December 15, 2010Foot Cream, Reviews, Skin careBeauty Blogs, Beauty Blogs India, Foot cream, Foot Cream Review, Foot Creams India, indian beauty blog, indian makeup blog, Moisturiser, Oriflame, Oriflame Foot Cream, Oriflame India, Oriflame Reviews, Oriflame Soothing Foot Cream Review, Reviews, Skin CareBhumika

Oriflame Soothing Foot Cream Review

I am not much into foot creams but when I saw this in the Oriflame catalog..I thought of giving it a try and I am happy I did..read on..

What the Company claims: With a unique blend of moisturisers, chamomile and primrose to soften and soothe. For best results, remove hard skin with the Footfile and massage into feet.

MRP – Rs. 198/- for 75 ml (I got it for Rs. 158/-)

Ingredients : AQUA, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, UREA, GLYCERIN, PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM, SODIUM CETEARYL SULFATE, CETEARETH-12, DIMETHICONE, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, PARFUM, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, LIMONENE, HEXYL CINNAMAL, SORBITOL, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA EXTRACT, PRIMULA VULGARIS, LINALOOL

It is a white colored light cream with a pleasant minty smell. I apply it at night and leave them overnight..the feet are so soft and smooth to touch the next day. I do not have cracks but my mom has..she used it and found a lot of relief in her cracked heels too.

Pros:

1. It moisturises feet amazingly well and leaves them all soft to touch.
2. I love the minty smell.
3. Economical at 198 plus there are always discounts coming up every month..I would suggest to stock it up at a discount.
4. It heals cracked heels in about a week.
5. Fulfills what it claims.
6. Tube packaging which is hygienic.

Cons:

1. Availability..as for all Oriflame products..through consultants. They do have an online option. Check out the Oriflame India site.
2. If you apply a bit too much you would feel greasy and have to wait for it to sink in.
3. It has parabens.

Overall rating- 4/5

Would I buy it again- Yes..its a very nice foot cream…and I think everyone should try it atleast once.

Have you tried it ? Which is your favorite foot cream ?

Skin Care Haul

December 14, 2010UncategorizedFacewash, Garnier, Hauls, Khadi, Lotus, Moisturiser, Oils, Peel Off, Scrubs, Skin Care, Sunscreen, VaselineBhumika

Finally I found Khadi yesterday. There is a huge Khadi grih at the Khadi Lane ahead of VT station..I got a few things from there and some other daily winter essentials..
Here are they..

I got Garnier Body Cocoon, Lotus sun safe spray in SPF 50, Ashwin’s Rose water, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, Glycerine, Everyuth Golden Glow peel off..and some Khadi products..

Which are
Khadi Body Massage Oil with Kesar, Almond oil and Olive oil
Khadi Kesar peel off scrub gel
Khadi Mauri facewash and
Khadi Fresh Jasmine handmade soap.

Khadi has its own hits and misses. Not everything is good and the quality varies coz different things are manufactured at different places in India. I would review these after using..

Have you used any of these ? Do you like Khadi products ?

Vaseline Intensive Care Total Moisture Lotion Review

December 10, 2010UncategorizedDry skin, Moisturiser, Normal skin, Reviews, Skin Care, VaselineBhumika

Vaseline Total Moisture Lotion claims to be for dry skin and containing soya and oat extracts and Vitamin E.
It is a light white colored lotion and medium in consistency. It has a light smell but leaves behind a perfume type scent.

What the Company claims : Feed your skin with essential nutrients to keep it healthy. Non greasy formula nourishes your skin and leaves it feeling silky soft and smooth. Enriched with protein from Soya and Oat extracts and Vitamin E known to make skin healthy. Get soft,smooth,healthy,nourished skin everyday !

MRP – 20ml @ Rs. 6/-, 40ml @ Rs. 22/-, 100ml @ Rs. 49/-, 300ml @ Rs. 119/-

Directions for use – Apply daily all over the body.

Key Ingredients : Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerine, Petroleum jelly, Vitamin E Acetate.

Pros :
1. Comes in various sizes..so easy to get a smaller one and try and also travel friendly.
2. Spreads easily on hands and legs and moisturises well.
3. Gets easily absorbed and does not give a greasy feeling.
4. Keeps skin moisturised whole day.
5. I kinda trust Vaseline as a brand and especially for winters. All the products so far have worked for me.

Cons :
1. Smells ok.
2. Only key ingredients mentioned.
3. They have increased prices marginally from last year.
4. As the lotion reaches the end,one has to wait for it to come out which takes a lot of time. I store the bottle upside down for that.
5. It is meant for dry skin but I think it would suit normal to combination more as dry skin needs extra moisturisation the Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Moisturisation would work better for them I feel.
6. Does not contain SPF.

I also like the Healthy White Lotion and that does help keep tan at bay and lighten the skin 1 shade if not more.

Overall rating- 3.5/5

Would I buy it again- Yes either this or Healthy White…I like both.

P.S : There is a contest going on for this if you have seen the ad. If you buy the 100 ml or 300 ml pack and sms or mail your 24 hour amazing skin story in 200 words with the UCN code, you stand a chance to win a trip to paris for two, laptops, i pod shuffles or talktime worth 2000/-. Check it out here
No,I have not written. I am not good at writing stories and all :p

So have you used this ? Which lotion you using for winters ?

Lakme Honey and Avocado Winter Perfect Day Lotion Review

December 10, 2010UncategorizedCombination skin, Fruits, Honey, Lakme, Moisturiser, Normal skin, Reviews, Skin CareBhumika

Lakme had come out with their all new Fruit Moisture range around a month back..They have this Honey and Avocado Winter Perfect Day lotion, Honey and Avocado Winter Perfect Day Creme, Peach and Plum Daily Glow Moisturiser and Strawberry, Kiwi and Passion Fruit Skin Renewal Night Creme.

Now back to the Honey and Avocado Lotion.

What the Company claims : This deep penetrating 12-hour moisturiser is packed with the richness of honey and avocado. Honey hydrates and smoothens dry, rough and flaky skin. Avocado with its natural moisturising factor, vitamin A (retinol) and E give you young, radiant and beautiful skin. With added SPF, this moisturiser even protects the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

MRP- 55ml for Rs. 75,
100ml for Rs. 130 &
200ml for Rs. 210

Directions for use : Smooth on a dollop over cleansed face and neck for soft, smooth moisturized skin all day.Avoid contact with eyes.

Ingredients : Aqua, glycerin, mineral oil, stearic acid, palmitic acid, cetearyl octanoate, ethylhexyl palmitate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, cyclopentasilicone, cetyl acetate, glyceryl stearate, dimethicone, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetyl alcohol, potassium cetyl phosphate, ethylhexyl salicylate, perfume, magnesium aluminium silicate, Shea butter, cocoa seed butter, titanium dioxide, potassium lactate, tocopheryl acetate, sodium hydroxide, carbomer, disodium edta, sodium pca, retinyl palmitate, propylene glycol, honey extract, avocado fruit extract, CI 15985, phenoxyethanol, methyl paraben, butyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben

Actually though it mentions for the face I use this only on my body. It is a light peach color lotion..neither too thick nor too runny.It has a nice fruity smell and it gets instantly absorbed into the skin without any greasiness. It is a very light lotion and does not give a heavy feeling like we have applied anything anytime.

Pros :
1. Very light and gets easily absorbed.
2. Has a nice fruity smell.
3. Comes in different sizes.
4. Cheap and good value for money.
5. Perfect as body lotion for normal to combination skin types.

Cons :
1. Only SPF is mentioned but not how much.
2. Flip cap is ok kinds.
3. Loads of chemicals including parabens.
4. Not very moisturising for dry or super dry skin.

Overall rating- 3/5

Would I buy it again- Hmm…I am not sure. It is a good everyday body lotion but I have lots of things to finish. I wanted to try something from this range..so got this..May be I will if I need. I think people with normal to combination skin should try this once.

Skin types

December 8, 2010UncategorizedAcne, Combination skin, Dry skin, Moisturiser, Normal skin, oily skinned, Skin Care, Skin TypesBhumika

It is very important for us to know the type of skin we have before buying or using any products on our skin..just like a doctor needs to examine the disease or problem before prescribing any medicines. Many people end up buying the wrong products or some which are not at all meant for their skin.

Source

Skin is basically of three types i .e normal,dry and oily. But there are sub types like combination skin and sensitive skin.

How to determine your skin type :

Wash your face with a mild face wash and pat dry.
After 2-3 hours dab a tissue on your face concentrating more on the T zone i.e your forehead,nose and chin.
Check the tissue and see the following

If the tissue has no trace of oil and your skin feels stretchy,you have dry skin.
If the tissue has traces of oil all over and your skin tends to shine,you have oily skin
If the tissue has no trace of oil and you are comfortable in your skin,you have normal skin.

Now some ppl see traces of oil in some part of the tissue and nothing on the rest,they probably have combination skin which is the most common type. Combination can be oily-normal or oily-dry with oily skin generally on the T zone.
Some people have sensitive skin which reacts easily to some ingredients in the products or some cosmetics. They have to take care of their skin the most. They cannot experiment with products and should stick to natural remedies which suit them well.

Features of different skin types :

Dry skin- It is unable to retain the right amount of moisture. It always appears parched and papery and feels tight and stretchy. One benefit is that this type is less prone to acne but it also gets easily chapped especially in a cold weather. Skin often flakes and it requires frequent moisturisation and a good night cream too. Dry skin if not properly cared for would be more prone to premature fine lines and wrinkles.

Oily skin- This type has over production of sebum by sebaceous glands of the skin. It is excessively oily and greasy and attracts more dirt and dust than the dry skin leading to pimples,blackheads,whiteheads,etc. And thats why the pores should be kept clean by following the cleansing method properly. Washing face with water to keep oil at bay would be recommended but plain water as excessive use of face wash harms the moisture content of the skin. Oily skinned people age more gradually than dry skinned.

Normal skin- This is the best type possible. It has a perfect balance of oil and moisture and there are no dry flakes. The skin is smooth and soft in appearance. But due care should be taken to maintain the suppleness of the skin.

Source

Combination skin- Here some areas like the cheeks have dry skin and some areas like the T zone have oily skin. Both these areas should be cared for according to their types. But now many products are coming out in the market which are especially made for combination skin like the Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture for combination skin.

Sensitive skin- This type of skin gets irritated very quickly and reacts to certain chemicals or strong scents in some cosmetic products. Even waxing,bleaching,tweezing,etc affects the skin and gives rashes.People with such skin should avoid chemicals and stick to natural products.

I would cover skin care and few tried and tested at home remedies in other post.

I have a combination skin which is normal-oily in summers and normal-dry in winters. And my skin is also sensitive to certain things especially waxing,threading,etc..so I need to take proper care of the skin for it not to react.

What type of skin do you have ??

Dandruff – Types, Symptoms, Causes and Cures

December 7, 2010Dandruff, Hair CareAcne, Dandruff, Hair care, Hair Fall, Herbal, Natural Remedies, oily skinned, Skin Care, TipsBhumika

Dandruff – Types, Symptoms, Causes and Cures

Dandruff is the condition where dead skin cells flake from the scalp. And this problem goes severe in winters coz of the dryness. It is said around 50% of the people have suffered from dandruff at some point in their lives.It is normal for dead skin cells to shed from the scalp but it causes dandruff when it starts shedding in thick layers.It may also be due to imbalance of our body function where our metabolism goes haywire.And that is also the reason why most people suffer from dandruff in their puberty or early 20s. It can be chronic i.e long term or due to some short term changes. It is more common in men and people with oily skin. And it may also cause acne on the face and neck especially the greasy dandruff.

There are two types of dandruff i.e dry and greasy.

1. Dry dandruff also known as Pityriasis-capitis is the condition of normal dry flakes shedding from the scalp. This occurs more in cold weather. It can be due to health, diet, stress, environment,etc

2. Greasy dandruff also known as Seborrhea Dermatitis is the condition where scalp is very greasy and the dandruff is thick,oily or scaly. This condition, if severe also needs medical attention and a dermatalogist should be consulted. In this condition scalp itches leading to redness of the scalp which may even cause scalp infection.

Symptoms :

Dry silvery white flakes
Itching
Redness of the scalp
Inflammation
Hair Loss

Causes :

Improper Diet
Stress
Hard shampoos
Infrequent washing
Horomonal change
Excessive cold weather

Some natural remedies for curing :

The best and the most effective method for curing dandruff would be fenugreek (methi) seeds. Soak a handful of methi seeds in water overnight and grind them the next morning. Mix it with curd to get a liquid consistency and apply it on the scalp.Leave on for 30-45 mins and wash off normally. (I do this sometimes and guys THIS WORKS)
Hot Oil Therapy i .e massage the scalp with warm oil and fold it in a damp towel and leave on for 5-10 mins for the moisture to sink in. You can add 2 drops pf rosemary oil too.
Massage your scalp while oiling n shampooing with your fingers. This would increase the blood circulation on your scalp. You can also use an electronic massager like the one Parachute has.
Applying a mix of lemon juice and vinegar (in 1:2 ratio) on oiled hair before a wash.
Avoid harsh shampoos.
One can use 2-3 drops of tea tree oil for the greasy dandruff.
Massaging scalp with baking soda before a wash.
Shampoos with salicylic acid also helps greasy dandruff. But do not use any anti dandruff shampoos more than once a week.
Apply a mixture of egg yolk and curd and leave on for 30 mins and rinse off.
Vitamin D i.e a bit of sun exposure also helps.

Phew..I felt like I was in the exam hall again :p
Hope that helped.

Any other remedies you would like to suggest ?

Biotique Papaya Scrub Review

December 5, 2010UncategorizedBiotique, Biotique Papaya Scrub Review, Body Scrub, Exfoliation, Holy Grail, Reviews, Scrubs, Skin CareBhumika

Biotique Papaya Scrub Review

Biotique Papaya Scrub says it is a soothing and revitalizing scrub suitable for all skin types. The older pack of it read 7 days facial scrub but they have changed the packaging now I guess..

What the Company claims : The enzymes contained in the Papaya Fruit remove dead epithelial cells and deep cleanse the skin. The rubbing of Papaya Fruit helps Speed up natural skin leaving it fresher and younger looking.

Directions for use : Massage on wet face and neck with fingertips. Avoid eye area. Remove with water or damp washcloth. Use daily or as needed.

MRP- Rs 199 for 85 gm or 2.4 oz. (I got it for Rs.180)

Ingredients : Papita 5%, Kela 3%, Khajoor 2%, Neem 5%, Methi 1%, Yasad bhasm Zincum 5%, Ban Haldi 1%, Aam beej 1%, Bees Wax 3.5 %, Gum Acacai 1.5 %, Moongphali 2.5 %, Himalayan Water Q.S

It has all the natural things which are excellent for the skin like papaya, khajoor, neem, bees wax, gum acacia, peanuts, methi, etc. It is a cream colored thick scrub with fruit seeds for exfoliation. I would suggest not using it daily though they mention so in the directions coz daily exfoliation of your very delicate facial skin is not good. You can use it once a week or once in two weeks as you like.

But exfoliation or scrubbing is very important as it removes the dead skin cells from your skin making way for the new ones.

Blended

Pros :

1. It is natural and I would anyday prefer this over the chemical laden scrubs.
2. It leaves skin nice,smooth and soft.
3. Removes dry flakes from the skin.
4. It can be used as a body scrub as well..especially on elbows,knees and places where you have ingrowth.
5. Its expiry is 3 years from the date of manufacture.So it can be used for a long time even if you don’t use it regularly. I love this thing in all Biotique products.
6. I like the nice fruity smell.
7. Its very very creamy and I even keep it for a few minutes on the skin like a pack..so it would work both ways..as it has all the good stuff.

Cons:

1. As all Biotique products it comes in a tub making it difficult to use when its close to getting finished. Its unhygienic to use fingers.You can use a plastic spoon or something to remove the scrub.
2. The price is a bit high if you use it as a body scrub as it will finish up sooner.Its decent enough if used only as a face scrub as little goes a long way.
3. It stings a bit while scrubbing but nothing abnormal. I would suggest people with sensitive skin to do a patch test first before using it on face.

So overall I would suggest it to everyone as its damn good and my HG scrub.
Though I have’nt tried the much famous St. Ives Apricot and also Nivea Visage and others but those mostly have SLS which I think is harmful for th skin.

I have tried Nomarks Apricot scrub which I will review later.But I love this natural baby more…;)

Rating:

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

Overall Rating – 4.25/5

Would I buy this again -Yes yes I would surely.

Have you tried this scrub ??Which is your HG scrub ?

New Love – Makeup

Makeup – Beauty – Fashion – Lifestyle