Don’t we all love a good pampering session every now and then? I love masking, especially on weekends while the weather is changing outdoors. Currently I am loving this new launch by Dermafique, which is their range of Bio Cellulose Face Masques. Why, you ask? Because it’s a perfect burst of hydration for the dry and dehydrated skin when the weather is changing and the skin definitely needs that added moisture burst.
Why is the Dermafique Bio Cellulose Masque better than the regular Tissue based sheet masks?
The Dermafique Bio Cellulose Masque delivers superior hydration and efficacy, as compared to other masks. The range is made of biodegradable Bio Cellulose fibers, and are Made of 100% Natural Coconut Water. Bio Cellulose fibers have great absorbency and penetration. They don’t dry out on the skin. Ordinary tissue masks don’t adhere very well on the face and tend to fall off or slip and even tear off at places when trying to adjust. Bio Cellulose Masks are thicker comparatively, never tear off, and adhere to the skin perfectly and do not fall off or slide!
Dermafique Bio Cellulose Masques are derived from 100% Natural Coconut Water, they use patented technology and are dermatologically tested on Indian Skin as well!
Dermafique has launched 3 Bio Cellulose Face Masques,
Charcoal – For Anti Pollution
Pore Tightening – For tightening pores and providing hydration
Tone Perfecting – To reduce uneven skin tone
The Dermafique Bio Cellulose Charcoal Face Masque offers deep pore cleansing which helps unclog pores and removes dead skin, leaving it cleaner, brighter and healthier. Charcoal sucks out the toxins and pollutants from the skin and the hydrating ingredients like glycerin, honey, green tea, etc. give that added moisture boost to the skin.
The Dermafique Bio Cellulose Pore Tightening Masque tightens skin pores and provides deep hydration to the skin. It detoxifies and purifies skin, making it look smoother, softer and firmer. The second ingredient here is Niacinamide which helps in reducing the appearance of pores, controlling the sebum/oil production and calming irritated/inflammed skin.
The Dermafique Bio Cellulose Tone Perfecting Masque leaves skin appearing more even toned. It improves skin complexion by reducing the appearance of blemishes and dark spots, making it look more youthful and radiant. The second ingredient here again is Niacinamide, and additionally it has Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Chamomile and Grapefruit extracts as primary ingredients that help nourish and hydrate the skin and add that needed moisture back to the skin making it soft and plump.
They are priced at Rs.299/- each and are meant for all skin types.
How to use:
Open the pack and unfold the masque, discard the non-woven film and place the mask on the face, remove the white plastic film and adjust the mask. Keep it for 30 minutes and then take off, gently massage/pat your skin or wash with water, if required.
My experience:
Dermafique Bio Cellulose Masque is definitely one of the best masks I have used. It fit the contours of my face perfectly and did not slide off even once. There was absolutely no issue in using it, no messiness or serum dripping everywhere as the masque holds the serum well.
I used the Tone Perfecting Masque and my skin felt soft, plump and hydrated immediately. Also there was no stickiness after removing the mask and the serum got absorbed into the skin. The masque was cooling and refreshing, and for summers if you store it in a refrigerator, it will be all the more refreshing. It’s perfect for a chilled weekend at home, where you do nothing and still get a facial like glow in 30 minutes.
Overall, I am pretty happy with the Tone Perfecting Masque and how my skin looked after. I would highly recommend the Dermafique Bio Cellulose Face Masques. You can buy them HERE
My Current Favourite Skin Care Products Step by Step
Hi guys,
So I did this skin care series on my Instagram, and if you follow me on Instagram you would know I am obsessed with skin care. I thought of sharing the same here on my blog as well.
I absolutely love skin care and I feel good skin is the base for any makeup look, you don’t need super heavy coverage foundations and concealers if you have good skin, the layers will only end up making your base look heavy and cakey. A major % of how your skin behaves depends on genetics and diet. You can only control the diet part of course and regular skin care with good diet can solve a lot of your skin concerns.
I have been super regular with my skin care since more than a year now and have noticed a huge difference in my pores, lines, texture, pigmentation around the mouth, etc. I do have a detailed skin care routine video on my channel, but the products keep on changing as I experiment and review new brands and as per how my skin is feeling, the order is the same though (Watch HERE)
Step 1: Double Cleanse
Starting with Step 1 which is Double Cleanse, as the name suggests it means cleansing twice. First cleanse with an oil/balm especially if you are wearing makeup/sunscreen. Oil or balm will melt all the makeup/dirt/grime from the pores. You need to massage the oil or balm well for 30-40 seconds and then emulsify it with water for 10-15 seconds. Then follow with the second cleanse, which will be a gentle foaming cleanser. It will wash off all the excess oil/dirt left, if any. You can also use a reusable cloth wipe to remove the makeup after first cleanse, only water also works for me.
I haven’t bought makeup wipes in years and would not recommend them at all, they are very harsh on the skin + not bio degradable. I do have a few bio degradable ones which I use, only when I am travelling.
Coming to micellar water, you can use it as a first cleanse but you absolutely need to do the second cleanse with it unlike the ‘no rinse’ marketing claim. Micellar water is made of small micelles which leave a surface residue on the skin. I am not a fan of micellar waters because oils/balms do the best job in removing makeup for me, plus some micellar waters sting my sensitive eyes.
Products shown:
1. Isadora Cleansing Oil
2. Pixi Beauty Hydrating Makeup Remover with coconut & probiotics
3. Heimish All Clean Balm
4. Pixi Double Cleanse Balm
5. Clinique Take The Day Off
6. Pond’s Cleansing Balm
7. DHC Deep Cleansing Oil
8. Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash (soap free)
9. Suganda Centella Green Tea Face Wash
10. Forest Essentials Kashmiri Saffron & Neem Delicate Facial Cleanser
11. Kama Ayurveda Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam with Sandalwood & Aloe Vera
Step 2 is Tone/Treat, it’s CTTM now in place of CTM. Treat is a very essential step in skincare and all your actives, serums, essence are a part of Treat.
Toners and Serums can be exfoliating or hydrating. If you use an exfoliating toner, go for a hydrating/calming serum and vice versa. You can also use both hydrating (if you have exfoliation in your cleanser/moisturizer) but don’t use both exfoliating because we don’t want to sensitize our skin. I like actives (Vit C, Chemical Exfoliants, etc.) in the form of toners and serums. Things you should add in your skincare routine, if you haven’t already:
Vitamin C AHA/BHA Niacinamide (optional)
Vit C (Ascorbic Acid) increases production of collagen, reduces hyper pigmentation and evens out skin tone, brightens skin and protects against pollution and sun damage.
Best used in serum form (10-20%) Start with 10%, when used in the mornings before sunscreen, boosts the protection from sun damage.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids i.e. Glycolic, Lactic, Mandelic, etc are water soluble and work on surface layer of skin, works better for dry/dull skin. Beta Hydroxy Acids i.e. Salicylic Acid is oil soluble and goes deep into the pores to unclog the pores and hence works well for oily, acne prone skin.
Both AHA/BHA unglue the bond holding dead skin on the surface and exfoliate the skin. Also help improve the texture, bumps, minimize the appearance of pores and uneven skin tone, etc. But you need to be regular to see results.
If you are a beginner at chemical exfoliation, start with Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic which has 5% Glycolic Acid and is gentle enough for everyday use as well.
Suganda AHA/BHA serums are also very gentle for beginners as they are balanced with Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) and Green Tea. Paula’s Choice 8% AHA gel works well for dry skin and 2% BHA liquid exfoliant for oily/acne prone skin or those with enlarged pores. Dr.Sheths Gulab Glycolic Toner is also very, very gentle for daily use. (You can use my coupon code ‘BHUMIKA’ to get 20% off on Dr.Sheths products)
Niacinamide (Vit B3) helps in reducing inflammation, redness, regulates oil production & minimizes the appearance of pores. Works best with Zinc, in serum form. (5-20%, can start with 5-10%) You can add it at a later stage.
Step 3 is Repair/ Hydrate which will again have serums and essences, now if you have used an active serum/toner, you can use an hydrating essence to balance and calm. This will include mostly calming, repairing and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, cica, honey, propolis, ceramides, etc. Some repairing serums/essences may have little actives, so on some days you can skip actives all together and just use this.
The Paula’s Choice Azelaic Acid and the Olay Retinol24 Serum fall under actives but I use them on non active days or just with Niacinamide (not with AHA or BHA) and they have a cream gel and a serum like consistency + some hydrating ingredients.
Products shown:
Secret Key Multi Cell Night Repair
May Coop Raw Sauce
Guerlain Abeille Royale
Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Serum Dr.Sheths Cica & Ceramide Repair Serum
Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Serum
Step 4 Moisturize
Now you generally wouldn’t go wrong with a Moisturizer, it’s a pretty basic skincare product and most brands make a good one. The only rule you need to remember is keep it simple, less ingredients, and no fragrance if possible.
Moisturizer should have occlusives, humectants and emollients.
Occlusives (petrolatum and other oily substances) hold the water in. Humectants (glycerine, honey, panthenol, etc.) pull water both from the air and from deeper layers of skin. Hence occlusives and humectants are used together, to trap the moisture in, and to not let it pull from the skin. Emollients like some fatty alcohols fill the dry, flaky skin with fatty substances, called lipids, which make your skin smoother and softer.
Other ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamins, etc. are added benefits.
Now you can use the same Moisturizer day and night if you like, but I would say use a night cream with a slightly heavy texture or a sleeping mask, which will help repair the skin. Also since most people now sleep in an air conditioned room, the added moisture and sealing helps.
Apart from these, I also really love Suganda White Lotus Moisturizer in summers and the Rosehip Moisturizer in winters.
Step 5 for daytime and the most important is Sunscreen.
You may spend thousands on skin treatments and expensive skin care products, but even few minutes of direct sun exposure without sunscreen can negate all the effects.
UVA and UVB rays can cause skin cancer and lead to premature aging, wrinkles and sun spots.
UVA (Aging) rays can cause tanning and aging and UVB (Burning) rays can cause burning, your sunscreen should be broad spectrum meaning protect against both rays.
Chemical exfoliation and actives make your skin photosensitive, so you cannot skip your sunscreen at all.
Sunscreen can be physical (with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, etc.) Or chemical (with avobenzone, octisalate, oxybenzone, etc.) Earlier, physical sunscreens used to leave a strong, white cast but now you most physical sunscreens use nano technology and the nano particles blend in better. Physical ingredients block the UV rays and chemical absorb and scatter. I like a mix of both in my sunscreens, but if you are allergic to any chemical ingredient, make sure you check the ingredients before you buy.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) denotes the time your skin can be protected from UVB rays i.e.burning. If your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun without burning for approximately 150 minutes.
You can use SPF 30 or 50, but the key is reapplication every two hours!
PA denotes protection from UVA rays and PA+++ is the best and highest level (some countries have researched and included PA++++ in certain products)
So SPF 30 PA+++ should be good enough, but make sure you reapply. You can reapply in spray or powder form if you have makeup on through the day. Also you need one teaspoon qty for face and one shot glass qty for entire body in one application (especially the exposed skin)
Products shown:
1. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ PA+++
2. Brinton UV Doux Silicone Sunscreen Gel SPF50 PA+++
3. Biotique Bio Aloe Vera SPF30 (good for indoors or entire body)
4. Skin & Lab FreC Sun Lotion SPF 50+ PA+++ (with Vit C)
5. Organic Harvest SPF 60 PA+++
6. Avene Very High Protection Emulsion SPF
Weekly Treatments
Apart from my daily skincare routine, I also use some masks and additional exfoliation products once a week or once in 10-11 days.
You can increase Retinol to once in 2-3 days once your skin is past the ‘Retinization’ phase, I am using it once a week currently. I use the @deciem Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2%. Granactive Retinoid has hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), a retinoic acid ester with a similar action on the skin as Retin-A. It is not the same as Retinol, and hence 2% of that is actually equal to very less retinol comparatively but there is no exact proven measurement.
Also once your skin gets used to regular acids, you can try the 30% AHA, 2% BHA from Ordinary which is an amazing at home exfoliating peel. But do not try it if you have very sensitive skin or your skin barrier is compromised or you can’t tolerate acids. There are a lot of precautions you need to take like skin should be dry, not to keep longer than 10mins, follow with a rich Moisturizer and loads of sunscreen, etc.
For beginner level, I would recommend the Secret Key lemon sparkling peeling gel, Pixi Peel & Polish.
My favourite masks when my skin is feeling dry are Fresh Rose Mask, Biossance Squalane + Vit C Rose Mask and Glamglow Thirsty Mud. For breakouts, Glamglow Supermud, Raw Nature Dead Sea Mud & Charcoal, Pixi T zone Peel off mask.
Also apart from these, pretty much all of The Body Shop Masks. I am not a fan of sheet masks, I haven’t bought a sheet mask in years (also most are not bio degradable). But I do have a lot of them from PR which I am trying to finish.
Let me know your skincare routine and your current favourite skin care products in the comments below 🙂
Top 3 Basic Steps To Take Care Of Your Skin While Travelling, This Will Change Your Skincare Game
Hi guys,
Many of you have often asked how I take care of my skin when I travel or what’s my basic skin necessities while I travel. It’s difficult to carry a load of products when travelling, especially the big, bulky bottles or tools that I use for everyday basics, but I have some tricks that have helped me. Read on to know more…
As you guys know, cleansing the skin is of most importance and for me as it’s very important to remove all the makeup completely and thoroughly. I have mentioned more on skincare and cleansing in my previous post HERE
Further to investing in my FOREO LUNA2 I have never looked back on deep cleansing, as it has really helped my skin remove dirt, clogged pores and prevented blackheads from occurring while being gentle at it and also helps with anti-ageing especially after I hit my 30’s. But it’s quite big to fit in my travel pouch on days when I want to bag pack. However since I can’t live without my LUNA2 and my love for it even when I travel, I thought I should get something handy and travel friendly, so I got myself the FOREO LUNA Play. It’s the size of a macaron that fits well in my bag yet still cleanses the skin powerfully and thoroughly.
Moving on to the skincare routine, I remove my makeup with a cleansing wipe from KAYA to get rid of all the basic makeup. I go over with a cotton ball and micellar water by Garnier to take off any waterproof makeup remnants that still sticks to my skin. I gradually use the LUNA Play with a facewash by Vichy as the final step, to ensure complete removal of makeup, dirt, grime. When you are travelling and out the whole day, there is a lot of dirt, sweat, pollution etc. in your pores which when not cleansed properly, will result into break outs and damaged skin.
Once the skin is completely cleansed, I use a hydrating moisturizer from Clinique and a toner from Pixi Beauty. But for travel I generally pick sample sachets from dutyfree and use them as and when needed or transfer small quantities from the big containers into small containers to travel with.
Moving on I use Kiehls Eye Cream with avacado along with my FOREO IRIS eye massager around my eye. The IRIS’s two tap eye Tsonic technology helps reduce visible signs of crows feet, dark circle, eye bags and beautifully absorbs all the ingredients from my eye cream. Inspired by the lymphatic eye massages practiced in Asia, the innovative IRIS enhances the visible benefits of this technique beyond the capability of fingertips alone. Its unique T-Sonic technology features 2 modes, each designed to gently massage and smooth the eye contour. Not just that my eye feel completely relaxed after a long day out travelling in the sun and time difference, that often leads to jet lag and I can’t sleep well when I travel and it shows under and around the eyes immediately with dark circles, under eye bags and puffiness.
After My Skin Cleanse I Switch To My FOREO IRIS to relax my eyes
IRIS helps with blood circulation around the eye area, so this is a must have when travelling. You can be rest assured there will be no puffiness or under eye bags if you use every day during your travel.
Lastly, I use a face mist to keep the skin fresh and hydrated. Of course, lots of water to keep the skin and body hydrated internally.
My Travel Skincare Essentials That I Swear By
That’s about it, not too many products but these two tools have definitely helped keep my skin clear and fresh when I travel. Most products I use are definitely towards cleansing as that is the most important step in skin care as I already mentioned.
How do you take care of your skin when you travel? Let me know in the comments.
Winter Skincare Routine for Face/Body/Lips feat. Himalaya Herbals
Hi guys,
If you don’t already know, I have got a fracture and I have been on bed rest since the past three weeks. I am at my parents’ place and the only thing I carried along with me in terms of skincare is this Winter Bundle I got from Himalaya Herbals.
I am so glad that all the things I would need in this winter season are a part of this bundle. I have been using these since the past 3 weeks and let me tell you my thoughts..
Starting with body care, I have three body lotions from Himalaya
Himalaya Herbals Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion (With Cocoa Butter & Wheat Germ Oil- for extra dry skin)
Himalaya Herbals Nourishing Body Lotion (With Aloe Vera & Winter Cherry- for normal skin)
Himalaya Herbals Soothing Body Lotion (With grape seed and almond oil- for dry skin)
Each one is priced at Rs.140/- for 200ml (Buy HERE)
They all come in the standard white Himalaya Herbals packaging with the green flip cap. They all have Hydra-Nutri Balance which is ‘Hydration’ i.e. locking skin’s moisture and increasing skin’s capacity to hold moisture and ‘Nutrition’ which is some ingredients that help benefit the skin. Each body lotion has different blend of ingredients, as per the skin type.
I don’t have very dry skin but it does get more dry during winters. Especially the hands and legs. I use the Nourishing or Soothing Body Lotion during the day time and the Cocoa Butter Intensive Body Lotion during the night time. My skin remains soft, supple and moisturized. It does not crave moisture and I don’t get white patches or flaky skin after few hours. I am really enjoying these body lotions and I would recommend the Cocoa Butter one for people with dry skin and the other two for normal skin.
Coming to the face creams, I have
Himalaya Herbals Clear Complexion Whitening Day Cream (Lightens Skin tone & UV Protection- with Licorice & White Dammer) MRP: Rs.250/- for 50g (Buy HERE)
Himalaya Herbals Revitalizing Night Cream (Restores moisture balance, nourishes & repairs- with White Lily & Tomato) MRP: Rs.200/- for 50g (Buy HERE)
Day Cream Claims:
Ingredients:
Night Cream Claims:
Ingredients:
They come in a clear glass jar packaging with a curved green cap and a white separator in between. The day cream is beige in color while the night cream is white. They both are super light in texture and doesn’t leave any greasy/heavy feeling. They get absorbed instantly. The day cream has a soft licorice smell while the night cream has a soft lily smell, as the ingredients in it.
The day cream also has Cinnabloc which helps in UV protection, but the SPF is not mentioned, so I would not advise skipping your sunscreen. Additional UV protection though is always welcome. It has licorice extracts which help in fading dark spots/acne scars and evening out your skin tone.
The Revitalizing Night Cream from Himalaya Herbals is one of my Holy Grail products, I have done a detailed review years ago HERE. It was my first night cream.
I absolutely love the affect of this cream on the skin overnight. In just 3-4 days, you will notice a difference in your skin. Both tomato and white lily are very good for your skin and it does make my skin very supple and plump, leaves it evenly moisturized and hydrated with no dry areas in the morning.
And there are two face and body creams, which work for both..
Himalaya Herbals Nourishing Skin Cream (Light & Non Greasy- with Indian Kino tree, Aloe Vera, Winter Cherry) MRP: Rs.125/- for 100ml (Buy HERE)
These can be used for both face and body. I use the nourishing skin cream on my face & hands right after bath. It is not very heavy, but if you compare it to the day cream, then yes it is heavier. If you have dry skin, you would like this Nourishing Skin Cream more than the day cream, coz your skin will need more hydration.
And the Winter Defense Moisturizing Cream is very heavy, I would recommend using it for dry patches on the body like the knees and elbows and the feet. I love applying a thick layer of it on my feet and cover my feet with warm socks and keep them overnight. If you have cracked feet, this will help you in healing them. Do it daily for 7 days, and your feet will be super soft with no dryness or cracks.
Coming to the lips, I have..
Himalaya Herbals Natural Soft Vanilla Care (MRP: Rs.125/- for 4.5g- Buy HERE)
Himalaya Herbals Strawberry Shine Lip Care (MRP: Rs.125/- for 4.5g- Buy HERE)
They both come in a standard lip balm twist up packaging with matching caps. The vanilla one has white and beige vanilla-cocoa swirls on the inner tube. I love the way it looks and smells, absolutely love the soft and warm vanilla scent. It is clear and a perfect night time lip balm. It hydrates the lips overnight and keeps them soft through the day. I have super chapped lips, they are dry as a desert throughout the year and more so in winters. But thankfully this time around, these lip balms have kept me away from chapped and painful lips which I suffer from each winter.
Strawberry Shine one has a soft pink tint which is good for day time, not a fan of the scent of this one though.
I love the fact both Himalaya Herbals lip balms are free of mineral oil and petroleum jelly. I know most of us have used petroleum jelly for our lips before, but what it does is, it seals/locks the lips and does not allow the external moisture to reach the lips. Lips and the skin around eyes don’ have oil glands and cannot get moisturized (produce natural oils) on it’s own. So when it comes to lips, they start feeling dry and require constant application when petroleum jelly is used. I also read it in Dr. Rashmi Shetty’s book ‘Age Erase’ recently. She recommends beeswax, shea butter, cocoa butter, etc. based lip balms, and hence these are absolutely perfect. You can feel these are free from mineral oil and petroleum jelly, the texture is very waxy and not oily.
Overall, I would say I am in love with most of these products and they are absolutely perfect for winters. I am only using these since the past three weeks and I have carried only these with me. Highly recommend them! My favourites are the day and night cream, body lotions and the vanilla lip balm.
Have you tried these products? Let me know your current winter skincare routine.
So as I mentioned in my previous post that I wanted to try this pack, I went ahead and bought it from my local chemist. This is something new for me because I haven’t tried this face pack from Himalaya Herbals yet. I have used the Purifying Neem a lot and have also tried the Refreshing Fruit Pack before.
What the Company claims: Himalaya’s Fairness Kesar Face Pack is a unique natural formulation that evens out skin tone for a fairer you! Turmeric, Walnut, Indian Aloe and Kesar rejuvenate and cleanse your skin of impurities, to reveal a natural glow. Walnut and Indian Aloe heal the skin and remove blackheads. Turmeric and Kesar enhance your skin’s complexion and elasticity. CINNABLOC™, our patented, herbal sunscreen agent, protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Key ingredients:
Turmeric has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which soothe your skin gently. The herb helps to even out your skin tone and complexion. It also helps to retain the skin’s elasticity and makes it supple.
Walnut has slightly acidic properties. It is particularly effective in treating acne and in soothing sunburned skin and eczema. Walnut helps in skin cell regeneration and in toning the skin because of its astringent properties.
Indian Aloe acts as an antibacterial and an astringent, which accelerates the healing of injured skin. Indian Aloe also softens and hydrates skin.
Kesar lightens skin, clears spots, enhances the complexion and gives skin an even tone.
Directions: Apply Fairness Kesar Face Pack evenly over cleansed face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes and mouth. Let the pack dry for 10-15 minutes, and remove with a wet sponge or towel. Rinse with cool water. For best results, use twice a week.
MRP: Rs.70/- for 50g, Rs.130/- for 100g
It comes in the same white and green Himalaya Herbals flip cap tube packaging. It’s a thick, creamy mask and light yellow in colour. It has this soft powdery smell, but doesn’t smell of kesar or turmeric.
I wash my face and towel dry it lightly, keeping it a little damp for the mask to glide on well. Apply it all over the face avoiding eyes and lips and keep it on for 20 minutes before washing off, massaging it with circular motions with wet hands while taking it off.
I have used it 3-4 times till now, like twice a week, and I can say that this does not make your skin fairer, I think what they mean is detan. It definitely removes tan and lightens the acne scars a bit, to make the skin even. But it does require regular and continuous use to show results.
Kesar and turmeric are very good to even out skin while turmeric is also anti-bacterial. Indian Aloe soothes the skin.
Skin feels soft, supple and fresh post usage. I do need a moisturizer post washing the mask though.
I would recommend this face pack in summers, especially if you have tanned after your holidays, this does remove your tan with regular use. I would keep my use once a week now.
You can check out Himalaya Herbals on Facebook HERE and on twitter HERE and also more from their Face Care Range HERE
Have you tried the #HimalayaHerbals #FairnessKesarFacePack yet? What do you think of it?
Top 10 Chocolate Based Beauty Products in India, Prices, Buy Online
By Archana
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! Who doesn’t love chocolates? Gone are the days when we only had chocolate drinks, chocolate cookies, chocolate cakes, etc. Today, we have loads of chocolate based beauty products on the shelves to appease our chocolate cravings. Here we go! The best chocolate based products you need to get your hands on immediately! Note – most of them are organic brands, as only they use the original chocolate extracts. Other brands just use an artificial fragrance of chocolates.
Chocolate is best for nourishing dry skin. And what better way than to add it in your daily moisturiser? This cream from Shahnaz Husain takes care of dry skin owes, heals dry gives a healthy, glowing look.
2. Plum Choco-Latte Luxuriant Body Lotion- Price: Rs.380 for 200ml. (Buy HERE)
Have you ever dreamed of bathing in choco-latte? Luxury comes in a bottle! I am not kidding when I say this is one of the best chocolate based products you definitely need to try. Already reviewed on the blog. It is a deeply hydrating body lotion with a delicious smell of hot chocolate.
3. The Natures Co Chocolate Creme Body Wash- Price: Rs.995 for 250ml. (Buy HERE)
Indulge in a yummy, creamy bath experience with The Nature;s Co body wash. Chocolate has excellent anti-ageing and antioxidative properties which work wonders on your skin. You can feel your skin young, soft, smooth and nourished. It also heals and calms irritated skin.
4. Aloe Veda Distil After Bath Oil – Chocolate Vanilla- Price: Rs.975 for 200ml. (Buy HERE)
This is a light and non-sticky after-bath oil which helps to restore moisture and keeps skin soft and supple. Infused with the rich and decadent flavor of Swiss Chocolate vanilla, this is a luxury treat for choco and vanilla lovers.
5. Bliscent Chocolate Cheeks Face Mask- Price: Rs.200 for 30g.
Face pack lovers would fall head over heels for this yummy, delicious chocolate mask. It comes in a powder form and you can mix with milk or yogurt. It removes all dirt and impurities and leaves your face fresh and your heart happy.
6. Vedic Line Choco Cherry Mud Pack with Cherry extracts- Price: Rs.210 for 65ml and Rs.200 for 60ml respectively. (Buy HERE)
This is a mud pack made from volcanic mud. It cools and soothes the skin while the chocolate and cherry extracts maintain the moisture levels and provide hydration. It doesn’t dry out skin unlike other mud packs. Also, Vedic Line has a Choco Almond Oil Complex, a face and body massage oil, which helps to maintain elasticity and improve
7. Juicy Chemistry Mochalicious Collection- Price: Rs.1800 for the collection (Buy HERE)
If you want to include a whole collection of chocolate products in your regimen, Juicy Chemistry is the right choice. They have a Mochalicious Collection which includes Vanilla Hazelnut Latte Gourmet Soap, Sweet Orange & Mocha Body Scrub/Mask, Choco Mint Body Butter, Choco Mint Lip Butter and Choco Mint Lip Scrub. All the products are 100% natural and paraben-free.
8. Skincafe Chocolate Party Lip Care Set- Price: Rs.900 for the set (Buy HERE)
If you want to show some TLC for your lips, then try this choco lip care set from Skincafe. It contains Vanilla Crème Brûlée Lip Butter, Choco Chip Cookies Lip Scrub & Mint Chocolate Brownie Lip Tint Balm. The perfect and delicious way to pamper your lips.
9. Vert Choco Smoothie Face & Body Mask- Price: Rs.1500 for 100g.
Indulge yourself in a luxurious experience with this face and body mask. The natural cocoa powder, french clay and cocoa butter heals the skin from sunburns and rejuvenates it making your skin soft, smooth, glowing and moisturized. And have a real choco smoothie while putting on this mask :p
10. Temple Spa Double Truffle
Its difficult to get Temple Spa products in India. But some online sites like Aplava.com and Amazon stock them. The Double Truffle is a special pot containing two of Temple Spa’s bestselling moisturizers – Skin Truffle and Truffle Noir, day cream and night cream respectively. It is an award winning product and the formula delivers active ingredients including black truffles, pure gold and silk along with extracts of champagne, chocolate and strawberries. The night cream has additional skin renewal and repairing complexes to give a young and glowing radiance. Sounds extremely tempting, right?
So these are the best chocolate based beauty products available in India. Which ones have you tried? Which is your favorite? Share in the comments below.
Editor’s Note: These sound so good, I want to try the Temple Spa Double Truffle! I would like to add the Hedonista Chocolate Face Souffle Mask, I absolutely love it!
Do you love chocolate based skincare products? Your favourite?
Vichy Ideal White Meta Whitening Sleeping Mask Review
Hey guys,
I have used the previous Vichy Sleeping Mask i.e. the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Night Spa which I absolutely loved. So I was curious to try this new one.
What the Company claims: The range employs metabolic whitening with powerful active ingredients that work in harmony with each other to give Asian women the three dimensional fairness that they strive for – flawless, luminous and radiant skin. The 1st whitening sleeping mask three times more effective that works overnight for a dewy, brighter and fairer skin.
Product Concern:
• Hyper-pigmentation.
• Dull complexion.
• Sensitive skin.
• Hydration
MRP: Rs.2350/- for 75ml
Ingredients:
First of, I am not happy with the ‘Whitening’ tag it has. They can claim dewy, luminous, brighter, radiant skin and all that which they have but why whitening :/
It comes in a white glass tub with a pink cap and a mirror finish top. The mask is gel like in texture with a light pink tint and small tiny white beads in it. The beads are not meant for exfoliation, they dissolve on the skin when you massage the gel on your skin.
It has an aquatic plus a little chemically smell, not very pleasant. I like the gel based texture, that makes it very easy to glide on and massage. It can be used as a night cream or a night sleeping mask, either way the method of application is the same, just as a mask, you need to apply a little thicker layer.
As a night cream, it doesn’t get absorbed into your skin. It just sits on your face like a mask, and you have to wash it off the next morning. So ideally it is a mask only.
Now I have been using it on and off and stopped in between for a few days coz I broke out twice in between and had to see if this product is breaking me out. I once tried it as a mask during the day and kept it on and after 15-20 minutes, my skin was feeling a little itchy and hence I had to wash it off. I realized this mask was breaking me out earlier too, hence the delay in review.
There is some ingredient in the mask that does not go well with my skin and my skin starts feeling itchy and it breaks me out. So now I use it as a normal mask, apply and keep it on for 10 minutes and wash it off, I do not keep it ON for whole night.
If you have sensitive skin, I would not advise you to try this. This is good for dry skin and skin instantly feels hydrated and nourished even in 10-15 minutes. It definitely removes your tan and gives a translucent sheen to your skin which I love. I wish my skin didn’t react to this.
If I had to pick one out of the two Vichy Sleeping Masks I have tried, I liked the Aqualia Thermal Night Spa more.
Overall I would say, it is definitely amazing to remove tan and hydrate your skin, it does give a nice glow, but obviously temporary, you have to keep using it to see results. It does give a dewy, brighter skin as it claims. If you use it 2-3 times a week, that would be good enough. I recommend it for normal to dry skin. Though it mentions ideal for sensitive skin, I would not suggest it for them, unless you check the ingredients and are aware if your skin reacts to a particular ingredient.
Have you tried the Vichy Ideal White Meta Whitening Sleeping Mask yet?
The Body Shop British Rose Shower Gel, Body Scrub Review
Hi guys,
I have been using The Body Shop British Rose Range Shower Gel and Body Scrub since quite some time now. And here is what I think of it..
The Body Shop British Rose Gel Body Scrub
What the Company claims: Exfoliating feels exquisite with this beautiful gel textured body scrub with real rose petals. Infused with the essence of roses from Britain, it effortlessly melts onto the skin and gently refines to reveal smoother, fresher skin.
– reveals smoother, fresher skin
– fresh dewy gel texture
– with real rose petals
– with the essence of hand-picked british roses
Ingredients:
MRP: Rs.1295/- for 250ml
The Body Shop British Rose Shower Gel
What the Company claims: Awaken your skin with the irresistibly dewy scent of roses. Our cleansing Shower Gel is infused with the essence of hand-picked roses from Britain to make showering feel blooming beautiful.
– Soap-free cleanser
– Rose scented and Lather rich
– With the essence of hand-picked British roses
Ingredients:
MRP: Rs.450/- for 250ml
First of, I love the entire light pink and black packaging of this range. It looks fabulous, plus the British Rose range is so delicate and fresh.
The body scrub comes in a black tub plastic packaging. It is a gel based scrub just like the Virgin Mojito and Fuji Green Tea Ranges. It has soft brown beads for exfoliation which are walnut shell powder, as per the ingredients. And the base is water based and jelly like with a soft pink tint. The smell is amazing, not at all strong, but feminine and soft.
The scrub particles are not harsh and it leaves the skin gently exfoliated. If you expect hard core exfoliation, then this alone won’t do. I would suggest you use this body scrub with The Body Shop Exfoliating Gloves.
The shower gel comes in a transparent bottle with black flip cap. The bottle is plastic and not heavy. The shower gel is thin and runny and has a light pink tint. I absolutely love the smell of this, this smells more of ‘British Rose’ than the body scrub too. It foams well and washes off well, without leaving the skin dry.
I tried using it without loofah and you end up using a lot and it won’t foam enough. So I suggest using it only with a loofah.
This range also has a Bath Foam (if you have a bath tub at home), Body Butter, Hand Cream, Exfoliating Soap and EDT. EDT sadly was out of stock everywhere. I am definitely looking forward to try the EDT once I get my hands on it.
Overall, I would say, I absolutely love the fresh British Rose smell and this range. It is not at all strong or artificial like usual rose scented products are. You can smell the difference in the first whiff. It is soft, feminine and delicate but refreshing. Although the smell doesn’t stay for long with 1-2 products, it would if you use 3-4 products from the range together i.e. along with the body butter and EDT. Highly recommend this range!
Have you tried The Body Shop British Rose Range? What do you think of it?
I have always been a fan of Himalaya Herbals products, some of them are my Holy Grail and I have been using them since my school and college days i.e. years literally!
Today I am reviewing their Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub.
What it does: Himalaya’s Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub exfoliates dead skin cells to remove impurities that routine cleansing cannot tackle. It contains Crab Apple, a soothing antiseptic and keratolytic agent that helps loosen dead skin fragments. Walnut Shell granules scrub away dirt, blackheads and dead cells, and Wheat Germ Oil is a rich source of natural Vitamin E. These natural ingredients cleanse, nourish and moisturize your skin to make it soft, fresh and radiant.
Key ingredients:
Crab Apple has antiseptic, cooling, soothing, nutritive and keratolytic properties. It reduces skin inflammation and helps remove dead skin fragments. Crab Apple is also a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants which prevent skin cell degeneration and premature skin aging.
Wheat Germ Oil, due to its high concentration of Vitamin E, along with proteins and natural antioxidants, is ideal for most skin types. It is the perfect ingredient for our face scrub as it nourishes the skin and boosts the skin’s elasticity.
The exfoliating micro-particles in Walnut Shell scrub away dirt, blackheads and dead skin cells.
Directions for use: Apply Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub in a circular motion on the face and neck. Wipe off with a moist cotton pad. Rinse with water and pat dry. Use at least once a week for a glowing, healthy complexion.
Suitable for dry to normal skin.
Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub is dermatologically-tested, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
MRP: Rs.70/- for 50g, Rs. 130/- for 100g
It comes in an easy to carry and use, flip cap tube packaging. It has a slight medicinal smell which can be bothering for a few. I love the creamy base it has. And the walnut shell granules are not too harsh.
How I like to use it is, damp my face a bit, take some product on my fingertips and massage in circular motions all over the face, avoiding the eyes and lips. Go up and down on the nose and sides of the nose and also concentrate on the forehead and chin area, basically wherever you get whiteheads or blackheads.
I usually get more whiteheads and not that many blackheads, that too on my nose, exfoliation helps get rid of whiteheads before they turn into blackheads. If you exfoliate regularly, you can nip whiteheads in the bud and get rid of them. I usually exfoliate once a week coz I have combination skin, but if you have oily skin, exfoliate twice a week.
Since the base of this scrub is very creamy, it helps glide on the skin amazingly well and with ease, especially on damp skin. The granules being mild enough for use on the face too, even people with sensitive skin can use this, but if you have very sensitive skin, I would advise you to go with another Himalaya Herbals scrub and not this one, I would be reviewing that soon.
Also post washing the face, my skin is quite moisturised and does not feel stretchy or crave a moisturiser, thanks to the crab apple and wheatgerm oil in it.
Overall, I would say, like most of my Himalaya Herbals favourites, I like this one too. Totally recommend it for normal to combination and dry skin. I have something else for oily and sensitive skin, from Himalaya Herbals, which I would be reviewing next.
You can check out Himalaya Herbals on Facebook HERE and on twitter HERE
Have you tried the #HimalayaHerbals #GentleExfoliatingWalnutScrub? What do you think of it?
The Body Shop Japanese Camellia Cream, French Lavender Massage Oil Review
Hi guys,
Today I am reviewing two products from The Body Shop’s new Spa Of The World Range. The French Lavender Massage Oil I have been using since quite some time now and the Japanese Camellia Cream I have been using since about 2 weeks.
Both of these products are from the Relaxing Ritual which has 3 more products,a total of 5, i.e. African Ximenia Scrub, Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay and Egyptian Milk & Honey Bath. And there are two other rituals i.e. Revitalizing and Blissful which have different body massage oils and scrubs and 3 products each in that range.
Starting with the Camellia Cream,
What the Company claims: Camellia oil has been used by Japanese women since the 8th century to gently soften and moisturise skin. The exquisite scent of this pure and elegant flower allows mind and body to reconnect with a moment of profound peace. Use this rich body cream with a light, velvety texture as part of our relaxing ritual when you’re in need of a fast-track to tranquillity.
– Velvet moisture body cream
– Makes skin feel beautifully hydrated and delicately scented
– Relaxes body and mind
How to use: Smooth on from décolletage to toes until fully absorbed. Expert tip: “Before applying Spa of the World™ Japanese Camellia Cream, warm hands under running water, take a bit of the cream and massage your hands together to warm the cream. Japanese Camellia Cream is ideal to use every day as a body moisturiser.”
MRP: Rs.2995/- for 350ml
Ingredients:
When I saw the tub, I was surprised, coz it’s huge! Super huge! But it’s made of plastic and quite light weight, also there is a thin transparent layer in between so it looks bigger than it actually is. Entire Spa of the World range come in this brown and black packaging. And all bottles and tubs are plastic, more convenient for oils as the bottles may break easily.
I don’t generally like body butters unless they are quite light weight like the Fuji Green Tea one was. This looked quite rich to me when I first opened the tub and saw it. And as soon as I dipped my finger in it to get the product, I was surprised! This is nothing like a body butter, not at all thick. It’s exactly like whipped cream or mousse. Soft, airy and fluffy. I absolutely loved the texture and as soon as I apply it on the body, it immediately melts in contact with skin and blends super easily. The best part is gets absorbed so quickly that by the time you finish using it all over your body, more than half of it is already absorbed. It feels super light and even in the Mumbai summers, it does not feel sticky or greasy at all.
I love the soft, refreshing smell. I am not sure how Camellia flowers smell but it does have a soft hint of floral. I also like the other ingredients i.e. mango seed oil and shea butter apart from the camellia seed oil.
Skin stays moisturized whole day and no need to re-apply or apply anything else. If you have normal to oily skin or live in humid city, I will definitely suggest getting this one. And if you have dry skin or have harsh winters, the Hawaiian Kukui Cream would work better for you.
It is definitely very pricey but this tub of 350ml will surely last me ages! Not a lot of product comes out when you try to scoop it out since it slips, but then a little goes a long way with this cream, so you don’t even need like huge dollops every time.
And now coming to the French Lavender Oil,
What the Company claims: In the 14th century, King Charles VI of France demanded pillows filled with lavender to soothe him to sleep. Lavender essential oil has a natural relaxing scent which promotes a sense of well-being. Use this calming massage oil as part of our relaxing ritual when you’re in need of a fast-track to tranquillity.
– Relaxing massage oil.
– Soothes body and mind
– With lavender from the south of France.
How to use: Focusing on tense areas, massage onto skin to help relax body and mind. Try using with the Spa of the World™ Thai Wooden Massager to enhance the experience. Expert tip: “Bring this product when you travel, it can work as a body moisturiser and the lavender scent will help you relax before you sleep.”
MRP: Rs.1695/- for 170ml
Ingredients:
The body massage oils come in this small round bottles with a black cap. The dispensing hole is not too huge nor too tiny and dispenses the perfect quantity of oil required at one go.
I absolutely love lavender and if I have to ever pick only one scent for ever, I will go with lavender. Also lavender oil is very relaxing and calming and will also solve insomnia issue. I can’t generally sleep on time, I would lying on my bed for hours but can never sleep early. That’s when I make sure I use this oil.
It has a base of sweet almond oil and sesame oil with jojoba, lavender and few other essential oils combined. I love sweet almond and sesame oils as base coz they are very light and get absorbed quickly. Where as olive or coconut are quite on the heavy side.
Since the ingredients are all oils, you can even use this on your face i.e. if you use oils on your face. I do and sometimes just blend the leftover on my face post using it on the body.
I use it post shower or before sleeping or anytime I feel like. Absolutely love the relaxing lavender scent and how light weight the oil is. The two other massage oils in the Spa of the World Range are Tahitian Orchid and Thai Lemongrass. Where as the Tahitan Orchid is blended with ylang ylang and patchouli and would be quite strong, Thai Lemongrass one is good for body massages, if you get them done at home. But for normal day to day use, if I have to suggest you one, I would say the French Lavender one.
Even the oils are on the little pricier side, but then again it’s 170ml than usual 100ml. I would have loved if The Body Shop had come with smaller variants and pricing too. And that would have been travel friendly versions too, coz these definitely aren’t.
Overall I love both the products and they are absolutely amazing, definitely on the pricey side, but quality super! No doubts about that, the Spa Of The World range is out in the stores now and also available online on The Body Shop India website.
What do you think of The Body Shop Spa Of The World Range? Any favourites?
