Hand cream is an essential item in my handbag always during winters. I can’t survive without hand creams during this cold, dry season. Recently, I had gone to TBS to purchase a gift for a friend’s birthday and as the SA was giving me a whiff of various fragrances to try, I loved the Moringa variant fragrance and got tempted to picked the hand cream from the range. Read on to know how ‘The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream’ fares.
Products claims: This flowery Moringa daily hand cream helps soften and protect hands with light, juicy moisture. The instantly absorbing formula is ideal for on-the-go hydration. Non-greasy moisture. Wonderfully light gel-cream formula. Absorbs instantly. Enriched with Community Fair Trade Shea Butter from Ghana.
Ingredients:
Directions to use: Squeeze a small amount onto hands and massage well.
Packaging:
The hand cream comes in a compact, sleek tube packaging with a tiny black screw cap. The tube is shiny with a very pale yellowish green color. The full ingredients list is mentioned on the back side. I find the packaging very travel friendly as it fits easily in a handbag or even a purse without taking too much space. Also, there is no leakage or spillage whatsoever.
Texture and fragrance:
The cream has a pale yellowish color with a medium consistency, not too thick or too thin. The fragrance is light floral jasmine scent similar to the other products in the Moringa range. Though it is a floral fragrance, it is not very feminine, so its actually a unisex product.
My experience:
The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is made with cold-pressed seed oil from hand-picked moringa pods. I squeeze a pea sized amount of the cream and rub it in my hands while massaging. It spreads and blends easily due to its right consistency and gets absorbed completely in a couple of seconds. The fragrance lingers for a while and yes, the scent is a little strong, so that whenever I apply this hand cream in office, my team mates ask where is this jasmine fragrance coming from and start looking around! 🙂
It moisturizes and nourishes my hands instantly and relieves the dry feeling. The moisturization effect lasts for around 3 hours or till you wash your hands. Since it gets absorbed quickly, you can go back to your work immediately without worrying about the cream transferring to other items. Unlike some hand creams which I have used in the past, they used to stain my keyboard with the cream stains if I start typing without waiting for it to be fully absorbed. With this Body Shop cream, I haven’t faced any such issues.
However, this cream might not be for very dry hands. I was travelling for sometime last month and stopped using the cream during that time. After the travel, I fell sick. As I had neglected my hands for a long time, they became very dry and started peeling due to the cold. My hands started itching and there were rashes on my fingertips. During that time, when I tried this hand cream, it didn’t work for me at all. I apply the cream and barely within two minutes, my hands started feeling dry once again. I had to go back to my trusted savior, The Body Shop Cocoa Body Butter, to heal my hands.
Pros:
* Moisturizes and nourishes hands adequately.
* Gets absorbed quickly.
* Does not make hands greasy.
* Doesn’t leave any residue which might transfer to other items while working.
* Nice floral jasmine fragrance.
* Compact, travel-friendly packaging.
Cons:
* Not suitable for very dry skin.
Price and quantity: Rs.350 for 30ml.
Rating: 4.2/5
Verdict: The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is a perfect go-to cream to have in your work desk in office and in your handbag wherever you go. It is light, gets absorbed quickly without any greasiness and has a lovely floral fragrance. However, if you have extremely dry skin, then it might not be suitable for you.
Editor’s Note: Sounds refreshing for summers, I might give it a try in summers. I love the L’Occitane hand creams though, especially lavender. Also currently loving the Crabtree & Evelyn.
Have you tried The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream? Which is your favourite hand cream?
As you all might know that there are majorly two types of skins – dry and oily skin. All other skin types fall into broad categories of these two only. I am a dry skinned girl. And when i say dry skin i mean severe dry skin. My lips are dry and badly chapped all round the year. I have to apply a thick cream like boroline on my lips all round the year. And about my skin i need to apply body moisturisers at least on every alternate day even in summer. And coming back to my face, i apply light moisturisers like aloe vera in summers. But here when winters are knocking on your doors, i need something strong for my face. I need a strong moisturiser which will heal my dry skin.
Since Aroma magic is one of my favourite skin care brand, i decided to trust on AM products. Thus, without further delay, i opted for their Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream.
Read along to know if it’s worth your skin or not.
Product description: Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream is a hydrating skin cream that is rich in vitamin A, B & E. It prevents the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, dry skin, dark circles.The blend of Neroli and Jasmine essential oils prevents moisture loss, regenerates cellular tissues as well as slows down skin ageing process and restores its elasticity, texture and firmness. Benefits Reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles effectively Makes skin soft and smooth. Slows down the process of skin aging Brings back skin elasticity.
Direction to use: Dig your finger inside the tub. Take out the cream and apply the cream in dots all over your face. Cover the neck area too. Now, join the dots and blend the cream smoothly.
My experience with Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream
Aroma magic almond nourishing cream comes in wide small sized carton. Inside which there is a small but wide tub. The packaging of the tub and the carton is like snowy winter. It reminds that this is a perfect winter moisturising cream. Inside the tub there is a lid covering which acts like an extra layer of protection for the cream. Once the lid is removed the cream smells heavily of almonds. This is very natural and soothing smell.
Texture wise the cream is heavy. You need to blend the product to sink it into the skin. You will have to invest a lot of time to blend the product thoroughly. After which also, you are sure to feel the stickiness of the product. It is really an uncomfortable feeling. You can remove this feeling by applying only a bit of product.
Now, coming to the performance of the product it is really 100% moisturization cream. It provides moisture to my face like never before. Trust me there are very few creams which works in winters for me. And this worked like a magic. It healed and moisturised my skin like never before. It made my skin really soft and supple within a week of usage only. And my skin is like soft and hydrated just like summers before even the tub finished. I use it as a night cream because in that way i don’t have to worry about the chip-chip part. And by morning it’s all back to normal. Even then i apply a strong face wash. You can apply it in the morning too but make sure you apply only a little amount.
Pros of Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream
1. Herbal skin care brand
2. Impressive ingredients list
3. Packaging attractive
4. Cream is perfect for winters
5. Heals extremely dry skin
6. Makes skin soft and supple
Cons of Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream
1. Almond smell may not be appreciated by everyone
2. Feels quite heavy on skin
3. Can cause pimples or clog pores for oily skinned
Final verdict – this cream is a boon for dry girls in winters. But oily skin people should stay far as much as possible.
Rating :
Quality : 5/5
Value for money : 5/5
Availability: 4.8/5
Overall rating: 4.8/5
Editor’s note: This sounds perfect for dry skin or winters, I like using such rich creams for winters coz my skin tends to get very dry in winters, might give this a try sometime. Nice review Pallavi 🙂
Have you tried the Aroma Magic Almond Nourishing Cream?
I am not sure if I missed anything, I covered it all 🙂 Let me know your 2015 skin and hair favourites in the comments below. Makeup favourites coming up next.
L’Oreal Paris Moist Mat Lipstick Lincoln Rose Review, Swatches
By Ishleen
Hello there, gorgeous!
So the holiday spirit has finally seeped in, and seeped in with a BAM! With the ethereal beauty of winters and the New Year’s party knocking down the corner, it is always a great opportunity to get hold of a red lipstick, and make your pout shine in all its blooming glory! <3
So after a lot of contemplation so as to spend almost a thousand bucks for a drugstore lipstick or to add 500 bucks more and get our patent MAC, I finally succumbed to buying this gorgeously packaged lipstick from L’Oreal in Lincoln Rose! Was it worth succumbing to the temptation? Keep reading to know more!
Product Description
Name- L’Oreal Moist Mat Lipstick
Shade- Lincoln Rose
Price- INR 899
Quantity- 4.2 grams
Availability- Available across all L’Oreal counters as well as online
My experience:
Packaging– If ever there was a love at first sight moment for me, it was when I saw this gorgeous little baby at the L’Oreal counter! Those of you who know me, know what a sucker I am for classy as well as cute packaging—they just make me go weak in the knees! And if the packaging is chic as well as in a hue of rose gold with uber classy mirror-like finish—count me in baby! So now you know why people are raving about this lipstick range so much—it is love at first sight, truly! But yes, the packaging though nice on the exterior, is quite flimsy on the inside! I mean, the lipstick tube is like really feeble and prone to breakage upon the slightest pressure; so just be cautious!
Texture- L’Oreal has this thing of playing with names—and so has been done with L’Oreal Moist Mat Range! I mean, the name is pretty intriguing—how can a moist lipstick be matte, and how can a matte lipstick be moist? But breaking the obnoxious monotony of dehydrating mattes, L’Oreal Paris has come up with the most amazing matte textured lipsticks which though settle into a powdery matte finish, yet is not at all dry. It glides on super smooth and does not look flaky. It indeed is a moist matte lipstick—the most wonderful texture I have used till date! Nothing like Mac retro mattes, but definitely similar to the Mac Satin finish lipsticks!
Shade- This particular shade is the most coveted of the lot and is mostly out of stock across all stores. And why should it not be—our miss universe Aishwarya Rai Bacchan had worn it for the Cannes Film Festival and flaunted the most amazing pout ever! The lipstick shade—as gorgeous as the outer packaging—is a very vibrant medium red with invariably strong pink-berry undertones which promises to flatter each and every skin tone! Perhaps it is the most stunning pink based medium red which is bold, but not at all in your face bright! A must try shade from the lot!
Pigmentation- Apart from the texture, if there is one thing that left me totally love struck; it is the super opaque pigmentation of the lipstick! I mean even the darkest of pigmentation (on lips, obviously :P) can be camouflaged easily with just two swipes of this lipstick! And if you have naturally pink lips, i.e., without any sort of pigmentation—one light stroke is all that it would take to get the colour in full bloom on the lips!
Staying power- these are drying winter months and I prefer using a lip balm underneath even the most creamiest of the lipsticks! And though, Moist Mat is matte, I can easily do even without a lip balm! Yes, it is that smooth to use! Atop a lip balm it stays for about 4+ hours and does not leave horrendously stained lips behind. But if applied sans any lip balm, the wear time can be prolonged to a good 6-7 hours, though it will stain the lips (which are not at all gross to look at; in fact, gives a nice raspberry tint upon fading)!
Pros:
-gorgeous packaging
-colour coded tabs on the lipstick tube
-very comfortable matte lipstick]
-not at all drying
-can be worn even without a lip balm
-super-opaque
-covers pigmented lips well
-lasts on the lips for a good 4-6 hours
Cons:
-price (900 bucks for a drugstore lipstick! Like, seriously?) *SIGH*
-flimsy lipstick tube which is prone to breakage
-may melt in the summer months
Final verdict: If you are on the look out of a nice pink based red, with very strong pink undertones—which is matte, comfortable to apply and wears well—go grab this beauty!
Rating: 4.7/5
Editor’s Note: Totally agree Ishleen, absolutely love the shade!
Lately, I was on the search for a good serum. I have never used serums before, but after reading a lot about the importance of a serum, I decided to get one. Since I was using mostly Lotus Herbals products in my routine, I thought of getting the serum too from the same brand. I have used the Whiteglow range night cream before and loved it. Not for the skin whitening claims but because it suited my combination skin well and didn’t cause any breakouts. So, I ended up with this Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening &Brightening Serum + Moisturiser finally. Read on to how it fares.
Products claims: WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser is a breakthrough formulation from Lotus Herbals that lightens, whitens & brightens your skin tone.
* Lightens: It lightens skin’s tone by reducing uneven pigmentation.
* Whitens: It unveils visibly fairer skin by reducing dark spots.
* Brightens: It enhances skin’s radiance naturally.
Why Serum: WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser is a proprietary formula which has 2x* more skin whitening and brightening power than a day creme. It comes with excellent carrier properties, penetrates deep into the skin & distributes the potent blend of all natural ingredients.
How it works: Clinical trials show that the following plant extracts lighten, whiten and brighten the skin with 7 days of regular use:
* Grape Extract (Vitis Vinifera): Exfoliator – helps active ingredients penetrate into the skin.
Why WhiteGlow? WhiteGlow Skin Whitening & Brightening range is a breakthrough formula from Lotus Herbals. It comes with an advance formula that has triple action on skin – lightening, whitening & brightening. It is enriched with rare fruit and potent plant extracts that penetrate deep into the skin to provide enduring action. The result, your skin looks fairer, flawless and radiant. It is free from harsh chemicals, that generally have side effects.
Ingredients:
Directions to use: Use every day in the morning & evening all over face & neck after cleansing thoroughly. For best results, use before Whiteglow Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme.
Packaging:
The serum comes in a translucent, frosty, glass bottle with a pump. The pump has a small plastic cap to cover it. Lotus Herbals surely make all their packagings convenient as well as giving a luxurious feel. Since its a glassy bottle, one has to be careful while handling it. The bottle is housed inside a white carton box which has all the details of the product.
Texture and fragrance:
The serum is between a gel and cream, its translucent. The consistency is perfect, not runny, not thick to spread, just the right texture for a serum. It has a light fruity fragrance, similar to other products in the Whiteglow range.
My experience:
I have been using this serum in conjuction with the Whiteglow Day Cream. The serum is easy to spread and blends easily, without any whitish cast like other whitening creams. It takes a bit of time to get fully absorbed and till then there is a sticky feeling. It moisturizes skin very well and I don’t feel the need to apply a separate moisturiser. Though, dry skin people will need to follow up with a moisturizer. The finish is more dewy and my face looks little brighter and radiant. It doesn’t make my face oily or greasy even for a long time. My skin tone is more evened out and the pores on my face look visibly smaller. It also acts as a good base for makeup.
Coming to the claims of whitening and brightening in 7 days, it is true to an extent. But don’t expect any miraculous changes. It helped to lighten some acne scars and brown spots on my face. But I think it will take a long time and continuous use to fade them completely, unlike other specific spot treatment creams which work quicker. Also, it removed some tan and my face overall looked more healthy, supple and radiant. My only concern is, once I stopped it using for a week, just to check its efficacy, and my skin went back to normal state. So, to retain the effects, the product needs to be used completely.
But I feel, if you really need a whitening/brightening effect, instead of going for those Fair & Lovely, Fairever, etc, creams in the market, this is a relatively better option as it doesn’t just focus on fairness, more on brightening, tan removal and healthy skin and Lotus Herbals is also a trusted brand. Though their products contain parabens (which is the only thing I don’t like about them), they are mostly suitable for all skin types and none of their products have ever caused me breakouts including this serum. Also, I think, to get really good results, you need to use this serum along with the day cream and night cream from the same range.
Pros:
* Nice consistency and blends easily.
* Moisturizes and hydrates the skin.
* Pores look visibly smaller.
* Evens out skin tone.
* Makes skin healthy, supple and radiant.
* Brightens skin and lightens scars and spots.
* Doesn’t leave any whitish cast.
* Doesn’t cause breakouts.
* Affordable price for a serum.
* Attractive luxurious packaging.
Cons:
* Parabens
* Takes a long time for the scars and spots to fade completely.
* Need to be continuously used to retain the effects.
Price and quantity: Rs.375 for 30ml.
Rating: 4.4/5
Verdict: Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser is one of the most affordable serums available and from a trusted brand. Though it doesn’t give any miraculous results, it does make skin more healthy, brighter and radiant and also lightens scars and spots slowly with regular use. Unlike other fairness creams, this is not overloaded with harsh chemicals. If you are looking to add a good affordable brightening serum in your routine, you can try this.
Editor’s Note: I always wanted to try this Archana, nice review. The product sounds really nice.
Have you tried the Lotus Herbals WhiteGlow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum + Moisturiser?
I love using natural, organic products but nothing beats the ayurvedic products following the age old recipes and made with pure plant extracts and oils. For any of your skin, hair or body problems with which you have been struggling for days and tried it all, go back to the ‘Dadime Ke Nushke’ and you will see the results guaranteed!
Today we face a lot of problems due to our current modern lifestyle. Late working hours, meeting deadlines, being on our computers and cell phones almost 18 hours a day, it all takes a toll on the body. The results being hair loss, premature hair greying, dark circles, head aches, shoulder pain, back pain, water retention, lack of stamina, etc.
I am glad brands are going back to ayurvedic formulations and bringing products which are all natural and ayurveda has never failed in showing results. We have ayurvedic solutions for our skin/hair problems and pain management now. One such brand being Lever Ayush.
About Lever Ayush: Rapid urbanization, booming economy, new job opportunities and high disposable incomes in India have paved way for an affluent lifestyle. But they also put you at the risk of lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, heart diseases etc. Through Ayush, this new generation of Indians can rediscover everyday health and vitality through customized Ayurvedic solutions.
LEVER Ayush Therapy range comes with some of nature’s healing secrets discovered by Ayurveda, almost 5000 years ago!
Lever Ayush range consists of products for skin, hair and pain management. They are based on authentic Ayurvedic formulations, where the rarest natural ingredients are distilled into the most effective Ayurvedic recipes. Lever Ayush introduces a range of personal care products that are specifically designed to solve skin and hair problems borne by the pressures of a modern day lifestyle.
Products Available:
HAIRCARE
Lever Ayush Bhringamalakadi Tailam
The oil serves the purpose of preventing premature greying and ensures that your hair grows long and strong for years to come. With carefully selected ingredients such as cow’s milk, Yashtimadhu, Bhringaraj, Til oil and amla juice, the oil not only prevents premature greying but assures that your hair gets its natural colour back.
Price: Rs. 599
Lever Ayush Hair Poshak Oil
When an individual is stressed, the body produces increased levels of testosterone which gets converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This DHT will interrupt the hair growth cycle because it restricts the blood supply to your hair follicles which means the amount of nutritional intake reduces, leading to the weakening of hair and therefore breakage. The Lever Ayush Hair Poshak Oil is a unique combination of Ayurvedic ingredients like amla, rosemary, til oil and neem. Designed to fight and reduce hair fall in three weeks, this oil comes with dual advantages. It prevents breakage and simultaneously fights dandruff, keeping your hair well-nourished.
Price: Rs. 249
Lever Ayush Keyur Poshak Shampoo
The word ‘Keyur’ is used in religious books to describe the lustrous, thick hair of various deities. ‘Keshya’ means that which gives bountiful, black and lustrous hair. The best ‘Keshya’ herbs have been selected to formulate Keyur Poshak Shampoo. It helps to get back the lost shine in your hair and simultaneously nourishes, strengthens and conditions your hair too. The ingredients that make up this shampoo include Amla, Bhringaraj, Yashtimadhu and Henna – all helping to keep your hair shiny, bouncy and strong.
Price: Rs. 310/-
Lever Ayush Dandruff Naashak Shampoo
Consisting of ingredients such as amla, neem, tulsi, rosemary, henna and shikakai, the shampoo cleanses and conditions your hair with its anti-microbial and cooling properties. With its triple benefits of being anti-dandruff, cleansing and strengthening, Lever Ayush Dandruff Nashak shampoo is all you need to fight this problem without going in for any expensive treatments.
Price: Rs. 325/-
PAIN RELIEF
Lever Ayush Pain Naashak Cream
Lever Ayush Pain Naashak cream has been created on the lines of Ayurveda which recognizes that pain can occur in different parts of the body. This can be broadly categorized as ‘Sandhishool’ (joint pain) and ‘Katigraha’ (backache). This cream contains carefully chosen ingredients such as ‘shulahar dravyas’ like lavang, pudinah and gandhapura, which effectively relieve pain, tenderness and swelling, in case of sprains, strains and even in cases of osteoarthritis. Lever Ayush Pain Naashak cream is an effective analgesic cream that will give a soothing relief from different physical pains.
Price: Rs. 119/-
Lever Ayush Narayana Tailam
The best medicine for ‘Vata’ disorders according to Ayurveda is regular ‘Abhyanga’ (external application) with oil. The Lever Ayush Narayana Tailam has 32 ingredients known for its pain relief solutions. The oil is made solely of Ayurvedic solutions using taila pak vidhi (method of processing medicated oils) that can cure muscle and joint aches even in the case of osteoarthritis.
Price: Rs. 599/-
Ayush Headache Naashak Roll-On
It includes wintergreen oil, lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol, clove oil and camphor. A combination of these products works on relieving congestion which is often the reason for headaches. It also works towards easing out respiratory issues and colds. The product works effortlessly against headaches, whether they are caused due to congestion, sinusitis or stress on the eyes – within 15 minutes. A must have in your daily bag.
Price: Rs. 199/-
SKINCARE
Lever Ayush Suvarna Poshak Cream
The Lever Ayush Suvarna Poshak Cream is an excellent supplement for your skin. Ayurveda recommends ‘Varnya Dravyas’ (promoters of complexion) for enhancing natural complexion and providing glow. Brimming with natural ingredients, the cream is concocted with healthy skin in mind. With herbs like ‘Rasayani’ and ‘Tirit’, it restores the lustre in your skin, enhances your natural complexion, smoothens out wrinkles and makes your skin young and healthy from within. The cream also helps fight blemishes and dullness and keeps your skin soft and deeply nourished.
Price: Rs. 210/-
The products are divided into Doshas i.e. Vata/Pitta/Kapha and Gunas/Karmas i.e Poshak (Grow), Nashak (Destroy) and Rakshak (Protect). Each and every product has Dosha and Guna mentioned on it. For e.g. these three hair products here, the Bhringamalakadi Tailam is Rakshak i.e. it prevents hair from greying, Hair Poshak Oil is obviously Poshak i.e it helps in growth and reduces hair fall and breakage and Dandruff Naashak Shampoo is again as the name suggests Nashak i.e destroy dandruff.
I like how they come in a cloth bag packaging. I have used the Hair Poshak oil twice yet and really liked it, I will use it a few more times before reviewing it. It has a blend of amla, rosemary, til oil and neem which helps in reducing hair fall and dandruff and also strengthens the hair follicles. Amla and sesame oil also help in conditioning hair and reduce split ends. When I used the Hair Poshak Oil before shampooing, hair was much more softer and there was reduction in hair fall while washing them too.
I loved the Headache Nashak Roll-On, if you follow me on twitter or Snapchat (@bhumika_t), you know I am suffering from terrible cold from the past few days and every night I get this unbearable headache, I tried this roll-on and I felt so much better. This is definitely going to be a part of my hand bag now. If you suffer from congestion, cold or frequent headaches coz of that, this is a must buy for you!
I tried the Dandruff Nashak Shampoo too, I use it once a week and have used it twice till now and already see the difference. It has rosemary oil as one of the ingredients which is anti fungal and anti bacterial and one of the few essential oils which help combat dandruff.
The pricing is pretty reasonable for Ayurvedic products coz all the natural and organic products are priced a little higher these days as they can’t and do not generally use the cheaper ingredients and all the blend of herbs and oils turns out to be a little expensive. All the Lever Ayush products are available online on Amazon India
I only did not like the fact that the complete ingredient list is missing, except for the Headache Nashak Roll-On, other products do not have ingredients mentioned.
Overall, I would say I am glad Lever Ayush has come up with products with age-old ayurvedic formulations. I am really looking forward to try the Narayana Tailam for my back aches and Suvarna Poshak cream.
Have you heard of Lever Ayush products? Tried any?
What the Company claims: It is the ultimate hydrating treatment based crème with gives a semi matte flawless finish and keeps skin hydrated for long. 10 benefits * Covers Pimples spot * Hides imperfections * Gives even tone * No clogging of Pores * Covers blemishes and dark spots * Instant beautifier * Buildable coverage * Brightening primer * Moisturizes and Hydrates * SPF 25
MRP: Rs.299/- for 30g
Shades Available: 2
Royal Pearl– Fair to Medium
Bright Angel– Medium to Dark
It comes in this pink tube packaging with silver cap and has a nozzle dispensor. The packaging is quite bright and nice, convenient to use and travel friendly.
I have the shade Bright Angel which is the one for medium skin tones. It is nothing but a tinted moisturizer i.e. the blend of skincare plus some makeup. And has SPF25 too.
It is quite rich and needs to be set with a compact powder. Skin gets oily within an hour or so, I would not recommend it for oily skin or for use in summers.
Coverage is ok, it only evens out the skin tone and reduces the redness. It does brighten the skin a but, but does not cover dark circles or any acne spots. It stays for a good 5-6 hours but does need touch up with a compact powder. But it sure is quite moisturizing and skin doesn’t feel tight even in winters for a good few hours.
As you can see in my ‘Before-After’ pic here, it only evened out the skin and brightened it a bit, did not cover any marks or dark circles. This is just using the cream and I haven’t use any compact or anything else here.
Before – After
Only 2 shades are available in this, but thankfully both are warm and yellow and will work for majority skin tones. It does oxidize a bit on the face after 2-3 hours, that might be coz of the sunscreen.
It has licorice and aloe vera extracts. Licorice is anti-inflammatory, helps in reducing redness of the skin, helps absorb ingredients better and also helps in lightening the skin. Aloe vera of course has numerous benefits, key being hydrating, moisturizing, anti-bacterial. Not a fan of licorice coz of it lightening the skin.
Pricing is ok, it’s the same as other BB/CC creams in the market and almost the same qty. Only active ingredients are mentioned on the pack, they should have mentioned a list of all ingredients for people to know what exact skincare benefit they are getting. Except licorice and aloe vera, nothing has been mentioned.
Overall I would say, if you do not have problematic skin and only need something for daily use which can provide sun protection and even out skin tone, you can try this out.
Rating:
Quality: 3.25/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 3/5
Overall rating: 3.25/5
Have you checked out the new Lotus Herbals Xpress Glow 10 in 1 Daily Beauty Creme SPF 25 yet?
So today I am reviewing this latest launch by Maybelline India, the Baby Lips Candy Wow in Peach.
What the Company claims: Baby Lips has launched a new range of lip balms called the Baby Lips Candy Wow range to make your winter exciting and fun. Baby Lips has moved beyond the basic lip balm stick and now comes in the form of a crayon pen! Enriched with Vitamin E, this chubby stick will help you wow your lips in 5 candy shades – Raspberry, Mixed Berry, Orange, Cherry and Peach. Now take intense care of your lips this Winter and pop them with a dash of color with the fun and sweetness of a candy.
Here are the reasons why you’ll love the new Baby Lips Candy Wow:
– Available in 5 new shades
– Delicious, candy flavors
– 1st lip balm in a pen
– Enriched with Vitamin E to make your lips look better
– Gives supple and better-looking lips
– Visible results instantly
– Only for Rs. 275/-
It comes in this pen kind crayon twist up form. Packaging is quite cute, but also a little broader and longer if you want to carry it in your wallet or denims. I usually carry my normal Baby lips in my denim pockets, this is a bit longer to carry around easily.
This is the complete quantity and it is just 2g which will not last really long if you reapply lip balms 2-3 times a day.
Peach is a very light pale peach that will only work for fair skin tones, doesn’t work well on me. Also Peach is not that pigmented.
Orange is a light fanta orange shade
Cherry is reddish shade
Raspberry is a beautiful pink
Mixed Berry is a light purply pink
These are quite pigmented, a little more than few of the original Baby lips. Moisturising and hydrating enough, stay for 3-4 hours. It has a faint candy smell, but doesn’t last long, just for a minute or so.
Here is the swatch of the Peach shade..
And on me..
Difference between Baby Lips and Baby Lips Candy Wow:
Price: Baby Lips are Rs.150-175 and this is pricey at Rs.275
Qty: Baby lips is 4g and this is just 2g
Pigmentation: Baby Lips Candy Wow some shades are more pigmented than Baby Lips
Size: Baby lips are more travel friendly and handy
Packaging: Baby Lips Candy Wow look cuter with the bright crayon packaging
Overall I would say, if you need something cute and more pigmented than normal lip balms, Baby Lips Candy Wow is a perfect option. If you want something handy and value for money with good qty and affordable pricing, then stick to Baby Lips.
I have seen the swatches online and I love Raspberry and Cherry. Peach is the least pigmented. I definitely recommend checking out or buying Raspberry and Cherry, I am getting those next!
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Have you tried the new Maybelline Baby Lips Candy Wow yet?
What the Company claims: If excellent coverage and high colour pay-off is what gets you going, you will absolutely love our new Matte As Hell Lip Crayon that is available in 4 gorgeous shades to suit your taste & your ever-changing mood! Super long-lasting and highly pigmented so you don’t have to worry about constant re-application, this must-have lip crayon has a soft texture with a silky matte finish.
Shades Available:
Feeling confident & sexy? Flaunt a classic red pout with the Scarlett O’ Hara shade – that’s guaranteed to make heads turn.
Want to go bare-faced with a pop of color? Say hello to Mary Poppins! It is an eye-catching Fuchsia shade that can never go unnoticed
A classic shade that can instantly add a touch of mystery to your entire look, Poison Ivy (wine) is hot on the runway and a must-try shade for those who love to experiment
Want to pull off dramatic eyes and come out as a winner? Holly Golightly (Nude) is the way to go! This peachy shade goes well with elaborate eye make-up & can also be used every day for a natural look
How to Apply: Exfoliate your lips & apply the Lip Crayon just the way you would with any other lipstick. Blot & reapply.
Benefits: The Sugar Matte As Hell Lip Crayon has a creamy consistency that eventually settles in to a matte finish. With stunning shades that don’t fail to impress, it provides maximum coverage with the right amount of color. This power product is dermatologically tested & approved and 100% safe for your skin..
Additional Details: Its wax-based formulation does not contain mineral oil, parabens, paraffin, phenoxyethanols, volatile cyclomethicones (D4, D5, D6) and animal derived ingredients.
Ingredients:
Made in Germany.
Size: 2.8 gm.
MRP: Rs.799/-
So I received this Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon last week, I have tried their Eye Told You So Eyeliner before which was a part of Fab Bag and quite liked it. Matte Lip Crayons are all the rage right now and I am glad they have come up with these and some interesting 4 shades. I have a lot of reds and pinks in Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Tint and Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balms, so I wanted to go for either nude or wine. Since it is fall/winter already which is perfect for deep burgundy/wine/berry shades, I went with Poison Ivy which is a beautiful berry wine shade.
It comes in this black fat crayon packaging with the base matching the shade. Sadly it is not retractable and one has has to sharpen it which leads to quite a lot of product wastage. Other than that, it is quite travel friendly.
Coming to the texture, it is very, very creamy and buttery. It glides on easily on the lips but that also means it does bleed and go out of the lines easily, so one has to be careful while applying. It is very pigmented and covers the entire lip well in 2 swipes.
It is on the creamier side and not completely matte, even after some time, you won’t see or feel a complete matte finish. It is not transfer proof and transfers a lot on cups, bottles, etc.
Staying power is ok, it stays for 4-5 hours without eating or drinking, but just 2-3 hours if you eat or drink and will fade and transfer while eating or drinking.
It does feel very light and comfortable on the lips. It is quite moisturising and will work on dry lips too, quite forgiving.
Poison Ivy is a beautiful wine/berry shade and perfect for this season, definitely a unique shade and not that other brands have in this category.
Price wise it is definitely priced higher. At 800, it is more expensive than Lakme too which is priced at 650 and offers 3.5g. I have not sharpened it yet, so not sure how long this would last, the qty is reasonable.
Overall I would say I am not very happy with the staying power and transferring, though these are moisturising and light. Also these are priced higher than other brands in this category and the qty too is lesser than them. But what Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon has, are two shades nude and wine i.e.Holly Golightly and Poison Ivy which other brands do not. So if you want a matte nude and/or wine lip crayon, I would suggest checking this out. For reds or pinks, I would suggest other brands. But if you have dry lips and are looking for matte yet creamy and moisturising lip crayon, then go for this.
You can buy it from their own website HERE or on the Fab Bag website HERE.
Rating:
Quality: 3.75/5
Value for money : 3.5/5
Availability: 3/5
Overall rating: 3.5/5
Are you looking forward to try the new Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon? Which shade?
Khadi Rose Water vs Fabindia Rose Water vs Lotus Herbals RoseTone Facial Toner
By Archana
Rose water is a favorite beauty product for almost all of us. It has multiple uses, can be used as a toner, for mixing face packs, as a refreshing facial mist, to reduce stress in eyes and even for hair care. It is one product that suits all skin types, oily or dry skin. There are numerous brands rose waters available in the market. Today, I will be comparing three of the best brands’ rose waters – Khadi, Fabindia and Lotus Herbals. Ofcourse, there are more luxury brands offering rose waters like Kama Ayurveda, Forest Essentials, etc. which are undoubtedly superior, but for this post, am comparing the popular budget-friendly ones. Read on to know which one you need to get now.
Packaging:
Khadi rose water comes in a plastic bottle with a flip-flop cap and a small hole to dispense the product. While Fabindia and Lotus Herbals comes in a convenient spray form which is easy and quick to use as you can directly spray on face. Clearly, Khadi’s regular packaging, though good for body lotions and shampoos, is not apt for a rose water.
Texture and color:
Khadi rose water is just like plain water in color and texture. Fabindia rose water, while you spray onto your hands, foams a little. But apart from that, both Khadi and Fabindia feels just like applying water on your face. Gets absorbed quickly, no stickiness, greasiness and they don’t make your face oily. Lotus Herbals, being a toner, has a slightly more denser juice-like consistency due to ingredients like aloe vera juice. It is light pink in color, obviously, artificial color. Khadi and Fabindia rule in this aspect.
Fragrance:
Fabindia rose water has possibly the most natural, soothing and pleasant fragrance among the three. It smells just like fresh roses, though not overpowering. Khadi’s fragrance is good, though it is more artificial, more like the Dabur and Banjara’s ones. Lotus Herbals too has a nice pleasant fragrance which is a little more on the sweeter side compared to Fabindia and is more artificial.
Ingredients:
Fabindia rose water is 100% pure and made from steam distillation of roses. Khadi rose water mentions only rose petals and water in the ingredients list, but it doesn’t say whether it is prepared through steam distillation or conventional method of boiling the petals and filtering. Steam distillation is the more preferred method as just filtering might not exclude all the impurities. Lotus Herbals on the other hand contains not just roses but also tulsi leaves extract, aloe vera gel, vetiver extract, castor oil and parabens and fragrance too. Clearly Fabindia tops in the ingredients and method of preparation. Lotus Herbals is good if you are looking for extra benefits of other ingredients like tulsi, aloevera and vetiver as well.
Efficacy:
In terms of efficacy, I love Fabindia rose water as its made from 100% steam distillation of roses. So I can use it even for sensitive areas like eyes and also hair care without fear. Since its pure, you can also put few drops into your eyes to freshen and cool your eyes. I have combination skin and when I used it in summers it helped to soothe and calm sunburnt skin and also provide light hydration making my skin appear healthy and glowing. With Khadi rose water, the results are normal just like any other rose water. But I feel its not as hydrating as the Fabindia one. Lotus Herbals , being more of a proper toner, offers extra benefits like minimizing pores and smoothing out skin. But after appyling, it gives a little sticky and greasy feeling. It hydrates and moisturizes the skin very well and makes it soft and plumper. I have combination skin which gets dry in winters and this toner has helped my skin stay hydrated throughout. Sometimes, I even skip moisturizer. Though, I don’t think I can use this toner in summers. Also, it won’t be suitable for oily/acne-prone skin people. And unlike, pure rose water, this can’t be used for eyes or hair.
Price:
Fabindia Rose Water comes at Rs.175 for 100ml which is makes it almost 4.5 times costlier than Khadi Rose Water which comes at Rs.80 for 210ml. And what do you get extra in Fabindia rose water for it? Steam distilled pure rose water, soothing natural fragrance, better effects and convenient spray packaging. Lotus Herbals comes at Rs.265 for 100ml, but being a toner, its more concentrated and only little quantity is needed each time compared to the others. So one bottle will last really long.
Final Verdict:
Clearly, the winner among the three is Fabindia Rose Water. It offers the best results, suitable for all skin types, has a soothing and calming fragrance, is made from 100% steam distillation of rose petals and comes in a convenient spray packaging. Those who feel Fabindia Rose Water is costlier, can try Khadi Rose Water, which is definitely far better and pure than the Dabur Gulabari and Banjaras rose waters. Normal – dry skin people who need more hydration and looking for a proper toner, not just plain rose water can go for the Lotus Herbals one.
So I hope you enjoyed reading the post. Which one is your favorite rose water among the three? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
Editor’s Note: That was a fabulous comparison Archana! I love the Kama Ayurveda Rose Water but yes it is on the costlier side, I would love to try the Fabindia one.
