Are you making the same mistakes as I do while exfoliating your face? {Skin Care}

photo credit: FoundryParkInn via photopin cc

So, now that winters are almost in full swing, hopefully you are doing what I am doing these winters! And, then, now my skin is absolutely perfect. But, then, I suddenly noticed my entire face is not so soft! In fact, one of my readers also sent out the same query. Check out!

I use fair n lovely face wash I also apply the same cream after my wash....n when I touch my skin honestly I do not feel anything like cracking and all...I sense it smooth...but at the same time when I touch the corner part of my nose I feel it rough n its like skin coming out! What should I do?

So, now you would have already understood what I mean to say in this post. So, let us see if we really exfoliate our face properly!! And, discuss what are the proper exfoliation methods. Lets start.

What is the best time to Exfoliate?

So, this is the first thing I would like to clear. Now, my favorite time is the night time. Because, a proper exfoliation in the night helps the moisturizer to soak in better. Also, exfoliating in the night avoids the fresh skin to get exposed to the morning sun! 

Where as, the morning time is a better time. Because, the skin rejuvenates in the night and in the morning, your face has a layer of dead skin which is ready for removal. But, then, the fresh skin is exposed to the harsher sun light and might tan unless one is diligent in applying sunscreen. Btw, exfoliating in the morning also helps the makeup go on better. 

So, you can decide which is the best time for you! 

What to use for Exfoliation?

So, what is your favorite ingredient for exfoliating your skin? For me, it is sugar and salt!! Well, is it really correct for my skin type? Ok, so sugar is an all-rounder when it comes to exfoliation and gives a smooth and perfect skin. For dry skin, it is quite hydrating and nourishing.

But, for oily skin, salt is an absolute must. Salt absorbs the oil and provides the minerals which sugar can not. It also detoxifies the skin which is why even people with dry skin should use salt once in a while for exfoliation. Do check out my homemade DIY body polishing scrub!

Never Exfoliate on Dry or even Damp Skin!!

Have you ever done this, anywhere on your body? Like scrubbing the dead skin on your heels or even nails? If yes, DO NOT ever repeat it. It is extremely harmful for your skin and you can end up injuring yourself. Exfoliate only completely clean and dripping wet, preferably soaked with warm water so that the pores are open, skin.

Don't forget these areas during exfoliation!

And, then, we take the scrub and apply it to the face. Start from the forehead and proceed to the cheeks in light circular motions. Be gentle and have a light hand. And, DO NOT forget these areas -  

• crevices around the nose where it generally gets dry and skin peels off - extend your nose as if you are removing blackheads and scrub the crevices thoroughly!
• corners of the lips - extend your mouth like you are applying the lipstick and scrub off the corners.
• inner curve below the lower lip and above the chin - extend the lower lip over the lower jaw to make the curve flat and scrub it
  
• on and behind the ears
• lips - press your lips tightly to avoid tasting the scrub :P, and, finally 
• neck lines - extend your neck like a giraffe and giving it a thorough scrub. Moisturise in the same way!!   

photo credit: FoundryParkInn via photopin cc

Leave the scrub on for sometime to help it soak into the Skin

So, now that you have scrubbed your face, leave it on for sometime while you finish washing or scrubbing yourself. That will make the skin even more softer and helps the active ingredients of the scrub to soak into the skin.

And, finally, wash off with luke warm water and last rinse should be cold water. Do NOT forget to Moisturize. Just because your skin is feeling awesome does not mean you forgo the skin care routine. So, do not forget to tone and moisturize your skin with your favorite oil or serum.  

And, now, we have one more thing!

Type of Skin and Frequency

Now, this has been said time and again that oily skin should not be exfoliated as often as dry skin. For one, oily skin if exfoliated regularly produces more oil causing more oiliness. And, dry skin accumulates more dead skin which needs to be removed regularly for a fresh and glowing look. So, twice a week is enough for oily skin and for dry skin, thrice a week of exfoliation is enough.  

So, what all steps do you follow? Do you have any exfoliation tips!!

Related Posts:
Dry Skin Causes and how to heal it?
Dry or Dehydrated; Moisturized or Hydrated!!
Excess Body Heat and Acne

The Body Shop Polynesian Monoi Oil {Product Review}

Doing product reviews in a small paragraph is awesome because it helps me get rid of products I don't have much to say about but some do deserve a proper mention.

Price: Rs 895 for 150ml

Ingredients (taken from the website)

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Emollient), Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil (Emollient), Cocos Nucifera Oil (Emollient/Hair Conditioner), Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Hexyl Cinnamal (Fragrance Ingredient), Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract (Skin-Conditioning Agent) 

Pros

gets absorbed in winters when the skin is really dry

moisturizing for all skin types except dry

smells faintly of Jasmine

softens the hair and is a good hair oil

Cons

very expensive

is very greasy on skin if not winters!!

might not be enough for dry skin

My Experience

I have had this product for quite a long time. Its basically coconut oil, I believe!! Or, rather believed before I got this entire ingredient list!! I thought it smells of Jasmine and coconut blended but its actually Gardenia. Apparently, Gardenia smells just like Jasmine. 

Anyways, I used this a couple of months back when I found it too greasy to apply. But, in fact, it does get absorbed pretty quickly into the skin in winters and moisturize well. But, there is one issue. I don't think it will be enough for too dry skin. One has to follow with a mositurizer.

Otherwise, its a perfect companion for winters. Now, I also used it as a hair oil. It makes the hair really soft but I don't think I really saw any better shine. But, yes, it is expensive enough to discourage you to use it as a regular hair oil :D But, yup, one of the good buys from TBS. 

Have you used the product? How do you like it?

Other products from The Body Shop:

The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Body Scrub

The Body Shop Wooden Shaving Brush

The Body Shop Detangling Comb

The Body Shop Bath Gloves

The Body Shop Olive Body Scrub

The Body Shop Aqua Lily Body Mist

The Body Shop Cactus Brush

The Body Shop Vanilla Body Butter Duo

Omved Anirveda Body / Bath Oil {Product Review}

Price: Rs 590 for 80ml

Availability

Online - Naturalmantra

Ingredients

Almond, Olive, Jojoba, Orange, Lemon, Lavender and Mogra (Jasmine) oils

Pros

it gets absorbed super quick!!

keeps skin moisturized for decent time
 will suit all skin types, even oily

Cons

damn the expense!! 

might not be enough for extremely dry skin!

hate the packaging!

My Experience

Ok, I got the 30ml bottle from the website as part of their promotional campaign. Well, as you all already know that I do splurge heavily on the website so what else should I say?

Ok, I won't say its the perfect website to shop from coz there have been hitches but Nishant and Tina (the owner couple) are very helpful and generally handle the grievances soon enough and very efficiently.

And, coming back to the product, it gets absorbed into the skin like a dream!! Seriously, it beats Forest Essentials as well in that depo if you don't count the fragrance. 

This smells more herbal and Earthy which is also not repulsive but I donno why it smells like that considering the essential oils in the product. But, the problem is that it might not be enough for extremely dry skin in winters. 

It comes in a aluminium or tin bottle (donno which) and has a round opening with a stopper. I wish it came in a classier looking packaging looking at the price! Donno if the packaging differs for the 80ml pack.

But, one thing which I really want to mention is the price!! Its damn expensive. Also, I wanted to remind you guys that last few days are left to avail the special 10% reader discount at the website so don't forget to use it :)

PS: Product sent by website for self-promotion.

Other products from Omved:

Omved Intense Moisturizing Cream
Omved All Skin Types Ubtan

Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Bath & Body Oil {Product Review}

So, this was on my last loving it list! And, I am really missing this product. It has been over for a month now and I just realized that I have not yet reviewed it. So, here I am gonna review about the product. Please bear.

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Pros

gets absorbed very easily

keeps the skin nourished and moisturized for 8 hours

smells delicately of roses

Cons

very expensive

can get oily if applied in excess

packaging not friendly

bottle is brittle so beware of its handling

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Now, have you ever come across any product which has jasmine but does not stink of it? Well, this is one. It smells of a garden of fresh roses instead of jasmine. I have come to hate the strong scent of jasmine. The problem with jasmine's fragrance is its over-bearing nature which kills all the delicate smells.

So, I absolutely love that Kama has come up with such a product. Well, we can as well say that they need not mention jasmine! Anyways, the product gets absorbed easily into the skin and you do smell of rose for quite sometime but the fragrance comes as a part of you than overwhelming the entire room.

The only issue I faced with this product is that the bottle does not come with a stopper so you have to be careful of the amount of oil you take. If you take excess oil, obviously, it gets oily and shines on the skin though it disappears in a good 15-30 minutes. And, you need very little of the product to finish the job of moisturization.

No doubt the product is very expensive but once in a while indulgence is fine. Also, since you need only a bit of it, the product does last quite a decent time. For a regular usage of twice a day, it lasted me a month or more and that too when I used the product a bit more than required. So, do give it a try :)

Price: Rs 795 for 100ml

Availability

Kama stores across India

Have you tried this or any other Kama Ayurveda product?

Related Posts:

Kama Brigandi Intense Hair Treatment

Vaadi Herbals Amla Thanda (Cool) Tail (Oil)

Nivea pure effect Total Face Cleanup

Get from flipkart:

Biotique Bio Clove Purifying Anti-blemish Face Pack for oily & acne prone skin {Product Review}

I have always voted up for Biotique face packs and this one is no different. I love the color and the texture of the product. Its a bit grainy and goes smoothly over damp skin as all other face packs do. Btw, do you remember the tip that anything gets absorbed better on damp skin - moisturizer, serums or face packs!

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Pros

leaves the skin smooth and a bit radiant

does help with tan and blemishes but only just so

suits dry skin as well in summers

can not find any con per se

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The mask takes a good 15-20 minutes to dry off if you have applied a thick layer. Removing the mask is not really easy just like other masks but using a wash cloth made it little better. Also, make sure that the wash cloth is soft enough otherwise you can end up harming your skin.

After removal, one can see a little brightening of the face. Over the course of time if you use it, it helps with blemishes but it does help with tan. Also, the mask can be used daily as well but in such a case, the mask should be kept till it is just dry and washed off so that you do not have to scrub it off the face. Everyday scrubbing is not good!

Ingredient List

Also, whether it helps with acne or oily skin is something I can not comment on but yes it does suit dry skin unless you are using in winters which I did not do so I have no idea how it fares in dry weather. But, overall, I would say it is worth a try and easily available.

Price: Rs 199 for 85 gms

Have you tried the product?

Related Posts:

Biotique Bio Wheatgerm Firming Face & Body Cream
Biotique Bio Flame of the Forest Fresh Shine Expertise Oil
Products which helped my hair

Get from flipkart:

Neev Rose Olive Body Wash {Product Review}

Price: Rs 160 for 200ml

Pros

cleanses really well

natural ingredients

smells awesome!!

Cons

does nothing for dry skin

My Experience

After a very long time, I have used a body wash. I bought this on recommendation from Shikha herself, one of the founders of Neev. She said that it is one of their bestsellers and I can imagine why. Its simply amazing in one word.

The ingredients list is on the top of my list in the praises for the product. It uses lye (potassium hydroxide for liquid soaps) which is equivalent to lye (sodium hydroxide in solid soaps) in handmade soaps. It also has rose petals in the bottle.

It comes in a flip top bottle and the texture of the product is quite weird. The top of the layer generally crystallizes which I guess is due to the reaction with air but otherwise the soap is liquid. When I say crystallizes, it just becomes a little jelly kinds.

Whether in crystalline form or liquid form, it lathers really well and is very gentle on the skin. The only problem is that you HAVE to follow it up with a moisturizer otherwise the skin does feel a bit dry. No, there is no stretchy feeling.

I think this may be due to the dryness in the weather. But, it will suit the skin in summers. It smells really good of roses. And, it also leaves the skin really soft. I would definitely recommend you to try this once. They also have shampoo with the same formula.

Other products from Neev:

Neev Almond Rose, Lemongrass and Patchouli Handmade Soaps

Loving It / Using It Vol. 10 - Vaadi Herbals Face & Body Scrub with Walnut and Apricot

After a long time, I have used a body scrub. I like that they are easy to use and less time consuming but then most of the body scrubs fail to show any results for me. So, lets see how did this one fare for me. 

Loving It / Using It : Using It 

• Price - Rs 68 for 90 gms

• Availability - generally available on online stores like flipkart, nykaa. Vaadiherbals.com is the existing brand website as well. 

• Packaging - Product comes in a plastic tub and will not leak. The tub is small enough to be carried around. 

• Texture - The scrub is grainy and creamy. The grains are less in density and not very harsh so they do not tear on the skin but generally, it is advised to skip on the grainy scrubs as they can cause micro-tears in the skin and harm the skin in the long run.  

• Usage - The product is a little more creamy so a bit of product diluted with water applies smoothly on the skin. Since it is a body scrub, it can be applied on both the face and body. I would say that it is gentle enough but still I would prefer to avoid it on face. 

• Results - Even though the product is creamy, it does not feel as if it leaves a residue after washing off. And, it does leave the skin shinier than before and the moisturiser gets absorbed real quick after a scrub session. And, it does not leave the skin dry as well. But, yes, it would not do anything like removing the dark spots and all which it does not claim to do either. Yes, one thing, I did not notice if they really made a difference to the blackheads, though!

• Ingredient List - Vaadi Herbals is notorious for not specifying the ingredient list which puts me off the brand a bit. 

My Verdict

Well, it definitely is a product to try out. I did like it.

Have you tried the product? Have you tried any other product from Vaadi? How did you find it?  

Other products from Vaadi Herbals:

Vaadi Herbals Chandan Kesar Haldi Face Pack
Vaadi Herbals Amla Thanda (Cool) Tail (Oil)
Vaadi Herbals Aromatherapy Body Oil Pure Lemongrass and Lily Oil

5 Tips for Autumn and Winter Skin Care {Five Series}

So, winter is almost at the door step and autumn has already made the air pretty dry. The climate of Hyderabad is dry and it just gets more and more drier and sitting in AC doesn't really help!!! Couple of days back, I felt my skin was getting stretchy even after applying loads of moisturizers. So, how did I overcome that? Check out.

Good Cleanser

A gentle, SLS-free cleanser has really helped with the hydration levels of my skin. Recently, I tried out an SLS-based face wash for review purposes and I was amazed at the difference it made to my skin. My skin felt dried up and starved of moisture.

Hydrating Moisturizer

I did realize in this entire process that simply using loads of moisturizer doesn't really help. A hydrating moisturizer is the need of the day. So, I used my trusted aloevera gel and it worked!!! Yup, try to get a water-based gel moisturizers. There are loads in the market, especially, from big brands.

Exfoliation

Yes, something which I have NOT been doing but its extremely important. Dead skin cells are more during colder and drier months so a hydrating scrub is very effectively in preserving the lipid barriers of the skin. Raw Sugar or Jaggery works out the best for me.

Oils

Yes, I know you are afraid of oils but not oils are really oily and using correct amount of oil is very necessary. A drop or two is generally enough. And, there are loads of facial and body oils these days which do wonders for the skin.

My recommendation would be a drop or two of Apricot Oil which goes on skin like silk and makes skin amazingly soft and NO grease either. I do wanna use other amazing oils like rosehip and such and will report back after I use them ;) And, by the way, the oily skin gals can also use oils.

Layering

This is one of the tips which is really effective. Sometimes, products used can be ineffective on their own, especially for dry skins!!! So, layering helps a lot. I do that sometimes for both my face and body. The aloevera gel goes first and then I use a drop or two of any facial oil. Similarly, a body oil coupled with a great body lotion helps the body.

Please remember that all the above tips apply all over the body and not just the exposed parts. So, follow them and enjoy the soft skin this winters :) And, I am so excited for winters. Its my favorite-st climate :D How do you keep your skin protected in winters?

Related Posts:

How to protect skin this winter?

Winter Skin Care Lotions 

Keep your skin moisturized this winter with Banana 

Is your skin itchy?

Get soft lips this winter

Vivel Active Essentials 3-in-1 Face Wash + Scrub {Product Review}

Price: Rs 105 for 100ml

Pros

cleanses the face really well

jojoba beads provide mild exfoliation

Cons

not meant for all skin types even if it says all kind types

leaves my skin a bit dry sometimes

jojoba beads don't get washed off properly

has SLS!!

My Experience

The product is a beautiful pearly blue in color with blue jojoba beads for exfoliation. The beads are not harsh on the skin but for me, the exfoliation wasn't enough. It doesn't help with the blackheads. The product last quite long, little being enough for every time. It lathers quite well and cleanses really well.

The face does look a bit brighter after using it. But, I do feel my skin is getting dry so probably it will suit only oily skin people and not dry. As I said earlier, my skin gets dry as the climate gets cooler, a drying face wash doesn't exactly help!! I love the color of the product, the pale blue.

So, did you use it? Do share what you think about it!

PS: Product sent by brand.

You might like:

Garnier Light Fairness Face wash 

Dove Deep Pure Face Wash 

Auravedic Botanical Actives Pulpy Facewash Honey Almond

Do you think it is safe to use a bleach? {Your Opinion}

Hey Everyone! So, I wanted to tell you I have been a lot busy for the past two weeks, I have not been checking my mails or reading any comments except for few posts!! I am really sorry for that but trust me today was a really longgg day and even yesterday and guess tomorrow as well!!

And, mom is gonna come day after after which we have to literally run for everything! Also, mom got a new red sari so I guess I am shifting my engagement sari to red now :D And, then I thought that a mix of golden and subtle red hint eye shadows would look gorgeous for the day with red lipstick...what do you say? Ok, I am really bad at it so don't judge please!

Anyways, I will be bugging you with all this for next two weeks so let me come back to the topic I was supposed to write about. In fact, its not me writing but asking you all - Have you tried any bleach on your face or arms? Is it really safe? Till date I have never used bleach and I am really scared of it!

In fact why this topic came into my mind was that few days back I was just browsing around and then I hit on the fem gold bleach review which had phenomenal before and after snaps! I was like shocked and so tempted to use it off. But, then, I controlled myself and thought I would first know the opinions of you all.

So, do you really think bleaching is a good option? Or, should I stay away from it in the nick of time?

Related Posts:

Suggestions Please - Serum or night moisturizer for radiant skin!

Why are people biased against makeup?

Does your night moisturizer have spf?

Maybelline Newyork Instant Age Rewind {Product Review}

This product was sent to me as a gift by Tine with some other things and this is something which I have been using ever since and I totally love it. I did try to explore if I can find the same range in India but I am not sure if it has hit the Indian shelves yet! 

Ok, I do not really know how to use the product and I do not know if this is supposed to be only for dark circles or can be used as a concealer as well. But, I try to use it as a primer underneath my sunscreen. Not only does this make my skin perfect for any product to go on but it also evens out the skin tone. 

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Pros

gives a smooth matte finish

build-able coverage

gives a blemish-free smooth skin

keeps skin glowing all day long

keeps the makeup and sunscreen fresh 

blends easily enough

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The finish of the product is matte and it can be drying for people with dry skin so moisturization is highly recommended before trying this out. But, otherwise, the skin looks smooth and blemish-free. The coverage is build-able and does not give a painted look to the face.

snaps look bit washed out coz i had taken them at night otherwise the tint of the product is light but it does get blended into the skin pretty easily and goes invisible except for a subtle highlight

If you follow with a foundation or tinted moisturizer or BB cream, it stays longer and does not make the skin patchy at all. In fact, the product keeps the skin glowing and luminous all day long. In my case, I do not even need a touch up (though I don't really do it!). 

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Cons

can be very drying for dry skin

can settle down into lines and creases 

can get patchy if the skin is not healthy

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Ok, one word about the packaging. It comes in a twist-up tube and one twist gives you enough product for complete neck, face and décolletage. The top of the twist comes with a sponge through which the product gets distributed on the skin but I do not like it at all because the sponge tends to soak up a lot of product. Instead it should probably have been a pump coz you can not use the sponge to apply the product either!

So, if you find the product any where, do check out the range. And, do not judge me that I am using a dark circle remover as a primer. Its just absolutely amazing and I do not really need dark circle removers so I had to find another use for it. Apparently the foundation of this range is also awesome!!

Have you used the product? Any idea if the range is available in India? Do you like it?

Related Posts:
Vaadi Herbals Amla Thanda (Cool) Tail (Oil)
Nivea pure effect Total Face Cleanup
Maybelline Baby Lips Mango Pie and Berry Crush Lip Balms

Face Cleanup at Home {DIY}

Ok, this is just a DIY and is not supposed to mimic the parlor cleanups. I just randomly followed this routine one day and totally loved it so sharing it with you. You can do this when you think you can do with a little bit of pampering. I have already shared all the DIY's in this post on the blog.

Ingredients

• Face Wash
• Homemade Body Polish
• Deep Cleansing Mask
• Nourishing Mask
• Face Towel

Method

• Wash your face and neck thoroughly to remove all grime and dirt. If makeup is already there, remove it properly using the double cleansing method. 
• Take this body polish and scrub your face and neck till all the granules melt off. This will take about 5-10 minutes at max.
• Now, the next step is to use a deep cleansing mask or any mud mask which absorbs the toxins from the skin and leaves your skin glowing. Let the mask dry and wash off. 
• Now, to nourish the skin, you can take a nourishing face mask and apply a thick layer. Let it dry. Relax in the meantime. Wash off. 
• Follow with a toner or in my case aloevera gel. And, apply your favorite moisturizer or in my case a facial oil. 

Body Polish

I have already shared the DIY on the blog here. I would strongly recommend you to use this. But, you are more than welcome to use a good face scrub if you own one. Also, after scrubbing, you can take the face towel and dip it in hot water and wash off your face with it (instead of steaming the face). This is just to open the pores.  

Deep Cleansing Mask

Any clay mask is a deep cleansing mask. If you have one, that is more than enough. Otherwise, you can make one using multani mitti (fuller's earth) and water itself. You need a mask which will only remove the toxins from the skin. The nourishment is the next step so don't worry about it.

Recommended Masks:

Beauty Formulas Heat & Cleanse Clay Mask

Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask

Nourishing Mask

If you have a nourishing mask or a creamy or hydrating mask, that is good. Otherwise, you can make one using cocoa powder and honey. You can also add milk cream or fruit juices or banana.

Recommended Masks:

Biotique Bio Pistachio Ageless Nourishing and Revitalizing Face Pack 

I would suggest any Biotique mask like milk cream or clove mask as well. They are all pretty nourishing. 

So, that was my home DIY for face cleanup. Do you have any alternate ideas? Do Share! 

Related Posts: 

Turmeric infused Almond Oil

Mom's Oil

Ginger infused Vinegar for Dandruff and Clarifying Hair

Clean and Clear Fairness Cream {Product Review}

Price: Rs 120 for 40gms

Pros

controls oil admirably for entire day

leaves skin brighter and matte

gets absorbed really easily

Cons

doesn't suit dry skin at all so stay away!! 

My Experience

The product is light pink in color and very thin in consistency and not at all heavy!! I would say this is a perfect cream for oily skin. Why? Because, it doesn't let my skin get oily and yes, my skin feels a little stretched coz its actually dry combination and these days, my skin is not that oily. Had it been summers, it would have suited me perfectly.

No, its not suitable for dry skin at all. Or, even if you spend a lot of time on AC, I would not suggest this for you. Regarding the fairness claims, I didn't really find it do anything to my skin. But, yes, it probably did make my skin glow but I can't be really sure. But, I did notice that my skin turns a little ashy when I apply more than two pea-size drops of products for my face and neck, one for each.

It does stand true to the claims of oil free so yes, when combined with its counter part face wash, its a perfect recipe to combat oily skin. It would have been great if the products had been launched during summers - quite a respite for oily skin types :) Regarding its sunscreen and UV filter claims, I prefer to use a separate sunscreen. 

PS: Product sent by brand.

Other products from Clean and Clear:

Clean & Clear Skin-Balancing Moisturizer

Clean & Clear Fairness Face Wash

My Skin Diary - September 2013

Ok, so, I can see my entire life changing in front of me now. And, now is the main time to take care of my skin :D So, what all did I do in September? I was pretty serious about using sunscreen this month. And, now I have run out of my favorite one so I need to replenish it in my shelf.

Guess what, MVO has started charging shipping for India. It has become so damn expensive so I have to wait till my friend comes from US and I have asked her to get me a few bottles. Till that time, I have to survive on lesser spf. Well, hopefully, I should not get too tanned. 

Face

Day Routine

• Face wash - Olay Total Face Cleanup
• Moisturizer - Rustic Art aloevera gel
• Base before Sunscreen - Garnier Eye Roll On + Maybelline Insta Age Eraser
• Sunscreen - MVO Face Moisturizing Screen + MVO Everyday Sheer Coverage
  
• Kajal - Maybelline Colossal
• Lip Balm - Maybelline Berry Crush

Night Routine

• Cleansing Milk - Mustard Oil + Coconut Oil
• Face wash - Olay Total Face Cleanup
• Toner - Liz Earle + Kama Ayurveda Vetiver Water
• Moisturizer - Rustic Art aloevera gel
• Facial Oil - Turmeric infused Almond Oil + Primrose Oil

Body

Day Routine

• Moisturizer - Vaadi Herbals Body Oil
• Sunscreen (arms) - Neutrogena 

Night Routine

• Moisturizer - Vaadi Herbals Body Oil + Vaseline Aloe Fresh + Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Bath & Body Oil

So, I did not really do anything much to my skin. Yes, one experiment I did was removing makeup everyday using Oil Cleansing Method. It worked out really well for a few days in the starting but then I thought my skin was not really accepting such a heavy treatment everyday so I left it at that!! So, I would suggest OCM only once a week at max. Do not do it everyday. Ciao with another post tomorrow. Its a bridal update post :D

How did your skin do in September?

Related Posts:
My Skin Diary - August 2013
My Skin Diary - July 2013
The Green Beauty Skin Care Tag [Part - I]

Clean & Clear Fairness Face Wash {Product Review}

Price: Rs 99 for 80gms

Pros

leaves the skin little brighter after wash

doesn't stretch the skin or make it dry, very rare occurrences even if it happens!!

is little gritty in texture so provides extremely mild exfoliation

doesn't have SLS

Cons

no skin type is mentioned on the product but this is especially for only combination and oily skin!!

My Experience
The product is a pearly pink in color and a little thick in consistency. A little of the product goes a long way. It also cleanses the skin really well. In fact, I found this face wash to similar to that of Ponds and Dove face washes in every way. The ingredient list is also almost same having myristic acid as one of the top ingredients.

I do not like the fairness claims but it leaves a skin little brighter and a bit pinkish after the wash. It doesn't dry the skin overtly but I do think it might not be suitable for dry skin. Regarding the oil control claims, I can't make any observations because the climate has considerably cooled down and my skin gets oily only in high temperatures. 

Though, I should probably mention that even though its really sunny these days sometimes, my skin doesn't get much oily, only sweaty. Oh, one thing is that the gritty texture of the product helps exfoliating. Its not a high-powered one but for daily use, its fine. So, yup, give a chance and then decide whether to stick to it or not.

PS: Product sent by brand. 

Other Clean & Clear product reviewed on the blog:

Clean & Clear Skin-Balancing Moisturizere

Loving It / Using It Vol. 9 - Le Beurre Shea Butter Body Cream Vanilla

Since I have come to know about shea butter, I have always wanted to get the raw material and make body creams with it. But, since that never really happened, I was happy to experience this product and see if shea butter really does what all its touted to do!

And, honestly, I am loving shea butter. So, check out what I think about the product.

• Price: 22$ for 8oz. Expensive!

• Availability - Le Beurre Website 

• Smells subtly of vanilla but nothing overwhelming. 

• Packaging. Comes in a wide-mouthed plastic container with a lid. The product has to be scooped from the container. The irritating part is that the product gets under the nails!

• Moisturises well. It really takes care of the dry skin. In fact, the cream is also in part responsible in healing my cracked heels. It is perfect for heel care.   

• Ingredient list not mentioned. 

• Does not travel well. The cream can melt in tropical temperatures and leak! 

• A small quantity is enough. And, it is definitely a winter or dry season product. 

• Absorbs immediately into the skin

Loving It / Using It : Loving It

Overall Verdict

Definitely recommended!

Have you used the product? Would you like to try out the products after reading the review?

Related Posts:

Loving / Using It Vol. 1 - Garnier Pure Active pore unclogging wash
Loving / Using It Vol. 3 - Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Bath & Body Oil
Loving / Using It Vol. 4 - Dabur Vatika Enriched Olive Hair Oil

Loving It / Using It Vol. 8 - Le Beurre Shea Butter Face Cream and Lip Balm

Long time back, I had ordered cocoa butter because I wanted to create my own face cream and body creams minus all the other useless ingredients. That cocoa butter is still lying in my fridge but I was contacted by this company to review the products and jumped at the offer. What could be better than using the natural products, right? So, let us see how did they fare in my review!

Shea Butter Face Cream

• Price: 12$ for 2oz

• No smell at all. 

• Packaging not really great. In fact the labels also get dissolved if the shea butter melts on it. 

• Moisturizes well. Shea Butter is awesome. In fact, it made my skin look glowing and hydrated even if no exfoliation was done!

• Ingredients not mentioned. 

• Does not travel well. The cream can melt in tropical temperatures and leak! 

• A small quantity is enough. Otherwise, it will make the face look oily. And, it is definitely a winter or dry season product. 

• Not suited for oily skin. 

Loving It / Using It : Using It

Shea Butter Lip Butter

• Price: 3$ for 0.5oz

• No smell at all. 

• Packaging good. The tin can can be reused for homemade lip balms or solid perfumes. 

• Moisturises well. Shea Butter is awesome. Lips look pink and beautiful.

• Ingredients not mentioned. 

• Absolutely travel-friendly

Loving It / Using It : Loving It

Availability

Website - Le Beurre

Overall Verdict

Totally love the lip butter. Definitely recommended! For face cream, I had only a sample size so can not really comment more.

Have you used the product? Would you like to try out the products after reading the review?

Related Posts:

Loving It / Using It Vol. 7 - Madara Colour and Shine Shampoo for Colored / Treated Hair
Loving / Using It Vol. 6 - Vaadi Herbals Chandan Kesar Haldi Face Pack
Loving / Using It Vol. 5 - Vaadi Herbals Nails and Cuticle Oil

From the Archives : Acne - Home Remedies {DIY}

Yesterday, I talked about how to take care of your skin and keep hygiene for preventing more acne outbreaks. Today, I would like to talk about some effective home remedies for acne. Hope these will be helpful for you. 

• Lemon juice is one of the best bets. It kills the bacteria in the acne and also reduces the oil production on the skin. In fact, all the citrus fruit family is great for acne. Oranges, strawberries, raspberries; take a slice of them every time you eat a fruit and rub it over your face and other affected parts of the body and keep it on till it dries off. Wash with very cold water so that it gives some relief from any burning or tingling sensation. 

• When I talked about lemon, tomato is the next follow up. Tomato juice is also equally effective for acne.
  

• Remember one thing: Whenever you feel a tingling sensation after you apply any herbal or other product, it is a proof that it is working. If it starts irritating the skin or causes change in skin color, then it is probably time to get rid of the product or remedy.

• Onion Juice and Ginger Juice is another great remedy for acne. Extract onion juice or ginger juice or cut a slice of onion or ginger and apply it on the affected parts. Wash off with cool water. You can even mix both of them.

• To reduce any burning sensation or inflammation, use cooled tea bags and chilled cucumber slices. They provide a lot of relaxation. You can also apply sandalwood paste. It cools the skin and is an antiseptic. Mint juice is also very useful in dealing with the acne.

• Mix 3/4th part of sandalwood and 1/4th part of turmeric. Make a paste with any fruit juice or mint juice and apply to the affected parts.

• How could I forget aloevera gel. Plant an aloe at home and reap its benefits. The gel straight from the plant is great for acne.

• Do not forget to use pomegranates. They too give you a lovely acne free skin.

You can also use something which will provide a cooling sensation or relief to the acne.

What home remedies do you use for your skin?

Related Posts:
From the Archives : Acne - How to take care of your skin?
From the Archives : How to Get rid of Blackheads? {Skin Care}
From the Archives : Downward dog position for dark circles {Skin Care}

Lakme Perfect Radiance Intense Whitening Capsules Treatment {Product Review}

This is my first ever try of Lakme’s skin care range. I have always loved their makeup products but this time I am madly in love with these capsules from their skin care range.

Price: 1250 for 28 capsules (very expensive, I must say!!)

 

My Experience

These capsules contain pale yellow serum which is very light in texture. When I apply it on my skin, it feels so soft!! Its absolutely non greasy and gets absorbed instantly into the skin. My skin is oily and I am, generally, afraid of creams and serums but this one rocks for my skin as it provides perfect moisture to my skin without making it oily. And, the best part is it never broke me out!!

Though the product says "twist the capsule to open it", I prefer scissors. The quantity of each capsule is 0.33gms and its enough for the entire face (I am wondering what about neck?? they could have given a bit more for the neck!!). Currently, I am on my second purchase and I am totally loving it. I can see wonderful glow on my face. (Thanks to my sister who forced me to use it and see the magic).

My uneven skin tone is more even and clearer. And the best part is my dark spots and post-pimple marks are lightened to some extent. It also keeps oil at bay for at leats 7-8 hours (when used at night). I don’t know why they called it a whitening treatment. It’s a great brightening treatment. I am absolutely in love with this serum though it’s little expensive for 28 capsules but its worth it.

Now, my friends are asking me what have I done on my face :D Lakme’s claim of freedom from 6 fairness blocks - dark spots, acne marks, uneven skin tone, oiliness, tanning and dullness is true. I think I have 5 of these problems and the product helped me reduce all of them. I am not tanned (you are so lucky!!). For me, it worked really great so I am going to buy it again.

Editor's Note: I was attracted to the product right form the start and now, your review is literally making me run to the shop and get one for myself but damn the expense!!! :(

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Great review, Punam!! Don't forget to check out her blog here.

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Other product I loved/hated from Lakme: 
Lakme Vital Indulgence
Lakme Perfect Radiance Fairness Facewash
Lakme Fruit Blast Berrylicious Fruit Revitalizing Scrub Mask

Loving / Using It Vol. 3 - Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Bath & Body Oil

Loving / Using It : Loving It

I absolutely am loving this oil. And, fortunately it is one of the few products which has jasmine but still smells like rose. Jasmine is so over-bearing that Kama has managed to put rose as the dominating scent in the oil. And, using it is absolute luxury :)

Have your used this oil? Share your thoughts!

Related Posts:

Loving It Vol. 2 - Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup
Loving It Vol. 1 - Garnier Pure Active pore unclogging wash