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?

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Biotique Bio Wheatgerm Firming Face & Body Cream
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Products which helped my hair

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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?

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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

Nutmeg for Dry and Oily Skin {Reader's Tip}

This is one of the tips I found in the comments while browsing through them.

Hey friends..! Try this.. really works.. Oily skin : Nutmeg paste prepared with water (apply it on face, leave it for 20mins and wash it off). Dry skin : Nutmeg paste prepared with raw milk (apply it on face, leave it for 20mins and wash it off). You can use honey instead of water too. Hope this will help you all :) on Difference between Pimples and Acne {Reader's Query}

As the reader said, nutmeg works wonders on the skin. Yes, the tip is extremely useful. And, do not forget to check out other Reader's Tips.

All about Facial Oils? [Part - II] {Skin Care}

Continuing from yesterday's sermon on how to use facial oils, we will talk about different methods to use facial oil and how oil helps the skin. Read on...

Extra Rich Treatments using Facial Oils

Now, there are two kinds of options available to you. You can try either of them. Leave the massaged facial oil as a moisturizer just as it is for a nightly treatment.

Or, you can keep on massaging for 5 minutes to ensure that most of the oil gets absorbed into the skin. In this method, you can take a bit more of oil, like 10 drops, if you feel like. Keep the oil for 5 more minutes if you want or take a tissue and blot off the excess oil on the skin. And, follow with your favorite night cream or serum.

Another simple method is the Oil Cleansing Method itself. One can use heavy or the lighter oils, as the preference lies. Take a generous quantity and massage for 15 minutes. If done on clean skin, skin does absorb quite a good amount of oil.

And, use a face wash cloth to remove the rest of the oil just as in the OCM treatment. Do not wash the face. Follow with your favorite product or leave it just as it is. Also, let me tell you that this method with the oil which suits your skin is absolutely amazing to remove blemishes and scars and dark spots!!

My Skin is Oily. How can I use oil???

This is the most common question when it comes facial oils. Yes, you CAN and you SHOULD use oils. The trick is to find the correct oil which suits your skin. My recommendation would be to start with grapeseed oil. And, you can probably use 1-2 drops instead.

Why facial oil helps any kind of skin?

Well, for one, oil is the only thing which can actually break down the dead skin cells binds and wash them off so oil acts as an exfoliant for all kinds of skin. Also, the molecular formula of oils is similar to the lipids present in our skin. [Remember the lipids?]

So, these oils go and form bonds with the lipids ensuring that skin remains at its best. Now, these lipids are mainly fats which is why we are advised to intake as much of Vitamin E and omega 3 as possible.

This is why oil is recommended even for oily skin. Also, oil and lipids on the skin only control the excess secretion of sebum as well so if skin is properly hydrated, skin generally does not produce more of oil.

So, you think you are up to use oils now? 

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All about Facial Oils? [Part - I] {Skin Care}

As you all know, I love oils. In fact, so much so that I would love to own all the apothecaries in the world! And, recently again, due to improper care my skin started to look and behave a bit weird so I thought I would go about giving it a good dose of care which does not ruin my easy life either. And, I have plethora of oils in my closet!!

So, that was when I started searching for how to use facial oils most optimally. Well, I know many of you are scared just when an oil is mentioned but guess what it is the best thing you can do for your skin. But, before that best, you do have to go through a fair share of trials and errors to know which one works best for which skin.

How to find the best oil for yourself?

Is your skin dry? Go for coconut oil. It has the fatty acids which instantly lift and plump up the skin and hydrate it from inside.   

Sesame oil is generally for normally dry to combination skin. 

Apricot oil is something which gets absorbed very very easily into skin. Grapeseed oil is also equally amazing for oily skin. 

I am not sure of almond oil. Some say that the molecules are too big to penetrate the skin so it does not really cause breakouts. But, I have no history of breakouts so I can not really answer that. But, it is great for under-eye areas.

Olive oil is something I will never really recommend. I have heard quite a lot of complaints about it but many raves also but personally my preference is not that.  

One more oil which I have used is evening primrose oil. I absolutely love it and would recommend it for mature skin, especially.

How to use Facial Oil?

Any oil should be used on damp skin. Why? Damp Skin is a good absorber and oils get spread on damp skin more easily. 2-3 or maximum 5 drops of any oil is enough to cover the face, neck and décolletage. Or, one pump if your oil comes with that. 

Always remember to treat your neck and décolletage with the same products you would use for the face whether a mask or scrub or face wash or even the makeup remover or even sunscreen. 

After that bit of lecture, let me tell you how I use the facial oils. This is when toner comes into use the most. Wet the face with the toner either using a cotton ball or just with the toner collected in cupped palms and then while your palms are wet, take the drops of facial oil and rub the palms till they get a bit warm.

Press the palms on your face starting with cheeks and then forehead and then nose and chin so that least amount of the oil gets deposited on the T-zone. And, then start massaging into the face and then neck and décolletage. There is no need to use more oil unless you feel dry. 

So, these are my few cents on the topic. I hope this article has helped a bit. This is the first part though. I was writing the post and realized it was just too big so I thought I would publish the rest in a separate post.

So, do you use facial oils? If yes, are there any tips for us? 

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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

Nivea pure effect Total Face Cleanup {Product Review}

So, this was on loving it list, if you remember! And, then, I had stopped using it for like a month. So, when I used it today, I recalled I have not yet reviewed it. So, here it is!!

Well, the first time I used the product, I remembered loving the texture of the product. It is so fluffy and smooth and looks very very luxurious. I think that is what I fell in love with.

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Pros

texture of the product is very luxurious

cleans the face really well

scrubs very gently and removes the dead skin cells on the nose gently

leaves a subtle glow

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When I used it as a scrub cum face wash, it was really soft on skin and yet removed the dead cells gently. But, the mask part was not so amazing. But still it was fine.

I love the entire concept of face wash cum scrub cum mask. Actually, the reason is that since May, I was following the same thing using 3 different products in the shower which was resulting in a lot of time waste in washing off one product and applying the other!

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Cons

glow does not last really long

no removal of blemishes or oil or evens skin tone

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A single product which can actually take care of everything came like a god-send. I use oils to cleanse off my sunscreen and this product is good at washing off the oil. Well, I can only say that not all face washes remove the oil completely!!

And, the scrubbing if done everyday is not really good but may be you can just be really gentle with it. Well, overall, how the product performs is quite vague in my case!

It cleans the face really well and leaves a subtle glow at the end but the glow does not really last for long. May be in the long run it really does something for the skin but I did not really feel that way. The only reason I love it is because of its texture. But, yes, it is worth a try!!

Price: Rs 199 for 150ml

Availability

It is available easily everywhere but I got it from myntra.

Did you use the product? Do you like it or hate it?

Get from flipkart:

Other products from Nivea:

Nivea Whitening Smooth Skin Deodorant

Nivea powerfruit relax Shower Gel

Nivea Sun Light Feeling Daily Face Sun Fluid 50+ Very High

5 Steps to Oily Skin Care {Five Series}

I have never really suffered with the pros and cons of the oily skin but mostly in summers I have terrible T-zone problem and blackheads and even in humid weather, there is a terrible issue of constant sweating so I thought I might compile some of the steps to take care of oily skin.

Salt Water Tip for Oily Skins

Wash your face with warm salt water. It helps to control the oil and does not aggravate acne either.

Face Wash

I always check out for a face wash which is SLS free and for a thorough cleansing, occasional use of face wash with salicylic acid like Garnier pore unclogging. I seriously love that product but only when I have oily skin, mind you!!! So, yes, a good face wash is very very important.

Toner

Absolute must when you are suffering from a lot oil! For a recommendation and for those who can afford, I would suggest Clinique Clarifying Lotion which is a alcohol based toner but gave amazing results on my skin. And, for all others and those who love doing DIY's, check this recipe out and you might just find it interesting.

Moisturizer

Well, this is one of the tricky parts of oily skin. For my combination skin, aloevera gel works well. But, for my friend, I had recommended this product which I found on Paris's blog and the product looks interesting.

Tea Tree Oil

Did you know that there is only lavender oil and tea tree oil which can be applied neat on skin? They do not have to be diluted with any carrier oil so if you suffer from acne or even if its just oily skin, this might be just the best moisturizer. Ok, also, this will protect you from the mosquitoes and bugs :D

So, these are few steps I use to take care of my combination skin in summers or humid weather. Check them out and see if they might be of some help to you as well. 

Do you have any more ideas for taking care of oily or acne prone skin?

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Garnier Pure Active Pore unclogging wash {Product Review}

So, just on the weekend I revealed that I absolutely love this particular product. Little did I know that I had almost run out of the product so I would anyway be doing the product review within 3 days! Anyways, as I said earlier this is amazing for oily and acne-prone skin though I am not really sure about the dry skin. 

Let me start with the packaging. Hate it! First, the product just comes out as soon as you unscrew the cap. Also, you get more than enough of the product because of which you tend to overuse it and run out of the facewash early. It lasted just 15-18 days with two uses per day. Also, if it came with a flip top cap, it would have been easy to open it in the shower otherwise the tube feels a little slippery in water. 

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Pros

feels cool on skin

removes blackheads completely

helps to avoid breakouts

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Now, let me come to the good. It is a light blue tinged in color and foams really well. Well, it does have SLS :( Anyways, it feels so so cool on your face after applying as if you have poured a lot of menthol on the face. Damn awesome in summers specially. Might not be a really great feel in winters, though :D

Now, it has salicylic acid so yes the blackheads are all GONE! First product which actually works on blackheads and I do think it works on breakouts as well because I did have a few bumps thanks to my skin-picking habit which did not dwell for more than 24 hours. It definitely helps in prevention if not cure. 

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Cons

bad packaging! 

might dry out the dry skin

might not be great in winters

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What else do I like about the product? Ummm...I pretty much mentioned everything. Yeah, one more thing is this might not be a great product for winters. Otherwise, yes, I would suggest it to every oily, combi and acne-prone skin.

Price: Rs 79 for 50gms

Availability

This facewash is pretty much available in all supermarkets and general stores. I got it from myntra, though. 

PS: Product was bought against a voucher in return for a product review for the website.

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Get it from flipkart

Do you apply a primer before makeup? {Your Opinion}

I thought this post would form a very interesting premise to a post which is gonna come soon. No, its not gonna be on makeup but I think primer is much more useful than just being a base for makeup!

Anyways, leaving all that, do you know what a primer is? A primer forms a base on which makeup can be applied smoothly. So, one can draw an analogy from a smooth canvas on which an artist can create his art with ease. Or, may be the plaster on which paint is applied so that it does not peel off!!

For me, a primer is something which absorbs oil on the skin, keeps it matte and provides a smooth base for the next product so that there is an even look. Also, it keeps the entire makeup in place for long and does not let the face become dull.  

Now, there are a lot of primers available depending on the functionality of the product like a foundation primer or eyelid primer or even mascara primer! Anyways, this concept of primer probably originated from the use of primers in painting and woodwork.

So, do you apply primer before makeup? Which primer do you like best?  Have you ever heard of primers?

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Loving / Using It Vol. 1 - Garnier Pure Active pore unclogging wash

 

Loving / Using It : Loving It

Ok, so, let me say this is a new series which I have though just a minute ago! I have been dying to talk about this product but it has not yet been a month since I have started using it so the product review would come in time. 

But, I am totally loving this product. And, it is very rare that I love a product so much that I am just dying to talk about it. Yes, I would recommend it to all of you whole-heartedly! Especially for oily skin and acne prone skin beauties, go and grab it right away :)

What do you think about the series and the product if you have used it?

From the Archives : Do you know why is your Skin Dry? {Skin Care}

Revisiting this post and updating it. So, please go through it once again! 

This winter has been particularly dry in the city and after ages of time, I experienced flaky and cracked skin! And, it has been hell for me for the past couple of days! Which made me realize why is my skin reacting in this way!

I have used coconut oil, almond oil, apricot oil, even cocoa butter and the recent DIY - washed ghee. They have all helped a bit but not much! And, then, I recalled that there are actually two types of dry skin - dehydrated and actually dry skin!
  
Do you really know the difference between dry skin and oily skin? Yes, you will say. Dry skin feels stretched and oily skin is like a frying pan. But, ultimately the chemistry of both these types of skin lack some important ingredient which keeps the skin balanced. Either the skin lacks hydration or moisturization. 

Hydration means water and moisturization means oil.

Now, do not confuse the two. A healthy balance of the above two is the key to that perfect skin and solving all the skin issues which plague you. So, let us look at both of the terms with respect to their skin conditions a little closely. 

Why Dry skin?

Skin can be dry for two reasons - it lacks water or the hydration levels of the skin is too less because of the less water consumption by the person, if we cancel out all other factors which lead to dry skin and assume that the person is following healthy skin habits. Also, there is a decrease in the natural skin oils or lipids which create a protective layer over the skin and help keep it moisturised.

So, to counter dry skin, apply both oil and water based moisturizers or you can use different moisturizers having water and oil and layer them. That is what I do. I use aloevera gel first and follow up with a facial oil. Doing just either of these steps will make the skin feel stretchy. Also, a tip is to apply the moisturisers and oils on damp skin.

Also Read: What hydrates our skin?

Which Dry Skin do You have?

So, now, it is up to you to decide which dry skin do you have? In most of the cases, generally the reason for dry skin is dehydration instead of lack of oils!

Drinking More Water does NOT help

Now that you know that your skin is dry due to less water content, I would like to add that drinking up a lot water and herbal tea does not replenish the moisture levels in your skin! The acidic level of the skin and the lipid barrier has been disturbed which is why skin is behaving in the way it is!!

Even Oily skin can be Dehydrated!

Even in oily skin, there is ample of oil but what it really lacks is hydration. Even oily skin can get dehydrated and this dehydration sends mixed signals to the brain which in turn causes skin to produce more oil to counter the missing water from the skin.

Result - even more oily skin but no hydration. So, to counter oily skin, apply water-based moisturizers regularly.

How to Treat this kind of Dehydration?

• Eat a lot of omega 3's - nuts, flax seeds, fish.

• Eat water based fruits! 

• Avoid dry brushing at this time as it can worsen the situation! 

• Avoid hot water baths at ANY cost! Trust me, I am doing the same. 

• Check out the cleanser you are using. Make sure it is mild and is not made of any acids, even salicylic acid! 

• Exfoliate your skin regularly because it will be turning flaky quite a lot! And, always use hydrating scrubs. The best bet would be sugar scrubs. Avoid salt and harsh scrubs at all costs!!

• Apply sunscreen in the morning and follow a stringent skin care routine at night. Use of toners is a good choice! 

Remember that skin will take time to heal!! So, be regular with your skin care routine. And, your skin will improve in 2-3 weeks.

What do you say? Is your skin dry or dehydrated? Does it need more water or oil? And, what are you doing to keep your skin soft this winter?

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Soulflower Grapeseed Oil {Product Review}

I have been using this oil since quite long. Earlier I had been using it just for the hair as a leave-in serum but in December and Jan, I had been using it as a moisturizer as well. So, how did this work out?

Ok, let me first talk about the texture of this oil. Grapeseed is supposed to be one of the best oils for the oily skin because of its lightness. Thus, it works amazingly as a leave-in serum without weighing the hair down. I had also put couple of drops of rosemary essential oil into the oil.

Since my hair is dry in texture, I can say it worked fantastically for me and there were lesser hair splits than normal. Just a drop or two of the oil rubbed on the palm and finger tips helps control the dryness of the scalp and hair!! And, it also helps with controlling dandruff and stimulates hair growth which was my main motivation to buy it!!

Regarding how it works on skin, I used it in the months of winter so it was absorbed quickly into the skin. And, needless to say, it was quite non-greasy and it did keep my skin moisturized all the time. In the harsher winters, one might need a layer of another moisturizer to keep the skin from drying but for Hyderabad, this oil sufficed quite well.

Also, I have noticed now that I have stopped using the oil, my skin has become dull. I have not been using sunscreen since almost three months and this oil had protected my skin quite well against the sun damage. My skin was bright enough and did not look dry or aged. But, now it has started looking a bit like that and the lines under the eyes have deepened as well. So, yes, it does protect the skin pretty well.

Price : Rs 350 for 30ml

Have you used this oil? Did you like it?

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Have you tried Aloe Vera? {Skin Care}

Yup, I know you would have already used it. I have also been recommending aloe vera since ages. But, today, I am going to talk about my friend's routine with aloe vera which she is very diligent about.

She is from Delhi and surprisingly she did not find aloe vera plant in Hyderabad. Really, right? Nah, aloe vera is easily available here but she or rather we were too lazy to buy a plant and nurture it.

Also, keeping an aloe vera plant among girls can dry it faster than a rose plant in a desert :D Well, obvious, no? Granted that aloe vera plant is quite adaptable but still you get my point! Anyways, coming back to my friend, she got lotsssss of aloevera leaves from home and keeps them stored in the fridge. 

And, almost every evening or once in three days (I don't know the frequency), she takes a small piece of the leaf and rubs the entire gel on her face for like 30 minutes or so while watching television. 

And, then, she rolls off all the extra pieces or small sticky things present in the leaf which cling to the skin and lets the gel get absorbed entirely. And, she sleeps just like that without washing it off.

Results? S attests to the fact that this is one of the reasons why her oily skin turned normal. She is prone to pimples but fortunately its frequency has decreased. And, as I said, she does this very very diligently!!

So, for all the oily beauties, try this and you might get lucky! Also, for all skin types, aloe vera improves hydration of the skin and makes the skin glowing and really supple!! This is one of the great skin care tips for summer as well.

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My Skin Care Routine

Clinique 3-Step Skin Care Samples {Product Review}

Well, you must have already been aware of the amazing 3-Step Clinique skin care routine. I got their samples very recently and I used them for a week now. Since the turn-around time was very less, please consider this as a preview instead :)

I was definitely excited about using their products because I have heard all the amazing things about the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. So, finally, I got a chance to use it and how did it fare for my skin? Ok, let me start with the face wash. Before I start, please consider that the products I received were for dry-combination skin.

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild (1st Step)

The product is transparent and is gel-like in consistency. I don't remember reading the ingredient list so can not say if it has SLS but I think it is soap free. Anyways, it lathers really well. But, somehow I felt it has alcohol because it smells of it sometimes! But, the product is really gentle on skin and cleanses well. I do not remember it drying my skin.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion Clarifiante 2 (2nd Step)

The toner is supposed to clean the skin, remove the makeup residue and the dead skin cells. It smells strongly of alcohol. And, stings the eyes real bad! I am using it very regularly after the face wash. It cleans the skin well as it is supposed to. It also controls the oil production and the best part is it leaves a cooling sensation which stays for like 10-15 minutes which feels really awesome in these hot summers. 

excuse the extremely dry skin!!

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (3rd Step)

The product is very light and non-greasy and literally disappears into the skin. But, since it is for dry-combination skin, I guess it wasn't enough for my skin! Sometimes, I did feel dry after using it. But for the most part, especially in the morning, it suited me perfectly. The MVO sunscreen glided on the moisturizer easily and my skin did not feel dry AT ALL which it sometimes does because of the Zinc Oxide in the sunscreen. And, the oil on my skin was almost non-existent!

Overall Experience with Clinique 3-Step Skin Care
Since my skin is not exactly troublesome, I would not say I saw drastic difference. But, when I started using these products, for the first two days, I saw my skin behave really well. But, later, somehow it returned back to normal or may be I just got used to the change. I am not able to decide which one is the case with me! But, yup, if you are willing to shell money, I would definitely recommend the kit. And, I think it would be of more help to the oily skin people. But, damn the expense (the regular kit is around 4k!).

L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfect Cream for 20+ and 30+ {Product Review}

Few days back, I had asked you to guess the products. And, yes, you were right. The range is L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfect which has come up with different solutions for different ages. 

Now that you might have also seen the ads on the television, I can share with you my experience with the product! I used both the 20+ and 30+ products. Well, I have touched 29 and Mr. P has touched 30 so I was really confused which ones should we use. 

And, then, finally Mr. P settled to feel younger by choosing the 20+ range and I settled for the 30+ considering the winter wreaking havoc on my skin. After all the anti-aging range is more moisturising.

Update: Btw, I was not aware that it is a women-specific range before sharing it with my better half! So, beware all the gals before you recommend it to your sweethearts and better-halves, even on Mr. P's recommendation. Also, please do check out how does men's skin differ from women.

Specifications First

• Price: Starting at Rs 99

• Availability: L'Oreal Paris outlets and kiosks.

• Packaging: The cream comes in a wide-mouthed glass jar but the white really falls flat. A pop of color would have brought elegance to the packaging.

• Fragrance: My pet peeve of strong smelling products still holds. The fragrance of the product is not really strong but stays a long time so it does effect one who has a sensitive nose. But, it might prove to be quite pleasant for some.

• Texture: The cream is creamy in consistency and not really thick. Spreads easily. 

Products Claims

Usage and Results

As 20+ product claims, it does give a shine-free and glowing skin instantly! It does even out the skin tone.

And, as 30+ product claims, it does give smoother and brighter skin.

But, there is one issue with both the products! The application of the product. Though the texture of the product is creamy and easily spread-able, it does not blend well into the skin. In fact, I could not figure out how to easily blend it. So, one has to be able to use the product very judicially.

Only pea size dot is enough to cover the face and another for the neck. Anything more leaves white streaks on the skin. This happened to both of us. And, I do not think it blends well on damp skin so make sure your skin is dry. And, same is the case if you are trying to layer this product with any other.

On the positive note, I have to say that it controls the oil very well. In fact, I can add that the 20+ range felt a bit dry for my skin so I shifted to the 30+ so may be you need different formulations for different weather conditions. And, the effects of the cream last up to 2 hours easily. I would definitely suggest to reapply your moisturising cream after a duration to maintain hydration levels in your skin.

As to its claims on spot reductions, I can not really say anything as I do not have such issues!

My Verdict

Finally, I would like to say that it is a good cream and I am sure it will be a savior in the summers.

So, it is a yes if you really want soft and smoother and brighter skin instantly. And, Mr. P totally endorses it :D 

So, what do you say? Would you love to check out the product? Have you already used or bought it ? How did you like it? Do share! 

Other face care product reviews:
Vaadi Herbals Instaglow Almond & Honey Face Pack
Garnier Daily Care Gentle Cleansing Milk
Garnier Pure Active Pore unclogging wash