Bio Aloe Vera Sunscreen from Biotique | Review

This happened last summer while I was browsing through the skincare section in a local supermarket. I was telling my mom that I needed a sunscreen and asked her to check if she could find any. A random girl over hearing this stopped by and said "If you don't mind, can I suggest you a sunscreen ?" I exclaimed "Sure!". She recommended me the Bio Aloe Vera from Biotique. She also added "This is one of the best sunscreen I have ever used!".

There are so many criteria to be considered like deciding on the brand, going through the ingredients , checking for the SPF levels before narrowing down to one lotion.This sweet girl undoubtedly eased my painstaking task of finding a good sunscreen. I know its weird of me to completely trust a stranger, but I assumed just because she liked the product so much that she couldn't stop herself from recommending it to me. And so, I went ahead and got the Bio Aloe Vera sunscreen.

Packaging :

It comes in a translucent bottle with a green cap. The lotion is non sticky and white in color. I chose the lotion with 30 SPF.

Biotique - Bio Aloe Vera Sunscreen

Usage :

I apply this sunscreen all over my face, neck, hands and feet 20 minutes before going out in the sun so that the lotion gets completely absorbed by the skin. On application, it gave a cooling sensation. The smell is not so pleasant but it isn't that bad either. It did keep my skin cool in the sun for about 30 minutes and after which my skin demanded reapplication. It worked for its claims and I had no complains about this sunscreen.

Price :

INR 290 for 120 ml.

Pros :

• Works for its claims.
• Aloe vera based
• Natural ingredients

Cons :

• None

Verdict :

A good sunscreen which is made of natural ingredients and chemical free.

Neem Aloe Vera Face Pack from Patanjali Review

When it comes to skincare, Aloe Vera is undoubtedly my favorite ingredient. Any beauty product that is Aloe Vera based instantly goes into my wish list. On my recent visit to a near by Patanjali store, the Neem Aloe vera Face mask right away grabbed my attention. After discovering the goodness of Patanjali Aloe Vera gel , I was fascinated to try this Aloe vera based face mask from this brand.

Patanjali Neem-Aloe Vera Face Pack

Packaging :

It comes in a white flip open tube. It is majorly made of aloe vera and fuller earth along with small quantity of neem and cucumber.

Patanjali Neem-Aloe Vera Face Pack

Usage :

I applied a small quantity of this face pack all over my face and neck avoiding the eye area. This face pack on application rendered a cooling and soothing effect on the skin. The smell is not so inviting and the texture is sort of muddy due to the presence of fuller earth.

I let it dry for about 10 to 15 minutes and then washed it off using cold water. I have an oily T-zone and I noticed that this face pack had removed the oil on my face completely. I felt fresh after using it but at the same time I learnt that my skin became super dry. I had to use a moisturizer right away to get it back to normal.

Pros :

• Smooth muddy texture.
• Provides a cooling and a soothing effect on the skin.
• Eliminates the excess oil on the face.
• Best suited for oily skin.

Cons :

• Contains parabens which I failed to notice while buying the product as I assumed that Patanjali products are completely ayurvedic.
• Not suitable for all skin types.
• Unpleasant smell.
• Makes skin dry.

Rating :

2.5 /5

Verdict :

A budget friendly face pack for oily skinned beauties provided you don't mind the parabens.

L'Oréal Paris Smooth Intense Hair Serum

Today I am going to review about the L'Oréal Paris Smooth Intense Hair serum. I am not a big fan of hair serums as I don't really like using chemicals to my hair. This hair serum was a part of my mom's post hair smoothening hair care package and I was intrigued to try it out.

Packaging:

It comes in a yellow bottle with flip open cap.

L'Oréal Paris Smooth Intense Hair Serum

Usage:

I have dry, frizzy and wavy hair which sometimes even looks bushy. I took few drops of this serum and applied it just to my hair , not bothering the scalp. The serum has an intense smell which stays for a longer time. It made my hair glossy and manageable instantly. This readily gave an instant radiance to my otherwise dull hair. The frizz as promised was controlled to a greater extent. I learnt that my hair became smooth and manageable in seconds of using this serum. just a few drops has done the magic. Using it on regular basis , I found that this has caused hair breakage which resulted in severe hair fall.

Pros :

• Provides instant shine to dry hair
• Makes hair smooth and glossy.
• Non sticky
• Controls frizz.

Cons :

• Intense smell (which I personally didn't like).
• Long term use causes hair breakage.
• Loads of chemicals

Verdict :

This is a life-saver during those times when you have a wedding or a party to attend but no time to visit salon to tame your hair. Save it only for those special occasions!

Thank you for reading!!

Smooth skin guaranteed | D.I.Y Face and Body Scrub | Exfoliator Using Indian Kitchen Ingedients only

Our regular skincare regime mostly includes Cleansing and Moisturizing. A lot many of us do not consider exfoliation seriously. Exfoliation is simply as important as the cleansing or moisturizing. Exfoliation is a technique used to remove dead and worn out skin cells and dirt stuck inside the pores of the skin. Scrubbing provides an entirely fresh and clean skin taking the skin to a whole new level.

Today I am going to talk about a simple face and body scrub that can be found in our kitchen. I generally don't spend on buying those creamy scrubs that are available in the stores as I find my home made scrub more effective.

Two most loved delicacies in India are Idly and Dosa. These two are my all time favorite and I wouldn't mind having Idly or dosa for my breakfast everyday. You might be wondering why am I suddenly talking about food here. Well , my most effective face and body scrub is nothing but the idly/dosa batter. Yes, you 've read it right it's the idly/dosa batter that I use for exfoliating my skin on regular basis. Almost every other indian household make idly and dosa for breakfast and therefore it is easily available in our kitchen. And trust me, this scrub is so effective that you will never go back to buying scrubs from the stores ever again.

My idly/dosa batter scrub is suitable for all skin types. Only exceptions are for those who suffer from severe acne. Other wise this scrub works for all skin types. The batter should be used only after 2 to 3 days after making it and not immediately. In other words, I simply use the left-over , highly fermented batter. The bacteria produced due to fermentation is our ally in achieving the smoothest skin.

How to use:

1. Apply the fermented batter on face and all over the body massaging in small circular motion using fingers
2. Let it dry and allow it to stay for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Once dried , wet it again using enough water and once again exfoliate in small circular motion.
4. Wash it off completely to discover smoother , cleaner and glowing skin.

Benefits :

• Removes dead and worn out skin cells : While massaging , the coarseness of the batter sheds off the dead skin cells. Its these dead cells that makes the skin dry and dull.
• Reduces tan and pigmentation : The fermented batter is an excellent source of Vitamin C. The sour batter thus helps in removing tan and promotes skin whitening.
• Removes black heads, black spots due to acne : Black heads are formed due to overgrowth of skin cells. Since exfoliations sheds off the top most damaged layers of the skin, it also helps in reducing black spots and black heads
• Removes unseen dirt stuck between pores : Pollution these days damage skin mercilessly. While cleansing removes the visible dirt , proper exfoliation is required to eliminate the unseen dirt trapped inside the pores. The bacteria present in the batter also helps in killing germs and other pollutants.
• Provides instant glow and smoothen skin : This is simply result of all the points above.

Con :

This technique could be a bit messy as when the batter dries, it begins to fall off.

Suggestions:

1. Use this scrub twice a week for cleaner and smoother skin
2. Use a mild moisturizer after exfoliation is done.

L'oreal Paris Kajal Magique - Black

We all love the magic of a simple line of kohl that does to our eyes. Even traditionally, the simplest yet the most essential part of the makeup involved wearing a perfect stroke of Kajal. The perfect stroke of kajal lined flawlessly on the waterline instantly beautifies the face. It is therefore important to have a good kajal in our makeup kit.

My search for a daily wear kajal that gives a beautiful black lining to my eyes came to an end when I bought L'oreal Paris Kajal Magique. I use it almost everyday and it highlights my otherwise dull and small eyes.

Packaging:

It comes in a black stick with the brand name written in a metallic pink. The packaging claims that it is smudge proof for up to 12 hours. Although my experience says that the smudge proof quality of this kajal lasts only up to 6 or 7 hours.

Usage:

I am using this kajal almost everyday now. Approximately about 2 to 3 strokes works best for me. I like the staying power of it which is much better than its other counterparts (Maybelline Colossal kajal or Lakme eyeconic). It is easy to wear and I like the fact that it smoothly glides over my water line. This makes it an ideal daily wear kohl.

Price :

INR 275 for 0.35g. (Available at much lesser / discounted price online)

Pros:

• East to use
• Reasonably pigmented
• Ideal for daily wear
• Enriched with Vitamin E, cocoa butter, olive oil and Vitamin C preservatives
• Better staying power compared to other counterparts.

Cons:

• Removal is a bit messy
• Doesn't claim to the 12 hour smudge proof ability
• Not completely water-proof
• Bit pricey

Rating:

3.75/5

Verdict:

You will definitely not regret buying this but yeah there are lots of Kajals in the market now with much better staying power. I will have to try them out before buying this again.

Thank you for reading :)

Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel Review

One of my recently found love in the Skincare market is our very own Patanjali Aloe Vera gel. After reading so many good reviews about this gel I was determined to try this out as soon as I can. Patanjali products are not available in all the local stores so it took me quite some time to find this and I finally got it in Big Bazzar.

Packaging:

It comes in transparent tube with an orange flip open cap. The gel is green in color and consists primarily of 90% Aloe Vera along with some preservatives and permitted color.

Patanjali AloeVera Gel (पतंजलि एलोएवेरा जेल )

Usage:

I have been using this gel as an after bath for almost two months now and I have noticed some excellent changes. My skin dries out immediately after bathing and I use this gel to my face and neck to keep them hydrated. This gel makes my skin smooth and soft and at the same time gives an excellent glow. I don't feel the need to use a moisturizer after using it as this works enough for my me. Unlike moisturizer, this also doesn't give any oily and sticky feel. Using it twice a day regularly, I have also noticed that the dark spots on my face due to acne and blemishes have also begun to disappear. Awesome, isn't it? What more can I ask from this wonder gel.

Price:

INR 40 for 60 ml

Pros:

• Keeps skin hydrated
• Leaves a glow
• Helps in reducing acne and dark spots due to blemishes
• Made of natural ingredients. (Patanjali products are known for this)
• Decent easy to use flip-open packaging
• Super cheap and affordable

Cons:

• Not available in all the local stores.

Verdict:

I have already finished two tubes and starting with my third one. This will be my all time favorite and I don't think any other aloe Vera gel at this price would replace the love I have for this one. Don't think twice, just blindly buy. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

Thank you for reading! Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Karite Buerre PURE Shea Butter Review | August 2016 Fab Bag

One of the delux sized products that I received on my August 'The what the chic' Fab bag is Karite Buerre's PURE shea butter. I have never tried shea butters before and this is my first encounter with a body butter. Karite Buerre 's PURE shea butter is 100 percent natural. Its organic and completely hand processed sourced directly from Africa. It is higly enriched in Vitamin A and E that repairs the damaged dru and rough skin.

Packaging:

Moving on to packaging, I received a delux sized sample of 20 g. It was packed in cute small white tub.

PURE shea butter

Usage:

This shea butter can be used on any part of the body just like a moisturiser. It is best suited for dry and damaged skin. I have a normal to combination skin, so I didn't feel the need to try it on my skin. However, I have dry lips, so I tried it on them and I have been using it on my lips ever since I got my hands on this beauty. I take very little of this butter and simply dab it on my lips. I have a strong predilection towards beauty products that smell good and this beauty won my heart. It smelled delicious and worked beautifully on my lips making it soft. Trust me guys, I am not exaggerating here , I was genuinely delighted to find my lips gliding smooth and shiny. 

PURE shea butter

Although I was expecting the Just Herbs Malabar Body wash in my fab bag this month, I have no regrets to have received this amazing body butter. I must thank Fab bag for introducing me to shea butters.They are deliciously smooth and have worked beautifully on my lips.

Pros :

• Delicious smell
• Easy to use.(Quantity required per use is also less)
• Removes dryness instantly
• Softens and nourishes skin/lips
• 100% natural
• Hand processed
• Enriched with Vitamin A and E

Cons: 

None at all!

Price:

INR 499 for 50 g

Verdict:

I will definitely recommend this to anyone with dry and damaged skin and without any doubts I will definitely be buying the shea butter again for pampering my lips.

Kronokare Anti Turm Oil Review | August Fab Bag

People always talk about vacations being exciting, joyous or adventurous but nobody talks about the post-vacation exhaustion. After my recent beach vacation to Langkawi, I was all tanned and tired. The day I landed home, my August Fab Bag was already waiting for me. I impatiently opened it and found a tiny black bottle in it : the Anti-Turm oil from Kronokare.

Kronokare Anti Turm Oil

I was all day out in the sun during my 3 day vacation and the sun showed no mercy on us. My hair has been damaged cruelly due to the humidity and long hours of exposure to the sun. This made me yearn for a good hair oil massage. The Kronokare Anti-turm oil that I received it in my Fab bag came to my rescue.

I took a generous amount of the oil and massaged it on my scalp for a few minutes. It gave a nice soothing effect cooling down the heat on my head. I felt so relaxed after applying this oil to my hair. The oil smelled like an Ayurveda tonic but nonetheless it did a great job of relaxing my head. I allowed it to stay for about an hour and then I rinsed it off using a shampoo.

Price:
    INR 225 for 30 ml

Pros:

• Non sticky oil
• Impressive cooling effect on the head
• Relaxes tired muscles
• Easy to use flip-open bottle

Cons:

• Super Expensive

Verdict:

       I wouldn't mind receiving this oil in my future fab bags but hell yeah I definitely can't afford to buy a full sized product!!

Thank you for reading :)

Inveda Argan Cleanser Review

Hello All,

Today I am going to write about the Inveda Argan Cleanser. First let me tell you about how I got my hands on this product. I received a 5 ml sample of this cleanser from Smytten. Smytten has this unique system of sending out trial packs for free. You can select up to three products from their application and they will send you the samples of these products absolutely for free (No shipping costs, whatsoever! ). You can later go ahead and order for full sized products in case you like what you have tried. Interesting isn't it?

One of the three products that I have requested for trial is the Inveda Argan Cleanser. One of the reasons why I chose this product is because of the interesting ingredient it is made of - Argan Oil. Argan oil is exclusively found in Morocco which is used to treat damaged skin and helps greatly in skin nourishment.

Inveda Argan Cleanser

The cleanser was a transparent gel with tiny red beads in it. It had flowery fragrance which was highly refreshing. I used it on my wet face and upon massaging it formed small amount of lather, It felt more like a face wash. Nevertheless, my skin felt so soft and supple after using it. I have a combination skin and this cleanser removed off the excess oil on my face and also making sure that it didn't leave my skin dry. The package claims that the cleanser is suitable for all skin types, although I would recommend this only for normal to oily skin. The cleanser did play its role right and I am impressed at how it worked on my skin.

Pros:

• Refreshing fragrance.(Trust me guys , this smelled so good)
• Removed excess oil and unseen dirt
• Not that expensive

Cons:

• None that I could think of.

Verdict:

       This will be a great product for the ones who are exposed to pollution on daily basis as this really helps in removing the excess oil and other pollutants that may have acquired during the day.

Thank you for reading. Hope you are having a wonderful day. :)