Beauty Haul + Mini Review ft. The Body Shop, Ananda Spa, Batiste etc.

I keep a list of products I want. These are the ones I’ve heard good reviews of but I’m waiting for them to go on sale so that I can buy them with lesser guilt. Believe it or not, some of them have been on my digital wishlist on every e-commerce website I stalk - because why should I miss out on a good deal, eh?

Three Great Organic Clay & Rice Based Face Masks for Summers

I love using face masks and I think that every girl does! I have discovered so many great face masks over the years and I realized that of late, I’ve seen best results from natural face masks than chemical ones. Today I will be talking about three organic clay based face masks, which I think are great to detox your skin during summers!

March FAB BAG Women's Day Special ft. SUGAR, Wella, Nykaa, Suganda

The MARCH FAB BAG is a WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL bag. The theme is 'More Power to You'.

My Current Pimple-Free Skin Care Routine (Cool Weather)

Before you begin with this post, do read my earlier skincare post where I’ve mentioned some important tips that I follow till today.

Natio Argan and Jojoba Smoothing Face Oil Review (Updated)

I purchased the Natio Argan and Jojoba Face Oil after fellow blogger Shubha Juyal raved about it in a favorites post. I actually asked her a couple of questions before purchasing it when it went sale online. Natio is an Australian brand that launched in India (last year, I think) and so far I have seen their products online only. They might be available in stores sometime in the future and hopefully faster than Sephora.

Review // The Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser Leaves Me in A Rosy Bliss

My skin type : Currently, my skin is normal. It gets dry if I’m not regular with moisturizer (these months are cold after all!). I don’t have sensitive skin, however there are some products that give my skin allergic reactions. I don't have acne-prone skin. 

From the day I started using Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser, I fell in love with it. Firstly, the rosy scent is soft & calming. The cleanser is clear, I use two pumps of it for my face & neck. I use it in the morning & at night after removing all my makeup with a proper makeup remover. According to its description, it can remove light makeup, but I haven’t tested this out yet. It has the consistency of a runny/watery gel, I think it feels like glycerin. It spreads easily on my face and cleans it effectively. The first time I used it, my blemishes were diminished in size. When I had reviewed the TBS Aloe Gentle Cleanser, I had commented that I felt it did not clean my skin well because I still got pimples. Now, after using this KA cleanser (and other products in my skincare) I have not experienced any blemishes/breakouts. That’s one of the reasons why I love the Rose Jasmine cleanser, it purifies my face like no other. I do get small bumps on my face, but that is when I try out some new product or accidently sleep for some time with makeup (yes, it happens to everyone !).

Skincare Favorites of 2015

2015 was a great year for me in terms of skin care. I discovered products that have kept my skin blemish-free, even during my period ! It doesn't get better than that, does it ? 

Here are some of the skincare that really stood out in 2015 :

Iraya Kumkumadi Facial oil - I got a lot of compliments from my family coz of how amazing my skin was looking after using this. Enough said, right ? Full review here. 

The Body Shop Warming Mineral Face Mask  - This clay face mask makes for the perfect winter indulgence; as you apply it on your face, you’ll notice that it warms up. This feeling is very comforting, especially in winters. It is able to detox my skin very well & reduce blemishes, spots and marks to a great extent. Full review here.

Just Herbs Petalsoft Antitan Rose Face Pack - I had just a sample size of this product that lasted for a good amount of time for me. I loved using this because of its rose fragrance, the whole experience was therapeutic. I want to repurchase it for the summer season, which is the time I enjoyed using this face mask the most. More deets in this post. I must say that I love how Just Herbs has amped up the packaging now, it doesn't look like the tin in my collage anymore. 

My TOP 5 Best and Disappointments from THE BODY SHOP // What you should get from the 25% off 3 + FREE Shipping Sale

The Body Shop website has had FREE SHIPPING since almost 2 months and I resisted purchases simply because I had done a big haul just before their free shipping period launched. However, I couldn't resist anymore when I saw that they still have free shipping and an additional 25% off  3 on some products. So here are my recommendations in case you also couldn't hold back =)

The Best : (I LOVE all of these !)

1. Lip n Cheek Tint in Rose Pink 01 | Rs.850

A long wearing pink cheek stain that makes you look naturally flushed. Everyone I’ve recommended it to has fallen in love with it ! A good buy for beginners as well. This shade is glitter free, it is disappointing that TBS doesn’t have more shades in this variant. Full review & swatches here.

2. Warming Mineral Face Mask | Rs.1195

This clay face mask makes the perfect winter indulgence, as you apply it on your face, you’ll notice that it warms up. This feeling is very comforting, especially in winters. It is able to detox my skin very well. Full review here. Since it is pricey, this sale is the time you must check it out!

3. Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil | Rs.695

I have this hair oil since an year. During some months I have been irregular but whenever I regularly use it, I’ve noticed that it has boosted my hair growth! Therefore I have repurchased it as well :) This is also pricey, but you get a lot of quantity!

#SkincareWeek Finale: I Heart the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Makeup Removing Micelle Solution

Let me tell you a story…

There was a girl who was all about makeup

She hoarded & hoarded & then some more…
...every day she played with it but..

then she realized she needed to take it off at the end of the day….but with what ?

Everyone she followed & loved were gushing about something that looked just like water but worked like magic

But she resisted….she had been deceived by similar promises before…

She tried others in the market, some didn’t do it all & some left her longing for more...

so she wondered if she had overlooked Mr.Right..

…maybe…maybe not..but..No...maybe if...nah…uhh..mm… the indecision went on..

One day she decided to dip her toes into that magical pond & see what it was that everyone loved…

..

.

.

Bioderma Claims that the Sensibio H2O :

• Combines performance and very high tolerance
• Cleanses and removes make-up from the face and eyes
• Soothes and clears up irritated skin
• Produces a feeling of instant freshness
• Non-rinse
• Meant for sensitive to intolerant skin
• Even removes water-resistant make-up
• One bottle of Sensibio H2O sold around the world every 5 seconds!
• Fragrance-free formula
• Alcohol-free
• Paraben-free
• Hypoallergenic

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Mannitol, Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructooligosaccharides, Propylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Cetrimonium Bromide.

My Experience with Bioderma Sensibio H2O :

I'll get right to it, I love the Bioderma Sensibio H2O to bits. It has changed makeup removal from being a burden to a routine I look forward to. The fact that it is so easy to use plays a key role here. I like to soak half of my cotton pad with the Sensibio H2O and use it on my face & neck. Of course I use more cotton pads as needed. You do need a lot of quantity of the product here, so I find it best to do the routine twice. The first time I go over my face thoroughly, the second time I use a fresh cotton pad soaked with the Sensibio H2O and sweep it around my entire face just to check if there's any makeup still left. It has some kind of soapy fragrance.

It does take out the most stubborn makeup easily. It feels just like water, which makes its results seem even more extraordinary. If you've ever worn a shimmery/glittery eye shadow, you'll know the pain of completely getting rid of all those shimmer/glitter particles from around your eye. And Bioderma Sensibio H2O takes all of it off easily. Even waterproof mascara, liners are not safe from it :P Yes, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it takes off waterproof makeup. I haven't tested it out with Maybelline waterproof mascaras though, that will be the true test ! Also, I apply 1-2 coats of mascara, so if you use more, it gets harder to remove. The amount of makeup you are able to take off using the Sensibio H2O also depends on how you use the product, you may have to hold it for a few seconds/move it in circular motions/move it across...just find the right technique that works for you, but trust me, it does take off your makeup!

What is micelle solution / micellar water makeup remover ?

Such products are made up of micelles which are tiny surfectant molecules suspended in a liquid.These tiny molecules latch onto all the unwanted particles on your face and dissolve them, unlike traditional makeup removers that end up smearing makeup all over your face! Micellar waters do not require the use of any other skincare in your cleansing routine, including water! They can be used as makeup remover, cleanser & toner, all sans the use of water. Magical, isn't it ?? Its the perfect companion for travel, you can cut down on packing a ton of products.

The Bioderma Sensibio H2O micelle solution doesn't leave any residue on my face. However, when I wash my face I feel like I'm washing a soapy layer off my face & that's actually this solution. Its claims to be non-rinse, i.e, you do not need to wash your face post using this. But like I've already said, it does leave some kind of residue behind so its best to wash your face. Initially I used to combine Bioderma Sensibio & TBS Camomile Oil to take my makeup off but slowly I've realized that I don't need both, either one is good. The evidence to this is that I don't wake up with breakouts if I use just one of them the previous night to take off my makeup. More importantly, it doesn't change the balance of my skin, my skin doesn't feel more oily or more dry than it already is.

Product vs Price :

Bioderma Sensibio H2O is available in 2 sizes in India.

Price: Rs.599 / $9 || Qty: 100ml / 3.3 oz

Price : Rs. 860 / ~$13 || Qty : 250ml / 8.4 oz
Shelf Life : 12 months

Availability : Flipkart | Nykaa | Amazon | Purplle 

It is very pricey, plus I need quite a bit of it if I'm wearing lot of makeup. I wish it was cheaper :/ :( But Bioderma is a luxury French brand so what else can we expect ? I also wish we could get the 500ml bottle which comes with a pump. I'd definitely recommend getting the smaller bottle first, incase you don't like it later on. You won't waste more money that way. The small bottle is also super useful if you're travelling. As you can see, I have already repurchased it, I bought the smaller one first & when it was almost over I bought the bigger size. I think I will always repurchase it, even if I try other makeup removers. If you have combination/oily skin type, the other variant Bioderma Sebium H2O, might be the right product for you.

Overall Verdict : 5/5

I definitely recommend everyone to try the Bioderma Makeup removing Micelle Solutions. This particular range (sensibio H2O) is meant for sensitive skin, if you have oily/combo skin, it may not suit you and there is another range of micelle water for your skin type(sebium H2O). I do not have sensitive skin, yet I loved using this product! I remember scoffing at videos/reviews which raved about the Bioderma Sensibio H2O because I didn’t believe in the hype. Oh how the times have changed…its like being a selenator forever & then one day you realize your true calling is a smiler (miley cyrus supporter)....sorry no, its not that dramatic. =P

#SkincareWeek is a special series - Each day of the week I presented you with a new skincare product. 7 skincare products carefully tried & tested out for you! This was the final post, hope you enjoyed the series! 
See more from this series  : 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

#SkincareWeek : Made in India - Fabindia Papaya Face Pack Review

I’m an ardent face mask lover & #SkincareWeek would be incomplete without the mention of any mask. Yesterday, I reviewed a hydrating one & today I’ll talk about a deep cleansing one.

I’ve always been curious to try out Fabindia products because they have a large variety & are very affordable. I was in search of some pocket-friendly mask I can recommend to college students so I purchased the Fabindia Papaya Pack. Papaya has a lot of skin benefits. My mom always tells me to apply papaya pulp as a face pack but I avoid such DIYs because they are messy & I’m a lazy gal ;) Anyways, I was hoping this mask would give my skin a glow, something papayas are well known to do.

Fabindia Claims :
Made with papaya's extract and fuller's earth, this face pack deep cleanses and detoxifies the skin leaving it firm and fresh.

Ingredients:

Natural Spring Water, Papaya Extract, Glycerine, SLES, Multani Mitti, Kaoline, Light Liquid Paraffin, Propyl Paraben, Methyl Paraben, Phenoxy Ethanol, Fragrance, Colour.

It has key ingredients like Papaya Extract, Multani Mitti, Kaolin (misspelt) very high up in the ingredients list, which is good. However, it also contains parabens & mineral oil (liquid paraffin). 

My experience with Fabindia Papaya Face Pack :

My skin type : Currently, my skin is normal. It gets dry if I’m not regular with moisturizer (these months are cold after all!). I don’t have sensitive skin, however there are some products that give my skin allergic reactions.

The smell of this mask hits you like a wrecking ball. I’m not kidding when I say it smells foul. The funny thing is that it has ‘fragrance’ as one of the ingredients. LOL, in what world is such an awful smell called fragrance ?!?!?! 

The Fabindia Papaya face pack a typical clay mask but its very creamy in texture. However, it doesn't take longer to dry. I apply a generous amount to my damp face & keep it on for 30-35 min and then wash it off while letting the mask gently exfoliate my face. It didn't irritate my skin or break me out, initially it feels tingly on the corners of my nose, but that feeling goes away in 5min. 

And speaking of efficacy, the first couple of times I used the Fabindia Papaya face pack, I didn't see any significant results. Then, I started to leave it on my face for longer (30-35min) and I saw the difference. It does the same thing as every kaolin clay mask -  diminishes blemishes, makes skin clearer giving it that 'cleaned from within' glow, makes skin smoother. It the least drying from all the clay face masks I've used. It works especially wonderfully on my nose - clearing out blackheads and tiny bumps. My skin feels slightly tightened post removal of this mask. I always tend to exfoliate my face before using any face masks, I feel that it makes the mask more effective. But when I used the Fabindia Papaya face pack, I skipped the exfoliation & still saw results.

Product vs Price : 

Price: Rs.225-275 / $4

Qty: 120ml / 4 oz

Availability: Nykaa | Fabindia

Shelf Life : 36M

Overall Verdict : 4/5

On one hand, this the Fabindia Papaya face pack has pretty good results and is very pocket friendly. However, it has a 'fragrance' that everybody won't like. Its a nice, affordable mask that does almost everything pricier masks do. It is super reasonably priced & that is reason enough to give it a try. Do check it out if you're a fan of clay masks. I like it but I will try other options in the market before I purchase this, simply because....you guessed it!

#SkincareWeek is a special series - Each day of the week I'll present you with a new skincare product. 7 skincare products carefully tried & tested out for you! Do check back tomorrow for a new product :) 

Previous Post : Claims vs Results - L'Oreal Paris Hydra Fresh Mask In Lotion Review

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#SkincareWeek : Claims vs Results - L'Oreal Paris Hydra Fresh Mask In Lotion Review

Company Claims :

This first ever mask-grade hydrating lotion is infused with the finest French Grape Seed Extract, a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals to protect your skin against the dulling and damaging effects of external aggressors. Double Hyaluronic Acid also boosts hydration so skin is quenched, becomes softer and more radiant.

Suitable for Normal to Dry skin.

Ingredients :

My Experience with Hydra Fresh Mask In Lotion:

My skin type : Currently, my skin is normal. It gets dry if I’m not regular with moisturizer (these months are cold after all!). I don’t have sensitive skin, however there are some products that give my skin allergic reactions.

L'Oreal Paris Hydra Fresh Mask In Lotion claims to be ‘energizing & hydrating’ and boasts of some ingredients like Grape Polyphenols, French Spa Water (like Thermal Spa waters) & Double Hyaluronic Acid(HA). Because of these claims, I expected it to give an intense moisture boost to my skin.

The L’Oreal Hydra Fresh Mask In Lotion can be used two ways – as a face lotion & as a face mask. As a lotion I find it heavier on my skin than my current goto product– Za total hydration milky moisturizer. This is the hydrating mask I had mentioned in the Za post. I used this mostly as a mask because I wanted to get rid of the dry patches I had back then quickly.

I applied this product as an overnight mask and the next morning I saw that my dry patches were hydrated & they looked less obvious. They weren’t completely gone though. A few days the dry patches returned. This mask + Za moisturizer together have helped my get rid of dry patches. It has not broken me out inspite of using it overnight several times.

This mask doesn’t do anything more – I expected my skin to be plump & glowy, like the effects I got from THEFACESHOP moisturizing sheet mask. L’Oreal claims that this gives you ‘watery, bouncy & radiant skin instantly’.  But there’s no radiance or visible plumping, however skin does feel hydrated. It can also be mixed in with your foundation (for ex the Lakme Absolute White Intense foundation) in cooler seasons. It has a runny texture and looks exactly like the mask fluid of THEFACESHOP mask. I won’t recommend mixing it with your foundation if you live in a humid place because it feels heavy on the skin.

I seriously don’t like the packaging of the L'Oreal Paris Hydra Fresh Mask In Lotion indian version, it is too bulky ! The Singapore version is so pretty! This product has a light fragrance. Since it contains ingredients like Double HA, it should help in anti-ageing. I’m in my early 20s so I can’t comment on any anti-ageing effects as I don’t have any signs of ageing.

Price vs Product : 

Price : Rs.425 / $6.4

Qty : 200ml / 6.7 oz

Shelf Life : 12 months

Availability : Purplle | Nykaa | Flipkart 

Overall Verdict : 3.5 / 5

In my humble opinion, the L'Oreal Paris Hydra Fresh Mask In Lotion, has a lot more claims than results. I didn’t experience any radiance or bouncy skin. It didn’t make my skin look plump or well hydrated, but it did hydrate my skin, get it ? I still use it every few days (as I have still not purchased a night cream) to moisturize my skin but I do wish it imparted a glow. From price pov, its not very pricey for the quantity & you only need a little bit with every use so the bottle lasts a long time. I’d recommend it if you’re on a budget & need a mask that moisturizes your skin.

#SkincareWeek is a special series - Each day of the week I'll present you with a new skincare product. 7 skincare products carefully tried & tested out for you! Do check back tomorrow for a new product :) 

Previous Post : Silky Goodness Or Oil Factory? The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil Review

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#SkincareWeek: Silky Goodness or Oil Factory? The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil Review

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil is the first cleansing oil I’ve ever tried. When I was in college, I didn’t have a defined makeup routine, I didn’t even own a foundation! Ever since I started my job, I developed a habit to apply basic makeup to work regularly. I wanted to make sure that all of my makeup was completely removed before I went to bed at night. I have the Maybelline Total Clean Express Eyes & Lips remover but it was cumbersome to use a different product for face so I decided to buy The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil so that I have one product to take care of all the makeup on my face.

Ingredients :
Glycine Soja Oil/Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil/Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil/Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 85, Sorbitan Trioleate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil/Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Parfum/Fragrance, Linalool, Tocopherol, Limonene, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citric Acid.

The Body Shop Claims:
This silky-soft cleanser will effortlessly remove make-up from the whole face quickly and effectively, leaving skin feeling clean, refreshed and clear of impurities. It’s the ultimate time-saver.
   -Removes make-up
   -Suitable for sensitive skin and contact lens wearers
  -Removes waterproof make-up

My skin type : Currently, my skin is normal. It gets dry if I’m not regular with moisturizer (these months are cold after all!). I don’t have sensitive skin, however there are some products that give my skin allergic reactions.

Usage & tips : The oil has to be applied on to completely dry face and massaged in, especially on the areas where your makeup is waterproof. You will notice your eye area turn the color of your mascara when you massage it around your eyes. Once you’re happy with the amount of massage done, add water to your face. The oil turns milky and this makes it easy to wash off. 

In my experience, if you use the right amount of oil, your face will be completely clean & oil free after washing off with water and you may not need to follow up with a cleanser. I almost always use a face wash after this oil, simply out of habit & to get rid of the residue (if any). If I use too much of the oil, it does make eyes foggy during use, if I use the  right amount, there’s no fogginess.

Demo :Unfortunately I wasn't able to show how the oil turns milky with water, but trust me, it does!

(l-r) Eyeconic kajal & some long wearing lipsticks applied over a primer

 after adding the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil. I used the same pressure I would use on my eye area to massage this oil on my hand

After washing away the oil with water & a wet wipe.

It takes more efforts to remove waterproof mascara. After I’ve used the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil & washed my face, I follow up with a q-tip soaked with Bioderma Sensibio H2O around my lashes to get rid of it. When you remove mascara, your entire eye area becomes colored with the shade of the mascara and its difficult to make out just using your fingers if the entire product is dissolved in the oil….at least for me :(  However, its extremely easy to get rid of all long wearing, waterproof makeup in a jiffy with this oil, like the Lakme Absolute Foundation & Kryolan Derma Color Cremes.

Effects : It doesn’t make my skin greasy, but I feel a little dry sometimes after using this product, compared to other makeup removers I’ve used. That’s why I don’t use it everyday, I like to use Bioderma Sensibio H2O in between. If you see its ingredients list, it contains a lot of other oils – soyabean, almond, sunflower, sesame & also camomile; yet it doesn't make skin oily. It does have fragrance but it has never broken me out or irritated my skin or eyes.

All in all I like this The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil, but the bottle I got is faulty. The product keeps leaking from the neck of the bottle even when I lock the nozzle. I always end up using more than required so that I can keep the bottle clean T.T. I appreciate the packaging – the nozzle can be locked, but I still can’t travel with it because its faulty & will leak everywhere.

Product vs Price : 

Price: Rs. 1095 / $16.4

Qty: 200 ml / 6.75 oz 

Shelf Life : 12 months

Availability : The Body Shop Website 

Its seemingly pricey, but I could not find any cheaper dupes of it in the Indian market, yet. You get a whopping 200ml so it will last you a 3-4 months with regular use as you don't need a lot of product.

Overall Verdict : 4.5/5
The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil is a very effective makeup remover & takes care of removing even waterproof makeup. I did face a bit of hiccup with waterproof mascara but I have a feeling that its just me ! I do feel like its more drying than other makeup removers I use so I don’t use it daily but its my goto when I want to quickly get rid of all my long wearing makeup & it never disappoints. I will repurchase it if I’m not bored of using it, LOL

#SkincareWeek is a special series - Each day of the week I'll present you with a new skincare product. 7 skincare products carefully tried & tested out for you! Do check back tomorrow for a new product :) 

Previous Post : From the House of Shiseido, Za India Total Hydration Milky Moisturizer Review
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