Important facts about sun protection // Neutrogena Dry Touch Sunblock, Body Mist Sunscreen Review

Let’s talk SUNSCREENS, they're only the most important skin care product. That’s why this post has been on my mind ever since the hot summer season started. As you can see from the pictures, I actually have two sets of sunscreens, one is empty & the other is new. If its not broke, why fix it right? Both these sunscreens have worked well for me when I first used them so I have repurchased them.

Some important points about sunscreens:  

Fact 1: UV rays that reach our atmosphere are of 2 types-UVA & UVB. UVB rays cause sunburns & skin cancer. SPFs measure only UVB protection. Any SPF 15 product filters out 93% of the UVB , SPF 30 filters out 97%, & SPF 45 filters out 98% of UVB rays. The best UVB protection you can offer your skin is SPF30.

Fact 2: UVA rays may also cause skin cancer. But the amount of protection against UVA rays cannot be measured by SPF. Presence of ingredients like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, ecamsule, and oxybenzone indicate UVA protection. Sunscreens with both UVA & UVB protection could be labeled multi spectrum, broad spectrum, or UVA/UVB protection. PA+ is a Japanese UVA rating (‘+’ is the lowest rating & ‘+++’ is the highest).

Fact 3:  SPF in makeup & skincare only protects you from UVB rays. In order to protect your skin from UVA rays, its mandatory to use a sunscreen having ingredients mentioned in Fact 2. To quote WebMD, “Ultra-protective makeup is a boon for skin. But think of it as the Robin to your sunscreen's Batman — a dynamic duo stronger together than either is alone”.

Fact 4: Sunblock is a physical kind of protective lotion containing both organic and non-organic ingredients that act as a barrier between your skin and UV rays by reflecting or scattering them. Sunscreen is the chemical kind that penetrates the skin and absorbs the UV rays before they reach the protective outer epidermis layer of your skin & damage it.

When you’re looking for a sunscreen in India, go for one that has an Sun Protection Factor(SPF) of 30 or higher and is broad spectrum(i.e both UVA & UVB protection). Why? See Fact 1 above. For me, the sunscreens that met all the criteria are the Neutrogena Dry Touch ones. There are many more 

in the market but currently these two are the only ones that give you a bang for your buck.

The Neutrogena Dry-Touch technology claims to leave a clean, lightweight, non-shiny finish. Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreens are also non-comedogenic (don’t clog pores), oil free & PABA(Para-AminoBenzoic Acid) free. They also have claims such as ‘broad spectrum’ (mentioned in Fact 2) and ‘helioplex’. Helioplex is stabilized version of Avobenzone (mentioned in Fact 2), which deflects a wider range of UVA rays than other anti-UVA ingredients. It is stabilized so that it doesn’t degrade in sunlight i.e its staying power is extended.  These sunscreens need to be applied 15-30mins before sun exposure!

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+:

Price: Rs.175 ($2.75)/Rs499($8)

Qty: 30ml(1 fl.oz)/88ml(2.97 fl.oz)

Availability: Nykaa | Flipkart |Amazon

Ingredients:

Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Benzophenone – 3, Octocrylene, Silica, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Styrene copolymer, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Beeswwax, Gylceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 crosspolymer, Acrylates/C12-22 Alkyl Methacrylate copolymer, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylstearate, BHT, Trideceth – 6, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Methylisothiazolinone, Diethylhexyl 2, 6 Napthlate

Review:

I've been using this since a long time, I had even mentioned it in a summer skin care post last year.I use this sunblock primarily for my face & feet. It’s a white colored creamy product, inspite of being ‘dry touch’, it spreads easily on the skin. However it’s not comfortable to spread all over the body unless I’ve properly moisturized, and it feels too heavy on my body post moisturization (that’s why I use the sunscreen reviewed below) It claims to give a ‘non-shiny’ finish, however, after application my skin does look slightly shiny, even after powdering on top. But it doesn’t feel greasy on the skin. It needs to be applied 15-30mins before going out in the sun. It’s also waterproof, sweat proof & resists rub off. I can’t attest to the waterproof claims but I do think it resists rub offs. I always buy the small size(30mls) and carry it in my purse as well to reapply when I’m outside for longer durations. It does protect my skin from tanning & I would definitely recommend this product to everyone having normal to oily skin type.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 30:

Price: Rs.675 ($10.6)

Qty: 141g (5 fl.oz)

Availability: Nykaa | Flipkart |Snapdeal

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone

Review:

I use this spray-type of sunscreen only for my body. I like using it for the whole body because it’s very convenient and doesn’t feel heavy on the skin when used post moisturization. One thing that I’m not too fond of is that it makes my skin look shiny post application. Shiny skin looks good if you have waxed your arms. If you haven’t, it’s not an appealing look. It can make the skin really greasy too, if you apply alot. But this is something I have to overlook because of the ease of use. I do wish this bottle was available in smaller sizes so that I can always carry one around in my purse & reapply whenever I’m outside for longer durations. According to the instructions, once you spray this onto your skin, you do have to rub it in. I haven’t used this on my face, my sister tried it a couple of times on her face & it broke her out so I would not recommend it. As for sun-protection, I think it has prevented my arms & legs from tanning & if used liberally it protects my feet from tanning but not for long, which is why I use the sunscreen mentioned above.  It is water resistant for 80min. This is the cheapest sunscreen spray in the Indian market & I definitely recommend everyone to try it out at least once.

Now, coming to another important fact about sunscreen-

Fact 5: You need to apply at least a 1/4^th tea-spoon sized amount on the face & neck each for the sunscreen to be effective. If you’re using a spray, it should be applied until an even sheen appears on the skin. Sunscreen should always be the final step of your skincare/makeup routine, because anything applied over your sunblock will reduce its effectiveness. ANY sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming or heavy perspiration or outdoor activities.

Before you rate a sunscreen for not working, make sure you’re using it properly girls!

I would suggest you to try out at least one of these sunscreens, and definitely buy them online because its always cheaper than buying at the store! Let me know your favorite sunscreens in the comments!

Why I've been loving The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink !!

So, do you remember my The Body Shop haul that was a gift from me to myself, for International Women’s Day? I decided to try out some products that were otherwise pricier & have been on my wish list for a while. One of the things (and the only makeup product) I purchased was the Lip & Cheek stain in the shade Rose Pink (01). These lip & cheek stains are available in 3 shades and Rose Pink is the only one that doesn't have any glitter, the glitter in the other two are OTT. Let me tell you right away that I have been so addicted to this stain ever since I started using it back in March.

My experience with The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain Rose Pink (01)

PACKAGING ~ It comes in the kind of tube a lip gloss comes in. I wish it had a brush instead of a sponge tipped doe foot applicator though; a brush is more hygienic because its easier to clean. The tube is the same size as a lip gloss tube as well. Another thing that bugs me is that the stain, which is very runny, easily gets all over applicator and the inside of the lid, especially when the tube is kept horizontal.

COLOR vs. SKIN TONE ~Rose Pink is a very deep pink color in the tube. However, it is sheer when blended into the skin, and looks just like a neutral rosy pink shade. If you apply too much of it, it will make your cheeks like they are punched :P The color will look good on all skin tones as it can be applied to look very sheer and very deep easily.

on the left: one swipe, on the right: one swipe blended out

COLOR vs. STYLE ~ The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain is great for natural looks. When the right amount is applied, it looks beautifully natural on the cheeks, and mimics what my cheeks look like when post exercise! On the lips, after two sheer layers it still looks quite natural. I very have pigmented lips and this isn’t the best product to use for my kind of lips.

APPLICATION & AFTER ~ The Rose Pink Lip & Cheek Stain is very pigmented and easy to use, I definitely recommend it to beginners. I use the applicator in 3 ways; either I directly dot my cheeks with the sponge tip or I use my fingers to transfer the product from the body of the applicator to my cheeks. The consistency is very watery so the product easily gets all over the applicator and I recommend cleaning up the sides (or making use of the product there!) &  the mouth of the tube frequently.

 For a month or so I applied it using the latter technique only, then I tried it on my lips a couple of times and realized that I prefer using it for cheeks only, so I switched to the former technique (i.e. using the sponge tip directly on my cheeks). This stain really stains your fingers and dries moderately fast, once you dot it on your cheeks you have a couple of seconds to blend it out. I usually apply 4 dots to each cheek and blend it out, I do this 2-3 times on each cheek till I get a good flush of color!

PRODUCT vs. DURABILITY ~ The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in Rose Pink lasts for a really long time, I’ve worn it for straight 8 hours & it only slightly faded by then. If you apply more layers the color will last longer. For 2-3 layers, nearly 8 hrs weartime is pretty good IMO!

PRODUCT vs. PRICE ~ The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain retails for Rs.850($13.6) for 8ml(0.27oz) which is pricey, however, The Body Shop website runs sales frequently so you can get it for cheaper online or even at the store during the sale period. Another thing is, you need a small quantity of it when used as a blush or a lip stain, so it will last you a long time. The Lip & Cheek Stain is available in one more color Coral(03) on the website but it has a lot of obvious glitter.

REMOVAL ~ I need a makeup remover to completely clean it off from the cheeks. I don’t apply more than two sheer layers on my lips and that easily comes off.

Overall verdict: 5/5 

I really love The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain in the shade Rose Pink, I definitely recommend it to everyone, even beginners will enjoy using it. Its very easy to use & lasts for a long time, making it pretty much perfect for everyday wear to office and even summer season. 

Iraya Vanilla & Whole Milk Body Milk and Shower Milk Review

Its been a while since I shared a body care product. Today I’m going to talk about two body products I used in the last month of the winter season, they are by Iraya. The only other product I have tried from Iraya earlier is the Kumkumadi Facial Oil which had really great results. Iraya is a brand that makes a lot of all-natural products which are reasonably priced. I purchased the Vanilla & Whole Milk Body Milk and Shower milk online from Jabong. The body milk is a body lotion and the shower milk is a creamy shower gel.

Indulge in the perfect bath with Iraya’s refreshing bath goodies

Splash about in a refreshing bath experience in the comfort of your home with Iraya. Soak in the relaxing aroma of Iraya’s calming treats to invigorate yourself. Lie back and relax as your skin feels soft, supple and bright, giving you a pampering spa experience. Perfect for a fresh start to your day, these bath goodies are enriched with the nourishing properties of lavender, basil, green tea, almond, wheatgerm, and other ayurvedic herbs to give you an instant jolt of energy.

Iraya’s rejuvenating Bath Retreat includes an irresistible combination of Bath Tea Lavender, Detoxifying Amla Bath Blend, Stress Relieving Bath Oil, Green Tea Bath Bomb, Invigorating Lemongrass Foaming Shower Oil, and Detoxifying Green Tea Scrubbing Shower Gel. Go, get these zesty refreshers for that perfect summers!

Detoxifying Amla Bath Blend  200 gm   Rs.645

Helps release toxins through osmosis while the minerals & nutrients from the

bath are absorbed.

For all skin types • amla, natural salts

 

Bath Tea Lavender  150 gm   Rs.445

pampering spa experience at home

For all skin types • lavender,basil leaves,neem leaves,green tea

Stress Relieving Bath Oil - Wheatgerm & Eucalyptus  150ml   Rs.595

Hydrates, nourishes and helps release stress, to impart a feeling of wellness

to the body & mind.

For all skin types • oils of almond, wheatgerm, ashwagandha & 20 ayurvedic

Herbs

Detoxifying Green Tea Scrubbing Shower Gel   250 ml   Rs.395

Polishes, purifies and refreshes the skin.

For normal to oily skin • basil leaves, green tea, orange extract and walnut

shell

Invigorating Lemongrass Foaming Shower Oil   250 ml   Rs.495

Packed with natural moisturizers is a skin soothers & refresher

For all skin types • mint, lemon, olive oil, almond oil, lemongrass

Green Tea Bath Bomb 150 gm  Rs.195

Calming treat in the bath. Helps tone up and refresh the skin

For all skin types • sunflower oil, green tea

Available at:

www.iraya.in

Available at Oxford Bookstore, Religare, Amazon.in, Jabong.com, Mygreenkart.com, Joybynature.com, Purplle.com

NYX HD Eye Shadow Base Review, Demo, Price in India

Company Claims:Prep your eyelids with this lightweight eye shadow primer that makes skin appear smoother, more even toned, and ensures lasting makeup application. The High Definition Eye Shadow Base conceals creases and pumps up the vibrancy of your eye shadow.

Ingredients: Isododecane, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Beeswax / Cera Alba / Cire D'abeille, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Vp / Eicosene Copolymer, Propylene Carbonate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Propylparaben. May Contain / Peut Contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492, 77499, 77491).

NYX products are cruelty free.

Why do you need an eye shadow primer ?

I started using eye shadow primers simply because no shadow would last on my lids once I began blending them, they just got wiped out. I even tried the foundation-as-a-primer and while it helped the eye shadows adhere on my lids while blending, it didn't help in intensifying them or helping them stay longer. FYI, I have really dark eye lids. So for me, an eye shadow primer is a necessity to ensure that any eye shadow 1) sticks to my lids 2) is more vibrant  3) lasts for a longtime without creasing & smudging. 

There are many more reasons, for example, a primer acts as a barrier between your skin & makeup, it can keep oil from the skin away from the eye shadow. You can read more here.

My experience with NYX HD Eye Shadow Base:

Price: Rs.560 /  $6.99
Qty: 8ml / 0.27 fl.oz.
Shelf Life: 6 months
Availability: eBay, Sephora India

Treat your lips to the luxurious FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick

Let your lips express your mood as FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipsticks, a collection of radiant, high on color lipsticks you will love to wear, is now here. This luxurious range of lipsticks with an unbeatable gliding quality and unique satin finish promises to give you the most luscious lips ever. From sassy reds to vibrant pinks and everyday nudes, there is a color to suit every occasion.

With 8 long hours of stay, FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick is feather light, offering the ultimate sophistication to your lips. Great on performance, this collection of signature lipsticks cover your lips with pure velvet in just one go, leaving them sensual and bold.
Available in 12 make-a-statement new shades, discover the lip color that describes you best. From the flirty, ‘As You Like It’ to the soft ‘I Do’, to the passionate ‘Say My Name’ colors, these ‘stay-in-place’ lipsticks will impart a mesmerizing charm to your looks. Besides, the rich and silky color of Ultime Pro Velvet lipstick caresses your lips, leaving them smooth and even.  It contains a high content of pigments that ensures a stunning result, while special powders give the lipstick its velvety finish.

Made with an innovative formula, FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte lipstick is easy to wear and hard to resist.  It gives your lips full coverage with even color distribution on your lips, imparting a flawless finish every time.

And what more, you have the highly professional FACES lip-filler brush to add that perfect glamorous dash and precise definition to your lips! So flaunt that beautiful pout with the FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte lipstick that is ideal for that elegance we all crave for.
Net content: 4.5gm
Price: Rs. 649
Buy from Nykaa.

Available in 12 new shades:
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Stare
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Pinked Out
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Proof
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Scene
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Swept Away
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- As You Like It
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Winged
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Bonded
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Blinded
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Just Looking
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- I Do
Faces Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Lipstick- Say My Name
Faces Lip Filler Brush: Rs.199

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Stare

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Pinked Out 

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Proof

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Scene It

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Swept Away

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte As You Like It 

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Winged

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Bonded 

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Blinded 

 

 FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Just Looking

 

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte I Do

FACES Ultime Pro Velvet Matte Say My Name

 

Faces Lip Filler Brush

About FACES Cosmetics

FACES has already been making a splash across most major cities in India, with 26 signature stores in operation. In fact the bang-on-trend, faces color cosmetics range is also available in over 450 SIS touch points where consumers can experience the product in an aided environment.  It has recently expanded its presence in select Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, New U stores.

The brand with a more than 40 year old heritage and expertise in the Color cosmetics business globally, has aggressively expanded the width of its product offering in India to over 300 stunning products.

 Doesn't this range sound exciting ? I'm hoping it will be a dupe for the L'Oreal Moist Matte range. Its nice to see a lot of the shades in this range are suitable for everyday wear - Scene It, Proof, Just Looking, I Do.

Base Makeup: Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Cream DFD, D30 Review, Swatch and Demo

Today I’m going to talk about a product that has been since with me since the fall of 2013, when I did this haul. It is the Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Creme. I used it a lot when I bought it, but in 2014 when I discovered the Revlon Colorstay Concealer, this took a backseat. Now that I know its shelf life that will end soon, I’ve put it back to use. Brace yourselves for a lengthy review :)

Price: Rs.350 each / $5.6

Qty: 4gm/0.14 oz (also available in 30g)

Shelf Life: 24 months.

Bold Red - Revlon Parfumerie Perfume Scented Nail Enamel in China Flower Review,NOTD

Revlon released a range of perfumed polishes or "Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel" as they put it. I was miffed at the high prices, especially after the release of Maybelline Color Show range and Faces Hi-Shine & Matte Nail Polish Ranges, but I still couldn't resist checking them out. To be honest, the shade range in India isn't impressive. I like bright colors but I take great care to pick out those that go with my skin and a lot of the colors in the Parfumerie Scented Nail Enamel range were either not suitable for my skin tone or they were already there in my vanity. Then I happened to see a bright red. Believe it or not, I did not have a red in my vanity then, just because it isn't a color you can wear casually. But it was the only color that stood out to me & its scent was amazing (the SA let me try it out!) so I had to pick it up.

Price: Rs.350 / $5.6

Qty: 11.7ml

Availability: Amazon | Flipkart | Nykaa 

Shades: African Tea Rose, Autumn Spice, Balsam Spice, Beachy, Bordeaux, China Flower, Fresh Linen, Ginger Melon, Lime Basil, Moonlight Woods, Orange Blossom, Powder Puff, Sunlit Grass, Surf Spray, Wintermint.

One of A Kind: The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask Review

Over the past year, I’ve come to realize and appreciate the importance of face masks, more precisely, good face masks. Like every other girl, I’ve tried the Everyuth Peel-Off Masks in my teenage years. Except for the orange peel-off, none of them did anything to improve my skin & I was getting tired of using peels – they end up doing more harm than good in the long run. I decided to invest in a good face mask because I wanted results, even if it ends up being costly, I have solace in the fact that it actually works! I've been using the The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask for a while now & I really think you should know about it! 

Price: Rs.1195 / ~$20
Qty: 100ml
Shelf Life: 12 months
Availability: The Body Shop | Snap Deal
Ingredients list is not available

Favorite: Carmex Moisture Plus Lip Balm in Berry

Hi everyone! 

I’m back with another Carmex lip balm. I have previously tried the Carmex Moisturizing lip balm & the Ultra Moisturising version (love this one) and I’ve been blown away by the results! I expected the same from the one I’m reviewing today – Carmex Moisture Plus SPF 15 Hydrating Lip Balm, and I’m not disappointed at all!

Price: Rs. 461 / GBP 4.99

Availability: ASOS (See also- my experience with ASOS)