Saturday, 27 October 2012

Essence Look at Me Lipstick 40 Review & Swatches

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Essence 40 Look at Me  Lipstick Review

Guest Post by Christina
This is a product that I got as a gift from my sister in law who lives in Belgium.  I am not familiar with their products but after using the lipstick and reading others reviews I found it to be a good product. It is produced in Germany and is mostly sold in the E.U. and in the U.S.  The one reason I decided to review this lipstick was because of their devotion to the 'cruelty against animals' cause.  For those of your who do not know me I am an animal activist and I have stopped using animal tested products.  Essence is strictly against any kind of animal testing whatsoever.  It is absolutely awful to torture animals for the sake of beauty products



Their products stand for trendy and high quality cosmetics at a sensational low prices because they do not use costly advertisements using models or celebrities, expensive tv spots or print ads in magazines.


Product Description:
# 40 Look at Me is part of the 2012 spring/summer collection.   I used an Essence  product for the first time.  I liked how it felt and if given a chance I would like to try out other colours and a different finish, because frosty lipsticks are for a younger lot than me.  I would not even feel guilty about over spending because essence products are a  fantastic buy for makeup fanatics looking to stock up on a budget. 
  
They have added two more shades to their spring/summer collection and so all of the 16 colors have been bumped up to the fall/winter season 2012.  

 
Price & Quantity: $ 2.49, $4 AUD  for 4 gms
 

Key Ingredients: Not mentioned on the tube but it is mentioned in a PDF file on the site.  Few key ingredients would be castor seed oil, lanolin, paraffin,carnauba wax and avocado oil. The rest are chemical names.

 

My Experience with Essence 40 Look at Me Lipstick :


Packaging: These lipsticks come in color-coded packaging.  That means the lipstick tube is the exact same color as the lipstick making it easy to reach for your favourite shade. When you open the tube, the top half of the inner tube is plastic and it is not a problem really.  You can see how much product is left at all times.  My only problem is that these lipsticks do not come with any kind of seal!


 
Colour, Consistency & Texture: It is a sizzling sheer beige-brown that lights up your lips with a soft gleam.  It is a frosty lipstick with some shimmer but it is not over the top at all.  If you are looking for a creamy nude color that doesn't lean too pink or too beige this is definitely it.  Almost close to MAC blankety lipstick excluding the frost and the cheap price.  I hardly got any smell when I used it.   In the pictures I have also lined my lips with a bit of a rose coloured liner and that totally changed how the colour looked on my lips.  I was quite happy to use it like that.
 


How it works: This lipstick is soft and velvety to apply.  It does contain shimmer along with being frosty.  It does not settle in lip lines but one must exfoliate the lips before using this.  Frosty colours do tend to draw an audience and you wouldn't want dry flaky bits of skin peeking out from beneath it would you?
 
essence products in inida, lipstick swatches, review

Pros of Essence 40 Look at Me Lipstick:

  • Inexpensive - Budget brand
  • Easy to use
  • Does not test its products on animals
  • Does not settle in lip lines
  • Pretty nude colour
  • Goes on smoothly
  • The shimmer is not gaudy
  • Colour co-ordinated container
  • Even Application
  • Long Lasting
  • Moisturizing
  • Pleasant Tasting
  • True colour swatch
  • As good as a high-end brand

 

Cons of Essence 40 Look at Me Lipstick :

  • Limited selection of colors
  • Not available in India
  • Frosty shade that most Indian skin tones cannot carry off
  • Availability is limited
  • Not available online yet
  • Not suitable for work because it's frosty
  • Does not come packed or sealed.  It can be tested at the store


Makeup and Beauty Home Rating: 3.55


Would I Repurchase Essence 40 Look at Me Lipstick ? Yes and no.  No, not that colour but yes different shades and other products by the brand. 


A note of warning: Frosty and shimmery high gloss lipsticks look best on the young because these draw a great deal of attention to lips so becareful when you select lipstick.  It is not just about color but also about the finish. As you age you cannot ignore the fact that certain colours become a total no no. Matte lipstick is best on certain age groups and so are glossy, high sheen lipstick styles.
                     It's only a while before you will start seeing this brand on our online cosmetics shopping sites, something like ELF that has flooded the market.  You can visit the website for more information. It is a very, very pretty and fresh site and I am sure all of you are going to go bonkers looking at it.

Did you like Christina's review on  Essence Look at Me Lipstick?

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Friday, 19 October 2012

Soulflower Store Review: The Picture Therapy for Your Senses!

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Guest Post by Christina

Hi ladies,
Here are some lovely pictures of the recently opened Soulflower shop in the Inorbit mall in Mumbai. It is a real treat for the senses and that is why I titled the post as 'the picture therapy'. :)  I did not buy anything but I thought the store looked so pretty and smelled so nice that I could not resist clicking pictures.  For those of you who are not familiar with the products below is little information of the same.



‘SOULFLOWER’ aims to pamper your body and soul or rather senses.  Their products are 100% vegetarian.  Be it their soaps, massage oils, bath salts, essential oils or carrier oils

The enormous wealth of natural eco-systems makes Asia a botanical treasure trove. The medicinal qualities of much of its abundant plant-life have, for centuries, formed the backbone of health & beauty therapy throughout this exotic continent











Their Aroma Candles are made with the finest natural wax & essential oils available in tantalizing aromas like:
  • Rose
  • Lemongrass
  • Orange
  • Peppermint
  • Lavender
  • Chocolate
  • Vanilla
  • Strawberry
  • Jasmine
  • Sandalwood

You can also find hand-made ceramics like:
  • Oil diffusers
  • Candle holders
  • Tea light holders
  • Potpourri holders
  • Incense stick holders
  • Incense cone holders
  • Aroma oil dispensing flower containers
  • Aroma diffuser gift sets

For more information you can visit their website HERE

Have you tried Soulflower products? Which one do you like the most? 


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Thursday, 11 October 2012

5 Amazing DIY Face Pack Recipes

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Hello lovely ladies! Today my post is not about a product but its a DIY post. Yay! :)
Okay. let me tell u something about myself, I am the laziesttttt person on the earth who just loves ready made cleansers, packs but whenever my skin is in trouble I always come back to my loyal DIY :P Today I am going to share with you all my five favorite DIY face pack recipes those work like a charm.

My Skin Type: Its as azab as me, sometimes it becomes oil ka dabba and sometimes sukhi roti ;) but all over my skin and hair is very sensitive and prone to break outs, so I think if something work for me it is definitely going to suit dry, normal and oily skinned beauties.

So here we start :) Check out the 5 awesome DIY face pack recipes.



 
Instant Refreshing Fruit Face Pack
Mix a teaspoon of gram flour, 1/2 teaspoon of tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon of  cucumber paste and required curd together. Apply this fresh and instant face pack on your face and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Later, wash it away with plain water and put on your moisturizer. The pack will add instant glow to your skin. With regular use it also helps in removing tan effectively.


Sweet Winter Face Pack
Mix equal amounts of honey, smashed banana and milk powder together and apply this pack on face and neck. lLave it for 10 minutes and wash away with plain water. This is one of the yummiest and skin-nutritious face pack that helps to retain skin's natural moisture in winters. Dry skinned beauties can use this throughout the year.


Dark Spot Removing Papaya Face Pack
Mix equal amounts of smashed papaya, milk powder and honey together and apply this pack on skin. Allow it to work on your skin for 10-15 minutes and wash away. This is similar to the previous DIY pack but as an extra, it has tan removing and dark spot removing qualities due to the papaya extracts.


Wrinkle Removing Cabbage Face Pack
Boil cabbage and smash it well to make a smooth paste. Add few drops of rose water to this cabbage paste if required. Smooth this cabbage wrinkle removing pack over your face and keep it for 15 minutes before washing away. This naturally prevents wrinkles and removes the existing ones with regular usage.


Deep Nourishing Citrus Face Pack
We always use lemon juice as an ingredient in DIY oily skin recipes, right? Lemon has oil control properties and now, with this face pack even dry skinned beauties can enjoy the flavour and skin brightening properties of lemon extracts without losing excess moisture from their skin. Mix a teaspoon of honey with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Blend this well and put in 4-5 drops of olive oil. Mix well and apply over your cleansed face. Leave on for 15-20 minutes and allow the citrus extracts to work on your skin. Wipe off with a wet sponge and wash away!

Hope you like my DIY face pack recipes. Do try them and let me know how they work! :)

Do you have any special DIY face pack recipe to share?

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Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Affordable Makeup Products for Beginners in India

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Guest Post by Barisha

Hello Everyone,
Today my post is all about the best makeup products for beginners. These products are simple, easy available and moreover affordable for teens and college going girls. If you can't spend more bucks on high-end makeup products, this collection will definitely help you a lot. Go ahead!

Editors note: (Barisha! That's an amazing topic and I am also adding some quick reviews of the products in your guest post :) Hope this would make the post better and more informative.)

So let us start with women's favorite product, kajal. Many girls out there never step out of their home home without kajal in their eyes. No matter they are wearing foundation, concealer or bla bla but kajal is something which most of the girls cannot live without!






Kajals:


Faces Cosmetics Kajal
Price: Rs.99 for 3g
Quick Review: This kajal glides smoothly onto the water line and gives that blackest black finish with less smudging compared to the other kajals in the market. For this price, Face kajal is definitely a hit! It also contains almond oil which promotes eyelash hair growth.

Maybelline Colossal Kajal:
Price: Rs.150 for 0.35g
Quick Review: Is there anyone who doesn't know Maybelline Colossal Kajal here? This product is a huge hit among Indian women, especially for its long time smudge free quality. This is not a blackest black definitely but stays on eyelids for a long time compared to the other kajals. You need a good eyemakeup remover to remove this though.

Lakme Eyeconic Kajal:
Price: Rs.199
Quick Review: Doesn't it look like a competitor for Maybellin Colossal one? Of course yes and YES it wins the competition too. It has a better smudge free staying powder and 'smoothness' than the colossal one. It claims to stay on waterline for 10 hours. Whoa! This product is recently launched and has become a huge hit among all kajal lovers! Go grab one before Lakme increase the prize.



Eye Liners:

 



Avon Simply Pretty Waterproof Eyeliner
Price: Rs.90 for 7.5ml
Quick Review: I really don’t know why I have not seen any review on this product, this is the best-est-affordable eye liner I have used and I am using this for past 4years. It stays good for 5-6 hours (Stays even more time with light fading) without any fading and it is of course waterproof as per the claim.

Lakme Insta Liner Liquid Eyeliner
Price: Rs.70 for 9ml
Quick Review: This is one eyeliner which many eyeliner beginners swear by and this of course the first eyeliner of  many girls out there! This Lakme Insta Liner is easily available, very very affordable for the huge quantity and of course stays for a good time with less smearing. The only issue with this is the drying time. You need to sit under fan for 3-4 minutes to get it completely dried or else you might mess it up.



Foundations:-




Coloressence Aqua Makeup Base
Price: Rs.125 for 30ml
Quick Review: This makeup base is dirt cheaply priced and comes in 4 different shades for different skin tones. This gives medium to light coverage with an oil free matte finish which many of you oily skinned girls would expect :) A great buy and quantity for the price.


Lakme Face Magic Daily Wear Souffle
Price: Rs.99 for 30ml
Quick Review: This souffle comes in a really cute glass got with a screw lid :) It come in three shades namely Pearl, marble and shell. One needs to choose the perfect shade for their skin. 30ml for just Rs.99 if a dirt cheap price right? But this product absolutely works as a great daily foundation for 'foundation beginners' out there. Make sure to set it with your compact for a better staying time.


Lotus Herbals Pure Radiance Matte Glow Daily Foundation
Price: Rs.175 for 25ml
Quick Review: This is a wonderful light-coverage foundation for beginners which is not only water-based and oil-free, but also SPF 20 for sun protection. 25ml is decent quantity for the price too and hence this product is definitely a hit for foundation beginners.


Okay it is going long and let us end the Part 1 here :) The Part-2 of 'Affordable Makeup Products for Beginners' is coming up soon. There we are going to check an affordable collection of compacts, lipsticks, lip liners and blushes!

So girls, which is your favorite affordable makeup product in India?

Image source: 1, 2, 3
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Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Avon Simply Pretty Color Last Lipstick Almond Beige Review & FOTD

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Guest Post by Barisha

Avon Simply Pretty Color Last Lipstick Almond Beige Review

Hello lovely ladies.. How are you all? Hope you all are fine. I am back with another review today and this review is on an Avon lippy. To be very frank I am not too much into makeup. For me applying a lil compact, eyeliner and kajal is more than enough. Somehow I always think whenever I apply lipstick it makes me look more ugly :P But this lippy just proved me that was wrong: and I am really happy for that. Today I am going to review this on my favorite blog, of course here at  Makeup and Beauty Home :D Okay, now let us see how it works on me. Keep reading!





Product Description:
  • Get velvety color that lasts long, stays fresh and keeps lips soft and moisturized.
  • Gentle long-lasting lipstick with anti-oxidants and SPF 12 UVA/UVB
  • Lasts up to 4 hours
  • Transfer resistant

Price: Rs.299


Shade: Almond Beige


My Experience with this Product:


Packaging: It comes in a dark violet pack. The packaging looks okay and it is sturdy enough to be travel friendly; no complaints.



Colour and Texture: The colour of this Almond Beige lipstick from Avon justifies the name. It actually looks like almond but after applying on the lips it looks so different. Sometimes it looks pinkish brown sometimes orangish brown. Sometimes brown! No I am getting confused :P I am very poor at describing colours so have a look at my swatch and FOTD. The texture is of lipstick is so creamy, buttery and soft. It is so soft that it tends to break or melt if not stored in refrigerator.



How it works: One can easily apply this lipstick over their lips without any hardness as it glides in a smooth manner. This lipstick is nicely pigmented and stays on my lips for 3-4 hours as per the claims. This shade suits almost every Indian skin type and thus can be wore daily for casual outings and even for work. Overall, this lipstick suits everyone beautifully and the lippy beginners out there can pick this without any second thought.


FOTD:

This is how it looks on me and sorry I was damn tired at that time!



Now come, let us discuss about the pros and cons.

Pros of Avon Simply Pretty Color Last Lipstick in Almond Beige Shade

  • Beautiful colour which brightens up the face.
  • Sturdy and travel friendly packaging
  • The shimmers are very subtle, making this lipstick as a perfect daily wear one
  • Will suit almost every skin tone
  • The lipstick does not bleed
  • Suitable for office wear too
  • One of the best shades for lipstick beginners
  • Not drying as it has a buttery texture
  • Contains SPF
  • I think its affordable for the worth. Avon products are available on discounts most of the time.
  • Good staying power, This particular shade will stay for 3-4 hours without the need of reapplications.


Cons of of Avon Simply Pretty Color Last Lipstick in Almond Beige Shade

  • The ingredients list is missing.
  • Availability is a problem for many.
  • Might melt in hard summers; you can store it in refrigerator though


Recommendation: I will recommend this to lipstick to every lipstick loving girl. It looks good on all skin types and perfectly suitable on both day and night.


Makeup and Beauty Home Rating: 4/5


Have you tried any lipstick from the Avon Simply Pretty Color Last Range? Which is your favorite shade?
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Monday, 1 October 2012

Nature's Essence Lacto Tan Clear Review

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Guest Post by Barisha

Nature's Essence Lacto Tan Clear Review

Hello beauties, I am Barisha from kolkata , a silent reader of Makeup and Beauty home. I am soooo happy that Lancy has allow me to write for her beautiful blog. Today I am going to write a review on  the “Nature’s Essence Lacto Tan Clear” I am using this product for last 2 weeks and I must admit the result is quite good.




Product Description: 
Milk and honey enriched special tan cream helps remove the epidermal tan, thereby restoring the natural fairness of the skin and also preventing pigmentation due to harmful sun. Its matt effect is ideal for hot climates and the cream also helps enhance after facial glow..


Usage Directions:
Apply a layer on the face/skin and keep it on for 10-15 minutes and after soft message remove it with water. Advice to be use every day to restore natural colour and glow of the skin..


Price and Quantity:
Rs. 80 for 40 gm;125 for 100 gm. Available in many online sites at discount :)


Key Ingredients:
Milk ,bees wax, geranium oil.


My Experience with this Product:


Packaging: I saw this product in a local store at the very first I didn’t like it because of the packaging; it comes in a tub, yak unhygienic.This product is packed in a white coloured tub with a screw cap. There is an inner lid present inside top prevent mess. Though being travel friendly, this product isn't that easy or hygienic to use due to the tub packaging.  I think the packaging could be better but at this price I can’t expect more  after using it I toh just fell in love with it :-P




Colour, Consistency and Fragrance: The pack is creamy and milk white in colour. It glides on the face quite easily. The fragrance is subtle and mild; there is nothing to worry about it you sensitive noses.




How it works: I am really very satisfied with the product. I am blessed with an Indian skin tone which gets tanned very easily. I have severe tan on my face, neck, hands even on feet. I use lots of products but nothing worked but Yes! this one removes tan. Can’t say about the old tan but it works on the fresh tan. I use it  after coming back home and it removes tan as well as adds a nice glow to my face. It doesn't leave my facial skin oily but gives a matte effect to the skin which last for 5-6hours. Okay now let see the pros and cons :)


Pros of Nature's Essence Lacto Tan Clear


  •     It’s a herbal product..
  •     Gives a cooling sensation on application.
  •     Yes it removessss tan as claimed!
  •     Gives an instant glow to the skin
  •     Readymade pack, saves time..
  •     Affordable. A 40 gm pack will last for a month if used regularly only on the face.
  •     It’s easily available in stores and online.
  •     Smells okay.
  •     Does not break me out.
  •     Will suit every skin type.

Cons of Nature's Essence Lacto Tan Clear


  •     Full ingredients list is missing
  •     May be a little drying for extremely dry skin

Sorry I can’t think of any other con  :D


Makeup and Beauty Home Rating: 4.5/5


My Recommendation:  I will recommend this product to everyone. It’s a must have for summer :)



Have you ever used Nature's Essence Lacto Tan Clear? What are your views about it?


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Saturday, 29 September 2012

Ten Home Remedies for Winter Dry Skin

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Guest Post by Radha of My Noble Secrets

Hello Friends, This is my first post on MABH and I am excited to share it with you all.
                    
                     Winter going to come and the main worry of all of us is DRY SKIN. Winter gives us no sweating but the dry cool wind becomes the enemy of our skin's moisture often. So, we have to take care of our skin more carefully in order to prevent skin dryness and tightness. First of all, we have to concentrate on our diet well. This kind of moisture balancing skin care diet should be started earlier to the winter to maintain young glowing winter skin. Make your diet rich in Omega-3-fatty acids and low fat milk with oats or cereals. This will make wonder changes on your skin. Reduce the intake of coffee and tea that makes skin more dry by reducing important vitamins and minerals from the body. Take Green Tea which has lot of Anti-oxidants that repairs and keeps the skin younger forever. Staying hydrated with drinking 2 to 3  liters water everyday will wash away toxins from your body. Vitamin A, C and E helps to lock moisture in your skin. Hence, try to include fruits and vegetables rich in these vitamins. Avoid oily and greasy foods that give you bad skin. Consumption of nuts such as almonds and peanuts provides you vitamins and good fat; thus helping to prevent skin's natural moisture in winters.



                  
Now let us move on to the external maintenance part of skin in winter. Note down these ten effective dry skin home remedies and make use of them in a natural way to make your dry skin beautiful in winter.

    • Mash a well ripen banana and mix it with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Apply this mixture on your facial skin for 30 minutes  Wash it off with cold water. This method will give you soft and supple skin with a natural tightening effect.
       
    • Massaging your skin with plain malai and a pinch of turmeric powder will also moisturize your skin the natural way.

    • Use cold compressed castor oil to massage your skin to keep wrinkles caused due to dryness at bay.

    • Give you face and body skin a honey massage ten minutes before bath.

    • Egg yolk gives you skin wonderful moisture hence you can try this if you can tolerate the smell.
       
    • Curd is also a good moisturizing agent. Just rub it on your skin for half an hour before bath.
       
    • Aloe vera is a very good and natural moisturizer for your skin, It is good to have a plant in your home. Take out the flesh part of the plant wash it and just apply it on your skin. Use it on night because, it has photo sensitivity nature.
       
    • Vitamin E oil massage also does wonder on dry skin.

    • Coconut milk is a good moisturizer. Applying coconut milk on your dry skin gives you shine.
       
    • Use glycerin and rose water mixture as your skin toner. Mix equal quantity of these two ingredients and store it in a tightly closed bottle. Refrigerate and use as your winter skin toner.

    Hope you liked my natural home remedies for dry skin. Do share your comments below!

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    Thursday, 30 August 2012

    VLCC Natural Sciences Gold Scrub Review

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    Guest Post by Yendrilla

    Hi Guys I’m Yendrilla, a part time blogger from India. This is my first post on MABH and I am up with a review of a scrub today. First I should tell you I love to experiment with products like scrubs and face washes. I had been looking for a scrub which will add radiance to my skin and I ended up buying this VLCC Natural Sciences Gold Scrub.





    Product Description:
    Exposure to environment factors like pollution and dust make skin look dull
    and lifeless. This unique scrub, enriched with 24 Carat Pure Gold, Turmeric and Sandalwood, has a
    deep pore cleansing action that gently exfoliates dead skin cells, superficial white and black-heads. It
    leaves the skin fresh and glowing with a radiant complexion.


    Price & Quantity:
    Rs.135 for 70 gm


    Key Ingredients:
    The face wash has mentioned the key ingredients as “Extracts of Alovera,
    Sandalwood, Raisin, Turmeric, Gold Leaf, Xantham Gum, Dimethicone, Triclosan and Vitamin E”.


    My Experience with this Product:
    This product is packed in a golden coloured tube with a flip type cap which makes it hygienic for usage. No complaints about the packaging; it is pretty okay.


    The scrub is gel based, yellowish in color and almost transparent with some yellow micro granules and small gold particles in it. It has a mild fragrance which is really soothing.


    It is very gentle on skin. I am using it for the past 2 weeks and my blackheads have almost gone. It provides a deep pore cleansing action that gently exfoliates dead skin cells. Though I didn’t find much radiance effect in my skin as the product claims. Okay, now let sum up with the pros and cons.


    Pros:        

    • Comes in a hygienic and travel friendly packaging.
    • The consistency of this scrub looks attractive due to the small gold particles.
    • This granules are very mild so that even sensitive skin types can use it.
    • I did experience no side effects with this scrub as its formulation is very gentle on skin.
    • Though mild and gentle, it does a deep pore cleansing action effectively.
    • It clears blackheads very well. All my blackheads were almost disappeared within 2 weeks of usage.
    • The price is that not costly.



    Cons:
    • I did not find much radiance as expected.


    My Rating: 3.5/5



    Recommendation: I think this scrub will suit all skin types except the extra dry ones. After using it, my skin got a little dry and hence I think it will do best on oily skin. However, if you want to clear your blackheads, then you can give this product a try.


    Would I repurchase?:  I guess NO. I didn’t like this scrub that much. There are many more scrubs in the market with better results, at much cheaper cost. Right?



    About the Author:
    Yendrilla blogs at I AM SHE, a beauty blog that features product reviews, eye makeup tutorials and recent giveaways. Do check out her blog!


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    Thursday, 23 August 2012

    Almond & Sandalwood Face Pack for Brides

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    Guest Post by Shilpa

    Hi girls! This is Shilpa Kalluru from Kadapa; working and settled in Hyderabad now. I bumped into this blog when I was searching for some home remedies for my dark patches. I was surprised and happy to see the simple, affordable tips those were shared here. This is a very nice blog and thank you for all the effort.
       Any beauty problem has a home remedy in it and thus I wanted to share a beauty tip with MABH friends that will help everyone get a porcelain clean skin. I have heard this over television in Band Baaja Bride by some famous beautician. And this is especially for brides who are looking for a clearer and beautiful skin for their wedding. Check out the quick and simple recipe below.





    Things you will need:
    • Almonds - 10 numbers (Small sized ones; these are rich in Vitamin E)
    • Sandal wood powder - 1 or 2 tbsps
    • Saffron - a pinch
    • Olive oil -  4-5 drops

    Preparation:
    • Grind everything together in mixture until smooth.
    • You can store this face pack in refrigerator by making it for a week.

    How to Apply:
    • Take required quantity of this mixture and add full fat milk to it to make a semi solid consistency. If you have extra oily skin type, you can use rose water instead of milk.
    • Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser or a cleansing milk and wipe off gently.
    • Apply this pack over your facial and neck skin evenly. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
    • After this dries out completely dab it with rose water. Scrub it in circular motion to get that exfoliating effect (This encourages the removal of impurities and dead skin cells).
    • Clean with lukewarm water and then splash cold water to close the skin pores.

    Try this for a week and you will see beautiful, clear and supple skin on your face. Continue using this face pack regularly for maximum results. For brides, 3-4 times usage per week is recommended.



    Hope you liked my first contribution for MABH. 
    Do leave your comments and feedback below! Thank you


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    Saturday, 21 July 2012

    3 Super Easy DIY Recipes

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    Guest Post by Iswarya
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #19


    Image source


    Homemade Rose Water

    If you don’t want to use ready-made rose water from the stores, you can try this quick easy recipe. All you need to do is pick a bowl full of fresh rose petals. Then take a wide mouthed enamel or glass pot or bowl with a cover or closing lid. Take another heavy bottomed open vessel. You need kitchen gauze or a strainer too. Now place the wide mouthed enamel pot on the gas stove. Keep the gauze inside it and spread the rose petals to it. You can crush the rose petals if you want. Note that the bowl should be heat resistant. For 1 bowl of rose petals add 2 cups of distilled water. Now keep the second open vessel above the gauze and close the lid in an inverted position.
                 Light the gas stove and wait for 2 minutes. Once it starts boiling simmer it, keep adding crushed ice and wait for another 15 min. The rose water will condense and fall to the open vessel above. Even a layer of rose essential oil will be formed. If you need oil you have to separate it from water. Once the mixture cools you can store this in old serum bottle and you can refrigerate too. You can carry this to your office too. For people sitting in ac for a long time this might help to overcome the dullness. Spray to your face during regular intervals. You will enjoy this refreshing and moisturizing experience!!


    Aspirin Mask for Acne Control

    Aspirin masks helps to control acne. Take 4-5 uncoated aspirin tablets (as required) and mix it with little distilled water and make in the form of a paste. Apply this to your face once a week. It should not be used daily because skin may be irritated as it cannot bear sensitivity caused by aspirin.


    Pumpkin Face Mask

    Pumpkin is excellent for skin. It is rich in vitamins A and Antioxidants and zinc. Take cooked pumpkin (smash it) and mix it with honey and milk. Add egg white to this mixture. Mix well. Egg white helps to bind the mask together. Apply this to your face and see the miracle it does to your skin.



                         Hope you liked these quick DIY Recipes. Which is your favorite own DIY recipe?

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    7 Tips to Save Money While Shopping

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    Guest Post by Vandana
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #18


    Shopping is our birth right and we should try to get  it anyhow. Ha ha ha..Yeah we must do shopping but we should try to save some hard earned money also because shopping be fun and not complete loss. Agree?
    Okay so follow these tips and enjoy shopping.

    Image source





    • Before going to shopping make a list of all the things like clothes, footwear, accessories etc. This will help you in making a rough estimate of the money you need to carry with yourself.

    • Now whenever you go out for shopping, focus on the things you want to buy. Do not get attracted by other things which you don't need. Search for the shop from where you want to buy the things required by you.

    • First buy the things which you really need instead of other things you desire for.

    • Try to do shopping in the months of big sale, at the end of the season many good brands start sale and in this way you can save some bucks and buy other useful things.

    • Don't get distracted by the banner BUY ONE GET ONE FREE because sometimes you don't like the clothes in this section but you buy them because of the offer.

    • Always do try the clothes before purchasing them because it happens that we buy things in hurry and when we try them at home they does not get fit to us. We cannot even return or exchange those clothes so its better to go for shopping when you have enough time.
      Do check out many shops before buying clothes etc because sometimes we find the price difference from shop to shop.

    • After coming home do check all the bills correctly and write your total shopping amount in a notebook etc so that you have a clear idea of how much money you spent.


                      Hope you liked these tips. Do you have any specific shopping tip that you wanna share here?

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    Amway Attitude Sunscreen Lotion Review

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    Guest Post by Iswarya
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #16

     
    Sun screens offer us sun protection and prevent sun burn. They reduce the harmful effects of sun. I never step out without sun screen because my skin is sensitive and will tan badly. Sun screen is a must have product for me. Since I tried Amway attitude face masque and it worked out for me; I decided to try the sun screen from the same attitude range. So here is the review.



    Product Description:
    Attitude Sunscreen Lotion is a non-greasy lotion, which gets absorbed quickly. It has SPF 15 level sunscreen agents, which protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
    Use a natural sunscreen whenever possible, regardless of whether or not you plan on spending much time in the sun. The sun's rays are very damaging and if you get in the habit of applying sunscreen every day, you will never be left out without protection. The sun's most beneficial rays occur at sunrise and sunset. All Attitude products contain Skin Vitalizing Complex.


    Usage Directions:
    • After Cleansing, Toning & Moisturising the skin, take a little quantity on your fingertips and smooth gently   over face.
    •  Apply 15 mins before sun exposure.
    •  To open the pump, rotate it in anti-clock wise direction & to lock it rotate in clockwise direction.

    Price and Quantity:
    Rs.349 for a 150 ml pack.


    My Experience with this Product:


    Packaging:  It comes in a light orange bottle with a light yellowish cap. It is in the form of a pump dispenser system which is white and golden.



    Colour, Consistency & Fragrance: The colour of the sun screen is white. It has a medium runny and creamy consistency. My fragrance is mild and good.

    How it works:  To be frank, it didn’t suit me. My face is on the oily side and this sun screen increases my oiliness.
    It gets absorbed by the skin easily but still leaves that greasy film behind. It has SPF 15 which is not enough for those who step out in harsh sun. It moisturises the skin well and only a little amount is required for every use. It works for dry and normal skin and not for oily or sensitive skin. For those who are less exposed to sun and have dry skin, this is enough and it may work.

    Swatch:




    Pros:
    • Good packaging
    • Suitable for dry skin
    • Moisturizing
    • Didn’t break me out


    Cons:

    •     Available only through Amway agents
    •     Sticky and greasy
    •     Price is little high
    •     Less sun protection.


    My Rating: 3/5


    Recommendation: I recommend this only roduct for normal to dry skinned beauties.


    Would I Repurchase?: 
    No. it doesn’t do anything much other than moisturising.



              Have you tried Amway Attitute Sunscreen Lotion? Which is your favorite Sunscreen till date?


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    Choosing Products for Eye Makeup and Eye Care

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    Guest Post by Iswarya
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #15

     
    Eyes are the most sensitive organ in our body. They are very delicate. Eyes are mirrors of our personality. They are so expressive. Eyes show the early signs of aging. Wrinkles and puffiness may develop if we don’t take proper care of it. We must use quality eye care products. Many of you would have been blessed with stunning eyes; for others it is achievable. Little care and pampering can keep your eyes as beautiful as possible. We must ensure that we are not neglecting our eyes. The tissues surrounding the face is different from rest of the face. It is 5-6 times thinner. Soothe sore, tired eyes with these tips.


    Image source


    • While choosing eye care and eye make-up products make sure that they are nontoxic and safe for use on eyes. We must make healthy choices. When it comes to eyes we must never choose a product based on its marketing.

    • Mineral make up is best for summers. We must keep our eyes clean and avoid products that result in infections.

    • Try to keep your eyes clean.

    • Switch to hypo allergic products.

    • Before buying a product read the complete ingredients list carefully. Stay away from products with ingredients like parabens, talc, and color additives like kohl, silicates and polymers.

    • Eyes have a fragile nature. Don't rub them too hard.

    • Don’t buy any thick or strong creams for the eye. Only a mustard sized amount is enough for the eyes. Apply in dabs. Less is always more when it comes to eyes.

    • Many of us will be using concealers, illuminators etc. for the eyes. Always remember to use an eye make-up remover before going to the bed at night. No traces of make-up should be left.

    • Try to give a light massage to the eyes. Take olive oil in ring finger of left and right hands and massage in semi-circular movements. Don't apply more pressure, be gentle.

    • Everyday morning and night wash your eyes with a splash of water. They will be healthier.

    • Use eye compresses. Simply take a piece of cotton pad and moisten it with the milk/rose water/tea water. Put it on your eyes and wait for 5-8 minutes. Apply a moisturizing eye cream of your choice. This will prevent inflammation of eyes.

    • Eat right, wear sunglasses to protect the eyes from pollution.

    • Sleep well so the blood circulation under your eyes improves. Your eyes need rest.

    • Opt for a good vitamin E eye cream. Retinols can remove discolorations.

    • Choose an eye product according to your specific needs and those which are specially formulated for the eye.

    • Spend some time before the mirror concentrating on your eyes. Analyze yourselves what changes you need to bring to your eyes.

    • Refrigerate your eye cream and use it cold. It works the best this way.

    • Cucumbers can cool and refresh the eyes. Keep two round pieces of cucumber on your eyes for 15 min and relax. Those with dark eyes can use potato slices too.

    • Apply oil to your eyes brows and eye lashes so that it will get lubrication and grows well.  Shape your eyebrows.

    • Try to use natural products. Olive oil can also be used to remove make up.


                             Hope these tips are quick, simple and useful. Share your ideas and feedback below!

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    Banjara's Aloe Vera Under Eye Gel Review

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    Guest Post by Iswarya
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #14

     
    Aloe Vera has a proven track of records for its benefits. It is a world renowned plant and is used as a part of beauty regime. It is also called as the lily of dessert. Due to lack of proper sleep I developed dark circles under my eyes. I was in need of a product which could help me reduce the same. I used to extract fresh aloe juice and apply to my dark circles, but since my plant dried up I bought the Banjaras aloe Vera under eye gel. Today I am going to review the Banjaras aloe Vera under eye gel. Go ahead!



    What the product claims:
    The under eye area is one that shows signs of stress and fatigue early. Banjaras under Eye Gel helps in countering that. A compound of Aloe Vera and Green Tea, it helps in reducing the strain and tiredness affecting the eyes.
    It acts as a coolant for the eye and helps in getting rid of the under eye lump. It also works wonderfully in preventing fine lines. As an overall effect, it provides a protective barrier making skin under the eyes less prone to wrinkles.


    Price and quantity:
    Rs 120 for 175 grams


    Variants:


    •     Banjaras all-purpose Aloe Vera gel
    •     Banjaras all moisturising  Aloe Vera gel
    •     Banjaras Aloe Vera under eye gel


    My Experience with this Product:

    Packaging:  It comes in a see through tub with a green screw cap. It has a label with pictures of aloe Vera.

    Colour, Consistency & fragrance: It doesn’t have any colour. It is a transparent gel and has strong a weird smell than the aloe plant. I doubt the presence of chemicals as the shelf life is 3 years. It has a medium consistency.



    How it works: It works well. It gets easily absorbed into the skin. Pea sized amount is enough for the whole face. It gives a cooling sensation when applied. It gives light moisturisation to the skin and soothes my tired puffy eyes as well. It is decently priced and doesn’t make our face oily i.e. no shiny layer. It is like  water and spreads quickly on my face. It gives a glow to my face as it is a gel. (I am applying this to my face as well). It soothes any rashes, burns or redness caused by threading and waxing. It is not sticky and light weighted, overall a good product for non-sticky product lovers and oily skinned people.

    Swatch:






    Pros:

    •     Decently priced
    •     Little goes a long way
    •     Soothing, cooling and relaxing
    •     Easy absorption by skin
    •     Serves multiple purposes
    •     Goodness of aloe and green tea
    •     Reduces puffiness of eyes

    Cons:

    •     No ingredients mentioned
    •     Tub packaging is unhygienic
    •     Packaging is not travel friendly. It is bulky and difficult to carry.


    My Rating: 4/5


    Recommendation: I recommend this product especially for summers.it suits oily and sensitive skin. Dry skin may need more moisturizing than this. It can be applied by everyone for dark circles.


    Would I Repurchase:  Yes, until I get a new aloe plant. Fresh juice of aloe plant is better than this product. Those who don’t have it can try this.


            Hope you liked my review of Banajara's Aloe Vera Under Eye Gel. Have you tried this product?

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    DIY Milk Foot Spa at Home

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    Guest Post by Iswarya
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #13

     
    We are all on our feet all day and by the end of the day it becomes exhausted. Boost your spirits and relax with a simple foot spa and your feet will thank you. Here is a tutorial on how to do a foot spa at home without spending big bucks. I will be giving you the foot soak recipe, steps and how to do a foot massage. Keep Reading!

    Image source


    Things you will need:

    •     Milk -1 cup
    •     Hydrogen peroxide- 2 caps
    •     Olive oil- 3 tbsp.
    •     Essential oil like lavender or rosemary- 1 tbsp.
    •     Honey – 1 tbsp.
    •     Baking soda-2 tbsp.
    •     Epsom salt- 1 cup
    •     Lemon juice- 4-5 drops
    •     Liquid soap/shampoo

    Steps:

    •     Fill a tub with Luke warm water and add all the ingredients mentioned in the foot soak recipe.
    •     Slice a lemon into half and put it into the tub
    •     Add rose petals to it and a few fresh mint leaves if available
    •     Add a few pebbles to the bottom of the tub ( I took some marble stones from the river and painted it)
    •     Now dip your feet into the tub. Soak for 15-30minutes. If you are doing it regularly 15 min is enough.
    •     Cleanse your feet with rose water and Glycerin.
    •     Take a pumice stone or a foot file and work on the rough skin
    •     Use a scrub. Sugar and olive oil will work good
    •     Rinse the feet with cold water
    •     Trim and shape your nails
    •     Give a nice massage to the feet. You can use a massager too
    •     Remove any old nail polish and paint your toes
    •     Apply moisturizing foot cream
    •     Wear socks or flip flops

    Massaging your feet:

    Take any massaging cream or oil and rub it in your both palms. Apply to your feet with both hands. Work to and fro with light strokes in the direction of toes. Gently pull your fingers. Rotate clock wise and anti-clock wise. Push thumbs to and fro in the sole. Apply sight pressure to the heels and ankles with a firm motion. You can use a massager as wekk. You can use a marble pebble and using it do circular motions in feet. You are done! Soft, silky feet are all yours!


    Hope you liked this Milk Foot Spa Recipe. Share your comments and love below
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    Friday, 20 July 2012

    DIY Hair Masks from Your Kitchen

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    Guest Post by Iswarya
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #12
     
    Hair masks are great for improving the condition of the hair. They nourishes the hair and they also helps in deep conditioning. Whether you have dry, damaged, dull hair, split ends or it may be any hair problem; hair masks can fix these problems. Believe it or not hair masks can even reduce hair fall with proper usage.

    These hair masks can do miracles to our hair. They provide essential nutrients.
    While there are so many products in the market, they are very pricey and contain loads of chemicals in it. They tend to worsen the condition of our hair rather than restoring it. Let’s learn to make homemade hair masks today and how to use them effectively to get the maximum out of them.

       The products used are available right in our kitchen. The biggest advantage is that these are natural and do not contain even a single chemical. We can save a lot of money and time by using this method. The first step you have to do is identify the hair type i.e., whether it is dry, oily etc. and depending on your hair type find out which of the masks suits you.

    Image Source


    Banana Hair Mask: 
    Bananas are so cheap and are available all through the year. All we have to do is peel the bananas and puree it in a blender until it is smooth. There should not be any lumps because it will stick to the hair and will become difficult to remove. This hair mask helps in strengthening our hair and helps to add volume. We can notice the immediate improvement in our hair condition. You can also add any oil of your choice to this smoothie recipe to combat extra dry hair.


    Yogurt Hair Mask: 
    Apply plain yogurt to your hair. It will result in soft, dandruff-free hair. It does wonders for people with itchy irritated and flaky scalp. The lactic acid present in the yogurt stimulates hair grow and will get you long and thick hair. Lactic acid has anti-bacterial properties that cleanses the scalp and pores as well.


    Mayonnaise Hair Mask:
    The three main ingredients in mayonnaise are egg white, oil and vinegar. Mix these three ingredients if you don’t have ready made mayo.This hair mask is great for adding shine and lustre to your hair.


    Epsom Salt:
    For a wavy and volumised hair use Epsom salt with jojoba oil. Mix these two with half cup water and store it in a spray bottle. Use it on your damp hair. Epsom salt is crystal form of magnesium sulphate and it helps the hair to replenish the lost magnesium. You can also heat Epsom salt and add it to your conditioner and use.


    Aloe Hair Mask:

    Just extract the gel like juice from the plant called Aloe Vera and apply it directly to your hair. Remember to use fresh gel. It gives you a radiant hair.


    Fruit Hair Mask:
    Blend your favorite fruit (Banana, Apple, Avocado etc) with little milk in a blender and apply the mixture to your hair. Your strands are sure to sparkle.


    Berry Mixture Hair Mask:
    Blend strawberries, black berries, blue berries or even goose berries (Amla) and apply it to your hair for a silky hair.


    Fenugreek Hair Mask:
    Soak fenugreek seeds in curd overnight. Next morning grind it to a fine paste and apply it to your hair. It helps in controlling hair fall naturally.


    Oats Hair Mask: 
    Boil oat meal in little water and blend it to a fine paste. If you feel it is messy you can powder this oats and use. Apply this to the scalp. Oats contain beta glucan which protects hair follicles, soothes inflammatory and sun burnt scalp. This fresh oats hair mask helps to remove oil and dirt as well.


    Avocado Hair Mask:
    Whisk the mashed avocado and use it on your hair. You will love the result.


    Honey Hair Mask:
    Apply honey to your hair. It helps in De-tangling and regulates frizz.


    Oil Mixture Hair Treatment:
    Mix olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil and any aroma oils such as lavender, tea tree oil etc together. Heat it slightly and apply to hair. Heating the oil helps in deeper penetration.


    How to Use These Hair Masks?
    Apply your hair mask before shampooing your hair. Comb your hair with a wide toothed comb, section your hair and apply using a brush covering the scalp, roots and ends as well. Wear a shower cap. If you don’t have a shower cap, use a plastic cover. Keep it for at least thirty minutes. You can cover with a towel soaked in warm water or steam hair for ten minutes to help with better penetration. After steaming pour cold water to the hair so that the pores opened by steaming process will close. Then shampoo and condition and style as usual. Rinse out well. Repeat this usage at least once in two weeks. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients stop using it.

      You can rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar, black tea water, beer, diluted lemon juice and baking soda. These help to remove product build up. For controlling hair fall try applying onion juice and coconut milk to your hair.
    Include lot of vegetables and fruits in your diet, exercise and meditate to stay stress free and drink lot of water
    You can also take biotin and vitamin supplements on a daily basis. [Consultation with your physician is must]

    All these will add vibrancy to our lifeless hair. All these hair masks serve as hair food. They are what fertilizers are for plants. They hydrate, revitalize and rejuvenate hair.


                        Hope you all enjoyed reading my post. Which is your favorite DIY hair treatment?

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    2 Quick Home Remedies to Lighten Your Skin Complexion

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    Guest Post by Vandana
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #11

     
    Here are some very easy tips to improve your complexion and to reduce dark spots on your face. Check them out, try at your home and do let me know how it works.

    Remedy 1:

    Cucumber Overnight Fairness Pack

    If you think that no face pack can make your your skin fair then you are wrong. I have tried a home made paste which really worked. Just follow these simple steps and your skin will look more fairer and spot free.

    Things required to make a paste are:
    • Cucumber
    • Rosewater 
    • Glycerine


    Firstly take out the cucumber juice by using mixer. Now add rosewater and glycerine in equal quantities to the cucumber juice. Make sure that the paste should neither be thin nor too thick. Now apply it over your face at night time before going to sleep.
           In the morning, wash your face with clean water and pat dry. After some days you will see amazing change in the complexion of your skin and even the dark spots will lighten.

    Tip: If you feel lazy making this everyday then you can make this paste for 3 days and you can keep it fridge and use it everyday.


    Remedy 2:
    Banana Glow Face Pack

    To give instant glow to your face before going to a party or something, you can try a banana face pack. To make this pack you don't have to make any effort. You just have to peel banana and take out its pulp and crush it to make a smooth paste. You can make this paste using mixer as well. Now apply this banana paste on your face and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Later, remove it with clean water and pat dry.






    Results? You will see that yourself. You will notice that your skin is glowing and you will feel a new softness and smoothness on your skin!



                          Hope you liked these fairness home remedies! Share your comments below
                                        And do you have any special skin lightening DIY recipe girls?



     Image source: 1, 2
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    Thursday, 19 July 2012

    NeoVeda Acne Free Aura Review

    0 comments
    Guest Post by Shruti Lakshman
    Weekend Fun Giveaway July Week 2 Giveaway Entry #10 


    Hello :) Monsoons are here and the weather is amazing. A couple of months ago I had a sudden eruption of pimples :( Too much of heat. The acne face washes I came across all had Sles or Sls but Tea tree oil figured in most of them. That's when my gray cells started working. Why not get Tea tree oil and apply it directly? Careful guys. Tea tree oil, in very concentrated quantities, can numb skin. So to be on the safer side, I got this from healthkart. To be frank, the yellow packaging caught my eye :)





    Product Description:

    Ayurvedic belief holds that if selected correctly, essential oils have the ability to advance mystical ecstasy and heighten awarness.
    Neoveda is the modern day adaptation of Ayurveda (Ancient Indian knowledge of life and well being) and is a natural way to rejuvenate and relax both body and mind.
    Reduces acne, pimples and blackheads


    Price & Quantity:
    Rs.200 for 10 ml


    Key Ingredients:
    Essential oils: Lavender and Tea Tree
    Carrier Oils: Almond and Grapeseed.


    Experience with this Product:

    Packaging:  A cute glass bottle with a white plastic cap. It has a nozzle which regulates the amount of oil. Sometimes its difficult to get the oil but all you have to do is tap it.



    Colour,Consistency & Fragrance: the oil is transparent and smells like a bouquet of flowers. The most prominent would be the smell of lavender.

    How it works: I had this phase where a lot of pimples started appearing on my face, mostly on my chin. My friend and I picked this up and split it. I started applying it just on the pimples every night before going to bed. The next morning I could see a visible reduction in the pimples.My friend had these weird little boils around her nose.But in a week they had reduced considerably :)

    Swatch:




    PROS:
    •     Reduces pimples to some extent
    •     Gets absorbed in the skin
    •     Smells nice
    •     Only essential oils plus some carrier oils.
    •     No animal testing
    •     Nozzle controls the amount of oil
    •     Small and travel friendly
    •     Affordable


    CONS:
    •     Sensitive skinned people must do a patch test before use
    •     Check for allergies from essential oils
    •     No visible reduction in blackheads though
    •     Keep out of reach of children (not a con but a warning)


    My Rating: 4/5


    Recommendation:
    Totally! Tea Tree is oil the most commonly used ingredient in acne face washes and creams. But these have it in very small concentrations. What better way than to use it directly! Rest assured, this is mixed with carrier oils so you don't have to worry about it numbing you skin. Or maybe you could team up wid your soul sister and split it :)


    Would I Repurchase: Yes. I am also planning on getting essential oils and making my own acne free aura :) What say?


                                         Try it. I am sure it would work :) Leave your comments and feedback below!

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