Monday 31 October 2011

My Tinted Moisturizer!


Hello Friends!
Just wanted to share with you about what I did to my half unused Lotus White glow Gel Crème today. While cleaning my cupboard today, I found my Street wear Mineral Foundation which was lying unused since two months. I had entirely forgotten about that. This is what happens when we have more products than what we can really use. He He He.
Ok I love the mineral foundation but many a times the application looks streaky without a primer. So I had kept it in cupboard thinking will use after I have a nice face primer. So today an idea struck into my mind. I thought why not to mix the Street wear Mineral foundation with the gel crème and make a tinted moisturizer? So I added the mineral foundation and mixed it. The tinted moisturizer was really smooth and glided nicely onto my skin imparting a dewy look. It had nicely evened out my complexion. The coverage was somewhat between light to medium. I really loved it and intend to use the mineral foundation in similar way. The application of moisturizer was smooth and it wasn’t cakey at all. I am loving it!




Fabindia Vitamin E De-Pigmentation Cream


Hello Friends!
Today I am going to review a product from the very well known brand Fab India. I bought this product for lightening freckles and blemishes on my face. I thought this product would help me get a flawless and spotless look. So did I achieve it? Please read on to know more.

What The Company Says:
An intensive skin lightener and natural depigmentation treatment that evens out the skin tone. It controls melanin production to prevent skin from darkening and removes age spots, freckles and blemishes. Contains no harmful bleaches and is hydroquinone free. 100 ml.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Octyl Methoxy Cinnamate, Glyceryl Mono Stearate, Emulsifying Wax, Cetyl Alcohol, Kojic Acid Dipalmitate, Veegum, Arbutin, Benzophenone 3, Vitamin E Acetate, Fragrance, Gum Xanthan, Methyl Paraben, Allantoin, Propyl Paraben.
Price: Rs275 for 100ml                                                                         

My Take on Fab India De-pigmentation Cream:
Few years back I was a casual undergraduate student who didn’t even use a face wash or a facial cream or compact .I just used to clean my face with soap and go to college after applying just a kohl. I never cared about my skin then and didn’t even know what a sunscreen was! So I started getting freckles on my face and neck which I was ignoring since a long time. After coming to Kolkata, I saw so many Bengali beauties with flawless and spotless skin. Even I wanted to have that kind of flawless skin. I am not a fan of fair skin as such, but I love even skin tone. I have been suffering from uneven skin tone since few years, so I thought to use Fab India’s Depigmentation cream after checking it out at City Centre, Kolkata. The description mentioned in the cream tub was really tempting enough to buy it. I had seen its ingredients then and was kind of skeptical to buy it as there is nothing herbals as such in this cream, its entirely a cocktail of some controversial chemical ingredients used in cosmetic industry for skin lightening.
I have used it for continuous one month. In this one month I saw lightening of the blemishes caused by my recent pimple break out. It lightened many of the spots on my face but didn’t help me entirely with the freckles problem. Its a good cream for treating  hyperpigmented area. It has lightened the hyperpigmented areas on my neck quite effectively.
The fragrance of the cream is very strong which I do not like at all. The texture of the cream is very smooth and soft, but it doesn’t get absorbed into skin easily. You have to massage a lot .When I used more quantity, the product didn’t get absorbed into my skin and formed a white greasy layer Yuck !



Pros:
-It claims to treat freckles, age spots and blemishes.
-It evens out skin tone.
-Its list of ingredients are well known in cosmetic world for skin lightening.
-Helps in depigmentation of hyper pigmented areas.
-Contains Vitamin E which keeps skin smooth and young looking.
-Lightened the blemishes caused by pimples.
-Lightened several brown spots on my skin to a great extent.
-Didn’t break me out even once.
-It contains no bleach and is hydroquinone free.
-They have online shopping option now.

Cons:
-Contains a cocktail of several chemicals which are kind of harmful to skin in the long run.
-The fragrance is too strong for my liking.
-Contains parabens.
-Cream doesn’t get absorbed easily.
-If you take more quantity, then a greasy white layer forms on skinTop of Form.
-Quite pricy for 100 ml.
-Raised its price from Rs 250 to Rs 275.
-It doesn’t eliminate freckles entirely.
-Tub packaging, so not hygienic as have to dig my fingers all the time to use it.
-Available only at Fab India stores.

Rating: 3.25 out of 5
Will I Repurchase? No, Its fragrance is too strong for my liking and It has lots many chemical ingredients.
My Recommendation: You can try it out for lightening certain facial blemishes but it doesn’t eliminate freckles entirely and it contains lots of chemical ingredients like Kojic acid. So check the testers and do patch test on your skin before purchasing it.
This is my recent pic in which I am wearing my Favorite Lipstick Faces Moisture Extreme 'First Lady. Its a damn pretty shade.Do check it out all of you sweeties!

Saturday 29 October 2011

Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum

Hello Friends!

Today I want to introduce one of the Biotique products to all of you which has not been reviewed in a comprehensive way on internet. Some of the Biotique products are clear winners for me and some are total failures. So what I feel about this serum? Did it work for me? Please read on……





Price: Rs 199 for 35 ml.


What The Company Says:


Dandelion is a rejuvenating herbaceous plant known for its ageless properties. This lightening serum is a rare combination of pure dandelion, rich in Vitamin E and minerals, blended with nutmeg oil. Used regularly, it helps brighten skin, fade dark spots and ease away wrinkles for a flawless complexion.
A rare combination of naturally occurring nutrients. Rich in Vitamin E and minerals like Iron, Phosphorus, Iodine, Potash and Sulphur. Also contains Nutmeg Oil that helps to stimulate the skin and ease wrinkles. Regular use ensures a youthful complexion.
It stimulates the skin's microcirculation, cell regeneration and it helps to firm the face and neck. The Dandelion Face Vitalizer gives your skin a new glow with firmer features.

Direction for use:

Just massage a few drops on a thoroughly cleansed skin before the moisturizer or nourisher, morning and evening. It is designed to work at night when the skin's cell renewal rate reaches its peak.


Ingredients:

Cydonia Oblonga Gel (Bihidana Luvab) 10%
Lepidum Sativum Gel (Halo Luvab) 1.5%
Myristica Fragrans Oil (Jaiphal Tail) 0.5%
Sacchromyces Yeast Ext. (Khameer Kwath) 8%
Prunus Amygdalus Oil (Badam Tail) 1%
Helianthus Annus Oil (Surajmukhi Tail) 3%
Lotion Base Q.S.

My Take on Biotique Bio Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum

I had purchased this product for the first time some 4 years back when it was new in the market and its name was different. It was Biotique Dandelion Face Vitalizer. It has been instructed to use it before using any moisturizer and to incorporate in daily skin care regime for maximum benefit. This product has an amazing fragrance, somewhat if you mix camphor with some plant herbs which I like a lot. It gives nice cooling sensation when applied on skin. I have used three of these bottles already. In my honest opinion, this product doesn’t do anything for me in winter, I just see no benefit but whenever during Summer season I apply it, I see instant brightening and see my skin tone has noticeably lightened up a lot and. I also feel some toning effect. Many of my friends ask me whether I have done any facial or did anything to my skin. During summer I just use it and a loose powder, I skip moisturizer during those days. But during winter I fail to find such effects. But nevertheless, it smoothens and softens my facial skin. I just keep touching my skin whenever I use it. It has however never helped in lightening of dark spots. Am also not sure if it eases out wrinkles as I have none. So I kind of have mixed feeling towards it.






Pros of Biotique Bio-Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum:

-Its one of the naturally safe, chemical free serum I have ever come across with.
-This gets easily absorbed into skin leaving smooth and soft skin.
-Doesn’t make my face oily or greasy.
-Soothes tired skin and it has cooling effects too.
-Its fragrance is awesome, somewhat like camphor mixed with herbs.
-It contains many herbal ingredients.
-It tones up skin and imparts youthful appearance.
-I love how it instantly brightens up and lightens my skin tone noticeably during Summer.
-It claims to ease out dry dehydrated and wrinkled skin.
-Didn’t break me out at all. I have been using it since a long time.
-New packaging is very colorful and attractive with loads of information.
-Easily available at several cosmetic shops.

Cons of Biotique Bio-Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum:

-It claims a shelf life of  three years and also states it has no preservatives, how is that possible?
-Price has escalated from Rs 135 to Rs 165.
-Quantity provided is very less.
-Some times its difficult to pour the product as you have to keep on pressing a lot.
-It didn’t lighten my dark spots.
-I didn’t feel the positive effects during winter.

Rating: 4 out of 5


Will I Repurchase? Yes, it suits me a lot during Summer.

Recommendation:

If you all want to use a safe ayurvedic based serum devoid of harmful chemicals then do try this one. Otherwise for the price its charging you can skip it too.
                          





Avon Solutions Plus+ Total Radiance Eye Gel


Hello Friends!
Today I am going to review Avon Solutions Plus + Total Radiance Under Eye Gel which I bought 2 months back.


What the Company Says?
For normal/combination skin. This soothing gel refreshes and revives the eye area. Minimizes the appearance of under eye bags and helps brighten dark circles. Hypoallergenic. Dermatologist-tested. Fragrance-free


Ingredients:
WATER/EAU, HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, ALUMINUM STARCH, OCTENYLSUCCINATE,  PROPYLENE GLYCOL , DIPEPTIDE-2,PALMITOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-3,  HESPERIDIN METHYL CHALCONE,  BUPLEURUM FALCATUM EXTRACT , EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT, MALVA SYLVESTRIS (MALLOW) EXTRACT, LUPINUS LUTEUS SEED EXTRACT, TRITICUM VULGARE (WHEAT) GERM EXTRACT,  PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) FRUIT EXTRACT, LINUM USITATISSIMUM (LINSEED) SEED EXTRACT,  ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER EXTRACT , CENTAUREA CYANUS FLOWER EXTRACT , CITRUS AURANTIUM AMARA (BITTER ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS EXTRACT, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ALLANTOIN, PANTHENOL,SQUALANE, CAFFEINE, RETINYL PALMITATE, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, BETA-CAROTENE, TOCOPHEROL, LECITHIN,GLYCERYL POLYMETHACRYLATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL,  ETHYLENE/ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER, PEG-8, POLYSORBATE 60, STEARETH-20,  SODIUM CARBOMER 
HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER,  DISODIUM EDTA,TETRASODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL, METHYLPARABEN, MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, RED 40, YELLOW 
Price: Rs 229 for 15 ml. I got this on offer for Rs 159







My Take on Avon Solutions Plus+ Total Radiance Eye Gel:
I had purchased this product from an Avon representative from Kolkata referred by my friend Anuradha Kar.I had purchased lots off stuff from her and this eye gel was one of them. I started using this since one month after finishing my Lotus Eye gel and Aroma magic under eye gel. In past I have also used ayur under eye gel and Aroma magic under eye cream. Among all the products, Ayur under eye gel was the worst as I always felt as if am dabbing chilly powder in my eyes. The winner among all the under eye gels is no doubt the Avon Solutions Plus Total Radiance Eye gel. Yes you read it right my friends. It was much better than Aroma magic under eye gel as that always felt sticky after applying. The Avon Eye gel not only soothes my tired eyes but also helped in lightening  my dark circles and corrected the fine lines to much extent. My fine lines are not pronounced as it was earlier. My under eye skin has toned up a lot and I don’t have to use much under eye concealers too. It has helped in brightening my pigmented lids too. The best part is that, it gets absorbed easily without leaving any kind of greasiness or sticky feeling. Those who want to use a under eye gel during day time but skip it due to the obvious visible appearance of several eye creams and gels should try this product. I do not get puffy eyes so can’t tell you about that but I have read several reviews before buying it and came to know that it has relieved several people with puffiness and eye bags. But yes I can’t comment anything about treating crows-feet. Its dermatologically tested and is hypoallergenic. Its safe for sensitive eyes too. Its mentioned in the pack that it is fragrance free, but it has some weird kind of chemical smell which I do not like at all. But am entirely ignoring the fragrance after experiencing all plus points. So if you want to incorporate eye gel in your CTM Routine but skipping it due to several reasons, should give this a try.
This is on offer in this month Brochure. Do check it out.





Pros of Avon Solutions Plus + Total Radiance Eye Gel:
-Its Hypoallergenic.
-Its dermatologically tested.
-Its fragrance free. ( Avon claims that, but it has chemical kind of fragrance).
-It  has cooling effect and very soothing for tired eyes.
-It revives the eye area imparting a youthful look.
-With regular use, it tones the under eye area quite effectively.
-I observed lightening of my dark circles.
-Even my pigmented lids have brightened up a lot.
-It absorbs quite quickly leaving behind no greasiness or sticky feeling.
-It has got lots of quantity, will take much time to finish it up.
-It also relieves puffiness.
-It has reduced the appearance of fine lines in my case.
-Doesn’t feel irritating on my eyes.
-Contains lots of herbal ingredients.

Cons of Avon Solutions Plus+ Total Radiance Eye gel:
-It has its own share of chemical ingredients.
-Fragrance is  similar to some chemical stuff.
-Can be obtained only through Avon representative.
-Always you wont find this on offer.
-I don’t think it will treat crows feet entirely.

Will I repurchase? Yes If I find this on offer, then I will definitely buy this.
Rating: 4.25 out of 5

Friday 28 October 2011

Lotus White Glow Gel Creme vs Lotus White Glow Micro-Emulsion

Hello Friends!
I have used the entire range of Whiteglow from Lotus Herbals and felt the need to compare two of its products for everyone’s benefit.

LOTUS WHITEGLOW GEL CRÈME



What the Company Says:
Enriched with Grape, Mulberry, Saxifraga extracts and Milk enzymes that are known fairness agents A revolutionary formula that blends the benefits of a gel and a crème It also contains sunscreens to protect the skin from harmful UVA&UVB rays that can darken the skin



Price:
This is available in 50 ml jar and 15 ml tube.Price- Rs 295 for 50 ml, Rs 99 for 15 ml.





After rubbing 3 times




So once you rub it, some of the gel crème gets absorbed and some donot forming a powdery residues almost like when you rub off a ubtan or a mask.

My take on Lotus White glow Gel Crème:
Lotus Herbals suggests Lotus White glow gel crème to all people with dry skin who are in need of long lasting moisture. I have used one complete jar of it and I felt that this gel crème is not up to the mark for we all dry skin people. When I used it first, my face felt very smooth and soft, I felt brightening effect too. But the whitening effect was so pronounced that I almost looked like a ghost whenever I used it.Whenever I take little amount of gel crème, then it gets absorbed easily but I don’t feel the optimum moisture that my skin actually requires. But after taking more quantity, I saw the gel crème doesn’t get absorbed entirely and leaves powdery and sticky tit bits residues which we get when we rub off a mask or an ubtan. Check the picture above. The horrible part is whenever I hold my cell phone, the screen is entirely covered with a white layer. The brightening effect is temporary. Another thing I want to point out that if you leave it unused say for 1 month or so you will see the entire gel crème has sort of separated into water and a mass of crème and fragrance has changed a lot. When I used it I felt it had turned very runny and I didn’t feel any moisturizing or brightening effect. Yes the white cast is always there. I really object to the fact that Lotus herbals claim 3 years shelf life for this product when just within 2 months I felt its quality really getting degraded.

My Recommendation:
I don’t suggest this product to anyone for the high price Lotus Herbals charging for it. They also escalated its price from Rs 245 to Rs 295 within few months.
Rating: 3 out of 5

LOTUS WHITEGLOW MICRO-EMULSION:




What the Company Says:
WHITEGLOW Skin whitening & brightening Microemulsion is a breakthrough from Lotus Herbals that lightens, whitens and brightens your skin.
Micro-emulsion is a revolutionary formulation that blends the hydrating properties of water and nourishing goodness of oil in a manner that the resultant formulation has very fine particle size.
This has several advantages:
.2-6 times deeper & faster penetration.
.Quicker delivery of ingredients.
.Nourishes and hydrates.
.Leaves no residues.



Price: Rs 245 for 40 ml








Just look how fast it penetrates into skin leaving any kind of residues.

My Take on Lotus White Glow Micro- Emulsion

This product is formulated mainly for oily skin people. I have finished 4 bottles of microemulsion already and am not at all bored with it. I am in love with this product and had an amazing experience using it. It penetrates into my skin fast enough leaving a natural glow. It doesn’t leave any kind of residues or white cast like the gel crème. Its a must have moisturizer for normal to dry skin people in all seasons. In winter, we all dry skin people need an extra moisturizer but that’s totally all right. It doesn’t leave any kind of greasiness on my skin rather makes my skin very soft and velvety smooth. With time, I have also noticed lightening of many of the dark spots on my facial skin. This product also minimizes the appearance of pores with continued usage which I have experienced myself. These days many of my friends ask about my skin care regime as my skin has actually changed to the better side. It immediately relieves tired looking skin and imparts a youthful appearance. This product is the best among all the drugstore products available in the market which caters to every skin needs.

My Recommendation:
I will definitely suggest this product to everyone. Its formulation is best among all the products available. This product is a must try among the entire white glow range.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5. 0.5 off for containing parabens and Dimethicone derivatives.

Overall Verdict:
Do try Lotus White glow Micro- emulsion for sure.The gel creme can be easily skipped.

Thursday 27 October 2011

Avon Naturals Green Tea Lip Balm


                                                 


Hello Friends!
This is my first review for my blog and am really happy writing it. I hope to contribute more and more.
What the Company Says:
Avon natural lip balms are light-weight & easy to apply, glide on smoothly. Moisturizing formula protects lips from dryness, has glossy shine & sheer color. Use on top of lipstick or by itself.
Price:
Rs.89 for 4gms but I bought this on offer. I had to pay some Rs 99 for two lip balms.
                                                 
                                                    

                                    

My Take on Avon Naturals Green Tea Lip Balm:
I bought four different variant from this range- Aloe, Green Tea, Lemon, Peach. I wanted to try strawberry and Cherry but both were out of stock. I am reviewing only the green tea one as others haven’t used till now. During Winter I get severely chapped lips with pronounced fine lines. But after using Avon Green Tea lip balm I can say Good bye to chapped lips forever. J
Till date I have used several lip balms like VLCC, Lotus Herbals, Neutregena, Vaadi and Lipice. I find Avon lip balm really conditioning and more of a Lip treatment balm which not only relieves my chapped lips but also with my fine lines. I also loved Neutregena lip moisturizer a lot. But if we see Avon one is much cheaper than Neutregena. During cold winter, Avon lip balm remains as smooth as butter but yes in a stick form which I find very convenient taking while am travelling. It has faint fragrance of melon mixed with cucumber which I like a lot, very refreshing fragrance it has. So among all lip balms I have used till date, Avon lip balm is the clear winner for me.

Pros:
-Very reasonable price.
-Many variants are available like- Strawberry, Cherry, Lemon, Green tea, Aloe, Peach, Almond & Milk.
-When on offer, you get each of these for almost Rs 45.
-It relieves chapped lips.
-It also helped me a lot in removal of those disgusting fine lines.
-It has got a very refreshing fragrance.
-Its as smooth as butter on lips.
-Its available in stick form which I prefer a lot.
-Its quite travel friendly.
-I didn’t face any problem while twisting it up and down now and then to check how much product is left. This problem I faced while checking both Neutregena and Lotus Lip balm, Both of them broke from middle. L


Cons:
-Every month its not available on offer.
-Many of the variants are out of stock.
-Available only through Avon representative.
-List of ingredients not mentioned.
-If the lip balm gets into your mouth, it tastes so synthetic kind, so bad. Yuck!
Rating: 4.25 out of 5
Will I repurchase: Yes I will definitely buy some more.