Category Archives: Skincare

Product Review, Skincare

Etude House Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack Review

Hello Everyone!! Happy Tuesday 🙂

Today I will review the Moistfull Collagen Sleeping Pack from the Korean brand Etude House. So, let me tell you this is the first sleeping pack I am using and I did not have much idea around what a sleeping pack is and also this is my first product from this brand.I have been using this product for last 2 weeks and will share my experience with you in this post.

Price & Quantity: You will receive a 100 ml tub for INR 1000.If you compare it with the Laneige water sleeping pack which costs for INR 1850 for 70 ml; this one is definitely cheaper. I have not used the Laneige water sleeping mask so won’t be able to compare it based on quality/effectiveness.

Product Description:

Contains 14% Super Collagen water, which is easily and softly absorbed into your skin,
and 5.3%water extracted from baobab trees, nicknamed “water reservoir”.Enriched in small Super Collagen water particles and baobab tree essence, this moisturizing sleeping mask protects skin moisture from evaporating or being dried out while you sleep, to provide a hydrated, elastic, and gelatinous skin appearance during the daytime.

Water-gel texture with densely packed water drops promotes soft absorption without leaving any sticky feel. The moisture barrier is lightly and smoothly spread onto your face to protect your skin from being dried out during the night and even until the following day.

My Take on the product:

Etude House Moistfull Collagen

Packaging: The product comes in a glossy peach plastic tub and you need to use your fingers to take out the product.I wish they packaged it in a pump like bottle.

Ingredients: Water, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Trehalose, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Polyacrylic Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Dimethiconol, Fragrance, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearyl Behenate, Disodium Edta, Polyglyceryl 3 Methylglucose Distearate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxypropyl Bispalmitamide Mea, Linalool, Limonene, Beta-Glucan, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Geraniol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Phytantriol, Poloxamer 407, Tocopherol

Ingredients: Etude House Moistfull Collagen

So it contains fragrance and alcohol. Hydrolyzed Collagen is the 2nd ingredient which is good.

Texture: Texture of the product is very light; gel/serum like but looks like white cream.It does not make my skin oily/greasy after applying.I have oily skin and it did not cause any trouble like break – outs.I did not know what sleeping packs are like and imagined it to be like a serum.Recently I came across some articles and youtube videos claiming the ‘Sleeping packs’ to be a very essential element of night time skincare routine.Sleeping packs basically gives you the hydration for the time you sleep and when you wake up you see a dewy supple skin.So now coming back the product it definitely is very hydrating on my skin and suitable for a humid weather.I can easily sleep after applying it.My skin breathes for sure.It did not give me a single pimple.So very happy about that.

Including Collagen in your skincare is very much needed when you are approaching your 20s. Atleast that is what I learnt.There are so many products claiming to reverse your age and all.Don’t know how true those claims are.Do not expect any magical transformation from this sleeping pack.If you someone who does not like to put thick creams or moisturizers before going to bed and want something lighter for your skin to breathe; you can use this one.I will try to use the Laneige water sleeping mask as well for a better comparison.

Hope you found this review useful.Stay blessed 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Dot&Key – Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum AND Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum – Review

I remember I first came across the brand Dot & Key sometime last year and within a year you can tell that the brand has grown from its increased product line.I must say their products are quite unique at least for Indian market.

I recently tried my hands on 2 of their serums and this review is about them.The first one is the Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum and the second one is the Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum.

Product Description:

Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum:

  • Boosts Collagen Production
  • Gently Soothes Sensitive Areas
  • Rejuvenates with soothing Lavender
  • Contains Shea Butter to moisturize
  • With the healing of Argan Oil
  • Calms Irritated Skin

Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum:

  • Glow Serum for normal to dry skin
  • Contains Skin conditioning Actives
  • SPF 15
  • Ultralight Moisturizer in Serum Technology
  • Hydrates deeply
  • Reduces signs of dullness

Price and Quantity: Both the product retails for INR 695 and comes in a 50ml beautiful bottle.I got them for 10% off on each of them at Nykaa.

My take on the product:

Packaging: Firstly, let’s talk about the packaging. The outer packaging of the products came with a box made of thick paper or like a cardboard kind of material.You can re-use them to store small knick-knacks.The bottles containing the product is very cute and aesthetically pleasing. All of their bottles or tubs come in sea green or lavender or baby pink or chromatic yellow shades.

DOT&KEY MOISTURE BOOSTING SERUM
DOT&KEY MOISTURE BOOST SERUM
DOT&KEY ILLUMINATING GLOW MOISTURIZER IN SERUM

The bottles have small pumps which will help you to get exactly the amount of product you need. They have recently started a drive on their official website where you can send back the empty bottles and get rewarded.

Ingredients: The moisture boost serum contains some amazing ingredients like Vitamin C & E, Lavender essential oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Argan Kernel Oil and Shea Butter. None of their products contain Paraben /Sulphates/phthalates and they are not tested on animals either.The illuminating Glow Moisture in Serum contains Frangipani Flower Oil and Ylang Ylang Flower Oil.

How they feel on my skin: So I bought the Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum First and completely fell in love with it because of its very light; almost airy texture.I don’t like to put on thick creams on my skin as I feel that my skin will not be able to breathe.This serum is an absolute dream.It did not cause me any break out.A little product like one pea size portion is enough for your entire face. The smell is like camphor.It does not look like usual transparent serum.It looks like a lotion but feels like feather on your skin.Due to peppermint oil there is a certain tingling cool feeling attached to it.

Moisture boost serum: Consistency

It instantly gives me the morning hydration that my skin needs in a very dry weather (where I stay).This product will work for all skin types. I have been using it for almost 2 months now and I can see that there is a very clear glow in my skin without making my skin look oily or causing me any acne.

The Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in Serum is rather new in my collection.As it says moisturizer in serum it actually is a face moisturizer than a serum. So keep your expectations right. It is definitely thicker than the moisture boost serum in terms of texture although not too thick.It does not have that airy feel but it feels like an actual moisturizer. Good! because that’s what it is!

Illuminating Glow Moisturizer in serum : Consistency

This one as well did not cause me any break outs but I use it every alternative day after shower.It contains mild SPF (15). So I guess it’s best to use it in daytime.The smell is floral but not over powering.It definitely gives you the instant glow and makes your skin supple.I think this one works better for people with dry skin.For combination or oily skin I will recommend it to use it in a regulated quantity but yes definitely this serum will feel more relaxing and light on your skin than the thick creams or lotions.

I will recommend you to try both of these products based on your needs as they are quite affordable and definitely good for your skin.Hope you liked this review. Have a nice day 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Aroma Magic Juniper Berry Oil free Moisturizer Review

Hello!

I recently picked up the Juniper Berry oil free Moisturizer from Aroma Magic. Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic is the largest Aromatherapy brand in India. With over 170 signature aromatherapy—based products including skin care, hair care, essential oils and curative oils. I have been particularly following Dr. Blossom Kochhar’s articles in various magazines where she introduced the concept of Aromatherapy probably for last 10-12 years.Yes She is a pioneer in this field. I use Aroma Magic products because it is completely free of petrochemicals, phathalates,paraben,artificial fragrances and colour. Also,this brand is very affordable and students/ college goers can totally afford them.

Now let’s do the product review.

Price and quantity: 100 ml pump bottle comes for INR 190. The 200 ml variant comes for INR 345. Packaging is nothing fancy but just useful. I struggled with the pump for the first time but just that.

Product Description: The Aroma Magic Juniper Berry Oil Free Moisturizer protects, moisturizes and brightens your skin. The multi tasking extracts of Juniper berry and Cucumber act as efficient anti ageing, anti inflammatory and anti oxidant agents protecting the skin from the sun by guarding it against harmful free radicals. An exotic blend of Patchouli and Lemon essential oil helps regulate the oil level in the skin. Together with Aloe vera juice, the non greasy gel formula of this potion helps heal acne and lighten blemishes leaving your skin well nourished, refreshed and brighter.

Aroma Magic Juniper Berry Oil free moisturizer

Features:

  • Has SPF 15
  • Infused with the goodness of wondrous natural ingredients
  • 100% free of petrochemicals, phthalates, toxic ingredients, parabens, artificial fragrance and color
  • For Oily skin
Aroma Magic Juniper Berry Oil free moisturizer

My take on the product: The product looks like a transparent serum but the consistency is little thinner than usual serums.It has a herbal smell which I did not like that much but it does not stay for long. The moisturizer feels very light on my skin and I can put it on easily whenever I want; be it day or night; and it gives a quick hydration. The product is water based and contains essential oils along with hyaluronic acid.

It perfectly worked on my oily skin in summer when I can not apply any heavy moisturizer yet want some hydration for my skin.There is a blend of Patchouli and lemon essential oil which helps to regulate the oil concentration level in the skin.I am not sure about its anti-ageing or anti-blemish properties as I don’t have wrinkles or blemishes on my skin right now but I guess it contains some really good ingredients like hyaluronic acid which are good in maintaining the hydration level and making your skin look soft and plump.

As I mentioned the consistency is like a light runny serum and just a little product gives you the right amount of moisture and hydration for 5-6 hours.You will not feel like re-applying again and again. I stay in Bangalore where the weather is very dry and this light moisturizer really suits in such weather.

Aroma Magic Juniper berry oil free moisturizer

I have not used it in Winter. So will not be able to comment if it will be super effective as a winter moisturizer.It did not cause any irritation or break outs in my skin as it does not contain any harmful chemical.It does not feel greasy at all and the claim of it to be an oil free moisturizer is really true. I really feel like my skin is breathing. You can easily use it as a base before putting on any make up. I am not sure if it will turn out to be really effective for dry skin beauties but for oily skin or combination skin it does its job brilliantly.

Hope you found this review helpful. Take care 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Plum E-luminence Deep Moisturizing Cream review

Hey Guys!!!

So I have been using a few products from Plum Goodness and I wanted to write a quick review on one of the products by the same brand – the e-luminence deep moisturizing cream. So Plum is an Indian beauty brand and offers some really greaaat products (especially theirs kohls and kajals) and all their products are vegan! I will add my reviews on their other products as well but for now let’s start with this one.

Price: The product retails for INR 575 and comes in a 50 ml tub.It is available in Nykaa and in the Plum goodness website.

Description: The e-luminence creme offers the hydrating power of Vitamin E and 12 phyto-nutrients boosted by a dozen potent plant nutrients, to provide unmatched hydration and nourishment to dry & damaged skin. The result: bouncy, hydrated skin that exudes a happy, dewy radiance.The cream comes in a thick milky white texture and has a mild scent.

So one thing I did not realize before buying this product was that it is best suitable for dry skin.If you look at the main ingredients, this product contains

1. Vitamin E – possibly the best hydrator out there

2. Jojoba oil – nourisher of choice for dry skin

3. Calendula flower extract – heals damaged skin

4. Red clover flower extract – reduces itching and calms down skin

5. Elder flower extract – helps fade wrinkles for a smoother, younger appearance

6. Rose flower extract – helps soothe and reduce inflammation

7. White willow bark extract – natural exfoliant, helps skin renewal

8. Plant-derived betain – controls water balance and maintains supple nature of skin

9. Kokum butter – a “solid” emollient brimming with micro-nutrients

10. Grapeseed oil – a top source of antioxidants for skin

11. Sea buckthorn oil – one of the richest sources of Vit C in nature

12. Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride – emollient, non-sticky ingredients derived from palm

13. Chamomile flower extract – calms & soothes skin

Well all these ingredients sound awesome but the formula is just not apt for someone with oily or combination skin.It has a very thick consistency. Especially if you have acne prone skin then it is an absolute no no product. Same goes for me as I have oily skin! Actually I was so amazed by their Tea tree night clarity gel that I did not do enough research before buying this one 😦

Plum e-luminence creme

Anyway I somehow wanted to use the product because my mom also has oily skin.So what I did was to wash my face first well with a facewash and then apply very minimum amount of the cream like 3-4 dots over my face and then just massage it gently.

I am yet to empty this!

I could apply it only during winter.It got absorbed quickly and thankfully did not feel greasy. Its thick consistency is not suitable for applying during summer as my skin started sweating because of its very oily texture. I applied it mostly after sunset because it does not contain SPF. It gave my skin a beautiful glow.That is for sure!

I think this will work wonders for dry skin beauties; especially during winter.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Stay healthy! Take care!!

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Skincare

5 Skincare Products I absolutely loved during Quarantine

I have been in quarantine for almost 2 months now.I guess most of you are as well.Staying home for such a prolonged period was unprecedented but anyway I could put the time into some productive use as well. Also in these last 2 months I have not used a single make up product and mostly focused on my skin care regime.So here are a list of 5 products that I used almost everyday or every alternate day.

Facial Mist: I never really used facial mists/sprays earlier and did not have an clear idea what they are used for. So these facials sprays are absolute blessing during a dry summer. Just a few quick splash and I feel all rejuvenated. So I use Rose water spray from Kama Ayurveda (INR 275) and the most pocket friendly Dabur Gulabari. Both of them are available in a 100 ml spray bottle.There is another one which I recently discovered is from the brand Urvija. It is their Lavender Mint Facial Spray with clay sage.

Urvija Lavendar Mint Facial Spray

It is a home grown brand and the product retails for INR 190 for a 100 ml bottle.The uniqueness about this particular spray is that along with an amazing smell they it gives an amazing glow and a cool refreshing feeling even if you don’t refrigerate it.

I also made some DIY facial sprays all by myself and it is actually pretty easy and does not cost much. First one is a lavendar and aloe spray – I just took an empty 100 ml spray bottle and filled 80% of the bottle with distilled water.Then added 5-6 drops of lavendar essential oil and just one table spoon of aloe vera gel. You can use your home grown aloe and extract the gel from it as well. Now coming to the other spray this one is also very simple to make. Just extract some fresh cucumber juice (around 2 table spoon) and add 1 spoon aloe vera gel in it and fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water.

Face serums: I am currently using 2 face serums alternatively and both of them are from the brand Dot&Key One of them is their GLOW REVEALING VITAMIN C SERUM CONCENTRATE and another one is their WATER DRENCH HYDRATING HYALURONIC SERUM CONCENTRATE.

Dot & Key Vit C serum

Both of them cost around 900 INR for 30ml of the product and trust me if you have oily skin or if you don’t really like to use all those thick creams these 2 serums should be in your shopping cart. Hyaluronic acid is also much talked about these days because of its anti-ageing property.I love to apply these serums and then massage slowly using my ROSE QUARTZ FACIAL GUA SHA stone for my night time skin care routine.

Hair oil: I will have to admit I was kind of really reluctant to use hair oil but because I got to stay at home during this lockdown period I got plenty of time to apply hair oil.I am currently using BRINGADI INTENSIVE HAIR TREATMENT OIL from Kama Ayurveda.It retails for INR 650 for a 100ml bottle.

Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive hair treatment

This product is meant to prevent hair loss, dandruff and premature graying. It is also a natural conditioner for lush hair growth. In addition, it cools the head. The herbal formula includes indigo (neeli), Eclipta Alba and gooseberry to promote hair growth; liquorices which acts as an anti-fungal agent; and balloon vine which prevents scalp infection. I have very thick wavy hair and this oil never made my hair sticky; not even a greasy scalp.It has definitely given me volumes and the smell kind of de-stresses me everytime I use it.

Eye cream/gel: Because I have a job which requires me to constantly look at the screen for atleast 7-8 hours and even if I don’t include that my screentime is definitely not less than 12 hours everyday. Although I don’t get deep dark circles around my eyes; I have noticed some dryness and hence, I started using an eye gel from the brand Aroma Magic.Most of the available eye creams/gels cost a bomb to be honest but this one is really pocket friendly.It costs just INR 195 for 20gm product and does its job too.

Aroma Magic Eye Gel

I am not sure if it will be that impactful for heavy dark circles but if you just want an eye cream to refreshen and moisturize your under eye area this product will work for you.

Lip masks: I have already talked about this Laneige lip sleeping mask and how amazing it is. So obviously it is part of my lipcare routine. Also I used the organic juicy chemistry lip scrub twice a week for exfoliation.It retails for INR350 for 10gm of product and goes a long way.

Hope you liked this post! Stay healthy!

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Skincare

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Berry Review

So I am sure if you love to see the skin care routines of the Supermodels or Victoria’s Secret Models on Youtube there is one product which I have seen a lot of them absolutely swear by for their gorgeous lips and that is Laneige Lip sleeping Mask.Also, this is probably one of those products which I could actually afford :p

Now coming to the product; Laneige is a very well known Korean skin care brand.I have noticed that they do not come up with a lot of products every now and then.They are very specific about a few key products that are actually really popular.So generally the quality standards are really high.

Price and Quantity: It comes in 2 sizes – 8 gms for INR 500 and 20 gms for INR 1150.I would recommend you to go for the 8 gms tub because it goes really long way trust me!

Description: – A leave-on lip mask that soothes and moisturizes
– Has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips
– Offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend
– Forms a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture
– For smoother and more supple lips

My take on the Laneige lip mask :

Well I honestly did not have an idea of what a lip mask is before buying this.Also, I am a person who is generally averse of the idea of putting a mask before sleeping.I mean it is kind of weird right ! But to put all your worries away let me clarify this is not like a mask you will generally think of.This product has a balmy texture and has a sweet berry like taste (in case you lick it accidentally,whoops!).It has no color at all; totally transparent and glossy. The texture is thick and sticky; almost like you have put honey on your lips but it quickly melts into your lips.It comes in a cute pink tub and I know it feels kind of gross to dig your finger to take some of the product out but this is actually a mask and not a balm.Hence, the product consistency is not something which you could package in a stick.

Now coming to the main question; did I notice any difference to my lips ?

Yes I did and that is why I absolutely love this product and can’t stop going gaga over this. It actually works.A lot of Korean brands have really conquered the skin care market and out of them Laneige is quite a silent but really steady player.Their product gives you result.I wish I could show you a before and after picture of my lips but I actually forgot to click one before I started using it.I am no experienced beauty blogger 😦

However, I can describe my experience. I got dark outer lip lines due to sun damage.I used lip scrubs but somehow the pigmentation did not really go away.I religiously used this product for 2 weeks; every single night and I could see the darker lip line to fade and gradually the pink soft lips coming out; as if my older pink soft lips getting a rebirth. The product is rish in Vitamin C, shea butter and berry extracts and lots of good ingredients.No paraben and totally cruelty free. Why is it called a mask? I assume if we actually used it as a balm we would end up eating it :p . Using it as a sleep mask helps to absorb it totally while we are sleeping.

Hope you liked this review! Stay healthy 🙂

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