Makeup, Product Review

MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint (Light 4) – Review

I recently purchased the MAC Strobe dewy tint in the shade light 4. I am not a regular foundation/concealer person but I love to put a skin tint while going out. I love the MAC strobe creams and decided to give this Strobe dewy tint as well and I must say I was not disappointed.

Price and Quantity:

The retail price for the 30 ml tube is INR 3300 with 36 months expiry date. Mac runs offers on their products all year round, however, I found the product to be quite expensive. I remember in my college days I loved applying a CC/bb cream. Skin tints fall in the same category but this MAC one is totally out of reach for college goers. I bought it from the Tira website. You can also get it from official MAC website or Nykaa.

MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint Review

Product Description:

A sheer, illuminating tinted moisturizer with light-bending effects that’s infused with hyaluronic acid, shea butter, squalane and vitamin E.

Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer, Hydrating, Sheer Buildable Coverage

Give your skin a hint of sheer, luminous tint with our tinted moisturizer featuring pearlescent, light-bending effects. The colour-true tinted moisturizer in 16 stretchable shades features sheer, buildable coverage with a lightweight gel-balm texture that cocoons skin for a comfortable, soft all-over glow. The formula is infused with good-for-skin ingredients including hyaluronic acid, shea butter and squalane. There’s also antioxidant-rich vitamin E to protect skin from environmental aggressors such as blue light and pollution.

Ingredients:

I could not find a detailed ingredient list online. They mentioned only Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, squalane and vitamin E. The full list is available on the outer packaging.

My Take on the MAC Strobe Dewy Skin Tint:

Shades: MAC always provides a lot of shade options suitable for all skin types. I think they launched almost 16 shades but in all the Indian websites I mostly found 8 shades. However, I found that those 8 shades will cater to most of the Indian women. Now, coming to the shade choosing part, I think you should test it out in a store first to get the correct shade. I chose light 4 but I feel it is not an exact match for me, it makes me look a bit bronzed.

Packaging: It comes in a transparent white tube with a black lid. It is a very light-weight travel friendly packaging.

Texture and Finish: The texture is quite thick and takes time to blend. Do not expect this to be as smooth as the strobe creams by MAC. Also, one needs to be really careful with the quantity as even 1/4th a pea size may look too much. So, just go really easy first and then choose the exact amount you need. It leaves a very even looking, smooth finish and a stunning glow. In their product description, MAC mentioned a ‘light bending effect’ and they stood true too their claim. It highlights my features at the right places and gives a sculpted look if I may say so. It stays like that through out the day. Doesn’t make my skin look extra oily or greasy at all. Still if you are worried you can use a setting powder to tone down the shimmering effect. It will set off to a beautiful satin like finish.

Coverage: It says that it gives a sheer coverage. I don’t expect or want a skin tint to be high coverage.

Finishing Thoughts: This skin tint is definitely what I am going to repurchase if they keep it in the market. I found the finish better than the Thank You Framer Luminous CC Cream. There are a lot of shade options for everyone. A tiny dot is what it takes for the desired result in my case. So, one tube is going to last quite a lot of time. It gives the naturally radiant finish under indirect sunlight or in an in-house setting but do test it out before going out, otherwise you may look like a bulb under sunlight :p

I personally would recommend to use a primer underneath so that it helps you to blend the product easily and you will not end up using a lot of product as well. If you are in a hurry then mix it up with your spf/ face moisturizer on your palm and then spread it out evenly.

Hope you found this review helpful. Do let me know in the comments about your favorite skin tint.

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Product Review, Skincare

Plum Bright Years Under-Eye Recovery Gel | Review

If you are someone in your early 30s, you may have already started investing on a good eye-cream. Personally, I never really bothered to spend an enormous amount of money for buying a 10 ml eye cream. Have you noticed most of the under eye creams/gels are ridiculously high priced. Trying them out with your hard earned money can be really painful. I usually apply the same skincare routine that I follow for my whole face to my under eye area as well. Also, I always believe that a sufficient amount of sleep is the key to keep the dark circles away. I didn’t plan to purchase the Plum Bright Years Under-eye recovery gel. I actually wanted to buy their cell renewal serum and restorative overnight cream from the ‘Bright Years’ range as a gift for my mother but I found on their website that they had a combo of all the 3 products. So, I decided to give the Under-eye recovery gel a try and here is my review.

Price and Quantity:

The 15ml tub costs Rs 925 but Plum products are always on sale. So, there is high chance that you will get it at a reasonable price along with some freebies as well. Another noteworthy point is that this 15 ml tube will go a very long way as I just need 1/3 a pea size amount to cover my under eye area. The Plum Bright Years under eye recovery gel also comes in a combo pack(which costs lesser) along with the cell renewal serum and restorative overnight cream. However, they are most probably only available on their own website.

About the Brand:

Plum Goodness is a rapidly growing Indian skincare brand. I think they turned 7 (or 9?) recently and had a massive sale. Their products are cruelty free and vegan. They try to mix science backed actives with more natural ingredients. Usually their products are quite affordable (except this Bright Years range which tends to be slightly on the expensive side). When I was pretty new in my job and I could barely afford any expensive skincare products, I started with their green tea gel. Although the texture felt amazing on my skin but due to high fragrance I realized it made my skin quite dry. So I stopped using that.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Hieracium Pilosella (Hawkweed) Extract, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glycine, Proline, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Malus Domestica (Apple) Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Glycerin, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Gluconate, Fragrance, CI 16255

Product Description:

The brand’s claims are –

REDUCES DARK CIRCLES & PUFFINESS: This anti-aging specialist dark circles removal gel is packed with plant stem cell extracts to reduce the visible signs of aging like dark circles, fine lines, and under-eye puffiness. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also protect the under eye against environmental stressors and oxidative damage.

SOOTHES & HYDRATES: Lack of hydration results in puffy and dehydrated eyes. This under-eye gel for dark circles contains hyaluronic acid which is known to deeply hydrate the skin. It is also packed with plant argan oil, plant betaine, and olive oil derivatives to provide optimal hydration to your gentle under-eye skin. Last but not least organic aloe juice soothes and calms sensitive skin.

FIGHTS DISCOLORATION: An under-eye gel powered with licorice root extracts, a superstar ingredient to fight dark under the eyes, brightens and soothes inflammation, redness, and irritation on the skin.

My take on the Plum Bright Years Under Eye Recovery Gel:

Packaging: It comes in a cute transparent hard plastic bottle with a white pump. There is also one additional cap to protect the pump so that it doesn’t leak accidentally. The pump is designed very effectively to take out only a tiny amount. It is absolutely travel friendly.

Texture: Somehow, I have noticed that all the Plum products (that I have used) have a very smooth feather light texture. This is also no different. It contains Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer which helps to create this soft gel like texture which does not feel sticky. It is a smooth, glossy and light-weight peach colored gel which spreads very easily and evenly when I put it under my eyes. It also gets absorbed quickly. I usually don’t massage much. I just evenly spread it out with my ring finger and within half an hour, I have noticed it pretty much gets absorbed on its own.

Fragrance: Yes, it does have a scent like all the other Plum products. The scent is milder than their other products in the same range (thankfully!) but I really wish they made it fragrance free.

Did it give any good result? Let me first tell you that I don’t have deep dark circles. I am usually blessed with a good sleeping habit. But, yeah my eyes do look tired after spending hours in front of the screens all day. So, I tried this eye gel as a preventive care usually during my night-time skincare routine. I did notice that my under eye area looked hydrated and nourished in the morning when I woke up. Also, it definitely leaves a soothing and calming feeling when I apply it as it has aloe vera in it. I cannot really comment about its effectiveness on the deep dark circles but personally I didn’t notice any significant change about brightening the under eye area as well. I have used it for around a month now and I can say that I am using it because it feels good to apply due to its texture and the calming effect that it leaves. Also, one 15 ml bottle will easily go a long way as I just need a tiny tiny amount to cover my under eye area.

Another good part is that I can apply it anytime around the day. So, even when I am going out, I apply it quickly so that my under eye area looks hydrated and fresh. After that I apply my other skincare and make up routines as it is.

Overall, I liked this product and I am probably going to purchase it again just because of its texture and soothing effect on my skin. If you have dark circles, I don’t think this is going to work for you. I didn’t really see any clearly visible result to brighten up the under eye area. So, don’t keep your hopes up.

Hope you found this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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Makeup, Product Review

Thank You Farmer Luminous CC Cream – Review

Hello! Hope you are having a lovely day 🙂

Today I want to share my quick review of my current favorite CC cream from the brand Thank You Farmer. If you are someone like me who doesn’t want to apply a foundation/concealer every time you go out yet you want a dewy glow and even tone, then you are going to love this. I am talking about the luminous CC cream from Thank you Farmer. I exactly don’t remember what CC creams stand for, most probably color corrector but anyway they are a multipurpose product. It can be used as a strobing cream to get the dewy glow or get some color correction or even to conceal some dark spots. So, here is my review on how the Thank You Farmer Luminous CC cream performs across all the categories.

About the Brand:

Thank You Farmer is a Korean skin care brand that believes in creating products that focus on pure and honest ingredients. This brand is cruelty-free and vegan and all products are hypoallergenic. I am sure most of you have already seen their viral sunscreen stick. I am going to review that soo to.

Price and Quantity:

The retail price for the 40 ml bottle is INR 2719 but it is available right now on Nykaa at a 20% discount which makes it Rs 2175.

Product Description:

Thank You Farmer Be Beautiful Luminous CC Cream SPF30 PA++ contains micro-pearls that reflect light to achieve a luminous, illuminating effect. Intense hydration helps in maintaining a moist skin barrier. Presence of vitamin E, shea butter gives a glossy, youthful complexion. Niacinamide promotes brightening and helps with dark spots. Adenosine helps in decreasing appearance of wrinkles by energizing skin’s surface, thus promoting smooth, youthful complexion.

Ingredients:

Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin,Butylene Glycol,Alcohol Denat., Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polysorbate 60, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol,PEG-100 Stearate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Silica, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Adenosine, polyurethane-11, Disodium EDTA, Tin Oxide, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, CI 77491.

My Take on the Thank you Farmer Luminous CC Cream:

Packaging: This BB Cream comes in in a shimmery pink plastic bottle with a sleek black pump. The bottle is so sturdy that I mistook it as a glass bottle. The pump is precise to get the amount you need. The packaging is really stylish and looks premium. It is easy to carry around your handbag.

Ingredients: I don’t consider it as a skincare product. This is obviously a makeup product but these days I am seeing a lot of brands are coming up with makeup products that do a double duty as a skincare product too. This is also similar. However, it contains denatured alcohol which strips off our skin of the natural oil of our skin. So, that’s a minus point. It has SPF 30++ which can give you a certain amount of sun protection but definitely it is not sufficient to replace your sunscreen. Still it is better than nothing. I would give it some points for the attempt to make it a solid multipurpose product. It contains fragrance but it didn’t bother my nose. It also contains Mica which gives that slight shimmering effect which I usually don’t like but it is very subtle in this case. Overall, I would say treat it as your any other makeup product and cleanse your face thoroughly to remove all the residue at the end of the day.

Texture and Finish: When I first took out the product it exactly looked like any other foundation and the texture is somewhat thicker than usual BB/CC creams. I apply it with a damp beauty blender. It helps to give the natural glow and don’t make my face look cakey. If you blend it really nicely (and you have to be quick because it kind of sets quickly), you will get that even looking, smooth dewy finish. It stays like that through out the day. Doesn’t make my skin look extra oily or greasy at all. Still if you are worried you can use a setting powder to tone down the shimmering effect. It will set off to a beautiful satin like finish.

It somehow doesn’t blend well when I try to apply it with my finger tips or a foundation brush. So, my recommendation will be to try it with a damp beauty blender. Also, don’t forget to prime your skin up before applying this or you can simply mix the CC cream with your moisturizer. It will help to blend this CC cream really well and give you a very naturally glowing smooth finish.

Coverage: This gives medium coverage to fade the small dark spots if you are using just one pump. If you are looking for a full coverage then you may need a little more to apply it to the targeted areas.

Shades: Unfortunately I didn’t find any other shades for this Luminous CC cream. Not sure if they are just not available in India or they just made only one shade. This is really for people with lighter skin tone and it can make your skin really ‘white’ if you go overboard with this product. So, you need to find the right amount for your skin complexion and also blend really well to get the desired impact ‘your skin just better’.

Overall, it works for me to just quickly get an even toned glowing skin before I step out. I can use it as a tinted moisturizer or even as a highlighter as well. Doesn’t make my skin look oily and stays on for a whole day. But, as of now I can see only one shade which is really unfortunate. So, this is not a blind buy. If you find it in a store, please try it out before buying.

Hope you found this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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Favorites, Makeup

L’Occitane Facial Cleansing Oil – Review

I have been searching for a good facial cleansing oil aka makeup remover for quite some time. I was using the Plum E-Luminence Simply supple cleansing balm as a makeup remover but since I am almost done with it, I wanted to try something new. Recently I came across the L’Occitane’s Facial Cleansing Oil and bought the mini version to give it a try. Here is my quick review on that.

Price and Quantity:

Usually L’Occitane’s products are quite expensive but the good news is that they have a mini version of the facial cleansing oil which is affordable. The 30 ml bottle comes at Rs 400 and trust me this 30 ml bottle will go a long way. I just need a pea size amount to cover my entire face. So, if you are someone who doesn’t put a lot of makeup frequently, go for the mini version. The 200 ml bottle comes for Rs 2150. Also, L’Occitane gives a lot of freebies/trial packs. So watch out for them. You can get this facial cleansing oil at Nykaa or at the official L’Occitane website as well. But, I noticed their official website doesn’t have the mini version.

L'Occitane's Facial Cleansing Oil

Product Description:

Infused with anti-ageing immortelle and soothing calendula flowers from the south of France, L’Occitane’s Facial Cleansing Oil – a pH friendly make-up remover leaves skin feeling cleansed, smoother, energised and purified from daily urban grime.

When it comes into contact with water, it transforms from a silky smooth oil into a milky emulsion that is gentle on the skin but tough on make-up and impurities like pollution. Immediately, skin feels fresh and the complexion is clear. Day after day, skin becomes more supple and soft.

Non-comedogenic. Tolerance tested under dermatological and ophthalmological supervision.

Ingredients:

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil – Peg-40 Sorbitan Peroleate – Isopropyl Isostearate – Caprylic/capric Triglyceride – Coco-caprylate/caprate – Parfum/fragrance – Helichrysum Italicum Extract – Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract – Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil – Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil – Tocopherol.

My Take on the L’Occitane Facial Cleansing Oil:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimal. The mini version of the facial cleansing oil comes in a transparent plastic bottle with a navy blue pump. There is no outer cap to protect the pump but unless you press it accidentally there is no chance of leakage. The pump allows you to take out the exact tiny amount you need. It is quite travel friendly.

Texture/Color/Odor: It is simply like an oil but the oil is smooth, spreads easily all over face. Doesn’t have a grainy texture. It has a typical herbal smell but there is no added fragrance to it. It doesn’t irritate my nose or my skin.

Did it do the job? yes, it did and did it absolutely perfectly. let me first tell you how this should be used. I take only one pump(just a pea size amount) on my palm when I am using liner, mascara, foundation, concealer ( in short full face of makeup). If you are using just say liner and maybe some concealer you will need just half a pump. After that, I spread it all over my face and gently massage. It doesn’t feel sticky at all. Then I add a just a few drops of water on my face and the oil turns into a milky emulsion. Some more gentle massage and poof! all the makeup is gone. I wash my face with water and also do a double cleanse with a very mild cleanser from Cetaphil. If you don’t want to double cleanse, that is also totally fine. This oil based cleanser doesn’t make my skin greasy or oily at all. It actually looks nourished afterwards because it balances the pH level of the facial skin. The advantage of using such oil based cleanser is that it doesn’t strip off the natural oil of our skin and doesn’t make the skin extremely dry. Every time my skin looks smooth and glowing after I use this.

Another very important point regarding which I was very cautious is that it does not irritate my eyes. Even the waterproof mascara or eye liner comes off so easily without irritating my eyes. The formula is absolutely praiseworthy.

If you are someone who gets extremely anxious to remove all the heavy makeup when you come back home very tired, please give this a try. This is amazing!

Am I going to repurchase this?

This is for sure going to be a staple in my makeup bag. I actually didn’t find any cons for this product. Anyone with a dry or oily skin can use this. You can always do a double cleanse afterwards with a mild cleanser but the L’Occitane’s Facial Cleansing Oil has definitely made my life so much easier. I am going to buy this again.

If you have tried this, let me know if you have liked it too, in the comments section 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Minimalist 3% Tranexamic Acid Face Serum – Review

…Continuing from where I left with my last post about healing and clearing my skin from a severe break out.

As I mentioned, I got severe acne attack recently. This is something which happened after almost a decade. I get pimple here and there but this was a severe break out and my skin barrier definitely got damaged. I tried the d’you barrier repair moisturizer to calm my skin down during the first week and it did a good job. I started using the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum from second week onwards which worked great on my skin earlier to treat the dark spots. You can check my review here. Unfortunately I had very tiny amount left in that tube and it’s not readily available in India. So, I searched for something similar from Minimalist and stumbled upon their 3% Tranexamic acid serum. This specifically formulated for targeting melasma/acne scars/hyperpigmentation.

Let’s start with my review –

Price and Quantity:

Minimalist serums are quite affordable. The 30ml bottle of 3% Tranexamic acid comes for INR 649. It is available on Nykaa.

Product Description (As per Brand website):

Tranexamic acid is a new generation molecule that inhibits melanin synthesis by interfering with the interaction between melanocytes and keratinocyte through inhibition of the plasminogen/plasmin system. External skin disruptors, such as UV light or injuries (like acne), cause the keratinocytes in our skin to produce plasminogen, that further start several processes like inflammation, increased tyrosinase activity, melanocyte differentiation, and transfer of melanosomes to upper skin layers. Tranexamic acid decelerates these processes by interfering with plasmin activity, and hence, in turn, indirectly inhibiting melanogenesis. Studies have shown that tranexamic acid, when applied topically, shows results similar to hydroquinone in the reduction of hyperpigmentation. It is also one of the most proven ingredients for the treatment of melasma.

Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid (Radianskin) complements tranexamic acid as it has an innovative mechanism blocking the release of melanin by the melanocytes, an alternative to the inhibition of tyrosinase. HPA reduces melanogenesis by up to 86% and shows a greater depigmenting effect than ascorbyl glucoside, kojic acid and arbutin, and equivalent efficacy to hydroquinone without cytotoxicity. The formula also contains exfoliating acids like mandelic acid (3%) and salicylic acid (0.3%) which gently remove the dead cells from the top of the skin, boosting the performance of tranexamic acid and hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, hence accelerating the reduction of hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Tranexamic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Mandelic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Sodium Polyglutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethoxydiglycol, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate.

My take on the Minimalist 3% Tranexamic Acid:

Packaging: Standard Minimalist dark glass bottle with a dropper. Nothing to add much here.

Texture and Color: I was quite surprised that the serum looked like a yellow oil when I first took it out. Usually most of the serums except vitamin c ones are white/transparent. I am not sure why the color is such bright yellow but in their official website also the pictures confirmed that it is supposed to be yellow. I also spotted turmeric root extract in the ingredient list. Not sure if that is the reason for the color. However, the texture is very light and blends really well. I just need 3 drops to cover my entire face.

Ingredients: Apart from the 3 % tranexamic acid, this serum also contains 3% mandelic acid, 1% HPA (Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid) and salicylic acid as well (not sure about the percentage though). It is fragrance free and also does not contain any essential oil. Tranexamic acids are proven to target hyperpigmentation, melasma and UV damages. Mandelic acid and the salicylic acid, both have exfoliating property which also helps to clear the skin. I am quite unsure about the Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid. In some articles I read that it prevents melanin formation and that’s why works well for hyperpigmentation but some other articles mentioned it can be irritating for eyes/skin. So, it’s important that you do a patch test before applying it on your face. Overall, I think it has a lot of very strong ingredients. So, please check with your dermatologist for suggestion and also if you are using some other AHAs or retinoids, please double check with your doctor if this is going to be too much for your skin.

Did it work for my skin? First disclaimer is that I have used it for only 2 weeks and to actually see results I think I should wait 2-3 months. I will try to update the post to share my final verdict once I am done with a full bottle. For now, I want to mention a few things. I use it only for my night time skin care routine as it has a lot of exfoliants which are supposed to work overnight. When I got severe break out I waited for a week before putting any serum with active ingredients. When I started using the Tranexamic acid, I still had large red pimples on my cheeks but they were no longer painful. I used it for 2 weeks. On the first week, I used it on alternate days and second week onwards I am using it every night. I didn’t use any other serum during this period. After a week the pimples are now tiny brownish red spots although quite visible. There are no bumps or zits on my face. I don’t have any active acne anymore.

I am going to continue to use it till the bottle lasts and will update you with the final results…

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Product Review, Skincare

d’you in my defence | Barrier Building Moisturizer| Review

Hello! Hope all of you doing great 🙂

I haven’t been able to post in the last few weeks due to my insane workload. However, I have tried out a lot of new and great products in the recent few months and cannot wait any further to share my reviews of them. So, there is a lot of reviews of beauty products coming your way soon!

Let’s start with my review of the d’you In My Defence barrier building moisturizer with all you lovely people. I am sure all of you who look out for new skincare products in the market, have heard about the d’you IMD moisturizer. Especially when Alia Bhatt while sharing her skincare routine in a Vogue shoot also shared that she used this moisturizer and it instantly got viral. I know the name is kind of confusing. I had to look it up and as per their own website, it is pronounced as ‘due’. The d’you brand was founded around 2019 or 2020 by Shamika Haldipurkar. Although it is an Indian brand, the formulation is done in Seoul, South Korea. As per their website they have only 3-4 products at the market right now and out of all the products looks like the IMD barrier building moisturizer and the Hustle multi active serum are the most popular ones.

Did Alia Bhatt influence me to purchase the IMD moisturizer?

Can’t say no :p

When I first saw the d’you products on Instagram ads, their cute packaging made me think that it is another Korean skincare brand. However, only when I saw Alia using this barrier building moisturizer, I looked it up and found out it is actually an Indian brand.

Now, coming to why I bought this. A few weeks back while travelling, I used a facial razor for the first time in my life. The very next day when I woke up and cleaned my face, I could see an unusual redness on my face and in the next 2-3 days I developed several pimples all over my face. This was really upsetting as after a lot of time my skin was looking all clear and healthy and all of a sudden here we are!

So, then at one hand I started treating the active acne and on another I started looking for some barrier building moisturizers and then I thought of purchasing the d’you In my defence Barrier Building Moisturizer. If you have followed my blog, I used YBP barrier repair tonic during one of my previous acne episodes and it gave me great results previously but it is basically a toner and this time I just wanted to go minimalistic with just a cleanser, moisturizer and a sunscreen routine. Yeah, so that’s the very long story behind purchasing this ceramide based moisturizer 😀

Price and Quantity:

This barrier repairing moisturizer is quite expensive though! The 50 ml bottle comes at Rs 3500. My usual go to gel moisturizer from Neutrogena comes at almost 1/4th of the price. However, the d’you IMD moisturizer goes a long way. I have used it for 3 weeks only but I can say it will go at the least 2-2.5 months because I just need one pump to spread it all over my face.

Product Description:

We hear a lot about ceramides these days and how it protects the skin’s barrier. I know CeraVe is one such company who formulates products with a strong focus on ceramides. Lately I am seeing a few Indian skin care brands also creating products with ceramides as the hero ingredient.

“D’you’s In My Defence moisturizer protects your skin barrier with its patented 5-ceramide blend. It’s a first-of-its-kind product that uses 1% pure ceramides (which is 20X higher than industry standard) along with a 3:1:1 ratio of skin’s essential lipids.“

Ingredients:

Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Ceramide NP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, (-)-Alpha-Bisabolol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Allantoin, VInyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cholesterol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, , Phytosphingosine,, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Arachidic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Palmitic Acid, Tocopherol, Pantolactone, Oleic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance (0.03Ml)

My Take on the d’you IMD Barrier Building Moisturizer:

Packaging: Very cute packaging with a typical Korean signature. This moisturizer comes in a baby pink plastic bottle with a pump. There is also one additional cap to protect the pump from accidental leakage. The nozzle of the pump is very thin which helps to take out just the amount you require. Overall a very travel friendly packaging.

Ingredients: The first ingredient on the list is the Portulaca Oleracea Extract is a popular Korean ingredient which has antioxidant properties and also known to calm the irritated skin. So, I think it’s a good start. The second and thirds ingredients are water and glycerine, No complaints on that too. I could spot 5 ceramides in the list and as per their claim they constitute 1% of the formulation. This product contains fragrance although I couldn’t have figured out this if I didn’t check the ingredient list.

Texture: I loved the texture, It is feather light. One surprising thing that I noticed is if you take out just a tiny amount of the moisturizer, say half a pea-size, on the palm and then start spreading it on the face, it somehow will magically cover the entire face. Yes, you need a very little amount and that’s why one bottle should go for 2-2.5 months easily based on usage. It is non-greasy. My skin feels nourished and soft and looks hydrated after application.

Did it help with my acne healing?

It did not directly help in improving the acne situation that I had but within 3 days of usage I could feel my skin has become very soft. Due to the breakout, my skin felt very rough and there were a lot of tiny zits around my nose and upper lip area. These zits were not completely gone easily but when I touched my face after 5-6 days of usage, I could feel that my skin has started healing. It felt a lot smoother. Now, after 3 weeks of usage I would say I did not see much accelerated healing from using this moisturizer alone. I started using other serums which helped me to get the acne situation under control much quicker. What I felt is that this barrier building moisturizer kind of soothed my skin and prevented any further breakouts. Also, one point worth mentioning is that when I had the severe breakout I got very scared to apply anything on my face and at that point this moisturizer definitely didn’t irritate my skin yet gave it the necessary hydration.

Am I going to repurchase it?

It is definitely a good moisturizer especially if you are living in a humid weather or you have oily/sensitive/easily irritated skin. I always look for gel based moisturizers because I feel usual face moisturizers make my skin super greasy and they are completely a disaster in a hot and humid weather. The d’you IMD moisturizer is definitely a welcome change because of its non-greasy lightweight formula along with the skin soothing properties. It is also a good option for those who do not want to invest on tons of different skin care products and just want to follow a cleanser-moisturizer-sunscreen routine.

It’s a good to have moisturizer if you have sensitive skin or if you want a fuss free minimal skincare but don’t expect any miraculous result because you are spending Rs 3.5 k for a 60 ml bottle. I think I may repurchase it just to use it while I am travelling or have very little time to follow a rigorous skincare regime but this is not going to be my regular moisturizer.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Zara Fleur De Patchouli | Zara Emotions | Review

Hey Everyone! In continuation to my previous posts on Zara perfumes, here is the third installment. Today I am going to write a quick review on the Zara Fleur De Patchouli EDP.

Just to give you the context( in case you didn’t read my previous post),I purchased a couple of Zara perfumes during the recent sale. Most of these perfumes are known to be pocket friendly yet good dupes for some very luxury and popular scents. Also, I was quite surprised to find out that Jo Malone collaborated with Zara and created several EDPs under the Zara Emotions and Zara Olfactive range. Since, I really like Jo Malone colognes in the past, I did not waste much time and picked up a few based on my testing at the store. My first purchase from the Zara Emotions range was the Zara Fleur d’Oranger and the second one was the Fleur de Patchouli. Let’s find out if I like them or regret my purchase. You can check my review on Zara Fleur d’Oranger here.

Price:

The original price for the 75 ml EDP version of the Fleur de Patchouli is Rs 2590 in India. I got the 40 ml bottle at Rs 999 during sale. The UK version retails for 25.99 GBP. They also have it in a travel size(10 ml). I don’t see any other ecommerce websites selling Zara perfumes in India. You will have to get it either directly from the Zara website or from the store. Also, be mindful that if you are ordering it from the Zara website they charge a shipping charge of around Rs 290 unless you are purchasing full priced items and the total cost of your purchase exceeds Rs 2999.

Description:

As Jo Malone notes, “The essence of this fragrance captivates you, daring you to play with its creativity”. This is the motivation behind this creation. The scent reveals notes of peony, patchouli and guaiac wood.

My Take on the Zara X Jo Loves Fleur de Patchouli EDP:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimalistic and classy, quite similar vibe that we get from Jo Malone’s original packaging. It has textured white outer packaging with a white simple box. Within the box, you will find a transparent glass bottle with a black cap. It reminds me of Jo Malone Cologne bottles but the packaging is understandably more minimalistic.

Ingredients: ALCOHOL DENAT. · PARFUM · AQUA · LIMONENE · BHT · LINALOOL · CITRAL · GERANIOL · FARNESOL

It is made in Spain with a 5 years expiry date. Both 90 ml bottle and 40 ml bottle will go a long way and quite a pocket friendly option.

Fragrance: Now coming to the most interesting part. So, before buying the Zara Fleur de Patchouli EDP, I never really heard of it. So, it is definitely not a very popular one, most probably because a lot of people don’t like patchouli that much. However, I would say it is more peony than patchouli. The patchouli in it doesn’t feel too harsh for my nose. It is feminine, sweet with both floral and fruity notes. It has the signature Jo Malone style, minimalistic yet elegant scent. So, if you like more woody or spicy perfume, then you may not like it.

Performance: Its staying power is quite good (the best out of other EDPs in the same range). This one I would say lasts for 5-6 hours on my skin easily. The sillage and projection are both better than other Jo loves X Zara perfumes.

Did I like it? This is a year-round scent as a casual wear. The first time I sprayed it on I instantly liked it. It is great for outdoor activities. I will not call it a unisex perfume. Also, don’t take the ‘Patchouli’ too seriously. It has a very restrained version of ‘Patchouli’. If you like floral perfume with a slightly fruity twist, then you are going to love this one. It is probably not a safe blind buy. So, I would recommend to try it out at any Zara store first. This feels quite a value for money EDP to me. If I had to score it, I would give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Let me know your views in the comments section.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Zara Energetically New York EDP| Zara Olfactive| Zara Fragrance Review

Hey Everyone! As I mentioned in my previous post, I bought a bunch of Zara Perfumes and here is the second installment of the reviews that I planned to write. So, in this post I am reviewing the Zara Energetically New York EDP.

Just to give you the context( in case you didn’t read my previous post),I purchased a couple of Zara perfumes during the recent sale. Most of these perfumes are known to be pocket friendly yet good dupes for some very luxury and popular scents. Also, I was quite surprised to find out that Jo Malone collaborated with Zara and created several EDPs under the Zara Emotions and Zara Olfactive range. Since, I really like Jo Malone colognes in the past, I did not waste much time and picked up a few based on my testing at the store. Let’s find out if I like them or regret my purchase.

Price:

The original price for the 40 ml EDP version of the Energetically New York is Rs 1590 and the 75ml version retails for Rs 1990 in India. I got the 40 ml bottle at Rs 999 during sale. The UK version retails for 25.99 GBP. They also have it in a travel size(10 ml). In India I don’t see any other ecommerce websites selling Zara perfumes. You will have to get it either directly from the Zara website or from the store. Also, be mindful that if you are ordering it from the Zara website they charge a shipping charge of around Rs 290 unless you are purchasing full priced items and the total cost of your purchase exceeds Rs 2999.

Description:

As Jo Malone notes, “Ignited imaginations will change the world”. This is the motivation behind this creation. The fragrance reveals notes of cardamom, jasmine and sandalwood.

My Take on the Zara X Jo Loves Energetically New York EDP:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimalistic and classy, quite similar vibe that we get from Jo Malone’s original packaging. It has textured white outer packaging with a white simple box. Within the box, you will find a transparent glass bottle with a black cap. It reminds me of Jo Malone Cologne bottles but the packaging is understandably more minimalistic.

Ingredients: ALCOHOL DENAT. · AQUA · PARFUM · LIMONENE · BENZYL SALICYLATE · CITRONELLOL · LINALOOL · BHT · ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE · CITRAL · GERANIOL

It is made in Spain with a 5 years expiry date. For a 90 ml or even a 40ml bottle this will go a long way and quite a pocket friendly option.

Fragrance: Now coming to the most interesting part. So, before buying the Zara Energetically New York EDP I didn’t really read any reviews. I just sprayed it on at the store and the scent seemed very refreshing and actually gave that energetic vibe. I tried on other EDPs as well but this one stayed with me. While driving back home, I could still distinguish this particular EDPs note from the other ones that I tried.

Apart from the very refreshing opening, it is quite long lasting. It is a unisex perfume, not too overpowering but it will make your presence felt. It actually is a mood-booster, justifies the name. I felt the cardamom in it is stronger than jasmine and sandalwood. This gives it a woody and slightly edgy scent but jasmine and sandalwood somewhat tones it down and makes it a bit more aquatic and smooth. It is perfect for daily use and can be worn year-round. You can spray it on generously. I got some compliments when I wore this. What I didn’t like is the dry down. It felt a bit damp, earthy and masculine. My nose didn’t like the dry down part. It felt cheap. Perfumes obviously are very personal and what works for me may not work for anyone else.

Performance: Its staying power is surprisingly quite good. It stays on easily 4+ hours on my skin and days in my clothes.

Did I like it? Yes, it is quite an interesting and unusual type of scent from Jo Malone. Usually her colognes are very different than this one. It is definitely not a blind buy and people may have differing views about it because of the contrast between the opening and the dry down. It is not a common scent. Some may find the opening a bit feminine and the dry down a bit masculine. So, I would recommend to try it first at a store and then only purchase it. I think I am going to repurchase it and in future will try to find something to layer it on with. If I had to score it, I would give it a 3.5 out of 5.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Let me know your views in the comments section.

You can read my reviews on some other perfumes –

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Favorites, Product Review, Skincare

The Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum | Remedy for Hyperpigmentation| Review

My battle with hyperpigmentation has been quite a struggle. Even though I am quite particular about using sunscreen and maintaining an effective skincare routine, I was not like this when I was in college. At that time, I absolutely hated applying anything on my skin. No skincare, no makeup. I also had severe acne issues, like most teenagers and young adults. Now that I am very much invested into my skincare regime and have a fair idea about what works for my skin, I have been doing a lot of research to find out what actually can help me to get rid of hyperpigmentation. I have tried a lot of natural, homemade remedies but they did not work as much as I expected. Finally, my relentless search led me to a great product to put up a good fight with hyperpigmentation and that product is the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum which contains 2% Alpha Arbutin and 0.5% Squalene. I saw some great results and here is my review.

What is Alpha-Arbutin?

Alpha-Arbutin is a derivative of hydroquinone which has skin lightening properties. Now hydroquinone is banned in many countries due to its potential side effects but Alpha-Arbutin is not banned and it is safe to use everyday. Alpha Arbutin has depigmenting properties similar to hydroquinone. It works on age spots, acne spots and any sort of dark spot. We encounter dark spots in our skin from an enzyme called tyrosinase which is responsible for secreting melanin. The melanocytes cells in our get triggered when the skin encounters UV light for a longer period resulting in freckles and sunspots. Now, Alpha arbutin gets transformed into hydroquinone in our skin over time and it impedes tyrosinase and thus prevents creating any further dark spots and also improves the appearance of existing dark spots.

The fact that Alpha arbutin gets transformed into hydroquinone in our skin, it is less potent than the original hydroquinone and thus does not have much risk of side effects. It is also available without prescription as a topical cream/serum.

In this post, I am particularly going to review the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum which contains 2% Alpha Arbutin.

Price:

This product is not available in India at the moment. I bought it from StyleDotty for Rs 1638 for the 30ml tube. You can get it from a lot of Instagram sellers who source products from UK/US/Canada. It’s original price in the Inkey List website is $12.99. One 30 ml tube should last you for 6-8 weeks as you just need a pea size amount everyday.

Product Description (From the Inkey List’s website):

A concentrated 2% Alpha Arbutin serum to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots and keep skin at an optimal hydration level. Derived from the leaves of the bearberry plant, this non irritating serum helps to brighten the skin and improve overall skin tone. Added Squalane helps to increase skin hydration and smoothness.

Targets:

  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Scarring
  • Uneven Skin Tone
  • Redness

My take on the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum:

The Brand: Inkey List is a UK brand which focuses on ingredient driven skincare. Their moto is kind of similar to the Ordinary. They focus on one or two ingredients for effectively targeting specific skin concerns. Their products are vegan and cruelty free.

Packaging: They have a minimal packaging but the serum comes in a tube which seemed very inconvenient to me. Almost every time I take out more product than I actually intended. I would have preferred it to come in a bottle with a dropper. Not sure if they had a scientific reason to package it in a tube. I also saw some leakage issue as I did not screw the cap tightly enough. Overall, I found this tube like packaging quite inconvenient.

Texture and smell: It is fragrance free which I absolutely loved. The consistency is actually watery and not like a gel. In their website the color of this serum was milky white but surprisingly when I received the product it was already oxidized and turned into chocolate brown color. I got to know that a lot of other people also experienced the same and the Inkey list also addressed the issue and clarified that it is totally okay to turn into brown as it contains natural ingredients. It does not impact its efficacy and rightly so, it worked on my skin totally and did not cause me any irritation.

Ingredients: The ingredient list looks solid. I did not spot any problematic ingredient. Water (aqua / eau), Butylene glycol, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alpha-arbutin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Squalane, Phospholipids, Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Sodium phytate, Glycolipids, Sorbitan isostearate, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Sodium hydroxide, Glycine soja (soybean) sterols, Hyaluronic acid, Tocopherol.

Performance: Now coming to the most important part, did it deliver? Yes, it did. I am writing this review after using it for 6 weeks as recommended and I can see some of my very stubborn dark spots have lightened up significantly. I don’t know if you can see it clearly in the photo, but some of the spots I had were quite prominent but now they have faded at least by 70%. I used to have some red spots around my nose, I can hardly spot them now. I am definitely going to continue to use it. It delivered!

It is very easy to spread on my skin because of its runny consistency. You can use it both at AM and PM. After cleansing, preferably use a hyaluronic acid based product and then after waiting for a minute or so apply the Inkey List Alpha Arbutin Serum. You can apply your moisturizer after this or use you sunscreen as well but just give it some time to fully absorb into your skin. You can skip the moisturizer too because it has squalene in it which also gives the skin the required moisture it needs.

Hope you found this review helpful :)Let me know what you use for hyperpigmentation, in the comments section.

** Disclaimer – This is not a sponsored post.

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Fragrance, Product Review

Zara Fleur d’Oranger EDP| Zara Emotions | Review

Hey Lovely People!! Hope you are enjoying a great summer 🙂

I recently purchased a couple of Zara perfumes during the recent sale. Most of these perfumes are known to be pocket friendly yet good dupes for some very luxury and popular scents. Also, I was quite surprised to find out that Jo Malone collaborated with Zara and created several EDPs under the Zara Emotions and Zara Olfactive range. I did not waste much time and picked up a few based on my testing at the store. Let’s find out if I like them or regret my purchase.

My first purchase was the Zara Fleur d’Oranger from the Zara Emotions range, a collection created by Jo Loves. So, actually Jo Malone, the original creator behind the famous fragrance brand ‘Jo Malone’, sold her company to Estee Lauder long back and after that she came up with a second one named as ‘Jo Loves’. If ‘Jo Malone’ is for more matured customers, ‘Jo Loves’ targets younger ones. I loved Jo Malone’s Wood sage and sea salt eau de cologne(EDC) and I simply knew that I have to buy a few from the Jo Loves X Zara collection for sure because the nose behind both of these brands are the same and I quite liked it.

Price:

The original price for the 90ml EDP version of the Fleur d’Oranger is Rs 1990 in India. I got it at a 50% discount. The UK version retails for 25.99 GBP. They also have it in a travel size(40 ml). While writing this review I could not find it available in the Zara India website but it was available in the store. In India I don’t see any other ecommerce websites selling Zara perfumes. You will have to get it either directly from the Zara website or from the store. Also, be mindful that if you are ordering it from the Zara website they charge a shipping charge of around Rs 290 unless you are purchasing full priced items and the total cost of your purchase exceeds Rs 2999.

Description:

As Jo Malone notes, “Royal and regal moments should always be celebrated with orange blossom.” This is the motivation behind this creation. The fragrance reveals notes of orange blossom, neroli and ylang-ylang.

My Take on the Zara X Jo Loves Fleur d’Oranger EDP:

Packaging: The packaging is very minimalistic and classy, quite similar vibe that we get from Jo Malone’s original packaging. It has textured white outer packaging with a white simple box. Within the box, you will find a transparent glass bottle with a black cap. It reminds me of Jo Malone Cologne bottles but the packaging is understandably more minimalistic.

Ingredients: ALCOHOL DENAT. · AQUA · PARFUM · LINALOOL · LIMONENE · HYDROXYCITRONELLAL · GERANIOL · CITRONELLOL · BHT · CITRAL · BENZYL ALCOHOL · BENZYL BENZOATE · FARNESOL

It is made in Spain with a 5 years expiry date. For a 90 ml bottle this will go a long way and quite a pocket friendly option.

Fragrance: Now coming to the most interesting part. So, before buying the Zara Fleur d’Oranger EDP I saw in some Youtube videos that this is quite similar to Jo Malone Orange Blossom which is quite popular among the British Royals. Now I haven’t tried the original Jo Malone Orange Blossom but given that the nose behind these two are the same, I believe they must at least have some similarity.

Leaving the comparison part, if I evaluate this fragrance on its own, I quite liked the opening. It’s bright, citrusy, floral and clean smelling. It is more neroli and less orange. There is not much mystery to it, very linear and perfect for wearing in summer. You can spray it on after bath or wear it in the gym because of its very fresh and clean smell. It is not overpowering at all. Nobody is going to be bothered in your presence after wearing this. The dry down is simply soapy. If you like soapy smell, you are good. If you don’t like it, then it may be headache inducing after a while. The first 30 minutes can feel too much but after that its intensity goes down sharply. Perfumes obviously are very personal and what works for me may not work for anyone else. So, that’s why I am trying to be as objective as possible.

Performance: Its staying power is slightly better than Jo Malone’s colognes which stays on for only 1-2 hours. This one I would say lasts for 3-4 hours on my skin. Surprisingly it stayed longer in my clothes. I could smell it till the next day.

Did I like it? I expected a bit more citrusy punch but I still liked the opening. However, I am not too fond of the soapy smell. The first time I sprayed it on it felt unbearable and I had to spray some other perfumes to overshadow it. Now, I am quite used to it and I have figured the right amount to spray so that it does not bother my nose to much. I don’t think I am going to repurchase it. If I had to score it, I would give it a 3 out of 5.

Hope you found this review helpful 🙂 Let me know your views in the comments section.

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