Favorites, Product Review

Minimalist Hair Growth Actives Serum – Review

BeMinimalist is a rapidly growing home-grown Indian brand which is fiercely competing with some of the biggies in the skincare/haircare industry. I have tried a couple of serums from this brand and I was pretty impressed with their effective solution targeting very specific skin concerns and that too in pocket-friendly pricing. I have never tried a lot of products for my hair. It is mostly just shampoo, conditioner and coconut hair oil. Recently, I have been noticing a lot of hair fall. This can be because I started working from home at the beginning of the pandemic and somehow this has increased my anxiety level significantly. I have tried some home-based remedies but they did not really improve the condition. While I cannot really control my stress level even if I try really hard, I tried to look for some anti-hair fall serums and stumbled upon the Minimalist 18% Hair Growth Actives Hair Serum For Reducing Hairfall & Growth.

There is a kind of similar product by the Ordinary as well. Basically, you will find a lot of similar serums targeting the same concerns by both the ordinary and Minimalist. Minimalist products are usually cheaper than the Ordinary. I cannot really compare the hair serum by the Ordinary with the Minimalist one at the moment. I am sure that one is also very good but I am pretty much impressed with the Minimalist Hair Growth Actives Hair serum.

Price and Quantity: The Minimalist Hair Growth Actives Hair Serum is priced at INR 799 for a 30ml bottle.

Product Description: The product description mentioned here is based on the information available on the packaging.

What it is: A powerful hair growth serum with a blend of 5 proven ingredients (capixyl, redensyl, procapil, anagain, and baicapil) in a high concentration of 18%. A potent combination of peptides and extracts for fuller, thicker hair.

Features:

  • Hair growth formula: A super potent, multi-functional hair growth serum containing 5 proven ingredients. Capixyl 5% + redensyl 3% + procapil 3% + anagain 3% + baicapil 4%. Starts to show reduction in hair fall by 4th week and new hair growth by 8th week.
  • Safe and powerful: A completely safe, yet powerful serum for both men and women, that can be used everyday without any side-effects that are generally associated with other treatments.
  • Potent ingredients: Infused with saw palmetto extract and sanguisorba officinalis (SO) root extract to further boost the performance of the serum.
  • High quality ingredients: All ingredients are sourced from leading suppliers – capixyl (Lucas Meyer, Canada), redensyl (Givaudan, Switzerland), procapil (Sederma, UK), AnaGain (Mibelle AG, Switzerland), baicapil (Provital, Spain)
  • Clean and transparent formulations: This formula has a pH value of 5.0- to 6.0 and is fragrance free and silicone free.

Ingredients: Butylene Glycol, Aqua, Dextran, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Propanediol, Arginine, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Sprout Extract, Isomalt, Sodium Metabisulfite, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Glycine, Zinc Chloride, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Serenoa Serrulata (Saw Palmetto) Fruit Extract, Capryloyl Glycine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Lactic Acid

My take on the Minimalist 18% Hair Growth Actives Serum:

  • I have never used a hair serum before and did not have much idea how this is going to be. So, when I first took out a few drops on my palm it looked and felt a lot like a yellowish hair oil. I put the serum on my scalp directly and just gently rubbed it. I tested for 2-3 days with a small amount just to see if it gives me any allergic reaction. Thank god, it did not cause me any irritation.
  • The texture of this serum is definitely oily but it did not make my scalp excessively oily. I applied it 3-4 times a week at night before going to bed and washed it off with a mild shampoo the next day. Now, this can be a challenge to wash your hair 3-4 times with shampoo if you are used to doing hair-wash only once or twice a week. I cannot get away without a hair wash because on the second day of application, it definitely made my scalp very oily and it gave me difficulty sleeping with that oily scalp. I know it is probably a weird problem but I simply cannot sleep with an oily scalp.
  • Now coming to the result part, I have been using it almost for one and a half months. I did not notice any significant hair growth but my hair fall problem is significantly reduced. Earlier, I was seeing a lot of hair on my pillow cover, in my entire bedroom and in the bathroom but going by that I can for sure say that this serum worked for me to reduce my hair fall quite a lot.
  • I read a couple of reviews where people mentioned that they had acne after using this product on their forehead. I did not experience it. I kept the application part limited to a maximum of 4 days a week and also washed it off with shampoo the next day. Another problem people mentioned is that after discontinuing they have noticed that their hair fall has increased. I am still using this serum and plan to use it for another month or so. I will update this post after I discontinue using this product.
  • From the ingredients list, I could see that there are a lot of actives in this formula. So, it is better to use a very small amount and check if it suits you or not and then decide how much amount you want to use on a weekly basis. If you have any doubts or face any issues, immediately consult with your dermat.

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

Update

As promised here is the update after I stopped using the hair serum. My hair fall has definitely increased but not at an alarming level like it was happening before I started using this product. I also spotted a lot of baby hair growth recently. So, the hair growth happened but not immediately after I started using this product. I would say, after 3 months or so I could actually see some new hair and feel some volume when I touch the back part of my head.

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Product Review, Skincare

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream -Review

Recently after using the Super Serums by Olay, I was intrigued to try a few more of their products. I have heard rave reviews of the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream by skincare influencers and also, not gonna lie, the phrase ‘Micro-Sculpting’ pushed me to buy this cream 😀

I am not a ‘cream’ person due to my oily skin. I always look for oil-free moisturizers or gel moisturizers. Most of the time, especially during summer in India I only apply serums and sunscreen. But, in winter, from November to February, I need something more moisturizing. Hence, the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream was a perfect pick for winter. I have tried it for slightly more than a month and it is safe to say that I am eligible for writing a review on this.

Price and Quantity: The original price of the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is INR 1699 for a 50 gm glass jar. The good news is Olay products are almost always available at a discount in Nykaa. So, it is quite likely that you will get them at 30-40% discount easily. Also, a very important point to note is that there is a fragrance-free version of this cream available too. Please look for the ingredients while buying. These creams are easily available in stores too. As I bought them online, I missed this point and later found that my version has fragrance.

Product Description:

  • New Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream with 20% more anti-ageing ingredients that reduce the appearance of 4 years of lines and wrinkles in just 4 weeks.
  • Firm skin’s appearance in the areas most prone to sagging—even the jawline—with a high concentration of our signature amino-peptide complex.
  • Hydrates on an intracellular level to help firm and micro-sculpt.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Nylon-12, Dimethicone, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Sodium Peg-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Fruit Extract, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyethylene, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Dimethiconol, Polyacrylamide, Fragrance, Peg-100 Stearate, Propylparaben, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, C12-13 Pareth-3, Laureth-7, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica.

My take on the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream:

  • First of all, one thing to note is that there are multiple versions of the same cream with the almost same packaging. There is one fragrance-free version and one with a fragrance option. Although the fragrance did not bother me, I would recommend buying the fragrance-free version. Also, there is a day version with SPF and a night version too. If you use sunscreen then it makes sense to buy the one without SPF for both day and night usage.
  • Coming to the texture of the cream, I was worried that it will be too thick for my oily skin. Surprisingly, it feels a little thick in my fingers but while applying it on my face, it blended so easily and smoothly. It did not make my skin greasy or excessively oily. It got absorbed into my skin like a dream. I was honestly very surprised by that. In fact, after half an hour or so of the application, my skin felt slightly dry in winter. Later I found out that it is primarily because of the presence of the fragrance in my version of the cream.
  • Also, I noticed a bit of pilling while massaging this cream into my skin which felt weird but later I got to know this can happen if you have used any other serum underneath this cream and have started massaging the cream even before the serum got absorbed into the skin. This is true for sunscreens too. You will always have to give enough time to serums to get absorbed and apply the next layer.
  • Initially, in the first week, it gave me one or two zits but now, my skin has been used to it and the cream does not cause any irritation at all.
  • It contains some of my favourite ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Both of them are great for giving us bright, plump and smooth skin. It is also sulphate, phthalates etc. free but it is not paraben free.
  • Now coming to the results, this cream gave my skin definitely a tighter, plump and healthy glow. I do not have a lot of lines or wrinkles. I used it around my under-eye areas where I am seeing some very fine lines which are still not permanent. I did not see any noticeable difference in those lines after using this product.

Now, let’s quickly list down the pros and cons of the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream.

Pros:

  • Easily available online and offline
  • Gets easily absorbed into skin
  • Gives a firm and smooth, glowy skin
  • Oily/Combination skin friendly
  • Can use it all year round

Cons :

  • A little expensive
  • If you are using the product alone then you may not see the desired results. You will have to use it as an intermediary product in your skincare routine along with some other good products too.

Hope you will find this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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Makeup, Product Review

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray – Review

A very new addition to my makeup bag is a setting spray. I recently purchased Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and I am definitely loving it. Charlotte Tilbury’s make up range is available in Nykaa. Setting sprays are very essential part of any makeup artist’s kit. They act as a good primer and when applied on top of makeup, they keep the makeup intact for the whole day and also leaves a dewy finish to the skin.

Price and Quantity: The travel-size 34ml spray bottle comes at a price of INR 1750. The 100ml bottle comes at a price of INR 3000. I think it makes sense to purchase the 100ml bottle because it will go long way and it is simply travel friendly. Even if you are outdoors or at the office restroom, you can just quickly spray it off for instant hydration.

Product Description:

Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray weightlessly primes and sets for up to 16 hours* for the perfect looking makeup day, every day. Instantly lock in your look with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray for makeup magic that looks just applied! This delicately scented, long-lasting, next generation setting spray is a magical beauty amplifier inspired by the smoothing, pore blurring effects of Charlotte’s world-famous airbrush makeup family. The high – performance formula works in harmony with your complexion-enhancing foundation, concealer, bronzer and powder to create a weightless veil of hydrating goodness and a flawless – looking finish! No melting, no fading, no creasing!

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Amp-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Pvp, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice Powder, Parfum (Fragrance), Potassium Sorbate, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Pistacia Lentiscus Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Phenethyl Alcohol

My take on the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray:

  • Comes in a transparent glass spray bottle with a rose gold lid. It is a familiar Charlotte Tilbury branding and packaging. The product has a slight floral scent. Not too bad for my taste but I wish they could avoid the fragrance.
  • The formula is very light, doesn’t make my skin oily or greasy yet gives my skin a hydrated dewy look. The product claims that it locks in makeup for up to 16 hours, with no melting, fading, or creasing. I have not tested it for 16 hours but I can say I have seen that it kept my skin oil-free, my concealer did not crease under my eyes, nor did my eye shadow got smudged.
  • I hold this setting spray at my arm’s length and spray 2-3 times max and that does the job. Also, make sure to shake the product before use so that you get a fine mist spread evenly over the face.
  • I sometimes use it also as a primer. This helps to blend the powder foundation or concealer really well into the damp skin. Also, it definitely increases the staying power of the makeup. Even you can quickly spritz it after few hours of the initial application of the makeup to get the fresh dewy look instantly.
  • It works well for both dry and oily skin. If you have dry skin, it will give you the much-needed hydration and definitely prevent making your skin look cakey and tired. If you have oily skin, it will take the extra shine off your skin. You don’t need to use a setting powder if you are using this setting spray. This spray is just a fine mist and does not make the skin too wet. It gets absorbed instantly into the skin with a few gentle pats.

Let me quickly list dows the pros and cons of this product.

Pros:

  • Works well for both oily and dry skin
  • Set the makeup for quite long hours without a retouch
  • Fine mist, easy to get absorbed
  • leaves a dewy finish

Cons:

  • Expensive for the Indian market but one bottle will go a long way.

Hope you will find this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Capsule in Serum – Review

During the Nykaa Pink Friday sale, I picked up the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Capsule in Serum. This serum is basically hyaluronic acid along with antioxidants. I think by the grace of thousands of influencers and skin experts, most of us are quite aware of hyaluronic acid and its impact on maintaining moisture levels, providing hydration and keeping our skin smooth and wrinkle-free.

Is this hydro boost capsule in serum any different than the other hyaluronic acid serums available in the market? Well, let’s find out. I have almost emptied the bottle and I am ready to write my honest review about this serum.

Price and Quantity: This serum comes in a 30 ml bottle and is priced at INR999. Compared to other popular hyaluronic acid serums available in the market, this one is costlier. A 30 ml bottle will last you 1-2 months based on your usage level.

Product Description: Dermatologist tested, this highly effective daily serum instantly quenches dry skin, that helps to repair the skin’s moisture barrier and protects against recurring dryness.

  • Purified Hyaluronic Acid – Naturally found in skin, hyaluronic acid acts as a sponge for dry skin, moisturizing up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
  • Antioxidant – Helps to fortify the skin barrier and protect against dryness.
  • In Serum – With improved moisture sensor complex, it replenishes moisture when you need it most while repairing and rebuilding skin barrier to lock that moisture in.
  • In Capsule – It releases anti-oxidant that fortifies the skin barrier and protects against recurring dryness.

Ingredients: [PR-018550], Aqua, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Mourera Fluviatilis Extract, Arginine, Alanine, Panthenol, Serine, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Threonine, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Niacinamide, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Butylene Glycol, PCA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sucrose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Agar, Algin, Gellan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Tromethamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, CI 77891, CI 77019.

My take on the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Capsule in Serum:

  • The packaging is pretty interesting. I mean the serum in white capsules in a transparent glass bottle looks straight out of a fancy science experiment. It comes in a pump bottle with a lid. Pretty easy to pump a pea-sized amount on your palm and spread it on my face.
  • There is no mention of the percentage of hyaluronic acid in this serum. Given that all the hyaluronic acid serums in the market provide the percentages, I will consider this as a minus point. From the ingredients list, I could only figure out that it contains hyaluronic acid in the form of sodium hyaluronate but the weird thing is it comes quite late in the order of the ingredient list. It also contains Niacinamide which is the 5th ingredient on the list and which means this serum contains more niacinamide than hyaluronic acid. I found this to be a bit strange given that in the product description, they only stressed the hyaluronic acid part. Sadly, it also contains perfume/fragrance. The good thing is it contains vitamin E but again, no mention of the percentage. It is a non-comedogenic product, which means it does not clog pores.
  • Now coming to the texture part, it is a bit thicker serum with a silky consistency. It has mica in it. So, that is why you will find the serum leaves a subtle shine on your face. It blends very smoothly on my skin. I almost loved massaging my face with it or doing a little bit of guasha with this serum because of its thicker and silkier consistency compared to other hyaluronic acid serums available in the market. But, did it make my skin look super plump and hydrated? No, it did not. The bottle looks fancy. It feels good to put it on my skin but after using it for more than a month now, I did not see that my undereye area looks plumper or my skin looks tighter and well hydrated which basically any other hyaluronic acid based serums do.
  • Do I want to repurchase it? No, I will not. I am super sure the actual hyaluronic acid concentration in this serum is lower compared to other serums widely available in the market and maybe at a better price point. I loved the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel from the same range but not this one. You can check my review here.

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

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Makeup, Product Review, Skincare

Plum E-Luminence Simply Supple Cleansing Balm – Review

I was looking to buy a cleansing balm for removing my makeup easily. I found the one by Clinique which has great reviews but is quite expensive. The entire cleansing balm concept is still pretty new to me. So, I wanted to try a budget-friendly cleansing balm first and came across the Plum E-Luminence Simply Supple Cleansing Balm recently. Although this product has been on the market for quite some time, I did not get a chance to try it till now. So, here is my honest review on the Plum cleansing balm.

Price and Quantity: The cost of a 90 gm tub is INR 545 but you will find it at a good discount along with a few freebies from Plum either on Nykaa or at the Plum website 🙂

Key Ingredients:

  • Kokum Butter: A solid emollient brimming with micro-nutrients that not only prevent drying of skin but also reduce degeneration of skin cells thereby keeping your skin supple and deliciously healthy (Kokum isn’t just good for juice, you know)
  • Sunflower Seed Oil: Aside from being a rich source of vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, with its anti-inflammatory and calming properties helps soothe the skin and improves its moisture retention capacity to give soft, supple, hydrated skin.
  • Shea Butter: Shea is extremely hydrating, and at the same time, conditioning and non-sticky.

Full Ingredient List: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Aqua, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soy Polyglycerides, C15-23 Alkanes, Glyceryl Monostearate, Silica, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax,Tocopheryl Acetate, Garcinia Indica (Kokum) Seed Butter, Coco Glucoside, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, CI 26100, Argania Spinosa(Argan) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

My take on the Plum Cleansing Balm:

  • The cleansing balm comes in a plastic tub with a lid. There is a small plastic spatula that comes with this to help scrap the product of the tab. This makes the process of taking out the product quite easy and hygienic.
  • The product has a thick waxy texture. In the beginning, I was quite disappointed with the texture because it appeared to be too thick and a bit grainy. It felt too harsh to put on my face and then massage it to spread out evenly. There were small granules getting stuck on my face. I expected this cleansing balm to be softer. However, later I realized that I am using it all wrong. I am supposed to scoop out a little product on my palm and it will soften up with my body temperature. Then I should apply it to my face. I have never used a cleansing balm before and so it took me a while to figure out the best way of using this product. However, I still noticed that a few small granules of the balm are very hard to melt and they get stuck to my face.
  • The product has a baby pink colour and a subtle fragrance. I wish they got rid of the fragrance. There are a lot of oils and butter in it to help melt all the makeup easily. Once I massage it evenly on my face, I let it sit for a while and then wash it off with water. Even after washing it leaves my skin very oily. If you just wash with water or remove the balm with a wet cotton pad, you will not feel very refreshed and the skin may feel sticky due to the excessive oil. So, I double-cleanse my face with face wash. I have noticed it removes all the lipstick stains with long hours stay claims, cleans my pores, and removes eyeliner and waterproof mascara pretty well. But, make sure to wash your eyes thoroughly with clean water. Otherwise, this oily cleansing balm will give you blurry vision for at least half an hour. This cleansing balm did not give me any allergic reaction or break-outs. Overall, I was not super impressed with the product but did not hate it as well. In future, I will try the cleansing balms from other brands as well.

Let’s list down all the pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Pocket friendly
  • Cleanse all the makeup residue pretty easily
  • Does not dry out the skin.

Cons:

  • Contains fragrance
  • I have not tried other cleansing balms, so cannot compare but I felt the texture is very thick and grainy and that is why it takes quite a lot of time to melt completely.

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

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Makeup, Product Review

Bobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick(Shade Natural) – Review

Since the pandemic hit us and most of us started working from home, I think we all can agree that our time spent looking at laptops, mobiles, and tablets has increased significantly. Although I never really had dark circles, I have been noticing the slightly discoloured undereye area for the last year or so. It can be due to ageing or due to my late-night Netflix binge. Anyway, I wanted to invest in a good fuss-free concealer and picked up the Bobbi Brown skin concealer stick in the shade ‘Natural’. I have used Bobbi Brown lipsticks previously and I loved them. So, obviously had high expectations from this concealer stick and am happy to report that I am not disappointed at all.

Price and Quantity: I bought the Bobbi Brown concealer stick from Nykaa. You can find it across multiple stores of Bobbi Brown in India. It costs INR 2850 for 3g. As per the outer packaging it is made in Belgium and has a 36 months validity from the date of manufacturing.

Product Description: Bobbi Brown’s first-of-its-kind transformative stick makes great-looking skin look easy. This hydrating concealer is natural at instantly camouflaging the look of dark circles, discolouration, and imperfections for a skin-fresh look that stays the day. Coffee seeds and vitamin E help nourish skin and provide a creamy, weightless wear that melts into the skin.

Skin concealer stick softens and blends on contact for transformative concealing that looks like skin. The creamy, comfortable formula glides on sheer-to-full buildable coverage that layers seamlessly under or over foundation and delivers 12 hours of non-creasing, colour-true wear that’s waterproof and sweat- and humidity-resistant.

Ingredients: Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate , Octyldodecanol , Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2 , Ozokerite , Kaolin , Polyethylene , Barium Sulfate , Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate , Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride , Tocopheryl Acetate , Salicornia Herbacea Extract , Commiphora Mukul Resin Extract , Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Oil , Lecithin , Bht , Phenoxyethanol , [+/- Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77491) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77492) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77499) , Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163)] .

My take on the Bobbi Brown Concealer Stick (shade – Natural):

  • First of all, let’s start with the packaging. Bobbi Brown has a very classy style of packaging for all of its products and this one is no exception. It comes in a glossy black twist-up stick with a magnetic lock. This type of concealer stick is very easy to apply and you can simply drop it in your bag and travel wherever you want to.
  • It comes in a lot of shades. At Nykaa I saw that they had 8 shades to offer. I purchased it online and so found it a little difficult to differentiate some of the shades. It is best to buy it from a store if you want to be 100% sure of your shade. I picked up the shade natural and it indeed leaves a very natural finish.
  • Now, coming to the consistency, the formula of this concealer is very creamy and easy to blend. It may not give full coverage but it gives me the most natural-looking finish with a brighter undereye and softens the dark-pigmented areas on my face. If you have a really dark under-eye then it may not be the best option for you or you will have to use a colour corrector first before applying this concealer. However, if you are someone like me who is just looking to make her under-eye area appear less hollow and brighter than usual, then it is the perfect concealer stick for you. Also, I am not someone who needs to or wants to wear layers of makeup and most of the time I am just looking for a quick yet the most effective solution and I feel this concealer stick does the right job for that. You can use your fingers or a beauty blender to blend this concealer. It does not look cakey or crease under my eyes.

Let’s list down the pros and cons for the Bobbi Brown Concealer stick.

Pros:

  • Creamy Blendable formula
  • Does not crease
  • Great user-friendly packaging
  • Leaves a naturally fresh finish

Cons:

  • A bit expensive for the Indian market
  • Medium coverage, may not be ideal for people with dark undereye

Hope you will find this review helpful. Have a nice day and happy new year 🙂

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Makeup, Product Review

Lakme Absolute Undercover Gel Face Primer – Review

Hello!

I wanted to post a quick review of a few of my makeup favourites recently and so I wanted to start with a primer. I actually have been using the Lakme absolute undercover gel face primer for almost a year now and never really wrote a full review on this amazing primer. I picked it up while travelling from a store but it turned out to be a great purchase. A good primer prepares our faces as a perfect canvas to put on additional layers of makeup like foundation or a concealer. It simply creates a smooth base.

Price and Quantity: A 30gm tube costs INR 800 but there is a mini-trial version available too. One tube will go a long way because you will need a pea-sized amount for your entire face.

Product Description:

  • Smooth Gel Texture – create a smooth base for easy makeup application.
  • Enriched with Vitamin E – a Unique formula that nourishes skin for an added glow.
  • Lasting Makeup effect – ensures that your makeup stays on for long hours.

My take on the Lakme undercover gel primer:

  • Let’s start with the packaging first. The primer comes in a sleek black tube with a metallic twist cap. It is travel-friendly packaging and there is no need to worry about the product packaging.
  • The texture of this undercover primer is simply like a translucent soft gel. It has a slightly creamy texture to it which is really easy to blend into the skin. It blends instantly into the skin and with just a pea-sized amount you will be able to cover your entire face. I have seen for a couple of other primers that they have a slightly grainy texture and while blending into the face they kind of get dried up. That is surely not the case with Lakme absolute undercover gel primer. It does not make my skin dry. In fact, it leaves a silky velvety finish on my skin which makes it really easy to layer up with a foundation later.
  • Now let’s talk about its function. This primer makes my skin look very smooth with an even complexion. You can say that it almost does a double job of a concealer. It blurs the dark spots on my face. Lakme also has another primer called the blur perfect makeup primer with the same packaging and at the same price point. I am not sure what is the differentiating point between these two because the undercover gel primer also creates that blurry impact on my skin. Specifically, I love the fact that it blurs the open pores around my nose.
  • I have oily skin and this primer instantly covers my oily T zone and yet it does not make my skin dry. This gel primer simply gives a very matte look. I will advise using a normal moisturizer before applying this primer for people with dry skin.

Let’s list down all the pros and cons of the Lakme undercover gel primer

Pros:

  • Provides a very smooth finish
  • Blurs dark spots and open pores
  • Blends very easily
  • Controls excess oil
  • Reasonable price

Cons:

  • It may make the skin appear very dry for people with a dry skin

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

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Product Review, Skincare

PIXI Collagen Tonic – Review

Pixi is a trendy brand with a range of toners targeting various skin concerns. As I have crossed 30, I am explicitly investing in products to maintain my skin hydration and elasticity. Collagen is known to be a very important factor in maintaining our skin elasticity and making our skin look firm. As we grow older our skin’s natural collagen level production rate decreases gradually. Now, this is inevitable that we will age but we can follow a good skincare routine and diet with various ingredients which can promote collagen production and which in turn will make our skin look well taken care of. I purchased the Pixi botanical collagen tonic recently and have been using it for more than 3 weeks now. Let me tell you first, that I really liked this collagen tonic.

Price and Quantity: It comes in two sizes. The 100 ml bottle costs INR 1400 and the 250 ml bottle costs INR 2700. I think a 100 ml bottle will go a long way and if you are going to purchase it for the first time, it makes sense to try the 100 ml version.

Product Description: A volumizing tonic helps to smooth fine lines and improve uneven skin texture. Formulated with acacia collagen, peptides and botanicals to rejuvenate the skin while helping promote a youthful-looking complexion.

Product details:
– Helps to volumize, firm and revitalise skin’s elasticity
– Infused with botanicals to provide antioxidant benefits while promoting a youthful-looking complexion
– Mineral-rich formula replenishes depleted skin
– Alcohol-free
– Paraben-free
– Not tested on animals
– Suitable for all skin types

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Acacia Seyal Gum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Sea Salt Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Coenochloris Signiensis Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Extract (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amyl Cinnamal, Linalool.

Ingredients Analysis: The good thing is that this collagen tonic is completely alcohol and paraben free. I could not neither spot fragrance in their ingredients list nor actually smell anything, So, that’s great too. This is a water-based toner with coconut water as the second ingredient. Coconut water has some great skin benefits because it contains multiple vitamins including vitamin c. It is known to be great to maintain skin elasticity. The third and fourth ingredients are propanediol and glycerine. Both of them help to lock moisture in the skin. That is why after using this toner I felt I can get away even without using a moisturizer. It also contains acacia seyal gum extract which is known for its skin-smoothening properties. Overall the ingredients list looks pretty good to me.

My take on the Pixi Collagen Tonic:

  • Let’s start with the packaging. It comes in a green plastic bottle with a slightly pinkish-brown liquid. You basically need to pour the tonic on your palm and dab it on your face. This type of packaging ensures you get the maximum of the product. I prefer spray bottles but I think that will lead to losing a lot of product. The 100 ml version is quite travel-friendly and there is no chance of product spillage.
  • From the price point of view, I know there are a lot of toners maybe at a cheaper price point but a 100 ml bottle of this collagen tonic will go a long way. Also, the next point will tell you why I really liked this tonic.
  • The main claims of this product are to smooth skin texture, reduce fine lines and rejuvenate skin. I can’t comment about reducing fine lines yet but this toner definitely has smoothened my skin texture and made it look firmer and well-hydrated. As I mentioned earlier, this toner has a very strong moisturizing property. It gives me instant hydration and maintains the moisture level. My skin looks smooth and supple noticeably post using this toner. It also did not cause me any kind of irritation. In fact, it always feels like this toner soothes my skin post cleaning my face with a face wash. So, every morning after cleaning my face I pour 5-6 drops of this tonic and dab it on my face with my palm. It instantly gets absorbed. After waiting for 2-3 minutes I apply my serums/lightweight moisturizer and sunscreen and it has never caused any irritation.

Now let me quickly list down the pros and cons of the Pixi collagen tonic

Pros:

  • Gives instant hydration and locks moisture
  • Makes skin look well-hydrated, smoother and firmer
  • Alcohol, paraben free
  • Suitable for any skin types

Cons:

  • A bit costly

I am surely going to continue using this collagen tonic and will recommend you try this out. Let me know if you found this review helpful. Have a nice day 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel Review

I wanted to try the Neutrogena Hydroboost water gel for a long time but somehow did not ever end up purchasing it. Recently during Nykaa pink Friday sale, I found some of the Neutrogena products at a great discount. So, I decided to try my hands on this gel moisturizer and let me tell you I absolutely loved it. I have used it for around 3 weeks now and I am ready to share my honest opinion about this.

Price and Quantity: A 50 gm tub retails for INR 1050 but you can get it for a 10-15% discount at Nykaa. There is also a smaller version of 15gm which retails for INR450. There is also a combo pack of the Neutrogena Ultra sheer dry touch sunblock with the mini version of the hydroboost gel. If you are trying out this product for the first time I will suggest trying the mini version first.

Product Description: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel with 50% more hyaluronic acid has a unique light-weighted fresh texture that can be instantly absorbed, proven to effectively lock in abundant hydration deep within your skin, and continuously quench your skin’s thirst throughout the day.

Key Features

  • Works at new skin depth, 2x deeper in skin**
  • Gives skin a pure boost of instant hydration
  • Strengthens skin barrier for protection against 5 aggressors
  • 5 dimensions of healthy skin achieved – smoothness, firmness, translucency, trouble-free and plumpness

Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone/vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethiconol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, C12-14 Pareth-12, Sodium Hydroxide, Blue 1.

Ingredient Analysis: The primary 3 ingredients are water, dimethicone and glycerine. That is why this formula is very gentle on the skin and has a soft gel-like consistency. Dimethicone provides long-lasting skin-smoothing benefits and glycerine is a humectant which helps to draw water from the atmosphere and smoothen the skin. It contains sodium hyaluronate which is basically what we know as hyaluronic acid. The percentages are not mentioned. Sadly, this moisturizer contains fragrance. It has a refreshing aqua smell which I like but from a skincare perspective, I wish they did not use any fragrance. Also, it contains an ingredient called blue 1 which is a water-soluble blue dye. Although I saw it is FDA-approved, I am not sure I quite like the use of an artificial dye on my skin.

My take on the product:

  • There are not a lot of gel moisturizers on the market. I can compare it with the Clinique moisture surge which also targets giving maximum hydration for a long period of time. I will try to do a thorough comparison later. This gel moisturizer is a little pricey for the Indian market. A 50 gm tub will probably last me 1.5 -2 months.
  • The packaging is a blue glass tub with a white lid. There is no chance that the product will spill out while travelling.
  • The texture of the product is a very soft gel which gives a feathery touch to my skin. As I have oily acne-prone skin, I simply cannot use thick face moisturizers. They are bound to clog my pores and give me red bumps all over my face. So, I am a sucker for gel moisturizers which will keep my skin hydrated for a longer period of time. The Neutrogena hydro boost water gel is great for people with oily or combination skin. I felt my skin smooth and supple and did not feel the need for additional application in a whole day even in winter. This one will work in both summer and winter for sure. My skin looked well hydrated and it did not give me any skin irritation. It gets absorbed instantly and does not make my skin look greasy at all. I can apply sunscreen or any other make-up product after applying this moisturizer.

Let’s quickly sum it up with a pros and cons list –

Pros:

  • Oil-free, light-weight, non-greasy formula
  • Non-comedogenic (Does not clog pores)
  • Gives long-lasting moisturization
  • Makes skin look smooth and well hydrated

Cons:

  • Slightly expensive
  • Contains fragrance and dye

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

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Product Review, Skincare

OLAY Luminous Niacinamide + AHA Super Serum Review

I have already reviewed OLAY luminous Niacinamide + Vitamin C super serum. You can read that review here. This range of serums is pretty new to the market and believe me they are super effective. They mean business. When I was younger I always thought OLAY specializes in products for matured skin but now they are experimenting with their product range. So, I wanted to share my experience of using the OLAY Luminous Niacinamide + AHA super serum. I am currently on my second bottle and I have definitely seen a marked improvement in my skin after using this product.

Price and Quantity: The actual price of a 30 ml bottle is 1999 but you will get it at a very good discount almost all the time at Nykaa. Right now it is selling at INR 1399.

Description: Olay has a total of four super serums in this range. All of them include niacinamide as the base and the second ingredient is vit C/AHA/ Hyaluronic/Cica. the Niacinamide + AHA serum is specifically targeted for acne removal and blemish mark reduction. It claims to remove acne marks of 5 years within 4 weeks and 2X clearer skin in 8 weeks. AHA (Lactic Acid) acts on skin surface while Niacinamide penetrates 10 layers deep to effectively target root causes of spots across skin layers. Dermatologist tested formula. Does not clog pores. Fast absorbing and non-greasy epidermis layer.

Ingredients: Well, one disappointment is I could not find the full ingredients list. It just mentioned that it contains Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), AHA (Lactic Acid), Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin C. It is free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates, petroleum and mineral oils. It is not fragrance free.

Packaging and Use: It comes with an auto-dropper glass bottle like the other super serums by Olay. You just need to twist and turn the cap to automatically draw out the serum. Then simply press the pump to dispense on palm. They recommend to use it twice a day after cleansing and toning. If you are using it during daytime, make sure to apply sunscreen first because this does not contain any SPF. I personally prefer to use it at night after cleaning my face. I don’t like to put any additional moisturizer post this. However, now that it is almost winter in India, I have noticed that I need to add a light moisturizing lotion after 10-15 minutes of application of this super serum.

Does this work as it claims? Here comes the most interesting part. Does this product actually works as it claims? So, let me start with the consistency and texture of this product. It looks like a transparent, white, water based serum. The consistency is not exactly watery but also not too thick. I take two pumps on my palm and that is enough to spread over my entire face and neck. It gets absorbed very quickly. Does not make skin oily or greasy. It almost gives a dewy finish. Now coming to the effectivemess of the product, it gives my skin the much coveted glass-skin like appearence. My skin looks very bight, glowing and almost everybody around me notices the difference. Even if I am under stress or working really hard, this serum ensures that my skin doesn’t appear to be dull. I can totally say that you will notice a difference in your skin’s texture and appearance after using this product.

Now, did this remove blemishes on my face? Well no it did not. I have some very old acne marks. I did not notice any difference in their appearances. It made my skin look bery bright and may be that is why you will not get to notice those small acne marks that much but it definitely did not fade them away. I recently had a few bumps here around my chin, must be due to hormonal imbalance. I was using this serum at that time and now I noticed that they did not leave any spots on my face. I cannot say for sure that this is because of this serum alone because I was also using other acne treatments.

Overall I really loved this serum and I will continue to use it. This is my second bottle and it lasts me for a month. Hope you found this review helpful. Let me know in the comments section your experience of using it. Have a nice day 🙂

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