Tag Archives: Beauty blog

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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Favorites, Makeup, Product Review

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder (Medium) – Review

I have never been a powder person. I am talking about any type of powder here like talcum powder or setting powder or loose powder. However, the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder has changed my view. It’s been a life-saver for an oily skin girl in a super humid weather. I have used the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Setting Spray previously and has been in love with it. The Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder didn’t disappoint either, in fact it surpassed my expectation.

Price

The 8 gm product retails for Rs 4300 on Nykaa website. I know it is too pricey. They also have a mini version which costs around Rs 2500. They have a refillable version too available on their brand website but I don’t think they have launched it in India yet.

Product Description

A super-finely milled powder that feels like cashmere on your skin, blurring the look of lines and imperfections for a soft focus-finish. Sweet almond oil and rose wax help to promote smoothness and moisture of the skin. Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder features nourishing ingredients to prevent excess shine and brighten the look of your complexion. It gives your skin a long-lasting, soft-focus airbrushed looking finish. You can use the powder on its own to mattify oily areas or on top of your concealer and foundation to set and perfect.

Supercharged Ingredients:- Rose Wax (Rosa multiflora flower wax): Extracted from the flowers of the Multiflora Rose, the wax helps to nourish and moisturise the skin.– Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil: A vegetable oil containing oleic acid, with softening and moisturising properties.– Light-reflecting Pearls: Pearlescent pigments diffuse light at it hits your face in such a way that it helps to luminate the complexion.

Ingredients

Talc, Mica, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Silica, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Zinc Stearate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pei-10, Propylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Rosa Multiflora Flower Wax, Tetrasodium Edta, Water, Dimethiconol, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract (Tilia Cordata Extract), Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, [May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499)].

How to Use

Using the Powder & Sculpt Brush, apply Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder around the nose, T-zone and any other oily areas that need to be mattified. This can be used on top of any Concealer or any Foundations to set them.

My Take on the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Powder

Packaging – This powder comes in a beautiful rose gold metallic case with a mirror and the CT logo. It is very lightweight but the downside is that it does not contain any applicator/sponge. This felt really inconvenient to me. Often I forget to carry a separate brush for the setting powder while travelling. I think for a high-end product at this price point, this is a let down. Also, I noticed the outer side of the compact is very prone to attract finger prints which makes it look very messy sometimes.

Texture – The texture of the powder is silky smooth. It is definitely very fine milled as claimed by Charlotte herself. It spreads like a dream on the face and honestly I never really feel that I applied powder on my face. It gives a matt finish but does not make the skin look dry at all. Since I have oily skin, I have noticed that after an hour or so my face looks dewy with a subtle glow and I absolutely love that. It gives my skin that healthy natural glow and also keeps my makeup underneath it totally as it is.

Does it do the job? yes and it is amazing at it. Here are the Pros of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

  • The powder blends like a dream. It is finely milled and the texture feels silky smooth.
  • It sets the makeup instantly and keeps it that way for 5-6 hours.
  • Although it mattifies the skin at the beginning but after a while it leaves a beautiful radiant glow to the face once it blends with the natural oil of our face. However, it does not look greasy or oily at all. More like a soft dewy finish with a healthy glow.
  • Hides the pores around my nose. Does not crease. Does not make my makeup appear cakey.

Are their any Cons? Unfortunately yes but still I will give this product a 8.5 out of 10 and I am definitely going to repurchase it.

  • It is quite expensive.
  • It does not have any applicator. Disappointed 😦
  • They have only 4 shades – Fair/Medium/Tan/Deep. I think for average Indian skin tone, the fair one is too fair. I purchased the medium and it is somewhat a neutral shade. I think they can introduce a few more other shades like their other product ranges.
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Product Review, Skincare

Sadhev Aloe vera and Saffron Gel Review

My recent inclination towards Natural or Ayurvedic beauty products made me discover an Indian luxury Ayurvedic brand from the majestic land of Kerala. Sadhev was launched in 2019. In their own words, all their products are “infused with precious insights from traditional Ayurveda, delicately blended with pure ingredients, sourced responsibly and carefully from Sadhev’s own 80-acre sustainably grown organic sanctuary- Sadhevana in South India.”

Sadhev offers an exciting range of Face care, Hair care and body care products. The most amazing part is that all their products are “natural, vegan, cruelty-free, plant-based, free from petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, sulphates, synthetic colours, artificial fragrances, additives and other synthetic substances.” They source most of their natural ingredients either from their own 100% organic firm or in a sustainable way from other exotic locations. Their packaging is made in a way to preserve the bio potency of the ingredients.

In this post, I will review Sadhev’s Aloe Vera and Saffron Gel with Kumkumadi Tailam.

Price

Sadhev Aloe Vera and Saffron gel with Kumkumadi Tailam comes in 3 sizes. The 15 gm tub costs Rs 375, the 50gm tub costs Rs 1100 and the 100 gm one costs Rs 1950. I bought the trial version of 15gm at first. The pricing of course put the product in a luxury brand category for the Indian market but if you really want great quality chemical-free products for your skin, then this price makes sense. Also, they are sometimes on a 5-10% discount on the Nykaa website. So, you can buy it from there as well. Another option is to buy a refill pack of 100gm which costs Rs 1650. This is again a thoughtful attempt towards sustainability.

Description

I got to know from Sadhev’s website that they came up with the aloe vera and saffron gel after getting inspired by Mughal empress Nur Jahan’s secret rich beauty ingredients like Saffron and the Green Aloe Vera that grew in her royal gardens.

My Take on the Sadhev Aloe Vera and Saffron Gel

Ingredients

I love using aloe vera gel all year round. One of my favourite Aloe Vera gel is from Tony Moly. Primarily in summer I sometimes use only aloe vera gel as a moisturizer and don’t put anything else on my face. It contains vitamins C and E and is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It works for all skin types. Sadhev’s product has added a nice twist to the otherwise popular aloe gel by adding saffron sourced from the valley of Kashmir. Saffron contains an active compound known as Crocin which has antioxidant properties. It protects against UVA rays and fights inflammation/redness of the skin. The most amazing thing is that I could actually see the saffron strings in this product.

They have added ‘Kumkumadi Tailam’ which is basically saffron oil. It used to be this miraculous elixir in the Indian mythological scripts describing the skincare routines of the queens. This is known for healing wounds. However, as per recent studies, for oily/combination/sensitive skin people, this oil may cause acne. They use 50mg of Kumkumadi Tailam in each 10 gm of their product. In my personal experience, I did not find this product to be greasy at all and it did not cause me any breakout.

This product use preservatives like undecylenoyl glycine, capryloyl glycine and benzoic acid. It also contains perfum and natural oil in their base.

Texture

It has a light and airy formulation. You can compare the texture to widely popular gel-based moisturizers like Clinique Moisture Surge or Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel. I can easily use it in hot and humid weather. It does not make my skin oily but I don’t go all out as I do for my other aloe vera gels. I treat it like a face moisturizer and just put 4 dots around my face, partly because it is quite expensive and partly because it contains saffron oil.

Did I notice any benefits?

Yes I did. The texture of my skin became super smooth and soft after using this. Also, it gave my skin a very radiant glow which I usually notice only when I use Niacinamide based serums. I do not have any acne at the moment. So I can’t comment anything on its acne healing properties but it definitely did not cause me any breakout. So far I have only used it in summer and it kept my skin hydrated throughout the day. I usually spray the Kama Ayurveda Rose toner on top of it and it keeps the moisture locked.

What I did not Like

One thing that bothered me was that they use perfum/fragrance. Saffron already has a very distinctive smell, so, I don’t understand the need for using additional fragrance even if it is natural fragrance derived from essential oils. The perfum did bother my sensitive nose. This is why I don’t use it before bed because strong scent troubles my sleep. Also, both artificial and natural fragrance can be drying for skin and may cause irritation in the long run.

Overall I liked the Sadhev Aloe Vera and Saffron Gel for its efficacy but I did not like the fact that they use ‘perfum’ in their natural base.

Hope you found this review helpful. If you have used this product, please let me know what you liked or disliked in the comments section.

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Makeup, Product Review, Skincare

Laneige Glowy Lip Balm (Berry) -Review

I recently stumbled upon a new lip product from Laneige which I believe is a recent launch to the Indian market (not sure though :p). It is their glowy lip balm range which has 4 shades or types. After my great experience with their lip sleeping mask (which I still use), I did not give a second thought while purchasing one of these lip balms. Let me share my honest review here with you guys.

Price and Quantity: 10 ml cute little tube comes at a price of INR 690. It is available in Nykaa. They come in four variants – grapefruit (coral), berry (pink), peach (light yellow/orange) and pear (green).

Product Description (According to the brand):

Lip balm that coats the lips with a layer of moisture and makes them look supple and glossy.

Benefits:

– Daily moisturizing: It instantly removes flakes and makes the lips look hydrated as though the lips are coated with a breathable layer of moisture.
– Texture that’s smoothly wrapping the lips: It applies as though it’s wrapping the lips with colorless thin layers, so the lips feel light, while still not damaging the color of the lipstick.
– For a healthy voluptuous look of the lips: It adds a natural healthy color to make the lips look full, voluptuous.

Texture: A tube type lip balm that fits the sticky form as if to coat it thinly.

Recommended for:

– Concerned about dry lips
– Concerned about dead skin cells when wearing a matte-finish lipstick
– To create a glossy and supple look of the lips

Full Ingredients list: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly (C6-14 Olefin), Diisostearyl Malate, Polybutene, Phytosteryl Isostearyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Synthetic Wax, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Mica, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla)Wax / Candelilla Cera Hydrocarbons / Cire De Candelilla, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Fragrance / Parfum, Candelilla Wax Esters, Dimethicone, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methicone, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba)Wax / Copernicia Cerifera Cera /Cire De Carnauba, Silica, Yellow 10 Lake(Ci 47005), Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Blue 1 (Ci 42090), Water / Aqua / Eau, Propanediol, Bht, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli)Extract

My take on the Laneige Glowy Lip Balm ( Berry):

  • Let’s first talk about the packaging. The lip balm comes in a very cute and sleek pink tube. Laneige has customised the colour of the tube based on the variant. You simply need to squeeze a bit of the product from the tube and directly apply on the lips. The berry variant comes in this pink tube whereas grapefruit comes in a coral, pear comes in green and peach comes in a somewhat yellowish-coloured tube. The pink colour of the berry variant will remind you of their bestseller lip sleeping mask. The packaging looks and feels premium. No complaints about that.
  • There is a sweet bubblegum kind of smell to this lip balm. Not sure if they customised the fragrance based on the variants. I really wish they got rid of it especially since it is a lip product. I know a lot of people like this type of smell on their lip balm but it is simply not needed and we may not see the impact immediately but fragrance may cause problems in the long run. The good thing is that the balm does not have any taste if you accidentally lick it.
  • There is a slight sheen to this lip balm. I spotted mica in the ingredients list. So, maybe it was added to give this effect. When I applied matte lipstick after using this lip balm, that shimmery finish was still there and I did not like it. So, I try to use a very minimum product or take a tissue to remove the excess balm before applying a matte lipstick. But, on the other hand, if you want to use it as a lip gloss, it will work pretty well. Just use it on top of your usual lipstick and it will give you a glossy and moisturized finish. Although it has a pink tint when I took out the product on the back of my hand but the colour gets neutralized when you spread it on your lips. So, if you are wearing it on top of any shades of lipstick, chances are this balm will not change the shade at all. It doesn’t look like a tinted lip balm but I have pigmented lips. So, maybe for others, it may give a slight pinkish tint but my guess would be that the colour payoff is almost ignorable. If you are looking for a tinted lip balm then this is not the product you should buy.
  • Coming to the texture, it is a bit thick but not sticky like the Laneige lip sleeping mask. It softens my chapped lips almost instantly and keeps them that way. I have used a lot of balms which either take time to soften my lips or the dryness comes back rather quickly in a few hours. This is not the case with the Laneige glowy lip balm. It keeps my lips hydrated and soft for the entire day even after having a full-course meal.

Let me quickly list down the pros and cons of these lip balms

Pros:

  • Keeps the lips super moisturized for the entire day
  • Instant relief for chapped lips
  • Non-sticky, non-greasy, tasteless
  • Travel friendly and I am actually using it as an alternative to the OG lip sleeping mask just because of the ease of application 😀

Cons:

  • Contains fragrance
  • Not tinted (that’s not exactly a problem but the four different variants with different coloured packaging may confuse people that these are tinted)

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

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Favorites, Makeup, Product Review

Bobbi Brown Fluid Powder Foundation (Shade – Natural) – Review

If you are an oily/ combination skin person, chances are that you are really choosy like me about the foundations you apply. For many years, I have avoided wearing any foundation because it simply made my skin look horrible after 2 hours or so in humid weather like in India. Also, it was difficult to buy and try high-end products on a student budget. I was simply happy with a bb cream or a compact powder. Now, after so many years, in my thirties, I have started understanding my skin so much better and what products work for me. I recently purchased the Bobbi Brown skin long-wear fluid powder foundation with SPF 20. Bobbi Brown products never really disappointed me. I like their products because of their natural finish which makes me look like me just in a better way. So, let’s give you my honest opinion about the Bobbi Brown Fluid Powder Foundation.

Price and Quantity: I bought this foundation from Nykaa at INR 3700 for a 40ml tube. This is also available at Bobbi Brown stores and in Sephora stores and on their websites too. I know it is pricey but they have 36 months of shelf life and this particular foundation works really well for oily/combination skin which you will get to know more about in this review. I felt this is a good investment.

Product Description (As per the packaging): Bobbi Brown’s first-ever liquid-to-powder foundation that self-sets into a comfortable, soft-matte finish. Formulated with a Power Protein Complex to help skin look smooth and healthy, this lightweight, sweat-resistant formula controls oil and stays color true all day. Plus, it keeps skin protected on the go with environmental, blue light and UV filters.

Ingredients:

Active Ingredients: Ensulizole, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide.

Inactive Ingredients: Water\\Aqua\\Eau, Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isopentyldiol, Hdi/Ppg/Polycaprolactone Crosspolymer, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Hydrated Silica, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Whey Protein\\Lactis Protein\\Proteine Du Petit-Lait, Isononyl Isononanoate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Trisiloxane, Arginine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Proline, Triethyl Citrate, Valine, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Dimyristate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Tromethamine, Sodium Chloride, Glycine, Magnesium Sulfate, Silica, Disodium Edta, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499)] .

My take on the Bobbi Brown Skin Long-wear Fluid Power Foundation:

  • Packaging: The foundation comes in a stylish dark black tube packaging which I absolutely loved. It is so much easier to take out the exact amount of product that I need from a tube than from a usual glass bottle. There is no need to worry about spillage. Also, it is so much easier to carry when you are travelling. I really like the fact that Bobbi Brown tries to make the packaging of each of their products very travel-friendly. Check out my review on their skin concealer stick. It was also designed to be used on the go.
  • Texture: The texture of this powder foundation felt very smooth and soft when I first took out a small amount on my palm. Also, I quickly realized it is extremely lightweight compared to any other foundation I have tried so far. It looks and feels like a tinted moisturizer but the surprising thing is that it sets very quickly. That is why they call it a powder foundation. So, it is important that we blend it very quickly while applying it on the face otherwise it will be really difficult to blend it due to its powder finish. What I do is, I simply put 2-3 dots on one side of my face and then dab it with a damp beauty blender and after that, I start working on the other side of my face.
  • Finish: This powder foundation gives medium coverage and a natural finish. It makes my skin even-toned and fades the dark spots. Although it gives a powder finish, it never made my skin look too dry. It says it is suitable for all skin types, but based on my experience this is actually a great foundation for oily or combination skin. Dry-skin people need to use a moisturizer before applying this powder foundation. If you are looking for a full coverage foundation then probably it is not the right product for you. I believe this powder foundation was designed specifically targeting people who love fuss-free make-up and probably don’t spend too much time layering up products.
  • Staying Power: I have worn this foundation for a good 8-9 hours and believe me or not, it kept my skin completely oil-free even at 35-36 degree celsius. I did not use any setting spray or any compact on top of it. I was blown away by its staying power. This is the perfect foundation for office make-up as I can guarantee you will not need to touch-up. Your face will look the exact same the whole day as it was when you entered the office. It also has SPF 20 which makes it suitable for day use.
  • Shades: Another good thing is that they have multiple shades available suitable for brown skin. On the Nykaa website, they have at least 12 shades. I would recommend going to a store and picking the one matching your skin tone. I bought it online and went for the shade ‘N052-Natural’ which worked for me perfectly. It does not make me too white or too dark. This powder foundation gives me a very natural finish yet makes my skin look even-toned and bright.
  • In this pic below, I have not used any primer or moisturizer or concealer and applied only 2-3 drops of the foundation on my skin for a light coverage.

Let me quickly list down the pros and cons of the Bobbi Brown Fluid Powder Foundation

Pros:

  • Keeps your skin oil-free and even-toned the whole day
  • Buildable, light-weight formula
  • Gives a very natural finish, fades dark spots
  • SPF 20
  • Travel Friendly

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • May not be suitable for dry skin

Hope you found this review helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Have a nice day 🙂

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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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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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