La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ Review

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ is someting I've been using since December last year. I am almost finished with my tube and that is the reason behind my review. 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ Review

If you are a regular reader of the blog you know my acne voes and how moisturizers and face creams seldom get acceptance by my skin. But this one is a sure winner and I'm super glad it worked!

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ is a multipurpose face cream - it helps unclog pores, works as an anti-imperfection cream, and gives your skin hydration without causing stickiness or greasiness. The cream comes in a tube form with a slim nozzle head. It has a screw top cap and is hence easy to carry around.

Price: Rs 1350 for 40ml [buy online La Roche Posay]

The cream is on the costlier side but one tube has lasted me almost 3 months of usage and I still have some left. I've used it regularly every morning and mostly at night too.

Read on to know if it's worth your money!

Unboxing - My Envy Box Monsoon Edition

The monsoon box from the team at My Envy Box was interesting for me. I'll tell you why after I've told you what all came inside it.

You can subscribe to the monthly box for Rs 850 HERE

The box came with 4 full sized products. And each one is a keeper!

My Envy Box - Christmas Edition

My Envy Box is celebrating Christmas with the December 2015 box which looks so pretty. It is red in color with the cute snowmen and other Christmas images drawn all over.

My Envy Box - Christmas Edition

Inside this festive box I got 5 products out of which two are full sized Makeup items - I did a happy dance in my head when I opened the box specially because I got a full sized bottle of the Catrice Crushed Crystals nail paint!

My Envy Box is a monthly subscription box that allows you to sample products before you buy the full sized version. You can subscribe to the My Envy Box at Rs 850 per month at www.myenvybox.com and use coupon SHILPAOEW to get 15% off on all your purchases on the website. If you subscribe for a longer duration you get further discounts.

Let's now look at all the products that came in My Envy Box - Christmas Edition.

Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Oasis Gel & Skin Action Gel Plus Review

A few months back I started using two products from Cellnique that I am going to review today. I had an allergic reaction on the left side of my nose bridge due to which my skin became extremely patchy. I did not want to use anything creamy as my skin was already battling some acne. 

I read the details of the Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Oasis Gel and decided to try it out. And in parallel I continued to use the Skin Action Gel Plus on the areas where acne was erupting. I'll let you know how they both fared but first some details about both these products.

Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Oasis Gel & Skin Action Gel Plus Review

Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Oasis Gel is a concentration of Aloe Vera, Collagen and Horse Chestnut extract. It comes in a squeeze tube with a pump dispenser.

Cellnique Intensive Hydrating Oasis Gel & Skin Action Gel Plus Review

Best Skincare Products of 2014

Here is another post in my series of the best of 2014. Today I'm talking all about skincare. The market is literally flooded with skincare brands and it is so difficult to decide what to try and what not to. Here is my list of the best skincare products of 2014. Based on my personal experience with over a dozen brands this year, I have picked out the ones that work for almost all skin types. So if you plan on making use of the Christmas/New Year sales to stock up on some of the great products do read ahead on products I think are totally worth trying.

You can click on the title of the product to read the full review.

Best Moisturizer For Face - Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer
This moisturizer has won the Elle Beauty Award 2014 and the award is truely well deserved. A staple in my daily skin-care routine now, Za Perfect Solution has been a great find of 2014.

Best Moisturizer For Face - Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer

Best Body Wash - Fruttini Ginger and Passion Fruit Body Wash
A body wash with an exotic fragrance, great moisturizing properties and a wonderful shower companion, Fruttini Ginger & Passion Fruit Body Wash is still stocked up in my bathroom!

Best Body Wash - Fruttini Ginger and Passion Fruit Body Wash

Best Body Scrub -  Iraya Neem And Basil Scrubbing Shower Gel
This shower gel wins over all others I have tried because it cleanses the skin without drying it out and also banishes all acne over time. This is a sure shot must have for any one who suffers from bacne.

Best Body Scrub -  Iraya Neem And Basil Scrubbing Shower Gel

Best Moisturizer For Body - Hydromax Emollient Cream
This is perfect for tackling all dry skin issues in winters - if you are still looking for a cream do check this one out. Image taken from brand website since I haven't been able to shoot it yet. Full review will follow soon.

Best Moisturizer Of 2014 - Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer

Reviewing and sharing products that have really worked for you is a whole different experience indeed. It takes months of trials with various products until you hit upon that one product where you go 'wow','finally'!

When I was sent this product by the Za team to try out I saw it had this 'Winner Elle Beauty Awards 2014- Skincare' written on it. And I said, OK, it might be a winner but wait till it has to tackle my troubled skin. I'm sure no one at the Elle office has skin like mine so we'll see. My past experiences with Za products have been nice so I wasn't scared of trying it out. For the entire month of November I let the Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer (along with the Za Perfect Solution Foaming Cleanser) work on my skin. Read on to know how it fared.

 Best Moisturizer Of 2014 - Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer

The Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer comes in the classic deep pink packaging with the silver font. The bottle is hourglass shaped with a screw cap. The mouth of the bottle is big enough to dispense the right amount of moisturizer without over spilling.

 Best Moisturizer Of 2014 - Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer

Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer is white in color with a translucent feel to it. It is very light weight to touch, non-greasy and with no strong fragrance. The moisturizer sinks into your skin like water. I used this moisturizer on my super troublesome skin. I have areas of the face which keep breaking out contrasted by areas which are becoming parch dry due to the change in weather.

You can buy this online at Amazon-ZaPerfectSolution or Flipkart

The Za Perfect Solution Moisturizer was able to address both areas with ease. Yes, the parched dry parts of the face feel non dry and...

L'Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence Review

L'Oreal Paris Mexoryl Filters UV Perfect Aqua Essence

L'Oreal Paris has launched a sunscreen called UV Perfect Aqua Essence. It comes in a light blue packaging with a light blue outer cover.

L'Oreal UV Perfect Aqua Essence is an extremely light weight sunscreen that is meant to provide moisturization and help against brown spots, skin darkening and premature skin aging. It boasts of an SPF 30 PA+++ which means extra protection from the harmful rays of the sun. 

L'Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence Review

The outer box gives you all details about the ingredients in the product and how it works.

L'Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence Review

I like the classy packaging, a soft light blue color and a tube that is very light weight. This means I can carry it around with me so that I can reapply when I want to.

Aura Vedic's Pure Aloe Vera Gel - Review

New Year began with a little surprise from Aura Vedic. They sent across a cute little pot of Aloe Vera gel - Pure Aloe Vera Gel which has been fortified with the goodness of green tea, pomegranate, lemon oil, grape-seed oil, avocado oil, olive oil, jojoba oil and wheat germ.

Aura Vedic Pure Aloe Vera Gel With Green Tea and Pomegranate

Its a white gel with a very light weight consistency. The gel smells heavenly - that is if you like the perk-me-up freshness of lemons! It comes in a small white plastic pot with a screw lid. There is an additional plate to avoid spillage inside after the main lid opens.

Laviol Bearberry Brightening Moisturizer

Laviol is an Australian brand which offers all natural products. I had earlier reviewed their Rose Otto Hydrosol Spray which you can read about HERE.

Today I am reviewing their Bearberry Brightening Moisturizer. I have mentioned many times that moisturizers are a complete no-no for my oily skin. Yet when I received this cute little packing I really wanted to give it a shot.

Laviol Organic Bearberry Brightening Moisturizer

What the company claims
“Certified Organic Bearberry Brightening Moisturiser is a light moisturiser providing excellent hydration. It is formulated with organic Bearberry and Mulberry to help reduce the signs of skin dullness, discolouration and lighten age spots and freckles.
Details:
Bearberry extract is a botanical skin lightener that contains a natural form of hydroquinone. a melanin inhibiting agent; Mulberry Root Extract is recognised as a whitening agent as it contains phenylflavanoids, an element that whitens human skin by inhibiting the activation of tyrosinaseas. It is also rich in antioxidants and natural oils to give an hydrated, even-toned, more luminous complexion.
Skin type: all skin types including sensitive skinDirections: apply twice daily, morning and evening after toner.
Ingredients: Green Tea Extract*, Kelp Extract*, Liquorice Extract*, Aloe Vera Extract*, Sunflower Oil*,Bearberry Extract*, Vegetable Glycerine*, Jojoba Oil*, Shea Nut Butter*, Beeswax*, Glyceryl Monostearate, Sorbitan and Cetearyl Olivate, Honey*, Rosehip Oil*, Orange Extracts, Bergamot Essential Oil*, Guar Gum*, Mulberry Root Extract Powder, Natural Vitamin E. (*certified organic)”

Laviol Organic Rose Otto Hydrosol Spray - Review

A friend from Australia sent me these 3 samples of an Australian brand called Laviol. They come in very cute black and golden bottles and she sent them to me in a very nice golden pouch.

Laviol Organic Products

I will be reviewing all of these in the coming weeks. I begin with the Rose Otto Hydrosol Spray.

Laviol Organic Rose Otto Hydrosol Spray

What the company claims

"Certified Organic Rose Otto Hydrosol is specially formulated with Aloe vera juice to give the skin maximum hydration. Best for dry / mature skin.

It contains nutrients from Rose Otto extract which have great benefits for dry / mature skin. It provides deep hydration to the skin and can enhance penetration of the moisturiser. 

Aura Vedic Pure Calming Face Mist - Valley Of Flowers - Review

Recently I reviewed a face polish from Aura Vedic which I am loving. Another great product from Aura Vedic that I tried recently is their face mist. This is like rose water in a spray bottle but with added benefits of sunscreens and essential oils.

Aura Vedic Pure Calming Face Mist - Valley Of Flowers

 What the company claims: "This gentle antioxidant Facial mist delivers nourishing moisture to balance and hydrate all skin types. Blended with pure fragrant organic oils, Aloe vera and Green tea to tone and repair skin. This mist is just the thing to keep your skin feeling soft, hydrated and moisturized without looking and feeling oily.
Aloe vera soothes and refreshes skin. Neroli and rose infuse skin with antioxidant nutrients that protect skin against environmental stresses that damage skin.
Free of Parabens, SLS, Harmful Chemicals & Colours."

Aloe Vera Gel (Patanjali) - Review

I had heard a lot about the goodness of aloe vera. So I grew an aloe vera plant at home to get the benefits of pure aloe vera.

The problem was that pure aloe vera in raw form is very sticky and I hated the yucky feeling on my hands and face when I applied it. It did work great as a makeup base and also kept my skin feeling soft and supple. But I really needed something that was ready to use.

That is when I started searching for ready-to-use aloe vera gels but most were not 100% aloe vera. There were some available in the international market but locally I only found the Patanjali Aloe Vera gel. This gel comes in a plastic tube with a bright orange flip cap. The gel is 90% aloe vera. It is green in colour because of some colouring that has been added. It also contains added Vitamin E.

The gel is easy to use – simply take out a big dollop of the gel and rub it nicely on your skin. It gives the skin a nice cool feeling during summers. Makes the skin feel soft and supple. I haven’t noticed a major breakthrough in the scars on my face but I do think some of them have lightened out a bit. I think continued usage should show some good results.

Right now I am using this both morning and evening after washing my face and after my face pack routine. It acts as my moisturizer too. My skin feels so nice I really do not need another moisturizer on top.
Details at a glance:
Packaging: plastic flip cap tube
Fragrance: none
Price: Rs 75 (150ml)

What I Like:

• Ease of use
• Texture
• Softness it imparts to the skin

What I don’t like:

• Nothing

Khadi Moisturising Lotion - Rose - Review

A light moisturising lotion which I have almost finished is the Khadi moisturising lotion in Rose. On my last visit to Khadi Gram Udyog I happened to notice this entire shelf of different products that drew my attention.
I had never tried anything from Khadi Gram Udyog before so sceptically I purchased this moisturiser.

Khadi Moisturising Lotion Rose

 The label said nourishing, oil free, replenishes lost skin moisture, and recommended to use the moisturiser after any skin treatment. It also said ayurvedic medicine. The moisturiser is light weight in texture. A very light pink colour and it does have some rose fragrance. The fragrance is not really a nice rose fragrance. It has some medicinal - some talc like fragrance too.

Khadi Moisturising Lotion Rose - swatch

I used this moisturiser for my face but did not like the effect - it did not break me out but I did not like the feeling - it was like a thin layer that I could feel on my face - maybe due to glycerine in the moisturiser. Glycerine does not suit my skin and does settle on my oily skin like a film.
I used it on my arms and legs and tried to finish it up. On arms and legs it felt good. But due to the fragrance which I did not like much I use it occasionally and am finally almost finished with the bottle. The moisturiser  comes in a plastic bottle with a plastic flip cap - nothing interesting here either.
Overall I would say its ok - can be used if you are looking at a cheaper option for daily use in summers.

Details at a glance
Packaging : plastic flip cap bottle
Texture     : very light non greasy
Fragrance : rose but a little medicinal
Price        : Rs. 85 for 210ml (this is a year old price)

What I like:

• Light weight
• Non greasy

What I don't like:

• Creates a light film if used on face (maybe due to glycerine which does not suit my facial skin)
• Fragrance

Lotus Herbals AlphaMoist – alpha hydroxy oil-free moisturizer - review

I have a combination skin type and usually moisturizers leave my face feeling like an oil factory after a couple of hours of application.

So in search for a good moisturizer I googled and found good reviews about  the Lotus Herbals AlphaMoist – alpha hydroxyl oil-free moisturizer

The moisturizer comes in a light yellow plastic bottle with a pump dispenser. This makes the bottle very easy to carry around and use.

The directions for using this are simple - apply over a cleansed face and neck. The texture of this moisturizer is thick but not too creamy. It is just right for the pump dispenser to give you good control over the amount you need.

The moisturizer is light weight on application. It has a slightly medicated smell which goes  away after application. If you have used any salicylic acid or glycolic acid products you would find the smell familiar.

AlphaMoist contains alpha hydroxy acids in the form of plant extracts and a lot of other good ingredients. The company claims that this moisturizer provides a smooth complexion and reveals fresh newer skin.

But I see a lot of parabens mentioned on the back label which cannot be good. (You can click on the image to enlarge it)

Anyhow after all the high hopes from reviews I had read I decided to give it a try. I won’t say I hate it but I can’t say I love it either. It doesn’t make my skin oily which is good but I think it breaks me out. Not like big pimples or anything but it causes little bumps to appear on my face here and there. I notice this happens only when I use it during the day. If I apply it at night my face is quite oily in the morning but does not have any break outs.

Nothing spectacular happened to my skin after using it – so for me this is a total miss. I will finish up the current bottle that I have (applying it more to my neck than my face) but I won’t repurchase it.

I guess if you are looking for a light weight moisturiser and haven’t had major break out issues you can give this a try. Below are pics of how the moisturiser looks (this is 1 pump) and how my hand looks after I've rubbed it in.

Details at a glance
Packaging      : plastic bottle with a pump cap
Texture            : lightweight

Fragrance      : medicated
Price              :Rs 195 (but you can get it at discounted price online)

What I like:

·         Light weight texture

·         Added benefits of alpha hydroxy acids       

What I dont like:

·        Gives me small bumps on my skin