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HIMALAYA HERBALS RICH COCOA BUTTER BODY CREAM REVIEW

Thursday, August 08, 2019

Taking care of your skin is one of the most essential parts of healthy living, yet it can be a gigantic task. As time, age, environment, and lastly health play pivotal roles in adjusting with skin, it can be a hard and laborious job to find out about the right skincare products.

Today, I am going to save you some time of your life and tell you about one of the most fantastic body care products I have come across in my life.

Himalaya Herbals Rich Cocoa Butter Body Cream

This body butter has changed my skin drastically since the time I have started using this. And that time would be around 8 months back. If you have been following my previous posts, then you know, I am in my early 30's, and though I live in a tropical country which is extremely hot during the summers, I live in one of the less humid regions of India. Summer time is not scorching hot here. Almost throughout the year, we get strong winds which can be pretty drying for the skin. For that, this product fits perfectly.

As I love and prefer to use natural products, my hunt is never-ending. It has taken me to this beautiful body butter, which is absolutely gorgeous. I am sure if you are into beauty and skincare stuff, then you already know the miraculous benefits of Cocoa Butter. But for knowledge's sake, I want to let you know a few facts about that. Scroll through…

Amazing benefits of Cocoa Butter:

· The Essential Fatty Acids in Cocoa Butter hydrate and nourish the skin and maintain skin elasticity.

· It protects the skin from premature aging and skin sagging.

· It helps to minimize the appearance of stretch marks during pregnancy and in general, during the natural development of the body.

· It is highly beneficial in soothing rashes, itchiness, scaly skin, and scarring due to skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, etc.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethlhexanoate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate & Sorbitan Olivate, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol Acetate, Methylisothiazolinone, Disodium EDTA, Caramel.

My Experience and How I use Himalaya Cocoa Butter Body Cream:

Since the last eight months, I have been continuously using this Cocoa Butter. I am an avid fan of The Body Shop Body Butters. But this Himalaya Body Butter has completely changed my life as it reacts amazingly to my skin and restores the moisture balance of my skin just perfectly.

Though my facial skin is a combination type, the skin on my body tends to get dry. Six months back, when I started using this, it was still winter and though winter also isn't very harsh in my place, but skin changes a lot. So, I used it for the first time during that time. And to be frank, I didn't like it for the next couple of days as it is really dense in nature, takes a lot of time to blend into the skin, and I am personally not a big fan of Cocoa butter scent. It doesn't bother me much, but I will choose flowery, fruity fragrances any day over the smell of cocoa butter. But do not worry if you are not a fan of Cocoa Butter scent like me. The smell of his particular product is not overpowering at all.

However, after one week, I started feeling a sudden change. My skin was not drying at all. Moisturizing after taking a bath was good enough, I didn't need to reapply anything else on my body in the night. Moreover, it was looking so healthy, plumped, and glowing.

That was months back. Since that day, I am in a forever bond with this body cream.

I have a few marks on my skin due to some skin infections, and I also have little eczema-prone areas on my skin. This body butter has been helping me a lot lightening the old marks and with my eczema, which is simply incredible.

I slather this on my body after taking a bath. And though it takes time to blend compared to traditional Body Lotions, I don't mind it at all. After getting the amazing benefits, how can I complain? Cocoa Butter itself is dense in nature. This is thick, and it shows Himalaya Herbals is using the best of the materials to make this product. If you are in a hurry, you may find it difficult to apply this. But don't ignore the product. Make sure you are giving it a shot according to your own preferable time. After the day’s work, if you use this at night, that will repair your skin a lot. Trust me, you won't be sorry at all.

Another great thing about the body butter is that as it is very thick and hydrating in nature, it works excellently as a hand and foot cream. My hands are really a desert. I take out a portion of this body cream in two small containers and use them as my hand and foot creams whenever I feel like it. Especially, if you apply it on your hands before going to sleep, you'll literally wake up with the softest hands.

I have mailed Himalaya Herbals personally to ask whether it is safe to use during pregnancy or not. And they confirmed, it is safe to use (if there are no particular pre-existing skin conditions) which is a delight for all would be Moms. But to be safe, it is always advisable to ask your doctors if you are pregnant or have any other health-related issues.

And guess what, unlike the expensive Body Butters available in the market, it is really…really pocket-friendly. So, not only it works the best, comes with all the benefits.

Pros:

· Absolutely natural

· No harmful chemicals or preservatives

· Safe to use during pregnancy

· Helps reducing scars

· Helps to minimize stretch marks due to weight fluctuations (though it can't control developing new stretch marks as it could be happening due to many factors)

· Amazingly hydrating, moisturizing

· Gives your skin a natural glow and skin looks healthy like never before

· Great to use as a hand and foot cream

· Sooooo budget-friendly, the price is just unbelievable

Cons:

· It takes time to get absorbed into the skin

· The plastic tub container is not a healthy and hygienic option

Price: INR 270

Buying Links:

This cream is widely available almost everywhere- in the local shops, online and even in online grocery shops like Big Basket, etc. Still, for your ease, I am gonna list a few buying links below.

HimalayaHerbals Website

Nykaa

Amazon

I have finished almost 10 tubs of this body cream as of now. I don't know why not many people talk or know about it as per my knowledge. But it is breathtakingly beautiful. Please, please, use this body butter at least once in your life. If you have normal or dry or combination skin, this actually can change your life dramatically.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Pure Rose Water

PURE ROSE WATER FROM ‘KAMA AYURVEDA’

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Since ancient times, Rose Water has been blessing us with its countless number of benefits. Not only it has antibacterial, antifungal properties, but it also tightens the pores, purifies the skin, helps to reduce inflammation, and thereby acne and pimples, and offers a rejuvenated new look.

Long back, it was a dream to get the feel of real rose water in our country. Pure rose water was a mere dream. There were no brands who would provide ‘natural’ version. The only way to get the extract of pure roses was to create the distillation process on your own, which was time-consuming and almost impossible for most of the people. I, too, have fallen in the loop of buying something unnatural. When you have no option in your hand, you can’t choose, right! Also, the fact was that most of us had no idea about chemicals and preservatives at that time. Commercial ads were made to lure the audience, and most of the time, it used to capture the minds. In the name of rose water and in the desire of getting a rosy blush and petal-like soft skin, we used to fall for the trap and get cheated. Sadly, many people still have the misconception, and continue using the diluted version and many unnatural products.

I used to wonder that India, whose Ayurveda has been well known to the world and been beneficial to treating various diseases, why haven’t anyone made the attempt to make something pure and natural? Someone heard my inner voice, I think. And thankfully, the time has changed since then by the grace of some genuine Ayurvedic natural brands. And “Kama Ayurveda” is one of the most authentic Indian Luxury Ayurvedic Skin Care Brands.

Now, most of us girls are well aware of the fact that ‘beauty is pain.' To get a healthy, beautiful glowing skin, you have to work hard that includes taking care of your skin externally and also internally by maintaining a proper diet and healthy lifestyle. Nowadays, there are uncountable numbers of skin care brands who claim to use the recipes of ancient Ayurveda in their skincare and also claims there are no harmful ingredients in their products. Who the heck knows the truth? Only if we could see how the products are made or could test a sample in the lab, maybe then we would be satisfied.

But anyway, there are very few brands whose products are trustworthy as far as my experience goes. I have been using their products since they came in the market and I haven’t found any flaws. “Kama Ayurveda” is one of the brands and I trust some of their potent products blindly.

Let’s talk about their ‘Pure Rose Water’.

Benefits:

• 100% Natural

• Natural Astringent

• Balances skin PH

• Tightens pores and reduces oiliness

• Lightly hydrates

According to the brand,

Kama Ayurveda Pure Rose Water is made from the roses of Kannauj - a region in North India, rich in white soil conductive to roses' growth. The Kannauj rose is considered special due to its similarity to the Bulgarian rose. The steam distillation process used to create this water ensures a high level of hygiene and unmatched purity. Rose water is a natural astringent that balances and restores skin's PH level, helps tighten pores and acts as the perfect alcohol-free toner for oily or acne-prone skin. Its light cleansing and clarifying action help in removing cleanser residue while readying the skin for further skincare treatment. A refreshing spritz that can be used to refresh the skin at any time of the day.

How I Use It:

So far, I've used pure rosewater, one from ‘Forest Essentials’ and another is from ‘Kama Ayurveda’. I’ve loved the Forest Essentials’ pure rose water too. But since this one came in the picture, I haven’t looked back to anything else.

I love this as a toner and use a few spritzes of it before applying my favorite facial cream or facial oil. Rose water is a perfect partner to combine with facial oils as they glide and get absorbed into the skin so perfectly with it.

Except this, during the summer season, and also when I am traveling, I carry a travel size in my purse and spritz it whenever I like to freshen up. It really does give instant freshness and cooling effect.

Also, this rosewater works beautifully when you use it along with your favorite Face Mask. Whenever my eyes feel tired because of excessive screen work, I take two cotton pads, spritz some chilled rose water on it, and keep it on my eyelids for 15 minutes. Once you try this method, you can't ever go back to anything else to relax your eyes and revitalize yourself. It is indeed a delightful Eye Pack for tired and puffy eyes.

The Big Bottle is 200 ml. & The Small One (Travel Pack) is 50 ml.

Price:

INR 275 for 50 ml. & 1050 for 200 ml. (You can buy it at Amazon, Nykaa, Kama Ayurveda Website. All links are provided on the names.)

I know it is pretty expensive, but one bottle goes a long way even if you use it religiously. Not all things fall under budget, though it would have been more helpful in that way. 😉😉 Organic, pure skin care products require immense attention and hard labor. Naturally, the price set in accordingly.

I surely hope that this rose water’s price doesn’t increase any more than it is right now. That would be a bummer.

Any other pure rosewater in your eyes I should try? Let me know. If you are looking for pure rose water, this one is undoubtedly the best I’ve tried so far. Do give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Facial Oil

PLUM GRAPE SEED & SEA BUCKTHORN GLOW-RESTORE FACE OILS BLEND

Thursday, May 16, 2019

About 10 years ago, when I was still suffering from acne and struggling to deal with my super sensitive, oily skin, if someone would have told me to use oil on my face, I would have yelled at him/her like a crazy person. Oil…on my face, are you freaking kidding me!!!

But now, 10 years later, I adore facial oils, and I find this change really fascinating. Interestingly, my skin has evolved a lot, thanks to the natural process of aging 😉 and also because of the change in the climate. Now, I have sensitive combination skin, and though it is really hard to maintain, as long as it is healthy, I am happy.

Anyway, one thing I've learned over the years is that everybody can use facial oils, even the oily skinned people. Shocking… wait wait. Let me explain a bit, and we'll come to agree on it together.

No matter what skin types we are, our skin naturally has sebaceous glands which create an oily substance called sebum. Depending on the skin types, these glands produce less, regular, or excessive sebum. So, accordingly, if we use facial oils as per our skin texture, we'll be more benefited. It will be good if we can adjust the usage of the oil with our skin. What I mean to say is that if we can’t balance the right amount naturally, we can take the help of an oil, or an amalgamation of oils to give the much-needed luster and nutrition from outside. We use various facial creams. But a facial oil is always a more natural way to compensate the synergy.

Today, I am gonna talk about a spectacular budget-friendly natural facial oil that has been blowing many minds including mine, of course, in a remarkable way.

Plum Grape Seed & Sea Buckthorn Glow-Restore Face Oils Blend

This au-natural brand Plum’ has been with us for a while. I’ve tried quite a few products from them already (I am a sucker for natural products). But I have been mesmerized by their facial oil. FYI, I love love love my Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and The Body Shop’s Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil. But this little genie in a bottle from ‘Plum’ could be a savior for many because of its natural goodness and that too with a friendly price. The oil has a slight translucent color. The bottle and the dropper, both are made of glass which is a big yay! It kind of reminds of Clarins Facial Oil which is another all-time favorite product of mine. This oil is gradually creating its own fan base. Let’s discover it more.

As per the company provided information,

This unique combination of 100% plant-derived oils (10 of them!) combats skin dryness, and restores natural health and glow to the skin- without the greasiness one would expect from an "oil". It gets to work instantly, restoring your natural glow by replenishing lost nutrients, fighting oxidative damage, and preventing Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) from your skin.

Ingredients:

Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil,Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Fragrance

Benefits of these oils:

1. Grape seed oil- great source of linoleic acid- reduces clogged pores

2. Sea buckthorn oil- richest source of vitamin C - limits free radical damage

3. Rosehip oil- extremely rich source of antioxidants- slows down ageing

4. Argan oil- rich in omega-6 fatty acids- eases inflammation

5. Sweet Almond oil- hydrates and protects

6. Apricot seed oil- natural source of vitamin A - lubricates and heals

7. Sunflower seed oil- rich in minerals- healthier skin

8. Olive oil- vegan source of squalene- repairs damaged skin

9. Pomegranate seed extract- rich in omega-5 fatty acids- counters free radical damage

10. Jojoba seed oil - contains vitamin B complex & iodine- heals

Price:

INR 775 (you can buy it anywhere online like from Amazon, Nykaa, and also directly from the Plum Website. I have provided all the links.)

My Experience:

Actually, I bought this facial oil for my mum. She has beautiful skin, but it is very dry. I have never seen a single pimple on her face since the time I have grown my senses. Before I suggested her to indulge in all those fancy, crazily expensive facial oils, I wanted her to try this one. And to my surprise, her skin literally has changed since the time. She used it for 1 week, and we could see the difference. Her skin gulps the oil in two seconds, loves it to the core, and gives back beautifully soft, lustrous, glowing skin.

And that’s how I too started using this oil, and I am hooked. I can't tell you how beautifully this oil sits on the skin and glides into it. My skin really shows a healthy glow that the product actually claims. For some time, my skin was not in a good condition. But finally, I can see it recuperating well. I can foresee the full recovery in no time.

How I use this Plum Facial Oil on My Face:

Me and my Mum, both follow the same routine. After cleansing my face, I spray some Rose Water and let it sit for 10 seconds. Before it dries out completely, I take three drops of the oil and dab it gently on my skin. And voila! It gets absorbed in no time. After that, I take 1 drop of the oil on my ring finger and very carefully dab it under my eye area. It can be used as an absolutely mind-blowing Under Eye Treatment. I am really judgmental about eye creams (very few of them actually do work under the eye area, no matter it is expensive or not). But this oil works, you guys! Sometimes I use sunscreen above it if I am going out, or don’t use anything at all. I let it work on its own magic. My skin doesn’t require any further moisturization.

I love using this oil under my make up too. It gives a polished look with a natural glow within.

Though this oil is formally meant for dry and extreme-dry skin, my sensitive combination skin adores it.

As I live in a place which has a wonderful climate, I am using this during summer too, but every other day. For people, who live in humid areas will have to struggle a bit, but you can always reduce the quantity and use it.

Conclusion:

It is a miracle oil for my skin. I feel lucky to get to know this natural product without any harmful ingredients. All the products from Plum are Parabens, Phathalates, and SLS free. It was a surprise for me when it worked on me as it was not really made for sensitive skin. But somehow, the stars got aligned, it came into my life, and it worked like a charm.

Let me know how it worked on your skin if you’ve used it by now. If not, give it a try surely. Don’t be afraid, but first, do a patch test, and let your skin work with it. If it’s not breaking you out, or not doing any harm, you never know, it can bring some magic for you too.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

#Summer Soothing Gels

THE FACE SHOP JEJU ALOE FRESH SOOTHING GEL & DAMYANG BAMBOO FRESH SOOTHING GEL REVIEW

Monday, April 22, 2019

Today, I’m a bit jittery on whether to write this blog post or not. In this era of YouTube beauty videos, will this blog post get its due!

As my mind is oscillating between thoughts, I realize that though I am a fan of YouTube videos, but I still like to read a mind-staggering blog post every now and then. So, let's give it a go.

It is already summer in my country. What could be the better time than now to talk about few soothing gels. I think most of you have already heard about these products, but I’m sure this review will definitely help you settle on one of them.

So, from the house of The Face Shop, I have tried two gels. One is their Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel, and another is the Damayang Bamboo Fresh Soothing Gel. While one of them is not so good, the other one is quite fascinating for my skin. Both are colorless, transparent gels. Let’s see what they are offering.

THE FACE SHOP JEJU ALOE FRESH SOOTHING GEL

For a start, I have extremely sensitive skin. It used to be oily in the previous years. Now, it is a combination with an oily T-zone. To me, the ingredients list matters the most. Here, for both the products, the brand has provided full ingredients list in the back side of the container, and that is really admiring.

I bought it a year back after hearing all the raving from the ‘beauty gurus’. I was in desperate need of a ‘natural’ sort of aloe gel even though I have tried so many ‘natural’ brands earlier.

For example:

a) ‘Wow’ (made my skin red)

b) ‘Bipha Ayurveda’ (haven’t found any difference, and expensive)

c) ‘Forest Essentials' (this was good but freaking expensive, you can read about the review which I wrote 4 years back. I've used so much of aloe that it got over in 15 days)

d) ‘Patanjali Soundarya Aloe Gel’ (this surprisingly has shocked me with its good results, except I don’t like its artificial green color and can’t find its full ingredients list anywhere which is shady)

But not any one of them fully satisfies every aspect. I know, I know it is almost impossible. But hey, is it wrong to dream, never right!

Alcohol comes in the third position in the ingredients list of this The Face Shop aloe gel. I understand it is very much needed to preserve the product. But it is so overpowering. As soon as I apply this gel, my face feels a strong sensation, and even some areas get a burning feeling. Apart from that, it is crazily sticky. Instead of giving some soothing relief, I desperately wait to wash it off of my face. As I don’t want to waste it, I have to use it somehow.

Also, for some reason I have got rid of the original container. So I am gonna include a picture of it from somewhere else.

Pic Credit: The Face Shop

Let's talk pros and cons.

Pros:

Full marks for a full ingredients list
Doesn’t break me out
Easily available online
Being an imported product, it is still in the affordable range for many users
Quantity is excellent
Available in both tub and tube packaging

Cons:

Super Sticky
The little portion of alcohol is very overpowering for my skin
Gives a burning sensation sometimes
Doesn't provide soothing relief on my skin

Price: INR 450 (It is easily available online. I bought it from nykaa.com)

I am not gonna repurchase this though I tried my best to love it. ☹

Now, let’s talk about the gel which I really adore.

The Face Shop Damyang Bamboo Fresh Soothing Gel

Now, this gel too has alcohol in it, but it really justifies the ‘soothing’ part. It is little runnier than normal aloe gel which is absolutely a ‘no bother’ for me. In the summer, after coming from the scorching heat, this calms down my skin, soothes it, and gives amazing freshness. I like to apply this as a mask and keep it for 1 hr. After washing my face, my skin looks glowing.

Pros & Cons time.

Pros:

Works amazingly on my sensitive combination skin
Very soothing and gives a fresh feeling always (especially when used as chilled)
Can be used as a serum under the regular moisturizer
Non-sticky
The alcohol here doesn’t bother my type of skin
Can also be used as a face-mask, moisturizer
Huge tub and lots of product
All season friendly, especially summer

Cons:

As it comes only in tubs, hygiene-wise it is not up to the mark. But you can always take out some of it in a separate container and store the rest in the fridge.

Price: INR 450 (It is easily available online. I bought it from nykaa.com)

This gel is 100% recommended. I am gonna repurchase this as soon as I run out of the current one. 😊

I am still in search of an excellent natural Aloe Vera gel. Let me know if you have tried anything interesting.

Cheers!!!

Happy Living…

HIMALAYA HERBALS RICH COCOA BUTTER BODY CREAM REVIEW

PURE ROSE WATER FROM ‘KAMA AYURVEDA’

PLUM GRAPE SEED & SEA BUCKTHORN GLOW-RESTORE FACE OILS BLEND

THE FACE SHOP JEJU ALOE FRESH SOOTHING GEL & DAMYANG BAMBOO FRESH SOOTHING GEL REVIEW

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