Product Review: Soultree Amrita Cleansing Milk

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing a cleansing milk by Soultree, one of the many ayurvedic brands in India.

Product Price: INR 295/- for 120 ml

Product Claim: 

Organic Aloe and fresh Rose water made from the wild Indian Rose is blended with Ayurvedic extracts of organic Licorice to give your skin multiple benefits. It cools and heals skin, lightens sun tan and using it daily as a cleanser ensures an even skin tone with visibly reduced blemishes.

List of Ingredients: 

 My Take on the Product:

I love using ayurvedic products because the are usually free of harmful chemicals. However, there still are brands that include parabens as preservatives. Soultree claims that this product has neither this category of nasties, nor does it have any silicones.

The product comes in a transparent plastic bottle with a black screw-on cap. The bottle itself is covered with a brown paper label which has all the product details printed on it. The texture of the cleansing milk is like any other, a milky white, slightly runny composition. It has a nice fresh herby fragrance which I approve of.

The product spread well and easily on my skin and it felt nice to massage in this product into my skin. It cleaned up an entire day's make up and grime in a couple of minutes. It even cleaned up eye makeup effectively. Including all eye-shadow and mascara. However, I must mention here, that I always use washable mascara, never the waterproof ones. So I cannot say if this product works on waterproof mascara as well. The only problem is that it did sting the eyes a bit (you can see me squinting in the demo video).

The product leaves the skin feeling comfortably moisturised. But I did not feel any residue on my skin after I wiped it off with damp cotton pads. Though I do like to go over once with a face-wash as well. This I do since I have always had oily skin.

This cleansing milk is full of the goodness of aloe and rosewater, both proven to be excellent for skin care. I would definitely recommend it to all my beautiful friends and readers.

 

Pros:

1. Fuss free packaging.
2. Full of the goodness of aloevera and rosewater.
3. Pleasant herbal fragrance.
4. Free of parabens and silicones.
5. Did not cause any fresh breakouts (I had a bout just recently)
6. Cleansed every last bit of makeup and grime.
7. Cleansed eye make up effectively.
8. Very reasonably priced.
9. Ideal for beauties with normal to dry skin.

Cons:

1. Stings the eyes a bit.
2. Oily skinned beauties may have to follow up with a face wash.

Overall Verdict: 4.5/5. It loses marks only for the stinging! Highly recommended!

Have you used this product? Did you like it? What did you think of this review? Do let me know in the comments section below...

Product Review and Photos: Sattvik Organics Mint Magic Antiseptic Cleanser

Hi All!

I'm always on the lookout for face cleansers. I do not like to use a facewash more than once a day. So, I was quite excited to try out the Sattvik Organics Mint Magic Antiseptic Cleanser when I received it as part of a prize  hamper from HealthKart.com.

Company Claims:
An antiseptic face cleanser that offers thorough cleansing by removing pollutants without depleting the natural moisture content. Added aroma oils soothe & relax stressed nerves. It takes off excess oil, gives your skin a natural glow & leaves it feeling fresh and soft. It is also an excellent make up remover.

• Reduces pore appearance & removes impurities
• Deep cleanses & rejuvenates for a smooth radiant skin
• Maintains ideal moisture balance
• Refreshes skin cells
• Keeps skin soft & supple

 Product Price: INR 179/- for 40 gms of product

My Take on the Product:

The product comes in a mint green gel formula that comes in a sturdy plastic jar. The cap fits over tightly so there is no risk of spillage when travelling.The formula glides over the skin and causes a light tingling sensation on the skin due to its mint content. It spreads easily over the skin and can be wiped off with a damp cotton ball. You may even wash it off with water.

It does not dry the skin. This cleanser has become a regular part of my night routine. It does clean up my face but it does not work effectively on waterproof makeup. So I use it on days when I have been home in the evening, so there is no makeup to worry about.

I quite like the product though I'm not sure it reduced the appearance of my pores ;). I would recommend the product to those with combination skin.

Pros:

1. Good sturdy packaging.
2. Contains no chemicals
3. Refreshing fragrance
4. Does not dry out skin
5. Cleanses well.

Cons: 

1. Does not work well on waterproof makeup.

Product Rating: 4.5/5

 

Have you tried the  Sattvik Organics Mint Magic Antiseptic Cleanser? Which cleanser are you using currently? Share your comments below.

Product Review: Iraya Honey and Liquorice Face Milk

Two 30 ml sample bottles of Iraya Honey and Liquorice Face Milk came to me with the March edition of my Fab Bag.
I was really excited about this product and tried it immediately. I've now been using it for about a week and this product is my new favourite, so I thought why wait for a month to write a review!
So here goes:


Product Claim:


What Fab Bag says about this product:

Price: INR 395/- for 150 ml of product
Key Ingredients:

Flip Top Cap

Sealed

Product swatch:

Blending

After Blending

My Take on the Product:
I was so excited about this product that I tried it as soon as I opened my Fab Bag!  And Iraya did not let me down.
It comes in a cube-like transparent plastic container with a flip top cap. It comes sealed guaranteeing hygiene and freshness. The packaging is not too fancy (not that I care about it very much), but its handy and leak proof.
The product has a runny slippery texture and has a gentle, natural fragrance of its ingredients (I could clearly smell the liquorice). It lingers for a while and is really pleasant. You only need very little product and it spreads well. It blends in within a minute and does not leave an oily residue on the skin. I felt a pleasant cooling sensation as I blended it into my skin. I have combination skin and the product hydrated the dry spots on my face without making my oily T-zone sticky and uncomfortable. Even a couple of hours after application there is no stickiness. However its real test will happen when the weather turns humid in July. It has not broken out my skin so it does pass the test with me.
Some people may be allergic to some ingredients, so the product advises an allergy test.
I think its a great product in its price range.
Pros:

1. Good, handy,leak proof packaging.
2. Had good brand value.
3. Non-Sticky
4. Gentle,natural fragrance
5. Uses natural ingredients
6. Hydrates dry spots well.
7. Pleasant cooling sensation on skin.
8. very little product required per use.
9. Reasonably priced.
10. Has not caused any breakouts on my skin.
11. No animal testing.

Cons:

1. Does not list all ingredients, especially any preservatives.
2. Should proof read the written material on the packaging. (I'm only nit-picking, can't find any serious flaws apart from the 1st one!;D)

Product Rating: 4.75/5.
This is soon becoming my Holy Grail Product!
Have any of you used this product? What did you think about it?
Hope you found this review helpful. Do leave a comment for me!

Product Review: Somi's Glow Safe Sunscreen Lotion

Somi Gupta's products have been around now for over 5 years and I have used a couple of them for about 3 years. I am fan of her Glow Fresh Face and Body Grains.

Today I will be reviewing another of her products called Somi's Glow Safe Sunscreen Lotion. As I re-visited Somi Gupta's website, I dicovered that the packaging of the product has been changed. So the new Package is here:

The one I bought is so:

Product Claim:

Product Price: INR 140/- for 100ml

List of Ingredients:

1. Neelotpala Patra: Is said to  improve circulation, widely used in aromatherapy
2. Kur: Couldn't figure out what this is!
3. Chandan: Known for its cooling properties, great for oily, acne prone skin, reverses sun-damage to skin, anti-aging.
4. Benermul: Again don't know what it is.
5. sodium hydroxide: is an inorganic compound used to control the pH levels or serve as a buffering agent in cosmetics and personal care products
6. Carbomer: is used as a thickener and emulsion stabilizer
7. Propylene Glycol: is a humectant, which means it helps the skin to absorb moisture
8. Glycerin: is a wonderful moisturizer for all skin types.
9. Strearic Acid: Good emulsifying & thickening properties (stabilizes emulsions), gives soft waxy, pearly & cooling feel on the skin. 
10. Ethylene Glycol Monostearate: used as emulsifying agent in various face creams and cosmetic lotions
11. Light Liquid paraffin:  is a very highly refined mineral oil used in cosmetics
12. Titanium Dioxide: It is an inert earth mineral used as a thickening, whitening, lubricating, and sunscreen ingredient in cosmetics. It protects skin from UVA and UVB radiation and is considered to have no risk of skin irritation
13. Then a bunch of parabens as preservatives. 

Product Swatches:

After Blending

My experience with the Product:

The product  has a light foundation-like colour and texture, much like a tinted moisturizer. It glides well on the skin and is not too difficult to blend in. It has a nice gentle fruity, sandalwoody smell, but it goes away in a while. I have applied it regularly for a couple of months now and I have not noticed any more tanning than I usually get. My only issue is that it does not mention the SPF factor. But it seems in the neighbourhood of around SPF 15. Another point is that you are asked to re-apply every 2-3 hrs......... inconvenient , if you ask me. It also says nothing about being water or sweat proof, so what does one do during the hot, humid months? 

Somi Gupta also has a couple of talk shows (on Bangla Channels), where she says that the product can be used as a substitute for foundation. In that sense it gives very little coverage. Lacto Calamine has better coverage than this. However, Glow Safe does hold a face powder well.

Pros:
1. Nice Texture
2. Does not streak
3. Easy to blend into skin
4. Reasonable price
5. Pleasant smell

Cons:
1. Does not mention SPF factor
2. Needs to be re-applied every 2-3 hrs.
3. Does not give coverage like foundation as per its claim

4. Is not water or sweat proof

5. Not easily available outside West Bengal

Product Rating 2.5/5 

Mainly for its nice texture and easy blendability. If you are not looking for coverage and are not finicky about SPF numbers then you could go for it.

Will I buy this product again? No,  with all the nice BB creams around...............

There are 2 ingredients which I couldn't quite figure out............I'd love you to tell me about them so this could be a complete review!

Otherwise too,let me know if you find these reviews useful at all!! Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

See you!

Product Review: Biotique Bio Mountain Ebony Fresh Growth Stimulating Serum:Intensive Hair Growth Treatment

Hello Beautiful!
 
I'm on a major product reviewing spree at the moment............ So today I am going to review Biotique's Bio Mountain Ebony Fresh Growth Stimulating Serum:Intensive Hair Growth Treatment

I has used this product many years ago and was most unimpressed by it then. However, I have recently rediscovered the product which is now much improved! I recently received a mailer from www.medplusbeauty.com (I am a regular shopper on this site) offering flat 30% discount on Biotique products. I had used some of their other products and thought it would be nice to browse through again. I picked up a few things (which I will review later) but I wanted to hit the INR 600/- mark to avail of their free shipping offer. So I gave this product another go.

And I am glad I did! This time round the product is so much better!

Product Claim:

Now to the real part. The product comes in a 120 ml plastic  semi-transparent bottle with a green screw-on cap. The mouth of the bottle has a a small hole to dispense the product drop-by-drop so you needn't pour it out in a bowl or anything. You can directly apply a couple of drops at a time to your scalp.... very convenient! The bottle itself comes in a cardboard box and has a security seal, so you know the product has not been tampered with.

For 120 ml, the product is priced at: INR 159/- but I got it at 30% discount (the offer was on at www.medplusbeauty,com)

Ingredients:

1.  Neem: contain azadirachtin compound which gives neem its anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic properties
2. Mulethi: is used in hair care as it promotes the growth of hair according to ayurveda. It is also believed to help keep the scalp moist and hydrated. People with thinning hair can benefit from using licorice as it works on the adrenal glands.
3. Pippali/laung: Said in ayurveda to be useful in controlling hairloss.
4. Kusumbhi Tail (oil)/safflower:  it has the highest level of linoleic fatty acid available commercially. It is very beneficial to very dry flaky skin, excellent conditioner for dry scalp
5. Pudina/Mint: Mint acts as a cooling sensation to the skin and helps in dealing with skin irritations, therefore good for the scalp too.
6. Kachnar/mountain ebony: Has antiseptic properties and is said to promote hair growth.

My Experience with the Product:

When I first sniffed the product it was really pleasant..... the husband likes it too....... a minty-herbal-floral smell. The earlier product was very watery and runny, but this time it is more viscous. It is a deep burgundy colour . It is called a serum but its not meant for the hair shaft. It is supposed to be used on the scalp. the little hole on the top of the bottle is very effective and you can use the product directly from the bottle with zero wastage. I have a dry,itchy scalp with dandruff and the serum had an immediate cooling effect on my scalp. This pleasant sensation lasts till the scalp is wet, but the itchiness has definitely reduced. I usually apply the serum before going to bed and it definitely relaxes me. So the product most surely delivers on its promise of the scalp feeling "toned, exhilarated, free from dryness and irritation"! 

It does not leave the scalp feeling oily. I don't have to wash off the product. It gets completely absorbed. I have seen no residue either on my pillow-case (I apply it before bedtime) nor on my comb ( I use a white one)

As for promoting hair growth........ hmmm...... I don't know... is it because of my aloevera gel treatment or this, I definitely have some new hair growth. However, the product has not led to any more hair loss......... So that is good!

Pros:

1. Nice packaging
2. Bottle dispenser is good and there is no wastage of product
3. Reasonably priced 
4. Not too watery, a more viscous texture
5. Non-sticky
6. Does not have to be washed off or shampooed
7. No residue
8. Pleasant smell
9. Cools and reduces itchiness of scalp
10. I have definitely seen a reduction of dandruff
11. Has not caused me any hair loss
12. Easily available
13. No preservatives
14. Not tested on animals

Cons:

1. Not sure about new hair growth
2. Called a serum but does not control frizz, does not de-tangle hair

Overall Rating: 4.9/5 only because I am not sure of new hair-growth claim.

Will I buy this product again? YES 

Product Review: Arish Ayurvedic Haldi Neem Face Pack

Hello again!

I'll be doing another product review today. I bought Arish Ayurvedic Haldi Neem Face Pack in June 2013 and I have been using this face pack off and on since then.

Pic from the co.website

Product Claim:

Indication: It helps to skin glow making it fairer and brighter, barnaprasadhak.

Directions for use: Apply evenly all over the face & neck, keep it for 15 minutes and wash with water. Use daily for better result 

This product comes in a 50 g jar and is priced at INR 180/-

It is ready to use in a soft paste form, so you can slap it on straight from the jar!

Lets look at the ingredients:

This is the jar I purchased in June 2013. I think they have changed the packaging since.

Properties of the Ingredients:

1. Haridra/Root Turmeric: anti-aging, moisturizing, antioxidant, astringent and antimicrobial properties.                                                                                               
2. Daruharidra/ tree turmeric: Detoxifying                                                                         
3. Saurashtri Mrittika/Multani Mitti: rich in magnesium chloride which helps to reduce acne,sweat resistant, oil-absorbing, improves blood circulation, anti tan properties.                                                                                
4. Neem: anti- bacterial, anti- parasitic, anti- fungal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, a boon for those with oily and acne prone skin.                                                                                                                            
5. Shwetchandan/ white sandalwood: used to treat various skin conditions including dryness, eczema, itchiness, and rashes.                                                                                   
6. Polysorbate 20: used as an emulsifier to combine oil and water, said to be soothing to the skin.                                                                                                            
7. Carbomer: the compound is used as a thickener and emulsion stabiliser.                                                                                   
8. Propelyne Glycol: Propylene glycol is a humectant, which means it helps the skin to absorb moisture. It helps to carry the water-based ingredients into the skin                                                                                                         
9. Bentonite:  Bentonite provides an active thickening substance for shampoos, calamine lotions, facial creams, and lipsticks, where it keeps the preparations in homogenous form, maintains the moisture levels, and applies non-greasy stickiness.                                                                                                                     
10. Sodium Banzoate: food preservative                                                                                                       
11. Mixed fruit:  I wonder what fruits??                                                                                                                      

The actual product

My experience:
 I liked the no-fuss packaging, however, the screw top cap seemed too loose (I hope it was only a one off and not all jar caps are loose!!). A great part is that it is ready-to-use paste, so its very convenient to carry around, especially when traveling and you don't always have a bowl to mix your dry packs in!
I love to stick my nose in and sniff my beauty products and I liked the gentle sandalwoody smell. The consistency was good, not runny and not too thick........ very emollienty. However, it tends to dry out a  bit over time. I put some rosewater into the jar to moisten it again. It spread quite beautifully over my face.

Application

After washing off pack. No make-up n nice glow!

I kept it on till it dried,which would be about 20 minutes. After washing off with plain water, this is what I got!! Lovely dewy soft glow. I am wearing no make up, not even a moisturiser. This photo was taken in natural light inside my room, facing the window, no flash.

I just love how my skin feels after using it. The product advice is to use everyday, but I have used it only once a week to 10 days. I always use this when I have to go out for a special function. The make-up sits much better on my skin.

Pros:
1. Ready to use.
2. Great smell
3. Good consistency
4. easy to spread on skin
5. Does not dry out skin too much
6. Gives a lovely glow
7. Great skin pick me up before a party.
8. Affordable. Lasts for about 3 months if used weekly.

Cons: 
1. Packaging can be better.
2. Availability outside West Bengal is an issue.

Overall Rating: 4.8/5, only because of availability issues, or else I would have given it a 5/5!!

Product Review: Keya Seth's Aroma Therapy Black Shine Pack

Its been a longtime since I added something to my blog........... what with a job, 2 kids under 6yrs and a husband who isn't any better than the babies.... (bacche to bacche....... bap re bap!! ;D.....

When you hit a certain age and you begin to notice some serious greying the question you face is "To colour or not to colour".

I had been applying henna to my hair off and on since I was in school. I started applying it more regularly after 30 when I began to notice greys. Many complain about dryness due to regular use of Henna, though I did not have any of those issues. However, as the number of greys increased, Henna wasn't really doing it for me anymore (who wants orange hair!).

But I am sooooo scared of chemical colours!!!!!!! :O


Well for sometime I used Mascara (really!!) to camouflage the whites around my temples, along with my regular henna treatments. 

So when a relative suggested Keyaseth's Aroma therapy Black Shine Pack, I thought about it. Keya seth claims her products are herbal and natural.So I guessed it was worth a try.

So when my mother went to Kolkata in March I asked her to get me a pack. 

Lets look at some pictures:

100 g pack along with the solution

Packaging: Black and gold Jar contains the powder (black) and the small squeezy bottle has the solution (colourless liquid). Not too attractive..

Price: INR 160/- for 100g pack along with solution

What does the product claim?

Enriched with tea leaves, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), amla (Phyllanthus emblica), hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa sinensis), arnica (Arnica montana) and lodh (Symplocus racemosa) this pack arrests pre-mature greying and makes grey hair black naturally. It also provides complete hair care and ensures thick, black, soft, lively and brilliant hair.

 So Lets look at some detail at the ingredients and what do they do for hair?:

Key Ingredients:

1. Tea Leaves: Contains tannin which darkens hair and brings out its natural highlights
2. Methi (fenugreek) Methi seeds are known to be effective against hair fall, dandruff and help to reverse baldness and hair thinning. They contain protein and nicotinic which are a great source for hair growth. It contains large amounts of lecithin which makes our hair healthy and strong and hydrates the hair. It helps to reduce the dryness of the hair, cures dandruff, conditions the hair, keeps the scalp cool and treats a variety of scalp issues. It is highly effective against hair fall and provides strength from the roots.:
3. Amla/Phyllanthus emblica: Regular use of amla strengthens the hair follicles, stimulates hair growth, keeps dandruff away, straightens your hair, prevents split ends and nourishes your hair. It also prevents premature graying of hair and stops hair loss.
4. Hibiscus: Encourages hair growth by stimulating circulation, discourages split ends, prevents pre-mature greying of the hair strands, thickens hair, a mild cleanser that helps with toxin elimination, a great hair color for natural hair  especially in combination with henna.
   
5. Lodh: has astringent properties and is said to reduce hairfall
6. Clary sage: is known to restore hormonal imbalances, calm the mind and prevent hairloss.
7. Padmakh: Constant usage relieves headache & hair loss
8. Arnica is often used in hair care products because of its anti-inflammatory properties which can help to control dandruff and promote hair growth.  Arnica extract also acts as an antibiotic which can help treat an infection on the scalp.
9. Nagarmotha:  It is used in treating hair and scalp disorders. It dilates the small capillary and acts on the sebaceous glands at the hair root and stimulates them.
10. Manjishtha: Is said to be good for skin disorders like eczema, acne etc. It is also used as a dye.
11. Mulathi/licorice root: Mainly medicinal use, but is said to be beneficial for hair.
12. Anantamul/Sarsaparilla: is a great way to get rid of inflammation, and also helps with dry flaking skin, psoriasis, rashes, and other skin irritations. Sarsaparilla also contains hormones that stimulate hair growth so it might help you with hair loss
13. Henna:we all know what henna does!
14. Nagkesar:antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, it can be used in the treatment of numerous ailments like fever, itching, nausea, leprosy, skin disorders,also a complexion enhancer (scalp health, I guess)
15. Priyangu:promotes hair growth.

Method of Use:
Use the pack at least once every week. Mix one spoonful of the pack powder and five drops of the solution, which you find inside. According to the length of your hair prepare the pack in 1: 5 ratio. Apply it to your scalp and hair. Keep it for 1 hour. Rinse thoroughly. 

My Experience:

1. I have used this product for 5 months.
2. I have not used it through the entire length of my hair but mostly as root touch-ups.
3. 1st use gave me jet black colour.... not what I wanted. It made my hair look quite obviously black mehendi type dyed (forgot to click a pic)
4. Subsequently, as the months have rolled by, I have noticed that it does not cover my greys at all. Maybe the product had oxidised.
5. I has this major bout of hairloss which lasted for nearly 3 months which I managed to fix with multivitamin intake and application of pure aloe vera gel directly onto my scalp. I wonder if it was caused by this product.....

Without flash (left parting)

with flash (right parting)

In the second photo, you can see how obviously my hair has thinned out, and you can see the greys at my hairline.

Pros:

1. Very affordable at INR 160/-
2. Has a bunch of beneficial ingredients

Cons: 

1. List of ingredients does not indicate percentages or proportion, also fails to mention whether they are part of the powder or the solution. Plus, it only says 'key ingredients'............. hmmmm are there other non-key ingredients too that are not listed on the pack?
2. Artificial colouring effect
3. Seems to have triggered massive hairfall.
4. Not easily available outside West Bengal. 
5. Unattractive packaging (but shouldn't matter if the product is brilliant).

Will I buy this product again? 

NO!!

Will I recommend it?

At your own risk!


If anyone has any suggestions and help for my fast greying hair (my parents and both sets of grandparents greyed early too so I don't think any magic treatment will work)........ I'm all ears................in this case all eyes!! Write to me!

So long folks........... that's all for today!!