Tuesday 29 October 2013

Lush-Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar

Hi friends!
I am back after quite a long break and do hope everyone had a great time throughout the festivities despite the dark scowl of clouds and rain.Piling couldn't dampen the spirit of Durga puja even if it used its full force!
Today my update is going to be about a quite high-end brand's product-Lush Jumping Juniper Shampoo Bar.Even a couple of months back I didn't know a syllable about the availability of solid shampoos.I came to know of this particular shampoo in my desperate search for a shampoo that will exactly suit my requirements.

Lets first begin with my hair and scalp type.I have an oily scalp type but my hair specially at the ends is dry and tends to get frizzy.But it is quite oily at the roots.Though now I face minor drandruff during monsoon and winter and if I am not able to wash my hair properly for 4-5days,but earliers in my early teens I suffered from severe problem of oily drandruff.My hair feels greasy to touch and looks like a haystack if I don't shampoo every alternate days or daily(during summer season).I have hair fall problem since very early childhood and had tried(actually my mother tried)every possible means ranging from parlour treatments,aromatherapy,to medical treatments to combat hair fall in vain.for the past couple of years I have been using a homeopathic oil which did wonders for me along with a homeopathic shampoo of the same brand.they both worked quite well for me but I hate the shampoo.Previously I had been using sunsilk pink shampoo and conditioner which worked well for me but nothing extraordinary.At least it imparted a bounce and volume to my hair for at least a day which was lost as I started using this homeo shampoo but my hairfall became almost zero/day(but i think it was the effect of the oil more than the shampoo).So I decided to quit the shampoo and looked for something herbal that exclusively works for oily scalp.I searched through the net and came across this product which almost every site claimed to be the best among the bests for oily hair and scalp.It is quite an expensive product so I was apprehensive about buying it lest it didn't work for me because beside hundreds of positive reviews I had also come across a dozen of negative comments that included symptoms like rash breakout in the forehead and cheeks of the user.But finally I made up my mind to take the risk and voila!It is by far the best shampoo I have used!I just fell in love with it.
 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
It is a small,unevenly round shaped shampoo bar of lavender blue colour.The bar has an approx diameter of 4inch and width about 1cm when I bought it.It does not come in a container and one has to buy a special steel container seperately or can use ther own container.The sales girl at the counter just weighed the bar and it read 58.6g and then wrapped it in a paper with the lush logo printed all over it.The surface of the bar felt quite powdery first time after I bought it,but with 2-3washes the bar even outs and feels slightly velvety to touch.since it doesn't had any packaging there was no ingredient list but you can get it online here.
Method of application:
Just wet your hair well and also the bar slightly.Then lightly swipe the bar along the length of your hair as much required.I swipe it thrice-once on my locks along the sides and once from my forehead to back.It will produce enough dense foam for a sufficient single wash.Another way you can use it is wet your hands and bar,rub your palms lightly on it and rub your hands to work up the lather.Then use this lather to wash your hair.Rinse thoroughly with lots of water.
My take on the product:
The first time I used it,I was quite disappointed as it didn't give a squeaky clean feel and the surface was quite powdery and I was afraid to wet the bar too much because I was worried that it might get wasted just by dissolving unnecessarily.But my second wash felt like heaven.I used the swiping on hand method.I rub my palms twice and the amount I get from that is enough for my shoulder-length hair.The lather created is also quite dense ans a single wash is enough to give me that squeaky clean feelings.No other shampoo I used so long made my hair this clean that to in a single wash.Earlier I used to rinse my hair at least twice with shampoo in a single shower.It claims to clean the hair thoroughly and strip it of any little amount of oil and it does that job excellently.Moreover it reduced my hair fall while shampooing,I don't find a single hair between my fingers while rinsing it.I have some across online reviews of users claiming added volumn but I didn't notice any such difference but now I can go on without shampooing my hair 2-3days at a row which was unimaginable earlier.A very negligible amount is required in every wash so the bar lasts quite long.The brand claims average 60 washes but after 48washes my bar still looks like it will last another 4 months at the least.On the downside,since it stripes the hair of all oils,my hair looks frizzy the day after shampooing if I don't wash my hair.Since my hair is dry unlike my scalp so I have to deep condition it ritually everytime I shampoo.Another problem is that it is too pricey for the quantity.I got it for 600INR and was told by the sales girl that the price will be going up by at least 60INR by the next month.Availability is also a problem in India.It is only available in metropolitan cities and that to at very few places.In Kolkata there is only one Lush store at Elgin Road,Forum mall,ground floor which is miles away from my home and an extremely difficult area to reach.But despite all the drawbacks I love this shampoo as now I can go on without shampooing my hair a couple of days.
top view and my self made container(a empty pot of himalaya's protein hair creame actually)

the side view
A short Summary:
Quantity: 58.6 g
Price: 10$ or 600 INR
PROS:

  • squeaky cleans hair.
  • reduce hairfall
  • removes dandruff
  • reduce oil secretion.
  • the smell is spicy but its not overpowering.
  • negligible amount of shampoo required per wash hence the bar lasts very long.
  • completely herbal.
  • the bar is cute! :P
CONS:

  • extremely pricey compared to Indian brands.
  • in case of oily scalp dry hair,hair have to be deep conditioned.
  • lack of availability in India.
  • contains SLS though in a very negligible amount but its best to avoid using this shampoo if you are too sensitive.
  • melts and become jelly like if left on water.Sticks to the container if not dried before putting it in the container.I usually make it stand upright on a glass dish and dry it out a bit under fan before putting it in the container.I have also made a sponge bed in the container and put the bar on it.even if it melts a bit and get soaked in the sponge,I can still use it by wetting the sponge itself.
  • some user complain of skin irritation though I experienced none.But it does stings the eye much if it enters.
Well,this is all for today.Keep reading for more upcoming articles and this time I promise to be regular with my updates.Take care!

Friday 4 October 2013

DIY Ideas and Durga Puja(2)

Today is Mahalaya-the beginning of the pujas.I know my fellow beauties are busy with their last moment grooming and are almost obsessed about looking the best.But as per the conventional notions of a beautiful body,it remains incomplete without a satin like smoothness and so it is almost a mandatory ritual for us to run to the parlour in the last moment for waxing or sugaring whatever you wish to call it.The result of the rush is a huge conjunction at the last moment at the parlours.Often this results in burns and incomplete work on the part of the beauticians.Believe me,I've had my share in this situations and innumerable burns!
So I had been looking for a substitute that is void the side effects of chemical hair removers and at the same time as effective as parlour treatment.Then I came across the term "body sugaring".It is an ancient technique that was first started being practiced in Egypt and soon made its way into the middle east countries where it is popular even today and is a part of pre-marital rituals for the bride.Compared to waxing though it might appear to be quite similar but there are subtle differences between waxing and sugaring.The major difference is in the technique of both the processes-the direction of application and ripping off,the use of different textiles(or using the hands in case of sugaring) as the ripping material and obviously the pain factor.If performed correctly by an expert the sugaring process is by far less painful compared to waxing.However while preparing the solution I found that sugaring solution is more difficult in making than waxing solution because the whole lot of ingredient gets wasted if the preparation goes wrong.But waxing solution can be corrected to some extent.Underneath is the recipe of the waxing solution I have been using like my life saver for the past few months.I hope you find it useful.Ignoring the hard work and time required it is totally worth it. :)
INGREDIENTS:
  • 2cups sugar(sugar granules,and not powder.According to the cup I used 2cups=250g sugar)
  • 1/4th cup lemon juice(use the same cup that was used to measure the sugar.approx 1 ans 1/2 a lemon)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • A heavy bottomed alluminium saucepan
  • wooden spoon
  • spatula
  • a white china dish
  • microwave gloves
  • kitchen thermometer(if available)

    ingredients
PROCEDURE:
place the saucepan on flame and stir slowly.
2mins after placing on the the flame.
  • After measuring all the ingredients,place them in the saucepan.Light on the gas burner at the lowest possible flame.
  • place the saucepan on the flame and start stirring slowly.Stir till all the sugar gets dissolved.
  • The solution will start boiling and froth will  be formed.In case the froth comes to the brim just stir bit faster while taking the solution off the flame.Once the froth has vanished,place the pan on the flame again.
  • Continue this process for 15mins.After about 10mins from the time of placing the pan on the flame,the solution will start thickening but the colour would still be transperant.After 15mins the  colour would change to very light amber but the solution would still be bit watery.this is going to be the exact solution you need.
    froth forms as the solution boils.colour changes gradually as well.approx-6mins after placing it on the flame
  • let it cool completely or at least to the extent when the heat is bearable and surely won't burn you.You will notice that the more it cools down the more it thickens and become jelly like.pour it in a air tight microwave safe container.This is the perfect solution required actually.you could have achieved the same by boiling some more but that would have been unbearable on the skin and on cooling that solution will become rock hard.
  • Apply talc powder/baking soda on the region to be waxed.with the help of a spatula,take a little of the solution and spread it on the desired part of your body in the direction of hair growth.
  • place a piece if old demin on it.Rub it in the direction of the hair growth for a minute to warm it up and rip it off in the opposite direction of hair growth.
  • Continue the same process till all the required hair is removed.You can do this a couple of times on the same area to remove any residue hair but it is advisable not to do so more than that.
  • It is always helpful if you have someone to do it for you because their are areas that are hard to reach and also the result is more accurate when you can hold the skin taut.
SOME HANDY TIPS:
    the final solution after cooling.this is enough for full hands and a little will still be left over.
  • While preparing the solution,with the help of a spatula,take a small drop of the solution and place it on a white china dish to check the colour.
    gradual colour change as observed on a white dish
  • the trick is to make sure that the sugar do not caramalize.once it breaks down the solution is a total waste.
  • measure the lemon ans water holding the cup parallel to your eye level(remember your chemistry classes na??)
  • if you have a kitchen thermometer,then the solution must precisely measure 250 F.
  • always keep ice cubes and wet towel near your hand in case of any unwanted accidents.
  • do not apply any type of moisturizer at least for 24hrs before waxing.
  • make sure the denim strips are thoroughly cleaned.
  • In case,the solution becomes bit too hard than required,add 1tbsp water and microwave it for 2mins stirring once after 1minute in between.
  • keep the excess in an air tight microwave safe jar and store in fridge.It will last approx 2 months. DO NOT KEEP IN A OPEN CONTAINER.this is because the next time you will try to use it,the solution will be watery and won't stick well because of condensed water droplets.
How did you find this recipe?Do share your experiences after trying it and leave your valuable comments.I am really sorry that I cannot often update for the last few days as I was quite busy myself with the upcoming puja plannings.But I hope to be regular with my updates again.Subha Mahalaya and an advanced happy Durga Puja to all my friends!