Vaseline Total Moisture-24 hour moisturizer Review

A happy wintry morning to all of you!

This morning is not so happy for me though-it's awful actually as I just can't stop sneezing!Urghhh!At times like this I so hate my favorite season!Incredible me-caught cold even when I am spending 24hrs indoors-practically hibernating!I can put up with viral fevers,malaria,dengue,pneumonia and anything but not cold and cough!It just brings my life to a stand-still!

Anyways,ranting won't help the situation(but it does lift your mood a bit) ans so let's move on to today's post-A review on a moisturizer-what could be more appropriate than a moisturizer review this winter.The moisturizer is from a very popular Indian brand-Vaseline.Vaseline has been a trusted name in almost all household in India since time immemorial when one speaks of moisturizers,petroleum jellies,lip balms and all those winter necessities.Personally,I had been introduced to this moisturizer by my mother-maybe right after I finished with Johnson Baby.My earliest memory of this brand is of the white and blue bottle when there was no variant of this moisturizer.Now they have come up with so many varieties though I have so far tried only two-the 24hr nourishing lotion that I will be reviewing today and the instant fairness one.I look forward to trying the Aloe vera one but in summers.For winter,the 24hrs lotion is a boon.

Physical attributes-

Looks like the usual vaseline bottles in plastic but cream-yellow in colour with a bit of sheen.The cap is flip-top and matte cream yellow that is a tad more deep than the body of the bottle.

Net volume-100ml(200ml bottles are also available)

price-Rs.60

Ingredients-

Water,Mineral oil,Glycerin,Cetostearyl Alcohol,Dihydroxpropyl,Triammonium Chloride,Hydroxyethyl Urea,Oat extract,Sodium cetostearyl sulphate,Glyceryl stearate,Paraffin,Dimethicone,Microcrystalline wax,Sodium carboxy mithyl cellulose,Methyl paraben,DMDM Hydantion,Propyl Paraben,Semithicon,Disodium ETDA,Soyabean oil,Butylated hydroxy toluene,Perfume.

Phew! It seems like the entire chemistry book has being fitted in four line!And most are carbon compounds-Such a blah chapter.Seriously writing the ingredients list is a pain especially when the compounds sound familiar yet you can't recollect the exact things you ever read about them.It feels like you are back in the exam hall!

My take-

The texture of the cream is quite oily and thick,white in colour.But it spreads quite easily.Best results are observed when applied on wet or semi-wet skin.However it takes a few minute to get completely absorbed in the skin.Even then it leaves behind a slight oily feel which is not that yucky in my opinion.As for 24hours moisturizing I am not so sure.But the effect does last much longer than other variants of the same brand.I usually apply once in the morning,after bath before going out for college and the effect lasts till I come back at night(approx. 12hours) and then I again re-apply before going to bed.For my oily skin type,this is essentially only for winter-care.It will surely feel overly sticky during summers.But anyone with extremely dry skin will find this helpful even during summers as well.The smell is light but nothing remarkable.on the whole,it does it's basic job really well-that is moisturizing.The price is amazing to given it is such a quality product.

A summary-

Pros-

• Affordable-in fact dirt cheap.
• travel friendly sturdy packaging-I personally never suffered any leakage while travelling with this one.
• I like the sleek design of the bottle
• moisturizing effect lasts more than 12hours(the initial oily residue fades off through the day within 2-3hours leaving the skin as hydrated but without the stickiness)
• suitable for oily skin as well but only during winter
• smell not overpowering
• each variant comes in different color bottle so you can easily tell them apart if you own different variants together.
• so very easily available.

Cons-

• suitable for winter only-cannot be used in summer unless you have extremely dry and scaly skin
• opaque bottle-you can't see how much has been used up until you hold it upon the light.
• So many chemicals!
• the residue oily feel might not be welcome for everyone.

So this is all for today,I will try and be regular about my posts from now,so keep reading and stay well!

Nature's Aloe Vera Gel

An advanced Merry Christmas!
I have already went into that festive mood of the year-ending celebrations that is I am living up to that mood by bunking college,sleeping off at home and doing everything except important and productive works.Such a nice change isn't it??
Anyways,enough commentary on my life, let's get going with the post-A review(again!)on an aloe vera gel I have been using often for the past 4-5months and now it is high time I review it for all of you beauties who are searching for one.Aloe Vera gels are my first love when I need a moisturizer for my so very oily skin.It's seconded by my new crush from Ayur reviewed here.
I don't think I really need to go into the details of goodness of Aloe Vera gel-all I can say is my very own opinion of the miracle plant-It's really a multi-dimensionally helpful plant.The gel extracted from the plant is very much concentrated but after processing,it is an anti-septic,suncreen,anti-ageing and removing scar beauty gel all-in-one.So far I have tried using three Aloe Vera gels from three seperate brands-Patanjali,Nature's and another one, that was my first Aloe Vera gel,called Venizen's Aloe Vera Gel.It only taught me(rather my mom),never to trust any brand promoting their products through teleshopping.I really don't know what was wrong with it but it broke all the places I had applied it on into ugly rashes.It completely spoilt my Durga Puja outings that year-I looked like a hideous clown with big red blotches all over my face and hands!
My next attempt with a aloe vera gel came about 2years ago with Patanjali Aloe Vera gel and I thoroughly love that product now and wish I hadn't changed brand out of sheer boredom just because the tube was so very large.I had no complaint against it other than the packaging which was huge and the gel never-ending.It lasted me 1 1/2 years!It's really not a problem is it??
And then came in Nature's.It is also very good but the Patanjali one was better,now I realize that after using both the products.
The quantity,and outlook: 
The product comes in a tub shaped like a pot,transparent with a leaf-green screw cap carrying the logo of the brand.I don't remember whether it came in a carton or not because I didn't really spare much attention to it and I didn't know that I'd soon be contributing as a beauty blogger ever.The price is 120INR for 100ml.The product is chlorophyll green in colour and there is no ingredients list on the tub.The gel is called actually,"Nature's Aloe Vera Gel-moisturizing beauty gel".

My take:

The product is in gel form and very light.A very small quantity is required to spread evenly through out the area.Though it says "moisturizing gel" and seems to be essentially a face-product I use it for my whole body-as moisturizer for face and de-tanning and scar-treatment for the rest of the body as Aloe Vera gel is known for these properties as well.The fragrance is good and very mild-just the sort I like.I can't really describe it,,but it is a very unusual yet sweet smell.As a moisturizer it is excellent but I would recommend it only for summer season for normal to dry skin while it suits my oily skin well even in winter(winter in Kolkata is very pleasant so consider it accordingly).The best part is that it is not at all oily and very soothing though compared to the patanjali gel it takes little more time to get absorbed in the skin.But as I mentioned earlier I am not a great fan of screw-cap tubs where you have to dip your fingers everytime you want to take out the cream.Another con is if you keep the tub upside-down the cream falls down on the cap.Underneath are pictures for your assistance:

the tub

the cap

the cream got transfered on the cap as i had toppled it upside-down

Summary:

Pros:

• mild moisturizer-very suitable for daily use in summer
• soothing
• not oily
• easily absorbed in the skin
• very affordable
• lasts long as little product is required everytime you use
• can be used anywhere in the body
• can even be used as after-shave for it's healing and anti-septic properties

Cons:

• not travel friendly-though the cap is very secure I still hesitate taking it in a bag if in case it spills somehow.
• not easily available-Nature's is not a very widely distributed brand
• Needs some time to get well absorbed
• dip-and-dab system of application-not hygenic specially if you are sharing the tub with other like me(my mom,sister and me share this single tub and even rarely my father who use it as an after-shave lotion in emergency)

Himalaya herbals protein hair cream

Hi friends!
Today I am back with a review on a product from one of my most trusted brands-Himalaya herbals.I have always been a fan of their face washes but did not try out other products.I am not at all experimental with my skin or hair so I never use anything on them unless I am quite confident of the result.Similarly I did not want to try out a new product anticipating disasters.I was introduced to this product by my sister who in turn came to know of this from her classmate.It worked wonders for my sister and so I tried it out a few times and the results were instantaneous.
This miracle cream ,for me, is called Himalaya herbals Protein Hair Cream.We all are quite familiar to oils for hair but a cream is something quite different.I never really imagined rubbing in cream on my scalp.Lets come to the composition and content of the cream:
"A unique herbal formulation with extra nourishment of natural proteins derived from chickpea and Wheatgerm.Enriched with Eclipta and Amla that promote hair growth." 
That's all that is said about the ingredients on the container.
"Each ml contains: Exts.Amalika(Emblica officinalis)*6mg,Chanaka(Cicer arietinum)*6mg,Gpdhuma(triticum sativum)*4mg,Bhringraja(Eclipta prostrata)*4mg
Ref,: * API #Bhava Prakasha
Inactives:methylparaben IP,Propylparaben IP"
As written below the pot.
The product comes in a flat cylindrical plastic pot white in colour with a screw-cap that is green.Both the cap and the pot has a "himalya" label with the product name so it is easy to locate when kept among similar pots.
It's net weight is 175 ml and costs Rs.100.

himalaya herbals hair protein cream

 The cream is white in colour.It smells like medicine-I really don't have a better description for the smell.I suppose most people will find the smell quite repulsive.The cream is oil-based.Application procedure is quite simple.Just massage it into your scalp with your fingertips.A small amount spread as a thin layer all over the scalp is sufficient.You can apply it at night before going to sleep or half an hour before bathing.

MY TAKE ON THE PRODUCT

I have oily scalp and dry hair.Using this cream is quite an substitute for oil for me.In fact it makes my hair quite oily.I always apply it at night before the day I shampoo-About three nights per week.But if you have normal to dry hair you can use it every day without the hazard of greasy hair.In fact,it works as a good conditioner for my sister who has dry scalp and dry hair that is quite thick.As for the claims it make-it fulfills almost each and everyone of them.I had suffered from daily hairfall but after using this cream a couple of days I had noticed visible reduction of hairfall.I have already finished using a whole pot and felt quite a difference in my hair's health.It has become more strong at the roots,the strands are thicker and it seems to appear more voluminous.But however I am not very sure about hair regrowth.I have heard from other users that it truly stimulates hair regrowth but perhaps that is further slower process.But overal it has changed the quality of my hair for the best.However,I do not like the smell and the worst part is that it is quite strong and lingers as long as I don't shampoo my hair.Another problem is that,it makes my hair greasy which I absolutely hate!But after trying many things this cream has worked wonders for me so I can somehow overlook these cons.And it is dirt cheap compared to its quality.I really can't demand more for 100 bucks!And one pot lasts me nearly 1.5months even if my sister and I share it.Another problem that I personally feel can be changed is the container.The flat pot container is quite unhygienic as we repeatedly have to dab our fingers in it transferring dirt in the whole lot of the cream.But overall it is quite good product.

AT A GLANCE:

PROS:

• Hair cream and not oil
• can be applied according to your leisure(but not really so for oily scalp)
• very cheap-175ml for Rs.100;shelf life-2yrs
• herbal formulation
• easily available
• travel friendly container
• can be substituted for a conditioner if hair is thick and dry to normal type.
• small quantity is sufficient
• fulfills most of the claims succesfully-i.e. adds health,shine,volume,thickens hair strands,reduces hair fall,strengthens roots. 

CONS:

• smells like medicine-quite repulsive and worst case since it lingers strongly till the nest wash.
• one has to dab their fingers repetitively in the cream hence quite unhygienic
• makes the hair quite greasy if you have oily hair/scalp

Will I repurchase?
Yes,I am already at the verge of finishing the 2nd tub.But I am going to try their anti-drandruff cream or oil next for the winters.
Recommendations:
Sure,if you haven't tried it yet give it a try.It is really effective as far as my observation on myself and two other people.

So have you used it yet?hoe did you find it?
Do share your opinions as comments.
Good night and take care..

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!

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! 

Colgate Visible White

A smile can work wonders as we all know and beautiful and white teeth are a essential part of a beautiful smile.A dazzling smile not only attract other to you but can even alter the complete demeanor of a person.Have you any guess of what I am really talking about?Well,today's update is quite different compared to my previous ones-nothing about contemporary fashion and yet an inevitable part of maintaining a glamorous look.It is a review on a toothpaste!
Yes friends,today I am going to review on the newly launched Colgate Visible White toothpaste.Tell me guys,which of us don't really feel jealous of Sonam Kapoor as we watch her confidently grinning at the camera and wish we could look equally dazzling?And yet we can't really stop those "yellow yellow dirty fellows" from coating our teeth despite our every maniacal attempt to thwart them!

Well,here is the super toothpaste to be your friend and guide through your battle against plaque.According to colgate's claim,this is the one stop toothpaste for instantly whiter teeth and with regular usage one can see visible betterment within a week.You can follow this following link to know the exact claim made by colgate:
http://www.colgate.co.in/app/ColgateOralCare/Whitening/ColgateVisibleWhite/IN/Products.cwsp

the carton showing the ingredients

The toothpaste comes in a very classic shimmering scarlet carton and the tube is quite thick and the same shade with a wide white cap.Both the box and the tube contain the ingredients list.

The carton

the side of the carton showing the claim of giving visible whitening results in just 1 week

INR 80
Quantity-100 grams

The toothpaste is thick and white with minute blue particles and has a minty taste.

DIRECTION FOR USE:

Brush twice daily for 2-3 minutes for visible results in one week.Do not swallow.

MY TAKE-

It claims to instantly whiten the teeth.I have found this claim to be partly true.My teeth does seem whiter after every time I brush but that is nothing extraordinary nor long-lasting.I have been using it for nearly a month(it is almost 23days) but I found the result to be frankly disappointing.It did seem to whiten my teeth initially but now I don't feel any difference.Moreover I experienced increasingly bleeding of gums which I am not entirely sure whether induced by this toothpaste.The bleeding only further stained my teeth.If I force myself to find something good in the toothpaste all I can say is that it cleans my teeth well enough to make it look white after every brushing.

RATE- 2/5

WILL I REPURCHASE?

NOO!I can't wait to get rid of my first and last tube and it seems to take ages to finish despite the fact that my whole family is using the same tube.I won't recommend it to anyone.If you are that eager to whiten your teeth,better visit a dentist and get some medical whitening treatment done and try and maintain that with your regular toothpaste.