REVIEW: Dove Pink Rosa Beauty Bathing Bar

Skin cleansing is that part of our skin care routine that we cannot skip. Most often than not we cannot seem to avoid that dry and stretchy feeling that follows a face wash. Ordinary soaps can do that. They strip the skin off its  natural moisture, leaving it dry and rough. Ideally, we would like our cleansing/ washing routine to leave skin feeling clean, soft and well cared for. This is where Dove helps, because it is different. With 1/4th moisturizing cream which helps maintain skin's natural moisture, it offers gentle cleansing leaving skin feeling, soft, smooth, glowing, and beautiful.

Dove Pink Rosa has a delicate touch of baby pink which makes it adorable to use. It has the classic Dove fragrance and formula. It is mild enough to be used on the face, body and even hands and suitable for daily use.

Since, Dove is such a moisturizing soap, many believe that it is ideal for dry skin or for winter use. However, all skin types could benefit from using a mild cleanser such as Dove. That is because, women with oily skin tend to wash their face often just to get rid of the excess oil but in the process, the soaps can dry out the skin leaving it feeling rough. Dove cleanses only the surface oils and preserves the skin's condition. So, it is good for women with oily skin too! It may not benefit to control or treat acne because it doesn't have any such ingredients, but it won't cause further flare ups either.

Dove Pink is a pH neutral soap containing Stearic acid which moisturizes the skin while cleansing. It is opthalmologically tested safe for use around the sensitive eye area. Therefore, it can be safely used on the face.

I use it as a final rinse to remove all the makeup on my face. It does a brilliant job by not just removing all the last traces of makeup but also keeping skin feeling like skin.

I don't particularly like it as a bathing soap, just because I feel my body needs a little more rigorous cleansing and deodorizing than what this soap can offer. Then again, as much as I enjoy using this soap on my face for the glow it gives, my skin tends to quickly  get too used to it. After a while, I don't get the same glowy resultl=[[

REVIEW: Sesa Oil for Long, Beautiful and Nourished Hair

Sesa is not a cosmetic or toiletry preparation but an ayurvedic medicine for curative and preventive therapy.

Ingredients:
Mandur - 4% w/v
Bhringraj - 3% w/v
Triphala - 3% w/v
Dhaturo - 2% w/v
Brahmi - 1% w/v
Chameli pan - 1% w/v
Nilli patta - 1% w/v
Chanothi - 0.5% w/v
Elaichi - 0.5% w/v
Jatamansi - 0.5% w/v
Karanj beej - 0.5% w/v
Neem beej - 0.5% w/v
Mehendi pan - 0.5% w/v
Rasot - 0.5% w/v
Akkal kara - 0.5% w/v
Vachha - 0.5% w/v
Yashti madhu - 0.5% w/v

Milk 10% v/v
Wheat germ oil - 1% v/v
Lemon oil - 1% v/v
Nilibrungadi oil - 8% v/v
Til oil - 25% v/v
Perfume - 2% v/v
Coconut oil q.s to 100% v/v

Price INR 95 for 90 ml

Shelf life: 3 years.

How to use:
Use directly on hair and scalp. Take a little oil in your palms and work it into your hair. Repeat till all hair is coated with oil. Massage the roots and scalp to help oil penetrate better.

Benefits:

Improves blood circulation to the hair follicles. Protects scalp and hair shaft from seborrheic dermatitis. Nourishes hair roots and scalp with vitamins thereby giving denser and thicker hair. Controls hair loss due to stress and pollution.

Review:

Sesa oil has been in the Indian market for a while with the same packaging as it is now. A lady with long, thick, black hair, that golden colour box and the white bottle inside. The oil is greenish and has a strong herbal fragrance. The best thing about the oil is that it is ready to use and does not need to be mixed in any other carrier oil before use. It makes it so convenient to use directly out of the bottle.

The oil makes the hair very soft because of the coconut oil base. Wheat germ oil is also extremely softening. It also has milk in it to strengthen hair by the milk protein. Til oil is rich in calcium and iron and makes the hair strong and resilient to falling. Lemon and nilibrungadi oil treat and prevent scalp infections. 

If you see the list of herbal extracts in this oil, it is pretty mind boggling. There are so many of them!

The ingredient in highest concentration in the oil is mandur or oild iron rust. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common reasons for hairfall and greying, and this ingredient nails it in the head. Then there are the classic Bhringraj, Brahmi, and Triphala which are classic ayurvedic ingredients for hair care.  Chameli oil is very widely used in rural India and it is a fragrant, Jasmine oil. It helps the hair retain its dark and lustrous colour. Nilli patta or Indigo is the famous Indian dye which was one of the most famous Indian exports back in the day. It helps to colour the hair dark as it is basically a dye. Chanothi looks like berries that resemble a lady bird. It improves the quality of hair and removes split ends. Elaichi or cardamom is one ingredient that I never knew before that could be used in hair care. It soothes the scalp. So is Jatamansi which is also cooling. All the ingredients like mehendi, yashti madhu, neem, etc. are very beneficial for healthy hair.

The oil is very economically priced for the benefits it provides. If not for the strong fragrance, it is a great oil if you are looking to grow out hair, suffering from  dandruff, or hairfall.

REVIEW: L'oreal 6 Oil Nourish Oil in Cream

L'Oreal Paris 6 Oil Nouriish Oil in Cream Oil Replacement Cream

3X Shinier, Softer
6 Nutritive Oils
Intense nourishment
Incredible smoothness

Non greasy - Non sticky
All hair types

The secret of oiling your hair without the hassle

Innovation: L'Oreal Laboratories have created our first oil replacement cream infused with 6 precious nutritive oils - Argan, Olive, Almond, Coconut, Jojoba and Camelina.

It melts into the scalp and hair to deliver nourishment without hassle:
- Non greasy, non sticky, no stains
- Doesn't weigh hair down
- Leaves an alluring fragrance

Extraordinary hair everyday: Hair is 3X shinier* and softer**. (* Instrumental test, ** Instrumental test 3 pre wash applications)

Daily protection: Helps control frizz even in humid conditions. It also contains UV filters known to protect from sun.

Multi usage -
Overnight: Massage on scalp and hair and leave it overnight for intense nourishment.
Before shampoo: Leave for 30 minutes on hair and rinse off for ultimate softness.
After shampoo: Apply on lengths and tips to keep your hair manageable and protected all day.

Hair cream - 1160068

Ingredients:
Water
Cetearyl alcohol - Emulsifier
Mineral oil
Coconut oil
Sodium benzoate - Preservative
Hydroxy citronellal - It is banned in the EU as it is a human immune system toxin.
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine - One of the leading replacements of silicone in conditioners.
Olive oil
Argan oil
PEG 45M - Emulsion stabilizer
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate - Fragrance
Behentrimonium chloride - Disinfectant
Chlorhexidine digluconate - Antibacterial
Limonene - Strong orange fragrance
Camelina oil
Jojoba oil
Benzyl salicylate - UV light absorber
Benzyl alcohol - Pleasant aromatic fragrance
Linalool - Soft, sweet fragrance
Isopropyl alcohol - The alcohol present in Rubbing Alcohol, it's a disinfectant.
Isoeugenol - Spicy Fragrance
Fragrance
Cetyl dimethicone - Silicone; makes hair feel sleek.
Cetrimonium chloride - Antiseptic
Citric acid - Anticoagulant
Citronellol - Floral fragrance
BHT - Preservative
Sweet Almond oil
Hexyl cinnamal - Fragrance of chamomile flowers
Glycerin - Conditioner
CI 179212/1 - Colour

So, as you can see from the ingredients, there are a lot of emusifiers, stabilizers, fragrances (a tad too many), disinfectants, antibacterials, and preservatives (many of them), and somewhere along the list you will actually find some oil ingredient too. There are so many (SO MANY) fragrance ingredients that most of the money that you pay goes for the fragrances only.

Coming to the oils in the order of their respective volume present in the oil are mineral oil, coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, camelina oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil. Sweet almond oil is the 4th last ingredient in the list so it means that it is present in minute quantities. It is also safe to say that there are more fragrances than sweet almond oil. Mineral oil is a petroleum derivative, jsut like petroleum jelly. It does no nutrition for the hair but coats it well so that external factors like pollution, humidity, etc. don't affect it. Coconut oil is one of the best oils for the hair for its deep penetration properties. Olive oil makes the hair super soft. Argan oil is all the latest rage in hair care these days, and this oil from Argan kernals is native to Morocco. It is known to help split ends and damaged hair in general. Camelina oil may seem new to us in India, but it is a popular oil in Northern European countries where this plant grows well. It kind of looks like a western version of our mustard plant. Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) oil is very moisturizing for the hair. And last and also the least here, sweet almond oil is known for helping hair grow to its full potential.

Now, over to the product. Firstly, its packaging. It comes in a mustard yellow, gold packaging and just by the looks of it, it is just gorgeous! The cap is a flip one.

Speaking of the product, the first thing that will come out of the tube is the fragrance. oh my God! It is so strong. Then the product is like a white conditioner. It is more watery than creamy. Even on the hands, it does not leave any greasy feeling. Just after application on the hair, it sits there for a while and then completely vanishes. Like, hair doesn't even look like it's got something on it. There is no oily feel too. So, it is perfect for everyday use. There is a sunscreen in the product! Can you believe it?  

The product absorbs immediately in to the hair lengths and tips. It feels wet on application and within 2 - 3 minutes gets completely absorbed. Hair does not feel even the slightest bit oily or greasy. It gave a mattified look which I did not expect nor liked it because we all like our hair looking glossy and shiny. On the roots and scalp though, it did look oily. Even the product did not completely sink in. I wonder why.

So, for this reason, I recommend you use it only along your hair length if you will be stepping out or using the product after shampoo. If you are using it before shampoo or overnight, no problem. It is not so oily that it will stain your pillow cover. 

It does take a lot of product to coat my entire hair and scalp. I have thick and long hair up to my waist and this tube won't last more than 3 uses, if I were to. But if you have thin or shorter hair then it will work on you, I guess.

It makes hair fluffy, so it is goof for flat hair. Doesn't tame flyaways or control frizz. Its moisturizing/ conditioning effect is okay, not great.

Overall, it is good for everyday use, just to protect hair from pollution and the sun. It offers hair just a little bit of help vs no product in the hair at all. 

Priced at  INR 80 for a 100 ml tube is pretty much on the pricier side for what the product actually does.

Verdict on the effect of the product:

Shine 2/5

Softness 4/5

Volume 4/5

Bounce 3/5

Manageability 4/5

Verdict on the product itself:

Fragrance 3/5

Ease of use 5/5

Non sticky on the hands 5/5 ; on the hair 5/5

Non greasy on the hands 5/5 ; on the hair 3/5

REVIEW: Patanjali Saundarya Swarn Kanti Fairness Cream

Patanjali Saundarya Swarn Kanti Fairness Cream

An advanced blend of purified gold with natural oils, herbs, vitamins and fruit extracts. Provides visible fairness, even skin tone, reduces blemishes and dark spots. 

Swarn Kanti means golden glow in Sanskrit. After having launched a number of useful skin care products, I wondered why, in a nation and world ( a fair part of) obsessed with fairness, Patanjali had not introduced a fairness cream? I thought that they were probably discouraging the notion of fairness. But here they are with a fairness product that skips all levels of ordinary and is infused with the precious metal, Gold! Bam! There are so many fairness products already in the market. 99% of them are chemical based, and very few are herbal or ayurvedic composition. So, what did Patanjali need, apart from its brand name of course, to produce a fairness cream that not just sets it apart from the rest, but makes it superior? Gold, of course. They are here to cash in on the number one beauty product rage that sells no matter what - FAIRNESS!

Priced at INR 399, it is no ordinary price, and is pretty much on the expensive side. Especially when compared to the rest of the Patanjali products that are budget friendly. But with a product that incorporates gold, what else could one expect? I never think twice before going for a Patanjali product just because they are easy on the pocket, but this one compelled me to think twice. First, because it is expensive. Second, because it is a fairness cream. Not that I am crazy about fairness, but I just don't trust them anymore. They obviously don't help any fairness, but they don't even help to even skin out. But this one is by Patanjali. Probably it is different? Probably it will work? These were my thoughts before I plunged for it. 

The box and the jar

It comes in a white carton box and the jar itself is all golden in colour with a golden cap as well. It is much smaller than the box. It comes sitting in a padding inside the box, so don't be fooled by looking at the box. It is so tiny, it is hardly 2 inches in height. It is a 15 g product which is about half an ounce or a tablespoonful to be exact. So, you can imagine what a tiny little jar it is. 

The tiny jar that contains 15g of the product

The cap is a screw on type. The insides of the jar are white plastic. The cream itself is off white in colour. It doesn't shimmer, nor there is any glitter in to say that there is any gold in it. The cream melts into the skin and is quite a good moisturizer. 50% of the cream's composition is aloe vera, Aloe vera has very good moisturizing and healing properties. It also has wheat germ oil which is known for its deep nourishing and skin lightening properties, jojoba oil which is known to make skin super soft and supple, and chironji or Cuddapah almonds which are rich in vitamin E which helps to repair damaged skin, protect it from free radicals, and also lighten skin. These 3 oils combined make up just 6 % of the composition. It also has turmeric oil (1% of the composition) which is great to fight acne and reduce scars and blemishes. It has banana extract, and I love banana. It is a great skin conditioner and removes roughness of the skin and makes skin smooth and glowing. It is a wonder food, not just for the body but for beauty as well. It is quite a unique ingredient as I have never ever seen any other product containing banana extract before. It is present as just 1 % of the composition. It also has rhubarb, an astringent, licorice which is one of the best skin lightening agents, and manjistha which helps maintain skin's lustre and health. All these three ingredients are just 1.5% of the composition. So, you can see that the herbal ingredients in this fairness cream are just a fraction of the composition and even then they are mainly for skin softening and smoothening and not primarily for skin lightening. The base material is cream base, purified gold, vitamin B3, C, and E (keeps skin healthy, moisturized and glowing), fruit extracts (help skin glow and lighten tan), soya peptide, fragrance, diazolidinyl urea and IPBC (preservatives), water q.s.

White insides of the jar and the off white cream

I have been using this for at least two weeks, and I don't know how long I have to wait to see the "visible fairness". It is not even helping reduce discolouration or pigmentation on my face. I have few acne scars and they are still the same as they were before using this cream. I don't rely heavily on moisturizing creams on the face, so I don't really need this cream because that is the only thing that it is doing well. Even home remedies for skin lightening or sun tan/ pigmentation removing work much better than this over priced cream. Home remedies wont cost more than INR 50 or so per application (even the most indulging, luxe ones), but one single application of this cream will easily cost INR 60 if you are using just 2 grams of the product. In fact I am so unhappy with this product that I forget to use it. If you see results, you will be attracted to use it again and again, but if it does not work, who will keep on using it?

If you have had good results with this cream, do comment below. Who knows that it might work on some skin types?

FASHION 101: Peplums

Peplum comes from ancient Greek women's costume known as Peplos. It evolved during the Doric and Ionic periods and was made using a rectangular piece of cloth which was folded at the top and dropped full length to the ankle.

  

Images source: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~chrisandpeter/radical_romans/snorri/greek_clothing.htm

Peplum lends a slimming look when used with soft fabrics. It works best with pencil skirts and skinny jeans.

Image source: www.lulus.com/products/pleased-to-chic-you-bright-peach-lace-peplum-top/191306.htm

Peplum is an evergreen fashion item on the red carpet. It suits every body type, petite, tall, slender, athletic, curvaceous, every possible shape and size! It makes the waist appear smaller and visually shifts the weight downward where it ends. Even broad hips are visually slimmed down as the focus shifts upward to the hem of the flowy peplum.

Peplum on curvier frame

Image source: nordstrom.com/s/belted-peplum-top/4292178

Peplum on petite frame

Image source : http://www.polyvore.com/banana_republic_womens_seersucker_strapless/thing?id=166144205

Delicate neck pieces or jewellery go very well with the slimming peplums. Chunky pieces or statement jewellery steal the peplums' delicacy and add more weight, which is great on skinnier frames. Same with handbags and shoes. Clutches and strappy shoes add an elegant touch to the peplum ensemble.

Image source: http://www.anntaylor.com/Petite-Strapless-Peplum-Top/326286

On the contrary, it can add weight and some bulk if the material is stiffer or heavier. This is ideal for girls who are skinnier on the top.


For a casual yet feminine, flirty look, opt for a light material peplum top in sheer fabrics. Put the look together with skinny jeans and strappy wedges. Dress it up with stilettos.

Image source: glamradar.com

With skirts, it goes best with pencil skirts that graze the knees or long, maxi skirts that hug the hips and legs . A line, umbrella skirts kill the whole flare game going on with the peplum top.

Image source: glamradar.com

There are casual peplums too which don't flare as much and give a very nonchalant look. These are perfect for running errands in, or going to college, etc.

Image source: anthropologie.com

Peplum dresses almost always come with a tapering bottom. The most common collar for the peplum is a simple 'U' neck which sits just below the collarbone. However, it is so versatile and different necks offer a classy look to the outfit.

Image source: boohoo.com

It can create an interesting silhouette with a high - low hem combination.

Image source: nastygal.com

Off shoulder tops instantly make a classy attire, and add peplum to it, and you have a fun and flirty, classy yet demure combination.

Image source: https://www.modaoperandi.com/monique-lhuillier-pf16/pebble-jacquard-one-shoulder-peplum-top

Pair it over a sari with the drape to the front and you have just created an interesting cocktail of Indian and western wear. Similarly, it pairs well with dhotis, salwar, and ghagras as well.

Image source: holichicbymegha.com

Image source: ebay.com

Image source: jivacouture.com

Give any outfit, the edge of a jacket and glam up the jacket with a peplum. Ideal for any occasion.

Image source: burberry.com

Play with the peplum, because the sky is the limit. It is so versatile and goes well with any fabric, design, and combination.

Fashion is an art and there are no hard and fast rules, so have fun experimenting with different collars, fabrics, prints, textures, and hems.

REVIEW: Patanjali Herbal Suhag Teeka

A safe formula has a unique combination of precious herbs, vegetable oils and waxes. It does not irritate and harm the scalp.

Water proof sindoor. Herbal sindoor with natural dye. Provides a soft, smooth and beautiful look.
Claims: No smudge, restraint to perspiration.

The ayurvedic composition is as follows:
Each 1 g product contains:
Castor oil 390 mg
Wheat germ oil 10 mg
Rakht chandan or red sandalwood powder 5 mg
China rose powder 5 mg
Amahaldi extract 0.1 mg
Manjistha extract 0.1 mg
Turmeric extract 0.1 mg
Saffron powder 0.05 mg
Base material: ointment base, natural waxes, vegetable oil, vitamin E, BHT, colour CI 15880 (red).

Shelf life: 2 years
Net weight: 3 g
MRP: INR 75

Beautiful maroon and gold bullet with a conical teeka

It comes in a beautiful maroon and gold combo bullet that looks much like a lipstick. In fact even the Patanjali herbal kajal comes in a similar bullet (review here). It is rightfully called teeka as the consistency is that of a thick teeka, creamy and a bit waxy. The colour is a deep maroon in the bullet which is shaped as a sharp cone.

Maroon teeka with pink undertone and tiny gold flecks

It is easy to apply. Just part your hair and swipe a line along the parting. It does not smudge and it completely water and sweat proof. On the skin, its colour pay off is not too good. It looks a pinkish maroon on the first instance. After 2 - 3 minutes, the colour oxidizes and looks a bit darker but still has a tinge of pink undertone. It has tiny gold shimmer in it, the kind that you see in some Holi colours. The gold shimmer are because of the added red pigment. It has a slight red sandalwood fragrance to it. I did not experience any hair loss or skin irritation with it although I have been using it for over a year.

Teeka after one wash in soap and water

Although it does not disappear in water, it is easy to wash off with a little bit of soap/ besan. In the above picture, I used a little soap with no hand pressure and it washed off like that.

Overall it is a safe alternative to the traditional teeka and quite convenient and handy to carry around. It is lasting quite a while and it can easily come up to more than a year even f used regularly.

REVIEW: Pond's Face Wash with Activated Carbon and Vitamin B3

You know that feeling when you have had a very tiring day and have no energy to deep clean your face before hitting the sack? You know that feeling when you have been out and about in the city and all that dust and grime gets to your skin? You know that feeling when you have had your make up on for a long time and it gets sticky and all? You know that feeling when you look into the mirror and think it is missing something? I know that feeling. Sometimes I hate felt all those on the very same day. I tried a lot of cleansers in the market. But the Pond's pure white Deep Cleansing Face Wash with activated carbon and vitamin B3 worked so well for me that it has made my deep cleansing routine so easy and cut the time by more than a half!

I have known about the cleansing powers of activated carbon. I know that it is used to detoxify the system as it can absorb the most toxic toxins. Activated carbon simply has such a molecular structure that makes it very porous and attracts everything to it because of its negative charge. So it is like a magnet for dust, pollution, sweat, make up, and all the unnecessary things on the skin.

Vitamin B3 is a superb skin potion and it is the supreme vitamin when it comes to skin care. There is no other vitamin that helps skin maintain its healthy glow more than vitamin B. It is skin's BFF , put shortly.

So, when these two ingredients combine, you know that it is a great combination for skin care.

Slender, black tube

The tube is a slender one and is all black to match the activated carbon. The cap twists open so no chance of leakage. The face wash is creamy and grey in colour. The fragrance is very very mild.

Grey, creamy face wash

I need a tiny pea sized amount and I take it on my finger tips and then rub both my hands fingers to get the product evenly on my finger tips and then massage it on my damp face and neck. I never let any soap sit longer than 10 - 20 seconds on my face and then I wash it off. Being a creamy face wash, it spreads easily and forms a foamy layer. Then I splash water to get it off my face. Lo and behold! All traces of makeup gone; including eye makeup and mascara, and the ever so tough to get rid of foundation. I tried to remove glitter eye shadow and that was erased too. It is just marvellous. If they can remove makeup so effortlessly, then imagine how it can remove pollution and oil from the face. It leaves the skin feeling so clean, no other face wash comes close to match it.

I feel it is suitable for all skin types because it doesn't leave the skin feeling dry or taut after washing. It just makes it soft and supple.

If you have the habit of using a cleanser, then wipes, then face wash and then scrub in your deep cleaning routine, this one product will cut the need for all those steps. It is simple, quick and easy.

So far I have been loving it and it is saving me so much time and effort to keep my skin clean and glowing.

Give it a try and share your experience in the comments below.

REVIEW: Patanjali Mogra Body Cleanser

After trying and loving the immensely popular Rose body cleanser by Patanjali (review here), I went for the Mogra or Jasmine body cleanser. I think Patanjali has three such body cleansers (glycerin soaps); rose, lemon, and jasmine (mogra). The rose and lemon are similarly packaged and shaped, but this one is different.

So, as you can see from the picture, it comes in a white box with pictures of jasmine on it and a little "peep" to show the soap inside it. The soap itself is oval shaped and a little bit thicker than the rose and lemon soaps. It comes wrapped in a transparent plastic sheet to seal the fragrance. It is a translucent soap in a lovely green colour. Green happens to be my favourite colour! And jasmine is my favourite fragrance. It doesn't take two guesses to conclude that this instantly became my favourite combination in a soap.

If your favourite fragrance is jasmine, then go for it, as this soap will transport you to a jasmine garden. Even after bathing, the fragrance slightly lingers on. It is heavenly! 

It lathers well and the lather is very soft. The soap best suits dry skin, moisturizing it and making it softer. Oily skin will feel soft too, but will need 2 - 3 washes with this one to completely erase the oil out of the face (or body). It gives a very nice glow to the skin after a bath because jasmines are very soothing and moisturizing in property. It has borax in it which makes it a very safe and gentle cleanser. Although these soaps are named body cleansers, this soap can be perfectly used on the face too. It is not only safe but more gentle than any other face washes because it has glycerin in it.

Soft and buttery Patanjali Mogra soap

It is a very, very soft textured soap. It melts rather easily. So, its lasting power isn't very long. When I opened the soap for the first time, there was a whitish film (as in the picture above) on it and has some edge pieces broken off. The whitish film is a residue of the soap drying from the soap making process. Once I used it, that film never appeared again, so it is surely not moisture. Then the soap is so soft that even a little pressure causes breakage at the edges.

So, overall it is an amazing soap. I loved the rose one earlier, but jasmine is more my cup of cappuccino! I am yet to try the lemon one. I hope it is citrusy and crisp just like lemon sorbet. That would be awesome. Have you tried any of these soaps? What do you think about them? Leave your experience in the comments below.

AD REVIEW: BBlunt dry shampoo ad

Image source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pERBNdqq0kI

Hello, hello, hello and hello again! This is a new series in my blog and I decided to call them 'Ad Reviews ', simply for what they are - review of the advertisement of the product. Ads are so important in the marketing of the product. They can build excitement, enough to go and purchase the product, even before the pros and cons reviews of the product are out. Such is a kind of ad for Bblunt dry shampoo. It has actually inspired me to start this ad review series, so I will dedicate the first review to it too.

If you haven't heard of or seen the Bblunt range of shampoos and other hair products, one look at this ad and you will get the picture! I first saw the ad on YouTube, but I reckon it is actually being called an anthem rather than being labelled a lengthy ad. It is young energy that these products are targeted for and the ad is oozing young, fresh and lively vibes. It won't take a bakers man to tell that these products are Adhuna's babies (Adhuna's fame to claim was being the hairstylist for the movie Dil Chahta Hain). Didn't spot Adhuna in the ad? She is the centre stage of the commercial , playing out the role of a rock and roll singer, compelling the consumer to "buy the dry shampoo" at the end of the ad. It is indeed laudable how effortlessly she blends into the rest of the 20-something crowd in the ad.

This is probably the first dry shampoo to be advertised in India and also the first to star Indian YouTubers, all from the beauty niche. You might be wondering who are all these fresh faces but most of them are pretty well known faces in the YouTube community and the Blogging sphere. Yes, that is a welcome change from just starring popular actresses and a novel idea indeed to rope in the YouTube stars, as this now guarantees double propagation! All their followers on YouTube are sure to check out there reviews on the product as well. The faces that I recognized are Sherry, Komal, Sonal, and Debashree.

Even though dry shampoo is new to India, the ad explains it all as to what it is, and how it is to be used, all in a sing-song catchy tune with some rather double entendre lyrics (quickie, one constant affair, booty call...) and its quirky catch phrase "dirty little secret" that will help you "get back to life".  That one phrase is enough to garner attention as every girl can relate to that missing out on outings or not stepping out of the house because of greasy, un-shampooed hair. This claims to help to get back to life, what a life saver! Not to mention the various roles the girls were playing, from a  corporate chic dancing in board room meeting, to an air hostess, to college girls, to laid back girls pillow fighting. The vibe is naughty and definitely catches ones attention. The ad ends on a party note, and in the rather lengthy ad that it is, one tends to get lost in its vibe but the ending is a powerful reminder of why the product is a dirty little secret and also promptly pushes the audience to "buy the dry shampoo" which is the last sentence spoken by Adhuna as she steps out of the crowd. Unique! Lol, I've never heard that before!

Being the first dry shampoo in India (at least to be publicly advertised), it definitely spiked my curiosity in the product and the ad was so much fun. It seemed like if all those girls rocked the dry shampooed look, then it is a must try product. These are my take aways / observations on the ad:

• It looks like a regular can of hair spray, just hold it 6 inches away from the hair and blow away. 
• The mist however is noticeably whiter, denser and doesn't disappear into thin air, unlike the hair setting sprays. It's different for sure.  
• Then it is apparently fair to use on a daily basis. 
• It is also apparently easy to use anywhere, anytime. Just shake, spray and rub.
• It may be used in the morning, night, or just whenever the need may be.
• However, it was difficult to even spot one head of hair that looked glossy, or even good enough to sell the product, There were too many faces, firstly, and the camera captured their well done faces and skimpy outfits better than it did their hair. 

So, overall, I am impressed with just the ad itself. From the concept, to Adhuna, to the Youtubers, all were unique and a refreshing breathe of fresh ad air! Lol!

If you haven't already seen the video or are hooked to watching it again and again, here is the YT link.

DIY: Herbal Hair Mask for Hair Fall

Hair fall is an annoying problem and if you are possessive about your hair then it can be depressing too. They say that it is normal for about 100 hair strands to fall off every day! I don't know if that means less or more to you but I am sure that I will turn bald very soon if that was the case with me. If 100 strands fall every day then how many strands do you think grow every day? Because if that doesn't match up, one is sure to lose thickness and length of the hair.

Anyways, if you are reading this article then I am sure you are worried about your hair loss too. If your health, environment, lifestyle, eating habits are all normal, then this mask recipe will work for you too! 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

You will need

1. 2 tbsp Bhringaraja powder

2. 2 tbsp Brahmi powder

3. 1 tbsp Amla powder

4. 1 tbsp Hibiscus powder

5. 50 ml Curd

6. 50 ml Drinking water

You can get all the powder ingredients from a company called Banjaras. They are available in departmental stores. You can also find them in Ayurvedic shops. The price for a 100g packet would be around INR 50. Each packet will be sufficient for 4 masks. The cost of making the mask for single use is less than INR 50!

Method is easy. Mix all the powders together. These powders tend to be very finely milled, so they keep flying off in the air. Just a quick mix is good enough. Next add the curd and mix it properly. You will get a thick mixture. Add water slowly to adjust the consistency. The consistency should be like curd again. This thickness is just right to apply and spread the mask on the hair.

How to apply. Pre oil your hair at least the previous night for some deep conditioning. I use this oil to help control hair fall. If you don't have the time to oil your hair, just add 2 tbsp of oil into the mask. Detangle your hair gently, starting from ends and moving upwards to the crown. This will reduce unnecessary knots and tangles and thereby reduce breakage. Wear an old t-shirt which you don't mind getting messy. Drape a towel across your shoulders to catch any drip. Divide your hair into 3 horizontal sections. Clip each one away. Start with the topmost section. Take an inch of hair and start coating it with the mask from root to tip. Repeat all over the section. Once done, wrap loosely into a bun and secure with  a clip. Next, the middle section. Repeat the same procedure and then move on to the bottom section. After applying the hair mask, put on a shower cap or just wrap a towel around the head so that the hair won't get undone. Let it sit for 30 minutes. After this time the mask should still be semi wet and not completely dry as it can be difficult to wash off. Rinse off with plenty of water and then shampoo as usual. I use this shampoo which also makes my hair super duper shiny and silky. I skip conditioning as the basic purpose of the oil and mask is deep nourishing and conditioning. But if you like, then use your conditioner. Towel dry and then air dry your hair.

This mask has the most powerful ingredients that are recommended by Ayurveda to arrest hair fall. Bhringaraja has vitamin B complex, zinc which are the prime nutrients to promote healthy hair. It has chlorophyll which is the plant version of haemoglobin which promotes healthy blood circulation. Brahmi stimulates blood circulation and makes the hair healthy. Amla is rich in vitamin C which fights against environmental damage and also helps the chlorophyll to absorb well. It also keeps the hair dark and prevents greying. Hibiscus has vitamin E which is very moisturizing and makes the hair very silky and shiny. It also has the distinct aroma which makes this hair mask smell very soothing.  Curd has milk protein which helps to strengthen hair.

Try this mask once and you will immediately see the difference in your hair. You will love how healthy and shiny it looks. Let your hair completely air dry before combing out the tangles. Your hair fall will reduce by minimum 90% even after the first use. Use the mask weekly ones for one month for best results. After that you can use it once in a month.

Sayonara, hair fall!

DIY: 8 Simple Home Remedies for Excessive Sweating and Body Odour

Summer is here and it means beautiful dunrises and sunsets, mangoes, vacations at the grandma's, and also sweat! Sweating is body's natural method to get rid of toxins in the system and cool down the body. While it is meant for a good cause, stickiness, oiliness, and body odour that come along with it are very irritating. Booooo! I'm sure nobody likes it! If you are also in the same boat or have serious sweating or body odour problems, then keep on reading.

Deodorants and anti perspirants are temporary solutions and not very safe for long term use. There are so many cases of tragic results of using these chemicals on the body. Deodorants just mask the odour by chemically reacting with the sweat and producing another kind of odour. It is not very sanitary as the sweat and bacteria are still there, under the veil of the deodorant. Anti perspirants form a barrier wall on the skin obstructing the pores from sweating. You can imagine the perils of obstructing some natural phenomenon. It's not a very intelligent method to control sweat or odour!

I have 8 easy recipes that you can make using kitchen ingredients and they are all damn effective!

Recipe 1: Baking soda and lemon juice

Body odour happens when sweat can't evaporate but gets stuck in places where there is no air movement, like the underarms, neck creases, and other skin creases and folds ( you get it, right?) and this makes a perfect meal for bacteria. To avoid excessive perspiration, try mixing a tsp of baking soda and lemon juice each and apply it over those areas. Wash it off after 10 minutes. Baking soda not only absorbs all the sweat but kills the odour causing bacteria too. Lemon juice is an excellent astringent and will prevent excessive perspiration and also keeps you feeling fresh with its crisp, citrusy fragrance.

Image source: homedit.com

Recipe 2: Lemon

Lemon by itself is a superb ingredient to keep body odour in check. Just cut a lemon into half or use a small size and rub it on those places. It will dissolve all the sweat and keep you fresh too. If this is too much of a hassle for you, then simply add some drops of lemon juice into your bath water. It's a great refreshener.

Image source: https://middlepath.com.au/plant/img/lemon_7_detox.jpg

Recipe 3: Rosemary

Rosemary is an anti bacterial agent and also soothes prickly heat and itching caused by sweat. Take rosemary and water in the ratio 1:8, for example, half a cup of rosemary and 4 cups of water. Bring this mixture to a boil. Let it cool to room temperature and transfer it to a clean jar or bottle. Just add a little to your bath water and let it sit in the water for about 10 minutes before taking a bath.

Image source: 17apart.com

Recipe 4: Vinegar

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant. You can use fruit based vinegar like Apple cider vinegar ( if you can bear its pungent smell) not the synthetic ones. Just dab it on a damp cotton ball and apply it on the affected areas. Then you can leave it on as is, since the strong smell of vinegar will fade away or use it before a bath.

Image source: vegkitchen.com

Recipe 5: Tomato

Bet you haven't heard of this one before! Tomatoes are natural antiseptics. It just kills germs so well. Dhishum dishoom! take that, germs! In the ancient times, tomato juice was mixed with the bath powder ( a blend of herbal ingredients) and used to not only clean the skin but prevent and treat body odour. If you don't have a bath powder, also known as Ubtan in India, you can use a tbsp of chickpea flour or garbanzo flour and a tbsp of tomato puree and apply this as a mask on in the shower. If using as a mask, then let it sit for a couple of minutes till it dries off before washing it off. If using it in the bath, then just apply over wet body and massage all over for a bit and then wash it off.

Image source: modernfarmer.com

Recipe 6: White Radish and glycerin

Grate a radish and squeeze it to extract the juice. Mix a tsp of glycerin. Pour this mixture into a small container and store it in the fridge. It will become thicker but that is okay! Just take a little bit and give it a mix before using it. Take a cotton ball and evenly apply a thin layer. It will dry off quickly and won't stain your clothes even.

Image source: docnz.org.nz

Recipe 7: Tea leaves

You can use used tea leaves to gently exfoliate the area and it will also control the body odor. Or you could use the decoction to cleanse the area and it will do the job too. Don't get crazy and use masala tea, or strawberry tea, or the likes. Just simple tea leaves will do.

Image source: rivertea.com

Recipe 8: Hydrogen peroxide

I know, I know! You must be thinking that it is used to bleach skin. But we are going to use a very weak hydrogen peroxide solution (1 tsp H2O2 to 4 glasses H2O) to wipe the skin and you will see in a couple of days that this works as a long term solution to keep sweat and odour in check.

Image source: today.com

REVIEW: Dove Elixir Nourished Shine Hibiscus and Argan Oil

Dove Elixir Precious Hair Oils With Real Ingredients

Nourished Shine

Hibiscus and Argan Oil

Description (on the box): Elixir is a luxurious blend of precious oils by Dove. Infused with real ingredients, it nourishes your hair from root to tip. This potent blend of oils has the power of overnight oiling in 30 minutes (vs. coconut oil).

Dove Elixir - Nourished Shine is enriched with Argan oil to retain moisture in hair fiber every time you oil your hair. Blended with Hibiscus, it lends your hair a luminous and reflective shine shield. It absorbs instantly to help rejuvenate damaged hair caused by heat, styling & environmental damage.

Directions for use: Dove Elixir can be used before cleansing for deep nourishment. It can also be applied after cleansing as a finishing touch to help style and add shine. Keep away from direct sunlight and at room temperature. Clouding can happen at cooler temperatures which is reversible when product returns to room temperature.

Price INR 185

Net volume 90 ml

Shelf life 2 years

Ingredients :

This oil contains 16% w/w vegetable oil and 78% w/w Mineral oil. That means that there is very little nutritious ingredients for the hair to grow healthy and just a cheap filler in the form of mineral oil. Such oils come under the category of Hair oil (perfumed) Type 3.

Of the natural ingredients in there, some are pretty interesting like sesame oil, sweet almond oil, palm oil (which I have never seen in a hair oil in India before), and of course the hibiscus and argan oils. Amongst the natural oils that form the base of this oil are sesame, sunflower and coconut oils. Even with so many natural ingredients they are just 16% of the oil. 78% is mineral oil. Then the rest 6%  are a host of chemicals used to help the product deliver what it claims. All the benefits and uses of these ingredients are mentioned below.

Mineral oil - It is a cheaply sourced oil as it is a by product of petroleum. There is no real benefit of using this as it doesn't nourish the hair nor does it absorb into the shaft or the follicle of the hair. It just sits on top of the hair and as it is non greasy, it is preferred. It doesn't even moisturize. But it is water proof so it protects hair from frizz caused by humidity in the hair. That is the only benefit.

Sesame seeds oil - Strengthens hair.

Cetyl demethicone - It is a silicone and all that silicones do is coat the hair to gove a smooth, glossy, frizz free and shiny effect. But it does build up in the hair and is only dissolved in a sulfate based shampoo. It is double the damage as sulfates are world famous for causing havoc on hair. 

Sunflower seeds oil - It provides softness to the hair.

Coconut oil - It provides protein to the hair as it is the only oil that can absorb into the deepest layer of the hair.

Sweet almond oil - It provides softness to the hair making it more manageable.

Olive oil - It also softens the hair and provides shine.

Hibiscus oil - It makes thh hair so smooth and glossy.

Perfume - An overpowering fragrance.

BHT - Preservative.

Palm oil - It is very nourishing for the hair as it is rich in vitamin D and K which are not found in any other type of oil. 

Argan oil - It is the latest rage and it is also called "liquid gold" for its rich vitamin E content. A very little is enough to deeply moisturize the hair.

Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate - Preservative

Tocopherol acetate - It is the cheap alternative to using vitamin E.

Rose flower petals - A teaspoonful of dried rose petals are in the oil and you can see them through the clear glass bottle that it comes in. they just add an exotic touch to the oil.

Review:

This is the first (if not, please correct me) oil that comes in a spray bottle in India. It is a glass bottle which is a very pretty shaped one and you can see dried rose petals in the bottom which is nothing short of prettiness in a bottle. Even the cap is glass, which is kinda scary because you break it then the game is over.

The oil is pretty light and doesn't feel heavier than even coconut oil. It spreads easily and almost sinks into the hair. My hair tends to drink up any oil that I put on it. It's so dry that it is thirsty for oil, I think. It is colorless. I somehow like colorless oils even though it means that they are processed. Natural vegetable or plant based oils tend to have at least a tint. The fragrance is Strong on the first use but I got de-sensitized to it fairly quickly. By the third time of use it didn't bother me much. The fragrance is the typical Dove shampoo one, multiplied by 10. It is non sticky, so good news for the picky oilers.

I was expecting a spray oil kind of thing. The kind that sprays mist. But this one squirts, not sprays. This was disappointing for me because it squirts little by little and if you are using it directly on your hair then it doesn't even fall on it evenly. Spray would have had a more even distribution on the hair. It squirts very, very little at a time like probably half an ml or something. Pumping a few squirts on the hand and then applying it on the hair won't work because then what is the use of it. I would rather pour out some oil in my hands and apply it. It is easier too. Spraying a little over random sections of hair seems like the only go, but it doesn't give an even application. So if you are trying to use this all over your hair then it is indeed cumbersome.

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The product claims that it can be used after a hair wash too. This is best way to add some moisture back into hair while it is still a bit damp. Just take a tiny amount, like one or two pumps and work from the ends of the hair upward but not above your shoulders or near your head. This will help keep hair soft and also add a little nutrition. Just be sure to use very little depending on your hair length and thickness or you will look like you need shampoo again. My hair is waist length and I use just two pumps (about 1 ml). If you are not sure how much to use then just start with one pump and after applying it over your hair length, if you still feel the need for it then go for another pump. This tiny bit of oil doesn't interfere with hair styling like blow drying, straight ironing or curling.

I usually let my hair air dry and I notice that this oil makes my hair wavy. I have naturally wavy hair but this one just emphasizes my waves. So, I reckon it is great if you want to manage your naturally curly or wavy hair and give it some shape rather than looking all over the place. You know how wavy/ curly hair tends to behave like it belongs on a lion's head. It is so difficult to manage!

Image source: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/07/article-2718970-205322B700000578-661_964x632.jpg

Do not under any circumstances use it on heat styled hair. For example, if you have just blow dried your hair or even straightened or curled it, using this oil or for that matter any oil will just undo the whole thing.


This oil also claims that it can be used prior to a hair wash. If you have to wash your hair that day but you initially never planned to but you are worried that shampoo will just make your hair look dull and lifeless then just use a generous amount of oil and this will take quite a lot of pumps depending on how much oil you like in your hair about 10 - 20 minutes before your shower. Oil is a natural conditioner and will help your hair not look stripped of its health.


The oil also claims that it can be used overnight and in that case it takes many a great pumps to sufficiently soak the hair in the oil. Like I said before that pumping some oil on the hands before applying it doesn't work for me, so I just pump it randomly all over my scalp and the lengths of my hair and then massage it in. I do this till I feel that all of my hair is coated with the oil and it takes its own sweet time. A minimum of a half hour goes into this hair oiling ritual. Then too, by the morning most of the oil has vanished. It's either transferred to my pillow or just evaporated if it is volatile. It looks weird, doesn't look like I spent that much time and oil on it. I definitely oil once again in the morning before washing.

I like it for every day use where I will typically take a pump full or two and concentrate near the ends of my hair. It just protects from split ends, I feel. As far as the shine is considered, hair looks like it has some oil in it. It is the oily kind of look or shine that it gives. Even after washing hair there is no miraculous shine. It does look healthier versus non oiled hair but that is it. I cannot call it a shine potion!

So, overall my experience with this one is lukewarm. I like its packaging and that I can use it regularly, even on a daily basis without getting overly oily. I don't like its squirt pump. I wish it would be a spray pump instead. I don't like the squirt because it doesn't evenly cover the hair and is too much of a hassle to work on longer and thicker hair. Its nourished shine claim is also not 100% true because there is nothing nourishing about a mineral oil and no shine to really boast about. I feel it is over priced for its ingredients and its effect too.