Winners Announced!!

I am so sorry for delaying this for so long. Everything started hoch poch this year and I was lazy on the weekends as well. But, I had contacted the winners on a timely basis so I am acquitted on that front :D So, lets set the stage for the winners!!

Soulflower

Swati, Roshni for the vouchers

Shilpa, Nami, Iswarya Laxmi, Yukki for soaps

Natural Mantra 

Preeti for the voucher

Pooja for the goodie bag

Rustic Art

Arpita, Kavita

Just Herbs

Meenakshi

Aloe Veda

Megha, Nami

Congrats to all the girls!! And, I hope you have all got your prizes except the Aloe Veda winners since I probably have not heard from all of you. I was a bit late with Aloe Veda winners. I am coordinating with them so please have some patience.

Books 2014 Vol. 2 - Next Read : "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith aka J.K.Rowling

So, this is my second novel for this year. I have kinda started it and am on 79th page precisely!! Ok, that was unnecessary information but now a days its taking me more of time to finish any novel as I am savoring the time I get to sit on the bed and read and in between chatter with my new husband :D 

Ok, that reminds me that we have already finished selecting snaps for the album and put up the honeymoon pics as well. I shall soon do a wedding post once I get the pics on my system. 

Have you read the book? How do you like it?

Related Posts:

Books 2014 Vol. 1 - "A Treacherous Likeness" by Lynn Shephard

Auravedic Ritual Skin Lightening Mask {Product Review}

Price: Rs 200 for 50gms

Ingredients

Pros

makes the skin really soft

helps reduce blackheads!

makes the skin glow

improves skin complexion

effects stay for 2 days at least

does a 2-in-1 job of scrub and mask

gentle on skin

no stinging 

Cons

stains the skin yellow!!

doesn't last long!

My Experience

Ok, the first time I used the product, I didn't know how I was supposed to use it so used it on completely dry skin and applied a really thick layer as it wasn't spreading easily on skin. That time only I used around 3-4 uses of the mask!! Then, I realized that it should be applied on damp skin. 

From next time, I started using it in the bath. Keeping it for 20 minutes is something I hate but still follow. Yeah, I am running low on patience these days!! Ok, so the product is a commercial version of homemade ubtan. The worst part of the product being it stains the skin and clothes YELLOW :(

As you can see in the pic, it is a little grainy in texture which is very gentle on skin and helps to clean the blackheads and dead skin cells. Its is recommended to use the mask daily but honestly it becomes an expensive deal to use it daily. In that case, the homemade deal would be better.

I got around 10 uses with the product. But, yes, its a good product and it has definitely improved my skin a lot. Though, I didn't notice any skin lightening. Some one had commented that my skin was looking pink after using this product so that was something surprising. 

I have liked Auravedic products more or less so this is another addition to that list. There is another product which came along with this one. Its just the powdered ubtan which has to be mixed with some liquid and used daily so I shall try it out next. Meanwhile, you should check this out :)

Availability

http://www.auravedic.com/skin-care/skin-lightening-mask.htm

PS: Product sent by brand. 

Other products from Auravedic:

Auravedic Botanical Actives Pulpy Facewash Honey Almond 

Auravedic Pomegranate Grapeseed Face Polish

Auravedic Reviving Body Cleanser

Cosmedic Avederm Soothing Facial Cleanser {Product Review}

Price: Rs 449 for 100ml

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Amodimethicone, Trideceth-12, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetearyl Glucoside, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ceteareth-6, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Octyldodecanol, Urea, Sodium Lactate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Tocopherols, Cistus Ladaniferus Oil, Mica, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

Pros

absolutely gentle on skin

doesn't lather AT ALL but cleanses really well

no stretchy feeling

no film on the skin

keeps the skin soft

Cons

doesn't last long :(

expensive!!

My Experience

Totally loved it!! Ok, it does not have SLS. And, the product is light yellow in color and also feels creamy. It comes in a pump dispenser bottle. And, for every use, I felt I needed two pumps at least. It does NOT lather AT ALL.

yup, its runny in consistency!

Its very very gentle on skin and feels as if it doesn't clean the skin at all but the converse is true. I did feel as if my skin has improved but then I was doing a lot of things which I shall mention in another post.

Ok, one big con is that I used the whole 100ml in around 20 days with two times usage :( where as the other face wash lasted me for around a month with very very generous use!!

Aaahh...one more thing is it doesn't make my skin feel dry or stretchy or leave any film either which makes me more happy. It doesn't make the skin feel oily either.

And, also, I forgot to mention that it smells like sugarcane juice to me :D :D Yes, I do find the product expensive but I think it is definitely worth a try. Its especially recommended for skin which gets inflamed very easily!! Or, for sensitive skin.

Availability

Online - Cosmedic Website
In stores (only in Delhi, Agra, Lucknow and Meerut) - check locations here

PS: Product sent by brand.

Other products from Cosmedic:

Cosmedic Alpha Q Brightening Face Wash

How to treat lice? {Hair Care}

I hate to admit it but the dandruff story I told you turned into the story of lice. May be I have dandruff as well but I was successful in getting rid of lice in only 2 washes. So, here goes my story and please remember this is a milder case of lice. I got the infestation through my niece during the wedding. 

Things you need

Vinegar

Mediker Shampoo

Lice Comb

Method

1. Apply undiluted vinegar on your scalp and hair length using a cotton ball and leave it on for 1-2 hours. For children, use 50% diluted vinegar with water.

Vinegar loosens the glue which lice uses to stick to the scalp and hair.

2. Wash your hair with Mediker shampoo. Like it says on the bottle, keep the shampoo on the scalp for 4-5 minutes minimum. Rinse with water. 

Mediker makes your hair reallyyyyyyy rough!!

3. After you come out of the shower, use the towel wrap to wring out the water in your hair and comb it. Yes, I know it is not good but for lice, you have no other choice. Once you untangle your hair using the regular comb (hopefully wide-toothed one), run the lice comb right from the edge of the scalp to the tip of the hair in small sections of hair. Better yet, get someone else to comb your hair and make sure you have your shoulder and neck covered. You will see lots of lice eggs and lice coming out of the hair and you do not want them to end on your skin!!

If you are lucky, you are rid of the lice and if not, repeat this process twice a week. And, use hot water on your hair as it kills lice. Yup, not a good idea again but no other choice!! And, it is good to repeat this process after 15 days - 1 month again to make sure you are of all remnants of lice.

4. Change the bed covers after this entire process. 

Hope this helps! How do you get rid of lice?

Related Posts:

Hair Combs and Brushes
5 FAQ's on Conditioner and Hair Care
5 Oils I love for my Hair

Red Raspberry Seed Oil and Strawberry Seed Oil {Product Review}

Red Raspberry Seed Oil

Price: £2.06 (Rs 182) for 15gms

My Experience

I received 15gms of both these oils from the website. Red Raspberry Oil is the most powerful natural sunscreen. Its spf rating is around 25. Wow, right? So, I had to pick this to try it out. And, it smells weird. I don't know how to explain it.

The oil is dark in color bordering on brown. And, its supposed to be a dry oil which isn't very oily. Well, that part is true that the oil dries up real quick. So, I used to use this oil as a moisturizer before applying sunscreen.

Did it protect me? Well, honestly, the product was too small to test out on a longer period. It got over in like 2 or 3 weeks so I can't really say on the results. But, its definitely a product to try out. 

Also, if you check out the product closely, it clearly says the expiry date which is like around 3 months from the date of manufacture. That can become a problem when one orders a product in large quantities.

Strawberry Seed Oil

Price: £2.19 (Rs 193)for 15gms

My Experience

I have been using this oil for about a month as a night moisturizer. It is dark green to black in color and smells sweet and acidic. Its again not a very oily oil unless you apply it in huge quantities. In fact, it doesn't really help in moisturizing your skin. You definitely need something else. 

But, the results of using this are amazing. The next morning my skin is all plumpy and a bit brighter and really soft. Definitely something to watch out for! But, just like the above oil, it also has a very short shelf life. 

My Verdict

Red Raspberry is not easily available and not many websites also sell it. I have heard about Strawberry Oil also for the first time. So, check out the website. They have many other awesome oils. One more product I received from them was Carrot oil which I have yet to try out.

Availability: e-naturalne Website

PS: Product sent by website.

Dove Elixir Nourished Shine Hibiscus & Argan Oil {Product Preview}

excuse the mess in the background!!

This is not a review of the Oil. I am just putting my forethought on the product depending on my first use. I have not even washed my hair yet so you are forewarned. 

Price: Rs 185 for 90ml

Ingredients

click on the pic to enlarge it and you can read the information on the packaging

My Thoughts

First of all, let me start with the packaging. That's something which leaps to the eyes. Yes, it comes in a pretty heavy glass bottle with a pump. Glass packaging makes me really and I mean REALLY happy for the price. Pump makes the product apt for easy usage. 

So, whats the issue?? Sadly, just after 2-3 pumps for the very first time, it STOPPED working!!! That was the bad as it is. But, unfortunately, I have more issues with it. Honestly, this looks like a bashing post on the product but I sincerely don't want to make it so negative. 

I thought this was an affordable version of the Kerastese Elixir but unfortunately it has 73% of mineral oil which gives it a very silicony feel which I absolutely hate. I did check out the ingredients before buying but still went with it. But, the pump thing disappointed me a lot!!

It smells different. I don't know how to categorize it but the fragrance is not strong. It stays for a while in the hair and later disappears. My main worry with the product is the build up. I don't know if it creates a build up in the long run. It also has Dimethicone.

90ml is quite a decent amount which you get with the price you pay and for one use, you don't really end up using much so this would easily last a month or more. Also, I noticed that somehow the product disappears after 2-3 hours of application. 

I had applied it yesterday and then didn't wash my hair today so applied it again. I hope I wash my hair tomorrow so may be I can update with how my hair feels after the wash. But, for now, I am feeling I would have been better off without this product.

PS: The post is written on 13th Jan, 2013.

PS2: This is my 1001st post!! Woohoo :)
Other products from Dove:
Dove Color Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner
Dove Deep Pure Face Wash
Some Random Product Reviews - Part II