Nivea Soft Light Texture Refreshingly Soft Moisturizing Cream : Review

I picked up the Soft Light Texture variant of face cream from Nivea's range of moisturizing creams. Read on to find out my review of this cream.

What the brand claims it to be is that Enriched with Jojoba oil and Vitamin E, Nivea Soft is an invigorating and fast absorbing cream that refreshes the skin, leaving a unique fragrance making skin smooth, soft, supple and healthy. Suitable for body and face. 

Price: INR 280 for 300 ml Tub.

Even though this cream is suitable for both body and face, I usually just use it on my face as moisturizer, I prefer lotions as body moisturizers. I use it mostly on days when I do not have to step outside the house as this does not have SPF. The cream is very moisturizing, it spreads easily on skin unlike the Nivea Creme which comes in Blue tub packaging. The skin feels smooth after application and looks healthy. I quite like the texture of this cream. The fragrance is mild and not overpowering which is another plus point of this cream.

As a moisturizer, I really like the Nivea Soft. It delivers on what it promises. However, there are 2 things which I wish this cream had. Firstly, some SPF component so that it can be used as day time moisturizer on all days. Secondly, the packaging could be improved. The tub packaging is inconvenient and also it is unhygienic to dip your fingers in the tub to take the cream out. I always use a spatula to scoop the cream out. I also transfer some cream in a smaller container for use and keep the big tub stored away.

This cream is one of my favorite winter time moisturizers. I find it makes my face a bit oily if I use it in Summers, but even in summers it has never broken me out. I recommend this cream as winter time moisturizer. This one gets a Thumbs Up from me.

Have you ever tried the Nivea Soft Light Texture Refreshingly Soft Moisturizing Cream. Be sure to drop in a comment in the comments section below.

The Body Shop Vanilla Brulee Hand Cream : Review

I picked up my very first product from The Body Shop's Vanilla Brulee range, the hand cream. Read on to find out my views on this hand cream.

What the brand claims it to be is that this non-greasy hand cream conditions hands and has a comfortingly-creamy Vanilla Brulee fragrance.

Price: INR 495 for 30ml.

The product comes in a tin tube packaging which is very convenient for me as I like to carry a hand cream in my carry on bag. The tube packaging makes it hygienic to use as well. 

Coming to the product itself, its an off-white colored cream/emulsion with an amazing fragrance. It is easily absorbed in the skin in no time and makes the skin moisturized and supple. My hands feel soft and did I mention the GREAT FRAGRANCE of this product. The fragrance gives me that instant pick me up feeling and I instantly feel relaxed.

When I ran out of my Vanilla Brulee hand cream and went to the TBS website to reorder, I could not find the product there. I believe this might have been a limited edition range. They do have other variants from many other product lines, but unfortunately none of them compares to this one. This was my absolute favorite among all. I am not sure if any of the brand outlets still carry this hand cream, I need to go to brand stores and find out. If you manage to find this in the stores, I recommend you pick it up and see for yourself. This one gets a double Thumbs Up from me.

Have you tried The Body Shop Vanilla Brulee Hand Cream. Be sure to drop in a comment in the comments section below.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Make-up Removing Micelle Solution Sensitive Skin : Review

I am a firm believer of taking off all the make-up every night before going to bed. The only issue here is that I am too lazy to follow this every night. Hence I am always on the look out for a good make-up remover which can make this must do make-up removing process a little easier and not to mention a little faster. I picked up the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Make-up Removing Micelle Solution Sensitive Skin make-up remover. Read on to find out my review on this make-up remover.

What the brand claims is that this Sensibio H2O gently cleanses and removes make-up from face and eyes. The micelles contained in its formula ensure all impurities are removed while respecting the cutaneous balance. Soothing active ingredients  prevent the skin feeling irritated. The patented natural D.A.F. complex raises the skin's tolerance threshold. Excellent cutaneous and ocular tolerance.

Price: £10.2 / INR 860 for 250 ml.

The make-up remover comes in a plastic packaging with a cap which is very well secured so there is no spillage. Mine is a 250 ml bottle but for 500 ml packaging, the bottle also comes with a pump on the top which makes it even easier to use and there is no wastage of the product.

I use a cotton pad while using this make-up remover. Pour the product on the cotton pad and then swipe it across the face. This one also removes water-proof make-up. My water proof mascara comes off in one single swipe after pressing the eye lids gently with the cotton pad soaked in the product for 5 seconds. Lipstick, Lip gloss are just as easily removable.

I like the fact that it hardly takes me anytime to take off all the make-up using this remover. On top of that it is Rinse-free, Paraben free, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance Free, is just bonus for me.

I always travel with this make-up remover. Lucky for me, there is a 100 ml variant too. I have repurchased this remover so many times and will continue to do so in future as well. I recommend you try this one and can guarantee you will love it too!! This one gets a Thumbs Up from me.

Have you tried the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Make-up Removing Micelle Solution Sensitive Skin make-up remover. Be sure to drop in a comment in the comments section below.

Maybelline New York Dream Touch Blush No. 7 Plum: Review

I picked up the Dream Touch Blush in shade No. 7 Plum from Maybelline New York. Read on to find out my views on this blush.

What the brand claims it to be is that this is ultra-soft and ultra-blendable for easy application. With a cream blush formula, it spreads evenly over your skin and adds an attractive tinge of color to your cheeks.

Price: £6.49/ INR 375 for 7.5g Product.

This is a cream blush so it is very easy to apply. I usually just use my fingers to apply it lightly on my cheeks and blend it properly. I like the texture of this cream blush especially in winter months when I don't like to pile on a powder blush on top of the setting powder. 

The blush has very tiny shimmer particles which you can't see if you just look at the blush. However when I apply it on the cheeks, the shimmer particles show through. This is one of the problems I find with this blush. I am not a fan of shimmery blushes, I prefer the matte blushes.

Another issue is that it comes in a glass tub packaging which makes it heavy and hence difficult to carry while you are travelling. 

As a blush, I do not like this product. But the product in itself is not bad at all. Since I liked how this blush felt on my skin, I did not want to give up on this product just yet. So I thought about how else can this product be used. Now I use this for some other purposes. Firstly, I use it as a highlight and apply it on the cheekbones. The shimmer I don't like in my blush, turns out works beautifully as a highlight. Secondly, I use this as an Eye shadow base and apply it all over the lid. 

For those of you who like shimmery blushes and/or have dry skin, do try this one out. As for me, I am happy using this as a Highlight and Eye shadow base. For those purposes, this one gets a Thumbs Up from me.

Have you ever tried the Maybelline New York Dream Touch Blush. Be sure to drop in a comment in the comments section below.

Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin Whitening and Brightening Micro-Emulsion : Review

Applying SPF daily before you step out for work is extremely important. When a moisturizer comes with a decent enough SPF, its a big plus. I picked up the Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin Whitening and Brightening Micro-Emulsion as it has SPF 25 with PA+++. Read on to find out my views on this product.

What the brand claims it to be is that this has Deep and Fast Absorbing Formula which Lightens, Whitens and Brightens the skin. It contains rare plant extracts of White Mulberry, Milk Enzyme, Grape and Saxifraga.

Price: INR 275 for 40 ml but you can usually get discounts on Lotus Herbal Products.

The product comes in a frosted glass packaging with the pump dispenser and hence makes it very easy to use the bottle and is hygienic. The cap however is very flimsy and keeps coming off. Its not advisable to carry this in the handbag as there is a high chance you will end up with the product all over your bag.

This off white emulsion is somewhat between a moisturizer and a serum in consistency. Two pumps is all that is required to cover the face and neck area. The product spreads easily and does get absorbed fast leaving the skin soft and supple. The product has a mild fragrance which is appealing. The SPF 25 with PA+++ is an added advantage. I did not see any Brightening, Lightening or Whitening effects after using this product. Then again, I did not buy this expecting it to work in any of those areas. I was simply looking for a nice day time moisturizer  with sun protection and it does that job well.

However, there are a couple of issues with this Emulsion. First of all it contains Parabens. If you are someone who does not like parabens on your face all day long, you might want to stay away from this one. Additionally, this product does not work as a summer time moisturizer as this tend to make my skin oily and sticky in summers. I like to use this only in Winter time. If you have oily skin, then this might not be the product for you. For people with normal skin, this one works great. I give this product a thumbs up. Do try this out if you are someone with normal skin and are looking for a light day moisturizer.

Have you ever tried the Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin Whitening and Brightening Micro-Emulsion. Be sure to drop in a comment in the comments section below.

Forest Essentials India Facial Toner Panchpushp : Review

Often times we forget/skip Toner in our daily skin care routine. A good toner can work wonders for your skin. I picked up the Panchpushp Facial Toner from Forrest Essentials India. Read on to find out my views on this toner.

What the brand claims this to be is that this pure and active water-based toner made from floral, fruit and herbal extracts, captured and crystallized at the height of potency, essential to the Ayurvedic philosophy; to hydrate, tone and revive the skin. Rose has cooling, soothing and moisturizing properties. It is naturally hydrating and its seductive floral scent, promotes a feeling of well being and harmony. Marigold or Calendula has a high content of flavonoids, that act as anti-oxidants in the body. Bela helps retain moisture in the skin. Kewda is an anti-oxidant and cools the system. Saffron gives the skin a warm glow.

Price: INR 350 for 50 ml, INR 650 for 100 ml and INR 1125 for 200 ml. The brand also offers  International delivery for orders from outside of India.

Making of the Product: Fresh floral water of Rose, Marigold, Bela, Kewda and Saffron is steam distilled for its essential oil and the hydrating floral water residue is used for the facial tonic mist.

I use this toner right after cleansing the skin and since the toner comes in a spray bottle, application of the product becomes very easy. I just spray the toner straight from the bottle onto the face. The toner comes out as a very fine mist and the subtle floral fragrance of the product gives an instant soothing feeling to my senses. The toner is moisturizing enough and hence skin feels calm after applying the product. Many people 

I find with most toners is that once applied, they tend to make the skin a little sticky but this one gets absorbed in the skin quickly and hence I don't find the skin to be sticky with this toner.

My skin feels great after applying this toner. I love the floral fragrance of this toner. I usually follow the toner with a moisturizing cream but in summers just applying this toner gives me enough moisturization. At times I also carry this miniature bottle in my purse to refresh my skin through out the day. 

I only got the miniature bottle to try this product. Now that I love this product so much, I am surely going to get the bigger bottle, the 200 ml one. I know that INR 1125 sounds too much for a toner but this product is totally worth it. This one gets a Thumbs Up from me.

Have you tried the Forest Essentials India Facial Toner Panchpushp. Be sure to drop in a comment in the comments section below.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15 Lip Balm : Review

I have a confession to make- I absolutely love The Body Shop brand and their products. I have tried almost all of their product ranges. They are one of my favorite brands. I picked up the lip balm from their Vitamin E range. Read on to find my experience with this lip balm.

What the brand claims it to be is that this moisturizing lip balm soothes and protects lips from the drying effect of the sun, wind and cold weather. It hydrates and protects, soothes dry lips, has SPF 15.

Price: $9 for 0.14 OZ(4.2g) / INR 350 but you can find it on discount when TBS has the sale going on.

I bought the lip balm mainly due to the SPF 15 in the balm. The twist up packaging of the balm is pretty compact and hence easy to travel with. The balm itself is tint less but has some fragrance which I did not like. It also has shiny effect after applying though not shimmery. 

I found the lip balm to be not that moisturizing and found myself reapplying it again and again throughout the day. It just sat on top of the lips without providing any comfort to dry lips at all. My lips are not in that bad a condition that requires extreme healing, but if someone has dry, chapped lips, this one is a big no no. 

The only good thing I can think of is the sun protection with SPF 15. But then again the price is too high if the lip balm does not even perform its basic function. There are a lot of other good lip balms out there which are much cheaper and provide better relief for dry, chapped lips.

As you can see from the picture above I have hardly used it. It just sat on my dresser for the last one year.  Because of my love for the brand TBS, I feel like giving this the benefit of the doubt. It is possible that the tube I got was somehow from a bad lot. Still I am not encouraged to buy another tube to try out. I will not be repurchasing this. This one gets a thumbs down from me.

Have you tried the The Body Shop Vitamin E Lip Care SPF 15 Lip Balm. Be sure to drop in your comments in the comments section below.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Roll-On Anti-bag Fortifying Hydrogel : Review

Recently I picked the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Roll-On Anti-bag Fortifying Hydrogel. Read on to find my experience with this under-eye gel.

The brand claims this to be a fortifying hydrogel for under-eye bags and dark circles, for all women with dark circles around the eyes, dehydrated eyes, and dehydration lines.

Price: INR 950 for 15ml tube.

How I use this: I keep the tube in the refrigerator and apply this in the morning. This is a gel based formula which is fragrance free. The gel goes on smoothly and gives a refreshing feeling instantly after application. The tube comes with a roller ball tip which makes it extremely easy to apply and the roller ball tip gives a very cooling feeling as well.

I usually massage the under-eye as well as the eyelid area with the roller ball for around 10 minutes. The gel does not sting even a bit even if the product goes in the eye. My eyes look awake and bright after the use.

However the product does not deliver on the promise of being helpful in reducing dark circles and fine lines. This gel is not effective on under-eye bags, dark circles and the fine lines. I see no improvement in any of those areas after using this under-eye gel. For a cooling and refreshing feeling around my eyes, I could just keep a spoon in the refrigerator and use that instead of this gel. I do not need to spend INR 950 for that. 

This product is way too expensive for the benefits it provides. I will not be repurchasing this under-eye gel. This one gets a thumbs down from me.

Have you ever tried the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Eye Roll-On Anti-bag Fortifying Hydrogel. Be sure to drop in a comment in the comments section below.