Moisturizer Application Techniques {Skin Care}

Applying moisturizer properly is a very important part of the skin care ritual. The application technique affects the skin in the long run because of the regular movement of the skin which happens during the application. So, there are certain correct and wrong methods of application which we shall discuss for every part of the face and neck. 

• Circular Movements should be made with very light pressure applied on the skin
• Patting movement is also recommended but not very easy to get used to

For Eyes

Rubbing of the eyes is not recommend at all so only patting motion should be used to apply under-eye creams or any oil of choice. Circular Movement will cause movement of the thin skin around the eyes leading to early development of wrinkles. 

For Face

Short upward and outward strokes are recommended as very widely known. 

For Neck

Look at the ceiling while applying moisturizer on the neck and massage the neck in an upward stroke to prevent and smoothing of the neck lines. This does a double job - applies moisturizer evenly on the neck and stretches the skin of the neck as in the face exercise motion.

For Chest

Upward strokes and circular motion both are recommended for the chest and shoulder areas.

READ MORE - Moisturizer Application Techniques {Skin Care}

Marie Veronique Goodies

Sunscreen

samples

Hey All!! I just wanted to share with you that I had won the Vivawoman MVO giveaway and recently received their goodies which came with 3 samples of course. Marie Veronique Organics is one of the rare organic brands which makes physical sunscreen and I had since long wanted to try it so I am extremely happy to have got these products and their reviews will be coming in time.

READ MORE - Marie Veronique Goodies

Garnier Wrinkle Lift Anti-ageing Cream {Product Review}

Source: from website

I am not a lover of moisturizers as I have said earlier on the blog too. I rarely come across some which suit me and this one did!!! So, lets see how well it works??? Ok, I don't have the ingredient list but then its a Garnier product so it is definitely full of chemicals and all but it does have some extracts also mentioned which I remember I read on the list.

Price: 199 INR for 40 gms

My Experience

Well, I used this moisturizer for around 3 weeks but the main user of this is my dad. And, I would say that this actualy reduces the wrinkles on the face. The difference was pretty much apparent when my dad used Himalaya Revitalizing Night Cream for a day and his face had become too wrinkly.  So, yup, no permanent results which no drug store brands can actually give but till the time you use the cream, it does give you a glow and keeps the skin uplifted. 

The product smells really nice and is off-white in color and comes in an attractive red glass jar. Ok, yeah, you have to dig your fingers in. I loved the feel of the moisturizer. It is light and rich and super creamy. A very little quantity of the product required and it keeps your skin hydrated for the whole day. You can instantly see the tightening of your skin and with regular use, the skin actually glows. It also gives a dewy look to the skin. And, the cream is not oily but this might not be suitable for oily skin, I guess. I think it will suit dry skin really well coz of its creamy texture. So, in short, this is one cream which does do what it claims. And, yeah, 40 gms will probably last you one and a half moth if used morning and at night which is quite a good thing. 

My Recommendation

Yes, for people with mature skin or looking for a good anti-aging cream.

READ MORE - Garnier Wrinkle Lift Anti-ageing Cream {Product Review}

Almond Oil for Neck Wrinkles {DIY}

I have always felt that neck lines can't be got rid of except for doing face exercises daily and keeping the neck straight so that there is no crease. But, sometime back, I used almond oil for moisturizing my face and neck and observed that my neck lines were gone in probably 3-4 days. So, if you have the same problem you could give the almond oil a try!!! If you are afraid that the oil might break you out, then you could try using the oil only on the neck. I had been using the Rogan Badam oil which I had talked about quite a long back.

READ MORE - Almond Oil for Neck Wrinkles {DIY}

How to make green tea? {DIY}

I had once upon a time done a post on the beauty benefits of green tea. But, making green tea properly is a little tricky. Properly made green tea provides plethora of benefits but if not made properly, not only does it not give the benefits but also tastes horrible. If it tastes bitter or too bland, then you are not making it correctly.

Green Tea is the least processed tea leaves after white tea so the leaves are very delicate and can burn at higher temperatures. The optimal temperature of water for green tea is 75 degrees. Even a little bit more would spoil the leaves, burn them and cause the taste to turn bitter at which point you are not receiving any benefits from drinking the tea. So, how to make it properly?

Here's what I do. I don't take more than a tea spoon of tea leaves. I always use loose powder because the instant tea bags need to go more processing than the loose powder.I boil my water in electric kettle coz it happens faster. So, after it boils, I leave the kettle open for 15 minutes for the water to cool down. Then, after 15 minutes are over, pour the water over the tea leaves in a cup and stir it with a spoon for two minutes exactly (a minute more would make the tea taste bitter). Strain the tea and drink it. You can add honey as a sweetener but it tastes better without that or you can also add 4-5 drops of lemon for extra flavor. 

Instead of throwing the used leaves, I pour boiling water over the leaves and leave it over night. In the morning, I strain the leaves and use the liquid either as a toner, pour it in my bath water, wash my face or use it as a hair rinse.

I like the Tetley brand of green tea particularly. Heard that Twining is good but I have not used the Fab India one. But, I had used their Tulsi something tea which I didn't particularly like. And, there are a lot of flavors in the market in various brands. So, you can use any!!

READ MORE - How to make green tea? {DIY}

Steam and Skin {Skin Care}

Of course, you must have heard that steaming is amazing for your skin. Well, yes, it is. Why? It deep cleanses the skin by removing the dirt from the pores. One can make the steaming process exciting by adding herbs to it like tea tree oil for acne prone skin, eucalyptus oil for people prone to headaches and cold or even tea leaves for a simple refreshing feeling or you can give yourself an aromatherapy session by adding essential oils to the water. Apart from just simply hydrating the skin, the essential oils would also work on your skin and provide various benefits depending on the ones you have used. But, there is a time limit for the steaming process too. 

Dry Skin: 1-2 minutes (at max 3)

Normal / Combination Skin: 5 minutes

Oily Skin: 10-15 minutes (depending on the dirt clogged in your pores)

Now, one more thing to remember is that steaming your face is not a routine work. It is a therapy and like all therapies, it should be done regularly for maximum results but not daily. 

Dry Skin: once in 2 weeks

Normal / Combination Skin: once in a week

Oily Skin: at max. twice in a week

The reason why I have combined normal and combination skin is because of the fact that combination skin has both dry and oily areas. So, if taken for less time, the dirt and oil in the clogged pores wouldn't clean well and if taken for more time, it will lead to patchy areas. 

Beware of taking steam more often than necessary. Why? Excess of everything is bad and excess of steaming will cause your skin to become dry and dry skin is more prone to aging. Regular steaming is advisable for clearer skin. So, stick to the time lines and be regular to reap the benefits. 

One more word of caution for people under 25 who think they have not yet reached the age of aging. Aging is a process and not an age. It can begin at any time depending on various factors like your hormonal balances, your diet, your skin care routines, medicines and supplements taken by you and finally on the environmental factors like sun, rain, wind, pollution, dirt, time spent in air conditioned environments and dependency on technology and gadgets. So, if you think that since your skin is not aging right now, a little deviation form the skin routine is possible. Think again. Everything you do with your skin will show once you reach the age of 35. So, it is best to start taking care of it at whatever age you are.

READ MORE - Steam and Skin {Skin Care}

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer {Product Review}

The moisturizer is supposed to be followed after the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth and Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic. Before starting on with the review, I would like to say that my skin reacts very differently to the moisturizers as opposed to other skin care products. They either make me sweat or leave me dry. I don't know why my skin behaves so errant in case of moisturizers. You must have seen a conspicuous absence of reviews on moisturizers except Dabur Gulabari which I liked more as a hand cream and Auravedic Facial Skin Repair Moisturizing Lotion which suited me quite well but only after quite a few hit and trials as I have mentioned in my review.

And, to write this review, I have taken almost a month because I was confused whether I liked the product or not. Many hit and trials were again in the order because I simply didn't feel like writing it off and I sincerely believe that moisturizers are something you can't give an instant opinion on. Kindly check for the prices and other product information on the Liz Earle website. And, I am also very grateful to Andrea for being so patient with me and allowing me so much of time to post my opinion on the product.

Ingredients

I have the smaller sample version of 15ml so the ingredients are not listed. So, I shall just mention the ones which are key ingredients: Borage and Avocado Oil, Echinacea, Beta-Carotene and Natural Vitamin E.

My Experience

I have the moisturizer suitable for combination/oily skin. Since I have told that the skin tonic was too heavy and felt sticky on my skin, so when I followed the moisturizer, my skin had become sticky and oily. And, to top it, I had taken out a very huge quantity of the product so overall, my first time was a disaster. Then, in the consequent uses, I understood that only a half pea size amount of the product is actually necessary for the entire face and neck. But, I could still not continue using the moisturizer on the skin tonic. So, I started using it with simple green tea. I sprayed green tea on my face and followed up with the moisturizer.

It felt very light on the skin and not at all sticky. It made my skin soft and supple and kept it that way till the next wash whether applied in the morning or at night. I am not sure of the repair it had done on my skin coz my skin is just as it was. But, probably it did preserve my skin coz lately I haven't been eating and sleeping properly at all (which is a very bad thing!!!) and still my skin feels soft and chubby like it was. But, the fine lines under my eyes are just like they were and not sleeping properly is not really helping them so I am not going to blame the moisturizer for that. Though, I had the oily skin variant of the moisturizer but I felt it was a little heavy for my skin otherwise nothing wrong with it. May be I am using a bit more than what I should.

My Recommendation

Yes, it is a nice moisturizer but price is a downfall!! And, you would love it once you come to know the amount of moisturizer you need for your face and neck. A bit more and it will become heavy otherwise you wouldn't feel like you have applied anything on your skin which is something very few products can do.

PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.

READ MORE - Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturizer {Product Review}

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic {Product Review}

So, this is the second step of the skin care routine to be followed after using the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. This tonic is just a toner for the skin. Kindly refer to the Liz Earle website for product information and the prices.

Ingredients

Since I received a 50ml sample size of the product, the ingredients are not listed on it. So, I'll just mention the key ingredients here: Organic Aloe Vera, Calendula, Rose-scented Geranium, Cucumber and Natural Vitamin E.

My Experience

Well, I have never used any commercial toners from the market except rose water So, I have no idea how they actually work. But, I really prefer them to be watery and hydrating instead of sticky. So, when I was going to use this, I was pretty excited. But, when I started using it, I found out that it was too heavy for my skin. I tried using the moisturizer right away, I let it dry completely before using it, but whatever I do, it made my skin really sticky so I didn't understand what to do. Then, I decided it wasn't for me. Then, finally one day, I used a lesser amount of toner than I usually used and the product got easily absorbed into my skin without any stickiness. But, still, I felt as if there was something on my skin. And, it made the moisturizer also sticky, unfortunately :( And, I also noticed that my skin was getting oilier much sooner after using this toner. 

On the good side, it smells awesome and I guess it will suit dry skin very well. But, I wish it had been more watery and light on the skin. But, (its my personal opinion) a product shouldn't become too heavy for the skin just coz you have applied a little more quantity. And, there was a little problem with the fact that the bottle has a very small mouth so if I have to soak a cotton, every time excess amount of toner used to come so it was just impossible to use a less amount. A spray would be a better way to market this product. And, Liz Earle does have it in the spray form also. So, I think that the spray packaging would make sure only enough quantity is distributed on the face and not more making it easy to use.

My Recommendation

I give this product a benefit of doubt. But, make sure you read other reviews which are quite positive about the product here and here. It might just be the case that the product didn't suit my skin. 

PS: Product send by brand for consideration.

READ MORE - Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic {Product Review}

Grape Juice Face Pack {DIY}

So, I had used this amazing face pack and the results were as good as it tastes :) Ok, so first let me share with you all how I like my fruit juices. First thing is a thumb of rule which I follow and have been regularly advising you all on. Reduce your sugar intake. I do not like sugar in my fruit juices and I abhor ice cubes too because they dilute the juice and you get less of the quantity for your money :D So, I can easily use these fruit juices as face packs too. 

Now, grapes are amazing for skin because they are rich in tartaric acid. Tartaric Acid is one of the Alpha-Hydroxy Acids which are natural exfoliators and provide antioxidants to the skin in abundance. Thus, grapes are amazing for wrinkles and skin softening.

Ingredients

• Grape Juice
• Multani Mitti

Method: Mix both the ingredients and apply on the face avoiding the eyes and lips. Now, apply only grape juice on the eye area and the lips. Relax and let the face pack dry. It will take around 20-30 minutes. Wash off with warm water flowed by a cold water splash. 

Results: Immediate brightened, soft, supple and well-hydrated fresh skin is revealed. Grape juice also controls the oil production in the skin so it is an amazing mask for oily and combination skin. If you have dry skin, use cocoa powder or besan or some other flour instead of using multani mitti coz grape juice and multani mitti combined can be drying for the skin. This mask is amazing to get rid of problem or troubled skin. But, if you have sensitive skin, do a patch test to check if it suits you or not. It might be irritating for sensitive skin because of the tartaric acid in it. Firms and tones the skin. Regular usage would help with wrinkles.

READ MORE - Grape Juice Face Pack {DIY}

Skin Firming Mask {DIY}

Again a recipe including the rose milk I made couple of days back.

Ingredients:

• Besan / Gram flour
• Rose Milk

Method: Mix the requisite amount of besan and rose milk and form a nice scrubby mixture. Apply a thick layer on the face and neck and let it dry. It will take around 15-20 minutes to dry completely so relax in the meantime. The mixture dries into a very hard mask and makes the skin feel extremely tight. Now, remove the besan by wetting it a little and gently scrubbing it on the skin. You would see an instant difference in the firmness of the skin. And, it might leave a pinkish glow on the face too :)    

READ MORE - Skin Firming Mask {DIY}

Mango Face pack {DIY}

So, king of fruits and this is the season for the king. So, make way for him in your daily diet and in your skin regimes. Of course, keep a control because it has high levels of sugar. So, what does mango do for the skin. It is moisturizing and makes the skin soft and smooth. 

Ingredients: 

• Multani Mitti
• Mango pulp

Mix both the ingredients and create a face pack of smooth consistency. Apply a thick layer over a clean damp skin. Wait for 15-20 minutes. This one doesn't dry out like the regular clay masks so it is easy to remove. Scrub lightly while removing and wash off with cold water. Moisturize. Your skin will be soft and supple by next morning. It also increases hydration in the skin.

Warning:

• Do not use the skin of the mango for any beauty activity. It can cause mild to severe skin irritations.

Tips: 

• Always apply face masks over damp skin. It increases penetration. Use hot water to open the pores for more penetration and absorption.
• For removing the face packs, use dry cotton. It removes the face packs much more easily than wet cotton pads or wet wipes. This tip applies to the face packs which are creamier and do not dry on skin like clay masks. For clay masks, you have to use wet wipes or cloth or cotton pads.

READ MORE - Mango Face pack {DIY}

I know my skin type!!!

Ok, so this may sound really weird coz I have been blogging about beauty since more than a year and till now, I was unaware of my skin type which is one of the most basic principles of beauty - identifying your skin type. I always though my skin was dry, then I came to the conclusion that it is normal to dry and then, I thought its just crazy, gets oily when it feels like (under hot sun and I sweat a lot) or dries up in winters sometimes like really crazy. But, lately, I have been really analyzing my skin. Its very simple if you pay attention but we sometimes simply tend to ignore taking everything we know for granted. I have big pores around my nose and my nose is generally shiny so obviously I have a combination skin and everything I apply on my face makes me greasy so I could have concluded this long back!!! Anyways, better late than never :) But, even now, I can say that I do have skin which tends to be more dry. 

In all this, I have realized one thing - skin type has to be deduced almost very periodically. Our skin texture changes in every season (even on a day-to-day basis during seasonal changes or any other health conditions) and also due to the products we use. Seems pretty obvious, I know but when it comes to applying we fail. So, we are having summers now. Will our skin go drier or oilier??? You never know!!! So, keep it light in the morning and heavy at night. Ok, if you don't have a cooler or an AC (which I am completely against, it makes you lazy!!!), applying anything on skin can make you feel suffocated and hot. Oils are a big no-no in the summer time, though, I am still using my facial oils. Go for serums and hydration lotions and do suggest me some, please!!! Both face moisturizers and body lotions. I am out of both and have no idea what to go for coz every thing seems so heavy and thick. And, invest in blotting papers (do tell me where you got yours :D). 

Btw, if you are looking out for sunscreens or sunblocks, do consider Neutrogena coz they have really great sunscreens - ageshield if available in India is good otherwise the other one with spf 50 is amazing. Review would be coming in the month of May. It is costly but worth it. Do try out the sample before buying but it suits oily and combination well. Not sure about dry skin so do give it a shot!!! And, grab your sunglasses and full sleeves cotton clothes or elbow-reaching gloves and scarves and umbrellas and bottle of water whenever you step out of your house and enjoy!!!!! Btw, don't forget to analyze your skin and identify your skin type correctly.

READ MORE - I know my skin type!!!

Biotique Bio Pistachio Ageless Nourishing and Revitalizing Face Pack {Product Review}

I love Biotique products. They work for me, simple!!! I do have reservations about the brand but then no harm in trying them. I am especially enamored by the face masks and scrubs and don't mind trying various brands if they catch my eye. So, this one was on the list since I have read favorable reviews. So, here is mine!!!

Price: 199 INR for 55gms

Ingredients

I have always been a little skeptical about the ingredient list of Biotique. I think that they don't put the entire list coz how can a product have 3 years shelf life when it has water as one of the main ingredients without using any preservatives. And, none of the ingredients mentioned above are looking like preservatives. And, one more thing is with only 19% of ingredients (most of which I am thinking are probably extracts or infusions), how can the product be so thick and creamy coz rest of the content is water (81% of Himlayan water!!!). May be 2.5% beeswax might be enough!!!

And, seriously, 0.2% saffron...does it do anything?????

My Experience

you will look like Shrek!!! :D

Moving over all my skepticism, I would say it is a good product. Nothing to rave about but a good face mask if you are looking one for a daily use and expect the mask to provide firming and hydration to the skin. And, yes, it can be used daily. Though my face is not sagging or anything, I have noticed that this mask does firm it up (overcome the effects of gravity, we will talk about that in another post). And, yes, the skin is soft and supple afterward. 

Don't expect it to brighten and whiten coz it doesn't claim that. It does what it claims and I am sure it will give more prominent results on mature skin. 

 

Btw, one more thing which I have noticed is that it probably warms the skin coz my skin always feels a little heated up after applying the pack. The warmth under the skin stays for a long time even after you have removed the pack so I expect it does it work even after being removed!!! It tingles for a few minutes but nothing to worry about. And, it doesn't dry up like the clay mask but dries up like a hydration mask is supposed to. Very easy to remove with dry cotton pads. I use dry cotton to remove the mask (I found dry cotton to be better at removing such creamy masks) and when I am done, I wash with cold water massaging the skin simultaneously while removing the final traces of the mask. And, a single tub does last quite long. It lasted me for around 8-10 uses in which I did apply the product pretty generously. 

My Recommendation

Worth a try!!! Will I again?? Oh, I am eying the milk mask from Biotique. That looks interesting. But, yup, I would definitely advise this for any one really looking for a reasonably priced mask. Will work especially well on dry skin and mature skin.

READ MORE - Biotique Bio Pistachio Ageless Nourishing and Revitalizing Face Pack {Product Review}

Do you exfoliate your eye area?

So, yes, we are all told never to exfoliate the skin around the eyes. But, I didn't really ever heed that suggestion. But, I have seen many people avoid that area. While applying masks, scrubs or doing any skin care treatment, the skin around the eyes are left out. So, how to remove the dead skin around the eyes. The simplest answer which came to me was Sugarcane juice.

Sugarcane juice has the highest concentration of glycolic acid. Glycolic Acid is one of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids which are amazing for the skin. Now, I'll save the details about Alpha-Hydroxy Acids for another post. Let us discuss about what Glycolic acid can do for us. You must have heard of various kinds of skin peels of different concentrations from your dermatologist.

Benefits of Glycolic Acid

• It has the highest penetration capability into the skin. This is one of the reasons why they are used in chemical peels.
• It helps in improving the skin texture and conditions. It may help in reducing the wrinkles, scars, pigmentation on the skin, blemishes and even acne.
• When applied on the skin, Glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the skin and weakens the bonds which holds the dead skin together. So, this is how it helps in exfoliation.

Exfoliation for the skin around the Eyes

Simply apply a layer of sugarcane juice on the area around the eyes or even whole of your face and neck. Let it dry and wash it off with lukewarm water and follow with cold water. Follow with a moisturizer. It is extremely important that this is done in the evening or at night and sun exposure should be avoided as much as possible on the next day.

Results

The skin is brighter immediately and softer and your face glows. I had even made a chocolate mask using sugarcane juice which I had posted sometime back. Check that out too!!! And, for me results, are better on the next morning.

Btw, when I had applied it entirely around my eyes, the fine lines under my eyes which had become deeper lately coz of my lack of sleep had softened to a lot of extent. So, yes, it did work on my fine lines :)

Acne people can exfoliate too

Oh, so since there is no scrubbing and scratching of the skin involved, everyone who has acne can also give this a try. No bacteria transfers and no dangers of irritating or popping out the acne or breakouts by chance. And, there is an equal chance that it will heal your acne too. So, a double thumbs up for this remedy. Actually, if I remember correctly, I probably did use sugarcane juice on one of my breakouts and it did not really get aggravated :)

Caution

Glycolic acid used in chemical peels is generally not derived from sugarcanes. I think it is chemically manufactured. Since it is an acid and has a high penetration capability, it can irritating to some people. Thus, make sure you are not sensitive to sugarcane.

On a good note, sugarcane juice is entirely natural. So, there are extremely low chances of irritation on the skin due to sugarcane juice.

Oh, btw, use freshly extracted sugarcane juice and do not leave the juice around for more than 15 minutes. I starts to oxidize. So, use the sugarcane juice as soon as possible and drink the rest.

READ MORE - Do you exfoliate your eye area?

Drink, Drink and Drink - Summer Skin Care

Ok, so summers are really here. And, Hyderabad is already blazing and it will blaze even more in the months to come One thing I have noticed is that my level of hydration has suddenly reduced. I am drinking less water and my skin is becoming parched real soon. Yes, the evaporation levels are high in summers so obviously to compensate this loss of water, we have to drink extra amounts of water. Right??? So. how many glasses of water are you drinking????

Ok, here I would really like to make a point. Is drinking water alone sufficient to keep the body hydrated?? Because, I have a little theory about water levels in the body. I might be wrong but here it goes - our body flushes out unnecessary things, right?? So, if we drink excess of water which body isn't able to store so obviously we make more trips to the loo. And, then, somewhere I read that excess water also flushes out certain minerals and vitamins out of the body which seems plausible and total whacky theory at the same time. A doctor or a skin care can reply better to this. Well, if you can, please feel free to clarify.

So, whatever be the case but I certainly think that drinking water alone is not gonna help much in hydration levels of the body because it has to be done from inside. So, it also depends a lot on the type and amount of food we are eating. Eating hydrated foods will definitely help improve the levels of water in our body. What I am saying is to load up on the foods which are full of water - cucumbers, radishes, onions, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges, all kinds of grapes and berries and fresh green leafy vegetables which have huge amount of water in them. All of these are full of water and taste really good. So, combine them with your regular water intake and see the difference. And, of course, do not forget green tea because you would need anti-oxidants to fight the free radicals created by the sunlight. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen :)

READ MORE - Drink, Drink and Drink - Summer Skin Care

Orange Sugar Body Scrub {DIY}

It has been so long since I have done some DIY and I have been lately indulging in some things so I shall share some experiments which were successful. So, today, I am sharing a simple body scrub you can make from oranges.

Ingredients

• 1 complete orange mashed along with the pulp
• 2 tablespoon honey
• sugar (in my case I used raw sugar called 'khandsari' in Hindi)
• 2 tea spoons salt (I used rock salt or sendha namak)
• apricot powder (optional)

Method

Mash a complete orange removing its seeds. Add the honey. Now, the mixture would be extremely watery so add enough amount of sugar to create a scrubby texture. Sidewise, add the salt. The mixture would be still very watery so I used apricot powder to give some stiffness to it.

Now, scrub your body with the mixture. Keep it on the body for 5-10 minutes. Of course, do not forget your face or the feet. This scrub would be useful on all parts of your body. Make this scrub just before your bath because vitamin C in oranges breaks down soon after being exposed to air and becomes useless. So, the fresher your scrub and sooner it is used, the better the results you will get. And, let me add, the pulp in the orange will fall all over in the bathroom so make sure that you finish your shower before your maid cleans the bathroom or do this at night (which is my advise because vitamin C makes the skin photosensitive and also because I found my skin was looking much brighter and softer the next morning).

Tips

• Use Jaggery powder or cane sugar in place of regular sugar.
• You can also add cocoa powder, besan, multani mitti or anything else which you can think of. Even oats are a good choice.

READ MORE - Orange Sugar Body Scrub {DIY}

Worthless Anti-Aging Products {Beauty Products}

Buying an expensive product which you find is completely worthless really hurts. So, check out the list of some really worthless products. I have included only the brands available in India and probably some are not available but I am familiar with them. If you are interested in the complete list, please go to Total Beauty. The products go worse as the list reaches the end.

• L'Oreal Paris RevitaLift Complete Lotion SPF 15
• Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer SPF 28
• Avon Ageless Results Intensive Line Filler SPF 15 
• L'Oreal Paris Ideal Skin Genesis Eye Serum
• Chanel Precision Sublimage Essential Regenerating Cream
• Clinique Advanced Stop Signs Eye SPF 15
• Clinique Zero Gravity Repairwear Lift Firming Cream 
• Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20
• L'Occitane Immortelle Eye Balm
  

READ MORE - Worthless Anti-Aging Products {Beauty Products}

Do not pick on your skin!!

Ohk, so yes, I have been MIA for a very long time now and you have been seeing quite a few sporadic posts from me. The reason is I'm just being plain lazy. Give me a laptop and I will read all 24 hours but when it comes to writing for my own blog, it takes lot of diligence and patience. I do like to particular about my posts and make it as easy to read as possible so if I am not in mood, it kinda becomes difficult. So, yeah, life is not so good at the moment but then there is always a beacon of light shining at the end of the tunnel. I am just waiting to reach the end. And, before I run away with my philosophical perspicacity on my circumstances, I shall come to the topic of the day. If you remember, I had started a series of bad habits which we are not aware of consciously but are extremely harmful for our skin in December. So, continuing in that vein, today's bad habit to be eradicated is - Picking or Poking or unnecessarily irritating your skin.

Yes, I suffer from this very very bad habit and I have my college to blame for it. In my college, I has 1 or 2 stray hairs on my chin which my friends made fun of :( and I got into the habit of plucking them out with my nails. Very very Harmful habit as I have come to realize. It has many implications which I'll discuss with you in a short while. I have also seen a few other people who are addicted to this habit. 

Effects on Skin

So, what happens to skin if you pick or pluck on it?? Well, for one, your skin sags at those areas. Yes, it will make you look old. Secondly, blemishes and dark spots are a direct consequence because of the blood clots under your skin and it really takes a long while to heal. Thirdly, when you pick at your skin using your nails, you are harming the nails in the process. They get brittle, drier and unattractive. So, another incentive to stay away from this  habit.

Worst of all the consequences is bad breakouts. Oh Yes, it has happened with me and I am currently dealing with the situation :( It is not pretty at all, trust me. When you pick at your skin for whatever reason, the cells under the skin get irritated and if you are really insensitive with your skin, it can trigger and inflammation. This can easily happen when you are dealing with facial hairs or eyebrows and popping pimples. This inflammation can result in the worst form of acne - the bubbles filled with pus which you can't treat using anything (trust me, I have been there and done that !!). So, stop this habit right now. Your skin will thank you. Either learn to live with your skin as it is or do something else but do not pick at your skin. Just stop touching your skin with your fingers coz its equally bad as we know that bacteria from the fingers get settled on the face.

Now, I would not discuss in detail how to get rid of this habit coz I have been trying since quite a long time but have not yet been able to. But, strict self-control seems to be the light of the day. Habits die hard but it is said that if you can carry a habit for 21 days to be precise, it becomes a habit. So, control yourself for 21 days and you will live!!  

READ MORE - Do not pick on your skin!!

Anti-Aging Serum Varnya {Product Review}

I know you people have not heard of this and it is not a brand. Now, of course, I have said this time and again that I love facial oils and do not mind trying some. So, do you remember my review of LashMantra? This product, Varnya, has been developed by the same lady, Leon. Before getting into discussing my experience with the product, this is the link to the website. Let me give you a brief introduction to the product. 

About Varnya

The name of the product itself is so wonderful that it makes you try it. Varnya is a Sanskrit word which means glowing complexion. This anti-aging serum provides 9 benefits to your skin - reduces fine lines and wrinkles, evens out skin tone, repairs damage caused by UV rays, repairs Acne, tightens sagging skin, fades age spots and blemishes, moisturizes and makes your skin soft and supple, tightens pores and brightens up a dull and sallow complexion. I know it sounds too good to be true but wait till you hear my experience. You can read about the ingredients here. It is a completely organic and natural preparation using botanical and cold-pressed oils.

Now, an interesting thing about this product is that you can get it custom made too. Well, Leon will send you a questionnaire in which you can discuss the type of your skin, allergies you might have, any skin diseases or disorders, your pregnancy conditions or nursing issues and make the product for you based on your answers. Now, why are such questions important. The serum contains some essential oils which are not preferred when you are pregnant or might interact in a negative way if you suffer from hormonal imbalances or have some allergies. So, I would say this is the best service any customer can get directly from the creator. Also, Leon has been testing this product on herself since a year so this is not a just-made product for earning money.

My Experience with Varnya

Now, I would love to discuss my experience with the product. I received Varnya a month ago around the same dates.So, I have been using this product without fail since a month except 2-3 days in between. So, let us start with how much does it fulfill its claims.

• Claim 1: Reduces fine lines and wrinkles: I would not vouch for its reducing fine lines under my eyes but I would definitely say that my neck line is visibly less prominent and the change is marked not just-so-subtle. Regarding the fine lines under the eyes, I would say that I have not been sleeping properly so can't blame the serum for not doing the job.

• Claim 2: Evens out skin tone: Yes, it evens out skin tone really well. My forehead was much more darker in shade than my cheeks and chin which was always a problem for me. I did try a lot of things but nothing worked. Now, my forehead and cheeks are more or less of the same shade.

• Claim 3: Repairs damage caused by UV rays: I have a skin which is very much vulnerable to sun exposure. The minute I step out int he sun, my skin literally changes color. I have had sun allergy since I was a kid. My face was horribly tanned and even more so my neck. When seen as a unit attached to my shoulders, my neck looked horribly dark. Well, as you guessed, my skin has turned its own color. And, of course, I have been told that I have become fair which means my tan is all gone.

• Claim 4: Repairs Acne: A very funny thing happened when I was writing this review. My skin is not acne-prone or break-out prone but yes, sometimes, even I do get pimples and stuff. So, lately after November Acne attack (an experience which I have yet to share with you all), I did not get breakouts. So, I could not test this serum for how well it deals on that claim. But, by the end of the evening, I find a very angry red full of pus breakout on my neck. So, I decided to let this review rest for two-three days and test out Varnya on the breakout. I apply Varnya on my face and neck at night and go to sleep. And, voila!! In the morning, I found that the breakout had reduced to almost an extent of 60% and appears to be healing. So, another plus for Varnya !! Another credit I would give to Varnya was that it healed the acne scar on my forehead to a large extent.

Update about the breakout: It is completely gone without leaving a scar or anything by the end of the day.

• Claim 5: Tightens sagging skin: My skin is not sagging or loose. It is still in its prime and looks great. But, still, I could see a difference Varnya made to the elasticity of my skin. After applying Varnya, you can notice that the skin is noticeably tighter and firmer. 

• Claim 6: Fades age spots and blemishes: Yes, it does fade blemishes. I do not have age spots but I have some patches of dark skin (kind of blemishes) on my neck which have reduced to a great extent. 

• Claim 7: Moisturizes and makes your skin soft and supple: Yes, it does moisturize my skin. In the winters (I am talking about Hyderabad winters), the moisturizing was not up to the level in December but now that the weather has turned warm, the moisturizing is good enough and next morning, your skin feels supple as if it is hydrated from within. This look lasts all day long.

• Claim 8: Tightens pores: I am kind of double-minded on this claim. In the starting days I was using it, I felt that it did really tighten my pores but now I am feeling it is not. So, I am not able to decide on this one. My blackheads have reduced to a certain extent though after I have started using Varnya.

• Claim 9: Brightens up a dull and sallow complexion: Absolutely true. It brings an undeniable glow to the face and keeps it like that for the whole day even if you go into sun and pollution and dust.

 Now, after I have analyzed the claims, I want to summarize my own experience in a few words. 

• Since I have started using Varnya, I have noticed that whatever product I use on my face in the morning gets absorbed effectively without making my skin oily and dull which used to happen earlier. Even my sunscreen settled on my skin well which never happened with me till date. I do not apply makeup so can't say how it blends under makeup.
• My skin is extremely vulnerable to sun so the moment I step out into sun, it used to turn dark and dull and tired. Since I have been using Varnya, that has stopped.
• In simple words, Varnya protects the skin from external harms and repairs the skin well. 
• A single bottle of Varnya would last long if you use it in conjunction with some other facial oil or serum as I did. In a month, I ended up using only 1/5th of the bottle. 
• Now, comes the biggest downside of Varnya. It costs 72$ for 6 month supply. That's really costly. But, there is an upside. An offer of Buy1, Get 1 free is going on the site so if you are interested, go and order one right now before the offer closes.  
• Before, I wrap up, I would include this that do not think this serum is only for dry and mature skin. Leon can whip up a serum for you depending on your skin type and condition so if you have an oily or combination skin, do not be afraid of trying this for your skin.

How did I use Varnya? 

I did not use only Varnya because it was less on moisturizing in December and early January as I mentioned above. So, I used to mix 3 drops of Varnya with Rogan Badam. But, for treating the breakout, I used only Varnya - 10 drops. 

Packaging of Varnya

The bottle comes with a dropper to ensure you do not apply more than necessary. It has a very subtle smell. To smell it, you have to peek into the bottle otherwise it does not linger around. I would say it smells funky but I do not mind the smells, especially, if a product delivers. 

My Recommendation

You hardly need to ask it, right? It is an amazing product. Finally, a product which does what it says. So, I would definitely say that you should give it a try. It does not matter what your age is because it is not an anti-aging specific product but it is a skin repair and protection product which should be used everyday to get problem-free skin.

Disclaimers: I received the product from Leon for reviewing purposes. I have not been paid or influenced to write this review and I am not an affiliate of this product. This is my personal experience with the product.

READ MORE - Anti-Aging Serum Varnya {Product Review}

Ayurvedic Tips

Ok, guys!! So, today morning I was going through my regular list of e-mails and other blog feeds and I came across an amazing article on "Ayurvedic Beauty Regimen" posted in IMBB. You gotta check it out. Its very informative and opens a vista of lifestyle habits which are extremely healthy and will keep your beautiful and happy. Among those things, I have already talked about head massage and body massage and their benefits for the body. I would also try to inculcate the other things and would share my experiences with you.

READ MORE - Ayurvedic Tips