April Fresh Beginnings: Beautywishbox by The Nature's Co's Review

I'm a huge fan of The Nature's Co's products. I chanced upon a few nature's co's products in the GlamEgo beauty boxes that I subscribe to and I was blown over the results. So, I decided to subscribe to the Nature's Co's beautywishbox, which is a beauty subscription box that comes with some of the choicest The Nature's Co's products every month.

In today's post, I am going to share my views of the April month's beauty wish box by the nature's co. As with each month, the April month also has an unique theme called Fresh Beginnings. The products are carefully curated to suit the theme. Here's the details of the products as mentioned in the nature's co's website:

April month's Fresh Beginnings Contains 5 Fresh products:

• Hibiscus Anti Dandruff Hair Cleanser 50 ml Worth Rs. 200/- (Retail Pack Available for Rs. 995/- for 250 ml).
• Lavender Bath Salt 125 gm worth Rs. 400/- (Retail Pack Available for Rs. 795/- for 250gm). 
• White Lily Body Scrub 50 ml worth Rs.250/- (Retail Pack Available for Rs. 1095/-for 250 ml).
• Lily of the Valley Body Lotion 50 ml worth Rs.150/- (Retail Pack Available for Rs. 725/- for 250 ml).
• French Muguet and Jasmine Body Mist 30 ml worth Rs.225/- (Retail Pack Available for Rs. 695/- for 100 ml)

Free Gift:

Love to wear scarves?

Specially designed collection of floral printed scarf WORTH Rs. 300/-

for you to enjoy Spring-Summer xoxo

 Get “Fresh Beginnings” BWB products in a Floral Printed Pouch worth Rs.200/-

All of this at a steal cost of Rs. 795/- instead of Rs. 1725/-

In my opinion, this is a steal deal that natural and herbal beauty products lovers cannot afford to miss. I've not used the products yet, so I can't comment on that for now. At the outset and based on my experience with the nature's co products,I would recommend the April month's Fresh Beginnings beautywish box by the Nature's Co. 

My Chemistry with Juicy Chemistry : My Top Juicy Chemistry Picks : Part I

After a brief hiatus, I finally decided to give a second life to this blog. What could be a better way to restart my writing than writing about a skincare brand that has taken the organic skincare industry by storm? Yes, this post is about my favourite product brand, Juicy Chemistry!

What is Juicy Chemistry?

For the uninitiated, Juicy Chemistry is a natural and organic product brand, which includes a range of skin care, hair care, and body care products. These products are free from chemicals, artificial colorants, preservatives, and parabens. They include natural and organic ingredients that are safe for the skin and hair. Learn more about it here.  

Juicy Chemistry: Natural and Organic Skin and Hair Care 

When Juicy Chemistry was launched in Nykaa, I was thrilled to try the entire range. As I have normal to dry skin type, I tried quite a few skincare and hair care products from Juicy Chemistry  that are meant for dry skin and frizzy hair. Here is my review of each of the product after trying them religiously for a good six to seven months.

Packaging

Juicy Chemistry products defy the saying “Don’t judge the book by its cover” as they have such an attractive packaging much like their contents. The products come in recyclable plastic jars. Each jar is carefully sealed with a silver foil to protect the product. Once the silver foil is removed, you should replace it with the plastic cover/protector that comes separately with the product. Besides the plastic protector, you also get a wooden spatula and a natural loofah with every purchase for FREE. What more could you ask for? 

Additional notes: As the Juicy Chemistry products don’t have preservatives, it is recommended to always scoop out the product using the spatula and secure the jar with the protector to maintain the hygiene of the product.

   

Price

Though the brand is around for some time now, it shot to fame only with its launch in Nykaa, a few months back. The launch price seemed lighter on our pockets and had value for money. Within a span of six months, there is a sharp hike in the price of many products, which pushes Juicy Chemistry to the luxury segment.

Here is the list of Juicy Chemistry Hits and Misses

 Ylang Ylang and Lavender Oatmeal Daily Cleanser – A Holy Grail

This is my holy grail in a jar. I use the Ylang Ylang and Lavender Oatmeal Daily Cleanser almost every day.  Thanks to the ylang ylang and lavender essential oils in it. It smells heavenly, so much so that whenever I feel a little down, I catch a whiff of it and I’m good to go. This cleanser is not just a mood lifter, but a skin saviour too. I mix it as recommended with milk or milk cream and apply to the wet face in a circular motion and rinse well. Voila! My skin feels soft and supple. It has a coarse texture due to the presence of oatmeal, which helps in mild exfoliation as well.

My recommendation: Should I say more?  Go for it. The Ylang Ylang and Lavender Oatmeal Daily Cleanser will make your day. I have already repurchased it despite the price hike. Highly recommended for all!

Retails for Rs 600/- for 75 gm, Rs 400/- for 30g (a sharp hike from Rs 400 to 600 for 75gm)

Body Butters- A Big Thumbs Up

I tried two body butters from Juicy Chemistry. A sweet Classic Rose body butter and a spicy and wild Neroli and Rosehip body butter. While the Classic Rose body butter has a sweet and soothing fragrance that is just right for a moisturizer, the Neroli and Rosehip body butter has a strong and wild smell. The high notes of the Neroli frangrance in this body butter are extremely enduring, making a deodorant redundant.  However, if you are sensitive to spicy fragrance, I suggest you stay away from the Neroli and Rosehip body butter and choose another from their range of body butters. Similarly, it has a very thick consistency, which easily melts into a damp skin though. Go for it only if you have extremely dry and damaged skin.

Additional notes: I had purchased a full size (50g) product of the Neroli and Rosehip body butter, and a small size (15g) product of the Classic Rose body butter, which are now used to the last drop.

My recommendation: I give a big thumbs up to both the Neroli and Rosehip body butter and the Classic Rose body butter. As mentioned, the Neroli and Rosehip body butter may not suit people with normal to combination skin types. It is strictly meant for people with normal to dry and damaged skin.

Classic Rose Body Butter retails for Rs 650/- for 50 gm, Rs 400/- for 15gm 

Neroli and Rosehip Body Butter retails for Rs 600/- for 50 gm, Rs 400/- for 15gm 

Moisturisers- Claims Mouthful, But Not wonderful

I tried the Red Rasberry seed & Spearmint day cream, which has red raspberry seed and carrot seed oil as its chief ingredients. Raspberry seed and carrot seed has moisturizing properties in them, which help to keep the skin hydrated and supple. This day cream also claims to double up as a sunscreen as it contains natural SPF that protects the skin from the UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Quite a mouthful claim indeed! However, it failed miserably as a day cream as it made my face look cakey and all made-up. The texture of the cream is very thick, making it difficult to blend into the skin. To top it all, the cream has become rock solid in the cold Bengaluru weather, which doesn’t emulsifies even on the damp skin. I cannot comment on how this product fares as a sunscreen as I did not get a chance to roam in the sun.

My recommendation: I will neither repurchase nor recommend the Red Rasberry seed & Spearmint day cream.

 Red Rasberry seed & Spearmint retails for Rs 600/- for 35gm, Rs 350/- for 15gm

Lip Care- Rosy Features, Only If You Bear the Price Hike Thorn

I tried the Rosy Rose lip butter and the Rosy Rose lip scrub. The sweet rose fragrance dominates these products much like the Classic Rose body butter. The Rosy Rose lip butter has a sheer coverage and tingles upon application. As mentioned, it is not free from fragrance. It has a medium rose fragrance that lingers for some time. The lip butter protects the lips from the moisture loss and keeps them hydrated for an hour at the maximum. After sometime, it may need reapplication as with the other lip balms. It has also helped in lightening my lips a bit. 

Talking about the Rosy Rose lip scrub, it has a coarse texture for gentle exfoliation. It is visibly a blend of sugar, almond oil, and rose essence. Upon rubbing the solution on the lips, I can see instant results. My lips feel softer and supple. Again, the Rosy Rose lip scrub has also helped in lightening my lips.

My recommendation: I will recommend the Rosy Rose lip butter and the Rosy Rose lip scrub, but only if you are a fan of sweet fragrances. I wish I also repurchase the Rosy Rose lip butter and the Rosy Rose lip scrub, but with the sudden sharp hike in the price of these products, I’m forced to opt out and look for other options.

The Rosy Rose lip butter and the Rosy Rose lip scrub retails for RS 350/- each

Let's continue to explore more Juicy Chemistry products in the next post. The chemistry continues........

Just Herbs Instaglow Almond Complexion Pack: Review

This week I'm sharing my experience with one of the popular herbal beauty brands in India, Just Herbs.

Just Herbs products are selling like a hot cake in many e-commerce beauty stores. The most popular products from their range include Just Herbs Shampoo, Just Herbs Face Wash, Just Herbs Blemish Free Anti-Blemish cream, Just Herbs Silksplash, Just Herbs Advanced Ayurvedic Pimple Treatment, Just Herbs Silksplash Neem Orange Rehydrate Face Wash, and the last but not the least, Just Herbs Instaglow Almond Complexion pack.

The focus of this post is Just Herbs Instaglow Almond Complexion pack. It is basically a mud pack, which comes in a luxurious glass jar packaging. It has a divine herbal smell, which is very soothing and lingering for quite some time.

The texture of Just Herbs Instaglow Almond Complexion pack is very smooth and creamy. A little goes a long way as the consistency is very thick. A coin-size would suffice to smear the mask on the face and neck if you mix it with milk or milk cream. If you have very dry skin as I do, I would highly recommend mixing this pack with milk cream and honey for the best results. If you have normal or combination skin, you can use the pack directly without mixing any additional ingredient.

No matter if you apply it directly or mix it with milk or milk cream, this mud/ clay-based mask dries quickly. It comes handy for a quick facial, or if you want to pamper yourself on the go. However, the jar is not quite travel-friendly, you have to handle it carefully to avoid breakage. Another downside of the package is it doesn't come with a spatula of its own for scooping out the product. Make sure you use a clean spoon to scoop out and a bowl if you want to blend the product with milk or honey. As a thumb rule, avoid dipping your finger into any product to maintain the hygiene of the product.

Talking about the efficacy of Just Herbs Instaglow Almond Complexion pack, it moisturizes and adds a glow to the skin. It makes the skin soft and supple in a single application. Moreover, it is not pricey and the quantity required for each application is very less, making this product very economical. Overall, it is a "must-have" product in the skin care kit of every woman with normal to dry skin. I am satisfied with the results and I would highly recommend Just Herbs Instaglow Almond Complexion for dry skin.

Khadi Natural Milk & Saffron Herbal Hand Cream Review

Hello ladies, today I'm back with yet another review of a hand cream by a popular beauty brand called Khadi Natural. Khadi Natural Milk & Saffron Herbal Hand Cream comes in a plastic container. The packaging is handy and travel-friendly.

The texture of the product is very smooth and the consistency is thick. It is neither greasy nor dry,  just perfect for a boost of moisturization.  It absorbs easily into the skin. However, it is not recommended for people with extremely oily skin as it can turn out to be sticky.

As it has got moisturizing properties such as milk and Shea butter, it is better suitable for people with dry skin. It also has saffron as one of its chief ingredients, which helps in brightening the skin. Though it has got herbal ingredients and claims to be a herbal product, it doesn's smell earthy or herbal.The fragrance is very pleasant, though.

Another concern is this hand cream is not long-lasting. It requires multiple applications as it wears off quickly. Even when you apply it during the night when your hands are not exposed to the outside environment, it wears off quickly.

In my experience, this is a good product, but not a great product. I will neither repurchase nor recommend Khadi Natural Milk & Saffron Herbal Hand Cream.  I'll find out a good hand moisturizer and introduce it in this space soon.

Auravedic Bath Salts Review

I wanted to try bath salts in my bath for the longest time. I chanced upon Auravedic Bath Salts Rose in Amazon and grabbed it for a good deal (120 RS for 250 gm).

What Auravedic Bath Salts claims:
Auravedic Bath salts are packed with healthy minerals. To transform a bath into a luxurious and therapeutic experience, the use of aromatic salts or aromatherapy will create an atmosphere of sensuality and relaxation. Soothe and comfort your body by soaking in a warm bath. Soaking in this salt helps balance moisture in the skin and body, cleans pores, soothes skin and relaxes muscles. Infused with a therapeutic blend of essentials oils to rejuvenate both body and mind.

My Experience:
I purchased Auravedic Bath Salts in the rose fragrance. I used it as a part of my weekly home pedicure regimen. I also used it a few times to exfoliate my skin during the bath. 

Packaging: Auravedic Bath Salts come in an opague tubular plastic bottle with a lid cap. Natural and dried rose petals could be seen through the pack along with rose bath salts. 

Texture: It has a coarse texture to aid gentle exfoliation. When applied on the moist skin, it dissolves and creates a cooling effect. 

Fragrance: This is the best part of the Rose Auravedic Bath Salts. You can buy this product for this very reason. After using this in my bath, my entire washroom smelled like a heaven, and the smell stays for a long time. The high notes of rose fragrance sets the right environment for an aromatic bath or pedicure at home. I would recommend adding a handful of Auravedic Bath Salts to warm water in a bath tub and soak yourself for an enchanting expereince. You can also use it as a foot soak to relax your feet at the end of a tired day. 

Experience : As I mentioned, it creates a cooling effect when applied on the skin. However, I will not recommend the application of this product on the face as it caused a mild irritation around my eyes and the lip area.

Results: I did not see any visible results or positive change in my skin as a result of using Auravedic Bath Salts. In fact, it created mild irritation when I used it on my face. However, it works as great a foot soak and mildly exfoliates the body. 

My recommendation: If you are a fan of aromatic products and love flower fragrances, this is a great product to try your hands at. The soothing rose fragrance makes Auravedic Bath Salts worth its price. However, if you are looking for a miraculaous improvement in your skin, you will be disppointed. 

VAADI HERBALS : PEDICURE-MANICURE SPA KIT Review

Today, I am sharing my view of the pedicure and manicure kit from a brand called VAADI HERBALS. The attractive pricing and the availability of this product across major e-commerce websites prompted me to buy it.

To begin with, this kit consists of a foot cleanser, a foot scrub, a foot cream, an anti-tan foot mask, and a nail and cuticle oil.  An entire pedicure-manicure range of products at an affordable price. I could not ask for more.

The packaging is really attractive. It is very compact and easy to carry.

The products are carefully arranged in a travel-friendly box.

The first product in this range is the foot cleanser. It has a gel-like consistency and has a strong lemongrass fragrance. Upon application, it lathers gently and does not produce excessive foam. It cleanses gently though not excessively, which is good in my case. The cleansing also requires a generous amount of the product and one scoop will not suffice.

The next product is a foot scrub. This product is my favorite in this entire range. It looks very luxurious though not very pricey. It has a creamy consistency with small herbal particles for gentle exfoliation. Again, it has a strong lemongrass fragrance and requires quite a generous amount for a thorough exfoliation.

The third product is a foot cream, which has a buttery consistency and mildly hydrating. It absorbs well into your skin without leaving the feet greasy. However, if you have a dry or very dry skin, you may require an extra layer of a heavy-duty moisturizer on top of it. The cream did not have an overpowering fragrance as its ingredients do not include lemongrass.

The fourth product is an anti-tan foot mask, which is little herbal and earthy. Again, you require a generous amount of the product to make it work for you. Upon application, it blends well into your skin unlike a typical mask that would stick to the outer layer of the skin. 

The last and final product is a nail and cuticle oil, which comes in a glass bottle with a rollerball tip. The application is very easy and not messy. The rollerball helps in gentle massaging of the cuticles and nails. This product also has a strong lemongrass fragrance.  

Overall, I am very happy with the product. I would definitely repurchase it. Unless you dislike the strong lemongrass fragrance, this product is a decent buy. It is definitely a value for money though does not produce miraculous results. 

Nykaa: E-Commerce Website/App Review

Has Nykaa Taken the Beauty World By Storm?

Nykaa is an Indian e-commerce website. It is an one stop destination for all your beauty and makeup needs.It has a comprehensive selection of makeup, skincare, hair care, beauty, health, bath and body care, styling, and grooming products of some of the choicest and premium brands.  It also has an app, which is available for a free download from Google Play. Both the Nykaa website and App provide an amazing shopping experience. They are 100% safe and genuine online shopping platforms.

The interface is very simple and user-friendly. The products are categorized logically for easy navigation. Though Nykaa specializes in cosmetics and skin care, they have a home store featuring home decors and furnishings, which I find a bit expensive

When it comes to the pricing of the skin care or makeup products, it’s festive time in Nykaa all through the year as one sale or the other is always on. You can seize a steal deal every time you visit it. Besides the deals and discounts, Nykaa also provides points if you make a purchase, write a product review, or refer a friend, which you can redeem on your next purchase. The pointing system is really cool as every 100 points that you earn equal 1 rupee. They also offer free shipping and cash on delivery for a minimum purchase of 500 rupees.

Nykaa has also gone an extra mile from being a mere retail platform to an information hub by dedicating a section for informative articles from its panel of experts, and interesting how-to videos from its beauty bloggers. So, you never come empty handed by visiting this website.

On the flip side,  Nykaa takes an inordinate amount of time for delivering the order if you buy during a sale. It lures the buyers by always flaunting the best deals, thereby making a big hole in your pockets

Happy Beauty Shopping at Nykaa!