Product Reviews

Olay Total Effects 7 in One cream + serum duo SPF 15 {Product Review}

Swathy · June 9, 2013 · Leave a Comment

I am doing this review as a part of blogadda program so I had to use it for 7 days and post the review. Unfortunately, the clever me totally skipped that part of the deal!!

So, here goes a quick review of the product and I am extremely sorry for the inconvenience caused to whomsoever it may concern. Also, please note that I have not tried the product for a month as I regularly do!

Price: Rs 369 for 20gms

Pros

gets absorbed into the skin easily!

doesn’t feel heavy on skin!

prevents skin from getting dull!

Cons

does not really stand tall on all it claims!!

My Experience

Well, for the starters, I do not like the fact that it has spf 15. Since it is an anti-aging product which is a cream-serum combo, it should have either been a night cream (I am sure Olay has something in that category as well) or have a higher sun protection factor if it was intended for morning use.

Anyways, a moisturizer should not be used as a sunscreen so it works out perfectly. The product is really light on the skin provided you don’t tend to overuse.

A pea-size drop is enough to cover face and neck. It gets absorbed into the skin within seconds without leaving any greasy feeling. And, the result is a well-hydrated skin.

Given that I have not been taking care of my skin prior to the arrival of this product, I did see some laugh lines along the mouth. The proper moisturizing from the product did help smoothen them. They are still there but less visible because of supple skin.

One thing I noticed since I started with this product was that my skin was not getting dull by the end of the day which it had started to when it was peak summers. May be it is this product or the weather itself! Hyderabad has been awesome lately 🙂

the seven claims! please click on the pic to enlarge and read them and i am sorry to not get a clear pic! next time I shall do better!

But, sine the main ambition of the product is to address seven signs of aging, let me talk about how it fares on those grounds. The pic above shows the seven effects and it also claims to give more fairness.

Honestly, I do not think I saw any difference on those seven claims! I have a few fine lines under the eye on which there was no effect but then it has been just like 10-14 days I have been using the product! Wrinkles need little more time to improve!

On grounds of even skin tone, I do not think I saw anything either. When I apply the product, it helps brighten the skin but that is that! It does not lighten the skin tone or anything.

I have few dark spots on the neck but unfortunately there is no improvement in them either! Now, there is change in the skin pores. When skin is adequately moisturized, pores do seem less in size so that is the only change I have seen!

One thing more I have noticed is that the effects of the product are visible only as long as you keep on applying it. So, I think the product would be more effective when it is used along with its night time counterpart!

can you see the yellow ribbons in the product? that’s the serum at work!!

My Verdict

The product is worth being tried once. It might be a good moisturizer for all those who are searching for one! And, it can be used on oily or combination skin as well!!

Have you tried out this product? Do share your experiences!

I am trying out Olay Total Effects as a part of the product review program at BlogAdda.com

Homemade Castile Soap

Swathy · May 10, 2013 · 9 Comments

Guest Post by Waseema

This is the first time that I am writing a review and I am excited and nervous at the same time. Today I would like to review a pure olive oil soap also called Castile Soap handmade by me at home.

Why I got into soap making is because my daughters aged 5 yrs and 1 yr have very sensitive skin and any soap I use caused dry flaky skin or dry patches with redness and itching on them.

The soaps I make are cold process soaps which have a high percentage of glycerin in it as a result of the saponification process. Hence, these soaps are very conditioning and do not dry out skin unlike commercial soaps.

Ingredients

Saponified oils of olive, castor, lye and distilled water. Unscented, Uncolored.

My Experience

This soap does not lather like the commercial soaps as it contains 90% olive oil, but the addition of castor oil helps with bubbles as seen in the picture above. If you use a pouf/nylon mesh scrubber you can get decent lather. Though this soap does not lather much but it cleanses very well and does not dry the skin.

Ever since my daughters have been using this soap their skin is behaving well and does not break out in itchy rashes or flaky patches. I would recommend this soap for babies and those with sensitive and dry mature skin. Overall this works as a great soap for all skin types.

Editor’s Note: This is so true. Read what I wrote about the difference between soaps and bathing bars.

Due to high glycerine content these soaps melt very easily and to keep it around longer you have to avoid holding it in the shower stream, and make sure that you store it on a well-draining soap dish, or else it can end up in a gloppy mess.

I make these soaps at home. Currently I have a batch that’s cured and ready to be used. You can check more pictures here. If you would like to buy them, let me know.

Price: Rs 99 for 80gms

Thank you so much for reading my review!
Luv,
Waseema.

Editor’s Note: Thanks a lot Waseema for letting us know about the castile soaps. They are indeed really awesome!

My tryst with Natural Shampoos – Some Random Product Reviews – Part V

Swathy · April 25, 2013 · 6 Comments

So, I have finally used 3 SLS-free shampoos and I decided to put up some words about them. One thing before starting. Please do not expect natural products to perform just like commercial products. They may be better or worse in their own ways.

Soul Tree Triphala Hair Revitalizing Shampoo

Price: Rs 350 for 200ml

My Experience

I had used this shampoo way back in last September and I was really excited to try it out. But, unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations!! It was drying for my hair and it also did not clean the oil, oil applied on the hair not the natural oil.

Neev Olive Neem Shampoo

Price: Rs 85 for 100ml

My Experience

I finished this product just last month. For a change, it was way better in experience than the previous one. It did not dry my hair a lot and it cleansed the hair well, if oil was not applied on the hair. Hair was bouncy and soft after the wash.

click on picture to enlarge to read text clearly!

But, it cleanses only little of the applied oil which was sad. But, it lathers really well and smells of rosemary. And, I used to use it on the days when I was in hurry and had no time to oil my hair!

Organic Surge Moisture Boost Shampoo

Price: Rs 625 for 250ml

My Experience

The only answer to this product is I am liking it. And, it has been the best of all the shampoos I have used till date. But, unfortunately, no shampoo has answer to my dry hair 🙁

It lathers really well with a very less amount of product. And, the quantity is enough to remove the dirt and dust. The best part is it removes the oil, howsoever quantity you might have applied and you do not have to use the shampoo more than twice!

click on picture to enlarge to read text clearly!

Ok, one problem is with packaging. The shampoo starts leaking out as soon as you open the fliptop so it has to be stored properly; upside down! Also, it does give a subtle shine but you have to use the conditioner. Sadly, I did not get the conditioner with it.

Damn, it is expensive!! But, it does last long. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, if you skip the conditioner it makes the hair little frizzy which is sad. Otherwise, it is a decent shampoo which can be given a try!!

Get it from flipkart:

What about you? Have you tried using SLS-free shampoos? How do you like it?