Product Reviews

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock {Product Review}

Swathy · May 25, 2011 · 13 Comments

I love this sunscreen to bits and pieces.

Price: 450 INR for 88 ml (thanks Gautami!!!)

Ingredients

My Experience

This is the best sunscreen I have used till date. I have tried lots and lots of sunscreens and have always hated everyone of them. This is the only one I have been consistent with in usage. It is definitely very expensive so it goes only on my face and neck. Biotique sunscreens are great for my hands and other parts of the body so it works out to be complimentary solution. It doesn’t get oily, keeps the face matte and oil free completely. I have stayed with this suncreen for four hours under the sun literally. And, at the end, my face ended up with just a wee-bit of oil which was a combination of oil and sweat. Then, I have used it during my vacations on the beach and in the hills and it gives great protection all round. Since it is spf 50, I leave it for around 4 hours and my skin hasn’t tanned a lot (may be a little). Reapplication after 4 hors is obviously necessary.

The texture is very sheer so if you spread even a little bit of sunscreen on your hands, it feels very creamy. It spreads very easily and gets absorbed easily. If you are applying it in little quantity, it gets absorbed soon but if you apply it in a thick layer, then it takes around 10-15 minutes to get completely absorbed. Now, let me point out one thing. This product is a sunblock not a sunscreen (even though I have used that word). I prefer sunblock to sunscreens coz sunblocks don’t get absorbed into the skin. Instead, they stay on the skin and deflect the sun’s rays. So, technically, you can apply a sunblock and go into the sun immediately. What I fail to understand is that why should this be, then, applied 15-30 minutes before sun exposure. I would love an asnwer to this question and would ask Neutrogena people to answer it. Another problem with the product is that it stings in the eye so be very careful while applying it in the eye area.

My Recommendation

You should definitely buy it. Sunscreens are very important and spending on a good one is well-worth the cost.PS: I had intended to point out that this sunblock is not moisturizing at all but it slipped from my mind while writing the review. Thanks to Dhanu that she reminded me. The sunscreen might be moisturizing enough for oily skins but combination, normal and dry skin need a moisturizer before using the sunblock.

Wella Kolestint Hair Color – Medium Mahogany Brown {Product Review}

Swathy · May 24, 2011 · 6 Comments

Box got damaged during the transit

Before reading this post, let me tell you that I have written this post in segments (before coloring my hair while doing the strand test and after the coloration) so you might find some tenses a bit confusing.

Color chart provided on the box though I read somewhere that results of these at-home treatments rarely correspond with that of the given colors

Well, as I had read in some blog, my hair was a virgin till February when I first used Lush Caca Noir. I have been wanting to color my hair since quite a few years but then scare of ammonia and other things had discouraged me and I really don’t like to take risks. But, when Wella sent a mail for voluntary applications, I really couldn’t resist myself. So, I asked for Medium Mahogany Brown and Burgundy. This time I am using Medium Mahogany Brown. I’ll use Burgundy after probably 4-5 months or depending on how long this hair color lasts. I got the package around 20 days back but I had to go out of town so I couldn’t give it a try but I have been dying to use it. I came back a few days back and one of the first few things on the list included trying out Wella Kolestint.

Price: 519 INR

How to use it?

The packaging comes with a very detailed instruction set which clearly tells how to use the product.


Nourishing Almond Cream for pre-coloration treatment, color creme in the tube and developer in the bottle and the after-color shine treatment as a conditioner afterward and a pair of gloves

So, to make the long story short, you apply the almond cream before coloring the hair. Then, mix the color creme and the developer in equal quantities and apply to the entire hair or the sections you want to. Leave it for 40 minutes on average. Wash off without shampooing. Follow with the conditioner provided.

Instruction Leaflet

The instruction set also comes with the allergy patch test and strand test instructions which must be followed before hand (around 48 hours before coloring the hair). I did not perform the allergy test which is extremely wrong so please do not miss out on this step. It is very important.

My Experience

Now, I have used a block of Lush Caca Noir probably in the ending of April (around 27-30th April). So, I am not very sure how the color would turn up.

Before Coloring

Now, I have applied the color and washed it off. So, first let me describe the application part. The pre-treatment almond cream smells awesome and is pretty smooth to apply. Now, comes the hard part. After mixing the creme color and creme developer, do not inhale the fumes ever. Strong doses of Ammonia come through so apply the color in a properly ventilated area otherwise you might really die of toxic fumes (I don’t think that would happen but I really felt that). It is choking and do have someone else with you while doing this procedure in case of any problem. Asthma people should probably stay away from it.

Now, the application of the paste is really very easy coz it is pretty smooth and a creamy mixture just like a very creamy conditioner. It glides on smoothly on the hair. The resultant color of the paste for the Medium Mahogany was a hideous orange. So, after applying, I did feel a burning sensation on the scalp for about 5-10 minutes. It was uncomfortable but not intolerable. Now, let me confess again, it is my fault that I did not do the patch test for allergic reactions which is extremely important so do not miss it. I would also like to ask if anyone has tried it and felt the same reaction. Do share. The sensation dissipated after 10-15 minutes. I did think of washing it off but I thought why not see it for 5 minutes more. So, I probably kept the developer on for like an hour or 50 minutes. I did the strand test but there was no change of color so I wasn’t even sure if anything would happen.

After the stipulated time, I washed off the color without using a shampoo. It lathers very well. I used normal water, not hot or cold. I think its best to use normal water or very lukewarm. Beware that strong ammonia fumes would come again (it comes in small doses when you have the color developer on your hair so sit in a well-ventilated area). Do not breathe in them and keep the exhaust fan of your bathroom switched on at this time. That will help to an extent. Wash thoroughly till everything is washed out. Follow with the given conditioner. And, do not forget to wash your body and face after doing this coz color might stick to your body while flowing down. Now, the hair was colored.

After Coloring without flash – my hair is more shiny

After Coloring with flash (you can see subtle hints of color)

Now, when I saw at first, I thought there is no difference in my hair. But, when I checked it properly, my hair does seem to be mahogany color but it is not as rich as I wanted it to be. My hair does feel smooth and is looking shinier than before. I shall update on its progress after a week and 15 days and a month and also on how long it lasts. Finally, it was a different experience for me except for the part of ammonia fumes which is probably why I think people say yes to ammonia-free hair color. I have never used any other hair color so I cant compare. And, regarding my recommendation, I shall reserve the judgment for two weeks.

In the morning without flash – you can see subtle coloring

In the morning with flash

In the morning without flash- see the change of coloring with the light

Have you ever tried coloring your hair? Pin It

PS : Product sent by brand for consideration.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser {Product Review}

Swathy · May 23, 2011 · 3 Comments

I have been absent for quite a lot of days so no new updates. The reason was a week long vacation. So, I am back with my first review which was quite a saver for me when I was so tired with all the jumping and jacking in the morning.

Price: 12.75 POUNDS for 100 ml (I got a 30ml sample size)

Ingredients

Claims to be completely natural. Since mine is a smaller sample size, the list of ingredients is not provided. The active ingredients are listed as below.

My Experience

Ok, so first, I had thought it to be a simple foaming cleanser so when I used it for the first time, I got a little confused as to why it wasn’t foaming. I hadn’t read the instructions. And, also, I had left the muslin cloths back home so was without them during my vacation. I do not apply makeup but I did use sunscreen pretty generously so had to remove all that gunk from my face before sleeping. Thats where this cleanser became my best friend. It is pretty simple and hassle-free to use. Massage with this cleanser and wipe off with the muslin cloth provided along with it. Since I did not have the muslin cloth, I used hand towels and tissue papers and cotton pads and everything else. Two things I would specify is that I found it to be more effective and easy to use when the face is wet as opposed to the instructions which say to massage on the dry face and this cleanser should always be removed with a hot wash cloth as instructed. Cold wash cloth leaves a lot of grime behind. Once you follow these instructions properly, your face is squeaky clean and you wouldn’t even need to follow it with a face wash.

Its creamy in texture and white in color. For me the smell is nothing particular and I am used to eucalyptus oil so I quite like it. Its creamy texture might make people with oily skin skeptical to use it. But, I think it should suit them too coz its not very heavy I have combination and it controlled my T-Zone perfectly. It did make my skin dry at a temperature of 10-20 degrees in the hills but it works fabulously without drying the skin in the plains. So, thats again not an issue, though, you should follow up with a moisturizer (I skip that in summers which is a very bad habit!!). Extremely travel-friendly (even the muslin cloths). The only problem is keeping the muslin cloths clean and bacteria-free. Otherwise, I found it to be an amazing product.

My Recommendation

Yes. But, it is a little heavy (ohk, not little but very heavy) on the pocket so that might be a deal breaker.PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.