Swathy and Sky

Chocolate Sugar Body Scrub {DIY}

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After a really long time, I resorted to some DIY and I have huge expired Cadbury cocoa powder jar. So, what can be a better way to use it all 🙂 Enjoy the recipe and don’t forget to try it out!!

Ingredients
Method
Mix them all in a container. Make sure that you use a steel one if you plan to use essential oils. Plastic can change the composition. Add honey at the end just when you are about to enter the shower otherwise the sugar would melt!! When you mix the ingredients, it becomes a chocolate mousse (a little thick in consistency) and smells all of chocolate. In fact, it was a waste for me to add the body oil as its smell got masked by that of the cocoa powder. But, I guess essential oil should be good. Give it a try!!
Results
Well exfoliated skin which smells delicious and is so soft and hydrated. If possible, after scrubbing, keep the mask on for 5-10 minutes. Definitely recommended for a home pampering session.
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Forest Essentials Mashobra Honey & Vanilla Bath & Shower Oil {Product Review}

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If you remember my June mega haul, you would have noticed this. This was among my first buys from FE and honestly, the brand is expensive and I always thought it was over-priced. Yes, I am cynical about most things 🙂 Let’s see how I like this.
Price: Rs 340 for 50ml/1.69 Oz

Ingredients

Gokharu – Its an aphrodisiac and used for vata and pitta doshas. Its great for eczema and psoriasis and also relieves itchy skin.
Deodaru – Its extracted from the deodar tree. Its an insect repellant and has anti-fungal properties. Its used mostly in aromatherapy because of its aromatic properties.

Pros
smells absolutely divine
very light oil; doesn’t get greasy on skin OR hair
moisturizes the skin adequately
fragrance lingers on the skin 
elevates the mood instantly
Cons
expensive!!
My Experience
To start with, the entire FE haul didn’t really empty my pockets because I bought them against the gift voucher I received on redeeming my credit card points. But, this body oil was worth it!! So, lets start analyzing the product. I bought the travel-sized version because I wanted to try out many products though its also available in a bigger size for 1000 bucks.
I really don’t know how actual vanilla essential oil smells but this was a bliss. To bathe with this oil soaked in my bath water elevates my mood instantly and really relaxes me on the whole. And, the fragrance of the product smells natural and is strong but doesn’t hurt my nose at all. And, my nose is very particular about what it likes!
The oil is extremely light and disappears into the skin immediately. It keeps the skin well-moisturized and I am sure it would serve well enough in winters. Pouring 20 drops in hand-hot bath water gives off a very peaceful aroma and wraps you in the fragrance. A perfect choice for a luxurious and pampering evening or night.
I did try using it yesterday as a hair leave-in, taking two drops and distributing it evenly on the hair strands concentrating on the ends and after that was done, I rubbed my palms on the scalp. And, surprisingly, my scalp wasn’t feeling dry (which it had been for past few washes) and my hair is not weighed-down even a bit and is soft and added advantage was that curls are more defined.
Yes, I absolutely love it and would recommend it to everyone. The only hitch for me is that its expensive. FE has four bath oils. I have the Tuberose one as well but this product is more strong and I love this more. Somehow, I am not a fan of rose essence!! Seems surprising but actual rose doesn’t smell as awesome. Nor does Jasmine even for that matter. Both are strong and pungent and take a little getting used to.
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Dare to Change: Close laptop an hour before you go to bed

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Third Challenge for the month is relatively easy for me but I do know that its really difficult for the people who are addicted to gadgets. But, not to over-estimate myself, I do like sitting on laptop till the last possible moment. 

“Switch off all gadgets an hour or two before going to bed.”

Why?
If you have read about my post on how to get undisturbed beauty sleep, one of the carnal rules of deep sleep is that you should be peaceful when you go to bed and this process should start a little earlier, almost after dinner. So, try reading a book (not e-books) before going to sleep instead of attending to comments and posts 🙂 Bloggers do have a difficult life 😀
Second Challenge Progress
I kept this week’s challenge easier because I am really having issues with the second challenge (getting up at 7) 🙁 I am trying. Ok, probably not very hard or honestly!! Its really difficult for me to get up so early but I am also happy to report that since the sun begins to shine in my room early enough, I do get up once at around 6:45 almost everyday. 
First Challenge Progress
Did slack up in between but I have started again very seriously (since only two days) 😀 But, I did check out that I have to climb 6 and not 5 floors!!! One extra floor in between and I am really afraid of supernatural creatures so taking the stairs at night is almost impossible 😀
But, I am definitely trying. How are you doing?
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Use Stairs
Get up 15 minutes early