Swathy and Sky

I know my skin type!!!

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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.

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

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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
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.

Makari de Suisse Goodies

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Box of Goodies 🙂

Hey guys!!! How are you all doing??? So, guess what?? Today’s post is just some goodies sent from Makari (muh-ka-ree). This high-end product line was specially created for the colored population in US and Europe. They claim to be the world’s largest range of skin whitening products and their products can lighten the skin up to five shades. Now, thats a lot of claim definitely but on a serious note, the site and products seem pretty impressive. Have a look at their site here.Now, let us have a look at what all they sent me!!!

Hands, Elbow and Foot clarifying cream – 4 samples of 5ml each
Acnyl Cream for pimples and breakouts – 4 samples of 5ml each
Makari Clarifying exfoliating antiseptic soap – 2 soaps of 30 gms each
I read on their site that their products show results within 2-4 weeks. So, to be on the safe side, I shall review the soap in 3 weeks exactly from today (on 30th March). I have started using the soap and I would say that the first use was great. I am using it just on my face. And, it takes very little soap for the face but leaves the face extremely soft and moisturized and visibly brighter. So, I am hoping good results from it 🙂
PS: The products were sent by the brand for consideration.