Lotus Herbals Multi-Function Sunblock SPF 70 ~ A Tinted Mosturizer? A BB Cream?

Looking for a sunblock? Especially if you're living in Delhi right now, you must be, or should. Sunblock is one product I find quite hard to buy. Most times, it's either too oily or too whitish or incompatible with my foundation. Enter Lotus Herbals Multi-Function Sunblock SPF 70. It is no ordinary sunblock! It is TINTED, PRESERVATIVE-FREE, OIL-FREE, made with CARROT & AVOCADO Extracts (I hear avocado does wonders for the skin)  & has SPF 70! 

Really, I had a hallelujah moment when I first used this. If you know my skin history, you'll understand why. It is a tinted non-sticky/non-sticky high SPF sunblock-cum-moisturizer. It is perfect for my oily/blemished/hyperpigmentation-prone skin.

Claims: 

A revolutionary, preservative - free, light weight formulation containing potent herbal extracts with 10 benefits:

• High UVA & UVB Protection
• Tan Prevention
• Prevention of brown spots & pigmentation
• Skin Lightening benefits
• Anti-wrinkle benefits
• Protection from freckles, sun spots & sun burn
• Anti-ageing properties
• Health prevention - helps prevent skin cancer
• Carrot & Avocado Extracts: healing properties that soften, smoothen and nourish skin
• Preservative free - Free from harmful preservatives like parabens, which may cause health problems like breast cancer.

'It's The Time To Disco' Nails

I don't know what came over me after midnight last night. I went into my room & started painting my nails like a possessed person. In about 20 mins, I was done & had fabulous nails to look at (instead of the chipped 11-day-old tangerine). If you think they look nice in these pics, I must tell you they look better in person. I want to wear glitter top coats all the time now! Hope you'll like =)

Lotus Herbals Gorgeous Natural Diva Kit Review, Swatches & Look

'Diva' can mean 2 different things- one good, one bad. Good: a woman who's glamorous/a good singer. Bad: a woman who's a 'prima donna'- a spoiled, high maintenance, temperamental, and demanding woman who throws a fit if she doesn't get her way. Mariah Carey, for one, is known for her outrageous 'diva' demands. I read an article in a magazine a long time ago, but forgotten what demands exactly. Here's what I found on the net:

 "Mariah Carey is known for her diva behavior. Her diva demands include having a huge entourage, having special people to help her sit if her dress is so gorgeous she doesn't want it to get crushed. Mariah even brings her own toilet roll!

At a Christmas lighting event in London in 2008 Mariah insisted on being surrounded by 20 white kittens and 100 white doves for her appearance with butterfly shaped confetti to be showered on her by the end of her performance."

She also keeps an attendant in her dressing room.....to hand her towels! Then I guess she's both. She earned it, so.....why not, eh?

No white kittens, doves, and towel-handlers, for us lesser mortals. We don't want them, anyway... chi! Says the fox-y lady. Okay, now on to topic of the day- Lotus Herbals Gorgeous Natural Diva kit (Are you also thinking why the 'Natural'?)

The kit contains a base stick, a lipstick & a red nail polish- all for only Rs.499. Here I'm wearing all the products from the kit. 

Eyes: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette & demi (half) lashes.

Concealer, Blush & Bronzer: MAC Studio Finish Concealer & Chromagraphic Pencil, Laura Mercier Undercover Pot, MAC Fleur Power, The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder.

Lotus Strawberry Shake On My Nails

I don't like to drink milk & I don't like milkshakes. But this shake, I like.

Lotus ColourDEW Nail Enamels are:

• Natural and safe
• Acetone, DBP and toluene free
• Fast drying
• Flat and sturdy brush
• Smooth application

Nail polishes really do make my nails weaker, so it's a good change to try some without the harmful ingredients.

Lotus Herbals WHITEGLOW Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme Review

Lotus Herbals WHITEGLOW Skin Whitening & Brightening Gel Creme With SPF 25 

Enriched with Grape, Mulberry, Saxifraga extracts and Milk enzymes that are known fairness agents A revolutionary formula that blends the benefits of a gel and a crème It also contains sunscreens to protect the skin from harmful UVA&UVB rays that can darken the skin.

Price ~ Rs.295/-

Lotus WHITEGLOW Gel Creme SPF 25

I finished my Lotus Whiteglow Micro-Emulsion, so I decided to try the Gel Creme instead of buying the same.

Lotus WhiteGlow Serum & Micro-emulsion Review

I know there's been too many skin whitening product reviews over here lately, but I promise this is the last one for a long long time. Some people want to know what I think about these products, so I just want to get it over with and do one final 2-in-1 review.

I'm reviewing them together so it'll be easier to compare them, because I've used them together and then separately, and I've concluded that only one of them is a winner and worth buying again.

Lotus White Glow Intensive Skin Whitening Serum

What it is:

Enriched with Grape, Mulberry, Saxifraga extracts and Milk enzymes that are known fairness agents A proprietary formula that distributes via an advanced delivery system It visibly refines large pores, eliminates blackheads and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The result, you have radiant, youthful looking skin. Contains no harmful chemicals.

How to use:

Use morning and evening all over face and neck after cleansing.

Lotus WhiteGlow Oatmeal & Yogurt Skin Whitening Scrub Review

Claims:

Lotus WhiteGlow Oatmeal & Yogurt Skin Whitening Scrub exfoliates the skin gently, removes dirt, impurities, blackheads and whiteheads leaving your skin brighter and healthier with a shining glow. The gentle exfoliating action works on skin discoloration, dull and uneven skin tones and softens the skin giving you a firmer texture.

Oatmeal exfoliates gently, restores the natural moisture balance of the skin and yogurt moisturizes and lightens the skin reducing imperfections giving you silky, smooth and brighter skin.

For all skin types.

How to use:

Gently apply the scrub on moistened skin with brisk circular movements on your face and neck, Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Use twice a week.

New Whitening Skincare Products

I was at the supermarket yesterday, and I picked up some whitening products to repair my winter skin. My  dark spots multiply in the winters, coz I don't sweat. I can also see some of the dreadful melasma forming a map-like shape under the surface on my forehead and sides of my cheeks. Eeks!
So, I have to fight back, and this is my army :):

• Fair & Lovely Forever Glow For Ageless Fair Skin (Rs.59)~ I haven't seen this before, so it must be new. I bought the smallest one to try out. It has Vita-AHA Complex to darkness, patchiness & darkening. Claims to accelerate cell energy & slow down melanin production.

Lotus White Glow Intensive Skin Whitening & Brightening Serum

What it is:

Enriched with Grape, Mulberry, Saxifraga extracts and Milk enzymes that are known fairness agents A proprietary formula that distributes via an advanced delivery system It visibly refines large pores, eliminates blackheads and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The result, you have radiant, youthful looking skin. Contains no harmful chemicals.

How to use:

Use morning and evening all over face and neck after cleansing.

IVC Makeup & Beauty Awards 2010 ~ Best Eye Cream & Best Drugstore Foundation

I thought it would be fun to feature Makeup & Beauty Awards this year and pick the best of Makeup & Beauty products I have personally been using during and before the year 2010. 

*Mainly Indian brands (or brands widely available in India) will be nominated & brands like MAC and Clinique will NOT be a part of IVC awards (they already have enough awards on their mantles anyway)

First up are the best of Eye Creams & Drugstore Foundations.

Best Eye Cream

Nominees for best Eye Cream~ Lotus Nutraeye Rejuvenating & Correcting Eye Gel, Biotique Almond Under Eye Cream, Himalaya Under Eye Cream

Reader's Request ~ Skincare Kit For Oily/Combination & Acne Prone Skin

This was requested by a very sweet reader Priyanka J, who has Oily/Combination & Acne-prone skin.

I believe a skincare routine should be simple, when it comes to problem skin. If you have acne, it's better not to confuse your skin more by switching from product to product and "irritate" it
When I get a big pimple sometimes, I feel it has a mind of its own. Like it's saying to me "Don't you let those things gang bang me, or else....=[" =D


Here are the products I'd pick (and I do use most myself) for Oily/combination & Acne Prone skin.

~ Cleansers ~

First and foremost, you have to get a cleanser that is very well suited for your skin type. A childhood friend of mine have been suffering from acne for most of her life - face and body! And the last time I saw her, there wasn't a pimple on her face and she was glowing! So, I asked her what she used. She told me that she read in a magazine that "when you have acne, it's better to use a Foam Cleanser rather than a gel-based one" (hehe...I hope she read this =D)
She then started using Pond's Flawless White Facial Foam, and it made all the difference.
Other cleansers you can use......

Cetaphil when pimples are at their peak and hurt. You gotta have one with salicylic acid like Clean & Clear cleansers for acne.

Cooling Sunscreen ~ Lotus Herbals Anti-tan Cooling Sunscreen SPF 30

What it is:

Safe Sun Absolute anti-tan gel is a medium intensity cooling sunscreen gel especially formulated for oily & combination skin. It especially protects against the long wavelength UVA rays that are the primary cause of skin darkening and tanning. It has the soothing goodness of Calendula and Vanilla extracts.

UVA: PA++

UVB: SPF 30

Himalaya Under Eye Cream & Lotus Herbals Under Eye Gel ~ Early Thoughts

Himalaya Under Eye Cream

Description:

Contains proven and safe blend of herbs specially created to care for the delicate area around your eyes.

Cipadessa Baccifera ~ Moisturizes the skin under eyes

Bergenia Ligulata ~  Lightens the skin under eyes

Triticum Vulgare ~ Nourishes the skin under eyes

Suitable for contact lenses wearers

Dermatologically and Ophthalmologically tested.

Visible Results (According to Himalaya):

80% reduction in dark circles in just 4 weeks

28% reduction in under-eye wrinkles and fine lines in just 4 weeks

Brighter and smoother eye contour

My early thoughts:

It's been more than 2 weeks since I started using Himalaya Under-eye cream. It is indeed very moisturizing and relaxes my eyes. I really like the consistency of the cream- neither too heavy nor too light. Not really seen much of a difference in my fine lines or color of my under-eye areas so far, but somehow the light beige color gives me hope. It does feel very gentle on my eyes and does NOT sting. It is fragrance-free too, so definitely a plus for an eye cream.

Price ~ Rs.150. Lob it! 5 stars just for that.

Lotus NutraEye Rejuvenating & Correcting Eye Gel

Contains:

Hydrolised wheat protein ~ Diminishes under-eye lines and crow's feet

Soy Bio Peptides ~ Diminishes undereye dark circles

Rice Bran extract and Vitamin A&E ~ Rejuvenates and hydrates skin around eyes.

My early thoughts:

I was very excited to get this particular eye gel because of the ingredients that looked so promising, particularly the Rice Bran extract. Been using it for a little more than a week. So far, so not good! Because of the gel texture, this product makes my under-eye areas feel very taut, like when you apply egg white on your face. This texture just does not work for me. I can't go to bed or prep my eyes before applying make-up with taut under-eyes. I need something that fills up fine lines and makes my eyes soft and moisturized. But I'll still continue to use it. Maybe.....

Oh, and yes it is fragrance-free too.

Price ~ Rs.325. Bah! Maybe half of that is just for the packaging, which I have to admit is quite fancy. The white box which holds the tube has gold glitters on it =)

So, in conclusion, I am liking the Himalaya under-eye cream more right now.

I will give them a month or two to really impress me. Let's see how they fair then. 

Later, I'll be comparing and reviewing all the eye creams (mostly Indian brands) I've used altogether.

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Best Of The Two ~ From Skincare to Make-up

Here, I'm going to pit one beauty product against another similar one, and pick one WINNER based on the product I like more, regardless of their prices.

***All products listed have been tried and tested by me personally, so please keep in mind that what works for me might not work for you.***

Rules: They just have to make me love them, that's all.
Referee: Smothered by all the products...gasping for air! =D

So, let the fights begin!

Skincare:

 Olay Total Effects 'Vs' Pond's Age Miracle

The Winner is ~

♥ Pond's Age Miracle ♥

Because it feels better on my skin, it's less oily than the oponent and my fine lines are gone! It has tiny light reflecting particles which make the skin glow  *Can't be used in the eye contour area. 

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 Pond's White Beauty 'Vs' Fair & Lovely Multi-vitamins

The Winner is ~

♥ Fair & Lovely Multi-vitamins Cream ♥

Because it is just better! Not drying like Pond's WB (which is hard to blend into the skin and "Pinkish White Glow"? No thanks!)

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 Pond's Flawless White Day Cream 'Vs' Nivea Sparkling Glow Day Care

The Winner is ~

♥ Pond's Flawless White ♥

Because it is one of the best creams I've ever used. I don't even want to talk about the loser.

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 Lakme Peach Milk Moisturizer 'Vs' Olay Moisturizing Lotion

The Winner is ~

♥ Lakme Peach Milk Moisturizer ♥

Because I survived all of last winter on it. Smells great, sinks into the skin and it's non-greasy.

*Olay ML made me breakout

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 Garnier Pure Pimple Pen 'Vs' Clean & Clear Acne Speed Clearing Gel

The Winner is ~

♥ Garnier Pimple Pen ♥

 It's clear, it's effective and easier to use. The other oozes out uncontrollably when squeezed and I don't like that it's white and noticeable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Make-up:

 Kajal ~ Lotus Herbals 'Vs' Himalaya 

The Winner is ~

♥ Lotus Herbals Kajal ♥

Because it is a little more smudge-proof than Himalaya. Do you see that it looks matte? Even the packaging is better. I did a review on it here

*I hate the smell of Himalaya Kajal and when sliding it's cover to open and close, you risk beheading the half-out kajal :[

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Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner 'Vs' Mac Fluidline

The Winner is ~

♥ Maybelline Gel Eyeliner ♥

Because it survived under water and soap unlike Mac Fluidline. Plus it comes with an amazing brush, not to mention it's cheaper too. Will get it in Black as well.

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 Blush ~ Benefit Coralista Vs Nars Orgasm 

The Winner is ~

♥ Benefit Coralista ♥

I like both of them equally because they are very very similar. After staring at myself in the mirror for about 5 minutes and imagined I had a gun to my head, I decided that I like Coralista more...umm...I think so.

More fights another time. I don't want this post to be too long and I gotta sleep...zzzz...

♥ Cynthia Z ^.^

Lotus Herbals Natural Kajal (Rs.115) Review

I've never been a kajal person because it's too black and smudges a lot, but then recently I wanted to try one of the herbal ones because they're supposed to be good for the eyes. I've got very sensitive eyes that turn red very easily, so I thought herbal is the way to calm them down. I actually wanted to try out the Himalaya kajal but ended up buying this instead because it has "Smudge-proof" written on it and also the salesgirl said it sells better (Yes, she convinced me.)

When I opened the outer package and saw this.....

I was happy I chose it. How cute is the packaging?! I think (and so does one other person I know) it looks good enough to cost up to 500 bucks.

It's 100% natural and safe, relaxes and soothes eyes, and also helps in growth of eyelashes Made with botanical extracts of camphor, liquorice and almond oil.

I normally wouldn't apply it this thick, but I just wanted to show its intensity.

Is it really smudge-proof? Not really. But kajals are meant to be soft and smudge-y. I always apply a good amount of loose powder around the eyes to prevent the raccoon-eyed look.

It does feel gentler on my eyes and they sting less, which is why i wear it to bed and clean it all off in the morning.

I'm still going to try the Himalaya one too because I want to compare them both. In case you're wondering, it looks like this...

I'm guessing they'll be same, but it's good to be sure.

***Comparison of the two kajals ~ here

♥ Cynthia Z ^_^

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