I never did monthly empties posts because I never had the patience to save the empty jars and bottles to photograph them. Once I finished something I discard it immediately to keep the clutter off. And once I forget, it stays there forever!
So I embarked on this journey of using Cruelty-Free products. Since I already had switched to Cruelty-Free skincare, I have started discarding Non-Cruelty-Free Makeup. I decided to compile them into Project Pan List and listing down as how I am replacing Non-Cruelty-Free Products with Cruelty-Free ones.
So here is the list of Products I emptied from October 1st to October 25th. I am also discarding stuff I have barely used or disliked.


The Nature’s Co Nori Hair Cleanser
I have reviewed this here. And I have liked it too except that my hair takes a lot of time to adapt to it.
That makes me difficult to heat style my Hair. I bought two Soulflower bars that would last me entire 2016.
I may repurchase this. But I have shampoo bars and SLS Free Shampoos that will last me long.
The Nature's Co is Cruelty-Free. Check the full review here.

The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel
I finished this in the first week of October and I switched to Grace Cole Indulgent Foam. The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel was my Cruelty-Free replacement for my all time summer fave Dove Green Tea and Cucumber Bodywash/soap. But did I like it more than Dove? No.
I will not repurchase this. I will switch to Lotus Licorice Bar till the end of 2015.
Featured here.

Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Face Cleanser
I used this up in 19 days! I opened this up on the first of October and on 19th, I was sad. I used this twice a day and this foamed very well. After looking at the Ingredient list, I was taken back with the second ingredient: Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, assuming it same as SLS. But an in-depth reading makes me conclude that Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is the mildest form of foam booster. There are Nitrosamine contamination concerns with Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, is carcinogenic as well.
To refer, The Handbook of Green Chemicals by Michael Ash has listed Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate as Green chemical.
I may repurchase this or other variants from Kama Ayurveda once I finish Cetaphil Cleansing Bar, Melawash and Himalaya Aloe vera Facewash.

The Body Shop Vitamin Cool BB cream
I disliked this from the very first use. It just didn’t work for my Normal-Combination skin. I tried this in every season hoping it might just work. I did use this instead of moisturiser when I ran out of my regular moisturiser, couple of times. It made me look 3 times dark, I assume it is due to either undertone or skin type. It does work well with my neck but refuses to look good on my face. I gave up, there is 80% of the product left and has dissipated too.
Never Repurchase. I dislike BB, CC or ZZ creams altogether.

GlamGlow Powermud Dual Cleanse Treatment
I don’t like samples for the reason I can never make up my mind with a single use. I’m too fickle and there are very few products that work amazingly from the first use. This did deep clean with no breakouts post usage. The texture is unique with clay based mask with little granules. The mask is required to keep on for 20 minutes. You can see it transform into oil after massaging on dampened face. This hydrates well and it did bring a glow. This lasted me two uses but Glamglow is not Cruelty-Free.

Rimmel Stay Matte Dual Action Concealer in 040 Soft Beige
I bought this on impulse for covering Acne and blemishes. This never blended well, it either balled up or smudged and transferred on my phone. And yes, it did accentuate my flaking blemishes during the healing period. In all, total waste of my money though it is cheap.
Rimmel is not Cruelty-Free.

Chapstick in Green Apple
Carmex were the only Lip moisturizers I went through quickly. I love Carmex and Chapstick too. I finished this up in 6 months alternating with EOS sweet mint. I have either Cherry or Strawberry left.
I use Chapstick before applying my Matte lipsticks and it hydrates well without drying.
I may not repurchase Chapstick but I am stocking up on Carmex.

Dermalogica Daily Microexfoliant
At first, I was unsure if this would work great for me. I do not use granular scrubs since it aggravates pigmentation. It has been over a year, I haven’t used one. Yes, I Love this and I will be repurchasing this later in 2016.

Rose water and Soulflower Jojoba Oil are an essential part of my skincare routine.

Apart from these, I finished up all the Skincare samples from Sephora. There are few more products lined up that I will be discarding. I am so spaced out right now!

I know I am too late, (it's December) I've been caught with whirlwinds of deadlines with zero peace of mind. :-l

There is nothing more liberating than a warm fuzzy bath lit with vanilla scented candle. Unwinding the mind and relaxing was once my favourite routine at the end of the day.
Before switching cruelty-free, I would just pick up the regular shower gels and body washes available at the supermarkets. Palmolive Thermal Spa Skin Renewal Shower Gel, The Body Shop Vit E bar, Vaseline Coco Lotion and Dove Green Tea and Cucumber Body was being my absolute favourites!

After decluttering my Non-Cruelty-Free bath products, I went straight to The Body Shop and picked these my favourite fragrance among the range. My choices are more inclined towards Floral or Fruity-Floral. I do like their Atlas Mountain Rose as well but this one has to be my all-time favourites. Long time back I had tried The Body Shop Cassis Rose EDT. I secretly wish TBS brings it back though it is/was not available in India. I may get this one from the US this time!


The Body Shop Moringa Shower Gel:
I exclusively adore the fragrance, if not the texture. I have an Achilles heel for fragrances, a cosmic conscious connection. Though this shower gel is a bit drying on my skin, I don't mind moisturising post shower. The gel is supremely foaming for a squeaky clean feeling.
I use this with The Body Shop Bath Lily and Exfoliating Gloves. Though the fragrance is not overpowering and does not linger for long. That is why I lock the fragrance with the Body butter.
I have been using this since the first week of June, only 50% has been used. [Though I alternate between Grace Cole.] So even if you use this daily, it should last for 4 months.
Price: 425 INR for 250 ml

The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter:
I strictly picked this up for the fragrance. I tried their Body Mist, and they don't even stay on me for 2 hours. So certainly I avoided getting the mist and picked the Body Butter instead. I also use Bio oil post showers at night sometimes and it instantly absorbs without any residues. But this does stain the under clothing. [Needless to mention Mumbai's humidity.]
But I do like this one in winters, I should be finishing off in a week or two. I may pick up Soap & Glory or Grace Cole or maybe stick to my fave (staining) Shea butter.
Price: 1095 INR, I picked up when it was 995 INR


Grace Cole White Rose & Lotus Flower Indulgent Foam Bath:
I initially contemplated to get the shower gel, but I changed my mind thinking 'Indulgent' must be something fancy. I was wrong. This does not dry out my skin and is rather slightly creamier but sans the creamy texture. The fragrance is slightly faint for my liking and does not linger at all. I can smell rose but no trace of lotus. I find that in spite of disliking the fragrance, I tend to use this one more than The Body Shop Moringa gel.
This works exclusively well with bath lily and not with the Exfoliating gloves. With the lack of foam, the gloves turn scratchy. The quantity is generous enough to last 5-6 months.
Price: 560 INR for 500ml from Jabong.

For the Bow & Bokeh lovers. =)

Grace Cole Vanilla Blush and Peony Body Scrub:
This Body Scrub is eco-friendly bead-based, as mentioned on the list. The Scrub is creamy with mild fragrance and exfoliation. The beads are not harsh even and the cream foams mildly on scrubbing. A silky feeling is all left after rinsing. This is an absolute favourite for humid weathers even to skin moisturiser post scrubbing. But that is a sin, you ought to hydrate/ moisturise your skin post exfoliation.
Price: 490 INR for 238ml (got it on discount) from Jabong.

I don't think any of these are repurchase worthy, given that use them up till you are tired. *.*

Product is sent by PR.

My ties with Garnier White Complete Facewash were incessant until my mother switched her Hair colour brand. These tubes would always come handy while traveling or while I would run out of my cleanser, always free with some or the other product.
I have used both the Face wash and Cream in the past. But Garnier claims White Complete Speed White to be Our Best Ever Formula (sic). I am also listing out how this formula is different from the previous ones I have used in the past.

Usage: 7 Days (6 nights)


Garnier White Complete Speed White Fairness Facewash (sigh).
The consistency is creamier than before and fragrance is refreshing and a zing of citrus (quite strong). Indeed a Squeaky clean skin feeling post the usage without stretchy feel.
The major difference I would say would be the consistency and fragrance. Though it instantly brightens the skin, but the brightness is dismally impermanent.


Garnier White Complete Speed White Multi Action Fairness Cream.
There is a mammoth dissemblance in the New Formula and Old. The old formula left an oily residue, fence-sit to absorb (at all) and left a white cast. And the old formula would cause redness on my cheeks if used during day. So I astutely used it only at night, I followed the same with the new formula as well. I used it as my night cream for 6 nights after cleansing/toning.
The texture is improved and has shifted gears from Greasy to Featherweight. I wouldn’t be surprised if it would be foamy and effervescent: it is that light. The new formula absorbs instantly though the white cast is inescapable. The fragrance matches the face wash, Citrusy but bitterer. (I wonder why)
Also the fragrance lingers for quite some time. And the skin does appear bright noticeably but nothing dramatic. This makes a light hydrating moisturizer for Combination skin. Even though this contain high amount of Stearic Acid, I had no acne issue because of Garnier White Complete Cream since it contains Benzyl Salicylate.


The Fairness Counter claim.
It would be imbecilic of me if I tell you my skin is fairer than before But more imbecilic of you than me If you would actually believe it.
The verity is that this would only even out your skin tone and get rid of acne scars (fading). With regular use this may get rid of your tan and restore YOUR Natural Fairness (skin tone). And the Brightness would last as long as you use this duo.


Cruelty Free Status: Non Cruelty Free.
Price for Garnier White Complete Speed White Fairness Facewash: 145 INR for 100grams
Price for Garnier White Complete Speed White Multi Action Fairness Cream: 160 INR for 40grams

I wish this Range included Night Repair Creme/ Cream and Serum that would work best for oily skin.
You have to try it to see if this New Formula suits your needs. (Even skin tone and Rapid acceleration of fading scars)
Claim your Sample of the new improved Garnier White Complete Multi Action Fairness Cream HERE
After you Claim your Sample, You need to Comment with your experience below.
You can independently share your product experience on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram ( check my sidebar for my respective handles) by Tagging Makeup Discourse & Garnier India with the hashtag #7DayGarnierChallenge.
One of you stands a chance to win a Garnier Gift Hamper (Hair and Skin). The Lucky commenter will be chosen by Garnier India.

Goodluck! =)

I was once in love with these wonderful little things, alas! No more.

De-cluttering my vanity and keeping it brimming only with the ones I intent to use is one of my resolutions for 2015.
I have been collecting and repurchasing Lip balms, all kinds a lot. I do create my suitable versions of homemade lip balms using Beeswax, olive & almond oil too.
I like using clear or tint free balms when indoors so hydrating my lips is my only intent. Some of these tints are good enough to replace the lipsticks.
They all end up lying on the shelves, inadequate of my attention and they expire.

Here are the chosen ones that are easily available:

Nivea Lip care Fruity Shine
Nivea had launched these two flavours in Watermelon & Peach. These are decently pigmented and hydrated adequately. I did not like them much, like I do the pomegranate version.
I seldom use them so I won’t be repurchasing them though Nivea Essential Lip care works wonders for chapped lips sans the greasy lips.



Chaptick
I had got these from Feelunique, three different flavours in a tin- Strawberry, Cherry & Green Apple.
The regular version was bought separately. I use these exclusively under lipsticks, as goes the name it fills up the chaps. Even the matte lipsticks look better with this underneath.


Maybelline Electro Pop in Oh! Orange! and Maybelline Lip Blossoms in Pink Blossom and Peach Blossom
I like them when I need a hint of colour. The orange version looks subtle and goes great with my heavy kohled eyes. It hydrates well but the packaging is a steal.
For tinted ones, I like these Lip blossoms both the versions. The Pink ones in both Electro Pop and Blossoms are similar in terms of tint. But boy! These take makeup remover to get off the tint from lips.

Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer with SPF 15
I am sure this one and the next one, will be repurchased till I am bored for eternity. I use this when I’m out in sun, a layer above my lipstick and touch up for hydrated lips.

EOS Lip Sphere in Sweet Mint
I got hold of this back in summer, extreme light hydration and slight tingling (hello! peppermint). A perfect combination for summer, and oh the sp-here!
I got this one from the States and I’m sure I’ll get a new one for this summer.



If I had to choose one lip balm from these, I would choose Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer; it’s light, it hydrates and has SPF 15.
In the year 2015, I don’t intent to be trying or buying any more lip balms. Let us not count EOS Lip spheres and Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer in them.

Xo  *.*

The truth behind Cleansing brushes that I discovered lately. A usage history runs down in process of this review.

Olay ProX Microdermabrasion + Advanced Cleansing System Usage: For 28 Days
Proactiv Deep Cleansing Brush Usage: For 7 days

I have been wishful of Clarisonic Brush, the maintenance and 'purging' scared me. I have used a manual cleansing brush and some tools in the past. I have been electrified with the results on first usage of Olay ProX, my skin was smoother, softer and glowed on the forehead, nose and cheeks.
Fortunately, I did not break out nor had a ‘purging’ phase.
I clean my makeup with baby wipes and then use the brush with Neutrogena Deep clean. I do not run the brush on my face for more than a minute. I keep counting to 60 with moderate speed.

Eventually, everything returned to where it came from...~

I conceded my passion for makeup, in these two years. I learnt afresh, from holding a brush to mastering the techniques.

There is so much needed to be done for now. Gradually, it will happen.
To outline these lines, I would not have been more happier than not doing this.

Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Pop, has the focus of attention. This is not a review.


I wanted to have these ever since, these were launched in the U.S. So when I spotted these at the counters, I got them sans the second thoughts.
Here are manifold of images.






Here are the Lip swatches:







My Verdict: These balms are extremely hydrating and glides on smoothly. If to consider the tint, Oh! Orange! lacks pigmentation while Pink Shock is indubitably pigmented.
My concern lies with the un-eveness of Pink Shock, which hydrates enough and easily transfers.

~ I apply, blot and reapply several times to get a decent amount of hydration and tint, it works for me in this manner.
These stays on for 3-4 hours without eating. Pink Shock would be a great companion for pigmented lips.
For now, I am loving these Electro Pop in terms of Tint, Hydration and Packaging.

Xo

Yes, Salves since I prefer them over tinted ones.

I am crazier than before and even more when I saw Carmex and Chapstick on an E-Commerce store.
So You want Carmex and Chapstick too?

Bombay Beauty Store, it is.

So here's what all I got.




Carmex Original Formula
Carmex Moisturizing Lip Balm
Chapstick Moisturizer
199 INR each.

I was too skeptic about paying online, since I had never shopped with them before. But then the experience turned out quite good.
I ordered on 27th December 2012 and recieved this morning. So I'm happy as long as the products are intact. The tubes and jar were perfectly sealed. =)
Chapstick is on my Lips right now *Big Grin*

Okay, so I am trying flavoured ones next. :D


P.S. I was not paid or commissioned to do this. This post is for all the Carmex and Chapstick lovers around :)

A tiding for me and you, nothing new.

So not only I had a magnificient time bunking lectures but also window-shopping. I had had to be a bankrupt or so was decided *_*
So I shopped for these!

I LOvE!

L'oreal Go 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser for Sensitive skin

The Scrublet

Bourjois Healthy Mix

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation

For the eyes ;)

Bourjois Liner effet Mascara

No I am not mad! TBS hiked their prices. This costed 350 INR. I had to get three!

L'Oreal go 360 Clean Deep Facial Cleanser for Sensitive skin
Solely picked up for the scrublet.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in 55 Beige Fonce
I don't know for how long it was on my WL!

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in Pure Beige
Impulsive rather self consolidating purchase.

Bourjois Liner Effect Mascara
I gave up on Bourjois Glamour Max Definition and hooked up with this!

Colorbar I-Glide Pencil in Glowing Sapphire
I have one in Turquoise, so I got myself a Sapphire too.

Maybelline Colorama in Absinto
Sheer Greenishly Mintish..ehh.

A Sad li'l Fond de Teint tale began with 'Once upon a time', no really It did.
I have had this Teint on my wl for over a year, maybe and I decided make it all mine this Lubbly December. The SA tried this on my wrist, and I tried on my jawline and it did look invisible.
And don't ask me how many times I have tried this on my wrist before. So I though it is THE shade for me, the Teint gives me jitters, I don't want that ghoshtly whitish face with shade lighter to my skintone. Okay I made a mistake of not trying the other shades.
And I bought it last week, for much excited I was, and tried it on my face a day before yesterday! 
BAM! I was all Orange. It was two shades darker. If only you could imagine the look on my face, not the orange one. The horrified, would-cry-now look.
I went at the counter and tried all the shades. And voila! 53 was it.





Moral of the tale: The lights in the Shopping complexes and Counters can be misleading.

Benefits of Pure and Clear Skin

• Wash
• Scrub
• Pack
• Oil Remover
• Spot Remover

Total Face Cleanup Regime - in 5 minutes

Step1:
 Apply the product to moistened face by smoothly massaging in upward circles focusing on forehead, nose & chin, avoiding the eye area.

Step2:
Spread evenly across face & leave it on for 3-4 minutes.

Step3:
Rinse off with Lukewarm water to get the perfect complexion.


My Experience with Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup:

Last week, I was at supermarket I was way to tempted to try this one but I resisted but then Jiya of Shopping Style and us reviewed this and I had to get this, reading good result it showed up on her.
So I finally laid my hands over it.
You can check her Experience here.
I tried on two types of Skin: Normal/Combination which is mine & Oily, my brother’s.

The Texture is neither Creamy nor Clay based but it is somewhat in between, It dense opaque white which looks opaque even on spreading. The scrub beads/particles are aqua blue in colour and very minute, not at all harsh like that of scrubs.
It does not foam but deep cleans leaving behind a squeaky  clean skin.
I followed the instruction as given on the packaging and use it as a scrub and pack.


And the result was:

• Cleansed Skin.
• Oil-free, Mattified
• My Forehead, Cheeks and Nose was glowing!
• Scrubbed effect.
• Soft to touch

Price: 99 INR
Quantity: 50 ml
Shelf life: 30 months.


What I loved about Nivea Pure Effect Total Face Cleanup:

My Forehead, Nose and cheeks were Glowing. Oh boy! that rarely happens in winters, when my skin is tad dry.
I loved using this as Facepack than scrub. Okay both!
My Brother found the Fragrance refreshing.
And the skin feels and looks refreshed as well.
My Brother’s skin was super clean and bright! He’s dark and his skin looked mattified and bright.
Even though I’m wheatish  and I couldnot see any brightening effect on mine, Maybe it worked on his Tan.
Spending 5 minutes for a Cleanup? It’s all worth. It does give effect of an At-Home Cleanup, but not that of Salon cleanup ( Okay. I had been at Enrich for a Cleanup just once)

What I didn’t Love:
The Fragrance bothered me, it was like some salt fumes, like K2sno4 or whatever!
Yes it was like Bleach, I think. Or was it the paint fumes. ( I’m confused here)
Nothing else, really.

Final Verdict:
I loved this multipurpose product which you can use as Facewash, Mild scrub and Facepack, and it does provide an At-Home Cleanup effect, which exactly takes 30 minutes.
If you run with the second or minute hand: This is for you.
I’m letting this be on my shelf for instant cleanup or for days when I’m too lazy.
I loved this actually for the glow that it brings.
99 bucks aren’t much to try, Give it a try You’ll either Love it or Detest it! For sure.

Xo♥♥♥♥♥♥♥