Makeup Discourse

I did not Shampoo my Hair since the end of the year 2013. I have had a phase of “No Shampoo” which had great results on my thin hair.
I used Soulflower Shampoo Bars from November 2013 till February 2015. I switched to using Organix Biotin recently.
So when I switched to Nioxin since 16th May 2015 to present, I have been observing even the tiniest difference I feel in my hair and scalp. I jotted down pointers everyday in Evernote to keep my conclusive decision updated.
As adviced by Harsh, I did not use anything except these THREE products. And I blow dried only Once a week in the course. At times I missed my hair oiling sessions and Serum for detangling since I was hopeful about the results. Well read till the end to know my exact contemplative thoughts.

Where are the differences I notice currently: In present tense because I’m yet to finish the kit.
~ Squeaky Clean scalp
~ Every hair had its own dimension
~ Hair collectively appeared fuller (my hair mostly are flat)
~ I had more fly aways than I could have handled with my two hands.
~ I simply noticed my hair growth is faster.
But
~ My hair tangles a lot
~ My hair ends resembles Broom bristles to be precise.
~ The volume was missing, though they appeared fuller. There’s a difference between both. (Check Week 4 Picture)

Technologies: BioAMP, Transactive Delivery System & Activ- Renewal (sic)

There are other products available to be teamed with the essentials like Nioxin Deep Hair Repair Masque, Nioxin Density Restoration & Dermabrasion Treatment.
I am sure my dry ends or bristled hair issues would have been tackled with repair masque. And the tangles issue with the serum.
And the moment of truth:
When I quit shampooing my hair, I used baking soda, Apple cider vinegar rinses or simply freshly brewed green tea with Rosemary and lavender essential oil rinses once a week. This method worked miracles for my thin hair. Here’s a picture I clicked somewhere in mid 2014, 6 months down ‘No shampoo’ method. My hair had body and they did appear fuller, even my pony tail appeared fuller.
Moreover my hair grew faster than it normally did perhaps because of Lavender, Rosemary & Peppermint Oil massages. My hair became course and brittle due to styling them twice-thrice a week hence I switched to Organix in February 2015.


Nioxin does not promote hair growth,reduce or stop hair fall. Nioxin doesn’t help in growing back reduced hair including receding hairline Nioxin solely makes the hair appear fuller, which is what ‘No shampoo’ method does too. A day old washed hair appear bouncier than freshly washed hair.

Here is a picture to show you the difference:

A week after Nioxin usage, before shower

4 Weeks later Nioxin, after shower

I love the Nioxin Cleanser; it is cooling and leaves a squeaky feeling behind. But the conditioner is not moisturizing/hydrating enough for my dry, brittle hair.

My concerns of not switching to Nioxin:
~ Shampooing, Conditioning everyday is not what I am comfortable with.
~ I cannot live without Oil massages on insomniac nights
~ I particularly look bald if I don’t use dry shampoo on bad hair days.
~ The Entire range is expensive added the monthly scalp facials every 40 days.
~ I have to style my hair to look human, unmistakably.

Price: 3000 INR excluding Taxes. The kit would last for 45-60 days depending on the hair length.

Cruelty Free status: Not Cruelty Free

Who would I recommend Nioxin to?
If you face hair thinning issues alone. (Don’t include receding hairline or hairfall).
You agree to follow the regimen every day.

I would recommend Scalp Facial or Microdermabrasion to everybody because the results are instant.
The bottom line is that I got the same results (fuller and denser appearing hair) with ‘No shampoo’ method and A sparkling scalp with fuller looking hair with Nioxin.
I personally adore the Bounce and volume I got from ‘No shampoo’ method and hair rinses.

Pardon my Scalpfie picture quality, the process turned out tougher than I imagined.

I’m reviewing Fair & Lovely BB Cream and creating a unique look with it. The product is sent by the brand for consideration.


Fair & Lovely, the brand is synonymous with Fairness. It didn’t come to me as shock when the cosmetic industry was caught in a whirlwind of ‘BB creams’ and all the added alphabets.

Let me start with a note expressing that lets just look at Fair & Lovely entirely as a BB cream keeping aside all the else claims. I have been using Fair & Lovely BB cream for a week now, in the morning after cleansing. I did wear it in the sun and I got a blemish on my nose. So the first thing I did was check the ingredients list. The third ingredient on the list is Stearic Acid which is comedogenic and even found in sunblocks and lotions.

About Fair & Lovely:
Fairness Cream with a Make-Up Finish
~ The revolutionary Fair & Lovely BB Cream combines benefit of fairness cream and make up foundation ~
Fair & Lovely, the pioneer of skin lightening creams and face care expert, launched the New Fair & Lovely BB cream, a revolutionary Fairness Cream that gives a Make-Up Finish. It’s an expert product that combines the benefits of foundation and multivitamin fairness cream - giving consumers access to the instant transformative power of make-up with the goodness of fairness cream.

Why BB cream?
Young Indian women want to look perfect all the time, and do aspire for the instant transformation that make-up/foundation can give, however they refrain from using make-up every day given the harm it may cause to their skin. With the new Fair & Lovely BB Cream make up like transformation is permissible every day, Apart from covering dark spots and blemishes instantly to give make up like flawless looking skin.

Fair & Lovely’s introduces first BB Cream
Enriched with multivitamins and SPF 15 PA++, Fair & Lovely BB Cream also nourishes the skin and protects it from harsh sunlight. Fair & Lovely BB cream mix has been meticulously crafted to now democratize make-up finish for millions of Indian women who want to get impeccable make up like texture to the skin, without worrying about any harm to the skin. It is Fair & Lovely’s first BB product with a vanishing sensory that delivers a matte, non-oily feel, a product tailored to local hot and humid climate. Its unique colour tone inspired by rose gold,blends naturally with Indian skin tones to give that gorgeous looking skin without application of any make up.
Fair & Lovely BB cream is the answer to a girl’s beauty needs, as it cuts down time consuming make up rituals to few minutes. Inspired by the trend of rose-gold, its premium white and rose-gold packaging strikes a beautiful balance – bringing together Fair & Lovely’s fairness expertise and the world of make-up.
So be it the first day in office, or college, or just a fun outing with friends this summer, make Fair & Lovely BB Cream part of the daily skin regime.

Here is a summed up review on the Fair and Lovely BB cream.
My initial thought on using Fair & Lovely BB cream was: The coverage could have been better.
The BB creams I have tried till date gave me a radiant dewy finish, Fair & Lovely for a change gave me a mattified satin/velvet finish.
The deviant thing that I have noticed while using Fair and Lovely BB cream is that if I were to use this on a hot summer’s day out in the sun/open air, after few hours my skin turns sticky. It could be because of high humidity, and I am not a touch up person (unless it is needed). So it becomes cumbersome to wear this on a hot summer’s day. I am looking forward to using this when the weather is clear.


What I liked about Fair and Lovely BB cream
~ The Rose Gold Packaging
~ Velvety Texture post application
~ Mattified effect that lasts upto 2-3 hours
~ Blends easily [If applied instead of moisturizer]
~ A great option for Oily skinned girls
~ It certainly does brighten up the complexion but on darker skin tones it would approximate a whitish cast.
~ Complexion looks nicer in person than in pictures
~ SPF 15 & PA++
~ Affordable and easily available

What I  didn’t like about Fair and Lovely BB cream
~ Universal shade that will not suit darker skin tones
~ It does accentuates dry patches on my combination skin
~ Fragrances in my face products sort of puts me off
~ No Coverage, concealer is quintessential.
~ Comedogenic Ingredient: Stearic Acid?
~ I did not notice any Fairness as per the claims

Everyday Work Wear Makeup ft Fair and Lovely BB cream:
I was challenged to blog about an Everyday Work Wear Makeup look that one could achieve even with their hectic schedule. So I decided I would do a Subtle Everyday Work Wear Makeup that will go with Western as well as Indian formals, and in Five minutes.



Step to Five Minutes Every day Work Wear Makeup Tutorial
~ Moisturize and apply Fair and Lovely BB cream. Blend fast or it becomes difficult to blend.
~ Powder your T zone and apply a Soft Pink blush.
~Use Fair and lovely as an eyeshadow primer and apply flesh toned eyeshadow all over the lid.
  Blend Cool toned Brown colour into the crease. Apply Eyeliner and finish off with a Mascara
~ Apply Coral Pink Lipstick. Top it with a moisturizing lip balm.
~Apply Highlighter on the highest points of your face.




Hair: Pulled back into a simple Pony tail and secured my bangs with bobby pins.

Fair and Lovely BB cream works great as an eye shadow primer. If you have oily lids, do give it a try.

Recommendation: If you are looking for a mattifying BB cream for Oily- Normal skin.
And an Eye shadow primer ;-)

Available in: 9g, 18g, 40g for 49, 79, 169 INR respectively.

Rating:  ♥ ♥ ♥

Maybelline NewYork has launched their Spring-Summer 2015 Collection in India with Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid Foundation, Maybelline Color Show Go Graffiti Nail Polishes and Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bouquet Lipsticks in India.

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While I was at the Maybelline counter yesterday, I observed the recent launches and Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bouquet Lipsticks captivated me out of their launches. There are total Six shades launched in here, out of six, five which were available over the counters.
My love for Nail Polishes is waning and I have already found my Holy Grail Foundation!



The Rebel Bouquet is quite Bold and Bright Colors and as Maybelline rightly describes them A burst of rebellious color!
The Oneness about this collection is based on Pastel Colors which are Summer appropriate.
Apart from that, the Lipsticks contain Honey Nectar providing a sumptuous feel to enrich the hydration.

The Texture: When I swatched these at the counter, the texture was semi-buttery and glided smoothly.
The Finish is ofcourse Lustre but I'm sure the hydration will work even on dry lips. I would love to mattify these by blotting or just dabbing on to the lips.

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The Pigmentation: Considering the colors are Bright, Bold and Pastel-ish,the Pigmentation is befitting. The best thing about bold and bright colors: You can wear them saturated or use as stain or layer with a clear gloss and tone the brightness down. Such colors are multipurpose for me. ;-)



REB01 is a bright Red and does appear lustre-high but is saturated. I'm sure it will go opaque in a single swipe.

REB02 is a Pink with mauve undertone.

REB04 is a cross between Red, Pink and Coral, looks very similar to Sleek Heartbreaker.

REB05 is a Tangerine with coralish Lustre, the lustre makes the color look a bit coralish.

REB07 is a pretty Pink with brown tones which makes it odd man out here. It isn't pastel or bright.
The softest shade in the collection and might be a perfect 'Rose Nude' for some. To sum up, A soft rosy shade.

The Packaging: I must say, the packaging is classic Maybelline Color Sensational. The Color of the bullet matches to the closing tube, hassle-free storing.

The Price: Maybelline Color Sensational Rebel Bouquet Lipstick is priced for 450 INR in India.

I skipped these for an obvious reason. *.*