Saturday, July 18, 2015

Garnier Pure Active High Foaming Face Wash Review




Every year with slightest change in the weather, I battle with Cystic Acne. So if you would sum up, it would be four times a year. Last year, Sebamed and Cetaphil Cleansers helped along with prescription medicines.
That was the first time I consulted a dermatologist, since the condition was severe. This time there were just few I had to battle with and the dystopia was I woke up with atleast one every morning. Thankfully the clearing phase has begun.
So out of curiosity I bought this small bottle of Garnier Pure Active High Foaming Facewash which claims to Fight Oil & Pimple Germs (sic).

How long & how did I use Garnier Pure Active High Foaming Face Wash?
I used Garnier Pure Active High Foaming Face Wash for exactly four weeks, twice or thrice a day. I used almost 70% of the quantity.


My experience with Garnier Pure Active High Foaming Face Wash:

I have never reviewed a Face wash before; this one is with an intent. The instant results are squeaky clean face but with an oily-combination skin, the stretchy feel is unavoidable. After the morning cleansing routine, I find my face oily in just few minutes. But it does give a glow to my face because of Benzyl Salicylate & Salicylic Acid. I have been suffering from Pustules & Cystic Acne simultaneously, after using this I can see major difference in disappearance of Pustules. But I don’t see any difference in the clogged pores or Cystic acne.
To conclude, Garnier Pure Active High Foaming Face Wash will work for Acne Pustules which are less severe than Cystic Acne. I don’t see this working for Cystic Acne or Oily skin in terms of fighting oil & germs. Following with a moisturizer is indispensable; it tends to dry out certain areas of my face.


Cruelty-Free Status: Not Cruelty Free.

Price: 60INR for 50 grams

I would recommend this to anybody who suffers from occasional Acne or Acne pustules and nothing severe. I would not repurchase this though.


Thursday, July 16, 2015

Kama Ayurveda Store in Bandra: Details, Pictures and a bitsy Haul


Whenever I am in or around Bandra, I often make it a point to visit Kryolan’s Flagship store. So last time, when I was in Bandra, I hurriedly checked Kryolan and forgot visiting the Kama Ayurveda store, which is exactly opposite to Häagen-Dazs. So yesterday, I felt a little misplaced (perhaps, something I wanted was out of stock) and chaotic, not to mention, then I saw this warm, lit store and everything just settled down.

Where to find Kama Ayurveda Products in Mumbai?
Buy Kama Ayurveda Products in Mumbai

The store is unusually uncomplicated, well-lit and the place smelled of herbs, strong-smelling herbs. The shelves are adorned with all the products that are categorised perfectly. Shelves organised with skin brightening products, concocted oils and others with hair, body and gift boxes—neat, was all I could think. My mind was in a temporary truce with the ambience and behold, I told myself.

Cruelty Free, Paraben Free, Urea Free, Propylene Glycol Free,Ayurvedic Products in Mumbai

I was basically occupied in looking for things, I saw on their website. But I forgot all that I wanted. So, I randomly picked up things to try.

Cruelty Free Brands in India, Kama AyurvedaParaben Free brands in Mumbai

Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi miraculous fluid was the first thing I smelt and applied on my wrist. My skin then was peculiarly dry and flaky with the cystic acne medication. I wanted something gentle and  Jasmine & Rose cleanser fit the requirement. I am currently using a mixture of Argan oil and Grapeseed oil as PM facial oil. I narrowed down to Nalpamaradi from Jwalini and Kumkumadi to treat my body tan.
SA gave me three tester samples of Kumkumadi night cream, Kumkumadi face scrub and Lavanya natural plant mask
Natural products do take a while to show results.

Kumkumadi Brightening Night Cream, Kumkumadi Brightening Face Scrub, Lavanya Natural Plant Mask, Nalpamaradi Thailam Oil, Rose and Jasmine face cleanser100% Natural and Cruelty Free Brands in India, Vegan Brands in India

Why I picked Kama Ayurveda products:

~ Cruelty Free
~ Organic Certification from Ecocert, India Organic and USDA Organic
~ No petrochemicals, parabens, urea, propylene glycol or sulphates (sic)
~ Vegetarian Products
~In the booklet I am provided with has mentioned the percentile of naturalism in their products. I liked their transparency even with regard to their ingredient list.
But I could not find the ingredient list on Nalpamaradi oil. I would preferably drop an enquiry
If the brand was a person, I would describe it as humble, kind, and luxurious (partly antithetical, I know).

I also noticed that not all of their gift boxes are for sale on their website. There were different variants at the store than listed on their website.

I am waiting to empty my skincare, shampoos and Oils. But I am hankering to try Kumkumadi serum and Lavender & Patchouli shower gel.

I am not affiliated to the mentioned brand. The products are bought by my own money.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Nioxin Thinning Hair System 1 Kit Review & Price in India

Nioxin Thinning Hair System 1 Kit Review & Price in India

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.