Wednesday, July 06, 2016

Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion Indian Rose & Marigold Review and Ingredients Analysis

Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion Indian Rose & Marigold Review and Ingredient Analysis

Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion Indian Rose & Marigold has accustomed itself on my tabletop. The only moisturizer I have loved during summer and I am eking out. You should know why!

I got hold of this in December but it did nothing, absolutely nothing for my dry skin. So I resumed using this in spring/summer. You can check my Forest Essential Haul here.
It has been more than three months, I have been using this exclusively after cleansing my face in the morning and just one pump. And I am still left with moisturizer that would last me for another month.

Forest Essential claims this to be an authentic Ayurvedic formulation and Ayurvedic name mentioned on the packaging is Taruni.
Taruni is native botanical name for Rose but Taruni also means New, perhaps renewal with reference to the product.
The factual reason I chose this variant is because of the Pitta dosha being dominant. My facial skin turns red especially my nose and cheeks with excess Pitta.

There's whole earnestness with Ayurveda, You can check or read Basic Principles Of Ayurveda by Bhagwan Dash if you will.

Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion Indian Rose & Marigold Review and Ingredient Analysis


I am using this exclusively as a Day-time moisturizer and at times, I layer my regular sunblock for maximum protection. The texture is a cross between thick cream and a lotion, spreads and absorbs effortlessly. The pump is in compliance with the texture of the lotion and dispenses the right amount without any mayhem around the pump.
The lotions does not leave any oil residue, just a subtle glow on the oily areas of my face.
As per the claims, I did not notice any skin lightening, brightening or renewal with 3 months of usage. But it did gradually countered my redness and kept my skin hydrated during the day.
To condense down in one sentence, This is just regular lotion that hydrates and balances the eruptions/redness with imbalance in Pitta dosha.

Ingredients Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion Indian Rose & Marigold Review and Ingredient Analysis

Ingredients Analysis:

The main ingredients of Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion Indian Rose & Marigold are Almond Oil & Wheatgerm oil. I was delighted to read Sweet Almond oil listed as main ingredient with Wheatgerm Oil. Almond Oil repairs the damaged collagen layers due to oxidative stress and is one of the most potent anti-oxidant. Wheatgerm oil increases collagen production and repair the DNA.
Mulberry Extract contains Arbutin ( a form of Hydroquinone ) used in skin lightening. Jojoba Oil  is a natural emollient which prevents irritations, rough skin, it also hydrates and repairs the epidermis.
Rice Bran Oil is rich in Phytic acid which stimulates circulation and cell growth while revealing brighter skin. Ashwagandha Root Extract stimulates collagen production while increasing elasticity in the skin. Gokharu Seed Extract is known to improve skin texture.
Kokum Butter, a natural emollient moisturizes and rejuvenates. Beeswax is an emollient and skin softener that helps maintain a smooth skin texture. Vitamin E is a potent anti-aging moisturizer and damaging free radicals neutralizer. Rose Oil is known for its calming and anti-bacterial properties which soothes redness and irritation. Marigold Flower Extract is an anti-inflammatory antioxidant which heals and slows down aging, known as an effective treatment for acne.

Forest Essentials Light Day Lotion Indian Rose & Marigold Review and Ingredient Analysis


Price: 1750 INR for 40ml
Cruelty-Free Status: Cruelty-Free but not Vegan (contains Beeswax)

Recommendation: This is not really an essential in my daily routine. This works fine with hydrating and makes a fine base for my powder foundation. But it does not really work for all the claims of brightening, lightening or even healing. It definitely is way too pricey for just a regular moisturizer. I won't repurchase though I love how it reduces my redness.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation in Natural Beige: Review and Swatches

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation in Natural Beige Review and Swatches

I am a Mineral Metamorphose and I collecting all I can. This summery compact right here was my second addition. [Wait, until I reveal my Mineral (Foundation) Makeup Collection here]
The factual reason I prefer Physicians Formula Healthy Wear  Powder Foundation over any other  Powder foundation is SPF 50, alone.

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation in Natural Beige Review and Swatches


Physicians Formula claims the product to be Fragrance-free, Non-irritating, Paraben free, Non-Comedogenic, Hypoallergenic, Oil-free and Dermatologist approved




SPF Powder, Powder Foundation

This Powder Foundation is a windfall for me this summer. The texture is powdery and I detest fallout, I use Real Techniques Powder brush and buff onto my skin and layer the fallout over the buffed powder. The coverage is translucent, even though it covers redness around my nose and evens out my skin tone. The powder is hydrating and does not look cakey upon layering or accentuate dry skin.
Though it states that the Foundation is mineral based, I don't notice the illumination mineral foundation results. At times, this does look flat matte.

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation in Natural Beige Review and Swatches

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear  Powder Foundation has been discontinued. I think I could use this all seasons round. This is my absolute favourite and summer essential.
For most of the days when I am out between 11-5, I top this on Vichy and I am ready to step out.
This alone does not provide enough sun protection, I use it to mattify the shiny sunblock residue.
Talc is the first ingredient listed with Dimethicone (a silicone), a pore clogging ingredient.

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation in Natural Beige Review and Swatches
I am a touch-up shy, I dislike touching up my makeup or sunblock. I would like a powder/dry sunscreen in a brush, say Brush on Sunscreen. So I could just brush on some dry sunscreen to protect and mattify in one go. =D

Is Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Powder Foundation Cruelty-Free? Yes

Repurchase: It is discontinued. Maybe a different variant.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

12 Cruelty-Free Matte Liquid Lipsticks

12 Cruelty-Free Matte Liquid Lipsticks


Liquid Lipsticks carry my strongest interest when it comes to lipsticks. I have a drawer full of them and no amount could suffice my inordinate desire for them. This post is an abridgement of all Cruelty-Free Matte Liquid Lipsticks in one.

the Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick ($17.00)
Available in 12 shades
Paraben Free

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (
$6.00)
Available in 34 shades
Cruelty-Free but not Vegan

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (
$20.00)Available in 21 shades
Cruelty-Free but not Vegan

Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick ($18.00)
Available in 23 shades
Vegan. Paraben and Gluten Free

NYX Liquid Suede Lipstick ($7.00)
Available in 24 shades

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick ($28.00)
Available in 9 shades
Vegan. Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates and Fragrance Free.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick ($5.00) [Review HERE]
Available in 47 shades
Also available in Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick ($5.00) in 16 shades
Vegan. Sulphates and Paraben Free

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20.00)
Available in 28 shades
Vegan. Paraben Free

Ofra Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick ($19.90)
Available in 48 shades

Too Faced Melted Matte Lipstick ($21.00)
Available in 17 shades
Vegan. Paraben Free

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra-Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00)
Available in 15 shades
Gluten Free

Ciate London Liquid Velvet Moisturizing Matte Lipstick ($19.00)Available in 13 shades
Parabens, Sulfates & Phthalates Free


Tuesday, May 17, 2016

My Summer Beauty | Makeup | Hair Hacks: Hot & Humid Weather Beauty Hacks

My Summer Beauty | Makeup | Hair Hacks: Hot & Humid Weather Beauty Hacks

I am sharing my SIX Summer Hacks ideal for Hot Humid Climate. Though some of these do take a little effort but were life changing for me.

How to Prevent Sweat Stains

Sweat Stains
For light to moderate sweating, these are ideal. These absorb underarm sweat and prevent Sweat stains.
I use Panty liners underneath almost anything with sleeves to avoid those sweat marks. Works great, make sure you find the soft ones. OR You can find Sweat pads online.

Oily, Sweaty Scalp
I shampoo every alternate day, though my hair turns dull and flat in just about a day. I spray Dry Shampoo or Baby powder before going to bed. I make sure, I keep them untied. So when I wake up next morning, I massage the powder/dry shampoo in circular motion and voila! VOLUME.
For Extra-Voluminous mane, I mix in Batiste XXXL with Baby powder and dust evenly on scalp.
I avoid blow drying since blow drying invites more sweat.

How to naturally eliminate body odour
Body/Sweat Odour
How do I keep off body odour/sweat odour without using an Antiperspirant Deodorant?
This is exclusively for masking the unpleasant sweat smell. This does not prevent sweating or clog pores, but instead mildly exfoliates when you wash off in shower.
I grind Alum powder to the finest I can and store into a jar. After shower I take a pinch of the powder and rub on the areas I tend to sweat more. [Credits to a blogger friend]
If you cannot find Alum powder or are lazy enough, Baking Soda works just the same. I am testing a DIY Deodorant as well check back soon!

Taming Fly aways and Baby Hair
I don't have much of baby hair, a few here and there extremely close to the hairline.
I don't like using hair wax to tame them. I simply use a clean mascara wand, spray on some Hair holding spray and brush them in the direction I want. And sometimes, I just tame them with Clear Brow gel. Works just fine for me.

Staying Fresh all day
When I did not use EDTs or EDPs, I did follow this. And I still do. Essential oils are vital part of my Hair care. I use Hair rinses with Peppermint, Rosemary & Lavender to keep my scalp feeling fresh till next wash. And the best part, the more heat your hair accumulates, the more fragrance these oils release.
These rinses promote hair growth as well.
For Face mist: I prefer Peppermint, Tea tree and Sandalwood in 1:3:3 ratio in 100ml spray bottle.
Either Distilled/Mineral or Rose water with a drop of Vit. E oil. Great alternative to store bought Face Mists.
As Fragrance: I apply Rose Essential oil Or Jasmine on pulse points over Vaseline. These are multitasking, for balancing your mind, increasing memory. I use Vetiver Essential oil for boosting memory.
I think I cannot picture my shelves without these.

Do it yourself Blotting Sheets. Cheap DIYs

Blotting Sweat and Sebum
I have used and  despised The Body Shop Tea Tree Blotting Sheets (trashed it before I could use them all). I never repurchased Blotting sheets ever, instead I discovered an inexpensive alternative to them.
I always carry Facial Tissues (two whole packs) in my bag and pat sweat especially on hair line and under eyes. I dust the same tissues with Translucent Powder and when I pat, it absorbs oil and sweat exclusively. I cut them into squares so these Translucent Powder dusted Tissues are easier to carry around in an empty case.

I am compiling a post of Makeup Hacks since November 2014, lying around in my drafts. Its about time...



Wednesday, May 04, 2016

Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer - Paris: Review, Swatches & FOTD

Bronzing is my newfangled Fancy!

Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer - Paris: Review, Swatches & FOTD

I went into The Body Shop the other day to purchase the Dry shimmering Oil but that thing stained. I want something Neutral-Glistening-Dewy-Nonstaining to wear on my face.
When I ordered this, I wasn't sure if it would be pigmented enough for my Brown-Tan Skin. So if it wouldn't, I would just use it as Face Powder rather than Bronzer. Because if you observe the pan or swatches, they're barely pigmented or visible.
But when I swirled and layered once, I was bemused with the glow. But but the Glowing Cityline disappeared. sigh!



What does Physicians Formula claim

Paraben Free, Oil Free, Gluten Free, Non-Comedogenic, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-Free and Dermatologist approved.

Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer - Paris: Review, Swatches & FOTD

Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer - Paris: Review, Swatches & FOTD on Olive/Tan/Brown Skin

Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Inactive Ingredients: Talc,  Dimethicone, Mica,Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate,  Butylene Glycol,Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract,  Triglyceride, Caprylic/Capric, Cetyl Dimethicone,  Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Disiloxane, Propanediol,  Sodium Dehydroacetate, Smithsonite Extract, Spilanthes Acmella Flower Extract,  Fluorphlogopite, Synthetic, Tocopheryl Acetate,  Phenoxyethanol, Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Zinc Stearate,  May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet, Ultramarines

Price: $14.99 (approx 1040inr)
Is Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer Cruelty-Free? Yes Physician Formula is Cruelty-Free.

Bronzers for Olive Tan Brown skin. Bronzer for Indian Skin
Left to Right Swirled, Lower & Upper shades

This dual coloured bronzer has a powdery almost dry texture. A lot of fall out was noticed, I think it runs with all Physicians Formula Powder forms. I do not use the colours individually, I prefer swirling the brush into the pan. I use one layer from the cheek bones to temples and rest of the product on my forehead. Since I do not like contouring much, I prefer Bronzing. I do not use Bronzers to sculpt but to add warmth.
The longevity is average, it starts to fade after 3-4 hours, and if I pat my face with tissue or blotting paper,  the bronzer transfers. Though I have not noticed separation even on my sweaty-oily cheeks.
Though the shimmering city line fades away, the bronzer is not flat matte, but it has a slight sheen to it, almost like mineral foundation.

Bronzed Olive Skintone. Bronzers available in India
Indoors around 10 am

How to apply bronzer. Bronzer for Olive/Medium/Indian Skin
Afternoon glow, around 12.15 pm

On my face:
Philosophy No Reason to Hide Moisturizer
Rimmel Stay Matte in 003
Eyes: Buxom Full & Fabulous Mascara
Brows: Benefit Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel in Medium/Deep
Cheeks: Bourjois Cendres De Roses Brune Blush
Physicians Formula City Glow Daily Defense Bronzer
Lips: Nivea Fruity Shine Watermelon


How I use this Bronzer

I prefer applying bronzer or blush after setting my base makeup and then setting with the same setting powder again. This blends blush, highlighter & bronzer seamlessly into each other.

Availability is an issue though I might not repurchase. I have other Physicians Formula Bronzers trying to connect with my psyche. =D
Besides, This Philosophy No Reason to Hide Moisturizer is incredible. Can you see, I have redness on my right cheek and one active acne and patchiness here and there?
Obviously, it did not hide my dark circles, so psyched that I might pick that up next.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

A Heart-Shaped Mark and infinite stories...

This all began on 14th February 2013.

This post is in continuation of a post I wrote in 2014. I wrote a post here

Last week I discovered this!

Finding Heart Shapes

Finding Heart Shapes and Things

& in Bright daylight

Why am I finding Heart shapes

Heart symbols, repeating hearts, and what they mean


...the universe.
I don't have much to say; this has rendered me speechless!

I mean how in the world...

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review

Eat. Sleep. Shape Brows. Repeat - Anastasia Beverly Hills
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review for Olive/Medium/Indian Skintones


My brows are sparse, possibly worse. Back in days, I remember women drawing their brows with pencils. As funny as it could be, I disliked everything about the trend.
I didn't start shaping my brows until I was 22-23 simply because the pain was unendurable. But by the time, I started with eye makeup and smokey eyes. And it became a necessity.
Wisdom, I say =]

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review for Olive/Medium/Indian Skintones

For longest period, I would use Brow powders and clear pomade or even eye shadows to fill in my brows.
When I got hold of this, even the brow powders started to seem dull and unnatural.

Selecting the Brow Wiz Shade:
I settled down for Dark Brown.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown is a deep brown with a neutral undertone. Dark Brown is ideal for Medium Brown to Black hair.

Price: $21 approx. 1449 INR

Is Anastasia Beverly Hills Cruelty-Free? Yes

Quantity: 0.08grams

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review


Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil is a dual ended. But coming to the spoolie part; the spoolie is unique and the bristles are bent inwards which really buffs the pigment, making it look more natural.
The Texture of wiz crayon is dry, somewhat powder finish. The pigmentation is excellent and the ultra fine tip actually mimics as brow hair if drawn using light strokes.
I don't like the fact that this is so expensive.
But it stays on until I remove my makeup at the end of the day ( approx. 7-8 hrs). This did not smudge or rather melted off in Mumbai heat. Nor it did transfer on my face or tissue while patting the sweat.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review
Bare Brow


Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review Softly filled in with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown: Swatches & Review
Bold Brow using Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Skinny Brow Pencil in Dark Brown


Recommendations: Purchase if you don't mind splurging, but I think the longevity validates the price tag. NYX microbrow pencil is exactly the same formula, except for the spoolie which makes a lot of difference in terms of finish.

Repurchase?: No. Since I don't simply rely on this single Brow wiz to fill in or define my brows.