Thursday, June 22, 2017

Five Cruelty-free, SLS & SLES Free Shampoos for Amazing Hair

best sis free paragon free sales free cruelty free shampoos for amazing hair in India


Few years back, I switched to using shampoos devoid of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES), and that has made a world of difference between how my hair felt before and after. Thin hair runs in the genes, so I had to look out for products, methods and techniques to maintain the texture and volume of my hair.


The five benefits I noticed after switching to SLS free shampoo:
  • bouncier hair 
  • no clogged pores and acne due to silicones in shampoo and conditioner 
  • less amount required 
  • squeaky clean scalp 
  • no stripping off of natural oils. 
Here are six five cruelty-free, SLS-free, SLES- and paraben-free shampoos I have curated:

The Nature's Co Shampoos

The Nature's Co is PETA certified cruelty-free and contains natural ingredients. The surfactant used is derived from coconut. You can read more here. I have used Nori Hair cleanser; you can read an in-depth post here.  

The other variants available are as follows:
Barley Volumising Hair Cleanser
Apple-Guava Hair Cleanser
Marigold Hair Cleanser
Watercress Hair Cleanser
Sandalwood Hair Cleanser and Conditioner

Lush Shampoos and Bars

The news of Lush relaunching in India circulated when they had completely shut down. I wonder what happened to that! Lush Shampoos contain gentle surfactants such as ammonium laureth sulphate (ALS) and sodium alkyl sulfate. Lush claims that their shampoo bars are for people with sensitive scalp. Sigh! I want Ro's Argan and Jason and the Argan oil!

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Shampoo and Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Conditioner

These are the most amazing, refreshing shampoo and conditioner I have used ever. A soft, mild scent yet refreshing; these both left my hair feeling extremely soft. I wish these were available at Sephora India. Their shampoo and conditioner are silicone-free too.

Himalaya Daily Shampoo

I never repurchased this after 2012, I honestly felt the ingredient list was incomplete. This does contain same surfactant base (ALS) as Lush. I did try their protein shampoo and felt that it did make my hair feel a bit thicker to touch. This is by far the cheapest SLS-free shampoo available in India.

Soulflower Shampoo Bars

Rosemary and Lavender Shampoo bar is my favourite. I always stock up on the mentioned variant. Sandalwood Geranium Shampoo bar dries out my hair and scalp, and Let your Hair down shampoo makes my hair greasy pretty quickly. I have a criterion for liking shampoos: two days down and no grease; a keeper!

Kama Ayurveda Shampoos*

Update: The second ingredient on the list is SLES. Although it is SLS-free, it is not SLES-free.


*This list is updated on 22 May 2020.














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Monday, June 19, 2017

Messy Hair, Bold brows, Nerd Glasses Makeup | Two Makeup Looks to Wear With Glasses

I have been wearing glasses since I was 11, and glasses weren't stylish back then. I shied away from wearing them and switched to contacts as soon as my ophthalmologist recommended them. I never preferred glasses unless it was a necessity where makeup was out of the question and eye makeup was not even a choice!

I prefer wearing glasses these days and coordinating my makeup and clothing. Just these geeky nerdy glasses.

I never found an eyewear that fits right or looks good on my small face. I am much amused to pair bold brows with glasses. To be honest, this isn't the usual nerdy; this is just a basic wayfarer frame, the smallest I could hunt down.

Anastasia Beverly Hills' Dip Brow Pomade has me spaced out, and I tend to go overboard a lot! I am just wearing the Brow Pomade here in these pictures. I have asymmetrical brows; one is arched and thick and another is straight and sparse.

I took pictures of two looks I wear often, mostly in hurry. Bold brows, nerdy glasses and no-makeup makeup & bold brows paired with coordinated cheeks and lips. I abstained from wearing extremely bold opaque lipstick.


All I did was fill in the blanks using dip brow pomade.

In the picture above, I am wearing Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation mixed with The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser. I did set my T-zone with Kryolan Translucent Powder and bronzed-up my skin using Physicians Formula Bronzer. For lips, I smeared Maybelline Lip Polish in Glam 7 to add a diffused coral warmth. I did skip blush and eye makeup except for mascara.

And lots of curling!

For hair, I did half up and half down and secured them with bobby pins.

makeup for glasses Bold Brows messy hai nerdy glasses makeup


Stripes and bright lips is one of my favourite combinations. Because I'd never wear red lipstick with solid black shirt. Never. Don't even ask me why?!

I have used a tinted lip balm instead of full blown opaque colour since I bronzed my cheeks and temples. For base, I am wearing a combination of MAC Matchmaster and Bourjous Healthy Mix Serum for medium coverage. I generously bronzed my side face in shape of three, added a little bronzer in the crease as well.  I applied mascara after lots of eyelash curling!
For cheeks and lips, I used the same product (shea butter + almond oil + Sleek Lip paint in Pinkini).
I have used this as lip and cheek tint, blending on the apples of my cheeks using a Beauty Blender. Precisely, I wanted diffused pink on the cheeks. I love wearing lipstick as blush.

makeup looks for women who wear glasses



I am listing my five favourite makeup tips and tricks for women who wear glasses:

Light coverage to avoid spectacle marks

I prefer light coverage foundation, and I cannot bear the layers—primer, foundation, concealer—unless I am taking photographs. In real, I prefer looking even instead of camouflaged. If you want to add coverage, adding a long wearing primer (and using eyeshadow primer on the bridge where glasses rest) and pressing the foundation into the skin works. Make sure to set your foundation and concealer in place before wearing glasses.

Brighten the under-eyes and add mascara

Eyes appear smaller through glasses. I make sure to curl my eyelashes at least twice before adding a layer or two of mascara. Do not build too much, as it can lead to streaks and smudges on glasse—skip lengthening mascara and switch to volumising one. I skip eyeliner altogether and tight line if need be or use an eyeshadow to elongate the shape of my eyes. Do not forget to brighten your under-eyes with illuminating concealer or finishing powder.

Subtle lips vs bold lips

I never experimented pairing bold lips with glasses. Perhaps, I am too meek to pair them and effortlessly carry it off. I would prefer subtly coloured lips for a natural look or bright tinted balms and glosses (blotted) any time.

Neutral eyeshadows

I cannot wear glittery sparkly colours on my eyelids when I am wearing glasses. Glasses and glittery eye makeup just throws me off balance; I mean that is not for me. All I do is prime my eyelids to even out the discolouration and add bronzer in the crease.

Bold, bolder, boldest

Now this is not the kind of drawing I prefer. I keep my shape natural and asymmetrical and draw on strokes with pomade or pencil, creating thin strokes of hair, mimicking the natural ones. Perfectly done symmetrical brows somehow look unnatural to me. At times I set my brows using just clear brow gel, or soap for hold, but most days pomade or pencil works just fine!






Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Is Sebamed Cruelty free?

Is Sebamed cruelty free? Sebamed Vegan product list
Souce: Sebamed


Sebamed is a pharmaceutical brand which once was Leaping Bunny certified. And then lost their certification when it started selling in China.
Perhaps a misstatement must have been floating around in some of my posts that Sebamed is cruelty-free. And I purchased few products to try under the same pretext. Sebamed Clear Face Cleansing Bar and Clear Face Cleansing Foam works amazing for my acne vulgaris. Though a little drying on my combination skin.
But I did read that Sebamed is Cruelty-free. I was convinced until I read their FAQs.

Are Sebamed Products Vegan?

Sebamed products do not consist animal-derived ingredients. Except for Sebamed Visio Gentle Toner and Sebamed Hand & Nail Balsam.
Sebamed Visio Gentle Toner contains hydrolyzed silk that is derived from silkworm cocoons. And Sebamed Hand & Nail Balsam has hydrolyzed keratin which is derived from sheep.

Beeswax is used in the listed products:

Sebamed Healing & Protection Cream
Sebamed Lip Defense SPF 30
Sebamed Baby Diaper Rash CreamSebamed Extreme Dry Skin 10% Urea Repair Lotion
All Sebamed Soap Free Cleansers

Sebamed is vocal about their regulations they follow and does not brand themselves as 'Cruelty-free'.
Animal testing is not involved in the manufacturing process of the products. But they are unsure of the ingredients and their testing on animals and hence no relevant statement could be provided. The manufacturing process follows the German Cosmetics Regulation which has banned finished products test on animals.

Sebamed sells in China

Sebamed acquired the Leaping Bunny Certification in 2014 and lost soon after they started selling in China. Here is the link to the website: http://www.sebamed.com.cn
Animal Testing on Finished Products is mandatory in China.

Parent Company: Sebapharma GmbH&Co.

Conclusion: The finished products are not tested on animals but the ingredients used are perhaps tested on animals which conclude Sebamed as Non-Cruelty-free.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Project Pan Update: Volume I

I have not discarded a single empty container since November 2016. I was knee-deep in work. My vanity is cluttered, so much so that it irks me to a point where I want to throw away everything I no longer find useful. I am determined to discard or giveaway non-cruelty free products. To top it all, I went ahead and selected few products to finish by 30th June.

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50

I purchased this believing this could be used as a gel-based primer. I'm mistaken. This gel would just consume my moisturiser and within an hour, I would end up with a stretchy feeling. My powder foundation would turn blotchy with this underneath. It would peel and flake and come off easily on with sweat.
The only good thing, it does not cause sweating.

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun UV Screen Matte Gel SPF 50 Price: INR 395

The Body Shop Drops Of Light Brightening Cleansing Foam

I loved using this in the mornings mostly. But I don't think so it is worth 1500! There are so many affordable alternatives. And how long does a cleanser stay on, a minute? Read my thoughts here

Bath and Body Works Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist

Too sweet for my liking. On me, it bloomed sweet than floral. On my mom, it would bloom sweet floral. Does not remind me of spring at all. The staying power can be prolonged by using a fragrance-free moisturizer underneath.

Bath and Body Works Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist Price is $14.00 for 8 fl oz / 236 mL.

Colorbar Single Eyeshadow in 10 Black Tie

This is from the year I acknowledged makeup as my interest. This is one of the few eyeshadows I bought while building my makeup collection. I could not use this much, black eyeshadow with silver glitter flecks; god! What was I thinking?!
Oh! Another good reason, to toss this out, I am kissing goodbye to all my non-cruelty-free makeup products.

This eyeshadow, by the way, is discontinued.

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Audacious Asphalt and Painted Purple

The fixation of buying newly launched products didn't quite develop in me or so I think. I didn't find any much use for these colourful shadows for my everyday makeup. I barely wore full-faced makeup anyway. I used them only in Spring. You can check out my spring makeup tutorial to see Painted Purple looks on brown eyes.
I wish they'd launched matte, neutral dark brown colour which could also be used as eyebrow pomade and eyeliner and eyeshadow, of course.

Maybelline Color Tattoo is discontinued in India.

Suncote Gel SPF 30

This one is prescribed by my dermatologist for hyperpigmentation. In 2014, I noticed shadowy darkness on the outer parts of my face. On consultation, it was darkening due to the sun. I was using Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matte Look Daily Sunblock SPF 40. It was my holy grail only until I discovered that it lacks the sun protection I need.
Suncote Gel is a bit sticky but works great as a makeup primer. Sadly, it does not sit well with my powder foundations and mineral foundations. It does not flake or peel and is sweat proof, if wore without makeup. I conclude this is the best sunscreen for oily skin.
I'd repurchase if I could get high SPF, so I don't have to reapply every hour.

Suncote Gel SPF 30 Price INR 355 for 100 grams

VLCC Sun Defense Matte Look Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 | PA+++*

I was quite excited to try this since it has a slight tint to it. It smells like pineapples dipped in cherry-flavoured expectorant. Can you imagine? I cannot tolerate the fragrance to be honest. When I tested this for the first time, I slathered it all on exposed parts. As soon as I stepped out in sun, I started sweating profusely. To my horror, it melted down in sun. That was one embarrassing situation for me until I cleaned all of it and ended up with sunburn (I was out in the afternoon).
I don't recommend this bummer in a bottle.

Victoria's Secret Lost in Fantasy Body Mist

I loved it even though it was quite fruity on me. For once, I enjoyed the sweet notes of passionfruit.
But boy! I was a failure in panning this, it took me two years to finish this off. I'd use this on and off.
I love the refreshing fragrance, reminds me of beaches and pineapples. The colour blue reminds me of Andamans. This could be weird, but this blooms with sweat that makes it perfect for the humid climate.

NYX Retractable Eyeliner in White

I purchased this to create neon wing eyeliner using my Sleek Acid palette. I could not find this on any of Indian e-commerce websites. NYX is cruelty-free. This is unusable and has passed its PAO date.

Dermalogica Total Eyecare SPF 15

This was a part of the kit. I did not review this then was because I wanted to give it some time to consider if I like it. It fails to sink in and moves my concealer. I tried incorporating it in my evening skincare routine, and it did nothing. No noticeable difference in hydration. I hope there is a better eye cream from Dermalogica.
Dermalogica is cruelty-free!


NYX Eyeshadow Base in White

I don't remember where I bought this from, but there is barely any dent on the surface. I also have NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk which performs much better as an eyeshadow base. NYX Eyeshadow Base in White blends easily but goes on extremely sheer, and the white pigment settles in the fine lines on my eyelids. It did not at all enhance my eyeshadow. I never prefered it except few times when I couldn't find my other eyshadow bases. Concealer works much better as a matter of fact.

NYX Eyshadow Base in White is available on Nykaa and Amazon for INR 725.

Large Stippling Brush from Coastal Scents 22 Piece Brush Kit

Coastal Scents brush kits are probably good for starting out. Some of them are unusable, but face brushes are better in my honest opinion. This was one of my favourite brushes, and I used it almost daily to buff my foundation. Using this as a stippling brush was my way to achieve sheerest coverage ever: just the way I like it. I am looking for a better option, a cruelty-free one; I think I found one but I need to dig deep for the brand's cruelty-free stance.

Lip balms: Maybelline Baby Lips and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15

Baby lips is 50% used, and Neutrogena is all scraped out. I quite like the Norwegian formula!
The best sun protection for lips ever. I seem to repurchase it in spite of the ban, thats how much I like it. I used this up in merely three months! And I did not repurchase, instead, I purchased Sebamed Lip Defense, but that is not cruelty-free either. I am lost here; I need a lip balm that is cruelty-free, has SPF 30 and is not tinted! 


*Sent by brand for consideration



Friday, June 02, 2017

Cruelty free Vegan shampoo | Organic Harvest Daily Shampoo Review and Ingredients Analysis

I purchased this with a curiosity. What surfactant must be used in the formulation? Will this be my Holy Grail Shampoo which is not tested on animals and does not contain animal derived ingredients?
Here is my in-depth analysis on the ingredients. I was excited when I bought this to add to my List of Cruelty free and vegan shampoos.

Organic Harvest claims to use organic and chemical free ingredients. The products made without Parabens, Artifical colourants and animal derived ingredients. The packaging is minimal, almost ordinary.

Cruelty free Vegan shampoo | Organic Harvest Daily Shampoo Review and Ingredient Analysis
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How I use Organic Harvest Daily Shampoo?

When I first opened the bottle, the liquid with its colour and fragrance reminded me of sugarcane juice. Every time I used it, I wanted to glug down a tall glass of sugarcane juice. The image of sugarcane juice would not leave me alone.
So the first thing I did was looked up the ingredients and researched on them.
I have wasted, a lot of it by using it in exceeding amount. For three weeks I could not decipher the amount that should be used, a lot of it was wasted and lost a lot of hair every time I shampooed. In the hope of that squeaky clean feeling!
But one fine day, I used just a pump and voila there was zero hair fall while shampooing. It is as mild as Baby shampoo. All you need is just one pump for normal-oily hair and two if you have oiled them. My essential oil hair rinses work well with the shampoo. I love the volume I achieve when I use this.
To put the whole review in one sentence, OH Daily Shampoo is the best vegan and cruelty free alternative to SLS based shampoos.
My mother who colours and touch ups her hair every 45 days and thinks that her colour lasts longer.
Mostly, her curly hair is more manageable and frizz free.
I miss the slip while massaging this onto my scalp. That is the only thing I dislike about this shampoo. And missing Ingredients list too!

Sls free sulphate sulphate free shampoo, chemical free shampoo


Organic Harvest Ingredients Analysis

When I could not get the sugarcane juice out of my head, I looked up at the key ingredients mentioned on the bottle. Certified Organic Decyl Glucoside, Glucoside was all I needed.
  •  Aqua
  • Decyl Glucoside is plant derived and biodegradable, derived from corn and cane sugar.
  • Sodium PCA is a humectant; Pyrrolidone Carboxylic Acid (hydrating agent) additionally functions as skin replenishing agent.
And the key ingredients list comes to an end. Incomplete ingredients, I don't like them!
Organic Harvest does not forget to mention that the Shampoo is Paraben free, Phthalates free, Mineral Oil free, PABAfree, Petrolatum free, Paraffin-free and free of animal ingredients.
And not to forget not tested on animals, not even the raw materials used. The ingredients used in the formulation are USDA-certified organic ingredients as well as Eco-certified ingredients.

Best sls free shampoo for color treated hair


Efficacy

  • Chemical free shampoo? Sulfate free shampoo?
  • I love the body my fine hair has achieved. 
  • My scalp does not turn oily until 3rd or 4th day.
  • I can get away with diluting the shampoo for the mildest scalp cleansing.
  • I have used 450 ml in 7 months. I am left with few more washes.
  • If you dislike the fragrance, you can add essential oils to improve its efficacy.
I don't think I have any reason except the missing Ingredient list. My mother thinks this is the best sulfate free shampoo for colour treated hair. I think this is probably the best chemical free shampoo for thin and fine hair.

Price: 795 INR for 500ml

Organic Harvest is not tested on animals and does not contain animal derived ingredients.