Pamper Your Winter Skin with Ethicare

Winter is all about festivities, holidays and over indulgence of food and drinks. Without proper care this over indulgence can take a toll on your skin. The weather is harsh during this time contributing further damage on the skin. While this season spares no skin type, today we will be talking about acne prone skin. Using the same products as other months of the year can cause acne flare ups, therefore it is necessary to make the following tweaks in your skincare routine!

1. Cleanse twice

2. Exfoliate gently

3. Don’t be scared to moisturise

4. Take your dose of SPF

And for the above mentioned, I have my few favorite products from Ethicare, to help you choose the right products if you have the same skin type as me - slightly oily, prone to pimples & acne.

Ethicare is the fastest growing pharmaceutical company in India with 100% focus in dermatology and cosmetology. Founded in 2003 by a young and enthusiastic entrepreneur, Ilesh Khakkhar. The organization has been dedicated to innovation through new regimen, new medicine, new technologies and new ways to beautify the world. 

The 4 products I use these days to keep my skin in place are :

ACMED FACE WASH - Used to cure acne which cleanses excess oil, dirt and dead skin. Tea tree oil used in Acmed ensures anti-bacterial action against bacteria common to pimple prone skin. It also has a breakthrough innovation like pimple care globules that you can actually see penetrating in your skin while you wash your face, ensuring proper delivery of pimple care active ingredients.

It is available in 70gm pack.

Direction to use :

Take some of it with a little water onto your palm. Work up lather and gently massage on your wet face and neck with a circular motion. Rinse off with clear water and pat your face dry. For best results use twice or thrice a day regularly.

UVMED - This spectrum sunscreen gel provides 50 times more protection from sunburn, as it has been produced by special ingredients and unique formula. It protects the skin from UVA I, UVA II and UVB, and has oil-free formula so it is ideal for oily, acne prone skin.

It also prevents darkening of skin, sunburn, premature ageing. It is useful for both indoor and outdoor and can be used in any season. It does not contain any colourant or perfume that may cause allergic effects.

It is available in 50ml pack.

Direction to use :

Apply UVMED evenly on face and all exposed areas of the body 20-30 minutes before exposure to sun. Re-apply after prolonged swimming or excessive sweating. Massage UVMED into the skin very gently, until it vanishes. (Don’t rub vigorously). Regular use of Uvmed helps in preventing any type of skin damage done by UV rays.

CALADEW LOTION - This magical lotion with its balanced formulation, offers soothing-cooling action and gives relief in skin condition like prickly heat, insect bites, itching, sunburn, nappy rash etc.  Zinc oxide is used to heal the skin and offers mild sunscreen action. Caladew has Excellent spread ability. It offers instant cooling effect.

It is available in 75ml pack.

Direction to use :

Clear affected area of the skin then gently apply the lotion there. Use for bad skin condition like urticaria, prickly heat, insect bites, itching, sunburn, nappy rash, chickenpox, scabies etc. Use 2 to 3 times daily for best results.

AKMASQ - A natural and innovative approach in pimple care and complexion care technology. It absorbs oil. It has gental cleansing base for irritation free cleansing. It provides antibacterial action by tea tree oil. It is bedt for for improvement in complexion and removal of acne marks. Akmasq has chandan and turmeric, while the cucumber essence in it gives cooling and soothing feel. Vit. -E and pro-Vit. B5 has healing properties. 

It is available in 70gm pack.

Direction to use :

Clean your face & neck and apply Akmasq evenly, avoiding the area around eyes and mouth. Let it dry and let ingredients penetrate for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash off Akmasq with water and pat dry. Thrice a week application of Akmasq will give you freshness and freedom from oiliness throughout the day and will improve complexion remarkably giving glow to the skin.

So, now that you know what I use on my skin in winters, you should try these products on yourself too, and let me know if it worked for you! Buy all from ETHICARE.

~xoxo~

Aplava Shopping Haul (in just Rs. 2000)

In the busy world that we live in, it often becomes impossible to find time for ourselves and to go out shopping in malls, stores for stuff you need. And that's when online shopping comes to our rescue where they offer various products under variety of brands on a single website, sending them to your door step at your convenience!

I recently had to shop for some skin and hair essentials that I use on daily basis, and along with that some beauty products that my makeup artist recommended that we need to get hands on for my shoot schedules. With shortage of time, of course we couldn't go out shopping and that's when I stumbled upon this cool brand APLAVA.com!

Aplava is a website that claims to want to give its customers an experience of divine purity. What I really liked about the website was, that their team has developed a mechanism to advice and recommend products based on your skin type and skin concerns. All you gotta do is, use the 'personalized beauty section' on your profile page to get customized recommendation for your daily skin routine. They have a team of dermatologists, beauty advisors who select brands from a wide range of product categories including skincare, hair-care, makeup, bath and body, fragrance, candles and aromatherapy, mom and baby, home care, etc.

Also, what caught my eye was the affordable pricing of the products for each one, along with different discounts which you apparently don't get while shopping at the stores! So, I happened to purchase a lot of products from aplava.com, and all for a total of Rs. 2000, now isn't that exciting? Take a look at my haul below.

1.) Garnier Men Oil Clear Face Wash (for my brother) : Rs. 167

2.) Dove Hair Fall Rescue Shampoo (650 ml) : Rs. 410

3.) Maybelline Colossal Kajal : Rs. 180

4.) Street Wear Color Rich Perfection Compact (Neutral) : Rs. 175

5.) Coloressence Aqua Shimmer Base (Beige Blush) : Rs. 175

6.) Votre Refining Toner : Rs. 199

7.) Street Wear Color Rich Mega Shine Lip Gloss (Smokey Brown) : Rs. 170

8.) Coloressence Mesmerising Lip Color (4gm - Nude) : Rs. 175

9.) Coloressence Mesmerising Lip Color (4gm - Red) : Rs. 175

10.) Mesmerising Lip Color (4gm - Earthy Touch) : Rs. 175

I thoroughly enjoyed shopping at aplava.com, and for many people, shopping online for beauty products of their choice is the most suitable source as it not just saves your time but with some research, you can acquire huge savings also by taking hold of money-saving offers and discount coupons on all your purchases. And for those who are scared of fake products being sold online, trust me APLAVA is one of the most trusted websites I've come across and recommend you all to take a look at!

It deals in quality branded beauty products that offers different choices to select from to provide to every shopper’s budget demands and preferences. Currently, they're offering a Monsoon discount of 10% on a purchase of Rs.999 or more with surprise sample products along with the package. Use code : JULY to avail it now!

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If you were looking to buy skincare, haircare or beauty essentials soon, I really hope this post helped you in some way. Let me know in the comments what do you think! Until next time, lots of love.

~xoxo~

Skincare Essentials with Love, for All

Hey everyone! Hope you all are doing good! Well, some of you must be under stress because of your exams but worry not, because they're going to get over anyways and I know you'll rock it all, loves!

Its been quite sometime since a lot of you were wanting me to share some of my daily skincare essentials for a healthy, smooth and glowing skin. So, today I've got some of my most used products, not just for summers or winters but that I use throughout the year! And the good part is, these ones are not just for my girlies, but you guys out there too (who keep asking me to share something for ya'll as well)!

Now, we all want a picture-perfect, flawless skin. Clear skin is one of the main elements of a person’s beauty; but why just the face? Your over all body skin needs to stay healthy because it helps you feel happy & confident as well. Basically, your skin care regimen and lifestyle habits are the primary predictors of your skin’s health. Some of the leading factors that take a toll on the quality and texture of your skin are stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, pollution, damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, excessive smoking and drinking alcohol. But, end that remorse now. I've got you some really good products that once you use, you'll never want to replace them with anything else or give up! Take a quick look at my favorites below and decide for yourself...

1. Mild Soaps from SHUDDHI HERBALS - Since this post is about your over all body skin, the first new products I've started using since the start of this year are these soaps. Now you'll ask, what's so special about these, because they look regular? Well, not so regular I may say, and these are extremely beneficial for a smooth skin, since they're naturally handmade, and are so mild on your skin that leave the softest feel for you to perceive! The Lavender Soap (purple) has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. It has a calming and relaxing effect that soothes your senses after the first bath itself! And, coming to the Soft Touch Soap (pink), that is like the best piece I've ever bathed with. Such a mind-blasting aroma and the super moisturising effect makes my skin feel like the new born baby's! Its been 2 months straight and I'm just on to order some more of it in bulk now, from HERE.

2. Coffee Cream Soap from FUSCHIA VKARE - Its not that I really like to experiment with new things for my skin, but I just had to try this scrub soap from Vkare. Where on one hand I use the mild soaps during my morning bath, in the evening I prefer using a scrub soap to clear off all the dead skin and the dullness acquired after having a stressful day! This soap contains coffee that certainly has a number of benefits for your skin; from treating redness and inflammation to reducing the appearance of under-eye circles, to getting rid of cellulite! By incorporating caffeine into your skin care routine you can reveal evenly toned smooth skin all over your body. The best part is, you can use this soap on your face too, so ditch that facewash in the evening and start using this yummy, aromatic soap to get a healthy, glowing skin!

3. Bath Salt from FUSCHIA VKARE - The best way to refresh you after a long tiring day is to soak yourself in some bath salt and lavender being my favorite, I chose this one (as you can see in the pictures above). Simply add the bath salt to your bath water, allow the salts to swirl around gently as you take a deep breath, lie back and unwind in your own personal bath, or scrub gently on your body for exfoliation. (For foot use approximate 20-30gms of salt and for bath use 50gms-80gms bath salt, in warm water). It has several benefits to mention, it helps relax sore muscles, eliminate body aches and pains in joints and muscles, relieves Stress, rejuvenates skin by removing dead skin cells leaving the skin revived, comfortable & healthy looking. This detoxifying delicately scented bath salt provides warm, intense, rich aroma turning an ordinary bath into a relaxing and fragrant retreat. It also contains mineral-rich sea salt to reduce fluid retention & promote circulation, blended with Epsom salt that detoxifies by drawing impurities from skin. Me and my skin feels delighted after using this bath salt, and I strongly recommend you to try it!

4. Anti-Ageing Night Cream from FUSCHIA VKARE - If you follow me on Snapchat, you must have noticed my first reaction towards this product sent to me by Vkare, I asked them in the story, do I look old or you want me to never have wrinkles in real? I asked myself, do anti-ageing creams really work for a 22 aged? Well, after actually trying this night cream on my skin, I can simply say, 'I.feel.good!' Arabian Jasmine oil clarifies, hydrates & heals skin, prevents from sagging and keeps the skin firm. Free of parabens, artificial tints  &  synthetic  perfumes, this cream helps to restore the essential oils that is robbed off due to the hassles of daily life. The revitalizing and anti-ageing action helps you to keep those years in check. According to skin care experts it is during the night that our skin repairs itself. The toxins accumulated during the day are also flushed out. The skin begins the healing process and also produces the natural oils helping to keep it moisturised. The fact that we are not constantly exposed to the elements that harms our skin, like pollution and the rays of the sun, during the night, further helps the effectiveness of the cream! Tips :  It is best to apply the night cream at least an hour before you go to sleep and should be left on for a minimum of eight hours. Night creams should be washed off in the morning and never use a night cream during the day. --- I've now been using it on a regular basis, and I feel refreshed as I wake up in the morning and of course with a glowing face, the day goes brighter!

5. Aloe Moisturizer from PLUM - If you know me well, you know that I hate to compromise when it comes to moisturizing my skin. I always have carried and still keep a moisturizer in my bag whenever I leave home! I just can't let it be, just doesn't happen, because I hate seeing skin scales emerging. I came across this brand called Plum Goodness recently and got this aloe vera day moisturizer for myself to try on because of its fragrance, to be specific! Its addictive. It is now for me the perfect day cream for dry and sensitive skin that keeps your face nourished, hydrated and most importantly, glowing! Completely free of silicones, petroleum products and colorants, filled with the goodness of organic aloe juice, vitamin E and relaxing natural oils. Use it on your face, or hands, or anywhere, this is the perfect pick if you're looking for a pure, everyday moisturizer for naturally radiant skin! Get yours from HERE.

Well, its a fact that using good daily skincare products in a routine can dramatically improve the look and feel of our skin. Just a few steps every day will take tired, dull, unhealthy skin to bright, fresh and glowing in no time. Plus, research shows that making the right skincare choices now can have an impact on the health and appearance of your skin in the long term! So a little effort every day means healthy, happy skin now, and in years to come. Follow my recommendations and I'm sure you'll start feeling the changes in your skin for better. And you can always thank me later! ;) 

Do let me know if you have any questions or suggestions in context to this post, I'll be more than happy to revert back! 

Photographed by : Exposure Imageries 

~xoxo~

My Summer Skin Care Routine with POND'S

In childhood, summer meant year end vacations, weeks and weeks of free time to do as one pleases, but sadly, everyone has to grow up, and go to work even when the sun is beating down on us.  We all fear that we’re not quite equipped to deal with the season, and need a helping hand to breeze through the summer months. Strappy shirts and short shorts are pulled out of the closet, but our skin doesn't feel ready! In this season where extreme environmental factors prevail, the sun can actually take a toll on our skin. Our face gets the worst of the impact of the sun, because of the constant exposure to the same. Dirt, pollution and sweat clogs pores and doesn't let our skin breathe in this scorchy weather. All the heat makes us lethargic by the end of the day too! Now, here comes POND'S to the summer skin care rescue with its amazing products. POND'S is a brand which me and my family has been using/observing since years and I have witnessed some fabulous miracles happening to my skin, which is why I refuse to even try any other brand. In last couple of weeks, I developed a particular skin care routine this summer season with the products which I'm sharing with you in this post.

Starting with the cleaning of the face, I use POND'S Tan Removal Scrub (with the pink-white packing) both in morning & night to get rid of all the flakiness, dead skin cells, blackheads, whiteheads & daily tan, which also helps unclog pores, makes my skin breathe and expedites fading of obnoxious scars only to restore a rejuvenated supple skin. It is very gentle and can be used daily. Try as you might, you can’t escape the wrath of the sun, and as a result, tanned skin. Everyone is quite attached to their original skin tone and not a fan of patchily tanned skin, so the suntan needs to leave your skin any how, right? Regular usage of this product helps remove the layer of dead skin cells, dirt and grime from our face. This exposes a fresh layer of skin which can absorb nutrients and moisture. This scrub  has actually revived my skin and also given me a fair, radiant touch.

After the scrub, I use the POND'S Daily Face Wash (with the green-white packing) and every time I use it, it turns my dull tired looking skin into healthy glowing skin. This product from POND'S is suitable for mostly all skin types. I use it twice, daily, which makes my skin soft and smooth, cleaning the remains from the scrub. Irrespective of my hectic schedule and exhaustion, I make sure that I always clean my face twice a day – morning and night. Doing so removes all external impurities and provides a clean canvas to start off. TIP : Always take adequate amount of the scrub or facewash and apply it on the face in circular motion and wash off with plain or lukewarm water.

Once I'm done with the cleaning of my face, I apply POND'S White Beauty Cream, which is a fairness cream mainly for those who have dark circles and a dull skin, like me. This cream helps in the reduction in both cases – lightens, brightens and fades dark spots, while providing instant radiance to my skin. It also helps to cover up uneven patches on my face. Suitable for all skin types, blends with the skin tone naturally making me look a little fairer than my original skin color. The best part about this product is –  1.) It has SPF 15 which is a bonus in all cases. 2.) It has a mousse like fluffy texture which feels incredibly soft and doesn't make my skin feel stretchy or dry at all. 3.) Even though the cream is white in color, it does have a pink tone running through it. TIP : Always dot your face with cream (any cream for that matter), taking small amounts and blend it in the direction of your smile on the cheeks and downwards on the nose.

Now comes the most miraculous product by POND'S which I just fell in love with. It is the All-In-One BB+ Fairness Cream with SPF 30 PA++. Many of you already know I'm not a make-up girl at all. Running away from makeup has been my habit since always, still wanting to look all beautiful and glamorous and this product saves me from using different beauty products like foundations, concealers, etc. saving me from skin problems. As the name suggests, POND'S BB+ (where BB stands for Blemish Balm) cream is an all-in-one product which means it has sophisticated skin lightening cover formula and advanced sunscreen protection, which not only improves my skin texture and effectively lightens skin from within but also provides natural looking instant glow that stays all day long. Being on a duskier side of the complexion scale, I always try finding products that will enhance my complexion and this cream just does that. I use it on a daily basis before stepping out of home, even if I'm not applying the white beauty cream, this one blends with my skin perfectly, also protecting me from the sun (UVA and visible light) just like a sunscreen, while I'm out.

Finally comes the time for moisturizing, and this is the part which I like the most. Some people believe that oily skin does not require moisture. Well, as per my opinion, this dogma is false! Since childhood, I've been using the same body lotion/moisturizer which is by POND'S (even the packing hasn't changed for years now). This product from the POND'S range has provided me with almost 20 years of nourishment and skin smoothening. All summer, all winter, every season! No day of mine passes by without using this lotion on my hands, legs and everywhere (except for my face). It contains triple vitamin B3, E, and C which are the added benefits. It is really thick and creamy, which keeps my skin hydrated and moisturized for good 5-6 hours. It does takes some time to get absorbed in the skin due to its thick consistency but doesn't feel greasy at all. The fragrance is soothing and lingers for long. The updated range of this lotion has UV protection benefit which is the best part now!

Skin pampering is a drudging experience, yet the after feeling of soft and smooth skin is a heavenly outcome. Getting flawless skin is an easy task. It does not require that much hard work but it does require consistency. It’s been a month since I have started following this skin care routine, and I am already noticing the difference. My skin feels more hydrated, pores seem to have reduced a bit and I can barely see any blackheads/whiteheads on my nose or blemishes on my face. I love how skin reprieves from those pimple scars, and invigorates into a soft supple texture. My summer skin care routine with POND'S is going really well and if you ask me, this is something I would highly recommend to all of you as well. POND'S is one of the most trusted brands since years and has launched various products in the recent times. The ones mentioned in this post are my personal favorites, also because they are so handy that I can carry them everyday with me in my bag, to work or outings and keep touching up whenever I get time; specially the All-In-One BB+ cream which is a must have, so you don't need to buy a sunscreen, then a fairness cream, then a foundation, then concealer, etc. which saves a lot of money too. Well, I hope you liked this post and will gain something out of my skin care routine so as to adapt it in your own routines, and yield benefits.

Photographed by : Rhea Ghosh - My senior from school. She is such a sweetheart that she made me so comfortable while posing for pictures in a public cafe, also convincing me so sweetly (with a pinch of strictness) to put that red lipstick on and tie my hair back which I'd always been so shaky about. She turned me into a glam doll and I just can't thank her enough!

Shot at : The Cherry Tree Bakery

~xoxo~