Biospume Shampoo by Iha

In the summers I need to shampoo my hair almost daily and since I have cropped hair it generally does not take much effort! And I love it when I don’t need to follow a shampoo with a conditioner. While this shampoo does have a conditioner, I have preferred to use this just as a shampoo because at least my hair type did not require a conditioner.

Here is my review on Biospume Shampoo by IHA

My take on the product

The shampoo  has a thickish consistency and you really require very less amount of the shampoo to get a good lather.  It has a mild and a long lasting fragrance and I found this to be suitable for everyday use. I also have an issue of dandruff and with regular usage, there has been a marked improvement in the reduction of dandruff. I have noticed that this product has also made my hair softer and shiny post its use.

This shampoo has Shikkai, Henna and Reetha extracts, all of which are good for the hair. I remember my making a concoction of Reetha and Shikaki when I was a kid. Of course, in those days, using a shampoo was frowned upon because the home remedies were far effective.

Where can I buy this from? : I bought this from UrbanTouch. This is also available on Goodlife *.

Packaging: This comes in a snap open and shut lid and I find this kind of packaging very convenient in shampoos. You can take out the desired amount. The 100 ml bottle is packed differently and it is in a bottle with a screw cap.

Price and shelf life : This shampoo comes in 3 sizes, 100 ml, 150 ml and 300 ml. And it costs Rs. 72, Rs. 90 and Rs. 150. It ahs a shelf life of 3 years from the date of manufacture.

Will I recommend this?: Absolutely yes! If you have dandruff issues, do give this a try. It worked very well to curb my dandruff issues.

How to Use

Apply a small quantity onto scalp and hair roots to tips and massage for few minutes to produce lather, then rinse off.

About the product ( on the IHA site)

Shampoo for all hair types Anti Dandruff & – Anti Hair Fall

Biospume is a perfect natural recipe for harmless care & shine for all hair types. Fortified with natural conditioners & nourishers like heena, shikakai, Bhringraj, Khadira, Reetha, Jatamansi and Japakusum, Biospume

—Nourishes & Promotes growth of healthy & Luxuriant Hair
— Leaves Hair soft & shiny with more Volume & Bounce
— It is an effective defense against dandruff & hair Fall

Ingredients: Each ml. contains natural extracts of Henna Leaf (Lawsonia inermis) 50 mg., Reetha Fruit (Sapindus Emarginatus) 50 mg., Shikakai Pods (Acacia Concinna) 50 mg., Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi) 45 mg., Japakusum Flower (Hibiscus Rosa-sincensis) 50 mg. and base q.s.
Pack Sizes: 300 ml, 150 ml and 100 ml

**WWW.GOODLIFE.COM is currently running a cash back offer promo where you could get upto 100% back on products purchased till June 10th, 2012.

BB Cream Blemish Balm Cream by Vedic Line

I very rarely use make-up. I have a compact that I bought last November when I had to go for a wedding in the family and that’s probably thrown somewhere by my three year old twin boys and lipsticks that I can count on a single hand!  So, that’s pretty much what defines make-up for me!

I’d got to know about the launch of this cream in one of the mails that I had exchanged with VedicLine and I was pleasantly surprised when I received this and the Moistin Papaya and Hibiscus Moituriser a few weeks ago. I’ll save the latter for another review.

Here goes the review of  Vedic Line BB Blemish Balm Cream

My take on the product:

The colour and texture of this cream to be similar to that of a liquid foundation. And since I am not too much into make-up , I was a bit sceptical about using this, but then nevertheless, I took the plunge and I have been using this for about 2-3 weeks now. I have a combination skin and I found that it made my T-zone slightly oily post a couple of hours of application.But yes, I noticed that my skin looked like it had an even tone. Maybe the colour of the cream blended well with my skin. I am not sure how this product will fare for people with oily skin! I hink people with dry skin will need to use a lesser quantity of moisturiser before applying the BB cream. The SPF 20 is an added benefit for people who are out in the sun.

Packaging: This BB cream comes in a pink tube with a screw cap and has a nozzle tip dispenser that makes dispensing easy! You can squeeze out the right amount of cream. The outer carton was pink too, and well I found the packaging very girlie-girlie!

Ingredients: I have not gogled most of the ingredients, but at a glance I could say that not all of them are natural ingredients. I’ve still carried out this review because the product was sent to me for consideration. And the product is free of parabens.

Price and Shelf Life:  This is priced at Rs. 250 for a  30 ml tube and has a shelf life of two years from the date of manufacture.

Where can I buy this? : You can buy this at Goodlife* and UrbanTouch

How To Use : Use it daily, directly or after absorption of moisturizer, serum or essence. For imperfect areas apply extra layer of BB Cream. I’ve used this on the days when I stepped out to go to work ( which is about 4 days a week)

Will I recommend this? : To people who apply make-up, yes. I think this is a better bet than the foundations available in the market. If you have a combination skin, you may need to use a matter compact to dab on the portions that get oily post the application. Since you need just a wee bit of ths cream, the tube is likely to last for a long time.

About the Product ( On Goodlife.com) 

Vedic Line BB Blemish Balm Cream serves as foundation or primer  for application of make-up. Does not come off easily by sweat or sebum. Protects for upto 12 hours unless washed off with soap.

Note: This was sent to me by the PR for consideration. It has not influenced my review.

*WWW.GOODLIFE.COM is currently running a cash back offer promo where you could get upto 100% back on products purchased till June 10th, 2012. Additionally, this cream is available at a 10% off at Goodlife.

Sandalwood and Honey Body Wash by Aurita Herbals

I received three products from Aurita Herbals for a review. I have already reviewed the Aurita Herbals Brightening Carrot Scrub, I am yet to review the Pomegranate Face Wash and today I will be reviewing the Sandalwood and Honey Body Wash. 

My take on the product

This is a runny body wash and has a very very strong fragrance of sandalwood. It has the exact fragrance of  the Mysore Sandal Soap. The first time I used it, I found this fragrance a bit overwhelming because it left a really strong fragrance post the bath. But a couple of minutes later, the fragrance fades and leaves behind a nice and mild fragrance of sandalwood. If you can handle the initial minutes, you may like this product. Sandalwood is known to be a good cleanser for the skin and also calms the senses.

Packaging: The packaging is really simple. This body wash is packed in a snap and shut type of a bottle. I wish people used a pump bottle or a tube for a body wash. The only hitch with this kind a bottle is that some of them are so hard that you really can’t squeeze out the product once the quantity reduces. And trust me, it is a pain to open the lid of the bottle, tap the bottle against your palm to take out the desired quantity and then replace the cap of the bottle.

Price and Shelf Life: This body wash is priced at Rs. 250 for a 200 ml bottle and has a shelf life of 3 years from the date of manufacture.

Where can I buy this? : This is available on UrbanTouch as one of the items in a Gift Pack.

Will I recommend this?: Umm, I’ll give this a skip but I do know that Aurita Herbals has some other body washes and I’d like to try those. If you are a fan of sandalwood, then you must give this a try. And yes, this is also a good body wash for the summer not only because of the nice fragrance it leaves behind but also for the fact that it really refreshes you!

About the product ( on the site)

Sandal & Honey Body wash: Derived from honey and sandal this exotic body wash replenishes the skin making it silky, smooth and supple. The skin is hydrated, softened and smoothed after every wash. You skin looks younger, fairer and smoother.

Note: This was sent to me by Aurita Herbals for consideration. This has not affected my review.

Triphala Shampoo by Soul Tree

The Triphala shampoo came to  me with a very high recommendation by the founder of SoulTree and I must say that I was not disappointed. If you are a fan of shampoos that lather, then I am sure that you will be a tad disappointed with this product. But if you left that condition aside, I am sure that this is a product that you will love! When I opened the lid, the first fragrance that I got was a mix of Shikakai and Reetha. I remember my mom would mix these for me to use when I was a kid because using a shampoo was a luxury. Without a nostalgia trip, here is my review on the product.

My take on this product 

This is one of the few shampoos that does not require a followup with a conditioner. At least I did not need it with my hair type. And I totally loved the fragrance of this shampoo. When I started using this shampoo, I also had dandruff issues. With  regular usage I noticed a visible reduction in the dandruff. The shampoo has a gel like consistency and is not very thick and it is not runny either. The only thing is that it does not lather. Leave it on for at least a minute or two post the massage with the shampoo for visibly shiny and healthy hair.

Packaging : The packaging of the SoulTree are similar, so if you have more than one product of theirs in the bath area, be sure to double check what you use . Packed in recycled bottles, this product comes with a snap open/shut lid. You can squeeze out the desired amount on your palm. The only drawback in this packaging is that I found the bottles to be a bit hard so when the quantity reduces, you will need to open the lid and tap the bottle on your palm to get out the shampoo.

Price and shelf life: This is priced at Rs. 300 for a 200 ml shampoo and has a shelf life of  2 years from the date of manufacture.

Where can I buy this? : You can buy this at Goodlife. I am not sure if they sell at any other online store.

Would I recommend this: Yes, I would. I found this to be a mild shampoo very suitable for regular use. It has the age old concoctions that our mom’s and grandmother’s would make for us when we were younger with which we could wash our hair. And if you are getting the same packed in a bottle today, I don’t see any reason why I should not use it.

Ingredients : Emblica Officinalis (Aamla), Terminalia Belerica Fruit (Bibhitaki), Terminalia Chebulica Fruit (harītakī) ( these are the tri-phalas used in the shampoo)

About the Product ( On the SoulTree Site)

Triphala (Three fruits)- is an Ayurvedic cleanser and moisturizer. Sida cordifolia also known as Bala is a provider of strength. It helps prevent premature falling of hair.

While Shikakai is known to have detangling properties, Henna is a natural conditioner and together with Wheat protein provides a soft after-wash feel. Neem Oil & Rice bran Oil prevent the skin from getting dry and itchy. It contains carefully selected Organic Ayurvedic extracts which nourish & strengthen hair.

Does not contain parabens, phenoxyethanols, artificial fragrances or colours. Not tested on animals

Note: The product was sent to me for a review by SoulTree. This has not affected my review.

My Fav’s at Natural Mantra

A few posts ago, I had written about my experience with Natural Mantra. For those who missed the post, let me just encapsulate about Natural Mantra. They have multiple brands which gives the customer the advantage to compare between products and buy what suits them. The site has a mix of food, snacks,clothes, stationery, essential oils, soaps, shampoos, green games and more. As the founder of Natural Mantra, Nishant Nayak says “  ”We have sustainable products without the toxic chemicals.  Hence we have natural, eco-friendly, handmade and also organic products.”

Needless to say with the variety of products that they store, shopping has always been a delight with them. Today I am going to post a couple of my very favourites from their online store. Here are some brands that I discovered from Natural Mantra.

1. Rustic Art  
I’d never heard of Rustic Art till I saw the brand on Natural Mantra. I totally love the Aloe Vera gel from Rustic Art. You can read the review here.  This is one product that I can swear by! You must stock this at home and it can be used for anything! Acne,  Mosquito bites, Diaper Rash, Burns, Moisturiser, Astringent, the list is quite endless. I have two hyper active kids who are always bumping into something and hurting themselves. This gel has been a life saver! And yes, the soap lover that I am, how can I miss out the fantastic soaps that Rustic Art has. Try their Orange Cinnamon Soap and the Geranium Soap!

2. Auravedic 

I first saw Auravedic in small kiosks at a shopping mall, but when I saw the brand at Natural Mantra I decided to give it a try. Amla Tamarind Skin polish is one excellent product from the brand. You can read the product review here. While I am not a fan of the AuraVedic soaps because I thought they really were a let down in comparison to the wonderful skin polishes, sunscreen and face washes they have. This is supposed to be a skin polish, but the exfoliation is so mild that I prefer to use it as a face polish. And honestly it suits my face so well that I have actually never tried it as a body polish. If you have normal skin, you must give this skin polish a try.

3.Omved 

This is one brand that I can buy from with my eyes closed! All the products are my favourite! I am just listing the ones that I buy frequently. If you have kids, you must try the Berry Mantra bathing bar for kids! Not only does it take care of the sensitive skin of the kids, but also makes them smell super delicious. Then there is the All Skin Type  Ubtan which is just excellent. Use this twice a week to see a visible improvement of your skin. I have a weakness for incense sticks and dhoops. I use the Nirvat Dhoop twice a week for my home. I love the fragrance it leaves for hours together.

4.  Ecofarms

This is one of the most delicious jams that I have come across. Filled with real strawberry chunks, this is a permanent fixture at my home for breakfasts. A hot buttered slice of toasted bread topped with this jam is the most delicious start for the day! And yes, when you also have kids who love this, it makes things easier

5. Just Herbs

Again if you have normal to oily skin try the Livelyclean Honey Exfoliating Face Cleansing Gel  from Just Herbs. You can read the review here. The exfoliating granules are really tiny and soothing on the skin. Don’t go by the fragrance! It is not appealing at all! But then the cleansing gel is really good!

These are just a few brands that I like from Natural Mantra and there are more waiting to be explored! I’ve tried a couple of other brands too but I’ll keep that for another post Right now, let me stick to my favourites at Natural Mantra.

4 tips for awesome feet this summer

I recently read this article in a magazine on quick tips for good feet this summer. I realised that I followed the same regime and let me share it with you.

Tans on the feet look bad! When you wear shoes that do not cover your feet completely, you are exposing the feet for a tan. And with the scorching summer heat it just gets worse. Here are a couple of tips that you should follow this summer for good and non-smelling feet!

1. Exfoliate Well : I exfoliate my feet at least 5 times a week. I use this wonderful soap from IHA with a seaweed that scrubs and cleans my feet from the dirt and grime. Use it at least once a day scrubbing your feet for about 2 minutes each for better results. Wash off with warm water. With a regular usage I also noticed that the tan on my feet was lesser. I also use a good quality powder scrub that I mix with rose water and apply on my feet and let it remain for about 5 minutes. Scrub in circular motions and rinse with warm water.

2. Polishes and Packs :Buy a good quality polish that you can use on your feet to cleanse it better. I love the Madras Madness Coffee Scrub By Nourish. This yummy Coffee smelling polish acts wonderfully on the feet also by cleansing it and also moisturising it really well. As for the pack, take a tbsp of besan ( gram flour), mix it with equal amount of yogurt ( more if like a runny paste) and add a few drops of lemon juice. Apply on the feet and let it remain for at least 4 minutes, Wash off with warm water. Do this atleast twice a week.

3. Bye to smelly feet : With the excess sweating in the summer, your feet will smell. And if you wear closed shoes and socks, get ready for a pet skunk! You can avoid this by rubbing a good quality antiperspirant on the soles of the feet.  You can also use good wipes like Kara to wipe the soles of your feet and keep them clean. An added benefit would be if you could do this even at your workplace at least once in a day.

4. A Quick Pedicure : Buff nails, trim them regularly and use the wide end of a toothpick to gently take out the dirt under the toenails.  Soak your feet in foot salts with warm water for 10 minutes. Pat dry and take your favourite massage cream and give your tired feet a massage.

Hint: It works better if you can have someone give you that massage!

Carrot Brightening Scrub by Aurita Herbals

Carrots in my knowledge,  till date were eaten to see better! They were supposed to be good for the eyes, and the other use was for the ever famous gajar – ka – halwa. I had no clue of the beauty purpose of a carrot, so when I chanced upon the Brightening Carrot Scrub by Aurita Herbals, I decided to give it a try. Here is the review on the product:

Brightening Carrot Scrub by Aurita Herbals

This scrub is thick and has a creamy texture. I can smell fuller’s earth ( multani mitti) in this scrub, yes I know that it is not one of the listed ingredients but there is a faint fragrance of it and also the colour reminds me of fullers earth.

The exfoliating granules are really tiny and soothing on the skin. The first time I used it, I felt a slight tingling sensation on my skin, but the tingling did not occur the second time.I found the scrub mild enough to be used everyday. When you apply this, do massage the scrub on your face for a couple of minutes. I must add that it left my skin visibly smoother. Since the scrub is very thick, you would need to first dot it over your face and neck and then apply it.

Method of Use: Wet your face and neck, apply the scrub and massage in circular motions. Rinse and pat dry. Note: I massaged this for atleast two minutes, post which I left it on the face for a minute and washed it with warm water.

Where can I buy this? : I got this as a sample from Aurita Herbals, but a lot of the Aurita Herbals products can be bought from UrbanTouch  & NaturalMantra. I am not sure if they have any physical stores.

Will I recommend this?: I would not recommend this scrub for people with oily skin because it tends to moisturise your skin post wash. This is another product that I have stashed away for the winter because I have a combination skin and it left my skin moisturised more than required. And I guess, people with dry skin would like the product in the summer season.

Ingredients: Olive oil, Carrot Juice, PolyPlant extract, Papaya Extract, Peach extract, Vegetable Glycerine.

Packaging: This product is packed in a small tub and since the consistency of the scrub is thick, there are no chances of it spilling.

Price and shelf life : This 75 ml jar is priced at Rs 125 and has a shelf life of 36 months from the date of manufacture.

About the Product

Carrot juice makes you look younger. It has a protective effect against ultra violet rays. It contains Vitamin A and D and is a natural anti oxidant. It is extremely beneficial in skin conditioning, having anti microbial and anti bacterial properties that sloughs dead skin cells and fights blemish spots.

Note: This product was sent to me by the PR for a review and it has not affected my review in any way. 

Puro Body & Soul – Apple Body Wash

The first time I flew in a plane was when I was 11 years old. And two and a half decades ago, the airports were small and eating at a airport was a treat! One of my first memories of the airport was this huge plastic tub that had a brownish liquid being churned in it. Yes, these were also seen in the bigger railway stations. On a closer examination, I realised that it was apple juice. As a kid, I pestered my dad till he bought me a glass of it and I settled down to enjoy the juice. Wondering how this is related to the post? Well, if you have tasted that as a kid and you have not forgotten the taste or the fragrance, revive the memories with Puro Body and Soul Apple Body Wash.

Puro Body & Soul – Apple Body Wash

I picked this from Natural Mantra, India’s no 1 Natural and Organic destination. I’d never tried an apple body wash earlier and I was quite curious about how it would be and since it was not very expensive I bought it.  I’ve already mentioned what it reminded me of!! You can get the fragrance of sweet apples as soon as you snap open the lid. It is brownish coloured liquid that is a bit runny for a body wash, I like body washes that are a little thicker in consistency. And one thing that did not work for me in this body wash was that it did not lather. I like body washes that lather. Also the fragrance was not long lasting which was a drawback. I have noticed a couple of  products from the same brand which I will buy shortly and post the reviews on it. I am referring to the Orange Geranium Body Scrub, Vanilla Peppermint Foot Cream and the Face and Body Cooling gel. If anyone has used this, please share your reviews with me.

How to use: Snap open the lid and pour the desired quantity on the palm and apply over wet body.

Price and Shelf Life: This is priced at Rs. 120 for a 100 ml bottle and has a shelf life of one year from the date of manufacture.

Where can I buy this? : You can buy this at Natural Mantra and Shopo.

Will I recommend this?: I am not a big fan of this, but if you like the apple fragrance, you must give this a try. Also keep in mind that this body wash does not foam much and if you are a lover of fiamy body washes, then you are in for a disappointment.

Ingredients: Oryza Sativa Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Arishtak, Aloe Barbadensis, Tocopherol Acetate, Glycerol.

About the brand 

Derived from the Spanish word for Pure, the Puro range of natural, ‘harmful chemical’ free, handcrafted bath and body care products are made from 100% vegetarian ingredients and are cruelty free as they do not include animal by-products nor are they tested on animals. Puro products are creatively designed to appeal to peoples various senses like sight, smell and touch. They have been prepared by using the richest and highest quality ingredients ensuring that Puro sets the benchmark in body care products.