The search continues..

Now I had had enough of acne controlling products. My hormones had returned to their normal state and so had my skin. But the Singapore sun took the toll on my skin.. (though Singapore doesn’t have harsh summers, it can damage certain skin types).. My complexion was beginning to dull and my skin tone became uneven. My skin definitely required a brightening face cleanser! 

I began my hunting spree once again. This time I was quite fancied by The Body Shop’s Moisture White Shiso range. They had a nice smelling foaming facial cleanser that claimed to remove dead cells which cause dullness and bring about a more even complexion. It contained Shiso extracts, Vitamin C and Liquorice which control the effects of melanin synthesis. It sounded like the perfect choice for my skin condition and so I went for it. I was quite happy with it but it didn’t seem to do wonders.. nevertheless, I bought a second bottle of it to see if it would work in the long run..but it didn’t help much! (maybe I should have tried their entire range for maximum results but that would have meant spending a bomb on it!) So I continued my search..

One of my Google searches for natural products took me to this new brand- “100 Percent Pure”.. It’s an American brand which is “true” to its name. None of their products contain synthetic ingredients. Even their makeup has fruit extracts for colour! (how interesting is that?) This brand really drew my attention and I began searching for it in Singapore. It didn’t have an exclusive store; however, there was a distributor who sold their products in Singapore. I contacted her and took her address (her place was really far from where I live).

 She showed me some of the products she had in stock and I was so impressed that I wanted to get all of them. (the greed was thrown aside after the husband advised  “first try one of their products and then we can get you more”) Finally, I settled for their skin brightening facial cleanser which contains bearberry, kojic acid, vitamin c, liquorice and a host of other natural extracts. I also bought a facial mist- Organic Aqua Boost which could be used as an alternative to a regular moisturizer. I loved this facial cleanser from the very first wash. It smelled great and showed great results too. However, I didn’t want to go through the ordeal of travelling to the other end of town to buy my next bottle. I tried asking if it could be delivered to my place, but it couldn’t be done.

So with a heavy heart, I gave up on it and went back to The Body Shop looking for a new product. I came across their Nutriganics range of products that were designed for women typically aged 30-40 years. To this day, I don’t understand why I decided to try a facial wash from that range. (sometimes we get so lost!) I didn’t quite like the smell of the product and as it was designed for older skin, I couldn’t see it benefitting my skin. So I finished that one bottle for not wanting to waste it.

Now comes the “hero” of the story.. I went back to searching for products that improved my dull complexion. This time, I was determined not to wander away from my need. I did some research online, read a couple of reviews and finally found what I wanted! Once again, I headed to The Body Shop and picked up their Vitamin C Facial Cleansing Polish. I definitely want to share my experience with this product, so I will take that up in my next post!

So this is “the story”.. As a marketing student, I can clearly relate to this story.. evolving consumer needs.. consumer insights.. and the power of brands! Hope you enjoyed it too..Until my next post stay super healthy and happy! :D

C for cleanser.. My Cleanser Story!

I am quite excited about this post as I will be taking you through my search for the best cleanser! So now you are aware that this is not going to be “cleansing is an important ritual..” kind of post, rather I am going to share with you a few experiences that I have had with different cleansers.

It all began when I was in desperate need of a face wash that would prevent those annoying and troublesome zits which constantly surfaced on my T-zone. I have combination skin and I have had to endure them pimples a couple of years back when my hormones were playing around and just not willing to settle.. Though they were just one or two that appeared occasionally I couldn’t bear the sight of them! I decided it was time to find something that helped control these nasty things.. 

The Body Shop had just opened its first store in Chennai, (where I was studying then) and I was absolutely delighted about it. I visited their store a couple of days after it opened and picked up their ‘Tea-tree” cleanser which claimed to clear skin and keep it blemish free. I was totally excited about using it and I must say that it didn’t disappoint me. It showed results right away and I was beginning to love my skin. I continued using it for a good two years..(pretty long as I can get quite bored with these stuff very easily). However, the excitement began fading and I wanted to try something different..

I had been to the UK to visit my parents during one of my vacations where I was introduced to Lush Cosmetics.. I went “ga-ga” over their products and I used to spend most of my time in their store, sniffing away to glory.. their products are handmade, mostly natural and are some of the best smelling products ever..The friendly and cheerful store assistant introduced me to one of their best sellers- “The fresh pharmacy” a calamine based facial cleanser with rose, lavender and tea tree for sensitive skin that was prone to blemishes. I loved the smell of it and was even more impressed with what it did to my skin. 

However, the downside to it was that it was naked (Lush has minimalistic packaging and most of their solid products are naked..eeps!) and hence I found it difficult to store.. I was getting tired of dealing with a melting cleanser bar.. However I convinced myself that its benefits were more important. But I had to end my relationship with this wonder product when I moved to Singapore. Unfortunately it didn’t have a Lush store back then. I even wrote to them about setting up a store in Singapore and that I would be interested in a franchise (was I in a fantasy world?).. but they were kind enough to reply saying that they were already working on those lines and would get in touch with me if any future opportunity arose. (now, that was a great achievement in itself! :D)

I was excited that that Lush was coming to Singapore nevertheless I did not give up on searching for a new facial cleanser..

For now, I guess this story will have to pause here.. as there is much more to it and I will continue the remaining part in my next post.. The “Hero” of the story is yet to be revealed.. So keep watching this space for my next post :)  ..Until then, stay healthy and blessed!

B for Blush/Bronzer..

I have been reading up a lot on natural skin care and make up and I am totally fascinated with the numerous options nature has to offer us! Most of what we want is available in abundance in nature, yet we keep creating stuff that not only harms us but also disturbs our ecosystem.

For all those interested in make-up, have you given a thought about what goes into those tubes and pots of color that sit in your vanity case? Most of us wouldn’t have.. It’s not just with make-up/skin care or personal care .. but as consumers, more often than not we are so oblivious of the world around us that we get carried away by false promises and the glitzy and glamorous advertisements thrown at us. Hope this gets you thinking..

On that note, I would like to share with you a recipe to make your own natural blush/bronzer. Please keep in mind that making your own make-up is more of an art than science as you have to experiment a bit to arrive at a color/tone that suits you best. What’s better than customizing make-up which is all natural to perfectly suit your skin? So let’s get started..

The ingredients can be bought off stores selling heath supplements, vitamins or the internet.

What you will require:

Arrow root powder or Organic Corn Starch powder for the base

Beet root powder or Hibiscus powder for the colour

Cocoa powder or Cinnamon powder for depth.

The quantity of the ingredients required depends on how much blush you want to make. Since the ingredients are dehydrated (free of moisture), you wouldn't have to worry about bacteria, which leaves you with a preservative free formulation. However it is always safe to make such products in small batches, (don’t worry about the hassle of making it as it’s a very quick & easy process) as bacteria may accumulate over time if the product comes in contact with unclean brushes/hands or even through air.

Method:

Take a tablespoon of arrowroot powder and keep adding beet root powder or hibiscus powder (depending on what color you want) in small quantities until you get the desired tone. A tiny bit of cocoa powder or cinnamon powder can be added for depth. If you wish to make a bronzer, substitute the beet powder/hibiscus powder with cocoa and cinnamon powder (for glow) to arrive at the desired tone. If you think you have arrived at a very dark shade, you can add more arrow root powder to lighten it.

Mix the ingredients well and store it in a clean and dry container. Voila! You have your own customized natural blush.

Hope you have fun making it and do share your experience with me. If you have other ways of making natural blush, you are most welcome to share them here. Take care and stay healthy!

The Miracle Oil- Tea Tree Oil!

Hellooo.. Another new day brings me to another new post! This time it is going to be a product review. As a follow up to my previous post, I would like to write about the Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil, a product of Australia.

I was on the lookout for a ‘no frills’ tea tree oil upon hearing about its multifold benefits. Since I was going to try it for the first time, I was not quite sure which brand to buy. I knew The Body Shop had a tea tree oil range and I had even tried their tea tree facial cleanser. (Which I absolutely adore) However, I decided to first try a drugstore brand, so I popped into Guardian (Singapore) and happened to find the Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil. It looked like a good buy as it was an Australian product (Tea Tree Oil is obtained from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to Southeast Queensland, Australia).

It was priced at S$19 for 25ml. They have a 10ml bottle too for S$11. I found the bigger bottle to be a better bargain (wooed by marketing I must say!) Ironically, The Body Shop tea tree oil is also priced at S$19 approx., but for 10 ml!J

The packaging is quite convenient and easy to use. The product comes in a glass bottle with a screw on cap. The label has a brief description about the products history which is an interesting read. I seem to like the strong smell of the product; however I doubt many others will.  It isn’t a smell that would put you off, but it wouldn’t appeal to many either. And don’t get carried away by the word ‘Oil, because the product has a very light and watery texture that is easily absorbed by the skin.

Now coming to its benefits.. I bought the product primarily to ward off pimples. I must say it did a good job of drying those zits and reducing the inflammation around the affected area. The zits also reduced in size after a couple of applications. The only downside that I can think of is that it can be difficult to apply during the daytime as it dries the skin and can appear patchy. Otherwise, I would say that it worked very well for my skin (combination skin).  A little goes a long way and the product has a long shelf life too as it is an essential oil..I would definitely be buying it again, (maybe I would try The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil too and f I find any difference, I will update it in this post).

Let me also tell you that Tea Tree Oil has a host of other benefits, not just for the skin but also for hair-dandruff and general cleaning purpose – as kitchen cleaner etc. It is known for its antiseptic, antifungal and anti-biotic properties and hence is a great remedy for acne, boils, cuts, insect bites and inflammations. Another interesting benefit is its odour neutralizing property (due to its antibacterial property) and thus it can be used in homemade deodorants and as a treatment for stinky feet.

I can go on raving about this miracle oil but I will stop here for now. J Hope you have a blessed week and stay healthy and happy! My next post is on B for ……….??? 

A for Acne..

The very sight of those tiny bumps surfacing on the skin can cause distress (no exaggeration :) ) among us women. We then try every possible way to hide them from the world but most often fail miserably and end up causing more harm to our skin. These annoying zits appear at the most inconvenient of times, especially when you think the world is watching you.

I have found that going the natural way works way better than over the counter remedies. However, there is still a catch to it. Every individual’s skin is different and reacts differently to natural remedies. So you may have to find out which one suits your skin the best and stick to it.  Personally, tree-tea oil works best for me (I have combination skin with an oily T-zone).

So here are some of the tried and tested remedies to combat acne.

Baking Soda- is an excellent exfoliator and helps remove dead skin cells. It helps in wiping out break outs and also reduces inflammation.

Method:

·         Take equal parts of baking soda and lukewarm water to make a paste. Apply it on the acne individually and not on the entire face.

·         Leave the paste on for about 10-15 minutes or until dry.

·         Wash off with cold water to help close the pores.

·         Repeat at most twice a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar- has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. Since it is in a concentrated form, it is advisable to dilute it with water (dilute few teaspoons with ½ part or ¼ part water) and apply to skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes or just let it stay.

Tea tree oil- is a Godsend miracle oil that is an all-natural remedy for acne. It has amazing anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and can be used for a host of other problems. Dab some tree tea oil onto the acne with a cotton ball and let it stay. Keeping it overnight works even better. It can be reapplied as and when required throughout the day. Tea tree oil can be bought from drugstores or beauty stores.

Lemon juice- Lemons are rich in vitamin C and have antibacterial and astringent properties. Cut a lemon in half and gently rub it over the acne. Keep it on for about 15 minutes and remember that citric acid in lemon has bleaching properties. So use sun screen afterwards to prevent skin from sun damage.

Garlic- is a great remedy not only when consumed internally but also works great topically. Thinly slice a clove of garlic and rub the slices on your skin, making sure the juice of the garlic is applied. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.

There are several more remedies but I thought I would give you the most tried and tested ones. They seem to be effective if used regularly and result in clear and smooth skin. These tips are quick and easy and most importantly, you can find these ingredients right in your kitchen.

There is an amazing all natural cleansing method (for clear and glowing skin) that I would like to share with you, but I have decided to keep that aside for a new blog post. Also, note that these tips are to combat acne. Remedies to target pimples spot on will again be featured in a separate blog post.

That apart, it is very important that you keep your mind and body in good form by eating healthy, drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly as more often than not, acne is caused by hormonal imbalance, stress and unhealthy diets. Also, make sure to keep your bed cover and pillowcases clean, as they can carry bacteria if they are not changed regularly and result in acne.

Hope these tips benefit you and please feel free to drop in comments about the ones that worked for you. You could even suggest new remedies that have worked for you. Stay blessed and healthy until my next post. A product review coming up soon..

How it all started..

I had never taken skin care seriously until a few months ago when I happened to view a couple of videos on skin care regime, product reviews and the likes from YouTube gurus. I began developing a keen interest in this area and went on to do a bit of research.

For very long, I had never been bothered to read the ingredients of any skin care product that I purchased. Little did I realize that I had been using tubes and pots of chemicals in the hope of doing my skin good.

Once I began my research, I found that there were a whole lot of products out there for concerns that I didn't even know existed. They came in different textures, colors and were jazzed up with indecipherable chemical names. Now I was beginning to get concerned about the stuff that I applied on my face and body. I began reading up on the ingredients that went into making skin care and came to learn that most of them did more harm than good to the skin in the long run. This is when I ventured into finding out more about natural skin care products and remedies. I could see a huge potential that this market offered but I also noticed how we, consumers were being deceived by false claims of natural products.

I have taken it as a challenge to launch my own line of natural products- that are true to their name and benefit the consumer and the environment. Since then I have been reading up on this and now that I have my own blog to share my thoughts, I am all the more excited.

In this blog, I intend to write about skin care concerns for women between the age of 18-28 years, share some quick tips, product reviews and natural remedies that are effective and value for money. I have also been interested in the "green concept" and "cause marketing" which will appear in my blog posts. You are most welcome to give your feedback or suggest topics for my future posts. Stay blessed and in good health and shape and keep watching this space for my next post.