Happy Skin: Pond's White Beauty Daily Spotless Lightening Day Cream

I usually don't go shopping for moisturizers for my face ... Never ! I have oily skin as it is and Hence I refrain applying anything on my face except for sunscreen and compact. So when I was offered to test out Pond's Newest product from their whitening skincare line - I was not sure whether this will work for me or not.

I have never been into the "whitening" and "brightening" mumbo-jumbo. I started using this cream anyway and its been 4 weeks now since I am using it -- 

Here's my account on the product -

Product: Pond's Flawless White Visible Lightening Day Cream. 

Claims:

Pond’s Flawless White Visible Lightening Day Cream “visibly whiten skin, giving it a natural, flawlessly radiant look; VAO-B³ complex fade away dark spots and blemishes; moisturizes, for soft and smooth skin; protect against the sun’s UVA/UVB rays”.

First Look at the Product: 

This product comes in a luxurious glass tub packaging with a pink screw cap top. Apart from the "Pretty" packaging - The heavy tub is not at all travel friendly. The product is bulky and you always have to take care that you don't end up breaking the glass tub while handling. 

My Experience with the Product: 

The first thing I noticed when I applied this cream was that this cream smelled and reminded me of a cream which was available a long time ago  (dunno whether its still available or not) - The Afghan Snow Cream. My mom was crazy for that thing .... this cream instantly brought back the memories of sweet smell of that cream.

I love the texture of the cream - it has a mousse- like consistency and it Literally takes seconds for this cream to get absorbed into my skin. You need only minute quantity of the product for your entire face. The cream somehow adapts to your skin and brings out the best results.

The product has a wonderful smell and makes you feel like your using a spa product. 

I love the effect the cream has on my face - It instantly give my skin - Clean, Radiant and  Matte Look. The application of cream followed by compact is very successful in maintaining oil free look for hours. It also makes the pores on the skin appear smaller.

As for whitening effect - I am sad to say - I haven't noticed any difference in my dark spots or lightening in my skin tone. The cream gives you radiant look the moment you apply it but then its back to normal after sometime. 

I like the fact that this cream is successful in giving you that BARE FEELING - As if your not wearing anything on your face.

The cream also gets bonus points for not giving me any break- outs or allergy reactions. 

I have tried this cream as a base for my makeup. My protocol starts by applying the cream, followed by hiding the blemishes with the help of a concealer, followed by applying mineral foundation and lastly loose powder. The makeup surprisingly stays put for hours. 

All in all, I am quite happy with the results the product is delivering. 

Love it or Chuck it? 

LOVE IT !! I will recommend this product to everyone with oily/ combination skin tone. 

Please note: The product was sent by the company's PR for Consideration. 

  

Lakme Launches new Sun- Expert Range

Challenge the Sun with the new Lakmé Sun Expert Range

Now relax in the sun without the fear of skin damage

Mumbai, February 2012: Don’t you just hate it when your skin gets darker every time you are out in the sun? Tanning, which is visible on your skin, is a sign that deep down in your skin’s derma-layers, damages like sun spots, pigmentation, age lines and more, are forming. Scientific studies show that tanning is proof of deep-skin damage. That means if you are tanned right now, or have been tanned in the past, there is damage in your skin’s deepest layers. Over time, these damages travel up to your skin’s top layer and become visible as dark spots, dryness, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles.

Block out the sun-rays and protect your skin from within by using the new Lakmé Sun Expert Range. The range offers broad spectrum sunscreens that gives you up-to 97% protection from harmful effects of the sun and protects from deep-skin damage caused by the sun. The sunscreens range from SPF 24 to SPF 50 and PA+, PA++ and PA+++ includes specific sunscreens for dry, oily and normal skin. The Lakmé Sun Expert After Sun range offers a Skin Lightening Gel, Skin Lightening Mask, and Skin Lightening Face wash,  perfect to give your skin a radiant glow after a long day in the sun

 

Lakmé  Sun Expert Range Product Details

Lakmé Sun Expert Fairness + UV Lotion SPF 24 PA ++: For all skin types

•          Broad spectrum UV protection

•          SPF 24 protects the skin from UVB rays

•          PA++ protects the skin from the major contributor to skin damage, UVA rays

•          Daily sunscreen formulation with antioxidant-rich ingredients such as cucumber, lemon grass extracts and Vitamin B3 to protect your skin and correct past sun damage, dark spots and pigmentation

•          Available at Rs. 99 for 60ml, Rs. 175 for 120 ml and Rs. 230 for 200ml

 

Lakmé Sun Expert Fairness + UV Lotion SPF 30 PA +: For Oily Skin

•          Broad spectrum UV protection, keeping your skin looking fresh and oil-free

•          PA+ shields the skin from the harmful UVA rays

•          SPF 30 protects the skin from UVB rays

•          Lightweight, non- oily sunscreen with mineral clay  for superior oil control and
            vitamin rich ingredients such as cucumber and lemon grass extracts to protect
            the skin and correct past skin blemishes

•          Regular usage makes your skin many shades lighter

•          Available at Rs. 179 for 50ml, Rs. 250 for 100 ml

 

Lakmé Sun Expert Fairness + UV Lotion SPF 30 PA ++: For normal to dry skin

•          Broad spectrum UV protection, keeping your skin looking fresh and oil-free

•          PA++ shields the skin from the harmful UVA rays

•          SPF 30 protects the skin from UVB rays

•          Lightweight, non- oily sunscreen with mineral clay  for superior oil control and vitamin rich ingredients such as cucumber and lemon grass extracts to protect the skin and correct past skin blemishes

•          Regular usage makes your skin many shades lighter

•          Available at Rs. 199 for 50ml, Rs. 279 for 100 ml

 

Lakmé Sun Expert Fairness + UV Lotion SPF 50 PA +++: For normal to dry skin

•          High performance sunscreen that gives complete UV protection, no matter
            how strong the rays are

•          SPF 50 gives 97% skin protection from UVB rays

•          PA +++ keeps skin completely safe from harmful UVA rays

•          Cucumber and lemon grass extracts moisturize the skin and make it glow
            even more

•          Available at Rs. 99 for 15ml, Rs. 350 for 30ml, Rs. 425 for 100ml

 

 

Lakmé Sun Expert Skin Lightening + De-Tan After Sun Face Wash: For all skin types

 •          Specially formulated with UV filters and anti-tan skin soothing ingredients

•          Cleanses and soothes sun exposed skin,

•          Infused with cucumber and lemon grass

•          Deep cleanses each pore

•          Protects and soothes skin from common forms of skin irritation post sun exposure, leaving it soft, tingling fresh and clean

•        Available at Rs. 75 for 50g, Rs. 135 for 100 g

 

Lakmé Sun Expert Skin Lightening + De-Tan After Sun-Gel: For all skin types

•          Light, cooling, moisturising gel that fights harsh damage

•          Lightens sun tan, uneven skin tone and corrects blemished skin

•          Packed with cucumber and lemon grass extracts

•          Provides total hydration, leaving skin radiant at all times

•          Available at Rs. 145 for 50g

 

Lakmé Sun Expert Skin Lightening + De-Tan After Sun Face Mask: For all skin types

•       Easy rinse-off mask that soothes tanned skin and brightens it

•       Natural clay fights sun darkening and lighten skin with regular usage

•       Infused with cucumber and lemon grass extracts that detoxify and soothe the skin, leaving it soft, clean and tingling fresh

•       Available at Rs. 150 for 50g

What is different about the Lakmé Sun Expert Range?

·         Superior protection: Lakmé Sun Expert range provides complete protection from the sun’s harmful rays. It provides superior protection against both UVA and UVB rays to keep skin healthy and beautiful.

®            SPF blocks UVB rays which cause sunburn.

®            PA protects against UVA rays that cause deep-skin damage

·         Dermatologist-tested : Lakmé  Sun Expert range has been carefully formulated by Lakmé  skin experts, and is tested by dermatologists

·         Non-comedogenic and Hypo allergic: Lakmé Sun Expert range is non-comedogenic and Hypoallergenic. Non-comedogenic products do not clog pores and hence do not cause acne or breakouts. Hypoallergenic product is one which is proven to cause fewer allergic reactions against skin. A Hypoallergenic sunscreen is absolutely safe to use on facial skin and body

·         Non-greasy Formula: Lakmé Sun Expert range has a non-greasy light feel formula that spreads easily on the skin to give maximum protection from the sun’s harmful rays. So there is no reason to worry about skin becoming oily or sticky post sunscreen application

·         Wide range of Protection: The Lakmé Sun Expert range features a wide range of sunscreens. So depending on skin type and the number of hours you spend in the sun, you can choose a sunscreen that’s right for you. Lakmé Sun Expert also has a range of After Sun products to heal and repair skin post sun-exposure

About Lakmé

Contemporary Indian beauty expert Lakmé continuously innovates to offer a wide range of, high performance and world class color cosmetics, skincare products, and beauty salons. In addition to leveraging Unilever’s worldwide expertise, Lakmé also partners with the leading cosmetic house Milan-based Intercos Italia, Schwann Stabilo Germany and Paris-based Fiabila. Combining international cosmetic technology with an in-depth understanding of the Indian woman’s needs, Lakmé also offers its consumers a comprehensive beauty experience through its products and services at the Lakmé Salons and Studios. For further information log on to www.lakméindia.com

Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation

It's time to review yet another product I used from Sheer Cover Starter Kit - I reviewed Sheer Cover Concealer before HERE.

The only Mineral Foundation I had tried was the one from L'oreal and I had posted my experience ( which was BAD) HERE - ages agoo. I dared not to experiment with mineral foundations for a while after that.

After an amazing experience I had trying out the Sheer Cover Concealer - I moved a step further and experimented their Mineral Foundation on my skin.

INSTRUCTIONS - 

First Look At the Product -
The Mineral Foundation comes in a transparent round casing with screw cap lid. You invert the case and tap once to let the mineral powder out of the sieve lid. Swirl the powder with the help of Mineral foundation brush that is provided along with the product. Tap the brush to remove excess of the product and buff the powder onto your face in circular motions.

My Experience with the Product -

The first time I applied the foundation was with the help of the Mineral Foundation Brush which they had provided - The brush is not that great - It feels rough on your face. I would get another different brush for applying foundation - But that's just my opinion - You can work the foundation with this brush too. It works fine. Also the Kabuki brush which provided along with the kit is perfect if you don't want to use the foundation brush - It is perfect for touch ups hence I keep it in a cute bag in my purse.

I got two shades of foundation - Golden and Almond. I use 1:1 ratio of both to custom blend a shade which matches perfectly with my skin tone. I was initially skeptical of using this product since I had read too many bad reviews on it.

Golden Shade

Almond Shade - It is perfect for Contouring purposes also.

Nevertheless, I wore the foundation several times to college and I was happy to see that the foundation did a good job. The powder is light - gives a perfect finish on your face if you layer the foundation after applying concealer to conceal your problem areas.

The shades I custom blend - match exactly my skin tone and it gives you a feeling like your not wearing any makeup at all. The foundation stayed put on my face for good 8 hours - Yes ! Another amazing fact was that It did not oxidize on my face too.

1:1 ratio of both the shades applied over concealed skin

Both the shades blended - See how perfectly it matches my skin tone.

The mineral foundation already contains SPF which is great as you don't need to apply sunscreen separately. The foundation does not instantly glowing and radiant skin like they show in commercials but they do a fantastic job in making your skin flawless and giving it a perfect finish.

I had not yet boarded - Mineral Makeup bandwagon but this product has got me changing my opinion.

Please note: The product was sent by the company for consideration.

Lakme Fruit Moisture - Winter Care Cream with Honey and Avocado

With Winters upon us and the increasing dry weather - My skin has started welcoming rough patches and the stretchy feeling, So I started using Lakme's Fruit Moisture Range.

The first thing I have been using is this winter care cream which has Honey and Avocado.
Read on to find out how did this cream worked on me --

Product: Lakme Fruit Moisture Winter Care Creme SPF 9  Honey and Avocado

Quantity: 50g

Price: 150 INR

Claims: 

Lakme Honey and Avocado Winter Perfect Day Cremem with Nutritive Moisture Technology is a blend of 4 Hydrating Agents, 1 Essential Vitamin and 1 Anti Oxidant.

This luscious blend of honey and avocado with SPF 9 soaks into your skin's deepest and driest layers giving you Moisture Boost.

Moisturized skin protected from the winter sun.

A perfect creme dor daytime application.

Usage:
Use everyday over cleansed skin for optimal results. Suitable for all skin types.

Caution: 
Avoid contact with eyes. Wash your eyes thoroughly with clean water in case of eye contact.

My Experience with the Product:


This creme comes in tub like packaging with a twist top cap. Lakme 's Fruit Moisture Range is inspired by that fluid lines of the ingredients and Hence it has changed the packaging of the products to better suit the theme.

I quite like the sleek packaging of the product.

The first thing I noticed when I opened the product was the fragrance of the creme - which is chiefly a blend of avocado and settles down with a hint of honey.

The moment you apply the creme onto your skin, your filled with the aroma of the product which instantly refreshes you.

The texture of the cream is so light -  it just glides onto your skin and is absorbed easily.

The creme does a fantastic job of keeping your skin moisturised for hours.

SPF 9 is provided to protect from the sun's UV rays - I think SPF 9 is not enough for mumbai's heat so I need to apply sunscreen separately.

Love it or Chuck it ?
Love it ... This cream is perfect for winters... will work great with dry skinned people... Oilies be careful with the quantity of cream you apply on the skin to achieve perfect result.

Please note: This product was given by the company's PR for consideration.

Lotus Herbals Swift Makeup Stick

Oh! How clearly I remember getting this product I had gone to the beauty store in search of a good concealer for my dark circles and ended up buying this. As soon as I entered the store I headed towards Maybelline counter in hopes of finding a concealer. I was disappointed to find that Maybelline didn’t sell any concealer in India. Just when I was turning away, a SA of the very next counter which belonged to Lotus Herbals started showing me something. I must tell that particular SA was so pushy !!

She got me to buy a lip gloss and other product which is lotus swift makeup. It is a 4 in one product which acts as foundation, concealer, compact providing matt powder finish and lastly moisturizing. She applied the product in the under eye area and it was successful in concealing them to an extent. So I finally got it and after using it for quite sometime now, here’s the review ---

PRODUCT:  Lotus Herbals Natural Blend Swift Makeup

PRICE: 249 rupees

QUANTITY: 10g

SHADE:  730 Creamy Peach

This product comes in a thick lipstick like case which has a transparent cover on the top. The top can be removed and the bottom is twisted up to use the product. It looks like an ordinary stick foundation.

I personally do not prefer stick foundations because they are too difficult to blend making the process of applying the foundation too tedious. 

I tried applying this foundation all over my face but I highly disliked the way it makes you feel.  It makes my face feel very weird. The foundation is not difficult to blend into the skin but it kind of feels very strange and abnormal to me when I apply it all over my face. It made me feel like I am wearing something thick on my face.

I dislike the oily- kind of smell that this product has. Being a huge fragrance fan – oily smell is a total turn off for me. 

 I also dislike the fact that this product stands at the risk of getting contaminated. Everytime we apply this product on the skin the bacteria can keep on lodging itself on the top of the product which may cause acne or break-outs later on. You can’t risk applying the product with your bare hands until they are absolutely clean.    

Since it is creamy and moisturizing, I have broken its stick twice. :)

 

This product is good for covering acne and blemishes on your skin. It acts as a good spot concealer but certainly not as face foundation. 

It has SPF 15 which is also good as you won’t need to apply sunscreen separately.

LOVE IT OR CHUCK IT? : This product is definitely a pass for me. I use this product to conceal blemishes. I would definitely chuck it if I were to use it as a foundation.

HAVE YOU USED THIS PRODUCT? ?