Ponds White Beauty Daily Spot-less Lightening Day Cream with SPF 20

Hey Girls, 

This review is not a tribute to another whitening and lightening face cream. The moment I see a face product with whitening and lightening words, I tend to run away. My skin tone is already quite pale and any more lightening..No way!!! I always wish I was a tad bit duskier but it seems the whole cosmos have conspired to deprive me of this desire. I don’t even get tanned, never on face, just a bit on  hands. Maybe, I am sun proof. Anyways, but recently, i had a bout of acne and it left some ugly scars on my forehead. Since this one read ‘spot-less’ I decided to give it a shot.

Price: Rs. 249 for 50 gm (Quite Inexpensive) 

What Ponds White Beauty Daily Spot-less Lightening Day Cream with SPF 20 claims 

After researching with over 20,000 genes, the Pond’s Institute identified a specific gene that significantly affects melanin production. Through this discovery, our most effective skin lightening formulation containing the revolutionary GenWhite™ formula has been created. 

Pond’s White Beauty Day Cream, with GenActiv™ Formula, adapts to your unique skin to lighten skin from within, fade dark spots from the source, and evens skin tone for spot-less complexion in just 7 days. What’s amazing about it is that the product works differently on each person. So, if there are areas on your skin that need extra help and contain more melanin, the formula concentrates on lightening and brightening those exact problem spots. 

It is the world’s first non-oily, matte cream with sunscreen systems. With SPF 20 and PA++, it protects against both UVB and UVA rays. A product so powerful and special, 9 out of 10 women see the superior results of this day cream.

Texture 

If you have used fair and lovely and other similar fairness creams, it has the same texture. Slightly whipped and thick. Yeah, you got me. I have used Fair and Lovely but that was like 8-10 years back when my mom used to mix it with foundation for some weddings, family functions. Not wanting to be left behind, I too would apply Fair and Lovely. Coming back to Ponds White Beauty Daily Spot-less Lightening Day Cream, for my combination skin (Oily T-Zone, dry everywhere else), this proved to be drying. I applied it after using my rose water toner. The T-zone did not bother me but within few minutes my cheeks felt dry and stretchy. I slathered on some face cream on my cheeks and my skin felt better. So, if you are a dry skinned beauty, better mix this with some heavy duty moisturiser and then apply. For oily skinned girls, this is perfect and would give a matte finish. I think it would even keep oily skin matte for at least 3-4 hours, though I am not sure. A little more cream, and it can leave a white cast on face and looks like I applied a lot of talc on my face to look fair. Besides it being drying and giving a white cast (If applied more), I find no other con with this cream. 

Performance

Like I just said, my T-zone is oily and usually breaks out, especially my forehead. The break outs sometimes are usually cystic acne which are below the skin and pretty painful. They take lot of time to dry up and heal.  Once the acne heals, I am left with acne marks on my forehead or chin which take months to diminish. I have been using this cream for about 10-12 days now and even the stubborn scars seem to be diminishing. Usually such scars disappear only after 5-6 months for me. But this cream really worked. I am hoping that with one more week of usage, the acne marks would be barely noticeable. I need a very small amount of this cream, almost half a pea size, mix with moisturiser and I am sorted. So, the 50 gm tub will last me for a long time, maybe 5-6 months. 

It has also evened out my skin tone and my facial skin looks much even and bright too. It kind of gives the slight glow on the apple of my cheeks. Needless to say, I am loving it. I will keep mixing it with my moisturiser and use it everyday. I will give it 4 points out of 5, deducting 1 only for the dryness and whitish cast. Btw, I don't adore the big bulky glass packaging of this cream, but since I don't carry it, that's not much of an issue.

I would recommend this one for oily skinned girls. For girls with dry skin, mix this with a heavy moisturizer and apply. I am sure it will work for you to.

Have you used this cream ? Do let me know if it worked for you. 

Pond's skincare range is available at Beautykafe 

Nivea Fruity Shine Lip Balm in Pomegranate

Hey Girls, 

Today's review is about mine and almost everyone's favorite lip balm Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate. 

Let's see what it claims 

Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate with Fruit Extracts and Shimmering Pigments combines long lasting moisturisation and an exciting fruity pomegranate scent to replenish moisture, leaving a touch of delicate colour on soft and smooth lips. This new formula combines rich almond oil, jojoba oil and shea butter to keep your lips as soft and fresh as they can be. Contains SPF10 protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Price: INR 129

Net weight: 4.8 gm

Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate gives a beautiful reddish brown or rosy brown tint and gives a beautiful colour to lips. It has nice sweet smell, though I am not able to identify the flavour in the smell. The smell is definitely not pomegranates though. The fragrance is not bothersome though girls with sensitive noises might not like it that much. The fragrance disappears after about 5 minutes of applications. 

The colour is quite sheer but can be easily built up in 2-3 swipes. Layering it helps to cover pigmented lips but does not hide pigmentation completely. It also has SPF 10 which is definitely a plus. The packaging is a tube with a cap which is bigger than other lip balms which makes it easier to locate if the cap happens to fall down and roll away. Apart from the colour, it does a pretty good job of moisturising lips too. After applying this lip balm, my lips stay hydrated for 3-4 hours without any meals. I does survive sips of water though. I love it so much that I always buy 2, one for my dresser and one rests in my handbag all the time.

The Goods of Nivea Fruity Shine Pomegranate Lip Balm

• Gives a very natural tint to any kind of lips irrespective of their pigmentation.
• Moisturisation effect lasts a good 3-4 hours without meals.
• Inexpensive
• Has SPF 10.

The Not so Goods of Nivea Fruity Shine Pomegranate Lip Balm

• Some girls may find its fragrance to be too much. 

 I love it. Will definitely keep on repurchasing till Nivea decides to stop producing this. I am sure everyone of you must have used Nivea Fruity Shine Pomegranate Lip Balm. What are your take on this ? Do let me know in comments below.

Nivea Products are also available on Beautykafe

Chambor Single Blush Star Candy Review

Hello beautiful Ladies, 

Today’s review is one of my favourite blushes, Chambor Single Blush, shade no. 57, Star Candy. It was one of my hit in the dark buys when I bought it online. The words Star Candy were of some solace that its going to be a pink blush. So basically this one was a blind buy for me. The moment the package arrived, I tore the protective bubble wrap apart, took a deep breath and opened the blush case. And voila, here it is.  

The Packaging

The Blush (with Mirror and brush)

It might look a bit peachy brown to you, but my camera was not in good mood today. So, let’s just come back to the review. 

What Chambor claims 

• Ultra-fine and simple to apply, the basic blush which is formulated to glide weightlessly onto the skin to provide sheer, sun-kissed color.
• Builds effortlessly and spreads evenly.
• Convenient to carry & used for re-touch. 
• Lasts for long period of time.
• Water resistant – Long Lasting. Comes in Powder Form, Can be converted to Cream form by mixing it with Foundation or Moisturizer.
• Excellent blending & adherence capability.
• Non Comodogenic.
• No animal ingredients.

How to apply 

• Wear blush/bronzer alone or over foundation or powder.
• Using brush applicator, start at the apples of your cheeks and sweep upward on your cheekbone towards your hairline.

My Experience with the Chambor Blush 

The blush looks like a combination of pink and brown with specks of gold embossed in the blush itself. The result of these golden specks is that when you swipe your brush over it, the golden specks are mixed along with the blush. 

The blush itself has a very good colour and the golden specks give a nice warm glow to the skin. It looks like a tiny hint of golden highlighter is dusted alongwith the blush. I just swipe my brush, no wait, I just touch my brush to this blush to get the colour and apply. The pigmentation of the blush is really good and just a simple touch of my Sigma F 80 (yes, I have only that brush) is enough to apply on one cheek. 

A closer look.

Swatched only once

Let me just come to the best things about this Blush

• Price - I think it’s a steal for Rs. 500. You get 6 gms of product which will last a long time.
• Packaging - The case snaps shut with a click and you can carry it easily in your bag. It won’t open. But the brush is almost useless, so you will need to carry a blush brush for this.
• It used this for first time in winters after using a moisturizer and it stayed easily for 5-6 hours.
• No need to use a highlighter with this blush.
• Can be easily by beginners (that would be me) without going OTT.
• It can be easily built up. A gentle swipe for the warm glow to 2-3 swipes for the disco ball look.
• It can be easily applied with a blush brush or fingers too. I use Sigma F 80 for this.
• Comes with an in-built mirror which is great for touch ups. 
• Ladies who are fair, medium and dusky, Yes ! Everyone can use it. It will give a flush of colour to fair skinned girls and warm glow to medium and dusky girls.

I can’t think of any bad thing about this Blush. 

Chambor products are also available at Beautykafe

Introducing Beautykafe

Hey Girls,

How are you all doing ?? Gearing up to shop till drop over the extended weekend ?? Yes. Well, you rightly stumbled upon this post then. Today's post is about a brand new online shopping platform Beautykafe. When I first browsed through this website, I thought this was another addition to the already many online shopping portals, but I was wrong. A look at the brands which Beautykafe stocks, proves just otherwise. Beautykafe is fastest growing online Megastore for cosmetic, personal care & fragrances with over 12,000 products from around 200 brands.

Now you must be wondering why am I saying so ?? Just take a look at all the brands here. Let me help a bit more. 

Beautykafe stocks makeup, haircare, skincare, fragrances from everyday use brands to high end brands like
Shiseido,  

Estee Lauder   

Clarins 

Lancome   

Thalgo   

Bobbi Brown

Victoria's Secret 

Chanel (Yes, the Chanel !!. I wish they had Chanel Lipsticks too)

Christian Dior 

Marks and Spencers

Bath and Body Works 

Yes, the Brands which are so much craved yet almost extinct in India till yet. These are just a few high end luxury brands which I could spot just looking at their list of brands. I am sure you girls can spot even many other brands much sought after in India, but pity we all had to rely on relatives traveling to other countries to bring them for us. Before I get all dreamy eyed about these products, let me tell you a bit about Beautykafe. 

Here's what Beautykafe say about themselves 

Beautykafe.com is an initiative from Slickmart Retail Pvt. Ltd. Here, we are constantly looking for ways to improve online shopping experience. Our mission is to provide best of the products/brands at the lowest prices with great online shopping experience, free shipping and Prompt customer service. Our benchmark is to provide our customers with a physical stores shopping experience; online, without the hassles of driving around the town locating a shop and then a place to park the vehicle. Our sourcing team works with over 70 vendors internationally, nationally to source the best products/brands for you at the most affordable price. Our product photographs can be zoomed so that you can read the details on the product cover before taking an informed decision. All items originate from our warehouse and have been sourced from authorized representatives or manufacturers. So shop with us, sit back and relax. Our logistics and customer support team works very hard to get your goods delivered at the earliest and respond to any queries that you may have.

Beautykafe has a comprehensive shipping and delivery which is quite customer friendly. Let's take a look. 

• We offer free shipping on all orders across India with subtotal greater then INR 500.
• We are committed to ship products within 2 to 4 business days of the order being confirmed. In order to ensure on-time delivery of your order we ship your ordered goods only by premier courier service. After we ship the goods the delivery time of the same may range from 3 to 5 business days.
• We currently deliver to more than 8000 pin codes across India.  
• If you believe that the product is not in good condition or if the packaging is tampered with or damaged, before accepting delivery of the goods, please refuse to take delivery of the package, and call us on +91  22 65267777 or mail us at admin@beautykafe.com, mentioning your order reference number.
• Some products like perfumes may make longer to deliver as they cannot be carried by Air Mode and have to be send via Surface Mode. This is due to government regulations.

Pretty much what we all want ? Isn't it ?

For payment options, Beautykafe provides many options like Credit cards, Debit cards, Net Banking as well as Cash on Delivery (on additional charge of INR 50). You can view the Payment Options. You can also take a look at their Exchange Policy and Returns, Refunds and Replacements. 

Phew, what can I say ? My fingers are itching to peck furiously at my laptop and place an order. I am eyeing the Bobbi Brown Rose Shimmer Brick Set.

Do anyone of you have birthdays coming up ? Well then you know what you can ask for from your parents, boyfriends, husbands and even friends, and they can't even escape now.