Drops of Youth™Concentrate ~ The Body Shop

Drops of Youth™ Youth Concentrate ~ The Body Shop

Product claims: 

The Body Shop's Drops of Youth™ Youth Concentrate is a quick-absorbing, non-sticky concentrate, that leaves your skin feeling instantly softer. Taking its technology from plant stem cells from Edelweiss, Sea Holly, and Criste Marine, our Youth Concentrate works to help boost surface skin cell renewal. Skin feels immediately moisturised and instantly softer.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Propanediol, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Chondrus Crispus/Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Sodium Hyaluronate, Benzyl Alcohol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Parfum/Fragrance, Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture, Linalool, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Citronellol, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract/Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Limonene, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum.

Price: $40

Quantity: 30ml

My views you can use: 

Drops of Youth™ concentrate has gel like consistency and is not at all greasy. The texture is  extremely light, goes smoothly on skin and is quick-absorbing. The concentrate does not provide enough moisturization to a dry skin but for oily and normal skin type, this is a lovely product. If you are looking for a serum to incorporate in your skin-care regime or a night cream, I highly recommend this. I do not follow any strict skin-care regime. I bought this to use as a moisturiser. However, this turnout out a weak moisturiser for my dry skin especially for Canadian winter. I use it at home, for all it’s beneficial ingredient list hoping to provide my skin little nourishment. 

Till now it has not done any wonder with all that plant stem cells crap. It provides light non-greasy moisturization.

Overall Score: 💗💗💕

Can give this a try!

~Ren

Skin Care tips

Hi Everyone,

image credit:https://www.pexels.com

I am going to talk about skin care and simple skin care routine that anyone can incorporate in their day to day regime for healthy skin.

• Cleansing is important for everyone. But, if you stay in a humid environment; it is a necessity. Wash your face often with water, and twice a day with a cleanser to keep pores clean. 
• The cold weather can cause havoc on skin. It not only dries your skin but also makes it appear aged. It is equally important to choose a right moisturiser which is non greasy and non comedogenic. Vitamin E oil is an effective moisturiser that goes well for all skin types. If you are allergic to complex ingredient list of moisturisers, do give this a try. This oil not only moisturises but also improves skin texture and elasticity of skin. Coconut oil is another great option for dry skin beauties.
• Over exposure to the harmful UV radiation of sun should be avoided by using high SPF sunscreen. 
• Never use hot water on your face. Yes, hot water can burn skin😱, that's worse. It can open pores leading to it getting exposed to chemicals of cleanser, moisturiser or makeup. This can cause pimples, inflammation and damage skin.
• Exfoliate at least weekly to get rid of dead cells clogging pore and making skin appear dull. Nothing can be as mild and effective as gram flour or besan as far as exfoliation is concerned. It also keeps skin blemish free. Besan (as it is called in India), has been used for centuries for clean and clear skin.
• Never pop a pimple💣. What is a pimple? It is an area where there is some immune response going on fighting an infection. Your body will eventually kill the pathogen and heal the wound with minimum scarring. If you try to squeeze a pimple, chances are high that you actually damage the skin, causing scar or spread the infection making things worse for you. So, my advise is let it heal. If you are facing pimple issues all the time, go for vitamin deficiency test, specially check if you have Zinc deficiency. You can also apply turmeric paste to keep skin ailments at bay. However, remember that turmeric can stain, so be careful.
• If you use makeup, never go to sleep without removing every bit of it. This brings us to an important point - Make up removers. Make sure it is of a trusted brand and a mild yet effective one. The simpler the ingredient list, the better. You don’t want to assault you skin with chemicals, the makeup did that to some extent. So, be gentle. Coconut oil is by far my best eye-liner and lipstick remover. This also moisturises your skin. Effective, cheap and gentle. It can also be used as makeup remover. 
• Good sleep - No sleep is a sign of stress. Stress increases cortisol hormones, which can cause skin inflammation and belly fat😖. So, avoid this hormone at all cost.

Evolution Girls! Circadian rhythm, the body clock is the last thing to mess. In reality, that’s the first thing everyone ignores. Genes are expressed according to this clock and if you don’t sleep, you are actually depriving yourself of an powerful anti-aging hormone- Melatonin. We all know skin is the largest organ of human. The structure of your skin depends upon collagen and elastin, which is secreted by fibroblast cells. The growth of fibroblast depends upon Melatonin hormone. 

Just noticed it’s my sleep time.😮 I  will update this post with more interesting information. 

Cya soon

~Ren

All Fired Up (Retro Matte Lipstick)~ Mac

Ok, I like myself all fired up :) 💓 that’s the reason I bought this one from Mac 😂 😜 . This is such a gorgeous color 😍. One swipe and yeah!!!...Happy and ready to go. Great for summers.

All Fired Up ~ Retro Matte by Mac

My views you can use:

This is a bold hot pink color with cool undertone. If you think Mac Ruby Woo is the matte a lipstick can get, you haven’t met Mac All fired Up. Like Ruby woo, this is super dry. It is actually its cousin as far as texture is concerned. All Fired Up has to be worn on a well moisturised exfoliated lips otherwise it will accentuate fine lines. This looks really flattering on my warm dusky complexion. I am obsessed with this color. I believe, it will look good on all complexion because it’s a vibrant color with cool undertone, which is not overwhelming.

Staying power??? It can pretty much last an entire day!!! 😌 Trust me, I have actually tried and tested this. The reason I did not show swatch image is because it’s of no use. It somehow looks different on my hand swatch than on my lips and in pics too. This can be because my skin tone on hand and lip differ. My face is darker than my body. Weird!!! 😕 Anyway, this is a lovely color so do wear it on lips to check the exact color. I am sure you will love it.😊

Overall score: 💗💗💗💗

Yes, I will purchase this again unless I find an exact lip color with better moisturising ability.

~Ren

Rosa Rescue Shampoo & Conditioner ~ Saje

Product claims: 

Conditioner for dry or damaged hair

BALANCED. SOFT. FLORAL.

Bring your hair back on track the gentle way with a soothing and stimulating blend of rose, rosewood and coconut to usher hair into a softer state. Ideal for dry or damaged hair.

Price: $6.95

Quantity: 30ml

My views you can use: 

Like all Saje products, smells nice! I used rosa rescue shampoo and conditioner meant for damaged and dry hair. This product has goodness of rose, coconut and rosewood, still it fails to do its job. Indeed it feels refreshing and rejuvenating, but that is it. Rosa rescue would have been a decent product if it was targeted for normal hair. For dry and damaged hair, it is a failure.

Overall Score: ❤  

Unfortunately, this product is an average stuff.

~Ren

Inland Lake, British Columbia

Inland Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park in northern Sunshine Coast region, located on the southeast side of Powell Lake, British Columbia, Canada.

 

~Ren

Kelowna Road trip

Scenic Kelowna trip

~Ren

Banana Conditioner ~ The Body Shop

Banana Conditioner ~ The Body Shop 

Product claims: 

This thick and creamy conditioner leaves hair beautifully soft and tangle-free. It contains real banana puree.

Ingredients:

Aqua/Water/Eau (Solvent/Diluent), Musa Paradisica Fruit/Musa Paradisica (Banana) Fruit (Emollient/Lubricant), Cetearyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Cetrimonium Chloride (Hair Conditioning Agent), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Hydroxyethylcellulose (Stabiliser/Thickener), Lecithin (Stabiliser/Emulsifier), Mel/Honey/Miel (Natural Additive), Panthenol (Hair Conditioning Agent), Propylene Glycol (Humectant), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Ascorbic Acid (Antioxidant), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Sodium Chloride (Viscosity Modifier), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), CI 15985/Yellow 6 (Colorant), CI 19140/Yellow 5 (Colour).

Price: $10

Quantity: 250ml/8.4oz

My views you can use: 

Smells strongly like mashed up bananas! If you like the smell of over-ripe banana, continue to read.  The conditioner is really thick, easy to apply and rinse off. With the goodness of banana and honey, it has artificial colors and fragrance. I really don’t understand the need to add colors and fragrance when the product has goodness of nature.

Banana conditioner is moderately moisturising not suitable for dry or damaged hair. The thing I dislike about many conditioners is that they weigh down hair. This one doesn’t belongs to that category. It gives your hairy little shine and makes it manageable and tangle-free. Does nothing to improve hair quality or strengthen the roots. 

Overall Score: 💗💗

It is a regular conditioner with less harmful ingredients.

Lavender relaxing mist, Saje Wellness

Today I am going to review a product, which is a 'must-have' for a stressful day.

Product claims: 

CALMING. SOOTHING. RELAXING.

From preparing for sleep to hydrating skin, lavender has you covered from head to toe. Incredibly versatile, this mist will calm, balance, soothe and hydrate, all at the same time.

Let go and lavender.

Good for -

• Facial toner
• Fabric refreshing
• Personal fragrance

Ingredients:

• water (aqua)
• lavender (lavandula angustifolia)

Price: ~ $9.95

Quantity: 1.7 oz / 50ml

My views you can use:

Lavender is believed to have sedating effects, so it is quite beneficial for restlessness, nervousness, depression or insomnia. Before owning this, I had a facial mist spray from Okanagen Lavender Herb farm, which I hoarded on my summer trip to Kelowna. That facial mist was amazing. I used it a lot (for hydrating and refreshing skin) and when it got over, I got this one from Saje.

Composition-wise, Saje is minimalistic. It is pure lavender mist while the one I got from Okanagen has many ingredients like chamomile, bergamot, rose geranium, mandarin and spearmint. I think somewhere these ingredients balanced the skin irritating nature of lavender. Probably due to high concentration of lavender in Saje mist or due to the absence of other masking ingredients to balance lavender, this mist causes skin irritation on regular use. So, I do not recommend it to be used as toner or a hydrant.

But, it is a very good product to calm and soothe your senses. If you are looking for a product for relaxation, I highly recommend this. When life gives you sleepless nights or emotional stress, and for the days when you are an emotional wreak, this mist comes handy. I suggest to limit its use for these messy times only because I believe one should not get used or dependent on these stuff for sleep. Stress is a lifestyle disease, so popping pills and using sprays is not the answer. Also, it might loose its effectiveness on regular use. This is my personal opinion, there is no scientific proof of this. I spray this on my pillow, forehead or in air and inhale deeply. 

Overall Score: 💗💗💗💕

It does help to unwind and prepare for sleep. On a chaotic day, it creates a sense of harmony and relaxes you. The reason to decrease few points is because of its claim as a facial toner. Also, it is not a very effective deodoriser for air or fabric.

Texada Island, British Columbia

Texada Island is BC's largest Gulf Island, which is estimated to be 50km long with around ~1000 residents. The clean pristine water, untouched by human invasion will surely take your breath away😍.

The absence of bears, cougars and poisonous snakes makes it a safe spot for hiking and camping.

I am sharing some images taken at Shelter Point beach, Texada Island.

~Ren

Hanging Gardens, Bali

Hanging Gardens of Bali

Overlooking the Ayung River and ancient Dalem Segara temple, the award-wining resort stands on the edge of a stunning valley, surrounded by lush rain forests and picturesque rice terraces. Each villa is designed with traditional Alang Alang thatched roofs in complete harmony with nature. The lush gardens have indigenous flora and fauna such as cocoa and coffee trees, that blend serenely with bamboo, flame trees and orchids to create a unique tropical paradise. The truly luxurious Spa Collection combines natural local ingredients and ancient techniques to create beauty therapies and treatments that soothe the mind, rejuvenate the body and energise the soul.(info source: Hanging gardens of bali website)

Infinity pools

Jungle view

Panoramic view villa with infinity pool

Breakfast

~Ren

Space Needle Fireworks, New Years Eve ~ Seattle

Space Needle Fireworks on New Years Eve ~ 2017

Royal Jelly Mask ~ My Beauty Diary

Royal Jelly Mask ~ My Beauty Diary

Royal Jelly Mask by My Beauty Diary

Product claims:

Royal Jelly Mask contains multiple moisturising factors such as vitamins and amino acids that help to refine, revitalise, moisturise and brighten your skin for a gleamy complexion. Facial mask has the patented, long-lasting moisturising ingredient cosphingo, which softens and refines while enhancing nourishment and resilience. Mask also helps to retain necessary water to maintain hydration. Multiple plant proteins helps to return firmness and elasticity to your skin.

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Royal Jelly Extract, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Morus Alba Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Albumen, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Lecithin, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract Nasturtium, Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 80, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, PEG-15 Hydroxystearate, Carbomer, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Polyglutamic Acid, Fragrance, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Glycosphingolipids, Tocopheryl Acetate.

Usage: Massage onto wet skin in circular motion, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid over-exfoliation by using scrub 2-3 ties per week. For best results, apply your favourite saje moisturiser after exfoliating.

Quantity: 10 Sheets

Price: ~ $13

My views you can use:

Feels fresh and refreshing till the time it is on face.  Although the mask sheets are soaked in richness of antioxidant and amino acids, it doesn’t do anything good apart from providing almost unnoticeable temporary hydration. My traditional indian mask gives much better glow than this stuff. So, I will definitely not try this ever again. I bought a big pack and I am wondering what to do with the rest. As far as the sheets are concerned they are big enough to fit all kinds of face shapes.

The scent is not strong, which is great. An “OK” sort of stuff. 

Overall score: 💗💕

Sorry, this ain’t a part of my beauty diary! All the claims made by product is an extreme case of exaggeration.

~Ren

Sacred spice, Apricot body scrub~Saje Wellness

Sacred spice, Exfoliating apricot body scrub ~ Saje

As the name suggests, sacred spice is full of spices like black pepper, clove and cinnamon along with this any fruits and leaves extract. Check out to know more about this exfoliating apricot body scrub.

Product claims:

Exfoliating apricot body scrub - Revitalise your skin’s natural glow

Ingredients:

water (aqua), glycerine, silica, hydroxyethylcellulose, sucrose laurate, sucrose dilaurate, corn sugar ferment (propanediol), xanthan gum, sucrose trilaurate, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, salt (potassium sorbate), apricot seed powder (prunus armeniaca), brown algae, essential oil of cinnamon leaf and clove flower, papaya, pineapple, mango, lotus leaf extract, capsicum frutescens resin, essential oils of juniper, grapefruit peel and black pepper.

Usage: Massage onto wet skin in circular motion, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid over-exfoliation by using scrub 2-3 ties per week. For best results, apply your favourite saje moisturiser after exfoliating.

Quantity: 158ml/ 5.3oz

Price: ~ $14.95

My views you can use:

I couldn’t find this product listed on Saje’s website, may be they discontinued making this scrub. Anyway, a nice body scrub that gives good exfoliation. However, the scrub particles are too harsh to be used everyday, specially on dry skin. Also, I am not satisfied with its cleansing properties. Sacred spice, doesn’t cleanse pores. I prefer to use it once in a while on knees and elbows. One thing I really like about this scrub is that it doesn’t leave any residue on your skin, it washes off easily.

Overall score: 💗💗💕

A decent exfoliating body scrub specially for knees and elbow.

~Ren

Angels on Bare Skin by Lush

Angels on Bare Skin by Lush ~ Face And Body Cleanser

Angels on Bare Skin ~ Lush

Product claims:

Balancing lavender luxury ~ Vegan

This heavenly blend of cleansing kaolin clay, ground almonds and a soothing blend of lavender, rose and chamomile oils has been a customer favourite for years. A quick scrub with this nubbly cleanser leaves skin calm, balanced, soft and smooth, and because it's so gentle, anyone can use it.

Take a small amount in your hand, add a little water and mix into a paste. Massage into skin to gently cleanse, then rinse clean. Use all over your body for soft skin everywhere!

Ingredients:

Ground Almonds (Prunus dulcis) , Glycerine , Kaolin , Water (Aqua) , Lavender Oil (Lavandula augustifolia) , Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena) , Chamomile Blue Oil (Matricaria Chamomilla) , Tagetes Oil (Tagetes minuta) , Benzoin Resinoid (Styrax tonkinensis pierre) , Lavender Flowers (Lavandula augustifolia) , *Limonene , *Linalool . 

*Occurs naturally in essential oils

Usage:

Take a small amount in your hand, add a little water and mix into a paste. Massage into skin to gently cleanse, then rinse clean. Use all over your body for soft skin everywhere!

Quantity: 100 grams

Price: $ 15.95

My views you can use:

Smells nice and natural. Feels amazingly soothing on skin owing to its rich ingredient list. I have noticed that the product doesn’t wash off completely with water. So, I use another cleanser if I have to apply a moisturiser otherwise it feels like some angels are still lingering on my face.

Angels on Bare skin gives little glow, which isn’t long lasting. As a cleanser I find it an average product. I prefer to use it as a gentle scrub-cum-mild cleanser. It doesn't make your skin tight or greasy. I don’t think it should be called a cleanser, mild/gentle exfoliate is more appropriate term to describe this product. 

My usage is limited to once a week as my skin gets irritated due to the presence of lavender oil. Will I purchase this again? No 🙍 This product is almond paste with added natural fragrance. Try using the paste of overnight soaked almonds. Equally effective, saves penny too! 

Overall score:💗💗💕

Just smells great, I expected the angels to do wonders on my bare skin. After all, they are called angels. I looked for some improvement in my skin texture with all that goodness in it, however it turn out to be an average mild exfoliate.

~Ren