Good Hair Days With Palmers Raw Shea Range

Who doesn’t love beautiful bouncy hair? gorgeous hair is an asset everyone wants. I am particularly possessive about my locks, I refrain from using products that are harmful or full of chemicals. I would want the same for you all as well. There are a lot of factors that affect the hair, internally such as lack of vitamins & mineral and externally like use of chemicals. While we can take care of our diets by including good source of protein and vitamin B12, Vitamin D and more. Externally we can protect hair by minimizing the use of heat and chemicals all together. Chemicals are present in shampoos, hair masques, colors and more. While the heat comes from straighteners, blow dryers and such.

if you think you are just a shampoo and go kind of person so you are safe then you are totally wrong! Hair shampoos do contain a lot of chemicals, some even cause scalp to get itchy or even promote hairfall.

Now I know you must be a bit scared but worry not because I am here to help you or rather palmers new Raw Shea range is..

Lets first learn about the products

• Their raw, natural shea butter is ethically sourced in Burkina Faso Africa.
• Raw Shea shampoo and conditioner are infused with essential moisturizers and nutrients to detangle, de-frizz, smooth and soften hair.
• parabens, NO sulfates, NO mineral oil, NO phthalates and No dyes.
• Core contents are African Shea Butter, Keratin Protein, Argan Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Vitamin E

Verdict:

Firstly, both the shampoo and conditioner are having a beautiful yet naturally sweet fragrance that attracts you towards the product. I am dividing my review so thats its easier for you to decide on whats suitable.

Shampoo:

Beautiful fragranced and free of dyes and nasties, this product works really well on my colored hair. My haircolor was just shining after the wash. Not only that, my hair flt softer, smoother and easier to manage! Also the fragrance of the shampoo lasted more than two days which has never happened with me before. Also I have been noticing reduction in hairfall post usage of this shampoo.

Conditioner:

Fragrance is same or sightly stronger in the conditioner. Product is easier to work with as you just have to apply after wash and leave it in there for a good 5 minutes. Rinse and you are ready to roll! My hair went from limp to bouncy in just two tries of this conditioner. Also i felt they were tamed enough to be styled without a styling cream!

Dont believe it? See it yourself 🙂

Overall, I am in love with Palmer’s Raw Shea Shampoo and conditioner range! My hair have never felt so good and smooth after washes. I have in past used luxury products that are of similar idea (no dyes, no nasties) however, never have I come across a product that it appeals me in one go. I am excited for you all to try this gorgeous product as well.

PS: products provided by Palmer’s before it hits the shelves. Needs at least two to three tries to get the best results. Suitable for all hair types. I did not have any dandruff issues prior to use, however the product also claims to eliminate this common problem.

 

Shea Butter DXB & Benefits

I am a huge fan of beauty products that are natural. Most drugstore or even luxury brands claim to contain more natural ingredients but actual content of in terms of percentage is found to be lower.

If you are someone like me who loves natural products then this product is certainly for you.

Shea Butter DXB offers Shea butter straight from West Africa! Packed in a beautiful glass jar this product is one of most interesting natural products I have tried.

What is Shea butter? ivory colored butter is basically fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. As its refined it gets the ivory/whitish color.

Texture: It is exactly like butter but a off white-ish color. Consistency is that of a petroleum jelly and once in contact with heat of you palms this will melt which makes it easier to apply.

Application: Just like your regular lotions except here you need to scoop out a smaller quantity to begin with.

Results:

I have been using this for a month now and I have noticed massive difference in my skin. It feels more hydrated and the product leaves a healthy sheen on the skin. I wouldn’t advise it to wear during humid days but this can be a great add to your night skincare routine. If you are situated in a colder region then this can substitute your day cream as well.

Benefits of Shea Butter

–  Helps in getting rid of sunburns

– Moisturises and hydrates skin

– Reduces stretch marks

– Can substitute as a makeup base & lip balm

– Helps strengthening cuticles

The only thing I found a bit strange was the fragrance of this product. Since its  au naturale there is no added fragrance to it. At the beginning I was a bit turned off but the results within a week encouraged me to continue application. I have a dry sensitive skin and this works fine for me.

Want to try it yourself? Visit @sheabutter_dxb for orders or call on 0505982393. Large jar costs AED120

The Babyfoot Experiment

Generally I have smooth feet as I keep getting pedicures. However past month and half have been a nightmare. Finding apartments and then moving into one. All this left me with no time for myself and resulted in horrible looking feet. By horrible I mean really dry, rough heels and I had to hide them by wearing closed shoes all the time.

I took my roughed  up feet as the perfect opportunity to try out Babyfoot which was sent to me by their PR team. Babyfoot is a Japanese product tried and tested by bloggers worldwide. The results are satisfying for most but the process.. well not exactly beautiful.

Packaging

The product comes with two lavender scented gelled booties and a sheet of tape to secure the plastic booties at ankles.

Application

Super simple! Just soak your feet in water for about 10 – 15 mins. Once done, pat them dry and wear the booties. Secure with the given tape and do not move! Though the product doesn’t mention to stay still but I would certainly prefer not moving in those plastic booties so that the product works its magic.

The product mentions 60 minutes but as I was watching a movie, I completely forgot to remove them until it was 90 minutes. No harm to the feet and no itchiness whatsoever. I felt like some oil was applied on my feel and slightly slimy as I removed the booties.

Results

Day 1: Slight white marks on the heel and sole of my feet.

Day 2: Gets a bit freaky as the dry skin starts detaching itself.

Day 3: More dry skin peeling off, I covered my feet all the time during peeling process as it looks a bit weird.

Day 4: Slowly tugged out the peels to reveal soft skin beneath.

Day 5 : complete peeling was over and now baby soft skin revealed. The package mentions that peeling process may take upto two weeks, maybe that’s for worst case scenarios.

Post peeling care

It is recommended to not use any lotions and even scrubs for feet as all dead cells are already removed in peeling process.

The key to peeling is soaking your feet everyday post application for atleast 15 minutes as this softens the skin and helps in removing the dead skin.

Product is recommended to use once in every two months.

Verdict

I really liked the product except the peeling process that really is unique and a grossly satisfying experience. The product certainly delivers the promise of baby like feet. This revolutionary product is designed to soften the toughest of heels. What makes it so effective is the addition of keratolytic ingredients such as lactic acid, salicylic acid, alcohol & glycolic acid.

Babyfoot is available on Souq.com and in all leading drugstores & hypermarkets.

Ps: I took pictures of peeling process but I don’t want to share them as its not really a appealing sight)

VLCC Slimming Treatment Review

What’s the first thing that pops in your mind when I say VLCC? Most associate them with weight loss hoardings seen across the city or even for their well-known beauty products found at select retail outlets. However, there is much more to the brand than what we know, as I discovered for myself.

VLCC has a very holistic and practical approach towards the whole mystery of slimming down and maintaining a healthy body.

I got the opportunity to try out one of their slimming sessions called Tei machine that focuses on fat loss from thighs, arms and stomach area.

This was my first visit, and to begin with, I was asked to share my brief medical history and my lifestyle with their wellness counsellor. Once she had all details noted down, she began explaining to me on how VLCC works on setting smaller weight loss targets which make it easier for clients to achieve. Also, the monitoring of same is done week on week basis so that one is aware of how and what exactly is helping them lose weight.

Experts and counsellors at VLCC ensure to design a healthy mix of passive treatments such as Tei along with a diet plan to achieve desired goals.

Tei Treatment- My Experience

Prior to the treatment, my weight was checked on their Body Composition Analysis (BCA) Machine. The machine also calculates metabolism rate, weight in specific areas and the BMI which is calculated keeping in mind the weight and height.

This session is completely private and done in a closed room. Gel slathered straps were attached to targeted areas. What Tei machine does is help in loosening fat from the areas and increasing the metabolic rate. In the forty-five minutes of the session the straps emitted heat at various degrees. Along with variating degrees of heat the straps also vibrates. These vibrations like heat variate the pattern to maximize fat loss.

The treatment rooms are equipped with televisions and are very relaxing. Use of mobile phones is permitted or one can even choose to catch up on some much needed sleep while in session.

Post treatment the weight analysis is done again. This helps in drawing comparisons pre-& post sessions.
There aren’t sudden changes in the weight post the sessions but these help in increasing metabolic rate that promotes fat loss. For someone who has a slower

VLCC treatments are:

• Non invasive
• Targets body toning and help in reduction of fat cells
• Personalized sessions 
• No muscle loss happens with treatments
• Dedicated area for Ladies
• Use of Exclusive VLCC products that are enriched with herbal oils to keep skin hydrated and tightened
• Reasonable prices for tailored packages

Thank you VLCC Karama team for the wonderful experience. I would definitely recommend a visit to your nearest VLCC branch to find out more about their slimming sessions. Click here for VLCC locations.
VLCC offers complimentary Body Composition Analysis to first time visitors. UAE readers may contact – 04-3273574 / 04-3435633

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GOSH To Be Cool In Copenhagen Matte Eyeshadow Palette Review + Swatches

I love compact palettes a lot. These are saving grace for days when you want to change your look instantly.

Gosh’s To Be Cool In Copenhagen Matte Eyeshadow Palette comes in a small but sturdy casing. I really like that because I don’t prefer the palettes that come in hard cardboard especially those like huda beauty and the balm cosmetics ones. This case comes with a large mirror which is perfect to create the look.

Designed for cooler looks the palette comes with 8 shades ranging from lighter shades like cream to darker shades like charcoal gray. The shades are not named so let’s say I will be interpret them in my way for you all.

Why I love the palette:

• The shades are actually matte shades and are long stay.
• Darker shades are perfect even if primer isn’t used. Highly pigmented.
• Easy to carry
• Versatile colors to suit all skin tones
• Easy to create a day look or a night look with just one palEtte
• Reasonable pricing and easily available
• Less or no fall out

What I don’t love:

• The lighter shades desperately need primer
• Pigmentation of the shades is inconsistent
• Blending issues with lighter shades

Overall, even though there are a few flaws I would still opt for this palette in a heartbeat because it’s very convenient. Gosh is the only drugstore brand that retails products free of any parabens and they believe in a cause dear to me that is of being cruelty free. Also they try to incorporate natural contents in their cosmetics which means less damage to the skin especially as sensitive as mine. Some of you may prefer having the palette with brush but personally I have never preferred those tiny brushes. I prefer using a sponge applicator and my blending brush that I got from Sephora.

You can purchase Gosh Products at Lifestyle Gulf and Boots Pharmacy.

Follow Gosh on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: Products are sponsored by Gosh Arabia, all opinions are my own

Hair Tales With Abeer Beauty And Spa

I was invited to review the fabulous Abeer Beauty Spa services. Was super excited to visit because I had finally grown my hair upto my waist and wanted them all colored. However it seems fate had something else in store for me. Just a day before my visit to Abeer Beauty Spa, I burnt my hair with my new hair curler. In hurry I chopped it off and cried the whole night! From waist length hair to shoulder length. Oh it was the worst evening for me!

On the reviewing day, I was hoping some miracle happens and that my hair grow back or look presentable enough.

When I consulted their senior stylist, she chose the color that would suit my skin tone and also chopped off few odd ends to give my hair some volume.Thier amazing stylists are a blessing in disguise! She chose the perfect color and styled my hair accordingly. The color used was loreal Professionel Caramel Ashe and It brings out my skin color!

Overall, the service at the salon was perfect and I couldn’t ask for more. Abeer beauty and Spa have lovely treatments like their royal Hammam and beauty services. If you are looking to be treated like a princess, this is the place to be.

All services are reasonably priced and they do also retail Abeer Beauty lashes which look amazingly natural!

Follow them on instagram Abeer Beauty to be updated of their latest offers or visit their website for rate cards and services

Location:

ABEER AL YASEEN BEAUTY SPA

OPENING HOURS 9am – 9pm | OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Jumeirah, Al wasl Road, Utamah Villa 1053A

UAE/Dubai P.O.Box 120174

+97143808703,   +97143431611,

+971555771217, +971563537830

Gosh Liquid Matte Lipstick & Velvet Touch Lip Liner Review

2016 was all about matte! Nails, lips, eyeshadows everything went matte! I personally love Matte so for me this is by far the best makeup trend of the year. The trend started with luxury beauty brands and soon drugstore brands caught up too. One such drugstore brand is Gosh from Denmark.

A few years back this brand was not a familiar one. However their products, marketing efforts, pricing and packaging all have created quite an impact in middle east. Gosh products are paraben free and they believe in a cause dear to me that is of being cruelty free.

I recently got the opportunity to meet the fabulous person behind the marketing of the brand and also got a chance to try out some products from their wide range. I will be reviewing the products in parts and today It’s two products, Gosh matte lipstick and Gosh lip pencil.

Gosh matte liquid lipstick

The shade I chose was Nougat crisp 007. I don’t get the idea behind naming it that but this is a nude shade perfect for day wear. When the Mua at Gosh kiosk applied it for my mini makeover, I fell in love with the shade instantly.

Review: The Matte lipstick is really pigmented and it is indeed a long stay lipstick. I was surprised to see that touch ups weren’t really required for this one. Though the color faded gradually but it did stay almost 6-8 hours. I had also swatched some of darker shades at the kiosk at realized that those were much more pigmented.

Now the issue with any nude shade Matte color is that they need a smooth surface to apply on which means your lips needs to be really healthy and moist prior to application. Gosh solves that problem because their liquid matte lipsticks contain plant oils that keep lips hydrated throughout. I have generally seen that in my lancome lipsticks but this is a first for drugstore lippies.

My only complain with this product is that it’s not ultra Matte but still recommended for daily wear.

Benefits:

– Easy applicator with flat sponge brush

– Intense colors

– reasonably priced

– Highly pigmented

– Perfume free

– Free from minerals

Gosh velvet touch lip liner

Review: Super smooth and creamy liner perfect to outlook your lips for liquid matte or even by itself. I got the shade nougat crisp 001 a shade that’s very in these days. Texture-wise its,similar to MAC lip liners. The color pay off is fantastic! The shade suits my wheat-ish pale skin tone.

I tried wearing just the lip liner instead of lipstick but it lasted just about two hours.

Benefits :

– Contains vitamin E and jojoba oils

– Water-proof

– Wide color range

– Highly pigmented

– can be worn as a lipstick

You purchase Gosh Products at Lifestyle Gulf and Boots Pharmacy.

Follow Gosh on Instagram and Facebook

Disclaimer: Products are sponsored by Gosh Arabia, all opinions are my own.

Revlon Eyes, Cheeks + Lips Palette Review

I am all in for beauty products that offer convenience. Generally I don’t carry a lot of makeup but when it’s meetings/office events I require to do a quick makeover to my face. In such scenarios a palette that offers all in one option works really well which is why when Revlon released their Eyes, lips and cheek palette I was very much interested in trying it out.

Coming to the palette, it’s compact and easy to carry around. I received this kit from Revlon team for reviewing and this is the Romantic Nudes 100 set. The palette mentions that the shades are universally flattering.

Features:

• Includes mirror and mini applicators

• Available in romantic nudes, berry in love, and seductive smokies

My review

image source: Revlon.com

Eyes – The top two shades are shimmering shades, very light and not very pigmented. On the other hand the remaining shades are a bit promising because once you start applying the color is visible. The darker shades are decently pigmented, very build-able and blend-able. I would highly recommend to use a good primer as the base to build your look and to make these eye shade last longer ( I used Nyx primer) The mini sponge applicator given along with the product is okay to use. You can expect these shades to last at least 4-5 hours without fading out.

Lips: The two shades given at the left are lipsticks. One is slightly towards coral, it’s buttery and I loved this shade even without adding the lipgloss. The other shade is a light plum-ish color. Both are great shades, one for day and night look. There is a lipstick applicator with the palette but I used my finger which was easier as the lipsticks have a very smooth texture. The lip glosses are great too! Gives lips a healthy sheen and not too sticky.

Cheeks: The blush powder comes with a tiny and cute blush brush. Honestly, I didn’t find this blush helpful at all. I applied it several times but couldn’t see the color on my cheeks. It’s a very light shade and I have a pale/wheat-ish skin on which there was no effect.

Pros: 

• All in one compact palette
• Mirror included
• Easy to carry
• Can create multiple looks, day and night
• Darker  eye shadow shades are more towards matte
• Shades to suit any skin tone

Cons:

• The palette doesn’t have any cover for the lipsticks which are liquid. The powders tend to fall on the lipsticks
•  Inconsistencies in pigmentation of shades
• Eye shadows requires a lot of blending
• Cost 

Revlon Eye,lips and cheeks palette is available through Desert cart at AED 55, I haven’t seen these at drugstores yet.

REVLON ULTRA HD MATTE LIPCOLOR REVIEW + SWATCHES

I am in love with Matte lip shades! Really not the shimmer kinds and glitter was never the thing for me especially on the lips. I would go for a daring color but in matte only. Keeping up with this matte trend, Revlon has introduced these cool new Ultra HD Matte lip colors. Let’s learn a bit about them.

Ingredients:

Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Isododecane, Vinyl Dimethicone / Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Silica, C30-50 Alcohols, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diisostearyl Malate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bis-(C12-14 Alkyl PPG-4) Hexamethylenediurea, Kaolin, Bismuth Oxychloride, Silica Silylate, Parfum (Fragrance), Methicone, Sodium Saccharin, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, BHT, Benzoic Acid, Limonene, Linalool. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 27 (CI 45410), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Red 28 (CI 45410), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985).

Review + Swatches 

I really liked the shades that I was provided for reviewing. One on the verge of blush pink  HD Passion and other a daring pink HD devotion which is fun and flirty. Coming the the texture, these lipsticks are highly pigmented and have a light sheen when applied. The packaging mentions that it is a high definition lip color which is seen as just in one sweep the color is visible on lips. The wear time for these would be anywhere around 4-6 hours. It’s very lightweight, velvety and creamier in comparison to predecessors of Revlon lippies. There is a hint of vanilla and mango fragrance but it is not overwhelming at all which is great! The price is super affordable with AED 40 and all pink shades, who could say no to that? There are 7 shades available in Middle East, originally 16 were released in USA.

On the downside, I found it a bit sticky on lips and the matte-ness reduces with time. Also if I don’t apply lip balm, this product leaves my lips dry after a while. This is observed in previous Revlon lippies too! Which is strange because this product contains shea butter and is suppose to moisturize . Since this is a gel base lipstick, it needs a lip liner to finish the look.

I like the packaging, its easy to carry and breaking from the norm of going for a cylindrical shape or boxed, this product has a smooth oval shape that is cute and easy to even carry in the back pocket. The applicator brush is double sided sponge brush for easier application of course.

Overall, the shades are designed to suit almost all skin tones. It’s light but needs constant touch-ups. If you are someone who doesn’t want to invest much on lipsticks then this is certainly a good drugstore brand to go with. I would wear it because I love the shades. Can be used frequently if you apply a good lip balm prior application of this lip color( I used clarins hydraquench moisturizing lip balm).

Revlon products are available at all leading supermarkets, hypermarkets and drugstores across middle east.

Mini Dermal Haul from MySkinChoice.com

Korean beauty products have created their niche in this large beauty market. With unique products such as snail serum, oyster masks and many more..

Well I am not the kind who would experiment with any products containing animal contents so I chose to go green. I was sent these gorgeous products by Myskinchoice to try and the verdict.. Well read below guys, not giving everything away now!

Dermal Aloe Vera Gel 

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This product is exactly how one would imagine it to be. Clear as aloe liquid and lightly fragranced. I really like the texture as its light and quickly absorbs in skin, its best to apply in day time. though if you are like me living in a desert then this product is best for winters.

Aloevera is good to treat sunburns, anti aging and reduces acne. Recommending this gel to those who do not go heavy on makeup and need a light moisturizer for keeping skin hydrated. This product is very close to the actual aloe gel and requires frequent applications to see the results.

Verdict: for aed24, I am definitely buying this again!

Dermal Bamboo Sheet Mask

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 I generally use masks on weekends as I get time to multitask and relax too. So I used this mask sheet to see the results. It contains Bamboo essence but honestly the result was just about okay. My skin did feel tighter for a while but the effects wear off soon. I am guessing it is because maybe the product is too natural and not been messed with. Try it if you have a normal skin type, mine is combination skin and this mask didn’t help. However it totally doesn’t hurt to try out as its super budget friendly and has minimal side effects.

Try out the above and more Korean products,from Myskinchoice.com they have an awesome sale going on so go grab some festive beauty treats.