New Lush Haul : What I picked up for valentines day

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Hello Everyone, Welcome to my Blog..

As Valentines day is coming up.. Lush has some new collections for this day so I went ahead and picked up some new products to update my collection.

The first is a repurchase Herbalism. You all know how much I love this cleanser, it gentle yet it takes away all the dirt leaving my skin clear and soft. I have been using this for quite a few months so this time I thought I will pick up the biggest pot of the product.

I am also constantly trying out the cleansers at Lush and I tried the "Let the Good Times Roll cleanser". Firstly it seems amazing its sweet but still has the pick up  smell that makes it perfect for mornings.

This cleanser is little more gentle and moisturising than the Herbalism and is perfect for days when your skin is dehydrated or dull.

I also wanted to update my soap collection so I picked up Sexy Peel, it has a slight wake me up scent as well.

Since I am experiencing some cystic acne, I wanted to try a natural mask so that it will not irritate my skin further so I picked up Mask of Magnaminty . I had tried the Cosmetic Warrior before but I didn't see any effect so decided to pick up Mask of Magnaminty as I heard quite a lot about this mask.

Off the get go when I tried this as soon as I got home, it was cooling and it did soothe my acing skin all around and over the cystic acne. Although it didn't do anything to help cure/heal the acne itself. I am definitely going to keep using it regularly (once/twice a week) to see how this products fares in terms with dealing with acne. 

I wanted to explore the Lush range further as I have so far limited myself to cleansers, soaps and masks.

I have never in my life used a soap bar like thing for my hair, among all the products available I only liked the smell of Karma Shampoo Bar. 

 It smells fresh and if my hair will smell like this way I will be more than happy. I am very excited to try this.

I also picked up Massage Bars. First they are so easy to use and so luxurious on my skin. Its really sad that i didn't like the other massage bars due to their scent.

I picked up Each Peach (and Two's a Pair) I know kinda long name but this amazing bar smells so amazing I kid you not. It has a citrusy smell and it does exactly what it says on the packaging.

It has a uplifting fragrance and on using this I definitely was wide awake and full of energy. Kinda regretted using this at night as I couldn't fall asleep, so this is what I am using mostly in the mornings. Its perfect for these cold winter mornings as it does the dual role of moisturising your body and waking you up gently like how your mom would. Aww I miss you mom <3

This is one of my favourite among this haul picks.

I also picked up Soft Coeur, this bar on the other hand has soothing  chocolatey  smell  which is perfect for the night time. It has a similar smell as Honey I Washed The Kids soap, Honey Bee bath bomb and It’s Raining Men shower gel. This one goes on a lot more thicker than the Each Peach (and Two's a Pair).

I am in love with both the Massage Bars as they do moisturise but their other functions are compete opposite of eachother.


Last but not the least since the Massage bar react so easily to warmth it important to storage them properly hence I picked up two tins cases to store the Bar in them.



I am very pleased with all the products I picked up in this haul as none of the products I tried so far in this Haul have disappointed me. 

Let me know your thoughts on these products if you have tried them or want me to try any new products. 

EACH PEACH (AND TWO'S A PAIR)

EACH PEACH (AND TWO'S A PAIR)

Hair Serums Haul and Review

Hello everyone.. If you have unmanageable Wavy hair like me or you just want a product that will make your hair look soft ,shiny to look and to touch then you might want to keep reading ahead.

I had been hunting for good Hair Serums to follow up with my Hair Products I use in the Shower. Though ideally I would like to protect and manage my hair at the same time without the product making my hair look like a Punk Rockstar with stiff hold.

After a lot of research I finally found 3 products that i can say do this for me. The loreal Serums are amazing. Just run through your damp (not wet) hair with a good coin size amount (I use about 3 coin size as I have thick  long hair) and then comb through with your Fingers. Ideally if you have washed and conditioned your hair properly you shouldn't have any tangles. More on that in a detailed post of how I wash and condition(Hair care Routine).

If you want to just lightly dry your hair now with a Hair dryer this serum should be enough to protect your hair from the heat and also from the dust and Sun outside.

However if you want to style your hair from this point on I suggest you towel dry your hair a little more after applying the serum and then Follow up with the NEW L'oreal Elnett. Its does comes in a variety of options to choose from however i picked up the  L'oreal Elnett Satin "So Sleek"

The L'oreal products are great at making your hair manageable and takes care of any frizzy hair one might experience while drying your hair with a blow dryer.

It protects the hair from heat,Sun, dust and pollution.

The products make my hair look soft and silky. The best part is the saying a little goes a long way is true for the serums. I had purchased the L'oreal Studio Silk and Gloss about 6 months back and it lasted me this long. I wash my hair 2 to 3 times a week.. I have long thick hair so you can do the math.

However I think they have stopped making this or they must have changed the packaging, as I could only find one of this bottle after a massive hunt. I purchased the L'oreal Studio Line Hot and Smooth as well since both products stated "Hot Straight Cream". Both of them do the same job and I couldn't really find much of a difference between them .

The  L'oreal Elnett is also amazing at protecting your hair without making it look like a stick, it adds to the hair looking Silky and Smooth, keeping the flyaways and frizzness at bay making the hair appear natural. I am able to style my hair quicker using this as well.

Since this is the last step to my Haircare routine, I want to point out that any product on its own will not do miracles. A good hair care routine along with a proper diet is essential to make your hair work as you want.

I will follow up with my Haircare routine in my next Post.

If you have any more queries or have any more suggestions or idea or experiences do leave them in the comments below.

Origins Skincare Haul and Review

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New Year.. New Skincare:

Hello everyone... Its the New Year and I wanted to change up my Skincare Routine to include some new High-End Products. Now that we are in peak winter in London and since its the new year I wanted to change up my skincare routine to include products that are balancing and moisturising. I was happy with Philosophy but I have heard so many good things about Origins skincare line that I had to try it.

FaceWash:

For Face wash I picked up the Origins Checks and Balances Face wash.

This is a good morning face wash as it doesn't strip away the required face oils from our face and leaves the skin soft and smooth to touch. Right now I am using Herbalism in the Evening and use this in the morning.

Toners:

I also wanted to pick up a good Balancing toner, the L'oreal is one of good  hydrating toners I still wanted to give this one a try. I am alternating between these toners right now. The Origins Balancing Tonic is more light and quick drying, so this is perfect for daytime use.

Daytime Skincare:

Since the ozone layer is quite thin in London, its very important to protect your skin not only with products which have a good SPF (min 30+), it should also have UVA/UVB filters. Though expecting this from a moisturiser is a little too much and I use the la posay roche sunscreen. However on day when I am in a rush and do not have time to follow up with a sunscreen its always good to have at least a decent SPF in your moisturiser. So as daytime moisturizers I picked up the Dr. Andrew Weil Line for moisturiser and eye cream.

It helps if a moisturiser is not only protecting the skin but also is repairing it and Dr. Andrew Weil Line does a good job.

I can say that my skin is improving and the acne spots that i had are lightened using this. 

Acidic/Peel Moisturisers:

I had actually ordered the much reviewed Alpha- H Liquid Gold and Aesop Parsley Seed mask to complete my Skincare but Beauty Expert inefficient courier service made me run around for my order to be delivered and finally after pestering them returned my money since they didn't deliver. What a waste of my time. (more on which site you should order from in a another post).

Back to the post, So after some research I found out that Origins had a similar solution as Alpha H Liquid Gold. Its none other than the High Potency Night- A - Mins.

After you double cleanse and tone in the evening, you just lather this on and leave it on for the night. This product acts like a mild peel but its in moisturiser form. You can use this twice a week. This helps in removing dead skin cells and enriches the skin.

On days that I do not use the High Potency Night- A - Mins, a good nighttime moisturizer is essential. Depending on how my skin is feeling I am alternating between products

Dull Skin: Origins GinZing moisturiser

If my skin is feeling a little dull, the Origins GinZing line is perfect to wake up your skin. It has a chocolate orange fragrance which helps lift your mood as well. This moisturiser has definitely turned me towards orange citrusy scents.

Anti-Aging Solutions:

I have also noticed the Origins Plantscription line and although I do not have any wrinkles, its always good to start off the precautionary skincare now that am in my mid-20's. So Origins Plantscription line is perfect for anti- aging Skincare range. This line leaves my skin hydrating and balanced skin. 

Masks:

Since I didn't receive the Aesop Parsley Seed mask, I still was on the lookout for a good clay mask that draws out the impurities and will leave my skin feeling soft and clear. I picked up Origins Clear Improvement Mask.

Do not go by how scary the mask might look in the packaging, this is grey mask that goes on smooth like any other clay mask would. It dried out the small acne i had and left the rest of my skin looking clear. You can use this weekly.

Pimple Punisher:

If i feel like I have any acne coming up or have a pesky spot I use the Super Spot on it. It contains Salicylic Acid that dries the acne/pimple. You should only apply it on the spot and not all over your face as this can be very drying. I also sometimes use the Origins Clear Improvement Mask and then follow it with Super spot.

Though this works on small pesky pimples and white heads, its not very helpful with any major pimples or cystic acne that I sometimes get due to hormonal changes.

So this rounds up my new Skincare and what I think about the products. If you want a in depth review of a product do leave a comment below.

Disclaimer: I have bought these products with my own money and no products are sponsored.

Books Haul

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I love reading books. I can literally devour a book in few hours but nowadays i devout my reading time to when am on the tube. The one and half hour journey on the tube every morning and evening is perfect to get lost in another world.

(just make sure you don't forget to get off at your intended stop) 

I love reading Fantasy Fiction Books

 Although Classic can always tempt me Hans Christian Anderson and Shakespeare are my favourite authors.

Snow Queen was the first book i ever read as a child and its by far my favorite story, it always hold a special place in my heart.

So this weekend I decided to start off my old love for reading and went to WH Smith and purchased some books.


The Fantasy Fiction section had so many amazing books and authors to offer. I wish I could get a job only to read books.. Ah!! A girl can Dream..

So now I had to decided what should I start off with.. then The Hunger Games trilogy series caught my eye. When I had watched the second movie "Catching Fire" , the ending definitely peaked my interest and I remember how eager I was to know what happens next.

I quickly picked my the 3rd and final book "Mockingjay", but then I remembered movies definitely do not cover every aspect of the book and sometimes miss/change the crucial parts of the book.
(yes I am talking about the Harry Potter movies). 

I decided then that i need to make a fresh start of the entire series and look at the story from the books point of view with my own imagination to recreate the scenes/emotions rather than what a Movie wants me to think or feel.

So picked up the entire series. The trilogy consists of  "The Hunger Games ", "Catching Fire" and  "Mockingjay".  The series is written by Suzanne Collins.

I also noticed the "Divergent"  trilogy series books as well and read the gist at the back of the cover, it seemed interesting. On one of the covers it said that it was a motion picture now as well. So when i came back home I saw the promo on IMDB, am glad I picked it up.

The  "Divergent"  trilogy series books "Divergent" ,  Insurgent and Allegiant.
The series is written by Veronica Roth.

I had previously picked up "Beautiful Creatures", when I had moved to the UK last year, but for the purpose of this blog I didn't seem to find it??

I didn't really like the movie as I felt it was dragged on and the heavy southern accents and the muffled tone of voices of the actors in the movie didn't really help me like the movie.

The book itself, the story was really good and I did enjoy the mystical plot. I will write more on this books in a separate Book review.


So I wanted to follow up this book with the second book "Beautiful Darkness" as well. 

Surprisingly these series of Caster Chronicles books has two Authors Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.

I also had the same experience with the movie Mortal Instruments, didn't really like the slow pace of the movie, and I didn't want to judge the book by its movie, hence I also picked by Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.  

This series is written by Cassandra Clare. 

I will be doing a review on each of the books every month, so if these are some of the books that interest you watch this Blog.

Am so excited and will be start off my book review series with the The Hunger Games trilogy.

Lush Haul and Review

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I decided to go back to the natural skincare since my skin is acting up due to the Sirius Sonic, which everyone says is common purging phase that one goes through when using certain machines or products. I would have continued using this too but my recent discovery of a Beauty Expert Caroline Hirons's Blog was a complete eye opener to world of Beauty/Skincare knowledge one should read up on. In one of her posts, she says the skin purging is nothing but a Myth. I will link this down below so you can read all about it. So it was back to basics all natural skincare which led me to my old favourite Lush.

Face Cleanser: Herbalism.

How it looks: Its a Green, minutely granular face cleanser.

How to use: Take the quantity required by you, lightly damp not WET the product and work it on your face. When you feel the product has dried on your face and you can't work it any more, wash it off.

If you have time take few more drops of water, dampen your hands and work the product giving your face a gentle massage.

How it worked for me:

I don't know why i did not get this sooner, its gently cleaned my skin to give me unclogged clear skin. I use this twice a day and its also good for the days when my skin was very irritated. This product was just right for me as its not too harsh as Dark Angels but not too soft as Philosophy's Purity. 

Final Say : I loved it as you can see am already running out.

Will definitely be repurchasing this soon and its going to be added to "To Stay" list for Skincare.

Face Scrub: Dark Angels

How it looks: Black (don't let the picture fool you its jet- BLACK) and grainy.

How to use: Take the quantity required by you, lightly damp not WET the product and work it on your face. Wash it off once you think the product has done its work.

You don't need to massage it onto your face for long time as this product is a scrub.

How it worked for me:

The first two weeks I used this, I loved it but from the last two weeks, it along with the Sirius Sonic broke me out badly. Now am stuck doing damage control for all those painful pimples it gave me. ( I am know to have clear skin all my life and this unwelcomed visit of pimples left me disappointed and irritated)

This i used only once a week but this product is definitely not for people with oily , combination skin types.

It however may work for other skin types.

The good thing about this product though is that you need just a pea size, yes that's right just a pea size amount is good enough to go around your face and neck. It does give take away the dullness and brightens your skin. Unfortunately didn't suit me.

Final Say: Love and Hate.

Will not be purchasing this again as it did break me out.

Body Scrub:

Rub Rub Rub

How it looks: Its ocean blue but the SMELL. I couldn't stand it. It smelled liked a bar of soap that is sold in India to wash clothes (RIN). I felt like i was washing myself with that.

How to use:

You can use this how you would normally use a body scrub in the shower. Mind you this product is runny and sloppy.

How it worked for me: The smell is so Strong, i couldn't stand it. I have tried quite a few body scrubs to know the product was very runny and hard to work with. The granules in the product melt away before the do anything to my skin.

Final Say: This just didn't work for me. I wouldn't take this even if someone gave it to me for FREE!!

Lip Scrub: Santa's

How it looks: Its red, grainy and smells so delicious.. Yum !!

How to use: I use it once every 2 days after i wash my face, while its still wet just take a little (rice grain worth, yes trust me that's all you need)  of this product and work it onto your lips.

How it worked for me: I have chapped lips all around the year, no matter what and no amount of lip balm helps. Every since i started using this, my lips have started to improve and the lip balm is finally able to penetrate my lips to do its work. 

 If you have chapped lips, the dead skin will not allow penetration of any product to heal/hydrate. The function of lip scrub it to remove the dead skin.

Final Say: Love this, definitely will be repurchasing

Soaps: 

Sultana of Soap, Honey I Washed the Kids, Sea Vegetable and Porridge.

SULTANA OF SOAP

Sultana of Soap: 

How it looks: Its nutty/dried fruit looking but smells like ?? can't really describe it.. but your skin will smell so good.

How to use: Like a regular soap, just don't leave it soggy after using it. 

How it worked for me: I use it on days i wanna smell like this soap.. as its mmmm amazing.

It's moisturizing to an extent but you will need to follow up with a moisturiser after your bath if you have super dry skin like me.

Final Say: Loved it. Will repurchase

Sea Vegetable:

How it looks: Its blue and has a  fresh zingy smell. Not citrusy

How to use: Like a regular soap, just don't leave it soggy after using it. 

How it worked for me: I use this on days when its fresh zingy smell is like a wake me up.

Again not so moisturising, need to follow up with moisturiser.

Final Say: Loved it. Will repurchase

Porridge

How it looks: It has oatmeal and has a knobby texture.

How to use: Like a regular soap, just don't leave it soggy after using it. 

How it worked for me: I use it on lazy days when i just want my soap to be a multi tasker, soap+ scrub = Porridge. 

Final Say: Loved it. Will repurchase

Honey I Washed the Kids

How it looks: Its cream,has a honeycomb looking thing on one end and smells sweet.

How to use: Like a regular soap, just don't leave it soggy after using it.

How it worked for me: When my skin is extra dry than usual, and i don't have time to moisturise, this did the trick. Its a very good moisturising soap and smells lovely.

Final Say: Loved it. Will repurchase

All the above mentioned soaps, left my skin clean, moisturised and smelling amazing. I loved all of them.

Beauty Expert Caroline Hirons's Blog : http://www.carolinehirons.com/2013/10/beauty-myths-no-2-skin-purging.html

Skincare Haul

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I wanted to update my skincare routine so i picked up the Philosophy Gift Box as i wanted to try the range. The gift box works perfectly for me as i am able to get a sample size of all the products i want to try, so that i can pick bigger size products of only i ones i like for next time.

This Box contains: 

Purity

Hope in a Jar

Eye Hope

When hope is not enough

Microdelivery Peel

Living Grace* and Bag* - (*were given along with the box as an offer)

Soap and Glory Range: I have been using this range for over a year and half now. I just can't get enough of this brand's Skincare.

I tried other brands in between but nothing compared to products from this range.

Products:

Scrubs: "Flake Away" and "Scrub 'Em n Leave' Em"

Lotions: The Righteous Butter, Heel Genius, Hand Food

Face: Fab Pore

Hair Products:

I have been using Andrew Barton products also for little under 2 years now and the only reason my hair is still under control is thanks to this brand.

I did use other product brands but they just didn't do anything for my hair.

I also decided to try the Sanctuary Spa Salt Scrub

 Sirius Sonic Skincare System.

I have heard a lot good reviews about this product being a dupe for Clarisonic so i went ahead and ordered this.

Will keep everyone updated in the upcoming posts as to how this range of Skincare worked out for me.

I picked up all of my products from Boots with the exception of Sirus Sonic which i ordered online.



Disclaimer: I bought all of these products from my own money and no one is sponsoring me for this post.