Product Review: Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream

A cracked lip; raw skin.
I pined for orange flickers Dancing off a cheery fire.

A gelid blast of arctic air
Had caught me unawares -
Reinforcing my desire.

Turning down an avenue,
I froze; suspicious trees -
Likely destined for a pyre -

Were laughing off the icy chill
Of callous winter nights.
And I? Simply to retire

Snug, inside a balmy chair
Of warming solitude:
Ah! my carol, my festive choir. 

Winter is on its way and if the above poem is anything to go by then we all need to stock up on lip balms and butters which promise to provide our lips the proper TLC it needs during the balmy weather!
Personally I'm a lippe hoarder. Yes I am guilty of owning more lippies than required and my current stash would probably last me another decade (if they never expired that is...which is not the case...so its a lost cause...moving on!)
Today I'll be reviewing a lip butter from Nivea (remember their cold creams in blue tubs?) which has been causing quite the stir recently. These have been made available in India (YAY!! I was getting really tired of people gushing 'bout it on foreign blogs with the tiny tubs looking so cute and all) and I got hold of mine on Flipkart, I'm yet to see them on supermarket shelves though.


About the Brand: Nivea is a global skin and body-care brand that is owned by the German company Beiersdorf. (Frankly, if you don't live under a rock or have been living under it since the 90's you would know about Nivea.)


Product Claim: Nivea Lip Butter is the new range of deliciously-flavored and buttery, rich lipcare products   that melt to give you soft, rosy and well-moisturized lips. The moisturizing formula of Nivea lip butter with Hydra IQ contains shea butter and almond oil and provides intense moisture and long-lasting care. the indulging formula with caramel aroma gives sensationally soft lips.

Ingredient List: 

My Take On The Product: First off, my lips are dry all year around (in my defense I do drink a fair amount of water) and Nivea lip balms are my go to pout-saviors. I'm happy to inform y'all that their new lip butters are amazing as well! There are three variants available as of now in India-  Caramel Cream, Vanilla and Macadamia Kiss, Raspberry Rose and Caramel Cream. As of now, I've only spotted the Raspberry Rose and Caramel Cream online. I got the Caramel Cream and that is what I'm going to be reviewing today.

Net Content: 16.7 g
Price: INR 189
Best before 30 months from manufacture

True to its claim, its creamy, buttery and smells heavenly! Anyone who loves caramel will surely like it.
It is hydrating and heals dry, chapped lips making them soft and healthy. I needed to re-apply every 2 hours but I have this tendency of licking my lips (but then with this irresistible caramel smell who wouldn't do it? :P )
It's safe to say it'll last a couple more hours on you guys (hopefully!)

So wrapping it up...
PROS:

• Moisturizing, does what it claims
• Smells heavenly (one for caramel lovers)
• Softens lips
• Feels light on the lips, its a butter so there's no waxy effect
• Imparts a nice sheen to lips
• Hydrates

CONS:

• The only con I can think about is the tub packaging which is unhygienic (you have to dip your fingers into the tub)

I'd recommend you go ahead and buy this one and you won't be sorry.

Till the next review,
Take care and keep being beautiful! :-)

Skin care 101: Exfoliation, Do I Really Need It?

Up until high school my skin was pretty clear, then came the lone pimple, followed by the battalion of cystic acne and a bout of bad skin aided and abetted by hectic schedules of classes, assignments, untimely meals comprising mostly of junk food and severe lack of sleep! Naturally, I started pummeling my facial skin with a tide of face washes which made my skin dull and raw. Enter mom. And as always mums know best! She suggested exfoliation and voila! I have never stopped using them since.

Here's a quick FAQ on Exfoliation aimed at keeping your visage sparkling...

Q. DO I NEED EXFOLIATION?

A. Scrubbing or Exfoliation should be an essential part of our skincare routine. Scrubbing helps to buff away dry,dead skin cells to reveal smooth and fresh cells underneath. Exfoliation helps fights against aging because it stimulates blood and lymph flow and cell turnover, thus resulting in smoother and younger looking skin.

Exfoliation has the following benefits:

- to remove dead skin cells, grease and impurities from the surface of the skin…. - allowing fresh new cells to be exposed, therefore improving the appearance of the skin. - skin preparations after exfoliating such as moisturizers, mask products penetrate easier into the skin. - the blood circulation increases, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, therefore improving the skin color. - hyper pigmentation improves as the pigmented surface skin cells is removed.

Q. WHEN SHOULD I EXFOLIATE?
A. Exfoliation should be done once or twice a week depending on the needs of your skin(and NOT more than that unless you want to end up with raw, sensitive skin) preferably after your CT (Cleansing Toning) routine and before applying face masks. Don't forget to moisturize after scrubbing even if you are an oily skinned beauty!

Q. WHAT KIND OF EXFOLIATOR IS SUITED TO MY SKIN TYPE?
A. Natural is the best way to go if you have time at your hands. Great nourishing scrubs can be made out of things right in your kitchen! A mixture of brown sugar and olive/baby oil works for all skin types. For more such home made scrubs visit DIY Exfoliating Scrubs

Physical cream exfoliators Cream scrubs contain micro-beads in a moisturizing cream or lotion base, and are great for people with dry skin. Just be wary when choosing with the type of beads in the creams. Some contain sharp-edged beads that can leave micro-scratches on your skin, so look for creamy exfoliators that have rounded beads instead.TRY: Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish, Clinique 7-day scrub cream rinse off formula, Himalaya Gentle Exfoliating Apricot Scrub, Neova Microdermabrasion Scrub Physical gel exfoliators Gel scrubs give the same results as cream scrubs but are in gel form so they are better for oily and combination skin types. TRY: Biotherm Biosource Clarifying Exfoliating Gel,Fabindia Orange and Cinnamon face and body gel scrub, Himalaya Neem Scrub Chemical exfoliators These exfoliators use glycolic, lactic, citric, or salicylic acid to chemically remove dead cells on the surface of the skin, which is also good for people with oily skin. If you have never used a chemical exfoliator before, start using it only once or twice a week, at night—once your skin adjusts, you can increase the number of times used per week. However these can be too drying and may end up doing more harm than good if used frequently with a heavy hand. Start by using scrubs having salicylic or glycolic base to see your skin’s reaction to it. TRY: Clean and Clear Blackhead Eraser Scrub, Neutrogena rapid Clear Foaming Scrub

Cloth or pad exfoliators These gentle manual exfoliators are meant to cater to all skin types, except for people with skin issues. They can also help with acne problems, fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Like any manual scrub, always follow product instructions and be careful not to go overboard.    Exfoliation for Men Yes men need exfoliation too. Not only because it gets rid of the grease from their skin, but it also helps to soften it, giving it a better appearance. Men and women (that have oily skin) both have something in common: they have a thick Epidermis, prone to shine and acne. Exfoliating products for men are often stronger with more granules in them, because men generally have thicker skin than women.
TRY: Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub, Garnier Men Scrub, St.Ives Apricot face Scrub

Q. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SCRUB MY FACE?
A. Dermatologist Dr.David A. Colbert says, “How often you exfoliate depends on your age and skin texture. Younger people tend to have oilier skin and will be able handle more scrubbing. People with more mature skin will have a thinner epidermis and will need to do less with a proper product catered to their skin type." Too much of anything isn't good for you. Dermatologists recommend exfoliating two to three times a week maximum, depending on your skin type. Someone with eczema or dry skin should not be exfoliating more than someone who has oily skin. You will be able to gauge how your skin reacts to scrubs and create your own exfoliating routine. If you do over-scrub your face, stop immediately and let your skin heal.

Q.WHAT FOLLOW UP PRODUCTS SHOULD I USE?
A. Scrubbing or Exfoliating opens up your pores to clean from within. It is a good habit to use a pore closing product like an alcohol free toner (or plain ice from your fridge!) after exfoliation so that dirt doesn’t accumulate in the pores subsequently causing acne.
Also a good moisturization regimen is must if you have dry skin, as sometimes exfoliation may make your skin drier.

• Important Points To Note:

- Always work with warm water when exfoliating. An exfoliating product can be too uncomfortable when applied on it’s own.

- NEVER use body exfoliators on your face.

- Do not apply make-up immediately after exfoliating. This is why you should exfoliate at night.

- Do not exfoliate after shaving facial hair.

- When exfoliating twice a week, do not do this two days in a row. Seperate these days within the week so that your skin cells can regenerate well.

- Try to use exfoliating products on your neck area also.

- Exfoliation is not recommended for those with highly sensitive skin, or pustular, blemished skin.

- Avoid exfoliating products that contain sharp grains of nut shells, as these can scrape, split and damage your skin.

- Always test the product on the back of your hand before purchasing.

-If you have a medical condition please consult your dermatologist.

If you are averse to using chemical exfoliants going natural is a great way when you have time in your hands.
Try: DIY Exfoliating Scrubs from right within your kitchen cabinets!

Hope I could help with your questions regarding exfoliation. Have some more? Feel free to let me know in the comments section below and i’ll try and answer as soon as possible.

DIY Exfoliating Scrubs

Exfoliation is a great way to a healthy, glowy and youthful visage, and what better way to scrub than homemade luscious scrubs which double up as healthier and safe version of their store bought counterparts!
Here are the recipes to some yummilicious skin-friendly scrubs!

Brown Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of olive oil (I use extra virgin, you can use any)
1 tablespoon of raw honey
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Great for: Dry to Normal Skin Especially during (Winter)

(Optional) - Scents : 
Lavender Essential Oil 
Rosemary Essential Oil
Pure Vanilla
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl with the help of a spoon. Can be refrigerated for upto a week.


Sea Salt & Lemon Scrub

Ingredients:
Sea Salt 
Lemon Zest
Lemon Juice (Squeezed)

Great for: Oily to Acne Prone Skin or (Summer Time)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl with the help of a spoon. You can add some coconut oil for moisturization. Can be refrigerated for upto 2-3 weeks.








Cinnamon & Honey (Masque or Scrub)
Mix a tablespoon of honey with a tablespoon of Cinnamon into a paste

Great for: Acne Prone Skin and Blemish treatment

 Baking Soda & Lemon Mix
 Ingredients:1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon Lemon juice

Great for: Acne & Oily Skin & Dark Spots on skin
(Baking Soda Scrub is equivalent to 1 Microdermabrasion Treatment)The grains in baking soda are just the right size to act as a gentle exfoliant, and many claim that it has helped clear up acne.


Anti-Cellulite Coffee Treatment Ingredients:

Ground Coffee Beans (or commercial coffee like Nescafe)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil(you can use virgin olive oil as well)

Great for: scrubbing cellulite away!

                       

Mix the ingredients together to form a paste. Scrub for 10 minutes and rinse off.
The coffee grounds will not only help reduce the appearance of cellulite but it also naturally exfoliates your skin. On top of that, the extra virgin olive oil will help your skin as soft as ever

Soothing Oatmeal Scrub

Ingredients:1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal
1/4 teaspoon of salt(which boosts the face treatment's exfoliating properties)
1 teaspoon of water or olive oil
Great for: all skin types

Combine the ingredients. Gently rub it onto you skin in circular motions, let sit for five to 10 minutes and rinse.
Ground oatmeal not only serves as a wonderful exfoliant, but it also absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities while leaving your skin nourished and hydrated. It has been known to soothe and heal everything from acne to sunburn to dry, flaky skin. Given its gentle nature, it is also ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Know some more DIY scrubs? Share your recipe with us! 

My April Vellvette Box!

Hey Beautiful ladies,
 
Today I'm gonna share my utter excitement on finally spilling out the contents of my Vellvette Box for the month of April! *happy dance*
For those who of you who don't know what a Vellvette box is, here's a little introduction from vellvette.com itself :
"

Welcome to a world of beauty discovery!

With a Vellvette Box subscription, you will step into a world of unending surprises. Every month we send you 3 deluxe beauty and grooming samples that are specially chosen for you by our beauty experts, plus expert tips-n-tricks that will help you get the most out of every product. Try them at the comfort of your home. Discover what works for you. Once you know what you like, get juicy discounts when you buy the full-size versions of your favorites at our online store.Our subscriptions vary from 1-month to a heavily discounted annual package. Simply add any one of them to your cart and proceed to make the payment. You can now leave the guesswork out of your beauty regime and make the most out of every beauty investment!"

 We have all heard about beauty boxes sometime or the other and have been either too enthusiastic about ordering one or scared as hell as to what unknown stuff might spring up from within the box!

However, the vellvette team have put a gallop in my stride with their personalised recommendations of in-demand product trials, this is my second try with their coveted box andI must say, I am lovin' it!!!

Here's my April Vellvette Box:

Now for the contents inside the box *doing the hula dance*

My personalised vellvette box came with 3 samples :

Motives Mardi Gras Palette

The Nature's Co. Spearmint Body Wash

Figs and Rouge Aloe and Mint Balm

Nothing says 'Spring' as the vibrant Mardi Gras colour palette by Motives 

Apart from three delightful shades of eye shadows (green, orange and purple) it also comes with three lipstick pots and 3 gloss pots (lower row)!

I'm looking forward to using all three products. Stay tuned for the upcoming honest reviews on all of them.

Till then stay beautiful! :)
Adios

What delights did the Vellvette Box bring your way this month? Do share :)