How I take care of my knees and elbows...

Hello beauties!

I am back and today I am going to take about those parts of our body that we often neglect i.e. our knees and elbows. Usually we don't pay as much attention to our knees and elbows as we pay to our face, hands and feet because most of the time they are covered with clothes and nobody sees them and that's why they end up being dark and dry with flaky skin.

Image from google

In my teen years I was a really lazy person who did not pay much attention to myself but now I take really good care of myself and this includes taking care of my knees and elbows. And today I am going to share with you how I keep my knees and elbows well moisturize, well nourished and soft.

Just like our facial skin, we need to follow at least 3 steps for our knees and elbows i.e. cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing.

Cleansing:
Try not to use soaps for washing your knees and elbows as they dry out the already dry skin, use a gentle moisturizing body wash instead. Also, use a loofah while cleansing your body to remove the dead skin at the same time.

Exfoliating:
Since the skin around the knees and elbows is thicker than the rest of the body the exfoliation needs to be intense so that all the dead, dry and flaky skin is removed.
I have used some scrubs especially formulated for body in the past but now I use my St. Ives apricot scrub. It's granules are quite coarse so it works great on my knees and elbows and also its really affordable.

image from St. Ives website

Another product I use for exfoliation is Saeed Ghani Ubtan. I have talked about this amazing thing in detail a post which you can find here. It not only exfoliates but also evens out the skin tone.

Moisturizing:
Just like exfoliation the moisturizing needs to be more intense on these areas because there are no oil producing glands around the knees and elbows. There are a gazillion body moisturizers available in the market in different forms like lotions, creams, oils and butters so you have a lot of choices but make sure that the one you are using is capable of holding the moisture for a long period without being greasy.
Currently I am using this Nivea one.

Other than these things you can also try some homemade scrubs and moisturizers for your knees and elbows. I have tried these two recipes myself and found them really effective.
1- I mix the lemon juice and honey in equal quantity and apply the mixture to my knees and elbows and then wash it off after about 20-25 minutes.
2- I also use a mixture of sugar and olive oil to exfoliate the dead skin from my knees and elbows.

So that's it for today hope you like my tips...
I'll be back soon till then take care... Bubye...

Freeman Facial Purifying Acai Clay Mask

Hello beauties!

I am back with another post and today it's going to be a face mask review. I have already shared with you that when it comes to face masks I rely on freemans. Over the years I have tried many of their masks and have also reviewd two on my blog which you can check out here and here today I am going to talk about Freeman's Acai clay mask.

Product claim:
A quick fix for dulling skin, powered by an 8-antioxidant blend of Acai, Blueberry, Cranberry, Goji, Mango, Mangosteen, Noni, and Pomegranate to neutralize environmental damage. Super oil-absorbent clays draw impurities from skin and clean out clogged pores. Perfect for all skin types.

Ingredients:
It contains many fruits like Acai Goji berry, cranberry, blueberry mango and pomegranate extracts. All these fruits got my attention and I immediately bought it.

Packaging:
The mask comes in a regular 175 ml purple plastic tube. The color of packaging was another reason I was attracted towards this mask.

Fragrance and appearance:
Its smell remind me of bubblegums. The smell is quite refreshing and pleasant actually and it stays there until the mask is washed off. The color of the mask is mint green/blue.

Use:
As per instructions I use it twice a week. I just apply it all over my face focusing more on my nose and its surrounding areas as that's where my pores are more likely to be clogged. The consistency of the mask is neither thin nor very thick so it spreads easily unlike most clay masks which are very thick and difficult to spread.

My experience:
It takes around 20-25 minutes to completely dry and I just wash it off with normal tap water (you can use warm water if you want). 
The first time I used it I was really happy with the result because it really made my skin more alive. In terms of evening out the skin tone it worked just like the chocolate and strawberry mask which is my all time favorite but it is not as moisturizing as the other one so I need to moisturize my face after using this and that is why I think it would not be very good for people with dry skin especially in winters.
For summers, this mask is perfect for me as I usually get two toned and tanned skin in summers and it really helps in reducing the tan and evening out the skin tone. 
As for its claim for drawing out impurities and cleaning the pores, I think it lives up to its claim as whenever I use it I feel my skin extra clean and soft. Overall I am happy with this product and would recommend this to everyone who do not have very dry skin.

Price and availability:
It is easily available in all supermarkets and pharmacies and online. The price ranges between Rs.350-400/-

That's it for today I hope you found this post useful...
I'll be back soon till then take care...
Bubyee...

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen review

Hello beauties!

I am back with another product review and this time it is a sunblock i.e. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen.  I have known this product for ages, it is one of my holy grail products. Many of my friends have asked me about a good sunscreen and I always recommend this one to everyone so lets move on to see the reasons why I like this product.

Packaging:
The sunblock comes in an 88 ml blue and white plastic tube. One tube last me a long time i.e around 4-5 months.

Frangrance:
The product is a thick white cream which smells like medicines but the smell is not overpowering and fades away after a while.

Details and my experience:
The product is lightweight but the texture is quite thick so I do not find it very comfortable to blend it into my face but once it's blended it doesn't feel heavy.  At first the cream feels sticky but this feeling fades away after drying. I always wait for 4-5 minutes before putting on any makeup to let this sunscreen absorb into my skin.
The thing I don't like about most sunblocks is they are greasy and in summers they make my face sweat a lot, this one however gives somewhat drier touch and my makeup stays on longer if I am wearing this underneath. I mean it's not completely oil free, it gives a dewy finish but it's not as greasy as other sunblocks.
Also,  this product doesn't clog my pores and has never made me breakout in any season but yes it does leave a white cast on my face which looks really awkward especially in photographs so I need to balance it out with some kind of makeup.

Most important thing is this sunblock is amazing at protecting my skin from sunburns. My skin is really sensitive when it comes to sunburns so using a good sunblock is a must for me in any season, I have been using this sunblock for years and I love that it protects my skin from sunburns and tanning. I have tried a few others but always came back to this one because of its lightweight and non-greasy formula and its ability to protect my skin from sun damage.

Overall it's an amazing product and is easily available everywhere also it is pocket friendly which is another plus. I got mine from a local supersore at Rs.1250/-.

That's it for today I'll be back soon till then take care and tell me in the comments which is your favourite sunblock.
Enjoy the sunmer but protect yourself from heat and sun.
Bubye...

Eveline Cosmetics Micellar Solution 3 in 1 for oily to combination skin- Review

Hello beauties!

I am back with another skin care product review and this time it is Eveline Cosmetics Cleansing Micellar Solution 3 in 1 for combination oily skin.  

Before I start I would say micellar waters/ solutions are my dream product because you just need to pour it on a cotton pad and wipe your skin with it.  I think it’s a blessing for lazy girls like me as we can skip the cleansing, toning and moisturizing steps and just use one product.

I bought this product especially for lazy winter nights when I don’t feel like following my extensive skincare routine. I have normal/ combination skin which gets oily in the T-zone, this product is for oily/combination skin but I bought it because of its claim of mattifying T-zone without over drying it.

So, does this micellar solution impress me? Read on to find out:

Starting with the packaging:

It comes in a 200 ml plastic bottle with a cap that you need to push up to open. The packaging is cute and girly and refreshing but not very sturdy (mine is broken as you can see). Also the opening is big and I always end up getting too much product on my cotton pad so be careful when you are using it.

The company claims:

 Micellar Solution with triple effect: thoroughly and gently cleanses skin from make-up and impurities, removes even waterproof make-up and mattifies skin in T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Unique oil-free recipe regulates sebaceous glands action and prevents blackheads formation. Micellar solution formula does not injure hydrolipidic film of epidermis. Replaces cleansing milk and tonic.

 Non-greasy formula. Does not clog pores. Does not dry skin.

Rich formula: MICELLES effectively remove impurities and make-up from skin surface. BioHYALURON COMPLEX^TM rich in hyaluronic acid ensures perfect level of skin hydration. Makes skin immediately regain elasticity and smoothness. FAST-MAT COMPLEXTM regulates sebum secretion, makes skin perfectly matt for a long time. A, E, F VITAMINS COMPLEX deeply nourishes and regenerates skin.

My Experience:

As per the instructions I just wet a cotton pad (or tissue paper sometimes) with this solution and cleanse my face.

It does remove my everyday makeup but it leaves my face feeling a little sticky also it’s not very good at removing heavy foundations and stubborn waterproof mascaras.

It’s a good product for everyday cleansing but I think I won’t repurchase it as Micellar solutions are supposed not to be rinsed off but when I clean my face with it I need to wash it afterwards because of that sticky feeling so the basic purpose of the micellar solution is not fulfilled.

Price and availability:

Eveline Cosmetics are available in Pakistan on just4girls.pk and daraz.pk. I got this from just4girl.pk for Rs.495/-.

Do you use micellar solutions? Which is your favorite micellar water? Tell me in the comments I love reading your comments… :) 

That’s it for today

I’ll be back soon

Till then take care… Bubye… :)

Oriflame Essentials 5 in 1 Gel Wash- Review

Hello beauties!
How are you doing?
 Today I am going to talk about a face wash. No one can deny that face wash is one of the most important products for all of us. We all have those moments when we are too lazy to remove our makeup and cleanse our face and in those moments face washes come handy. 
I am a hoarder for skin care products and I love trying out new products especially face washes. Sometime back may be more than a year ago my sister ordered some stuff from oriflame and it included a face wash i.e Oriflame's Essentials 5 in 1 Fairness Gel Wash. I used it for sometime and then switched to another face wash and totally forgot about it but now 2 months back I saw it again in a catalog and ordered it and since than I am using it regularly. This time I got the face wash along with the day cream of this range but I have not used that cream much so right now I am just sharing my thoughts about the face wash here and will be reviewing the day cream soon.

It is a off white gel wash with mild cosmetic smell which does not form much lather. I just take out a small amount on my palm and massage it on my wet face and then rinse off with water. It cleans the skin without making it dry and tight like most face washes do which is plus point.

I have normal/ combination skin but I get dry patches on my face every now and then. This face wash was effective for those dry patches of mine.
When I first started using it I felt irritation specially on drier areas of my face i.e around my nose and mouth but that itchy feeling last only till my face is dry and after few uses my skin got used to it and now I do not feel any irritation. I think it was because it was actively working on my dry patches. If you have sensitive skin this might be an issue for you.
 If you have oily skin it might not be the right product for you as it will not keep your skin shine free for long.
As far as fairness claims go I did not find any truth in them. It did not make me fair but yes it makes my skin clear and smooth which makes the complexion look fresh.
Overall I am happy with this product but I think its a bit pricey considering that it only contains 125 ml of product in Rs.599/-. 
I got mine from an Oriflame's consultant, many consultants sell online through Facebook pages. It is also available at daraz.pk for Rs.599/-. 
I have tried many products from oriflame and so far I am happy with most of my purchases, have you tried any of their products especially from this essential's range?

Take care beauties!
Bubye..

Freeman's Chocolate and Strawberry Clay Mask Review

Hello beauties!
How are you doing?

Today I am going to post a review about Freeman’s Strawberry and Chocolate Clay Mask. Freeman is that one brand that we all have been seeing since forever. I have used some other masks from Freeman earlier but this is the first time I have used this clay mask and since this brand has never disappointed me I had the similar expectations from this mask as well.

To know if this mask fulfill my expectations or not read on my review:

Starting with product’s claims:
This indulgent mask does more than tantalize your taste buds! Tone skin and diminish the appearance of large pores with oil-absorbing clays. Delight in delectable Chocolate and Strawberry while Shea and Cocoa Butter moisturize for smoother, softer skin. Perfect for normal to dry skin.

Packaging:

It comes in a 150 ml red regular plastic tube like most masks.

My Thoughts:
First thing first the mask smells like chocolate milk shake (no smell of strawberries) the fragrance is really overpowering and tempting. The moment I opened it I got this really strong craving for chocolate shake and ice cream.

The texture of the mask is neither thick nor very thin and it feels very light on skin. It dries out fast i.e. it takes less than 10 minutes to dry out completely.

When we apply any clay masks we feel our skin stretching under the mask but I did not feel this painful stretching with this mask which I loved about it.

Generally clay masks are not considered suitable for dry skin but I think this mask is good for dry skin as well. I have normal/combination skin but occasionally I get some dry patches on my skin. I started using this mask in last month when my face was at its worst I had several dry patches and uneven skin tone due to daily sun exposure in extreme heat and it actually did wonders for my skin. After using this mask for the first time my skin felt moisturized and most of the dry patches were gone and it also helped in evening out my skin tone.

 Lately I have noticed that the pores around my nose are getting larger and visible (this really makes me worried) this mask claims to diminish the appearance of large pores but I did not feel any difference in the appearance of my pores. However the other claims of the mask to make the skin smoother and softer are very accurate.

After using this mask for about 3 weeks my skin has become softer. The shea and cocoa butter make this mask really moisturizing and I do not need to apply any other moisturizer after washing off this mask, this can be an issue for people with very oily skin.

As per the directions it should be used two times a week or as often as needed, when I first started using this mask I used it on alternate days but now as my skin is getting better I use it only twice a week.

Price and availability:

It is easily available on all supermarkets and pharmacies and online. I got mine from Bin Hashim Pharmacy and Supermarket for Rs.340/-

In the end I would recommend this mask to anyone who is looking for budget friendly face mask for even toned and moisturized skin.

That’s it for today I’ll be back soon till then take care..

P.S Have you used this face mask? I’d love to hear what do you think about it..

Bubye..

5 Beauty hacks I actually use

Hello beauties!
How are you all doing?

Today I am going to share some beauty hacks with you which I actually follow. The internet is filled with zillions of beauty hacks and tips some of which are really helpful. I have tried many of them and here I am sharing those which have actually worked for me and I think you should give them a try too.

Beauty hack no.1:
I use scotch tape on the sides of the eyes as a guideline while doing my eye makeup like I did here. It guides me
1) in drawing the perfect wing of eyeliner and
2) in applying the eye shadows so that I do not end up applying more shadow on one eye than on the other.

Beauty hack #2:

I use coconut oil as eye makeup remover. I just put a few drops of oil on cotton and use it to clean my makeup.

Beauty hack #3:

Before applying makeup I prime my face with ice. It closes/shrinks the pores and makes the makeup application smooth.

Image from google

Beauty hack #4: 

Before applying perfume I apply vaseline (petroleum jelly) on my pulse point. Using vaseline under perfume make the fragrance last longer. 

Beauty hack #5:

I don't like my makeup to look all matte and dry so after completing all my makeup I spray a DIY mixture on my face to get a dewy and youthful finish.

I mix the rosewater with glycerin and lemon juice(optional) and use it as a makeup fixing spray.

So these are my top favorite beauty hacks.

I'll be back soon till than take care

Bubyee.. :)