Iraya Summer Giveaway at Honest Reviews and Lifestyle Tips

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Iraya Summer Skin care Giveaway. Win Iraya Gift Hampers.

Honest Reviews and Lifestyle Tips is happy to announce a Summer Giveaway sponsored by the Ayurvedic Hair and Skin Care brand Iraya. Iraya in Sanskrit means "from the earth". The brand was born with the belief that the path to beauty and wellness is through the harmony and balance of the mind and body with the soul.

So Iraya's range comprises of products that believe in nature's own healing process bestowing complete wellness and lasting beauty from within. Iraya's Product Range includes: Ayurveda, Botanicals, Bath & shower, Spa at Home, Fresh natural cosmetics, Cosmeceutical and Wellness products.

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matt Look Daily Sunblock Review

Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matt Look Daily Sunblock SPF 40 Review

This is a review of Lotus Herbals Safe Sun 3-in-1 Matt Look Daily Sunblock. It claims to have SPF 40 (SPF = Sun Protection Factor), blocks UVB rays and provides a high protection like PA+++ from Sun's UVA rays.

The 3-in-1 claim is for 1. Sun Protection 2. Skin Lightening 3. Mattifying effect meaning no greasy, oily or heavy feeling like other sunscreens. It comes in an easy to carry, leak proof tube with flip open cap.

Price and Quantity: INR 345 for 100 gms | INR 225 for 50 gms
Shelf Life: 36 months
Availability: You can buy it from Flipkart.com, Amazon.in, etc. It is easily available in cosmetic shops too. There is also a 20 gm pack available at Amazon india for 3 tubes (check here) though I feel the 100gms packing is most economical.

Iraya Wild Flower Nourishing Body Lotion Review

This is a review of Iraya Wild Flower Nourishing Body Lotion for normal to dry skin. It is the most exotic smelling body lotion I have ever used in my life and the best part is that the fragrance comes from natural flower extracts. Once applied after bath, the fragrance stays on your skin till 24 hours, can you believe that?

Quantity: 200 ml

Price: INR 395

Availability: You can buy Iraya Wildflower nourishing body lotion from these links: nykaa.com, amazon.in, jabong.com, flipkart.com, snapdeal.com etc.

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer Review

Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer Review

I am sharing the review of Jergens Ultra Healing Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer. While Jergens offers many moisturizers/ body lotions formulated for different skin types and different needs, this extra dry skin moisturizer is especially formulated for very dry, thirsty, under-nourished skin that needs special protection and treatment from several layers deep within the skin.

If you suffer from excessive dryness, cuts and cold sores in winters like me, Jergens Ultra Healing extra Dry skin moisturizer is for you.

DIY Natural Skin Serum for Oily Combination Skin

Today I am going to share with you a 100% natural DIY Skin Serum for Oily or Combination skin, also helpful for people with an Oily T-Zone. It acts as a skin lightening, brightening and pore tightening serum. I am sure most of us know about it but we haven't recognized its true worth.

I am taking about the natural serum extracted from Orange Peel. When you peel an orange, you must have noticed small droplets of liquid suddenly squirting out into the air, and the heavenly smell of orange spreads around. Some of this liquid also settles on your hands most times.

This serum is a nectar gifted to us by Mother Nature. As a kid, whenever we used to eat oranges, we used to spritz this serum into each others' eyes for fun.

Can you see the droplets I squeezed out?

HOW TO EXTRACT?

I am sure we all already know how to do this :) Still explaining with tips.

Take a clean deep bowl or a big plate. Peel an orange. Fold and bend a small piece of the Orange peel near the surface of the utensil. Small droplets of orange serum will squirt out and settle on the plate/bowl.

Similarly spray out the drops from all the bits of the peel. Also collect any  remaining liquid on the peel and fingers by scraping against the edge of the bowl. Tilt the utensil so all drops flow down to one place.

This is the serum extracted from the peel of one medium sized orange. Don't laugh at the amount. This much is enough to lavishly cover your face and even part of your neck. It spreads really well and is quite strong. So even a few drops are very precious and useful.

HOW TO USE THIS NATURAL SKIN SERUM?

Apply immediately to face and neck, just like you spread water on face. Leave for 3-5 minutes and enjoy the heavenly scent, while you relax or do your work. Wash with plain water and preferably let the skin air dry.

People with an Oily T-zone: If it dries out the skin on your remaining face, use only on the T-Zone.

This skin serum may feel a little oily while washing off, but it will actually cleanse the extra oil from your skin. Skin will feel dry for some time after washing. It will start glowing within half an hour or so. People with very dry skin can give it a try too and see if it does not dry them out too much.

BENEFITS:

• 100% Natural and Easily available
• Free of Cost
• Contains Orange essential Oil (pure Vitamin C)
• You will notice glow on your face within one use
• I noticed tightened skin pores from 1st time itself
• It starts lightening dark spots/scars from wounds/pimples within 2 uses onwards.
• Naturally exfoliates skin to reveal beautiful skin the next day
• It is not at all messy.
• Leaves a cooling sensation on the skin.
• The natural aroma of orange lingers on your skin for quite long.

So next time you eat an orange, you now know what to do with the peels.

Did you know dried and powdered orange peel is also used in face packs and fresh orange peel is used in cakes and other dishes? But please make sure to wash any dust before using.

Oranges are in abundance at present (at least in North India). If you have oranges easily available, do try this skin serum and let me know if this benefits you too. I will be happy to know.

Olay Natural White Foaming Cleanser Review

This is a review of Olay Natural White foaming facial cleanser.

The actual size is half of what you see in the pic above

Quantity: 50 Gms

Price: INR 99

Shelf Life: 24 months

Easily available online and in physical stores 

It is a clear/colorless gel and smells like orange flavor kids bath products. Comes in a sturdy travel-friendly flip-open pack.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND CLAIMS:

Its foaming gel formula help removes sebum, dust, dirt and make-up residues to help keep your skin looking radiant.

DIRECTIONS OF USE: Apply to wet face and gently massage with fingertips. Rinse thoroughly with water.

OLAY NATURAL WHITE FOAMING CLEANSER INGREDIENTS:

MY EXPERIENCE WITH OLAY NATURAL WHITE FOAMING CLEANSER:

This face wash had come discounted in a combi pack, along with Olay Natural White Fairness Day Cream - Rich. When I first used it, it stretched my dry skin like hell. I tried a few times with the same results, so it kept lying unused in my cupboard for a very long time.

A few months ago, I happened to use it again, when I could not find my regular face wash, and I am glad I retried it! It is a very good product and a great wash to remove makeup residue. You need a very small amount of this as compared to the normal face washes available in the market. This was the primary reason it was earlier drying me out: I was using more quantity just like other face washes.

As for making you fair and radiant, it does leave my face a little fair like I have bleached, but I don't believe facewashes actually do that. It simply cleans your face thoroughly.

Caution: Only a little more than a small drop is enough for face and neck. I do not use daily.

USING OLAY FOAMING FACE WASH FOR MAKEUP REMOVAL

I use it as a follow up to makeup remover. After removing makeup with L'Oreal Gentle Makeup Remover, a thin oily film is left behind. I wash my face with Olay Natural White Foaming Cleanser and only then I feel sure all makeup is completely gone. You can also use it as an after-step of oil based makeup remover.

It spreads easily and thoroughly cleans my skin, leaving a very cool, clean and refreshed feeling. The moment you touch this gel, you can feel how different it is from regular cheap face washes. It foams only when you rinse away with water and removes easily. Do not use around eyes.

If you have oily skin, or an oily T-Zone, it should work very well for you. If you have dry or combination skin, it should still work good for you in summers, when skin becomes slightly oily with sebum. Else do not use daily. I have personally found it does not dry out dry skin when there is some oil or cream on the skin.

It is worth a try.

Aroma Magic Lavender Oil Review

This is a review of Aroma Magic Lavender Oil.

I had been yearning to own some essential oils for years but did not know where to procure good quality essential oils. I came across a whole range while browsing through medplusbeauty.com last year and ended up buying this lavender oil immediately. Had heard so much about its amazing multipurpose uses, I wanted to include one in my personal care.

Scientific Name: Lavandula Augustifolia
For external use only.
Avoid use on eyes.
Keep away from children.
Protect from heat and light.
Dilute before use.

Quantity: 15ml

Price: INR 145

Shelf Life: 3 yrs from mfg

It is a great essential oil to keep at home in all seasons. It smells a little different and much stronger than the artificial lavender perfume you may have smelt in other products.

There are two types of oils (that I know of) in Aromatherapy: Essential Oils and Carrier Oils. The word 'Essential' comes from 'essence', meaning an oil that possesses the essence or scent/aroma of the plant from which it is extracted. Essential oils evaporate easily and should be stored properly. They need to be diluted before applying it to the body. Essential oils are diluted by mixing them with Carrier Oils (oils that carry them into the skin).

I have used it and found it effective in the following cases:

Severe Headache: I usually avoid medicines. So if ever my head is throbbing, medicine is the last resort. In case of severe headache, I mix a few drops of this lavender oil in pure coconut oil and massage into my head and it provides instant relief. Actually it increases blood circulation in the massaged area.

Insect Bites and Stings: Our place has a lot of green around and numerous varieties of insects usually roam around especially in Summers and Rainy season. My brother was stung by a wasp and it usually swells really bad. I applied 2 drops of Aroma Magic Lavender Oil on the bite and it did not swell at all. He was fine by evening.

Skin Infections: I am very very prone to skin infections ranging from mild rashes to eruptions on the skin as I have very sensitive skin. It is quite a pain to deal with. But applying lavender oil on the itchy/infected skin always gives instant relief. My sister in law developed a rash on her neck and applying body lotion with a few drops of lavender oil mixed in it helped cure it by next morning.

Colds: When suffering from bad cold, taking steam with 2-3 drops of lavender oil added to the water is very soothing. 

Please do NOT use essential oils directly as they may burn the skin. Dilute in a carrier oil like jojoba/olive/coconut/sweet almond/ castor or you can even use your cooking oil. For use on the body, you can even add a few drops to your body lotion and apply.

OTHER USES OF LAVENDER OIL:

Comes in a packing similar to Homeopathic tinctures
with a hole in the dart to dispense oil

If you have a bath tub in your bathroom, add a few drops to warm water and soak in it. Will be a relaxing spa-like experience.

Get your tired feet relaxed by soaking them in warm water with a few drops of Aroma Magic or any other good quality lavender oil added in it.

In case of body-ache or Muscle Pain, mix with essential oil and massage into the body. It improves blood circulation and relieves pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

It is said dropping a couple of drops of lavender oil on your pillow helps you relax at night and induces good sleep. I tried that but even 2 drops were too strong and kept burning in my breath. Moreover, the aroma remains in your pillow forever. So I would rather suggest using in an electrical or reed diffuser in your bedroom.

Electrical, ceramic or reed diffusers are available online and offline in the home and living section of lifestyle stores/ shopping malls. Electric ones work just like you plug in liquid mosquito repellants at night. You add the oil/ diluted oil in the bottle and plug it in. The heat generated by electricity evaporates the oil and spreads the relaxing aroma into the room.

Use Aroma Magic Lavender Oil to ward off skin infections during monsoon. Dilute in coconut / olive or sweet almond oil and rub in between toes, inner side of elbows, back of knees to prevent or treat fungal skin infections during monsoon.

Mix a couple of drops to your shampoo. Mix on your palm and rub into roots. Helps treat scalp infections. Else add to your hair oil right before applying the oil.

I had read besides being antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal, lavender oil is anti-viral too. So I even tried it on a wart like lump on my arm. But it did not help at all. I did not find it to be antiviral. 

Overall I am happy with the basic day to day uses I have mentioned above.

PRECAUTIONS:

• This oil is very very strong so do not add a lot or else it may burn the skin. 1-2 drops go a long way.
• Do not mix it in another oil and store. Essential oils should always be diluted only at the time of use.
• Do not use for massage on very small children (less than 3 years). Essential oils should also be used carefully in teenagers as they may cause hormonal changes. But adding a couple drops in their bathing water, hair oil or diffusing it in their room is totally safe.
• Already comes in a dark brown glass bottle to prevent photo sensitivity. Still store in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
• A very very small percentage of people may be allergic to it. If you feel any such symptoms, either you are using more than required quantity or you are allergic.

AVAILABILITY:

Easily available on many online stores and offline in shops/pharmacies that sell essential oils. You can also try the lavender oil from Soulflower. Their packing is much better.

Biotique Nyctanthes Hand Cream Review

This is a review of Biotique Bio Nyctanthes Hand Cream.

BIOTIQUE'S CLAIMS ABOUT THIS PRODUCT: Its deep penetrating action provides nourishment and protection. Cures skin infection. Leaves dry dehydrated cracked and brittle skin smooth and soft.  Ayurvedic Medicine (for external use only)

Method to Use:

Gently massage appropriate amount of cream on hands.

INGREDIENTS: 

Parijat Patra Kwath 2%: Parijat = Night-flowering Jasmine or Nyctanthes, known in India as Harsingar. Patra = Leaves. Kwath = Decoction. Now I am not sure if this contains the extracts from the leaves of the plants or the petals of the fragrant flower because the cream smells of the flower.

Manjishta Kwath 3.2%: Manjistha consists of dried stem of Rubia cordifolia.

Rakt Chandan Kwath 1.8%: Decoction of Red Sandalwood

Mahuva Mool Kwath 1%: Decoction of Madhuca longifolia extracts

Neem Chhal Kwath 1% : Decoction of Azadirachta indica bark

Surajmukhi Tail 3%: Sunflower Oil

Cream Base Q.S.

Quantity: Comes in 50 gms and 250 Gms packing

MRP: INR 180 for 50 gms and INR 540 for 250 gms 

Highest discount on medplusbeauty.com: INR 153 and INR 459 respectively) The price and quantity is exactly the same as the Biotique Costus Foot Cream tubs.

Best Before: 3 Yrs from Mfg.

After getting great medicinal results from the Biotique Costus foot cream, I thought of giving this hand cream a try. I started using this in September end and even though it was quite hot and humid then, I needed a hand cream because 1. I have extremely dry skin 2. Having a toddler and pets makes it unavoidable to wash my hands with soap every few minutes. So my hands need good moisturization even in summers.

The actual quantity is just 65% of the tub you see above.

The first thing I loved on opening the pack was the fragrance and the color. The cream is a lovely peachy pink and the fragrance is just out of the world. I have never in my life smelt such a soothing floral scent. I just can't resist sniffing my hands on and on continuously, when I have applied this cream. I especially enjoy sniffing this to sleep at night. But apart from pleasing my senses of smell and sight, did it actually work on my hands?

This hand cream penetrates better when applied soon after bath. Initially, I applied it religiously everyday after bath and at night. It made my hands soft and beautiful. I rub it thoroughly in the gaps between my fingers and also into my nails and cuticles. Just like the Biotique foot cream, this hand cream has also strengthened my nails. For the first time in 4 years, I have been able to keep long nails without them splitting into layers. My cuticles are healthier than before.

It kept my hands well moisturized, soft and glowing during summers. By Oct end, it gets colder here and my hands and palms start developing painful cuts from over washing and dryness. My knuckles go dry and purple in winters.

It is Nov end and real winter is yet to hit. But already this cream is not able to keep up to its claims. Nyctanthes hand cream has not been able to treat these cuts even after applying lavishly, several times in the day and at night. I woke up a few days ago with a bad dry rash between my ring finger and tall finger, but this cream could not heal the rash too.

So I feel the claims to cure skin infections and dry, dehydrated, cracked brittle skin have failed completely. Such skin needs both oiliness and moisturization and this cream does not have even a trace of oiliness.

It does beautify my very dry hands instantly and makes my skin look nourished. 

The dryness on my skin is quite visible here.

After spreading

After blending. See the glow?

If I run my nail on this, I don't get a white streak. My hands look pink and healthy. But it does not provide long time results in cold weather, because it lacks essential oils. The moment I wash my hands with soap, my skin returns to it's dry and brittle condition. 

I had bought this hand cream because of the claims and the absence of chemicals and preservatives. But with such results, it is definitely over-priced. I can apply hot ghee at night and get my wounds treated much faster and even body lotion provides deep nourishment to hands. For Summers and for my nails, this will still be my favorite product, but for winters, I definitely need another hand cream now.

If you know of a great hand cream for winters, please do share the details in the comments below.

How to Extract Aloe Vera Gel at Home?

We have many herbs and medicinal plants in our garden and Aloe Vera is one of them. Having an Aloe Vera plant at home is a blessing, since this is such a wonder plant and requires minimal maintenance. Just water it every few days and it will stay happy and green. It dries up in winters chill if not protected or covered.

I have seen it flower rarely, like probably once in a year. Here's how the Aloe Vera flower-stick looks.

Extracting pure Aloe Vera gel at home is very easy. Also fresh gel is much more effective for the skin than packed and stored gel available in the market. Here's how to extract Aloe Vera Gel at home.

1. Slice off a big leaf from the outer side of the cluster and thoroughly wash under running water to remove dust.

2. The gel on the open end of the leaf will start turning yellow soon after contact with the air. Wash off the yellow gel again with water or just chop off an inch or so.

3. Run the knife blade through the thorny edges first. The small teeth at the ends come off easily in one long knife stroke and are not very pricky.

4. Hold the leaf over a wide utensil/container and peel off just like a fruit. If some of the gel remains on the peels, scrape off using the blunt side of the knife. If required, chop the leaf into small easy-to-handle pieces. 

You can dry these Aloe Vera peels under the Sun, preferably covering with a thin cotton or muslin cloth. Then add this dry Aloe Vera Powder to your daily use Talcum Powder. (Throw away the two thorny strips)

5. Cut the gel chunks into small pieces and blend in a mixer-blender (just a few rotations are enough). There will be some chunks left. Remove the liquid into a container and blend the remaining chunks again. It will be a little frothy from blending.

6. Shift to a clean container with a lid and refrigerate. Make sure your hands are clean. The froth will settle after some time. And your pure home-made Aloe Vera gel is ready. 

The only time goes into peeling and scraping off the gel (5-10 min). Blending takes just 2 minutes. It smells of the Aloe Vera plant but the smell is not strong or unpleasant. When you apply on skin, the smell goes away in a few minutes. Without any preservatives, this should last a week or so under refrigeration. Try to use as soon as possible.

If you have some space at home, do keep a plant in a pot or in the earth. It is easily available in any plant nursery or you can get a plantlet from someone who already has an Aloe Vera plant.

How to use this gel as a hair mask? Read HERE
How to use this on Face: Apply neat on face and leave on or wash off after 10 minutes or so. Do NOT go out in the Sun with this on as it may cause photo reaction on the skin on exposure to Sunlight. For more uses, check on the internet.

Biotique Bio Costus Foot Cream Review

This is a review for Biotique Bio Costus Foot Cream.

DESCRIPTION AS FOUND ON AN ONLINE STORE:

Biotique Bio Costus Stress Relief Foot Massage Cream is made out of extracts of costus root, dandelion and cobra saffron. Costus Root is a wild herb growing in the Himalayas and is known for medicinal properties. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory nature keeps skin cool, calm and conditioned. The cream also contains lanolin. Cobra saffron and lanolin extract helps in softening the hard skin and prevents the heal from cracking. It also cures foot infection and stop feet itching. It gives a soothing and cooling effect to your tired feet.

Biotique Costus Foot Cream 50 gms Tub Pack

Product	Ayurvedic Foot Cream
Quantity	50 gms and 250 gms packing
Color	Thick White cream
Smell	Menthol
Price	50 gm pack = INR 180 (INR 153 on medplusbeauty.com) 250 gms pack = INR Rs 540 (INR 459 on medplusbeauty.com: Highest discount)  Also available at Flipkart.com and many online stores.
Shelf Life	3 years from mfg date
Packaging	Comes in regular Biotique Green tub packing.
Package Description	Help soften hard skin and soothe tired feet, cures foot infection and stops foot itch. This is not a cosmetic product. It has therapeutic properties. Carefully manufactured and Marketed by BIO VEDA ACTION RESEARCH COMPANY.
Ingredients	2% Doodhal Mool (Dandelion extracts), 1% NagKesar (cobra saffron.), 2% Kooth Mool (Costus Root), 1% Menthol, Sunflower Oil, Cream Base (Lanolin)

My previous foot cream was used up and I was looking for another option when I saw this one. I researched and didn't find a single review for this product. I didn't know this is a medicated cream and bought it under the impression of a regular foot cream. But I am still finding it very useful.

What makes this cream different from regular foot creams is that this is not at all greasy. Regular foot creams mostly form a layer of fat on your feet to lock in the moisture and take a very long time to absorb into the skin. So they are best applied at bed time when you won’t walk around anymore. Also, if you happen to wet your feet even a bit, regular foot creams give a very uneasy greasy slippery feeling. 

Biotique Costus cream gets absorbed immediately without leaving any hint of oiliness. So it can be applied anytime during the day. It conditions the skin without making it oily. It’s a great cream for active men and women who keep their feet tied in closed shoes most part of the day, for sports-persons, for housewives who spend long hours standing in the kitchen, diabetics who usually feel pain in feet due to poor circulation, and for anyone who is prone to cracked heels and foot infections, or have hard foot skin.

Update on 4 Oct 2012: The 50 gms tub is just 65% of the total tub you see above. It lasted me almost 2 months with 1-2 applications per day. My feet did not have sensation in some areas and I couldn't feel tickling earlier. Within 2 weeks of applying this cream daily, my sense of 'Feel' returned in the numb areas. Also, it cured the burning sensation I used to have in my feet all the time. Another benefit: My left foot's thumb nail had a big crack in the nail bed area for many years. The nail used to break off  every few weeks leaving half of the nail bed exposed. This cream healed that cracked nail when everything else failed. However, this is a personal observation and experience with the product and the results may vary from person to person. I have repurchased the bigger 250 gms tub as that is more economical.

Biotique Costus Foot Cream 250 Gms Tub

Biotique Costus Foot Cream 250 Gms Tub

The 250 Gms Tub comes sealed with Aluminium Foil

THE PLUSES:

1. Foot infections are very common in the present humid Indian weather. This foot cream has medicinal properties for curing such infections.
2. Menthol increases blood circulation where cream is applied, and provides quick relief to tired feet. Feet turn rosy red and beautiful due to improved circulation.
3. You get soft feet without any stickiness or sweat.
4. All Biotique products (including this cream) are completely organic, preservative (paraben) free and do not have any strong chemicals.
5. If you have very dry skin prone to cracked heels, you can use a small quantity daily as a regular cream. Especially good for diabetics and people with poor blood circulation.

THE MINUSES:

1. Some people may not like the smell of Menthol like I did in the beginning, because it feels like you are applying Vicks to your feet. But the smell fades away in a few minutes and anyways your nose and feet are very far from each other :-)
2. 50 gms packing is costlier. If it suits you, it is economical to buy the 250 gms tub.
3. If you apply lavishly on healthy feet, you will feel slight burning due to menthol. But this is only initially and once you get used to it, you don't feel it at all. So take small amounts and spread thoroughly on the skin each time.
4. This cream is not very rich/oily. Winters are round the corner so I will update if it provides good moisturization in winters.
5. People don't like tub packing for hygiene reason. The packing is not an issue for me personally. If you have more than one biotique products, it becomes difficult to differentiate as they all look same. Need to mark with a nailpolish or something to avoid confusion.

Tips: Always insert clean and dry fingers in any jar/tub packing. For best results use it after bath as skin is highly moisturized at that time. Make sure to wipe dry the gaps between your toes after bath/wash to prevent foot infections. I am using this cream along with the Vaadi Herbals Foot Scrub Soap reviewed here.

Also check out:
Biotique Nyctanthes Hand Cream Review
Biotique Bio Almond Oil Soothing Face and Eye Makeup Cleanser Review
Souflower Happy Feet Soap Review
Vaadi Herbals Elbow-Foot-Knee Scrub Pedicure Soap Review
VLCC Groome Instant Nail Shiner Review
How to Extract Aloe Vera Gel at Home?
DIY Natural Skin Serum for Oily Combination Skin
How to Make Your Own Natural Loofah Sponge
Patanjali Drishti Eye Drops Review