The Brown Muses: December 2016

REVIEW: Venustas Essentials Aloe Day Cream

face off Saturday, December 24, 2016

While I have night time skincare regimen sorted, as I prefer using oils during that time, it's the day time regimen which becomes quite a task in order to pick up the right cream for my skin type. I am a very picky person when it comes to choosing a day cream for my overly dry winter skin because I do not use commercial skincare products anymore.

My search ended when I came across Aloe Day Cream by Venustas Essentials. VE is a Pune, Maharashtra based brand spearheaded by Mrs Seema Rai who painstakingly handcrafts body butters, day cream, scrubs, soaps etc in her kitchen. Some of the products that I have used from the brand have given me good results (you can search 'Venustas Essentials' on the blog to read the reviews). I mean seriously, her products are SO good and chemical free, of course.

About The Product:

While the night creams repair the skin while you sleep, it is equally or rather more important to use a good quality Natural day cream. As it is during the day that your skin is exposed to maximum pollution, Sun and stress that damage the skin and lead to skin discoloration and premature ageing.

This all Natural, non-greasy Day cream has been specially formulated for warm summer days. With Hydrating and rejuvenating Aloe, cool Cucumber extracts and potent essential oils like Sandalwood, Carrot seed and rose hip that protect, hydrate and rejuvenate your skin all day.

Ingredients:

Aloe, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E, Rose, Sandal, Virgin Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Blend of Essential Oils.

Venustas Essentials Aloe Day Cream

My Experience:

I am on my second jar of the cream and that says a lot about it, right? I first got this cream in the month of July and me and my mother loved it a lot! It has a relaxing cucumber aroma (due to the presence of cucumber EO) which is mild and calming for the senses. I cannot stand overly scented skincare products. I just can't.

The cream comes in a 50 gm pot with an inner lid to protect the contents. I have been using this cream consistently since July and this cream is such a rockstar. It literally sinks into the skin and provides just the right amount of moisturisation to my overly dry skin (I had combination skin during July-Oct and it didn't cause any flare-ups) without feeling heavy or leaving an awful greasy residue behind. The presence of aloe soothes the skin immediately. And guess what, the surprise element of this cream is, the lovely dewy finish it gives a few minutes after it's application. Expect a healthy glow as well as unbeaten moisturisation for up to 8-10 hours (this is coming from someone that has overly dry skin!) before your skin screams for moisturisation again.

I love my essential oils and this cream contains rose and sandalwood EO alongside aloe which make it all the more special. According to various researches, rose EO contains certain therapeautic compounds that promote healing. Rose EO also defines skin texture and tone. Whereas, sandalwood EO helps soothe the skin, relieve inflammation and irritation.

Aloe vera is a great moisturiser! It soothes, softens the skin and is loaded with anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties in abundance.

There are two important things which I would like to point out - 1) It does not replace sunscreen as it contains no SPF. 2) It didn't do anything for the dry patches as mine are more of an hormonal issue.

Yays:

Handmade.
Not tested on animals.
Contains no harmful chemicals.
Provides adequate amount of moisturisation.
Causes no irritation.
Reasonably priced for the quantity.
Has a relaxing aroma of cucumbers. Won't bother sensitive noses.
Contains a potent blend of oils.
Gives a dewy finish.
Lightweight and leaves no greasy residue behind.
Great for all skin types.

Nays:

Doesn't replace sunscreen.

Price and Availability:

The cream is priced at INR 300 for a 50 gm pot. Orders can be made on brand's official Facebook page HERE or their WhatsApp number +91 9999649636.

Will I recommend:

YES! YES! YES!

Have you used this cream or any product from Venustas Essentials? Let me know in comments below.

XO,

Deepika.

Disclosure: The product featured in this post is my own purchase and the views expressed hereby are strictly unbiased, based on my personal experience.

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DIY: Nourishing Papaya Seeds Face Mask

Beauty Hacks & DIYs Monday, December 19, 2016

Face masks are an absolute must among other things if you want healthy and smooth skin and it's very easy to make a nourishing face mask by using ingredients which are available right in your kitchen at a very low cost and since you are in control of the ingredients that will be used to whip up the face mask that means there are no harmful chemicals involved, yay!

The particular face mask recipe that I am going to share is made using the goodness of papaya seeds and honey, which will provide hydration to the skin other than making the skin smooth, brightening up the complexion and ridding your skin of dead skin cells. While one application won't show miraculous result but it will definitely make the skin soft. And to see proper results, one has to use it consistently!

Check out the recipe for this easy peasy DIY face mask below!

Ingredients:

1 tbsp papaya seeds

1 tsp raw honey (I didn't have raw honey so I used commercial honey but I would recommend using raw honey)

2 drops sweet almond oil

2 drops lemon juice (optional)

Directions:

Blend papaya seeds (my papaya didn't have that many seeds so I used a piece of papaya), honey and lemon juice in a blender till it turns into a fine paste and the seeds are grind well. Pour the mixture into a clean bowl, add sweet almond oil and stir everything well. Apply the mask on a clean and dry face, leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with tepid water. While rinsing off, massage your face super gently using circular strokes in order to remove dead skin cells. The mask can be stored up to a week in the fridge.

Benefits of the Ingredients Used:

Papaya Seeds:

Papaya contains papain, which are special enzymes that can help in exfoliating the skin by breaking down skin cell's surface. These enzymes lock in moisture, reduce pore size and keep wrinkles at bay.

Raw Honey:

Raw honey acts as a natural emollient that increases water content in skin and reduces dryness. It also helps in tissue healing and regeneration. The powerful botanical in honey neutralises blemish and wrinkle-causing free radicals.

Sweet Almond Oil:

Being a lightweight oil, it easily penetrates into the deeper layers of skin by softening and dislodging the dirt and debris. This carrier oil prevents blackheads and acne. Almond oil can be used on sensitive skin too as it is not likely to cause skin infections.

Buy the one I use HERE.

Lemon Juice:

It's not advised to use rub lemon directly on the face, but it could be mixed with face masks to reap its benefits. The vitamin C and citric acid content in lemon juice act as a natural bleach. Lemon juice bleaches freckles and tiny dark spots. However, do not expose your skin to sunlight for at least 12 hours after using lemon because it causes a photo-toxic reaction.

Note: Although the mask is made using natural ingredients, a patch test is still recommended.

Let me know if you try this mask in the comments below.

XO,

Deepika.

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PEP TALK: Challenge Your Perspective

pep talk Sunday, December 18, 2016

Neglected? Ignored? Lost in the Oblivion? I hope not.

We all neglect some things (and people) to the point of ignoring them (whether consciously or unconsciously) because of being caught up with other (apparently) more important things in life such as deadlines to meet, chores to do, goals to achieve, and what not. But as they say, when there’s a will, there’s a way. It may sound easier said than done but we can at least try taking out time for those who matter before we lose them and things that would remain unattended otherwise before they become out of our reach. Makeup getting expired, book pages going yellow-errr and people becoming distant.

There are many books lying in my stash that I purchased impulsively but never got to read. Same goes for makeup products and shoes. Most importantly, many people I have not been in touch over the past four years.

Reasons I give myself: I will read it when I have “enough” time. I am caught up with work, studies and “other” things. Many people I have not talked to only because I felt we do not have common interests, we do not have time for each other or “oh, we were never close friends, anyway!” No wonder I am often labeled as “a mean person who never takes relationships seriously and forgets old friends when she makes new ones.” (things you’d always get to hear about yourself if you are a social person).

Truth is, I never forgot any of them. Not only the ones I used to be very close to. Not even those just-a-classmate types, but never bothered to talk to them again after graduation because (read: aforementioned reasons). Same goes for the last pair heels I purchased. I’d lay my hands on it every other day before moving onto the flats because they would be more comfortable and let me get through the day with more ease.

But we should step out of the comfort zone, sometimes. Shouldn’t we? I used to talk to such friends and peers once in awhile often and it would mostly be like nothing has changed between us, which would really give me those “feel good” feelings. Did so today as well and her “good to hear from you” actually gave those “warm” feels.

Don’t you feel you are missing out on great conversations by not talking to these people, unique thoughts and perspectives by not reading that book, and those lipsticks.. well, even if you got those on a whim, you should wear them more often until you feel comfortable wearing those colours or learn to carry them. Why set the boundaries where they are not even needed? Come out of your comfort zone and get some action on today. Try calling one such friend or using the fuschia lipstick lying in your makeup stash before it expires (as in my case) or the book you never got the friggin “time” to read (Pictured above) or the heels you have not worn even once (though you fell for them like you fall for Ranbir Kapoor every time. Lulz).

Don’t forget to share how it made you feel in the comments’ section below.

Happy Sunday night! :)

Till next time,

Samra.

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Importance of Vaginal Health

bath and body Tuesday, December 13, 2016

In our desi society, the topic of vaginal health is often a neglected one because after hitting puberty, no one guides us as to why "those" things happen when they happen, why our bodies go through a major change and how and why it is a to must to take care of vaginal health. If I were to sum it up in few words, we are not told how our bodies work as a female and how to take care of our intimate area.

Today, I hope to address some of the problems and concerns that we face as females and I will also try and explore possible solutions for it with this post for which Everteen, a leading brand in feminine intimate health & hygiene category were kind enough to partner with us. But before I proceed further, I would like to clarify that I am no expert and the information provided in this post is not intended to cure, treat or diagnose any disease. If you are facing any kind of irritation or discomfort in your intimate area, please see your medical doctor ASAP.

A woman's vaginal health can get affected by diet, exercises, clothes, medications, stress. So, maintaining vaginal health is as important as maintaining other health habits like for example oral hygiene. A healthy vagina is acidic in nature and has a pH of 3.8 to 4.5 as the good bacteria present "down there" helps in fighting bad microorganisms like foul odour, abnormal discharge etc. Their are numerous factors that could possibly disrupt vaginal pH which are listed below:

Menstruation
Sexual intercourse
Diet and Exercise
Use of tampons and sanitary napkin
Hormonal changes
Menopause
Personal hygiene

Everteen is one brand that I can trust when it comes to purchasing products for intimate care and hygiene. And if you have been reading the blog, you guys know that I do not promote any brand unless I believe in them completely. I have used many of their products and none have disappointed. So below, I am listing few problems that we as women face in our daily lives with possible solutions for it.

1. Vaginal Infection: Vaginal yeast infections are a very common female condition. The main symptoms of this condition is itching, unnatural odour, burning sensation. To prevent such infections, it is adviced to keep the intimate area clean other than having a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. One product that could help in preventing infection and maintaining the pH balance of the vagina is Everteen Natural Intimate Wash. The intimate wash is approved by Indian FDA and contains 100% natural active ingredients which makes it mild for all skin types. I shared my experience of the intimate wash with the readers HERE.

More Info HERE.

2. Vaginal Dryness and Vaginal Laxity: Although I am a big believer of not altering something that is nature intended but vaginal laxity is something that bothers a lot of women specially after childbirth. Other than kegel exercises, Everteen Vaginal Gel is quite useful in improving vaginal laxity by its tightening and revitalizing effects on vaginal muscles.

More Info HERE.

3. Monthly Period: During that time of the month, it becomes even more important to keep the intimate area clean in order to keep infections at bay. It's important to use sanitary napkins whose top sheet is made up of cotton, because that reduces the chances of rashes, infections etc. And since I've used Everteen Cotton Sanitary Napkins, I can vouch for the fact that they are made of high quality material and the top sheet is 100% cotton. It provides instant dryness and soft feel and contains breathable bottom layer which allows air to circulate, eliminates moisture & heat.

More Info HERE.

4. Woman On Go: We are all aware of the condition most public toilets in India are, they are untidy and unhygienic but in case of emergency we have to use them whether we like or not. In such cases, Everteen Natural Intimate Hygiene Wipes come in handy as we don't want ourselves to come in contact with any sort of infection. These wipes are India's first 100% natural and biodegradable wipes and using them is very easy. To know my experience with the wipes, find the review HERE.

More info HERE.

5. Bikini Hair Removal: Removing bikini hair is one tricky affair. Women, generally prefer shaving or waxing to remove bikini hair but both have their own drawbacks. Shaving results in ingrown hair and nicks whereas waxing causes too too much pain. Everteen understood these concerns of women and came out with a product which is exclusively meant to remove bikini hair. The product goes by the name of Everteen Creme Hair Remover Bikini Line which is formulated using 100% natural chamomile extract and contains no parabens, yaaaas! The product is very useful as it removes the hair efficiently without causing irritation or darkness in the delicate area, however a patch test is highly recommended. Read about my experience HERE.

More info HERE.

In pursuit to promote healthy intimate hygiene habits and raise awareness to highlight important intimate health issues, I hope to do my bit and I urge every female to practice high standards of intimate hygiene.

XO,

Deepika

*Sponsored Post

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Priya Jain of 'Mishikrafts'

in the spotlight Wednesday, December 07, 2016

When it's handmade you know there are no nasty things involved! And I think it is possibly the most purest, sincere and unadulterated form of 'love'. Today, we have Ms Priya Jain in the spotlight of 'Mishikrafts' who was kind of enough to take time out of her busy schedule and answer some questions.

Read about her and her brand 'Mishikrafts' which is handcrafts delicious chocolates and personal care products.

Q: You have a unique brand name. How was the name 'Mishikrafts' conceived, and what inspired you to come up with a brand of your own?

A: Mishikrafts was really a hobby project till my little niece came along. She had exceptionally dry skin and I was looking for solutions when I first made the milk and vanilla soap for her. The soap worked its magic and that is when I even started to look at it with any potential. She is my reason for starting the business and remains my quality check. At the core of our products is the value that, if I won't give it to Mishika, I won't give it to anyone else. I wanted to do a lot more craft related work when we named the business, hence the name, Mishikrafts.

Q: Tell us more about yourself. What do you do besides running Mishikrafts?

A: I used to be a journalist. I quit my job around two years ago to get into Mishikrafts full time. Since then, it has been a roller coaster ride. Running a business means micromanaging at multiple levels. Sometimes there isn't time for anything else. I love to travel, so whenever I can get away for a couple of weeks, I take off. I am constantly obsessing over new businesses to start, new solutions to provide. Reading, trying other DIY stuff and cooking are a few hobbies.

Q: We see you make chocolates too alongside personal care products. How are your chocolates different from the rest?

A: For starters, everything is handmade. We are suckers for quality and customized products. We sit down with each client through a personal meeting, or through chat, figure exactly what they want and give them a very personalised gift for all occasions. We have some exotic combinations that the big brands don't make. Our baileys, black currant, lemon chocolates are extremely popular. We once made tamarind chocolates on demand!

Q: Did you receive any formal training in soap making and chocolate making?

A: I attended workshops for both chocolate and soap making. These were short workshops for a day or two and then on, it was a whole lot of experiments before we got where we are today.

Q: How would you define your brand’s philosophy in a few words?

A: Keep it simple, keep it clean, keep it unique. Whatever I won't give my child (in this case Mishika), I won't give anyone else.

Q: What are your favourite ingredients to work with, in terms of both personal care products and chocolates?

A: Soaps- most natural ingredients- be it freshly ground orange peel, haldi from my kitchen, ground coconut, papaya squash, I love knowing we are using a lot of edible material in our products.

Chocolates- I love experimenting with chocolate, various fillings, something unique, different shapes, being able to cater to someone's romance/love/affection/ thought.

Q: Do you remember your first experience of making any product. Any interesting story that you'd like to share?

A: Mishika was two months old when we tried the milk soap on her. Needless to say, I was very worried. It was a lot of faith and prayers, but when it worked, I knew it was nothing short of magical.

Q: What should people bear in mind while buying natural/organic products?

A: Read the tags very carefully. People use both words organic and natural very loosely. There is a lot of jargon that gets thrown around in the beauty business, one has to be discerning. Watch out for fillers.

Q:. Where do you see your brand in next five years?

A: I hope to become the most convenient lifestyle solution. Everything else that happens will happen under brand Mishikrafts. I am looking at starting a convenient supply chain for fellow soap makers, chocolatiers and hobbyists. Also working on an easy to work model for workshops and classes for those interested in learning. A lot more will happen. Looking at an inroad into apparels as well. Core of the entire thing will be promotion of handmade products, at costs that can compete with large scale industry.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

I dig their chocolates. Their plain dark chocolate and roasted almond dark chocolate are to die for. Read my thoughts HERE about the chocolates. As for soaps, their chocolate vanilla variant is great.

I hope that you enjoyed reading the interview. If you did then do leave us feedback below. And if you wish to get featured on our blog, drop us an email.

XO,

Deepika

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Goodness of Hills - Junaili

bath and body Monday, December 05, 2016

Junaili Apricot Body Scrub

We, human beings, have been blessed with the best of nature. After vowing to use products that are natural, handmade and pure, I have noticed a remarkable change in my skin, hair. And very soon, I will be doing a post where I will be sharing my journey of going green with my skincare, hair care with tips on how to make informed choices.

Meanwhile, let's talk about Junaili. Junaili is an Indian brand based in Rautakhet, Nainital, in the serene Kumaon Hills. When I made my purchase with them, they had just two products - cold pressed Apricot Kernal Oil and Apricot Body Scrub but now they have introduced Apricot Face Oil too in their products range. One of the few interesting things about their products is that they are made in small batches to ensure their quality and their labels are first hand-sketched, photographed and then refined on Photoshop, whoa!

I came across their brand through Instagram and decided to give them a shot. I bought only one product which was their popular Apricot Body Scrub and after using it for more than three months I am sharing my experience with our readers.

About the brand:

At Junaili, we cold-press our own Apricot Oil and Scrub at 7000 ft in the Kumaon Himalayas to exacting standards.

Ingredients:

Cold Pressed Apricot Kernel

My Experience:

Junaili Apricot Scrub smells like dried apricots and as soon as I took the first whiff, I knew I was in love! The smell is on the bitter side but it smells so much like winters, mmm. Free of additives, harsh chemicals, preservatives, this scrub is pure love as it contains just one ingredient!

The scrub comes in a simple looking plastic with a dull gold screw tight lid and an aluminium foil sealed on top to ensure freshness. The label on the jar bears all the important details and jar itself looks very classy and has a vintage feel to it due to the design on the label.

Junaili Apricot Body Scrub

The scrub has a finely milled consistency and a coarse texture. To use, I scoop out the desired product and rub it directly on the damp skin (but you can make a thick paste using rose water/milk). The scrub doesn't feel harsh and takes off dead skin cells and dirt effectively. My skin feels soft, supple and smooth after every use. I use the scrub 1-2 times a week owing to my busy schedule though I would love to use the scrub about 3 times/week. This scrub has definitely made my bathing experience a good one!

Apricots, popularly known as khubaani in Hindi/Urdu has always been a favourite fruit of mine and using it in form of scrub was the cherry on the cake! Apricots are known to stimulate the growth of news cells and escalate healing. With regular use, you may expect apricots to impart a nice glow and make the skin smooth and healthy.

Junaili Apricot Body Scrub

Yays:

Pure and unadulterated.
Handmade.
Not tested on animals.
It smells like winters! That smell of dried apricots, yummy.
The scrub doesn't dehydrate the skin.
The scrub is not harsh on the skin.
Makes the skin soft, smooth and supple.
Removes dead skin cells.
The scrub is reasonably priced.
Good and simple packaging.

Nays:

None!

Price and Availability:

The scrub is priced at INR 250 for 125 gm and I find it economical for the quantity. I have been using it for more than three months and I still have one-third of the product left. The product can be bought from HERE.

Will I Recommend:

Yes. The scrub does it's job really well without causing any damage to the skin! It's perfect for the dry and cold winter season. So, do not think and indulge in the goodness of hills, right away.

Tell us which body scrub you are digging at the moment.

XO,

Deepika

Disclosure: The product featured in this post is my own purchase and the views expressed hereby are strictly unbiased, based on my personal experience.

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Pages

REVIEW: Venustas Essentials Aloe Day Cream

DIY: Nourishing Papaya Seeds Face Mask

PEP TALK: Challenge Your Perspective

Importance of Vaginal Health

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Priya Jain of 'Mishikrafts'

Goodness of Hills - Junaili

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