Thursday, December 19, 2013

Indian Facial Mask: Turmeric Mask

Although there are tons of recipes for this mask available on Youtube and Google, I thought I would put my version of it out there on the Internet too :-) (because, why not?)

This is not plagiarism, since this mask is something that all of us from India were subjected to, growing up. This is an old Indian kitchen beauty secret/treatment. One among thousands. You can Google the benefits of turmeric and the other ingredients used in this mask. Listed below is my recipe. I use it as and when possible (I have too many packaged ones to finish first)

TURMERIC MASK:

  • 1 tbsp. Besan (Chickpea Flour)
  • 1/2 tbsp. Organic Turmeric
  • 1 spoon Raw Organic Manuka Honey
  • [Whole Milk] or [Organic Yogurt + Freshly squeezed Lime juice] ... don't use lime juice and milk together since lime will turn/spoil the milk

Mix and make a smooth paste. Apply to a freshly washed face. Let it dry for 30 mins. or more. Wash with lukewarm water (no soap). Be gentle. Moisturize.

If you made this in excess, store in the fridge (not for more than 3 days)

If you have a lighter complexion (lighter than MAC NC35) this mask will stain your face with a yellow tint, but it does fade in a few hours (use high quality turmeric please)

If you try this, please let me know how this worked out for you. Thanks!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Hand Shit Hand Cream

Just like the name says, this is THE SHIT... In a good way(what has our English come to? LOL)

I occasionally use Hand Shit Hand Cream in Sweet Pea Lilac scent. It smells amazing and is a very thick hand balm. Heals dry hands, especially good for winters. I came across it in Asheville, NC and fell in love with it. Then came home and pronto purchased it online, on Amazon I think. Company called Blue Q makes it and they have a lot of products with "Shit" in the title. Just a quirky sense of humor. If the product is good, I don't care about anything else. Check out the ingredients:

Sunflower Oil and Organic Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Ozokerite Wax, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax, Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Kaolin Clay, Pirified Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cocoglycerides, Frafrance, Glyceryl Caprylate & Glyceryl Undecylinate, Rosemary Extract, Vitamin E

Phew... Look at the pics...




Definitely recommend this shit!!!


Monday, December 9, 2013

Random and hair update

I have been using Gia's Red Oil since last week, so far I've used it twice. It's too early to tell a difference yet. But for my med-long thick hair I take 2 full tablespoons of oil in a glass bowl, heat in the microwave for a few seconds and then apply using a hair color brush (too hot for my fingers).

500 ml. has around 32 tablespoons. Which means I will end up using this oil in 16 applications, of which 2 are already done. I must say, that's not a good value for money. But we will measure the effects every 4 uses.

My hair washing cycle was all over the place and since I did not oil over the weekend, I oiled before sleeping last night. And had to wash my hair before leaving for work today. I hate showering in the morning. I like to shower before I hit the bed. It was so cold and all that moisturizing is a hassle when you're trying to get to work on time. Brrrrrrr........

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Gia Nasim's Red Oil for Hair

There's a very pretty girl on YouTube based in Canada who sells this very expensive red oil for hair. The thing is that there is very little information about this oil, if any. Also very few independent reviews. So I thought I'd give it a try.

Since I'm on a mission to grow my hair long, I ordered the 500ml. jar of this mysterious red oil. To order it, you have to contact Gia in FB and then she'll give directions for payment etc. On one of the reviews someone mentioned that you have to do a Western Union money transfer, which I would never do. So imagine my surprise when Gia responded that she also accepts Paypal. That oil costed me US$65, including shipping. Here's what it looks like: 


I originally contacted Gia on 30th Oct. I heard back from her after 2 days. Despite rumors of rudeness or hiding information, I decided to reach out to her and I'm glad I did. She's a nice girl and did give me some information about the red oil which is as follows: 

" The Red Oil is made to encourage new hair growth, give shine, repair dry or damaged hair and help reduce hair fall. Although, The Red Oil has worked wonders for me and many others, you must remember it contains NO chemicals, and is an all natural product, therefore the extent of the product working varies from person to person. While on the Red Oil treatment, you must remember you have to use it exactly as directed, eat a proper diet and stay hydrated to speed up the process to healthy hair. This product was created in a salon on Dubai over 15 years ago and the ingredients include: Olive, coconut, Vitamin E, avocado extracts, Vitamin K, almond, Rose hip & mustard seed, Vitamin A & C, castor, lavender, wild flower & herb extracts. The 8 day process of preparation and the meticulous attention to every small detail, makes this one of the best natural hair oil treatments in the world. Like any treatment, this product must be used regularly for best results. (Every 4 days) "

Then I finally made the payment to her on 13th Nov., 19th Nov. she shipped it and gave me a tracking number. I just received this today, that is the 27th if Nov. I do plan to oil at least once a week and post my progress here.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

PSA: Starbucks deal alert

Starbucks: Buy 1 Get 1 Holiday Drink

Starbucks is offering Buy One Get One Free on their Holiday Drink valid through November 13-15 from 2-5pm at participating locations. No coupon necessary.
Holiday Drinks include:
• Peppermint Mocha
• Gingerbread Latte
• Caramel Brulee Latte
SHARE with a friend or drink both yourself.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Nov. 2013 Sephora VIB Sale Haul

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Ambient Lighting Palette

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Ambient Lighting Powder Luminous Light

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Ambient Lighting Powder Diffused Light

Shiseido White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream White Lucent Anti-Dark Circles Eye Cream

Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough When Hope Is Not Enough

Yves Saint Laurent PURE CHROMATICS - 4 Wet & Dry Eye Shadows PURE CHROMATICS - 4 Wet & Dry Eye Shadows 06

Laura Mercier Artist's Palette for Eyes Artist's Palette for Eyes

Silk'n Flash&Go™ Freedom™ Hair Removal Flash&Go™ Freedom™ Hair Removal

KAT VON D - Ladybird True Romance Eyeshadow Palette

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Vintage Black Gold

Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow in Metallic Emerald

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick - Fiend

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick - Rush

Urban Decay Vice 2 eyeshadow palette


LUSH wishlist

I am currently trying to grow out my hair. Since I donated 12" of hair last year to "Locks Of Love", my hair is growing uber slow. These are some of the products I want to try from LUSH (skincare and haircare) and this list will change from time to time
http://www.lushusa.com/

Haircare:
  1. H'SUAN WEN HUA
  2. Roots hair treatment
  3. Shine So Bright split end treatment
  4. New! solid shampoo
  5. Trichomania solid shampoo
  6. Retread conditioner
Other:
  1. Cinders bath bomb
  2. Dreamtime bath melt
  3. LUST soap
  4. Alkmaar soap
  5. Volcano Foot Mask
  6. Love Lettuce face mask
  7. Mask of Magnaminty

Skincare/Haircare - Mad Scientist

Must have oils: (all should be hexane-free)
  1. Almond Oil (sweet almond and cold-pressed)
  2. Castor Oil (cold-pressed)
  3. Coconut Oil (extra virgin and organic)
  4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
  5. Avocado Oil (cold-pressed)
  6. Sesame Oil (cold-pressed)
  7. Mustard Oil
Must have honey:
Wedderspoon Raw Organic Manuka Honey

Must have kitchen skincare ingredients:
  1. Organic Turmeric Powder
  2. Lime/Lemon (fresh)
  3. Honey (listed above)
  4. Besan (chickpea flour)
  5. Organic Yogurt (full fat preferrably, greek yogurt ok)
  6. Organic Whole Milk
  7. Grated Tomato (fresh and organic)
  8. Potato (sometimes grated and sometimes just sliced)
  9. Full Fat Coconut Milk (canned, since fresh is too much work)
  10. Desi Ghee (purified butter from Cow Milk)
  11. Crisco - standard, for shiny legs
  12. Regular Granulated White Sugar
  13. Hydrogen Peroxide (3% and in a spray bottle)
  14. Distilled Water
  15. Apple Cider Vinegar
  16. Baking Soda
  17. 91% Alcohol in a spray
  18. Sea Salt
  19. Eggs (organic free-range)
Currently testing:
Wedderspoon Raw Organic Manuka Honey with Bee Venom

Who Am I?