Monday, February 16, 2015

My Hair Care Routine

I love my hair and I can go upto any extent to keep them strong, voluminous and trendy.  (Please read: Without any harsh chemicals). For I believe that your healthy mane is one of the eye catching factor. Everyone longs for those thick tresses, don’t they?

Luckily, I have been blessed with thick tresses and this I owe it to my pretty mother for the lovely “genes”.  They are so thick that at times even I get irritated when I have to temporarily straighten them.

Would you believe if I say that I have never faced the problem of “Split Ends”? Till date….Never…

During my school days I always sported a “boy cut”, “mushroom cut” (trust me it doesn’t even resemble a mushroom) or a “bob-cut”. I cringe when I see my photographs of those days. But it did suit my personality then because I was totally a “tom-boy”.  I was never allowed to grow my hair because it was too cumbersome for my “working” mother to maintain them. The day they reached my shoulders, it was a “CHOP-CHOP”. And mind you, every day….I repeat every single day my mom used to oil my hair. (I totally hated it…totally). But who knew this very thing would help me to have envious hair ;)

Finally, going into college gave me an absolute liberty to grow my hair and to get all sort of trendy haircuts. I even colored my hair once for my brother’s wedding. But I swear to myself that I would never get my hair coloured again because coloring my hair led to immense hairfall as well as premature graying.

But as age catches up there are significant changes in a person’s hair texture, colour as well as growth. So do you just sit and blame your age for it and do nothing about it?

My friends have always loved my hair and I surely know that they secretly wish to have a thick mane like me.  My best friends suggested that why not write about my hair care routine….So here it is…
Hair care is something you have always taken it for granted…and once you ruin it what’s the point to cry over spilt milk?

Today’s post is about my hair care routine. They are too simple as all you have to do is …head towards your kitchen and your nearest drug store. A couple of bucks and you have your gorgeous hair.

     Morning Ritual

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
Early morning when my mom wakes me up (Yes she still does and I feel it is pretty cute) she hands me a warm glass of water with approximately 7-8 methi (fenugreek) seeds. Yes!!! Methi seeds!!! I have it every alternate day.

This ritual is amazing in the long run. As time passes you will see that your hairfall has reduced considerably, your hair becomes thick and you have managed to combat one big nuisance… “Dandruff”

Brownie Point: Methi seeds also help to keep your stomach clean.

 Generous Oiling


Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
This is my mother’s DIY technique of making oil. We South Indians have always taken care of our hair and we normally prepare home- made oil. Infact my mom has applied home-made oil throughout her life. I apply oil atleast two times a week and keep it overnight. My hair needs that generous oil pampering for atleast 7-8 hours.
Now let’s see what all she has put into it.
  • Hibiscus Flowers
  • Methi seeds (Fenugreek seeds)
  • Jeera seeds (Cumin Seeds)
  • Ajwain (Hindi)/Ovaa(Marathi) – (Carom Seeds)
  • Brahmi Leaves
  • Kadipatta (Curry Leaves)
All these ingredients are put in oil and heated. The colour is golden-nish. I admit it smells strange but it has worked wonders for my hair.

Steaming

After applying oil, give it a good steam. I do it once a week. A good steam helps in opening up pores that helps in new hair growth. See to it that someone does it for you because if you steam it yourself you won’t be able to reach every strand of hair.

Caution: Do not bring the steam too close as this may damage your hair.

Shampooing


Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
Gosh I am too scared to experiment with shampoos and that is why I always take suggestions from my hair stylist and read reviews here and there. At present I am using Tresemme, which is strictly okay. I am going to change the brand soon.

Okay, now make it a point to change your brand of shampoo once in a year. Do not let your hair get used to one brand of shampoo for a long time. Sounds strange, isn’t it? But that’s worked for me. Earlier I used Garnier and then Herbal Essences and now it’s Tresemme.

Make it a point to use a good shampoo which helps in cleaning your scalp.

Conditioning

As I am using Tresemme shampoo, I am using its conditioner too. I love the conditioner more than the shampoo. It’s thickness is medium. I apply it and keep it not more than two minutes. After that I religiously pour cold water until every residue of it is washed away.
Essential Tip: I always wash my hair with Cold water. It helps in maintaining the shine.


Hair Pack

Once in a month I apply egg white to my hair as it gives excellent conditioning. It makes my hair softer and shinier. It has that peculiar stink too…But who cares!!! As I mentioned, I can go upto any extent to keep my hair healthy.
Once in six months, I apply Henna (Mehendi) too. I apply it and keep it just for an hour. Do not keep it for longer period because mehendi can make your hair dry.

Combing and Brushing

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
Use a wide toothed comb to de-tangle your hair and then use a good hair brush with soft bristles. Always start combing your end from the tips and then go upwards. This will lead to less hairfall.
This comb was given to me by my mother and it costs 20 bucks and this brush I got it from a local shop which costed me 150 INR. I brush my hair atleast three times a day and definitely before going to sleep. This guarantees a good blood circulation as well as a good massage.

Bohemian Mistletoe Tips: (Not enforceable) ;)

  • Get a good haircut…once in 6 months. Never shy away from trendy haircuts. Infact invest on a good haircut by a good stylist. (REMEMBER: A sexy haircut is the best revenge ;)  )
  • Tie your hair loose when you go to sleep.
  • Use good quality hair bands or hair clips.
  • While going out, specially during the day, carry a scarf and cover your head as it will help in protecting your hair from strong sun rays and dust.
  • You may use hair serums or gels according to your hair texture. (I do not use them at all..actually have never tried)
  • Try and get atleast 7 hours of sleep. This is beneficial for your skin too.
  • Sleep with happy thoughts. I do not say that don’t take tensions…infact take necessary tensions and leave out unnecessary ones.
Like any other girl even I have my share of hair problems like hairfall and dandruff. But it is important how you tackle them.

Hope you liked this post. Bohemian Mistletoe will appreciate your encouraging comments as well as love to hear your hair care routine.

Love those sexy locks of yours!!!!!

Bohemian Mistletoe...XOXO

Monday, February 9, 2015

Vaadi Herbals Foot Cream Review

What better than Ayurveda healing your feet?

Straight from nature….at your feet.

Vaadi Herbals Foot Cream!!!
An Ayurvedic Therapy for your feet.

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe

About the product
A scientifically designed foot cream that repairs and softens rough, hard and cracked heels.

Active Ingredients
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  •  Clove oil : Has antiseptic property that disinfects feet by killing bacteria and fungi. Cures cuts and wounds. Relaxes tired feet.
  •  Sandalwood: Removes dark patches and pigmentation marks. Repairs cracked and rough feet. Leaves your feet scented and it soothes and relaxes tired feet.
  •  Cocoa Butter & Jojoba Oil: Moisturizes your feet
  • Thyme: Has antiseptic properties and works wonder on scars and wounds.
 Net Weight:  
30 grams

Price
45 INR (I took a pack of 4 and got it for 162 INR  as there was a fabulous discount at NYKAA…The best online beauty shopping destination)

How to use this product? :
Wash your feet. Pat them dry and apply religiously onto your feet.

BoMi says:

I am not much into Pedicures and Manicures as I tend to do it all at home. My Luxury…My Convenience!!!

For starters all I can say is that it is a decent product. It comes in a jar so there is no wastage.  What I really like about this product is it’s frangrance. It has this strong clove oil fragrance the moment you open the lid. You can also feel the sandalwood fragrance (This strong fragrance could be a NO-NO for some but for me it is therapeutic).

It is pale yellow in colour and is extremely creamy. As it is a herbal product, there are no side effects to it.

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
Because of cocoa butter and jojoba oil your feet is left moisturized. My skin has become softer as compared to how it was earlier. After applying this cream, the feet look shinier too. Due to its creamy texture, it gets absorbed very quickly into the skin.

But that’s about it!!! Do not expect miracles on scars and wounds. I bought this product for this sole reason of removal of scars on my feet.

As my skin is sensitive, I tend to develop scars very soon. I am very particular about the footwear that I wear because it eventually gives me ugly shoe-bite marks.
I have been applying this cream religiously before I go to sleep but the scar marks haven’t reduced. I must admit that there is a slight de-pigmentation (one shade lighter) but that is NEGLIGIBLE.

Luckily, I have never developed cracked feet till date, so my only concern was the ugly marks on my feet.

Well!!! This product hasn’t managed to erase off my concern.

But ridiculously it feels great on the skin as it has a cooling effect and your feet do feel supple.

Also, I was fooled by their “Cute” packaging. The package looks bigger but the actual jar is very small. But it is okay because of its economical pricing (Please read: Dirt cheap price!)
Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
The jar will last you for about 20 days if you use it daily.

What I like about the product?
  • Fragrance….strong clove oil presence.
  • Moisturizing quality  (4 out of 5 for this property)
  •  Price ….very economical
  • Cooling effect
  • Cute jar
What I do not like?
  •  People who have issues with their scars and shoe bite marks on their feet skin…This one is not for you…I wouldn’t recommend this product to you….Not at all!!
  •  Quantity…It is only 30 grams and gets over soon.
 My ratings:
3 out of 5

Swatch
Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe




Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe








After applying there is visible shine













Would I buy/use this product again?

May be but only for its moisturizing property (But there are other creams to known for this quality) or unless I am given it for free.

PS: After using this product, (Oh yes!! I still do. I am down with two of them and two more still to go) I wear socks that keeps the cream intact and gives good moisturizing to my feet.

PPS: Do not throw away the jar as it can be used for various purposes ;)

See the after-use

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
Hope you all found this review helpful. Would appreciate your comments and do.....SPREAD THE WORD!!!!


Monday, February 2, 2015

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Review

Hello Angels...We meet after a long a time. 

Today I am going to review a product which is my Holy Grail.

What feels heavenly on skin?

Image: Bohemian Mistletoe
Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
BIODERMA SENSIBIO

I think the answer says it all.

Girls…..we all love makeup, don’t we?

Those Perfect Primers….Beautiful BB Creams….Electric EyelinersKarismatic KajalsBrilliant BlushesBlazing Bronzers….Magnificent Mascaras

All these awesome stuff makes you look like a “Diva”….A beautiful “Goddess”. You feel absolutely beautiful from within and to top it all you are showered by many compliments and your admirers list goes on extending.

That is the power of make up!!!

Now …Will you go to bed without removing your make up? If you do that you would be torturing your skin.

You come back home and you dread of one tedious ritual….

The ritual of ….Makeup Removal….

Mind you…applying makeup is easy but taking it off feels like….Arrggghhhh!!! The harsh chemical based makeup removers can give you nightmares.

Not anymore because Bioderma Sensibio is here.

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe
About the product
Bioderma Sensibio H2O is a Solution Micellaire meant for sensitive skin.  It is a French product and we all know that the French beauty products are to die for.

Product Contents
Water (Aqua), PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) fruit extract, Mannitol,  Xylitol, Rhamnose, Fructo-oligosaccharides, Propylene  Glycol, Disodium Edta, Cetrimonium Bromide

What it does?
Cleanses, removes make-up, soothes. Non rinse, Fragrance Free, Alcohol free. High on PH formula that maintains natural moisture level.

How it is to be used?
Soak a cotton pad or ball. Cleanse/remove make-up from face and eyes. Dry gently.

Quantity
100 ml (The one I have). Also available in 250 ml.

Price
100 ml = 599 INR
250 ml = 860 INR
(Yes, it is steep on price perspective)

BoMi says:

As I use a lot of eye makeup, I was in need of a good makeup remover. While surfing my favorite site “NYKAA”, I stumbled upon this product. What attracted me towards it was the “Miscellaire Solution” and was meant for Sensitive skin that exactly fit my criteria. I saw couple of reviews about it & went ahead and clicked “PROCEED & PAY” ……. ;)

I am in absolute love with this product because it does what it says.
No tall claims at all. It cleans the makeup smoothly. You will need more quantity if you have to wipe off your foundations, concealers or your favorite BB creams.

For starters, I ordered for a 100ml bottle from my favorite beauty site ….NYKAA because I needed to actually experiment it. So, a 100 ml bottle for 599 INR !!! Whacky Pricing!!!

Only once I tried removing my entire makeup with Sensibio but believe me it is fab.  It took three cotton swabs to clean up all the traces of make-up and I realized that I consumed too much.

That’s why now I use it only to clean my eye make-up. Even the most rigid makeup particle is removed and your skin is left with absolutely no trace of make-up.

After using this product for couple of times I have noticed my skin looks cleaner and has made my skin supple.

Mind you!!! I haven’t had a single breakout after using Sensibio.

All you need is a cotton swab and 2-3 drops of Bioderma Sensibio for that flawless no-make up look.


What I Like?
  • Does what it says (This makes me feel that my money gave me good returns)
  • It is ridiculously gentle on my face.
  • Feels like water
  • No fragrance
  • Removes minutest particle of make-up.
  • Its magical for removing eye make-up
  • The bottle looks cute with the lid being tight and there is no spillover (3rd image)


What I do not like?
  • Steep pricing. So if you use it regularly it will last for about a month. If used on heavy makeup probably 15-16 days.
How it Works? 
Hand is smeared with rigid gel eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss, lips sticks  :)

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe



Hand wiped once with Sensibio

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe


Twice ....There you go!!!!!!

Image Courtesy: Bohemian Mistletoe


Hope you angels find this review useful. If yes….Spread the Word!!!

P.S. Nowadays I use this product as a toner and it is magical.


P.P.S. Even though it is a non rinse product, I generously splash water on my face after usage (It does the trick)