7 Ways To Use Aloe Vera Gel For Skin Care.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well.

In this week’s post, I will be sharing 7 ways in which you can use aloe vera gel for better skin.

Aloe vera gel can be used in a million ways but in this post I am covering only easy Do It Yourself (DIYs). Everything needed for any of the DIYs is mostly available at home and does not require too much effort. You can use homemade aloe vera gel directly from the plant. However I have purchased the Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel, which retails at Rs.75 for 150ml, since I am too lazy to actually make the gel.

Without any further ado lets get into the post.

A primer

Aloe vera gel fills in pores and makes the skin smooth. It has anti bacterial properties which makes it perfect for oily skin.It creates a barrier against outside elements like dust and pollution. Due to its finish, it will hold your make up in place all day long.

Just take a dollop of the gel on your palm and spread it all over your face, like you would do with any other primer.

If you would like to know more about primers, we have already done a post on it.

http://compactmatters.blogspot.com/2016/05/primers-101.html

A toner

Aloe vera gel could be used as a toner as well when mixed with green tea and water. Green is a rich anti-oxidant that tighten pores and remove impurities from the skin. Aloe vera helps reduce the inflammation and keeps the skin moist. A table spoon of aloe vera gel must be added into a cup of warm green tea. This should be mixed until there are no lumps. This solution can be added in a spray bottle or can be dabbed all over the face with a cotton ball.

A facial mist

Due to its anti-bacterial properties, aloe vera gel mixed with water make an amazing facial mist especially in the hot humid Indian weather. It will also ensure that the skin remains cool and moist. Add aloe vera gel into a spray bottle with water in a 1:3 proportion. Shake the bottle until it is blended into becoming one substance.

To remove tan

Aloe vera gel works well to get rid of a tan as well.  Just squeeze some lemon juice into 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and mix it. Apply this solution over the tan affected area and wash it off after 10 minutes.

Anti acne spot treatment

Aloe vera gel helps reduce acne and break outs since they are usually a result of bacteria. The gel has anti- bacterial properties. Simply apply the gel on acne before sleeping and wash it off in the morning.

A scrub 

Aloe vera gel due to its anti bacterial and cooling properties could be used to make a scrub. The gel mixed with honey and granulated sugar could be used as a mask. Honey is an anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and helps unclog pores. The sugar helps exfoliate the unclogged pores.

Under eye gel

Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce eye bags. It also works to lighten discolouration by hydrating the under eye area and thus helps get rid of dark circles. Dabbing aloe vera gel under the eyes every night would work as an a good under eye gel.

That is all for this post. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave it down in a comment.

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Photography Courtesy: Shivam Bhatt.

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kit Review.

Hi guys! Hope you all are doing well.

In this week’s post, I will be reviewing the much talked about, Kylie Cosmetics lip kit.

Kylie Cosmetics were and still are a rage since they launched in November 2015. The original shades were sold out within the first 30 seconds. The trend continues for every new launch.

 Kylie Cosmetics ships to India directly. However you may or may not be charged a hefty customs duty. There are multiple instagram stores like beautytales.in and beautybuyindia that sell Kylie Cosmetics products for a slightly higher price.

Without any further ado, lets get into the review.

Lip swatch for Posie K

Price

The Kylie Cosmetics lip kit, which consists of a matte liquid lipstick and lip liner, retails for 29$ which roughly converts into Rs.2000. 

The matte liquid lipstick retails for 17$ and the lip liner retails for 14$, if bought individually.

Shade 

In 2016, Kylie Cosmetics launched 37 lip kits. Their range includes perfect nudes, vibrant reds, deep fall shades and some wacky blues and blacks. 

The shade I have is Posie K which is a dusty mauve pink from the Valentine’s Day 2016 Collection. The name was “Posie” was suggested to Kylie Jenner by a follower over Instagram.

Swatch for Posie K liquid lipstick and lip liner.

Lip Swatch for Posie K

Packaging 

The Kylie Cosmetics lip kit come in a rectangular box with the holographic logo in the front. Each box has the name and shade of the colour of the top and bottom flap. At the back of the box, there are some instructions along with the ingredients of both the products.Once you open the box, there is a small sheet separating the lip liner and liquid lipstick.

The matte liquid lipstick comes in a cylindrical transparent tube with a design in black along with “Kylie” written .

The lip liner comes in packaged as a black pencil with some details mentioned in silver and the base of the pencil showing colour of the liner.

Fragrance

The liquid lipstick smells like sweet candy which lingers on for an hour or two.

The lip liner has no fragrance.

Application 

The lip liner goes on pretty smoothly. It is highly pigmented and you could skip the liquid lipstick and fill in your lips only with the lip liner if you are not in the mood for matte lips. However since it is in a pencil form, you have to sharpen it every 4-5 use.

The liquid lipstick also goes on equally smoothly. It takes about 2 minutes to dry up completely matte. One coat of the lipstick is more than enough. The colour intensity does not change with another coat.

Longevity

The Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks are supposed to be formula dupes for the Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipsticks. Until I used the Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipsticks, I believed that it was not possible to have a better texture and formula than the Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks but I was proven wrong. The Kylie Cosmetics Liquid Lipsticks last upto 7-8 hours even with eating and drinking. They are a holy grail for someone who loves the super matte lipsticks,

Pros

Beautiful and unique range of shades.

Not very expensive since in only Rs.2000 you are getting a liquid lipstick and a lip liner.

Amazing longevity.

Both the products are sold individually as well.

Light and travel friendly.

Cons 

Not easily available in India.

There are more affordable liquid lipsticks with good longevity.

The lip liner does not come with a sharpener.

The liquid lipstick might be too drying for some people.

If you have torn and dry lips, the liquid lipstick will accentuate it.

My Verdict

If you have someone coming down from the States and really love matte lipsticks, do not hesitate even once. The price might be a little high but it is worth very penny. There is an amazing range of colours to choose from. However while choosing the colour ensure you have seen it on a model with a similar skin tone to get a more accurate idea if it will suit you.

Lip swatch for Posie K

Lip swatch for Posie K

That is all for this post. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave it in a comment below.

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Photography Courtesy:Shivam Bhatt, Ananya Khatri, Anushka Varma and Vini Bakhda.

L'Oreal Mat Magique 12H Foundation Mat Foundation Review.

Hey guys! Hope you all are doing well.

In this week’s post, I will be reviewing the L’Oreal Mat Magique 12H Bright Mat Foundation.

The L’Oreal Mat Magique Pressed Powder is my favourite pressed powder. It can be worn alone only with some primer and it will provide pretty good coverage for your skin. So when L’Oreal launched the L’Oreal Mat Magique Foundation I had to give it a try.

So without any further ado, lets get into the review.

Price

The L’Oreal Mat Magique Foundation retails for Rs.595 for 30ml.

Shade 

The L’Oreal Mat Magique Foundation is available in 5 shades. The shades do not have have a specific name but are divided in the G and N range. The N range seems to be for people with light skin tone and G for people with medium to dark skin tone.

Packaging

The L’Oreal Mat Magique Foundation comes in a metallic pink paper box with the logo and shade mentioned in the front and the claims of the product mentioned at the back. The foundation comes in a metallic pink tube with the logo of the product in the front and some details in the back.The shade isn’t mentioned on the tube. Once you remove the cap of the tube, there is a thin nozzle and you can remove only as much products as required. The product may seem tiny compared to other drugstore foundations. However 30ml is the standard quantity for other foundations as well.

Fragrance

The L’Oreal Mat Magique Foundation has no fragrance.

Texture

The L’Oreal Mat Magique Foundation feels very light on the skin. It is not a full coverage foundation but it decently build able. It is a matte foundation that will best work for oily skin since the sebum absorbant skin oil. It can blended easily even with just your fingers.

Longevity

The L’Oreal Mat Magique Foundation claims to be 12 hour foundation. The foundation does last very long especially if you accompany it with a primer, some compact powder and a setting spray. However after 8 hours the skin tends to look a little tired. However the coverage really stays on for upto 10-12 hours.

Pros

It is travel friendly.

It is affordable.

It helps with oil control.

It is a light weight foundation.

It has SPF 11 and PA++.

Cons

The coverage is average.

It is not the best option for dry skin.

My Verdict 

If you are someone you finds a regular foundation heavy on the skin but would like some more coverage than a BB cream, you should give this foundation a try. If you are blessed with good skin, this foundation might work for you. If you are someone who has dry skin or needs atleast a decent amount of coverage, I suggest you should skip this foundation.

That is all for this post. Hope you found it useful in some way. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave it down in the comments section.

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Photography Courtesy: Shivam Bhatt.

Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti Review.

Hey guys! Hope you all are doing well.

In this week’s post, I will be reviewing the Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti.

My first memory of a face pack as a child is this small box of multani mitti my mom got me from the drugstore. I remember everytime I applied it I felt my skin was glowing and I felt so beautiful. If you have been following Compact Matters, you would know I love natural skin care products and one thing I believe in splurging for is skincare. So when my mom surprised me with The Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti, I was so excited.

Without any further ado, lets get into the review.

Price

The Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti retails for Rs.875 for 85g.

Packaging

The Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti comes packaged in a brown box with the logo in the front and the ingredients and directions at the back. Inside the box, there is a tiny transparent jar with golden lid and details on a sticker. Once you open the box, there is plastic lid ensuring that the product doesn’t spill. Once you remove this lid, the product is inside in a powder form.

Fragrance

The Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti has an earthy scent with hints of neem and fenugreek or meethi seeds.

Ingredients

The Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti has multani mitti as its base product. However this isn’t a regular drugstore multani mitti. It has herbs like neem, turmeric, and fenugreek that help prevent acne through deep cleansing the skin.

Application

The Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti can be used with rose water, aloe vera gel/juice or yogurt. Take half of a tea spoon of the the powder and mix it with any of the liquids mentioned so that it becomes a thick paste without any clumps. Apply the paste on your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash it off.

Usage

The Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti can be used as a face mask, face wash and for spot treatment. It helps deep clean the skin and works best for blemished and acne prone skin. However depending on the product you choose to mix it with, you can make it work for your skin type for deep cleaning. People with oily skin could mix it with rose water as it will refresh their skin but not make it oily. People with combination skin could mix it aloe vera gel or juice to add some moisture. People with dry skin could use yogurt as their base to give their skin the nourishment it needs.

Since I have normal to combination skin, I prefer using the Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel with the Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti .

Pros

Since you need very little product for every use, it will last you for very long.

It can be used by all skin types by choosing the base liquid appropriately.

It can shared by multiple people.

Since Forest Essentials is a luxury brand, it is a rather affordable product from their brand.

It keeps your skin healthy and hydrated while fighting acne.

Cons

The fragrance is really raw and might be too strong for some people.

You will have to use it along with aloe vera gel, rose water or yogurt. Without one of these, it can not be used. 

My Verdict

I am a little reluctant whether to call the Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti an investment product since it is not that expensive but neither is it totally affordable. However this jar will last you 8 to 10 months and helps keep acne in control. I personally love using it for spot treatment over my acne and acne scars.

That is all for this post. Hope you found it useful in some way. If you have any questions or suggestions, leave it down in a comment.

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Photography Courtesy: Shivam Bhatt.