Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash Reviewed!

It's been taking me a while to get around to posting on this blog recently and I really don't like it. I'm going to try and post every week starting now and hopefully stick to that schedule because I love writing these posts. Quite a few weeks ago, while I was in India, Garnier Pure Active sent me a lovely package with their new neem face wash. If you follow me on Instagram you probably know how long it's been since I received the package (why do I delay these posts? ).

Packaging: It comes in a pretty standard tube and the only part that really annoys me with many tubes is the twisty cap which comes off completely. I read that many people have tubes with the twisty cap but mine wasn't so I'm happy. I prefer these flip-top tubes since they're convenient and you don't have to struggle with trying to hold the cap and not misplace it. Since I've left the actual tube back in India I had to turn to google images for some help. (See how the google image has a twisty cap and a different design on the packaging? They must have repackaged these!). I do really like the look of the tube though. It's simple, clean and neat.

Texture: It's a clear gel-like texture but too runny to really be classified as a gel I think. It has a lime green color and I'm not sure what I think about that. Some days I love it because it's bright and fresh but on some others it reminds me of those disgusting snot-like slime things little kids play with. I guess it just depends on your mood. It foams up pretty well and smells really good. I can't describe the smell exactly but it has hints of neem and something fruity in it.

Results: You don't need a lot of this product since it foams up and spreads very evenly on the skin. Once you wash it off, it leaves your skin feeling really soft and moisturized. Garnier claims that it fights bacteria, fights pollution and removes oil. My skin definitely feels cleaner after using it and I've seen neem products work very well on most people with acne-prone skin. However, neem products seem to hate me and give me more breakouts. I was hoping that this one would be different and to a certain extent it was. I just loved the smell and the fresh/clean feeling after using it so much that I hoped it would be good for my skin. It took a few weeks to start giving me breakouts which is a good sign because it means the face wash wouldn't be harsh on someone else's skin (someone whose skin doesn't react to neem in a bad way).

I believe it costs INR75 for a 100ml tube which is extremely affordable so you should give it a whirl if you have acne-prone skin. If this one doesn't do it for you, I recommend the Garnier Pure Active Daily Scrub with Salicylic Acid. That face wash has my absolute favorite for years now and even though it's marketed as a blackhead scrub it works amazingly well on acne.

Extras: That Garnier pen and notebook came in so handy especially since we were making notes, reminders and lists while planning events. Thank you for those Garnier if you're reading this! However, may I suggest changing the graphics on the notebook? The animated pimple-covered faces made me cringe and not want to use it so I tore out those pages while using the notebook.

I hope you guys found this post helpful. If you've used this product before or plan on trying it out, I would love to know more in the comments below. You can also head on over to twitter where you can follow me at @Thesecretlife_T and Garnier at @PureActiveIndia . Tweet us with your opinions about this product in particular or anything else from the range!

Tanaya <3

Lakme Absolute Gloss Addict Lipstick - Desert Rose

Have you watched the commercials for this new launch by Lakme? With Kareena Kapoor wearing a red and extremely glossy lipstick? When I first saw it I loved the red color but I found the glossyness to be too over-the-top and quite tacky-looking. However, once I saw swatches of the lipstick (or "Gloss Sticks” as Lakme likes to name them) I couldn’t wait to try it! They looked like the perfect amount of gloss and nothing like the exaggerated tacky lipcolor in the commercial.

Packaging: The tube looks absolutely precious! I love the effect created by the clear plastic tube over the metallic one. Lakme really stepped it up with the packaging for this lipstick (I don’t usually like the packaging of any of their other products) making it both practical and elegant. The clear top is really convenient since you can see the shade and easily find the lipstick. The outer black box is quite average. Nothing too fascinating or classy but it isn’t bad either.

Pigmentation, Texture and Finish:  The texture is nice and buttery which makes the color glide on without any efforts or rubbing. It allows the color to be applied evenly across the lips and is responsible for the glossy effect. While I love how glossy the product is, it’s not as pigmented as I had expected it to be. It’s still a beautiful product and I’ve started reaching for it almost everyday now but I’m sad that it was hyped up to be more pigmented than it actually is. The bright side to it not being too heavily pigmented is that it is so wearable. It’s perfect for every day.

Shade: While staring at the numerous swatch galleries on Google, Desert Rose repeatedly stood out to me. It’s like... 

Continue Reading... 


Tanaya <3

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My Christmas Outfit & Makeup.

How long has it been since my last post? Not long I hope. I know it's a little late for christmas outfit posts but I still wanted to share it no matter what time of the year it is. I really love the eye look that I did on Christmas so I did the same one for New Year's Eve too. I think it adds a wonderful glow to the face and looks great with almost every outfit. So it's only appropriate to start with the eye look.

I just used a random eyeshadow palette but I would love to do a tutorial for the look if you would like to see one. I am absolutely obsessed with it. I also used the Revlon Lash Potion mascara and I apologize for the less than good mascara application but I was in a hurry. I also used the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer. Now for the rest of the look.

I used the MAC Frankly Scarlet blush with some Em Cosmetics Lipstick in Violaceous that I reviewed here. I also used the Benefit Hoola bronzer. Oh and how could I forget! I've also used my most recent and favorite purchase- the Pond's BB+ Cream. It makes the skin look just so flawless and it's a shame that I can find it only in India :( I will do a proper review soon. I've also gotten a new haircut since that picture which I'm so excited to share so follow me on Instagram to see it! 

For my outfit I chose my lovely Forever 21 white lace dress. Something about white and red just makes me think of christmas. The dress is so adorable and it has a cutout back.

I hope you like this post. What do you think of my look and outfit? Leave me links to your christmas outfit posts or just send me a picture on twitter! I would love to see them all. Don't forget to follow me on Facebook, Bloglovin' , Polyvore, Instagram, GFC & Twitter.

Tanaya <3

The Skincare Wishlist

I'm really proud of myself for having stuck to my plans and being able to write the second post of this Wishlist series. The Makeup Wishlist was well-received and that makes me even happier and more excited to be continuing the series. Taking extra care of our skin is the price we pay for constantly trying new products. Here is a list of a few products that were created to repair, restore and even pamper our skin. 

1. Bioderma Micellar Solution : it may come as no surprise that this is the first product in my skincare Wishlist. This cleanser is said be a magic-makeup-removing-water. The science behind it is that the Micelles in this water cling on to the makeup particles and the makeup slides right off. It's the same concept as that of soap but in the form of this magical makeup removing potion that is great for the skin.

2.La-Roche Posay Physiological Micellar Solution : sounds similar to Bioderma doesn't it? That's what attracted me to this product. And also the fact that its by La-Roche Posay which is possibly my favorite skincare brand at the moment. La-Roche Posay products have a reputation of having perfect texture, formulation and basically of being lifechanging skincare products. 

3.Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion : the packaging is pretty cute. After trying Cetaphil Cleansing Lotion I've been on the lookout for another Cleansing Lotion that I can use for comparison. I guess everything in life is about comparisons and competitions and so I felt the weird need to compare Cetaphil to another cleansing lotion.

4. Rosehip oil : I am no stranger to the use of Tea Tree oil for clearing blemishes and just maintaining a glowing complexion. In fact, Tea Tree oil is my go-to product  for when my skin begins to act up. Therefore, I was fascinated when I heard of the benefits of Rosehip oil and I'm curious to know whether its better than my beloved Tea Tree oil. Also, Miranda Kerr recently credited Rosehip oil for her perfect skin.

5. Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel : I've read wonderful reviews of this peel and it sounds fruity. I'm eager to try this product and I will definitely post a review as soon as I try it out!

6.Frésh Black Tea Perfecting Mask : drinking Tea is probably the most refreshing moments of my day. I love tea and I also love to pamper my skin with a few masks. So if you tell me there's a product that combines these 2 things I'm going to be looking for it everywhere until I find it

7.Hydra Veil from Illamasqua's summer collection : it's been quite a long time since this product released but unfortunately Illamasqua isn't available in India and I had to satisfy myself with reading reviews of the Hydra Veil for the time being. The texture looks pretty unique and its supposed to be a quick fix for fussy skin.

8. Nivea's Express Hydration primer : this is a moisturizing primer and is available in 2 variations according to the type of skin. They do have a formulation for oily or combination skin which is great news since I often find common moisturizers a bit too heavy for my skin.

9.Urban Decay's De-slick makeup setting spray : this is the product my skin really really needs. I feel like makeup just slides off my skin within an hour or something. If you've got oily skin like me, I recommend that you try this out too.

10. Caudalie's 'Eau de Beaute' Beauty Elixir : I first heard of this "Beauty Elixir" from a video by Fleurdeforce. Unfortunately, it's not necessarily the easiest thing to find. 

So that's my list of the skincare products I wish I had. But don't feel too sorry for me because being the shopaholic that I am, I've already planned to get quite a few of them. Tell me what are the skincare products on your Wishlist and if you have tried any of the little miracle products listed above tell me what you thought of them. 

T<3