My Very Own Box- July

Hi everyone,  it's time for another box. I adore the scent of lavender & I love it in pretty much every product I use. Here's the the stuff I got for this month's box. I've gone slightly over my budget of 1000 INR but in my defense,  all these things were calling out to me. Oh! & the theme? La Lavender of course.

1. Aroma Treasures Lavender Essential Oil INR 147 for 10 ml

This was the first thing I got. Coconut oil has been really big from sometime & I'm planning on using it as a body moisturizer this winter. But I don't particularly like the smell of coconut oil. A few drops of this mixed with coconut oil will solve the problem.

2. Vaadi Herbals Aromatherapy Body Oil with Lavender INR 65 for 50 ml

So relaxing.  I use this at the end of the day & sleep like a baby.

3. Khadi Lavender Ylang Ylang Body Wash INR 220 for 210 ml

Love this. It claims to relieve sore muscles,  I like to use it at the end of the day. The scent is super relaxing too.

4. Vaadi Herbals Lavender Shampoo with Rosemary INR 59 for 110 ml

Yet to try.

5. Biocare Lavender Face Scrub with Chamomile INR 155 for 500 ml

OMG! One whiff & I was hooked. Love using this, skin is left super smooth.

6. Vaadi Herbals Lavender & Rosemary Spa Facial Kit INR 275  for 70 ml

Smells ah!mazing. Loved using this.

7. Yardley English Lavender Luxury Soap INR 50

8. Vaadi Herbals Heavenly Lavender Soap INR 108 for 3*75 gm

Love this.

9. Vedic Line Lavender Gloss Serum INR 200 for 100 ml

Yet to try

I think I have gone overboard on the whole lavender thing. On the plus side, my bathroom smells amazing.
Cheers

Books This Week 2

Hi, time for mini reviews of books again. These are the books I finished reading this week

1. We Were Liars- E Lockhart 5/5

Fabulous book. I love the way the author uses different adjectives to describe different characters.  Also I'm in awe of the way fairy tales are used to describe the protagonis's current situation.  Love! The suspense keeps you on you toes till the very end. I almost didn't want the book to end.

2. How To Get Dressed- Allison Freer 4/5

Useful book for anyone staring at the wardrobe thinking "I've got nothing to wear". The author is a Hollywood stylist who takes you through the entire process- right from segregating your wardrobe to arranging stuff so its easily accessible. The book is peppered with funny real life stories. She also teaches you to care for your clothes - decoding the washing instructions, actually washing,  how to get rid of stains & how dry cleaning is not actually necessary. I love how detailed it is. Definitely dipping back into this one.

3. Daddy Long Legs- Jean Webster 4/5

Super charming,  old world type story. The entire novel is made up of letters written by the protagonist over the course of a few years. I love how simple it is. I could guess the ending easily but  that didn't take away anything from the book. If you loved "Little Women", you'll love this too.

Cheers.

June 2015 Empties

Another month just flew by. Let's get on with the empties for June 2015

1. Vivel fairness cream INR 45
What a disaster!  Horrible cream for my oily skin. I'm not overly picky when it comes to creams- it should hydrate without being greasy & should not break me out. But this one lets me down on all fronts. Skin feels stretchy after applying this(can't even imagine this on dry skinned girls). Broke me out as well. Can't believe I was foolish enough to buy 2 tubes. Obviously not repurchasing.

2. Himalaya lip balm INR 75
Quite nice. I love using this under lipstick.  It's not overly greasy. Will buy once I finish my considerable stash.

3. Lotus Orange lip balm INR 125
My HG overnight lip balm. Bought one in every variant on a BOGO offer. Still have a couple more to finish. Buying again? Of course.

4. Sure anti perspirant INR 75
The one and only affordable, alcohol-free, roll-on available in India. Had a mild smell which does not interfere with the perfume I wear. Will continue buying until there is another option.

5. Palmolive Crushed Coconut Body Wash INR 145
Love the scent of this one but it doesn't really go with summer. Now that winter is here in my city,  I used up the last remaining bit. Definitely buying again- both this and the blue one as well.

6. Patanjali body lotion INR 65
Why on earth did I buy this? Smells like super strong jasmine agarbatti which is a pity cause it has everything going for it - hydrates well, is non greasy. Bah! Why do you have to add horrible fragrance to a good product and desyroy it completely? Never again.

7. Vaadi herbals cold cream INR 75
What does a oily skinned girl do with a cold cream? Use it as a hand and foot cream of course. This has a very old world smell. Maybe not buying again.

Now on to the decluttering makeup part

1. Lakme lip palette INR 600
I loved this when I first bought it and used it a lot. Since then I discovered "Coral" and didn't want to use any other colour. I found this at the back of my closet with some kind of fungus growing on it. Ew! Into the bin.

2. Maybelline moisture extreme lipstick in Misty Mauve
Absolutely loved this one. It was also my first Maybelline lipstick. What a long way we've come! It's still in good condition- smells good, applies smoothly. I'm only throwing it away cause its atleast 5 years old.

3. Colorbar velvet matte lipstick in Smokey Rose
This was a free gift with purchase many moons ago. This one's in good condition too. Throwing it away for the same reason- it's almost 6 years old.

4. Davis lip liners in nude, pink and burgandy INR 20 each
Very ancient + I don't line my lips all the time

5. Davis eyeliner in grey and teal INR 20 each
Expired, has become very hard

6. Tips and toes eye liner in plum and green
Plum one hardly shows up on the eyes. Green one is super hard.
Getting rid of all this will hopefully give me more space for the things I do love.

Until next time.

Books I've read this week

These are the books I've read this week

10 Secrets to growing black hair long & fast- C Collins

The book starts with regular stuff like drink water, exercise, use less heat etc. What I am intrigued by is the inversion method suggested. She says to massage your head with oil while bending over- like you are trying to touch your feet- for precisely 4 minutes for 7 days continuously & then a break for 3 weeks. The author claims that following the inversion method will increase hair length by 1/2 to 1 inch in 1 week.  I'm very tempted to try.

Another thing suggested is sealing the hair to retain moisture by LOC method       (Liquid-Oil-Cream ) method. This is done by spraying hair with water, coating ends of hair with oil & finally applying a hair cream. Put your hair up in a bun or so after this to reduce contact with natural elements or even hair brushing against your clothes. This must be done once a week.

Sleeping on a satin pilow case. I've always wanted to try this to avoid frizzy hair and tangling,  but now I've found a way- a satin scarf. Drape the scarf on your regular pillow case and ta- da.

200 tips, techniques & recipes for natural beauty- Shannon Buck

Absolutely loved this one. There are plenty of recipes in every section & is extremely detailed. I like how she takes you through the entire process of making your own cosmetics; right from sourcing to mixing to storing. Worth every penny.  Must have book for everyone trying to start making their own.

P.S : If you don't want to invest in the book head over to her blog FreshPickedBeauty.com

Gone Girl- Gillian Flynn

OMG! I haven't loved a book this much in a long time. Many, many twists & characters that surprise you & themselves. Didn't like the ending but whoa! the rest of the book is a roller coaster ride. Try this.