Dove Elixir-all the hoopla about real ingredients myth or reality?

So we've all seen the Dove Elixir TV commercials, the billboards, the print ads singing paeans about the benefits of overnight oiling in just 30 minutes.

With a feel good tune of  "Naani teri morni ko more le gaye..." and a Gradma lovingly giving her grand child a Dove elixir hair oil massage.
The ad is snazzily executed, it talks about Dove elixir precious Hair oils with real ingredients,hitting all the right notes and instantly makes you want to go out and grab this little hair potion right away. 
Well at least it did make me go out and buy it right away (this was sometime in the third week of December).
The Dove elixir wasn't available in most stores and after hunting high and low I finally spotted the 'Nourished shine' variant containing Hibiscus and Argan oil,I so craved this bottle 'coz I had read tons about the benefit of Argan oil.One look at the bottle & I was ecstatic at the sight of beautiful rose petals floating in the oil!
I said a little prayer and thanked Dove for launching something so pretty in the Indian market and I walked back with a spring in my steps,mighty thrilled with my purchase.

I couldn't peel my  eyes off this pretty bottle.Dove got the packaging spot on with the beautiful rose petals suspended in the hair elixir, it gives the bottle a ethereal look, not like mundane bottle of hair oil but an object of desire.

As soon as I came back home, like an enthu bunny Id gave myself a head massage with this "Hair elixir"Right off the heavy perfumed scent almost gave me nausea, its really strong sickly sweet smell, the gagging feeling was really strong and I could barely keep it on for 30 mins..
I was perplexed, I knew some oils smell funky but such strong fragrance is unusual..I decided to read the ingredient list carefully... surprise surprise here's what I found.... it contains 78% Mineral Oil, 16% vegetable oil and approx 6% of other stuff.. Hmm...I did a double take, wasn't I promised goodness of hibiscus,Argan oil?? Is the infinitesimally small quantity of beneficial oils added to this hair elixir just as a motivational ingredient?

I decided to read up more on the ingredients and check with Wiki (yeah I know its not Gospel truth,but has some very relevant information)

I quote from Wikipedia "Mineral oil is a liquid by-product of the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline and other petroleum-based products from crude oil. Mineral oil is a substance of relatively low value, and it is produced in very large quantities.The World Health Organization classifies untreated or mildly treated mineral oils as Group 1 carcinogens to humans; highly refined oils are classified as Group 3, meaning they are not suspected to be carcinogenic but available information is not sufficient to classify them as harmless.^[4]"

Well mineral oil on its own isn't really harmful,many companies use it to make non sticky hair oil variant,but when a brand touts its product as 'precious hair oils with real ingredients' and mentions Hibiscus and Argan oil as the primary ingredient the last thing one would expect is to be doused with mineral oil instead!

The second ingredient that bothered me was BHT which is a suspected Carcinogen. Again from Wiki here's what I found out "Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), also known as butylhydroxytoluene, is a lipophilic (fat-soluble) organic compound, chemically a derivative of phenol, that is useful for its antioxidant properties. European and U.S. regulations allow small percentages to be used as a food additive, but that is with controversy as there are claimed links to child hyperactivity as well as to cancer"

OMFG!! All I wanted was shiny silky locks, no suspected carcinogens in my hair!!

I quickly decided to wash my hair,after two rounds of shampooing to get the oil off my hair,my naturally fine,silky hair, looked frizzy and dull,quite the contrary turnout from the "Nourished shine" I was promised :(

I'm seriously miffed with Dove & Unilever for peddling El-Cheapo mineral oil as some miraculous hair elixir.Priced at Rs 185/- for 90 ml for me this was good money down the drain.It just doesn't live up to the high standards I expect from Dove and the misleading advertising is seriously annoying.

This bottle of hair potion has only ornamental value on your dresser, apart from that don't expect "real ingredients" or "nourished shine" and you'll be fine.
Short story shorter,as for me I'd rather buy sweet almond oil for my hair massages, thankyouverymuch.

Have you tried Dove Hair Elixir? Comment and share your experience.

The Body Shop Rain forest Coconut Hair Oil Review

Nothings says Haircare as 'Coconut hair oil'  for us Indians when it comes to taking care of our dark lustrous tresses.Coconut oil is bursting with nutrients and vitamins such as lauric acid and vitamin E that nourish and condition your hair to promote shine

The Body Shop Rainforest Coconut Hair oil exclusively made for the Indian market. Packed with natural conditioning blend of coconut oil and Pracaxi oil, this hair oil intensively nourishes and transforms your mane into soft, strong, and shiny locks with a healthy scalp.

Pros

• The Body Shop Rain forest Coconut Hair Oil is paraben free, silicone free and colorant free.
• Contains community fair trade coconut oils sourced from Samoa.Two centuries of experience, the Samoans have extensive knowledge and expertise in extracting pure, natural, unadulterated coconut oil of the highest quality.  
• Contains Pracaxi oil and has one of the highest concentrations of behenic acid among natural products. For this reason, it is often used in hair conditioners.
• Works well as an Overnight leave-in,Pre-wash treatment,Scalp massage
•  Leaves the hair well conditioned and tangle free
• Packaging uses recycled materials  
• The texture of Body Shop Rain forest Coconut Hair Oil is not as greasy as regular coconut hair oil.A little goes a long way, you need very little quantity to massage your scalp and use it as a pre wash treatment.
• Unlike regular coconut oil, this has a subtle sweet coconut fragrance
• The regular coconut hair oil starts to harden up/solidifying in the colder weather, I haven't yet experienced any problem of Body Shop Rain forest Coconut Hair Oil solidifying in the bottle.
• It doesn't leave patches / residue on your pillow cover, in case you use this as a overnight leave in treatment.

Sunsilk Keratinology detoxifying shampoo and Hair Spa Mask review

Sunsilk Keratinology detoxifying shampoo
is meant for salon treated hair as it gently removes product buildup from your hair,detoxifies and preps your hair for the reconstruction program.To sustain salon looks hair needs to be deeply nourished.Advanced formulations with Keratin Micro Technology reconstructs the hair surface while micro nutrients penetrate into the hair cortex to deeply nourish the hair.

The sleek tall bottle of Detoxifying shampoo looks chic and the shampoo has a thick texture and a pearlescent light yellow color.It smells pretty awesome and the fragrance linger on after use.

I had been looking for a change in my hair routine as I felt my hair with shampooing alone were still frizzy and after using conditioner often looks weighed down. When I used Sunsilk Keratinology shampoo I felt that my hair remained  well behaved even if I didn't follow it up with a conditioner.However when used with a conditioner it really delivers beautiful results.Hair actually looks straighter,smoother,softer and not as prone to static.
 
Priced at Rs 200 for 200 ml, it is pricier than regular shampoos, but if you have hair which has undergone intense salon treatments and is in need for some serious TLC then it is a worthy investment.

Sunsilk Keratinology Hair spa Mask is meant for weekly use to provide intense nourishment to salon treated hair.It penetrates through 3 layers of the hair fiber,reconstructs and seals cuticles for stunning salon like smoothness and shine. 

IBC & Auravedic Present 'Body Beautiful' Giveaway

Cuddle your body in the goodness of Saffron,Lavender,Aloe and Grapeseed 'coz its Fall season and its time to make that 'Body Beautiful'
Participate in this special IBC & Auravedic 'Body Beautiful' Giveaway and win Awesome Bath & Body Essentials Kit from Auravedic containing Clear Radiance Face wash with Sandal,Moisturising Hand & Body Lotion,Auravedic Harmonising Hair Cleanser,Auravedic Fabulously Fresh Body Wash.

Participating in this Giveaway is easy-peasy Subscribe to Indianbeautycentral through email & follow IBC through GFC, Hit IBC FB fanpage (Most of you would already have done these if you are participating in my other mind blowing Giveaway with super drool worthy goodies from Sleek,Inglot,Crabtree!)

Its also time to show some love <3 to our sweet sponsors-so Head over to Auravedic's FB page and hit Like,Tag 5 of your friends on FB about this Giveaway & Follow Auravedic on Twitter.

To Know more about Auravedic's nature inspired products click here 

The Giveaway is open from 10th Oct'12 to 21 Oct'12.
The Giveaway is open for Indian residents above 18 years of age.
The winner will be chosen on the basis of Random.org
Prizes will be dispatched directly by the brand to the winner.
This is a Rafflecopter Giveaway,fill the entries below

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Treat Your Hair To Cocolicious Goodness!

Treat Your Hair To Cocolicious Goodness!

Introducing the latest hair sensation from

The Body Shop: Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil

(This Product is only for the Indian Market)

Always wanted strong, soft and manageable hair?

Now you can with our new Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil! Packed with a naturally conditioning blend of coconut oil and pracaxi oil, this intensively nourishing and luxurious silky oil transforms your mane into the soft shinier locks that you’ve always dreamed of. Hair is strong, soft and shinny with a healthy scalp as confirmed by Indian women!

Price of the Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil is Rs 645 for 200 ml. 

HARNESS

THE POWER OF COCONUT OIL

Unlike other forms of oil, coconut oil is bursting with nutrients and vitamins such as lauric acid and vitamin E that nourish and condition your hair to promote shine. Our coconut oil is ethically sourced from our Community Fair Trade partner in the tropical paradise of Samoa located in the South Pacific Ocean.

Thanks to two centuries of experience, the Samoans have extensive knowledge and expertise in extracting pure, natural, unadulterated coconut oil of the highest quality. So you can indulge in the Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil with a clear conscience, knowing your hair is not only benefitting from the highest quality ingredients but your purchase is also helping to improve the lives of others.

EXPERIENCE

THE ULTIMATE HAIR TREATMENT

The Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil melts effortlessly into your hair. It is multi-purpose and great for:

• Overnight leave-in

• Pre-wash treatment

• Scalp massage

Loved by Indian women

After using the coconut hair oil

78%* of them agreed that hair feels intensively nourished

87%* agreed that hair looks healthier *Tested on 124 women, 18-65, India, September 2011.

Results shown after 4 weeks of use.

GOOD FOR YOU GOOD FOR THEPLANET

Now you can care for the planet at the same time as caring for your hair. Our high performing hair oil is paraben free, silicone free and colourant free. As part of our eco-conscious Rainforest hair care range, it also meets our coconscious standard which means it is respectful to the aquatic environment, is readily biodegradable, and the packaging uses recycled materials wherever possible.

We always keep people, animals and the planet in mind. So when you shop with us, you are choosing.

BEAUTY WITH HEART

The Body Shop & Dia Mirza unveil Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil

 

The Body Shop, an iconic retailer of cosmetics and toiletries today unveiled ‘Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil’ endorsed by brand ambassador and actress, Dia Mirza, in Mumbai.  

The stunning actress came to launch The Body Shop Rainforest Coconut Hair oil exclusively made for the Indian market. Packed with natural conditioning blend of coconut oil and Pracaxi oil, this hair oil intensively nourishes and transforms your mane into soft, strong, and shinny locks with a healthy scalp.

Dia also inaugurated the new store format of The Body Shop called ‘Pulse’. The experiential store will highlight the radical products in a revamped form with attractive and stylish packaging.  This is the first Pulse store in Mumbai.

Talking to the media on the occasion of the launch, The Body Shop Brand Ambassador, Dia Mirza said, “It’s been more than a year of a fabulous alliance with The Body Shop. It’s always wonderful and inspiring to associate with the brand to introduce unique products. I’m extremely excited about the launch of new Rainforest Coconut Hair Oil since this product is made keeping in mind the Indian audience and is a perfect solution to all hair problems. Also the new Pulse store format is an exciting and exceptional concept which surely will be appreciated by the customers.”

Guest post-Clairol herbal essences Break's over anti-breakage Strengthening Shampoo

Repeated Hair Coloring and straightening left my hair dull & damaged.I tried so many different shampoos yet none seem to work.Most shampoos further stripped my hair of natural oils & moisture.So when I went to super market I found this Clairol shampoo on the rack. I was attracted by the package and decided to give it a try & here is my review.

What the product says: The formula with an anti-breakage potion strengthens to help prevent more breaks.Use me: love that lather, rinse and repeat and you’ve got new found strength.

Price and quantity: 150 Rs for 300 ml

BC Bonacure Time Restore Shampoo from Schwarzkopf Professional

Battle the Signs of Ageing with the BC Bonacure Time Restore Shampoo from Schwarzkopf Professional

Mumbai, August 2012: It is not widely known that your hair shares compositional elements with your skin and is subject to dullness and desiccation as you grow older. But you can now nourish, restore and replenish the lost luster and vitality of your hair with BC Bonacure Time Restore Shampoo from Schwarzkopf Professional.

This range provides unique long-term hair therapy solutions. Utilizing in-depth processes and quality ingredients – including amino acids that are natural to hair. BC Bonacure Time Restore Shampoo treats the root of hair problems, rather than providing a superficial ‘quick fix’, ensuring that improvements are genuine and long lasting. It is designed to increase volume, accelerate hair growth, reduce hair loss, and leave hair shinier and more resistant than before.

Preserve your hair from the perils of ageing with this premium product- especially designed to meet the needs of maturing hair.

New Hair Serenity Service at Lakmé Salon

Tired of your frizzy, tangled hair?

Leave the old behind and say Hello to the new Hair Serenity Service at Lakmé Salon

Gives you gorgeously smooth, manageable and party ready hair completely naturally without using formaldehyde

Mumbai, June, 2012: Play it sleek as Lakmé Salon delivers the latest innovation to get silky straight hair with the launch of their new Hair Serenity treatment. Introduced to India by Lakmé Salon, the Hair Serenity treatment is a natural solution to hair that is unruly, frizzy and hair that refuses to behave. Unlike Keratin, the Hair Serenity treatment at Lakmé Salon is formaldehyde free and a safer process for achieving naturally smoother and shinier hair. Step away from the harmful effects of Keratin treatments and indulge in the natural goodness of ingredients like the Cysteine complex to get a glossy and healthy mane that will make heads turn.

 A pioneer in the beauty services industry in India, Lakmé Salon is a one stop shop for all the beauty needs of the contemporary Indian woman.

The Hair Serenity treatment is a natural way to restore lost proteins and transform hair. Special ingredients used in the service like Cysteine, Dendrobium Orchid, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Cocoa Seed Butter and Shea Butter help nourish the hair and give it a long lasting shine and smoothness.

Shea Butter Smoothens and softens dry hair by locking in moisture in the hair Cocoa Seed Butter

Powerful antioxidant protects the hair while deeply moisturizing it

Hydrolyzed wheat protein Adds strength to the hair cuticle by replenishing lost proteins

Dendrobium Orchid Protects hair from getting oxidized allowing treatment to last longer

Cysteine Restructures, softens and releases curls from the hair + improves overall health of the hair

                                                                               

Divided into seven essential steps, the service starts off with a detailed consultation with the Lakmé Salon expert who determines the condition of your hair and the best way to proceed with the treatment. The hair is then shampooed and the Cysteine complex is applied to the hair. The complex is allowed to process in your hair as it starts it work on making your hair healthier and more lustrous. The hair is then blow dried and flat-ironed to give it a sleek but yet not poker-straight finish. Post this, the hair is finally rinsed off and you are left with a naturally glossy and manageable blow dried look which lasts for approximately 3 months.

Thus this all-natural service helps:

•          Work in synergy with the existing proteins to restructure, soften and release curls 

•          Penetration into the hair shaft for moisturizing and conditioning

      •          Helps for overall shine, softness, strength and health of hair

HAIR SERENITY Vs KERATIN
	HAIR SERENITY	KERATIN
PENETRATION	It penetrates inside the hair shaft but does not alter any hair bonds	It works on the cuticle layer- filling up the porous areas
INGREDIENTS	No artificial ingredients or harmful chemicals that could affect the health. Only Botanical ingredients and pure proteins	Formaldehyde is one of the main ingredients that differs in % in different companies
SMOOTHENING EFFECT	Calms down frizz and gives a natural look to the hair with brilliant shine and softness	The smoothening/ straightening effect depends on the % of formaldehyde in the product
VIRGIN HAIR	Works on Virgin hair as it penetrates into the hair shaft and does not form a coating on the cuticle	Does not work on Virgin hair unless it has high % of formaldehyde
LASTING TIME	3-4 months depending on hair type and after care	3 months depending on the aftercare products/services used
QUALITY	Overall improves the texture and quality of the hair leading to strength and stability	No repair- it forms a coating on the hair- It’s like makeup for hair
WASH	Same day wash	Same day or next day wash

About Lakmé Lever

Lakmé Lever Pvt. Ltd (Lakmé Lever) is dedicated to the contemporary Indian woman’s exploration of the fine art of beauty. It operates India’s first and leading chain of Lakmé Studios and Salons that offer expert services in Hairstyling, Skin and Beauty care. The studios and salons offer a differentiated experience, delighting women by the expertise of their professionally trained hair designers, hair artists, skin experts and consultants, and now to men also.

Lakmé Lever also operates Lakmé Academies in partnership with Pivot Point, USA, world leader in ‘beauty education’.  Combining international cosmetics, hair and skin care technology with an in-depth understanding of the Indian woman’s needs, Lakmé Studios and Salons offer their customers a holistic ‘Beauty Sutra’ experience.

Lakmé Lever has a presence of 175 Lakmé Salons at premium locations in 40 cities.

To read more exciting product reviews, makeup looks, latest fashion trends & sale alerts , remember to subscribe by e-mail.

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Monsoon Special from Iraya

With summer's passing by, you might be tempted to pack away the sunscreen and moisturisers and the daily skin care that you were following. Monsoon is the time when our skin behaves little bit different thus it is very essential that we should take care of our skin during the rainy season in order to look fabulous. The high humidity may not be allowing our skin to breathe and helps dust particles to stick to skin more.

Few tips on how to keep your complexion glowing are:

• Use a face scrub twice a week to exfoliate.
• Avoid heavy moisturizing creams or oily makeup.
• Use a toner each time you wash your face to close the pores and restore your skin's pH balance.
• Use face wash containing fruit extracts. It helps to freshen the skin & daily use helps to keep extra moisture & oil out of the skin.
• Soaking the feet in warm or cold water can be very relaxing and reviving.
• Wash your hair more often during the monsoons.
• Drink plenty of water for good skin.

Try out some monsoon special best sellers from Iraya for a beautiful skin :

Anti Acne gel 50 gm 325
Solution for pimples, blackheads and problematic skin.
For problematic skin • aqueous extracts of 8 ayurvedic herbs

 

 Purifying Foot Soak Fizzy- Neem, Basil & Mint 25 gm 95
cleanses, tones and refreshes the feet, antiseptic, anti-inflamatory
neem, basil, mint oil, epsom salt

Castor Oil Shampoo 150 ml 345
Extra protein for nourishment. Improves texture and makes hair healthy & manageable.
For dull dry hair • castor oil, shikakai, mandarin oil, lavender, harshringar

Experience the magic of 3 R’s this season: Repair, Replenish and Revitalise your hair and skin at Lakmé Salon

Experience the magic of 3 R’s this season: Repair, Replenish and Revitalise your hair and skin at Lakmé Salon

Celebrate flawless skin with the new Algae Collagen Masque

Rejuvenate your hair with the Time Restore Protein Treatment

Mumbai, May 2012: Have you looked in the mirror with a worry that pre-mature ageing and fine lines are beginning to appear on your skin?  Are you afraid that your hair is beginning to look duller and has lost its sheen? Indulge in Lakmé Salon’s new Repair Replenish and Revitalise Service which includes Algae Collagen Masque for your skin and the Time Restore protein treatment for your hair. Experience these rejuvenating hair and skin services as part of a whole list of special offerings that are Just Out @ Lakmé Salon.

The Algae Collagen Masque reduces any signs of pre-ageing, maturing and dehydration of the skin. It wipes out these signs with ingredients like Sea algae, Chondrus Crispus, Glycerin and Lavender Oil.  It nourishes, revitalizes and hydrates the skin in 30 minutes.

The service starts off with gentle cleansing and toning of your skin, thus ridding it of all the impurities like dust, grease and pollution. A gentle facial massage follows putting you completely at ease as the algae masque is then applied to your skin. The face is then massaged with an ultrasonic facial massager for about 15 minutes which allows the goodness of the masque to penetrate into your skin entrench it with its rich properties. The masque is then allowed to rest on your skin as you blissfully relax knowing that the service will leave your skin feeling relaxed and invigorated, giving you a radiant and youthful glow.

Be Fussy Frizzy no more with the Time Restore Protein Treatment for your hair! As hair matures, vital keratin production in your hair subsides and they tend to become limp, brittle and coarse. This treatment activates the production of keratin which aids the hair to an optimum youthful composition. Replenish the lost protein in the hair with the New Amino Cell Rebuild Technology that stimulates hair roots and increases the keratin levels that bring back the life and sheen in your hair.

Tame that frizzy hair this monsoon-Matrix introduces the new POWER.SHINE service

Tame that frizzy hair this monsoon!

Matrix introduces the new POWER.SHINE service

– Enhanced Anti-Frizz Straightening.

Humidity during the monsoons can take a complete toll on your hair- making it frizzy, dull and unmanageable. Get your hair ‘Monsoon Ready’ with the MATRIX Power.Shine- enhanced anti-frizz straightening service. It is a permanent straightening service from MATRIX that includes a ‘straight sealing’ treatment.  Hair is hydrated and nourished, keeping it healthy and frizz free. Your pre-monsoon straightening ritual got even better with this new service that not only gives you super straight hair that is feathery soft, but also high in shine!

During monsoons, excess humidity in the air causes the hair cuticle to open and swell up, increasing the frizz and volume in the hair. The natural shine is lost and hair becomes unmanageable.Leaving you hair looking like this.

Now you can keep your monsoon woes and bad hair days at bay with the MATRIX Power.Shine Service that will make hair sleek and manageable. Imagine . . . Good hair day, EVERYDAY !

It is an exquisite combination of the popular Opti.straight and Opti.care products by MATRIX for superior straightening results. 

Toni & Guy Hair styles & Looks for Spring Summer 2012

TONI&GUY

THE NUMBER ONE HAIR DRESSING SUPER BRAND, TONI & GUY PRESENTS THE LOOK FOR SPRING-SUMMER 2012:

Flagging of their spanking new address in Gurgaon, TONI&GUY Salon, renowned as an innovator within the hair industry, rustles up a quick make over for Delhi’s four fashionistas rendering on them looks that are haute this season. Inviting the city’s slick denizen into their spanking new address, which is also their third salon in North India in the up-market suburb of Gurgaon, Toni and Guy exudes the spunky look for the hair this summer.

 Vasuki with Garima Nagpal

“Globally the brand bridges the gap between high fashion and hairdressing.  The expert stylists at our salons create looks that go in sync with couture trends,” Says Sonali Bhambri, India spokes-person for the brand.

Inviting the city’s iconic women like Miss India Universe 2011 Vasuki Sunkavalli, couturier Charu Parasher, blue blooded designer Princess Chandni Singh of Seohara and young home-maker Garima Nagpal to enjoy a hair make over. The stylists present at the salon will show hair styles to go with formal Indian, classic western, bohemian resort and preppy western.

 Toni&Guy stylist with Vasuki, Miss India Universe 2011

TONI&GUY has long been renowned as an innovator within the hair industry, connects high fashion and hairdressing. Today it is widely regarded as the number one global hairdressing super brand. 

 Tavishi Gupta of Pink Gold with Chandni Singh

  Smiz Hana, Miriam & Olga

 As a brand, TONI&GUY juggles the need for consistency, the desire to be fashionable and the reassurance of solid service values, with the excitement of the avant-garde, supported by its philosophy of continual education.