Product review- Zuzu luxe oil free liquid foundation with SPF 18

I was on the lookout for a good natural foundation and I have found it!!!

Its the zuzu luxe oil free liquid foundation with SPF 18

Now first let me tell you that zuzu luxe has reformulated their product( according to the gabriel cosmetics representatives I met at whole foods), so the one I got is in a plastic squeeze tube with a silver cap and Not the one with the pump as shown in the website.
The ingredients and the color options have changed too.
Ingredients-aqua( infusion of aloe leaf juice), glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, calendula flower extract, ascorbyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, limonene, cellulose gum, lecithin, silica, mica, xanthan gum, cetyl alcohol, kaolin, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, potassium sorbate.

The description on the packaging -
A weightless multi-mineral foundation packed with botanical ingredients the provide antibacterial and oil regulation benefits for skin that tends to clog and breakout from conventional formulas. An exclusive blend of proven age fighting antioxidants has been added to combat the damaging effects caused by environment as well as a chemical free full spectrum sunblock to shield skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays. The result is a fresh healthy complexion with a velvety finish.

Colour options- they have a good range on colours and for my Asian medium toned skin I chose L-14 ( Remember that they have changed the colour options too now)

Now lets get on the with the actual review-

The tube is a 1 fl oz tube( 30 ml) and comes in a basic plastic tube, there is nothing fancy about the packaging.
The consistency of the product is a very smooth liquid, it comes out easily, and has a nice velvety texture.
Even with my bad skin ( breakouts, redness, scars), you need a very small quantity for good coverage- i usually smooth it on with my clean fingers and it slides on very nicely. Its neither too drying nor too heavy, in fact once you put it on you feel like you have not applied make-up, but don't let this fool you. This product has AMAZING coverage!
I usually use a little more on my scars and my redness and my under-eyes. I have noticed that you can build up the product and it still feels weightless and does not look cakey.
I usually set it with the zuzu luxe dual powder foundation ( review coming up soon).
I have received a lot of compliments after I started using this foundation and some of my friends who tried it have ordered this already

Results-
have been using this for 4 weeks now and I must say this is the best foundation I have tried to date.
the PROS-all natural ingredients
                 oil free
                 great coverage
                 lasts quit a while
                 Does not cause breakouts ( Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!)
                 Has a natural sunscreen built in ( but I would recommend using sunscreen under this too)
                 Looks natural and not made-up
             
CONS- so far I have not seen any problem with this product- I love it and will continue using it!!!

I purchased this product from Whole foods for around 29 bucks. You can check out all the gabriel and zuzuluxe products via the following link

http://www.gabrielcosmeticsinc.com/index.cfm?aff=73324
If anyone has used the newer reformulated version or any of the other products from gabriel cosmetics or zuzu luxe please leave a comment or a short review

* I am not affiliated with gabriel cosmetics or zuzu luxe and have honestly reviewed the product.

Toners

My all time favourite is heritage rose water..it comes in a wonderful spray bottle which makes using it easier.
I sometimes add in lemon essential oil to give it a refreshing twist.

Another one I like is the beauty without cruelty balancing facial toner- feels fresh and smells awesome

 One home recipe is mixing equal parts of apple cider vinegar and green tea....the drawback is it smells awful.
My solution to that is to add few drops of your favourite essential oil or to use this toner only at night.

I also like the mychelle fruit enzyme mist- its more moisturizing than the others and its pricey

Cleansers

Cleansing is the first step in any skin care routine. There are a million different types of cleansers out there and choosing is very difficult. Depending on your skin type, you can choose from foaming cleansers, cream washes, home made cleansers.

Beware of over- cleansing though...acne and oiliness is not caused by poor personal hygiene or coz you are not washing your face ...its mainly hormonal and genetic..so cleansing is not required more than twice a day.

One of my all time favorites in cleansers is the cetaphil gentle cleanser, but unfortuantely its not natural so had to stop using it.

So in my search for a natural non toxic alternative, I came up with my own home made cleanser thats good for you and good for your budget too, how great is that!!!!!!!!!!!

Try out this recipe guys...its worth it..its an age old indian recipe-

HOME MADE FACIAL CLEANSER-

Grind up 6 tbsp of dry moong daal( its green in colour and can be found at any indian store)
              4 tbsp of urad daal( white in colour and available at indian store)
              3 tbsp of gram flour
              10 fenugreek seeds

Powder together all these ingredients and keep store in an airtight bottle. Each time you want to wash your face take a tsp of the powder and mix with some water and make a paste, use it as you would a regular facewash....its just fabulous and works wonders...

Tips- make large batches so that you wont have to worry u will run out...
      - all the ingredients can be purchased from an indian grocery store, they are quite cheap but safe and extremely beneficial
     -  Use a coffee grinder to powder the ingredients to make a fine mixture






I would like to explain each of the ingredients-

1) Green moong daal- cleanser, exfoliant and safe.Can be bought at any indian grocery store and has wonderful health benefits if cooked and consumed too..packed with proteins.
In the picture, the extreme left daal is the one you want to purchase.


2) Urad daal- skin brightener and oil controller

3) Gram flour- exfoliating, gentle and used from age old times for beauty baths









4) Fenugreek seeds-

 Packed with protein, vitamin C, B and is a natural antibacterial-good for acne prone skin












Hope you guys try out this wonderful recipe, Ive been usng it for 4 months now and its helped my acne , its gentle, safe and effective... would love to hear your comments....

Skin Care

Finding a skincare regimen that works for you is sooooo difficult! tell me about it!

Let me tell you about my struggle....
I had perfect skin till I was 20, and then the disaster began...my skin became very oily and acne prone and I have been suffering with these problems for the past 6 years....and I am yet to find a perfect regimen...
Being a doctor by profession, I have tried every single prescription medication out there except accutane and none has worked long term for me.

I would like to invite all of you people on my journey with our goal being perfect skin using safe products...

I am a firm believer of using safe products as close to nature as possible....

In the following weeks I will be discussing all the products Ive used and own, ranging from cleansers to speciality treatments like peels and masks.


Stay tuned and remember to love your skin!

Welcome to love your skin

Hello lovely readers

I have always been obesessed with skin care and have tried innumerous products since my teens. My medical training gave me new insight to skin care products and over the years I have tried and tested products and do it yourself recipes that I have accumulated. In this blog, I would love to share my favourite skin care , makeup and do- it- yourself skin care recipes