Saturday 28 March 2020

Soothe Your Dry Skin With Body Creams

The kind of skin I have, it needs constant care to keep it hydrated. Many other like me who have dry skin type might be experiencing those small fine flakes and dry patches on their body that actually suck. For most people, skin dryness is common in colder winter months and drier climates, but there are some who face it all the year long. Skin dryness might be caused due to excessive skin cleansing, frequent exposure to hot water, environmental factors, lesser liquid intake, side effect of some medication or simply a genetic condition. My skin usually feel tight n itchy after shower and looks ashy n rough until I apply generous amount of moisturizer. Recently I realized that I've not been benefited despite repeated application of moisturizer. Probably I didn't pick an emollient based on the ingredients and composition needed for my dry skin & the moisturizer gets worn off quickly leaving my skin back to the condition where I started.

After this realization, I decided to give body creams a try which contains more oils and thus ordered two variants from Oriflame a month ago. So here are my thoughts on these-


Possess Perfumed Body Cream

With a timeless, sparkling yet intensely seductive fragrance, Possess Body Cream embodies the provocative allure of Cleopatra and keeps your skin sensually soft all over. Formulated with a higher fragrance concentration, it’s laced with intoxicatingly tempting notes of ylang ylang, and leaves no one indifferent as it casts its spell.
Love Potion Perfumed Body Cream
Stay soft all over and excite pure passion with Love Potion Body Cream. With a higher fragrance concentration, set the mood with this seductive oriental scent with ginger, cocoa blossom and chocolate. Surrender to an irresistible awakening of sensual pleasure.
Product Packaging
Both the body creams come in similar packaging that is in huge round tubs. They look cute lying on your washroom shelf. The tubs have broad opening, so one has to be extra careful to avoid water dripping inside the tub if you're applying it in your washroom post shower. Also either you should a spatula to take out the cream or if using fingers, make sure your hands are not wet.
I always keep some body lotions in my office bag, travel bag, in my car and wherever I can be; but these huge sized body cream packs are somehow inconvenient to carry around unless you transfer some quantity in a smaller jar.
The plus point of such tub packaging is that you can utilise even the last traces of product and avoid any wastage.

Price & Qty: INR 779 each for 250 g (can be purchased in offers from Oriflame consultants for a lesser price)

Product Texture:
The creams are of consistency similar to whipped cream. It's neither runny as a moisturizer nor thick as a body butter...It's texture is somewhere in between.
Fragrance:
If you noticed, both these body creams are 'perfumed' (as the name reveals). I experienced that the fragrance lingers on your body for hours after application and feels like you've applied a mild deodorant. Those who wear gentle fragrances may probably skin their usual perfumes if any of these body creams is applied. I personally liked Possess's fragrance more.

How to use these and how it feels on skin?
The body creams provide the most benefit when applied on your skin right after the bath. Just massage it lightly on your body when the skin is still damp and then pat your skin dry. The damp skin best absorbs the moisture and locks it in for a longer time. A repeated application before bedtime is a must for me for a comfortable sleep in my soft skin.
Oriflame body creams, despite lighter in texture, are richer and luxurious when applied. They penetrate the skin in no time, create barrier that nourishes the skin and as a result prevents moisture from evaporating through the pores. Your skin really feels hydrated without looking shiny and greasy. Adding a body cream to your daily skin care regime not just softens the rough skin for the moment, but gives ongoing skin nourishment.
These body creams are boon for dry skin type, but those who have normal to oily skin type and still have rough areas on their body like around the elbows, knees or feet might avail benefit from body cream application.
For me, Oriflame perfumed body creams not only served well for my moisturizing needs, but also give me a sensory relaxation from their scented wealth and skin suppleness. 

Saturday 21 March 2020

Siege of State: 26/11 – Revisit Mumbai Attacks

After more than a decade to the most horrific Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, the scars on the soul of the nation are still not healed. The survivors of the fateful event still get petrified narrating the experience of how they managed to escape the well-conceived series of shooting and bombing by trained terrorists at multiple locations.

A few years ago, I had a chance to read Black Tornado: The Three Sieges of Mumbai 26/11 which is an admirable novel by Sandeep Unnithan wherein the author had interestingly documented the factual circumstances of the 26/11 attacks. After finishing the book, I realized that I had a better understanding of the terror siege of Mumbai and the role of the NSG. But somehow the book had ignited a curiosity in my heart to know more of the event.

Recently, while exploring some entertaining stuff to watch, I came across the trailer of State of Siege: 26/11 that is an adaption of the bestselling novel Black Tornado which I read years ago. The title obviously caught my attention and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. 
Image Source: An OTT Platform ZEE5.com
Here is why you should be watching the series.. 
Plot 
11 years on from the Mumbai massacre, this ZEE5 Originals series State of Siege: 26/11 is being released that will present the untold stories from the 2008 Mumbai attacks responsible for giving the whole country a jolt out of brutal killing.
The eight-episodes long crime thriller, all set to premiere on 20th March, is believed to highlight the lesser-known facts and the challenges faced by brave NSG commandos during the rescue operation.
The plot revolves around bravery, passion, emotions and trauma stitching the anecdotes aptly.

Star Cast 
The main cast includes Mukul Dev, Arjan Bajwa, Arjun Bijlani, Vivek Dahiya, and Sid Makkar. Each and every character has aced the desired characteristics of the assigned role and got amalgamated so well in the story to leave the audience thrilled.

Arjun Bijlani, playing Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in his digital debut, feels every line he utters with enthusiasm. His touching dialogues like "Hum lautkar zaroor aayenge. Apna Tiranga lehrakar ya phir usme lipatkar" will fill your heart with the feeling of patriotism and the regard for the brave martyr. The sharp body language of all the NSG commandos appeals a lot.

The performance of Mukul Dev in a negative role of terrorist head Zaki-Ur-Rehman Lakhvi goes way beyond acting. His appearance, clothing, makeup and the confident dialogue delivery in a husky voice is enough to unnerve the audience.
Image Source: An OTT Platform ZEE5.com
The Real Culprits 
The show doesn't mislead the audience by altering the facts about real culprits who are still on the loose. The flaws of the security, police, army and the bureaucracy have been delineated wherever required without any intention to conceal those.

Powerful Message
The trailer of the web series itself showcases a thoughtful message - 'Terrorism has no religion", which validates the secularist approach. It clearly conveys that no violence can be justified in the name of religion and one should discourage blatant misuse of religion for terrorist activities in the interest on mankind. Whichever country, religion or caste we belong to, above all, we are humans.

I must say I've been watching and enjoying ZEE5 earlier also, but State of Siege is certainly going to be the most gripping one. Watch out for the show to feel the pain of surviving Mumbai..