Forest Essentials - Was my grandma right all this time? Is it worth trying?
Growing up my mother would chase me to put a multani mitti mask (fuller earth's clay mask) or soak on an icky concoction of gram flour and yoghurt. I would cringe and complain and definitely be a brat about it! Fast forward 20 years, I don't use many natural remedies, but I wonder is it just as effective as my current routine?
I believe that the bases of any good make up is great skin so after much whispers from my friends, I tried and tested out Forest Essentials. Why Forest Essentials? This brand has become a new rage in India and I just thought to give it a try! Plus afterall, it is ayurvedic, so how harmful can it be? (if it doesn't do any good, it shouldn't harm)
Who are they and first impression:
Forest Essential calls itself luxurious Ayurveda. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian health and scientific ideology dating back to 3,000 years ago. This means that everything is organic, herbal and truly homegrown.
Forest essential is *whistle* expensive. But you feel a sense of luxury and community the moment you walk through the doors of the store. The sights, smells and the delicious packing definitely bowled me over. I got my product from their branch in Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel (now known as Upper Worli, really?!). THANK GOD I had done my research before going to the store as the sales lady didn't have much information. However, it was really cool of them to give me a few freebies so I tested those out too!
I reviewed six of their products and rated them out of 10 so without further ado:
1. Soundarya Radiance Cream with 24K Gold and SPF 25 - 6/10
The first product that I thought of buying was a moisturizer. I don't need to tell you all my age, but start using anti aging creams at the age of 25-28. Soundarya claims to have anti-aging benefits
Texture - After trying this I felt that it is a bit oily but I still like it cause I just need to use just a pea-drop of it.
SPF- It claims to have SPF 25, which might be enough for India, but not for us Dubai-ites. I did feel like it needed a refresh in an hour and opted to wear my Obagi sunblock with SPF 50 on top of that.
All that glimmers...- Well I am from Dubai after all so I was intrigued by the lovely addition of 24K gold. Forest Essentials claims that:
"gold is a metal that easily absorbs into the skin, protecting it from the sun and environmental damage, improving its elasticity and working as an extremely powerful age-defying agent"
Frankly - maybe it does have those super powers - but I couldn't find it unfortunately.
2. Revitalising Kashmiri Walnut Gel Scrub - 9/10
I believe that a face scrub is essential to any skin routine. Face scrubs help remove residue, black heads and white heads.They even help with the natural shedding process of the skin. After I tried this delicious walnut gel scrub I FELL IN LOVE!
Ingredients- This exfoliating scrub has finely milled walnuts with pure aloe vera and vitamin A and E packed gel base. I've always been a fan of Aloe Vera and its vast properties and I felt it did impact my skin.
Texture - Most scrubs make my skin feel tight after washing but with this one my skin feels definitely softer. It leaves skin looking brighter and fresher. the walnut citrusy smell is an added bonus which gives that serene spa-y feeling.
3. Facial Treatment Masque Nourishing Mysore Sandalwood & Nagkesar - 10/10
Masks's should be a part of your weekly or bi-weekly skin care regime. This facial Pack is made of pure Sandalwood, Rosewater, Black Himalayan Clay and potent Ayurvedic herbs including Nagkesar and Gotkula to permeate the tissue, deep nourish and rejuvenate the skin.
Ingredients - Sandalwood (also known as Chandan) played a very important role in the history of Ayurvedic medicines and beauty products. Indian queens were known to bathe with Sandalwood oil to give the skin a porcelain finish.
Another major ingredient in this Mask is Turmeric, which was the major factor that convinced me into buying the mask. As we all know turmeric is a strong antioxidant that prevents the skin from aging apart from evening out the skin tone and colour.
Texture - This easy to use mask has a creamy texture. After leaving the mask for 30 minutes, it made my skin feel fresher and look lighter. It evened out my skin tone and color, giving me healthy glow. It does remind me a lot of the Multani mitti. The major difference is that Multani mitti would over dry my skin stripping off all the oil. and it doesn't have turmeric.
4. Facial Toner Pure Rosewater - 11/10!!
My oily and dehydrated skin loves this toner. The fine quality rosewater has properties for cooling, soothing and moisturizing the skin.
5. Hand Pounded Organic Fruit Scrub - 7/10
This nourishing face scrub, hand-pounded to the right consistency, blends fresh organically grown Dates, Peaches and Almond seeds with rich Apricot Kernel oil, pure Honey and finely milled Almonds to gently exfoliate dull cells, revealing a beautifully polished and glowing complexion.
As their other products even this one smells heavenly. It's a great scrub to refreshen the skin and remove all dead skin.
6. Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti- 8/10
This is meant to be a purifying and deep cleansing blend of herbs like Neem, Turmeric and Fenugreek along with Multani Mitti for blemished and acne prone skin. Regular use leaves the complexion soft and glowing with a radiant sheen. Its regular usage removes pigmentation and helps to tighten the open pores. The natural ingredients also improve skin texture and removes tan.
I don't have acne but do have open pores and tanned skin. I've used it twice and I can already see a difference.
Final review: I am very impressed with Forest Essentials products and its going to become a part of my skincare regime.
My post has not be sponsored by Forest Essentials India. I am just an over-zealous impulse shopper in India.
