How To Smell Fabulous All Day! :D

By Aishwarya Kaushal, Sunday, 8th September 2013

Hello people! Today I will be sharing with you my tips on proper hygiene and how you can smell good all the time! There have been so many instances when we have been around people who don’t smell pleasant and we just want to hold our breath or move far away! It is not a very attractive trait to have, is it? So, I will help you be someone people always want to be around!

1. Shower!

As basic as it sounds, it is the first and the most important step to smelling good. Showering removes dirt, sweat, dead skin, impurities and body odor. If you’re someone who sweats heavily, you may need 2-3 showers a day. Bar soaps are usually very drying on the skin so it is advisable to use a body wash. You can use something that smells delicious as it will make the bathroom experience relaxing and won’t make showering seem like a chore.

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These ones are by The Body Shop. You can find more affordable alternatives like Lux, Dove, Nivea, Fiama Di Wills etc. Lux makes an amazing Fine Fragrance Elixirs range and Dove makes really moisturizing washes that are great if your skin is dry.

If you have to use a bar soap, I suggest this one by Nivea.

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It is good to shower once in the morning and once at night. Bathing at night will make you feel clean and fresh and it will also help you sleep better.

2. Wash Your Hair!

Washing your hair every other day will keep your hair smelling good all the time and also make them look better and not greasy. If you get greasy hair on the second day then you can use dry shampoo or baby powder sparingly to keep your hair looking fresh and smelling clean.

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Just take some powder in your hands and rubs them together. Massage it into the roots and comb properly to distribute the product. Remember to start with a tiny amount and build up if you need more.

3. Exfoliate!

Exfoliating will remove dead skin cells, improve blood circulation and promote healthy skin renewal. It will make your skin feel smoother and get rid of any body odor. There are many body scrubs available in the market.

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You can find many scrubs to suit your preference or make your own at home. Read HERE to see how!

However, over scrubbing will bruise the skin or make it red! There is no need to scrub more than twice a week. For gentle daily scrubbing, you can use bath tools like these.

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Remember, it is imperative to scrub your armpits too. They are usually neglected by most people while bathing. Clean underarms will minimize body odor by a huge extent and also prevent darkening of the skin.

4. Hair removal!

Sweat does not stink! Sweat only stinks when it is mixed with bacteria and dirt. This is the reason it is important to stay clean.

Hair will trap bacteria and help it thrive. Hair will also keep the area wet which contributes to bacterial environment. It is important to remain clean and dry. So, removing hair will also be beneficial. It is important to exfoliate before any method of hair removal to get a close shave/wax.

5. Moisturize!

After deep cleansing or hair removal, you want to lock in the hydration so that your skin remains soft and smooth. Skin, when moist, reacts very well to moisturization and roughly within 3 minutes of a shower is the best time to moisturize.

There is a plethora of amazing moisturizers available in the market which suit every need.

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There are moisturizers available for less intense hydration and also ones for deep moisture.

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If you are someone who does not like using heavily scented lotions, moisturizers or butters or you have sensitive skin, you can just use baby oil, olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil.

6. Deodorize!

This is also one of the most crucial steps in smelling wonderful. Antiperspirants contain Aluminium salts like Aluminium Chloro hydrate and Titanium Dioxide that help control sweat production. We should remember that stopping sweat is not natural and harms the body in the long run. Aluminium salts are also linked to Alzheimer and Cancer. So, never sleep with your antiperspirant on and always wash your armpits before sleeping. Use antiperspirant on days when you’re going out and about and skip when you’re just at home. You can use a light deodorant at home. Avoid ones that contain Alcohol as they will darken the underarm skin over time.

Some of my favorites are :

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The Nivea Pearl and Beauty range is my personal favorite. It smells like how pearls would smell if they had a smell! They keep me feeling dry and fresh all the time.

If you’re someone who is sensitive to aerosols and does not want to breathe in harmful chemicals then there are other options available for you like roll-ons and solid deodorants.

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The right one is a natural deodorant without Aluminium salts.

During a long day, if you feel like your deodorant has stopped working, use wet wipes to wipe it all off and wait for your skin to dry. Then reapply your deodorant.

7. Perfume!

Using your perfume over a moisturizer will actually enhance its staying power. Perfume vanishes from dry skin faster. You should apply your perfume on the pulse points which are :

-Inner Wrists

-Behind Ears

-Back of the Neck

-Back of the Knees

-Inner Elbow

-Behind Ankles

Here are some fresh and light fragrances :

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To make your perfume last even longer, layer your fragrance. Use a body wash, moisturizer and perfume in the same scent and this will ensure it stays on. Also, carry a small bottle of your perfume along with yourself for regular touch ups during the day. But, remember to not drown yourself in perfume! Many people around you may have sensitive noses!

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8. Clothes!

ALWAYS wear fresh and clean clothes. Do not repeat clothes until they are washed and dried or dry cleaned. You can also use a scented detergent to help make your clothes smell amazing.

Keep scented soaps wrapped in plastic inside your cupboard and this will help spread the smell of the soap onto the clothes.

If you sweat a lot and your clothes begin to smell then you can always carry an extra shirt to be extra cautious.

9. Fresh Breath!

It is not just about making your body smell great but also your breath. Brush your teeth twice a day and brush your tongue. Many of us aren’t aware of the fact that bad breath originates from the tongue. So, it is important to brush your tongue too. Bad breath is a huge turn off for many people. Rinse your mouth with an alcohol free mouthwash after brushing your teeth and carry breath mints. Also carry a small bottle of mouthwash so you can rinse after eating something strong like garlic or onions and still smell fresh.

10. Take Care Of Your Limbs!

Put some talcum powder inside your footwear to keep your feet smelling fresh and use hand cream to keep your hands soft and smelling great!

I know it seems like a lot of steps but once you learn to incorporate them into your daily routine it is actually not a lot of work. Plus smelling great is always a tick box for most people and is always an attractive quality to have.

I hope you found this helpful!

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For any other query, feel free to write to me at queriesforaishwarya@gmail.com

The Body Shop Strawberry Range Review HERE

Helpful Tips For Oily Skin HERE

Amazing Inexpensive Beauty Products HERE

Frizzy Hair Remedies HERE

Sarojini Nagar Fashion Haul HERE

Thank you! -)

The Body Shop Strawberry Range : Shower Gel, Body Polish, Body Lotion and Body Mist Review!

By Aishwarya Kaushal, Thursday, 22nd August 2013

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The Body Shop Strawberry Range

I LOVE STRAWBERRIES! They are my favorite fruit and also one of my favorite scents of all time! So it must come as no surprise that I own the entire range! 😛

I also own The Body Butter and The Born Lippy Lip Balm in both Pot and Stick forms! But those are not reviewed here as I wanted to keep this post summer friendly! 🙂

I absolutely love The Body Shop. I own a lot of things from there and it is my favorite bath and body brand.

The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel

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The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel

What The Body Shop Claims :

This soap-free shower gel contains real strawberry seed oil. It has a deliciously sweet scent.

  • Lather-rich
  • Sweet strawberry scent

Lather up in the bath or shower using hands or a bath lily. Rinse thoroughly.

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The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel

Ingredients :

Aqua (Water) (Solvent/Diluent), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Surfactant), Glycerin (Humectant), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Surfactant), Cocamide DEA (Surfactant), Coco-Glucoside (Surfactant), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (Emulsifier), Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Glycine soja (Soybean Oil) (Emollient/Skin Conditioner), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Fragaria vesca (Strawberry Juice) (Natural Additive), PEG-55 Propylene Glycol Oleate (Surfactant), Propylene Glycol (Humectant), Benzophenone-4 (Sunscreen), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Cinnamal (Fragrance Ingredient), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Citral (Fragrance Ingredient), CI 17200 (Colour), CI 14700 (Colour).

My Thoughts :

If you like strawberries, you will love this entire range. Everything smells delicious enough to eat!

I love this shower gel. It is mild and smells like freshly cut sweet strawberries.

It looks reddish and lathers up really well. You only need a tiny amount to lather up your whole body so it will last a long time.

Your body will not feel squeaky clean after using this as it not drying at all. If you use your hands to wash yourself, you may end up using more product than required. A loofah mitt will help in better cleansing.

It is like a spa in your washroom. It feels luxurious and scents up the entire bathroom. In summers, I do not need to moisturize after using this.

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The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel

The texture is runny and spreads well. The packaging is made of plastic and is sturdy and travel friendly. It has a cap that screws shut with a lid that pops open.

However, when I am not travelling, I prefer pump dispensers.

The GOOD :

1. Non-Drying.

2. Lathers up really well so it will last long.

3. Skin feels soft and refreshed.

4. Heavenly smell.

5. Travel friendly packaging.

6. Small bottles also available.

The COULD BE BETTER :

1. Once you step out of the shower, the scent will not last long.

2. A tad expensive.

3. This is a travel friendly bottle but I personally prefer pump packaging.

Price – Rs. 395/- for 250 ml. ($6)

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish

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The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish

What The Body Shop Claims :

This exfoliating, foaming gel gently buffs away dead skin cells to leave skin soft and smooth. It has a sweet strawberry scent.

  • Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
  • Sweet strawberry scent

Use in the bath or shower. Apply to damp skin in a circular motion, then rinse thoroughly.

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The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish

Ingredients :

Aqua (Water) (Solvent/Diluent), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Surfactant), Glycerin (Humectant), Cocamide DEA (Surfactant), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Surfactant), Acrylates Copolymer (Stabiliser), Juglans regia (Walnut Shell Powder) (Exfoliant), Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Actinidia chinensis (Natural additive), Mel (Honey (Mel)) (Natural Additive), Fragaria vesca (Strawberry Juice) (Natural Additive), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) (Sunscreen), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Cinnamal (Fragrance Ingredient), Denatonium Benzoate (Denaturant), Salicylic Acid (Preservative/Hair Conditioner), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Citral (Fragrance Ingredient), CI 14700 (Colour), CI 17200 (Colour).

My Thoughts :

This is gentle exfoliator. It is a red gel that contains Kiwi seeds and Strawberry seeds that form the abrasive part of this polish.

This is a lovely product for those who do not like very abrasive exfoliants like the Himalaya Apricot/Walnut Scrub. It is non-drying and will make the skin feel extremely smooth, soft and moisturized. You can use this before your shower and wash it off with your shower gel or use it in the end and you will not need any moisturizer after your shower.

It smells like sumptuous juicy strawberries and actually feels like you are rubbing freshly crushed strawberries on yourself. It is mild enough to use everyday and will not cause any redness. However, I would advice you to use it not more than thrice a week because your skin needs time for renewal.

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The Body Shop Strawberry Body Polish

It comes with a lid that pops open. The texture is runny and lathers up well. The quantity is good and it will last a while.

The GOOD :

1. Feels like freshly cut strawberries.

2. Gentle exfoliating and will not cause redness.

3. Decent quantity.

4. Smells amazing.

5. Moisturizing

6. Lathers well with water.

7. The smell stays on for about an hour after shower.

The COULD BE BETTER :

1. The product gathers at the mouth of the tube.

2. If you do not like the smell of strawberries then this is not for you!

Price – Rs. 525/- for 200 ml. ($8)

The Body Shop Strawberry Puree Body Lotion

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The Body Shop Strawberry Puree Body Lotion

What The Body Shop Claims :

This lightweight body lotion contains real strawberry seed oil. It hydrates dry skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth

  • Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth
  • Sweet strawberry scent

Massage into skin and allow to sink in before dressing.

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The Body Shop Strawberry Puree Body Lotion

Ingredients :

Aqua (Water) (Solvent/Diluent), Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter) (Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Cyclomethicone (Emollient), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Sodium Carbomer (Emulsion Stabiliser), Helianthus annuus (Sunflower Seed Oil) (Emollient), Carbomer (Stabiliser/Viscosity Modifier), Fragaria ananassa (Natural Additive), Fragaria vesca (Strawberry Extract) (Natural Additive), Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer (Skin Conditioning Agent), Methylparaben (Preservative), Magnesium Aluminum Silicate (Viscosity Modifier), Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) (Sunscreen), Propylene Glycol (Humectant), Butylparaben (Preservative), Ethylparaben (Preservative), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Propylparaben (Preservative), Isobutylparaben (Preservative), Cinnamal (Fragrance Ingredient), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Citral (Fragrance Ingredient), CI 14700 (Colour), CI 15985 (Colour).

My Thoughts :

This lotion is a mild moisturizer that is great for summers.

It is water based and spreads easily onto the skin. However, it feels sticky for the five minutes or so after application then the stickiness goes away once it sinks into the skin.

It is a very lightweight moisturizer and might not be enough for winters. But, if you require intensive hydration then The Body Shop’s Strawberry Body Butter is a great alternative. I prefer this for summers and the body butter for winters.

It is a thick pink lotion and smells of delicious amazing strawberries. ( No points for guessing! 😛 )

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The Body Shop Strawberry Puree Body Lotion

I prefer pump dispensers for regular use so I love the packaging.

The GOOD :

1. Lightweight moisturization that is great for summers.

2. You don’t need too much to moisturize your whole body.

3. Non greasy.

4. The smell lingers on for 2-3 hours.

The COULD BE BETTER :

1. Feels sticky at first but the stickiness goes away in a few minutes.

2. No SPF.

3. Contains Parabens! 😦

4. Not suitable for winters.

Price– Rs. 525/- for 250 ml ($8)

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Mist

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The Body Shop Strawberry Body Mist

What The Body Shop Claims :

Our Strawberry takes on a fresh new form. Spray this light scented body mist all over your body for a gentle burst of sweet fruitiness. It’s irresistible.

  • Sweet strawberry fragrance
  • Light and fresh
  • Use all over body
  • Contains strawberry extract

Spritz it on after bathing or showering. Top up throughout the day.

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The Body Shop Strawberry Body Mist

Ingredients :

Alcohol Denat. (Solvent/Diluent), Water (Solvent/Diluent), Fragrance (Fragrance), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract (Natural Additive), Citronellol (Fragrance Ingredient), Citral (Fragrance Ingredient), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Denatonium Benzoate (Denaturant).

My Thoughts :

This is my signature scent. I will never be without a bottle of this in my life! And that is saying a lot. I say that because I love strawberries and I know I always will.

I love the entire range of strawberry from The Body Shop. However, this one is the strongest one. This smells like straight up strawberries like everything else in the range but this is the most potent version of strawberries. But, it doesn’t smell as rich and sumptuous as the body polish due to the presence of alcohol.

It lasts well on me for about 5-6 hours. If I spray this in my hair I can still smell it on me the next day too!

I always receive compliments on smelling nice when I use this.

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The Body Shop Strawberry Body Mist

The packaging is made of sturdy glass which is a bit heavy but travel friendly. I have dropped it and it did not break! The lid is loose and comes off easily though.

The GOOD :

1. Lasts for 5-6 hours.

2. Not too expensive for what it is.

3. Beautiful straight up  true strawberry scent.

4. I love how everything is in see through packaging so we can tell how much product is left.

The COULD BE BETTER :

1. It does smell sumptuous like the body polish.

2. It is a very strong strawberry scent that is not everyone.

3. Glass bottle makes it heavy.

Price – Rs. 745/- for 100 ml ($12)

PS. I also own the Vanilla, Satsuma, Madagascan Vanilla Flower, Pink Grapefruit, White Musk and White Musk Libertine scents from The Body Shop, reviews of which will be coming soon!

Will I Recommend and Repurchase?

I do recommend the entire range to anyone who is a fan of strawberries and likes fruity scents.

I may not need to repurchase these anytime soon as I already have back ups of everything! 😛 But when I run out, I will repurchase them.

During summers, I love smelling like a giant fruit basket at all times! 😛

The best way to making sure your scent lasts is to layer your products. When I use the Body Polish, Shower Gel, Body Lotion and The Body Mist I usually smell like fresh strawberries throughout the day. Your scent will last much longer on moisturized skin than dry skin! So, the lotion acts a good base for the body mist.

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Thank you! Hope you enjoyed! 🙂