Little things that give me loads of happiness.

And no, it is not the ice cream.

Kausani. 

It was almost in my destiny to be there. 

Last year, when my niece was born and we were thinking of a name that starts with K, Kausani came up. I googled it and said, "Sounds nice. It is a small village in Uttarakhand. So, maybe we can skip." And I forgot about it. 

This spring when we went to Mussoorie and I was not at all happy with the state of traffic, our driver suggested - "Visit Kausani. It has the best view in Uttrakhand." I did not let my mind register this because obviously, he was trying to oversell to get another booking from us. 

Then, when the rains were about to hit the mountains, my friend (was my colleague in my previous organization) and I decided to go on a trip. Where? Mukhteshwar. I found a lovely property far from the main area - The Birdcage. Unfortunately, booking was not available for our dates. 

So, I started searching for another place to stay only to see this written about Mukhteshwar - The view is as good as Kausani. 

Ok. Excuse me. As good as? Then, why don't I just visit Kausani?

I have decided to start doing empties again. For those who are not aware - I used to share monthly empties earlier. Then, things went out of my hand and I rather forgot to do them. I was keeping some of my empties in a hope that I might post them and reused some of the other bottles. The last one was done in 2017!

However, it is better to be late than never.

Before I show you the more than 50 items here is something I need to share:

1. Most of them were almost over. I kept enough for probably one use because I need them to compare for a future post.  I am throwing them now to clear up space and declutter my home. Also, now The Body Shop is now accepting empty bottles for recycling.

2. Some of them were used less because I thought I would take pictures for reviews etc. Later I found nothing special about them so, neither used them much nor took their pictures for review.

3. A lot of them, I was not using like the mascaras but I kept them and forgot about them. 

4. I kept some products hoping that I will do an empties post but never did. There is a reason you see two bottles of The Body Shop Rainforest shampoo. (In fact, one product was already in my previous empties post (the one in 2017!). I kept the bottle and as I did not check anything, it reappeared here)

5. A very few skincare here have some left but it has been long since I have them so, decluttering them as I won't use them anyways.

Now, you know the whole story.

Here are the products:

(There are more than 50)

This winter I converted to an almond fan and preferred it to other ingredients in my skincare. Therefore, when facemask with almond milk launched just around wintertime, it seemed like the perfect thing. However, The Body Shop marketed it as a gentle exfoliator. Unfortunately, it is not the case for me. I also do not have extra dry skin. 

However, I do have a skin concern that only product so far was able to tackle. In summers, my skin feels too hot especially after being exposed to the sun. Aloe gives me relief but does not add the needed moisture. Moisturizers just add stickiness. Face oils do not penetrate deep or give any instant relief. I need something that is soothing and moisturizing. Curd helps. 

(The only product that has helped so far is the Simple Deep Cleaning Face Mask. Simple is here in India but they decided not to launch this mask.) 

Therefore, I waited for the summers to try this almond milk face pack. I am glad that I did because I love every bit about it.

I am borderline ashamed of sharing this. 

Actually, chuck that. I am deeply embarrassed to share this. 

But, every failure can be a learning experience and that is how I would like to take it ahead. 

I started blogging around December 2011. I used to buy a lot of makeup and skin care inspired by the new launches and by other blogger Add to that the PR samples. In the summer of 2013, I realized that I might have a hoarding nature and posted my first ever Empties Post. 

I continued doing empties post and I had a very systematic method of decluttering as well. I used to give away things that I think I will not use anymore. 

For example, I buy a night cream. I used it for a month to review it. I already have another night cream lined after that. Therefore, I give away the half tub of night cream to someone in my extended family or I use it up as body moisturizer and feature it on empties post. 

Things were going smooth. 

Then, I moved to Noida in 2017. There were a million things on my shoulders. I was working from home but my work hours were pathetic. The light condition in my home was terrible. The images clicked by my camera were sub-par. I tried. God knows I have tried but I could not do much. 

In addition, my skin was not great (which later turned out to be because of stress arising from the points mentioned above) but I felt it was not right to share skincare reviews. My confidence level plummeted. I was actually not even taking proper care of my skin because nothing seemed to work as the issue was not even tropical. 

Anyways, when the issue of stress was resolved, I tried to bring my life back on track. I lost a lot of readership but I am equally thankful to all who still comes to visit me here. (A million kisses for you.) 

The Body Shop Sale season is on. I was about to suggest what to buy and what not do when I realized that the review of a few products was not up. I do remember updating the review. Are they lost in the drafts folder? Anyways, here is the review of the Spa of the World Firming range. This review is after one year of use. 

Niacinamide. 

Big Name. 

Fret not, it is just Vitamin B3. 

It comes with 1% zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. 

The Ordinary claims that it reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion which keeping sebum activity in balance. 

In simpler terms, prevents oil overproduction and reduce blemishes. 

(The Ordinary Haul)

Why Vitamin C for skin? 

What is special about the Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension? 

I recently reviewed the first products I got from Bath and Body Works - Aromatherapy Stress Relief. They were just three. There is always a Buy-3-Get-1-Free offer going on at Bath and Body Works India shops. So, I like to believe this is my free one - Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Focus Body Scrub. Which BTW is not true because the free one is the least priced one and this is not. 😊

Today, I am excited to share this with you - Limited Edition The Body Shop Cactus Blossom Hand Wash. 

Because: 

1. I have been following The Body Shop for almost 10 years. In all these years, I have never seen a hand wash from TBS. In fact, this is the first time, I am reviewing any hand wash on Sweet And Bitter Blog.

2. Cactus Blossom! How interesting does it sound? I have never tried anything with Cactus Blossom. I do not even know what Cactus Blossom smells like in real! (But I am eyeing the Bath and Body Works Cactus Blossom candle.)

3. Limited edition. Will go away from the market soon. 

In 2012, I planned a trip to Andaman. On day 1, our driver informed that we might be able to get entry to Jolly Buoy. I had not done much research, and I was not aware of what I was about to witness. Without a doubt, what I saw was the best things that my eyes have ever seen - coral in a myriad of colors. Beautiful creatures that I could not believe are in the same planet we live in. In the next 15 days of our trips, I saw more corals. Scuba dived at Havelock Island and witnessed lovely fishes. However, I also learned how plastics are damaging them. How the change in water temperature is harming them! I want them to survive. I want them to live. I want my future generations to see what I have seen. 

I was always against the use of plastics. I hated how stray animals will eat food in them and the plastics later developing issues. I do not want to dig deep. Please google this. Even writing about it gives me chills. 

But, after I returned, I realized that something needs to be done. It was a slow change but the biggest change started to come around last year. I am still far from perfect. Here are just some little things I do to do my part: 

1. Refuse: I refuse a plastic bag altogether. I never buy groceries from malls because they need to tag everything and even a small item needs to be inside a plastics bag. Luckily, I have a farmers market outside my society every Friday where I get my weekly vegetables. Even at Malls, I say no to paper bags. I always carry a tote with me in which I shove in everything I buy. There have been days when I have a cart full of things but because I forgot my tote and the shore had no option of the cloth bag, I have dropped everything and returned without buying anything. 

Imagine this: You are at the airport when you realize that though you are headed for Goa, you have not packed proper sunscreen. (Though it is February, you can never have too much sunscreen in Goa. Can you?) 

I made a beeline to the pharmacy to find something nice and lo and behold - a sunscreen with zinc - Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF50+ and PA+++. Zinc oxide soothes skin and can be found in diaper rash creams. This is the sensitive skin variant for the very famous Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreen. 

In this trip, I was out in the sun for lesser than usual but zero sunburns and very less tanning thanks for this. Is this sunscreen apt for you? Read on.

There are a lot of content creators on the internet now. Their paychecks depend on the number of people who clicks on their links (Sweet and Bitter Blog is Ad-Free). As a result, sans a regulating authority, the internet is full of click baits because they are forwarded most all over social media. 

However, we are the educated lot. So, let us dip deep. Here are my two cents:

I have done a detailed skincare post this January (It was the first post of this year!). So, please read that before you read this. I will wait here. Link 😊

Done? Good. Now, here are a few things that I am doing because thankfully, it is getting better. I am always prepared that my skin will do downhill during summer. But, it didn't this year. 

(I just have a couple of tiny bumps along the hairline because I slept with The Body Shop Shea Butter Hair Mask and Coconut Oil. These are experiments I will do to test products before I recommend them or suggest alternative use. So, this cannot stop coz I don't lie with you)

So, I thought of sharing a few updates in my skincare products. 

But, a change of a few habits is the prime reason. You need to do a little every day. This post lists the good skincare habits and the next part of the post with Product Update.

The Body Shop Shea Moisture Shampoo Condtioner Hair Mask Review India

The first time, I tried the new TBS Shea Haircare products; I was tempted to share it with you. I hold myself for more than two weeks because I need to use to more before I share my feeling when I come to skincare and haircare. In fact, in the past two weeks, my feelings have swung a lot and I will tell you why. 

Some little birds have told me that my utmost favorite - my Holy Grail sulfate free shampoo - TBS Rainforest Moisture is going out of stock. People from TBS have reassured me that it is a stock issue but I am not sure if I can relax because I am on my last bottle of rainforest shampoo. And Bam! New Shampoo from TBS - an extension of Shea Butter range. Shea Butter is my favorite range from TBS and is Body Shop's initial range.

I am still very new to acid and peels. Therefore, everything is exciting and everything is scary. Especially because good ones are hard to get in India. I tried Pixi Glow Glycolic Acid and it was a life-changing event. I do not think anything else had a striking effect as Pixi Glow ever.* 

However, Pixi Glow is hard to get in India. In addition, customs charges are always scary. I got mine from iHerbs sent to a friend in the USA. I have about 25% left and I am wondering how to restock this beauty. 

So, I decided to explore other possibilities. Thankfully, Dr. Sheth's launched their Gulab Glycolic Toner and I purchased that along with the Sulphur Face Mask. 

Another face mask review from the facemask addict.😊

Whenever I see a new face mask, electricity runs through my veins. I automatically add it to my cart and click on pay. Over the years, I have learned a lot (Read: spend foolishly on skincare that was of no use leading me to realize that I need to focus on ingredients and on the price tag) so, this foolish behavior has reduced a lot. Still, there is always that itch that flares up when I see new skincare. 

When Dr. Sheth's launched a Sulphur face mask, I was intrigued. I tried to control myself but I finally gave in. (I was actually trying to find a dupe for Pixi Glow. Dr. Sheth's have a Gulab Glycolic Toner. When I got the toner, I added this as well to the cart as well.)

As someone obsessed with skincare, the best part is when the season is about to change and you start exploring new products. Check for the finer details in new things to see if they suit you or not. I am an ingredient-focused person so, I end up reading the labels for hours before settling. So, the same started when winter was knocking on our door. I was excited about the new range from The Body Shop but I wanted to try a body oil as well.

I went to Kama Ayurveda to explore. They have many options - I have tried Rose Jasmine, Darbari, Bhairavi, Madhuvanti, and Yaman.

But, instead of another blend of carrier oils with essential oils, I got the almond oil.

1. It comes with a pump. I have used the Just Herbs body oil that comes in a pump and I know how convenient it makes the whole deal

2. The scent of almond oil in itself is nice and warm. There is no need to add anything.

3. Easily absorbed and can be used year round.

Hope you had a wonderful long weekend. There should be at least one every month. I had some plans but things did not materialize. On the very last moment, I decided to visit one very famous hill station that I have not visited yet - Mussoorie - The Queen of Hills. 🌄

I am over 30 years old Indian and I do not drink tea. 

It is not that I hate tea. I love the idea to enjoy a hot cuppa. But, while growing up I have seen far too many people addicted to tea. I met people who cannot image their day to start without tea. People who get severe headaches when they do not get to drink their evening cup of hot tea. For me, this was scarier than alcoholism! 

Okay, I had it once. The only time I ever had tea in my life was when my mother-in-law's elder septuagenarian sister with whom I do not share any common language offered me tea. There was no one around so, I could not explain her in sign language that I never in my life had tea and I do not drink it. She actually took it for I am shy so, she smiled and started requesting me. I gulped down the whole cup.

But, I want to drink a hot cuppa! Slowly sip and enjoy the warm sensation especially on winter afternoons and rainy evenings. 

After seeing some fancy hair transformations on Instagram, I was 'influenced' to get my hair colored. A cut was also due. I cannot take chances. I am not young enough for that. Therefore, only the best will do. 

One of my biggest regrets is that I do not do as many creative things that I want to do. I want to do a lot but I am trapped inside a body that is super lazy. It is tough being me because it is difficult for me to be happy - I am either disappointed that I am not able to cross off a million things on my to-do list or I am upset that I do not rest much. :D

On top of my not-able-to-do-creative-things list is take pictures for the blog and write more posts to share with you. This changed last month. On Saturday, I woke up around 8 AM (too early for weekends for me…remember…'lazy') and I discovered that the sunshine filled my room. I rushed to take as many pictures I could. I woke up again the next day to repeat it. The light stays for less than two hours so, it was a pure rush of adrenaline as I run around for my home for things to be part of the flatlays and arrange things up so that there isn't too much shadow in the picture. When I clicked this, the light was gone. It gave me immense pleasure to know that I have clicked a few pictures worthy of time and I could update the review on the blog.

The other configurations just formed as I was idly trying to clean up this chaotic mess.

Speaking of creating new things, I have decided to start on water coloring. I actually picked a camel tubes colors and camelin pan colors last year. I tried the camel tubes on normal papers and never got the result I desired so, left the idea the next day. Later, during the Stationery Fair, I found 300gsm paper but the texture was not great. Moreover, drawing on A4 sheets is overwhelming. There is so much space to cover! I recently got A5 300gsm papers from Brushtro. I was not feeling well. To distract myself, I tried the use the camelin pan colors on the Brushtro paper. Lo and behold - finally something that was showing up how I wanted it to show. Happiness.

I randomly share them on my Insta stories. Later, I got to know about Sitaram Stationery. I picked St. Petersburg White Night watercolors and my passion for water coloring just went up one thousand notches. I think I will pick more colors. I still need brushes. I still need to practice a lot more before I share my work. Nevertheless, it gives me a lot of pleasure to create something and not just consume in Netflix episodes. Be a creator and not just a consumer. I still watch shows on Netflix (currently on Gilmore Girls) but those are majorly for background noise. In addition, water coloring does not require too much moving around. I can get it down sitting on my bed with the AC on full blast. So, my lazy bones are also not complaining.

If you know good stationery stores in Delhi, then please tell me. 

Love, 

Shayoni

Most of us have moved to chemical peels and micro-exfoliation but you do need physical exfoliation at times. I went for the Rice Flour, Camellia, Orange Peel face scrub because the ingredients felt nice.

Another review of Juicy Chemistry products. I recently reviewed another cleanser/mask from Juicy Chemistry - Black Rice and Lavender for oily skin. This time, it is a cleaner for normal skin. I like the ingredients of this one better. So, let's start.

Hello!

How was your weekend? April is here and so is summer. It has already crossed 35 degrees here. Hos is the weather at your place?

I have stopped using alcohol spray deodorants (I do not even recall the last one I brought!) and stick to roll-ons. Nevertheless, the hunt for something more natural was always on. I was thinking of buying a few products from Juicy Chemistry for a long time. However, when I discovered that they have introduced deodorants, I hit the 'Pay' button. 

Have you seen my Juicy Chemistry haul?

I am been watching the brand Juicy Chemistry for a long time. A lot of people have recommended products to try from them and I was just delaying it. The number of available choices are too high. I have lost count of the number of times I have added products to my cart and left without paying. Anyone else guilty of online-window-shopping or is it just me? 

Finally, I saw one product that made me click on the payment button - Organic Deodorant. :)

I was meaning to switch from a very long time but I was not getting any options. 

Let's see what all I got: 

Confession: This was not a planned purchase. 😉

I went to the store for the limited edition Kama Ayurveda Rose Water. I was extensively using the Kama Ayurveda Neem oil this winter. So, decided to pick more neem from the store - a travel size bottle of this Anti-Acne Cleansing Foam and a big tube of Neem Body Scrub.

The one thing that I am programmed to believe since childhood that face masks are the key to good skin. I am still following this rule because they indeed are. And so much fun too! So, when I spot a 100% natural origin face mask with interesting ingredients, I cannot say no.

Neem Butter, Pumpkin & Vitamin E- Scalp Repair Hair Mask Certified Organic Review

The Body Shop Satsuma Jumbo Shower Gel Review

A part of my mind says - Stop buying rose water. You have enough.

Another part says - New! New! New! Buy! Buy! Buy!

Guess which part wins. Every. Single. Time. 🙊🙈

This might be a shocker but I do not like the regular line of rosewater by Forest Essentials (Rosa Damascene). I find the fragrance of that one too strong for use. But, the SA told me that Hasayan Roses are the pink Desi Gulab (Rosa Rubiginosa) and have a milder fragrance. How could I say no?

"I will not buy new products because of pretty packaging."

"I will not buy new products because of pretty packaging."

"I will not buy new products because of pretty packaging."

"I will not buy new products because of pretty packaging."

"I will not buy new products because of pre…."

Instagram Notification - Kama Ayurveda just posted - Limited edition Love is Love box designed by Manish Arora.

Oh so pretty! But, wait…₹1,850.00 for 200ml rose water (Regular price ₹ 1050), and a randomly sent broach? No way. No freaking way I am going to buy this.

Within 5 days I discovered that the individual bottles are also available. No points for guessing that I made a beeline to the Kama Store and picked one for myself. 

Juicy Chemistry ROSEHIP Oil (Cold Pressed Organic) Review

The Body Shop Japanese Cherry Blossom Strawberry Kiss Perfume EDT Review

The Body Shop Strawberry Shower Gel and Softening Gel Lotion Review

For years, I wanted to try the cult favorite Benefit Benetint. I have heard so much about it that I had to give it a try when I discovered that they are now available in mini sizes as well. In fact, a lot of Benefit products are now available in minis and I am eyeing the blushes as well but I know it too well that I rarely use powder blushes. :P So, before splurging on the blushes, I wanted to go for the one product that Benefit cosmetics is popular for - Bene Tint.

All the Ordinary products are free of parabens, sulphates, mineral oil, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, animal oils, coal tar dyes, formaldehyde, mercury, oxybenzone. Their products are not tested on animals. So, not sold in mainland China.