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Sweet and Bitter Blog

SoapWorks India Haul (Zero Plastic Packaging Beauty)

Jun 29, 2019


Today, was definitely one of the happy Saturdays. I woke up late. Then, cooked enough to last till Monday (lazy Sunday, I am looking at you!). Then two courier arrived. One of them was from SoapWorks.

After realizing how much I was wanting when I did the major decluttering this spring, I have restricted my buys a lot. It is a shopping ban not to save money but the planet. I am not trying not to buy anything that I might not use later or comes in plastic packaging. Also, I am trying to reduce my bathroom waste. Switched to menstrual cups but that is a story for another day. My favorite shampoo The Body Shop Rainforest might get discontinued so I thought why not give solid shampoos another change. My last experiment with Juicy Chemistry shampoo was a big fail. But, SAnd For Soapaholics one was great. This is not a great time to try hair products because monsoons are when it is natural to get high hair fall but, I could not wait any longer.

I found Soap Works India website which retails variety to natural products. I ordered four things that arrived today.

Before I say, what all I ordered, let me take a moment to appreciate the packaging.

  • No plastic.
  • No cling foil wraps.
  • No bubble wraps.
  • No scotch tape.
  • Only paper and cardboard.

I cannot tell you how much I am impressed.

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4 The Body Shop Spa of the World Shower Gel Review

Jun 28, 2019

The Body Shop Spa of the World Brittany Coast Algae Bath and Shower Gel, Tahitian Tiaré Bath and Shower Oil-in-Gel, Balkan Juniper Body Wash, Adriatic Peony Bath and Shower Cream Review India


Going to share some of the most unique shower gels in the Indian market with you today. They are very different and I could not suggest a dupe even if I tried. These four shower gels are from The Body Shop and belong to the Spa of the World collection.

While the Spa of the World body scrubs, body creams, and oil are much applauded, you might never have heard about the shower creams.

Now, before I start, I must repeat that fragrance is very different. You will either be head over heels in love with them or detest them whole-heartedly. I have made some of my friends try it and it seems like it is more popular with the higher age group - people with a nose for complex notes. These are not the usual peppy fruit fragrance. Also, the texture of all of them is different. Usually, shower gels from a range smell different but have the same texture. Here the textures are different to align with the Spa ritual they belong to.

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The Body Shop Mediterranean ALMOND MILK with OATS Instant Soothing Mask

Jun 25, 2019

The Body Shop Mediterranean Almond Milk with Oats Instant Soothing Mask Review, Price, Texture


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.


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Massive Skincare and Makeup Declutter

Jun 24, 2019

Massive Skincare and Makeup Declutter


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.) 

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The Body Shop SPA OF THE WORLD Firming Collection Review

Jun 22, 2019

The Body Shop Spa of the World French Grape Seed Scrub, Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream, Thai Makrut Lime Firming Oil, Balkan Juniper Body Wash Review India
The Body Shop Spa of the World French Grape Seed Scrub, Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream, Thai Makrut Lime Firming Oil, Balkan Juniper Body Wash Review India


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. 


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The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Jun 21, 2019

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Review India
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Review India



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)

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The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%

Jun 19, 2019



Of all the things, I wanted to start using from The Ordinary, the Glycolic Acid was on top of the list. Unfortunately, I never received my bottle. Also, it is always out of stock. So, let's talk of something from the list that I have -Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%. 

Why Vitamin C for skin? 

Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that brightens the skin tone and reduces the appearance of signs of aging. 

What is special about the Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension? 

1. Right for my pocket. Even when I have to pay customs, I do not mind the price point. This is not my first Vitamin C Serum but definitely the first with a clinical formula. 

2. Good Formula - free of silicones, mineral oil, alcohol and all things that you wish to avoid in general. 

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Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy FOCUS Body Scrub

Jun 12, 2019




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. 😊


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Limited Edition The Body Shop Cactus Blossom Hand Wash

Jun 11, 2019




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. 


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Bath & Body Works AROMATHERAPY Stress Relief (Eucalyptus + Spearmint) Body Wash, Body Lotion, and Body Oil

Jun 10, 2019



April 2018: Bath and Body Works is going to come to India.
Me: Yippeee.


View this post on Instagram

#Throwback That first time I went to @BathAndBodyWorks in Bali. I was overwhelmed by the options provided by @BathAndBodyWorks_ID. Well guess what, the news is now confirmed @BathAndBodyWorks is coming to India. No points for guessing - at @DLFMallOfIndia coz all cool shops open there 💁 . It is my favourite mall now. Just 20 minutes from office and home💃 So, hold your purchases of body mists, candles, hand sanitizers....you get the picture here 🤗 #BathAndBodyWorks #BathAndBodyWorksIndia #DLFMallOfIndia #NewInDelhi

A post shared by Shayoni || Sweet and Bitter (@shayoni__) on Apr 18, 2018 at 9:57pm PDT




July 3rd, 2018: I enter Bath and Body Works. Runs out screaming internally.

The choices at the store are insane. Moreover, the names are not easy to predict. How I am supposed to know how 'Fiji Sands' smells like or 'Comfort' smells like? Your comfort can different from my comfort! By the time, I have tried five-six, I get overwhelmed and I step out. This continued for more than six months.

This February, on my birthday: I decided - come what may, I am going to buy something. Something. Anything.

(I remember that the same happened when I went to Bath and Body Works in Bali. I purchased three mists because I had no intention to miss anything.)

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Little Things for Better Future #WorldEnvironmentDay

Jun 6, 2019



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 believe - coral in a myriad of colors. Beautiful creatures that I could not believe are on the same planet we live in. In the next 15 days of our trip, 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. 

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Author Profile
I believe everything has a sweet side and a bitter side. How one perceives it, makes all the difference. Welcome to Sweet And Bitter Blog where I talk about makeup, skincare, and lifestyle.

SweetAndBitterBlog@gmail.com
Shayoni.SABB@gmail.com

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      • 4 The Body Shop Spa of the World Shower Gel Review
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