REVIEW: Biotique - Bio Winter Green Spot Correcting Cream

 Biotique Botanicals Bio Winter Green Spot Correcting Anti-Acne Cream (For Oily & Acne Prone Skin)

As you can tell by the enormous name for this product, it definitely is like none other. Although it does work, it takes quite a bit of patience. 

Let me give you a little background on this product. After vacationing in January with my cousin up in the beaches in the northern part of the state - we both came back with dry, flakey skin with lots of breakouts and horrendous sunburns. We were at our grandparents' house, and were bored out of our minds. So, my cousin was telling me how she wanted to buy almond oil for her face because she read somewhere that it helped with acne scarring. So, we proceeding to go to the mall and went to this big supermarket/drugstore there (yes, our malls have supermarkets). We went to the skincare section and it was quite overwhelming actually. So many products ranging from all chemicals to all natural. We were browsing for a while (of course), and I stumbled upon this magical little tub.

You may notice on the packaging that it says "ayurvedic." Essentially, all it means is this product is all natural, which is always an eye-catcher. Generally, ayurveda refers to "alternative medicine." Which, generally refers to natural remedies concocted by ancient Hindu doctors a very long time ago. 

To further explain, the packaging provides this little description:

"An extraordinary combination of ancient/modern therapies and sciences that balance the wonders of nature to support a healthy well-being and spiritual bliss in your life."

It contains:

Berberis aristata - 1.5%, Euphorbia thymifolia - 2.2%, Gultheria fragrantissima - 1.0%, Neem - 2.0%, Cream Base Q.S.  

So, obviously, my cousin and I were sold by this point, and both purchased it. Something noteworthy from these ingredients is neem. Neem has healing, and calming properties. It's a great agent to use for hair growth on your hair (although, I'm still struggling to find neem oil here), and it's great for clearing up any acne or scarring.

I came home and I tried it immediately. It appears a creamy white textured lotion in the tub, however, it applies clear. I hate using my fingers for applying spot treatments on my face, so I used a Q-tip. I covered the head of the bud in the product and gently applied it over the regions of active breakouts. 

The first thing that caught my attention was the smell. It smelled like Zandu Balm! Zandu Balm is also an ayurvedic clear balm which you apply to your forehead to relieve headaches. 

I've been using this spot correcting cream on and off a few times a week since January, and my acne has dramatically decreased, along with my scarring! Some of my friends even mention how my skin was looking much better. However, it is worth mentioning that it does not prevent acne. It does not work miracles and unclog your pores, or prevent sebum from collecting. It just calms the spots on your face that are already there.

It's definitely worth the Rs. 300 that I paid for it! Great skin for me has no price tag.

Take care,

Kata

xx 

OOTD (Indian) - Red and Black

Hi there!

I know generally "Outfit of the Day" posts are supposed to be showing all dressed up outfits with lots of accessories and lovely shoes to go along. However, as a medical student in India, the outfits we are required to wear are very specific. So, I thought I'd show different styles of kurtis instead, if that's okay.

Outfit Details:

Top: Sequined Red Kurti with Black Detailing by Rangmanch
Bottom: Black Leggings by Biba

I always get copious amounts of compliments whenever I wear this because it's such a beautiful bright red color!

Take care,

Kata 

xx

Medical School Orientation

I know, I know. It's been almost a week since I last blogged. Is anyone actually reading this crap? According to my stats, Russia is giving me the most amount of traffic. That's honestly so random -- but, I nonetheless thank you for visiting.

So, let's catch up on the past few days, shall we?

Well, yesterday was my first day of actual medical school, if you want to call it that. Apparently up until August 12th, it's going to be all orientation. It's not like I can skip either because we need 75% attendance to be able to sit for the final exams, and these two-hour sessions of orientation boredom are going to count towards that.

I skipped today and yesterday to work out. Shame on me, I know. But I've had a reasonable excuse. My cravings are a lot worse to binge on food by the way -- it's taking every ounce of will power to control myself. It's not really working though.

Yesterday, they sat us down in a miniature auditorium, and parents came too. Unfortunately my mom didn't want to go as always, but I don't blame her. I wouldn't want to sit through that either. There was a lengthy speech made by the principal, about ragging and whatnot. Snore. Towards the end, they split us up into groups and I was afraid that my name wouldn't have been called - but I'm roll number 141, there are 143 students. Yipee.

Today, we went with our respective groups to different departments to explore the campus. My group, F. Yes, we actually call it the "F for failure" group now. We went to the Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology (Hematopathology, and osteopathology specifically) departments. The most interesting of all was the miniature preservation museum. All these carcinomas, fetuses, etc were preserved in all those jars. It was pretty awesome.

Hopefully, I can go to the gym tomorrow morning. Need to get up early.

Oh! Flake is here by the way because my cousins, aunt and uncle are all the way on the other side of town. He's been here since around 3-4 in the afternoon. He's been keeping me occupied. 

Perpetual Running

So, as you can see from the title, I was basically running everywhere today.

I woke up this morning, and ran to the grocery store as soon as it opened. Like, literally. I ran. Okay, I jogged. But, still. I ran out of muesli and I have to eat an hour before working out. Otherwise, I get a horrible stomach ache and it makes me not want to do any sort of exercise. But, my cousin didn't show up this morning - so I didn't end up going to the gym in the morning.

Then, I was studying for a bit when I got a phone call at 11:45 telling me that I needed to be at an interview for the school at 2:00 PM sharp. I was frantic, and got ready as fast as I could and I was on my way. The weather was beautiful, by the way. My university campus has A LOT of greenery, and open fields and (kind of) mountains and such. It's pretty neat. Went inside for the interview, and they made us sit down and fill out checklist forms. I was the first one to be done with mine, so they sent me inside the interview room. Let me just start off by saying that there was no interview. Nothing. They took my original documents, transcripts, certificates, etc. Afterwards, they told me I was set and that I should wait to hear back from them in a few weeks. A few weeks? What? School is supposed to start on August 1st! Oh goodness. At least this random interview -- er -- whatever you want to call it is over.

Then we came back, and had to stop by a pharmacy, because I've been having issues. I'll give you a gruesome hint - it involves milk of magnesia. :( Right by the pharmacy was this large bakery - and knowing me, I couldn't resist, so we went inside and got some sweets.

Khalakand and kova jamun (YES!!!)

Finally, my cousin showed up - we went to the gym and there were so many guys. We were definitely outnumbered, and it was awkward because this is India. Oh well. We had a good hour-long workout, and I came home. I'm hoping I burnt off at least half those sweets, if not all! It involved interval running once again. Sensing a theme to this day yet? I hope so!

Good night.

Workout Blog: Day 7

Good afternoon!

So, if you've been following - you'd know that today should be Day 9. However, I missed Tuesday and Thursday this week. Tuesdays because, I never ever feel like going on that day for some reason... weird, I know. Yesterday, I skipped because my cousin kept telling me that I should wait for her all day to go to the gym, and she never ended up showing.

Anyways, so enough excuses. Today is Day 7 of gyming. I definitely don't see any noticeable difference yet in my actual body other than the fact that I'm craving more and more food. I'm not craving junk food - but I'm just craving bigger quantities of food. I expected this to happen, but not so drastically. I'm not one to quote a Drake song, but you know that song, "Headlines"? He says, "money over everything, money on my mind." This is what goes through my head:

"Food over everything. Food on my mind."

That being said, I've been controlling myself quite well for the most part though. I eat only when I'm supposed to, and not when I'm bored or feel like eating food.

For the past two workouts, I've been running in intervals. I've been going for 40-45 minutes, and that usually lets me do an overall distance of 5.0-5.4 km depending on how long I walk initially to warm up. Usually, it ends up being somewhere in between the two.

Another thing that I've noticed is that I'm wheezing less and less. So, I'm assuming that it's becoming easier for me to run for longer distances at a time. Which is great considering I used to hate running, and wait anxiously for my time on the treadmill to hit a certain number. Even back in tennis, I used to loathe running and especially those forsaken suicides that they made us do during conditioning. Now, the only reason I look forward to the gym now is to be able to run even more than the day before. What a 180, right?

High-wise, I've been feeling great afterwards. Especially, since the weather has been behaving this week and it's not ugly and gloomy anymore. I feel like because I just said that I'm going to jinx it though. There is a nice breeze, the sun is not overly hot or shining. I can't complain.

I had muesli with a banana in the morning (as always). I feel like McDreamy from Season 1 of Grey's Anatomy where he goes over to Meredith's house and they make fun of him for always eating it for breakfast. I had two rotis, and some spinach dal in the afternoon to get in that nice protein and complex carbohydrates. As my snack, I had two cups of fresh watermelon, and two ounces of freshly-squeezed sweet lime juice. I'm not quite sure about what I should be whipping up for dinner. I had stuffed pita (with lemon-cilantro chicken, tomatoes, and sauteed onions and green peppers) last night for dinner. I need to learn how to make tzatziki sauce for next time I make it - I got to find dill! It's impossible to find some herbs here in Indian markets - even in the farmer's market. But, I'll keep checking - because I seriously love that sauce.

Until next time,
Bye!

I Can't Sleep Again

It's happening again. Maybe it's because I skipped my workout today. Probably. But, I can't sleep. I don't understand why. I guess I'm the very first picture, at best.

Oh insomnia. You're always relapsing on me.

Aggravated

This week you may say has not been the greatest. The electrician finally came today morning before I went off to the gym with my cousin, and after my shower - the water heater refuses to work. If I want to take a shower tonight, I'm going to have to boil my water on the stove again. Oh the joys of being here in India.

All I want is something to not back-fire. Just one thing. That's all I'm asking.

Especially in this environment, of being here in Hyderabad is just beyond frustrating. If you want to get something done, then you have you make hundreds of phone calls and literally harass them until the job is done. It's not very fun. Besides, even if the job is "done," you'll still need to chase those people perpetually because you'll always have continuous problems.

It hasn't been that long since I moved into this apartment officially with my mother - but it's been showing me frequent glimpses of hell because honestly, everything has been blowing up in my face.

On the upside, I made 5-minute Indo-Chinese fried rice today from scratch, and it was really good.