So earlier this Friday I received a very exciting package from the brand Spice Island. I haven't come across this brand before ( I really don't know why) and hence haven't tried their products before I received the package. 

Spice Island is best described in their website as a brand that focuses on a 'holistic approach to personal skin and hair care'. They rely on Ayurvedha, one of the oldest healing systems, prevalent in both Sri Lanka and India which attempts to promote well-being through more natural methods. Thus the brand caters to individuals who are conscious when it comes to products they use on their hair and skin. Their products are made out of natural ingredients like spices, and herbs which are directly sourced from Sri Lanka. Their products are also manufactured right here in Sri Lanka. 

Their representatives have been in contact with me and very kindly, sent me a some of their products,  to try out and to let you know my thoughts. The reason why this post is appearing later here, is because I've had the busiest of weeks with research proposals and assignments. So receiving this was like getting a nice care package. Upon receiving the package, one of the first things that caught my eye was the mentioning of how the brand was paraben free and cruelty free (not tested on animals). As I enthusiastically opened the box, I was greeted to 3 of their products. I thought I will share with you my first impressions, here and now.

Ceylon Tea Shower Gel

Claims:

Antiseptic and Cleansing

Anti-inflammatory

Rich Later and clean scent

Thoughts:

Okay, so I couldn't resist waiting any longer (what's new?), and I tried this out yesterday. The product itself has a very mild scent and upon lathering and washing off, it left a 'clean' scent, just as described. For those of you who do not like scented shower products, this one will fit just right in your bath/ shower.

On first impressions, I think this really did a good job in cleansing and I didn't experience any adverse skin reactions, which is always a positive. I also feel like this is one of the products you will enjoy using for a night shower, as a part of a winding-down routine. Trust me, it is so relaxing!

Tamarind Seed Extract Day Cream

Claims:

Improves skin elasticity 

Visibly smoothes signs of aging

Long term hydration

Tamarind is known to be the most powerful moisturizer with healing properties to protect skin against harmful effects of the environment. 

It is recommended for all skin types.

Thoughts:

I couldn't resist trying this one out too (so much for my self-restraint *facepalm*). The product is suggested to be applied to the face and neck after cleansing and toning. I haven't still applied this on my face, but I tried it on my hands as I always do when I test products. This cream smells so good, sweet but not sickly sweet. It is refreshing! It has a moderately thick consistency, the amount that is just right to absorb fast and provide intense hydration. I can already tell that I'm falling  in love with this one because my hands feel so soft and moisturized this morning. 

King Coconut Shampoo

Claims: 

Naturally promotes hair growth

Leaves hair shiny and lustrous

Maintains colour

Thoughts:

Not going to lie, I do want all of the above. This is the only product that I haven't tried just yet. The consistency is not thick like the other shampoos, which is good because it would mean that it won't leave any residue after rinsing off. Besides, I'm a fan of anything coconut-y so I'm very excited to give this a go. 

Thank you Spice Island for allowing me to try your products, for your dedication in using natural ingredients and for being paraben and cruelty free.

Since these are my first impressions, I will make sure I update you soon after thoroughly trying these out. In the meantime, if you want to have a look at their products, they are available at 

all Barefoot outlets and the Cotton Collection flagship store. 

Spice Island Website

Spice Island FaceBook Page

If you've tried any products by Spice Island, feel free to leave a comment down below. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you for taking time to read this post,

Much Love,

Have you guys ever had something you've coveted for years and years? Call me materialistic, but one of my makeup goals for a good 3-4 years has been to own a YSL lipstick. I remember how often I would comment on other Instagram bloggers who owned one of these, hoping that someday my savings would permit me to buy one.
 I feel compelled to tell you the back story, although this is a review of the lipstick. So on one beautiful, sunny day in last December, me and my friends went out  hotel hopping to look at all the beautiful Christmas decor. We headed to Crescat first though, and while we were casually strolling, we came across the Exclusive Lines store there. Me, being myself wanted to have a peek at what's there. That's right, just a peek, or so I thought. I distinctly remember my friend saying 'let's test how much self-control Saku has'. Turns out I have NONE. When the lady there swatched this lipstick, I muttered an 'uh-oh' because I knew exactly where this was heading. Saku was going to buy the lipstick even though it was a whopping 7k. I've since re-framed it as a Christmas gift to myself. Anyway this lipstick has been proudly sitting front and centre on my vanity and it just reminds me that dreams do come true. Jokes aside, it is one of my favourite purchases thus far.

Price: Rs. 7,900

Claims:

This award-winning lipstick saturates lips in captivating color that’s intensely pigmented, and imparts an irresistible glossy shine.

The long-lasting, comforting formula is highlighted with a unique Color-shine Complex that leaves lips visibly smoother, plumper and more radiant.

Packaging:

Needless to say the packaging is A+. An amalgam of luxury, intricacy, romance, this lipstick would make you fall in love (with it) at first sight. Encased in gold, the lipstick shade can be seen in a band beneath the logo detailing. No other lipstick packaging comes close to this. The lipstick itself is slanted, not the regular tear drop shape. This is nothing to fuss over but certainly worth mentioning.



Wear:

The moment I open the cap, there is a distinct tangy-fruity scent. I quite like it, but for those of you who are not into scented makeup, this could be a potential con. The colour, ultimate beige, is actually more of a rose-mauve on my skin tone. It has good pigmentation, just enough to give it that sheer-glossy finish. When I first tried it, I thought the pigment was somewhat lacking, as I have pigmented lips anyway. Ever since, I've used this for day wear and more natural makeup looks. So for me it is the right fit. It does set after a couple of minutes and the glossy nature disappears, yet there remains a distinct shine.


This formula is everything! It is very comfortable and really aids in smooth application. I mean the lipstick just glides perfectly. I cannot attest to whether it makes the lips appear plumper in comparison to other 'plumping' lipsticks on the market. However the shine brings attention to the lips making them appear more luscious.


The flip-side is obviously in the lasting power of this lipstick. It transfers a lot and the colour is light so I didn't expect it to last all that well anyway. It lasted about 3 hours until breakfast, after which I noticed that it needed re-application right away. The same story after lunch. So I would not recommend this for major foodies because you'll have to keep re-applying. Re-application is not an issue because that formula is so creamy, just saying.

Would I recommend it?:

If luxury is your forte or if you like to dip your toes into luxury makeup, sure, this is a great shade. I'd recommend this for lipstick collectors, since it will be a good addition to your collection purely because of that packaging. 

Uploading this pic even with the wonky brow.

Shop This Post:

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in No. 3 (Ultimate Beige)

Exclusive Lines FaceBook Page

Let me know what you think of the YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in No. 3 (Ultimate Beige). If you've tried it, feel free to leave a comment down below.

Thank you so much for reading,

Much Love,

Disclaimer: I know that this post will seem like an ad for The Body Shop, but it really is not. So I will mention the products that I bought myself separately from the ones that were given to me at their launch events. This is in no way to brag, but to remain transparent in the eyes of all of you, my loyal readers.

 Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo by The Body Shop

I have been using this shampoo since the beginning of this year. I bought this personally after seeing a lot of bloggers raving about how great it is as an anti-dandruff shampoo. It has a strong and sharp ginger scent, which I like (especially since I can detect it when my brother steals it). In my mind, it intensifies the 'fresh out of the shower' feeling. In terms of its application, it doesn't lather up like a lot of other shampoos, which means it does't leave any excess residue. The formula has a kind of a clear gel consistency as opposed to a cream, and it is not too runny nor too thick. I have noticed that it is really mild on the scalp and hasn't caused an irritation throughout the period I've been using it. One con I'd like to point out, is that this does make my hair feel drier than other shampoos, so I always make sure I condition afterwards.

British Rose Shower Gel by The Body Shop 

This post might as well be called a youtube instagram-made-me-buy-it, because this too was personally purchased. I've been wanting to try something from the British Rose range because the scent is often raved about, and I could definitely see why. love the subtle rose scent which is refreshing but not too strong. This will be a great gift for someone who does not enjoy sharply scented products. Besides the Wild Argan Oil one, I think this is a steady favorite. It gently cleanses and keeps my skin soft.

Head to Toe Baby Wash by Baby Cheramy

I know what you're thinking, "Is she for real?". Yes, yes I am. I am well aware that it is for babies and that I'm not one...most of the time. However, I love this product for night time showers. Whenever I've had a long day and all I can think about is my bed and sleeping my worries away, this is my go-to product. I think it has to do with the lavender scent (a personal favourite). It really does calm me down and provides gentle cleansing as claimed.

Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner by The Body Shop 

This product was given to me at the most recent launch of The Body Shop's cruelty free program in Sri Lanka. Personally, I do not enjoy the banana smell; yes, it really does smell like ripe bananas. This is ideal for anyone who enjoys natural products with tropical/ fruity scents. However I can look past the smell, which doesn't linger for too long, because this makes my hair so soft. Usually I look for conditioners that de-tangle my hair, and give it shine. This, in addition to these qualities also softens my hair. It's not too heavy and doesn't make my hair feel greasy-major plus! 

Strawberry Body Sorbet by The Body Shop 

This is another product that was given to me along with the conditioner on the day of the launch. Who doesn't love strawberries, right? This product has a mild strawberry scent that is not too intense. I love using this right after I pop out of the shower. Branding it as a sorbet is smart, because that's exactly what the texture of the product feels like. It is very lightweight and absorbs really fast which is great because my skin doesn't feel tacky after application. I usually opt for their body butters to keep my skin hydrated for extended periods of time, but I prefer to apply them overnight. Since this is fast absorbing, I can rely on this to keep my skin hydrated particularly on rushed mornings. 

Huile Prodigieuse Multi-purpose Dry Oil by NUXE

This. I can't even begin to explain. I did not know I needed a dry oil in my life before this. The quality is assured as the NUXE products are made in France. Starting with the scent which is mild, feels very summery, tropical with hints of vanilla and fresh florals. It smells somewhat like jasmine although I can't find it listed on the website. I wish the scent stayed for a lot longer and I wish the scent was bottled up and sold as a perfume. I use it on the inside of my wrists, collarbones and my hair, to add shine. Although it is listed as a multi purpose oil for body, hair and face, I personally don't see myself applying this on my face, just FYI. It really does lock in the moisture and make my skin look fresh and radiant. The brand also has eco-friendly jars and lists several commitments to the environment on their website. The highs end there unfortunately because I found out that while they do not test on animals, they sell their products in a country which has mandatory animal testing.

Let me know if you have tried any of these products or if you would like for me to try a new product, in a comment down below.

Shop This Post:

Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo by The Body Shop

British Rose Shower Gel by The Body Shop

Head to Toe Baby Wash by Baby Cheramy

Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner by The Body Shop 

Strawberry Body Sorbet by The Body Shop 

Huile Prodigieuse Multi-purpose Dry Oil by NUXE

Thank you so much for taking time to read this post,

Much Love, 

As you may know I've completed my undergrad in psychology and counseling last year. This year I decided to continue with my masters in applied psychology. Needless to say, psychology and mental health has been and currently is the center of my life. I've used a few apps related to mental health, mindfulness, meditation such as Headspace among others in the past. Most of those apps worked just fine until I had to pay and subscribe for better packages. Pacifica appeared on my app store just in time. While it too requires a paid subscription for certain packages, it offers a lot more than any other app did, for free. Besides it is very easy to use. It's been over a week since I've begun to use it and I am loving it thus far.

Once you sign-up via e-mail you are requested to opt for a nickname to be used which is great as it retains anonymity of its members. It directs you then towards an assessment of mood which you can rate and take action accordingly. In rating your mood, you can add your feelings which is a great way to analyze the emotions that you're experiencing at any given moment. It is common to get flustered when it feels like there are just way too many emotions going through your mind. It's something anyone, including myself can relate to. So labeling them offers clarity as to what those specific feelings are.

This app relies on the theoretical basis of Cognitive Behaviour Theory (CBT) which describes how thoughts and emotions have an effect on behaviour. Therefore in order to change the behaviours, the thoughts and emotions need to be addressed. While meditation and mindfulness exercises are a great way to keep the somatic and emotive aspects in perspective, the thoughts are addressed through a thought record. What's great about the app, is that it guides you through your thought record from the basic steps of identifying the thoughts to identifying the thought traps (cognitive distortions according to CBT) to then reframing those cognitions. Say for example, I had the thought that "I am an utter failure", I can identify the traps of overgeneralization, selective abstraction of the negatives, and dichotomous thinking referred to as 'all or nothing'. Then, I can proceed with reframing the thought,for example, alternatively choosing to believe that 'one weakness does not mean that I am a failure as a person'. See? Just like that it creates a major difference in the line of thinking and you begin to feel better too as a result.

Another aspect of the app is that it monitors the user's health, in terms of the amount of sleep, exercise, water consumed, and etc.You can even create your own daily habits. Being a person who often 'forgets' to exercise and drink water and then being lethargic and dehydrated as consequences, this app is a great way to hold myself accountable. It also allows you to create your own goals and challenges. For example, for someone who is anxious in social situations (me), the app suggests speaking up in class or starting a conversation with someone. It probably sounds like simple tasks to some, but many of you may recognize similar irrational fears and anxieties. You can view your progress every day and get an overall progress report every week. Trust me, it's addictive to see yourself doing so well, taking care of yourself, and striving to be a better human every day.

The best part is that there is a community that supports you. You get to share quotes, goals, activities that have helped you relax, be more mindful, feel less anxious, sad, etc., with people who are going through very similar issues. So it lets you know that you're not alone in this world which is a great, reassuring feeling. To conclude, in the words of Dumbledore "Help is always given to those who ask for it", in Pacifica.

If you've used Pacifica or any other wellness app, please leave a comment down below if you' like to share your experience. 

Thank you so much for reading,

Much love,

If there's one thing I love more than food, it is definitely lipsticks. While I always find excuses to expand my lipstick collection, and try out newer brands and shades, there are also a couple of lipsticks that are go-to ones. When in doubt, I'd happily go for any of the following to complete my look. Some are new favourites, some are old. So here are the 5 lipsticks that I reach out to the most.

1995 by Gerard Cosmetics

I'm sure you've heard enough about me rambling on about how great this lipstick is but it really ticks all the boxes for me in terms of its colour, pigmentation, lasting power and the fact that it is MATTE! It's amazing how no matter which new buy I'm excited about, I still feel the same excitement about this lippie. Besides it is cruelty-free! 

You can read my full review here: http://mandy-s-heart.blogspot.com/2016/05/review-gerard-cosmetics-lipstick-in-1995.html

Kiss of Life by Rimmel London

This is one of the first lipsticks I yearned for having seen multiple bloggers wearing it. I remember this being on my to-buy list when I first got my credit-card. So, I guess you could say it has a kind of a sentimental value attached to it. I love the colour which is a true red-not too cool toned nor is it completely warm-toned. It's just right! I've always loved Rimmel as a brand, their products are of great quality for a lesser price tag. Unfortunately, I've recently learned that they do test on animals 'when required by law'. 

Review: http://mandy-s-heart.blogspot.com/2015/07/review-rimmel-kate-moss-matte-lipstick.html

Seductive Sienna by Revlon

While it is branded as a matte, I find that on the lips this lipstick leaves a slight sheen. Nevertheless, it has become a steady go-to whenever I feel like going for a deep berry-brown colour. It is very opaque and creamy that makes it so much easier to apply. Revlon products are easy to get hold of here in Sri Lanka, however it is another brand that tests on animals. 

Candid by Makeup Geek

Can you believe it is only recently that I got hold of Makeup Geek products although I've been blogging for nearly 3 years now? I've noticed that whenever I'm done with my day time makeup my hand immediately reaches out for this lipstick. That is how I know it is a favourite. It is a pink-nude lipstick on my lips, certainly more mauve than it appears on the cap (on the packaging). Also, MakeupGeek is cruelty-free! 

Love Bug by ColourPop

The list of my go-to lipsticks would not be complete without a deep and dark shade. So I've added Love Bug which is a colour that I take comfort in especially since the Autumnal months (not in SL, obviously) are drawing closer. I feel like I really become alive this time of year. Jokes aside, I really enjoy how pigmented and long lasting the ultra matte lips by ColourPop are. I'm 100% sure that this rich mahogany shade will be repurchased over and over again. How great is it that ColourPop is cruelty-free too?!

Read more here: http://mandy-s-heart.blogspot.com/2017/06/review-colourpop-ultra-matte-lip-in.html

Let me know what your go-to lipsticks are in a comment down below. Also, if you know of a dupe for Seductive Sienna by Revlon, please let me know in a comment down below, or by a quick tweet to @sakuniamanda

Shop This Post:

1995 by Gerard Cosmetics 

Kiss of Life by Rimmel London

Seductive Sienna by Revlon

Candid by Makeup Geek

Love Bug by ColourPop

Thank you so much for reading,

Much Love,