Aren't we all suckers for anything instant? What can be more gratifying than an instant glow! I mean, ain't nobody got time for that? And Lakme has re-invented its approach to the Indian beauty market and for the first time has launched a "sort of" fairness cream, without offending anyone who are anti-fairness creams (including myself), an "Instant Glow Creme". With sunscreen. From the astounding 9 to 5 collection. So much goodness in jut one product!
What it claims is an instant glow. If you have seen the commercial advertisement featuring Shraddha Kapoor, you would get the drift. Her glow makes the Parisian lights seem faint! Her touch is enough to get the Eiffel Tower sparkling! Amazing concept. One has to give it to their creativity. Applause!!!
But what in real life? How good does it get? Does it complement the plethora of Indian skin tones - the fair, the wheatish, the dusky? Read on to find out my take on Insta Light.
Ingredients and Uses:
As always, first things first. A product is all about what is inside. It can only deliver what it's got!
So, the ingredients as listed on the carton of the package and their respective use in the cosmetic (as per my toiling research) are as below. The ones highlighted in red indicate that they may cause irritation/ allergy in some or may have been derived from animal source(s).
Water - Obvious! Hydrates.
Palmitic acid and Stearic acid - Emuslifiers. May be from animal sources.
Niacinamide - Skin smoothener.
Glycerin - Moisturizer.
Cetearyl ethyl hexanoate - Skin conditioning.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate - UV filter
Titanium dioxide - Sunscreen
Potassium hydroxide - pH adjuster. May irritate eyes and skin.
Cetyl alcohol - Emulsifier. May be derived from animal sources.
Dimethicone - Skin conditioner.
Butyl methoxydibezoylmethane - UV filter
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate - Antioxidant
Tocopheryl acetate - Cheaper version of Vitamin E. Moisturizer.
Allantoin - Skin conditioner.
Hydroxystearic acid - Emulsifier
Isopropyl Myristate - Skin conditioner. May irritate skin and eyes.
Disodium EDTA - Prevents ingredients from reacting with each other.
Aluminium hydroxide - Colorant.
Stearic acid - Emulsifier. Of animal origin.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride - Skin conditioner.
Pearl extract - Skin lightener, and soother.
Isopropyl titanium triisostearate - Emulsifier
Triethoxysilylethyl polydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone - Skin conditioner.
Parabens - Preservant. Disrupts female hormonal balance.
Phenoxyethanol - Fragrance
Alpha isomethyl ionone - Fragrance
Benzyl salicylate - UV filter
Butylphenyl methylpropional - Fragrance. Disrupts female hormonal balance.
Cinnamyl alcohol - Fragrance. May cause allergy on the skin.
Citronellol - Fragrance. May cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Coumarin - Fragrance. May cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Geraniol - Fragrance. May cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Hexyl cinnamal - Fragrance. May cause irritation to sensitive skin.
Limone - Fragrance. Irritates skin and eyes.
Benzyl acetate - Fragrance
So, as you can see, there are quite a many red listed ingredients. Most of them are the fragrances - and they are known to cause rashes or break outs in some cases. Parabens have recently been at the receiving end of a lot of music for being very harmful in nature. Especially since they are so extensively used in all kinds of cosmetics - skin care, hair care, make up... Extended use can flip a woman's delicate hormonal system out of balance. A smart woman will do whatever it takes to keep it in balance. And there are some more ingredients in there that could potentially be from animal sources. Not suitable for vegans! Or for that matter, anyone who cares. The good part is that it has not one, or two, but at least 4 ingredients that are UV filters and sunscreens. At least 10 of the ingredients are skin conditioners, moisturizers, and smootheners - to keep the skin glowy and dewy, and soft and smooth, and just irresistible to touch. ;) It's got pearl extract which is an ancient Chinese secret to keep the skin flawless - even skin tone, and erases acne or any kind of rashes.
Review:
Priced Rs 79 for a 20 g product, we are dancing a happy dance!
The packaging is a shiny gray plastic tube with shiny hot pink text accents. The cap has a light pinkish sheen to it. I feel that a silver color would have looked way better than the boring gray. Silver because it is radiant and looks beautiful. Just what the product aims to deliver - instant glow. Or perhaps the gray was deliberate - to give it a formal 9 to 5 look, while remaining as close as possible to the silver shade.
The tube is a delicate, thin and long one, and readily (or somewhat) fits into a purse/ bag. The dimensions are beautiful! The size is just right to carry enough product to last through a few months (if used sensibly).
The product itself is a light pinkish beige creme dispensed as a thin string. It is really good that it dispenses so, because a little goes a long way with this product. It spreads well and sets quickly, so be sure to be nimble with the fingers. It gives a matte, powdery finish upon setting on the skin. I was expecting a dewy finish as shown on Shraddha in the ad. It's got pearl extract in it which should give that highlighter effect, but nope! All that remains is a whitish cast due to the presence of all those sunscreens. Big disappointment! I reckon the whitish cast might look better on fairer skin tones and not stand out so much, giving it the instant lift. On the rest, it just looks flat. In order to get back some color, it is best to use it under foundation as a base. Or even mixed with CC cream, it does well. It does have a very light weight, so it doesn't feel heavy or oily on the skin. It is ideal for normal to oily skin types. Dry skin will need a little help from a trusted moisturizing base. The staying power is not too strong. It melts right off with sweat. So unless the person is indoors, it may not last very long. The fragrance is the trademark Lakme one, similar to the sunscreens. It is milder though, and lingers for as long as the product stays put. However, the sunscreens do their job which again is limited to its staying power. Given the hot Indian weather on most days (and most Indian places), one just can't help perspiration which is this products one big enemy.
My favorite Indian cosmetic and make up brand has not left me mesmerized as ever with just this one product. Just the advertisement set the expectations so high, that I just wish the product delivered some, if not all of that much! It would have been great to use it as a standalone product on the face on make-up free days and be confident to flaunt a flawless finish.
Below are pictures of how Lakme Insta Light looks on my dusky/ dark "Indian" skin. I used 3 tiny dots on my hand and blended them out in upwards and outwards circular motions. It set in just about a few strokes, so it saves a lot of time! Hehe.
If you are interested in buying this product, do check out the Amazon link below for free home delivery and same day delivery options.
Thanks for reading! Sending you virtual hugs...
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