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Brighten Up Your Eyes

Brighten Up Your Eyes   Eyes are the most attractive and appealing part of a woman's body. So it is essential to make them look pretty and bright all the time. In an era where many women work in front of computers, there is a possibility of eyes becoming duller. However, constant care and attention can help us overcome this issue. Here are a few tips that can brighten up you eyes and make them look more expressive and beautiful.  1. Always Moisturize Your Eyes : Use a smooth moisturizer around the eyes and gently massage them for a couple of minutes everyday before you hit the bed.  2. Kajal Is the Magic : Most Indian women love using Kajal on their eyes. But here is a new tip !!! Never stop with just black. Mix and match your Kajal with two colors to make your eyes more vibrant.  3. Do Not Over Pluck : It is necessary to understand that hair growth reduces with age. This applies to eye brows as well. So you grow older, stop over plucking your eyebrows. Instead use tweezers to just set your eye brow curves right.  4. Use a Different Vegetable : Usage of cucumber on the eyes is old. Start using raw potato slices on the eyes to soothe your vision and also to remove the tan around the eye surface.  5. Contrast Eye Shadows : Eye shadows come in every color possible. Stop wearing the ones that match your clothes. Instead use a contrast color which will help you portray your eyes on the brighter side !!!  

DIY Manicure and Pedicure at Home

DIY Manicure and Pedicure at Home   Watch our expert beautician Madhu give simple Do-it-yourself tips for  a manicure and pedicure session at home. You can have healthy and beautiful hands and feet in the comforts of your home and the products mentioned in the video are easily available in the market.

Onions for Hair Growth

Onions for Hair Growth     Who would have ever thought that the humble onion could help in hair growth and prevent hair fall ! It also poses to be a smelly affair but what doesn’t one do for beauty and hair care. Now how is Onion beneficial for hair growth?  Onions are high on sulfur content and sulfur helps in increasing blood circulation. It also prevents skin inflammation due to its antibacterial properties. Moreover, onion juice makes your hair stronger, opens up the pores of your hair follicles that were blocked and prevents scalp infections at the same time. That’s a three-in-one benefit and why shouldn’t we make use of it. -> Blend on a couple of onions in your blender / mixie, add a small quantity of water so that it becomes easy to extract the juice. -> Strain the juice and apply this on your scalp avoid coating hair with this liquid. -> Leave it for 30 minutes and wash off with a mild shampoo. -> Apply this on alternate days and remember for anything to work need time and your patience. -> You could also try mixing some rose water  to avoid the smell and enjoy the benefits of this juice for enhanced hair growth  One study from the Journal of Dermatology found that just after four weeks of using onion juice, 74% of individuals with alopecia areata experienced significant hair regrowth. Within six weeks of using onion juice, 84% of the individuals were reported to have hair regrowth.So its a scientifically proven fact that onions are good for hair growth.

Try the Hydra facial

Try the Hydra  facial   One of the latest beauty treatments for younger looking and healthy skin and especially for ladies who are on the run , this facial lasts only 20 minutes depending on the condition of your skin. The entire HydraFacial is performed using a vacuum based skin abrasion tip which is loaded with various serums, specially formulated to target and combat different skin complaints. The probe massage may not be soothing as a hand massage by  a facialist's hands, but the results are remarkable. The probe removes dead skin cells while bathing the healthy underlying skin with deep cleansing, exfoliating and antioxidant serums meaning that they are worked deep into the skin - exactly where they can take effect. The serums are clinically formulated to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, congested pores, hyper-pigmentation and acne-prone skin and are prescribed according to your needs. Post treatment it's recommended that you don't touch your skin with any product until the next day - to allow your skin time to absorb what’s already been pumped into it with the vacuum tip. The 50 minute version of the HydraFacial is something that celebrities like  Kate Winslet, Beyonce and Eva Mendes swear about which they have before their red carpet events.

Miss India 2014 –Koyal Rana

Miss India 2014 –Koyal Rana   The finals of the Miss India beauty pageant was an evening of extravagant entertainment at the Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai ,the winner of the contest was Koyal Rana from Delhi who was crowned Femina Miss India World 2014. Jhataleka Malhotra from Mumbai finished as the first runner-up and  Gail Nicole Da Silva from Margao, Goa as the second runner up. They were selected from the  top 5 finalists including Gail Nicole Da Silva, Jhataleka Malhotra, Koyal Rana, Lopamudra Raut and Nikhila Nandgopal.The judges for the event were Actors Vidyut Jamwal, Aditi Rao Hydari, Malaika Arora Khan, Abhay Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, fashion designer Manish Malhotra, rapper Honey Singh, Miss World 2013 Megan Young and World Champion Boxer Vijender Singh and actor Riteish Deshmukh compeering the event.

Summer Rosettes for your hair

Summer Rosettes for your hair   The braided rosette hairstyle is a very fresh and summery and this beautiful and very fairy princess kind of look is easy to do. Follow the steps given below and team it up with floral summer pinafore dress and add a few fresh flowers to your hair, for that fairytale look. It is easy, effortless and eye-catching. Step 1 : Spray locks with water sprat and scrunch gently for the wavy look. You need to get loose curls and if more movement is desired, curl random strands around a styling wand for 10 seconds, to create loose, natural curls. Step 2: Beginning in the right temple, pick up three strands of hair and twine together in a classic plait. Work to the ends and secure with a hair band, then repeat on the left. Pull the two braids around the center of the head, and tie them back of the head. Step 3 : Pull out a thick tuft of hair between the two plaits and twist it in the shape of a circle and pin it in place. Create a third braid, directly below the rose from three new strands of hair.

Matte finish your Makeup

Matte finish your Makeup     This spring the matte look is the new order of the day and it’s all about getting a velvety-smooth finish that doesn't look too made up. Now this is one kind of makeup that can suit both oily and dry skin types. A good daily skin routine is essential for all skin types before applying your makeup. Whether you have oily or dry skin, choosing a lightweight foundation with a good coverage. Not too much or else you end up with a pancake and too little may not cover your flaws. Color-match your foundation by applying the cream along your jaw line and blend down onto the neck, the right shade should blend into your skin tone How to apply the Matt look Apply the foundation lightly and, starting at the center of your forehead, blend the foundation outward, and add more coverage where it is needed. The shine-free look of matte skin makes it ideal for daytime or nighttime.  If you have oily skin, use a fluffy powder brush to lightly dust an oil-controlling pressed powder on shine-prone spots. If your skin is on the dry side, apply powder only to your T-zone; this will keep your lightweight matte finish from appearing cake-y. The beautiful matte base is right on trend and its classic, elegant and sophisticated!

Avoid frizzy Hair - Tips

Avoid frizzy Hair - Tips   Try these tips to keep your hair frizz free… Avoid Over shampooing Sodium lauryl sulfate, the key ingredient in most traditional shampoos, is an effective cleanser, but can leave hair dry and frizzy. To keep yours hydrated, try a 100 percent sulfate-free shampoo, and shampoo less often. For fine hair, cleanse every other day to keep the hair frizz free. Conditioning regularly Use a  good conditioner after shampooing your hair. You have special leave in  Conditioners for frizz prone hair which  will add moisture and shine to hair. Be sure to leave it on for at least five minutes in the shower for it to work effectively. Avoid rigorous towel drying Wiping wet hair with a towel will damage the  hair's cuticle, so gently press and squeeze out the water with a cloth preferably a cotton towel which absorb water. Hair care Style your hair with a brush made of soft and nylon bristles—This helps in distributing the natural oils and smoothing the cuticle. If your hair is curly, avoid the brush and use a wide toothed comb or simply run your fingers through your hair. Avoid pulling your hair Avoid running you fingers through your hair unnecessarily. As a habit when we are in deep thought we tend to pull or twist hair, the more you mess with it, the more frizz you create so let your tresses be.

IPL for Dark circles under the eyes

IPL for Dark circles under the eyes We have heard many tips to calm puffy eyes like placing slices of cucumbers, chilled tea bags, placing cold spoons and frozen ice under your eyes. These help in reducing the swelling under your eyes but the problem of dark circles still persist. What can you do? Makeup can help conceal dark circles. Hiding dark circles with concealer is a simpler option. Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone and pick a liquid formula for more coverage and lightly pat the concealer from the inner corner of your eye to just past the outer corner and blend it into your skin. Skin lightening creams that contain hydroquinone or kojic acid or Vitamin A may also diminish the darkness under the eyes. Another but slightly expensive optionis the  IPL or Intense Pulse Light treatment. The technology utilises a broad spectrum lightsource, with a general spectral range of 515 to 1200 nm. Because of the broad spectrum of the IPL light source they are unique, as opposed to lasers, in the ability to filter the light spectrum to target various chromophores in the skin. This can help by destroying those pigment cells and smoothing the skin. To see improvement you need to take at least 4 to 5 sittings. But if the dark circles are caused by extremely thin skin then it may not be so successful.

For Odor-free underarms

For Odor-free underarms   Come summer and the problem of smelly underarms is a bane for any man or woman. This is caused by apocrine glands, which are concentrated in your underarms and genitals and which secrete a substance that caused bacteria and thus causing strong odor. But to avoid this unpleasant odor you can try a few of these remedies to prevent it. ->Try rubbing vinegar or hydrogen peroxide onto your underarms during the day to cut down the bacteria. ->Some Deos which have which have witch hazel in it are known to keep the area dry and prevent odor. ->Baking soda or cornstarch is known to absorb moisture so you could try these. Try mixing either of them with plain talcum powder if you feel uncomfortable in using it directly. ->Keeping your armpits free from hair can help reduce sweat and smell. ->Try wearing underarm sweat pads which absorb sweat when you are wearing light clothes. This way you can prevent your clothes from sweat stains. ->Wearing loose cotton clothes is the best option for allowing air to circulate prevent body odor. Avoid any kind of polyester, nylon, silk and other fabrics which cause sweating. If the condition persists even after summer and if it is a genetic condition it is best advised to see a doctor who will give right medication to help you tide through this.

For Fungus-free toe fingers

For Fungus-free toe fingers   The closed space between your toe fingers can sometimes cause mild fungal infections and cause your feet to smell. Since we keep our feet closed with either shoes or expose it with open footwear like flip flops for long periods the infections tend to occur. Itching between the toe fingers, scaly, rough skin, white lesions between toes, and burning of the skin are some of the symptoms. Keeping your skin clean and dry is the first step to prevent these infections. You could also try few homemade remedies to keep your fingers clean. Try these few effective home remedies for keeping your feet clean and fungus free. Vinegar: Mix one part of white vinegar to four parts of water. Soak your feet for 30 minutes in this solution daily. Owing to its acidic nature this helps to control fungus in between the feet fingers. Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is one of the most popular home remedies for foot fungus because of its anti-fungal properties. Since tree oil is very strong, dilute it with water and apply it on the affected area. Baking soda: Sprinkle little baking soda between the toe fingers and rinse it off after 15 minutes. You could also soak your feet in warm water mixed with baking soda. Tips: Wear light cotton socks. Keep your feet dry and clean. Use Anti-fungal powder when you think there is a chance of infection setting. Keep your shoes clean and dry. Ensure that the shoes are kept in the open. But if the fungal infection goes out of control is it is best to see the doctor and take medication

Sharing a Deodorant

Sharing a Deodorant?     If your friend has forgotten her deodorant stick or spray, share it  without much hesitation. However, in any urgent situations, if you need to share your husband's deodorant, it may be harsh when compares to a ladies product.  Sharing it isn't much of a risk, health-wise. But deodorant sticks should not be shared as a habit. Except for one exception where if one person has yeast infection or fungal infection in the armpits, it could be easily transmitted to the other user. Just to be on the safer side, Doctors recommend wiping off the top of the deo stick  with a tissue before using it. If you are choosing to use deodorant sprays instead then there is no fear of any kind of infections being passed one. Without your notice or by mistake, if anyone happens to use it, you will be safe and so will they !

Tearing your hair over hair fall

Tearing your hair over hair fall Hair fall and thinning of hair is a common problem nowadays and enough has been said and written about it. As we know there are many reasons as to why we have hair fall which could be: By a specific event—like childbirth, high fevers, period of intense stress or hormonal imbalance. Now after child birth and while feeding the child, it starts with a loss of 50 to 100 strands per day and could lead to over all shedding of hair. Once the trauma passes, your hair will grow back within a few months. And if it is because of thyroid imbalance, endocrinal disorders (like polycystic ovarian syndrome), dietary deficiency, or a specific medication, your hair will most likely grow back once the medical condition is addressed. But the growth process will be slow depending on your age.   Now comes the tough part if it is because of Androgenetic alopecia , which off late is a common cause of female hair loss, a genetic condition in which there is extensive hair fall and the new hair shafts grow thinner. It leads to a wider parting and gradual reduction in overall volume of the hair, and the crown part of the head becomes scanty and you see a shine in the skin. Sad to say the hair shafts don’t grow when you spot this visible change and it becomes vital to preserve the rest of your hair. Hair loss is another add-on of menopause especially when it's compounded by hormonal shifts. The first step in minimizing the hair fall is working with your doctor or trichologist to identify why your hair is thinning. If Androgenetic alopecia is the culprit, you won't achieve full re-growth, but you could check with your doctor and try the new products available in the market which promote hair growth. And the old grandma’s wisdom of the overnight hot-oil-massage should be followed regularly.

Eye makeup with Contact Lens

Eye makeup with Contact Lens   For those who you wear contact lens and wear makeup we present a few tips to prevent irritations and infections to the eye and yet look great with eye makeup. Eye lenses before or after makeup? It would be better to put the lenses on first if your eyes tend to water a bit. If you put them on after makeup and your eyes water it can totally ruin your makeup and you would have to start all over again. The same would be to take them off before you take off the makeup. And do this gently. Use water-based makeup removers and remove the make up with sterilized cotton. Avoid fragrance and oil based ones as they can cause irritation. Mascara For any kind of make-up its best to use branded products. Mascaras which are thick an blotchy are to be avoided. The mascaras that tend to lengthen your eyelashes contain fibers’ which may cause irritation to the eye so you need to try them first and use. Avoid the eye water lines Applying the eye pencil, kohl or the liquid eyeliners on the water line areas should be avoided. The product could get on to your lenses whether you put the lenses before or after makeup. Cream based makeup Try not use too much of powder based makeup as this could get onto your eyes. Now if you have an oily skin it could be a bit difficult to use powder based makeup , try combining the powder with a cream agent and test the makeup. Use face compacts for powdering your face as a better option for dusting the face with powders. Here’s to a tears free eye makeup!

Avoid these for beautiful skin

Avoid these for beautiful skin   Now for those who party all night we know what the dangers of alcohol, late night parties and coffee do to your skin. Alcohol is dehydrating and causes inflammation, which makes your skin red and dry. Apart from these you could also look at avoiding these deterrents for beautiful skin suggested by experts: 1. Avoid excessive heat or cold : Too much of heat in winters and too much of cold AC in summers can be damaging to the skin."Heat and air-conditioning are two of the most common causes of dry, dull skin," says Jeannette Graf, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. A humidifier is a simple, effective solution. 2. Avoid late nights: The skin deserves a good night sleep of at least 7 hours to say young.If the late night habits continue for long they can cause premature skin aging. Your skin can rebound from the occasional late night, but if you usually get less than six or seven hours, it'll catch up with you," says Amy Wechsler, a New York City-based dermatologist. 3. Avoid excess coffee :  Now to stay late you end up having coffee and them after you wake up its another round of coffee. "It's dehydrating and Caffeine is like kryptonite," says Los Angeles-based dermatologist Harold Lancer.  4. Avoid Sugary foods : Sugary foods break down collagen and elastin, causing dullness and wrinkles over time.Si tick to eating healthy fresh fruits and leafy vegetables. 5. Avoid Stress: "When you're stressed out, your cortisol levels also go up and high cortisol levels cause inflammation in the skin resulting in dullness says David Colbert, a dermatologist in NYC. So stay cool and breathe deeply for fresh and beautiful skin.

Sleeping Beauty Rudiments

Sleeping Beauty Rudiments        Apart from the 3 step process of cleansing –toning –moisturizing it is essential to have bed time regime to keep you skin hydrated and fresh for the next day. So before you hit the sack you could try these beauty basics. Most of these are already known to us but it’s the disciplined habit for us to follow that makes us reiterate these basics time and again.   1. First remove any traces of make up    2. Apply a  good lip balm or Vaseline to keep your lips moist and soft for the next day.   3. For those with dark eye circles it is necessary to apply a good eye cream to beat them. Also if you are getting wrinkles under the eye then it is extremely important that you use a good quality serum for diminishing those wrinkles.   4. For the below thirty group a good night cream is a must. Those who have crossed thirty should invest in good face serums to avoid wrinkles and dark spots.   5. Brush your hair and apply any nighttime serum on alternate days for keeping the hair more manageable next day. If you have short hair then it becomes easy to maintain your hair.   6. Whether summer or winter a good body lotion is a must! Avoid the greasy ones in summer and use the maximum hydrating ones in winter. You could apply a separate hand and foot cream if you wish to indulge in the wonderful organics creams that are in the market or the same body lotion should do good.   7. For those who have cracked feet and wash your feet and apply a daily dose of cream meant for cracked heels and wear socks to prevent the bed spread getting greasy. Vaseline is also a better alternative. The new tip for cracked feet is the Vicks Vaporub cream meant for colds .This wax -like content is known to cure cracked feet.    

Guarding Lips

Guarding Lips     Guard Lips against aging and the sun's affects: Just like the rest of our skin, the lips need protection from sunburn and premature aging. Infact, they can be prone to precancerous changes and skin cancers. One advice for taking care of them is also the same-- avoiding the sun when we can, in addition to using sunblock every day, whether it rains or shines. Use a lip balm that includes Zinc and has SPF more than 30, not higher than 50.  To minimize lines and wrinkles around the lips and mouth, make sure to hydrate year-round with a moisturizer such a Baby oil. This is especially important right after a shower to effectively lock in moisture. While you brush your teeth, once done, exfoliate the lips gently with the wet tooth brush, to remove dead skin. Avoiding smoking and pursing of the lips, as both can cause wrinkles around the mouth. In addition, don't lick your lips when they are dry, they can be chapped easily.  If the lips are dry, itchy or red, look for balms with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, beeswax, natural oils or petroleum. Avoid lip balms that contain retinol, glycolic or salicylic acid, retinol palmitate, parabens and lanolin, as these chemicals may irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions.  Remember to  treat your lips as much as your treat your skin and they will feel better and help you not gain wrinkles too.       

A Beauty App

A Beauty App     Each day women are exposed to about 168 chemicals in beauty products, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington-based health research and advocacy group that looks into toxic chemicals. Think Dirty, a free iPhone app, gives a product a score after scanning the barcode for ingredients and chemicals. With so many chemical ingredients used in beauty products this new apps is certainly a boon for the beauty and health conscious people .It scans barcodes and reviews the items for safety. The score indicates whether a product has any harmful ingredients and allergens. The app also lists each ingredient and its potential effect on health using sources such as The National Library of Medicine's Hazardous Substances Data Bank, the EWG and the David Suzuki Foundation, a Canadian environmental group. Warnings from regulatory agencies in other countries show up as well. Since many people are becoming aware of toxins in cosmetics, companies are responding by phasing out harmful ingredients. "We all use so many products, and even when we look at the back of the label, we don't understand what's in them because we're not chemists," said Lily Tse, the founder of Think Dirty, which is based in Toronto.

Hot, Cold and Face

Hot, Cold and Face     Hot water may feel like its cleansing your skin more thoroughly, but stick to lukewarm water when washing your face. Water that is too hot can alter the skin's natural oils and leave your complexion overly dry. Lukewarm water is equally effective, much more gentle on the skin. After cleansing, use cool water as a final rinse and pat gently with a clean towel. Follow up with toner, moisturizer or night cream shortly after drying your face to lock in moisture. Always apply a moisturizer and soap, cleansing cream/milk in upward strokes on the skin. Even when patting dry with a towel, pat in upward direction to delay wrinkles, these upward strokes help keep the skin tight.          

Whats your Tone

What's your Tone? Pairing the right color palettes with your skin tone can enhance your features and help you look your absolute best. However, it is a very confusing task when we go to the store to pick suitable eye shadows, lipsticks, foundations, hair highlights or colors and cheek blushes. To make your job easier, Here are the best colors to match with your skin tone: Cool Skin Tone--Red, pink or bluish undertones: Rich colors including black, navy, red, hot pink, emerald green, royal blue or dark purple are the best shades for this skin tone. Warm Skin Tone--Yellow, gold or orange undertones: You will look great in sage green, soft peach, gold, muted browns and bronze. Neutral Skin Tone--Mixture of cool and warm tones: All colors work, so mix and match to find your best look.