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Holy Scrub to Remove Facial Hair

Holy Scrub to Remove Facial Hair Natural Facial Hair remover:Ancient Ayurveda, suggest the use of  salt and turmeric to remove unwanted facial hair. Turmeric which is used for cooking and in our Poojas and prayers ,also doubles up as an antibacterial and is known to remove hair from the skin. How many of us remember our grandmothers making a paste of Gram Flour, Turmeric and Milk and applying it on us on a lazy Sunday morning?  It is a proven fact that turmeric when applied on skin from a very early age is known to have prevented body and facial hair among young girls. Your grandmother is a probably a testimony to that! The process takes more time when compared to chemical hair removers but is definitely safe and gentle on the facial skin.   What you need: 5 tablespoons of powdered sea salt 6 tablespoons of fresh organic turmeric ( avoid the packed ones ) 5 tablespoons of raw milk What should I do? Mix the above ingredients in a glass bowel. It should form a thick paste and should not be runny. Before applying this paste wash and dry your face. Take a small quantity of the paste and slowly rub in circular motion in the area where the hair is. After rubbing it in let it dry and slough away the dried paste after it dries completely. Doing this has dramatic results only when done continuously till the results are visible. Do try and benefit from this natural and homemade epilator!

3-Steps for Soft and Fair Knees

3-Steps for Soft and Fair Knees DIY for fair knees:For those who have been naughty and were made to kneel down as a punishment in school, would also remember the dark patches on the knees. Not a pleasant sight anymore especially if you are into wearing skirts and shorts, this dry and dark skin on the knees  can be lightened and treated to get back soft and fair knees with this simple  3-step DIY treatment at home…Bleaching- Exfoliating- Moisturizing Mantra! We know that you know about this mantra which is meant for your face , but these simple steps can also be followed for your knees. Bleaching: Any gentle crème or gel bleach would do. Apply the bleach all over the knees .Wait don’t just clean it right away Exfoliating: After the bleach has done its work take a good scrub or make your own salt and granulated sugar scrub ( 1:1 spoon ratio) and scrub the bleach and dead skin away. As per the Bleaching product instructions mentioned you should not apply soap or any cream for a day. So once you have done the first 2 steps, you need to wait for another day for step 3. Moisturizing: Use a good, branded moisturizer which has skin lightening agents so that they keep the skin white and soft.This has to be done evry day before you go to bed. General Tips: 1. Follow this 3-step procedure once a month with moisturizing as a  follow up every day. 2. Scrub and moisturize your knees as regularly as you moisturize your lips and elbows. 3. Apply a sunscreen on your knees at least 20 minutes before stepping out in the sun. 4. Take vitamin A-rich diet (beetroot, carrots and watermelons, as it aids in protecting skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. 5. Avoid wearing skirts in winters and when the weather is cold and dry (obviously not when it is freezing, we were referring to  those who live in tropical climates) 6. Apply  coconut oil or olive oil before you bathe, as oil keeps the skin soft and supple. For smooth and supple elbows click here...

One Shot Mask for Three Under Eye Problems

One Shot Mask for Three Under Eye Problems   Natural remedy for under eye problems: We all have read enough about remedies for dark circles and puffiness under the eyes…the sliced cucumber, potato slices, tea bags and cold spoons  etc. Yes they do work! But we also found this interesting remedy which can help cure dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles under the eyes. This DIY eye mask is easy to make and use for treating these 3 under-eye problems.   Simple all you need is an apple, cucumber and a vitamin E capsule (available at the pharmacy). Take the slice of a green (peeled) Cucumber and a peeled fresh red Apple piece and blend in a food processor or blender. To this paste squeeze the oil from the Vitamin E capsule and mix it well. After washing your face apply the pack under the eyes. Take soft cotton patches or balls and dip them in ice cold water and remove excess water. Note they should be wet but not dripping. Put this wet cotton over the pack and rest for 15 minutes. Remove the pack  gently with the wet cotton and pat dry. How is this beneficial? Cucumber naturally reduces under-eye puffiness. Apples are an excellent source of alpha-hydroxy acid, which works as a natural skin lightener. The vitamin E oil helps in keeping the skin soft and prevents wrinkles. The cold cotton patch helps to reduce the under-eye circles caused by exhaustion or stress and effective absorption of the pack. Tip to prevent puffiness: Try sleeping with your head elevated to discourage fluid pooling under your eyes which causes puffiness.

Iron those wrinkles away with Ice cubes

Iron those Wrinkles away with Ice cubes Ice Cubes for Wrinkles: Fine lines and wrinkles on forehead are the first signs of an aging skin. The wrinkles and lines show up once the skin starts losing moisture and elasticity. It may be due to long exposure in the sun without proper skin care, the natural process of aging, stress or other factors. Fortunately there are things you can do to lighten the wrinkles on forehead and delay them from showing up. Many grandmothers swear by this old beauty ritual.The Humble ice cube !   Simply rub your face with an ice cube before heading out the door and you will see that your skin glows and also wards off wrinkles. Ice cubes can reduce the size of pores and minimize their appearance. If your skin is oily, this practice can help balance that out and enhance the look of your skin. Also, a cold treatment like this can keep the skin looking rejuvenated and refreshed.You also can do it before bed time once you have applied your night cream for added benefit. Quick Tip: If you think applying the ice cube is tough try this instant refresher. Take a soft cloth napkin or turkey hand towel and dip it in ice cold water and squeeze out the water. Put this cold pack on your face- it gives an instant jolt to the facial skin, refreshes your skin and closes your pores also. You can do this when you come home after a tiring day, not only does this refresh your skin, it also helps in delaying wrinkles.

Baby Wipes for Beach Wavy Hair

Baby Wipes for Beach Wavy Hair And you thought we were joking right? No, it’s true and this is a latest and natural way to get wavy hairstyle for those who have plain straight hair. Straight hair can sometimes get absolutely boring and you wouldn’t mind styling your hair differently once in a while, but you are too scared to go for those chemical processes like perming and hot rod curling sessions. We found this simple DIY technique using Baby wipes and yes ONLY BABY WIPES,  as they  are gentle cleansing tissues and not your regular facial tissues which contain harsh chemicals. So how do you get the waves? Here goes… What you need: Branded Baby Wipes, Styling Crème, Hair Spray and some overnight sleep and patience. What you need to do: 1. Apply the styling crème on your hair and separate your hair into 2-inch sections. You can take as many sections as you want for the waves as long as you don’t run out of the limited wipes in your box. 2. Take a sheet of baby wipe, fold it length wise three times. Take a section of your hair and turn round a section of your hair tightly around it as though it was roller, from the ends upwards to your scalp. 3. Once you've reached your scalp, tie the ends of the baby wipe together. 4. This process should be repeated with all the sections of your hair around your head, making you look like as if you have an exotic hairdo.  5. Sleep with this exotic hairdo overnight ZZZzzzzzz.....and when you wake up in the morning remove the wipes  carefully and gently. The edges of the section would have curled up beautifully! 6. Take a fine-tooth comb or your fingers and loosen the style and gently spray over the hair spray while ruffling the layers. Why the Baby wipes: You might wonder why use Baby wipes. Simple! It’s highly damp because it’s used to clean the baby’s you know what. And the best part is you don’t have to wash your hair before styling your  hair. Try this quick fix method and get yourself those gorgeous beach wavy hair style !

New Beauty App for Selfie Lovers

New Beauty App for Selfie Lovers   Beauty App for make up:L’Oreal Paris  has  recently launched a  new app called Makeup Genius, a free app  for iPhone and iPad  users, which lets you virtually try out new makeup without actually applying the makeup on your skin. Now that’s a great option where you don’t have to try out new products at the mall and waste time and just by a click of the phone you can try in 300 different color cosmetics from the virtual shelves of L’Oréal and the best part is that the app is a free download. How does the  Makeup Genius app work? The app converts your phone into a virtual mirror.Take a selfie from your camera phone and use the app that will take the scan of your face. Then the app will  apply on your face a selected lipstick shade, eye shadow, eye liner and blush on your face to let you understand which shade actually suits you and how would you look after using it. And another fantastic feature is that it can point to 64 places on your face and add make up accordingly, allows 400 types of lightings and also accepts tilting of the face !  

Tips for Happy Hair this Monsoon

Tips for Happy Hair this Monsoon The rains bring in a lot of respite from the heat and dust and we are ever thankful to the Universe for this pleasant change. There is nothing more wonderful than feeling the drops of rain on your face, but when the hair gets wet is when you feel the itchy and flakiness of the scalp. This leads to a smelly scalp and the hair becomes limp. Just as in summer, the hair also needs TLC and some pampering for nourishment and a healthy bounce. Check out this DIY regime for healthy hair in the monsoons: 1. Oil your hair regularly at least every weekend as this keeps the scalp nourished and strong. Check out this link for oiling your hair the right way… 2. When we get wet in the rain which is unavoidable sometimes we just take a shower and leave the hair to dry by itself or just towel dry it. This leads to the stimulation of the sebaceous glands in the scalp which leads to itchy scalp and sometimes dandruff. So please wash your hair with a mild shampoo to wash of the grime after you reach home. 3. It would be best to trim your hair and keep it slightly shorter than usual as you would be frequently washing your hair in the rainy season. If you are into gymming everyday you need to wash your hair daily so it’s best to get yourself a short hair cut. 4. Avoid  blow drying with hot air option, using those curling rods and heating tongs, as the heat from these instruments are a complete no no when it comes to the dampness in the air and your hair styles may not last long enough and could become limp. 5. Avoid eating oily and greasy food and stick to healthy diet with fresh veggies, fruits, salads, warm soups and staying hydrated whether its summer, monsoons or the cold winters. Use an umbrella or wear a rain coat to protect your hair and yourself and just follow these tips for a healthy and happy hair these monsoons.

DIY Beauty Treatment for soft and silky legs

DIY Beauty Treatment for soft and silky legs Beauty Treatment for legs:So we know facials are for the face and pedicures are for the feet. But what about the thighs and our legs which carry our weight and body? Apart from the overall massage you get for yourself, if you are into spas and therapies it’s equally important to treat your legs to some TLC. When you get your pedicure done and you feel the smooth heels and supple feet you can achieve the same thing for your legs to. Here’s how:   First scrub your legs with a strong apricot scrub which is slightly grainier than the ones you use for your face. If that works out to be expensive, take salt and sugar in equal quantities with a good moisturizer and rub vigorously all over your legs and in between the thighs. Work  hard on the cellulite parts also. After that, use almond/coconut/olive oil and massage your legs from thighs to the ankles focusing on each part of the leg. This should be done for a good 15-20 minutes. Dip a large turkey towel in Hot water and squeeze out the excess water and apply the towel to your legs, separately dipping and squeezing for each leg. After the steam make a mixture with fresh aloe vera gel and vitamin E oil and apply it to your legs. If you have dark inner thighs make a separate pack with lemon juice, milk and honey and apply it there as natural bleach. TIP:You can use this regularly to remove the darkness in between the thighs. Wash of the pack cleanly and pat dry with a soft towel  for those soft and silky legs!  

Foundation for Dark Skin Tones

Foundation for Dark Skin Tones   With Nandita Das endorsing Dark Is Beautiful we totally agree with her. Some of the most beautiful women in the world have been dusky, starting from Rekha to Bipasha Basu, from Kajol to Priyanka Chopra … And if you look at singers like Beyonce Knowles and J Lo they all look gorgeous with their dark andbronzed skin tones. So apart from their natural beauty which is enhanced with makeup, you probably wonder about the makeup used for these beauties.     Now with dark skin tone varying from really dark to caramel dark you need to figure out your skin tone. Simple  if you fall into the tan to light brown complexion range, you mostly have yellow undertones  and if you fall in the medium to deep skin complexion range, you most likely have neutral to warm brown undertones. Choose a good makeup brand like L’Orieal, Mac, or Cover Girl which have ideal shades for the dark skin tones and do a test on the face. Do not test it on your fingers or the top of your palm. And you need to check if this blends well with your skin and doesnt look cakey or like a patch.Since most of the dark skin tone people have oily skin it would be better if you choose the mineral make up and not the liquid foundation which could make you look more oily.The same priciple works for the bronzed skin tones. So go get your foundation for a gorgeous skin and make up!  Dark is Beautful...

How to glow like a bride

How to glow like a bride   Turmeric Face Mask:The Turmeric spice powder has long been known for its medicinal and beautification properties. Apart from being an excellent anti bacterial it also has the power to tighten facial pores which is an important anti aging regime.Check out this easy DIY face mask for skin tightening. What you need: •    1 teaspoon  freshly pounded Turmeric Powder •    2 tablespoon Whole Wheat Flour •    2 tablespoon Milk •    ½ teaspoon Honey Mix the dry ingredients first in a glass bowl and then add the liquids, i.e milk and honey and mix into a nice paste. Apply this paste till it dries and becomes hard. The reason why we use whole wheat is because it acts as a drying agent and Turmeric if applied directly can be very harsh on the skin. TIP: If Turmeric is mixed with milk cream it makes a great pack for dry skin textures and if applied with the above ingredients it makes for a good face mask for oily skin textures. Turmeric is applied to the bride the day before she  gets married ( when she is officially made a bride) and this is suppose to be the secret of her glowing skin in the days of yore. So get back to nature and benefit from the age old beauty secrets of our grannies!

Slimy Snail Facial

Slimy Snail Facial   Snail Slime Facial: The vanity of a woman “Vanity is becoming a nuisance; I can see why women give it up, eventually. But I'm not ready for that yet.” said Margaret Atwood from the Cat's Eye. And the kind of things that women do to stay beautiful the list is endless , from the Egyptian queen Cleopatra bathing in asses milk to Victoria Beckham’s nightingale poop facial , the latest facial treatment to hit the market is the  Snail Slime Facial! Yes ! You heard us right, this latest fad from Japan where snails are put on your face for a period of time and they craw over your face and release secretions which are good for the skin. But for this process snails are reared in clean environment and fed on organic vegetables which make it safe for using in this procedure. But it costs a lot and is yet to hit the World Market. But there is another alternative and that is the Snail creams which contain proteins, glycolic acids and elastin which are extracted from the snail secretions and this helps in restoring damaged tissue and skin hydration. This definitely sounds and will feel much better than having snails on your face. But this is only for the brave hearted...  

Ashadam Mehendi Gorintaku Beauty Ritual

Ashadam Mehendi/Gorintaku Beauty Ritual   Ashadam Arachetha Gorintaku:It’s the ending of  Ashada Masam or the fourth month in the  traditional Hindu Telugu calendar which is followed by the Telugu people. Starting from June 28 it will end on July 26, 2014.  Some of the auspicious days in this month include Guru Purnima ,the beginning of Chatur Mas Vratam, Puri Jagannath Ratha Yatra and the Bonalu festival celebrated in Telangana state . Bonalu is celebrated to ward of any evil and diseases associated with the monsoons and the month of Ashadam also involves the new bride going back to her mother’s place and spending time with her family till this month is over.   Significance of Henna, Mehendi or Gorintaaku: Another wonderful part of the Ashadam tradition is that ladies put Henna, Mehendi or Gorintaaku on their hands and feet. There are many reasons why one should apply Henna, Mehendi or Gorintaaku, the foremost reason being that it is good for health as applying this on your hands and feet prevent infections and bacteria infecting the skin. Since it’s the monsoon season and you are prone to seasonal infections Henna, Mehendi or Gorintaaku works as an antibacterial which is good for the skin. Women in due course of their household work are in constant contact with water & grime and Henna, Mehendi or Gorintaaku prevents this. Apart from the health aspect putting Henna, Mehendi or Gorintaaku also adds beauty to your hands and feet. Other than the traditional moon and dots, you can put various Arabic , Rajasthani  and floral designs  on your hands and feet. For  more  Henna, Mehendi or Gorintaaku designs, check out the Aracheta Gorinta , Step By Step Easy Mehendi Designs For Beginners  tutorials for more ideas.

Use Clay for that greasy Day

Use Clay for that greasy Day     Monsoons bring in wet shoes, smelly clothes and greasy faces.  A healthy routine of cleansing with a good toner  and applying a face pack to cleanse the skin is a must. For a mask to dry and tighten your pores, Kaolin clay is an excellent remedy. For this DIY face mask all you need is :- 2 Tablespoons of white Kaolin Clay easily available in beauty stores 1 Tablespoon of whole wheat flour 3 Drops of Almont/Olive  Oil 4 Tablespoons of Water NOTE: When dealing with clay and water, the ratio is 1:2, 1 part clay, 2 parts water. Mix these ingredients in a glass bowl. It should be made into thick paste. When you have your mask ready, start with a clean dry face  by cleaning with good toner. Spread evenly over your face avoiding the eye and mouth area, all the way down to your neck. Let it sit for about 15- 20 minutes. Put your feet up, relax till it dries and then rinse off and pat dry.  

Homemade Epsom bath salt recipe

Homemade Epsom bath salt recipe     There is nothing more luxurious than taking a bath in your tub surrounded by scented candles and rose petals in your water. And to relax in a hot tub with some bath salts mixed in is a heavenly feeling.We know that these spa based bath salts are extremely expensive and we found this interesting DIY bath salt which you can make at home  and use. Simple all you need is: 1.    2 cups of Epsom salt: Epsom salt is a mild pain reliever and helps draw impurities from the body. You can find it at the medical stores. 2.    2 teaspoons of any oil of your choice like Olive, coconut, almond etc. 3.    5–10 drops of your favorite essential oil, like sandalwood, lavender, eucalyptus, rose etc. 4.    1/4 cup sea salt and a glass jar with a lid to put all of this Mix all the ingredients in a glass bowl. See to that there are no lumps and all the ingredients mix thoroughly. You could add a drop of food coloring to give you that tint in the salt as an optional but it’s not necessary. Add a tablespoon of this to your water and enjoy this  scented bath for a spa like experience.

Post Wax Skin Pampering

Post Wax Skin Pampering   Post Wax Skin care :Agreed that waxing is a cheaper option for hair removal, when compared to expensive laser treatments and messy hair removal creams! We have accepted that this waxing procedure is the most sought after treatment to remove hair but we also need to take care of our skin post the waxing session. Presenting a few tips to pamper the dermis layer after your follicles are pulled out. 1. First and foremost you need an expert to wax your skin, so go to a reputed salon to get this done. If the hair is pulled in the wrong direction, or improperly done can lead to rashes and skin damage. 2. Ask for the throw away hair removal strips and not cloth strips which are fortunately not being used nowadays. This prevents any kind of infection. 3.Scrub your arms or legs with a good scrub when you bathe in the morning the day you want to wax. Clearing the skin of any dead skin helps in making it soft and easy to wax later on. 4.If you have tan on your hands and feet you can first bleach the skin and then wax it . This is very effective and both the treatments help in tan removal. 5.After waxing a good quality astringent should be applied. Rose water also is great for soothing the skin. 6.If you are prone to rashes and reddishness on the skin ask for ice packs to be applied on the skin to help you give relief. 7.If you are getting your underarms waxed the same tips can be followed and have the therapist press your skin when she waxes it so that it doesn’t hurt your skin.

Eyebrows for the Ovals and Round faces

Eyebrows for the Ovals & Round faces The traditional Indian classic face shapes are the oval and round face shapes. And to sculpt the perfect eyebrow shapes for these shapes is simple and easy. For the Oval Face Shape The Oval shaped faces don’t require any particular grooming and any shape suits well on the person with oval face cut. If you insist on shaping than the curved eyebrows look outstanding. A soft angled eyebrow is what suits this face best. Here’s how you can see the difference.   For the Round Face Shape For the round face shape you need to make it appear less round by making the face look longer. A high arched eyebrow gives an up down look and elongates the face. People with a round face should stay away from rounded eyebrows, as it will make your face look more round. If you have thin brow line then you can avoid the  highly arched brows and  opt for a soft angled eyebrow (similar to oval face). NOTE:The idea is to draw attention to your features and not over do them. If you over pluck or thread them thinly you will tend to look older. Keep your brow hair neatly groomed and its okay to have thick, bushy & bold eyebrows!

Oil your Hair only on Sundays

Oil your Hair only on Sundays     Now you might be wondering why we said Oil your hair only on Sundays. The monsoons have arrived and the hair tends to get clumpy and moist. You can’t wash your hair too often as it would leave it frizzy and dried out and at the same time you can’t ignore the goodness of warm oil hair massage. Oiling your hair once a week and letting the oil stay overnight or for at least a day is highly recommended by hair experts. Try this massage and pack at home to keep your hair in shape. Usually steaming is done after a massage, but this time put a hot towel or steam your hair first before you massage .This opens the pores in your scalp. Now take some warm and not hot oil (any of your favourite coconut, almond, herbal , olive etc.)and massage with your finger tips for about 15-20 minutes. There is no need to use excess oil, just enough to massage your scalp.   After you have let the oil stay overnight or at least an hour, apply ripe and really soft papaya mixed with curd on your hair. It is enough to apply on the scalp and apply a mild coat on the rest of the strands. The papain enzyme in papaya helps in keeping the hair soft and shiny and the curd makes up for a great conditioner. Wash off the pack after an hour and use a very mild shampoo to wash it off. So keep your hair healthy and strong this season.  

Dont pinch that Pimple

Don't  pinch that Pimple   A teenager’s bane- the pimples has been an oft fought battle to either get rid of it or prevent it. But unfortunately you can’t do either of them. They are a result of the hormonal activity, follicle infection and bacteria. Pinching or popping the pimple can lead to many things-pimple will take longer time to heal if you pinch it, can cause local infection and you might have to go the doctor for medication, it leaves scars on the skin which is tough to treat later on.  Unless you have pus filled pimple it is advisable to got the doctor and get the pus removed using sterile needle and please don’t do it yourself. So the easy thing is to let it be and just by taking care of your skin you can avoid all of the above. There are various home remedies to clear the skin like , Honey , lemon juice, neem paste, garlic juice mint paste, oatmeal and honey pack, cinnamon and honey pack, tomato juice etc. They are excellent when it comes to clearing the skin and need to be applied on a regular basis for effective results. Apart from the external cleansing, your stomach and colon should also be clean and healthy. Avoid oily , greasy foods, too much of meat , white flour based products , butter and cheese which cause the pimples to erupt. And the best remedy is to stay cool and let the pimple be and avoid pinching them.

Lips-sticks that lasts longer

Lips-sticks that lasts longer A perfect and long lasting lipstick is what everyone wants and to make the lipstick last longer follow these simple steps: 1. Before you start your makeup apply a good lip balm and let your lips soak up the moisturizing balm. 2. Take a good lip liner a shade closer to the lipstick you are applying and outline and fill your lips. This forms a base. 3. Take the lipstick and apply one coat. Take a tissue paper and blot it. Apply another coat and blot it again. As you blot, you form a new coat and this helps the lip color last longer. Filling the lips with a first coat of lip liner forms a base and as you add coats of lip color and blot it the lipstick lasts longer through the day…

5 tips for Happy Feet

5 Tips for Happy Feet Monsoons are a pleasant relief after the hot sunny spell. Happiness in  smelling the earth drenched by the rains and the pleasure of walking in the rain is a joy by itself. But Walking in the puddles and rain drenched streets also pose  problems to the feet - dirty , smelly feet and fungal infections in between the toes. Presenting a few tips to take care of your feet and keep them fungal free:   Rule No.1 -Always wash your feet after coming from outside. 2. Wear open shoes and not closed ones. If the shoes get wet ensure that you don’t wear the wet ones again the next day. Keep them in   a place where they can dry faster. Keeping an extra pair of shoes is a must during the rains as a backup. 3. Every week soak your feet in hot water with rock salt and baking soda and mildly scrub your feet. 4. If you wear closed shoes you end up with smelly feet especially between the toes.It is best use anti bacterial  powders and also dust some baking powder in your shoes to keep it dry. 5.Apply a good moisturizer or Vaseline if you have dry cracked feet in the night and make sure that you trim your toenails to avoid dirt getting into your nails.