Beauty

Raw Beauty from the Kitchen

Honey-Avocado Invigorating and Revitalizing Hair Treatment

Makes 1 application

• 1 medium avocado – peeled and stoned
• 2 tablespoons honey

Mash together the ingredients in a small bowl. Massage into hair. Leave for 20-30 minutes. Wash hair as usual.

Tightening/Toning Lemon Egg White Mask

Makes 1 application

• Juice from 1/2 a lemon (strained)
• 1 egg white

Beat together the egg white and lemon juice for 3 minutes. Apply directly to your face, avoiding the eyes. Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Vegetable Oil Nail Strengthener

Makes 20-30 applications

• 2 tsp castor oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp wheat germ oil

Pour all ingredients into a sealable bottle. Before each use shake well. Rub a small amount of the mixture onto your nails. Leave on for 3-5 minutes.  Wipe off with a cotton pad.

Brown Sugar Hand Softener

Makes 1 treatment

• 1/4 cup course brown sugar
• Baby oil to make into a paste

Mix together. Using a hand washing motion apply the mixture to the hands. Continue the washing motion for a minute then rinse off with warm water and pat dry.

End-of-Day Foot Spa

Good for one home pedicure

• 1/2 cup Epsom salts
• Essential oils of your choice

Fill either a foot bath or your bath tub to ankle height with warm water.
Dissolve 1/2 cup Epsom salts in the warm water and add the essential oil of  your choice (lavender, rosewood, patchouli and sandalwood are relaxing oils, while lemon  grass and eucalyptus are uplifting). Soak for 10-15 minutes. Pat dry and moisturize.
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5 beauty myths busted!

1. A glass of warm water with lemon and honey first thing in the morning for glowing skin and a slimmer figure…Partially true. If you’re drinking lemon water, which is rich in potassium and Vitamin C with honey, it could detoxify the body and remove excess water from the body, especially help people with hypertension or water retention. It facilitates the flushing out of toxins thereby cleansing it. Honey, along with all the nutritional goodness also has abundant calories. If you are walking or working out regularly and are following an excellent and healthy diet, this would be a good supplementary source of vitamins. It’s best to skip this if you have low BP, high blood sugar, unhealthy eating habits and not into exercise. You'll only pile on more calories.


2. Oiling is a must for healthy hair and scalp…
Yes and no! If you’ve abused your hair mercilessly with chemicals and by over-styling and it looks like a dry mess, an oil massage could just save the day. Oiling dry and damaged hair is highly recommended, as oil is an excellent pre-conditioner. But make sure your scalp is clean and infection-free. Oil can penetrate the hair shaft and strengthen it. It also contains lauric acid, which is said to protect hair from the sun and other ageing factors. But, coconut oil is an occlusive (has blocking properties) moisturiser and can not only worsen breakouts if left on the scalp for too long, but also cause allergic reactions if you have sensitive skin. Besides, washing the oil out completely requires rigorous shampooing which, at times, takes away the natural oils from your scalp, making hair dry. If you use castor oil, you would need at least three washes to get the oil off. A trip to the dermatologist/trichologist is always advised if you’re not sure about the health of your hair and scalp.

    
3. Expiry dates on beauty products can be ignored…
Of course not! Will you eat or drink something that has crossed its shelf-life? Then why will you slather on stuff onto your face that’s way past its lifespan? It’s crucial to buy products that come with an expiry date because an increasing number of all-natural and organic products that have shunned preservatives. Conversely, there are those multitasking unguents that layer chemical upon chemical, which can increase volatility and shorten the product’s life span. Other popular ingredients vulnerable to heat and sunlight are plant extracts, antioxidants, retinol, glycolic acids and vitamin C. If their hefty price tag is one of the reasons why you dust them off and store them for a tomorrow that will never come (trust us, we’ve been there, done that), then buy smaller bottles. That way, you’ll finish off the product (if you use it regularly that is) way before its expiry date.

4. Eight glasses a day to keep the skin doc away…
True! You’re probably tired of hearing about the eight mandatory glasses of water. But it’ll do you well to heed that advice. Up to 70 per cent of the human body is made up of water and we need it to keep our cells hydrated. From a skin angle, water helps to keep the skin moisturised, maintains youthfulness and prevents premature ageing. It also helps in flushing out toxins from the body, drains fluid from dependent areas like around the eyes and aids in maintaining a flawless complexion. But is there a thing like drinking ‘too much’ water? In fact, there is. Drinking too much water can lead to a condition known as water intoxication, resulting from the dilution of sodium in the body, hyponatremia. The kidneys of a healthy adult can process 15 litres of water a day. But if you drink more, that’s too much pressure on them.


5. Turmeric, India’s best-kept secret to radiant skin…
If goat’s milk was the reason for Cleopatra’s creamy complexion, it was turmeric for her Indian counterparts. Even today, weddings are almost incomplete without the haldi (turmeric) ritual, where it’s mixed with gram flour and smeared all over the bride’s body for a youthful glow. In south India, turmeric is often used as natural facial bleach. It’s also known for its healing properties when it comes to acne. However, over/frequent use can lead to a temporary, yellowish discoloration of the skin.
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Travel: Skin, hair care!

Your skin and hair needs some extra love while on vacation no matter where you go. Here’s how you can do just that.

Mountain holiday

Skin troubles: Dryness, chapping of lips and redness

Fight it with: A creamy facewash that will nourish and soothe your skin. Pick a cream moisturiser, as its thick texture will provide fabulous and long-lasting results. Look for ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter and so on. As the sun’s rays are closer and harsher in mountain areas, a good sunscreen with both UV and UVA protection with an SPF of 50 at least is a must. Wear lip balms with sunscreen as well.

Hair troubles: Dry hair, itchy or flaky scalp, split ends and hair fall

Fight it with: A mild shampoo and conditioner. Wash your hair once every two days to avoid breakage and hair fall. A leave-in conditioner will tame dryness and split ends.  Keep the flakes at bay with a soothing scalp balm or tonic.



Beach holiday

Skin troubles: Sun damage and excess humidity

Fight it with: A gel facewash with exfoliants like mild salicylic acid. Oil-balancing and pore clarifying ones are also great. Choose a sun block with a high SPF and a thicker texture. Make sure to reapply at regular intervals.


Hair troubles: Hair damage due to UV rays, frizzy hair and hair-colour lightening

Fight it with: A scarf, bandana or a sunhat to protect your hair from sun exposure. Use hair products with sun protection. A colour save leave-in conditioner will prevent your hair colour from fading and looking burnt. Keep an anti-frizz serum handy to tackle flyaways.



Skiing holiday

Skin troubles: Dry skin, chapped lips and cracked heels

Fight it with: Don’t skip using a sun block just because you’re on a skiing holiday; snow reflects sunlight. Your skin tends to chap and crack at freezing temperatures. Moisturise your face and body generously and at regular intervals. Make sure to pack your face creams, body lotions, hand and foot creams! Focus on elbows, knees, ankles and all bony areas. Pay special attention to the skin around your mouth and nose, as they usually crack. The thicker the cream the better—petroleum jelly, bees wax, coconut and olive oils are all good ingredients to look for. Your facewash should feel more like a cream than a wash. Avoid washing your face frequently.


Hair troubles: Sun exposure, weak and brittle and static hair due to high altitudes

Fight it with: Hair products with sun protection, leave-in conditioner, dry shampoo and an anti-static product like serum or spray are must carries.
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Go drinking for beautiful skin

Green tea
You have been reading about its numerous benefits. As unbelievable able as it may seem, a cup of green tea goes a long way in keeping problems like pimples, skin aging, inflammation in check. It is extremely high in antioxidants, so you are also protected against damaging free radicals which accelerates premature ageing. 

Coffee
Coffee helps to get rid of acne and eczema by free radicals in the skin, which reduces the onset of skin-related problems such as acne and eczema. It further acts as an effective sun block and prevents sunburn and wrinkles. It also helps in treating redness and inflammation of the skin, reduces the appearance of under-eye circles and also helps get rid of cellulite.

Black tea
Worried about digestion? A cup of black tea helps in works with the gastric juices to help the stomach break down certain foods. Black tea is known for balancing the hormone levels in the body and it also has anti-inflammatory properties.  

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera juice helps in detoxify the body which helps clear up the skin.  It is also known to stimulate the growth of red and white blood cells. 

Lavendar tea
In case of a stomach ache, a cup of lavender is known to soothe your senses. It can also help to deal with liver and gallbladder problems. One of the important uses of lavender tea is that helps induce sleep and cure insomnia.

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Mood boosting makeup

For the angry bird: If you’re cranky, PM Sing or irritable, go for kohl. Line your eyes and smudge it with a brush and go borderline Goth. This works in two ways—it will keep those annoying people away and help you rock-on through the day no matter how angry you are.

For the love-struck: Nothing screams love like a glowing complexion. So if you've found your Mr. Right or have simply rediscovered your love for life—add a flush of shimmery color to the apples of your cheeks. Apply an extra-shimmery highlighter in baby tones on your cheekbones for a soft and dreamy look.

For the player: You’re flirty and you know it. Take your game up a notch with mascara. Swipe your lower and upper eyelashes with a few generous coats of a volumising mascara for a playful look. Then, bat your eyelashes in style!

For the super confident: No prizes for guessing—it’s a red lipstick! Sweep a few layers of your favorite red lip color for a power pout that commands attention.
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5 beauty benefits of olive oil!

Olive oil is known as the elixir of the Mediterranean. But few recognize its beneficial effects on beauty, having been popularized in India on platforms of nutrition and health only. While it’s great to sprinkle over salads and meats, if used regularly on your skin and hair, you can be transformed into someone with a well toned, soft and glowing demeanour. 

To moisturize your skin: If you have dry skin, a massage once a week with olive oil is perfect as it penetrates deep into the skin layer and nourishes it. It has got an ingredient called squalene that improves the elasticity of your skin. Soaps that contain olive oil have less Ph levels as compared to others, and are gentle for the skin. Baby massages can also be done using olive oil. 

Nourish your hair: Nourishing your hair with a mix of egg yolks and olive oil would help renew damaged hair cells, and deep condition them, making them shiny and lustrous. The hydroxytyrosol has anti agein and root strong.

Nail care: If you have brittle toenails, the best remedy is a smear of olive oil before you sleep at night. Like castor oil, which has similar benefits, olive oil soothes, heals and nourishes nails and cuticles around the nail bed making them grow stronger. If you have time, you can also soak your feet in a bowl of warm water with a few spoons of olive oil, lemon juice and any other fragrant aromatherapy oil (just a drop).


Tending to eyes: Olive oil applied around the eyes will help reduce dark circles. You can also use it to remove eye makeup instead of a chemical based cream or astringent, as the oil will be nourishing too. You can find polyphenols in olive oil that have anti ageing and anti inflammatory properties that nourishes the skin.


Soft lips: For those who want to avoid chapped or dark lips, dab olive oil, especially if you are going out in the sun. Olive oil has essential vitamin E that helps protect dry lips and skin from strong UV rays.
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Three natural tips for better hair

We all want better hair and smoother skin. Beside the parlour routine, there are couple of things you can do at home to nurture both—using kitchen ingredients and a mix of oils.

 Saying that you want better hair also defines that you don’t obsess over it. On days when you come home thinking you had a bad hair day, you can improve the situation by softening those curls in the evening.

Moisturize with oils
Detangle your hair, and gently massage your scalp with your fingertips, even if you don’t want to apply oil. If you do, try using something light like a cold compressed geranium and rose flavoured one or even olive oil. Just the massage will stimulate your scalp and improve the quality of your hair. While aroma oils relax your mood, a few of them can also set right metabolic disorders and hair problems when massaged to the scalp.

Hair tonic                                                                                                                                                 A mix of amla juice, beetroot juice, curd, half and egg and a few drops of lime juice, applied to the scalp before the shampoo can do wonders to the quality of your hair. Aloe vera pulp makes for a great hair conditioner.

Exotic rub a dub
Elements like seaweed, frangipani, avocado, oatmeal, green tea, coconut milk are used in the hair spa treatments to moisturize and nourish the scalp. These exotic ingredients tighten and rejuvenate your scalp, and make your hair glow.

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Summer tips: Makeup

Tint and moisturize: Foundation lotions and creams are heavy and look very patchy once you sweat. Replace it with a light, tinted moisturizer with SPF to hydrate your skin and protect it from the sun’s rays.

The perfect primer: Primers help you look picture perfect without the airbrushing afterwards. So say goodbye to creases and makeup run offs as primers will help keep your makeup in place. Smooth on a primer which provides a smooth base for whatever goes on next.

An authentic tan: Go for the sun-kissed look this summer. Use a little bronzer to get a healthy glow. When applying bronzer, follow the rule of creating the number ‘3;’on both sides of your face. Sweep the bronzer across the places where the sun naturally hits your face—start from your temples, dust it along the cheekbones and across your jawline all the way to your chin.

Light eye shadow: Summer is here and out come the sleeveless tops, shorts and skirts. Your skin is no different. Go light on your makeup during summer, allowing your skin to breathe. Opt for light eye shadows  Eye shadows crease due to your perspiration. Avoid eye gaffes and stick to neutral tones of eye shadow.

Powder eyeliner: Eyeliner usually smudges very easily in the heat and humidity. So swap your liquid or pencil liner for a powder eye-shadow  You can apply it with the tip of a very small slanted brush, as a thin line along your lash line.

Tinted lip-balm: Sweating out the thick, heavy lipstick might just make you look like Dracula. So omit the lipstick and choose a light lip gloss or tinted lip balm with SPF instead to keep your lips looking fresh and pert. Lip conditioners are also a smart choice for summer as they provide protection from the sun, while giving you that sexy hint of color and gloss.

Waterproof mascara: Summer is one of those times when less is best. And the best way to make your eyes pop is a few swipes of mascara. Make sure to use a waterproof formula. Brown-black mascara is more of a hit during summer as opposed to jet black mascara.
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Get that A-lister glow

Tips and tricks to get a beautiful glow just before you head to that important gig.

- Hollywood hottie Eva Mendes swears by this little rookie trick. Lie on your bed with your head hanging off the edge (just before you head out)—it will make the blood rush to your face— making it glow naturally.

- Mix grated apples, ripe papaya pulp and mashed banana with yoghurt. Apply it on your face and leave it on for half an hour. Wash off with plain water for smooth skin that glows.

- Make mascara your best friend because nothing screams celebrity like voluminous lashes. Use a bronzer for a screen-goddess-like radiance.