It's not paint, its foundation October 01, 2013 18:09
Make up is something that should bring out the goodness in your face. It definitely should not make you look unrecognizable at the cost of being called painted up. Hence, every girl needs to know the right way to apply foundation. Applied right, foundation creams give an even complexion to your face, hiding the scars and unsightly marks. A well selected foundation base will also moisturize your facial skin, making it appear supple and inviting. To get the best benefits out of a foundation cream, here are few tips to apply it. Before you begin to apply the cream, take a small cotton piece and remove excess cream or oiliness from around the eye creases and mouth. This will help fix the foundation for a longer lasting freshness. Next, apply concealer under the eyes to instantly get rid of the dark circles. Now, lightly apply a highlighter on the cheekbones and the tip of the nose. All this needs to be done before the foundation comes on. When you do this, a resultant glow will seem like it is coming from within and not created. To apply the foundation, refrain from using your fingers. Instead, invest in a good, soft brush. Good brushes ensure an even coverage over the skin. Take a little into your palm and apply little amounts all over. Blend it in. While doing this, don't forget your ears and neck for that perfect finish. Heeding the tried and tested methods of applying foundation will allow you to show off the beauty that you are. The trick is to keep it simple. Top up the glow with an eye popping lipstick and eyeshadow and you're good to go. (AW: Sruthi)
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Mirror mirror, which beauty secret is the best? September 24, 2013 17:01
In the eternal quest for ethereal beauty, we indulge in countless tips to do the trick. That magical aura of loveliness is the result of not thousands but only a few religiously followed rituals. To know which beauty secret is the best of them all, read on. One need not be a scientist to discover that the most striking beauties shine from within. How do they manage this? At the risk of sounding cliched, it's something that comes from the inside. In simpler words, when you keep healthy, you look healthy. Maintaining a healthy, stress free lifestyle makes for radiant skin and sparkling eyes. Breaking down the big theories into smaller pieces, beauty is not too hard to embrace when you keep the blood pumping. Simply put, exercising everyday keeps the circulation on top speed, contributing cheerfully to a rosy, bright complexion. Thirdly, hydrating yourself and your skin allows the body to take a break from dryness. A well-hydrated look is a lively look. Keep the moisturizers by your side at all times. Let's not forget the sunscreens. Even better, keep a moisturizer with SPF protection very close and drive away the blues. Above all, stay happy and feel good. Peppy songs, cheery conversations, laughter in the air, keep the healthy juices flowing. All these factors add up to the best beauty secrets among all. (AW: Sruthi)
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Keep drinking this beauty secret September 17, 2013 18:14
Drinking your way to a beautiful skin sounds very simple, we agree. But, there are some who find it very hard to have more than a liter of water a day. Check out these easy breezy methods to get more water into your system. Try to have more fruits. That way, you get to take in more liquid and more antioxidants too. Fruits are, as we know, one of nature's best gifts for a healthy glow. To feel the urge to have more water through the day, munch on spicy snacks that preferably have pepper or chilly powder. You will keep reaching for that glass of water with no difficulty. Water, as you know, cleanses the skin of toxins. Have an funny looking cup or bottle at your side at all times. For the regular traveler, its a practical but colorful bottle that will make you want to show it off. Looking at the interesting cup or bottle will surely remind you of what you must do immediately (no pun intended). For the party animals, maybe a little less alcohol and a little more water can do wonders for your health as well as skin. Makeup mishaps aside, more water in the body will help your skin heal itself of blemishes over time. Losing weight can improve your looks instantly. To achieve that, have a glass of water before meals and alternate drinks with a gulp of the magic liquid. This has only advantages and no disadvantages that carry any weight. (AW: Sruthi)
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Go bananas with homemade face masks September 12, 2013 16:56
Fruits are the kings as far as health and beauty are concerned. They contribute rich nutrients when eaten or even applied. Applying fruit masks for a beautiful, instant glow is fool proof and health friendly. To make the most out of household face packs, some fruits are better than others. They are not only economical but also time saving. Moreover, they are available easily round the calender. We're talking about bananas and lemons. Bananas are just there. You don't have to make any effort over them and that's why they make one of the best fruits. Easy to eat and easy to apply too, bananas act as an anti aging ingredient on the skin. When applied, they offer you a delightful range of vitamins, being abundant in vitamin A, B and E. Slathering your face with mashed banana does wonders to the skin. Not to forget, eating it helps too. As a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium, Bananas have to ability to ease menstrual cramps. Lemons are, again, at the tip of your fingers at all times. No effort there. Just cut up a lemon and rub the peel on your elbow. It has natural astringent and bleaching properties, therefore effective in lighting the skin tone or dark spots. A mixture of lemon and honey is also a natural bleach. Alternately, when you mix lemon and honey with warm water and have it on an empty stomach, the skin is cleansed of impurities. This puts the glow firmly back on your face. (AW: Sruthi)
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Sexy hairstyles for the festival September 07, 2013 14:19
This festive season, ditch your boring ponytail and braid and be a stunner with super chic hairstyles!Turn all heads by wearing your tresses like a diva. We bring you a slew of easy-to-do, ultra chic hairdos that we truly covet and that will truly make you stand out in the crowd. Whether you desire fancy night-out locks or a simple get-that-hair-off-the-back-of-my-neck look, one of these hairstyle will certainly do wonders for you. Braids anyone? When you need to get gorgeous in a flash, just try plaiting your hair. From feminine cornrows to a fishtailed side-pony, braids are certainly a surefire way to looks glamorous anyday, anytime, anywhere. From the red carpet to the runways, braids have always been a rage among the fashionistas. Chic with Chignon Intimidated by the word chignon? Don't be! A French term for bun, chignons are possibly the easiest way to style your man, more so when you have a bad hair day. Plus, it barely takes any time. One of our recent faves, the easy-to-do elegant messy chignon is your take this festive season. Go Vintage If all else fails, pull all your hair together and work out a sexy updo. All you will need is a lot of bobby pins and some creativity to get this hairstyle set and straight. (AW: Suchorita Dutta)
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Find out how facials are actually affecting you September 05, 2013 16:44
Facials can be a boon or bane, depending on your choice. Thought facials can only do good? Well, here's a reality check. They can be bad too. According to various skin experts, facials are good only when performed by a well trained person and provided the facial products suit you. If the salon personnel are not trained properly, they can end up inflicting more damage than repair. Excessive facials with an untrained person can be painful and create more marks and scars compared to before it all started. Similarly, products that do not suit your skin can damage it in the long term, acting opposite to what you wanted. Surprisingly, it was found that cucumber pieces on the face during a facial are not helpful to remove under eye circles. Done right, facials are a support to your usual skin care routine. Done wrong, they can damage the skin. On the right side, facials can effectively cleanse the skin, remove blackheads/whiteheads, nourish dry skin, smoothens wrinkles and improve skin tone. On the wrong side, facials cannot get rid of acne, cannot remove discoloration, cannot lift sagging skin and cannot eliminate puffy eyes, dark circles and skin toxins. Facials are also not an alternative to cosmetic procedures like Botox. To prevent yourself from falling prey to misinformation by over enthusiastic parlor personnel, take the advice of an expert on what suits best for your skin. Then, stick to your guns. Do not relent even if the girl in the pretty uniform pesters you to take that 'magical' service for a 'discount'. (AW: Sruthi)
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Take these hints from your nails September 04, 2013 13:29
At salons, nails are a big biz! Most of us don't mind frittering big cash on manicures and pedicures to keep our talons ship-shape. But then the big question is do pretty nails really indicate good health? No, says experts. Beneath all the paint and polish, your digits are the windows to your real health. The more transparent and pink, the better. “Many health conditions are very visible in the nails,” says John Knox, MD, of Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. “They're a unique indicator because of their partial transparency. Nails can even tell you how long you've been ill, since fingernails need six months to grow, and toenails a full year.” Knox points out that even nail-biting is a strong indicator of mental anguish. “Patients who are more anxious or obsessive compulsive do tend to bite their nails more frequently," says Dr. Knox. A slew of diseases can be detected just by observing the changing colors of your nails. Respiratory disorder and diabetes can cause yellow discoloration, while psoriasis can lead to fungus buildup. Bands, or lines in multiple finger nails are also indicators of ill health. It's important to pay heed to your nails. Most of the time they are the biggest giveaway of an underlying health condition. Knox also says that some nail issues have simple explanations: “Poor nutrition will cause brittle nails, but so will aging, excessive washing, and a variety of different things." (AW: Suchorita Dutta)
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Strange celebrity beauty tips dissected August 29, 2013 18:33
Celebrities are known to try some of the weirdest things to keep their youth and beauty. Here some of those strange tips that you probably should not try at home. Catherine Zeta-Jones has long, luscious and dark locks that add spice to her sexy face. Her secret is to massage the hair with beer to get that look. Beer has been proven as a good thing. For hair too, it appears that dipping the long locks in the beverage has beneficial effects as alcohol removes any unwanted buildup on its surface. Actress Miranda Kerr has innocent eyes that can melt many a heart. Apparently, she uses lip balm around her eyes to get a shimmery effect. Experts say that, as long as you use only natural products and don't mind the stickiness, this can work. Ex bond girl Denise Richards uses avocado to condition her hair. This is actually a good tip because the oil, when mixed with olive oil, is the perfect conditioner for the hair. However, there is risk that the hair and scalp may look too oily. Jennifer Love Hewitt uses toothpaste to treat the pimples on her face. This is not only strange but also not advisable as the ingredients in a toothpaste will irritate the skin. Applying toothpaste can dry up the zits but not cure it of the infection. For stubborn pimples, experts suggest you stick to the tried and tested methods. Rebellious singer Lady Gaga apparently uses tape to remove her makeup. Although the method is not harmful, it is important to know whether you have an allergy for the material. It is known that cloth tape can be used to remove particularly troublesome glitter makeup. Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher adds red wine to her bathing water to make her ski soft and supple. This is not advisable because, for the tartaric acid in the wine to work as an exfoliating agent, it takes many bottles of wine. Moreover, wine can irritate minor cuts and bruises on the skin. So, take what suits for you and leave the rest. (AW: Sruthi)
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Hair says, sun is no fun August 22, 2013 18:21
With sun above us and sea and sand at our feet (not to forget sangria in our hands), it's easy to get carried away. While all that fun in the sun and dip in the sea can be a ball, basking too long in the heat can leave your mane in splits, seriously. Tangles, burnt scalp, frizz are just some of the after-effects of too much lolling in the daylight. While the skin hazards of too much sun-exposure is clearly known to all, not many are aware of summer bummer on hair. But worry not! With an arsenal of products, now you can bid adieu to frazzled summer hair for good. Haircare expert Philip Kingsley explains the science: “The sun breaks down the protein structure of the hair [disulphide bonds], and also draws moisture from the hair cells. The combination of these roughens the hair's cuticle [outer layer] and gives the impression of drier, coarser and frizzier hair.” The following tips should however get back some glory to your crown. Read on. 1. Indulge in hot oil massage! The idea of going out in the sun with greases on the mane may be very, very off-putting. But thanks to the treatment oils, now you can pamper your hair with these lightweight oil sans bothering about the grease and grime. A potent source of anti-oxidants and other nutrients, these oils will restore health back to your tresses and fortify them too. 2. Shun the hairdryer, straightening iron and curling wand! Fear stepping out of the house with ruffled mane. Try applying styling spritz instead to get the beachy waves or tame the frizz. Electrical appliances and holiday humidity will leave your hair merely flustered and frizzy. Just go au-natural for the windswept locks. 3. Pay heed to stylist Trevor Sorbie's advice: “On holiday, always use a UV protector on your hair before going out in the sun. There are lots of products on the market that are lightweight and easy to use, and will prevent the heat damaging your hair and prevent color fade.” (AW: Suchorita Dutta)
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Too serious about beauty? Chill! August 20, 2013 17:26
Take a chill pill all you serious people out there. You know stress affects your skin badly. Ok, so you have religiously stuck to your strict diet and exercise routine. But, there is another contributor to good health and beauty. Relaxation. To relax without disturbing your full schedules, here are a few pointers. When tiredness and monotony sets in, break the routine with laughter. Laugh out loud. Laughing until your stomach pains has the same effects as a mild exercise. That's a great trick huh!Laughing is also good for your heart and immune system. Even a few minutes of laughter improves the mood, which in turn improves body functions and overall look. Take a nice peaceful walk during the early morning or late evening. The purpose is to bond with nature while soaking up some all important Vitamin D. Yes! We do need the pesky vitamin from the Sun as our body does not produce it otherwise. Who needs supplements when we can get all warm and happy with a relaxing walk? Go, re-energize with nature. Exercise is known is slow down muscle ageing. Know what else does that? Dark Chocolate. Even chocolate haters cannot deny this. Dark chocolate contains epicatechin, which was found to stimulate muscles much like exercise. Of course, you surely know the benefits of antioxidants present in dark chocolate. Just make sure you don't binge on the stuff. Whether you are a human being, a plant or an animal, research has confirmed the benefits of music on our health. You understood right! Music lowers stress, improves health and encourages the body to release more antibodies that fight disease. Need more reasons? Listening to music relieves us from pain faster and speed up recovery from any illness. All you need to do is relax to get the glow in your face. (AW: Sruthi)
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Perfect colors for the perfect nails August 17, 2013 17:52
Having well manicured nails is easier said than one. Everyone wants pretty looking nails, adding that extra zing to a routine day. So, let us shift our attention to nail color. Nail art is fading away slowly. In its place, bright and deep nail colors are making a splash. Experts warn that dark colors should be used carefully on too-short nails. As deep shades are best on non-so-long nails, it is advisable to use those colors on nails that have just crossed the fingertip. Deep maroon, dark blue, earthy browns and shadowy purple are the 'in' shades this season. However, on a particularly gloomy day, experts insist on bright, sparkling shades of pink and yellow to brighten up the twilight. Metallic colors, on the other hand, are an evergreen trend. Metallics such as gold, silver and bronze match most dresses. But, new trends call for metallic lavender as a hot buy. Other nail polishes such as the glittery and matte types are left to personal preference and style. Bright matte finishes add more body to the nail, making it look very posh. Go ahead then, go crazy with colors! (AW: Sruthi)
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Throw the straighteners out August 12, 2013 19:24
How would your friends feel if they realized that you've been hiding behind straight hair, when in reality you have wavy hair. Hair straighteners have become an addiction to most modern women, who go to great lengths to get poker straight hair. Well, here's an eye opener. Your natural hair type would actually make you look younger and prettier. Curly hair is adorable and a wavy mess is preferred by many. Chucking out that hair straightener also eases up many risks and tensions associated with it. One, you don't have to carry it around unnecessarily. Two, there is no risk of burns on your forehead. Three, you can save a lot of electricity. Restrain from abusing your hair, as it's natural sheen is a lot more enviable that an artificial mask. Hair extensions are a craze these days and they too support the wavy hair type. Current trends point towards luscious, long hair that bounces. Ironed straight hair has become officially boring. (AW: Sruthi)
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