Fashion BoX

Carrot Cake Cheesecake Recipe

2013-02-18T10:40:00.001-08:00

Carrot Cake Cheesecake Recipe

I have seen many carrot cake cheesecake recipes that don’t use a crust at all and in a way I can see why, carrot cakes don’t need a crust. But since part of the recipe is cheesecake, which has a graham cracker crust, I like to use a graham cracker crust for this cake.
So, although it may seem redundant to frost a cheesecake with cream cheese, I like to add a frosting to this recipe.

Ingredients:

2 kgs (8 oz each) cream cheese, room temp shopping list
3/4 cup granulated sugar shopping list
1 tablespoon flour shopping list
3 eggs shopping list
2 teaspoons vanilla shopping list
carrot CAKE: shopping list
3/4 cup vegetable oil shopping list
1 cup granulated sugar shopping list
2 eggs shopping list
1 teaspoon vanilla shopping list
1 cup flour shopping list
1 teaspoon baking soda shopping list
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon shopping list
Dash salt shopping list
1 can (8 1/2 oz) crushed pineapple packed in juice, well-drained and juice reserved shopping list
1 cup grated carrots shopping list
1/2 cup flaked or shredded coconut shopping list
1/2 cup chopped walnuts shopping list
pineapple CREAM CHEESE FROSTING: shopping list
2 oz cream cheese, softened shopping list
1 tablespoon butter, softened shopping list
1 3/4 cups powdered sugar shopping list
1/2 teaspoon vanilla shopping list
1 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice shopping list
Dash salt

Directions:

To make cheesecake, in large bowl of electric mixer, beat together 2 pkgs cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth.
Beat in 1 tablespoon flour, 3 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
Meanwhile prepare Carrot Cake: In large bowl, combine oil, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla, blending thoroughly.
Stir in 1 cup flour, baking soda, mixing well.
Stir in drained pineapple, carrots, coconut and walnuts.
Spread 1 1/2 cups carrot cake batter over bottom of greased 9-or 9 1/2-inch spring form pan.
Drop large spoonfuls of cream cheese batter over carrot cake batter; top with large spoonfuls of remaining carrot cake batter.
Repeat with remaining cream cheese batter. Do not marble with a knife.
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 50 to 65 minutes or until cake is set and cooked through.
Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.
In a bowl of electric mixer, combine 2 oz cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon reserved pineapple juice and dash of salt.
Frost top of cheesecake. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours before serving. Makes 1 9-or 9 1/2-inch

Homemade Beauty Recipes

2012-12-03T08:22:00.002-08:00

Homemade Beauty Recipes

Natural skin care doesn't have to cost a fortune. 4Beauty and Neal's Yard (opens in a new window) have teamed up to give you six beauty recipes that are easy on the pocket and the environment.

Homemade Exfoliator

You'll need: sea salt, almond oil and grapefruit peel
Sea salt has deep cleansing and therapeutic properties, which are good for aches and pains. Almond oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidant vitamin E, softens and nourishes skin. Grapefruit peel has an uplifting fragrance and is known to stimulate the lymphatic system, helping move areas of sluggish circulation.

Directions: Grate the peel off a grapefruit and mix with the oil and salt. Run bath and soak for a few minutes. Pat yourself dry and rub scrub onto your dry skin, concentrating on problem areas, such as your elbows and back of your upper arms, then wash off in bath. Stay in bath to reap the benefits of the therapeutic properties of the dead sea salt minerals.

Homemade Face Mask
You'll need: avocado and honey
Avocado is perfect for dry or mature skin and avocado oil is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Honey is incredibly nourishing and anti-inflammatory so helps with senstive skins.

Directions: Mash one avocado with a tablespoon of honey and smear evenly over the face. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

Homemade Hand Mask

You'll need: a handful of brown or white sugar and olive oil and honey
Sugar is a great gentle exfoliator and will buff hands and smooth skin. Olive oil is rich in essential fatty acids, is highly moisturising and has natural cleansing properties. Honey is nourishing and anti-bacterial.

Directions: Combine the ingredients and spead over hands. Wring hands together to exfoliate, paying attention to the back for the hands, wrists and lower arms. Gently rub the mixture around the cuticle area. Wash off.

Homemade Make-Up Remover

You'll need: a palmful of olive oil
Olive oil is rich in essential fatty acids and highly moisturising and has natural cleansing properties.

Directions: Spread oil all over your face and gently massage in small circular movements. Lay a hot damp flannel or muslin cloth over your oiled face and relax for 5 mins allowing the oil and steam to work together. Gently wipe excess oil from your skin with cold cloth.

Homemade Hair Conditioner

You'll need: a cup of coconut oil
Coconut oil has been traditionally used as a hair conditioner to moisturise and protect from the sun's harmful rays and has a softening and soothing effect on the hair and scalp.

Directions: Massage into the hair and scalp making sure the ends of the hair are covered. Wrap hair in a warm towel and leave on for 20 minutes. Wash with shampoo and condition as normal

hello world.

Home Made Face Mask

2012-12-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

home made face mask

By Amanda Bown

Homemade face masks are one of the easiest and cheapest DIY beauty creations. So delicious and nutritious are these face mask recipes, you'll find it hard to resist a lick - so remember, this is food for your face. Here are 4Beauty's tips on how to make a face mask for your skin type, whether you have dry skin, oily skin, combination skin or sensitive skin.

Preparation

Start by cleansing your skin, then apply your homemade face mask, leave on for up to 10 minutes, rinse-off with warm water, gently pat skin dry and apply usual moisturiser.

Face Mask for Dry Skin

Avocados boast moisturising properties from vitamin E, essential fatty acids omega-9 and omega-6 (which aid skin and tissue growth and keep skin supple), and chlorophyll (the nutritious green stuff in plants), which helps regenerate our skin cells. It's also easily absorbed, which makes it ideal for dry skin.

Method: Mash-up a ripe avocado. Add a teaspoon of runny honey (which is super-hydrating too), blend the ingredients and apply to face.

Face Mask for Combination Skin

"Bananas contain highly-moisturising agents which make the skin flexible, pliable and super-soft when applied topically. But they are also non-oily so they're good for combination skins," says Helen Ambrosen of Lush (opens in a new window). "Peaches remove any excess sebum (oil) by softening the sebum, so it can leave the follicles with ease, and without stripping skin. Honey is excellent for skin that's prone to breakouts, as it reduces redness of pimples and dries them-up, thanks to its concentration of sugar solution, which withdraws moisture from pimples." Add some ground almonds, to polish the skin and remove dead surface cells - two tablespoons should do it.

Method: Blend two bananas, two tablespoons of honey and two stoned and peeled peaches. Add the ground almonds, mix-up and blend again. Finally add a small handful of rolled porridge oats, to bind mixture together. Apply to face.

Face Mask for Oily Skin

"If your skin is spot-prone, try a plum and yoghurt mask," says Sarah Stacey of the Green Beauty Bible (opens in a new window). "Plums contain vitamins A and C (known as anti-oxidants), which fight-off free radical activity, strengthen skin's elasticity and general appearance." Both these vitamins are often used in anti-acne and oil-control style skin care products. Stacey adds, "Plain yoghurt is an excellent skin hydrator, packed with lactic acid which aids sloughing of dead skin cells and increases cellular turnover."

Method: Poach four fresh plums, strain really well and leave to cool. Mash-up and blend with one or two tablespoons of plain yoghurt, a teaspoon of sweet almond oil (which contains anti-microbial properties to help prevent spread of the bacteria responsible for acne) and some cornflower to thicken and bind mixture (make to suit) and apply to face. Warning ladies, this one gets a bit messy!

Face Mask for Sensitive Skin

Plain old butter is an excellent source of vitamin A, so grab the (unsalted) butter from the fridge and leave it out for a few hours until it warms up to room temperature. Vitamin A helps to rejuvenate skin, improve its texture and stimulate blood supplies to deeper collagen fibres within the skin. It's also good for fine lines and wrinkles. The oatmeal will calm your skin and yoghurt makes for a soothing mask.

Method: Soften a tablespoon of butter. Add a small handful of rolled porridge oats and a tablespoon of soothing natural yoghurt. Blend together until fairly smooth. Apply to face.

Exper Tips

2012-12-03T07:58:00.003-08:00

Gok's Jeans Tips

By Gok Wan

A pair of good-fitting jeans is the fashion holy grail. Girls, be a diva in denim with my expert jeans advice.

Rule 1. Size Yourself

When it comes to buying jeans, do not be bullied by the size on the label. Jeans will only look truly fabulous if they fit. And remember: your body has to tell you what's in - not fashion magazines and not current trends. If Cheryl Cole is doing flared jeans, then let Cheryl go off and do them: they are brilliant for her shape. You, my darlings, have to find the jeans that are brilliant for yours.

Rule 2. Avoid Too Much Stretch

Too much elastic can make your jeans stretch an inch too far, especially around the waist and bum area. My advice? Take a good look at the label: any jeans with 2% elastane or under will be a good fit and keep your jeans - and you - looking red hot, honey! The trick is to get the right fitting jeans without the need for stretch.

Rule 3. Look at the Pockets

Pay close attention to pockets, ladies: they can make a phenomenal difference in the derriere department.

If you want to create a curvy J-Lo effect (and who wouldn't?), look for jeans with a button-down pocket, as they will 'lift' your behind. Pocket seams that draw down into a point will give added definition to the buttocks and so are good for bootylicious babes. Bigger pockets are also a good butt-balancer for you.

Rule 4. Buy Several Pairs

We all have two personalities - I've got Downtown Gok and Uptown Gok - and so it is with jeans. If you are a denim diva and they are the essence of your style, I'd recommend that you have two pairs in your wardrobe. Yes, we all have faves that we love to dress up and dress down, but you don't want to wear one pair to death. Think about getting two pairs in different cuts.

Rule 5. Find a Good Alteration Service

Alterations, alterations, alterations!

They're a fashionista's best friend. It's tempting just to stick with hems at the length they were when you bought them, or to leave legs bagging round the thighs because they fit you at the waist, but jeans alterations usually only cost a few quid and I can’t tell you how much they will ramp up the revamp factor.

Gok Wan is a stylist and presenter of Gok's Clothes RoadShow and How to Look Good Naked. His new book, Work Your Wardrobe: Gok's Gorgeous Guide to Style that Lasts (opens in a new window), is out now.

5 Easy Ways To Boost Your AW12 Style

2012-12-03T07:48:00.002-08:00


	5 Easy Ways To Boost Your AW12 Style

Introduction

Sometimes you just can’t be bothered. Sometimes you just want to be lazy and pull on something simple. Sometimes you really don’t want to spend your entire month’s wages on new trends and looks and then eat only baked beans. And for all those times, there’s this article.
I think we often forget that, within the realm of men’s style and fashion, all you really need is a few key pieces to get you through the colder months. With the right key pieces you can upgrade your style and
not break the bank at the same time. It’s easy to get caught up in the big picture – like an entire new look or wardrobe that you want to introduce – when really a few select choices and interesting details is all you need.
Now what follows are what I believe to be the five easiest ways to boost your style this AW12. As always, I would like to emphasise that it’s only my own opinion so it may not be for everyone. But that’s the great thing about the menswear sphere that we all communicate in, it’s all based on personal taste and other people’s opinions. So, if I can paraphrase Hova, either love it or leave it alone.
I’ll also try to incorporate some suggestions at various price points, because I appreciate that not everyone will be working within the same budget, and split the list into a beginner’s five and an advanced five, because not everyone is at the same stage in their style journey.
So, without any more of this waxing sartorial, let’s get right amongst it…

Men’s Fashion Basics – Part 84 – The Tuxedo

2012-12-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

Men’s Fashion Basics

A Twist On A Classic

There’s an argument to be made that there is nothing more stylish and essentially male than a tuxedo. After all, a man should never look better than he does when he’s wearing one. They’re also extremely flattering to any male figure and are so ingrained in our menswear history that they will never ever go out of style. Surely, it’s worth an investment?
From a purist standpoint I’m sure that I’m expected to tell you that you should invest in a black tuxedo with all the usual trimmings – grosgrain notch lapels, matching bow tie, single stripe trousers and no cummerbund. But seriously, how boring is that? I mean, if you want to do that then why don’t you just read the guide I did on them a couple of years ago? I only want imaginative guys taking this week’s style journey with me, son!
Black is not your only option when it comes to a tuxedo. There are plenty more choices to be made in
regards to colour and ways to wear it. But first, and as always, let’s make sure you get the basics down first.
Of course, I’m taking about fit. And this reigns true over all price ranges. It’s right that you should probably look to spend a little more than you usually do on this piece of formal wear, because it’s the one moment in your life you’re supposed to look invincible. Quality will play a big role in that. However, quality is additional whereas fit is a must. Every time. So I have no problem when you spend within your means on a tuxedo, my only issue is when you decide not to factor any of your budget on tailoring it to fit you perfectly.
It’s important to decide what sort of details you want before you go for a change of colour. There’s nothing worse than buying an alternative tuxedo and hating wearing it because you’re not a fan of satin shawl collars. If in doubt always go for a grosgrain notch lapel as it flatters every man’s frame.

The Tuxedo Twist

So where do we go from here? Just about anywhere:

Blue with the Blues

Traditionally, a midnight blue tuxedo was a far more popular option amongst gentlemen. It looks better and has more depth under most lighting, giving your overall look a sense of richness. They work in exactly the same way as a black tux, so go for whatever details you like and it won’t fail.
The bonus of this style is that blue is much more versatile in terms of separates – try wearing just the jacket with some (dress) chinos or wool trousers on a formal night out.

Suit Up!

Just as long as it isn’t a black peak lapel tuxedo, just wear it like you would a suit. Pair it with slightly more laid back pieces like an indigo chambray dress shirt or a black button down shirt for the perfect evening outfit.
Also think about the colours your suits come in and apply them to your tux. Who’s to say that it can’t be in grey? Or our current autumn/winter favourite; Burgundy? As long as you keep the fit slim and the details minimal and classic you can’t go wrong.

Give The Jacket A Night Off.

GQ USA did a great shoot with new Bond villain Javier Bardem called ‘Dress For The Night You Want’ where they swapped the tuxedo jacket for a perfectly fitted black leather jacket. It’s a great twist on the black tie dress code and works well because you nearly always end up taking off your jacket once the event gets going anyway.

Percival Clothing: AW12 Collection

2012-12-03T07:40:00.002-08:00

Percival Clothing

It’s an exciting time for British menswear label Percival, who have recently released their AW12 collection and are currently in the middle of opening up their flagship store on Soho’s Berwick Street.
For those of you who haven’t heard of the label, Percival were established in 2009 and have predominantly sold their collections online, in frequent pop-up shops in London hotspots (such as Covent Garden) and a selection of independent boutiques all over the world – from Amsterdam to Tokyo.
However, designers Chris Gove, Luke Stenzhorn and Olivia Hegarty now feel the time is right to open up the first stand alone Percival store. And so, after months of research, they decided on Berwick Street, London. Known as the ‘high street’ of Soho, the road is renowned for the numerous fabric shops it houses and is currently undergoing a transformation to turn it into a shopping destination similar to the likes of Carnaby Street.

At the moment, the brand’s offices are based in Dalston’s Print House, a hub of creativity and a popular destination for events which happen on the roof garden. The studio is where all they design their collection, source materials and was also the birthplace of the brand. With a true sense of British heritage, the brand prides itself on the fact that most of the garments are made in London, just a bicycle ride away from the studio. This means that they can be hands on when it comes to quality control, and as such the brand have developed a reputation for the standard of their garments.
With the opening of the shop, the studio will also be moving to Soho (housed underneath the store), meaning these high standards will remain the same, whilst also providing the opportunity for the brand to get a real sense of who their customers actually are.

Autumn/Winter 2012 Collection

The new Percival AW12 collection launched just a few weeks ago and has been an instant hit online – their timeless Pea Coat, which comes in navy and tan, is its current best seller due to it’s diverse wearability.
Then there is the revamped Percival staple – The Wax Mac – also available in navy and tan, which is made of beeswax cotton with cord trimmings and a detachable hood.
However, my favourite pieces within the collection have to be the Origami Print Raceway Jacket and matching Slim Fit Trousers. Constructed out of a soft sanded canvas, weaved in a mill in Lancashire, the custom pattern was screen printed onto the fabric down in London Bridge before being driven over to Bethnal Green to develop the finished garments – it doesn’t get more British made than that!

HAIR DYE DISASTERS AND HOW TO FIX

2012-12-01T00:13:00.003-08:00

HAIR DYE

We’ve all been there: lusting for louder locks à la Nicki Minaj and jumping in on the dip-dye or ombré hair color trend trend. However, in just the blink of an eye and a swipe of a colorful cream, a fun hair dye experiment can go horribly wrong. Maybe that rainbow hair looked great in the pictures, but the results from a full palette of Punky Color made you feel less “downtown” and more circus clown.

It may seem like candy-colored shades would fade out faster than semi-permanent browns or blondes, but it’s actually quite the opposite.” says Bumble and Bumble’s color expert Zoe Wiepert who took time between clients to give us the lowdown on how to lose high-voltage hues without damaging your ‘do. Before you resort to making a trip to the local wig shop, read on and your hair will be back in tip top shape before you have a chance to Manic Panic.

WHAT NOT TO DO

The first thing many people reach for after a dye disaster is a bottle of bleach, but Zoe warns that’s the last thing you should grab. “Bleach will eat away at the underlying pigments in your hair,” says Zoe. “It will only remove some of the tones in your strands, often leaving you with a different crazy color than what you already had.” Bleaching away unwanted shades will also increase the damage, and girls with naturally thick hair are extra-prone to harmful effects from over-bleaching. “Red or pink shades, as well as darker colors,” she explains, “are typically harder to remove because the dye molecule is thicker than it would be in a natural vibrant color.” It’s a great reminder to choose wisely before going rainbow on a whim!

TAKE ACTION

Zoe suggests starting with a clarifying shampoo, which will dry out the hair and fade the color. If that doesn’t work, try color remover kits found at beauty supply shops like Sally’s or Ricky’s. They are milder than bleach and will not affect the base color in the hair when used properly. If you choose to visit a salon, the stylist will typically apply what’s called a soap cap or bleach bath. Those with experience can whip one up at home with clarifying shampoo, a scoop of prepared bleach, and a little conditioner, leaving it on under a shower cap for five to fifteen minutes. ”Typically it’s best to try the simplest and safest method first before going more extreme,” warns Zoe. “You don’t want to start with bleach, when a soap cap would have been just as effective.”

WHIP UP A HOME TREATMENT

The same way you would apply a conditioning shampoo to extend the life of your dye job, mixing a handful of dishwashing detergent with a little baking soda can remove unwanted color fast. Zoe has even resorted to a Windex rinse, but she says it’s not the healthiest option. “It’s ‘old school,’” she laughs, “but dish soap is basically the same thing as Head & Shoulders or Suave. It doesn’t really have any conditioning values in it, so it really strips the hair of its oils.”

DON'T FORGET TO HYDRATE

After lifting the color, Zoe recommends a hot oil treatment or a hair mask to replenish moisture lost in the process. “I love Bumble and bumble’s The Color Minded Conditioner,” says Zoe, “It has UV protectant in it so it blocks against UVA and UVB rays as well as heat styling tools, creating a web of conditioners to restore hair back to its former glory.”

APPROVED RUBY RED LIPS

2012-12-01T00:09:00.003-08:00

RUBY RED LIPS

CLAUDIA P.

Red lips are classic year-round, but they hold a special place in our hearts come holiday season. Not just any red, though—we're talking juicy gem tones reminiscent of twinkling ornaments, or even Dorothy's ruby red slippers in the Wizard of Oz! Some keep their reds clean and glossy while others have fun with extra embellishment, but the juicy shade just works on everyone. Get inspired by these community picks, smack your lips together three times, and say there's no color like ruby!

Devote a Day to Pamper Yourself at Home

2012-11-25T11:41:00.001-08:00

Yourself at Home

All working people deserve a good break in life from their busy schedule. Pakistani men and women need to work on their beauty tips more to stay fresh and young for a long time. This article will provide sufficient beauty tips for Pakistani people to pamper themselves at least once in a while.
Make sure to begin with your beauty tips; draw a bath with adequate bubbles for relaxation. A meditation beauty tip involves putting on some slow melody songs and lighting up of the light candles. Beauty tips often tell you not to clean yourself up immediately so that body can remain refreshing and lastly usage of body soap can finish off the spa activity regarding the beauty tips.
The next step in beauty tips for Pakistani people involve the drying up of body and getting dressed and the best way to pamper yourself will be to dress up in sweats or pyjamas or a simple T-shirt in whatever makes you feel comfortable. Once you’re done with this step, pull back your hair to get started with the beauty tips on the face.

Beauty tips are plenty for face pampering and it is quite important for Pakistani peoples since the weather is dusty and pollution oriented which can affect their skin adversely. Therefore, special beauty tips are required to take care of face’s beauty. Now, it is time to put a face mask. In case you don’t have one available at home, it is simple to make it yourself.
Beauty tips often suggest that a facial mask can be made using mashed bananas with two tablespoons of honey. You can leave it for about ten to twenty minutes and then apply it on the face. Meanwhile to enhance the beauty of the eyes, cucumber pieces can be utilized by putting on the eyes for further calmness and rest to the eyes. Once the facial mask is dry, pat and rinse your face with care and a good Neutrogena face wash.
The next step in beauty tips regarding the pampering of you involves the workout on the hands and toe nails. It is time to remove the old nail polish, file and use a buffer for shining of the nails. You can use the option of putting on a clear colour and can be left for drying. Lastly, the beauty tips occupy oneself in healthy and fresh eating as well as giving good time for leisure by watching television. This activity of can be performed at any day off from college or work.

Have A Relaxing Home Spring Spa Experience

2012-11-25T11:38:00.001-08:00

Home Spring Spa

Spa is not a new thing or a new word for ladies specially. Today, almost every women and young girl is used to with the word spa. It is however a wonderful and magical way to rejuvenate and revitalize your overall body and skin. With the advent of advance technologies and new high quality beauty and spa products, one can easily manage and enjoy a full luxurious spring spa at home. All you need is to follow these instructions towards the home spa or spring spa tips and you will definitely get the desire results without wasting money on spa salons.
This unique and simple home spa guides towards your spring spa are very beneficial for you and will bring fruitful results to you.

Home Spring Spa Guide:

Now days, spa specialists put heavy emphasis on natural mineral spring spa. The mineral spring spa is all about to soak in water. It is a source of natural mineral which will help to ease joint pain,arthritis, and other physical ailments. You can use fresh spring water or mineral water for this purpose. You can also add sodium, iodine or sulphur minerals to make an exact mineral makeup. The home spa guide on this spring spa or mineral spa is to soak your body in mineral water for half an hour in a private room or a separate bathroom, then go for a spa massage with essential oils and spa products.
Now is a turn for a simple yet luscious spring spa at your home. All you need is a separate bathroom for a whole day, light music, some candles, aroma, essential oils and spa products.

Here we are giving step by step instructions regarding a spring spa guide.

Step1:

Simply mix good quality oatmeal with water in your shower tub and soak your body in it. After 29-30 minutes and slick on some baby oil or essential oil for moisturizer.

Step2:

Wrap a towel over you whole body. Use a plastic bag to wrap your hands and feet. Also cover your face with damp towel. Leave it for two minutes. Now take a gentle cleanser or some high quality aromatherapy creams and lotions, using them in circular motions at your whole body and then rinse off with warm water.

Step3:

Facial mask is another essential element in your spring spa guide. Rejuvenate your face with a facial mask that suits with your skin type and tone. You can also make homemade facial masks according to your skin type.

Step 4:

Now is the time for manicure and pedicure. Take lemon juice, baking soda and fresh rose water and apply this batter to your hands and feet. Leave it for 10-15 minutes than rinse off with warm water. Apply hand and feet cream on both hands and feet. File your nails with an emery board.

Step 5:

Don’t ignore hair and scalp treatment. Fill a refillable spray bottle with milk and spray it onto washed hairs. Leave for 15 minutes than rinse off with cool water. Put some sea salt in your condition and massage it into your wet scalp. It will refresh your scalp and also remove itchiness.
Now your home spring spa is finished. Hope you like this easiest and step by step guide towards a wonderful home spa.
Don’t forget to put roses in your bathroom. They work as instant mood enchanters and add an aromatic flair in your spring spa.

Green Tea Helps in Skin Freshness

2012-11-25T11:35:00.001-08:00

Green Tea

Green tea has gained popularity over the past decade. It has been proven as a health food by numerous studies and experiments conducted. Green tea can help and benefit skin by drinking and being applied to skin. Green tea is naturally rich in antioxidants which protect the skin from free radicals. Research has indicated that green tea has even more antioxidant properties than powerful vitamins used to prepare skin products to protect your skin. Then why go for man-made products for skin freshness when green tea can protect, improve and repair your skin. Green tea can do wonders:

Green tea fight free radicals and stops premature aging. Drinking green tea regularly delays aging and refreshes your skin.
Green tea neutralizes UV rays and protects skin from sun damage.

Green tea prevents skin cancer. If you squeeze half a lemon to your cup of green tea it will enhance its anti-skin cancer properties.
Green tea fights inflammation. If your skin is sensitive and you often get rashes then drinking and applying green tea will soothe your skin. Moreover people with psoriasis, eczema and dandruff should drink green tea. Its anti-inflammatory action will benefit their skin condition.
Green tea has anti-bacterial properties that decrease hormone activities and soothe acne.
Drinking a few cups of green tea everyday makes your skin glow and look fresh. Apart from drinking you can use green in tea in a number of ways for skin freshness:
Soak about 100 grams of green tea leaves in half a liter of mineral water at room temperature. Keep it for an hour so that green tea extracts are mixed in the water. This liquid can be refrigerated. You can simply spray it on your face for skin freshness or you can dip cotton pads and apply it on your face. Cotton pads soaked in green tea liquid can be placed on strained eyes to relax and soothe eyes.
A gentle green tea mask can be applied on face for instant glow and freshness. Mix one tea spoon of organic green tea leaves with three table spoons of mayonnaise to make the facemask. Apply it gently to your face and be careful with sensitive eye area. Leave this mask on your face for about 15 to 20 minutes and rinse with water. Then dry your face and moisturize if you have a dry skin. This face mask will remove toxins from your skin making it silky, soft and glowing.

Rose petal like lips

2012-11-25T11:32:00.003-08:00

Rose petal

Lips and eyes are considered as the important parts of the face; they enhance the face attraction, if you take care of them properly. Particularly, fresh & soft lips give your face a natural glow.

Almost every woman want to listen comments like rose petal for her lips. The wish to have rose petal like lips is present in the beauty industry for centuries. You need to develop some precautionary measures to beautify your lips. First of all, never let your lips to get dry, provide them proper moisture, drink & eat healthy; try to have lip balm or such protective layer on your skin while going out and before going to bed in winters, especially. In winters, if you apply some thick balm, Vaseline or simply fresh milk crème before sleep, you will feel great when you wake-up in the morning. It’s also good to exfoliate your lips, with salt, sugar or simply with your toothbrush, but with gentle hands. Always buy standard lipstick with healthy ingredients, never compromise on quality.

Besides them, try to match your lipstick color with blush & foundation shades, in order to have balanced make-up tone.

Simple Beauty Tip

2012-11-25T11:31:00.001-08:00

Simple Beauty Tip

Are you conscious about your skin? Do you want to make it better? Yes? The following beauty tip is the best content written for you.
Owning a perfect skin with a glowing complexion is every girl’s biggest wish. For achieving this wish, many young girls go to any extend in order to make themselves look prettier all the time. There are millions of beauty products which are available in the markets today, accompanied by thousands of beauty tips. With the advancements in technology and more awareness amongst people; consultations with doctors, beauticians and dieticians are becoming very popular regarding the skin problems and treatments. But this best and the simplest beauty tip for getting everlasting glowing and smooth skin is to use and drink lots and lots of water.

Water is basically of two types; the hard water and the soft water. Hard water contains different harsh chemicals which can damage the skin and result too many different problems. But soft water is the best option for getting a softer and smoother skin. Therefore, it is very important to know that the skin must only be washed with good quality of water so that it does not get exposed to harsh chemicals in water that can affect the skin badly.
Another beauty tip regarding the use of water for skin is that never wash your face area with hot water. It results in opening of pores which leads to blackheads, wrinkles etc. Always avoid hot water for cleaning your face and use cold water instead. Even when taking a bath under a hot water shower, avoid exposing the facial area skin to hot water.
Drinking water frequently is an excellent and most inexpensive beauty tip. Those women who drink water at least 5-6 glasses a day; their skin is seen to be more glowing and smooth as compared to other women. Water is the most pure and effective cleanser and moisturizer for the skin. It hydrates the skin and keeps on flushing the toxins out of the body. A good amount of water intake helps in quick heeling of wounds, cleaning of the entire systems of the body and prevents the body from dehydration.
People who do not drink water frequently and rather prefer going to a beautician and doctor for getting a smooth and glowing skin are doing great harm to themselves. They are wasting their time and money on useless stuff when there is a free blessing available to them in the form of water.
The best and the safest beauty tip that you can rely on is to carry a bottle of water with yourself wherever you go and drink it sip by sip from time to time. Or if possible, drink a glass of water after every hour and you will feel the difference in your body and skin yourself.
Happy drinking Water!

Best Spa Products to Pamper Yourself

2012-11-25T11:25:00.001-08:00

Best Spa

There is nothing more soothing than pampering yourself with a good spa treatment and that too, at any time at home with the best spa products.
A spa with natural products is mostly considered as the best option because the entire concept of spa has originated from herbal treatments for relaxations. Therefore, we consider those products as best spa products that have a natural and refreshing for giving us the ultimate spa treatment.
We are always not that receptive towards having spa treatments from proper spa clinics and getting them professionally. They are not only inconvenient but costly too. Therefore, in order to have the spa treatment often what you can do is have a good range of best spa products at home and help yourself with this great luxury.
These days due to the popularity of spa culture and awareness about having a treatment of spa with natural products people have gained a lot of knowledge. Moreover, many companies are making special attempts to come with such a product line of best spa products that fit ideally with the consumer perceptions.
Scented candles, body scents and oils, moisturizers and other similar stuff make up the basics of best spa products. There is an endless variety of these products that offer amazing treatments of spa with natural products at home. You can select each one of these best spa products according to your tastes and preferences like selecting your favorite fragrance for scented candles and body scents etc.
The basic aim of all these spa treatments and a wide range of these best spa products is to help you rejuvenate yourself and take out some time for yourself to relax and stress out your muscles. Spa with natural products is considered the most preferable choice as it brings you closer to the wonders of nature and you can get yourself stress-free with the basic blessings of nature by having spa with natural products.
By having a home spa treatment, you can easily keep a check on what kind of products you are using and what is in them exactly. This allows you to only choose for spa with natural products. In simpler terms spa with natural products give you pure organic beauty.
In summer season, the spa treatments that most of the people would like to have with best spa products are mostly related with tanning, sunscreen and other similar stuff. Any product that is used either for protection or for the love of sun tanned skin must be carefully used. Spa with natural products having precise chemical free ingredients are very important here as most of the skin diseases arise from different tanning techniques that people opt for.
Spa with natural products is not just good for your health and body but it is good for the environment too as no chemicals and artificial stuff is being used in creating them and they generate no harm to the environment in return too. Good quality natural products are indeed the best spa products which are highly recommended for home spa and professional spa treatments.

Pre Fall Makeup Tips

2012-11-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

Fall Makeup Tips

Lips:

This fall, let us take advantage of the trend and focus on stains instead of shiny lip gloss. Deep and vibrant lipstick shades look gorgeous and top our list of the fall makeup ideas. Accentuate your lips with cherry, burgundy, red and garnet deep stains and add a youthful perkiness to your demeanor.
Alternatively, you can choose to have your lips nude and colorless this fall. Just keep in mind to go for neutral eyes if you are going for bold lips and bold eyes if you keep your lips nude. One or the other and not both, okay?

Eyebrows:

Next in our full makeup guide is the lush natural eyebrows. Do not go for skinny and over-plucked brows. Let your brows grow and then reshape them according to your natural arch. If your eyebrows are too thin and do not grow back quick enough, use an eyebrow pencil or powder to give a firm look.

Eye Shadow:

Fall makeup ideas won’t be complete without the mention of eye shadow. 2012 fall brings back the smokey eyes. The trick is to use eye-catching and bold eye-shadows in addition to the normal smoky eyes. Experiment with teal, blue, silver and gray colors. If you find these shades too loud, you can always choose to go for coral, bronze, deep green or purple which look fabulous on all skin shades. Do not forget to add glitter or sparkle to the eyes to give a finishing look.

Apple Cider Vinegar - your beauty kit to flawless skin

2012-11-25T11:20:00.001-08:00

Apple Cider Vinegar

Every girl dreams of flawless skin, ‘a universal truth’ and to live that dream you spend thousands of rupees to get various chemical-laden products from the market, but have you ever thought a bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar placed in your kitchen cabinet, that your mom uses to make delicious salads is actually a little beauty kit to flawless skin!

And what’s even more amazing is that it’s cheap and totally natural! Apple cider vinegar is made by crushing fresh apples and allowing them to ferment. The best quality apple cider vinegar is made with organic apples, allowed to mature in wooden barrels to make vinegar. The best brand is Braggs Natural Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, which is not available in Pakistan; the most commonly available in Pakistan is American Garden Apple Cider Vinegar, which is the next best and can do wonders on your skin.

Apple cider vinegar contains natural enzymes, vitamins and minerals and is rich in antioxidants. It contains Vitamins A, B and C, beta carotene, bioflavonoid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, sulfur, iron, fluorine, silicon, boron and pectin. It naturally balances the pH balance of the skin and the entire body.

This little beauty secret not only cures acne; mild and severe, but also improves skin tone, blood circulation, oxygen delivery, maintains elasticity, purifies and revives. It’s the best anti angling natural ingredient that can make you look years younger. Plus it is a natural anti-fungal and an antiseptic.

Apple Cider Vinegar can be taken internally and externally for best results. For internal use, a teaspoon of Apple Cider vinegar diluted in a glass of water can be taken first thing in the morning and in the evening before meal. It will not only cleanse your system but will also boost your metabolism reaction and immune system for effective working and healthy body.

For external use, mix Apple Cider Vinegar in water in equal quantities and apply it on face directly with a cotton ball as a toner and let it dry naturally. You can use it 1-3 times a day or you can even use it before sleeping and rinse in the morning.

And I bet, it will not disappoint you, within a week or two, your skin will look tighter, younger, soft, dewy and above all acne and blemish free. So go grab this little beauty kit hidden in the darkest corner of your kitchen and place it on your dressing table for flawless skin.

PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week S/S 2012 Day 1 - Act 1 Red Carpet

2012-11-25T11:18:00.001-08:00

Sunsilk Fashion Week

Many well known fashion designers and fashion models walked the Red Carpet of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week S/S 2012 (Karachi) Day 1. Veet super models also walked the fashion runway for the first time supported by Catwalk Productions.

The Act 1 of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week S/S 2012 (Karachi) Day 1 was presented by Pakistan’s renowned fashion designer Maria B. Many celebutants attended the fashion show where many famous and emerging Pakistani fashion designers presented their latest collections. Freshly selected four Veet super models named Saima Azhar, Sana Khan, Areeba Habib and Sana Sarfaraz also presented their debut catwalk from Catwalk Productions at PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week S/S 2012.

Fashion model Aminah Haq stepped the in a sweet yellow short dress at the Red Carpet of PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week S/S 2012.

Justin Bieber Gets Beat — His YouTube Video, That is

2012-11-25T11:02:00.000-08:00

Justin Bieber

It is not Justin Bieber's month.

First the young musician and Disney star Selena Gomez end their relationship, and now his longstanding title as Most Watched YouTube Video of All Time is also coming to an end.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, rapper PSY has overtaken the top spot with "Gangnam Style". The South Korean's catchy single has been online for less than five months and has already been viewed approximately 817,710,788 times, whereas Bieber's "Baby" has slightly less: approximately 804,501,009.

The Canadian cutie first took over the record back in July of 2010 from an equally impressive artist, Lady Gaga and her video for "Bad Romance."

Looks like another life lesson for the 18-year-old about how all good things must come to an end.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2' Is Box Office Gold with $141.3 Million

2012-11-25T10:58:00.000-08:00

Twilight Saga

Sorry James Bond. Vampires and werewolves are the declared winners of this weekend's box office race. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 has come out on top, scoring $141.3 million its first weekend at the box office. This may not come as a shocker, though, as the final Twilight film brought in an impressive $162.2 million at the global box office on its opening day. And in the United States, it earned $71.2 million (that includes $30.4 million for all Thursday shows starting at 10 PM and midnight shows).

It is a huge debut for the film and the eighth biggest opening weekend of all-time! Overall, the worldwide estimate for the film is $340.9 million ($141.3 million in North American + $199.6
million internationally). Breaking Dawn - Part 2 posted the second highest weekend opening out of theTwilight franchise behind New Moon at $142.8 million, and the franchise now has three of the top nine openings of all time.

But it doesn't end there. Breaking Dawn - Part 2 pushed Lionsgate's 2012 domestic gross over the $1 billion mark for the first time. And Lionsgate has become only the seventh company to ever cross the billion dollar plateau. Also, Lionsgate is the first company to ever have two films (Breaking Dawn - Part 2 and The Hunger Games) open to over $125 million in the same year.

Second in the race, we find Daniel Craig's James Bond flick Skyfall, raking in $41.5 million in its second week. That's a total of $161.337 million to date. Skyfall has also earned about $39 million in IMAX theaters globally. This weekend, Skyfall, the 23rd James Bond adventure, also became the best-performing film of all time in the longest-running film franchise in motion picture history, with a global average of $669.2 million and passing the $599.2 million worldwide total taken in by Casino Royale in 2006.

The box office success of Skyfall has helped to push Sony Pictures Entertainment to its biggest year ever at the global box office, surpassing $4 billion worldwide for the first time in its history and besting the studio’s previous high $3.585 billion, set in 2009.

In third, comes Lincoln. In its first wide expansion into theaters in its second week, it earned $21 million and totally benefited from the platform release strategy and huge Oscar buzz.

Here is the official breakdown of the top five grossing films of the weekend.

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2: $141.3 million

2. Skyfall: $41.5 million; $161.337 million total

3. Lincoln: $21 million; $21.42 million total

4. Wreck-It Ralph: $18.31 million; $121.48 million total

5. Flight: $8.6 million; $61.34 million

Alia Bhatt Is Back after Her Holiday in London

2012-11-25T10:54:00.004-08:00

Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt recently returned from a holiday in London. “It was a very long vacation and it turned out to be just the way I wanted it. My sister was with me and we both freaked out.” Apparently, she shopped till she dropped. “I shopped for loads of clothes,” she says.

However, once the girl got free from her commitment for the film and its release took place, she flown off to London with her sister Shaheen Bhatt for a holiday. It was quite a long holiday for the 19-year-old as she stayed in London almost for a month and she is back only now.

Now, it’s back to the grind with packed schedules and commitments. “I love being this busy body,” she smiles.

Well, Alia we hope you bag loads of juicy offers as we would love to watch you again on big screen!

Kareena Kapoor is Really Happy To Do A Item Number In Dabangg 2

2012-11-25T10:50:00.001-08:00

Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor indeed had loads of expectations from her item song Halkat Jawaani (Heroine) and wanted to beat Katrina Kaif’s Chikni Chameli with it, but the song failed to garner much appreciations and Bebo was left disappointed.

Designed by her trusted Manish Malhotra, Kareena’s costume in the item track is learnt to be inspired from elder sister Karisma Kapoor’s attire in her famous track ‘Sarkaiye Lo Khatiya’ from the film Raja Babu. In fact, we hear that Karisma Kapoor even visited the Dabangg 2 sets when Kareena Kapoor was shooting for the song,

“It was great fun. I loved the song… for the first time I have done a pelvic thrust. I have never done that before and Farah Khan has shot it amazingly. I am looking forward to it because it`s a fun song. I hope people love it,” said Kareena.

Arbaaz Khan is making his directorial debut with Dabangg 2, which stars his big brother Salman Khan in the lead role. Her moves for the song has been choreographed by Farah Khan, who earlier made Malaika Arora Khan dance on her moves to forever hit Munni Badnaam Hui from Dabangg.

Signing Off: The 7 Golden Rules of Style

2012-11-25T07:45:00.001-08:00

Golden Rules of Style

Readers,
It’s been a marvelous two years gabbing about style with you. From the beauty products I’ve been obsessed with (did I mention how much I love Lancome Hypnose mascara enough times? What about Dior Lip Addict?), to my tried-and-true tips for putting together outfits… I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. But today, after nearly 500 posts, I am signing off.
How do you recap two years in one single blog post? You don’t. You can’t. I won’t try to rehash everything I’ve shared. Instead of packing what I’ve taught into a few hundred words, I’m going to share what you — by allowing me to write here, every single day, commenting, reading my posts — have taught me.
Here’s what I’ve learned. One last time. Here are my current seven golden rules of style, in this ever-evolving world of fashion. Enjoy.
Oh, and thank you for the lessons.

1. Style doesn’t fit in a box. What one person thinks looks amazing, someone else might not care for. Style is wearing what you love, and owning it. Genius can be interesting, different, insane, daring, classic or all of the above. Appreciate different takes on style, and you’ll develop a more rounded one yourself. Each day, week, and month, I try to immerse myself in new kinds of style and find new style heroines.
2. Style and fashion should be considered two different things. Fashion is what’s on the runway and what’s in the magazines. Style is what you do with fashion. I’d rather be stylish than fashionable. Wouldn’t you?
3. Style should make you feel good. If you don’t feel good in that jumpsuit, those jeans, or that dress… then what’s the point? Make sure you’re using style to build confidence and feel your absolute best every morning. I’m getting better about that, about only wearing what makes me feel darn fabulous. People will notice when you do.
4. Style should never be copied. Sometimes, I look at a blogger or celeb and think, “That looks GREAT on her. I wish I looked like that.” But then I remember that I have my own distinct style, and what looks good on her won’t look the same on me. Outfits look different on every single person, because no body type is exactly the same. Instead, I try to pull elements of looks that I love into my personal style. Admire, emulate a little. Don’t copy.
5. Style should showcase the girl, not the clothes. Want to know when someone’s truly hit a style bull’s eye? You barely notice the outfit. You just look at the girl and get that “WOW, she looks great — we need to be BFFs!” feeling. If I look in the mirror and notice my clothes too much, I know the outfit is not me. I try, try again.
6. Style should feel effortless, but should take effort. No matter how savvy a dresser you are, it still takes effort to look good. It should get easier as you hone your style, and the ultimate goal should be the “I just threw this together, I just knew this would look awesome” type of look, but effortless always takes effort. Hair doesn’t do itself. Clothes don’t arrange themselves into an outfit. Make-up doesn’t apply itself. Always put effort into your style, and you’ll feel better. From the bottom of my heart, from experience, I promise.
7. Break the rules. If you like it, I don’t care who tells you not to wear that neon top or pair of harem pants. Rock. It. Out. And then watch the crazy envious stares of people who wish they were as stylish as you.
xo,
Jenna
What are your golden rules of style?

HOW TO: Get Clear Skin

2012-11-25T07:44:00.000-08:00

Get Clear Skin

I am almost guaranteed to receive a question or email from a reader on a weekly basis asking how to clear up skin. It seems that everyone is battling with breakouts that continue to rear their heads beyond the teenage years and well into the twenties and thirties.

I have compiled this ‘how to’ based on my own experience with my skin - after a relatively clear run in my teens I struggled with pimples and blackheads throughout my twenties. Nothing major - at most I probably had three or four pimples at once, mainly on my chin and forehead, but enough to get me down.

The tips below have transformed my skin, and I hardly ever break out anymore (and when I do, it’s usually because I haven’t been following my own advice!). I hope that they work for you too, and please feel free to share your own experience and tips.

Cleanse less: Yep, you heard me. I used to stock up on every anti-acne, blemish busting, salicylic acid based product on the planet. And yet I still broke out. Since going clean, I have switched to kinder, gentler cleansers, and I haven’t looked back. Although it seems counterintuitive, conventional, chemical heavy cleansers that are supposedly made to target oily and breakout prone skin are incredibly stripping, which in turn encourages skin to produce more oil, which then leads to more breakouts - which then leads to using more stripping products to try to get rid of them! It’s a vicious cycle. Break this cycle by using a gentle, pure cleanser - cleansing oils and balms are brilliant - which will get skin back on track to regulate its own oil production. It might take a few weeks for your skin to get used to this, but it will happen. Your skin is a very clever organ.(As a side note, I actually found that once my skin got back in balance, I had dry, not oily skin as I had always previously thought!).

In a similar vein, I now only cleanse once a day, at night, and simply splash my face with water in the morning (unless I use a particularly heavy treatment the night before). This is for the same reason: to get skin regulating its own production and not disrupting its balance.

Eat your way to good skin: Whether we like it or not, diet plays a HUGE role in skin. Since cutting back dramatically on sugar, my skin is clearer, brighter, and softer (not to mention the other benefits - less mood swings, a clearer head, and less tummy fat!). I also try to avoid soy and dairy, as in my experience if I eat too much of either they will also lead to breakouts. If I binge on junk food I will immediately see the effects on my skin over the next week - and it’s not pretty. I also add lots of chia seeds and coconut oil to my diet (I love to throw them into a hot bowl of porridge), as these supply the skin with good fats to keep it plump, glowing and hydrated.

Get into clay: Clay based masks are brilliant at giving congested skin a little jump start to purge impurities and heal existing blemishes. I use one once a fortnight to keep skin in top condition - it’s a great Sunday night ritual.

Don’t scare your skin: In addition to my former life as a Lover of Oil-Stripping Cleansers, I must also confess to trying just about every ‘overnight pimple zapper’ under the sun. At the merest hint of a pimple I would drop a dollop of (usually salicylic acid based) potion on it. Yet my skin didn’t get better - in fact, I found that these treatments usually left skin dried out, frazzled and red. So I stopped. And just ignored pimples, and let them do their own thing, and heal themselves. And again, my skin’s ability to help itself amazed me. Sure, pimples took a little longer to go away, but they never erupted into a sore, inflamed spot, which meant they were far less noticeable (and much easier to cover with a little dab of concealer), and just gradually disappeared without a fight. I’ve also noticed that my skin scars far less with this approach.

Product recommendations: I’ve tried to keep this post general rather than list specific products, as it’s more of a guideline on how to care for skin rather than a hardwired regime. But sometimes you just want a recommendation, straight up, so here are the products that I have used and liked:

Stark Skincare Green Tea Detox Clay Mask
Planet Eve Organics Cleansing Oil
Coconut oil
Dr Alkaitis Soothing Gel
Spiezia Organic Facial Cleanser
MV Organics Gentle Cream Cleanser
So, if I could summarise my clear skin regime in one sentence, it would simply be:

Be kind to your skin and to yourself.

You will be amazed at what this will do.

Style Evolution: Why Your Look Should Get Better With Age

2012-11-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

Style Evolution

When I was in high school, I put a lot of effort into my style. I always loved fashion and testing new beauty products, so I went all out. I did the whole-nine-yards thing. From hair to make-up, clothes to shoes, every detail was planned and executed to perfect effect. And I got compliments often. I thought I was doing everything right — but man, was that routine hard to maintain. Hours went into my look.
Today, things are different. It takes me less than a half hour to do hair, make-up, clothes, shoes and tie it all together. And I probably get more compliments these days. Why? Because style gets better with age. Your sensibilities and the trust you have in your decisions should improve every single year. If they aren’t, and you don’t feel “better with age,” then you’re doing something wrong.

Do you feel like you spend hours preparing your look for the day, or can’t trust your style decisions? A few ideas for improvement:
Hair: What kind of cut do you have? Maybe it doesn’t suit your face shape, and thus you’re spending time overcompensating, trying to tailor an unsuitable cut to your face shape? It’s hard! Ask your stylist to help, don’t automatically go to the salon with a cut in mind. Look at celebrities who have similar face shapes (like Olivia Wilde’s strong jawline or Reese Witherspoon’s heart-shaped face) and try out similar styles. Hair that suits your face shape should be easy to mold in the morning.
Make-up: Less is more. Where can you cut things from your routine? You don’t need to line your eyes every single day; use an extra coat of mascara to define. Choose a tinted lip balm instead of lipstick for easier application. Add a dollop of liquid foundation to your moisturizer to skip a step. If you’re not finding shortcuts that make things seem effortless, think about your routine. It shouldn’t feel like work!
Clothes: Don’t go by the book. Sure, Marie Claire is a great resource for trends and I love Bazaar‘s breakdown of must-haves each season. But do not use these as how-to guides; just use them as references. As you make decisions based on your gut, and what you like regardless of trends, you’ll become more comfortable finding your exact style. It sounds counter-intuitive, but don’t lay your clothes out the night before if you’re having trouble using your instincts while dressing. It will force you to make quick decisions, throwing together pieces you just plain like. You may make a few mistakes in the beginning, but your instincts will soon become sure — and you’ll have a uniquely-you style.
Has your style become better with age? Happy Fourth of July, friends!