Beauty experts say that it is avoidable to keep makeup for years and that it is a good habit to go through your makeup kit at least once a year so that you can chuck out things that are well past their use date. Not only will expired products use up space, they can also wreak havoc on your skin.

Your mascara, liquid eyeliners and kajals should ideally be replaced every six months because each time you use them and put the wand back in, it accumulates harmful bacteria. Just because you haven’t finished a tube of mascara, doesn’t mean you use it forever. Do your eyes a favour and spend a bit on your eye makeup items.

But makeup sponges and eye makeup brushes in bulk — this way you can use them just a couple of times and chuck them away. Don’t keep cleaning the sponges repeatedly — they’ll just collect germs, which you will end up putting on your face unknowingly.

Your bottle of liquid foundation ideally should be kept for just about over a year. Keep it in a cool place and never ever use your fingers for application — stick to a sponge or brush.

Lip glosses and lipsticks can just about last for two years before you should throw them away. Similarly, compact powder can be safely used for two months unless the powder has changed colour.

Original Post by The Times Of India

Get rid of acne scars: Make a paste of sandalwood, almonds, honey and curd and apply a layer of this paste everyday on your face and neck. Leave it on for 10 minutes and then wash off.

Shape up your brows: This is important step towards a well-defined face. Get a professional reshaping of your brows done. It can really change your entire look. Thick eyebrows are in, and they give a younger and softer look to your face. (eg Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhat)

For brighter skin: Apply curd and honey with a drop of lemon juice on your face. Wash off after ten minutes. Use light circular motions when you are cleaning your face.

Quick home remedies for a perfect face (Thinkstock Photos/Getty Images)

Smoothen your facial skin: Coat your face with a paste of almonds and mashed ripe papaya. Lie down comfortably and relax. Let it stay on your face for around 15-20 minutes. Gently scrub and wash off with tap water.

Soften your lips: Use a soft-bristled brush and apply fresh milk-cream on your lips in a circular motion. Leave it on for a minute and then wash off with rose water.

Minimise facial hair: Apply a paste of besan, a pinch of turmeric and a little curd daily. Wash off using circular motions after it dries up.

Minimise your pores: Use a mask of egg white, tomato and ground almonds on your face. Leave it on for 8-10 minutes and then wash off.

Blackheads on your nose: Soak red masur dal for an hour. Now make a paste of this. Apply this pre-soaked masur dal paste on your nose and leave it for 10 minutes. Now, scrub for a minute and wash off.

Protect your hairline when you colour: Apply petroleum jelly on your hairline before you apply hair colour. This will prevent telltale hair colour stains on your forehead.

Source:- The Times Of India

Here are some handy tips with easily available items that can be used for a home pedicure in summers.

The summer heat can result in making your feet dry and rough with the skin peeling off due to the bad weather conditions. To save yourself some money of going to a spa to give your feet a pampering session every week, try these few things at home and maintain beautiful feet even in the sweltering heat –

1. Use more coconut oil: Keep some extra virgin coconut oil handy and your feet will be happy even in summers. This oil has the ability to moisturize dry, rough skin. It nurtures skin cells and removes impurities in the skin. Leave it overnight and wear cotton socks and you will wake up with soft, beautiful feet.

2. Pumice stone: This stone is every girl’s best friend when it comes to home pedicures. The pumice stone comes in very handy in removing dead cells and dry skin patches from the feet and keep them soft.

3. Shea butter: Shea butter has become a favourite beauty product lately. Not only does it remove patches of dry skin from the feet when you apply it, it also gives it a healthy inner glow. It is especially important in summers because it helps in getting rid of skin rash caused by the immense heat.

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Assorted benefits

There are more than one reason of using a face mask. Face packs are used to moisturise, cleanse, tone and rejuvenate your skin. Also face masks are designed for each skin and age type.

Relaxing

Another reason of applying a face mask is to help relax. And what better way to pamper and treat your skin to goodness than applying a rejuvenating face pack. Whether you use a cream or a sheet face pack, you’ll feel great during the process.

Treatment control

Using a cream based face pack also allows you to control exactly where you apply the treatment and how much you want to use. For example, you can apply the mask on your acne to treat scars or around your eyes to lighten the dark circles.

Easy to use

Using a face pack is also the easiest way to get healthy and supple skin in minutes. You don’t have to worry about layering the right products or applying something fancy to prep up your skin. Face packs are one of the easiest and also the quickest ways to give your skin a big boost without fuss.

Original Post By:- The Times of India

Get More Detail Here:-  Ayurvedic Facial Treatments

Dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel says, “If you have active acne or are suffering from rosacea then you must not use a scrub on your face as it may aggravate your skin problem.” Apart from that, one must use a pore minimiser after scrubbing, advises cosmetolgist Dr Soma Sarkar. “Use an alcohol-free toner or rose water — take some in a cotton ball and then dab on your freshly scrubbed face,” says Soma. Every scrub needs some minute granules and in homemade ones, ground sugar can be used.

Aesthetician Ritu K Tanwar shares some scrub recipes that can be made at home.

Honey-orange scrub
Combine orange peel powder and oats in equal amounts (two tablespoons each) and mix one tablespoon of honey. Adjust the consistency to a thick paste,with a little water. Apply on clean skin using very mild upward and small circular strokes. Let it sit on face for a couple of minutes and then rinse well. Pat dry, tone and moisture.

Banana scrub
Take two ripe bananas, mash and add ground sugar. For hydration and moisture, add one tablespoon of honey. Gently massage this mildly fragrant pulp on your face for five minutes, then wash it off with cool water. 

Curd and papaya scrub
Mix half-a-cup of ripe mashed papaya with two tablespoons of hung curd, three drops of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey. Massage this homemade facial scrub into your skin using gentle circular motions. Leave it on for five minutes and then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Ground oats and tomato scrub
Take a plate of ground oats and powdered sugar. Slice large red and ripe tomatoes. Dip two large thick slices of tomatoes into the ground oats and sugar mixture. Now rub your skin gently with this using circular motions. Once your entire face and neck are scrubbed, take some more tomato slices and let it sit on your face for a while. Tomatoes have natural bleaching agents and the oats soothe your skin.

Lemon scrub for your hands, feet
Take one lime and slice into half. Hold both the halves in your hands and dip into powdered sugar. Now, scrub your hands and feet for five minutes with this. Never use this on your face as this may harm sensitive facial skin.

Leave it on your hands and feet for around five minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water to reveal smooth skin.

How to scrub correctly
Splash water on your face. Take a one tablespoon scrub and gently massage all over your face and neck avoiding the under-eye area. Don’t apply too much pressure and do not keep scrubbing for more than two minutes. You may scrub a little harder on the T-zone area of face.

How many times should you exfoliate?
Normal skin: Exfoliate twice or thrice a week
Dry skin: Exfoliate not more than twice a week
Combination skin: Exfoliate twice a week
Oily skin: Exfoliate twice a week
Sensitive skin: Exfoliate once a week only

Get More Detail :- The Times of India and visit for more Beauty at Ayurvedic Facial Treatments

• Rashes
• Pigmentation
• Infection
• Ingrown hair
• Cysts
• Pimples (!!!)
• Hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating)
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Boils

Gosh! There’s a lot that can happen in such a small area. However, pigmentation or discoloration is one of the most common complaints by both men and women.

Darkened Underarms: Why, Oh, Why!

Darkened underarms are mainly caused by extended use of harsh chemicals (bleach, hair-removing creams, deodorants, antiperspirants, etc.). Excessive and long term shaving can also lead to skin pigmentation and darkening of this very sensitive skin. Often pregnancy leads to pigmentation, too. (but this is omething that will clear up in a couple of months).

People with dark skin are more susceptible to auxiliary darkening or underarm darkening because of the extra amounts of melanin in the body. Melanin is a protective pigment that shields the skin against UV rays. Pregnancy, and the hormonal cocktail it brings with itself, is another reason why you may see pigmentation in the underarms. Another possible reason could be diabetes! I bet you didn’t know that. It’s because elevated Insulin levels can cause skin darkening. Erythrasma, a chronic bacterial infection is another little known cause of pigmentation of the underarms. Ingrown hair due to too much shaving can also make the underarms appear darker.

I say, that’s too much information to digest in a day. I need to go and check out my poorly neglected underarm skin! (Rush to the mirror and back relieved that I’m clean)!

Darkened Underarms: What To Do?

So, you’ve got that wedding coming up that you must attend and that gorgeous dress you simply have to wear and your underarms look like they’ve been nuked? Here are some things you can safely try.

1. Potato:

Yeah, you heard me right! Potato… that ugly, little used, brown little lump! Most people don’t know that potato is a natural bleach and anti-irritant. Slice it, grate it or whisk it in the blender. Apply it to those dark armpits and see your skin lightened and soothed from the very first application! Your underarm skin also tends to get very itchy and sweaty due to pigmentation. The potato-trick will be your saving grace here and also, if applied anywhere else on the body where you need instant relief from patchiness and itchiness. That’s why it is number one on my list.

2. Epilators and Waxing:

I know many women who swear by their epilators. Like waxing, epilators pull hair out from the roots (Okay, major OUCH!).They prevent skin darkening in two ways. One, they don’t cause any ingrown hair issue and two, they effectively remove dean skin cells, giving a nice clear appearance to the skin. No wonder, at any given time, more women are going through the OUCH-iness of waxing underarms than labor!

3. Baking soda:

Are you scrolling up to see if you’ve mistakenly opened a culinary website? Can’t blame you! But baking soda does work. Apply it directly as you would a talcum powder, to your darkened underarms. Apart from lightening the skin, it is a natural, odorless, non-irritating way of bidding goodbye to excess sweat, odour and itchiness.

The miracle beauty product, sandalwood, is synonymous with beautiful, fragrant skin. So why deprive the underarms of their benign magic? Apply a paste of sandalwood and rose water for about 10 to 15 minutes to lighten and freshen your darkened underarm skin. Besides lightening the skin, the sandalwood also takes care of body odour and soothes the itchiness almost instantly.

5. Lightening Masks:

A quick way to unmasking your underarms is to mask them with a paste of yogurt, a pinch of turmeric and lemon juice. As in the case of a face mask, wash it off just before it completely dries out. Commercially available lightening masks also work much the same way.

6. Cosmetic Surgery:

Letting the doc work his magic? Like me, many people are apprehensive of approaching cosmetologists. The thing is, they are professionals and can be your ultimate salvage. Laser treatment is constantly evolving and just might prove to be the right solution for you (if you can afford it, though!). Although surgery is individualized and it might not beget the same results in everyone, it is still worth a try if your condition is beyond home remedies.

7. Vitamin E:

The direct application of the beauty vitamin or in the form of oil or creams with high Vitamin E content might prove to be highly useful in scaring away those dark marks. Vitamin E is a well known and much studied component that works wonders in maintaining youthfulness and gentleness of the skin.

8. Honey:

Most of us don’t know the skin benefits of honey when applied directly. Honey is a natural toner and skin lightening agent. Apply a mixture of honey, lemon juice and sugar to the affected area. It will also combat underarm odour.

9. Orange/Lemon:

These fruits have a high concentration of citric acid, which is also a natural exfoliant and bleach. Dried and powdered orange peels, mixed with rose water also go a great distance in lightening dark skin. Scrub the underarms with either of these citrus babies. Don’t expect miraculous, instant results. It takes time to undo the damage. So, rub away.

10. Pumice:

This natural exfoliant that has been used for centuries might come in handy here, too. Try rubbing it gently on your darkened underarm skin. It will help in removing the darkened layer of skin. However, don’t be too zealous in your scrubbing as it might cause further abrasions and you certainly don’t want to walk around like a scarecrow for the next few days.

So go ahead, bowl people over by flaunting that strappy dress, sexy bikini or sleeveless top you’ve been hiding in the closet, and be underarm shy no more!

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Strong winds may mess up your hairdo, but your wardrobe and beauty do not have to succumb to the winter blues. Beauty expert Swati Gupta shares some secrets to combat the cold’s effect on your skin and ensure that you look flawless this winter.

Winter hydration 

With winter comes dryness, redness of skin, dehydration and uneven skin texture. Opt for a cream-based cleanser rather than an oil-stripping, foam-based one, as it will help keep your skin’s moisture levels intact. Regularly exfoliating with a mild scrub is best to rid dead, flaky skin. Introduce a night cream into your daily routine. BB (blemish balm) creams are also good as they are hydrating and have anti-oxidants, which make the skin tone even. Ensure you get a facial done once every two weeks.

Skin essentials 
The best way to take care of one’s complexion this season is by wearing sunscreen. Even though the sun may not be shining as much, it is easy to get sun-burnt. A sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 20 is a must. There are oil-free sunscreens available in the market which will not make your skin oily. For sensitive skin, pick sunscreens that are alcohol-free and free from fragrances. Lotions meant for children will also work for those with sensitive skin.

Hair care 
During winter, hair suffers from dryness and your scalp tends to get flaky, resulting in dandruff and fungal infections. Wash your hair regularly and keep your scalp clean and dry to avoid infection. Use a good conditioner and leave-in serums to hydrate your hair and restore its lost shine. Regular hairspa treatments also help counter several problems.

Moisturizing routine 
Switch to slightly intense moisturizers this season to restore lost moisture. Use a moisturizer which has SPF in it so that it doubles up as a sunscreen. Also apply a nourishing cream before going to bed to keep your skin hydrated. Look for products that contain glycerin, Shea butter and Vitamin E.

Cleansing routine 
This may sound cliched, but it is important to remove your makeup each day. Use a makeup remover and follow this by washing your face with a mild cleanser. You can opt for makeup removers that cleanse as well if you do not want to use soap on your face. The use of toner is optional, but if used, ensure that it is alcohol-free.

Lip care 
Chapped lips are a common woe during winter. The dry winter air and low humidity can dehydrate your lips. Lips have a thin surface layer, so they’re more likely than the rest of your face to dry out. A lip-balm provides a buffer between your delicate lip skin and the weather, so never let your lips go nude. It is also i m p o r – tant to use lip balms w i t h SPF.

Makeup routine 
Since your skin is likely to be dry, don’t wear a foundation that is too heavy or cakey as it will only make your already dry and flaky skin look more dehydrated. Use a good BB cream instead as it has a bit of colour. If you need to add another layer of foundation, work in a very light, superficial layer to give your skin a breezy and delicate look. Eyes can also become dry, so wear protective sunglasses, as they will minimize the penetration of harmful sunrays.

Diet regime 
Hydration is the key word. Drink plenty of water and fluids. Munch on dry fruits that contain good cholesterols like almonds, pistachios and walnuts. Dates and fruits like oranges, pomegranate and green leafy vegetables are recommended this season as well.

Winter must-haves 
Fashion designer Ritu Pande gives us a heads-up on the hot trends this season.

Footwear: High boots are hot this winter.

Colours: Navy blue is the new black. Rich jewel tones of purple are also in this season. For the adventurous winter dresser, play with bright colours like orange and hot pink.

Skirts: Long, flared skirts are in. Pick one in metallic colours or winter florals.

Pants: The androgynous look with long, slouchy pants and tailored jackets look fab on both men and women.

Lips: Vampire reds, moody berries and rich, heady wine colours are shades that are hot this season. So if you wear lipstick, wear it dark.

Eyes: Smoky eyes and a frosty look with lots of silver hues look great in winter.

Source By:- The Times of India

To Get More Detail Visit Here:- Ayurvedic Health Care

A recent study suggests that the number of cosmetic procedures opted for, have risen to about 44 percent in the last few years. The study goes on to say that people who undergo such procedures may experience a morale and confidence boost but may also go through certain repercussions later, especially if they’re unhappy with how the surgery went. So why would you want to go through something that might not potentially give you any secure results?

Dr Jaishree Sharad, a dermatologist placed in Mumbai, says, “If the surgery goes wrong, you have to go under the knife again to correct it. That could lead to more disfigurements. Secondly, there is a chance of scarring and it could change the way you look, not necessarily for the better.”

Beauty

A few simple beauty regimes and you can completely transform your look and shed off a few years

How you style your hair radically affects the way you look. Go for cuts and styles that suit the shape of your face. Also, choose hair colour with care.

Needless to say, eating healthy is imperative.

Know your body type and dress accordingly. Certain clothes are best avoided while some flatter your body type.

Alternatives to cosmetic surgeries 

“People can avoid surgeries these days and can opt for non invasive procedures in which you don’t have to go under the knife and bear with anesthesia trauma. Dermal fillers can do wonders for people who are scared of surgeries. In a matter of an hour or so, one can treat wrinkles, reduce the scars caused by acne, increase the volume around the cheeks and regain the lost radiance in the skin” says Dr. S.S. Trasi, Dermatologist from Mumbai.

Mind

There are a few simple rules one can follow to feel completely revitalised and fresh.

Puffy eyes, a bad attitude and headache, can all be avoided with enough sleep. Seven hours should do to keep you energised.

“Stick to your daily dose of calcium and proteins and see how starkly it affects your whole appearance.” advises dietician Priya Rohra.

Meditation can help in getting that elusive peace of mind.

Healthy ways to look young

Use Vitamin-C serum once a day.

Sleep about 8 hours a day.

Avoid smoking, alcohol, aerated drinks and junk food.

Eat healthy. Include coloured fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants, in your diet.

Drink at least 2 litres of water to keep yourself hydrated.

Exercise for an hour at least 5 days a week.

Get fruit peels done once a month.

Body

Exercising regularly not only improves our appearance, it has also been proven to nurture a positive attitude, leading to a better frame of mind.

Stand and sit with your back erect. Good posture equals a better body.

Wear body slimmers. This ‘magic innerwear’ makes you look toned, doing wonders for your confidence.

Jogging, swimming, lightweights are all extremely beneficial, and go a long way in not just giving you a good figure but helping you maintain it as well.

Source By :- The Times of India

You don’t need expensive facials or cosmetics to look good. Though beauty these days is all about stopping the clock and quickly fixing signs of aging, there are far simpler ways to look gorgeous and feel great.

Strike a dance pose
You could be anywhere, and suddenly move your eyes, feet and hands in a dance movement. Says dancer Geeta Chandran, “If you just move your eyes, or spin your hands in a classical dance movement, the mind will get the signal that you appreciate your own body movements.” Mumbai-based belly dancer Veronica Simas de Souza reveals, “If you break into a dance movement any time of the day, you become conscious of your body in a very mystical way and feel beautiful.”

Walk straight, sit tall
If you slouch, it means you are feeling low. According to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, subjects who sit up straight in their chairs are more confident. Says Kelly McGonigal, psychologist at Stanford University, “When your posture is erect, the message it gets is: I feel good about myself.”

Stand on one leg
Starting a yoga routine can bring awareness to your body and balance your body and mind. Says yoga expert Shiva Rea, “Yoga brings in new creative energy. You breathe a new bliss of beauty into your body and mind. Your skin, hair and nails get a new lease of life, and the glow is almost permanent. It reverses the aging process with great flexibility.”

Be immune to negativity
Avoid people who sap your energy. Try to be an observer. Don’t judge events as good, bad or ugly. Sarah Maria, author of Love Your Body, Love Your Life says, “In an age where we are unhappy about our bodies, we must tell ourselves: ‘You were born beautiful. You were born perfect, and you will remain just as perfect and beautiful every day of your life.’ We are desperately trying to reverse our aging process, re-grow our hair, smooth out our wrinkles, whiten our teeth etc. If you have a scar, you can decide to see it as a flaw or simply as a memory of an injury.” Model Ramneek Pantal says, “If you have flaws, don’t be embarrassed about them. Confidence is what makes you beautiful.”

Hum your favourite tune
If you have been at your work desk for more than four hours, step outside. Take a walk and hum your favourite tune. Feel the difference. Says singer Raageshwari, “There’s great power in humming an upbeat song. Just listening to your voice is uplifting and will make you feel feminine.”

Smile at the mirror
Smile into the mirror. The mere act of watching your lips broaden can make you feel happy and relieve tension. A smile sets off chemical and physical reactions within your mind and body, releasing endorphins that boost your mood. Says dance expert Sarina Jain, “A smile is the best way to feel that inner warmth and glow.”

Source By:- The Times of India

In general, due to the change in season, the body’s immunity becomes low. This causes some common illnesses and aggravates acute and chronic painful ailments.

According to ayurveda, the body comprises three doshas. The central concept of ayurvedic medicine is that good health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humors or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. In winters, Kapha dosha increases due to the chilly weather and leads to cough, cold, and may aggravate sinus or other cold-related problems. Attributes or qualities that define the Kapha constitution are cold, moist, sticky, oily, smooth and sweet. ayurvedic mantra professes that ‘liking increases liking,’ and to end that, it would be better to refrain from consuming foods that reflect these attributes, this wintry season, so as to avoid an imbalance of the Kapha dosha (constitution) in our body. Those who are of a predominant Kapha constitution need to be more careful during cold weather, as an imbalance in the doshas or constitutions affects both the body and the mind.

In ayurveda, there is an answer to almost all the winter illnesses. According to Dr P Aravind, BAMS, DNYS, a senior medical officer, even chronic diseases like asthma and bronchitis can be cured through ayurveda. “In chronic diseases, there will be a structural weakness, which in turn affects the functions of that organ (lungs, in the case of asthma) and functional weakness will be more prominent. So addressing the functional weakness is more important,” he says. Dr Aravind further explains that asthma, in ayurveda, occurs when the vayu path is blocked either by vitiated pitta or vitiated kapha. Hence, during acute cases or during an asthmatic attack, the attack must be controlled immediately by prescribing drugs which have ‘scrubbing’ property. “Once the attack is controlled and patients come to normal state, we focus on improving the structural weakness. Here, attention is given to decrease vata dosha (vata is the nervous system and is responsible for all movements), thereby strengthening the respiratory tract,” he adds.

Many believe that ayurveda takes a longer time to give relief and that is why it’s not the first option for joint pains as a person needs instant relief. What is less known is that it can also provide instant pain relief through ayurvedic shoolagnam,(pain relievers) vedanasthapanam (pain moderators) for joint pains. Dr Aravind says, “These internal medicines come in the form of kashayams, arishtams and lehiyams. In addition, external panchkarma treatments such as abhyangam, elakizhi, kateevasti, etc. are carried out. Further, diet is also addressed by the patient avoiding vata aggravating flatulent food items like tubers, peanuts, etc.”

There is also an answer to obesity in ayurveda. It is treated as a distinct problem or ailment. Stress, PCOD, etc. are treated for the root cause. After assessing the dominant doshas, diet modification, internal medicines and external panchakarma treatments, depending upon the individual body condition, are prescribed and administered.

Source By:- The times of India