FASHION TIPS

How to Dress Well when You're Overweight

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:19:00 +0000

Steps

Make sure you are honestly aware of your body type. Overweight women tend to fall into two broad categories:
- Pears: A neat waist and good bust with heavy hips and legs.
- Apples: A heavier stomach and upper body, with slender leg.
2
Do not settle for less than fashionable clothes. Yes, it is harder to dress in the latest styles when designers base their designs around scrawny models. However, many designers are now taking plus-sized women into account.
3
Find well-fitting underwear. It is almost impossible - whatever your size - to look good with unsupportive and flimsy underwear. It is imperative to wear low-legged high-waisted knickers in a firm supportive cotton. This can reduce your bulk by a good two to three inches, and make sure that no unsightly wobbling can be seen underneath your clothes. Bridget Jones knew what she was talking about!
4
Wear a bra that will hoist the bust up far enough to leave a long midriff - often a bad bra allows the bust to 'seep' into the stomach, making it look as if you're one shapeless lump.
5
Get several pairs of opaque tights. They smooth out the line from the waist to the knee, and ensure there's no chafing if you're rushing around in the warm.
6
Choose your bottom half.
- Pears should avoid trousers unless they are doing the gardening, and favour calf-length skirts, either A-line or gathered to a dropped waistband. Pears should avoid full-length skirts, which carry the broadness of the hips right down to the floor, and give the impression of a walking door.
- Apples should wear a nicely-tailored pair of trousers (without pleats at the waistband, which add bulk to the stomach), well-fitting jeans, or pencil skirts that fall to just below the knee.
7
Choose your top half.
- Pears should wear a top that reaches far enough down the body not to ride up when the arms are raised, and that fit well to display a small waist. A cardigan with one or two buttons done up over a pretty vest, a fitted shirt, or a snug jersey top with a deep V neck all look fabulous with a calf-length skirt.
- Apples should wear some of the beautiful smocks and tunics that are in fashion at the moment. The gorgeous colours and swathes of fabric do a marvellous job of covering up any rolls or bulk around the stomach area, and leave slender legs looking even better in snug jeans, trousers, or sturdy leggings.
8
Add accessories and shoes. There is no excuse for an overweight woman not to have a wardrobe full of the most beautiful and unusual accessories around. Very slim women are often swamped by some of the most extravagant jewelry that look wonderful on bigger women. The fashion for large chunky beads is useful - you should avoid delicate diamond jewellery. Not only is it naff, it will be entirely lost on you. A big bag can make you look smaller, simply by not appearing tiny next to your bottom. 2 or 3 chunky bangles will make a plump wrist appear slender. Wearing long dangly earrings will elongate the neck.
- Pears should have a supply of boots - Evans is the best shop for wide-fitting calves. A good pair of boots makes wearing a skirts a positive joy.
- Apples can wear kitten heels or stilettos. Pears, with their heavy legs and ankles, should avoid at all costs: it merely looks as if you are about to fall over, or sink into the floor. A wedge heel, on the other hand, looks marvellous, however stout your legs are.
9
Sit down in front of the mirror. Many overweight women simply do not realise that what looks good standing up is disastrous sitting down. Does your skirt ride up and show a lumpy thigh? Can you wave to a friend across the room without straining at your sleeve? If there is the least chance that you will feel uncomfortable, find an alternative: there's nothing worse than the suspicion that any sudden movements will split your seams.

editTips

Cleavage is a weapon to be used whenever possible. A beautifully exfoliated and moisturised bust, not sluttishly displayed but peeking out over a scoop neck or between the unbuttoned seams of a fitted shirt, will induce most people to forgive any other failings in your body!
If in doubt about your size, always get the larger version. When you try clothes on in the changing room, you're holding in your stomach and surveying yourself from a flattering angle. In real life, that top that 'just' fits is far too small. Something a little larger will leave people wondering whether you've lost a few lbs.
Bias cuts skirts should be avoided by all overweight women unless they are in a sturdy fabric. Anything bias-cut in a lightweight or clingy fabric looks genuinely appalling, and has been known to make size 12s that are well over 5 ft 9 look as if they should diet. If I had my way, they'd be illegal.
Try out a wrap dress. These are far from the cure-all that some think them, but over trousers they may work for you. (on the other hand, as with me, they may add a stone. there's no logic to this)
Stand straight and walk with grace. Walking with your head down and stomping heavily will only make you radiate your thickness.
Learn to sew! Making a calf-length A-line skirt for pears, or a slender knee-length skirt for apples, is the easiest thing in the world, and even done by hand only takes an afternoon. You will then have a well-fitting item that no-one else has.
Be aware of the power of illusion. Sometimes you meet women and are so bedazzled by their antique necklace, forties handbag, customised skirt and exquisite make-up, that it's some time before you realise they're probably a size 18. If you leave the house thinking you look fabulous, chances are several others will think so too.
Big hair is a great help. It balances out your size. Big women with short boyish haircuts risk the pea-head look. Shoulder-length curls are probably best, but any fulness and gloss is a great complement to round, plump shoulders and a large bust.
Be well groomed. A size 20 woman who smells of Chanel, has a discreet manicure, sits elegantly, and now and then pats a glossy head of hair, will win out every time over some pinched little wench who may well be size ten but looks as if she needs a shower.

Beauty Tips for Men

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Beauty Tips for Men is a common notion that men are less concerned about their looks than women are. But this is just a fraction of the truth and researches show that men too are equally interested in beauty and beauty tips as their opposite sex.

Men have always desired to look masculine and macho, rugged and strong and therefore, dread the thought of admitting their obsession with looks.

If you are someone who harbors similar thoughts, take it easy, as beauty and beauty tips for men have become a well accepted notion in the modern times.

Although numerous beauty parlors for men exist, where you can get all the services you wish, you might still find a few beauty tips for men handy when it comes to dealing with everyday life. Read on to know more about some great beauty tips for men that will help you gain your desired look.

Facial Beauty Tips for Men

Clean your face regularly to keep it free of acne and grime. Use a face wash at least twice a day but ensure that the chemical content in it is minimal. Also, to ensure you retain the moisture in your skin, do not use deodorant based soaps for your face. Use a skin toner containing vitamin E or Aloe Vera. While using razors, ensure that it has strip of aloe or vitamin to save you from the after shave burns.

You can also apply a homemade face pack that suits your skin type to clean your face and tighten the skin. For a suitable homemade beauty recipe for your face you may browse through our homemade beauty tips on this website.

If you prefer a rugged look, then visit a salon for a beard or mustache style that best suits your face. Apply a sunscreen before going out and use vaseline on your lips to keep them from getting dry.

Hair Care Tips for Men

Hair is one more important part of the body that you need to pay special attention to. You must oil hair regularly or at least on weekends and wash off with a mild shampoo. If you see traces of gray in your hair, then you could use henna packs or hair colors. If you see you hair thinning, then keep your hair short. Long hair needs more care and effort for maintenance and cleanliness. Styling gels can be used to keep your hair in place, but ensure that these do not contain an excess of chemicals.

Body Care Tips for Men

Hair on the ear lobes can be embarassing. To get rid of this unwanted hair you can wax your ear lobes at regular intervals. If you like the bare body look, then waxing the chest can also be a good option.

Body massages on weekends are relaxing. Massages improve your blood circulation and tone your body while it relaxes your muscles.

Manicure and pedicures clean your hands and feet and keep them in good shape. Regular exercises and a balanced diet are also necessary for an over all good look.

Dressing and Cosmetic Tips for Men

Wearing clean and ironed clothes definitely helps you feel good and confident. Cosmetics could include powder and little lip balm. Never forget to wear your favorite perfume or deodorant for that fresh feel throughout the day.

DRESSING SENSE

That's True Man

Pimples

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:21:00 +0000

Pimples

Beautytipshub offers you complete information on the prevention and treatment of pimples. Pimples are quite common in teenagers and young people. Imagine those red bump and boils, right atop your nose on the day that you have to attend a special party or event! Indeed, frequent pimple breakouts are enough to ruin your beauty. The face, neck, chest area and shoulders are the common areas that are affected by pimples. The comprehensive skin care guide listed below provides effective tips on combating this problem.

Erase your Pimples!

Pimple breakouts might cause you to panic and try out all sorts of anti-pimple creams, lotions and other portions that are available in the market. However, an effective cure of the problem lies in complete herbal care and by following a healthy dietary routine. Here are some tried and tested tips on the treatment of pimples.

Increase your intake of fluids and fruit juices. This prevents constipation.
Green vegetables like lettuce, celery, cabbage, spinach and other seasonal fruits should form an important part of your diet.
You should avoid consumption of red meat at all cost. Go for fish, lean meat and chicken instead.
Sweets, ice creams, colas, chocolates and hot spicy food are to be strictly avoided.
Avoid squeezing or popping pimples. These will lead to scars and increase the area of inflammation.
Salicyclic acid and benoyl peroxide are helpful in the prevention and cure of pimples.
Clean your face with a mild soap or special face cleanserspecially formulated for acne related problems.
Always remember to use oil free cosmetics and make up on your face.
You can prepare an effective herbal skin tonic for combating pimples. Boil 100 gm of mint leaves in water and strain the liquid. Mix to teaspoons of camphor powder into this. Refrigerate the solution. Wipe your face with this preparation.
You can also try on a face pack which has been vouchsafed to work wonders for pimples. You have to prepare this by mixing fullers earth, sandalwood powder, rose water and camphor. Apply this pack on your face and wash off with cold water, after it has dried.
You can prepare a simple face pack to considerably lighten the scars left on your face by the outbreak of pimples. For this, you should get together some dried green pea powder, 12 cloves, fullers earth, sandalwood powder, mint powder, rice powder, camphor and neem powder. Make a paste from all these ingredients by adding rose water. Apply to your face and wash off when dry.
You can also apply ice cubes on swollen pimples. This will help to reduce the pain.
Apply a combination of crushed ice and astringent on popped up pimples.
Blend honey and tomato juice together and keep on your face for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help to make old marks left by a pimple outbreak, less visible.
You can also use a mix of honey and mashed apple on your face. This will help to clear your face off pimples.

So, follow the above mentioned beauty tips to rid your skin offpimples and acne. You need to make extra effort in achieving your goal. In the end, you will be left with clear, sparkling skin.

Fashion tips for Your Nails

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:52:00 +0000

It is your face that everyone looks at first and then it is your nails that tell more about yourself. So you definitely need to take better care of your nails. Groom them weekly, moisturize them daily, protect them from the sun, and take proper care of your cuticles. By doing these you can expect the best nail care. The following are some tips on how to deal effectively with various nail care problems.

Brittle nails

These are generally caused by sun exposure, taking a poor diet or using commercial nail hardeners for a long time. Avoid using hardeners because they contain formaldehyde, a chemical that has a drying effect on your nails. Instead use a waterproof coating. It seals moisture in your nail and pushes away water and dirt. A waxy lip balm is the best and effective option for softening your nails.

Hangnails

Hangnails are normally caused by picking and biting nails, exposure to chemicals and detergents or nail neglect. Remove these hangnails using a sharp cuticle nipper. Don't use a dull and cheap cuticle nipper because it may create more damage. Using massage cuticle oil, lotion or cream once in a day can help prevent hangnails completely. If your cuticles are creating more pain, applying moisturizer twice everyday helps you a lot in dealing with the pain.

Ridges

Ridges usually are caused due to genetic reasons. Though you cannot avoid or cure the problem, you can smooth the ridged surface using a buffer and buffing cream. However, if the ridges are recent, then it may be a sign of anemia. Then you have to consult your doctor. These may be caused by applying much pressure and pushing during manicure. You should be gentle when grooming your nails, so that they grow back.

White spots

These are normally caused by: a blow to your nail, application of too much pressure on your nail matrix during manicure or generally. Let the white spots grow out. Be gentle when manicuring the nails because prodding beneath the cuticles may caue these sspots.

Yellow nails

It is normally caused by not using base coat underneath the polish. It may also be a more serious nail fungus. The best treatment to deal with this problem is lightening the discolored nails using a whitening scrub having a mild abrasive. You can also use a remover that contains a lemon juice-like ingredient. This ingredient can bleach out the yellow.

Nail biting

There is no surefire way for stopping the nail biting habit. But getting a professional manicure every week can help a lot. You are less likely to bite your nails if they are even and polished. Also, if you feel better about your hands you won't feel like covering up your nails.

Fashion Tips to Make You Look Slimmer

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:51:00 +0000

Everyone wants to look slimmer. Anyway, instead of going to the gym, you can use these fashion tricks to appear slimmer and sleeker.

Wear wide leg pants

You may think that wide leg pants make you look bigger than what you are. In fact, the wide leg style creates a nice straight line and also the illusion of longer legs. This makes you look taller. If you are interested in something other than traditional wide leg pants, cuffed leg is the right one to go for. If you are under 5'5 avoid cuffed pants because they make short legs look shorter.

Wear boot cut or slight flare jeans

Jeans are an everyday wear, so you have to be very careful and clever while choosing the jeans. Boot cut jeans and jeans with a slight flare look good on every body type. As Jeans creates long and clean lines, it creates a soft silhouette giving it a slimming look.

Choose the right fit

A common mistake we make when shopping is we look at the number on the tag and neglect the fit. Size varies from one store to another. So you have to try a variety of sizes to know the best fit. If you wear something too small it makes you look a lot bigger than you are. So make sure you get the right fit.

The longer the better

Pants that are too short cause great irritation. You have to make sure that the pants you choose are long to cover most of your shoe. The longer your pants, the better they are. Long lines create long legs and create a slimmer look.

Pointed toe shoes

Pointed toe shoes make you look slim. Whether they are flats or heels, they allow the length of your pant to flow into a point. Rounded toe shoes cut off the line and make your legs look stumpy.

Wear dark colors

Dressing in dark colors makes you look slimmer. Instead of traditional black, opt for charcoal or navy. If you like something other than a solid color one, go for a dark woven tweed or subtle pinstripe. Avoid dressing in head-to-toe dark colors. Dark pants and a fun bright top or a top in contrasting color make the right pair.

Don't be clingy

Wear pants made of heavier fabrics. They won't cling to your leg and hide your flaws. Look for flowy and light fabrics, which pull away from your body.

Focus on your assets

Every one of us will have some wonderful assets that we want to show. If your legs are gorgeous, wear a nice full knee length skirt. If you've great arms, wear sleeveless tops. Wear it with a blazer that cinches at your waist. You can also add a belt to pull the blazer in.

TIPS FOR GLOWING SKIN

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:11:00 +0000

A face mask of egg white and honey gently removes the tan from your face.
Besan ,lemonjuice,curd,turmeric powder,rose water, mix all these apply once a week for glow.
Take amount of rose water,lemon juice&honey mix all the three and apply it for 15 minutesthen wash with cold water. it not even give glow but also moisterise your skin.
wash ur face as soon as u r from out side so u can avoid dust on ur skin it makes ur skin to feel fresh always i hope it may result u best always.
for glowing skin take white part of egg add one tablespoon of honey and milk mix it for sometime to make a paste and apply it to ur face for fifteen minutes and then wash it with plain water.
Aloevera act as toner n gives white skin
please apply 5-7 ml of Rose water (GULABRI-GULAB ARK) ON FACE,CHEEKS from downward to upward. u may apply it on LIPS too..
drink lots and lots of water...it will make your skin glow and will also make you beautiful
apply chane ka besan with rose water and malai daily it proven tips u gotta glowing skin but it takes some time.
Take some few panner rose blossoms grind it well and apply on your face leave it for 15 mins and wash it in cold water the skin colour will be totally change.

MAKE UP FOR DARK AND DUSKY COMPLEXION

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:34:00 +0000

A dark skin is more resilient than fair skins. Due to more pigment, it can withstand exposure to the sun much better. It is basically hardier. What bears repetition is that any skin which is healthy and clear can look beautiful. With a flawless and healthy skin, the dark skinned girl can replace the Indian fascination for "fair" skin with the idea that "brown is beautiful".

COLORS THAT SUIT DARK SKIN

WHAT COLOR FOUNDATION

Choose a creamy or liquid foundation, but one that is not oily. Its always better to use a water based foundation. If there is a lot of yellow pigmentation in the skin, use a product that is not orange based. A sheer foundation and a good concealer are musts for creating the illusion of perfect skin. The foundation should not be lighter than your skin tone. Try to get one which is as close to your normal skin colour as possible. When you apply foundation and powder, your aim should be for a lighter coverage. Remember that dark skins show up layers of make-up much more than fair skins. Special attention should be paid to blending. Adding a drop of water to the foundation before you apply it, may also help. Mix them on the back of your hand and apply it on your skin. Check the effect in daylight.

WHAT COLOR POWDER
Use a light baby powder after the foundation. This helps to give the skin a sheen and is not too heavy. Avoid applying too much powder, specially around the eyes. Always dust off the excess powder.
WHAT COLOR BLUSHER
For your blush, you should choose colours from coral, rose, deep orange. Avoid browns and peachy shades for blush-on. For very dark skin, try a dark rose pink colour for the day and shades of bronze, plum and wine for the night. Blend the blusher over the cheekbones, as it helps to brighten the skin tone. For special occasions at night, use a touch of gold.

It can really look glamorous on dark skins. Apply it at the temples and under the outer corner of the eyebrows
EYE MAKEUP
Dark skin tone looks great with dark purple and blue colors on eyes. Dark metallic colors also look good. Silver around your eye will make them stand out and look brilliant. Finish your eyes with black eyeliner and black mascara.
If you wish to use eyeshadow, avoid white or very light colours. A gold eye shadow would be complimentary where as a silver one may not look good.

HIGHLIGHTER
Can be very effective on dark skins when used on the bridge of the nose, around the eye area, above the cheek bones and just above the upper lip.

WHAT COLOR LIPSTICK
Choosing the right colours is important for your lipstick too. Choose lipsticks with the matte finish rather than frosted ones. Medium and dull shades would look best.Bright pinks and reds are an absolute NO NO!. If you have dark lips, before applyinglipstick, put some foundation and powder on your lips. Dark skin types can wear all of the wonderful dark lip colors such as blackberry, caramel and purples . They all compliment your lips

MAKE UP TIPS

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:22:00 +0000

TO LOOK AS IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING ANY MAKE UP..........

To look as if you are not wearing makeup, dip a flat 3 inch square piece of cotton wool in chilled water and squeeze well between the palms of your hands.
Very lightly pat the face with it. The cold compression gives a natural look to the face and the make up stays longer without getting spoiled.
This is done before the eye and lip make up and after you have applied the foundation, powder and blusher. It sets the foundation, powder and blusher.
If you are in a hurry, just pat your face with a damp towel which you just finished using for your bath.

MAKE UP STAY FOR LONG

Rubbing ice over face before applying foundation makes make up stay for long

NEW LOOK WITH OLD MAKE UP

Brush a dark powder eye shadow onto eyelids and smooth a dab of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on top for a new eye gloss
Instead of investing in a new creamy color, sweep powder blush on cheeks and top with a tiny drop of liquid glycerin or a rich moisturizer
To have a gloss look lipstick there is no need to junk your old matte lipstick. Vaseline works well on the matte lipstick to give you a glossy finish. You may also apply gloss over your matte lipstick and get that glossy look that's in this season.
To have a trendy nail color, sprinkle any colored powder blusher over your shade of enamel as it dries to give a shimmer to your polish

BEFORE AND AFTER MAKEUP

FOR a healthy, well preserved skin, follow the basic 3 minute skin care routine of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing before makeup and also at the end of the day to remove dust and stalemake up.
So, remember to follow this routine twice a day-before make up and to remove make up at the end of the day

FOUNDATION LOOK NATURAL

You may dilute the foundation by adding some astringent, toner or even water; so that it's sheer enough to let your skin show through...it looks more natural if applied like this.

FOR SUBTLY,SPARKLY CHEEKS

Swipe a thin layer of shiny powdered pink eyeshadow over your powder blush. (Don't try this with gel/cream blush or it will come out strealy

TO GET THE EYE GLOSS NATURALLY

Brush a dark powder eye shadow onto eyelids and smooth a dab of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on top for a new eye gloss

EYE SHADOW STAY FOR WHOLE DAY

If you want your eyeshadow to last all day long simply apply a thin layer of concealer before applying your eyeshadow. It will usually last you for 24hrs.

Know your skin type...

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:57:00 +0000

Normal skin: This skin type is neither oily nor dry. Beautiful as it is, it needs care, if it is to last. People with normal skin start showing signs of age and wrinkling sooner than others. Daily cleansing, toning and nourishing is the adequate care for normal skin.
Oily skin: In this kind of skin, oil producing glands are overactive. They produces more oil than is needed, which oozes up, giving the skin a greasy shine. The pores are enlarged and the skin has a coarse look. This kind of skin also suffers from blackheads, pimples & acne. Oily skin needs special cleansing to keep the pores unclogged.
Dry skin: Majority of the people have dry skin. Your skin lacks both sebum and moisture. It looks fine textured, transparent, patchy and fragile. There are many factors which affect dry skin and make them even ore dry. For instance, washing with soap & water not only removes grime but also the natural oils that protect the skin. Exposure to the sun, air- conditioners and heaters also take their toll. Dry skin always needs moisturiser which increases the water content of the outer layer of the skin, giving it a soft, moist look.
Combination skin: This type of skin has a greasy area, while the rest is dry or normal. The forehead, nose and chin, i.e. the T-zone, may be greasy and the rest dry. Combination skin are very common and are one of the most frequently misunderstood and mistreated skins. This type of skin requires separate treatments for each area. However both the dry and greasy area needs moisturising.

Rules of Skin Care

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:54:00 +0000

Cleansing: It is necessary to clean skin and the pores to remove dirt, dust, excess oil, salt, and waste coming within and coming from outside the body. Wash your face and other skin of body with plenty of water to get it cleaned.
Toning: Skin toner should be utilized to revitalize the skin and to get it a proper complexion. Toning improves blood circulation in the skin and helps skin tissues to remain tight and firm.
Nourishing: It is very important to maintain the natural oil of the skin to make the skin lively. Different vitamin skin cream could be used to nourish the skin. A lot of nourishing cream could also be used.
Moisturizing: All living things require moisture. Skin gets dry and looses its gloss. To give it the real look moisture should be applied from outside in the form of cream or lotion. It is better to use moisture just after bath. As someone gets older he / she requires more moisturizing.

Taking care of your skin

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:51:00 +0000

If you want a good skin, the most important thing is to take care of it daily. Make it your habit. Your diet also plays an important part, so does getting adequate sleep and exercise.
If you like your skin to be young forever, follow these basic rules:
1. Cleanse your skin twice a day with products suited to your skin type.
2. See a beauty therapist regularly after the age of 25
3. Learn to treat the skin according to its type.
4. Avoid sun.
5. Avoid smoking.
6. Drink 8 glasses of water daily.
7. Use a face mask once a week.
8. Exercise regularly.
9. Remember that a regular care & routine pays you back.
10. Neglect accelerates ageing more than anything else.

The drink of life

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:48:00 +0000

Add more water to your life

1. Drink at least 8 glass of water a day
2. Mix the fruit juice of your choice with mineral water for a healthy soda.
3. Is there a waterfall you can get under, or a brook to swim in? Don’t pass up the opportunity.
Great for blood circulation.
4. Sinking into a bathtub has a tranquilizing effect on the mind. Throw in mineral salts if you can.
5. Use water as mouth freshener along with a sprig of mint, honey and lime.
6. Make a compress for dry, flaky, irritated skin using water. Use gauze dipped in tolerably cold water. Apply on affected area and leave on for 10 minutes. Instant relief.
7. Sebastian Keipp, who wrote My Water Cure, recommends using water as a healing power to cure disease. "Walk barefoot on grass or immerse your legs in cold water up to the knees. This increases resistance to illness."
8. With water, remember, more is always better.

Daily care for dry skin in winter

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:18:00 +0000

First thing on your routine should be cleansing. Most of us use some kind of make-up on our skin, so cleansing is very essential. A cactus cleanser with a lemon base is the best. Cactus is ideal for rehydrating the skin. The cleanser must be massaged gently, into the skin, paying particular attention to the creases of the nose under the chin, neck and ear lobes.

Second step is toning of the skin, toning removes the last stages of cleanser and dissolves dirt. It is good if you use skin toning lotion. A skin tonic, with mint and honey base would be excellent for delicate & parched skin. Skin tonic braces the skin and tightens the pores, especially under the eyes and on the jaw line.

Third step is nourishing the skin, if you want to prevent it from dryness. Every night, a nourishing cream with preferably an orange base, should be used. If you feelthat your skin is very dry, use a second application. A nourishing cream with vitamin E would work wonders.
Supplying moisture to the skin by use of suitable cosmetic aids is the only way to prevent the skin from drying up.

Tips for Smooth Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Home beauty recipes and remedies have been around for centuries. Remarkable remedies were discovered purely out of necessity. Over a period of time, many home remedies have proven to be effective and natural, therefore healthy! Making your own beauty products costs a fraction of what you pay for over-the-counter preparations.
Keep in mind any allergies or sensitivity you may have to some ingredients; such as glycerin, lemons, strawberries, eggs, etc. Check with your doctor or dermatologist if you are not sure you can use certain ingredients.
Pamper your skin with these face packs
1. This is an excellent remedy to get rid of those ugly acne scars. Blend the sandalwood paste and rose water and apply on the scars. Keep it overnight and then wash it off with cold water the next day. This does wonders to your skin!

2. Lemons also have exfoliating properties: rub half a lemon on your face with a hint of sugar granules to remove dead cells and lighten a tan. You can also rub on hyper-pigmented areas like elbows to lighten them. Mix with a little cucumber juice to make a natural astringent. Condition your hair with the juice of one lemon mixed with a glass of lukewarm water or get rid of dandruff by rubbing your scalp with hot oil and lemon juice.
Ways to achieve a Smooth Skin
1. Mash the bananas along with milk and then apply on your face. Wash it off after 20 minutes. This makes the skin smooth and supple.
2. Blend the egg white and honey well and then apply on the face. This makes your skin smooth and helps to reduce wrinkles.
3. Blend turmeric powder with milk and apply on the face. It removes the tan and helps to reduce the facial hair. Scrub it off with a good face scrub and then wash with cold water. You can also keep it overnight.
4. Mix oatmeal along with curds and tomato juice and apply on the face. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. It helps to remove the tan and lightens the skin.
5. Apply raw sliced potato on the face. Reduces blemishes and other scars.
6. Cucumber juice is an excellent astringent. Applying cucumber juice on the face tightens the pores. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
7. Applying turmeric powder along with limejuice removes the tan. Limejuice is a natural bleach.
8. Dried orange peels mixed with curds help reduce blemishes and scars. Wash it off after 15 minutes with cold water.
9. Honey makes the skin glow. It makes the skin soft and smooth. Helps reduce wrinkles.
10. Citrus face packs and sandalwood face packs are excellent for oily skin.
11. Rubbing ice cubes on the face tightens the pores and increases blood circulation.
Lemon as a beauty aid
Start your morning with a combination of half a lemon of juice and an orange, squeezed in hot water, sweetened with honey.
For weight watchers & those on a reducing programme, lemon is excellent. Since it helps in depigmentation of the skin, it is useful for those suffering from blemishing and blotchy skin.
Lemon as a hand lotion: Mix lemon juice to rose water and rub on hands to get smooth hands. Rub granulated sugar and the juice of a lemon together till the sugar is dissolved. Then rinse it off. Do this regularly for a month and see the difference.
Lemon as bleach: rub lemon halves on elbows, heels and toes and then rinse off.

Bride's Make-up

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:57:00 +0000

It's the one day in your life when everything, just everything has to be perfect. From your hair to your make up to your clothes to your shoes. And its no easy task ensuring that you look that way. A lot of careful planning and coordinating goes into creating the perfect look for the perfect day.

Scary? Yeah. But not if you follow these simple practical tips to get your make-up in order for the big day.

Do go in for a prior consultation with your beautician at least a week before the wedding. Take along your wedding outfit and samples of the jewellery you would be wearing. Another good idea is to take along references of looks you like from magazines and ads of the kind of look you like, so that the beautician is not working blind towards creating your look.
The most basic must do's are to coordinate colours. If your outfit is a blazing pink, you cannot dare to wear red lipstick and nail polish.
Do get a great beautician and hairstylist. No point in settling for a budget beautician when the look of an entire lifetime is at stake.

When you plan your make-up, think about the camera. You don't want to look too chalky or pasty or even sallow. Here from the experts, is all that goes into making a bride look like a bride.

"Every bride is unique, therefore we try and give a unique look to each bride that is distinctively her," says Doris Godambe, hairstyle expert, who works as a team with her husband Bharat Godambe. Much sought after by brides for their ability to make a bride look like a movie actress, the duo have done the make up and hairstyling for most of the recent brides in Mumbai.

"A good clear skin is a great base to work on," says Bharat. The first thing to do is the base. A well applied base, can even out your complexion, cover spots and pigmentation and conceal dark circles. Use a yellow based concealer for heavy duty coverage. Do use your base as a method of contouring your face, with the help of darker and lighter shadowing. You can create the illusion of a perfect oval face, you can make your nose look perfect and your chin a little less dominating if you use base and contouring well.
For a bride, make-up should always err towards creating the illusion of perfection. Says Clint Fernandes, make up expert, "The look right now is glitter and sheen. A great dramatic look would be one with high gloss and sheen over eyelids and lips." But for those who like their look a little more traditional, the matte finish make-up is a great option.

DO insist on water resistant and long lasting make-up, you don't want it to melt in the hot light of the cameras. And waterproof mascara is a must have, after all, you wont look great racoon eyed after the bidai. For a bride, the traditional heavily kohl lined eyes is a great look to have. With clever make-up application you can make your eyes the perfect almond or doe eyed shape.
DO emphasise the socket of the eye with subtle play of dark shadow on the socket and highlight just under the brow bone. If you could, do go in for false lashes and then brush a coat of mascara through them to make them look a little natural. Contour your cheeks with a natural shade of blush with a subtle highlighter to add that bridal glow.
Your lips are an important part of the look, as important as the eyes. Line your lips with a lipliner a shade darker than the lipstick you've chosen and then fill in the lipstick with a brush. Blot it gently with a tissue and powder with pressed powder and repeat the liner and lipstick routine. This will help your lipstick last longer.
Another point to remember is to make sure your neck, your back and waist (basically any part of the body that shows through your ghagra choli ensemble) are all the same skin tone. Therefore do use body make up to even out skin tone and cover blemishes.

Hair Style

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:53:00 +0000

Terrific hairstyles that make you look positively gorgeous. Gone are the days when what your hairstyle was didn't really matter because you invariably had to cover your hair and half your face with a ghoonghat. The contemporary bride shows off both her glorious hairstyle and her confidence, therefore, what you do with your hair is critical to making or breaking your look.

Getting those glorious hairstyles sported by models and film actresses is not something only the glam world can achieve, you too can get the same look with the help of your hair stylist.

Check out in advance with your hairstylist what style will go with the shape of your face, your outfit and yes, even your groom. Yes, groom. For instance, if your to be hubby is much taller than you, an uplifted hairdo will narrow the height divide, while if your groom lacks in the height department, you might want to have a low slung hair do to keep yourself at the same height as he is.

Here are some unusual yet practical styles for the big day.

Style One: Pile your hair into a ponytail on the top of your head. Pull out little individual sections of the hair and roll them carefully into little horizontal loops, and apply some slick wax to each section. Use a straight pin to hold each hair loop in place. Finish with a spray of setting lotion. You might want to add some hair ornaments or pearl pins in each section to add interest.

Style Two: Apply hair mousse to wet hair and rough dry it. Divide hair into two sections and back comb the top half. Form a quiff with this and fasten at both ends with hair grips. Twist and fasten the bottom half with hair grips at the base of the quiff. Here you have an elegant upswept style, that is ideal for the sophisticated look. If you want to soften the look, you could pull out strategic strands around the face and gently curl them with heated tongs and set them with setting wax.

Style Three: If you want to wear your hair low, try this. Make a zig zag part through the center of your hair and sprinkle some gold glitter in the parting. Section each zig zag and part it through the width of the head. Pin each section at the base of the neck. Use a tiny rubber band to hold the hair together at the base of the neck. Take a section from the bottom of this ponytail and wind it around the band to conceal it. Use mousse to make this hair manageable and gently fluff it around in gently curling waves.

A final word of advice-do make sure whatever products you use in your hair are not going to lock your hair rigidly into a mould of cement. I remember my long awaited suhaag raat turning into a frayed nerves night with my grandly elaborate hair do refusing to let me put my head down on the pillow. After all, you do want him to be able to run his fingers through your hair later...

So go ahead, and make your mane, truly your crowning glory.

Health and Fitness before your wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:51:00 +0000

All the months of planning and preparation for a wedding can really take their toll on you.

Here are some effective ways to destress and look fresh, dewy-eyed on your wedding:

Yoga to improve energy levels, posture, flexibility, body tone, concentration and relaxation. Very effective in getting those knots you've tied yourself into, undone.
Visit a spa where they provide the full treatment. You know, something like a full body aromatherapy massage and a facial full of rich minerals to nourish your skin, followed by a relaxing hydrotherapy or milk bath. Make sure you go for something that alleviates stress, pampers you and restores vitality.
Do some trampoline jumping to get the roses back in your cheeks.
Get your beauty sleep. Don't let anything disturb those rejuvenating eight hours.
Listen to soothing music while you soak those poor achy feet in a tub of warm, sudsy water. (Ignore this option if you're in the middle of winter unless you want to replace the dewy-eyed look with a drippy-nosed one).

Lock that smile

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:50:00 +0000

Smile - it increases your face value.

You've undoubtedly been paying great attention to D for Diet for that perfect 10 figure. But what about D for Dentist for those perfect 32?
So while you're reinventing your figure to fit into your fabulous bridal attire, don't neglect your smile. Remember it's going to share the spotlight with you.
As the gracious and demure bride you'll have a lot of smiling to do, and no designer outfit, however gorgeous, is going to come to your rescue.
So don't let your smile let you down.

It's amazing what a transformation a good dental job can achieve for your face. It would be wise to get an appointment with your dentist a few months before the wedding. Don't wait for the last minute. You don't want to appear for your wedding with a swollen face and cotton between your pearly whites, do you?

Let your dentist attend to those cavities and get a root canal done if necessary. That's as far as the vital aspects are concerned. On the aesthetic front, there's a lot that cosmetic dentistry can do to give you a radiant, breath-taking, incandescent, million-watt smile.

A good cosmetic dentist will first study your facial structure and then work on your teeth so that they will flatter your face. You can get your smile tailor-made for you. Whether it's small teeth you want, or an endearing, overlapping incisor, nothing is impossible these days for your dentist. Your cosmetic dentist may not look like Cinderella's fairy godmother, but her drill can do as good a transformation as her magic wand.

Coating, capping and polishing. These are some of the options that cosmetic dentistry offers. Coating your teeth helps if the enamel on them has worn off. You can cap your teeth too, but only if they are chipped or broken.
Capping healthy teeth (involves cutting original teeth) merely to enhance their appearance is not recommended. You want to fix, not cause irreparable damage to the pearls that you inherited.

Coffee, tea and nicotine leave residues that build up over a period and darken the teeth. If your teeth are stained, perhaps you should consider polishing or whitening them. You can buy a whitening kit from your dentist or avail of the do-it-yourself whiteners available in the market. The contents bleach supercial stains on the enamel making the teeth appear whiter. Having fixed your smile, all you need to do is brush and floss your teeth regularly. Finally, use a minty breath freshener, and of course, smile, smile, smile.

Skin Care the big day

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:48:00 +0000

You have a month to get married, and your skin is well, ah so dull.
What do you do? Where do you go? Here are some quick solutions to ensure you look your glowing best.

Schedule a regular series of skin treatments and facials from your beautician leading up to your wedding day.
Skin looks its best two days after a facial, so schedule the biggest skin treatment facial at least two days before Dday.
Do start regular home treatments, there is something to be said for haldi, milk cream and gram flour baths that make your skin glow.
Make a solution of equal parts of glycerine, lime juice and rose water and refrigerate. Use all over face and body after a bath.
Start conditioning your hair with deep conditioning treatments every alternate day. Sit with your beautician and decide on what low maintenance, high style hair cut could take you through your pre-wedding events and wedding day styles.
Get on a detox diet. Switch to raw veggies and fruits. Drink tons of water. You lose weight and your system stays clean. Voila-glowing skin.
Use a raw potato slice on your face as often as you can. It's a natural bleach and exfoliator.
Do schedule in a weekly manicure and pedicure, you want your hands and feet to look their best. Leave the all over body waxing till three days before the wedding.
And lastly, get enough of your beauty sleep. You'll need it.

Look Beautiful on your honeymoon

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:47:00 +0000

Your Hair

You need to keep your hair in style and you need to keep it protected from sun, wind and other damaging elements. The sun bathing you may do on the beach (If you're honeymooning on the beach) strips your hair of its natural oils, resulting in straw hair.
Solution : Use a straw hat or a scarf. Do remember to condition your hair thoroughly with intensive conditioner after every wash. Rinse your hair after every swim, even in a pool. Chlorine can wreak havoc with hair condition.

Style - Use clips and interesting hair accessories to hold your hair off your face. Shoulder length hair looks great left seductively loose around your face.
Must do - Get a great hair cut before your wedding so that your hair is in its best shape ever.
Secret tools - Do carry a hair drying system with you to add instant volume and glamour curls in a jiffy.

Your Make-up

You have to carry the radiant, blushing bride look through your honeymoon. Do ensure that you have a natural blush at hand to keep you glowing naturally. Don't slap on the colour though, just use a slight hint to create a slight flush. Blend colour well. Carry along a big fluffy brush to help you blend blush on the apples of your cheeks.

Creating cheekbones is passe, instead use colour on cheeks. Use a sheer wash of eyecolour to accentuate the shape of your eyes. Do keep along a jojoba lip balm to keep your lips moisturised and unflaky. Use a lipliner to define the shape of your lips, plump out thin lips or narrow down overfull lips. Fill in lip colour with a lip brush -- use a light shade if your complexion is fair and your lips are narrow. For fuller lips you can go darker.

Powder your lips after the first coat, and reapply lipstick for longer staying power. Or get one of the longstaying lipsticks available in the market --Revlon, Maybelline, Avon, Lakme, Orchids and L'Oreal all have slimsticks with longstaying benefits.
For the night

Use a light base that matches your skin tone. Use a concealer to hide your spots and dark circles. Use loose powder to set your face and dust off excess with a big fluffy brush. Use a powder blush or tinting powder (Indian Earth from Oriflame) for a soft glow.

Use a complementary eyeshadow to define your eyesockets and line your eyes with either pencil or liquid liner close to the lashes. Apply two coats of mascara, either black or coloured, for that final touch and you're set. Line your lips and fill in colour with a lip brush.
For the day

Use a concealer for your dark circles and spots, and put a thin veil of sheer colour with a gel blush. Use a natural brown eyeshadow or eyeliner and slick a coloured gloss on lips. The aim is to look attractive without looking made up.
Make up tips

To help make up stay use an oil free foundation and compact.
Colour your entire lips with pencil before layering with lipstick.
Do use waterproof mascara if you use contact lenses. You don't want to look racoon eyed.
Use a top coat and a nail hardener to make your nail polish last.
Line your inner lower eyes with white pencil to make them look clearer and brighter.

Wrinkle Remover

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:29:00 +0000

Green Thompson seedless grapes! It has one of the ingredients in those big time expensive wrinkle creams.
All you do is cut a grape in half and gently crush it on your face and neck. Make sure that you get the "crows-feet" and the lines around your mouth. Leave it on for twenty minutes or so and rinse with tepid water and pat dry.
Repeat every day and before you know it... those nasty old lines will be hard to find!Don't forget to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. And... eat veggies rich in Vitamin A, such as carrots, celery and spinach.
If you can, get 8 hours of sleep every night.

Skin Sauna

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:28:00 +0000

A good deep cleansing treat is to give your face a sauna.This is especially good for congested skin.

You need to fill a bowl with near boiling water and add four drops of each of the essential oils recomended for your skin type.
NORMAL : Mandarin and Lavender.
OILY : Lemon and Eucalyptus.
DRY : Rose and Camomile.

Place a towel over your head and hold it over the bowl from a distance of about 30cm for a period of around two minutes. This opens the pores and prepares it for a face mask. You should not use a face sauna if you have sensitive skin, are pregnant or suffer from asthma

White Nails

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:25:00 +0000

To whiten your nails, try these:

* Use a common whitening toothpaste. Try scrubbing your nails with Pearl Drops, it's just as easy as achieving a pearly white smile and will take away any stains and shine up your nails.

* Soak your nails in water with lemon juice or lemon slices. The lemon acts as an astringent and will strip away stains. Once your hands are dry, you'll only need to put on a couple of coats of a clear topcoat

Beautiful Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:24:00 +0000

Everyone wants to have smooth skin and Beautiful Feet

If you take 1 cup Lemon Juice, Cinnamon (for smell), 2 tablespoons
(or less) olive oil, 1/4 cup of milk, and water you can make a wash that leaves skin refreshed and fragrant (the amount of water does not matter).
If you do not like the cinnamon smell you can replace it with another spice, perfume, or flower petals such as roses.
After you make it, you can put it in a tub were you can soak your feet or body.

Next dry your feet or rinse them with water and a MILD soap.

After a few weeks of doing this your skin will be silky smooth.

Home made Facial Mask

noreply@blogger.com (Urvashi Sharma) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:23:00 +0000

Face mask for dry skin

1. Take 1 tbsp olive oil and mix with 2 tbsp of fresh cream, leave it on the face for 10 minutes and then wash your face with warm water.

2. Mix 1 tbsp of honey with 15 drops of orange juice and 1 tbsp of fuller’s earth and add 1 tbsp of rose water. Mix well and apply on the face, wash off after 10 miuntes.

Face mask for oily skin

1. Mix a tbsp of honey with 1 egg white and apply thickly on the face and neck. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off.

2. Mix 2 tbsp of papaya pulp with 10 drops of lemon juice and leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse well.

3. Take fresh juice of any of the fruits (orange, sweet lime, watermelon or papaya) and apply on the face as a mask. This is very relaxing, it cleanses the skin, closes pores and stimulates blood circulation.

Carrot Facial Mask

Ingredients Needed:
2-3 large carrots
4 1/2 tablespoons honey
Directions:
Cook carrots, then mash. Mix with honey. Apply gently to the skin, wait 10 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
Glowing Facial Mask
You will love your radiant skin after using this recipe...

All you need is:
1 tbsp fuller's earth
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp mashed papaya

Mix and put on face for 20 minutes then rinse off.
Honey Facial Mask

Perhaps the best facial mask is honey.
Place a cloth in warm water and apply to your face to open the pores. Smear on honey, and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water, then use cold water to close the pores.
Use once a week.

Orange Yogurt Mask

Ingredients Needed:
* 1 tsp plain yogurt (I chose Balkan Style)
* the juice of 1/4 of an orange
Stir to mix and then dip fingers into mixture and smooth onto face. The sensation is both cool and relaxing. Leave on for a five minutes and then rinse. If you are feeling sluggish, this is the perfect mask for you.
* Yogurt will cleanse and nourish your skin
* The orange is full of Vitamin C and AHA's