Category: Beauty

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Beauty

Reverse your wrinkles naturally

Once a wrinkle, always a wrinkle? Not quite. It is possible to reverse skin wrinkling. Read on to know how.
by Beverley Lewis

In an attempt to achieve a radiant complexion and get rid of wrinkles, we slather our bodies with expensive ant-ageing creams and moisturisers, get chemical peels and botox. Although these methods may be helpful in improving the way our skin looks, the key to reducing wrinkles and improving our complexion is to decrease free radical damage from occurring at a rapid rate. In order to do this, we have to ensure our diets include these five foods that are rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.

green vegetablesGo green: Include plenty of green vegetables in your diet on a daily basis. Foods such as spinach and wheat grass contain phytonutrients, which help detoxify the body to keep skin clear and radiant. Most experts believe that green leafy veggies are the plant equivalent of the oxygen-carrying red pigment haemoglobin in our red blood cells and the chlorophyll within these greens have disease-fighting bacteria, which exert therapeutic effects on bad breath and body odour. Also make sure to have a lot of green smoothies.

Mr Beans to the rescue: Beans and lentils are superfoods and should be eaten at least once a day. They are well known for their high fiber content and keeping unwanted pounds at bay. All beans and lentils also have a very low-glycemic index – this means that they will not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when eaten, the way sugary, starchy foods do. They are also anti-inflammatory foods and prevent dull, dry, wrinkled sagging skin.

Olive oil: Most of us tend to shy away from fats, but we need a source of good fats in our diet to help us olive oilabsorb nutrients from our vegetables and fruit, keep our cells supple, our skin glowing and wrinkle-free, our brains sharp, and our mood upbeat. We also need dietary fat to burn fat. Extra virgin olive oil contains oleic acid, which helps us absorb omega-3s and other vitamins and nutrients from our foods. Oleic acid is vital in keeping the outer portion of the cell, known as the cell plasma membrane, supple, thereby allowing nutrients to enter the cell and wastes to exit.

Tea, please: Green tea contains compounds known as polyphenols, which help to eliminate inflammation-producing free radicals. Research shows that polyphenols protect healthy cells from cancer-causing DNA damage, while ushering cancer cells to their death. Another remarkable finding is the power of green tea polyphenols which can help prevent psoriasis, ulcers, rosacea, wounds and wrinkles.

green teaBe nutty: Almonds are by far nature’s best dietary source of selenium and vitamin E. A single serving of almonds (12 almonds) are a great anti-wrinkle food as they increase skin elasticity and aid in skin repair and rejuvenation. However, it is important to bear in mind that almonds, like most other nuts are calorie-dense, and therefore they should be consumed in moderation, especially if you are concerned about weight gain.

(Pictures courtesy www.cleashannon.com, www.naturalhealth365.com, www.tiemianmo.com, www.npr.org)

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Beauty

Preserve your sensitive side

Sensitive skin needs special care at all times, but especially in the monsoon. Read on for some simple DIY tips.
by Beverley Lewis

Sensitive skin needs more TLC than any other skin type. Use one wrong product and you can kiss your flawless complexion goodbye. This is because sensitive skin is generally allergic to most products, especially those that contain harsh ingredients.

But it’s not an impossible task to take care of sensitive skin either, provided you play your cards right. We spoke to holistic practitioner Dorothy Fortner from the Flower Essence, New York, for easy-to-follow tips on sensitive skin maintenance.

Keep it simple: It sounds obvious, but the more products you use, the more likely you are to come across an ingredient that may trigger a reaction. It only takes one ingredient in a new product to cause a flare up.

Patch up: Always conduct a patch test before you buy a new product, by applying a drop of the new product on the inside of your elbow, before buying the product. If there’s no adverse reaction 24 hours later, you can use the product.

Take your make-up off before you go to bed: This is really a no-brainer, and yet, a surprisingly large number of women are guilty of not taking off their make-up when they get home from work or a night out. No matter how late it is, or how tired you are, you should always cleanse your face before falling asleep. Sensitive skin is extremely vulnerable to irritation. So the longer you leave make-up or dirt on your skin, the more likely you are to have a reaction.

Hands off!: Don’t keep touching your face all the time, as you run the risk of transferring dirt and other bacteria onto your skin. If you feel the need to touch your face often, try using a clean tissue or an anti-bacterial cleansing wipe.

Stay hydrated: It is important to drink at least eight to ten glasses of water a day as this hydrates the skin and helps detoxify the stay hydratedbody, which in turn prevents break outs.

Take a chill pill: If you have sensitive skin, try to avoid stress as this can cause flare-ups. If you do find yourself under stress, take up yoga or meditation, as this will benefit your skin and give you a healthy glow.

Dry and sensitive? If you’re wondering why you have dry as well as sensitive skin, this is because your skin barrier is not doing its job properly. For such skin, keeping in moisture is hard, and keeping allergens and other harmful skin chemicals out is even harder. So as your skin becomes drier, the barrier weakens further; it gets more sensitive and more prone to dry skin conditions. The only way to prevent this is to liberally apply an organic natural moisturiser like lavender, which works well for sensitive skin. Again, test the product before buying it.

(Pictures courtesy uk.carita-spa.com, www.missclinic.com, uptenlist.com)

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Beauty

Jhakaas skin and hair this monsoon

Some tricks to keep your skin and hair beautiful even as the monsoon tries to wreck havoc with your looks.
by Beverley Lewis

Don’t let the monsoon dampen your passion to look and feel great. Sure, the excess humidity in the air during this season can damage your skin and hair, making it look dull and lifeless, so it is very important for us to customise our skin and hair-care regime in the monsoon. Here are things to watch out for.

Clean up well: Start by cleansing your face twice a day with an anti-bacterial facewash to prevent skin infections and break outs, especially when you have been walking in the rain. “Water left on the skin for a long time acts as an irritant, making it itchy and easily susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections,” says dermatologist Dr Rickson Pereira, attached to Dr. Minal’s Dermatherapie Centre, Mumbai.

happy feetFungal troubles: The biggest skin complaint during the monsoon is fungal infections, since fungus thrives in humidity, and wet skin folds provide easy nesting places to fungi and yeast. “This can lead to itchy, circular, reddish, flaking patches on the body, especially in skin folds at the groin (known as a ‘Jock itch’), underarms and around the breast region for women,” says Dr Poonam Wadwani, D&T Medical Centre.

Blast fungal infections away with this routine:
– Dry your skin well after you get in from the rain and remember to sprinkle anti-fungal powder over these areas after a shower.

– Athlete’s foot is another common bacterial and fungal infection that affects people whose feet stay wet for hours, especially after exposure to dirty water. Prevent this by thoroughly washing your feet with soap and hot water after wading through stagnant water, and then dry them completely. Dust some talcum powder or antifungal powder especially between toes to absorb the excess moisture to prevent fungal infections.

– Change your socks frequently and dust the insides of your footwear with talcum or antifungal powder.

– When doing pedicures, do not soak your feet for longer than 10 minutes. Ensure the use of clean, sterilised instruments. Instruct your aesthetician to avoid pushing the cuticles, as toe infections can be common during monsoons.

Hair care: The monsoon can also play havoc with your hair, leading to greasiness and dandruff. The heightened moisture in the atmosphere makes hair flat and its texture, dull. The shampoo girlresult: dull and limp tresses. Dr Rickson explains, “Scalp can get itchy due to collection of sebum, sweat and exfoliated skin which can result in worsening of dandruff and increased hair fall.”

To avoid this, men should shampoo their scalp daily and women at least every other day, to prevent the build-up of increased sebum and sweat. Regular washing also reduces itching. Adds Dr Wadwani, “Use a light shampoo and conditioner to cleanse the hair and prevent frizziness. Also, use a silicone-based serum to give hair a smooth texture and protect it from heat caused by blow drying.”

Avoid excessive styling of the hair with instruments and styling products as the hairstyles tend to hold-on less due to the humidity. Instead, opt for a low-maintenance hairdo.

A final list of tips for skin and hair care this monsoon
If you’re simply looking for a checklist for skin and hair maintenance this season, look no further:
– Try to restrict the number of hair products you use to a shampoo and conditioner. Try, in particular, to avoid hair sprays.

– Use a mild shampoo and wash your hair regularly.

– Use conditioner after every wash.

– Drink plenty of water.

face scrub– Eat a balanced diet and include a lot of fresh fruit and salads.

– Use a face scrub twice a week to exfoliate.

– Avoid heavy moisturising creams or oily foundations. Instead, use a light mousse or a few drops of calamine lotion as a base.

– Use a toner each time you wash your face to close the pores and restore your skin’s pH balance.

Beverley Lewis has written for beauty magazines and has amazing tips to share. Do you have a monsoon beauty secret to share? Write to Beverley in the comments section below.

(Pictures courtesy 1000awesomethings.com, www.ladybugblessings.com, l-a-d-y.blogspot.com, www.laurakinch.com)

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Beauty

Fuss-free hair for the monsoon

The rains are upon us, so spruce up your limp locks with some smart cuts and care for the season.
by Beverley Lewis 

The monsoon will soon be upon us. And while that is great news for a city wilting under terrible heat, it’s bad news for your hair.

Frizzy hairWhether you have short, long or medium-length hair, being caught unawares in a passing shower can wreak havoc on the tresses you work so hard to keep well-groomed.  Limp locks, frizzy halos and even scalp infections can prove extremely troubling, so be sure to give your locks a little TLC and you will be the belle of the ball.

Having lustrous and healthy hair is the dream of every woman.  However, in the monsoon season, extra care should be taken due to atmospheric conditions. The onset of the monsoons leads to hair care problems like stickiness, greasiness and dandruff. The heightened moisture makes your hair flat and its texture, dull. The result? You end up with dull, lifeless and frizzy hair.

Regain your crowning glory with these tips for great hair in the rains:

Head turner

The monsoon season can play havoc with your mane. Getting caught in a cloudburst is bound to wreck your well-coiffured hair.

In order to prevent such a mishap, tie your hair into a ponytail while traipsing about in the rain.  Hair is a lot easier to maintain when it is tied up. You could also get a little creative and leave a few strands loose around your face, to give that sexy siren look.

braidsAnother favourite that is making a comeback is braids. One can opt for a loose braid to achieve the out-of-bed look. This look can be used both in the boardroom and the bedroom.

A great trend this season is the pixie haircut. It is a little adventurous, but you only have to style it once in the morning, leaving you time to grab your cuppa and head out the door.

Or just leave your hair loose and long. Style it to look messy, and then let the weather take its course over the rest of the day. Your hair will look tousled and fantastic and no one will know how little effort it took.

Layered hairstyles are also becoming quite popular. For instance, a brilliantly-razored, many layered haircut for medium length hair with a few bangs that can be tied and combed on monsoon hair careto the side of the head with a dainty hairclip, is a great and ideal hairstyle for medium-length hair.

If you prefer the schoolteacher look, you can tie your hair in a bun. You can also complete this look with a pair of funky glasses, making it a good look for the monsoon.

Colour me bad

Vibrant shades such as purple, blue, pink or red, green are gaining popularity on and off the catwalk this season. However, coloured hair tends to lose moisture, and gets dry and frizzy. To avoid this, it is important to use a good colour care shampoo and conditioner. Also, use a serum or a leave in conditioner and go for regular hair spa or deep moisturising washing coloured hairtreatments. If you follow these tips you could end up with sassy, glossy tresses.

Get your swag on

Skip the styling products and go natural during the monsoons. This means that you must avoid using excess hair styling products such as mousse, hair gels, styling and fixing sprays and wax. These tend to clump up and become rather useless when they come in contact with air packed with moisture. If you must use a product to control the frizz, use a light slick of anti-frizz or shine serum and soon you and your tresses will be singing in the rain.

How are you getting your hair ready this monsoon? Share your tips with Beverley in the comments section below.

(Pictures courtesy blog.snapdeal.com, www.collegegloss.com, www.byouthiful.com, www.deal.com.sg)

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Beauty

Pack it in

Check out five simple DIY facepacks to make from scratch at home and beat the effects of a scorching summer.
by Beverley Lewis

Summer has already knocked on our doors and you can literally feel the scorching heat when you step out of the house. Besides dehydrating the body, the extreme temperatures can also play havoc with your skin, leading to wrinkles, dull, tried and sallow looking skin. Fret not, we show you how to beat the heat and look as fresh as a daisy with these five simply DIY facepacks , with ingredients straight from the pantry.

Rose garden
Rose water refreshes the skin, cleans the oil and dirt from pores and prevents black heads. It is a natural cooling agent and aromatic astringent that helps tone and hydrate the skin. multani-mitti-face-packs

Take 1 tbsp of Fullers Earth or Multani mitti and soak this in water for 15 minutes. When it becomes moist and pliable, add a teaspoon of rose water to the mix. Apply this on the face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes (see pic on right). After this, clean it off with cold water and voila, you will have fresh and dewy-looking skin.

Fragrant beauty
Using sandalwood powder on the face has a softening effect. It helps get rid of patchy and rough skin, as well as helps in getting rid of a tan and provides relief from sun burns and blackheads.

Take 2 tbsp of corn starch, 2 tsp of neem leaf juice, 2 tsp of sandalwood powder and 2 to 3 drops of olive oil. Mix these ingredients together and apply them on the face with a brush. Leave it on for about 30 minutes, allowing it to dry well and then rinse with cold water. Do this three times a week and you will notice a remarkable difference in your skin.

Get minty fresh
mint leavesMint has a cleansing, soothing and cooling effect, which makes it perfectly suitable for most skin types. Mint has properties that make skin soft and supple and clear up blemishes, blackheads and acne. It also helps get rid of a dull, sallow complexion.

Take 4 tbsp of freshly ground mint paste, 1/4 cup of ripe papaya pulp, 2 tsp of gram flour and 1/2 tsp of lime juice. Mix the ingredients together to form a smooth paste. Leave this mixture one for about 30 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water to reveal a glowing complexion.

Peaches ‘n’ cream
If your skin feels and looks lacklustre, use this simple trick and you can get a soft, smooth and radiant complexion in a matter of minutes. For this, the main ingredient you will need is fresh cream, which is packed with AHA acids, which hydrate the skin making it plump and soft. It also gently exfoliates the skin to reveal healthier, glowing skin, fades dark spots, reduces redness and evens out skin tone. It is also anti-inflammatory and has anti-aging properties to keep skin young looking.

Make this pack thus: mix 1 tsp of cream to 1/2 tsp lime juice to form a paste. Massage this well into the skin and leave for 3 to 4 minutes. Rinse with cold water.

Got spice?
Turmeric is excellent for reducing acne, scarring, clearing an uneven skin tone, sunburns, freckles, wrinkles and tans. Turmeric protects the skin from free radicals and has powerful antioxidant properties.

Make a paste with 4 tbsp wheat flour, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp ghee. Apply on the face and leave it on until it dries, which could take about 15 to 20 minutes. Then, wash it turmeric pasteoff with cold water.

OR extract a thick layer of cream from cooled milk. Add a pinch of turmeric to this and apply this mixture on the face. Leave for 15 minutes and wash with warm water. If you use either of these facepacks daily, you will be able to hold back the wrinkles.

Beverley Lewis has written for beauty magazines and has amazing tips to share. Write to her with a homemade face pack recipe of your own, in the comments section below.

(Pictures courtesy lewolfemagique.blogspot.com, tamil.boldsky.com, beauty-health.in)

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Beauty

Pucker up

Our beauty writer lists six easy ways to get the perfect pair of lips without too much time and effort.
by Beverley Lewis

Every woman dreams of a perfectly smooth pout and soft lips. You may think you have achieved the perfect pout on a night on the town, only to realise that once you hit your favourite nightspot your lipstick has magically disappeared, to suddenly reappear on the rim of your favourite cocktail. Since most of us suffer from a similar affliction, I have outlined a six step by step guide for kissable lips.

Scrub-a-dub: To avoid chapped lips and to get smooth lips, it is important to exfoliate your lips right after you take a shower. Squeeze a little facial scrub onto your palm, no bigger than a two-rupee coin, and gently rub this mixture back and forth over your lips. If you’re looking for an even lower maintenance exfoliation tool, try brushing your lips lightly with a damp toothbrush before you call it a night. Both these methods help get rid of dead skin and leave you with a smooth, soft lip-lock.

Get watered: It is important to maintain the moisture in your lips, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water in order to keep your lips plump and perky. When you’re dehydrated, your lips are more likely to look deflated and wrinkled, especially if you have already have age lines around your mouth.

Once you’re hydrated, look to external moisture sources to keep your lips supple. You can opt for good old vaseline, but if you’re looking for something with a bit more edge, choose from lip butters, glosses and lipsticks that are infused with natural oils and antioxidant vitamins and minerals – they are perfect to moisturise, soothe and calm the lips.

Line ’em: Choose a liner two shades or so darker than your lipstick, and trace your natural lip line (as shown in pic on left), paying special attention to your Cupid’s Bow (the ‘V’ part of your top lip). Once lips are lined, colour in the remainder of the lip with the liner as well. This gives a nice base colour in case your lipstick gets eaten off before the night is over.

Colour me good: Now it’s time to slather on your lipstick. After you apply the first coat, blot by placing a tissue between your upper and lower lips, and pressing down. Next, swipe on another coat, then place a tissue gently over lips and dab with loose powder. The tissue acts as a filter, allowing just enough of the powder to get through to set the lipstick without changing the colour or texture of the lips.

Plump it up: Choose a gloss to highlight and plump. With gloss, you want to dab, rather than slick. A small dab of a shimmery or light-grabbing gloss in the centre of your lower lip (as shown in pic on right) will plump up your pout in an instant. That one small move adds dimension and a shot of light to your lips, drawing the eyes of you-know-who right where you want them.

Blot away: In our final step to getting the perfect pout, let’s not forget to blot. Place your index finger between your lips and pucker up. See the lipstick left on your finger? That could’ve been on your teeth. Do it again, just to be safe. And now, drum roll please, you have the perfect pout!

Beverley Lewis has written for beauty magazines and has amazing tips to share. Do you have a lip tip to add to this list? Share it in the comments section below.

(Pictures courtesy healthandbeautyremedies.wordpress.com, www.airportsinternational.com, makeupandbeauty.com)

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