Saturday, August 23, 2008

Oily Skin Care Tips

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You've just washed your face and ten minutes later, voila, your skin feels oily all over again. Sound familiar? Prepare yourself to glow with confidence, even if your skin usually has an oily shine. Relax and follow a few simple steps and you'll soon be on your way to drier, cleaner-feeling skin that glows with radiance!

When trying to look your best, having oily skin can pose quite the dilemma. Having your picture taken when you've forgotten your powder compact can be a nightmare. The shine from your face may appear in your photograph as well, giving your visage a glossier look than is natural. In hopes of clearing up your complexion, you may worry about what kind of moisturizer to use, which cleansing products and which types of makeup. First things first decide if you'll be using a liquid or a powder makeup product to combat your complexion conundrum. If you opt for a liquid foundation, select one in your skin tone that is specially formulated for oily skin.

If you don't like the way it feels to cover your entire face with liquid makeup, a pressed powder compact can really tone down the shiny look that results from an oily complexion. Check out powder compacts in your local drug store if you've got a budget to consider. If you have a little more cash to burn or if you really want a nice compact, consider checking out the designer makeup in department stores. If you need help picking out the right color for your skin tone, you can request assistance from a cosmetologist in the department store.

To battle this annoying skin problem, always try to keep some pressed or loose powder handy. Wash your face in the morning and before bed, and up to once or twice additionally if necessary. Do be careful not to over-wash your face, as too much cleansing may cause excessive dryness and flaking.

To further tend to your complexion, complete the following steps:

Drink lots of fluids - especially water.

Follow a balanced diet, and consume low-fat foods, fruits and veggies.

Enjoy a diet rich in proteins but avoid excessive amounts of salty and sugary foods. This includes chocolate and junk food! (Sigh!)

Take vitamins.

Maintain a regular facial cleansing routine.

Use hot water when cleansing and avoid harsh cleansing products.

Use an astringent to deep cleanse your face.

Stick with oil-free makeup products.

Exercise as often as you can, and avoid wearing makeup while doing so.

As tough as it may be, try not to touch your skin unnecessarily.

Change your pillowcase more often to prevent residue from clogging your pores overnight.

Exfoliate with a facial scrub product a minimum of once a week.

Apply a facial mud masque at least once a week to zap the oil from your skin.
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Laser Hair Removal - Permanent solution of unwanted hair

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It really depends on who looks at it, but hair found on the face, on the back, on the chest, under the arms, on the legs and in the bikini area is generally thought to be unsightly. Such unwanted hair prevents us from wearing some types of clothes, like sleeveless tops, skirts or skimpy bikinis. It also affects our self-confidence to a certain degree.

We women really spend some time and effort into getting rid of the unwanted hair on our bodies. Shaving is the most convenient way of doing it, but also the most time consuming. Sometimes, shaving the underarms and the legs can be a daily chore, and it puts us at risk of having in-grown hair. Some women resort to plucking and waxing, but oh boy, don't they hurt. Besides, they grow back, anyway.

There is a way, however, of dealing with unwanted hair more permanently, and that is undergoing laser hair removal treatment. In laser hair removal treatment, a dermatological surgeon focuses a laser on the part of the skin that is to be treated. The laser then creates a reaction in the melanin in the hair follicles of the treated area. The reaction is supposed to make the hair strand shed and to discourage the hair follicle from producing new cells that will lead to hair growth. Laser hair removal treatment takes four to six sessions to complete, as hair enters different phases of growth.

Laser hair removal treatment, however, works best only with people who have fair skin and dark hair. The laser machine is set to react to the melanin in the skin, so dark-skinned people stand the risk of having their skin being burned by the laser. The laser focused by the machine also generally does not react to blond or red hair, because hair with such colors does not have enough melanin in the strands.


If you think you are a good candidate for laser hair removal treatment, the first thing you should do is to check out the dermatological clinics in your area. You can come up with a list from the phone directory or from the Internet. Look for a clinic where the one operating the laser machine is a real doctor specializing in dermatology or cosmetic surgery. If you are comfortable with it, you can also go for clinics where the machine is run by technicians, as long as there is a doctor supervising the session. Read reviews as you make your list, or you can ask your friends or family members who have undergone the treatment for recommendations.

Once you have picked a clinic, the next step would be to make an initial consultation with the doctor of your choice. Visit the clinic and take note of how clean the premises are and how friendly and helpful the personnel in the clinic are. When you come face to face with the doctor, ask him questions about the field he or she is in, about the machine he or she is using, and the credentials he or she has. Ask as well what form of payment the clinic accepts.

If you already feel confident with your choice, then go ahead and make a schedule for your first session. On every session, all the people involved in the treatment - the doctor, the technician and you - should be wearing eye protection. After all, it is laser you people will be handling, so it is important to keep the eyes protected on every treatment. The treatment is not really painful, but the doctor or the technician will nonetheless apply a gel on your skin to make it numb.

The parameters of the laser hair removal treatment, such as the condition of the skin on the area to be treated and the condition of the hair, will be entered into the machine. The laser will then be allowed to pulse on the skin briefly to check if the data entered on the machine is correct, and then the treatment commences.

After every session, take a couple of days off to rest if you think it is necessary. Keep the treated area clean and moisturized, and use only products that are gentle on the skin. Avoid exposing yourself to the sun, because if your skin gets darker, the effectiveness of the succeeding sessions might lessen considerably. If there is a little swelling, apply an ice pack or cover the skin with soft and clean cloths soaked in ice water to relieve the swelling.

It is possible for complications to arise after each session of the treatment. If the swelling does not go away and blistering of the skin is present, you should go and see the doctor who did the treatment on you as much as possible. They should be equipped to handle such complications.

Laser hair removal treatment is a good way of getting rid of unwanted hair permanently. However, you must remember that this treatment is not for everybody. Consider your choices carefully before going through the process.

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Easy tips for a beautiful & sexy lips

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1. Exfoliate Gently
Lips are more sensitive than the rest of your face, so facial scrubs can be too irritating. To remove dead skin, rub a soft, dry toothbrush over your lips once a week. Lip treatments containing salicylic acid can also peel off the dead skin without harm.

2. Add Moisture
Put on lip balm then blot away the excess before adding lipstick. Avoid flavored lip balms, however, as they may tempt you to lick your lips (causing chapping). Lips that are cracked ot bleeding need treatment with 1 percent hydrocortisone cream and an over the counter antibacterial ointment such as Polysporin.

3. Stop Lipstick Bleeding
Choose a long-wearing lipstich which is less likely to seep into the lines around your mouth. You can also lock your usual lipstick into place by starting with a layer of foundation followed by color then dusting around your mouth with powder. Don't do this with sheer lipstick or glosses because base distorts their color.

4. Make It Last
The obvious solution is to switch to a transfer-resistant formula. But if you don't like their matte finish, then pencil in the entire lip with a neutral liner so you don't end up with a ring around your mouth when the lipstick fades. If the pencil is hard to spread, smudge it on your palm first to soften. Then top with any shade of lipsitck.

5. Fatten Your Lips Up
Dab a dot of gloss on the center of the lower lip to create the illusion of dimension. Gloss reflects light to give the appearance of fullness. Dark colors make thin lips appear to recede, so use sheer pinks and neutral colors. Pale, shiny lipstick is your secret shortcut!

6. Slim Down
Although many women pay good money for a bigger pout, plus-size lips can overpower the rest of the face. A dark, shiny color on extra large lips is going to look like all lip which usually makes your eyes look tiny. Instead, play down puffy lips by using nude and matte formulas.

7. Add Shimmer If dark red or burgundy feels vampish for you, top it with a dab of iridescent gloss to lighten it up and make it feel fresher. For lips that are pearly, use a light hand and concentrate shimmer in the center of your lips - rather than all the way to the corners of your mouth.

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How To Pluck Eyebrows

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Plucking Your Eyebrows



Eyebrows and beautiful eyes Well-shaped eyebrows can take your face from ordinary to dramatic and beautiful. As long as you do not over pluck it, today's eyebrows are natural looking with a tapered arch, and you can groom them yourself in a few easy steps.

1. Look for photos of women in the magazine, same face shape like yours and the brows you like.

2. Draw your desired brow with a white pencil.

3. To ease the pain, numb brow area with an ice cube.

4. Finally, pluck out stray hairs that lie outside the white area you have penciled.

5. If you are nervous about shaping your own eyebrows, ask friends to refer you to a salon that does it well.
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All Natural Face Cream

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This is recipe is good in removing excess oil in the face and to prevent the growth of pimples and acne.

Materials:
1/3 cup cocoa
3 tsp of heavy cream
1/3 cup of ripe papaya
� cup honey
3 tsp of oatmeal powder

Procedure:
Mix cocoa and heavy cream in a container. Add the ripe papaya and continue stirring with honey. Mix them thoroughly and add the oatmeal powder. Continue Stirring until it will turn into thick creamy paste. Apply on the face and wait for 10 minutes. Rinse face with lukewarm water. It is safe to do this everyday or use this alternately.

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Haircare tips for the monsoon

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Slicked down wet hair may look sexy on a bikini-clad babe in a Bollywood flick, but the truth is that constant drenching in the monsoon and high levels of humidity spell bad news for your mane. We can fall prey to a number of scalp problems and bad hair days during the rainy season and diligent hair care is needed to maintain the heath and good looks of your locks.

Certain scalp diseases become more prevalent in the monsoon -- exposure to dirty rainwater and consequent warm, humid conditions encourage the growth of bacteria and fungi on the scalp. Painful pus-filled boils due to bacterial infections are fairly common in this season, not to mention severely itchy, flaking patches of fungal infection, which result in hair loss in the affected area (most often seen in children).

Much as we hate to admit it, lice infestations are also way too common in the rains; lice breed during this season. And what's more, such infestations are not just a poor man's problem -- well-to-do, hygiene-conscious people can also be easily infected. The person travelling next to you on the train or your domestic help can easily pass them on to you.

For some, dandruff worsens as the fungus responsible for causing it flourishes in humid weather. Non-specific itchiness of the scalp and irritation are also common.

To prevent these problems, frequent shampooing and keeping your hair dry as far as possible is a must in the monsoons. Contrary to popular belief, frequent washing does not lead to hair loss -- you can even wash your hair daily with a mild shampoo if your hair is exposed to rain every day.

For boils on the scalp try Betadine AD shampoo twice a week; for fungal infections and dandruff you can try ketoconazole-based shampoos like Nizral, KZ etc. For lice, apply Perlice, leave on for a couple of hours and wash off. If the problem is not resolved in a few days or become very severe, please do consult a dermatologist immediately.

You must also dry your hair after shampooing thoroughly. Use a hair dryer with a diffuser attached and keep it six to eight inches away from your hair to avoid singeing/ burning. If you're caught unawares in a rain shower and don't have a hair dryer (say at the office or a cinema hall) flip your hair under the hand dryer in the bathroom and run your fingers through it till dry.

Conditioning is very important in the monsoon as excess humidity in the environment tends to frizz your hair. A good conditioner neutralises this frizzing and smoothens out the hair, making it manageable. Severe frizziness in curled or permed hair can be tackled with anti-frizz serums available in the market (TIGI, Schwarzkopf etc). If you're planning to colour your hair or perm it, it's advisable to wait till the rains are over as such treatments don't always give their best results in highly humid conditions.

Keep your nourishment levels up with a high protein diet and plenty of whole grains and nuts, which are rich in biotin (the vitamin that helps hair growth). You can also try protein-rich hair packs. Blend an egg white, olive oil, soaked and crushed fenugreek (methi) seeds and yoghurt and coat sections of your hair with it using a pack brush. Leave on for half an hour and shampoo out thoroughly with lukewarm water. Severe hair loss or breakage should be tackled by a dermatologist to determine the exact cause and to institute effective treatment for the same.

And here's the golden rule for healthy hair in the monsoons -- keep hairstyles short and simple and your scalp clean and dry.
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Beauty Secrets Every Teen Should Know

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There's nothing worse than getting advice from older people, we know, we know, but the truth is some advice is worth taking and keeping, especially when it comes to fun beauty tips. We've been reading fashion magazines and testing beauty products for years. In this time, we've read 1000s of beauty tips, tried 1000s of products, but only a few are worth keeping around. So, here we share with you the 20 things we wish we knew when we were teenagers.




1. Skip the foundation: If you have acne the first thing you want to do is slather on the thick foundation. Don't. Foundation is for women over 35. Not only will it cover up your natural beauty, but foundation on a teenager looks anything but natural. Instead, cover up blemishes with concealer, then follow with a powder or tinted mosturiser. Tinted moisturisers tend to be lighter than heavy foundations.

2. You pat concealer in, you never rub it in: We know this from watching the Tyra Banks show. When applying concealer, put a bit on the pad of your middle finger and pat it in. Never rub. Got acne? Pat the concealer on top of it.

3. Play up your lips or your eyes, never both: If you are wearing heavy eye makeup, go for nude lips with just a bit of gloss. Prefer the drama of dark lipstick? Keep face light (stay away from heavy blush) and wear only mascara on your eyes and a light eyeshadow. Don't heavily line your eyes. Play up both and you'll look like a clown.

And never, ever line lips in a darker color than your gloss or lipstick.

4. Less is more: Ever notice how some of your friends look best with no makeup at all? No matter your age, too much makeup makes you look worse. If you wear foundation, powder, blush, liner, mascara, eyeshadow, lip liner and gloss on an everyday basis, then you're overdoing it. Tone it down: All you really need is a great mascara and a concealer for blemishes and gloss. Add a pop of blush in winter.

5. Natural hair is always hot: If you have super dark hair, lighten your look by going a shade darker or getting lighter highlights. Blonde? Try highlights, especially framing the face. We see too many teens lightening their hair several shades and the look can be super-tacky, not super-fabulous. The trick is to let people assume you were born with sun-kissed hair, not that you gave yourself a bad dye job from a bottle.

6. Vaseline is your best friend: Vaseline is a great, cheap eye makeup remover. It's also great for fixing chapped, scaly lips. Slather on a bunch of Vaseline, then use a toothbrush to massage lips. Wipe the excess off on a tissue. Your lips will be smooth and soft.

7. You can never go wrong with layers: Long layers are great for any hair type: Super curly, straight or wavy. It makes thin hair appear thicker, curly hair appear manageable and wavy hair appear just-got-back-from-the-beach sexy. Just make sure you don't get too many layers cut in. Too many short layers are dated.

8. Acne? Get thee to a dermatologist: Biggest mistake people with acne make? Not going to a dermatologist. Forget those Rs 1500 jeans you covet. Getting rid of those pimples will be the best investment you'll ever make. And the only guaranteed way to do it is with a dermatologist.

9. Spend money on key beauty products: Not sure what to splurge on and what to save on? We give you the scoop in this article. See if you should splurge or save on cleansers, mascara, concealer and more.

10. Buying foundation or lipstick? Test it first There are some beauty products you simply must try out at a department store before you buy. These include: Foundation, lipstick, blush and powder. Buy these products in a grocery store and you'll be lucky if you picked the right color for your skin tone. What you can get away with without testing: Mascara, eye liner, most basic eye shadows and lip gloss.

11. When can you skip sunscreen? Never: Here's a trick we wish we knew: The first beauty product you should apply every day is sunscreen, even if it's cloudy or rainy outside. Why? Good habits start young and if you use sunscreen now, you'll have gorgeous skin when you're 50, 60, 70. Remember, the sun's UV rays can penetrate clouds and car windows.

12. Wrapping hair around the barrel creates waves: There's nothing cooler than long, layered waves. To get them, wind hair AROUND the barrel of a large curling iron. Reverse direction for each 2-inch section (wind up for one, down for another).

13. Self-tanner will always stink: Unfortunately, even the best ones smell. Your best bet is to apply self-tanner a good 24 hours before an important event and take a shower (don't loofah) to wash off any smell. For really big events like a dance or wedding, consider a professional spray tan. These are pricey and don't last long, so make sure to do it a day before the big event.

14. Don't let nails go: Not into manicures and pedicures? No worries. Just make sure to keep nails clean and the same length. If you do want to paint them, don't keep the polish on until half of it's chipped away. Also, there's nothing worse than too-long toenails. Keep nails clipped between pedicures! People tend to judge others by the care they put into their hands and feet.

15. Don't line the inside of your eyes: It will make your eyes appear smaller. Instead, line just at the lash line. Also, an obvious line doesn't look natural. Smudge the line just a bit.

16. Oily hair? Invest in a dry shampoo If you have oily hair, sprinkling a bit of baby powder on your roots and at your crown will soak up excess oils. If you have brown hair, you might be better off with a dry shampoo for your hair color.

17. Shave legs at the end of the shower: Cut down on nicks and cuts by making shaving the very last step in your shower or bathing ritual.

18. Know your best feature and play it up: What feature do people comment on most? Play it up. If you're told you have Angelina Jolie lips, make sure to wear gloss and play with bold lipstick colors. If it's your eye color people love, find eyeshadow colors that complement them and make sure to wear mascara. Also, know what color shirts look best on you and go shopping.

19. Scrubs are great for dry skin: If you have dry, itchy skin in winter, invest in a scrub and handmitts and scrub away in the bathtub. Make sure to slather on a thick moisturizer afterward. For dry, callousy feet, buy a pumice stone. They work better than any of the other wimpy options on the market.

20. Remember: Beauty is mostly internal - think about a girl you know who's overweight yet all the guys love her. Why? Because she's confident. If you aren't wearing makeup and your toes haven't been repainted in weeks, if you're happy and smiling you will still be 10 times prettier than the a babe sitting next to you in class. Trust us.

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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Fashion Dos and Don'ts

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Dos

1. Wear monochromatic clothes for a slimming effect.
2. Stick to a single strand pearl necklace if you're doubtful about jewellery.
3. Avoid fishnet stockings.
4. fashionAdapt trends to make them work for you. If denim is the fashion and you don't wear jeans, try denim skirts, shirts, etc.
5. Add stylish things to your wardrobe every now and then.
6. Carry a small handbag for an evening out.
7. Emphasize your best feature and underplay your worst one.
8. Make sure your hemline suits your legs. Wear longer skirts if your legs aren't what you'd like them to be.
9. Use dark lipstick if you're dark-skinned.
10. Make sure to use the same shade of foundation on your face and neck while applying make up.

Dont's

1. Wear clothes that are too tight for you. They only make you look bulky.
2. Wear sunglasses indoors or at night.
3. Wear a casual watch with a dressy outfit.
4. Wear jewellery that jingles as you move.
5. Dress like a teenager if you are above 25.
6. Wear a dainty choker if you have a have a heavy neck. It doesn't look nice.
7. Wear see through clothes. It isn't classy.
8. Mix metals in jewellery. Gold and silver don't really match.
9. Wear over large earrings.
10. Wear printed scarves with printed outfits.
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Face Cleansing Beauty Tips

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Face Cleansing Beauty TipsThe most important physical aspect of our body-it looks back at you looking dry, or oily or listless or the way you make it i.e.: glowing and radiant. Start by giving yourself 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at bedtime. The weekends can be used for longer treatments.

Lets start with the cleansing routine.
Tips 1:

Take 1 tbsp of un-boiled milk, dip a small pad of cotton wool in this and rub on the face gently. Use circular movements, use upward strokes on the neck area. Leave this on for 15 minutes. Wash with cold water.
Tips 2:

Take a thick slice of cucumber. Don't peel the slice, rub in a circular motion all over the face and neck areas. Wash after 15 minutes.

Tips 3:


Halve a tomato, gently rub over face and neck and wash after15 minutes.

Tips 4:

Take the half of a lime peel, from which the juice has been
After washing off the milk or juice - take a tsp of oat bran or wheat husk or gram flour (besan). Make a paste with a few drops of water and rub the face and neck gently with this. This sloughs away the dead cells and gives the face a glow. Don't use soap, just splash on cold water that will act as an astringent and close the pores.

Tips 5:

Use green gram powder or rice flour mixed with curds instead.

Oily Skin: If the face is oily,

After a bath as a base for make-up use some diluted limejuice to dab on before application of foundation or any other make-up.

Tips 6:

Diluted buttermilk dabbed on the face and left for 15 minutes,gently wipe with moist cotton wool before applying make-up.

Tips 7:

Rub the face well with an ice cube.

Tips 8:

Slice an Apple into thin slices. Place these on the face andleave for 15 minutes. These soak up the extra oil and helps toclose pores.extracted, rub this firmly on the face and the neck. Using a Scrub-(once in 3-4 days).
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Hair Removal Information & Techniques

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For decades now, women have been removing unwanted body hair, using different techniques. Not only does it add to the woman's beauty but it is better for her personal hygiene as well. Today getting rid of unwanted hair has become easier than ever. There are a number of easy techniques that you can use at home or you can visit a beauty parlor for professional treatment. Given below in some information about the different techniques that are available today.



* Shaving: Shaving is a popular technique as it can be done at short notice and gives you instant results without much effort. Most women still continue to shave inspite of alternate techniques being available. This method is quick and cheap, though the hair grows back rapidly and when the hair grows back it is very coarse. You should soften the hair by washing the area with warm soapy water. Use light gentle strokes in the direction of the hair growth, to remove the hair. After you finish moisturize the skin. There are different kinds of razors, electrical, disposable, with twin blades and moisturizing strips. Choose one that suits you the best.
* Hair Removal Creams: These creams are manufactured in such a way that they dissolve the hair. These creams have an ingredient called keratolytic that will damage the skin if it is left on for a long time. Use a patch test the first time you are using a cream. But there is no doubt that they make the skin hair free, smooth and soft.
* Waxing: Though this method is a little painful, it is good to remove hair from the arms, legs and bikini line. Hair re-growth after waxing is slow and may take as much as two months. It is best to do a patch test for waxing as well. For best results one should continue waxing on a regular basis. Hair is removed from its root and when it re-grows it is finer. The problem with waxing is that the hair has to grow a little for waxing to be efficient. It helps to dust a little talcum powder on the area before waxing.
* Sugaring: This technique is similar to waxing. Here the removal solution is warmed and then applied on the area required with the help of a palette knife. The solution is applied in the direction of the hair growth. Then a cotton strip is used to cover the solution and torn away in the opposite direction and thus the hair is removed. Hair re-growth takes about six to eight weeks and it is fine.
* Electrolysis: This is a salon treatment and is expensive, but last longer and could be permanent as well. This requires a series of sittings if the results are to be good. A fine needle passes a very low electrical current into the hair follicle. After a session there will be slight swelling, redness and scarring which will take a few days to disappear.
* Laser treatment: This is another salon-based treatment that is expensive too. You need a few sessions for good results. Black activating lotion is applied over the area, to enable the hair follicle to absorb the laser energy. In this technique the best results are got from people with thick body hair.
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Get rid of Acne

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Acne is the word every teen hates but faces this nightmare at one point or the other during her growing years. There are as many numbers of creams and lotions available as the number of teens with acne! New research suggests that a diet with foods containing low glycemic loads could help people suffering from acne to get rid of their acne.

Scientists from th RMIT university in Melbourne studied the effect of food on about forty three patients aged between 15 and 25 years. They were randomly assigned a normal diet and a low glycemic load diet for 12 weeks. The diet consisted of 25 percent energy from protein and 45 percent from low-glycemic-index carbohydrates.

It was found that people whose diet consisted of low-glycemic-index carbohydrates had a significant reduction in the total acne when compared to people on a normal diet.

What is Glycemic index?

The Glycemic Index (GI) relates to the way your body’s sugar levels respond to certain foods. Foods are given a rating from 0 -100 on the glycemic index with glucose in the highest position. High Glycemic Index foods (such as simple carbohydrates) will increase the body’s sugar levels rapidly whereas low glycemic index foods will increase the body’s sugar levels slowly according to HWF.

The new findings suggest that diets that contain low glycemic loads may not only improve insulin sensitivity and helps reduce weight but clears up acne as well.

So, if you want to get rid of acne and have a blemish free skin, foods that have high glycemic index like white bread, sugar, potatoes are a strict NO. However you can eat low-glycemic foods like whole grains, vegetables, fish and lean meat as these foods are kinder to your skin and say good bye to acne forever.
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Secrets of glowing skin

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Secrets of glowing skin It is the dream of every woman to have a beautiful, fresh and youthful skin. The first step in looking younger begins with what you decide to put into your mouth. Your diet and lifestyle plays a major part in deciding the beauty of your skin. Most people think of a diet as being appropriate only for getting a beautiful figure, however eating the right kind of foods and following a proper diet will put you on the fast track to a healthy body and healthy and glowing skin. The secret to a beautiful, healthy and glowing skin is FRUITS. Include plenty of fruits in your diet and you will see the difference within a week. Fruit is essential for both inner and outer beauty since it enhances the beauty of your skin and hair.

What makes fruit so wonderful is that it is rich in skin and hair enhancing vitamins, acids, and enzymes. Fruit can be used in just about every beauty product to cleanse, freshen, tone, and condition our bodies.

Find out the characteristics of the following fruits and what wonders they can do to your skin:

Apples: Apples can used as great conditioner and toner. They have been used for centuries for their skin-healing powers. Add a cup of apple juice to your bath to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice of apple can be used as breathe freshener. Apple juice when applied to your hair scalp can prevent dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing your hair.

Lemons: A classic home beauty ingredient, lemons are used to cleanse and freshen the skin and hair. Use lemon slices to soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices also help deodorize and mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice in your bath and you will feel fresh the whole day. Lemon juice can be added to your favourite cleanser or shampoo to refresh and tone your scalp. It also helps prevent dandruff.

Strawberry: Strawberry can be used for conditioning and skin toning treatment. They are rich in salicylic acid an ingredient found in many commercial acne creams and thus are the best treatment for troubled or teenage skin. Mix 1/2-cup fresh strawberries with a tablespoon of sour cream for a weekly facial mask. Eating fresh berries will also help whiten your teeth and keep your breath fresh.

Banana: Banana can be used for moisturising and soothing your skin and hair. They are rich in protein and natural fats and can be used by all skin types. An easy facemask that will make your skin smooth is to apply mashed banana over your skin and keep it for 15 minutes, rinse off with warm water and moisturize well. Mashed banana also makes a wonderful hair conditioner mixed with a teaspoon or two of honey.

Pineapple: Like papaya pineapples are also good skin softeners, which cleanse and rejuvenate dull and dry skin, especially for classic rough skin spots like knees, elbows, and heels. Use a slice of pineapple as you would a sponge or loofah to scrub your body in the bath or shower.

Papaya: Papaya is rich in natural enzymes and is the best treatment for cleansing your skin. For having a fresh and glowing skin apply the oaste of mashed papaya and 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel and massage all over your body monthly. Leave on your skin for no more than five minutes and rinse thoroughly. Do not use on your face and avoid sensitive skin areas.

Peaches: Peaches are best for soothing and cleansing dry skin. Mash a fresh peach and combine with a tablespoon of plain yogurt to make a smooth paste. Apply on the skin and keep it for 15 mins and then wash off with cold water.
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5 Tips for Your Bridal Outfit

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5 Tips for Your Bridal Outfit Just when you are ready to tie the knot the priest says that there are no dates for the next one year after the coming week.

So you have one week to get your wedding outfit ready and two thousand things are running through your mind. Here are some points to keep in mind while searching for your Just when you are ready to tie the knot the priest says that there are no dates for the next one year after the coming week.

So you have one week to get your wedding outfit ready and two thousand things are running through your mind. Here are some points to keep in mind while searching for your Just when you are ready to tie the knot the priest says that there are no dates for the next one year after the coming week.

So you have one week to get your wedding outfit ready and two thousand things are running through your mind. Here are some points to keep in mind while searching for your perfect wedding outfit....

Ghagra-Choli

1. When you go for trial don't wait till the entire outfit is ready. Try the outfit when the slip of the ghagra and the choli is ready.

If that is ok there won't be any difference in the fittings. You can spend time focusing on other things, such as, jewellery.

2. If you are opting for a readymade one then go to a store, which specializes only in ready-made garments. Here you will get better options than a store that mostly has unstitched fabrics.

Plus all you will need to do are some minor fitting, which will be done on the same day unless it is nearly closing time when you reach the store.

3. Keep your mind focus on the cut of the ghagra you want, once you have decided that choosing would be much easier and faster. This is because the pattern of the blouse is rarely restricted to body types and usually suits everyone.

4. Make sure the embellishments do not cling to the fabric. If this happens the duppata will cling to the ghagra or visa versa.

5. Go for a simple pattern in the ghagra, which makes it obvious how it will be stitched. For instance, kalis make the job simpler as then you know in which style the ghagra will be stitched.
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Thursday, August 7, 2008

How to make your lips look beautiful

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How to make your lips look beautifulDo you sometimes think that you would kill for beautiful full lips? Sure, you could get Collagen implants, or tattooed outlines around your lip... But it's a little bit excessive, I'm sure you'll agree! There are other cheaper, and much more practical, ways of achieving a similar affect. Here's how to get beautiful full lips in four easy steps...

Step one: Lip balm
Prepare your delicate lips by applying lip balm in advance. Nobody likes cracked and frayed lips! And in winter it's important to take more care than usual. (Cold weather will dry the moisture from your lips). Make sure that the lip balm has sunk a little before you go on to step two, otherwise your lip liner won't work.

Step two: Line and define

Get a natural lip liner, and carefully draw around the very rim of your lips. If you get a wobbly line, don't panic (and don't think nobody will notice it)... just carefully remove it and start again! When you have a firm line, fill in the rest of your lips with the same color.

Step three: Now add some shine!

Here comes the glamorous bit, the lip-gloss! Again, keep the color natural. Forget lipstick that's too dark or too light. One thing you've got to remember though, gloss looks better but doesn't have the staying power. Make sure you keep it in your purse and re-apply during the day.

Step four: Plump them up

This is the 'hard bit'. But actually it's not! All you've got to do, (after you've completed steps one through three), is dot a white shimmery product like eye shadow or an eyebrow highlighter in the very center of your lips. Start slowly, and blend very carefully. What you are looking to achieve is natural looking shading, with your lip color being lighter where your mouth opens. This will create the illusion of beautiful full lips.
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Marriage Makeup Guidance

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The wedding season is here and every bride wants to look her best. So if you are preparing to tie the knot, here are our top tips to ensure you dazzle all day long.

Practise your whole look beforehand and check it out in the daylight as it will look completely different in artificial light. And take a picture so you can see if you are happy with the result.

Base: Start with a good control which will guarantee a shine-free complexion. Cover any blemishes with a concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin colour or your foundation. Always apply foundation with a sponge or brush. A damp sponge will give you a lighter base and a brush will give slightly heavier coverage. Choose a long-lasting foundation that won’t rub off.

Eyes: Stick to safe colours – browns, taupes and beiges. You can always add a touch of gold or silver under the brow or in the inner corner of your eyes if you want a bit of sparkle. Avoid bright blues and green – these will be too harsh, especially if you are wearing white or cream. Pick a palette of colours to add depth and shade.

Cheeks: Go for a powder rather than a cream blusher as it will last longer. To create the illusion of defined cheeks, apply blusher over the cheekbone and use a slightly darker shade just under the bone.

Lips: Stick to soft pink, peach or nude colours whatever your colouring. Lipstick is back in fashion so try Revlon’s Colour Stay Soft and Smooth in Natural Cashmere.

Others: Finally, decant some of your wedding scent into a small bottle so you can spritz throughout the day. Also pop in some blotting sheets which contain a small amount of powder and are perfect for dabbing off shine.
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10 mantras to beat hair loss

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10 mantras to beat hair loss

10 mantras to beat hair loss




Trichologists Dr Apoorva Shah and Dr Sonal Shah, who have trained at the Institute of Trichology in London, are certified hair specialists advisors from the International Association of Trichologists, Australia, offer a few tips. The husband and wife duo are also the official hair advisors for the Miss India contest.

Their mantras:

* Eat lots of paneer, spinach (palak), green veggies and milk.
* Regularly oil and shampoo your hair. That's a must at least three times a week, to nourish your scalp. Applied oil must be washed within 24 hours or else it could mix with dust and clog the pores.
* If you are allergic to oil then try to use medicated oil. Or else go in for a potion or hair tonic which has no component of oil. These too can nourish your scalp. They are also known as hair vitalisers.
* Henna is also a good scalp conditioner, but not a good hair conditioner as it tends to make the hair dry and brittle. Hence you must use oil after washing off the henna, before shampooing.
* Washing your hair after a session of rigorous exercise like gymming, jogging etc when the scalp tends to sweat a lot is a must.
* Once in a while chemical treatments like perming, chemical straightening etc are alright, but too much of it causes breakage of hair.
* Another reason for hair getting damaged is heat exposure to the hair and scalp, with a blow-dryer, hot oil or hot water and usings combs with sharp teeth.
* Never comb your hair when it is wet. Towel drying is the best way to dry your hair.

Why does hair fall?

Lack of hair oil, acute illness, dandruff, emotional shock or stress, thyroid problems, nutritional deficiency and hair colouring, sans the correct regime to go with it. Of these, stress is a major cause of hair loss and baldness, in India and this condition is called Alopecia areata. The cure for this is simple - learn to live a relaxed life through regular meditation, occasional massages, music, yoga and prayers, which are all excellent stress busters. Last but not the least, good hair is the barometer of good health, so practice these mantras and let your hair shine.
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