Beauty rituals that women follow around the world!

India is not the only country where people believe in different beauty rituals but there’re people around the world who also follow amazing beauty techniques. Not only are they intriguing, but also completely natural. So, next time when your mother gives you an earful about a good old champi, do not just dismiss that.

Here we give you some exciting beauty rituals followed by people in different countries:

1. Potato slice for dark circles (Spanish ritual): People in Spain use very thin potato slices over their eyes to lighten dark circles. It takes only ten minutes to give their effect. You will notice that they actually lighten the skin reducing the blueness of the veins under your eyes. 

2. Kiss cellulite goodbye (Brazilian way): Brazilian women used to rub sand on their bodies. For cellulite, dry brushing is the best, natural and probably, the only way to getting rid of them. So, use sand to kiss cellulite goodbye.

3. TLC for lips (Greek type): Greek and Italian women use olive oil to sooth and repair chapped lips. It is the best treatment to heal dry and irritated skin. It also conditions skin and lips while making it glow beautifully.

4. Beat ageing (Chinese style): Drink white tea if you want to defy age-related problems. Chinese ladies used to protects their skin drinking white tea. To save you skin from free radicals and you don't need to worry about Botox, fillers, collagen and the likes. 

5. Dandruff, give it a bay (Australian way):  Australian use eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil to remove dandruff. Use the same with your shampoo and kiss those flakes goodbye. This is a foolproof trick from down under to getting rid of dandruff. Be careful with the essential oils though. Massage your scalp with a few drops to see the change.

6. Applying eye cream. The under-eye area is so sensitive that eye cream must be applied slowly, in a gentle dabbing motion, preferably with your pinkie. This ritual gives me plenty of time to look in the mirror, examine my wrinkles, and confront my mortality.

How to apply makeup step by step guidelines

Girls are synonymous to makeup and when it comes to the techniques, they can go to any extent to learn the right process, its advantage, disadvantages, its after effect and how to continue using makeup sans damaging skin.

Now if you are among those crazy women, then here we bring you the best step-by-step procedure to apply makeup.

Step 1. Prep the skin: According to Nabanita Chakraborty, makeup expert with an international makeup brand, “Prepping the skin includes four steps within it. Cleansing, toning, applying serum (which is the food for the skin) and finally moisturizing. Many people forget to use a serum and only stick to cleansing, toning and moisturizing; applying a serum is equally important.”

Step 2: Foundation: First of all, buy a foundation which is closest to your skin tone, because too much foundation makes you look like clown and too little, gives you an unpolished appearance. There are particular foundations available in market as per your skin tone. “Take your foundation and mix it with a bit of serum. Then take a powder brush and apply it on your face in circles,” says Nabanita.

Step 3: Makeup: “Take a medium shade eye-shadow and apply it from your lash line, till the crease of your eyes. You can choose pastels, light copper and bronze. Then take a dark, coffee-brown eye pencil and line very close to the upper eye lash. Then smudge it a bit,” explains Nabanita.

“Do the same under your eyes as well; from the middle of the lower eye lash to the outer corner. Then smudge it, pulling it inwards. Apply mascara and you're done with the eyes. Put on a shade of blush on your cheekbones to accentuate it and you're done,” she added.

Step 4: Lips: Nabanita says, “Take a neutral shade, the one closest to your lip colour and apply it on your lips. You can even pick up a nude shade. Then, take a lip colour on your finger and stain your lips with it. Then just at the centre of your lips apply gloss.”

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Smile a lot, because it makes you happy!

We all know that people are overburdened with work and pressure these days and often forget to smile, but this must not happen. You must know that it is your smile that can make you happy all day long. You can spend a lot of time and money for your make over, but nothing is possible without showing you 100 watt smile. 

The shape of your smile matters in making you happy. The shape changes the blood flow to the brain and actually makes you feel happier. The fact that smiling itself boosts your mood has a further positive impact because smiling has a contagious effect. When you smile at others, you are likely to get a smile back which increases your confidence and makes you feel happy.

If you think that it is just the eyes that speak of you, then you are wrong because your smile also talks about you and speaks of your feelings. Having a radiant smile sends a positive message to those around you. It tells people that you are happy to be in their presence, creating an optimistic feeling in others.

It is your smile that shows confidence. If you show your teeth, you reflect confidence and radiance. 

Learn natural way to get rid of acne!

We often hear from our elders that acnehappen with young age and firmly get off with time, but who tells them adolescence is a period where the zeal of appearing well and attractive among youngsters is very prominent. And when acne or pimples happens to this age, no wonder they can go to extent to get rid of this disease, without having appropriate knowledge of product they choose.

Here we’ve a natural ways to fight back the acnes.

Make changes in your diet 

1. Stay hydrated by drinking adequate water. It is a natural cleanser. 

2. Whole grains and lean proteins can prevent breakouts, so increase their consumption. 

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Try adding at least five servings of fruits and veggies daily. Since they are high in vitamins and minerals, they help clear skin. 

4. Consult a skin specialist to know what all foods you are allergic to. Stop consuming those foods and go for healthier alternatives. 

5. Liver is the primary organ of detoxification. If you are used to consuming wrong food or drink, it can cause an acne flare up. Consume green tea to help detoxify your liver. 

6. Go for herbal steam sessions:  For taking a steam bath at home, pour boiling hot water into a plugged bathroom sink and add a few drops of essential antiseptic oils like tea tree oil or lavender oil. Sit on a chair that matches the height of the sink and put a towel over your head to capture the steam around your face. The oils will soften your pores and work to reduce the pimples. For a full body steam, you may have to visit the steam room at your nearest health club. 

7. In addition to incorporating fruits and veggies in your diet and opting for natural remedies, be sure you also practice proper hygiene to ward off breakouts.    

Ways to get a flawless complexion!

The beauty of your skin gets marred by thepigmentation marks and many of the ladies around can be seen trying out various methods of getting rid of the same.

So here we have got for you some expert advice, which will surely help a lot. As per cosmetic physician Dr Jamuna Pai, "Our skin gets its pigment from melanin that is made by the body and determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes. An over-production of melanin shows up as brown patches and spots."

Explaining the main reasons for hyper-pigmentation, experts state the following reasons:
1. Sun damage - Brown spots or dark patches appear from too much melanin being made and coming to the skin surface as a protective mechanism.

2. Hormonal changes - Pregnancy, menopause and sometimes oral contraceptive pills can cause pigmentation.

3. Injury PIH (post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation) - The body's response to injury is inflammation which triggers melanin production and the result are brown spots and patches. Some examples of PIH are acne scars, insect bites, cuts or abrasion, post laser treatments, post peels, fixed drug reaction.

Treating it
Senior cosmetic surgeon Dr Mohan Thomas suggests, "Daily skin cleansing is essential so, wash your face at least twice a day using oil and alcohol-free formulas. Exfoliate three times per week; apply the exfoliator in circular motions to all affected areas, normally the nose, forehead and chin. The exfoliation encourages a newer, smoother skin surface by helping to unclog pores, prevent further breakouts and diminish blemishes and pigmentation spots."

Tips to be followed: 
1. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight between 9am-4pm.

2. Apply generous amounts of sunscreen at an interval of three to four hours.

3. Take nutritional supplements of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants.

4. Keep yourself hydrated

How to be a beauty at 40!

Ever wondered why French women are pretty at 40 and even at 50s? Have you thought over the secret behind the fabulous figure of French President’s wife Carla Bruni? Well don’t mistake it to French but there are few secrets in the culture which can be adopted in order to remain a beauty at 40. Let’s plunge deep:

1. Edge out age with Eggs: Rich in Vitamin E, eggs absorb calcium easily and are good for skin, hair, teeth and bones.

2. Date with dates: Dates have Vitamin A, B and C and foster quick digestion.

3. Armor yourself with Almonds: Rich in Vitamin E endorses gynecological goodness.

4. Be beautiful with Berries: Being anti oxidants, Berries work as anti-aging treatment.

5. Avail health with Avocados: Rich in Vitamin E, Avocados are good for skin.

One can follow these laws of being fantabulous at 40:

1. If you want to be slim, include fatty foods like dark chocolates and cheese in your diet. Yes, in fact fatty foods are full of sugar and carbs and can easily make you feel fuller making you consume lesser.

2. Cook food with basic salt and spices to keep it simple, healthy and organically yummy.

3. Pay attention to the consumed portions of food. Larger the serving would be, larger would be the part consumed. Eat less but in frequent intervals which boosts up metabolism.

4. Avoid alcohol, sugar, stress and fizzy drinks to look younger.

5. Chew your food well to make sure that the nutrition is well consumed and absorbed.

Beauty secrets from Shahnaz Husain!

It is very well said, skin is the mirror of the body. It is an actual parameter to judge body’s condition as it reflects the internal health faithfully. If you are following an unhealthy life then it would be reflected automatically on your skin. Lack of exercise and sleep, malnutrition may result into dull skin.

Here are some magical beauty tips by beauty expertShahnaz Husain that can do wonders to your face.

• Toning of skin is very important. It should be toned with rose water daily. It adds glow and stimulates blood circulation to the skin surface.

• Use witch hazel with rose water if not available you can use rose water only. Keep the rose water in the bowl in the fridge and soak cotton in it. First wipe the skin, and then apply strokes in circular, outward and upward movements. 

• For shining and soft skin, mix lemon juice and honey equally. Wash after twenty min, egg white can also be used.

• Fruit pack can also be prepared by mixing grated apples with mashed banana and ripe papaya pulp. Lemon juice or yogurt can also be used. Apply this fruit pack on your face and leave for half an hour, wash off with plain water. This fruit pack helps removing tanning.

• Mix curry leaves with Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) and rose water. Wash it off with water when it becomes dry.

• Drink plenty of water; eat fresh fruits, yogurt, and leafy green vegetables.

You should follow a healthy lifestyle to get younger and glowing skin with every passing day.

Tips on how to remove whiteheads!

Do you want to hide your whiteheads and get a healthy gleaming skin? Then it’s time to say goodbye to your skin problems because we have the tips that will help you get rid of paining white heads and make your skin shining with every passing day.

Whitehead is a form of acne formed by clogged hair follicles. They have white tips and are quite similar to blackheads. They appear as tiny white spots on the face, sometimes they are so small and aren’t visible to the naked eye. They mainly affect young adults and teens. If they are paining you as well, then try these special tips and say a good bye to them:

1. Start taking steam; it cleans your skin thoroughly by opening clogged pores properly. Steaming easily removes off dirt, oil and bacteria stuck in the pores.

2. Don’t use scented cleansers. For unclogging pores cleaners with alpha hydroxyl or salicylic acid are quite useful.

3. For exfoliating you can use a pea sized amount of exfoliater with micro beads. Use twice a week only.

4. Avoid washing your face more than twice a day.

5. Moisturize your skin with a moisturizer.

6. To hydrate your skin, drink at least eight glasses of water.

7. Take a daily dose of sunlight for around twenty minutes to cater the need of Vitamin D to improve skin’s appearance.

Try these instant tips and get rid of whiteheads forever!

Facts about skin care one needs to know!

Skin care is a complicated area; the skin needs nourishment and care in order to look radiant and healthy. With the advances in medical science, today you can easily delay the signs of ageing. But for that you need to clear some of the myth surrounding skin care.

Here are some skin facts and myths that you should be aware of... 

1. Those who long for getting blemish-freeskin and fairness with over-the-counter (OTC) products advertised by film stars must identify the need for using these products. 

2. Checking your eating habits is a must in order to keep the luster intact in your skin. Sleep well and eat plenty of water.

3. Go for a diet rich with Vitamin A and antioxidants, lots of colored fruits and vegetables. Regular exercise improves circulation and blood supply, and flushes out toxins. 

4. Continuous and long-term use of makeup does not damage the natural oils and texture of the skin as long as the makeup is of good quality.

5. Botox, fillers, wrinkle erasers, skin tightening machines, laser and mild non-invasive treatments are a boon. 

Keep these points in mind and enjoy a healthy and glowing skin for long!

Face Mask Tips

Very cheap face mask treatments from your cupboard

1. TOMATO MASK: For oily skin, mash up a ripe tomato and wait on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with hot (not so hot) water. 

2. BANANA MASH: Mash up a very ripe banana. Add just as much as necessary honey to make a soft pulp. Apply over face and your hair. This is such a great firming mask that aging movie stars have been identified to put it in the cups of their bras to make their breasts "perky." (Just check that you don't use too much honey and you use a sturdy bra.) 

3. HONEY MASK: Apply uncontaminated honey (straight from the bottle) to your face and your neckline. Allow it to locate until dry (about 15 minutes). Rinse with very temperate hot water. 

4. APPLE MASK: Peel two apples and make a paste with adding one table spoon of honey now Apply it on the face and Wash out after 20 minutes with cold water.

5. SCRUB FOR OILY SKIN: This scrub help you to get rid of your dirt and the superficial dead skin. This scrub should be used more than oncein a week. Never try this scrub on dry skin. Take two teaspoon of fine bran with a quarter of dried yeast and one teaspoon of lemon juice along with a table spoon of water. Gently massage the thick paste so formed in the skin, specially on and around the nose and chin area. Don't apply around the eyes. Wash it after 1-2 minutes using warm water.

6. FOR BLACK SPOT:

1. Make a mixture with mehndi and oil and apply on the face.

2. Make a paste of 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and glycerin and apply it on the spots on your face.

3. Make a mixture of turmeric and curry leaves and apply on the face and wash it after 15 minutes.

4. Grind dried basil leaf, neem and mint (100 gm each). Add some turmeric powder and rose water to make it in a paste form and apply it on the spots.

5. Grind betel leaf and add a little coconut oil and apply it on the spots.

6.Soak a chappathi in milk overnight . Make it into a paste and apply it on black heads. continue for several days.

7. Make a paste of saffron and add some honey now apply it on the face to remove your black spots.

8. For removeing black spots... apply a paste of turmeric and basil.

9. To remove wrinkles on the face, apply a mixture of sandalwood powder, rosewater and glycerin. After some time Wash it with cold water.

How to Make Your Own Beauty Face Mask

Making your own beauty face masks at home is easy and inexpensive. You will be able to compose a mask that best fits your skin’s needs. The first thing you need to do is to determine your skin type. That will dictate which ingredients you will use for your mask. If you are unsure of your skin type, perform this simple test: Wash your face, and pat it dry. Take a few papers of rice paper and blot them on various places of your face. If the rice paper sticks, your skin is oily. If it does not, you have dry skin. If the paper sticks only on your forehead, nose, and chin, you have combination skin and oiliness in the T-zone area. You may also need to adjust ingredients in your mask if you have sensitive or mature skin.

Oily Skin Masks

Clay masks work wonders for oily skin. The clay pulls excess oil from the skin and unclogs pores. It can also help to clear up and prevent blackheads. You can buy clay to make your mask at beauty supply or health food stores. Mix the clay with some water and honey until the consistency is thick but smooth. Apply it to your skin and allow it to dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the mask with warm water, and follow it up with a moisturizer. Strawberries are another great face mask ingredient if you have oily skin. The berries naturally contain salicylic acid, which will help to dissolve oil and fight breakouts. Mash the strawberries and mix them with some yogurt or sour cream. Apply the mask to your face, and wait 15 minutes before gently washing it off. The yogurt or sour cream will help to soothe your skin. Avoid using masks more than once or twice a week, as this will strip your skin of essential oils and cause excess dryness.

Dry Skin Masks

Dry skin will benefit from masks that contain moisturizing ingredients. Honey really helps to moisturize skin. Combine it with egg yolk and olive oil for a mask that will leave your skin looking fresh. You can also mix avocado with honey for an extra moisture boost. A banana and yogurt mask will exfoliate your skin in addition to moisturizing it. Leave the masks on for about 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing them. After using a facial mask, apply moisturizer. Use the beauty face masks only once or twice a week to avoid damaging your skin.

Combination skin Masks

Making your own beauty face mask ensures that you will find the right ingredients to balance the different areas of combination skin. Mix a banana, avocado, olive oil and yogurt for a mask that is will moisturize dry skin and pull excess oil from the T-zone. A rose-based mask also works well for combination skin. Combine rosewater, yogurt or sour cream, and honey and leave it on for 10 minutes. Follow facial masks with a moisturizer specially made for your skin type.

3 Homemade Beauty Face Masks for Your Skin Type

If you are looking for a beauty face mask to suit your needs, you don’t need to spend a lot of time walking down the cosmetics aisles to find exactly what you want. You can make face masks at home that fit your lifestyle and skincare regimen. These masks are easy to make and simple to use, and they will leave your skin glowing and looking great.

Oily Skin Masks

1. Strawberry Mask

Strawberries naturally contain salicylic acid, which works to dissolve oil and dirt in pores. Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in store-bought skincare items for oily skin, but you can achieve similar results using the strawberries in your refrigerator. Mash them and mix them with yogurt. Apply the mask and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing. The yogurt will exfoliate your skin to leave it feeling soft and supple.

2. Lemon and Oatmeal Mask

Lemons are a great skincare item for oily skin as they will help tighten and tone the pores. The juice can also be used to lighten age spots. Grind some oatmeal into a fine powder. Add a small amount of lemon juice. Don’t add too much, as it can cause excess dryness. Mix the oatmeal and lemon juice with some milk to make a paste. Apply the mask and leave it on for 15 minutes.

3. Honey Mask

Honey is a natural astringent. It works to tighten pores and tone skin. It also has antibacterial properties to kill germs that reside on the skin’s surface. Microwave a small amount of honey to make it runny. Add it to some oatmeal to make a paste. Apply the mask and let it set for 20 minutes. This is a great mask that will leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed.

Dry Skin Masks

1. Egg Yolk Mask

Combine an egg yolk with some honey and a very small amount of olive oil (or vitamin E oil if you have it on hand). The egg yolk will tone your skin, and the honey and oil will act as moisturizers. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes before rinsing.

2. Avocado Mask

This is a great hydrating mask for dry skin. Mash a ripe avocado and mix it with some honey. Both ingredients are excellent moisturizers. The avocado is absorbed quickly by the skin, and it has properties to help stimulate collagen production. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes. It is an especially relaxing mask to use during a hot bath on a quiet evening.

3. Cucumber Mask

Cucumbers work wonders for puffy eyes, but they are great for dry skin as well. After peeling them and taking out the seeds, blend the cucumbers with oatmeal and milk to make a mask that will soothe dry, irritated skin. Apply the mask and rinse after 15 minutes.

Combination Skin

Any of the previously mentioned masks will also work for combination skin. You may want to adjust the ingredients, combine masks, or only use the masks on certain parts of your face. The beauty of creating your own skincare product is that you can change the ingredients to make them work better for you.

Tomato is a cosmetic to get a glowing and healthy skin!

Those who urge on looking beautiful and having a healthy skin; the perfect remedy and cosmetic for them is tomato. It is the best homemade remedy to overcome pores, sunburns, rashes, acne and it even gives you a glowing and healthy skin.

Tomatoes are great in taste and are also great for the skin. The Lycopene in them works as an antioxidant playing the role of a sunscreen for your skin. Tomatoes have the following benefits-

1. Shrinks the big pores
Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice and add four drops of fresh lime juice and apply it on your skin in circular motion on your skin. This will help in shrinking your big pores which fetch in dirt resulting to dampening of the pore.

2. Heals the acnes
There is a lot of acidity in tomatoes which helps in reducing acnes. So for getting rid of acnes, cut the tomato into two pieces and apply on your face and leave in on for an hour. Wash it with cool water and moisturize. Regular application will help you cure acnes forever.

Tomatoes are good to eat and are very good for the summers to stay protected from the scorching sunlight. So to have a glowing skin tomatoes are the best to have in your refrigerator.