Beauty and Personal Grooming

Oily tresses need a treatment that reduces excess sebum from the scalp. Ingredients with high protein content such as egg white and yoghurt, lemon etc are found to work wonders on oily hair. But as always, too much of anything is bad; so use these ingredients wisely. * Warm hair oil ( olive or coconut oil ). Add the juice of half a lemon. Massage into the roots, comb out and wrap a hot towel around your head for 10 minutes, then wash off. * Add a tablespoon of malt vinegar and a pinch of salt to a glass of water. Massage about two tablespoons of it on to your scalp. Leave on for an hour and then rinse thoroughly. For the last rinse use the remaining solution for extra shine. * Use this hair pack once in a fortnight or once in a week during summers . Ingredients: Egg white – 4 tbsp Yoghurt – 4 tbsp Multani mitti (fuller’s earth) – 2 tsp Lemon juice – 1 tsp Method: Mix all the ingredients well. Make sections in your hair and gently rub it in. Multani mitti ab...

This is a compilation of some strange, unusual, interesting but true facts. Most of these are related to human anatomy and health. Hope you enjoy reading them. * The human body is comprised of 80 percent of water . * The average lifespan of human eyelashes is about 3 months. * There are about 500 hairs in an eyebrow . * It takes more muscles (43) to frown than it does to smile (17). So smile more often. * The average adult will stand around 0.5 inches taller in the morning than in the evening * due the slight cartilage compression that happens over the course of a day. * Blondes have more hair than dark-haired people. * Finger nails grow faster than toenails . * The thumbnail grows the slowest while the middle finger nail grows the fastest. * If you go blind in one eye, you only lose about one-fifth of your vision but all your sense of depth. * On average a person will blink over 10,000 times a day. * Women blink nearly twice as much as men. * Most lipsticks...

One is always surrounded by myths which are imbibed into one from childhood and sometimes through various channels. One such myth that we have grown up with is that people who wear glasses are usually introverts or nerds or have particular personality characteristics. However, latest Australian research into myopia or shortsightedness has revealed that people who wear glasses are not stereotypical geeks or nerds; they are more likely to be agreeable and open, rather than closed and introverted. Details: For the first time in a study into personality and myopia, participants were analysed using a state-of-the-art measure of the five major personality factors (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism), administered by psychologists from the University of Melbourne . Results revealed that comparison of family members and twins showed no link between myopia and introversion; however there was a significant but small association with myopia and Agree...

If you are feeling tired and fatigued all the time, it could be an indication that your body is craving for some exercise. Many people wrongly associate tiredness only with strenuous work/exercise, while studies have increasingly shown that couch potatoes, procrastinators and stressed persons are also the ones that are always feeling fatigued. However, it looks like moderate exercise is one of the best ways to combat that feeling of tiredness. In fact, a team at the University of Georgia has found that regular, low-intensity workouts such as a leisurely stroll can boost energy levels by 20 percent and decrease fatigue by 65 percent. Researchers said that people tend to believe that a quick workout can leave a person completely exhausted, especially when he/she is already feeling fatigued. But this is not at all true. Regular exercise can actually go a long way in increasing feelings of energy, particularly in sedentary individuals, they add. However, fatigued individua...

We often hear women saying that they can put up with blackheads on their nose, a few blemishes on the face or even some discoloration on their upper lips but wrinkles are something they dread as they believe that they are the harbinger of decline, signaling that “one is over the hill.” Sure, there are procedures like chemical peels , botox , face-lifts etc to wipe out those offending lines but they not only prove to be very expensive in the long run but have several side-effects associated with them. The efficacy of those over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams is also doubtful. Even if you are not blessed with the best of genes, the oldest, clichéd and the most sure-fire ways of keeping wrinkles at bay is adequate sun-protection , nutritious diet , regular exercise, a stress -free lifestyle and p roper sleep . It’s a fact that you cannot get rid of wrinkles with homemade masks, nonetheless some of these face packs help rejuvenate, revitalize and give your skin a firmer texture. ...

Some inspirational quotes which are worth remembering: The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet. - James Oppenheim Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise. - Cato Preconcieved notions are the locks on the door to wisdom. - Merry Browne Keep your heart open to dreams. For as long as there's a dream, there is hope, and as long as there is hope, there is joy in living. - Anonymous Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a grea...

I recently heard about hair touch-up sticks (color sticks) as a quick and easy way to cover gray hair. How do they work? You have to wet the color stick and then brush over the offending strands. Then wait for a few minutes to dry. The color allegedly stays on until your next shampoo. Just perfect for those people who want to cover their roots between coloring appointments. It’s not very expensive also, just costs around $6 and lasts for more than 6 months. It is available in colors ranging from light brown to black. Select a shade that closely matches your hair-color and camouflage your gray hair . REVLON Roux Tween Time Instant Haircolor Touch Up Stick DARK BROWN 10g/0.33oz Kiss Trucolor Instant Gray Hair Touch up Stick [ Medium Brown ]

I have oily hair that becomes very sticky and highly unmanageable in summer . Nevertheless, I always oil my hair at least once in a week and leave it overnight to shampoo it off the next day. Coconut oil is my first choice for a scalp massage . But in summers I would rather use herbal oils such as amla oil, curry leaves oil, Aloe-oil or hibiscus oil which I prepare at home– all these oils, however, have coconut oil as the base. These oils are very cooling and applying these before going to bed gives me an undisturbed and peaceful slumber at night. I haven’t tried using too many commercially available herbal hair oils partly because I don’t want to end up losing hair by experimenting with unknown products. But when my friend who has thick, luxurious hair told me how after using Dabur Vatika hair oil , her hair got a visible shine and helped her to deal with long term hair-fall and dandruff, I decided to give it a try. I’ve never had any dandruff problems but excessiv...

Face lift is a popular surgical procedure preferred by many people who and want to look younger and more beautiful in their advancing years. It lifts up the facial skin and tissues and/or the underlying muscle, to make the face tighter and smoother. Face lift addresses the problems of sagging skin, loose jowls and bags under the eyes and improves much of the damage done by ageing. But one should be wary of the risks and the side-effects as well.

A collection of awesome health quotes. Enjoy! It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. - Mahatma Gandhi A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book. - Irish Proverb Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so. - Tryon Edwards Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings. - Publilius Syrus Diseases of the soul are more dangerous and more numerous than those of the body. - Cicero

Nose bleed is also called as ‘epistaxis’. It occurs more often in summer and specially in young children as a result of spending long hours in the sun, constant nose-picking, nose polyp or any other infection. Smoking cigarettes can also dry and crack the nose lining, and taking medications that thin the blood can cause severe nose bleeds. High blood pressure levels also precipitate an attack of epistaxis. Activities such as sneezing can put undue strain on the nose and can aggravate bleeding, so try and avoid situations which can cause sneezing during a nose-bleed. If the nose-bleed is due to any injury that you have sustained or if it occurs too frequently and for long intervals or if you suspect that it is due to high blood pressure/hypertension or due to any medication that you have taken then you need to seek medical help at the earliest. Home remedies for nose bleed * Lying down during a nose bleed should be avoided. * Instead s it down and remain calm beca...

Some people after making a resolution to shed weight embark upon a strict exercise regimen with great enthusiasm and euphoria, but after some time their interest wanes off and they stop exercising altogether citing some vague reasons. But what they should know is that quitting exercising abruptly in fact, leads to weight gain. A new study has determined that the weight gained during an exercise hiatus can be tough to shed when exercise is resumed at a later date.   The study, conducted by Paul Williams of Berkeley Lab’s Life Sciences Division, found that the key to staying trim is to remain active year-round, year-after-year, and to avoid seasonal and irregular exercise patterns. This study should prompt people to think twice before taking a break from their exercise regimens, despite the pressures of family and work obligations, or waning motivation.

Many who undergo Lasik surgery to correct their vision experience dry eyes . The condition usually gets resolved within a couple of months, but for some these symptoms persist and even if they do not experience any vision loss, chronic dry eyes affect their quality of life. They have to resort to artificial tears and other medications to get relief from these symptoms. Now the moot question is: Who is a likely to get dry eyes after Lasik surgery? A recent research has found that people with a certain low level of tear production are more likely to develop a chronic dry eye syndrome after LASIK.   "These findings should help ophthalmologists determine if pretreatment is necessary before surgery or if surgery is appropriate at all for an individual." says Dr. Darlene Dartt, director of the Military Vision Research Program at Schepens Eye Research Institute and the principal investigator of the study. LASIK surgery uses small laser cuts to reshape the surface of the...

Most of us do keep lipglosses / lipbalms handy … but an eyeliner in our purses – that’s not so common. Not to worry. Use your lipgloss as an eyeliner and let your eyes get that glow. Just apply it along your upper lashes. And unlike most liners, gloss is sheer and shimmery, giving eyes a natural-looking twinkle. You might have heard of the antibacterial properties of honey and how it treats and hastens healing in cases of cuts, wounds , minor infections and burns . But you cannot go around carrying a bottle of honey. The trick is to use your lipbalm, which is readily available at all times. For tiny nicks, and paper cuts or shaving cuts just a smudge of lip balm over the affected area can be very soothing. By the way here’s a recipe for homemade cranberry lipgloss, that helps exfoliate dead skin from your lips. Homemade Cranberry Lip Gloss Ingredients: 10 fresh cranberries One tablespoon of almond oil One teaspoon of honey Method: * Take all ingredients in a bowl and pla...

A collection of beauty quotes for you to ponder over. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. - John Keats Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical. - Sophia Loren Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. - Kahlil Gibran The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched - but are felt in the heart. - Helen Keller It sometimes happens that a woman is handsomer at twenty-nine than she was ten years before. - Jane Austen Sex appeal is fifty percent what you've got and fifty percent what people think you've got. - Sophia Loren No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly. - Oscar Wilde Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies, for instance. - John Ruskin

Few days ago I had written how Himalaya gentle face wash cream helped me to tackle winter skin dryness . But as my skin is naturally oily, I felt this wouldn’t suit my skin after winter. So I started using Himalaya Gentle Face Wash Gel meant for oily skin . I have been using it since last few days and the experience has been wonderful. It leaves my face clean and glowing , without any traces of oil and mind you it’s not too drying either. It has two wonderful natural ingredients, citron, which is an astringent and honey that moisturizes and cleanses your skin. And when you squeeze the gel on your palm you can see that it is granular. Probably those granules in the gel are there to mildly exfoliate your skin and remove the excess oiliness/grease. So you can say that it performs the twin tasks of a face cleanser as well as a mild scrub. If your face is prone to blackheads and whiteheads and is too greasy , then this face wash gel is just the right one for you. H...

Our face is our fortune and the mirror of our soul. It reflects our moods, thoughts and general health. We knew about this all along and it’s so true. This interesting article from DailyMail elaborates just on that and is worth a read. Excerpts: * Your skin produces extra oil during daytime to protect it from temperature changes, dirt and micro-organisms, as well as oxidation caused by UV light and pollutants; while at night your skin 'breathes' to rid itself of waste as well as repair any damage. Your face also reveals the state of the internal organs. * A red, bulbous, greasy nose, possibly with prominent veins, may indicate high blood pressure, heart and liver disorders or excess alcohol consumption. * Yellow skin can indicate disorders of the liver, spleen, * A pale face may mean weak glands, congested and inactive liver and/or anaemia. * Cracks at the corner of the mouth can show Vitamin B2 deficiency and digestive disorders. Related Reading: What does ...

Tall people, irrespective of their gender do have an edge over their shorter counterparts when it comes to making a lucrative career . And it is also true that some statistics show that a good height ensures success in various other aspects of life as well. But all is not lost - there is some good news for short people too. Scientists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found that a gene linked to living a very long life -- to 90 and beyond -- is also associated with short stature in women. So it’s likely that short women may have a longer lifespan. Excerpts: A gene linked to living a very long life -- to 90 and beyond -- is also associated with short stature in women, according to new research. Animal research had shown that mutations to genes involved in the IGF-I signaling pathway cause two effects: Affected animals have impaired growth but also longer life spans. Newly discovered gene mutations somehow play a role in extending the human life...

Vicks VapoRub might give you relief during a spell of common cold . But did you know that it could also help fight nail fungus that makes the nails to turn yellow? Application: Y ou have to file the nail and rub in the balm. It gives a slight stinging feeling. Slowly the nail will turn from yellow to brown and begin to grow off. You have to do this twice a day. Always file the nail as far as you can each time before the application of this ointment. Someone I know had tried this and the results were pretty fast. ZetaClear Nail Fungus Relief , a natural product designed to treat nails disfigured by nail fungus might also help. Related Reading : Fungal infections around your toes

If it had always puzzled you as to why flu and common colds are so common in winter , then scientists think they have solved this mystery. According to new research , it has been found that the flu/influenza virus coats itself in a protective fatty shield that is tough enough to withstand cold temperatures. The butter-like material only melts when it hits the respiratory tract, leaving the virus free to infect cells - a process scientists say is like an M&M melting in the mouth. However, in warmer outdoor temperatures, the protective coating melts before it reaches a person or an animal, killing the germs before they can infect someone. Researcher Duane Alexander adds: 'Now that we understand how the flu virus protects itself so that it can spread from person to person, we can work on ways to interfere with that protective mechanism.' …

Though I love to concoct my own beauty potions and would rather use fresh natural ingredients on my skin, sometimes when I don’t have the time or inclination to prepare one at home, I use a natural skin care product such as this EverYuth  Orange Peel-Off Skin Vitaliser . Also if I’m in a hurry, a homemade facial scrub/mask is not so viable. During such times, this peel-off version comes in handy. It’s good in the sense that it is a multitasking product – it cleanses the pores and gets rid of the deep-seated dirt, grime and oil; its’ peel-off action gently exfoliates , the orange extracts, AHA and vitamins in it moisturize and nourish the facial skin. I use it whenever my face becomes too oily/greasy and specially in the summer months . Soon after using it my face feels cleansed, rejuvenated and tight.

Those tiny, pesky creatures called dust mites all the while hiding under quilts, pillows or blankets quietly feast on our dead cells. These microscopic bugs along with troublesome household pests like cockroaches can cause a host of allergies and skin problems. People suffering from skin diseases like eczema have to be particularly careful. A South Korea study has found that dust mites a nd cockroach allergens can weaken defense mechanisms of the human skin, making it more permeable and vulnerable. As the skin barrier function is already damaged in eczema patients, it has to try and repair itself. But allergens like dust mite and cockroach allergens delay this repair process. So it’s imperative that people with eczema should protect themselves from such bugs, insects and filth.