Beauty and Personal Grooming

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A roundup of best posts of 2011 -  some articles with high pageviews, some useful, some informative and some which did not become so popular but nonetheless are worth a dekko . Hope y'all enjoy reading them! Homemade / DIY Beauty Aids & Home-Remedies How to Make Homemade Teeth Whitener Homemade Summer Facial to rejuvenate your skin DIY Cleanser & Toner with Lemon Grass Home Remedies for chickenpox marks Beauty Tips from around the world Ancient Beauty Remedies From Around The World Beauty Tips & Secrets from Zimbabwe Beauty Tips & Secrets from Thailand Mexican Beauty Tip for hair growth Celebrity Beauty Tips Asin's Beauty Tips & Secrets Pooja Chopra's Homemade Beauty Tips Anjana Sukhani's tips for glowing skin Shriya Saran's Homemade Beauty Secrets Rhea Pillai's Beauty & Health Tips

It is a strange quirk of human nature that we always try to look younger than our actual ages. At 25 we do our best to look 18. At 35 we are pleased if someone tells us we do not look a day over 25. In our mid-40's, we are thrilled when someone expresses surprise on learning that we have college-going children. Ironically, it is only in our teens that we try to act and dress older than we actually are! Why is it that an average person, especially a woman, tries to look younger? Why cannot we come to terms with this simple fact of life, that we have to and are going older with every passing day, minute and second.

Banana as a home beauty aid is quite popular around the world! In Jamaica, especially, women use both the pulp and peels on their skin for that fantastic glow. After peeling the banana, they rub the inner part of the peels on the face and neck and follow it up with a banana mask made by crushing the banana pulp with a few drops of olive oil added to it. This is allowed to stay for about 15 minutes and then rinsed off with cold water to get fresh, smooth, radiant and rejuvenated facial skin . (Guest Post by Smitha)

Common household ingredients such as Multani Mitti , Jaiphal (nutmeg), sandalwood (chandan ), red sandalwood (Rakta chandan ), Turmeric (Haldi) , Honey along with the wonder herbs such as Aloe   & Tulsi are great for acne-prone skin. Equipped with therapeutic & soothing properties, these heal pimples and also do away with  accompanying blemishes and scars, pretty quickly. Now everyone has heard about the humble condiment Hing (Asafoetida) and its innumerable medicinal uses and how it's used in several home-remedies to provide relief from all sorts of ailments. Particularly it's use as a digestive aid is well-known. But what most folks don't know is that it also helps with pimples . Now, I was quite skeptical of this one, but when I heard an Ayurvedic practitioner recommending it, I decided that I should try this home-remedy .

Wrinkles are an indication that you’re getting older. Not a good sign, is it? After all, most of us want to remain vibrant, youthful and energetic as long as possible, but when a wrinkle appears, it’s undeniable evidence that you just can’t do that. But don’t fret because it is possible to keep your skin as smooth as possible, even without getting BOTOX, as long as you aren’t doing any of these things:

Buying online does require some guesswork. While the unreliability of Internet shopping is nowhere near as bad as it used to be, everyone occasionally has a harrowing online shopping experience . From products arriving damaged, not as advertised or never arriving at all, to dealing with customer service reps and waiting 10-3,000 business days for a refund, you'll want to make sure you do all you can to avoid being sucked into an online purchasing disaster vortex. Pic Credits: renjith krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Check out these few steps to avoid said vortex and secure your Internet finds this holiday season and beyond with ease.

"I want to reduce at least 10 kilos by the New Year's Eve,", told Reva. Tempted to wear that backless figure-hugging evening gown in olive green for the New Year party, Reva joined the gang of fitness freaks (read obsessed). She had never exercised in her life except running after her 2 small children, a compulsory exercise which all mothers do and the occasional walking now and then. She purchased 2 good books on exercise and started vigorous aerobic exercises for 2 hours every day, besides jogging, skipping and, of course, dieting. Everyone complimented her on her determination. After a month, her weighing machine showed a drop of 8 kg in her weight. "Wow! What an achievement!" she couldn't resist complimenting herself. For about a month, it was smooth sailing, as only her body knew the endless hours of physical torture. After that instead of feeling energetic and fresh after exercise, her body started aching. She could not take it any longer. Forg...

I came across this interesting Hair-Loss Shampoo Ad . Now I'm not naive enough to believe that a shampoo can prevent hair-loss . But looking at this picture makes me wish for some magical potion that would clasp my hair-roots (on the scalp, of course) in such an octopusy tight grip that  excessive hair-fall would be a thing of the past! Now many swear that rubbing nails helps with hair loss . No harm in trying that!

A hobby is a favourite subject or occupation that is not one's main business. It is an essential part of a person's life - like his career, for it is the hobby that takes away the otherwise monotony of his life. A person without a hobby becomes a bore and gets into a rut. He can only think and talk about his job. A hobby keeps the mind alert and young. It helps to create a proper frame of mind and removes mental fatigue and tiredness. Hobbies vary with individuals and also the enthusiasm with which they are pursued.

When it comes to London style , one only needs to channel their inner Middleton . Whether you're more inspired by Kate or Pippa , we can all agree that their style is both elegant but casual, structured but relaxed. The Middleton's embody these qualities, the most distinctive and important features of London style.   And the best part of London style? It's fairly easy to recreate anywhere in the world.

The bindi —a small dot, a blazing round, or an intricate design—graces foreheads across India and far beyond, its appeal transcending borders and cultures. It might manifest as a humble drop, a bold vertical line, or a delicate horizontal stroke. At its most elaborate, it transforms into a miniature alpana (rangoli), painstakingly crafted with a fine-tipped stick into squiggles, triangles, and circles, forming a mesmerizing artistic tableau. Known as bindi, bindiya, tilak, or bottu , this forehead adornment is far more than a decorative flourish—it embodies auspiciousness, good fortune, and festivity, a symbol steeped in centuries of meaning. No longer exclusive to India, its trend is sweeping the globe; you don’t need to travel to the subcontinent to see this beautiful, circle-shaped embellishment adorning the faces and bodies of people from all walks of life, from Mumbai’s bustling markets to the streets of New York or London. Rooted in Hindu Dharma since ancient times, the bindi’s...

Dehydration (loss of water in large amounts) is a nasty bugger and frequently affects us whenever we neglect taking requisite amount of water needed by our bodies. Dehydration leads to listlessness, benumbed senses and an overall feeling of fatigue. Hydration is a a crucial part of life itself and water losses of a mere 1 or 2% of our body weight can impair our functions - both mental and physical. Various studies have revealed that 7% loss in water content can disrupt our delicate internal balance and result in total body collapse.

Rhea Pillai, one of India's ace models, who has walked the ramp for many a reputed fashion designer is and an Art of Living Instructor shares some of her health and beauty tips . Rhea is an ardent follower of Yoga and emphasises the correlation between health and beauty . Let's see what Rhea has got to say.

Source: hudlow.tumblr.com

J.M asks : I am a 20 year old college student from Bengaluru. I have a pretty face but my problem is that I am fat at the waist and thighs.  This happened when I stopped dancing Bharatanatyam, which I was learning from 8 years.  But now I want to do something to acquire a svelte figure.  I don’t want to squander exorbitant amounts by going to the gym. So can you please suggest simple, but cost- effective exercises that are best suited to reduce my thighs and waist?

Everyone of us likes to dress well, and we do it as best as we possibly can. But contrary to what most of us think, the real source of good dressing up is neither the fashionable boutique in that posh locality of your town, nor the best cloth shop – but your own wardrobe, well-maintained and orderly. A few missing matching blouses or petticoat could render a whole pile of saris useless. Rows and rows of pretty, dainty but ill-maintained dresses could make it difficult for you to select even one wearable dress for a party or an outing. And, here is where the importance of rearranging the wardrobe, from time to time, arises. Wardrobes are bound to get messed up in the hurry of getting dressed up in a jiffy. Blouses and tops are likely to disappear into the folds of saris and bigger dresses. A peep into your wardrobe once in a while to find out what is missing and what has to be replaced, makes your dressing more efficient and effective.

Thousands of men and women get a tummy tuck every year. Also known as abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is an elective cosmetic surgical procedure that can dramatically improve your body contour if you’ve lost a lot of weight, have given birth, or are unhappy with the way aging has affected your body.

Calling couch potatoes and mouse maniacs! The lazy dude, who is at home surfing the Net or flicking channels, needs to pull up his socks. People who drive down to the nearby mall or ride elevators to reach floors that can be climbed, need to think again. Sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of heart attacks, high blood pressure, paralytic strokes, diabetes and even some cancers. Affirms a renowned Cardiologist, “A sedentary lifestyle can lead to rise in blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, higher blood lipid (triglycerides) and obesity. Obesity is an ailment in itself and its incidence is increasing in the urban teen”

As a winter sports enthusiast, by the time December and January roll around, I'm ready to hit the slopes along with everyone else. While many snow sport fanatics, male and female, spend plenty of money on new gear: ski boots, ski jackets or snowboard pants few people stop to think about the importance of skin care. Our skin takes a beating every winter, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Dry, chapped or wind-burned skin is misery, especially when combined with the general "Winter Blues" feeling that sets in sometime around February. Check out these few products to help keep your skin in great shape all winter long:

Chitra asks: I have an oily skin prone to occasional pimples. On the advice of a friend (or should I call her my foe), I started washing my face with hot water and followed this with a massage every morning.  The result was that I developed wrinkles and open pores. Later on, in the hope of improving my damaged skin, I started using Vitamin-E oil and buttermilk, but this has caused pimples.  Please suggest home-remedies and DIY beauty aids to heal my skin.

Take a look at this weird Laser Hair Removal Ad by Ogilvy, Tel Aviv. Source

Summers are ideal for losing weight and winters are meant to laze around. Perhaps that's why people tend to put on more weight during winters. At least that's what this article from Daily Mail says. Apparently, way back in our ancestors’ time, usually the winter months were associated with famine. So that the lack of food may not affect us, we were genetically programmed to increase fat stores in autumn to help us survive — this theory being called the ‘thrifty gene hypothesis’.

 Life is a roller-coaster ride and crisis and difficulties are a part and parcel of it! You may think that life is unfair to you, but then that's how it is! Some things are simply beyond your control! In such a scenario, the solution lies in acceptance rather than resistance or confrontation. Make peace with life and come to terms with it!  Perhaps that's how things were meant to be! Maybe that's how the Divine Order or Nature intended it to be!

Winter is on its way, and to many this means a loss of the sun-kissed glow that makes summer so awesome. We are left looking and feeling pasty and worn out, eager for those warm rays and long days to return. However, this doesn't have to be the case. With a little understanding of health and nutrition, you can achieve a better, healthier glow than ever before. Before you head to the tanning salons to only improve your glow on the outside, follow this simple advice to make sure you shine from inside out. Don't wait until winter actually gets here. In this instance, the sooner the better.

JUVÉDERM® is an injectable filler that is based on hyaluronic acid, a natural part of the skin that adds suppleness and hydration. The product is injected into a specific area of the face to erase wrinkles, folds and creases. It can also recontour your features, such as plump up your lips or make the tip of your nose more prominent. But if you want to know how much you should pay for a JUVÉDERM® treatment, chances are you already know this!

Women with olive skin are amongst the most beautiful in the world. They usually have dark brown or black hair and brown eyes which means that they can wear a large range of makeup color and look absolutely beautiful. If you’re one of these beauties and want to get some advice on makeup tips then keep reading for an all-inclusive guide to which colors will work for you.

Thinning hair is an issue faced by most women. Every woman desires to have thick, luscious locks and does shower lavish attention on it. That's why any recipe or potion that claims to promote hair growth stirs enough interest. Some recipes do work, while others do not but that doesn't stop us from experimenting with various ingredients and products. But in spite of  fussing over it so much, scalp hair doesn't quite respond well.

If you have been considering switching to contact lenses to help with an eyesight impairment then you may already be aware that there are several different types of lenses to choose from. Deciding to switch to contacts isn't actually as simple as it first appears you must then think about what kind of lenses you will be comfortable wearing, and how often you think that you will be using them.

Exercise is one of the best things that you can do for your body. Not only does it release endorphins, but you are less likely to become ill if you exercise regularly, which is a good thing considering that we're heading into cold season. Additionally, many health insurance companies have lower premiums for healthy people; I am currently covered under my father's COBRA health insurance, and my family's overall health has helped to keep his premiums lower than they would have been otherwise.

For many of us who care about our skin and hair , we tend to fret over the smallest details—we research the best lotions, shampoos, and other products, we drink lots of water, etc. However, some are plagued by an unfortunate disorder in which they compulsively do damage to their skin and/or hair . This disorder is known as dermatillomania , an impulse control disorder in which sufferers disfigure their skin against their own will. The disorder manifests itself in several ways. Skin-pickers may pick the skin on their hands, neck, arms, shoulders, or scalp.

An old Japanese saying goes, "A woman's skin should be as tender and supple as the pedicle of a gracious blossom." In Japan, the skin is considered a woman's most sensual physical asset and is cosseted with rice bran packages, creams and white powder. We work hard to save our necks but still neglect the neck that connects our head to our torso! A wrinkled neck can take away the glow from the most exquisite and cared-for face. In our part of the world a beauty routine often ends with the chin, the neck being totally forgotten. A youthful face is seldom as beguiling when a lined neck is visible. To keep it unlined and beautiful for as long as possible, a few basic rules need to be observed.

"When Accessorizing, always take off the last thing you put on." -Coco Chanel  With bins of items accessory stores turn in adult candy shops offering literally hundreds of items for cheap prices -- Belts, bracelets, watches, scarves and rings, women and men alike have endless possibilities when it comes to accessorizing. It's easy to get lost in all the madness with bags, hats, and Footwear etc. Accessorizing isn't the easiest, but over accessorizing certainly is. Over accessorizing creates too much visual tension and kills an outfit. It is far better to go without than to over accessorize, when in doubt—take it off.

To all those gals with extremely oily & acne-prone skin, remember this tip. When you are preparing a DIY face pack, mix the ingredients with cucumber juice, tomato juice or plain water instead of milk for better results. (Contributed by Dhanya) Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Everyone everywhere today seems to be talking about being slim and trim. Youngsters, adults, senior citizens – they’re all reading about it, talking about it, thinking about it and even worrying about it. But not everyone seems to be doing something about it. Discussing a matter is one thing – actually getting down to brass tacks and doing something about it is quite another. Motivation is the magic word for getting onto the track of achievement. One should have the desire to do a thing, otherwise it can’t be done. This desire should spring from one’s own consciousness, because nobody can force one to do anything effectively, unless one really wishes to do it. So, too, in this matter of losing weight. Nothing anybody can say or do can really get a person going – she can be inspired or encouraged, but the real wish to act has to come from within herself.

Asha from Goa asks: My feet hurt a lot if I walk a little more. There is a corn on my left foot. I have tried many ointments for it but there has been no relief.

Speech is a faculty that differentiates human beings from other species. We are the only creatures blessed with the capacity to speak, converse, maintain relationships, analyze emotions and thoughts and hold a group together.

Let’s be honest, ladies: we snap up beauty products like they’re going out of style, which is what makes it a multi-billion dollar industry.  Even those of us who have developed a skincare and hair regimen , complete with the best products for our particular needs, we are prone to trying the latest and greatest that the field of beauty products has to offer.  However, that doesn’t mean we want to spend an arm and a leg to try something new, or even something that works like a charm.  La Mer face cream might be touted as the best on the market, but at over $100 an ounce, not too many of us can afford it.  Luckily, you can almost always save by shopping online .  So here are a few beauty sites you may not be able to live without. Image: winnond / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Between hours spent in class, the demands of a job, and the time required for studying and homework, you may not have much wiggle room in your schedule to work in a beauty regimen.  But with a few simple tips under your belt you can easily find ways to look and feel your best, despite your lack of time to devote to the topic.  Here are some quick and easy ideas that will last throughout your tenure in college.

Pregnancy can bring on many changes for a woman, physically, mentally, and emotionally.  But while most women chalk up their sleeplessness , mood swings , and irritation to hormones, they can pretty much live with these side effects of bringing another life into the world.  However, when it comes to some of the physical changes that expectant mothers have to deal with (besides a burgeoning belly), many women can go off the deep end.  However, there are ways to treat all of the beauty concerns that pregnancy might bring on.  Here are a few common issues as well as ways to combat them.

This is a pit that many of us fall into.  As soon as you’ve nabbed the love of your life, you begin to lose interest in keeping up appearances.   It’s no surprise since life can get pretty hectic and you’d rather settle into the comfort of your partner’s arms rather than running to the gym after work.  But there are many reasons why you shouldn’t let yourself go.   For one thing, it can be bad for your health (not to mention your self-esteem).  And it can also be detrimental to your relationship.   Your honey didn’t sign up for life with the blob, so get yourself off the couch, put down the cheese puffs, and make an honest assessment.   If you’re starting to see signs that you’re letting yourself go , it’s time to buck up and get back in shape for the sake of your relationship and your own well-being.   Here’s how to get started.  

Contact lenses come in many variations, from daily use to disposable, to ones you use on a weekly basis, to gas permeable and toric. The lens you require is dependent on your individual needs. But are daily disposable lenses more cost efficient than their monthly use counterparts? The pricing of lenses can vary greatly depending on what you need them for. If they are simply a replacement for glasses, and are not of a specialised nature, then you will not be looking for anything too expensive. If, however, you are in need of toric lenses as you have astigmatism then you will be spending slightly more than for a standard daily disposable lens.

Saima asks: The skin on my feet is very rough and dry with a few wrinkles also. I'd say that it almost resembles a granny's feet. BTW, I'm only 25 years old. I always wear footwear that cover my feet completely and avoid wearing open-toed sandals and such. I so envy other girls / women with dainty, lovely feet and wish I too had feet that were soft and smooth. Please suggest a suitable home-remedy to improve the texture of the skin on my feet. I'd also like to add that I do not have a problem of dry skin on any other part of my body.  In fact, I have super-smooth skin on my arms and my hands are quite lovely. Also I don't have acne , blemishes or anything of that sort. It's only my feet that I'm worried about.