Beauty and Personal Grooming

Another year has passed by and how fast! Well, I have been neglecting the blog and mostly relying on guest posts but this time I'm going to make a firm resolution that I'll post at least 2 articles in a week. And I'll try my best to do that! Now for a roundup of the best posts of the year 2015!   Hair Care & Tips Coloured hair has become dull & lifeless – Reader’s Query How to grow my hair faster to rectify a bad haircut? Instant Recipe For Clean Hair

The dentist phobia comes with many names: dentophobia, odontophobia, dentist anxiety and many more. This is the reason why roughly 8% of all Americans avoid their regular visit to the dentist (WebMd). However, regular dental control and necessary interventions are essential for having and keeping healthy teeth. On the other hand, it is very important to mind what you eat to keep those bad germs away from your teeth. There are some bad and some good foods for your teeth and here are the most important ones.

There are a number of skin conditions that people suffer from and among them one is Sebaceous Cyst. This is one of the common skin conditions that requires medical attention if it outgrows and gets painful. Generally, a sebaceous cyst referred as keratin cyst or epidermoid cyst is a bump that develops under the skin. At most of the cases, these sebaceous cysts develop and go away by themselves.

Love for Quinoa, the gluten-free and nutrient dense alternative for wheat, has grown many folds in the recent past. Quinoa (say keen-wah), was deemed as the super crop and marked the year 2013 as the “International Year of Quinoa” due to high protein content and other health benefits. Though it has got the supercrop recognition only lately, it has been considered as the sacred food by Incans for centuries and was consumed especially by warriors for strength and nutrition.

Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a woman more than getting a diagnosis of breast cancer. From the time those two words are spoken, her life and all those she holds dear to her change dramatically. There are many difficult choices and decisions to be made in a very short time. Not only are the options of radiation therapy and chemotherapy discussed, but she also faces surgery to remove either the lump or the breast, and then breast reconstruction. Surgery Complications Caused by Smoking

Most of us tend to wear a pair of tights, leggings, jeggings  or stockings several times without washing! Why? Mainly because we don't want to spoil the fabric with frequent washing. We usually wash them when they appear to be too dirty or become too smelly. But it seems that this isn't exactly an hygienic practice. More so because these clothes cling to the body snugly like second skin. These are usually made of synthetic fabrics that create a warm, moist environment  which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.

Are you one of the many avid viewers of makeup gurus on YouTube who regularly present and review the newest makeup products on the market? If yes, you probably salivate over the gorgeous products out there—especially the limited editions that come in the fanciest packaging from brands like NARS, Dermalogica, Kerastase, OPI and La Prairie—and hope that you can get your hands on them as well.

Irrespective of how genuinely fashionable and chic your outfit may be, you are never ready for an occasion without the right pair of shoes. Of course, most fashion following girls have their share of classics, but it makes sense to use the runway trends for creating new looks. In this very special feature, let’s talk of the best shoe trends that emerged from the top four fashion weeks with quick advice of how you can do more for less.

Whether your experience with yoga is that one-off gym class you attended two years ago, or your thrice-weekly morning ritual, you’ll want to keep this post in mind. When you feel good, you’ll look good. Becoming a more beautiful person within and without can begin with something as simple as 15 minutes of basic yoga stretches every morning.

When you think of skin care, the first thing that comes to your mind is how to deal with acne and freckles. You would probably want to find out which are the best acne solution products to heal your acne and their scars. But, in this context, you must not ignore an intensive skin care routine that involves eating a healthy diet, using the best sunscreen lotion for oily skin, hydrating yourself, etc. Read further to learn essential techniques for preventing skin problems. Also, find out why using the best sunscreen lotion for oily or dry skin is a compulsion.

Paridhi asks: I often suffer from nausea while travelling, especially in a car. Please help and preferably suggest tips and home remedies for the same.

Common cold is the world’s most common ailment. Probably, there is no one in this wide world who has not suffered from this illness at least once in his / her   lifetime. It’s so common that the name “common cold” is so very apt.

Scarves are so much more than a way to keep your neck and face warm when the cold winds start to blow. Whether you're heading to yoga class or you're going out for a special dinner, scarves are perfect accessories for complementing your wardrobe. 

Minu asks: I’m a 16 year old girl. My problem is that I find I am basically different from other teenaged girls.  While they like parties, get-togethers and other social outings, I prefer to stay indoors. I love nature and can watch the trees in autumn, rain splattering on the roof or birds chirping in bushes for hours together. I know I can paint well but I am always fighting shy or revealing my talent to anyone else. I like to be myself and I retreat into a shell often. Can I be happy in today’s world? Am I an introvert? Am I normal? My parents fear that I have an unhappy future ahead of me.

Long and beautiful eyelashes are the most striking part of anyone’s beauty. Can you imagine applying eye make up without emphasizing on your eyelashes? Despite the color and shape of the eye, beautiful lashes give an intense and dramatic look to your face. Every single time you use artificial options such as mascaras or lash extensions to accentuate your eyes, you end up destroying the quality of your natural lashes. So, why not find the right techniques to grow eyelashes naturally? Check out the best ways to grow long eyelashes. Also, find out why you must buy Careprost online.

Most married Hindu women follow this custom of wearing the sindoor in their hair parting. (Do read the article " Hair Parting in beauty culture ".) In the South Indian community that I belong to, this isn't really a compulsory ritual. And as such I do not wear sindoor on a daily basis, nor have I tried different brands of sindoor, either in powder form or in liquid form. I just happened to visit a Patanjali store to buy some of their products like their aloe vera juice and aloe gel which are really good and chanced upon this Patanjali Herbal Suhag Teeka and bought it on an impulse.

It is unfortunate that as humans, our skin doesn’t forget or forgive. Be it acne, hyperpigmentation, or freckles, the wounds of these skin disorders never seem to fade away easily. So then how can you get rid of such scars and blemishes? Is there any effective acne scar treatment available? How can you get a good acne treatment solution that cleanses and erases marks within few weeks? If you happen to see such dreadful and painful scars on the skin, you don’t have to bear with it. Read further to know the best acne scar treatments that will help you get a clear skin.

Maintaining youthful vitality and energy is the biggest step in keeping yourself looking young and beautiful. The principles that keep you healthy internally also help you look younger externally . Everyday Things to Do to Maintain Youth and Beauty Skin shows the first signs of aging. It needs to be protected. Skin loses elasticity as we age. Wrinkles set in. Stress, slouching, squinting, weight gain and sun exposure also cause wrinkles.

There are expensive cleansers and masks, cheap DIY methods, and just about every option in between when it comes to things that can naturally refine the skin. While there are many alternatives out there for how to refine your skin, there are 3 ways to naturally refine the skin that are simply the best.

Daily chores such as dish-washing / cleaning and sometimes cooking  are so boring that we often look for ways to postpone these chores till the end of the day. But did you know that doing boring, repetitive monotonous tasks can be less boring and stressful if you do them mindfully? Researchers at Florida State University recruited 51 students to engage in mindful dishwashing. Each washed 18 dishes clean.

Women and some of the men turn to makeup and cosmetic products to improve their outward appearance. But, to be beautiful on the outside, it should start from within the body. While makeup and beauty products make you look and feel better, some also contain toxic chemicals that can mess up the normal production of your hormones.

School is back in session, and millions of American teenagers are using the occasion to express themselves through fashion. For some pre-teen fashionistas, their dreams of being an icon among peers are temporarily derailed by having braces. Others have decided to embrace their orthodontia to make it part of their signature look. Whether they want to hide their braces or flaunt them, orthodontists have more options available than ever to help every patient be comfortable with his or her appearance.

Everyone wishes to have an even-toned complexion that is flawless and free from dark spots and blemishes. Sometimes, due to hormonal conditions, one has to face the brunt acne breakouts and pigmentation. So, how and why does hyperpigmentation occur? How does excess melanin production cause dark spots in the skin? Read further to find out how to identify if you are suffering from the skin ailment. Also, learn why you should buy the Melalite Cream online for hyperpigmentation treatment.

You might have heard your curly hair called a “curse” or “unmanageable”.  The fashion industry certainly isn't interested in catering to the sixty-five percent of women who have some curl or wave in their hair.  In fact, straighteners are among the most popular hair appliances being sold today!  So, what's a girl to do if she's got curly hair and loves it ?  Fortunately, there are plenty of hairstyles for curly hair that aren't hard to do and look great.  Here are just a few.

The tone of the skin is set from inside and can be made to look better from outside with the application of beauty creams and makeup. To ensure that your skin is healthy, beautiful and gorgeous you need to have a diet that ensures complete nutrition to the skin and supplies the essential ingredients that helps your skin gain a flawless supple look. Where beauty creams and makeup have a limited and confined effect on face only; diet has an overall effect on the body making it conspicuous all over the body. Making a few proactive modifications in your diet can lead to healthy glowing gorgeous skin that is going to keep you young for a long time. Yes you can look much glamorous and much younger than your age with a few easy to follow modifications in your diet. The results are visible within one month. You heard it right within one month of the modifications in place.

Freckles are flat, round and brown spots of different sizes that appear on any area of the skin. They occur naturally or develop as a result of sun exposure, genetics or hormonal imbalance. Some people think of them as assets rather than flaws. They are not harmful to the skin though some people prefer to get rid of them maybe to get an even complexion. If you want to reduce freckles or completely remove them, you may follow the following 7 tips:

Laser Genesis is a skin treatment that can reduce the appearance of pores, smooth wrinkles and even out skin tone. It leaves skin looking younger and healthier, without prohibitive downtime or side effects.

While we remember to apply face masks every now and then, but pampering hands with a hand mask is often neglected. Now you may have been moisturizing your hands with hand lotions nightly, but it's also a good idea to pamper them with a weekly mask. And for that you need not spend much. You can prepare it easily with simple home ingredients. Here's one such hand mask . Two more recipes are given below. Use it once weekly for soft, smooth and beautiful hands.  

It's not a good idea to  drink alcohol anytime, anywhere, no matter what the research says. You may think that you are an occasional party drinker, but without your knowledge you may soon develop an addiction for it and the repercussions can prove to be disastrous. Instead, why not use rum and beer in your hair care routine? These are known to be very good hair conditioners and can impart bounce and shine to your hair.

Good oral hygiene ensures good health. And the best way to achieve this is to brush your teeth twice a day. Flossing is also as important as brushing to dislodge the impurities stuck in between the teeth. Along with brushing and flossing, cleaning your tongue is also highly necessary; it helps get rid of the white deposit that is a breeding ground for bacteria and other microbes. Rinsing your mouth really well after you eat is also crucial and you should never forget this habit. Following all these habits will also keep bad breath away. Now bad breath / halitosis is not just due to bad oral hygiene, it could also be a symptom of some other disease. Do read up on the various posts on bad breath ( Bad breath? Take these tests , Home remedies for bad breath ) and how to tackle it.  

Buying a leather motorcycle jacket has become a demand for the buyers and if you’re one of those who have thought buying then you know handling is not easy. Problem is for the new buyers that there are certain biker jackets that you are not familiar with, but better yet you don’t know much about it when it comes to style and protection.  Some people just wear biker outfits that they saw on TV, and when they buy exactly like that and wear on certain outfits, it creates a weird look.

Your hair badly needs a shampoo, but unfortunately you are short of time and can't afford the luxury of an elaborate hair wash.  

Cultivate your Personality I’ve always subscribed to the notion that our individual style could be cultivated, and once cultivated it would evoke our personality and allure. To bring forth your inner being into the external world. Is that not a beautiful notion? How to do it, though? Well, most people personalize their hair, clothing, and makeup based on their personality, which is, usually, inherently linked to their values and ideas. Some men prefer a sleek side-part haircut over a high-parted comb-back, and some woman prefer fresh floral dresses over restructured denim. But, once your outfit and physical exterior are good to go then what’s next? If you really want to better your fashion wardrobe and style then you’ll need to add fragrance to it. Fragrance is the ultimate accessory of fashion because it is an unseen element of style that can positively affect you, and the people around you. The best part of fragrance is that it can be personalized just like your wardrobe.

The name Lavender itself triggers an everlasting deep sensation in your olfactory nerves. It is one flower with numerous varieties (almost 39) occurring naturally and grown commercially all across the world. Perfumes made from lavender are not only popular but also mark a style statement for people across the world. Is lavender just used for making perfumes? No, lavender or rather lavender oil, has extensive medicinal uses especially for the skin and hair. Lavender is being used in many forms mainly aromatherapy oils, bath gels, extracts, infusions, lotions, soaps, teas, tinctures and as whole dried flowers.

Sheer lingerie isn’t just about how it looks, it’s even about how it makes you feel plus seductive. Sheer lingerie is one of the fastest way to make your bedroom sizzle. The term sheer means a material that is net like fabric. Sheer mesh lingerie is then an assortment of fishnet and sheer imaginative underwear designs. Such kind of lingerie was experimented on many couples; “underground” was popularized through pop culture. Obviously, everyone is eager to know who first started the trend? Was it the women from the sex industry or the one from Hollywood?

The theme for summer 2015 could be summed up as everything old is new again. From what’s underneath to what’s on top, the trend is to reinvent pieces from a simpler time. Don’t worry – these pieces don’t look or feel old. They are modern day – retro. Here are five looks you will want to try today.

One would say that the suit that makes a man, but this is not always true. On the contrary, it is the man that makes the suit. In other words, it is your choice of the fabrics, textures and colors only that will turn out to be either perfection or total disaster. One of the most important occasions, when your outfit seems to be absolutely perfect is your job. No matter if you have just received a call for your first job interview or you’re hoping to get the raise soon, you always need to look like professional in order to be perceived as one. Keeping in mind that the first impression is something that happens instantly and that you will probably never get another chance to get it right, you need to always have one suit that will make your look flawless. Here are a couple of timeless suit styles for every businessman you simply need to know.

For men, shopping for the special woman in your life can be confusing,difficult and sometimes downright daunting. Regardless of whether you’re shopping for your wife, girlfriend, mother, sister, best friend or anyone else, trying to choose the right gifts for her can be like navigating through a minefield. And if you want to give her fashion or beauty accessories because she always likes to look her best, you’ll effectively be walking through that minefield blindfolded. But don’t give up hope. Even if the mere mention of women’s accessories causes your eyes to glaze over, and even if you know absolutely nothing about women’s fashion, it’s still possible to find a gift that will make her smile and win you plenty of brownie points. Just follow these five top tips for buying fashion gifts for her.

Maintaining an active lifestyle in a modern world is not easy, but it’s definitely worthwhile health- and relaxation-wise. For maximum budget savings, best health benefits and ultimate fun, try outdoor sports. From hiking, running and inline skating to swimming and biking, room for recreation, relaxation and quality time al fresco springs endless. Here, we bring you top five outdoor activities to take up after a long day at the office and top up your batteries after a busy week.

Being a successful businesswoman makes even the most ordinary things in life ten times more complicated. Your schedule is chaotic, your working hours are even more so, and even the simplest task of choosing the right outfit seems like a huge project with billion angles to consider. To avoid headaches and panic attacks every morning before you decide what to wear, dress in such way that your colleagues and business partners don’t have a shred of doubt left that they’re dealing with a genuine boss.

Cottage cheese, lumpy appearance or the dimpled appearance is one and the same name for cellulite. Cellulite makes your leg, arm, buttock and thighs to look weird. You just want a magical wand, so that you can say “Go away cellulite” and the magic happens. For this magic to happen there are no such magic wands, but there are alternatives for this. The one alternative is a cellulite cream.

Shruti asks: I'm 16 years old. I have a quiet and unassuming nature. My friends find in me a good listener and a sensitive companion.  But I secretly envy the personality of some of my classmates who are exuberant and outgoing, They, in comparison to me, seem to be so full of life.   Sometimes, I too force myself to laugh and joke loudly and I pretend to be a big extrovert. But the effort always drains me.  I feel like a hypocrite too. I don't enjoy being something which I am not. What do you advise?

Looking through designer handbags online, I noticed that the best accessory a woman can actually have is herself. No matter what you wear, or how you keep up with the trends, if you look good there is no need for a lot of extras. A fresh clean look is something that seems to go with everything. Unfortunately, not all women are born with good skin or perfect hair. In fact, most rely on beauty products to cover flaws and enhance their looks. Although there is nothing wrong with this, it can be good to be able to step out without using so much commercial products. It does not take too much to look good naturally. In fact, there are more than a handful of do-it-yourself beauty recipes that can be used. It takes just a few minutes to whip these up in your own kitchen. Best of all, it doesn’t cost half as much as the commercial products you’ll find in stores.

For a while now, neutral colors have been worn to job interviews, work or for any other occasion when a person wants to be inconspicuous or subtle in some way. Women who wore them have been considered humble and even boring. Today, we seem to aspire to wear everything in bright colors or to add a pop of color to every outfit, and use neutrals only for some basic pieces. But, we are mistaken in many things about neutrals; neutral color clothing doesn’t always have to look uneventful. Here, we’ll give you a short guide on how to wear neutrals and still look chic, stylish and fashionable.

Image Courtesy: Shutterstock  For as long as I can recollect (basically since I knew the alphabet by heart), I have been fascinated by braided hairdos. I remember during my early childhood, my mom used to braid my long tresses every day, and I’d plead her to add new and interesting variations to it each time. Along the years, my liking towards the world of beauty and fashion grew stronger, and I began embracing newer trends and styles. One thing that remained unchanged, however, was my love for braids. The fact that they exude femininity and class along with being so versatile make them a favorite among global trendsetters. This season, especially, braids ruled the ramps of New York, Milan and Paris and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it. Here are the top five braided hairstyles that you must try (and no, you don’t need the skills of a trained hairstylist to perfect them):

Indu asks: I have noticed that my complexion has become dark since we shifted to our new house. There is a factory near out house that emits black smoke. Does the smoke have any darkening effect on the skin? Please suggest a preventive measure.

Dieting is a process as much to do with the mind as with the body. When you body is to be reshaped, remember that many of your attitudes, ideas and thoughts have also to be reshaped. Some facts have to be learnt, some realities faced, some myths discarded and some new attitudes adopted. First, while dieting, it is important to remember that it is always appetite and not hunger that has to be controlled. What is the difference between the 2? Suppose someone offers you your favourite sweet or ice-cream when you have had a full meal and you jump at the offer. Here it is your appetite that tempted you and not your hunger. Hunger is when you have missed a meal or it is much delayed and you’re feeling very weak and beginning to hear your stomach rumble demandingly. Hunger refers to this basic need of the body – so don’t try to ignore it.

The great scribe Seneca says: “If you wish another to keep your secret, first keep it yourself.” How apt is this piece of advice, abounding in wisdom! Of course, if you cannot keep your own secret, how can you expect others to keep it! The secret disclosed to someone with a “Please, don’t tell anyone” request often gets circulated around with a little bit of spice added to it. And when it comes back to you, most of the times, it is totally distorted and beyond recognition! But why in the first place one divulges one’s secret to others? Is it in order to earn sympathy, to seek advice, to make sure whether you dealt  with a difficult situation in a right manner or not, or is it merely because you cannot digest your own secret and just have to tell someone to take it off your chest?

M. Asks: My problem is the darkening of the inside areas of the thighs near the private parts. I have tried to scrub this hard but in vain. Can you please suggest some remedy?

Health is wealth. Leading a happy life is as important and even more significant than leading a luxurious or famous life. What is fame or wealth when one is neither healthy nor physically fit enough to enjoy the riches of life? In the mad rush of the modern world, we tend to forget the true meaning of life. A peep into any household in the mornings could serve as an eye-opener.

The cosmetic industry makes over 50 billion dollars a year in the United States. Almost 30 percent of that is spent on facial skin care. Aging gracefully and comfortably is something that most people, especially women, worry about. The good news is that there are exciting new beauty and anti-aging products that deliver what they promise. Below introduces five new beauty and anti-aging products that will change your life.

“You have the right attitude towards it. Summers, have become an unwanted and a much-maligned guest in India. No one seems to want them or like them,” laments Shobha who has reasons to enjoy the winters as well as the summers with equal fervor. She continues, “Have you ever seen a child ever cribbing about the summers or winters? It is always the mother who is complaining, “ Arey, thand lag jayegi ” or “ Garmi lag jayegi ”. Of course, with a little planning, you can have fun even in stuffy and sultry days of summer.”

Your gorgeous necklace looks a bit filmy? Your engagement ring is tarnished by the everyday wear? Or maybe you need to freshen up the classy pearls you haven’t worn in a while? Forget about the fancy jewellery cleaners. You can bring back the gleam of your gold and the sparkle of your silverware with the everyday products you can find in every household. Let’s take a peek in your kitchen cupboard and find that grime – busters and super cleaners.  

Having long thick eyelashes is a dream come true for any girl. However, even if you are not naturally lucky to have long lashes you can still work on getting them. There are many tips that can be followed in order to get long, thick lashes. Using castor oil or olive oil on your lashes can help them grow fuller. A healthy diet is essential; make sure you are consuming all the vitamins and minerals required for healthy hair. You can buy eyelash serums from the market for eyelash growth as well. Keep your eyes clean; remove the makeup as soon as possible to avoid the lashes from breaking.

A number of women find this problem extremely creepy but still have to deal with it at some stage of their lives. This problem is none other than “cellulite” found usually on the buttocks and thighs. It forms lumps which appear like dimples and look really embarrassing. All women of all ages and of all sizes are prone to this problem. What causes cellulite is difficult to explain. Reasons vary from person to person. Some of them are bad eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, exercises are often recommended to combat this problematic issue combined with a good diet. Here is what can be included in the diet to make your skin free of dimples.

Alopecia areata is a type of skin disorder that leads to loss of hair on the scalp. A person suffering from Alopecia areata may notice bald patches on some areas of the scalp. In case of severe Alopecia areata that hair loss may cause total baldness. The main cause of Alopecia areata is an autoimmune reaction. At times, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s cells, thereby causing Alopecia areata. Usually, the hair follicles are attacked by the immune system, and hence hair loss occurs. Alopecia areata can also be inherited. People suffering from thyroid, vitiligo, and asthma run a higher risk of developing Alopecia areata.

There it is—summers again, spring is heading us towards warm weather and sunny skies. Time to get rid of those long warm pants and switch to sexy shorts and skirts. But, is there something that is stopping you from showing your legs off. For many of us, these wonderful summer days can become quite stressful. Everyone doesn't have perfect legs and sometimes it becomes quite embarrassing to display them.

There are many misconceptions when it comes to plastic surgery. We are here to reveal the secrets of plastic surgeons so that you can have the better understanding of the specific results of different surgeries. Image by Flickr

Did some of the celebrities discover the fountain of youth ? By the looks of it, these celebrities seem to defy their age in a time where most people are struggling to stay in shape and avoid the most visible signs of aging.                     The proverbial fountain of youth. ( Image Credits ) Although celebrities usually have an entire crew of people to style them and make sure they look good for the cameras, these celebrities make it look easy. They just don’t seem to be getting any older.

Picture this – you have a flight to catch at 3 am to London after spending 12 gruelling hours at work. You've got only forty winks before you begin yet another hectic week. You comfort yourself saying that you’ll make up for the lost sleep, and stressful schedule after the big presentation is over. Little do you realize that the harm caused to your body could be far beyond repair! Image Courtesy: Getty