Beauty and Personal Grooming

Dear Readers, May this year bring new happiness, new goals, new achievements and a lot of new inspirations on your life. Wishing you all a year fully loaded with happiness.

2019 is coming to an end and thankfully so. To be frank, 2019 was an extremely horrible year in my life and I’m glad it’s coming to end! As expected, I didn’t write many posts this year or rather neglected blogging to a great extent. I’m not too sure if 2020 will be a better year and hence won’t make any resolutions on the blogging front. But then, in some corner of my mind there is hope that things will workout for me. I can only hope; only time will tell what’s in store for me and my blog!

There are so many things to love about winter: the beauty of a fresh snowfall, the delectable treats we only indulge in during the holidays, the cozy warmth created by a fire in the fireplace, cuddly soft sweaters, slippers, and throw blankets. But let’s face it: the frigid temperatures and harsh winds of winter can wreak havoc with one’s skin — and with so many photos being snapped at holiday parties and family get-togethers, this is one time of year when you really want to look your best.

Whether or not we believe in zodiac signs,  sun signs, moon signs, horoscopes and the like, it's a fact that at one point of time in his or her life, even a firm disbeliever of astrology must have skimmed through the daily horoscope that appears in the newspaper. The debate, that astrology is pseudo science or true science shall continue forever. However, we have to admit that the curiosity and the yearning to know more about our quirks and traits and to predict the future is what makes horoscope reading and astrology intriguing and fascinating.

Every girl wants to look the finest before venturing out of her home. Be it going to the school, college, office or attending a get-together, they need to look the best. But then, looking good requires a great deal of time and effort, which is not an easy feat to accomplish for busy girls! So, what are the alternatives for them? How can they deck up and look like a million bucks without having to try too much and spend hours in front of the mirror?

Tea has been around for centuries and tea drinking has such a rich and vibrant history. Have you noticed how year after year new studies conducted keep on discovering yet another health benefit of drinking tea? Not only is tea good for you, it tastes great too! And unlike what most fair skin obsessed Indian and Southeast Asian parents believe and often dissuade their kids from this healthy beverage, drinking tea doesn't cause skin darkening .

Neem herbal tea , that boosts immunity and wards off viral & bacterial infections is the perfect beverage to be had during rainy season or for that matter during the flu season. It's a homemade herbal tea (also called as kashayam / kashaya)  made with neem leaves and some incredible spices. But before we go to the procedure of making this potent neem herbal tea or kadha , let's take a look at how the weather changes during rainy season can give rise to many ailments and diseases.

Anyone who has struggled with acne as an adult knows that it’s the absolute worst. Unlike acne in your teenage years—where fluctuating hormones are largely to blame—adult acne can be triggered by an endless number of things, some of which aren’t always easy to identify.

I've mentioned umpteen times in many posts that strength training and weight bearing exercises are extremely good for your bone health and help prevent dreaded diseases like osteoporosis or the brittle bone disease . And no, strength training exercises don't bulk you up -- they in fact help you preserve and enhance your muscle mass and make you look fitter and leaner.

Miscarriage can be devastating for any woman who's looking forward to hold her baby in her arms after a long wait of 9 months. In most cases, it's often difficult to ascertain the exact cause of miscarriage; in fact most missed abortions occur for reasons you have no control over.

Stop abusing your nails!

One ingredient homemade face masks - really? Yes, you can have a delightful, home spa experience with minimal ingredients - in fact with the usage of only 1 ingredient, a single ingredient from your kitchen pantry or your kitchen garden!

Don't we all love accessories that help  enhance our looks? But most of the time, only wearing the right, age-appropriate accessories seem to work. Here are some accessories mistakes that you should avoid.  Also do check this amusing collection of quotes on "Accessories".

Most people understand that foods can provide them with important nutrients and vitamins that make them feel better. However, not everyone is aware that some foods can actually improve or enhance appearance. Several foods have the ability to give an individual a better overall tone and glow. Improving one’s appearance can raise self-esteem and self-confidence levels significantly.

Painful menstruation or having menstrual cramps can be very annoying and discomforting. Several methods such as popping over the counter pills as well as home-remedies are tried out by suffering women during this period. While some self-care methods and home-remedies work to relieve menstrual pain to a great extent, few know that exercise during this period can help too . And that includes treadmill workout too! Yes, treadmill workout can relieve period pain . But is it the only exercise to ease pain during menses? No. Then why the emphasis on working out on a treadmill? But before you seek an answer to your questions, take a look at the reasons that cause menstrual cramps and period pain.

You relish eating hot, spicy food. But this time, your mouth is literally on fire from too much spice especially as the spicy dish that you are savoring is full of chili peppers & also flavored with garam masala . Your immediate reaction would be to gulp half a dozen of glasses of water to relieve that fire in your mouth.

Dental hygiene is critical for your health. You can’t be a healthy, thriving human being and ignore your teeth. Don’t let a vague fear of dentist stop you from taking care of your mouth. In addition to brushing and flossing regularly, you also need to see the dentist. If you’re riddled with anxiety, you can also see a sedation dentist who will address your concerns to ensure your comfortability throughout any procedures you might need. You’ll be sedated during your appointment so you don’t have to experience the pain and stress sometimes associated with dental visits.

Cashew apples had been growing abundantly in our garden during the months of March and April. And we had a great time eating these fruits either by cutting them in slices or in juice form .

Severe headaches and migraines are something which should never be neglected during any stage of your pregnancy. Sometime back, I had shared the ordeal of a woman who had extremely severe headaches and nightmares during her pregnancy which ultimately led to an unfortunate miscarriage. Read all about it in " Are severe headaches in pregnancy a sign of miscarriage?"

Well, for most of us this may be unbelievable but a new research conducted by Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia has found that in addition to our nose we can smell with our tongue also.

Dear Readers, Ugadi means.. New Life New Hope New Aspirations New Beginning Let's make each day Ugadi! May this year all your dreams turn into reality and all your efforts into great achievements. Happy ugadi!

Petroleum jelly aka Vaseline is a versatile product that has innumerable health, beauty and skin care uses. For minor cuts and burns, application of vaseline is recommended to protect the skin and lock in the moisture. Even the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends the use of petroleum jelly for wound care! According to AAD , application of petroleum jelly after washing the area with soap & water, prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab and  also helps prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.

When I read about a study that says "Fewer reproductive years in women linked to an increased risk of dementia", I was intrigued. Earlier, I had mentioned about a study which links being underweight to hitting menopause early . Early menopause is linked with a higher risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson's disease and dementia.

If you’d like to straighten your teeth and achieve a beautiful smile, you don’t have to visit the orthodontist. Believe it or not, many dentists offer traditional metal braces and Invisalign. If you’re interested in orthodontic treatment, simply let your dentist know so they can perform a thorough exam and determine whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign or braces.

Since its debut in 1997, Invisalign has become the preferred way for teens and adults to straighten teeth and achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. Since Invisalign aligners are made of a clear plastic, they are virtually invisible to the naked eye. If you undergo an Invisalign treatment plan, you won’t have to worry about anyone knowing you are in the process of straightening teeth.

Our neck being very vulnerable must not be subjected to extreme bending positions. Especially the backward bend is way more dangerous. Way back, I had posted about the "Sink Shampoo Syndrome", also called as "Beauty Parlor / Salon Stroke Syndrome" which is caused by leaning back into the hard portion of the salon sink with the neck tilted backwards, either for a head massage or for shampooing hair. Apparently, placing the neck in such an awkward position can not just cause severe neck pain but also lead to life threatening conditions like stroke. Read all about it in " Can a shampoo session in a beauty parlor trigger strokes ?"

The reality is that most families lead busy lives. You may be busy with work and driving your children around to various sports and extracurricular activities. In addition, you may have a jam-packed social schedule that includes a number of social events like weddings, birthday parties, and dinner outings with friends and family. Regardless of what types of activities keep you busy, you should never overlook the importance of quality dental care for your entire family.

Wishing you all a colorful & vibrant Holi!  

Holi is round the corner and you all are geared up to celebrate it with full fervour, but  before you jump in to chalk out your plans for the event it would be wise to acquaint yourself with  of  some quick, easy beauty hacks for Holi - particularly a detailed breakdown of Pre- Holi and Post-Holi skin care and hair care tips  that is, a lowdown on your best self care treatment before and after playing Holi.

Have you ever noticed, everything you hold dearly has a memory attached to it? It’s an interesting aspect, the way we remember how a small thing can take us years back down the memory lane. Like letters, gifts, jewellery etc. Especially gold jewellery as we always purchase gold or expensive stuff mostly during a special occasion, that thing marks as an invisible memorandum for the occasion. For me, my first gold accessory holds the most delicate memory of my childhood attached to my heart.

Dear Readers, Wishing you all a very Happy Women's Day!

Miscarriage is a devastating experience for any pregnant woman who looks forward to hold her baby in her arms. Whether she loses her baby in the first term,  second term or for that matter even after completion of the full term, the loss is extremely traumatic and catastrophic for her. It takes several months or sometimes even a year to come out of the mental, physical and emotional trauma of the unfortunate incident. Do read the gut-wrenching account of one woman who had to go through the agony of missed abortion and how she had suffered terrible headaches and nightmares in the period leading to her ill-fated loss . While such a calamity should never befall anyone, things don't work out as per our wishes and in the event of an unfortunate miscarriage here are some tips and home-remedies to cope up with it .

The last kicks of terrible winter are almost here with us, and in a few weeks we'll be welcoming the first rays of spring. With the change in seasons comes new trends and with it, new hair color trends that will add to the beauty of the warmer weather months. There’s no a way to welcome spring than to join in the magic of color in your hair.

Men do have a distinct advantage over women as far as skin ageing is concerned. Men’s skin, apparently being slightly thicker, ages more slowly than that of women’s. At least that’s what studies say. Do read the post Does a woman’s skin age faster than a man’s? However it’s also true that women deal with aging better than men and contrary to popular belief, are more accepting of their age and wrinkles as compared to men.

Does your New Year resolution revolve around fitness and sports? Does it have something to do with martial arts? If so, take active measures to achieve it in 2019. Not to demotivate you, but research shows around 45% - 80% of resolutions are given up within the first few weeks of the year. Now that we have entered 2019, it is time to keep our eyes on the prize to prevent ourselves from becoming a part of this anecdotal statistic.

Jewelry and accessory - aren't they the same thing? Not really. Jewelry, collectively speaking, consists of personal ornaments - rings, necklaces, earrings, etc; An accessory is a part of something else - something additional, like an attachment. A single piece of jewelry can stand on its own, and can make or break a look.

Dear Readers, May the sun radiate peace, prosperity, and happiness in your life on Makar Sankranti and always. Happy Makar Sankranti! May your life be blessed wth health, wealth, love and happiness! Pic Credits: 123greetings.com

What’s not to love about aloe vera? This miracle plant is not just good as a beauty product, but does wonders to your overall health as well! So much so, that even the ever-beautiful Cleopatra was not blind to its charms. It is said that the Egyptian queen used to apply aloe pulp to her face and body, which could be the secret behind her youthful and supple skin.

Being a night owl is associated with a host of health risks. Recent studies have found that night owls or people who stay up late are more likely to die early compared to morning larks who rise early. But being a night owl has some advantages also. [ Source ] Night owls are found to be creative, smart and with better reasoning skills. They are also found to have more mental stamina than early birds. Early risers have a distinct advantage in terms of health over the night owls.

Keeping our skin healthy year round is about keeping it moisturized and ensuring the pores' breathability. Water is what the skin is made of, therefore, it is essential for its health. Drinking water helps to moisturize and replenish the skin from the inside which, in turn, keeps the pores of the dermal skin moisturized. The natural way our skin breathes is through sweat. Sweating helps to detoxify the body by getting rid of toxins that can clog our pores. These toxins can create infections like blemishes and pimples.

Sheela asks: My daughter is 17 years old. Whenever she laughs, her gums become prominently visible. This does not look nice and spoils her otherwise good-looking appearance. Please suggest a remedy.