Category: Beauty

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Beauty

5 steps to get ready for an office party

Office parties are great fun, and you look forward to the occasions every single year. But they also entail a fair bit of advance preparation and choosing the right outfit and accessories to go with it. It can become a challenge very quickly if you don’t follow the process in a methodical manner.

Here’s how you prep and dress for the work party:

#1 Decide on your clothes and makeup ASAP.

You’ve probably attended several office parties by now. The thumb rules of dressing up for them are never repeat an outfit, do not dress casual, and dress comfortably but stylishly. You may wear a daring dress and bold make-up, but steer clear of dress with short hems and low necklines. If you are unsatisfied with the clothes you have in your wardrobe, you should buy new party clothing, accompanying accessories and footwear right away. Don’t leave this for later – you will need fittings, probably some alterations, or even exchange a certain piece of clothing for a different size or colour, and so on. We recommend dresses that feature night colours, such as plum, indigo, maroon or violet, with shiny embellishment and a comfortable but chic fit. If you already have an outfit in mind, do buy footwear and other accessories to go with it.

#2 Perfume is key.

Apart from shopping for clothes, a clutch and shoes, you must invest in a new perfume for the party. An expensive perfume announces itself in the most amazing way, and everyone will take note of how wonderful your fragrance is and how it increases your style quotient. Pick a light and fresh fragrance that lasts long and lends just the required air of sophistication for your look at the party.

#3 Test your perfume at night.

Now that you have the best perfume you wanted, you need to test how it goes with your outfit and the time of night. The perfume must need only a light spritz – wear it and see how long it lasts before you need a refresh. This gives you an idea of how much perfume you will need to spritz on for the party. Do carry the bottle in your purse in case you need a refresh.

#4 Test your clothes, makeup and footwear.

Office parties are evening and night affairs. Do remember that there will be strobe lights, overhead spotlights and harsh lighting in some places and shadows in others. There will also be lots of photographs taken and posted on social media. Thus, your clothes, makeup and footwear should show you off to the best advantage. Do not wear nude or light makeup, but highlight your features in a slightly bolder fashion without going overboard. If you choose a dark lipstick, then keep the eye makeup simpler. Conversely, choose fresh pink lips with smoky eyes. Finish with mascara, a cheek tint and lip gloss.  

Now check your shoes. Walk around in them, especially if they are new, and keep them on for a couple of hours to see which parts of them don’t feel right. There will be dancing and staying on your feet for most of the evening, so choose comfortable shoes with a low heel and a sturdy sole.

#5 Prep your skin before you get into your clothing.

On the night of the party, cleanse your skin and take a shower to make yourself look petal fresh. Apply moisturiser all over the skin and start blow drying your hair. Once your hair is dry, style it into the hairdo you want and then prime your skin for makeup. Do your makeup under suitable lighting so you get it right the first time. Now wear deodorant, get into your clothes, spritz on your perfume, wear your shoes and get to the party looking fabulous like you always do.

Have any style tips to share? Tell us in the comments below.

(Featured image courtesy https://makeupandbeauty.com/office-party-dress-code/)

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Beauty

10 reasons to rock those curves

In an age where fat shaming and body image issues prevail, we list 10 reasons why you should celebrate your curves.
by Beverley Lewis

Skinny models have always been featured on catwalks, pages of fashion magazines and coffee table books. The status quo, in fashion, has always been the skinny girl. But, things are now changing for curvy women, thanks to some bloggers, plus-size models, fashionistas and even advertising campaigns, which have been gushing about curvy women. Even popular artists like Meghan Trainor have been pushing the body positive manifesto with songs about embracing one’s curves. So, without further ado, here’s are our top 10 reasons for embracing and flaunting your inner Vidya Balan.

1. You don’t need to spend your hard-earned money on padded bras or implants.

2. If Danish researchers are to be believed, curvy women are more likely to live longer than their skinny counterparts because our hip fat contains anti-inflammatory properties, which may prevent the arteries from getting clogged. So, good news for most Indian women.

3. Curvy women’s bodies are perfect for cuddling and hugging.

4. Some of the sexiest women like Beyonce, Sonakshi Sinha and Salma Hayek have stunning curves, which they are not afraid to flaunt.

5. Most curvy girls enjoy a hearty curry now and again and are not afraid to reach for seconds and then finish off with dessert.

6. Since most curvy girls like eating good food, we do know our way around the kitchen.

7. We still haven’t jumped on the whole gluten-free bandwagon and enjoy a dish full of pasta or a nice big bowl of rajma chawal, guilt-free.

8. According to a study conducted by Oxford University, curvy women with big butts are more likely to have healthy children because their bodies contain high amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. Another reason to celebrate that booty.

9. Just walk into the Louvre or simply visit the temples of Khajuraho and you’ll see that in the past, curvy women have always been associated with beauty and sex appeal.

10. Men can’t resist women with curves. Scientific research proves that men are genetically wired to be sexually attracted to a woman with curves.  So, go ahead ladies, shake what your mama gave you.

(Picture courtesy wallpapers.brothersoft.com)

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Beauty

Simple remedies to remove under-eye wrinkles

Do you suffer from tired, puffy eyes? Grappling with wrinkles under your eyes? Read on for some simple fixes from the kitchen.
by Rohit Soni

Wrinkles are a big problem. Many people think that wrinkles occur only at an old age, but wrinkles start appearing around the eyes even when one is young.

Wrinkles under the eye look terrible and also affect one’s confidence. Squinting, over exposure to sunlight and smoking are some of the most common causes for the problem. However, it is easy to combat these wrinkles with quick fixes from the kitchen. If you suffer from wrinkles in the eye area, you need to use these tips:

Cucumber

Cucumber slicesCucumber is very beneficial for your skin and the hydrating and repairing properties of cucumber effectively treat the problem of eye wrinkles. Grate a fresh cucumber and apply it over and around your eyes for about 10 to 15 minutes, followed by rinsing off with cold water.

Tea bags

Almost everyone has tea bags at home. This little bag is a potent weapon in the prevention and treatment of wrinkles. Soak a tea bag in water and apply it over your eyes for some time. This simple trick tightens the skin around the eyes and prevents further wrinkling. Use a green tea bag for added benefit.

Honey

The sweetest way to get rid of eye wrinkles is to use honey. Honey is beneficial and improves the overall health of your skin. Mix some rice powder and honey to make a paste. Apply this mixture over the eyes for about 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with plain water. Repeat 3 to 4 times a week for best results.

Strawberries and yogurt

Mash strawberries in yogurt. The nutrients in strawberries tighten the skin and yogurt helps remove dead skin cells. Let it sit on the skin for half an hour, then Strawberries and yogurtclean it off with rose water. Apply daily.

Potato juice

Potato juice helps in reducing the stress and puffiness in the skin around the eyes. All you have to do is apply potato juice over and around the eyes and let it dry. Wash off with cold water.

Ice cubes

Too lazy to try the above tips? Grab some ice cubes and rub directly around your eyes for about 5 minutes. This simple tip is very effective in reducing the appearance of eye wrinkles. Do this at least twice a day.

(Pictures courtesy blog.luminessair.com, healthyeating.sfgate.com, eatdrinkbetter.com. Images used for representational purpose only)

 

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Beauty

5 essential beauty foods

Add these super foods to your diet to slow down ageing, prevent wrinkles and give your complexion a youthful glow.
by Beverley Lewis

Wondering what to eat for beautiful skin, better heart health and improved immunity? Read on.

Pomegranates contain the antioxidants polyphenol and ellagic acid, which protect the skin from sun damage and protect the cells from free radical damage. Studies show that regular consumption of pomegranates also boosts heart health and prevents premature ageing.

CarrotsCarrots and sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which are associated with decreased risk of cardio-vascular disease and some cancers. They are also good for keeping wrinkles away and giving one a clear, glowing complexion.

Oily fish have essential fatty acids, which can help calm inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Omega-3s also keep the skin supple and prevent wrinkles. Studies show that EFA’s increase the moisture content of the skin and improve the body’s muscle tone. If you don’t like oily fish, you can add fish capsules to your diet.

Brown rice and whole grains are packed with selenium, a powerful antioxidant, which is important for Brown ricemaintaining the skin’s firmness and elasticity. Research shows that selenium also prevents acne and skin cancer. It also promotes the absorption of vitamin E and enhances the antioxidant function of vitamin E, which is stored in the skin. This results in glowing skin and prevents deterioration of the skin’s collagen.

Poultry, legumes and mushrooms are full of zinc, which is an important trace mineral that helps the body to repair damaged tissue and heals wounds. Foods rich in zinc can also protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and prevent acne and regulate the production of oil in the skin.

So, if you want healthy, younger looking skin, make sure you add these foods to your diet.

(Pictures courtesy megagriculture.gov.in, www.chow.com, www.mushrooms.ca)

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Beauty

10 homemade night creams for beautiful skin

You don’t need to buy expensive face creams any more. Just make them at home using ingredients from your kitchen.
by Rohit Soni

If you’re looking for a good skin cream and are confused about the sheer variety of brands on offer, you’re on the wrong trail. You don’t need to buy what you need, just make it at home.

It is possible to make some really awesome night creams at home, using ingredients from the kitchen. Note that your skin’s regenerative power is much higher during the night as compared to the day. Also, the skin repairs itself at a faster rate at night, which means that a simple night cream can help your skin as it recovers.

The creams available on sale are packed with chemicals. Why slather chemically rich creams on your face, when you can make so many good night creams using natural products? Here’s presenting 10 homemade night creams and how to make them.

Milk cream. Milk is considered as a natural skin cleanser. Not just cleansing, milk has moisturising properties too, which add a healthy glow to the skin. Prepare your own cleansing and moisturising balm by mixing milk cream, rose water, glycerine and olive oil. Mix the ingredients well until they form a lump. Store the cream in a container, put it away in your fridge and use every night for soft, glowing skin.

Almond oil night cream. Almond oil is the best substance for the skin. Almond oil helps in treating the problem of dry skin effectively. To make this cream, mix almond oil and cocoa butter and melt them over a low flame. Remove from flame and mix rose water and honey to the mixture. Blend all the ingredients and your cream is done. This cream works best in winter.

Apple night cream. Apple is very beneficial for the skin. Their multivitamin content nourishes the skin, while the antioxidants present in apple help in protecting the skin from free radical damage. The use of this cream helps in your skin’s anti-aging fight. Cut an apple into small pieces and blend them with some olive oil until they form a smooth paste. Now boil this paste for a few minutes on low flame. Remove from flame and add rose water to it. Cool the mixture and store in a container. Using this cream every night would help in fighting fine lines and wrinkles.

Green tea night creamGreen tea night cream. The detoxifying properties of green tea help in clearing the skin by removing all its impurities. Aloe vera also imparts softness to the skin. Go ahead and make your own green tea and aloe night cream. Start by mixing bees wax and almond oil, boil them until mixed properly. Now add aloe vera gel and mix again, finally adding green tea extracts and almond oil to the mixture. Store the cream in a container and use it every night before going to bed.

Aloe vera night cream. Aloe vera’s benefits for skin and hair are numerous. Its rich properties help get rid of acne and blemishes. Aloe vera is also very beneficial if you want soft and supple skin. To prepare this cream, you need to mix some fresh aloe vera gel and lavender oil. Now add one spoon of primrose oil to it and mix all the ingredients. Store the cream and you are done.

Glycerine night cream. Glycerine in very useful in locking in the moisture of the skin and along with the varied properties of coconut oil, almond oil and rose water, this cream works wonders. Mix some coconut oil and almond oil and boil the mixture until they are properly blended. Remove from flame and add glycerine and rose water to the mixture. Cool the mixture and store it in a container. Voila! Your cream is ready.

Olive oil night cream. Olive oil helps moisturise the skin and imparts a soft glow. For this night cream you will need olive oil, coconut oil, bees wax and a Vitamin E tablet. Mix olive oil, coconut oil and bees wax and heat them until everything is melted. Now crush the Vitamin E tablet or add its capsule’s powder to the mixture and mix well. Store the cream at room temperature.

Cocoa butter cream. Cocoa butter is great for the skin. The use of cocoa butter cream helps in getting rid of dry and chapped skin. Not only this, cocoa butter also helps in getting rid of wrinkles. To prepare this cream, you need coconut oil, olive oil and cocoa butter. Add all the ingredients and boil them until they are mixed properly. Now wait till the mixture cools before you store it in a container.

Avocado night cream. Avocados are rich in Vitamins A, B, C, K and E, apart from potassium and magnesium. All these nutrients help provide an anti-aging Avocado night creamboost to your skin and help in making it clear and soft. Blend egg or yogurt in a blender and add mashed avocado to it. Blend the mixture again to form a smooth paste. Store in a container and use this cream two times in a week to reap its benefits.

Turmeric night cream. Turmeric helps in treating a number of skin problems, apart from brightening the skin. Soak some almonds overnight and blend them to make a smooth paste. Add turmeric, lime juice, sandalwood powder, yogurt and saffron to it. Blend again to make a smooth paste. Store in a container and use every night for beautiful skin.

(Pictures courtesy www.jellibeanjournals.com, www.fashionstown.com, www.stylecraze.com. Pictures are used for representational purpose only)

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Beauty

The 3 best mud masks for your skin

Summer is here and the heat is on. Here’s presenting three natural mud masks to protect your skin this season.
by Rohit Soni

The skin is one of the most important organs of the body and everyone wants to have beautiful and healthy skin. A number of products are available in the market that claim to do wonders and make you beautiful. But instead of opting for a cosmetic product, why not go the natural way? Getting healthy and a beautiful skin is very easy if you use natural products, especially with the help of simple mud masks. These masks can help you get rid of a number of skin problems like acne, pimples, spots, aging etc.

Try these masks:

Anti-acne mask

One of the major problems that everyone faces is the problem of acne. No matter who you are or what your age is, the problem causes severe distress. Excessive oil and extreme dryness are the major reasons for acne breakouts, but you can get rid of the problem by using these masks.

For oily skin: Take some green clay, yogurt and rose water. Mix the clay powder and yogurt and add a few drops of rose water. Apply the mask to your face and let it set for about 20 minutes. Once the mask dries, use cold water to rinse it off.

For dry skin: Mix white clay powder, honey and rose water and apply over the face. Wash off after half an hour.

Anti-aging mask

The appearance of aging on the skin is enough to embarrass you. Several factors like nutritional deficiencies and a sedentary lifestyle may lead to aging, as also stress and pollution, but you can easily reduce aging marks with this mask.

Prepare a mask using sea clay powder, egg white, lemon juice, green tea extracts and rose water. Mix the clay and lemon juice, and add green tea extract and egg white. Add rose water last. Apply the mask to the face and wash off when dry. Use this mask regularly.

Fairness mud mask

Pollution, oil, dirt and exposure to sunlight can affect the beauty of your skin and make it skin look dull. Therefore it is advisable to use a fairness face mask that will restore your complexion.

Make a mask using green clay, mashed cucumber, mashed strawberry, milk and honey. Start by mixing the clay powder, honey and milk to make a smooth mixture. Next, add mashed cucumber and strawberry to the mixture. Apply this paste over your skin and allow it to set before you wash. Rinse it off using lukewarm water. Do this regularly to get clearer and fairer skin.

So girls, get ready to dazzle the world with your skin with these simple mud masks – without ever stepping out to buy a mask ever again.

Do you have a natural mud mask recipe? Tell us in the comments section below.

(Picture courtesy www.jumia.com.eg)

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