Tag: deepa mistry

Categories
Beauty

Skin and hair care for Holi

We wait for Holi all year, don’t we? This year, celebrate Holi hassle-free with some skin and hair care tips.
by Deepa Mistry | @MissTipsytoes on Twitter

Holi, a festival of colours, brings everyone closer. We all start preparing way in advance for this festival, but along with other preparations, we should take care of our skin and hair as well.

In the riot of fun and colours, we end up ignoring our skin and hair. Hair exposed to chemical colours can become dull, dry and brittle. If your skin is acne or dandruff-prone, you need to take a lot of care as these colours can cause severe damage. Holi is the time when the skin loses it natural oils and softness, owing to the chemicals contained in colours, which can cause redness or rashes. Naturally, taking proper precautions cannot hurt. Start with using only organic or natural colours.

Care before Holi begins:

playing HoliIf you ordinarily wear lenses, don’t wear them while playing. Wear a pair of spectacles or sunglasses.

Remember what grandma always said: apply oil before you soak yourself in those colours. Apply generous amounts of coconut oil on your skin and hair, especially on your hands, elbows and legs. Castor oil is another alternative as well.

30 minutes before heading out to play, apply sunscreen on your face and hands. The colours and the heat can cause severe damage. If you suffer from acne, make sure you moisturise your skin well with a cream containing SPF. Make sure you apply lots of lip balm.

Wear dark clothes and preferably of a light material, and full sleeved to cover maximum skin to keep it protected. Avoid wearing jeans as they become heavy once soaked. Apply dark nail polish as light shades or no nail polish tend to let colour settle on your nails – this then becomes difficult to get rid of.

Don’t leave your hair open; tie it up in a ponytail. Wear a scarf or bandana or a cap to cover your hair and still look chic.

Avoid any salon treatments like waxing, threading, facials etc. 2 to 3 days prior to Holi.

Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated at all times.

Care after playing Holi:

It is very difficult to get rid of colour instantly, hence rinse your hair with cold water as hot water tends to make colour stick to your roots.

Condition your hair with coconut oil or olive oil mixed with 1 tsp vinegar and rinse. If you have dry hair, follow the hot oil and towel treatment for the next following days for softer hair and to prevent hair fall.

Use raw milk and besan pack on your skin to make it smooth to remove all dryness and harshness caused by colour.

Soak fenugreek seeds in four tsp curd and apply it on your scalp. Keep for 30 minutes and then wash away with shampoo.

Keep washing off the colour whenever possible to prevent skin irritation. It might be difficult to carry rose water or cucumber juice with you, but keep it handy. It will soothe your skin.

If you suffer from any acute skin or hair troubles consult a physician.

We wish you all a safe and happy Holi!

(Pictures courtesy venues.meraevents.com, mattersindia.com)

Categories
Places

Sun and surf – just a few hours away

Bored of Gorai, Juhu, Alibaug or other beaches in and around Mumbai? There’s a perfect weekend getaway waiting for you.
by Deepa Mistry | @MissTipsytoes on Twitter

It’s Friday and I’m ready with my backpack for the weekend I’ve been eagerly waiting after the hectic week.  A weekend is all about spending some peaceful time, either at home with your family or with friends. The best way to rejuvenate your mind and body would be by heading to the peaceful beaches around Alibaug.

kashid banana boat rideHave you checked out Kashid?

Kashid is a lesser known town which is now turning into a popular tourist location. It is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, at the North Konkan region of Maharashtra. An offbeat destination once upon a time, it has gained popularity among tourists because it is one of the safest beaches in India. The 3 km long beach combines all the elements of nature in their truest forms, making it a perfect beach holiday spot. The white sand, lush green mountains and valleys, the blue sea… everything here makes one feel like one’s in heaven. Another plus point is its soothing weather due to the presence of casuarina groves all around the sea shore.

Best time to visit

Kashid is a paradise for surfers, although it is not recommended in the months of June to September as the waves are dangerously high and can prove fatal. The best time to visit is during summer, and the temperatures range from 28 to 30 Degrees Celsius – not very hot and not very cold. A span of not more than 2 to 3 days is more than enough for a holiday at Kashid – any longer and you might be bored; this place doesn’t offer much to do. During the holiday period, the town boasts of many people, so it is always advisable to book a place to stay in advance.

A good time to visit is any time during the year, between November and April. The monsoon season can also be a good time to visit, but depending on the rains, a rainy weekend could keep you locked inside your room with nothing to do. Winters can be extremely comforting, but the nights get very cold.

Things to do

Kashid offers many beach activities for water sports, like banana boat rides, jet boats, bumper rides, parasailing, horse cart rides, rides on the ATV, and a lot more. Many resorts Fish Thalialso offer tents and one-day activities like bonfire, group activities, and games. Food is mainly served in a thali system – chicken, fish and vegetarian fare. This place is a paradise for seafood lovers. If you are a non-vegetarian, opt for a fish thali: you will be served bhakri, fried fish, fish curry and rice along with a side of chutney and a typical dried fish pickle. A refreshing glass of sol kadhi shouldn’t be missed. For the vegetarians, the thali is good but you might find less variety of items. Enjoy sizzling hot modaks, which you need to order a day prior.

Where to stay

This place offers a couple of resorts, but we recommend you stay at one the rooms or cottages that have been built by locals residing there. They serve awesome Konkan food as well. Most locals have made extra rooms and huge cottages for sharing basis for bigger groups. These rooms are clean and provide all facilities. Prices range from Rs 500 to Rs 5000, and can be negotiated depending on the seasonal period as well.

Getting there

Kashid is about 135 km from Mumbai, a distance of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes in terms of time. A good option is to leave on a Friday evening or early Saturday morning and return on Sunday evening.

The fastest and convenient way to travel from Mumbai to Kashid is by a ferry. With regular A/C and non A/C ferries plying from Gate Way of India, one can easily reach Kashid from Mumbai. They drop the ferry passengers to Alibaug bus depot and there are regular buses run by the ferry operator from all the Alibaug beaches to Kashid. Taxis are also available from there. There are two routes: you can head to Alibaug via Panvel, then take the road to Pen and drive towards Alibaug. Once you reach there, Kashid is about 30 km from Alibaug.

The second route is the Mumbai- Goa expressway. In case you don’t know the route, I suggest you keep Google Maps on, as they are very handy. Buses ply regularly between Mumbai Central – Murud, Thane-Murud, both halt at Kashid. While the train connectivity is not very good, the Konkan Railway has ensured that this area is now more accessible. If you plan to travel by train, make sure you book train tickets well in advance.

This weekend has a holiday for Holi on a Monday. I’m hinting you might want to take a trip and make the most of it.

(Pictures courtesy Deepa Mistry)

Categories
Beauty

Oats for beauty

Oats are healthy both for the heart and your skin. Here’s presenting some simple oatmeal therapies for beautiful, stunning skin.
by Deepa Mistry

Whenever you jumpstart your day with a warm bowl of oats on a winter morning (though some of you might not be fond of the bland porridge which your doctor asked you to eat daily), bear in mind that oatmeal is a healthy alternative not just for a healthy heart but for beautiful, younger looking skin as well.

oatsOatmeal has inflammatory properties. It helps relieve itching and soothes and softens the skin. Since oats are a little rough, they are great exfoliates and make skin super soft. The amino acid present in them has the best balance of all cereals and is a great water-binding agent. This might sound surprising, but oats are also used to soothe burns, itchiness, mosquito bites and even chicken pox (does not cure, only gives relief from pain).  Oats have been clinically proven to help dry, itchy skin. You will find a variety of brands and these days, oats are available in various flavours and some quick to cook ones as well. But don’t buy those.

If you want oats to give you beautiful skin, try these tips:

– Face wash: Mix a handful of oats with a little warm water and mix till it looks little soapy. Massage on your face and leave it for 2 to 5 minutes and wash off. Do this every morning or night.

– Moisturiser and mask for wrinkles reduction: Mix equal amounts (approx 1 tsp) of oats, honey, olive oil and yogurt and apply on a clean face. Leave it for 20 to 30 minutes and wash off with cool water.

– Face scrub: Mix 1 tsp oats, 1 tsp brown sugar and 1 tsp honey. Scrub your face with this mix for 2 to 3 minutes and wash off with warm water.

– Oat bath: Place ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup powdered milk and 2 tsp honey in a tiny bag (preferably of muslin cloth). Hang the bag under the tap as you fill your bath tub or if you’re having a bucket bath hang it on the inside of the bucket, so running water disperses the goodness throughout your bath. This is the best way to rejuvenate skin.

– Banana bread mask: Whip together ½ really ripe mashed banana, 2 tsp ground oats, milk or cream, a pinch of nutmeg and 2 tsp whole wheat flour to get a smooth, paste-like mixture. Spread on clean face and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

– Stress relieving mask: Oats are used for relieving stress and exhaustion. All you need to do is have an oat bath or just mix a spoonful of oats, warm water, 1 tsp honey and 1 egg oatmeal face maskwhite to relax yourself.

– General skin problems: Oats can also be used to treat general skin problems like acne, dryness etc. Blend 2 tbsp oats, 1 tsp baking powder and just enough water to make a thick paste. Apply on a regular basis to avoid skin troubles.

We recommend you do a skin test before using certain ingredients on your skin, like baking soda, as it can have chemical reactions. Rest of the ingredients are safe to use as these are natural. Simple kitchen ingredients are just another to step to beautiful, glowing skin.

(Pictures courtesy beautyhealthtips.in, babyboomeradvisorclub.com, health.howstuffworks.com)

Categories
Beauty

Your cosmetics could be harming you

How often do you check your cosmetics’ expiry dates? If you haven’t checked, you are putting your skin at risk.
by Deepa Mistry

One out of 10 women take notice of dates and use makeup products accordingly, while the rest are putting their skin at risk by using old cosmetics for several years, even though they begin to smell or get discoloured. Most women forget that cosmetics cannot be used forever. If you don’t keep track of when you purchased and started using certain types of makeup and skin care products, you could develop breakouts or have an allergic reaction.

Expired makeup and skin care products need to be thrown out after a certain period of time. Remember, the expiry date of a product begins the moment you open it but some products have a printed from-and-till dates because not all products have organic contents. Natural and organic products containing fewer or no preservatives have a shorter shelf life and therefore produce higher levels of bacteria.

Many ingredients in makeup can go bad and some can get contaminated by bacteria and other organisms that enter your pores or touch your skin. This can cause a host of skin and health problems. It’s always a good idea to keep a tab on your makeup products and see if anything has been unopened for a long time or has a peculiar and unfamiliar smell. Products such as mascara, lipstick, foundation, face creams, and blush acquire a funny smell past their expiry date. In most cases, areas around the eyes are affected first because they have the most sensitive skin.

caution expired cosmeticsSome of the effects of using out-of-date makeup and skin care products that have expired include the following:

– Skin infections

– Patches of acne

– Frequent breakouts and blemishes

– Excessively dry skin

– Skin discoloration

– Rashes

– Allergic skin reaction

– Eye infections

1. If you are facing any of the above problems, then it’s time for some cleansing. An important tip when it comes to your beauty hygiene routine is to wash your makeup brushes regularly and thoroughly, or you will continue to contaminate your skin and other products that require brushes.

2. Avoid sharing brushes and lip products with others. Usually at weddings, parties or even a ladies washroom, women share lipsticks and lip balms with unknown women. Avoid doing this. The other person might be suffering from skin problems, so don’t invite skin troubles.

3. So many times, we come across branded cosmetics that are sold on the streets and trains, but don’t get lured into buying them. There is a huge variety of cosmetic brands available in the market – don’t fall for the names you have never bought or heard of only because they are cheaper! Cosmetics and skin care products are such that need to be carefully bought and from genuine sellers only. We advise you to invest in cosmetic that’s branded and well reputed, bought only from a genuine store like in malls or stand-alone cosmetic stores.

Branded cosmetics are very expensive but the damage caused by cheaper quality or expired ones can damage your skin for life. If you can’t decide what brands or where to buy makeup from, consult a makeup or skin expert and only buy cosmetics as per skin type. Remember that not all cosmetics suit every skin.

Facial skin is the most sensitive in our body, pamper it but with love and special care!

(Pictures courtesy perfectmakeups.com, www.carbonated.tv)

Categories
Beauty

Band, Baaja, Bride!

D-day is nearing and you want to look your best. Try these tips to look great on your big day.
by Deepa Mistry

Most girls dream of growing up and having a fairytale wedding or a filmi wedding and to top it all, no one does it like we Indians do! Weddings in India are always an affair to remember, especially with all the band-baaja, dancing and a wide spread of cuisines from around the world!

Anyone in the midst of their own wedding fever will know the number of arrangements and tiny details that need seeing to in that last fortnight before the wedding. Till the last moment it can be utterly overwhelming for the bride. A bride needs to look her best all the time and the most basic and simplest trick is to stay relaxed. We know you’ve heard this a million times, while thousands of thoughts circle round your head, but remember it’s your big day and all you need to focus is on yourself.

10 tips to look stunning on your D-Day:

Face: Make sure you invest in a great skin treatment weeks before the date. A day or two before your wedding, fix an appointment and spend a good amount of time getting a facial, a haircut (nothing drastic), and a body massage, and you will shine for the next few days. Moisturise your skin well even the night before the wedding day and avoid too much sunlight exposure. Use a cleansing lotion to clean the skin pores, and an eye cream would be great for your dark circles. Keep your body and skin hydrated.

hands and nailsHands and nails: Not only will everyone want to look at your wedding rings or henna, but your hands will be photographed as well. You’ll definitely want your nails to look your best! While getting your wedding manicure, be sure to take someone with you. Your friend can assist with the little things that can possibly ruin finger nails, such as taking money out of your wallet and opening doors or driving. Give your fingernails at least 30 minutes to dry completely before you try to do anything else.

Hair: Get your hair trials done well in advance. If you plan to get a haircut, try to avoid something new. When you have your hair styled for your wedding, don’t let your stylist pull it back so tightly that it hurts. You may think you’ll get used to the tugging feeling on your scalp, but more likely you’ll end up with a headache. Start prepping months before the day, and then have final colour done a few days before. Never make a drastic change for your wedding day, and remember that your colour should enhance the way you look, creating a soft halo of beauty. It should not be the standout feature. Get deep-conditioning treatments leading up to the wedding day, and ask your hairdresser to use a shine-enhancing gloss on your final colour treatment.

Skin: Most of your blouses are going to be backless or the wedding gown will be a deep or backless one. Make sure you get a good treatment if you suffer from back acne. Back or body polishing would be ideal for your wedding day.

Eyes and lips: You can take a few extra steps to make regular lipstick more long-wearing. Before applying lip colour, smooth a bit of foundation over your lips – this will make your lipstick go on more evenly as well as help it stay on longer. Outline your lips with a lip liner, then fill in lips with the liner as well. Using a lip brush, apply one coat of lip colour.  Don’t go overly dramatic with the eyes by mixing colours. Ask your make-up artist for options before finalising the eye makeup. It’s your wedding day and you’re going to cry. Wear waterproof eye-makeup, and in particular, waterproof mascara.

Dress: The most important thing is dress fittings. Even if it’s last minute, check all your outfit fittings, and pick the correct dress fittingslingerie – you don’t want to be uncomfortable on your wedding day.

Shoes: Buy two pairs of shoes. Try them out at home because you are going to be on your feet for the entire day and you don’t want to be tired because of painful shoes. If you aren’t used to wearing very high heels, don’t buy them. Keep an extra pair handy in case you have trouble with the former one.

Personal care: Avoid any kind of waxing just before your wedding. Plan it days in advance so you don’t have last minute breakouts. If your skin is sensitive, don’t go for facials with heavy products, use milder or natural ones. Brighten your smile; visit your dentist for the best treatments for pearly white teeth.

Emergency kit: You never know what will actually happen at the wedding so it is advisable to be prepared with a touch up kit. Pack lots of tissues and wet wipes, an eye liner, a lip liner, a lip gloss and a compact powder, lipstick, blush and eye colours in a convenient case so someone around you can keep it handy always.

Smell good: You don’t want to wear just any old scent on your wedding day. Pick the best because the one you pick is always going to remind you of your special day. Take a girlfriend to a fragrance shop with you – but only try three at any given time.

So get ready to put your best foot forward and dazzle everyone with that gorgeous smile and stunning looks!

(Pictures courtesy www.sayshaadi.com, www.sheknows.ca, giigoo.org)

Categories
Beauty

The bride diaries – getting fit

Brush all that wedding stress aside: follow these simple, last-minute guidelines to look and feel amazing on your special day.
by Deepa Mistry

Every girl has that perfect plan of what her wedding day would be like. The endless shopping trips, appropriate nutritionally-sound diet, regular physical activity and adequate rest are the most important for a bride-to-be. But don’t forget to keep the stress at bay. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that brides-to-be can follow a few weeks before the big day.

Exercise:

jogging–  You might be working out regularly already; continue with the plan but schedule your exercise in the mornings since they require just a few hours of commitment and then you are free to shop, work and relax during the day.

– Do light exercises to keep muscles toned. Stretching and yoga will help keep aches and pain at bay and won’t make you feel tired all the time. (Remember, you’ll be on your feet for hours.)

– 20 to 40 minutes of walking, cycling or jogging will give you the required cardio and this will help release endorphins (feel good hormones) and keep your skin glowing.

– Try to take the stairs or walk to the coffee machine while at work. This this will help you shed some calories.

– Never overdo any of your exercises. Over-exercising will leave you tired and not energised. Moderation is the key.

– Avoid quick-fix workouts that promise miracles like instant weight loss. You will end up with water and muscle loss, not fat loss. Don’t be fooled by creams or fitness centre ads.

Diet:

– Make breakfast your best friend. A balanced breakfast with sufficient proteins, carbohydrates, fibre and good fat is a must. Yes, not all fat is bad.salads

– Pay maximum attention to your fluid intake and by that, we mean say a strict ‘no’ to caffeine, alcohol etc. Drink plenty of water, juices, buttermilk, and coconut water and don’t over indulge in tea or coffee.

– Watch your portion size, especially when indulging in sweets. If you’re at a party or dinner, opt for healthy food like salads or grilled foods and avoid deep-fried or spicy food. Too much of oily and spicy food can cause acne breakouts.

– Dieting doesn’t mean starving yourself, it literally means ‘cut the crap and eat healthy’. Don’t starve yourself under the assumption that you will lose weight; your body will go into ‘save calories mode’ and start accumulating more fat.

– Don’t fall for fad diets that make you eliminate healthy foods under the guise of promising instant results.

Self-care:

sleep well–  Get enough rest. It isn’t called ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing. Target a good six to eight hours of sleep, including power naps and quick forty winks while at work also.

– Your lengthy shopping trips can exhaust you. When you return, simply dip your feet in a tub of warm water and unwind.

– Pre-wedding stress can wreak havoc on your skin and health so make sure you take some time off in the day and relax your body. If reading a book, watching a movie or listening to music makes you feel relaxed, do that and stay calm.

– A bride has a zillion things on her mind and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just cry it out. Don’t cry because you are worried, a good cry will help you relax your mind as well.

Do what you love and love whatever you do, listen to music, take a walk at the beach alone or with your partner, spend time with your dog, do anything that makes you happy because you are about to embark the most beautiful journey of your life.

Exit mobile version