DIY Masks

DIY masks- The most trending thing these days. Homemade masks, to get a supple and hydrating skin, should be a part of your daily skincare regime. It can  keep you away from the risk of having any side effects of the skin care products. So, head to your kitchen and pick any natural moisturizing agent depending on your skin type. Use DIY mask twice a week for effective results.

Dry and blistering skin is a common grievance in the winters. Although there are many creams and moisturizers on the market to fight against dry skin. You should go in for various natural home remedies that are not only economical but also quite effective in nourishing and hydrating dry skin and maintaining its suppleness.

Some of the natural and effective home remedies for combating dry winter skin are as follows:

1. Olive Oil







Olive oil comprises of numerous antioxidants and healthy fatty acids which are noble for the skin. It soothes and conditions dry skin all over the body.
Procedure: 
a) Apply a little amount of olive oil on your hands, legs and other areas with dry skin and massage lightly about an hour before taking a bath. Apply a light moisturizer after a shower to retain the moisture in the skin.

b) Exfoliate your skin naturally by mixing two tablespoons of olive oil, four tablespoons of brown sugar, and one tablespoon of honey. Polish this homemade scrub on your dry skin using circular motions for few minutes and apply a light moisturizer later after a shower.

2. Milk Cream


The most common and economical method of exfoliating dry skin. The gentle nature of milk cream also helps to preserve the skin’s mild pH levels. Milk cream acts as an excellent moisturizer.

Procedure:

a) Rub your hands and legs with the mixture of one teaspoon of milk, two teaspoons of milk cream and few drops of lemon juice, allow it to stay for a while and then take a shower. You may do it regularly instead of using soaps.

b)  Make a thick paste by adding adequate milk cream to three to four tablespoons of gram flour (besan) and apply the paste on face, hands, and legs. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. You may use this paste twice a week for a beautiful and glowing skin in winter.

3. Milk


Milk’s anti-inflammatory and soothing properties significantly helps getting rid of dry and itchy skin. Additionally, the lactic acid present in milk exfoliates dead skin cells and increases the skin’s capability to retain moisture.

Procedure:

a) Soak a washcloth in cold milk and put the cloth on your dry skin for five to seven minutes. Gently wash off the milk with another cloth soaked in lukewarm water. This way this natural moisturizer will remain on your skin. You may practice this every day.

b) Add a few drops of rose water to four tablespoons of milk. Rub this solution all over your body. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash your body with cold water. It will leave your skin moisturized and fragrant.

4. Honey


Honey is ranked as one of the top natural moisturizers which is overloaded with antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, and help retain moisture to make skin extra soft and smooth. Honey also has many vital vitamins and minerals that help improves skin health and quality.

Procedure:

a) To relish well-moisturized skin scrub honey all over body and allow it to stay for five to 10 minutes before taking a bath or shower. It helps in toning the skin.

5. Curd


Curd being an excellent skin-hydrating agent, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe dry and itchy skin. Plus, its lactic acid content helps get rid of germs or bacteria which causes dryness or itchiness.

Procedure:

a) Apply fresh curd on your hands, face, and legs by gently massaging it into your skin. Leave it on for around 10 minutes and then take a shower. The mild exfoliating act of curd will eradicate dry skin and leave skin refreshed and hydrated.

b) Make a mixture of half cup of curd with three tablespoons of mashed or blended papaya. Stir it in a blender with few drops each of honey and lemon juice. Smear it on the skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Then wash it off with cold water. It is advisable to do this method once a week.

6. Coconut Oil


Coconut oil is truly a good friend of skin. It treats dry skin as it has high amounts of fatty acids that make up for any loss of moisture incurred.

Procedure:

a) Profusely smear warm coconut oil all over the body before sleeping every night. Repeat this daily to mark skin soft and smooth.

b) Spread on a little coconut oil on dry skin after your bath daily. Coconut oil is more readily absorbed when the skin is warm and elastic after a shower. Repeat daily for smoother skin.

7. Oatmeal


Oatmeal is not only healthy to eat but is also healthy for your skin. The high protein content in oatmeal leaves a defensive barrier on the skin, which avoids water loss and helps maintain moisture. Adding on to it, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are good for the complete health of the skin.

Procedure:

a) Mix one cup of plain oatmeal into bathtub/bucket filled with warm water. Add a few drops of lavender oil or any essential body oil. Soak in the bath water for 15 to 30 minutes. Enjoy this soothing bath once a week.

b) Make a DIY face mask by mixing one mashed ripe banana with one cup of grounded oatmeal with a little bit of lukewarm milk. Smear this smooth mixture on dry skin and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water.

8. Almond Oil

Almond is in itself an excellent source of vitamin E and hence its oil is considered to be the best for soothing and lubricating the dry skin. Its antioxidant property is also beneficial for skin’s health. Being non-greasy in nature, it is easily immersed in the skin.

Procedure:

a) Massage your body gently with the warm almond oil half an hour before taking a shower. After shower apply some light moisturizer when skin is still wet.

b) To enjoy healthier skin with sound sleep it is advised to take a glass of warm milk mixed with one teaspoon of almond oil before going to bed.

Note: People allergic to almonds must not use the almond oil remedies.

9. Aloe Vera


Aloe Vera has gained the loudest applaud for being the best, cheapest and easiest way of dealing with skin problems. With its calming, antiseptic and antifungal properties, it helps combat dry, irritated skin and prevents peeling of skin.

Procedure: Cut open a fresh aloe vera leaf and remove the entire gel out of it. Apply the gel to the dry skin. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes then rinse it off with lukewarm water. This simple mixture will moisturize your skin and form a defensive layer which will keep skin free from impurities.

Skincare for Combination Skin

Some of the combination skin type beauties have oily nose area or oily face and dry forehead and all.

So, combination skin beauties, don’t worry. I am here to your rescue. I will be giving a full-proof combination skin care routine so that you know what all needs to be done for your skin. But before moving ahead, let’s know how to find out if you have a combination skin type or not. So, how to identify combination skin.

Well, it’s a very simple trick. Place a tissue in T shape on the T-zone – forehead, nose, and chin. If the tissue has oil or if you can feel the oil, then you have a combination skin. Now, what are the major reasons for a combination skin type? There can be various reasons like hormonal imbalances, dietary changes, lifestyle changes, change of place and likewise.
Now, since you know that you have a combination skin. Let’s have a look at the skin care routine for combination skin type.

1. Face Wash:

Begin your day with a gentle and oil cleansing face wash like Lacto Calamine Oil Balance Face Wash or Nivea Refreshing Face Wash. If you have excessive oil in the morning, then, you can go with oil cleansing face washes or if you have acne issues then go with acne face wash.

 

2. Scrubs:

Scrubs should be used only once or twice in a week. Also, don’t go overboard with the scrubs. Use a gentle but cleansing scrubs like Neutrogena Deep Cleansing Blackhead Eliminating Scrub or Aroma Magic Mineral Glow Scrub.

 

3. Cleansers:

Use gentle cleansers like Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser and Kaya Purifying cleansers. This can be used to remove your makeup and the oil and dirt from your face.

4. Toners and Astringents:

In the case of combination skin, toners and astringents are a must. This will maintain the pH level of your skin and keep it healthy for a long time. You can use a product like Avene Thermal Spring Water.

5. Day Cream:

Days creams with aloe vera are perfect for all skin types. They are cooling and light on the skin and will keep the dirt and oil away from your skin. So, you can use either the natural aloe vera gel or any drugstore brand offering aloe vera products.

 

6. Night Cream:

Night skin care is very important for combination skin. Use good creams like Olay Natural White Nourishing Night Crème or Lotus Herbals Phyto – Rx Skin Renewal Anti-Ageing Night Crème.

 

7. Masks and Peels:

I always felt that homemade masks and peels are the best. So, try to go for besan or aloe vera and ice face packs. This will cool your skin and tighten your pores too.

 

Some additional tips:

1. Avoid touching your face, as your hands contain a lot of dirt and germs and the same will get transferred onto your face.
2. Exfoliation is the key to a healthy combination skin. Because it will control the oil, and remove dust and impurities, and thus, timely and effective use of scrubs is very important.
3. Don’t skip the CTM routine as this will ensure that your skin is healthy and glowing from within.
4. Stop using soaps, as this will make your skin dry and you will ultimately lose the natural oils from your skin.

No Makeup Makeup Glow

If you want to do a no makeup makeup look – almost nothing on the skin but lots of glow. So use very thin layer of foundation and literally massaged it in the skin.  Use cream blushes in shades of pink and coral from Tata Harper to get that glossy finish on the skin. But if you have nothing, you can just blend a bit of lipstick on your cheeks and put a little bit of lip balm to get that little glow. Or you can even use a cream highlight. If you want to keep lips in a shade of soft brown but keeping them healthy looking.  Use a lip balm on top of a liquid lipstick. A little bit of contouring, some nude eyeliner on waterline and mascara finished off the look. And for this look, it is okay if a bit of your spots / freckles show through. It’s all about making your skin looking healthy and glowing.

DIY Miracle Scrub for Stretch Marks

Stretch marks is one of the most common problems during pregnancy. This is my second pregnancy and I did get some stretch marks during my first pregnancy. I tried a lot of creams and lotions but nothing worked on them. This time around I started using this scrub and it has prevented new marks from forming. So let’s begin this DIY to know more.

You need:

⦁ Instant coffee powder
⦁ Vitamin E oil
⦁ Coconut oil
⦁ An empty bowl
⦁ A spoon
⦁ Some water

Procedure:

Step one:
Take about one to two teaspoons full of instant coffee powder in an empty bowl.


Step two:
Then, add a little water and make a thick paste out of it.


Step three:
Add about 10 drops of Vitamin E oil.

Step four:
Add 10 drops of coconut oil.
 
Step five:
Mix the ingredients well and make a nice paste.


Swatch:

How to use:

Apply this mixture on your stretch marks every day before you take a bath. Just apply it on damp skin, massage it well and then have your bath.

Benefits of coffee:

• It is a rich source of antioxidants
• It protects against harmful sun rays
• It makes the skin smooth and bright
• It enhances circulation

Benefits of coconut oil:

• It removes blackheads
• It acts as a moisturiser
• It makes the skin soft
• Prevents and reduces stretch marks

 

Benefits of Vitamin E oil:

• It helps in repairing the skin
• It prevents the skin from cracking
• Prevents and reduces stretch marks
• Prevents skin aging

6 Smart Tricks To Make Your Face Glow In Minutes For The Next Party

We all love naturally radiant and glowing skin, but we also know that with our kind of lifestyle, environmental conditions and dietary preferences, this is not always easy to achieve. To get our skin to glow from within, it often takes a skincare routine overhaul and months of patience, but what if you found out that there are actually many tips and tricks that can get your skin to glow within minutes? You would try them, wouldn’t you? The best part is that all of these tips and tricks that give you a facial glow within minutes are completely safe and 100% natural.

Let’s take a look at these smart tricks that can make your face glow within a matter of minutes.

1. Steam inhalation: One of the easiest and fastest tricks to getting that gorgeous facial glow is to inhale some steam. Not only in this good for your system, it opens up your pores and works like magic to give you glowing skin. Cleanse your face, take in some facial steam and follow it up with a few drops of your favourite facial oil for a magical glow.

2. Raw milk cream: Take a little bit of cream from raw milk. Make sure that it is cool and has been refrigerated. Gently massage it into your cleansed skin and wash it off with cool water after a few minutes to get a naturally radiant look.

3.  Multani mitti ice pack: Prepare a concoction of multani mitti (fuller’s earth), turmeric powder, sandalwood powder and rose water. Make sure the consistency of it is runny. Pour this mixture into an ice tray and store in the freezer. Every time you need an instant glow and pick-me-up, take one of these ice cubes and massage it on your face. Your skin will glow like never before.

4.  Baking soda scrub: Add a pinch of baking soda to your favourite cleanser or moisturizer and massage it into your skin for a couple of minutes. Baking soda is an excellent exfoliator and brightens your skin within minutes. Wash this off with plain, cool water for glowing skin. 

5.  Tomato cleanse: Slice a ripe tomato and take a few minutes to gently massage it all over your cleansed skin. Tomato is rich in many vitamins and minerals that help cleanse your skin deeply and brighten it from within. You will instantly see that all signs of dullness are lifted and your skin looks amazingly clean and refreshed.

6.  Honey and coconut oil: For incredibly soft, supple, moisturized and radiant skin, use a combination of honey and coconut oil and massage it into your skin. Leave it on for a few minutes and wash it off with plain water. This will make your face glow instantly.

7.  Egg white and banana: Raw egg whites and ripe banana are two ingredients that are hailed for their wonderful skin brightening effects. To get beautiful, glowing skin, prepare a face pack with raw egg white and ripe banana and apply it to your skin. Leave it on for five minutes and wash it off to get super cleansed and amazingly radiant skin.

7 Life-changing Tips on Makeup for Acne

Whether or not one should wear makeup during an acne breakout might just be the biggest conundrums plaguing the beauty world. While some of us may think that makeup helps hide the bumpy, red acne lesions, the rest of us are worried that wearing layers of foundation and concealer can actually cause the zits to get worse. So, the most important thing to do when trying to decide whether or not wear makeup in the case of acne is to find effective and lightweight products that do not aggravate the breakout and still do a good job at covering it up. Most foundation and concealers don’t go on smoothly over acne and pimples, and in turn make them look worse! So, the key is to find the right products and follow the best way to apply them. Here are some tips for you in case you have acne-prone skin and still love to wear makeup.

1. Don’t skimp on the right skincare: When wearing makeup for acne, the right base is very important. Make sure to start with clean skin. Don’t skip the toner and moisturizer. Go for a super hydrating (but oil free) moisturizer to combat any dry patches or flakiness caused by the acne.

2.  Go for a very lightweight and oil-free foundation: The next step is to find the right foundation. Getting the perfect colour match is key. Anything too light or too dark will only accentuate the acne. Choose a lightweight and oil-free formula.
Recommendation: Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

3. Apply in thin layers and with a light hand: You may be tempted to apply thick layers of foundation to conceal the acne, but that’s where most people go wrong. The key to a natural and concealed look is to apply the foundation in very thin layers with a light hand. Make use of a Beauty Blender for a more natural finish. Don’t attempt to conceal too much with your foundation. Your foundation should only even out your skin tone.

4.  Make use of a colour corrector: If there’s too much redness and inflammation on your skin, then let a colour corrector come to your rescue. Apply a green colour corrector to the parts where you need to combat the redness.

5.  Choose a full coverage concealer: Over the colour correct, apply a full coverage concealer. Like I had mentioned earlier, don’t apply thick product all over your face. Focus on spot concealing for a more natural look. Make sure that the concealer you pick offers sun protection. You don’t want to aggravate your acne by exposing it to sun damage.

6.  Distract from the area of breakout: Suppose you have a lot of breakouts on your cheeks, then it’s important to keep in mind that you should distract from that area. Skip products like blush, bronzer and highlighter that are actually designed to draw attention to the cheeks. If your cheeks have acne, then focus on dramatizing your eyes (try a winged liner or smoky eye, maybe) or any other feature of your face.

7.  Go for a bold, bright or dark lip: Unless you have acne right around your mouth, going for a bold, bright or dark lip is a great makeup tip for those suffering from breakouts. It takes away the attention from your skin and makes your lips do all the talking. However, when wearing bold lip colours, make sure that you’ve concealed your skin properly.

7 Awesome Ways to Get Glowing Skin Overnight

This post is all about the many ways in which you get glowing skin overnight. Who doesn’t love naturally glowing and radiant skin? And there’s nothing to beat some simple and natural ways in which your skin can get that glow while you sleep. The trick to getting glowing skin overnight is to do the right things before you go to bed, as a part of your nighttime skincare routine.

I have compiled a list of some very easy and natural remedies that can get your skin to glow overnight. Keep in mind that before applying any of these ingredients to your skin, you have to take off every trace of makeup, cleanse your skin deeply and follow that up with a balancing toner and a hydrating moisturizer.

Let’s take a look at how you can use these ingredients to get your skin to glow while you sleep.

 

1. Massage with a facial oil:

After you have cleansed and toned your skin, take a few drops of any essential oil of your choice and gently massage it into your skin in an upward circular motion. You could pick from almond oil, rosehip oil, or any other blend of oils available as a facial serum. Follow this up with a moisturizer and wake up with a glowing skin.

 

2. Apply coconut oil:

Yes, you can actually apply coconut oil on your face to get a glowing skin! Instead of a regular moisturizer, use a few drops of coconut oil and massage it in, to deeply hydrate your skin. It will help your skin glow, and its antibacterial properties will help improve the overall health of your skin. Make sure to first do a patch test if you have an acne-prone skin.

3. Raw milk face pack:

Raw milk works wonders to give your skin that natural radiance. It is also great in removing tan. After your have cleansed your skin, apply a layer of raw milk to your face and gently massage it until it is completely absorbed. Leave it on for overnight and rinse it off with cool, plain water in the morning.

 

4. Hydrate with aloe vera gel:

Aloe vera gel is a wonderful natural moisturizer that also heals your skin. Apply a layer of natural aloe vera gel and massage it in. Leave it on for overnight. You will wake up with incredibly soft, supple and glowing skin. With regular use, this will also tackle all your skin ailments.

 

5. Apply glycerin with lemon:

Add a few drops of lemon juice to some glycerin and gently massage it into your skin. The glycerin will deeply hydrate your skin, while the lemon juice will take care of any dullness and pigmentation. The combination of these two ingredients is sure to give you glowing skin.

 

6. Honey and fuller’s earth:

Prepare a DIY face pack using honey and fuller’s earth (multani mitti). Apply this generously on your face, once you have cleansed it. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and wash it off. Now, take a little bit of honey and massage it into your face. Leave this on for overnight and wash it off with cold water in the morning. This is a great way to get your skin to glow with health.

 

7. Rose water, sandalwood, and turmeric:

Rose water is a super hydrating ingredient for your skin. Add a little bit of turmeric powder and sandalwood powder to some rose water and apply it as a face mask. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and wash it off with plain water. Follow this up with a spritz of rose water and watch your skin glow in the morning.

7 Amazing Night Face Packs for Skin Whitening

Skin whitening is one among the most common skincare concerns, especially for girls with dark skin. Although there are innumerable skin whitening creams available in the market, most of the girls opt for simple and effective home remedies. With no long preparation time or hassle of purchasing expensive products from the market, using these night face packs can surely give you glowing and bright skin.

So, check out some easy, effective and amazing night face packs for skin whitening.

1. Strawberry Mask:

Strawberry mask is one of the best night face masks that can help to promote brighter and lighter skin. Strawberries contain a large amount of Vitamin C which can help to promote clear skin. Also, strawberries are rich in folic acid, which can help to boost collagen production. Take some strawberries and mash them to make a paste. Now add some raw milk to it and mix together. Apply on the face and wash off with cold water after 20 minutes.

2. Turmeric and Gram Flour Mask:

Turmeric and gram flour mask are one among the most effective and age-old remedies that can help in skin whitening. This concoction makes for an excellent night mask for a simple and oily skin. Take one spoon of grounded turmeric and mix it with two spoons of gram flour. Now add one spoon of raw milk and mix together to make a thick paste. Apply, and leave it for 20 minutes and wash off with cold water. The gram flour helps to soak excess oil from the face, while turmeric works effectively on the acne. Milk helps to soothe the skin and whiten it naturally.

3. Cucumber and Olive Oil Mask:

Cucumber and olive oil mask is an excellent detoxifying mask that can help to clear the dirt and dust from the face easily. This is an excellent night face mask to promote young, gorgeous and glowing skin. Cucumber is rich in Vitamin C, while olive oil is rich in antioxidants which can benefit your skin in many ways. Take one cucumber and grate it. Extract the juice and add some olive oil to it. Mix together and apply this on your face. Allow it to dry and wash off with cold water.

 

4. Almond and Milk Mask:

Almond contains a high amount of Vitamin E, which can help to promote glowing and gorgeous skin. Loaded with Vitamin E and antioxidants, using almond night face mask can prevent damage caused due to harmful rays of the sun. To make this almond mask, soak 7-8 almonds in milk. Now, grind them to make a thick paste and spread on the face. Wait for some time and wash off with cold water. Using this mask can help to give you silky and smooth skin.

5. Chamomile Tea Mask:

Chamomile tea contains a lot of antioxidants and vitamins, which can help to remove the impurities from the face. In order to make this paste, take two spoons of oats, two spoons of almond oil and five spoons of freshly brewed chamomile tea water. Blend together and apply this mask on the face. Wait for 30 minutes and wash off with cold water. Use this mask regularly, to get the healthy, glowing and bright skin.

6. Tomato and Honey Mask:

Another great night pack that can promote skin whitening is tomato and honey mask. Tomatoes contain natural skin bleaching properties, which can help to lighten your skin naturally. Honey contains hydrating properties, which can help to hydrate and moisturize your skin. Take two spoons of tomato juice and add one spoon of honey to it. Mix together and apply on the face. Wash off with cold water after 20 minutes.

7. Yogurt and Oats:

Yogurt is a natural skin lightening and whitening ingredient that can help to promote glowing skin. Oats contain exfoliating properties which help to slough off the dead skin cells easily. Take two spoons of yogurt and add one spoon of oats to it. Mix together and apply on the face. Scrub for some time and wash off with cold water. Use this remedy twice or thrice in a day to enjoy whitening of the skin.

10 Effective Face Packs A Bride Should Try For Glowing Skin

There’s no dearth of face packs when it comes to getting your skin to glow. Apart from the many face packs available in the market for this purpose, it’s very easy to whip some natural DIY face packs in your kitchen to get incredibly gorgeous and glowing skin. Let’s take a look at some simple and easy face packs that you can prepare to make your skin glow like never before!

1. Sugar, lemon juice and olive oil: Prepare a mixture by taking some olive oil, lemon juice and sugar. The sugar will help exfoliate your skin, the olive oil will deeply nourish your skin from within and the lemon juice will add an instant boost of radiance. Together, these three ingredients work like magic to give you glowing skin.

2.  Baking soda and yogurt: Baking soda is a wonderful exfoliator for your skin and it makes your skin glow instantly. Yogurt is nourishing and helps brighten your skin. Add a pinch of baking soda to a tablespoon or two of yogurt and apply to cleansed skin. Massage it in upward circular motions and rinse after 10 minutes.

3.  Rose water, sandalwood and turmeric: Add half a teaspoon each of sandalwood powder and turmeric powder to a base of pure rose water. These three ingredients work to nourish your skin and make it glow from deep within.
4. Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth) and yogurt: This is a classic combination and a very quick and easy face pack to prepare. Add a teaspoon of multani mitti powder to some cool yogurt and apply it all over. This face pack really evens out your skin tone and makes you glow like nothing else! You could substitute the yogurt with milk if you have very dry skin.

5.  Tomato, papaya and avocado: A face pack prepared with a combination of these three wonderful fruits will nourish your skin and make it glow instantly. Take some ripe tomato, ripe papaya and avocado and blend the three into a pulp. If you like, you could add a few drops of lemon juice to it. Apply it to your skin for a gorgeous glow.

6.  Egg white and banana: Take a raw egg white and add a mashed ripe banana to it. Mix well and apply it to cleansed skin. This face pack has many benefits. It will cleanse your pores, remove blackheads and whiteheads, nourish your skin and give you a youthful glow.

7.  Oatmeal and honey: Oatmeal is a great choice for a gentle and natural exfoliator for your skin. When used as a face pack in combination with raw honey, it can have many skincare benefits. It will deeply nourish and exfoliate your skin and make it glow in a very healthy way.

8.  Banana and honey: The combination of mashed ripe banana with honey is another one to make your skin glow from deep within. It will leave your skin feel super smooth, supple and nourished.

9.  Raw milk: The wonders of raw milk have been acclaimed for time immemorial when it comes to making your skin glow. It helps remove tan, hyperpigmentation and gives your skin a glow like never before. This is a great one-ingredient face pack that is totally fuss-free and so easy to use.

10.  Aloe vera gel and rose water: Aloe vera gel mixed with some rose water is great for sensitive skin and problem skin. If you’re looking for soothing and skin calming ingredients that will help you get that natural glow, these two are your best friends. Make sure to use fresh and natural aloe vera gel and pure distilled rose water for this.

TRY THIS OVERNIGHT DIY SERUM FOR A TRANSLUCENT GLOW BEFORE YOUR D-DAY

With the changing environment and lifestyle, there is no escaping from skin issues. The good old CTM works, no doubt. However is it good enough? I won't agree to that. Hence, serums came into being. The usual cleansing-toning- moisturizing regime is now better replaced by cleansing-toning- treating-moisturizing. This is where the serums come into action. You can pretty much say in an Army of soldiers, they are the marines, employed for specific target oriented operations. Let’s have a look at them.

WHAT IS A SERUM
Face serums are lightweight moisturizers with a gel or light lotion consistency and have a higher concentration of ingredients meant to provide more effective and focused results.

HOW TO USE
These are used after cleaning and toning then face. Pat on the serum on with the help of your finger, gently dabbing and pushing it into the skin

SO…I CAN SKIP MY MOISTURIZER RIGHT?
Absolutely not. Serums are an addition to your CTM (Cleansing-Toning- Moisturizing) and no way substitute a moisturizer. They have targeted action and address a specific skin issue such as acne, hyper-pigmentation, aging etc.

There are tons and thousands of serum available in the market, and I won’t deny they don’t work. They definitely do. But, wait for it!!!What if I told you, you can make one in a jiffy, that won’t cost you gazillion bucks and works just as fine as any other serum? Actually more than fine. Shall I say….works BRILLIANT.

Ready? Ladies and Ladies, I give you my magic potion


DIY OVERNIGHT GLOW SERUM
YOU WILL NEED:

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

 Pure Rose Water

Pure Aloe Vera Gel

-4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil
-4 drops of pure rose water
-a pea sized amount of pure aloe vera gel


PROCEDURE:

1. You do not need a bowl for this as it is better to use it fresh every day. Take 4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil on your palm.

2. Add in a pea sized amount of aloe vera gel

3. Now finally add in 4 drops of rose water and mix all the ingredients with your fingers till they become an emulsion.


HOW TO APPLY

1. Dot it all over your face and neck and massage with very light hands in upward-outward motions, till you are satisfied that the skin has completely soaked in the product.

2. Follow up with a very light weight moisturizer and have off you go to bed Sleeping Beauty.
IS IT EFFECTIVE?

1. This serum works greatly towards brightening the skin and especially fading away dark spots.

2. Gives you healthy illuminating glow.


WHY THESE INGREDIENTS??

Virgin Coconut Oil: Cold pressed Virgin Coconut is a boon for the skin as it helps to improve certain skin conditions by healing wounds and reducing rashes. Its anti-inflammatory effect works wonders for soothing skin ailments. VCO contains Lauric Acid that helps to combat acne and even is a great whitening agent.
Rose Water: With its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties, rose water is the life saver for irritated skin. Apart from being an excellent skin toner, it also brightens up the complexion and makes the skin more radiant and even.

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that work wonders for the skin. Application of aloe vera speeds up the process of healing of burns, lightens blemishes, reduces acne and also prevents wrinkles. It even acts as a great natural moisturizer.


HOW OFTEN AND WHEN DO I USE IT

Use it once a day, before you go to bed. You have to be consistent with the use to see great results, in less than a month.


IS IT SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

It is 100% safe for any skin type, however, it is always wise to go for a patch test first. In case you experience any irritation (which most probably you won’t), do not use it further.

Here is a little after picture of me. Unfortunately, I don’t have any before picture as I had never planned to write this piece. After a month of usage, it has reduced my marks and scars to a good extent.

you must not forget these few pointers:

1. Cut out processed food as much as possible from your diet.

2. Stay hydrated and stay away from aerated drinks

3. Nothing!!!!!can substitute a good beauty sleep of 6-7 hours.

Please come back and let me know your experience with this serum. Any suggestions, comments, and ideas are always welcome 🙂

Jacqueline Fernandez Diet Chart, Fitness, Makeup, Beauty Secrets

With looks that could kill, Jacqueline entered Bollywood in 2009, and her debut movie was Aladin. This movie was an absolute disaster; however, Jacqueline managed to get noticed because of her charm and enigma. She was crowned Miss Sri Lanka in 2006, as has been on a roller coaster ride ever since. I would say Jacqueline is a complete package of glamour and beauty. She is good looking, has the right mixture of glamour and wit, dresses well and has those killer dance moves. Ever since she shone bright in the movie ‘Kick’, there is no looking back for this natural Sri Lankan beauty. In this post I will bring you some of the best beauty and fitness mantras of Jacqueline Fernandez as she is never shy of revealing her skin and diet secrets.




She can be as exotic as you want, and as Desi as you can imagine. Jacky is able to carry off any look, any attire with equal comfort and ease. Her figure is just perfect and her looks are absolutely mesmerizing. It is no secret that most of the Bollywood actresses have to deal with a harsh life as they have to be in total control of what they eat. Apart from controlling your hunger pangs away, it is equally essential to work out almost every day, and not to forget that the beauty regime has to be in sync with the fitness!

1. A glass of lukewarm with Apple Vinegar-Cider(one tea spoon) in the morning.

2. Fernandez uses face wash by Cetaphil, and then applies moisturizer by La Prarie

3. Her beauty regime is incomplete without using a great toner. As she has a troublesome T-Zone, cleaning and toning are a must do rituals.

4. She uses lip balms by Dermalogica.

5. Miss Fernandez also trusts home made products and packs, her favorite ones are honey and Yoghurt based.

6. On her recommendation list is Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil by The Body Shop.

7. She loves her Youth Serum, for glow and radiant skin.

8. You will never spot her without lip butter, sanitizer and a face spritzer

9. Jacqueline recommends using ice cubes on her face to get rid of tiredness and dullness. However, ice cubes should be wrapped in cotton.

Makeup Regime of Jacqueline Fernandez

What is it that makes her look ravishing and gorgeous all the time? Lets talk about her favorite makeup.

1. She uses a Primer before using anything on her skin. This evens out the appearance of open pores, and ensures that her makeup lasts longer. By the way, she loves The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimizer.

2. Jacqueline uses BB creams instead of foundations, as foundations do not allow the skin to breathe effectively!

3. Her favorite compact is NC41 by MAC

4. Her eye contour is enhanced by products from Bobbi Brown.

5. Her favorite colors for blush and lipsticks? Pink, Red & Peach.

6. Jacky’s favorite fragrance is Issey Miyake. Other than that, she loves L’Occitane’s Rose fragrance.

7. Miss Fernandez swears by The Body Shop’s Brazil Nut Body Butter and Body Mist.

8. Always remove your makeup before going to sleep at night.

Jacqueline Fernandez Hair Care Routine

As her hair has to go a lot of nuisance day in and day out, she ensure that they remain pampered with the best hair care products, at least for some time. Hence, she goes for a head bath straightway after undergoing a hair styling session. Hair massage? Yes, champi is her favorite. Her preferred oil is hot Coconut oil.

To get that shine and volume, Jacqueline loves using Beer. She also uses Egg white hair mask. Jacqueline loves hair care products from Kerastase. You can also try eating flax seeds, Fish, Nuts and Zinc supplements for great hair!

Fitness Secrets of Jacqueline Fernandez

She constantly works out and trains her body in the gym but what exactly does she do to get that sexy body? Lets spill her work out and fitness tips.

1. A cup of green tea after waking up by seven am!

2. An hour of work out which includes Dancing, Swimming and Kapalbhati. Post that, Sri Lankan beauty indulges in meditation and pranayam.

3. Light weights in the gym.

4. Dancing rigorously

5. Swimming & running every alternate day.

Jacqueline Fernandez Food and Diet Chart

Being careful about your diet is a cliché in the glam industry and Jacqueline is no exception. She maintains her body by eating the right amount of food at the right intervals. Lets take a peak at her diet plan:

1. Jacky never depends on fried food. She always carries dry fruits with her apart from eating a lot of green vegetables.

2. Sushi and Salmon form a major component of Jacqueline’s diet. She does consume sugar though.

3. The Bollywood actress skips dinner a lot times however, not sleep. She ensures that she fulfills her sleep requirement.

4. Few Secrets which are not Secrets Anymore! Eat Bananas, Kiwis, Sweet Potatoes & Dark Chocolates to keep your hunger pangs away.

5. Tomatoes, nuts and Coconut water will keep your blood pressure optimum. So even if you do not eat well, these food items will maintain the flow of blood.

6. For a great sleep at night, eat loads of Spinach, recommends Jacqueline!

7. She stays away from tea or coffee

8. Brown rice, salads and lentils for lunch will keep you away from hunger.

Let me confess that I have not seen any of her movies till date, but I find her quite charming and pleasant. Not only is she extremely forthcoming about her diet plan, but she also shared her makeup secrets and brands. Most of the people in the showbiz shy away from spilling the beans, and JF is indeed an exception. I feel that this honesty shows up on her face as well. She is carefree, bubbly, full of life and believes in just being herself. Not many can do that in today’s times.

I would not skip my dinner for anything on planet Earth. Her best beauty tip for me happens to be the usage of primer. It is indeed a must have, and I am going to order one today. Life is extremely tough for all the gorgeous divas, but there is no gain without pain. It becomes tough to acquire a certain kind of body, and needs an equal determination to maintain it. So, despite the fact that I am not a ‘Bollywoodologist’ in real terms, I appreciate our actors and actresses working so hard to look great and soothe our over stretched grey cells.

Fernandez has not only shared what she eats, but also mentioned what you can eat as a regular person to keep fat at bay. We all must have that one comfort food item or drink around, and for her, it is Coconut Water. Jacqueline confessed once that she grew up in Bahrain, and to keep herself hydrated and nourished, she used to always carry Coconut water.

A troublesome T zone can be kept healthy and neat by following most of the tips offered by her. Oily face is a blessing if you are able to maintain it well. It just needs care and attention.

Be careful with what you eat, as you become what you eat. Indulge in some form of physical activity, and do not just because you feel tempted. I am not promising that you will look like her, but you will be a diva in yourself! Drool in and zip you way, before it is too late.

5 Super Powerful Anti-ageing Ingredients from the Kitchen you can try while preparing for your Bridal Makeover

Skin ageing is a major problem. It is an inevitable process that will set in with time. However, it becomes a problem when it sets in way too soon. Ageing of the skin can cause it to sag, leading to wrinkles and patchiness. Pigmentation is another off set of skin ageing.

While there are a number of cosmetic products available to counter the effect of ageing on the skin, most women find it daunting to use them. Either they are priced way to high or have high chemical agents that in the long term, may cause serious skin damage.
We hear you ladies!

That is why, we have come up with 5 powerful, all-natural ingredients that are perfectly safe to use and are proven to be great deterrents to the ageing process. The best part it, they are all sitting right in your kitchen!

  
1. Organically cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

The benefits of olive oil cannot be stressed enough! It is really healthy as extra virgin olive oil is known to contain mono-saturated fats. These fats are known to improve the heart function and the cardio-vascular system in general. This would mean a better blood circulation in the body resulting in a slowed down ageing process.

Use it in your daily cooking or drizzle it onto your salads as the perfect dressing! Make sure that you buy only the organic and cold-pressed variant for complete benefit.

2. Walnuts

 

It is generally advised that you include a sizable portion of nuts in your daily diet. For specific anti-ageing purposes, walnuts are your best friend. They are full of Omega 3 fatty acids that are known to improve brain health and also boost the nervous and cardio-vascular functions.
A handful of these nuts every day are all you need to keep ageing at bay!

You could even crush them; mix them up with some milk and honey to create the perfect face scrub. Apart from exfoliating your skin, they will also keep your skin hydrated.

3. Avocados  

Now this one is a bit tricky. Avocados are notoriously famous for their high fat content. So, should you eat them, or shouldn’t you? Are you ready to gain a bit of weight in your fight against ageing? Such tough life decisions, right?

Relax! Avocados are full of the good kind of fats, namely, mono-saturated fats. Just like olive oil, these fats improve blood circulation and help you fight ageing. A better cardio-vascular functioning means a better metabolism and consequently, you burn more calories by eating avocados!

Make avocados a staple in your daily diet!

4.Garlic

Ever wondered why Italians look so young? It’s all in the garlic! Jokes apart, garlic are a known ingredient that helps to improve skin health, boosting collagen formation. So, start using the ingredient liberally in your diet, or better still, turn Italian!

5.Blackberries

These sweet summer berries are great for your skin. They are packed with tons of anti-oxidants and your skin loves anti-oxidants. These nourish and detoxify the skin and help boost its youthfulness.

Have more of these sweet treats to delay the ageing process of your skin naturally!