5 OF THE BEST SUMMER SKINCARE TIPS

June has arrived and we are ready to hit the beach, pool, lake – basically any body of water that will have us. But first, skincare. We are sharing shares these tips for soaking up rays and keeping your skin looking silky smooth and protected.

AWS (ALWAYS WEAR SPF)

We know we don’t have to even explain why to you at this point but, as a reminder, aside from painful sunburn, one in five American will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. Always remember to apply a “shot glass full” of your favourite sunscreen every 2-3 hours or immediately after swimming

DON’T FORGET YOUR LIPS AND SCALP

When it comes to putting SPF on your face and body, you’re probably already a pro. But what about those forgotten areas like your lips and scalp? If you’ve ever had a scalp burn.

For the scalp, we love the easy application of a spray sunscreen. You can also use a mineral powder SPF.

KEEP EYE CREAM IN THE FRIDGE

There’s nothing more refreshing than a cooling eye cream straight from your refrigerator. You can also try cooling your moisturiser, or even a body spray!

DON’T SCRATCH BUG BITES

Often, the price to pay for connecting with mother nature is a souvenir of itchy bug bites. We know it’s tempting but (just like your mother told you) scratching makes bug bites worse and can even cause scarring! Instead, try keeping an anti-itch cream in your purse for any surprise insect attacks.

PREVENT RAZOR BUMPS AND BURNS

Since you’re probably shaving the most during the warm summer months, it’s important to always prepare your skin properly for the sometimes-harsh process of shaving. Here’s are a few shaving specific tips:

– Use a body scrub to gently exfoliate your skin before you start shaving.
– Swap out dull blades for clean, sharp razors.
– Apply a generous amount of shaving cream.
– Shave with the grain (i.e. the direction that the hair is growing).
– Moisturise liberally after you get out of the shower.

The 5 Spring Skin Changes to Make In the New Season

Our Allure motto? New season, new skin-care regimen. And since spring skin is probably on your mind, given that the official start to the season is just around the corner. There's no better time than the present to start prepping your complexion for the impending rising temps and sticky, heavy humidity that lies ahead. Here are the five top tips to help stave off vernal skin-related freak-outs.

Start scrubbing.

Stretch Marks: How to Minimize Appearance

Season-long buildup on the skin—of dead skin cells, leftover product, and environmental toxins—which is why we recommend exfoliating in the new season. "Light micro-dermabrasion, followed by a moisturizing mask, will help get rid of that old dead, winter skin." To keep skin smooth and hydrated, it is recommended masking up to three times a week.

Lighten your load.

Gone are the days of duck boots, fur-lined hoods, and loading up your visage with thick creams and serums to help fight off the wicked winter wind. Come spring, it's time to swap out your heavy formulas for lighter lotions. "While ingredients like petrolatum help protect the skin, certain products can weigh you down especially in humid weather." Which is why we recommend an oil-free moisturizer.

 

Apply (and re-apply) sunscreen.

After a months spent bundled up in beanies and parkas, slathering on sun protection is a must once temps start to rise. "Springtime is actually a high risk time for sunburns and sun damage." Although the weather is warmer, it's still so mild you might not feel how strong the sun is. Apply sunscreen every morning and reapply it again before any outdoor activity during the day.

 

Add an eye cream.

Because the sun's more prominent in the spring, people are more prone to squinting. To combat the fine lines and wrinkles that can form around the eyes, find an eye cream with a high concentration of antioxidants and peptides. The duo work to both ward-off the collagen-destroying effects of UVA rays, and plump up the fine lines and wrinkles that have already formed.

How Seasonal & Weather Changes Affect your Skin

Everything from cooler, less humid weather and overly hot baths to hanging out too long in dry, stuffy indoor environments can deprive your complexion of moisture and wreak havoc on your skin.

Cooler low-humidity weather

Humidity levels tend to drop off in the autumn and winter months. The drier the air, the more moisture it sucks from your skin, so you're more likely to experience dryness and flakiness during the colder months of the year, especially if you're prone to eczema or other dry skin conditions.
Ideally, you want to amp up your skincare routine as the season changes and swap your summer products for richer, more nourishing autumn/winter alternatives. Just as you change your clothes with changing temperatures you should do the same with your skincare. You need to switch up your lightweight summer moisturiser to a more heavy duty face cream.

Harsh central heating

You'll no doubt be switching on your radiators sometime, which unfortunately will not do your skin any favours. Heated air inside causes low humidity, which leads to water evaporating from our skin. This can cause cracking, flaking and irritation and leave skin with a lacklustre, parched appearance.
You can mitigate the drying effects by investing in a humidifier to keep the air moist in your home or a portable device that you can also bring to work and pop near your desk. If you can't stretch to a pricey humidifier, placing a few bowls of water near your radiators should do the trick, too. And don't forget to drink lots of water and slap on your rich moisturiser as often as necessary, along with replenishing lip balm and extra-thick hand cream.

Sudden temperature changes

Going from the cold outdoors into balmy centrally-heated buildings and vice-versa can take its toll on your complexion. Unfortunately, this process causes the capillaries in the face to contract and expand rapidly leading to broken veins and skin redness.
Keep the risk of spider veins and inflammation to a minimum by wrapping up warm in the cold and not overdoing it on the central heating to reduce the temperature difference between indoors and outside. A light layer of barrier cream will help protect the skin, and products with anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant ingredients such as chamomile and green tea should help control any redness.

Hot baths and showers

When temperatures plummet, a hot bath or shower is super-enticing, especially if you've spent the day outdoors in the freezing cold, after all, there's nothing more relaxing than a long soak in the bubbles or a nice soothing shower.
Sorry to rain on your parade but try to resist the temptation for the sake of your complexion if you can. "Hot baths and showers can dissolve the protective barrier in the skin which will eventually lead to dryness. Have warm baths and showers to reduce this damage."

Cold weather comfort eating

For many people with oily, acne-prone skin, the drier weather can actually help with breakouts and reduce flare-ups. But autumn/winter comfort eating might have the opposite effect. Studies suggest that diets high in refined carbs may trigger or exacerbate acne. Foods with a high glycaemic index (GI) spike sugar which is thought to increase the levels of hormones in the body that are responsible for oil production.
If you want to avoid diet-related breakouts this autumn/winter, try not to go overboard on the carby comfort foods. That means going easy on the sugary treats, white bread, pasta, crisps and potatoes, whilst upping your intake of slow release carbs like oatmeal and brown rice.

 

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.

9 Skin and Hair Benefits of Vitamin C Serum

Benefits of Vitamin C serum for your skin and hair. Vitamin C is an important nutrient for a glowing, flawless and radiant skin. And, it is required for optimum hair growth too. So let’s read on to know more about the benefits of Vitamin C.

 

Protects your skin from sun damage

Vitamin C keeps your skin protected from the sun and its damaging effects. Vitamin C keeps your skin protected from free radicals also, which may harm your skin and make it age faster. Due to the high amounts of antioxidants, Vitamin C promotes clear and radiant skin. Hence, it is excellent for tanned skin.

Keeps the signs of aging at bay

Vitamin C serum can keep your skin forever young. Vitamin C contains a high amount of antioxidants which help to get rid of wrinkles, fine lines and other aging spots. It also prevents dryness caused due to aging. Massage your Vitamin C serum and keep it overnight to get the best results on your aging or mature skin.

 

Treats under eye circles

Vitamin C serum prevents dark circles, too. Vitamin C promotes even tone skin and also heals puffiness or eye bags around the eyes. So invest in a good Vitamin C eye serum if you’ve been dealing with dark circles.

 

Promotes younger skin

A good Vitamin C serum can promote younger and glowing skin. It fades away the signs of aging and tightens the skin too. Application of Vitamin C serum promotes collagen on the skin, thus keeping your skin younger and beautiful. It is a great skin care must-have for bright skin, too.

 

Reduces skin inflammation

Regular application of Vitamin C reduces skin inflammation easily. This serum is good for people who often wake up with inflamed or slightly red skin. Massage a few drops of Vitamin C serum at night and wake up with gorgeous skin.

Improves hair growth

Vitamin C serum is not only beneficial for skin, it is equally good for your hair also. Vitamin C contains antioxidants, which kill free radicals that cause dry, weak and brittle hair. Generally, Vitamin C deficiency may lead to dry and brittle hair. In order to use Vitamin C serum on your hair, take half a cup of yogurt and add 5-8 spoons of Vitamin C serum to it. Mix both the ingredients well and apply on your hair as a mask. Wash off with cold water.

 

Treats dandruff problem

Dandruff is generally caused after the pores get clogged. This serum helps kill the bacteria and also keeps dandruff away. Take some Vitamin C serum and apply on the scalp directly. Massage your scalp and leave the serum on overnight. Wash off with cold water. Due to the antiviral properties, Vitamin C serum can treat dandruff effectively.

 

Promotes thick hair

By improving blood circulation in the body, Vitamin C strengthens the hair and also repairs damaged hair follicles. Regular use of Vitamin C promotes younger, thicker and stronger hair. Apply some Vitamin C on your scalp, massage a little and wash it off after some time to get the best results.

 

Prevents greying of hair

Vitamin C not only treats several hair disorders but also prevents premature greying of hair. You can take Vitamin C capsules to treat this problem. Apply some Vitamin C serum directly on the roots and wrap your hair with a warm towel. Rinse off after 3 hours.

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 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.

6 Best Natural Vitamin Supplements for Hair Loss

We can’t bear the sight of seeing strands of our lovely tresses on our combs. However, did you know that a big cause behind your hair fall could be the deficiency of vitamins? Did you know that hair loss due to vitamin deficiency is known as telogen effluvium? Therefore without further ado, let us get into the essential vitamins that one should consume to battle against the problem of hair loss.

 

⦁ Biotin or Vitamin B7

Biotin is one of the key vitamins that can help you battle against hair loss. As you all know hair is made of keratin and keratin is formed with the help of cell enzymes and biotin. Therefore, a proper amount of biotin is extremely crucial for good hair, nails and skin.

 

Now since biotin is water soluble, the body often is unable to store the required amount. Therefore, to prevent hair loss, try taking biotin in the form of eggs, salmon, whole wheat bread, peanut butter, avocados, raspberries, and raw cauliflower. You can also take biotin in the form of supplements but make sure to check out for side effects when you do.

⦁ Vitamin C

 

Say hello to juicy, yum citrus fruits because they have lots of vitamin C which are vital for hair loss control and hair growth. Now hair is composed of collagen and collagen synthesis can take place only with the help of vitamin C. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant which helps you get good skin as a bonus, too. Therefore, enrich your diet with vitamin C by consuming lots of citrus fruits like orange, grapefruit, strawberries and also from broccoli, guava and raw green peppers.

 

⦁ Vitamin A

 

Carrots aren’t the key to only brilliant eyesight but they’re also an effective weapon when it comes to fighting against hair loss. Vitamin A is required for cell growth and it produces sebum or the natural oil in your hair, which will you help you fight against hair loss due to breakage. While carrots are the most evident source of vitamin A, other delicious options include dried apricots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach etc.

   

 ⦁ Vitamin E

 

A lot of people call vitamin E the wonder hair ingredient. Not only does vitamin E act as a powerful antioxidant that repairs and builds tissue, it is important for countering hair loss and promoting healthy hair growth. Not only this, applying vitamin E capsules topically on your scalp can improve blood circulation and promote hair growth. Therefore, always remember to take your healthy dose of vitamin E through avocados, almonds, broccoli etc.

⦁ Vitamin D

 

Most urban women suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is responsible for stimulating new cells and tissues. While the easiest way to get vitamin D is to soak in the sun for around 15-20 minutes, that might not be the best option in summers. Therefore, it is important to supplement it through diet. Include foods like fish, cod liver oil, eggs, mushrooms, salami and sausages to get your requirement of vitamin D.

⦁ Niacin or Vitamin B3

Our hair is made up of nutrients. Replenishing the scalp by improving blood circulation and flow can take place with the help of vitamin B3. It helps in bringing blood, oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. Niacin can be consumed by eating fish, avocado, chicken and sunflower seeds.

 

What to do for your hair during pre-wedding days

“Regardless of how long or short you decide your hair will be, get a trim two weeks before your wedding to eliminate dead ends and freshen bangs, if you have them. Switch to a cleansing shampoo that removes residue, and pay more attention to conditioning — “consider overnight treatments or oils.” A week before your wedding, use a gloss or mask on your hair to boost shine.“

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.

10 Home Remedies to Treat Acne for Dry Skin that you can do when you are going to be the Bride

Hello, everyone!

Hope you all are doing well. We are doing a post after quite some time and it always feels good to be back to the family. We have been planning to do this post since a long time. Today, one of the biggest concerns among not just women, but also men is acne. The numerous causes of acne include clogged pores, bacteria, excess oil production, dead skin cells, hormones, diet, stress, and sleep deprivation. We have seen so many people spend so much money and time on chemicals to treat pimples, only to end up with no results or scarier still, with the condition getting worse. So, here is a list of remedies you can try because they cost you no extra money, can be done at the convenience of your home and have no side effects at all.

1. Aloe vera

 

 
Aloe vera has soothing, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that helps in treating acne as well as the scars caused by acne. Not just acne, with regular use, it also helps in treating other skin problems and makes your skin clear. You can either buy aloe vera gel from the market or prepare it yourself from the leaves of aloe vera plant. Apply it on the affected areas and leave overnight.

2. Lemon Juice with Honey

 

 

Lemon juice being acidic, dries up the acne while honey has anti-bacterial properties and also helps in moisturizing the skin. Hence, this combination is suited for dry skin. You can mix the two and apply it with the help of a cotton ball on the affected areas. Leave on for 15-20 minutes.

3. Garlic

 

 

Since long, garlic has been used for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It helps in treating acne without dehydrating the skin and is thus, suited for people with dry skin. Just crush a few garlic cloves and apply the paste to the affected areas.

4. Ice pack

You may know that an ice pack helps relieve under eye bags but did you know it also helps in the case of acne? However, ice packs should be used in combination with other acne treating home-made masks like a fuller’s earth (multani mitti) mask. They are of little benefit when used alone.

5. Epsom salt

 

Epsom salt is an excellent remedy for treating acne. It removes dead skin cells, kills bacteria and also balances the pH level of the skin. However, this ingredient should be used to treat acne on the back, buttocks or any part of the body other than the face. You can also use body scrubs made of Epsom
salt regularly.

6. Tomato pulp

 

 

The tomatoes are acidic which helps in drying up the acne. Tomatoes also contain vitamins A, C, and K which are found in most OTC acne treatment creams. Make a paste of tomatoes or simply cut it into halves and rub over the affected areas.

7. Papaya

 

Papain, an enzyme present in papaya, helps reduce inflammation and prevents the formation of pus. Hence, papaya makes a great home remedy for most skin problems. Mash the papaya to make a coarse paste, apply, and leave it on for about 30 minutes.

8. Neem

 

 

Neem constitutes a very popular ingredient of most ayurvedic medicines. It is used for not just skin problems but also to treat hair problems and other conditions. It has antiseptic and anti-microbial properties which reduce redness and inflammation. Make a paste of tender neem leaves with water. You can add turmeric to the paste. Apply and leave for about 20 minutes.

9. Fenugreek Seeds

 

Fenugreek is an excellent ingredient for treating acne. I have tried this and I loved the results. It has anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-septic properties. Use fenugreek leaves or fenugreek seeds with water and make a paste. Apply on the affected areas and leave for 20 minutes. Do this regularly. Also, make a habit of drinking a glass of water with soaked fenugreek seeds early in the morning to get healthy hair and skin.

10. Red Lentils

 

 

Finally, here is the secret remedy for treating acne, that has worked for me every single time. I have suggested this to so many of my friends and it has worked for all of them. My magic ingredient is masoor dal or red lentils. Soak it in water for a few hours and make a paste with little water or milk and honey. Apply this to the affected areas and leave on for 20 minutes. You can add other ingredients as per your concerns. Also, since this is somewhat drying for the skin, people with dry skin should use a good moisturizer immediately after washing it off.

Let us know if you want me to do a post on how we make this face mask and all the ingredients we add to this mask.

Along with the above ingredients, make healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle. Make wise choices with the skin care products you use and you’ll definitely start seeing the results soon.

5 foods to avoid to remove stubborn acne and look flawless on your D-day

Let’s start with a scenario today. It’s a beautiful morning and your alarm goes off. You wake up to a fresh new beautiful day, get off the bed, go to your bathroom, look at the mirror. And, there it is another tiny little bump on your face. Darn it!!! Not now! Not today! You got your big meeting at 11 and date at 8! You have tried every little thing. Serums, treatments even the dermats know you by name now.

Frustrating isn’t it? Been there, done that. Although my acne story was much different, as I never (touchwood) faced severe acne, but one of my closest cousins did. Last month she got married and we haven’t had been in touch for about a year lately. I don’t exactly know what magic potion worked for her but, there she was on her marriage day, without a bump on her face (before makeup) and glowing. I couldn’t help but ask her, what really worked for her.

Me: Hey, like…what did you eat? I mean you look gorgeous girl, not that you didn’t before but your acne problem..?
She: Haha..Nope ask me what I DID NOT eat.
Me: Okay, go on!! I am all ears.
And the conversation went on…

However me being the curious little Nancy Drew that I am, did a little bit of my own research to testify her words, and guess what? She was right

So, my lovelies here is my list of top 5 baddie food you should avoid when going through bouts of acne.

WOAAH WAIT WAIT!! HOW DOES THIS EXACTLY WORK??
Well, this is called the process off elimination. If you can’t find out what is causing your acne outbursts, try eliminating some food items from your diet that have a bad reputation of triggering acne. Otherwise healthy, these 5 foods can worsen existing acne.


1. Fast Food

I bet you love your plate of ‘Gol gappa’ and ‘Aloo tikka chaat’ with extra Mirchi. But hold on their sweetheart. Did you know greasy fast foods will leads to body inflammation that causes pimples appear?

Includes: Fish & Chips, Pizza, Burger, Fried chicken, Sausages, Noodles, Pasta, Noodles, Snacks & Desserts: Hot-dogs, Donuts, Potato chips, French fries, Crisps, Popcorn etc



2. Sugar

We all have our sweet tooth, and sometimes it’s too hard to resist. Excessive sugar intake shoots up your blood sugar level causing pimples. Try to avoid candy bars, sugary drinks as well as other sweets saturated with sugar. Follow this with dedication and you will soon see a major difference.

Includes: Sugars, Syrups & Sweeteners, Drink Powders & Soft Drinks, candies, cookies, pies and unfortunately everything yum!!!


3. Cow Milk

Cow’s milk not only shoots up blood sugar levels leading to pimples, it also leads to growth in hormones resulting in overgrowth of skin cell that leads to blocked pores. So, you might just want to avoid dairy products for a while and check if it does any good for your skin condition.

Includes: milk, cheese, yogurt, other cultured dairy foods, ice cream etc.


4. Coffee

Nothing wakes you up better than a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Ahh, the smell! But hold that thought. Science has shown that an organic acid inside coffee beans that raises cortisol levels.

Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, can act like an androgen. It stimulates sebaceous glands and inflammation, a.k.a PIMPLES. You might want to skip that and check for some results

Includes: Expresso, mocha, latte, cappuccino, even the decaf versions


5. Soy:

Soy is one of the richest sources of protein you can lay your hands on. The natural plant oestrogen is found in soybeans. “Phytoestrogens” which are otherwise good, mimic natural oestrogen levels and play around with our hormones. Result? Acne and more acne. So if you are experiencing any bumps around your mouth and chin, the culprit MIGHT be soy.

Includes: Soybeans, soy milk, soy sauce, soybean oil, tofu etc.


SO YOU ARE BASICALLY TRYING TO STARVE ME TO DEATH.RIGHT??!!!
Not at all. All I am saying is, eating in moderation never hurts. Once you find out what triggers your acne, yes you definitely have to cut it out from your diet sweet heart.


A FEW TIPS FOR THOSE HORRIBLE PHASES OF ACNE:

1. Visit a good dermatologist, home remedies and DIYs do work, however, common guys those guys have sweated their brains out in med school for 5 years. Let’s give them some credit.

2. Keep your skin as well as belongings clean. Do not let any product build up on your face, neck as well as other affected areas. It is equally important to keep your sheets and phone germ-free.

3. Avoid using a lot of makeup ( I recommend no makeup at all!!!) for the time being. Although a lot of companies claim to be safe to use on any skin type, it is always better to let your skin breathe. Give it time to heal.

4. Check your stress levels. Now this one is the most difficult, at least for me. You all must be thinking “better said than done”. This one is coming from a person who has years of history of anxiety and depression on her sleeves. What helped? Yoga, meditation, and good life practices. Before I was a Life Coach, I used to be a wacko. If I can do it, you can too.

5. Keep your scalp clean and dandruff free.

6. Finally, have patience. I get it. I totally do. Dealing with acne can be a lot irritating, but don’t let that put you down. It might be difficult, not irreversible. And you cares if you have acne or not, you are gorgeous anyway!!

Hakuna Matata baby!!!

Any comments, suggestions and ideas are always welcome 🙂

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring” – Marilyn Monroe

Benefits of Papaya for Skin and Hair

Papaya is called the “The Fruit of the Angels” and it is a native to the tropical areas of Central America and Southern Mexico. Today, it is a popular fruit and often known as ‘papita’ in Hindi.

 

This amazing fruit is enriched in vitamins A, C, E and K and has various other antioxidant properties. Consuming the fruit will not only give you amazing skin and hair but it has various beauty benefits as well. It is applied on the skin and hair for natural beauty.
The various benefits and uses of Papaya for Skin are as follows –
 
Removal of sun tan – This is a common problem for summer. Our skin is prone to tanning and looks dull. The papaya has vitamins A and C in abundance along with a enzyme called ‘papain’. This helps to lighten the complexion, removing sun tan and dark spots with the passage of time. Simply make a thick paste of papaya and add honey and turmeric to it. Apply this face pack every day in a week and see how it improves the skin.

Skin hydration – Papaya is rich in water content and has various other elements as well which helps to keep the skin soft, smooth and moisturized. The hydration is smooth and will not clog the pores or make the skin look oily. Simply, blend ½ cup of ripe papaya into a fine paste, add honey and apply evenly on skin. Wash off after 20-25mins.

Anti-ageing – Papaya is anti-ageing in nature. It has vitamins C and E to rejuvenate the skin and the papaya skin has various enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. As a result, the age spots and wrinkles are prevented and removed. It also contains Retin-A which help reduce the signs of aging. Overall, you get younger looking skin with bright and radiant skin tone. Mash ½ cup of overripe papaya, add honey and yogurt and apply as a face mask. Wash off after 20-25 mins. You can also rub the skin of papaya for better results.

Prevention of acne and pimples – Papaya has an enzyme called papain that has natural skin- cleansing properties, which helps to get rid of clogged pores and greasiness. The exfoliating effect helps in preventing blackheads. The enzyme helps in preventing acne and improving the skin as well. It also helps to soothe the inflamed skin. Simply, apply a thin layer of ripe papaya pulp as face mask and leave on for 20mins. Wash off with cold water and pat the skin dry.

Brighten complexion and removal of dark spots – This is one of the most effective beauty benefits of papaya. The papaya helps to lighten the dark spots, giving a bright and radiant complexion. It is known that papaya contains natural bleaching properties. The vitamin C has anti-oxidant properties and also helps in clearing the skin of impurities. Rub a fleshy part of ripe papaya every alternative days and wash off with cold water.

The various benefits and uses of Papaya for Hair are as follows –

Soft and healthy hair – The papaya is also very helpful for lustrous, healthy hair. It is enriched in several minerals, vitamins and enzymes that can improve hair growth and strength. Along with that, it will also help to thicken the hair and the protein in papaya reduces split ends. To prepare a papaya hair mask, blend a ripe papaya according to your hair length and mix with olive oil or almond oil. Apply this all over the hair, from root to tip and keep it for 30-40mins. Wash off with mild shampoo.

Reduces dandruff – Papaya helps in reducing dandruff and prevents dry scalp. It has various antifungal properties. Even the seeds of papaya prevents fungal infection. Blend ½ papaya with the seeds intact and apply the paste generously on the scalp. Leave it on for one hour and then shampoo as usual.

Caution –

• Always do a patch test before using it on skin and hair.
• Papaya can cause allergic reactions in some people, which might due to papain or the latex.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using excessive papaya.

Which Hormones Affect Hair Growth and Hair Loss?

 

Hormones That Affect Hair Growth and Hair Loss

 

The female cycle, in Biological terms, or her entire life in the common-man’s term, is hugely effected by the hormones alone. Be it her puberty, the delay or onset of it; her pregnancy, the frequency or lack of it; her Menopause, its late or early arrival; is all controlled and monitored by the good old hormones. Good locks of healthy hair are as important to a woman as her heritage jewels. However, sometimes, despite the very best of care and treatments, you find yourself suffering from hair fall and hair loss. Well, blame the female hormone imbalance. So, which of these ‘little invisible demons-of-hormones’ are we talking about? Let’s locate them and catch them to help your hair growth, shall we?
A woman’s overall health is a play of hormones; maybe that is why they are often known to be rather unpredictable. It is the hormones that are responsible for the ‘fire and ice’ likeness of a female mood; sometimes credited to the lack of judgment that she can be a victim to or the mysterious sensuality that she can exude. However, the striking part is that, aside from just her psych, it is also a woman’s physical attributes that often fall on the not-so-friendly-side of the hormonal imbalance. One such physical aspect is her precious head of hair (and you thought it was the ‘oil’ that your mother applied when she was carrying you!).

Hair Fall And Hormones

Gonadotropins

Derived from the ‘Gonads’ which imply the testes or the ovaries, Gonadotropins are our little wonders of hormonal magicians which indirectly effect the hair growth. Gonadotropins are Partner-in-crime with other set of hormones called the ‘Progesterones’ and together they manage to create a havoc to the overall growth of your hair. However, when behaving rather well, the hair hormone rewards you with envious mane of thick, luscious hair.
The Gonadotropins are responsible for boosting hair growth, as they produce the FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormones) and the Luteinizing hormones. These hormones are in turn directly responsible for your hair fall or hair growth.

Hair Growth Hormones in Men

Androgens

These are the male sex hormones and are responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics in men, like their body and facial hair growth. However, this particular hormone is also present in females in trace-amounts. While the excessive production of Androgens leads to increased facial and body hair, they are also singly responsible for the Pattern-baldness in both males and Females. So, if any of you girls have recently spotted patchy-baldness, get hold of a nice Endocrinologist and get to the root of the problem.

Hair Growth Hormones in Women

Estrogen

Our very own female hormone is the Estrogen. This particular hormone is responsible for you to be ‘catty’ at times and a complete ‘lamb’ at the other times. A well-balanced Estrogen level in females is responsible for boosting hair growth. However, any amount of dip or high can lead to thinning of your hair. Now, the main reasons for the Estrogen levels to play ping-pong can be plenty. Rapid weight loss or gain, certain medication, or the Estrogen-receptors that are present in the hair follicles that get directly influenced due to the hormonal fluctuations.
Pregnancy has also a huge role to play when it comes to Estrogen behaving like a spoilt brat, as both post and pre-pregnancy conditions are reported to witness large amounts of hair loss and hair fall.

 

Cortisol Boosts Hair Regrowth

Do you find yourself ‘tearing your hair out and sawing-off your nails’ when tensed? (For girls, it could be a simple situation like a lost ‘lucky pen’ before exams!) Well, it is our good-guy Cortisol helping you deal with it, so that you do not end up cutting your veins altogether! (God…Am I evil or what?). Well, I am trying to translate that, when under a threat or a stressful situation, our body produces a hormone named Cortisol, which in turn convert the body Proteins into energy and releases Glycogen.
This finally helps counteract inflammations, which means you are now ready for ‘flight or fight’ situation in order to deal with the problem in hand. While our little hero-hormone Cortisol is saving you from danger, however on a repeated scenario your body finally wears-down, thus the hair fall. So, in order to boost hair regrowth, be sure to keep your Cortisol calm as well.

Insulin Stops Hair Fall

No, I am not necessarily discussing Diabetes. But did you know that Insulin is one such hormone which is directly responsible in boosting hair growth as well? If the Human body was ‘Bollywood’, Insulin surely is ShahRukh Khan. It is that famous, thanks to the PR skills of the disease known as ‘Sugar’! The well-known Insulin is produced in the Pancreas of the Human Body. While it is commonly known that Insulin regulates the Blood sugar, however, this hormone is also responsible for various other processes like fat-accumulation, overall working of the Heart and the Hair fall. So, it is recommended to keep your Insulin levels under check in order to boost hair growth and stop thinning of existing hair.

Thyroid Hormones

Thyroxin is a vital hormone secreted by the Thyroid Glands. Hypothyroidism or the active Thyroid production leads to rapid hair-loss, along with substantial weight-gain and weakness. Therefore it is a good idea to get your Thyroids checked within a certain period of time, if you happen to notice rapid hair-loss and weight gain. However, it is also to be noted that under the condition of Hyper-thyrodism too, hair loss is evident along with rapid loss of weight as well. So, Thyroxin is one such hormone that needs to be at the right balance in order to boost hair growth.

Other Reasons for Hair Fall and Hair Loss:

Since we have the hormones responsible for boosting hair growth or stimulating hair fall covered, there are however, a few other medical situations you need to know:

• In case of women, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is one such condition, where it is found to have increased growth of Facial hair and a subsequent loss of scalp hair.
• Hirautism is a term given to the Male-patterned-Baldness found in women. This is mainly due to the over production of the Male hormones in women.
• A good well balanced diet goes a long way in ensuring you nice long locks of hair. This is mainly because, if you do not have nice nutrition, your stomach is not able to secret the right amount of Hydrochloric Acid under stressful state. With lowered Acid levels, the stomach is unable to lower the PH in order to digest the Proteins, thus, this finally results in rapid hair loss. So, be sure to eat well to maintain a sound stomach-working condition.

 

How To Treat Hair Fall Due To Hormonal Imbalance?

Now that you know about the various aspects of hormones affecting hair loss, let us take a look at some of the dietary options that can help you maintain the right balance of these hormones in order to boost hair growth.

• Soaking of Nuts and Legumes over night with a few teaspoons of a good quality Apple Cider Vinegar goes a long way in reducing hair fall in females.
• Silica rich food should be an essential part of your daily dietary portions. Some of the best known Silica-rich food items are Bell Pepper, Celery and Sprouts.
• Simply avoiding a few unhealthy food items like Diary, White Sugar and various forms of processed food is quite effective in helping you restore your crowning glory.
• In the age of Organics, it is high-time you went ‘organic’ as well by including Hemp Proteins, organic eggs, fresh Berries and milk in your kitchen.

Lastly, ‘in order to get healthy tresses, get rid of stress’. Learn life-management and how to deal with tricky situations without having to go overboard on your health-systems. Being a woman is a gift, as you are a natural born ‘superhuman’ who knows multi-tasking and how to look gorgeous while you are at it!(Ultraviolet? Catwoman?anyone?) Never neglect yourself in the name of ‘sacrifice’, as such a thing simply does not exist.
Remember, your family and kids need you, so it is important to be there for them and for that, you need to look after yourself first. So, woman, treat your hormones well and you will be rewarded with thick and long hair with a nice, healthy life for a long time.

Must Follow Tips To Get Glowing Skin For Brides

It’s going to be your special day and all the eyes are going to be on you! While you may be preparing for a lot of things in advance, to ensure your D-Day goes on great and smooth, one thing you definitely can’t give a miss is looking after your glowing skin before marriage. For most brides-to-be, one of the biggest concerns is getting the perfect makeup and getting the perfect look on your most important day, but trust me, if your skin isn’t clean and healthy enough, you’re really not a 100% ready, are you?
This does not mean that you need to have flawless skin throughout, but even if your skin has imperfections and flaws, there are many ways to ensure these will minimized  or even go away, by the time your wedding day arrives.

Here are a few tips that will help you get that glowing skin before wedding.

1. 

 

The first step towards having a clean and glowing skin is to make sure you’re having plenty of water. The idea is to keep the body hydrated. In addition, make sure you have plenty of watermelon, which is a great source of hydration for your skin. In addition, you can also have grapefruits, broccoli and lettuce.

 

2. 

 

Give your skin some time to get ready, at least 3 months before the big day. This should ideally be the time when you religiously start looking after your skin if you haven’t done it till now, and your diet should get more healthy and natural.

 

3. 

 

If you have crossed 25, your skin will need regular exfoliating to help improve the overall texture of your skin.

 

4. 

 

For brides in their 20s, this is the age when you might be getting acne and skin discolouration from the sun. Go for deep-cleaning facials once a month that will help prep the skin.

 

5. 

In addition to good food, your skin will also benefit from a few essential supplements like a good multi-vitamin, Co-Q10 that increases metabolic efficiency and improves heart health and Omega-3 (found in fish oil) that is great for heart, eyes, brain, skin and your overall health.

6.  

Apply a good moisturizer each day, at least twice, over your face and all over your body. Also, make sure you give extra attention to areas that are excessively dry, like elbows, knees, feet and hands.

 

7. 

 

No beauty treatments will work on the skin unless you have a good 8 hours sleep every night. Make sure you’re sleeping well.

 

8. 

 

There will be many pre-wedding celebrations you’ll be attending where you will have to do your own makeup and hair sometimes. Make sure you shampoo out your makeup brushes to avoid any bacteria build-up on your skin. Wash them with shampoo, rinse and hang to air-dry with the bristles facing down.

 

9. 

 

Here are a few home-made packs that you can use to get that glowing skin:

a. Brightening Mask to improve complexion for normal skin
Mix a tsp of gram flour, pinch of turmeric powder, few drops lime juice, 1/2 tsp each of olive oil and milk. Apply on the face and leave on for half an hour. Wash off.
b. Treating Acne and Pimples
Wash and grind a few mint leaves and make a smooth paste. Apply all over your face in the night. Wash off in the morning.

c. Clay Pack For Oily Skin
Take some clay powder (multaani mitti) and add rosewater to make a thin paste. Apply over the face and leave it on till completely dry. Wash off with water.
d. Sandalwood And Rosewater Pack For Oily Skin:
This is great to achieve a radiant, glowing complexion and is also good for removing blemishes or pimple marks. Mix 1 spoon sandalwood powder with rosewater to make a paste. Apply over face and neck. Wash off when completely dry
e. Milk Powder And Lemon Juice Pack For Dry Skin:
Take a spoon of milk powder and few drops of lemon juice. Make a paste and apply on face.
Wash off after 20 minutes.


10. 

Here are a few amazing foods that will help you get that glowing skin:

a. Salmon: Contains essential omega-3 fatty acids to keep your skin supple, hair healthy and your nails strong.
b. Pistachios:  Pistachios or pista help nourish hair and scalp.
c. Cinnamon: Stimulates blood circulation
d. Turmeric: Heals sun-damaged skin
e. Dark chocolate: Helps decrease sun sensitivity
f.  Peppermint: Great for digestion
g. Beetroot: High in vitamin A, potassium, sodium, calcium and vitamin E that’s all great for healthy skin.
h. Brown Rice: Helps regulate sugar levels in body
i. Legumes: Peas, beans, lentils are great for digestion. High in fibre. Great detoxifying agents. Good for clean skin.
j. Garlic: Helps fight off any skin infections
k. Broccoli: Packed with antioxidants that add a glow to the skin. High in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and folate content.