Beauty care for winter

Chapped lips, dry hair, split ends, dry, itchy skin… all these and more are often wrought upon us every winter. Here are few tips on how to ensure your hair and skin stays soft, supple and well moisturized during the winter.

LIPS

Dry, cracked and chapped lips are a common winter complaint, and severe cases of chapped lips can be very painful, not to mention unattractive. What is worse is that lipstick makes cracks stand out even more instead of concealing them. However, chapped and peeling lips can be cured within a couple of days. Apply lip balm generously and brush your lips gently with a soft toothbrush until the flakes have dislodged. Apply another coat of lip balm, and skip the lipstick unless it is richly moisturizing. Matte lipsticks dry out lips, so steer clear of them. Brushing lips with a toothbrush also plumps them up and makes them look fuller and sexier, so do this every morning before stepping out.

Almond oil makes for a great lip moisturizer. Simply apply some almond oil to lips before turning in for the night.

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SKIN

Skin often goes dry in the winter, but can return to normal within a week. When you splash water on your face, make sure it is not hot water as hot water uses up the skin’s moisture. Cold water on the other hand stirs up circulation, temporarily closes large pores and brings a glow to the face, so splash cold water on your face a couple of times a day. However, skip washing your face with a face wash and instead opt for a gentle, cream cleanser. Make sure you use an alcohol-free toner and follow up with a thick moisturizer which contains collagen, lactic acid or urea. It is best to apply moisturizer on damp skin, as these locks in the moisture. Similarly, apply body lotion to your skin immediately after a shower, when your skin is still damp and you have not yet completely wiped it dry. Scrub your face once a week in the winter before applying moisturizer as this removes dead skin from the top and allows the moisturizer to reach the bottom layers of skin.

At times. excessively dry skin can start itching. This happens when the skin develops cracks due to dryness, and bacteria and other irritants enter these cracks. These cracks are so fine that they are invisible to the naked eye, so if your face starts itching don’t expect to see a cracked up face in the mirror! Calamine lotions soothe itchy skin, as do aloe vera lotions.

HAIR

Winter is often accompanied by dry hair, an increase in split ends, more static in the hair and more frizzies. Your hair requires not just conditioning but a deep conditioning treatment. For an at-home, do it yourself deep conditioning treatment, try this: Apply conditioner generously to your hair, cover your head with a shower cap and wash off after an hour. Conditioner works better than oil because it is easier for conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft. Oiled hair is most benefited if hair is steamed after applying oil.

(Source: indiaparenting)

Dark Under Eye Circles Remedies and How to Hide or Lighten Them with Makeup

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
 

Dark circles or Eye circles are dark blemishes around the eyes. Also known as "eyebags" and "raccoon attack", there are many etiologies to cause this symptom, such as lack of sleep, heredity, and bruising.

As written in About.com :
 

Common Causes of Dark Circles Under Eyes
 

Thinning skin - The skin under the eyes is thin and delicate to begin with. As we age, skin and the fat pad under the eyes becomes thinner, causing blood vessels to become noticeable. This gives the appearance of dark circles. Sun damage can make it worse because it weakens skin.
 

Allergies and Hayfever - Dark circles under the eyes can be the result of allergies to airborne substances, such as pollen, dust, and pet dander, because people rub their itchy eyes. People with hayfever may notice them at the height of the season. Food allergies or sensitivities can also contribute to dark circles.
 

Genetics - Dark circles under the eyes runs in families. They tend to be more noticeable in people with fair skin or deep-set eyes.

Fluid Retention - Blood vessels under the eyes can become dilated and engorged, which can contribute to dark circles. Excess dietary salt and smoking are common causes. Conditions that cause fluid retention (e.g. heart, thyroid, kidney, liver diseases) or medications that cause blood vessel dilation may be a factor.
 
Lack of sleep - A lack of sleep can make skin appear more pale, which allows blood vessels to be more visible through the skin, giving the appearance of bluish or dark circles.
 
Iron Deficiency Anemia - Iron deficiency anemia may cause a bluish tinge below the eyes.
 
Dehydration - Dark circles under the eyes can be a sign of dehydration.

Remedies for Dark Circles Under the Eyes

There are some home remedies that may help to temporarily diminish the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, and prevent dark circles from worsening.

1. Be sure to drink enough water.

2. Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 under the eyes to prevent skin weakening caused by sun damage.

3. Get plenty of rest.

4. Apply plain cool teabags over closed eyes. Do not use herbal teabags, because most are not as effective.

5. Apply cool cucumber slices over closed eyes for 15 minutes.

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6. Be careful not to consume too much dietary salt.

7. Apply vitamin K cream. Although studies have not looked at the use of topical vitamin K for dark circles under the eyes, preliminary studies have found that vitamin K may help with bruising.

8. Vitamin C helps to strengthen blood vessel walls.

9. The dietary supplements grape seed extract and pycnogenol contain antioxidant pigments that may help to strengthen blood vessels. They should be used under medical supervision by people on "blood-thinning" drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin) and aspirin.

Certain foods, such as cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, tea (green and black), black currant, onions, legumes, and parsley also contain these antioxidant pigments.

10. Eat kidney-balancing foods.

In free beauty tips, it was stated that:

Most women over thirty will at some point wonder how to get rid of under eye circles.Dark circles under the eyes tends to be a genetic issue and practically unavoidable if dark under eye areas run in your family. But for people whose genetic background doesn't predispose them to dark circles, the easiest solution may be to get some sleep and drink a lot more water. One of the first signs of fatigue or dehydration is dark circles that appear under the eyes. The under-eye skin is thin, with a membrane that runs between a fatty layer and the outer layer of skin we see. When your body needs water, it shows up around the eyes first. Drinking liquor causes dehydration, as does over consumption of sugar and caffeine. Stress also causes under eye puffiness. Diet can impact your face too, especially if you have food allergies, and sulfites in wine can wreak havoc on the delicate skin around your eyes. So, once again, the answer nobody wants to hear: you might be able to banish undereye circles from within by taking care of your health.

If your dark under eye circles do not budge even after a long nap and eight glasses of water a day, it is time to go the cosmetic or make up route. There are lots of options here, some more useful than others. Moisturizers are helpful mainly in that if you have lines around your eyes, the shine from the moisturizer will help lessen them and create a lighter look. Look for moisturizers with natural ingredients such as avocado oil, sesame, Vitamin K and Vitamin E. Moisturizer also works well as a base for under eye makeup like concealer because it smoothes the skin and makes it easier to apply a tinted cosmetic. There are no make-up secrets here: moisturizer will help other makeup keep from caking.

The best beauty product for under eye circles is concealer, and most makeup artists agree that it is important to use one with a slight golden color, as yellow tones counteract dark ones. Chamomile has long been known as a natural remedy for skin, and some concealers contain this ingredient which can help cure as it covers. Concealer is great for dealing with dark circles as long as you get the right shade and apply it correctly. Some women make the mistake of choosing a concealer that is too light: then you wind up with reverse-raccoon eyes, where the whiteness under your eyes looks strange and somewhat alien. The ideal concealer is usually a shade lighter than your foundation. To some extent, the area under the eyes is somewhat shadier than the rest of your face because the eye sockets naturally are somewhat receded into the face. If your concealer is too light, your eyes will disappear in the glare.
 
Along with all these tips and remedies, my suggestion would be try eye exercises, it can rejuvenate your skin by improving circulation.

Homemade facial masks for normal skin

Few  simple homemade face masks for normal skin care:

• Gram Flour and Orange Peel Facial Pack

1) 1 tablespoon of gram flour,
2) 1/4 teaspoon orange peel powder,
3) 1 tablespoon beaten yogurt,
4) 1 teaspoon olive oil,

Mix them well and apply this paste on face and neck. Wait till it dries, then remove by gently rubbing with finger tips. Never be harsh; this will do more harm than any benefit.

• Milk and Egg Facial Mask

1) 1/2 teaspoon of milk powder,
2) 1/4 teaspoon of egg white,
3) 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice.

Mix them all and apply on your face. Leave it till it dries away, now remove it by gently rubbing in circular movements and finally rinse with tepid water. This gives you smooth, soft and clear skin.

• Coconut Milk for Facial Skin Care

Coconut milk has a high fat contents which makes it good skin moisturizer and softener. It is due to this quality coconut milk is widely used in many skin care products as one of the main ingredient. You can also use it in your at home facial treatment. In fact you can try coconut milk in multiple skin care recipes till you find what really suits you. If you do have to buy a commercial skin products, look for coconut milk in the ingredient list near or at the top.

It can be applied directly to face and body then massaged well and finally washed away to get younger looking skin.

Add almond powder to coconut milk and make a paste, you can also add some honey and almond oil. Mask the face and neck and wait till it dries. This is a wonderful facial skin treatment that thoroughly cleanses the skin while leaving it silky, smooth and completely moisturized.
 

Make a paste of red sandal wood and coconut milk and apply on the face for to get a glowing skin.
 

(Source: skincare)

Tips For Lip Care

Easy Lip Tips:

* To keep lips going all day, first pencil all over lips with a soft lip pencil. Apply lipstick over and blot.

* To make lips look fuller, line lips with a pencil and then blend the edges with a sponge applicator. Cover with gloss or petroleum jelly.

* To keep lipstick off teeth, pucker lips into an extreme "O". Cover your finger with tissue, and pole it into your moutn. Slowly twist it out of your mouth, eliminating any excess color.

* To achieve a pouty, sexy mouth, emphasize your top lip by dabbing just a touch of gloss in the center.

* Highlight your lips with a very light eye shadow color that coordinates with your lip color tones. Place it right in the center of your upper and lower lips.

* To balance unevenly shaped lips, use a lighter colored lipstick on the smaller-sized lip.

* To keep lipstick in place while dining, keep lips off utensils. Use your lower teeth and tongue to do the work.

* Gently rub with washcloth over lips before applying lipstick to smooth out lips.

* Apply foundation around the lips give a precise look without lip liner.

Tips For Full Lips:

You are lucky if you've been blessed with those large lips. Women everywhere are trying to replicate with collagen. But large lips can take over your face if you're not careful.

* You really don't need lip liner, but if you like the look, soften edge with your finger or a Q-tip.

* Don't wear any lip color that is too glossy or shiny.

Tips For Thin Lips:

* Draw slightly beyond the lip with a neutral-colored lip pencil. Then apply lipstick. Your lipstick will "catch" onto the liner.

* Apply white shadow on center of lips over lipstick and spread slightly.

* Don't wear a very dark shade of lipstick. It makes lips more smaller.

(Source: free-beauty-tips)

Hair Loss Prevention

All people lose hair on a daily basis, but unfortunately many people will go through rapid hair loss without new hair coming in to replace it which results in thinning hair and possibly lead to some degree of baldness. Hereditary plays a major role in the severity of hair loss but improper care of your hair along with an unhealthy lifestyle may cause early hair loss.

• Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair.,

• Water, protein, biotin (part of the vitamin B complex), vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, folic acid, and magnesium all play a part in maintaining a healthy scalp, skin, and hair.

• Use your fingertips to massage your scalp which will increase circulation in your scalp which is important for hair growth.

• Gentle combing or brushing of your hair will help break up hardened oils that clog your pores.

• Avoid excessive wind, sun, and heat (such as from hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons) on your hair.

• Tight fitting caps and hats will cause poor circulation in your scalp and will also cause build-up of sweat and grime.

• If you have live a high stressed life try reducing stress by taking some time out daily just to relax, excessive stress is believed to induce hair loss.

• If you color your hair, limit coloring it to once ever 2 months. Hair coloring damages your hair and the less frequently you color it the better. 
  

• Avoid putting too much physical stress on your hair, brush/comb your hair gently, don't pull your hair when you brush and avoid braids and ponytails if possible, they place constant stress on your hair.

• Get enough sleep.

• Use a conditioner and trim any split ends.

• See your doctor or a dermatologist for advice if you have concerns about hair loss and want to seek treatment.

(Source:haircareguide)

Home Remedies for Constipation

Insufficient, irregular or infrequent passage of stool is called constipation. Constipation is the very common digestive complain.


Trying below mentioned useful tips helps you getting rid of constipation.


* Drink fresh juice of tomatoes everyday.


* Drink slight hot water early in the morning, before having toothbrush.

* Add little salt to hot water and drink it before going to bed in night.

* Drink lemon juice in morning and evening.

* Add two tablespoon of ginger juice, two tablespoon of lemon and two tablespoon of honey to hot water and drink it twice a day.


* Keep black grapes in cold water for whole night and then make filtered juice of it in the morning.

* Eat few oranges before goin to sleep.

* Drink milk with two tablespoon of honey mixed.

* Eating deeply roasted onions in morning also helps in getting rid of constipation and also give more energy.


(Source:tipsforhealth)

Caring of Dry Skin - Do's and Dont's for Dry Skin

Dry skin, also called xerosis, is a common problem. It has a low level of sebum and can be prone to sensitivity. Dry skin looks dull, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. Dry skin is characterised by itching, flakiness, scaling, roughness and having tight feeling. Breakouts may be seen in the dry skin. This type of skin is tightly drawn over bones.

Dry skin is most common in lower legs, arms, flanks (sides of the abdomen), and thighs. Dry skin is usually not serious, but it can be uncomfortable and unsightly, turning plump cells into shriveled ones. There may be tiny expression lines on the dry skin area.

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The possible causes of dry skin includes:-

· Dry skin is mainly caused by dehydration, which mainly occurs in poorly controlled diabetes.

· Dry skin is also caused by the dysfunction of sebaceous glands, which secretes the oil to the skin.

· Heredity disorder is also the main cause of dry skin.

· Dry skin is mainly affects the peoples in winter season.

· The deficiency in vitamins and nutritions may also contribute to dry skin.

· Bathing too frequently, especially with harsh soaps, may contribute to dry skin.

· Eczema may cause dry skin.

Dos and Don'ts for dry skin:

Dos:

· Moisturize while your skin is still damp from cleansing.

· Always go for creamy, oil-rich make-up.

· Do add bath oil after your skin has soaked up some water.

· Try to use lukewarm water, when you take your bath and shower. Hot water dries out the skin.

· Do towel dry when you get out of the swimming pool.

· The areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, hands, and back of the neck should have a moisturizer.

· Do humidify your home in the winter, or year-round if you live in a dry climate.

· To moisture your skin, try to use lanolin base cream.

· An alpha Keri bath oil can be used for dry and itchy skin.

· Wearing gloves can help to protect hands from the cold temperatures and dry air that triggers eczema.

Don'ts:

· The ultraviolet rays of the sun during the winter are still strong. So, don't forget the sunscreen lotion on your dry skin.

· If you have a dry skin, then don't take long hot showers.

· Avoid using harsh soaps that dry the skin.

· Don't put bath oil in the tub while it's filling

· Don't use too many creams and ointments .

· Don't "air dry" after bathing or swimming.

(Source: thebeautytips)

Right Foundation

When you are putting your makeup on, you are like creating a painting on the canvass that is your face. Your makeup is supposed to add color and enhance the best features of your face.

Your makeup will not work, however, if the base upon which you are putting your makeup looks all wrong and is not applied properly. The base I am referring to is your foundation. The purpose of the foundation - is to cover the skin of the face and to lend upon it the appearance of smoothness. Thus, it is important that the foundation you choose to use is the best for your skin.

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Here are a few tips and tricks on choosing and applying the right kind of foundation for your skin.

• You should always go for the natural look whenever you are applying your make up, so your foundation should match the tone of your skin. How do you know if the color of your foundation matches your skin tone? You do this by putting some along your jawline. A foundation has the perfect color for you if it blends well with your skin, so much that it practically seems that you are not wearing any foundation at all. If the color of your skin changes, go ahead and change the color of your foundation. Also, to know for certain if you are picking the right color of foundation for your skin, always test the foundation under natural light.

• When applying foundation, just pat the stuff down on your face and then spread it out smoothly with a sponge. Cover your face entirely with foundation, including your eyelids and your lips. Take care not to pull at the skin, especially at the thin skin around the eyes.

• If the skin is dry, it will only absorb the foundation soon after it was applied. Therefore, make the foundation last longer by applying moisturizer first beforehand. If your face is oily, make sure that your moisturizer is oil-free; also opt for a powder foundation if you have oily skin. Another thing you can do to make the foundation last longer is to set it with loose powder whose color matches the color of the foundation.
  

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• If you have blemishes that you wish to hide, like pimples or dark spots, smooth a concealer on the blemishes first before putting the foundation on. Avoid putting too much powder or color on these areas where the blemishes are, in order not to attract the eyes upon them.

• Makeup in the evening is always brighter and more special. For added glamour, blend shimmer powder along with your foundation and apply it to areas on your face that you want the light to shine on to emphasize the best features of your face.

• Always use products with sunscreen protection. That is a must in order to provide protection for your skin and to keep it from getting damage from ultraviolet exposure.

(Source:Free beauty tips)

Nail Care

A long term care strategy and some quick fix solution are all it takes to ensure fantastic looking nails.

Mentioned here are some dos and don’ts on nail care:-

DOS

i) Make sure to take in a high calcium diet, including milk and curd.

ii) Soak nails in warm baby oil or olive oil for 10 minutes every alternate day to harden them and increase their growth.

iii) Hot oil treatments and hand massages boost circulation in the nail bed area. Good circulation will lead to a healthier nail root.

iv) File nails in one direction – from the bottom to the tip. Don’t use the sawing (back and forth) motion, it damages the nails.

v) Always apply a base coat before painting nails, this prevents the nails from becoming yellow especially if you are using a dark colour.

vi) Coordinate nail colour with your skin tone. If you are dark or wheatish go for bright colours. Fair ones must stick to the lighter shades.

vii) If your are in a hurry to leave and have just painted your nails, dip them in ice cold water to dry them up faster. Or cover them with baby oil to prevent smudging.

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DON’TS

i) Never use your nails as tools.

ii) Don’t grow nails glamorously long. The ideal length is till the fingertips.

iii) Never cut of tear off nails.

iv) Don’t sport chipped nail polish.

Good hands make better points be it the boardroom or the bedroom. And good nails add that extra edge to the point.