Tag Archives: Bombay Blogger

Best Face Tightening Exercises | Get Rid of Double Chin

Best Face Tightening Exercises | Get Rid of Double Chin

Best Face Tightening Exercises | Get Rid of Double Chin

By Nidhal

Look around yourself. How do people in your ambit look? Do not get deceived by the heady cocktail of chemicals on their face, camouflaging the dullness, tiredness and stress writ on them. No matter what your profession or field you are in, you do not get a license that enables you to turn a blind eye to the natural lustre of your face. Makeup is fun and creative, I agree but if the base (read: your face’s natural texture) is not well-maintained, no amount of makeup will elicit spectacular results.

With improper, insalubrious and untimely eating habits, we are aggravating the situation. How? You are what you eat! It’s time to take back a few steps and incorporate some easy-to- do exercises in your fitness regimen to allay premature aging and drive away dullness.

These exercises will help you tighten your facial muscles and also get rid of that nasty double chin..

1. THE BALLOON FACE- One of the popular selfie poses, the balloon face targets the muscles in your cheeks. All you need to do is inhale deeply through your mouth. Before exhaling, fill your cheeks with air. Your cheeks should resemble a balloon. Hold for a few seconds and release the breath.

2. THE FISH FACE- Another famed selfie pose is here! You do not need any tutorial on how to ace this, do you Ms. Selfie Queen? However, to those who aren’t fond of clicking selfies, here’s how you need to ace this- Suck in your cheeks and purse your lips. Hold for 30 seconds and then relax.

3. THE HULK- Unleash in the inherent Hulk in you by performing the “Hulk Exercise”. This exercise targets the loose skin drooping from one’s neck. To perform it, tilt your head backwards, purse your lips out and place your fingers at the bottom of your neck. Hold for 30 seconds and then revert to your former position. Continue for 5 minutes.

4. THE ‘SMOOTH THE FOREHEAD’ EXERCISE- To target the fine lines that develop on one’s forehead with time, the ‘smooth the forehead’ exercise proves to be fruitful. Place your fingers on the forehead, both facing each other. Spread the remaining fingers likewise and gently swipe the forehead while applying a light pressure to ‘smoothen’ the lines. Continue for 5 minutes.

5. THE ‘TONGUE OUT’ EXERCISE- This exercise may look as if you are teasing someone. So if you intend to and are confronted by them, tell them that it’s a face tightening exercise and walk away slyly! To perform this exercise, raise your eyebrows as high as you can and open your eyes as wide as possible. Hold them for five seconds. Stick your tongue out as far as you can and hold for a few seconds.

6. MASSAGING THE PHILTRUM- The grove between your nose and upper portion of the lip is called the philtrum. Massaging it will sort out smoker’s lines. Doing so is easy too. All you need to do is make inward circular movements using your index finger for 5 minutes. That’s all, you’re done. Incorporate it in your “daily” regimen. It doesn’t need any sophisticated equipment or state of body too.

7. KAPAALBHAATI PRANAYAAM- Kapaal stands for “skull” while bhaati means “shine”. Translated literally, Kapaalbhaati Pranayaam means the “skull shining” exercise. Regular practice will impart an enviable lustre to your face. Doing it is also cushy. Simply sit in a cross-legged position. Let your left hand rest on your left thigh and knee. Now, close the right opening of your nose using your right hand. Inhale deeply. Hold for 15 seconds. Close the left opening of your nose and exhale slowly. That’s Kapaalbhaati Pranayaam andyou have aced it! Do it at least 15 times a day and increase the frequency as you get accustomed to it.

Editor’s Note: These are some interesting exercises, much needed. Will definitely be trying.

Have you tried any of these exercises for tightening your face?

3 Unforgettable Bollywood Hairstyles

3 Unforgettable Bollywood Hairstyles

Hi guys,

In this blog post I will be showing you guys how to achieve some hairstyles made unforgettable by our Bollywood beauties. Fret not, they’re easier to recreate than they look, many thanks to BBLUNT products which make styling at home easier than ever!

When I thought of unforgettable Bollywood hairstyles, the first one I could think of was the vintage bouffant messy bun. It has been around since forever, especially in Bollywood.

Here is how you can achieve it..

  1. I started with spraying the BBLUNT Dry Shampoo into my roots to soak up the excess oil and also give the hair some texture.
  2. I took the front crown section and teased/back combed it.
  3. Then I used a bumpit to give some extra volume at the crown area.
  4. And rolled the rest of the hair behind in a messy bun
  5. Finished with the BBLUNT Spotlight Hair Polish for that added shine

And we are done, easy peasy.

2nd hairstyle is even easier. It’s a variation of the 1st hairstyle. I see Deepika Padukone often in this high ponytail.

  1. For this, I unrolled the bun and kept the front bumpit section as it is. If you are doing only this hairstyle, follow Step 1 to 3 above from the first hairstyle.
  2. Take all of the hair behind in a high ponytail.
  3. Take one section of the hair from the pony and roll it over the rubber band, so that the band is not visible.
  4. Once again, finish with the BBLUNT Spotlight Hair Polish to make the pony stay in place all day long!

And finally, the 3rd hairstyle which is my personal favourite. When you think of Madhuri Dixit, the first thing you will think of are her beautiful eyes and her gorgeous locks.. The messy, voluminous waves, she has been carrying those since forever and looks beautiful every single time.

Since my hair is super straight, it was a little difficult to get the exact same results, but I tried this and it worked wonderfully.

  1. First I dampened my hair and took a coin sized amount of the BBLUNT High Definition Curl Leave-in Cream
  2. Applied it over the mid-lengths to ends scrunched a little. This cream gives you long lasting, well-defined curls
  3. After waiting for 10 minutes, I blow dried my hair
  4. That gave me messy, voluminous waves as you can see here.
  5. I used a hair curler on some big and small random sections of hair for more defined curls
  6. Finished with the BBLUNT Spotlight Hair Polish

And we are done! I love voluminous curls on me, as my hair is naturally straight and flat.

I hope you liked these hairstyles, let me know your favourite in the comments below.

DIY: Get Instant Soft & Glowing Skin for Weddings/Parties, etc | Remove Sun Tan

DIY: Get Instant Soft & Glowing Skin for Weddings/Parties, etc | Remove Sun Tan

Hi guys,

Today I am sharing this quick DIY that I often do before special occasions for that soft and glowing skin!

All you need is a ripe banana, lemon juice and honey.

Take half a ripe banana and mash it really well with a fork, add 1 tsp. honey and 1 tsp. lemon juice and mix it really well.

Apply a thick layer of it all over your face and keep it on for 10 minutes. Wash off with normal water and pat dry.

You will see instant glowing skin!

Let me tell how and why it works..

Bananas are high in vitamin A, B, E and are a good source of potassium, zinc, iron and manganese. They are good for dry and oily skin alike. They are ultra moistuzing and instantly soften the most dehydrated skin. They are also rich in B vitamins and zinc which help to fight free radicals and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C in bananas may also help improve the appearance of dark spots and acne.

Lemon is rich in Vitamin C and citric acid and is full of antioxidants. It helps fade acne scars & blemishes and gives an even skin tone and brighter looking skin. It controls oil and shine to an extent and being anti bacterial also works on acne and blackheads. It also acts as a gentle exfoliator on dead skin cells.

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air into the skin and ensures it’s retained it in the layers for penetrating, long-lasting hydration. It is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, hence helos in calming redness and acne, and also helps to decrease the appearances of scars and increase healing and tissue regeneration

That’s it! Super quick and easy. I hope you like this DIY and try it. Do let me know how it works in the comments below 🙂

November 2016 Fab Bag Review & Unboxing

November 2016 Fab Bag Review & Unboxing

Hi guys,

I got the November Fab Bag yesterday late night, so I unboxed it today.

This month’s theme is ‘Ready Set Glow’. It’s a red colored pouch, I was expecting the bag to be of better quality, the paint had worn off from certain sides. Also it’s very basic and nothing fancy for the festive season which usually Fab Bag has.

Read my previous Fab Bag reviews:

MRP: Rs.599/- per month (Buy HERE)

Products I got:

  • Just Herbs Aloe Vera Facial Massage Gel 50g- Rs.445/- for 100g
  • City Color Be Matte Lipstick in Phoebe- Rs.500
  • VedaEarth Under Eye Oil- Rs.275/- for 7ml
  • Natural Bath & Body Sweet Ocean Body Mist 50ml- Rs.325 for 100ml

I love each and every product in this month’s Fab Bag. I had an option to choose one makeup product and I went with the City Color Lipstick in Phoebe. I saw the swatches online and even read the review. It’s a beautiful shade and a very comfortable matte formula.

Phoebe is a pretty, mauve pink shade.

Veda Earth Under Eye oil has saffron, vetiver and lotus extracts. I have major dark circles currently and this sounds absolutely perfect. It comes in a roll on form, making it easy to use and carry along.

Just Herbs Aloe Vera Massage Gel has cucumber and soy lecithin. It smells herbal, but pretty decent. Aloe Vera Gels are amazing anytime of the year and for all skin types.

Natural Bath & Body Mist in Sweet Ocean is absolutely amazing, it reminds me of my favourite Davidoff Cool Water. I am all about aqua scents and this one is fabulous. Perfect for my handbag!

Though not happy with the outer bag, I am loving every product in this month’s bag. Totally recommend it!

Total value of the products in this month’s bag comes to around Rs.1050-75.

What did you get in your November Fab Bag?

Best Aloe Vera Face Packs to get Clear, Glowing Skin

Best Aloe Vera Face Packs to get Clear, Glowing Skin

By Nidhal

It’s juicy. It’s succulent. It’s tender. It is a magic potion for your skin and hair. If consumed on a regular basis, it endows your body with a whole range of vital nutrients. It comes packed in tubs, tubes and bottles but that’s as good as a paper airplane in the name of defence equipment! It’s not real. Raw/real Aloe vera displays the tendency to turn stale within half an hour of being extracted.

Naturally the one in tubs, tubes or bottles would either be conspicuously fake or pumped with an overwhelmingly large number of chemicals. In the name of revitalising our skin, why then go for something that is just gel and nowhere as nourishing as our real Aloe Vera is?

Today, I will enlist a few tried-and- tested face masks with real Aloe Vera that you can easily whip at home to nurture your skin from within

1. ALOE VERA & HONEY MASK

The secret of Aloe Vera lies in its long, tender, succulent leaves – it is this gel that makes aloe vera a magical plant. It contains a host of beneficial compounds like polysaccharides, lectins and mannans etc. The main constituent of Aloe Vera is water but it also packs inside a bulk of minerals, vitamins and many active compounds which will leave your skin nourished and refreshed.

Honey, on the other hand, being a humectant (moisture binding agent) traps in moisture and doesn’t let your skin feel dry or stretchy.

PROCEDURE- Simply extract the gel of a whole Aloe vera plant and add half the quantity of raw (preferably Manuka) honey to whatsoever quantity of Aloe Vera gel you’ve extracted. Mix, apply and wash after 15 minutes. Since the mask contains honey, it won’t dry up solely so, there’s no point in sitting with it for hours. At most, half an hour is suggested after which Aloe vera would tend to be infested by bacteria.

2. ALOE VERA & CURD MASK

Known to be a peerless retainer of one’s skin’s firmness, Aloe vera in combination with curd that has lactic acid and hence, efficacious in lightening scars, spots, freckles, marks, blemishes, etc. is a wonderful mask to kick away spots and dullness. It also raises radiance.

PROCEDURE- As usual, extract the gel of an Aloe Vera plant (a single leaf would be sufficient) painstakingly and add two tbsp. of curd to it. Mix both well, massage on your skin gently and let it stay for 15-20 minutes or till it gets dry completely. Wash off with ample cold water to reveal brighter and energised face.

3. ALOE VERA, BESAN & HALDI POWDER MASK

The humble Aloe Vera gel has anti-microbial properties which spells cheer. Why? Because that makes it ideal to treat acne and pimples. Did I just see acne-prone ladies cavort excitedly on reading this? Besan helps to sort sallow complexion thereby evening out skin tone. Haldi makes for an excellent instant skin brightening ingredient that you just cannot skip in this recipe. I would suggest using either Kasthoori Haldi or Amba Haldi because these two variants are exclusively crafted for skin care and won’t turn your skin yellow if applied a little in excess (of course, don’t add an entire pack of Haldi just to ascertain the level at which your skin would turn yellow)

PROCEDURE- Simply extract Aloe vera’s gel off a leaf. Add a tsp of Kasthoori haldi or Amba haldi as well as besan. Mix well, apply and wash off within 15-20 minutes. Do not keep any Aloe vera face mask for more than half an hour. It gets infested by bacteria. You may not feel it but its nutritive value surely diminishes.

4. ALOE VERA, MILK & RICE FLOUR MASK

This mask comes to rescue to those who are battling sunburns. Aloe vera helps reduce inflammation and when teamed up with milk (that is high in lactic acid which lightens blemishes and deep cleanses skin) and rice flour (which helps to even out complexion), there’s surely no way your sunburn would stay for long.

PROCEDURE- Simply mix adequate amount of raw Aloe vera gel in a tablespoon of rice and  little milk (enough to liquefy) the resulting mixture and smear it liberally on your skin. Once dry, splash cold water and scrub it gently to remove it. Voila! Someone’s glowing.

Editor’s Note: Loved this! I love curd & honey, definitely trying first two <3

Do you use aloe vera in your DIY face packs? How do you use it?

Best 10 Face Washes for Acne/Breakout Prone Skin Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

Best 10 Face Washes for Acne/Breakout Prone Skin Available in India, Prices, Buy Online

By Sanchita

Who doesn’t want a clear acne free skin? Well, Indian weather is mostly tropical and most of the habitable areas are prone of hot and humid conditions. Therefore, the skin breaks out pretty bad. However, if you take good care of the skin and use the skin care products which aims to help the breakout situation, then you can surely keep them at bay. First and foremost, you have to keep the dirt and impurities away to avoid breakouts. We have listed out the best 10 face wash for acne or breakout prone skin available in India and includes both budget friendly and high end options.

1. Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Wash – Price Rs. 110 for 100ml (Buy HERE) (Review HERE)

The Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Wash is one of the popular budget friendly face wash available in India. It comes in a simple transparent bottle with a flip open cap system. The face wash has a gel like light consistency, slightly thick and orangish in color. It foams really well and cleanses the skin without making it dry and parched. It helps in drying out the acne only and keep the skin clean and unclog the pores as well. It has salicylic acid which helps the acne to dry out and leaves skin feeling clean and beautifully clear.

2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash – Price Rs. 499 for 175ml (Buy HERE)

Neutrogena is surely one of the trusted brand when it comes to skin care. It has a very convenient packaging and the product is extremely gentle on the skin. It contains Salicylic acid which is known to get rid of acne and prevents future break outs. The removes the layer of oil and dirt from the skin and since it is gel based, it will not dry out the skin. It is also a great one for sensitive skin and dermatologically tested. The skin is healthy and rejuvenated.

3. Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash – Price Rs. 140 for 150ml (Buy HERE) (Review HERE)

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Face Wash is surely one of the popular choice for acne prone skin. It is a soap free face wash filled with herbal ingredients that helps you remove every layer of dirt, oiliness and grime clogged in the pores and prevents the breakouts. It is formulated with neem which is well-known for its anti-bacterial properties, kills problem causing bacteria, and Turmeric effectively controls acne and pimples. It takes some time to show the result so you have to be a little patient with the face wash. Also, it may dry out the skin slightly.

4. NEW Pond’s Pimple Clear Face Wash – Price Rs. 125 for 100g (Buy HERE)

Pond’s has launched the new Pimple Clear  Face comes in a white opaque tube with a suitable flip open cap. It has Thymo-T Essence which works much better on skin in controlling pimples than salicylic acid. It claims to work on acne in flat 3 days! The herbal clay helps in absorbing oil and keeping pores clear.

5. Lotus Herbals Tea Tree and Cinnamon Anti-Acne Oil Control Face Wash – Price Rs. 175 for 120g (Buy HERE)

Lotus Herbals Tea Tree and Cinnamon Anti-Acne Oil Control Face Wash is another great face wash for oily acne prone skin. It has a thick gel consistency with minute beads which are very mild on the skin. It clears out the skin very well, controls oil without drying out the skin at all. The skin feels extremely refreshing. The ingredients are really powerful which as tea tree oil which is anti-microbial, anti-acne, antioxidant, fights skin infection. The cinnamon and oak bark will also help the skin a lot.

6. Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Active Neem and Tulsi Foaming Face Wash – Price Rs. 105 for 100g (Buy HERE)

The Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Active Neem and Tulsi Foaming Face Wash has a transparent bottle with a flip open cap. The face wash has a gel like slight runny consistency which feels mild on the skin. It lathers abundantly and requires a very little amount. It removes every layer of external impurities and provides a clean and refreshed skin. The neem and tulsi is extremely good for oily acne prone skin and makes the skin radiant slightly. The face wash takes slight time though if you have heavy acne formation on skin.

7. The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Wash – Price Rs. 695 for 250ml (Buy HERE)

This was a God-sent product for my skin and I can’t stop praising it. The face wash comes in a fat bottle which has green colored gel like consistency. It helps to clear out the skin well and removes every layer of dirt, impurities and oiliness. The tea tree formulation is great for acne prone skin and gives a cooling and refreshing skin. It helps to prevent the acne and pimples, controls the oil yet doesn’t dry out the skin and also helps in removing the blemishes. This is one of the most effective and highly recommended face wash for acne prone skin.

8. The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash – Price Rs. 895 for 125ml (Buy HERE)

Another gem of a product from the house of TBS. this Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash comes in a tube form with a flip open cap. It has a clear gel like consistency and helps in removing make-up, impurities and excess oil. It also helps in balancing moisture and sebum levels as it cleanses the skin. It is formulated with seaweed that has vitamins and minerals and hydrate the skin without getting oily. It also helps in keeping the acne at bay and gives a healthy matte finish to the skin.

9. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser – Price Rs. 450 for 50ml (Buy HERE)

The La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser is best suited for normal to oily or combination skin. It helps in purifying the skin and eliminates impurities and excess sebum while leaving the skin clean and fresh. The product is soap free, alcohol free, colorant free as well as paraben free. It lathers well and works great for sensitive skin as well. Overall, the face wash might be slightly expensive but it is a great one for the acne prone skin.

10. Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser – Price Rs. 397 for 125ml (Buy HERE)

The Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser comes in a small travel friendly bottle and has a clear gel like consistency. It foams well and great for oily, combination, or acne prone skin. It helps in removing surface oils, dirt and make-up without leaving the skin dry. It also cleanses the skin and unclogs the pores. The face wash has a neutral formula and also non-comedogenic.

11. Avene Cleanance Gel- Rs.937/- for 200ml (Buy HERE) (Review HERE)

Avene Cleanance Gel’s soapless base cleanses your skin gently and leaves it feeling refreshed. The glyceryl laurate it contains will regulate excess sebum and mattify your skin.

I had to add Avene Cleanance Gel, it is my absolute favourite! Holy Grail. It is fantastic for acne prone skin and one bottle lasts you 3-4 months, so very economical!

Editor’s Note: I have mostly tried all of these and absolutely agree with your list. I had to add Avene, both Avene and Himalaya Purifying Neem are my Holy Grail, something I would come back to always and keep buying my entire life 😀 Must, must try! I also like the Clean & Clear and Neutrogena one. Currently testing the new Pond’s Pimple Clear, it is amazing! I highly recommend the Pond’s one for acne prone skin.

Which is your favourite?

Corporate Fashion Inspiration from Bollywood

Corporate Fashion Inspiration from Bollywood

By Nidhal

Chances are you would have been at your wits end when it comes to zeroing in on the ideal outfit for office at some point of your life. It is not school where everyone has to wear a uniform. It is not college where you have complete volition to try out whatever you’d like to be it- the ethnic kurta, the grungy rock star attire with a bandana or your go-to long skirt teamed with a tank top. Office calls for a change in your wardrobe, doesn’t it? So, why not glance at the best corporate/office looks that Tinsel-town ladies carried in panache and borrow some?

1. KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN- In a film whose immanent theme was role reversal ‘Ki and Ka’, Kareena played Kiya- the head honcho of a multinational company. Swaddled in the most chic and comfortable one-pieces (not gaudy or revealing ones) with cropped blazers that makes the entire looks trendy as well as professional. Kudos! Mrs. Khan.

2. SONAM KAPOOR – The Fashionista of Bollywood- Sonam Kapoor cannot be left behind when it comes to making waves with her effortless fashion style. Seen here is Sonam decked in black and white formals that are teamed with a pair of goggles that give a nerdy and chic look. Her mane let loose might look prepossessing but according to me that is the last thing any lady with a corporate job should go for. Reason? It will stick around with things/your body the moment you step out of an air-conditioned room and entangle with objects thereby break. So, the bottom line is to borrow ideas practically.

3. ALIA BHATT –Inarguably she displays the most eclectic range of ethnic office attire. Seen here is Alia swaddled in a plain black kurta with a pink Chinese collar and dupatta. This is from the scene where she is seen during a presentation in the movie – 2 States. For those ladies who are neither fond nor comfortable with sporting western office attire, sporting such plain kurtis comes across as a viable option.

4. KATRINA KAIF- She looked picture perfect in Fitoor. Not many can carry off red hair well and she looks dreamy with that fiery colour on her tresses! Seen here is Katrina (who essayed the role of Firdaus Jaan Naqvi in Fitoor) swaddled in atypical Western office attire but with a casual twist. The rolled up sleeves and slightly plunging neckline that doesn’t look risqué, makes it inimitable.

5. DEEPIKA PADUKONE- My vote for the best office/corporate attire to come out from Bollywood has to be from Deepika in Piku. Keeping the weather in mind, Deepika opts for a traditional fabric kurta with palazzo pants and mojris. Her accessories include bags, sunglasses, earrings and a scarf. The palazzo pants make sure that the fabric does not stick to one’s body and discomfit a person during our infamous sweltering summers.

6. PRIYANKA CHOPRA- And the Quantico girl arrives on the list and how! Shown to be working for Verve magazine in Dostana, PeeCee’s look had to be glamourous, chic and dramatic- something not usually associated with the minimalistic looks we see in conventional office jobs. As a result, she swaddled herself in bright dramatic outfits that looked apt with the field she was shown to be in- fashion.

7. DEEPIKA PADUKONE- We can’t help it if the lady has it in her to get a second feature in the list. Deepika Padukone, in the early days of her career essayed the role of a corporate employee in Kartik Calling Kartik. Shown to be a woman of today, her look was kept minimal and sophisticated. With soft curls cascading down her shoulders, she sported simple sleeveless white shirts teaming them up with a black figure-hugging skirt.

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5,6

Editors’ Note: I loved Katrina in Fitoor and Deepika in Piku 

Which look did you like the most?

OOTD: Red & White Flared Midi Dress

OOTD: Red & White Flared Midi Dress

Hi guys,

Another OOTD for you. I love midi dresses, especially these flared kinds. They look very flattering on all body types.

White and Red is one of my favourite combination, this dress had red abstract print on white base. It’s from Dainty Jewells. They have a beautiful collection of dresses, available in a large variety of sizes. Also a lot of bridesmaid dresses.

I paired it with my gold watch, tan sling and nude strappy heels. Since the dress was bright enough, I kept the accessories neutral as otherwise the colors would clash and be too loud.

Dress: Dainty Jewells
Heels: Zara
Bag, Watch: Michael Kors
Earrings: House of Tuhina

On my Lips: Maybelline Lip Gradation Red2
On my nails: Nykaa Matte Nail Paint in Black Cherry Pie

Location: The Bar Terminal
Clicked by: Rhythmic Focus

I hope you liked the outfit. Do let me know in the comments below.

How to Fight Under-Eye Discoloration Naturally?

How to Fight Under-Eye Discoloration Naturally?

By Nidhal

Eyes are the windows to one’s heart. So true! But they are a lot more than that. They are also indicators of your health. Given the kind of lifestyles we all are living, we frequently tend to cross paths with dark circles, patchiness, discoloration, puffy eyes and what not. The first stage is of denial when we see signs of these pesky woes. Conveniently and more aptly sceptically we wring up our hands in disbelief brushing aside those signs.

A few more days roll by and then those signs begin drawing unwanted attention for people point it out. That sends the ‘Oh-No- Something’s-Wrong’ flag soaring high. Petrified, we wade across over-the-counter measures and what not to allay them but more often than not, such products do not throw positive results. Disappointed, we fall into a whirlpool of pessimism. But hey, worry not. We have a treasure trove of pocket-friendly recipes-none invasive, painful or costing you an arm and a leg at your disposal that’ll leave you heaving a sigh of respite.

1. MALAI/MILK CREAM- Milk has great lightening abilities for the skin and can be a very affordable option for dealing with dark circles under the eyes, which can have great results. Milk cream is a derivative of milk. Being a powerhouse of fats, malai is what you need if you suffer from under-eye discoloration.

PROCEDURE- Simply dab and massage a tbsp. of fresh milk cream using your ring finger (for it is the gentlest in massaging) carefully on your under-eye area. Do not let it enter your eyes. If it does, wash off immediately. That’s it. Sleep with it. In the morning, you can wash it off. Let it work its magic overnight. Continue every night for at least a week. It shows results and how! I vouch for this method provided it is followed painstakingly and regularly. And yes, it softens the area too. Double-whammy, did I hear you say that?

2. ALMOND OIL- Here comes the weapon that has been relied upon since times immemorial to banish those dark circles- Almond oil. Shouldn’t there have been drumrolls in the background as I introduced it?

Coming to its virtues, almond oil is anti-inflammatory, thus it reduces puffy bags under the eyes and dark circles. It is a good source of vitamin K, which improves clotting, reducing discoloration under the eyes.

PROCEDURE- Application is simple. Simply slather and massage the under-eye area with almond oil (few drops) every night dedicatedly without fail for at least a fortnight. Sleep with it and let your skin repair itself overnight.

3. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL- If almond oil has made an appearance on this list, can EVOO (Extra virgin olive oil) stay far behind? EVOO is the best grade of olive oil for it is least processed and contains maximum nutrition. It comes in glass bottles and is higher than all other variants. It works wonders in allaying wrinkles. Ladies approaching their twilight years can still shed a few years of age off their skin with the help of this wonder oil.

PROCEDURE- Massage a few drops of it on your under-eye area. Please note that massaging is important. That is what matters else the oil will merely sit on your skin and not nourish it the way you want to. Do this every night for 5 minutes gently for at least a fortnight. You will be spellbound with the positive turn of events.

4. GREEN TEA BAGS- Packed with a number of antioxidants, green tea helps banish dark circles and keeps them at bay for as long as you continue sipping (or as I do, gulping) it.

PROCEDURE- Put two green tea bags in the refrigerator for at least an hour. After that, keep them on your eyes. It’s alright if it’s not entirely on your under-eyes. It nourishes eyelashes too so, you have the best of both worlds there.

5. CUCUMBER JUICE- Not only is the cool cucumber (you surely would have heard the phrase ‘as cool as a cucumber’) rich in vitamins and minerals which helps to hydrate, nourish and tone skin, but also brighten the under eye area, so that you can say ‘good bye’ to those pesky dark circles permanently. What needs to be done?

PROCEDURE- Mince a cucumber into a few slices. Actually, two would do. Freeze them for half an hour and then, keep them on your eyes. Bid farewell to all those woes pertaining to your under-eye area.

Editor’s Note: Those are fab tips Nidhal. I swear by almond oil, I am currently using the Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil and 3 drops are more than enough! Also just wanted to add, be careful when using the oil, make sure you don’t go too close to the eyes or it doesn’t enter inside, it kind of blurs vision for the entire night :/ Also I recommend the Rogan Badam Shirin, it’s the most economical and easily available option when it comes to purity.

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5

Have you tried any of these for under-eye discoloration? What do you swear by?

Bollywood Fashion Faceoff: Who Wore it Better?

Bollywood Fashion Faceoff: Who Wore it Better?

By Nidhal

Choc-a- bloc schedules with film assignments, dubbing, movie promotions at myriad venues, advert shoots, press conferences, store launches, award ceremonies and frequent outdoor shoots… phew! It would be arduous to swaddle oneself in the trendiest of outfits and showcase one’s sense of style every time a star steps out. The struggle is all the more tedious for a Bollywood actress who is screened from top to toe for her style, while a male celeb may evade the lens of the fashion police, scot-free even after committing the most heinous of fashion faux pas.

In the midst of all this, B-town celebs, particularly the female ones end up crossing each other’s paths swathed in the same outfit! Now, that is not a blunder per se. One may have an idea of what they would wear for a particular event, but how is one supposed to have any inkling of others sartorial choices given one’s hectic schedules? So, while wearing the same attire is admissible and not at all cringe-worthy in my opinion, yet we can surely assess who wore it better – that is, who brought to the outfit their sense of style, individuality and panache? They say- Never let clothes wear you. So, let us check out who did the same. Let it out in the comments section.

1. DEEPIKA OR SONAM- ‘Great minds think alive’ so goes an adage. Certainly, in this case, when two of Bollywood’s leading ladies in the present time and ace fashionistas think alike, we get to treat our eyes to their winsome appearances. Both the ladies decided to wear the same sarees but at different events. While Deepika swaddled herself in a cut sleeve blouse and a high pony at one of the events of Chennai Express’ promotions, Sonam sported a vintage look with three-quarter- sleeved blouse and a loose bun for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag promotions.

2. YAMI, PARINEETI OR ALIA- All belonging to the new crop of Tinsel-town- Yami Gautam, Parineeti Chopra and Alia Bhatt decided to team a see-through black-n- white top with denims to keep the look easy-going and laidback. Although there may emerge a winner amongst Yami and Alia, but Parineeti underwhelmed thanks to the faux pas she suffered.

3. KAREENA OR DEEPIKA- And now that’s what you call an exact replica! The dimpled Deepika stepped out in a mesmeric houndstooth print outfit to promote Ram Leela on the sets of Kapil Sharma’s comedy show. Coincidentally, not long ago, the feisty Kareena Kapoor Khan posed for the cover of a magazine in an exact replica of the outfit.

4. SHILPA OR DEEPIKA- And here come the ladies who have the best bodies in Bollywood without any iota of doubt! Naturally, any dress would complement the two, but what if the two sultry lasses zero in on the same attire? Scroll upwards and decide for yourselves. Baffled, aren’t you? Clearly here, only the skirt of both the divas is common yet, even that is sufficient to draw parallels. While Deepika teamed up her floral print Zara skirt with a bishop sleeved top, Shilpa opted for a loose white top gathered with a belt with the same skirt.

5. DEEPIKA OR PARINEETI- Opting for a blue and red number with psychedelic prints, the statuesque Deepika Padukone and the pert Parineeti Chopra both held court at the respective events they wore it to. While Deepika wore the dress first at a Film Awards announcement conference in January 2016, Parineeti was seen wearing the dress at a photoshoot a few months later.

6. KATRINA OR SONAKSHI- Clad in a short printed dress, both Katrina Kaif and Sonakshi ‘shotgun’ Sinha looked like sisters cut from the same cloth. While Katrina wore the one-piece at the audio launch of Bang Bang, Sonakshi swaddled herself in the same raiment in one of the songs of Action Jackson.

7. KAREENA OR DEEPIKA- And it is Kareena Kapoor Khan versus Deepika Padukone again! Both the A-list actresses of Tinsel-town seem to have a similar taste in fashion, don’t they? This was the second instance when they stepped out wearing the same attire. Kareena walked the green carpet of IIFA 2014 in a black Giorgio Armani gown, a slight variation of which Deepika sported at IIFA 2016. While Kareena added a sheer to cover up her frontal bare, Deepika decided to bare it all and raising the oomph of the apparel by leaps and bounds.

Editor’s Note: 4 out of 7 are Deepika :/ I hope she has better stylists now 😀

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5

So, who do you think should be crowned the better dressed?