Makeup setting spray plays a very important role in the application and setting of base. In fact, this is the reason the makeup looks so flawless and does not budge for a long time even during scorching heat. You have often seen the matte or dewy look on various celebrities and how impeccable it looks! It also helps in removing the cakey or any patchy look in case you applied the powder or foundation in excess. Sadly, not many Indian brands manufacture makeup setting sprays and therefore the other brands are quite expensive. One day, I was having a casual chat regarding makeup setting with my friend who is a makeup artist and she told me how she sets the makeup on her clients. She uses a concoction liquid of certain ingredients which are readily available in the market and I was so determined to make it. In fact, you can also make two different setting spray – one for dewy and the other for matte. So, scroll down to see how to make your own makeup setting spray.
INGREDIENTS
Rose water – act as a toner, moisturizer and skin enhancer.
Aloe Vera Gel – helps in setting the look without getting patchy or cakey.
Glycerin – moisturizes the skin and evens out the makeup. Acts as a sticky base to keep the makeup adhered to
Distilled Water
Empty Spray Bottle
PROCEDURE
Take an empty spray bottle and make sure it is completely cleansed, sterilized and dried. Fill 1/3rd of the bottle with distilled water.
Add 2/3rd rose water to the bottle.
Add 1 tbsp. of Aloe Vera Gel.
Now, add 1/2 tbsp. of glycerin or any other essential oil of your choice.
Shake the bottle very well so that the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Voila! Your makeup setting spray is ready!
Note: If you want to make the spray for matte finish, use the distilled water and rose water in a 50:50 ratio and add only little bit of glycerin. However, if you want to make the spray for dewy finish, use the distilled water and rose water in a 20:80 ratio and add 1tbsp. of glycerin. Also, you can add Jojoba Oil or any other essential oil to increase the hydration factor during winter.
Caution: If you’re allergic to any of the above mentioned ingredients, please do not incorporate them in the concoction.
This can also be used a toner and refresher in this scorching heat. Simply spray the liquid from a slight distance, closing the eyes and let is dry on its own. Also, do not spray too much as it will take a long time to dry up. It is free from chemicals and preservatives and hence it is best to use it up within 1-2 months of making.
Editor’s Note: This sounds amazing Sanchita, definitely worth trying. I am surely going to.
I had real fun decoding the Kylie Jenner Makeup Tips, so after going through several teaching sessions, YouTube tutorials, interviews and Instagram posts of Mario Dedivanovic (Kim Kadarshian’s favorite makeup artist) I was so determined to do this post on Decoding Kim Kardashian Hair and Makeup Secrets.
Kim Kardarshian is famous for her contour, nude lips, smokey eyes and the list go on and on. No doubt we love every bit of her makeup and her luscious hair styles. So, want to know the secret tips behind her flawless outlook. I am sure the tips and tricks will simply amaze you. So let’s explore the details.
Makeup before hair – Yes, do you makeup first and then the hair. This is because the hair spray might leave behind its residue on the face which will make the application of the foundation slight difficult. Also, if you are going for a bouncy curly look, you have to back comb and tug it so that it stays away from the face while applying makeup. All in all, do your makeup first and then go for the hairstyle.
Skip the primer – When possible makeup brand came out with their version of primer and beauty bloggers vouching for the primer which ‘apparently’ helps smoothening the foundation and keeps it in place, Kim’s MUA Mario Dedivanovic says primer is totally optional and there is no harm at all in skipping it. He says so because loading too many products one after another will only make you oily, especially in humid weather. So next time you decide to splurge of the expensive primer, just don’t.
Emollient moisturizer – An emollient moisturizer is one which hydrates your skin, smoothens out your pores and provides a nice base to your foundation. This is why you don’t need a primer separately. Too many products will do more harm than any good and therefore to minimize the buildup of products between the skin and foundation, simply use a moisturizer. Kim Kardashian’s favorite moisturizer is Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream which acts both as primer and moisturizer. Therefore, invest in a good moisturizer instead of too many products.
Beauty blender – From Kim Kardashian, Mario Dedivanovic, Kylie Jenner and all the possible celebrities and their MUAs have vouched for the goodness of Beauty Blender. Well, sadly Beauty Blender isn’t easily available in India (there’s also a lot of speculations about fake Beauty Blender sold online) and even if you badly want to have it, you have to pay a huge amount for a sponge. Therefore, the cheapest solution was given by Bhumika, the PAC’s Beauty Blender (a very similar one) which is efficient as well.
Master handling the puff – Kim’s MUA Mario Dedivanovic states that it is important to hold the powder puff while application. Put two fingers into the loop on the outer side and slightly press over the desired area. In general we always use the powder brush for baking and applying translucent powder, but Mario states that puffs are lot better in efficiency. It helps the powder to adhere well to the makeup, blurs out the pores and prevents the cakey application to a large extent.
Strong brow game – Brow game is something we all agree with. It defines the eye makeup and gives a neat and clean appearance to the makeup look. Well, to make this game stronger, Mario uses two colors to define the eye brows. Use a lighter color in the inner corners while a darker one on the outer portions. This will create a pretty strong ombre effect and brings out an appealing look.
There’s nothing called too many eyeliners – Mario applies more than four layers of eyeliners on Kim. He states that it will give your eyes a “beautiful definition and look more expensive”. Well, we got the trick. He first applies an eye pencil as the base, then another eyeliner, followed by the liquid liner and finishes off with gel or crème liner! Phew! That’s a lot. I once tried that at home and I was really astonished to see the beautiful effect it creates. If you are a deep kohled or dark eyes lover, you have to try this out.
Bake the dark circles – Baking is easy-peasy and all you have to do is apply concealer/color corrector/foundation and simply dab powder and let it sit for around 10 mins or so to let the natural heat from your body set the powder. After that simply dust off the excess. Baking is generally done on the areas we highlight i.e. under the eyes, chin, forehead, etc. Mario uses the baking technique mainly for covering the dark circles. This works excellent and does a double duty of highlighting as well as concealing.
Contouring isn’t everything – When I first read this one from Mario, I was like ‘What!’ This particular statement coming from Kim’s MUA whose middle name is ‘contour’ is surely a big deal. Well, he believes that contouring isn’t everything and you can still look equally photogenic without it. The extreme contouring videos we see from YouTube and Instagram aren’t essential for makeup. Nevertheless, if you want do this, there is no harm in making the features sharp.
Double highlighter – Mario stresses on the fact that to have that flawless look, highlighter is the key. Yes, of course blush, contour and everything else is there but highlighter is something that gives you the neat look. He applies double layer of highlighter on Kim. Firstly, he applies a brightening yellow powder like Ben Nye Banana and then some shimmery or frosty powder ones to add that ultra-strobing effect. And then finishes off with golden for that warm glow.
Stunning eye lashes – Kim uses a nice voluminous mascara on the natural eyelashes first after curling them. Then she uses individual falsies (longer on the outer portion, shorter on the inner one) and finishes of with another coat of mascara to adhere the falsies to the natural lashes. God! No wonder her smoky eye is so flawless.
Makeup removal – This is a very common tip vouched every now and then and Kim also swears by it religiously. It is so important to remove every trace of makeup when you are going to hit the bed. Residual makeup has some nasty side effects like pimples, infection, allergies, discoloration, pigmentation and the list is totally endless. Use a good cleanser or baby oil to wipe off every layer of makeup from face, eyes and also lips and wash off with a mild face wash or whatever suits you best.
Stop shampooing everyday – While you have heard it that to keep our hair clean you have shampoo every day, Kim says don’t. Regular shampooing will ruin the hair and strip off the natural oils. She prefers a blowout on the first day while on day two she goes for messy buns, curls and waves. On day three, when the hair starts to get flat due to the natural oil of the scalp, she straightens the hair and tries out sleek hair styles. In this way, the straightening doesn’t damage the hair as well. On day four it is ok to wash the hair. Kim uses Moroccanoil and Carol’s Daughter Monoi Hair Mask to make the hair soft.
Skincare – According to her, skin care is the primary step where you actually have to work hard. No amount of cosmetics will save you if your skin behaves badly. This is why regular skin care routines, clean up, healthy diet and lots of water is required.
Makeup brushes – the last tip from her MUA is the cleaning of makeup brushes, which is another important hygienic requirement for makeup. Mario uses Tea Tree oil to soak the brushes and then washes in a concoction of water and baby shampoo. Baby shampoos are gentle and hence doesn’t make the bristles rough while tea tree oil ensures that every layer of residual makeup is removed and also it is anti-bacterial.
Editor’s Note: Those were some very nice tips Sanchita. I skip primer majority of the days and shampoo every 2-3 days, so following some here 😀 And beauty blender indeed gives a beautiful effect. I am definitely trying layering the eyeliner and light and dark shade for eyebrows.
Did you like Kim Kardashian’s makeup secrets? Do you follow these? Know of any, you would like to add? Do let us know in the comments below.
Hello everyone. I am back with a DIY this time which, I am sure, would be very useful to all the oily skin types in the upcoming scorch summer. The thing is, when we go out in the sun, our skin produces extra melanin to protect the internal layers of the skin and thus we end up with deeper complexions i.e. tan. The tan is unescapable and no matter what product we apply or the protection we take – we always end up with a discolored complexion after a day’s turmoil. With sun tan comes the pigmentation and early signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles that contributes to the dullness of our whole outlook. Due to my acne prone oily skin, I always stay away from chemical laden face pack and instead make my own with the help of certain ingredients easily available anywhere. This face pack has helped to restore my skin’s complexion and texture for all these years and I cannot simply live without it. So, here’s the ingredients and steps listed below to make the Anti-Tan face pack for oily skin.
INGREDIENTS
Besan (Bengal Gram)
Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) (BUY HERE)
Sandalwood Powder (even sandalwood paste would work) (BUY HERE)
Rose Water
Clean bowl and spoon.
STEPS
1. In a clean bowl, add 1tbsp. of Besan.
2. Add, 1tbsp. of Multani Mitti to the mixture.
3. Next, add ½ tbsp. of sandalwood powder (or 1tbsp. of sandalwood paste).
4. With the help of a spoon, add all these dry ingredients thoroughly.
5. Pour the rose water, 1tbsp. at a time to get the medium consistency of a face pack.
6. Leave the face pack for about 30-40mins and rinse with cold water. Pat the skin dry.
BENEFITS
Besan (Bengal Gram) – A common household ingredient that contributes to the healthy texture of the skin. It has the ability to naturally cleanse the skin and remove every layer of impurities from the pores and also tightening them to a large extent. It is also a very gentle exfoliator for oily skin which can’t resist harsh scrubs. Most importantly, it helps is removing the tan, brightening the skin and also helps in eliminating acne and sudden breakouts.
Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) – This is the Holy Grail for every girl with oily skin. Apply any face pack with multani mitti will not only make your skin oil free but also prevents the acne as well. It diminishes every layer of discolorations, pigmentation, scars and blemishes on the face with regular usage. It is further known to improve the elasticity of the skin, thereby reducing the signs like fine lines, wrinkles, etc.
Sandalwood Powder – This is one gorgeous ingredient that contributes to skin lightening by removing every ounce of impurities from the skin. I am not saying it will make you ‘fairer’ (because that never happens) but it will make you fall in love with your complexion. It enhances the skin’s texture to a large extent. The ant-tan properties soothes sun burns and removes it and also the antibacterial properties works on acne prone skin like a miracle. It tightens the drooping skin tissues with the intention of providing a youthful appearance to the skin.
Rose Water – when nothing works on your skin, rose water is the best astringent to go for. The product revitalizes aging skin and keeps fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Maintaining the skin’s pH balance, it hydrates, refreshes and moisturizes the skin, thereby making it smooth. The antioxidant properties of rose water help to strengthen skin cells and restore skin tissues.
So, definitely try this out and let me know how this worked for your stubborn acne prone oily skin.
Editor’s Note: I absolutely swear by multani mitti and sandalwood powder, loved this DIY Sanchita.
Have you tried this at home DIY to remove your tan yet?
Faces Sparkle Dust Stackable Glitter Review, Swatches, Ways to Use
Hi guys, If you remember Faces Cosmetics had stack of pigment eyeshadows, they had a different name earlier, they have relaunched it with a new name and they are called Stackables now, since you can stack 4-5 shades one upon the other.
These come in 4 different families of colors, Wild i.e. more greens and blues, Zeebra i.e monochromes grey, white, black, Whish i.e. loads of bright colors and finally Glitter which are all glitter pigments and mostly metallic.
I am reviewing the Glitter one today.
What the Company claims: This concentrated shimmer is especially handy when you want shimmery, sultry eyes or to create unforgettable drama. Available in stacks of inspired color themes to help you create the most unique and stunning look.
MRP: Rs. 899/- (Available for INR 764 on Nykaa but currently OOS)
While the rest stackables have 5 shades and are priced at 799, the Glitter one has 6 shades and priced at 899.
I love how they are perfectly stacked one upon the other and you cannot misplace any shade as all have to be together since the base of one pigment jar is the cap of the other. Which also means you cannot carry them individually :/ I would have loved if they came with additional separate 4 caps to carry them individually too.
I absolutely love each and every shade in this Glitter Stackable, there are numerous options you can do with this.
Silver- True cool toned silver
Gold – Warm bronzy gold
White – My favourite, pure white with blue green duochrome effect.
Sky Blue – True Sky Blue mixed with a bit of silver
Plum – Aubergine Plum with gold
Deep Navy Blue – Deep Navy Blue with silver
What I love most about these is that the glitter is very finely milled and not at all chunky, it’s not like thick glitter much visible to eye and you cannot feel this. This feels soft and almost like a powder, even though it’s a glitter.
L-R: Navy Blue, Plum, Sky Blue, Silver, Gold, White
Numerous ways in which you can use these pigments:
1. As an eyeshadow obviously. You can dampen your brush with a makeup setting spray, take the pigment and apply directly on the lid.
2. Use glitter glue/Duraline and make an eyeliner with it, you can make 6 different colored eyeliners.
3. Mix with clear nail paint to get colored glitter nail paint. I would suggest taking some in an empty nail paint bottle or some base as you don’t want to mix the complete nail paint with single glitter option when you can try multiple options every time 🙂
4. Make only one figure glittery like the ring finger, I love doing this and as you can see I have done that above.
5. Try glitter french manicure by applying clear top coat on the tips and dipping them in glitter.
6. You can also use the white glitter one as highlighter, the matte sparkle dust in pinks/plums as blushes.
7. Use the white to highlight cupid’s bow too and mattify your pink/purple lipsticks by just dabbing some matte pigment on top. It will also make the colors look vivid and makes the lipsticks stay longer. A makeup artist tried that once on me during a shoot and the lipstick stayed much longer and I loved how vibrant and matte it looked.
There are endless possibilities with pigments and glitters in makeup. Experiment and have fun, my most favourite ways of using are definitely as eyeliner and single nail with glitter.
I would definitely recommend getting the Faces Stackables, the color option is something that depends on your personality and kind of makeup you look. If you are more into basic smokey, go for Zeebra. If you love colors, go for Whish while the Glitter one definitely has multiple uses and can work for everyone. Also I would suggest buying it from Nykaa only when it is on discount, coz INR 764 is a great deal.
What about you? Do you like playing with pigments?
PAC Cosmetics Beauty Blender First Impressions, Demo, Buy Online
Hi guys,
So I got a few products from PAC Cosmetics including this beauty blender. While I am trying out the other products and would review them soon, this beauty blender got me really intrigued and I did the first impressions/demo video with it.
Claims: The unique shape & exclusive material which is edgeless sponge a high definition cosmetics sponge applicator. This sponge will allow the product to sit on the top of the sponge rather then being absorbed. Allowing you to complete your make-up application with less products & less time. When beauty blender is wet it would double in size & become even softer. It would returned to its own size after its dries Top Tip: Use this unique sponge for your cream, liquid or powder foundation. It can also be used contouring, highlighting with cream or powder products.
It looks and feels exactly like the original beauty blender and PAC Cosmetics also has a set of two or three tiny beauty blenders for concealers,etc just like the original brand.
There are a lot of beauty blender dupes and brands having similar sponges like from Forever 21 and many, many others. Real Techniques also has a mustard colored Miracle Complexion Sponge which is flat from one end though. That also makes it easier to blend on cheeks or apply powder.
While I have two Sigma F80 brushes and always use the F80 only for blending, this is the first time I am using a sponge/beauty blender. If you see the video, I was subconsciously rubbing and buffing the product like with a brush :/ Err, yes I am that used to a brush. I saw Kandee Johnson’ video on how you have to ‘Push and Roll’ when you use a beauty blender which looks like bouncing when done quickly. I ended up buffing but still it was super easy to blend the foundation with it, I am surely trying to correct method again and it should show even better results.
But I am blown away by how super soft and squishy this is and makes blending foundation super easy, I blended it within 1 minute and some seconds, this was super quick and it does not go streaky or patchy at all. Also the tapered end is perfect for under eyes and the corners of the nose.
While the Real Techniques one is around the same price, from the few reviews I have read, the Real Techniques one is a little harder and not as soft as this one. For the price of Rs.485/- I am loving it and definitely recommend it, it will make your foundation/base routine change forever. You can use it daily with your BB creams/Tinted moisturizers and it will work just as well. Also saves your time in the morning.
I love it and recommend it, if you try it, do let me know how you find it.
PAC is a professional makeup line, often used by makeup artists and now since the products are easily available online, we all can take advantage of it and buy the professional makeup brushes which perform as good as the MAC ones at half the price. The brushes range from Rs.300 to Rs.800, I have one more brush from them which I will review soon.
Update: My beauty blender tore a bit from two sides in the first wash :/ Not really happy about that, and I didn’t even wash it vigorously. If you follow me on Snapchat (@bhumika_t), you would have seen the pics and video. I will try and update you guys after more uses.
Do let me know your thoughts on the PAC Cosmetics Beauty Blender.
To begin with, I have extremely sensitive, acne prone, oily skin that is always on the verge of breakouts. Due to this reason, I avoid moisturizers (except for aloe vera gel) all my life. However, as I am approaching towards late 20s, I have been noticing that the texture of the skin looks very unhealthy and that natural glow is missing somewhere. Hence, I wanted something to rejuvenate and nourish the skin. After searching high and low for all the ingredients that works on acne prone skin without giving much trouble, I made this night serum for myself and to my surprise, I did work! I have been using it past a month and thankfully I observed some good changes in my skin. Firstly, it never broke me out and also nourished the skin. Secondly, it hydrates the skin throughout the night with getting oily or greasy. So, here goes the night elixir for acne prone skin.
INGREDIENTS:
Aloe Vera Gel – you can either take it directly from the plants and blend it smooth to have the gel consistency or simple buy one!
Jojoba Oil – Works wonder for oily acne prone skin. You can also substitute it for Avocado OR Almond Oil for preference.
Rose Water – either homemade or store-bought will work.
Vitamin E Capsule – easily available across the counter otherwise you can also opt for Vitamin E oil.
Sanitized Bowl – since it is a face product, it is better to have a sanitized place to start with and then transfer it to a dropper bottle or any container.
STEPS
Step 1
Add 1 tbsp. of rose water in the bowl.
Step 2
Next, add 2 tbsp. of aloe vera gel. Mix it thoroughly as both the ingredients have different consistencies and takes effort to blend well. You can also add 1 tbsp. if you want a runny consistency but I wanted sort of a slightly thicker one, so I added 2 tbsp.
Step 3
Add 2-3 drops of Jojoba Oil and again blend it in.
Step 4
Lastly, take out 1-2 Vitamin E Capsules and poke them to take out the oil. Add the mixture very comprehensively unless you see a uniform consistency without any lumps.
Final outcome
And Voila! You night serum is ready!
TIP: Do not make it in a large quantity because it is handmade and hence, the preservatives are missing. Make it enough for a week or two at the most.
FOR DRY SKIN – Since dry skin or mature skin needs more than just aloe vera gel, they can use shea butter or cocoa butter instead of aloe vera gel. They can also incorporate the essential oils like Almond, Rosehip, Grapeseed, etc. as per their own preference.
BENEFITS OF THE INGREDIENTS –
Vitamin E – Vitamin E is the main ingredient I would vouch for. It has excellent properties to revive and renew the skin cells at night. It treats the scars and marks on the skin due to ageing or acne. Being a great moisturizer, it nourishes the skin well without making it greasy or clog the pores when applied. It soothes and treats the sun burns and regular tanning of the skin. Most prominently, it make collagen that decreases the rate of aging signs like wrinkles, fine lines, etc.
Aloe Vera Gel – this is the HG for every oily skin. Seldom moisturizers suit us and we always find our way back to this. Aloe Vera, known as “plant of immortality”, it has numerous benefits for skin. It moisturizes the skin, heals the scars and soothes the skin from acne and nourishes without any greasy layer which gets absorbed in a jiffy. It also lightens skin pigmentation and slows down the ageing sign.
Jojoba Oil – it is known to fight wrinkles, stretch marks and cellulite. With high amount of ceramides which cover skin cells, it hydrates and nourishes the skin like no other. Oily skin doesn’t go well with other oils but this is an exception. It is so light weight and gets blended very easily. It also has anti-bacterial properties that treats acne and allergies.
Rose Water – the beauty of rose water in indefinite. From toner to face packs, makeup setting spray to hydration – it can do everything. It treats acne, soothes the skin from sun burns, refreshes and invigorates and has many anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties for sensitive skin.
Do let me know how you liked the DIY.
Editor’s Note: I swear by Vitamin E capsules, but they are so sticky and messy while applying. I guess the mix of rose water and aloe vera gel will make applying Vitamin E easier. Also I am all for essential oils, I love using them. Definitely trying this Sanchita.
How to Make your Hair Stronger & Thicker Naturally
Do you want a stronger, thicker mane? Well, who doesn’t. One of the main causes for weak hair is thinning, which makes it more prone to hair fall, and inversely overall thinner density and fine hair. Many of you have always asked for my hair care routine, now I don’t follow particular brands all the time, but these tips are something I follow in general always.
This is my natural hair which is curled..no extensionsStraight Hair
Read on to know how you can get stronger & thicker hair naturally.
1. Washing hair on alternate days
If you are washing hair every day, then you are washing off the natural oils from the scalp, which keep the scalp healthy. On the contrary, if you are washing it just once a week, you are letting dirt and dandruff settle on your scalp making it more prone to hair fall. The frequency of washing hair should be moderate, preferably once every two-three days.
2. Never brush wet hair
Never ever do that. This is a strict NO-NO. Wet hair is prone to breakage. It may come off from the roots or even split in parts. Invest in a wide tooth comb, preferably made of wood, to comb through wet hair with a very gentle hand. Take a firm grip of your hair in small bunches, while combing through the roots, so that the roots are not succumbed to unnecessary pulls.
3. Well Balanced Diet
Your hair may be thin because the roots are unable to get the nutrients it needs, from your diet. Proteins and Vitamins are an absolute necessity for your hair. Include fish, daal, pulses, and soybeans (for proteins) And nuts, fruits and veggies (for Vitamin B, Biotin and Omega 3 Fatty Acids). Flax seeds, Avocado deserve special mention as a rich source of Vitamins. Also, Vitamin C helps promote hair growth, so a lot of citrus based fruits and Amla must also be included. As a last resort, you can also take supplements which usually contain biotin, fish oil, protein, multi-vitamins, etc. Also, drink lots of water as mentioned always.
4. Massage your scalp
Massage your scalp daily with your fingertips with a gentle hand for better blood circulation of the head and scalp. You can also go for an overnight oil treatment or a one hour massage just before you shampoo, with warm coconut or olive oil or a mix of both. I also add Evian Vitamin E capsule oil at times.
5. Avoid hot tools
Use hot tools only during special occasions (read once in a blue moon). Avoid it as much as you can. Air dry your hair instead of a blow dryer and use frizz-fighting products. If you still have to use hot tools, always use a heat protectant.
6. Protect your hair
Protect your hair from direct sunlight by using hats, scarves, etc. Go for regular trimming to get rid of split ends and breakage.
7. Do not color your hair
I know if someone has grey hair and wants to cover that, coloring is necessary but if want to color your hair just for the fun of it, you are going to damage your hair, especially if you go for lighter colors like a blonde which requires bleaching of the hair. It thins your hair to 1/4th of the original size! I have pictures and would find them and add them maybe. I had just gone for highlights on a few strands a year ago and that too a darker color but I literally saw the size difference in the colored strand of hair and my normal strand of hair! I am never coloring my hair again, unless I have way too many greys. Also would prefer using something natural first like henna or sesame oil if that can help. But of course if you want to color anyway, always take good care of your hair by regular oiling, deep conditioning, etc. coz color does thin and dry out your hair!
All the above tips when followed religiously would help reduce hair loss and promote new hair growth which will help your hair become stronger and thicker.
I follow all of these and try to follow the diet one as much as a I can. I rarely use a blow dryer or straighter, I prefer natural, air dried hair and let my hair be. I always use a conditioner post shampoo and also a leave-in serum or cream, I like MoroccanOil and Kerastase for that.
Read another similar hair concerns post HERE and more hair care posts HERE.
I have gone shorter this year coz I wanted a change but I am sure my hair will grow back again quickly 🙂
Do you follow these tips? What do you do for stronger, thicker hair?
Acne Scars – Causes, Prevention Measures and Home Remedies
By Archana
Hi all,
After many product reviews, I am back with an informative post today. Acne is one common skin condition that many people suffer from. Though it mostly occurs in teenagers, many adults too face it. In today’s post, I will explain the common causes for acne, prevention measures and some home remedies to cure acne scars.
What causes acne?
The four main reasons for acne are:
* Excessive oil production
* Dead skin cells
* Clogged pores
* Bacteria
When our body secretes excess sebum/oil, they build up in the hair follicles and form a soft plug, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive in. This bacterial infection causes inflammation eventually leading to pimples. Whiteheads and blackheads too are actually clogged pores with bacteria and oil.
Some factors like hormonal imbalance, certain foods, stress, etc can trigger or aggravate the acne conditions.
How to prevent the occurrence of acne?
It’s always better to prevent the occurrence of acne in the first place with some good skin care routine.
* Keep your face clean by washing your face atleast twice a day to remove impurities, dead skin cells and extra oil.
* Use a separate towel for your face.
* Change your pillow covers and bedsheets weekly.
* Avoid or limit the intake of deep-fried foods, dairy products, sugar, salty snacks and junk food.
* Avoid using oils, gels and fragrances on your hair.
* Wash your hair often as oily hair can add to the oil on your face.
Home remedies for acne scars:
When a pimple occurs, it can leave behind marks and scars. Though there are many pigmentation creams and anti-acne gels available in the market, home remedies are always more effective and with no side effects. Only thing, they need to be followed diligently for atleast two weeks to see improvement. Here is a list of easy remedies at home to cure acne scars:
Lemon mask for acne scars:
* Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
* Honey – 1tbsp
* Milk – 2 tbsp
* Rose water – 1 tbsp
Mix all the above together and using a cotton wool apply on the acne scars. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent which helps lighten the scars. The rose water helps to soothe the tingling sensation caused due to lemon.
Aloe vera gel for acne scars:
Extract fresh aloe vera gel from the plant and apply on face. You can leave it overnight. Do it regularly for two weeks for the acne scars to fade. Aloe vera not only soothes inflammation but also helps in regenerating damaged tissues and speeds up the healing process.
Blend the cucumber into a smooth paste. Add the gram flour and turmeric powder and apply as a face pack. Leave for 20-25 minutes and then wash off. This treatment is good for sensitive skin also to get rid of acne scars.
Potato and tomato mask for acne scars:
* Half a potato
* Half a tomato
* Honey – 1 tbsp
Grate the potato and extract the juice from it. Blend the tomato into a fine paste. Add the potato juice and a teaspoon of honey. Apply this mix all over your face and wash off after 15 minutes. Tomatoes contain the enzyme lycopene which help to lighten pimple marks. Potatoes also have skin lightening and bleaching properties.
Cinnamon and honey mask for acne scars:
Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one teaspoon of honey and apply on your acne scars. Leave it for an hour and then wash off. This mixture has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which is effective in treating the acne.
Tea tree oil for acne scars:
This is a proven remedy for reducing acne scars. Tea tree oil is an excellent antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral essential oil. Just dilute some tea tree essential oil in water and apply this solution on your acne scars everyday. Leave it overnight. Follow it regularly to see visible reduction in scars and blemishes.
Apple cider vinegar for acne scars:
ACV is a natural astringent and balances the pH level of your skin. It is effective in the treatment of acne too. Mix 1 part of apple cider vinegar with 1 part of water and 1 teaspoon of honey. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and apply on scars. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off. Do this once daily.
Sandalwood and orange face pack for acne scars:
* Sandalwood powder – 2 tbsp
* Orange peel powder – 2 tbsp
* Rose water – 2 tbsp
Mix all the above into a fine paste and apply as a face pack. Leave it for 30 minutes and wash off. According to Ayurveda, sandalwood is a effective soothing and cooling agent to treat skin inflammations. Orange peel powder helps to lighten the marks.
So these are some of the home remedies you can follow to cure acne scars, pimple marks and blemishes.
Editor’s Note: This was a really well written post Archana and the remedies are fab. I think I always stick to Aloe Vera Gel and the fuller’s earth, sandalwood mix. I will surely try the other home remedies mentioned by you.
Which ones have you tried? Share your experiences below.
Continuing the bridal posts from last month, today we are talking about wedding trousseau. How to plan it, what all to include, etc.
Trousseau mostly includes a new wardrobe, jewellery, makeup, clutches, shoes, basically everything a bride needs post wedding. Now every family has a different budget and different customs, some have a total of 11 outfits to give and some have 21 to 51 depending on the budget.
A bride should always mix and match the outfits in a trousseau, go for some anarkalis, some lehengas, sarees, kurtis and even western dresses for your honeymoon and the likes, so you have 1-2 options for every occasion post your wedding for at least a few months. But also keep your choice and lifestyle in mind, if you wear more of western wear and hardly wear any sarees, go for some basic 2-3 pieces and not more. Keep a balance and include everything but more of what you would actually need and use.
Jadtar (Kundan) Set
Coming to the outfits, what you must include is one piece of each type, like embroidery work, thread work, real silk, organza, zardozi, benarasi, gotta patti, so that from a simple occasion to a more grand occasion, you are sorted for everything. Also always have basic colors of blouses, petticoats and churidhars like gold, silver, red, green, blue, black and white so that you can mix and match.
Do not forget to include 1-2 classic pieces like silk, kanjeevaram, benarasi sarees or dresses that you can wear on any occasion and whatever the current trends, coz classic never goes out of style.
Also as already mentioned include more of western wear if that is what you are going to wear more of, anyway. New pair of denims, few tops, dresses, maxi dresses, skirts, and anything you can mix and match, a honeymoon wardrobe basically 😀
Lingerie, the most important, the right style and fit of lingerie can make or break your outfit. Invest in different types of lingerie & night wear like strapless, sports bra, lace, set of briefs and a few different styles of night wear.
Do not forget the accessories, bags and shoes. A basic gold and silver clutch for weddings, a formal bag, a casual bag and 2-3 pairs of basic shoes again including wedding wear, casual wear and a formal heels will keep you sorted. For accessories, buy only stuff that you would wear and matches your style from chunky statement pieces to delicate and dainty pieces, choose what you would actually use and relates to your style.
The most expensive part of your trousseau is the jewellery, invest in one gold and one diamond set at least but keep in mind your style when you buy it. For me personally, I like small and delicate jewellery and chose accordingly. Invest in classics that would go with your wedding wear and also evening or formal wear at the same time.
Makeup, again as I mentioned a lot of times, choose basic colors like golds, greens and browns for eye shadows or go for a palette which has all the basic shades. Or pick single eyeshadows and combine them in a magnetic palette to make your own customized palette. For lipsticks, choose a red, orange, nude, pink and you will be sorted for all outfits. But always try the shade before and pick up a tone that matches and works for your skin. Blush and highlighter are also an important part. Read my detailed post on what makeup your should include in your wedding trousseau HERE.
A cupboard to keep all the above stuff 😀 Also if you are setting up a new home, some basic home accessories can also be included. A bed spread, bed sheet and the likes would anyway be a part of trousseau. You will also be gifted dinner sets, tea sets and a lot of home accessories on your wedding, so maybe can buy those later.
Do not shop way too much and always be mindful of your budget. The key here is a balance of everything but within your budget 🙂
Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
I wanted to do a video for Karwachauth look but couldn’t coz of time, but I am right on time for the Diwali makeup look. I am wearing this bright orange and pink anarkali with dull gold zari work on it. I wanted to keep my eyes neutral and hence went with dull gold for the eyes and bright fuchsia lips.
I paired the look with gold and pearl dangling earrings and this orange bindi. I quite like how the look turned out, totally me.
If you like this look, please give the video a thumbs up and also subscribe to my Youtube channel HERE.
This Diwali look is brought to you in association with Indian Gifts Portal (IGP.com) , India’s leading Online Gift Store that delivers in 100+ countries. Check out their exclusive Diwali gifts range and bhai dooj tikka hampers.
Also I have a giveaway coming up on twitter in collaboration with Indian Gifts Portal on 5th November i.e. tomorrow, so follow me @bhumika_t and @indiangiftport for more updates 🙂
I hope you liked the look, do let me know in the comments below 🙂
