If you remember I had previously done a post busting shaving myths, read HERE
So today I am busting another shaving myth.
Myth 2: Shaving leaves skin dry and flaky
Shaving is a form of mild exfoliation as it removes the top layer of dead skin cells along with the hair. So you feel your skin is dry/flaky if it is dehydrated and not moisturized enough! If your skin is well moisturized and then you take a shower and shave, the skin is soft and moist and you can shave in ease. Also it won’t leave any dry flakes or scaly skin.
Using the Gillette Venus Satin Shave Gel makes a huge difference in your shave and how your skin feels after! I tried one leg normally and one leg with the Satin Shave Gel, the one with the shave gel was much more moisturized and softer. And now I have switched to the new Gillette Venus Breeze, so my skin is soft and moisturized even without a separate shaving gel, because of the attached soap gel bars.
Always moisturize your skin well post shaving! The dryness, itchiness and flaky skin is only because skin is craving moisture, it is not because of shaving. If your skin will be moisturized well before and after shaving and you use the Satin Shave Gel or the new Breeze razor, there will no dry, flaky skin for sure!
I hope your doubts on skin being dry/flaky post shaving are solved. If you have any other questions related to shaving, please feel free to ask in the comments below and I would be happy to answer.
Do you shave? How has your experience been with shaving?
Summers are at it’s peak right now, as it’s May, the hottest month in India. And we all face a lot of skin problems in summers. Let’s talk a bit about that..
Skin problems we face in summers
The scorching summer heat, dust, pollution, stress and our lifestyle impact the oxygen levels in our skin. That brings along a lot of skin issues like
Dull Skin
Uneven Skin tone
Dead Skin Cells
Sun Tan
Dark Spots
Today I am reviewing the new Oxylife Natural Radiance 5 Crème Bleach. I am not someone who bleaches regularly, I was a little wary of bleaching and used to do it occasionally. I met Dr. Rashmi Shetty at an event and asked her about bleaching, if it is bad for the skin, and to my surprise, she said not at all. She said you just need to add moisture and hydration to the skin, if you take care of it, then bleaching does no harm.
So I am quite confident about bleaching now. I have used the Oxylife bleach previously, but not this new variant and I thought of giving this a try.
Claims and Features of Oxylife Natural Radiance Creme Bleach: Gone are those days when bleaching caused a row of sirens blazing in your head. With Oxy Life Natural Radiance 5 Crème Bleach, your skin will feel pampered like a queen.
Enriched with active oxygen and post bleach skin radiance serum, here’s a bleach wonder that will make your life easy
Helps in eliminating dark spots
Helps even skin tone and remove sun tan
Helps repair dull skin and cleanses dead skin cells
Suitable for sensitive skin
Oxylife Natural Radiance 5 Crème Bleach has patented German Technology – Oxysphere, which enables Pure Oxygen molecules to be penetrated inside the skin, giving it pure boost of Oxygen, leaving it naturally radiant.
It is also enriched with Vitamin E and Glycerin to help condition, brighten and nourish the skin and help solve 5 skin problems to give a naturally radiant looking skin.
MRP: Rs.35/- for 9g (one time use), Rs.80/- for 27g (3 uses)
Benefits of Bleaching
Bleaching helps add oxygen to the skin, making it brighter and helps in evening out skin tone and fading acne spots, etc. It also helps remove dead skin cells and repair dull skin, making it look more vivid and glowing. If you are targeting to eliminate acne scars and spots, you should do it regularly. Bleach can be used every 21 days.
How to use:
Oxylife is widely used in salons, and anytime I happen to go and ask them which bleach do they use, majorly it’s always Oxylife.
It comes with the creme bleach, powder activator, spatula, post bleach serum and an instructions manual. The creme bleach and powder activator is to be mixed in the ratio of 7:1. If you are not sure of the measurements, you can buy the one time use pack and mix both in the quantity given.
I have the 3 time use pack with me, and if you follow me on Snapchat, you must have already seen me using this.
You can mix the creme and powder in the dish that comes in the creme tub. Mix it well till the powder dissolves.
Steps of application:
Remove all makeup with a makeup remover and wash your face.
Pat dry with a tissue/paper towel.
Apply the bleach first on the Y zone i.e. the neckline, jaw and chin
Then on the the T zone i.e. the forehead, upper lip and nose
And in the last 5 minutes on the C zone i.e. the cheeks
Avoid eyes, lips, eyebrows completely. Keep it on for 10 minutes if you have deep skin, 15 minutes for wheatish skin and a little bit longer if you have fair skin.
I kept it for 10-15 minutes and washed it with normal water. I saw an immediate difference on my skin! Skin was more even toned and clear looking. The tan was all gone, and there was a fresh glow to the face.
It also works on dark spots, but with regular use, once every 21 days.
Few Pointers:
A patch test is recommended for first-time users.
Cleanse the skin well and pat dry, before use.
Creme Bleach and the activator powder should be used in the ratio of 7:1, Mix the crème bleach and powder activator for 2 minutes with the spatula provided till powder activator completely dissolves.
Apply the mixture on the area to be bleached.
Avoid application on eyebrows and around the eyes.
Wash off the application with water and Apply the post-bleach serum.
Bleach should be used once in every 21 days
Do not use soap/face wash for 5 hours after bleach.
Avoid going into sunlight immediately.
Why Oxylife Natural Radiance 5 Creme Bleach
It comes with the post bleach skin radiance serum that is very moisturizing. I can feel the glycerin in the serum and it hydrated the skin well. I do not use anything else on my face for about 12-15 hours and avoid going out. I would recommend bleaching in the evening, so that you can skip direct exposure to sunlight. Learn more about how to use oxygen bleach for face (OxyLife)
I love the fact that this is ammonia free. Whenever you bleach, go for ammonia free bleach only. My eyes get irritated and water a lot during bleach, and I was surprised that this did not irritate my eyes at all.
It fights all skin problems that come along with sun exposure, stress and pollution and gives a healthy looking radiant and glowing skin! Skin gets more oxygen, and it repairs dull skin and helps in fading acne scars/spots.
It comes in different sizes, the one time use pack is perfect for travel too.
Overall, I am really happy with the results. It does what it claims, and I highly recommend trying this out.
A DAILY DIY UBTAN THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR SKIN FOREVER!!!
By Ankita
Hello Mi Amigas
Today, I will spare you all my usual ramblings and get straight to the point. Reason? Can’t just wait to share it with you people. This really works!!!!! Ok, let me give you a brief analogy of my skin. I have a combination skin that tends to get oily in summers (and for some reason during "those" days of the month). Though I never had a serious case of acne, I used to get recurring pimples, every now and then. And those would leave nasty marks that just REFUSED to fade.
I tried a lot of DIYs, over the counter products and dermats. But in vain. Either it would dry my skin or make it even worse. Almost a month ago my skin started behaving extra naughty with pimples and eruptions on my forehead, chin, and some around the cheek bone. This is when I came across this awesome DIY daily face mask/ubtan recommended by my mother, which brought about a complete 180 degree change to my facial skin.
Results:
-My skin doesn’t AT ALL breakout
-It balances the oil on my skin
-I do not experience any dry patches
-Can definitely see a glow
-No more tans!!!
If you want to know more this recipe from my Mom’s kitchen please stay tune till the end 🙂
DIY DAILY UBTAN
You Will Need:
– 1 tablespoon neem powder
– A pinch of Wild Turmeric
– 1/3rd teaspoon Red Sandalwood Powder
– Enough raw milk to make a paste
How to make it:
1. Take a clean bowl and add the neem powder and red sandalwood powder to it
2. Measure and add about a pinch of wild turmeric.
3. Add in required amount of raw milk to make a paste
Application
1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
2. Run your washcloth under warm water and place it on your face till it cools down. Repeat this for 2-3 minutes.
3. Apply an even layer of the mask/ubtan on face and neck.
4. Leave it on till its semi-dry.
5. Wet your face with normal water and wash it off using very gentle circular scrubbing motions.
6. Pat dry your face with a clean towel and follow up with a gentle moisturizer or serum.
IS IT EFFECTIVE?
You can expect results such as
– instant glow on face
– brightening of dull skin
– removes tan effectively
– a subtle smoothness to skin.
-reduction in skin inflammation, pimple, and irritation if used on a regular basis
WHY THESE INGREDIENTS??
1. Neem: This humble plant has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Being a natural astringent it fades scars and keeps skin taught and smooth. Neem also contains salicylic acid that fights acne. Not to mention the carotenoids that give the skin a healthy and beautiful glow.
2. Wild Turmeric: Also known as Kasturi Manjal, this has been a part of every ayurvedic skin remedy. It has anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and anti-bacterial properties. This is a champion when it comes to skin brightening and even fades away dark spots very effectively. On regular use, it is known to remove facial hair and render a smoothness to skin.
3. Red Sandalwood Powder: Referred to as Rakt Chandan, it is a must in everyone’s ‘Puja Ghar’ Unlike its white cousin, it doesn;t have any aroma and comes with a reddish tinge. But do not be afraid, it doesn’t stain your skin. With its many medicinal properties, it nourishes the skin and gives it a more radiant, even, and age-defying complexion. It also helps to remove acne, scars and other signs of premature aging.
4. Raw Milk: Raw milk works wonder for skin. Packed with B-vitamins, alpha hydroxy acids, calcium and other potent antioxidants, it nourishes skin cells from deep within and provides ample amount of moisture to the skin. The lactic acid present in skin, removes tan, fights free radicals and helps in maintaining an ageless look.
HOW OFTEN AND WHEN DO I USE IT
Using it before bath time would be a great idea, however, you can use it at any time of the day. Use this once daily to see great results in two weeks.
IS IT SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
It is 100% safe for any skin type, however, it is always wise to go for a patch test first. The reason I call this face pack an Ubtan is, it gives you that bright glow from within, making the skin look a 100 times healthier. I would HIGHLY recommend all my readers to try it once and see the magic.
Trust me, ladies, you are going to thank me for this. I would love to hear your experiences and comments regarding this ubtan. Stay hydrated and stay gorgeous 🙂
Editor’s Note: This sounds really good Ankita, I will definitely try this!
Stubborn acne? Avoid these 5 foods! Results in a month!
By Ankita
Let’s start with a scenario today. It’s a beautiful morning and your alarm goes off. You wake up to a fresh new beautiful day, get off the bed, go to your bathroom, look at the mirror. And, there it is another tiny little bump on your face. Darn it!!! Not now! Not today! You got your big meeting at 11 and date at 8! You have tried every little thing. Serums, treatments even the dermats know you by name now.
Frustrating isn’t it? Been there, done that. Although my acne story was much different, as I never (touchwood) faced severe acne, but one of my closest cousins did. Last month she got married and we haven’t had been in touch for about a year lately. I don’t exactly know what magic potion worked for her but, there she was on her marriage day, without a bump on her face (before makeup) and glowing. I couldn’t help but ask her, what really worked for her.
Me: Hey, like…what did you eat? I mean you look gorgeous girl, not that you didn’t before but your acne problem..?
She: Haha..Nope ask me what I DID NOT eat.
Me: Okay, go on!! I am all ears.
And the conversation went on…
However me being the curious little Nancy Drew that I am, did a little bit of my own research to testify her words, and guess what? She was right
So, my lovelies here is my list of top 5 baddie food you should avoid when going through bouts of acne.
WOAAH WAIT WAIT!! HOW DOES THIS EXACTLY WORK??
Well, this is called the process off elimination. If you can’t find out what is causing your acne outbursts, try eliminating some food items from your diet that have a bad reputation of triggering acne. Otherwise healthy, these 5 foods can worsen existing acne.
1. Fast Food
I bet you love your plate of ‘Gol gappa’ and ‘Aloo tikka chaat’ with extra Mirchi. But hold on their sweetheart. Did you know greasy fast foods will leads to body inflammation that causes pimples appear?
We all have our sweet tooth, and sometimes it’s too hard to resist. Excessive sugar intake shoots up your blood sugar level causing pimples. Try to avoid candy bars, sugary drinks as well as other sweets saturated with sugar. Follow this with dedication and you will soon see a major difference.
Cow’s milk not only shoots up blood sugar levels leading to pimples, it also leads to growth in hormones resulting in overgrowth of skin cell that leads to blocked pores. So, you might just want to avoid dairy products for a while and check if it does any good for your skin condition.
Includes: milk, cheese, yogurt, other cultured dairy foods, ice cream etc.
4. Coffee
Nothing wakes you up better than a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Ahh, the smell! But hold that thought. Science has shown that an organic acid inside coffee beans that raises cortisol levels.
Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, can act like an androgen. It stimulates sebaceous glands and inflammation, a.k.a PIMPLES. You might want to skip that and check for some results
Includes: Expresso, mocha, latte, cappuccino, even the decaf versions
5. Soy:
Soy is one of the richest sources of protein you can lay your hands on. The natural plant oestrogen is found in soybeans. “Phytoestrogens” which are otherwise good, mimic natural oestrogen levels and play around with our hormones. Result? Acne and more acne. So if you are experiencing any bumps around your mouth and chin, the culprit MIGHT be soy.
Includes: Soybeans, soy milk, soy sauce, soybean oil, tofu etc.
SO YOU ARE BASICALLY TRYING TO STARVE ME TO DEATH.RIGHT??!!!
Not at all. All I am saying is, eating in moderation never hurts. Once you find out what triggers your acne, yes you definitely have to cut it out from your diet sweet heart.
A FEW TIPS FOR THOSE HORRIBLE PHASES OF ACNE:
1. Visit a good dermatologist, home remedies and DIYs do work, however, common guys those guys have sweated their brains out in med school for 5 years. Let’s give them some credit.
2. Keep your skin as well as belongings clean. Do not let any product build up on your face, neck as well as other affected areas. It is equally important to keep your sheets and phone germ-free.
3. Avoid using a lot of makeup ( I recommend no makeup at all!!!) for the time being. Although a lot of companies claim to be safe to use on any skin type, it is always better to let your skin breathe. Give it time to heal.
4. Check your stress levels. Now this one is the most difficult, at least for me. You all must be thinking “better said than done”. This one is coming from a person who has years of history of anxiety and depression on her sleeves. What helped? Yoga, meditation, and good life practices. Before I was a Life Coach, I used to be a wacko. If I can do it, you can too.
5. Keep your scalp clean and dandruff free.
6. Finally, have patience. I get it. I totally do. Dealing with acne can be a lot irritating, but don’t let that put you down. It might be difficult, not irreversible. And you cares if you have acne or not, you are gorgeous anyway!!
Hakuna Matata baby!!!
Any comments, suggestions and ideas are always welcome 🙂
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring” – Marilyn Monroe
Editor’s Note: That’s a nice and informative post Ankita
Do you suffer from stubborn acne? Try eliminating these from your diet, I am sure you see a difference!
TRY THIS OVERNIGHT DIY SERUM FOR A TRANSLUCENT GLOW
By Ankita
With the changing environment and lifestyle, there is no escaping from skin issues. The good old CTM works, no doubt. However is it good enough? I won't agree to that. Hence, serums came into being. The usual cleansing-toning- moisturizing regime is now better replaced by cleansing-toning- TREATing-moisturizing. This is where the serums come into action. You can pretty much say in an Army of soldiers, they are the marines, employed for specific target oriented operations. Let’s have a look at them,
WHAT IS A SERUM
Face serums are lightweight moisturizers with a gel or light lotion consistency and have a higher concentration of ingredients meant to provide more effective and focused results.
HOW TO USE
These are used after cleaning and toning then face. Pat on the serum on with the help of your finger, gently dabbing and pushing it into the skin
SO…I CAN SKIP MY MOISTURIZER RIGHT?
Absolutely not. Serums are an addition to your CTM (Cleansing-Toning- Moisturizing) and no way substitute a moisturizer. They have targeted action and address a specific skin issue such as acne, hyper-pigmentation, aging etc.
There are tons and thousands of serum available in the market, and I won’t deny they don’t work. They definitely do. But, wait for it!!!What if I told you, you can make one in a jiffy, that won’t cost you gazillion bucks and works just as fine as any other serum? Actually more than fine. Shall I say….works BRILLIANT.
Ready? Ladies and Ladies, I give you my magic potion
DIY OVERNIGHT GLOW SERUM
YOU WILL NEED:
-4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil
-4 drops of pure rose water
-a pea sized amount of pure aloe vera gel
PROCEDURE:
1. You do not need a bowl for this as it is better to use it fresh every day. Take 4 drops of Virgin Coconut Oil on your palm.
2. Add in a pea sized amount of aloe vera gel
3. Now finally add in 4 drops of rose water and mix all the ingredients with your fingers till they become an emulsion.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Dot it all over your face and neck and massage with very light hands in upward-outward motions, till you are satisfied that the skin has completely soaked in the product.
2. Follow up with a very light weight moisturizer and have off you go to bed Sleeping Beauty.
IS IT EFFECTIVE?
1. This serum works greatly towards brightening the skin and especially fading away dark spots.
2. Gives you healthy illuminating glow.
WHY THESE INGREDIENTS??
Virgin Coconut Oil: Cold pressed Virgin Coconut is a boon for the skin as it helps to improve certain skin conditions by healing wounds and reducing rashes. Its anti-inflammatory effect works wonders for soothing skin ailments. VCO contains Lauric Acid that helps to combat acne and even is a great whitening agent.
Rose Water: With its anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties, rose water is the life saver for irritated skin. Apart from being an excellent skin toner, it also brightens up the complexion and makes the skin more radiant and even.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that work wonders for the skin. Application of aloe vera speeds up the process of healing of burns, lightens blemishes, reduces acne and also prevents wrinkles. It even acts as a great natural moisturizer.
Use it once a day, before you go to bed. You have to be consistent with the use to see great results, in less than a month.
IS IT SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
It is 100% safe for any skin type, however, it is always wise to go for a patch test first. In case you experience any irritation (which most probably you won’t), do not use it further.
Here is a little after picture of me. Unfortunately, I don’t have any before picture as I had never planned to write this piece. After a month of usage, it has reduced my marks and scars to a good extent.
In this image, I have washed my face with cold water, put on some lip gloss and tight-lined my upper lash line.
Why spend a portion of your kidney, if you can have it done at the comfort of your kitchen? Without a question of doubt, I honestly ask my dear readers to give this DIY serum a try and see the results for yourself.
However, you must not forget these few pointers:
1. Cut out processed food as much as possible from your diet.
2. Stay hydrated and stay away from aerated drinks
3. Nothing!!!!!can substitute a good beauty sleep of 6-7 hours.
Please come back and let me know your experience with this serum. Any suggestions, comments, and ideas are always welcome 🙂
Editor’s Note: You have amazing and flawless skin Ankita. I love DIY’s and would be surely trying this too.
Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil + Best Brands for Tea Tree Oil in India
By Sucharitha
Who would have thought that this small bottle of oil can be such a miracle for our body? I believed it only after using it myself.
Tea-tree oil is also known as melaleuca oil, it is a yellowish coloured essential oil that is made from the leaves of the plant ‘Melaleuca alternifolia’ which is found in Australia. It is a plant with many medicinal properties and has been used since ancient times for various issues. It does have a very strong smell but the benefits can easily beat the smell.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
So here is a list of some of the benefits of Tea tree oil:
1. Acne: Tea tree oil is one of the best ingredient to reduce acne, it is known to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide. You can dilute tea tree oil with water or mix it with a carrier oil and then apply it on areas with acne. Otherwise, you can just buy products such as face wash or toners with tea tree oil in it.
2. Acne marks: Tea tree oil can not only remove acne but can also help with your acne marks. It won’t get rid of them completely but it would still work to an extent. You can dilute tea tree oil with some water and apply it on the affected areas. But the method that I like to use is, to mix two drops of tea tree oil with a pea sized amount of moisturiser and then apply it on my face. This would give an extra boost to the moisturiser and would help in removing those acne marks and spots.
3. Scars: Other than acne marks, tea tree oil is one of the most natural and efficient ways to treat scars. No wonder, in olden times’ people used tea tree oil to heal their cuts and wounds. Take few drops of tea tree oil and dilute it with water and apply it on the scar.
4. Itchy skin: Our skin itches mostly due to the presence of bacteria, so in order to stop itching the bacteria has to be killed. Tea tree oil is the best ingredient to kill bacteria, therefore dilute it with water or a carrier oil and apply it on the area where it itches or mix it with your moisturiser and apply it. You can also use body washes or lotions with tea tree oil. Or just add a few drops of tea tree oil daily in your bathing water.
5. Skin infections: Tea tree oil can cure so many skin infections such as warts, boils, chicken pox, Psoriasis and Eczema. For warts or boils, mix few drops of tea tree oil with water and apply it. For chicken pox, mix 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil with olive oil and apply it twice a day. For Psoriasis and Eczema, mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil and apply it. The properties in tea tree oil will truly heal these infections and for skin infections, I would recommend you to use tea tree oil instead of products with tea tree oil.
6. Wrinkles: Tea tree oil is a magic product for young and supple skin. It has antioxidants which helps your skin remain healthy and its properties prevents spots, acnes and wrinkles. As I mentioned earlier, mix one or two drops of tea tree oil with your moisturiser. Or if you are making any home-made mask then just mix two or three drops of tea tree oil in it and apply it on your face. This would keep your skin healthy and young.
7. Hair growth and dry scalp: When you are giving yourself an oil massage with olive oil and coconut oil, add few drops of tea tree oil to get maximum benefits. It would help in hair growth and would treat dry scalp.
8. Dandruff: Other than acne, tea tree oil is also widely known to treat dandruff. Just like the moisturiser method, mix two to three drops of tea tree oil with your shampoo and wash your hair. Otherwise, you can use shampoos and conditioners with tea tree oil in it. When you are looking for a shampoo, try to look for the shampoos with 5% or less tea tree oil in it.
9. Nails: Tea tree oil can help in the removal of toe nail fungal. Just take pure tea tree oil and apply it on the nails which has toenail fungus and let it rest. Do this every day and you will see good results. While applying this, avoid the skin around the nail.
10. Others: Tea tree oil is antibacterial, hence it can treat cold. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in a small pan of boiling water. Take a steam for 10 minutes and it would work to heal your cold. It can also help with athlete’s’ foot and it is an ingredient with anti-cancer properties.
To conclude, you need to only use a small amount of tea tree oil and for everything other than your nails its best to dilute or mix it with something. Carrier oils are oils which are used to dilute an essential oil. Some of the carrier oils are coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and so on.
Precautions:
Tea tree oil should not be consumed, it is considered poisonous.
Do a patch test to ensure that you are not allergic to tea tree oil.
Do not use undiluted tea tree oil all over your face.
Avoid the area around your eyes or mouth
If you have severe acne or skin infections, consult a dermatologist before using tea tree oil.
Best brands of tea tree oil in India
These are the five brands of tea tree that I like and these are easily available online. These small bottles of magic can last a long time and help you. The prices mentioned below are standard prices but you can get a discount if you buy them online.
Apart from the famous The Body Shop Tea Tree oil, there is Fab India’s Tea Tree oil and a few other brands mentioned below which are quite good:
1. Aloe Veda Distil Aromatherapy Tea Tree Oil:Rs.260 for 10ml
2. Khadi Tea Tree Oil : Rs. 320 for 10ml (Buy HERE)
3. Aroma magic Tea Tree Oil: Rs.449 for 20ml (Buy HERE)
4. Soulflower Tea Tree Oil: Rs.450 for 15ml (Buy HERE)
5. Emami Aroma Miracle Tea Tree Oil: Rs.250 for 10ml (Buy HERE)
6. Aroma Treasures Tea Tree Oil: Rs.235/- for 10ml (Buy HERE)
Editor’s Note: That’s a nice detailed post Sucharitha
Sheet Masks 101: 5 On-The-Go Sheet Masks You NEED to Carry in Your Bag
By Ankita
Hola Chica Bonitas
I hope all my beautiful ladies are doing really good. I was in the mood for some spa yesterday. Without wasting any time I quickly went ahead and checked the rate charts on various websites. Then, one look at my wallet and I was like ‘meh..may be next month’. Trust me, this is the story of every month.
However, I am one of those ‘never-say- never’, who is constantly in search of a decent ‘jugaad’. Believe me what I found out was more than a ‘jugaad’
What if, I told you, you could have your very own spa day, at less than half the price….and of course at the comfort of your home? Yes, mi amigos, for the next 4 minutes, I will be rambling about sheet masks and I promise, by the end of it you will thank god for bringing these little babies to the world.
What are Sheet Masks?
Sheet masks are basically fabrics cut into the shape of a face, soaked in potent serums, to give you the maximum benefit. The sheets can be made up of a variety of safe materials including papers, fibres or gel even! They come in many variants for different skin types and conditions.
Sheet Mask Vs Regular face pack
Why would you choose a sheet mask at all? Well for starters they are convenient to use, non-messy, travel-friendly and not to forget, most importantly, they are the mother load of nutrients. As opposed to a face pack that might dry out your skin sheet masks provide the right amount of moisturization your skin needs.
Right way to use a sheet mask
Easy as pie!!
– cleanse
– tone
-take the mask out of the packet and adjust it on your face
-keep it on for a good 20 minutes
-take it off and DO NOT WASH
-pat the product into the skin and finally moisturize
Voila!! We are good to go!
How often can I use a sheet mask?
There are no set rules regarding the frequency of use. Some people even vouch for, using it every day. However, you can start by using it 1-2 times a week.
My obsession with sheet masks started a few months back and guess what! After a lot of trying and testing, I have put together the Oscar winners of sheet masks just for my gal pals, so that you look gorgeous, even on the go.
Category 1: The fairest of them all
The Face Shop Bio-Cell Brightening Face Mask
This mask works as an elixir for dull skin. As mentioned on their website these are special type of sheets made out of biocellulose, the Face Mask by Faceshop gets adhered to skin flawlessly and delivers full nutrition to the skin. It has glutathione, which works wonder towards skin brightening.
The effect: smooth, glowing and bright skin. Why wait to be the evil queen from Snow White! I mean she was gorgeous right?
Ever wondered the secret behind a vampire’s ageless skin? No, it’s not blood. That will be pomegranate juice. Power packed with real pomegranate essence, this mask is sure to take away years off your skin. This is a triple layered sheet mask that fits tightly over the skin and helps it stay hydrated for an extended period. You can now say good bye to wrinkles and sagging skin. Hello, beautifully radiant soft skin.
Anatomicals Botanical Purifying Tea Tree Cloth Face Mask
Bad hair days are very common. But bad skin days? They are horrible. Worry not, Anatomicals bring you the best of skincare for problematic skin with their Purifying Tea Tree Cloth Face Mask. One simple equation, Tea tree + Aloe Vera = unmatched radiance and clear skin
Blackheads? Whiteheads? Off with their heads!! A must have for oily skinned beauties
Although I have never struggled with a dry skin issue, but, watching some of my friends struggling to get that ‘malai’ stick to their faces made me think..hmmm I gotta save their day and now they swear by it!!! Innisfree It’s Real Squeeze Mask – Shea Butter sheet masks provide just the right amount of moisture to give that baby bounce to your face. Soft shea butter deeply hydrates dry skin from within giving you that goddess glow. This, my beauties, is a Holy Grail product for dry skin.
MRP: Rs.100/-
Category 5: Girls just wanna have fun!!
MaskerAide Pre-Party Prep Facial Sheet Mask
I have saved the best for the last. Admit it, you rarely get time for that spa session or salon treatment your skin totally deserves, before a party. But that’s no excuse, not to look stunning!
MaskerAide Pre-Party Prep Facial Sheet Mask have a hoard of good ingredients like Argan Oil,Orange Peel Oil, Super Fruit Extracts, Rice Extract and Honey to energize, hydrate, brighten and prime your skin for a flawless and velvety-smooth finish. Pick one of these and get your diva on.
Sheet Masks take skin care to a whole new level. With almost negligible side effects, these are selling like hot cakes in the market. Not to mention, they do not burn a whole in your pocket. Using sheet masks religiously would definitely show visible results within a matter of months. Have these cute little ‘power banks’ to recharge your skin, in your bags and I can guarantee you, they will be your next Valentine.
Any comments, (compliments ;-)), views and suggestions are always welcome. Stay gorgeous and stay blessed 🙂
Editor’s Note: That’s a nice way of explaining and I loved all 5 you picked.
Papaya is called the “The Fruit of the Angels” and it is a native to the tropical areas of Central America and Southern Mexico. Today, it is a popular fruit and often known as ‘papita’ in Hindi.
This amazing fruit is enriched in vitamins A, C, E and K and has various other antioxidant properties. Consuming the fruit will not only give you amazing skin and hair but it has various beauty benefits as well. It is applied on the skin and hair for natural beauty.
The various benefits and uses of Papaya for Skin are as follows –
Removal of sun tan – This is a common problem for summer. Our skin is prone to tanning and looks dull. The papaya has vitamins A and C in abundance along with a enzyme called ‘papain’. This helps to lighten the complexion, removing sun tan and dark spots with the passage of time. Simply make a thick paste of papaya and add honey and turmeric to it. Apply this face pack every day in a week and see how it improves the skin.
Skin hydration – Papaya is rich in water content and has various other elements as well which helps to keep the skin soft, smooth and moisturized. The hydration is smooth and will not clog the pores or make the skin look oily. Simply, blend ½ cup of ripe papaya into a fine paste, add honey and apply evenly on skin. Wash off after 20-25mins.
Anti-ageing – Papaya is anti-ageing in nature. It has vitamins C and E to rejuvenate the skin and the papaya skin has various enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. As a result, the age spots and wrinkles are prevented and removed. It also contains Retin-A which help reduce the signs of aging. Overall, you get younger looking skin with bright and radiant skin tone. Mash ½ cup of overripe papaya, add honey and yogurt and apply as a face mask. Wash off after 20-25 mins. You can also rub the skin of papaya for better results.
Prevention of acne and pimples – Papaya has an enzyme called papain that has natural skin- cleansing properties, which helps to get rid of clogged pores and greasiness. The exfoliating effect helps in preventing blackheads. The enzyme helps in preventing acne and improving the skin as well. It also helps to soothe the inflamed skin. Simply, apply a thin layer of ripe papaya pulp as face mask and leave on for 20mins. Wash off with cold water and pat the skin dry.
Brighten complexion and removal of dark spots – This is one of the most effective beauty benefits of papaya. The papain helps to lighten the dark spots, giving a bright and radiant complexion. It is known that papaya contains natural bleaching properties. The vitamin C has anti-oxidant properties and also helps in clearing the skin of impurities. Rub a fleshy part of ripe papaya every alternative days and wash off with cold water.
The various benefits and uses of Papaya for Hair are as follows –
Soft and healthy hair – The papaya is also very helpful for lustrous, healthy hair. It is enriched in several minerals, vitamins and enzymes that can improve hair growth and strength. Along with that, it will also help to thicken the hair and the protein in papaya reduces split ends. To prepare a papaya hair mask, blend a ripe papaya according to your hair length and mix with olive oil or almond oil. Apply this all over the hair, from root to tip and keep it for 30-40mins. Wash off with mild shampoo.
Reduces dandruff – Papaya helps in reducing dandruff and prevents dry scalp. It has various antifungal properties. Even the seeds of papaya prevents fungal infection. Blend ½ papaya with the seeds intact and apply the paste generously on the scalp. Leave it on for one hour and then shampoo as usual.
Caution –
Always do a patch test before using it on skin and hair.
Papaya can cause allergic reactions in some people, which might due to papain or the latex.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using excessive papaya.
IngredientSpy.com: Check and Analyze the Ingredients before Buying
Hi guys,
With the option of 100’s of products available these days for each skincare product, we often get confused and sometimes end up buying things that may not necessarily be suitable for our skin.
I came across this website called Ingredientspy.com. It’s goal is to help women easily figure out what’s actually inside cosmetics, before they buy them. I think this is a very good idea and super helpful for us who would really want to know what are the ingredients in the products we are putting on our skin and body.
One can analyze the ingredients of any product by pasting the list of ingredients or uploading a clear picture of the ingredients. Or one can just explore different ingredients as to which ingredient helps in what.
Also if you have a specific skin type or concern and looking at specific ingredient in your skincare, you can find products based on the ingredient. This I feel is the most helpful feature. For e.g., if you have acne prone skin and looking for something with salicylic acid, you can find that and if you have dry skin, something with hyaluronic acid, and so on and so forth..
The idea behind the website is to build a piece of software which can recognize ingredients and show visitors whether a product is worth trying or not. The data which feeds into the system comes mostly from the National Institute of Health website.
All products on the site are compared using their ingredients. Each ingredient displays a short explanation and is categorized based on its properties. Some properties include anti-aging, moisturizing, healing, etc. Ingredients are also marked as being great, good or unfavorable – great being a perfect fit for the specific type of products it’s used in, good being good in general and unfavorable signifying known (documented) unwanted side effects. When all this is taken into account, a numeric score is derived and stored as the ingredient rating of each product on the site.
The website has a database of a couple hundred products separated into categories. If you’re looking for an anti-aging cream it’s pretty easy to compare the ones on the site and see which ones have the ingredients you want most.
The site also offers an Ingredient Analyzer which makes it easy for visitors to paste a list of ingredients or upload a clear photo of the ingredients on the product’s packaging, which the site will transform into text and attempt to read through. This is my favourite feature, you can just click a picture using your phone and analyze the ingredients instantly.
I analyzed the Himalaya Herbals Orange Peel Tan Removal Face Pack and here are the results..
New products are added a couple times per week. I hope they soon cover most of the brands and products. This website is really helpful and if you are someone who would like to be aware of what you are putting on your skin, this will be of great help! Definitely recommend checking Ingredientspy.com
Marilyn Monroe is not only a celebrity in Hollywood but the most talked about and worshiped diva in the beauty circles too. Right from her seven inch dress, pouty lips, gorgeous eye lashes and sexy legs everything was talk of the town. She is known to be one of the most beautiful women of her time and till date. She is truly a legend in the glamour world.
But in spite of all her controversies, she is known to be the mother of beauty and makeup tips. So, here we are listing down some of the eternal and ever glowing beauty and makeup secrets of the diva herself –
1. Use Vaseline as a Highlighter – Yes, Vaseline the regular petroleum jelly which all of us have in our house. We use only on lips that too in bed time. But the light sheen which Vaseline gives has always been used by Marilyn as her highlighter. The light healthy glow will give you just the finish of a radiant skin and nothing else.
2. Use Five Different Shades for Her Pouty Lips – She used to begin by applying a nude shade just to prep her lips. Then she used to apply a regular matte lipstick and top it with a darker shade. The darkest shade was applied on the outer corners and then the cupid bow was highlighted.
3. Use Oils for Shiny Eyelids – Marilyn was a firm believer of shiny eye lids. So, she always used to finish her look by applying a face oil or Vaseline to get her shiny eyelids.
4. Use White Eye Shadow as a Base – The white eye shadows trend was started by Marilyn Monroe herself. Her makeup artists used to apply white eye shadow all over her eye brow area and even in the inner corners of her eyes. This provided much more depth and colour to her eye area.
5. Mixed Eyeliner – We all used to apply either black or brown eyeliners. Even if we apply any coloured eyeliners, we tend to go with a single colour only. But Marilyn used to apply a combination of white, brown, black and blue eyeliners to get that super dramatic look.
6. Blush for Contouring – Yes, you heard it right. We all use blush to highlight but the talented makeup artists of marlin Monroe used to apply blush on her nose for contouring. They used to apply a bit of blush in the area where nose ends to give it a shorter nose look.
7. Half Falsie Eyelashes – Marilyn Monroe used to love her eyelashes. She loved the long dramatic falsies too. But no doubt they looked over dramatic. So, she used to cut her falsies in half and then apply them on her eyes. They used to give a dramatic but still natural look.
8. Arching Eyebrows – Well, arched eyebrows are a trend now even. But what Monroe used to do at that time was that she used to use a white eyeliner to drag it up. But not make the end too pointed else it looked fake.
9. Beauty Sleep – She had a secret recipe of her beauty sleep. She used to steam her face every night before sleeping. And used to sleep naked in a big bed with completely dark room. She used to have at least 10 hours of sleep every day.
10. Moisturisation is the Key – She used to love her moisturisers and always carried one in her bag. She used to have different moisturisers for different parts of the day and even for different body parts.
So, these were some of the top beauty and makeup secrets by Marilyn Monroe. Let me know your thoughts in the comments down below.
