4 Simple Tricks to Maintaining a Fresh Look This Summer
Summer is just around the corner, which means high temperatures, rising humidity and excessive sweating will soon be here as well. While looking put together for work and social events can feel like a challenge when the thermometer starts to spike, hiding indoors is no way to spend your time. Just because its summer doesn’t mean you need to give up on your makeup routine. Here are 4 simple tricks to keep you looking fresh all summer long without forgoing your favorite beauty products.
1) Make your beauty products work overtime
Avoid piling on too many layers at once by looking for products that can pull double duty. A large variety of items that combine functions, such as moisturizer or toner that contains sunscreen or lip balm with added SPF can be found in beauty products from Nykaa. This will not only save you time in your morning routine, but will make packing your cosmetics bag for your next beach trip or weekend getaway that much easier.
Finding products that offer sheer coverage with less layers will help you avoid the clogged pores that occur when excess makeup meets excess sweat. A natural, subtle glow is popular in the summer so achieving a look that doesn’t feature overdone makeup will keep you on trend as well. Waterproof mascara and eyeliner will come in handy if you’re sweating or will be in the water. It’s a simple way to give yourself a finished look without worrying about embarrassing smudges.
2) Hydrate inside and out
Walking into a room with the air conditioning blasting can feel heaven sent on hot summer days, but constant exposure to the dry air it produces can dehydrate your skin. Remember to replenish by drinking plenty of water and applying moisturizer daily. Look for fast absorbing, light weight formulas that won’t leave you feeling sticky or greasy. Even if you spent the day outside sweating, the sun beating down on you could still be drying out your skin leading to small abrasions and cracks. Summer humidity can cause the grit and grime of the city to absorb into your skin, which can strip it of its natural defenses. Drinking water can act as an organic cleanser,helping to rid your body of skin damaging toxins caused by the elements. According to Women’s Health Magazine, celebrities swear drinking plenty of water every day is the secret to ageless skin and dermatologists encourage it as well. To motivate yourself to drink more water, try infusing it with fresh produce such as strawberries or lemons.
3) Start the day right
Get in the habit of applying sunscreen each day. Protecting yourself from sun damage and burns is one of the best ways to maintain healthy, radiant skin, helping you to look gorgeous with or without makeup. ABC News reports that more than a third of adults do not use sunscreen. Given how much is known about the pitfalls of too much UVA exposure, there’s no excuse to be skipping sunscreen. Not only is a burn painful and unattractive, leading to wrinkles, splotches and discoloration, it’s also has a direct link to some forms of cancer, making it dangerous. If you can prevent such severe damage now, you’ll thank yourself later! As an added bonus, sunscreen can be substituted as a primer and will hold makeup in place so there is no excuse to skip it.
4) Damage control
If you did get caught without sunscreen and end up with skin damage there are tricks you can try to minimize the pain and appearance of a bad burn. Prevention Magazine notes there are even quite a few items you’ll find in your own kitchen, such as aloe vera, soy, yogurt and oatmeal. These items can be applied directly to the affected area to soothe the skin and help it repair. If you’re not interested in whipping up a home remedy, look for products from the store with these ingredients. It’s important to avoid anything that contains petroleum as this can trap the heat in your skin and add to your discomfort. While the area is healing, take extra care to protect yourself with sunscreen, clothing and a hat to avoid further damage. With these tips you won’t have to dread the summer weather. You can still maintain a flawless look in the blazing heat. There’s no need to ditch your makeup habit all together, simply look for products that allow you to do more with less to avoid caking and remember to follow preventative measures by moisturizing and applying sunscreen each day. You can treat any burns you do get with home remedies or store bought products. Don’t let the heat wreak havoc on your beauty routine.
Come summers, we stay far far away from denims and love our skirts and shorts. Well, I love more flirty,feminine kind of style, so I am totally a ‘skirt’ person.
I love all kinds of skirts: midi,flared,pencil,floral,lace,tulle. You name it and I have it 😀 But not that I don’t love shorts. When I am travelling or at a beach, I am all the time in my shorts. White shorts and lace shorts have to be my favourites! I love skorts too i.e. skirts + shorts. But if I have to select one, I will go with skirts 🙂
Here are some of my favourite skirts I spotted in the recent past and I absolutely loved..
1. Flared Skirt
Jessica Alba in this faux leather flared midi skirt looks smashing. She perfectly paired it with a geometric pattern printed crop top, black cross body (which she is using as an envelope clutch) and black ankle strap heels.
2. Midi Skirt
Blake Lively wore this beautiful flared white midi skirt with daisy applique and she looked oh so fab. She paired it with a simple tee, her vintage coatigan and added a pop of colour with a turquoise blue beaded statement necklace. The Barbie pink Louboutins completed the look. Only has some nice flared midi skirts.
3. Printed Skirts
Printed midi skirts are all the rage. Check out my printed midi skirt OOTD HERE. Parineeti Chopra wore this gorgeous red paint splatter skirt with a black Zara crop top and finished with a beautiful statement necklace and Jimmy Choos. Fab Alley has some beautiful printed skirts.
4. Pencil skirts
Alia Bhatt turned heads with the neon yellow crop top and black faux leather pencil skirt. The black and white striped heels, hand harness and the funky clutch went well with her outfit. Pencil skirts work with so many different tops and tees, be it printed, solid colour, faux leather. You definitely need 1-2 pencil skirts in your closet. Check out The Vanca for perfectly fitting pencil skirts.
5. Tulle Skirt
And last but not the last, tulle/mesh/net/tutu skirts are also doing the rounds in the fashion circle. I have a black tulle skirt which I had done an outfit post with,some time back. I have another beige shorter mesh skirt. I absolutely love how this black tulle skirt is paired with a black and white top, and accessorized well with ankle strap black and white heels and a clutch, sunglasses and some bangles. The whole look has been kept monochrome which works well and complements the outfit.
Also, check out this video for some shorts and skirts ideas..
Are you a ‘shorts’ person or a ‘skirts’ person? What do you prefer and why? Also let me know your favourite skirt from the ones shared above, in the comments 🙂
Gillette Venus Event and #SubscribeToSmooth Challenge
Hi Guys,
So you must have seen my pics from the Gillette Venus Event that happened last week, if you follow me on twitter or Instagram 🙂 It happened at the Zenith Party Suite at Palladium Hotel.
The theme was nautical and hence, everyone was either in blue or in stripes 😀 We clicked the pics with the sailor hat and Gillette Venus razor board props. Here is my pic from the event..
I went print on print..with polka dots on stripes 🙂
A panel comprising of dermatologist Dr. Rashmi Shetty, amazing makeup artist Namrata Soni and the ‘Heropanti’ actress Kriti Sanon talked about shaving and busted some myths.
Surprisingly both Namrata Soni and Kriti Sanon have been shaving from around 10 years and more. Namrata Soni talked about how being a makeup artist, they have to work with different people and sometimes also take care of these issues like hair removal coz a particular scene requires it, etc., so she always carries a Gillette Venus razor with her. She has sensitive skin and was not supposed to wax as she used to get rashes and hence, she has been shaving since the past 10-12 years.
Kriti Sanon said she also always got those red patches and burns from waxing and prefers shaving anytime. In fact, she mentioned she is so used to it, that she shaves every 2-3 days and carries a razor all the time, as she needs hair free skin for shoots,etc. She also mentioned how Gillette Venus goes quite smooth on the skin and the contours coz of the pivoting head, she does not have to press the razor hard which irritates the skin.
Dr. Rashmi Shetty busted some myths and talked about the right procedure and method to shave and the pre and post care for perfect shaving. She also said how majority women feel her skin would darken and the hair would grow thicker and faster forever after shaving, which is not true and holds no base. She explained how we nip the edge of the hair while shaving and it is not uprooted, the initial hair that grows back in 3-4 days is the one just below the skin, which is a bit darker coz of the melanin and hence we feel the hair is thicker.
Also, a lot of women including me, face itching issue post shaving, to which she shared the perfect way of shaving. According to Dr.Rashmi Shetty, one should not shave on dry skin. Moisturise your skin well, then have a bath and always go for wet shaving preferably. Then post shaving, apply a rich cream/body lotion (one with Retinol, if possible) which will soothe and calm the skin. And keep re-applying for 2-3 days and not just once.
Namrata Soni shared her favourite tip on shaving, she uses a hair conditioner to shave and uses a Calamine lotion post shaving and never faced any itching issue.
I am going to try both of the tips soon 😀
Coming to the Gillette Venus #SubscribeToSmooth Challenge Week 1. I have always been a waxing person, but since the past quite a few months, I have tried shaving and have loved the results as I did not have to rush to a salon, even when I am pressed for time.
During my honeymoon,I had carried my Gillette Venus razor with me and it was so helpful as were at Andamans, and you cannot not wear short clothes at a beach,right 😀 Also recently when I met with an accident and was on bed rest, I could not go to a salon, and I shaved 2-3 times with my trusted Gillette Venus. Read my review HERE.
I have taken up this 30 days challenge and have already shaved my legs once, as I had to for a particular event and had no time for a salon visit. This time, I also used the Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel and it was all the more easier!
I will bust some myths and share my personal experience in the coming month with you guys 🙂
Meanwhile, check out their facebook app to know more about shaving or follow them on twitter. You can buy the Gillette Venus Razor HERE, the set of cartridges HERE or the combo pack of all with the Satin Care Gel HERE
DR. JAMUNA PAI OF BLUSH CLINICS SHARES ESSENTIAL TIPS AND QUICK FIXES TO GET A RADIANT GLOW FOR THE PARTY SEASON
P.S: I don’t generally publish press releases unless I feel it is helpful and informative. This I felt was. 2-3 tips is what I myself loved and surely going to try out. Hope it helps some of you.
Skincare and grooming expert, cosmetic physician, Dr. Jamuna Pai of Blush Clinics is sharing essential tips and quick fixes to get a radiant glow for the winter party season.
Providing state of the art facilities for the first time in India to its clients, Blush Clinics by Dr. Jamuna Pai became an instant success right since its inception. The pioneering spirit in educating the layman about the various services and technology that cater to skincare has been their claim to fame.
Try these quick fix tips shared by the expert to avoid some minor beauty mishaps, from ruining the party fun.
HOME REMEDIES:
1) Dark circles: To conceal the dark circles quickly make a paste of 1 tsp milk powder, 1⁄2 tsp curd, 2 drops of lemon juice and 2 drops of honey. Apply the paste on the dark circles. Wait for 10- 15 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
2) Puffiness around the eyes : The major reasons for puffiness around the eyes are fluid retention, inadequate sleep, allergies and of course heredity. But it can be reduced considerably. As a quick fix for it wrap an ice cube in a soft cloth and apply to the under eye area for 5 minutes to reduce the swelling. You will see an immediate improvement. The other things that help in reducing the swelling are chilled gel masks, cucumber slices and cool damp cloth.
3) Dry lips: Put a thin film of moisturizer before applying the gloss. And apply a thick coat of gloss to hide the chapped lips.
4) Frizzy hair: Before washing your hair apply coconut milk, made from fresh grated coconut and leave it on your hair for 2 hours. This acts as a conditioner. Oiling the hair often also helps in making the hair less frizzy. Use anti- frizz serum on the hair just before you leave home.
5) Open pores or to tighten the skin: Use 2 egg whites. Whisk them till you get peaks. Add 2 drops of honey to this and spread over face and neck. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash it off.
6) Ageing hands: Remember to use a thin film of a foundation or concealer on the hands after doing your face. Hands always give the age.
7) Dry skin on the hands, around the nail cuticles and feet: Dry skin is a condition where skin loses its oiliness and it can be because of soaps, weather , heredity etc. It is very important to take care of the dryness because it can turn into deep cuts and hurt especially on the heels. The quick fix that you can try is mixing some milk cream with honey and massage for 20 minutes on all the dry areas. And after massaging wash it off with a mild soap.
MEDICAL QUICK FIXES:
Before we begin, do remember to only visit a trained and experienced doctor. It is of utmost importance that the medical practioner that you choose be well trained and adept in his/her field of work.
1) Acne scars: Under the advice of a doctor a mild microdermabrasion (skin polishing) or a very mild lactic acid peel done just once can lighten the marks. The marks can then be concealed with a concealer. Always use a concealer which is water resistant.
2) Brittle nails: If you have brittle or short nails you can experiment with acrylic nails or gel nails.
3) Fillers: A little dermal ( skin) filler in the laugh lines and the droop of the mouth will freshen it immediately giving you a much younger look.
4) Botox: Again by a trained doctor, does wonders in eliminating lines and freshening your looks.
5) Skin Boosters: Skin boosters like Restylane Vital work wonders in nourishing and hydrating tired, parched skin from within. It also minimizes the effects of photo damage. It is a clear gel that is injected just under the skin in small quantities to help it regain any lost volume, moisture and structure.
6) Skin tightening: Treatments like thermage ( heat being used to repair collagen and promote its growth). Non- surgical facelifts also show instant results.
7) Peels : Certain non- peeling peels like lactic acid peel give a fresh look in no time and as they are non-peeling they do not require any downtime either.
8) Microdermabrasion ( skin polishing) : Helps in removing dead skin cells and minimizing pore size.
9) In case of a sudden break out of small pimples or rash post a treatment or waxing– Don’t panic. Use a soothing lotion like calamine. If the rash has no pus, use desonide lotion on it just for one night. Take an allergy tablet like Allegra once a day. If there is pus in the pimple, use a dot of ‘multani mitti’ (fuller’s earth) on it overnight.
We had to buy skincare and makeup products which we use on an everyday basis i.e our ‘daily’ ‘face’ stuff within the budget of Rs.5000/-
And since we had to buy only from Jabong and from the brands available on the site, it added up to the challenge 🙂
This is the perfect kit for you, if you are in college and surviving on pocket money and don’t have big bucks to spend on luxury products. Spending big bucks is not even required actually, you can create a nice kit for yourself within this budget.
For brides to be, this also makes a part of my Bridal Diaries. If you are someone who was never into skincare and makeup, then this kit would work for you too. Or if you want to buy stuff for your trousseau within the budget of Rs.5000/-
I have linked products to their reviews which I have already reviewed on my blog before or have given my 2 cents here on products I have used, but not reviewed yet.
So here we go..
1. Ponds White beauty Naturals Spot Less lightening Cream- Rs199 for 50g
Reason: Super light in texture with no greasiness. Has camellia (Green Tea) leaf extract, niacinmide and tocopheryl acetate which help in fading spots and regeneration of skin cells. Added bonus: SPF (titanium dioxide aluminum hydroxide stearic acid). This can be your perfect affordable daily moisturizer.
2. VICHY Normaderm 3-In-1 Cleanser – Rs.450/- for 50ml
Reason: A unique combination of Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid and 25% Clay with a soothing agent. Use it as a cleanser/face wash or a scrub or apply a thin layer as a mask. The blend of salicylic acid and clay is perfect for oily skin and prevents from breakouts. Glycolic acid helps in mild exfoliation. I won’t recommend it using everyday. For everyday use, a mild cleanser like the Auravedic Saffron Almond one we selected, is good. But its perfect to use for a weekly scrub/face pack. It dries quickly too, not taking too much of your time. If you use it weekly, its going to last long and turns economical for its multiple uses.
4. L’Oreal Paris Uv Perfect Aqua Essence Sunscreen Moisturiser- Rs.475/- fro 30ml (Review HERE)
Reason: A Sunscreen with good SPF protection is a must. Whether you are in your teens or in your 30’s, you need to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence has SPF 30 PA+++ UVB UVA protection with a PPD of 15.5. It also has Advanced Mexoryl XL Filters (only found in L’Oreal Paris sunscreens- this and Vichy Capital Soleil which is on the expensive side) that protect against broad spectrum UVA/UVB rays, Adenosine that repairs deep skin damage and fights wrinkles, and Vitamin E that helps fight against free radicals and external stress. It also hydrates and moisturizes the skin. Best part: It somewhat protects skin from tanning too.
5. Forest Essentials Facial Tonic Pure Rose Water Facial Mist- Rs.575 for 100ml
Reason: Natural toner. 100% Steam Distilled Rose Water. Alcohol based toners rip the moisture from the skin. One should go for alcohol free toners as much as possible. It cools, soothes and moisturizes the skin. You can also carry it along in your bag. (You need one in the Mumbai heat especially in summers!)
6.Biotique Bio Almond Oil Soothing Face Eye Make Up Cleanser – Rs.149 for 120 Ml
Reason: It’s a blend of almond, castor, sunflower and few other oils. Oils are always the best makeup remover one can use. It melts off toughest of your waterproof mascara. No stinging or burning. One of the pretty decent and affordable makeup removers in the market.
Reason: One of the deepest and most pigmented rich black kajals in India right now. It stays whole day and hardly smudges. I recommend this to everyone all the time. Does’nt even hurt the pocket at 175. Best budget buy for college girls too. I guess most of us love our kajal and lip balms and swear by it everyday whether you in college or working. This is definitely a must have!
Reason: Who has the time and patience to apply falsies and remove them everyday ?! But we still want those fluttery, long lashes right ? Well, look no further. Maybelline Falsies Mascara is the answer. With 2 coats of this, you get a false lash effect! I mean it. Do try it for yourself. And at 425 if you get killer long lashes, it does not hurt, right ? :p
Reason : No reasons are enough for this baby. Its my favourite liner ever. Pigmented. Stays long. Perfect stiff tip. And the hypersharp tip gives the thinnest most defined lines to more thicker wings. It also does not dry up quickly and works as good as new for a long long time.
10. Maybelline Color Sensational Mirrored Mauve High Shine Lip Gloss- Rs.350 for 5ml (Review HERE and HERE)
Reason: Pigmented, High shine, Affordable, Good qty, Non Shimmery, Prettiest Nude Mauve shade ever. This is bang on for your everyday wear whether for work or a day out with your girlfriends.
Reason: If you have to include one affordable blush in your kit, it has to be Maybelline Cheeky Glow. Its matte, smooth, pigmented and long staying. 7g of quantity would last for a long time. Fresh Coral is a warm coral pink and gives that ‘just out of the gym’ healthy pink flush. One of the best budget blushes in India.
12. Street Wear Color Rich Perfection Compact Powder- Rs.160 for 7g
Reason: Cute packaging again. Provides medium coverage and controls oil and shine. Thoughtful hygienic packaging, the separator in between prevents the foam applicator from getting dirty. No more expectations at this price and quantity. Again a perfect budget everyday compact.
13. Street Wear Color Rich 11-Pink Passion Lipstick- Rs.180 for 4.2g
Reason : Street Wear has nailed it with this latest Color Rich Range and these Ultra Moist lipsticks are the best in the collection. Cute packaging. Semi matte texture, Long staying power, Economical price and quantity. A perfect bright pink shade to perk up your evenings or weekends. Psstt: It’s a dupe of MAC Flat Out Fabulous 😀 I am sure you want this in your kit! Plus it won’t pinch your pocket.
14. Ponds White Beauty Blemish Balm Cream- Rs.125/- for 18G
Reason: A BB Cream that also acts as a moisturizer and sunscreen and gives amazing coverage! Gimme! I use it everyday. Its one of my favourite BB creams out of the lot in the market right now. It has Vitamin B3, Vitamin E and Allantoin which helps against pigmentation and heals the old scars/spots faster. Has SPF30PA++. The shade suits me perfectly and the coverage is medium, more than any other BB creams. Stays put the whole day. The silicones in it make it work as an eye shadow primer too!! Beat that. And all for this price is fantastic.
15. & 16. Auravedic Revitalizing Face Care- Rs.325 for a combo of 2 products (Pulpy Saffron Almond Face wash and Pure Aloe Vera Gel) (Review HERE and HERE)
Reason: Both the products separately cost you a little more, so buying a combo means savings 😉 The Radiance by Nature is one of the best face washes I have personally tried and recommend. Its made up of natural ingredients and a blend of essential oils. No SLS or parabens. Chemical and color free. Cleanses skin well leaving no dryness or stretchiness. There is a neem and tea tree variant for oily skin and a rose and saffron variant for dry skin. And 50g lasts really long. Total value for money.
Pure Aloe Vera Gel is packed with green tea and pomegranate extracts and a blend of essential oils again like lemon, avocado, grapeseed, olive. Its super cooling and gel like in texture. Smells amazing. Keep it in the fridge in the summers and apply it whenever your skin feels dehydrated or thirsty. I am sure you will love this refreshing cold aloe gel in the harsh summers. No preservatives and chemicals. Also recommended to be used as a hair styling/shaving gel. I personally use it post waxing/threading coz it instantly soothes and reduces the redness on the skin. Quite a multi tasker this is!
17. Auravedic Almond & Grapeseed Night Repair Cream- Rs.350 for 100g
Reason: Skin cells are the most active and repair itself during the night time. The whole regeneration of new skin cells takes place during night. A rich, heavy night cream with some essential nutrients is a must have. It nourishes your skin inside out and also helps delay signs of ageing. This rich night cream has almond butter, grapefruit oil and few other essential oils. Auravedic has no SLS,parabens or chemicals. And you need just a tiny bit, so 100g would last you really long. But investing in a good night cream is a must. It is as important as a sunscreen.
18. Star’s Cosmetics Bronze-2 Pressed Eye Shadow Rs.195/- for 1.66G
Reason: Even if you are not a daily eyeshadow person, you need one bronze/gold shadow in your kit. Indian weddings are when you will need it the most. Or just smoke it out with a black kohl base for a night out. Instant glam!
Overall View: I think it was an interesting challenge. I included everything necessary from skin care to makeup used in day to day life. (and covering weekends/occasions too) A total of 18 products,and also saved on some bucks (Though 27 :D)
Skin care: Face wash, Toner ( Facial Mist), Moisturizer, Sunscreen, Lip Balm, Makeup Remover, Night Cream, 3 in 1 (Cleanser, Scrub, Mask) for your weekly pampering, Pure Aloe Vera Gel for shaving/post waxing,etc.
I have not included nail paints, shower gel,shampoo, conditioner, hair serum/oils coz it was ‘daily face’. You need to add those too which will be another 750 bucks approximately.
I hope you liked my kit. If you did, I would love for you to vote for me HERE. Just click on the heart under my name ‘Bhumika Thakkar’ and it will turn red 🙂 Or you can tweet to @elleindia with the hashtag #EBA2014. Thanks in advance.
What all would you include in your kit within the budget of Rs.5000 ?
OOTD: Airport Travel/Friday Dressing with One Pants
Hey guys,
I am back with an OOTD after a long long time. Remember my Goa trip with Blogadda last month ? (See HERE) I am going to Goa again tom early early morning with a bunch of friends. Yay! Can’t wait 😀 Probably my last trip as ‘single’ with friends, so kind of bachelorette too. (Though we have guys along :/ But its ok as long as we will be having fun!!) (P.S: Follow me on Instagram HERE to see the pics from Goa ;))
So, this is what I wore to the airport last time. A basic brown floral pants which are thick and warm. I paired them with a basic white Tommy Hilfiger tee, blue loafers, pearl studs and a Daniel Wellington watch. I also had my reliable black Marks & Spencer sweatshirt along to keep me warm during the flight. Keeping it simple is the best when you are travelling.
Some tips to keep in mind for airport travel dressing:
Wear longer tees/tunics. You may have your hand luggage or need to bend, etc. Keep it long and comfortable.
Wear closed loafers/ballets/brogues/shoes/boots. My feet get terribly cold and if it is the same with you, better keep them covered.
Always have a scarf/jacket/sweatshirt out and handy.
Wear minimal accessories. Airport is not the place to show off your statement pieces.
Wear comfortable denims/tracks/pants. No skinny or tight bottoms.
Carry a good big tote and don’t forget the basic stuff like lip balm, hand cream, moisturizer, face mist, sanitizer, etc. in the bag.
I guess ya, you are good to go, wearing some basic, comfortable outfit.
I converted the same pants into a more semi formal Friday wear, by replacing the casual white tee with a linen white shirt and tucking it in and my favourite black bag.
Some tips to keep in mind for Friday dressing at work:
So casuals on Friday does not mean shorts, bodycon dresses, etc. coz its still a work place after all. Stick to denims in basic blue and black.
White/Black shirts work well for semi formal Fridays
Again not too many statement pieces or accessories. You are not there to seek attention and neither would it be comfortable to work with any heavy accessories.
Blazers look super chic for semi formal wear
Monochromes/Neutrals/Blues look good.
Sheath/Wrap dress in neutral colors also looks perfect for Fridays. Sometimes on all days coz its formal too, depending on the cuts/design/color and the work place environment.
Outfit 1:
Tee: Tommy Hilfiger
Pants: American Swan
Watch: Daniel Wellington (You can win one HERE. I have a giveaway going on where you can win one of the Daniel Wellington watches of your choice!)
Earrings: Aldo
Outfit 2:
Shirt: Marks & Spencer
Bag: Romwe
That’s it guys! I hope you liked the tips. Do let me know what do you wear on Fridays at work in the comments below.
The Nature’s Co. Founder unveils beauty essentials at work!
March being the financial year end calls for appraisal and promotion evaluations. Don’t you want to show the confiance inside out at this time of the year? We’re sure your desk drawers are fully supplied with pens and post-its, but what about beauty essentials? It’s important to keep an inventory of beauty must-haves at your workplace, after all, the amount of time we working ladies spend at our work desk, it makes it pretty much our second home.
TNC doesn’t leave a chance to help you look your best naturally, around the clock. This time Beauty Expert & Founder, The Nature’s Co, Natasha Shah, herself has rounded up 6 products in the March Special Gorgeous 9 to 5 Beauty Wish Box, that’ll work as hard as you do.
“Impromptu outdoor meetings or after-work plans, ‘freshening up’ or touch-ups become inevitable. These emergency fix-its have slowly filled up my desk, and I refuse to part with a single one, making me look and feel my best at all times. You’ll be ready for anything!” shares, Natasha.
She decodes some inside tips to keep you feeling gorgeous, confident and ready for any challenges the day might bring. Here is her daily beauty checklist:
1) Hydration: Keeping yourself hydrated keeps your body and mind active and fresh. Always have a bottle of water on your desk. Replace teas and coffees during work hours to green tea and lemongrass tea.
2) Moisturisation: Outdoor meeting and continuous air condition at work leads to skin dryness and damage. Treating your skin with the apt amount of moisture is necessary. Never skip your body lotion, day face cream, lip balm and hand cream quick retouches at work.
3) Quick Fixes: To freshen up anytime of the day a good face wash in your bag is a must have. When on the go wet wipes always help.
4) Grooming: Being well groomed helps to boost confidence level. Always keep a nail file, tweezers, an extra hair clutcher and hair ties handy to be looking perfect at any time.
5) Me – Time: Long hours in front of the computer screen causes a lot of strain to your back, neck and posture. Ensure you occasionally break into simple neck exercises and feet stretches to relax your muscles.
*Personal Tip* : Take a break from the screen. Make sure you get up every hour for a few minutes and walk around your office. Avoid calling / emailing your colleagues, instead walk up to their desks, get up to get a drink, go near the window for some fresh air or get up to get your print or photocopy.
Find the handpicked recommendation in our March Special Gorgeous 9 – to – 5 Beauty Wish Box.
Subscriptions start at Rs. 595/- only. Also get 35% Discount Vouchers on full sized products on subscription to sample size. A complimentary spa coupon at TNC stores, and a special refreshing delight from Kara facial wipes.
To subscribe you could visit the below mentioned link:
Find Your Scent: 6 Perfume Facts To Know Before Hitting The Store
Guest Post
The olfactory sense is the strongest in means of triggering memories. We are instantly taken back to a specific time and place when we smell certain things. Therefore, when it comes to your signature perfume, it is important to pick one that truly represents who you are. To find your scent, there are six perfume facts to know before hitting the store.
1. Skin Type
Everyone has a unique skin type, and the best place to start when shopping for perfume is to identify yours. The main point to take into consideration is whether your skin is oily or dry. Dry skin will absorb the scent more quickly, so a more highly-concentrated perfume is the best option. 2. Time of Day
Many don’t realize it, but the sense of smell is keener later in the afternoon and on warmer days. Therefore, the best time to shop for perfume is in the afternoon on a warm day. This will help you really understand what scent you are getting and how it works with your body chemistry. 3. Shop for Variety
There are a number of options available for perfume shoppers. Unfortunately, most retailers are only able to offer a small percentage due to constrictions on spacing availability in the store. 4. Avoid Multiple Spritz
When shopping for perfume, it is tempting to spray multiple products onto the skin. This is not productive as the combinations confuse the senses. The product you choose will be skewed, and you may not like it when it stands alone. First try each scent out on the tester strips, then you can narrow your choices down to a few of what you really like. Then be sure to test them on your skin. After you have sprayed them, give the perfume between 5 to 10 minutes to mix with you natural body chemistry. It will change the way the scent smells and give you an idea of what you are getting.
5. Point of Application
When applying perfume, there are ideal places you want to focus on. Pulse points are best such as the middle of the neck, wrists and behind the ears. If you prefer a more subtle scent, spray the perfume into the air and walk through it. In either case, avoid spraying directly on clothing as certain brands can induce staining. 6. Fragrance Families
Once you have identified a few different fragrance families that complement you well, it is always good to have them available. Using one scent everyday can cause you to get bored with it. Having the ability to switch up your daily scent is invigorating. Always Smell Your Best The way we smell gives a lasting impression on those around us, and it is important to make sure those memories are ones that reflect you well. By following these six tips, you will be able to pick out your optimal scent when you hit the store. Did you know these perfume facts ?
Trending Eye Makeup Tips from Jenna Menard, Clinique Global Colour Artist New York
Clinique Global Colour Artist New York based Jenna Menard has shared tips on the application of eye make up while answering interesting queries such as make the eye make up pop while wearing glasses and to avoid creasing with powder eye make up bursting some myths about powder eye make up. Please do credit her with any tips you my use.
Clinique has recently launched the All About Shadow, All About Shadow Primer for Eyes and Quickliner For Eyes Intense range for a long lasting eye make up that gives a perfect finish and definite style. Jenna Menard, Clinique Global Colour Artist On Eye Makeup
Best tip to apply eye liner When applying eye liner, keep it as close to your lash line and work from there. There should be no space between your lash line and the eyeliner. Using the side of a pencil allows you to apply a straighter line rather than using the tip-drag the liner along the lash line to help create a straight line.
I also love blending liners all over the lid and then using the same shade to draw that more intense line closer to your lash line. Keep sharpened if you are trying to get a precise line.
Creating a smokey eye effect I love layering eye shadow over eyeliner in order to create dimension through different textures. Smudging a soft liner and topping with a shadow creates a smokey eye that is easy to achieve and will last throughout the day. Rather than black, I gravitate towards creating smokey eye looks with color.
Colour to compliment your eyes : Colour is a great way to compliment your eyes. There are certain colours that will make your natural eye color pop-the same goes with certain clothes that you wear. Many people believe that black or dark eyeliner will bring out their eyes more but that is not usually the case only because it becomes overpowering and it becomes more of a distraction rather than a compliment.
· Green -purple shades will brighten your eyes. · Brown- gold/bronzes work well with brown eyes
Make the eyes appear larger Using a slightly lighter shimmer shade on the inner corners of your eye, curl your eyelashes, extend eyeliner slightly past the lash line to give the illusion of larger eyes, add bottom mascara, use a gray or brown liner shade rather than black.
Jenna’s Essentials Quad
Mistakes with the eye make up They are not willing to experiment or try different things. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with your makeup. Each day try something slightly different.
If you are used to using only a beige/champagne/nude powder eye shadow try a subtle shade in a different texture. This small change will open doors for you.
A modern way to wear bright eye shadow Using 2 various shades of a bright color and layering them to create a bright eye shadow look. You can do the same with an eyeliner and a shadow, cream shadow and a powder shadow, 2 powder shadows etc. If you feel daring try a combination of 3
Prevent eye shadow from creasing Preparing the lid with a cream base or eye shadow primer is your best bet. Only a touch of product is needed to help with the creasing problem. It’s just as important to blend the product you are using as a primer as it is to blend the shadow that is going on top.
Women who wear glasses use shadow to make their eyes pop Glasses paired with a strong eye is a great look. To out-power glasses, the key is making shadow visible. A light wash of one shade may not be enough. Layer a few bold colours or create a graphic shape and work those lids under the glasses.
Some of the biggest myths about powder shadows · Eye shadow doesn’t look good on me. Women love to say this about things they don’t know how to apply! · Eye shadow makes me look more tired. Select shadows in complimentary shades to your skin tone and they will make your eyes pop. · Eye shadow is impossible to put on. It takes practice, so start easy. · Powder shadows never stay on. With the proper products and formula they will.
Great colour combinations
· French Vanilla, Sunset Glow, Graphite (all singles) · Wave after Wave (duo) with Pacific Coast (single) · Day into Night (duo) with Peach Pop (single) · Starlight Starbright (duo) with At Dusk (single) · Jenna’s Essentials Quad: A palette that complements any shade combination. · Galaxy Quad: Amazing colour that can be worn individually or all together.
Dr. Ranjan Upadhyay, Dermatologist, Desmoderm Skin Clinic, Delhi, writes about the special needs of skin in people over 40
As they say age brings wisdom and bliss. But this wisdom never comes without some unwanted wrinkles, fine lines and signs of ageing. If you have lived over four decades, you have certainly gone through some ravages of time and environment. Once you hit your 40s, you can no longer bank on your youthful beauty. In absolute terms, however, beauty is not a variant of age. You might be a little less radiant and a little less smooth than you were ten years back, but beautiful you can still be.
As we age, so does our skin. After a certain point of time, your skin will not produce enough natural oil to keep your dermis hydrated and supple. It will also experience a decrease in production of collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for firmness in younger skin. The reserves of hyaluronic acid, the natural water binding element in the skin also decreases, leading to a more dry and dull looking skin that carries fine lines and wrinkles.
While a number of factors are responsible for causing skin changes over the years including genetic and related to nutrition, sun exposure is one of the most prominent causes. So is loss of moisture from the skin.
During winter the major skin issue we face is that of dryness and loss of moisture. Cracked lips, heals and dry skin is a major problem. Every time you wash your hands or face, you feel extreme dryness. All these characteristics increase as we age. At 25 you might be able to carry on a day without a moisturizer but at 40 you certainly cannot.
Hence while basic skincare requirements in the winter season remain largely the same, revolving most of the time around the need for moisturizing, for people in their 40s they are a little more pronounced and need to be combined with some anti ageing practices and products.
A good routine of moisturizing and hydrating is required. You can also do well by going in for a session with Restylane Vital skinboosters, a hyaluronic acid based gel that when injected into the upper layers of the skin, deeply hydrates and nourishes it.
Let’s have a look at the required skincare practices:
Cleansing, toning, moisturizing and sunblock: These are certain basic skincare elements that need to be a part of your daily lives no matter what your age is. Cleansing and toning help you protect your skin against the daily ravages of pollution and dust. They help keep your pores clean. In winters especially when you wear thick moisturizers the need for cleansing is all the more. It is very important to keep your skin hydrated. However, if you have oily skin, you better use water based moisturizer rather than cream based. Equally important is wearing a Sunblock with 30 SPF at least. It is a misconception that you do not need to wear a sunblock under a winter sun. Moreover the sunblock has to be reapplied every 3-4 hours as it loses its impact in this time. Sunblock also protects against pigmentation, a phenomenon which is very common in older skin.
Night creams’ applications are quite important for people in this age bracket as they help the skin remain firmer and toned.
The needs for the neck, hands and heals? Normally we all take care of our faces, but seldom do we pay similar attention to the neck and hands. Unsurprisingly, these areas become the biggest giveaways of your age. In winters, the skin in these areas is dry, flaky and scaly. Make sure your daily skincare regime is extended beyond your face to include your neck and hands. This includes cleaning, toning, moisturizing and sunscreen. Every time you wash your hands, make sure you apply a moisturizer. If you are washing clothes, make sure you wear gloves so as not to expose your hands to the ravages of the detergent and water.
Cracked heals are another area that becomes problematic in this age, particularly in winters. Keep a foot cream at hand and use it daily before going to bed. It will help keep the feet smooth and beautiful.
— Hydrating masks: Winters is a time when we extensively use central heating systems that can suck up all the indoor moisture and cause sensitive skin to be dry and rashy. To undo the effects of dryness, some hydrating face masks can have valuable results. Honey based face packs, milk cream, banana pulp as well as yoghurt can be applied on the skin as hydrating face masks. Apply these items on the skin in an even spread and leave for 15-20 minutes before you wash them off. These hydrating items have a softening effect that makes skin supple.
— Replenishing Hyaluronic Acid cosmetically can enrich the skin during winters Today, skincare products and procedures are based on scientific knowledge. Through extensive research, experts today know the reasons why skin ages and why its need for hydration increases with age. Hyaluronic acid is an important component of the skin and helps keep the levels of hydration in the dermis as being a hydrophilic substance it binds water. However, with age, our skin’s natural reserves of hyaluronic acid diminish and hence the skin starts appearing dull and dry.
Restylane Vital Skinboosters is a new age therapy that moisturizes the skin from within and replenishes the lost reserves of moisture as it is a hyaluronic acid based product. Using microinjections, stabilized hyaluronic acid gel is implanted into the outer layers of the skin and works naturally to hydrate the skin from within. This not only makes the skin look more youthful by filling up the finer lines on the outer layers of the skin, but also plays a crucial role in hydrating the skin and in a way taking care of its need for moisture that is so needed in winters.
— Vitamins are important as we age Vitamins are crucial in fighting oxidative stress that is a normal part of ageing. As winters approach, it would do well to increase your vitamin intake. Make sure citrus fruits are a part of your diet, so are vegetables. Topical application of vitamin C as available in serums is also very effective.
— Release stress and exercise– If you have to look good, you should look good from inside out. Regular routine of exercise or including yoga in your life helps release stress and helps make your skin beautiful and youthful. It also builds immunity.
