8 Amazing Reasons to Add Honey to Your Beauty Kit

Though usually associated with Winnie the Pooh and weight loss, raw honey is a very good treatment for skin. Considered to be safe even for sensitive skin, honey is the perfect natural remedy for every bride's complete skincare. When the D-day looms nearer, most brides are faced with anxiety that reflects on their faces. With the use of honey, any girl can look her best with the glowing and radiant skin normally associated with brides.

1. Radiant skin

It is necessary that a newlywed bride does not develop freckles or sunburn just before the wedding day. Applying a mixutre of of honey and rose water can have instant brightening effect on the skin. Wash this off with cold water to see a fairer glow on your face. You can also prepare a face mask by mixing honey with multani mitti and lemon juice. Apply this on your face, and leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing it off. The antioxidant property of honey makes it a wonderful natural sunscreen.

2. Skin nourishment

Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, applying honey can bring lustre to even the most dull and lifeless skin. This is why, it is exactly what a bride needs to add to her skin care regime. Honey also helps to keep your skin smooth and supple. Just add a few drops of honey to your regular face mask to benefit from its goodness.

3. Anti-ageing remedy

Talking about keeping the skin soft and supple brings us to the anti-ageing properties of this wonderful natural ingredient. Being rich in amazing antioxidants, honey helps to keep signs of ageing at bay, and it also boosts the production of collagen that makes skin look younger.

4. Natural moisturiser

Another property of honey, to act as a humectant, makes it draw moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated for a longer time. The bride can look fresh even after a tiring day, if her skin is properly hydrated. If you want to naturally moisturise your skin instantly, rub generous amount of honey for 5 minutes on your face, before gently rinsing it off with warm water. To experience its brightening effect, mix it with milk cream, and massage it on your face for some time.

5. Natural cleanser

Brides can have instant glowing and soft skin, sans blemishes, by using honey as a face wash, twice a week. Applying a paste of honey and tomatoes can yield clear skin, as both have astringent and antioxidant properties. Honey also helps to exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells. Mixing honey with lemon juice and sugar will give you a great skin exfoliator, which can work wonders for your skin.

6. Fight acne and scars

Apart from cleansing the skin, honey is a great remedy for acne marks and scars. The antimicrobial property of honey makes it ideal as a natural solution for brides with a tendency for skin breakouts, or who have scars on their face. An overnight honey face mask can de-stress the skin. Applying honey directly to the affected area can help to lighten blemishes and scars.

7. Body bath

During the winters, harsh weather can leave your skin dry and dehydrated. A 15-minute soak in a honey bath, made up of two cups honey and one cup baking soda added to the bath water, can exfoliate the dead skin. This warm bath will not only pamper your skin, but also bless it with moisture, nourishment, and a natural glow.

8. Lip care

Honey can also help you take care of dry and chapped lips. Prepare a natural lip scrub by mixing honey with equal quantity of brown sugar, and rub that on your lips for five minutes before rinsing it off. You can also apply honey regularly on your lips to get pink and kissable lips.

Now that you know all the amazing beauty benefits of honey, add this to your beauty kit.

8 Amazing Reasons to Add Avocados in Your Bridal Beauty Kit

Daily beauty treatments for hair and skin are of utmost importance for all brides. But, resorting to salon visits and over-the-counter products will not only burn a hole in your pocket, but might also adversely affect your looks. Well, here we have for you a solution that is natural, cheaper, and much more easily available than the parlour routines.

Avocado is one fruit that can go a long way in helping you look your best. Read further to know about the exciting beauty benefits of avocados. This would also tell you why you should add it to your beauty regime.

Glowing and Healthy Skin

Dear to-be brides, now you can ensure that your skin remains glowing and healthy by simply drinking avocado juice. Being rich in vitamin A and E, this drink will leave you with a naturally radiant skin. Also, the antioxidants in this fruit protect your skin against the damage caused by sun and pollution.

Natural Skin Cleanser

Avocados are natural skin cleansers that help to remove dead skin cells, as they is rich in vitamin A. The amino acids present in avocados also protect and cleanse your skin against harsh environmental conditions. All you need to do is add this amazing fruit to your daily diet.

Protection Against Wrinkles

The fight against wrinkles is best started early to prevent premature skin ageing, as the antioxidants present in them fight harmful free radicals. You can either add this to your diet, or apply it as a facial mask. To make a mask, mash an avocado into a pulp, and apply it on your face. Leave it on for at least 15 minute, before rinsing it off.

Skin Nourishment

The pressures of daily life can often take a toll on your skin; and avocado oil, which is easily absorbable, can easily seep into your skin pores leaving your skin nourished, healthy, and stress free. It also makes your skin smooth and supple. Avocado oil helps to replenish the lost nutrients of the skin, and improves blood circulation.

Natural Moisturiser (for dry skin)

Avocado oil is a natural skin moisturiser that can help to keep your skin sufficiently hydrated through any kind of weather. It is essentially a blessing for those who have dry skin. Just mash two avocados and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil in it. Now, keep this on your skin for 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

Natural Sunscreen

The routine of a newlywed bride can often be hectic, whether it is shopping or overlooking wedding preparations, thus leaving her skin exposed for long hours to the harmful UV rays of the sun. Avocado oil also acts as a natural and effective sunscreen. Not only this, it is also a great way to treat sunburns.

Rejuvenates Scalp

Using avocado oil for daily hair treatments can help rejuvenate the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. Massage avocado oil on your hair to rejuvenate dull and damaged hair. Being a rich source of proteins, healthy fats, etc., avocado helps to promote hair growth. To prepare an avocado hair pack- mix one mashed avocado with olive oil, yoghurt, and an egg yolk. Apply this on your scalp, and rinse it off after 20 minutes.

Eye Care

Endless hours of stress, planning woes, shopping trips, and all night talks with your would-be, can leave your eyes dry and dehydrated, leading to irritation. Avocado is great for your eyes too. You can either consume it, or apply it as an eye cream. To make an eye cream- just mash a ripe avocado and add some aloe vera gel in it.

Apart from these beauty benefits, avocados are loaded with numerous health benefits as well. So do explore the goodness of this amazing fruit for yourself, and add it to your grocery list, right now!

7 ways coconut oil is the perfect beauty multi-tasker

Use this mix in the shower as a gentle scrub the sugar/salt exfoliates, while lauric acid acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. "Swishing a mouthful of cold-pressed organic coconut oil absorbs toxins from your mouth, teeth and gums. It promotes overall heath because of its intense antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties," explains Dr KP Sreekumari Amma, a practising Thiruvananthapuram-based Ayurvedic, who calls the practice by its Ayurvedic name, Gandusha. The oil's low molecular weight allows it to penetrate the hair shaft, while the fatty acids bind the protein in the hair, protecting it.

    

Exfoliator

Mix brown sugar and sea salt with coconut oil till it forms a thick paste. Use this mix in the shower as a gentle scrub -- the sugar/salt exfoliates, while lauric acid acts as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Add used coffee grounds to this mix to combat cellulite.

Oil pulling

"Swishing a mouthful of cold-pressed organic coconut oil absorbs toxins from your mouth, teeth and gums. It promotes overall heath because of its intense antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties," explains Dr KP Sreekumari Amma, a practising Thiruvananthapuram-based Ayurvedic, who calls the practice by its Ayurvedic name, Gandusha. Oil pulling takes some getting used to, and beginners might not be able to swish for 20 minutes. Build the time up by a few minutes every day. Do this in the morning and on an empty stomach. Just don't swallow the oil.

Hair nourisher

The oil's low molecular weight allows it to penetrate the hair shaft, while the fatty acids bind the protein in the hair, protecting it. Try this: beat two eggs with a quarter cup of warm coconut oil and massage into your scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes and rinse with cold water. The oil's lauric acid, Vitamin E and capric nourish the hair, while the eggs' protein strengthens it.

Epilator

Swap your shaving cream for coconut oil, which supports the skin's pH balance and reduces inflammation, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Using coconut oil in the place of a foaming cream results in a silky shave sans the razor burns or bumps. Plus, the fatty acids eliminate that dry sensation you get post-shave, leaving your skin feeling luxurious.

Cleanser

The high levels of Vitamin E in the coconut oil protect the skin from free radicals and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Arnett recommends using it to cleanse and remove make-up. "Use coconut oil to gently loosen make-up and it will slide right off," adds Arnett. The high levels (92 per cent) of fatty acids in it break down the make-up so it slips right off, while antioxidants protect, nourish and allay signs of ageing.

Nutrition

Once perceived as unhealthy fat, new studies prove that it's really good for you. "Coconut oil is a good source of MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), a fat that require less energy and enzymes to be digested," says Kerry Bajaj, health coach at the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center founded by Dr Frank Lipman, an integrative and functional medicine expert. "Unlike other dietary fats, MCTs don't get stored as fat in the body; they get burned for energy, leading to an increase in metabolism," she says. Cook with it or add to your diet -- in your smoothie or salad.

Moisturiser

Coconut oil's tiny molecules allow it to melt into your skin and high levels of Vitamin E nourish from within. Simran Lal, CEO, Goodearth, suggests applying after a shower to create a moisture-locking seal. Kristen Arnett, an eco and sustainable beauty believer, is also a fan. "Most commercial moisturisers have a mineral oil or petroleum base, which can block pores and cause breakouts. Coconut oil has none of these side-effects." To avoid smelling like a Bounty bar, apply it after dry brushing and pre-shower.

Vogue tip

Choose the organic cold-pressed variety. Lal explains, "Regular coconut oil is extracted from dried coconut (copra) and chemically processed, resulting in a loss of vitamins and minerals. Virgin coconut oil is naturally extracted from fresh coconut. It retains a light aroma of coconut and its vital nutrients." We love the ones by Forest Essentials and Amritam (Goodearth).

7 Best Natural Makeup Removers You can Find in Your Kitchen

Just came back home from a wedding function or a dinner date with your fiancé or a party with your friends, what is the first thing you want to do? We are sure most of you would say, change and hit the bed. But, here is what you should be doing- remove the makeup from your face, before you go off to sleep. All dermatologists and beauty experts often send out this piece of advice to the girls.

Well, gone are the days when you have to spend time rubbing that stubborn mascara off your eyes, or buying a separate remover for normal makeup and eye makeup. Forget the red puffy eyes due to the harsh chemicals in the remover, or rashes on your cheeks caused by a certain chemical in some XYZ remover. Let us ease the process towards flawless and clear skin, and tell you about a few amazing homemade makeup removers. These are effective, cheap as well as very safe. So, go ahead and try these out!

1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one ingredient that serves as remover, moisturiser, lip balm, and much more. You can apply it directly as a natural cleansing oil, but just remember to wash your face once after you are done removing the makeup. Now, apply on the eyes or face to remove makeup quickly and effectively. This magical ingredient can take care of even the most resistant waterproof makeups, like mascara, quite easily.

2. Olive Oil

Technically it is two ingredient recipe, since it includes mixing 2 portions of olive oil with some water. Mix them well. Using it is very easy and safe too. But it is still better to do a skin patch test, before trying it. You can also simply soak a cotton ball in the oil, and massage that on your face to remove the makeup and dirt, but make sure that you use a tissue or a clean towel to get rid of the excess oil before going to bed. Olive oil will not only handle tough makeup products with ease, but will also calm down your irritated skin. Plus, this ingredient has anti-ageing properties in it.

3. Cucumbers

Yes, this healthy fruit can be a great makeup remover too. Just mash one cucumber into a paste, and use that to cleanse your face. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cucumbers are well known to soothe irritated and acne-prone skin. If the makeup is tough then you can add some milk or olive oil to it.

4. Yoghurt

Another ingredient that you will find in almost every kitchen is yoghurt. It moisturises your skin and cleanses it as well. Just dip a clean cotton ball in some plain yoghurt and rub that on your face in circular motions. After that, rinse it off with some cold water.Recommended Read: Top 6 Weight Loss Exercises to Do at Home

5. Jojoba and Vitamin E oil

The jojoba oil is very similar to sebum produced by human body, while vitamin E has antioxidants necessary for protecting the skin from cosmetic damage. Both these ingredients provide a soothing and moisturising effect on the skin. Mix one capsule of vitamin E with 60ml of jojoba oil. Store this mix in a dark glass bottle, and use when required. It works best on those stubborn waterproof mascaras, liquid eyeliners, and blushes.

6. Almond Oil and Whole Milk

Milk is an amazing ingredient for your skin. It not only hydrates and moisturises your skin, but also replenishes the essential nutrients required by it. So, to a tablespoon of milk, add a few drops of almond oil, and dab onto your face with cotton balls. Remove it off with fresh cotton balls; making sure that no traces of milk is left. This is a quick remover recipe that can be assembled in short time. It will also leave you face refreshed.

7. Coconut/ Olive Oil and Baby Shampoo

One of the most effective makeup removers that can remove the toughest waterproof makeup, just needs- one cup of water with an eighth teaspoon of olive/coconut oil and one and a half tablespoon of baby shampoo (tear-free). Mix them and shake them well, and use as required.

So, leave behind those expensive makeup removers, and go for these natural ones for the sake of your skin, to get everlasting beauty!

Life changing beauty tips

A small to-do or product can work miracles for your skin and hair. Mohini Mehrotra gets 10 experts to share their tried and tested beauty tips for a new, revamped you

Indulge Yourself

There are several quick cosmecutical treatments today to give your skin instant glow, hydration and plumpness. My tried-tested favourite is the Infusion Treatment that reduces the appearance of fine lines and blemishes, and hydrates and brightens the skin instantly. It does not require any injections or fillers but is a salon-like budget treatment, that takes only 45 minutes. This treatment is done using special products - which are made with a synergistic combination of oxygen under pressure ( Topical Hyperbaric Oxygen), hydration factors ( Hyaluronic Acid), and ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants and amino peptides, which show visible changes in your skin after just one treatment. However, if short on time, here's a quick homemade remedy that can help remove tan and brighten up your skin in minutes: Mix yogurt with lemon juice and honey. Apply it all over your face and body. Leave it on for 15 minutes, then shower off with warm water.

Drink Up

A recently acquired beauty trick I swear by - warm herbal juice. First thing in the morning, I drink a concoction of aloevera, wheat grass and amla juice mixed in warm water. It cleanses the system and makes me look and feel good all day long. I top this up with lots of laughter and physical activity.

Tress Talk

Shine On: Product buildup can leave your hair looking dull and lifeless. Quick fix for this is the "beer treatment"; alcohol removes products that accumulate on the cuticles and hair shaft. Here's how you can do it: Shampoo your hair. Gently towel dry it. Apply a cupful of beer to the strands. Cover with a shower cap for five minutes and rinse thoroughly with cool water. Your hair will immediately look shiny. This works especially well in the summer months. 

Exotic Deep Conditioning: Mix avocado (available at gourmet food stores) with 1tbsp of a quality hair serum. Post-shampooing, smooth it onto hair from mid-length to the end of the strands, like a conditioner (applying it on the roots can leave a hard-to-clean oily residue; also tends to make hair look limp). Rinse off with water. It's guaranteed to give you lustrous hair. 

Natural Highlights: Squeeze out the juice of a whole lemon into a shallow dish. Get a new nail polish brush, dip it in the juice, and "comb" through your hair. Sit in the sun for 10 minutes. Then wash off. Do this once a week for salon-like natural highlights.

Double Impact

When it's hot and humid, sunscreen can double up as a moisturiser and a sun protector; one with a silicone base could also act as a primer for your makeup.

Organic & Real

Don't cover your skin with heavy makeup. Enhance your natural skin tone by applying a light-tinted moisturiser. Add a soft blush and nude lip colour for the perfect summer look.

Creative Use

a) Petroleum jelly works well as an eye makeup remover. It gets rid of every bit of mascara without burning the eyes.

b) I apply coconut oil on my lips every night. It makes my lips soft and smooth, and over time, removes dark patches, if any.

c) If your lips are extra-dry, apply a lip balm just before putting on the lipstick. Dab off with tissue paper, then apply the lip colour.

Age, Just A Number

A great anti-ageing solution is a supplement known as Glorious. It's a Japanese product with a natural ingredient called glucosamine, which beautifies the skin. Take one capsule orally every day. Besides this, apply a vitamin C-based serum during the daytime and a retino-based cream at bedtime. This makes for a complete anti-ageing routine.

Go Bold

When it comes to making a statement, nothing beats a red lipstick. It represents femininity and power; makeup must-have for all seasons.

Back to the roots

I believe in everything natural. A trusted tool for those looking for beautiful skin is the ancient Ayurvedic treatment - ubtan. It helps slough off dead skin, leaving it soft and radiant. Here's my must-try homemade recipe:

Ingredients

Chickpea flour (kabuli chana powder), turmeric (haldi), milk, rosewater, a few drops almond oil, pinch of saffron (kesar) and a few mint leaves.

 Method

l. Make a paste of the chickpea flour, turmeric and milk. Put aside for 10 minutes, then mix in rose water and saffron. 

2. Apply the paste in circular motions on moist skin (all over the body). 

3. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. 

4. Scrub off with lukewarm water. 

5. Apply a nourishing moisturiser immediately after drying up. 

6. Do this at least once in 15 days for skin that's firm, soft and fresh-looking all-year-round

Know Your Skin

Every one has a unique skin type, so take time to understand it and buy products that suit you, and not what someone else is using. Look for ingredients such as vitamins C and E, as they help reduce spots, even out the skin tone, and also brighten it up.

Five habits people with lucky skin share

Are women with naturally beautiful skin just plain lucky? We spill the beans. 

Five habits people with good skin share

1: They never go to bed with makeup on

After a long, tiring night, it may be the last thing you’d want to do – wash your face. But by now we all know that leaving makeup on can be disastrous for your skin. It clogs your skin’s pores, trapping the oil, leading to dead cell accumulation and even breakouts. Worse, leaving eye makeup on can result in you waking up with itchy, red eyes. So no matter how tired you are, walk up to the sink and wash it off.

We suggest you pour some baby oil onto a cotton ball and remove eye-makeup and then just wash your face with a good face-wash. This is less cumbersome in comparison to using a cleansing lotion. Do this only on nights that you are very tired. Otherwise go the elaborate way, as it removes any trace of leftover makeup.

2: They wear sunscreen everyday

The sun’s harmful rays are known to be a major cause for skin damage; even causing early ageing. So this is definitely one thing you mustn’t skip before heading out during the day. Experts recommend using a sunscreen with SPF 30 at least in combination with a moisturiser. Even oily skin needs external moisture application. But choose one that isn’t too heavy.

3: They keep their hands off their faces

Many people can’t seem to keep their hands off their faces. This is one nasty habit. By doing this, you’re transferring all the bacteria from your dirty hands — that have touched all things under the sun — onto your face. And now we know why your skin has been breaking out.

Keep your hands strictly off your face. Don’t touch it unnecessarily, when you have to use clean hands.

4: They get their beauty sleep

When one doesn’t get adequate zzzz time, it shows on the skin. All those lucky women who have glowing, radiant skin never skimp on their sleep. Sleep time is when your skin repairs itself, if you take that away from it – your skin is likely to look haggard.

So get at least 8 hours of sleep a day. Unless you’re doing that you are missing out on the last burst of growth hormone that is released during the last stage of sleep. This growth hormone is known to play a key role in carrying blood to the skin’s surface, which oxygenates the skin and improves its overall appearance.

5: They don’t overdo it

This one is of utmost import. The best skincare regimes are those that are done in balance. By this we mean, not overdoing them in your hunt for perfect skin. Over cleansing, over moisturising and over medicating the skin upsets the balance. For example, you’re having breakouts, and so you try using a host of products that control oil secretion. When you do this, you end up over-drying your skin, and this puts the sebaceous glands in your skin on alert, and they begin to produce more oil, resulting in more breakouts.

So wash your face two times a day. Moisturise it and apply sunscreen in the morning. At night, make sure you remove all makeup and apply a night cream that suits you. Get facials once a month or perhaps every 15 days if you think your skin needs one. But don not over do any skincare regime.

These beauty tips will make sure that you are ready for any outing during the hot and sweaty summer months, whether it is a daytime outing or an evening event.

Homemade Facial Scrubs

Are you suffering from a dull face caused by flaky skin? It’s time to exfoliate your skin to get rid of those lustreless dead cells.

Our skin is in a continuous process of replacing old cells with new ones. Sometimes, the old, dead cells do not fall away and tend to clog up the top layer. They need to be removed in order to bring forth brighter, more youthful layer.

Most skin experts suggest a simple regimen that can be followed for clean, healthy and glowing skin. Cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturising are the four cardinal steps that guarantee you beautiful skin.

Exfoliation helps in removing those dull and dead cells that conceal your beautiful underlying skin. So, scrub to a youthful vibrant skin.

Some Natural Homemade Exfoliating Scrubs:

Facial scrubs should be used twice or thrice a week to shed off dead cells. They rejuvenate the skin and increase blood circulation. And you don’t necessarily have to spend exorbitant sums on buying them. Here are some highly effective and easy-to-make scrubs that can be prepared at home without spending much.

Honey scrub: Honey is known to be good in imparting radiance. Honey scrub is ideal for dull skin as it gives you a shine and youthful look. Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice in a bowl. Rinse your face with fresh water and use the mixture as scrub for 5 minutes. Wash and dry with a clean towel.

Olive oil and sea salt scrub: Mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil with ½ teaspoon of sea salt in a small dish. Scrub your face for 5 minutes and then wash with clean water. The results will be remarkable. You will see a visible glow and shine on your face. Olive oil will also nourish your skin.

Cucumber facial scrub: Blend a medium sized cucumber with 1 teaspoon of honey until a fine paste is prepared. Add 1 teaspoon of almond oil and 1 teaspoon of wheat germ. Use it as a scrub for 5 minutes. Wash with water and pat dry. You will notice a shine and radiance that this scrub gives your face. Cucumber scrub is also effective in removing dark spots and freckles that act as beauty stoppers. 

Papaya Scrub: Add ½ teaspoon of brown sugar to a piece of papaya and blend smoothly. Scrub on your face for few minutes. Rinse well. Your skin will glow and you will experience a fresh feeling.

A word of caution:

In case you have acne, consult a dermatologist before scrubbing your face, as it might exacerbate the situation.

7 Benefits of Turmeric for a Flawless Skin

Turmeric or 'haldi', is one of India’s most widely used spices. Not only it is used to add colour and taste to our food but also as a cosmetic. It has also become a part of our rituals. One of the most important ceremonies of Indian weddings is the 'haldi' ceremony where a paste made of turmeric is applied to the bride and the groom’s body as part of their marriage preparations.

Turmeric has been used as beauty product over the centuries. Here are some properties of turmeric that you can use to cure seven common problems and get a flawless skin.  

Signs of Ageing

Turmeric is an excellent exfoliating agent and can help you defeat the signs of ageing. Take besan (gram flour) and turmeric powder in equal proportions and prepare a paste by adding water. You may alternately prepare this paste in raw milk or even yoghurt. Apply it evenly on your body and leave it till it dries off. Wash it off with lukewarm water and scrub your face gently in circular motion. 

Wrinkles

You can use turmeric in combination with other ingredients to manage your wrinkle woes.

Add raw milk and tomato juice to rice powder and turmeric powder. Apply the paste and let it stay until it dries. Lactic acid present in milk will help peel off the dead skin cells.

You can add turmeric powder in buttermilk and sugarcane juice. This will work the best for dark circles and wrinkles.

Turmeric-honey paste can be applied on the face and neck to help exfoliate skin and keep a check on pores. 

Acne

Not only does turmeric take care of the scars and inflammation but also reduce oil secretion by sebaceous glands.

To prepare turmeric scrub, add a few drops of water and lemon juice to turmeric powder. Apply the paste on the acne affected area and leave it for about 15 minutes. Gently scrub it off your face with plain water.

You can also use turmeric and sandalwood mixture as an acne face pack and wash it off in approximately 10 minutes.

For acne scars, dab a mixture of turmeric and plain water and leave it on the marks for 15 minutes.

To control oil secretion, prepare a paste of sandalwood powder and ground turmeric with orange juice. Leave the paste on your face for 10 minutes and rinse it with lukewarm water. 

Stretch marks

Mixture of besan (gram flour) and turmeric in yoghurt/raw milk/water can help women lighten the stretch marks. 

Burns

In case you accidently burn your skin you can turn to turmeric for quick relief owing to its antiseptic properties. Prepare a mixture of turmeric and aloe vera gel. Apply it on the burn and notice how it heals the wound in no time. 

Facial hair

Chickpea flour (sattu) or gram flour added to kasturi turmeric can be used as a facial scrub to inhibit hair growth. Be sure to apply this paste for about a month to notice results. Home remedies usually show results over a period of time upon consistent use. 

Cracked heels

Apply a mixture of coconut oil/castor oil and turmeric powder on cracked heels preferably 15 minutes before you head to take a bath.

These were some of the many skin benefits of turmeric that can give you a flawless skin naturally.

Beauty splash – The ultra creamy shea butter

Indulge in the rich, creamy goodness of shea butter – the best way to pamper your skin.

What is shea butter?

Shea butter (pronounced ‘she’ or ‘shay’ butter) that probably makes up a good portion of the cosmetics on your dressing table today, comes from the ivory-coloured fat that oozes out from the nut of the African shea tree. Now days, this creamy substances is an ingredient in many of your moisturisers, body lotions, soaps and creams. In fact, many chocolate and food industries substitute shea butter for cocoa butter.

Uses of shea butter in the world of beauty

Silky smooth skin: With shea butter, you’re guaranteed to have silky, smooth skin. Due to its excellent hydrating properties, shea butter is a popular moisturiser that gets absorbed easily into the skin, leaving minimal greasy residue. That’s why it’s used in creams, lip balms and all sorts of moisturisers and lotions.

Effective as an anti-ageing product: Shea butter efficiently reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making it an ideal anti-ageing formula. Loaded with beneficial vegetable fat, shea butter promotes cell regeneration beyond imaginable levels.

Banishes stretch marks: Even stretch marks lighten when you regularly apply shea butter on them.

Rich in vitamins: Furthermore, because it’s enriched with vitamin E and A, shea butter is a clear winner in the test for the best natural skin product.

Good for your hair: For a glossy mane, toss your old shampoo and pick one that has shea butter on its label. Shea butter is especially effective for dry and brittle hair.

As a skin ointment: Apart from establishing its fame in the cosmetic and beauty industry, shea butter is also used in the medicinal world as a base in many ointments and topical creams.

Effective against UV radiation: Also, it has a wonderful property of healing burns quickly and providing good protection against UV radiation, which is probably why you’ll come across it on your sun block label.

Grooming for men: Apply shea butter on your skin post shave and enjoy silky smooth, zit-free skin.

How to make a homemade shea butter moisturiser

A great way to include shea butter in your daily skincare regimen is to whip up this quick beauty must-have. Store it in an empty container in a cool and dry place, and it’s good to go for a couple of months. Here’s what you need:

• Shea butter
• A few drops of your favourite essential oil (lemon works best)
• A vitamin E capsule
• 1 teaspoon corn starch
• A few drops of almond oil
• Distilled water (if required)
• Iced water

In a double boiler, heat the shea butter with a vitamin E capsule and the corn starch and both the oils for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and beat it with an electric egg beater with paddle attachment for 2 minutes as you would for your cake mixture. Once it’s whipped enough, place the bowl in  iced water and keep stirring. Store this in a clean, dry container and use it on the go for fresh radiant skin.

Beauty splash! Tan removal, the natural way

With global warming on the rise and the mercury levels dipping, the harsh UV rays of the sun  probably causes the most dreaded skin conditions for Indian skin-tanning and pigmentation.

Read on and find out more about how sunlight exposure leads to tanning and sunburn, and simple home remedies to lighten tan and remove sunburns.

Overexposure to sun is harmful to your skin, and it doesn’t need a brain surgeon to figure out why. Staying in the sun for prolonged periods is an open invitation to tanning, pigmentation, dark spots, sunburns and even skin cancer. Recent studies even show that people who spend considerable time outdoors are more at the risk of having a depressed immune system and an accelerated ageing process.

The science behind

The skin gets its color due to a pigment called ‘melanin’, which when present in excess, gives the skin a darker tone and vice versa. Staying out in the sun for a long time causes overexposure to UV rays. That’s when the melanin comes into play. It tries to protect the skin from damage by absorbing the harmful UV radiations. This may lead to DNA damage, to which the body responds by creating new melanin pigments, making the skin look darker. Sunburn is simply a more fierce form of a tan.

The ‘UV’ menace

UV rays are not just responsible for skin darkening; studies show that overexposure to sunlight may lead to skin cancer. Pigmentation and sunburns are other potentially harmful results of an overexposure to sun rays. It’s time to slather on the sunblock then. Make sure you apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes before stepping out into the sunlight, and look for both an SPF 20 and UV protect on your sun block label.

Lighten up!

Tomatoes, lemons and curd are probably the most efficient home remedies that surprisingly lighten the skin and remove the tan, naturally. People with oily skin should add the juice of a tomato or lemon to a mixture of turmeric and gram flour for a fairer, glowing skin. Curd can be used for people with dry skin without the risk of over-drying the skin.

Anti-sunburn pack

Sun burns are best treated with aloe vera. Aloe vera gel has a soothing effect on the skin, and will help heal the skin faster. Also, increasing your liquid content will accelerate the peeling of your skin, which will finally expose your healthy skin underneath. Do expect a mild itching sensation

Basic skincare routine we should all be following

Does your skin have a mind of it’s own? Does it behave well one day and look dull on another? Maybe you’re not following the basics steps of skin care. Read on to learn what you should be doing.

Who doesn’t want healthy, glowing skin? While some people are blessed with flawless skin, most of us go to great lengths to try and get that natural glow. But before you go running to try some expensive new cream or revolutionary procedure, have you considered your basic skincare routine?

The most basic skincare routine

Ask any skincare expert and they’ll stress on first getting the basics right. So simple as it may sound, we thought we’d give you a step-by-step breakdown of what your basic skincare routine should be.

Cleansing 

The most basic of the basic skincare routine – cleansing! The biggest mistake most of us make in this step is that we either under-cleanse or over-cleanse. Experts suggest that for those with normal skin, cleansing your face twice a day is optimum – once in the morning and once at night, before going to bed. The latter is especially important, as you want to get rid of the day’s grime and any make up or lotions that you may have had on.

Remember to find a good soap-free cleanser for your skin and avoid very cold or very hot water to wash your face.

Exfoliating 

Exfoliation refers to the removal of dead skin cells from the top of the skin. While some skin experts believe that too much exfoliation is bad for the skin, as it can strip away essential oils, most believe that exfoliating once a week is a good practice.

Find a scrub that suits your skin and use just a little bit once a week to clear dead cells and hidden impurities. If you prefer to go natural, you could even try making some home made scrubs and gently exfoliate for natural, glowing skin.

Toning 

A toner is a liquid that helps to close the pores on your skin, to avoid attracting dirt and to give your skin a tighter, firmer look. Many women swear by this step and almost every major cosmetic brand makes a toner.

However, there are experts who believe that toners should be strictly optional. Try using a toner for a few days and decide for yourself if you want to add it to your skincare routine or not.

Moisturising

No ambiguity here – moisturising your skin is an absolutely essential step of your skincare regimen. Depending on your skin type – dry, normal or oily – find a moisturiser that works for you. Typically, people with very dry skin should go in for a creamy mosturiser and those with oily skin could get a water-based one. For your day needs, get a moisturiser with an SPF or Sun Protection Factor, as that can double up as a sunscreen as well.

Also remember to moisturise at night, after you’ve thoroughly cleansed your face. Skip the sunscreen at night though, and just allow your skin to breathe.

Raid Your Kitchen For Effective Beauty Secrets

Forget about making a run to the cosmetics shop. Your very own kitchen is full of great natural beauty products for the skin.

Your kitchen is full of alternatives to those expensive, chemical based and processed, over-the-counter cosmetics. And are more importantly a much healthier and skin-friendly formulation. So why not use them?

Here are some food swaps for your routine skin care products. The best part? You can find them all in your very own kitchen!

Natural cleansers

• Milk (lactic acid), sugar cane (glycolic acid), and grapes (tartaric acid) make wonderful facial cleansers.
• Olive oil or sesame oil can be used as make-up removers.
• Strawberries contain natural salicylic acid, which is a great cleanser for acne prone skin.

Natural scrubs/exfoliators

Rolled (coarsely grounded) oatmeal can be a great facial cleanser with gentle scrubbing properties for all skin types.

Dried and coarsely grounded orange/lemon peel, almonds, or brown sugar can also be used as gentle scrubs.

You could also make a great scrub out of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice, 1 teaspoon each.

Natural moisturisers

For dry skin: mashed ripe banana, avocado, papaya and egg yolks works wonders. Poppy seeds and peanuts both contain natural oils; their paste can be applied over the face to get a lasting sheen. Curd is also a well-suited potion for dull skin.

For oily skin, egg whites are very nourishing. Fenugreek and red gram paste can also be applied to control excess oil, while keeping your skin moisturised.

Natural astringents/toner

• Apple cider vinegar is an excellent toner.
• Cucumber, pineapple and lemon juices are naturally occurring astringents.

Must-try skin-care tips: 

 Before any at-home treatment, give yourself a “pre-mask prep” to prime your face by having a simple steam to open and cleanse your pores for easy and better absorption of nutrients.

For a smooth and silky feel of skin, rub some “baking soda” all over the body while in the shower. You can also do this on your face to remove black heads.

Vinegar works wonders for smelly armpits and feet. Mix vinegar and water in equal proportion and use in place of deodorant. If you suffer from athlete’s foot, a “vinegar foot bath” can even help you completely get rid of your condition.

Benefits of turmeric or haldi are well known. Apart from its antiseptic properties, it also helps in reducing under eye dark circles and puffiness, soothing cracked heels, minimizing pigmentation/wrinkles, and giving skin a radiant glow.

Olive oil can be used to sooth sunburned skin.

Dip your nails in lukewarm olive oil for healthier talons.

Some cool and easy skincare tips for all times:

Use natural skin toner like “rose water” after cleansing the face.

Boil green tea leaves in water, cool it down and use it as a sunscreen below your makeup.

To remove tan, apply a mixture of cucumber and lemon juice and wash off after 20 minutes. Alternatively, mix a pinch of turmeric in some yogurt and apply in a similar way.

Mint is an excellent refreshing agent for the skin, if you have been out in the sun.