If you're like me and absolutely hate having to clean lips with wipes or toners that tastes YUKKK, then be of good cheer - cos I've found something that helps.
So meet your new lipstick remover ..... Drum rolls please........
....... Your lip balm.
That's easy right?
I've got pics to prove my theory and here it goes.
Lip balm over NYX's lip lingerie in some shade I cant remember. Apply thickly and smooth it over your lips and massage lightly.
Leave it for 5-10 secs and then wipe it off with a soft cotton pad. No water necessary.
You can see the amount of products removed in one wipe. Gently continue. Reapply lip balm as needed.
The best part is - it helps in 2 ways: no yukky taste left and your lips get a small massage and treatment from the lip balm.
I've found that this works best with a lip balm with a glossier or softer texture as it is easier to massage that type in.
Mini Review: This lip balm has no lasting benefits but tastes and smells okay. The real problem are the shimmers in the lip balm. The hydration provided is not that good and it doesnt last much. So this actually makes for a good lip balm-cleanser :)
I'd received many questions on how to use Turmeric, once relatively unknown in the West but is now being called a 'Super-food'. In fact, last day when I met my dietitian here in Toronto, she was listing some detox ingredients I could add to my diet and she started with, "Do you know about Turmeric? Its this awesome..."
Yep, Turmeric is awesome. But then we in India have always known how awesome it is.
I am from the tropical southern part of India, the fabled land of spices for which many wars were fought apparently (sigh). We have our spice markets and every home is never without a standard set of spices.
Turmeric, if not the King or Queen of the spices, is pretty high up in the ranks. I am not going to yarn about how this is a gift of nature and all its properties.
All I am going to list are some family recipes on how we used and continue to use this herb/spice.
DIET
We use turmeric in its powdered form in 2 ways in our diet. There could be more ways to use this but sadly I am not aware of it.
1. As a must-add ingredient in all most all dishes, especially dishes with leafy vegetables. My grandma used to tell me that this removed/neutralized any toxins from the plants.
We add turmeric while the plants are cooking, so it doesn't feel raw to taste.
For cooking fish and meat, we either use it for marinade or while the meat is cooking.
2. A pre-sleep drink mix which is supposed to have detox and lot of skin care benefits.
Milk is boiled with a tbsp of turmeric, almond powder(optional) and saffron (optional). Sugar can be added to make it more palatable.
This is then taken at least 30mins before sleep and almost 1 hour after dinner.
Due to the presence of almond and saffron, this drink is especially given to kids improve health and immunity.
SKIN CARE
Turmeric has been used in skincare for a long time. Brides from North India and other parts use a mix of Turmeric, Milk and Besan (garbanzo beans flour) as a face pack. This is not just supposed to help with brightening the skin but also to give some immunity against any sun damage.
There may be many ways to use turmeric for skin care, but as I mentioned, I am only detailing what we have used and found to be effective in my family.
One thing to note is, we used 2 types of turmeric.
The regular turmeric was/is used for both cooking and skin care.
But a variant called Kasthuri Manjal or Wild Turmeric or Aromatic Turmeric ( Curcuma aromatica) is preferred for skincare purposes. Note that the Aromatic Turmeric is never used for cooking.
All the below ideas for skin care works with both variants of turmeric but the Aromatic turmeric is more effective.
1. Anti-Tan and Anti-Pigmentation face pack.
Tropical region means lot of tan and pigmentation for ladies from my region.
My grandma used to grind raw turmeric root and use the paste on face.
It was also supposed to be effective against any acne or pimples popping up.
2. Facial Oil - which is how I use turmeric mostly now
My grandma used to heat coconut oil with pieces of wild turmeric (not too high, just to get the essence of the turmeric to mix in). The oil was then filtered and kept aside and used on face every other day.
This oil was/is typically applied warm-to-touch at least 30 mins before bath and massaged in to the skin so the oil has time to act on skin.
The oil is then washed off during bath.
A point I wish to note is - we never use soap with Turmeric. So to wash off turmeric oil from face, we use either a paste of rice flour or mung bean flour. The flour can be dry rubbed on face gently to remove the oil and turmeric.
Olive oil can be used as a substitute.
I've also used almond or grape-seed oil but in that case, I would mix turmeric powder or turmeric paste without heating the mix.
3. To reduce hair growth on face
I've not used turmeric for this personally but ladies in my family swears by this benefit.
Again, a paste of wild turmeric is used - mixed with a dash of lemon juice and milk and applied as a paste to be left for 15-20mins.
Effects are purported to be permanent on doing this regularly for 3-4 months.
Note: Regular Turmeric especially may leave a yellow tinge on skin after use. The stain from wild turmeric is lesser which is also a reason to use wild turmeric for skin care. The stain is not permanent and usually goes away after a day or so.
This is not a well-researched medically supported article on the many benefits and effects of Turmeric. The contents of this article are merely from a personal experience perspective, not as a recommended set of practices for general public.
I am going to skip the 1st and the best.
Not cos I am crazy, but cos I already reviewed it here
So thats Marula Oil out of my way.
I still have 8 left.
So lets start from left to right as per the picture.
Note: I am only going to briefly touch on the claims of the oil (cos you can just google them better than me saying all about it) and explain more about what benefit I personally got from using them.
Baobab Oil: Claims - moisturizing, useful for extreme dry skin and hair
My experience -> I find that this oil is easily absorbed into skin and good for sensitive skin like the one around my lips after an exfoliation. I am not sure what the natural fragrance of these oils are, but the Aura Cacia one I use is pretty okay for me. I find this oil both useful for day and night time use.
I haven't used it on hair and probably wouldn't.
Repurchase or Not? I am not sure. I may. I haven't seen any magic happening with this one like my experience with Marula. But then this is good for lightweight hydration. I haven't experienced any brightening effect with this. Cant comment on anti-aging effects as I am only on the early 30s.
Elixir De Beaute from Institut Karite Claims - Beauty Oil
My Experience -> I bought this on a sale from UO and since most of the websites with review or info on this product was in French, I honestly didn't expect much from this oil. From usage, I find this to be a very general purpose facial oil for hydration and some nice fragrance. This is more of a body oil for me than a facial oil as I couldnt find much difference in skin tone from using this.
Because of its light weight texture, I use this for mixing with my foundation or as a prep for face before makeup.
Its best suited for day wear.
Repurchase or Not? Nah. I use this and TBS's moringa beauty oil for the same purpose and TBS's oil is much cheaper.
Carrot Seed Oil Claims - helps balance both
oily and dry complexions, heals damaged skin, and helps aged skin My Experience -> You need a weak nose to use this one. I am pretty tolerant of fragrances and I cant stand this one. Only the thought that this has helped me with my severe pigmentation and sun damage has sustained me so far! The medicinal almost bitter smell that this oil emits cannot easily be countered even by mixing with some beauty oils like the Institut Karite one.
This is best suited to be used at night, but cos of the smell, I would suggest using this after sun set as this oil helps with sun damage.
I have found that using this oil after a day in the beach helps reduce the pigmentation on my face.
Repurchase or Not? Definitely. But I will also be purchasing some nice-scented beauty oil I can mix this one with. Neem Oil Claims -So Many! Anti-oxidant, disinfectant, healing etc etc
My Experience -> When I was younger and in the throes of the teen-acne pain, I used to apply a paste of neem leaves on my face overnight and it worked superbly well. I also used to wash my hair in water boiled and cooled with neem leaves in it, to treat dandruff.
So neem oil is no stranger to me.
I use it on a 'need-to-only' basis - when I have a stubborn pimple or when I have a case of scaly scalp.
Because of its medicinal smell, this oil is not something I want to use daily. It doesn't have any significant hydration or de-pigmentation benefits.
Repurchase or Not? Definitely.This is like a healing oil that I use on my face in case of breakouts, wounds etc, so this is like First Aid for Face for me.
Andrea Garland Violet Hydrating Facial Oil with Seabuckthorn Claims - promote natural cellular regeneration, help reduce the appearance
of fine lines and balance moisture levels to restore skin's healthy
radiance
My Experience -> I am on the fence with this one. I've used it in sprints of 2 weeks for 2-3 times. Each time I get different results. Sometimes I can see a serious difference in how my skin looks and feels. Sometimes its Meh.
The only consistent result has been the good hydration it provides.
The oil is thicker than a usual facial oil like the TBS one, so I'd recommend using this at night.
Because of the thicker consistency, I don't recommend mixing this with foundation or cream.
Repurchase or Not? I cannot recommend it nor can I not recommend it. Its confusing. So my suggestion is if you like vintage packaging and want to take a chance, you may want to try this to see if any effect.
Grape Seed Oil and Almond Oil Claims - Antioxidant, emollient and prevents sun damage
My Experience -> I use both these oils for:
- as carrier oils for essential oils like Neem or Tea Tree oil.
- Makeup removal including eye makeup (works fantastically well)
- Mixing with foundation to get a more 'dewy' effect Repurchase or Not? Oh yeah!
The Body Shop Moringa Oil Claims - gives instant hydration and a shimmering finish.
My Experience - One of the rare instances when the benefits actually match the claims. This is a lightweight floral scented daytime oil, perfect for a quick prep of face before makeup. This gives a nice dewy finish and a sheen to the skin. On days when my skin looks pretty good, I just apply this and my sunscreen.
Repurchase or Not? I like this but I may also try a variant of TBS's oil.
OVERALL:
Marula Oil still rules!
BONUS point:
I've been using oil all my life for facial skin care. I started with coconut oil (both pure & medicated versions) moved on to olive, castor, sesame and saffron oil and later to the essential oils.
After my trial and errors, this is what I found:
- For Hydration (all skin types): Coconut oil is the best. I suggest using coconut half an hour before bath so the more oily feel can be washed away. At night, massage in the oil and apply a warm wet-wash cloth over face for 5-10mins so the oil is absorbed.
Olive oil is the next best option.
- For Brightening effect: Marula oil has worked best for me. Another option is a medicated mix of Coconut oil and Turmeric (if you want me to explain this in a post, comment/message and let me know)
- For day-time sheen/shimmer/fragrance use: TBS's Beauty Oils.
- For mixing with foundation/creams: I suggest Grapeseed or Almond oil. Coconut oil would also work as well.
- Best Multipurpose Facial oil: You guessed it, Coconut Oil!
Like many many others in search of that perfect yet superbly cheap dupe for BeautyBlender, I've also bitten into many bad lemons...
The latest in my collection is Model's Own Makeup Blending sponges [Link here]
Image courtesy: urbanoutfitters.com
The only clear use I've had for this sponge so far is to throw this at the wall when I am trying to relax - makes a nice ping-pong ball. The 1st and only time I used it for applying foundation, it hurt my face so bad, didnt apply or blend well and took ages to get the foundation off the sponge, even though I cleaned it immediately.
Overall - not even as good as a normal sponge. Definitely not a dupe for BB.
So last day when I rounded up my stash of BB dupes, I was cursing myself for spending money on the dupes - could've easily got a BB for all that wasted cash.
The thought depressed me so much that I was thinking of any possible use for these sponges.
That's when I decided to try and cut it into smaller shapes that I can at least use as a cleanser.
Pixabay.com
That actually worked.
I cut these ones horizontally and now they work so much better in applying the foundation.
They are much softer once you cut them and drown them for a few hours in a bowl mixed with some conditioner and water.
I used them with my cleanser and it did a great job of doing a mild exfoliation as well.
When I think of face packs, I usually go for my staple ingredients.. carrots, green tea etc etc.. you know the stuff.
This time, I decided to try something a bit different.
I was munching on some peanuts the other day and was congratulating self for choosing a healthier snack than is normal, when it struck me - how about trying this as a pack?
And I did.. and it was Awwwwwwwweeeesommeee!!!
So here is the list of ingredients I used:
Almonds - Washed, soaked for 1hour
Cashews - Washed, Soaked for 1-2hours in Warm water
Olives - de-seeded, soaked for 15mins
Pumpkin Seeds - Fresh from the fruit, not the dried ones.. Soaked for 30mins
Peanuts- Soaked for 1hour in Warm Water
Sunflower Seeds - Soaked in Warm water for 1 hour
Take all the ingredients and make a paste of them.
If you've very oily skin, avoid using the olives and mix in some rice powder or tomato juice to reduce the oily effect.
If you are very very dry skin-ny, then you can add a drop or 2 of olive oil to make the mix a bit more rich.
If you have dull, pigmented skin, add some drops of lemon juice to the mix.
After 15-20mins, moisten your hands and massage well to do a gentle exfoliation.
Now, gently remove the pack using a moist washcloth.
How do you feel? My skin felt hydrated, plumped and kinda glow-y :)
Disclaimer: Not even the most luxurious skin care ritual can replace a healthy well balanced diet, sleep or active life style, so all the below tips are in addition to that yummy greek salad, zzzzzzzzzzz and yoga! :)
Summer is when you have probably the least amount of time to spend on your skin care what with all the vacations & stuff but is unfortunately also the time when you gotta really put some efforts into pampering your body so you can glow in the Sun shine.
My philosophy for Summer skincare is - pack a punch. When I finally get around to do some skin care, I want it to be super-performing.
Here is what I have been trying for my face, skin and hair [ this is only DIY stuff and its not a comprehensive list, I definitely use many other products]
For Face
Stage 1: Preparation Wash your face with a mild cleanser, which does not dry your skin.
Next, rub all those dead cells away with a natural exfoliant - I prefer using a mix of rice powder, and yoghurt. Apply your favorite skin care oil. Mine is a mix of Jojoba, rose hip seed oil and grape seed oil. Make sure to warm it before application and massage it well onto the clean skin. Leave for 5mins.
Stage 2: Applying the face pack
This is one of my favorite summer skin care packs:
Ingredients: Slices of pumpkin, beets, carrot and papaya, black cherry or raspberry, coffee powder [1 tbsp], cocoa powder, coconut milk or natural milk powder
Mash up everything in a blender with water [or preferably rose water] till it becomes a creamy thick puree.
If you have acne, add a drop of tea tree oil into the mix before application. If you have sun tan, add some drops of lemon juice & tomato juice to the mix.
Make the face pack and leave in the fridge at least 15mins before the application. Remember to make this fresh every time, don't use a pack older than 4-5 hours. Apply the face pack and leave it on for at least 20mins or till it becomes really dry. While the mask is on your face, try to rest and avoid any activity. Softly wash off the pack.
Stage 3: Moisturising the skin
After applying any pack, its important to bring back the moisture and lock the goodness inside. I apply a mix of a serum and skin care oil. After application remember to lightly massage your skin.
How do you look now? Got that glow? :)
For Body Lets face the truth - no point if you have the most glowing face, unless your body and hair also look great. I don't know about you, but when things get busy I tend to care only for my face & hair and ignore my body. This pack is aimed at making your body feel loved and cherished..
Stage 1: Preparation
Take a shower to clean your body. If you don't want to wash your body twice, you can also use a wet towel dipped in hot water to clean all over your body. Use a body scrub to remove all the dead cells.
Apply your favorite skin care oils. Mine is a mix of Coconut oil, jojoba, avocado and a dash of grape seed. Warm the oil before application and massage it well onto your body
Mash up everything in the blender to get slightly thick creamy pack. If you wish to get an exotic scent, add Jasmine or Ylang Ylang oil to the mix
Apply the pack all over your body. If you wish to remove any tan, add a juice of 1 lemon and 1 tomato to the mix. Leave the pack on for at least 15-20mins.
Remember not to use soap while washing off the pack.
Once dry, apply your favorite body cream.
For Hair
This is a hair care pack I learned from my Grand ma. She had the most awesome shiny black hair even when she hit her 50s! Remember that this is not enough to get shiny hair, you have to eat and live healthy cos nothing shows the state of your internal health like your hair and nails.
Stage 1: Preparation Before you apply any hair oil, make sure your scalp is not sweaty. If so, leave it for drying. Also, if you've sinusitis or a tendency to get cold very often, avoid applying too much oil and reduce mask application time by half. Mix your favorite hair care oils. Mine is a mix of - Coconut Oil, Pure Olive Oil and Jojoba Oil
This is an optional step before applying the oil; however its amazing, so try if you can. Always make a fresh mix.
Take an iron pot and heat it on medium flame. Add a dash of butter and add any or all of the following herbs: Holy Basil, Fenugreek and Rose mary. After 2mins, add some coconut milk and heat the mixture till the coconut milk starts loosing the white color and turns clear. Take the pot off the heat and leave it to cool.Once its warm to touch, filter this and add the oil mix to the above hair oil mix.
Warm the oil mix and apply on your scalp [not hair] with soft circular motions. While applying oil, make sure you apply with your finger pads and not nails.
Stage 2: Hair Pack
Ingredients: 4-5 almonds soaked over night, fenugreek powder, spinach leaves, hibiscus leaves and flower [if you can get it, its awwwwesome!], henna powder or leaves, curry leaves, mint leaves and sea weeds soaked in water
Use as many of the above ingredients. If you suffer from scalp infections or dandruff, mix in some tea tree oil. Mash everything together and apply immediately. Leave for 20mins at least and wash off.
To increase the efficacy of this hair pack, wrap a hot towel on your hair for 10mins. If you don't wish to spoil your towel this way, use a hair dryer for 5mins towards the end to get the same heating effect.
Don't use a shampoo while washing off the mix. If you find the hair too oily for your liking, use a mild gentle shampoo very lightly on scalp and mostly on hair.
After towel drying your hair, warm up some Argan oil on your palms and apply to the last half of your hair up to the roots, to get a beautiful shine.
So how do you like it? Let me know once you tried it and if you have any suggestions on improving this :) Ciao...
Note: All images in this post are courtesy of Pixabay.com
We went for a weekend getaway to Niagara on the Lakes. Its an amazing romantic location and being near to the Niagara river, there are some awesome bike trails where we spend our morning riding a local rented bike. If I could only spend everyday so leisurely.....
On the flip side, this meant a lot sun exposure, dust and loads of cheese-y food. So, this is was my beauty routine for the weekend:
Before Bath:
Apply warm coconut oil to your hair and skin and leave it on for at least 15-20mins.
Add a drop of Ylang Ylang or Jasmine oil to coconut oil and you don't need any perfume :)
If you can massage your skin and hair, all the more better.
Shampoo your hair to remove the oily effect.
This is something that I did religiously as a kid in the warm tropical climate of coastal Kerala. Coconut oil is really good in giving moisture and protecting your skin and hair from sun exposure.
While going out:
- 30-45mins before : Apply a sunscreen with SPF 50 on face. I also used a lip balm with SPF 20.
- Every 2 hours after - I used a sunscreen stick with SPF 50, to gloss over my face. This was a perfect outing accessory as I didn't have to reapply my makeup and I still got my sun protection.
- Water, Water Everywhere - I kept refilling self on water - as lemon juice, coconut water, plain old H20, anything good. My suggestion is to avoid coffee or other drinks that dehydrate your body.
- Salad with everything - Fine dining means some type of Cheese, for a vegetarian. So, to balance the boat, I ordered side salads to keep my system happy
After coming back [night time rituals]
- Immediately as you reach your place: Clean your face and apply some aloe vera gel to get the protection and repair process of skin going
- 1 hour or at least 30mins before your sleep: This is the pack I prepared with easy-to-carry and easily available stuff while on a trip:
- Lemon Juice [from half a lemon or lime]
- Milk powder [or milk]
- Oats [if you can get a fine powdered version, its much better]
- 2 drops from any of your favorite skin care oil [I use carrot seed oil]
Mix all the ingredients to get the consistency you like. I prefer a medium thick consistency so I use more oats powder.
Apply this all over your face and neck and leave it on for at least 20mins or till it gets dry.
Removing the pack: Dampen your face and slowly massage before removing to get a mild exfoliation effect.
Why I love this pack?
It is gentle and has some good ingredients to help with pigmentation and is also good for gentle exfoliation - in fact, it does everything necessary for an "After-Sun-Skin-Care" pack.
Did you try this? If so let me know how it worked out for you :)
Note: All Images in this post are courtesy of Pixabay.com
This is a new series based on my actual skin care regime.
I am trying out various face packs for Summer and the ones I really like - I am putting it down here :)
Anti Tan Face Pack for Glowing Skin
So what you need is:
Rice Flour
RECIPE:
Mix 2 tbs of Lime Juice and 4 tbs of Milk together and keep this aside for 5-10mins.
Add 2tbs of Tomato juice and 1 spoon of yoghurt.
Mix in rice powder to get firm consistency.
If you have sensitive skin, increase the amount of milk and rice powder in the pack.
If you have oily skin, reduce the amount of milk and increase the amount of rice powder in the pack.
Apply on your face for 15-20mins.
Wash off and immediately apply your favorite moisturizer.
Summer is all about enjoying life, sunshine and having fun - at least that's how I want it to be, after a long long Winter. Everywhere in Blog world you see posts on Beauty-On-the-Go and shimmering in the Sun and how to get that Glow and suncreens and well... it goes on and on..
So here is my take on the subject - just tips based on my recent outing experiences, so don't yawn yet! :)
SKINCARE
Summer skin care is all about getting that healthy glow without burning your skin - its probably as plain as that.
Here are some things that I make a note of:
Diet:
- Drink water. Lots. Coconut water, Watermelon juice and Lime juice are also excellent summer thirst quenchers that also pampers your skin from inside.
- Use a sunscreen with a decent SPF. My suggestion is to use something on or above SPF 30 for a daily wear and on days where sun exposure is more, use a SPF 50 or more.
I have read articles saying not to use a too-high SPF as it can make skin vulnerable to sunburns once the product wears off, so I would say, stick with SPF 30-50.
- Keep a sun-care kit. I always keep a set of wet wipes and sunscreen in case I am out in sun for long and I need to reapply my sunscreen after cleaning my face.
- Here are some areas you miss [ at least I did miss these and did I suffer!] ->
Nose [especially the sides and under the nose],
Lips and area above lips,
Chin,
Ears,
Hairlines,
Eyelids and eyebrows
And finally, back of your neck.
For Lips, you can get a lip balm with SPF - just make sure apply it at least 15-20mins before your makeup.
After Sun Care:
Remember that Aloe vera gel and your skin will thank you, a lot.
Apply a face pack with any of the following:
- Sandalwood powder
- Carrot
- Rose Hip seed oil
-Tomato
- Cucumber
If you have sun burns, apply aloe vera and avoid any harsh face products - scrubs, exfoliants or peels.
MAKEUP
Face
This is the season for single face products , like a BB cream or TM. You don't want to use too many products when you're out in the sun.
If you prefer matte finish, go for a good Mineral foundation.
Coral Blushes!!! Need I say more? Rock those coral colors now...
Eyes
Jewel tones are the best bet for highlighting your eyes.
Try fresh tones like mint, lilac etc to give that instant summer look to your lids.
If you're scared of using a pastel shade heavily, use it on your lower lids lightly.
Lips
Out with the dark gothic berry and cherry shades. In with fresh bright bold shades.
Bright Oranges, Corals, Pinks - this is the season!
Blessed as I am with innumerable male cousins [did I say Blessed? the word is Pestered!], I'd found very early in my teens that any talk of makeup or beauty or shopping would just make my brother & cousins go - "Yuck, Gal talk!booo" This insensitive but standard Macho attitude has been the norm for such a long time, that I was thrown off balance, when a few years back my 1st cousin asked me what he should do to look good for his marriage. I didn't know he cared as much for his face as he did for his 6-packs!
Since then, I have been like Agony Aunt for my male cousins when it comes to all things skin care & beauty. These are some tips and tricks that I have collected over the years; feel free to share them with the men in your life & let me know what they think of it.
Some men find shopping hard cos of all the teasing and the possibility of losing their macho status. Some men are clueless when they go for shopping - skincare is a scary world for them. My suggestions are:
- Best & Easiest: Get your wife, girlfriend, sister, friend -whomever you trust- to buy what you need. If you don't know what you need, get suggestions from them. Girls have this magic power of being able to talk to Sales girls and read labels...
- Online research: Check out Men's website like askmen, esquire, GQ etc for suggestions. One of my cousins had this problem when he didn't know where to start and what to trust. Well, you gotta search dear.
- Online shopping: Many websites have Men's special area now. Sometimes, Beauty section is listed under Women but they have Men's products listed.
- Men's Saloons: Ask at your fav saloon. They might carry some products or they might be able to help you to find what you need.
How to find what I need or what should I get for him?
Its sometimes difficult for us ladies, who are so immersed in the world of skincare & beauty to understand how complicated it all looks to most guys. My brother once asked me - what the heck is the difference? I was trying to explain what cleanser, soap, exfoliant, toner and astringent are. And he just got more and more confused.So here are some basic stuff that every guy can use and some tips on finding it:
Cleansers:
Guys need as much pampering of their skin as girls do. But the differentiating factor is presence of chemicals that can cause facial hair loss or bleaching. As a general principle, it is good to avoid any harsh or whitening cleansers. Go for products with labels like "Gentle" or "Soap Free". If you read in the directions that the product does not have to be washed off with water, that is yet another good indicator that it is a gentle enough cleanser.
If you still find it hard to buy a good cleanser, head to the babies section and get a pack of baby wipes.
Exfoliants or Scrubs:
This is something most guys need - a good exfoliant to remove all the dead cells and make skin look good again. Key to finding a good scrub is to look for good natural exfoliants like Apricot or Walnut. St.Ives is a brand that has some good scrubs.
Sunscreens:
All guys - well all humans - need this. Go for a higher SPF factor - i.e. SPF 30 or above. For most guys,this is the only cream that they need.
Apply this after your cleansing and exfoliation.
Acne Treatment:
If you have a teenage cousin or brother, you can be sure that they are going to need this. Since most guys prefer a one-step acne fix, my suggestion would be get them a good acne face pack or acne cream. Another option is to get them Tea Tree oil which they can apply directly on their face. The Body Shop has one which I've tried and liked.
Under Eye Darkness:
Many guys have this problem - while we know that a good eye care regime will help it, I found that it is no use to expect guys to apply more than 2-3 products at a time. Since most of the above products are applied at day time, go for an eye cream that can be applied at night. If you can get a good face cream, gentle enough to be applied under-eyes, that can also help.
I find it best to use a gel formula for night-eye-care as its fast absorbing. If you cant find anything, here is a quick fix you can do.
Cut a piece of a raw potato and rub it gently under your eyes at night.
Lip Care:
A good lip balm is essential for everyone. However, make sure you're getting an un-tinted one. Many lip balms nowadays are tinted. So if you are checking a lip balm, check if they mention any 'color' or 'shade'. If no clue, Also, I found that guys prefer to use lip balms in a jar as I guess, a lip balm tube reminds them of lipstick :) Makeup:
If you said "What???? No way", I would say you're behind the times. Guys, like us, need makeup - just not the same stuff. So here are some stuff, you can get or suggest:
- Foundation: Most guys prefer the powder format, since it is easier to apply. If you're a newbie, then buy a low or medium coverage powder foundation. Go for a matte effect foundation for a cleaner finish. Lucky for you, most drugstore powder foundations are low-medium coverage, so pick any that you like. Rimmel has a Stay Matte powder foundation that is a fan favorite.
- Bronzers: Okay, this is probably more useful for really pale guys in Summer. Make sure you get a matte non-shimmer bronzer like NYC bronzer in Sunny
- Concealers: This is probably the most important item a guy would need in his makeup stash. My suggestion is to get an exact skin color match and not go for the highlighting concealers. Revlon's PhotoReady concealer is a good creamy medium coverage concealer that can cover those tired under eyes, any pimples and may be that shaving scratch.
As for other makeup products, I have not yet seen any guys needing or using blushes, lipsticks or eyeliners. I am not judging you, so if you need one, go for it :)
Some Tips on Grooming [ Espl for guys who don't care for the above stuff]
Here are some simple tips for guys on looking well groomed:
1. Clean Hair, Clean Face and Clean Fingers [and toes] - adds a universal appeal to any guy's looks. A dirty finger nail can detract so much points from your looks, so even if you didn't go for that manicure, make sure you get everything out of your fingers.
Also if you apply any hair products, make sure its not super visible or sticky. After applying any hair products, run your fingers through it before styling it. If stuff sticks to your fingers, you've too much of it in your hair. You can use a towel to remove those extra gunk.
2. Trim those facial hairs - there is a difference between adorably cute in a day old beard and looking like you've slept for 2 nights in a local bus station. This is especially important if you've a job or if you're newly onto a job.
If you're into beards, keep it trim and neat.
If you're into moustaches, again keep it trim neat and shapely. You don't want to look like Charlie Chaplin or a local bandit.
If you're into clean shaved look, well - that's the safest look for any professional guy.
3. Apply some lip balm on those chapped lips; wetting your lips is not = kissable lips. In fact wet lips are ugggghhh. So if you're meeting your girlfriend or going for lunch with you boss, massage some lip balm into those dry chapped lips for 2-3 mins. Do it softly and you get nice looking lips.
4. Hairy like a Gorilla? If so, either shave if you want to wear short sleeves or shorts, or wear long sleeves to make sure that hairy arms don't scare people. This is especially true if you;re working in a multi-gender work place.
5. Pimples?Acne? Scratch marks? - Cover it up. If you've an open pimple, make sure it is clean and non-puss-y. If you don't wish to apply any powder over the pimple, a cleaner way is to apply a band-aid over it.
6. If you've dandruff, either take care of it by using dandruff treatment or avoid wearing dark single color shirts where the flakes may be more visible.
Hope these tips help you and let me know if you have any suggestions too! :)
Disclaimer: This is based on my experience and when I say "Most guys" or "Guys" I mean guys I know or have known. I am not saying this applies to everyone, so if you feel this is nonsense, feel free to
This is not a moralistic post..honestly no! I am just going to talk about some stuff that I have done or seen people do w.r.t makeup, beauty & health in general, that really should be avoided. If you feel I am wrong on any count, do let me know & I'll be happy to correct :)
1. Skin so soft that it feels like Silk - I must keep touching it!
Its nice when models keep touching their face and start comparing it to silk & what-nots & its awesome if you have petal soft skin, but thats no excuse to keep pawing the delicate skin of your visage. In fact, HANDS OFF, lady :) You never know where your hands had been & how many gazillion bacteria may be on it, so do you really wanna transfer all that bacteria etc onto your face?
Also rubbing your face is basically causing some friction between the harder surface of your hands and the softer skin of your face - guess who would suffer more through the wear and tear caused?
If you have to touch your face, 1st clean your hands and then get on with your beauty routine. Also, as much as possible, avoid harsh rubbing - try to do more patting and tapping etc while applying a product.
2. Oh, let me keep washing my face till it feels squeaky clean -cos that's how you clean dishes right?
Sound principles, but your face ain't a dish - so treat it gently.As much as possible, avoid any chemical based cleansers, scrubs, exfoliants on your face - you never know how much damage it causes! These are alternate ways of cleaning your face without hurting them:
- Natural cleansers: Rice powder, tomate juice, lemon-honey mix, green grams powder, milk, yoghurt, rosewater, brewed tea water - all these are excellent cleansers, just choose one that suits your skin & is easily available for you
- For deeper cleanser [makeup removal etc]: As much as possible use oils for cleansing your face. This prevents loss of natural skin moisture. Also, if its still not gone, use a baby wipe.
- If its still not gone - Well, in that case, go for a cleanser suitable for babies. That should be the mildest one in the market and anything good for a baby should be good for you too :)
3. Ooh, a windy day, let my beautiful hair swish around me - I must look like that model in the Ad
This is something that I still do, but I so wish I didn't. If its a windy day, as much as possible try to contain your hair and not let it loose. This is especially important if you have medium to long hair. Reason? All that waving and swishing that can cause your hair to
- get split ends and other damages
- all the dirt & dust flying around - do you really need that in your hair?
- loose some important moisture, cos what does flowing air do? It dries things- Your hair is no exception!
You can still look pretty and casual if you wear a loose chignon, or leave some tendrils loose - so check Youtube to get some style you'd love.
Here's one that I tried recently:
4. I washed my face , now let me dry it by rubbing it like I scrub the floor..
I used to rub my face with a soft cotton towel till a friend pointed out patting my face softly with the same towel gets the same result while avoiding causing a friction between the cloth & skin. I have tried my best to avoid rubbing my face since!
5. Aw, how can I say No, when she is asking so nicely to try that lipstick?
This may be hard, but you've got to say No. Really you should. As a thumb rule, do not lend your makeup or skin care stuff where there is a chance of the product being touched by human skin. However, sometimes you just can't avoid sharing stuff, so here are my suggestions:
- Get a coffee stirrer and scoop some stuff out for your friend
- If you don't have a coffee stirrer and your friend still needs that lipstick or mascara:
-> if its a lipstick, or gloss or an eyeliner: use a paper napkin to wipe off the surface area of the lipstick bullet or gloss. You may lose some tiny bit of the product, but its sanitary
-> if its a mascara: Keep the wand under warm/hot tap water and wash away the surface ink. Dry it and then dip it back.
Another alternative is to keep a use-and-throw mascara wand for just these kinda cases.
- For face products: Use a paper napkin to get the powder or cream on it and then use it
Another option is to carry a small spray bottle of a makeup cleanser like rubbing alcohol or the Beauty So Clean cleansing spray. - use it once you're done sharing!
6. Am in the mall restroom, so now leme show off my new lipstick to the ladies
We all do this but we shouldn't. Just think about - for a second. Restroom-where people pee and poop ... You really wanna open something you put on your lips in there? Really?
I try my best to avoid this by carrying a pocket mirror with me [or even a mobile phone screen would do! :)] and reapplying my lipstick in a quite spot outside. At least, any spot ought to be better than near the poop-center right?
Same applies to your own bathroom too. Avoid using skincare or makeup etc in your wash room. Think of all the Fungus just waiting to latch on to it!
7. Oh, I don't need a makeup bag -Let me just throw everything in my hand bag
I learned this lesson a bit sharply when the kajal pencil I'd in my handbag stung my eyes as I applied it. After running around and washing my eyes, I checked to see why my eye pencil acted like a Jalapeno pepper. The culprit was a small sachet of pepper powder you get from restaurants. I had accidentally put both the items in the side pocket of my purse. :(
The lesson is - carry your makeup in a separate makeup bag. Always. Don't mix it with all the stuff in your hand bag - think of all the dust and dirt that could get inside!
8. Yay, got it from Blog sale , now let me apply it right away
This might not be something you like. We all love blog sales. I am not against it, I do it myself. But how sure are you on how sanitary the product is or was before you got it? Also, was it lying around for a long time in someone's cupboard before they sold it off? Did they use it when they had a fever or cold?
You never know. So here are some things to be aware of when you buy stuff off blog sales:
- Always always sanitize the product before you use. Use a rubbing alcohol or the Beauty So Clean spray to clean it.
- Avoid buying mascara, eyeliners, eye pencils - basically anything that touches on your waterline or lash line. These things have very low shelf life once they are opened. So unless the nice blog lady remembered to put it on sale immediately after she used and didn't like it,it is not safe.
- Ask explicitly for expiry dates or if not, ask for batch codes engraved on the sides of the product to find expiry dates. Checkcosmetics is a website you can use. If that also doesn't work, ask when the blogger started using the product and use the below thumb rule to calculate possible expiry:
- Eyeshadows - 6months to 1 year
- Lip products - 1year
- Face products - 1-2 years
- Preferably buy or sell only stuff that have a squeeze tube or a nozzle or a pump to dispense products.
Hope this will help you - let me know if you have your own Don't Do's. :)
All images in this post are Courtesy of Pixabay.com
There is nothing I like worse than attending an important meeting when I am not well - it just adds to the whole burden. Not only is work involved, but I can't be lazy with makeup as I normally do when I am not well.
So here are a few tips to dress when you are sick and don't want to work hard to look good:
1. Cover that hair -
Your hair usually reflects your health and when you're sick, hair can easily look dull and lank, especially if you've straight fine hair like me.
Best solution is to use a pretty barrette or hair clip to keep your hair pinned so your hair doesn't make you look even more tired.
Image Courtesy: Pixaby.com
2.Keep your wet wipes handy
A stash of wet wipes can easily clean your face without too much hassle and can soothe your skin. I recommend something like the Yes to Cucumbers facial towelettes.
If you have tired eyes, damp your wet wipe under very cold water; close your eyes and slightly press against your eyeballs and keep for a min or two. Wet it again and press the cloth slightly against your under eye area with downward pressure.
3.Go for a 3 Step makeup:
You just need 3 items to look good for your meeting:
1. Powder foundation or BB cream/ tinted moisturizer - If you have a dry skin, use a nice BB cream to hydrate your face. If you have a normal to oily face, use a powder foundation to look clean and dandy
2. Emphasize your eyes - use a darker kajal or kohl or add another layer of mascara or your eyeliner to emphasize your eyes; if your face looks dull during fever, this helps in taking attention away from that.
Image courtesy of Praisaeng, FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
3. Use a darker lip shade - A darker lip shade is usually an instant face brightener. Know your color before hand; for me, its darker shades of red or purple.
Usually you can double up your lip color as your blush as well unless you are using a shimmer shade.
Avoid using any shimmer lip gloss or pale colors as they add more fragility to your overall look.
4. Dab some orange or lavender oil on your temples and your pressure points to relieve your stress and bring a smile to your cheeks.. :)
Okay, so here is how I get ready for work after sleeping late
1. After getting up, wash face immediately with coldest water possible. This refreshes the face and makes it easier for your eyes to adjust to sun light. Time Taken - 1-2mins
2. Use a baby wipe or your favorite cleansing wipe to clean up all those dead cells and get your face ready for action. To make it better, after 1st wipe over face, spray a coat of Rose Water or any good toner and then wipe again. Time Taken 1-2mins.
3. Put your sunscreen/moisturizer with SPF and massage it in. Dont bother to do it till its is completely absorbed. We have time left. Time taken : 1-2mins
4. Now lets brush our teeth and rinse it well. No fast-tracking time here. :(
Time taken: 4-5mins
5. By now our sunscreen would have absorbed. Now apply your BB cream/ Foundation/Powder. I apply either my light coverage BB cream or my Face powder as getting foundation right is hard when you are pressed for time. Time taken: 2-3mins
6. While waiting for it to set on face, drink your morning energizer. For me its water :) Ideally it should be warm water, but I like cold water better. It feels good once and it helps to remove toxins generate in the body at night . Time taken: 1min
7. Now sit down and read something funny [your fave comic book] or see a funny video in youtube or hear your favorite song that always perks up your mood. Trust me, it helps hugely to set the tone for the day. By the same principle, avoid reading Obituaries, videos on violence etc -a lot of bad things happen in the world, true, but should you see it 1st thing in the morning?
Time taken: 3-4mins [Well, I didnt say -read the whole book! just a strip may be!]
8. Now Makeup...yippeee.. Ok, here are my quick tips. - Eyes:
I use a dark matte brown eyeshadow at the corner [dab it on the corner with fingers] and then use the blending brush dipped in black eyeshadow to fan it out gently towards crease in a > shape, with the corner ending just below the crease eyebrow. This is best done with eyes open. Contour your eyeshape using this eyeshadow. Now, if all this takes too much time, avoid 2 eyeshadows and just use a soft brown or soft cream color, which ever brightens your eyes better. Dont try shimmer powders for work but satin finish used lightly does look good. Now line your eyes with a pencil. If this is hard for you, just stick to lining your corners, both upper lid and on waterline.
Now add a coat or 2 of your fav mascara. Dont have time to curl your lashes? Here is a quick tip: keep your steel spoon under hot water for a 30secs and then press your eyelashes between your index finger and the back of the spoon. Do it 1-2 times and you can see the curl.
- Blush and lips:
I use the same color for blush and lipstick even if its a dark red shade I am using as lipstick. Just sheer it out with your finger and dab on it with a tissue till you get the color right.
- To add a dewy look, spray on a face energizer or makeup setting spray lightly. If you have neither, pour some water into a spray bottle [if you can get some rose water, its excellent] and spray lightly. After 30 sec, just press a soft tissue lightly onto face. Do not rub.
Total Time taken: Eyes [4-5mins]; Face and Lips [2-3mins]
9. Now have that healthy breakfast bar or cereals or in my case 2-3 apples to go and dress and run!
Time taken to dress and to put apples into bag: 3-4mins
Total time: Approx 30mins!
Now what should be in a lazy girl's bag:
1. Easy to eat granola bars or biscuits. Keep easy to eat fruits like Apples or baby carrots[in a pack] always ready to grab and go
2. Mini Makeup kit: Face powder, Matte Bronzer [use as eyeshadow as well], Black eye pencil, Lip balm, your favorite lip product [use as blush as well], Facial cleanser, Facial Wipe and Mascara
3. Other stuff: Vitamin C chewable stuff [for instant energy pickups], Mouth freshener or chewing gum and a small perfume or deo spray.
