WINTER HAIR CARE TIPS

The winter may be that gorgeous season of breathtaking foggy mornings and chilly evenings. While cozy woollen clothes can protect your skin from this dry weather, they do nothing for your hair. If you have dry hair, this weather can further turn them brittle, lead to excessive dandruff and render them looking dull and lacklustre!

There is no doubt that the onset of cooler temperature brings a new set of challenges for your hair. Cool winds make hair brittle and dry. From split ends to fizzy hair, dry scalp skin to dandruff all marks a bad winter month. But not to worry, no matter what’s causing your hair woe, you can definitely take healthy replenishing steps

Get regular scalp massages:

Scalp massages improve the blood flow to the scalp and stimulate the sebum secretion.The best remedy for hair dryness is deep conditioning. Deep conditioning of hair prevents them from getting dry. For the best results, use jojoba oil for oiling your hair. Jojoba oil massage and adding jojoba oil in bath tub can do wonders on your hair. Homemade remedies like mixture of banana, 2 tbsp. of olive oil and yoghurt is applied on scalp to make them smooth and dandruff free. Applying banana with honey on scalp can also help in preventing drying up.

Don’t let dandruff stop you wearing black dress:

Do you fear wearing black because your dandruff might highlight? Dandruff leads to itchiness and dryness and to get the best results, take a bowl of coconut oil with lemon juice and warm it. Then apply it on your scalp and gently massage it. Keep it overnight and wash it in the morning with a mild shampoo.

Avoid taking hot shower/products:

Avoid taking hot shower or bathing in hot water. The generated heat can damage your hair. Instead use cool or Luke warm water while taking head bath. Same is with curling irons or blow dryers. Try limiting their usage or apply a hair spray before experimenting on your hair. The less you’ll deal with styling tools the better off you’ll be.

Regular trimming is must:

To get rid of parched ends, trimming after every two months is advisable and necessary. Also, toss all your toasty scarves, hats or caps to protect your hair from the cold and wind. Make sure the scarf, hat or cap is not so tight that it restricts blood circulation in your scalp.

Take good care of your hair accessories:

Inspect your hair care tools regularly. Haphazardly manufactured combs and brushes will damage the scalp and further disturb the natural smooth surface of hair.

Use these winter care tips to keep your tresses in great shape so that when spring rolls around, your hair will be ready to face warm weather in good health.



WINTER SKIN CARE TIPS

Winter not only takes away the sheen of the skin but also leaves one with depressing skin. People with dry skin have to be much more careful than people with other skin types. So here are some tips for radiant and flawless look. The good thing about these tips is that these are not complicated and are very easy to use. A little extra care can keep all your skin problems at bay.

Aloe Vera: It is not only a very good moisturizer but also a good anti oxidant. Its medicinal properties can also cure many skin problems. Aloe Vera gel is a must for winters.

Sunscreen: It is a myth that sunscreen protects you only from summers’ sun rays but it also protects one from invisible UV rays. Thus it should be used all 365 days. Even very small quantities of these rays can cause pigmentation, rashes in long run. So it is always better to carry sunscreen and never ever step out without sunscreen.

Moisturize: For regular clean ups, prefer hot milk over hot water. Use boiling milk for steam purpose rather than water. The lactic acid of milk unclogs the closed pores and leaves you with a soft skin. Regular use will prevent cracked and flaky skin and will give you a fresh look.

Aroma oils: Massage you body once a week before bathing with aroma oils. Do not use very hot water for bathing as hot water steals away the natural body oils. Use luke warm water for bathing and for washing hair.

Sugar and lemon: Add some sugar to lemon juice and use this mixture as a scrub. It will have a softening effect on your hands.

Body lotion: Every time after bathing, massage your body with body lotion.Use body wash over soaps: Body wash are gentler and are more hygienic to use as compared to soaps. Prefer body wash over soaps.

WORST MAKEUP MISTAKES OF WOMEN

Every girl is frenzied in her quest for beauty on a daily basis. Whether it is a regular day at office or an evening out with friends, perfect skin and hair is a bare necessity. In the pursuit of perfection, there are some common beauty blunders that you must avoid.

Ditch Dryness

Do not apply makeup on dry and flaky skin. Putting on foundation over dry skin can genuinely be horrific. The foundation will colour the dry areas and make the face look blotted. Instead, exfoliate regularly, smoothen your face with a rich moisturizer everyday.

Foundation Force

Applying foundation lighter than the original skin tone in order to look fairer can actually make you look grey. Firstly, love your complexion and choose an appropriate colour of the foundation matching the skin tone. Blend it properly with a suitable lotion on the face and the neck. If you miss out on the neck, then you will end up looking two toned in photos.

Eerie Eye

We all want well-groomed eyebrows but make sure you take professional help to get the perfect shape and never tweeze too much. Get a very light concealer to hide your dark circles. Blend the concealer with the base colour and apply it under your eyes.
-Avoid red eye shadow as it can end up looking neon in pictures. Blend it with gold if required.
-Frosty shades like pink, blue can make it appear puffy and swollen up. Don’t wear the entire colour palette on your eyes since using more than three shades at a time is dreadful.
-Don’t clump the eyelashes with an old or too much of mascara.

Lip Love

Picking on lip colours in vogue not matching the skin tone is not right. In fact, doing anything to your face or body just because its cool is bad. Be choosy about the colours that go on your lips and the look.
-Putting a darker lip liner than the shade of the lipstick or harshly lining the lips looks awkwardly mature.
-Don’t try to plump up your lips to get a pout like Priyanka Chopra because you might end up missing it by a mile.

Glitter!

Glitter is not for anyone over 14 years old. Don’t confuse glitter with shimmer because picking on products that add mild shimmer to your look is okay! Also, when using shimmer, don’t use it on more than one area at a time. Shimmery eyes, sparkly cheeks or shiny lip-gloss, only one thing works at a time. Don’t go nuts with shimmer in the evenings and it’s a big no during the day.

If you haven’t done a professional makeup course or a little workshop on dos and don’ts of makeup, consider it now. There is nothing to fear at all because most women learn makeup with age. If you are guilty of any of the above blunders, fix it now!

FOODS THAT MAKE LOOK YOUNGER

What a world it would be, if one could live their entire lives without Botox and cosmetic surgeries and still look like they haven’t aged a day!

While such dreams can come true in a natural way.

1. Water

Since 70% of our body is made of water, it will be useless to harp on its importance. Nevertheless, an optimum intake of water will not only sustain physical functions but will also facilitate in keeping the follicular and cellular membranes moist and supple. Without water, our cellular structure will die and will result in dull, scaly and flaky skin. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will keep age at bay.

2. Berries

If anything can provide the natural goodness of nutrients, packed in a deliciously sweet chamber of nectarine juices, it has to be berries. They are excellent dietary sources of vitamin A, C, and E and are packed to the core with essential antioxidants, to keep our skin glowing. An adequate intake releases the dietary antioxidants in the body to keep the blood free of impurities and increase nutrient absorption for comparatively stronger immunity. Apples, Pears, Apricots, blueberries, strawberries, green and black grapes are natural pills for agelessness.

3. Nuts

Nuts are a power-packed source of essential vitamins and mono-unsaturated fatty acids. These nutrients are vital to the reconstruction of damaged skin. They aid in the formation of a moist and fluid rich membrane that protects our skin from the natural aging process. With wrinkles at bay, the skin is left extremely radiant and blemish-free. With a variety of nuts like cashews, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and pecan nuts to choose from,healthy skin will now be a crunch away.

4. Green Leafy Vegetables

Not only are they a powerhouse of nutrients like Vitamins C, E and B12, but also contain healthy quantities of antioxidants and immunity-boosting compounds. These nutrients aid in the speedy repair of the natural process of wear and tear, remove the free radicals from the system and keep the blood clean. Including a healthy intake of spinach, broccoli, beans, roots and tubers will aid in reversing the lashes of time.

5. Whole Wheat

Not only are they excellent sources of dietary fibre, but are also storehouses of proteins, minerals and vitamins. These nutrients are primarily responsible for maintaining blood pressure and heart health, thereby resulting in good skin at the end of the day.

6. Green Tea

Green tea is nature’s elixir to immortality. With powerful antioxidant content, it can reverse the effect of wrinkles, just like magic. Drinking two cups of green tea daily will result in a powerful immune system, improved blood circulation and glowing skin.

7. Fish

The essential oils contained in fishes help in maintaining and renewing the elasticity of skin. Fishes are extremely rich sources of Omega-3. A regular intake of fish will replenish the protein required to maintain healthy hair and skin. Taking cod and halibut liver oil supplements will be a good alternative to fish intake, as well.

HOW TO STAND OUT IN A CROWD

Have good posture

Experts say that first impressions are based on 60 per cent non-verbal communication and 40 per cent verbal, which means that you’re being judged mostly before you even open your mouth – no pressure. To make your 60 per cent count, you need to have good posture. When was the last time you noticed the person who shuffled into the room looking shy and coy? Did it make you want to talk to them? If you were an employer, would you give them a job? No? Shocker. Shuffling in with slumped shoulders and your head hanging down will make you look like you don’t want to speak to anyone and doesn’t make people feel like they can approach you. Instead, walk tall with your shoulders back and your head held high.

Walk with purpose

Along with posture comes walking with a purpose; there’s no point holding your head high if you’re going to dawdle over to the bar looking worried and lost. Walk as though you’re going somewhere specific. Even if you don’t have a clue where you’re walking to, just pretend you do. Maybe aim more towards the bar than the toilets though – you’re trying to look confident, not like you’re on a desperate mission to get to the bathroom because you have an upset stomach.  Walk in like you mean business, and people will notice you.

Look the part

Trendsetters rarely go undetected so wear something that stands out. This isn’t to say that you should revamp your style completely; go for something you feel confident in but add a flash of colour or a quirky accessory to make yourself stand out. Look through magazines for inspiration; if you flick through the pages of a fashion magazine and see someone that stands out for their style (in a good way, of course) try to incorporate an element of their style into your own.

Be approachable and approach people

There’s no point looking the part with posture, confidence and style if you’re going to team these positive attributes with a bad attitude and a glum face. No one likes the cocky guy who walks in like he owns the place. Instead, approach people and make sure you look approachable, make eye contact and smile. Ask people questions about themselves to show that you’re interested even if you couldn’t care less about where they work or what they’re doing at the weekend – these people will want to talk to you again in the future.

Have a passion

When speaking to people – whether that is in a bar or in a job interview – evoke people’s interest in you by being passionate about your chosen subject. Talking about how nice the weather is can be a good conversation starter when you’re trying to break the ice, but it gets pretty bland after about 30 seconds. Instead, ask people what they’re interested in and show your passion for your hobbies too. This doesn’t mean pretending that you love rugby when you’re into ballet, but if you can show a particular passion for ballet, then go for it. Showing that you have a passion for something makes people interested in you because you’re inspiring – you have things to talk about and knowledge to share with others.

Don’t be swayed by other people

People who really stand out are those who don’t simply smile and nod along when something is said that they don’t agree with. You shouldn’t change your opinion purposely to stand out, but if your thoughts genuinely diverge from everyone else’s, say it. Don’t force your opinions on other people because this will make you unpopular but don’t be afraid to express your views either. If you have a good reason for thinking differently, you’ll stand out for your honesty and innovative thinking. Rather than saying, for example, “no that’s not how it should be” say “ that’s an interesting way to look at it. I’ve never thought of it like that before” and then say your opinion. Having your own thoughts and being honest will make you stand out from the people who simply smile and nod along.

Believe in yourself

Above all, believe in yourself. To stand out from a crowd, you must believe that you are someone worth being around. Once you have conquered the fear of being the centre of attention, you’ve got the key to standing out in a crowd. There is only one of you in the whole wide world, so look good, stand tall, be confident and friendly and you’re sure to stand out from the rest . As the saying goes “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” so make that first impression a good one – go you!