Eye Care

Problems of the eyes and how to deal with it.



Dark circles, Puffy eyes and Crow's-feet are the three main eye problems that can cloud an otherwise beautiful face.

If your eyes are puffy with dark shadows, it shows you are not getting enough sleep. One can get dark circles and puffy eyes if you had a late night out or didn't have a night's sleep or cried your heart out. But, you can make them fade fast.

Preventive methods :



Problems of the eyes and how to deal with it

Dark circles, Puffy eyes and Crow's-feet are the three main eye problems that can cloud an otherwise beautiful face.

If your eyes are puffy with dark shadows, it shows you are not getting enough sleep. One can get dark circles and puffy eyes if you had a late night out or didn't have a night's sleep or cried your heart out. But, you can make them fade fast.

Preventive methods :

For dark circles :

* Gently wash the face, then apply a skin tightening moisturizer around the eyes.
* Grind a raw potato and add almond paste to it. Use the mixture regularly on the under-eyes to get rid of dark circles and puffiness.
* Increase your daily intake of water to minimum 8 to 10 glasses.
* Apply fresh fig on the eyes.
* Place two cucumber slices over the eyes and rest for 15 minutes or apply cucumber juice under eyes.
* Getting enough sleep at least 8-10 hours a day, can fade out dark circles

For puffy eyes :

* The puffiness of the eyes can be reduced with a glass of ice water and four stainless steel spoons. Chill the spoons in the water and then place one over each eye. When the spoons become warm, switch them with the others chilling in the glass of water. Keep switching until you see improvement.
* Settle down for two to five minutes with a chilled, steeped chamomile or green tea bag over each eye. The natural properties of these herbal teas helps to bring puffy eyes back down to size.
* Cucumber contains anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and puffiness of eyes. Slice a large cucumber, reserve two slices to place over eyes. Peel and puree the remaining cucumber. This can be applied as a pack onto your face. Remove after fifteen minutes. Apply moisturiser thickly to seal in water.

For Crow's-feet:

Crow's-feet are those wrinkles or tiny lines at the corner of the eyes. Once it appears, it is difficult to make it fade. It can only be faded with the aid of injections or cosmetic surgery. It is better to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

* Wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more to avoid the ultra violet rays of the sun which cause wrinkles on the skin.
* Always wear sunglasses when you go out in the sun.
* Sleeping on your back helps smooth out the wrinkles because gravity works to pull the skin backward. If you cannot sleep on your back, at least try to switch sides frequently.
* The skin below your eyes is thin and has few oil producing glands. So don't pull, tag or drag it as you apply and remove make up. Any time you apply cream or lotion, dab, don't rub.
* Regular use of Retin-A cream, an acne product that exfoliates the skin, also improves the appearance of fine crow's-feet

Hair Care

Hair care tips

* Brush your hair regularly before going to bed each night.
* Wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use very little but enough to cover hair completely with lather. Use a conditioner to keep hair manageable.
* Avoid brushing wet hair. This will cause the hair to stretch and finally break. Finger-dry, or use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to gently remove the knots.
* Restrict blow-drying your hair. The process of blow-drying is harsh on hair as it robs it of moisture.
* Avoid dyes. Use mehandi (henna) instead as a conditioner and colouring agent.
* Take a calcium supplement or drink two glasses of milk a day.
* Always hold hair dryer away from your hair. Direct air from the hair dryer down hair shaft and not directly into the roots and keep it moving.
* After a perm, never brush your hair. Instead comb hair gently.
* Trim your hair once in 7 weeks to avoid split ends.
* Avoid pulling back your hair tightly.
* Never use a rubber band on your hair as it can pull and damage hair considerably.
* Never go out in the sun without having your head covered.
* Stimulate circulation by massaging your head with oil to which some vitamin E has been added. This will make hair soft and silky.
* Never wash your hair with very hot or very cold water.
* Learn to relax. Hair loss can happen because of stress. Eat foods that are rich in vitamin B, C and E.
* Add iron and minerals in the natural form in your diet.
* If your hair is oily, cut down on fried food and fat. Drink plenty of water.


What Hair Care Mistakes To Avoid

We all know what we’re supposed to be doing for our hair but it’s hard work being good all the time. Here are the most popular mistakes and how to fix them!

Not having you hair trimmed regularly.
When you’re growing out a style or if you happen to be super busy, it can be all too easy to dodge the hairdresser’s chair for months at a time. But avoiding the salon can lead to split ends which travel up to the shaft, leaving hair looking damaged and unruly.The irony of dodging the salon chair is that if you do it for too long, you might eventually have to have far more of your hair chopped off than you would have because it will be in such bad condition.

Use products that help seal the cuticle: split ends serum or split ends capsules (they instantly mend, repair and moisturize split ends, eliminating frizziness).

Not washing your hair often enough.
Everyone’s hair is different so there are no hard and fast rules as to how often wash it. Some people claim they need to wash it everyday while find that they can go three days without shampooing, particularly if they’ve had a professional blow-dry. You’ll probably find that it needs washing more often on holidays and you may also find out that the hair’s greasiness is related to your hormonal cycle. Whatever you hair’s need, smelly and greasy locks are a no-no! When you don’t have the time or energy to wash your hair, use dry shampoo. You can find a big variety of shades to suit different hair colors. Apply dry shampoo close to you roots then brush through and it will refresh your style and give it a pleasant fragrance.

Not conditioning regularly.
At 8 in the morning when you’re running late for work, it’s all to tempting to use shampoo and be done with it but neglecting the conditioner will eventually take its toll. A daily conditioner helps to detangle and add shine to the hair while an intensive conditioner used regularly will help to repair any damage and keep the hair looking healthy and shiny. Avoid either and your hair will look frizzy and damaged. If you can’t get into the habit of regularly using conditioner try leave-in conditioning spray. Just spritz onto damp hair after shampooing for a smooth finish and no tangles!

Frazzling your locks.
Heated appliances cause more damage to hair then any other factor so we should all be in the habit of using a heat defence spray whenever we reach for the hairdryer, flat irons or tongs. Sadly for many, using a protective styling product is too much like hard work and for them, ruined locks are just around the corner!
If you can't remeber to use a protective product, limit the damage with appliances that minimise destruction. Damage defense straighteners with steam technology maintain moisture levels in the hair and promise even heat distribution.

Never changing your hairstyle.
Well, it's just boring isn't it? a new style can make you look younger, give you more confidence and cheer you up so why get stuck in a rut? If you've been wearing the same style for as long as you remeber, it might pay to find a different stylist who will have new ideas for what you can do for your hair.
Use clip-in extensions to give yourself instant new bangs, add color, extra lenght or just more thickness.
That way you get a completely new look without commitment.

Gorgeous Skin On A Budget

Not everyone can afford the expensive skin care products that grace the shelves of your beautician. Yet, every one if so inclined – has the right to have healthy, beautiful skin. Healthy glowing skin makes a person feel good and less conscious of their looks and this is a great method to improve your self esteem. But how does one go about achieving that when on the cheap? All one needs to do is look in the home kitchen.

Many ingredients we use every day for cooking can be used to make cheap home-made fixes that do the same job as the bought ones. Baking soda is a natural exfoliate and acid neutralizer and red peppers contain carotene. And did you know that you can find vitamin A retinol in yoghurt. These items can be mixed into a paste and either rubbed into the skin or used as a mask.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids also know as AHAs have been shown to help prevent and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, aging and sun damage The problem with AHAs is that it may cause other damage if used for a prolonged period of time. So use it wisely and note any allergic reactions you may have to it. Fruits such as bananas, grapes, and cherries contain AHSs, these combined with sugar and milk makes a great exfoliating mask. For fresh and glowing skin, simply spread it on your skin, leave it for 30 minutes and rinse off with warm.

Found in orange juice, lemon juice, berries, and willow bark extract are Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs). These cut through the grease, wax and oil on your skin. Once again, make a paste mixture and apply to your skin for a half hour.

Both of these mixtures can also be added to your bathwater to exfoliate and soften your entire body.

Vitamin C helps reduce wrinkles and lines, aids in the build up of collagen, and even helps boost your bodies natural SPF to sun damage. Vitamin C can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. The juice from fruits and vegetables high in this vitamin can be applied to the face as a mask. Remember when using a mask to unwind while it is on, some yoga breathing exercise may be helpful to relax.

Vitamin E is a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Mixed with mineral oil, it is great to relieve itches from bug bites, allergic reactions, and rashes. Almonds, tomatoes and sun flowers seeds are full of Vitamin E and can be mixed with a base oil to use as a moisturizing mask you wash off after half and hour. If you have access to Vitamin E oil, you can use it alone as an overnight moisturizer.

There are other naturally occurring vitamins, such as A and B3 (which help treat acne), available naturally in the many foods we eat or have handy in our homes. Don’t be afraid to try a home remedy instead of buying the expensive products on the market. You may find that some of these works better for you. And you’ll have some extra change in you wallet plus it will enhance personal growth and develop your self esteem.

BEAUTY CARE

Body care
• Mix six-teaspoon petroleum jelly, two-teaspoon glycerin and two-teaspoon lemon juice. Apply this moisturizing lotion at least twice a week if you have dry and flaky, arms and legs
• Peel and grate a cucumber. Squeeze the juice to this, mix half-a-teaspoon glycerin and half-a-teaspoon rose water. Apply this on sunburns, leave it for some time.
• If you have cracked heels, melt paraffin wax; mix it with little mustard oil and apply on the affected area. Leave it overnight. After 10 or 15 days, your heels will become smooth.
• Massage your body with a mixture of coconut oil and any of your favourite scented oils like lavender or rosemary.
• For rough palms, use a mixture of glycerin and limejuice in equal proportion.
• For cracked heals, massage the foot with coconut oil and keep the foot in warm water for some time. Wipe the water off the feet and apply a mixture of hibiscus flower(10), Henna (1 handful) and juice of half a lemon. when dry wash it off.
• Remove scars on your hands and feet by rubbing them with lemon peel.


Eye care
• Dip wads of cotton in a chilled mixture of cucumber and potato juice. Keep this on your eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes and gently wash it off. Apply a little baby oil.
• For long eyelashes.., apply a thin coat of castor oil every night. It strengthens lashes and cools your eyes.
• Massage a few drops of coconut oil around the eyes to get rid off dark circles.
• To reduce puffiness of your eyes, grate a potato; tie in a cloth and place the cloth over your eyes for about 15 minutes.
• Add a small pinch of salt in water and wash for bright and sparkling eyes.
• Mix tomato juice and lemon juice in equal quantity and apply around the eyes. After 30 minutes wash it off with cold and hot water alternatively.
• Make a paste of sandal wood and nutmeg. Apply the paste around the eyes before sleeping and wash it off in the morning.
• Crush a cucumber and take the juice. Add a little rose water and apply around the eyes and wash it after 30 minutes.
• Place cotton wool swabs dipped in cold milk on closed eyes for removing dark circles.


Lip Care
• You can mix one-tablespoon cranberry sauce juice with two tablespoons Vaseline for a delicious home made lip balm.
• Apply the juice of lemon skin for avoiding black colour of lips
• Massage your lips with coriander leaf juice for soft and rosy lips.

Skin care

We all want to be beautiful. Here is a simple truth, if you are healthy you are or can be beautiful. An important part of being healthy (beautiful) is having a good skin. There are several products in the market for skin care but the basics of skin care are very simple. If you follow the guidelines below, you will be doing 90% of what is required for a healthy and beautiful skin.

Remember a basic truth, the normal skin has a natural capability to clean and protect itself. We know that animals don’t take any special care of their skin!

Bathing regularly will clear the skin of dust, dirt and any harmful substances. Hot water cleans more efficiently.

Using a soap helps clean the skin even better. All you need is a normal soap; apply it well all over the body to ensure that all the greasy substances covering the skin are removed. Antiseptic or medicated soaps are only required if the person is suffering from a skin problem.

Oils can be used after bathing especially if the skin tends to be dry. Some oils also contain additional anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents.

Massaging the scalp and body with oil enhances skin softness, improves blood circulation and induces relaxation in the body.

A great variety of Moisturizers, Vaseline, Creams, Powders, Face Packs, Sun Screen Lotions, are available in the market. The correct one for you depends upon your skin type.