5 Steps to get fairer skin? {Five Series}

PS: This post is for all those people who have asked me to give tips on fairer skin. I am sorry that I couldn't reply to you all personally but hope this post is helpful to you :)

Since quite long, I have been seeing a trend of questions on this topic from people who are either getting married or who have darker skin tones. So, first of all, I would like to say that you can't really lighten the skin complexion. The skin color is determined by the amount of melanin your skin has and you can't do anything to reduce the amount of this pigment inside your skin. Ok, after that bit of science, I would like to say that you can do somethings to preserve your original complexion.

Sunscreen

Yup, that's the first step to any kind of skin care. And, I totally stress on the importance of this routine. I would suggest Neutrogena Ultra Sheer but my favourite is MVO Moisturizing Face Screen. I have often heard complains that the sunscreen does nothing but the secret lies in using the proper amount of sunscreen to provide full protection.

Double Cleansing

To remove makeup or sunscreen after an entire day of work, use oil or a good makeup remover before washing your face. Its one of the most important routines of the night. 

Face Wash and Tone

Use your face wash as you would and don't forget to use the toner if your face is oily. I would suggest using homemade toners for your skin type. Green tea for oily and combination skin and rose water for dry skin. You can do other experiments with them as well.

Moisturize and Nourish

One of the most important routines even if your skin is oily. Get a good moisturizer. Or, use aloevera gel if your skin is oily. Its the best bet. For dry skin, I would suggest using a facial oil or serum instead of moisturizer at night. 

Face Scrub and Mask

The above steps were regular routine. But, some extra love is needed to keep skin in perfect condition so exfoliate on every alternate day for oily skin or if you layer too many products on your skin at day time. And, if you have dry skin, exfoliate twice a week. 

For dry skin, use sugar to exfoliate. For combination and oily skin, mix salt and sugar to exfoliate. They have alpha-hydroxy acids which help with removing the blemishes and dark spots on regular usage. Also, they keep the skin supple and improve the skin tone by making the skin look brighter.

After scrubbing, always follow with a mask. You can use any commercially-available products. I would not suggest you to use fruit masks after scrubbing with sugar because fruits also have active enzymes and sugar also have active enzymes so that can too much for your skin at a single time. 

If you plan to use fruits, remember that they have active enzymes which do both the jobs - exfoliation and acting as a mask so keep the fruit juices on your skin for 15 minutes and wash off. Using sugar to exfoliate and using fruit juices as mask afterwards can make the skin sensitive. Honey is a good mask in such cases.

These are the steps I follow regularly to keep my complexion glowing. Please remember that whatever you do to your face, do the same to your neck and decolletage. You don't want your neck and lower body to look older and uncared for. But, also remember NOT to overdo things EVER. Keep things regular and you will notice difference in a month. 

What's your secret to preserving your skin complexion? Are you already following a particular routine or going to follow this routine? Do share your results :)

Image Courtesy:medtips.in

Related Posts: 

Homemade Body Polish

Tarun Chawla's Charges {Bridal Files}

So, one of my friend's sister is getting married in November and she had enquired for the famous photographer, Tarun Chawla. I guess he hails from Delhi. So, I thought I would share the charges so that you may decide if it really helps you.

The guy charges 1.25 lakhs. This includes two photo albums and one video recording. My friend's sister is getting married in November in Lucknow and he didn't ask for extra flying charges. So, apparently that cost was included in the above-mentioned prices. The guy is a genius and takes the most amazing snaps. He has a policy to create a nice storyboard out of your wedding so he will come over 5-6 days before the D-day and get acquainted with all the family members. 

This seemed to me like a deal. He even offered flying to Hyderabad, in fact. Photographs are so special and remain all your life. So, I guess it makes more sense to spend on it rather than jewellery or clothes. Well, that's me!!! 

Hope this helps you all soon-to-be brides and congratulations :)

More Gossip!!

Ok, so, I am in no position to do a post today so thought I shall just post a little more of gossip :D I hope you don't get bored of it. Actually, I am returning by tomorrow morning's train. Yeah, I know, its so tiring and flights are way too easy but then the cost as well adds up so I thought I would rather spend the remainder on clothes or shoes :D Worst thing that my wait list is not yet confirmed :( I am just hoping for the best otherwise I have Rajdhani to rely on or otherwise a flight!! UPDATE: I am going by flight and there goes my plan of shopping :(

Oh btw, I got Tresmode today, yay!!! Finally, I got peep-toe sandals of my size. Oh yes, footwear is a huge headache for me as I love only flats (my balance is too bad for even a one inch heel if its not a platform)!! And, my size is 3, can you imagine??? Sometimes, I have to shop from kids section!! And, most of the times, the salesman are staring at me that I have such small feet..I am like give me a break!!! So, I have got huge huge haul to share with you guys :) And, yes, I am gonna announce the Aloe Veda winners soon as well after I get confirmation from the PR people.  

Btw, for all the would-be brides, I have an advise or a product recommendation as you would like to take it. Forest Essentials Bath & Shower Oils. Yeah, they have four fragrances - Tuberose or rose (not sure), Mashobra Honey and Vanilla, Sandalwood (I guess) and one more. And, all smell divine. I got Tuberose one and Mashobra Honey both. And, whenever I smell them, I die and go to heaven :D Yes, they are expensive with around 1000 bucks for 100ml. But, an absolute luxury. So, give your body a treat for your special days :) Chalo, see ya then from Hyderabad. Au Revoir.

Image Courtesy:dkidiscussion.blogspot.com

My Top 5 Home Remedies this Summer {DIY}

[Source:radiomirchi.com]

Summers are beating the hell out of me and as I said earlier, I am not a fan of this weather at all. I prefer winters. So, I thought I would share my 5 favourite home remedies for skin. 

Tomato

Yes, I am not a fan of lemon. I find it too drying for my skin and its too acidic as well so I prefer to garnish my salads and dals (lentils) and sabzi's (curries) with lemon instead of applying it on face. Tomato is much gentler and equally amazing at almost everything. 

It removes tan, blemishes and dark spots, evens out the skin tone and makes my skin bright and glowing. And, not only that, I can use it on my hair for the extra shine and to undo the effects of sun damage. And, it doesn't leave my skin dry. And, its perfect even for sensitive skins for which is lemon is not really suitable. 

And, since I am lazy, I take a slice of tomato from my salad and rub it on my skin and let ot dry up and then, I wash it off. 

Cucumber

Who doesn't love cucumber in summers? They feel so hydrating and cool to eat and not to speak of their effects on skin. They are again amazing at evening out the skin tone and removing the tan. And, I forgot to say this above but both tomato and cucumber are great on acne and breakouts too. It cools off ths skin inside and outside both. 

Watermelon

Ok, this is not on my favorite fruit list and is highly unlikely it will ever make to one. But, I wouldn't deny that its the fruit which makes me feel refreshing on the name itself and its a favourite among many people. Again, it gives a hydrated skin staying true to its name and also helps with blemishes and tan. 

Coconut Water

Ok, to be frank, I have never used coconut water on my skin. But, I have heard so many people rave about it that it always makes me curious that how well does it do for the skin and hair. But, still, I can't deny the changes it does to skin even from the inside ;D It keeps the body temperature cooler from the inside and is supposed to be amazing for the complexion. 

Buttermilk

Yes, my favorite. Thought I love to drink it more than applying it on my skin, I do that sometimes. And, its just fabulous. Be it tanning or breakouts or blemishes or need for a glowing skin, this one remedy address to all. And, if you can spare a cup of buttermilk, add it to your bath as well. It shows a lot of difference. 

So, those were my favorite home remedies for the summers. What are yours???

Related Posts:

Summer Skin Care Essentials
Dry Skin and Cracked lips in Summers
Take a refreshing Orange Bath
Wear a scarf - Summer Hair Care
Drink, Drink and Drink - Summer Skin Care
Take care of your skin and hair by drinking water

Don't try any new product before your wedding {Bridal Files}

This is something which came to my mind after reading Tanveer's post. In her words

I once used a oxy-bleach, just a week before my wedding. It was the first time I used a bleach and the last. It caused my face to turn red like I was sun burnt and I spent the next two days just calming my skin back to being normal. 

So, just a simple advise -  never try something which you haven't tried out yet. You never know how your skin might react. If you do want to try out something, make sure you have adequate time before so that you can counteract the harmful effects, if any!!!

This applies to all kinds of treatments including facial, hair and body. If you really want to indulge in something luxurious, 'ubtan' is the best bet and has been, traditionally, a part of bridal skin care since centuries.

How to prepare customized Ubtan?

[Source: anindiansmakeupmusings.blogspot.in]

A simple recipe with available ingredients at home: 

• Besan (Chana flour)
• Turmeric 
• Yogurt

Mix everything in proportion. You can add turmeric up to a table spoon and don't worry about the staining because chana flour takes care of that. Try to make the paste brighter yellow in color. Apply it every night before you go to sleep on the face and neck or you can also go for an entire body application on a day when you are free. 

Yogurt removes tan and turmeric helps with blemishes. It does take time to work. Do not add lemon juice as it is quite acidic and may cause skin dryness. You can go for tomato juice, if you wish. Its more gentle. And, essential oils and rose petals add a exotic feel to the mask. So, you might want to get some for your own use. 

Hope this helps :)

Fitness Tips for Brides {Bridal Files}

Simple routine changes in daily lifestyle can impact out fitness levels to a lot of extent. And, then, you really have to look fit and glowing on your D-Day. So, a little effort wouldn't go amiss.

[Source:prettymomguide.com]

Sleep at 10 and wake up at 6

This is probably the best tip I can ever use on myself and give to someone. Why? Early Birds have benefits of controlled weight and higher energy levels and the skin also glows in better health.

I myself have seen difference in my skin when I used to sleep at 10. It revitalizes better if you sleep early. And, you don't even have the danger of over-sleep because your daily need of sleep gets fulfilled by the time it is 6 or 7 in the morning. And, then, the early morning sun rays are really good for skin, hair and body overall.

Eat small and regular meals

Eating four times a day really helps your body's metabolism and the better your body digests the food, the better it can extract nutrition from it and feed you from the inside. Make sure you take a lot of fiber and liquids as it is summers now. And, starch also doesn't come amiss in this season so include rice in your diet. And, always chew your food properly before swallowing.

Breathe Deeply

It helps better intake of oxygen and improves the oxygen levels in the body which in turn helps in better functioning of the organs and better blood circulation. Also, it helps your brain function faster. Read more about how deep breathing helps the body here.

Hope these tips help you :) Pin It

Hair Care for Brides {Hair Care}

Ok, so after covering a general post on the overall skin care the brides can follow to look glowing altogether, we come to how to care for the hair.

[Source:vii.in]

Hair Cut and Style

The primary concern during a wedding is hair style. It should be simple enough to handle and it should look stylish enough. So, if you are going to fix on a hair style, start browsing the magazines and websites as soon as possible. And, always go to a trusted salon. Good Hair Stylists are few and far and difficult to come by. Get a trial cut of your chosen hair style if you have more than 1 month to your D-day otherwise consult the hair stylist as to how to go about. 

If your D-day is within a month, it is good to get a hair cut 15-20 days before the wedding. That gives you ample of time to judge the cut and also get it fixed in case you don't end up liking it. And, in the meantime, your hair would grow enough to give more definition to the hair cut too. Also, make sure to practice the style you are thinking of even if you are engaging a stylist for yourself on the D-day.

Hair Treatments

After you have fixed on your hair style, you definitely want your hair to look in glowing health. A good diet is always the prerequisite but timely hair treatments also help a lot. Go for a hair spa treatment weekly or you can also follow with some home remedies of your choice. At this time, if you are not averse to indulgence, get salon-range products for entire hair care depending on your hair type.

Protein treatments are amazing for rough and damaged hair or if you had them colored and it didn't turn out right. Otherwise, go for hydrating and deep conditioning treatments. The frequency of the treatments depends on the condition of your hair. And, a very simple way to make your hair look glamorous is to go for gloss and shine treatments. Simple shine gloss treatments or even colored gloss treatments are available. They provide immense shine to the hair. 

Hair Color

Are you thinking of changing your hair color? If yes, do a try run well before the time. And, take good advise before settling down on the hair color. And, always get your hair colored at the salon and follow up with proper products to preserve the color or keep your hair healthy. 

Hope these tips are helpful :) And, all the best in your preparations!!

Skin Care for Brides {Bridal Files}

As a second post in the series, nothing is more important than how to take care of the skin for the ultimate D-Day. And, I am not talking only about the face but also of the entire body. Surely, you wouldn't want your hands to look dry or feet to look cracked. So, this is a just a start up on that series. 

[Source: medtips.in]

Moisturize well

Dry skin always gets dark and dull and its your special time so you can go any lengths to invest in products. Get a good moisturizer and moisturize yourself well day and night. Especially, now. The weather is changing and it takes toll on the skin.

Dry Brush

Another of amazing saviors. It helps me fight excess weight, fat accumulation, improves blood circulation and makes my entire body glow. I would definitely advise you to get the Catus Brush from TBS but yes, its expensive so you can choose some of the lesser priced ones too. But, let me tell you that the cactus (I don't know if its really cactus, though ;P) bristles are more likely to prove more useful than flat brushes. 

Soaps and Scrubs and Masks and Other Treatments

Ok, if it was my marriage, I would most definitely invest in the charcoal range of Lush. Its a dark desire :D Seriously, the range fascinates me with its face cleanser and body scrub. But, I am not too fond of Lush soaps to be honest. I have used one and didn't really like it. So, if I were to advise you, I would say Earthy Goods has good soaps at lesser prices and Rustic Art soaps are little expensive but equally good. 

Regarding masks, no harm in trying out Lush coz I have never tried. The only issue is you should be able to finish them before they expire otherwise your money goes down the drain :( Or, you can try your favorite masks or facials at the salons or even the DIY's. Btw, if you are going for salon treatments, make sure you go to a good reputed salon and always get a trial beforehand to make sure the facial and the ambience of the place suits you.

Body Massages

Getting body massages is a good idea if you are not inhibited. I personally am so I do it on my own at home and follow it with a good scrubbing session. I really love spending on oils and I recently got the TBS Polynesian Monoi Oil which I had been coveting since long and which is definitely pretty expensive. But, its good for my skin. So, get a few body oils and some EO's can help you too. [I shall do a post on EO's separately]

Other things for glowing skin

The usual recital of water, sleep and food and even exercise follows. So, don't ignore them. Trust me they work wonders when synced with each other harmoniously.

A little tip: Try to sleep by 10. I know its difficult but nothing relaxes body better than that and it helps with many things too. More in some other post.

Top 5 DIY Ingredients for Brides {Bridal Files}

[Source: Google Images]

So, as I said that I would be doing some posts on bridal series, the first and foremost request is always how to brighten the complexion.I am listing down 5 of the ingredients which can help a bride achieve the most wanted glow.

• Tomato: Rub a slice of tomato on your face and neck. Let the juice dry on the skin and wash off with cold water. Tomato is great for removing the skin tan and also suits all skin types a sit is comparatively less acidic than lemon. And, it also makes hair shiny.

• Honey: A thick honey mask helps to keep the skin supple and moisturized always. It can be used every day too and helps with all skin types. Honey is also a great cleanser.

• Almond Oil: As Punam commented on earlier post, dark circles and puffy eyes are a common occurrence when one spends their nights talking to the fiancées, almond oil comes to rescue. Apply almond oil on the eye area while going to bed. It helps with the dark circles and also with wrinkles which might be developing there.

• Sugar: Sugar is the most amazing and cheapest scrub you can ever find and this is my most favorite DIY till date. Sugar has glycolic acid in some measure (depending on how much it has been been processed) and thus cleanses and exfoliates the skin thoroughly and makes it glow. And, you can add your favorite ingredients to it.

• Spices: A mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves did wonders to my skin. It clears the skin and also helps deal with acne and pimples in the long run. It should be used on alternate days for best results.

These are some of my favorite DIY's with outstanding results so hope you will enjoy them :) And, do remember to treat your neck as part of your face otherwise it can betray your age!!

Bridal Files {Your Opinion}

[Source: Google Images]

Since, I told you about the upcoming weddings of two lovely ladies and their request on some skin care and hair care tips, I decided to do a bridal series instead. Actually, why I didn't do it till date was because I thought I would broach the topic when mine would be fixed :D Anyways, I don't think its going to happen int he near future so I shall as well make a diary of things which I would like to do when I would be a bride. This would serve as a diary for me and hopefully prove helpful for you. 

So, I was just thinking about the series and have broken it up into various parts.

• Skin Care
• Hair care
• Fitness Regime
• Outfits
• Makeup Looks
• Hair Style
• Salon Treatments
• Corrective Treatments

Do give me your feedback and help me add to the list.