Skin Firming Mask {DIY}

Again a recipe including the rose milk I made couple of days back.

Ingredients:

• Besan / Gram flour
• Rose Milk

Method: Mix the requisite amount of besan and rose milk and form a nice scrubby mixture. Apply a thick layer on the face and neck and let it dry. It will take around 15-20 minutes to dry completely so relax in the meantime. The mixture dries into a very hard mask and makes the skin feel extremely tight. Now, remove the besan by wetting it a little and gently scrubbing it on the skin. You would see an instant difference in the firmness of the skin. And, it might leave a pinkish glow on the face too :)    

The Body Shop Bath Gloves {Accessory Review}

They are so famous among the blogosphere. So, I had to try them.

Price: 225 INR for a pair (I got at 15% discount!!)

My Experience

First of all, the biggest point of these gloves are that they are so easy to put on even when your hands are wet. I have extremely small hands and generally no size fits me. I have to wear kid gloves. These gloves are elastic fit and free size so one fits all. And, not only that, I have never been in my entire life able to wear gloves properly without taking them off at least once. But, this one is so easy to put on and I have never gone wrong with them till now. I have used these gloves like probably four-five times. In the starting, the gloves might feel a bit rough but they soften up in the consequent uses but it is very necessary to use the gloves with a light hand otherwise it can cause the skin to become sore due to over-exfoliation. It is very easy to go overboard with the gloves.

They make the soap or face wash or body wash lather well (I do use face wash as body wash too sometimes!!). And, they clean the skin really well. Squeaky clean. I guess they will remove the film which some products tend to leave but since I use no such product, I have no idea. Also, the gloves don't entirely dry out the skin leaving it to feel stretchy or something. They are not that costly especially for a TBS product but they should be washed after every usage coz they get really dirty!!! I toss them into surf after every use (which I am really not sure is a great idea so next time I'll see what to do). And, yes, the gloves leave the skin feeling extremely soft and supple and hydrated after the bath. That's the reason why your skin doesn't feel stretchy. But, I have no idea how long a pair would last!! Some change it in a year and some in six months so it depends mainly on how much you use them. Oh, and you can see the loops which are for hanging the gloves. And, it really makes the skin glow.

I tried to use this on the face but it made my face really dry afterwards. I used only a single finger very lightly for scrubbing the face so it wasn't very harsh on the face. But, it is best to avoid it on the face and neck as they are sensitive regions and can get sore very quickly. The best part is that they are very portable and handy during travel.

My Recommendation

It is great for all kinds of skin but I am not very sure if it is a good idea for sensitive skin. So, sensitive skin gals should watch out!!! Otherwise, it is a must try at least once :) and I am sure, you wouldn't leave them ever. They can be used with exfoliators too but I guess that would be too harsh (I am not sure, though) but for me, it replaces the body scrubs. I don't belive in over-doing things so if I am using this, I wouldn't use anything else and if I use the body scrubs, I wouldn't dream of using this.  

Biotique Bio Pistachio Ageless Nourishing and Revitalizing Face Pack {Product Review}

I love Biotique products. They work for me, simple!!! I do have reservations about the brand but then no harm in trying them. I am especially enamored by the face masks and scrubs and don't mind trying various brands if they catch my eye. So, this one was on the list since I have read favorable reviews. So, here is mine!!!

Price: 199 INR for 55gms

Ingredients

I have always been a little skeptical about the ingredient list of Biotique. I think that they don't put the entire list coz how can a product have 3 years shelf life when it has water as one of the main ingredients without using any preservatives. And, none of the ingredients mentioned above are looking like preservatives. And, one more thing is with only 19% of ingredients (most of which I am thinking are probably extracts or infusions), how can the product be so thick and creamy coz rest of the content is water (81% of Himlayan water!!!). May be 2.5% beeswax might be enough!!!

And, seriously, 0.2% saffron...does it do anything?????

My Experience

you will look like Shrek!!! :D

Moving over all my skepticism, I would say it is a good product. Nothing to rave about but a good face mask if you are looking one for a daily use and expect the mask to provide firming and hydration to the skin. And, yes, it can be used daily. Though my face is not sagging or anything, I have noticed that this mask does firm it up (overcome the effects of gravity, we will talk about that in another post). And, yes, the skin is soft and supple afterward. 

Don't expect it to brighten and whiten coz it doesn't claim that. It does what it claims and I am sure it will give more prominent results on mature skin. 

 

Btw, one more thing which I have noticed is that it probably warms the skin coz my skin always feels a little heated up after applying the pack. The warmth under the skin stays for a long time even after you have removed the pack so I expect it does it work even after being removed!!! It tingles for a few minutes but nothing to worry about. And, it doesn't dry up like the clay mask but dries up like a hydration mask is supposed to. Very easy to remove with dry cotton pads. I use dry cotton to remove the mask (I found dry cotton to be better at removing such creamy masks) and when I am done, I wash with cold water massaging the skin simultaneously while removing the final traces of the mask. And, a single tub does last quite long. It lasted me for around 8-10 uses in which I did apply the product pretty generously. 

My Recommendation

Worth a try!!! Will I again?? Oh, I am eying the milk mask from Biotique. That looks interesting. But, yup, I would definitely advise this for any one really looking for a reasonably priced mask. Will work especially well on dry skin and mature skin.

Homemade Oil Regulating Skin Toner {DIY}

Hey Everyone!!!

This is a continuing post about Apple Cider Vinegar. In the last post, you read about its health benefits and also the beauty benefits so today I am sharing with you a DIY recipe which include Apple Cider Vinegar. 

Ingredients

• Green Tea
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Essential Oils (Lavender / Tea Tree / Your favorites except Lemon and Citrus family) (optional)

Method

Prepare fresh green tea. In a container, pour 9 tablespoons of the green tea and one tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar. Pour it in the spray bottle. You can put 5 drops of your preferred essential oil too. I prefer making small batches as the green tea is likely to get spoiled if kept for too long though Apple Cider Vinegar will help keep the toner fresh for a little while. Now, your toner is ready for use. It should last around three days to a week depending on the frequency of your usage. Now, store the toner in the fridge.

We use only 1:9 ratio because the Apple Cider Vinegar is highly acidic and higher concentrations of ACV can irritate the skin. At this concentration, ACV is best for the skin and is effective enough to fight the infections and inflammations. 

Coming to the usage, this toner is very stinky (let me warn you!!). So, you probably can't use it outside your house (unless you are using essential oils and its masking the vinegar smell). So, the best time to use this is at night after cleansing your face. Follow cleansing with toning using this toner and follow with a moisturizer when your face is still damp with the toner, if required. Just to reiterate from the last post, ACV tightens the pores, helps with breakouts, controls oil production and keeps the skin soft. It even helps with the problem of blackheads. And, using ACV externally has no health risks associated with it. So, you can be free of that doubt. This toner can easily be used by people with oily, combination and normal skin types but I am not so sure with dry skin but I think even dry skin people can use it in summers.

I am using this toner since quite some days. Sometimes, I don't apply moisturizer after toning my skin as its very hot (I know thats stupid so don't do that ever; find a light moisturizer if not anything else) and my skin didn't feel tight or strechy but in the morning, my skin was soft and supple.

Tips

• You can use rose water or tea tree water or even your favorite toner in place of green tea. 
• Essential Oils are helpful in warding of the vinegar smell.
• Wipe off your face with this toner in the morning instead of washing your face. It will take off all the dirt (if any). The smell will disappear in 15 minutes. And, while showering, you can simply splash water on the face. 

P.S. Actually, regarding the smell, I noticed today that the toner smells really horrible but there is no smell on the skin after you apply it so it can be applied at anytime of the day. Its actually a good toner when you need to control the oiliness on your face or clean your face in the absence of any cleanser. Vinegar cleanses the dirt from the skin so using the toner will help you get rid of all the dirt accumulated on the face. Ok, may be not a very good option for people who wear makeup. But, it didn't remove the Biotique Kajal I use from my eyes. Oh, btw, keep the toner away from your open eyes. Obviously, it will sting badly. Wipe the toner on your eyes keeping them closed firmly. 

Rice Water for Skin, Hair and Health

The craze of using rice water is catching up very fast. If you have not yet heard of it, rice water is highly beneficial for certain health issues and also in taking care of the skin and hair. Let us first see the health benefits:

• instantly energizes the body due to the high concentration of carbohydrates
• provides instant relief from diarrhea
• has been used successfully to treat gastroenteritis
• prevents cancer
• controls high blood pressure
• helps in preventing Alzheimer's disease
• reduces the body temperature or internal heat of the body
• prevents constipation

In short, I would say it provides all the health benefits that eating rice would provide. But, more than that, rice water has been used as a face wash and a hair wash.

• Washing your face with rice water makes your skin very soft and it also helps in improving the complexion
• Is a great substitute for toner and firms up your skin
• Helps in reducing the size of the pores on your skin
• Washing your hair with rice water brings shine in the hair and helps to keep it healthy. Follow up with cold water rinse.
• Use rice water as part of your face, body and hair masks and scrubs
• Use rice water for having bath or pour rice water in the tub or bucket
• Powdered rice grains are also used as body scrub and they make your skin extra soft

How to make rice water?

I have read at many places that the water used to wash rice prior to cooking is rice water. But, that is not the actual rice water. You may collect it but it will not give you the full benefits. Instead, you should boil the rice in more water than usual quantity you use so that the rice does not absorb all the water and strain the extra water. This water is the actual rice water which is full of nutritional benefits. You may drink it or let it cool to use as a face wash or a hair wash. You may even garnish it with various spices and herbs. Read this article for step by step instruction on how to cook rice water.

Watch the video to learn how you can use rice water in various ways. But, make sure you cook the rice water the proper way.

Benefits of Orange on Skin

[Source:elements4health.com]

This fruit belongs to the citrus family and is best know for its astringent and toning properties. Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C which is known to improve the skin texture and color. They help restoring collagen in our body which is responsible for skin firming and preventing early aging of skin. So, daily serving of citrus fruits helps our body fight aging.

• After eating orange, instead of throwing away the peels, dry them in sun and grind them. Store the mixture. And, use it as a body scrub.
• Mix the above made scrub and milk or milk cream and apply on face. It gives an instant glow to your face. And, reduces the dark spots and blemishes on your skin.
• If you do not want to go through the tedious step of grinding the peels, you can make a refreshing face spray using the peels.
• If you do not use a face spray, simply pour boiling water on the peels and leave for a day. Next day, filter the liquid and store it in fridge. Apply the liquid on your face using a cotton ball. Let stay till it dries up. Your face will be firm and glowing.
• You can use this liquid in preparing face masks. Use the liquid in a day or two.
• You can pour this liquid in your bath water and enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating bath. Your skin will smell fresh all day.
• Use the liquid as a hair rinse to get shining hair. It also helps in removing dandruff.
• A very innovative tip: Take the juice of 2 oranges and freeze it in an ice tray. Rub your face with frozen orange juice cubes. It will instantly freshen you up and lift up the tiredness from your face. The juice will give your dull and oily face an instant sheen. And, the chilled ice cubes will close and minimize the size of your pores. This also provides relief to acne prone skin and pimples.

Have you used orange on your skin? Pin It

Benefits of Papaya for skin

Well, I talked about the benefits of Apple on skin last time. Today, I would be talking about another very nutritious fruit "Papaya". Papaya is the best bet when it comes to skin care. It is a good source of Vitamin A and papain. Vitamin A acts as an anti-oxidant, while the papain breaks down inactive proteins and removes dead skin cells. The best feature of the fruit is its low sodium quality.Since the salt content is less, the water retention is also little. The result is an overall hydrated skin. 

• Papaya is abundant in anti-oxidants due to the huge concentration of Vitamin A
• 'Papain' in Papaya is helpful in removing the dead skin cells so applying papaya on the skin will exfoliate your skin in the most gentle and natural way
• Use mashed papaya for cracked and sore heels
• Rub the Papaya peel on your face after eating the papaya. Let it stay for no more than 5 minutes and wash off with cold water. The AHA's (alpha-hydroxy acids), which are the most coveted ingredients of today for their anti-aging properties, are in abundance in Papaya which makes it an acidic fruit. If you apply Papaya for more time, it would cause dryness and might even irritate sensitive skins. 
• Papaya is a great skin-firming and anti-aging mask. Mash the uneaten Papaya with or without milk and apply on your face. It helps in removing blemishes, dark spots, evens out your skin tone and brings a glow to your face.
• Papaya is, again, a natural exfoliator.
• Mix mashed Papaya with honey for a hydrating skin mask.

Get rid of those Large Pores

So, as February draws to an end and already two months of the new year over, I would like to conclude my February with a post on getting rid of the large pores on your face.First of all, I would like to tell you that the size of the pores on your face also depend on your genes. Some people have by birth large pores and it can become very difficult for them to get rid of the size of the pores. And, large pores also give us an older look and not so smooth skin. And, the pores size of worst visible on the bridge of our nose. Here, I would be sharing with you certain home remedies to minimize the size of the pores on your face. These home remedies I am going to discuss are also anti-aging and skin firming masks.

• The first mask is egg white and honey. Blend egg white with honey in a thick consistency. And, apply on your face. Wait till it dries up and wash off. Follow with a good moisturizer.
• The second home remedy is to apply tomato juice on the face. We have already read about how tomato juice is helpful for hair. Now, lets learn about its importance to the face. It brings a glow to your face and also helps in reducing the pores size. A regular use will help a lot and show results in about a month. 
• Third is the usage of Clay Masks. We have already read about why the clay masks are so important. Now, it is time to use them to reduce the size of your pores and firm up your skin. They give toned look to your face.

So, gear up and go for a smooth and flawless skin. And, wish you and your family a very happy Holi.