Do you think you feel more attractive during periods? {Women Stuff}

I know that those few days of the month are really horrible and most of the girls are simply in no mood to take care of themselves. But, yesterday, I came across a different point of view.

My friend said that she had read somewhere that during those days of the month, there is a glow on the face of the girl and she is supposed to be more attractive to the opposite sex.

 

Apparently, at this time, there is a chemical production which gives a unique scent off the body which is attractive to the male species. Well, I don't know if any of this is exactly true and I have not yet bothered to google about it. If I do find any evidence, I shall let you know!!

Anyways, the above story of not googling is a story of the past. I was curious and in the middle of an extremely boring meeting and on the verge of falling asleep, I decided its a topic worth googling on.

And, guess what, its not the days when you are menstruating but the days when you are ovulating that you have a glow on the face and give off the unique odor and attract the opposite sex. This is in ritual to the mating of the jungle law.

The time when you are ovulating, you are ready for breeding and that is when the mating actually takes place among the animals. And, though humans have evolved, the primal instincts and rules still apply. It means fertility is more attractive to the opposite gender. And, thus, the females are more attractive than usual at least once a month!

So, did you know about this? 

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Does your night moisturizer have spf? {Your Opinion}

Where did this question come from? I recently got a product to review and I was too excited to try it out so without checking out the details of the product, I simply used a pea-size amount for the face.

And, then, I sat down checking the details. And, then, I realized it was not an anti-aging serum-cum-mositurizer meant for night but has spf factor of 15. So, it was supposed to be used only in the morning.

And, it got me thinking if the night creams should have spf factor at all? Well, the obvious answer comes to no but the thing is the thing is even lights and television and computer screens emit radiations which harm our skin.

So, technically, should we not protect our skin from them as well? What do you say?
 

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Just Gossip Vol. 15 - A trip to Ayurveda!

It has been like ages since I have written about hair. But, there was an interesting development last month. Have you heard of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala? They have quite a number of outlets in Hyderabad which I came to know through google. It is a long story!

Anyways, there is a store decently close to my house so one day I went forth after the office. Now, they have Ayurvedic doc also coming to their store every alternate weekday so I went at the very moment when I could find a doc! The doc holds MD in ayurvedic studies so that was reassuring.

I went to the store with a very long list of products to get from there. And, I asked the doc about the hair growth issue. So, he prescribed me two tablets (lets call them A and B) and Neelibrigandi oil. Now, I have no issues talking about one of the tablets, A which is meant for hair, because it is I think pretty much available everywhere but I shall do it some other time.

this is tablet A

Now, you would ask me if I saw any benefits? First, the hair doesn't generally show any significant changes in the first month of some treatment so lets say I shall continue those tablets for an indefinite amount of time for now. Second, I don't know about the B tablets. These tablets for weight loss and taking care of the metabolism and digestion issues. 

I am completely against such tablets but since they were totally ayurvedic, I was fine with them. But, I don't think I shall get them again and that's not for the want of the benefits. But, I think its better to maintain weight with physical efforts than resorting to all kinds of tablets, howsoever safe they might be! But, the constitution of both A and B tablets are totally safe. 

this is tablet B

And, coming to the oil, I did not use it more than twice by now but it smells really really bad! Everything ayurvedic smells or tastes really bad, it seems. Coz, the tablets also taste bad :( Anyways, this oil should be used every night before going to bed on the scalp. But, since I do not wash my hair everyday, I avoid doing that! 

But, an interesting discovery was Neelibrigandi helps in cooling the scalp! Thanks to Pranali, I came to know of this. So, I think I shall try using this oil at least on alternate nights or may be every night! I shall do that and let you guys know about how effective it is! In the mean time, let me tell you that the store is pretty popular and many many people came in the time frame I was there. I think you might also want to visit and check it out.

Have you ever been to Kotakkal Vaidya Sala's clinics?

Related Posts:
Just Gossip Vol. 14 - What did you do this weekend?
Just Gossip Vol. 13 - Do you watch movies on weekdays?
Just Gossip Vol. 12 - Happy Holi!

The Dirty Dozen: 12 fruits & veg to always buy organic.

This week is National Vegetarian Week, the UK’s annual campaign to promote the benefits of a meat-free, vegetarian lifestyle.

I’m forever blabbing on about the wonders of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables on the skin.

Strawberries, broccoli and red pepper for example are excellent sources of Vitamin C, which encourages collagen production.

Collagen is the substance that holds skin together, so the more collagen, the firmer and plumper skin will appear.

While fruit and vegetables are incredibly good for us, the chemical pesticides and fertilizers they are commonly doused in are not.

I recently came across a great article about the EWG’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ blacklist, which names and shames the top 12 most contaminated fruit and vegetables (read in full here).

According to the EWG, or Environmental Working Group, American consumers ingest an average of ten pesticides when they get their full five-a-day.

These pesticides have been linked to various health scares, particularly with regard to foetal and early childhood development.

Reduce your pesticide consumption by buying the following worst offenders in certified organic form

1. Celery

2. Peaches

3. Strawberries

4. Apples

5. Blueberries

6. Nectarines

7. Peppers

8. Spinach

9. Kale

10. Cherries

11. Potatoes

12. Grapes

Yoga Magazine says ‘Soothe Sensitive Skin with Nature (& Pai…)’

A big thank you to the holistic heroes at Yoga Magazine for featuring us in this month’s beauty pages.

The fabulous article, Soothe Sensitive Skin with Nature, describes organic ranges as the obvious protection against the ‘toxic barrage of various chemicals’ in mainstream products.

Approximately two million of us reportedly react to these chemicals, which include detergents, alcohols and preservatives (eg. phenoxyethanol).

To sensitise your skincare regime, Yoga Magazine says,

‘Remove [cleanser] with moistened organic cotton wool or a muslin cloth by a certified organic company such as Pai, which also make a specialist daily moisturiser especially for sensitive skins.

Their Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream (£22) uses the purest organic ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and hydrate.’

The good news is that as Pai says no to all common irritants, our entire range is suitable for sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

Shop with confidence at www.paiskincare.com.

Grooming Lessons Vol. 3 - Don't drag your feet!

I am continuing with this series after a long time. And, honestly, when I think, the lessons or the entire series sound condescending to me! It might project out an image as if I know things better than you and that it makes me in a position to advise you. 

But, let me tell you that neither is that the case nor is such my intention! In fact, in reality, I am never the best dressed person in a regular routine. I am too lazy for that and I just pick anything in front of me. But, yes, there are certain habits which are better if avoided. 

So, I would like to talk about such habits. And, please do not be judging on this series. It is something I am doing for fun, to remind myself to avoid certain things and also to help people remember what they might be doing wrong.

Btw, most of the people know what their short-comings are. Its just that either they hate being reminded of it or they are too lazy to change it! And, some do it sub-consciously. So, lets just go ahead!

Please do not drag your feet

This is something my mom absolutely detests and she always scolds me those few times I do it. In fact, I can empathize with her now that I regularly hear someone else dragging their feet. No doubt it is sure fun to drag feet but it sure is as hell irritating for other's ears.

Plus, it gives a very wrong notion of your personality. Dragging your feet literally means you are careless and you have no motto in life. Or, it can also put your forward as a sickly person. And, that is definitely what you do not want to project, irrespective of the truth! 

Analyzing the Body Language is something which comes naturally to all humans and we are used to summing up and judging the person and it is a human nature to exaggerate the negatives they can find then and there! So, better not give another negative to add to which is simply non-ingratiating.

What's your Say?

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Kiya Bath n Body Oats Milk n Lavender Soap {Product Review}

Pros

gentle on skin

does not dry out the skin

Ingredients

My Experience

Writing a review on soaps is difficult when it comes to the handmade soaps. Handmade soaps are all good when made in the right way and this one falls in the same category.

It lathers very less but cleanses well. It is gentle on skin and at least now I do not feel any need for moisturizer. I can make do with out it but that might not apply for winter months.

And, I felt as if one side of the soap has some granules like a scrubbing part or something but I can't be sure coz they are too small. Anyways, about the lasting period, the product worked for me for 15 days with twice a day of usage so it is like all other handmade soaps in my experience.

Availability

Location - Plot No.74, Road No.5, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad

Also, if you are interested to get the products, you can contact Bindu via facebook.

PS: Product sent by brand for consideration.

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Rosehip: your Sensitive Skin Salvation.

Pai works hard to bring you sensitive souls gentle yet effective skincare solutions, and they don’t get much better than our latest penny-saving pair.

Ideal for easily irritated skin, the Rosehip Sensitive Skin Duo comprises of our now cult Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream and our new Rosehip BioRegenerate oil.

The active ingredients in our caring couple soothe, protect and regenerate skin.

While the oil conditions skin with its vital nutrients, the cream drives hydration into the epidermis. Together, they leave skin feeling healthy and looking luminous.

Why is Rosehip so great for sensitive skin?

Rosehip has long been known as the ultimate skin healer. Its naturally high concentrations of Vitamin A, and essential fatty acids Omega 3,6,7 & 9 work together to regenerate damaged or lacklustre skin.

Due to the effects of repeated reactions, sensitive skin can often be damaged skin. Rosehip helps strengthen and restore it back to full health.

*Pai Pointer* For the ultimate skin boost, add a drop of Rosehip BioRegenerate oil to a couple of squirts of Chamomile & Rosehip Cream and massage into clean skin at night. Trust us, you’ll be impressed in the morning!

Buy our Rosehip Sensitive Skin Duo today, and save £7.

Remove pesticides from Oranges {Reader's Tip}

Hey Everyone. Firdaus left a very useful tip to remove pesticides from oranges. Check it out.

I'd love to share something very important with u and with all the visitors on your blog. You r right when u said we dont have organic oranges available in India. But there is a way to remove the pesticides from oranges or any fruit or vegetable we eat. Take oranges in a big bowl or bucket, pour white vinegar, add some baking powder to it and table salt. mix it in water and leave for 10-15 mins. Before throwing water, rub the oranges nicely with your hand. Now rinse with fresh water 2-3 times and your oranges are free of pesticides. To make your "anti-pesticide liquid" more powerful, u can add some lemon juice. This is the best home made method based on my research to remove pesticide. Stay healthy and beautiful :)

You are right, Firdaus. Baking powder and vinegar do help to remove a bit of pesticides. Fruits having an outer covering are free from sprinkled pesticides. But, this method can be tried on grapes.

But, I have to add here that this method would work only if the pesticides are on the outer covering of the fruits. If they are absorbed by the fruits in the process of plant growth, it is impossible to remove those absorbed pesticides.

What do you think, guys?

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Yes to Life: CONTENT hosts Wellbeing Workshops for fantastic cause

CONTENT, the gorgeous Marylebone apothecary, will today host one of its Wellbeing Workshops in support of the charity Yes to Life.

The events, which take place every other month, treat cancer patients to non-toxic makeovers, sessions with a naturopath, and advice from a non-toxic product expert.

Not only do the workshops encourage those with cancer to feel good about themselves, they also equip them with the advice they need to live a healthier natural lifestyle.

Each invitee also takes home a goody bag filled with organic products, and today’s star none other than Pai’s Rejuvenating Echium Eye Cream!

Yes to Life aims to help cancer sufferers access the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine. For more information about the organisation, visit www.yestolife.org.uk.

To book your Wellbeing Workshop, contact the Yes to Life office here.

Pai Geranium & Thistle Combination Cream: Saoirse Ronan’s skincare secret

Forget extravagance and excess, today’s A-list is on an eco-mission - and they’re turning to Pai for organic skin care support!

Not only have we been tending to the porcelain skin of Natalie Portman, but Saoirse Ronan, star of the forthcoming blockbuster Hanna, is also a big fan of our sensitive range.

Pai’s Geranium & Thistle Combination Skin Cream is ideal for Saoirse’s youthful complexion.

Its active ingredients rebalance the skin and reduce the appearance of large pores – creating a smooth, even and fresh on-screen look.

Our Combination Cream is now a staple on Hollywood film sets, as it absorbs quickly and leaves a matt finish.

Try a sample of Saoirse’s go to moisturiser here, or take advantage of our Pai Skincare Starter Pack and save £7.

Re-application of Sunscreen {Sunscreen}

Treat this as the second part to yesterday's sermon on sunscreen. Sometimes I do feel my posts sound like sermons? It's ok. You need not be polite :P Anyways, lets proceed.

So, where was I? Yeah, I was talking about how much sunscreen to apply. I finished with that and left you to think about re-application! This is probably one of the most frustrating routines of skin care. And, there are quite many roadblocks to reapply sunscreen.

I have makeup on!

Sunscreen is supposed to go under makeup and not over, right? So, how can I reapply it? Well, fair enough!

Its so yucky!

The two finger rule itself not being enough, you have to apply the same amount of sunscreen every two hours. How many layers of stickiness should I have on?

Fortunately, quite a lot of high-end sunscreens are coming matte. So, you can probably go with reapplications. But, seriously, I am the wrong person to answer this.

I use Marie Veronique Organics Moisturizing Face Screen and one pump of it itself makes my face oily after a few minutes and using more of it is way too difficult. I have tried re-application but honestly my work place also doesn't facilitate the process.

Taking a sunscreen bottle to the washroom kinda looks weird to me. I don't do touch-ups there so I have only one application and the days I try re-applying, the tint gets too much for the skin and either it shows up as patches or white cast!

One of the ways to reapply the sunscreen is by removing the previously applied layer. Well, there is a huge hitch in that. If you have makeup on, you can obviously not remove the entire thing and reapply so that goes a little impractical as well.

So, the answer again comes back to the same thing - apply according to your schedule and amount of time you would be spending outside. If you stay inside, there is no need for re-application. But, you might go for just one thin layer so as to protect yourself from the light and computer radiations. 

But, you have a team outing or a shopping spree planned, you can go for a thick application. In such cases, always make sure you have applied a thicker-than-usual amount of sunscreen and follow with lighter makeup. Also, make sure that the loose powder you do touch-ups with has adequate protection. 

Though, I would like to make another point here. Just as a bit of sunscreen doesn't really provide any protection, a bit of loose powder dusted on the face doesn't give spf 25 amount of protection. For that much of protection, you need almost 1/4th of the product quantity.

What do you do? Do you re-apply your sunscreen? How do you protect yourself when outside all day long?

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Application of Sunscreen {Sunscreen}

How can any summer pass-by without me talking about sunscreen :-O That would be a travesty :D Anyways, the reason I did not write about sunscreen till now is first because I wasn't serious on the blog and second I have written so much on the topic last year. So, if you missed it, you can check out the entire list of posts here.

Anyways, coming back to today's topic, one thing I have always remained indecisive about is how much sunscreen should be applied. Last time I wrote about this topic, I mentioned the two fingers rule. But, that is actually impractical and I had realized it long back. But, I still tried my best to keep up with it!

But, I was always skeptical and I read a lot on that topic. So, here are my pennies on it.

Two finger rule holds

Yes, you actually have to apply that much sunscreen to give yourself optimum protection. But, re-application is necessary.

Apply according to the Day's Schedule

If you know you are going to spend the entire day in hot sun, you SHOULD follow the above rule. And, if you already know you will sit inside the house or office and roam only till the in-house canteen or washroom, you can apply enough to cover yourself for the time you are outside.

So, decide according to your needs and schedule. Do not follow any rule blindly but don't take things in a stride and ignore them either! Its a very delicate balance.

What if my day is unplanned?

Yes, this is worst of the situations! And, always remember that applying sunscreen doesn't prevent tanning. And, just like you are always ready when it comes to waxing your legs or getting your facials done on time, same rule applies here as well.

Apply sunscreen everyday whether you go out or not and if the outing is sudden, just make do with as much application as possible in the bare minimum of the time. This is where physical sunscreens come more effective as well.

They start working as soon as you apply them whereas the chemical ones need 20-30 minutes of incubation to start working. And, then, when you are outside for the entire day, make sure you reapply the sunscreen every two hours and follow the two finger rule on all parts of the body, specially which are naked.

So, how much amount of sunscreen do you apply everyday?

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Sunscreen and Myths

How to treat a water burn? {Skin Care}

So, on Thursday evening, I inadvertently placed my hand under a running hot water tap and the water was scalding hot. And, it burned my hand for almost a second. But, that was itself enough to burn the hand.

And, that was when I realized that how much can an acid burn scorch the body! The skin on the top wasn't affected at all. I didn't get any peeling or any blisters but under the skin it was burning like hell!!

Anyways, I tried out quite a few remedies to improve the condition. Let me discuss them.

Aloevera Gel

Incidentally, when my hand burnt, I didn't really care much for it. I went on with my usual activities of having bath and getting relaxed in the evening, all with a burning hand. Then, I applied the Rustic Art aloevera gel.

But, honestly, it didn't really help much. It was cool for a second and back to square one next! Though, I don't really think it is meant to help with deeper burns! May be aloevera gel from leaf helps though can't say much but it does soothe superficial burns.

Ice and Iced Water

Well, this was my savior. I have, god knows, wasted how much water that day. But, keeping cold ice on the hand wasn't really easy either. It hurts equally. This I did when I told my mom about my burnt hand.

And, later, when I was going to bed, I wrapped my hand with wash cloth soaked in ice water. This I kept on changing till I slept off. I kept a very huge bowl of cold water by the bed to dip the hand if I felt any burning. Fortunately, I slept off.

Toothpaste

Not the gel ones but the regular white toothpaste. I did apply quite a bit of it but I don't really think it helped me at all.

Vinegar diluted in Water

Apparently, this helps! Vinegar acts as a painkiller so if you get a painful burn, you can bathe the burn with water diluted with vinegar. I did pour some vinegar once into the iced water I was using but can't say how much helpful it was.

Sensitivity after the Burn

Ok, those were the few things I did. Honestly, had not my friend insisted so much on the ice water, I would probably have let go of the remedies after an hour only :D

Anyways, the next morning when I got up, I was expecting my skin to be peeling off from the hand but fortunately there was not even a small blister over there. No redness, no scar, nothing!

The only thing was the area was bloody sensitive and if it touched water, I would feel a discomfort. And, I was irritated the entire day because of the slight discomfort I was feeling in the hand.

So, one thing I learnt from the story was that you can burn yourself anytime so always keep a burnol or something else at hand so that it really helps. Once, I remember, a drop of oil fell on my hand when I was frying something. I didn't do anything and the scar is still there!

So, have you burnt yourself ever? How did you deal with it?

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Just Gossip Vol. 14 - What did you do this weekend?

Please don't get bored by my rantings! I just felt like gossiping with you :)

ME? I didn't do anything much but my Saturday was bad! My personal laptop had decided to break its hinge long while back and I had just delayed taking it to the service center.

Finally, I did that last week and guess what HP people say! They were overcharging for the repair by almost 1/4th of the price of the laptop! So, I decided to give a local shop a try. 

But, can you imagine that I found two of the bushes on which the laptop rests on the bottom were missing when I was in that other shop and that was mistake of the service center guys. I was so infuriated.

I again rushed back to the service center and back to that shop. Finally, gave the laptop for repair and praying it wouldn't cost me exorbitant. And, finally, I went to Godrej Nature's Basket (GNB) on my way back.

I love the shop for the yummy cheeses they have. This time I got Gouda chilli. Its seriously yummmm. And, I got litchies as well but damn expensive over there. I was hoping to see some exotic fruits but none.

They had cherries which was like a box complete which is impossible for me to finish. And, there were blueberries. Too few for the cost. And, there was something called mulberry. I don't know what they are but looked like jamun to me.

And, then, I went to Inorbit. I splurged on Caca Maroon finally and a book. Overall, a very hectic day in hot sun and the best/worst part was I couldn't get a cab coz they were overbooked! Traveling in public transport has a different charm altogether.

Oh btw, yesterday, I applied Caca Maroon. I kept it for 5 hours almost and still no color as predicted. I told you, right, that Lush Cacas give color only after applying them twice or thrice in a row! It's a mess but I love it. I still have to see if my hair has got any benefits. 

So, how was your weekend? What did you do?

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Just Gossip Vol. 11 - Sneak peek into upcoming posts!!

Just Gossip Vol. 10 - Whats up?

Is there a link between allergies and depression?

I recently stumbled across an interesting article (read in full here) linking allergies with depression.

Published by the New York Times News Service, the piece reports that allergy sufferers are twice as likely to develop depression as non-allergy sufferers.

As well as the general feeling of depletion and helplessness brought on by allergies, the reaction itself is said to release cytokines.

These compounds are thought to reduce the body’s levels of serotonin, the happy hormone – leaving us feeling disheartened, or even depressed. Female allergy sufferers are believed to be worst affected.  

The link isn't necessarily a new one - I myself have previously blogged about the effects of stress on skin allergies.

Episodes of extreme trauma and stress can play out on the skin and cause skin conditions like psoriasis or urticaria either to manifest or flare.

These emotionally-induced flare ups can cause further distress, and spark a vicious cycle in which both our skin and emotional wellbeing deteriorate.

Nip the cycle in the bud, and combat stress through exercise, yoga or maybe even a spot of retail therapy…

Pai Skincare tops Grazia’s Best of British List

Eagle-eyed Pai fans down under have spotted this fantastic piece of coverage in Grazia Australia.
 
‘The Yes List: Brit Clique’ features the UK’s most-wanted brands, and puts Pai’s covet status right up there with the likes of Burberry!

Of our now cult Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream, Grazia says:

When Natalie Portman bangs on about a brand, it’s our duty to investigate. 

The verdict: the calming and regenerative properties of her go to Pai moisturiser make it worth the import.
 
Get your hands on our star product here, or buy it as part of our Pai Skin Care Starter Pack and save £7.

National Allergy Week 2010

Today marks the start of National Allergy Week. 

Once again we will be be running a series of events and activities for all you sensitive skin sufferers out there.

- All Week: 10th-16th
'Ask Sarah' - free online skin advice forum on Paiskincare.com

- Friday 14th May, 12.00-7.00pm:
I will be giving free skincare consultations at Whole Foods Market, Kensington.
There will also be trained naturopaths on hand to offer advice on diet and natural supplements.
Booking line: 020 8994 4656  

At the Friday consultations we will be giving out free Sensitive Skin goody bags. Strictly by appointment only. 

Hope to see or hear from you at some point over the week!

http://blog.paiskincare.com/2010/05/national-allergy-week-2010.html

Homemade Castile Soap

Guest Post by Waseema

This is the first time that I am writing a review and I am excited and nervous at the same time. Today I would like to review a pure olive oil soap also called Castile Soap handmade by me at home.

Why I got into soap making is because my daughters aged 5 yrs and 1 yr have very sensitive skin and any soap I use caused dry flaky skin or dry patches with redness and itching on them. 

The soaps I make are cold process soaps which have a high percentage of glycerin in it as a result of the saponification process. Hence, these soaps are very conditioning and do not dry out skin unlike commercial soaps.

Ingredients

Saponified oils of olive, castor, lye and distilled water.  Unscented, Uncolored.

My Experience

This soap does not lather like the commercial soaps as it contains 90% olive oil, but the addition of castor oil helps with bubbles as seen in the picture above. If you use a pouf/nylon mesh scrubber you can get decent lather. Though this soap does not lather much but it cleanses very well and does not dry the skin. 

Ever since my daughters have been using this soap their skin is behaving well and does not break out in itchy rashes or flaky patches.  I would recommend this soap for babies and those with sensitive and dry mature skin. Overall this works as a great soap for all skin types.

Editor's Note: This is so true. Read what I wrote about the difference between soaps and bathing bars.

Due to high glycerine content these soaps melt very easily and to keep it around longer you have to avoid holding it in the shower stream, and make sure that you store it on a well-draining soap dish, or else it can end up in a gloppy mess. 

I make these soaps at home. Currently I have a batch that’s cured and ready to be used. You can check more pictures here. If you would like to buy them, let me know. 

Price: Rs 99 for 80gms 

Thank you so much for reading my review!
Luv,
Waseema.

Editor's Note: Thanks a lot Waseema for letting us know about the castile soaps. They are indeed really awesome!

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Skin advice you're itching to know about...

Monday marks the start of National Allergy Fortnight.

It's normally a week but no-one could agree on the right dates!

So, we at Pai have taken the liberty of making it a fortnight instead.

The UK has one of the highest rates of skin allergies.

Up to 1.8 million in the UK are are allergic to one or more ingredients in their beauty products.

One in five women will develop hand or face eczema as a result of an irritant or allergy.

To mark National Allergy Fortnight, we will be be running the following activities to help bring these sensitive souls some relief:

- Monday 11th May:
Launch of 'Ask Sarah' - free online skin advice forum on Paiskincare.com.

- Wednesday 20th May:
4.30-6.30pm: Sampling at Whole Foods Market, Kensington.
Pop by and pick-up a sample of our best-selling Chamomile & Rosehip Cream for Sensitive Skin

6.30pm-7.00pm: Living with a Skin Allergy.
I will be giving a talk at Whole Foods Market, Kensington.

- Saturday 23rd May:
Whole Foods Market, Kensington
I will be giving free skincare consultations, 11-6pm.
Booking line: 020 7368 4531

Hope to see or hear from you at some point over the two weeks!

Pai launches in Fenwick and Whole Foods Annapolis

We've been busy...

This week we’re excited to announce
Pai’s launch in Fenwick Tunbridge
Wells.

This store has a stellar beauty floor
and it is so refreshing to see a
department store embracing the
growing trend in organics.

There is a great selection of natural
brands on offer and the staff are
seriously clued up on their products.
Go check it out.

We have also made our first baby
steps over the pond. This week we
opened in one of Whole Foods Market's
brand new stores in Annapolis, USA.

I will be in-store offering free skincare
consultations from 4-7 June. If you're
in that neck of the words, be sure to
pop by and say hello!

My Hair Diary - April 2013

No snaps this time! Apologies! Anyways, I did not really take that much care of my hair as I did in March. I did not do anything special for my hair except once treating it with egg and musk root. Btw, egg with musk root and ginger essential oil did not really stink! 

What else did I do? 

Since summers are a bane for me, I made do with a few drops of Navratan oil almost twice or thrice a week. Seriously, it helps with tiredness and mild insomnia! The review will come in due time.

And, no, I do not wash my hair daily even though I sometimes really wish it. One tip is just let the sweat on the scalp dry out before you tie your hair. And, keep the scalp clean. Itching can be considered an indication to wash the hair. And, for some, I think the hair be better washed everyday if they travel daily in lot of sun and pollution.

Oh btw, I have also been taking some supplements of which I shall talk in another post so stay tuned! 

Products Used

• Shampoo - Organic Surge Moisture Boost

• Conditioner - Kamini Conditioner

• Leave-in and Scalp Treatment - Soulflower Grapeseed Oil with Rosemary EO + Soulflower Pomegranate Seed Oil

• Hair Oil - Neelibrigandi + Navratan Oil

Related Posts:

My Hair Diary - March 2013

My Hair Diary - February 2013
My Hair Diaries - January 2013

Have you been a parlour girl to anyone? {Your Opinion}

Have you ever been a parlor girl for your friend or mom or dad, may be? I have! And, on the weekend, I did something which I had never done! I applied henna on my friend's hair with an application brush minus the gloves! 

Results? Fingers and nails which are orange-y! And, I have gotta an engagement to attend in a week! Anyways, when I was henna-ing my friend, this idea struck me. So, this is my question to you all. Have you done any beauty parlor services to anyone?

As regards me, apart from this experience, I am a very good masseur. I don't know about the body yet but head yes. I give a really good head massage :) I did that for my mom, my dad and some of my friends. And, every time I do it to someone else, I always wish if there was someone who would do it to me as well :)

Waxing is not my cup of tea, though! It requires quite a stroke to pull that piece of strip and it hurts when you yank so that is something I don't think I can do! But, yes, I have also done facial but I don't remember doing it to someone else. Though, I do wish I do want to do it to my mom! She is one woman doesn't really bother about herself but still looks awesome!

And, oh yeah, what about hair styles? I was always a guinea pig for the new styles. I hardly did trials on someone else and then lately I learned some of the new styles which I tried on my hair only! So, sadly, I would love to have a guinea pig for myself but this is where I miss sisters most! Having sisters makes life really easy for maintaining a routine, right? 

So, what about you? Have you been a parlor girl to anyone else? Do you find it fun?

PS: I am sorry but I am not able to check the mails or comments. Please give me sometime. Net sucks over here and the entire weekend was a huge waste of time! I wasn't able to check or reply to the comments. Shall do so soon enough and let you know and sorry!! :(

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Thread veins: What are they and how can I get rid of them?

Thread veins, or telangiectasia, are tiny veins that have dilated just under the skin’s surface.

They are more common in women, thanks to our lovely hormones, and become increasingly apparent as we age.  

While one in five women in their 20s suffers from thread veins, they affect roughly half of women over 50.

This is because older skin produces less collagen, causing the skin to become thinner, more fragile, and the veins underneath to become more visible.

Thread veins often occur as part of Rosacea, a condition which causes the cheeks to permanently redden.

For specific advice on treating Rosacea, read my previous blog.

They can also be caused by sun exposure, obesity, hormonal surges (pregnancy, menopause or the Pill) or simple genetics.

Here are my top tips for managing thread veins, without resorting to surgery!

1. Avoid strong sunlight

Not only does the sun age and damage skin, it is also the most common trigger of thread veins and Rosacea.

I have my own reservations about sunscreens, so my best advice would to stay in the shade at the sun’s peak and invest in a super stylish wide-brimmed hat!

2. Make use of natural active ingredients

Choosing a moisturiser with skin-calming essential oils can improve the appearance of thread veins and redness.

Many Pai customers who suffer with thread veins and Rosacea report fantastic results from our Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream.

Its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties soothe and protect aggravated skin.

Rosehip’s high concentration of Vitamin C also boosts collagen production, making the skin firmer, plumper and the underlying thread veins less visible.

3. Avoid alcohol

If you indulge in the odd glass of wine, you’ll notice that alcohol causes your blood vessels to dilate and your cheeks to flush.

In regular drinkers, these blood vessels never get the chance to contract, and so are permanently visible as thread veins.

Alcohol in your products should also be avoided - ethyl alchol in particular is a known trigger of Rosacea, and so potential trigger of thread veins.

4. Embrace Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect the skin from the damage of free-radicals in sunlight, a known trigger of thread veins.

Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate is a fabulous source of antioxidants such as Vitamin C & E, and will also help improve the skin’s firmness.

5. Keep skin strong

Where possible avoid harsh exfoliators or facial peels as these will thin the skin and accentuate the appearance of thread veins.

Exfoliators with uneven grains are the worst culprits for this, as they scratch the skin’s surface.

Try and find a scrub with circular grains, or better still, opt for a gentle and hygienic exfoliating muslin cloth.

New Pai Comfrey & Calendula Body Cream Launches

Things have been very quiet on the blogging front recently. But for good reason...we've been busy busy at Pai HQ fine-tuning our brand new product!

Lots of you have been asking us to produce a body cream so we've finally put words into action.

Introducing...Pai Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream

This is a super-hydrating and therapeutic cream which we have created specifically for sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

Comfrey is famed for its healing and moisturising powers. It is bursting with a substance called allantoin which stimulates the growth of new skin cells.

Calendula most of you will be familiar with.Extracted from the humble marigold, it is a great anti-inflammatory so perfect for soothing aggravated or angry skin.

It contains carotenoids and polyphenols which heal and regenerate the skin.

This cream also contains a host of other beautiful plant oils and butters to help combat dry dehydrated skin.

Enjoy...I hope you like it!


http://blog.paiskincare.com/2010/05/new-pai-comfrey-calendula-body-cream.html

‘I still get pockets of eczema on various parts of my body even after 30 years, why is it worse in the winter than summer and is it really dependent on certain foods?’

Eczema, a form of dermatitis, is one of the more common and frustrating skin allergies.

Not only is there no known cause or cure, but there are so many possible triggers that identifying and eliminating them can seem like an impossible task.

While one in five children is diagnosed with atopic eczema, almost half grow out of it by their teens.

Eczema that continues into adulthood is therefore likely to be a permanent problem, but one that can be managed by a more skin-friendly lifestyle.

Seasonal variance

The majority of eczema sufferers report a worsening in their condition over the winter months. Reasons for this may include: 

- Cold winter weather. As temperatures drop so do the moisture levels in the air, causing the skin to become dry and dehydrated. Drier skin is more prone to itching and cracking, and so eczema gets worse.

- Central heating. Persistent exposure to central heating can aggravate eczema as it strips  the skin. Try and avoid over-heating your home, particularly when you’re sleeping and moisturise regularly with a cream rich in Omega 3-6 oils, such as Pai Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream.

- Scarce sunlight. For us Brits, winter means greyer skies and far less sunlight, which in turn means a lack of Vitamin D. As well as being a key antioxidant and known healer of dry skin conditions such as psoriasis, Vitamin D is also crucial for our immune system. As eczema can worsen when we are ill or rundown, it’s important to keep our dosage of D up!

- Irritating clothing. Rough and itchy fibres such as wool are known to aggravate eczema, so where possible try to wear cotton next to the skin with warmer garments on top.

This being said, the nature of eczema varies from person to person, and some actually suffer more in summer as a result of humidity or the skin’s reaction to sweat. 

Dietary Effects

It is widely believed that certain foods can cause eczema flare-ups.

The most common food triggers feature more heavily in our winter diet, perhaps part-explaining why eczema may worsen during the cooler months.

 Many Pai customers report great results from the following dietary changes.

- Avoid Acidic foods. Way back in the 1930s Nobel-prize winning scientist Ragnar Berg identified the effects of highly acidic foods on our general health. In particular, his research highlighted a link between acidity in the gut and eczema flare-ups. Dairy, oats and refined sugar are all acidic baddies, which is why winter favourite porridge can be particularly aggravating for eczema sufferers.Try eating a slightly alkaline diet and see how your skin reacts.

For more info, read my previous blog.

- Avoid Dairy & Meat. As well as being acidic, both dairy and meat are also common allergens which aggravate the skin when ingested. They also both contain arachidonic acid, a fatty acid which can build up within skin cells and contribute to the inflammation associated with eczema flare-ups.

- Embrace the good fats. Increasing your intake of Essential Fatty Acids is essential for anyone suffering with skin difficulties. They condition the skin from the inside and are the building blocks of healthy skin. Hemp and Flaxseed oils are both good EFA supplements.  It is important to store them in the fridge to keep them fresh for longer. If you prefer to take Flax in its seed form then remember to grind the seeds down so the body can absorb them more easily.

Finally, remember - moderation is key! If you are looking to make any radical changes to your diet, always consult a nutritionist first.

‘My hands get so dry from washing up that the skin cracks? How can I stop that happening?’

Judging by all your cries for help via Facebook, sore, dry or cracked hands seem to be a common complaint.

Repeated washing, particularly with liquid soaps, strips the hands of their natural oils leaving them dry and rough.

Liquid soap usually means chemical detergents which are bad skin irritants. These foaming agents can aggravate the skin leaving it inflamed and prone to cracking.

For many this marks the start of a vicious cycle, as cracked skin can become infected and is far more likely to become further sensitised to chemical ingredients in hand washes and hand creams.

As with all skin afflictions, there may not be a simple single solution to the problem.

Here are just a few suggested lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of irritation and help nurse your hands back to full health.

The first step towards healthy hands is to avoid contact with the following common triggers:

1. Liquid Soaps (including washing-up liquid) 

The chemical detergents in liquid soaps are drying and are known skin irritants.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, or SLS, is one of the worst, and is incredibly common in shampoos and body washes.

Always read the ingredients list on your products and avoid it where you can – good health food shops will stock SLS-free products or vegetable oil soaps which are kinder on the skin. 

2. Latex gloves

Many people who suffer from irritated hands turn to washing up gloves as protection from any chemicals or irritants they may come into contact with.

However, the Latex in these gloves can cause further irritation as a result of mild (or not so mild!) Latex allergies. 

Vinyl washing up gloves are a good alternative and tend to be better tolerated.

If you’re unsure as to whether you might have a Latex allergy, here’s a little clue - half of those who do, also experience reactions when eating foods such as avocados, bananas and kiwis. Strange but true!

3. Petroleum-based products

A lot of people’s first port of call when trying to treat damaged hands is petroleum-based moisturisers or emollients.

These work as a protective barrier to prevent water loss, but as a result can suffocate the skin. 

Though they may appear to work in the short term, they can sometimes worsen dryness and sensitivity in the long term.

Once the triggers have been removed, it’s time to start healing and regenerating any damaged skin.

4. Increase your intake of Essential Fatty Acids

Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3, 6 & 9) condition the skin from the inside out.

Oily fish, seeds and nuts are all good sources, but if your diet is lacking in these then hemp or flaxseed oil are examples of good oil supplements.

These are best taken in pure oil form off the spoon. Always store in the fridge to keep the oil in optimum condition.

5. Moisturise and massage

Moisturise with a certified organic cream that doesn’t contain any of those chemical irritants that aggravated your hands in the first place.

Pai Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream is intensely hydrating and its natural-active ingredients soothe skin and promote cell renewal.

For an extra intensive treatment, try adding a couple of drops of natural plant oils to your hand cream or directly to your hands.

Rosehip BioRegenerate oil is a great one, as its high concentration of Vitamin A, Omega 3, 6, 7 & 9 nourish the skin and accelerate the natural healing and regeneration process.

Apply generously at night and wear cotton gloves to allow the cream and oils to soak into your hands rather than your bed sheets!

5 Do's and Dont's for Hair {Five Series}

It has been ages since I have written any hair care post! But, this year, I have resolved to take more care of my hair. Good news is I am partly succeeding in the resolve.

Last month, sometime, I went to the Arya Vaidya Sala store where an Ayurvedic doc also sits. I consulted him for hair growth. So, following are the tips he gave regarding the hair well-being. They are something we already know but I would like to re-iterate them.

Exercise and Weight Loss

Always keep yourself active and take care of your weight. It is extremely important for healthy hair growth and the overall well-being of the person. Also, exercise improves the blood circulation and carries more oxygen to the scalp and hair follicles. 

Tip: Get a relaxing hair massage or use essential oils for improved oxygen flow to the scalp!

No Sugar, Salt and Spices

They interfere with your body's proper functioning and affect the digestive system as well. Salt bloats you, sugar increases the insulin which leads to hair loss and spices make your digestion haywire. So, make sure you eat balanced nutritional diet keeping all the spices, salt and sugar in control.

Note: You need only 1gm salt in a day which naturally is available to the body without the need to add extra salt!

Oiling the Scalp

Applying a few drops of lighter oils at night like grapeseed or argan oil which improve hair growth is good for hair. They nourish the scalp and improve the hair growth. It is especially important for dry hair as the new growth would have better moisture levels. 

Tip: Using essential oils with the oil improves the hair growth. Peppermint and Rosemary are especially helpful!!

Get a health checkup done!

PCOS, thyroid, diabetes are some of the issues which can cause hair loss and impede hair growth. So, if you are facing any such problem, it is always good to get a health checkup done. Prevention is better than cure! But, a proper health checkup is recommended only when the hair loss or itching or dandruff or any other issue is more than normal.

Tip: Make sure you are exercising properly and eating well and drinking a lots of water because more often than not we do not take care of the normal routine and rush to the doctor for every small thing!!

Drink lots of water

Yes, very very important! Hyderabad is so damn hot that I am literally gulping down the water every 15 minutes and the worst part is everything is evaporating :( It is becoming really difficult but this way I am at least intaking a lot of water. 

Tip: Drink green tea, watermelon juice, cucumber juice or eat cucumber or kakdi or coconut water! 

What are your tips for hair growth?  

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