Exercising and Pregnancy {Pregnancy} [Part - I]

Guest Post by Punam

We have a beautiful lake in Bhopal and I am lucky to see that every morning from my balcony. Every evening, when I used to go there for walk even unknown people used to tell me to not come here and why am I walking, doing yoga and exercise *frowns*. 

I have seen many people believing that exercising is not good during pregnancy but this is not true. So, I will be talking about this topic in few parts like  benefits of physical activity during pregnancy, changes associated with pregnancy, general exercise suggestions during pregnancy, how to exercise safely during pregnancy and exercises to be avoided during pregnancy.

Regular physical activity can provide health and social benefits for many pregnant women. Suggestions for exercise during pregnancy include walking, swimming and supervised classes such as yoga or Tai chi. Pelvic floor exercises are also important before, during and after pregnancy.

Unless you have complications, it should be possible to enjoy some level of physical activity throughout most of your pregnancy. The first step is to consult your doctor, physiotherapist or health care professional to make sure your exercise routine won’t harm you or your unborn baby. You may need to modify your existing exercise program or choose a suitable new one if you were sedentary before conceiving.

While exercise during pregnancy is usually encouraged, under some circumstances exercise can be detrimental to both the expecting mother and the growing fetus.

Benefits of physical activity during pregnancy
Exercise during pregnancy offers many physical and emotional benefits. Physical activity may also help manage some symptoms of pregnancy and you’ll feel better knowing you’re doing something good for yourself and your baby. Some of these benefits include:

• More energy
• Stronger back muscles which can help manage back pain and strain as your belly grows
• Improved posture
• Weight control
• Stress relief
• Improved sleep and management of insomnia
• Preparation for the physical demands of labour
• Faster recuperation after labour
• Faster return to pre-pregnancy fitness and healthy weight
• Increased ability to cope with the physical demands of motherhood.

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So, welcome back Punam with this series of posts on exercising during Pregnancy. She blogs at be beautiful with Punam and I always keep on insisting her to provide me material for my blog :D This was a one huge article which I am breaking down for the benefit of you. So, see ya next week with the second part in the series. I guess it will come to four posts.

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What do you think about exercising during pregnancy? 

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VLCC Sandal Cleansing Milk {Product Review}

Ok, I have used only one cleansing milk in my entire life which is Nivea. I had really liked it but then i switched to coconut oil which was less expensive comparatively and did a better job! So, when I ordered this, I was quite ambivalent. I wanted to use something which was not oil and something which was easy to travel with. 

I have to say its not exactly a bad product! It is white and creamy in color and consistency. Gets spread very easily but I do wish it was even more thinner which would have ensured you use less product and prevent wastage! It does get a bit dry as you massage it in but gets removed with a tissue paper quite easily.

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Pros

removes the makeup and residue well

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Ok, regarding the cleansing power, its pretty good. It removes my sunscreen and bb cream and what not and after the facewash, there was hardly any trace of residue. It has sandalwood smell and feels a bit cool on the skin when applied but that just goes away.

But, it does not remove my Mabelline Collosal kajal from the waterline which was quite disappointing :( So, yeah overall its worth a try. I did check out what others have written and mostly the reviews have been good. Some did say it helps to remove tan but I did not really think so!

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Cons

does not work on the kajal on the waterline
if you can read the above image, especially the ingredients, it has some Base mentioned at the end of the list, what's that in that?

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Availability

It is available in all the stores and online websites but I got it from myntra.

Have you tried this product?

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Kasturi Turmeric {Ingredient}

Turmeric is, I am pretty sure, high on everyone's DIY beauty list except for one fact that it leaves a really detestable yellow color on the skin. But, if used in lesser quantity and mixed with other flours, it generally has no side effect except leaving the skin absolutely glowing, right?

Recently, I was in a small fair-trade market where I spotted Kasturi turmeric being sold. I have to say it was quite heavily priced at 35 bucks for just 50gms. It need not be that expensive when India is home for the spice. Anyways, let me talk about it.

I have facial hair issues. Not so much as hirsutism but enough that it makes me irritated. So, I went for threading once last month after a lot of deliberation. Believe me, do not make that mistake if you have not done it YET! And, as you know turmeric is one of the best ingredients to lessen facial hair.

I mixed a spoon of the powder in water and applied in on the face. My face was on fire! It was exactly similar to the last time I used Banjara's product. I have totally striked off the product and brand from my buying list but actually the fault was mine.

Kasturi Turmeric is very very strong and should NEVER, EVER be used on face neat. Mix it with milk or curd or better yet besan or something else. My Gosh...that was my biggest beauty faux pas which I did not realize till it was too late.

But, I have to say that though it is believed it does not stain THAT much, it was quite enough to say that I do not think there was any difference in Kasturi Turmeric staining or normal turmeric stain! Anyways, after that horrifying skin burning incident, I mixed it with a face wash powder I had recently got. And, now, I can use it without burning my skin or needing to mix it with milk.

How much it has affected my facial hair is something I can not say because I had discontinued using it in between but I shall once at least use the product continuously for a month or two and let you know about the results. I had to leave it to test some products but after it is done, I shall get back to the routine. But, I have to say that those days I could see my skin glowing more than usual :)

Have you tried Kasturi Turmeric?

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L’Oreal ads banned for ‘misleading’ airbrushing

News emerged this week that mega-buck beauty campaigns starring Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington are to be banned in the UK.

After receiving a flood of complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has deemed the excessive airbrushing in the Lancome and Maybelline ads ‘misleading’.

The L’Oreal-owned brands defended their cover ups by claiming that eliminating crows feet, erasing dark circles, and tightening the skin were accurate representations of the benefits of the products. Yeah right!

No one can deny that Julia Roberts and Christy Turlington are exceptionally beautiful women, so why the need to airbrush them so heavily?

Perhaps because they actually look their age (43 and 42 respectively), and ageing gracefully does not sell millions of pounds worth of products!

Of course it’s not just the more mature celebs undergoing such extreme retouching, but every cover star no matter how youthful.

This airbrushing debate follows in the footsteps of the controversial Size 0 debate, proving that society is rebelling against the images of unattainable perfection imposed upon us everyday.

What do you think? Are we ready for a natural, real and honest beauty revolution?

And if the ASA are finally starting to clamp down on misleading beauty campaigns, how about they turn their attention to some of the ‘natural’ products advertised on the box at the moment, that really take the biscuit!  No prizes for guessing who….

TRESemme Smooth and Shine Shampoo {Product Review}

Guest Post by Pranali

Ingredients

  

Complete ingredient list is provided at the back of the bottle. It contains Sodium Laureth Sulphate which makes this shampoo detergent/surfactant based.

Packaging 

Comes in a sturdy black plastic bottle. The opaque bottle never gives you an idea of how much shampoo is left in the bottle. The mouth of the bottle has a tiny button which has to be pressed to dispense the shampoo.

Usage

The texture of this shampoo is slight creamy and has a pearly appearance. I dilute a small quantity with water, pour it on my wet hair and work it up into a lather. It lathers quite well and only a small amount of this shampoo is needed for it.

What I liked about the product

Cleans hair well
Contains biotin & argan oil (in small quantities) 

What I didn’t like about the product

Made my hair frizzy
Contains SLES 

Price: Rs 64 for 100ml

Recommendation 

This shampoo is a total miss for me! The only thing it did was to remove the pre-wash hair oil. It never gave me salon like hair. My mom has extremely dry colored hair, it didn’t work for her either. For me this shampoo fails to live up to its claims. I won’t be repurchasing it.

Have you used this product?

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Prominent Skin Conditions {Infographic}

Sunburn Salvations

While we’re well aware of the dangers of sunburn, chances are the odd bout of surprise sun will catch us out and we may still suffer from time to time.

The crucial thing to remember is that sunburned skin is damaged skin, so after-sun care shouldn’t just be about moisturising but repairing and restoring the skin back to full health.

Luckily for you, healing and strengthening the skin is what Pai is all about, and we have three organic rescue treatments guaranteed to have your skin sighing with relief in no time.

1. Comfrey & Calendula Calming Body Cream

When skin is sore and tender, the last thing you want is to aggravate it further with irritating chemicals.

Our therapeutic body cream is made from organic plant extracts with proven calming and regenerative properties.

The anti-inflammatory powers of Calendula work in perfect unison with Allantoin (in Comfrey), a substance that stimulates the growth of new skin cells.

Rich plant oils and butters intensively hydrate and nourish the skin, easing any tightness and reducing the risk of unsightly peeling!

2. Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream

 

Nobody wants to look like a lobster, so reduce redness instantly with our super-soothing Chamomile & Rosehip Cream.

Chamomile is bursting with Chamazulene, a powerful natural anti-inflammatory that cools the skin and reduces swelling.

Wonder ingredient Rosehip accelerates the skin’s natural healing process, while improving its firmness, elasticity and suppleness. 

3. Rosehip BioRegenerate oil

Rosehip’s powerful combination of natural Vitamin A and Omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9, repair and condition sunburned skin fast.

Unlike other Rosehip oils on the market, Pai Rosehip contains ‘fruit’ oil which has twice the regenerative sterols and five times the skin-protecting carotenoids of regular seed oil.

Clinically proven to significantly improve the appearance of sun damage, as well as scars, stretch marks, fine lines and age spots, Rosehip BioRegenerate is the ultimate skin SOS treatment.

Treat problems the Old Way {Infographic}

Skin Care

The Science behind Sunburn

The fleeting visit of long-awaited summer sun last weekend no doubt meant there were some red faces in the office come Monday morning!

But while we’re well aware of the dangers associated with too much sun, how many of us actually know what happens to our skin when it burns?

The reddening, swelling and pain of sunburn are actually the symptoms of a toxic reaction to the sun’s UV rays.

The intense energy of UV radiation damages molecules on the skin’s surface, and sparks the synthesis of proteins such as prostaglandins and cytokines.

In turn, these proteins cause the blood vessels to dilate and inflammatory cells to gather at the affected area – this is when you feel the burn!

It usually takes 4-6 hours for these proteins to kick in after the initial UV over-exposure, hence why sunburn can appear long after you’ve been sitting out.

Though the odd patch of sunburn is treatable, the real danger lies in prolonged or regular over-exposure to UV radiation.

In these cases skin cells become so damaged that the body can no longer repair them, and they irreversibly mutate into potentially cancerous cells.

The other, less serious but sadly more effective, sunbathing deterrent is the very real ageing effect of UV radiation.

Astoundingly, sun damage accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin ageing!

Though scientists aren’t completely certain of how this process works, some think that it is due to UV rays’ ability to breakdown collagen.

Collagen naturally depletes with age, and is the substance responsible for maintaining skin strength, firmness and elasticity. The less collagen, the more loose, lined and lacklustre skin appears.

Regular readers of the blog will know that Pai is yet to find a completely safe SPF (and particularly stays clear of those containing Methyl Paraben).

As always our best-advice for protecting the skin is to stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 11-3pm, or if you’re out and about to cover-up. A wide-brimmed hat is a girl’s best friend!

It’s also important to ensure your diet and skincare is rich in anti-oxidants, as this will help long term skin health.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Sunburn Salvation post, where we reveal the best organic ways to replenish, repair and regenerate sun-damaged skin.

How to deal with insecurities during Pregnancy? {Women Stuff}

So, today was a good day because I came to know that one of my friend has finally become pregnant. Now, there is a new insecurity in her. She is just 4 weeks along and the heartbeat of the baby has not yet been heard on ultrasound.

Apparently, the heart beat can be heard on an ultrasound at latest by 7 weeks. And, her doc said it would take 5 weeks. Ok, I have no idea why the doc said so and may be she is right and google is wrong!

Anyways, my friend is scared to death about it. She wants the heartbeat like right now! I told her that 5 weeks is too soon for it, probably. I am obviously not well-informed but everyone around said so.

The main issue here is that she is insecure. She has been trying for a baby seriously since like 9-10 months at max. Honestly, I do not think it is too long a time because one year is generally a give and take when you are trying to conceive and she was under hell lot of stress for the past few months.

Two months back there was a significant delay in her periods and she was almost expecting she is carrying. Unfortunately, the reports turned out to be negative.

Moreover, it has been four years to her marriage and everyone around is hankering her for a baby. You know how insensitive people can get, right? We tried our level best to make her feel comfortable but it is something she has to let go.

I think it is a very common thing to get insecure in such a situation. There are so many changes in the physiology that attending to the moods and hormonal changes themselves are too much, leave taking care of office issues and other things at home!

What do you think is the best thing to combat such irrational thoughts? Do they affect the baby? Or, will these things just settle with time and she will get used to it?

PS: I just found out that heart starts beating at 22 days but might not be audible on the ultrasound till 5-6 weeks. Heart Beat is the first viable sign of pregnancy. And, I am keeping my fingers crossed!

PS 2: The images have been taken from google and I do not claim any ownership.

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Grooming Lessons Vol. 4 - Breezy Breaths OR not so much!

Ok, so this is one of the major social faux pas one can ever make! So, be always careful about how you are smelling, orally or physically! Carrying a sample perfume bottle and a handy mouthwash or spray is a very good idea. Let me talk about dental health today.

Be sure to check your breath after the meal

Please do not forget to ditch those onions in your midday meal even if you love them! I know this sounds so obvious but people who love onions tend to forget that the other person talking to them has to bear that smell even if they are standing a meter away from you.

Are you brushing your teeth correctly?

Ok, many people do not really pay attention to how they brush! You should brush your teeth vertically with quick strokes instead of horizontal brushing. I remember the countless times my dad used to comment on my method of brushing till the time he approved of it!

Flossing might be a good idea!

Flossing instead of brushing is a better way to get rid of bacteria and cavities issue. So, take 5 minutes out of your time and give a nice floss to your teeth. That helps in promoting gum health also.

Scrape your tongue!

If you are brushing right and flossing regularly and still have breath issues, get a tongue scraper. The bacteria and the germs which thrive on the moist tongue are more often the culprit of bad breath. In Ayurveda, it is said that tongue should be scraped every morning after brushing to detox the body.

Pull that Oil

I told you some days back that I had started oil pulling. I can safely say that though it is not exactly my favorite task of the day, it makes my teeth clean, white and tends to keep the bad breath away by removing the oral bacteria and germs.

So, always be aware of how your breath smells, even if you have just snacks or coffee breaks! And, don't forget to simply rinse your mouth after every meal, small or large.

So, do you take care of your breath? Do you use any breath fresheners?

PS: Image copyrights belong to the original owners. I do not claim any ownership.

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Loving / Using It : Loving It

I am totally loving this product! Review will be up by the end of this month at max. But, in the mean time, I would say its not a miracle product or something but it is something which I totally enjoy using because it just makes my routine so simple and cut-short!

What about you? Have you used this product?

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Hair Combs and Brushes {Reader's Query}

Hi Swati, I coundn't find an appropriate post in which to ask this question, so I'm asking here. You've written a lot about hair care, but I couldn't find any post about hair brushes/combs. I've been reading that boar bristle brushes are really good for hair. What are your thoughts on that? What brushes/ combs do you use? Do you find that good quality ones aid in maintaining good hair health or is it unnecessary? I've seriously been considering purchasing a boar bristle brush (regular brushes cause more hair fall for me compared to combs), but I couldn't find a single Indian blog that had mentioned anything about it. 

So, first of all, thanks Poohkie for pointing such a pertinent topic. And, I am so sorry it has already been a month that I have not reverted back! Now, let me get back to the topic. Long back, I had discussed a bit of history on the combs and the ones I have used subsequently! I am really sorry about the missing pics in that post but I had deleted a pics folder in picasa because of which many of my posts have missing pics!

Wooden Combs

Apparently, the Indian artisans in history used to make wooden combs which had a sort of string of holes through the base of the teeth. One could pour a drop or two of oil through the first hole which used to travel down the comb and when used on the hair, the oil gets applied to the roots and hair strands evenly, nourishing the hair!

I have come across quite a number of wooden combs by now but still the TBS one remains my fav! I think its mainly to do with the finishing of the product. I recently got one for my friend as well and she has been finding a considerable difference in her hair. So, yes to wooden combs compared to the plastic ones! But, whatever you choose, make sure they are wide-teethed.

How to choose Hair Brushes?
Ok, the first rule with brushes is that if you have curly hair, its better to avoid one! Otherwise, I have heard natural brushes or boar-bristle brushes are really good. So, I did find out a long long time back that Denman and Mason Pearson are the two best brands when it comes to hair brushes but unfortunately I have no idea where they are available online. TBS carries wooden quilled brushes as well, one of which I had bought but use it very occasionally.

A flat brush or paddle brush is great to tame the hair and distribute the natural oils from the roots to the tips of the strands. The bristles of the brush can be nylon or wooden or natural hair like boar bristle or horsehair. Also, the base of the brushes should be rubber preferably because that allows the bristles to move more flexibly and damages the hair lesser comparatively!

How much brushing is good?
Hundred brush strokes a day is said to do amazing things to hair but I think that's just overdoing it. Excess brushing can actually damage the hair. First, brush the hair only when it is dry and it is straight.

Brushing curly hair can harm its cuticles because the hair strand is uneven and the brush quills can rip it off! That is why natural hair is preferable on the brush.

Also, a few brush strokes a day does help distribute the natural oils evenly on the hair. So, make sure you do not brush your hair excessively as it flattens the hair. If you have fine hair, remember that it can look very weighed down if you brush it more often, especially when it is a day old.

How to clean the brush?
I have to say that this is the one part which stumps me completely and discourages me to use my TBS brush. But, you do not have to worry if your brush is not wooden.

After every brush stroke, make sure you remove the hair strands caught up in the bristles. Ignoring them too much can lead to lot of accumulation of hair strands.

Also, soaking them and washing them once in two weeks or a week depending on how frequently you use it or how dirty it has become is good. I use a discarded tooth brush to clean the base of the brush and even my comb and nails. 

Do you use a brush? How do you choose your hair brushes? How often do you use them and how do you clean your brush?

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Dark Patches on Skin

Don’t let your hands give your age away!

A while ago we met a lovely Pai customer who taught us a valuable skincare lesson.

After years of caring meticulously for her face, her supple, toned and remarkably wrinkle-free skin meant that she could easily pass for a woman 10 years her junior.

I naturally offered my Congratulations on her skincare success, to which she recoiled, held up her hands and said ‘But look at these!’

Though perfectly normal for her age, her hands did give her away.

Years of washing up and gardening had taken their toll, and left her mits lined, loose and cracked.

It always surprises me how people regard hand cream as an occasional use product rather than a staple part of their skin care regime.

After all, our hands are on show as much as our face, and the poor things are worked much harder!

To really nourish, protect and replenish the hands it’s important to invest in a therapeutic treatment cream rather than a bog standard perfumed cream.

Pai’s Fragonia & Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream incorporates the latest in bio-active ingredients to repair and regenerate dry, chapped hands. Rich in Pro-Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Omega 3, 6 & 7, it aids cell renewal and smoothes the skin.

Its anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable for even the most sensitive of skin, and its fast absorbing formula means no annoying greasy residues. Just apply and get on with your day.

But don’t just take our word for it, listen to the eco-Mums over at The Green Parent Magazine, who recently honoured our star hand cream with a prestigious Green Parent Natural Beauty Award!

At Pai HQ we keep a bottle in the bathroom along with our Rosehip BioRegenerate oil for an extra skin repair boost.  One pump and one drop mixed together are a powerful combination!

Weight Loss Series Vol. 1 - Why do you wanna lose weight?

Ok, since you all like my Blogging Series and Hair Diaries, well most of you, I thought I could start this new series and I shall try to do a post every week or may be once in two weeks. So, let us start with a discussion of why exactly do you want to lose weight. I am not talking about motivations but the real inspiration behind the decision!

My Attempts at Weight Loss

For me, I have always been a very non-athletic kid and though I was not fat or obese, I was always healthy. In my teens, I still had my baby fat on and when I went to college, I did put on a lot of weight in the last two years and though I had started various exercises, mainly yoga, I was never very regular and walking was the only thing we did A LOT!

Then, I entered my post graduation and I was definitely on the heavier side at about 63kgs. I started with cycling in the gym but then the quality of the gym equipments wasn't so good so that was kind of on and off. Then, I went to Pune for a month where I used to go for regular walks in the evening. Before that, I had tried out some early morning walks. And, none of them actually paid off.

Then, I started blogging and came across Suryanamaskars which I tried to follow diligently for sometime. Again, no proper routine! And, then, came December 2012 when I had enrolled for my life's first artistic Yoga classes which I had definitely enjoyed but then it was too expensive and I did not care to spend that much. Though, I can always do the same things at home but then I am lazy, remember?

I tried to go for light early morning jog-cum-walks for somedays but nothing doing. Then, I thought I would go for some swimming classes and excuses were having no swimming costume and cap or the goggles. And, then, I bought a skipping rope which I never really bothered to use. So, these are the very many attempts to losing weight.

Current Routine

And now two weeks back, I was high on my inspiration and I did not let it die down completely. I have to say that there have been quite a few slip ups. But, more or less I am sticking to 300 jumps of skipping rope! My inspiration as I would call it is to lead a healthy and active life as opposed to just losing weight. So, I think it is better to stick to the routine when we find the right reason for which one wants to pursue some course of action.

What can be the possible reasons for losing weight?

Leading a Healthy Life

I have often seen people who suffer from serious set-backs and are able to survive are the kinds who have such lofty goals as to lead a healthy life. Well, that did happen with my father when some 15-20 years back he found his cholesterol levels had hit a major upper limit. He started taking care that he does a minimum of an hour exercise and walk a lot!

Special Occasions

Well, nothing is more amazing than looking good for that cousin's or friend's wedding! And, when it comes to one's own special occasion's, there is no looking back, right? But, unfortunately, I find this reason does not bode well for a regular routine!

But, my motivation is a mix of both right now so it is kinda working for now :D Well, right now, I can think of only these two but something I wanted to convey with this post is that find out why you exactly want to lose weight? That might probably hold you long enough to do as you really want! I really hope this post makes some sense!

What do you say? Does a real inspiration for anything life works as an everlasting motivation?

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Pai stars in The Gloss’s Summer Beauty special

Well done to all our Irish Pai fans who spotted us in July’s gorgeous issue of The Gloss.

Our now cult Chamomile & Rosehip Sensitive Skin Cream was named one of the ‘best new face-savers’ in the Summer Beauty special.

Beauty Editor Sarah Halliwell says,

This ultra-soothing organic (certified by the Soil Association) lotion gives skin a little TLC for summer. Designed for reactive, ultra-sensitive skin, it’s made from the purest plant extracts and is rich in antioxidants. Great range, well priced.

We’re thrilled with such high praise!

Summer heat is a major cause of skin sensitivity flares, so if you are going away it’s worth keeping a bottle of Chamomile & Rosehip Cream on hand to soothe any redness or irritation.

Its high concentration of skin repairers and regenerators also make it a great natural after-sun. It’s like the moisturiser that keeps on giving!

Camellia works wonders for your skin, heart and all round health

What do your cleanser and your cup of tea have in common?

Well, so long as you’re using Pai’s organic offering, both are derived from the Camellia Sinesis plant.

Camellia is one of those wonder ingredients that has a multitude of health, beauty, and apparently taste, benefits.

The Japanese have used it for centuries as a natural skin cleanser, and according to a new report commissioned by the Tea Advisory Panel, it is what gives tea its health-boosting properties.

As unveiled by Cosmopolitan.co.uk, the same report also claims that a regular cuppa with milk is as healthy for you as green tea!

Apparently as both are harvested from the same plant, both improve heart health and circulation, as well as reducing the risk of cancer, stroke and diabetes.

We’re a little dubious of their equal kudos ourselves, if only for the fact that milk has a tendency to aggravate skin sensitivities.

But still, it’s food for thought – what do you think, are all teas really made equal?

From the Archives : Hair Tips for Monsoon {Hair Care}

PS: Even though this is an old post, the introduction holds true for this year as well :D

I am loving, adoring and blissfully bathing in Hyderabad weather after the sultry Delhi :) Ok, yes, it is humid and that does increase the suffocation at times but the cool breeze in the evenings and the lovely rains are just too romantic too ignore!!! But, then, monsoons always bring a spate of hair problems with them. 

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PS: I have nominated Perfect Skin Care for you for Indiblogger awards. If you like the post and my blog, please go on this link and write your reviews about the blog and make the blog one of the winners! You will have my undying gratitude :)

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Humid Hair

The scalp gets all dirty very soon even though the pollution is in control. The reason for this is because of the amount of humidity which accumulates the dust and sweat in the hair and makes the scalp dirty very quickly. So, hair wash should be frequent, preferably on alternate days and you should always make sure to leave your hair open for at least an hour everyday to let the roots and the scalp get some air through them and get dry.

If you get wet in the rain, let your hair air dry and then go for a hair wash. Immediate washing is generally not preferable as it may lead to diseases and illness.

• Hair Fall: This is the most common problem of hair in monsoons and even I can see those effects. One way to control it is to keep the hair and scalp always clean as mentioned above and to keep the hair always dry as even a little wet hair is also prone to a lot breakage. Do not comb your hair immediately on returning home after a long day. Leave your hair untied for a good half hour to an hour and let it dry thoroughly before running a comb. 

• Dandruff: Even though the weather is humid, the scalp can dry out easily because of the climate changes and weather fluctuations. And, that can lead to a lot of dead skin being accumulated on the scalp and leading to dandruff issues. This also contributes to hair fall in the monsoons. Ultimately, this issue can also be resolved by keeping the scalp and hair clean and dry at all times.

Hair Accessories

Avoid using scarfs and stoles to keep your hair protected from rain or even pollution. Because, lack of air circulation causes the sweat to get entrapped and accumulated on the scalp. Instead, carry an umbrella to protect you in sudden rains. And, pollution is anyway in control in monsoons so don't worry about that. Btw, it may be necessary for you to wash your hair everyday at times. Go ahead and do it. Only make sure that you use a good quality shampoo, preferably a high-end brand or an SLS-free shampoo like Organic Surge.

Keep your hair tools clean and dry

Clean your comb, hair brush and even the scrunchies and hair clips you use as they gather the sweat when you use them on dirty hair!!!

How do you protect your hair in monsoons? Comment below with your tips!

Image Courtesy:idiva.com

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Specialized Ingredients and Skin Care {Skin Care}

PS: Please spare time and write honest testimonials about my blog here and make Perfect Skin Care for you one of the winners in Indiblogger Awards. You will have my undying gratitude :) Now, let's move on to today's discussion. 

So, I had decided early this year that I would resort to anti-aging skin care but unfortunately I am not really doing anything except trying to use sunscreen without fail! That itself is of such a big help that you do not really need anything else. 

But, of course, you must have come across the information suggesting Retinoids, AHA's and all kinds of things to get rid of wrinkles and other aging signs! Well, I totally agree that they work really well but I am of the league that better not try them unless you really need them or use them sparingly!

Retinoids and sisters/brothers are very strong!

I have heard retinoids being used for the eye area to prevent crow's feet and fine lines around the eyes, majorly. They might also be useful for frown and laugh lines. But, the issue with them is that they make your skin extremely photo-sensitive and if you do not use adequate amount of sunscreen to protect your skin, you might be doing more damage to your skin!

Moisturizer Havoc

I have an example to quote in this. I had reviewed my mum's long-time moisturizer, moisturex, long time back. But, soon after I had read the ingredients, it struck me that the product might not have been as good for her as I am supposing. The product has 10% of lactic acid and daily application of it has probably made my mum's skin sensitive. Many of the reader's comments also suggested this perception!

My mum has very sensitive skin and now I have realized that she can not even use something else because nothing else suits her! I once tried giving her a pampering treatment using Pond's flawless white face mask sheets. After keeping it for like 10-15 minutes, she removed it and let the gooey stuff on the mask seep into her skin. But, soon after she started complaining that her skin was burning! I have tried those same sheets and never have I felt it doing anything to my skin, good or bad, lest burn my skin or tingle it!

May be I am presuming too much when I think the product has made my mum's skin sensitive! Her skin often flushes when she comes back from being in sun but I do not remember if she had the very problem before using the above-mentioned product. So, I can not really conclude that the product made her skin sensitive or photo-sensitive!

Usage of Fresh Fruits on Skin

Ohk, not only the products but also the home remedies which we try out on a daily basis might not be a great idea! Few months back I had done a post on pH levels of citrus fruits to determine how safe lemon is for daily usage. And, turns out, it can make you age faster even if you see great results because it is very acidic!

Same goes for fruits rich in AHA's like papaya or pineapple. They should NOT be used on skin for more than 5 minutes and should be used at most twice a week! AHA's are very strong acids which no doubt are really beneficial to skin but they can be dangerous if misused a lot! In fact, in higher concentrations, they can cause skin peeling.

Vitamin C serums

There are a lot of DIY's I have been seeing over-time using ascorbic acid or like. I have thought of doing them myself as well. But, may be they should also be used occasionally like once or twice a week for a skin prep instead of making it a daily routine.

Salicylic Acid Face Washes

No doubt, they are amazing on acne-prone skin but they do dry out the skin a lot, the effects of which might not be felt immediately. I have never really prescribed to the usage of such products but lately I had used Garnier Pure Active which has the acid as one of its ingredients. No doubt, I loved it but it fails miserably on dry skin and I am not using it in the longer run! 

Long back I had talked about the aspirin face mask, DIY's for which can be found immediately on googling but should not be used in more than a concentration of 1-2% because they can result in drying of skin and hyperpigmentation, not to say photo-sensitivity!

Thus, these are my personal observations and opinions that any product having specialized ingredients should be used with care and caution and exactly as prescribed. Any deviance from the instructions can actually be really harmful for skin. 

Please note that this post is entirely my opinion and observations put in words. I would love to know what you think about the issue. So, comment on!

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Pai’s ‘Magical’ Rosehip BioRegenerate oil featured in SHE magazine

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The vibrant pink and orange ‘Beauty Dust’ spread celebrates the most magical beauty products of the season.

Casting the spell of ‘Picture Perfect Skin’ on anyone it touches, our Rosehip elixir keeps skin in optimum condition.

SHE says,

Enhance your complexion with Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate, £20. Bursting with antioxidants and omegas, it hydrates and lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The powerful healing and regenerative properties of this oil also improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, sun damage and age spots, promoting an even and glowing skin tone.

Order your bottle online today, or buy as part of our Rosehip Sensitive Skin Duo and save £9.

Just Gossip Vol. 20 - What are the beauty treatments you have planned for this month?

PS: Please write honest testimonials about my blog here and make Perfect Skin Care for you one of the winners in Indiblogger Awards. You will have my undying gratitude :) Now, let's move on to today's discussion. 

Isn't facebook browsing one of the most time-killing activity? Yeah, you must be thinking I have no work to do! But, since I have come back from Delhi, I don't feel like working at all!!

Anyways while whiling away my time on fb, I came across Lakme salon page and was going through their posts. There were quite a lot of tips and such things which were interesting to read. 

They had also posted quite many hair style pics and that reminded me that I had a hair spa just on Monday but I do not think I am terribly happy with it. And, I was already gearing up for the next one and hunting down which one to try out!! Any recommendations?

Naturally, I thought of asking you what are the beauty treatments you are planning to take this month and the early next? I have a wedding to attend so I kinda need to get somethings done! Uff...its such a pain to be a female, sometimes!

So, what are the pamperings you have planned for yourself or you already had?

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