SKIN CARE ROUTINE: home remedies

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Minggu, 22 November 2015

pH level and Citrus Fruits {Skin Care}

Citrus Fruits are one of the most loved fruits for DIY because they lend freshness and cleanse the skin really well. But, they are also very harsh on the skin because of their acidity so one should use them in moderation and also, they make the skin photosensitive.

So, why should we really bother ourselves with these fruits? Well, because not all citrus fruits have the same level of acidity. Some are gentler on skin and can be used by sensitive skins as well. pH level is the measure of acidity of the fruit. Any chemical is either acidic or alkaline in nature and generally, fruits are acidic.

Some are alkaline as well. But, right now, we are talking about citrus fruits and they are acidic so let us look at the pH values of some widely available fruits to know which can be used safely on skin and which should be avoided. Though, lemon is the most loved citrus fruit.

Most Acidic Fruits

Tangerine - 3.90, Grapefruit - 3.38, Lime - 2.40, Lemon - 2.30

Least Acidic Fruits

Mandarin - 11.50, Orange - 4.35, Kumquat - 3.95

Also, remember that as the fruit ages, its acidity decreases.(Source)

Now, the pH level of the skin around 5.4 so if you use orange instead of lemon, its more gentle on skin. Even I was surprised to know that mandarin is alkaline and not acidic. When I was writing this post, I was reminded that I prefer tomatoes to lemon so checked its pH value as well.

pH value of fresh tomato ranges between 4.3 and 4.9 (source). In fact, potato is also considered to be great for skin. Its pH value lies between 5 and 6.5 which is relatively very less acidic and more gentle on skin. So, you can now customize your home remedies according to the pH levels of the ingredients :)

Sabtu, 21 November 2015

Shahnaz Husain Beauty Tips

I was too lazy to write a new post today and found this ASK SHAHNAZ column in Metro Plus, The Hindu. So, I am sharing those tips here and the credit for this entire article goes to the newspaper. For those who are not aware, Shahnaz Husain is the propagator for beauty industry in India.

Pimple Marks

Mix rice powder with curd and scrub with this paste once or twice a week. Do not use this if you have active acne or pimples, though!! This is only for marks.
This is a regular tip. Mix honey and lemon juice and apply on face everyday for 15 minutes. But, I would suggest the sensitive skin people to stay away from lemon and instead go for tomato or cucumber juice.
Apply face mask of multani mitti (Indian clay), rose water and lemon juice which is again a regular tip for half hour.

Dandruff and Greasy Scalp

Use lemon water for last rinse. Mix juice of one lemon in half glass of water (around 200ml). And, let the hair air dry.
Massage two table spoons of vinegar on scalp half hour before shampooing. [My Tip: Rosemary Essential Oil is amazing for dandruff!]
Egg white helps control oily scalp so massage it twenty minutes before washing your hair.
Include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts and yogurt in your daily diet. Drink lot of water daily. Having lemon water first thing in the morning also helps.

Blister developed due to Mosquito bite

Never ever scratch the bump or blister.
Dip a tea bag in cold water and apply it on the blister to calm it down and soothe the swelling.
Honey, aloevera gel or apple cider vinegar can also be applied as a spot treatment. [My Tip: Light hand massage of Aloevera gel really helps!!]

Excess Sweat and Body Odor

Wear fresh clothes and bathe twice a day, if possible. [My tip: Make sure your clothes dry in good sun even if not direct sunlight!]
Add one tea spoon of alum and crushed mint leaves to your bath water.
Tea Tree essential oil also helps with body odor and controlling sweat. Mix two drops with rose water or normal water and apply on the sweaty areas of the body using cotton ball.

Jumat, 16 Oktober 2015

Aromatherapy to control Mood Swings {Health}

aromatherapy diffuser at Perfect Skin Care for you

So, few days back, I was having my share of mood swings and wasn't feeling up to the mark. So, I thought of using the diffuser I got some time back. I have been using the diffuser for quite sometime and let me tell you, its one of the most amazing things I have ever used.

Since I wasn't feeling too good, I decided to get a bit of aromatherapy. And, the results were damn great (read AWESOME-ST). Its one of the best ways to get your mood better immediately and even if not better, calmer, at least, and it also relieves anxiety.

I love essential oils. I haven't used fragrance oils yet. I prefer essential oils because they are multi-purpose and last longer (I guess that applies to fragrance oils as well). I have used Patchouli, Cedarwood, Neroli in my aromatherapy. Totally loving Patchouli right now.

Well, let me share other advantages. Your room looks cozy (diffusers and tea light candle add to the home decor), the essential oils act as natural room fresheners, the essential oils are also great as natural insect repellants. Lemongrass, Cedarwood and Citronella are amazing for that purpose.

Next time you feel low, you know what to do? So, don't forget this natural remedy to relieve anxiety and feel refreshed and take care :) And, don't forget to switch off the lights!!

Related Posts:

How do I use Essential Oils?

My current scent

Sabtu, 03 Oktober 2015

5 Tips for an Acne-Free Face {Guest Post}

Anyone who has had an acne-riddled face knows how hard it can be to get rid of the acne – and keep it away. Many acne-fighting face washes and lotions are expensive and can be pretty harsh on sensitive skin. Additionally, they only fight half of the acne battle.

When trying to eliminate acne, you want to fight two ways — from the outside and from the inside. Acne products only fight pimples on the surface, but more natural remedies can help control and balance your body’s hormones to stop acne from appearing. From healthy habits to seemingly-magical face recipes, getting rid of acne can finally become a reality.

Don’t Touch

It’s as simple as it sounds — don’t touch your acne. For whatever reason, it seems to be part of human nature to want to touch anything seemingly unnatural with our bodies, whether that means bug bites, scabs or acne. However, when you poke and prod at your pimples, you are aggravating the skin and exposing it to more oils that will only fuel it. It’s especially important not to pop pimples, as that can leave scars and possibly cause infection. Instead, using the cotton ball and hot water method yields safer results.

Drink and Eat Healthy

Everyone knows that greasy and sugary foods makes your acne worse. If you find yourself struggling with acne, eliminate processed foods and go for some healthier options. You don’t necessarily have to go vegan, but replace the french fries with some fruit or your chips with some veggies. Drinking plenty of water can do wonders for your skin. When you drink at least 7 glasses a day, your skin gets more hydrated, making it less susceptible to acne — and it also means you don’t have to use as much moisturizer on your skin.

Get Daily Exercise

Exercise is good for more than just your muscles. Anything that increases blood flow and circulation in your body can help your skin. This helps nourish skin cells and cleanse them from the inside. You don’t need to devote a ton of time to exercising — as little as 10 minutes of exercise is all you need. Finding simple ways to stay in shape will benefit your body, mind and skin.

Use Gentle Products

There are hundreds of different acne remedies available for use. However, the problem with many of them is they can be harsh on your skin. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, using these harsh cleansers takes its toll on your face. Additionally, many solutions increase your sensitivity to the sun, making you more susceptible to sunburn. As crazy as it sounds, avoid using acne cleansers with high benzoyl peroxide or salycilic acid percentages and opt for gentler cleansers instead.

Use Facial Masks Weekly

For acne-riddled people, the right face mask can be magical. They somehow manage to pull oil and dirt from your skin, leaving it cleaner and brighter. The best facial masks tend to be the ones you can make with ingredients found in your own home. One that has had pretty spectacular results for me is this recipe:

Ingredients:

quarter size of raw unprocessed honey
half tsp nutmeg
half tsp cinnamon
a few drops of lemon juice (Optional — if you find your skin is especially sensitive, leave this out)

Once you combine the ingredients, you can either dab it onto individual pimples or spread it over your whole face. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes and see the difference once you wash it off. Keep in mind, these ingredients can cause some irritation for certain skin types, so if you feel horrible stinging wash it off right away.

No one enjoys having acne — from young teenagers to middle-aged adults, anyone who gets pimples hates them. By following a few simple steps and making healthier choices, you can drastically decrease the number of pesky pimples.

About the Author: Ali is a “Jill of all trades.” She writes about DIY projects, home advice and healthy living on her blog, Homey Improvements, works as a freelance writer, and is currently a princess on the weekends for little kids birthday parties.

Sabtu, 26 September 2015

Nutmeg for Dry and Oily Skin {Reader's Tip}

This is one of the tips I found in the comments while browsing through them.

Hey friends..! Try this.. really works.. Oily skin : Nutmeg paste prepared with water (apply it on face, leave it for 20mins and wash it off). Dry skin : Nutmeg paste prepared with raw milk (apply it on face, leave it for 20mins and wash it off). You can use honey instead of water too. Hope this will help you all :) on Difference between Pimples and Acne {Reader's Query}

As the reader said, nutmeg works wonders on the skin. Yes, the tip is extremely useful. And, do not forget to check out other Reader's Tips.

Kamis, 24 September 2015

From the Archives : Use ginger to get rid of acne {DIY}

PS: Everyone has been asking me about how to get rid of acne so this is an old and a very useful post on the same topic. Hope this helps :)

Ginger is a very useful spice. And, it has great anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties along with its astringent properties which comes handy when you are dealing with a stubborn problem like acne. Acne can come in form of pimples, outbreaks or even worse. So, let us discuss what all you can do from ginger.

Ginger is great as a drink every day. Yes, it is pretty bitter in taste but it improves your skin from inside. It helps your body fight the free radicals and keeps your digestive system in order. It cleans out the toxins from your system. Ginger improves the blood circulation throughout the body and also cleans out the blood. Not only this, it also improves the skin tone and helps in getting rid of blemishes and spots.

Squeeze out a little of ginger juice and apply it on your face or just the acne-affected areas and see your skin improve in a matter of days. It works very well for unexpected outbreaks and pimples. You can also use the juice as a face mask for blemished and sun-burnt skin. And, you can also help your body by including this spice in your daily diet.

A little every day goes a long way. You can also use a little ginger in your spinach-lettuce juice in the morning. Pass a small slice of ginger along with spinach and lettuce while making the juice. It would give a spicy taste to your drink. And, not to mention, ginger is really good for throat infections, dry coughs and colds.

So, have you used ginger on your acne ever? Does it help?

Jumat, 18 September 2015

From the Archives : Acne - Home Remedies {DIY}

Yesterday, I talked about how to take care of your skin and keep hygiene for preventing more acne outbreaks. Today, I would like to talk about some effective home remedies for acne. Hope these will be helpful for you.

Lemon juice is one of the best bets. It kills the bacteria in the acne and also reduces the oil production on the skin. In fact, all the citrus fruit family is great for acne. Oranges, strawberries, raspberries; take a slice of them every time you eat a fruit and rub it over your face and other affected parts of the body and keep it on till it dries off. Wash with very cold water so that it gives some relief from any burning or tingling sensation.

When I talked about lemon, tomato is the next follow up. Tomato juice is also equally effective for acne.

Remember one thing: Whenever you feel a tingling sensation after you apply any herbal or other product, it is a proof that it is working. If it starts irritating the skin or causes change in skin color, then it is probably time to get rid of the product or remedy.

Onion Juice and Ginger Juice is another great remedy for acne. Extract onion juice or ginger juice or cut a slice of onion or ginger and apply it on the affected parts. Wash off with cool water. You can even mix both of them.

To reduce any burning sensation or inflammation, use cooled tea bags and chilled cucumber slices. They provide a lot of relaxation. You can also apply sandalwood paste. It cools the skin and is an antiseptic. Mint juice is also very useful in dealing with the acne.

Mix 3/4th part of sandalwood and 1/4th part of turmeric. Make a paste with any fruit juice or mint juice and apply to the affected parts.

How could I forget aloevera gel. Plant an aloe at home and reap its benefits. The gel straight from the plant is great for acne.

Do not forget to use pomegranates. They too give you a lovely acne free skin.

You can also use something which will provide a cooling sensation or relief to the acne.

What home remedies do you use for your skin?

Kamis, 17 September 2015

5 Veggies that help with Acne {Five Series}

So, I was checking through my drafts and I came across this post which I had written long back and just left it as it is. So, let me recount some of the rarely heard home remedies which have great affect on the bacteria which result in acne.

Cabbage

It is rich in Vitamin K and Vitamin C, both of which help in getting a glowing and radiant skin and they also fight hyper-pigmentation. Grate a piece of cabbage and extract its juice. Apply it topically, let it dry and wash off. And, it also helps flushing out the toxins when taken internally.

Radish

Radish is rich in ascorbic acid, which is one form of Vitamin C, and potassium, whose deficiency can cause acne and Vitamin A and K. It helps fight the inflammation in the skin.

Onion

Rich in Vitamin C. And,

Onions contain phytochemical compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids that basic research shows to have potential anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol, anticancer and antioxidant properties [Source].

Cucumber

Rich in Vitamin A, C, E and K and potassium. And, helps soothe the skin. It is an astringent which helps open the skin pores and clean them.

Beetroot

Rich in Vitamin A, potassium, magnesium and Vitamin E which helps heal the scars on the skin. It helps clearing the skin from the inside and flushes out the toxins and also helps lower cholesterol.

Which other veggies would you add to the list?

Selasa, 08 September 2015

The Green Beauty Skin Care Tag [Part - I] {Skin Care}

Thanks Vivi for tagging me :) And, I am excited to do this post! I have never really done any such posts so let's see how I fare :-)

Describe your routine in 5 words.

Simple, Lazy, Natural, Lazy, Sleep

I keep my routine simple and natural and extra stress on lazy because I am really lazy and sleep because it cures everything!

What's your skin type?

Combination with oil tendency in summers and dry in all other seasons. I am 27 now and I do not use any anti-aging product yet. In dilemma if I really need it.

What's your favorite skin product?

I love oils. More exotic it is, more my tendency to use it. Till date, I have loved all oils I have used but best among them is apricot oil. And, I do love Rustic Art Aloevera gel in commercial products.

Top Blemish Zapper?

I never really had problem with blemishes coz my skin does heal itself in the course of time but I do believe honey helps a bit! And, proper routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing helps for sure!!

Face Wipes - Yay or Nay?

I am against face wipes in a daily routine basis but they are life saviors when it comes to travelling or during emergencies. But, please do not use them to wipe off sweat. The film it leaves behind can clog the pores!

Toner - Yay or Nay?

After a long stint with toners, I would say yes. If applied before immediate moisturization, it helps keep the skin hydrated and supple for a longer time.

High-end skincare or makeup?

You know the answer already. Skincare!!

What's the most unusual skincare product I have tried?

I do not think I have tried anything weird on my face yet. I can say that first time I used face mask on my face was pretty weird for me!!

Since I am typing this on my mobile, my hands are tired so I shall finish this post in another part. Oh btw, I would love to hear your answers to each of the questions above so do not forget to answer them :-)

From the Archives : How to Get rid of Blackheads? {Skin Care}

Well, blackheads are a very universal problem. Getting rid of them is not very easy. Blackheads are actually the dirt which settles in your pores and turns black due to oxidation when it comes in contact with the air. So, this is a recurring problem.

It is not like you get rid of it once and it never comes back again. Regular exfoliation is one of the methods to get rid of blackheads. I shall be posting one remedy which my friend has suggested to me once.

Steaming is your solution.
Well, it is just synonymous to exfoliation. Take boiled water in a pot, cover yourself and the pot with a towel and do not let the steam escape. Let the steam open your pores. Now, take a soft wash cloth and dip it in pot. Let the wash cloth cool to a tolerable temperature and now gently rub your nose area with the wash cloth.

Remember not to rub hard as it will peel off your skin. Do it gently and patiently. Do this for 5-10 minutes as long as you are comfortable. You can follow this procedure by exfoliating the whole face too. Wash off with cold water (as cold as you can bear) to close the pores. Follow with a very light moisturizer if you want or best is to leave your skin as it is.

Now, one of the rules for not getting blackheads is to keep your skin clean. Whenever we apply any kind of moisturizer or cream on our face, it closes the pores. The pores on the nose are bigger than that of the face so they get blocked easily and the dirt in them shows conspicuously. So, keep your face clean and non-greasy all day long.

Another remedy to get rid of blackheads is lemon juice. Apply lemon juice on your nose and extend it up to the cheeks covering all the crevices too. It will dry in a matter of seconds. Go to sleep. Wash your face with cold water only in the morning. Follow this as frequently as you can and you should notice some change in two weeks or a month depending on your frequency of application.

Third remedy which I have not tried is to buy some nose pore cleanser strips from a dug store and using them. I am not sure about their effectiveness. But, I think they should be fine for a quick fix job. Though I have suggested it, please remember that the pore strips are not good for skin. They also have the same harmful ingredients as are present in the refreshing wipes like alcohol and other preservatives. So, try to keep their usage to a minimum.

How do you get rid of your blackheads??

Senin, 31 Agustus 2015

From the Archives : Turn your regular shampoo into a homemade herbal shampoo {DIY}

Today, I would be sharing with you a recipe which I have been using for long for my hair and believe me, it has done wonders. I no longer believe in buying hair products according to your needs like a hair fall shampoo as a solution to hair loss or a damage repair shampoo for a heat burnt hair. I have got rid of these things using simple home remedies and I would suggest you to practice them regularly to see quick and long lasting results. You can use tomato repair the dry dull hair or fenugreek for hair loss. ~~If you feel like, you can top your treatment with such fancy hair products too. They might do you some good, who knows!!!~~

Coming back to the topic, the recipe is very simple.

Ingredients (practically everything you think is good for hair and worth boiling in water)

- Indian Gooseberry (fresh or sun-dried amla)

- fenugreek seeds and leaves (methi)

- curry leaves

- sage leaves / basil leaves (tulsi)

- hibiscus flower and leaves

- mehendi leaves (henna)

- jasmine flowers and leaves

- rose petals

- lavender and rosemary flowers (if available)

Method
Soak ~~them~~ all the ingredients in two liters of water overnight. Boil next morning till water remains half of the original quantity. Let the water cool and strain. You can use this directly as a shampoo but it would not lather and I don't know if it removes the oil completely. And, you might not get satisfied with it.

So, take a fresh clean bottle. Pour your regular shampoo to a one-third quantity of the bottle. And, pour this liquid over it. Shake well. Your herbal shampoo is ready. ~~Do not worry about diluting your shampoo. It is good for you as less number of chemicals are applied on your hair and your shampoo lasts longer.~~

This shampoo works better than the regular shampoo. And, it will definitely give better results than the regular application. Do not judge it until you try this out. It might sound weird to some people. But, if you have ever heard, many people advice that one should dilute the shampoo with water to decrease the harshness of chemicals on the hair. I will request you all to give it a try.

You can use a shampoo sachet for a trial. And, then, you can decide for your own self whether this shampoo will suit you or not. And, it surely does help in hair growth too.

Words of Caution
Please refrain from using any ingredient, which you already know, you will be allergic to. If you want to dye your hair some color, you can continue with using henna leaves. But, remember that though henna is conditioning for hair, it is extremely drying too. So, you can skip it.

You may put some green tea ~~(or your favorite flavor)~~ too in the boiling water. Do not add anything which has short shelf life as it will spoil the whole recipe like lemon peels, soapnuts or shikakai. Use them fresh. You can use lemon juice as a hair rinse for shine. But, lemon causes hair to get dry. So, you might want to try out other remedies for shiny hair.

Have you tried something like this ever?

Kamis, 27 Agustus 2015

How to make the skin clear and get rid of scars and blemishes and dark spots? {Skin Care}

So, last week I had left you with the post on melanin production. So, in that post, I had specifically mentioned that you can do nothing to lighten your skin color but you can always keep your skin clear and avoid from getting tanned. So, how to go about doing that?

Sunscreen

This is the first and foremost principle for any skin care routine. Applying sunscreen regularly keeps your skin young and also free from tan. Well, ok, lemme reiterate that sunscreen does not prevent tanning but it is comparatively lesser than if you go into sun without any protection. And, if you are using physical sunscreens, you can be assured that the tan is minimal. That does reduce a lot of your work!!

AHA's

As I mentioned in the last post, lactic acid and glycolic acid have been believed to reduce the melanin content in the skin. So, may be a weekly routine of this might help. Let me again say MIGHT! Because, what I understand is that a 50%-70% concentration of these acids might be really successful in doing the intended but yes an occasional use can definitely give a healthy glow.

Now, lactic acid is present in milk and glycolic is mostly present in sugarcane juice or jaggery or, most available, sugar. Milk is generally considered to be safe for daily usage and it is famous since ancient times for its benefits on skin. But, I will suggest all the oily skin and acne-prone skin people to stay far away from it.

Coming to using glycolic acid, it is quite strong for skin especially when you are going to use freshly squeezed sugarcane juice so I would say go easy on the skin. Use it as a face mask mixed with any flour and wash off after 10-15 minutes and no more!

And, if sugarcane is not available, you can use brown sugar, raw sugar, powdered sugar or powdered jaggery as a face scrub mixed in honey. But, be sure not to use it more than twice a week, no matter what skin type. Exfoliating the skin everyday is not a good idea, howsoever much you might love your skin after that!!

Also, papaya and pine apple juices are quite effective. They can also remove the tan and dead skin cells and the dark spots and blemishes and scars and what not. But, these remedies should again be used only twice a week and no more because they can end up drying the skin a lot!

Vitamin C

That is another great home remedy which works absolutely fantastically. And, the best part is that not only it exfoliates but it also rejuvenates the skin. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis which is important to keep the skin youthful and smooth.

But, here I would again suggest instead of lemon juice, tomato juice should be used on a daily or alternate day basis. It really helps! The reason being lemon is drying on skin as it is too acidic.

Other Home Remedies

There are a whole lot of other spices and vegetables and fruits which can be used on skin like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, garlic, mint, cucumber, berries, date juice, turmeric, mustard and probably all other spices in the world!!

So, what are the simple ways to keep your skin clear and avoid blemishes and dark spots?

Rabu, 26 Agustus 2015

From the Archives : Get rid of Split Ends {Hair care}

Split ends are ugly and make our hair look unhealthy. More than that, they actually make our hair unhealthy by climbing up the hair shaft. The only way to get rid of split ends is by trimming your hair up to the level where you are sure all your damaged hair is gone. Next step is to take care of your hair properly so that there are no split ends in the future.

First is to handle your hair very gently. Do not rub with a towel or use a rough accessory on it. Do not be harsh with it while drying it. Just gently squeeze the excess water out of the hair and let it air dry. Keep your combs and brushes smooth. If they develop jagged edges or get broken at any point, change them. The jagged edges or sharp broken points can rip off the hair.

Proper nutrition and regular exercise is necessary to maintain beautiful hair. Why? As our hair grows from the follicle, it gets old. The tips of our hair is years old actually and due to the lack of proper nutrients and exercise and loss of proper capillary action in the hair, it becomes difficult for the hair follicles to provide proper nutrition to the ends of the hair. This is one of the reasons for even the hair getting dry as it grows past a certain length. Due to the lack of nutrition, the cuticle wears off and the hair strand starts splitting.

Due to the very same reason, we need to provide the ends with extra nutrition on a regular basis. If your hair is extremely dry or is prone to lot of split ends, do a weekly pre-poo on your hair. Egg and honey is especially helpful.

Excess usage of hair products can also bring this calamity to your hair. Use only the most required of the products and make sure they are of the highest quality. Use as minimum amount as possible of any product.

Mix a tea spoon of castor oil with two tea spoons of pure coconut oil and massage in into your hair with special attention to the ends twice a week. Dip a towel into warm water and wrap your hair in it. You can even take a steam for your hair. You can leave it overnight or wait for an hour or two and wash off with a mild shampoo. Do not forget to dilute the shampoo. After washing your hair, apply a intensive hair conditioner to the ends of the hair and stay for 5-10 minutes. Wash off. You can follow with leave-in conditioner.

So, how do you prevent the splits in your hair?

Senin, 24 Agustus 2015

From the Archives : Use "Shaving Oil" to get rid of unwanted hair {Skin Care}

I would like to share an absolutely fabulous home remedy today. Shaving Oil. This is to bring to kind attention of all people who like to shave, you can consider using a shaving oil instead of the shaving gels, creams or hair conditioners or whatever you use.

And, the best part is you do not have to go and hunt for a shaving oil in the market. You can use any oil available in your kitchen. Be sure to use only vegetable oils or pure oils. It might sound weird for you to hear that we can use an oil as an alternative to shave.

But, it works fabulously and gives a much cleaner and safer shave than any richly foaming hair conditioner or shaving creams.

What are the advantages of Shaving Oil over Shaving Creams and other products?

No chemicals. While shaving, any cream or gel might enter your body or react with your skin. It might give you rashes or allergies. Shaving Oil is nothing but a moisturizing ingredient so you would not feel any rash.
Oil moisturizes your skin well so there is no dryness which happens after shaving.
Oil helps the razor to glide smoothly so it gives a much cleaner and closer shave. You would love the way your skin feels afterward. Also, you would not suffer from any nicks and cuts while shaving due to the smooth gliding motion
Oil can be used anywhere on the body safely. You can apply oil on your pubic area also without having second thoughts where as other methods (use of gels and creams) might cause allergic reactions on sensitive parts of the bodies and might become big problems. You can also use this method to shave the genatalia.
You can easily shave a dense growth of hair too after applying the oil.There is a less risk of ingrown hair.
And, lastly, it costs much less so saves your pocket money or you can use the same money to buy something more worthwhile.

What is shaving oil made of?

I am not talking about a particular kind of oil which is known as shaving oil. By Shaving Oil, I mean using oil for shave. You can use any kind of an oil available at home which you are not allergic too. You may even mix 2-3 oils of your choice.

The ideal oils for shaving are: Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Sesame Oil, Jojoba Oil, Castor Oil.

You may use them individually. If you would like to blend more than one oil, you can pour equal quantities of all the oils you want to use in a jar for storage. Make an exception while using Castor oil as it is very thick. Always use half quantity of Castor oil as that of other oils.

How to shave using shaving oil?

Do not wet the body part you want to shave.
Apply the oil very generously over the area you want to shave and massage the area well for 5 minutes to make the hair soft.
Now, gently shave with the razor.
After the shave, you can take a bath. Do not use soap on the shaved area. Instead, use enough hot water to wash off the oil.
You may consider sanitizing your razor.

I urge you earnestly to try this once. I have tried it and have fallen in love with it. This method gave me the smoothest shave ever in my life till now. And, the shaved skin does not hurt or irritate the way it used to earlier. I am looking forward to your comments about your experience with this method.

Related Posts:
From the Archives : Hair Tips for Monsoon {Hair Care}
From the Archives : Softening your skin starts from your bath {DIY}
From the Archives : Aloevera for Hair : a quickfix {DIY}

Jumat, 07 Agustus 2015

Turmeric infused Almond Oil {DIY}

This was a DIY I have done like almost an year back. But, I did not share it because I wanted to try out the oil and wanted to report back the effects. So, let's have a look at the ingredients.

Ingredients

Almond oil - 100ml

Turmeric - 1 tbsp

Saffron - a pinch of strands

Spices (nutmeg + cinnamon + cloves) - 1 tbsp

Method

Put all the ingredients in a glass bottle/jar and leave for a month undisturbed. Shake the bottle once in a day and if possible leave in direct sunlight for an hour or two everyday. After the stipulated period, strain the oil and it's ready to use.

Results

I have to say that it has not been long since I have started using the oil so can not really report back on everything.

For the starters, it did help with some of my breakouts. I used to spot-apply the oil on the suspicious bumps and they used to disappear by the next morning.

As regards to complexion changes, I do not really think I have noticed any changes yet. Also, the blemishes on my neck do not really look any different but I do keep on bothering the skin repeatedly without letting it heal!

I shall keep on trying it and will report back if I see any changes.

Have you used any turmeric infused facial oils?

Minggu, 26 Juli 2015

Treat problems the Old Way {Infographic}

Skin Care

Minggu, 05 Juli 2015

From the Archives : Aloevera for Hair : a quickfix {DIY}

As you all know, I swear by aloevera anytime of the day for hair. This was a tip I had found works really great when I had been at home and was trying out aloevera gel on my hair. I realized that applying aloevera gel is really messy but the gel dries off after a little while leaving really soft and really shiny hair.

The best part is you can use the aloevera gel on the not-freshly washed hair to give it bounce! It can be applied everyday as well and you can use essential oils as well.

Also, when removing the gel from the leaf, the yellow parts or the green sticky messy parts should be avoided and only the clear gel be removes otherwise they get tangled in the hair.

A quick fix to make your hair beautiful and style it in a short time is to apply Aloevera gel. Take a little of Aloevera according to your hair length in the palms and apply it to the hair. Massage some of it into the scalp and apply the rest on the hair. Pay special attention to the ends. Aloevera makes the hair sticky till it gets absorbed into the hair so you can style your hair in the mean time. It takes around 5-15 minutes for aloevera to get absorbed into the hair and does not weigh your hair down. After getting absorbed, Aloevera makes your hair shiny and bouncy.

Aloevera conditions your hair, makes hair smooth and soft and protects it from sun. It also stimulates hair growth if used on a regular basis. Aloevera can be used to moisturize hair. It is a natural humectant like honey and retains moisture. It can also be used on a daily basis. The gel from the plant can be applied directly on the hair. If bought from store, ensure that aloevera is pure and does not contain artificial additives.

Have you applied aloevera gel on your hair?

PS: The italicized paragraphs are the new updates. Rest of the post is same as it was originally published.

Related Posts:
From the Archives : Growing Long Eyelashes {DIY}
From the Archives : Oil Cleansing Method {DIY}
From the Archives : Exercises for Healthy and Beautiful Eyes {Eye Care}

Kamis, 25 Juni 2015

From the Archives : Oil Cleansing Method {DIY}

So continuing in the same series, let me bring this long lost post. This is one of the very much recommended beauty practices for both oily and dry skin beauties. It helps with tan removal to acne healing. And, its amazing as it removes makeup and cleanses the skin and detoxifies it. Since it is a little intense treatment for the skin, it should be done only once or AT MAX twice a week.

Yes, by the name, you can make out it uses oil. So, please do not be afraid or prejudiced. I have always maintained that oil is amazing for skin when you know how to use them and which ones to use. So, here is a tip - Always use cold-pressed and extra-virgin or virgin oils whether it is olive or coconut or almond or sesame. Also, sesame oil is the one which is recommended heavily in ayurveda as apparently it is the only oil which can pass into the blood stream. Anyways, let us start with the post and please let me know of the doubts and clarifications.

A few days ago I had talked about OIL CLEANSING. Well, let me introduce to you something which I stumbled across a few days ago. I tried it and trust me, its amazing. I do not know how well it removes make up but it makes your skin squeaky clean without drying it. Rather, it leaves your skin smooth and supple. And, your skin glows the next day. You would love yourself.

It removes makeup fantastically as any oil would.

Before proceeding, let me give a little background into OCM method. Oil is said to dissolve all the grime and dirt and dead skin cells and blackheads and what not. So, in this method, we especially use castor oil because castor has the most cleansing properties of all oils. Since castor is a drying oil and is extremely thick and concentrated it is not advisable to use it naked on the skin. It should be diluted with some other oil. Many people in the west prefer olive but I would suggest almond or coconut or sesame. No personal grudges with olive but it is something I do not really find amazing. If it works for you, go ahead!

Procedure:

Start by keeping everything close to you. You would need a ~~dry~~ smooth cotton wash cloth (not too harsh for your skin), ~~a bottle containing castor oil and olive oil mixed in a proportion suitable to your skin~~* oils and running hot water.
Apply oil generously to your face and neck ~~skin~~ and massage it well ~~the oil~~ into your skin ~~well using firm hands~~ for around 5-10 minutes. It feels relaxing and is soothing for your face muscles. Exercise your cheek bone, jaw bone, nose, chin, forehead and eyes (use ring finger for eyes). The finger movements should be outwards and upwards towards the ear from the chin, cheeks, nose and upper lip area.
After massaging ~~to your heart's content~~, soak the wash cloth in hot running water and cover the face ~~apply it on to your face~~. ~~Keep the warmth of wash cloth to the point you can bear~~. Make sure the cloth is not too hot and let the warmth seep into your skin. Keep it on the face until it cools down. Then, wipe your face to remove the oil. You will find a lot of oil gone from the face. Wash the wash cloth in running hot water and repeat this step until all the oil is wiped off from the face and neck. Use the same wash cloth.
Wash and soak the same wash cloth under hot running water for sometime to clean it and saturate it. Again apply it your face, keep till it cools and then, wipe away your face. Repeat this cycle till you feel your skin is clean. 3-4 times should be enough.
After you are done, DO NOT use any facewash. You can apply moisturizer according to the need of your skin. In place of moisturizer, you can apply a drop of the same oil used to cleanse your face. If it does not feel dry and tight, do not apply anything on to your face. Your face needs to breathe. Go and have a nice sleep.

Next morning, you need not cleanse your face. A wipe with a wash cloth or a splash of cold water is enough to clean it. Your skin would be glowing. Oil cleansing not only removes grime, dirt and make up from your face, but also, the blackheads and blemishes. This procedure should not be done too frequently. I think 2-3 times is fine in a week. Care should be taken not to scratch the skin.

Go and check it out for yourself. Have a happy cleansing.

* Remember, castor oil is quite thick and can be drying for the skin if used in large quantities. It has cleansing properties but is too strong on skin if used alone. That is why you need another light oil to dilute it. You can also use jojoba oil. For the mixture of oil, you can use 75-25 castor-olive oil combination for normal skin. You can experiment with different proportions till you find the one suiting your face. The proportion of mixture should be such that for dry skin people, castor oil should be less in proportion like 50-50 or 60-50 and people with oily skin can have 80-20 as the proportion. But, since every skin is different in its needs, you should find out the right one for yourself. It would take trial and error but remember one rule, do not use too much of castor oil. It will dry your skin irrespective of its type.

PS: Italicized and striked paragraphs/sentences are new additions. Rest of the post is as it was published earlier.

Rabu, 24 Juni 2015

From the Archives : Growing Long Eyelashes {DIY}

Please note that this is an old post which I am republishing for the benefit of the new readers. Interestingly, I am starting the new series From the Archives from today. I shall be posting at least one old post every week after editing them, if necessary. Hope you will like it.

Have you ever been jealous of babies or kids, especially boy kids and even guys. They always have better lashes! At least all those I have met specially have amazing eyes and even better eyelashes. I know of only one girl who has amazingly thick and long lashes and she has great hair as well!!

Well, growing long eyelashes seem to be too difficult. Everyone wants beautiful eyes framed with long and lush eyelashes. Such eyelashes are not a natural gift to everyone but you need not despair. Some patience and regularity in your routine can help you achieve that task. To be frank, I do not know whether you can grow that thick eyelashes as you watch on the screens when you look at your favorite actress but definitely, you can make them better than their present condition.

Oh my gosh! When I read that the first thing which came to my mind was was I really that bad??? Well, let us look at the silver lining. I have improved so much!! So, lets get back to the post. Yeah, getting great eyelashes is not exactly easy but it is do-able.

Apply castor oil every night. Be patient. The results would not be seen over night. The eyelashes growth cycle completes in about two months so by end of those months you can definitely see your eyelashes in a better shape.

Also, coconut works great. Do not try almond, though. It stings the eyes badly! But, coconut or castor, both do not sting the eyes.

And, before leaving, vaseline does no good for the eyelashes so please do not waste time using that remedy. It just makes your eyelashes wet and sticky and when they are wet, the eyelashes look longer so basically, what you see after applying vaseline is just an illusion and I'm not even sure whether you should actually apply vaseline to the delicate skin around the eyes.

Also, I have read so much about vaseline being great but I have not tried the method. What I have written above is probably not correct either. But, if the remedy works for you, go ahead with it without any qualms.

PS: All the paragraphs in italics are update and the regular text is the old one!

Kamis, 16 April 2015

Do you apply Egg on Hair? {Your Opinion}

Hey Everyone! I know I am not being regular with the posts so please bear with me. So, today, I wanted to discuss a very stinky topic. Now, I love watching videos on hair care and reading home remedies for hair care. But, more often than not, you would find egg to be almost one of the best remedies for healthy hair.

Now, I perfectly agree with that because I myself have tried it and I totally love it. But, there is a huge catch with Egg. The Smell. Yeah, you all know how awesome it smells! And, now I am not able to bear it. And, my whole room and bathroom starts stinking so I am not able to use it anymore.

I have been applying curd very regularly in March but sadly it is not helping with the hair dryness. I don't know what's wrong with it because curd works fantastically. And, I do use homemade curd not the yogurts available outside. And, still no benefits. And, I have been seriously thinking of switching to egg. It does help hair dryness and provides nourishment.

But, how to avoid the smell? Well, first is Essential Oils. May be they will work unless egg is so powerful that it will overpower the goodness of EO's :D Ok, second, I heard in one of those home remedy videos that lemon juice helps reduce the stink from egg. Well, I do not know how true it is but seems worth a try. But, there is another catch. Lemon makes the hair extremely dry, at least for me. So, I tend to avoid it.

Or, may be, I would try using egg with musk root this time. And, that would be a working day so that I don't have to bear the egg smell all day long. It would dissipate till the time I am back. Only my maid would be cursing me :D Or, it is also said that if you mix egg with henna, it doesn't stink. So, probably I might go ahead and check out either of the remedies.

What about you? Do you apply egg on your hair? Can you bear the stink or you take some steps to reduce the stink? Would love to hear your remedies :)