HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL:)

Tricks for Monsoon Season (Makeup, hair n skin care)

In monsoon,don't go for dense makeup as it has a risk of getting washed away. Instead light and sheer makeup is recommended.Remember that the important aspect of monsoon makeup would be to keep it bright and waterproof.

• Wash and keep your skin clean.
• Always carry a hand sanitizer everywhere
• Use a sunscreen even on a cloudy day.
• Always apply a toner(for dry/normal skin) and an astringent(for oily skin) to keep your skin refreshed.
• Use water based moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated. 
• Always try to rub ice cube on your face for 5-10 minutes before applying your makeup,it reduces sweat rate and hence gives your makeup a grater lifetime.
• Avoid using foundations. If it is necessary, use a waterproof foundation to prevent it from smudging away. Also stay away from concealer, apply a small amount of foundation to conceal any spots.
• Use powder matte cosmetics rather than creamy and glossy ones.
• Use light colored eye shadow with with waterproof eye liner and mascara.
• Remember not to use eyebrow pencils in this season as they can be easily washed away.
• Lipstick of your color choice is recommended but a gloss will add to your fresh look and reflects a tint of monsoon on your face.
• Since elaborate hairstyles are difficult to manage and can look horrible if damp,so go for simple and easy ones so that you can redo it whenever needed.
• A hot oil massage 2 hours before shampoo is recommended. 
• Keep your hair clean. Wash every 2-3 days and use a mild shampoo. For oily and limp hair use a volumizing shampoo.
•  Keep your hair dry. Do not tie hair when wet, because a damp scalp could lead to fungal infections.
•  Avoid using stiff styling products because this will make the hair more greasy and limp. Avoid using chemical treatments or blow drying your hair too much.
•  Comb you hair when semi dry or completely dry and use a wide tooth comb.
• Have a diet rich in Vitamin E & C for strong and healthy hair.
• Most important thing,drink plenty of water and eat healthy food.It always gives your skin a glow.
• Light colors can get dirty easily so try some dark colors this season.
• As its the season of umbrellas and raincoats so go for some happy cheerful colors.

As it is recommended  to  wear colorful clothes in monsoon  we look gr8 and it keeps our mood cheerful too...so i thought my post should also be colorful :) cheerrsss :)   

Olive oil is not just good for our health, but it also enhances our beauty. It has been considered to be one of the best beauty fixes available.

I would love to give you eleven good enough reasons  to move that can of olive oil from your kitchen top to the beauty shelf.

1. Shaving Cream

● Olive oil will soften hair and give you a close, smooth shave.  Use it, while you shave your underarms and legs. Men with sensitive skin can also use the oil on their beards. Take little amount of oil in your hand, apply it to the shaving area.
● Also, if olive oil is applied before using shaving cream, it would prevent scratching and burning sensation.

2. After-Shave

● A wintry after-shave can be prepared for dry skin using olive oil.  Prepare a mix of 2 tbsp of olive oil, 2-3 tbsp of orange juice,5-10 drops glycerine and 10 drops of Eau de toilette.

3. Hair Growth

● Olive oil can be used to promote hair growth. Apply slightly warm oil to your scalp. Also, when applied to eyebrows and eye-lashes, hair growth is stimulated. And voila you have those thick eye-lashes that you’ve always dreamt of.

4. Body Scrub

● Mixing olive oil with either table salt or granulated sugar can be an excellent scrub for the body. This mix helps in exfoliating dead skin cells and thereby smoothes the skin.

5. Bath Oil

● Add few drops of olive oil to your bath water. It will help in soothing your body.  Mixing olive oil with either table salt or granulated sugar can be an excellent scrub for the body.

6. Glowing Skin

● Massage olive oil into your facial skin. Scrub with 1 tbsp sugar. Dip a wash cloth in steaming water. Drip out excessive water, and place this steam containing towel on your face. Let it be till it becomes cold, wipe off your face with the same.
● A mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup water used as a night cream will make your skin glow. The olive oil softens and moisturizes and the vinegar lightens discolorations, kills bacteria and loosens dead skin cells. Splash water on your face before applying.

7. Dry Skin

● Apply 1 tsp olive oil to your hands in night. Massage it well. Wipe off extra oil using tissue. Wake up with soft hands.
● Mix 2 tsp honey, 1 tsp sugar and 2 tsp olive oil. Use this mix to exfoliate your hands, feet and lips. It will make your skin soft and smooth.
● In case, you dry and cracked heels, apply it to your feet before retiring. Wear socks after you massage it well. Soon you will have supple healthy looking soft feet.
● In fact, olive oil can be used as a massage oil for any part of your body.

8. Lip Balm

● Application of olive oil on dry lips will reduce chapping.

9. Healthy Nails and Cuticles

● Dip your nails in slightly warm olive oil. The olive oil will penetrate to make your cuticles soft and strengthening your nails and preventing them from being brittle.

10. Shiny Hair

● Olive oil acts as a excellent conditioner. Apply to clean hair, wrap a hot towel  and let it stay for 20 minutes. Rinse well.
● Apply to dry hair. You can use slightly warm olive oil.
● For brittle hair, mix half a cup olive oil and a beaten egg. Apply to your hair and let it be for 45 minutes. Wash it off and smile at your beautiful mane.
● Fizzy hair can be tamed by application of olive oil.
● Dandruff can be cured using olive oil.
● In fact, many beauticians swear by this. Apply olive oils to your split ends immediately after washing. This will lead to smooth and bouncy hair with zero split ends.
● Prepare Shampoo using a mix of olive oil(1 ounce), 1 egg, 1 tbsp lemon juice and half a teaspoon of apple cider. Blend them. It can be used as a regular shampoo.

11. Make-up Remover

● One can remove make-up by a swab of cotton pad dipped in olive oil And, this works from removing traces of mascara to anything you applied.

So, there, those are the eleven great ways to look more beautiful with olive oil.

Fruity Pedicure

Fruity Pedicure

Things you need:

• One lemon cut into two halves
• Two slices of orange
• 6-8 Strawberries
• 2 tsp olive oil
• Half a bucket of warm water (maximum warmth you can withstand)
• Bubble bath soap or shampoo
• 1-2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Sugar
• A pumice stone with brush or a descent foot filer 
• A nail filer
• A nail cutter
• Nourishing cream
• A towel
• Socks

So when you are ready with all the things mentioned above put some music of your choice and you are ready to go. 

It will give you tan free glowing feet in just 20 minutes..!!!

Take the bucket of water and add 4-5 drops of shampoo or your bubble bath or shampoo along with salt. Remove the nail color if there is any. Slightly agitate the water and then soak you feet in the bucket for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes take one foot out of the bucket and without wiping, brush the toe nails briskly yet carefully with the help of  brush. This will help removing the dead skin from the nails. Then remove the dirt and grime hidden underneath the nails and give them the desired shape with the help of filer.

Again soak this foot and do the same with the other one.

Once you are done with this now take the first foot out and remove the dead skin from the heels and other parts of the foot by using the pumice stone. Repeat this with the other foot.

When this process is over take the feet out and wipe them with towel.

Now take the lemon slice and start rubbing that on to the feet along with some sugar. Do this for at least 5 minutes and leave that for 5 more minutes. This will remove the tan and dirt from the skin making it lighter in color.

Now dip your feet in water and again wipe them and now take the orange slices. Rub them onto your feet until the juice starts drying.

Leave the feet like that for 5 minutes after drying. Then dip the feet in water, wash them and wipe them. This will again help in bleaching the skin as well as removing dead skin from the feet.

Now, mash the strawberries. Add the oil and salt. Make into a paste. Massage into the feet, rubbing harshly as you go along. Keep rubbing especially around the hardened areas of your feet. Leave the paste on for 10-15 minutes. Now rinse using warm water and thoroughly wipe with towel.

Now massage the feet taking required amounts of the nourishing cream.

Rub the cream on the toe nails too. This will prevent them from chipping and will make them shiny.

One you are done with the massage part pull on the socks and you are ready with soft glowing feet.

You will definitely notice a reduction in tan… 

Note: Lemon, Orange and strawberries contain citrus acid which aids in the removal of tan as it is having bleaching properties.

Same can cause slight tingling sensation too.

Hope u'll enjoy.... :)

Chicken Curry (with a twist)

                                 CHICKEN CURRY (with a twist)

Ingredients:

Chicken with bones but Skinless – about 15-20 pieces 

For marinade:

• 2 Tablespoons of Ginger Paste (I use Fresh Ginger, & blend it into a paste at home)
• 2 Tablespoons of Garlic Paste (Use Fresh Garlic cloves & blend into a paste)
• 1/2 Onion Chopped
• 4 Tablespoons Yogurt
• Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder

For Curry:

• 5-6 Tablespoons of Oil
• 1″ stick of Cinnamon
• 2 Green Cardamoms
• 2 Cloves
• 2 large Red Onion ( Peeled & sliced thinly lengthwise)
• 2 tablespoons ginger paste
• 2 tablespoons garlic paste
• 2 cups chopped Tomatoes (or 1.5 cup Tomato Puree)
• Salt
• 2 Teaspoons Red Chili Powder (Optional/more or less to taste)
• 1 Tablespoon Coriander Powder (Optional – skip it if you do not have any)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Turmeric Powder
• Fresh Chopped Coriander  for garnish

Preparation:

Wash the chicken well, & combine all ingredients of the marinade with the chicken pieces. Let it sit for a couple of hours, overnight being better.

Place a Thick Bottomed pan on the stove. Add the Cinnamon, cardamoms & cloves & dry roast them at medium heat for a few minutes till they are fragrant. Take care they do not turn dark & burn.

Add the oil to the pan, & when the spices starts to sizzle, add the sliced onions, green chili  & the sugar. Stir fry at high heat till the onions starts caramelizing & turns light brown.

Pick up the pieces of chicken from the marinade & add them to the pan. Save the marinade.

Fry the Chicken turning them sometimes so both the sides slightly brown & the oil & the onions coat the chicken pieces.

Add salt, turmeric, red chili powder, ginger paste, garlic paste, coriander powder, the rest of the marinade & tomatoes. At medium heat fry for about 15 -20 minutes till the oil starts to separate.

Stir & scrape out the bottom of the pan frequently. If you feel that it is getting sticky at the bottom of the pan, sprinkle some water & scrape it out… (Don’t burn the mix, it should not turn dark brown or black… )

When the oil separates & starts to leave the side of the, add 2.5 cups of water. Stir to mix, Cover & cook for another 15 -20 minutes or till the chicken is tender & cooked.

this is normal chicken curry but with a llt twist...it tastes wow!!!

try it....

Natural Home Remedies for Oily Skin

6 steps to beautiful skin

Oily skin

 ~ Make a paste of 2 tbsp of wheat flour using as much water as needed. Apply on your face in an upward motion. Leave to dry. Then, wash with cool water and pat dry. This helps remove excess oil from your skin.

~ Mix two teaspoons of raw milk, around the same quantity of cucumber juice and few drops of lemon. With a cotton ball, apply the solution on your face and leave to dry. Then, wash with water and pat dry.

 

~Soak two to three teaspoons of methi (fenugreek) seeds overnight. Grind into a paste, then rub on your face. Once it dries, wash with cool water. The granular effect helps remove blackheads. Methi also helps remove excess oil from your skin.

The excess paste can be stored in the refrigerator but should be used within a week.     

~ Soak two to three teaspoons of whole masoor dal (red gram) overnight. Grind into a paste and apply on your face. Once it dries, wash your face with cold water and pat dry. It gives the same effect as methi. 

The excess paste can be stored in the refrigerator but should be used within two days. 

~  Grind half a cucumber and squeeze to remove the juice. Apply the juice on your face and leave to dry. Then wash with water and pat dry. It helps refresh and tighten your skin. 

Try them...cheersss!!!

Makeup tips!!!!

Here are some makeup tips, old and new, which I picked up from various sources- magazines, makeup artists & my own experience:

• If you don't want length on your bottom lashes, apply gel liner on them instead of mascara. 

• Apply some loose powder with a fan brush or a puff on your under eye area while using dark eyeshadows or shimmery eyeshadows, so your base won't be ruined if there's fallout. You can just dust it all off with a powder brush when you're done.

• Tearing up while applying mascara or liner but don't want the tears to roll down and spoil your makeup? Just press a Q-tip (ear bud) right on your tear ducts. The tears will be absorbed immediately. Do this when you use eye drops too.

• My new favorite way of applying mascara to extend my short lashes & curl them at the same time: Place the brush at the roots of your lashes, and start rolling the wand (away from my cheek), keep rolling till it reaches the tips of your lashes. Repeat until you have evenly coated all your lashes.

• What's your natural blush shade? Squeeze your fingertip (a little above the line), the increase in blood flow will make the tips look pinker. That's the color that will look most natural on your cheeks.

I will keep posting makeup & beauty tips every now and then.
Hope you like them....