Tuesday, 4 September 2012

Reclaim your hair! - Quick fixes to the damage!

Hello!

Whats the damage that's already been done to your hair ? If you really wanna know , follow these steps :

Check the Bulb
Pluck out a strand of hair at the root and examine the base. Strong hair has a thick bulb.
If there’s no bulb, the hair follicle isn’t healthy
 The cause? Damage from styling or, potentially, genetically linked hair loss.

Give It a Tug
Wrap a strand of hair around your index finger and thumb (like a piece of string), then use your other hand to tug on it.
 If it snaps immediately, your hair is lacking moisture; if it stretches “like bubble gum, it needs protein, which strengthens the hair’s keratin bonds.

Do the "Sink or Float" Test
Drop a strand of hair into a glass of water.
 A healthy strand will float. If it sinks, the shaft is porous.
This can happen to color-treated hair, but it can also occur with a protein deficiency.

  • To get a fair picture of your hair’s overall health, repeat tests on at least four strands from different parts of your head.

Stop a Bad-Hair Day Before It Starts

1. If you go outside with wet hair
 
Outdoor elements (wind, cool temperatures) can be rough even for dry hair. But when hair is wet, it’s actually more fragile and susceptible to breakage.

Healthy-hair fix: Try styling products designed to cut drying time.


2. If you use a subpar blow-dryer

In a cheaply made blow-dryer, the coil and motor can overheat, frying your hair’s cuticle. The tip-off: The louder the sound, the poorer the quality, But a professional blow-dryer isn't always better, . “They’re powerful and can burn hair if used incorrectly.


Healthy-hair fix: an ionic blow-dryer. Ionic technology shrinks water molecules, so hair dries faster but with less damage.


3. If you still smoke

That nasty habit is not only bad for skin — “it pollutes your hair. Smoke leaves residue on the scalp and hair, making it look dull.

Healthy-hair fix: Um, quit. Also, use a clarifying shampoo monthly, and consider a “facial” for your scalp. “Just like the rest of our skin, the skin on our scalp needs to be addressed.


4. If you don’t use UV protection

You shield your hair from UV rays at the beach, but what about at the office? “Like the sun, the fluorescent lighting in your office fades color and damages hair’s integrity.

Healthy-hair fix: Use styling products with UVB and UVA protection. “It’s important to have protectants in your styling products too. Styling products stay in hair, while your shampoo rinses out.


5. If you rely on the shampoo at your gym

Sure, it’s convenient to use the stuff provided in the locker room, but it could be stripping your tresses of essential moisture. “Most gyms choose economical detergent-like shampoos. “The pH of these shampoos is often better suited to scrub oil off the streets than the oil in your hair after a 30-minute workout.”

Healthy-hair fix: BYOB! Toting travel-size bottles of quality sulfate- and salt-free products will make a big difference in how your hair looks and feels.


6. If you wear your hair in ponytails — a lot!

If you wear your hair in a ponytail or a bun in the same spot every day, you’re causing breakage.

Healthy-hair fix: Let your hair down! But if you must put it up, “look for elastics with a plastic-y feel so they glide through hair.


7. If you frequently wield a flat iron

Women who use flat irons hit the same areas with the same intensity day after day.You can easily burn your hair.

Healthy-hair fix: “Do as much as you can with the blow-dryer. It causes less damage than an iron. Also, coat your strands with a silicone-free heat-protective serum.


8. If you don’t address your dandruff
You never want to leave dandruff to its own devices,”. The more you scratch, the worse it gets — you’ll end up damaging your scalp. And a healthy scalp means healthy hair.


Healthy-hair fix: Stop the itch with a dandruff-controlling shampoo and the latest innovation: dandruff-fighting conditioner.

Enhance your Natural Beauty

Hello! 
 
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to walk out of the house with no makeup and flawless skin, ,  here are some  tips to enhance your natural beauty and go makeup free.


1. Exfoliate the face
With proper exfoliation, you can ensure your skin is polished and luminous. Normal skin types can exfoliate 2-3 times per week, while more sensitive skin should do 1-2 times per week. Choose an exfoliator with good-for-you ingredients that will not only leave skin fresh, but smelling great too.


2. Exfoliate the lips
Bet you didn’t think your lips needed exfoliation, but to ensure a flawless face and to bring out your natural lip pigment, exfoliate your lips at the same time as your face. Use a Clarisonic ($195, Skinstore.com) or even just a toothbrush to get rid of dead cells to reveal smooth, kissable lips.


3. Get rid of under-eye bags
The eyes tell a lot about your health and well-being, so to enhance your natural beauty and go bare faced, try resting with cucumber slices or green tea bags over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Even though these are everyday products, they can help reduce inflammation and puffiness.


4. Choose a BB Cream
Instead of wearing heavy foundations or feeling self-conscious about having absolutely nothing on, choose a tinted, ultra-lightweight BB Cream, . You’re getting skincare benefits like SPF with the perfect amount of sheer coverage.
 

Monday, 3 September 2012

Fruits , that Fight for your Skin ..

Hello!

Who doesn’t love killing two birds with one stone? Many multi-purpose beauty products, such as BB Creams, have become staples in our daily regimen. But this summer, we’ve also turned to superfoods that provide benefits when ingested and are used in our favorite products. Beauty has never tasted so good.


Strawberries

In The Body: Strawberries are packed with potassium that regulates blood pressure. The fruit also works as a buffer against the negative effects of sodium.

On The Skin: Because strawberries are so rich in Vitamin C, they prevent wrinkles by producing collagen and improving skin’s elasticity. The fruit is also packed with ellagic acid that prevents collagen destruction and inflammation.

New research by Italian and Spanish scientists published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that a pigment in strawberries called anthocyanin works as a block against ultraviolet radiation and reduces skin damage. Expect to see strawberry extract used in sunscreen in the near future.




Grapes


In The Body: Grapes get a bad rap because they are high in sugar. However, that natural sugar treats fatigue by providing a boost of energy. The fruit also aids in treating constipation and indigestion.

On The Skin: Because it contains tartartic acid, the fruit breaks the bonds that hold dead skin cells together in the uppermost level of the epidermis, making it a great ingredient to use in exfoliators and cleansers.

Product To Try: We love Skin Ceutical’s Equalizing Toner, because it restores and balances the skin to its natural state by eliminating dead skin cells.



Apples


In The Body: An apple a day does keep the doctor away. At least for athletes, that is. A new study by researchers at the University of Iowa have recently found that ursolic acid from the apple peel promotes the growth of muscle and brown fat – both of which are very important for athletes.

On The Skin: Quercetin, an antoxidant found in apple peels, is a great treatment for preventing acne by calming skin. It also treats acne by slowing down inflammation and helps to clear skin.

Product To Try: Test out Super Acne Solution ,  to prevent break outs, exfoliate and brighten the skin.


Squeeze a Zit, the Right Way !

Hello!

It’s the morning of a big interview, a hot date, or (gasp!) your wedding day, and there’s a giant, throbbing beast on your face: a zit. Now what? We’ve heard time and time again not to pick at pimples, but desperate times call for desperate measures. So we got some tips from a pro celebrity esthetician, Here's how to remove pimples the right way.


1. The best time to remove pimples is right after a shower because your skin temperature is higher than normal. The heat softens hardened oil within the pores making it easier to extract a zit. After showering, apply a thin coat of heavy moisturizer to the affected area. This will create a temporary seal, trapping the heat in the skin.

2. Next, cover the area with cellophane/plastic wrap and apply two hot, damp wash cloth for five minutes—the top one will help the bottom cloth retain its heat. Then remove the plastic and add a bit more moisturizer.

3. Now for the good part: Wrap a tissue over both forefingers and gently squeeze the pimple. Don’t position your fingers too close to the spot, as this will prevent extraction—the wider your fingers, the deeper you’ll be able to go into the skin. To avoid red marks, keep re-positioning fingers and go easy. 
General rule of thumb is, three strikes and you’re out. “Meaning, if it doesn’t come out after three tries, stop. Otherwise, you’ll risk damaging the skin.”

4. When you’re finished, wipe an alcohol-free toner over the skin and apply a cooling gel mask, to reduce any redness. Prone to breakouts? No problem. Use a clay-based mask instead.

Hairstyles ,that take 5 minutes or less!

Freida Pinto
HellO!

Here are a few hairstyles that will only take a few minutes , 5 minutes to be precisee - to look gorgeous!

Freida Pinto’s

Tousled braid is oh-so-trendy this fall and super easy to do. Simply sweep your hair back and create a loose braid–don’t worry if pieces fall out along the way. Dab on a colored lip gloss, and you’re good to go!








Beyonce’s side-swept low ponytail takes mere minutes to perfect. You’ll even have time to curl the long bang around your finger and blast with a tiny bit of hairspray for an all-day flounce that holds.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maria Menounos HairstylesMaria Menounos  
Not to repeat ourselves here, but braids are going to be everywhere this fall. If you’re not a fan of the full-on plait, try Maria Menounos’ hairline braid.
 
Styling Tip
 
Step 1: Apply a walnut-size amount of lightweight styling lotion onto damp hair. Blow dry two-inch sections straight with a paddle brush and create a center-part.

Step 2: Spritz a one-inch section with styling spray. Take a section of hair and loosely wrap it around a large curling iron. Hold for a few seconds to set the curl and release. Repeat, alternating directions of the curl until all hair is wavy.

Step 3: Run your fingers through your hair to break up the sections and finger-style into place.

Step 4: Take a four-inch wide section on top starting at your bangs and pin it loosely back.





Rashida JonesRashida Jones 

Easy and breezy is how we’d describe Rashida Jones’ chic, wavy bob with side-swept bangs. This ‘do is totally wind-proof (rather, it looks good with a little wind effect) and just requires a little pomade to keep your bangs in check.














Doutzen Kroes
Doutzen Kroes 
 
Ponytails have moved far beyond the realm of the hairstyle you wore all throughout middle school. Model Doutzen Kroes totally sexy high ponytail has tons of body and a little pouf to go with her coral pout.

Braided Half Up-Do !

HEllo!

The braid scene was getting a little stale for a while there. As much as we love a fishtail or messy side braid, we really get excited over a style we’ve never seen before. And luckily for us (and you!),
Kristen Bell showed up at the Do Something Awards with a crazy half-up hairstyle, complete with four braids that were intricately combined for a fun, fresh look.



Check out how to get the look here!



Kristen Bell Do Something Awards Braid


Step 1: Create a side part with hair flowing to the left.

Step 2: Separate your hair into 4 sections – 2 small ones on the left to create those tiny braids and one large section for the main braid and a small one for the other tiny braid.

Step 3: Braid the three small sections and hold in place with a small elastic.

Step 4: French braid the large section very loosely, finishing parallel to your ears. Braid down the entire strand and hold with an elastic.

Step 5: Pull the small braids over the large braid and tuck into loose hair. Remove the elastics and undo half of each small braid. Hold each in place with a bobby pin.

Sunday, 2 September 2012

Necklines ..looking the best you can ..

Hello!


     
       The face shapes and the types of collar that best suit can be easily explained. Once you get the basic idea that the goal is to create an illusion of a more oval shaped face, you will be ready to choose the right look in any situation. Let’s break things down by face shape:


necklines for a round face shapeThe Round Face

The round face needs something to elongate the vertical focus. Often, round faces come packaged in bodies that are also heavier-set and rounded. Therefore, you want to choose collars that are deeper than they are wide. These include v-necks, shirt/blouse collars, Queen Anne necklines and Empire necklines. You can even reinforce the appearance of the elongated neckline by combining looks such as the shirt collar look with a jacket, making a very deep “V” shape to make a stronger vertical line.
 




 

The Long Face


necklines for a long face shape The Long Face has the opposite need of the Round Face. Those with long faces need to create a horizontal focus for the eye to follow, thus making the face appear wider and more oval. This can be accomplished using necklines that are shallower, and which do not generate such a downward focus. Long faced individuals are often tall and thin, which further reinforces the need to add some balancing width. This width can easily be created by wearing such neck styles as the Sabrina, Bateau, Portrait and Cowl Neck.











necklines for an angular face shapeThe Angular Face

The angular face presents a case where the shape of the face needs its balance created by reinforcing “curved lines”. These can come in a variety of neckline styles, such as the Scoop Neck, Sabrina, Sweetheart and Cowl Neck styles. These provide both sweeping curves as well as a softer line of focus for the eye which can help to balance the sharp features of the Angular face shape.