A Beautiful "ME"

Balanced Diets make you gorgeous...

2007-08-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

Balanced Diets make you gorgeous. Diets rich in fruits,nuts, veggies, whole grains and fish, lead to smoother and younger looking skin, fewer wrinkles.

A paste of dried orange peals powdered and added to two table spoons of curds is helpful in removing blemishes and scars.

Cold Tea is a sparkling tonic for all types of skin.Pack the skin with cotton wool dipped in cold tea and leave it to dry, wash of after a while.

Pure Mint juice is excellent for spots and blemishes on your face.

Cucumber juice, Beet juice and Carrot mixed together is the best astringent for the face. Daily application prevent

Pimples and Black Heads.

Soak 5 to 6 freshly crushed cardamoms along with a couple of cinnamon sticks in a bottle oil, use this as massage or bath oil and you will not only have glowing skin but soft and fragnant also. This helps combat Dry Skin in winter.

To Soften stubbornly Rough Skin mix thick carrot juice with melted honey and apply.

To Lighten Complexion mix a spoon of cucumber, lime and carrot juices.
Apply to face and wash after 15 minutes.

A Great Skin Enhancer is saffron. Blend a few strands of saffron with any face pack. This is excellent for improving the complexion.

To Clear Blemishes apply a little garlic juice on the spot. Keep for a few minutes and rinse well with water.

To treat Tanned Skin, make a paste of a spoon of cucumber, a spoon of lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric powder. Apply on affected area and wash after 10 minutes.

Bleach your Face with a mix of curd, oats and powdered almonds for a Natural Healthy Look.

For an Instant Facelift. Mash 1/2 a ripe banana and add a spoon of milk to it and apply on your face.

An Excellent Natural Anti-Aging cream is a combination of milk cream and a pinch of turmeric.

Skin Cleansing Tips

2007-08-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

Skin cleansing is an important part of skin care routine.

Cleansing is essential to remove makeup, dirt and grime from face.
facial cleansing should be effective without irritating the skin and should suit our skin as well.
Cleansing too often will take away all precious natural oils from your skin and will only make dry skin drier and oily skin more oily.

Essential for possessing a flawless complexion, cleansing is the most important skin care activity. Thorough and regular cleansing stimulates the skin and helps to slough off dead cells that lie on the skins surface. Skin cleansing, in addition to other cleansing methods like colon cleansing and liver cleansing, can also be used effectively for the treatment of multiple chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and pesticide and chemical exposure.

Skin cleansing is the method used to remove the surface dirt and other substances which accumulate and cause clogging of the pores of your skin. It is also used to release stored toxins under the skin. In the skin cleansing method, the elimination of toxins is usually done by stimulating the lymphatic system.

Skin cleansing also helps to improve blood circulation and the removal of dead cells from the skin. You can use long handled natural bristle brush or loofah sponge for skin cleansing.

The most damaging effect of the sun is that it dehydrates the skin causing it to become dry and rough and wrinkled, freckles, pigmentation and patches may also occur. Next to sun exposure, smoking is the highest factor in wrinkling.

Skin cleansing is very much essential, because pollution, grease and grime cling to the skin, clogging pores, while the body eliminates toxins through perspiration. Smokers have more wrinkles than people who don't smoke.

Cigarette smoke releases free radicals that break down the vitamin C in the skin and contribute to premature wrinkling. Nicotine also causes small blood vessels and capillaries to contract, diminishing circulation and depriving the skin of nutrients.

If the cleansing process is not thoroughly undertaken, the skin will look and feel sluggish, tired and minor skin problems and irritations will transpire.
After cleansing, always use a non-stringent, acid-based toner that will remove any remaining dirt on your face.

Following steps should be taken while applying cleanser :

1. Always wash your hands clean first. This will prevent the transfer of bacteria to your face.

2. Cleansing cream should be applied in generous quantity on cheeks, chin, neck and forehead.

3. Always use a moist cotton to remove the cream as the dry cotton absorbs the moisture from the skin which should not be lose.

4. Cleansing should be dome two times a day, once in the morning and again before going to bed.

5. Depending on whether your skin is normal to oily or normal to dry, you should use cleansers and products that are formulated for your specific skin type.

6. Cotton wool should come out clean nor do the cleansing twice a day.

Hair Treatment

2007-07-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

Hi girls...
I have been seeing most ladies complain of hair loss and frizzy hair during Rainy season.
Although there are a lot of solutions found all over the net,I am compiling some of those which i have made myself and tried on myself. Please feel free to mail me with ur queries.I will try to give you best possible solution as soon as possible.

Avocado Deep Conditioner
Ingredients :
1 small jar of mayonnaise
1/2 avocado
Directions
Peel avocado and remove pit. Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl with your hands until it's a consistent
green color. Smooth into hair being careful to work it to the ends. Use shower cap or plastic wrap to seal body heat in. Leave on hair for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning wrap a hot, damp towel around your head over the plastic, or use a hair dryer set to a low to medium heat setting.

Tropical Island Conditioner
Ingredients :
1 avocado
Coconut milk
Directions
Peel and pit avocado. Mash avocado and slowly add coconut milk until smooth and the consistency of hair conditioner.
Work through hair to ends. Rinse after 15 minutes and shampoo.

Jojoba Hot Oil Treament
Ingredients :
2 teaspoons jojoba oil
1 teaspoon soybean oil
Directions
Combine ingredients then warm gently on low heat. Test temperature on inside of forearm. Massage mixture into hair
.Wrap hair in a hot towel or cover with shower cap or plastic wrap for 15 minutes. Shampoo & rinse out. Reciped may be doubled for very long hair.

Rosemary Hot Oil Treament
Ingredients :
1/2 cup of dried rosemary leaves
1/2 cup soybean oil
Directions
Combine ingredients and heat until warm. Strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth. Coat the entire head and hair with
the oil mixture, working it through to the ends. Wrap hair in plastic wrap and wrap in a warm towel.
Leave oil on hair for 15 minutes. Wash hair until oil is completely removed.

Please leave me a comment on whether you liked my tips or not. For queries mail me at lovelierthanlove@gmail.com

FACIAL MASKS

2006-10-20T02:38:00.000-07:00

Honey Facial
(warning - do not use this if you are allergic to eggs!)1 tablespoon honey1 egg yoke1 teaspoon olive oil
Beat the egg yoke with a fork, add the oil and blend well. Add the honey using a spoon that you have rinsed with hot water and blend well again. Smear it all over your face with your fingers, except do not cover your eyes. Leave it on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse it off.
Cucumber Facial
1 cucumber
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon witch hazel (you can buy this in any drug store)
1 egg white, beaten with an electric beater until fluffy.
Peel the cucumber and run it through a blender or a food processor. Pour the cucumber pulp into a colander or strainer and force it through, catching the liquid that comes out in a bowl underneath. Combine the cucumber liquid with the lemon juice and the witch hazel. Stir it and add the beaten egg white gently. Put it on your face and leave it on for 15 to 25 minutes, then rinse off.

Skin Care During Winter

2006-10-03T00:31:00.000-07:00

Skin, the protective covering of our body bears assault of changing climates and seasons. Scorching heat of the summer vexes the skin with sun burns and dehydration. Thus the skin needs rest and rejuvenation in winter. But winter takes its own toll on the skin. The cold and dry weather of winter brings about drying of skin making it scaly. Lack of sufficient humidity out doors leads to cracked skin. Indoor heating further removes the traces of moisture and aggravates dryness of skin. Cracked, chapped and dry skin leads to various skin infections. Hence the skin has to be rejuvenated and care should be taken to keep the skin moist, soft and smooth.
The winter season is marked as Hemanta ritu in ayurveda. Hemanta ritu starts from mid November and ends in mid January. This falls in southern solstice which is called as visarga kala or dakshinayana in ayurveda. In winter the agni or body fire (digestive power) increases with the support of vata . The increased body fire even digests heavy foods easily and quickly. When sufficient food is not available for the amplified body fire it affects the nutritive fluids of body leading to vitiation of vata. Thus the vitiated vata assigns its qualities of coldness, dryness and roughness to skin. Hence in winter a great care should be taken to protect the skin with various measures regarding diets and lifestyles.
Skin care diet for winter
1. Drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated. Drinking warm water in winter prevents vitiation of vata and diseases which arise from vata.
2. Soups which are sour and salted - balance vata.
3. Include honey in the diet.
4. Avoid Consumption of junk foods, too much of sweets and oil food as these lead to weight gain.
5. Your diet must ideally comprise of Cane juice, milk and clarified butter (ghee) during winter.
6. Stay away from cold and refrigerated foods like ice creams, milk shakes as they vitiate vata.
7. Gorge on warm and heavy food to fulfill the requirement of increased body fire.
Skin care life styles for winter
1. Always wear warm clothes which are made of wool, silk and cotton.
2. When you are wearing clothes in layers wear cotton clothes next to your skin as they do not cause skin allergy. Moreover they absorb sweat. Where as synthetic clothes fail to do so. Unabsorbed sweat harbors microorganisms which cause skin infections.
3. Avoid long hot showers and bath.
4. Quick three minutes bath is advisable.
5. Twenty to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week can give your skin a healthy glow.
6. Avoid repeated washing of face. This washes off natural oils from your skin and makes the skin dry, scaly and wrinkled. Use Luke warm water instead of hot water to wash face.
7. Use an indoor humidifier to place moisture in the air.
Skin care accessories for winter :
1. Massage your body with oils which are infused with vata balancing herbs.
2. Apply moisturizing lotion liberally all over the body.
3. Smear lip balm on lips to prevent chapping of lips.
4. Take care of your skin on heels with balms and moisturizing products.
Enjoy the winter with a glowing skin. I wish you a Happy winter.

Yoga for Glowing Skin

2006-10-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

Medically poor diet and poor stimulation of the circulatory and excretory systems and subsequent build up of toxins are the root cause of skin eruptions.

Shitli Kumbhak paranayam has the potential to reduce facial wrinkles. It also improves blood circulation and purifies the blood, reduces toxins and acidity and prevents skin infections. Process: Fold the tongue so that it protrudes a little from the mouth. Slowly inhale through the mouth. While inhaling one should feel coolness inside the neck. Then swallow the breath and hold inside your stomach. Hold the breath for a few seconds, then exhale slowly through the nose.

Yogic body cleaning processes known as Shatkarmas (these are cleansing kriyas like kunjal, neti, dhoti, vasti, sankhprakshalan and tratak) are extremely powerful detoxification techniques. When the different systems of the body have been purified, the overall result is that energy can flow through the body freely.
Yogic massage with different kind of oils (as almond oil, apricot oil and sandalwood essential oil) are best for the skin. These massages also increase the circulation to the face and skin thus bringing much-needed nutrients and oxygen to rejuvenate and remove toxin-causing matter.

Practice of Varun Mudra enhances physical beauty, decrease dryness of the body and adds a glow to the skin. Join the fore part of the little finger with the fore part of the thumb to form the Varun Mudra .

Some Ayurvedic beauty tips :
• Mix a half teaspoon of turmeric with almond oil, apply to the skin with a facial sponge, and rinse off.
• Herbs like neem, tulsi and sandalwood are extremely effective in curing acne, eczema and other skin diseases; especially a face pack of sandal wood .

Here is a kriya to Reverse the Ageing process.
The body is programmed for normal wear and tear. The pranic currents of paanch mahapranas within the body i.e Prana, Apana, Samana, Udaan and Vayan are programmed to flow in their respective directions and take the body to its logical end. Our ancient rishis discovered that reversing the process of pranic flows has the effect of reversing certain ageing processes, processes responsible for apparent decay of the body viz grey hair, sagging skin and loss of the youthful physical glow.
Reversing the Pranic flow is called Viparitkarni - a technique prescribed by the ancients to reverse the ageing process.

Viparitkarni Kriya: Lie down on your back. Then slowly lift the lower part of the body upwards (as shown in the picture) till you are in a position where the legs are perpendicular to the ground. Remember the legs should not be tilting towards the face. As you lift the body - inhale and hold your breath for a comfortable time period; then exhale and slowly come down. Remember the key is not to overstrain yourself. Caution: The body should not be diseased, that is to say you should practice this kriya only when there are no physical ailments in the body. If there is a problem in the body then do other asanas and kriyas to get rid of the disease first. The body’s ageing process can be reversed only if the body is disease free.

hi my first post

2006-09-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Hi
I am Amruta. i am from Mumbai India
i love to collect beauty tips and i have created this blog especailly for girls
who want free advice on improving their looks and using safe and natural products to look great.
i hope you will enjoy your stay here and will be a regular visitor here.
Visitors are free to post their queries and i will try to provide a solution for their
problems on skin,hair etc.
Thanks.
Love and Regards,
Amruta