Category: DIY + HACKS

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How to make your manicure last longer

When ladies get their nails done, they want them to last forever and chipped nails/worn-out manis can scare the living daylight out of them. We understand that in a perfect world, manicures would last for as long as we’d want them to but alas, it does not work like that. However, with a couple of simple steps you can make your manicure last longer. We have got you covered. Whether you choose simple nail paints or some creative nail art, follow these directions to always maintain no-fail nails. Take a look at these easy tips and tricks that can help you make your manicure last longer.

#1 Prime your nails with a base coat

Always use a base coat to prime your nails, using a base coat allows the selected colour to stay on the nail. It also protects the nail from any stains that a darker polish may leave. Also, the hardeners in most base coats can improve the overall health of the nail, therefore allowing it to grow according to your preference. Paint two layers of base coat; one on the top half of your nail and the second coat over the entire nail. This will help keep the polish on the tips of your nails from chipping.

#2 The top coat is as important as the base coat

Adding a top coat to your mani is also equally important. A top coat is absolutely necessary to seal the colour to get the perfect gloss finish. Apart from setting the polish and providing your polish the staying power for weeks, it also prevents your nails from chipping. Added bonus? It protects your nails from ultraviolet rays of sun giving them a beautiful sheen.

#3 Moisturise your nails

It is a known fact that moisturising the skin does wonders for it then why leave the nails behind? When you have a nice manicure, take extra time to use hand lotion with ingredients like glycol, macadamia oil, cocoa butter and more. The more moisturised your skin is, the longer your manicure would stay. Also, maintain your cuticles because dry hands are one thing, but dry cuticles just take the shabby game up many notches. Keep your nail beds healthy and your manicure alive for longer by moisturising them regularly. Cuticle oil is the perfect way to achieve this because it contains nutrients like Aloe Vera and vitamin E that help resist breakage and promote nourished nails.

#4 File and Buff

Filing and buffing plays a very important role in making your manicure last longer. It allows the nails to remain healthy and prevents breakage. Invest in a four-sided buff, file, polish and shine block and believe us, it will improve your nails instantly. Make sure to file your nails in one direction; this way your nails won’t feather and the application of your polish will look better and last longer. Buffing helps in smoothing out the bumps on your nails and allows the polish to lay flat preventing it from cracking due to the small dips and dents in your nails.

#5 Maintenance

The maintenance is also important in between manicures. Reckless weather, washing hands and showering can also make your manicure worse. Everyone knows the two coats of paint rule but to protect from wear and tear, add a layer of top coat every day or every other day. Doing so will keep your nails fresh and turn your mani days into weeks. The extra layer adds a glossier look and you won’t have to worry about removing your nail polish frequently.

#6 Do not miss the edges

Don’t skip the ‘free edges’ of your nails. Most of us miss out applying nail paint till the edge of our nails and that makes way for chipped paint. Run the base coat, paint, and top coat to the top edge or even the inner edge of your nails to ensure your entire nail is sealed. Wait for each coat to settle before you apply the next. This will make your manicure last longer.

#7 Eat healthy

Last but certainly not the least; eat healthy to keep your nails healthy. Add a lot of vitamins in your diet and supplements like B-12, Zinc and Iron to maintain healthy nails.

All images: Source1 Source2

January 28, 2016
DIY: decorative balloon bowl

If you like all things glittery and sparkly, this DIY tutorial is for you. A mixture of glitter and Mod Podge can help you create an accent bowl that will add a little sparkle to any table. Watch this tutorial and learn how to make a decorative balloon bowl with glitter.

Things you need: a balloon, an empty bowl, paint brush, glitter and Mod Podge

Take a look at the steps below:

Pour equal parts of Mod Podge and glitter into the bowl and stir.

Now, blow up the balloon and carefully apply this mixture to the balloon. The layer should be quite thick, so take your time to spread the mixture.

Let it sit overnight to dry completely.

Once it’s dry, flip the balloon over and pop it with a sharp object.

And voila!

January 22, 2016
3 different ways to apply glitter nail polish

You might have encountered two issues while applying glitter nail paint – Firstly, sometimes you want a lot of glitter coverage but too many layers can make your nail look too thick and take a while to dry. And secondly, when you use the brush to apply the glitter polish, the glitter often gets wiped off and you are left with bald patches and uneven coverage. Fret not, though. Janelle Estep has got you covered for both these issues. Yes, you can fix these issues with different tools and application techniques. Take a look at these 3 different ways to apply glitter nail polish with higher coverage and faster drying results.

Brush

The conventional way to apply glitter is by using the nail paint brush, of course. Simply dunk the brush in the bottle, wipe it off from the inner neck of the nail paint bottle and then quickly scoop up the glitter bits while the clear base drips down the neck. Now you just need to apply the glitter to your nails and that’s it.

This way you can get more glitter on the brush without the extra thick clear base.

Makeup Sponge

Makeup sponge can be used to apply nail paint as well. Apply glitter polish to the sponge (no need to worry about excess base) and just dab on to your nails.

The down side is that you can get glitter on your surrounding skin but that can be taken off with the nail polish remover, once you’re done.

The nice thing about using the makeup sponge is that you can get more glitter coverage and since the base is absorbed by the sponges, the layers will not get overly thick.

Q-tips

It’s easier to apply glitter with Q-tips than a sponge and if you don’t have sponge at home, you will definitely have this. Just deposit some glitter polish to the Q-tip and by using the dabbing motion, apply the glitter on to your nails.

This method helps a lot because you get more control over the Q-tip while applying glitter.

The disadvantage of using a Q-tip is that you may get stray fibres on your nails but you can remove those with your fingers or tweezers.

P.S.- You can also use a toothpick as well instead of Q-tips but that’s a more time-consuming process.

January 20, 2016
DIY: 30 second ponytail hack

Ladies, your lipstick will help you get a thicker ponytail… ughhh, actually the lid of your lipstick. Make your ponytail look thicker and perkier in just 30 seconds or less. Check out this simple DIY ponytail hack by YouTuber Kayley Melissa which works wonders for your hair.

This DIY ponytail hack helps you during those hectic and busy days when you choose to tie your hair in a ponytail and work throughout the day because this holds your ponytail all day long.

How to do that?

Start by sweeping your hair into a ponytail at whatever height you like and secure it with a hair-tie.

Now, it’s time to use your magic weapon (okay, we know it’s just a lipstick lid).

Split your hair in half, stick the lid into your ponytail and let your hair down. This will make your ponytail look wider and little bit bouncy at the same time. (*wink*)

And, that’s it!

Few tips to keep in mind:

Make sure your hair-tie is loose enough to accommodate the width of the lipstick lid (or whatever you are sticking in your ponytail) because otherwise you will not be able to wedge it into your ponytail.

If you want to adjust your ponytail, make sure to hold the lid against your head while you do so because if you don’t, then the elastic might get underneath the lid and cause it to fall out.

This is optional but if you want to tie a piece of hair around the base of your ponytail, bobby pin it off to the side instead of pinning it underneath the elastic. This way the bobby pin would not get in the way of the lid and will hold the end of your hair in place.

January 18, 2016
8 safe and simple ways to detox your body

Feeling lethargic or disoriented? Struggling with skin problems, aches and pains, or digestive problems? Not able to lose weight? It might be the right time for a body detox. Keep reading to identify some safe and simple ways to detox your body and why it is needed.

Detoxification is all about cleaning and nourishing your body from the inside. By removing and eliminating toxins and feeding your body with healthy nutrients; detoxification helps build immunity to fight diseases and renew your ability to maintain optimum health. Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver where toxins are processed for elimination.

Why detox?

Detoxification offers many health benefits like improving digestion, promoting intestinal system, increasing energy levels and nutrient absorption. Detoxification is required for vitality and rejuvenation. You should cleanseyour body to build immunity, treat diseases and prevent future problems. Detoxification is also helpful for weight loss because the body stores toxins in fat cells, although this is not the primary purpose. When you cleanse your body these toxins are more easily released from their fat stores and your body starts ridding itself of excess and unnecessary fat.

Studies say that everyone should detox at least once a year but you can cleanse your body daily with these diet tips and lifestyle practices. After cleansing you will feel more organised, more creative, more productive, more relaxed and more focused and clear.

Eat right

You may start by adding food to your diet that help detox naturally. Eat plenty of fibre including brown rice and organically-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. High in liquid-content, fruits are very easy to digest, full of nutrients and help the body wash out toxins. Add raw veggies to your diet as the digestive enzymes are very beneficial in the natural detox process.

Garlic also has the magical power to kick out toxins from your body. This little food item is one of the best detoxing food available all over the world. It helps stimulate the liver into producing detoxification enzymes that help filter toxic residue from the digestive system.

Cleanse and protect the liver by drinking green tea. Not only is green tea full of antioxidants but it hydrates your body (especially if it’s herbal) and fills you up as well. The added bonus is that you will be less likely to overeat or eat the wrong things.

Vitamin C helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that drives away toxins. In particular, things like oranges, lemons, and lime aid the body in flushing out toxins and jump-starting the digestive tract with enzymatic processes. Lemon juice aids the liver in its cleansing process too.

Drink water

Drink plenty of water in a day, say 6 litres of water minimum because we all know human body consists of 72% water. Try starting each morning with a glass of warm water with a few drops of lemon into it. It will not only help in the detoxification process but also cheer up your mood.

Breathe more often

If you’re interested in detoxing, here’s why breathing matters. Deep breathing charges your lymphatic system by increasing oxygen levels and helps in absorbing vitamins and nutrients. Even though breathing is an automatic process, most of us make less use of this amazing built-in detox system of the human body.

Sweat it out

There’s nothing more detoxing than sweating it out, thus go for sauna bath so that your body can eliminate waste through perspiration. You can also practice hydrotherapy by taking a hot shower for five minutes and allowing the water to run on your back, an added bonus in the detox process.

It’s proven that people who exercise regularly have far fewer total toxins in their systems. It promotes the detoxification process giving all systems of the body a boost. As you exercise, the blood circulates throughout the body, bringing nutrients to all the organs and muscles.

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January 15, 2016
DIY: water marble mug

Don’t want to use your boring white coffee mug? Let’s add some colourful water colour texture to it. Watch this DIY tutorial and learn how to make your own water marble mug. Not only is this a great present, it’s very simple and affordable to make.

You will need: a big empty bowl, toothpick, paper towel, some nail paints and of course, a white ceramic mug.

Take a look at the steps below:

Fill the bowl with room temperature water, add nail polish to it and let it spread out. Use a toothpick to swirl the colour around.

Dip the mug into the water for 3 to 5 seconds and take it out. Pat dry the mug carefully with paper towel and let it sit for at least two hours.

Voila! you’re done.

January 14, 2016
How to get rid of dark circles

No matter what you do, those pesky bags keep popping up – uninvited! We know for a fact that many of you have experienced dark circles under your eyes. They don’t only make you look lethargic and ill but are even harder to get rid of. There are many factors that cause this skin discolouration, some of which are unavoidable such as age or illness. However, there are many ways to prevent them. If you are tired of looking tired, read on to identify what could be causing these dark circles and how to get rid of them!

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1) Treat your allergies

Discolouration of skin under the eyes is commonly caused by allergies and the only solution to get rid of dark circles is to find out the reasons behind the allergies and removing the allergen. If you are struggling to work out the root of your problem, don’t hesitate to get an appointment with a dermatologist to access what could be causing your allergic reaction. Seasonal allergy problems such as the hay fever can frequently be effectively treated with over-the-counter and prescribed medication.

2) Invest in a good eye cream

Selecting an eye cream can be confusing especially when there are so many options to choose from. Avoid creams containing a lot of harsh chemicals and look for products which contain retinol and vitamin K because these two magical ingredients have been proven to reduce dark circles considerably. Creams containing them reduce puffiness and discolouration significantly. Please note that their effects can only be noticed in the long term.

3) Reduce salt intake

Excessive salt causes the body to retain water in unusual places and this can result in puffiness under the eyes. Too much salt can also cause the blood vessels under the skin to appear bluer and you may suffer from fluid retention which is a major cause of dark circles under the eyes. Eat a good range of fruit and vegetables, stick to the freshest you can find and try cutting down on raw salt from your diet. Also, drink a lot of water; It is the simplest and best way to get overall good health and appearance. Vitamin deficiencies play havoc with our skin and dark circles can be caused by a lack of vitamin K or B12, so less salt and more water.

4) De-stress yourself

Stress is also one of the reasons for the reappearance of dark circles. Knock off all the sources of stress and anxiety that are preventing you from sleeping, eating and resting properly. Yoga or meditation, if practiced regularly, also helps in calming your mind, body and soul. Pick up any activity to soothe your mind and choose anything you want to do like reading, cooking, dancing or working out. Relaxing enough will help the skin beneath your eyes to improve as you feel less stressed and more at ease.

5) Homemade spa treatment

Spare some time for your eyes in the morning before getting ready. Cut cucumber slices or soak green tea bags in water, cool it down by placing it in the refrigerator for a while and place them over your eyes. The tannin in tea reduces discolouration, and the cucumber reduces puffiness. Use this remedy on a regular basis to see considerable difference.

6) Get your beauty sleep

Last but certainly not the least, get a sound and good night sleep, daily. It’s not entirely clear why inadequate sleep results in dark circles under the eyes but lack of sleep tends to cause the skin to become pale which results in appearance of darkness under the eyes. It’s also believed that lying down on the bed for less time is a cause in itself. So, it is advisable to take minimum 8 hours sleep everyday. Also, remove all your makeup before going to bed. Insufficient sleep causes your eyes look tired and puffier.

January 13, 2016
How to style a tea-length skirt

Hemlines play a very important role when it comes to skirts. The right length can lift your outfit or drag it down to the fashion police. If thigh-high shirt skirts or floor-sweeping maxi skirts are not your pick, try tea-length skirts. There is nothing daintier than a hem that hits at the calf. The term tea-length doesn’t suggest a specific length but this style of a skirt has a very special look. Falling anywhere between the middle of the knee and above the ankle, it holds both a retro charm and contemporary elegance. The mid-calf proportion might seem intimidating at the first glance, but a little thoughtful styling makes it easy to take on. They are often A-line in style, but you can find fitted tea-length skirts or dresses too.

Here are a few facts about tea-length skirts

Around the mid-19th century, tea-length garments were a woman’s go-to attire and this is what they used to wear to the tea table.

Tea-length skirts or even dresses were a very big trend during the golden age of Hollywood.

We’d recommend a tea-length skirt if you’re in the mood for a retro-inspired look. You can wear them to brunch with your girl friends, family get-togethers or to a special evening with your bae.

How to style a tea-length skirt and look classy in this vintage silhouette?

For printed tea-length skirts

Pair them up with plain ivory/ecru shirt or a solid color full sleeves t-shirt. You can also throw on a chunky sweater for colder weather. But if nothing works, wear a plain black or white top to compliment the printed pattern.

For coloured tea-length skirts

Wear a crisp white shirt and a scarf for a more sophisticated look. Choose a sheer lace top or striped t-shirt to balance out the look or pair up your coloured tea-length skirt with a simple crop top.

January 12, 2016
DIY: make hand scrub at home

Walk into your kitchen and look around, chances are that you will find some magical ingredients that you can use to make hand scrub; which is not only inexpensive but also good for your skin. This homemade hand scrub will not just remove dead skin cells but leave you with soft and moisturised skin, What’s more, it smells so yummy, you’d want to eat it up. Try this easy DIY tutorial and learn how to make hand scrub at home.

You will need: salt, powdered sugar, coconut oil and lemon

Take a look at the steps below:

Take an empty bowl. Put one part each of salt, sugar and coconut oil in the bowl and mix well.

Cut open a slice of lemon and squeeze in few drops of lemon juice into the mixture. Beat the mixture well until it forms a creamy paste.

Voila! Your hand scrub is ready to use.

January 8, 2016
How to curl your hair without heat

Ladies, we know that there’s nothing that looks better than a head of bouncy curls but struggling with curling rods and iron plates, damaging our hair in the process? Uhhh…. No. Many women don’t feel comfortable with the curling irons and other hot tools because of their adverse effects on hair. And yes, it is scientifically proven that heating machines do havoc to your hair. But then the question remains: how to curl your hair without heat?

There are multiple ways to get beautiful curls without heat, no matter what your hair type is and they’re ideal for a lazy evening before bed so you can wake up with curly hair the next morning. Now you can make tight curls, voluminous curls, beachy waves or lazy waves on your own without burning yourself. We’ve rounded up some amazing and effortless video tutorials by Luxy Hair about heatless curls or waves, so you don’t have to spend much on those curling rods and flat irons because these techniques are better when you actually see them in action.

Watch these videos and learn how to curl your hair without heat.

January 7, 2016
How to turn a dress into a skirt

Wearing a dress as a skirt doesn’t take any magical powers. Instead, it is probably a lot simpler than you think. It just takes a little trick and putting together the right pieces from your wardrobe. The great thing about this magic trick is that you can get more use out of those pretty looking dresses that once gave your savings a massive hit.

Ladies, you can actually wear all your dresses; a feather dress, a skater dress or a bandage dress in these chilly winter days by turning them into a skirt. Layer up your dress with a chunky sweater, leather jacket or basic knit and add some accessories (a statement necklace maybe?) to make heads turn.

Take a look at this video by the YouTuber Sydne Summer and learn how to turn a dress into a skirt.

January 6, 2016
DIY: snowman nail art for Christmas

Ladies, the best part of winter is here and we are sure all the Christmas-outfit planning has already started. This year, finish your Christmas outfit with a simple red manicure and take your attire from gorgeous to perfectly gorgeous.

Get a salon-like manicure at home and make your hands feel Christmas’s spirit too. Take a look at this info graphics and try this easy snowman nail art in few simple steps.

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December 18, 2015
Five rules of formal dressing for men

For men, a formal dress code always works if it’s a family get-together, social event or an office meeting. After all… clothes make a man and there’s nothing more attractive than a sharp, well-groomed formal look! A well-tailored suit, a crisp shirt and a classic neck-tie are just some of the elements you need to make the ladies swoon. Add to that a pair of stylish shoes and some understated accessories and you’ll be on top of your game. To get the complete lowdown on mastering the art of formal dressing, check out these five rules that will help you look your dapper best!

Rule1: Your shoes must match your tie.

Rule2: The tie’s length should reach the belt.

Rule3: Always tuck the shirt’s collar into the lapel of the blazer.

Rule4: An inch of your shirt’s cuff should be visible from below your coat’s sleeves.

Rule5: Keep the top most button of the blazer buttoned while standing so it’s easier to unbutton when you sit.

December 17, 2015
DIY: beauty masks at home

Winter can be extremely hard on your hair, skin and body. Thrashing wind, dry air and freezing temperature can leave your skin feeling dry and rough. If you do not want to invest a lot of money in buying expensive moisturisers, body butters, lip balms or hair masks then here are easy home hacks for you. All you needs are some ingredients from your kitchen cabinet to make these easy DIY beauty masks at home and kick away the dryness and roughness away from you.

For your hair

You need:

1 ripe banana

1 tbsp. olive oil

3 tbsp. mayonnaise.

Method:

Mix the ingredients well in a bowl until smooth and apply generously to dry hair, concentrating mostly on the roots. Tie your hair in a top bun and use a shower cap to cover your hair. Let it sit for 30-40 minutes (depending on your hair length) and rinse well. Shampoo & condition your hair as you normally do.

Tip: Do not use blow dryer to dry your hair as it makes the frizz more prominent. Instead, let your locks fly free and air dry.

Use this hair mask once in a week to cut down the frizz. It also ensures hair growth because it has banana, which is rich in proteins, and mayonnaise that keeps your hair healthy and nourished.

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For your hands

You need:

2 tbsp. coconut oil

1 1/2 tbsp. raw honey

3 tsp. sea salt

Method:

Stir coconut oil and honey together in a bowl till it forms a thick creamy mixture. Add sea salt to this mixture and beat it up until smooth. Give your hands a gentle massage with a small amount of this mixture for about 5 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Try this beauty treatment twice a week for best results. You may also prepare a fair amount of this DIY cream and store it in refrigerator for longer use. The cream might harden in the refrigerator but all you need to do is take some amount of it on your palm and rub it so your body’s heat melts it. This will keep your hands moisturised and help in repairing dry and cracked skin. This homemade scrub works best during winters, leaving your hands feeling smooth and soft and also, it smells GREAT!

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For your body

You need:

1 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup rose petals

1/2 cup raw sugar

1/2 cup almond oil

Method:

Pour coconut oil into the jar, then set the rose petals on top of the coconut oil and add in sugar. Top it off with almond oil, leave it for 24 hours and let the oils soak into the petals. Stir the mixture well before using. After exfoliating with the mixture, take a hot shower and moisturise your skin with a thick creamy body lotion.

Rose petals contain everything necessary for a good cleanser as well as a toner. It keeps your skin fresh and also fights acne. Mixing it with coconut and almond oil will help your skin will look radiant and smell amazing too.

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For your lips

You need:

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. edible oil such as olive oil or sweet almond oil

2 tsp. powdered sugar

Method:

Mix honey and oil in a bowl and heat it up for five seconds in the microwave. Pour granulated white sugar to the mixture and stir well (you may add a few drops of lemon juice, if you like).

This DIY scrub works best at night and you can use it on a daily basis. Honey has healing and hydrating properties that keeps your lips moisturised and the sugar helps to remove dead skin. Gently exfoliating your lips with this lip scrub will keep them healthy and smooth and also, it smells DELICIOUS!

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So what you are waiting for?…. Head to the kitchen and get scrubbing.

December 16, 2015
DIY: easy gift wrapping idea for Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner and we are sure that you have already started thinking about choosing gifts for your friends and family. Make your gifts even special for them by ensuring that the gifts are packed well. Watch this DIY tutorial and try this easy gift wrapping idea for Christmas.

Steps

Take plain white paper and scrunch it to give it texture. Carefully unfold the chart paper and wrap your gift.

Now, take red and green colour and paint dots randomly covering the entire surface area of the paper (you may use any round brush but I am using chopsticks here) and let it dry for 10 minutes.

Tie the red ribbon around the gift and add some Christmas balls or any decorations to give it a festive touch and voila!

Merry Christmas

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December 11, 2015