Tag: how to

Winter skincare: How to treat dry and dull skin during winters

Winter is here and along with it comes the dry and brisk winds that can make your skin dry and dull. Protect your skin by making some simple changes to your daily skincare routine. Try these 10 quick and easy winter skincare tips to stave off the dry skin blues this season.

1) Feed your skin – Got scaly skin? Just milk it. Bathe in milk like Cleopatra and get rid of that dry and scaly skin instantly. Always apply lotion on damp skin for extra moisture.

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2) Say no to long super-hot water baths – Always bathe with lukewarm water and add a tablespoon of oat meal or baking soda to help relieve dry skin.

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3) Exfoliate lightly – Pick exfoliators with tiny beads that are gentle on the skin and massage with very light hands. Avoid using harsh peels and face masks as they dry your skin more.

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4) Rough and cracked heels – Make petroleum jelly your best friend! Gently buff away dead skin using pumice stone and apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly. Wear socks to let the petroleum jelly soak in and heal the cracked skin.

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5) Dry itchy scalp – Dry and itchy scalp can be uncomfortable and embarrassing as well. Switch to an anti-dandruff shampoo and oil your hair regularly with coconut oil or almond oil to replenish your scalps natural oils.\

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6) Chapped lips – Gently exfoliate your lips once a week using a paste of sugar and lemon juice. Always carry a moisturising lip balm or petroleum jelly and apply it 3-4 times a day to protect your lips.

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7) Avoid lotions that come in a pump bottle packaging – Look for moisturisers that come in a jar rather than a pump bottle. The water content and PH base of the lotions available in pump bottles is high that ultimately leads to more dryness.

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8) Eat foods that are rich in OMEGA-3, fatty acids, Vitamin C and Vitamin E such as fish, nuts, olive oil, and citrus fruits to nourish your skin from within.

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9) Brittle nails- Dry nails snap moisture out of the air and make them prone to breakage. Always apply a coat of clear paint. Treat them with olive oil or lotions containing lanolin.

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10) Irritated, dry eyes- Dry air can cause irritation in the eyes leaving them dry and itchy. Always keep a bottle of saline eye drops handy to cleanse your eyes.

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Featured images sourced from: Source1, Source2

November 6, 2015
How to use colour correcting concealers: dab those imperfections away!

Not everyone is blessed with flawless skin and at one time or another we have all felt the need to hide some imperfections. And for people facing issues like pigmentation, unevenness, redness and acne scars, hiding them is an even bigger task. But worry no more; there are a variety of products that can help in hiding them. Make way for colour correcting concealers, the secret behind that flawless and radiant looking celebrity-like skin. Here are the details and a guide on how to use colour correcting concealers.

Why use colour correcting concealers?

Most facial flaws are due to colour-related issues such as dark bluish under-eye circles and reddish-brown acne scars to name a few, and flesh tone concealers don’t cover-up all of them. Colour correcting concealers are a total game changer for people dealing with these kinds of flaws. The trick is to neutralise the flawed colours and mask their appearance as much as possible which is where the colour correcting concealers come into play.

How to use colour correcting concealers?

Colour correcting concealers typically come in four shades – green, peach/orange, purple and yellow. In order to hide the imperfections correctly, you need to understand which colour will neutralise the colour of the flaw you want to cover up. For instance, reddish colour spots are best covered with a counteracting colour, say green. Colour correcting concealers are mostly available in a cream-based blend and mix right into the skin along with your basic flesh tone concealer. Here’s how to use colour correcting concealers the right way.

Dab the colour correcting concealer onto the targeted spot with a clean brush or finger and gently blend it out until there are no apparent lines visible. Allow the corrector to set for a couple of seconds. Now use your usual flesh-toned concealer and apply it (again, dab) onto the area where you first applied the colour correcting concealer. With the help of a brush or a sponge, blend the productwell into the skin for an even finish. Lastly, set the concealer with some loose or pressed powder and notice the difference yourself.

Read on to find out which colour correcting concealer is suitable for which flaw and get dabbin!

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Green Concealers

Green tinted concealers neutralise red zones on your face and are best used to cover-up blemishes.

Purple Concealers

Purple tinted concealers are best suited for eliminating any unwanted yellow undertones of the skin and add a natural glow to the skin, when mixed with your usual flesh-tone concealer.

Peach/Orange Concealers

Peach/Orange tinted concealers are ideal to neutralise dark circles under the eyes as they counteract the blueness and balance it out.

Yellow Concealers

Yellow tinted concealers are perfect for hiding purple or blue bruises and veins. They are great for evening out the skin and giving a bright base for your foundation.

Like this guide for using colour correcting concealers? Check out our How To and DIY sections for more such tips and tricks.

October 30, 2015
Make contouring a part of your everyday regime. Here’s how!

Sure it’s nice to be dolled up all the time but it’s not necessary that you always look like Kim Kardashian making a red carpet appearance. For most ladies, contouring is this challengingly extreme level of makeup that is rendered both unreal and unnecessary. However, it is actually not as heavy duty a task and does not require a lot of time. Yes that’s true, you can make contouring a part of your daily regime and get that sculpted look in less than 5 minutes all the while keeping your makeup minimal. Here’s how.

The essentials

You don’t need a pro makeup kit to get that polished and sculpted look. All you need is;

1) A contouring kit that consists of the right shade of highlighter, dark contouring shade and a blusher suitable for your skin tone. You can also use your bronzer for contouring if you don’t have a contouring kit.

2) Clean contouring brush, an angled brush and a blush brush.

Steps

1) Start off by preparing your skin with your everyday moisturiser and prime your skin.

2) Foundation can be heavy for everyday use, apply BB cream or CC cream for an even skin tone and conceal blemishes or dark spots, if required.

3) Locate the hollows of your cheeks and using a clean angled brush apply your bronzer or the contouring shade under your cheek bones. Make sure that you blend the product well with the help of a contouring brush to avoid harsh lines.

4) Using a fluffy blush brush, apply blusher on the apples of your cheeks and buff it into your skin until it looks natural.

5) Complete your look by adding a little bit of mascara and lip gloss and you’re good to go!

You can watch the whole 5 minute everyday contouring makeup tutorial here.

October 27, 2015
How to wear culottes

Culottes have been around since forever and were originally worn by men in the 15^th century. They were a hit amongst kings to soldiers to upper class European men and used to have a tight closure around the knee. With time, culottes evolved and grew into loose bifurcated skirts that end below the knees worn mostly by women. Culottes are great for all weathers and are as important a wardrobe staple as denims today. They are comfortable, chic and versatile. The question is how to wear culottes?

It’s not as hard as one would imagine. Culottes have flattering hemlines and various shapes that look good on every body type. Styling these pants can be tricky, but the good part is that there is more than one way to fashion these billowy pants. So whether you’re wearing your culottes on a date, out for brunch on the weekend, or to work, they can fit right in with these small tricks. Here’s how to wear culottes and flaunt this season’s “it” statement.

Source: Pinterest

For a formal-chic look we’d suggest you go for solid culottes paired with a printed semi-formal top and a pair of strappy heels. For a summery look, wear light coloured or striped culottes with printed or plain crop-tops and pretty flats.

A pair of printed culottes make a big statement on it’s own. Keep the rest of the outfit simple with solid-coloured tee or tank tops.

Like our ‘How to wear culottes’ guide? Let us know if you’d like any other styling tips in the comments section below and we’d be happy to write about it.

September 30, 2015
How to do a pull-through braid

Girls, if you have flat tresses then this hair tutorial is what you need. This technique allows you to fake the look of a braid without weaving a single strand, hence giving it the name pull-through braid. This braid makes your hair appear voluminous and fuller. At first you might find this braid looking like a regular 3-strand braid but it has a unique twist. It comes across as complicated, at first, but it’s actually very easy to do and you can master it in just one attempt.

This braid is appropriate for a family dinner, a day-out with your girlfriends and for your office meetings as well. So if you can tie your hair in a ponytail then you can definitely achieve this look in less than 3 minutes and leave your friends surprised and awestruck.

Watch this hair tutorial by MakeupWearables Hairstyles and learn how to do this fancy pony-braid hairstyle.

September 23, 2015
DIY: Colour Stain nail art

Try this fabulous colour stain nail art at home using your old nail paints and be ready to flaunt your nails in style. Take a look at this video to find out how.

You will need: Plain white nail paint, two coloured nail paints of your choice & a top coat paint.

Take a look at the steps:

Start off by applying two coats of white nail paint on to your nails.

Let it dry completely.

Now take any coloured paint and before applying it on to your nails, wipe off all the paint from the brush like this.

Gently apply these stain-like strokes to your nails and repeat the step with another colour.

Apply top coat to finish.

September 22, 2015
High school braids are back to transform the way you look

Hair braiding isn’t a school hairstyle anymore. They are back on the hair styling circuit and women are in love with them. Braids don’t just add a unique character to your hair; they do a very important job of making your facial features stand out. What’s best about braiding is that they are better for second/third day hair which means one doesn’t have to go through the hell of the hot dryer and other styling tools to make braids look good.

Depending on your styling choice, you may go absolutely wild or subtle with your braids. Don’t catch us? Take a look at these ways of sporting a braid this season and looking amazing.

1) The subtle braids

If subtlety is your choice when it comes to fashion, fishtail braids and rope braids are perfect for you. These braids look very hard to style but are really not. With a little bit of practice you can master these braids in no time. Sarah Hyland and Nina Dobrev tell us how to style them right.

2) The messy braids

If you like to keep your hair sophisticated with a hint of fun, we suggest you opt for messy side braids. These are easy to style, even easier to maintain and give the right look with a hint of messy. Take inspiration from celebrities like Jennifer Morrison, Blake Lively and Eva Longoria to get the side braid correctly.

3) The wild braids

Fan of trying the unusual? Go wild with your braids and be sure to make a statement. Just like other hairstyles, you can play around with your braids to match your style sensibilities and outfits. Take a look at these celebs giving us some wild looks.

September 21, 2015
DIY: How to fold a pocket square

Here’s a quick tutorial that would help you in completing your dapper look with these simple yet awesome ways to fold a pocket square! Take a look!

Here are the three ways to fold your pocket square

#1 Straight fold

#2 Poof fold

#3 One point fold

September 18, 2015
The ultimate guide to Korean beauty regimen

Koreans are famous for their porcelain, clean skin and their skincare routine is no monkey business. It is impossible to find any Korean woman who does not have flawless and hauntingly beautiful skin. So how do Koreans get such amazing skin? Or are they just too blessed to be stressed about any skin imperfections? Well the answer lies in the hardcore Korean beauty regimen.

While for most of us, a regular skin care regime is only limited to cleansing, toning and moisturising; the Korean beauty regimen is a multi-step, time-consuming process that they swear by and start at an early age.

Korean women are all about layering and have mastered the art of layering. And that is exactly how they have benefited by treating their skin at the right time with intense moisturising.

The Korean beauty regimen is quite different from any other beauty regimens followed across the world. Here’s how you can also get blemish free, dewy skin just like the Koreans by following the world famous Korean beauty regimen.

Step 1: Wash away by double cleansing

Korean women follow a two-step regime for face cleansing. They start off by using an oil-based face cleanser to remove their makeup and other impurities such as dust. They then use a soap-based, foam cleanser that cleans the skin throughout and removes excess oil, sweat and left over dust and makeup.

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Step 2: Buff and exfoliate

Koreans exfoliate their skin on a regular basis and sometimes exfoliate only on the target areas such as the T-zone or cheeks where they are more prone to blackheads/ whiteheads/ excessively oily or dry skin. Koreans prefer using a mild, natural, sugar based scrub that gently cleans and removes the dead skin.

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Step 3: Refreshing with toners

‘Toners’ are often termed as ‘refreshers’ in the Korean beauty glossary. They help remove pollutants and any residue from the cleansers and prep it for the next step while restoring the skin’s PH level.

Korean toners are less harsh and drying as compared to toners used elsewhere. They are hydrating yet clarifying.

Step 4: The ‘Essence’

Regarded as the most essential part of the Korean beauty regimen, essences are nourished liquid concentrates that contain active ingredients that work on the skin at cellular levels and cell regeneration.

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Step 5: Ample of ‘Ampoule’

Ampoule is commonly called serum in the West and is more concentrated as compared to essences. Another important step in the Korean beauty regimen, Ampoule, is the one solution for all your skin problems like ageing, dull skin, scars, uneven skin tone etc. Ampoule helps in brightening the skin, removing sun-spots and it also firms and hydrates the skin at cellular level.

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Step 6: The sheet mask

Korean beauty regimen includes use of sheet masks twice a week for maximum effectiveness. They are available in different varieties focusing on your target areas. They are also available in different shapes for you to focus on specific areas like under-eyes, nose, area around your lips etc. The Korean beauty market has different masks like clarifying, hydrating, whitening, anti-aging etc.

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Step 7: Eyeing the eye cream

Koreans believe that prevention is better than cure. They apply a thick eye cream twice a day to prevent wrinkles, fine lines and puffiness under their eyes.

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Step 8: Adding moisture

In order to seal all the products in, Koreans add another layer in their daily routine. They hydrate their skin with a thick layer of moisturiser and emulsify the skin. They use a light moisturising cream with SPF for the day and a thick moisture rich cream for the night.

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Step 9: Sleeping with a mask on

Sleeping masks are a very important part of the Korean beauty regimen. Sleeping masks provide an extra dose of hydration and restore firmness of the skin proving a dewy glow next morning.

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That’s not it! Korean beauty regimen also includes regular facials at frequent intervals. Koreans prefer home facials, they regularly steam their face and use different kinds of massage oils and facial creams at home that help in stimulating facial muscles, slimming down the face and cleaning the skin for a healthy, dewy glow.

September 11, 2015
How to dry your nails in a New York minute

There are no two ways about the fact that women love to multitask. Getting two or more things done at the same time gives them a sense of accomplishment and rightly so. However, slowing down is something they don’t like even for very important things like waiting for their nail paint to dry. The important thing to understand here is that while your beautiful manicure will make you stand out in a good way, your smudged nails will surely grab some unwanted attention.

Flapping your hands sometimes becomes really irritating and annoying. So, avoid that little irritation with these tips that will help you dry your nails at a quicker pace. There’s no need to sit around and wait anymore, here are 5 ways that will help you dry your nails in a New York minute by cutepolish.

September 2, 2015
How to tightline your eyes like a pro!
If you haven’t heard of ‘tightlining’, we wouldn’t blame you for confusing it with some sort of advanced technique of painting or drawing. However, tightlining is that eyeliner technique everyone talks about, but few can really explain.

Tightlining, also called invisible eyeliner, is a technique which is achieved by defining your eyelashes subtly with the help of your eyeliner. This technique creates the illusion of fuller, darker lashes and adds definition to the eyes while maintaining a no-makeup feel. Tightlining is actually a term for a tricky eyeliner technique that gives a sort of I-am-not-wearing-any-makeup effect; it defines your lash line and makes your eyes look subtly brighter.

Most people think that this technique is to make your eyes look bigger but what it really does is make your eyelashes appear fuller and thicker. Instead of lining the skin above your lashes, you line your upper waterline and it can be used for any casual or formal occasion. It sounds more difficult than it is in theory; master the technique with just two simple steps. Take a look.
1. Use your finger to lift up your eyelid so you can see the base of your lash root which you will be filling in with the eyeliner.
1. Take your eyeliner and using short strokes, line your upper waterline. Wiggle the eyeliner back and forth to make it more intense.
1. Third step is to just flaunt your eyes because you’re done.:)
Tip: Use a kohl eyeliner for better results as it is formulated to hold in the wet area of the eye.

Images sourced from Source1 and Source2
August 17, 2015
Say goodbye to split ends with these easy tips and tricks

Split ends are a common problem and unfortunately we all have to deal with it. The leading cause for split ends is the hair shaft losing its natural moisture making the strands split. Take a look at this informative picture for some amazing tips and tricks to bid adieu to split ends!

1) Get a Trim

The best way to avoid split ends is to get your hair trimmed on a regular basis.

2) Beat the Heat

Styling hair can cause major split ends but that doesn’t mean that you have to stop straightening or blow drying your hair. All you have to do is limit how much heat you subject to your tresses. Nowadays there are hair stylers that have adjustable heat levels that work right on fleek without damaging your hair.

Even hot water showers strip away the moisture off the hair so make sure you always rinse your hair with cool water at the end of every shower.

3) Shampoo & condition correctly

Most of the times when we shampoo we tend to over wash our hair and apply too much shampoo even at the ends. We even apply a lot of conditioner to the roots which makes them greasy in less than a day. One should always shampoo the roots and apply conditioner on the length of the hair.

4) Comb it out

Always use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your tresses. Hair tends to break and split more when it’s wet.

The most effective way to get rid of split ends is to get them cut at regular intervals especially for women trying to grow their length. Lack of proper nutrition and moisture can also worsen your hair’s health and continue splitting up to the length of your hair.

Here are few home remedies to get rid of split ends.

Remedy 1- Egg Mask

Whisk an egg yolk with 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply it on damp hair and leave it for 30 minutes. Shampoo your hair the usual way.

Remedy 2- Mayonnaise Mask

Towel dry wet hair and apply half a cup of mayonnaise to your hair. Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it out and shampoo your hair the usual way.

Inpost images sourced from

Banner and featured images sourced from: Source1, Source2

July 24, 2015
Trend alert: Strobing is the new contouring

Contouring has been around for a while now and we all love it, thanks to Kim Kardashian for making it popular. Sadly, it is intense and difficult to master and involves heavy blending of light and dark shades to create the illusion of more defined features. Fret no more, here’s everything you need to know about the latest anti-contouring technique: Strobing.

Popular in France, strobing is all about the natural dewy, glowing complexion and highlighting your natural features using highlighters. Strobing focuses on the areas where natural light hits on your face and applying a highlighter to amplify it. Ditch those expensive colour palettes and pick up a simple highlighter to master this art. Strobing is less time consuming and doesn’t make your face look cakey.

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How to master strobing?

It’s all about brightening up your face and creating a dewy glow. Here’s how you can master the art of strobing with these easy steps.

Step 1 – Start by preparing your skin the right way. Add a little bit of luminizer into your moisturiser for a brighter look all over and then use a primer to neutralise redness or dark spots.

Step 2– Apply a lightweight illuminating foundation for even skin like YSL’s Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation.

Step 3– Apply a dash of blusher and keep rest of the makeup minimum and natural.

Step 4– Dab a highlighter (like Mac’s Strobe Cream or Benefit’s High Beam Highlighter) on the high points of your face where natural light hits the most, onto the apples of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, centre of your forehead and your cupid’s bow to highlight the main areas of your face.

Step 5– Seal the luminosity with a translucent setting powder such as Nars light reflecting pressed setting powder.

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You can also build up the intensity of the highlights by layering both cream and powder highlighters. Make sure that you blend the products well to avoid blobs of product.

Facing problems while buying a highlighter? Check out this article to help you know all about highlighters and the correct way to apply them.

Banner and featured images source from: Source1, Source2, Source3

July 22, 2015
DIY: Turn your plain white canvas into wall art

Have a plain white painting canvas sitting at home? Here’s how you can turn it into a piece of art for your plain wall at home.

Things you need: Plain white canvas, a pair of scissors or a paper cutter, a brush, mod podge and an empty tissue paper rolls

Take the paper roll and press it firmly to flatten it. Now cut the paper roll into small strips like shown in the picture.

You will see them forming a leaf-like shape.

Start placing the cut-outs on the canvas in any layout according to your preference. Once you’re happy with the layout start gluing it.

Let it sit for 15 minutes and you’re done

July 22, 2015
DIY: Get soft curls in 5 minutes!

No woman can ever go wrong with untied hair with any kind of an outfit! And believe us, it is the simplest kind of hair style that has ever existed (provided you style yourself well)!

If you are running late to work or a dinner date with your significant other and can’t figure out how to do your hair at such short notice, try out this quick hair tutorial that is not just simple & effortless but it goes perfectly with every look especially when you are on a time crunch (since it only takes 5 minutes!).

Take a look at the steps below:

*Start off by combing your hair so that its perfectly untangled

*Tie your hair in a high ponytail

*Take little sections from your ponytail and start curling them using your curling rod

*After curling all your hair, use some hair spray to keep the curls intact

*Now, untie your hair and run your fingers through your hair to add more volume

*And you’re done!

Images sourced from Source1 and Source2

July 17, 2015