Tag: makeup

11 Worst makeup trends of 2015

Every year brings with itself a list of trends that we prepare ourselves for. Some turn out to be good, some bad and some make us feel why they existed in the first place. It’s a safe trick to follow a trend that looks good on a celeb or a supermodel but blindly following a trend just because it was spotted in the magazines or on the runway is not always the right choice. Just to help all you makeup lovers out there, we’ve spotted some of the worst makeup trends from 2015 that we hope to God find a nice place in the graveyard of departed makeup trends. Here are the 11 worst makeup trends of 2015. Take a look.

Warning: lots of drama ahead

Clumpy lashes

There is nothing good about clumpy mascara and this is certainly not a makeup trend anyone needs in 2016. It makes your eyelashes look absolutely strange and also takes a hell lot of time to come off. So, if you were on the clumpy lash train in 2015, it’s time to get off now. Thanks to runway looks, clumpy lashes gained popularity this year but this makeup trend should be just forgotten as a scary nightmare.

Black lips

Jet-black lips for casual Friday at office? Sounds horrible. You really don’t want your friends or colleagues feeling like you were rehearsing for Halloween, do you? Since black lipstick is actually pretty difficult to pull off and might make you look witchy, this beauty trend should be left in 2015 only. Switch your black bullet for an ox-blood or burgundy lip color, like the Kendall sisters, and please do not ever go back.

Cream contouring

The importance of contouring was no doubt the most powerful makeup lesson of 2015 but even good things have a limit. No one needs as much contouring as Kim Kardashian to get through life and the sooner one learns the lesson, the better it is for them. Cream contour gives you that chiseled look that works under bright red carpet lights and for photo shoots but refrain from using it everyday. 2016 is going to be all about subtle contouring, which is not just easier and faster but gives you a more naturally sculpted look.

Extra long lashes

Long eyelashes is a timeless trend but the extensively artificial lashes can make your eyes look smaller or change the shape of your eyes for the worse. False lashes also weigh your eyelids down making you go look sleepy in place of sexy. We won’t deny that false eyelashes add drama to your look but if your falsies are so heavy that you can’t even open your eyes fully then well, there isn’t much point.

Eyebrows with added filters

There are so many ways to make those brows look awesome but the FILTERED eyebrows are not one of them. Eyebrows are imperative in defining the frame of your face but if they’re overly filled in and squared-off at the beginning, it looks like they were drawn in a geometry class. Let’s do them better in 2016? Your brows should always look feathery and natural, so they leave you looking sharp and fresh, rather than harsh and fake.

Sharp eyeshadows

Clearly defined bands of colours on the eyelid look horrible and are easily the worst nightmare of every makeup artist. Eye makeup is not about applying oodles of colours on the eyes; that normally just scares people off. The key to getting eye makeup right is BLENDING! So blend away. And when you think you’re done blending, blend some more. Your face will thank you for doing this.

Too much bronzer

Now, bronzer has been around for a while but 2015 really made it’s importance felt in the world of makeup. However, it didn’t quite warn the world against overloading their face with bronzer. It’s not cool to look like you were stuck on a tropical island for years without SPF. Bronzer gives your skin a sun-kissed look and a healthy glow but you wouldn’t want people to think you were battling jaundice. A quick swipe of bronzer is a great way to warm up your skin and even fake a day at the beach. But any more than that and you’ll just look radioactive.

Mismatched lip liner

Let’s all maintain 10 seconds of silence for this very uncomfortable trend. Let’s just say it’s best to follow the age-old makeup rule of matching your lip liner to your lipstick but you can’t be giving people panic attacks by applying two different shades on one pair of lips. NO! Dark lip liner with dark lipstick – fab; dark lip liner with lighter lipstick – HELL NO! Please, we say please do not take this to 2016. It. Must. Die.

Overdrawn lips

Who are you trying to fool? The world can look through that drawing on your face! They can see those lips! If you don’t like your thin lips, we’d suggest a permanent lip job (like Anushka Sharma). Overlining your lips is not an easy thing to do and is definitely not a solution. It’s a lot of work to put into changing your appearance and trying to do what you “think” looks good. Don’t try to feed in unreal expectations into everybody’s head of how women should look. Let’s just embrace our real lips in 2016, okay?

Frosted lips

80s made a comeback in 2015 not just in the world of fashion but also in the world of beauty and makeup. Brown lip colour we can deal with. Frosted lipstick? No, thank you. It looks weirdly outdated. While this is only a minor offence, the frosty, Barbie-like lipstick has got to go. The 80s are over, and so is this trend. Keep your look more, uh, this century with a glossy or matte product.

Super-dark smoky eyes

We’ve seen smoky eyes and nude lips on almost everyone from actors, singers to models on fashion week runways and otherwise. But here’s the deal ladies, smoky eyes look more flattering when they have some dimension rather than having a solid black colour all over your eyelid; starting from your lash line to your brow bone. Smoky eyes can be the essential for a dramatic and sexy look, but if you apply too much shadow you can barely see your eyes in the mirror, it’s time to tone it down, waaayyyy down.

So this was our list of worst makeup trends of 2015. We hope that these are wiped off from the face of the earth like many other social evils in 2016. Do you know of any makeup trends that deserve to be in a graveyard? Do let us know in the comments section. Stay stylish ladies!

Image sourced from here

December 24, 2015
10 gifts for makeup lovers

Finding the right gifts for makeup lovers is never an easy job. You might feel that gifting them more makeup is a bad idea but you’re wrong. Just like you can’t get enough of your favourite things, the same way a beauty fanatic can never have enough makeup.

From useful makeup pouches to a bit of techno makeup stuff, take a look at this list of gifts for makeup lovers that are so good that your friends will love you for it.

1) O.P.I All Stars Mini 10 Pack

Buy it here at asos.com

2) Lottie ASOS Exclusive Party Ready Set

Buy it here at asos.com

3) Red Carpet Manicure Gel Polish Starter Kit

Buy it here at asos.com

4) Tigi Bed Head Party Girl Set

Buy it here at asos.com

5) Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour and Highlighting Makeup Kit

Buy it here at amazon.in

6) Borghese 9-Piece Professional Cosmetic Brush Set

Buy it here at elitify.com

7) Makeup Your Mind

Buy it here at flipkart.com

8) Michael Phan life palette

Buy it here at elitify.com

9) Infinity pro curl secret

Buy it here at elitify.com

10) Philosophy Here comes the Bride

Buy it here at elitify.com

December 11, 2015
Reviews: best makeup setting sprays you need to try now!

Flakiness, oily skin and unavoidable weather conditions are the arch nemesis of makeup longevity and if makeup meltdown is also ruining your jam then fret no more. Enter makeup setting sprays! Setting sprays are an essential part of your makeup routine, the right makeup setting spray can work wonders. Not only do they lock everything in place, they also offer a choice of matte or dewy complexion and even some SPF for those days in the sun.

Just like hair sprays, makeup setting sprays are designed to keep your makeup in place and prolong its hold. Here are three of the best makeup setting sprays available in the market that will make sure you’re makeup stays put.

1)    All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray by Urban Decay

Famous amongst all makeup maniacs, this weightless setting spray keeps your makeup in place for more than 16 hours. It lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep your foundation, concealer, blusher, eye shadow etc. in place even in hot, humid and moist climates. It prolongs the longevity of your makeup and adds polish to your skin making it look dewy at the same time leaving a matteeffect.

Available here at: ebay.in

Source

2)      Prep+Prime+ Fix+ by MAC

Commonly known as MAC’s fix plus, this mineral rich finishing mist freezes makeup for upto 12 hours and doubles up as a primer to help create an even surface for smooth makeup application. It is especially designed to take off the powdery and cakey edge from your makeup leaving your skin soft and fresh. Professional makeup artist’s favourite, this setting spray consists of many anti-oxidants such as chamomile, green tea and caffeine that revive your skin.

Available here at amazon.in

Source

3)       Fix Make-Up by Clarins:

First ever makeup setting spray in the world of beauty, Fix Make-Up by Clarins, has evolved its formula over the years making it one of the best makeup setting sprays available in the market. This setting spray magically increases your skin’s hydration and boostsradiance at the same time holding your makeup for much longer than usual. It consists of vitamin C extracts from grapefruit thatget absorbed into the skin and controls shine.

Available at all Clarins outlets.

Source

Make your own setting spray at home

You can even make your own makeup setting spray at home using these simple ingredients from your bathroom cabinet.

All you need is a small spray bottle (available at all drug stores or in your travel toiletries), rose water and glycerine. Just add 1 tablespoon of glycerine to half a cup of rose water and mix well. Pour it into the spray bottle and voila you have your very own setting spray.

December 9, 2015
These beauty tools might look weird but they are very important

Every makeup lover has a special place in her heart for beauty tools. That feeling of walking into a Sephora store and spotting that new makeup brush is better than finding out that you lost a kilo. And while most beauty and makeup tools are common knowledge, there are a few tools that are normally ignored until you get to them and find out that they are the real dope. You might have seen these weird beauty tools many times and chosen to give them a pass but these tools can be surprisingly useful and will only make your makeup routine simpler.

From scary-looking brushes to a suction device that plumps your pout, here are ten weird beauty tools that you need to add to your makeup kit now!

1) 3-D Bomb curl brush

Easy to use despite its weird appearance, this brush can give your hair fuller curls within minutes.

Source

2) Mascara guard

A mascara guard is that important shield that protects your mascara from automatically transferring on to your skin (like your eyelids) while you’re applying it. Easy to use on both upper and lower lash lines, this weird beauty tool is a must have for every makeup enthusiast.

Source

3) Brush cleaning glove

As the name explains, these gloves are designed to help you keep your makeup brushes clean. We all know how lazy women get when it comes to cleaning makeup brushes, not anymore! Use these gloves to clean you makeup brushes quickly and easily.

Source

4) Beauty spoon

Beauty spoons are those magical spoons that are used to remove leftover product at the end of the container that is otherwise almost unreachable. Use this brush to scoop ‘em out and feel good about your investments.

Source

5) Brow compass

Use a brow compass to get those perfect celeb-like symmetrical eye brows.

Source

6) Lip Plumping enhancers

Say hello to Kylie Jenner lips, with lip plumping enhancers. Just place it on your lips and suck in your lips in for a minute and get fuller lips instantly.

Source

7) Pro-contour blender

This weird looking makeup brush is ideal to make contouring an easy task. Its super fine bristles blend the product very nicely into your skin without leaving any harsh lines.

Source

8) Nail paint protector clips

Clip this tool onto your fingers before you paint your nails and say goodbye to nail paint that spills on to your cuticles, forever!

Source

9) Makeup blending wool paddle brush

Made of real wool, this paddle brush is an ideal beauty tool for blending your makeup in just a couple of strokes.

Source

10) Facial hair removing spring

This weird looking spring is extremely effective for removing facial hairs without damaging the hair follicles.

Source

December 8, 2015
Have you tried baking your makeup to get flawless skin?
Baking makeup has become a popular drag in the professional makeup community and thanks to the reality TV star Kim Kardashian, the technique has become a major hit around the world. No, baking makeup doesn’t really require actual cooking. The only thing you’ll be ‘baking’ is your concealer and your patience, as baking makeup is a tedious process. Worry not, if you can catch up with contouring and strobing, then you can definitely get hold of baking your makeup. Here’s how you can get flawless and crease-free skin by baking your makeup.

Source

Baking makeup is a highlighting technique in which you set your concealer with a generous amount of translucent powder and allow it to sit on your face for five to ten minutes. The heat from your skin allows your foundation and concealer to set, giving your skin a smooth and crease-less finish.

Source

Learn how baking your makeup can give you a poreless, picture-perfect celebrity-like skin with these easy steps:
1. Start off by prepping and priming your skin with your usual routine and apply your foundation.
2. After applying your foundation, hydrate your under-eye skin with a good eye cream to minimise the appearance of any fine lines or pores. You can try Bobbi Brown’s hydrating eye cream.
3. Apply two thick layers of your concealer in upward direction from underneath your eye towards your temples. Blend it using a damp makeup sponge and let it set for five minutes.
4. Dust a layer of translucent powder to set your concealer and smooth out all the creases.
5. Now, bake or cook your makeup. Spray some setting spray on a damp makeup sponge and dip it into your translucent powder. Apply the loose powder by dabbing a generous amount below the under eye area, the hollows of your cheeks and the temple of your nose.
6. Leave the powder to set for at least five to ten minutes.
7. Using a fluffy eye shadow brush, load some compact powder of your shade and gently start dusting off the translucent powder. By using a compact powder you add a little more colour and coverage to the areas that are baked. Blend away harsh edges and viola you’re baked.
Take a look at this video by Heidi Hamoud to know more about baking your way towards flawless skin.
December 3, 2015
Attention ladies! Here’s how you can make your makeup last longer

We understand that it can be a task to keep your makeup from fading, especially at times when you can’t always run to the powder room for touch ups. One of the best ways to make your makeup last longer is by using the right kind and amount of products. If your skin is smooth and hydrated, your makeup will last longer and your skin will look illuminated. Here’s how you can make your makeup last longer.

1) Prime time: Use a primer wisely before applying your makeup. Excess primer also makes your skin look cakey. Don’t just restrict your primer to your face, apply your primer on your eyelids and even on your lips to make your makeup last longer.

Source

2) Conceal first: Many people apply their foundation first and then use the concealer but one of the best ways to make your makeup last longer is to apply your concealer first and then layer your foundation. The foundation sticks on to the concealer and gently illuminates the skin without making it cakey.

3) Use brushes instead of your hands: Our hands carry natural oils that blend into the makeup making it sticky.

Source

4) Use a light weight moisturiser: Thick moisturisers may stick into the pores, making it difficult to layer different products. Use a light weight moisturiser that keeps your pores small leaving a soft and supple base to apply makeup.

5) Invest in good quality waterproof products that don’t smudge due to sweat or natural face oil.

6) Stop re-touching your makeup: While it’s tempting to re-touch your makeup every now and then, it’s a big no if you want to make your makeup last longer. Re-applying makeup can dehydrate your skin from its natural oils and increases the size of your pores making your skin dull and washed out.

Source

7) Don’t overdo powder: Use a translucent setting powder to set your makeup and blend well with minimum product. Excess powder creases on the skin and gives an uneven finish.

8) Spray to set: Setting sprays are a blessing for those who are looking to make their makeup longer. Spray over each layer of makeup to prevent patches and fading.

Source

November 30, 2015
Everything you need to know about hair brushes

Investing in the right hair brushes is as important as investing in good hair care products. With so many shapes and sizes available, it’s easy to get confused about which hair brush to use for which purpose. For the exact same reason, we’ve got you this list of facts you need to know about hair brushes to get that perfect hairstyle you’ve been longing for.

1) Round paddle brush

Most commonly used hair brush and a great multi-tasker, a round paddle brush helps in polishing strands and smoothening them. It is suitable for all hair types and is perfect for everyday styling.

2) Square paddle brush

Perfect for all those who are blessed with long luscious locks, a square paddle brush detangles your hair easily and does not add extra volume.

3) Bristled paddle brush

These brushes work great with fine, thick hair that’s prone to breakage. They are perfect for adding waves and shine to your blowout.

4) Round metal brush

Round metal brushes are ideal for adding volume and obtaining a faster, smoother blowout.

5) Wide-tooth comb

Want to detangle your hair without damaging it? Try the wide-tooth comb! They’re great for getting out knots without any breakage.

6) Parting comb or rat-tail comb

This comb will be your perfect styling partner as it is specifically designed for parting and teasing hair.

This post was inspired from here.

November 24, 2015
The sexiest fashion show in the world makes the heavens go on strike! Reasons why we love Victoria’s Secret!

And it happened again! The 20th annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show held in NYC last week made our hearts skip a beat with every outfit spotted on the runway.

Goes without saying, the Victoria’s Secret fashion show is the sexiest fashion show in the entire galaxy (yeah, judge us all you can for being dramatic).

The models walking down the runway are termed as ‘Angels’ for a reason and we sure know what it is.

THAT!

Source

Now now, let’s take a look at various other reasons that make Victoria’s Secret fashion show so breathtakingly awesome!

1. Where else do you see such impeccably crafted beauties from all around the world on a single platform? Angels indeed!

Source

2. Joining these heavenly messengers are the live performances by renowned artists making the show oh-so-memorable!

This time it was Ellie Goulding, The Weeknd, and Selena Gomez *jaw drops*

Source

3. The set! Every Victoria’s Secret fashion show is known for its flamboyant and mesmerizing installations. See for yourself!

Source

4. Those larger than life props! Period!

Source

5. THE Fantasy Bra!

So what, if it costs $2 million? That’s no biggie! LOL JK!

This bejewelled piece of art was donned by the perfect lass sent from the heaven, yes ladies and gentlemen here’s Lily Aldridge wearing a $2 million set looking absolutely priceless!

Source

Do we have more reasons to love Victoria’s Secret? YES, their products and the SALE! **Jumps with joy**

Check out https://www.victoriassecret.com/ to know more!

Picture Courtesy: Source1 & Source2

November 13, 2015
Look beautiful this Diwali with these festive beauty hacks

Yes it’s that time of the year again, where the city shines bright with houses decorated and lit up in festive lights. Whether you’re spending time with your family or heading out to glitzy parties with your best buds, there’s no doubt that you would want to look your best. Celebrate this season with complete festive fervour and look beautiful with these Diwali makeup tips.

Skin SOS

To make sure that your skin glows (despite the endless flow of alcohol) over the festive period your daily moisturiser is not enough. Prepare your skin a day in advance and look radiant during the celebrations. Facials and face masks rejuvenate the skin and make it look younger, try these homemade face masks to cleanse your skin and get that natural glow.

1) Oatmeal mask absorbs extra oil from the skin, removes impurities and cleanses all the pores. Blend two tsp of oatmeal in hot water and add one tsp each of honey, lemon juice and two tsp of yoghurt. Apply this thick paste evenly on your face. Rinse with lukewarm water once the mask is completely dry.

2) Fruits can work wonders for your skin and can give you a glowing skin instantly. Prepare a fruit pack by mixing papaya, cucumber and banana pulp; add two tsp of cream and mix well. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.

Hair SOS

We know that festive season can be hectic and styling your hair everyday gets very taxing. Moreover, daily styling may also damage your hair. Treat yourself to a professional blow dry as it adds more shine to your hair and helps in holding the style for long. Use dry shampoo to give ample body to your hair and absorb excess oil in between washes. Check out this video by Alexandrea Garza and learn how to blow dry your hair, salon style at home.

Try these homemade hair masks to add volume and shine to your hair.

1) Egg masks are moisturising and they add volume to dry and limp hair. They also help in reducing hair breakage by nourishing the roots and promote hair growth. Beat an egg yolk and add two tsp of olive oil, a cup of milk and four tsp of lemon juice. Apply it to your scalp and rinse it off, after 20 minutes, with cold water.

2) Yoghurt masks are ideal for those whose hair is damaged due to extreme styling. Massage half a cup of yoghurt onto slightly damp hair, leave it for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with cold water.

Tired eyes

Festive season and social gatherings go hand-in-hand and all those nights partying are bound to leave your eyes looking tired. To make sure that you stay bright and fresh at every gathering, take some cotton and soak it in a cup of cold milk for a few seconds. Place the cotton over your eyes and leave it for a few minutes.

Nail art

Nothing says Diwali like glitter. Add a little sparkle to your nails with this easy glitter gradient nail art.

Makeup

Can’t figure out what kind of makeup to do this Diwali? Check out this video by Kaushal Beauty and get your Diwali makeup inspiration.

Follow these Diwali makeup tips and look flawless this Diwali.

November 2, 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!

Source

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
Here’s why castor oil should be an important part of your daily routine!

If your mom ever gave you castor oil as a kid and you decided to never use it again in your life, you wasted some golden words of wisdom. We do understand that castor oil isn’t very pleasing for your sense of smell but did you know that it is high in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, proteins, and minerals? And not only is it good for your hair but also your skin, your stomach, feet and much more. Here are all the benefits of castor oil you need to know now and how to use it properly.

How to use castor oil?

Castor oil is very thick in consistency and hence is best when mixed with thinner oil such as jojoba oil or even baby oil if that makes you more comfortable.

Mixing it with a different oil doesn’t just make it smell better, it makes the oil very easy to apply. You may also mix both the castor oil and your preferred oil (like jojoba for me) in a container and keep the container immersed in warm water. The heat from the water makes the mixture more fluid and gives the best results.

Benefits of castor oil

1) Healthy skin

Castor oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which makes it very useful in fighting bacteria that cause acne and scarring. Not only does it dry out your acne, it also helps in healing discoloration. But but BUT, do not use castor oil straight as it is on your skin. Mix it with jojoba oil for best results on your skin.

Source

2) Hair growth

One of the most widely recognised benefits of castor oil is that it encourages hair growth. If hair breakage is your nightmare then just apply a little bit of castor oil to your scalp for about twenty to thirty minutes daily and see the results for yourself. Not just your scalp, you may use castor oil for thicker brows and lashes as well but make sure you don’t get any oil in your eyes.

Again, remember that it’s best used with another oil.

Source1, Source2

3) Aids digestion

Castor oil is a natural laxative and aids digestion especially for people with constipation issues. Castor oil if taken orally (only as directed by your doctor) is broken down in the intestine which makes the intestines move and helps in easing constipation.

Source

4) Treats dandruff

If you have a dry and itchy scalp, just rub a little bit of castor oil to it and see the results. Not only do its anti-fungal properties help in fighting the dandruff, the oil also provides the much needed moisture to your scalp to keep further dandruff at bay.

Source

5) Relieves pain

Rubbing castor oil on to sore joints or achy muscles helps relieve pain. It’s best to mix castor oil with turmeric and apply on to the affected area to let the therapeutic properties do the magic.

Source

Like these benefits of castor oil? If you want us to write about any other products or remedies, do mention in the comments below and we’d be happy to try the product and give our reviews.

October 20, 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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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.

Source

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
Welcome DD creams! Your new multitasking beauty product

Have you ever had that moment when you’re walking down the aisle of your favourite makeup store and you come across new abbreviations that don’t make sense? We’ve had them too. And after decoding almost a new one every week, the latest one thrown at us was the DD cream.

What does DD stand for?

DD stands for mostly a “Dynamic Do-All” but sometimes also “Dermatologically Defining” and “Daily Defense”. The names are different for different brands but the function essentially remains the same. This product is like a lovechild of BB and CC creams put together that provides more coverage and anti-ageing benefits. Find out more about BB and CC creams here.

So think about this, it offers all the features of BB cream including priming, moisturising, SPF and those of a CC cream like colour correction along with anti-ageing properties like reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Does it sound like a miracle product to you? It sure does to us!

Where do I get DD creams?

Brands like Julep, DERMAdoctor, Ofra and Pur Minerals offer DD creams that may be available online for you to purchase or at a Sephora store.

If you want to understand the difference between BB, CC and DD creams; you must watch this video by Asian Beauty Secrets that perfectly explains it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23qEQNC2-Ko

Images sourced from Source1, Source2, Source3, Source4, Source5 and Source6.

September 11, 2015
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Thalia Almodovar – Kim Kardashian’s doppleganger!

A transgender superfan of Kim Kardashian is making rounds on the Internet and the reason is very obvious – she looks a lot like Kim!

Thalia Almodovar claims that she’s spent over 100,000 dollars just on surgery, clothes and make-up to look like Kim Kardashian! Well, that’s some dedication there!

Source

Watch this video by Barcroft TV to get a little insight on Thalia Almodovar and how exciting her journey has been!

Banner & Featured image courtesy: Source1, Source2 & Source3

September 9, 2015