Tag: makeup

Tips to fix those brittle nails

Dry, chapped and brittle nails can be bothersome especially when they break even at the slightest pressure. It’s not just painful but heartbreaking to lose a nail, particularly when you are getting ready to go out. One of the main causes of nail brittleness is lack of Vitamin D and protein in the diet. So make sure you adequately expose your body to the sun and also include pulses and vegetables such as radish, cucumber and olives in your diet. Here are some quick tips that will help you get strong, healthy and shiny nails.

Keep them short: It’s very important to keep your nails well-groomed at all times to avoid chances of breakage. Thus, getting a manicure once in two weeks is a must to ensure that you get rid of dead nail cuticle that hinders the nail growth. You must also neatly clip your nails and apply a coat of nail hardener or a transparent nail shiner for better results.

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Oil them up: Dab a few drops of olive oil or castor oil on to your nails and massage gently till it’s fully absorbed, and leave overnight. Repeat this process for about a month and see the change for yourself. Castor oil and olive oil soften and moisturise the nails making them less prone to chipping and breaking.

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Keep it natural: Using too much nail colour not only stains the nails making them look yellowish but also makes them dry and brittle. So make sure you do not use a nail paint on a regular basis instead keep them moisturised and natural looking.

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Avoid using acetone: While removing the nail colour, do not use a remover which contains 100% acetone as it dries out the nails making them prone to breakage and damage, instead go for a remover that contains low levels of acetone or a water based remover.

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Keep nail files around: File your nails evenly and to the same length at least once a week as uneven and unfiled nails are more prone to chipping and breaking. Make sure to file them in the same direction and avoid making them too pointed to prevent nail breakage. Replace your file every month or before the grain smooths out.

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May 27, 2015
DIY: Make your own makeup remover wipes at home

Girls, if you love makeup (we are sure you do) and you use it almost every day then you probably spend a lot of money on makeup remover creams and lotions as well and rightly so. It is really important to remove all the product and clean your face before you get that beauty sleep. Here’s a quick DIY for your makeup removing needs which is not just inexpensive and affordable but leaves your skin feeling fresh as a daisy.

All you need is: A paper towel roll, paper cutter/knife, a bowl, warm water, coconut oil, face wash and a jar.

Start by pouring some warm water in a bowl; add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and a few drops of face wash into it. Blend the mixture properly and transfer it into a jar.

Now take the paper towel roll and place it into the jar vertically.

Remove the cardboard tube of the paper towel roll before closing the jar & swirl the mixture so that it can reach to every corner of the paper towel.

Cut the lid of the jar with the help of a cutter/knife in a square-like shape or an X-like shape as per your convenience. This space will let you pull the paper towel out for usage.

Voila! You’ve made your own makeup remover wipes at home.

Now you can use these makeup remover wipes that not only clean your face but also keep it moisturised.

Inspiration & Images sourced from here

May 26, 2015
Benefits of argan oil!

Argan oil has been dubbed as ‘liquid gold’ and celebrities the world over swear by it. It is packed with goodness of Vita A, Vita E, Omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants. This head to toe miracle worker revitalises and hydrates dry skin, can be used as a dietary supplement (for wound healing and rash relief), helps boost cell production and promotes healthy skin and hair. Add the benefits of argan oil into your daily routine and see for yourself the wonders it can do

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1)      Night time moisturiser

Skin absorbs argan oil quickly and does not leave any oil residue. It is gentle and helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also works as a toner for dry skin.

2)      Acne

For all the people who are troubled with acne, here’s your one stop solution. Argan oil has been proven to reduce sebum levels for people with oily skin and treat acne.

3)      Stretch Marks

This miracle oil helps in preventing stretch marks by improving the elasticity of the skin and vita E heals the scars.

4)      For hair

Argan oil is non-greasy and makes your hair easier to style while repairing those pesky spilt ends. It also helps to tame frizz and fly-away hair giving more body and shine to your locks.

5)      Nails

An ideal treatment for cuticles and nails, argan oil moisturises your nails and cuticles so you don’t develop dry skin, increases nail growth and adds shine to them.

Here are top 3 argan oil picks that are available in Indian market;

1)      Kiehls Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil

It is a multipurpose skin and hair oil that restores texture, smoothens and moisturises. Available at all Kiehls stores and on Amazon.

INR2998 for 125ml

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2)      Soulflower Coldpressed Argan Carrier Oil

This product is 100% pure argan oil and just one drop is enough for all your skin and hair care needs. Available at Amazon.

INR640 for 30ml.

3)      Dove Elixir Nourished Shine Hair Oil Hibiscus Argan Oil

This beautiful potion of hibiscus and argan oil gives the goodness of overnight oiling in 30 minutes and leaves your tresses nourished and luminous. Available at all drug stores and on flipkart

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May 19, 2015
5 beauty accounts you should be following on Snapchat

Snapchat became so much cooler when it introduced the ‘stories’ feature and it has come to a stage where keep reloading that page waiting for new stories to load. Although their discover feature didn’t excite us so much, the stories seem to keep getting better by the day. First the festivals across the world, then life in different cities and now brands have started hopping on to the bandwagon. Here are 5 beauty accounts you must follow to get your dose of fabulousness every day on Snapchat.

1) Sephora Snaps

After gathering 2.7 million followers on Instagram, Sephora has taken over Snapchat and they keep posting oh-so-pretty pictures of their products. Follow Sephora Snaps and get your daily dose of beauty and makeup products with their small stories.

Snapchat handle: sephorasnaps

2) The Zoe Report

American fashion stylist Rachel Zoe is known for working with celebrities, fashion houses, magazines and advertising agencies. Her webpage thezoereport.com has already garnered a massive fan following and now she is taking over Snapchat. She posts inside stories of fashion events and everything stylish and we can’t stop looking at her stories.

Snapchat handle: @thezoereport

3) The Coveteur

The Coveteur is our guide into everything behind-the-scenes related to lifestyle, fashion and culture. We fell in love with their Pinterest page and now we get our regular dope from Snapchat.

Snapchat handle: @thecoveteur

4) Toofaced

Toofaced cosmetics brand is known for their ‘fun’ products and their Snapchat stories are equally fun too. Get to know about their products, shoots and many more things.

Snapchat handle: @toofaced

5) Irene Kim

Known as the girl with the pastel hair, Irene Kim has taken over the social media sphere and how! She uploads backstage pictures and videos along with pictures from her everyday life leaving us feeling green with envy #ThatLife!

Snapchat handle: @ireneisgood

May 14, 2015
Summer makeup essentials: Lightweight foundations to get you through the heat looking flawless!

Summer is usually a tough season to handle. Not only is it hard on our wardrobe, it also takes a toll on our skin and hair. Needless to say that just like the fabric of your dresses, the makeup kit too needs a bit of transformation. And if you still haven’t figured the right foundation for summer, here’s some help. Take a look at these lightweight foundations for summers that are perfect for getting that photo-ready natural look in the sweltering months.

Diorskin Airflash Spray Foundation

Dubbed as the ‘Holy Grail’ of foundations by women the world over, this product is your saviour for summer. It feels very light on the skin, stays on for long and can be applied very easily. This mist foundation leaves an airbrush-like finish, making you look runway ready. It’s great for oily and combination skin and doesn’t cause breakouts. Although it comes with a spray applicator, we recommend spreading it evenly across the face with a buffing brush.

Clinique Perfectly Real Liquid Foundation

Clinique’s Perfectly Real Liquid Foundation is almost like a BB cream or tinted moisturiser in texture that provides light coverage for hot summer days. It is great for all types of skin as it is very light and works perfectly for women who are looking to even out skin tones. It’s one of our highly recommended lightweight foundations for summers.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24h Liquid Foundation

This liquid foundation provides medium coverage and is waterproof and sweat-proof. With almost 2-3 touch ups in a day, it can last you from anywhere between 12-16 hours making it the ultimate day-to-night foundation. It has a dewy and natural matte finish and is packaged in with a plump applicator which restricts the amount you use. We recommend this product for dry skin and suggest you apply it with a sponge for best results.

Benefit Cosmetics ‘Hello Flawless!’ Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation

Suitable for normal skin type, this foundation provides medium coverage but feels very light on the skin making it a good product for summer. It is a little too light so fixing it with a compact powder is recommended to keep it in place, especially in the T-zone. This product is also slightly easier on the pocket and is amazing for people with a pale/yellowish skin tone.

These lightweight foundations for summers are sure to get you through the sticky, hot season easily but please do not forget to apply a sunscreen before starting your makeup regime. Confused about which sunscreen to use? Here’s our ultimate guide to choosing a sunscreen this summer. If you’d like us to review more products, please do write about it in the comments below.

Images sourced from Source1, Source2, Source3 and Source4

May 11, 2015
Here’s your ultimate guide to applying fake eyelashes by LEAF

Long eyelashes can make your eyes look bigger, fuller and prettier.Though not all of us are blessed with dense long lashes so false eyelashes are the next best choice. If worn correctly, they can add quite an edge to your over all look. Watch this video below by LEAF and follow these simple steps to put on fake eyelashes without any hassle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7wHBeyXoj8

May 7, 2015
Splurge VS Steal: 8 make-up dupes which are as good as their luxury counterparts!

When most of us girls enter a cosmetic store, we perfectly understand what the expression Kid in a Candy Store stands for. However, let’s face the bitter truth: Make-up can be quite expensive! Between shiny packaging and pretty pigments, it’s easy to get swept away. But if you’re tired of compromising on all the products you yearn for due to budget restrictions, this list is for you! Check out these magical, low-priced alternatives available in the market that are almost as good as their luxury counterparts. Here are 8 make-up products that will save you those precious pennies.

Splurge Vs Steal

1) Benefit ‘Dandelion’ Luminizer (INR 1800) Vs L’Oreal Paris True Match Blush in ‘Baby Pink’ (INR 775 )

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2) Make-up Forever HD Foundation (INR 2100) Vs Revlon Photo Ready Foundation (INR 975)

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3) Benefit ‘They’re Real’ Mascara (INR 1900) Vs Maybelline ‘The False Volume Express’ Mascara (INR 475)

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4) YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in ‘Devotion’ (INR 2300) Vs Revlon Lip Butter in ‘Sorbet’ (INR 650)

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5) Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner (INR 1600) Vs Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner (INR 500)

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6) MAC ‘Vegas Volt’ Lipstick (INR 1400) Vs NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in ‘Haute Melon’ (INR 900)

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7) YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch (INR 3200) Vs Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer (INR 500)

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8) Beauty Blender (INR 2300) Vs Inglot Beauty Blender Sponge (INR 1400)

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May 6, 2015
Product Review: Tame those unruly eyebrows with these eyebrow pencils

Eyebrows can make or break your entire look. They frame the face and can sometimes even alter how your face cut looks. Sadly, not everyone is blessed with Cara Delevingne’s bold brows. But that’s no reason to despair. The market is filled with different kinds of products that help you fill in your eyebrows with brow pencils being the most basic and easiest of tools. They come in various shades, from the darkest black to brown. They go on smoothly, making your brows look full and natural. Brow pencils are easy to carry and come with a built-in spoolie brush to help you tame those unruly brows. Take a look at the best brow pencils available in India.

1) Dior Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil

This ultra-fine retractable pencil and brush is simple to use and comes in one universal shade and works for any hair colour or skin tone. It can create both natural and dramatic look. It doesn’t require sharpening.

Available at all Dior stores.

2) Benefit Instant Brow Pencil

This tinted wax can transform sparse, unruly brows into perfectly natural and polished. It is soft and smooth, easy to sharpen and very pigmented. It has a natural powder- like finish. The spoolie brush is perfect to blend in the product defining the shape. It comes in 3 shades and is available at Sephora.

3) Maybelline Mastershape Brow pencil

This retractable wax crayon is smooth and highly pigmented. It has a water-proof and smear proof formula. It is available in four shades. Available on flipkart.

April 29, 2015
Five beauty benefits of green tea

Most people think green tea is only good for health as it helps with weight loss and improves metabolism. The lesser known fact is that it also has some very good properties that can benefit your hair and skin. Green tea has is rich in antioxidants that help in slowing down the ageing process, it makes your skin look youthful and offers many other benefits. Read on to find out five beauty benefits of green tea that in the form of these simple home remedies.

#1 Face pack

Make your own face pack by mixing a tablespoon of green tea leaves in yogurt. Apply the mixture on your face and keep it on for approximately 15 minutes and then rinse off with cold water. Green tea has antioxidants that help repair damage cells and delay early ageing.

#2 Under eye mask

Refrigerate used tea bags for about half an hour and then simply pop them under your eyes and let them stay for 15 minutes. Green tea contains caffeine which constricts the blood vessels hence helping de puff the eyes.

#3 Hair rinse

Boil some water and immerse tea bags into it and let it cool. Remove the tea bags and apply the mixture over damp hair and leave it for 10 minutes. Now simply rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Green tea contains vitamin E which conditions and moisturises the hair follicles and helps repair hair damage.

#4 Facial mist

Prepare green tea and let it cool. Pour the cold tea into a spray bottle and apply it evenly over your face during the day. It helps in relaxing facial muscles and makes you feel fresh and energised on those hot summer days.

#5 Cleanser

Simply add a few green tea leaves in your daily use cleanser and apply it evenly over your face. Rinse it off with cold water and pat dry. Green tea has anti-aging properties that help reduce signs of premature ageing.

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April 22, 2015
4 spring/summer makeup trends to try in 2015 by Mixed Makeup!

Summer is officially here and just like our wardrobe, the makeup bag is going through a transition as well. It’s not just the makeup colours that need to change but the application and product type need to be in sync with the weather too. Here’s a list of summer makeup trends in 2015 that will help you brave the summer heat while looking fabulous.

#1 Nude glow

Remember Sansa Stark’s glow from Game of Thrones? This summer is all about it, but make sure you keep it earthy. Go for neutrals, peachy and orange tones to get the perfect look.

#2 Fresh feminine baby doll look

Summer is all about looking fresh so if in doubt go for light pink cheeks, wide-eyed mascara and soft pink lips. Apply the mascara in the middle of the lashes to create those innocent doll-like eyes.

#3 Poppy lips

The one makeup product that you can hold in summer is lip colour so go for a bright pop on the lips. Try vibrant shades of berry and red.

#4 Swap the shadow for the liner

If your liner feels too heavy on the eyes in summer try swooping eye shadow instead with an angled brush. Dip the brush in water, apply eye-shadow and swoop it along the eyelid line to create subtle shapes.

Take a look at this video by Mixed Makeup that should serve as your holy guide to spring summer makeup trends in 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6AQGdGo00o

April 21, 2015
Hair styling staple: 3 hairsprays that can make summer easy on your tresses

With summers and the rainy season just around the corner, one has to be wary of the effects of heat and humidity on hair texture and styling. Hair spray is a styling staple that can save you a lot of hassle; it not only keeps your hair style in place but also protects your tresses from getting damaged from the heat. What you need to keep in mind while purchasing a hairspray is to go for one that holds your style in place without drying out your hair. Have a look at the three best hairsprays available in Indian market.

1) Toni&Guy Casual: Sea Salt Texturising Spray

Suitable for all hair types, this wonderful hair spray adds the apt amount of texture and volume to your hair without making it look fuzzy. Packed with the goodness of sea salts, this hairspray offers a medium hold and fortifies brittle strands with a shiny lustre. For extra hold and texture, spray it once on damp hair before styling and then on dry hair and re-style.

Buy here

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2) Enliven Pro-V Ultra Hold Hair Spray Hair Styler

Rich in ingredients like amino pro vitamin B5 and creatine, this product not only holds your style for hours but also nourishes it at cellular level. Suitable for all hair types, it doesn’t make your hair stiff like other hair sprays and has a pleasant fragrance. It is sulphate-free and is every runway stylists must have.

Buy here

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3) Bed Head Maxxed Out

This fast-drying spray adds massive volume and hold to your hair. It has a non-aerosol formula that shields your hair from moisture protecting your hair from the sun and keeps your style from budging for hours. It leaves dull and dry hair looking slick without weighing it down.

Buy here

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April 21, 2015
Get your fashion fix: Street style looks from AIFW A/W’15

The Amazon India Fashion Week A/W’15 (AIFW) may have come to an end but the style inspiration has just begun. While the designers and the stylists were seen pushing the boundaries on the runway, the fash frat and style enthusiasts were supporting the event by turning up in fabulous outfits upping the fashion quotient. We’ve put together an assemblage of street style looks from AIFW for all-year-long inspiration just for ya’ll. We spotted off-duty models, bloggers, buyers, fashion editors and many fashion-lovers sporting style as their badge of honour. Bright colours, crop tops, floral gowns, ripped denims, prints, scarves, skirts and statement jewellery dominated street fashion, here are the pictures.

April 15, 2015
Genie in a bottle: Dry Shampoo does a lot more that making your hair look fresh
The damage that comes along with the task of washing long hair every day has been bothering womankind for years together. For all the busy (or lazy) women out there who experience hurried mornings or quick gym sprints on a regular basis, here’s a solution. Dry shampoo soaks up excess oil and dirt on the scalp leaving your hair clean, without any damage. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out on one of the most versatile hair products ever.

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Dry shampoo doesn’t just add volume to your limp locks but it can also be used for many other purposes. Here are a few dry shampoo hacks.

Style your brows: Use dry shampoo to tame unruly brows.

Hold your style: Dry shampoos are great for holding hair styles. Spray on freshly washed hair and style it for smooth up-dos.

Add grip to your bobby pins: Spray some dry shampoo on your bobby pins before using them for a better grip.

Shoe bite remedy: Spray dry shampoo on your feet to prevent shoe bites. It absorbs access oil and sweat leaving your feet dry.

Teasing or back-combing hair: Add a little dry shampoo to the backside of your hair to hold your teased hair for longer.

Here are the best dry shampoos available for you to order at home:
- L’Oreal Professionnel Techni Art Fresh Dust Dry – INR 950 (buy here)
- Toni&Guy Refresh It Dry Shampoo- INR 1075 (buy here)
- BBlunt Back to life Dry Shampoo- INR 550 (buy here)
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April 9, 2015
How Amyra Dastur rocked this monochrome look

The beautiful actress Amyra Dastur was spotted at the poster launch of the upcoming Mahesh Bhatt production ‘Mr.X’ in Mumbai. She looked every bit a stunner in a white short skirt and a black lacy top by Madison, paired with black stilettos to complete the look. This monochrome outfit was styled by Bornali Talukdar and her hair and make-up were done by celebrity make-up artist Luveena Lodh. ‘Mr.X’ is Amyra’s second movie. The 21-year old actress made her debut in 2013 in the movie ‘Issaq’ opposite Prateik Babbar.

April 7, 2015
The BB cream and CC cream guide
Using foundation everyday can be harmful to your skin and expensive too, hence comes our saviour ‘BB cream’ and ‘CC cream’. Just a hint of colour is fine to cover up unevenness during casual days with an added benefit, these creams actually help you work on your skin related issues be it redness or blemishes. Here is a simple guide on what these creams are all about and which one is the best for you.

BB cream

‘BB’ stands for ‘Beauty Balm’ or ‘Blemish Balm’. It has an all-in-one formula that moisturises, evens skin tone, conceals blemishes and protects from the sun with a luminous finish. It is best suitable for dry to combination skin. It consists of light reflecting components making you look dewy and providing the apt amount of coverage. BB creams have a thicker consistency and give a second skin like result, only better. This product is best suited for women looking for just a little more coverage than tinted moisturisers. For people with oily skin, this product tends to make skin a bit oily, so we suggest setting it with powder to prevent greasiness.

CC cream

An advanced sister of the BB cream, ‘CC’ stands for ‘Colour and Correct’. It consists of a primer, moisturiser, serum and sunscreen and is packed with benefits of vitamin C and E. CC cream targets redness, dark spots, uneven skin tone, wrinkles and sun protection. It provides lesser coverage as compared to BB creams. CC creams are suitable for all skin types, effective for people with a little mature skin as it is packed with goodness of anti-aging compounds.

Difference between BB and CC creams
- To begin with BB creams are a basic version of everyday-use tinted moisturiser with a few extra benefits. CC creams are an advanced version taking care of your anti-ageing needs as well.
- BB creams give a wee bit heavy coverage whereas CC creams give lesser coverage.
- Both contain SPF.
- BB creams are best suitable for people with dry skin whereas CC creams are the ‘Holy Grail’ product for people with oily skin.
- CC creams help fight against acne, redness and aging whereas BB creams are a toned down version that look after your skin’s everyday needs.
April 1, 2015