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All women today visit a beauty parlour regularly as it has become a complusion to do so.We will not forget our grannies and mom telling us to use turmeric,moong dal etc for our face to have a glowing skin.Though there are lots of creams,packs flooding the market everyday they can never compensate the natural kitchen remedies always readily availabe.I would like to share these few tips which I learnt from a friend.

FACE WASH
Preserve the vital oils of the skin with a dry powder mix of any of the following lentils and add turmeric and curd to make a paste
Gram(chana)
Green moong
Red masoor

FOR DRY SKIN
PROTEIN PACK-A nourishing pack, it helps to moisten and brighten skin
Dry moong powder/oats powder-1tsp
Curd-1/2tsp
Egg yolk-1/2tsp
Honey-1/2tsp
Olive oil-1/2tsp

VITAMIN PACK-Massage pulp on to the face for 5 min using upward circular motions.This pack supplies beauty vitamins to the skin to bring a healthy glow
Apple-1/4
Carrot-1/2
Orange-1/4
A slice of papaya
Honey-1tsp
Milk-2tsp

FOR OILY SKIN

FRUIT PACK-Blend together apply to face and leave for 5 min.Helps control excess sebum and prevent pimples
Orange-1/2
Carrot-1/2
Lime-a few drops
Honey-1tsp

GREEN LEAF PACK-Grind all to paste and apply regularly to face to prevent pimples and reduce blackheads
A handful of methi(fenugreek)leaves
Tulsi(basil)leaves-10
Afew coriander leaves

FOR PIGMENTATION/BROWN PATCHES ON SKIN
ALMOND PACK
Almonds-8
Milk or curd-2tsp
Soak almonds overnight,peel skin and grind with water to fine paste.Add milk or curd,apply to face daily for 2 min

LENTIL PACK-Mix all and apply regularly,it bleaches and soften the facial skin
Curd-2tsp
Green moong dal powder-1tsp
Masoor dalpowder-1tsp
Orange juice-1/4cup

VEGETABLE PACK-Rub mixture on face daily for 5 min
Potato-1/2 grated
Cucumber-1/2 grated
OR
Cucumber-1/2 grated
Tomato-1/2 grated
Carrot-1/2 grated
Honey-1/2tsp
Juice the carrot,tomato and cucumber,add honey and apply mixture to face and leave for 5 min.Apply regularly,it will help brighten a dull complexion and reduce pimples

FRUIT PACK-Rub mixture on the face for 5 min
Watermelon-1 piece
Orange-1/2

NOTE-Barring dry powders all fruit and vegetable packs should be prepared and used on a daily basis

CLOTHES MAKE A WOMAN.Women and clothing go hand in hand.Can you just tell me a person who can select her dress in less than an hour,I very much doubt.Be it at home or office environment you cannot ignore your wardrobe.Clothes have taken a lot of forms and changes over the years in India.The traditional saree has given way to more comfortable dresses like salwars,trousers..etc.Neatly dressed people are appreciated more in society and impression can be everything
I had already given some tips on choosing clothes here and types of jewelery to choose here.I would like to share some more especially in selecting Salwar-Kameez which is top rated dress today.But my vote is still for our neatly worn cotton saree.Iam still comfortable with it

One should not follow fashion blindly,what is in may not suit you or vice-versa
SHORT AND CHUBBY

• Avoid large checks or big floral prints
  
• Turn blind for frills and collars
  
• Big buttons,dazzling mirror-work won't be a good choice
  
• Steer clear any dress with horizontal-striped pattern
  
• Plain colours,smalldots,any kind of small prints and straight cuts are best for you
  
• Dresses that dwell more on embroidery are for you
  

TALL AND THIN
Just follow all the above listed,but oppositely

SALWAR-KHAMEEZ has undergone a tremendous transformation but with all these changes we should keep these in mind

• The kameez should be little longer in height for you to look taller.
  
• If you have broad shoulders avoid puff sleeves
  
• If you have fat arms avoid sleeveless and go in for sleeves 5 inches in length
  
• Churidars are good with long kameezs or kurtas avoid wearing them on short kurtas
  
• Closed neck makes you look tall but avoid if you have broad shoulders
  
• Wear salwar around your naval area ,as it pulls in your stomach
  
• Tie strings at the side is better than in the centre
  
• Avoid organza or stiff cloth if you want to look slim
  

THE STREETWEAR SALWAR
For a casual look for college or a fun evening with friends.Team up the layered patiala salwar with a funky T-shirt,vest or tank tops with a wide belt or a short kurti with patiala or regular salwar

THE OFFICE SALWAR
This should be toned down salwar-kameez with smart sleeves and complimenting neck style.Wear a mandarin,stand-up or boat neck collar according to your frame.Sleeves should be three-fourths with neat cuffs

PARTY SALWAR
You can afford to be experiment with cuts and designs in a party salwar or else wear a sleeveless kameez with embroidery.Chiffons,geoegettes,brocade and silk make ideal materials for party salwars

THE DUPATTA
None of us give importance to duppata we wear.If it is worn in a way that suits you,it can change your whole appearance.You can stock up pretty stoles so vogue these days.The drapes are shorter and trendier now.They are beautiful add-on to a salwar kameez or kurti teamed with jeans

THE ACCESSORIES

• Too many gold are a no-no
  
• Go in for terracotta,wooden and silver items
  
• Match outfit with suitable earrings,neckpieces,bangles,bags and footwear
  

THE DO'S

• Mix and match in moderation
  
• Be experimental with cuts and designs
  
• Give way to stoles in place of the dupatta
  

THE DON'TS

• Using transparent churidar without lining
  
• Too much accessories as it overshadows the outfit
  
• Excessive gold accessories
  
• Inappropriate footwear
  
• Overdoing the matching colours in the outfit
  

Hope these tips were useful to all the readers.

So many recipes have lined up this week as so many events are doing their rounds in the blogosphere,I thought of a break and therefore my next few posts will be on beauty,tips etc.....,
All women around the world irrespective of colour,caste or creed want a clear and glowing skin but busy throughout in one way and lazy on the other to do very simple daily routine to keep the skin glowing I would like to share these very simple ways for the same

• Make-up remover-Pour 1 tbsp of full cream milk in a bowl,add a few drops of sweet almond oil,use a sterile piece of cotton wool and pat the milk mixture onto your face.Use another piece of cotton wool to remove the milk.Rince off thoroughly.
  
  
• For cleanser-use fluid skim milk for oily skin and full cream milk for normal,dry or mature skin.Apply on face like you do for any cleanser and rinse off with a lot of water
  
  
• For scrub-Use milk powder for this.For oily skin mix 1 tsp skim milk powder with 1tsp honey,add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice.Use as scrub,the undissolved milk powder forms a gentle scrub and rinse off thoroughly with lots of water.For normal,dry or mature skin,mix 1tsp full cream milk powder with 1 tsp honey
  

We can have a beautiful skin no matter what our age,race or colour.The face is one of the first parts of our body to show signs of aging.Natural products are the best way to get rid of the toxins.Good daily skin care is cheaper than a visit to the beautician.Here are some tips

BASIL
The leaves are best for pimples
Take a few leavesof basil,mint and a tablespoon of yogurt
Grind to paste and apply on the pimples gently
Wash off afterb 15 min for a glowing skin

CURD
Good for oily skin,can be used with sandalwood powder,wheat husk and a few drops of lime juice

CUCUMBER
Excellent for dark circles and puffiness around eyes
Mix cucumber juice with equal quantity of milk and chill it
Soak cotton pads in it and keep them on your eyes for 10min
Cucumber juice can be added to any face pack

EGG
Both white and yellow have different properties
With egg white,a few drops of lime juice and a teaspoon of semolina makes a nourishing pack for oily skin
Yellow of egg is good for dry skin
Mix 1 tbsp each of fresh milk,rose water and powder of dried peas with egg yolk and apply and keep for half an hour
Wash off first with milk and then water

HONEY
It is a natural moisturiser
Daily application makes dry and dull face glow
Mix honey with few drops of lemon juice and rinse off after 20 min

MINT
It is used for acne treatment as it is a good cleanser for oily skin
Take the juice of mint leaves and refrigerate it in an air tight container
Apply it with moist cotton and wash off with water
The juice remains fresh for a week

LIME JUICE
This is a kind of natural bleach
Should not be directly applied on the face
Mix with either milk cream or honey for dry skin
Mix with sandalwood powder or yogurt for oily skin

ROSE WATER
This is good for all skin
Can be used with gram or rice flour
Mix rose water,glycerin and lemon juice in 1:1:1/2 prppotion respectively
Makes an excellent body lotion for dry and normal skin and can be applied anytime

MILKCREAM
Best cream for dry skin
Daily application of gram flour mixed with 1 tsp each of milk cream and honey is a permanent solution for dry skin
Can be applied on both face and body and this pack will turn your skin satin smooth

NEEM
Dry and powder the neem leaves
Take 1 tsp of the powder,add egg white and apply on pimples for immediate results

TURMERIC
An excellent antiseptic,a pinch can be added to all face packs
Never apply directly but mixedwith other things

PAPAYA
The pulp is useful for dry skin
Take half a cup of mashed papaya and a tsp each of water,melon juice,lime juice and honey mix well and apply for natural glow to skin
Effective for dark arms,feet,knees and elbows

HAIR A hot oil massage weekly once will strengthen the hair roots
DANDRUFF For dandruff make a paste of neem leaf,tulsi leaf and henna leaf and apply as pack on hair,leave for 15 min and wash
EYEBROWS To get thick eyebrows ,apply lukewarm castor oil and massage the eyebrows and leave overnight there will be difference in a month
EYES For tired eyes soak cotten pads in cold milk and on the eyes for sometime
NOSE Soak 10 rose petals in hot water for 1/2 an hour and grind to paste.Apply this on nose to remove the blackness on the nose
LIPS Use petroleum jelly for dry lips
TEETH Mix salt with few drops of lime juice and clean your teeth weekly once for a sparkling effect
WRINKLE FACE For wrinkle free face mix 2tsp each of coconut oil and badam oil apply and wash after 10 min
GLOWING FACE For a glowing face mix 1tbsp orange peel powder with 1 tbsp of boiled milk,apply on face and massage upwards for 2min and wash with cold water
HANDS Apply vaseline for soft hands or apply curd on both hands massage for 5 min and wash in lukewarm water
LEGS Soak legs in soap water for few minutes and use pumice stone/foot file for removing the dead cells

Though lot of lotions and creams are flooding the market today at any time the natural ingredients are the best.I can see you all rushing to the kitchen

Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice,rose water and lime juice.Wash face and apply it overnight and rinse off in the morning.This clears the complexion and keeps it healthy

Take 30ml of cabbage juice and mix one teaspoon of honey with it,if applied regularly on the face,helps keep the wrinkles away

Mix 2tsp of lime juice,apinch of salt and 50ml of raw milk,use this as cleansing lotion which helps clean deep pores of the skin

Lime juice,glycerin and rose water mixed in equal quantity,if applied on face regularly at bedtime,is effective in removing pimples,blackheads and other stains of the skin

For a soft and glowing skin,mix 50ml of tomato juice with 1tsp of lime juice and apply on the face

Having shared with you all about planning a party for the festive season and before giving you some easy mouthwatering recipes for DIWALI here are some tips for choosing your new clothes for the festival.

As the festive season is on with so many offers and new designer clothes thronging the bazaars we women will always take a lot of time in selecting even a single saree,all of you will agree with me right!I've seen guys and children grumbling and waiting for you until you shop.The best suggestion is go alone or with a few friends who love to shop,unless your guy is also a shopping freak and helps to select your clothes which I think is a very rare.

Each one of us have different tastes on the way we dress.Stick to it.Do not go for clothes which you see everyone are wearing,let yours be unique.Select a dress which suits you according to your body frame.All of us do not possess a figure like a model perfect.Do not grumble but love your body,as it is not the outer appearance but your inner qualities that matters.It does not mean that you can freak out with food but you should be healthy.

Here are some tips to clothe which I had collected from a magazine some years ago
Let's start with the hips.No one has a perfect hip,but they can be concealed easily

HIPS
Wear slip skirts under 80cm long trapeze blouses
Keep a wide scooped neckline with focus on the face
Wear layers and sheer overblouses that confuse the eye
Wear shoulder pads only if your hips are under 110cm
Go for soft fluid fabric that does not fall too limp or too close to the body
Avoid too much color or large prints,especially below the bodice area
No shorts except knee length bermudas and no short fitted jackets
Try wrap skirts,flared skirts or panel skirt without gathering

Heavy Arms

Avoid sleeveless,cap sleeved and short sleeved or any puffed sleeve styles
Wear slim cut,long sleeves with cuffs and kimono style sleeves
A slimmer fit from the elbow to the wrist creates an illusion of slimness and length
For heavy arms on a large frame body try angel or bell sleeves
Pay attention to armhole cut.Too wide or loose it accentuates a heavy arm

Broad Shoulders

Neckline should be round,scooped,U or V necks
In collar styles opt for shawl collars,those resemble scarves such as sailor style in soft fabric
Stay away from empire line dresses,tight jackets,puffed sleeves and gathered sleeves

Large Busts
The best are A-line,asymmetric styles,knitted type twin sets and princess line styles
Stay away from yoke garments,empire line waists or raised waists
Don't wear yoked shirts,peter pan collars
The best collars are shawl type ones,closed at the centre or extended to an asymmetric closure

Wide Waists
Do not wear waisted styles and gathered waistlines
If you needed to wear a waisted wear a loose coloured shirt over a dark colour skirt or trousers
Keep neckline simple and classic
Wear flowing styles
A short blouse,cut at 50cm helps conceal wide waist.It will not work if you had large hips
Blouses or kurtas with long slits create slimmer line for wide waist
Wear knitted type twin sets or a camisole with a loose overshirt,worn open
Draw attention to other flattering areas such as good arms,toned legs or nice shoulders by revealing these areas

Thunder Thighs
Wear wrap skirts,flared and slim line skirts
Avoid trousers or wear blouse out in longer length,with side slits
Don't wear bright colours.Opt for dark trousers or skirts
Wear soft fabrics

Indian Style
The best bulge concealer is a loosely draped soft crepe sari
Emphasis on the neckline of the choli which should be cut wide
Your jewellery and make-up should complement the sari
Wear a suitable hairstyle also

Worn well the INDIAN SAREE is the ultimate answer to any bulge promblem.My tips on choosing salwars and sarees will follow shortly

When ear and neck jewellery is being selected the shape of the face and the length of the neck play a central role.To determine individual proportions divide the face into three parts

Forehead-Hairline to eyebrows

Eye and Nose Area-Eyebrows to the tip of the nose

Mouth and Chin Area-Tip of the nose to chin

THE OVAL FACE
The individual parts fit harmoniously together
The face is somewhat longer than it is wide
The corners appear softly rounded
The cheek line and chin result in a pleasant rounding off
The eyebrows clearly stand out

The most versatile and basic face for wearing jewellery
The entire jewellery selection can be an option for an oval face
Round earrings suit just as well as drop earrings
V-shaped chains delight as do short round chains
Fine tune this versality on the basis of personal clothing style,complexion and hair and eye colour

THE LONG FACE
Vertical lines dominate and make the forehead appear higher
The cheekbones narrower and chin more pointed than they really are
It is advantageous to highlight the horizontal

The right jewellery can optically shorten the proportions of the face
Earrings can be flashy
Round,button shaped clips create expressive excitement
Hoops are excellent options as they let the chin area appear wider
Avoid long earrings as lengthen the face
Necklaces have balancing effect
Wide,short chains,round pearls or a choker are excellent choice
Avoid long,thin,V-shaped chains

THE SQUARE FACE
The chin and cheek parts appear slightly angular giving the total face a somewhat short and wide look
The face has a slight severity which can be softened with accessories

The severity can be toned down through the use of soft ,flowing forms which gives the face a playful touch
Earrings effective here are spirals,drops or oval shapes
Avoid square shapes
Pearls on a soft flowing Necklace are ideal
Avoid chokers as the optically separate the face from the body

THE ROUND FACE
The individual parts appear to fit within a circular shape
The cheekbones are emphasised making the chin seem small and the eyebrows relatively narrow
Strong symmetry dominates the face

Stretching the face optically is recommended
Curved or sweeping forms and rounded lines have a harmonious effect
Circular forms like hoops should be avoided
Earrings narrow clips or stick shaped allow the face to appear longer
Drops or clips whether spiral shaped,square or oval
Avoid large round shapes
Chains should not sit too tightly around the neck
Long chains or long pendants reduce the roundness of face and have a balancing effect
~Avoid large heavy spherical pendants

ONE-MINUTE PEP-UPS

Wash your face
Clean your teeth
Help yourself with a fruit juice
Change into a comfortable outfit
Enjoy a whiff of fresh air
Listen to music
Go for a walk
Pop in a breath freshner
Have a catnap

QUICK MAKE-OVER FOR NIGHT OUT

Been at work the whole day and still have to party after office.Try out these tips for a quick glam overhaul

For a night out you need to highlight your lips.Carry along a darker shade of lipstick.A lip liner is a must.Lip liners gives you perfectly shaped,clearly outlined lips and stand out in the dark.

You can get a 'stricking eyes' by using a black eyeliner for a dramatic change

Hair all tousled up shape them in seconds with a touch of gel or wax.Rub wax through the strands and hold back with a decorative hair band/clip for a stylish look

Banana is healthy and also most common fruits on earth.What can we do with the humble fruit in our beauty regime.
To begin with,banana helps in restoring the glow to dry skin.Mash up a banana apply it on your face and lie down for 20 min.Do this for a week and you are sure to see results.

Exfoliating mask
Blend a mashed banana with multani mitti and apply.This mask is both moisturising and nourishing.Wash off after 15 min.
Mash a banana with a little butter and rub into your hands.You will have glowing smooth hands.

Face pack
Mix together the yolk of an egg,2 tsps of almond oil and one ripe banana in a bowl.Blend into a paste with a fork.Apply to face leave on for 20 min.Remove with cool water and pat dry.

Face pack without egg
Take half acup of yogurt,2 tbspn of honey and a banana.Mash together with a fork and apply to face and neck.Leave for 10 min and rinse off.
Face pack without egg

Utility of peels

Orange peels are good for the skin and are used as skin tonic by squeezing the juice of the peel onto the skin and then rubbing the face, hands,legs,and neck with it.It is also used to make marmalades.

Lemon peels are used to scrub the skin.They are also used tomake marmalades.

Papaya peels contain papain.It is agood exfoliative agent.It removes the dead cells.

All fruit peels contain enzymes so whatever fruits you eat,scurb the peels on your face,neck hands and legs