How to treat dark circles?

Tips to remove dark circles

1). Massage the dark circle area under your eyes with almond cream. Wipe the cream off with cotton after 5 minutes to get rid off dark eye circles.

2). Wet cotton with rose water and keep on eyes and remove after 10 minutes to treat dark circles.

3). Grate potato and squeeze it's juice. Apply on the dark circles.

4). Put ice cubes in tea decation. Put in refrigerator for 1 hour. Apply with cotton and wash after 1 hour.

5). Massage with a good whitening cream very gently around the eyes, Start from the ends of your eyes and work outwards, it helps to avoid the dark circles.

6). Grate cucumber and apply its juice below your eyes every night just before going to bed.

7). Apply milk around your eyes ,it definitely cures, lessens the dark circles.

8). Mix the pulp of a small tomato, turmeric powder, lemon juice and gramflour (besan). Apply this mixture on your dark circles and wash off after it dries.

9). Apply slices of raw potato or cucumber over the eyelids for about 15 minutes.

Above all these simple tips must be followed to combat with dark eye circles

1. Drink everyday nearly 10 glasses of water.

2. Make sure that daily you get good rest and adequate sleep

3. Eat vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A.

How to treat blackheads?

1). Apply a paste of gram flour and curd on the blackhead affected area. When the mixture hardens and dries up, gently scrap off with your finger tips and wash the face.

2). Wash your face. Take steam and scrub little with paste of oatmeal or almond powder in rosewater.Rub it with your fingertips especially over the affected area.Then leave it to dry for 20 minutes.Wash with cold water.

3). Take some oatmeal powder and boil it in little water. Cool it , mix some lemon juice in it. Apply on the face.

4). Take equal amount of lime juice, almond oil and glycerine. Apply on the face. It cures blackheads and also the discolouring spots on the face.

5). Apply undiluted lemon juice, three times a day, on the affected areas.

6). Heat little honey and apply on the blackheads.Wash off after 10-15 minutes.

7). Beat an egg white stiff and add 1 tablespoon of honey to it. Apply on the face with a cotton roll and leave for half an hour. Wash with warm water and pat it dry.

8). Take one and a half cups of hot water and add half a tablespoon of boric powder it, soak a face napkin in this hot solution and press on to the skin, repeat twice. Extract blackheads carefully with a blackhead remover and sterilized cottonwool. Apply astringent.

9). Mix 1/4 cup boiling water with one teaspoon of Epsom salt and three drops of iodine.Cool until it can be touched.Saturate a cotton ball with this mixture and dab on blackheads.This will loosen the blackheads so that they can be easily squeezed with a gauze pad.

10). Mix cornstarch with vinegar, apply on the area for 15-30 minutes; wash off with washcloth and warm water.

11). Apply a paste of fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves over the face every night for 10-15 minutes and washed with warm water.This prevents blackheads.

12). Mix 1 tablespoon of groundnut oil with 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice to prevent formation of blackheads.

13). Make paste of ground radish seeds with water and apply on face to remove blackheads.

14). Take the mixture of glycerine soap, fuller's eartth (multani mutti) and almond powder in the ratio 2:1:4.Add boiled water to make paste,apply on the blackheads.

15). Apply a paste of jaggery to blackheads . Let it dry for 20 minutes. Peel off, and the blackheads will come out too. 16). 2 tablespoons fullers earth, 2 tablespoons sandalwood powder, 2 drops of garlic juice, 1 egg white, rose water.Apply it on blackheads,it definitely shows results.


Never go for squeezing a blackhead directly or it will result in a scar on your face. Drink lot of water.

How to treat Pimples?

Simple tips to treat pimples - It generally takes one to four weeks time to get rid of pimples.


1). Apply a paste made of nutmeg, pepper and a little water. Apply on the pimples and allow to dry. Then wash off.

2).Mix 10 grams juice of white onions with 5 grams honey and 1 gram rock salt and apply on pimples.

3).Wash your face thrice a day and apply calamine lotion on the pimples.

4). Apply a paste made out of ground mint leaves on the pimples and leave overnight. This will ease the pimples and clear other blemishes also.Never pick pimples for if you do so they leave scars.

5). Take a little each of rice, poppy-seeds & almonds and grind to a fine powder and mix it with 2 tablespoons of curd and apply to your face. Allow to dry for 10 minutes and then wash off and see your skin glow and the pimple marks fade away slowly.

6). In gram flour add curds (yogurt) and make paste and apply on face, before it dries completely rub that. Do this for every two days.

7). Take fresh cinnamon powder and put it in tightly sealed bottle and take little powder mix with water and apply this only on pimples. Wait for some time and wash your face. Do this for at least 10 days.

8). Take ripe papaya and mash then apply on pimples.

9). Take out the fat from the curd and apply this curd to pimple and face and take shower after 15 minutes.

10). Warm honey and mix gram flour and apply this paste to face. Wash with warm water after it dries.

11). Grind mint leaves and apply on pimples and wash after 5 minutes.

12). Tulsi is a great medicine. Grind tulsi leaves and apply on pimples.

13). Take tender neem leaves and rub with fresh turmeric this will make a best medicine for pimples. Apply this paste on pimples. Do this for at least 10 days.

14).Avoid taking oily food, sweets, fries, and potatoes. Take fresh fruits and other fresh vegetables with your diet. Don’t take more non-vegetarian. Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.

15). Always drink plenty - 8 glasses minimum and more is better. Water helps the body flush it self better and more efficiently.

16). Apply white vinegar to the face, neck, and back. Let is sit for 5 minutes then rinse off with warm water.

17). Use lemon as an exfoliate treatment to remove dead skin cells that clog the pours. Apply the lemon to the infected areas. Let dry for 10 minutes then rinse off with cool water. You might feel a bit of a burning sensation when you apply it. If you can’t take it then dilute the lemon a little bit.

18). Eat a well balanced diet that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid unhealthy foods such as greasy or fast foods whenever possible.

19). Take a good quality multi vitamin daily. As well add zinc supplements to your daily intake. Zinc has shown remarkable results in clearing acne.

20). Use Grape seed extract or Echinacea to help boost your immune system to better fight acne causing bacteria.

21). Use Dandelion or Burdock to detoxify your liver and kidneys.

22). A paste made from one teaspoon each of sandalwood powder and turmeric mixed with milk, is very good.

23). A paste of nutmeg and water is also beneficial.

24). Half a cup of Aloe Vera pulp can be taken internally (Do not take internally if pregnant) or applied externally to the skin.

Dosage: Twice a day. Before going to bed, wash the face thoroughly and then apply a paste of 1 Tsp. coriander juice mixed with a pinch of turmeric powder. For pimples, apply a paste made from one teaspoon of cumin seeds. Remove after one hour. A paste of fresh fenugreek leaves, applied and washed off with warm water before going to bed prevents pimples.

25). Brazil nuts and pumpkin seeds are fantastic for acne because they contain selenium (Brazils) and zinc (pumpkin seeds).

26). Exercise — especially Yoga, Pilates and T'ai Chi. By exercising you increase blood flow to the skin and aid healing. But you also improve the health of your internal organs enabling them to get rid of waste more effectively. • Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises and meditation.

27). Reduce your intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Eating refined carbohydrates (white bread, pasta, rice, flour etc) and sugar leads to a surge in insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1. This in turn leads to an excess of male hormones, which encourage the skin to excrete large amounts of sebum. This grease-like substance encourages the growth of bacteria responsible for acne.

28). Reduce your intake of caffeine. Caffeine increases the levels of stress hormones in the body and can aggravate acne. Avoid coffee, tea, chocolate and other stimulant containing drinks.

29). Reduce your intake of dairy and red meat. Did you know that dairy products and meat are hard to digest, and form acid in the body? Remember, your internal health is reflected by your skin. If you eat too much animal protein, your body won't get rid of waste products effectively, and they will be released via the skin as acne. Dairy and red meat also contain high levels of hormones which can result in more acne. Many people can’t consume dairy products do in part to being allergic to it.

30). Sunshine and fresh air. You may not believe this, but the best form of natural healing, other than water, is good sole sunshine. Yes sunshine stimulates the creation of vitamin D in the body — an essential vitamin for healthy skin. A little bit of fresh air and sunshine every day will also reduce stress and increase oxygen to the skin. Even when it's overcast, the sun's rays reach us, so take a 10 minute walk outside every day.

31). Blend a cucumber, apply externally, leave on for 20 minutes, then wash off.

32). Rub watermelon rind on the acne.

33). Apply Aloe Vera.

34). Eat watermelon or drink watermelon juice.

35). Drink tea made from carrots including the tops and beet tops.

36). Drink lukewarm water with 2 teaspoons of honey every morning on an empty stomach. This effectively lubricates the intestines. If one does not evacuate the intestines regularly, the toxins either end up in the liver or come out in the skin.

37). Homeopathic treatment - Essential Oils or Herbs:

~Belladonna— for people who experience flushes of heat to the face or who have inflamed pustular acne that improves with cold applications

~Calendula— for skin conditions involving pustules or blisters

~Hepar sulphur— for painful, pus-filled acne

~ Kali bromatum— for deep acne, especially on the forehead, in persons who are chilled and nervous ~ Silicea— for pustules or pit-forming acne

~ Chaste Tree Berry taken each morning can help prevent premenstual breakouts.

~ Lavender or Tea Tree Essential Oil can be applied directly to the blemish up to 3x daily.

How to get rid of Dandruff?

How To Get Rid Of Dandruff - Quick Tips

1). Cure for dandruff - Pour vinegar into the hair, massaged into the scalp, and left to dry for a few minutes.Then the hair is washed.The process is repeated daily until the dandruff disappears, usually within a few days.

2). Mix 8 tbsp. peanut oil with the juice of half a lemon. Rub the mixture into your hair, leave on for 10 minutes and then wash as usual.

3). Add 3 drops of tea tree oil, a natural antiseptic, to a small amount of shampoo and then wash your hair.

4). Rinse your hair with a solution of 1/4 c. vinegar and 1 qt. water.

5). Use an infusion of the herbs chaparral or thyme as a hair rinse.

6). Add flaxseed oil, primrose oil or fish oil to your diet.

7). Use kelp as a seasoning.

8). Take selenium, vitamin B complex, vitamin E and zinc supplements. Do not exceed 100mg of zinc a day.

9). Take vitamin C and a bioflavonoid complex.

10). Add lecithin granules or capsules to your diet.

11). Avoid or decrease your intake of fried foods, dairy products, sugar, chocolate and nuts.

12). Tea tree oil works! Try tea tree oil (3 drops mixed with shampoo and left on for 5 minutes) and it works in the first washing!

13). Try washing your hair with 1/4 cup buttermilk like any shampoo and leave it on for about 5-10 minutes. Do this for 1-2 weeks. Then wash out hair using a small amount of shampoo. Your hair may smell a bit funny, but this really works

14). To prevent dandruff, use cold water and a mild shampoo. It will prevent your scalp from drying out.

15). Mix baking soda with water and mix it in her hair. It makes hair softer and takes away the dandruff.

16). Use a shampoo called Nizoral 1%. It takes away the the flakes along with the itchy greasy scalp. It takes about 2 weeks to kick in.

17). Look for tar shampoo called "DHS Tar Shampoo." It works great!

18). Rub a few drops of mineral oil with a cotton ball on your scalp. Leave it in for 5 minutes then wash it out.

19). Mix 1/2 cup of peroxide with 1/3 cup of orange juice and pour it on your hair. The dandruff flakes will disappear. Your hair doesn't smell that bad, either!

Skincare Glossary - alphabet 'A'

There is lot of confusion about the ingredients in our skincare products.Even various claims made by these products are very confusing at times..

Below are frequently used skincare terms on our beauty products.

1). Aloe vera - It is a succulent plant, the juice of which is used in skincare ingredients because of its soothing, moisturizing and protecting qualities.

2). Antioxidants - These work by mopping up and absorbing free radicals on our skin.These are highly reactive molecules which can damage our skin and can also cause premature aging.Good antioxidants are ACE vitamins, that is vitamins A, C and E.

3). Allergy- screened - This implies that the individual ingredients used in the product had undergone tests to make sure that they are safe to use and that risk of causing allergy is minimum.

4). Allantoin - A botanical extract said to heal and soothe. Used in creams and topical preparations for the skin.

5). Astringent - Toner helpful in controlling surface oils and in lowering the pH after cleansing.

6). Almond Oil - Vegetable oil derived from almonds with softening properties. Used in cosmetics.

7). Althea - Botanical root believed to have emollient and soothing capabilities for skin.

8). Acrylic - It has moisture barrier as well as waterproofing, water repelling properties, so provides water resistent properties to cosmetics, it is often referred to as Octylpropenamide Copolymer.

9). Acetic Acid - Sometimes used as a caustic or astringent.

10). Avocado Oil - The oil from this green fruit is an excellent skin emollient with high levels of vitamins A and C.Avocado Oil is highly therapeutic and is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2 Panthothenic acid, Vitamin D, E, protein, Lecithin and Fatty Acids. It's a very good, penetrating nutrient for dry skin and eczema. Avocado Oil is said to have healing and regenerating qualities.

11). Acido-Alpha-Hydroxyl-Ceramides - Lipid to strengthen the skin's capacity to retain its moisture level, thereby supporting and sustaining the skin's smoothness, firmness and softness for youthful appearance.

12). Alpinia - A traditional Malaysian rainforest herb with medicinal and cosmetic value documented for thousands of years. Alpinia grows in the jungle of Malaysia, medicinally used to heal a variety of ailments from bronchitis to cholera, joint and ligament pains and skin diseases as well. An excellent and powerful astringent for cosmetics.

13). Acetone - It is the simplest ketone often used in toners.It can cause irritation and drying if concentration is high.

14). Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol - a non drying alcohol that softens skin.However in some cases it causes blackheads and whiteheads.

15). Algae Extract - has antioxidant properties and it restores skin moisture.

16). Alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA) - this organic acid taken from fruit acids is used widely in anti-aging skin care products.It encourages moisture restoration, exfoliation and other ingredients to penetrate through the skin more effectively.One should always use products containing AHA's in combination with sunscreen as it makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage.

17). Ascorbic acid - It is medical name for vitamin C. L-ascorbic acid is often used in skin lightener products because it stimulates collagen Production.

18). Alum - an astringent used in after shave products to treat razor cuts caused due to shaving.

19). Ami gel - A polysaccharide containing glucose as the sole monomer. Used as a gelling and thickening agent., thoroughly bio-degradable

Banana - Great moisturiser !

Banana Mask

1. Mash a banana.
2. Add enough sugar.
3. Add few drops of mint or rose water.
4. Mix to form a thick paste.
5. Massage onto your skin and leave it to get dry.
6. Rince with warm water.

Banana is a great moisturiser and contains quantities of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamins A, B (folic acid), E, and F.

Sugar acts as an exfoliant.

This mask leaves the skin soft and can be applied on any part of the body.

Skin glow mixture !

To make the skin soft and bring the radiance :

1. Mix honey, glycerine and lemon juice in equal quantities.

2. Apply this mixture on the face and neck...especially on the skin where there are dark patches.

3. Massage well for 5 minutes.

4. Leave it on the face for 15 minutes.

5. Wash it off gentally.

6. Apply any face pack that suits your skin.

To lighten skin areas which had got darkened :

1. Mix equal quantities of lemon juice and milk.

2. Leave on till it dries.

3. Wash the face.

Fall 2008: Fashion colors

According to Pantone’s Fall 2008 Fashion Color Report, " Fall is traditionally a time for subdued, quiet colors, but this season we are seeing a shift toward cool hues with bright,exciting undertones". "Conventional tones such as warm autumn hues, chocolate browns and steel grays are also among the fall color choices. Blue and purple tones have become staples, as illustrated by Blue Iris, one of the top 10
colors chosen by designers this season, and Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2008".

Top 2008 colors for fall 2008 are:

Blue Iris

Royal Lilac

Shady Glade

Caribbean Sea

Aurora Red
Shitake

Withered Rose

Twilight Blue
Burnt Orange

Ochre

Spring/ Summer 2008: Fashion colors

According to Pantone’s Spring 2008 Fashion Color Report, “stabilizing neutrals combined with pops of brighter colors to create unique, distinctive looks.” will characterize the spring 08. Spring 2008 sees brighter, livelier tones, which provide a welcome respite from the monochromed world of Winter 2007. Based on the Pantone Color Report Spring 2008, black is replaced with a classy Silver Gray, which blends elegantly with its springtime palette. Classic muted-neutrals include beige tones, light-green and olive hues such as Croissant, Daiquiri Green and Golden Olive

Pantone, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is the world-renowned authority on color.

Top 2008 colors for spring 2008 are:

Golden Olive
Spring Crocus
Rococco Red
Pink Mist

Croissant
Freesia
Cantaloupe
Daiquiri Green
Snorkel Blue
Silver Gray

Wonders of Pranayam

Pranayam arouses the internal energy of a person and makes him healthy, balanced and active.

The seven-step pranayam package is sufficient along with daily routine.

The whole process takes around 45 minutes and the duration can be increased up to two hours also. Morning time is ideal for its practice. Take bath and wear loose clothes. Sit straight; keep the neck and head absolutely straight.

If a person cannot sit on floor due to some reasons then you can sit on chair. The body should be stable and spine should be straight.

This seven-step pranayam package can be followed daily to maintain good health.

1. Bhastrika: Take deep breathes and fill the lungs with air and then exhale. Take deep breath but do not fill the air in the stomach. Air should be filled up to the diaphragm. Inhale deeply and exhale completely so that the lungs become free of air. Do not stop the breath. This is one step. Repeat in this manner several times. However, the patients of high blood pressure and heart patients should do it slowly. During this breathing exercise, imagine that you are throwing all the disorders present in your body. The mind is becoming pure and pious. Practice pranayam from three to five minutes.

2. Kapalbhati: Do not pay attention on inhaling and exhaling.Breathe in normally and let the air go inside and then exhale. Exhale the air filled in the stomach. Make the process fast and repeat it ten to 15 times. Imagine that the diseases and mental thoughts are being overcome.

3. Bahya pranayam: Keep the hands on the knees; bend the chin and try to touch the upper portion of the chest and the chest should be stretched. The stomach muscles should be pulled inside. The muscles of groin area should also be pulled inside. Then breathe out completely like Kapalbhati. Imagine that the disorders are going out of the body while breathing out. The time taken for each repetition is 15 seconds and this should be done for at least three minutes.

4. Anulom-Vilom: Close the right nostril with the right thumb and breathe in from left nostril. Then close the left nostril with the little finger and ring finger and breathe out from right nostril. Breathe in and breathe out completely and deeply. Imagine that the divine energy is coming inside you and the disorders present in the body are going out of the body. Begin from five minutes and increase the duration up to 15 minutes.

5. Brahmari: Take a deep breathe.Press the inside edges of the eyes with the middle fingers and breathe in with the sound of a honeybee. Breathe out and chant Omkar. Breathe out and then breathe in and repeat the process with Omkar sound. Repeat this pranayam 11 times and increase it up to 21 times. Breathe in and breathe out and imagine that the divine energy is entering into the body.

6. Udgeet: In this pranayam one has to concentrate on inhaling and exhaling and try to concentrate the mind. Breathe normally and chant Aum. The breathing should be so simple that the sound of breath should not be heard and even cotton kept in front of the nose should not move. Chant Aum and visualize it while practicing this pranayam.

7. Meditative pose: Concentrate the mind on inhaling and exhaling and think of god. God has created our eyebrows, eyes, nose, ears, lips, heart etc. in Aum shape (Hindi word). Imagine the presence of god in every particle and meditate. Deeper the experience, deeper the physical, mental and spiritual energy. Pranayam overcomes the physical disorders, gives good health and the devotee proceeds on the path of spirituality.

Courtesy: Yog Sandesh