Stand Out from the Crowd with Great Women’s Formal Wear

Deciding what to wear has always been a daily challenge for most women. Formal dresses for women have been in demand since time immemorial. Whether it’s a business meeting, a birthday party, a funeral ceremony, a garden party or a romantic dinner evening, a formal dress is needed for all such occasions to make you look like a complete woman.

Women’s formal attire comes in a variety of different forms, shapes and sizes. Every woman wants to look more beautiful and wear something different that no one else has worn before. Ranging from a vast collection of fabric including silk, cotton, taffeta, lace to chiffon, these dresses come in a number of colors. Some floral some plain, from black to gold, formal dresses are made for every event and occasion.

Choosing accessories for your formal dress

A formal dress alone does not complete the criteria of making a woman stand out from the remaining lot. Accessorizing your dress is as important as choosing it in the first place. Matching shawl, scarf, lace, brooch, bow, belts and jewellery enhance the elegance of your dress leaving an impact on the beholder. Your hairstyle, make up, shoes, bag or clutch all combine to form a complete you.

Whether you are the bride or mother of the bride, women’s formal gowns have been customized to fulfill the needs of every woman. Plus size women formal wear are now easily available at major designer stores to cater the needs of bulky women. These dresses are stitched in a professional manner enabling women to look slimmer and classy.

Formal dresses for women come in variety of designs, shapes and sizes. Catering the needs of individual women and depending on the occasion, various styles including long and short cuts, revealing and concealing, big necklines and high neck, with zippers and loose off-the-shoulder style are made by designers.

Whatever you decide to buy for yourself, make sure you can carry it well and you look best in that look.

· Filed under Fashion

Techniques for shaving your legs

When it comes to shaving legs we think women are the only ones who shave their legs. This isn’t necessarily true. Time and again men have also shaved their legs mostly involving athletes, cyclists, body builders, marathon racers etc. Women shave their legs to look more feminist, to show their figure, look sexy or simply for hygienic purposes. Some look for alternative options such as waxing, bleaching, epilators or using hair removal creams instead of using razor blades. The truth is there is nothing better and convenient than shaving your legs provided you know how to shave them.

When shaving your legs, the first and foremost thing you require is a good quality razor blade. Gillette offers a wide range of blades for both men and women to ease shaving and bring comfort. Once you choose your razor blade or barberblade, go and take a warm shower. A warm shower helps open pores which enable the razor to go deep near the hair root giving a smooth look. This also ensures the hair won’t grow back quickly.

Once your skin is ready to be shaved, apply a good quality shaving cream on your entire legs. Prefer to use a shaving cream instead of soap lather or shampoo lather which can leave your skin dry and damaged. Shaving creams and gels are formulated specifically to shave, and the lather produced is thicker than soap and it sticks on the skin protecting it against any razor burns or bumps and giving a smooth and glossy final look once shaved. If you are shaving against your hair growth, make sure you are using a good shaving cream for effective results.

Position yourself well when it is time to use the razor on the skin. Mostly people sit on the edge of the bath to shave the lower leg. In order to shave the upper leg you need to be in a standing position and may have to tilt your upper body accordingly to shave the back of your leg. If you have a lot of body mass on your thighs you may need to stand in front of the mirror to cover the entire area.

Once done, jump back in luke warm shower and rinse the area well. You can also have a cold shower to close the pores. Apply antiseptic cream or liquid if you have bruised or cut your skin from anywhere. You can also apply aftershave creams, gels, oils or lotions which are widely available in the market giving you maximum comfort, smoothing your skin and giving a nice finish.

If you have very long hair that require shaving cut them with the help of scissors or trimming machine. Hair gets clogged in the razor blade at time of shaving and for excellent results they need to be in a shave-able size. For legs you can afford to shave in one straight go, however make sure you shave lightly and do not rush it. Shaving varies from person to person. Some prefer to shave only in summers where as some shave all year round.

· Filed under Health and Care

FAQs on shampooing your hair

Q. Which is the right way to shampoo the hair?

A. The right way to shampoo your hair is as important as choosing the right shampoo for your hair. Follow this step by step guide for the best results:

1. Bend forward so your hair fall over your face and brush your hair gently from base to tips to remove dead hair, dirt & grime.
2. Before shampooing, massage your scalp gently, rotating your fingers to remove any dead particles.
3. Wet the hair thoroughly with warm water. A shower attachment is most convenient for this.
4. Work a small quantity of shampoo into your hair and massage the scalp gently with gentle kneading motions. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Your hair should not need another application of shampoo unless it is particularly greasy or dirty. If so repeat the lathering and rinsing process.
5. Rinse the hair thoroughly two or three times until it feels clean and squeaky. It is important that all traces of shampoo are removed; otherwise you will leave the hair feeling dull and sticky.
6. Finish with a rinse of cool or cold water to close the pores.
7. Squeeze your hair gently to remove excess water and dry lightly with a towel.
8. Do try to let your hair dry naturally for as long as possible before using a hair drier. Hair is at its weakest when wet and is more easily damaged by heat.

Q. I am always out in the sun. Though I use a sunscreen on my face, I am worried about my hair. Is a sunscreen available for hair as well?

A. Yes there is a cure to protect your hair and that too using a home remedy. Cocoa butter protector protects your hair while you are in the sun and is also used as a conditioner for chemically treated hair.

Melt one tablespoon of cocoa butter, one tablespoon of lanolin and four tablespoons of olive oil in a double boiler and beat together when melted. Add one tablespoon water to three tablespoon mixture before putting on your hair. Shampoo after some time.

Q. I am growing out a perm and its left me with straight roots and curly ends. How can I perk it up?

A. Backcomb the roots to give them some body. But beware of backcombing permed dry ends because they have a tendency to knot easily.

· Filed under Hair Care

Skin Deep Treatments

Skin treatments can be soothing as well as relaxing, especially after a long and tiring day. Here are some skin deep treatments you should try out when you visit the spa next time. With the right products and spa salts and oils, you can enjoy these relaxing treatments at home.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the art of using plants, herbs and flowers to soften the impact of daily stress and strain. What’s great about it is that it’s adaptable to the individual. It’s an art that can be used to soothe, calm, rejuvenate and boost feelings of well being no matter what physical and mental state you’re in.

Sea Mud Pack

Sea Mud Pack forms a deep cleansing combination poultice of sea clay and skin smooth fruit enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells and leave the body relaxed and distressed. It also helps to detoxify and solves water retention problems.

Hydrotherapy

Mineral packed spa water with its salts and traces of Manganese, potassium, copper & zinc, boosts the circulation and balances PH levels and moisture. It reduces water retention and puffiness and calms, soothes and relaxes irritated skin.

Salt Scrubs

They are designed to buff and polish skin. The rubbing action of exfoliating boosts sluggish circulation, particularly when skin is thicker. The granular texture removes dead cells from the top layer of the skin revealing a smoother surface, hence leaving skin in top condition all year long.

· Filed under Bath & Body

Skin Care Tips for Dry and Mature skin

Are you over thirty-five? Does your complexion look dull rather than moist? Do you have irregular patches of pigmentation, such as black, brown, or lumpy beige spots, or raised, dark brown skin tags? Are there little red lines around your nose and cheeks? Are there deepening lines around your nose; forehead, eyes and between the eyebrows? Does the skin look loose around the chin line and cheeks, as well as the under eye area? Despite dry skin, are there enlarged pores on your cheeks and chin? If you have answered most of the above questions in affirmative then you have mature skin.

Care of mature skin

A summary of mature skin would be that, it is the skin that has been used and abused. The factors that lead to mature skin are hereditary (which of course one can’t do anything about), excessive cleaning and massaging of the face, frequent weight gain and loss, drinking (alcohol can seriously impair blood circulation especially around the eye area), too much exposure to the sun, and smoking as nicotine impairs the blood circulation in the skin.

If you have mature skin you will discover that your skin has become sensitive to a lot of ingredients found in skin care products. For example if you used to apply scented moisturizers you might now realize that you are allergic to fragrance in moisturizers. The solution to this particular problem would be to use a fragrance free moisturizer.

Any product you use should be allergy tested. You can apply the product behind your ear or under the jaw and let it remain for a few hours or a whole day to check any signs of an allergic reaction.

Cleansing mature skin is very much like dry skin and similar products are used for both skin types.

Moisture and sun protection

Mature skin needs extra moisturizers and most of the new ones in the market have the added benefit of a firming ingredient in them which makes the skin taut so that your skin feels rejuvenated, but only temporarily. The only way you can change the texture of your skin, permanently, is through a face-lift.

Retin-A and Alpha Hydroxy AcIds (AHAs), can also be used to reverse aging. Retin-A and AHAs are safer than chemical peeling without the risks of scarring, pain or expense if taken under a dermatologists expert guidance and care.

A sunscreen is a must for mature skin, which has already been over-exposed to the sun’s rays.

Toning

Toning can make the skin seem firmer and the pores appear smaller, by creating a slight puffiness around the pores. Choose an astringent around the same guidelines established for dry skin.

Saunas

These are excellent for mature skin to clean the pores and deliver sufficient water to keep the skin soft and moist. The same rules apply for both dry and mature skin.

Masks

Buttermilk deserves special mention as a natural mask because it is rich in lactic acid, a well-known highly effective moisturizer and skin renewal agent.

All products should be allergy tested and applied on sensitive areas on your skin, like the skin behind the ears and under the jaw. This should be left on for a few hours or a day. If any signs of an allergic reaction take place then rinse the area immediately with an oatmeal and cool water solution, and refrain from buying the product.

· Filed under Skin

Skin Care Tips for dry skin

Skin care is a perennial problem, especially for women who have dry and mature skin. Women with oily skin also face a lot of problems, but this post will not discuss oily and combination skin specifically, as in reality most faces have a combination of dry and oily areas. A factor that you should keep in mind is that skin should be treated according to the prevailing weather conditions, which calls for lighter moisturizers in summer and heavier creams in winters for skins prone to dryness. Here are beauty tips to cope with dry skin and to give you healthy, beautiful and clear skin in just a few weeks.

Do you need a sunscreen?

Sunscreens play a very important role in the upkeep of your skin. They protect your skin against the sun’s ultra-violet rays, which are of two kinds: UVA and UVB rays. Hence the SPF or sun-protection factor should be 15 or more to protect your skin from both these rays, plus the label on the sunscreen should say that it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Some sunscreens have para-aminobenzoic (PABA), which is a powerful ingredient (in sunscreens). But some skins can show an allergic reaction to it. So if you want to avoid PABA, then look for sunscreens which are PABA- free.

Simple dry skin

Are u under thirty-five? Did you have an almost totally acne-free adolescence? Is your skin tight even several hours after washing? Did either one of your parents have dry skin? Does your complexion get ruddy and ‘pink cheeked’, especially in winter?

If you have answered yes to most of the questions, then you have simple dry skin.

Care of simple dry skin

Skin which has lost too much water by evaporation from the cells of the skin is called dry skin. This water-content can be controlled, by providing the skin with natural moisturizing factors (NMFs) such as, lactic acid, urea, hyaluronic acids and phospholipids (e.g. lecithin and mucopolysaccharides). These compounds are synthesized and added to commercial moisturizers.

Cleansing dry skin – The best form of cleanser for this type of skin is the rinse-able cream or lotion. It does not remove nearly as much oil as soap, and leaves a non-greasy, natural protective coating on the face that inhibits evaporation of water.

Protection from moisture and sun

Skin has a tendency to lose moisture, and moisturizing creams should be used to help the skin hold water and protect it against sun damage. Dry skin although does not cause the skin to age, but simple dry skin during youth indicates that a woman has the skin type that is at risk for early aging. Such skin is often very fine, thin and particularly sensitive to sun damage. Such a skin type needs ample moisturizing and sun protection.

Toning Astringents – Dry skin can benefit from a properly formulated astringent and not from those brands containing alcohol which tend to dry out the skin. If you read carefully, the ingredients of some astringents, toners and fresheners, may contain moisturizing ingredients like lactic acid, proteins, urea and lecithin which can counteract any drying effects of a dehydrating substance, like alcohol.

Masks

Although paste masks do the same as gel masks, they also absorb oil and water from the skin. This makes them as excellent masks for oily or acne troubled skin but far too drying for dry skin.

Suggestions for face masks – Use one egg yolk, a few drops of vinegar, a few drops of almond or peanut or olive oil and a broken capsule of vitamin E. These should be mixed and applied on the skin and left for 15 minutes and then washed off.

Facial saunas

We would suggest that you put a dry skin nourishing cream or mask and then steam your face. Take a bowl of hot water and put your face at a reasonable distance from it and cover your head with a towel in such a way that it forms a tent over the bowl. You should remain in this position for 5-7 minutes and then splash your face with cool water to close the pores. This should be done once in two weeks. The moist heat of the sauna dissolves excess oil and loosens the upper layer of dead cells and gives a good supply of water to the skin.

These skin care tips will help you keep your dry skin hydrated, leaving it clear, smooth and healthy. The next post will give you tips on taking care of mature skin; for women aged over thirty-five years.

· Filed under Skin

Redefining Eyes – How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner

When it comes to applying eye makeup, liquid liner should be applied before anything else. This way, if you have to start all over, you won’t ruin the rest of your makeup. Some women find it tricky to apply liquid eyeliner correctly, but all you need is some practice to get it correct.

The way you apply your eyeliner can make you look stunning or just clumsy. Therefore, it is important that you perfect your skills by applying eyeliner a few times to practice. Here are some tips to help you apply liquid eyeliner.

1. Test for colour, intensity and sharpness of line by applying liner to the back of your hand.
2. Close your eyes and pull your eyelid taut with your fingertip.
3. Starting at the inner corner of your upper lid, pull the eyeliner brush in a straight, even line as close to your lashes as possible.
4. For the lower lid, turn the brush vertically to get beneath the lashes and apply liner very carefully.
5. If needed, use your pointed cotton swabs slightly dipped in eye makeup remover for shaping and perfecting the line.

· Filed under Makeup

Benefits of Skin Moisturizers

If you want plump and healthy looking skin which gives a smooth appearance, you should make it a habit to use a moisturizer regularly. Moisturizers help by trapping the skins natural moisture from evaporating by forming a protective layer between the skin and the air. When this natural moisture gets temporarily trapped near the skin, it gives a smooth and healthy appearance. It also gives relief from dry and irritated skin. However, if you have acne prone skin, moisturizers can cause the pores to get clogged, aggravating your acne. Therefore, if you have oily skin, avoid using too much moisturizer.

There are a number of moisturizers which you can use at different times during the day, or according to your skin type. For example, herbal moisturizers are very light which you can use during the day, so use a light moisturizer before applying make-up to hold it better. Also, if you have oily skin, then you should use a delicate moisturizer which would not make your skin oilier. If you have very dry skin, you would want to use a heavier moisturizer, especially at night to keep your skin moist. Moisturizers also protect the skin from the sun, help improve blood circulation, nourish the skin, reduce the pore size of the skin to prevent dirt and debris from settling down on it and keep the skin hydrated. Moisturizers also protect the skin from free radicals and other environmental factors like wind, air and sunlight. If you want, you can even mix or blend your moisturizer with your favourite moisture cream before applying.

So start moisturizing your skin as a daily ritual and you will keep your skin healthy, plump and hydrated for several years to come. The best time to use moisturizer is right after you cleanse your skin as it will trap and replenish all the moisture and good oils of the skin which are lost during cleansing. You can also use a moisturizer right after you take a bath when the skin is wet.

· Filed under Beauty Tips

How to choose the right Make up Tools

Makeup is not just strokes of colour or a splash of glimmer; it’s a fresh impression of beauty, which relies on perfect application. For applying it perfectly and to make it impressive you need to acquire the right technique and the correct tools.

Here we have picked some essential makeup brushes for that smooth and flawless finish.

Just the right brush

Makeup brushes can make all the difference in how your makeup goes on and how it looks after you apply it, so the right tools are very important to get the right look. Your compacts might have a brush with it, retain it for final touch-ups but for a perfect blended makeup, keep a good set of make-up brushes on your cosmetic rack. A good brush kit should have these brushes. Each brush is made for a specific task and helps you do your makeup quickly and easily.

Powder Brush – A powder brush is an essential brush for dusting loose powder all over the face and for blending makeup. Wide and fluffy, the brush is the largest of the group.

Blusher Brush – This brush is round-shaped with soft and medium-full bristles, tapered at the sides to allow more control when blending. It blends powder evenly over the cheeks without streaks.

Lip Brush – A lip brush is flat and slightly tapered that will glide around the mouth’s curves and place colour precisely. This brush should be chosen according to the shape of the mouth. A pointy brush can define thin lips while a flat square-head brush is good for a fuller mouth. Lip brush is essential for applying deep-toned lipsticks and mixing one or more lipstick shades.

Eye Shader & Brushes – For eyes, different brushes can be used for applying and blending. A wide square-tipped flat brush is used for sweeping on neutral shades from the lashes up to the brow. A smaller liner brush will apply shadow under the low lashes. A pen like brush with long narrow bristles can be used on the brows.

Eyeliner Brush – This is a thin, flat brush that will place and blend colour near the lash line.

Eyelash Separator – The eyelash separator is commonly found combined with an eyebrow brush. The comb separates dumps and other mascara blunders and helps keep the lashes look natural and soft.

Buying tips

When choosing your brushes, these points should be kept in mind:

• Choose natural-hair bristle brush that feels smooth and soft. Reject any brush that sheds or has a splayed, messy head
• Test bristles on your skin to see whether they are firm enough to place colour with precision
• Make sure that the handles are rounded and smooth enough for a comfortable grip
• Buying each brush separately is a better idea, so you will pay for what you will really use




· Filed under Makeup



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Relax and revive with a soothing bath and a foot massage

A few minutes of relaxation can help you get rid of the stress and tensions of the day. It not only helps you to feel fresh again but revives you for the day ahead. Here are some tips to help you relax and revive after a tiring day.

Mood therapy

A few drops of aromatherapy oil added to your bath can relax or refresh you, depending on the fragrance you choose. Use essential oil and add six to eight drops to a drawn bath (if you add essential oil to running water it will instantly evaporate). Before you step in, gently swish the water around with your hand or a bar of soap, so the oil distributes itself evenly across the surface. Then slowly lower yourself into the bath, lie back, close your eyes and allow the heady aroma to envelope your senses.

Which essential oil to choose?

For Relaxing, lavender is excellent with its calming and cleansing properties. It’s also gently antiseptic and is perfect for soothing those tired aching muscles.

For Reviving, choose lemon grass with its lively citrus scent or basil with refreshing and strengthening properties.

Either will lift flagging spirits and boost energy levels after a hard day’s work.

Bubble talk

If you like to wallow in a mass of scented bubbles, there’s nothing to a really deep foaming bath. For best results, pour one capful of bubble bath directly into the running water as you start your bath and add another capful about halfway through. Choose moisturizing bubble baths which are delicately scented according to your mood.

Herbal remedy

If you don’t like bath additives, but love the idea of a fragrance-filled bathroom, a herb bath is the perfect answer. Wrap and tie muslin round some dried herbs then attach to the bath tap so the hot water can run over it. As it does so, vapors are released. Choose rosemary and thyme for their stimulating properties and fennel and sage for relaxing.

Pillow talk

Invest in a small bath pillow to rest your head on. Not only does it make relaxing in the bath more comfortable, it gives you the perfect excuse for an extra five minutes of pure indulgence. Look out for pillows with suction pads that stick onto the tub; that way you won’t slip down into the bath.

Steam clean

Incorporate your skin care routine into bath time by steaming your face. First remove all traces of make up before you step into the bath. Tuck your hair into a cap or tie it away from your face, and then lie back and let the steamy atmosphere deep cleanse your skin and draw any impurities to the surface. Then while you’re still in the bath, wipe your face with a little toner and apply a face pack for the last 5 to 10 minutes.

Soap opera

Lather up a bar of luxuriously scented smooth and creamy soap. But take care, soap can be drying, so only cleanse areas where hygiene is a necessity and always rinse well afterwards too.

Superfatted soaps are best for drier skins, as they have a creamier texture.

Massage matters

Soften your skin with body lotion immediately after a bath or shower when skin is still damp and absorbs moisture best. Simply work a little lotion between the palms of your hands and then massage in with firm upward strokes.

Powder velvet

Lightly dust a little talcum powder over your skin to help absorb excess moisture, but as talcum can be drying, use only on areas that perspire.

Fragrant layers

For those special occasions, pamper yourself with soap, talc, body cream and spray that are richly scented with your favourite perfume. Many of the new body creams contain fragrances so intense you could wear them alone. But for those times when you want your fragrance to last all evening, body and bath products that match it are the perfect solution.

Beautiful endings

Tired aching feet will benefit from a little extra attention. Fill up a large bowl with warm water and add five to six drops of rosemary essential oil. Five minutes is all that’s needed to allow the stimulating properties of the rosemary oil to get to work. Afterwards, dry well with a towel and rub in some refreshing foot lotion.

· Filed under Bath & Body