Beauty and Personal Grooming

Women spend a lot of time and thought on ‘ personal grooming’ selecting dresses, cosmetics and accessories ever so carefully, yet intellectual grooming-being well-informed, knowledgeable and in tune with the times – is never given a thought as part of self improvement and grooming. Unfortunately, the education system in India, with its emphasis on degrees, diplomas, percentages on the mark sheets hardly leaves any room for creativity and self-development. It fails to project education as a lifelong journey in pursuit of information and knowledge. It is commonly seen that conversation among most housewives revolves around household chores, family, TV soaps, children and related problems and working women talk mostly about traffic jams, servant problems, crèches and problems at the workplace. For most women, marriage, career and getting out of educational institutions mark the end of intellectual pursuits. Though gossiping, backbiting and bitching are stress-busters , as claim...

Nature has provided us with a variety of medicinal herbs and shrubs to preserve health and beauty. Among these, Tulsi (Holy Basil) holds an important position. This wonder herb has bactericidal properties and from ancient times has had the reputation of being a bestower of health and beauty . Aroma emanating from Tulsi leaves is beneficial to health Early in the morning, after your bath , spread a mat in the proximity of a Tulsi plant and inhale the fragrance of the Tulsi leaves. Take deep breaths and allow the aroma emanating from the leaves to sink in and pervade your system. This fragrance has a great capacity of purifying the blood and correcting any unfavorable alteration in it. Your will feel refreshed and your face will acquire a radiant glow.

Teenagers normally have youthful glowing skin . The innocence of their age reflects on the skin. They shouldn’t go overboard and cover their baby soft skin with layers of makeup, just to look ‘hip and happening’. It will give them a clumsy look. No doubt they have the urge to follow the latest fashion trends, but while following these fads they should not use very bold and harsh colours which might make them lose the innocence of their age. In the daytime, a good sun bloc lotion and a moisturizer is ideal. A light touch of a lipstick is all that is needed, no need of outlining the lips. For a party in the evening, choose a very soft and light shade of translucent powder. It will give your skin a youthful radiance. For a dreamy effect use a good quality mascara. Curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler. Apply a natural shade of shimmer lipstick. This much make-up is sufficient for an innocent youthful looking teenager. But for those who want more, can add a natural shade of blusher ...

To most people, the word Yoga is synonymous with the Asanas (Yogic postures) only. But since ancient times, Pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) has been practiced to control the body and the mind and make it steady and peaceful for achieving the pure consciousness stage (Samadhi). It was expounded by Patanjali , an ancient Hindu philosopher and yogi. Therefore, in all texts of yoga, Pranayama is highly spoken of and is called the gateway to meditation, as it strengthens the nervous system. There are so many techniques and varieties of Pranayama, through which body is purified and one can maintain good health.

The first grey hair that is seen peeping out of your lustrous black tresses will probably make you sad, thinking that your glorious days of youth are over. But relax other causes-ageing apart –could lead to graying. Check out the problem and keep gray hair at bay. Graying is a natural process when associated with old age. Graying is to hair what wrinkling is to skin. Both are signs heralding ageing . It is natural for hair to lose much or its body, volume and color with the passing of years. However, sometimes, young people, too, get grey hair and this gives rise to many psychological problems. Hair gets its color from the pigment just below its surface layer. The more pigment there is, the darker the color. Due to ageing or other factors, these pigment cells become inactive; the hair is not colored and turns white or gray. Some reasons: * Fright or great shock. * Severe illness * Cessation of breast feeding. * Infectious diseases like typhoid, scarlet fever, influenza. * Defective pi...

Cervical spondylosis is a disorder of the neck and back that restricts movements of the neck and causes pain.  Pic credits: Wikipedia

Cucumber and yoghurt mask: This has always been used to refine and tone the skin. Many cosmetics claim it as a vital ingredient. Ingredients: 1/4th cucumber 2 tbsp of yoghurt Method: Finely mash and sift the cucumber and mix it with 2 tablespoonfuls of yoghurt. By making a paste you can apply it on the face for 20-25 minutes. If you want something stronger you can try this. Ingredients: Juice of 1/4th cucumber 1 egg white 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp vodka Method: Mash and liquidize the cucumber, strain the mixture to give you the juice. Beat the egg white and slowly add the lemon and cucumber juices to it. Mix well and use it on your face. If your face is greasy , add the vodka. Apply this mixture on your face for 20-30 minutes and relax with cucumber eye pads on the eyes. Wash off with cold water and gently pat dry. Category: Home made beauty aids See also: Home facials / Beauty Masks for a glowing complexion / The whole body softening mask / Home facial foul-ups / Natural skin masks ...