Benefits of Mango For Skin and Hair

Mango is undoubtedly the reigning king of all fruits. Apart from being delicious, this summer fruit is also a potent ingredient that does wonders for our skin and hair. So the next time you buy mangoes, apart from eating them, consider using them for your skin and hair care as well. If you’re flummoxed and not sure how you can incorporate mango into your skin care routine, then let us guide you.

Here are some great ways in which you can benefit from the goodness of mangoes.

MANGOES FOR SKIN

1. To Get Glowing Skin

Mango is one of the best fruits for healthy and glowing skin. Mix three tablespoons of mango puree with one egg white and half a teaspoon of honey. Whisk till well blended and apply the mixture to your face and neck. Leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes and wash it off with warm water to reveal glowing skin.

2. To Treat Blemishes

Add a few drops of lemon juice to half a teaspoon of mango puree and apply the paste onto the affected area. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and wash it off with cold water. Repeat the process thrice a week for best results.

3. To Exfoliate Your Face

Mix three to four tablespoons of mango puree to half a cup of oats. Add milk to bring the contents to a thick paste consistency. Apply this paste in a circular motion on your face and neck, scrubbing gently so as not to irritate the skin. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and wash it off to reveal smooth skin.

4. To Exfoliate Your Body

Mango makes one of the best homemade exfoliating body scrubs. Make yourself a mango body scrub by mixing the puree of one mango with half a cup of sugar and two to three tablespoons of raw milk. Use this mixture in the shower to gently exfoliate your skin. Wash it off with cold water and do not forget to slather on moisturizer when you step out of the shower. You will find that your skin feels so soft and smooth. Repeat this process once a week to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

5. To De-Tan

Mix two tablespoons of mango puree with one tablespoon of powdered almond. Add two teaspoons of raw milk to it and mix well to form a thick paste. Apply it onto your face and neck in a circular motion, gently massaging it onto your skin for deeper penetration. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and wash if off with cold water. This mask will not only help de-tan your face, it will also help clean your pores by removing any stubborn or deep-rooted dirt or grime to reveal a clean and refreshed face.

So these were some of the benefits of mango for skin.

MANGO FOR HAIR

1. To Condition Dry Hair

Simply puree one ripe mango and add two egg yolks and a quarter cup of yogurt to it. Mix well and apply the mixture onto your hair, concentrating on the ends where the hair tends to be most damaged. Wrap a warm, damp towel onto your hair and leave the hair mask on for half an hour. Wash it off with lukewarm water followed by shampooing and conditioning. You will notice that your hair is so much more manageable and frizz-free.

2. To Promote Hair Growth

Mango contains vitamins A and C which are the vitamins that are essential for hair growth. So a mango hair mask can help boost your hair growth and give you healthier, shinier and softer hair. Mash up a ripe banana and set aside. Puree a ripe mango and add two tablespoons of coconut oil to it. Add the banana to the mango puree and mix well. Apply this hair mask onto your hair and leave it on for half an hour. Wash it off thoroughly with lukewarm water.

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6 Beauty secrets you need to know if you've just hit your 30s

1. Cleanser is a must but so is your scrub

While cleansers help remove dirt and oil from the skin (a fragrance free morning facewash with moisturizer is simply the best), nothing but a good scrub will do when it comes to exfoliation, a must if you have to get rid of dead skin cells that clog up your pores. Invest your time in scrubbing your face three times a week to keep your skin looking eternally fresh and acne free.

2. Skin Serum secret

Many of us don't even know what a "skin serum" is or how important it is. Skin serums are oil or water-based products that are loaded with nutrients, ceramides, glycerin, natural ingredients (cucumber, aloe vera etc.) and vitamins like C, K, E that protect and brighten spots and acne scars. They penetrate deep into your skin to keep it healthy and glowing. So what are you waiting for? Add a good serum to your daily skin care routine right away.

3. Acid toning is crucial

There's no running away from alcohol-based acne toners anymore, it's time to own them because they do exactly what you need at this age; give you a gentle, mild exfoliation. Toners might leave you a little pink or red at first because of the high levels of AHA (Alpha hydroxy acid) content, however, this actually helps in drying up hormonal breakouts and and also assists in exfoliation. However, the results only get better. Start with using one a few times a month and once you're comfortable, use it on a nightly basis to get the best results.

4. Add an anti-aging cream to your beauty regime as soon as you hit 25

Getting your "beauty sleep" is vital for your skin and so is a good anti-aging cream if you want to keep that twenties' glow. A healthy dose of moisture every day will make your mornings more beautiful than they already are. As a one-stop solution for all your anti-ageing needs nothing works better than Olay regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Cream. Along with rehydrating your skin it boasts remarkable anti-aging properties and also contains SPF 30 that helps block direct DNA damaging rays while maintaining your skin's integrity.

5. Start using Retinol

Retinol is one of the animal forms of vitamin A, which is the king of all antioxidants. Using products with retinoic acid is essential because it helps in the process where the skin repairs and replaces itself. However, since there's a possibility of it causing irritation among those with a hypersensitive skin, it should be used a few times a week before going to sleep strictly followed by SPF the morning after.

6. Time to regularly use Eye Cream

Eye wrinkles are one of the earliest signs of ageing and the onset can sometimes be as early as late twenties. An eye cream with caffeine reduces morning puffiness and those with antioxidants and retinol slow down the aging process. Use one with a combination of all three for best results. If gentle enough your under-eye cream can be used both during the day and night, depending upon the concentration of the ingredients.

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Real make up rules for real women

Three women share their experience of getting a makeover, appropriate for their age and skin type.When the products of your past are no longer working, it's not that you've lost your touch-you just need a new set of rules to fit your face today. And thanks to new products and technology developed specifically for older skin, there's never been a better time for a little tune-up. Prevention gave a makeover with smart make-up strategies to 3 women and the result is there for you to see!

1. Flaunt your cheekbones.

For sculpted cheekbones, make friends with a highlighter, and a bronzer that is a couple of shades darker than your skin tone. "After thoroughly moisturising your face (it prevents skin from getting stressed), use a skin primer plus concealer with a photofinish to prep your skin. Then use a highlighter on your cheekbones for an enhanced, contoured look and apply the bronzer below your cheekbones and around your nose and jaws for creating a natural shaded effect. It gives definition to those with a broad face," says Anuj Dogra, Delhi-based make-up artist who gave a makeover to these women. Splurge: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder, Rs 2,000 Steal: Revlon Highlighting Palette - Bronze Glow, Rs 760

2. Prep your lids.

Laugh lines start appearing in your late 30s and lend creases to your eyeshadow. An eye primer will prevent a make-up meltdown, keep the shadow from settling into fine lines and wrinkles and mask imperfections like veins and age spots, which become more obvious as the skin on the eyelid grows thinner. Splurge: M.A.C Painterly Paint Pot, Rs 1,450 Steal: Deborah Milano 24Ore Perfect Eye Primer, Rs 495

3. Be strategic with powder.

A few finishing sweeps help make-up stay put, and the newest formulas are translucent instead of ultra mattifying. Apply it to the nose, forehead and chin, avoiding the cheeks and under-eye area, where it cakes and settles into fine lines. Splurge: Bourjois Mineral Enriched Loose Powder, Rs 865 Steal: Lotus Herbals Naturalblend Translucent Loose Powder with Auto-Puff SPF-15, Rs 3494.

 Clever colour correction.
When you were a kid, your cheeks had a natural rosy glow. With age, cheeks lose that flush because blood circulation to the skin becomes less active. Add issues like rosacea and uneven skin tone and you'll be left struggling to get a youthful glow that doesn't look fake. "Green or olive-toned colour corrector hides redness rather efficiently," advises Dogra. "Use a bit on the flush-prone areas and blend it well to achieve a clean and dewy look." Splurge: Stila CC Color Correcting Cream with SPF 20, Rs 2,700 approx Steal: Inglot Cream Concealer in No 36, Rs 7005. Go glossy.

Ultraviolet light, along with natural ageing, causes the collagen in your lips to break down, which is why they tend to shrink and get dry, and sometimes thin with age. But a little bit of gloss can give them the hydrated and plump appearance. Apply a matte lipstick first and follow up with a couple of dabs of gloss in the centremost part of your lips. A peach-toned gloss (looks good on all skin tones) made Alka's lips look softer and fuller. Splurge: Loreal Paris Glamshine 6H Lip Gloss, Rs 925 Steal: Lakme Absolute Matte Lip Color, Rs 5256. Smokey eyes are ageless.

The smudged and smokey effect, if done well, can transform your look. Create an ombre effect by applying kohl on the top and bottom waterline of your eyes. Make it as a line on top and lower lid and smudge with a smudge brush. (For a dramatic look, use a burnished gold eyeshadow on the upper lid and blend with the liner). For a minimal look, use a matte eyeshadow in a dark brown shade! Must-have: Clinique Brush-on Cream Liner in Black Honey, Rs 1,2507. Use a good foundation.
After 40, your skin becomes thinner, making your complexion a bit dull and pale. "A foundation makes the skin look two dimensional, by adding colour and depth," says Dogra. As we approach menopause, oestrogen levels drop, which makes the skin drier, so hydrating liquid formulas work best, advises Dr Kiran Lohia, dermatologist, Lumiere Dermatology Clinic, New Delhi. Splurge: Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation, Rs 2,700 Steal: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation, Rs 5758. Try concealer for pigmentation.

Consider an orange concealer to mask pigmentation. It helps hide dark circles too. "When the skin has many fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the eye area, an orange concealer can come to your rescue because in make-up, this colour neutralises pigmentation that is dark, blue and green," says Dogra. Must-have: NYX Concealer Jar in Orange, Rs 2,8239. Make your eyes come alive.
To create the illusion of thicker eyelashes, use kohl along the waterline and on it. A bit of kohl/eyeliner on the upper waterline can also make your eyes look bigger. "For eyelids with scaly skin, skin-toned matte eyeshadows work best," suggests Dogra. Don't neglect your eyebrows. They get sparser over time. Groom them with an eyebrow gel and use an eyebrow powder (black/brown) to fill in thin areas and pump up fading colour. If you have bald spots in your brows, use a pencil first, then apply powder on top. Must-have: M.A.C Pro Long Wear Waterproof Brow Set (brow set, gel creme, angled liner brush no. 208), Rs 1,350

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Goa rolls out ramp for India Beach Fashion Week

A melange of designers are geared up to show their creativity in resort, swim, beach and cruise clothing at the first edition of Gionee Smartphones India Beach Fashion Week (IBFW), starting here Thursday.

The event, to be held at Grand Mercure, Candolim here, is conceptualised and owned by UVAR Global. It will witness destination wedding wear and resort wear from over 30 of the finest couturiers in India.

The participating names include the grand masters of the Indian fashion industry like Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor, Anupamaa Dayal, Babita Malkani, Falguni and Shane Peacock, Komal Sood, James Ferreira, Nachiket Barve, Pria Kataaria Puri, Raakesh Agarvwal, Rimple and Harpreet Narula among others.

Well known designer-duo Falguni and Shane Peacock will be the grand finale designers at the event and will showcase their collection focusing on destination bride.

“We endeavour to create a platform where designers can showcase their collections exclusively for beach or cruise wear and destination bride for which there is a great demand but remains unexplored. IBFW provides this potent mix by fusing fashion with luxury, sun kissed beaches and music,” said IBFW co-founder and chief creative officer Pallav Ojha.

The event will also provide an opportunity to young fashion talent to showcase their artistic vision alongside the stalwarts through a joint initiative with Talent House, an online platform where artists from all over the globe engage for creative collaboration in the fields of film, fashion, art, photography and music. This initiative is in partnership with students of Rachana Sansad School of Fashion Design and Technology.

One will also witness 50 pop-up shops, foot-tapping live music and three luxe post-parties juxtaposed to keep attendees entertained and satiated. If you are a shopaholic, you can also browse and buy the finest designer wear and accessories.

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Drape yourself well in sari to look slim

A sari is known to be one of the most flattering pieces of clothing and can make you look visibly slender, if worn right and chosen well.

Experts from FashionAndYou, a flash website in the fashion and lifestyle space, share tips on how to step up your style in a sari:

* Choose the right material: The fabric of the sari plays a key role in helping you hide your body’s flaws. Georgette, chiffon and crepe are the ideal materials to opt for. They stick closer to the body and help you look slimmer. Avoid fabrics like silk, kanjivaram, cotton and tissue as these tend to make you look fuller.

* Drape it tight: If you drape your sari loosely, you will unwittingly add volume to your look. Tie it perfectly and a little tightly for that beautifully thin appearance.

* Limit the pleats: Few of us know this, but adding more pleats to your sari can actually nullify the slimming effects of the six-yards of grace. Go in for lesser pleats for a sexier appeal.

* Minimise the borders: For shorter or stockier women, it is always recommended to go for saris with minimal borders. Broad borders tend to make you look bigger. If your main objective of wearing a sari is to look thinner then it would be ideal to opt for a sari that has no border at all.

* Choose darker colours: The shade of sari that you choose to wear also has a large part in bringing out the slimming effects of the drape. Go in for darker colours as they camouflage your flaws and attract more attention to your face.

* Pick the perfect prints: For those on the heavier side, it is advisable to steer clear of large prints or motifs. Go for delicate work on the saree for a trimmer and more feminine look. Big prints across the sari may look glam, but they also make you look plumper and put your not-so-flattering areas under the spotlight, which, of course is a complete no-no.

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Gauri Khan talks about collaboration with Satya Paul and inspiration behind her debut

This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most iconic designer labels in the country. Looking to make it a memorable one, Satya Paul has now collaborated with celebrity interior designer and film producer Gauri Khan for their Spring-Summer 2015 collection. Until recently, the brand’s creative team was steered by fashion designer Masaba Gupta and her last collection, “Disney MonoPop”, is still fresh in memory.

A fashionista in her own right — whose love for bodycon dresses and animal prints is well known — Gauri Khan’s debut collection is called ‘A Tropical Wonder’. Ask her about the inspiration behind the collection and Gauri Khan says, “Balancing the workplace and home while pursuing creative channels has kept me busy for a while. I think that’s what triggered the idea of this collection. I wanted to recreate that ease and fantasy that a holiday promises.”

Developed along the lines of a cruise collection, “A Tropical Wonder” explores exotic prints which have been rendered on casual and occasional wear separates such as sheer tunics, flowing kaftans, shift dresses and fluid saris. The colour palette, true to the theme, brings in a mix of aqua tones, breezy pastels and fresh citrus hues interpreted in the brand’s signature style of abstract art and digital painting.

For the collection, Bollywood’s first lady admits she dipped into her own wardrobe. “The collection showcases a distinctive aspect of my own personal style which is pared down, comfortable yet very feminine. Satya Paul has a unique take on design and through this collection I wanted to showcase a more effortless side to the brand,” says Khan. She even features in the advertising campaign for Spring-Summer 2015 wearing saris from the line.

While Gauri Khan is non-committal on whether she plans to launch her own fashion label some day, this year-long association with the brand will hopefully result in more than one collection. “I think this year has a lot of interesting projects lined up and at this point I’m excited to see what comes of leading the design direction at Satya Paul,” she says.

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Makeup tips: How to avoid the cakey look

Layers of wrongly chosen makeup can make you end up looking cakey. Get your hands on the right make-up base to look flawless, says an expert.

“Every skin type is different. You have different foundations for fair, light and medium skin tone; again it is categorized into dry, oily and combination skin. Getting your base right is very important,” make-up artist Annalia Zhimomi told IANS.

She says for dry flaky skin, don’t use powder.
“Creme based or a liquid foundation rich in moisture is perfect for dry flaky skin. Use it with the help of a moist sponge. This will keep the dry skin in place and give a smooth finish. Any other way of applying foundation for dry skin will lead to flaking of the skin,” she warned.

Women with normal to combination skin, can also use creme or liquid foundation. Again, a moist sponge will be helpful. Then seal your foundation with the help of loose or pressed powder. This will help your foundation to last all day.

Those with oily skin should apply foundation with the help of a buffing (for medium to full coverage) or stippling brush (if its less coverage) in circulation motion, she suggests.

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7 make-up fixes you couldn't have imagined

Every woman is spoilt for choice when it comes to make-up items. A considerable number of us not-born-with-a-platinum-spoon-in-our-mouths lust for that extremely unaffordable gel eyeliner or the perfect shade of lipstick that will burn a hole in our pockets. And making peace with make-up issues is just an unending process. Then there are those moments when no matter how many times and for how long your mirror says, 'You're the fairest of them all', you have that nagging worry that the eye-shadow is a tad darker than what you'd have wanted it to be and so on.

In the midst of our daily to-dos, make-up fixes are as essential as - to certain people - breathing. To others, too, who can afford to be a bit relaxed on the make-up front, some quick fixes are pretty essential. We present to you seven such make-up fixes, which are bound to leave you surprised.

The mascara application
Yes, we know what the guidelines on the mascara tube say. But there's no need to follow all the rules, is there? SO, do it the opposite way. Instead of applying your mascara upwards, use the brush downwards, towards your nose. Not only will your eyes look bigger, you'll lashes will look heavier, too!

No gel eyeliner? Create one!
Gel eyeliners, more often than not, are somewhat expensive than their less fortunate cousins, the pencil eyeliners. To get the gel eyeliner look, simply hold the tip of the pencil eyeliner under a flame, let it cool for a while, and bingo! You have the intense gel-like eyeliner ready.

The perfume problem
Not sure how to wear your perfume before stepping out? There are a few pulse points that will help retain the perfume longer than if you were to douse yourself with it. Try spraying the scent behind your ear lobes, at the base of your neck, inside your wrist, inside the elbow. The trick is to target the joints, since the friction at your joints will make sure the perfume  hits the air more frequently, but doesn't wear off soon.

Don't throw away your wands!
The mascara brush is not to be thrown away. Since these are of various kinds, wash them properly once their primary task is done with, and store them to brush your eyebrows. A mini-comb for your eyebrows. You can use a brush for a different mascara, too.

Lipstick to hide those undereye circles
The newest fad to hit the internet, courtesy makeup mavens, is that of using lipstick to conceal undereye dark circles. Use an orangish-red lipstick to hide the dark patches under your eye; and once you apply the lipstick, use the concealer. And see your dark circles vanish!

Finger in the mouth
So, every single time you put on lipstick, and press them together, your teeth ends up with some of the colour? The next time you apply lipstick, put a finger inside your mouth right after you're done with the lipstick application. Pull the finger out, and out comes with it the excess lip colour.

Heat it up
While using an eyelash-curler, make sure you hold it in front of a blow drier for a while. Once the curler is heated somewhat, use it to curl your eyelashes. The heat will make the curl stay on longer.

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No age for love: Big B and Jaya Bachchan coordinate style at a recent event

When it comes to love, then there really seems to be no age.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan made a fashion statement as he stepped out with his wife Jaya Bachchan.

The two made an appearance at an event organised by The Film Heritage Foundation where the superstar was made the face of an initiative to save cinematic marvels from getting lost with time.

It was rather interesting to see that the two coordinated their accessories by taking floral picks. While Mr. Bachchan opted for a floral shawl, Mrs. Bachchan rocked a floral purse.

The couple is no strangers to such subtly coordinated style. In the past too, they have been spotted wearing outfits coordinated in a similar manner like the time they both wore red and black at Big B's 70th birthday party.

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Katrina Kaif shares the secrets behind her youthful skin

Known for her milk and roses complexion, actress Katrina Kaif recently divulged the secrets behind her youthful skin.

Don't take your skin for granted, said the actress, who believes in the use of sunscreen, right intake of water and ensures that her makeup is removed well. She also added that women must take care of their body and skin according to their age.

"We shouldn't take our skin for granted, especially since we are often exposed to dirt, heat and pollution daily. We should never underestimate the need for a sunscreen to protect your skin from strong UV rays," the 31-year-old told IANS in an email interview.

"Through the day I drink lots of fluids, especially water to have my face feel fresh and hydrated. I always remove my makeup once I'm home for the day/night and use a moisturiser to not let my skin dry, even when I'm at home," she added.

Currently a brand ambassador for L'Oreal Paris's Skin Perfect range that addresses the skincare needs specific to that age Katrina also said, "Every decade in a woman's life comes with a changing set of priorities. It also comes with a changing set of skincare needs. L'Oreal Paris is addressing these needs of every Indian woman who might be prone to skin problems at some point in her life."

Katrina agrees that while women are asked to take care of their skin with home remedies and traditional beauty products in addition to maintaining healthy food habits, from a young age, she stresses on the need to use special products later in life.

"As we grow older, the demands of a hectic lifestyle take a toll on your body and your skin. This is why, it is essential to use products that replenish the vitality of your skin. Through its Skin Perfect range, L'Oreal Paris has personalised skincare for every age group, making it easy for Indian consumers to improve their skin tone leaving it with a healthy glow," she added.

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