Body Grafixx

Stay cool this summer
Choose summer-appropriate fabrics such as cotton and linen that allow the skin to breathe. Similarly, for sportswear, go for fabrics like dri-fit; they wick moisture away from the skin, allowing it to evaporate quickly to keep you fresh.

Keep your armpits fresh by keeping a deodorant handy. Remember, antiperspirants should make contact with the skin to be effective. So, hold the bottle six to eight s inches away from the skin and spray to ensure even coverage. Never spray immediately after showering. Wash your feet daily in warm water with a few drops of tea tree oil to keep your feet bacteria free.

Feet have 2,50,000 sweat glands and can produce a lot of sweat. To minimise discomfort, wear cotton socks and leather shoes.

Keep your hair and scalp cool and fresh by washing with an anti-dandruff shampoo that has menthol. Menthol widens blood vessels and helps your body regulate its temperature. Its cools the scalp.

Reduce your caffeine intake as it increases sweat production. Swap tea, coffee and cola for water and fruit juice. Carry a bottle of water wherever you go. Also, increase your in take of fresh fruits and vegetables as they release the water content at a slower and more consistent rate than water - thus avoiding dehydration.

How to avoid oily skin
For many people, the skin on the face tends to get very oily during the day. However, not applying cream is not the way to avoid oily skin. Follow these tips instead.

Don't wash too much: This sounds counterproductive, but if you wash your skin too much, it will produce natural oils to compensate for the dryness. Instead, just wash your face once in the morning or evening.

Cucumbers: High on vitamin A and E and magnesium, cucumbers are great for oily skin. Their cooling and astringent properties also curb the skin from producing excess natural oils.

Lemon: Citric fruits have astringent properties, which soak up the oils of the skin. Plus, lemon juice is great for reducing blemishes.

Natural facewash: The chemicals in a facewash often dry out the skin, which causes the skin to produce more oil. Try a homemade facewash made from natural ingredients, which prevents dryness.

Start your morning with skin icing
Want to feel fresh early morning? Opt for 'skin icing' beauty fix that is said to reduce puffiness, wrinkles and skin pores. Here's your DIY guide:

- Cleanse your face thoroughly using a scrub.
- Wrap one or two ice cubes in a soft washcloth or a gauze.
- Gently rub the cubes, starting from the chin and the jawline to your cheeks and then forehead, in circular movements.
- Take extra care while rubbing it underneath the eyes.
- Don't hold it over a particular part of the skin for more than 10 minutes.
- You can infuse ice cube water with lemon, rosewater or green tea too.

Five foods for perfect skin
Here are five food items you can eat for great skin

Want smooth, soft and healthy skin? Try these five food items that promise to do so.

Bell peppers: They are low calorie and versatile - grill them, stiry fry them or eat them raw. These juicy, hot and sweet veggies have a flavour of their own and what's more - they help you get flawless skin too!

Dark chocolate - Yes, this sinful favourite can give you absolutely healthy and perfect skin by increasing blood circulation in the body. Plus, its full of antioxidants and so, you will detoxify your body with a piece a day!

Green tea - Replace your daily beverage with this healthy flavourful and fat free version. It detoxifies and cleanses your body from inside and the effects show outside!

Seeds - They are snacky and fun to eat and the essential oils present in sunflower, chia, flax, pumpkin and all kinds of different seeds, ensures that moisture levels are in control and the body gets enough vitamin E. Plus they are rich in protein too.

Papaya - Low calorie, sweet and great for the body papayas make great face packs as well as purify your insides. They are beneficial for women suffering from ovarian problems too and now, they make excellent skin purifiers. The vitamin C and E and beta-carotene present, helps cure inflammation

How to look stunning for a party
American dermatologist Dr Kiran Lohia shares some easy tips for a great complexion before you head for any special event.

Drink plenty of water
It is vital to hydrate yourself. The less hydrated you are, the more dry and sallow your skin will appear! Try to drink juices or water with lemon for a nutrient boost!

Plan your waxing or laser hair removal in advance
Getting your hair removal done on the day of the event or the day before could make your skin more sensitive. You should have at least a 2-3 day gap between your method of hair removal and the occasion!

Home beauty 101
For those who love a good home mask, do apply it a day or two before. Mix together yogurt, olive oil and some papaya for a gentle home treatment that will help make your skin look a little brighter. For dry skin, you can apply avocado to the face for instant moisture!

Go scrub-free!
Don't scrub your face with harsh exfoliants. This can make your skin red and angry, making you look less than perfect on any festive occasion. In fact, you should avoid scrubs entirely in your skin routine!

Meet your dermatologist
For those who want to look absolutely ravishing with a dramatic difference in their look, go to your dermatologist. He or she can prescribe you a variety of treatments that will instantly give you a glow, along with permanent treatment for your various skin concerns.

Simple home remedies to get rid of large pores

Open pores are one of the most disturbing skin problems ever. If left untreated and neglected, it aggravates and leads to blemishes and breakout. Here are a few simple ways to treat large and open pores at home:

Squeeze the juice of one lemon and mix it with honey. Apply the mixture on your skin and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. The natural enzymes present in honey and the acidic nature of lemon juice helps in shrinking the pores and tightens the skin.

Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya and apply it on a clean face. Known for its excellent exfoliation properties, papaya cleans the open pores and removes blackheads.

Ice works miraculously in tightening and shrinking open pores. Clean your face with a mild face wash and rub ice on your face. This cold treatment is also beneficial in removing dirt from the pores.

Whip three tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl and apply it directly to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with cold water. The lactic acid in yogurt helps in reducing the size of the pores.

Use a pack of fuller's earth mixed with rose water to tighten and shrink the pores. It helps in making skin healthy and removes sun tan. You can use this pack twice a week for best results.

How to keep your hair tools clean
If you style your hair regularly, you need to maintain your hair tools well. Here are a few tips.

Learn to store your tools properly. Instead of leaving them strewn around in your bedroom, store them atop your bathroom sink. This way they won't get exposed to dust, water etc. Keep them away when you are not using them.

Use a damp cloth to wipe your hair tools clean. Once a week is good enough. Don't do this when the tool is hot. Though this will take only a few minutes, it will really extend the life of your hair tools.

When styling your hair, if you are using a hair iron, use the lowest heat setting on the tool. This will not just prevent your hair from damage but also protect the tool.

If a damp cloth doesn't help in cleaning the tool, you use a stronger cleaning agent, like alcohol, rub it on a cotton pad and scrub the hair tool. This will help removing any dirt or residue that has built up on the device.

Now that beauty salons and cosmetic stores have made things convenient, women today are bombarded with options at the flick of a credit card. However, you don't need to shell out big bucks for antidotes to minor skin and hair woes. The way to de-puff tired eyes or tone your face may be lying in your fridge, kitchen cupboard or purse.

Dry skin quencher Use avocados to create an excellent moisturising face pack for dry skin. Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, avocados help reduce redness and irritation. For a DIY face pack, mash an avocado and apply it evenly on your face and neck. Rinse with warm water after 20 minutes for smooth and supple results.

Sugar scrub You don't need an expensive store-bought facial scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. Everyday ingredients like sugar and uncooked ground rice from your kitchen cabinet can make great exfoliants. For instance, sugar has natural humectant properties. It can keep your skin naturally moist and hydrated. Mix two teaspoons of organic granulated sugar with one teaspoon of coconut oil. Gently rub onto your face and then wash with warm water.

10-minute eye de-puff Got a case of goblin eyes from too many late nights and staring at the laptop for hours in daytime? Look no further to soothe puffy eyes than the tea bags in your kitchen cabinet. They aren't just useful to make your morning cuppa. They can also help relieve puffy eyes since tea has anti-irritant properties. Soak two tea bags in hot water for not more than three minutes and then cool them in the fridge. Place a tea bag on each eye and lie down for 10 minutes. Your eyes will feel fresher and less puffy.

Homemade facial toner Apple cider vinegar is a great weight loss tool. It is also beneficial to the skin — as a toner and acne buster. The acidic content of cider vinegar dries pimples out quickly. To make your own, mix one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water. Before you hit the bed at night, apply a light layer of this DIY facial toner with a cotton ball. For stubborn acne, increase the concentration, use three parts of water for one part of cider vinegar.

For limp hair Olive oil isn't just a Mediterranean diet staple. It can also liven up limp locks. The reason is that olive oil is made up of fatty acids that coat each shaft and protect it from damage. Head to the kitchen and heat half a cup of olive oil in the microwave for a few seconds. It should be just about warm. Massage it into your mane and leave for 20-30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo your hair for softer, shinier results.

Natural hair lightener In ancient times, lemon juice was used to lighten hair naturally since lemons contain citric acid that could open up hair cuticles. Expose your locks to the sun's UV rays and you've got yourself a natural lightening agent.For a DIY hair lightener, squeeze the juice of four lemons and mix with one-third cup of water. Pour this mix into a spray bottle. Spray it evenly all over your hair and spend at least 45 minutes basking in the sun — after dabbing sunscreen on your face and hands. Once back home, rinse your hair thoroughly and generously apply a conditioner that is suitable to your hair type. Your hair will turn naturally lighter.

Renew old eye pencil Run the flame of a lighter over your eye pencil for a couple of seconds. Blow on it and wait for a few seconds for the liner to cool. This idea revives old liners and smoothens new ones. Your liner will glide over your eyes more easily.

Body Grafixx wishes you Happy to all

Imperfection, the new vanity
If you are stressing over those 2015 resolutions — to hit the gym, sleep earlier and eat right, chill. Not striving to be a perfect 10 is the new trend. Israel has gone a step further and come down hard on poor eating. The country rang in the New Year by imposing a ban on underweight models so as to address its larger eating disorder. As per a rule, models there will have to maintain a BMI of 18.5 or higher if they want to continue to be employed. It's not just this eating policing, 20-year-old model Chantelle Brown-Young, who has vitiligo (a skin disease that makes pigments disappear, resulting in white patches on skin), has embraced her condition and says, "It's those quirks that make you gorgeous." She has become the darling on social media and has been bagging top fashion campaigns.

Popular doll now comes with stretch lines, cellulite
Worried about the impact that unrealistic body image will have on younger girls, in November 2014, a popular doll that earlier sported 'perfect' body proportions and flawless skin, came out with stretch marks and spots. Not just the basic image, the doll also comes with accessories like stick-on cellulite, stretch marks, freckles, acne, moles, stitches, scrapes and bruises, scars, mosquito bites, dirt stains and glasses. According to its website, it is 'the first fashion doll made according to typical human body proportions, to promote realistic beauty standards'. Its designer, Nickloay Lamm, was quoted in an interview as saying, "Acne, cellulite, stretch marks, are all normal things to have, nothing to be ashamed about. Real is cool."

Celebs against photoshop
The fight against so called 'perfection' has been gaining ground since a while now. Last year, 29-year-old British actress Keira Knightley doffed her top as a statement against altered images in the media. While singer Lady Gaga was irritated about her 'skin being too perfect' on a magazine cover, Beyonce reportedly lost her cool after a swimsuit brand altered her body shape. When a magazine cover reportedly altered Kate Winslet's look, she is said to have retorted, saying, "I do not look like that and more importantly, I don't desire to look like that."

Unrealistic body image standards are dangerous
Our perception of beauty is distorted and is bringing up a host of negative beliefs, warns psychologist Dr Seema Hingorrany. She says, "I think people today, especially youngsters, are obsessed with this unfortunate aim to be 'ideal'. I have seen teens demanding their parents let them undergo cosmetic surgery. Another 18-year-old who has a higher body weight was totally depressed. She said society only liked 'thin people' and felt she would not be accepted anywhere or even get a job. This kind of thinking can have a detrimental effect. Having a doll with stretch marks and more realistic images of models and actresses can be a reality check, which is the need of the hour. People must realise personality is not just about physical attributes, there is so much more than that!"
source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/Imperfection-the-new-vanity/articleshow/46175949.cms

Imperfection, the new vanity? - The Times of India While Israel has banned underweight models, a popular doll has been created with stretch lines. Will ‘flawlessness’ finally be given the boot?

How to hide dark circles with makeup

Dark circles make your eyes and the skin around look dull. Here are a few tips to hide those marks.

Makeup not only highlights your best features, but hides blemishes and marks. However, makeup can also hide dark circles and eye bags. Here's how you can conceal those dark patches around your eyes...

Use a concealer: Dot a few drops of liquid concealer under your eyes and blend it well. Choose one that corresponds well with your skin tone.

Apply a mousse or foundation: Set your concealer using a lightweight mousse or a compact powder. Take a brush to dust little powder under your eyes. Use your fingers to blend it well. If the area is looking too stark, use a tissue to wipe the area.

Play with your eye makeup: Sweep a thick eye liner on your upper and lower lids. Blend a heavy coloured eye shadow. Apply a mascara on your upper as well as your lower lash lines.

How to keep eye makeup intact Choose a liquid eyeliner while doing your eye make-up. These are safe to use and also stay on for a longer duration of time.

Apply a bit of translucent powder before you do your eye makeup so that it stays on.
Go in for water-proof makeup that does not wash out easily. These products are available in most cosmetic stores.

Before going to bed every night, massage the eye area with a lightweight moisturiser to keep it hydrated.

Five benefits of having oily skin
So, you thought it was downright bad to have an oily skin? Well, it's time to think again. The occasional breakouts should not demoralise. Because, here are a five benefits of having an oily skin.

Much slower rate of aging: People with dry skin show the signs of aging much faster than the ones with oily skin. Wrinkles and fine lines get camouflaged by the oily skin.

Your skin a natural glow, all the time: The shine on your oily face doesn't look bad all the time. While many buy expensive products to get that shiny T-zone, you have it for free. Isn't that awesome?

Your face has natural oils: And these oils keep your skin healthy and soft. Hence, you don't need expensive day or night creams to protect your skin and make it smooth. Your skin will always be moisturised, season no bar: Your skins natural oils will take care of it. Not only that, your skin is also resilient to the harshness of various environmental conditions.

Low maintenance: Yes, you don't need those heavy foundations that wear out in the middle of the day. A simple dash of face powder and you are ready to go.