10 ways to look beautiful naturally this festive season

10 ways to look beautiful naturally this festive season

by Kriti Saraswat

The festive season usually sees an increase in the number of women going to beauty salons for facials, clean-ups, etc. But if you aren't one of them and still want glowing and flawless skin, give these home remedies a try. We list out 10 such ingredients that can give your skin the beauty boost it needs without having to spend much money on expensive facials. 

Besan

In order to get glowing skin, you need to clean it to get rid of the tan that is often seen In Indian skin due to sun exposure. A face pack made of gram flour will do the trick as it is a natural tan remover. Take some besan and add one teaspoon of milk, lemon juice and about 4-5 powdered almonds. Now apply it on your face for half-an-hour and then wash off with water.

Aloe vera gel

In order to keep your skin looking supple and smooth, make an aloe vera gel pack which has soothing properties. It suits all skin types without causing side-effects. Mix one tablespoon of its gel with curd, orange peel powder and besan. Now put it on your face and neck expect around the eyes and leave it to dry. Then wash the area with water to see results. (Read: Facials – do you really need them?)

Chandan

A face scrub is a good way to get rid of dead skin cells which make the skin look dull and lifeless. In order to make one with sandalwood powder, mix it with besan, milk, rose water and add some rice powder to it. Keep the consistency thick and then apply it on your face. You can also use it on your hands, feet, etc.

Tea tree oil

No one wants acne breakout on the skin especially during the festive season. In order to have clear skin, make a pack using a few drops of tea tree oil. Add some honey and curd to it and apply evenly. Keep it for 15-20 minutes before you wash your face.

Malai

Don't worry, you don't have to eat it. You can apply it on your face to lighten your skin a shade. Mix kesar in it to further enhance the result. Do leave it for at least 30 minutes on your face. (Read: 10 beauty facts you ought to know)

Dahi

Another way to brighten your skin is with curd. Make a pack using honey and lemon juice in dahi. Mix well and apply on face and neck for 15-20 minutes.

Multani mitti

A good remedy especially for oily skin, fuller's earth packs take out dirt, impurities and also lighten dark spots. Take some multani mitti and add mint leaves and curd. Apply on the spots and then rinse with lukewarm water. (Read: Make-up tips for dusky women)

Olive oil

Rich in antioxidants which keep free radicals away and control ageing, olive oil is good for your skin as well as hair. If your skin is irritated or dry, massage some olive oil in it. You can warm it a little before you apply.

Honey

Honey is nourishing for your skin and is used in various packs. If pimples bother you, simple add some cinnamon powder to honey and apply on the affected area. You can leave it overnight too and then rinse it with lukewarm water.

Haldi

Haldi or turmeric is a household staple in Indian homes. Its antiseptic properties make it a good remedy for just about anything. Simply mix it with milk and apply on legs, hands, face, and neck. Keep it to dry before you wash it off. (Read: How to get a sexy back this Navratri)

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Would you wear a ‘face bra’ to get rid of lines and wrinkles?

Would you wear a 'face bra' to get rid of lines and wrinkles?

by Kriti Saraswat

When it comes to women and their quest to remain youthful, nothing seems to stop them from trying out anything and everything in the market. Invent a new potion, surgery, device, cream, etc and you are sure to find more than a handful of women who want to try it out in the hope that it might yield mind boggling results. The latest addition to this trend is the Hourei Lift Bra, sold at the Japan Trend Shop.

This 'face bra' comes with a band which is mounted at the back of your head and the silicon rubber wire sits on your nose covering your cheeks. According to the inventors, the slight pressure it puts on your face results in diminishing those laugh lines which get prominent as you age. (Read: Top 10 bizarre anti-ageing treatments)

Take a virtual tour of their website and you will find many such age-defying items on the menu including vibrating eye pads to reduce lines and puffiness around the eyes, a face exercise stretch mask to reduce wrinkles and other such devices for the rest of your face – nose, lips, forehead, etc. In order to decode the truth of the effect of these products, we spoke to Face Yoga Expert Danielle Collins.

Can products like the 'face bra' really work and help people take off years from their face?

The trend of using gadgets and equipments to reduce lines and wrinkles and slow down the ageing process is one prevalent mostly in Japan. According to me, the positive aspect of this is that it shows more and more people are now interested in exercising the face and understand that by strengthening the face muscles, you can slow down the ageing process. It is important to exercise, massage and relax the face, just like we do with the body.

Gadgets such as the 'face bra' are better than not exercising the face at all but such products are just an addition to face exercises, not a necessity. You actually don't need any equipment to exercise the face – your fingers are enough to provide the required pressure.

It is much like exercise for the body – you can exercise without any equipment but there are options available should you want one. The only thing with the face is the muscles are so small that there is little need for gadgets and equipment. (Read: 3 anti-ageing potions revealed)

The 'face bra' would benefit the mouth area but doesn't work the rest of the face muscles, while Face Yoga works all 57 muscles in the face. It also works on holistic well-being with techniques such as deep breathing which benefit the mind, body and face meaning you feel good on the inside which radiates on the outside.

Is there any Face Yoga exercise which has a similar effect as the 'face bra'?

I would recommend the Smile Smoother exercise for toning the area around the mouth.

Here's how it's done:

Hide your teeth with your lips and then make a small 'O' shape with your mouth.
Keeping your lips as tense as possible, smile as wide as you can. Keep hiding your teeth.
Then go back to the 'O' shape. Keep this going by repeating this changing of shape of the mouth.
Next, hold the smile shape and place your index finger on your chin.
Start to move your jaw up and down as if you are scooping something up with it. As you do this, start to tilt your head back slowly.
Relax and repeat twice.
This exercise works mainly the masseter muscle and many of the lower face muscles. It helps reduce fine lines around the mouth, the lines between the nose, and lifts and firms the cheek area. (Read: Keep your face fit with Face Yoga)

For more articles on beauty, check out our Beauty section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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Bollywood actress Anjum Nayar arrested twice in 24 hours

Bollywood actress Anjum Nayar arrested twice in 24 hours

by vijigermany

Bollywood actress Anjum Nayar arrested twice in 24 hours

Twelve hours after she was detained, fined and let off for playing loud music in her apartment, model and Bollywood actress Anjum Nayar, who was last seen in the 2011 movie Cover Story, was re-arrested at 4.30 pm yesterday.

Sending out a strong message that abuse and misbehaviour will not be tolerated against upholders of the law, the Oshiwara police booked her for directing a tirade of foul-mouthed abuse at police officers, which was filmed by a neighbour, and then passed on to the cops.

After watching the footage, the police consulted with their superiors and they arrived at a decision to take stringent action in the matter.
Nayar has been booked under sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 294 of the IPC. She will be produced before the court today.

At 1.30 am on Monday, the police control room relayed information to the local police station that neighbours were complaining of loud music emanating from the 20th floor flat at Samartha Angan building in Andheri (West).

Two beat marshals arrived at the flat, but to their bewilderment, an intoxicated Nayar started using profanities repeatedly, even directing expletives at the city's police commissioner.

The stricken cops then called for woman constables to deal with the situation. Fifteen minutes later, two lady constables arrived at the spot and Nayar was hauled off to the police station where she was booked, fined and released at 5 am.

The entire fracas was, however, captured by a neighbour who later showed the recording to the police who in turn informed their higher-ups of the footage.

After a few hours of consultation, Nayar was called back to the police station and re-arrested. "We have arrested the model for abusing and misbehaving with our officials and subsequently abusing the commissioner. She was drunk during the time of incident. We had gone to her home after receiving a complaint from the control room," said Nasir Pathan, senior police inspector, Oshiwara police station.

A constable from Oshiwara police station, on condition of anonymity, said, "She was continuously abusing us while we were taking her to the police station. Moreover, after reaching the station, she started threatening us by saying she will complain against us to the top officers.

The other side

Meanwhile, Nayar is alleging that she was slapped by the women constables, and ill treated by the police. Nayar said that she was with a few friends in her apartment enjoying some wine and soft music when the cops knocked on her door. She claims that the music was so soft that it could not be heard even in the next room. Despite this, the officers misbehaved with her and also slapped her, which forced her to retaliate.

She said that the female constables started beating her from her flat till the police station and after reaching there, the on duty police officer too misbehaved with her. She has, however, accepted that she had consumed alcohol, but claims she was not drunk.

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Sanjay Dutt’s illness: What exactly is peripheral vascular disease?

Sanjay Dutt's illness: What exactly is peripheral vascular disease?

by Nirmalya Dutta

Actor Sanjay Dutt was granted 14 days of furlough for medical treatment on Tuesday. Media reports indicate that he is suffering from peripheral artery disease.  But what is peripheral artery disease?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) also known at times as peripheral artery disease refers to the diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It's characterised by the narrowing of the vessels that carry blood to the leg and muscles.

What causes peripheral vascular disease?

It's mostly caused by the build-up of plaque within the artery wall which is known as atherosclerosis in medical terms. This plaque build-up decreases blood flow to the arms and legs which means that less oxygen and other nutrients reach the tissue. It's mostly caused due to high LDL level (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels.  It can also be triggered due to injuries to the limbs or infection. Smoking is another of the top causes because it damages the blood vessels. 

What are the symptoms of peripheral vascular disease?

The most common symptom is leg discomfort after exercise (claudication) which goes away upon resting. The reason for this is that when you're exercising your leg tissues need more blood, the lack of which causes this aggravation. Other symptoms include changes in skin colour, decrease in skin temperature and thick, brittle, skin on the leg. They are also likely to suffer from gangrene and hair loss on the leg. The blood clotting process also takes a hit and patients are likelier to have non-healing wounds around the joints. It's important to remember that these conditions resemble lots of other diseases and a diagnosis can only be made by a doctor.

What are the complications of peripheral vascular disease?

Lack of blood flow to the leg leads to open sores that don't heal. It can also appear as an infection on your feet and toes. As the situation worsens, it can lead to tissue death (gangrene) which can require amputation of the leg. Also since lack of blood flow to your leg means that there is a lack of blood flow everywhere including important organs like brain or heart, it can also lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

Who's likely to suffer from peripheral vascular disease?

Smokers, diabetics and patients with high LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglyceride levels are far likelier to suffer from PVD. Also people suffering from obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure or a stroke or those who have a family history of vascular disease. Smokers are particularly vulnerable. It's believed that smoking is responsible for 65% of PVD cases in males and 61% in females*.

*Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

What are the treatment options for peripheral vascular disease?

 The treatment will depend on how far the disease has progressed. In the early stages, quitting smoking and exercise is suggested to alleviate the symptom and prevent further progression. Medicines to decrease cholesterol build-up and control blood pressure are also used. For more severe cases, angioplasty and bypass surgery is used.

Another newer method involves peripheral laser atherectomy which involves using a catheter that emits a laser to unblock the artery. This catheter is manoeuvred through the vessel until it reaches the blockage.  

Know your heart, love your heart

More and more Indians are falling prey to heart disease. There are various reasons for this including a sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, pollution, smoking, drinking, a fatty diet and a general ignorance about what causes heart ailments. However, we at health.india.com intend to fight that by covering every aspect of cardiovascular health including diet, expert advice, exercise, natural remedies, diagnosis and treatment, specific heart advice for women and more this month.

Check out our Heart Health Page for more.

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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