Home Beauty Tips

Everyone wants to look their best and as beautiful as they can. Many of us spend a lot of money on branded beauty products and on numerous visits to the beauty parlor. There are a number of simple beauty treatments that we can use with things that are easily available in our homes. Here are a few home beauty tips that you can try using things from the kitchen without any extra cost.

To remove puffiness from the eyelids, massage a drop of very fresh castor oil on to them.

To cool your eyes, make eye pads using thick slices of cucumber. Another option is to use cotton pads soaked in cold milk. Lie down and place them on your closed eyes and relax for a while.

Putting a drop of rose water into each eye just before you sleep can also refresh you eyes.

To prevent your lips from chapping, use hot water fermentation on your lips and then apply a mixture of vaseline and honey. Apply this mixture about three times a week.

To prevent your lips from drying you can use a ground mixture or rose petals and milk butter.

To delay age spots on your hand, use a piece of lemon and rub all over your hand, before washing. This will delay onset of age-spots.

If you have no time to shampoo your hair before going out, then brush 1 tablespoon of talcum powder or corn flour through your hair. Try this out first when you are not in hurry to make sure that it works the way you want.

To prevent hair loss you should have a biotin rich drink. Blend bananas with honey, yogurt and low fat milk. Drink this for a few weeks.

While blow drying and setting your hair, blow-dry at hot on the roots of the hair. Roll your hair inwards or outwards at the ends. To improve the setting make sure the ends are evenly rolled in or rolled out. Heat the hair for a second and then let it cool. This process of setting the hair will last longer and make your hair look beautiful.

To condition your hair, after shampooing your hair take some conditioner on your palm and rub it with both hands. Apply from the hair shaft moving downwards. Do not apply on your scalp. Rinse your hair after 5 minutes.

To add extra shine and glow to your hair add 2 tablespoons of malt vinegar. Use it as a last rinse and towel dry your hair.
Read more

Foods that help you look younger

I've heard there are certain foods that can help hold onto the years. Please elaborate on those that I should incorporate and avoid.

Most of us want to look young and great, don't we? The truth is that ageing not only affects the way we look, but also our overall health. The process has an impact on all vital body functions. But diseases like osteoporosis and atherosclerosis that commonly accompany old age are not an inevitable part of ageing.

Interestingly, the process of ageing is still a mystery. One theory is that when we are young, we produce plenty of active cells to meet our needs. But, during late adolescence and adulthood, cells inevitably age and die. In fact, free radical cell damage has been significantly associated with ageing.

There's abundant evidence in favour of the theory that the fountain of youth emanates from a proper diet. While no diet can stop ageing, research proves that calorie restriction can greatly slow it down. Studies have shown that animals on lean rations live about 50% longer and show much lower rates of cancer than control groups that are allowed to feed freely.

While the exact mechanisms to explain the relation between calorie restriction and anti-ageing are not yet clear, it's believed that hormonal and immune system changes may be involved. Calorie restriction reduces metabolic rate, oxidative damage and improves markers of age-related diseases, such as insulin resistance in case of diabetes.

    Research shows that regular intake of anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals and good fat is critical for protection from diseases and increasing lifespan. Also, following a mild restriction (say 10%) on your present calorie intake helps.

     Your diet should be/have:Low in calories and high in nutrients.
     Particularly rich in phyto-chemicals (anti-oxidants), Vitamin B6, B12, folic acid, zinc, calcium, iron, chromium, vitamin D & E and Omega-3 fatty acids.
     Include plenty of whole-grains, brightly coloured (red, yellow and green) fruits and vegetables. Choose fresh, seasonal and organic foods.
     Protein sources like fish, soya, peas and beans, seeds, nuts, fermented milk and food products.
     Natural sources of fats such as seeds, nuts, coconut, fish and cold pressed oils.
     Functional foods like barley, oats, soya, garlic, onion, mushrooms, berries, yoghurt, etc.
     Probiotic foods like kefir (fermented milk) and yoghurt.
     Prebiotic foods like whole-grains, soya, vegetables, fruits and seeds.
     Minimal, or better still, no processed or refined foods, sugars, hydrogenated fats, preservatives, chemicals, etc.
For more