Royal Look - Beauty Guide

**annie** · 01-06-2010, 06:22 AM

Skin Care Tips
Looking good and feeling great can easily be achieved without indulging in expensive skin treatments costing the earth.

Find a good cleanser that suits your skin and make sure you cleanse your face every night. Take off makeup with a proper makeup remover.

Exfoliation keeps your skin looking young and fresh all year round. Use a gentle scrub with grains, avoid harsh and rough scrubs that only damage your skin.

Moisturising your skin regularly is important. Lightly massage moisturizer into your skin. Be gentle on the face especially in the area under the eyes.

Unprotected sun exposure causes wrinkles. Don't step out without a good sunscreen that helps protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Choose the right sunscreen for your skin and don't forget to apply on your hands as well.

Treat yourself to a good massage once in a while. It helps improve circulation and leaves the skin supple, moisturised and glowing..

**annie** · 01-06-2010, 06:55 AM

Is your hair damaged?

Most of us judge hair with they way it looks. If it's shiny and glossy, it's perfect. Without realizing that there's more to it than meets the eye. If your hair is coarse to touch, dry and brittle, breaks easily or becomes matted when wet, it means your hair is damaged. Let us take you through a few ways to protect your hair from any further damage.
Bask in the sunshine. Not the sun.

UV rays affect your hair as much as they affect your skin. Hats may be out of style and this isn't 17th century England but hey, if your hair demands more protection, be kind. Use scarves, bandanas, caps, fedoras - whatever that suits your mood. And it'll definitely suit your hair.

Don't let your hair take the heat.

Blow dryers, straightening and curling irons damage your hair like you wouldn't believe. Let it dry naturally

**annie** · 01-06-2010, 06:58 AM

Problem: Dull Hair
Remedy: Apply a puree of cucumber for 15 minutes, and then wash off. The result is healthy shining hair that's full of bounce too.

Problem: Oily hair
Remedy: Wash frequently with a mild shampoo; also applying astringent like lemon juice will absorb excess oil from the hair.

Problem: Dry Hair
Remedy: Apply a combination of coconut milk (1 cup) and gram flour (2 tablespoons) on the scalp and massage gently. Rinse hair after 5 minutes.

Problem: Frizzy hair
Remedy: Massage with olive or almond oil is also good for dry hair types.

Problem: Dull, Lifeless Hair
Remedy: Drinking a combination of lettuce and spinach juice is good for healthy hair.

Problem: Damaged hair
Remedy: Washing hair periodically with white vinegar gives it a healthy glow.

**annie** · 01-06-2010, 07:00 AM

Problem: dull and fatigued complexion
Remedy: Mash banana with milk and apply it on face. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse with cold water.

Problem: Sensitive Skin
Remedy: Make a paste of turmeric powder and orange juice. Scrub it on the area that is widely exposed to sun or cold weather. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse it with cold water.

Problem: Parched skin
Remedy: Make a face mask of curd and cucumber juice and apply it at least once a week.

Problem: Dull and fatigued complexion
Remedy: Make a paste of red sandal wood and apply it on the face every day for glowing skin.

Problem: Tired complexion
Remedy: Drink plenty of water to keep your body well flushed of toxins and wastes.

Problem: Wrinkles, blemishes and older looking complexion
Remedy: Include plenty of raw foods like fruits, salads and sprouts in your daily diet.

Problem: Acne and dark circles
Remedy: Relax and get lots of sleep, as stress can also trigger off many skin related ailments like acne.

The above remedies are great for a glowing complexion; however, if you are allergic to any natural ingredients, please avoid it.

**annie** · 01-06-2010, 07:08 AM

All of us have a favorite hair care remedy we religiously follow and advocate to friends even. But are they really beneficial or just a myth? Here are some of the popular hair myths; some of them you may already know.

MYTH: Frequent trims make hair grow faster and stronger.
FACT: Hair grows almost exactly half an inch per month, no matter what you do or take. While hormonal changes may affect hair growth, the only thing a trim will do is help eliminate split ends and make your hair look better.

MYTH: If you pluck out one gray hair, two or three will sprout back.
FACT: We all have heard of this one; while this isn't true, plucking out those gray strands is a bad habit. You can damage the roots, causing infection or leave a scar.

MYTH: Brushing your hair often is good for it.
FACT: Too much brushing is bad for your hair, leading to split ends and hair breakage. By all means groom your hair, but once it is in place, STOP!

MYTH: Dandruff is contagious.
FACT: No. We all carry the micro organism that causes dandruff, it just isn't as active. On the other hand, be careful when using someone else's comb or brush, there are other things that you don't want on your hair.

Of course there are many more hair raising myths out there and it's best you get them confirmed by an experienced hairdresser or a trichologist. After all, it's your hair, treat them nice.

**annie** · 01-06-2010, 07:13 AM

Great skin is not just in the genes but also a result of how you treat it. Read on as we reveal some of the most common skin-care myths- and the truth behind them.

Myth: The black stuff inside blackheads is dirt.
Fact: The black inside a blackhead is not dirt, so it can't be scrubbed away. Dermatologists say the dark stuff is probably a combo of dead skin cells and sebum (oil) in a clogged pore that is open at the skin's surface, so the material inside oxidizes and turns darker when it's exposed to the air. To prevent blackheads, be sure to exfoliate.

Myth: A rinse with cold water and astringents can shrink pores.
Fact: Pore size usually depends on genetics, and people with oily skin tend to have larger pores. Toners help make the opening look smaller, but physically, it doesn't change. Balance out oily skin and minimize the look of pores with a good skin cleanser and oil-free lotion.

Myth: Drinking lots of water will hydrate your dry skin.
Fact: While it's true that dehydration can cause your skin to loose its sheen and look tired, it's also true that excessive intake of H20 won't necessarily lead to totally hydrated skin. Hereditary and environmental factors are additional reasons behind dry skin.

Myth: Working out can sweat away your acne.
Fact: Your pores do not extrude sweat- perspiration is the function of a different gland. Working out usually balances hormonal activity, leading to clearer skin. To keep your pores clean and free from debris, be sure to exfoliate regularly.