Skin Care Tips For Men To Look Young & Feel Young...

Skin care tips for men

The new-age mantra is to look young and beautiful always, have a good physique and glowing skin. Anti-ageing creams, cosmetic surgery and television makeovers are ruling the psyche of every man, woman and child today. People are willing to spend huge amounts of money on beauty products and procedures to look and feel younger. The fashion conscious male of the 21dst century too is going to great lengths to feel younger and stay younger.

But, if truth be told, you do not need to spend a fortune on your appearance to look good.

These simple and inexpensive ways will help you look young and feel young.

Keeping your skin looking healthy and young:

Dry skin look dull and makes you feel that too. Use a moisturizer on your face, hands and feet daily to prevent your skin from drying and cracking. A good eye cream will keep the dark circles and wrinkles around the eyes away giving you a fresh look. Always keep a special hand cream at the sink and desk and use periodically, to prevent chaffing and drying especially in cold conditions.

Whitening agent for your teeth:

You can use tooth whiteners to give your teeth a pearly look or ask your dentist to recommend some professional grade options. A whiter and brilliant smile goes a long way in adding allure to your countenance.

Protect yourself from excessive and harmful rays of the sun:

The sun’s rays though in small doses is good, excessive amount of sun can damage your skin and can even lead to skin cancer Always protect yourself with a good sunscreen. It will give your skin glowing and make you look younger

Hair problems:

Ensure that you keep your eyebrows neatly trimmed. Beards and goatees may add to your charm but a clean shaven look makes you look better and younger. Many men have hair sprouting from their ears and noses. Keep these under check through careful trimming. You can pick up an ear and nose hair trimmer at your local drug store. They are simple and easy to use.

The importance of color:

Always wear colors that complement your skin and eyes and those that suit your image.

Managing dark circles under your eyes:

A good night’s sleep and eating healthy will help rid you off your dark circles. For hereditary or chronic problems of dark circles use products such as Hylexin by Bremmen Research Labs. Under-eye concealers can do the trick during emergencies.

Eye-care:

Substituting contact lenses, soft, hard or even colored will help you to look attractive, handsome and younger.

Exercising to maintain a good physique:

Try to incorporate some form of exercise in your daily routine, whether it is jogging in the park, running on the treadmill or simply a brisk walk around the neighborhood. Exercise helps you maintain good posture, boosts energy levels, alleviates stress and increases blood flow to keep you looking fit, healthy and young Looking skin.

Causes & Remedies For Dark Skin...

Though a lot of people have naturally dark skin, darkening of skin could also be due to hyper pigmentation and various other reasons. A dark colored skin has more of skin pigment Melanin, as compared to a fair skin. Unfortunately, increased quantity of melanin can cause the skin to look blemished and patchy.

Causes for Dark Skin:

The causes for a dark skin or complexion could be many. Some of the most common ones are

* Heredity - People who have a dark skin often have children who are dark-skinned too. The genes seem to pass on from generation to generation.
* Hyper Pigmentation - In this condition the skin produces too much of the pigment melanin, causing the skin to become darker than usual.
* Skin Disorders - Conditions such as Lichen Simplex Chronicus is a skin disorder that causes severe itching that leaves the skin thick, dark and patchy.
* Sun Rays - Over exposure to sun causes the skin to tan. This is a natural mechanism, wherein to protect itself from the harmful UV rays of the sun, the skin produces more of the pigment melanin which shields the penetration of UV rays into the skin.

Remedies for Dark Skin:

Here are some simple home remedies that you can do to lighten the skin tone and get a lighter complexion. However, they must be done regularly and best results are obtained if they are inculcated as a part of daily routine.

* Mix 1 table spoon of milk powder, 1 table spoon of honey, 1 table spoon of lemon juice, and ½ table spoon of almond oil. Apply on face and wash off after 10-15 minutes. This pack helps bring shine to the skin and also removes tan.

* Mix oatmeal with curd and tomato juice and apply on the face. Keep it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. It helps remove the tan and lightens the skin.

* Place sliced raw potato on the face. It helps reduce blemishes and other marks.

* Applying turmeric powder along with lime juice removes the tan. Lime juice is natural bleach.

* Dried orange peels mixed with curd also help reduce blemishes and scars. Wash off this mixture with cold water after 15 minutes.

* Soak 4 almonds overnight. Grind into a fine paste using milk. Apply on face and neck and leave it overnight. Wash with cold water in the morning. Do this daily for 15 days, followed by twice a week.

* A table spoon of gram flour mixed with 2 table spoon of raw milk and 2-3 drops of lime juice works well for lightening dark skin. Apply this mixture and leave it for 15 minutes before washing off. Repeat for 4 weeks and follow up with once a week.

* Apply a paste of fresh ground mint leaves and leave it for about 20 minutes. Wash with cold water, continue for 15 days.

* Apply a mixture of grated tomato with 2-3 drops of lime juice on the face. Leave it for 20 minutes before washing off. Do this twice a day for 15-20 days for best results.

Diet for Dark Skin:

Although there are no particular foods that will lighten your skin instantly, a balanced diet definitely helps by giving your skin a healthy glow. Drinking an optimum amount of water hydrates your skin and keeps it blemish free. Some recommendations regarding diet are as follows

1. Avoid excessive consumption of heavy and oily foods.
2. Incorporate whole cereals, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
3. Drink at least 4-5 liters of water every day. Water washes out the toxins from the body.

Types Of Womens Perfume...

The common person often does not understand and know about the types of womens perfume that are available providing different fragrances for different body chemistry. By understanding and knowing about the different types of womens perfume a person can buy and wear scents that are suited to them and will produces the positive benefits of perfume. There are some simple basic bits of knowledge that will prove useful for the perfume buyer and wearer.

Types Of Womens Perfume Groups:

The basic breakdown of womens perfumes is in the type of scent that is the basic ingredient. There are different smells that a perfume is created from and that will be an asset or detriment to the wearer. Perfumes can be defined as floral, oriental, woody, fresh, and fougere. These labels of perfume types are determined by the type of scent that they create and the ingredients they are created from. A basic floral will be the scent of a flower, a fresh scent will be a citrus or natural smell and a woody will be created by using the barks and oils of different woods. By understanding these simple breakdowns in the fragrances a person can choose the type of women's perfume they want and that will blend with their body type to create a tantalizing aroma.

Types Of Womens Perfume Strengths:

The most basic type of womens perfume strength is a true perfume. A person who wears true perfume will have an expensive small bottle of the strongest concentration of the scent. Perfume is concentration of aromatic oils that will be at least twenty percent. By using the true perfume a person will have the full essence of the fragrance offering an unmistakable aroma.

For the average person on the average day a less expensive, lower concentration of a perfume will be completely appropriate. The eau de perfume, eau de toilette, and eau de cologne will all be reduced concentrations in order of listing. These concentrations can be bought in larger quantities for less money making them affordable types of womens perfume strengths.

Learning Types Of Womens Perfume:

For the person who wants to learn more about perfume taking the time to study these various groups and strengths will be very useful. By looking at the more popular brand names and perfume and defining the group of scents they fall into a person can quickly determine what the fragrance will be like. Some scents are obvious as to their group. For example, Lily of the Valley is a floral. Other classic scents are well known in the perfume industry but a newcomer will need to investigate their category.

Not In Vein !

Varicose veins are enlarged veins, mainly in the feet and the legs. They are largely a cosmetic concern, but sometimes can cause pain and discomfort, which can lead to complications. Women are more likely to suffer from it specially during pregnancy and menopause. Aging reduces the tone in the veins and also causes wear and tear of the valves. Sedentary lifestyle and standing for long periods are other reasons. Corrective surgery is available, but should be considered only if other treatments fail.

DIET:

* High protein diets are recommended.
* Proper nutritious diet should be taken during pregnancy.
* Avoid high calorie foods as obesity can lead to varicose veins.
* Watch your salt intake.

EXERCISE:

* Calf muscle exercises improve blood circulation in the legs.
* Proper antenatal and postnatal exercises reduce risk of varicose veins in pregnancy.
* Wearing elastocrepe stockings for 10-12 hours, and walking in it for an hour, help to support veins in the legs and improve blood flow.
* Yoga also helps.

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS:

* Position of legs should be changed frequently.
* Avoid sitting cross legged.
* Avoid high heels. Wearing proper footwear is important.
* Watch your weight. I Use staircase instead of lift.
* Tilt your bed to raise its foot end.
* Stop smoking.

Source: Timesofindia

No Gain Without Pain !!!

If pottering about the house is your idea of fitness, you have got it all wrong, says Norbert Rego

YOU walked to the railway station this morning, marched up the escalators, and when you get back home, you’ll walk your pet. Is this sufficient to remain fit? Sadly no, says research.

“Light exercises do not provide the required cardiovascular reserve. One has to indulge in a variety of fitness programmes — treadmill, swimming, light running and jogging. These exercises decrease fat, enhance and improve circulation, increase muscle mass, regulate body metabolism and keep a person fit, physically and psychologically, says Dr Sanjeev Jain, consultant, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai.

Keeping fit generally means having a good exercise tolerance so that one does not tire easily. The main systems in the human body involved in day-today functioning and directly affected by exercise are the cardiovascular system (heart for pumping blood) and pulmonary system (lungs for supplying adequate oxygen for energy). A healthy cardio-respiratory system leads to a well-functioning gastrointestinal system (stomach, bowels, etc), which is then able to absorb the required nutrients and supply the body with proper nourishment. This leads to a healthy mind and body.

“To improve efficiency of the cardio-respiratory system, one needs aerobic exercise, ie, a workout which increases exercise tolerance. However, to be effective, it should be done at a pace that will surprise the body and force it to keep up with the higher level of activity. It is ideal to push heart rate up to 80 per cent of the maximum advisable limit for your age and health, after seeking medical advice. This will increase the overall Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) , and make the body more efficient,” says Dr Kaushal Malhan, consultant, Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai.

“To remain fit, one has to keep all the joints moving and keep muscles toned to support skeletal system. This improves posture, controls muscular and joint aches, improves skin circulation,” adds Dr Jain.

A research, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, found that women who did more than eight hours a week of heavy housework were actually slightly more likely to be overweight than those who did none — and no amount of vacuuming, scrubbing and cleaning lowered resting heart rate, which is an indicator of enhanced aerobic fitness.

Since we all have different levels of fitness, it's impossible to prescribe any single activity or target heart rate as suitable for all. There is evidence that brisk walking protects women from diabetes and heart disease, but for most middle-aged men, walking simply isn't challenging enough. Men who want to reduce their risk of diabetes and heart disease should consider jogging, circuit training, running or competitive sports.

Source: Timesofindia

Body Speaks A Thousand Words - Body Language

Your body speaks a thousand words. You can tell so much about a person by looking at them and by observing their movements. Does the person you are talking to, like you? Is he enjoying your company? Is she trying to wriggle her way out of the conversation? What kind of a person is your prospective employee, employer or partner? Here are a few dead giveaways that will give you insight into the personality of a person, and indicate what he or she is feeling during a conversation.

Slouching:

A person who stands erect gives the message that he is emotionally strong, knows what he wants and how to get there, and has confidence in his abilities. A person who slouches is essentially an introvert, (though he may have overcome his shyness with the passage of time) is self-conscious or is simply laid back.

Arms crossed:

Observe the way your companion is sitting. Are her arms crossed around her chest? This is a closed position, and it shows that she is not very comfortable with the direction the conversation is taking. She is possibly trying to protect herself emotionally, and is involuntarily shutting you out. If she is leaning back and sitting with her arms across her chest, she could be feeling defensive, and is possibly trying to draw away from you. She could also be disagreeing with what you are saying. This stance doesn't denote lack of interest it is a combative, defensive or self-conscious stance.

If you see a lady standing with her arms crossed, it shows that she is feeling uncomfortable, and that shed really rather be somewhere else. She is slightly nervous, and doesnt really know what to do with her hands, so she crosses them across her chest.

Leaning in:

If a person leans towards you while talking, it indicates interest, while if she leans away from you, it means that her attention is starting to waver. Change the subject, quick!

Touching:

If your companion gently taps you on your hand or on your shoulder when you are saying something, it indicates a definite interest in the conversation. It could also mean that the person is attracted to you, or is extremely comfortable in your company.

Feet:

If you are standing and conducting a conversation with someone, observe where his feet are pointing. Are they pointing towards you, or away from you? If they are pointing towards you, it is a good sign and it shows that he is interested in what you have to say. If they are pointing in another direction, it means that he is looking to walk away from you.

Eyes, eyes baby!

Is your companion making eye contact with you? If eye-contact is good, the person comes across as comfortable in the present situation, and interested in what the you are is saying. So if you want to pay attention to what a person is saying or convey interest in the conversation, make sure you look into your companions eyes. This doesn't mean that you stare non-stop; staring is a little rude, not to mention psychotic! But constantly looking around the room while taking indicates lack of interest. It could also indicate that you are a shy person, or that you are feeling self-conscious. So if the person you are speaking to is avoiding eye-contact, don't jump to conclusions that she is not interested in what you have to say. Shes probably just shy.

Direct eye contact is also good to use when being interviewed, as it shows confidence and conviction in what you are saying.

Liar, liar! Is the person you are speaking to, looking to his left or to his right? Studies suggest that if someone is fibbing, he will look slightly to the left while speaking to you, as he is using his creative brain, while if he is being honest, he will look to his right!

Adjusting clothes/hair:

If your companion sub-consciously adjusts her clothes, it indicates that she is interested, and not just in your conversation! If she pats her hair, it could also be a possible indicator of interest, but don't read too much into this. Women love their hair, and tend to enjoy playing with it, whether or not they are really interested in the person they are talking to. However, if men pass their hands through their hair, it's a dead giveaway that they want you to perceive them as attractive.

Remember, look for more than one sign before you jump to conclusions. If your companion crosses her hands, it may simply be because she is feeling cold, but if she crosses her hands, leans away from you and glances around the room instead of at you, she's definitely losing interest in the conversation. So use your judgement while observing body language.

Homemade Skin Cleanser

Save face (and neck) with this soothing and moisturizing treatment.

Unless you spend the summer at the movies, your skin is bound to suffer. Sun, sweat, and wind can leave the skin on your face irritated, greasy, parched—in other words, a mess. To the rescue: this Yogurt-Honey Cleanser created by Linda Collins of Salon Blue in Carle Place, New York. "The lactic acid in yogurt softens and soothes the skin," Collins says, "while the honey cleanses and moisturizes it."


What you need :

1 cup plain yogurt
2 ½ tablespoons of unflavored honey
teaspoon lemon juice (for oily skin)
Cotton pads (optional)
Warm water

How to get started :

* In a bowl, mix together the yogurt and honey. (For oily skin, add teaspoon lemon juice to help absorb excess oil.) You might want to patch-test the mixture first, behind one ear. Wait one hour, watching for any irritation.

* With clean hands or cotton pads, apply the mask liberally to your freshly washed face and neck (even your décolletage), and leave on for 5 minutes.

* Rinse well with warm water, lightly pat dry, and follow with your favorite moisturizer. Repeat one or two times a week.

Look Good Instantly !

It is the time of year when you gear up to look your best. You need to look naughty and natty, gorgeous and glamorous -- all at once! Feeling good has a direct bearing on looking good. Even if you are not regular with exercises and do not think much about your eating habits, here are some quick tips . The instant glow that fills your body and mind might be the best stimulus for the hectic partying season.

* Have gallons of water and herbal tea. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water that can include coconut water as well. A well-hydrated face and body always looks fresh. Here is an easy recipe of herbal tea that keeps your digestive system in check. It can be taken after your meals or just before you go to sleep. Pour a teaspoon of cardamom, one tablespoon of clove, one teaspoon of ground cinnamon, half a teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of black pepper into a teapot. Then pour three cups of boiling water into the mixture, and keep it for 10 minutes. Strain and serve. You may sweeten it with honey.

* Eat an apple and drink water or vice versa before attending a party. You will eat less if you are someone who likes to monitor calorie consumption.

* Eat a little dark chocolate if you are feeling low. It will pep you up in a trice. l People prone to acidity should be extra careful during festive time. A simple solution is to sip a glass of warm water, to which one or two cloves have been added.

* A good way to beat a sluggish digestive system is to put ajwain (carom seeds) in boiling water. Add rock salt or a pinch of common salt, strain it after 10 minutes or till the water becomes warm, drink straight.

* Another excellent potion that will take care of your digestive system as well as keep you warm this winter is the following: mix a teaspoon of cardamom, one tablespoon of clove, one teaspoon of ground cinnamon, half a teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of black pepper. Put the mixture into a teapot. Boil three cups of water and then pour it and keep it
for 10 minutes. Strain and serve. You may sweeten it with honey. Drink this after your meal.

* Tired eyes are the first signs of heavy-duty partying. Here's some quick-fix tips to bring alive the glint to the windows to your soul. Do it 5-6 times a day and don't forget to remove your contact lens while doing the following:
(1) Rub your palms together for about 25 seconds thrice, then place it over your eyes (shut)
(2) Splash your closed eyes with cold water.

* A breathing exercise that relaxes taut nerves. Shut your eyes. Take a deep breath. Slowly inhale. Take a pause. Then exhale equally slowly.

* Another technique guaranteed to make you rock at any party. Try it just before you set out for the night: Lie down. Feet slightly apart, palm facing upwards. Eyes shut. Follow your breath caressing every part of your body. Then shift your attention to the thoughts clouding your mind. Let it pass through your mind like a stream of consciousness. Gradually you will feel very relaxed. Do not sleep as this is conscious relaxation. Once you get up, you are fully charged.

* Take a walk or jog gently for about 20 minutes in the morning. See the energy and radiance that emanate from you.

* You have had a depressing day at work and have little time or inclination to feel upbeat about that party. Despair not. Just take a few drops of lavender essential oil, rub it in the centre of your palm, a little bit on the upper portion of your tummy and under your feet. Now lie down and relax. It will calm you. And you'll find yourself looking forward to the evening.

* For that instant glow, make a pack out of one papaya, quarter cup of yogurt and two tablespoons of honey. It'll take away your tan, dead cells and keep the skin silken soft.

* Put a little salt in yogurt and massage your face, body, neck, hands and feet. Leave it on for five minutes before taking a bath. It works like a skin polisher.

* To get rid of those puffy eyes, eye bags and dark circles, take a teaspoon of milk powder, a
dash of lemon and make it into a paste with tea-water. Apply an under eye gel. Then put on the paste. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with plain water.

* To impart that lustrous shine to your hair, take half a cup of grated coconut, half a cup of coconut milk, two teaspoons of honey and two drops of lavender essential oil. Mix them into a bowl, pour it onto your palms, apply on your damp hair and leave it on for 20 minutes. Shampoo your hair and use conditioner if required.

* Bath is always rejuvenating, but this pack peps up your soul as well. In one teaspoon of carrier oil (almond/sunflower) add 4-5 drops of ylang ylang/vanilla/rose (to relax) or grapefruit/lavender and rosemary (to invigorate), lemon, orange or neroli (to refresh). Put this mixture into your bath water and laze about in the luxury of soothing aromas.

* For soft and sparkling hand and feet, clean with soap and pumice stone. Take a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of sugar. Add a few drops of essential oils like sandal wood/jasmine/rose, any massage oil like almond/olive/sunflower, and massage.

* To get rid of hangover, take a teaspoon of almond oil and add two drops of rose essential oil to it. Then massage the mixture around your face, neck and a bit of your stomach. In no time, you will be up, about, and raring to go.

Source:timesofindia

Bollywood Actress Hansika Motwani Fitness Secret !

“A diet is a selection of food that helps you loose weight”, says actress Hansika Motwani.

She may not be called as a new entrant in Bollywood as she has been into the industry since a long time as a child artist. Just like a fairy tale she grew up fast and suddenly appeared as a beautiful actress. Hansika talks about the secret of her fitness and her favourite food.

Hansika is not a foodie and may be that helps her to maintain herself. “I am not very foodie. I like home made Rajma Chawal . I don’t indulge in oily cheesy stuff”.

She begins her day with a healthy breakfast as she believes that it’s the first meal of the day and it should be healthy. She prefers skimmed milk and an apple in the morning. Hansika believes in diet and follows her Guru Mickey Mehta’s instructions properly.

From a child actress, Hansika was expected to gain a good amount of weight to match up his male co-star Himesh Reshammiya in her first film as an adult actress. But after her first movie Aap Ka Suroor , Hansika lost seven kilos. Talking about fitness she says, “I prefer both cardio and weight exercises. I exercise two hours everyday in my gym. I prefer protein milkshake after workout. I believe in yoga and meditation as well.”

Hansika is quite particular about her food. She feels that healthy food is an important part of a balanced diet. “I don’t starve myself. I take eight meals through out the day. My lunch comprises Roti, daal, dalia , salad and yoghurt. I prefer fruit juice rather than cold drinks. I avoid dinner or any kind of food late at night. Rather I prefer to have my dinner in the evening”, she concludes.