THE CONTEMPORARY LIFT

From ducktails to King sized lifts the pompadour hairstyle has maintained its popularity throughout the ages due to its versatility and fine dapper look. The style not only suits all face shapes but even all ages and can be easily modernized. Justin Timberlake and David Beckman are both fans of the reworked, contemporary quiff. For a slick result spray volume enhancing  hairspray over the hair. It will hold even the most outrageous hairdo  in place.

 This  new trend this season has been refined where men are opting for contrast between the scalp exposing sides and back, and volume on top. Alternatively, if you want to stay true to the Rockabilly nature of this look ask your hairdresser to keep some length on the back and sides. If you have fine hair then try volume foams available anywhere. The product will enhance the hair without weighing it down and is perfect for those seeking an extra boost.

THE FADE OUT LOOK

The Fade is defined by the gradual increase of hair length from the neck to the crown. This is a  low maintenance  look but finding a skilled barber is essential for achieving this style. Comb over fades are gaining popularity as side parts make a comeback but by far the most popular fade of the season is the lower fade. The low fade removes weight but still retains the clean cut look. Men hairstylists are all fans of the fade but prefer the added length to play around with, creating a messed up look full of body and texture.

THE BUN

Controversial as it may be, the look is a sure head turner. If you prefer longer locks then don’t fret because the bun look is as easy to pull as it is to make. The style is bohemian and the less effort you put into this look the sexier it is. Men with both straight and curly hair can wear this look; however, if you prefer a smoother finish start by passing a gel styler through your hair first. This style has been on the radar for a while now so if you are already a top knot-devotee then perhaps the undercut/knot fusion is the change you need this season.

THE UNDERCUT

This edgy alternative is to lose the bun and chosen as an undercut while still keeping length on top. This look takes its roots from the pomp poof but the lift is quite subtle compared to its traditional brother. To keep everything in its place try cream wax products  to mould the lengthy ends into your desired shape.

With a special place and hold in the closet, the lingerie fashion is cutely overtaking the space and value position among Indian girls. Boyfriends/ husbands chiming in their selections alongside their mates is showcasing  a new era of intimate fashions and buying behavior. Once considered a taboo, peek-a-boo straps or backless wear is making its visual presence without raising eyebrows. It is actually becoming what the new Indian WOMEN WANTS!

The Indian lingerie market has undergone a phenomenal transformation over  the recent  years. During this time, there has been as much innovation in the making of lingerie as has been in the adapted styles.With the ever so advancing number of working women, changing fashion trends, the increased awareness about better fits, quality, brands, colors, styling, rising level of information and media exposure. Undoubtedly,  the entry of a large number of foreign brands has given the industry a new dimension and horizon.

With the change of dress code stems the need to dress differently- The modern woman is boldly going where no woman has gone before, and her lingerie naturally and seamlessly follows. With large international brands making their presence in India, the phenomenon has brought about some realignment in the fragmented lingerie market. With the influx of bold steps in advertising and media, the once hidden fashion trends are now being spotlighted and celebrated by the Indian femme.

With the rapid increase and overall  spreading of stores and accepting culture, the Indian lingerie segment is all set to grow further in the future. With the gaining popularity of lingerie boutiques all around us, the stigma of buying and wearing lingerie is now a thing of the past and long gone.  We are happily witnessing  changing times and young women being drawn to variety , styles and colors in their intimate wardrobes.

Hence, taking over dull monochromes, a lot of overtly feminine shades have appeared in its full presence. Companies are constantly  twisting the fashion threads and bringing out new lingerie collections that make today’s women  feel comfortable, and at the same time, look stylish and glamorous. Intricate detailing and decorative seams are also the in-thing in lingerie today. With fabrics like Italian silks, satins, chiffons- French and Italian laces are becoming extremely popular.

Post Monsoon Skin Care

Following a set regime is very important. And your basic “cleansing toning moisturizing” routine will not do either. Restoring rain affected skin to its original glow and clarity is no mean feat and it requires some additional steps in your daily regimen.

Start off by carefully selecting a non-comedogenic cleanser for your face (one that suits your specific skin type). After washing your face with the cleanser, apply toner for restoring the PH balance. Next comes a treatment cream/gel, like Sebonac Gel, if you have pimple-prone skin or the rains have left you with regular break-outs. Follow it up with sunscreen during daytime, and under-eye gel and repair-action night cream before bedtime. Exfoliate your skin twice a week, getting rid of all the blackheads and other pore blockages using a gentle exfoliator. You should also never skip out on sunscreen or night cream, because they help preserve your glow and youthfulness.

Once a week, you should also apply restorative home-made masks, like these.

Eating lots of leafy greens and fresh fruits and including loads of fluids in your daily diet will make a huge difference, giving you an all over healthy glow and lustrous hair.

Post Monsoon Hair Care

Don’t worry too much if the monsoon has taken a toll on your locks, causing dryness and hairfall and such. Some care is all you need to restore the health of your mane.

After washing and before styling, if any, take a few drops of some lightweight hair oil (we recommend Conatural’s Argan Oil) and smooth into your locks, taking care to focus more on the ends at first and massage any remainder into your scalp. Use this as you would a serum or leave-in conditioner. Not only will it minimize frizz, it will nourish and moisturise your hair on-the-go.

An oil massage once or twice a week can do wonders for transforming your hair and keeping it manageable. For those experiencing excessive hair fall, apply slightly warm oil on the roots and massage thoroughly for added blood circulation in the scalp. All oil treatments are additionally effective if you wrap a hot, damp towel around your hair once you’ve applied the oil. Doing this will repair damaged hair plus protect hair from then on.

The monsoon weather already is notorious for aggravating hair fall. Combing your hair once it’s wet causes more hair to fall out since the hair is weaker and more susceptible to damage when wet. Wait till hair is dry or even slightly damp and then have a go with a wide toothed comb. Keeping the curls? Don’t comb your hair at all.

Aloe vera loves your hair in so many ways. It is nourishing and healing inside and out, so when applied on the hair in the form of a hair mask, it rejuvenates and heals damaged follicles. After the monsoon, it also helps to combat any infection causing bacteria around your scalp and reduces any itching you may have had during the damp and rainy monsoon months. Similarly, pureed neem leaves and yogurt are also good options for nourishing hair masks that keep any itchiness and infections of the scalp at bay and the yogurt in protein will also make hair stronger.

Steer clear of processed and unnatural foods and instead opt for fruits and veggies, lean proteins and healthy complex carbs. Adequate protein intake is particularly important when it comes to healthy hair, so indulge in some protein rich foods like fish, yogurt, nuts, sprouts, etc.

Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!

1. “70s tropical eyes” were created by makeup artist Lloyd Simmonds at Alexis Mabille in Paris. MAC Pro Paint Sticks in Hi-Def Cyan and Primary Yellow were applied in stripes, with a mixture of the two in the middle. The cheeks were a colourful affair, too, with a wash of blush high up on the cheekbones.

2. Tom Pecheux’s, “supermodel from the Nineties” for Moschino featured natural shades of lipstick, elegant cat eyes and dewy T zones.

3. Black kohl liner rimmed the models’ eyes at the Chloe show, lending the otherwise natural look some cool girl grunge vibes. The hair was all about natural texture and haphazard waves.

4. Kendall Jenner modelled the slick look at Balmain featuring high ponytails, bound with Balmain Hair extensions. Makeup was suitably pared-back but featured strong brows and contouring.

5. At Roberto Cavalli, Redken Global Creative Director Guido gave girls a “tomboyish 80s look” with a cool quiff. He explained, “I created a deep side part and then blow-dried the hair with Redken’s Guts 10 to create a slight peak in the front and long and straight in the back, so it’s a bit boy in the front and girl in the back.”

6. As ever, the beauty at Dolce&Gabbana was an elegant affair. The makeup look was about luminous skin, soft feline eyes and plump lips, which showcased the full range of new Dolce Matte Rosa Lipsticks. The messy updos were adorned with headscarves, headbands or opulent crows. Stunning.

7. Graphic grown-up pigtails by hairstylist Paul Hanlon and huge eyelashes reminiscent of the 60s were the main beauty feature at Marni.

8. “Gorgeous, sporty, girls,” explained MAC make-up artist Lucia Pieroni, who swiped MAC Pro Chromacake along the eyes in blues, greens, yellows and bright white for the Missoni show.

9. DSquared2 confirmed fashion’s obsession with wet-look locks, depicting “sexy surfer girls”. Layered up with L’Oreal products, hairstylist Sam McKnight ran a wide-tooth comb through the lengths to create grooves. The MAC makeup centred on dewy highlights with clear lipgloss applied to the lips and combed through the brows.

10. At Kristian Aadnevik, Antonio Corral Calero, Global Moroccanoil Ambassador, created these enchanting multi-braided hairstyles. The two braids at either side of the models head overlapped at the back and were secured by knotting the hair four times, with the ends left loosely hanging.

11. Over at Alberta Ferretti, Charlotte Tilbury said that she created, “dreamy, romantic hues of iridescent bronze, gold and pink to create a look of dreamy, ethereal beauties. I took inspiration from nature’s natural tones, glistening desert sunsets and the shimmering dual colours of beetles. Cricket like corner lashes were added to create different tribes of goddess like women”.

12. For Paul Smith, Stylist Tina Outen created this amazing twisted hairstyle armed with Bumble and bumble products. She split the hair into two equal sections and tonged the front section of the hair away from the face, brushed through to create a soft wave. Next she pulled both sections into ponytails just below the ears, twisted and criss-crossed the hair around in a figure of eight then pinned to secure.

13. Bushy “feral brows” trended at Christopher Kane where models showcased a raw and undone beauty look by NARS. It seems bold brows are going nowhere.

14. Lead makeup artist Gucci Westman gave girls at Marchesa dewy skin with the MAC Strobe Cream and SK11 Mid-Day Setting Spray. The main focus was on the lips, though – lined with MAC’s Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in the fuchsia shade More To Love and layered with a matte pink lipstick to suit each model. The hair was center parted and styled in a sleek, sophisticated chignon.

15. At Anna Sui, makeup legend and Covergirl Global Creative Director Pat McGrath set a trend for deep red lips in Spring. Well, why not? “Makeup is different now, you do what you want and you’re not dictated by seasons,” she said backstage. Gigi Hadid demonstrated this well. Her beach waves were adorned with Tahitian-inspired wreaths for the ultimate beauty look inspired by the tropics.

So get ready to sport natural waves, nude matte lips (or bright red ones!), and kohl lined feline eyes in the coming spring! Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.

The “Korean 10-step skincare system” has become kind of a buzz phrase, but it’s important to remember that people may not be talking about the same steps at all, and it might not even be exactly 10 steps. Everyone’s skin is different, so while one person’s regimen might include an exfoliant, another person’s might not. Furthermore, even the most diehard 10-step follower will admit that it doesn’t necessarily matter whether you apply night cream before or after eye cream (just as long as you do apply both). The key thing to take home from the 10-step system is that it’s worth it to spend a little more time removing every last trace of makeup, massaging your face to boost circulation, and moisturizing to ensure that you’ll wake up in the morning with a glowing complexion.

By and large, these products, in this basic order, are the reality of skincare for many Koreans. So let’s assume it’s night time and you’re getting ready for bed. Following the 10-step skincare system, what do you do?

1. Makeup Remover – In Korea, cleansing the skin is a two-step process, which sounds strange until you think back on all those times you washed your face, only to look in the mirror to find makeup residue in your pores or around your eyes. So with this method, you use two separate cleansers; the first is only for removing makeup. If you have normal to oily skin, you may use a towelette to gently remove all the makeup from your face, lips, and eyes. Every Korean makeup brand will have towelettes packed with good-for-your-skin ingredients such as green tea, aloe, or lavender. They smell great and feel refreshing! But if you have dry or sensitive skin, stay away from the towelettes, since they may be irritating. Instead, gently massage a cleansing oil into your skin with your fingers.

2. Cleansing – If you’re like us, you might be guilty of using face cleanser for about three seconds before rinsing it off with water. Koreans advise taking more time with this step. Gently massage the cleanser into your skin using circular motions, for a minute or as long as it takes to boost circulation (and of course, properly cleanse your skin). Oily-skinned people might want to look into foam cleansers, while dry-skinned folks should find a non-foaming version made with cream or oil.

3. Exfoliate – Folks with sensitive skin, please skip this step! But if you suffer from oily skin or noticeably clogged pores, you can use a gentle exfoliant once a week on the parts of your face that need it, such as your T-zone or lips.

4. Toner – When you wash your face, your skin may feel squeaky clean, but that’s actually not its ideal state. Many cleansers (especially soap-based ones) are alkaline, whereas the pH balance of the oils on your skin is slightly acidic. Some cleansers are milder than others, but there are many that strip your face of its surface oils and throw off your skin’s pH. The role of toner is to bring your skin’s pH level back down. That’s why they often contain slightly acidic substances such as witch hazel or vinegar. Toners have gained a bad reputation for being overly drying, but there’s a huge variety of toners to be found. Whatever your skin type, you’ll be able to find one suitable for you.

5. Essence – The distinction between the role of essence and serum (the next step in the series) is confusing even to many Koreans, so we’re not going to throw down the gauntlet and declare definitively what that difference may be. Essence is generally seen as a thin, hydrating liquid meant to prep the skin for all the treatment to follow (and boy, will there ever be a lot of treatment)! Essences are not one size fits all; there are different essences for moisturizing, brightening, clarifying, and so on. Some people swear by essence, while others see it as too similar to serums and therefore skip it.  If you do choose to use it, gently pat it into the skin for a lightly moisturizing and refreshing experience.

6. Serum/ Ampoule - This is the stronger, more concentrated version of essence. Basically, as with essence, serums do different things depending on the kind you get. Whether your skincare concerns are about evening your skin tone, firming your skin, or moisturizing, there will be a serum out there for you.

7. Sheet Masks – Koreans swear by masks; you’ll even be able to find them in convenience stores and other unexpected places. Your typical mask will be a paper sheet that’s loaded with helpful ingredients – as always, just find the one that your skin needs. Leave it on your skin for as long as the package says (usually 10 to 15 minutes). When you remove the mask, your skin will be glowing so much, you’ll feel bad that you’re just going to bed, rather than heading outside so everyone can see your face! Like exfoliator, this is not a regular step; you might do it just twice a week.

8. Eye Cream – We’re pretty sure you know what eye cream is! The skin under your eyes is very thin, so pat on your eye cream gently. Make sure you hit both the inner and outer corners, which is where fine lines tend to develop.

9. Emulsion – Like essence and serum, you can think of emulsion and cream as two products that do the same thing in different concentrations. An emulsion is basically a lightweight, watery moisturizer. Massage this gently into your skin and allow it to absorb a bit before moving to the next step.

10. Night Cream – The single best way to get a glowing complexion is to use a proper face cream at night. If you rely only on emulsion, no matter how moisturizing it feels when you’ve applied it, you’re more likely than not to wake up to dry skin. A thick, rich face cream will lock in the moisture overnight.

The fun doesn’t end after ten simple steps! After you wake up in the morning, you’ll definitely want to condense last night’s routine to suit your busy schedule. You obviously won’t need makeup remover, and you might be able to set aside that heavy cream as well. But you will definitely need to use a proper sunscreen before going outside, and you should freshen up your skin throughout the day with liberal doses of face mist. You really can’t skip either step: As we all know, sun avoidance is the number-one key to youthful skin, and face mist will provide a nice dose of moisture throughout the day.

Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!

For the fair-skinned girls.

Cherry Red – We’re starting off on a bright note. Vibrant blue-based cherry reds contrast with pink undertones in fair skin to make lips pop. They also happen to make teeth look whiter. It’s a youthful red shade, for sure, so keep the rest of your makeup clean and simple—a little pink blush, crisp black liner, and black mascara do the trick.

Cranberry – Looking for something more grown-up? Rich cranberry warms up fair skin tones and is just enough to look sophisticated—not vampirish or teenage angst-y.

Wine – It’s deep and moody—and the effect against porcelain skin is striking, thanks to a hint of violet that keeps complexions from looking washed out.

For medium to fair complexions.

Orange-Red – A color so vivid that it looks like it was plucked out of a Lichtenstein artwork, this fiery shade is great against warm complexions. Orange-y shades are hard to pull off, but this one has hints of blue to counteract sallowness.

Blackberry – One swipe of this red-based purple delivers the same berry tint as a glass (or two) of pinot noir—minus the stained teeth. To keep things sophisticated, blend a creamy berry blush over the apples of your cheeks.

For wheatish to tan skin tones.

Tangerine – Talk about bold: This orange punch shade really stands out against darker skin tones—just ask Solange Knowles! But with colors this bright, you have to commit. To make it last, first fill in lips with a liner in the same shade as the lipstick. Dab lipstick on top (straight from the tube), pat it in with your finger, then reapply. Blot with a tissue, and the color will stay put—even after a few cocktails.

Maroon – This deep, deep red is elegant, and the rich blue undertones are especially flattering against dark skin. Stronger shades like these look best with little makeup elsewhere.

Raspberry – It’s bright and young and contains a hefty dose of pink that pops against dark complexions.

Leave us thoughts and suggestions in the comments section below!

We’ve seen every possible style around the global runway, from messed up hair, to sleek tight backs; from tight high to right out of the bed look- ponytails are the little black dress of hair fashion. The global runway platform has witnessed everything from loose and messy to slicked back and sleek, recently the low pony “reined” supreme. Whether swept to the side or hanging down the middle of the back, designers such as Michael Kors and Dior charged their cool looks with tied back tresses. The best thing about Low ponytails is that despite of being chic and sophisticated, the look is surprisingly simple to replicate in the comfort of your own home – no salon needed! Suitable for any type of hair, this trend works with almost every cut, making it an instant classic. So a style with a save! Who wouldn’t love that?

The messy and loose look although easy to pull, exhibits a relaxed overall feel. With tendrils of hair framing the face, the loose low ponytail is effortlessly beautiful. You don’t need pin straight hair for this style, this style can become your favorite go-to., even if you have naturally wavy or curly hair.

A tip you would find hard to believe- The best way to rock this look is in unwashed hair– you want it to have a little texture without being greasy. If you have naturally straight hair, create loose waves with a large barrel curling iron. Skip the hairbrush for this look, instead using your fingers to comb through hair for a loose, pieced effect. Then, gently sweep back hair at the nape of the neck, securing with a hair tie or elastic.

The low level of this ponytail makes it applicable to everything from out on the town to the most glamorous of events. Wear as-is for a simple take on elegance, or dress it up with an intricate design or eye-catching embellishment, such as a metallic hair tie-the choice is yours!

Using hair wraps gives it an edgier look and makes your look even more polished than using a regular scrunchy. Depending on your ensemble, you can decide to to part your hair in the middle or on the side (this will create a low side pony). So, try this evolving look for your next office party or family occasion, looking effortlessly chic. Even with the simple let low look, there are many ways to intertwine your personality and make it fun.

If you are wondering how to wear your hair for this look.. here’s an easy tutorial

How do you plan to wear this look? Let us know in the comment section below.

1. Please tell our readers a bit about your background in fitness?

I am an International Bikini Fitness Competitor, International IFBB Certified Coach & Founder of my company Body&Mind by Jelena Vasovic. Since I was a young girl I got involved in various sports activities. At first in ballet, then gymnastics and figure ice-skating until 2004, when I started doing fitness and aerobics. In 2008 I became a Group Fitness Instructor, teaching Dance Aerobics, Bodytoning and Bodypump. Beginning 2012 I started to prepare for competitions in bodybuilding Bikini Fitness category. I had my first competition in Switzerland in October 2013, where I ranked 9th Place on the IFBB Internationale Herbstmeisterschaft (IFBB International Autumn Championship), and two weeks later I turned Vice Champion on the IFBB Swiss National Bikini Championship, finally achieving title of the state champion (first in Serbia). I am very honored and glad to compete for Serbia and have already started-off contest season 2015 successfully by ranking again Top 3 on the IFBB International Serbia Cup in April 2015, in Belgrade.

2. What is your own typical daily fitness regime like?

I pay attention to sleep – minimum 7 hours per day – because I can focus better if I’m well rested. I do not follow an excessive training programme since in my opinion an overworked body with lack of recovery can’t perform well. I train every 2nd day, not daily. Furthermore, I prepare my food on a daily basis besides working part-time for an International company and also giving personal training and online coaching to my international clients, so I have to juggle a lot more beside my workout routine. Being well-organized is key for keeping a good balance in your life and therefore good mental and physical fitness.

3. What kind of a diet do you follow?

I try to avoid as much processed food as possible. I follow a diet high in proteins (white meats), carbohydrates (rich in vegetables, potatoes, rice) and balanced in healthy fats like avocado, nuts, flaxseed oil. I eat in 5-6 smaller portions a day and bring my food along with me wherever I go, which requires a lot of discipline and organization as mentioned before, but I am aware that no goal is reachable without a certain amount of dedication and trust in yourself.

4. What are your thoughts on “Fit vs Thin”?

Fit is synonymous of having a good balance of your Body & Mind. This is why my company’s slogan is “feel.connect.TRANSFORM”. In my understanding, we can only start successfully working on our goals when we connect our body and mind as this provides much-needed self-motivation to keep going. Moreover, fit also means that we build a stress-resistant positive mindset enabling us to feel good at anytime. Thin doesn’t exist in my vocabulary as a trainer, since my focus is to keep my clients and followers motivated and develop their personality to become a better version of themselves.

5. What are 3 weight-loss myths that you want to bust?

• Low fat diet products are not a synonym for health food nor are they responsible for a successful weight-loss. Balance is key.
• There is no magic pill enabling you to slim down or get fit. Following a nutritious diet according to your health condition counts over 50% in order to be successful in loosing weight.
• Following an excessive cardio training in order to “burn fat” will rather burn your muscle tissue, enhance your stress hormone levels and may be also be a diet blocker. Here again, balance is key and can be well improved by taking the help of a professional trainer who can assist finding a suitable training programme following your health condition and help increasing your fitness level.

6. In today’s startup work culture, most people with 12 hour desk jobs find it very difficult to squeeze in gym workouts in their schedules. What is your advice to those people? What is a quick yet effective alternative to gym sessions?

In my former role as a Swiss Banker I used to work long hours in the office but since I had some goals I wanted to reach, as preparing myself for international bodybuilding contest, I freed up some space in my agenda for my workouts. It is a question of prioritizing the activities in your life well. Maintaining a good balance of your body & mind ensures more power, energy and positivity from the inside out. Therefore, I recommend people to not only give full focus on work but also remember to keep increasing their fitness level through various outdoor or indoor activities. It doesn’t have to be necessarily a visit to the gym, everybody should find his own balance. Running, Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Swimming – anything that works for you!

7. What are the types of workouts that can be done at home itself?

The only type of home workout I can strongly recommend is a 3-times per week Circle Training on empty stomach or 90-120 minutes after breakfast followed by a meal. This is a great combination of whole body exercises which boosts the metabolism and helps burning fat. The circle workout can be performed in 3-4 sets with no breaks between the exercises. When all exercises have been done, a break of 60-90 seconds follows.

Circle Workout Day 1 with focus put on lower body:

20-25 Repeats Bodyweight Squats
20-25 Repeats Glute Bridge
20 -25 Repeats Single Leg Glute Bridge
30-60s Repeats Planks
12-15 Repeats Crunch
12-15 Repeats Lying Leg Raises

Circle Workout Day 2 with focus put on upper body:
15-20 Repeats Girls Push-ups
15-20 Reps Triceps Dips on Chair
15-20 Reps Biceps Curls
15-20 Crunch (hold 1 second)
15-20 Shoulder Press
15-20 Shoulder Front Raises

Repeat this workout first week (2 times Day 1 workout, 1 time Day 2 workout) second week (1 time Day 1 workout, 2 times Day 2 workout) and continue like this. In order to ensure enough recovery keep minimum 1-2 rest days in between

8. Women in India constantly battle with bloated tummy. Can you tell us an effective workout to tone the tummy flab?

A bloated tummy can come from different reasons. This may come from food people can’t metabolize well or it can also be a gluten or lactose intolerance. Furthermore, genetics play an important factor. Another source may also be stress while some of us loose weight when going through stressful situations others gain and this very often gets visible with an increased body fat around your waist. Generally, I have seen that a change in the way people eat already brought a major change in the look of their tummy and adding some circles workouts can be as well of great help in loosing that “tummy flab”.

9. Are there some miracle foods that really help cut down body fat?

I am a believer in Omega 3 fats as those help us to better break down the “bad” fats in our nutrition. Therefore avocado, nuts, flaxseed oil, olive oil, olives should be integrated in everybody’s nutrition in an amount suitable to their body type.

10. Do you believe in the philosophy of “Ideal Body Type”? 

Everybody should feel good in their body and regularly check their blood levels since they are a good indicator of where we can improve our nutrition in a way which suits every individual.

Note: You can contact Miss Vasovic through her website – www.jelenavasovic.com or follow her on Instagram – @jelenavasovic, @bodyandmindjelena. 

Here we list the secrets to taking off the years from your face and maintaining your youthful appearance!

1. Follow a Good Skin Care Regimen – Irrespective of your age, you need to follow a good skin care regimen for healthy skin. When your skin is healthy, it will not show early signs of aging.

• Cleanse your face daily with a gentle cleanser, both in the morning and at night. This will keep your skin clean, soft and free of pore-clogging debris. When buying a cleanser, avoid those with high alcohol content and other drying agents.
• Apply a good quality moisturizer over your entire face, neck, hands and legs twice daily. This will help prevent dry and aging skin.
• Exfoliate your skin once a week with a gentle facial scrub. This will encourage skin cell renewal, making your skin look younger. It will also help get rid of dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth, healthy, bright and fresh.

2. Choose Skin Care Products Wisely – Determine your skin type by analyzing your T-zone area and then choose suitable products to keep it healthy and young. Also, avoid using too many cosmetic products at the same time.

• When you are past your mid-20s, use products with retinol, peptides and antioxidants. Retinol promotes an increase of collagen and elastic production. Peptides can stimulate collagen production and cell repair to help you get younger-looking skin. Antioxidants will protect your skin from the sun and speed up the natural skin repair system.
  If you have any doubts, you can always consult a dermatologist for help find the right products for your skin care needs.

3. Wear Sunscreen Everyday – Sunscreen is the ultimate anti-aging tool recommended by beauty experts. Be it summer, winter, autumn or rainy days, you must not leave your home without applying a good quality sunscreen on any exposed body parts. Too much exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin, particularly its elastin, and cause a loss of collagen. This in turn can lead to sun spots, wrinkles, an uneven tone, dryness, rough skin and sunburn. Apply an SPF 20 (or greater) sunscreen every day, even in the winter. For maximum anti-aging benefits, make sure to apply sunscreen on your ears, neck, legs and hands along with your face.

4. Get Your Beauty Sleep Daily – To stay looking young for years, get 7 to 8 hours of beauty sleep daily without fail. In fact, sleep is considered the most powerful rejuvenating treatment to maintain youthfulness. When you sleep, adrenaline and corticosteroid levels drop and the body starts to produce growth hormone. During this time, the repair and growth process of cells occurs. If you don’t get enough sleep, this function is impaired and leads to inflammation that causes many signs of aging like wrinkles, dull complexion and fines lines.

5. Exercise Daily – Exercise is good for your body and mind. Regular exercise improves blood flow and keeps your skin healthy and vibrant. It also regulates your hormones and promotes proper sleep. Do some sort of physical activity for 20 to 30 minutes daily. Activities that can help slow down the aging process are running, walking, dancing, cycling, gardening and even housework. Aerobic exercise classes and yoga also help a lot.

6. Eat Right - Healthy skin starts with healthy eating, so you need to think seriously about what you are eating on a daily basis. To slow down the aging process, follow these key tips.

• Include more antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. Antioxidants help increase cellular regeneration and protect collagen, thus keeping your skin firm and wrinkle-free.
• Ensure adequate intake of essential fatty acids, such as those found in flaxeed and fatty fish. These healthy fats help your skin function properly and aid in tissue repair. Plus, they help reduce inflammation in the body and improve mental health.
• Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and 3 servings of whole grains daily. This will provide protein, calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc and other essential minerals that your body needs to function properly.

7. Stay Hydrated – Water is the foundation of young-looking skin, hence you need to drink an ample amount of water throughout the day. It helps keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, making it look younger and healthier. When you don’t drink enough water, your skin can become dry, dull and dehydrated, leading to issues like fine lines and wrinkles, and chapped lips. To stay hydrated, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Along with water, you can drink green tea, fruit juices and vegetables juices, or eat fruits and vegetables rich in water content.

8. Limit Alcohol Consumption – Alcohol is something that you must avoid or drink less as it accelerates the aging process and affects mineral absorption in the body. Plus, it makes your liver work harder to eliminate harmful toxins, which in turn makes your skin look dry and lifeless. For younger-looking skin, drink alcohol in moderation or, for maximum benefits, give up drinking entirely.

9. Stop Smoking – Smoking tarnishes your skin and makes you look older than your actual age. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 harmful toxins. It can lead to dull skin, sagging skin, dark lips, wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, deep lines in the cheeks, dull hair and discolored nails. Considering the ill effects of smoking on your skin and general health, it is essential and best to quit smoking as soon as possible.

10. Give These Home Remedies A Try – We are huge fans of the easy-to-find beauty remedies in our kitchen. Here are a few that help keep our skin youthful!

• Coconut oil is the best natural skin care product for anti wrinkle treatment as it reduces fine lines and wrinkles and tighten sagging skin. Massage your face with coconut oil before going to bed for reducing skin wrinkles, for natural skin tightening and getting a facelift naturally.
• Potatoes have exceptional anti-aging properties for natural skincare. For removing blemish marks and dark pigments on the facial skin, you can rub raw potato slices over the area. Place two slices of potato on your eyes for ten minutes, to get rid of crow’s feet and under eye wrinkles.
• Almond oil helps to improve complexion, reduce fine lines and wrinkles apart from curing crow’s feet. Many of the best wrinkle creams contain almond oil as a key ingredient for reducing wrinkles and sagging skin.
• Egg white packs work well as skin tightening treatments and should be applied once every week.
• Application of honey on to the face will help you get rid of acne and also provides moisturizing anti-aging benefits as it locks the skin’s moisture in. Do this 2-3 times a week for best results.
• Vitamin C boosts collagen production in the skin, helps protect the skin against sun and free radical damages, and improves the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles. Vitamin C can be abundantly found in lemons, kiwis, oranges and Indian gooseberry.

Note: Please do not use any home remedy if you are allergic to it. 

Leave us your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below!

1. Turn a pencil eyeliner into a gel formula with the help of a match or lighter.

2. Tone down super-curly hair with a flatiron. If you have curly hair and want to create softer waves, slightly break down the curl with a flat iron, bending your wrist forward and backward as you move down your strands.

3. Skip the clear base coat. Use a coat of white nail polish instead of a base coat. This will make your nail color stand out more. It will still protect your nails from becoming stained by colored polishes.

4. Cover your eyelid with white liner to make any eyeshadow shade pop. To make a sheer or less pigmented eyeshadow appear more colorful on your eyelid, take a white eyeliner pencil and run it over your entire eyelid. The opaque consistency of the liner will intensify any eyeshadow shade and make it pop instantly against your skin.

5. Seamlessly switch up your part from side to middle in four simple steps. If you have a severe center part and want to wear a side part (or vice versa), first wet down the hair at your original part. Next, create the new part and wet it down (water is key to manipulate and knock out the hold of your previous part). Finally, to lock in your new part, hit it with heat from a blow-dryer.

6. Use a spoon to create the perfect winged liner. Holding the stem of a spoon against the outer corner of your eye, draw the straight line as the first step for your cat-eye. Then, flip the spoon so it’s hugging your eyelid, and use the rounded outer edge to create a perfectly curved winged effect.

7. Properly apply perfume for long lasting fragrance. Don’t spray yourself with perfume. You will smell like a perfume factory at first, then it will wear off and you won’t smell anything. Instead, apply it to your pulse points.

8. Draw a slanted hashtag at the outer corner of your eye, and then blend it for an instantly smokey effect.

9. Create chic, cool-girl bends by holding your curling wand horizontally instead of vertically. First, grab a small 1-inch section of hair. Then, starting at the mid-shaft of your hair, twist and wrap it over the barrel while holding the iron horizontally. Hold the hair in place for a few seconds, and then release for a loose wave. If you want tighter, more spirally curls, hold the wand vertically while you wrap the hair around it.

10. Make Lipstick Stay On Longer. This old trick really works. Put on a coat of lipstick, then lay a tissue across your lips. Dust translucent powder on to make the color set so it stays on longer.

11. Use that same winged eye spoon to avoid mascara marks on your upper eye lid. Hold the spoon so it’s hugging your eyelid, and then apply your mascara like you normally would. As you sweep the mascara wand against your lashes and back of the spoon, watch as the residue coats the back of the utensil rather than your skin.

12. Don’t throw away your broken eye shadows. Instead, turn them into lip gloss. Crush the eye shadow into powder, then mix with Vaseline petroleum jelly to make any color lip gloss you like.

13. Create natural contouring the expert way. It can be difficult to figure out where to put blush or bronzer for contouring. The easy way is to use your eyeliner pencil, or even a makeup brush handle. Place the straight edge directly below your cheekbone to get the right angle.

14. Create a perfect cupid’s bow lip. Use your lip liner (same shade as your lipstick) to draw an “X” on your upper lip. Apply your lipstick, using the “X” as a guide. You will have the perfect pout.

15. Avoid getting lipstick on your teeth with this simple trick. After applying your lipstick, put your finger in your mouth. Close your lips around your finger, then pull your finger out. The excess lipstick will get on your finger, and not on your teeth.

Leave us your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below!

So we are looking into few old wives tales that actually stood the test of time and science!. The scientifically proven old wives tale-The nerd in us can finally rejoice!

Carrots give you great eyesight!

Carrots do have a relationship with good eyesight, but that does not mean cramming yourself with as many as possible and waiting for 20/20 vision. Carrots are made of beta-carotene, which helps produce vitamin A, a key ingredient in a healthy, functioning eye. But vitamin A is useful for maintaining eye health, avoiding cataracts, and slightly improving night vision-if that’s something you’re into.

Having Fish Oil boosts your brain!

The bridge between omega-3s and oily fish is actually quite famous, and it’s almost losing its significance as an old wives’ tale that fish is “brain food.” The fatty acids, such as omega-3s, in fish are thought to improve the conductivity and networking between brain cells, raising brain performance. And a study in 2014 showed that people with fish as a regular menu staple increased the volume of their brains. It’s literally a neuron body-builder. So head to the nearest fish market to grab some ocean swimming brain boosters.

Eating cheese at night gives you Bad Dreams!

Every pizza lovers’ dream-starts with the oozing dairy strings, but old wives say, eat cheese at night and you will fight demons in your nightmares. The idea is that eating cheese or dairy before bedtime will give you bizarre nightmares — are largely thought to be a myth. But a bewildering study by the British Cheese Board claims to have proven that they’re real!. The board surveyed 200 volunteers who ate a variety of cheeses before bedtime, and reported that most of them recorded peculiar dreams the day afterward. Frankly, this may just say a lot about the sort of person who volunteers for a study at the British Cheese Board. But we’ll take their word, anyways who needs extra calories before bedtime.

Having heartburn during pregnancy means you’re having a hairy child!

This one just tops it!. It’s time to tell grandma to hold it, but let’s read up. It seems that pregnant women who suffer heartburn are much more likely to give birth to a hairy baby. What’s even funnier? The study that confirmed it, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, had set out to disprove it. Heartburn and hairiness on newborns might not be as strange bedfellows as they seem. The scientists behind the study, once they got over their surprise, theorized that it might be down to pregnancy hormones. Higher levels would both prompt lots of hair growth and relax esophagus muscles, causing gastric reflux. So welcome that heartburn for taming long tresses in future.

Eating Honey will cure cough and cold!

Adding honey and lemon to your tea when you’ve got the cough from hell is now officially a scientific bonus, not just what your grandmother once advised. A study showed that children with upper respiratory infections were more likely to get better if given spoonfuls of honey than they were if dosed with a common cough-and-cold medication. The reason? Honey is a demulcent, meaning that it forms a mucous membrane that soothes the irritation in an infected area. Honey is also antibacterial; it was used in ancient history to heal wounds and reduce infection. No wonder drug companies are making good use of it. Now how do we get grandma to reap in the royalties from that?

Share your weirdest old wives’ tale in the comments below.

The current beauty industry is going even further and beyond, creating and marketing what it calls “food based” products like coconut shampoo, grapefruit body scrub, mushroom anti-aging cream, pomegranate-pigmented lipstick and cucumber eye-makeup remover. The list and food items-so to speak-are endless. It’s no longer about the food you eat, but the food you are applying that effects your overall natural beauty. From organic ingredients to all natural scents, the brands and customers are embracing this fresh trend whole heartedly. Using food-grade ingredients circumvents potential consumer skepticism about a product’s naturalness, enabling manufacturers to take advantage of the known health and beauty benefits of fruits and vegetables.

The use of cocoa and sugar in products has been observed for centuries. The cocoa pod has around 800 complex molecules, out of which 30 are beneficial for the skin. The upcoming trends of food based cosmetics include rice, marula oil for scalp care. In a way, food has gloatingly made its way from tables to bathroom shelves. With products like Jessica Simpson’s Dessert, which aims at the young, fun set with “lickable, kissable” shampoos, moisturizers and lip glosses. Today’s edible offerings, however, are not designed to be shared and instead tap into one of the most powerful trends in cosmetics and toiletries: the demand for non-synthetic beauty ingredients. Food-based brands are readily targeting consumers with special dietary requirements. Besides the prevalent vegetarian formulations, there is also scope for developing halal or kosher products or ones entirely based on organic ingredients. They can also benefit from consumer fads for exotic “super foods”, such as antioxidant-rich pomegranates. Whatever your taste buds are craving, can easily be delivered in your daily beauty regimen.

So, food-based or newly termed Nutri-cosmetics are on the rise, taking a major part in growing the cosmetic industry. This trend will eventually lead to the popularity of products like, organic chocolate, hemp and extracted exotic plants and fruits in our cosmetic bag.

Edible cosmetics are appearing at a time when homemade beauty remedies are growing in popularity as a natural and cost-effective alternative to expensive, synthetic cosmetics. Although, the segment does not offer the equivalent cost efficiency, food-based beauty brands do have the advantage of convenience and a longer shelf-life.

  What are you in mood for today ?

There are about 100,000 strands of hair on your scalp and it is considered very normal to lose 50 to 100 strands a day. But when you start losing more than that, it’s time for you to take some action so it doesn’t progress to baldness or bald spots. Many readily available ingredients can be used to treat hair loss at home.

1. One among effective ways is using fenugreek / methi for hair loss. Seeds of fenugreek consist of rich hormone antecedents that help in hair growth and repairs hair follicles. These also consist of nicotinic acid and proteins strengthen the hair growth. How to use fenugreek seeds for hair? Soak the fenugreek seeds in water overnight and grind it in the next morning to fine paste. Apply this fenugreek seed paste to hair and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse off the hair. Follow it for month to see best results.

2. Pure aloe gel or aloe juice can be applied directly to the scalp. This can treat hair loss, which is caused due to dry or infected scalp. After massaging the scalp with juice or gel, wait for a few hours and wash it away with lukewarm water. Use of aloe vera with triphala powder for 3-6 months also treats hair loss.

3. Neem is a plant, which is ornamented with all the essential qualities. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-diabetic, sedative, and antiseptic in nature. It is not only useful in diseases but is also an excellent home remedy for hair loss. Boil leaves of neem in water until the water remains half. Let it cool and wash your hair once in a week with this water.

4. Boil some dried amla in coconut oil till the oil gets black. Massaging the scalp with this oil will prove to be very effective. Amla can also be used alternatively by making its paste with shikakai. Apply the thick paste and wash it after a few minutes. Avoid shikakai if you have dry hair.

5. Both onion and garlic are a rich source of sulphur, and they help in the growth of hair. To apply onion, you need to chop it finely and extract out the juice. Massage the scalp well with this juice and wash off with a mild shampoo. Onion can also be used with honey as a hair mask. Garlic can be applied on the scalp by boiling it with coconut oil. Massage the scalp with this potion, two to three times a week, for best results.

6. Licorice root is another herb that prevents hair loss and further damage to the hair. The mollifying properties of licorice roots open the pores, soothe the scalp and help get rid of irritations like dry flakes. This remedy is good for dandruff, hair loss and baldness. Add one tablespoon of ground licorice root to one cup milk with a quarter teaspoon saffron. Mix it thoroughly. Apply the paste on bald patches at bedtime and leave it on overnight. In the morning, wash your hair. Follow this remedy once or twice a week.

7. The safest step that you can take to reduce hair loss is to massage your scalp with appropriate hair oil. Proper hair and scalp massage will increase blood flow to the hair follicles, condition the scalp, and enhance the strength of your hair’s roots. It will also promote relaxation and reduce feelings of stress. You can use hair oils like coconut or almond oil, olive oil, castor oil, amla oil, or others. Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to the base oil for better and faster results. Other types of oil that you can use are emu oil, argan oil, and wheat germ oil.

Try these out, but only if you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients involved. Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below!

1. Moisturizer will make your face and makeup oily.

The truth is the ultimate finish of your makeup has more to do with the hydration your skin receives than your foundation and/or concealer! use an oil-free moisturizer before putting on makeup and discover how smoothly your foundation will glide over and blend into skin. powder down your T-zone after so the rest of your face still maintains a dewy realistic texture.

2. Primers are not required if you’ve moisturized your skin and applied your foundation evenly.

Primers help foundation stay in place longer, fill into fine lines, minimize the appearance of pores and prevent the skin from absorbing pigment. As we age, primers become even more necessary. Primer should be applied after moisturizing and before applying foundation.

3. Makeup causes spot breakouts.

It’s actually your hygiene that causes this. Think about how many times you clean your brushes? How many times do you change your pillow cases? Be honest… how many times do you fall asleep with your makeup on? We can totally vouch for this truth and have noticed a huge difference with our skin!

4. Your under-eye concealer should match your foundation.

When choosing a concealer this can be a completely different color to what you’d use on the rest of your face. You need a concealer with a peach undertone as this will erase any blue undertones you may have under your eye area.

5. You need concealer and then foundation to look flawless.

Nothing can make anyone look flawless because we don’t walk around with Photoshop and perfect lighting/cameras! Also, foundations and concealers come in a variety of textures and coverage. What this means is that foundation by itself can suffice to conceal dark circles and smoothen skin tone, without the use of concealer. Use concealers only if necessary.

6. Wearing makeup on a daily basis is bad for the skin.

While make-up isn’t necessarily good for the skin, wearing it every day isn’t bad for the skin. The real issue is not washing the make-up off properly before going to sleep. Sleeping with make-up can be irritating to the skin and means you’re not removing the build-up of dead skin cells and debris which can clog the pores.

7. Everyone cannot carry off a red lipstick.

This is so not true! We feel that anyone can rock a red lipstick; you just need to find the right red that suits your skin tone. Reds with a blue undertone tend to be universally flattering. When choosing a red lipstick, it’s very important to try the color on your lips (of course after they are sanitized) and never go by how the color looks in the bullet. There are tons of brands out there that make red lipsticks, you are guaranteed to find your perfect shade, you just need to have some patience and keep the hunt going.

8. Powders will prevent oily skin.

Us oily skin ladies will have tried everything including piling on tons of translucent powder to keep that shine away, but have you noticed that it’ll find its way back within a few hours? Try a primer. We weren’t too keen on these as the thought of adding yet another cream with our moisturizer was a bit terrifying, but actually, it works much better than the powder.

9. Glossy lips look passé. 

When you pair it with healthy, polished skin. A glossy lip finish will complement a radiant complexion and make you look fresh rather than over-done.

10. Pick a foundation two shades lighter than your skin to appear fairer.

Ethnically, most Indians are born brown – embrace this truth. No matter how fair you may be, when you stand next to a white person, you’re still going to look brown! Instead of working against this fact, work with it. How do you pick the right shade? Simple: with your finger, draw a line of foundation on your cheek/jaw area… If it disappears it’s the right shade. If you have to rub it in to disappear, it’s the wrong colour. You can however brighten your overall complexion by using bright-colored blusher and lipsticks!

11. Match your foundation to your forehead, cheek, neck or hand.

Finding the perfect foundation color is the toughest task when it comes to makeup products, especially if you don’t know what color you’re supposed to match it to. If you place your hand besides your face in front of a mirror, you will notice that your hand is a tad bit darker than your face. That’s because your hands get exposed to a lot more UV light and a lot less exfoliation than your face. Also due to stress, weather conditions and sun exposure, the skin on your face will be a different color than the rest of your body. Always test stripes of foundation on the jawline in natural light.

12. Expensive makeup products are better than high street brands.

This has been tried and tested by us multiple times in the past and while there are definitely some great high end products, most of our staple makeup pieces are from regular brands that have served us well. Just because something costs more, do not assume that the product is of a better quality – it’s all about what works for your skin.

13. Thinking your fingers are your best tools.

By applying foundation with fingers, you run the risk of losing the control of your coverage, either removing too much of the texture or adding to much. Finger application will also waste three times more foundation than any application with a foundation brush.

14. Blusher should be applied in the hollows of the cheeks when you make a fish-face.

Only if you prefer looking like a hollow fish! Blusher does it’s job best when you smile with all your heart, and apply it to the bulgy apples of your cheek, and blend it very gently into your hairline.

15. ‘Cutting’ or contouring is necessary.

Completely false. If you already have string bone structure, you do not need to contour at all. If you have a sharp/big nose, don’t contour it. To contour is to add shade and define shape. Under the cheekbones is the perfect place to catch some shade. If your want to, shade the perimeter of your entire face with a warm bronzer to define shape.

Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!

1. Wear your best fitting bra (non-padded) before taking measurement, taking care that your breasts don’t sag.
2. Carefully measure around your torso (just beneath your breasts). This is your band size. If it is an odd number, round it up to the next even number. For instance, if your band size measures 33 inches, round it up to 34 inches.
3. Next, measure around your bust taking care that the measuring tape is draped around the part where your breasts are fullest. This is your bust size.
4. Now that you have your bust and band sizes, you can calculate your cup size by subtracting your band size from your bust size. The difference between the two would determine the right cup size. You can do that with the help of the key provided below.

If your bust size is less than 1 inch bigger than your band size, you’re a cup size AA.
1-inch difference = A
2-inch difference = B
3-inch difference = C
4-inch difference = D
5-inch difference = DD
For example, your band size is 34 inches and the bust size is 36 inches. So the difference between them would be 2 inches. That would make your correct bra size 34B.

Don’t be afraid to put the bra on and face yourself in the mirror with a critical eye. If you see any gaps, spillage, digging in or other signs of poor fit, it’s not the right bra. Turn around and look at the back as well. The back band can be very telling too when it comes to proper fit. There should be no gaping, riding up or bulges.

Write down the date of your visit and be sure to plan another one six months to a year later (bra sizes fluctuate due to weight gain, hormonal changes, aging and other life changes, so it’s important to get fitted at least once a year). Bras also need to be replaced every six months to a year due to wear and tear.

Now, here’s how to shop for lingerie according to your shape!

If you are tall and slim, garter belts worn with stockings would look great on you, giving the impression that your legs are miles long. Corsets will also enhance your curves and define your shape better.

For the voluptuous girl, shape-wear is the best bet. Bodysuits, Tummy Tuckers and Waist Belts will help shape your silhouette into the forever-desirable hourglass. Opt for Babydoll Negligees as sensual nightwear, as they hide a multitude of flaws while showing off your best assets.

If you’re small-busted, go for padded bras for everyday wear. Also, Demi-cup and Balconette bras would work to great advantage if you’re wearing a deep neckline.

If you’re top heavy, stick to full coverage bras with broader straps for better support. Minimizer bras work well to provide an illusion of smaller breasts while offering a smooth and natural shape.

Some styles of lingerie that every woman should have in her intimates drawer are a Push-up bra, a strapless or convertible bra, a T-shirt bra and an underwired bra. Also, seamless panties banish visible panty lines pretty good and are absolute must-haves. Finally, having a great set of all-lace intimate wear is always a good idea.

Once you make your purchase, it’s up to you to take good care of your bra. It’s best to hand wash, but if you need to put it in the washing machine, make sure the bra is encased in a protective garment bag. Always air dry – never put your bras in the dryer.

Leave us your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section below!