Make up in 10 mins

Image courtesy: © Thinkstock

Luscious lips, smoky eyes and rosy cheeks… if you thought you had to do all this and much more to look gorgeous, you are wrong. You can be the cynosure of all eyes with minimal make-up that takes less than 10 minutes.

Surprised? You don't have to be. Here's how you can look prim and proper for every occasion, even when you are hard pressed for time.

An impromptu date

If it's one of those kinds of surprises when he lands up at your workplace one evening to whisk you off to somewhere for an unplanned date, tell him you'll be there in 10 at most.

There will be no time for any elaborate eye make up. So just cleanse your face and rub in some moisturiser. Line your eyes just on the upper lids and redo the lipstick.

Don't bother so much with the rouge. The excitement you're feeling will show through and that will be good enough! ;)

Interview perfect

A few minutes before going into the interview suite, lock yourself in the powder room for some last moment fixes.

Gently dab at any nervousness induced perspiration on your chin or forehead. Re-touch the lipstick and take a moment to relax.

If your hair is done up in a neat French knot, don't disturb it. If there're a few stray strands, push them behind your ear and tuck the lock gently back into the roll. Brush loose hair before you step out.

An unplanned evening

If your friends call and say they'd be picking you up for a party and that you need to be ready in the next few minutes, take out your makeup kit as you're getting dressed.

Smudge some kohl on the upper and lower lashes before powdering off any hints of dark circles. Touch your cheekbones with a subtle blush. Keep the lipstick for the end. Don't bother with a liner.

Give three minutes each to the eyes, cheeks and lips.

Rushing for a presentation

Spend time only on defining your eyes and lips well. Line the upper lashes. A subtle eye shadow should be just fine apart from light mascara if you'd like.

Line your lips and fill in lip color. Focus on the hair as well and brush is well if you're leaving it loose.

Off to work in a jiffy

Line the upper and lower lashes and then focus on getting the lipstick right. You might not want to fuss too much with eye shadow and blushers for work, unless you'll be meeting some important clients or it's your company's anniversary.

Give yourself just 10 minutes for a quick make up job and see heads turn!

What is permanent make up?

Image courtesy: © Thinkstock

Fed up of getting your makeup on nearly everyday? Or did your partner run screaming when he saw you sans makeup early in the morning?

Honestly, very few women can do without makeup. And that's a fact that makeup companies play on! Looking good is a human fallacy; we all want to look pretty and be appreciated but heck, who wants to spend nearly an hour and half to get the war paint on and then another half hour to remove it!

And sometimes it's also a skin condition or a medical problem that we want to hide with makeup.

That's where permanent makeup comes into the picture. More and more women are choosing to tattoo eye-brows to darken them, get their lips permanently inked a rosy red or tattoo their cheeks with a permanent blush.

Tattoo artist Olly Alva, co-owner Al's Tattoo Studio, Mumbai shares, "A lot of my clients who want to get tattooed eyebrows or eyeliner had undergone chemotherapy which led to hair loss. Then there are clients who want to cover scars or have a skin condition called vitiligo and want permanent make-up to cover these patches."

How does it work?

Permanent makeup is now done at tattoo parlours (with trained staff), medspas as well as hair salons or even your doctor's office, with prior appointment of course.

Permanent makeup is as good as a tattoo on your face. If you do opt for permanent makeup it's something you need to think about very seriously.

Remember, you need a good tattoo artist if you intend to do any of the following: colouring your cheeks/eyebrows, tinting your eyelids and/or colouring your lips permanently!

Alva explains, "Most of my clients who want permanent makeup come through doctors' references. We take their profile picture and make the changes on Photoshop to show how the changes will look. We have a thorough discussion with our clients before getting the permanent makeup done."

What's the procedure?

When you are talking about permanent, it means the tinting will last forever!

Alva reveals, "While tattooing eyebrows or lips, I prefer to do a lighter shade as compared to the picture that was Photoshoped. Because it is difficult to lighten a tattoo after it is complete. However, if my client wants more colour we add it."

To take care of your tattooed makeup, Alva recommends no chemical cosmetics, no ammonia, and no 'hard core' makeup. The colour might fade over a period of time but it varies from person to person.

The pros and cons

Although you can be assured of looking gorgeous 24/7 there are pros and cons.

The pros: If you get permanent makeup tattooed, you can be assured of no makeup menaces in the monsoon, while swimming and of course no more cosmetics.

The cons: If you want to get your permanent makeup removed, you will have to shell out big bucks on laser treatments to soften or neutralise the tints implanted under your skin. If the tattoo starts the fade you have to be prepared to pay the expense for touch-ups. Also, it will be very difficult for you to change your look with changing trend.

Keep in mind

Before tattooing permanent makeup you must do your homework on the tattoo artist and his tattoo parlour.

Find out if the tattoo artist is licensed, is good with permanent makeup and whether he maintains well sanitised products and tools. Make sure you speak to other people who have undergone this procedure.

Also, remember that you can't change it according to your whims and fancies once it is done since it is permanent after all! We think it's a better option for those with medical conditions.

Text courtesy: idiva.com

Enhance your eyes!

Indian women are known to have beautiful eyes, if only we knew how to flaunt them well! Ever noticed the way our Indian actresses style their eyes, highlight and accentuate them? They sure know to grab eyeballs, don't you think?

We give you a list of celebrity 'eye candy' and tips that will help you take complete care of your eyes while trying to get their look!

Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya may have the most amazing eyes you've ever seen, but if you look beyond them, you will notice it's not just the pretty eyelashes that have us floored. This Bollywood beauty applies loads of mascara. Excess is the word. So yes, mascara, if you pick the right colour (which is not always black), will help you define your lashes well.

The downside: Overuse or picking on your mascara will only cause your lashes to fall off. Ouch! So why not opt for the real thing instead? Wondering what we're talking about? The Latisse eyelash enhancer, the first and only FDA approved prescription treatment helps you grow, longer fuller and darker eyelashes! You only have to apply the product and wait and watch for the full effect of your eyelash transformation!
 

Kajol

Kajol has bright, lively eyes that grab attention! Her curled lashes add to the beauty. Her beauty secret: An eyelash curler! Plenty of these are available in the market and will help you make your eyes look wider and brighter. The downside: They can be used to curl only the upper eyelashes and if you are not careful, you could burn the sensitive skin near the eye area in the bargain!

 

  

Priyanka Chopra

Make-up is supposed to enhance your features, not change them and that's why we love Priyanka Chopra's look in the picture. She has gone easy on the make-up. You could follow suit by opting for a nude make-up look by choosing a rather soft shade of lipstick and by accentuating your eyes with the use of a sober eye shadow colour and eye liner or kohl. Let your eyes do the talking!

 

  

Bipasha Basu

Bipasha's sparkling eyes in this picture certainly hold your attention! For such sparkling eyes you could outline the lower inner rim of the eyes with a white pencil to make them appear bigger and applying shimmery clear lip gloss to the top eyelids. Also you could use dark brown or black eyeliner to exaggerate the end of the eye so it turns up slightly for the 'cat woman'-inspired look!

 

 

Kareena Kapoor

If you are blessed with eyes as big as Kareena, we suggest you opt for a sexy, smoky-eyed look! Eyeliner, a medium-toned shadow on the eye lid and a dark shade of eye shadow on the outer corners of the eyelid is your secret key! For extra drama, you could try to make your eyelashes look fuller, darker and well defined!

Get gorgeous eyelashes

A lot could be done to get those eyes bright and sparkly! A whole range of products could be used and long hours can be spent fretting over your make-up! But we believe the easiest way out is to go the natural way!

To make your eyes look beautiful sans make-up and all that jazz, make sure your lashes are long, think, full and defined. So what if you are not blessed with such lashes? You have Latisse to your rescue!

The product is handy and effects can be seen in just about 12 to 16 weeks. You'll notice that the growth is gradual but all you have to do it is apply the solution to the skin at the base of your upper lashes regularly every night. Now who needs fake lashes or worse still, mascara that makes you lose those pretty real ones?

Be the one to love your eyes; choose what's best for them!

Images courtesy: BCCL
Text courtesy: idiva.com

Too much sleep is bad for health!

Image courtesy: ©Thinkstock

No one likes getting up in the morning (and we are not talking about that small percentage of freaks that do). We know you roll over hitting the snooze button for just five minutes more of that wonderful dream. But if you are sleeping a little too much, it might be time to change your lifestyle.
Now all of us have heard of insomnia, but did you know that sleeping too much is also harmful? Studies have shown that sleeping more than 6-8 hours a day could decrease the lifespan of an average adult by 17%!! According to Mumbai-based General Practitioner, Dr Prakash Lulla sleeping too much could cause diabetes, hypertension, migraines, increase chances of a cardio-vascular disease like a heart attack and compromise hormone levels.
"One of the most common effects of oversleeping is obesity," says Dr Sunita Dube, medical director of Aryan Hospital, Mumbai. "Tiredness, irritability and fatigue are other effects", she adds. Imagine so much from those 3-4 extra hours of your beauty sleep.
However, the sleeping itself is not a problem, what causes the excess sleep is. Here are some commonly known problems which might have made you want to say in bed a little longer.

Depression

15% of patients suffering from depression sleep too much. "Also, trauma, shock or stress can be a cause of prolonged sleeping", says Dr Dube. If you know someone who's not so happy and tends to oversleep, it is time for them to visit a psychologist.

Lack of exercise

Do you have a sedentary job?? Lack of exercise can reduce the quality of your sleep and the body will compensate by sleeping more than needed. Go out for a daily walk or give an hour to yoga.

Poor diet

Long hours of sleep might indicate that you need a change of diet. Eating too much processed food, junk food and eating foods that take longer to break down before sleeping might be interfering with your sleep. As much as you want to believe that it was only your scheming mother who wanted you to finish those foul tasting veggies in your plate, it has been proved that a healthy diet can do wonders for you.

Health Problems

Too much sleep can be a sign of health disorders. Dr Lulla says "If you are sleeping too much suddenly, it might be a sign that there is something wrong with your body like a thyroid problem, a Central Nervous System Disorder or a metabolic disorder." If it's very difficult for you to get up in the morning even after pressing the snooze button 10 times, here are some things you can do to prevent that extra sleep.
1. Make sure your last meal is at least 3 hours before your bedtime. "Try having only a bowl of fresh fruits or a glass of milk before dinner", says Dr Lulla. "Avoid drinking tea or coffee before sleeping", adds Dr Sunita Dube.
2. Exercise regularly. It will not only help you sleep well but also make you physically fit.
3. If you go out during the day, a nice shower in the evening will help you sleep better at night.
4. More important than sleeping a lot is sleeping soundly. Try listening to some soft music, reading a light book or playing a relaxing game to improve the quality of your sleep.
5. Set a time for waking up in the morning. Earlier the better. According to Dr Lulla, "Waking up at 6 in the morning will help you sleep better at night and make the most of your day".
6. Try sleeping in a room with lots of fresh air. The oxygen will refresh your mind and make your body function better.
7. Avoid sleeping in the day time. An afternoon nap of 45-minutes is fine, but lounging and sleeping for 2-3 hours might cost you your sweet dreams at night.
8. Psychologist Dube says, "Avoid negative thinking just before you sleep. Try calming techniques like meditation or Shavasana".
9. We know you love sleeping but remember a good night's sleep of 7 hours is sufficient to rejuvenate your body. So, set your alarm accordingly.
10. If you still feel sleepy after sleeping for 12 hours and nothing is helping, visit a doctor! So keep these tips in mind and sleep well!

Ayurveda Provides The Best Path For The Health ...

Health-With the daily increase in health insurance, it is useful to consider alternative approaches to maintaining our health. Men are particularly negligent in keeping a healthy lifestyle. The best defense against the health problems that men face, such as prostate health is the detoxification and cellular rejuvenation. One of the best approaches to do this is actually the mother of all healing sciences. It offers much more than effective assistance, the health benefits of Acai and other so-called super juices. This ancient wonder is called Ayurveda.

t is only part of the audit findings that the Ayurvedic physician to a cure. This survey takes you into itself. There are many surveys in life completely, because they are a convenient way to know yourself objectively. The benefits of Ayurveda is eternal your body type with this survey taught. This is the first step in the ringtones of ayurveda. .

When the temperature rises, blocking the toxins from the body has already absorbed the blood stream. This blocks the nutrients to get to the cells, making the immune system too weak to spread allergens of flowers, carpets, dogs, cats, insects, etc. Even some resist certain foods or fruit can cause allergies for some people. Ayurveda know it is the toxins in the body and the weak nervous system, causing allergies. Ayurveda teaches how to avoid toxins or how to get rid of these toxins and strengthening the entire nervous system. Read on, such as Ayurveda managed allergies.

Many conventional Docotrs now to study and recommend Ayurveda, Ayurvedic treatment for their patients. If two or more types of drugs are used, it is possible for them to interact with each other. As a result of the effectiveness of at least one can rise or fall in the body. . It is always better to your doctor about Ayurveda conventional medicine use information.

The material and content of this site is for users of the information provided. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice to your family doctor. Aymex encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your doctor. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement of Aymex. By and large, let the annals of Ayurveda into three phases clear down the ages. They are the golden old stage, the desecration and the period after independence rejuvenation age.

The old stage was the golden age of Ayurveda. This stage includes extended over the years the age of the independent kingdoms, where Ayurveda was alone depending on means to effectively diagnose and treat diseases of plants and animals. There were royal and public patronage. Ayurveda flourished. Ayurvedic treatises have been written. Study of Ayurveda occupied a place of honor. Brilliant completed Ayurveda with zeal and enthusiasm.

The skin is a sensory organ. The sense of touch, pain, temperature, pressure, felt it. The seven layers of the skin get their food from muscle tissue. Skin reflects the qualities of the blood plasma and tissues of the body of a person. Therefore, it is “glowing” skin is the result of good quality and blood and plasma. can hide, no external skin care and facial massage or application of make-up by the skill of a qualified beauty therapist look flat, when the skin is unhealthy. A healthy skin needs no make-up.

The power of red lips

Stand out at work
It`s no mistake that traffic lights, fire trucks, and other stop-in-your-tracks symbols are coloured red. `Our brains are hardwired to notice and pay attention to the colour, says Andrew Elliot, Ph.D., a psychologist at the University of Rochester, New York. Wear the hue on your lips (reds with coral undertones are great for the office) and you could attract your boss`s eye. Of course, getting noticed on the job is important...but it has to be for the right reasons, says Adele Scheele, a career coach in Los Angeles. So skip the crimson when you show up late, but swipe it on when you`ve just done a stellar job on a project.
Grab a guy`s attention
Studies show that the mere sight of red - and red alone - can increase a man`s blood pressure, respiration, and pulse rate, making him feel more excited physically. The reason is tied to evolution.`Human and some nonhuman males respond to red similarly. Male primates, for instance, have a strong reaction to females when they redden around the time of ovulation, says Elliot. In one of his studies, men who judged photos of women wearing different-coloured shirts rated those in red as more attractive and sexually desirable. Putting red on your lips, especially one with a hint of pink, should elicit the same subliminal response. Just remember: The shade helps you appear sexy. You`re on your own when it comes to showing him how smart, fun, and cool you are.
Beat out the competition
Need to convince a landlord that, of all the renters vying for her posh apartment, you`d make the best tenant? Trying out for a reality-TV show? Hell-bent on winning that karaoke contest? Get your red on. A study conducted at Durham University in England found that Olympians wearing red uniforms and competing in tae kwon do, wrestling, and boxing (all sports that require a ref to determine the winner) won more matches than those in other-coloured duds. `It proves that red has a psychological effect on those judging you - one that can sway the outcome, says Smith. Granted, crimson lips won`t make up for a crappy performance, but if you bring your A-game, red (specifically, deep, berry tones) can give you the edge you need to come out on top.
Text courtesy: Kate Sandoval, Cosmopolitan

Daily dose of nutrients could save your sight

Regular healthy eating could not only cut health care costs, but also prevent vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other sight-robbing diseases.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists at the Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research have found that a food`s glycemic index is an indicator of how fast the carbohydrate it contains will spike blood sugar levels.
The macula is a 3-millimeter-wide yellow spot near the centre of the retina responsible for the central field of vision.
For the study, researchers at Tufts University in Boston, Mass., the researchers analysed dietary intake and other data from more than 4,000 men and women, aged 55 to 80, who had participated in the long-term Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS.
Led by Chung-Jung Chiu, the researchers ranked intake of each of several nutrients consumed during the AREDS study, then calculated a compound score to gauge their combined dietary effect on the risk of AMD.
The scoring system allowed them to evaluate associations between individual and combined dietary nutrients.
The nutrients that were found to be most protective in combination with the low-glycemic-index diet were vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and the omega-3 fatty acids known as DHA and EPA.
The study was published in Ophthalmology.
Text courtesy: ANI>
Image: Flickr/creativecommons/Look into my eyes

Pick the Right Food to control your Emotion

Image courtesy: ©Thinkstock

Wonder why you keep craving for that bar of chocolate when you feel low? Ever wondered why simple dal and rice soothes your nerves on a day you’re feeling cranked up?

Here’s why different foods affect our moods in different ways. We tell what to have and what to avoid when you feel…

 

Stressed

The deadline’s nearing and you are not done putting all the slides together. You seem to be hitting dead ends no matter what you do.

“Just take a deep breath and munch on some pumpkin seeds, flax seeds or walnuts,” advises nutritionist Naini Setalvad. Foods rich in omega 3 helps our body restore magnesium which increases the body’s ability to cope with stress, she adds.

“On a particularly stressful day, plan grilled fish for dinner. It will help in soothing your nerves,” says Sarita Gaikwad, dietician at Talwalkars.

 

Anxious

Feeling the jitters as you get closer to the big interview or a date? “Simply sip on some lime water or dig into your favourite dish of potatoes,” Setalvad says.

These are rich in B complex and vitamin C that helps you relax. “However, try to avoid fried food or caffeine,” she warns as they can only alleviate your anxiety.

“Protein rich foods like grilled chicken or grilled paneer can also help you get over jittery nerves,” says Gaikwad. Protein helps your body to create dopamine, which makes you alert she explains.

 

Sad

Are you feeling the blues lately? “Just grab a piece of dark chocolate,” Gaikwad says. It will instantly boost your energy levels and leave you feeling perkier.

Naini says, “Foods rich in magnesium like bananas and apricots will help too.” Folic acid in the form of spinach or a cup orange juice will lift your moods too.

 

Angry

To keep your temper under control, Gaikwad says, “consume foods that have cooling properties like cucumber or a cup of yogurt.” A glass of chilled milk should do the trick too, she says.

She also says, one should stay away from aerated drinks and alcohol as they will aggravate the emotion. Now you don’t want that- do you?

Keep in mind this food guide and control your moods better!

Aerobic exercise beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis patients

Cardio-respiratory aerobic exercise is safe for patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggest researchers in France.The team from the University of Grenoble Medical School in France found that RA patients who exercised regularly had improved function, less joint pain, and greater quality of life.
RA, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by swollen joints, pain, stiffness, fatigue, and general malaise affects up to 1 percent of the global population, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) citing health-related quality of life (HRQL) studies found that RA patients were 40 percent more likely to report fair or poor general health and twice as likely to have a health-related activity limitation compared with those without arthritis.
The current study led by Athan Baillet, conducted an abstract search of relative medical journals for studies that researched RA patients and impact of aerobic exercise.
The team analyzed 14 studies and meta-analysis included 510 patients in the intervention group and 530 in the control group. Participants in these studies had a mean age of 44-68 years and their RA disease duration was 1-16 years.
Researchers compared HRQL, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), joint count, and pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) among patients in the studies.
"Our results show that patients with stable RA would benefit from regular aerobic exercise. Cardio-respiratory conditioning appears safe and its effects, while small, help to reduce joint pain and improve function," said Dr. Baillet.
Researchers assessed the efficacy of exercise on RA symptoms using standardized mean differences (SMDs) which is the difference (between groups) of mean outcome variation from baseline/SD at baseline of aerobic exercises versus non-aerobic rehabilitation.
Meta analysis of the research showed that exercise improved the post-intervention quality of life, HAQ score and pain VAS.
"While past studies have indicated that RA patients are quite physically inactive, our study shows aerobic exercise to be a safe and beneficial intervention for this group. Further trials are needed to clearly determine the clinical impact of cardio-respiratory conditioning in the management of RA," said Dr. Baillet.
The findings will be published in the July print issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.
Text courtesy: ANI
Image: Flickr/creativecommons jcrojas

Yoga to power your day

It is always a manic morning. The milkman takes turns with the ironing man to ring your doorbell. Your mom-in-law expects you to serve her tea, since your maid just called in sick.

There are tiffins to be packed for school, and you have to swipe in at the office within the next two hours, and it takes an hour to commute! Needless to say, your house and your mind are in a complete mess.

For most multitasking working women like you, the energy required is conversely proportional to the time available to replenish it. This is when you need yoga the most, but you seldom have the time for it. Though you wish Aladin's genie could rescue you, you know he's not coming! So to rescue yourself from chronic stress and its implications, here are three yogic tricks you could manage, despite your busy routine:

Pay attention to your breathing

Watch your breath when your maid calls in sick - isn't it coming fast, like a little puppy chasing a ball?

When the mind is overworked, the body responds with anxious short breaths - an instinctive fight or flight response wherein additional oxygen is supplied to your muscles.

Even if there isn't time to sit down and do pranayam, just pay attention to the speed of your breathing, and consciously slow it down and deepen it. Bring this awareness while sitting or do it while you work. An anxious mind leads to shortened breaths, and elongating the breaths can have the opposite calming effect.

Once you sort out urgent tasks, such as dropping off kids or packing off your husband do not gorge on a full-fledged breakfast. Eat a fruit to manage low sugar levels in the morning and get away into your room for ten minutes of yoga.

10-minute yoga

The Padmasana
Sit down in the Padmasana (lotus) pose or simply sit cross-legged on your bed or a mat. Keep your back straight. Take your arms behind your back and hold the left wrist with the right hand.

Exhaling, bend forward to touch your forehead to your left knee. As you are doing this, focus on the feeling of surrendering to God, or the forces of the universe, which protect you all the time. Inhaling, come back to the centre and repeat this on the right side.

Finally, complete this pose by touching your forehead to the ground (exhaling again) in the front centre of you. Come back as soon as you need to inhale.

Benefits: This posture will increases your energy by stimulating respiration, improving digestion and calming your nerves. However, this should not to be tried by pregnant women, those suffering hernia, or retinal disorders.

The Shavasana

Finally, just before you set out for the day, relax in Shavasana (corpse pose). Lie on your back on a bed/mat. Keep arms a foot away from your body and your feet two feet apart. Close your eyes, focus on your breathing and let go of your thoughts and tensions.

Breathing normally, focus on all your body parts, starting from toes, to the legs, abdomen, head and finally the scalp and consciously relax each muscle group.

Benefits: Remember, yoga helps even the chronically stressed to relax. It also improves breathing, concentration and provides inner peace.. Avoid this practice if you have low blood pressure. This entire sequence takes no more than ten minutes.

Awareness of breath, once mastered, can be practiced at all times and will help you remain calm and efficient through the day.

Suman Chhabria- Addepalli is a certified yoga expert and has been teaching and writing on the subject for several years. She looks at yoga as a tool that reduces disharmony in the mind and body by enhancing one's spiritual awareness and advocates simple techniques to reach one's maximum potential. You can connect with her at Sahyoga@gmail.com

 

Is sugarcane juice a health drink?

The sweet liquid squeezed from sugarcane is the drink as it is believed to cure diseases like jaundice, help in fighting breast and prostate cancer, maintaining normal kidney function and providing strength to the heart, eyes and the brain. But science suggests that all these claims are baseless. When questioned about the purported miracle properties of raw cane juice, Roger Clemens, professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences at the USC, told the Los Angeles Times: `No studies have proven these health benefits.`
When asked whether raw cane juice could help soothe a sore throat or energise the body, he replied: `I`ve been working in this field for 40 years, and I`ve never seen any evidence for any of this.`
What about so-called alkalising properties that can help fight breast and prostate cancer? `Nothing in science backs it up,` said Clemens.
How about raw cane juice as an energy drink - maybe it could, at the very least, serve as a pick-me-up to get you through the 4 o`clock slump at work?
`There`s a difference between nutritionally rich and calorically rich. The bottom line is there isn`t any scientific evidence to support these purported claims,` Clemens said.
So, drink raw cane juice if you like the taste, but don`t expect miracles. Or much at all.
Text courtesy: IANS
Image: Flickr/creativecommons/shashibellamkonda

Get rid of Monsoon Hair Damages

The monsoons are hear and so are the numerous hair fears. Oily scalp, hair fall, dull hair and dandruff are the problems that crop up during the monsoon. Hair experts say it is a temporary phase and can be controlled with the right treatment.

Curb hairfall 

According to hair stylist Amjad Habib, hair fall during the monsoon season increases by 30 percent.
"On a normal day we experience fall of 50-60 strands which is considered healthy. But during this season a person can experience hair fall of more than 200 strands," Habib told IANS.
 "It is a temporary phase and you needn't get tense thinking about it, because stress is also considered a reason for excessive hair fall," he added.

For lustrous locks 

Seema Goel, cosmetologist and director of Berkowits Hair and Skin Clinic, advises use of mild shampoos and regular hair wash. "First and foremost requirement is regular hair wash.

Hair should be washed after frequent intervals during monsoon as delay could lead to oily scalp, excessive hair fall, dandruff and roughness. The other thing that needs to be kept in mind is the selection of shampoo - it should be mild, for example, baby shampoo can be used," Goel told IANS.

Care for oily hair 

"Oily hair tends to become limp during the monsoon and requires shampoos that will give volume to the hair. Natural extracts like rosemary can give that extra bounce and vitality to limp hair," she added.
Goel shares another easy remedy for oily scalp.
"Apply lemon juice for 15 minutes and then rinse it, this is a very effective remedy for an oil free scalp. Lemons are easily available and cost effective," said Goel.

Care for frizzy hair

Habib gives a quick home remedy to fix those fizzy tresses.
"Home remedies are the most effective. People who have normal hair but are frizzy can apply the paste of mashed mango and mint. It brings back the shine and makes them smooth," said Habib.
"People who have very dry hair - should apply a paste of three bananas and honey and leave it for 50 minutes, it takes away the dryness and makes the hair softer. Lastly, for people who have oily hair they should apply paste of mint on the scalp and leave it for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly," he added.

More expert advice 

Experts also suggest that one should go for a short haircut during this season as it is easy to manage. "The best length which can be maintained is shoulder length," said Habib.
Habib also has a word of caution for those who are heavy into hair gels. "Use of hair products like hair gels and the practice of artificial perming and straightening should be avoided as they can lead to permanent hair damage," he added.

Say no to diet pills

You have a dress in your wardrobe that you've never watched before. And now that you want to, it doesn't fit! So you decide the best thing to do is pop diet pills so it can be worn to the upcoming cocktail party.

But before you actually swallow, read up on how these pills affect your body.

They affect metabolism
Diet pills kill appetite, thereby making one take in fewer calories. The body metabolism slows down as it is not getting enough fuel to function. The body is thus deprived of essential nutrients. Once metabolism slows down, weight loss process also slows down (metabolic rate-the rate at which the body burns calories).
Increased dependency
"Usually, the effects from such diet pills are short-lived. When you stop taking this medication, the weight comes right back on. With the rising popularity of diet pills like Phentermine and Amphtamine, dependency cases have become extremely common too", says Dr Nishi Viswanathan, doctor and nutrition expert.
Long term use of diet pills can cause irreversible damage to the body. Disastrous side effects
Some side effects experienced by users of a variety of diet pills are heart-related problems like palpitations, high blood pressure, mild to severe strokes and even heart attacks, complete appetite loss, insomnia, nausea, increased urination, etc. 'Diet pills containing Ephedrine can lead to serious heart related problems", says Dr Deepali Tripathi, a physician.
Lifestyle changes can do the trick
Why resort to extreme methods when simpler and healthier options are available? Eat healthy and exercise moderately.

• If you are fond of sweets and fatty foods, don't deprive yourself, but eat them in moderation.
• Increase your consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Have a regular exercise routine-walking, swimming, jogging, yoga, skipping, Pilates, weight- training, dancing-the list is endless!
• Don't deprive your body of food, as that is the only fuel that keeps the body functioning!

10 steps to successful weight loss

Forget the food fads and `Take 10` small steps to weight loss success - that`s the message from dietitians to the thousands who will make weight loss their goal this year. `Fad and quick-fix weight loss programs often promise easy, no-effort weight loss. The reality is these programs can set people up to fail and damage their self-esteem in the process,` said Claire Hewat, CEO of Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA).
Clare Collins, associate professor of dietics, said: `A range of approaches can help you lose weight in the short term, but making small, permanent changes that fit with your lifestyle will give you the best chance of keeping weight off in the long term.`
Collins` `Take 10` tips for achieving or maintaining a healthy weight are:

1. Eat breakfast
2. Include vegetables or salad with lunch and dinner
3. Choose fruit as a snack
4. Replace full-fat food and drinks with reduced-fat alternatives
5. Choose wholegrain foods instead of more refined foods
6. Eat smaller serving sizes by using smaller plates and cups
7. Eat slowly and stop when you are satisfied, not stuffed full
8. Eat when you genuinely feel hungry, rather than for emotional or other reasons
9. Swap sweetened drinks such as cordial, soft drink and juice with water
10. Eat your evening meals at a dinner table with the TV turned off.

Source: IANS

Red wine ingredient prevents blinding

Resveratrol, an ingredient found in red wine, grapes, blueberries, peanuts and some plants, stops uncontrolled blood vessel growth in the eye, says a study led by an Indian-American."Resveratrol has been identified as an anti-aging compound. Given our interest in age-related eye diseases, we wanted to find out whether there was any link," said retina specialist Rajendra S. Apte, senior study investigator.
Apte, formerly from Mumbai University and now with the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, added: "There were reports on resveratrol's effects on blood vessels in other parts of the body, but there was no evidence that it had any effect within the eye."
His discovery has implications for preserving vision in blinding eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness.
In diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels don't develop beneath the retina. Rather, they grow into the retina itself.
Diabetic retinopathy causes vision loss in about 20 percent of the patients with diabetes. Almost 24 million people have diabetes in the US.
The formation of new blood vessels also plays a key role in certain cancers.
Conducting experiments in mouse retinas, the researchers found that resveratrol can inhibit formation of new blood vessels.
The investigators studied mice that develop abnormal blood vessels in the retina after laser treatment. Apte's team found that when the mice were given resveratrol, the abnormal blood vessels began to disappear, said a university release.
These findings were published in the American Journal of Pathology.
Text courtesy: IANS

Foods that burn fat

Let`s do away with the misconception that there are foods that contain no calories at all. The fact is that every food type contains some calorie value. The fact is that one needs to burn calories in order to prevent fat deposits from accumulating in various parts of the body. Healthy eating can control the number of calories, but yet optimum health maintenance or weight loss can only happen when one exercises and burns the calories. There are certain foods that help burn the maximum calories. There are other stubborn foods that do not promote maximum calorie burning, but instead convert themselves into fat, almost instantly.
One needs to be aware of the foods that help one burn maximum calories, which may exceed the caloric value of the food itself. These foods then lead to higher rate of weight loss. Though, these foods do not actually burn fat fast, but control the fat accumulation, they are titled as `fat burners`.
According to nutritionists and food experts, foods that have high vitamin C content tend to burn fats fast. These include the following fruits:

• Lime
• Lemon
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Watermelon
• Apple

The vegetables include:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Carrot

The importance of vitamin C is that it has the ability to dilute the fat in the body, hence making it lesser effective in the body. And because of this it is easier for the body to flush out, or eliminate such fats.
Certain fruits like apples contain something known as Pectin, which is a substance that is known to regulate the fat being absorbed by the cells of the body. Pectin also promotes the absorption of watery substances in the body. This then brings about the release of the deposits of fat on the cells.
Then there are the foods that one consumes for breakfast such as:

• Oatmeal
• Skimmed milk
• Whole grain cereal

These are considered as sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre. These promote the break down of fat in the body. In fact, they tend to energise the body, promoting a higher metabolic rate.
Peppers and some other spices contain a substance called capsaicin that is said to encourage the body to produce more stress hormones. This increases the potential metabolic rate, which eventually leads to burning more calories.
Another fat burning food is Soy. Food experts consider this to be wonder food, as it contains chemicals that prevent fat from being deposited on the cells, breaking them down completely. Garlic juice and garlic oil has proven to have certain properties that protect the cells and catalyse the process of ridding the body of fat content.
Other foods that burn fat include:

• Black Tea
• Coffee
• Green Tea
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Carrots
• Low fat cheese
• Low fat yogurt
• Water
• Jalapenos 

http://www.deliciousindia.com

Balinese spa for the summer

Splurge on this new exotic Balinese massage and experience the newness and difference. This therapeutic treatment is being introduced at The Spa, Courtyard by Marriott. With summer approaching, this could be just the right time to detoxify and renew yourself in this spa and get set for the week ahead. Balinese massage is a holistic treatment with a unique therapy that makes it stand apart. It is a deep technique which relieves one of all kinds of spasms. A Balinese massage initially begins in a dry manner and is trailed by the topical application of warm lavender or coconut oil. It is a compression massage technique, which focuses on overall well-being.
Apart from being relaxing, it also proves to be beneficial in a therapeutic manner and recharges the system. Balinese massage helps in providing relief from sleep disorder, migraine, depression, headache, asthma, allergy, muscle pain and other respiratory problems. It is done in a serene atmosphere and changes the mental make up.
The spa service can be availed at Rs.2000 for 60 min.

Exercising? Get your clothes right

Wear loose cottons while doing yoga. Make well-fitting, comfortable attire for gym workouts. For, what you wear while exercising can accentuate the posture and the feel good factor, say fitness experts. `Wearing appropriate workout clothes can enhance and optimise your workouts and thereby increase your benefits,` Vinita Shetty, a Reebok fitness trainer, told IANS.
`Right clothes give you the comfort and support that is greatly needed in addition to helping you maintain an optimum body temperature during intense workout sessions.
`Well-fitting attire can also help accentuate your form and posture so as to be monitored better. The feel good factor of right clothing cannot be underestimated either. All these factors contribute to getting a better performance out of the participant,` Shetty added.
According to Delhi-based yoga expert Yatharth Sehajpal, uncomfortable clothes are a big no-no for a workout session.
`One should avoid stiff and uncomfortable clothing because a session requires performing different and difficult body postures, so one should go in for loose and comfortable clothing that absorbs sweat,` he said.
Earlier, people used to wear anything for a workout session and there was less awareness about the right clothes for exercising. However, with changing times more people are getting hooked to the latest fitness outfits available in the market.
`People are becoming conscious about fitness and are adopting a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the demand for sportswear has increased,` said Andreas Gellner, managing director, Adidas India.
Also, a fact that has been noticed is that men use fitness clothing more than women.
`Typically, men indulge more in fitness shopping as they are more involved in sports and related activities. But slowly the trend is changing as more and more women are becoming conscious about their fitness regime and do not mind spending on fitness clothing,` added Gellner.
Colours also play an important part while you select your clothes for workout sessions.
`Light colours like white, beige, pink etc are ideal for a yoga session as they are pleasing to the eyes and absorb less heat,` said Sehajpal.
Manufacturers of fitness wear also say that colours like black, blue and white are the basic popular colours, but the demand for bright colours is on a high too.
As far as suitable fabric is concerned, the winner is cotton. Trainers and fitness experts swear by it for a workout session.
`It`s very important that the clothes you wear while exercising are cotton or semi cotton and not synthetic at all because when you sweat you need to wear something that absorbs the sweat. That is very important,` Leena Mogre, fitness expert and director Leena Mogre Fitness, told IANS.
Mogre has trained Bollywood actresses like Katrina Kaif, Kangana Ranaut and Sameera Reddy among others.
Text courtesy: IANS

Working without break a health risk

One in four people put their health at risk if they work without a break through the day, a new study has revealed. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has warned that working in the same position for too long and going to work when ill or stressed can damage health.
Long working hours without a break can also lead to back pain, obesity, depression, heart disease and stroke.
"Physiotherapists are concerned that overworking and not taking breaks is actually costing employers and their staff," telegraph.co.uk quoted Phil Gray, chief executive of the CSP as saying.
"Employees pay the price with their health and there is a cost to employers in reduced productivity and performance. Work is good for us and can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing - but not when overworking means people don't have the time or energy to look after their own health or when staff are at work but are not fit for work," Gray added.
Ben Willmott, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, agreed, saying "These findings should ring alarm bells for employers. A certain level of pressure at work is of course desirable.
"However when the pressure people face regularly exceeds their ability to cope, in other words stress, it is likely to lead to time off work and is linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety and heart disease".
Text courtesy: IANS
Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Listening to MP3 can cause deafness

Listening to MP3 can cause deafness

Just one hour's listening to an MP3 player can damage hearing. It causes temporary changes in hearing sensitivity which may lead to long-term harm, say scientists. A new study reveals that over-stimulation of hair cells within the ear occurs even at varying volume levels for short periods of time. Listening to music at high volume causes temporary changes in hearing sensitivity which may lead to long-term harm, reports dailymail.co.uk.
The new study follows previous warnings from doctors that using MP3 players at high volumes with earphones that fit into the ear canal could lead to loss of hearing.
The new study was conducted by researchers of Ghent University, Belgium. The volunteers were divided in two groups -- one group consisted of 21 people aged 19 to 28 years and they were exposed to pop and rock music using MP3 players at varying volumes for one hour.
The second group of 28 men and women were a control group who were not exposed to MP3 music.
Hearing tests were carried out before and after the exposure, which found significant threshold or emission shifts were observed between almost every session of the noise exposure group compared with the control group.
"It is well known that excessive occupational noise exposure can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Excessive noise exposure can lead to metabolic and mechanical effects resulting in alterations of the structural elements of the inner ear that contains auditory sensory cells or hair cells," said lead researcher Hannah Kempler.
Dangers of high decibels
"The primary damage is concentrated on the outer hair cells, which are more vulnerable to acoustic over-stimulation than inner hair cells. Considering the reduction in hearing sensitivity after listening to a portable media player, these devices are potentially harmful," she added.
Emma Harrison, director of Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), Britain, says that long term exposure to loud music can cause permanent deafness.
"RNID research shows that 66 percent of personal music player users are listening to music at louder than 85 decibels, which according to the World Health Organisation, can cause permanent hearing damage over time," Harrison said.
The European Commission has warned up to 10 percent of 30-year-olds would have to wear a hearing device within the next decade because they listen to music too loudly through headphones.
Surveys showed that more than 90 percent of young people in Europe and the US used MP3 players, often for several hours a day at maximum volume.
"Many people regularly use personal music players and are often not aware that they could be putting their hearing at risk. It is crucial that manufacturers and legislators are supportive of these plans and work together to protect the hearing of a generation of music lovers," she said.
The study was published in the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery journal.
Text courtesy: IANS
Also read:Eyesight in children
Image courtesy: FlickrOosp

Fast, Easy & Healthy Grilling Recipy

Rosemary Shrimp Skewers with Arugula-White Bean Salad

 

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Makes: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp, shelled and cleaned, tails on
Nonstick cooking spray
1 small garlic clove, minced
Pinch sugar
1 5-ounce package baby arugula
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, the smashed garlic cloves, the rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper in a medium bowl. Add the shrimp; toss well. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes.
2. Heat a grill to medium-high. Thread shrimp on skewers (if they're wooden, soak in water 30 minutes prior to grilling) and discard marinade. Lightly mist grill with cooking spray. Grill shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.
3. Combine the minced garlic, sugar, and remaining olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the arugula, beans, and onion; toss to combine.
4. Mound the salad on one side of a large platter and arrange the shrimp skewers alongside.
Nutrition facts per serving: 315 calories, 35g protein, 21g carbohydrate, 13g fat (1.9g saturated), 6g fiber

Recipes developed by Laraine Perri

Some Easy Steps To Nourish Your Feet

Pedi, Set, Go!

You run every morning but don't want your feet to show it.Just follow few steps to pamper your feet.
Step 1: Fill the tub with a few inches of warm water and a capful of sea salts, a natural muscle relaxer. Or try Burt's Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals. Soak your feet for five minutes to reduce swelling.
Step 2: Cut toenails straight across, then round the pointy edges with a file, to prevent ingrown nails.
Step 3: Using circular motions, scrub feet and calves with a skin polisher, like Sephora Body Super Foot Scrub, to remove dead cells.
Step 4: Instead of shaving off calluses completely -- exercisers need them as protective padding -- apply a callus softener that is packed with nonabrasive chemical exfoliators, like alpha hydroxy acids, on the bottom of each foot. After a few minutes, rub soles with a file until smooth to the touch.
Step 5: Rinse feet, pat dry, and apply cuticle oil to prevent hangnails. Then layer on a moisturizer made with super-emollient petrolatum.

Top Coats

Be bold. These colors are bright, versatile, and ultra-fun to wear.
Green day: Rich jewel tones will resist flaking if you swipe an extra thin dab of the polish on just the tips of your nails.
Orange you glad? For a low-key look, try a poppy shade.

Rock star: Prevent polishes from clumping by letting each coat dry for two minutes before swiping on another layer.
Purple power: Add a layer of shiny topcoat to keep vivid shades for looking sophisticated. Bonus: This polish is scented, so you'll get whiffs of yummy grape soda.

Treadmill Or Open Road ?

Image courtesy : © Thinkstock

Walking is one of the best workouts. You’ve heard it from nearly everyone - from the fitness trainer to your doctor to your 70-year-old friendly neighbour who is fit as a fiddle. But should you be walking / going for jogs in your neighbourhood or hitting the treadmill at the gym? There are those who adore the outdoors and those who prefer the treadmill. But which is healthier?

“Most exercises done freehand are better. Jogging or walking is definitely more beneficial on the road/ground,” says Somesh Kamra, Mumbai-based certified personal trainer.

More effort, more gain

“The ground on a treadmill is already moving. Whereas, while walking on the ground, you have to put pressure to get going,” he explains. Since the belt is moving on its own, lesser effort is being put and therefore, lesser calories are being burnt. Whereas, while walking on the ground you are lifting more muscles against it to gain momentum.
Kamra says that the preferred order of choice should be grass, sand and then asphalt/cement. Grass, since it provides the best cushion for your ankles and knees. Grass acts as a good shock absorber. Sand is second best when it comes to providing a cushion to your joints and then the cement track.

Posture perfect

Moreover, walking on the treadmill could affect your posture too. Holding onto the railings while on the treadmill could give you a slouch. Whereas, on the road or grass you automatically correct your posture.
Temperature is another important factor that affects how many calories you burn. “Most gyms have a set temperature that is often cooler. Your body will burn lesser calories in a cooler temperature,” says Kamra. Your body will take longer to warm up, he adds.

Remember these

“You need to have a good pair of running shoes and socks before you start walking/jogging,” says Leena Mogre, Director, Leena Mogre Fitness.

She also says one should not forget to warm-up, stretch and later cool-down post walking. “Finish your walk with a drink of lime squeezed in water. It will help you replenish all the nutrients lost,” says Kamra.

So, now that you know all about walking, choose wisely. Happy walking!

Useful Tips TO Buy Home

It's about time you moved out of your in-laws' home, don't you think? No, no… we're not implying that your mother-in-law is Mrs Hitler or that your sister-in-law is Cruella de Vil incarnate. But there comes a point where you just need to move out. Live on your own. Start a family may be.

Buying a home is a big step and unless your great grandaunt just died and left you a heiress, you will have to have a smart money plan to fund that dream home (even if it isn't a penthouse)! That's why we got you some tips from people who've been there, done that and some expert advice too... 

1) Cut back on expenses

Sure you are planning to take a loan but a little extra saving could go a long way. Besides, you will need money for a down payment (15 to 20 per cent of the cost of the home), stamp duty and taxes. And then there is setting up your home too. Bottom line: It's time to cut corners and curb expenses.

"I began saving for my home five years ago. We cut back on travelling expenses because that was eating into our finances," says Melvin Fernandes who moved into his new apartment about a month ago. Find out what your main expenses are and cut back on that. It could be eating out, clubbing, compulsive shopping or even electricity bills!

2) Invest the money NOW

What you save might not be enough to cover a down payment. You need to invest right.

"Keep your money largely liquid but look at a three to five year horizon for saving," says Vinay Singh, a certified financial planner. He recommends SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans), bank fixed deposits and company fixed deposits as they have no lock-in period. "Just make sure to opt for reliable companies," he warns.

Gold is also a good investment against inflation. But instead of gold bars or medallions, Vinay suggests ETF (Exchange Traded Funds) where you buy units that can be redeemed anytime. But you’ll need a demat account for this.

3) It's all about the budget

If you can afford a bungalow by the sea in a metro city, good for you. But if not, then you might need to set some criteria and a budget. This will help you close in on a location as well as the exact home you buy.

"We knew we wanted a flat in a new building. We also wanted the railway station, the market and a good school for the kids in the vicinity. So we moved further into the suburbs where we could get these facilities in our budget," says Pooja Seth who moved out of her in-laws' home when her second child was born. 

4) Think investment

Just because you have budget constraints doesn't mean you need to move to some remote village. Scout the market, speak to people and find about areas that are developing – may be a flyover, a multiplex or a metro in the offing?

"I bought my home in an upcoming area because I know the property rates are bound to increase once the infrastructure and other facilities improve," says Erica Gonsalves whose flat has appreciated by 13 per cent in the last one year.

Twenty-nine year-old Anita Salve bought a one-bedroom flat in Ghatkopar, a central suburb in Mumbai, right next to the junction where the Mumbai Metro is coming up. The price of the flat has appreciated six times over since and she hasn't stop gushing yet!   

5) Get the right loan

When the wait is finally over and it's time to get your home loan, Vinay gives us some tips on how to choose your home loan and your provider too.

• 
  
  
  Opt for a scheduled bank instead of multi-national banks. They are not so quick to raise interest rates, levy charges etc and are equally flexible when it comes to pre-payment of loans.
• 
  
  
  If the rate of interest is low, opt for a fixed rate. If not, a floating interest rate would be a better option.
• 
  
  
  Make sure your EMI is not more than 55 to 60 per cent of your salary.
• 
  
  
  Try not to let your loan tenure go beyond 15 to 20 years.
• 
  
  
  Avoid taking other loans (for car or setting up home) at the same time. Also avoid using your credit card at will.

Lastly, make sure you have a five to six month contingency fund so that you don't default on your EMI payment.
Best of luck house hunting.....

Top Ten Mother & Daughter

A lovely mother and her doting daughter can do more than just set the kitchen on fire! They can, with the right elements, rule Hollywood, gratify Bollywood and glamorise Tollywood!

We list a few mother-daughter duos who have made it famous!

Dimple Kapadia & Twinkle Khanna

Even though mother Dimple is known for her glamorous looks and serious roles in art films, and daughter Twinkle is usually only seen beautifying her husband, son and their home, they still come across as a sweet typical mother-daughter pair. But we'd like to see them together more often...may be in a movie or two?

Aparna Sen & Konkana Sen Sharma

Mother Aparna must have feasted on talent-infused cookies when pregnant with Konkana! And Aparna's mother must have done the same. Thus we have a rather talented mother-daughter duo here! You have to see Mr and Mrs Iyer if you don’t know what we are talking about.

Madonna & Lourdes

Known to be one popular celebrity baby, Lourdes, who wants to be an actress, is already all over the place with a junior fashion line to her credit. While the mother wishes the daughter would dress more conservatively (yeah right!), the daughter is already keen on moving out at 14. We can only say no surprises here!

Hema Malini & Esha Deol

Initially, Esha Deol came across as one clingy kid. Or was it Hema Malini acting like a clingy mother? Hema’s word was THE word for her daughter. Much of it has changed now, not that it has done any good for Esha. Anyway, the mother has now taken it upon herself to set her daughter’s dead filmy career back on track with her home production.

Katie Holmes & Suri Cruise

The duo takes the saying 'like mother like daughter' to a whole new level! Mother Katie is leaving no shop unvisited to make sure princess Suri is one heck of a stylish kid-diva! Lipstick, kitten heels, gorgeous outfits, metallic designer bags, an iPad, acting lessons… you name it, she’s got it. By the way, Katie has hit bull’s eye as Suri was recently named as the ‘most fashionable’ child celebs!

Shobha Kapoor & Ekta Kapoor

Not much is known about camera-shy mother Shobha and fashion victim daughter Ekta apart from the fact that together they churn out serial after serial which keeps all of India’s mothers and daughters entertained. Together they make for a powerful production house. Way to go girls!

Goldie Hawn & Kate Hudson

The way they have a ball of a time when they’re together, it seems like they’re more like sisters than mother-daughter. Kate usually takes mom Goldie as her date to movie premiers, which is something we particularly like!

Sharmila Tagore & Soha Ali Khan

The duo reminds me of a meek looking daughter with a stern looking mother who doubles up as her class teacher. No wonder that while Sharmila figured on the 'Bollywood's 10 hottest actresses of all time' list, Soha is nowhere in the picture! What went wrong with her? No Filmfare award, no National award, never featured in Top 10 list...never mind!

Sridevi & Jhanavi Kapoor

Gorgeous mother Sridevi currently seems to be busy making choices for her daughter Jhanavi.

And Jhanavi looks like a girl straight out of Grade 10 and we have a feeling she will first appear in Tollywood and then make it to big, bad Bollywood! Will she be as successful as her mother? Well, only time will tell.

Jaya Sawant & Rakhi Sawant

Drama, drama, drama and yes, a little bit of drama is what makes this pair media friendly, and (ahem) very entertaining! We equate them to a meteorite colliding with the Earth. Daughter doesn't invite mother for her wedding and then mother shares her sorrow on national television. They do not believe in keeping matters private. Not that we mind. :P

Who’s your favorite mother-daughter duo? Leave a comment and let us know! 

 

Source-www.idiva.com

 

Bring Home Busaba

From investment banker from New York to owner and executive chef of Mumbai's hotspot Busaba, Nikhil Chib has undergone quite a transformation all thanks to his culinary journey. "The mumbai watering hole has gone from mad techno nights to countless Kamikazes to a much more grown up, upscale and refined eatery. I guess a little bit like me,” explains Chib. But if there's one thing that hasn't changed, it's the patrons who have stayed loyal to the restaurant. That loyalty is now easy to acquire. So, let the talented chef tell you how dazzle your friends with one of his many favourite easy recipes.

 

Stir Fried Tiger Prawns with Lemongrass, Rock Salt and Chillies

 

Ingredients

Tiger Prawns - 4 Pc                                                      
Lemon Grass - 6 stalks                                               
Black Pepper - 5 gms                                                  
Rock Salt       - 10 gms                                                
Green Chili     - 15 gms                                                
Oil                 -  5 ml                                                      
Garlic            -  25 gms

Method of Preparation

Boil the prawns for a little while along with the shell. Smash the lemon grass and chillies till flat. Add garlic to the wok with a little oil.  Sauté the garlic and oil for a little while. Add lemon grass and chilies and sauté well. Add prawns and black salt and peppers. Saute and serve with a sweet honey sauce.

 

Source-Vouge

 

Make your wardrobe more trendy in this season...........

With the scorching summer sun behind us, there’s nothing we want more than some showers of blessings or way.  Monsoons are all about revamping your wardrobe, perking up your style with brighter, funkier colours and letting your inner child come out and play. So ladies, do away with the whites and cottons lying in your closet and bring in the neons and pinks to embrace the rains- fashionably.

Not a monsoon goes by without the bare essentials, the quintessential rain coat. Not the dreary, blue-black variety but the fun, bright-neon kind like this Sonya Vajifdar pre-rain jacket in fuchsia pink. With its leopard print inners there’s no excuse to brave the Indian rain without being in-vogue. Don’t want to take your favourite Louboutins or Jimmy Choos on a muddy ride? Invest in some sturdy rain boots. The Nova heart Burberry short rain boots set the mood for a monsoon romance with their classic checks and heart prints. And while we are at it, lets not forget the crucial rain accessory- an umbrella. Opt for the colourful, cheery variety to add some life into the grey skies that the season brings with the season’s fun accessory, the Paul Smith turquoise-hued umbrella.

source-Vogue
 

5 Common Beauty Blunders

 Croc-Skin Lips:  Dry, chapped lips are a disaster zone for any lipstick shade. Moisturise and gently buff your lips with a lip brush or cotton swab. Lipstick will stay on longer.

Spider-legs mascara: Clumpy, over-loaded lashes are an unmitigated mess. The quick fix? Run a lash comb through them when they’re dry. Dust translucent powder under your eyes to catch any falling residue. Spider legs can also appear when wet eyeliner streaks into the creases around your eyes, so go for waterproof eye make-up. Replace your liner and mascara every three months, to minimise red-eye and infection.
Skin overload: Pick skincare products that multitask rather than pile the skin with lots of layers, especially in summer. Use a foundation with a built in moisturiser and sun protection. Read the fine print and select products that match your skin type—hydrating formulas for dry skin, water-based for oily skin and hypoallergenic for sensitive skin. A mismatched product can cause havoc.
Not–at-all French manicure: Long talons and French manicuresdon’t mix. If you want to wear the naturalmanicured look, make sure the whites ofyour nails are no longer than a fourth ofthe entire surface of your nail. Trimmed, varnished and chic—now that’s true French grooming.
Sizzle ’n’ snap hair:Don’t use tongs or straightening irons on wet hair or you’ll singe the follicles. The result? A frizz-fest. A dab of heat-reactive product before you iron or tong your tresses will replace the static with plenty of shine.
Electric fangs:Your smile is the first thing that people notice about you—don’t zap them with unnaturally white teeth. Whitening them is great but, to look natural, your teeth need to match the whites of your eyes—no more and no less.

Source : Vouge India

Bollywood's Power Couples

Bollywood's Power Couples

They are powerful, beautiful and the objects of our unending affection, and in some cases envy. The forever-in-love, picture perfect Bollywood power couples are most talked about everywhere. From movies to commercials, the reel-life jodis are the most sought after endorsements ambassadors. Be it Abhishek-Aishwarya, the doe eyed duo, Shahrukh-Gauri the ultimate couple royale or Saif-Kareena, the always-in-news pair, we bring you our top ten tinsel town power couples.

Rate It, Which One is Most Powerful................

Source : Vouge India