Practical tips for lifestyle, habits, health, beauty and mind

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5 Plant Based Ingredients to Look for in Your Lipstick if You have Chapped Lips

Not all of us are gifted with soft, supple lips that stay naturally hydrated all day. Most of us struggle with dry, cracked skin on the lips which most often than not give us the irritating time of the day when we have to scrub, moisturise and even hide it under a thick layer of lipstick to make them look healthy and beautiful.

What’s worse, in spite of the moisturizing, scrubbing and drinking water, the moment we use our favorite lipstick or lip balm, they turn dry again. The trick to maintaining your lip health is in choosing a product with the right ingredients. Fortunately, there are many natural plant based ingredients that cosmetic companies use to soften the skin and keep it hydrated. You just need to read the labels.

Let’s look at 5 great ingredients that you should be looking for in lipsticks and lip balms if you have dry and chapped lips.

Castor seed oil (Ricinus communis seed oil) – One of the oldest healing remedies used in ancient Egypt and India for its medicinal properties, the castor seed oil is a vegetable oil pressed from castor beans.
The oils of fatty acids contained in Castor seed oil are rich in ingredients like Ethyl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Glyceryl Ricinoleate SE, Glycol Ricinoleate, Isopropyl Ricinoleate, and Methyl Ricinoleate. The main ingredient ricinoleic acid is the miracle compound that gives Castor oil the ultra-moisturising properties. It acts as humectants retaining the moisture by locking in the water in the skin. Estée Lauder Sculpting lipstick range has this incredible ingredient.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil or Jojoba oil – Extracted out of the seeds of the desert shrub, Simmondsia chinensis has the ultimate moisturizing properties. Its humectant ingredients creates a layer over your skin with moisture protecting it from getting dry and keeps it conditioned for longer duration. It also has antioxidant properties and can help reduce the wrinkles and fine lines on your skin.
I really love the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick for its rich texture and low price.
Moringa oleifera seed oil – Another magical ingredient that can work wonders to your skin is the oil extracted from the Moringa oleifera tree. The moringa oil has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging properties. It is also a great emollient and exfoliant which slips easily and spreads evenly on the skin. It can make your skin smooth and hydrated. This is what makes the NAARS AUDACIOUS lipstick range super popular.
Triticum vulgare (wheat) germ extract or wheat germ oil is a rich source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is one of the most recommended remedies for chapped lips because it is an antioxidant and a natural skin conditioner. It protects skin against skin damage and encourages the growth of new skin cells. Vitamin E also promotes increased production of collagen, which regenerates skin and reduces wrinkles.
Olea europaea (olive) fruit extract – Olive oil is a natural emollient as it rich source of essential fatty acids including linoleic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid. Olive oil contains plenty of skin nourishing compounds. It is rich in Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant. Its primary skincare benefit is that it can help moisturise and nourish dry skin. The Vitamin E protects your sensitive lip skin from sun damage.

When you have one of the above ingredients in your lipstick or lip balm, you will see that all the hard work that you did to prep your lips did not go wasted. These ingredients will compliment the lip care routine that you followed by blending in and locking the moisture in for a long time during the day.

Here are a few great lipstick shades having these wonderful ingredients :

I hope you give these a try!

Featured

5 Simple Tricks to Crush the Cravings on Your First Few Days of Dieting

Ingredients for a fresh guacamole food photography recipe idea

So you’re all set with your fabulous new fad diet regime, ready to plunge into the weight-loss journey. You managed to get through the first day, did that 14-hour fast, forgot sugar and carbs existed, and only lived on fruits, veggies , and protein.

But, a couple of days into the routine, inertia kicks in, hunger spasm and cravings that you thought you had easily managed comes running right back. You are fantasying (against will, of course!) about ice cream, bread and pasta. Just when you thought, you got it under control, your own mind begins to fool around and trick you into going right back.

Well, if you’re in this irritating state of mind where your brain is tantalizing you, read on!

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It takes a lot of will power (which you’ve proved to have!) and a little bit of smart preparation to wade through those miserable initial days until your body becomes used to the new diet regime.

Here are a few tricks that will surely work wonders!

Hydrate, but with ice cold water!
Yes, that’s right. Cold water can give the feeling of fullness. Also with the low temperature numbing the sensory glands in your mouth, you’ll be staving the hunger off for longer time.
If you’re allowed to drink coffee, add a couple of ice cubes in it. Trust me, you’ll like it. It is not the greatest replacement for sugar or cream, but you’ll certainly enjoy the coolness of ice down your throat making you feel rejuvenated for the next 30 minutes or so.
If must indulge, stick to low-carb, low-calorie options. The important thing is to restrict calories. Plain Greek yoghurt and berries with a dash of honey is a great option that has always worked for me when I’m craving ice cream. But the trick is to eat it right out of the refrigerator so that it is cold and you feel full after.
Drink clear soup. Clear soups are a great option if you’re craving for spice and flavor. They are light and full or nutrients. Make sure that the sodium content is low when you cook it.
Rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating . Rinsing your mouth will clear off the aftertaste of food and replace it with fresh minty taste of the mouthwash.

Good luck with your weight-loss journey, and I hope these tips are helpful!

Five Easy Home Remedies to Remove Sun Tan

Who doesn’t like spending time outdoors during summer. Being outdoors improves your mood and energy levels, and help you relax. The only disadvantage is the long exposure to UV. It’s easy to get a sunburn when you’re out on the beach or just window shopping in the city on a sunny day. While there are several tan removal creams available in market that can give results in the long run, there are some easy home remedies to reverse your tan and bring back the glow to your face in minutes.

Use these remedies immediately once you are back home.
Turmeric powder and yogurt – This is a powerful combination. A good amount of yogurt and tone, brighten, moisturize your skin, while turmeric is an age old skin care ingredient used through out in Asian countries due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Mix both , not more than a couple of tea spoons, make a paste and add it on the face, neck and arms. Leave on for fifteen minutes and wash off with soap and water.

Potato and lemon – Blend a few potato cubes with a bit of lemon juice, refrigerate (if you fancy a cool face pack!) and apply it on the face. Leave it on for fifteen minutes and wash. The results will surprise you. Potatoes have skin brightening and exfoliating properties, thanks to the vitamin C in it.

Photo by Franco Antonio Giovanella on Unsplash

Frozen lemon cubes – This is probably the most intuitive and quick solution. When you prepare lemonade for the family, squeeze some lemon, pour it into the ice tray and freeze it. Ice cubes reduces swelling and keeps your skin evenly toned. Added with lemon, it will remove tan and black marks.

Baking soda – If you think your skin is burnt, Mix with a couple of teaspoons of water to make a thick paste. Apply over the burnt area for instant relief.

Remember, our skin gets tanned by UVA and UVB light which both have damaging effects on the body and the skin. Continuous exposure can not only cause tanning, but also make you prone to sun intolerance, pigmengtation disorders and even skin cancer.

Please be careful while choosing your sunscreen. Go for a sun screen that can protect you from UVA and UVB light.

Planning to Buy New Running Shoes? Read this!

foot — Overpronated feet : Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

Ask any fitness guru and they will tell you, your choice of workout shoes is one of the key factors that can determine the success or failure of your long term fitness goals. What’s started with total dedication and focus can turn into an everyday torment session where you drag yourself through repeated movements and loathe the muscle cramps and sprains that follow. It is normal to feel a bit of soreness if you’re exercising the first time or after a break, but if your workout sessions ends with heel or ankle pains regularly, your shoes could be the reason.

Today I’m going to describe one trick that has helped me manage my heel pain, in hopes that this information might help you too.
But, mind you, the points mentioned here are helpful, but they won’t act as a cure if you have a medical condition or won’t take the pain off completely. These are just tools I’ve found helpful in handling my own overpronated feet ailments.

Most of us take this for granted, but the truth is, a good shoe provides support for the arch and tissues of our foot, keeping it protected from soreness and injuries.
The width of the foot and its arch is different for everyone, which is why taking the time to find the best workout shoes could be a worthwhile move over the long run.

Depending upon how your foot is formed, you need to choose shoes that will provide the required support when you walk or run.

If you’re like me, on a hunt for options that will make your morning run a fun experience, ‘Pronation’ is the word that you should look up.

Don’t get flustered by the term, it is quite a simple thing to understand and once you figure out the way your foot is formed, you may just be able to make some brilliant choices that will impact your fitness regime most favorably. You can thank me later.

A bit of explanation…

While walking or running, your foot is flexible and facing downwards (prone) flat on the ground at one point and rigid and facing up (supine) as it is lifted off the ground. The natural movement of the foot involves turning of the sole outwards (pronation), so that the body weight is transferred from the sole to the medial part of the foot and then turning of the sole of the foot inwards (supination), shifting weight to the lateral edge.

If your feet is formed perfectly, it will have a neutral pronation and supination- not overly spreading inwards or outwards. But here are a few interesting facts to pay attention.

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If your foot rolls too far inward, you overpronate, bringing all your body weight under your big toe and the medial side or the inside of your foot.
If you pronate neutrally, rolling inwards just enough to adapt to the surface, your body weight is distributed between the middle toe and the little toes. So, in this position the weight is equally distributed between the sole and the medial part of your foot.
For some people, the foot rolls outward or supinate as they walk or run. Supination can lead to ankle injuries and sprains as the foot can get over twisted as it rolls outward.

How to Tell Your Foot Type

You better do check your foot type before going shopping.

Examine your feet.

To check if you overpronate, squat on the ground bare foot and check if there is some space underneath the inside part of your feet. If there is no space between your foot and the ground, you’re clearly overpronating.

If there is enough space to slide a finger underneath the middle portion of the inward side of the feet, you likely have normal arches.

Take a look at your most worn running shoes.

If your foot supinates, you’ll see your shoes stretched and slanted outward on one side. If you look at the wear patterns at the base of the shoe, the inside edge of the feet and sole will show more wear and tear.

Overpronation and supination are such subtle characteristics unique to each person that quite often it gets overlooked, leading to long-term foot ailments.
It is true that some problems need medical attention, and it is entirely up to oneself to take the appropriate preventive measures but sometimes all you need is a good pair of shoes!

What Shoes Should You Choose?

Shoes that can correct both of these conditions to some extend are available plenty in the market.

Those of us that have overpronating foot or flat foot, where the outer edge of the heel hits the ground first, making it rolls inward as it comes in contact with the ground, Motion Control shoes is what you should look for. The sole of such shoes are very much cushioned, a little more cushioned to provide the required flexibility and cushioning for the flat foot and they effectively make up for the imbalance of your flat foot.

For a supinating foot, where the stress is mostly on the outside of the foot, a cushioned lightweight shoes with extra room for toes and shoes with arch support is what you should look for. New Balance is one of my favorite brands that offer the best training shoes with the right amount of comfort, cushioning and arch support for supinated feet. The New Balance Men’s 624 Cross Training Shoes is just what the doctor ordered. If you’re looking to wear it in a semi formal setting, the New Balance Men’s 624 Cross Training Shoes, Black might be a great choice. They have a black version for women, but I like the white ones.

If you’re lucky to have a normal pronation, you have got a wide variety of shoes to choose from, but the best bet is specialized neutral running shoes with extra cushioning and support.

All the major brands have all of the above types of shoes on the offer. So, rest assured, and feel free to take your pick carefully!

Four Fruits that You can Indulge in Without Worrying About the Calories

If you’re on a diet, then you’re most likely been warned about excessive fruit intake. I’ve always had to be mindful about the quantities because of their high carbohydrate content. Well, not after I found out that there are several fruits that are low in carb content, but high in fiber and water, which you can eat without worrying about getting fat.

Replace the the banana, peaches, and grapes in your refrigerator with these gems and you can eat until you’re satisfied and not have a care in the world!

Strawberries – Strawberries are made up of 91% water. The carbohydrates makes up only 7.7%, which is the reason why if you consume 1 cup of halves of strawberries, you are good at 49 calories. Consuming food containing water causes the stomach to full quickly and empty at a slow pace. Which means, if you’re ravenous, but trying hard to lose fat, you can reach for another cup of strawberries.

Apple – Studies have shown that when you eat foods that are high in volume, yet low in density (calories), you eat less at the meal or during the day. Apple meets this condition perfectly, which is the reason why it is one of the best fruits to snack on. When you eat a medium sized pink lady apply, the energy intake is just 72kcal.

Watermelon – If you’re craving another candy bar, a cup of ripe watermelon with a dollop of honey can be a perfect replacement, as the carbohydrates in this fruit is mostly sugars. There is only 0.2g of fat in 1 cup of watermelon, but has 92% water content and 0.6g fibre. Since it is fibre rich and contains mostly water, this is one fruit you can indulge in midfully. If you’re wary about the sugar intake, just prepare a salad by mixing it with any other low calorie fruit like apple.

Cherries – Cherry is a super food; its nutritional benefits are many. A cup of sweet cherries can make you feel full. The fact that fresh cherries have low glycemic index helps with the quantity of intake. Foods with low glycemic index could give you a slower rise in blood sugar. What makes cherry the best among all of the above choice is it various health benefits. Studies show that cherries can prevent gout, lower the risk of cancer, reduce muscle soreness. Just remember to spit out the pits!

Looking for more tricks to crush those cravings? Check out 5 Simple Tricks to Crush the Cravings on Your First Few Days of Dieting

References:
https://www.fatsecret.com.au/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/features/foods-that-curb-hunger#1
https://www.verywellfit.com

How to Get Chores Done When You are Not in the Mood

I love keeping things in order as much as any other girl who tries to juggle work and family life, but I must admit there are days when I want to just curl up in my bed and just take it easy, ignoring the mess around me.
What’s worse, days can turn into weeks, until the mess piles up so much that one day I open my eyes, overwhelmed and helpless to a huge clutter of laundry, a mountain of dishes to clean, and innumerable other unfinished chores.

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If you are one of those people, who find themselves getting into messy situations like this quite frequently (every week end, to be precise!), here are a few ways to get yourself to do chores when you’re not in the mood.

Start with your favorite chore. If dusting is your thing, do it first. If you like vacuuming while listening to music, get that done first. The idea is to trick your brain into doing things by giving the impression of having fun.
Do something fun alongside. Listen to music, or a podcast , watch a movie if you can multitask, or call a friend. My favorite thing to do is call my mom while cleaning up. We have our most memorable chats on days when I have the most number of chores to get done around the house.
Take a shower before you start. Water cleanses your aura. If a bath helps you change your mood, do it. Nothing like a good bath to get your head cleared, ready to get on with the tasks ahead.
Treat yourself to some ice cream or a favorite snack. Your favorite food can give you that instant high to get you into the right mood. Sometimes all I need to start off the day’s work is a cup of freshly made coffee.
If you like solitude while getting things done, choose a time when most of your family members are not at home. Trust me, solitude can do wonders. You can take your time and do things carefully, with focus.

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A clean and orderly home draws positive energy into your life. Always keep in mind that chores should not be a bugging activity and you can jump in and out of the process while getting it done, and do it at your own pace.

Why You Should do Permanent Hair Straightening Before Summer Begins

So, you braved that chemical hair treatment and you feel beautiful. You can’t get enough of the new you and never want to go back to your frizzy and messy look.

But within a couple of weeks the initial euphoria vanishes, and you find yourself worrying about the health of your hair.

For those of us who are forced to rely on hair straightening techniques to maintain our messy manes, a major point of concern is how to protect your hair from all unforeseen side effects of the treatment. As much as we try to deny it, it is a crucial fact that the hair needs diligent care once it is exposed to chemicals. It gets dry, brittle and coarse, and if not washed and taken care of on a fairly regular basis, the scalp becomes itchy, flaky and hair falls heavily and over the time it looks dull and lusterless. Hair fall and hair thinning is one of the most common side effects of chemical hair straightening.

It is important to make sure that it is washed, conditioned, massaged and moisturized if you want to maintain your hair healthy and beautiful. Change in season has a profound effect on our hair, so it does on our personal care routines.

It is important to make sure that the hair treatment is done at a time when it takes little or no effort to take care of it afterwards.

Winter slows us down. We tend to take less care of our hair, skin and overall health during winter.

We tend to wash hair less frequently during winter.

We take hot showers more.

We avoid going out in the cold with hair wet and use hair dryer more during winter.

If our hair care routine was daily during summer, it becomes weekly or even biweekly during the winter season.

Your chemically treated hair needs more attention than what you can give during the dull winter months.

Hair straightening during winter is not a great thing for yourself, not only because it becomes difficult to maintain a healthy hair care routine, but it is easy to use a hair straightening iron during the winter months than when the temperatures are high.

When it is summertime, things are easy.

We are more active and generally pepped up during summer. We cannot wait to get into shower. Regular wash becomes a thing of joy, and so does regular hair routine.

We tend to go out more often, and do not need extra pull to pop into the nearby salon for a spa treatment.

If you’ve got your hair is chemically straightened before summer begins, you can wash all you want without putting it through heating iron every time you have to go out. The straightened hair bonds will last through the summer and a few months more.