Make up removers

As much as you love wearing make up, you should love to remove at the end of the day. I never go to sleep with my full face make up on. Each time you do that your skin dies a little bit...wipe it off.
I have listed some make up removers i have used i love the most and hope you like them too.

1.Maybelline



2.Neutrogena



3.Bioderma


 4. Garnier

Top 10 – Skincare tips for the summer

As the summer rages on, protect your skin so you don’t have to suffer from the season’s skin problems. It's the (hopefully) end of summer and while the monsoon should be here soon, for now the heat continues unabated. Fortunately, your skin needn’t take the brunt of the heat this season. We have for you, some tips that’ll help keep your skin fresh and dewy, even as the mercury continues to stay high.

1. Stay hydrated:Your body tends to lose a lot of moisture in the summer, so it’s important to regularly replenish the H2O. Drink a lot of water and liquids and your skin will stay soft and moisturized as well.

2. Sun protection: If you can, try and stay indoors between 11am and 3pm. That’s when the sun’s rays are the strongest and can have an adverse effect on your skin. Also, don’t forget to apply that all-important sunscreen 30 minutes before you step out. If you’ve been out in the sun for a few hours, touch it up again so you’re well protected.

3. Use a toner: It’s important to keep your pores closed and skin cool by using a toner. Look for a brand that suits you or try rose water. Its natural cooling properties make it an excellent toner for the hot season.

4. Go for a water-based moisturiser: Don’t make the mistake of skipping the moisturising routine altogether as its essential for your skin to remain hydrated. However, if you find your regular moisturiser too oily, go for a water-based one.

5. Ditch those aerated drinks: Most people have the tendency to reach out for an ice cold aerated drink to quench their thirst on a really hot day. However, it’s important to remember that these drinks are full of sugar that is not good for your skin or your figure. Instead drink some water, fresh lime, fresh fruit juices, aam panna (green mango drink) or coconut water to stay hydrated. It’s also best to minimise the intake of diuretics like alcohol and caffeine as they reduce the water from your system.

6. Cleanse your face twice a day: At least! This is important to do even if you’ve been home all day and feel like your skin is clean. Cleansing and moisturising your skin before sleeping is an absolute must.

7. Exfoliate: More than the rest of the year, it’s really important to exfoliate your skin in the summer to remove dead skin and improve blood circulation to the face. Choose from any of the cosmetic scrubs available in the market or make one at home. Try this simple one using 4 to 5 tbsps of gram flour, a pinch of turmeric, 5 – 6 drops of rose water and milk or yoghurt. Mix it into a paste and use it to exfoliate your face. Follow it up with a facemask and moisturiser.

8. Don’t like your uneven skin tan: Gram flour can also be used as a face mask to get rid of an uneven tan. Mix it with yoghurt and a few drops of lemon and apply and leave it on your face till it’s dry. The citrus properties of the lemon are very effective in removing the tan.

9. Get that warm, summer glow: Papaya is full of natural goodness and you can even use it as a homemade pack. Just mash 2 tbsp of papaya with a tsp of honey and 1 egg white. Leave the mixture on your face for about 15 minutes and enjoy the glow you get afterwards.

10. Cool your skin: Blending half a cucumber and 1 tbsp of yoghurt in the mixer can make another simple and effective homemade face pack. Apply this to your face for 15 minutes and feel completely pampered.

Bonus tip. Eat healthy, exercise and sleep well! The holy trinity of good health and glowing skin holds true for the whole year. So along with all the tips above, don’t forget to eat a balanced diet, work out for at least 45 minutes everyday and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Enjoy the summer!

Basic skin care routine every one should follow

My basic skin care routineWho doesn’t want healthy, glowing skin? While some people are blessed with flawless skin, most of us go to great lengths to try and get that natural glow. But before you go running to try some expensive new cream or revolutionary procedure, have you considered your basic skincare routine?

The most basic skincare routine

Ask any skincare expert and they’ll stress on first getting the basics right. So simple as it may sound, we thought we’d give you a step-by-step breakdown of what your basic skincare routine should be.

Cleansing 

The most basic of the basic skincare routine – cleansing! The biggest mistake most of us make in this step is that we either under-cleanse or over-cleanse. Experts suggest that for those with normal skin, cleansing your face twice a day is optimum – once in the morning and once at night, before going to bed. The latter is especially important, as you want to get rid of the day’s grime and any make up or lotions that you may have had on.

Remember to find a good soap-free cleanser for your skin and avoid very cold or very hot water to wash your face. Face wash is ideal based on the skin type you have cream cleansers for more drier skin type and foam cleansers for oily skin type.

Exfoliating 

Exfoliation refers to the removal of dead skin cells from the top of the skin. While some skin experts believe that too much exfoliation is bad for the skin, as it can strip away essential oils, most believe that exfoliating once a week is a good practice.

Find a scrub that suits your skin and use just a little bit once a week to clear dead cells and hidden impurities. If you prefer to go natural, you could even try making some home made scrubs and gently exfoliate for natural, glowing skin.

Toning 

A toner is a liquid that helps to close the pores on your skin, to avoid attracting dirt and to give your skin a tighter, firmer look. Many women swear by this step and almost every major cosmetic brand makes a toner.

However, there are experts who believe that toners should be strictly optional. Try using a toner for a few days and decide for yourself if you want to add it to your skincare routine or not.

Moisturising

No ambiguity here – moisturising your skin is an absolutely essential step of your skincare regimen. Depending on your skin type – dry, normal or oily – find a moisturiser that works for you. Typically, people with very dry skin should go in for a creamy mosturiser and those with oily skin could get a water-based one. For your day needs, get a moisturiser with an SPF or Sun Protection Factor, as that can double up as a sunscreen as well.

Also remember to moisturise at night, after you’ve thoroughly cleansed your face. Skip the sunscreen at night though, and just allow your skin to breathe.

Under eye creams 

Very essential based on your skin needs choose the one that works the best for you and what problems you want to address. Creams for under eye dark circles, fine lines, crows feet and etc are in the market just keep that area of your face hydrated at all times as it won't produce any natural oils.

15 ways of taking care of your neck naturally

While taking the best care possible of our face, using the most expensive creams and getting rejuvenating parlour treatments, we mostly forget the area that is the closest to it and has even more sensitive skin, the neck. Due to this, the skin on and around it, turns a shade darker than the tone of the face. Darkening of the neck skin can also be caused due to too much sun exposure, pollution, ageing, and dirt getting stuck inside the fine lines on the neck.

So, here we come to your rescue and bring forth some instant home remedies for a brighter and fairer neck.

1. Lemon Juice

Lemons are great sources of vitamin C, which is a natural bleaching agent (due to the presence of citric acid). Eating foods rich in vitamin C and E will also prove good for your skin.

What you need to do is-

• Take half a slice of lemon and gently rub it on the neck area for 5-10 minutes before you go for a bath.
• If you have sensitive skin, then mix equal quantities of lemon juice and rose water, and repeat the same procedure every day.

2. Orange Peel

The best natural product rich in vitamin C is orange that will be very useful to you here. orange peel, in fact, can be used both as a bleaching as well as skin-lightening agent.

• Grate some orange peel and mix it with whole milk to make a paste.
• Apply this to your neck and massage it for about 10 minutes daily before you take a shower.
• Alternately, mix the dried powdered peel with orange juice and repeat the same procedure.

3. Chickpea Flour

This can be used as a natural scrub to remove the dead and dull skin and reveal instead, a brighter and fresher-looking you.

• Mix some chickpea flour, a pinch of turmeric and some water.
• Apply this paste on your neck.  
• After it dries, sprinkle a little water to scrub the area and wash it off with water.
• You can alternate water with rose water and milk, whichever suits your skin the best.

4. Oats

Oats are good for our over all health including our neck skin. They are very effective at removing dark patches round the neck when mixed with other ingredients.

• Mix some oatmeal powder with either milk cream or curd.
• You can also mix oatmeal powder with some tomato puree and honey.
• Scrub your neck with this and wash it off with cold water to get a fairer-looking neck.

5. Potato Juice

Potatoes have an enzyme called catecholase that acts as natural skin lightener. With regular use, you will soon get to witness its awesome results. All you need to do is-

• Rub potato juice all over the neck area every day for at least 10 minutes before you hit the shower .
• You can also mix it with lemon juice.

6. Papaya and Strawberry Paste

How about treating the skin of your neck with the goodness found in the fruits! The papain enzyme present in the papaya scrubs off dead cells and the antioxidants present in strawberries give you lighter-looking skin.

• Make a paste out of fresh strawberries and papayas, and apply it all over the neck.
• Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then gently massage it.

7. Cucumber

As summers are getting hotter and warmer, what could be a better way to lighten your skin than with a cool and calming ingredient!cucumber helps in repairing and removing damaged  and dead cells and also adds a glow to the skin.

• Apply grated cucumber on your neck and allow it to dry.
• Once it has dried, take some cucumber juice on your palms and massage your neck with it.
• Wash off your neck after 10 minutes and later, apply some rose water all over it.

8. Banana Fruit Mask

Both banana and olive oil are rich in antioxidants that are required for skin lightening. Their regular application will lighten your neck skin within no time.

• Take an overripe banana and mash it into a smooth paste.
• To this, add some olive oil and apply it all over your neck.
• Wash your neck after 10 minutes and then pat it dry.

9. Coconut Oil, Almond Oil and Olive Oil

The mixture of all the above super oils is a good remedy to lighten a dark neck. These oils besides, guaranteeing a lighter and smoother neck also helps improve blood circulation in the neck area. 

• Mix equal amounts of all the three oils and keep them in a bottle.
• Every night before going to bed, apply it on your neck and massage it gently.
• Leave it on for the night and wash it off the next morning.

10. Egg White, Honey and Lemon Mask

Egg white, honey and lemon together do the task of lightening, smoothening and nourishing the skin. And, voila! Say hello to a beautiful, lighter and younger looking neck

• Mix the white part of an egg with a tablespoon of lemon and honey each. You can also add half a spoon of olive oil to this mixture.
• Apply this paste on your neck for about 30 minutes and wash it off with tap water.

11. Rice Starch

Rice starch too is a great skin-lightening agent and the process for using it is pretty simple too.

• Take one cup of rice, and two and a half cups of water and put it on a stove to cook.
• As the rice cooks, take it off gas and strain the water keeping it aside to cool down.
• Take the starch water and rub it properly all over your neck. Let it stay on for about 25-30 minutes, and then wash it off with normal water.

12.Walnut Scrub

Walnuts are known for containing minerals which help keep the skin moisturised. Instead of buying it from the market, prepare a walnut scrub at home and just rub away the damaged skin that makes your neck look darker.

• Grate some walnuts coarsely while making sure you do not turn them into a powder.
• Add some milk to it and apply this paste on your neck.
• Scrub it on for 5-10 minutes and wash it off thereafter.
• Repeat the process not more than twice a week.

13. Milk Cream

One of the most readily available items in any house, milk cream too helps a lot in lightening the skin. However, if you have acne prone skin, then better avoid thie following remedy.

• All you need to do is gently massage the milk cream all over your neck for about 10 minutes daily and wash it off with lukewarm water.
• You can also add gram flour or turmeric to the mixture.
• Not only does it lightens the skin, but also makes it baby soft.

14. Aloe Vera 

Skin pigmentation is very common around the neck area for which aloe vera gel is a perfect solution as it is very rich in antioxidants and other skin-friendly compounds. It also helps in bleaching the skin.

• Just remove the gel off an aloe vera leaf with the help of a knife.
• Apply it on your neck and massage it for five minutes and leave it to dry.
• Wash it off after another ten minutes.

15. Baking Soda

Baking soda has properties that are capable of scrubbing away the darkest of pigmented skin when combined with water. 

• Take three teaspoons of baking soda with one spoon of water and form a paste. You may add a little more water if the paste is very thick.
• Apply it on the neck area and gently massage.
• Wash it off in five minutes and repeat the procedure twice a week for best results.

10 Skin care tips for a healthy glow

Think summer and heat, humidity and pollution top the list. While extreme heat and weather conditions can cause hormonal imbalance, prolonged sun exposure can lead to an early appearance of wrinkles and premature ageing. So, here are ten tips for healthy skin.

1) CREATE A ROUTINE
Summer skin care requires only a small amount of effort on your part, as long as you follow a proper regime. Regular application of sunscreen and hydrating facials are best defenses against the sun and other forms of skin aberrations.

2) APPLY PRODUCTS ENRICHED WITH VITAMIN C AND MINERALS
Look for zinc oxide as a key ingredient in your products as it will protect the skin from harsh rays. Also, look up for ingredients such as aloe vera or chamomile for a soothing effect, and products with vitamin C.

3) HYDRATE YOUR EYES
The delicate skin around the eyes tends to become thinner due to over exposure to the sun and heat. Keep the area hydrated by using a light under eye cream. When stored in refrigerator, an eye cream will aid in cooling down eyes.

4) GO FOR WATER-BASED MOISTURISER
To avoid excess oil on your face, do not make the mistake of skipping your daily mosituriser, instead apply a waterbased moisturiser during hot sweltering summer days.

5) KEEP YOUR SKIN HYDRATED
Since your skin tends to lose lot of water during hot summer months, replenish the water balance in your skin through the day. Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water everyday to flush out toxins. Besides this, hydration also aids in delaying wrinkles and dryness caused by ageing. For an added advantage, add extra herbs and spices into your water to cool down your pitta dosha.

6) GO FOR FACIALS
Replenish your skin instantly with a boost of antioxidants mixed with water. Go for hydra facials every once or twice a month depending on the skin type. Facials at home once a week with a good massage oil or cream is also benefecial.

7) MAKE SUNSCREEN THE SECOND LAYER OF YOUR SKIN
A good sunscreen with SPF acts like oxygen to your skin. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors especially between11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its peak and its rays the strongest. Don't forget to touch up your sunscreen every three hours, if you have prolonged exposure to sun.

8) USE A TONER
Heat and humidity leads to build up of oil and sebum on skin surface. Use a toner to keep your pores closed and skin cool. Besides removing residual dirt and oil, it will also aid in maintaining the pH balance of the skin.

9) EXFOLIATE REGULARLY
Depending on your skin type, exfoliate on a regular basis. Go for exfoliation once a week if you have dry skin, else scrub off to remove the oil build up.

10) FRESHEN UP WITH FACIAL MISTS
As you layer your face with a moisturiser and sunscreen, spray your face with a facial mist twenty minutes after the sunscreen has settled into your skin. Facial mists keep the face feeling refreshed and moisturised throughout the day.

Make up Primers

PRIMERS do for your skin what lingerie does for your figure - they smooth, flatter, conceal and hold things in place, so that everything you put on top of them looks immediately better. Whether you want to blur wrinkles, mattify, minimize the appearance of pores or even skin tone, primers do this whilst creating a velvety base for make-up and helping it to stay put for longer.

Some of the high end primers that I like are listed here which you can buy at Sephora. The products listed here range between 15-40 $

Benefit porefessional - 

What it is:
A professional balm that minimizes the appearance of pores. 

What it does:
Quickly minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines and help makeup stay put with this priming phenomenon. The silky and lightweight formula can be worn under makeup to create a smoother-than-smooth canvas or used throughout the day to mattify shine and touch up problem areas. It’s so translucent, no one will know you’re wearing anything! 

What else you need to know:
The oil-free formula contains vitamin E, which is known to protect skin from free radicals.
Usage:
-To prime in the morning: Apply a thin layer of this PRO balm to moisturized skin from the center of the face outward. Wait a few seconds and apply makeup as usual or wear alone.
-To touch up over makeup: If pores come out of hiding, pat delicately over makeup on problem areas and blend. Remember, just a dab’ll do ya!



Smashbox - Iconic photo finish -

What it is:
An iconic primer that preps skin to create a perfect canvas for flawless foundation application. 

What it does:
The silky blend of vitamins and antioxidants smooths and perfects skin, while the unique formula supports natural collagen and fills in fine lines and pores for a flawless finish. 

What else you need to know:
Use after moisturizer and before foundation for complexion perfection. This skin-soothing blend of antioxidants, which can be worn alone or under foundation, works overtime to fill in fine lines and even out skin texture. 

The first step to any great close-up is great skin—skin that’s free of the appearance of fine lines and pores. That’s one of the reasons why primer was the first product created at Smashbox Studios. They developed a formula that diffuses light, hitting skin to blur out imperfections for an even, soft-focus look. It also makes makeup look better and last longer. Think of this primer as the original blur—and an essential for prepping makeup every day.O

Suggested Usage:
-Smooth over clean, moisturized skin. 
-Wear alone or underneath foundation.


TARTE -Timeless Smoothing Primer -

What it is:
A smoothing, makeup application primer that supports a youthful appearance. 

What it does:
Prep skin for makeup application with tarte’s timeless smoothing and filling primer, formulated to reduce the appearance of large pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. The antioxidant-rich formula is infused with vitamins C and E, and green bean extract gently absorbs into the skin, delivering a surge of moisture, peptides, and other naturally-derived elixirs so that skin has a firmer and smoother look. A lightweight texture, the fresh powder scent provides the perfect blank canvas to enhance the look and wear time of makeup. Wear it under makeup or alone as part of your skincare regimen for a flawless, soft-focus finish. 


BARE MINERALS - Prime Time BB primer -

What it is:
An amazing preservative-free foundation primer that's great for all skin types. 

What it does:
Developed to combat flaky dryness, rough patches, fine lines, excess oil, enlarged pores, and uneven texture, this mineral-infused, satin-finish formula glides on seamlessly with no tacky feel to provide a skin-smoothing complexion before you apply foundation. For added age-defying power, it is infused with soothing plant extracts, antioxidants, and nourishing vitamins C and E.

Laura Mercier - Foundation Primer - Radiance -

What it is:

A lightweight, creamy gel that creates an invisible barrier between skin and makeup to prime your face for color.  

What it does:
Worn under foundation, this illuminating primer creates a smooth, flawless canvas for application, allowing foundation to glide on easily and stay fresh and color-true for hours. Ideal for all skin types, the universal pearl tint creates a soft focus effect to minimize the look of imperfections with a radiant finish. It’s the first step to Laura’s “Flawless Face.” Dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic, it is formulated with antioxidants vitamins A, C, and E; Prestige Soft Focus Pearls; and skin-conditioning Jojoba. 

Too Faced - Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer -

What it is:

A makeup primer scientifically formulated to achieve the look of flawless skin without makeup.

What it does:
This one-of-a-kind makeup primer was scientifically formulated to wear alone or under bronzers and foundation powders for a look of flawless skin without makeup. Vitamins A & C, mulberry extract, and a powerful dose of Retinol virtually banish pores while tired skin is left hydrated, firmer, and detoxified. Primed & Poreless creates the perfect canvas to allow powders, bronzers, and foundations to slide seamlessly on the skin—delivering a flawless and perfectly blended look that stay in place all day. Skin appears brighter, fresher, and younger.

What else you need to know:
It looks great on any skintone! The nude tone becomes invisible once applied.

Kat Von D - Lock-It 

What it is:

A lightweight, water-based face primer that hydrates, smoothes, and protects skin while it reduces the appearance of pores creating the perfect canvas for long-wear foundation application. 

What it does:
Get locked-in hydration, locked-up comfort with this fast-absorbing, water-based primer. It’s the ultimate prep step that hydrates, protects skin, and smooths the appearance of pores for flawless makeup application. This innovative, lightweight formula is formulated with advanced polymers that help even out the skin's surface while it provides a flexible, protective barrier to prevent foundation from settling into fine lines and pores. Scentless, colorless, and weightless, it delivers essential hydration and its infused with vitamin B5, aloe vera, jojoba, and shea to bring nourishment to the skin's surface, leaving it feeling refreshed and comfortable all day—even underneath long-wear, full-coverage foundation. 

To customize your coverage, blend Lock-It Featherweight Primer with your favorite foundation on the back of your hand, and then apply it. Use a higher primer-to-foundation ratio to achieve more sheer and lightweight coverage. This technique is perfect for dry skin, and it’s the ultimate solution to achieve a dewy, flawless finish with your long-wear, full-coverage foundation. 

SEPHORA COLLECTION - Perfecting Ultra-Smoothing Primer -

What it is:

A makeup primer that perfects the appearance of skin and prolongs the wear of foundation. 

What it is formulated to do:
This primer softens the appearance of imperfections, prolongs the wear of your foundation, and keeps you looking flawless longer. Infused with hydrating ceramides, this formula moisturizes and smooths, while protecting with antioxidant-rich vitamins E and A. 

What else you need to know:
This primer can be used on the eyes to smooth and enhance wear of eye shadow. This product is dermatologist tested, non-comedogenic, and comes in an airless pump bottle for freshness.

NARS -Pro-Prime™ Pore Refining Primer - Oil-Free -

What it is:

An oil-free gel primer.

What it does:
This gel primer instantly refines the look of pores, regulates shine, and creates a matte surface to the skin for smooth and long-wearing makeup application. Mineral Powders manage oil in the T-zone while blurring the look of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.

What else you need to know:
This product is alcohol free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested, synthetic and fragrance free.

STILA- One Step Correct primer -

What it is:

An innovative, three-in-one serum that contains three color-correcting, moisturizing brighteners for flawless looking skin.

What it does:
The newest addition to Stila's One Step category, One Step Correct is a ground-breaking, triple-swirled helix serum that instantly color corrects, brightens, primes, and nourishes the skin. On top of the immediately gratifying benefits, the infusion of Stila's exclusive Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex—improves skintone, evens out the complexion, and helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Benefits of face oil

why face oils are the next best thing to happen to your skin! Let's face it: Slathering oil all over your mug sounds a little scary, even if you suffer from dryness in the winter. Who would ever want to add extra oil to their skin?! And why do you need to add another product to your skincare routine? Despite the name, face oils actually make your skin super soft and glowy, never greasy. Some even help fight acne (seriously!). The trick is knowing when to use them—and finding the right one for your skin type. Think of face oils like vitamins for your skin—adding them to your regular beauty routine can make your skin even more gorgeous. But stick to your regular moisturizer and cleanser for daytime and save the face oils for night, after washing your face. That way, your skin gets tons of time to fully absorb and benefit from the super-powered ingredients while you're sleeping. And even though there are options for oily and acne-prone skin, they are still oils, so they can make you look a little shiny. Here's a breakdown of the most common face oils and who they're best for, so you can give this new wonder product a try! Best For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin: Argan Oil Argan oil has been a beauty must-have for a while, but now brands are releasing lighter, matte (read: shine-free) formulas that are perfect for oily and blemish-prone skin. Argan oil even has properties that help treat and prevent acne! Best For Dry Skin: Coconut Oil Coconut is one of the most hydrating oils out there, so it's perfect for dry skin. Plus, it has tons of healthy, fatty acids that make dull, dry skin glow! Bonus: It's an awesome conditioner for curly, frizzy hair. Best For Sensitive Skin: Avocado Oil If you have super sensitive skin, avocado oil is the way to go! It has calming benefits and gets deep into your skin to soothe any itching from dryness or conditions like eczema. Best For Dull Skin & Large Pores: Pomegranate Oil Just like pomegranate juice is a healthy drink, oil from the fruit is great for your skin! It's packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants that make your skin brighter—plus, it helps reduce the size of your pores. Best For Removing Makeup: Cleansing Oils In addition to having out-of-this-world hydration benefits, oils are super-effective makeup removers as well! If you find your face wash is drying you out in the wintertime, switch to a cleansing oil instead. They break up and dissolve makeup and other dirt and oils for a totally fresh face! Have you tried any facial oils yet? Do you have a favorite? Leave a comment below!