5 essentials for a 5-minute make-up routine

5 essentials for a 5-minute make-up routine

If your morning make-up is taking too much of your time, it's time for a change. Here are few products for a quick ready-to-go look.
Concealer 

You can use a concealer before of after applyingfoundation, whatever suits you best. It will hide blemishes, spots and under-eye circles instantly. Pick a shade of concealer very close to your natural skin tone. Take a small amount of concealer and pat it on your skin. Do not rub, use a brush, sponge or your fingertips. 

BB cream 

With a multi-purpose product like BB creams, you can skip the foundation, concealer, highlighter, sunscreen, anti-aging serum and moisturizer. It is a must-have in every woman's make-up kit. This latest discovery helps cover pimples and hides wrinkles and fine lines to make your skin look smoother. BB creams can also be worn with mineral make-up. 

Eye liner or eye shadow 

Please pick any one. You need not apply both when you are short of time. For a simple, natural look, just apply a shade of eye shadow that is close to your skin tone or if you wish to sport a bold look, apply eye liner instead. Line just your upper eye lid and apply one coat of mascara if you wish to. Do not go for the second coat or you will have to wait for the first coat to dry which may again take some time. 

Bronzer or blush 

Get your glow on with a little bronzer or blush, especially if your natural complexion is a little pasty. Don't put too much colour. Try and keep it natural. When it comes to bronzer, make sure it's not more than a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone. 

Lip gloss 

Your make-up will look incomplete till you dab a bit of gloss on your lips. It just takes a few seconds and you can also carry it in your bag to apply a coat before you go for a meeting. Avoid using lipsticks when you're in hurry as you are likely to mess it up. If you still wish to use lipstick, make sure you line your lips with a liner before applying colour. You can also shade your lips with the liner for a long-lasting look
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Look good: Optical obsession

Look good: Optical obsession

Make a dizzying visual impact through op art fashion. The alluring optic print trend is an eye-grabbing expression of geometric precision,striking design and trippy illusions, says Kasmin Fernandes. 

It's no secret that we live in a dizzying world where the senses are constantly bombarded by cacophony. So, how does a self-respecting fashionable man or woman cut out the clatter without taking off to an ashram? By finding solace in radical attire inspired by the unconventional op art movement from the 1960s. It's a trend that is flattering on the human form, youthfullydynamic and high on impact, making it perfect for the high street and mass consumption. 
What it means 
Op art is a visual movement that burst into pop culture in the mid 1960s, when Time magazine coined the phrase 'optical art' in 1964. It was used to describe graphics that had an illusory effect on the human eye. They appeared to be moving and breathing because of their specific mathematical composition. Op art started appearing in fashion and interior design after a famous 1965 American exhibition called The Responsive Eye. 
Op art in fashion 
Swirling spirals, stripes and giddying checks started appearing as motifs on clothes as a way to break free from societal conventions and conservative dress codes in the 1960s. Young rebels wore optic prints to shock and make a statement. 
Comeback in 2013 
With digital prints sweeping the fashion world, it was only natural that labels would rewind to this avant-garde visual style. Designer Marc Jacobs created a line of striped suits and evening dresses for Louis Vuitton. Others embracing this trend are Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Versace, Givenchy and Etro. In India, Manish Arora and Krishna Mehta are churning out an array of gorgeous clothes with prints that look three dimensional. 
How to sport it 
Optic prints have the advantage of adding drama and a sense of living, breathing movement to your ensemble, giving your frame a leaner perspective and making a statement. The prints themselves are so dramatic that you won't need to wear any coloured accessories. If you don't want to create too much of a stir on the street, look for smaller prints in neutral colours. For the confident though, this is a trend that will literally knock the competition in the eyeballs
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Make your own tooth powder

Don't like the toothpaste you bought over-the-counter? Well, you can make one yourself. 

To get started, you need to first choose an mild abrasive ingredient that helps remove stains, tartar and plaque build up from your teeth. You could choose anything from calcium carbonate to finely ground salt, soda bicarbonate. However, make sure that it is as finely ground as possible, because harsh abrasives can scratch and damage your tooth enamel. 

Orange Tooth Powder 
Ingredients: 
Soda Bicarbonate: 1 cup, Finely ground sea salt: 2 tbsp, Dried orange peel, ground until powdered: 1 tbsp, Peppermint oil: 5 drops 
Method: 
Mix all of your ingredients together until blended thoroughly. Store in an airtight container. 

Cinnamon Tooth Powder 
Ingredients: 
Calcium carbonate: ½ cup, Soda Bicarbonate: ½ cup, Peppermint oil: 10 drops, Cinnamon oil: 5 drops, Finely ground cinnamon: 1 tsp 
Method: 
Mix all of your dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add the oils a few drops at a time, stirring all the while to prevent caking. Store in an airtight container.

                                      stylish  & cool Anarkali suit...........

Wear it right

Worried about too much skin, or too little? A fashion-and-budget-conscious traveller offers help on dressing appropriately.

It might come as a surprise to many of you that the most common question asked of a travel andfashion blogger isn't about staggeringly beautiful places or unusual street food; it is about packing for 'conservative' countries, like Morocco, Turkey, Pakistan, Tunisia, Oman, Kenya. The universally accepted solution to this dilemma seems to be a pair of denims. I don't like that solution. Answer me this would you be happy to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich everywhere you went? No? Then why wear jeans in every country you visit? Wearing a turban in Africa, ethnic prints in Morocco, and breton stripes in France heightens the travel experience in the same way as sampling a tagine in Morocco, scouring Foie Gras in France, or devouring Bunny Chow in South Africa. If you are travelling this year, try to incorporate kitschy prints, quirky accessories, and colourful scarves into your wardrobe.

Colourful scarves in Lanzarote (Dec 2012)

Now, this can be your best friend in conservative places. Just pop it in your bag and use it to cover your head, shoulders, or legs, if need be. We suggest packing colourful tie-and-dye scarves — layer them with maxi dresses, shirts, and vests to create stunning, avant-garde looks for times when you're not wrapping them around a leg.

For instance, I carried a number of scarves and necklaces on my trip to Lanzarote, a tiny island just off the coast of Africa in December last year. I used a bright bandhini scarf to pull my hair out of the way on a hot day. I've also had to use scarves to cover my neck in Marrakech, head at the Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul and shoulders at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) in Bangkok.

Statement accessories in Lanzarote (Dec 2012)

Pack your choicest ethnic accessories to lend interest to lightweight and simple ensembles. We suggest bejewelled wrist cuffs, rings, and tribal necklaces. Longdraped necklaces and turquoisehued rings are perfect to dress up a flowy maxi dress. Don't be scared to clash coloursand layer necklaces on holiday — it accentuates the bohemian look. Scourge for accessories not just online, but at flea markets to nab a bargain on ethnic and vintage jewels. Follow your gut instead of pandering to trends. Wear a bejewelled cummerbund to accentuate your waist, pile on armlets to add interest to your torso, or a bright headscarf to draw attention to your face.

Quirky prints in Vatican City (June 2013)

Print-on-print is the biggest trend this season. Opt for fullycovered silhouettes in kitschy prints that reflect your individuality. Play with experimental clashes of materials and colours. We offset floral trousers with a quirky zebra-print blouse. Quirky prints are perfect for countries like Kenyaand Tunisia. Choose well-fitting separates and combine them with block-coloured accessories to get your perfect outfit.

Dhoti pants in Marrakech (Feb 2012)

A perfect alternative to jeans, loose cotton pants are perfect for travelling to hotter climes. Combine your colourful flea-market finds with luxurious silk blouses for a look that's covered yet edgy. I've worn dhoti pants in UAE and South Africa. I packed two pairs of loose trousers forDubai and at least three pairs for South Africa.

What you need to remember when picking dhoti pants — the brighter, the better. Also, cotton all the way: the breathable fabric will stop you from sweating profusely.

Boyfriend blazers in UAR (Feb 2013)

If you enjoy minimalism, steer away from ethnic prints and accessories and pack a blazer instead. Opt for a colourful blazer in a relaxed cut — it works a charm to pull an outfit together.

Pair it with dainty jewellery and you're set to explore untrodden ways and forgotten alleys in new countries. Boyfriend blazers are perfect for Fall/Winter in countries such as Turkey and Morocco. I always pack a plain blazer for holidays — it is the easiest way to smarten an outfit for evening soirees. Make sure you search for a perfectly fitting one though, the cut is everything. A number of high street chains in your city make well tailored blazers.

Maxi dresses in Genoa, Italy (To visit Cathedrals that asked for dresses to be below-the-knee)

Maxi dresses are ideal for conservative countries. They are comfortable and look stylish without showing too much skin. Paeans have been written about the ubiquitous Little Black Dress but it is the not-so-little dress that ought to be a wardrobe staple in every traveller's wardrobe. I went toMorocco in February last year and packed two maxi dresses — a versatile black that could be styled in a dozen ways and a striking blue one. Throw on a colourful waistcoat and open-toed sandals to complete the outfit. Just make sure the material is light and breathable but not sheer. Also, block colours are easy to accessorise
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Go waterproof this season

Go waterproof this season

With rain clouds hovering over the city, one needs to ensure it's not just you but your accessories and belongings also that are safeguarded during the rains.

And the good news is that it isn't just the high street brands that are selling accessories that are waterproof. Even some of the popular street shopping destinations in the city have stocked some interesting varieties of accessories, ranging from those that guard your mobiles and othertech gadgets to bags that can shield your belongings from the rain. The right bags for the season

Who would like to have official papers and your other belongings wet in the rains? Thankfully, there are plenty of options of bags that can brave the monsoon. Be it the totes, clutches, bowling bags or simple sling bags, every one of them come in waterproof options, with interesting designs and colours. Try to go in for something bright this season. These hues are not just in vogue but they can also brighten your day. Tech care of gadgets

The best bit for those who invest in expensive smartphones and tablets is that there are trendy waterproof cases to shield them from rains. From funky colours to interesting embellishments, these can work as interesting fashion statements along with your outfits. And the many patterns, colours and materials make them look extremely chic too, for every ensemble. And for those who like to keep work and technology as just that, there are the plain black cases, which give them the formal look
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Natural ways to remove scars

Here are some methods to do the same and certain pointers you need to keep in mind

1. To clear scars caused by accidents, roast turmeric powder (not packed turmeric available in markets but turmeric used on face) and mix it with desi ghee. Apply this gently on your scars with the help of your fingertips. Wash this off in about 20 minutes. This mixture completely clears scars but it is always good to ask your physician before starting off on any beauty regime.

2. Another homemade remedy to clear scars is by the use of baking soda, which is a natural exfoliator and aids in gently scraping the scar tissue layer by layer. Make a light paste using two parts of water and one part of baking soda. Scrub this gently on the scars for about a minute after which you can rinse it off. Make sure you avoid rubbing vigorously.

What to remember:
1. Apply vitamin E oil, you can extract it from a capsule and apply it on your scars before you hit the bed everyday. This is an effective method to fade out spots and scars.

2. Drink a lot of water. Keep a track that you eat healthy because this helps in removing the toxins from your body and in turn gives you a scar-free face.

3. Never use plain lemon juice on your face because it can harm the skin. Dilute lemon juice in water or rose water and then use it on your skin.

4. Wash your face at least twice a day if not more, using fresh cold water. This prevents the clogging of pores.

5. Use a good oil control face wash to help prevent excess oil secretion which leads to acne and scars
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