The simplest way to cleanse your skin is by saturating a cotton ball with unboiled milk and gently rubbing away dirt, grime and other surface residue. Use 'upward' movements to dislodge impurities.

Yogurt and Egg Mask:- Beat the white of an egg and add 4-5 tbspn of yogurt. Mix well and apply on face, neck and nape. Wipe clean using a muslin cloth dipped in hot water, followed by the muslin saturated in cold water.

For Oily Skin:- Add 1 tspnof lemon juice to the above paste
For Dry Skin:- Add 1 tspn of honey to the above paste
For Combination Skin:- Make 2 portions of the paste, one with lemon juice for the T zone and the other with honey for the rest of the face.

Turmeric Cleansing Mask:-
Mix together 1 1/2 tspn of turmeric powder/paste and 1 1/2 tbspn of lemon juice. Make a smooth paste and apply over face and neck. Wash off after 10-15 mins with tepid water.

Oats Cleansing Mask:-
Mix together 1 tbspn of oats and 1 tbspn of cucumber juice and make into a smooth paste. Apply all over face and neck and let dry for 15 mins. Rinse off with cool water.

* If you have dry skin, mix together Sandalwood Powder, Milk Cream (malai) and a pinch or 2 of Turmeric Powder. Use this on your face and neck daily. This will give a glow to your skin softening it in the process.


* Apply a solution of 1 pinch of Saffron and a spoonful of Unboiled milk with the help of a cotton pad, on your face and neck continuously for 15 days atleast. This helps to clear up your complexion.


* Another recipe for dry skin, soak 1 tsp red Masoor Dal in a little milk overnight. Make a coarse paste a in the morning and apply on your face and neck for 20 mins and wash off. Substitute milk with rose water for oily skin.

* If you have oily skin, soak a little Moong Dal in unboiled milk and make a coarse paste. Use this paste on your face, neck and nape for 10 mins and gently scrub off. Wash and use your regular lotion. Scrubbing removes the dead cells from the surface of the skin and adds an instant glow.


* Another recipe for oily skin to make their skin glowing, mix together 1 tsp orange peel powder, 1 tsp fenugreek seed powder and a little orange juice. Apply on your face, neck and nape and scrub off when it dries.


* Take half piece ripe banana, mash it and add a little cucumber juice and apply on your face and neck. Keep it on for 30 mins and wash off.

* Mix together 1 tsp potato juice, a few drops of mosambi juice and few drops of cucumber juice, apply on your face and neck. Wash off after 20 mins.

* Soak 2 almonds in milk overnight, make paste in the morning and apply on your face and neck. Scrub off after 30 mins. Good for dry as well as normal skin.


* For bright and glowing body (skin), mix together besan and pure mustard oil. Apply on full body for 30 mins and scrub off. Once a week is good enough.


* Apply a mixture of honey and lemon juice on your face and neck. Keep it on for 15 mins and wash off. Honey is a powerful natural moisuriser and lemon is a natural bleach and astringent.

                       Hello girls, summer is here and this is pimple time for me :( So I start taking precautions way before the hot days are here. My skin is oily and tends to get oilier by the day during summers :( But then I have been coping wit this problem since I was 14-15 years old. Here I have for you all (I mean the girls with pimples) a few tips and recipes which has been of great help to me.

                       We all know that the 1st step to caring for and curing pimples is to keep the skin clean and oil-free at all times. Use a gel cleanser or cleanser specially suited for oily skin.

                       Go makeup-free whenever you have pimples. I avoid foundation and blusher when I have pimples because these 2 products seems to worsen the problem. Mineral foundation is ok if I must apply foundation but blusher is a big no no for me. So keep an eye on all the products you use and how they react to your skin.

                       Chop a handful of margosa/neem leaves and boil in 1 1/2 lts of water and simmer for 5 mins. Now bottle the remain water after sieving it. Wash face with it as many times as day as possible. Or use it with a cotton pad all over pimples. It works as a healer because of its antiseptic properties.

                     Make a paste of- mint leaves, margosa leaves, fenugreek leaves and basil leaves. Add a little multani mitti for binding and use this pack on your pimply face. Works wonders for my skin.

                       Take special care of those pimples which oozes out blood or puss. Don't tease them, leave them alone or you risk yourself an infection and a bigger breakout. Take marigold petals, chop fine and boil in a little water. Simmer till the water is reduced to half its original quantity. Clean pimply parts with this solution. It is real so beneficial, I would call it magic.

                       A very important healing pack- carrot juice, tomato juice, multani mitti/fuller's earth, sandalwood powder, khus powder, kapurkachri, neem powder, orange peel powder- all in equal amount. Mix well apply daily on your face till pimples are gone completely.

                    Some other important tips for curing and caring for pimples- drink lots of water, take your regular dose of fresh fruits/veggies (GLVs are important), don't let your hair fall on your face, control dandruff, avoid spicy food, keep your hands away from your face, cut off your nails, use a clean face towel daily, avoid sweets and fried food as well. Ok ok I stop here........ :D

                Elbows are the most forgotten and neglected zones in our bodies. But dark elbows can ruin the look of your beautiful hands. Dont worry, just read on-

* Scrub elbows with a mixture of mustard oil- 1/2 tspn, table salt- 1/4th tspn and lemon juice- 1 tspn. Do this daily for a month and see the results.

* Smear elbows with cucumber juice and let it dry. Wash off after 10 mins. Be regular on this for a month and see your elbows lighten.

* Massage your elbows with a mixture of fresh milk cream and lemon juice. If done regularly your elbows will lighten up soon.

* Use your hand and body lotion on your elbows generously and massage gently for a couple of minutes.

* Use your body scrub on your elbows also. This will ensure soft and clean elbows.

* Brush them up when using a body brush to clean and soften elbows.

* Apply a little face pack on your elbows also when applying on your face and neck.

                     Regular care will ensure soft and clean elbows and help you get rid of your ashy grey looking elbows forever.

                    Egg conditioners make your hair soft and manageable. Also it strengthens hair roots and the entire length of your hair. An egg can provide complete nourishment for your hair. Beat an egg and apply all over your scalp for a protien treatment. Wah off after 15/20 mins. Mix it with your shampoo for a pong-free wash.

Egg Conditioner For Oily Hair:-

After shampooing, whisk together 5 tbspns natural yogurt and 1 egg. Now massage it into your scalp and leave on for 30 mins. Rinse out thoroughly.

Egg Conditioner For Dry Hair:-

Beat an egg and mix in 1 tspn honey and 2 tspns of coconut or olive oil. Massage this into your scalp and wrap a hot towel around your head. Shampoo off after 30 mins.

Egg Conditioner For All Types Of Hair:-

Heat 2 tbspns of coconut oil, add an beaten egg and 1 tbspn vinegar. Massage it into your hair while still hot. Keep your head covered with hot towels for 30 mins, then shampoo off.

                        Any leftover homemade mayonnaise makes a good hair conditioner. Condition your hair with a suitable recipe given above and see your hair glow with health.

                Today I have for you all a few random beauty tips. Hope you all like them.
                
                Take a little curd and apply on your face and neck like a mask. Wash off after 10-15 mins. Regular use will ensure a soft and glowing skin. Curd has antiseptic properties, hence it is beneficial for pimple prone skin.

               Once a week massage the whole body with pure coconut oil. Bathe after 15-20 mins. Skin will become soft and satiny.

               Take turmeric power, gramflour, sandalwood powder and fresh fresh milk cream. Mix well and apply on your face, neck and hands. Wash off when dry. Regularity will ensure a soft and dewy skin.

              Apply orange juice on your face, neck, hands, feet and keep it on till it dries. This will make your skin clear and glowing.

              To treat pimples, make a paste of margosa leaves. To it add, turmeric powder and honey, mix well. Apply on your face for 10-15 mins. Don't apply around the eyes.

             After squeezing out the juice from lemon, rub the peel on your elbows, knees and nails. The skin will become lighter and softer. And the nails will be stain free, shiny and whiter than ever.

                 Hi Ladies, Kirti a reader of my blog is not able to use egg for some reason. So she has requested me to give her a few beauty recipes for her hair and skin. So it is for Kirti and other readers like her that I have come up with these egg free hair and skin care recipes. 

kirti said... Hi, 

 

Hw ru doing? I too have rough n dry hair n moreover we r not allowed to use eggs at home . So i can't follow any of urs egg based hairpack. So do send me an alternate to the same. Also as u mentioned that dry hair should not be washed by using a detergent based shampoo, do suggest a good shampoo for me. I reside in New Delhi India. Warm Regards

kirti said...Hi,

I cannot use eggs so is there any other good option for me? Can u just a suitable alternate which helps me get rid of spots n freckles as well. Looking forward for a suitable n lovely response. Take Care.

Fading spot and freckles-Though kirti didn't let me know her skin type..assuming that she has dry skin taking into consideration her hair type, a nourishing pack is what she needs. Take 5-6 almonds and soak in a little milk overnight. Next morning grind to a paste the almonds with the milk and add a little thick milk cream. Apply on your face and neck, leave it on for 20-30 mins and gently scrub off. Wash off and pat dry. Repeat thrice a week for good results. This treatment nourishes the skin, softens it and gradually fades out the spots and freckles.

Caring for rough and dry hair- 

Oiling:- Oil your hair atleast twice a week with brahmi amla hair oil. Wrap a hot towel around your head much like a turban, repeat 2-3 times.
 
Nourishing Hair Pack- Taking into consideration the length of your hair take 2/3 bananas and mash them well. Add 1/2 tbsp of thick milk cream and mix well. Apply this pack on moist hair and keep on for 30-40 mins. Wash off with plain water and then shampoo off, use a mild herbal shampoo or make 1 at home.

Homemade Shampoo:- Soak a handful of soapnut in hot water overnight, next morning mash them, sieve and use the resultant liquid to shampoo off your hair. Its a non lathering shampoo- remember it and be very gentle with your hair.

               Please help Kirti with more eggless recipes for the specified problems. Thanks

                In this post I am going to be sharing my Grandma's cheap and effective beauty recipes with you all. All ingredients used in these recipes will be readily available in your kitchen. They are harmless and have a backing of age-old experience.

               For Glowing Complexion:- Grind half a cup of yellow mustard seeds adding a little water in it, also throw in a few rose petals in it. Apply on your face, neck, nape, arms and legs or your entire body as you wish. Leave it on for 20 mins and wash off.

               For Dry Skin:- Massage fresh milk cream gently on the face and neck. It will nourish dry skin and will remove dead flaky skin. If done everyday, you will never grow old. It will preserve fine textured, soft skin.

              Removing Wrinkles:- Apply a paste of gramflour and raw milk on your face and neck. Wash off when it dries. After a couple of weeks you will find much improvement.

Soak 10-20 gms of dried amla (Indian Gooseberry) in 1/4th cup of water.Churn the mixture after half an hour and then apply on your face and neck. Wash off after 15 mins. You will find remarkable results.

              Curing Pimples:- Clean face with a cotton soaked in rosewater. Apply a mixture of turmeric and sandalwood powders on your face. This will not only remove the pimples but also brighten and soften your skin.

             To Get Rid Of  Dandruff:- Take a bowl of curd and leave it open for 3 days. After 3 days apply all over scalp and leave it on for 20 mins. Repeat this treatment for 2-3 days continuously for favorable results.

             For Cleaning Sparkling Teeth:- Burn rice husk on a griddle till it is reduced to ashes. Sieve it and store in a small jar and use as a dental powder.

             Hope you all enjoyed reading these tips and please don't forget to leave behind your precious comments :))

              All food items affect our health and beauty in some way or the other. The best part of using ingredients from the kitchen garden is that they are natural, pure and cheap. If you are honestly concerned about using pure stuff then why not peep into your kitchen garden and discover the wonderful cosmetics nature has provided us with. Here are some beauty recipes from the kitchen garden.

             

               Cucumber:- To refresh tired eyes, place thin slices of cucumber on your eyelids for 10-15 mins. Wash off with cool water and you will find amazing results. Can be done on full face for the same effect. In summers you can use chilled cucumber slices.

              
              DIY Cucumber Lotion:- Grind a cucumber and squeeze out the juice. This lotion does wonders for dark and oily skin. It should be applied with cotton ball. This lotion makes the skin fair with regular use.

              

              Curry Leaves:- Boil curry leaves in coconut oil and stain and cool it. Use this herbal oil for oiling your hair. It stimulates hair growth and also prevents premature greying.

               

               Mint:- Make a paste of mint leaves and use as a face pack to cure pimples. With regular application you will find your face pimple-free.

             
              Mint Skin Tonic:- Boil 1 tbspn mint leaves in 1/2 a cup of water. Allow to cool and strain it. Have it bottled and refrigerate. This tonic is extremely good for greasy skin.

Added to bath water, an infusion of mint helps cure skin disorders. You can also use mint leaves in hot water while doing home facial.

               

               
             Apples:- Apples are the best toner for an oily skin. Grate a large apple and srpead a layer all over your face and lie down for 15 mins. Wash off with tepid water.

               

               Plums:- Mash the flesh of a few boiled plums and mix with a tspn of almond oil. Best suited for acne prone skin.
                                                     
                                                                              To be continued....
         Hope you all like the tips and leave behind your precious comments. Bye Ladies :)            

                                                                                                                                      

         Roses are known for their beauty and grandeur. A rose is always a symbol of beauty. Rose flowers spread sweet fragrance wherever  they are. It is an ever flowering shrub. Did you know that rose has wonderful beauty properties too?

        Rose oil is the most valuable of oil. It is very useful in facial as well as body massage. Rose oil is very beneficial for dryness and puffiness of skin, though a bit expensive. It is highly antiseptic. Add a few drops to your bath water, massage oil or face/body mask/pack and see the results.

          Everybody knows about rose water or Gulabjal. It is excellent for any eye trouble; you can have lovely, sparkling and clear eyes by pouring 1 or 2 drops of rose water into your eyes daily. Cotton wool soaked in rose water can be applied on face and neck before applying moisturizer as it is an effective skin tonic.

          Gulukand is a tonic for everyone. To keep the brain cool and to have surplus energy 1/2 a tsp of tonic should be taken in morning and 1/2 a tsp should be taken at night before sleeping. Other benefits of this tonic- 1. reduces body heat, 2. reduces eye inflammation and redness, 3. strengthens teeth and gums, 4. treats acidity and the the list of benefits is endless. 

 
        Powdered rose petals are also of much value. You can easily prepare them at home. Dry a good amount of rose petals in the shade and after that powder them. This powder helps in in drying any wound. It has a high antiseptic power. Simply sprinkle the powder of dried rose petals over the wound. It will dry up the wound and stop puss formation.

        Half tsp of this powder taken after meals help in digestion. It corrects the digestive system and also cures several ailments. It also prevents excess bile formation in your body.

        If the powder along with 2 almonds, a little khuskhus (poppy seeds) is taken with milk early in the morning daily, it cures high blood pressure and keeps the brain cool.

        Roses kept in the vase creates a cheerful atmosphere. These flowers if smelled by a heart patient gives him considerable relief. That's all for now, bye Babes.

                  Lips have no oil glands of their own, which makes them extremely  prone to chapping and cracking in the cold weather. So take extra care to protect them by wearing a moisturizing lip balm. Don't apply lipstick to chapped lips, it will dry them more. Here are a 5 tips to have slick lips.
                Take a tsp of honey and 2 tsps of almond paste or powder, mix well and apply on lips. Leave on for 5-10 mins and gently scrub off. Dip a cotton ball in warm water and clean off.
               Take 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 tsp of sugar granules and 2 tsps of glycerin, mix well and apply on lips. Leave on for 5 mins and scrub off gently. Now clean off with a clean cotton ball dipped in warm water.

          Take 1 tsp each of almond oil and coconut oil, 5-7 drops of sandalwood oil and 2 tsps of glycerin, mix well and store in a small jar. Use on your lips atleast 4-5 times a day. Leave on or clean off with damp cotton ball after 15 mins.
          Mix together 1 tsp fresh milk cream with 1/2 tsp of honey on your lips daily to prevent chapping.
         Make a lip balm by yourself at home by mixing together 1 tbsp each of coconut oil and vaseline and few drops of lemon juice. Store in a small air tight jar and use on your lips several times a day. This lightens your lips and keeps them chap free.
             Always prime your lips before applying lipstick and I recommend using a good quality lip brush to apply lipsticks on your lips. Always use a good quality lipstick that suits you and at all times apply lipbalm or vaseline. I use Lotus lip balm (cocoa butter), it works great for me also Oriflame Tender Care is another good lip balm.

                   Hi Babes, a facial has three major steps- 1. Cleansing 2. Nourishing and 3. Toning. Regular facial ensure a smooth and even complexion with no black or white heads. Apart from the facial treatments you get for yourselves in the beauty parlour take out time every week to pamper your skin with this low cost treatment that can be done by yourself at home with products from your kitchen.
                  Cleanse your face and neck with raw milk if you have dry skin or use rosewater if you have oily or sensitive skin. Soak a cotton ball in milk or rosewater and clean face and neck with it.

             Moisturizing or Nourishing can be done with a mixture of 2 tsps of honey and lemon juice for oily skin, 2 tsps each of honey and milk cream for dry skin and 2 tsps of  milk cream and 2 drops of almond oil for sensitive skin. Massage your face and neck with the mixture that is applicable to your skin type. Leave on for 5 mins and wash off with tepid water.

             Deep Cleansing is the next step. It has to be done to remove black as well as white heads and to slough off dead skin. For oily skin take 2 tsps of dalia (broken wheat), a few drops of lemon juice, 1tsp of gramflour and required amount of cold milk. For dry and sensitive skins replace the lemon juice with rose water. Apply on your face and neck and gently scrub off the mixture when semi-dry. Be extra cautious in case of sensitive skin. Wash off with cool water.

              To firm up your facial muscles and tighten up the skin use a face pack. For oily skin mix together 2 tsps of fuller's earth, half a tsp each of lemon juice and honey and adequate amount of water. For dry skin replace lemon juice with almond oil if you wish and for sensitive skin replace lemon juice as well as honey with rosewater and a few drops of almond oil. Apply on your face and neck and wash off when the pack feels dry.
              Now is the time to close pores of your skin. Pour rosewater into ice tray and let ice cubes form. Take a rosewater ice cube and rub it all over your face and neck for a couple of mins as the finishing step to this easy and effective home facial.
This will close and shrink off all the pores and give your skin a porcelian  look and feel. 
              Take sometime off your busy schedule and give a little caring to your skin at home with natural/organic products off your kitchen shelf. Your skin will benefit in the long run. Now that the month of September is nearly gone its time to get serious with the festivities that comes alongside of winter.

                  We all want our hair to be healthy, thick and lustrous. Our hair is an integral part of our beauty. So we should never neglect it. Today I have a few hairs aids to achieve a headful of glorious mane.
                 A hot oil massage followed by steaming, twice a week is the main step to caring for your mane. Apply oil on segments of hair at night before hitting bed so that the oil gets adequate time to work on your mane. Shampoo off in the morning. A good homemade oil for all kinds of hair is as follows-

 3 tbsp of castor oil, 3tbsp of coconut oil, 3 tbsp of olive oil, 3 tbsp of sesame oil. Take required quantity and add a few drops of lemon juice and holy basil leaves, warm it and apply on your hair.
               Shampoo hair with a homemade egg shampoo every week. Take an egg, 1tsp of olive oil, 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp of your shampoo, 1/2 a cup of water and few drops of your favorite essential oil. Blend well and use on hair like a shampoo. Wash off after sometimes. Apply this shampoo on damp hair. The result of using this shampoo regularly is thick and shiny hair.
                 Another homemade shampoo is a paste made out of soapnut and hibiscus flowers and leaves. Grind the 2 together with required amount of water and use as a shampoo.

            Nothing can beat henna when it comes to conditioning your hair. It makes hair thick, shiny and healthy. Make a paste of-
                             4 tbsp of henna powder, 4 tbsp of  amla powder ( Indian gooseberry), 1 tbsp tulsi (holy basil leaves) , 2 tbsp of glycerin, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp orange peel powder, 2 eggs and required amount of strong tea solution. Mix well and apply on hair and leave it on for 45 mins and shampoo off.
                   To arrest hair fall make a paste of- 5 tbsp of  fenugreek seeds, 5 tbsp of amla powder (Indian gooseberry), 5 tbsp of brahmi leaves ( bacopa monnieri or water hyssop), 5 tbsp of coconut water, 2 tbsp of lemon juice, 1 tbsp mint leaves, 2 eggs, a little honey and curd as required. Blend in a liquidizer and apply on hair for 45 mins. If you do this regularly your hair will become smooth, shiny, lustrous and regrow thickly.

            A nourishing pack for your hair-
            Take 5 tbsp of sandalwood powder, 5 tbsp of henna powder, 2 tsp of clove powder, 5 tbsp of ground mint leaves, 5 tbsp of  fuller's earth and mix with adequate amount of strong tea solution. Mix well and apply on your hair for 1 hour and wash off with water.
             An after shampoo rinse for thick and lustrous hair is as follows-

boil a handful each of curry leaves and mint leaves in a mug of water. Allow it to cool and add half a lemon's juice. Pour it over your shampooed hair and leave on for 5-10 mins. Rinse well with plain water till hair is clean.
              Also a mug of tea solution with half a lemon's juice can be used as a last rinse after shampooing for shiny hair.
              A quarter cup of cider vinegar in a mug of water can be used as a last rinse. It makes hair shiny and manageable. But use vinegar sparingly on your hair because it can be drying.
               Remember to be gentle with your hair and treat it as you would treat your skin. That's it for now..... Bye Babes