Homemade Astringent: Here is a homemade astringent preparation which is used to tone the skin and also to remove the last traces of greasiness and to close open pores.

4 Tbspn Rosemary,

juice of a Lemon,

juice of an Orange,

1 cup Rosewater, and

1/2 cup Witch Hazel.
Mix well all the above ingredients together in an air tight bottle. Let it stand for 3-4 days. Remember to shake the bottle frequently. This is a milder tonic for your skin and is not harmful as strong astringent lotions are. It does not dry out your skin or dehydrates it.
             Sun Tan Lotion: Sunburn is a very common complaint and so here is an easy method to prepare sun tan lotion at home.

5 Tbspn of powdered Sesame Seeds,

1 cup of Rosewater, and 

3 Tbspn of Surgical Spirit.
 In an air-tight bottle, mix together Sesame seeds powder and Rosewater. Keep for 1 full day shaking the bottle frequently. Now strain the solution and add Surgical Spirit in order to preserve it. It helps in cooling and soothing the affected area.
                Both these lotions are purely herbal preparations and are harmless but very effective at the same time.

         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.

                Last week my mom was about to throw away a compact that didn't suit her and was sitting on her dresser for quite long. I went to its rescue and and brought it to my room because my heart breaks when I see makeup being discarded or neglected :-(

So I just kept looking at the compact and kept thinking to use it some how. Then I remembered reading somewhere that a girl used mineral foundation, that didn't match her skin color, as nail polish. And presto :D

I finally came up with the idea of using the compact instead of my mineral foundation which suits me. I scraped out a chunk and mashed it well to make a fine powder. When enough powder was produced, I took my clear coat nail polish, a small plastic platter and poured a small amount of clear polish and added a little powdered compact. I kept adding powder till I got a liquid resembling nail polish. Thereafter I hurriedly applied my newly concocted nail polish on my nails. You can see the ring and middle finger didn't get a nice smooth finish but the other 3 did. In this pic I didn't apply top coat but top coat is a must . If the powder is not smooth enough then you may get bumps like mine. Try it out and let me know. Bye Babes.