#Subscribe to Smooth - My Routine

It has been long since I wrote a post, so first things first, a big hello! Previously, I told you all that I have taken the #SubscribetoSmooth challenge. So, this time I will tell you how I managed to incorporate it into my routine!

- It was a 30 day challenge, therefore I'm taking 45 days ago, as I've been sick to death frown emoticon

- I'm not new to shaving (Especially my legs and underarms), I've been doing it for a few years now.

- Though I used Gilette shaving gel for the first time during this challenge - I had earlier used coconut oil or hair conditioner.

- I don't have fast growing body hair, so in a month I need to shave a maximum of two times, closer to twice in 45 days.

Now, coming to the experience with the Gillete Venus range... In a word, simply superb! The Satin Care shaving gel is like MAGIC! It has definitely found a permanent place in my cabinet. You just need a tiny amount, which will lather really well. The Venus razor gives you a very close shave, and believe me, the combination works like a dream!

The grip of the razor is firm, but it feels soft on the skin as well, so no nicks and no cuts. Yay! grin emoticon

I use a single cartridge for two uses usually, both of which include my arms, legs and underarms. This makes it quite affordable, especially if you have slow growing body hair like mine. And even though there is such a close shave, there is no ingrown hair.

Overall, I would say go for it girls, and say to shaving- Its convenient, affordable and leaves you with smooth skin.

Next and the final post on #SubscribeToSmooth Challenge will contain few more tips and we will be busting more myths around shaving.

#SubscribeToSmooth - Tips & Debunking Some Myths

In the last post of #SubscribeToSmooth, we told you about what we learned at that amazing event, also we broke the news that we have taken the challenge, and how it went for us in the first week.

Taking The #SubscribeToSmooth Challenge

A few days ago, there was a very exciting event for Delhi beauty bloggers, hosted by Gillette Venus. As I wasn't keeping well, I couldn't make it to the event itself, but I was green with envy when I heard my fellow bloggers talking about it non stop. Never have I cursed myself for my bad health so much!

The event was very informative, and interactive. A panel comprising of renowned aesthetic physician Dr. Rashmi Shetty, Pro make-up artist Namrata Soni, and the beautiful and tall bollywood actress Kriti Sanon, talked about shaving and also busted some huge myths around it.

Kriti Sanon, during the panel discussion, talked about Gillette's Venus, and said she feels very confident while choosing these products, as they are skin friendly, even for those women with sensitive skin. She also believes that shaving is the best form of hair removal as it is convenient and often hassle free, compared to the other (and usually more painful) methods.

The lovely ladies on the panel also said that in order to get smooth-as-cream legs, one should always use a quality razor and make sure that the skin is properly moisturized before shaving.

The shaving kit which was given away comprised of a Gillette Venus razor, Gillette Satin Care shaving gel with aloe vera, and a pack of 3 shaving blade cartridges. It has been a week since I began using it, and I feel my legs are much smoother, and in-grown hairs have vanished.

You can buy Gillete Venus Razor here

Blades here.

I honestly feel that this way of hair removal is more convenient, hassle free, easy and inexpensive. This was my first week of the Subscribe to Smooth challenge, and next we are planning to debunk some myths for you ladies. So stay tuned for more updates!

Men Grooming Tips, Take Care !!

Hello Beauties,

How are you all doing? Today's post is quite interesting ( at least I feel so). Its a hatke post as its not about ladies or anything related to beauty products of us girls; it is about the men in our life and how carelessly they behave when it comes to their own grooming, hygiene and care.

                                  

Men, generally might be particular about too many things but I've seen them compromising a lot when it comes to their skin, most of the time they even end up ignoring pimples, acne and marks.

So, in this post I brought up to you some simple changes and tips which men should adopt for better skin

Use a Shower Gel instead of a Soap Bar - 

Soap bars have alkaline in them which dries out the skin. They make the rough and harsh. Instead, use shower gel or moisturizing shower get for supple moisturized skin

"Say No To bars" specially on Face 

Facial skin is very different from the skin at other bother body parts. It is much more exposed to pollution and harmful Sun.  Use Face wash for more hygiene and clear skin. Try Garnier Oil Clear face wash; it helps in removing excess oil without drying out the skin

My brother has a very sensitive oily skin and in this humid weather he suffers from breakouts every now and then. He started using The Garnier Men Acnofight Face wash and within 2 days of using it he started to feel the difference; his skin was more clearer and he was complaining quite less for oily irritable skin.

Use SunScreen

UVA-UVB rays are dangerous to the skin. Use a sunscreen or sunblock with a minimum of SPF 25 and protect your skin from harmful effects of UV rays. Use sunscreen in all the seasons and dont step out without it.

EXFOLIATE at least twice a week.
Exfoliating the skin is very important as it removes the dirt and dead skin cells. There are loads of body and face scrubs available in the market, choose wisely and according to your skin type and invest in good quality products.

Invest in Good Shaving Kit 
Choose trusted brands when it comes to shaving razors and creams. Do a patch test to know whether the products actually suit you or not otherwise you can end up having a rash on skin (Eww!!)
Shaving irritates the skin, hence, it is very important that you invest in nice, alcohol - free after shave lotion/gel to soothe your skin.

Keep You Skin Moisturized 
 Keep your skin hydrated. Moisturizer for the face and body should be different as face needs that extra care. Use a hydrating moisturizer to keep the harshness and roughness at bay and it will also improve the quality of your skin and will also leave a lasting impression on anyone.

Follow the above tips regularly and yo boy , you will feel the difference in you skin soon
Don't forget to "SayNoToBars" 

If you have more grooming tips for men, do share in the comments below !! Until next time- Chao

Stay Fashion Forward on a Shoestring Budget!!!

Hey Girls,

How are you all? I know you all are doing great and are as fabulous as always!! Positive feelings keep us happy isn't it? Everyone wants to look stunning, classy and stylish all the time. But hey, following all the latest trends can make hole in our pockets and we may also be left all broke by the end of the month. 

I'm a college student and have very limited sources of income. I can't afford high street brands all the time. But hey that shouldn't stop me from looking good and fashionable. So today I'm sharing my ways to stay fashionable and stylish  on a  tight budget.

Know Your Body & Don't Follow all Trends 

Being stylish and having love for fashion is one thing and following all the latest trends is another. A dress which might look great on a super model or a film star may not look that great on me/you. If you're wearing  clothes that aren't really "YOU" it's going to show. So, know your body type and don't follow all the latest trends blindly. It is all about being comfortable in the skin you're in. Use your unique sense of style but don't be afraid to experiment as well. 

Invest in few Classic Pieces 

Invest in few timeless classic key items which fit well. They build the foundation of a wardrobe. A great black/white shirt, black pencil skirt, a beautiful LBD/LRD, a neutral colour blazer, a classic leather jacket, etc. - they are always "en-vogue". So instead of splurging on latest trends, invest in these pieces. Once you have these key pieces, you can change up your look with the help of accessories, and can still look fashionable without breaking the bank.

Buy Non-Branded Jeans

I know this is a weird tip, and many of you might not even agree with me on this. But this one way by which I save a lot of money. I feel it doesn't really matter which brand's jeans you wear. It should be really (with emphasis) comfortable and should fit perfectly. You can buy other clothes from the money you save.

Shop from Flea Markets, Thrift Shops and Garage Sales.

If you are anything like me i.e. one who is always dicey whether a particular look, trend/style will suit her or not, then I must tell you that thrift stores and flea markets are there specially for our kinda people. They are hell cheap and you get ultimate bargains there. They have everything in every style imaginable. I feel these places keep coming out with new collection and variety much earlier than even few high street stores. You have to put a little more work into your shopping experience, but you’ll get great clothes for a whole lot less.

Do Online Shopping

I think in past few years online shopping has gone to new heights altogether. I find it much convenient and easier. Its true that you can get some great bargains online, but one also saves money in other areas, like transport, parking, eating out and of course the most valuable thing- Your time. There are no long queues outside the changing room and you can do it at any time of the day or Night!!! :D 
But other than all these benefits, which I'm sure you are already pretty much aware of, you can use other ways also to save money while shopping online. 
Search for promo codes- they can cut off a good percentage of your total. Checkout Freekaamaal, Couponraja and Desidime
Also subscribe for the newsletter from favorite online shop, you'll know when the sales are on. Most of the store even offer a discount on your first purchase if you sign up for their newsletter.

Shop when you Need to

If any of my friends are reading this then I know it sounds really strange coming from me. I'm ... naa I was a compulsive shopper. Don't pick anything just because you like it at that very moment, think twice do you really need it? or will you really wear it? I know such a decision is tough and we cannot always follow it, but one must try in order to achieve (Gyaan mill raha hai ... le lo :P). Impulsive/compulsive shopping can really take a toll on your pocket.Be careful !!!

Stock up on Accessories

Rather than splurging on an expensive dress, invest in necklaces, bangles, scarves and belts. You’ll get tired of that dress sooner or later, whereas accessories will spice up plain items and allow you to create drastically different looking ensembles with the same basic pieces.

Swap with Your Friends 

Your friends and your sisters/cousins will always have something you'd love to wear. Borrowing or swaping your stuff with them can help in enhancing your wardrobe and can help in save money without even having to spend even a single penny.

Last But not the Least - Be Creative 

You don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe for each season if you can't afford it or even if you can!! Save money by being creative with what you have. By mix-matching, layering or doing the simple DIYs and giving a whole new look to your clothes.  It's what really shows style. 

And hey,  most importantly Be confident,and you'll become fabulous automatically. 

I hope these tips/ ways of saving money helped you in your style journey. If you any such tips on saving money or a style tip or two, do share with us by commenting on the post. !!

How To Deal With Aunt Flo

We all know "That time of month"is no fun. As women, we can all sympathize with each other and some of us more than others. But complaining and whining about them is no solution. Try not to take it out on others around you, it's not their fault that you feel lousy. Don't let your period bother you so much with every monthly visit.

First of all lets identify the problems we suffer during this period which we refer to as PMS - Bloating, constipation, cramps, mood swings, tender breasts , craving ( yes !! chocolates and ice creams and cakes that u crave endlessly for), sluggish and tired and restless.

I know when PMS time is around we want to reach for that cookie in our kitchen or all the junk cook (comfort food ) that we can find easily around us and lock ourselves in our rooms for next 5 days. I have learned a lot of tricks to deal with the painful cramps over years :-

1) Drink plenty of water - I know its a no brainer and it has been suggested by every other person on this planet for this cure. But do we really follow it. Choose water instead of coca-cola, caffeine or teas. They could actually increase muscle cramps. Water is pure and is good for your body health all around.

2) Take a bath - Focus on feeling better and pamper yourself with a relaxing bath. This can help you ease cramps . To maximize the experience, throw a both bomb or use bath salts like jasmine and lavender or just pour some body wash and chill baby !!!
                                              
3) Do Yoga - Although yoga is beneficial for everyday stress and anxiety, it is especially crucial during PMS. Yoga will help you relax and balance your mood. Specific poses helps in giving relief from cramps. You can do Child's pose, Forward bending (sitting and standing), fish pose, triangle pose, cobra pose etc. but if any pose feels uncomfortable, make sure you stop immediately.

4) Take hot water bottle or Heating pads - This is a method which works well when I'm about to go to sleep and can't get settled because of irritating cramps. It helps easing the tension in your muscles and lessen any pain you're feeling.

                                                                                                                      

5) Multivitamins, Iron and Calcium Supplements - If you want to get rid of pain in a safe way, make sure your iron levels, A, B, B6, C, D and E vitamins and calcium etc are in check is a great way to help reduce menstrual related pain. taking these supplements will make drastic change in your pain relief and it will also regularize them as well. 

                                         

6) Massage - One of my Favorite techniques to relive menstrual pain is by massage. Messaging your stomach helps relieve menstrual pain! You can do it yourself, or have your sweetheart help you out. Gentle Strokes and circular motions with light pressure on your abdomen area will help relax your muscles and relieve some of the pain and tension you are experiencing.

7) Avoid Junk Food, Have herbal Teas - A big reason to avoid junk at this time of month is, it contains refined carbohydrates and trans fat and salt. They all contribute to water retention. And who wants to go through that when one is already feeling bloated.
                                        

There are so many ways to relieve menstrual pain! Periods dont mean your life has to stop. Have you ever trued any of these methods and ways to relieve menstrual pain? Different women suffer in Different ways and have many different ways to relieve the pain, so I'd like to know yours!!!! 

                                            

P.S While writing this I was constantly remembering of one the most amazing episodes of F.r.i.e.n.d.s, the one with soap opera party. If you are a F.r.i.e.n.d.s fan, then you know what I'm talking about. ;)

                                         

P.P.S Just bring me cupcakes, tell me I’m pretty, and leave me alone. #PMSing, #Moody #Cranky #hungry

Do write your comments !!!

Reasons for Weight Gain !!

Hey beautiful ladies,

Merry Christmas!! I hope you are enjoying to the fullest. I’m also enjoying but I’m hogging over food like a pig from the very beginning of this month and this is the major reason my waistline is increasing like anything – totally reminding me of Tuntun ;)… Nevermind, not always what you eat makes you go round. Sometimes there are different reasons and rather more sever one to put on weight.

In this post I will tell you some other reasons as well as few ways by which u can solve them.

1)  Stress: Stress and fatigue can cause chaos to your metabolism. A slower metabolism means fewer calories are burnt. Stress also makes one emotional eater and eats sugary foods to comfort one. A very easy example for this one is eating chocolates in hope to feel better.

Tips:-

1)      Try meditation

2)      Take up your favorite hobby- like ready, photography travelling etc.

3)      Avoid carbonated drinks, Drink juices. Avoid fatty food, eat salad and fruit.

2)  Untimely Meals: Due to your capricious schedule at work or in lifestyle due to whatever reasons, if you are not eating on time or starving yourself for long intervals then it is affecting your digestion and metabolic rate. When you starve yourself, your body starts storing fat for later use and also you tend to overeat sometime to fulfil your body requirements.

Tips:-

1)      Eat in small intervals- keep a gap of 2-3 hours.

2)      Eat in small proportions

3)      Pack small snacks that you can munch on through the day like a salad of sprouts, carrots
nuts etc.

 

3)  Lack of Sleep/ Sleep disorder:- Sleep deprivation affects all the systems in your body. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and, biochemically, you store fat more efficiently. Symptoms that you may not be getting enough rest include fatigue, low energy levels, nodding off easily, and feeling irritable.

Tips:

 

1)      Strive to get eight hours of sleep each night.

2)      Avoid drinking anything that contains caffeine like tea or coffee two-three hours before bedtime.

3)      Now the step I’m gonna tell u hard, considering our lifestyle but it helps bigtime; Shut the TV, your phone and the laptop; disconnect yourself as you near bedtime.

4)  Medication:- Some prescription drugs used to treat depression, mood disorders, seizures, migraines, blood pressure, and diabetes can cause weight gain, from a modest amount to as much as 3kgs per month. Experts say that some of the most common types of medications that may cause weight gain are:

·        Steroids

·        Antidepressants

·        Diabetes medications

·        High blood pressure medications

·        Heartburn medications

         Tips-

1) In a lot of cases the weight gain is a temporary side effect.
2) Ask your doctor for any diet or exercise tips that could control it.

5)  Hormonal adjustments to different stages: If we are young, our metabolism didn’t need much to lose excess calories. While in the life cycle we maintain same ways of eating, but our metabolism is going slower, because of hormonal changes. 

Tips 

1)      A combination of exercise and a healthy, calorie-controlled diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

I hope this post of some use to you all; Spread the word if you I like it. It would be a great encouragement to me. Keep reading,,,,

Love

 

Disclaimer- all the pics are result of Google image search. I dont claim any ownership

Walking in Heels is Super Easy Now!!!

Hello Pretty Ladies!!

Whats happening? Now Dilli ki saardi (winters in Delhi) has started showing its colours and i just don’t feel like getting out of my bed and my furry blanket*oh so soft* but this laziness is not meant for me, *sadly* as I have my exams going on. Nevermind, I still need to party and go out with friends. I love stilletos/ high heels, they give me confidence and if I pair them with my lovely skirts then it gives me double confidence as my legs slimmer and ofcourse you feel taller and Sexy and the same time. 

 

High heels can damage your feet if you are uncomfortable. First of all you need to practice walking in high heels and secondly be confident if you wear one.

Buy the right size of the shoes (i.e. stilletos/heels). If you are uncomfortable in the size that you are wearing then your shoes will be a waste. And if you buy really high heels that you cannot even carry then even your shoes are a waste. You know better how long a heel you can carry.

So here are for few tips to walk in your dream shoes without pain and without any fear:-

1)      Start with Kitten Heels - If you’ve never walked in high heels before, don’t start out learning with 5 inch stilettos – that’s a recipe for pain and maybe even injury! If you are a new user then start by small heels or Kitten Heels and then move towards higher heels. You can always work your way up to your most killer heels.

2)      Move with Wedges/chunkier Heels:- next step is to walk in the heels which do hjave height but also have a thicker base, just like wedges or chunkier heels. They do the similar job of that of stilletos and they are a lot easier to wear. Though stilletos add to a glamour quotient, wedges add to a fun quotient and give you a comfort zone.

3)      Limit the obstacles:- If possible try to limit the number of obstacles in the first high heels you'll be wearing - for example, a pair of high heels with rounded toes will probably be more comfortable than pointy-toed shoes, and you can concentrate more on walking gracefully in high heels if your toes aren't being pinched together. Opt for a pump, or a sandal with an ankle strap that will add support for your ankles, and will definitely help in your attempt to walk in high heels.

4)      Choose your shoes carefully:- Not all high heels are created equal. Stand in your shoes on a hard floor with your knees straight, and see if you can raise yourself on your toes an inch. If you can't, the heels are too high for you right now, and you shouldn't wear them. If you try to wear heels this tall, you'll end up walking with your knees bent forward, and that's a good way to get very sore, not to mention looking rather daft. You also want there to be just enough "breathing room" so you can add cushions in the soles later.

5)      Walk heel to toe, not toe to heel. While it might be tempting to put your whole foot down at once, don’t do it – it makes your walk look strange when you’re wearing high shoes. Instead, put your heel down first, followed by your toe. This will give you more balance and make your stride look more natural.

6)      Take small steps. Wearing heels naturally makes your stride shorter, so you’ll need to take more steps than usual. Don’t expect to be able to walk as fast as you normally do in high heels.

7)      Step as if you were walking on a straight line. When you walk with one foot in front of the other, it gives your hips the sway that models are known for. Pretend you’re walking on a line on the ground, one foot in front of the other, or practice on an actual straight line at a basketball court or on a line in the floor.

8)      Continue walking back and forth across the room, turning different directions, and stopping without wobbling on your high heels. Once you're comfortable with this, try the same thing on different floor surfaces, and remember to start off slowly with each one.

9)      Practice, practice, practice:- If you haven't ever worn high heels, or you are already comfortable in high heels, this sounds silly. But trust me, the first time you put them on, you'll see what I mean. Wearing high heels is a totally different walking experience, and if you take it for granted, you'll not only end up with sore feet, but possibly an injury. And, if you have a bad experience first time out, you'll be doomed to flats forever.

10)   When wearing high heels on a staircase, always use the rail if it is available, or at least be close enough to a rail that you can reach it if you need to. When climbing steps, your entire shoe heel and sole should land firmly at once on each step.

11)   Give your feet a break. Sit down every twenty minutes or so. If you're in the bathroom, sit down. Don't take your heels off, this will only allow the pain to worsen. They swell a bit after you take them off, that makes it harder to continue after.

No matter how nice your heels are, don't wear them all the time. Wearing heels too often can lead to chronic foot and back pain. Heels over 5 inches tall aren't really meant for walking. 

Now that you know how to walk in heels, have fun in them and flatter yourself with those beautiful Pumps in your closet. 

If you have any questions, be sure to leave a comment and I’ll try to answer.

Love.