Monday, December 7, 2009

Food for Healthy and Shiny Hair

The main problems of unhealthy hair are stress, hormonal imbalance, digestive problems and inadequate nutrition.



Having a good diet comprising of nutritious food coupled with excersises that would de-stress you is a great way to ensure that you have healthy hair. And with that you'll also get a glowing skin as added bonus.

Deficiency of certain vitamins and fat (that's right, dieting is bad for your hair) cause hairfall. Girls (or guys) if you are on a low-fat diet you might be at risk of losing hair because fats are necessary for absorbing Vitamin A and E which are a must for healthy hair.

Moreover, you also need to ensure that you have sufficient intake of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12's association with hair growth has to do with its assistance of oxygen transportation throughout the body. Hair, just like most body parts, requires oxygen to grow properly.

So if you are having a hair loss problem, it could be because of vitamin B12 deficiency. Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B12, are not stored in the body as easily as fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. For this reason, it is important to ensure that daily recommended allowances of vitamin B12 are consumed each day. If this is accomplished, hair can grow much more normally and prevent hair loss.

Other essential nutrients are - Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, proteins and carbohydrates. Find below a list of foods which are rich in the above mentioned nutrients:
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- Protein: Beans or legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

- Vitamin A: pumpkin, dried apricot, carrot and spinach.Dark green vgetables lie spinach and broccoli are an excellent source of vitamin A (and also Vitamin C). This is needed by your body to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner. Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

- Vitamin E: wheat germ, almond, avocado and coconut.

- Healthy fats to absorb Vitamin A and E: Cold pressed oil like extra virgin olive oil, mustard oil, and coconut oil. Omega 3 fatty acids like flax seeds and walnuts are also very good.
- Vitamin B-complex: Available in most food items rich in carbohydrates like wheat and rice.
- Vitamin C: berries (like amla), lemon, oranges and guavas (these have four times more Vitamin C than any other fruits).

- Nuts: Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. Cashews, pecans, and almonds, in addition to walnuts, are an excellent source of zinc. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy.

EXCERCISE

Proper blood circulation promotes nourishment of the hair follicles and these result in hair that is healthier and more in volume. Stress is one of the biggest cause of hair problems. So excercising regularly will not only give you a fab body but will als help you relax and feel happy, and this combination will give you healthy hair.

Breathing excercises (particularly yoga) that boost blood circulation are good for your hair. A combination of brisk walking and jogging for 20 minutes coupled with some stretching would also benefit your health.

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Sunday, December 6, 2009

BEAUTY REGIME FOR WINTER

Come Winter and the skin and hair become dull and lifeless. Freezing weather, lack of sunshine combined with exposure to heaters can be unkind to delicate skin and hence it becomes essential to follow a strict beauty regime and take care of your skin.

Some tips to keep your skin and hair in good shape:

- WASHING FACE: Washing your face with warm water twice a day would help to open and clean out the pores and that using cold water straight afterwards helps to close them again.

- MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE: Its absolutely essential during winter even for those with oily skin. The skin loses its moisture and becomes itchy, dry and lifeless. Therefore, use a good rich body crem to keep your body and face soft and supple.

You could add some almond oil to your bath water and soak in the water for a few minutes,that would leve your skin moisturised. Or else, try some good after bath body oil as its great for dry skin and does not make it greasy. I use Grapeseed Softening Body Oil from the 'Botanics' range of Boots. It comes in a spray and makes the skin very soft.

Aloe Vera gel or plant extract is also a good moisturiser. The plant is known for its healing properties against cuts, wounds and burns.

- BATHING: Do not use very hot water for bathing, as it makes skin dry. Use warm water instead, it will keep skin well moisturised and soft. Use a good creamy body wash, like Vanilla and Cocoa Shower Cream by Original Source. It smells great, cleanses skin and leaves it soft.

- EXFOLIATE: Exfoliating is a great way to get rid of dull skin and stimulate new skin growth. A good exfoliation will re-energise the skin, and get rid of the top layer of life less winter skin. Do this once or twice a month to keep yourself looking and feeling gorgeous.

Hip US brand Malin+Goetz has created a Detox Face Mask (�15 at www.liberty.co.uk) that is, literally, bursting with oxygen as it fizzes and foams on contact with skin to gently exfoliate away impurities, leaving nothing less than a radiant complexion (Source: Vogue).

- USE SPF: Just because the sun is not showing, you still need to protect skin from UV rays. Wear a cream or a sunscren lotion with minimum of SPF 15 during the day.

- CONDITION HAIR: Winter makes hair dry, frizzy and brittle. A good conditoner is a must for this season. To bring in shine to your hair, you could also consider washing them with mineral water (yah it sounds cazy, but it works). Also, trying washing with cold water, do not use hot water to wash hair. It would make them dry and brittle.

Dull locks can be revived with Great Lengths Anti Tap Water pH Regulator (�12 at www.greatlengthshair.co.uk) that is, fabulously, a "descaler" for the hair that breaks downs limescale build-up which can occur from inner-city hard water (Source: Vogue).

- Avoid HAIR STYLING that uses heat: During winters its advisable to limit use blow dryers, straighteners and curlers. If you have must use an appliance, condition your hair first - the sudden use of heat in cold weather can make hear weak.

Please share your winer beauty tips in the comments section.
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Laura Mercier Cr�me de Pistache

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Laura Mercier Cr�me de Pistache

Laura Mercier's Cr�me de Pistache, its Bath and Body Collection is completely delectable. It smells great and feels great on skin. The collection includes Souffl� Body Cr�me, Body Scrub and Honey Bath.
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The Souffl� Body Cr�me is rich and luxurious, leaving your skin smell great and moistured all day long. Just a little cream on the body and you will feel great. Unlike usual rich creams, it does not make your skin greasy or makes it feel too heavy. Just the right amount of moisture you require. The smell is great, it not just smells of pistacio but has hint of almond, praline, and hazelnut. Try it and you are sure going to love it.


The Body Scrub is equally good, it uses crushed pistachio shells for exfoliation, removing dead skin and leaving your skin soft and smooth. It smells great and is a great buy. Have been looking for a great scrub since long and this one is just perfect.


I haven't tried the Honey Bath, but have heard good reviews of the product. Its made from natural ingredients and they say 'it leaves the skin feel fresh and supple'.


At $46 for the body scrub, $40 for the honey bath and $55 for the body cream its a bit expensive, but it is good to pamper and indulge yourself in luxury. And for those who are looking for something to fit your budget, you must try the bath and body products from the skincare brand Naked, they are made from natural ingredients and are crueltyfree. Click here to know more about it.

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Monday, November 30, 2009

The Best of Despi Spring/Summer 2010 Swimwear

Its the first post on Beautify on Swimsuits. Despi's Spring/Summer 2010 collection is chic, classy and sophisticated, so how could we miss them on this blog?

Despi, the Brazilian swimwear brand is making waves in the fashion world with its sexy & classy designs in swimwear and their Spring/Summer 2010 are just irresistible. The Spring/Summer 2010 swimwear collection has 18kt gold detailing, inspired designs, beautiful colours and authentic Brazilian beach looks!

They say, "Subtly beautiful details like delicate elaborate beading enhance the classic look of Despi swimsuits, and the result is a dreamy goddess-like appearance. The fabrics and textures are always sensually soft, and the designs are carefully constructed so customers are able achieve that perfect-fit. With Despi Swimwear, you�ll shine in subtle sophistication, and with just one glance, your stunning appearance will leave them breathless", and rightly so.
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Sexy Plum

This plum one piece swimsuit with gold detail is chic and an absolute stunner. Love the colour and design, sure to soar temprature this summer.

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Shades of Green
Pictures speak a thousand words, look at the images below and you'll know what it means. The prett unusual and chic designs in green is definitely a mut-buy iyou're planning to hit the water this summer.
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In Rust

The one-piece swimsuit and the halter beaded bikini in rust is a stunner.

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Brazilian model Bianca Klamt Motta has done Despia's Spring Summer 2010 campaign.

Image Source
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Tiffany Diamond Statement

Make a statement with one of Tiffany's designs from their collection.
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EARRINGS

Look lovely in the beautiful dangling earrings from Tiffany, from left: pendulum diamond drop earrings, swirl diamond drop earrings and teardrop diamond drop earrings.
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Tiffany Key Pendants


Arent's these keys just gorgeous. Tiffany sure knows how to make keys look their best. Used as pendants, Tiffany has them in various styles from petals to heart key in platinum, titanium, silver, yellow gold, rose gold and diamonds.
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Beautiful Tiffany Pendants



Whether you choose the oval orange tourmaline medallion pendant with diamonds or the diamond and yellow gold locket, its sure too make a statement.

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Saturday, November 28, 2009

Shilpa Shetty Wedding

Finally Shilpa Shetty got married to her British Indian beau Raj Kundra. The ubiquity of her wedding talks on television and print has been a bit much, but we still can't miss the bride's and her friends' pictures on her wedding ceremony and reception.


Shilpa Wedding's Grand Reception

Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra's grand wedding reception was held at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai and, it goes without saying, was attended by who who's of the business and glam world.

For the reception Shilpa wore a sequineed golden Tarun Tahiliani contemporary lehenga, inspired by a dress, while the British businessman, Raj Kundra wore a black sherwani by the duo Shantanu and Nikhil.

I'd say I was disapponted by the bride, who didn't pay much attention to her groom. His sherwani was rather disappointing and we wish he would have worn something better. As for Shilpa, she certainly looked stunning. But considering it was her wedding, a more traditional lehenga would have been better suited for the reception. There's nothing like a demure bride. She's looking more like ready for an item number, than a bride.

Well it was their 'Big Day', so everything is forgiven.
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The Guest List

Shilpa Shetty's wedding reception was a star-studded affair with bigwigs Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan attending the wedding ceremony to wish the couple a happy life ahead. Let's see who wore what at the occassion.
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Shamita Shetty, certainly not the guest but family, wore a blue green Manish Malhotra saree for the reception. Weddings are the perfect occassion to bring our your blingiest saree, but this one does not work at all. The colour and the design both are a turn-off. Shamita, it was your own sister's wedding, you surely could have done better.

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Rani Mukherjee was one of the most well-dressed attendees at Shilpa Shetty's wedding. She turned in a lovely pink Manish Malhotra wedding and looked quite a stunner.


Rani Mukherjee at Shilpa Shetty's Wedding (above, below)
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Aishwaya Rai Bachchan attended Silpa Shetty's wedding reception with her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan (why is Abhishek always missing?). She wore a pink Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla pink anarkali, that she also wore back in 2007 at Bachchan Sandhya in New York.

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Aishwarya Rai and Amitabh Bachchan at Shilpa Shetty Wedding (above, below)
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Rekha attended Shilpa's wedding in her classic kajevaram style. I am already not a big fan of kanjevarams and this look is too blingy and passe for me. The drape does not look too good, too much jewelry with the already bright saree and the blouse looks bit ill-fitted. Rekha sure looks lovely despite everything though.


Rekha at Shilpa Shetty's Wedding Reception

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Among the other high profile guest, the always flamboyant Vijay Mallya made a grand entrance at Shilpa's wedding reception at Hyatt in a black suit and smart smart shoes. Smart and Sophisticated, nothing too overdone.


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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Love Your Body: Parben Free Body Care

When it comes to skincare or skin products, natural is the way to go.

Even the big and famous cosmetic and body care companies use ingredients that cause cancer, kidney damage, headache and the list goes on.

I've found a company that uses all natural ingredients and does not even use parabens, SLS or petrochemicals in its products, the ingredients whichare found in the vast majority of toiletries on most bathroom. In fact they don't use animal derived ingredients, so you can be relieved that they are cruelty-free.
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Yes thats the name of the body care brand NAKED, strip down to the best raw ingredients and not to veil them in unnecessary chemicals or artificial colours. It has no synthetic ingredients and has atleast 97% of its ingredients natural.
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97% Natural, but What about the other 3%?
They say....

"The other 3% - is made up of miniscule amounts of synthetic ingredients to ensure safety and stability of the products e.g. the preservative system (like Benzoic Acid or Methylisothiazolinone) to stop mould and fungus growing after opening; binding agents like EDTA which stop unwanted chemical reactions and separation; and performance enhancers like anti-static agents to prevent flyaway hair. In many cases we reach 99.5% naturalness"





Crammed with gorgeous high quality botanical extracts and created with plant and mineral derived ingredients, Naked products range includes creamy, foamy body washes with tantalizing scents (like White Ginger and Minty Menthol), shampoos and conditioners tailored to your hair type (straight or curly, normal to dry, etc) as well as luxurious, soothing body butters, exfoliating scrubs and daily face washes.
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They're also all reasonably priced; most of the range costs �3.91, with none of the products costing more than �7.82.

Recommended Product:
Naked's Coco de Mer Body Butter, it moisturises your body making it soft and supple and leaving it smelling gorgeous.



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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Winter Autumn Designer Picks at Bargain

Winter is approaching and its time you deck up your wardrobe with some stylish designer buys at bargain.

Lace, satin, embellishments, black, tailored, gold, shimmer are some of the key Autumn/Winter must haves.

BEAUTIFY'S DESIGNER PICKS


The Feminine Look

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Prada Lace Dress, Donna Karan Clutch, VBH Velvet Clutch, Kenneth Jay Lane Crystal Necklace



Tailored
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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Best Dressed Celebs in October

Let's check out some of the best dressed celebrities in the month just gone by - October 2009.
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Gwen Stefani at 26th Annual Night of Stars Awards in NYC

Gwen Stefani looked absolutely stunning at 26th Annual Night of Stars Awards in New York City. She kept it short and simple and something about this look is just so perfect. Gwen gives us a refreshing change and honestly not missing the red lip look she usually dawns.

She wore a belted halter dress, a L.A.M.B. clutch, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and patent peep-toe pumps. She took a classic LBD and added a high-gloss belt, instantly transforming it into edgy leg-baring dress with high/low hemline that perfectly suits her rock-star style and adds a touch of charm.

Gwen looks great! She looks pretty and demure.
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Eva Longoria Parker at the Rally for Kids with Cancer in Miami

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Eva Longoria Parker wore an electric-blue dress and taupe pumps at the Rally for kids with cancer scavenger hunt at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach. The cobalt sheath does the perfect justice to her curves.
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Eva Longoria Parker at the Rally


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Reese Witherspoon at Avon events

Reese Witherspoon continues to delight with her always so perfect look. She chose to wear a black and white look at the Avon Foundation's - Champions Who Change Womens Lives.

At another event Reese Witherspoon and Avon celebrate the launch of her new fragrance In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon in Times Square, NYC on Wednesday. For the occassion, she wore a gorgeous red embroidered L�Wren Scott dress from the Spring 2010 collection.

Like her in at both the occasions. You like?
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Jennifer Lopez at the LA Premiere of 'This is it'

Jennifer Lopez chose a sparkly glittery black look at the priemiere of 'This is it'. She was clad hea-toe in Herve Leger wearing a beaded black dress, studded slouch knee-length boots, a big bracelet and black clutch.
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Jessica Alba - a casual look

Jessica Alba looked stylish in the casual ensemble while she was out and about in Beverly Hills with her daughter. Alba wore a sleep striped cardigan, slim fit jeansand knee-high suede bots, along with a hardware heavy black bag.
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Jessica Alba in Beverly Hills


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