For getting rid of dark under eye circles

I should know best - when it comes to dark under eye circles, there would hardly be any remedy that I haven't tried. Most didn't work, but the some that did, made me feel alot better when I looked into the mirror every morning. I know how frustrating it can be, checking in on all the time, hoping to see the dark circles diminishing.

Even though I sleep well, eat well, lead a stress free life, I've been plagued with dark circles since my teenage years. Only difference, now, I know how to tackle them and have definitely succeeded in lightening the pesky dark shadows.

Now you'd need to use the following mix for atleast a month, regularly, to see visible results. I was on iron supplements as well while using this eye pack, so at the end of the month, I wasn't quite sure what worked. Was it the increase in heamoglobin levels? Or did the mix do the work all by itself?

Either way, there's a 50% chance this would work. So why not give it a shot? Mix the following -

1/2 tsp of powdered fenugreek seeds (methi) (Grind 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and store the powder in a tiny bottle. It'll last a long time.)

1 tbsp of full cream milk (It shouldn't be too watery; add a little milk cream or milk powder to thicken)

Drops of rose water (optional)

Let the powder soak in the creamy milk for an hour in the fridge. Then apply thickly all around over the dark circles and let dry. Wash gently with cool water.

My dark circles diminished by half when I tried this for a month (and boy, was I delighted!). Maybe it was a combination of the iron supplements and this pack, but either way, if you've tried alot of other remedies which haven't worked, there's no harm is trying this as well.

And let me know if it works for you!

Uses of rose water

Rose water sure is one of my favourite ingredients when it comes to skin care. It smells delicious, fresh and is so cooling on the skin.

You could add rose to absolutely any face pack and enjoy it's benefits. Or simply spritz on rose water after a long, tiring day outside and the refreshing scent will make you feel fresh and energized immediately.

I myself apply rose water on my face, after I rinse away any face pack. This tones my skin and tightens the pores to keep out bacteria and germs. Especially in summers when my skin can't take any more heat, I apply rose water before sleeping to soak in on the goodness.

If you have skin that's prone to break outs, acne or pimples, regularly using rose water is a good idea. It cleans and hydrates skin and is completely natural, so it's a safe bet to steer clear of blemishes.

If you want, you can keep rose water in the refridgerator and dip cotton balls in cool rose water, to apply on your tired, puffy eyes. Though this won't help lighten any dark circles (I've tried it, never worked), it really refreshes tired, dry eyes and is soothing.

Now the fact that your skin would smell alot more sweet ought to make you go buy a bottle of rose water and keep it handy for all times, isn't it? :)

Tomato - An excellent remedy for tanned skin

Now using tomatoes for skin care? Yeah, I can vouch for this one. While I was in school, I'd tanned quite a bit because of the time spent outside in the sun. So the one thing I did routinely, was to slice a ripe tomato into two, and rub one slice onto my face and neck, making sure to apply as much juice as possible.

And guess what? Two months down the line, I actually got rid of the tan! And I was so hooked on to it (because it was such an easy thing to do everyday), that I used tomato juice regularly, just to keep my skin clean and fresh. I used to have an oily T-zone as well, but after using tomatoes, my skin became completely oil free.

Ofcourse, the tomato juice doesn't really smell nice and it is kinda watered down to apply just the juice. And oh yes, who can forget that tingling sensation you get when you apply it? Initially, that tingly scratchy sensation that I used to feel was annoying, but once I started seeing results (and after I kinda got used to it), I didn't mind as much. My mom tried the same, but the tomato juice would irritate her skin alot, so she used to apply other face packs and just add the tomato juice to it, instead of applying plain concentrated tomato juice.

In other words, you ought to give it a try if you are trying to get rid of tanned skin or are looking for a glowing, brighter complexion. Since tomatoes are drying, I wouldn't suggest it for people with dry skin. It works great on oily or combination type skins, as long as you can handle the tingly sensation.

And if you want, you could puree half a tomato and apply the paste too. Or just squeezing out the juice and applying it works just as well. Your pick!

Pretty feet et vous?

I don't know about you, but I can't help but notice clean, neatly maintained hands, feet, nails etc. Everybody notices clothes, hairstyles and shoes, and most make sure that they turn out in their best while they are out. But what about the oft neglected feet? Most people forget that well maintained feet, make the shoes that wrap them look better as well.

I remember socializing at a party, where I noticed a young mother's feet so badly dehydrated and scaly and unkept, that I almost wanted to point it out to her! (No no, but I didn't!)

Anyhow, having pretty feet does not involve costly and lengthy pedicures every alternate week (though these would certainly help). For me, I make sure I scrub my feet with a pumice stone while taking a shower and moisturize them after the shower, to keep them soft and smooth.

If you really really have dry feet, then one of the best and quickest ways to hydrate them, is to apply any moisturizer on your feet (vaseline works great as well) and wear socks to let the cream get absorbed generously and go off to sleep. You will wake up in the morning to amazingly soft and happy feet.

Your feet do carry you places. Isn't it time you nourished them to keep them healthy as well? Think about it!

Vaseline to the rescue!

Eyeliner gone fuzzy? Smudged kajal (kohl)? A runny mascara? Yeah, we've all been in situations where we'r oustide at a party and need a quick fix for wiping away make up gone wrong. And unless you carry a make up remover in your purse/handbag all the time, chances are you'll be left with water as an option to rub away messy lines.

So my favourite quick fix is Vaseline. I carry it all the time and it's real simple to use as well. Just dab some on a tissue or cotton, and gently rub on the smudged area. After wiping clean with vaseline, simply use a clean cotton to dab away any oily excess and voila! You'r good to go!

It works well with removing eyeliner, mascara, kajal or lipstick stains and  it's moist, so it's gentle on skin as well. Vaseline to the rescue, it really is! :)

Soothing tan remover

In the summers, when your skin takes a beating from the heat all around, try this cooling pack to calm your nerves and lighten skin tan in the process -

1 tbsp yoghurt

1-2 tbsp lemon juice

Paste of ground mint leaves

The chilled yoghurt and cool mint, along with citrusy fresh lemon makes for a refreshning pack. Apply all over your skin. Wash off after it dries and repeat 2-3 times a week.

For moisturizing and softening dry skin

This pack is very simple and hydrating. Use it to soothe and moisturize your skin -

1-2 tbsp yoghurt

1 tsp honey

Apply this to your face and neck and relax while it dries. This pack would penetrate your skin and soften it in the process. Wash off with cool water and repeat atleast 2 times a week for best results.

Getting rid of dandruff

Gorgeous, silky hair but plagued by dandruff? Fikar (worry) not! It's pretty easy getting rid of those dreaded white flakes if you simply nourish your hair atleast twice a month with a hot oil massage and lemon juce application.

Oil your hair generously for a minimum of 2 hours. Then 15-30 minutes before taking a shower, take a juicy wedge of lemon and squeeze out the juice on to your hair roots and rub gently. Make sure you apply the juice to your scalp and hair roots specifically. Use as much as required. You'll feel a gentle tingling for a while, and soon it dries up.

You can shampoo as usual after this (try using a gentle herbal shampoo and not chemically loaded ones). Preferably air dry your hair, instead of using a blow dryer. You'll love how soft and silky your hair feels and no more white flakes to deal with!

You could oil your hair once a week, and use the lemon juice as well, every 15 days. It's really worth the effort!

Anti wrinkle face mask for women over 30

Wrinkles, fine lines, crows feet - all signs of aging skin, which can be delayed if a proper skin care regimen is followed even when you are in your 20's. Don't wait for signs of aging to show up. Start right now! The following face mask is great for women over 30, who should start using this to delay the onset of wrinkles.

And no harm in using this twice every week even if you'r below 30, because this face mask results in skin lightening as well -

1-2 tbsp creamy yoghurt

1 tsp of tomato juice

Make sure this mix isn't too runny when you are going to apply it on your skin (If you add too much tomato juice, resulting in a watery consistency, you can refridgerate the mix for 15-30 minutes to make it easier to apply).

Apply generously all over and let dry. The lactic acid in the yoghurt and the acidity of the tomato work well in getting rid of tan lines and softening the skin. Rinse with cool water and remember to be regular with this (for atleast a month) to see long term effects of wrinkle-free skin and faded tan lines.

Exfoliating scrub for dry skin

Keeping dry skin well hydrated even after cleansing routines is of utmost importance. Which is why the ingredients you use should be well suited to your skin type. Use the following quick fix for sloughing off dead cells, without stripping your skin of all moisture -

1 tbsp of honey

Granulated sugar

A pinch of dried orange peels (coarsely ground) (optional)

Massage the sugar on to your skin, till the sugar crystals dissolve into the honey. Take your time and be gentle with your skin while scrubbing!

I haven't been able to use this myself, no matter how yummy I find it, because my skin remains normal to oily most of the time. Anyway, honey is moisturizing and is a great ingredient for any face pack for dry or mature skin. Do use it!

Body exfoliation using a pumice stone

Most people use scrubs to exfoliate facial skin but neglect the rest of their bodies. This results in lacklustre body skin. Infact, I used to do the same. But a few years back, when I noticed waxing resulting in quite alot of ingrown hair on my legs, I realized the importance of scrubbing skin all over while taking a shower.

Initially I used to use a spongy loofah, but once I tried a pumice stone, I got hooked on to it, because I could actually feel my skin tingle after I scrubbed and could feel the revved up skin circulation. Not to mention that the pumice stone worked better than the loofah in clearing up the ingrown hairs a whole lot.

Ever since, scrubbing with a pumice stone is a part of regular showers for me. The benefits are many, but the best is that it opens up pores of your skin, and after taking a shower, any cream that you rub on will be absorbed deliciously.

Few things to note about it though -

• Always scrub your skin upwards, towards the heart, starting from your legs and thighs, up your abdomen and finally up your arms.
• Don't forget to scrub your back (as much as you can reach out) and neck too.
• Be gentle with the scrubbing! After you've lathered up soap or body wash, scrub gently in a circular upward motion and then rinse as usual.
• If you've got rough or cracking foot heels, then scrubbing with a pumice stone while taking a shower helps immensely. Do remember to moisturize your feet thereafter. In 2 weeks or so, you should begin noticing softer, smoother feet.
• If your knees and elbows are dark or are rougher in texture than the rest of your body, then scrub over these areas specifically and regularly. Moisturize after this for sure and within a month, your knees and elbows will look and feel much much better. Promise!
• You could always use a loofah instead of a pumice stone. The loofah is gentler on skin, and works pretty good. But I personally prefer using a pumice stone, because I like the grainy feel on my skin.
• This is obvious but don't scrub over bruised, cut or sore skin. Ouch.
• And over freshly waxed skin as well. It doesnt require scrubbing for 2-3 days and doesn't feel good either. (Though since a loofah is softer, it won't hurt.)
• And finally, don't expect your skin to be silky smooth after a few scrubs itself. It takes time, but trust me, it's worth it.

Now scrub away those dead cells and watch your skin feel baby soft! :)

Let the luscious lips do the talking!

Soft and pouty lips are a dream. And trust me, it isn't difficult to achieve lush lips that grab attention. For one, naturally reddish lips work way better for me, than lips coated with layers of lipstick. Ofcourse, lipstick does add to the glam quotient, but what can I say? I'm a sucker for the au naturale look!

So my favourite 'lip food'? It's nothing fancy and just good ol' Vaseline! This is one thing you'll always find in my purse when I'm out. I can't seem to do without my reliable Vaseline pot ever!

I make sure my lips are always moist with vaseline on them, to avoid them cracking and getting sore at any time. And it's really easy to gently exfoliate your lips with vaseline too (yes, lips can be exfoliated too!).

Just apply it generously on your lips before sleeping and the next morning, simply massage your lips in a circular motion, with the softest tooth brush you can find. (You can keep aside one inexpensive brush for this routine)

Massage for 2-3 minutes and then wash away. You should notice your lips looking fresher and they really will be softer. You could dab your lips with a little vaseline again, or leave it as is.

Welcome to my space!

I am just twenteen, Desi and fascinated by the pure, healing powers of all things natural. I've always spent time reading up on herbal ingredients and then tried various types of mixes on my skin too. I love experimenting and seeing what works well on my skin and what doesn't.

I don't enjoy slopping on chemically loaded creams, face washes, moisturizers etc and I'm always looking for simpler, effective and natural alternatives to keep my skin radiant.

So this blog came about simply to demystify the fact that something as simple as hydrating your skin, doesn't always require a lab in Switzerland to provide you with wholesome moisturizers - nature has it's own secrets! The recipes mentioned here are ones that I really believe will work and most have been tried and tested by myself (or a family member), some time or the other.

Along with the mixes, I've also specified what I like about an ingredient or so and how it's worked (or not worked) for me -unlike websites that list a hundred remedies where many (as I've learnt after trying out myself) are simply ineffective or just plain impossible to apply in the first place!

So here I am, looking to share, discuss, learn new things and get pretty in the process too :) There's lot more to come, so do keep visiting or simply subscribe to my blog and feel free to drop in comments, suggestions and how any such home made recipes have worked for you. I'd love to hear 'em all!

Have a beautiful day ahead!

Aloe vera skin benefits

I just used fresh aloe vera gel to moisturize my skin. And boy, does it feel good! My skin feels creamy soft to touch and is so hydrated.

I recently purchased a potted aloe vera plant, having heard so much about the wonderful uses and benefits. Maintaining it at home is real easy too, since it only needs to be watered alternate days or so and thrives in the summer heat. And now I'm so glad I did buy it.

If you wish, you could purchase bottled aloe vera gel from a shop or just extract the gel from a potted one at home - either way, there are so many ways you could use it. It works great as a skin cleaner, moisturizer, soother and generally, for plumping up skin and removing fine lines and wrinkles (if used regularly for atleast a month).

So the easiest way to use it? Just apply it generously on your skin and let dry. You could sleep with it on too, if you don't mind it, because it's entirely natural. Or you could wash it off after a while with cool water.

Your skin sure will thank you for giving it a rest from chemically loaded cleansers and moisturizers!

PS: Check out this for more ways of using aloe vera for deep cleansing action.

Exfoliating scrub for dry skin

I personally enjoy using gram flour because it works well as a scrub and is easily available at home all the time. So the following mix does well to slough off dead skin cells, and consequently brightening the skin. Use it when you feel like your skin needs a good massage -

2-3 tsps of gram flour (besan)
Coarsely ground almonds
Milk cream (malai)
1/2 tsp honey (optional)

Apply this all over and let dry. Moisten the dried pack with milk or water and begin scrubbing in a circular motion for 3-5 minutes. Make sure you massage all over and continue moistening and scrubbing away the flakes. Then splash your face with water, gently washing away the remnants and pat your skin dry.

Do run a finger to feel how soft your skin feels! :)

For rejuvenating dull skin

If your skin looks dull and blotchy, then use this quick whip to bring out the glow and radiance -

1-2 tsp of sandalwood powder
1/2 tsp of turmeric powder (haldi)
1 or 2 strands of saffron
Unboiled milk

Make sure you soak the saffron strands in the milk for atleast half an hour. Mix in the remaining ingredients and make sure the paste isn't too runny.

Apply this thickly all over your face and neck and let dry. Wash off with cool water and spritz on rose water.

To really absorb the goodness of this pack, exfoliate your skin with any facial scrub or use this simple and effective homemade one to cleanse and open up pores. Apply this pack right after exfoliating and soak in the yummy treat.

You'll see cleaner, brighter skin after 2-3 weeks of regular use.

To get rid of pimple and acne scars

Some scars are just stubborn. Period. No matter how unlikely it is for others to notice that little- blemish-on-your-cheek, none of us want to contend with it anyway. So here is a little indulgent creamish mix that will eat away those scars, blemishes and dark spots to their graves. *Evil grin*

Milk cream (malai) or any fresh cream
2-3 strands of saffron
1/2 tsp of honey

Let the saffron soak in the milk cream for an hour or more. When ready to apply, add enough honey to make a thick paste and apply this generously over the spots. When it dries, wash away with cool water. Repeat this everyday for atleast 3 weeks to see the blemish-free you!

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