Fashion Blog

Archive for the ‘Women's Fashion’ Category

Who does not long to accompany a beautiful lady to a party? And which lady does not want to get that extra attraction among her peers? All do. But it is unlikely that wearing mere batik clothing will bring in the desired result or effect. For that one has to have an attractive appearance too. But many of us, common people consider saloon facials to be once-in-a while luxury at best. Yet regular facials is an indispensable part to look that bit extraordinary along with affordable handmade batik apparels.

Luckily, easy availability of  over-the-counter facial treatment products have made it easy to do facials and have saloon results with smooth and glowing skin all at home. Here are some basic steps of a professional facial and don’t forget to schedule a home facial every two weeks. :p

Step1: Cleanse

“Your skin has to be perfectly clean before you begin treatment, or you may work dirt and makeup into the pores,” – cautions Ettia Tal of the Ettia Holistic Day Spa in New York City. Use one of many mild cleansers and follow with a hydrating toner for your skin type. You can even create your own cleanser, mixing a quarter cup of aloe vera gel and two tablespoons of milk. Or create a toner, using the grated peel of one grapefruit combined with a vitamin C tablet and a cup of boiling water; let the mixture cool and strain.

Step2: Steam with Herbs

after a through cleansing, nothing lifts layers of dead skin cells better than a warm (not boiling hot) steam, explains Kathryn Klinger of Georgette Klinger saloons. For a professional steam, bring a medium-size pot of water to a boil, turn off the burner and add chamomile tea (find it in any health food store or mall) containing azulene, an anti-inflammatory agent. Cool for a few minutes.

If you have dry or flaking patches, apply a thin layer of moisturizer to your face before steaming. Now, holding your face at least 12 inches from the water, drape a towel over your head and the pot, so steam can’t rapidly escape. Inhale the vapors and relax for five minutes. “If at any point you begin to sweat,” says Klinger, “you’re too close.” Afterward tone the skin again.

Step3: Exfoliate dead cells

All skin types benefit from a gentle exfoliation, explains Los Angeles dermatologist Howard Murad, MD, to help break down and flush away the dead skin cells that have been loosened during steaming. There are good granular cleansers that also stimulate cell renewal. For more sensitive or irritated skins, Dr. Murad suggests a gentle chemical exfoliator using alpha-hydroxy acids. Or massage your face with a paste of semolina and yoghurt for a mild home-made scrub.

A couple of warnings: Do not exfoliate the delicate eye area, and never attempt to extract black-heads or white-heads from your face at home; leave that to a dermatologist or beautician. Oil, dirt and bacteria can be forced further into the pore, resulting in a infection or a pimple. Don’t forget to exfoliate your lips, though. Use a smear of petroleum jelly or vitamin E oil and a toothbrush.

Step4: Apply a mask that gives special help

“All masks work to hydrate cells below the skin’s surface and exfoliate any remaining dead surface cells” explains David Bank, MD, a dermatologist at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Masks are also formulated to repair the problems of different skin types, and you should carefully select one that’s suitable for your complexion.

In general, the oil-absorbing effects of a clay or mud mask work to balance oily skins. Creamy masks give a boost of moisture. Light gels gently refresh and Read the rest of this entry »

Although the saying “Clothes maketh a man” is not very true, but clothes and grooming goes a very long way in presenting a favorable first impression both for man and woman. Effort has been made to let woman know how they can present themselves “smart”.

Shorter woman need to keep cloth in line with slim narrow belt. A slight contrast in colors and fitted lines flatter them endlessly. They may stay with fabrics which is soft and flowing. They should avoid prints of overpowering design.

Tall woman should use wider belts but must avoid cloths that are excessively tight. Skirts that are too short or too long never suit tall woman. They can play down the waist by wearing blouses over pants and skirts.

Woman with top-heavy body needs to choose long jackets without shoulder pads. They should not wear clingy fabrics on top. Rather they should choose darker colors. They may wear pants or skirts that are pleated to bring the eye down.

The most important part of body is skin. Health is reflected in the appearance of skin and hair. Taking care of skin is very simple but before that one needs to determine the kind of skin they have.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wearing the right underwear makes a person smart and comfortable. But the hectic lifestyles and alarming pollution level has given rise to different skin diseases and sometimes serious diseases like breast cancer.

So the question many women suffering from breast cancer ask is – “Is wearing bras the cause for the dreaded disease?”

Answer is – NO.

Researchers have found that bras have no conclusive link to breast cancer. Indeed, some researchers in the field are of the opinion that not wearing bra is more harmful than wearing bras. Moreover, the modern lifestyle has made wearing bras a mandatory for ladies.

So which are the safest and most comfortable bras?

Well, according to renowned lingerie designers, soft cup bras are the most safe and comfortable bras. Because of lack of wires inserted in the cups, these bras do not cause any constriction within lymph nodes.

On the other hand under-wired bras can easily dig the breast tissues and cause discomfort due to obstruction in the lymphatic circulation especially if the cup does not fit well with the breast (for heavy-busted woman). But many women find it more comfortable to wear than the soft cup bra.

However, the bottom-line is FITTING. One may choose the bra of her choice as long as it fits her body. Indeed, researchers at the University Of Bolton, UK have invented a Smart Bra that can detect breast cancer at its early stage through tiny microchips embedded in the body of the bra.

There has always been a special relationship between Cinderella and her shoes in the famous fairytale and in that story she was a floors-cleaner in her stepmother’s house. All little girls assume that one prince will come to change their lives magically. Shoes are the symbols of hope and romance for any lady. If eyes are the windows of her sole, then shoes are definitely the gateway to her psyche. Shoes denote a fresh-start and happiness and promise of romance and excitement. Fashionable women are always crazy about shoes and each time they travel for a holiday they carry at least two or three pairs of shoes if not more. They are addicted to shoe shopping malls and like to pick up footwear from shoe stores. The brands like Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, Stuart Weitzman, Prada, UGG, Tod’s are female’s favorites and the shoe-lovers around the world love those brands very much.

Who could forget the greatest shoe-lover of all time? She was Imelda Marcos, the widow of disgraced former president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos. After donating her colossal shoe-collection to the new Manila Imelda Museum she said, “I did not have 3,000 pairs of shoes. I only had 1,060.”

You can judge a stylish person by her shoes. It needn’t be the most expensive pair in town, but only a perfect pair of shoes can do justice to your overall looks. “Footwear is an addictive need of the average women as it adds to her styles” says famous footwear designer, Upasna Sarin. Trendy women like different types of sports shoes and and Adidas, Nike etc. are their favorite brands. Physiologists have explored the various subtle associations between a women’s psychology and her love of shoes.

According to a study on shoe addiction conduct by the North Carolina State University and published by ‘The Scientist Magazine’, shoes addiction is a reflection of the state of mind of contemporary women. Women often turn to shoe shopping either due to unhappiness or repression. A person unhappy with his or her looks often spends large amounts of money and time attempting to correct nature’s mistakes and eventually turn to shoes as a form of solace.

Whatever color or style, shoes are ultimately a woman’s best friend. They help you look good, make you happy and wearing your favorite shoes you can go wherever you like. Shoes gives woman a psychological high, they make her stand tall at a gathering. But it is not only well-heeled socialites who are prey to this addiction. The syndrome is swiftly becoming as common as the common cold.