
My skin is very dull and tanned and dry. Can you please suggest the best cream which I would like to apply to my total body.
Basic Skin Care Routine
Morning Skin Care Routine
[Read more…] about Reader’s Query – Basics of Skin Care Routine
Swati · · 5 Comments
My skin is very dull and tanned and dry. Can you please suggest the best cream which I would like to apply to my total body.
[Read more…] about Reader’s Query – Basics of Skin Care Routine
Swati · · 2 Comments
Taking care of acne prone skin is a different deal altogether. And, it starts with basic steps.
Hey Swati. I just wanted to ask is it okay to use besan on face for pimples with curd daily. Will it reduce my pimples? And, can I use potato juice daily on my face? Please suggest how many times in a day should I use it?
This is a question which I come across quite often, while checking out the comments or while checking out other blogs. So, I thought it might be a good idea to write about how to start taking care of acne prone skin right from step one which is using face wash.
Have you ever wondered if your face wash is causing breakouts?
A face wash with 2% salicylic acid is usually recommended by dermatologists for acne prone skin. Why? Because, salicylic acid is the only ingredient which can cleanse out clogged pores and kill the bacteria.
AHA’s are not recommended for acne-prone skin as they are too strong to use everyday. And, not all AHA’s suit acne-prone skin either.
[Read more…] about Reader’s Query – Taking Care of Acne prone Skin
Swati · · 5 Comments
“Could you please suggest a shampoo for 8 yr old girls? I am using J&J baby shampoo still but I have started observing it is not working on their hair and cleaning it properly? I see dandruff also started developing in their scalps. Any remedy for that?”
Thanks so much for the reply! I’m oiling their hair with J&J baby hair oil only. Do you suggest any other oils (brands)? Also can you please recommend any brand for organic shampoo? I heard Body shop products have lot of chemicals and they tend to dry hair. I’ve no idea about schwarzkopf shampoo. Should I get one for me first and see π
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And, regarding organic shampoo, I would say Organic Surge brand is really really good. I have been using it almost since a year and its awesome. And, regarding body shop or schwarzkopf, I have not personally tried them so I can really not say anything about them. I just suggested coz I have heard good reviews about them!!
Hair Combs and Brushes
My dilemma with becoming a mother
Dark Patches on Skin
Swati · · 8 Comments
Hi Swati, I coundn’t find an appropriate post in which to ask this question, so I’m asking here. You’ve written a lot about hair care, but I couldn’t find any post about hair brushes/combs. I’ve been reading that boar bristle brushes are really good for hair. What are your thoughts on that? What brushes/ combs do you use? Do you find that good quality ones aid in maintaining good hair health or is it unnecessary? I’ve seriously been considering purchasing a boar bristle brush (regular brushes cause more hair fall for me compared to combs), but I couldn’t find a single Indian blog that had mentioned anything about it.
So, first of all, thanks Poohkie for pointing such a pertinent topic. And, I am so sorry it has already been a month that I have not reverted back! Now, let me get back to the topic. Long back, I had discussed a bit of history on the combs and the ones I have used subsequently! I am really sorry about the missing pics in that post but I had deleted a pics folder in picasa because of which many of my posts have missing pics!
Wooden Combs
Apparently, the Indian artisans in history used to make wooden combs which had a sort of string of holes through the base of the teeth. One could pour a drop or two of oil through the first hole which used to travel down the comb and when used on the hair, the oil gets applied to the roots and hair strands evenly, nourishing the hair!
I have come across quite a number of wooden combs by now but still the TBS one remains my fav! I think its mainly to do with the finishing of the product. I recently got one for my friend as well and she has been finding a considerable difference in her hair. So, yes to wooden combs compared to the plastic ones! But, whatever you choose, make sure they are wide-teethed.
How to choose Hair Brushes?
Ok, the first rule with brushes is that if you have curly hair, its better to avoid one! Otherwise, I have heard natural brushes or boar-bristle brushes are really good. So, I did find out a long long time back that Denman and Mason Pearson are the two best brands when it comes to hair brushes but unfortunately I have no idea where they are available online. TBS carries wooden quilled brushes as well, one of which I had bought but use it very occasionally.
A flat brush or paddle brush is great to tame the hair and distribute the natural oils from the roots to the tips of the strands. The bristles of the brush can be nylon or wooden or natural hair like boar bristle or horsehair. Also, the base of the brushes should be rubber preferably because that allows the bristles to move more flexibly and damages the hair lesser comparatively!
How much brushing is good?
Hundred brush strokes a day is said to do amazing things to hair but I think that’s just overdoing it. Excess brushing can actually damage the hair. First, brush the hair only when it is dry and it is straight.
Brushing curly hair can harm its cuticles because the hair strand is uneven and the brush quills can rip it off! That is why natural hair is preferable on the brush.
Also, a few brush strokes a day does help distribute the natural oils evenly on the hair. So, make sure you do not brush your hair excessively as it flattens the hair. If you have fine hair, remember that it can look very weighed down if you brush it more often, especially when it is a day old.
How to clean the brush?
I have to say that this is the one part which stumps me completely and discourages me to use my TBS brush. But, you do not have to worry if your brush is not wooden.
Swati · · 13 Comments
Hey, Nidhi. I am Punam and read your comment on becoming mother dilemma so thought of sharing my experience. To be a mother is always a huge responsibility and even I had loads of confusion when I was about to be a mother.
In my situation, it was all our decision to have a baby and others saying its too early because we had been married for only a year and half!! I was afraid of the responsibilities and wanted to learn how to run and take care of home before I became a mom.
Those days, even though ours was a love marriage, we used to have enough heated discussions to make me reluctant to go for a baby. I always used to think that excess of arguments between me and my husband means there is less understanding and that’s not good for the baby.
In a nut shell, I wanted to have a few years for ourselves to understand each other before we expanded the family. But, then, the question came to whether the disagreements would ever end? I mean howsoever much you might love or understand a person, everyone has their own opinion.
Me and my mom also fight till date even though we have a 27 year old relationship not considering her being my mom fact!! First Advantage: Our relationship and understanding improved with the baby. Second Advantage: Kids become THE ultimate excuse
If you tend to be a little on the late side for social events and really hate having to iron, guess what? You have a built-in excuse for tardiness, slovenly dressing, and a whole host of other things. “Sorry, but with the baby and all, it’s practically impossible to [fill in the blank].” Hell, you’ll even get to leave boring parties early! π
Hair Care during and after Pregnancy
Lakme Perfect Radiance Intense Whitening Capsules Treatment
Swati · · 12 Comments
All shampoos give u good results?? Dove also kamini also Pantene?
As to all shampoos suiting me, mostly my answer would be yes. My hair doesn’t react easily and result in hair fall. Yes, my hair does get dry and the scalp also feels dry but no shampoo has triggered any allergic reactions and I don’t have any history of dandruff which needs taking care of. When talking about shampoos, let me start with ones I used this year.
Pantene Total Damage
Yes, it suited my hair because it did not cause my hair to get dry really soon. And, no itchiness either. Its, in fact, a good shampoo and the conditioner is even better.
Dove Color Rescue
Definitely drying!!! And, I have recommended it for only oily hair.
Kamini Shampoo
Yes, it suits me but it does dry out my scalp and hair sometimes. That is why I am searching for some shampoo whose ingredients I am aware of and is natural as well.
Those were the shampoos I tried out in my recent memory and more or less, I did like all of them. But, one thing I would say is that whatever shampoo you use, never ever skip on conditioner. Its very essential even if you have oily hair.
Find products which suit your hair type but never skip on the essential routines.
Also, please note that a person’s reaction to a product changes over time and may not remain same always whether the person is a blogger or a reader π
Swati · · 30 Comments
My daughter is 7 yrs old. There are some dark patches on her neck and elbow and knees. that makes her more dark . Can u pl. suggest me what shud i do ?
regd the dark patches, are they coming now or were they there since before (may be from birth). I would say use sunscreen on her. I wouldn’t suggest you to use any DIY or anything on her coz she is too young to get into all that. just face wash and moisturize properly. rest, you can take care of as she grows up but don’t for go sunscreen. (I am sorry for this typo but I meant DIY)
Thanx a lot for ur reply. These dark patches are not because of this recipe. I dont know when they came but probably for last 2 yrs they are. I used many medicines given by Drs. but no use. sometimes they disappear but come again. Dr. say its eczema but some of them say no eczema. I dont know what is this but it really made my and my daughter’s life a hell. I accept color has no value now a days but on the other hand when somebody ask or make a fun at least that person (my daughter) gets hurt. She asks me to make her fair like others because she does not like when girls give comments. Anyways i m using ur recipe.lets wait and watch & hope for the option. When she was 2 yrs old she was fair (I used to apply besan and yogurt daily) but after that her color started becoming dark and when she was 5 yrs old then these black patches problem started.
hi Sandhya…yes, I do understand how it is when people make fun!!! especially on children it has even adverse effects. one thing I would suggest is sunscreen. another, what I am thinking is that she has probably got hyper pigmentation problem or melanin has been over-produced.