Orange Glamor: skin care

acne - 2:49 PM

Is flawless skin overrated?

Flawless skin. What women want the most. Why don't we all have naturally flawless skin and are there any disadvantages to looking ...

Like home, clothes and food, cosmetics are a necessity today. Someone living without a face wash and body lotion, would be termed "uncivilized". Not just with women, cosmetics are gaining popularity among men as well. But is it only because they are starting to care more about their looks? Let's try to answer what are the other reasons for humans using cosmetics.

Often we are advised to change our creams and lotions, but many of us still refuse to, even if we have seen the suggested product to work better. Why do we? Isn't the aim of cosmetics making us look better?

We have all seen women who like to try every new product in the market. They just love to try the new products even if they don't run a blog on which they'll be writing reviews. It's their love of experimentation that excites them about every product launched. They like to test products and see how each works, whether it makes you feel cool or dries skin out. It's their way of having fun.

Most people use only their favorite cosmetics, citing their performance as the reason for using them. If you tell them shampoo B works better than their favorite shampoo A, they would give you any reason they could. They would say they have been using the shampoo for years and it suits them best or their scalp is sensitive and most shampoos spoil it. In reality, it could just be the smell or the overall experience of using the shampoo.

The smell, the brand, the packaging, how they make us feel, all play a role in making people choose a product. Favorite products are preferred like the spouse, children or pet are preferred over other people. Some people have a love of menthol so products with mint appeal to them. Many women have a love for flowers so they like every cosmetic containing essential oils of flowers. The same products would be disliked by men, for obvious reasons. I don't like much oil in my food so obviously I don't like them in my cosmetics either. I love oils for massaging and using essential oils so if a cosmetic feels just like them, I'd love it. If it's not like them, it'd feel sticky and I'd hate it.

Image: Emma Watson

beauty - 11:24 AM

Why do we use cosmetics?

Like home, clothes and food, cosmetics are a necessity today. Someone living without a face wash and body lotion, would be termed ...

Lots of products these days claim to be 100% natural or at least have some natural ingredients. What is the reason though, behind many consumers going for these? Well, I suppose people feel better knowing they aren't treating their bodies to chemicals and are staying close to nature and like the smell but what are the other reasons? Let us explore some of them.

Personally, I sometimes go for natural products because I like the feel and smell of them. Even if they don't even say they are '100% natural', I still prefer them because they are usually transparent and thus more fun using than the generally creamy, white products. Even if they are creamy and white, they smell better.

Those are my reasons but people who only use 100% natural products or at least the ones without parabens etc. do so because according to them, chemicals are harming. Do I agree or disagree? Well, I can't do either because who knows? There is also a new trend of chucking shampoos completely and going for baking soda to clean hair. I wouldn't go for anything like that. I like shampoos, shower gels and soaps. But could they really be harming? I say there is a possibility but not for the reasons I generally hear.

I have heard that they harm the skin, getting rid of body's natural oils and also harm the hair but I'm more of the opinion that they could be harming health. I feel what you apply on your skin goes inside. Why else do massages improve health so much? I can feel them sink in and sometimes I can even feel the taste of the products I use on face.

I'm not sure if chemicals harm the skin and hair, but I at least feel mineral make-up must be less harming than the regular make-up. Otherwise as well, chemicals could be harming, I have no clue. I'm a nature loving person and prefer natural stuff over man-made. Nature is wonderful but also, the world keeps evolving. I'm not sure if things like baking soda can clean as well as shampoos and shower gels. I guess this will remain a debate in progress.

What are your views? Would you use pumpkin to cleanse your body every day?

Image: Taylor Swift

beauty - 9:53 AM

What's this fuss about organic cosmetics?

Lots of products these days claim to be 100% natural or at least have some natural ingredients. What is the reason though, behind many...

beautiful skin - 10:51 AM

How to get rid of blackheads

Creams? Lotions? Trying to squeeze them out? I know you have tried it all. And today, we are not going to go into the mechanics of how...

almond oil - 2:06 PM

7 oils for skin and hair

We know all oils are good. Popular oils can be used for massaging, they are all good for skin and hair in different ways but each ha...

bathing - 11:17 AM

Dry skin?

Before I start, I'd like to inform you that I'm not providing a solution for dry skin, a homemade pack, an oil or anything lik...

beautiful skin - 1:01 PM

Biggest beauty solution: Exfoliation

Most of us try to find special creams and treatments for any little or big problem but the solution is almost always simple. For exam...

Before you pay visit to a salon to get your facial dullness treated, check if you have been sensible. A lot of people visit salons or try face packs, both home made and store bought and even go for cosmetic surgery, but ignore their daily beauty regimen.

Too lazy to cleanse, tone and moisturize everyday? It's perfectly all right, as your skin may not necessarily need them. And, you might also damage your skin by using the wrong cleanser or moisturizer. But there are some things with which you can't go wrong. Humans have basic lifestyle needs like a daily shower or bath. Yet, this is something a lot of us take for granted. And I'm not sure if there is any soap which is good for the face, so I'd recommend everybody to at least use a face wash daily if nothing else. Personally, I find that my face looks better if I use the face wash while bathing than when I wash the face alone.

Taking care of the skin can be hard work if you live in a cold region, but it can be made easier by choosing products which serve more than one function. A cream which is also a moisturizer is easy to find. I only use a face wash as I prefer it to cleansers which are applied with cotton and not washed after. It really isn't necessary to follow the rules by cleansing, toning and moisturizing. There are face washes available, which also act as an exfoliator, cleansing the skin and also removing blackheads. You may not notice, but everyone's skin accumulates dirt and dead skin cells. Just using a face wash or cleanser once or twice a day can make a big difference. I'd also recommend not to put your skin through too much by using too many products, especially if all your beauty products have a lot of chemicals.

In addition, it helps to be tender with your skin. Massaging is good, but not all beauty products are designed to be used for massaging. It's advised to only tap and not massage your under-eye skin. Take care not to take a shower/bath with water that's too hot. Warm water is ideal, but cold is better than hot. Hot water damages your skin, burning it and drying it. You will find that cleansing shows best results with warm water, but the last rinse is best had with cold water, to close the pores after cleaning it. This especially applies to shampooing, as using cold water for the last rinse gives it shine.

Simple techniques like changing your pillow covers and clothes more often also helps because they contain your dead skin cells. Washing towels, loofahs and hairbrushes once a week will also improve your look as they'll function better and not transmit old dirt, dead skin cells onto your hair and body. These are probably sounding like meaningless guidelines, but the little things really do matter. Celebs look good with the help of make-up but people with naturally flawless skin would tell you they do nothing special. They just take care of these little things. Health and hygiene are as much a part of beauty as cosmetics.

Image: Taylor Swift

beautiful - 5:06 PM

Common sense is king

Before you pay visit to a salon to get your facial dullness treated, check if you have been sensible. A lot of people visit salons or...

Blackheads are nothing but dirt. Still, using a face wash doesn't remove them. That's because it's stubborn dirt. Squeezing doesn't solve your problem though. By developing blackheads, your skin is telling you that you are not taking care of it properly. What could you be missing out on though? Perhaps you are not keeping it clean. Make sure you are using a GOOD face wash and using it at least once a day. It also helps if you do it with warm water. Personally, I notice that it works better if I do it while taking a bath.

I would not suggest everyone to try each face wash they can find. Some of them make skin suffer, especially if we are talking about sensitive skin. Suppose, your face wash keeps oil at bay for 6 hours? Wouldn't you rather use one which keeps it at bay for 24 hours? It isn't only about choosing a face wash for your skin type, that is oily, dry, normal, combination and sensitive. You may like cool and fresh, or fruity or flowery. You may run away from something which doesn't smell good. Choose one and then read one or two reviews about it. If it's not good enough, search for the reviews of another. Soon, you'll know your type and you'll only search about natural products, or high end brand products.

Though it's not even necessary to use beauty products. If you are someone who likes to know everything that's going to your tummy or face, homemade face packs are for you. They can be equally effective, or even more. Just be careful if you have sensitive skin because they are stronger. They might provide instant brightness or oiliness or dryness, which can be too much to take in large amounts.

Coming back to blackheads. You must have heard that they are caused by oiliness and large pores. But don't go overboard with drying them. If the skin is too dry, it actually produces more oil. It's the skin's defense system that does it. Stick to this rule: cleaning pores. Exfoliation goes a long way in preventing and eliminating blackheads. This is because dead skin cells combine with dirt and large pores to cause blackheads. Keep in mind that exfoliation isn't the same as cleansing. Exfoliation means removing dead skin cells.

Lastly, taking steam does wonders in removing blackheads. Again, I wouldn't suggest squeezing the blackhead to take it out. This can damage your skin and might even leave a hole (large pore). It's only if you'll clean your skin properly that your blackheads and large pores would go away completely. Remember that what can be used to cure something, can also be used to prevent it. So, cleanse, exfoliate and take steam and your blackheads may never come back ever.

Image: Adele

Adele - 4:04 PM

Getting to the root of blackheads

Blackheads are nothing but dirt. Still, using a face wash doesn't remove them. That's because it's stubborn dirt. Squeezi...

Covering up imperfections doesn't provide a solution. Plus, most men would tell you one of the things that turn them off the most is a foundation filled face. The last thing they want to see is a different person when you wake up after a cozy night together. It makes them think you are a fake person, who hides who they truly are. It has the potential to scare them off. Who knows what all you are hiding about yourself. Imperfection correcting make-up increases your chances of being perceived as a liar. And most people would tell you honesty and trust are the basis of a relationship. So is health. It's a natural inclination for humans to choose healthy mates, with a different immune system to theirs as we all want healthy off-springs and having a different immune system makes them immune to different illnesses.

It's not just about romantic alliances though, of course. Whether in business or casual meetings, why would you want to come across as less honest and trustworthy than other people? What to do about it then, you can't spend your life with a face full of zits, can you? I'm sure not suggesting you to. Our body has it's ways of sending signals when there is something wrong. Yes, your looks are as good as your health. It all shows. You can't hide it if your body is dehydrated or infused with infection. If you have been having a hard time, wrinkles show up. They are a sign of maturity.

Don't hide who you are, unless you want superficial connections. If there is acne, it's your body's way of telling you there is something wrong. If your skin is dry, your skin's defense mechanism gets triggered and produces oil which results in the formation of blackheads. Your natural response is to dry the oil you see, but had you been moisturizing before that?

If you don't drink enough water or don't exercise, it will show up in the form of skin problems. If you are prone to dry skin, it isn't enough to reach out for body lotion or lip balm. It's time to ask yourself: have you been consuming enough oil or butter? This is totally relevant. For a healthy skin, you must consume enough water, oil/butter and vitamin E. Sunflower oil and seeds, peanuts are a great source of the vitamin but I prefer peanut butter over peanuts as eating too many of them makes my lips dry. Physical activity also plays a big role in keeping your skin glowing. Play until you sweat and the signs are likely to be seen in a few days.

Try to eliminate your health troubles and it's likely to show. Make a list of illnesses you are prone to, and find out which foods will help. Like, when you are ill, you eat food recommended for your illness. If you include some of those foods in your daily diet, you can get rid of them completely. If you suffer from colds, it means you have a weak respiratory system and need to work on it. As you know, consuming warm liquids help during a cold. You can get rid of the issues from their root and make your respiratory system stronger by ensuring a smooth flow in your breath, by drinking warm beverages and doing yoga or singing or simple breathing exercises. When there will be nothing wrong internally, there will be nothing wrong externally either. Don't you find healthier people more attractive?

Image: Emma Roberts

beauty tips - 4:53 PM

Is make-up ruining your relationships?

Covering up imperfections doesn't provide a solution. Plus, most men would tell you one of the things that turn them off the most...

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