9 Beauty Tips for Gorgeous Skin and Hair

Most people are born with good skin and hair. The sad part is that a lot of them destroy them overtime due to negligence, without putting in the effort to take care of themselves. I come across hundreds of young women looking for desperate solutions to their skin and hair problems and expecting me to wave my magic wand and tackle their issues overnight and transform them. I would love to oblige but the truth is that nature doesn’t bloom overnight. The smallest seed of a plant also needs to be planted, nurtured and cared for before it can blossom and show its magnificence. Though we live in a world of “insta” or instant options, some things cannot be played around with.

With the festive season around the corner – Durga Puja, Karvachauth, Diwali and endless parties and festivities that go with it, the skin and hair need to look healthy and stunning. In this article I have conjured up some INSTA recipes (both magical and natural) that are guaranteed to work and give some fabulous results to dead looking skin and hair. So wake up and imbibe these spells into your festive look.

1. For dull, oily and combination skin
Massage the skin with iced yoghurt and sprinkle some sugar along with it. Now take orange halves and scrub gently until the granules melt. Wash the face with iced water and see the difference.

2. For dull, tired and dry skin
Massage the skin with papaya. Then make a scrub by mixing oats and honey along with a little cold milk and scrub the skin. Wash off with ice cold milk and water and pat dry.
 

3. Suffering from frizzy hair?
Try this simple, quick and easy-to-make spray. Take slices of two lemon and simmer in two cups of water until it reduces to half the amount. Pour the liquid into a spritz bottle and spray on your hair. Not only will there be a wonderful natural sheen but static and fly away hair will be gone!

4. For natural hair colour
If you have a brownish tinge in your hair and don’t have the time to henna or colour it, then take a few sprigs of rosemary from the kitchen shelf and simmer them in 2 cups of water along with 2 tsp black tea until it reduces to half the quantity. Mix with 1/4cup of shampoo and every time you shampoo, use this mixture. Leave the shampoo in your hair for about 15 minutes and see the difference it makes.
 

5. For a smooth back
Planning to wear a low back blouse, backless dress or choli, but have no time to go in for a body scrub to show off a smooth back? Here’s a quick home remedy. Take 1 cup of sea salt and mix it with half a cup of olive oil. Add 5 drops of sandalwood oil and mix well. Store in a jar and scrub the areas of your body you want to flaunt. Wipe off with a wet towel.

6. Dealing with under eye bags and dark circles
Take used chamomile tea bags and store them in the freezer. Grate half a cucumber and massage around eye area and then lie down with the tea bags on your eyes for 10 minutes.You will find an instant difference in the way your eyes look and feel.

7. Instant face lift
Wash your face with ice water or simply rub and ice cube with a tsp of honey on the face. Beat an egg white until it peaks and brush onto your skin and let dry. You will feel the stretch in the skin. wash face with icy cold water.
 

8. Tired eyes?
Long hours at work, then shopping and getting things organized for the festive season can be tiring. I would suggest you make this wonderful eye wash which will make you feel refreshed instantly. Take iced spring water in a bowl and add a few drops of rose water, 2-3 drops of honey and immerse one eye into it. You can also open your eye a little and then close it. Throw away the liquid and make the same water for the other eye and repeat the process. After this, splash the eyes with cold mineral water. There maybe slight redness for some time but it will go away soon and your eyes will feel refreshed in minutes.

9. Quick Hair Care
Don’t have the time to shampoo and blow dry your hair even though it is oily? Well, sweat not. Sprinkle talcum and amla powder onto your hair brush and overturn the hair over your head and brush from the nape of the neck to the tips .Now throw your hair back and voila you have bouncy oil free hair in minutes!

So these are just a few of my secret ‘insta’ beauty recipes. Use them and enjoy but never substitute them for a regular skin and hair care regime.
 

15 Amazing Guava Benefits: Heart Healthy, Weight Loss Friendly and More

Winter has set in and tis’ the season for some delicious guavas.

We’ve all enjoyed a plateful of guavas sprinkled with chaat masala and also savoured it in luscious jams, jellies and murabbas, so it’s time we find out why our grandmothers have always spoken so highly about this seasonal treat. Guava, popularly known as amrood in Hindi, packs an intoxicating strong-sweet fragrance and a distinct taste. Loaded with tiny hard seeds at the center, this tropical fruit is believed to have its origin in Central America where it is also known as “sand plum”. It is round or oval in shape with light green or light yellow skin, and the colour of its flesh varies from white or pink to dark red and has edible seeds.

Besides its unique flavour and fragrance, guava has been hailed as one of the super fruits due to the numerous health benefits it offers. It indeed is a powerhouse of nutrients. “This humble fruit is extraordinarily rich in vitamin C, lycopene and antioxidants that are beneficial for skin. Guavas are also rich in manganese which helps the body to absorb other key nutrients from the food that we eat. Guavas contain folate, a mineral which helps promote fertility. The potassium in guavas helps normalise blood pressure levels as well. In fact, a banana and a guava contain almost the same amount of potassium. Since it contains about 80% of water it helps keep your skin hydrated”, says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja, Sukhda Hospital. Here are 15 mind-blowing guava benefits for health and skin you need to know.
 

Guava for Health

1. Immunity Booster
Did you know: Guavas are one of the richest sources of vitamin C? It’s true. Guavas contain 4 times the vitamin C content present in oranges. Vitamin C helps improve immunity and protects you against common infections and pathogens.

2. Lowers Risk of Cancer
“Lycopene, quercetin, vitamin C and other polyphenols act as potent antioxidants which neutralise free radicals generated in the body, preventing the growth of cancer cells. Guavas have shown to be widely successful in reducing prostate cancer risk and also inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells since it is rich in lycopene”, says Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja.

3. Diabetes-Friendly
Due to the rich fibre content and low glycaemic index, guavas prevent the development of diabetes. While the low glycemic index inhibits a sudden spike in sugar levels, the fibre content ensures the sugar levels are well regulated.

4. Heart Healthy
Guavas improve the sodium and potassium balance of the body, thereby regulating blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Guavas also help lower the levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol (LDL), which contribute to the development of heart disease. This magical fruit improves levels of the good cholesterol (HDL).

5. Treats Constipation
Itis one of the richest sources of dietary fiber in comparison to other fruits and just 1 guava fulfills about 12% of your daily recommended intake of fibre, which makes it extremely beneficial for your digestive health. Guava seeds, if ingested whole or chewed, serve as excellent laxatives too, helping the formation of healthy bowel movements.

6. Improves Eyesight
Due to the presence of Vitamin A, guava is well known as a booster for vision health. It can not only prevent degradation of eyesight, but even improve eyesight. It can help slow down the appearance of cataracts and macular degeneration. Even though, guavas are not as rich in Vitamin A as carrots, they are still a very good source of the nutrient.

7. Guava During Pregnancy
Guavas contain folic acid, or vitamin B-9, which is recommended for pregnant women since it can help in developing the baby’s nervous system and protect the newborn from neurological disorders.

8. Beats Toothache
Guava leaves have a potent anti-inflammatory action and a powerful antibacterial ability which fights infection and kills germs. Thus, consuming guava leaves works as a fantastic home remedy for toothache. The juice of guava leaves has also been known to cure toothaches, swollen gums and oral ulcers.

9. Stress-Buster
The magnesium present in guavas helps to relax the muscles and nerves of the body. So after a hard workout or a long day at the office, a guava is certainly what you need to relax your muscles, combat stress and give your system a good energy boost.

10. Good for Your Brain
“Guavas contain vitamin B3 and vitamin B6, also known as niacin and pyridoxine respectively, which help in improving blood circulation to the brain, stimulating cognitive function and relaxing the nerves”, remarks Dr. Manoj K. Ahuja.

11. Weight Loss
Want to shed a few pounds? Guava is just the ticket. Without comprising your intake of proteins, vitamins and fiber, guava helps you lose weight by regulating your metabolism. It’s a win-win! Guava makes for a very filling snack and satisfies the appetite very easily. Guava, especially raw guava, also has far less sugar as compared to apples, oranges, grapes, and other fruits.

12. Cough and Cold
Guava has one of the highest quantities of vitamin-C and iron among fruits, and both are proven to be preventive against cold and viral infections. The juice of raw and immature guavas or a decoction of guava-leaves is very helpful in relieving cough and cold since it helps get rid of mucus and disinfects the respiratory tract, throat and lungs.
 

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Guava for Skin

13. Anti-Ageing Properties
Guavas are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and antioxidants like carotene and lycopene which help protect the skin from wrinkles. A guava a day, keeps fine lines away!

14. Improves Complexion
Guava helps regain the skin’s radiance and freshness. Reap the benefits by preparing a DIY scrub at home: All you have to do is mash some guava flesh with an egg yolk and apply it on your face. Rinse off after 20 minutes with warm water. When used once or twice a week, this scrub will remove dead cells from your skin and lighten your complexion. Guavas are also a great source of Vitamin K, which helps get rid of skin discoloration, dark circles, redness and acne irritation.

15. Improves Texture
Guavas rank high in astringent properties, guava leaves and unripe guavas even higher. Guava helps tone up and tighten the facial muscles, so apply a decoction of the leaves and fruit on your skin and voila!

FSSAI Moves Supreme Court Against Lifting Ban on Maggi Noodles

India's food safety authority, FSSAI,  has appealed to the supreme court against a regional court order overturning a nationwide ban on Maggi instant noodles sold by the local unit of Nestle India.
Nestle India resumed selling its popular Maggi noodles this month after getting the green signal from government laboratories, as mandated by the Bombay High Court in August. The appeal, if admitted by the Supreme Court, could upset the Swiss food giant's plans to revive Maggi sales after Indian regulators reported in May that some packets of the noodles contained unsafe levels of lead.

Nestle India can continue selling the noodles for now. "We have filed the plea in the Supreme Court," Mansoor Khan, a lawyer for the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a government body, said. He said the appeal had been filed against the Bombay High Court verdict in favour of Nestle.

The FSSAI petition in the Supreme Court says the regional court erred by asking Nestle itself, instead of asking a neutral authority, to provide the fresh Maggi samples for testing at the government laboratories, according to the Hindu newspaper. "It has been brought to our attention that the Supreme Court website has posted that the Food Safety and Standards Authority has filed a case against Nestle India Ltd and others," a Nestle India spokesman said in a statement.

"We have not been served a notice about this and are not yet aware of its content. However, we would like to reiterate that Nestle India is confident of the quality and safety of Maggi noodles and so we will defend ourselves vigorously." FSSAI chief Ashish Bahuguna declined to comment.

"Let's go" text found on Paris attacker's cell phone

PARIS: A cell phone has been found near the site of one of Friday's Paris shootings with a map of the music venue that was attacked and a text message on it saying words to the effect of "let's go", a source with knowledge of the investigations said.

Confirming reports on French web site Mediapart and US television channel CNN, the source said the phone was found in a dustbin near the Bataclan concert hall where the bloodiest of the shootings took place.

At least 129 people died in the killings, including 89 at Bataclan. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the co-ordinated suicide bombings and shootings.

Obama says Putin a 'constructive partner' in Syria talks

MANILA: US President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised Russia's role in talks to end the Syria crisis and offered the prospect of better ties if Moscow focused military strikes on the Islamic State group.

Obama said Russia had been a "constructive partner in Vienna in trying to create a political transition," referring to international talks in Austria.

But, he said, there were still differences over the fate of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, and Moscow's current military focus on defending him.

"There is obviously a catch, which is Moscow is still interested in keeping Assad in power," Obama said.

But he added: "Those differences have not prevented us at looking at how could we set up a cease fire."

Obama also expressed hope that Russia may shift the military focus from defending Assad to attacking the Islamic State group.

Putin's government recently blamed the jihadists for downing a Russian aircraft over Egypt in October, killing 224 people on board.

"In their initial military incursion into Syria, they have been more focused on propping up President Assad," Obama said.

"If, in fact, he shifts his focus and the focus of his military, to what is the principle threat, which is ISIS, then that is what we want to see," Obama said using another acronym for the group.

"We are going to wait and see whether Russia does end up paying more attention to ISIL targets. If it does so, that's something we welcome."

Obama was speaking after a meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino in Manila.

Five children trafficked to Bangladesh handed over to BSF

AGARTALA: Five children, who were trafficked to neighbouring Bangladesh by their close relative, have been handed over to the BSF by Bangladesh Border Guards after 23 days, the police said on Monday.

One Rehena Begum, close relative of the children on the pretext of showing them Muharram procession ('Tazia') took the children outside on October 24 last and did not return with them. 
The children, aged between 8 and 11 years, were all residents of Purba-Gokulpur village in Gomati district.  

Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Gomati district Ratan Das said, on receipt of FIR from their parents, the police started investigation and found that the children were trafficked to Bangladesh.

Accordingly, the police informed the matter to BSF to take it up with BGB.

Bangladesh police recovered the children in Companyganj area of Mahalia district of the neighbouring country on October 24 and produced them in a local court there on the following day.

Police said, judicial magistrate of Noakhali in Bangladesh yesterday had ordered the police to handover the children to their parents through BGB.

BGB handed them over to BSF last night through Belonia check post in South Tripura district after 23 days.

KCR tears into Congress, TDP

WARANGAL: Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday tore into opposition parties in the state in an attempt to shred their credibility in the run up to the November 21 bypoll to Warangal LS constituency.

Addressing a public meeting at Hanamkonda, KCR minced no words in ridiculing Congress, TDP and BJP leaders who have been campaigning in the constituency for the past few days. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi has fielded Pasunuri Dayakar as its candidate for the bypoll. The meeting was attended by several ministers and TRS legislators.

Though the chief minister spoke about various programmes taken up by the government such as Mission Kakatiya, drinking water supply and uninterrupted power supply to agriculture, he dwelt at some length on the issue of farmers' suicides. "Before the TRS came to power, farmers had to stand in long queues to buy seeds and fertilizers. This government ensured that these were freely available. The suicides are a result of the policies of the previous governments of Congress and TDP," KCR said.

He also accused the opposition parties of paying money to some cotton farmers and encouraging them to set fire to their crops in a bid to malign the TRS government. He blamed the opposition for the recent slipper-throwing incident during deputy CM Kadiyam Srihari's meeting. "Some media also has a role in this. The opposition resorts to such dramas to fool voters in Warangal," KCR said.

Calling on voters to elect Dayakar with a huge majority, he said Congress leader K Jana Reddy had sold himself for a ministerial berth in unified AP. "He (Jana Reddy) launched the Telangana Forum when he was denied a berth in the ministry by the then chief minister K Vijayabhaskar Reddy and sought my support. I sent him back saying you do not have the welfare of Telangana at your heart but only want to be a minister. Sure enough, a few days later, he was made agriculture minister and then disbanded the forum," KCR said. He also criticised former Union minister S Jaipal Reddy for not doing anything worthwhile for the Telangana cause during his term as central minister.

Turning his attention to the BJP, KCR asked state BJP president G Kishan Reddy to recollect what his party leader and Union minister Venkaiah Naidu had said recently. KCR said, "Venkaiah Naidu said that the central government, which was in power for the past 17 months, did not possess Alladin's magic lamp to solve all challenges instantly. So does Kishan Reddy expect the TRS government to have one? If the all-powerful central government says it cannot do everything overnight, how can a state government perform miracles?"

"If I have spoken lies, then punish me. If not, then teach the opposition parties a lesson by ensuring Dayakar's victory," he said.