Natural beauty tips

People often complain of dull-looking skin which is a result of several factors such as your diet, pollution, dust, stress, etc. But fruits can come to your rescue in getting back the glow in your skin. Divita Kanoria, chief wellness officer, The Vedic Collection shares some fruit face packs for this purpose.

Have combination skin? Take an orange and squeeze it. Use three teaspoon of the juice and mix it with a tablespoon of yoghurt. The citrus property of orange helps in giving a refreshing glow to the skin. The fruit also has skin lightening agents. It helps in reducing dark spots and blemishes and improves complexion as well as cleans the skin. The citric nature of the fruit acts as a natural toner and and improves the skin texture resulting in tighter skin. The yoghurt maintains the moisture level in the skin.



Best for normal skin type, mix half teaspoon of pomegranate (anar) juice, mash a small piece of banana to give thickness to the paste and add half teaspoon of lemon juice with a pinch of turmeric powder. Further, add a pinch of Fuller’s earth (multani mitti), and half a teaspoon of sandalwood (chandan) powder. Mix everything together and apply on the face. It will help clear the skin and give a healthy glow. Pomegranates contains three times the amount of antioxidants and vitamins than green tea . This, along with the soothing properties of sandalwood and Fuller’s earth ensure that your skin is rejuvenated and refreshed. The pores in your skin can breathe again thanks to the exfoliating action of bananas. Your skin will also feel fairer and brighter because of the turmeric and its skin brightening properties.



Mash one peach and tomato together. Mix in it a tablespoon of honey and apply onto your face. Let it sit for a good half an hour. Wash off using lukewarm water. Over prolonged usage, you will notice, plumper, healthier and tighter skin. Peaches are abundant in vitamin C, potassium and magnesium. Its moisturising properties combined with the cleansing action of tomatoes will leave leave your skin looking visibly radiant. Honey will nourish your skin and prevent outbreak of acne and unclog pores.



Mix and pulp all the fruits together. The mixture will be quite watery due to the high water content in each fruit. You can use ground oats to thicken the mixture and provide granules for a scrubbing action. Apply onto a thoroughly washed face and keep for 20 minutes. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that rejuvenate the skin internally. Vitamin C is a major component in strawberries and plays a key role in the production of collagen, the amino acid responsible for promoting skin elasticity. Watermelon is rich in vitamins A, B and C and keeps skin hydrated and radiant. Together, these fruits will repair the damage and wear-and-tear your skin undergoes and result in a fresh complexion.



Tomatoes are juicy to eat and work wonders for your beauty too. This is so because tomatoes boast of lycopene which is meant to resolve your skin’s problems and leave a glowing effect. Apart from this, they come with a host of benefits like making your skin look brighter, radiant and tighter as well. They can also be used as a natural conditioner for your hair, thereby making it shiny and smooth.

What tomatoes can do for your beauty:

Even out skin tone

Tomatoes, in addition to being good for your health, can be used topically on your skin. In fact, if you apply tomato juice or rub a tomato slice on your skin, you will see the skin tone even out and glow within days. It is a rich source of vitamin C which helps brighten your skin. Here are 6 ways you can ensure healthy and glowing skin. 

Resolve skin problems

Tomato seed oil can be used to reduce a number of skin problems and conditions. Tomatoes have certain substances which help slow the ageing process along with fighting free radicals. The oil is used to reduce psoriasis and eczema. It restores damaged skin as well.

 Reduce acne

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and A which are used commonly in ointments and creams to treat acne. Therefore, if you have acne, you can apply the juice of tomato on your skin. Here is what you can do for acne-free skin.

Soothe sun-burnt skin

There are a number of beauty experts who are of the belief that individuals who consume about 4-5 tablespoons of tomato paste every day for at least 3 months will be protected naturally against sunburn. If you are suffering from sun-burnt skin, you can apply tomato to the affected area for relief. Here ishow you can heal sunburns at home.

Beat dandruff

Dandruff is a hair woe for many especially during winters. But the humble tomato can help you beat it. All you have to do is apply tomato pulp on your scalp as an effective remedy. Do this once or twice every week to see results.

How to use tomatoes

Tomato oil to help soften the skin

In order to soften your skin, you can use tomato oil to massage the areas affected. Leave it on the entire night and wash it off in the morning. Tomato oil can also be added to facial creams and scrubs to keep your skin smooth and soft.

 Tomato juice to cleanse pores

In order to to cleanse pores on your face, you can add 3-4 drops of tomato juice to a tablespoon of water and then apply it to your face with a cotton ball. You will need to massage your skin gently with the mixture and then leave it on your face for 10-15 minutes. If you follow this routine regularly, the pores on your face will reduce in size eventually.

 Tomato mash to reduce zits and acne

Getting rid of acne and zits is now made simple by cutting the tomato in half and applying it to your face. If you have an acne problem, you can peel a tomato, mash it and then apply the pulp on your skin and leave it on for an hour. Wash the pulp off your face and dry it. You can use this natural pack to rid your skin of pimples and a tan from exposure to the sun.

Tomato juice with honey for smooth skin

If you are looking to achieve smooth skin, you can mix tomato juice with honey to make a thick paste. You will need to apply the mixture on your face and keep it on for close to 15 minutes. Wash off with plain water. You can be assured of glowing and smooth skin.

Image source: Getty Images

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Beauty tips for Healthy skin

This Flower Extract Could Be The Answer Your Inflamed Skin Has Been Hoping For

Red, irritated skin isn’t just embarrassing—it can actually cause long-term damage. When skin is inflamed, production of nitric oxide increases, a phenomenon known to cause cell mutations and DNA damage. And while you can disguise ruddiness instantly with carefully chosen concealer, actually tackling inflammation starts at the cellular level. New research suggests that cherry blossom extract could be the answer your inflamed skin has been waiting for. 

According to a study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science, cherry blossom extract helps prevent the production of nitric oxide. Forty study participants saw skin-calming results using a cherry blossom extract cream; after 9 days, those who treated irritated skin with the cream were markedly less inflamed than those who tried a placebo. 

Cherry blossom extract can be found in everything from cleansers to facial masks, but products that stay on your skin longer, like creams and serums, may offer more benefits. Try Lierac Comfort Mask  equitance Brightening Serum + Spot Corrector  and Lierac Hydra-Chrono+ Intense Rehydrating Balm all of which list cherry blossom extract among their ingredients. A word to the wise though: be wary of products that have "cherry blossom" in their name—they’re more likely to contain a cocktail of fragrances than the real thing. 

7 New Uses For Pumpkin Oil

Pumpkin seed oil is carving out a place for itself in the kitchen-to-beauty scene, even as the coconut craze continues.

It turns out, the cold-pressed oil from pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas) has an enthusiastic following among natural beauty and wellness mavens who are drizzling it over their salads, smoothing it on their skin, and washing up with it in the shower—and loving it for its nutrient-packed qualities.

So, what can pumpkin seed oil do for your looks? Well, potentially a lot. It's rich in vitamin A and E, zinc, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants, says Anna Urban, founder of Aviva Hair Revitalizer, which makes a hair supplement that’s loaded with the oil.

Pumpkin seed oil is more commonly infused into natural beauty products, than applied on its own topically, but its benefits in these concoctions are no short of amazing (think: the opposite of pumpkin pie).

DIY beauty

Stroll down the anti-aging aisle at any drugstore and you'll quickly see how easy it is to spend a small fortune on lotions and potions aimed at minimizing wrinkles and sagging. But before you empty your wallet, open your refrigerator—you probably already have many of the ingredients you need to whip up your own anti-aging masks, scrubs, and creams at home.

Not only are ingredients like fruit, dairy, and nuts packed with youth-boosting antioxidants and acids, but unlike commercial skin-care products, which are fortified with vitamins that lose potency over time, fresh foods provide active vitamins that your skin can make use of right away. And it's easy, too: If you can make a smoothie, you can make the following treatments. Just remember that these recipes should be stored and handled like fresh food: Unused portions should be refrigerated and discarded within one week.

Rice Milk Cleanser

Rice is a traditional ingredient in Japanese skin care that's rich in vitamin E and helps exfoliate and smooth skin. This cleanser can be moistened with plain water, but rice milk is a better choice because it adds a hit of retinol-building vitamin A and protective calcium to the mix.

¼ c brown rice flour (or rice bran flour)

2–3 Tbsp unsweetened organic rice milk

MIX the brown rice flour with rice milk to form a smooth paste.

MASSAGE the mixture onto the skin in a slow, circular motion. Rinse with tepid water and follow with toner and moisturizer.

Cucumber Aloe Cold Cream

Your skin gets drier (and duller) with age, but this super-hydrating cream can keep it looking radiant with hydrating aloe vera, brightening fresh lemon, and the yogurt's exfoliating lactic acid.  

½ c plain organic Greek yogurt

¼ c cucumber, chopped and seeded

¼ c aloe flesh, peeled and chopped

½ lemon, juiced

LINE a mesh strainer with a few layers of cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Puree the ingredients in a blender or food processor, then pour into the strainer. Cover the bowl, and place in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or as long as overnight. Transfer the thickened yogurt mixture to a clean bowl. The leftover liquid can be discarded or mixed with rice flour or almond meal to create a quick facial scrub.

APPLY a thick layer of the cream to your face and leave on for up to 30 minutes. Remove the mask with a moistened washcloth, and follow with toner.

Blueberry Granola Exfoliating Mask

Antioxidant-rich blueberries and raw almonds—packed with essential fatty acids and vitamin E—are the base for this beauty-boosting mask and scrub combo. Whole oats are included for their anti-inflammatory properties, while fresh milk and honey help cleanse and brighten skin.

¼ c fresh organic blueberries

¼ c raw almonds

2 Tbsp whole oats

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp whole organic milk

COMBINE ingredients in blender or food processor and puree until smooth, adding additional milk if necessary.

APPLY generously to moistened skin and let dry for 20 minutes. Gently massage the mixture in a slow, circular motion until it crumbles away. Rinse with tepid water, then follow with toner. Use weekly.

beauty and tips

10 Makeup tips and tricks for blondes that will make you a bombshell

‘Blondes have more fun’, well that’s what they say. From Marilyn Monroe through to Pamela Anderson, the blonde bombshell image has been a mainstay of film and TV for decades, and it is still an image that many men say that they rate highly, but of course every man has his own taste! Despite this apparent popularity, there are surprisingly few makeup tips around designed specifically for blondes, so we address this problem with our 10 makeup tips and tricks just for blondes:

1. Boost up your eyelashes

Most natural blondes have pale eyelashes, so experiment with mascara, until you find the one that suits you. Usually, the best option for blondes is dark brown, black or dark blue. A quick and relatively inexpensive way to get a longer lasting color to your lashes is to get them tinted.

2. Define your eyebrows

To bring a better definition to the face, but without it appearing unnatural, chose eyebrow products that are one to two shades darker than your hair color, but no more.

3. Tone down the eye shadow

You have a neutral hair color, so heavy tones on your eyes will really stand out and will look unnatural. Soft browns and golds look wonderful on blondes or, if you feel a bit more colorful, light pastels would work the best.

4. Lipstick choices

As a blonde, you have many choices when it comes to lipstick, but stay away from yellow based colors, as that just doesn't work with blonde hair. The natural choice for blondes is usually pink, but if you want to move from a Barbie look, to more of a Marilyn Monroe image, bright red did wonders for Marilyn!

5. Golden foundation

Natural blondes tend to have pale complexions, so to enhance your skin color, yet still stay looking natural, use gold tinted liquid foundation to warm up the skin or use light shade of bronzer to add warmth to your complexion.

6. Soft blush on your cheeks

To flatter those beautiful blonde locks, use an apricot or pale peach blush; apply it on the apples of your cheeks and blend a little to your temples. And yes, don’t forget to apply a highlighter on your cheekbones for a complimentary glow.

7. Smokey eyes

We said that blondes are best advised to tone down eye makeup, but you can still go for the smokey eye look if you wish, it can look great with blonde hair too; just opt for dark grey instead of black.

8. Platinum blonde

There’s more than one kind of blonde…so bear in mind what kind of blonde you are, when selecting your makeup. Platinum blondes should keep the colors cool to match their hair, because bright colors will stand out too much.

9. Golden blonde

Compliment your golden locks with pinks and peaches for your lips and cheeks, and golds, browns, darker purples or mauves will work well for your eyes.

10. Beach blondes

Caramel or honey colors will bring extra sun to your beach blonde look, but avoid straying into the terra-cotta shades, as they are not sunny enough.

We hope you find our makeup tips and tricks for blondes useful.

Feel free to share your own makeup ideas in the comment section below.

Stay beautiful and be happy!

10 Healing and beautifying oils (that are not coconut or olive oil) that you need to try

Natural oils have been used for centuries in cooking, health treatments and for their beautifying properties. They are chemical free and have a whole range of different properties that can moisturise the skin, nourish the hair, heal scars and protect you against sickness and disease. Not all oils are the same though, and there is a huge range of different oils to choose from. Here are ten different healing and beautifying oils that you need to try:

1. Jojoba oil

The first thing that is amazing about jojoba oil is how close it is in composition to our own natural oils (that our body produces) and that is why it is included in many cosmetic products. It’s great for the skin and it has a high content of Vitamin E and contains anti-inflammatory compounds. It’s great oil for the face, hair and for the whole of the body.

2. Rosehip seed oil

Rich in Vitamin C, rosehip seed oil is well known for its anti-ageing, rejuvenating and skin regenerating properties. It also has a high Vitamin A content, which helps to smooth fine lines.

3. Lavender essential oil

If you have trouble seeping then lavender essential oil will help. Studies have shown that inhaling the fumes from lavender oil is a great aid to a restful night’s sleep and it’s far better for you than taking sleeping pills. Just drip one or two drops of this oil on a tissue and place it in your bedroom, next to your bed, and the whole room will be filled with wonderful calming perfume.

4. Avocado oil

Avocado oil has some amazing healing powers, due mainly to its anti-inflammatory properties. If you treat scrapes, cuts and grazes with a little avocado oil your will find that they will heal faster and leave less of a scar. You can also use avocado oil as your night cream; rich in vitamins and minerals avocado oil will make your skin softer and will help delay signs of aging.

5. Bitter almond oil

Bitter almond oil is the best oil for preventing and reducing the appearance of stretch marks. In a study, researchers found that women, who massaged their skin with bitter almond oil during pregnancy, were far less prone to stretch marks.

6. Grape seed oil

Great for the hair and skin, grape seed oil is light and not very greasy; it is rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid. You can apply grape seed oil to your face, as a rejuvenating and nourishing treatment, and also you can massage it into the hair and it strengthens the hair follicles and it also reduces dandruff.

7. Castor oil

In addition to its use as an effective laxative, castor oil also makes a superb hair treatment. You can use castor oil to treat both ends of your hair. Massaged into the scalp, it will help improve circulation and when applied to the tips, it strengthens the hair and treats split ends. You can also apply castor oil to your eyelashes and eyebrows to make them grow quicker and thicker.

8. Sunflower seed oil

Sunflower seed oil may have lost its popularity as cooking oil, but the Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E that it contains makes it great for your skin. Mildly scented, it makes fantastic, all over, hydrating massage oil.

9. Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil has been used for centuries by the aboriginal people of Australia to treat illnesses and infections. It has powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and has even been found to be effective in treating staph infections.

10. Tea tree oil

Thanks to its powerful anti-bacterial properties, tea tree oil is great for treating acne and it is even more effective than many off-the-shelf acne treatments. It also has strong anti-fungal properties that have been shown to be an effective treatment for athlete’s foot. To make your own disinfectant spay add a cup of water to a clean spray bottle and add 7 drops of tea tree oil, shake, shake, shake and it’s all ready to use!

Make sure you are not allergic to the ingredients of homemade beauty products before applying them to your skin. 

What are your favorite healing and beautifying oils?

Stay happy!