What's in your bag this summer?

Much like wardrobes, the contents of a lady's handbag need to be revamped as the summer months set in. From sunscreen, tinted lip gloss to make-up base - your bag must have it all.

Experts from cosmetic brand Lakme have put together a list of must haves in your bag to beat the heat:

Sunscreen: 

Sunscreen is undoubtedly the most important item in your summer bag, especially if you don't plan to spend the entire summer indoors. Toss a bottle into your bag and with that you throw out any worry of being exposed to the sun. Go for SPF 50 that gives your skin optimum protection against harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

A tinted lip balm or gloss: 

Just like your skin, your lips are vulnerable to the harsh rays of the sun. Keep them healthy by using a lip balm with SPF. This not only protects your lips but also keeps them moisturized. Day or night, you will be able to protect your pout.

Sunglasses: 

Another must-do is to wear a pair of sunglasses. A good pair will protect your eyes from the harmful effects of the UV rays. Plus, by shading yourself from the heat, it will keep you off those headaches you tend to get in the scorching heat. And what's even better is that the right pair of glasses can up your style quotient.

Bottled water: 

It is absolutely essential to stay hydrated in the summer and a reusable water bottle is a must have. You can pick one that has fluid measurements printed on the bottle. This is the simplest way to keep track of how much H2O you are consuming and ensure those important eight cups every day.

Make-up base: 

Go ahead and ditch your elaborate make-up kit! Instead of a compact or a primer, use the Lakme 9to5 Super Sunscreen this summer that acts as a perfect make-up base along with giving sun protection with SPF 50.

Facial wipes: 

After a long, sweaty day in the sun, you will be thankful to have some facial wipes on hand. These provide a quick and easy way to refresh yourself as you transition from day to night. Wipe the slate clean and you'll feel brand new.

Mini deodorant: 

One of the most obvious things you should keep handy is an anti-perspirant deodorant or a nice perfume. Now you do not want to keep your boyfriend away due to your body odour, right? During summer you will tend to perspire more and spraying a deodorant occasionally will only save you from any embarrassment and will keep you relieved.

Sanitizer:

Germs love the heat and sweat that summer brings along. Because bacteria flourish in warm and moist environments, summer is the time that food poisoning and food borne diseases are common. Always use hand sanitizer before you indulge in any snacking.

Face mist: 

Use a face mist to feel fresh in an instant. Make your own - just put some rose water in a spray bottle and you're done! Just spray some on when you're tired.

Stock-up on one of each in your bag and you'll be summer-ready in no time!

Want sexy feet in summers?

Yes, feet have a lingo of their own.

And yes, it is possible for them to don a real haute and sexy avatar, provided you are ready to indulge this highly neglected part of your body! In case, you are ready to make some efforts, here's how you can go about it...

Salon pedicure at home!

No need to book an appointment, you can give yourself a salon-quality pedicure with these easy steps:

1. Remove all polish. Trim and file your toenails.

2. Buff nails smooth with a nail buffer.

3. Massage cuticle softener around the nail contour.

4. Soak feet in warm water for 10-15 minutes (or take your shower or bath).

5. Push back cuticles with a cuticle stick and remove any debris or dead skin from beneath and around the nail.

6. Apply moisturizer to feet, followed by a swipe of nail polish remover to prepare the nail.

7. Apply your base coat, followed by nail color, followed by top coat.

8. Remove any errors with a nail polish remover pen and don't worry, any polish on skin will come off with your next shower.

The next day, apply cuticle oil all over your toenails, it will moisturize skin around the nail bed and help your polish last longer.

Sizzling summer tones for your feet

Cherry red

this classic looks good on all skin tones and adds a punch of colour to all-black, white, navy or neutrals.

Orange

the ultimate summer neon for a pop pedicure, it enhances your summer tan.

Coral 

think of this shade as the ladylike alternative to neon orange. Trendy, just a bit daring, but oh so chic!

Snow white

it's so right for summer! Try an almost opaque shade for a graphic, modern look, super sexy with black sandals.

Aqua

think summer skies and tropical waters. Then, dive right in to this newest colour trend.

Purple 

always rich and regal, try a lighter, brighter shade of amethyst for summer.

Gold

summer is the time to add some bling, right down to your tootsies! Leave winter's ho-hum beige behind and opt for light-reflecting, eye-catching gold.

Baby pink

bring on this girly shade! It makes nude sandals look super sexy and gives a feminine edge to black peep-toe shoes!

Must-have beauty essentials for summer

Make this summer the best you've had with the help of these must-haves to both look good and feel good.

Summer is almost here and it's time to get yourself ready for the heat waves. Don't let the heat overwhelm you, there are just a few summer staples that you need to follow up on and you'll be all set to face the daunting sun. A little preparation and a few mandatory rules to follow, and you can have some fun in the sun without holding back. This is what our experts had to say...

Sunscreen: 

Given you want that gorgeous tan, but you don't want to burn your skin in the process, do you? Apply a layer of sunscreen on your skin to protect yourself from the heat waves. Sunscreen not only protects you against sunburn, it also soothes your skin and prevents it from getting blotchy or dry. Additionally, it eases inflammation and redness if any.

Primer: 

A make up primer is a gel applied after a moisturizer and before the foundation. It also helps keep the make up intact, which is almost crucial in the sweltering heat. Says Rhea Soans, hair and beauty expert, "It's advisable to use a good primer on the skin before applying any sort of make up, especially in the heat. Use a primer that has sunscreen and moisturizing agents in it, the benefits go beyond just making your foundation last longer, it also facilitates smooth and flawless skin."

Water: 

Being hydrated is probably the most important thing during the summers. If adequate fluids are not consumed in their proper quantity, it can cause a lot of distress to your body. "Keep consuming some sort of liquids during the heat, either water or juices. This not only helps maintain a healthy blood pressure but also regulates your body temperature apart from keeping you refreshed and revitalized throughout the day," says Megha Rai, fitness expert.

Moisturizer

In the urgency to protect our skin, hair-care tends to take a back seat. To make your hair look its natural, voluminous best- go simple. "For straight hair with a greasy scalp, use a clear shampoo and conditioner. For curly hair, a creamy conditioner is suitable. Also, give your conditioning a break, as the humidity in this sultry climate can dry out those beautiful shiny locks," adds Rhea, hair and skin expert.

Gloss: 

Your lips need some love and care too. Not applying anything on your lips and leaving them exposed to the heat will leave them dried out and parched. Use a good lip-gloss or balm with SPF and keep re-applying it throughout the day. "Drink enough water through the day and apply a lip balm that has moisturizing ingredients like olive oil, lanolin etc," says Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist.

Colour your hair right this summer

Sometimes, hair-colour experiments go horribly wrong, so much so that people have to colour their locks jet black.

Here are a few tips that you can keep in mind when colouring your hair to ensure that you don't go wrong.

- The first thing you should keep in mind when colouring hair is your skin tone. If you have a light skin shade, opt for a darker colour. Don't choose a colour that's lighter than your skin tone. Remember, not everyone is a Nicki Minaj who is able to carry off blonde hair.

-Your clothes also determine the kind of hair colour you should be wearing. If your clothes are bright, then go for a soft-toned colour for your hair.

- Red is a colour that has been popular among youngsters for a long time as it's trendy and suits most skin tones. However, make sure that you are confident enough to carry it off with not just your clothes, but attitude too.

Get rid of tan naturally

Summers may mean lots of coolers and skimpy clothes but they also bring along with them a major tan, get rid of it to enjoy summers more

While some love a tan, for some others a tan just spells disaster and then starts the complex process of applying strange chemicals and doctor visits. Here are some home remedies that will take your tan off in a jiffy.

1. Lemon juice

While some suggest that you should not use lemon juice directly on face as it may ruin the delicate layer and dry it up, some others swear by its magical properties to make the darkest of tans disappear. It is however suggested that you dilute your lemon juice in a little water and then apply it on the face initially. Let it dry and wash it off with some cool water.

 

2. Tomato pulp

Tomatoes are great to eat during the summers but they also have tan removal properties that could put any facial cream to shame. Just apply the pulp of a tomato on the face and wash it off after 10-15 minutes. The effect isn't as instant as that of lemon, but its safer if you have very sensitive skin. Repeat this for a week.

3. Yogurt

A bowl of chilled yogurt and half a teaspoon of turmeric applied on the face will not only leave your skin dewy fresh but will also take that ugly tan off and even out the skin colour while providing it with moisture.

 

4. Potatoes

Raw potatoes rubbed onto the skin everyday will also help remove tan. Potato slices places over eyes also help remove dark circles and provide relief to tired eyes.