Smile grooming tips

Follow these tips

• Avoid excessive intake of colored food and beverages like coffee & tea as it stains your teeth
• Red wine also causes discoloration of teeth, so avoid red wine
• Certain fruits have the ability to whiten teeth naturally acting as excellent tooth whiteners, you can try mashing up a strawberry and mixing it with a small amount of baking soda to create your own whitening toothpaste. The acids in the strawberry work to polish and whiten your teeth.
• Quitting cigarettes may be harder than it sounds but will do wonders for your teeth
• You may not want to try this with hot coffee, but sipping iced tea, cola, and fruit juices through a plastic straw will reduce your teeth's exposure to these staining beverages

• Brush twice a day in a circular motion also ensure massaging your gums
• Visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up
• Use an even bristle toothbrush
• Gargle after every meal with mouthwash or regular water, do not forget to floss your teeth

(Inputs by Image Consultant and Grooming Expert Rukshana Eisa, SmileBar)

Top 10 exercises for a sexy butt

The comeback of 'Skinny Jeans' has ensured that more women and men are now focused on toning, tightening, and lifting their butts. However, a shapely backside does more than make your jeans look great.

Your butt muscles- the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus-- are connected to your leg and lower back muscles and they help legs move in all directions and stabilize the back.

If you weren't born with a chiseled derriere, don't fret! Try this top 10 butt exercises by Mike Jackson - Nutritional Consultant and Physique Transformation Specialist to help you get toned and sexy butt.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 1:

Squats Squats work almost every muscle in your lower body; particularly the glutes, quads, and hamstrings. Squats shapes and strengthens the gluteus maximus -- your biggest butt muscle. In addition, quads and hamstrings are worked as knees flex.

-Stand with feet shoulder-width apart- widen your stance to tone the inner thigh muscle (adductor)

-Slowly lower your hips- don't let knees extend past toes

-Squeeze glutes and rise to starting position

-Keep your back straight during the entire move

There are several variations of a basic squat. For example: use dumbbells or barbells to increase intensity and include your upper body in the workout. Rather than lowering into a squat, jump explosively and land in squat position. While in squat position, slowly raise 1 leg behind your body and extend arms forward. Return to start position and switch sides.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 2:

Lunges Lunges exercise the same muscles as squats, but lunges make the gluteal muscles work harder to slow your body as you lower down. What's more, lunges require more stability, which engages the calves and lower back muscles.

-Stand with feet hip-width apart

-Hold a dumbbell in either hand; if desired

- Take a big step forward with your right leg

-Bend both knees to slowly lower your body

-Don't bend knees more than 90 degrees and keep the front knee aligned over your front ankle

-Step back to start position and repeat with left leg

- For explosive lunges: jump and switch legs in midair.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 4: 

Bridges Without any equipment, you can tone your glutes, rectus abdominus, erector spinae, hamstrings, and adductors.

-Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. -Slowly lift your spine, 1 vertebrae at a time, starting at your butt. -Tighten glutes and hamstrings to create a tight line from shoulders to knees. -Slowly lower your back to the floor.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 5: 

Running or walking -- on Hills These cardio exercises lift your butt while simultaneously releasing endorphins that lift your mood. Running and walking also burn calories and trim flab from your backside.

Running a mile burns about 100 calories and walking a mile burns around 80. However, the faster you run the more calories you'll burn. People who carry more weight also burn more calories because they exert more effort. For the ultimate butt lift, add a few hills to your running or walking workout. Hill workouts help burn away calories faster, too.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 6: 

Brazilian Butt Sculptor Brazilian women are known for their beautiful curves and with this fast workout, you can firm your butt and tone your thighs to get enviable curves, too. All you need is a stability ball.

-Lie face down on the ball with palms and toes on the floor -- the ball should be supporting your pelvis.

-Flex glutes and lift your legs as high as you can.

-Hold position for 1 count, then bring feet together for 1 count.

-Separate legs and lower them to the floor.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 7: 

Barbell hip thrust The barbell hip thrust takes bridges and your butt to a whole new level.

-Sit on the ground with your shoulders against a bench and knees bent.

-Place a barbell with the desired weight across your lap -- if the barbell isn't padded, use a folded towel for cushioning.

-Raise the barbell by flexing your glutes and pushing up.

-Rise until your body forms a straight line from shoulders to knees.

-Slowly lower hips to the floor.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 8: 

Resistance band crab walk Get ready to feel the burn in your gluteus maximus, outer thighs, and ab muscles! The resistance band crab walk boosts your booty by toning and shaping gluteal muscles.

-Stand with both feet on the exercise band.

-Cross the band in front of your legs and hold the ends.

-Keep your back and legs straight, and shoulders back.

-Take 1 step sideways with the right leg.

-Bring your feet back together, then step sideways with the left leg.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 9: 

Kneeling glute lift with pulses Here's another exercise from the ever-popular Brazilian Butt lift workout program:

-Kneel down on all fours.

-Raise the left knee -- keep it bent -- until it forms a straight line with your back.

-Lift the knee several inches higher using a pulsing motion.

-Lower the left knee to the ground and repeat with the right leg.

Exercise for a sexy butt # 10: 

Straight-leg deadlift Heard about the "bum smile"? It's the line where your bum meets your hamstrings. Straight-leg deadlifts target that area to define your "smile."

-Hold a dumbbell with either hand in front of your thighs -- keep arms straight.

-Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.

-Bend your hips -- not knees -- and lower your torso until it is parallel with the ground.
-Flex glutes, thrust hips forward, and raise your torso to start position.

For added difficulty: balance on one leg during the exercise.

Master the formula for a pretty face

A perceptual psychologist explains the science behind beauty, and how to cheat your way to it

 

Archaeologists excavating sites at Harappa and Mohenjodaro say they stumbled on pots of kohl and red iron oxide (possibly used as rouge) used by the women of the Indus Valley Civilisation. Which means the Indian woman's need for make-up dates back to 3000 BC. It's no surprise then that the Indian cosmetic industry is estimated to be worth Rs 20,000 crore.

A professor of psychology in Pennsylvania, who has been researching the science of beauty for 10 years, swears by the power of make-up to cheat your way to attractiveness.

Using online surveys, human tests and statistical data derived from a large database of faces (of mostly students), Richard Russell of Gettysburg College, says, the 'perfect' face is a combination of prominent cheekbones, full lips and a neat nose determined by the facial measurements of the general population around you.

Can your nose do the math?

A key factor in determining how close you are to this 'perfection' is explained by how 'average' you are. A deformed ear can appear ugly. Hence, the averageness of a face with a deformed ear is calculated as low. "A hooked nose, droopy eye or a jutting chin could all contribute to a lower averageness," says Russell. The less average you are, the further you are away from 'beauty'.

For instance, consider a woman with close-set eyes. The distance between a lady's eyes helps determine how attractive she is to others (ideal horizontal distance between eyes: 46%, or a little less than half, of the width of the face). The close-seteyes lady can inch closer to her goal by extending her eyeliner beyond the corner of her eyes, and giving it an upward flick.

 

For droopy ideas, make-up artiste Clint Fernandes suggests using a darker shade of eye shadow on the outer corners. "An eyeliner will help define the shape, and eye shadow will erase the crease line in the socket below the eyebrow. This helps 'lift' the eyes. Attaching fake lashes a tiny distance higher than where your real ones start creates the illusion of wider eyes," he suggests.

Your arch nemesis 

Usually, a woman's eyebrows tend to be at a higher distance away from the eyelid. This is what contributes to how the brain perceives the male and female quotient of every face. The more feminine a woman's face, the prettier it appears. This is characterised by an oblong shape, narrow jaw and high cheekbones. A man's face tends to be angular, with a firm broad jaw. Women striving to inch closer to the ideal of beauty, must therefore, pluck their eyebrows with care.

"Never tweeze or thread hair from the upper arch. Also, an arch that's too high will leave you looking permanently surprised," says Fernandes.

For higher, chiselled cheekbones, make-up artiste Celina Rajamanickam uses two tones of blush, blended.

"Use a darker tone from the base of your ear up along the cheek. The lighter shade should rest above it, and then blend the two with a thick brush," she says. Use the same rule across the sides of the nose to make it appear slimmer.

The fairer sex 

After studying the faces of men and women across ethnic groups in the US, Europe and Asia, Russell discovered that pigmentation was a key difference between the sexes. Biologically, women are a few tones lighter than men in their race, he explains. Hence, the craving for fairer skin universally.

He adds that the contrast between the lips and eyes, and the surrounding areas is greater in women than in men. Which is why, when a woman accentuates her eyes and lips with kohl and lipstick, accentuates this contrast, appearing more feminine, and thus, attractive.

The bright red vintage lipstick trend is a way to exaggerate this contrast of colours between the skin and lips. Researchers relate the fullness and colour of lips with fertility because blood flow in the face is believed to be heightened. "Steffie Paul (in pic) has naturally full lips, and highlighting them with lip gloss heightens the pleasantness of her face," explains Rajamanickam.

Learn your lines 

Correspondingly, age lines and wrinkles darken the skin. "An older woman with smartly applied make-up will look like her younger self. The idea of youth and health is hence perceived as beautiful," says Russell.

Puffiness around the eyes can be tackled with neutral tones of foundation and concealer. Fernandes suggests you use it sparingly mask blemishes and spots.

Be a beauty budget mixologist

Who hasn't been tempted to splurge on expensive beauty products? But do you know there are certain products you can save on, to make it easier to purchase the ones that are really worth spending on?

Says beauty expert Shahnaz Husain, "Investing in expensive beauty products is not the way to get a gorgeous and flawless complexion or hair. Rather, choosing products intelligently will yield better results. Expensive products will not always give you the best results; it's the quality that matters."

Splurge

Skin serum: 

Popularly known as a 'magic potion for the skin', a serum has multiple benefits. "Invest in a good skin serum that will protect your skin from the damage that occurs due to constant exposure to sun and pollution," says Husain. It helps restore moisture and elasticity to your skin, and helps regulate oil production, thus making your skin look healthy and fresh.

Nourishing night cream:

A nourishing night cream works wonders for your skin. It revitalises your skin from within, thus making it look radiant and glowing. That is the reason why you should choose a good night cream which contains vitamin E and other hydrating agents that will make your skin look healthy.

 

Make-up remover:

Says cosmetic physician Dr Jamuna Pai, "Make-up residue can clog your skin pores and lead to several skin related problems. Thus removing make-up completely is as important as wearing it correctly. Using a moisturising cream to remove make-up may not clean it off sufficiently, thus it is worth splurging on a make-up remover that sweeps away dirt and oil with minimal strokes, for a clean and fresh skin."

Sunscreen: 

"Sunscreen is not a cosmetic product, but an essential requirement for healthy skin. Sunburn is caused by UVB rays of the sun. Therefore, it is worth spending more to ensure that your sunscreen not only stays strong against the harmful rays of the sun, but also protects it from it for extended time duration," says consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Geetanjali Shetty.

 

Save

Face wash: 

A face wash is a product that you need to use on a daily basis, especially during summers. So, it doesn't make sense to splurge on a product that you will require every now and then. Choose a face wash that comprises neem, tulsi and sandalwood that will nourish your skin and also provide hydration.

Toners:

Many women often go in for the most expensive toners available in the market. But do you know, you can also make one easily at home with the same ingredients? Says Husain, "A toner with rose petals is great during this season. Place a few rose petals in a small pan. Take two cups of boiling water and pour it over the petals and allow them to cool to about room temperature. Then take a strainer and pour this into a glass bottle. You can also add a few lemon drops. Refrigerate and use it daily after you have taken off your make-up."

Cleansers:

You must not invest too much in cleansers, because just like face wash, it's a product for daily use and one wouldn't want to spend too much money on it. However, if you wish to buy a cleanser, get one that is best suited for your skin type.

Double-duty moisturiser: 

A double-effect moisturiser is the best way to save money. These moisturisers work as a foundation as well as contains SPF. So, you don't have to invest separately on a foundation or a sun-protecting lotion. These tinted moisturisers give a perfect glow while protecting you from the harmful rays of the sun.

6 tips to look beautiful this summer

The rising temperature brings skin and hair problems with it – like rashes, acne, tanning, skin and scalp infection and split ends. From exfoliating to avoiding chemicals, experts dole out various tips to protect skin and tresses during summer. Sangeeta Amladi, head, medical services at Kaya Skin Clinic, recommends tips for a carefree and skin friendly summer:

1. Screen the sun: 

Small exposures to sun are beneficial for the skin and essential for production of vitamin D. However, prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation may have a hazardous impact on the skin. Not all sunscreens are made alike, so SPF (Sun protection factor) 30 is best recommended for Indian skin types. Apply sun screen 20 to 30 minutes before stepping out and ensure you wear sunscreen every day, even when you stay indoors.

2. Follow the essential routine: 

From dry air-conditioned homes to walks in the steamy and sweaty weather outside, one needs to pay special attention to summer skincare. Follow the cleansing, toning and moisturising ritual twice a day for best results. 

3. Exfoliate:

Incorporating exfoliation into your skin care regime is a must to avoid dull skin! Exfoliants remove old, dry, dead skin cells, toxins and other deposits and allow new skin cells to surface. Scrub your elbows and knees at least twice a week to get rid of dead tissues. Rub a slice of lemon with sugar every alternate day to keep them clean and to remove tan.

4. Hair Woes:

Since hair tends to be moisture-deprived during summers, overuse of any kind of chemical and hair styling tool should be avoided. Shampooing often results in loss of shine and moisture. Consider switching to a gentle shampoo and use a deep conditioner to replenish the loss of moisture. Massage your hair with a mixture of coconut oil, castor and olive oil regularly to keep your hair nourished. And if you are one of them who are open to homemade remedies, whisk 2 egg yolks with 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and apply this mask on the bottom 2/3rds of your hair. Wash off after 15 minutes.

5. Happy Feet:

During summers our feet become the target of a variety of potential foot maladies including eczema, fungal infections, and socially embarrassing “smelly feet”. Start with wearing an open sandal in the summer to keep your feet dry and give them a chance to “breathe”. Your feet are subject to sunburn just like the rest of your body. Use sunscreen during the day and apply a lightweight moisturizer in the evenings. 

A foot powder is a must as it helps to soak up excessive moisture that can breed fungi and bacteria. Head for a pedicure once every week. This will keep your foot clean. Trim your toe nails to avoid dirt and dust from accumulating under your toe nails.

6. Maintain a healthy diet:

Make fruits your best friends this summer. With summers in full swing, it is advised that apart from drinking lots of water, a special summer diet consisting of light and healthy food would ensure a cool mind and body. To keep your skin hydrated, eat lot of fresh fruits and green vegetables. Include fruits and vegetables like bitter gourd, spinach, cucumber, watermelons, oranges, cherries, plums and lychee to your diet. They are highly nutritious with an abundant supply of fiber, vitamins, anti-oxidants and minerals.

How to look and feel beautiful

Ever had a day where you know you look the same as the day before, but for some reason, you just don’t FEEL beautiful?

We’ve all had those days where we’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed, gone to look in the mirror, and just wanted to hide from the world. Even though we probably look the same as every other day, we just don’t feel beautiful. It’s not as though anything drastic happened to our looks overnight – which goes to show that feeling beautiful is a state of mind. Here are a few ways to get into the mindset of feeling gorgeous, even on the worst of days! 

1. Confidence is essential

It may sound cliché, but the key to making yourself feel beautiful on any given day is confidence. Confidence is the reason that some people always manage to be the center of attention regardless of what they look like – and it’s something you can use to your advantage! If you want to look the part, you need to act it, so banish negative thoughts and start giving yourself positive reassurances throughout the day. Focus on the attributes you really like about yourself and dismiss any negative thoughts about your looks that may cross your mind.

2. Smile

An instant mood booster (and another way to look beautiful!) is to smile. Don’t believe me? Just try putting a smile on your face, even if you don’t feel like it, and tell me how you feel. In addition to its mood-boosting benefits, it’s been said that smiling makes a person look and feel beautiful. When a person smiles, it causes others to perceive them as more attractive – talk about an easy way to look better!

3. Stop the comparisons

It’s easier than ever to compare ourselves to others and all too easy to fall into the trap of seeing how we measure up to others, but it does nothing for our self-confidence. Every person is a unique individual, and you have positive assets that others may feel they lack. The best way to feel beautiful is to view yourself as an individual, not as one person in comparison to another.

4. Try a new look

Sometimes we’re just stuck in a beauty rut, which can contribute to not feeling beautiful. Why not change things up with a fun makeover? Reinventing your look could provide excitement and the change you need to get out of your rut and feel beautiful again. Switching it up with a new haircut, wardrobe, or cosmetics could be just the change you need!

I have seen some people who are stuck in past decades because they’re set in their ways or lack the confidence to change things up. But, we live in a modern world, and it’s important to act like it. Embrace a a style that feels good but remember to freshen it up with a new color or cut (of clothes, or hair maybe). You will gain confidence knowing you look great, and you’ll face the world beautifully.

5. Watch your posture

The way you sit and stand says a lot about the way you think of yourself. Those with good posture signal to the world that they feel confident and beautiful with non-verbal communication cues. Even if you don’t feel beautiful; sitting or standing tall with your shoulders back will radiate your self-assurance to the outside world. Every time you catch yourself slouching over, take a few seconds to correct your posture. You should feel more poised, confident, and maybe even beautiful!

6. Treat yourself

Sometimes, you just need a good pampering session to feel beautiful. When you’re feeling tired, stressed, or anxious, you probably won’t be feeling your most beautiful. Try taking a break, whether for an hour or a whole day, to get back in touch with your true self. If you are in a relaxed state of mind, you are more likely to have positive feelings toward yourself. You can try any relaxing activity, whether it’s an afternoon out at the park (with sunscreen, of course!), visiting the salon, or purchasing a new outfit. My personal favorite is getting my hair done – it works like a charm on those days I don’t feel beautiful!

*** 

I’d love to hear from you – what made you feel beautiful today? Tell me in the comments section!

Tips to Break Out of a Beauty Rut

There’s nothing like cold weather to put us in a beauty rut. Luckily, spring is almost here, so it’s time to shake things up a bit. If you’re having a hard time changing up your look, try these tips.

Stay on Point

Focus on one aspect of your beauty routine that you’d like to change. “We’re heading into spring trends, so opt out for brighter colors. Bright orange lips are trending for Spring 2014. If the bright orange scares you, mix it with your favorite nude lipstick to lighten it a tad,” says celebrity makeup artist Elaina Badro. It’s a great way to transition yourself into brighter colors that you wouldn’t typically wear.

Brighten Your Look

“I love creamy cheeks. Find a good cream blush to apply. Not too much, just enough to give that natural flushed glow that looks effortless,” says  makeup artist Melanie Mills. If cream blush scares you, try it on your days off until you get the feel and how to manipulate it to your liking. It’s a pretty look that takes years off a face, too.

 

Give Your Hair Some TLC

“One of my favorite low-cost hair masks is easy: Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply to wet hair. Wrap up in a warm damp towel. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times. Repeat once a week for damaged hair and once a month for healthy hair,” says Mills. Also try to not over-wash hair. Go a few days and prolong luster with a good Moroccan or Argan oil lightly applied to ends. Squeeze it into the hair by gently grabbing all over. People over-wash their hair, and unless you are doing hardcore cardio daily, back off!

Change Your Lipstick

Sometimes just switching your lipstick shade can make a huge difference. “Try the latest shade of red, hot pink or coral to give a quick pop of color with a dose of moisture, in a split second,” suggests international makeup artist and skin care consultant Karuna Chani.

Blue Is the New Black

Black eyeliner is a fast, easy, no-brainer way to define your eyes. But how about you switch that for a midnight navy eyeliner to really make your eyes shine? Apply both top and bottom liner, and for added drama, don’t shy away from a slight wing on the top liner.