Beauty Routine

Especially for those with acne. We all know that spring brings no exception.

Day to Night: The Shirt Dress

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  If you're shopping for a dress that can take you from a morning coffee meeting to drinks with friends, look no further than the shirt dress. This wardrobe staple can be styled up with a fun belt and blazer during the day. At night, swap out your day bag for a clutch. Add strappy heels and a few of your favorite bracelets. Have fun!

  
  

  
  

  
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REVERSING UNEVEN SKIN TONE

Hyperpigmentation, also known as uneven skin tone, is one of the biggest complaints that women in Pakistan have.  Our climate and harsh sun can lead to sun spots, premature aging, and blemishes but other factors are also responsible, such as hormones and genes.

An uneven complexion occurs when there is an over production of melanin, which is responsible for our hair and skin colour. Too much melanin causes discolouration which can happen when our skin creates its own barrier to fight off UV rays from the sun. Melasma is the result of pigmentation due to hormones and skin troubles could even stem from our parents but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it.

Creating a great skin care routine tailored to your needs with the right nutrients can dramatically improve the appearance of your skin. Let us guide you with the best care to get your glowing skin back!

1. DAILY CARE

A great skincare range, like Pond’s White Beauty Range, should contain the nutrients required in evening out skin tone. As we age our skin repair slows down, Vitamin B3 creates a barrier for external damage and leads to cellular repair while combating the signs of aging. Lycopene should be an essential part of skincare products since it will protect against environmental damage.

2. NIGHTLY CARE

Beauty sleep is the real deal when you have what you need to wake up beautiful. Fair & Lovely’s Multi-vitamin Night Cream is packed with Vitamin B3, B6, C, and E; everything you need to get great skin at any age. Get your skin care products to work even when you’re asleep!

3. WEEKLY CARE

Honey is magical for dry skin which is prone to an uneven complexion. Create a mask for blemish free skin using 1 tsp each of honey and lemon juice, 1 tbsp powdered milk, and 1/2 tsp of almond oil. Mix them well and apply it gently on the skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

4. CONCENTRATED CARE

A skin serum can pack a punch with its concentrated formula and may work well for older women. Find one that promises to improve skin tone and is gentle enough on skin to be used regularly.

LYCOPENE FOR SKIN

New research on lycopene, a unique carotenoid, has shown it has an ability to defend against some of the factors of skin aging.

Topical application of lycopene combats age-causing free radicals and assists in metabolic functions related to growth and repair.

Lycopene: A Protective Antioxidant Compound

Lycopene belongs to a general group of more than 600 fat-soluble plant compounds known ascarotenoids. Lycopene is also classified as a carotene, which gives many fruits and vegetables their bright yellow, red, and orange color.Aside from performing vital functions during photosynthesis, carotenes are also important free radical scavengers that protect the organism from overexposure to damaging UV-light. Lycopene's antioxidant and UV-blocking capabilities naturally make it a valuable weapon in the battle against aging skin.

Tomatoes are lycopene-rich, which means they are loaded with the most powerful antioxidant out there. For an overall treatment, mash up the pulp and juice of a tomato, and apply to a clean face. Let it sit for 15 minutes or till dry, and wash with warm water.

Lycopene Sources

Some of the fruits and vegetables rich in lycopene include pink grapefruit, papaya, wolfberry, goji, and tomatoes. For the vast majority of people, the most common dietary sources of lycopene remains tomatoes, tomato-based sauces, juices, and ketchup.

It should be noted that eating raw tomatoes provides only a small amount of bioavailable lycopene. This is because the lycopene in raw tomatoes is tightly bound to indigestible fiber that prevents much of the nutrients from being absorbed by your body.On the other hand, cooked tomato products such as tomato paste or tomato sauce, are a much better source of dietary lycopene. As far as the health of your skin is concerned, even eating cooked tomatoes may not deliver sufficient lycopene to your skin. After ingestion, lycopene is eventually released into your lymphatic system and distributed throughout your whole body. Unfortunately, it is mostly deposited in fat-rich organs like your adrenal glands, colon, and liver. In the end, only a small fraction of the lycopene you eat ever reaches your skin.

PONDS WHITE BEAUTY PINKISH GLOW WHITENING CREAM (with lycopene+pro vit B3)

My thoughts:
Color: white
Smell: Pleasant, subtle
consistency: light (simillar to Fair & Lovely cream ,if you have used that)
Texture: Soft , not greasy at all.

Totally gets absorbed in the skin.Matte finish.
Whitening: Not sure.But than .. i wasn't using it for that purpose.
Verdict: I like it:) A good cream/moisturizer for the heat in Pakistan.
Would i recommend it?
Totally.Its good,Easily availible ?So if you are sick of spending big bucks on high end brands or cant afford them or even looking for something new to try.This is it.

Hairdos for summer evenings

Plaited topknot
For two seasons, braids have ruled the catwalks around the world. They still show no sign of budging. However, hair experts have constantly kept reinventing and re-interpreting this trend in myriad ways. This style here is a combination of a braid and a topknot. Talk about combining two of summer’s favourite trends! 

Prep
Comb the hair out with a brush that has natural bristles. This will give the hair a natural bounce and volume. This look works best on pre-washed hair. Wash it with TRESemmé Smooth & Shine Shampoo. You can even use some texturising product. 

Style
Make your client flip her hair, as the braid needs to be done bottom to top. Brush the hair neatly and start doing a French braid from the bottom. If your client has thick hair or wants a thicker braid, divide the hair into chunkier sections. Braid till just below the crown (or at a three-finger width from the ear). Tie the braid and the rest of the hair at the crown into a ponytail. Then, braid the ponytail as well, twist and tie it into a topknot. Secure this with U pins and bobby pins. 

Set
Keep the look in place with a light holding spray. 

“This style is very modern and will be right at home on a runway or the streets. It’s stylish and practical at the same time. If some clients find it too edgy, you can try different variations—a regular topknot, a bopknot or without the braid itself.” 
– Dimitra Altani

Sleek ponytail
Taking a break from all that texture, a sleek, glossy ponytail with a deep side-parting is great for those balmy evenings. The only catch is, you will need to use a styling cream (a lot of it) to style the client’s hair. This is a crisp, simple style that gets its edginess from a whole lot of styling products.

Prep Wash hair withTRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner. Blow-dry it straight using some styling mousse, gel or cream. Then, run a smoothening cream through the strands to tame the frizz and flyaways. Add a dose of gloss or a shine spray. 

Style Comb the hair with the product on with a fine-toothed comb, and do a deep side-parting. Make sure the parting is above the brow arch, as this creates a beautiful balance on the face. Then, tie the hair neatly into a low ponytail with an elastic. Iron the ponytail after dividing it into small sections using a straightening iron. Take a small section and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic. This will completely cut the frizz out, and the heat from the iron will seal the product in. 

SetFinish off with some shine gel and spray. 

“The glossiness comes from the product, so make sure that it is visible on the hair. That doesn’t mean it should look greasy or oily. This versatile style is perfect for any formal occasion and is not that time consuming. Also, the products on the hair will keep the hair from getting frizzy.”  

Braided updo
An easier take on a halo braid, this one embodies the prettiness of all things summer. Recommend it to your clients for a backyard lunch or dinner, a date night or for a trip to the beach. This updo will highlight your clients’ features and keep the hair off their napes in a stylish way.

Prep 
Wash hair with TRESemmé Split Remedy Shampoo. Then, use a texturisng product to create some bounce. 

Style
Divide the hair into two sections with a centre-parting from top to bottom. Then do a regular braid on each side, and bring the braids to the crown. Secure the first braid in its place with bobby pins. Overlap the other braid and secure it with pins as well. Hide the ends of each braid under each other, behind the ear. 

Set 
Use a mild holding spray, as a few loose strands only add to the untamed beauty of this updo.

“Stylish and flirty, this feminine hairstyle is gorgeous and doesn’t look overdone. I feel that this look works no matter what the season. It works on someone with medium-length hair. Unstructured texture is ideal for it as that adds softness to the entire look.” 

Top 3 Mistakes New Runners Make

You are committed to sticking to your new running regime which is wonderful. Problem is that most people will only stick to a routine for a few weeks before throwing in the towel. They will site that it was “too tough” or “it hurt” as one of the many reasons they gave up. Well, there are ways to be among the minority of women who start a training program and stick with it. Avoid the top three mistakes made by new female runners and you can increase your odds of completing that 5k in the next few months.

1. Too much too soon.

Now is not the time to prove something to yourself or anyone else. Even if you were a track star in high school or college, you have to begin with where you are and not where you left off. There’s a variety of beginning running schedules available online. Look for one that begins with a walk/run routine then builds to a straight 30 minute run over the course of six weeks.

2. Wrong shoes.

You cannot run in walking shoes or even cross trainers and expect to avoid injury. These kinds of shoes are not going to provide the much needed support for the feet and knees that you need to minimize the risk of injury. Do some research online at a few of the popular brand websites.

You’ll start to notice that there are certain things that all running shoes have in common. Once you have that list then purchase the shoe that offers at least the minimum support needed. An extra $30 for a highly regarded running shoe is a fraction of the cost you’d incur to deal with an injury.

3. No support.

While the support of a running partner would be great, I will argue that the support of a running bra will have a greater impact. There are a variety of styles, colors, and textures available so take your time and pick a few that really appeal to you. The most important thing to remember is that you cannot wear your regular bra during a running workout. Yes, some women actually do this. Our regular bras were clearly designed to provide a different type of support.

Since you are serious about your running routine you should get the most out of each workout. One way to do this is with a Polar heart rate monitor or Garmin 305. They are essentially mini personal trainers that provide a variety of feedback regardless of the type of fitness activity. Some even allow you to run against a virtual partner. A little man (or woman) appears on your wrist heart rate monitor screen with an icon noting how far ahead or behind you are of your virtual running buddy. Too cool.

What to Drink While Exercising

Keeping your body hydrated while exercising is very important. And this article will show you what you should consider drinking during an exercise.

Keeping your body hydrated is always important, but it’s absolutely vital while exercising. If you don’t drink enough liquids, your muscles are more likely to tire faster, which will affect your coordination and strength. Moreover, dehydration could lead to heat exhaustion since your body cannot cool itself properly. However, what is the best drink one could have during a workout? Well, you don’t really have to limit yourself to just one. This article will show you what are different benefits of drinking water or the various energy drinks.

There are many types of exercising – apart from the typical jogging and going to the gym, cleaning could be an exercise too. So, even when you clean your house you need to drink plenty of drinks. Therefore, consider the following drinks to keep your body dehydrated.

Water

The most obvious choice, but also the healthiest and cheapest one. You can always fill a bottle of tab water or use the drinking fountain at the gym. And what’s better – water is also calorie-free. This is very important for those who are trying to lose weight because even the calories in the drinks they drink count. If you prefer, you can also drink flavoured water too, and if you don’t want to spend additional money for specially flavoured one – simply add a slice of lemon or lime into the bottle of tab water.

Energy Drinks

Even though sometimes energy drinks are not recommended and could be harmful, when used during or after exercising, they can be helpful too. They contain a number of different nutrients which supposedly improve your mental and physical abilities. According to specialists, drinking an energy drink 10 to 60 minutes before exercising can improve your focus. However, for those who look after their weight, you must know that most energy drinks are very caloric, so keep that in mind before drinking any.

Tomato Juice

You didn’t expect tomato juice to be on the list, did you? Well, according to an article I recently read, tomato juice helps athletes to recover faster after exercising. Moreover, the glucose levels in the muscles turn back to normal faster after tense training.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are very good for those of you who exercise for a long period of time. If you train for 60 minutes or more, having such drink is much better than having only water.

Urdu Poetry /Shairi

تمھیں دل گرفتہ نہیں ساتھیو... ہمیں بھی زمانے سے ہیں کچھ گِلے ― ناصر کاظمی





ہمیں‌سے آنکھ چُراتا ہے اس کا ہر ذرہ... مگر یہ خاک ہمارے ہی خوں کی پیاسی ہے ― ناصر کاظمی




اس ایک شخص کو دیکھو تو آنکھ بھرتی نہیں... اس ایک شخص کو ہر بار چل کے دیکھتے ہیں ― احمد فراز




سنا ہے اس کے لبوں سے گلاب جلتے ہیں... سو ہم بہار پہ الزام دھر کے دیکھتے ہیں ― احمد فراز





سب کھلونے ہیں ٹوٹ جائیں گے... شاہ کیا چیز ہے گدا کیا ہے ― احمد فواد



عشق میں سر پھوڑنا بھی کیا کہ یہ بے مہر لوگ... جوئے خوں کو نام دے دیتے ہیں جوئے شیر کا ― احمد فراز

Earth Day

Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network,^[1] and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.^[2]

In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. 

Eggless No-Bake Mango Cheesecake Recipe

Eggless No-Bake Mango Cheesecake

“Eggless no-bake mango cheesecake recipe” is cheesecake you don’t need to bake. It really doesn’t get easier than that. This is an easy dessert that makes you look really good for making it.

Cuisine	:	American	Calorie count	:
Type	:	Vegetarian	Serving Size	:	6 to 8
Course	:	Dessert	Preparation Time	:	6 Hrs

INGREDIENTS:

No	Ingredient Name	Quantity	Measuring Type
1	Cream cheese	250	Gms
2	Cream	170	Gms
3	Sugar	1/2	Cup
4	Mango Puree	3/4	Cup
5	Gelatine	1	Tablespoon
6	Hot Water	1/4	Cup
7	Graham cracker crumbs	2	Cup
8	Unsalted Butter	75	Gms

Cooking Instructions:

1. Whiz the graham crackers in a food processor. Add melted butter and whiz again until the mixture comes together.
2. Press into the bottom of an 8″ springform pan that’s lined with aluminium foil or use individual glasses. Refrigerate while preparing the rest of the cheesecake.
3. Mix the cream cheese, cream, and sugar in a bowl until well combined. You can do it by hand or use low speed on your Kitchenaid. An electric beater is not needed.
4. Add the gelatine to the hot water and stir till it completely dissolves. Add the mango puree and stir well. Keep half of this mixture aside and add the rest to the cream cheese mixture. Stir gently until well combined.
5. Pour on top of the graham cracker base. Return to fridge for another 10-30 mins.
6. Pour the mango mixture as the third layer. Do this gently so that the layers don’t combine. If you use a springform pan, the top layer will be much thinner, as it should be.
7. Refrigerate overnight and get ready to serve a yummy dessert at your party that can be prepared well in advance!

Garnishing Instructions: Garnish with some whipped cream and mint leaves.

Serving Instructions: Serve chilled.