Tips on how to promote hair growth

What do you do when oil therapy and regular hair spa fail to keep your tresses healthy? An expert suggests use vegetables like carrots and onions to boost the growth.

Hair transplant surgeon Sakshi Sareen explains how to prepare natural pastes for strong hair:

- Onion: Squeeze an onion and take juice out it. Add one to two teaspoons of honey to it. To do away with the odour, you can use rose water with onions. Mix and apply it on your hair. Keep it for 40 to 50 minutes.

- Potato: Blend two to three potatoes and extract the juice. Add one tablespoon of honey, one egg yolk and small amount of water. Mix them together and leave it for 30 minutes on hair. Then rinse hair.

- Garlic: Apply fresh garlic juice on your scalp for effective hair care and hair re-growth.

- Coriander: Make a paste with freshly chopped coriander leaves and water. Use its juice to apply on the scalp. Keep it for about an hour and then wash it off.

- Carrot: Boil some carrots. Grind and blend them in the same water you boiled them in. Apply the paste on your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes then wash it off.

Are colour coordinated tips, toes trendy?

if finding the right shade of nail paint was not enough, now the debate is on whether to wear the same shade on our tips and toes.

Some find matching tips and toes colour classy, while others don't find it trendy.

Vogue.in asked top manicurists for their opinion and here's what they have to say:

Madeline Poole, a runway backstage regular, thinks matching them is "always a classic way to go". But for this season, she adds, there are only a handful of colours that are truly transitional.

"There are the classics for fall like red, nude, black and bordeaux. These colours are interchangeable, they complement each other and can be worn on hands or feet, and on any skin tone," Poole said.

Naomi Yasuda, who has styled Alicia Keys, Madonna and Kelly Osbourne, also thinks matching tips and toes is a good idea.

"It is classic and never goes out of style as opposed to a short lived trend," Yasuda said adding, to make it more modern "do something more intricate on your fingers, like incorporating a nail art design, but keep the base coat the same on your toes. This way, they still match but there is another layer of design or texture on your fingers."

Kimmie Kyees, who counts Rihanna, Katy Perry and Kate Mara among her clients, thinks the idea might be a little outdated.

"To match your fingernails and toes used to be a must back in the day and some women still follow that guideline," she said.

"But in today's day and age, when colour choices have become so abundant, women like to go a little crazy and have fun mixing and matching," Kyees added.

experta also prefers mixing things up.

"For a person like me, who loves to play around with colours, I like applying different shades on the hands and feet,"

"If a person opts for a French manicure on her fingertips, she should try other shades like red, pink, orange or dark colours on her toes. I think it's a trend to apply different colours," Ragui added.

Jenna Hipp, Green Celebrity Nail Stylist, finds it difficult to pick between the two approaches.

"With nail art still trending strong, a matching manicure/pedicure is considered blasé by most. But while I'm a fan of the mix-matched manicure/pedicure, I can't deny the beauty in classic subtle simplicity," Hipp said.

"As a general rule, I recommend choosing shades from the same colour palette to keep your overall look pulled together and intentional," she added.

Warning!

 The Things You Must Not Tell Anyone At Work

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There are some things we shouldn’t tell anyone at work. Sharing the ‘wrong’ things with co-workers can quickly backfire and leave us exposed, vulnerable or side-lined. While some banter with colleagues is great it is important to know where to draw the line.
Like most of us, I have definitely been there. We usually get an immediate sense for when we have crossed that line between acceptable banter and telling people things we shouldn’t have. It is the looks we get as if they wanted to say: I never thought YOU would do THAT!? Or YOU believe WHAT? You are no longer the person I thought you were…
Anything you tell colleagues will spread faster than a revelation of a secret sex tape showing Kate Middelton and Justin Bieber would on Facebook and Twitter. Always remember everyone loves to pass on gossip. What’s more, most people continue to talk and complain about colleagues when they get home or see friends.
So here are my top 10 things I believe you shouldn’t share with anyone at work:

1. Salary or money details – Never talk about money at work, be it details about your salary or how much you have spent on your house, car or latest gadget. Talking about money can trigger lots of negative feelings such as jealousy and resentment.
2. Intimate details about your love or sex life – you might have the most amazing or most miserable love life there is but don't ever share the detail at work.
3. Whether and how much alcohol you drink – even if you are nursing the hangover from hell or want to share the excesses of your super party weekend, don’t do it at work. It will always look unprofessional. And as for talking about other drugs – don’t even think about it!
4. Political views – You might feel like saying: Why would anyone in their right mind vote for Obama? Simply don’t do it. Politics can divide people and open up a massive can of worms.
5. Religious views – The same applies to religious beliefs. It is great that people have their religions but remember that most wars are caused by religious differences.
6. Non-pc jokes – We all like to have a laugh at work but not if it means you discriminate against anyone. If you feel the need to share jokes just think twice whether they might offend someone.
7. Your Facebook account – Making friends at work is wonderful but I feel that connecting with all colleagues on Facebook is a step too far. I use LinkedIn for colleagues and Facebook only for close friends. I think it is so hard to control what goes out to others (e.g. comments of friends of friends etc.). Almost every day I see posts and pictures on Facebook that make me cringe (where friends of friends have posted completely inappropriate things) and it is best to keep colleagues out of that loop.
8. Medical details – For whatever reason we love to talk about our illnesses and ailments. A bit like kids that can't wait to show others their scratches and bruises. Even though we all want to hear about medical details, work is not the place to share how you had an anal probe inserted to check for haemorrhoids.
9. Gossip and negative comments about co-workers - Even if you think that everyone agrees David from the accounts department is a massive jerk – don’t say it out loud!
10. That you are looking for a new job – You might feel unhappy in your job and are actively looking for now post, but don’t tell anyone at work. It will very quickly come out and could leave you in an awkward position.

So here you have it, my top 10 things you shouldn’t share at work. Of course you can disagree with any of them and hopefully you’ll let me know where you agree and disagree. Also, there are probably others you would add to this list – please let us know what they are…
Finally thought: Of course there are some work places where it is safe to share more personal details. I am not advocating that you become a work robot that ever share any part of your personality with others. The point I am making is that at work it is usually inappropriate to share these things and can give unwanted ammunition to those who want to expose or side-line you.

Fashion ComPassion by Ayesha Mustafa

Fashion Compassion is a socially conscious brand founded by young entrepreneur Ayesha Mustafa in 2010. It is a global label that merges high-end design with ethical production practices, offering its customers some of the most eclectic accessories available in the world.

Working closely with brands that employ marginalized communities and skilled artisans from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Bangladesh and now Pakistan who work under the direct tutelage of some of the finest designers, Fashion Compassion provides a global platform where these groups can retail their creations.

Top 10 Things to Do in New Zealand

So, you’re planning a New Zealand Honeymoon? Great idea! For the more adventurous, new-style romantics, New Zealand offers uniquely extraordinary expereinces.
1. Auckland for Foodies:
For the natives, food is an experience to be savoured. For those in Auckland, grab your shopping bags, wake up early and visit the farmer’s market for handmade bread, honey fresh from the bees, flavoured olive oil, a variety of cheeses and much more- the experience is sure to leave your taste buds tingling. You could also enroll yourself for a short cooking lesson, receive recipe suggestions or go on a tailor made food and wine tour. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?

2. Luxury Lodges
Have you ever wanted to lose sense of time? Book yourself for a luxury lodge stay in New Zealand and understand what bespoke truly means. These sprawling properties with personalized services will not just cater to your needs but will delight you at every step with the kind of experiences that they have on offer. Have brunch on the mountains, go horse riding during the day, spend the evening at a private beach with fine wine or simply laze around exploring heritage properties. Let your imagination take a dreamy ride.

3. Walking Trails
If walking hand in hand through valleys and lakes is your idea of a picture perfect postcard then book yourself for a walking trail in the misty Milford tracks of South Island or opt for the Togariro Alpine Trail in North Island. For those wanting to experience the beauty without spending days on the walk, there are shorter guided tours available. Most hotels and lodges will be able to guide you about walking trails in their town – seek their support and step out for some sunshine.

4. Heli-Photo Tours
Whether you’re trying to woo your missus or want to feel like a celebrity on your holiday, you cannot miss A Travel Duet’s heli photo tours. Allow us to whisk you on a chopper to a spot unknown with a professional photographer in tow. With a wine and cheese platter by your side, and the sun sliding across the skyline, all you need is a button to freeze time.

5. Napier’s Art Deco Tours
Once destroyed in an earthquake, this little town is a result of some magical restoration. Explore the city rebuilt in Art Deco style of the 1930′s – architecture and culture buffs are sure to swoon over the vintage style. Other attractions include museums, antiques and Maori art galleries coupled with some fine boutique wineries in the region.

6. Beach Hopping at Coromandel Coast
With the crystal clear waters of the Pacific, some secluded beaches and warm natives the Coromandel is one of New Zealand’s best kept secrets. You can explore Cathedral Cove by boat, or settle down and spend the evening at a hot water beach. A walk around the coast is equally inviting. On a lucky day, you might find perfect reflections on the beach.

7. Intimate cruising in Doubtful Sound
Pick a private cabin, hold a glass of bubbly and watch the Fiords come alive. Experience solitude or enjoy some kayaking. Wildlife enthusiasts will be greeted by seals, penguins and dolphins.

8. Canyon Swing
Fasten your chest belts, hold your loved one and take the leap of faith! A tandem canyon swing is an adventurous cliff jump which is a great alternative to bungee jumping. With several different styles of jumping and an unmatchable adrenaline rush, this is a ride that will make thrill seeking couples ask for more.

9. Wine tours in Martinborough
Welcome to a town that is passionate about food and wine. Our recommendation is that you do a wine tour and spend the afternoon having a picnic lunch at one of the boutique wineries. Take it slow and spend some quality time bicycling around the region.

10. Hot Pools
Imagine being under the night sky sprinkled with stars, clouds slowly drifting over mountains as you slowly sink into a hot tub with your loved one under the watchful eyes of aromatic candles. Pamper yourself and soak in one of the most fantastic experiences that New Zealand has to offer. Most resorts, lodges and hotels provide the facility of hot pools – some facing the lake or mountains or in an open backyard. With a bottle of bubbly, this is a must-do on our list.

Skincare tips while travelling

Take time off and travel to a relaxing destination. But while packing your bag, make sure to take along skin care products like moisturiser and face wash.

Here are a few must-carry skin care products suggested by Aakriti Kochar, beauty and makeup expert, Oriflame India:

Light-weight moisturiser or sunblock: These will help to avoid skin damage and pigmentation.

Face wash: When excess oil settles on your skin for long, it causes acne. It is advised to wash face every six to eight hours to avoid such skin problems.

Sanitizer: Our hands come in contact with many surfaces that attract bacteria and infections. An anti-bacterial sanitizer will keep hands clean and bacteria-free.

Toner or astringent: Regularly use a toner or astringent to remove impurities from skin.

Blotting paper: Use it to wipe excess oil or dirt from the 'T' zone of your face. The blotting paper also removes impurities and also keeps makeup intact. 

Tips for glossy makeup

Women often wonder whether to try matt makeup or glossy one. An expert says try glossy to make your face glow, but avoid it during summer or humid weather.

"Makeup that's matt will not have a wet shine or glow to it as the foundation has been settled with powder. When you are wearing matt make up, a glow can be brought about by adding a powder blush or shimmer," makeup artist Renuka Pillai told IANS.

"Shine makeup or what I would rather call 'glossy', gives a more dewy effect as the foundation used is generally a liquid or a tinted moisturiser with minimal powdering. It gives a rather nice glow to the face," she added.

She suggests to highlight cheekbones, add a bronzer or creamy highlighter.

Glossy makeup gives the glow that we thrive for, but Pillai says to check the season too.

"During summer season, try and keep it matt. Sometimes glossy can get a little oily looking if there is humidity," she exp