5 Steps to get fairer skin? {Five Series}

PS: This post is for all those people who have asked me to give tips on fairer skin. I am sorry that I couldn't reply to you all personally but hope this post is helpful to you :)

Since quite long, I have been seeing a trend of questions on this topic from people who are either getting married or who have darker skin tones. So, first of all, I would like to say that you can't really lighten the skin complexion. The skin color is determined by the amount of melanin your skin has and you can't do anything to reduce the amount of this pigment inside your skin. Ok, after that bit of science, I would like to say that you can do somethings to preserve your original complexion.

Sunscreen

Yup, that's the first step to any kind of skin care. And, I totally stress on the importance of this routine. I would suggest Neutrogena Ultra Sheer but my favourite is MVO Moisturizing Face Screen. I have often heard complains that the sunscreen does nothing but the secret lies in using the proper amount of sunscreen to provide full protection.

Double Cleansing

To remove makeup or sunscreen after an entire day of work, use oil or a good makeup remover before washing your face. Its one of the most important routines of the night. 

Face Wash and Tone

Use your face wash as you would and don't forget to use the toner if your face is oily. I would suggest using homemade toners for your skin type. Green tea for oily and combination skin and rose water for dry skin. You can do other experiments with them as well.

Moisturize and Nourish

One of the most important routines even if your skin is oily. Get a good moisturizer. Or, use aloevera gel if your skin is oily. Its the best bet. For dry skin, I would suggest using a facial oil or serum instead of moisturizer at night. 

Face Scrub and Mask

The above steps were regular routine. But, some extra love is needed to keep skin in perfect condition so exfoliate on every alternate day for oily skin or if you layer too many products on your skin at day time. And, if you have dry skin, exfoliate twice a week. 

For dry skin, use sugar to exfoliate. For combination and oily skin, mix salt and sugar to exfoliate. They have alpha-hydroxy acids which help with removing the blemishes and dark spots on regular usage. Also, they keep the skin supple and improve the skin tone by making the skin look brighter.

After scrubbing, always follow with a mask. You can use any commercially-available products. I would not suggest you to use fruit masks after scrubbing with sugar because fruits also have active enzymes and sugar also have active enzymes so that can too much for your skin at a single time. 

If you plan to use fruits, remember that they have active enzymes which do both the jobs - exfoliation and acting as a mask so keep the fruit juices on your skin for 15 minutes and wash off. Using sugar to exfoliate and using fruit juices as mask afterwards can make the skin sensitive. Honey is a good mask in such cases.

These are the steps I follow regularly to keep my complexion glowing. Please remember that whatever you do to your face, do the same to your neck and decolletage. You don't want your neck and lower body to look older and uncared for. But, also remember NOT to overdo things EVER. Keep things regular and you will notice difference in a month. 

What's your secret to preserving your skin complexion? Are you already following a particular routine or going to follow this routine? Do share your results :)

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Do you apply a primer before makeup? {Your Opinion}

I thought this post would form a very interesting premise to a post which is gonna come soon. No, its not gonna be on makeup but I think primer is much more useful than just being a base for makeup!

Anyways, leaving all that, do you know what a primer is? A primer forms a base on which makeup can be applied smoothly. So, one can draw an analogy from a smooth canvas on which an artist can create his art with ease. Or, may be the plaster on which paint is applied so that it does not peel off!!

For me, a primer is something which absorbs oil on the skin, keeps it matte and provides a smooth base for the next product so that there is an even look. Also, it keeps the entire makeup in place for long and does not let the face become dull.  

Now, there are a lot of primers available depending on the functionality of the product like a foundation primer or eyelid primer or even mascara primer! Anyways, this concept of primer probably originated from the use of primers in painting and woodwork.

So, do you apply primer before makeup? Which primer do you like best?  Have you ever heard of primers?

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Soulflower Grapeseed Oil {Product Review}

I have been using this oil since quite long. Earlier I had been using it just for the hair as a leave-in serum but in December and Jan, I had been using it as a moisturizer as well. So, how did this work out?

Ok, let me first talk about the texture of this oil. Grapeseed is supposed to be one of the best oils for the oily skin because of its lightness. Thus, it works amazingly as a leave-in serum without weighing the hair down. I had also put couple of drops of rosemary essential oil into the oil.

Since my hair is dry in texture, I can say it worked fantastically for me and there were lesser hair splits than normal. Just a drop or two of the oil rubbed on the palm and finger tips helps control the dryness of the scalp and hair!! And, it also helps with controlling dandruff and stimulates hair growth which was my main motivation to buy it!!

Regarding how it works on skin, I used it in the months of winter so it was absorbed quickly into the skin. And, needless to say, it was quite non-greasy and it did keep my skin moisturized all the time. In the harsher winters, one might need a layer of another moisturizer to keep the skin from drying but for Hyderabad, this oil sufficed quite well.

Also, I have noticed now that I have stopped using the oil, my skin has become dull. I have not been using sunscreen since almost three months and this oil had protected my skin quite well against the sun damage. My skin was bright enough and did not look dry or aged. But, now it has started looking a bit like that and the lines under the eyes have deepened as well. So, yes, it does protect the skin pretty well.

Price : Rs 350 for 30ml

Have you used this oil? Did you like it?

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