Manic Manicure!

We give you tips on how to deal with an all-wrong manicure!

It’s your day of leisure. You decide to treat yourself to some serious pampering, starting with a blissful manicure. You turn on the television, sink into a comfy chair and start with your nails. After a while you have a look at your artwork – oops! One of your nails look as if it has been a meal to a rodent, and another one is shaped (or unshaped) to resemble something between a square and a round. Dirty, unkempt and shapeless nails will often spoil your entire look, even if you are dressed in your hottest couture. But don’t panic! You don’t have to wait for the nail to grow and gain back its shape and lost glory, as you can go in for the various nail quick fixes available.
Check this out…

Nail Extensions
If your manicure has cut the length of your nails short, it’s nail extension to your rescue. In this process, artificial but real-looking nails are chosen according to the width of your own nail. They are glued onto your natural nail, and then cut to the length of your choice. Then the skilled professional will file the nails into perfection and apply a color or gloss of your choice on them. And the best bet is that – it’s the easiest, and the cheapest way to get long and glamorous nails in e jiffy!

Acrylic nail extension can give you sturdy and healthy looking nails. An acrylic solution is applied at the base of your nail, on the area where the artificial one is bonded with your natural one. Once the artificial nail is bonded, a gel with thick viscosity is applied all over the nail. This gel is usually set under UV light. Silk wrap method provides long lasting results. A thin lightweight linen is applied to the base of the bonded nail. Apart from silk, wraps in linen or fiberglass are also common. You can go in for ‘refills’ once your nail grows, to conceal the gap between the base of the base of the nail and the extension. This will help you maintain your extended nails longer while giving it a natural look. You could also go in for ‘buff and polish’, where the nails are buffed back to shape and polished to give back its finish.

Nail Art
Flaunt nails of different lengths and colors! Sport artificial nails with wild and creative designs. It’s a rage, since it offers a variety of multi-dimensional and multi-colored designs. Mood for an extra sparkle? Then opt for stick-on diamantes and crystals. Give it a protective layer of clear topcoat. What better way to hide your flawed nail?

Nail Tattoo
A tattoo on your nails is fun and trendy! It will also take off the attention from your shapeless blunder. They are temporary and of the stick-on variety to be applied over your nail, more or less like the ‘bindi’.

Always make sure that you go to a skilled nail expert to give you that perfect manicure. You could also go in to nail spas and indulge in different treatments available exclusively for your fingers.

When giving yourself a manicure at home remember…
* Always file your nails only in one direction.
* Use a non-acetone nail polish remover.
* Make sure you don’t peel your skin and cuticle off in the wrong direction.
* Use clean manicure set.
* Apply a clear nail polish as a top coat or sealer. This will minimize chipping or cracking of the nail.

by Eva Pavithran; Femina mgz

Humidity & Your Hair

Is our sticky head dragging your mane down?
Here’s how to keep your locks in check

Dry, Frizzy Hair
Hair that is moisture deficient can be dry and frizzy. Humidity makes it more unmanageable and harder to control.

Do * Condition all over, focusing on hair ends, which are driest. Leave-in conditioners and twice-weekly hair masks are recommended. * Finger-dry roots instead of blow-drying to avoid overheating. Velcro curlers are a good alternative to curling tongs if you want to achieve waves without heat. * Use a lightweight detangling spray. * Smooth a little de-frizzing emulsion or gloss serum over dry hair to tame it.

Don’t * Subject hair to direct intense heat without protection. This includes the sun, so pick products with UV filters. * Apply too much styling products like gel or mousse as chemical build-up requires more washing than is healthy. * Vigorously rub hair dry with a towel as it aggravates frizz. Always pat hair dry gently.

expert Advice
“Use a deep cleansing or purifying shampoo for frizzy hair once a week to thoroughly remove all residual products like glosses or serums. This prevents build-up, which can cause a bacterial infection within the scalp.”
- Janise Kok, art director from Toni & Guy.

Greasy Hair
Caused by over-active sebaceous glands, oily hair quickly becomes flat, lifeless and clumpy, making styling difficult.

Do * Skip roots and scalp when you condition your hair as it’ll make it even more limp. * Use shampoos and conditioners formulated for oily scalps. Stay away from creamy or heavy shampoos, conditioners and waxes. * Apply a dry shampoo (with starch) in the day to absorb sebum if your scalp is excessively greasy.

Don’t * Wash your hair with hot water as oil glands will become more active. Lukewarm or cool water is best. * Over-massage or use nails to scratch scalp while washing as oil glands are stimulated by massage. Same goes for brushing so try a comb instead. * Apply shine-enhancing styling products like gloss serums.

expert advice
“Just like you need moisturizer for oily skin, apply a moisturizer for scalp like Kerastase Fluide Purifiant to regulate oil production and clarify the scalp. Depriving scalp of moisture will only make glands overcompensate and produce more sebum.”
- Adeline Ho, trainer from Kerastase.

Fine, Limp Hair
Lifeless hair makes for difficult styling since locks quickly deflate, especially at the crown.

Do * Brush dry hair and scalp before washing to remove excess build-up, which flattens hair. * Pick layered hairstyles for extra volume. One-length styles tend to look flat. * Use a volumising hair care regime ranging from shampoo to styling products. * Apply styling products on damp hair before blow-drying. Doing so on dry hair will weight it down instead.

Don’t * Apply waxes or gels directly onto roots or you won’t get any volume * Run fingers through hair too much as it distributes natural oils from the scalp and makes hair limp. * Pile on styling products since some may contain ingredients that are weighty. Less is more for fine hair.

expert advice
“Spritz a little Phytovolume Actif hair spray to damp roots prior to styling. It guarantees all-day voluminous hair and is a secret weapon with Hollywood celebs.”
- Lynn Tan, managing director for Phyto in Singapore.

Porous Hair
Porous hair doesn’t absorb or retain moisture readily. Making it dry and prone to breakage or split ends. Chemical processes can also cause porous hair.

Do * Blow-dry on warm, not hot, and avoid exposing hair to heat once it’s fully dry or you’ll cause further damage or breakage. * Apply serum from mid-length to tips immediately on towel-dried hair as damp hair has a higher absorption rate. * Select products with a higher concentration of nutrients like amino acids to strengthen hair structure.

Don’t * Forget to do a hair treatment following any chemical processing such as coloring, perming or straightening. * Subject hair to direct sun exposure. Either wear a hat or apply leave-in UV protection. * Treat hair with any hot oil treatment unless it’s made from natural ingredients. Hair will be coated so much that moisture won’t be able to penetrate hair shafts.

expert advice
“I highly recommend leave-in or protein-rich conditioners for nourishing and softening chemically-weakened porous hair. Pick one that has UV filters for sun protection.”
- Evande Loh, international director of Shunji Matsuo.

By Allyson Klass

Pore Over This

Clogged and enlarged pores are a no-no for smooth flawless skin. Mary Lim offers some solutions.

Our tropical climate is a bane to skin. The combination of heat and humidity encourages sebum production, which makes us prone to clogged and enlarged pores. Dermatologists and aesthetic physicians reveal that open pores are a major concern among many patients. Unless you plan to move to cooler climes, dealing with open pores must be part of your regular skincare regime.

Dr Calvin Chan, director of Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser Clinic, says: “There is no permanent cure for enlarged pores. We can use over-the-counter products and/or clinic treatments to help achieve a temporary reduction but the effects last only as long as treatment is maintained.”

Why do pores become enlarged?

For starters, pores are a natural part of the skin. They mark the openings of sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum, an oily substance which protects the skin and prevents it from becoming dry and brittle.

In warmer climates, sebaceous glands become overactive. As such, pores expand to accommodate the increased amount of sebum released by the glands. This is why open pores are usually found in oily parts of the face, like the T-zone, says Dr Alvin Wong, managing partner at SkinLab Medical Spa.

Larger pore size is also often associated with thicker skin, which tends to be hereditary. However, Dr Chan says the condition can also arise from lifestyle choices such as excessive sun exposure. “The sun causes the epidermis to thicken, so a rim of cells collects around the pores. Eventually, these rings exaggerate pore diameter.”

Open pores also indicate poor skin grooming or lax exfoliation (ideally, exfoliate twice a week). As surface oil and dead skin cells accumulate around the edges, pores appear bigger than they actually are, adds Dr Chan. The condition is compounded by blackheads, which result when dead skin cells, oil and bacteria choke pores, expanding and making them more visible.

Maintaining your skin
While clinical treatments yield quicker results, both doctors say skincare products play an important role in regular maintenance.

It is essential to pick the right product for your skin type. Marjorie Lee, training manager at Estee Lauder, says: “It’s all about through cleansing. When pores are clogged, they appear larger and skin looks less refined. For instance, those with oily skin should look for products with salicylic acid because it helps unclog pores and removes embedded impurities and trapped oil.

Picking good skincare products to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores means reading the ingredient label or asking questions. Dr Chan suggests looking out for these ingredients in over-the-counter products:

* Azelaic Acid – Helps skin fight against bacteria.
* Retinol – Improves skin texture and reduces pore visibility.
* Aha or Alpha Hydroxy Acid – Boosts skin exfoliation to allow for deeper penetration of other skin treatments.
* Beta Hydroxy Acid – (another term for salicylic acid). Derived from willow bark, wintergreen leaves and sweet birch bark to remove cellular debris and clean put pores.

SimplyHer mgz

Beauty Aids in the Kitchen

No time to visit your facialist?
Let nature come to the rescue with these simple beautifiers

Tip!
Use only the pulp or juice of fresh fruits.

Avocados
Packed with nutritious oils and amino acids, avocados are naturally rich moisturizers for dry skin or hair. They also make very nourishing masks for ageing skin.
Recipe to try
Apply mashed avocado to face and leave for 20 minutes. Or, mix mashed avocado with a little olive oil and massage into hair. Leave for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Tip
For really dry skin, add double cream or 2 tbsp of honey to avocado for a face mask.

Cucumbers
The cooling, astringent properties of cucumber reduce inflammation and hydrate dry, itchy skin. Good for calming sunburnt skin.
Recipe to try
To tighten skin, juice a cucumber, apply onto face, leave until dry, then rinse. For toning action, add chopped mint and whisked egg white, and leave on face for 20 minutes.
Tip
A slice of cold cucumber placed over the eye reduced puffiness and tiredness.

Eggs
Egg whites have a tightening effect and improve skin tone so they make a great tired-face reviver for oily skin and a good mask for dry and ageing skin. Yolks nourish skin.
Recipe to try
For a nourishing face mask, mix 1 egg with 1 tsp honey and leave for 20 minutes.
Tip
For a pre-party mini facelift to plump up your face, simply smooth egg white over face and wash off when dry. Leaves skin taut.

Honey
Softening and soothing, honey is an ideal facial mask as it removes dead skin cells. A good anti-irritant too, so it’s ideal for sensitive skin.
Recipe to try
Massage honey into skin with fingers, working it into a ‘lather’ using warm water, then rinse. To use as an exfoliant, mix 2 tsp of sugar with 1 tbsp of honey and rub over face.
Tip
Add 1 tsp honey to four cups water. Pour over conditioned hair for shine.

Lemons
A natural, powerful astringent, the fruit acids in lemons cleanse and tone, perfect for oily and combination skin, and will give a nice glow.
Recipe to try
For a fabulous toner, dilute lemon juice with a little water. Put in a pump bottle and leave in the fridge. Spray and wipe over face as a toner.
Tip
To remove blemishes, rub a slice of lemon on your face, leave it overnight, then wash with cold water in the morning.

Oatmeal
It softens skin and is deal for soothing sensitive or sun-damage skin.
Recipe to try
Blend 1 cup of yogurt with half a cup of oatmeal and apply to the skin for 10 minutes, before rinsing. Reduces irritation, inflammation or sunburn.
Tip
Oats can also be used as a body scrub. Just add water to make a paste and scrub on to body during your shower.

Olive oil (read Secret Olive Oil)
The vitamins in olive oil have a cell-renewing effect and nourish and protect skin, giving it all-round beauty properties.
Recipe to try
For a moisturizing hair mask to add gloss and sheen, mix half a cup of warm olive oil with 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply to hair, wrap in a towel for 20 minutes and shampoo out.
Tip
For brittle nails and dry hands, warm a little olive oil and soak your hands and nails for 10 minutes, apply gloves and go to bed. They will be oh-so-soft in the morning.

Papayas
An enzyme called papain, most abundant in the flesh of the unripe papaya, acts as an excellent milk exfoliant to deeply cleanse skin and get rid of dead skin cells.
Recipe to try
Mix 1 large fresh papaya with 1 cup of camomile infusion and water. Apply to face for 10minutes, before rinsing.
Tip
Dab nose and chin with papaya juice to remove blackheads.

Tomatoes
Truly cleansing, the fruit acid in tomato gives it a gentle peeling action on the face – great for oily skins. Leaves skin clean, fresh and tight.
Recipe to try
Pulp tomato and strain it to get juice. Add an equal amount of milk. Keep in the fridge. Apply to face with cotton wool twice a day and leave for 10 minutes.
Tip
To cleanse oily skin, cut a tomato in half and rub both halves on face in a circular motion. Let it dry, the rinse.

Salt
With powerful anti-bacterial properties, salt helps draw out impurities. It exfoliates dry, flaky skin, leaving it smooth and glowing.
Recipe to try
Mix sea salt with almond oil and rub in circular motions into thighs and bottom to exfoliate. Leaves skin renewed, fresh and soft.
Tip
Mix 1 tbsp salt with warm water, put in a pump bottle. Spritz hair before roller application to help curls last.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Wellbeing – Uncover the Secrets to Enhancing Your Zest for Life

Take timeout

You know you’re too busy when you:
* Tell the microwave or kettle to hurry up.
* Return phone calls from the bath tub.
* Skip over the vowels when you read.
* Feel decadent for talking time off to visit the dentist.
* Drink less to reduce your trips to the bathroom.

Quick Fix
Energy drinks sound so good with ingredients such as vitamins, amino acids and ginseng, but the jolt they give you is usually the result of the sugar or caffeine that they contain. Keep consumption to a minimum and take the energy you need from an improved diet.

Nature’s Remedy
Sage Advice; Sage, a herb linked to memory retention, is now being studied by researchers looking at new Alzheimers treatments. Teams at Britain’s Medicinal Plant Research Centre report that sage is positively associated with the chemical messenger, acetylcholine. (Alzheimers, a common form of dementia, is accompanied by a drop in acetylcholine). As if its brain-boosting properties are not enough, sage also contains significant antioxidant, estrogenic and anti inflammatory agents.

Soften up
The body can break down most pills but if you want to check your vitamin supplement’s digestibility, dunk one of them in vinegar. It should break apart within 30 minutes.

Green Power
Eating your greens is now more important than ever, with high consumption of cabbage being linked to low breast cancer rates. Epidemiologist Dorothy Rybaczyk Pathak wondered why Polish women were more likely to get breast cancer if they immigrated to the US. Her research found a specific link – cabbage. Polish women eat about 13kg of the stuff every year, raw or lightly cooked. But when they move overseas their consumption drops to about 4kg. Dorothy recommends eating three servings of raw or just-cooked cabbage a week. To receive the greatest benefit, you should start serious munching in your teens.

Q: I’ve been on a low-carb diet and now want to go back to eating normally. Will my body have forgotten how to metabolise carbohydrates? A: No, it’s physiologically impossible. But many people fear that they will quickly put weight back on once they revert to a diet that includes pasta, potatoes and bread. This may actually be true in some cases, especially if you don’t exercise, as losing weight without exercise is likely to result in a drop in lean muscle mass. The best way to stay healthy is to build up your muscles with half an hour or more of exercise five times a week and get your carbohydrates from whole grains, fresh produce, beans and lentils.