Oil up with Castor Oil – Naturally Longer and Thicker Hair Castor oil is a great hair oil that works wonders on your hair, it may be too thick which can be a turn off but the amazing benefits of the oil will help in the regrowth of hair making it longer, stronger and thicker. Take castor oil in a bowl, section off your hair and with a cotton ball apply the oil to the scalp coating the roots of your hair, then take a wide toothed comb and comb through to distribute the oil to your entire hair. Exfoliating Scalp Treatment For healthy hair you need a healthy scalp so it is important to treat your scalp right if you want your hair to grow faster and stronger. So once a week show your scalp some love with an at home natural scalp treatment which will help: * to treat dandruff * get rid of any product build up * exfoliate to get rid of any dry itchy scalp * help to grow longer and stronger hair Mix coconut oil with few drops of lemon juice, section off your hair, with a brush or cotton ball apply the mixture to your scalp. Gently massage your scalp with your finger tips in circular motion, leave it on for about 15 – 20 mins and finish off with your regular shampoo and conditioner. Coconut oil helps to condition and moisturizer the scalp while lemon exfoliates the scalp which will help your hair grow more faster and healthier.

11 Benefits of Green Tea That You Didn’t Know About I’m a green tea drinker. Not for the love of the taste — no way! I drink it because I’m told it’s good for me…or, to be honest, the real reason I drink it is because I believe it help keeps my weight in check. But recently I decided to look into it a bit deeper and see what are all these other benefits of green tea people talk of. Why Green Tea? Green tea has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, originating in China but widely used throughout Asia this beverage has a multitude of uses from lowering blood pressure to preventing cancer. The reason that green tea has more health benefits attached to it than black tea is (apparently) due to the processing. Black tea is processed in a way that allows for fermentation whereas green tea’s processing avoids the fermentation process. As a result, green tea retains maximum amount of antioxidants and poly-phenols the substances that give green tea its many benefits. Here’s a list of some of its amazing benefits — benefits that you may not have been aware of. Some of these benefits are still being debated, so please do your own research if you want to use green tea for medicinal purposes. Weight Loss. Green tea increases the metabolism. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories. Diabetes. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage. Heart Disease. Scientists think, green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks. Esophageal Cancer. It can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them. Cholesterol. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells. Tooth Decay. Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Depression. Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers. Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases. Skincare. Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage. How Much? These are some of the many benefits but the reality is one cup of tea a day will not give you all the abundant gains. The jury is out on how many cups are necessary; some say as little as two cups a day while others five cups — and more still say you can drink up to ten cups a day. If you are thinking of going down this route, you may want to consider taking a green tea supplement instead (it would keep you out of the bathroom). Another thing to point out is that there is caffeine in green tea — so if you are sensitive to caffeine then one cup should be your limit. Green tea also contains tannins (which can decrease the absorption of iron and folic acid), so if you are pregnant or trying to conceive then green tea may not be ideal for you. You can try mixing green tea with other healthy ingredients such as ginger.

Shimmer and Shine with Homemade Herbal Shampoos Having strong, beautiful hair doesn't require exotic hair treatments, or cost a fortune. Simple, homemade products can keep your hair healthy, bouncy and full of shine - and they're easier to make than a pot of soup. Great-looking hair is something everyone desires, and it is not difficult to achieve. If you eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest, your skin and hair will show it. Although proper hair care and conditioning are vital, the most important thing you can do for your hair is to keep it clean and well nourished. Hair-care products, such as shampoos, conditioners and rinses, all perform specific functions that keep your hair looking and feeling its best. Shampoo cleans the scalp first and hair second by loosening dirt and oils. Conditioners protect the hair from drying out and becoming too brittle, which can result in breakage. Rinses clean the hair thoroughly and help to remove any hair-product traces. Make sure to keep homemade hair products in clean containers in a cool, dry place. Avoid germ contamination by washing hands before making and using hair-care products. If the products separate, simply stir the mixture thoroughly. If one of your homemade products smells very bad, it probably is. Throw it out. ARE YOU SHAMPOOING CORRECTLY? - Shampoo is liquid soap for washing your hair - a combination of water, detergent and some type of fat or oil. How often you wash your hair is a matter of personal choice, but keeping it clean is important. Here are a few guidelines I use when washing my hair: - Use a small amount of shampoo (the size of a quarter); it is better to repeat the amount than waste too much the first time. - Pour the shampoo into the palm of your hand, never directly onto your head. Rub your palms together gently to create a lather before applying the shampoo to your hair. - Remember to massage the shampoo into your scalp to get it really clean. A clean scalp is important for healthy hair. - Rinse well for at least two full minutes and use the coolest water you can stand. My mother always told me that the colder the water, the greater the shine! - Dry your hair gently; blot rather than rub dry with a towel. I like to make a turban-style hat out of my bath towel and wear it on my head for 10 to 20 minutes. This helps absorb the water. - Always use a wide-toothed comb on wet hair, never a brush. - Most people prefer their shampoo in liquid or cream form. Extra ingredients often are added to shampoos for desired treatments or benefits, such as more body or shine. The following recipe is for a basic shampoo. It will seem thinner in consistency than most commercial shampoos. I assure you that the results are equivalent. BASIC SHAMPOO Yield: 4 ounces 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup liquid soap, such as castile 1/2 teaspoon light vegetable oil (omit if you have very oily hair.) Mix together all ingredients. Pour the shampoo into a clean squeeze bottle or empty shampoo bottle. Shampoo as you normally would and rinse well with cool water. HERBAL SHAMPOO Yield: 8 ounces Certain herbs added to your favorite shampoo can bring out your hair's natural highlights. Chamomile makes a mild shampoo that is perfect for fine, light-colored hair; the flowers have a mild bleaching effect. If you have dark hair, use rosemary or lavender to enhance your own natural color. 1/2 cup water 2 tablespoons dried or 1/3 cup fresh chamomile, lavender or rosemary 1/2 cup Basic Shampoo (see Page 48) or mild commercial shampoo 2 tablespoons glycerin Mix together the water and herbs and heat gently to make a strong tea. Let the mixture steep for at least 20 minutes. Add shampoo and glycerin to the herbal water mixture and stir well. Pour shampoo into a clean squeeze bottle or empty shampoo bottle. Let the mixture sit overnight to thicken. Shampoo and rinse well. BODY AND BOUNCE BEER SHAMPOO Yield: 10 ounces Beer is one of my favorite beauty treatments for hair - nothing else gives my hair such body, bounce and shine. This shampoo is a cinch to make and it really works. After you've tried it, you'll never throw out flat or stale beer. 1 cup beer (any inexpensive beer will do - fresh or flat) 1 cup Basic Shampoo (see Page 48) or inexpensive commercial shampoo Heat beer in a small saucepan over medium heat and boil until beer is reduced to 1/4 cup. Add reduced beer to shampoo and stir well. Pour shampoo into a clean squeeze bottle or empty shampoo bottle. (You do not need to refrigerate this product.) Shampoo and rinse well. HAVE UNBELIEVABLY HEALTHY HAIR I once visited a new hair salon in Portland, Oregon. The stylist was amazed at how healthy my hair was - she could not believe that I used electric rollers and a blow-dryer on my hair every day. I told her that I used a weekly mayonnaise hair pack. Another client asked if it was one of the latest cholesterol treatments being sold at the salon. "No," I replied, "just normal mayonnaise from the grocery store." That night, I am sure the stylist and several other customers were wearing mayonnaise hair packs on their heads. Conditioning hair packs are rich in natural creams and oils. They are massaged into clean hair and left on to allow the rich ingredients to penetrate. They are especially effective for dry hair and hair damaged by too much sun or blow-drying. A weekly hair pack will return moisture and life to your hair. To make your own natural hair packs, choose one or a combination of the products from the following list - for example, avocado and mayonnaise. Mash or stir the products together to yield approximately 1/4 cup, less or more depending on your hair length. Apply the mixture to clean, damp hair. Wrap your hair with a large piece of plastic wrap or use a plastic shower cap to hold in heat and open up the hair follicles for deep conditioning. Wait 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly with cool water. Depending on your hair type and the ingredients you use, you probably will want to follow with a shampoo. CONDITIONING PACK For dry hair: Coconut oil, banana, avocado, mayonnaise For normal hair: Mayonnaise, egg, olive oil, unflavored yogurt For oily hair: Add a little lemon juice (1 to 2 teaspoons) to the products for normal hair TROUBLESHOOT HAIR PROBLEMS The following is a list of products to try as a final rinse after you shampoo. Remember always to rinse your hair with the coolest water you can stand for at least one full minute after using these rinses. Each recipe makes enough for one application. Lemon juice: The juice of 1 lemon mixed with 1 cup water brings back life and shine to dull hair. Baking soda: 1 tablespoon baking soda mixed with 1 cup water removes hair spray and gel residue. Apple cider vinegar: 1/2 cup vinegar mixed with 2 cups water gives your hair shine and bounce. Tomato juice: 1 cup of tomato juice will remove strong odors, such as smoke, from your hair. DITCH THE DYE There also are many natural rinses you can use to color or highlight your hair. These rinses create gradual changes in your hair when used over a period of time; the longer you use them, the more dramatic the results. After shampooing, try one of the following: Chamomile: This will lighten fair hair. To make a rinse, pour 2 cups boiling water over 1/4 cup chamomile flowers. Cool; strain before using. Rhubarb: This also will lighten hair. Use 1/4 cup chopped, fresh rhubarb to 2 cups boiling water. Cool; strain before using. Sage, lavender and cinnamon: These will darken hair. Use 1/4 cup sage or lavender (or 3 cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces) to 2 cups boiling water. Cool; strain before using. Hibiscus flowers: These will give red highlights to light or dark hair. Use dry flowers or herbal tea containing hibiscus flowers. Steep the flowers in boiling water to the shade you desire. Cool; strain before using. Remember you can always go darker, so start out with a weak mixture

DAINA OF LONDON CITY GLAMOUR NAIL ENAMEL Enriched With Vitamin-E & Calcium So invest in to caring for them, using Diana’s city glamour nail enamel. You greet with them…you talk with them… Next to your face your hands are the most expressive part of the body. State-of-the-art nail enamel, High-shine finish with an instant stroke of glamour, irresistible colors go on smoother and faster without chipping and streaking, set in 60 seconds, Toluene, DBP, Camphor & Formaldehyde free. SHADE : BLEEDING HEART NO. : 83 PRICE: 220 INR ,….. AFTER DISCOUNT: 190 INR APLICATION TIPS -Apply Base Coat. A base coat/clear coat provides an ideal surface for nail polish. This step is optional, but recommended. Applying a thin base coat to your nails will make your nail polish last longer and look smoother. Wait for 2 minutes to dry well. -Apply nail color of your choice. Applying polish can be tricky, try to apply just enough to cover the nail without showing brush strokes. If you do not achieve the desired color. -Dry After Each Coat. Each coat of nail polish should be given at least 5 -7 minutes to dry before another is applied, or a top coat is applied. -Clear Coat. Apply a top coat/clear coat, when your nails are completely dry. To help make sure your nails have dried completely, try applying the final coat of polish half an hour before bed time, and then apply the top coat in the morning. Without Flash…… I love these nail polishes! I definitely recommend getting them before they run out. The nails polishes are duo-chrome and will capture the attention it deserves when worn out. It takes about 2-3 coats tops to get the nail polish to look as beautiful as it is in the bottle. Go get them before they are gone! Hurry… Rating: A Thanks & Regards Deepti

Hair Growth Hot Oil Treatment

ngredients 3 drops of essential oil of thyme 3 drops of essential oil of lavender 3 drops of essential oil of rosemary 3 drops of essential oil of cedarwood 1/8 cup of grapeseed oil 1/8 cup of jojoba oil Directions Mix all together very well then Apply at night, to scalp in thinning areas. Do not rinse out till morning. Ingredients like rosemary help stimulate hair growth, while nourishing the scalp and clearing away of impurities.

Coconut Milk & Honey Hair Smoothie DEEP CONDITIONER

Coconut Milk & Honey Hair Smoothie Ingredients 1 can of pure coconut milk (rich moisturize—hydrates, conditions and defrizzes . hair) 1 ripe avocado (natural source of protein—chlorine robs the hair of protein) 2 tablespoons of pure honey (conditions and adds sheen) 2 tablespoons of olive oil (hydrophobic oil that acts as a barrier to chlorine . and salt water) Directions Add ingredients to blender. Mix at high speed until your concoction reaches a smoothie consistency. Section hair into 4 segments. Generously apply evenly to hair, from root to ends concentrating on ends…as they are the most prone to damage. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can warm up your hair smoothie in the microwave before next application. Just enough do de-chill. Feel free to substitute the olive oil for any natural oil of your choice. Add more oil for extra dry hair, e.g. 1 tablespoon. Add more honey for hair that needs more sheen, e.g. 2 tablespoons.

Herbal Facial at Home

Things you will need: • Honey, 2-3 tbsp • Rolled oats/Rice flour -2 tbsp • Potato grated- 1 medium sized (please do it just before starting else it will oxidize and turn black) • Coconut milk/water-1/2 cup (for dry skin) or Orange Juice-1/2 cup (for oily skin) • Green tea bags, 3 unused • Mashed papaya-1/4 cup • Mashed strawberries-4 • Mashed banana-1/2 cup • Olive oil/Almond oil-2 tbsp • Ice cubes and a bowl filled with cold water

Steps to follow: Cleansing: First of all cleanse your face thoroughly with water. Now take the grated potato and rub on your skin for 5 minutes in gentle circular movements. This will take out the dirt and grime from your face. It also helps in getting rid of the tan. Now wipe of the face with a tissue dipped in cold water. • Benefits of Potato: Raw potatoes are rich in minerals like Potassium, Sulphur and Phosphorous, and essentially these minerals are excellent for skin care. There is also the presence of vitamins and antioxidant compounds in raw potato juice, which helps improve the skin tone and has antibacterial properties. Also, the enzymes present in the pulp of raw potatoes are excellent for skin care. Exfoliating: Now take the mashed papaya and mix 1 tbsp of oats or rice flour and rub the mixture gently over you r skin giving anti-clockwise upwards circular movements. Follow this for 2 minutes and leave the paste on the skin for 5 minutes. Afterwards wipe the face with a clean tissue dipped in cold water. • Benefits of Papaya: Papaya is rich in vitamins A, E and C, and other anti-oxidants that help in giving skin the moisture and protection it needs Toning: Boil the tea bags in a bowl of water and steam your face with that for 5 minutes. This will open up the pores of the skin and you can easily take out the hidden impurities with the help of blackhead remover. Now rub some ice cubes on your skin for around 5 minutes, again gently. This will tone the face and close the open pores. • Benefits of Green Tea: You can read the complete list of what green tea can do for you here Moisturizing: Now take honey and coconut milk/water or orange juice along with mashed banana and start massaging in upwards, anticlockwise motion as tightly as possible. For eyes please follow the figure of 8 around the eyebrow and under eye area. It’s simple; just move your finger tips as if you are writing 8 on your skin. In between put a few drops of olive/almond oil on your skin and then again massage. Do this for around 10 minutes. Now wipe it off with a tissue dipped in cold water.

• Benefits of Honey: Honey’s natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties help to protect the skin from the damage of the sun’s rays, supports the skin’s ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin, leaving it feeling silky soft and supple. • Benefits of Coconut Milk/Water: It contains cytokinins, which regulates ageing of the skin. Regular application of it with lime juice on the skin enhances the elasticity of the skin and prevents it from sagging. It is also helpful in getting rid of sun tan and scars. • Benefits of Orange Juice: This fruit belongs to the citrus family and is best known for its astringent and toning properties. Oranges are a good source of Vitamin C which is known to improve the skin texture and color. They help restoring collagen in our body which is responsible for skin firming and preventing early aging of skin. After all the above things comes the best part, applying mask. Take the mashed strawberries, remaining oats /rice flour and honey and mix them, apply this evenly on your skin and let it dry for 15 minutes. Afterwards wash your face with normal water. • Benefits of Strawberries: Strawberries are a strong antiseptic. They have Vitamin C in them as well as folic acid along with AHA’s. Strawberries thoroughly cleanse the skin and remove excess oil and impurities. Most of us will not need the feel of applying a moisturizer after wards but if you feel the dryness follow up with your regular moisturizer. Now observe yourself in the mirror. You will notice the difference from the very first minute.. Isn’t the procedure easy… Saves time as well as money and makes your skin regime free from chemicals. P.S.: The above article has been written taking some information from various online sources.