As mercury levels soar it’s only natural for women to desire to look hotter. But instead of enjoying the sunshine women often find themselves confined behind doors for fear of skin problems, smudgy make-up and unruly tresses. This summer we tell you have to look gorgeous and have fun in the sun.

Skin care: Oily and pimple prone, erupting in acne and rashes is a direct result of the sun. Eat oil-free foods and hydrating the skin with plenty of liquids. Use a good sunscreen lotion, preferable water based. Clean your skin with regular face and body scrubs to remove grime and dead cells and leave skin squeaky clean.

Make-up Tips: The humidity also clogs pores so it’s important to allow your skin to breathe. Use minimum make-up. A translucent powder or powder foundation that allows the skin to breathe is all you need. A touch of water proof mascara and nude shades in lip colour are enough. Avoid lip liner, caked up skin and dark shades of make-up for a stunning summery look.

Dress code: Flirt with fabrics that are kind to your skin and ensure ventilation of your body. Cottons and light fabrics that sit comfortably on every body type in nude and pastel shades; sashes, yokes, gathers, flared sleeves dresses will make up your summer wardrobe. Floral prints, checks, polka dots and stripes are in vogue this season. Go for short summer dresses, capris, skirts and denims that fit well and look chic.

Accessories: Keep accessories to the bare minimum. Bright, solid colours are in. Achieve the bold look this season with a single accessory be it a big chunky piece of jewelry, a bright coloured belt or trendy sunglasses. Accessories made from natural fibers like jute bag, jute bangles and jute flip-flops are instant style boosters.

Cool Hair style: It’s the season to experiment with bold cuts and fancy hairstyles. Summer calls for versatile hair styles. Choose anything from a range of trendy short hairstyles that suit your face like the bob, bangs, shag, pixie and layer cuts. If you want to wear your hair long, experiment with colourful hair bands and scarves. Updo’s, French twist and loose buns can be accessorized with flowers and pretty hairclips to look gorgeous.

A good hairstyle makes a huge difference to your appearance and attitude. No matter how trendy and stylish a hairstyle might appear on a celebrity it could fall flat if it doesn’t suit your face or hair texture. To ensure you get the right hairstyle follow these tips.

Your Face: Depending on the shape of your face select a hairstyle. For a long face get a short cut with a fringe that reduces the length of your face. A square face would look attractive with a slant fringe and short wispy cuts that takes away attention from the jaw line. Add length with layers to a round face and allow tendrils to fall along the ears. An oval face can take on any hairstyle and look gorgeous.

Hair Texture: Choosing a hairstyle also depends on your hair’s tendency. Thin, straight hair can be styled into a perm while thick, coarse hair won’t easily set. Wavy hair looks beautiful left open as it has lots of natural movement. Curly hair when left open will turn unruly and it needs a deep rich conditioning and hair fixatives to make it manageable and boost shine.

Hair Length: Some hairstyles are only meant for short hair like bobs and bangs and others look good on long tresses like upturns and French twist. You can get a new hairstyle without chopping your hair. Layering, perming and curling adds volume and bounce to thin hair and give it a new look.

Your profession: It’s important to consider the profession you’re into before getting a hairstyle. If your office dress code is formal, make sure you choose a style that will give a tidy look. Ensure the shortest layer is below your chin and can be tied up. Also remember that you could be pressed for time so select a cut that doesn’t need daily styling.

Your Personality: It’s possible to alter your age, attitude and personality with your hairstyle. Short haircuts make you look younger. Buns and formal upturns add a few years to your face. The natural open hairstyle gives you that carefree attitude.  Funky cuts are for the fun loving and bold bobs make a strong independent woman statement.

Remember your hairstyle speaks about you so make sure you send out the right message.

Your reflection in the mirror is the result of your lifestyle. Wrinkles, sagging skin, dull patches and dark circles are a condition that is brought on by faulty eating habits, inadequate sleep, lack of vitamins and stress. To radiate outside it’s important to nourish your inside, body and soul.

Skin’s need: Different skin types need to be treated differently. Identify you skin type; dry, oily, normal or combination type. For dry skin extra moisturizing is required while oily skin needs oil-free care. Skin needs also depend on your age. Older people need care to retain their skin youthfulness and active people look for a quick skin care regime.

Regular skin care: Skin looks dull and lifeless when pores are clogged, dead cells not removed and skin tissue not repaired. Start with a daily cleaning regime. Wash and scrub away dead cells. Moisturize and repair damaged skin tissue. Protect the skin form sunburns with a good sunscreen lotion. Hydrate with adequate intake of water and fruit juices.

Vitamin intake: Vitamins replenish dead cells, help to grow cell tissue and make skin supple and youthful. Vitamin A heals epithelial tissue which our skin is made up of. Vitamin C helps grow collagen, which strengthens skin elasticity. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps reduce free radicals that damage skin when exposed to sun rays and Vitamin D that is absorbed directly from the sun rays has skin curative properties. Diet rich in green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, egg yolk, soy, fish oils, tomatoes, broccoli, wheat grains and red berries improves skin quality.

Adequate sleep: People who suffer from insomnia are prone to skin problems.

If your body is deprived of a good rejuvenative sleep your skin will appear dull, sagging, puffy and tired the next morning. For glow and radiance your skin needs adequate sleep at night, complemented by a short nap or beauty sleep in the day.

Exercise: Just as working out does wonders for your health it improves the health of your skin. Exercising increases circulation that enhances the flow of nutrients within skin cells. Sweating releases toxins and helps skin glow. Regular exercises fights aging including skin signs like wrinkles and sagging skin.

Worried how to dress stylishly on a tight budget? More that money it’s important to have a good dress sense and a basic understanding of your body type to look smashing.

Forget spending lavishly on branded clothes that do nothing to flatter your body and trends that make you look like a hanger. Get together some basic wardrobe essentials; a few versatile classic pieces that can be teamed with different outfits and you too can create that wow impact on a tight budget.

You’ve heard this a million times but it’s worth the repeating – wear clothes that flatter your body. A simple cotton dress with the right fit can make heads turn in your direction if it suits your body. Choose clothes that accentuate your figure and complement your complexion, and you have a stand out ensemble.

It’s smart to invest in some real classy classic pieces like the little black dress, a leather coat, great fitting high heels and a leather handbag or a tote. Add to these good fitting jeans, a white formal button down blouse and a stylish watch. Now get ready to have fun. Play around with these pieces and be creative. Team the coat with denims for a casual look or use it to make an evening cocktail dress look elegant. Roll up the sleeves of the white blouse or wear is full for a professional look.

Next step is to shop sensibly. Buy your clothes at local stores and visit sales and exhibitions where branded items are sold dead cheap. Makes sure you have time on hand to get the best bargain.

Invest in clothes that are versatile and can be worn in all seasons. Bold and neutral shades allow you to ensemble into stunning combinations. Try layering and mixing and matching. Spend time to plan your outfit so when you dress your efforts show.

Accessories are an essential component of style dressing. Scarves, hats, stoles, belts and purses are lifesavers. They are a quick and cheap way to achieve a variety of looks without spending on a new outfit. You can dress up a simple dress with a funky belt or add glamour to your look with a great watch.

Experiment, be creative and have fun dressing up.

The right clothes can make you look attractive and flatter your figure. To purchase clothes that suit your body shape takes discreet self-evaluation. The first step is to look at yourself long and hard in the mirror. Be critical as well as appreciative of your body. Make a note of the plus points, like a shapely waistline, slender legs, and long neck. Likewise recognize your weak points, those flaws that will require to be camouflaged.

Once you’ve figured out your body shape, its time to shop for clothes that suit you. If you’re curvy, the plus size figure, instead of sopping at the regular malls meant for normal size people, shop at outlets that have clothes specially designed for your body needs. Brands that are conceptualized keeping bulkier women in mind have selective colours, prints and cuts that flatter curvy figures. While the normal extra large size will hang on your body and do nothing to make you attractive, exclusive clothes for curvy figures will drape your figure beautifully.

Now that you’ve come to the right shop the next step is to select fabrics that further accentuate your body shape. If your slim and have a shapely waist, draw emphasis towards this asset by wearing outfits that define your waistline. For curvy figures shift the attention of your outfit by highlighting your arms, legs and shoulders. If you have a long, swan neck, deck it up with halter neck tops. Unless you have the perfect hourglass figure which very few women actually possess, avoid fitting clothes that define your figure.

Height also plays a great role when you’re shopping for clothes. For those above 5 ft 8 inches broad belts, shirts that can be tucked in, horizontal patterns, textured fabrics do justice to your body type. Avoid clothes of extremes like too short or too long. Women who are 5 ft 4 inches and below are considered petite and in the fashion world vertical lines help to give an illusion of an elongated body. Wear jeans that have a defining vertical seam, short dressed and capris to create the illusion of height.

Choosing the perfect body shape is not possible but purchasing the right clothes that suits your body is in your hands.

Why waste precious moments of your morning schedule putting on make up when you can do it in a flash. We help you save time on a daily routine with ten quick make up tricks.

• Cleanse your face, pat dry and apply a good moisturizer. This is the base of every make up so forget skipping this.
• Conceal flaws, dark circles and scars with a dab of concealer. Merge with skin in quick circular movements.
• Use a powder foundation instead of a liquid one. Power foundations sets in a minute so you do not have to waste time on double fixing or waiting for it to dry before applying make up.
• When in a hurry, save time on eye make up. Instead of outlining, smudging and blending, define upper lash with a single stroke of liner and leave lower lash nude. It gives a fresh look and you do not have to worry about streaking.
• Use water based makeup specially eye liner and mascara.
• Neutral shades of eye shadow allow you to be a little careless. Darker shades take a lot of time to apply and you need to be perfect or else it stands out.
• Use your fingers instead of make up brushes to apply eye shadow, blush and lip gloss.
• Stick to one product instead of multiple. It reduces application time. Use same product on eyelids, cheekbones and lips.
• Always apply make up first with a light hand. It’s easier to apply a second coat than tone down a too bold coat of blush or lip colour.
• Keep a cotton swab handy to blot out make up that has gone wrong. Dip in moisturizer or make up remover for a quick repair solution.

The world spins around on one mantra, “Beauty equals success and happiness” and it does not require any scientific evidence to enforce this diktat because the boom in beauty business and scramble for cosmetic surgery scream out this fact. Good looks matter, from when a child is at home, to his initial schooling years, and then through college and ultimately career, a good looking person has an advantage.

Self-esteem and confidence are two important factors that make a person successful or a failure. A good looking person gets more attention wherever they go which translates into appreciation and recognition, ultimately taking them forward in performance. While a normal looking person would have to work diligently to receive praise, a good looking person gets it with less effort.

This might sound discriminatory but when it comes to dating, building relationships and choosing partners the good looking ones are the first to be picked. Especially for adolescence, physical beauty is extremely important in making choices. Some professions like the service sector, public relations, sales and marketing all cash on good looks.

However, the saying “Beauty is just skin deep” is also true in the same society that glorifies the good looking person. Great leaders, artist, scientist and legends have never always been confined to a good looking category. They have been short; have had multiple physical flaws but their performance and work have stood them out far more ahead of the achievements numerous beauty queens of our world have seen.

If only good looks mattered then parents would not love their children equally. If only good looks mattered then pretty faces would be all in the top corporate positions. Again if looks were the only criteria then the world would be deeply divided into two. But fortunately even after numerous instances that have us believe, that good looks are the only ticket to success and happiness, there is equal evidence to prove that good looks are just one aspect of gaining success and happiness. It’s like the luck factor. You cannot always count on good looks. This would be a distorted equation. Ultimately it takes character and professionalism to get real success and happiness in life. That is the only reality in this realist world.

Looking for an instant solution to conceal that extra flab around you waistline! It’s possible to look slimmer and leaner just by wearing clothes of the right colour, pattern and length. Slimming clothes allow you to do create an illusion. Try some of these tested solutions to get that glorious slim look you have been craving for.

Colours: Universally accepted the colour black is the safest bet when it comes to choosing slimming colours. You will never go wrong wearing black. You could also go for a monochromatic look by opting for an outfit that has one colour in different shades. Darker colours are also great slimming shades.

Size: It’s a common misconception that wearing clothes a few sizes larger, shapeless clothes that do not contour your body do a good job concealing problem areas like flab around the tummy, waist or thighs. On the contrary wearing clothes that fit well, not undersize, that hugs your body and makes you look shapely give you a greater advantage at appearing thinner.

Highlights: Avoid by all means drawing attention to your problem area. Pockets, pleats, gathers around the waist will make your waist appear more bulky and unshapely. In case of a double chin, wear long necklaces and avoid chokers and short chains that draw attention to your chin.

Patterns: Horizontal stripes add volume to plus size figures. Instead, go for vertical stripes that give a slimming illusion. Prints like floral, geometric and others add to the wideness of your body, avoid them to appear slimmer.

Length: Some clothes make your body appear longer and taller. Clothes that help elongate body shape are pants and skirts that cover the shoes. Knee high boots, wide belts, waist strings are all a strict no-no for people looking to appear slimmer.

Fabrics: For the best slimming illusion wear clothes made from fabrics that stretch. They are also comfortable and allow your body to breathe. Cut out clothes that come with frills, puffs and padded shoulders. ‘A’ line skirts and denims with a seam running down to the toe are great slimming outfits.

Nail disease may occur due to many reasons. As people age their nails become weak and need extra care to prevent these diseases.

Nail Fungal disease: The colour and texture of the nail changes. Nail plate becomes detached and sometimes falls off. Hot and humid climates and excessive sweating when feet lack ventilation due to synthetic socks or closed in shoes can bring it on. People suffering from diabetes are prone to this disease.

Identify it in its initial stage and refer to a physician. Treatment involves outward application and oral administration of medicine. A home remedy is to soak infected nails in vinegar for half and hour to penetrate beneath nail and to rub the nail with Vapor Rub which has menthol that is effective in soothing.

Brittle Nails: Normally when you work on a keyboard or peel fruit with your nails its will not crack or chip but if your nail is affected by a disease that that is brought on by faulty eating, lack of Vitamin B and excessive exposure to water, it leads to brittle nails.

Excess water makes nails brittle. Use gloves to do work. Remove nail polish with a remover that does not have acetone. Acetone strips the nails of moisture and makes them prone to damage. Include vegetables, beans, nuts and rich sources of Vitamin B and biotin in your daily food intake. Supplement with Vitamin B if required.

Spoon Nails: Koilonychias or spoon nails is a nail disease that alters the colour, texture and shape of nails. Malnutrition, exposure to chemical solvents in cleaners and deficiency of iron results in spoon nails.

Plenty of iron supplements and an iron rich diet like green leafy vegetables, apples, guavas, bananas, and good nutritious meals. If a particular cleaner is causing this disease, change your cleaner. Take care to protect your nails from harsh temperature.

White Spots: This is Leuconychia a nail disease that is characterized by white spots or streaks appearing on the nail plate and change in nail colour. Trauma, stress, disease and a deficiency in Vitamin intake could result in this nail disease.

It’s also one of the less dangerous types and can be cured by a regular intake of zinc supplements, zinc rich diet that include whole grains and nuts.