Monday, 14 November 2011

My Favorite Winter Beauty Mask

Hello Friends,
I hope everyone is doing well.Its been a week I could not write anything because my poor lappy fell down from my working bench and the hard drive crashed :( , even I was not keeping well.Anyways sweeties now as the lappy is fine I felt like sharing some of my beauty tips with all of you for this winter.So my friends be happy and stay beautiful this winter!

Whenever winter approaches,juicy oranges always come into my mind.So I would love to tell how I use this fruit peels during winter.

Orange Mask for Dry skin:

Make a fine paste of orange peels and milk cream.Then add few drops pf honey in it.Use this mask on your face , neck and areas which are very dry.This mask will keep your skin hydrated and brighten your complexion.

Orange Mask for Normal Skin: 

Make a fine paste of orange peels and add a bit of yogurt.Do apply this on your face, neck and areas which gets tanned easily.This mask will help in de-tanning your skin and will also remove facial blemishes.

Orange Mask for Oily Skin:

Make a fine paste of orange peels and 5-6 neem leaves.Add a bit of multani mitti (fuller's earth) in it to get paste like consistency.Use this mask at least twice a week for oil control and for preventing occurrence of pimples.This mask has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties so get relieved from acne prone skin this winter.

>You all can also dry the orange peels and use the powdered peels for a long time.To increase the shelf life add a bit of powdered neem leaves in it and use it whenever and wherever you want.

>These days I have seen several brands selling orange peel powder, you may use that.I think Ayur herbals has it.

>You all may use the Ayur herbals ready to use orange peel mask too.Its really a nice mask and I quite liked it.

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Fenugreek Hair Mask


Hello Friends!

During winter we all tend to have dandruff which makes our hair lifeless and causes hairfall. So I wanted to share with you about the fenugreek mask which has always come to my rescue and relieved me from my dandruff and other hair problems. This is the only ayurvedic treatment I have seen gives immediate result even just with a single application. This amber colored seeds used in Indian cuisine has lots of medicinal properties. Its rich in several minerals and vitamins like Biotin which strengthens the shaft of our hair. Its rich in lecithin which kind of produces mucilage when seeds are soaked in water, that mucilage acts as a wonderful conditioner for our hair. Fenugreek not only relieves us from dandruff problem but also conditions and strengthens our hair. This pack makes our hair free from scalp infections and scalp bumps too. It also makes out hair shiny and promotes hair growth with regular usage. This overall improves the holistic health of our hair. So I would love to share my own ways to use fenugreek in my hair care regime.




1-Fenugreek Lemon Mask-Soak fenugreek seeds in water for some hours then grind it to make fine paste. Dilute the paste as the mask is sticky and its difficult to wash it off. Then add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and apply on your hair and scalp. This pack relieves us from any kind of scalp infections and scalp bumps.

2-Fenugreek Yogurt Mask-The recipe is entirely same as the first one, just replace lemon with yogurt. This pack conditions our hair and relieves us from dandruff problem.

3-Hair Toner-Many a time I soak just 2 tablespoonful of fenugreek seeds in half liter of water and use the water next day in diluting my shampoos. I have observed after doing this my hair never looks limp and is naturally conditioned. I skip using conditioner entirely. I also keep rest of the water in refrigerator for 2 days and use it as a hair toner. It makes my hair damn smooth and strong.

So my friends do follow these tips this winter and flaunt your problem free gorgeous mane to the whole world!


Sunday, 6 November 2011

Organic Surge Shine Boost Shampoo for Normal hair


Hello Friends!
Today I am going to review a product from the very well known brand Organic Surge. Do read on to know my overall experience:





What the Company Says?
Shine boost shampoo washes away the dirt, impurities and styling product residues that dull your hair. Citrus oils promote shine while natural moisturizers help to smooth and gloss the hair's surface. Shine boost shampoo gently cleanses and nourishes, leaving your hair feeling soft and healthy with a brilliant, natural shine.
Organic Surge shampoo is free from harsh foaming agents that strip hair of its natural oils and can cause scalp irritation. Enjoy the lightweight lather created by naturally-derived ingredients.



Description
Use it this way: Wet hair thoroughly and massage shampoo into your hair from scalp to ends. Reapply if desired, then rinse well and follow with shine boost conditioner.
Organic Surge effective, honest products are packed with hair-loving, naturally-derived ingredients. They contain no sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate or parabens for your precious skin to absorb. 

Ingredients:
*Aqua (Water), *Cocamidopropyl Betaine, *Sodium Coco-Sulfate, *Decyl Glucoside, *Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate/Lauryl Glucoside, *Coco-Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol/Benzyl Alcohol/Potassium Sorbate, *Citrus Grandis, *Citrus Medica Limonum, *Citrus Aurantium Dulcis, *Aqua/Sucrose Laurate/ Alcohol, *Glycerin (Veg), *Sodium Chloride, *Tocopherol, *Citric Acid, Citral, Linalool, Limonene. * Naturally-derived ingredient. From essential oils listed. Product color or texture may vary slightly due to natural ingredients.

Organic Surge products are cruelty free, no animal derived ingredients are used in development or manufacturing.
Price: Rs 595 for 250 ml, I got this for Rs 450.


My Take on Organic Surge Shine Boost Shampoo:
I wanted to try a shampoo free from silicones, parabens and SLS since some time, so I bought this shampoo from an online shopping site one month back after going through its complete ingredient list. I searched online for reviews regarding it but couldn’t find anything as such. Its been one month I am using this and I am loving the way my hair looks now. This shampoo is transparent with slightly yellowish tinge and citrusy fragrance. True to the description it doesn’t result rich lather but very light weight lather which I like these days. It has made my hair bouncy maintaining the natural volume of my hair. It didn’t make my hair look limp as such. After using it my hair feels quite soft, smooth and shiny. As the name is shine boost, I had expected very shiny hair but the result was not very dramatic. My hair was shiny but in the most natural way. As it lathers less, I require more quantity to clean my hair. Without oiling, I use this shampoo and though I have dry hair, this shampoo has never made my hair dry. It really doesn’t strip the oils from my hair and makes my hair feather soft. The overall effect is not very dramatic but it really feels like doing a favor to your hair by using it which contains all herbal ingredients, thus safe for hair in the long run. Those who want to try herbal shampoos devoid of any kind of harmful chemicals should give this a try for sure.

Pros of Organic Surge Shine Boost Shampoo:
-Contains citrusy essential oils and organic grapefruit.
-Its free from silicone conditioners, SLS and parabens.
-Doesn’t strip oil from hair, thus one can skip oiling before using it.
-Made my hair look shiny, and bouncy.
-My hair has been quite soft since I started using it.
-It doesn’t make my hair look limp at all.
-It makes my hair look naturally beautiful, I mean nothing dramatic yet so natural and good.
-Available in several variants, thus catering to every person’s needs.
-Lather is created by naturally derived ingredients.
-It’s a mild shampoo, thus safe to use it everyday.

Cons of Organic Surge Shine Boost Shampoo:
-As the name is shine boost so I had expected dramatically shiny hair but result was just naturally beautiful shine.
-It doesn’t lather richly which many people won’t like.
-Much quantity required if someone oils hair before using it.
-Availability is an issue.
-Its very pricy for 250 ml of shampoo.
-Its available in tube packaging, so I find it hard to open the flip cap many times.
-Its not at all travel friendly, I mean the flip cap may open spilling the shampoo.
-It claims a shelf life of 5 years which I find very odd.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5

Will I Repurchase it? I would love to buy their award winning variant meant for dry hair.

My Recommendation- If you all want to try a shampoo free from SLS, parabens and are not big fans of rich lather should give this shampoo a try. Do not oil your hair before using it. It won’t make your hair dry so skip oiling before it or you will end up using more quantity.

Saturday, 5 November 2011

Some of my favorite recipes!


Hello Friends!
Today am sharing some of my favorite recipes with all of you, hope you like it.

Chilly Paneer:
My love for Chinese dishes started when I was in Mumbai and used to go to Uncle’s Kitchen near Malad and Sri devi Restaurant at Malad station. Mouthwatering recipes I have had over there. So when I was at home some 2 months back, both my sis wanted to have Chilly Paneer. So here is the recipe am sharing with you.

You will need:
-Paneer-500 gms
-1 big Capsicum
-2 large Onions
-15-20 Garlic pods
-1 tabespoon shredded Carrot  and French Beans (Optional)
-I Egg to be used in batter.
-3-4 Chillies
-2 Tablespoon Ginger-Garlic Paste.
-Cornflour
-Maida
-Soya Sauce- 2 Tablespoons
-Maggi Hot and Sweet Tomato sauce- 1 Table spoon.
-2 Tablespoon Vinegar
-1 Tablespoon  Green chilly sauce.
-Azinomoto or Chinese Salt- 1 Tablespoon

Method:
1-Take a bowl and add half cup corn flour and half cup Maida and 1 egg and a bit of salt. Mix it properly to get a homogenous mixture. Cut the Paneer into cubes and dip them into the mixture.
2-Deep Fry the paneer and keep them aside on a tissue paper.
3-In a Kadhai, add two tablespoon on vegetable oil (Sunflower or olive oil).
4-Add chilies, onions , capsicum, garlic, shredded carrot and beans  and sauté them properly.
5-Add Ginger-garlic paste and fry them until they are cooked properly.
6-Then add the mixture of corn flour and water into the Kadhai.
7-In the next step, add soy sauce and vinegar and mix them properly.
8-Then add Maggi tomato sauce and Green chilly sauce and azinomoto into the above gravy.
9-Let this cook for 5 minutes.
10-Then add fried paneer cubes, cook for 2 minutes and garnish it with freshly shredded coriander leaves or Cilantro leaves also known as Chinese Parsley.
11-Then you are done! This is for 4-5 people. :))



Prawns in Schezwan Sauce:
I love Prawns like anything. My friends call me ‘Prawn maniac’.  I love the Bengali preparation known as Prawn Malai Curry, simple Indian style Prawn curry, chilly prawn and my most favorite dish Prawns in Schezwan Sauce.

You will need:
-I/2 kg Deveined Prawns (Tiger prawns or any other)
-Two Large Onions
-3 Green Chillies
-10 to 12 Red Chillies
-15-20 Garlic Pods
-Coriander or Parsley Leaves.
-Azinomoto.
-Maggi Hot and Sweet tomato Sauce.
-Soya Sauce.
-Vinegar.
-Ginger –garlic Paste
-1 tbsp Shredded Carrot
½ tbsp Sugar.

Method-
1-Add 3 Tablespoons of vegetable oil in a Kadhai. When the oil is smoky hot, add 2-3 red chilies. Remove the chillies and keep the oil aside.(This oil is particularly used in Schezwan preparations)
2-Boil the Rest of the red chilies and garlic pods in water. After that make a fine paste of boiled red chilies, garlic and onions.
3-Make batter of Maida, corn flour, soya sauce, salt and 1 egg. Dip the prawns into the mixture and fry it.
4-Add the oil prepared in the first step into the Kadhai. When it’s hot, add shredded green chilies, onions, garlic and carrot. Saute them properly.
5-Add the above prepared paste into the Kadhai along with one tbsp of Ginger garlic paste. Fry it till it’s cooked properly.
6-Add sugar, vinegar, azinomoto, soya sauce, Maggi tomato sauce and a glassful of Corn flour and water solution. Mix it properly and let it cook for 5-7 minutes.
7-Then when the consistency of the Schezwan Sauce thickens, add the fried prawns into it. Let it cook for 5- 7 minutes.
8-Garnish them with Coriander leaves or parsley.  Serves 3- 4 people.


 Vegetable Biriyani
My love for Biriyani started when I visited City of Nawabs that’s Hyderabad few years back. I had few delectable dishes like Hyderabadi Dum Biriyani, Chicken curry  at Alpha Hotel Near the old Station. I have had Biriyani here at Kolkata but they never ever matched in quality with what I had at Hyderabad. So I thought to prepare it myself. I prepared Vegetable Biriyani for the first time and simply fell in love with it. So here is the recipe.

You will need:
-Garam Masala ( Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, Cloves.)
-1 to 2 Bay leaves
-2 Red Chillies
-1 Tbsp of Cashew and kismis.
-Shredded Vegetables( Potato, Carrot, French beans, Green peas, Cauliflower)
-Half Cup of Yoghurt.
-Ghee for taste.
-Salt
-Everest Biriyani Masala- 1 tablespoon.
-Home made rose water.
-2 Glassful of Basmati rice.
-2 Large shredded onions.
-Few Saffron Strands

Method :
1-In a pressure cooker add 500 ml of water, basmati rice, bit of ghee and salt. Pressure cook for 10 minutes, sprinkle some rose water and add few saffron strands and keep it aside well covered for keeping the aroma intact.
2-Fry half of the shredded onions in oil and keep it aside.
3-Add oil (I don’t use much ghee) in a Kadhai and when it’s hot add garam masala, Bay Leaves, and left of the shredded onions and bit of sugar.
4-Cook till onion gets golden brown. Add shredded vegetables and cook for 10 to 12 minutes with low flame.
5-Add salt, yoghurt, cashew and kismis into the cooked vegetables and further cook it for 5 minutes with low flame.
6-Add 1 tbsp of Everest Biriyani Masala.
7-When You are done with it mix half of the cooked rice properly into the kadhai so that you get a mixture of vegetables and white-orange colored rice due to saffron.
8-In a pot, Add other half of the rice then a layer of vegetables and then a layer of rice. Garnish it with mint leaves and fried onions.
9-Serve it hot. Serves 4 people.


Basicare Soothing Mini Eye Gel Mask


Hello Friends!
Today I am reviewing one of the most wonderful yet inexpensive product that I discovered while shopping online from a not very well known brand. Do read on to know more.
What the Company Says?
Spa treatment for your eyes.
Details
It comforts tired puffy eyes, soothes sinuses, cures head colds, relieves tension, stress etc. Place the mask on your eyes for some time and feel the difference. After each use, use soapy water to rinse and towel dry.
·         To use cold, chill the mask in refrigerator for about 60 minutes or freezer for about 10 minutes. Never freeze mask solid. Then gently place on closed eyes. 
·         To use warm, warm the mask in hot water until desired temperature is reached. Do not heat it with oven, microwave or boiling water.


Caution
If suffering from diabetes, circulatory disease, skin disorders or eye injuries, please seek medical advice from doctor. Do not puncture the mask. In case contents come into contact with eyes, wash with clean water. Consult a doctor if irritation persists.
For external use only.
Price: Rs 150, I got this for Rs 120 after discount from urbantouch.com







My Take on Basicare Mini Eye Gel Mask:
Frankly saying before I saw the Basicare brand at urbantouch.com I didn’t know anything about an eye gel mask. When I saw it, I read the description given and wanted to try it out as I could get that for just Rs120 after discount. I waited for few days and ordered their eye shadow brush which did cost me Rs 80.When I got the brush, it looked very much like that of body shop brush, both in quality and appearance and I was more than happy. After this I decided to order the gel mask and placed my order. When I got it, I saw it was an attractive sea green colored gel mask which felt cooling in touch. It has an elastic band which can be adjusted according to a person need. When I placed it on my eyes, I can’t explain the feeling was awesome. The gel mask was really relaxing, cooling for my eye. You know, how we feel when we place cucumber slices on our eyes? It was the same feeling. After using it I felt my eyes were relaxed and no sign of dark circles or puffy eyes in winter. I have the tendency to get dark circles when am very stressed, but after using it, I do not get dark circles so often. Basicare brand has lots of stuff which are available at reasonable price with superb quality, I have used two products from their brand and I am simply amazed with the quality of the products for the price I paid for them. I paid just Rs 80 for the eye shadow brush and Rs 120 for the gel mask. I would love to buy more and more stuff from this brand in near future.
Pros of Basicare Mini Eye Gel Mask:
-Instantly relieves tired looking appearance.
-Soothes tired eyes and relieves puffy eyes.
-I am not getting dark circles as often as I used to get due to my late night studying and hectic schedule.
-It feels really cooling when placed on eyes.
-It’s the perfect, reasonable spa treatment for your eyes.
-Price is damn reasonable.
-Very innovative concept to take care of your eyes which needs some pampering too.
-It has an adjustable elastic band.
Cons of Basicare Mini Eye gel Mask:
-Availability is the biggest issue.
-Its available through online shopping at urbantouch.com and healthkart.com
-For how long we can use it? I am not able to understand that.
Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Will I repurchase it? Yes definitely I will.
My Recommendation: Do use this product for sure. Its worth spending 120 bucks for the quality you get. I would advise you all to keep the mask in refrigerator for 15 minutes and then use it for relaxing and soothing your eyes.