When Should You Throw Your Makeup?

Sounds strange, isn’t it. But, like all good things in life the makeup too has to go, after some time. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that powders, and eye shadows be discarded after two years and eyeliner, lip liner, lipstick, concealer and foundations be replaced after one year. Mascara has the shortest shelf life of all makeup — dermatologists suggest discarding within three months.

Storage Manual
• In general, you should store cosmetics in a cool, dark, and dry place. Avoid exposing cosmetics to extreme heat. This means do not store cosmetics in the glove compartment of your car.
• Similarly keep makeup away from your bathroom cabinet—a hot and humid place.
• Always cap the bottle and tubes tightly after you have finished with them, so that there is reduced exposure to bacteria.
• Tubes have a longer shelf life than bottles, because you don’t touch the contents, rather squeeze it out as per the need।

Makeup wise
• So how can you tell when a product’s fit for the bin? It depends on the ingredients and the preservatives in a product. But, as a rule of thumb most products without a use-by date should be used within three years of leaving the factory. It sounds like a long time, but what can you expect if you decide to hang on to a product for longer than that.
• Smell your makeup. Your nose will detect if the smell is right or not, and if you are in doubt, out goes the product.
• Not only old makeup but you need to throw makeup sponges and brushes too। Throw sponges after a week’s use.

Priya Singh

What Your Beautician Will Never Tell You

You find it hard to believe, but it’s true. Unhygienic beauty parlours are breeding ground of skin infections. When you go for waxing insist on a new spatula and disposable waxing strips. “A spatula that’s used on more than one person can transmit skin infections, like rash, allergy, itching,” says Dr Rishi Parashar, Delhi based, Dermatologist.
When going for waxing be sure that the person giving the treatment is a trained hand and not a novice who is learning at your expense. If the waxing strip is not pulled out right, you might be left with angry white follicular pustules (Folliculitis) that erupt if a hair follicle undergoes trauma when being pulled out. Some women, especially models, opt for a bikini line wax. The area is teeming with fungus and if proper care is not taken, fungal infections can be transmitted, doctors say.
Before you try anything new during a facial, make sure a strip test has been performed at the back of your wrist। Ditto for hair colour. Ask for disposable facial tissues and cotton to wash off excess cream. It makes sense to carry your own hair colouring brush and comb so that you do not share it with anyone. Sharing combs can infest your hair with lice and can dandruff. If you are a diabetic then avoid pedicures. Fish pedicures have also been a subject of controversy. Better avoid it, and stick to regular pedicures.

Beauty wise
Before you step inside the beauty parlour do some research yourself। Give value to the feedback of people who have visited it. Do not choose a place only because the services offered are cheap. Even a small trip to the place can divulge a lot about the hygiene standards maintained over there and if it’s not satisfactory, begin your search for another place for the upkeep of your looks.
- Priya Singh

Iron it like Botox

God! What to do with this ‘crow’s feet’ around my eyes! I look so old now with my fading complexion! Tavie Sachdeva, 48, company secretary lamented, until she got to know about Botox, one of the latest modalities in dermatological treatment. With Botox shots, she has been able to iron crow’s feet.

There are many more developments in derma care like chemical peel, micro-dermabrasion and , etc. But, do they really work in the long run without side effects? And, can it be afforded by a conventionally middle class person too! Various questions related to skin treatments keep haunting the minds of today’s fashion and beauty conscious masses; be it man or a woman. This issue Guardian beauty throws light on Botox treatment and clears al your queries reagrding this treatment. Keep reading...

Botox Gyan
Feel the change with a slight “pin prick”. The main attraction to Botox treatment is the reason that it's a simple, non-surgical process that takes only 10-minutes. With just a few tiny Botox injections you’ll experience a noticeable improvement that can last up to 6 months. Dr. Shelly Kapoor, consultant, Medanta-the-Medicity informs, “The injections only feel like a slight “pin prick” and since they only take about 10 minutes to administer, you can get your Botox treatment during a lunch break.”

Am I the right candidate? Age and cost wise: Usually, people in the age group of 40-60 years are keen to go for skin treatments like Botox and face lifts. But, the people in the age group of 40-55 years are the right candidates for a Botox treatment when there is good skin elasticity and relaxing the underlying muscles produces a good effect. The cost of treatment depends on the number of units injected. On an average, Rs 300-400 per unit is the amount charged by experts, informs Dr. Shelly Kapoor, Consultant, Dermatology, Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon.

Which wrinkle types can get ironed? Botox is mainly done for dynamic wrinkles on upper face; horizontal lines on forehead and on crow’s feet. Bunny lines on nose and platysmal bands are also covered under Botox treatment.
So, now will all doubts clear, you too can plan pressing the creaches to get that even youthful skin.

Customise Your Makeup

We all put our lotions and creams, colours and glosses with the best of the intentions. However, at times when it’s all put together the result is just not right. Makeup is an art and like all applied arts, you got to learn it. When used with right tools and information, it can transform the look. Guardian beauty tells you how to avoid 10 such beauty bloopers.

1.Do you look older than your age? May be, your foundation is to blame. If you wear lots of foundation, your original skin doesn’t show and that’s not a good idea. And, if you are using mineral foundation on dry skin, chances are your foundation will accentuate your wrinkles too. Mineral foundation, though a rage is actually compressed powder and like all powders, it settles down in the creases of your skin.

2.Your lips are too pale. At times we all wear nude shades to get that professional look or to look natural, but we may end up looking washed out. Your lips need colour. There is no need to go for red or pink but dark shades like maroon, berry and brown also go well.

3.Do you wear too much mascara? Too much mascara makes lashes look hard as a rock. To prevent this beauty blooper, always work with mascaras that are new.
4. Blush went blotchy. Powder blush on dry skin will look blotchy. Use cream stains to get rid of it.

5.Is your makeup accentuating fine lines around your eyes? It will, if your eye makeup is powder based and you use shimmery colours like gold and silver. Powder eye shadow tends to settle down in the creases of the eye lids and it makes fine lines more visible.

6.Have you heard of reverse raccoon eyes? Dark shadows beneath the eyes call for the use of concealer. Make sure your concealer is not more than a shade lighter than your skin tone and do check if it contains zinc, which tends to leave white residue.

7. Your eyebrows are arched. If you’ve barely-there brows or have over-plucked then, you should leave them alone. Let them grow out and start again from scratch. If you feel like you need to touch them up, conceal the short regrowth hairs by plucking
them daily. If they are not growing back at all, semi-permanent make-up is an option.

8. Makeup cracking. However hard you try, it’s not possible to hide dry and dehydrated face beneath layers of makeup. Always wash, tone and moisturise your face, before you put on makeup.

9.Your eye makeup gave you panda eyes. Wearing eye makeup that runs at the signs of distress (read tears, rain) is responsible for it. Sometimes it may take trial and error, but finding quality mascara, eyeliner and eye pencils that do not smear, smudge, flake or run is the key.

10. Lipstick on your teeth. Crimson lips look dramatic, but traces of red colour on your teeth, can be a big put off. Makeup artists suggest a quick way to fix it. Apply lipstick, and blot. Next, rub a cotton swab across your teeth to remove any trace of pigment. Then dip the opposite end of the swab into petroleum jelly, and rub it over your front teeth. The barrier prevents color from sticking to your porous pearly whites.

Beat the Monsoon Blues

High humidity levels in this wet and sultry weather makes our skin, especially oily, highly prone to various fungal and bacterial infections, as airborne and waterborne microbes (that cause these infections) let loose under these conditions.

Regular baths go a long way in reducing the chances of infection. As fungus thrives on moisture, ensure the body is dried properly and moisture is retained in the body folds —Sprinkle some talc in armpits, neck etc, as it absorbs moisture from the skin surface. Do not share your towels, caps, combs and shaving blades with anyone. If someone in your family is suffering from a fungal infection, make sure the clothes of the infected person are washed separately.

Toner touch
Use of good anti-bacterial toners on the body is a pre requisite. Toners make skin less sticky, help tighten up the pores and prevent skin infections and eruptions. Anti-fungal soap or preferably soap free cleansers help ward off infections.
Use a mild cleanser to remove the dead skin and dirt from skin. Try ripe papaya pulp, it makes a good mild exfoliant.

Hair often becomes limp and lifeless owing to damp weather. Regular oiling with olive oil and daily cleansing with a mild shampoo would keep your hair healthy.

If you are afraid of going for the rain dance and getting drenched, we have the solution. Keep your makeup to the minimal. Rub ice on your face before applying any makeup as it helps to reduce sweat and allows make-up to stay on longer. Go in for light, water-based moisturizers during monsoons to avoid oily skin, acne and water loss due to perspiration. Opt for a water proof makeup and completely avoid wearing kajal or use kajal pencil to avoid smudgy eyes. Semi –matted lipsticks are a better choice.

Apply sunscreen when moving out. “Sunscreen is as necessary to apply in monsoons as it is during summer. Sun rays can reach you through clouds and harm your soft skin. Application of sunblocks or suncreen helps prevent those merciless UV”, advises Dr. Soni Nanda Sood, Dermatologist, Vasundhra Enclave, Delhi

Wash your feet with lukewarm water twice a day and keep them absolutely dry. Keep your shoes open and dry to prevent fungus.
Drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. Water helps flush out the toxins and keep the skin healthy.

Keeping yourself dry, exfoliating your facial skin twice every week with a scrub and applying a good, preferably oil free moisturiser after drying off yourself are a few simple basics to beat the monsoon blues.