Thursday, August 25, 2011

10 Habits of women that annoy men

Her hair blocks the shower drain every now and then, she would always crib how you never listen to her -men just don't like when women do these things. Right?

But, there are many more, and novelist Giles Coren sheds light on the top ten habits of women that annoy men the most, reports the Daily Mail.

Never ordering a dessert, then eating mine
"Ooh no, I'm full. I couldn't possibly eat any pudding, I'm stuffed," she says. And when my treacle pudding arrives she would have one spoon after another and finish the whole thing.

Failing to grasp that she moults
Every now and then her hair would block the shower plughole for which she would say, "That's not necessarily mine!"

Never packing enough books, or even any books, for a holiday
She'll make a huge fuss about capsule wardrobes but would never pack a book. Just a couple of magazines for the plane, which she leafs through in four minutes after which she grabs the fat thriller you've been looking forward to reading for months. She would hog it for a week, then leaves it on a boat when she's finished and says: "It was rubbish anyway."

Refusing to offer an opinion when asked for one
Which is so very different from not having an opinion. So if we're thinking of going out for dinner, for example, and you say: "What do you fancy, Chinese? Italian? A nice bit of sushi?" She'll say: "I don't mind, whatever you feel like." And when you book an Italian restaurant, she would say, "You know perfectly well that I hate Italian food."

Constantly saying, "The thing that women find most attractive in a man is a sense of humour"
Which just isn't true. What women find attractive is tall, handsome, rich. That is what women find attractive. And that is all.

Giving up in the middle of every game
Chess or cribbage or tennis or croquet or absolutely anything - it happens the moment they go slightly behind and no longer look like winning.

Never being satisfied with a hotel room
When you arrive at your hotel after a long journey and flop yourself down on the bed, she'll stand in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips and say: "Well, this just won't do, it's supposed to have a view!" Then insist on seeing every single other room in the hotel, before actually deciding that the first room was fine, after all.

Thinking animals have feelings
"I feel so sorry for that puppy, it looked so sad, it really wanted us to take it home." No, it's a dog. It does not feel sadness. It feels only hunger and the need to foul the pavement outside my house. It does not feel sad, or rejected, or worthless or unwanted.

Always leaving some awful pop music station on top volume in the car when she was the last one to drive it
So that when you get in on a cold morning to go to work, and switch the radio on expecting to hear the mellifluous mutterings of the Today programme, it instead blasts into shrieking life with some frightful oik bellowing rage into a voice-distorter over the sound of a huge drum kit being kicked down a hill by donkeys.

Making a huge fuss about how important it is that women players get the same Wimbledon prize money as male players
But then, when the tournament starts, she's only interested in watching the men, because they're sexy and the tennis is exciting, and doesn't watch even a second of the ladies, because it's boring and they grunt too much.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Keep your skin healthy in monsoon.

While monsoon is the saving grace from the scorching summer sun, it also brings about concerns for the skin. Regular cleansing and toning is important during the monsoon to keep looking fresh and healthy.

Those who have dry skin can try almond paste and honey cleanser for that perfect looking skin. Make a paste of around ten almonds and add two tablespoons of honey. Once the mixture is ready, massage on face for 5 to 7 minutes and then rinse and pat dry. Those who have an oily face need a very mild cleanser to get rid of the dead cells and grime off the skin.

Using a pure oatmeal scrub to cleanse oily skin or using ripe papaya pulp as a mild exfoliant is a good idea during the monsoon. During the monsoon the air is full of a lot of airborne and waterborne microbes and hence a good anti-bacterial toner goes a long way in preventing skin infections and eruptions.

Using a anti-bacterial face wash is also a good idea.
Moisturising during the monsoon is as important as it is during the summer. The rains can bring a de-moisturising effect on dry skin and an over-hydrating effect on oily skin. Remarkably, even in the rains the skin gets dehydrated due to the constant wetting and drying. It also leads to an itchy feeling during this time of the year. Using a non water based mosituriser is good idea if chances of getting wet frequently is high. Keeping simple tips in mind can help in maintaining a good skin during the monsoon. 

Sunday, June 12, 2011

New ways to drape a saree

Women, wearing a saree is a cakewalk now. With ready-to-wear sarees easily available in the market, the whole nine-yard saga has become a rather quick affair.

With interesting draping techniques and quirky mix n match options, you can make a bold and stylish statement this season with your saree. Read on to know how you can be the cynosure of all eyes this festive scene...

Sexy soiree
For all those who gave up wearing the saree because it was too much of a hassle, not to mention having to deal with a blouse and petticoat as well, can breathe easy. Designer Nida Mahmood wants you to drape your saree over leggings or slim-fit denims, instead of a petticoat, and go for tees or spaghetti tops in place of a blouse. For fabrics she suggests silk, crepe and georgette, as these weigh less and make moving around much easier. More important, these fabrics have a nice fall and natural sheen. For embellishments Mahmood recommends embroidery or sequins on the saree border for Diwali. If the thought of burning a cracker while wearing a saree sends shivers down your spine, opt for one with an interesting digital print that's a rage right now and also gives a festive feel.

Go glam
For mothers who felt their young daughters had given up on this Indian must-have, designer
Anand Kabra has a suggestion - look for ready-to-wear sarees. You can zip them up and the whole hassle of draping it is taken care of. For those who own regular sarees, Kabra suggests that they be worn like skirts, gowns, dhotis or just draped the way the Grecians did. Young girls should have fun with the saree. By draping it in innovative ways, they can make a saree suit their silhouette and get over the mindset that its an old woman's attire, he explains. For colours, Kabra bets on rich reds, as it conveys the celebration mood brilliantly. So follow these styling tips and get set to dazzle in your saree.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Embellish your hands with fake nails

Artificial or acrylic nails, as they are called, have been in the beauty industry for long but it's only now that they are being accepted by all. The best thing about them is that you can shape them the way you want - in any length or colour.



And if you have always wanted to embellish your nails with piercings, but did not have the nerve to get it done, then you can try piercing your artificial nails without touching your nails.



What are acrylic nails?
These are nail enhancements that come in various forms like press-on nails, nail-tips and sculpted nails. They were developed in the early '70s as pieces of plastic that were glued on the nails. With the advent of technology, more natural-looking nail enhancements have been developed which go well with the real nail.


But while these nail extensions beautify your hands, wearing them and then taking care of them needs a lot of attention. First and foremost, you need to clean your nails and push back the cuticle. Trim your nails but don't cut them too short, in case you have a snag with the fake nails - they might tear away a part of the real ones. Put some glue on your nails and drop the acrylic nails quickly.



If the nail does not fit properly, file it or soak your fingers in the nail solution provided and take it off. Repeat the process. Once you are done with that dab on some nail oil. This has to be done atleast once a day.



Remember not to put pressure on your extensions and avoid using washing powder or other chemicals while wearing acrylic nails.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Bag with an attitude

The bag guru has predicted this year's 'bag'ging trends and has even recommended you to become a bagista by following them pronto!


This summer, bags that add oodles to your attitude are very in. From spacious totes to classy shoulder bags to arty jholas to the very sporty backpacks... all's in the bag!

Totes
Wide and comfy, these are available in all colours imaginable! They are spacious enough to dump anything and everything that you might need!

With a message...
Want to speak your mind? Carry a tote with an interesting message on it! Take your pick and go in for one that goes with your personality.

Some of the popular messages on these bags read like – Make love not carbon, Get hip get green, Think global, act local, The green in me, I'm not a plastic bag, etc.

Shoulder bags:
Strap bags with chains instead of the usual straps look chic and classy. These are available in patterns like stripes, paisleys, etc.

Sling bags:
These bags are worn over one shoulder with a strap that winds around the chest resting the bag on the lower back. Although they are similar to a messenger bag, sling bags are often smaller.
These bags are quite popular among guys and that's why they are often called manpurses.

Backpacks:
These bags are for the sporty chics. Backpacks are an easy way to carry everything you need – books, ten different types of pens, mobile, water bottle, snacks, money, makeup kit and more! And most are waterproof too!

Hobo bags:
If you are a boho-chic then this bag will complement your personality! The hobo bag is typically a large bag. It comes in a characteristic crescent shape, a slouchy posture and a long strap designed to wear over the shoulder. And since they are made out of soft and flexible material, they tend to slump or slouch, when set down. And well these bags are also very popular with the
Hollywood celebs! Mary-Kate, Ashley Olsen, Sienna Miller, and Joss Stone are often seen carrying one of these.

Jholas:
These bags combine comfort with elegance, grace with practicality and art with simplicity. They are available in diverse colours like red, pink, violet, blue, silver, black, white and beige.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Working your make up with your finger tips

Having a tough time switching to brushes for every little stroke you make?

Well, then just dump them and use your fingers instead! In fact some leading beauticians claim you can benefit from the natural heat and oils in your skin. It is said to help melt the product for a smoother application. But of course, it does not imply you just dip every free
finger in different shades. Each finger applies a different pressure, and thus can serve different purposes. Read on to know what make-up application each finger works best for:

Ring finger
After cleaning one's face, the first layer of make-up begins with the concealer. Use the ring finger to spread the concealer. It provides a soft touch. This will ensure that the skin under your eyes, which is quite sensitive is not pulled. Afterall, even slightest pressure regularly can cause it to look stretched and ugly.

Index finger
As this finger is said to possess a little more pressure than the index finger, experts recommend you use it to spread your eye shadow. The slight pressure helps ensure that the eye shadow is spread evenly.

Middle finger
Girls, your middle finger is the strongest, so it's ideal for framing your eye, creating definition as you move it back and forth.

Little finger
This smallest finger is perfect for applying make-up to those hard-to-reach places like the corners of the eyes. It has the least strength of all, so it will also prevent you from globbing on highlighter when you're trying to be precise.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Going Glam with Manish Malhotra

Impersonation is the best form of flattery, and who better than Bollywood actors to vouch for that. Fans across the world show their admiration by aping their fave actors' looks and clothes. The trickle down effect has been so phenomenal, that Indian wear such as the saree, salwar kameez, sherwanis and lehengas are being sported with great fanfare (of course, with a contemporary twist to it). In an attempt to look like actors Kareena, Katrina, SRK, Hrithik, Ranbir and others, celebrated designer Manish Malhotra's designs are often worn by fans.


It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Manish has made commendable efforts in bringing Indianwear in the limelight globally. The look is so glamourous, that one doesn't need to wear a bow tie, formal suit or even a red carpet gown.

Only recently, Deepika Padukone wore Indian contemporary wear with chikankari work at the
World Economic Forum in Davos. Kareena Kapoor has always chosen to wear a saree at prestigious functions (who can forget her famous fuchsia blouse with a skin colour net saree at the Filmfare awards couple of years ago). At the Mizwan event with Shabana Azmi, Hrithik Roshan wore Manish's sherwani and teamed it with trousers and formal shoes on the ramp. Ranbir Kapoor's black bundgala and white salwars looked perfect for his lean looks. Katrina skipped the gown to wear a long kalidar kurta with a ghaghra at an awards night, now that's a new-age twist isn't it?

Says Manish, "It's a favourable change. I have showcased Indian designs at national and international ramps with an intention to boost Indian crafts and the craftsmens' karigari. Of course, Bollywood films have a profound impact on
fashion choices."

In the same note, he says that the year 2011 will see the return of the classics. Pastel shades will rule. "At the upcoming LFW, I will be showcasing contemporary Indian resort wear," he promises.