Three Graces Spa: A Rejuvenation Haven

photo courtesy: flickr.com

Just before my D-Day, I finally got one Sunday afternoon just for myself. And thus, I decided to set the self-pampering mode on. I visited the Three Graces Spa at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi for a pre-bridal session; to be precise I opted for a gold SPA package, wherein I experienced a body massage and wrap with sparkling gold-dust based body cream.

Three Graces SPA

Whenever, I visit a SPA, the first thing I notice is the hygiene bit; this SPA surprised me pleasantly, when I noticed, even the hair combs were sterilized. Every room had a shower space with inbuilt sauna. Body lotion, shower gel, conditioner were kept nicely in order. Towels and bathrobe were pristine white and freshly laundry-picked. Also, the entire aura of the therapy room had something very soothing about it.

Three Graces SPA

My masseur, Shiny Malhotra, escorted me to my therapy room; she started with a foot ritual wherein I dipped my feet in lukewarm water placed in a vintage-looking copper vessel. I was asked to close my eyes and relax, as she chanted a Sanskrit mantra as part of their rejuvenation journey. Two minutes of humming and I could already feel the stress drifting apart from my body. Before the procedure started, I was asked to take shower followed by 10 minutes of sauna—this will open up the pores of my body so that the cream penetrates in the deepest layers of my skin.

Three Graces SPA

The message and wrap comprised of almost 75 minutes. My masseur had magical hands; I felt like she was responding to my body and trust me, I hadn’t uttered a word. She somehow, knew that I had stiff shoulders and a lower back problem and she took care of all that in silence. I was relaxed and content from the bottom of my heart. Post my session, I realized, I must have dozed off in-between—Shiny was that good! The best part about this therapy was that she explained to me step-by-step, how beneficial this will be for me, especially for my wedding day. It’s been 10 days since then and I still have a golden-hued glow all over me. I would recommend this SPA to every bride-to-be. I can vouch for the fact that in the end, you will be all smiles!

Estée Lauder Introduces New Enlighten Skintone Correcting Collection

Enlighten Night serum – Model Shot

Tonight, awaken a transformation for naturally glowing, even toned skin with new Enlighten Skintone Correcting Collection, a visionary skincare regimen from Estée Lauder with an “enlightened” approach to luminous, naturally beautiful skin.

Estée lauder’s Enlighten Night Serum

Leaders in night repair, Estée Lauder scientists’ leveraged new research that shows daytime damage leads to proliferation of pigmentation each night. Formulated with the brand’s most intensive, comprehensive skin tone correcting technology, Enlighten’s potent formulas work night and day to help break the cycle of daily assaults and irritation that lead to hyper pigmentation and dark spots, revealing naturally glowing, even-toned skin. Skin’s transformation begins immediately as it’s enlivened with hydration and new radiance.

Shivan and Narresh go sassy on bikinis and trikinis this Spring/Summer

Shivan and Narresh for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Delhi-based designer duo, Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja left the audience startled with their super sexy line of swimwear collection at the Wills India Fashion Week, Spring-Summer 2015.

Shivan and Narresh for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Colourful maillots, quirky-printed bikinis and edgy trikinis ruled the runway. Made for ‘contemporary’ women, the prints personified work of noted American sculptor Alexander Calder through the elements of their designs.

Shivan and Narresh for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

The designers flaunted two signature prints for the upcoming season—the hued influx and the Calder’s eye print. Incorporating colours like, vermillion, chrome and moss, the palettes worked wonders with stunning caramel Indian skin.

Shivan and Narresh for Wills India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Popularly known for their beachwear forte, the designers brought forth a mélange of resort wear outfits—fringed dress sporting hand-cut fringes, fine Italian jersey palazzo and a silk cape. The models swaggered in style with pulled back wet tresses, thus emphasising upon the resort/pool wear look.

Beauty expert, Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj brings forth haircare & skincare regimen for brides-to-be!

Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj

Dermatologist and laser surgeon, Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj  is the founder and CEO of her own initiative, The Skin & Hair Clinic at D-306, Defence Colony, New Delhi. Dr. Bhardwaj practices her specialisation with all the latest technology in skin & hair treatments. She believes in the simple mantra of ‘perfection without pretension’ and today, she guides brides-to-be on how to take care of their skin and hair to look super gorgeous on the D-day!

Homemade masks: For oily skin, use lemon drops with tomato juice on face on an alternate day basis and cleanse with rose water. If you have dry skin, use curd with tomato juice and put honey in it. If you’ve combination skin, lemon juice, honey, and tomato juice all in equal quantities on alternate days will keep you sorted. Always use packs until a week before the D-day and stop it afterwards surely.

Daily hair care routine: Hair is the main crown for women and should be well taken care of. For oily hair, I would recommend application of methi seed powder, vinegar (white), ritha, and amla powder blended in a mixture, once a week for 3 to 4 weeks for that extra shine; also, wash your hair with shampoo according to your hair type and rinse it with beer (if possible).

Dry hair should be conditioned inside out; also, include omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids in your diet. Evening primrose oil and flax oil should be increased too. And, a good conditioner should be applied on hair ends after every wash and extra deep conditioning can be done with egg yellow, curd, castor oil, and methi powder, used as a hair pack. Leave it on for an hour before shampooing. This hair mask can be used once a week for 2 to 3 weeks.

Lastly, for people with frizzy hair, I would suggest, post shampooing and conditioning, rinse your hair with vodka; also, drying them straight is very important too. Besides, applying curd also helps tremendously.

Important vitamin supplements: I would say, the following are very essential—High vitamin A, vitamin B 3/6/12, vitamin C, and antioxidants, all of which lead to glowing skin, shiny hair and nails.

Top 5 beauty products: Sunscreen, face wash, night cream, makeup remover, and day cream. P.S—sunscreen is surely the most important one.

Diet tips: A balanced diet with milk, green vegetables, non-vegetarian dishes (poultry & fish), and fruits on a daily basis in limited quantities must be consumed. No snacking after 7:00pm. Drink 4 to 5 liters of water everyday. However, don’t drink too much water on the wedding day and night before, to avoid bloating.

‘Rouka’ by Sreejith Jeevan Presents a Monsoon Story

Floating Boat Pants by ROUKA

Paper boat races, playing with grandfather’s crook-handled umbrellas, ambassador cars passing by the green fields, rubbing out some space in the misted glass windows to watch the rain and the cyclist’s balancing act while pedaling through puddled streets; were just a few of the many inspirations of this clean-cut, super chic monsoon collection by designer Sreejith Jeevan.

It’s raining culottes by ROUKA

This collection brings forth an aesthetic amalgamation of the vibrant Indian tradition molded in layers of contemporary hues with an ever-elusive empowering zest of the weaver and the wearer. Stitch by stitch and seam by seam—this collection is sure to strike a cord or two amongst fashionistas.

Rouka Green Doodle Shirt

From muted tones to darker juxtapositions, a tale of powder blue to blending hints of parrot green, this collection is a true visual delight. The cuts, silhouettes and fabrics look easy on the eyes and super comfy on the skin.

P.S- If you want to lay your hands on these gorgeous outfits, do click on NETE.IN

In today’s world, skincare for men is as important as, it is for women. So guys, I bring to you a holistic guide to radiant and healthy skin

I am sure Ryan Gosling has great skin. But, the reason why his photo is here is quite obvious! (I am totally crushing on him)

A man’s skin is just as vulnerable as a woman’s, if not more, since they often tend to spend more time outdoors. Exposure to the sun, air-conditioning, air pollutants, chlorinated water, harsh soaps and after-shave preparations, all influence their skin, making it dry and sensitive. Looking good is not just a female prerogative anymore. “Today’s man knows the importance of appearance—that looking one’s best imparts self confidence. Today, there are many jobs in which, appearance counts, like public relations, media relations, front office jobs, marketing and sales, jobs in hotels, tourism, television (anchoring, news reading), the fashion industry and so on. This has also contributed towards the desire to look good,” says Shahnaz Husain, renowned beauty expert and entrepreneur. Men’s grooming products and salon care have grown at a phenomenal pace over the last decade. Men are going in for beauty treatments, facials, and etc.

Daily care:

Men require skincare routines that are simple and not too time consuming. A light cleansing gel or face wash can be used for cleansing in the morning. Rinse well and apply skin tonic, using cotton wool. This can be a pre-shave routine. If the skin is oily and prone to blackheads, a cleansing scrub should be used at least twice a week, rubbing it gently on the skin and washing it off with plain water. Cleansing at night is important to remove pollutants and impurities that have been deposited on the skin during the day. Men spend more time outdoors or in the sun. Hence, application of sunscreen lotion before stepping out in the sun plays an important role in preventing UV ray damage. For shaving, choose a gentle, creamy, emollient product. This softens the hair, making shaving much easier. It also leaves the skin smooth and supple. Most after-shave lotions are alcohol-based—this has a drying effect on the skin and has also been known to cause rashes later. A non-greasy after-shave cream would be ideal.

Post-shaving woes:

Itchy skin or rashes are common skin problems faced by men after shaving. Rashes are a consequence of dull razors, dry skin or skin sensitive. One should follow some basic steps to avoid rashes. Always use a shaving cream to soften the hair before shaving. If rashes occur, rinse the irritated area with cool water. Never rub as scrubbing inflames the skin and makes irritation worse. Avoid alcohol based products; instead apply a cool tea bag to soothe your skin. You can also soften the skin with aloe vera, tea tree oil, or a mild astringent, such as witch hazel. Avoid cologne, aftershave or other scented products that are harsh to the skin. Apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment or cream once a week if the irritation is severe. Use the product according to label recommendations and avoid overuse, which may cause stretch marks and thinning of the skin.

Homemade remedies:

For oily skin, mix three teaspoons of oats with rose water and egg white. Apply on face and wash it off after 20 minutes. For dry skin, mix powdered milk with aloe vera gel and orange juice. Apply on face and wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes. For acne prone skin, mix multani mitti (fuller’s earth) with sandalwood paste and rose water. Make it into a smooth paste, apply on face and wash it off when it dries.

Homemade fuller’s earth face masks are very good in soaking dirt and oil from oily skin surface. It’s an effective cleanser that can prevent breakouts. You can get rid of extra shine, greasiness and oil with clay masks as they have oil reducing properties.

P.S–Take two tablespoons of fuller’s earth powder and soak it in water for half an hour. Add a tablespoon of rose water and few drops of lemon juice. If the mixture is still thick, add some water to it. A tablespoon of milk can be added to avoid over dryness. This face mask will clean up your face, improve blood circulation, and remove excess oil and dead cells from the skin. You can apply this mask twice or thrice a week.

Try some homemade packs to suit your skin tone. Use fresh tomato juice as a base for your face wash and if you have an oily skin, add lemon juice to it. If the texture of your skin is normal, add equal amount of honey to the tomato juice but if your skin is dry then add equal amount of honey and coconut milk to tomato juice.

Toning is very crucial for both men and women, as it keeps your pores clean, and leaves the skin healthy and breathing. For extra oily skin, use astringent lotion instead of a toner. Moisten a cotton ball with toning lotion and put it on the chin, cheeks and neck. Tomato juice is again a good skin toner. Use mineral water with rose water on dry skin. Rub cucumber slices over the face and neck and wash off after 15 minutes. Also, a mixture of honey and milk or a papaya and banana paste makes for excellent homemade moisturizers.

So, gentlemen manage your skin well before it gets too late. Eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, learn to de-stress and stick to your daily beauty regime for an ever-elusive healthy and glowing skin.

Indulging in the subtle joys of a spa at your own abode sounds not only relaxing but convenient too!

Amidst the hustle-bustle of our hectic lives, we often tend to ignore the well being of our skin and hair. Blame it on the sedentary lifestyles or just being lazy, we take ourselves for granted! And with all the dust, pollution and humidity that we have to deal with everyday, I suggest, you better wake up and smell the coffee-our skin and hair needs regular nourishment to remain healthy and radiant. So what if you don’t get time to hit the spa or salon for beautification; today you can create your own spa at home. Indulge in some self pampering as I guide you on how to get spa treatments done at home with some simple steps. 

To emulate a spa at your own home you should keep some basic ingredients, oils and tools ready. For instance, tweezers, sponges, face steamer, etc. Steam helps to open pores and oxygenate the skin; it also works wonders for blackhead extraction and dead skin removal. Also products like cleanser, scrub and moisturizer are a must-have. Indulging in a good body scrub comes handy too but don’t forget the pair of exfoliating gloves!

Also oils like apricot, almond, olive and sesame are good to have, for they bestow glow and smoothness to the skin in abundance. Curd, gram flour, rose water and lime coupled with walnut powder and fuller’s earth are of great help when it comes to exfoliating the skin. Make sure to have cotton pads cut to eye’s size to treat dark under eye problems or puffy eyes problem; these pads can be soaked in fresh cucumber juice and water before application.Furthermore, some good aromatic oil like jasmine, lavender and eucalyptus can be of good use too, with their own set of therapeutic properties. Also sea salts can work magically on sore feet and hands. Also, do keep some good incense sticks or diffuser to make the whole experience more vibrant and aromatic. Using some good fragrant candles can be a brilliant idea! Now, when it comes to facials and massaging, one should take extra care. Consult an expert before you start your own thing; the pressure stimulation process should be precise because excessive pressure can lead to sore muscles and spasms. Undue pressure can also lead to triggering of pain.

Know the basics:

Secret Ingredient: One of the best skin-smoothing ingredient can be found in the dairy aisle, at your nearest supermarket. The lactic acid in milk softens skin better than most super-fancy potions, which is why spa-pros recommend pouring a few cups of milk in your bath. After a long soak, your body will feel buttery soft.

Quick spa recipe: Mix coarse sea salt or brown or white sugar with enough olive oil or grape seed oil to easily spread it on your skin. And always scrub after washing your body with soap; the oils will sink into clean skin and hydrate it.

Three steps facial: To begin with, microwave three damp washcloths for 30 seconds, and  use one to clean your face after each step. Firstly, run hot water in a sink and stand over it with a towel draped over your head for a few minutes (the steam softens your skin) and then wash your face. Next, scrub your face with a product containing both round beads and a chemical exfoliant like, salicylic acid or lactic acid. Lastly, slather on a hydrating face mask, or use a couple of teaspoons of raw honey, which locks in moisture and has antimicrobial properties. Wait for fifteen minutes and wipe it off.