Fruity Beauty - Summer Fruits' Face Masks

Let Mother Nature be your dermatologist

Pakistani summers may not offer the cool winds of winter, but this sweltering season has the best variety of fruits on offer. The roadside theylas are vivid bursts of colour, flashing bright yellow mangoes and fresh pink watermelons.

You don’t need to restrict your fruit season to eating though! These fabulous summer fruits can be enjoyed as fruit salads and smoothies, but also have many beauty benefits for your appearance. There are tons of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fruity recipes, which are easy to make at home and packed with nutrients for better skin and hair.  So why burn a hole in your pocket with expensive chemical cleansers and face scrubs when you just open the fridge and try out these amazing beauty recipes:

Mango

What they’ve got: Dietary fiber, Vitamins A and C and antioxidants. Also a good source of Vitamins E, K and B6.

What kind of beauty benefits does it have?

• Helps to maintain an even complexion
• Keeps the skin soft and supple by aiding the production of collagen
• Helps to avoid wrinkles and fine lines
• Helps to reduce dryness and can work as a lip balm

Mango cleanser recipe for skin

Ingredients

• 1 tsp wheat flour
• 1 tsp mango pulp

Method: Mix wheat flour and mango pulp to form a paste. Apply to face and scrub off when dry.

Mango conditioner recipe for hair

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon yogurt
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons mango pulp

Method: Mix the ingredients and apply to hair for 30 minutes then rinse away.

Green Grapes

What they’ve got: They are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K and carry antioxidants in their seeds. They are a great source of Vitamin E and linoleic acid as well.

What kind of beauty benefits do they have?

• Can lighten acne scars
• Help prevent hair loss

Recipe for softer and even-toned skin

Ingredients:

A handful of green grapes

Method: squeeze the grapes in a bowl and apply the juice/ pulp to the face. When dry, wash with cold water.

Recipe for hair to prevent hair loss

Ingredients:

• a generous helping of grapes
• 1 tsp rosewater

Method: crush grapes and add rose water to make a paste. Apply to hair for 15-20 minutes and rinse off.

Peaches

What they’ve got: Loads of Vitamin C and provide a small amount of protein.

What kind of beauty benefits do they have?

• Help in tissue repair
• Help to prevent skin infections and acne
• Can reduce wrinkles
• Improve overall skin texture
• Help fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution

Recipe for tight, hydrated acne free skin

Ingredients

• One peach
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 egg yolk for dry skin or 1 egg white for oily skin
• ½ tsp yogurt IF your skin is very dry

Method:  Dice the peach and throw in the blender with honey and egg as per your skin requirement. Blend and form paste. Apply to skin and wash off with cold water when dry.

Recipe for anti-dandruff and hair fall mask

Ingredients

• 2 Peaches
• 1 tsp milk

Method: Crush peaches in a blender and add milk to form a paste. Apply to hair for 15 minutes and then rinse off.

Kiwis

What they’ve got: Rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and a bunch of antioxidants.

What kind of beauty benefits do they have?

• Help to produce collagen and maintain skin strength
• Help reduce blemishes
• Help reduce wrinkles and fine lines

Recipe to exfoliate and moisturise skin

Ingredients:

• 1 kiwi
• 1 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp gram flour
• 3 almonds soaked over night

Method: Crush almonds in a spice grinder and mash the kiwi to turn into a puree. Mix all the ingredients and apply to face. Gently rub off the face when the mixture begins to dry.

Recipe for fast hair growth

Ingredients

• 1 kiwi
• 1tsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp aloe vera

Method: Chop a kiwi and make a puree. Mix with oil and aloe vera. Apply to hair and let it stay for 1 hour. Then wash off with your regular shampoo.

Watermelon

What it’s got: High levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids.

What kind of beauty benefits do they have?

• Helps to reduce blemishes
• Acts like a moisturiser
• Repairs skin from sun damage
• Can be used for skin exfoliation

Recipe for skin exfoliation

Ingredients

• A few cubes of watermelon
• 2 tbsp gram flour

Method

Crush the watermelon cubes and mix with gram flour to form a paste. Apply on the face and scrub off when dry.

Recipe to promote hair growth

Ingredients

• A few cubes of watermelon
• 2 tbsp yogurt

Method: Crush the watermelon cubes and mix with yogurt. Apply to hair and leave for 30 minutes. Wash off with your regular shampoo.

* This story has been published on womensown.pk

It's Time to Look Minted

Look fresh in mint this Eid

Knock knock!

Who’s there?

I’m Mint.

I’m Mint who?

I’m Mint to be with you!

The Pakistani fashion scene is not quite over the summer palette as yet and mint green is still hot favorite. The fashionistas have been donning this pretty colour all summer and designers are still choosing this cool hue for their latest Eid/ cambric collections.  Some design houses are even using it to give their bridal ranges a fresh twist.

There are various shades of the mint green family for you to pick from and quite a few cuts and design options available to flatter your body type. You can show off that waist in a peplum top or embrace some flare with the latest boot legged pants. You can feel pretty in an organza wrap or go bold with the off shoulder trend. And, if none of these styles work for you, you can happily stick to the staple, classic kurta.

You’re still in the ‘hmm…maybe’ zone? Don’t know how to look mintabulous? You’re worried you’ll pull a mint-gone-all-wrong? Here’s some inspiration to help you rock this flirty, feminine shade without looking overly girly:

Off Shoulder embellished kameez with cutwork sleeves by IVY

Peplum top by Sania Maskatiya

Lacey top with silver embellishments by Saira Shakira

Peplum top with vintage-print boot legged pants by Shehla Chatoor

Belted formal silk top with organza finishing by Suffuse

Minimalistic organza Kurta with a splash of pearls by Farida Hasan

‘Shimmer Love’ shirt by Baraekhanom

Fringed detailing kameez knotted at the waist by Mahgul

Organza wrap with braided belt and rosette detailing by Sana Abbas

Net gown with gold embellishment and sheer sleeves and neckline by Fahad Hussayn

Bridal and modern dhoti shalwar by Nida Azwer

* This story has been published on womensown.pk

10 Aunty Comments You Don’t Want to Hear When You’re Pregnant

They're Ready to Make a Chutney Out of You

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Pregnancy is not the best time of your life. Unless you’re Kareena Kapoor, you’re feeling ugly and probably getting dark, splotchy spots on your face. You are expanding at an exponential rate and none of your old clothes fit you. The trips to the doctor, feeling nauseous all the time, hating your husband or the world in general, the constant need to pee, that dry, itchy abdomen and those sleepless nights – God it is tough for pregnant women.

BUT, lo and behold, there are many aunties around you to make sure they rub some salt, and drizzle a bit of lemon, on all your zakhms. That’s one grand gift you receive as soon as they hear you’re expecting and start showering you with various naseehats and patay ki baats. Here are some of the aunty comments you don’t want to hear when you’re pregnant. 

1. “Haye tumhari shakal kitni kaali lag rahi hai, zaroor beta hoga”

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Thanks. I was already feeling sad and ugly. Am I now supposed to hold back my tears till you leave?

2. “Ab to do logon ke liye khana parhey ga”

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No, dude. My child is the size of a pea right now and will slowly grow as big as an orange and eventually a watermelon. That is no way comparable to a grown person. So I’d like to stick to eating healthy and eating in the quantities I want to. Of course, I will be consulting with the doctor regularly to keep my baby’s weight in check.

3. “Khaney mein dheyr saara ghee dalwaao, delivery mein asaani hogi”

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That oil, aunty dearest, is just going to accumulate as fat in my body. It will not sit in my body hoping to miraculously turn into a lubricant when I am pushing the baby out. The delivery is going to be hard and that’s it. I might consider an epidural to make life easier though.

4. “beta dupatta peyt pe daal ke baahir nikalna, warna acha nahin lagta”

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I am having a baby, not hiding a bomb in there. Naturally my tummy is going to grow in size. Why do I need to hide it? I am already huge and don’t want to look like a freaking tent. And plus, I am not the first preggers on earth.

5. “naariyal paani peyo, baccha gora paida hoga”

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I want a healthy baby, not a gora baby. If my husband and I carry the fair & lovely genes then the child will fulfill your dreams automatically. And unfortunately, if we are both not gora then the chances are that my child will not live up to your fair expectations. Need my grade 8 bio notes by the way?

6. “bass ab chalna phirna band”

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Yeah. So that I become an elephant. It is encouraged by doctors to be active and keeping busy during pregnancy. Of course, you need to listen to your body and rest when you feel the need but there is no reason to quit your job, quit doing harmless chores around the house and act like a princess. Chances are that your lounging will lead to you gaining weight faster than in your nightmares. And the ghee you want to feed me will kinda make it worse.

7. “ab to khaney ka license mil gaya hai, jo chaho khao”

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I am going to give into my cravings by all means, but please don’t say it’s time to gobble down 2 parathas in one go. If I am hungry, I shall eat but I shall eat healthy. I plan to choose normal roti or multigrain bread over daily doses of parathas. I plan to pick fruit chaat over fruit cream. I wil have my almonds and cashews and avoid empty calories like cookies. After all it will be you coming crashing down on my weight the instant the baby is out. So yeah, I’d like to stick to the 30 pounds a woman is supposed to gain during pregnancy and nothing more.

8. “chalo ab gym jana to band karo, iss haalat mein ye sab nahin kartey”

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Decades of research by the brightest minds on the planet have proven that being active and agile will make my pregnancy easier. Gyms and fitness studios across the country have customized programmes for your age, weight, injuries, AND pregnancy status. But yes, let me give in to your infinite wisdom and turn into a sofey ka aloo.

9. “mein wazeefa bataaoon gi takey beta ho”

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Aunty, I am going to pray to Allah Mian for a physically and mentally healthy baby who will hopefully grow up into a half decent human being. And that will be the extent of my intervention into the divine. Plus, what if my ultrasound has already revealed that I am having a girl? What now, aunty?

10. “mian se ab door hi rehna, baby ke liye theek nahin hai”

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In other words, please practice celibacy? For the love of God, why? Unless my doctor has told me not to, there is no reason for me to stay away from my husband. Having sex cannot reach, touch or harm my baby. I have done my research on it. I will be careful though. So don’t worry.

These aunties, I tell you.

* This story has been published on mangobaaz.com

Fitness for the Working Woman

It's Time to Ditch the Excuses

You’re the boss at work. You’re definitely the boss at home. Now it’s time to make sure that you’re the boss of your body as well. Excuses are easy to make, but like you have learnt in life, you don’t bring about change by making excuses.

So let us help you today by giving you a few tips on how to ensure that your engine keeps running at peak performance throughout the day.

Invest in a fitness tracker

Chances are that your cell phone has one already which will count your steps, make an estimate of calories burnt throughout the day and keep you informed about optimum levels of active time. But unless your phone is on you throughout the day the results will be sketchy at best. So if you really want to be on top of your game, we recommend getting a wearable fitness tracker. Choose your brand according to your needs. The Fitbit range is easily available in Pakistan and will serve the purpose. You can set goals by steps, calories, or distance and your tracker will ensure that you’re motivated enough to run up the stairs even as your lazy friends push the elevator button.

Keep a resistance band handy

Get your adrenaline running first thing in the morning by using a resistance band that will take simple exercises to the next level. Start your day with 10 minutes of resistance band exercises and those friendly endorphins will do the heavy lifting for you throughout the day to ensure that you are at the top of your game. No time in the morning? Not to worry. Stuff the band in your bag and deploy it at any time of the day when you get 10 minutes.

The helpful chart below (click to enlarge) lists just some of the exercises you can perform with a resistance band. So head to your nearest sports shop ASAP and get your hands on this.

Say yes to healthy snacks

Certain brands try to convince you that you should reach for their carby, saturated fat filled, sugar-laden snacks when you get hungry in-between meals. We say don’t take the bait! Make sure you are prepared with a healthy, and more importantly, handy, snack to keep your belly full and your conscience guilt free. Here are two great options:

• Keep a protein bar in your bag. They cost less than a cappuccino and have just the right amount of protein, good carbs & fats, and calories for a quick and healthy snack. We recommend the Luna Protein Bars that you can conveniently get delivered to your home through the fantastic FitHai.Pk, and while you’re there you can splurge on other health items from the convenience of your home.

• Make small bags of dried fruit. We recommend a handful of almonds and walnuts per bag that will keep you full and deliver a punch of good fats to maintain optimum energy levels. Not to mention the street cred that comes from that hot bod that’s in shape all year round. Have a sweet tooth? No problem. Throw in a few raisins and you’ve got both taste and energy in a bag!

Use technology

Yes your phone is an addiction and those constant notifications from WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are keeping you distracted. But it’s high time that you get that bad boy to do something helpful for a change. Download these two apps and we can bet our bottom dollar that half your fitness woes will be out of the window:

• My Fitness Pal: This is a free app for Android and iOS and helps you keep track of calories (and yes it distinguishes between good and bad calories so you can’t have only 2 double whoppers in a day and go to sleep knowing you’ve achieved your calorie target). The best thing about this app is that users from across the world have uploaded cuisines so if you’re having Bhindi Gosht and think that there is no way a cell phone app can help you with that, you’re wrong. My Fitness Pal will tell you exactly what you’re consuming. Don’t believe us? Here’s a screenshot for proof:

• Sleep Cycle: Do you remember learning about REM and Non-REM sleep in class? No? Not to worry. Gist of the story is that it’s great to wake up while you’re in a light cycle of sleep, and not so great when you’re in a deep cycle. Traditional alarms wake you up at the time you commanded giving no thought or care to which cycle of sleep you are in. The Sleep Cycle app is not so cold-hearted. It monitors the movement of your body throughout the night and makes intelligent assessments about your sleep cycle. It will wake you up within a 30 minute window when you are in the lightest possible cycle of sleep. This ensures that even with insufficient Zzzz’s you will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.

So here you are. We are confident that with a combination of easy to do exercises, tracking your activity & sleep, and ensuring healthy snacking you will be kicking butt every day of the week!

* This story has been published on womensown.pk

14th August - What to Wear

The green question

You are the multi-tasker – you know how to be a superstar at work and you know how to be the super mom at home. You are your kitchen’s master chef and you know how to look good too. But you may not always get the time to ‘search’ for the right outfit for yourself. Is the thought of dressing right this independence day worrying you a little? Did you see some azaadi kurtas while scrolling down your Instagram but don’t really know who’s stocking what? We are here to sort out your wardrobe woes!

Here’s an August 14th style guide on where to find the right Independence Day outfit for you. And guess what! Our guide comes with a price comparison too!

Nishat Linen

We adore this short jacket from Nishat Linen’s Pret Azaadi Collection. This one’s our pick from the 7 Pakistan themed kurta options they’ve got. It’s trendy, it is different from the regular kurta options and does not have to be limited to be worn on August 14th only. It’s perfect for a coffee date with a friend. Pair it with a black inner and cropped culottes to look smokin’ hot!

Price: Rs.2,990

Sapphire Kurta

Sapphire is running out of all their azaadi styles fast so head to your nearest outlet now! There is quite a bit to choose from and the price range is super affordable. This one is our favorite pick from their Patriotic Collection with blue and green embroidered Minar-e-Pakistan motifs on the neckline and printed heritage buildings on thedaman. We suggest you pair this white bell bottoms and royal blue Sarwas from SOMA to complete the look

Price: Rs.2,690

Sapphire scarf

If you don’t make it in time to find yourself a kurta at Sapphire, worry not. They have a yummy collection of silk scarves that you can use to add color to a white chikankari kurta or even pair with a white top and jeans. The prints are vibrant and cheerful. Slip on a pair of truck art khussas and you will be ready to roll in your Pakistani look!

Price: Rs.2,650

Gulabo

Gulabo is our go-to label for fun and quirky outfits. This super short shirt paired with a tulip shalwar is certainly on trend this summer. Pull your hair back in a high bun and accessorise with antique style silver balis to sport the fusion look like a boss.

Price: Tulip Shalwar – Rs.6,500 with pearls and Rs.5,500 without pearls; Shirt – Rs.5,500

HSY

If you are someone who’s into silks, The New Currency top by HSY is made for you! This tunic top is a celebration of our talent and welcomes the revival of Pakistani cinema, displaying images of actors that will be the faces of the golden screen in the years to come. Glam it up with a pair of well fitting black cigarette pants, red lip colour and your favourite black heels.

Price: Rs.8,000

Generation

It’s going to be a white Independence Day at Generation, with an effort to bring focus to the much sidelined minorities of the country that not only complete our flag but also our identity as a nation. Isn’t that a brilliant concept? Head over to your closest Generation outfit to get your hands on this beautiful, vintage print whitegharara!

Price: Rs.2,698

Pith Collection

Add some flag swag to your life with this lovely piece from Pith Collection this August! This loose cut cotton top in hues of green and brown is love. Displaying a collage of a Pakistani street scene with our national flag, thekurta is ideal for everyday wear. Pair it up with a white traditional shalwar and an ethnic green ring to complete the look.

Price: Rs.2,600

Zainab Chottani

This elegant white kurta comes with an embroidered daman inspired by national monuments and embroidered chand sitara motifs on the cuffs. The sleeves are super cute and look is fresh. If you fear green, slay it in this all white ensemble is a must-have this independence day!

Price: Rs.8,000

Braahtii

Check out this super cute calligraphy kurta by Braahtii. The fabric used is chiffon so if you want to sport a more formal look, order this one for yourself right away! This off shoulder top is trendy, flirty and traditional at the same time. What more could a girl want?

Price: Rs.5,000

House of Ittehad

This high-low top from the House of Ittehad is the right blend of comfort and style. We love the pop of colour as the use of maroon adds to this top. Pair it up with organza-strip boot cut pants and maroon khussas to get some extra style points.

Price: Rs.2,395

Al Zohaib Textile

From the 6 kurtis comprising Al Zohaib Azaadi Kurti Collection, this one wows us the most. The subtle chand tara base and the simple, classic cut make it ideal for those who are suckers for comfort. Pair with crisp white cigarette pants and gold Kohlapuris to represent the azaadi spirit. And, the price, by the way, is too good to say no.

Price: Rs.1,200

Edenrobe

Edenrobe has about 4 azaadi kurtas to choose from. This one is our favourite from their Freedom Collection. It’s a simple lawn shirt, ideal for the summer heat. Pair it with a tulip shalwar to rock the look!

Price: Rs.2,300

* This story has been published on womensown.pk