Beauty Is Power, A Smile Is Its Sword

After a lifetime spent slathering on oil-free moisturizers and serums—and assuming that doing otherwise would make my oily skin even oilier—I was skeptical when my facialist  Mzia Shiman  recently suggested I give facial oil a try. I gave in, and to my surprise, it actually healed my skin from the inside out. Now, as temperatures get cooler, I begin to wonder: Are all face oils created equal? Can I continue with this miracle product that worked well in the spring and summer even as winter approaches? “Yes,” says French facialist Isabelle Bellis, “but use the  right  oil.” The right oil, of course, depends on your skin type. In the summer, skin produces more sebum, the facial glands responsible for oil secretion, while during the cooler months, production is decreased. "It’s best to use lighter oils, like apricot oil during the day, if you have oily skin,” Bellis explains. Acne-prone clients should look to drier oils, such as jojoba, hazelnut, and sesame, while tho...

If there’s one thing we share in common with the folks at  Buzzfeed Life —other than an abiding love for cat GIFs—it’s an appreciation for hacks ( post-gym beauty hacks ,  baking hacks , the list goes on). This month, we partnered with the site to bring you ideas to help you hack the holidays, beauty-wise. In that let's-make-things-easier spirit, the Buzzfeed editors shared some of their lazy girl beauty hacks with us. 1.  Mix a little peppermint oil into your lip gloss to give your lips a plumping boost. 2.  Scrape out every last drop of foundation/bronzer/shimmer before you have to schelp out to the store again. 3.  Use a white or light eyeliner to really make your eyes pop (or hide how tired/hungover you are). photo credit: samram1214.blogspot.com 4.  If you accidentally purchase a foundation that’s too dark, adding a bit of moisturizer to your mix can help lighten it. 5.  To get the most out of your mascara, stick in your b...

Oh face masks, let us count the ways we love thee... in sheet form ,  in splash form ,  in clay form , and now we're adding in DIY form because TBH sometimes we're too lazy to get to a Sephora or too broke to splurge on masks. So, when you want to give your skin some TLC but don't want to wander farther than your kitchen, try these mask recipes that come courtesy of three food and skincare experts. Cocoa Dream Hydration Mask "Avocado is extremely hydrating, cocoa is pore-refining and a great antioxidant, and honey is antibacterial and soothing."—Holly Monson, spa manager at  Ocean Pearl Spa 1.  Mash 1 quarter of avocado. 2.  Stir in 1 Tblsp. cocoa powder and 1 Tblsp. honey. 3.  Apply to clean face for 10 minutes. 4.  Remove with warm water, tone, and moisturize. Summer Strawberry Facial Mask "This mask is great for all skin types and will naturally exfoliate and brighten over time. Strawberries are great for brightening, refining...

Could your skin be more clear and smoother than it is? Could your hair be any silkier, stronger and voluminous? All of this without having to spend thousands of rupees are your next-door salon? Yes, absolutely! I come across hundreds of young women looking for desperate solutions to their skin and  hair problems  and expecting me to wave my magic wand and tackle their issues overnight and transform them. I would love to oblige but the truth is that nature doesn't bloom overnight. The smallest seed of a plant also needs to be planted, nurtured and cared for before it can blossom and show its magnificence. Though we live in a world of "insta" or instant options, some things cannot be played around with. With the festive season around the corner - Durga Puja, Karvachauth, Diwali and endless parties and festivities that go with it, the skin and hair need to look healthy and stunning. In this article I have conjured up some INSTA recipes (both magical and natural) that are g...