Facelifts by a handlift

Feb 28, 2020, 07.51 AM IST

NEW YORK: Barring admission to medical school or catastrophic injury, most of us will go our whole lives without much contemplating the grisly framework that enables and constrains our bodily movement.

But what if, in exchange for subjecting yourself to that existential reckoning, you could have zhuzhed cheeks and a temporary glow?

For an increasing number of Brooklyn residents for whom any price is a small price to pay for any good or service, the answer is a radiant yes.

The result is what the aesthetician Carrie Lindsey describes as a “nonsurgical facelift.” In her salon, Lindsey methodically rearranges the clay of her clients’ features until they resemble their own almost imperceptibly more attractive evil twins. She achieves this effect by smushing and smooshing and spreading and stretching their faces, for upward of an hour, and then (having donned gloves) rooting around inside their mouths for several minutes.

A description on the Carrie Lindsey Beauty website declares the treatment “the Brancusi of facials,” implying even if you are the type of person who doesn‘t know what Brancusi is, let alone what constitutes its facial equivalent, it sounds indescribably luxurious.

A Brancusi of feels like being alternately treasured and ravaged, pulled and gently slapped and firmly pressed, like pizza dough that has dropped on a human skeleton and now must be rubbed into the skeleton to hide this mistake.

Before and after photos will reveal that your skin no longer sagged in places you hadn’t known it sagged.

After an initial assessment, during which she scrutinises what she calls “the knit” of her client’s skin, Lindsey begins the treatment by pressing gently around the clavicle, underarms and jawline — locations of lymph nodes. She works her way more forcefully up the neck to the face. The movements, she said, are intended to encourage activity in the lymphatic and circulatory systems, to “feed” the skin.

“I’m not feeding it just topically with a mask or serum. Your body’s feeding your new skin cells. And I think that’s great.”

Essential beauty oils to Stock in your beauty cabinet

11.08.2017 From lavender oil, rosemary oil to neroli oil, add essential oils to your daily skin care routine for better results, say experts. Puniti, Beauty Expert and Director, 7 Shades by Puniti Unisex Salon, points out “essential oils have amazing properties which are also used in aroma therapy and naturopathy”.

Vijay Singhal, senior consultant, Dermatologist at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, feels essential oils are carrier oils and should only be used with agents which can be moisturisers, body lotions and hair oils or even water.“Use of these essential oils more than in quantity of more than three or four drops may cause irritation and even skin damages. The best property of these oils could be that they can be used in every season throughout the year,” he added.

* Lavender oil: Most commonly used for its relaxing effects on the body. The aroma of the oil is relaxing and helps to release stress. A drop or two, when rubbed in the temples helps in better sleep. Used with coconut oil, lavender oil helps getting rid of lice and their eggs as well. Adding a drop or two in your regular moisturizer helps healing sunburn.

* Tea tree oil: Helps in getting rid of pimples and their marks. It can also help in eliminating toenail fungus. Use of tea tree oil with your regular hair oil helps one get rid of dandruff and itchy scalp.

* Rosemary oil: Extremely beneficial for hair growth and has properties which help hair thickening. Rosemary oil helps in improving memory and is beneficial for liver detoxification.

* Sandalwood oil: It has benefits which include being antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic and is disinfectant. It is most effective during monsoon when the chances of getting infections are the most. Fill a large bowl with steaming water, add one to two drops of sandal wood essential oil and use the same for face spa. It’s not only refreshing but will help get rid of blemishes.

* Neroli oil: The interesting thing about this bitter orange oil is their beneficial properties for getting sound sleep and be stress-free. It is a natural remedy for anxiety, depression, hysteria, panic, shock and stress. Wet a cotton ball, add a drop of neroli oil and lightly dab it on your skin to help treat acne. You can also mix it with the skin cream to help regenerate your skin.

Partap Chauhan, Director Jiva Ayurveda, also said: “Massaging the scalp and hair with warm oil, preferably infused with hair nourishing herbs, is the best way to nurture the scalp and hair topically. Not only does the massage work wonders for your hair, but it also relaxes the mind and nervous system.”

Let’s sparty!

Off your plates and on your body, all those sinful edible ingredients that promise to make you glow

When people said ‘You look good enough to eat,’ they probably never meant it as literally as they could today. As spas snaffle dessert menus from luxury restaurants, offering everything from milk and coffee to mango and freshly grated coconut, there never has been a time when food was celebrated the way it is now. Here’s whetting your appetite with a few edible therapies.

Tamarind, Mint and Coconut Body Polish at Kaya Kalp — The Royal Spa, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai (Rs. 3,000++/ 40 minutes)

With ingredients similar to that of an exotic chutney to accompany those fluffy idlis, this natural and supremely edible blend is said to help remove dead skin cells, thanks to its formulation that’s packed with powerful nutrients to promote healthy skin. The spa also has on its menu a Pomegranate Sugar Scrub (Rs. 3,000++/ 40min) and a Mung Bean Exfoliation (Rs. 3,000++s/ 40min).

Gold Body Therapy with Cane Sugar at Iridium Spa, St. Regis, Mumbai (Price on request/ 90 minutes)

Gold when combined with another great love — sugar — transforms into an ingredient with anti-inflammatoryproperties that help repair skin. This ultra-decadent treatment involves an invigorating exfoliation using a gold-sugar scrub, made using fair-trade cane sugar torefine the texture of the skin by eliminating deadcells. The final touch is a massage with fragrantoil enriched with gold particles. Indulgent, much.

The Signature Coffee Therapy at Oma Spa, The Serai, Bandipur (Rs. 8,500++/ 3.5 hours)

The three-part Oma Signature Therapy is your very own personal journey into the therapeutic world of caffeine. Apparently, the wonder substance operates in three ways when applied to the skin — it is an antioxidant, a diuretic and a vasoconstrictor (it narrows blood vessels) that helps in reducing puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. While the massage uses nourishing oils blended with aromatic coffee extracts, the body scrub and facial that follow use coffee beans that are grown on the resort’s estate.

Spice Scrub and Sand Massage at Rait Spa, Suryagarh, Jaisalmer (Rs. 7,000++/ 2 hours)

Paying homage to the spa’s name, the second part of the treatment involves hand-held heated potlis (bundles) of Jaisalmer sand that help relieve stiff muscles. However, what comes before this hour-long massage is a fragrant, exfoliating scrub using warming spices like cloves, peppercorns and cinnamon that meld together to create a marinate of sorts that produce heat. It is that heat, they claim, that helps the body to naturally release toxins, thereby ‘coaxing’ it to return to its natural rhythms and enabling better metabolism.

Walnut and Asparagus Body Scrub at Shillim Spa, The Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, Shillim (Rs 4,500++/ 55 minutes)

This body-firming spa scrub experience uses walnut paste mixed with the Ayurvedic herb gotu kola (Centella asiatica). Both elements, known for their medicinal properties, help in body-firming and skin exfoliation. The cumulative stimulating and astringent effect is said to remove excess water. The scrub is followed by an asparagus body mask that further helps firm up the skin. An ultra-hydrating Apricot Facial (Rs. 4,500++/ 55 minutes) is also available.

Mango and Kiwi Scrub at Antahpura Spa, Park Hyatt, Chennai (Rs. 3,800++/ 45 minutes)

Relying on the vast and rich ancient Indian wellness heritage, ranging from Tamil herbo-mineral healing to Chettinad therapies, the spa menu here aims at a holistic approach to restoring the equilibrium within the mind and body. And one of the most popular and dare-we-say yummiest of all therapies on offer is this virtual fruit salad of a scrub that harnesses the goodness of both fruits in one luxurious ritual. Thanks to its acidic nature, mango is the perfect ingredient to help remove dead skin and improve one’s complexion. Kiwi is the answer to your irritated skin’s needs, and promotes cell regeneration.

Rani Padmavati Milk Bath at The Spa, The Leela, Goa (Price on request/ 60 minutes)

Offering a variety of luxurious hydrotherapy baths that relax and strengthen the body, boost the immune system and increase metabolism, this spa has a very decadent ace up its sleeve. Harking back to the era of our very own Cleopatra, Rani Padmavati, the spa gives you a milk bath. Not just a great source of lactic acid, a natural alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the top layer of dull, dead skin cells, erasing blemishes and revealing a softer, clearer complexion, milk is also packed with vitamins A and D, protein and calcium — all of which are easily absorbed by the skin leaving it ‘royally’ pampered and loved.

Kalpa Anubhava Coconut Indulgence at The Elevation Spa, The Tamara, Coorg (Rs. 6,250/ 2 hours)

This über-indulgent, two-hour session begins with a freshly grated coconut and sugar scrub followed by a relaxing massage using cold-pressed coconut and cucumber oil. The ritual is said to stimulate the nerves and blood vessels beneath the skin, while calming muscle tension. Designed to re-activate circulation and the flow of energy, it ends with a continuous stream of warmed oil poured onto your head. A wild rice body scrub called the Aranya Shaili Anubhava (Rs. 6,250/ 2 hrs) and the Signature Coffee Therapy (Rs. 4,375/ 60 min), using the coffee beans grown and processed on the Tamara estate are also part of the edible spa menu here.

Raul Dias is a Mumbai-based food and travel writer who is an ardent devotee of the peripatetic way of life.

facial hair removal naturaly

kuppaimeni leaves when used along with neem , turmeric , in equal quantities and mix little sugar... and apply over the facial hairs (apply all over the face except eyebrows)... then allow it to dry...
while washing again take little sugar in hands make your face wet and do some circular motion for 10 mins ... initial coarsely followed by gently after your sugar get dissolved in that mixture... now time to wash of...
follow this regularly if possible twice a day.

make tis paste without sugar and u can store tis in fridge for not more than 3-4 days... add sugar b4 u apply to ur face... u can add lime n honey if u want

it takes 3 full months to get good results...depending upon your intensity of the hair... but sure all your soft hairs will be vanished .. by now

kuppaimeni- cold so add neem to compensate the cold and also to avoid any rashes or itching due to lime and this kuppaimeni.

Natural cleansers to get rid of make-up

After sporting layers of make-up for hours you may want to use a soft and natural make-up cleanser to get rid it. Use cucumbers and yogurt, which can act as natural make-up cleansers and leave your skin safe and glowing, says an expert.

Manisha Chopra, co-founder of SeaSoul Cosmeceuticals, offers some tips on home-made cleansers that can leave your skin soft and clean.

1. Oil cleansers: Use of oils such as coconut oil and olive oil can cleanse your skin thoroughly, removing all sorts of make-up applied on your face. Apart from the make-up, these oils remove dust and dirt settled on your face without over-drying it.

2. Milk: Milk helps you to gently get rid of dirt and acts as the best make-up remover for sensitive skin. This is one of the most affordable options for removing make-up and keeping your skin refreshed.

3. Cucumbers: This vegetable is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare. It is known to be a cooling agent due to its high-water content. Grated cucumber can be used as a cleanser and if you want to get rid of that pigmented lipstick, add a little bit of milk or olive oil to the mixture.

4. Yoghurt: Yoghurt not only helps in relieving stubborn sunburns but also acts as a good cleanser. Dip cotton balls into plain yoghurt and rub them all over the skin. Rinse off with cool water.

5. Honey and baking soda: Honey is well-known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. On a clean cloth put some honey and sprinkle baking soda on it. This is one of the best ways to remove all the make-up and dirt from your face.

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6. Rose water: Apply rose water on cotton balls and gently wipe your face and neck before you're off to bed. This magic potion not only leaves a good fragrance of rose but also keeps all the dirt at bay.

7. Bananas: If there are ripe bananas at home, do not throw them away. Mash them into a paste and apply them onto your face. Keep the mash on for five minutes and rinse well with a warm wash cloth. This helps to remove all the make-up and keeps your skin smooth and hydrated.

8. Avocados: Avocado oil is commonly found in make-up removers. Not just the oil, the fruit can also be used directly on your skin to remove any heavy mascara and other eye make-up.

9. Aloe Vera Gel: Pure Aloe Vera Gel is a great natural make-up remover. You can also put the gel in the fridge and soak it in cotton balls to make a quick and effective compress for tired and puffy eyes.

Multi-Masking Is The Latest Skincare Trend

Why take one face mask into the washroom when you can take five? The latest skincare secret is that one face mask is never enough! In other words, multi-masking is the latest spin on multi-tasking for a double duty skincare regime.
This new bizarre beauty craze has been taking off on Instagram, inspiring women to take care of their skin, and posting photos while doing so. When one is multi-masking, multiple products are being applied to a face all at once. The idea behind multi-masking is that different areas of the face have different needs. Multi-maskers suggest using various treatments at the same time in order to get a customized skin remedy. The image below demonstrates how to break up the different areas on your face in order to multi-mask. Use a different product for each specific area including the T-zone, eyes, cheeks and lateral planes.

Beauty with winter vegetables and fruits

It's finally that time of the year again when markets are flooded with a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

And these tasty delights are brimming with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, that not only give you the right nutrition but can also do wonders for your skin. CT went vegetable and fruit shopping to bring you some great natural options. Read on...

Carrots

Carrot is a powerhouse of benefits. It is rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into Vitamin A in the liver and is good for the eyes. It has anti-cancer properties and helps reduce the risk of lung, breast and colon cancer. It also helps slow down cell ageing and can be used on cuts to prevent infection.

Beauty tip: Carrots are rich in Vitamin A and antioxidants, that protect the skin from sun damage. To get rid of dry skin and pigmentation, apply a mixture of carrot juice, one tablespoon of olive oil and fresh cream over your face, hand and neck regularly.

Peas

Peas contain high amounts of polyphenol that helps prevent stomach cancer. A cup of peas has less than 100 calories, but is loaded with protein and fibre. It is also high in antioxidants and has anti-ageing properties. Regular consumption of peas helps prevent bronchitis, osteoporosis and constipation, regulates blood sugar, heart disease and reduces accumulation of bad cholesterol.

Beauty tip: For smooth and wrinkle-free skin, mix powdered pea with papaya pulp and rose water. Apply it as a face pack and wash off with cold water.

Spinach

Spinach helps restore energy, increase vitality and improve blood quality. It is low on calories, very high on fibre, and is an excellent source of Vitamins K, A, B2, C and folic acid. It's also a good source of iron, manganese and magnesium. So, eating a bowl of spinach every day increases muscle efficiency, relaxes the body, reduces hypertension and risk of skin cancer.

Beauty tip: Spinach contains huge amounts of Vitamins A and C, which stimulate hair growth. Take a cup of boiled spinach pulp and mix it with one tablespoon of honey and castor oil. Apply it on the scalp and hair and wash it off with shampoo after 30 minutes.

Cabbages

It's nutritious, helps in weight loss and prevent cholesterol accumulation. It's an excellent source of natural antioxidants, Vitamin C and minerals like potassium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. And it helps cure constipation and regulates stomach ulcers. It reduces headaches and heart diseases. Raw cabbage juice is an excellent natural cure for obesity and skin inflammation.

Beauty tip: Cabbage juice can reduce hairfall and nourish the roots. It contains Vitamin E and silicon which makes tresses lustrous. Mix cabbage juice with ripe banana pulp and honey. Apply this hair mask after oiling your hair. Keep it for about 20 minutes . Wash it off with a mild shampoo.

Grapefruit

It is rich in vitamins and minerals and helps maintain overall health, right from boosting your immune system to our metabolism. It has been found to successfully prevent formation of kidney cysts and is an excellent source of Vitamin C. It is proven to help people lose fat and maintain a healthy weight. It is also low in sodium and has high water content, which helps you feel full.

Beauty tip: People with oily skin can use grapefruit juice as a cleanser and toner. A simple grapefruit scrub made from sugar, a little oil and fresh grapefruit juice is great for your feet because it has natural anti-bacterial properties that cleanses your feet as well as softens them.

Oranges

Oranges are rich in citrus limonoids, which are known to prevent skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon cancers. Drinking orange juice regularly prevents kidney diseases and reduces the risk of kidney stones. Since oranges are full of soluble fibre, they help reduce cholesterol and constipation. They are also full of potassium, which helps the heart function well. The Vitamin C in it helps fight cancer. Studies show that polyphenols in oranges prevent viral infections and the magnesium helps maintain blood pressure.

Beauty tip: Orange peels and juice are great beauty treatment ingredients. Mix orange peel powder with curd and orange juice and make a paste. Apply evenly all over the face and neck to flaunt glowing skin. Add some orange peel powder in your bath water to get instant glow and smooth skin.

Grapes

The Queen of Fruits is considered one of the best skincare ingredients. Loaded with phytochemicals and phytonutrients, which possess antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties, grapes are also rich in Vitamin C that's vital for skin health. Regular consumption of grapes helps lose weight, boosts immunity, prevents constipation and is good for the eyes. They also help prevent heart diseases and reduce blood pressure.

Beauty tip: The antioxidants in grapes, along with Vitamin C, protect the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, reduce wrinkles, dark spots and help tone the skin. Rubbing the grape pulp on the face along with honey regularly and rinsing after 20 minutes helps reduce wrinkles.

Pears

Pears help you lose weight, protects you against cancer, hypertension and diabetes and prevents osteoporosis and heart diseases. It is also rich in antioxidants and the Vitamins C, K and copper in pears fight against free radicals that damage our body cells. The fibre in it can reduce the risk of stroke to a large extent and the high glucose content gives you instant energy.

Beauty tip: To get rid of dry and damaged nails during winter, mix pear juice with malai and massage on your hands and feet. Pear juice mixed with water and honey can also be used as a conditioner to moisturise and nourish dry and damaged hair.