Jeans in Vogue

Jeans in Vogue

Our favourite jeans serve as our knight in shining armour all year long. They are the answer to our sartorial needs on days when we are struggling to figure out what to wear. Sure, we don’t want to be enslaved by fashion or lose ourselves to trends and be loyal to our all-time favourites – the ones we found after an unavoidable search, which lasted for days and left even the most expert shoppers feeling defeated – but style and colour updates are necessary from time to time and if you wish to be on-trend then you need to keep up with the latest jeans trends.

You don’t have to go over every magazine, fashion blog or catalogue you get your hands on to know jeans in vogue. We spoke to the top tier denim manufacturers and industry insiders to know what’s hip and happening and subsequently rounded up the colours and styles you need in your arsenal this seasaon.

Nothing reflects fashion’s laid-back new narrative like the latest shades of denim. Ladylike designs in azure blue (bright blue) are on-trend. Jeans dyed in bright colours are making a strong comeback this season and of course, black jeans remain a timeless and classic style staple. “One colour that is seriously down-played and not given it’s due importance is tan. It is incredibly chic and versatile. Pair up your tan jeans with a deep red top and you will be sure to hit a super high fashion note,” says Saman Javed, fashion editor at Daraz.pk.

Having established the colours of the season, let’s shed some light on the styles that you shouldn’t think twice before adding to your fashion trousseau. Skinny jeans have been the jeans in vogue for years now and they are sure here to stay, however, another fashion essential that has been carried forward from the preceding year are the uber-trendy crop pants – they are sure to instantly lift your outfit’s ante. While the skinny leg has been ruling the roost and is an absolute fashion must-have, the breezy and comfortable wide-leg pants are a stylish go-to option for people of all ages and body types. Experiment with different colours and prints, mix and match and choose something that will not go unnoticed.

6 Time-Saving Kitchen Tricks

6 Time-Saving Kitchen Tricks

How to simplify cooking and speed up things in the kitchen to save time for yourself. Here are some strategies and tricks:

• Drench the pasta or spaghetti in water, in a plastic bag for a few hours or overnight. It will cook in about 1 minute in a boiling water or just add it straight to a hot sauce in a pan and let it finish cooking there.
• Freezer trick: freeze things flat. The flatter and wider they will be, the faster they will freeze and defrost.
• The quickest way to defrost meat is to run cold water over it. However, if you want to save water and speed things up a bit; place your meat on an aluminum tray. Aluminum is a great conductor of heat and will fetch energy from the surrounding into your frozen meat and defrost it faster.
• Slicing meat to grind or cook can be tricky. To make it easier, place the meat in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes to stiffen it up.
• The empty half of an egg shell is the best tool to take out immovable bits of cracked shells that have ended up in the bowl. They work like magnets.
• Ginger can be tricky to peel with all its bumps and irregularities. Rather than using a knife or a peeler, reach for the spoon. Scratch it against the peel and it’ll come right off.

TIPS & TRICKS TO BREAK IN YOUR SHOES

TIPS & TRICKS TO BREAK IN YOUR SHOES

“Give a woman the right pair of shoes and she will conquer the world,” said Marilyn Monroe and boy was she right or was she right? If you are a shoe lover like most women out there, you probably follow every fashion blog, magazine and catalog to stay up-to-date with the latest shoe trends. The thrill of slipping into a new pair of shoes is unparalleled especially when wearing high heels, there really is no better way of feeling an instant boost of confidence.

However, often times our new kicks may not feel as great as they look, especially if they are suede or leather. “Sure, fashion isn’t supposed to be about comfort, but it’s interesting how we voluntarily wear shoes that inflict so much pain and make us indulge in long ice baths to recover. After all, these style must-have elongate our legs, shape up our calves and make us feel like a boss when wearing high heels and we hear our feet clacking against the floor,” said Saman Javed, from Daraz.pk

Yes, it’s true, it is incredibly hard to ditch wearing high heels for the sake of comfort and the good news is that you don’t have to. You can get the best of both worlds – style and comfort – by following this easy trick that will make you effortlessly break in that fresh pair of leather shoes.

Follow these quick steps and break free:

1. Fill up a sturdy Ziploc bag with water until it’s half full.
2. Make sure you squeeze out the air in the bag before fully zipping it.
3. Place the Ziploc in the shoe, or simply where the problem area is. If you don’t want your entire shoe to loosen up, you can always block off parts of the shoe with cloth or newspaper and place the bag of water where you want it.
4. Put the shoes in the freezer until the water is completely frozen. As the water turns to ice, it will expand, stretching the leather with it and consequently loosening your shoes.
5. Pull out the shoes from the freezer, wait for the ice to thaw and then remove the bags. Wearing high heels should be comfortable now.

Stressed Out? These Food Ingredients Would Help

Stressed Out? These Food Ingredients Would Help

Living in the 21^st century can sometimes be quite stressful. With all the humdrum of daily routine and loads of multi-tasking, one feels cramped and exhausted at the end of the day. Stress has indeed become part and parcel of living in recent times, even when you plan on defeating this stubborn enemy daily. We all suffer equally from stress. So besides many cures sought by us, one should try to cure stress by food’s way!

Add food ingredients that can help reduce level of stress and help build mental and physical well being. Here is your stress busting armory! Grab it and enjoy.

1- Vitamin C helps lower stress hormone cortisol and keeps the blood pressure in control. Some of the vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C are Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, oranges, guava, cantaloupe, Red sweet pepper, green sweet pepper, kiwi, grape fruit, strawberries, parsley, broccoli, persimmon, spinach, cabbage and cauliflower. Foods and juices made from these vegetables and fruits make great stress busters. Add these in your daily food intake and see the magic of food ingredients!

2- Foods with high amount of vitamin B make great stress releasers. It helps in smooth functioning of nervous tissues thereby decreasing any harmful effects of stress. To fulfill your daily dose of this stress buster, add following in your diet: yogurt, avocado, whole grains, banana, potatoes, beans, lentils, nutritional yeast and brewer’s yeast.

3- Folic acid is another nutrient that helps build the body towards fighting stress. It works as natural mood brightener. Many vegetables are high source of folic acid. Some of them include: asparagus, spinach, mustard greens, turnip, collard, lettuce, broccoli, okra, cauliflower, beets, carrots and all citrus fruits.

4- Omega-3 fatty acids not only work as stress releasers, they also help our bodies by reducing inflammation, prevent too much blood clotting and lower the cholesterol in blood. Foods that you may refer to for this nutrient include: flax seeds, walnuts, salmon, sardines, soybeans, scallops, shrimps, tofu, tuna, collard greens and winter squash.

5- Carbohydrates help increase the level of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone which is related to regulation of mood, sleep and learning. Its certain level in our body affects mood. Therefore, adding a certain amount of carbohydrates in your foods can help you soothe your mood. For this purpose you may need to eat more of these: whole grains, breads and oatmeal in your breakfast can set the mood for rest of the day, However, Brown rice, potatoes, Berries, banana and yogurt are some of the ingredients for your stress busting foods. Add them on!

6- A good amount of calcium and magnesium intake is indeed the best one can do to curb stress. Calcium helps in reducing irritability and nervousness. It also helps in releasing premenstrual stress disorder. On the hand, magnesium keeps adrenals in check and retains nerve cell fluidity to respond. Some of the foods that can provide with calcium and magnesium sufficiency are: Milk, almonds, cashews, soybeans, yogurt, leafy vegetables, sesame seeds, legumes and whole grains.

So, with all the ingredients at your disposal, now is the time to get going. Here experimentation is the key to success. Take fruits and vegetables and invent your own favorite recipes to bust stress. However to get 100% results, don’t overcook your ingredients.

Prevent Weight Gain After Marriage

Prevent Weight Gain After Marriage

As a matter of fact, you can keep the same weight even after getting married. It is unfortunate that many women in Pakistan lack the knowledge to manage weight.

 Knowing the factors that contribute to immediate post wedding weight gain and being proactive can help you avoid it.

DIETING

  

It is a well known practice for the brides to cut down on calories to look slim for the big day. While they lose weight and inches, they are unaware of the drawbacks of low calorie diet. Once you get back in the routine, you regain the weight and some more.

 Solution: Follow a proper weight loss program with realistic targets. Cut down calories not less than 1100 – 1200 Kcal (approx). Everyone has different calorie requirements according to their height, weight and activity level. Whether you have time left till the wedding or not, getting in touch with a fitness consultant can give you optimum results.

WEDDING FESTIVITIES

 

Mayun, Mehndi, Shadi and Valima are incomplete without irresistible dishes. While they are fulfilling to your taste buds, they are packed with high amount of calories. The bride is indulged in the sweet eating tradition (mun meetha), calories of which are taken for granted. In only four days you can gain a pound!

Solution: Eat and drink water properly throughout the day, you will feel less hungry at the events. When food is served, have a non-creamy salad first. Choose chicken over beef (Bar-B-Q/Grilled) and Nan over Paratha. Your portion size should be less than what you normally have. Arrange low fat/sugar sweets for the rituals. Options like bite-sized dates with nuts and chocolate covered fruits are healthier choices. They are new and unique as well.

DINNERS OR LUNCHEONS

 

When the wedding festivities are over, parties at relatives go on for a month or so. More calories add up and increase your weight.

Solution: Try to minimize the frequency and if not possible, follow the strategy mentioned above. Encourage/talk into Luncheons instead of Dinner parties. You remain active after lunch.

THE COOKING

 

The newly wed takes time to adjust to the new environment. In order to impress or please the family members, lavish dishes are made in the beginning by the bride that are mostly high in calories. Due to busy routine or tiredness, eating out or ordering food gets frequent as well, significantly contributing to weight gain.

 Solution: Use less oil/sugar when cooking dishes. Get creative, cook something new. Choose healthier options when eating out/ordering.

EMOTIONAL RELIEF

The wedding day is often the farthest girls think health-wise and lose track of their weight after it. They start caring less about their physical well-being, instinctively blaming it on their busy routine. Maintaining a good fitness level is essential for the life ahead.

Solution: Change the mindset! Start focusing on your health and fitness; it will benefit every aspect of your life events. The most vital of which is Motherhood and the challenges it brings.

ENERGY LEVELS & RELAXATION

 

The level of excitement reduces after marriage in response to the feeling of fulfillment. As a result, you get in-active, relaxed and burn fewer calories than you used to.

Solution: Develop a more active routine, continue your exercise habits and encourage your spouse as well. The coziness and love is all good, but knowing how it can lead to weight gain, you need to maintain your activity level.

Natural Remedies to Treat Acne Scars

Natural Remedies to Treat Acne Scars

We can all admit that pimples are just annoying! Not only do they linger around our face, but even after we zap them away…they leave a nasty scar. Post-acne marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are both just as horrible as it sounds. These marks can take days, weeks or as long as months to lighten and fade away. With so many brands coming with with products and treatments claiming to reduce acne scars, natural home remedies can work just as well if not better.

Before we get into the remedies, it’s important to note that exfoliation is important to help lighten any pigmentation and scar. By scrubbing, our outermost skin removes all the dead cells to develop new skin.

Natural Remedies You Can Find At Home

 

Lemon Juice- 

As a natural lightening agent, lemon juice is an effective bleach to help brighten and reduce pigmentation while also reducing any redness. This can be used on its own, directly take a little lemon juice on a cotton and dab it onto the scar. Apply this twice a day unless you have sensitive skin. It will irritate skin that is broken or torn so apply gently.

Lemon and Honey Mask- 

If your skin is sensitive to using only lemon, using a lemon juice and honey mask combined with exfoliation can work effectively. Apply equal part mixture on the skin and leave it on for about 15-20 minutes a day. Do this daily for one week for dramatic results.

Baking Soda

 

The quickest way to fade scars is with baking soda, it works as an exfoliation to help scrub away dead skin cells and regenerate a new layer. Use it on its own after you wash your face, mix with a little bit of water and scrub gently on the effected area. If you have very sensitive skin, try mixing in a gentle face wash and apply. Scrub for about 3-5 minutes twice a day for effective results.

Sandalwood-

An excellent exfoliant for acne scars. Known for treating sunburn and rashes, it has a cooling effect that can be mixed with several ingredients to reduce scarring. For more effective results, using it with Rose Water can create a thick paste that can be applied to the skin easily. Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes once it has dried, repeat the mask daily for one to two weeks for results.

Tomato paste

With plenty of skin care benefits using tomato, it helps to lighten the skin gradually since its packed with vitamins and rich acidity to fade scars. The important parts of the tomato is the pulp, squeeze it out and use it as a mask on the skin. Leave it on for as long as the pulp dries. Apply this on your entire face for great results.

5 Easy Tips To Burn Fat Faster

5 Easy Tips To Burn Fat Faster

You may not realize it but while you are relaxing on a couch watching your favourite show on TV, your body may be busy helping you burn calories.  It is, in fact, possible if you have a fast metabolism rate. You can speed up your calorie burning process; boost your metabolism all day long and burn fat faster just by following these 5 super easy tips.

1. Don’t Skip Breakfasts

 

Eating breakfasts really helps boost your metabolism. It helps even more if you do it within one hour of waking up. Choose foods high in fiber and protein for a kick-start effect. Opting for whole-grain cereal, oatmeal, milk, fruits can be a great choice to jumpstart your metabolism to burn more calories. Hence, skipping breakfast is a definite no-no, if you really want to burn fat faster.

2. Pump Up Your Heart Rate

If you do some physically activity that get your heart rate up for a short period of time, it will keep it high afterward as well, which in turn amp up your metabolism overall; helping you burn calories all day long. Parking farther away and walking a few steps to your office can be a good idea to get your heart rate up and boost your metabolism. Another good idea can be taking stairs instead of elevators.

3. Eat The Right Foods

 

Select the right foods for your lunch and you’ll fuel your metabolism. A whole-grain bread chicken/beef sandwich with cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and raw veggies can be a good choice. The protein-carb combo will give you energy without fattening you. Some studies suggest that eating spices may amp up your metabolism. So, topping your meals with chilli peppers or a hot sauce can be a bonus.

4. Increase Intake of Lemons

 

The fiber plus the digestive enzymes in the lemons help your metabolism and digestive system to easily digest anything you eat throughout the day. Adding lemon juice in your meals can actually help kick up your metabolism and digestive system. Drinking lemon water in the morning is the best way to keep your metabolism moving all day long.

5. Have a Good Night’s Sleep

 

Sleep is the most important element in boosting up your metabolism. As your body needs to be fully reinstate from the day to keep your muscles and hormones circulate properly, plan for a 7 to 8 hours sleep every night for an elevated metabolism that will help you burn calories all day long even if you are not doing a physical activity.

Getting in Shape

Getting in Shape

You know what they say, picking the right outfit is half the battle won. This is true, especially when it comes to following a workout routine for getting in shape.  Get the perfect workout look for these four effective workouts—there’s sure to be some motivation for all those who want perfectly toned bodies, but just haven’t been able to drag themselves out of their comfort zone. Indulge in some ecommerce on Daraz.pk, pull out your workout mat and get down to it.

1- Abdominal Hold

Battle belly fat at home using the only piece of fitness equipment you need—your body. Sit tall on the corner of a chair and place your hands on the edge with your fingers pointing towards your knees. Tighten your abs and raise your feet two to four inches above the ground. Lift your butt off the chair and hold this position for as long as you can – aim for five to ten seconds. Lower yourself down and repeat. Continue this exercise for at least a minute.

2- Arm Circle

Grab a pair of 3-pound dumbbells. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and extend your arms straight out, making a 90-degree angle with the sides of your body.

Move your arms backward in circular motion, repeat this 20 times and then switch the direction. This workout routine will target your shoulders, back, triceps and biceps, helping you getting in shape quickly.

3- Tricep Dips

Getting rid of the extra flab on your triceps is the best way to feel comfortable in bearing your arms. Place your hands shoulder-width apart on a stable bench or chair, with your fingers towards your knees and slide off the front of the bench with your legs extended.

Keeping your back close to the bench, slowly bend your elbows to lower your body towards the floor until your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle, push your body back up and return to starting position.

Keep your shoulders down as you lower and raise your body.

4- Lunges

Lunges work best for toning all the major muscles of the hips, glutes and thighs. It’s important to do lunges properly so you don’t put unwanted strain on your joints.

Stand up straight, with your legs hip-width apart. Place your hands on your hips. Relax your shoulders down as far as they will go.

Place your right foot approximately two to three feet forward [depending on your height] and lift the heel of your left foot slightly, with the toe still in contact with the ground. Back should be kept straight.

Bend both of your knees simultaneously. Make both of your knees stop at a 90 degree angle. Make sure your right knee does not go over your toe line. Stay in the position for about five seconds and move.

Repeat the exercise with the left leg. Repeat 10 times on each side or do two to three sets of 10.

Beauty For New Moms

Beauty For New Moms

Once you enter motherhood, there’s just never enough time to pamper yourself when you’re caught up with diaper duty. Chances are manicures, pedicures and little hair styling is out the door. After you’ve settled into motherhood, it’s time to jump back onto the beauty bandwagon and give yourself a fresh new look to begin your life as a new mommy.

Give Yourself a Break

As much as you love spending precious time with your newborn, give yourself a break. As thrilled and full of joy as you might be, exhaustion comes with a price. From dark circles to hair fall, these can be caused by lack of sleep, stress and vitamin deficiency. Talk to your doctor if you find yourself suffering from drastic healthy issues after birth. Take a few minutes out for yourself to help ward off fatigue. Try a relaxing at home bath with candles for a relaxing atmosphere or a visit to the salon for a facial.

Fast and Easy Makeup Routine

As little time you may have for yourself, makeup does not need to take more than 10 minutes. With a few tricks and essential products, you can easily achieve a natural luminous look. Using a few key makeup products can make it easier to create a quick makeup look.

What you will need:

Liquid foundation/ BB Cream Cream Concealer Setting Powder Blush Mascara Lipstick

Multitasking products are the easiest to use and saves plenty of time. A BB cream or liquid foundation is perfect to use everyday. BB Creams are easily available in the market from brands like Maybelline, Rimmel London, Garnier and Essence. These include an SPF of 15, ideal for spending a day out in the sun. BB Creams offer a very light and natural finish to the skin without looking overly made-up. A liquid foundation is ideal to use if you are in a rush. It can easily be applied with your fingers for an even coverage and best of all it will only take a few seconds.

For dark circles or blemishes, a cream concealer works wonders for those tired eyes. For purple or blue tone under-eye circles, opt for a peachy or apricot shade of concealer. The Catrice All Round Concealer Palette will help counteract with the dark blue hue and even out any discoloration. Simply apply it directly where your dark circles are and blend it out with your ring finger. Set all of your makeup with an oil-control powder such as the Luscious Oil Control Velvet Matte Pressed Powder. This will help to lock in the excess moisture of your foundation and concealer and make it last all day.

Add a bit of color on your cheeks with a subtle blush, the Color Studio Pro Blushes can be lightly applied for a hint of color for a daytime look. A peach shade will look perfect for any skin tone to add some warmth.

 

For the eyes you want to keep it simple and natural by using one product that will liven up your eyes. A quick coat of mascara can instantly add lift and volume to your eyes. We recommend the Catrice Maximum Resist Volume Mascara.

Lastly, pick up a long wearing lipstick. Generally matte finish lipsticks are more long wearing than a satin or glossy finishes. You can easily apply a hint of lipstick by taking some of the product on your finger and lightly apply it onto your lips.

And that is it! You can easily achieve a glamorous look within few minutes with a few key products. You can always choose to use more products to your preference if you’ve got a bit of time to spare.

At-Home Eyebrow Grooming

At-Home Eyebrow Grooming

The age of perfectly groomed brows is out and all-natural brows are in. Eyebrows are the easiest way to achieve a natural fresh appearance whether you’re headed off to work or a late event. How to achieve a natural brow can be maintained without heading out to a beauty parlor. Personally I dread visiting a beauty parlor for my brows. Ninety seven percent of the time I end up with a new beautician working on my brows, and everyone has their own opinion on brow grooming whether it’s a high arch or matching up both brows identically. So eventually my brows became thinner and thinner with each visit to a beauty parlor. Now I try my best to learn and map out my eyebrows to achieve a very natural look.

Misshaped brows, over-threading and over-plucking are main causes of eyebrow thinning which can happen overtime. While some may like to keep it perfectly arched, keeping your brows natural can look youthful and simply shaping them by plucking any excess hair is a good alternative. It’s ideal to touch up your brows every week or 2 weeks depending on how fast your hair growth is.
If you’re like me and have plenty of gaps between each hair- simply filling them in with a brow pencil or powder can create an even and fresh appearance. Giving a bit of time to your brows every time you head out the door can change your appearance and give you a more put-together look by bringing the attention to your eyes and facial features.

When it comes to filling in your brows, you want to use a pencil which matches the color of your hair keeping in mind that not all browns are true to their hue. Some browns have a red tone which can appear unnatural if you use it to fill in your brows. For medium-dark brown haired girls, you want to choose a brown which is dark enough to fill in your gaps. The Rimmel Eye-Brow Pencil in Dark Brown (395Rs) is a perfect shade, its dark enough without looking too overboard.

How to Measure your Brow Shape:

Measure the start of your brows by using a pencil and lining it up to the beginning of your brows. Starting at the corner of your nose and use the pencil to line it directly up to your brows.  Similarly the ending of your brows measures from the corner of the nose towards the outer corner of your eye. The ending of your brows should not exceed this measure. The arch of your brows can be measured by directly lining the pencil to the center of your eye, however I recommend judging the arch of your brow with a shape which you feel the most comfortable with.

Quick Brow Fix

If you are looking for a quick fix for your brows I recommend the Perfect Brows Tool Kit by Luscious Cosmetics (Rs. 975). The all-in-one kit comes with everything you need to groom and shape your brows in a hurry including Mini Tweezers, Brow Wax, Brow Powder, Brow Pencil, Angled Brow Brush and Clear Mascara.

How to Groom your Brows

What You will Need:

• Lash/Brow Brush Groomer
• Small Scissors
• Slanted-Tip Metal Tweezers
• Brow Pencil

STEPS:

1.  Start by combing your brows with a lash/brow groomer upward to evaluate how long your brow hair is.

2.  Using small scissors (nail scissors works best) trim any hair which is long and uneven.

3.  Comb through the brows and repeat Step 2. Measure the best shape for your eye. Using tweezers gently and remove any excess hair which looks unruly.

4.  Fill in areas with a brow pencil that is sparse to give it definition. You want to start filling in your brows using short strokes starting from the arch. Lightly press the pencil and create small ‘check mark’ flicks against your brows. If your brows are thick and have plenty of hair, filling them in isn’t an option but keep them neat and clean using a clear brow gel. I recommended Essence Lash & Brow Clear Gel (360Rs) for an easy and quick way to keep your brow hair in place.

5.  Continuously check both brows to achieve similar shape to both brows.

6.  Comb through the brows and finish off with a brow gel

7.  Evaluate by stepping back to check both brows are even and you are done!

The Botox Craze in Pakistan

The Botox Craze in Pakistan

If someone asked you to name any physical flaw that you’d change about yourself, what would it be? Some would say their weight, whiter skin or even a slimmer nose. While the list is endless, more women in Pakistan are undergoing cosmetic procedures to shed years off their face.

As always, trends in Pakistan are started by celebrities and socialites who promote youthful, flawless skin. From morning talk show hosts such as Shaista Wahidi, Bushra Ansari, Mahnoor Baloch to Saba Ansari of Sab’s salon, Botox has become an epidemic in Pakistan. The promise to remove unwanted wrinkles, crow’s feet for youthful, utterly delicate skin is now easily available to the public without traveling overseas.

 The Epidemic

The world over has found a growing popularity in the procedure. In America, Botox is the No. 1 minimally invasive cosmetic procedure with over 8 million procedures in 2013. Bollywood celebrities are also some of the top clients including Bipasha Basu, Preity Zinta and Madhuri Dixit. The rise of Botox procedures in Pakistan has double in the past year alone. More celebrities are hopping on the bandwagon to take years off their face.

The decreasing cost of Botox has increased its patients, although the cost is not vastly affordable throughout Pakistanis. In the US or UK a Botox injection is priced between $300 up to $800. In Pakistan the treatment can be found at varying costs from $100 to $200 depending on where you visit.

Cosmetic procedures including Botox®, Restylane®, Microdermabrasion, Dermabrasion, Laser resurfacing, Collagen injections and Chemical peels being within reach in Pakistan- more celebs and socialites are taking up the procedures to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines. More and more celebrities and socialites keeping up with appearances, women and men are finding it easier to undergo the procedure without harmful consequences. The minimum age of women to approach Botox treatments are between 35-45 years old.

 

Nadia Hussain is just one of the many celebrities and socialites who promote the use of Botox in Pakistan. The model turned fashion designer is known to keep her figure fit as well as her skin. With the launch of her own aesthetics treatment facility at the Transform Clinic in Karachi called Radiance. The cosmetic and non-surgical skin treatments are done by cosmetic surgeon Dr Mabroor Bhatti.

The treatments at Radiance specialize in Botox with prices starting at 15,000Rs. to 18,000Rs. depending on the amount of treatment required.

What is “Botox” Exactly?

Botox are a couple of different injections of botulinum toxin used together to temporarily paralyze facial muscles.

As quoted by Dr. Farah of the Skin Laser & Liposuction Centre in Lahore,

“Botox is used to correct lines of expression on the face like laugh lines, frown lines, forehead lines and wrinkles around the eyes, these lines make one look older & tried. Once the muscles are at rest after Botox treatment, the skin becomes smoother creating a more natural and relaxed look.”

Botox relaxes the contraction of muscles by blocking nerve impulses so that the muscles can no longer contract leading to smoother, youthful skin. Generally Botox is known to be the most effective around the eyes and forehead since more wrinkles and fine lines occur on the upper part of our face more so.

Improvements begin to show within 2 to 4 days with the procedure lasting for 4 to 6 months. It is not at all a permanent solution to wrinkles and fine lines as they tend to reappear overtime.

How is Botox Administered?

 

Botox is minimally invasive in that it doesn’t require any surgical prepping such as anesthesia. It corrects the underlying muscle of the skin instead of the skin surface or subsurface.

The treatment takes just a few minutes to undergo as the injection is placed on various parts of the face. A fine needle is used to ensure complete accuracy, about 2-3 injections are placed on the desired areas including nose, crow’s feet and upper lips. Areas such as the forehead require 10-12 injections due to the large area.

Benefits and Side Effects

The major benefit of Botox is of course reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, other possible benefits includes disappearance of chronic migraine headaches, reducing  excessive sweating, decreasing joint pain from arthritis and control excessive urination.

Some side effects include:

• Temporary Bruising or Soreness
• Headache
• Respiratory infection
• Flu syndrome
• Blepharoptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid)
• Nausea
• Indigestion (heartburn)

Bohemian From Dusk Till Dawn

Bohemian From Dusk Till Dawn

The kimono has inspired the fashion hit of the year after making its way from Japan, via the beach and music festivals, to British high streets and onto the Pakistani fashion radar. With high temperatures this year, the light and loose-fitting jackets have been flying off the shelves at stores with sales boosted by the appearance of a number of statement makers dressed in the Japanese-style garment.

They really are a world-wide sensation these days and are sure here to stay. Recently, the British retail chain New Look revealed that it had been selling 40,000 kimonos a week, becoming the most desirable fashion piece of the year.

Swingy, loose and often adorned with embroidery and tassels, they perfectly capture that free-spirited vibe and effortless look we channel in this part of the world. They are an uber-chic way of covering up without having to try too hard. As much as we love blazers and chunky summer cardigans, it’s time to embrace the breezy, barely-there brilliance of a kimono.

A kimono is that versatile piece of clothing that is appropriate for all age ranges from little girls and teenagers to the kitty party aunties. Needless to say, this fashion trend can be styled in many different ways to achieve different looks – from the beach to the office to a formal dinner, there isn’t anywhere you can’t take a kimono.

For a luxurious and dressed up look, kimonos can be styled with a silky kameez and stilettos or with a formal top and wedge heels. A printed tasseled kimono with a black jumpsuit is the epitome of chic and should be your go-to look for the next night out.

The kimono fashion trend can be dressed down to match the laid back season’s carefree vibes. Instantly lift your outfits ante by throwing in a kimono over a plain tee and jeans – get an effortless boho meets edgy look. Regardless of its cut it will always add just the right amount of razzmatazz to any look; even if you’re at home, in your dirty pyjamas, throwing on a kimono will inevitably make you look fab while having coffee.

9 Months Of Pregnancy – 5 Reasons To Love Them

9 Months Of Pregnancy – 5 Reasons To Love Them

There are no words to describe the absolutely ecstatic feeling a woman experiences the first time she learns about her pregnancy. However, the onset of nausea and the weakness that comes along with it turn the initial excitement into a depressive state of mind. On a personal note, for all the weeks that this situation continued, the constant vomiting, loss of appetite and the generally miserable feeling associated with low

  

hemoglobin often made me ask myself, ‘God, what was I thinking!’

This phase, however, is temporary and usually goes away by the time women reach the 14th week of their pregnancy. From there onward, pregnancy becomes a beautiful experience that you will cherish even after your children are grown up. If you are an expectant mother grappling with the horrors of the first trimester, hold on for a few more weeks and then, in all likelihood, you will not only start to feel better but will also come to treasure even this nightmarish phase of pregnancy.

Here are five reasons to love these life-changing 9 months:

1. The pampering

The jubilation-filled responses you receive after breaking the news to your near and dear ones is nothing short of priceless. The excitement of welcoming a new member into the  

family inevitably lands the baby mama-to-be in the spotlight, with everyone trying to make sure that she is well taken care of. Perhaps after childhood, this is the most pampered stage of a woman’s life when everyone including her husband, family members and even coworkers show extra care and consideration towards her.

With family members, the concern is usually displayed by ensuring that the mother is well-fed and is not over-exerting herself in anyway. This means that you get to savor all your favorite foods, with everyone around more than keen to be of service to you in any way they can. Word to the wise: enjoy it while it lasts!

2. The pregnancy glow

Although your body will undergo some major transformations, becoming apparent with your growing belly and the unflattering appearance of stretch marks, pregnancy compensates for it by adding a majestic glow to your face. While the older ladies in the family will take this glow as a determinant for your baby’s gender, scientifically speaking, it is due to the greater volume of blood that your body starts producing.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, a woman produces 50 percent more blood during pregnancy. When this additional amount of blood flows through your facial veins, it adds a healthy glow to your skin. What makes the effect even more pronounced is the increased oil production by your skin glands. This is due to the hormonal changes your body goes through during pregnancy.

Many women, however, experience a completely opposite scenario, with the rush of hormones dulling down their complexions and even resulting into acne breakout.

3. Planning and anticipation

Gone are the days of the typical filmi scene in which the doctor would step out of the labor room and declare ‘Mubarak ho! Aap ki biwi ne ek chaand si larki ko janam diya hai.‘  

(Congratulations! Your wife has given birth to a beautiful baby girl). Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, parents these days are well-aware in advance about the gender of their baby, adding another enjoyable aspect to the 9 month-long anticipatory period – the planning.

Knowing the gender of the baby helps resolve the dilemma of pink vs. blue, helping parents and everyone around in finding a theme for the baby products they have on their list. Moreover, the months spent in waiting mean some incredible fun planning, right from shopping for baby items to deciding what he/she should be named. As days and weeks pass by, the anticipation of welcoming the baby becomes even stronger, with everyone awaiting the moment when they would finally get to hold and play with the little 

bundle of joy.

Even during pregnancy, every week brings along its own set of exciting developments, right from the undefinable moment the first time you hear your baby’s heartbeat on the ultrasound to the instant bond you form with him every time you feel his kicks.

4. Health consciousness

Even if they generally have a relaxed attitude towards medical advice, pregnancy is the

  

time when you will find women in strong compliance with what their physicians tell them to do. Pakistani women are perhaps never as conscious about their health as they are during pregnancy. The steadfastness to a healthy diet and routine comes to expectant mothers naturally as they know they are now responsible for another life.

For women experiencing gestational diabetes or other pregnancy-related complications, it becomes even more imperative to ensure their own fitness and wellness first in order to guarantee a safe pregnancy and labor.

5. New wardrobe

With all the things they go through to bear a child, expectant mamas do reserve the right to

 

 spoil themselves a little bit during pregnancy and their changing figure is the perfect excuse to go on a little shopping spree. While you may not exactly be delighted about your expanding bust or waistline, pregnancy gives you a reason to splurge and invest a little extra in your wardrobe and even beauty routines like professional manicures and pedicures.

Pregnancy can be exhausting at times and may even make you wish to get done with it as soon as you can. There is, however, no denying the fact that it is filled with countless blissful moments too, which will become a beautiful memory for you as you watch your children grow. No matter how pleasant or unpleasant your experiences turns out to be at the end of the day, record them by maintaining a pregnancy journal. In the years to come, it will serve as a reminder of the bond you share with your kids right from the time they were the size of a tiny bean pod in your womb.

Don’t Peel Away Your Health! Benefits of Fruit/Veggie Peels

Don’t Peel Away Your Health! Benefits of Fruit/Veggie Peels

We all know the great health benefits off fruits and veggies (to sum them all up, there are a lot of them) But what we ignore, and throw away, is the peel of said fruit or veggie, ignorant of the great benefits it may carry. Peels of numerous fruits and vegetables contain fibre, which is very important for our health. Lets checkout some fruits, of which the peel is also beneficial.

Orange:

 

A natural solvent named as “De’lemnon” is present in orange peel that saves you from skin cancer. Apart from that it can give your skin a healthy glow. The best way to eat orange peel is by making orange juice along with its peel.

Potato:

 

Potato with peels contains 10% more nutrients than the peeled off potato. Despite popular thought. We can cook potato with its peel; it does not change the taste of potato.

Carrot:

 

Carrot contains “Falcarindiol” that is good to eat. We can eat carrots raw or cook them in numerous ways like steaming or stir-frying.

Eggplant:

 

Eggplant is of purple color and that color is derived from “Nasunin”, which is an antioxidant and “Anthocyanin” present in its peel. It is good for repairing cellular membranes and is preventative of cell damage. You can cook it in different ways and out those, one is to make the slices of eggplant and fry them.

 Cucumber:

 

A Cucumber peel is rich in Vitamin A. green colored pigment is found, that is called Chlorophyll, which is a stimulant for hair growth. Rather bitter, cucumber with peel can be used in salad or you can make its juice.

Tomato:

 

Tomato is very beneficial for the heart as it protects heart from getting an attack. Same is the property of its peel that protects you from Cancer and Heart diseases. Tomatoes are widely used in salads and in many other dishes; you can either use tomatoes with their peels or peel them and then add the peels later on.

Apple:

 

Apple’s peel is 9 times healthier then its pulp and its 75% of Fibers are present in its peel. Apple contains hundreds of elements that have capability of fighting against the diseases.