The Nature’s Co. Founder Unveils Beauty Essentials at Work!!!

   March being the financial year end calls for appraisal & promotion evaluations. Don't you want to show the confidence inside out at this time of the year?? We're sure your desk drawers are fully supplied with pens & post-its, but what about beauty essentials?? It's important to keep an inventory of beauty must-haves at your workplace, after all, the amount of time we working ladies spend at our work desk, it makes it pretty much our second home.

   TNC doesn't leave a chance to help you look your best naturally, around the clock. This time Beauty Expert & Founder, The Nature's Co, Natasha Shah, herself has rounded up 6 products in the March Special Gorgeous 9 to 5 Beauty Wish Box, that'll work as hard as you do.

   "Impromptu outdoor meetings or after-work plans, 'freshening up' or touch-ups become inevitable. These emergency fix-its have slowly filled up my desk & I refuse to part with a single one, making me look & feel my best at all times. You'll be ready for anything!!" shares, Natasha.

   She decodes some inside tips to keep you feeling gorgeous, confident & ready for any challenges the day might bring. Here is her daily beauty checklist:

   1) Hydration: Keeping yourself hydrated keeps your body & mind active & fresh. Always have a bottle of water on your desk. Replace teas & coffees during work hours to green tea & lemongrass tea.

   2) Moisturisation: Outdoor meeting & continuous air condition at work leads to skin dryness & damage. Treating your skin with the apt amount of moisture is necessary. Never skip your body lotion, day face cream, lip balm & hand cream quick retouches at work.

   3) Quick Fixes: To freshen up anytime of the day a good face wash in your bag is a must have. When on the go wet wipes always help.

   4) Grooming: Being well groomed helps to boost confidence level. Always keep a nail file, tweezers, an extra hair clutcher & hair ties handy to be looking perfect at any time.

   5) Me - Time: Long hours in front of the computer screen causes a lot of strain to your back, neck & posture. Ensure you occasionally break into simple neck exercises & feet stretches to relax your muscles.

   *Personal Tip*: Take a break from the screen. Make sure you get up every hour for a few minutes & walk around your office. Avoid calling/emailing your colleagues, instead walk up to their desks, get up to get a drink, go near the window for some fresh air or get up to get your print or photocopy.

   Find the handpicked recommendation in their March Special Gorgeous 9 - to - 5 Beauty Wish Box.

   Subscriptions start at Rs. 595/- only. Also get 35% Discount Vouchers on full sized products on subscription to sample size. A complimentary spa coupon at TNC stores & a special refreshing delight from Kara facial wipes.

   To subscribe you could click here.

G&M Acne Survival Guide: 6 Simple DIY Acne Remedies

   This week, I continue my Acne Survival Guide series with a few DIY acne remedies to help keep your skin clear.

   In my quest for clear skin, I found that the harsh chemical treatments I'd been using really took a toll on my skin's appearance. My skin was always red, tight & dry & had even started breaking out in new places. Since I started experimenting with natural remedies, my skin has improved dramatically. Not only is my complexion clearer, my skin looks softer & brighter, too.

   Below, I'll show you how to make 6 of my favorite homemade acne remedies. These treatments are super simple & cost much less than your average budget acne product. What could be better???

   Note: As always, it's important to do a patch test before you try any homemade skin remedy. Everyone's skin is different & what works for me, might not work for you. Always test each recipe on a small area of skin before you slather it on your whole face to ensure you don't have a reaction!

   1. Sugar Scrub

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   Skin exfoliation is the most important beauty treatment that you should follow in order to maintain healthy, glowing & acne free skin. Brown sugar is one of the mildest natural exfoliator. It removes the dead cells, dirt, sebum & impurities from the pores, which causes pimples.

   What you'll need:

• 3 teaspoons of brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of honey

   Instructions:

   Mix together the brown sugar in honey. Apply all over the face & scrub gently in a circular motion. Once dry, wash off with cold water & pat dry.

   2. Neem Face Pack

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   When we speak of home remedies for acne, neem is the first name that comes to our mind!!! Neem is one of the most widely known anti acne home remedies which has been used since ages. It's rich in anti fungal, anti bacterial & blood purifying properties & works best as a natural astringent. It cools down the skin & prevents you from getting pimples.

   What you'll need:

• Few neem leaves
• 1 teaspoon of multani mitti
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• Raw milk

   Instructions:

   Grind the leaves to form a paste. You can either use fresh leaves or dried leaves. I always use dried leaves. In this, add the multani mitti, turmeric powder & raw milk to form a smooth paste. Turmeric has anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory properties. Apply on the face & leave it for 20 mins. Rinse with warm water.

   3. Potato Pack

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   Potato is a good absorbent of excess oil & sebum & it also removes dirt & grease from the skin. It reduces dark circles, puffiness under the eyes, blemishes & acne marks. Regular application of potato pack shows effective results.

   What you'll need:

• Thin slices of potato

   Instructions:

   Apply the thin slices of potato over the pimples. You can also grate the potato & the juice can be applied over the pimples & acne. Sliced potato can be kept over the eyes to reduce dark circles & puffiness.

   4. Cinnamon Pack

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   Cinnamon is another home remedy for pimples, that has antimicrobial properties which help to fight pimples & also add a healthy glow on the face.

   What you'll need:

• Cinnamon powder
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Gram flour

   Instructions:

   Take a little cinnamon powder & add 1 teaspoon honey & gram flour to it. Apply the pack all over the face & leave it for 15 mins. Once dry, scrub the face in light circular motions & wash it off.

   5. Orange Peel Pack

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   Orange contains large amounts of citric acid & vitamin C, which refreshes skin & relieves the acne. The orange peel as well as its juice can be used to treat acne & pimples.

   What you'll need:

• A few pieces of orange peel

   Instructions:

   Grind a few pieces of the orange peel to from a paste. Apply all over the face & leave it on for 15 mins. Rinse off with cool water.

   6. Natural Scrub

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   This homemade scrub will help to clean up dirt, dead cells & oil that tend to build up & block pores, which then lead to pimples.

   What you'll need:

• 1 teaspoon of rice flour
• 1 teaspoon of gram flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon of raw milk

   Instructions:

   Take the rice flour in a bowl. Add the gram flour & turmeric powder in it. Add the raw milk to form a smooth paste & apply over the face. Leave it for 20 mins. & rinse with warm water.

   What are your favorite DIY acne remedies??? Do you've any other tips?? Be sure to leave me a comment & let me know what you think: I ♥ hearing your thoughts!!

G&M's Third Birthday Celebration!!!

   As many of you know, today, March 6th, marks G&M's third birthday! We're officially 3 yrs old!! It's been an amazing 3 yrs so far: I'm so, so happy that the little beauty site I started way back then has grown so much. Even more so, I'm delighted that it continues to enchant & inspire so many people across the world!

   To celebrate our birthday, I've a bunch of fabulous stuff planned: and I'm going to be celebrating for the entire month of March!!

   THANK YOU to all of you for the endless support, ♥ & enthusiasm!!!

Save or Splurge?? Nail Polish Edition

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   Doing your own manicure & pedicure isn't the easiest task, but after a few applications, you can become a nail polishing pro. You'll notice that having the most expensive nail polish won't actually make your nails look any better or worse. As long as your nails have a good base to start with, any decent nail polish will glide on easily. Follow up with a good top coat for a shiny finish and longer-lasting color.

   If you've ever noticed nail polish sites advertise that their formula is free of the Big 3, that means 3 infamous toxic ingredients: Toluene, Formaldehyde & Dibutyl Phthalate. Many nail polish brands have made a big push in the past few years to remove these harmful ingredients from their formulations. If you've allergies or sensitivities to any nail polish ingredients like formaldehyde resisn, camphor or ethyl acetate, always be sure to double check the ingredient list on the packaging. The formulations of some brands have changed over the years & certain collections are not always made with the same exact ingredients, so be safe & check labels before purchasing. Pregnant women are sometimes advised not to use nail polish due to the harmful chemicals, but that's a personal decision.

   Department store brand nail polishes may have more color choices, but chances are there's a budget dupe or if you wait, an inexpensive brand will launch a similar shade. I've noticed that the less toxic chemicals you want in your polish, the more money you may need to spend per bottle. Overall, both budget & mid to higher-end nail polish brands have an array of colors with 'safer' formulations but the final decision is yours to make. I'm not one to use nail polish every day since the upkeep is a bit too much for me to handle on a daily basis & I think bare & well manicured nails are tres chic.

   Note: The most popular high-end nail polish brands, because of their formulas & variety, are Chanel & Dior, so this post refers mainly to those.

   So, without further ado, here's a guide to deciding which high-end nail polishes are worth the splurge.

   Find a Dupe

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   Personally, I don't find the need to splurge on expensive nail polish unless I find some amazing color that I know I'll wear a lot. I also consider the availability of inexpensive dupes.

   If you're at all familiar with nail blogs, you know there're tons of budget 'dupes' (or lookalike versions of the high-end shades) that cost just a fraction of the designer price. If you don't have time to go through endless blog posts about which polishes are the best dupes for the shade you desire, a quick Google search will produce the top results fast.

   Keep in mind that a lot of dupes can be found for creme finish Dior or Chanel colors, but it's definitely harder to find dupes for glitters, shimmers or other unique finishes.

   Invest in a few key Colors

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   If you've the means, I definitely recommending investing in a few high-end shades that you know you'll wear a lot. For example, I've found colors such as Chanel's Frisson, Black Pearl & Lilac Sky are worthwhile to splurge on, as, for me, they're classic colors that I can wear for long periods of time. I've not been able to find a convincing dupe for these colors, as well, making them an even better value for my money.

   Sometimes, we get caught up in the idea that a certain line is 'limited edition': for some reason, the idea that there're only so many of a certain thing definitely makes me want to make an impulse purchase. Resist the urge to 'add to cart' & do some research first. Sometimes the color you see in ads may be entirely different in real life, which ties in with my last point:

   Do Your Research/Read Reviews

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   If you're still unsure about whether to splurge on that Rs.1500 bottle of polish, nail polish reviews can be a helpful deciding factor.

   My personal favorite nail blogs are Miss Ladyfinger, Chalkboard Nails & Copy That Copy Cat. Also, Temptalia is a great site for reviews on high end products & their neatly organized categories makes your searches much easier. If you're on the run, Google can also help a lot for a quick fix. As well, you can do a quick search on YouTube for some 'real life' swatches, but I personally find pictures better than video swatches in this case.

   Of course, don't forget that you're allowed to treat yourself once in awhile! You don't always have to rationalize & justify every. single. purchase. Just be smart & do your research the majority of the time & you can enjoy the occasional 'fun' splurge!!

   What are the high-end shades you have invested in??? Do you ever splurge on nail polish?? Which brands are your favorites??? Please leave your comments, questions or suggestions for future posts down below!!!

This February Forest Essentials Introduces a Delightful Addition to its lip Care Routine: Cane Sugar lip Scrub

   At the start of the year, Forest Essentials brings a new launch of the Cane Sugar Lip Scrub. This is used to gently exfoliate dead or flaky skin on lips to prepare them for a balm, gloss or lipstick. Enriched with a combination of soothing & nourishing ingredients including Virgin vegetable oils, Kokum butter, Organic Beeswax, fine Cane Sugar crystals & fresh fruit & flower juices, the Lip Scrub leaves lips buffed & smooth.

   MRP: Rs 475 for 8gms

   Key ingredients: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Garcinia Indica Seed Butter, Organic Cera Alba, Sucrose, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera Juice, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Citrus Sinensis Peel Oil

   Directions for use: Spread & gently rub a small amount over lips to exfoliate. Rinse or gently wipe off excess with damp tissue. Follow with a lip balm, gloss or lipstick as desired.

   Making of the product: Fine crystals of Cane sugar are hand mixed with Jojoba, Sunflower & Olive oils along with Shea butter, Organic Beeswax & fruit juices.

   The Lip Scrub will be available across all stores of Forest Essentials & through the E-store on www.forestessentialsindia.com from February 2014.

Ready in 5: Hair Bun

   Running late?? Can't pick a good hairstyle?? Having a bad hair day?? No worries!! I found the solution to your problem: the hair bun. This hairstyle is extremely easy to achieve & will take less than 5 mins: leaving you looking absolutely stunning & ready to go!!!

   How to Do the Hair Bun Hairstyle:

   Step 1: Take a really thick hairband!!

   Step 2: Collect your hair into a ponytail & slide it through the hairband!!

 

   Step 3: Put an elastic rubber band around the top of your hair to secure it in place.

   Step 4: Begin wrapping individual pieces of your hair around the base of your bun & secure them with bobby pins!!

   And that's it! It literally takes NO time at all to get this easy, fun top knot/hair bun look! This hairstyle goes with any outfit on the planet: I personally like to rock fun earrings or wear a nice scarf when I wear mine.

   What are your thoughts on this hairstyle??? Have you done it before?? Do you have a go-to hairstyle for early mornings?? Let me know in the comments below!!