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Category: Selfcare
Infused Oniol Oil For Luscious Hair – Earth Raga Changes The Haircare Game
Everyone needs luscious hair that flows freely in the wind. The teenage me was blessed with thick and long hair without even doing anything to care for it. It shamelessly grew like a desperate lover putting up with the ill-treatment of the toxic partner. Yes, I was thankless. I never took care of my hair and alas! My hair gave up on me. After my three pregnancies, whatever relation I had with my hair broke. That’s when I knew about a new herbal formula that was introduced into the world of hair care -Onion oil. Onion Oil benefits are so much so that we will be surprised to see the lost strands grow back. How is infused onion oil so helpful for your hair follicles?
Infused Onion Oil Benefits
Onion oil has been in use as a remedy for headaches, respiratory illness, blading, etc. The onset of technology and the human tendency to cultivate a predisposition towards anything instantly changed everything. The relevance of onion oil just shrunk to oblivion. Of late, the benefits of onion oils have started to surprise everyone, and products with infused onion oil have been on the rise. Here are the main benefits
Improved hair growth
Onion oil is rich in antioxidants. They in turn reduce wear and tear in our body, hair being a part. This implies that onion oil helps the hair follicles grow back.
Dandruff control
Sulphur present in onion oils helps in hair growth and development. It enhances the blood flow to your hair follicles. This makes the hair thick and strong. It helps in curing bacterial infection and dandruff.
Prevents early greying
The nutrients in Onion prevent the cells from oxidizing and hence prevent early greying.
Added shine to your hair
Regular use of onion oil adds a natural shine to your hair.
No more split ends
My hair used to have severe split ends which make them look unhealthy and poorly maintained. The goodness of onion oil helps us in managing this.
Products with infused onion oil
With the increasing awareness about the goodness of onion oil. there are various hair care products with infused onion oil. However, more often than not, they will be laden with chemicals and lack the goodness of onion oil. Since I have ventured into the wellness lifestyle, I have been a supporter of all Vegan products. Hence, while opting for a skincare or haircare product, I would prefer plant-derived products. My search for authentic plant-derived products ended in Earth Raga, an ayurvedic skincare brand that is committed to nature.
Their products are ethically sourced and their commitment to the planet and ecosystem is commendable. Their Onion Hair cleansing shampoo and Onion Hair conditioner are goodness compressed into a bottle. In addition to onion oil, the shampoo has plant keratin that prevents frizz, rosemary oil, almond oil, and ginger extract. In the conditioner, aloe vera extract, plant keratin, and pea protein are an addition to onion oil.
Results
I have very thin and dry hair. It has been a month since I started using the shampoo and conditioner by Earth Raga with infused onion oil. My hair has started looking considerably healthy and bouncy. It has gained its natural shine back. There are no more split ends and dryness. I also bought Ubtan Turmeric Sunscreen SPF 50 matte. The cream is lightweight and gets absorbed into the skin. My face started having less tan since I started using this sunscreen. The USP of the sunscreen is that it doesn’t leave any stickiness.
Overall what I have noticed about the Earth Raga products is that they are committed to nurturing the planet as well as the customers. Try the products by Earth Raga which contain infused onion oil and let us know the results. Let your hair have the goodness of onion oil and let the strands grow relentlessly. Flaunt your tresses because you earned it this time.
Just Another Evening Ritual Of A Curlhead
Hey there, fellow curlyheads! Welcome to the enchanting world of our evening rituals. As the sun sets and the day winds down, it’s time for us to embark on a sacred journey of self-care and curl love. So grab your favorite satin scrunchie, get comfy, and let’s dive into the mesmerizing evening ritual of a curlhead!
- Bid Farewell to Buildup:
Our first step in this magical ritual is bidding farewell to product buildup. We gently cleanse our curls with a clarifying shampoo or a co-wash, allowing our hair to breathe freely once again. The curls rejoice as they shed the remnants of the day and prepare for a fresh start. You can use CURLVANA’s ultimate care kit for the best salon-like relaxation of your curls.
- Indulge in Deep Conditioning:
Ah, deep conditioning—the holy grail of curl hydration! We treat our curls to a luscious deep conditioning treatment, infusing them with moisture and nutrients. As we indulge in this ritual, our curls drink up the goodness, becoming softer, bouncier, and ready to take on the world.
- Detangle with Tender Loving Care:
Next on our curl-tastic journey is the art of detangling. Armed with a wide-toothed comb or our trusty fingers, we gently unravel any knots or tangles. We take our time, showing patience and tenderness, ensuring minimal breakage and maximum curl definition.
- Embrace the Curl Cocktail:
With our curls now revitalized and detangled, it’s time to embrace the curl cocktail! We concoct our own magical blend of leave-in conditioners, curl creams, and styling gels that perfectly suit our curls’ needs. This personalized cocktail provides hydration, definition, and frizz-fighting powers like no other and CURLVANA is the best at its job! Its setting cream gives your curls freedom, joy and rejuvenation.
- Plop and Diffuse:
As the final act of our evening ritual, we lovingly plop our curls with a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt, allowing them to dry while maintaining their shape. For those seeking extra volume, we embrace the diffuser and gently scrunch our curls, coaxing them into beautiful, defined perfection.
And there you have it—the evening ritual of a curly head in all its glory! Each step is a testament to our dedication, love, and appreciation for our curls. Through this ritual, we embrace the uniqueness of our curls, pamper them with care, and celebrate their natural beauty.
So, my fellow curly heads, let’s raise our diffusers and toast to another evening of curl love. May our curls be forever bouncy, our frizz forever tamed, and our confidence forever soaring. Cheers to the enchanting world of curls and the magical rituals that bring them to life!
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla. Â This post is also a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023Â
SAHM Challenges I Have Overcome To Stay At The Top Of The Game
Challenges I Have Overcome
Karma! I have always visualized it as a daughter-in-law in the patriarchal family setup or in our daily sops, so to speak. You ask me why? Because come what may, anything that happens in your household or life, Karma is to be blamed. Karma is that easy outlet to pin the failures, disappointments, and lack of motivation. While we are at it, Karma would play its role for not putting up enough effort to overcome the challenges that come our way. To stay at the top of the game, we have to be in charge of our life and the challenges I have overcome as an SAHM have been immense. But to stay at the top of the game I had to. How to overcome a challenge as an SAHM?
While battling PPD after my second delivery, I used to visualize myself as a helpless soul sunken in a pit of despair. The thought that I am wasting my life, by changing nappies, was ingrained in my mind. As a Stay at home mom, I was conditioned to think that my life’s purpose was to raise healthy kids and maintain my home. But six years down the line, the realization dawned on me that I cannot let my caliber go in vain and I could simultaneously do my job as a mother without fail. How did I overcome a challenge and start afresh by staying at home for six years? Here are the basic steps I took and they became key points in the challenges I have overcome.
Recognise own’s worth
After spending years confined to home, my confidence had taken a hit. I believed that I lost my talent and perseverance. But when I decided to give life a second chance, I introspected and all I could think of was to write. I started writing poems again. Poems to short stories and finally a novel – when did my talent expand its horizon is still unknown to me.
If you are trying to resume your career, and are unsure where to start, you should start by noting down your strengths. While you enjoy your passion and convert it into a career. With social media at its hype, you can start by pitching for an online opportunity. There are numerous avenues out there. It’s all about where you look.
Plan ahead
We must have a solid foolproof plan to get past the competitive world. This is where journaling and manifestation helps.
Journaling
A journal is like your best friend. You can tell anything to a journal but when you talk to a journal make sure you address yourself with respect and positive ambitions. Note down your strengths and weaknesses. Point out your opportunities and challenges. Have multiple action plans as to how you are going to start because if something didn’t materialise, we should have something else to tap into. Search for opportunities that match your skill set.
Manifestation
If there is something that I blindly believe, it is the power of the law of attraction. Manifesting, your goals, putting it on paper, doing gratitude journal and visualizing it while you work on your goal. The manifestation has been stated in one line but to put it into action intensive brainstorming and perseverance is a must.
Talk to yourself
As weird as it sounds, talking to yourself gives you immense confidence, pushes you forward and instils a go getter attitude inside you. You might err in your process of getting back to your work regime but as a good friend, tell yourself where you faltered and how to rectify. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Be your best friend.
Learn to say NO
However difficult it seems, the power of telling no cannot be replaced with any alternative. When opportunities knock at your door, don’t jump at the first call. Pursue your opportunities, weigh the pros and cons, meanwhile pitch into other possibilities. But immense care needs to be invested in saying No without offending anyone because we never know if we have to go back to them at any point.
Share the load
The most foolish mistake that majority women make is to do everything themselves. Delegation is a virtue that you must master, be it a workspace or home. Ask your partner to share the load if you are the sole responsible one in the relationship. If you are single, modify your life to suit your career. If your kids are grown up, say 8 years and above, ask them to take responsibility for some household chores. The bottom line is that we should not be the only one responsible for the household.
Now that you know how to break the SAHM inertia, start from the basics first and slowly build the momentum. The challenges I have overcome might come across to you as something that every other woman faces. But the fact that it is common doesn’t make it light. You would be there but you might not realise because you are used to hearing ‘we have been through worse’. This is a sad reality that they all had it worse but shant we make it better for us?
This blog post is written for SpeakEasy3.0 and hosted by Dipika Singh and Ruchi Verma.
This blog post is also part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
4 techniques to try for the best Meditation Time in a busy schedule
Meditation holds immense power in keeping your stress at bay and making you feel rejuvenated. When I was struggling with fibromyalgia, meditation is what helped me push through. But quite often in our busy schedule, the best meditation time falls into a black hole when you hardly feel free. You might also be there when you are unable to find daily meditation time. With Fibromyalgia and ADHD, I just could not go forward without meditation but now I no longer have this dilemma. In the rat race of life, we are left with the harrowing experience of no time for ourselves. With some practically feasible techniques, you can calm your mind.
Try this if you don’t have meditation time
1. Practice mindfulness
While you are working anywhere, office, kitchen or busy with anything, observe how your hands and muscles are moving. See the things around and observe them. Slowly bring your awareness to these objects. Practice this as many times as possible.
2. Follow 3-3-3 rule
Observe three objects that you can see, three sounds you can hear, and three things you can touch. This is a common anxiety quenching technique. This can be used in any stressful situation.
3. Try box meditation
Breathe in at a count of 4. Hold your breath at a count of 4. Breathe out at a count of 4. Hold your breath at a count of 4. Continue this technique a couple of times and repeat it whenever you want.
4. FOFBOC technique
FOFBOC is an effective mindfulness technique. Observe your Feet On Floor and Back On Chair. Observe how it feels. Cold/hot, soft/hard, relaxing/tensed etc.
Mindfulness is a powerful tool. The moment to master it you attain bliss. Now onwards your best meditation time is when you decide to be mindful.
Why Faces canada products are my personal favorites?
I have always been a lazy goose when it comes to makeup. My ADHD has always hindered my makeup experience. Having the patience to blend foundation, and do eye makeup has always been a task. That’s when I came across Faces Canada products. I must say that my makeup experience became easier and more enjoyable and daily makeup became my routine. Hence sharing my go-to makeup products by Faces Canada.
Face Canada products that I swear by
1. All Day Hydra Matte Foundation
The all-day hydra matte foundation is a foundation cum sunscreen cum moisturizer. It doesn’t need to be blended as we can apply it with bare hands like a moisturizer. It is lightweight and non-oily, this gets absorbed totally into the skin. This saves application time. There are 10 shades of this foundation available and hence all skin types can use it.
2. Fresh Eye kajal
This is the answer for my years-long peril of not being able to kohl line my eyes as I couldn’t patiently hold on to drawing the waterline or outside for that matter. The fresh eye kajal with the twist-up pen and dark and transfer-proof payoff make it my favorite eye makeup. With the increased screentime, my eyes used to look droopy but one stroke of the kajal does the job. I don’t have to redraw or thicken the kajal as it is given the dark line in one flick.
3. Ultime pro eye style liner
My dream to have a winged eyeliner came true with this Ultime Pro lifestyle by face Canada. The .4mm Flexi tip applicator helps in giving ultra thin yet dark lines along with dramatic ones.
4. Vitamin C lip balm
For quick makeup, I always prefer non-tinted lip balms with a mild glowy effect. This moisture-lock lip balm makes the lips look luscious. The formula is one of the rarest lip balms which gives sun protection.
5. Weightless Creme Finish Lipstick
Designed for Indian skin tone, the lipstick by Face Canada gives a natural pout with a beautiful tint to the lips. The shade that I opted for was summer ready. It is a beautiful shade of nude pink that lasts a long. Despite being a creamy lipstick it is still long-lasting.
Faces Canada Products are range of makeup products that I use regularly and with ease. What is yours?
5 Tips About How To Take Care Of Mental Health During Lockdown
Mental health often remains an invisible entity in our lives until we experience any kind of mental health issues or something unusual happens with our minds. Depression could be considered a common means of sadness, anxiety could be treated as hypertension, and stress is simply taken for granted with the excuse that there might be increased working hours for the overload of scheduled jobs. Meanwhile, we tend to ignore that something is changing simultaneously in our lives. This is mainly happening because of the circumstances we are witnessing for the first time. So have you wondered how to take care of mental health?
How to take care of your mental health?
The pandemic situation has left a huge impact on mental health instability, mainly due to the lockdown phase. People needed to stay indoors for most of the day and this started affecting their mental health. Research has found that during the last year, the number of mental health issues cases has rapidly increased and it still continues, making the scenario more complicated. As there happened a great shift in the daily life routine and the lifestyle has completely changed for the lockdown restrictions, people are becoming more stressed and they are getting bored of being locked in for an uncertain period.
Most of people become anxious hearing the news and updates and it’s quite obvious to feel worried for our near ones. But the scenario is becoming worse with each passing day and a wave of uncertainty is engulfing the world. But, this pandemic situation has been an eye-opener to the world that mental health is an inevitable part of our lives and for this reason, we should always prioritize our mental health first. It’s said that there is always a ray of hope amidst the darkness. During this lockdown phase, are you facing mental health instability? There is still hope for recovering this state of mind by following some easy tips and tricks about how to take care of mental health.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Here are some of the things that make you feel good after doing the tasks
Stay connected
Maybe this time, we all are sailing in the same boat. We can’t get outside of the home and communicate with people. But there is still another way to stay connected with your loved ones. You can contact them over call, write e-mails or virtual letters to them, converse with them over virtual meetings, and many more. The main aim is to get in touch with your near
ones in this lockdown phase. Staying connected with them will make you feel better and you will find peace of mind.
Take care of your family
In the hustle and bustle of life, we often forget to ask the whereabouts of our dear ones. Due to the work pressure, we can’t give them the time and attention that they truly deserve. This time, you need to stay closer to your family members as they need help and support just the way you need it. Spend more time with them and ask them if they want to share something with you. Play with kids and assist the old ones in your family. Be patient and cautious at the same time. Sometimes, showing concern could make them feel better and acknowledged. Talk to them and be with them as much as possible.
Spend some quality time with yourself
In the rush of life, we often forget to take pause and ponder upon our own beliefs. This time, you need to take a momentary escape from the busy schedule of life and then you need to pause, breathe, and blissfully heal yourself so that amidst the chaos around, you will be able to find calm from within. Exercise and meditate regularly to get connected with your inner self. Write a gratitude journal and count your blessings every day. These are some of the self-care practices that could give you the ultimate peace of mind.
Photo by KoolShooters on Pexels.com Nurture plants
The color green has a soothing effect on our minds. Therefore, whenever you feel stressed or anxious, or depressed if you come to your plants and nurture them with care, you will find peace of mind that stays with you for a long.
Spread empathy and kindness
Remember that in this phase, all the world is facing the same from both outside and inside. This time all we need is peace and being empathetic towards the people in distress and this could make you feel a precious part of the world. This time all of us search for a gentle touch of compassion and a tender heart of empathy. A small act of kindness can do wonders and bring happiness to someone’s life. Bring smiles to the faces of the deprived ones and be their listening ears. Stretch your hands to help someone in need, and be empathetic towards them. Be kind.
This way, you get an answer to the unending question of how to take care of mental health in this pandemic situation. Whatever the circumstances, you will find some peace of mind. Being compassionate towards yourself and taking care of yourself should be the first priority for all of us. This not only helps to maintain peace of mind but also helps to improve your bonding with yourself and this will eventually help you to be safe and sane during the lockdown period.
Prioritize your mental health and if you need some kind of professional consultation, you can seek help from the experts. Remember that there is always someone who can bring you out of the despair and guide you toward bliss.
Swarnali is a blogger, author, podcast host, and founder of The Peace Stories Initiative.Â
Busting The Myths About Vaginal Yeast Infection Symptoms Causes And Treatment
Female intimate hygiene is a topic that has been discussed behind the doors. Women often find it difficult to discuss it due to the fear of judgment. The issues related to intimate areas are numerous but the most common amongst these is a vaginal yeast infection. Being conditioned to believe that vaginal infection is related to a lack of intimate hygiene, the reluctance to discuss this topic subdues the help at the right time. There are numerous myths related to vaginal yeast infection symptoms, causes, and treatment. Today we shall discuss the most common myths related to vaginal yeast infection.
Myths about vaginal yeast infection
Myth #1 Intimate washes prevent vaginal infection
It is widely believed that intimate washes prevent vaginal yeast infection. The reality is that they kill the good bacteria around your vulva and change the natural pH which makes you more susceptible to vaginal infection.
Some experts even suggest using plain water to clean the vaginal areas. But if you are left with an unclean feeling, use only mild soaps.
Myth #2 Intimate infection is caused by lack of hygiene
Mostly yeast infection is proliferated in the bodies which sweat more. Moreover, if your vaginal area tends to hold more moisture, proliferation chances are more. In short, if your body is susceptible to infection, anything can be the reason.
Myth #3 External vaginal itch creams cure vaginal infections
It is a belief that vaginal itch creams are the medicine to cure the vaginal infection. The reality is that itch creams treat the vaginal yeast infection symptoms, and relieve you of the itchiness. In order to cure the infection, taking proper medicine is imperative.
Myth #4 Vaginal yeast infection spreads through sexual intercourse
The most important information about yeast infection that you must keep in mind is that it is not infectious. It doesn’t spread through intercourse. Often doctors suggest you refrain from intercourse because it could be painful for you.
Myth #5 Swimming cause vaginal yeast infection
If you have vaginal yeast infection symptoms, you need not refrain from swimming. Swimming doesn’t cause or spread this. As mentioned earlier, it is not an infectious disease. But you must make sure to dry the vaginal area properly to avoid retaining moisture.
Tips to avoid vaginal infection:
Iron your panties: If you feel that your vulva is always wet, you are susceptible to yeast infection. Hence iron your panties to avoid any amount of moisture around the vulva.
Dry your vulva after urination: Keep your vulva clean and dry after you pass urine.
Continue using the cream: Even if you are cured of vaginal infection, keep using the vaginal cream/gel because it prevents a relapse.
Get rid of the intimate wash: You no longer need the intimate wash to clean your intimate area. Use mild soap/water
Consult a dermatologist: Consulting a dermatologist is very important. This infection, if left untreated could cause further complications and even cancer.
Keep a toilet sanitizer handy: Most vaginal infections are spread through unhygienic public toilets. Hence always keep a toilet sanitizer handy or use Indian toilets as much as possible.
If you think that you have a vaginal yeast infection, don’t be shy to speak up. Take help and be assured of your health.
What is the real awareness of breastfeeding that we should have?
Breast feeding awareness week is going on. Everyone is talking about the importance of breastfeeding and also breastfeeding in public. It is commendable that contrary to the past aversion in many women regarding breastfeeding connected to their own body and health, people are indeed showing interest in the topic. So what is the awareness that we need to spread
Exclusive breastfeeding
1. For the first 6 months, the child should be fed exclusively on breastmilk.
2. The more you breastfeed, the more you lose weight
3. The more you breastfeed the more immune your child becomes.
4. You shouldn’t be ashamed of feeding in public.
Well n good. All these points are the best advice to be given to a mother.
But what if a mother is not in a position to exclusively breastfeed the child?
The pressure of the society, the judgements, the frustration of feeling inadequate and what not.
While it is true that breastmilk is the best medicine for the child, we should not judge a mother who is not exclusively breastfeeding her child
She wouldn’t be lactating much to quench the child’s thirst and hunger. The child’s sucking reflex would be week. The child could be in an NICU. The child could have breastmilk intolerance. She might have to have take medications which could be dangerous to child. She could be a working mother who had to rejoin early for work. Worst of all, the mother and child could be having some serious disease which could make breastfeeding all the more dangerous for both.
There could be many genuine reasons for not exclusively breastfeeding the child or weaning early.
Why would the society decide what she should do with her child? Why is it imperative to tab her as a beauty conscious, figure conscious bimbo just because she is not exclusively breast feeding the child/weans early? For some people it is a cruel ecstasy to state how long did they breast feed their child, to a mother who weaned early.
WHAT SHOULD THE MOTHER ACTUALLY DO?
If you are a healthy woman, with ample breastmilk, with a healthy baby whose sucking reflexes are well developed, and also a stay at home mother breastfeed your child exclusively for 6 months.
If you are not any or all of these. Do what’s best for your child and yourself because only a healthy mother can bring up a healthy baby.
DON’T FEEL GULTY.
DON’T LEND YOUR EARS TO JUDGEMENTAL PEOPLE.
DON’T THINK OF YOURSELF AS ANY LESS THAN OTHER MOTHERS.
Breastfeeding in public
If you feel ashamed of breastfeeding in public, there is nothing wrong with you. That’s also your personal choice but yeah, there are indeed options for the same.
We have feeding bibs available these days. If that’s expensive for you, get a ‘PONCHO TOP’. It’s available cheap in the market. Put if over your head and feed your child.
Microblading- The rage in female beauty
Eyebrows are important in female beauty. Well done eyebrows make a woman look prettier. But many women are troubled with thin eyebrows and have to rely on expensive brow pencils on a daily basis. Needless to say the time invested for the same.
Microblading
Microblading is also called eyebrow tattoo. But it is not exactly a tattoo. Tattoos are done with a machine with a thick needle. The ink darkens with time for normal tattoo. But for eyebrow tattoo each strand is made using hand. The tool is a fine needle used to make thin slices in the skin which looks like hair strands.
You are frowing, aren’t you? Unlike normal tattoo, microblading is done after applying a local anesthetic cream. Hence there won’t be any pain. You won’t be even able to see the blood. By the time it is done your face looks different.
Color intensity and thickness
The thickness and shape of the eyebrows is up to the client. When I underwent microblading, I just wanted to fill the sparse area. If you need thicker and darker eyebrows, you can opt for the same as well.
The color intensity will be tad bit more on the day we undergo micro blading. Further it will lighten and after a fortnight, your eyebrows look natural. After 15 days we can retouch the sparse areas, if any and we are done.
Aftercare
You need to keep your eyebrows hydrated for 15 days after the process, using vaseline. If it gets dry, the durability will be affected in the long run.
Durability
The microblading artists give us a guarantee of one year for the color to last. But it has been two years for me and the color hasn’t even faded a bit.
So, what are you waiting for? Rush to the nearest microblading artist and get your eyebrows done. I had visited NS STYLE SALON. Where are you going by the way?
Nature Sure Jonk Shampoo – Review
If I have to be frank, I mush say that I am hearing about Jonk Shampoo for the first time. A shampoo made from leech is something unique and unheard of.
Company Claim
The claim of the comoany is that the shampoo removes dandruff, restores shine and prevents hair fall. The ingredients are amla, aloe vera, shikakai, neem etc which are indeed helpful for nourishing the hair. It is paraben and sulphate free.
Packaging
The bottle with the pump makes it easy to use. Only very little quantity is pumped out. The bottle is travel friendly as well.
Texture and fragrance
The shampoo has thick consistency. It lathers well despite sulphate free.
Effect
The product indeed adds shine to the hair. I did not use any conditioner. Nonetheless the shine was retained and the hair didn’t look dry or frizzy. It is commendable that the shine is retained even without conditioner or serum. I continously used it without any additional products but my hair has looking pretty maintained even with the third day hair.
Hairfall was also reduced considerably. Dandruff was also reduced but did not get cured completely. If used continously on a thrice a week basis, dandruff could be kept in check.
Hair Shine 100/100, Hairfall control 100/100 Dandruff control 80/100
Overall I am satisfied with the product. I am in fact surprised with how the shine was retained.