SMELL GOOD ALL DAY LONG!

Ever been close to someone whose smell left you moribund? Well you certainly don't wanna be in their shoes! Smelling great all day long can fetch you compliments and boost your mood.

Long lasting fragrance doesn't solely depend on the perfumes, deoz or oils, good personal hygiene also counts a lot.

Below are some tips to smell good throughout the day:

• Maintain good diet

Researches show that regular consumption of spices, red meat, garlic, onion and alcohol can lead to a bad body odour overtime. Meanwhile, consumption of fresh fruits and veggies with good amount of hydration keeps your body smell free.

• Personal hygiene.

1. Obvious things first: Daily bathing with scented shower gels, soaps, deo containing soaps or antibacterial soap helps fight body odour. For long lasting deo effect, opt for oil-based rollerball scents. Spritz up your torso with a good perfume. Sensitive areas like back of the knee, behind ears, pulse points and the nape of the neck needs additional spritz.
2. Do not rub in fragrances after spraying them.
3. Strong perfumes can be suffocating to your seat-mates hence apply them 15 minutes before leaving home and spray from a foot distance.
4. Dry your body well after shower. To remain naturally odour-free keep armpits and private parts clean and well shaved. Area under breasts (for ladies) or any other skin folds needs to be washed and dried thoroughly.
5. If you tend to have bad breath then brushing your teeth twice daily, using floss and alcohol free mouth wash may help. Carry along a mouth freshener or a sugarless chewing gum with good flavor that can come handy when you are in a fix. If despite all the efforts, you still suffer from bad breath than its time to consult a dentist.
   
6. Wash hair regularly or  atleast when they become greasy. Use scented shampoo or leave in conditioner. You may opt for baby powder application (Yes, you actually can) for a quick shine and lovely smell. Alternatively, you may use hair sprays for long lasting smell. Body sprays can also be used on hair to match the body fragrance.
7. Dry your feet well and apply foot spray if you tend to have sweaty or smelly feet. You may carry along the foot spray and use it prior to shoe removal.
8. Ladies can use scented nail polish instead of the regular ones.
9. Rub in scented lotion before bedtime.
10. Of course, it goes without saying that most perfumes donot last the whole day so layering your scents is a wise option. You may start with a fragrant moisturiser in the morning than later on add a body mist for a longer effect. Alternatively,  you may use deo and a perfume of the same scent in a consecutive fashion.
11. There is nothing wrong in experimenting with different scents until you find your signature scent.

• Laundry care

1. Use good detergents with fresh scent for washing your clothes.
2. Make sure they are rinsed well to remove the detergent completely.
3. Dry well as half moist clothes emit a foul smell.
   
4. Use pillows and sheets spray to be enveloped by fragrance effectively. Make sure your partner is not allergic to it though.
5. Room freshners which are available in many forms can be used to keep your room smelling fresh all the time. 
6. Scented candles not only give romantic look but also adds a seductive smell that makes one want to linger longer.

• Closet care

1. Keep your closet clean and fragrant.
2. Keep a perfume satchet in your underwear and socks drawer.
3. Do not mix clean clothes with unwashed worn clothes even if they appear spotless.
4. Febreze your closet.
5. You may spritz your shoes as well.
6. Allow shoes to dry out well before next use.

Follow this tips and smell heavenly daily, all day long.

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TROUBLED WITH TAN?

What's a vacation without a beach visit on the list? The ultimate retreat with sand, Sun, cool breeze and water!

Unfortunately, along with fun & sun comes the dreaded suntan! Poor skin and hair suffer immense damage from the hot sun, harsh salty breeze and salt water. The next day becomes horribly unfaceable and full of regrets!

Although there are things that you can do to minimise the tanning, it's not easy to totally avoid it! Here are some few points to practice before hitting the beach:

• Wear a wide brimmed hat to cover face and hair from direct sun.
• Cover the neck with a scarf.
• Use sunscreens SPF 15 or higher with aloe vera and Vitamin E every 2 hourly. If you are planning to get wet than opt for a water resistant suncreen.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during and after beach visit.
• Don't forget to protect your lips by applying a lip balm with SPF 15 and higher.
• Protect your eyes with sunglasses.
  
  
• After your excursion, opt for mild to cool showers rather than hot ones.
• After the sun damage you need to go easy on your hair and skin. Wash your hair with shampoo followed by a conditioner. Treat your skin with a mild soap.
• Do NOT exfoliate the already damaged skin. You will cause more harm than good. Be generous with moisturisers instead.
• It's not wise to rush for chemical or pigmentation treatment for de-tanning. Instead try out more gentle, skin friendly and easy approaches penned down here:

1. Tomato Twist:

Take fresh tomatoes and squeeze the juice out. Apply the juice of the pulp on face and neck and leave it on for some 15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Do this twice a week.

Benefits: Tomatoes are rich in a natural sunscreen called lycopene. It also possesses antioxidant properties which fights cell damage and inflammation (redness) of the skin. It helps heal damaged skin leaving it cooler, less red and less puffy.

2. Lemon and sugar scrub:

Squeeze out a lemon juice and add some sugar crystals, gently rub in circular motion till the sugar crystals dissolve. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash it off with water. Do this once weekly.

Benefits: While lemon is known for its antimicrobial and skin lightening properties, sugar crystals act as a gentle natural exfoliating agent, together they leave the skin brighter, healthier and softer.

3. The Papaya rub:

Cut a thin slice of a papaya and rub it on tanned skin. Leave the juice on for 20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Do this twice daily.

Benefits: Leaves skin smooth and radiant.

4.  Lemon & aloe vera face pack:
Add lemon juice to "skinned" and crushed aloe vera (alternatively,  you can use aloe vera gel) and mix well. Apply on face and neck. Leave on for about 20 minutes. Rinse thereafter and pat dry. Repeat twice or thrice a day. This is also a well known remedy for dark circles.

Benefits: One of the most extensively researched plant is the aloe vera. Proven for its healing, antimicrobial, antipruritic (relieves or prevents itching), emollient, analgesic, protective and moisturising properties (to name a few), it also helps to fight acne and wrinkles.

5. Yoghurt and lemon juice dab:
Add lemon juice to fresh yoghurt and mix well. Apply on face and neck. Wash after 30 minutes. Do this daily.

Benefits: Yoghurt is a natural skin brightener and moisturizer while lemon is an anti-blemishing agent. Both helps in de-tanning and cleansing the skin.

6. Yoghurt, honey & turmeric powder face pack:
Try this time tested combo and you wont regret. Mix all three ingredients well and apply on face and neck and leave it on for about 20 minutes. Rinse thereafter.

Benefits: Tumeric is a known natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent while honey soothens, nourishes and hydrates the skin. The combination of these three is what you need for your skin.

7. Potato & lemon punch:
Combine potato juice with lemon juice and apply on tanned skin. Rinse well after half an hour.

Benefits: Potato is not only healthy for the body but the skin also benefits from its anti-cancer properties. The vitamin C and other minerals it contains, makes it one of the most powerful bleaching agents. It works wonders for suntan and dark circles.

8. Rosewater and sandalwood paste:
Mix the above two (red or white sandalwood) and apply on tanned skin. Wash after 20 minutes.

Benefits: The anti-tanner sandalwood combined with rosewater which hydrates dry skin, soothens sensitive skin and tones the oily skin is perfect for the tanned and damaged skin.

9. Cucumber and milk facepack:
Add cucumber juice to milk and apply on face & neck. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry the skin thereafter. Doing this twice a day gives lovely results.

Benefits: The cucumber offers its cooling properties while the milk moisturises the skin and helps de-tan gently.

10. Gram flour, yoghurt & lemon juice combo:
Take all these three ingredients in equal quantities, mix well and apply on tanned skin. Let it dry then wash with warm water. This old remedy works like magic if used twice a week.

Benefits: Our grandmas weren't wrong in using chickpea/gram flour for fairer, cleaner and pimple free skin. Gram flour has skin lightening properties. This pack with addition of lemon and yoghurt leaves your skin soft, fairer and glowing.

* Apply all face packs on clean washed skin.
* Do NOT try a face pack if you are allergic to one of its ingredients.  If you aren't sure about your allergies to any of its contents then it's wise to try the pack on a small patch of skin behind your ear and confirm.

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MEN'S STYLE: DRESS SMART.

Among the first things that impresses an individual is your sense of dressing. No matter how negative impression they had had about you, the person is likely to reconsider hearing you out if you appear smart and stylish.

Men come in all sizes and shapes. It’s for you to figure out where you fit and what’s your style?

Lucky is the man who has an average built, not too thin not too fat, not too tall not too short because such a person would look awesome in about any outfit. The rest would need care while selecting clothes that enhances their body types. The idea of the correct wear is to downplay your negative body points while drawing attention to the individual’s talent and abilities.

SHORT MEN

Best suited attires for short men are those which enable the observer to have a smooth path from shoes to face.

• Clothes with vertical lines especially thin ones closely placed together are usually the best choice for a short man. It gives the apparent height to the body.
• Solid fabrics and dark colours are known to have slimming effect and a combination of these enhances the height factor.
• Clothes with horizontal lines are best avoided as it cuts the body into half and makes one look shorter.
• Fabrics with plaids and bird’s eye textured solids are to be chosen carefully.
• Short stature often gives the impression of the head appearing proportionally larger than the body, hence a matching short cut jacket and trouser helps to downplay this effect.
• Man in this category often benefits by wearing his pants at the natural waist and should consider suspenders vs belts. This increases the apparent length of his legs.
• A puff hairstyle and a little heeled shoes never hurted a short man, so go for it!

TALL MEN

Tall men have problems that are opposite to that of the short men.

• Horizontal lined clothes are tall men’s friend.  Checks and windowpane appears more substantial.
• Stripes that are widely spaced which are little thicker example chalk stripes compared to thin pin stripes are good choices.
• Flatter hairstyles and shoes complement a tall man’s look.

THIN MEN
These men needs to add weight to their bodies.

• Horizontal lines are good choices.
• Textured fabrics give more heavier look to the slimmer frame. Thin men's choice should be more of tweeds and glen checks.
• Overlapping fabric in subtle ways is another trick your tailor can add on your clothes. Go for double breasted jackets, double pleated trousers, square pockets and medium spread collars.
• Growing more hair on your head helps in your appearance while a bald head  gives a thinner look.

HEAVY MEN

If your waist circumference is larger than your chest’s than you may fit in this category. Your dressing sense should be such that an observer’s attention should not be fixed onto your waist area.

• Avoid form fitting clothing instead opt for loose fit around the midsection.
• Jackets with generous cut and flattening drapes should suit you fine.
• Vertical lines and dark solid colours gives you more slimmer look.
• Go for 2 button jackets with deep "V" neck to give an impression of a longer torso.
• Forget about belts, grab those suspenders and wear your trousers little higher than your waist to give a smooth look around the midsection and increase the apparent length of your legs.

Unfortunately,  most men do not strictly fit in the categories mentioned above. There are always the combinations. Lets see some of the options for such hard to fit men.

TALL AND THIN

The challenge for this group is that too loose or too tight a fit makes them look lanky.

• Checks and heavier fabric are your buddies.
• Double breasted suits adds on.
• Horizontal lines and texture fabrics are wise choices.
• Go for layered clothing that closely fit, broad belts, wider trouser cuffs, vests and jacket pockets. All these together give more bulk to your thin frame.
• Avoid fabrics that billow.
• Avoid pleats, you really don’t need extra room, unless your trousers are screaming tight which is actually a bad idea anyways.
• Prefer slanted side pockets, these cut on the vertical lines a bit.
• Big buckles are good for tall men while thin guys can opt for more rectangular ones.
• Tall man should go for tall ties. The tie should be long enough to reach your belt without leaving a gap. Prefer broader ties that bulk up your chest. Properly tied full Windsor  knot adds strength to the neck area.
• Like everywhere else checks patterns, heavily  slanted diagonals and wide diamonds are your options.
• Remember, stay tucked in while wearing dress shirts. Your T-shirts should be closely fit.
• Alternatively you can opt for a 3 piece suit.

TALL AND HEAVY

The goal of your dressing style is to appear simple and classic.  You just want to add an aura of elegance to your already conspicious self.

• Simple white and blue defines you well enough but you can experiment with other not too eye-catching colours.
• Simple lightweight fabrics compliment you more than complicated heavy fabrics (you do not want to add bulk).
• Solid colours gives you slimmer sober looks without adding extra height impression.
• Avoid stripes of any sort as both works against your silhouette.
• A jacket with a deep “V” helps to keep eyes fixed there rather than going at heights they are not used to. Larger pockets, generous lapels, unpadded but properly fitted shoulder all help you look elegant.
• Pleats on trousers gives you trimmer look.
• Wider suspenders and pocket squares are your thing.
• Your socks colour should be closely matching with that of your trousers.

SHORT AND STOUT

This is probably the toughest category in terms of dressing. Many standard clothes that are available at shops needs extra tailoring in order to be wearable for the men in this category.

• Dark solids are your wardrobe default. Be careful while choosing vertical stripes though. Not every vertical oriented dress shirt may complement your look.
• Wear your pants high which will drape smoothly over your lower stomach giving you the taller trimmer look.
• Go for suspenders instead of belts, the latter cuts your height into half.
• Men with broader waists should go for pleated trousers though this might mean cuffs but a dark coloured trouser may help to hide such details.
• Avoid light coloured jeans and khakis.
• You should be allergic to word baggy.
• In general avoid lots of layerings and designs that give visual clutter.

SHORT AND THIN

Men of this frame should wear clothes that are tailored proportionally smaller to fit his size and not a larger cut made to fit his frame.

• Wear vertically oriented patterns.
• Avoid wearing a dress shirt with lots of stripes of varying colour and sizes.
• Go for narrow point collar styles rather than button down collar.
• Narrow point means wearing a thin-materialed tie with a small knot, just about perfect for your body type.
• Remember to keep it simple, you do not want to stuff your appearance but a smooth look is all you need hence avoid breast pockets altogether. If you can't avoid it then have just one and please do not clip a pen in it.
• Tuck your shirt in neatly. You can’t afford to have shirt tails robbing you of your leg length neither can you allow billows at your waist giving the impression of being swallowed by your shirt.

MUSCULAR MEN

HEAVY TOP AND BOTTOM

Muscular men have a problem with their too narrow waist compared to the chest and the lower body. This disproportion makes it hard for them to find suitable clothes. Careful tailoring accentuates their frame without giving the overpowering muscular impression.

• Go for larger lapels; preferably peak lapels.
• Avoid shoulder padding, you do not want to look like a rugby player on the field.
• The jacket should be slightly longer covering your bottom.
• Pleated trousers gives you the freedom to stretch your muscles without adding bulk on to the muscular thighs.
• If you have a more muscular torso than the lower half than avoid any skinny jeans and downplay the upper body.

LEAN UPPER BODY WITH MUSCULAR LOWER BODY

This is the common soccer player silhouette.

• Go for jackets with no vents and keep your jacket on all the time.
• Avoid trousers which are too tight at the waist.

The whole idea of dressing sharp is to look proportional. We strive to be presentable and effective in highlighting our talents to the world. Unfortunately human tendency is to get stuck at the negative points of his fellow and so the first impression tends to hold. Its best to be comfortable in your clothes as this lets you and the observer focus at more important tasks at hand.

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