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Have you started with a new skin care routine, men?? {Five Series}

Swathy · July 15, 2014 · 3 Comments

So, two weeks back sometime I had mentioned that Garnier has come up with a new campaign #SayNoToBars specifically targeted at men for their lack of skills or interest at personal grooming. Today, I would like to talk about why is it really important to use a face wash instead of a soap.

Now, I have done a post on how is a soap different from a bar and how a man’s skin is different from a woman’s. So, assuming that you have read both of those posts, I would say I am extremely thankful that Garnier and other brands now a days are coming up with men-specific ranges. So, let me just go through five specific reasons why a face wash trumps the soaps.

Hygiene

Soaps are handled by all family members unless you have one specifically for yourself (which in every case I would recommend) and imagine the number of germs accumulating by being handled by so many people!! Face wash is a squeeze and go. And, you do not have a soap case to clean and cover every time you use it.

Travel-friendly

So, damn easy to pop and go. You can have on in your laptop case and use it at the office after a polluting ride on your bike (unless you are a car freak)! And, of course, it doubles up as body wash when you are out of station.

Made specifically for your face

The face skin is different from the body and much more sensitive and needs to be handled with care. Thus, a face wash which has been specifically designed for your face instead of a bar has all the actives which will provide a deep cleansing and moisturizing wash. The ingredients will keep your skin soft and young, as well.

Soap is alkaline and skin is acidic

So, coming to a little more technical ground, our skin has a pH level of 5.5 where as all the soaps are alkaline which is why if you use a non-regulated pH product on the face, it will damage and dry out your skin and make you age faster.

Your Acne might be due to soaps!!

The difference in the pH levels of your soap and skin can cause the sebum of your skin to get washed off thereby allowing bacteria to breed on your skin and causing breakouts. Face wash helps prevent such breakouts.

These are just the starting reasons why you might want to shift to face washes. so, what are you waiting for?

Update on Onion Juice for Hair Growth – Part II {Hair Care}

Swathy · July 14, 2014 · 17 Comments

So, long back in February I had done a first FAQ post on onion juice method. Please refer to this post to know how to apply onion juice. That is one of the most searched posts on my website and generates a lot of redundant questions which I had thought of answering at one go. This is the second part to this post.

Does it reduce hair fall?

Yes, it does reduce hair fall. But, apply it only as instructed.

Does it help with dandruff?

Yes, it helps with dandruff because of the sulphur present in it.

How soon does the hair grow?

Depends on your hair growth cycle. The onion juice method just provides the sulphur topically to your hair follicles. It definitely helps in regenerating the dormant hair follicles.

How long should the juice be kept on hair?

15-30 minutes is a good time. Onion juice dries off in flakes so its best to remove asap. And, of course, the stink is horrible.

Does it stink?

Yes, it does! And, no, I have not used it with essential oils to tell you that you can use them to make the onion juice pleasant. I have a feeling that both might not mix properly because one is water and another is concentrated oil.

Does it change the hair color?

Actually, that depends. I think it changes my hair color to copper. But, it might just make my hair shine with its natural color. I have heard some people say that it made no difference to their hair color.

Does onion really help?

Now, that is something which you have to find out for yourself. It does for most but it might not for some just like all other home remedies!!

After applying onion juice, I had more hair fall. Will it reduce?

Well, it might be coz your hair is already a lot weak. Always comb your hair before you oil it and apply any kind of hair pack. That makes easy the application process. After combing your hair thoroughly, use a cotton ball to apply the onion juice and instead of rubbing the scalp, dab the cotton ball on the scalp. That way, there should be no breakage. Yes, the hair fall should reduce over time but if applying onion juice after combing your hair is still making your hair fall, you might want to avoid it altogether. Use your best judgment in this.

Do you have any more questions? Do let me know!

Blogging Series Vol. 18 – Why is it so wrong to make money from a blog?

Swathy · July 10, 2014 · 8 Comments

I have been blogging for a really looooong time, so long that I feel I am an ancient now!! But, one thing, I have been always wary in all these years is how I earn money and get readers. Yesterday, yet another adwords coupon came along in my mail and I was wondering if it would be a good idea to make use of it while it lasts!!

But, then, I remembered all the flak around certain beauty blogs promoting their pages on facebook and getting likes. I mean, what is so wrong about paying to make facebook promote your page. It is not like you are forcing the people seeing your ads to like it, right? It is entirely their choice to like your page or not. And, paying to promote your page is a business decision which is absolutely sensible. Look at all the brands in the world!!

Why is it that when it comes to bloggers, they seem to get a huge share of criticism if they do one effort to earn money. If you think money is gonna decrease the quality of content, it is entirely justified and then you have a choice of unsubscribing. But, till that time, I think it is fair to give the blogger time and space to experiment with monetizing options.

Blogging full time is a job and bloggers also need food and shelter, just like the rest. And, making money through blogs is not exactly easy, especially if you want to get home loans and such. So, people do whatever they can. May be readers, I know most of you understand these issues and this post is targeted to only few who choose to be exceptions, could be more supportive of that fact and give sometime to your favorite blogger to figure out options.

From my personal experience, I can say that in these four years I have tried many ad networks and blog designs and have stuck to this minimalistic one since almost two years because I found out a balance between ads and content which satisfies me. Similarly, your favorite blogger will also learn. Just give it sometime. Money is very alluring in the beginning.

What do you think? Is making money really so wrong?