Swathy and Sky

Do not slump your shoulders {Grooming}

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So, ok, let me state one thing before starting. I am the last person you will ever find advising on how to carry yourself. So, these are just the things which I corrected in myself and do observe many of the well-dressed people lack. Unfortunate but its true, these small things make a strong impression.
Yup, this is one of the biggest things which I have noticed many gorgeously dressed women also make. If you slump your shoulders, it looks really sloppy. And, as much gorgeous you might be, it doesn’t really make an impression. Everything falls flat, in fact. 
This is even more important when getting clicked or sitting. Do not slump forward. Sit erect and when you are getting clicked, pull up your entire height and stand rigid. That also makes you look taller and more confident in the process. I did receive a query regarding how to look taller. 
This is one thing which you can do. Stand tall and keep the shoulders rigid. Have you ever noticed models or actors slouching? Even in the movies when they are sitting? That’s especially visible in Hollywood movies. Do make a point to observe sometime how they carry themselves.
So, do you have the habit of slouching your shoulders? Btw, it also carries a health impact. It makes the spine curved if you slouch and destroys your posture making you prone to back aches.

5 Tips for Lip Care {Five Series}

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Few days back some one had asked me about remedies from pigmentation around the lips. So, lets check out a few ways, I found my lips to remain soft and pink all time 🙂 All the same skin care rules apply so don’t forget your lips next time!! All these tips help me to prevent pimented and chapped lips both.

Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize
Very important. Keep a lip balm at your side all the time. Ok, I do have a little reservation on applying a lip balm in a room full of people, especially males. How do you exactly deal with that type of situation? Would really appreciate some tips.
And, don’t forget to apply lip balm every time you drink or eat something, especially if you are no fan of lipsticks. Honestly, I have never applied any lipstick in life and I don’t have any idea how they stay on even after you eat something.

Sun Protection 
Oh yes, lips are way thinner than your skin and do not have any natural sun protection built in them. They do not have melanin so they can’t protect themselves against sun rays. So, I keep a spf 15 lip balm from Nivea around me all time. If you get a higher spf, go for it.

Exfoliate
Yes, they also need exfoliation. And, protection after that!! So, don’t forget to use your sugar scrub next time on your lips as well and see your lips become so soft and pinky pinky 😉 Or, you can also use your tooth brush just after you finish brushing. 


Cleanse that Color
You do make it a point to remove all your makeup and sunscreen but do you remember to remove that lipstick or lipbalm? I do make sure to remove it and if I am using oil to cleanse my sunscreen, it also helps in making my lips soft and oil also prevents the chapping of the lips.

Water
More water you drink, more your lips stay hydrated and pink. Does it ever happen to you that reading drink more water sends a signal to your brain and your hand automatically gets stretched to the water bottle? It does happen with me. Now that I am writing it, I am stopping in between to gulp a mouthful of water 😀

And, last word, don’t overdo anything because lips are really sensitive and they get chapped really fast on mishandling. So, what do you do for your lips? How do you prevent pigmentation and discoloration of your lips?

Hard Water affecting Hair? {Hair Care}

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A couple of days back, I received two-three queries as to how to control hair fall due to hard water. When we shift places and go to a new place, hair fall is kinda inevitable. The change in climate, water, air, everything affects the hair. But, water is the most common reason for damaged hair texture and hair fall. You can not make the water soft so what you can do is try out a few tricks which might help. 

Use mineral water or boiled water only
This is the most common way to soften the water. Using the water from the mineral water bottles. But, honestly, affording that much is not exactly easy. But, more often than not, you will definitely find aqua guards at the water taps. So, use that water and remember to have enough of aqua guard water in reserve while having shower.

This is something which you can easily do when you are staying in a hostel. More often than not, hostels have bore well water which is extremely hard and harsh on the hair. Boiled water also helps but the problem is having enough of water which has been boiled and cooled down for the reserve. You will probably need 4-5 buckets 😀
Shower Filters
I have read a lot about them that they can help filter out certain chemicals right from the tap or the showers so you might use them. Apparently, there are a lot of varieties of shower filters available but the problem is availability. I don’t know if they are as easily available and affordable and not overtly expensive. But, you can try going around the bathroom accessory shops. 
Use Deep Conditioning Treatments Regularly
Unfortunately, the hard water makes the hair much like straw. So, deep conditioning treatments are very important. Invest in salon range products for regular usage and go for egg and yogurt treatments once a week, if possible. Also, a monthly hair spa does help, provided you can afford it. Also, make sure, you are doing hot oil treatment regularly. 

Make sure there is No Residue
Make sure you do not use any styling tools and products because they can create a lot of residue. If you do, don’t forget to use a clarifying shampoo or add a tea spoon of vinegar once a month to your shampoo and wash your hair. And, avoid chemical treatments like rebonding and coloring till you are sure your hair has accommodated to the change.
I know I have not answered the question on how to prevent the hair fall but honestly, its something which one can’t do unless the hair has accommodated to the change. Using an SLS-free shampoo might help. What do you think? How do you deal with hard water? And, how do you manage your hair in hard water? Looking forward to your tips 🙂