Category: Health & Beauty

Working out and staying healthy

08/122013

Being outdoor always makes a workout more enjoyable. A jog around the park beats laps on an indoor track any day. And there’s no comparing an afternoon on the golf course with an indoor putting green.

By now, everyone would have known the benefits of exercise. In short, it makes you feel better almost immediately. Your endorphins kick in and elevate your mood, therefore making you look better!

Over time, exercising would reduce your risk of diseases, helps control your weight, focuses your mind and keeps your heart strong and healthy.

The most difficult part is getting started and the second most difficult part is sticking to the exercise regime. Bring a friend along and change your activities on a weekly basis to keep the momentum going.

Keep a brewed green tea in a mini spray bottle in the fridge and spray it on your face to cool down overheated skin after an extensive workout. The tea is rich in anti-inflammatory polyphenols, and it will soothe your skin.

 

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Before working out a sweat, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts, remove your make up.

When you want to prolong your post work out glow without make up, spray your face with cold rose water when your get home to tone your skin. Then, apply a 5 minute hydrating mask.

*Neutrogena and Olay are good options.

If you eat less than 90 minutes before you workout, it will undermine the intensity, length and calorie burning potential of your exercise. A full stomach can also make your feel physically uncomfortable when your run, practice pilates or twist into a certain yoga posture.

 

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Just as you can pick up hepatitis when a manicurist uses unsanitary tools, you can get warts and helpmate’s foot from walking barefoot in the gym or yoga class. Invest in your own yoga mat.

Take a whiff of peppermint. Peppermint in the form of gum, tea, oil or scented candle will give you a boost of stamina.

After waxing, don’t use soap on the area for at least 24 hours and avoid wearing tight pants or workout attires that can irritate your skin.

 

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If possible, don’t wear the same pair of sneakers every day. It is a good idea to change your shoes on alternate days. This will give them a chance to dry out so they won’t harbor fungus.

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To energise and warm your sore muscles, use a ginger body lotion or grate a small piece of ginger and mix it with a palmful of unscented lotion. Massage into skin.

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Beauty Myth Buster!

08/122013

As your wedding date fast approaches, you would tend to be more careful with your beauty routine and your choice of food intake.

Some beauty myths are passed down through generations of women and seem to have taken on a life of their own. Here are a few of the most common, with valid reasons why they’re false.

Bad hygiene causes pimple

 

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In fact, many people with pimples tend to wash their skin too hard and too often. This can strip oil from the skin and cause your body to secrete even more oil to compensate, leading to skin that is both dry and pimply. Wash your face with cleanser twice a day and rinse with water more often if you like.

Cutting your hair makes it grow faster

 

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Your hair grows at the root, not the end. If your hair is short, you will notice it more when it grows. That’s about it.

You can make your pores smaller

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You can make it look smaller by putting moisturiser surrounding the skin or by using certain pore refining lotion. But if the pore is clogged with a blackhead, bacteria or dead skin, it can stretch and appear bigger until it is unclogged. But your pores are not like windows that you can open or shut.

Sunscreen will protect my hair from sun damage

 

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The surface of your hair isn’t flat, so it is almost impossible to get coverage you’d need onto each and every hair. What you can do to keep your hair soft and shiny after a day at the beach is to apply a leave on conditioner which helps prevent your hair from drying out and slows the sun from stripping the colour.

French fries, chocolate and other foods make your skin break out

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Though it wouldn’t be good to overload with these food because it is full of salt, sugar or fat, no food has been scientifically proven to cause breakouts. If your face always breaks out when you eat those, it could be because of food allergy.

Shaving your legs makes the hair grow thicker

 

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Shaving may make your hair look ticker when it grows back because the razor blunts the ends and your hair becomes more visible. However, you are genetically wired for each and every hair on your body and that’s all you get. No more and no less unless hormonal change or medication causes it to change

Brain and Beauty

08/062013

Contestant of the Miss Universe Malaysia 2014, Shangkharee Casiraghi is no alien to beauty pageants. Not only does she have 6 years of experience walking on stage in beautiful clothes, she is also in her 4th year of medical studies. We conducted an interview with her recently, to explore her world of actions and beautiful people.

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What motivated you to participate in this pageant?

I have been following this pageant very closely after the revamp by Andrea Fonseka. As the winner flourished and took the international stage by storm, I had a little voice in me saying that ‘hey that could be you.’ This is a very big challenge because every year there is only one Miss Universe Malaysia and one Miss Universe. With my competitive nature, it only made sense that I strived to join this pageant. I was my own motivator and then came the support from my mother and best friends.

What are you doing right now? I understand that you are a medical student. Tell us more.

I am in my 4th year of medical studies in AUCMS and currently I’m doing my practical in Hospital Kulim. Medicine has always been my first love. I love being with people and trying to make their day a little better.

Are your parents supportive with the idea of you being a contestant in a beauty pageant?

I have been blessed with parents who think that their children should decide on what they would like to do. My parents have been very supportive in anything I do. This is my 4th beauty pageant and they have showed their undying love for all 4 pageants.

Have you had any similar experience prior to Miss Universe Malaysia pageant?

I started off in 2008 with two local beauty pageants. They were both held in September and I won both the titles. One of my judges saw potential in me and urged me to apply for Dewi Remaja. I came in as 2nd runner up for Dewi Remaja 2010 with Neelofa being the winner and Izara Aisyah as the 1st runner up. After almost 3 years of break, I’m finally ready to set foot into the pageantry world. I hope to do my best in Miss Universe Malaysia 2014.

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What is your idea of beauty?

As cliché as it may sound, I do believe in being beautiful on the inside. Although there are many measures you can take to improve your physical appearance, no amount of make up can cover up a negative personality. When you are a positive person who embraces life and only wants to project love to everyone around, you are BEAUTIFUL. The skin may not grace time as well, but a beautiful person will only grow more radiant with time. There is beauty in everyone, you just need beautiful eyes to see it.

I was told that you’ve lost 12kg within a short time. What would be your daily source of motivation?

Modern day beauty pageants, especially Miss Universe, pay a lot of emphasis on fit girls. Gone are the days when they fancied skinny girls who starved themselves just so they can look ‘beautiful’. A few years ago, I was under the impression that I too should starve. That didn’t take me anywhere and instead led me to a 18kg weight gain. Being a close follower of Miss Universe for the past few years, I awed when the girls paraded their 6 packs and ripped muscles instead of skin and bones down the runway. Our very own, Miss Universe Malaysia 2012, Kimberley Leggett was my inspiration as I saw her transforming right before my eyes, to become a more fit person.

The only thing that keeps me going on a low carbohydrate day or the gruelling workout sessions at the gym, is my burning desire to become Miss Universe Malaysia 2014. Let’s bring the crown home.

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Who is your favorite celebrity and why?

I LOVE BEYONCE. I started off liking her ever since the existence of destiny’s child. Over the years she has grown personally and professionally. She is very approachable person. Although she is at the heights of her career and life, she has managed to stay grounded and rooted to her beliefs and principles. I like her because I think I resemble her a lot. She has thought me to always stay focused and aim for the best and nothing less. At the same time, always be a real person, and be down to earth.

Any beauty tips and suggestions for all the soon-to-be brides out there?

I hope that you ladies don’t get too stressed up over the wedding preparation. After all, nothing is as important as the love you will be sharing with you better half and the matrimony that will seal your love till eternity. I hope that the ladies will try to take some time to workout so that you can shed off some stress and look smashing in your wedding gowns. Eat clean (lean meat, vegetables and fruits) and avoid sugary and oily food for overall wellbeing and radiant skin. Make sure you have done a trial of your hair and make-up and see if it suits you (because we don’t want to have last minute bridezilla attack.. roarrrr!!)

Good luck ladies.

 

Achieving Weight Loss Within A Short Span of Time

08/062013

I am sure that at one point of your life, you have a failed attempt of losing weight or eating healthily. Standing on top of a weighing machine could really drown all the confidence you have, judging by the direction of a needle.

It was no easy task for Angelynn as she attempted to lose 15kilograms in 6 month, to prepare for the Miss World Malaysia. This is a challenge, set by your own discipline and goal. As embarrassing as it may be for me, I lost 7kgs in 6 months, late last year and have gained it all back within a short 3 months.

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So, let’s steal a tip or two on her weight loss program!

JD: How much weight did you lose and how long did it take for you to achieve it?

AT: I lost around 15 kg in half a year.

 JD: What was the daily diet and exercise routine like for you?

AT:My diet is simple. Basically I stopped eating simple carb, taking off oily food. Whatever I eat, I steam or boiled it.  I stopped eating at outside because most of them I prepared my food at home, I even packed my food out to college. I go to the gym for 3-4 times per week, half an hour cardio is a must then lift weights. Each day targeting different areas like back workout today, legs workout tomorrow and etc etc..

JD:  The biggest challenge and motivation?

AT:The biggest motivation is because I was called fat, laughed by people. Besides that, I wasn’t confident for my body. I was always wearing the same dress for many times because nothing suite me well. Whatever I wore, I felt ugly on me. So I decided to make a change, I joined up gym and actually stayed home for quite a while because I was scared I couldn’t resisit temptation. After I lost weights, then I joined Miss Malaysia World to boost up my confidence. It took me a lot of courage for me to join pageant, because I was once before being so low self esteem.

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 JD: What is your perception of a healthy body? Thin or curvy?

AT:I think a healthy body doesn’t matter you are thin or curvy or chubby, but if you are eating clean, exercising well, no health problems that means you are healthy. Thin or curvy sometimes depend on family genes, some people are born quite thin, they look skinny but actually they are far more healthier that the curvy people. So I think healthy person shouldn’t judge by their outlook, it depends really how is their lifestyle.

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JD:  Any word of advice for ladies our there attempting to shed off some pounds?

AT:MOTIVATION AND DEDICATION. Most women complaint a lot about their body and weights but not doing anything with it, or maybe did for a week and stop for the rest of the months. I think if you want to lose some weights, first you have to change your lifestyle. As in the eating habits, sleeping time, exercise time… This all have to change. Let me tell you one thing, once you see you have results, although it is little result, this little result could make you happy and you feel like you don’t want to stop it, want to keep going. That is how I manage to keep going.

Feeding Your Skin with Natural Food

08/052013

Why buy when you can make your own mask from the ingredients left in the kitchen?

Tips:

  1. Always clean your face with a gentle face wash before putting the mask on to ensure no blockage and full absorbency.
  2. Never leave the mask on for more than 15minutes as it would then absorb the moisture of your skin.
  3. Try cleaning off your mask off with a hot, steaming cloth in a circular motion to open up the pores.
  4. If this is your first time trying out a new mask, try a little on neck or chin before putting it on to test for allergy reaction.
  5. A quick splash of cold water after mask will help close the pores and give a rosy glow
  6. Always pat dry your clean. Never rub the towel against your face and it will absorb the moisture and hurt the skin.

Sugar Facial Scrub

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Source: Click here

Ingredients:

–          1 tablespoon honey (Great moisturising and antibacterial properties)

–          2 tablespoon sugar (Preferably brown sugar)

–          Green tea (Is said to have anti aging effects on skin)

Brew a cup of tea and allow it to cool. Pour 2 tablespoons of tea into a bowl and add in a tablespoon of sugar until the mixture is smooth and yet, gritty enough to scrub your skin. Stir in a tablespoon of honey and mix thoroughly. Rub the scrub all over your face gently and concentrate of dry skin areas. Then, use a wet cloth to remove the scrubs, and splash on cold water on your face when finished.

 

Tightening Lemon Egg Mask

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Ingredients:

–          ½ lemon

–          1 egg white (cold)

Beat the egg white with lemon juice for 3 minute. Apply directly on your face, avoiding the eyes. Leave it on for a maximum of 20minutes and then rinse off with warm water in circular motion.

Avocado for Dry Skin

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Ingredients:

–          ½ avocado

–          ¼ cup honey

Best to use ripe, fresh and organic avocado. Mash it up together into creamy pulp. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.

*recommend to use this after Sugar Facial Scrub

Oatmeal Facial Mask to Combat Dry Skin

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Source: Click here

Ingredients:

–          3 tablespoon of plain oatmeal

–          1 tablespoon of honey

–          1 tablespoon of milk

 

Mix all the ingredients together in a blender and smear it over clean skin. Let the mask dry off in about 15minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. Place a layer of moisturizing cream after washing to lock in moisture.

 

Oatmeal Facial Mask to Combat Oily Skin

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Source: Click here

Ingredients:

–          1 tablespoon of natural yogurt

–          1 tablespoon of plain oatmeal

Mix both ingredients together so it will form a paste. Using a foundation brush, apply a thick layer of the mixture on the face and allow it to set in for 25 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water. The oatmeal helps absorb oily, leaving a fresh set of skin.

Cucumber Mask for Refreshing Skin

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Source: Click here

Ingredients:

–          1 whole cucumber

–          ½ cup of plain yogurt

–          1 spoon of milk powder

Remove the skin of the cucumber and cut it into little cubes. Remove the seeds. Put all the little cucumber cubes into the blender or food processor. Add yogurt and then milk powder. Blend till it is a smooth and thick substance. Not too thin or runny. Smear on clean face for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off with a splash of cold water.

Baking Soda Mask for the Acne

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Source: Click here

Ingredients:

–          1 teaspoon baking soda

–          1/3 teaspoon water

You don’t need much of this. Mix both the ingredients and apply it directly to your blemish using your clean hands. Leave it on for 5 minutes and then it will dry up and starts to flake.  Rinse it off with water and apply face lotion as usual. The baking soda mixture would help dry out the blemishes.