Goodbye greasy 'T'

Image courtesy: ©2009 Jupiterimages

What's the T-zone? Imagine drawing the letter T on your face; start from the forehead to your chin - that's the T-zone.

Now that you have identified your t-zone, get to know your skin type. Your skin type can either be dry, normal, oily, sensitive or combination skin.

Apparently, the combination skin is the most common skin type.

What is combination skin?

The melancholy of the combination skin lies in the oily T-zone. The forehead, nose and chin area is greasy causing acne and blackheads, while the rest of your facial skin is normal.

If you are wondering why the T-zone is oilier than the rest of the face, well, that's because the T-zone area has a much higher percentage of oil glands. But don't let your T-zone disappoint you, because with proper care you can reduce the excess oil and diminish acne too.

For glowing skin

Taking care of your T-zone is not difficult:

• A gel-based face cleanser works best to remove excess oil and clean your pores.
  
  
• Use astringents only on your T-zone.
  
  
• Apply a facial mask, meant for oily skin, at least once a week. A clay pack would be good enough. Use it only on your T-zone if you feel that your cheeks tend to become too dry.
  
  
• Pore strips are one of the best ways to clean your pores, particularly if you have blackheads. Use a toner after removing the strips to close your pores.
  
  
• Carry oil-blotting sheets in your bag for instant removal of excess oil from the t-zone.

Don't worry be happy

Have you been restless of late? Or have you been losing sleep over something? Have vitamin supplements and endless glasses of water not been able to rescue you? You might be stressed. While our mothers do not understand what are we so stressed about, according to experts there might be several reasons. Read on to find out why 20-somethings feel anxious.

Work
Work is definitely the fastest growing cause of stress among women. You might be worried because you aren't getting that much-awaited promotion or because you can't see eye-to-eye with your boss. And let's not forget that sexual harassment can give you a lot more than just anxiety.

Finding a partner

Whether you are looking for a partner yourself or your parents are trying to find a suitable boy, you will not be spared from the stress-ridden part of it. Psychiatrist Syeda Ruksheda of Trellis Family Centre in Mumbai says, "This is often intertwined with confidence and appearance."

Parental pressure

Psychologist Dr Jyoti Maheshwari says, "Parental pressure depends on the family background and so the reasons for disagreement are varied." Over-psyched parents could be a cause of stress for those just out of their teens because of their rigid rules and deadlines.

Appearance

Whether you are a mother, a wife, a working woman, all the three or just a student, chances of you not being bothered with your appearance are rather small. According to Dr Ruksheda, the problem is that our confidence lies in the way we look because of the way society and the media affects us. Stress due to appearance can even push girls to disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

Education

According to Dr Maheshwari, everyone in our country stresses over education. "Girls in their 20s can obsess over admissions, tests and performance at college," she says. The habit of stressing over education is usually cultured into all of us when we are children. Can you grow out of it?

Of course you should be concerned about your education, your workplace and if you like to look good, that's great. But don't blame yourself when things go wrong and try to tackle your problems head on. Just chill!

What makes you smile

Joys of life can be found in many things. We, sadly live in a world where happiness is usually equated with booze, branded products or holidays abroad. But yet we find there are some things that simply spell pure, undiluted joy. 
We asked iDiva regulars what would bring a smile to their face and this is what they had to say:

"A walk on the beach by myself cheers me up any day. Feeling the sand under my feet and sound of the waves just clears my mind. The sounds my baby girl makes when she is happy; brings a smile on my face too. it gives me joy to see her play and just be." 
Swapna P, 29, house wife

"For me there is nothing better than the feeling of rain drops falling on my head. I like it even better when i taste it :) Another thing that always makes my day is the smell of fresh flowers, especially Jasmine at Dadar station at 6.30 am." 
Nicole Braganza, 26, media professional

"Whenever Im stressed, frustrated, down and out; I take a deep breath and go to my window and watch the birds flock by and blow bubbles!! That's right. Nothing busts stress like blowing the steam out with bubbles." 
Sia Ray, 28, Writer

"Usually when I feel low I wish for a friend to call me. But I cheer up quickly, especially when I spend time with children. Watching them play laugh and have a good time makes me think that everything is better." 
Shilpa Balani, 28, lawyer

"We get upset or sad when thoughts go askew. It always helps to change our perspective towards things and think out of the box. When I feel a little low I get out of my house. It changes my point of view. I usually go to a café, look around at people. Some who’ve come by themselves, some to meet a friend, some for a date. It just makes me feel fresh and gives me joy." 
Preeti Khilnani, 23, journalist

"I think being low is just in our mind. I just don’t let any negative thoughts come to me. If I feel my mind needs some clearing I simply go for a walk, find some fresh air and feel better!"
Babita Vijai, 34, house wife

Do these simple ways bring that smile on your face? Leave us a comment and let us know.

Fight lines

You smoke, drink socially and generally forget to apply some sun screen before you leave the house. Then you take a train/taxi to work in the hot, hot sun. By the end of your work week your skin looks uneven and dull. You're probably in your mid-20s, but the stranger in the mirror looks (shudder) 30-something!

How? And why, you wonder?

The truth is, you may not be treating your skin right. "Think of skin damage as an unwanted savings account," says David Khoo, Scientific Communications Manager with Olay. "This damage accumulates over time. The more damage there is the sooner the signs of skin ageing show up."

Matter of choice

For a woman, her looks are her most valued possession, especially as she grows older. And it's the lifestyle choices she makes that help determine how fast her first wrinkles appear.

That's why, dermatologists and beauty experts say, alcohol and cigarette smoke, coupled with the car fumes, UV exposure (UV exposure alone can account for 85% of premature skin ageing), late nights and I-don't-have-time-for-lunch-today days accelerate skin aging.

Khoo explains that lifestyle choices like spending long hours in the sun can end up damaging the naturally occurring collagen that keeps skin wrinkle-free. "Collagen is arranged in orderly bundles of fibre that help to keep the skin taut. When collagen is damaged by UV rays, it becomes broken and disorderly, so skin structure is weakened. That's when wrinkles and sagging skin start to happen."

Watch out 

In a global survey spanning 6,000 women of all ages and ethnicities, scientists at skin care giant Olay, discovered seven common signs of aging.

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Rough/uneven skin texture
• Age/dark spots 
• Uneven skin tone
• Sagging skin
• Dry/dull skin
• Increased pore size

The skin does have an early warning system of sorts. Women should keep their eyes open for fine lines and dark spots.

Prevent and protect

Cleanse, moisturise and use sunscreen, recommends Khoo. It's the basic skin care regime you need to follow, ASAP. Get a good moisturiser with anti-aging properties. Those like Olay Total Effects contain vitamins like B3, pro-B5, C and E. Perfect for Indian skin, the cream helps boost the skin's renewal process.

Youthful skin naturally follows a 28-day renewal process, but it takes longer if you're older. Moisturisers like Olay Total Effects help restore the skin renewal "to a more youthful rate," explains Khoo.

Busting one beauty myth, he adds, "The earlier you start using such creams, the better. In fact, the mid-20s is a good age to start."

What's more, a healthy diet and a good night's sleep also help fight wrinkles and fine lines. It's as simple as that.

Ms Fab Frugalista

You've got just 500 bucks and want to go on a shopping spree. Don't think you can buy nothing with 'only' Rs 500. Think again.

Hit the streets with your gang of girls, haggle over prices, catch-up on gossip over street food and buy, buy, buy…

To the Tee

Among the many must-haves in a girl's shopping list, a trendy T-shirt rules. You can pick a sporty tee for Rs 100 or buy racer-backs, ganjis and spaghettis for anywhere between Rs 50 and Rs 80.

The best places to hunt for these are Linking road, Hill Road, Lokhandwala Market and Colaba Causeway in Mumbai, Janpath and Sarojini in Delhi; and in Bangalore, hit Brigade Road, Commercial Street and Vittal Mallya Road.

Shorty shorts

You can buy sexy stripped hot pants, bermuda shorts or plain dhoti pants for just Rs100. They are comfy, perfect for summertime and you can also wear them during monsoons.

Slip them on

Get a collection of funky coloured slip-ons because they are a rage this summer. You can get a pair of kolhapuris too if it suits your taste.

But check the sole for a good grip to avoid a bad fall. Street prices for slip-ons range between Rs 80 and Rs 150.

Get dressy

A girl's wardrobe is incomplete without a doll-like dress. If you hunt the streets, you would find that these come in a whole range of styles and sizes from ultra-minis to maxis.

So, you must try them on before spending because there is no exchange-after-purchase when it comes to street shopping. Don't pay more than Rs 250 for dresses.

The trinkets

Now that you have the essentials in place, get the perfect summery look by accessorising well. Buy some coloured or patterned bangles, funky looking anklets and small studs for your ears. A blingy, colourful toe ring will look great on your foot.

Finally, a bold neck-piece in stone or wood will complete the look. Your accessories shopping would total up to not more than Rs 100 or Rs 150.

Mass-shopping tool

'Too expensive' should not exist in your dictionary if you've mastered a shopaholic's greatest weapon - bargain! The fun part about street shopping is the haggling over prices, because you can bring out the drama queen within you.

If you really like something and the shopkeeper is unwilling to reduce the price, act hopelessly helpless because you hardly have any money. Most men will succumb to a damsel in distress (he, he)! Also, the good old act of asking the price and then walking away always works.

Spend less and buy more - what better way to beat recession blues than some retail therapy!

Are you high maintenance?

Are you a high maintenance girl? 
If you have been described as an emotional drama queen, revel in attention and enjoy being spoilt, then you probably are. Here's a check list that will help you figure it out.

You swear by brand names

Sure it's cool to wear branded clothes and accessories, but what if the guy you date can't afford the stuff and tries to gift you beautiful earrings he just found at the bazaar? It's okay to like the brands, but don't let it become all you appreciate. Enjoy non-designer stuff as well.

You have to party every weekend

To you, having fun means partying. You just can't spent a quiet weekend at home or have a low key night out with the girls. If this is you, try enjoying the simple life with your guy or you will be too high maintenance to handle.

You take yourself very seriously

You don't like being teased or being the butt of a joke and get annoyed if a guy does it to you. Girls without a sense of humour can be annoying for guys. Learn to laugh at yourself.

You need attention ALL the time

You believe that everyone around you should constantly give you their attention and spoil you. Get real. You think you're special, but not everyone else thinks so. How about making the guy feel a little special too?

You're a girly girl

You're very dainty and feminine and the sort of woman who looks to her man to squash the ant for her. Some guys like their girls to be dependent on them, even for silly things. But there should be a limit to your dependence or your guy will begin to feel like he's the slave and you're a princess.

You may be high maintenance, but learn to handle it consciously and don't make it so hard for the poor guy to handle you.

TLC for long tresses

Long hair looks lovely, but needs a lot of TLC (tender love and care). Here's you can maintain those Rapunzel locks.

Daily care

Oil, wash, condition… You don't need to wash long hair for more than twice a week because it retains moisture. Oil your locks and keep it overnight before you shampoo your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner.

Use a large toothed comb to comb conditioner through your tresses while in the shower to detangle.

If you have an oily scalp, then wash your mane with water everyday to prevent the sebum from clogging the pores of your scalp.

Post-wash care

Be careful while drying your Rapunzel locks after a wash as they tend to break easily. Carefully wring out the excess water and then wrap a towel around your hair.

Preserve the gleam

Once in a while, indulge in some homemade treatment for your hair -- egg batter, amla, reetha (dry soap nuts) and shikakai extracts (easily available at your nearest grocery store).

Soak reetha nuts overnight, crush them into a paste, apply it on your tresses and keep it for around 15-20 minutes.

Cover 'em up

When on the move, it would be a wise idea to keep long hair tied up and covered with a scarf or cap. This is especially true of women who ride on the bikes or are out in the sun for a long time.

Can you imagine how difficult it would be to tackle a mass of tangled, sun-dried hair?

Another advice, while traveling long distances, it will be wise to oil your hair. This is especially true if you are going for a long train or bus journey.

Your hair will retain its moisture and will not have that rough, scratchy feeling at the end of the journey.

End of split ends

A beautiful head of hair is sometimes spoilt by ugly split ends.

Even if you don't want to cut your hair, make sure you trim them every once in a couple of months to avoid split ends which not only destroy the quality of your hair but also make them look ungainly.

Healthy life, healthy hair

Finally, lead a healthy life-style; do yoga and indulge in some succulent fruits (melons, grapes and mangoes), which work wonders for your hair and leave you scintillating, gorgeous and hot like never before.

Colour your mood

Prachi Gupta, 21, admits that the colour she wears reflects her mood.

"Unconsciously the colour of the clothes I wear every day depends on my mood that day. If I am furious - I wear dull colours like beige and brown and often I don't even dress up well if I am not in a good mood," said Gupta, a media professional.

"But if I feel bright and happy on a certain day, I wear bright colours - I deck up with a neck piece or earrings."

Expert speak

According to leading psychiatrist Sanjay Chugh, people who tend to dress according to their moods are known as 'Mood Dressers'.

"Colours do indeed affect our mood. Conversely, our mood affects our reaction to or preference for colours. Colour is just another form of light or electromagnetic energy. Different colours are associated with different types of energies," Chugh explainef.

"A certain energy inside one's system will automatically make a person gravitate towards a certain colour. There is also the psychological aspect to it. For ages, different colours have been associated with different moods and that might affect the way a person feels.

"With the help of colours one can understand not only one's mood states but also the imbalances that might be present."

Happy dressing

Shikha Bamzai, a software professional, said that on a bad day when her energy levels are low, she dresses to perfection to look good and feel better.

"I don't know why it happens but suddenly on one day when you get up, you just don't feel like doing anything. That is the day when I spend more time in front of the mirror and take hours to dress up," Bamzai explained.

Tracking the psychology of Bamzai's mindset, Samir Parikh, consultant psychiatrist at Max Healthcare in New Delhi, said that to fetch compliments people deck up on bad days because it makes them feel good.

Colour your mood

"Colours don't decide your mood, it is the mood that decides which colour one opts for. If you are feeling low and want to look happy, then you will put in efforts to deck up to fetch compliments which will indirectly make you happy. Hence you feel better," Parikh said.

"No specific colour is directly related to any emotion. It is just a mindset and it is the mood swing that dictates what you are wearing."

In case you are having bad days, Midha suggests you wear pink and if you are angry then avoid wearing red because it might lead to confrontations.

It's almost like fashion trends reflecting the mood of the moment. There is an ecomomic meltdown and therefore colours are veering towards dark shades to reflect a sombre mood during such a season. So, do fashion trends mirror emotions? Think about it!!