Cool as a cucumber...........

Cucumber is a great folk medicine used to reduce heat and inflammation. It can be eaten raw, pickled or used in cooking. This cool fruit is popular among women because it is normally used to help treat tired eyes.

Cucumbers have excellent diuretic, cooling and cleansing properties.

It helps to heal a range of illnesses — including lung, stomach and chest problem, gout, arthritis and tapeworm.

Fresh cucumber juice helps reduce heartburn and acidity. It can also be used by people who suffering from gastritis or ulcers.

To reduce swelling and soothe the eyes, place slices of cucumber over closed eyes.

Cucumber juice, when taken daily may help to control cases of eczema, arthritis and gout.

Keep away from pickled cucumbers. Pickled cucumbers are devoid of most of its vitamins. Also, they is high in sodium.

Cucumber is said to promote growth of hair, especially when the juice is added to juice of carrot, lettuce and spinach.

Colour them crimson

The red lipstick trend is nothing new with the unforgettable Marilyn Monroe with her full-painted pout, giving the red hot trend a seductive touch. Following in her footsteps, were other Hollywood glam girls including Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna and more recently Scarlett Johansson and Angelina Jolie with their signature pouts. Closer home, the timeless appeal of the lip colour has been retained by Rekha, who proves you're never too old to carry it off. There's nothing like this bright hue to add some oomph and sex appeal to your overall look.

Clint Fernandes, make-up expert, says that while this trend has been around for a while, it has become more popular in the last six months. "I think the average woman has realised it's not a bad shade. Earlier, they were more apprehensive as they felt it looked tarty but have now seen that it can look very elegant and dressy," says Clint.

He feels that depending on one's skin tone, one should choose a colour accordingly and with various shades like burgundy and brownish red available, darker skinned women are spoilt for choice. "This is a red carpet look that has transcended down to the ordinary girl looking for a glam option. Women want to look chic without trying too hard and hence this look is apt." And what are his tips to get the perfect pout?

"Moisturise adequately before starting off. Use a lip pencil that perfectly matches your lip colour and ensure that you fill in the shade without touching the edge to prevent it from bleeding. Use a tissue to dab some translucent powder to set the shade and minimal gloss if required," he advises.

The retro look of bright lips and nude make-up is back, feels hair and make-up expert Ruhi Bindra. She says that while fair skinned women can carry off blood red really well, those with darker complexions can go in for variations. "Among Indian beauties, it's Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Dia Mirza who stand out in red.

When going bold with the lips, keep the rest of your face nude or subtle with a natural pink blush, a tinge of kohl and a coat of mascara to open up the eyes," suggests Ruhi.

She adds that it's important to create a look that isn't too glossy or matte and recommends using a lip lock to make your colour last longer.

This look is not for everyone warns Dorris Godambe hair and make-up expert. "You need to ooze confidence or else the look will fall flat. Keep the rest of your make-up soft, with light blush and a thick eyeliner to create the retro look and let your lips pop. Those in their twenties and thirties can adopt this look but it's not for the very young or old," says Dorris who strongly emphasises that women with thin lips should give it a miss.

Is your bedroom making you sick?

Tired of entering a messy bedroom that just adds to your daily stress levels? Craving for a lush, beautiful, retiring place at night that makes you forget all the mundane things you had to do all day? Find out how you can create a healthy living space within the four walls of your bedroom.

Keep your bedroom allergy free. Clean your bedroom tiles with a mild bleach solution every once in a while. This will help keep possible allergens at bay, which otherwise cause skin and eye irritation, stuffiness and wheezing. Keep humidity levels in the bedroom in check. Although, something tells us you won't need to do that in Mumbai, unless you blast the air conditioning 24-7.

Say goodbye to dust mites. In a humid country such as India, dust mites aren't unusual. In order to prevent them from taking over your bedroom, wash your bed sheets once in a week with hot water. If your bedroom floor is carpeted, then vacuum clean often. Of course, daily dusting is a great way to ward these mites off.

Make sure your bedroom has enough windows. If you are lucky to have plenty of windows in your bedroom, you're in the clear. If, however, you're stuck with a bedroom that has tiny windows, you will need to ensure that there is adequate lighting that mimics natural light. This has a positive effect on your body's processes.

Your pillow also needs changing. You must change your pillows every year, in order to ensure a good night's sleep that doesn't damage your back and neck contours. Go for latex pillows which are soft, contoured for maximum support and are excellent for your upper shoulder muscles. Avoid pillows made of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as they can cause nausea, throat irritation and headaches.

Leave the tech out of your bedroom. While most are addicted to televisions, music docks and laptops in their bedrooms, keeping so many distractions strewn around your sleeping space can be detrimental. Why? Because your mind won't be at ease. Constant whirring, flicking, ticking sounds will keep your mind alert and that's not a good recipe for a good snooze.

You don't need us to tell you this - but have more sex. Give a boost to the romance quotient in your room and get ready to have more sex. Not only is great sex healthy for your body, it's also immensely healthy for your mind.

Benefits of grape seed oil

It is a great beauty oil for the skin and if used regularly can add a glow to your face. Grape, as a fruit, has immense medicinal qualities. It was known to be used several years back by healers in Europe, for the cure of several skin diseases. Grape seed oil has the quality of astringent, thus helps tighten and tone the skin. It treats stubborn acne and also helps to moisturise the skin. And if you dread those stretch marks, just use a little grape seed oil everyday and be ready to be surprised to see the change.

This non-greasy oil not only helps in nourishing ones skin, but if dabbed slightly, it gives a shimmering touch to your derma. It is also a great under-eye repair product. It can be used as an alternative for shaving cream. Wondering if you will ever find a natural way to protect your skin while you're about to step out in the scorching heat? Just apply a little grape seed oil on your face, as this oil acts as a sunscreen. What better than turning to natural remedies for the skin
than using chemical based products? Grape seed oil is one the best oils for skin-related issues.

Redefine your style statement

LBD
A well-fitted black dress could be treated as a cliché, but an LBD is one of the most versatile garments in your wardrobe. You could wear it as a blouse, a slip, and as a dress itself.

Nude pumps
They are a great buy because they match well with almost all garments. Preferably, buy a shade that matches your skin tone, so that it looks like an extension of your feet.

Well-fitted jeans
You can wear them over and over again, with a t-shirt, shirt or a top. So, it's essential to own a pair of jeans that fit you perfectly. Spend wisely and if they are expensive, think of it as a long-term investment. A good pair of jeans can last you for years.

A waistcoat or a vest
They help you layer without adding weight and are suitable for the humid weather. They are easily available in all stores. A vest can revamp a plain tee or make a plain shirt look a little more formal.

Accessorise
Always accessorise your ensemble. You can be wearing a plain tee and jeans like many girls in college, but by adding a funky necklace, you will totally stand out.

How girls manage to walk in high heels

Safe stilettos seems fairly straightforward: Two parts sacrifice and a dash of solid steel, said Fred Allard, creative director for Nine West, one of the world's largest manufacturers of women's shoes, reports Fox News.

It turns out, there's a formula to avoid tripping in heels: In 2004, researchers at the University of Surrey devised an equation that uses shoe size, the Pythagorean theorem, and several sociological variables to calculate how high heels can safely go.

Variables in the equation include aesthetic appeal of the shoe, experience in wearing high heels, how many months the shoe has been in style, and even the amount of alcohol consumed.

The cost of the shoe plays a factor too, said Dr. Paul Stevenson of the University of Surrey, who developed the equation.

In most cases, five inches seems to be the max, though Allard said Nine West puts no limit on the height of a heel.

But wearing heels comes at a cost. They demand sacrifice: Sacrifice in comfort. Sacrifice in practicality. Sacrifice in stability. Sacrifice in mobility. And in some cases, sacrifice in health, including knee, hip, feet, and back injury, as documented by WebMD.

As for the health risks, the weight of a woman's body is almost entirely focused on a heel the size of a pencil eraser, which creates immense pressure for such a small area. Much more, in fact, than a 6,000-pound elephant -- which explains why elephants can walk on grass but women in spike heels can't without sinking into the ground.

That said, heels can also have a positive effect on well-being.

"They have a way of making me feel better about myself," said Dani Gooch, a high-heeled mother of two.

"In that sense, I feel more confident in them than I do in other shoes."

Master the look for your wedding

Pre-marriage skin care: To achieve clear skin, start a few days in advance. Avoid eating oily food and drink plenty of water for glowing and well hydrated skin. Also, a full test run of the wedding day makeup should be done four to six weeks before the day to make sure you get your
desired look right.

Time matters: The season and the time of day matter when choosing the kind of makeup. In summer, one needs to minimise the makeup, however, go for a heavier look for winter. As for the time of the day, light tones of makeup work for daytime weddings while for evening, do the opposite.

Twinkling effect: It’s your wedding, so you’ll be photographed a lot. Foundations with yellow tones work best with flash photography, while the ones with pink tones will make you look too pale.

Balance the eye makeup with lip makeup: In case you want to go for dramatic eyes, go for a light-colour lip shade. But, if you are using a dark lipstick, it is better to have natural, light eyes.

Use tear-proof mascara: Go for waterproof, smudge proof, and tear proof mascara. Avoid applying mascara to bottom lashes as tears may smudge it.