All said and done, I’m delighted with the change that is taking place slowly and surely in Dhaka… we are learning to love our dusky complexion! With the passage of time more and more women are requesting natural looking skin.
We should not be under the misconception that dusky skin cannot look good or glamourous! Coverage should be for spots and marks or to cover pores, just enough to conceal, keeping the foundation as close to the natural skin colour as possible.
Remember to pat in the concealer and not spread it for better coverage. Matt eye colours for day and shiny ones for night are standard fare.
This season is defined by prominent brows, no shadow but deep black-winged eyeliners under false eyelashes or heavily mascara-d lashes for a dramatic look.
Dark Matt lips, natural dewy complexion and contoured sharp face completes the look. Red, coral, deep pink for lips are in vogue. Gel eyeliners give a very matt dark finish and are quite the rage now.
Clinique, gel eyeliner is simply the best though now very many brands have launched their range as well.
Non-waterproof mascara should be used as it can be washed off easily, especially if it is being heavily applied.
I’m intrigued by our dependence on others to confirm and reaffirm how we are looking on a particular day.
Whether a certain outfit is suiting us or not, are we looking fat, thin? I suppose its human nature to gain approval of those around us; it’s normal to a certain extent but I think some are taking it to a new level altogether.
Know your body type, study your skin, your features; experiment with makeup, hairstyles when at home and take self portraits to see the results.
The more you know yourself the more confidence you will gain regarding what suits you and what does not.
Following a trend blindly just because everyone is doing it regardless of whether it suits you cannot be wise.
Sometimes the most bizarre things actually look good because it’s worn with such confidence and élan.
Source-Photo and news by daily star. Learn more »

The country’s famous beauty houses have brought different type of solutions for hot and humid summer. Renowned beautician Farzana Shakil suggests a few hair and makeup tips which may help you look your best.
What are the ‘in’ hairstyles of the season? Yes you are right, the 50s and 60s vintage carriage is back! This summer, its all about curls, braids and chic updos.
Waterfall and Mermaid braids are in vogue right now, and you can also try various updos to keep you cool throughout the day.
The one-sided classic bun or the braid-wrapped bun could also be your saviour. Be it a creative updo or just plain blow-dry, Shakil advises not to use too much hairspray and keep it natural. During the night, you could go for ornamented bands, beads or even the season’s fresh flowers to adorn your snazzy hairdo.
Apart from all this, you may want to go for a haircut, and it’s best to get it as soon as possible because it takes around seven to fifteen days for your hair to get a good shape.
Summer and heavy makeup do not go hand in hand, therefore its better to keep it light and refreshing.
Shakil suggests not to use too much foundation as the humid climate of our country may make it a mess.
However, you can go for a water-based foundation. The main attraction should be on your beautiful eyes; bold blues, metallic greens and shimmering purples are the in colours this season.
Whether you opt for thinly lined eyes, or you spice it up with thick-winged eyeliner, be sure to wear plenty of mascara to add some extra drama to your eyes Also, shaping up and defining your eyebrows are a must. For the lips, it is better to go for matte textures during the day.
Corals and striking pinks will definitely make a statement, but you can also go for different shades of reds and maroons. You may want to gloss up your lips during the night to look more jazzy.
Tone down on the blush-on and add a little bronzer, and you are good to go!
Farzana Shakil is offering six combo packages with huge discounts which include facials, manicures, pedicures, haircuts, body massages and spas and other services.
So ladies, hurry up and look your best for the grand occasion. Source-daily star Learn more »

To help you make 2013 a huge sartorial success, we have brought you to feast your eyes on 50 of our favourite get-beautiful tips.

We scoured the net for every bit of advice we could find, and threw some ideas of our own in for good measure. From basic beauty dos (wear sunscreen every day) to don't's (avoid popping pimples) as well as obscure secrets (beer and vinegar rinses?), you'll find advice to keep you as beauty-full as ever.

Freeze Your Eyeliner

Does your eyeliner constantly crumble while putting it on? Our friends at You Beauty recommend leaving it in the freezer for 15 minutes prior to applying your makeup. It should glide along your lash line seamlessly after that.

Shave With Conditioner

If you're out of shaving cream, lather your legs with conditioner instead of soap. Conditioner will soften the hair on your legs making it easier to shave (and it will leave your skin feeling extra silky).

Rinse Hair With Beer Or Vinegar

Rinsing your hair with beer helps restore moisture to your locks while using vinegar will up the ante in shine. Soak your hair in either liquid (not at the same time) for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water.

Turn Up The Heat

For curlier, flirtier lashes, the experts at You Beauty recommend heating your lash curler with a hair dryer for five to eight seconds before curling them.

Use Ice Cubes To Keep Fat, Acne And Wrinkles At Bay

The experts at You Beauty recommend massaging an ice cube over your face until it melts. Do it every night before bed and keep fat cells, acne and wrinkles under control.

Make Your Manicure Last.. And Last

Before applying nail polish, wipe nails with an acetone-based cleanser. Essie Weingarten, founder of Essie Cosmetics, told the pros at Redbook that cleaning excess dirt, oil or moisturizer from your nails will ensure that the polish adheres properly. Follow the rest of these tips at Redbook and your perfectly polished manicure will last for a week and a half.

Soothe Your Stomach.. And Your Face

Apparently Pepto-Bismol isn't just a stomach soother, it can also be used as a facial mask. It contains bismuth subsalicylate, which is commonly found in facial creams. In an interview with Reader's Digest, Dr.Frances Jang, a dermatologist at Skinworks, recommended spreading two teaspoons of Pepto-Bismol on your face, then letting it dry for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

Apply Sunscreen Daily

Wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine. Even when it's cloudy. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 80 per cent of the sun's ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds.

Don't Neglect Your Elbows

It's easy to forget about your elbows, but they need just as much protection and care as other parts of your body. Cure dry elbows by massaging Bio-Oil onto them daily. You'll see and feel softer elbows in at least two days.

Lighten Hair With Chamomile Tea And Lemon Juice

In an interview with Reader's Digest, Popie Poulos, hairstylist and owner of The Salon, recommends rinsing your hair with a mixture of chamomile and fresh lemon juice instead of conditioner to permanently lighten your tresses. Allow your hair to dry while sitting in the sun or use a blow dryer — the heat will lighten your locks.

De-Puff Your Eyes With Raw Potatoes

In an interview with Reader's Digest, Dr.Frances Jang, a dermatologist at Skinworks recommends using raw potato slices to soothe your eyes. She says they are astringent which means they help decrease water retention and they also contain the enzyme catalase which helps lighten dark under eye circles. First, wash and peel a potato. Cut two slices and place one on each eye for 10 minutes. Lay down, relax and let the potatoes work their magic. Rinse the eye area gently with lukewarm water when you're done.

Maximize The Lifespan Of Your Blow Out

We love walking out of the salon with a fresh blow out, but how do you prevent your locks from going limp in the days after? The experts at Allure say plan early. Your hair naturally secretes oil so be two steps ahead and spray your roots with dry shampoo before you start producing oil. This way the dry shampoo will absorb any moisture before it weighs down your tresses. Also make sure you protect your hair from moisture (rain is sure to ruin your mane) and touch up your blow out in the morning using a hair dryer and round brush. It will give you an instant boost of volume.

Countouring Creates Dimension

The trick to achieving a chiseled celebrity-like face is to contour (Angelina Jolie cheekbones, anyone?). Your face is three dimensional so applying foundation in a single tone will only make your face appear flat. Add a highlighter to areas of your face that would usually catch light but create enough shadow to emphasize your jaw line and cheekbones. For tips on how to contour your face according to its specific shape, visit Total Beauty.

Say Goodbye To Makeup Sponges

Makeup sponges help you apply make up, but not without a cost. They usually soak up more liquid foundation than what ends up on your face. The result? You're wasting foundation and constantly buying new sponges. The fix? Get a foundation brush. You waste less foundation and it allows for a more even and precise application than a sponge would.

Avoid Overly Rosy Cheeks

Giving yourself a natural glow avec blush is an in look for spring. But you'll want to avoid brushing on too much (lest you look like a clown). So always start your blush line two finger widths away from your nose and only apply it on the apples of your cheeks. This will ensure you create a natural glow without going overboard.

Keep Misbehaving Brows In Check

Spritz an old toothbrush or a clean mascara wand with hairspray, then brush brows and style them as desired. Even the most hard to tame brows will fall in line with this trick.

Applying False Lashes

Adding extra eye fringe amps up the glam instantly. First, take your falsies and loosen them by gently flexing the eyelash band, then curl your natural lashes to make sure your falsies line up with your actual lash line. Apply glue on your falsies using a Q-tip. Using tweezers (or finger tips if you feel that gives you more control), place your falsies as close to your lash line as possible. Let your lashes dry for a minute before you add a coat of mascara (this is optional).

Toothpaste Zaps Pimples

You've heard it before — don't pop your zits! The folks over at Daily Glow suggest applying a bit of toothpaste to a pimple before bed and washing it off with warm water when you wake up in the morning. They say that toothpastes draws impurities out of clogged pores and dries the skin with shrinks the pimple. Opt for organic toothpastes rather than gel toothpastes which don't work as well.

Blot Away Excess Oil

Do you start the morning with matte, fresh-looking skin only to find that by the time 5 p.m. rolls in you're a shiny mess? If you have oily skin then blotting papers are a beauty godsend. Don't use powder to soak up the oil. Using too much periodically throughout the day will make your skin appear cakey because you're just layering makeup on top of more makeup. Opt for blotting papers instead. They will soak up all the oil. We love We love Sephora's blotting papers.

No Makeup Remover? Try Lotion Instead

If you're out of makeup remover, use body lotion to get rid of makeup. It works especially well on tough mascara.

Create Fuller Lips

If you're tired of having thin, pursed puckers, extend your lip line using a neutral-toned lip liner. Then apply lipstick over top. Be careful though — don't extend your lip line too much.

Lashes For Miles

Curl your lashes both before and after applying mascara for longer lashes. You may want to re-curl them throughout the day to get some extra lift, just remember to be gentle when you apply pressure with your curler.

Don't Pop It

No, no, no! Don't pop your zits. Not only does it increase the chance of scarring, it's also likely that you will worsen the blemish and spread bacteria to other places on your face which could give rise to another breakout.

Stop Your Hair Colour From Fading

If you've just had your hair dyed, the last thing you want is for the colour to fade. One surefire way to prevent such a mishap from happening is to use a deep-conditioning treatment once a month. This will help lock in colour and has the added benefit of staving off dry and damaged locks.

Use A Flat Iron To Create Waves

Flat irons are amazing tools with multiple uses. Not only can you use it to straighten your hair, you can also create tight curls or soft romantic waves.

Exfoliate Your Lips

Dry, flaky, chapped lips are the worst canvas for lipstick. To ensure that your puckers are in perfect pout condition, the experts at The Beauty Department recommend exfoliating your lips. To do this, apply lip balm to your lips, then using a toothbrush or clean mascara wand, scrub your lips (don't be too rough). Then, use a tissue to wipe away excess flakes and voila! You'll have a perfect pout in no time.

Microwave Lotion Into Luxury

Who doesn't love a spa day? If we could go every day, we probably would, but that would also put a dent in our wallets. A quick, easy and cheaper indulgence is to put your favourite lotion in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Make sure the oils in your lotion don't separate and that it isn't too hot. Apply it on to your skin and enjoy!

Exfoliate Daily

Exfoliation is an important and easy way to buff away the dead skin cells that cover up your skin's natural glow. Use a light exfoliator, like the Daily Microfoliant from Dermalogica, to freshen your face daily.

Know Your Shade

When choosing a foundation, test a product on the skin near your jawline. And be sure to do it in natural light. This will ensure the foundation tone you choose for your face isn't too different from the natural shade of your neck. We really love Makeup Forever's Invisible Cover HD Foundation because it comes in so many shades.

Uses For Old Mascara Wands

Don't throw away your old mascara wand, it's still got a few uses left. Clean it and use it as a brow brush instead. You might even find it handy around the house — use it to unclog sinks or clean tough to reach areas in your home.

Wear Pantyhose Or Tights

What's worse than having to wear a skirt with absolutely no time to shave your legs? We've all been there. The hassle free fix for this is to wearing pantyhose or tights (try a patterned pair for something new). It will disguise stubble as well as any blemishes on your stems.

Tweezing Tips

Before you tweeze, make sure you soften your skin by dabbing a cotton ball soaked in warm water or cream. When you start tweezing, do so in the direction of your hair's growth.

Camouflage Grey Hair

If you want to camouflage some strands of grey hair on the go, the folks at Real Simple suggest using mascara if you have dark hair. For blondes or redheads try dusting your roots with bronzing powder.

Cut Back On Pedicures

Save money on your beauty routine by taking care of your feet on a daily basis. Simply scrub your foot with a pumice stone each morning in the shower. Once you step out and dry off, apply a moisture cream to your feet. This will increase the amount of time you can go without a pedicure and will keep your toes healthy and fungus-free.

Use Dry Shampoo

We absolutely love dry shampoo, especially Klorane (we use this brand religiously). It absorbs excess oil on your strands and scalp and keeps your mane looking clean and fresh. If you don't have dry shampoo, try washing just the top of your head (or wherever there is oil), with regular shampoo followed by a quick blow dry. Your tresses will look as good as new.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Be beautiful and environmentally savvy while you're at it. Recycle your old beauty products by shipping them to Terra Cycle (you can download their pre-paid UPS shipping packages online so it's completely free). They'll take your old beauty products and transform them into something new.

Don't Pump Your Mascara

The experts at Beauty Is My Duty say that you should never pump your mascara (i.e., moving the wand up and down in the tube really quickly) because it will only allow air into the tube which will cause your mascara to dry (and ultimately shorten its lifespan).

Apply Bronzer Evenly

Before applying bronzer or self-tanning lotion, mix a drop or two of the solution with moisture cream. Blend using your finger or a Q-tip then apply to skin as you would regular moisturizer. This will ensure the cream blends in — and covers skin — evenly.

Use Oil On Your Skin.. Even If It's Already Oily

This probably sounds crazy, but using an oil-based product to remove makeup or excess dirt from your skin can actually improve your epidermis' condition. Why? Over-cleaning stimulates the sebum glands, which causes skin to over-produce oil. Using oil-based products will have the opposite effect.

Avoid Chipped Nail Polish Like The Plague

There are only two options for your nails — with nail polish or without. Do not allow your nails to be caught somewhere in the middle (there is nothing worse than nails donning chipped red nail polish). Even if you think no one else will notice, trust us, someone will.

Moisturize Properly

Sometimes less is more. Don't slather your face with moisturizer because it will take 10 minutes or more to be absorbed by the skin before your face is ready for makeup. In an interview with Real Simple, Susan Evans, a dermatologist, said the best way to apply face cream is to blend a dime-sized amount on your cheeks, nose, chin and forehead instead of moisturizing heavily.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Make sure you clean your makeup brushes regularly to avoid a buildup of makeup residue and bacteria. You can purchase makeup brush cleaner from a drug or beauty store, or you can simply use shampoo and conditioner to clean your brushes as you would your own hair. Clean brushes guarantee a super smooth and even makeup application every time.

Treat Ingrown Hairs

Apply a product containing azulene or witch hazel to help reduce the swelling and redness that's associated with ingrown hairs. From there, coax the ingrown hair from its location with a pair of tweezers (don't pull it out, though — this will only make the ingrown hair regrow in in the same way later).

Towel Dry The Right Way

Don't rub your hair dry with your towel; it will cause your hair to frizz. Instead, before getting out of the shower gently squeeze excess water from your hair. Then, wrap your hair in a towel and pat it dry to absorb any remaining moisture.

Consult A Doctor Before Popping Pills

Do you really need all those supplements? It's true the healthier you are, the healthier your skin and hair will be. But popping supplements without discussing them with your doctor can do more harm than good. Why? Because mixing certain vitamins and minerals can have the opposite effect of what you're hoping. Talk to your physician before popping any pills.

Remove Nail Polish Without Remover

If you run out of nail polish remover, you can remove cracked or chipped nail polish by applying a clear top coat to the nail and removing it promptly with a cotton ball.

Perfume Basics

Don't douse yourself with perfume before you leave the house (you don't want to bombard other people's nostril with strong smells). Just because you can't smell it doesn't mean other people won't be able to. If you wear it every day, chances are your olfactory sense has just become desensitized to the scent. Only spray or dab perfume on select spots like your knees, wrists, base of throat, and behind your earlobes.

A Top Coat Is A Must

Add a top coat to freshly painted nails, and then again once they are dry. This makes your nail polish less likely to chip and will ensure it lasts longer.

Clarify Your Hair

In order to remove product build-up from locks, use a clarifying shampoo once a week. This will also help prevent dandruff and other annoying hair/scalp conditions.

Smile.. Lots

Our best beauty tip? Smile! It's the most beautiful asset you have. Where it every day.

Source: The Huffington Post Canada Learn more »

The eyes are the windows to the soul. Highlighting your eyes is an easy way to brighten up your face.

Some people want to highlight the colour of their eyes, but don't know which colour suit them the best. Before you apply any colour of eyeliner or eye shadow, apply some moisturizer on your eyelids so that the colour is retained for longer.

Brown eyes: To make your eyes stand out, use purple eyeliner or eye shadow on your lids. The soft purple colour highlights the warm brown tone of the eyes. This eye colour is the easiest to compliment. Every shade suits brown eyes without making them look tacky. Chose a darker liner in the shade of eye shadow you have applied to give a subtler look. Earthy colours like green, grey, brown, blue and pink go well with this eye colour. Black eyeliner also gives the eyes a dramatic effect. If you want some shimmer, add some gold or brown metallic tones. They will make your eyes look more attractive.

Green eyes: Plum and burgundy colours highlight green eyes in the best way. These dark colours add a more dramatic effect to the light green of the eyes. Avoid using blues, pinks and whites as the light colour has the opposite effect with light green eyes. To add shine, bronze, gold and copper eye shadow colours can be used. It's better to opt for a brown liner over black.

Blue eyes: Warmer tones look best on blue eyes. Copper is one colour that enhances the blue tones of the eyes. To add shimmer, gold or bronze eye shadow can be used. Shiny pink shades can work too. Brown also enhances the blue of the eyes. Instead of using a black coloured mascara, it is advisable to use a brown one as this colour makes the lashes look more natural.

Grey eyes: They are the easiest to work with as they are not too dark and neither too bright. Almost all the colours go well with these eyes. Black eyeliner gives the eyes a more dramatic effect while lighter hues like brown copper, bronze etc, make the eyes look warmer and make them stand out more. Some of the colours that can be avoided are pink, white and yellow.

The smoky eye effect works with every eye colour. Smoky eyes especially at night look more glamorous and dramatic. The best eye shadow combination will be a mix of two or three colours that go well together. It is also important to choose shadow colours that go well with your skin tones. Also, you can choose more neutral shades for blush and your lip colour. This helps keep the focus on your eyes. It's important to try and see what works best for you, because what suits someone else might not suit you at all.

Source-Times of India. Learn more »

People are nowadays going helter skelter to touch-up their hair and hands with “mehdi”–both to look at their best and keep with an old tradition of Bangladesh to celebrate different occasions, reports daily star.

Along with the ground “henna”, one puts coffee or tea, and sometimes curd and lime juice to make the “henna” paste richer in colour.

The henna has to be carefully applied to the palms and fingers. Some even decorate their arms and the back of their hands with henna. The designs are traditionally floral.

There is always a rush at beauty parlours to get hands and hair coloured with henna.

Among the wealthy Babylonians and Assyrians, henna reigned supreme in the courts. This was with incense and perfumes.

In the subcontinent, it is a part of every celebration, especially during the two Eids, and weddings.

The henna paste is made from leaves and water, and perhaps a bit of sugar, to deepen the colour. It is applied with a narrow bit of stick on the finger nails and palms. The floral and geometric designs are in the shapes of circle, lines and dots. Along with music and rich food, it is an integral part of celebrations in our country.

After the leaves are plucked, it is ground. The flower, tendrils and paisley patterns are then formed not just on the palm, wrist and hands – but also on the upper part of the feet. Some avoid this as a rule as it is not in keeping with our tradition.

Henna is sold as a paste in cellophane cones in super markets. It is even imported under some cases. Henna is a part of everyday toiletries. Women use it on their long hair to add lustre. Learn more »

Farzana Shakil has offered six special combos from 23 July, which will continue till the night before Eid.

The combos consist of a mix of services each, for instance, Facial, Skin Polish, Threading, etc. and comes at discounted prices.

You may also talk to the stylists there who can suggest haircuts that will complement your facial features and get beauty tips for the upcoming Eid.

For more information contact the salon at 0171 345 1776 (Dhanmondi), 0192 615 3010 (Gulshan) and 0177 619 4215 (Uttara Learn more »

Nail art remains the biggest blockbuster beauty trend and is one of the hottest accessories for spring-summer 2013. Today’s nails are lavish, OTT, and eye-catching. So kick it up a few notches with these 10 hot nail trends that’ll have your fingers looking oh-so-chic this season.

1. Sunset beach palm tropical trend: It is summer—of course first comes the beach. So why not wear the beach on your nails? Tropical scenery on your nails could well give you the feeling that you are soaking up the sun on a beach. With summer also comes late sunsets, so you could incorporate that too, along with the sand, palm tress, seagulls and the waves. Sport this nail art and hit the beach.

2. Fruit and ice cream nail art: Cool off this summer with some fruity finger nail inspiration. The fruit nail art trend can be as delicious as you wish with no shortage of fruit slices like watermelon, pineapple, kiwi, strawberry and citrusy fruits getting painted on your nails. You could also beat the heat with ice cream nail art.

3. Floral art: With spring already here, and summer fast approaching, it's time to create those beautiful flowerbeds on your nails. Be a flower child with vintage-style floral designs. You could try a spray of lilies or go bold with a single red rose. You could even try out a pop-out effect. Perfect for a girls’ day out, whether it is shopping or brunch, this graphic nail art can be paired with a sundress. And, it could be just that hint of colour you need to best accessorise that white outfit. Don’t forget to grab that hat on your way out!

4. Bling and lace art: Unleash the Goth child in you with not just black. This bling and lace nail art trend is the Goth touch your nails will love. It requires very little nail polish and yet, you can add many variations to it by either playing with the colour combination or lacing just the tips. You could finish it off by embedding rhinestones, crystals, studs (which have infiltrated from your clothes and accessories to nails). This gives your nails an edgy vibe that will be sure to catch attention at a cocktail do.


5. Funky french manicure: French manicures are classy, so why not accent them with some artwork? Inspired by the classic French manicure, two-tone and reverse manicures allow you to play around with the lines and colours as contrast is your best friend with this little trick. You could also try out a diagonal french manicure and use your imagination to stud stones, paint flowers, paste dots or streak glitter across the nails. This graphic nail art best complements a formal dress and can be worn on a lunch date or even to office.

6. Cartoon nail art: Love retro cartoons? Then why not nail it! Give in to your inner-child by sporting cartoon nail art. Whether it is Spongebob or the Powerpuff Girls, these graphic nails can be worn to the movies or a comic book convention. It can even be paired with a cute prom dress or a regular jeans and t-shirt for a casual day out.

7. Gradient and ombre nails: With this nail art trend, you can be as subtle or statement-making as you wish. The technique to master this gradual fade of colour from dark to light involves picking two to three shades in the same family and creating a luscious swirl effect that is as fun as it sounds. You can mix n’ match the colours to complement your outfit and this nail trend is great for a dinner date.

8. Caviar nails: Beaded nails are my favourite and this hot trend is making waves on runways as well. Don’t worry, this nail trend doesn’t involve fish eggs, but got its name because your nails look like you have little pieces of caviar on them. This one-of-a-kind nail art innovation brings avant-garde nail trends to your fingertips. Featuring pearlescent beads for a 3-D effect, caviar nails are cool and eye-catching, and can be paired with just about anything.

9. Polka dot nail art: With inspiration hailing from the flirty 1950’s polka-dot dresses, this nail art trend is making a statement on finger nails. Polka dots offer a fun contrast to plain coloured nails and are simple to create. Just pick a contrasting colour (white or black is a great option against most colours) and use a nail art pen or thin brush to create the dots. You have the liberty to pick your own colour combination.

10. Animal prints: While PETA might not be excited to hear this, but animal print really never goes out of style and this trend is very popular. Whether it’s leopard, zebra, giraffe, or a combination of all three, unleash your inner kitty cat in the form of sassy leopard spots and animal print nail art. Perfect to go with that LBD. Learn more »