When In Doubt.................

When in doubt……………..

Normally, we can be as experimental or as conservative in our dress sense as our mood dictates, but there are so many situations in life when we are not absolutely sure about how to present ourselves. Sometimes the dress code is not crystal clear or we are divided as to whether we can carry off a particular outfit or colour ……………... or it happens that we pick up a dress and then spend ages thinking how best to accessorize it without going over the top!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or we may be wanting to create a first impression in an interview with a boss we have never met before or it’s our child’s selection interview in school or college……………

Then what to do???? Let’s play it safe by sticking to certain norms for those particular times, whenever we are in doubt

When in doubt…………..about which colour to wear for a formal occasion, wear, Black. It is the most flattering of colours and almost everyone can carry it off, no matter what our body type or complexion. Not only is it flattering, it is also very forgiving, in the sense that it hides any bulges and curves and makes us look slimmer!!!!

When in doubt………….. as to which colour to wear for a formal interview, wear Blue. Blue is a soothing colour and has various shades and hues from sky blue to turquoise to electric to royal and navy, one of which will definitely suit you. And it’s a colour which almost everyone likes or is neutral to. There are people who may be averse to brown or even black. Brown may make you merge in the background but never blue. It’s the safest bet and it makes you come across as professional without being too bold or pushy. Definitely understated enough to make a statement!!!!!!

When in doubt………….. about which attire to wear at a party where you may not be knowing everyone but you have to get the look just right and make an impression, wear a saree. Seriously, those 6 yards of fabric is one of the most fabulous, versatile and sexy ensembles ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It can easily go from being office wear to party wear to ethnic wear to “Ms. Confident Sexy Wear”. A safe bet is to wear a plain or light work saree with a dressier/designer blouse! 

When in doubt………….. about which material to wear, you know, if the weather is unpredictable or you are not sure whether the party will be an indoors air conditioned affair or "under the stars" Terrace types,…….. go in for Georgettes and/or Crepes . These materials can transition easily from indoors to outdoors and summer to winter to everything in between. They are versatile and easy to carry if you are travelling!!  And you can never go over the top with them.

When in doubt………….. about what jewellery to wear, go for diamonds or pearls. Diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friends and a pair of solitaires or diamond studs, can make you look classy, perfectly understated and sophisticated at the same time. Same for pearls. These can go with any attire and every colour, well almost!!! Some of the classiest and royale women I have seen have been able to carry off “That String Of Pearls” as if they were made just for them!!

When in doubt………….. about how to accessorize a dress, just wear a statement neckpiece and when in doubt about what to wear with a saree, wear only earrings. If you are wearing a casual western, a long chain type of accessory is perfect.

When in doubt………….. about what coloured footwear to wear, go in for beige or black. Even if they are not matching your dress, still you can carry off beige/black, sandals or shoes in every ensemble with aplomb. Sometimes I have seen that there are so many colours in our ensemble that matching shoes and bags and jewellery becomes an almost impossible task and you may search high and low, but the whole look just doesn’t fall in place. No worries, go neutral with beige……….. this has an additional advantage, If you are wearing sandals or shoes in a neutral shade with medium heels, it makes your legs look longer!!!

When in doubt…………. As to which coloured tote or purse to carry ……………Same rule applies for bags and purses too!!!!!!!!                   Brown, Black, white or even blue 

are safe bets. Or go for that LV or Gucci and make a statement. As for the size, go with whatever you are comfortable with..........

When in doubt …………. Whether you are looking perfect or maybe a little bulge is showing here or there, then layer....... Wear a jacket or blazer and stand out from the crowd

When in doubt………….. about which hair style to have for an occasion, go in for a bun or straight open hair. You may or may not be able to carry off curls or an elaborate hair style but one can’t go wrong with a neat bun, a French knot or well conditioned, well set  straight hair.

When in doubt………….. about  which coloured lipstick to wear, you can go with a medium shade of peach or coral. Peachy pink or peachy orange for lighter complexions and peachy brown for duskier complexions. This is one colour which really looks good on Indian skin and kind of blends with almost all dress shades and really brightens up the face and your million dollar smile.

When in doubt…………..about your nail varnish, a neutral peach or French manicure is a safe bet.

When still in doubt ………… whether your attire is completely put together or not, forget everything else and carry off whatever you are wearing with the ATTITUDE……………. That I can carry off whatever I am wearing, like it or hate it, I don’t give a damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When in doubt………….. as to whether this blog should be published online or not, do it anyways, you never know, it might strike a chord with someone, somewhere………………

The Mane Game..................

There is no feeling, absolutely no feeling quite like that of  freshly washed hair that are soft, silky, smooth and frame your face and move with every step you take................ it makes you feel great and look fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If your hair are looking good, believe me girl, rest will automatically fall in place!!!!

For any woman worth her salt, hair are her most prized possession. And to make this possession a prize, what all she has to do and endure???????? Yet, why is it that your neighbour's hair or hair style or streaks seem better than yours??? That is the million dollar question to which I don't have any answer.

What I do have is a few tips and do's and dont's that help in hair care.

First and foremost, have a hair style that suits your face, in a length

you are comfortable with. This decision  is absolutely individualistic , your hair, your choice according to your hair type, lifestyle and preference. But a style that makes you feel good and confident and feminine and easy to maintain if you are always on "the run" type of woman!!! If you have leisure on your hands, then go for any length and style that you like and enjoy!!!

But all lengths and types of hair need to be looked after and pampered with regular conditioning . If they are chemically treated, then even hair spas are needed .

Of course, it starts with regular shampooing . Select a shampoo that suits your hair and scalp and according to any chemical treatment that you might have done to your hair. There are specific shampoos for coloured and rebonded hair, sticking to them will go a long way in maintaining your hair treatment. Nowadays, the silicone-and sulfate free shampoos are highly recommended for  shiny, healthy and frizz free hair. Personally I have never used one. I go for shampoos that nourish my hair as well keep the scalp squeaky clean. To each his own....................

Shampooing should be done with your head down so that the shampoo water does not flow onto your face and back or you could end up with eruptions .

Hair can be washed as frequently as they dictate , from daily to once a week. Try not to wash everyday as it takes away the  natural oils from your hair and tends to dry it out. If you wash after too long, the scalp could become itchy. But whatever you do, condition, condition, condition............... before a head bath, after a head bath, with leave in conditioners and serums . You can use oils, masks, conditioners, power cell masks, natural home ingredients like egg, lemon, honey, yogurt, mayonnaise, banana, beer.......... they all work.

When oiling hair, try using hot oil. Any oil will work, olive, castor, coconut, amla, almond, but make sure that the oil is imbibed by your hair and scalp. For this its not important to keep it overnight, even 45 minutes is enough but give it heat treatment. If you have the spa steamer at home, then lucky you!!! Go use it. If not, try my secret mantra.

MY SECRET MANTRA TO FABULOUS HAIR

After having oiled your hair for about 30 min, take 2 wet towels. Roll one and put it in the microwave. Micro it for 2 to 2.5 minutes, take it out and wrap it around your scalp and hair, turban style. Meanwhile, microwave the 2nd towel. When the 1st cools , remove it and microwave it again while you have put the second hot towel on your hair. Repeat the process for about 10 min and then shampoo. Voila, you have soft, silky hair after a home hair spa.

Oiling can be done once a week or at least once a month to nourish and pamper your tresses.

On normal shampoo days, when you don't precondition, use a good conditioner at the ends of your hair.  Massage it into your hair and leave for 2 to 5 minutes. Then rinse off. If your tresses are too dry or untamed, you can use a leave in conditioner or serum, applied at the ends after towel drying.

Diet plays a major role in keeping your hair healthy. Foods like  eggs, peanuts, almonds, wheat bran, salmon, avocados ,low fat cheese ,spinach, bell peppers, lentils and sweet potatoes will all work towards giving  you lustrous locks.

On a bad hair day, either tie them or apply talcum powder on your scalp. It acts like a dry shampoo. Just rub it in well and then brush it out so that it is not visible. This is my quickfix when I have oily hair and don't have a dry shampoo at hand.

When blowdrying, protect from very direct heat. You can use heat protecting serums. To give a natural bounce to your hair, blow dry them inside out, with your head down. It works!!

Blow dry your hair in the opposite direction from your parting, let cool and then let them fall in position. For a casual, "just there" type beach waves, when your hair are half dry, just scrunge them between your fingers and let loose. Repeat and let them air dry. you,ll love the results!

 For professional setting of hair, one can use various products like mousse, spray, gel, wax etc. But that will be another blog. For now, just go and bowl everyone over with that gorgeous mane.

 HOME MADE HAIR PACKS FOR ALL HAIR TYPES

For normal hair  -     Whole egg, yogurt, lemon, honey 

For dry hair      -        Egg yolk, yogurt, honey, olive oil

              For oily hair      -      Egg white, lemon, yogurt

 Mix the above and apply on scalp and hair for 20-30 minutes.

 Wash off and shampoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!