Body Grafixx

Five foods for perfect skin
Here are five food items you can eat for great skin

Want smooth, soft and healthy skin? Try these five food items that promise to do so.

Bell peppers: They are low calorie and versatile - grill them, stiry fry them or eat them raw. These juicy, hot and sweet veggies have a flavour of their own and what's more - they help you get flawless skin too!

Dark chocolate - Yes, this sinful favourite can give you absolutely healthy and perfect skin by increasing blood circulation in the body. Plus, its full of antioxidants and so, you will detoxify your body with a piece a day!

Green tea - Replace your daily beverage with this healthy flavourful and fat free version. It detoxifies and cleanses your body from inside and the effects show outside!

Seeds - They are snacky and fun to eat and the essential oils present in sunflower, chia, flax, pumpkin and all kinds of different seeds, ensures that moisture levels are in control and the body gets enough vitamin E. Plus they are rich in protein too.

Papaya - Low calorie, sweet and great for the body papayas make great face packs as well as purify your insides. They are beneficial for women suffering from ovarian problems too and now, they make excellent skin purifiers. The vitamin C and E and beta-carotene present, helps cure inflammation

Simple home remedies to get rid of large pores

Open pores are one of the most disturbing skin problems ever. If left untreated and neglected, it aggravates and leads to blemishes and breakout. Here are a few simple ways to treat large and open pores at home:

Squeeze the juice of one lemon and mix it with honey. Apply the mixture on your skin and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. The natural enzymes present in honey and the acidic nature of lemon juice helps in shrinking the pores and tightens the skin.

Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya and apply it on a clean face. Known for its excellent exfoliation properties, papaya cleans the open pores and removes blackheads.

Ice works miraculously in tightening and shrinking open pores. Clean your face with a mild face wash and rub ice on your face. This cold treatment is also beneficial in removing dirt from the pores.

Whip three tablespoons of yogurt in a bowl and apply it directly to your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes and wash off with cold water. The lactic acid in yogurt helps in reducing the size of the pores.

Use a pack of fuller's earth mixed with rose water to tighten and shrink the pores. It helps in making skin healthy and removes sun tan. You can use this pack twice a week for best results.

Now that beauty salons and cosmetic stores have made things convenient, women today are bombarded with options at the flick of a credit card. However, you don't need to shell out big bucks for antidotes to minor skin and hair woes. The way to de-puff tired eyes or tone your face may be lying in your fridge, kitchen cupboard or purse.

Dry skin quencher Use avocados to create an excellent moisturising face pack for dry skin. Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, avocados help reduce redness and irritation. For a DIY face pack, mash an avocado and apply it evenly on your face and neck. Rinse with warm water after 20 minutes for smooth and supple results.

Sugar scrub You don't need an expensive store-bought facial scrub to get rid of dead skin cells. Everyday ingredients like sugar and uncooked ground rice from your kitchen cabinet can make great exfoliants. For instance, sugar has natural humectant properties. It can keep your skin naturally moist and hydrated. Mix two teaspoons of organic granulated sugar with one teaspoon of coconut oil. Gently rub onto your face and then wash with warm water.

10-minute eye de-puff Got a case of goblin eyes from too many late nights and staring at the laptop for hours in daytime? Look no further to soothe puffy eyes than the tea bags in your kitchen cabinet. They aren't just useful to make your morning cuppa. They can also help relieve puffy eyes since tea has anti-irritant properties. Soak two tea bags in hot water for not more than three minutes and then cool them in the fridge. Place a tea bag on each eye and lie down for 10 minutes. Your eyes will feel fresher and less puffy.

Homemade facial toner Apple cider vinegar is a great weight loss tool. It is also beneficial to the skin — as a toner and acne buster. The acidic content of cider vinegar dries pimples out quickly. To make your own, mix one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water. Before you hit the bed at night, apply a light layer of this DIY facial toner with a cotton ball. For stubborn acne, increase the concentration, use three parts of water for one part of cider vinegar.

For limp hair Olive oil isn't just a Mediterranean diet staple. It can also liven up limp locks. The reason is that olive oil is made up of fatty acids that coat each shaft and protect it from damage. Head to the kitchen and heat half a cup of olive oil in the microwave for a few seconds. It should be just about warm. Massage it into your mane and leave for 20-30 minutes. Rinse and shampoo your hair for softer, shinier results.

Natural hair lightener In ancient times, lemon juice was used to lighten hair naturally since lemons contain citric acid that could open up hair cuticles. Expose your locks to the sun's UV rays and you've got yourself a natural lightening agent.For a DIY hair lightener, squeeze the juice of four lemons and mix with one-third cup of water. Pour this mix into a spray bottle. Spray it evenly all over your hair and spend at least 45 minutes basking in the sun — after dabbing sunscreen on your face and hands. Once back home, rinse your hair thoroughly and generously apply a conditioner that is suitable to your hair type. Your hair will turn naturally lighter.

Renew old eye pencil Run the flame of a lighter over your eye pencil for a couple of seconds. Blow on it and wait for a few seconds for the liner to cool. This idea revives old liners and smoothens new ones. Your liner will glide over your eyes more easily.

Body Grafixx wishes you Happy to all