It can be a bit tricky to find a gift for your self-indulgent friend. While there are a lot of beauty products on the market, most of them tend to a bit too expensive. But you don’t have to break the bank; here are three gift ideas that are perfect for your self-indulgent friend.

1. Self-Care Spa Kit
Save your money from overpriced lotions or moisturizers and create your own self-care spa kit. Not only is it cheap, it’s also very easy to do. This spa kit consists of a scrub, a body lotion, and a foot lotion. For a clean and sophisticated look, stack the jars over each other and tie them with a ribbon.

For the scrub, simply microwave one-fourth cup of coconut oil until it melts. Then add a cup of sugar, a few drops of food coloring and essential oils. Then put it all in a glass jar with a lid.

The body butter is just as easy; simply melt 3 ounces of cocoa butter with 4 ounces of coconut oil. Then cool in the fridge for five minutes, the whip with a mixer until fluffy. Add a few drops of essential oil and food coloring, then store in a jar.

For the foot soak, simply mix a cup of Epsom salt, a half cup of baking soda, and a half cup of sea salt. Then add a few drops of essential oils and food coloring. Then put in a glass jar.

2. Ready-Made Hot Cocoa Mug
The holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up and be cozy in bed. Whether you have someone to snuggle with or not, it’s always good to have a cup of hot chocolate to keep you warm.

To create your own hot cocoa mug, all you need is to add equal parts of powdered milk, cocoa powder, and sugar, in a glass mug. Layer them to make it look pretty. If you want, you can top your drink with marshmallows, chocolate chips, or chunks of peppermint.

Simply tie it with a ribbon and add a note saying to add a half cup of hot water, and stir. For an added festive detail, tie a small spoon with the ribbon.

3. Yogurt and Honey Face Mask
Face masks are surprisingly easy to make. All you need is honey, yogurt, a bit of nutmeg and cinnamon, and a small jar. Start by mixing together equal parts honey and yogurt, then sprinkle the nutmeg and cinnamon. Pour the mixture into a glass jar, decorate with a ribbon, and include instructions stating to leave it on for five minutes and rinse. You could print this out on sticker paper, or write it on a card.

Your hairstylist may be really chatty while you’re in her styling chair, but there are a few things that they never say out loud but wish you knew. One of them? Do not set an appointment later in the afternoon. Read on for more tips to make it easier for your stylist to transform your locks.

1. Come With Clean Hair

Many women show up to their stylist with hair that has not been washed for three or four days, sometimes even a week. If you do wash your hair before your appointment, the product build-up on your strands can cause the hair colour to apply unevenly.  However, when washing your hair, do not scrub your scalp as it can make your skin sensitive to the dye. If washing your hair takes so much time on the day of your appointment, shower the night before. A fresh, clean hair gets the most out of the hair colour.

2. Be Honest

It’s important that you tell to your stylist your hair’s history, whether you had Brazilian blow out, a gloss, at-home hair colour, etc. This makes a difference on how your hairstylist will go about your hair treatment. Also mention how much your budget is and how many sessions the treatment needs to ensure you are not getting in too deep. Certain cuts and colours need regular upkeep, so if you want low maintenance, ask your hairstylist for a cut that will still look great as it grows out.

3. Choose Your Time Wisely

As much as possible, avoid a late afternoon appointment on a Saturday. If you’re a new client and needs a lot of revamping to your hair, book your appointment in the morning or on a weekday. It’ easier to get a lot during these times and your hairstylist will have more time to dedicate to you. Not sure of what hairstyle to have or how long the styling will take? Call your stylist or drop by the salon for a consultation.

4. Be Patient

When aiming for a major colour change, do not expect too much from your first appointment. Don’t expect to go blonde from jet black hair in one sitting. Hairstylists do it gradually to limit the damage and maintain your hair’s integrity. If the process is going to take longer and your schedule can’t accommodate the following appointments, reschedule your initial appointment when you have the time.

Stylists love to get creative with your hair. However, styling and doing major change with it requires a bit of work from your side, too. Do a little research and keep these points in mind before heading out to a salon.

For girls here in Singapore and around the world, hair is the crowning glory. Your hair will reflect how you take care of it and your body. Many agree that shampoos can make a difference at the end of the day. Now the question is, which one is best for you? You saw many shampoos being advertised claiming more effective than the others and you believed in one.

Then you hear other people say shampooing less is better for the hair. In fact, some ditch shampoos in the hope of a better and healthier looking hair. There is no clear answer as to the frequency of shampooing. At the end of the day, it will come down to your own preference. There is however a stylist that swears on going many days without shampooing and it is fine.

Before considering anything, it is important that you know things about shampooing then you can decide the frequency. Here are the things that you need to know about shampooing:

How it works

Why do you need to shampoo your hair? Well, for starters, shampoo has the capacity to trap the oil and if you apply it often, then you risk drying out your hair. If the hair is dry, it can lead to breakage. For most part, shampooing is okay because it can get rid of the dirt.

Who should shampoo frequently?

As much as you love shampoo, applying it frequently is only good for certain people. For example, experts already agreed that people who need frequent shampooing are those with fine hair, those who are living in humid place and who exercises a lot. People who have oily scalp should also wash with shampoo daily.

Who should shampoo less?

If your hair is thick and less oily, you can go days without washing with shampoo. In fact, challenge yourself to go as far as you can for a healthier hair. If you already notice that your scalp is itching or hair is visibly oily, it is time that you consider shampoo.

Scientifically, how long can you go without shampoo?

The period will depend on your style and texture plus thickness of the hair. For example, if you considered a keratin treatment or blow-out, you need to wash with shampoo at least twice a week; this is to put less stress on your hair.

Hopefully you learned many things about shampooing. Sometimes this activity is thought about less. People wonder why their hair is not healthy but they did not stop for a second and evaluate how they shampoo.

People, including Singapore doctors, have long used aloe Vera gels to treat burns, skin infections, wounds and other kinds of skin condition or problem. Due to its moisturizing, soothing and healing properties, it’s even used on scars to help the skin in repairing itself while lessening the irritation.

Significance

Scars often result when the skin starts healing after an injury damaged its surface. A scar’s colour, severity, size and shape usually depends on several factors like one’s age, genetics, skin colour, as well as the other skin conditions that the person has. While no topical treatments can really make a scar vanish, applying aloe Vera gel can help in lessening the severity of its appearance and keeping it moisturized as it heals.

Function

Aloe Vera contains anti-inflammatory properties that cuts down skin irritations and gets rid of dead skin cells. The plant works by lessening the scar’s surface swelling, repairing the damaged skin cells, and protecting the new and healthy cells. Aloe Vera is capable of penetrating deep into the skin to keep it moisturized and increase the amount of collagen production to promote healing.

Types and Application

Aloe Vera can be found in several topical products, including gels, lotion, ointment and salve, and if you want, you could even prepare the gel at home. To help you heal your scars, apply the gel directly onto the affected area three to four times a day, or as suggested by your Singapore physician.

Considerations

While it can be helpful on most scars, applying aloe vera gel to surgical scars has been shown to slow down the wound’s healing. Other than that, the gel also causes redness on the affected area. Further studies are needed to explore the gel’s side effects on certain scars, so do consult your doctor before you proceed on applying aloe Vera gel on your surgical scar or wound.

Warnings

Although topical application of aloe Vera gel is believed to be safe, specialists still don’t advise using it during pregnancy or when nursing a new-born. If you do want to continue, it is best to drink the best aloe vera gel from Singapore for the best experience. Also, if you’re allergic to tulips, garlic, onion, or any plant belonging to the Liliaceae family, then expect to experience an allergic reaction as you use aloe vera. If this occurs, immediately stop applying the gel and seek immediate medical attention.

Aloe Vera Gel on Acne Scars

Once an acne breakout clear ups, you’ll notice that you’re left with a nasty skin problem known as acne scars. Luckily, you can now face this issue head on with the help of aloe Vera gels. Just ensure that you use aloe Vera properly, and you’ll be able to see a reduced scar visibility in no time.

A. Acne Scar Treatment for Oily Skin

• Boil an Aloe Vera Leaf. The best way to use fresh aloe Vera leaf to get rid of acne scars on oily skin is to turn the leaf into a paste. Do this by boiling the aloe leaf until it feels soft and squishy. Once the leaf has softened, remove it from the pot and run it under cold water until it reaches room temperature.

• Grind the Aloe Leaf. Now that the leaf is pliable and soft, gently grind it until it forms into a thick, viscous paste. If you have a mortar and pestle, use it for grinding the leaf. If not, simply mash it using a spoon or fork.

• Add Some Honey. Honey has long been regarded as a useful substance for treating various skin conditions, including acne. So once you’re done mashing up your aloe Vera leaf, add a few drops of honey to it. Just remember that honey can make your face feel a bit stickier than normal, so do consider the amount of honey you’re going to use.

• Apply to Affected Area. Once you’re done mixing everything up, evenly spread the aloe paste across your face, focusing on areas with most acne scars. Leave the paste on for 15 minutes before rinsing it with cold water. Repeat the procedure once a week to soothe your acne and heal the wounds before they form into scars.

B. Acne Scar Treatment for Dry Skin

• Decide on the Aloe You’ll Use. For dry skin, you can use either a store-brought aloe Vera gel or create your own aloe paste. If you’re doing the latter, make sure that you let the paste cool down before applying it to your acne scars.

• Mix Olive Oil and Shea Butter. Just like honey, shea butter will help in thickening and turning your mashed aloe leaf into a workable paste while olive oil will help in providing additional moisture for your dry skin. Just mix all the ingredients until everything is blended into a thick, workable paste.

• Apply All Over Your Face. Once your paste is done, spread it evenly over your face, mainly on the areas affected by acne scarring. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it with cold water. Repeat the procedure as needed to help you treat your wounds and lock in your skin’s much needed moisture.

C. Acne Treatment for Sensitive Skin

• Choose the Aloe Form You’ll Use. Just like if you have a dry skin, you can also opt to use a store-brought aloe Vera gel or a homemade one. Just remember to let your homemade gel cool down before applying it on the affected areas on your face.

• Incorporate Cucumber Juice and Yogurt. Once you’ve created a workable paste from the aloe leaf, stir in a tablespoon of yogurt and a few drops of cucumber juice. The lactic acid in the yogurt will help in soothing your sensitive skin, tightening your pores, and in reducing your chances of developing bacterial infection on your skin. The cucumber juice, on the other hand, will handle the job of cleansing your skin.

• Apply Throughout Your Face. Mix all the ingredients until it forms into a well-mixed paste, and then apply it across your face, mainly on the problem areas marked with acne scars. Leave it on for 15 minutes, rinse with cool water, and repeat as advised.

Apart from its health and beauty benefits, aloe Vera can also work wonders in treating scars. So give this plant a try if you’re looking into reducing the visibility of a scar, but do use with extra precaution and don’t forget to consult your Singapore doctor about the plant’s proper usage.

Blushes are considered as the ultimate 10-second makeover, since adding a little colour on your cheeks is already enough to make you look instantly healthier, fresher and more awake. While it’s possible to use a certain range of blush-on shades, understand that there’s an art of choosing the right blush for your skin tone. With that in mind, we listed down the best blushes for each skin tone to help you determine which shade best complements your complexion.

1. Fair Complexion

Blessed with a fair complexion? Then it’d be best to choose a pink or neutral-based blush undertone for your cheeks. Opt for blushes with neutral colours like a dusty rose or those with cool tones like a blue-based pink to add an instant glow on your cheeks

Blush Choices: NARS Orgasm Blush; Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush

2. Light Complexion

Ladies with light complexions usually have neutral or yellow-based undertone. The best blush options for this group are those in the shade of light coppery pink or dusty peach. These shades will easily complement your skin tone and give you the healthy flush that you’ve always wanted.

Blush Choices: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush; Tarte Cheek Stain

3. Medium Complexion

Medium skin tone tends to tan easily, so you might want to change your blush based on the season. As much as possible, opt for warm blush shades like peach and apricot to perfectly complement your skin.

Blush Choices: BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector; Tata Harper Lip and Cheek Tint

4. Olive Complexion

Just like ladies with medium complexion, women with olive skin tone also tan easily and have yellow-green skin undertone. The best blush options for this type of complexion would be peaches and pinks with earthy tones.

Blush Choices: BECCA Mineral Blush; Hourglass Lighting Blush

5. Caramel Complexion

If you’re blessed with a caramel-like skin tone, then your skin likely has yellow undertones. Deep peach and orange-based blushes would be the ideal choices for this skin tone, as these shades bring out the skin’s natural warmth.

Blush Choices: Makeup Forever Artist Shadow; NYX HD Blush

6. Golden Dark Complexion

Warm, bold shades like bronze, brick and deep coral would be the perfect blush shades for ladies with golden dark complexion. These shades work wonders in complementing your warm and yellow undertones.

Blush Choices: Bareminerals Mineral Blush; Too Faced Love Flush

7. Deep Complexion

Got a rather deep complexion? Then opt for blushes that are set in sensuous berry shades. These shades are perfect for flattering your dark skin tone.

Blush Choices: NARS Beach Pressed Powder; BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector

Knowing what shade of blush is right for your complexion is crucial for giving your skin that healthy and younger-looking glow. So be sure to keep these information in mind so you’ll know what blushes to purchase on your next trip to the makeup shop.