Despite shaving being quick, easy & perfectly safe, I’ve also found a that there are a lot of undue & baseless myths associated with shaving – some of them are just old wives tales, while most others are repeated by ladies at beauty salon, worried that you’ll stop waxing & giving them business (hey, waxing may not seem that expensive just once, but those bills add up really quickly!)

I’ve previously discussed (& dispelled!) the myth that you need to press harder to get a close shave. Today I’m going to discuss the myth that you shouldn’t shave everyday as it damages your skin.

Every method of hair removal comes with it’s own set of pros & cons. One of the main reasons I chose shaving is because it really is one of the safest method that there is. It doesn’t violently yank out hair from the roots (like waxing or epilating), this can be disastrous for sensitive skin in the long run. It doesn’t involve the use of heavy machinery (laser hair removal) or harsh chemicals (like hair removal creams) & it can literally be done in the comfort of your home (or hotel room, if you’re travelling) anytime. There is no risk of any kind of long term damage or skin degradation even if you’ve shaved your entire life!

Related: Shaving vs Other Forms of Hair Removal in detail.

Of course, of the cons of shaving is that the effects of removing your hair are shorter lived & you do need to do it more often. You are free to adjust the frequency of shaving based on the speed of your hair growth as well as your personal preferences. A lot of people ask me, how often do I shave & whether shaving daily or very regularly is bad.

I have medium thick hair that grows back really fast. How often I shave will be depending on my schedule, mood or what I’m planning to wear. If I’m on a beach vacation & I know I’ll be wearing shorts a lot, I shave every other day. At home, I’ll shave a couple of times a week. It is totally safe to shave daily if you wish to. In fact, shaving in the shower is super efficient & won’t take more than a couple of minutes. Most people won’t have to, every with quick growing hair. But if you hair grows very quickly & you want silky smooth legs always, you can easily shave daily. Of course, make sure to moisturise (daily) & exfoliate (once or twice a week). These two steps are just taking care of your skin (you should do them even if you aren’t shaving!) & they will also prevent any occurrence of ingrown hair.

I’ve been using the new Gillette Venus Breeze 2 in 1 razor for the last couple of months (since it released) & I love how smooth & easy it is to use, the shave gel bars mean I don’t even need a separate shaving gel or foam. One cartridge (blades) last me over a month with regular use – it ends up being quite economical!

In summation- You can shave as rarely or as often as you like! It’s safe, quick & has no side effects at all.

I hope you’re finding this shaving series useful. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments below – you can even suggest future myths or topics you’d like me to cover! x

The post Does Shaving Everyday Damage Skin? | Busting Shaving Myths appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

Himalaya for Moms currently consists of six products – a nipple care butter, toning massage oil, anti rash cream & three different body butters. Let’s dig in, shall we?

Himalaya FOR MOMS Toning Massage Oil

Massages have always been a part of traditional body care regimes for new mothers in India. Massage is proven to be effective for faster postpartum recovery and better health as it increases flexibility while also toning muscles. An effective massage can stimulate blood circulation, thus reducing pain and swelling. Massage also helps with improved milk secretion, relieves stress and promotes sound sleep.

The key ingredient is Sesame Oil, infused with Country Mallow, Winter Cherry & Aloe Vera. Sesame Oil has antioxidant properties, it also moisturises & soothes. Country Mallow helps improve muscle & joint strength. Winter Cherry conditioners & soothes the skin and Aloe Vera is has legendary healing properties. This oil is Lavender fragranced (one of my all-time favorite scents to relax & unwind to, along with lemongrass) make it the perfect massage oil for new moms.

Himalaya FOR MOMS Nipple Care Butter

Nipple care is usually done the traditional way. A cloth dipped in warm water is used to wipe away excess milk and saliva. Sometimes, harsh soap is used to clean nipples. Enzymes from baby’s saliva, water or even soap residue can remove moisture from sensitive nipple skin, all contributing to sore & cracked nipples in nursing mothers.

Formulated with kokum butter & virgin coconut oil, the nipple care butter can be used by expecting mothers (to nourish nipples & prepare them for lactation) & nursing mothers, to prevent & soothe sore & cracked nipples. It’s rich & emollient but non greasy, making it the perfect formula to care for your nipples.

Himalaya FOR MOMS Anti Rash Cream

Rashes can occur due to sweat, rubbing together of folded skin, or irritation caused by normal skin germs. The deeper the folds are, the more likely the chances of a rash. The most prone areas are between and under the breast, under the stomach, in the arm pits and between the thighs.

The Himalaya FOR MOMS Anti-Rash Cream is an herbal formulation that effectively reduces itching and rashes, and gently soothes the skin. It is very useful in relieving rashes during pregnancy, as well as other dermal cuts and scratches which cause minor itching. The comforting Lavender aroma will not only calm the rash but also distract your mind from the irritation. The key ingredients of this cream include Yashad Bhasma, with aloe vera, almond oil & manjistha.

The range also includes three Soothing Body Butters. Made with cocoa butter & glycerin (both known for intense moisturising & skin softening properties)

Himalaya FOR MOMS Soothing Body Butter – Rose

Himalaya FOR MOMS Soothing Body Butter – Lavender

Himalaya FOR MOMS Soothing Body Butter – Jasmine

The rose fragrance uplifts, jasmine rejuvenates & lavender calms (my personal favorite!) They’re available in 50ml, 100ml & 200ml.

Overall I really liked everything I tried from the new Himalaya FOR MOMS range. Himalaya is such a trusted brand & it’s great that they’re brought out a great skincare line for moms that’s both natural & very affordable (everything is under ₹500!) The range is easily available both in stores & online. x

The post Himalaya FOR MOMS Skin + Body Care appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

But it also made me aware of just how many myths surround the process. Most of these are just old wives’ tales, with no basis in the reality, so today I’m going to attempt to debunk one of the most common ones – the belief that pressing hard or repeatedly with a razor will give you a closer shave.

Many people still associate shaving with men only, even though it is such a great way to remove body hair too, on both genders! Recently women shaving their face has become quite the rage on YouTube, but it’s not something I’ve tried yet.

It’s incredibly easy to shave, & it’s become second nature for me to just do it every other day while in the shower. In case you missed it, I did write a beginner’s guide to shaving, aimed at anyone who might be wanting to try shaving for the first time.

My Shaving Apparatus

I did cover the equipment I use to shave in my previous post, but it’s worth repeating. The only thing you really need is a razor. Any razor. I’ve used all kinds, from regular men’s razors to cheap disposables. I currently use the Gillette Venus razor – it’s looks good, is affordably priced & each cartridge will last you a very long time. The razor is designed for women using it on their bodies, so I think the grip works exceptionally well at preventing slippage, even if you’re all soapy & shaving in a hurry. I also always have a stock of cartridges (blades) on hands, even though one of them lasts me around two months. Finally after years of shaving with soap (bad idea) or conditioner (okay, but not ideal) I’ve incorporated the Satin Care shave gel in my routine. This smells amazing, the foam works as a sort of a ‘guide’ so I don’t miss a spot, & it moisturizes my legs too, so they’re never left dry or patchy. I think most women who shave don’t think to use a gel, but it makes such a big difference! If you’re just starting out, you can buy all three products at a discounted rate in the Gillette Venus Shaving Kit.

Let’s Bust Some Myths

One of the primary shaving related concerns I’ve heard is whether shaving will cause excessive dryness, itchiness, red bumps or ingrown hair. The short answer, is definitely a big NO but there are a few best practises you can follow & things you can keep in mind.

Firstly, please never ever dry shave. You won’t get a close shave, but more importantly this can damage your skin & give rise to ingrown hair. Even if you’re in a hurry, make sure you moisten your hands / legs properly then shave. It’s best done in the shower, because warm water / steam can open up your pores & give an overall smoother shave.

Ingrown Hair can arise after any form of hair removal, whether you shave, epilate or wax. The one small thing you can do, to banish them for good? Exfoliate! I do it around twice a week, usually on days that I’m not shaving. If you shave daily, you can exfoliate just before shaving. Preferably avoid doing it on freshly shaved skin. Just being particular, using a good scrub or exfoliating gloves will banish those ingrown hair for good.

Now to the main / headlining myth- pressing harder or repeatedly will give you a closer shave. This couldn’t be further from the truth, rather it could be damaging to your skin in the long run.

You ideally want to do shorter strokes, as they will help with a close shave. You also should be applying a medium amount of pressure – so the razor is properly coming in contact with your skin, but not pressing down too hard. Pressing harder will just give you bumps & razor burn! Places like your legs are the easiest to shave, but on areas that aren’t exactly ‘even’ such as knees, wrists, knuckles & even underarms, go a bit slower to avoid getting any nicks.

If you have quick hair growth, you can easily shave daily, but you definitely don’t want to be shaving with multiple strokes in the same area. Repeatedly running a razor over the same stretch of skin can again cause razor burns or ingrown hair. One stroke should be more than enough per area. It’s important that you aren’t shaving with a dull blade. Cheaper disposable razors tend to have blades that go dull the fastest, & one thing I love about the Gillette Venus is the little blue patch just above the blade area. Not only does it help in moisturizing your skin, but when the deep blue patch turns pale blue, it’s an indicator that you need to change the cartridge. So that feature helps me know that I haven’t been using a dull cartridge.

Just shaving in the right way & making sure I exfoliate & moisturize regularly ensures that my legs are smooth & hair free without pain or damage. The best part is I can do this in my home or when I’m travelling without having to search for a beauty parlor or faff around with messy hot wax. It’s the best! x

The post Shaving Myths Busted – Pressing Harder Will Give a Closer Shave appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

If you’ve never tried shaving, the thought of picking up a razor for the first time can seem a bit intimidating. Additionally, there a lot of baseless myths surrounding shaving. So I thought I’d write a beginner’s guide to shaving, step by step & include a few tips as well.

You can safely shave any part of your body, regardless of gender be it your hands, legs, underarms or bikini region but in this post I’m going to cover arms + legs because these are probably the most common areas people remove hair from & the easiest regions to start with, too!

What You’ll Need

All you’ll really need to begin shaving is a razor & something to lubricate your skin for smooth shaving (because soap isn’t recommended – I’ll get to why soon). I use the Gillette Venus razor because it’s a razor designed especially for women, not only does it look good, it grips well, glides on your skin plus it has a handy blue strip to tell when you need to change your cartridge. I always have a pack of Gillette Venus Cartridges (blades) handy as well, so that when my cartridge goes blunt (the deep blue strip turns pale blue) I can replace it to always get a smooth shave.

Like most people I’ve been guilty of just shaving with whatever soap or shower gel I have on hand in the shower, but soap ends up drying your skin & sensitising it further. I think I first tried the Gillette Satin Care Shaving Gel about two years ago, without too many expectation, but it sort of blew my mind from the very first use. If you’ve shaved before but never used shaving gel, you really must try it because it’ll take your shaving experience to the next level (really).

If it’s your first time shaving, you can save a bunch of money & get all three products in this Gillette Venus Shaving Kit – you can thank me later!

Now let’s get to the actual shaving bit…

HOW TO SHAVE

Moisten your skin

Shaving must never, ever be done on dry skin! You’re much more likely to get jagged hair & even cut your skin, it’s a huge no-no. Always shave on wet skin – your bath or shower is the best place to do it because hot water softens your skin, making it even easier to get a smooth shave.

Lather Up

Now it’s time to put that Gillette Satin Care Shaving Gel to use. It comes out like an aqua blue gel & gives a rich foam in just a few seconds. It expands like crazy, so you don’t need a lot to cover your hand or leg. The foam also serves as a kind of guide, so you’ll know where you shaved & are less likely to miss spots. It’s formulated especially for sensitive skin, I find it nourishing & soothing, my skin is always left feeling smooth & hair free later, not irritated or stripped in any way.

Shave in the Right Direction

Always shave in a light but firm touch & never press down too hard. For your legs, shave legs from the ankle upwards. For your arms, move from your wrist to elbow, but for the upper arm go from your shoulder to elbow. For your underarms, shave from all angles-up, down and sideways. And for the bikini area, shave in the direction of hair growth first (inward) & then against for an extra close shave.

Make sure to go a bit slower on joints & knuckles like toes, knees, your wrist joint etc. to avoid any grazes or nicks. I know this sounds a teensy bit complicated at first but trust me, after a couple of times it becomes second nature!

Moisturize

Another really important step in the process is to use a good moisturizer after stepping out of the shower, & you’ll never have that dry or itchy feeling people complain about.

Don’t Forget to Exfoliate

Any form of hair removal can put you at ‘risk’ of getting ingrown hair. While they’re not particularly dangerous, they can be annoying & a bit unsightly. You can completely eliminate that risk by exfoliating regularly. You can choose to either use a milder, daily scrub everyday or use a body polisher (deeper exfoliant) like this or this once or twice a week. Be regular with this & you won’t see a single ingrown hair.

If you’ve been curious about shaving but never tried it, I hope you found this post useful. Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below & even request guides for any other topic! x

The post How To Shave Your Arms & Legs (For The First Time) appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

This week I’ve been big on foot care! Yesterday I talked about a foot soap I recently got.

If I had to make a hierarchy of my favorite scents, lemongrass would definitely be in the top 5. It’s a very subtle citrus scent that I find very energising & relaxing at the same time. I don’t visit spas too often (hey, a girl needs to budget / prioritise!) but I use lemongrass products (such as scented candles) whenever I want to get a spa experience at home.

Last year I went for my first ever foot massage. At the end, the therapist generously sprayed some lemongrass spray from a square shaped plastic bottle. Although the massage was pretty fabulous, the spray was the bit that really stayed with me. I kept raving about it to my mom later – too bad I didn’t ask to see which brand it was from!

Fast forward to two months ago, when I entered The Nature’s Co. store for the first time. I saw this on the shelves & bingo! I knew I had found it (who can mistake the distinctive square bottle, right?)

I’ve been using the Lemongrass Foot Spray all of this month – It’s a product that can be used all the year round but becomes especially relevant in the summer & monsoon. Read on to know what I thought.

Price: ₹495 for 100ml

What they say: Nature’s own fresheners; Instantly revive and energize tired feet; Leaves feet smelling fresh!

This excellent foot spray is infused with nature’s own fresheners – lemongrass, patchouli and tea tree oils which instantly revive and energize tired feet while leaving them smelling fresh! The stimulating agents of menthol and aloe vera will leave you with a spring in your feet. Spritz before a long day to protect and at the end of the day to energize feet and banish odour.

The packaging is simple but very functional. Don’t you just hate it when you lose / break the caps on spray bottles (the folks at L’Occitane India think it’s OK to send send buyers things with broken caps). As you can see below, this spray bottle has two caps so you don’t have to worry. That makes it very travel friendly.

This spray can be used in many ways – you can spray it before you leave home in the morning or after you get home from a long day too. And you can spray it just after a shower because it smells so dang nice (no floral notes in it, so it’s very unisex).

If you (like me) have been avoiding heavy foot creams because they end up making your feet even soggier, you’ll like this. In dries very quickly (30 seconds – 1 minute depending on how much you spray) & leaves your feet feeling fresh & cleaner without any additional stickiness. What’s more, the essential oils used are known for their anti bacterial properties.

I got sucked in by the scent but I’ve continued using this for the antibacterial / deodorising properties. This is a must have, especially if your feet get wet either with the rains or sweat. It’s a definite repurchase as far as I’m concerned.

love,

Magali

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