All posts by Sumana Rao

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Makeup Foundation tips

Tips To Apply Makeup Foundation

Whether it is a function or going to the office, everyone wants to look fresh and upbeat. Makeup foundation is a versatile product that can enhance your natural beauty by creating a flawless base for your makeup look. Makeup foundation is used to even out skin tone, cover imperfections, and provide a smooth surface for other makeup products like blush, bronzer, and concealer.

If you are new to makeup foundation, then first you need to understand the purpose, types, coverage, and shades of makeup foundation.

Purpose: Foundation is used to create a uniform complexion by covering up blemishes, discoloration, and uneven skin tone. It helps to create a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup.

Types of foundation: Foundations come in various formulations including liquid, cream, powder, stick, and mineral. Each type offers distinct levels of coverage and finishes (e.g., matte, dewy, satin).

Coverage Levels:

  • Sheer Coverage: Provides a light, natural look, ideal for evening out minor imperfections.
  • Medium Coverage: Conceals more imperfections while still looking natural.
  • Full Coverage: Offers maximum coverage, suitable for covering scars, blemishes, or significant discoloration.

Application: Foundation can be applied with brushes, sponges, or fingers. The choice of application method can affect the finish and coverage of the foundation.

Right shade: It is important to select a foundation shade that matches your skin tone.

Ingredients: Foundations may contain various ingredients such as pigments, emollients, moisturizers, and SPF to provide coverage, hydration, and sun protection.

Setting foundation: After applying foundation, use translucent powder to enhance longevity and reduce shine, especially for oily skin types.

Skin types: Different foundations are formulated for various skin types, such as oily, dry, combination, or sensitive skin. Choosing a foundation that suits your skin type can help prevent issues like clogged pores or excessive dryness.

Choosing the right foundation and applying it correctly can help you achieve a polished and radiant complexion. Here are few tips for applying makeup foundation:

  • Choose the right shade: It is crucial to find a foundation shade that matches your skin tone. Test shades along your jawline in natural light to get the best match.
  • Prep your skin: Start with clean, moisturized skin. Apply a primer suitable for your skin type to create a smooth base and help your foundation last longer.
  • Use the right tools: You can apply foundation with brushes, sponges, or your fingers. Experiment to see what works best for you. Brushes often provide more coverage, while sponges give a natural finish.
  • Apply sparingly: Start with a small amount of foundation and gradually build up coverage where needed. Focus on areas that need more coverage like the center of your face.
  • Blend well: Blend your foundation thoroughly, especially around the jawline and hairline, to avoid any harsh lines. Pay attention to blending into your neck for a seamless look.
  • Set with powder: If you have oily skin or want to ensure your foundation lasts longer, set it with a translucent powder. Use a fluffy brush to lightly dust powder over your face.
  • Consider your skin type: Choose a foundation formula that suits your skin type. For oily skin, look for matte or oil-free foundations. Dry skin benefits from hydrating or satin-finish foundations.
  • Less is more: Avoid overloading your skin with too much product. Aim for a natural finish that enhances your skin rather than masking it completely.
  • Check in natural light: After applying your foundation, check your makeup in natural light to ensure it looks seamless and matches your skin tone.
  • Touch-ups: Carry a small amount of foundation or pressed powder for touch-ups during the day, especially if you have oily skin or are in a humid environment.

Foundation is meant to even out your skin tone and provide a base for the rest of your makeup. With the right technique and products, you can achieve a flawless finish that enhances your natural beauty.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1235230  CC0 Public Domain 03/23/2017

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 5, 2024
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Direct impact on blood vessels

Direct Impact On Blood Vessels

Yoga involves various postures and movements that directly or indirectly stretch and stimulate not only the muscles but also the blood vessels within those muscle groups. This stimulation can help maintain the elasticity of the vascular walls.

Lifestyle impact: Regular yoga practice is often part of a broader approach to a healthier lifestyle, including a balanced diet and other exercise forms, which collectively contribute to better vascular health.

Research on yoga and its specific effects on vascular flexibility is ongoing, and our ancestors have been practicing yoga for centuries by knowing its benefit on overall health. The combination of stress reduction improved endothelial function (via increased nitric oxide), and better blood flow supports the premise that yoga helps maintain and improve the flexibility of blood vessels, contributing to overall cardiovascular health.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/634799  CC0 Public DomainFree for personal and commercial use 02/07/2017

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: May 3, 2024
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Management of blood pressure:

Management Of Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including conditions related to vessel blockage. Yoga can help in lowering blood pressure, thereby reducing the strain on blood vessels and preventing further damage and plaque accumulation.

Endothelial function:

Regular yoga practice can improve the function of the endothelium, the lining inside the heart and blood vessels. A healthy endothelium helps in maintaining vascular tone and flexibility, and it plays a role in preventing plaque buildup by modulating blood flow and inflammatory processes in the blood vessels.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1575051  CC0 Public Domain (Free for personal and commercial use11/13/2018)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Enhanced blood flow

Enhanced Blood Flow

Certain yoga poses improve circulation throughout the body. Enhanced blood flow can prevent the buildup of arterial plaque, which stiffens blood vessels. Regular yoga practice keeps blood vessels more responsive and flexible.

Improvement of lipid profile:

Regular yoga practice has been linked to improved levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides are risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. By improving the lipid profile, yoga may help reduce the rate of plaque accumulation.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/50051  CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use 12/27/2016

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Reduction of Stress and Inflammation:

Reduction Of Stress And Inflammation

Yoga is well-known for its ability to reduce stress, which is mediated by decreasing levels of stress hormones like cortisol. High cortisol levels are associated with inflammation and increased vascular stiffness. By reducing stress and inflammation, yoga can help maintain or increase the elasticity of blood vessels.

Improvement in Nitric Oxide production:

Yoga practices, particularly those that involve deep and mindful breathing, can increase the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a crucial role in vascular health. Nitric oxide helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. This dilation requires the blood vessels to be flexible and responsive.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/661341   02/09/2017

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Yoga Improves Flexibility of Blood Vessels

Yoga Improves Flexibility Of Blood Vessels

Yoga can indeed have a beneficial effect on the flexibility of blood vessels, a factor important for cardiovascular health. This influence is primarily through mechanisms involving stress reduction, improved blood flow, and the enhancement of overall cardiovascular function.

The following reasons helps you understand how yoga contribute to increased vascular flexibility and reasons why we should incorporate yoga in our daily regime.

Reduction of Stress and Inflammation

Reduction of Stress and Inflammation:

Enhanced blood flow

Enhanced blood flow

Management of blood pressure

Management of blood pressure:

Direct impact on blood vessels

Direct impact on blood vessels

Image credit : Heart: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/385289  CC0 Public DomainFree for personal and commercial use 01/14/2017 & Yoga pose:  https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1029212 CC0 Public DomainFree for personal and commercial use  03/07/2017

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on:
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Anger management in child

How To Help Manage Anger In Child

Children can experience anger for a variety of reasons, just like adults.

Common factors that can contribute to children feeling angry are:

  • Frustration: Children often lack the language skills or coping mechanisms to express their frustration when things do not go their way. This can lead to feelings of anger.
  • Feeling misunderstood: Children may become angry when they feel like their needs or desires are not being understood or acknowledged by adults or peers.
  • Lack of control: Children may feel angry when they perceive a lack of control over their environment or situations, such as being told what to do or not having a say in decisions that affect them.
  • Overwhelm: Children, like adults, can become overwhelmed by emotions, sensory stimuli, or situations that feel too challenging or stressful for them to manage, leading to feelings of anger.
  • Unmet needs: Anger can also arise when children’s basic needs, such as food, sleep, or attention, are not being met adequately.
  • Emotional regulation challenges: Some children may have difficulty regulating their emotions, which can lead to outbursts of anger in response to even minor triggers.
  • Modeling behavior: Children learn from observing the behavior of adults and peers. If they see adults expressing anger in unhealthy ways, they may mimic this behavior.
  • Underlying issues: In some cases, anger in children may be a symptom of underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD.

Understanding the root causes of a child’s anger can help caregivers address it more effectively and provide appropriate support and intervention.

Reducing a child’s anger involves a combination of empathy, understanding, and teaching effective coping strategies. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Stay calm: It is important to remain calm yourself when dealing with an angry child. Your calm demeanor can help diffuse the situation.
  • Validate their feelings: Let the child know that it is okay to feel angry and that you understand why they might be upset. Empathize with their emotions by saying things like, “I can see that you are really angry right now, and that is okay.”
  • Encourage communication: Encourage the child to express why they are feeling angry. Sometimes just talking about their feelings can help them feel better. Listen actively and without judgment.
  • Teach coping skills: Help the child develop healthy ways to manage their anger. This could include deep breathing exercises, counting to ten, or taking a break to calm down in a quiet space.
  • Provide positive outlets: Encourage activities that help release pent-up energy and frustration, such as physical exercise, drawing, writing, or playing with stress-relief toys.
  • Set limits: Make sure the child understands appropriate behavior when they are angry. Set clear, consistent boundaries and consequences for unacceptable behavior, but also provide positive reinforcement when they manage their anger well.
  • Lead by example: Children often model their behavior after adults, so demonstrate healthy ways of managing anger in your own interactions.
  • Seek professional help if needed: If a child’s anger issues are persistent or severe, it may be beneficial to seek the help of a therapist or counselor who specializes in working with children.

Remember that reducing anger in children is a process that takes time and patience. By providing support, understanding, and teaching valuable coping skills, you can help your child learn to manage their anger in a healthy way.

Image credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/411539  CC0 Public Domain

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 29, 2024
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Mucocele remedies

Home Remedies For Mouth Mucocele

Mucoceles are small, painless cysts that form when saliva becomes trapped in a small pocket on the inside of the mouth, usually on the inner surface of the lips, particularly in lower lip or under the tongue. It is also known as ranula.

Mucocele is different from canker sore. Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, painful lesions that form on the inside of your mouth, including the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, and the roof of your mouth. They are usually white or yellowish with a red border and can make eating and talking uncomfortable.

Common reasons for mucoceles development in mouth are:

  • Trauma: Accidental biting of the lip or cheek, or any injury to the mouth’s soft tissue, can lead to the development of a mucocele.
  • Salivary gland duct blockage: Anything that obstructs the salivary gland ducts, such as thickened saliva or damage to the ducts themselves, can cause saliva to accumulate and form a mucocele.
  • Oral habits: Certain oral habits like lip biting, sucking on the lips or cheeks, or constantly running the tongue over the lips can contribute to the development of mucoceles.
  • Oral piercings: Tongue or lip piercing can sometimes cause trauma to the surrounding tissues, leading to the formation of mucoceles.
  • Dental procedures: Trauma or injury during dental procedures, such as injections or dental extractions, can also result in mucocele formation.
  • Minor salivary gland abnormalities: Sometimes, abnormalities in the minor salivary glands themselves can lead to the development of mucoceles.

Some of the home remedies that may provide relief from mucoceles are:

  1. Warm salt water rinse: Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
  2. Avoiding irritating foods: Spicy, acidic, or hard foods may irritate the mucocele and prolong healing. Avoiding these foods can help prevent further irritation.
  3. Aloe vera gel: Applying a small amount of pure Aloe vera gel directly to the mucocele can help soothe irritation and promote healing.
  4. Turmeric paste: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce swelling and discomfort. Mix turmeric powder with water to form a paste and apply it to the mucocele.
  5. Honey: Applying a small amount of honey to the mucocele may help soothe irritation and promote healing. Make sure to use pure, raw honey.
  6. Ice packs: Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area can help reduce swelling and numb the area, providing temporary relief from discomfort.
  7. Avoiding trauma: Try to avoid biting or sucking on the area where the mucocele is located, as this can further irritate it and prolong healing.
  8. Vitamin E oil: Applying vitamin E oil directly to the mucocele may help promote healing and reduce inflammation.
  9. Tea tree oil: Dilute tea tree oil with water and apply it to the mucocele using a cotton swab. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties that may help prevent infection.
  10. Maintain oral hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential for preventing further irritation and promoting healing. Brush and floss gently and rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash.

If home remedies do not provide relief or if the mucocele persists or worsens, it’s important to consult a dentist or oral surgeon for further evaluation and treatment. In some cases, a healthcare professional may recommend draining the mucocele or surgical removal.

Image credit: Klaus D. Peter, Gummersbach, Germany, CC BY 3.0 DE <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: April 28, 2024
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