I was having a busy day at the office. In fact, my life had taken on a hectic track with numerous priorites yelling for attention all at the same time. No doubt, the beauty freak in me had to take a back seat. While, I was still religiously following my basic skin care rituals, cleansing, toning and moisturizing and washing my face before going to bed, come what may, I was shocked to see my image on the washroom mirror of my office.

All kinds of spots, blotchy complexion, big open pores and limp hair stared back at me. I never knew stress and mood can have such deep impact upon your skin. We all have heard about this well known phrase “our eyes are windows to our soul”. But how we feel inside, reflects so well on the outside has now been scientifically proven. Where happiness brightens your complexion, blues make your skin look dark and sullen.

Well, not just the skin, your mood affects your mane too. Hair become dull and lifeless. Linger a little longer in the funk and soon wrinkles will start forming and hair will start falling. Scary but true. Now here is some beauty science, why this happens and how this happens. I know we love things that are all girlie and easy but beauty requires a little bit of brains too. Learn how different moods affect the look of your skin and health of your hair.

Take Stress and Age Your Face:

This is the biggest beauty bummer. Stress causes the adrenal glands to increase the production of cortisol hormone. While, cortisol helps you achieve your tasks and keep you going, it depletes your system overtime leading to hormonal problems like hair loss, acne, skin discoloration, pigmentation and dull complexion.

Feel Low and Blow Your Glow:

No matter what the reason but the moment you start feeling low, you actually blow all radiance off your skin. Blues leach all moisture from your skin cells causing dehydration.  Dark circles, puffy eyes, lack lustre skin and dull, flat hair are mainly due to dehydration. Overtime, it can lead to loss of collagen creating fine lines and premature wrinkles.

Anger & Frown, Dig Burrows in your Brow:

Ever wondered how do you look when you frown? You actually have to raise your eye brows up high your crown and lower the corners of your mouth down to your neck to construct a formidable frown. Quite a hard work! No surprise, it takes only 17 muscles to smile, while 43 to frown. The tension mars all your beauty, digging big burrows in your brows and pulling down your entire face. Another reason, you should have control over that menacing temper.

Get Scared and Make Your Skin Go Pale:

Too much of anxiety, nervousness, unnecessary fear and fretting cause all blood from the body including your face march towards the heart as your mind goes into ‘fight or flight’ response. When all blood will move out from your face, obviously your skin would wear a pale and ghostly appearance.

So the next time you ask mirror mirror on the wall, do a quick mood check deep inside your heart. No matter, what the situation, how you feel, finally it all shows on your face. Laughter is the best medicine, we all know, but laughter is the greatest beauty aid, we now know.

Laughter along with releasing the feel good hormone, endorphin, increases blood flow to the face, making you look bright and radiant. So for everlasting beauty and natural blush, don’t forget to wear your smile high and keep your spirits from falling dry. Happy Smiling!!

PS: The post was originally published on Aug 5, 2013 and here’s the latest update to it:

“All the emotions you most predominantly express throughout your life become visible on your face. All your pain, fears, worries, judgments, and disapprovals finally get written on your face and reflect as the person you are in your heart and mind. So beauty in the most simple words is a choice that you make daily by choosing the way you feel at the moment.”

Pics Credit: Google

When I say Lakme Sun Expert After Sun face wash is the best face wash for Indian summers, you have to believe me. It is not a hyperbole’ and I am not paid by Lakme for writing a raving review about their product. It is a genuine and honest opinion from a beauty enthusiast like you.

For any girl living in India knows how bad can summers be for the skin. Add to this spiking heat and humidity, environmental pollution and you have the recipe ready for a dull skin and sullen appearance.

After all, what does anyone crave for after spending some time in scorching heat of the sun – a refreshing and chilled drink to soothe and rejuvenate your senses. Your skin too needs the same. And Lakme After Sun face wash true to its claims does just the same. It actually wakes up your dull and tired skin with an ultra cool and soothing sensation.

Product Description for Lakme Sun Expert Skin Lightening and De-Tan face wash:

• “Specially formulated with UV filters and anti-tan, skin-soothing ingredients
• Cleanses and soothes sun-exposed skin
• Deep-cleans each pore
• Infused with cucumber and lemon grass extracts that soothe and calm skin irritated by sun exposure
• Use immediately after sun exposure for maximum benefit”

My Experience:

There are really very few products that come worthy of their claims and lakme Sun Expert After Sun face wash is one of those few. I am seriously happy to give this product a try. I was actually looking for a face wash that can have a brightening effect on the skin. I have tried Ponds White Beauty, Garnier Light face wash etc. in the past but they did not prove to be extraordinary.

I avoid AHA or BHA cleansers as they are harsh on the skin. Unless, you have problem skin, they are best avoided. When I first saw this product, I decided to try it. The cleanser comes in a small tube with a flip cap. It has citrus fragrance and is transparent gel with a slight yellow tinge. There are very fine beads that provide mild exfoliation without irritating the skin.

As you massage the product in your skin, it gives a very cooling and soothing sensation to the skin. It lathers good and comes off easily. Skin feels extremely fresh and rejuvenated after wash. And viola!, the best part is the brightening effect it leaves after wash. Neither makes your skin oily and nor dry after use. And hence the reason, I made the statement, it is the perfect face wash for parched summer skin.

The only one negative I observed about this product is, it does not lighten or whiten your skin as per its claim. While, the cleanser may not be suitable for extremely oily skin beauties, it is perfect for normal to dry skin girls.

Price: 75/-

Quantity: 50 gms

Good:

• Provides cooling and soothing sensation to the face

• Makes skin feel refreshed and rejuvenated
• Brightens skin tone, though effect does not last long
• Contains cucumber and lemon grass, both are extremely good for the skin
• Refreshing citrus fragrance
• Travel-friendly petite packaging
• Does not dry out the skin
• Does not cause break-outs
• Only little quantity is required, so lasts long

Bad:

• Does not lighten or whiten skin as per its claim
• Not an all seasons product, suitable for only Summer season
• May not suit girls with extremely oily or acne prone skin.

My Final Take:

Overall, Lakme Sun Expert After Sun face wash is an extremely good product that does its job perfectly, fulfill most of its claims and is reasonably priced for the benefits it delivers. If have normal to combination skin and looking for a cooling face wash for summers, do give this product a try.

Will I Buy it Again?

Ofcourse, yes, but in next season as summers are almost over now and the little bit left in my tube will carry me through this month.

pic credit: Google.