Acne Clearing Activated Charcoal Face Pack

Hello beauties. I had ordered an activated charcoal face pack, quiet some time ago and I found that it treated my acne pretty well and it also reduced the spots. It was also travel-friendly so that was a bonus. But I happen to be a beauty on a budget, so I decided to DIY it, with the ingredients I had at hand. I have been using my DIY version since a month and let me just say I’m loving it. So without further ado let’s see how to make it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Multani mitti (Fuller’s earth)	1 tbsp.
Activated charcoal powder	¼ tsp.
Glycerine	½ tsp.
Rose water	2 ½ tsp.
Aloe vera gel	1 tsp.
Clove oil	2-3 drops

(The links to buy activated charcoal powder, clove oil and the face pack on which I based this post are at the end of this article.)

Procedure:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. Add in the wet ingredients. Adjust the consistency according to your like, by adding more rose water. I like a thick face pack, so the quantity of rose water mentioned is okay with me. Be very careful while adding the clove oil because if by chance you happen to add more than a few drops, your skin might feel a slight burning sensation.

3. Apply it on your face and neck and leave it for 15-20 minutes or until it dries out.

You can store this face pack in an air tight container and it will last well for a month. I have put side by side pictures of the pack I made a month ago and the freshly made one. The difference is just of the consistency, which can be adjusted.

          I’ll just quickly talk about the benefits of the ingredients used in the mask. Activated Charcoal helps in clearing out dirt from your skin, fights acne and helps in achieving flawless complexion. Multani mitti is generally good for skin, makes it softer and healthier. Aloe vera treats acne, makes the skin heal faster and reduces scarring. Glycerine is a great moisturiser and rose water is a magic potion for every skin type. But the star here is clove oil, which treats acne and clears out the scars. The overall verdict is that, this pack is ah-mazing.

          So friends, if you do try this out, let me know how it works for you in the comments below. If you have any suggestions or if there is anything you want me to write about, feel free to catch up with me here or on Google+ or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AHappyGirlWrites/) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/a,happy.girl.writes/) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/A_Happy_Girl2) or Mirakee (http://www.mirakee.com/ahappygirlwrites) or Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/ahappygirlwrites) or on Pinterest (https://in.pinterest.com/happygirlwrites) or on We Heart It (https://weheartit.com/ahappygirlwrites). Until next time, keep smiling and I will be back soon. Don’t forget to have a happy day.

Links to buy Activated charcoal powder:

Nykaa: http://www.nykaa.com/healthvit-activated-charcoal-powder.html

Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/Healthvit-Activated-Charcoal-Detoxifies-Digestion/dp/B0736S7W31/ 

https://www.amazon.in/Healthvit-Activated-Charcoal-Detoxifies-Digestion/dp/B01NCNJK85/

You can find clove oil in any beauty supply stores or medical stores. Here is a link to buy it:

http://www.nykaa.com/aroma-treasures-clove-pure-essential-oil.html

Link for the original face pack (which is great by the way, just expensive)

http://www.craftshopsindia.com/bath-and-beauty/bath-beauty-/fuschia-detox-face-mask-acti-st1254-67060/

https://www.flipkart.com/fuschia-detox-activated-charcoal/p/itmehh4wbtun3bje?pid=FCPEHH4WZYSFYZ6F

“Sanskari Definitions” of the Makeup Products

Hello beautiful ladies. Today I am going to talk you through the “standard” description of each of the makeup products that we all are supposed to use, to look “beautiful”. It is written with a hint of sarcasm, slight bit of exaggeration, mostly irony but whole lot of reality. So read it on and be sanskari.

Alright ladies, let’s begin by priming our face. Primer is used to help the makeup adhere to your face, just like you should adhere to the norms and rules, laid down by the society. After applying it evenly, we move on to the foundation. Use a shade that is at least two shades lighter than your skin tone, that is because “fair is beautiful”. Apply it all over your face, neck and your entire body. The next step is concealer. This is the most important step, it helps you cover your “imperfections” and “flaws”. Conceal it all just as you conceal your aspirations, dreams and everything else. Set everything up with a powder. It will help your makeup “stay in place”.

Next we move on to contouring, which is nothing but achieving the “Kardashianesque” face, that everyone is obsessed with, these days. Being fat is not an option, so contour your nose, your cheeks, you belly, breasts, butt, everything. Just slim it down girl. Then go ahead and apply a blush that will make you look coy, sweet and “pretty girly”. The last step to complete the face makeup is highlighter, which will make your features stand out and shine, unlike you, girl. You aren’t allowed to shine.

We now move on to eyes and lips. First use the eyebrow powder/pencil to define your brows, whatever you do, just don’t let the society arch theirs. Next apply the eyeshadow and no matter how many shades you use, remember to “blend in” everything really well, just like you are always asked to. The next step is eyeliner, wing it out ladies, but never use those wings to fly, because that isn’t allowed. Finish the eye makeup with a coat of mascara, and there you go, you have got pretty looking eyes. Your eyes are supposed to be the window to your soul, but it really doesn’t matter what kind of soul you are, it’s just your outer beauty that matters. The final step is lipstick. Choose a shade that isn’t too “bold” and that would in turn draw “attention” to you, so keep it simple. Also remember to keep the lipstick “within the boundaries” of your lips. And that my dears brings us to the end of the makeup routine. A final word, keep all your products and makeup brushes “clean”, just like your character.

Let me just clarify that I am not against makeup, contrarily I love makeup. I am against the “standards” that we girls are supposed to meet. I believe that everyone is beautiful and unique and fitting into “definitions” isn’t okay with me. I just used the makeup products to make my point. So girls, if you agree with me or if you think I missed to mention some products, let me know in the comments below.  If you have any suggestions or if there is anything you want me to write about, feel free to catch up with me here or on Google+ or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AHappyGirlWrites/) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/a,happy.girl.writes/) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/A_Happy_Girl2) or Mirakee (http://www.mirakee.com/ahappygirlwrites) or Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/ahappygirlwrites) or on Pinterest (https://in.pinterest.com/happygirlwrites) or on We Heart It (https://weheartit.com/ahappygirlwrites). Until next time, keep smiling and I will be back soon. Don’t forget to have a happy day J.

Healthy Kiwi Cupcakes

Hello all you happy people. I love kiwis and they remind me of the most amazing birthday I had, with my best friends. So I experimented with kiwis and came up with this recipe. I also made simple frosting using hung curd, but you can skip that and just make the cupcakes. Without further ado, let’s begin.

Ingredients:

Sr. no.	Ingredient	Quantity
1.	Whole wheat flour	3-4 tbsp.
2.	Oat flour	2 tbsp.
3.	Kiwi (pureed)	1 tbsp.
4.	Plain yogurt	2 tbsp.
5.	Honey	1-2 tbsp.
6.	Baking powder	1/4 tbsp.
7.	Baking soda	A pinch
8.	Vanilla essence	3-4 drops
9.	Water	1 ½ tbsp.
For frosting
1.	Hung curd	2 tbsp.
2.	Honey	1-2 tbsp.
3.	Kiwi (pureed)	1-2 tbsp.

 If you don’t have oat flour, just use regular flour.

Procedure:

1. Combine the plain yogurt and water in a mixer.

2. Add baking powder and baking soda to it and mix well. Let it rest for around 5 minutes. You will see that bubbles start appearing, this makes the cupcakes light and fluffy.

3. Add in the kiwi puree, honey and essence.

4. Gently fold the flour into the mixture.

 

5. Pour the batter into cupcake moulds.

6. Put some kind of ring at the base of the cooker and put the moulds on a plate placed on top. I have already demonstrated how to use cooker for baking in my older posts, you can see it here (https://ahappygirlwrites.blogspot.com/2016/12/eggless-chocolate-cupcakes-in-pressure.html).

7. Put on the lid of the cooker, without the whistle. Let the brownies bake for 10 minutes on high heat.

8. After turning off the heat, let the cooker cool down for 5 more minutes and then take the cupcakes out of the cooker.

For frosting:

To make the hug curd, add around 6-7 tbsp. of yogurt in a cloth, and squeeze out all the water. Tie it up to something, so that gravity can work on it.

1. In a bowl add the hung curd.

2. Add honey and kiwi puree to it.

3. Let this mixture rest in the freeze until the cupcakes cook.

4. You can use a piping bag to frost, but I was too lazy, so I just applied it on with a butter knife. I also added a small kiwi slice on the top. And then the cupcakes are ready to be served.

        I really love the sweet and tangy taste of the kiwis and these are my favourites for this winter. So friends, if you try this out, let me know how you like it, in the comments below. If you have any suggestions or if there is anything you want me to write about, feel free to catch up with me here or on Google+ or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AHappyGirlWrites/) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/a,happy.girl.writes/) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/A_Happy_Girl2) or Mirakee (http://www.mirakee.com/ahappygirlwrites) or Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/ahappygirlwrites) or on Pinterest (https://in.pinterest.com/happygirlwrites) or on We Heart It (https://weheartit.com/ahappygirlwrites). Until next time, keep smiling and I will be back soon. Don’t forget to have a happy day J.

Healthy fudgy chocolate brownies

Hello all you happy people. I have been experimenting with ingredients to come up with a recipe for good fudgy brownies and I was finally successful, so sharing with you the same. I used the ingredients that can be found easily in your kitchen (most of them) and made these in a pressure cooker (so that anyone can make those). So without further ado, let’s begin.

Ingredients:

Sr. no.	Ingredient	Quantity
1.	Whole wheat flour	3 tbsp.
2.	Soy flour	2 tbsp.
3.	Cocoa powder	1 tbsp.
4.	Plain yogurt	1 tbsp.
5.	Honey	1 tbsp.
6.	Over ripe banana	1 small
7.	Baking powder	1/2 tbsp.
8.	Water	1 tbsp.

I just happened to have soy flour (made by grinding soy granules/chunks in the mixer). If you don’t have it, just use regular flour.

Procedure:

1. In a large bowl, mash the banana.

2. Add yogurt to it and mix well.

3. Add rest of the ingredients, except water. Add more honey if you like them sweeter.

4. Finally add water ½ tbsp. at a time. You might need more/less water depending on the flour. Just make sure the batter has such a consistency that it falls easily, but is not too watery.

5. Pour the batter into silicone moulds or a tin lined with aluminium foil.

6. Put some kind of ring at the base of the cooker and put the moulds on a plate placed on top. I have already demonstrated how to use cooker for baking in my older posts, you can see it here (https://ahappygirlwrites.blogspot.com/2016/12/eggless-chocolate-cupcakes-in-pressure.html).

7. Put on the lid of the cooker, without the whistle. Let the brownies bake for 12 minutes on high heat.

8. After turning off the heat, let the cooker cool down for 10 more minutes and then take the brownies out of the cooker and then they are ready to be served.

        I used soy flour because it is rich in protein, so if you can find it, make sure to use it. Some people may not agree that banana and honey are exactly “healthy”, but for me they are, they contain natural sugar. I have chocolate cravings every now and then so they are fine with me, I can indulge in brownies without feeling guilty (wink). So friends, if you try this out, let me know how you like it, in the comments below. If you have any suggestions or if there is anything you want me to write about, feel free to catch up with me here or on Google+ or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AHappyGirlWrites/) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/a,happy.girl.writes/) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/A_Happy_Girl2) or Mirakee (http://www.mirakee.com/ahappygirlwrites) or Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/ahappygirlwrites) or on Pinterest (https://in.pinterest.com/happygirlwrites) or on We Heart It (https://weheartit.com/ahappygirlwrites). Until next time, keep smiling and I will be back soon. Don’t forget to have a happy day J.

DIY Activated Charcoal Peel-off Face Mask

Hello beauties. Today I have an easy activated charcoal face mask recipe for you all. The charcoal masks that you find in beauty stores aren’t exactly cheap, so I DIYed it with just three ingredients, I call beauty on a budget. So without further ado let’s see how to make it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Gelatin	2 tsp.
Raw milk	1 ½ tbsp.
Activated charcoal powder	1/4 tsp.

(The links to buy activated charcoal powder and gelatin are at the end of this article.)

Procedure:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a steel bowl.

2. Put this bowl over a water bath. In simpler words put it in a larger container filled with hot water, so that the smaller bowl is only half immersed in it.

3. It will take around 2-3 minutes for the gelatin to melt completely. In the end you should get a smooth paste.

4. Apply it on your clean face with an old face pack brush. It is better if you apply the mask from top to bottom, so it is easier to remove.

Remember to keep it away from your eyes, eyebrows and hairline. You can apply Vaseline to your eyebrows and hairline so that the mask doesn’t stick to it. In case the mask still gets into the unwanted places, after it has dried, use hot water to remove it.

5. Let it dry completely, this will take around 20 minutes. Then peel it off very slowly and gently, firstly loosen the mask by gently tugging the ends and creating air gap in it. Take your time in removing it off your skin. It’s tough to peel it off, but trust me the effort is worth it.

6. After you have peeled it off, wash your face with cold water, to close the pores. And there you have your skin looking soft and glowing.

I’ll just briefly put in the benefits of the ingredients used in the mask. Activated Charcoal helps in clearing out dirt from your skin, fights acne and helps in achieving flawless complexion. Raw milk makes your skin look younger and healthier. It also helps in evening out the skin tone and acts as a moisturizer, so it’s great for the winters. Gelatin makes your skin softer and tighter, tell me who doesn’t want that? So to summarize it all, this pack is for softer, healthier and clearer looking skin. I have been in love with this pack, as it helped me clear out the white heads on my skin. You can use this mask twice a month.

So friends, if you try this out, let me know how it works for you in the comments below. If you have any suggestions or if there is anything you want me to write about, feel free to catch up with me here or on Google+ or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AHappyGirlWrites/) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/a,happy.girl.writes/) or on Twitter (https://twitter.com/A_Happy_Girl2) or Mirakee (http://www.mirakee.com/ahappygirlwrites) or Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/ahappygirlwrites) or on Pinterest (https://in.pinterest.com/happygirlwrites) or on We Heart It (https://weheartit.com/ahappygirlwrites). Until next time, keep smiling and I will be back soon. Don’t forget to have a happy day J.

Links to buy Activated charcoal powder:

Nykaa: http://www.nykaa.com/healthvit-activated-charcoal-powder.html

Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/Healthvit-Activated-Charcoal-Detoxifies-Digestion/dp/B0736S7W31/ 

https://www.amazon.in/Healthvit-Activated-Charcoal-Detoxifies-Digestion/dp/B01NCNJK85/

You can find gelatin in the bakery section of any super market, it also is called as jello, just look for the unflavoured one. If you can’t find it here is a link to buy Gelatin powder:

https://www.amazon.in/Natures-Secret-Pure-Gelatine-Powder/dp/B076VPGH7M/