Blog – Musings & More

The no-makeup makeup look is trending among women (and men too, mostly models) of various age groups. In this article, we will discuss the various nuances of this look, and tell you how you can achieve a flawless no makeup makeup look without giving yourself away 🙂

Why the No Makeup Makeup Look?

Here are some of the reasons why people prefer the no-makeup look…

In this article, we will discuss the causes of adult acne and treatment for the same. If you suffer from acne in your 30s, 40s or 50s, rest assured, you’re not alone!

Once you enter your 30s, you tend to safely start to assume that acne & pimples are a thing of the past. However, it comes as a rude shock when you see that your facial skin has started to develop acne & pimples! You will also be surprised to know that women with no history of acne during their teens and 20s suddenly develop acne later in life.

Typically, acne that develops in men & women aged above 30 years is referred to as ‘adult acne.’ There are a number of reasons why it occurs.

Just like you are getting older, so is your skin. You will notice many changes to your skin as you enter you are closer to 40 years and above. These include a reduction in skin oiliness if your skin type is oily. Other signs of ageing include sagging skin, fine lines, especially on the corner of your eyes (the crow’s feet area) wrinkles, and an increase in skin dryness.

However, it is never too late to incorporate the right skin care routine and other lifestyle habits to slow down these effects in case you have started experiencing them.

Here is a simple anti-ageing skin care routine that you can easily incorporate daily:

You may have a long list of new year resolutions. Is skin care among them?

Do you have skin concerns that have been bothering you for a while, but you have just accepted them? In case you wish to bid them goodbye in 2021, here are a few tips for you to fit your skin care goals into your busy schedule.

However, one must remember that one’s skin care routine should be in line with the skin type, as different skin types different forms of care.

So without much ado, here we go…

Nowadays, due to our changed habits, lifestyle disorders, pollution, and other factors, a larger number of men & women are starting to experience graying of hair at an early age, as early as in their thirties. The answer to this is hair coloring. Now, the question is how to take care of colored hair?

Hair color starts to wear off within a month of application if you don’t take special care of colored hair. In this article, we will discuss this topic in detail.

Frequent use of hair color, no matter how prestigious the brand is, is harmful for your hair in more ways than one. For starters, it speeds up hair graying, in addition to spoiling the texture of your hair.

Makeup primer is a product that creates an even & long-lasting base for face makeup. But then what makes it different from foundation?

In this article, we will discuss exactly what makeup primer is, the various types of makeup primers & the use of makeup primer before you apply your face makeup (even before foundation).

Earlier, when we spoke about base makeup, the first product that came to our mind was foundation. Later, a product known as a ‘makeup primer’ emerged, and we became aware of its various benefits.

Shaving body hair has become a common practice after the outbreak of COVID-19, as visits to the beauty salon/parlor have become rare and best avoided in most cases. With social distancing becoming the new norm, getting waxing done by a beautician has become risky, despite all the safety measures undertaken by these establishments.

For years, there has been a war about shaving versus waxing. There are various myths about shaving body hair, especially by women. In this article, we intend to bust those myths for you, as well as teach you the correct way to shave body hair so that you don’t experience razor bumps, ingrown hair, etc.

Here are a few key steps to follow while shaving body hair:

Mature skin needs a different skin care routine. It requires different inputs in terms of ingredients for skin nourishment and maintenance. To curate the best anti ageing skin care routine, it is important to select the products. Also, it is important to know that your selection of products as well as the manner in which you cleanse, tone, moisturize, etc. has to be different from what it has been so far.

In this article, we will take a look at the best skin care for mature skin.

This may sound weird, but the same eye makeup that you’ve been using for ages without a problem can suddenly give you a nasty red eye, swollen lids, or a nasty infection! This is commonly known as contact dermatitis.

Calm down, we don’t wish to scare you. In this article, we will share with you some of the most common dangers associated with using the same eye makeup for a long time. We will also discuss some guidelines on the use of eye makeup as suggested by experts.

Body butter cream has become a rage off-late due to its immensely nourishing, deep moisturizing, and anti-ageing properties. Some of the most popular natural body butters are shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, and kokum butter. They are obtained from the seeds or nuts of the respective plants/trees. They not only nourish & moisturize your skin, but also form a protective shield to lock in moisture and prevent the skin from becoming dry for long hours. They work wonders on chapped skin.

In this article, we are going to take a look at 4 of the most popular body butters, the uses of body butter, how to make body butter at home, and body butter vs body lotion. So let’s get right into it!

Typically, when we think of bamboo, we think of it as a tree with dense trunks & branches, material for the construction of homes, a home decor accessory, food for pandas, and the like. But bamboo for skincare? Is that possible? Absolutely!

In this article, we will discuss about how bamboo for skin care works wonders as the perfect gentle exfoliator/face scrub and its ability to rejuvenate and regenerate the skin due to its rich silica content.

Are you embarrassed to wear short skirts, shorts, and all your favorite clothing that shows off your knees because they are dark? Don’t worry, we you’ve come to the right place to search for home remedies for dark knees and elbows.

The occurrence of dark knees and elbows is very common. It is a form of hyperpigmentation wherein the skin on your knees and elbows produces excess melanin, which results in the skin around these areas to become darker as compared to the rest of the body. It affects people of all skin types. A larger number of people with darker skin tones are affected by it as dark skin tends to overproduce melanin.

Women from around the world seek home remedies for dark underarms, as it is a very common skin problem faced by most Indian women as well as women from around the world. It is also a very common cause for embarrassment, which prevents women suffering from underarm darkness from wearing sleeveless tops, tank tops, swim wear and other clothing that is likely to make their underarms visible to people around them. In this article, we will explore some commonly asked questions as well as home remedies for dark underarms.

The presence of facial hair has always caused great embarrassment for women. It has also been linked to low self esteem. It starts developing in young girls a little before the onset of puberty. Unlike hair on other parts of a woman’s body, facial hair is very light, soft, and thin. However, in case of women suffering from hormonal imbalances or disorders such as PCOD, PCOS, etc., facial hair growth can be quite thick and visible.

In this article, we will explore ways to get rid of facial hair naturally. Here are some very easy-to-implement home remedies to tackle this issue:

So many articles have been written about the importance of daily skin care suited to different skin types, common skin problems, etc. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most common skin care mistakes that women make in their daily skin care routine. It is important to note that apart from not using the right products, even neglecting the right hygiene practices and not paying attention to your diet & sleep are also likely to severely affect the health of your skin.

So, let’s dive into some of the common skin care mistakes made by women.

In this article, we will learn with antiperspirant means, how to choose antiperspirants for women and natural antiperspirants for hands.

Before we begin, let us understand what antiperspirant means.

Antiperspirant vs Deodorant

A deodorant is a substance in liquid form, which prevents bad body odor when sprayed on the underarms and other areas where sweat generally accumulates. On the other hand, antiperspirant means a liquid substance that comes in spray bottles, which not only prevents bad body odor, but also reduces sweating. This is because of they primarily contain aluminum…

In this article we will learn how to choose a moisturizer by learning the three main ingredients that the best moisturizers contain. A combination of these three ingredients – humectants, emollients, and occlusives in the right proportion determines the effectiveness of the moisturizer on your skin in terms of providing relief from dryness, locking in moisture for long hours, and forming a protective layer on the skin surface against allergens & other irritants.

Throughout the year, our hair goes through a lot of damage due to exposure to the sun, pollution, chlorine in swimming pools, harsh shampoos, conditioners, hair serums, and treatment with equipment such as hair dryers & hair straighteners that expose the hair to temperatures that exceed that of boiling water!

Instead of using store-bought hair masks which are often very expensive and contain plenty of chemicals that can be harmful to the health of your hair, we have put together a compilation of 2-ingredient hair masks that you can make yourself with 100% natural and easy-to-procure ingredients.

Ghee face mask is the answer to most of the skin problems that we face due to ageing and other factors. Ghee is a very versatile ingredient for enhancing the overall health of human beings. It has been used as an ingredient in Indian food recipes since times immemorial. The Ayurveda recommends its usage for curing various diseases and disorders. It has been termed as a super food. Ghee is very rich in vitamins A & D as well as a rich source of healthy fats.

As we grow older, our skin loses its elasticity. Loss of elasticity is the primary cause of sagging skin. Facial massage for skin tightening, with the help of a facial massage cream or face oil, is the easiest and best remedy for sagging skin, as it helps restore its elasticity by strengthening the tissues of the face. It encourages facial skin to repair itself and speeds up this process too.

In this article, we will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about facial massage for skin tightening.

Before we tell you how to get rid of pimples overnight DIY, let us explore the several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about how pimples form, which pimples you can pop, does dandruff cause pimples, etc.

Large or even tiny pimples on the face can be most irritating to the eye! For generations of men & women, pimples have been among the major reasons for feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.

In this article, we will explore the ins & outs of keratin treatment for hair, as well as how to do keratin treatment at home naturally. You will also learn the various types of keratin treatments for hair that are available at salons for you to determine which one suits you the most. In the end, we have provided a few DIY hair mask recipes to restore the protein in your hair for deep conditioning.

What is keratin?

Keratin is a protein. It is a vital structural building block for your skin, nails, and hair. It is protective protein that is less prone to tearing and scratching. Hence, it is a popular belief that keratin supplements & treatments can improve the health, strength, and overall beauty of hair.

Do It Yourself (DIY) face & body packs and hair care remedies with orange peel powder have been handed down from generations in India and around the world! Orange peel powder has been a vital beauty ingredient because of its innumerable therapeutic properties when it comes to maintaining beauty and health, especially its ability to lighten the skin.

Oranges are among the richest sources of Vitamin C, a vital vitamin that boosts our immune system, thus preventing common illnesses such as colds & coughs in particular. In addition, it is a secret for beautiful skin!

In this article, we will share with you some DIY lemon face cleanser recipes. Lemon is among the ingredients that are easily available in our homes. In addition to being a rich source of Vitamin C, lemon has several skin care and hair care benefits.

Here are some DIY lemon face cleanser recipes that you can prepare with ingredients available on your kitchen shelf!

Watermelon beauty hacks are very effective, especially during the summer. In addition to their numerous health benefits, watermelons are also good for our skin and hair in a several ways. No wonder they are the favorite fruits of people around the world!

Some of the skin care benefits of watermelons, owing to which they are used in various beauty hacks, include their ability to shrink the pores of the skin, which reduces oiliness. Moreover, watermelon juice is an excellent toner that helps remove the remnants of cleanser, refresh the skin post sun exposure, and provides relief from skin inflammation.

How about using this extended lockdown to learn a new makeup skill or polish your existing makeup skills?

Concealers are highly effective and versatile makeup tools. Makeup concealer and foundation work hand-in-hand to cover up a variety of scars, acne, pigmentation, and other skin imperfections. In addition to these functions, concealers can be used in various ways to enhance your best features, correct mistakes in makeup application, etc., which have been elaborated in this article.

Hello everyone! Don’t let this lockdown wear you down. Here are a few recipes of homemade face packs/masks that you can make from ingredients that you will find on your kitchen shelf. Nothing like self care and self love to lift up your spirits during these testing times! Don’t worry, this too shall pass. Until then, pamper yourself!

Pro tip: Leave any face pack/mask on your skin for 20 minutes, and wash off with lukewarm water.

Cow ghee is a semi-liquid form of butter without water content, lactose, and other milk solids. It is prepared by gently heating butter until it becomes a clear golden liquid. It is light & pure, and does not become rancid for a long time. Cow ghee is sweet in taste, cold in nature, and has a sweet after-taste. (Source: American Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics).

Cow ghee is effective in crossing the Blood Brain Barrier, due to which it is helpful in treating mental disorders. The regular consumption of cow ghee is known to enhance functions of the brain, such as memory, wisdom, and intellect. In addition, ghee promotes longevity and reproductive fluid, due to which its regular consumption is highly beneficial for children as well as the elderly. The regular intake of desi cow ghee increases appetite and provides relief from abdominal discomfort and constipation. It also significantly reduces the redness and burning sensation in the eyes.

For centuries, it has been a common practice among several Indian families to consume a homemade kaadha during winters, monsoons, as well as during the changing of seasons to boost the immunity of the entire family, as the likelihood of developing colds, coughs, and other infections during these periods is high.

In this article, we are sharing a simple yet highly effective kaadha recipe with you, which can be consumed by people of all ages, including children. It is one of the precautions you can take, along with your family, in preparation for this deadly pandemic.

So much has been written about blackheads, why they occur, and how to treat them at home. In this article, we will speak not only about the cosmetic methods of treating blackheads, but also certain diet and lifestyle changes that will prevent their recurrence.

Blackheads are those small black irritating spots that appear most commonly on the nose and chin areas. They are also sometimes found on the back, arms and behind the ear. If left untreated, they can become the cause of acne or pimples.

Carrier oils are oils that are used to dilute essential oils, such as lavender oil, tea tree oil, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, etc.  and other skin nourishing oils, such as orange oil, neem oil, lemon oil, rose hip oil, etc. as they cannot be applied directly onto the skin owing to their high concentration. The direct application of such oils on the skin can sometimes result in adverse effects. Also, essential oils tend to have a very strong fragrance, which is offset with the usage of a carrier oil for treatments such as aromatherapy massage and other skin care & skin nourishing treatments.

You keep hearing or reading these terms all over the internet, especially social media – exfoliate, exfoliator, face scrub, and the like, and wonder what are these products? This article is going to answer this question for you as well as explain why the usage of these products is an important ritual in your weekly skin care routine. So, let’s jump right into it!

What is exfoliation or scrubbing?

2019 has indeed been a very eventful and profitable year for Barva Skin Therapie, thanks to the constant love & appreciation from our distributors, and the various platforms through which we have had the opportunity to reach you 🙂

In this newsletter, we would like to share with you the story of our journey during this joyful year, and how we have grown not only as a brand, but also had the privilege of meeting new people, serving the community, and contributing to environmental conservation.

With so many shades of lipsticks in the market, it can be a daunting task for some to choose the correct shade for their skin color. In this article, we will tell you about the three broad categories of skin colors, and which lipstick shades are best suited to them.

The color of the skin can be broadly classified into three categories – fair, medium, and dark. It is recommended for you to choose your lipstick based on the color of your skin, as well as the colors of outfits that you generally wear. Any mismatch can end up making you look either too dressed up or too dramatic. In some cases, when people with dark skin use very light or neutral lipstick shades, the shades don’t seem to show at all or impart a very ashy look to the lips.

Earlier, highlighting and contouring was a skill that was possessed only by highly professional makeup artists. However, today, there are countless tutorials breaking down the same on social media platforms such as YouTube, IGTV, Instagram, etc. In this article, we will share with you some quick and easy tips for highlighting and contouring, with which you can achieve professional-style makeup on your own in the comfort of your home, without having to spend tons of money on a professional.

Red lipstick has been in vogue for almost a decade. Most makeup artists and experts agree that red is a universal shade for lipstick. What this means is that there is a shade of red lipstick for each and every skin tone. However, finding the right shade that suits your skin tone without making you look and feel overdressed or “loud” is the key. In this article, we break it down for you.

The term SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It is a relative measurement of the amount of sun protection that a sunscreen cream or lotion can offer you in terms of shielding your skin against Ultraviolet (UV) rays. It is important to note that SPF is not an ingredient, but a quality of a product, which offers protection against sun damage.

As winter is setting in, you body as well as your skin need nourishment from the harsh weather conditions that cause dry skin as well as the lethargy that generally sets in as a result of cold weather. Moreover, during the winter months, it has also been reported that those suffering from joint pain, injuries, muscular pain, etc. experience greater pain.

The advent of online shopping has brought about a lot of convenience in the day-to-day lives of people. However, as human beings, it is important for us to note that each and every activity pertaining to the purchase as well as consumption of the products/goods that we use results in a carbon footprint.

To most people, the terms “dry skin” and “dehydrated skin” sound synonymous. However, when it comes to skin care, these are two totally different concepts! For starters, dry skin is one among the three major skin types (normal, oily, and dry). On the other hand, dehydrated skin is skin that lacks moisture/water. The latter is a skin condition, not a skin type.

All of us believe that a child gives birth to a mother. In this story, not only has the child given birth to a mother, but also to a new product line! Kamakshi Barve, who I believe is a woman with a thousand stories, related a humorous yet touching incident that is experienced by almost every mother of an infant or toddler.

This happened way back in 2008 when Kamakshi was a full-time mother of a son and a daughter who was a toddler. Being a toddler, the little girl explored, touched, and grabbed every little thing she set her eyes on!

The Barva Skin Therapie Renew Bamboo Exfoliator is unique in using Bamboo in its formulation. Given that it’s rich in mineral salts and an excellent source of silica, a compound that has shown to strengthen skin and promote collagen production, Bamboo makes the perfect exfoliation agent.

Hailing from India, our simple beginnings are in a small village called Vita, in the Sangli district of Maharashtra. We converted our small farm in to a Certified Organic one for certified organic produce (safe food) required in the manufacturing of other certified organic inputs.

Being a Non-Profit Organization for farmers, we educate them to grow organic and reap its benefits while working towards a healthy environment, free of harmful chemicals. Cumulatively we are now an Association of Farmers having 150 acres of Organic Farming and Agriculture. Our products and expertise is extended not only in India but globally too.