Skin Tips To Keep You Glowing This Winter Season

Winter may be about to say it’s goodbye while leaving us with the usual problems that it brings in tow: dryness, rough hands, cracking, peeling and chapped lips. Well, not to fret! We’ve compiled a list of winter ‘ to do’ things. 

The real problem? Using the same products that we use throughout the year; Foaming face washes, alcohol-based toners, and astringents are all designed to strip oil — and in winter ladies, there's little oil to strip.

So make sure to follow through on a few of these tips to keep looking great this winter.

Exfoliate! It’s a must, and cannot be emphasized enough. The best way to get the maximum benefit from any product that you use is to make sure that you prep your skin. An exfoliator with gentle granules (not made with any nuts) is the best. Also, winter is actually the best season to start using Retin A (but do make sure to talk to your dermatologist before using it as it can have unwanted side effects.)

Sunscreen. Yes, it’s winter and it might get cloudy – but that doesn’t mean the sun isn’t there. Sunburn can happen even if it’s not sunny. So make sure to slather on some SPF 30 (at least)! Another tip is to buy make-up or moisturizer that already has SPF in it. Sunscreen is a must the whole year round – even indoors.

Hydrating Mask:  when your regular products are just not doing what they should! Look for a mask with sunflower oil, cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seed oil), tocopherol (vitamin E) or glycerin and make sure to use it once a week. Switching your moisturizer in winter to something a little thicker or with some these ingredients should also do the trick.

Chapstick. So you wear a luxurious lipstick… but in winters even that can’t salvage chapped lips. Time to think beyond the balm and treat lips to the same TLC the rest of your face enjoys. Want to try a little home remedy? Try exfoliating with a mixture of fine salt and olive oil, which is an effective and easy little regimen. For painfully chapped lips, use a dab of hydrocortisone cream once a day for no more than a week. 

Now, don’t let winter cramp your style and enjoy the season while it lasts and still look fabulous! 

Bol

I still haven’t seen this hyped up film by Shoaib Mansoor!

Starring Atif Aslam, Humaima Abbasi Mahira Khan, Shafqat Cheema, Manzar Sehbai, Zaib Rehman and Amr Kashmiri in the lead roles, it promises to be as boldly dramatic as Mansoor’s first film, Khuda Kay Liye.

How many of you have seen it? And what did you think – hit or miss?

Animal Prints – Love or Hate?

Here’s a confession: I’m terrified of animal prints.

Shoes by Matthew Williamson

I know, I know, they’re supposed to be extremely in fashion and yes, I can appreciate that they do look good in some cases but… I. Just. Can’t. Wear. Them. In fact I'd even go so far as to say that animal prints are a classic style that's stood the test of time.

That’s not to say I don’t buy animal prints. I do, but unfortunately they sit at the back of my closet patiently waiting for the day I’ll take them out. I don’t know if I’m too scared of the loud patterns or if I just don’t know how to style it.

Bag by Valentino

What do you guys think? Trashy or trendy? If you’re a follower of this trend (and even if you’re not) let me know what you think!

Animal prints on the runway

Red carpet sightings

Saira Bano in 'Padosan' (1968)

Quick Fix: 5-minute Cake-in-a-Mug!

Attention, chocoholics! For those of you whose sweet tooth governs your heart (you know who you are!) we've found a super-quick, no-fuss chocolate cake recipe that's perfect for when you have that uncontrollable craving for some delicious dessert.

Ingredients:

• 4 Tablespoons cake flour
• 4 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa
• 1 Egg
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• 3 Tablespoons oil
• 1 Mug

Method:

1. Mix flour, sugar and cocoa
2. Spoon in 1 egg
3. Pour in milk and oil, and mix well
4. Put in microwave for 3 minutes on maximum power
5. Wait until it stops rising and sets in the mug
6. Eat the cake right out of the mug

(Source: Chow Bella Kids) 

Not a cake lover? Click here for instructions on how to make an omelette in a mug!

How to Tie a Scarf

There are so many ways to wear a scarf, we've lost count! We think scarves are great for adding the finishing touches to any outfit and we wanted to share some of our favourite styles with you guys.

On our travels across the internet we came across this great tutorial that shows how to wear scarves in six different ways. We know this will be a valuable resource for all you scarf lovers out there! Do check out the whole thing if you get a chance. In the mean time, here are our favourite styles:

All Work and No Playlist?

Here at Daaman we can’t seem to get any work done without the perfect soundtrack. It’s got to be fun and energetic and it’s definitely got to be foot-tappingly addictive.

These songs are currently topping our most-played list:

And now it's your turn: what’s on your playlist? Which songs do you have on repeat? Tell us all!

From Lawn to Dusk

It seems like every designer had a lawn exhibition this season. Junaid Jamshed, Deepak Perwani, HSY, Asim Jofa, Nomi Ansari, Umar Sayeed and the reigning queens of lawn, Sana Safinaz, were just some of the big names this summer.

I loved the glamorous billboards that sprung up all over the country but I for one am not a fan of the complete chaos that designers expect us to go through just to get our hands on one three-piece suit. 

For my own piece of mind I prefer taking the ready-to-wear route!

Did you guys venture out to any of the jam-packed exhibitions this season? I’d love to hear your experiences!

On a side note, I love this hilariously topical ad for Simple Dimple, the convenient food delivery service: