The Two Month Beauty Regime Every Bride Needs to Follow

With your wedding around the corner, it is all the more important that you take good care of your physical appearance and mental well-being. With only a little discipline and effort you can succeed at attaining all things at your natural best like a good skin, luscious body and healthy hair etc. The only thing which would come handy; if you plan to make his heart skip a beat is your natural beauty, and here is ‘The’ regime you should follow to enhance it:

Skin food

Relieve your bathroom shelves of the various toiletries that claim to be a savior. Make a paste of Gram flour, Milk and a little Rose water. Gram Flour is known for its exfoliating qualities. Milk shrinks your pores and makes the skin smoother. Apply this paste before bathing instead of your normal body scrub; and see the magic happen to you. Add a pinch of turmeric powder, for excellent results.

Night-ly

In the books of self-care night care is weighed as important as day routine. Mix one part water; one part vinegar and two parts olive oil. Apply the mixture on face and body instead of your regular night cream. In matter of time, this solution will leave your skin glowing.

Handy Man

Solitaires need hands to make them look beautiful . Take a spoon full of powder sugar in one palm and add a few drops of olive oil and massage for one full minute. Then let your hands relax for another three-four minutes. Cleanse your hands with a hot towel and find them glowing and supple after a week’s ritual.

Fe(e)tish

Every night after you clean your feet with water and pumice stone to get rid of the dry skin; massage them with a dab of edible cream and cover with bandage or socks. Warmth will help the cream seep in and make it moisturized.

Hair

Luscious hair is every man’s fantasy. Mix one part egg yolk; one part honey and three part olive oil into a paste, and apply fifteen minutes every time before you shampoo.  This is your ultimate exihilr

    

The Champion of Saree Draping and Her Simple Secret

At a time when most Indian woman preferred to confine themselves behind the curtains of their home, Kalpana Shah of Mumbai pursued her passion of playing 'dress-up' and let it evolve into a full fledged career. As of today she has got the who's who of the Bollywood and Page 3 on here client list, all ranting who great she is with drapes!

When interviewed about her secret to a perfect saree drape, she revealed small tips and tricks that can save your day and make you look absolutely ravishing. Find them here:

-  Tie Petticoat on your right side, if you are wearing a normal saree with pallu on your left shoulder. Do the opposite in case of Gujarati style saree. When you have a net saree, tie it in the centre.

- When tucking your saree into the peticoat, start two inch right of the belly button.

- Always pleat from the edge that is going to flow free.

- The front end pleat needs to be 1/2 inch wider than the rest of the pleats.

- Make sure all the center pleats of the saree are equal.

Kalpana with her fetish for traditional Indian attire, says:

"My dearest wish is for the Indian woman to embrace her inheritance, her natural identity. And rather than struggle with it awkwardly, I would have every Indian woman wear with pride what I believe is a symbol of all that is graceful and beauteous – the eternally elegant Sari. I have had the opportunity to dress the crème de la crème of the glamour industry. I believe that a woman must be first and foremost, comfortable in a Sari. In other words her movements are not restricted with the fear that the Sari may get disarrayed." 

She launched a book called 'Whole Nine Yards' where she explained more than 100 saree draping styles.

While you learn the art of draping a saree, you might as well shop them at www.theethnicroute.com 

A Fashionista's Guide to Stylish Eid

  

I. Heavy Eye Make-up

The best way to strike a midway with your makeup and still look ravishing is to concentrate on eyes and let the rest fade away into nothingness. This eid style gurus require you to go full swing on your eyes with heavy shadows, pastel shades, non-black smokey style, cat eyes and uneven lashes. A little mascara to top and you are ready to sizzle the festivities.

II. A Maang Tikka

When it comes to accessories everything seems over-done today. To break the monotony of the times, we suggest you adorn yourself in a maang-tikka that is making a big come back this season. Available in various styles and design forms both traditional and contemporary, you need to pick one to rock one.

III. Designer Mehendi

When it comes to traditions, they can never be over-looked. However, a new twist to the old plot becomes necessary for every fashion frenzied female. Designer mehendi involves designing the henna patterns in unconventional styles than the usual ones.

IV. Nude Lips

Nude lipsticks are an absolute fashion favorite this season, pick different tones suiting your skin tone and dawn some subtlety on your lips, this eid.

VI. Sharara Suit

While there is no prescribed attire for the festival of eid, Sharara suits are the flavor of the season. Gorgeously hued pastels in Georgette, Santoon and Crepes these free flowing ensembles are a must-stock for the special day. For breath-taking party wear suits visit www.theethnicroute.com 

VII. Block Heels

Never forget the importance of foot-wear in making a style statement. Block Heels are a must have this Fall/Winter and to team them up with a sharara suit is absolutely enchanting. Available in luscious colors and patterns these are comfort and style rolled into one. 

8 Styles to Have In a Bridal Trousseau

Wedding season is in the air and all what a bride can think about is her trousseau, except of-course her love. Bridal trousseau is essentially a collection of fine clothing material that a bride collects for herself to wear after marriage. For someone who lives by the ramp trends, it becomes important to curate a fine collection of wear-ables in a trousseau that match the current trends and are inspired by traditional approach of the country.

Here are 8 Styles to Have In a Bridal Trousseau  and the links where you can purchase them:

Malaika's Dark Red Net Georgette Sharara Suit

Presenting a royal glamorous Malaika Arora's  Dark Red Net Georgette Sharara style suit with dupatta with exquisite embroidery to provide it with a regal look. Following the fashion trails from the neighboring lands, shararas have made a big comeback and need to find place in your bridal collection.

Royal Green Net Santoon Embroidered Suit Style Gown

If bored of reds, maroon and orange we take you a little off-beat in your trousseau shopping with this royal green net santoon embroidered suit style gown that sets the air ablaze with aesthetic brilliance.The ravishing suit style gown is done in fine quality fabric with a silhouette that makes you look slender.

Bewitching Orange Net Santoon Embroidered Suit Style Gown

Every trousseau is incomplete without a piece as charming as this Bewitching Orange net santoon embroidered suit style gown. This classy party dress with a ban collared jacket style look gives you a versatile option for formal occasions.

Superb Red Beige Georgette Embroidered Suit Style Gown

If silhouettes are the areas you want to take a different take, this superb red beige Georgette embroidered suit style gown is your chance to glory. Paired with dupatta to give a traditional look, this piece is the perfect mix of Indian and western.

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Classy Off white Velvet Net and Brasso Satin Embroidered Lehenga

A versatile dress that makes you experience ethnic style like nothing else, this Classy Off White Velvet Net And Brasso Satin Embroidered Lehenga is a must have for any bridal trousseau. Tailored in shades of elegance and grace, this piece comes with beautiful tapestry that makes a mystical impression with the finest embroidery.

Stylish Beige Net Georgette Embroidered Suit

Be the diva you aspire to be in this stylish beige net Georgette embroidered suit done with beautiful border work. Stunning design, delicate fabric and a stunning silhouette all in this one piece makes it like a fashion lover's first choice.

Breathtaking Orange Bemberg Georgette Saree

Everything said and done, nothing can mar the grace of a well-pleated saree. This Breathtaking Orange Bemberg Georgette Saree done with zari, stone embroidery work is a perfect party wear pick that you need in your wedding closet. A designer embroidered blouse to team with up makes the set worth while.

Abstract Red Yellow Velvet Net Embroidered Suit

When you are done and through with regular salwar kameez, lehengas and sarees, this Abstract Red Yellow Velvet Net Embroidered Suit is your best shot at stylish clothing. The short tunic top comes paired with flaired yellow pants in heavy embroidery and make for a glorious occasion wear piece. 

Designs & Designers That Ruled Lakme Fashion Week 2015

A country as stormed by a sense of fashion as India can hardly do without a fashion week, and hence the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2015 to welcome the winter chills in style. Some path-breaking designing and edgy silhouettes by labels like Huemn, Ilk, Quirk Box and Kristy De Cunha. Crisp owned the stage. Exquisite use of traditional textiles and folk embroideries was another applaud worthy at the show.

Here are 8 Designs & Designers That Ruled Lakme Fashion Week 2015:

Ritu Kumar's pink saree dress is tribute the age old tradition of pleating with a zest twist. The dress was paired with a pant and a head-gear in dull gold, to provide it an edge. A slim belt secures the pleats of the saree at the waist. While the benarsi nature and pink color of the piece walk towards feminine delicacy, pants provide it a sort of independent vibe.

Lauren sizzled the ramp in Little Shilpa's ethereal green dress. The long body-con styled piece was done in a tastefully glitter like fabric with a round neck. Some designing was provided by see-through net fabric at various corners of the piece. Lauren flaunted an off-white bag with the luscious dress.

Sobti's elegant lehenga choli sizzled the ramp in black, dull gold and a multitude of colors. Gauhar Khan looked absolutely stunning in traditional handwork embroideries and bead work running through the kalis of the lehenga and the blouse & swayed us up with all their might!

Gaurav Gupta's show was an absolute treat for every lover of the avant garde clothing in this world of fashion. This smoking hot design in black is an enticing creation silhouette and net fittings and is swaddled by the one and only Kareena Kapoor Khan. If this doesn't make you ogle, we can't say what would!

.LFW WF 2015 is a landmark event as it marks the welcome of Manish Malhotra into the world of mens' fashion. Ranbir Kapoor was the harbinger of this good news in this red velvet suit with slight texturing paired with a black and white retro shirt and a broach and golden button to accentuate it all.

Nikhil and Payal swooped all off their feet by this deductive design in dull gold and beige. This kurti tunic is a floor length piece in beige colour with ban collar and metallic embroidery. Use of dull gold is utterly ravishing. The mid length sleeves is a catching up trend for the season.

Another chic ensemble my Little Shilpa was this simple brown blazer teamed with a simple white shirt, black pants and a slim black tie for accessory. The empowering style of the design is a statement every woman needs to carry. The texture of the fabric is the stand out factor here.

A gift to all the brides-to-be, Ritu Kumar nailed it with a vibrant mix of fabrics, embroideries and silhouettes in this gorgeous lehenga dress. The intricate kalidar skirt is laden with color and is paired with silk blouse and dupatta. 

For more takes on latest Indian Fashion visit www.theethnicroute.com

Hairstyles to Rock Bad-Hair Days

Hairstyles you carry through the day can decide if you 'make it' or 'break it.' After all, the way you do your hair are definitive of a certain personality and thus are of crucial importance. In normal life routines, one can sometimes be too busy to shampoo their hair or maybe even maintain them for a while. What then is your remedy to deal with such adversities and to turn them around?

We bring to you a list of fabulous hairstyles to rock those bad hair days:

When the mess around your head really gets out of hands (read combs), just roll the shabby mass into a messy kind of bun with some braided edges. This chic style is as easy to adopt as gorgeous it looks. A few twisted knots and a pair of funky tic-tacs and you can rule the world.

Disastrous unruly hair are best tackled when tied down in intricate braids. Just take the scattered strands of your hair and tie them up high in a pony-tail. If the tail is not that appealing as it ought to 

be, just braid it down till the end and rock this one with some casual western clothing.

If you are one of the few lucky woman, bestowed with wonderful silky straight hair bad-hair days can not deter you. Comb it up all nicely to de-tangle them completely, then tie these silk-like strands into a tight top knot. Guess what? Evening an evening gala event awaits a look as crisp as the tight top knot curates.

On the days that make you feel less like a queen, throw on a braided crown and revel in its glory. Bad hair are best managed in forms of braid, to add some zest pin those braids up into a crown and rule the world around.

When a day of excessive sweating, humidity runs havoc on your natural silks, just braid the up fronts and leave the rest loose to ease your looks. This kind of style complements traditional as well as western outfits with equal vigor.

For days worse than nightmares, get that funk out and carry a hippy turban covering the most unruly parts of your hair. Not only this style looks happening but also creates an air of distinct playfulness. 

Who would have known Bad Hair days were this much fun!

Types Of Indian Handwork Embroidery Every Woman Must Own

The talk about aesthetic riches of India and abundant craftsmanship falls incomplete without the discussion of numerous embroidery styles that have thrived in the country down the chapters of history. Here, we bring them back to you , one by one:

Created meticulously with the help of a pen like needle, sequins and beads, Aari Work is one of the finest and most popular kinds of Indian embroidery on the list. The embroidery originated in 12th century to please the Mughal rulers and has evolved over time from portraits and floral motifs to modern day designs.  The main regions of availability of Aari work today is Kashmir and certain hilly slopes of Northern India.

A sincere treat to the eyes, Banjara work embroidery is an assembly of vibrantly hued threads, mirrors cut out in various geometric patterns and some simple stitches like long stitch, short stitch, herringbone and chain stitch. The work is done by traditional artisans of banjara tribe who have inherited the skills from their ancestors. Today the work is used to decorate clothes, accessories, foot wear and even upholstery. The majority of artisans of banjara work today hail from Andhra Pradesh.

A beautiful example of rich craftsman ship of India, Chamba Rumal work originated in the terrains of Himachal Pradesh in the Chamba region, initially limiting itself to only 'rumals.' The squares cut out of cotton and muslin were decked with beautiful designs created out of silk threads and metallic wires. The embroidery patterns took inspiration from mythological tales, Gods and Goddesses, animals, weapons and scenes from everyday life. The most popular colour palette followed contains orange, red, black, yellow, ultramarine, purple, pink and green.

Beautifully curated white pieces of cotton, muslin, organza and Georgette in white come decked with intricate white embroidery which is celebrated as Chikankari, Lucknow's gift to the rich cultural heritage of India. Famous as the embroidery promoted by Noor Jehan, the work boasts of 36 different kinds of stitches and a five-layered production process. Now-a-days, the work is even available on coloured/dye-able fabrics.

Counted down as one of the most loved embroidery style of the season, Gota work is native to Rajasthan and Jaipur. Pieces of zari ribbon are cut out in different shapes and sewed down at edges to form lovely patterns. Khandela and Shekhawati are the places renowned for Gota patti work.