Whats in your summer makeup bag?

Here are some essentials you should be carrying around this summer! (They are all available online)

Basicare Natural Facial Oil Blotting Paper

These blotting sheets blot away and absorb excess oil or sweat without compromising makeup.

Clinique SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face

This hydrating face fluidsmooths skin, prepping it for the rest of makeup while including broad spectrum SPF 50. It contains skin-loving ingredients to wake up tired skin.

M.A.C Prep + Prime CC Colour Correcting SPF 30

Equipped with high protection SPF 30, this is a reliable partner for foundation. The creamy, lightweight formula meets all the desires from creating to maintaining a flawless complexion: as a multi-tasking tinted primer, colour corrector and sun protectant that contains light hydrating properties while controlling oil. Apply under foundation for a subtle glow.

Lakme Absolute Bronzer - Sun Kissed

'The Illuminate Look' is all about shimmer, translucent and lustrous makeup, with a reflective shimmer finish. 

The Lakme Absolute Sun Kissed Bronzer is the latest addition to Lakme's new range of Illuminating Makeup, to create red carpet lustre every day. The Lakme Absolute Sun Kissed is a limited edition makeup collectible bronzer that gives your skin a natural sun-kissed glow.

L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara

Extend your lashes with L'Oreal Paris Butterfly Mascara. It is an revolutionary mascara which gives your lashes winked out effect. The brush is made with cacoon fibre that wraps the eyelashes.

• It stretches the lashes to corner.
• The wing-tip brush that lengthens, stretches and volumises every lash.
• It applies evenly and does not leave any lumps.
• It does not smudge and last for long hours.
• It defines and separates each lash.

Maybelline New York The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette

Summer is not the time to rock a smoky eye for day, so your makeup bag should include at least one great natural eye palette.

GlamGals Glide-On Eye Pencil

Your eyeliner needs to stay in place for the day, and this creamy, glide-on eyeliner does just that. I like that there are so many shades available, and it's so easy to apply and still smudge so your line can be thick, thin or soft.

NYX Cosmetics Studio Finishing Powder

This powder is one of the few that I can use for summer, it is the only one I depend on. It absorbs oil, blurs away imperfections and provides a soft, matte finish to the skin. I swear it keeps makeup looking fresher longer too.

Nude lipstick of your choice!

The nude lipstick trend is not going away and you are going to need one great shade to get you through the summer.

Rings and Strings is all set to beat the heat this summer. What about you? 

Fun Ideas For Summer Snacks - A healthy diet for those sudden summer cravings

Are random mid day hunger fits killing your vibe? Don't be alarmed and don't resist! Just go with it, treat yourself :)

Here are some fun snacks you can make for yourself to quench your thirst for all things sweet and summery.


1. Watermelon cups



Just add some bits of cucumber and sprinkle feta cheese for a tangy treat!

2. Fruit Pizza (wow)



This is UNBEATABLE!

Find the full recipe here - http://hungryhappenings.com/2015/07/strawberry-kiwi-fruit-pizza-watermelon.html/

3. Frozen blueberry bites



Simply to die for!

Get to the full recipe here: http://www.liveeatlearn.com/frozen-blueberry-bites/

4. Cucumber Sushi Rolls



If you love sushi, head on to the grocery store and pick up some cucumber, avocado, rice, carrots, red and orange peppers. Simple as that!

5. Frozen banana bites (Covered in CHOCOLAT!)



 A little party never hurt nobody. This is a party in your mouth, for sure!
Get the full recipe here: http://theviewfromgreatisland.com/copycat-trader-joes-gone-bananas/

6. AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE! A papaya boat :)



Loaded with fruit and flavor!
Get the full recipe here: http://minimalistbaker.com/tropical-papaya-boats/

We hope these 6 fun recipes help you and your taste buds have a wonderful, guilt-free summer!

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks from Rings and Strings to #beattheheat

Rings and Strings' Traditional Makeovers!

Make up artist: Lyn Vassou

Featured Model: Sancher D'souza

Sancher D'souza called us in to help with her hair and make up for a traditional photo shoot

We used very light shades to highlight her best features and let her hair flow loosely and gave her curls at the tips.

For her lips - A rusty red 

With a little contouring and highlighting, we were able to define her cheekbones beautifully.

A light gold and pink combination for her eyes (for another outfit) and a shiny pink shade of lipstick.

We gave her a gorgeous side bun for this outfit and the results were stunning!

Sunscreen – A life saver. Find out why before it's too late

Living in a city like Chennai, we’ve all got burnt by the sun at some point or the other no matter how much we try to avoid it. 

Let’s get things straight. You NEED sunscreen during the summer whether you like it or not.

Here’s why – The sun exposes us to two kinds of radiation.

UVA - long wavelengths of harmful rays that promote tanning and aging, with capabilities to penetrate deep into the skin.

UVB – Short wavelengths of rays that cause redness and skin cancer.

Getting sun burnt increases your chances of skin cancer and melanoma.

 

Here are some other effects if you aren’t spooked out yet – fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tone and darkened acne spots. 

Now that you know how cruel our big bright source of life is, you should probably figure out how to protect yourself against it.

CHOOSING A SUNBLOCK

There are three kinds – PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, MIXTURE

PHYSICAL – Deflects/Blocks rays from skin, very stable and usually leaves a white cast. (Look for titanium dioxide and zinc oxide)

CHEMICAL – Absorbs rays to prevent penetration. It is usually stable and doesn’t leave a white cast. (Look for avobenzone, oxybenzone, octylcrylene, uvinul, octisalate, homosalate, helioplex and meroxyl) I know, it sounds like Greek and Latin, just go with it.

MIXTURE –Mix of both physical and chemical sunscreens with a minimal white cast. (Look for any combination of either types)

CHOOSE TYPE OF APPLICATION

Are you going to use an SPF stick? A mist or spray? A cream/gel? Or a powder? This is totally up to you.

CHOOSE LEVEL OF PROTECTION

SPF – how much? Let’s do the math. Imagine a person can stay in the sun for 10 minutes before they get a sunburn. If he applies SPF 50 his safe sun duration is 10(base)x50(SPF)=500 minutes.

THE PA SCALE – Some screens use a photo aging scale. The scale shows protection level and looks a bit like PA+ or PA++ or PA++ You get the idea. The more +’s, the more protection. Plenty of makeup has SPF/PA on them but it’s unlikely that it will provide enough.

APPLY – at least ¼ teaspoon for face and neck. Apply around 1 oz for body.

REAPPLY – OFTEN! UV Rays are the strongest from 12 PM to 4 PM. Make sure you reapply every 2 hours.

INCREASED PROTECTION – Sunglasses, hats, SPF Lip Balm, RUN to the shade whenever possible.

Few do’s and dont’s

Try and avoid the spray type and powder type sun screens. Just trust us, okay?

Avoid super HIGH SPF

No Oxybenzone and other endocrine disrupting chemicals

No retinyl palmitate

Throw away bug repellents that come with sunscreen

NO Tanning oils (not that we use a whole lot of those in India)

Apply sunscreen after moisturizer and before using a primer.

Try to apply it at least 15 minutes before you get out of the house.  

I know, I know, that's a lot of information. But we wouldn't be telling you this if it wasn't important!

Don't get cooked this summer :)