Why I don't like Heat Styling

All of us know that using hot tools and heat styling isn't really good for our hair. Yet we insist on doing so. Why is that? Just to look a little better, we are sacrificing the health of our hair. We already know it is damaging. We know about split ends, and straw like hair but we continue doing things. Today, I'm talking specifically about heat styling though.

Hair fibers are essentially made up of proteins. The protein in our hair and nails is called keratin. therefore, even though our hair fibers aren't technically living, it is still made of proteins and they need to get nutrition for the hair to be healthy. For this, you need to baby your hair and care about it just like you care for your skin. You don't skimp on moisturizing and treating your skin well, so why not extend the same courtesy to you hair?

When you use hot tools, you are making your hair brittle each time you use it. The strands become dull, dry, damaged; not to mention scary split ends! Reducing the use of hot tools can go a long way in repairing the hair damage to your strands.
 
Heat makes your hair brittle from the follicles all along the hair shaft - all the way to the tips. So it isn't a healthy option under any circumstances. The heat actually boils and drives out the water from the shaft, leading to cuticle damage as well as breaking the proteins, leading to brittle, easily breakable hair.

I do not use hot tools AT ALL on my hair. I experiment with my hair a lot, but I do not use any daily heat treatments on my hair. I use it very very rarely. The last time I used a hot tool was at my cousin's wedding a few months back. And I used a hair dryer set on low. That's all. No hot tools, no products.

I understand that not all of you would be able to completely quit heat styling, as many of you are so used to it, but trust me on this, try to cut back a little everyday, and you'll get used to going all natural with your hair. And your hair will thank you for it too!

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram, and do comment below :)

BNLF - Blog Now, Live Forever

BNLF - Blog Now, Live Forever.

What is it exactly?

It's a disruptive conference on blogging, spread over two days. That's 31st Oct-1st Nov. Organised, of course, by Indiblogger! Because who else would make that kind of effort for us bloggers? It's really awesome how much effort the Indiblogger team puts into making this a truly engaging conference that would help bloggers at every stage of their blogging career. Indiblogger is, without a doubt, made up of the most supportive team I've seen, and they give us so many opportunities. Thank you, Indiblogger!

Read about the Agenda. I'll wait.

Back? Isn't it awesome? Yes, I can't believe it either. 

I applied for passes for both days immediately. I was so happy when my blog was approved. I was looking forward to learning a lot as well as having a great time. I found out about Indicrew. Indicrew is made of awesome-sauce people who will be running around all day, helping the Indiblogger team, and trying to make your experience comfortable. I applied for it, assuming I wouldn't be selected, because I'm only a newbie. But guess what? I was! I'm part of Indistage. See the badge on the side bar? *proud*  

I'll put it here again. Because I can.

So, you'll see me and my fellow crew members there, having a great time and making sure you do too.

For more information on the keynote speakers at the event, check out Shashi's blog. He has written quite comprehensively about the event as well as the keynote speakers and the agenda. He is also part of the crew.

I'll be covering the event across social media too, so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram for live updates.

See you there!

Myra

I'm lovin Bloglovin'!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I recently discovered Bloglovin', and I'm so glad that this exists! It's such a convenient way to follow all your favorite blogs, and stay updated with all their new posts. As a blogger just starting out, it is great to have that kind of inspiration that takes you forward everyday. For that, I am grateful.

Also, I have a tendency to bookmarks posts that I am unable to read just then, which then proceed to get lost in the multitude of bookmarks I have in the first place. Here, you can just mark them as favorites, so it can hold all my favorite inspiring posts as well as stuff I can keep for later!

I wish I had discovered this sooner! Bloglovin' really simplifies things for all bloggers and readers out there. And that's what The Pretty Simple Life is all about. Keep reading! And follow me on Bloglovin' :)

Goody Bag from the Dabur Vatika Hair Oil Launch

As you might know, I attended an event last Saturday, for the launch of Dabur Vatika hair oil. I received a goody bag from the event.

What was inside?

A bottle of Enriched Coconut hair oil, along with their newly launched Jasmine Coconut Oil, and a gift wrapped box! Wonder what's in it?

It's a Philips ceramic hair straightener! Quite a generous gift, but I try to use heat styling products as less as possible - say, once or twice a year at max. It is quite sleek, however.

I am definitely looking forward to trying out the hair products though.

 
Thank you, Vatika!

Dabur Vatika Jasmine Hair Oil - Product Launch

I attended the Dabur Vatika Jasmine Coconut Hair Oil product launch on Saturday. It was part of a special feature, Dabur + Indiblogger, where 40 female bloggers from all over the city were invited to be part of the exciting new launch.

This was the very first launch I attended and it was a great experience. Being my first, I really have nothing to compare it with, but I'll tell you what happened there; and I'm sure you'll agree with me.

First off, a live band performance, including Vineet of Indiblogger! It was a pleasant surprise and super fun. Everyone sang along (whoever knew the words) and the others were swaying, foot-tapping, and just generally enjoying the music.

After that, there was a bout of headbanging, both on and off stage. The stage effects were very well executed and it really made a difference to the atmosphere of the place. 

That definitely took the energy level up a few notches.

After that, there was a session with Dabur representatives who told us about the history of Dabur as a company as well as the evolution of their hair products with time. They sell way more merchandise variants globally, as compared to their India offerings. I wonder why they don't sell the same in India?

Then came the actual product unveiling.

The background you see in the band pics? Yep, that actually slid apart to reveal a human size model (not life size - a bottle's life size would be the bottle size. Because that's true to life. However, this was human size). Also, the light and smoke effects were there even previously at the band performance. But this was a step ahead. When the big reveal happened, the air filled with a jasmine scent that seemed to come out of nowhere! I was glad to be a part of live experiential marketing, again a first for me. I even tweeted about it here.

After that, the Dabur reps and the bloggers discussed remedies and tips for hair care.

Post the bonding session, we had lunch. Here's some dessert:

Ferrero Rocher Ice cream!

Cheesecake

Oh and another cool thing: there was a station outside where once could get 'champi' or hair oil massage with the new Jasmine Hair Oil from Vatika. This was followed by a wash, and hairstyling. Such indulgence! And a few of my fellow bloggers waiting their turn :)

I got a goody bag too! But that's for another post.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram!

And do comment below - constructive comments are always welcome.

What is Beauty All About?

All the world over, everyone strives for beauty in some form or the other. 

Inner beauty, 'outer' beauty; whatever it may be. And that's a good thing. Making yourself the best version of you is an admirable goal. It's a process; a journey. And both aspects are equally fulfilling.

Making yourself a good, warm, amazing person is one of the most selfless acts you can do. You are making yourself a better person, and spreading happiness all around. If you come in even passing contact with such a person, they would just brighten up your day. They're so full of positivity that it adds a touch of sunshine to your day.

Making yourself more attractive - physically - is also a good endeavor. Of course you want to look good. Everyone does. So why not be pretty in each sense of the word and make yourself happy, while spreading joy all around?

When it all ties together and gives you a sense of satisfaction; that is when you know that you have truly unlocked another level of peace, and this is what we all strive for, knowingly or unknowingly.

Photo Credits:
indulgy.com

Simplicity

What exactly does one mean by simplicity?

Before I explain that, let me make a few basics clear for you. I am not talking about simplicity as minimalism in the sense of a fashion style of interior design choice. My idea of simplicity has definitely been inspired by minimalism, though.

The simplicity I talk about is a lifestyle choice. I have been intrigued by minimalism for a long time – I tried to apply it to my life in bits and parts. Changing your lifestyle is a big thing. Over time, I realized that that level of minimalism is not for me. I cannot be that extreme, living with 50 possessions or spending a month in 22 articles of clothing or suchlike. I absolutely admire the people who can do that, but it's just not for me. 

I need more things than that. But those things are either things I need or things that make me happy. In this age of ease of access, it is very easy to fill up your life with too many things that you don't need. All they do is add clutter to the space around you, and clutter never helped anybody. Even if you are one of those people who are kinda messy and have stuff lying around, you can still find everything you need because you know exactly where things are in that pile. I'm like that too sometimes. I'm not saying that you should be super neat. I'm saying even if it's a mess, make the mess full of things that add value to your life. Make it such that each of those things fulfill a purpose in your life -  be it about work, or your dreams, something that makes you smile, chocolate chip cookies, inspiring stuff. But definitely chocolate cookies.

I also am not limiting this to your possessions and the area around you. It is about simplifying your life in general - making time for the things that are the most important to you. It's about leading a more productive and fulfilling life.

In conclusion, I would rather, in the words of William Morris, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."  My focus is on simplicity and quality, in every aspect of life.

Photo Credits:

seanwes.com

buzzquotes.com