The Celestial Mermaid

Welcome to Part 3 of the Skincare series. Today we discuss the types & effects of chemical exfoliants. When people hear "chemical exfoliants", they fear that it will damage the skin, which can be true if used carelessly. But if you do your research well, and find the right product, with the perfect amount of chemical or acid, it can do wonders for your skin. You should always check the ingredients. Also make sure to note how to use it and how long can you keep it on your skin, as some chemical exfoliants should not be left more than 15 minutes. As exfoliants make the skin sensitive to the sun, always use SPF. Below mentioned are 3 types of chemical exfoliants : AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) Suitable for combination, acne prone, normal to dry skin. They work on the surface of the skin to improve its texture, acne marks, unclog pores, remove dead cells and hyperpigmentation. Beginners should start with using just 5% AHA concentration. It makes skin sensitive to sun so avoid goi...

Welcome to Part 2 of the Skincare series. Today  we'll share how to pick products with ingredients which will be beneficial for your skin. The 3 main skin types we discuss are - normal, dry, and oily.   Hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types , especially for hydration. It is already present in our skin, so there won't be much side effects. As we age, the skin lacks hyaluronic acid, and it can lead to early signs of ageing. Your face wash  should be mild but just strong enough to remove all the dirt and not dry out the skin. A toner can do different jobs, it can clean after a face wash, unclog the pores, and can also hydrate the skin. Choose wisely according to your skin requirements and the ingredients of the products. People with normal skin type do not need a lot of hydration so a cream based moisturizer will be great. Eye cream can be cream or gel based. (Pro tip : gel can give a cooling effect) A serum with hyaluronic acid  would be a cherry on t...

Welcome to the Skincare Series. A series featuring my friend Shreya, an aspiring makeup artist & skincare enthusiast. She is here to share some of her knowledge on skincare, and help you navigate the right path to caring for your skin. Everybody's skin is different, so should every skincare routine be. Copying somebody else's routine is a big no-no, as some products may work for them but not for you. The common skin types are normal, sensitive, dry, oily, and combination. The best way to find what works for you is by doing your research. Research the products, the ingredients used in it, as well as the ingredients best for your skin type. Find out which will be good for your skin type. Listen to your skin, observe how it reacts to the products you use. If in doubt ask the experts, the dermatologists.  To give you an idea about skincare routines, Shreya will tell you about the products she uses in her skincare routine. Shreya has oily skin, so she uses products which control...

If you could only take 3 non-essential things to a desert island, what would they be? Honestly, I am so tempted to say internet, but since its non-essential, and assuming there is plenty of food and water easily available... I would pack :  1. Album of Photographs 🖼 Though I would love to be away from humans, I would really love to remember and think of my family & friends. 2. Any music player with 1000+ songs downloaded 🎧 I can imagine myself listening to music, dancing like no one watching, and literally no one would be watching, because the island is deserted 😂 3. Books, loads of them. Notebooks, novels, comics, everything 📖 Another way I would spend my time will definitely be reading and/or writing. Finally would have the time to read EVERYTHING , and not worry about not getting "other" things done. What 3 non-essential things would you take to a desert island? Comment below, I would love to hear from you. Also do you think you would survive there? Though it would...

     If you are looking for you next read, worry not. Here's my top 5 favourite romance novels. If you are hopelessly romantic, you would definitely love these recommendations. Four of these books are also adapted into movies.  1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes Scence from the movie 'Me Before You' Me Before You (Hardcover) Admist the backdrop of rich and working class, is the love story of Louisa & William. Me Before You is about love, taking risks, exploring who you are and who you want to be. Lou is so kind, caring, quirky, and full of colour. Will is wise, handsome, and has some quirks of his own. There are so many components of their life, that got left out in the movie.  P.S. : Me Before You is a Trilogy. The sequel books are 'After You' and 'Still Me'. I haven't read the other two, but I'm looking forward to it. Also a novella 'Lou in Lockdown'. If you have read all the 3 novels, tell me about it in the comments below.  2. A Walk to R...

Dear Teachers, Thank you! A very big THANK YOU! Thank you for teaching us. Thank you for tolerating our mischiefs. Thank you for working hard day and night. Thank you for being present, even when you fall sick. Thank you for celebrating our achievements. Thank you for uplifting us when we fail. Thank you for inspiring us every day. “A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart.” Teaching is a profession that requires you to put countless others before yourself. You shape young minds and prepare them for a bright future. Even in this difficult time of the pandemic, where we all are secluded in our homes, you found ways to connect with us. You make time to answer all our queries. You are always ready to help us solve all our problems. Teachers act as a foundation pillar in building our character. Your wisdom is very valuable to us. You are a role model in this society. Thank you for all that you have done for us and inspiring us to be better version of ourselves every day.

Covid-19 struck the world like lightening, and everything was shut down overnight. People could not leave their houses. Schools and colleges were forced to close. Businesses had to shut down. People were laid off from their jobs. The pandemic uprooted our lives, in a blink of an eye. Scientists all over the world were trying to figure out this new virus, and find its cure. Thanks to the advancement in science and medicine, we soon learnt ways to avoid and slow the spread of the virus. With time, we adapted technology to keep our day-to-day lives on track. We couldn’t meet our loved ones in person, but we can still see and talk to them through video calling. We found communities with who we share our interests on social media. Though schools and colleges switched from desks and benches in our classrooms, to the comfort of our couches. Teachers found new ways to interact with students, through online classrooms and video conferencing applications. Digital India opportunities in this peri...