By Papri Das

It?s already the last quarter of summer this year and as much as we are rejoicing in anticipation of the fading out heat, we can?t say the same about the sun burn and the tan that summer has left us with - a predicament we go through every year. And not just Summer alone. Those who have an out and about job that requires them to be outdoors for long periods of time, constantly suffer from a sun tan. That being the case, frequent visits to the salon can?t be the solution to this long term problem. Even if you can afford it, frequent use of chemical bleaches and whitening agents can leave a lasting affect on your skin.

Therefore skin experts and beauticians suggest homemade de-tanning remedies, which can be easily cooked up from a list of very common natural ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen.

Exec Lifestyle lists a few of them here:

1. Lemon Juice

This is perhaps the most widely accepted and effective anti-tanning natural agent out there, thanks to its natural bleaching properties. Apart from producing miraculous results from direct application, it is also used with other substances to optimize their effect.

You can simply apply some fresh lemon juice on the affected skin area and allow it to dry before washing the area with water. You can also add some sugar to lemon juice and rub it gently on the skin in circles until the sugar melts. This acts as an exfoliating scrub that peels off the dead skin bringing out its softness, while the lemon helps cure the tan.

2. Yogurt

Sun tan gets worse if you have dry skin, leaving patches of burnt dark spots on exposed parts of the body, like face and hands. Yogurt, which is a natural moisturizing agent, acts like a charm for them when it comes to reducing sunburn. It not only cools the skin and reduces the redness but also tightens the pores.

It works best when taken with other bleaching agents like tomato and cucumber. Take a cup of plain yogurt and add the juice of one cucumber and one tomato. And often adding some besan (Bengali Gram flour) to it, can make it into a wholesome pack. All you need to do is apply it on the affected areas and rinse after keeping it for 30 minutes.

For those who have no time to spare, just add lemon juice to some fresh yogurt and massage your face with it for few minutes before taking a shower. Regular use gives best result.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is every beautician?s best friend, because it is used in almost all skin damage remedies due its high medicinal qualities. Aloe vera works very fast when it comes to tanned skin and will lighten the skin within a week, if applied daily to the affected area. It also keeps the skin fresh, cool and hydrated.

4. Potato

Potato is probably everyone?s favourite accompaniment when it comes to food. Who doesn?t love a whipped up creamy mash with their steak or some fries or wedges with their fast food? But did you know that raw potato is an excellent remedy for sun-tanned skin?  Surprisingly, it is rich in vitamin C and hence, works as natural bleach. It also helps soothe sunburn.

Peel the skin off two to three medium-sized potatoes, cut them into chunks and put them in a blender to make a paste. Apply the paste generously all over the affected skin area. Let it dry for about 30 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. For best results, you can also add some lemon juice to the potato paste before applying it.

5. Gram Flour

Gram flour, which is commonly called besan, is a common and recurring item used in home remedies. It is very useful in treating a sun-tan thanks to its dual function - the solid granules help remove dead skin cells and leaves your skin bright and young. Once it is reduces to a paste, it enters the skin?s pores and acts on the burned areas from within. You can use the gram flour powder available in market or make a paste of whole green gram, by mixing the gram flour in water and rub it all over the affected skin area.

6. Cucumber

Like Aloe Vera, +is also a cooling agent as it soothes the burnt skin. The vitamin C in cucumbers also will help keep the skin well moisturized. Here?s how to make the most of it:

Mix two tablespoons of fresh cucumber juice and one tablespoon of lime juice. Add a pinch of turmeric to it. Mix it well and apply it on the affected skin. Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it off with water. You can also rub freshly cut slices of cucumber on your skin.

7. Papaya:

Papayas are delicious as fruits, but it also has countless merits when it comes to being used a home remedy to skin problems, especially for sun burn and skin tan. Papaya is rich in antioxidants, which helps give your skin a radiant glow and a smooth finish, and is an excellent beauty choice for de-tanning.

Mash a few pieces of papaya and apply the pulp on affected parts of skin. Wash it off after 15-20 minutes. Your skin will glow instantly after a wash. You can also use avocado instead of papaya or a mixture of both in equal quantities.

By Papri Das

There was a time when a good quality pen would symbolise knowledge, affluence and empowerment; when youngsters would be a ball of excitement on receiving their first fountain pen; when revolutionary ideas would be penned down to change history of nations. Now it would be safe to say that the ?once mightier than the sword? pen couldn?t survive the onslaught of the digital era and the keys on your device?s touchpad.

Or is it?

A recent report from The Economic Times read that more and more foreign luxury pen brands are finding India to be a booming market place for their products. While the use of regular pens may have gone down drastically, high-end luxury pens still continue to enjoy high esteem amongst the affluent and the well-established lot. Pens have evolved from being a practical necessity to a connoisseur?s luxury. Exec Lifestyle spoke to several eminent personalities from the media to explore their romance with pens.

Although a very clich? practice, but any discussion about writing instruments almost always starts with a writer, and so Exec Lifestyle caught up with television screenplay writer and author Gajra Kottary. ?Writing with pen has more of an emotional value to me these days. I used pen and paper till I was writing the script for Astitva, one of the daily television shows I have worked on,? says the charming author who has also penned the television show Ghar Ek Sapnaa. Admitting the difficulties she faced in switching to the digital platforms, Kottary says that things have changed drastically for her. ?I can't write the same amount of content with a pen, which I do digitally. Quite the irony, isn't it??

Kottary?s collection of luxury pens is in double digits now. ?I have gathered so many of them that these days I have to request people not to gift me pens anymore cause it is a shame to see them simply showcased in a shelf,? she says.

Amongst the collection, one that is close to her heart is classy ST Dupont pen. ?I have over ten luxury pens ranging between Montblancs, Cartier and more, but my favourite is a Shantung from ST Dupont. It has an amazing design and a beautiful blue color. What adds to my emotional connect to it is the fact that my husband gifted it to me on one of our anniversaries,? she reminisces.

Kottary isn?t the only own who invests special sentiments in a pen. Ogilvy and Mather executive creative director Sumanto Chattapadhyay shares how he cherished the Montblanc his parents gifted him. ?When I was in school, my parents gifted me a Montblanc pen. In those days, it was a big deal to be able to afford a branded pen like that so it was a memorable instance in my life. I remember holding it close to my heart through my college, until one fateful day it got stolen. I was really upset by its loss,? says the creative genius, who also made an appearance in the recently released Piku.

Perhaps it is this loss, or his habit of misplacing pens in general, that keeps him from using luxury pens on a day-to-day basis. Instead he invests in the cheaper ones and buys them in bulk, while preserving the special edition ones. ?Someone recently gifted me a calligraphy pen or a quill, which needs to be dipped in an ink pot to use,? gushes Chattopadhyay. ?But when it comes to writing on a day to day basis, I honestly prefer the use and throw dot pens.?

This formula resonates well with most executives. BBH India CEO Subhash Kamath admits that he too shies away from using his luxury pens and instead goes in the ?use and throw? direction. ?Yes I have quite a few Montblancs, Waterman and Sheaffer (courtesy gifts) but I hardly ever use them. I prefer using my regular Camlin or Add Gel pens for everyday use,? he says.

While many consider possessing a classy luxury pen as a sign of status, for many is gives a sense of empowerment. A fine example is Sonic and Nickelodeon India executive vice president Nina Jaipuria. ?A pen gives me a strange sense of empowerment. Compared to a digital signature, when it comes to signing to officialise a document, pens are the first and last choice. It gives you a certain sense of power. A single sign can make a huge difference in your or another's life,? says the lady.

Like any other established creative professional Jaipuria too had her fair share of luxury pens gifted to her on various occasions. However, the one that stands out is the very personalised gift she received a couple of years back. ?I am particularly fond of this pen, which was gifted to me by a close associate of mine a couple of years back. It is carved out of wood completely with a non-refillable gel ink in it. What makes it more special is that not just the case but the pen too bears my name,? she says adding further that she takes care not to use it too often. ?I make sure to use it judiciary, fearing that the pen will run out of the ink, at the same time not to keep it in the box too long as the ink may end up drying.?

These were a few anecdotes from India?s top media executives on their love for good luxury pens. What is your pen story? Do share with us on the comment box below.

Exec Lifestyle?s Weekend Watch recommends and previews television shows, films and live events that you simply cannot miss! Check out our recommendations for this weekend (29-31 May 2015)

About Town:

This weekend, art connoisseurs can look forward to Games People Play,  an exhibition by artist duo Thukral & Tagra symbolising the walk of life. According the artists the game aims to impart the meaning of life to those who play it, in effect by paying off one?s debts and equalising one?s score. In a way, the objective of the show is to present the cycle of karma and reach the finish line.

Their works will be displayed at Bhau Daji Lad Museum (Byculla) from 11 am to 7 pm.

Live Act:

After a long and tiring weekend, it?s time to let your hair down and party hard with a series of exciting EDM acts at China 1.  #DancingintheDeep / #DeepinDance Groovearth brings to you deep EDM music's finest talent from India and across the globe. Catch them come together and make you sweat over their collection of minimal, deep disco and thumping techno Tunes. So grab your tickets and get grooving at China 1, Andheri 10 pm onwards.

Television:

Ten HD:

Football lovers can gather their friends and catch the exciting finale match between Spanish La Liga Champions Barcelona FC and Italian SerieA triumphant Juventus in Olympiastadion Stadium, Berlin on 6 June. The live broadcast will air on  Ten Sports, Ten Hd and Ten Action this Sunday at the wee hours of 12.15 am in the morning.

?You can judge a gentleman by his shoes? is a familiar phrase to most of us, but surely in this day and age such archaic ideas are obsolete, right? Wrong, says well-known vlogger, blogger and men?s fashion stylist Monish Panjabi from The Snazzy Man. Footwear still forms a very integral part of fashion for men. Men?s fashion is not as limitless as women?s fashion can be. Shoes are one thing, which leaves room for some versatility.

All you need to do is pay a little more attention to what you walk in. If you are one of those who never gave a flying thought about fashion, and buy whatever black shoe you pick up first that fits you, then more options may actually confuse you and you may end up making a fashion disaster. To avoid that, Exec Lifestyle has compiled a list with the help of stylist Monish Panjabi that will be your guide for fashionable footwear.

Dare to experiment:

While most men keep it simple as far as their wardrobe is concerned, they are fairly open to experimenting with footwear. A good footwear is the key to a great look and in order to look sharp at all times, it is absolutely essential that your shoe game be on point. Top executives represent the brand/company they work for, so coming across anything but well dressed and prim is not an option.

Step in the boss?s shoes:

As far as corporate footwear is concerned you have to make sure that whatever you wear is representative of the work environment and at the same time reflects your own unique personality too. Keeping in mind the dress code followed by most corporates, Oxford Brogues and Monk Strap shoes are two varieties that can be styled effectively while giving it a wee bit more character than your usual wingtip formal shoes. These shoes come in various light and dark hues that can be worn in contrast with formal wear.

This season?s favourites:

Penny Loafers are trending this season. Its versatility is what makes it such a great piece. It can be worn with casuals for an edgy look and of course with formals because of the timeless cut and design. The same goes for Captoe Brogues since they are more playful with colour, using contrast detailing for a snazzy look. Strictly for corporate wear, this season, deeper maroons and mahogany have been trending. These colours go extremely well when paired with or against a variety of colours. Panjabi suggests investing in one such statement-making colour that can spruce up your otherwise standard work look.

Going the brand way:

For shoes, the top trending brands are Ruosh, Knotty Derby, Steve Madden, Aldo and Clarks. These brands have superb designs, great fits and most of all top-notch quality.

Follow their footprints:

Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor strut the red carpets with their eccentric sense of style in the outfits they wear. Whether it's formal, semi formal or casual, the outfits are always on point. These two have been rocking the modern brogue trend very often with their formal suits, dinner jackets and indo-fusion outfits.David Gandy and David Beckham have been flaunting the Captoe Brogues and the Penny Loafers (in various colours) quite effortlessly. These are perfect when paired with dress trousers, casual chinos and suits.

(Justin Timberlake)

For more assistance on men?s fashion and styling, one can check out Panjabi?s blog - The Snazzy Man or catch up with him on Twitter @thesnazzyman.

By Papri Das

What can be rightfully touted as world?s biggest celebration of Indian cinema on an international platform, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards is back with bang this year donning a brand new color, literally. For the first time, Viacom18?s Colors will be the broadcaster of the 16th annual IIFA Awards with Kuala Lampur as its stage.

And that?s not the only thing new about this edition of Bollywood?s biggest international extravaganza. From exciting fashion debuts on the ramp, business conferences, to digital audience getting no-holds-barred access to all the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend action through their phone apps -- here are a list of all things new that make IIFA 2015 a never before seen experience.

1) In a new shade:

After Star and Sony, it's time now for Colors to give its unique touch to IIFA Awards 2015 as the official broadcasting partner. Expressing his excitement over this collaboration, actor Anil Kapoor rightly puts, ?One can only expect something spectacular when you have creative minds like Raj Nayak from Colors and Andre Timmins from Wizcraft come together for a single cause.?

And spectacular it shall be, promises Colors CEO Raj Nayak. ?We at Colors believe in delivering content in our own unique style and IIFA Awards is no exception. To achieve this our creative team has been constantly working together with Wizcraft in every aspect of the show including the weekend activities. With all the efforts that has been put in to scale up the show, we are sure that this year?s IIFA is definitely a can?t miss event on the calendar,? he said.

2) Live the live experience:

IIFA Awards 2015 has come up with the best way to reward its worldwide netizen fans by connecting them with all the action in Kuala Lampur, without any lag or delay, through the popular VOD platform #Fame. ?For the first time ever in the history of IIFA awards, millions of viewers can catch all the action on their phone live and uncut, and even get to interact with the top stars in real time. Available in beta on iOS and Android, the app will allow performers to beam live to the fans and audiences through their smartphones,? informs #fame CEO Saket Saurabh.

3) Ranveer - Arjun reprise their (un)-holy union:

The spunky duo of Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor from Gunday are to reprise their awesome repartee and chemistry, as the hosts of the IIFA Awards this year. With these two boys on board, the film fraternity can expect the entertainment quotient to go up by several notches. The promos released on Colors show the two dressed as ascetics pining for redemption after their nationwide ?roasting? session.

When asked about that, Kapoor jokingly says that IIFA is the right platform for them to redeem their lost reputation after their notorious appearance in the AIB Knockout Roast session, which caused such a sensation. Count on them to leave no stone unturned to complete your dose of mischief, humour, and repartee that will leave you in splits.

4) Glam it up:

When you think award show, you think red carpet, and any red carpet event?s highlight is fashion. IIFA 2015 not only promises you a glammed up red carpet event, but it will also host the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza with hosts Neha Dhupia and Vivek Oberoi. The show will feature well-known names in the fashion circuit like Masaba Gupta who will showcase her line inspired by the golden IIFA trophy, Rocky S who is going monochrome this season, and Gaurang Shah, with his debut IIFA collection.

5) Sonakshi Sinha to make singing debut

The Dabangg actress Sonakshi Sinha, who will soon be seen as a judge in Indian Idol Junior is all set to make her singing debut at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Yes, you heard us right! Sinha will sing live at the IIFA Rocks musical extravaganza. Sinha confessed that singing at IIFA would be a dream come true for her. ?I must thank from Wizcraft for letting me do this at such a huge platform as IIFA,? she said, adding that the audience can expect some powerful performances from the B?town ladies at the show. Hosted by actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra, IIFA Rocks, an exclusive music extravaganza, will see a host of musical performances by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Mika, Ankit Tiwari and Kanika Kapoor amongst others.

Want more exciting updates on the behind the scene fun at the IIFA awards? Stay tuned to Exec Life!

By Papri Das

Often when we go to a formal party or a social dinner at a five star restaurant and the waiter comes up to ask us what kind of wine we would like to have, we find ourselves at a loss for words ? sparkling or rose? Chablis or Bordeaux Reds? What difference does it make when you can?t tell one from the other? You probably can afford the most expensive bottle on the menu, but don?t know what makes it so pricey. Embarrassing as it may be, such is the case with most of us who haven?t grown up in the wine culture, and are suddenly thrown into a social setting where we are expected to be experts on the subject.

For ages, wine has been a symbol of prosperity, celebration, love, eclectic taste, affluence and status in the society. Since a good bottle of wine continues to be an investment of sorts, the knowledge of wine remains limited to those who have inherited it from their earlier generation as a practice and to the extremely passionate wine aficionados. Like Vishal Kadakia, the founder and CEO of Wine Park, which is a boutique wine importing and distributing company in India supplying wines from 11 countries, 26 wine regions and 30 top quality producers.

Exec Lifestyle caught up with this renowned wine aficionado to get answers to some frequently asked questions on wines for our readers.

Is knowledge of wines important in socializing?

Absolutely. Today entertainment has become a very important part of business. Knowledge on wine, playing golf is integral for executives to know and learn. If clients enjoy your company, business becomes a lot easier. Knowing your wines over dinner and having a conversation is an art, which many people value and can help you bond.

Where does one start?

The best way to introduce amateurs to wine culture is to try wines of different styles. Like whites wines, red wines, rose wines and sparkling wines. Once the person enjoys a particular style then he/she can further start to try different wines in that particular style. For example: If a person enjoys white wines then he/she can try different white grape varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier etc. Experimenting is the key to unlock your preferences.

Is there a right way to have a glass of wine?

Yes there is, and it is simpler than we make it to be. Drink wine in a wine glass. Make sure that you hold the glass by the stem and not the bowl. Fill the wine glass upto 1/3 only so that when you swirl the glass there is no spillage. Swirl the glass regularly to release the aromas. Keep sipping and enjoying. If it?s a white wine, you enjoy have it chilled (10 C). If you like red wine, have it at 16 C (slightly chilled). Having a red wine at room temperature will kill the taste of the wine and it will taste flat.

What are the most popular wines amongst wine enthusiasts?

Wine aficionados like to experiment a lot. They generally like wines of particular style, which are more region specific. The more popular ones are: Chablis (White wine from Burgundy France), Barolo & Barberesco (Red wines from Piedmont, Italy), Super Tuscans (Red wines from Tuscany, Italy), Bordeaux Reds, Rhone Reds (Wines from Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote Rotie), Napa Reds (Wine from Napa Valley, California, USA) and Champagne (Sparkling wines from Champage, France).

Is there something like ?affordable? wine?

In India wine drinking is expensive due to taxes. However there are several Indian wines available, which are affordable to drink. A normal salary person can start with them and if he develops a linking for it, he can explore further. The possibilities are endless.

Vishal not only shared his suggestions for a new wine enthusiast, but also corrected some commonly mistaken myths when it comes to buying a bottle of wine. The following are the most common myths in buying a wine:

1. ?Older the wine, the better it is? : No. Most of the wines that you buy should not be more than two ? three years olds. The younger vintage is more fresh and fruity, which an amateur wine drinker always enjoys.

2. If it French, then it is the best -- No. New wine drinkers enjoy more fruit forward wines, which are wines from the new world (Argentina, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand). French wines (considered old world) are more savoury in style. Also there are amazing wines made in several other countries other than France alone.

3. ?Going for the cheapest imported wines? -- Just because it is imported does not mean it is good. Please buy with a bit of research.

4. ?White wine is for women? : Only if you are a male chauvinist. For a novice, the place to start is by drinking white wines, moving on to roses and then light bodied red wines like a Pinot Noir or Pinotage.

5. ?If the wine is in screw cap it is a inferior wines as compared to wines sealed in corks? -- Untrue. Some of the best wines in the world come in screw cap. The wines in screw cap remain fresher and more importantly it is much easier to open for a novice then a wine sealed in cork.