Natural Teeth Whitening : How To Whiten Teeth Naturally!

A dull looking yellow smile is the last thing anyone would wish to have! White teeth add beauty to your advertisement and make your smile more charming and lovely. Well, it is not a myth that many people fall for a bright smile! A bright smile in itself is so attractive that makes anyone go head over heels. And shiny white teeth adds to the sparkling beauty of your smile. Hence we will discuss here Natural Teeth Whitening.

So, if you’re worried about your yellow teeth and want to have shiny white teeth, check out these natural teeth whitening tips now! If you’ve been hunting for answers to, “How to whiten teeth naturally“, then, this article is for you. The best part is that all these tips of natural teeth whitening are super easy and effective.

We give you here some home remedies for shaky teeth which can be followed regularly to get healthy gum and teeth.

No much ado! Let’s get started!

Natural Teeth Whitening Home Remedies

1. The Toothpaste and Salt Trick

The first thing that you need to do in order to keep your teeth sparkling white is to brush your teeth everyday. That’s the first thing! But, that’s not what I am trying to point at here. You can add a pinch of salt to peanut sized toothpaste and blend it well. Now, brush your teeth using this paste with added salt. You need to follow this everyday and trust me, it doesn’t require too much of time or efforts. By doing this everyday, after a month or two, you’ll have sparkling white teeth.

My Quick Tp

Instead of adding salt to your toothpaste everyday, a smarter alternative could be to mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt to your regular toothpaste, mix it well and apply regularly. By doing so, you can avoid the pain of mixing ingredients everyday and also maintain consistency.

2. Lemon and Baking Soda

This is one of the best natural ways of whitening teeth. Lemon has excellent properties that will work wonders for getting naturally white teeth. This trick is also mentioned in the Ayurvedic methods to whiten teeth naturally. The chemical reactions that are caused by the combined effect of the baking soda and citric acid will make your teeth sparkling teeth.

All you need to do is mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl. Now, squeeze 1 fresh lemon to this mixture and store this in your refrigerator.

After you brush your teeth in the morning, brush your teeth with this mixture before you rinse your mouth. The important thing to note here is that this mixture must be applied only once or twice a week. The baking powder has properties that might damage your gums if used everyday. Use this trick once or twice in a week for effective results. Consistent (once or twice per week) usage of this trick will help in natural teeth whitening and you’ll see results in just 3 to 4 weeks.

 

3. Strawberries

Strawberries have an acid called as malic acid that has properties to whiten teeth naturally. It helps to naturally whiten teeth with the help of vitamin C that acts as a supplement to the effects of malic acid. Strawberries have astringent properties that are way too effective in removing the stains on the surface of the teeth. Vitamin C is used to wash off the plaque.

There are 2 ways of doing the trick. The first one is to mash 2 to 3 strawberries and brush your teeth with that mixture twice in every week. This will show you positive results and acts as an effective natural teeth whitening trick. Another alternative is to simply eat some raw strawberries once or twice in a week. Make sure you chew the strawberries really well before you swallow it.

This will ensure effective application of strawberry fruit to all the regions of your teeth. This one is my personal favourite and trusts me, it’ll never be a pain to follow this trick unless you hate strawberries.

 

4. Usage of Straws

Would you be surprised if I told you a lot of the common beverages that you drink can cause teeth discoloring? Well, I guess you would be! A lot of your favourite beverages like the tea, coffee, wine, and soda have properties that can cause teeth discoloring when you’re bringing them in contact with your teeth. So, in order to reduce the direct exposure of tea or coffee or any of your favourite beverage with your teeth, consider using a straw to sip your coffee.

Well, well, I know that sounds a little weird as sipping in your favorite cup of beverage with your mouth is something you totally love. But then, if dentists’ team day that, this practice can lead to yellow teeth, then, what’s wrong with using a straw? If sipping your favourite cup of beverage with a straw seems more embarrassing than dull looking yellow teeth, then, this trick is not for you. In the other case, this trick definitely works.

 

5. Banana Peels

It comes as a surprise to many people if someone told them that banana peels can be used to whiten teeth naturally. Especially, if you’re hunting for some answers to, “How to whiten sensitive teeth naturally“, then this trick is tailor made for you. It’s a natural teeth whitening trick that is suitable for those who have sensitive teeth. Ayurveda suggests this method as a natural teeth whitening that shows results very fast. Banana has properties that can deeply cleanse the surface of your teeth and land you super sparkling white teeth.

To do this trick, all you need is a banana peel. Use this banana peel to gently rub your teeth. Rub it from the inner side of the banana peel and continue doing it for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer, the better. Repeat doing this everyday for at least 2 to 3 weeks for effective results.

 

6. Sugarcane

This is a proven way to naturally whiten teeth. Sugarcane has properties that can help in cleansing your teeth from the surface and whiten your teeth naturally. If you have very sensitive teeth, then, this remedy is not recommended for you. In the other case, this trick can give you some instant results. Chew the sugarcane well with your teeth and eat it once or twice in a week. This will help in natural teeth whitening. Now, you get ideas why the villagers who eat sugarcane everyday have sparkling white teeth?

 

7. Lemon and Salt

This is the simplest and the most effective trick to whiten teeth naturally. The citric acid that’s present in abundance in a lemon helps in cleansing your teeth. It helps in removing the teeth discoloring and gives you shiny teeth. The salt, on the other hand, can supplement to this and double the effects of lemon.

Take a small cup and squeeze one or two lemons into it.Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of salt to it and mix it well. Apply this on your teeth after you brush your teeth every morning. This will help in natural teeth whitening in just 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure you don’t overdo this trick because it can react in a negative way on your gums. Carefully, apply this only onto your teeth and spare the gums.

Those were some of the natural teeth whitening tricks. Before you start applying any of the above tricks, make sure you consult your dentist and know if your teeth are sensitive or not. In a case of sensitive teeth, few tricks won’t be applicable. Thus, consult your dentist first and then proceed with these tricks.

Effective Tips on How to Thicken Hair!

Hair fall is the most tragic of problems that anyone can face at any point and it is hard to predict the reasons behind it at times.As hair is an important part of your body and plays a substantial role in enhancing your overall personality, it is essential for you to take the necessary measures to protect them from thinning or breakage. Excessive stress – both physical and mental,  pollution, allergies, hormonal imbalances, improper eating and sleeping habits, etc., are a few of the many factors which can cause some serious hair problems. And while finding remedies for how to thicken hair, people often rely on the natural, home-made ones instead of going for the expensive treatments.

If you are one of those who is not able to find a solution to how to thicken hair and looking out for easily available remedies that would supplement hair growth, then this blog has a selective list of products which can aid you in the long run. Take a further read to know more.

How to Thicken Hair?

1. Olive Oil

Olive oil has the tendency to induce hair thickening and soften them subsequently. You can massage your hair and scalp with warm olive oil; leave it for maximum 30 to 45 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with a mild shampoo. Another way to use olive oil is to mix it with honey and apply the mixture on your hair. Make sure to use this remedy for at least once or twice to a week to get the relevant results.

 

2. Eggs

Eggs are one of the best home remedies for hair growth as they contain a good amount of protein content which is beneficial for thickening of hair.Consider taking eggs according to your hair length, which can even be one or two and beat them properly.After this, apply this mixture on your scalp for around 30 minutes and then wash it thoroughly with shampoo. Eggs happen to be good conditioner as well, and thus, are a perfect choice for anyone looking out for a natural hair treatment. Continue doing this practice for at least once or twice a week to get the relevant results.

3. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds are another good option to make hair thicker. These have therapeutic properties which can prevent hair loss and induce hair growth. Before using these, you need to soak the seeds for at least 8 to 10 hours and then grind them into a fine paste. You can then mix two teaspoons of coconut milk in the paste and subsequently apply it on your scalp and let it set for 30 minutes before the final wash. Regular use of this remedy can treat your dry scalp and also enjoy thicker fuller hair growth.

 

4. Indian Gooseberry

Indian Gooseberry is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial in nature which makes it a must use remedy for treating hair. Moreover, its other useful properties which include exfoliation and its antioxidant nature help in maintaining a healthy scalp. And hence, for all these reasons it is your perfect answer for how to thicken hair. While using it mix one tablespoon of Indian Gooseberry powder in coconut oil and heat the mixture.  After straining the oil, massage it into your scalp, leave it overnight and then wash it with shampoo. You can also choose to consume the gooseberry directly like a fruit on a regular basis to supplement hair growth.

 

5. Castor Oil

If you are looking a solution for how to thicken hair, then massaging castor oil on your scalp can do wonders as it is a great source of Vitamin E and fatty acids, which are considered to be the essential nutrients for your hair and scalp. Since it has a high viscosity, it spreads over the scalp deeply and protects your hair from further damage. If you find castor oil way too thick, then you can use it with coconut oil and apply it in circular motions on your scalp. After this, make use of a towel moistened with warm water and cover your hair with it. Leave it as it is for at least an hour and then wash your head with shampoo. Make sure to follow this remedy for minimum once a week to enjoy lustrously and thick hair which subsequent usage.

 

6. Henna Leaves

Using Heena leaves for getting thicker hair is one of the easy ways to get rid of this problem. Not only this, henna leaves also give a natural color to your hair and make them thicker, softer and less prone to breakage. While using this remedy, grind a handful of these leaves with little water to make a fine paste. Let the paste sit for at least two hours and then apply it to your hair and keep it tact for some time. You can then wash it off thoroughly after a few hours and shampoo your hair. As an alternative, you can even mix green tea, raw egg and lemon juice to this mixture.

 

7. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is another natural ingredient which can be used for hair thickening. It has moisturizing qualities and it is also known to restore the pH balance of the scalp. Aloe Vera is easy to use and its gel can be applied directly by rubbing it on the scalp. Let it stay for 30 minutes and then rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Experts recommend using this remedy for once or twice every week regularly until you start seeing positive results. Moreover, you can even consume Aloe Vera juice on an empty stomach daily for getting healthy hair.

These were some of the commonly and easily found remedies for treating hair growth; however, there are a plethora of others which can perfectly fit as an answer for how to thicken hair which you can choose to opt according to your convenience. Hope you found this blog pretty useful. Keep them in mind for a fulfilling and healthy hair growth. Have a great day!

How To Do Makeup For Blue Eyes?

Blue eye colour is among the rare eye colour that creates unique defining features of any face. They are gorgeous and tranquillizing to behold, but if you apply wrong eye makeup for blue eyes, it can make them look faded and quite dull. Therefore, it is important to use right makeup tips for blue eyes to enhance the features and make them look brighter.

We present to you few important makeup for blue eyes which when used properly will give the eye colour pop. One of the best tip for blue eyes is revolved around certain shades to enhance the eye features that also tends to define the look and shade of the eyes.

Step by Step Method to Apply Make Up on Blue Eyes

• First of all, clean your eyes and gently apply the moisturiser around your eyes to prevent drying. Dab little amount of concealer to hide dark circles and any other dark spots. Complete your face makeup and then start by applying eyeshadow of your choice.

• First use the pencil or liquid eyeliner to create gentle strokes and give the outline. Then apply the desired shade of eye shadow using a soft brush. Swipe it gently over your upper eyelids along the eyeliner and apply the thick line just like you apply your kajal.

• Apply little amount of eyeshadow to the corner of the eyes as well. Pick a lighter shade of the similar colour and reapply on your upper eyelid area.

• You can add a little shimmer with shades like copper, gold or bronze and retouch the eyelid section.

• To make your eyes look bigger and highlight, apply kajal onto your lower eyelid.

• For the final touch and more compliments, apply multiple coats of mascara to highlight the brighter aspect of your blue eyes.

While the steps seem to be quite easy, the whole trick of applying eye makeup for blue eyes revolves around choosing the right colours of eyeshadow, eyeliners and mascara. You can transfer your daytime look to night out with little change in colour tones.

Get The Right Eyeshadow Colour

• To start with, use the primer before applying the eyeshadow. This will enhance the colour of the eyeshadow on your blue eyes and make them appear brighter.
• Always choose eyeshadows with the neutral palette and more earthy and warm tones as opposite to blue colour. Colours like black, silver, charcoal, slate and grey. You can also go for cool colours such as purple and green eye shadow
• It is also important to know what colour of eye shadow will suit the medium, light and dark blue eyes. There are multiple shades of blue colour in eyes from light blue to dark blue-green to grey blue. Here are few color suggestions based on the intensity of the color blue of your eyes.

1. Bright Blue Eyes: Light tones such as gold, ash, grey, and taupe
2. Blue Green Eyes: Warm tones of reds, sienna, oranges and bronzes
3. Grey Blue Eyes: Warm tones such as coral, copper, teal and lilac
4. Medium Blue Eyes: Browns, Blacks, Charcoal, Camel and Copper
5. Dark Blue Eyes: Nudes, light or pastel colors
6. Light Blue Eyes: Orange, bronze and neutral brown tones

• If you still face problems choosing the suitable eye shadow colour, try to work around the hair colour and the skin tone.
• For the fair skin with blonde hair choose rich colours like warm pinks, browns and plum. Apply lots of mascara and brown eyeliner to complete your look.
• For fair skin with dark hair you can opt for brighter pink and shades of gold.
• For tanned skin with brunette hair, apply deep plum or peach colour and pair with heavy mascara and black eyeliner.

Get the Right Eyeliner

• Apply a thin coat of black liquid eyeliner towards the upper eyelid. For a lesser intense look, use grey or charcoal colour eyeliner instead.
• Use neutral shades because such colours will make them appear bright and also suitable for daytime and for work.
• You can add a little shimmer with the eyeliner. Colours like silver, bronze and copper will not only make your eyes look big but also add a little sparkle to your blinks.
• For lower lashes, you can either go for beige or white eyeliner to blend your waterline.

Choosing the Right Mascara

• Mascara is a must have eye make tool for all the ladies. While it accentuates the features of your eyes, black mascara goes well with just everything
• For the softer look, you can choose brown or charcoal colours as well.

Makeup for Blue Eyes

• You can either go for darker or lighter hues to make your eyes look brighter. Using the same tone will dull the overall effect.
• For Wide Eyes: Apply dark colour towards the inner corner of the eyes for the more closed look.
• For Deep Eyes: Apply light coloured eye shadow on the upper eyelids and medium on the crease.
• For Round Eyes: You can simply let your eyes pop by using mascara and an eyeliner for every day use and apply the lighter shade of eye shadow on the eyelids.

Get The Smokey Look for Blue Eyes

• Start with contouring both the eyes with the kajal pencil. Simply swipe the pencil towards the outer edge.
• Draw the line across the lids using a liquid eyeliner.
• Apply the light eye shadow around the corners and carefully smudge towards the inner side. Make sure the shadows are applied over the kajal on both upper and lower lids. Smudge the eye shadow with kajal to give the smokey touch.
• Apply thick coat of Mascara multiple times for thick eyelashes and Viola you are ready with the smokey eye for blue eyes

In 2016, some of the eye makeup for blue eyes really complimented the models on and off the runway.

• Gold and Rust Smokey Eyes: This look extract boldness of rust and warmth of gold. Adding the wing gives it little edge and bold look
• Neutral Smokey Eyes: Nude tones with the tinge of brown shade let your eyes speak for themselves.
• White and Blue Eyes: The combo reminds of the sea goddess.
• Turquoise Line Eyes: If you are looking for fast and simple eye makeup look but still wants to add a little statement, apply turquoise eyeliner. Use fake lashes or mascara to give the most radiant look.
• Classic Black Eyes: Last but not the least there is no comparison to this evergreen look. It is super sexy for any blue eyed girl.

To fully understand the game of the colour and how shades work in eye makeup, you should experiment and be able to see what suits your eyes and face. There are various videos on makeup for blue eyes on the internet that you can follow for more practical approach, but if you simply follow the tips shared in this article, this would definitely help you master the art of applying makeup for blue eyes. It’s always better to stick to the basics to have a good start and eventually improvise the colour combinations.

Always remember, makeup helps accentuate the features of our body, be it face or eyes. If you are not comfortable enough to experiment by yourself, you can always take help from professionals or watch makeup for blue eyes for better understanding.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads On Chin?

Blackheads are one of the most common beauty problems faced by the teens. Blackheads on chin can be really annoying as they affect your natural skin tone and appearance. Getting blackheads on the chin is as common as getting acnes. These little bumps can also appear on your nose but they are more big and prominent on the chin area. Makeup and concealers are not enough to hide them because if you try to clog these pores, it will eventually result into more blackheads. Therefore, you should try to remove them but before finding the ways to remove them, it is important to find the causes of blackheads on chin.

Blackheads are caused when the pores on your skin get clogged due to sebum formation. Sebum is an oil which is secreted by the sebaceous gland. This oil helps to maintain skin soft and supple but when excess sebum deposits in your pores along with dead skin cells, it results into blackheads. Now the major problem that arises is how to get rid of blackheads on chin.



Chin blackheads can be removed by using home remedies. Some of the most beneficial home remedies for blackheads on chin are given here.

Home Remedies for Blackheads On Chin

1. Egg White Mask

A mask made using egg white can be highly beneficial in removing those tough blackheads on chin. Egg white has those nutrients which can remove your current blackheads and can also prevent future blackheads from bumping.

For this you need –

• An egg
• A facial tissue
• A clean bowl
• A clean towel

Take the facial tissue and layer it with egg white. Now press it over your face and let this layer dry.

Layer the tissue again with egg white and pat this over the first layer and repeat this process three times. You can also simply use your fingers to apply thin layers of this. Next, peel off the layers of egg white from your face when they are dried completely and rinse your face with water. Wipe it and apply moisturizer.

 

2. Water and Baking Soda

The Baking soda can be a little tricky ingredient to handle when it comes to your skin because overdoing it can affect your skin. The small, fine granules in the baking soda help to remove the clogging in pores by exfoliating your skin. You will need:

• 1 part baking soda and
• Fresh water

Take a bowl and add both baking soda and water to form a thick paste that is easy to spread on a skin. Apply it over the affected area and massage well. Rinse it thoroughly when it has dried and moisturise your skin. This simple technique is a wonderful blackhead removal mask.

 

3. Steam

Exposing your skin to steam for about 10 to 15 minutes can help you cure not only your blackheads but also many other common skin problems like a skin infection. Simply take a large container filled with hot clean water. Firstly, rinse face with clean water and pat dry. Put a towel over your head and lower it down towards the container so that the steam directly hits your face. Make sure to do it very carefully as the skin on a face is very sensitive. Rinse your face immediately after this.

What it does it softens/ melts the oil and dirt clogged in your pores and when you rinse your face immediately afterward, the oil particles are washed away.

 

4. Lemon Salt Face Scrub

If none of the simpler methods worked for you and you are still in the dilemma on how to remove the blackheads on chin, this face scrub is the optimum solution. This lemon salt scrub is an antibacterial scrub. It deep cleanses your skin and leaves it fresh and dirt free.

For this you will need –

• Lemon juice,
• A clean bowl and
• Salt

Mix the lemon juice with the salt in a clean bowl. Massage this paste on your skin gently. Don’t scrub this for more than 5 minutes. After massaging and scrubbing well, rinse your face well with water and don’t forget to moisturise it.

Caution –

Don’t use too much of lemon juice as the citric acid in the lemon juice can harm your skin and cause inflammation. The ideal ratio is 2 parts of salt for 1 part lemon juice.

 

5. Oatmeal, Orange Peel Powder and Yogurt Face Mask

This method is a little complex as compared to the previous ones but it is the most effective one for removing blackheads on chin. The ingredients used in this method helps to exfoliate, nourish and soften your skin. Ingredients you will need:

• Ground oatmeal
• Dried orange peel powder
• 2 teaspoons yogurt

Mix the ground oatmeal, dried orange peel powder and yogurt together in a container. Apply a thick layer of this mixture on your skin and massage gently. Focus more on the chin blackheads. After 3-5 minutes, wash your face with lukewarm water. Don’t forget to moistures your skin really well.

 

6. Aloe Vera Gel, Honey, and Lemon Juice

Aloe vera gel has soothing properties. On the other hand, honey has antibacterial properties and lemon, as discussed earlier has citric acid. These three ingredients when mixed together, act as an adhesive for blackheads. You will need –

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Aloe vera gel

Simply mix all the three ingredients together to form a thick paste of desired consistency. Apply this paste over affected area. You can also leave it on the skin for 10 minutes if you want. After that, rinse it off and wipe your face with a clean towel and you are done.

 

7. Honey and Brown Sugar

These two sweet kitchen ingredients can work as a great exfoliater for your skin. They help to remove the dead skin and kill the germs that clog the pores. Honey act as a skin lubricator and it stick to the blackheads. Hence they are removed when this face scrub is washed off. You just need to mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and massage on your skin in gentle motions avoiding the eye area. Do this for around 5 minutes and rinse your face thereafter.

These were some of the most effective masks for removing chin blackheads. The best part about them is that all of them are home remedies and contain only natural ingredients which cannot harm your skin. They will not only cure blackheads but will also nourish your skin and improve its texture. Go ahead and try them for a youthful skin.

Amazing Sauna Benefits That You Never Knew Before!

Sweating without exercising seems an impossible task, isn’t it? With Sauna Baths available nowadays, it has become easier to get rid of the body toxins without making many efforts. Moreover, the traditional Saunas have now evolved to the ‘infrared’ones which are more effective in expelling out the heavy metals like mercury, lead and other environment chemicals which get accumulated on your skin due to the increasing pollution, consuming junk food, etc. From relieving stress, relaxing muscles and treating joint pains to getting the natural glow back on your skin, Sauna benefits does it all for you if adopted regularly.

When it comes to the Infrared Saunas, they have started gaining traction in a short period of time. In this treatment, infrared heaters are used to emit infrared lights which increase the heat levels and that get absorbed by the skin. This treatment usually has three levels according to the different sizes in infrared wavelengths and is divided into three categories namely, near-infrared levels, middle-infrared levels, and far-infrared levels. Each of these levels offers a different benefit and serves a particular purpose.



Well, if you still have been thinking about what are the other benefits of a Sauna, and how to make the best use of it, then reading this blog with clear all your doubts in a go.

Below are a few of the most amazing Sauna benefits which you need to know to learn about it better. Take a read through the following points:

Amazing Sauna Benefits

1. Saunas Have The Tendency to Reduce Stress

Stress is the most common mental issue that most of the people face which may be due to their work or some glitches in the relationships. Stress has the power to negatively affect our lives as it not only affects you mentally but physically as well. You start feeling drowsy and lose the charm to work diligently towards something. During such times, opting for a Sauna bath can prove to be effective.

The heat bathing is warm and relaxes muscles improves circulation and helps in stimulating endorphins in the body which in general terms are referred as the “feel good” chemicals.

 

2. Sauna is Beneficial in Relaxing Muscles and Joints Pains

People who have health problems such as arthritis and muscle soreness can take Sauna treatment to ease the joint and muscle pain. The heat from the Sauna bath causes the blood vessels to loosen up which further increases blood circulation. In return, this increase in the blood flow turns the healing speed process of the body and even soothes the minor cuts or bruises on your body.

 

3. Sauna Helps in Cleansing Skin

This one of the best benefits of Sauna and much needed one as well. Who doesn’t like the natural glow on the skin? Well, taking a Sauna bath will do the best for you. The Sauna heat automatically causes deep body sweating which replaces the dead skin cells, thus keeping the skin in a soft-looking quality.

4. Sauna is Effective in Inducing Sleep

The health benefits of Sauna are simply great. For the ones who have insomnia, taking a Sauna bath can help you relax better and take a deep fulfilling sleep. The rate of endorphins decline at the bedtime which creates a relaxing mood and facilitates sleep, and hence you feel stresses a little less.

 

5. Sauna Treatment is Said to Burn Calories

Sauna benefits and weight loss go hand in hand. Among the many Sauna benefits, this is the most crucial one as many of us always need to know the tricks to cut short of the extra fat in the body. Sauna causes sweat to develop on the body, and this entire process takes a lot of energy which eventually causes the fat to burn and reduce the extra calories.

 

6. Saunas Stimulates Low Blood Pressure

Over time, Sauna treatment has been said to induce a deep sweat which causes the heart to beat faster. This in return causes an increase in the blood flow, lowers the blood pressure and improves the blood circulation in the body. When it comes to infrared Sauna benefits, treating the blood pressure for the healthy functioning of the heart is among the topmost treatments which you can avail for a better health.

 

 7. Sauna Treatment Eliminates Toxins From The Body

As a Sauna bath results in a lot of sweating, it helps in eliminating the body toxins in the most natural manner. Detoxification is among one of the best benefits of using a Sauna and thus many people favor it the most for a smooth and cleansed skin. Moreover, taking the infrared Sauna, in particular, eliminates the toxins seven times faster than the taking a traditional Sauna treatment. Also, skin purification is among the top benefits of far infrared Sauna which you too can take for a good skin treatment.

8. Sauna Helps in Making The Immune System Stronger

If you are regular with the Sauna sessions then there are chances that the presence of your white blood cells might have reached a high count. As we all know that white blood cells are necessary to fight against the ailments and diseases in order to stay healthy and get the healing faster, taking a Sauna is the best option to implement in this case.

 

9. Sauna Helps in Improving Your Endurance Level

Regular use of Sauna increases the heat tolerance levels and thus builds the endurance level to a significant level. In addition to this, you also feel less fatigued and would be able to maintain a high energy level that will help you keep going for an elongated period of time. You will notice that after the timely Sauna sessions, your performance have automatically increased and you’ll stay more active throughout the day.

Sauna treatment is a complete package for those who are looking out for a relaxing way for body cleansing. The points listed above were among the many Sauna benefits which can help you in the long run if you opt for the mind and body relaxing treatment. Hopefully, you must have now gained some insight into the usefulness of Sauna baths through this blog.

If you loved reading this article, please share with your friends on social media and help increase awareness about Sauna. Have a great day ahead!

Wind and solar energy to be cheaper than fossil fuels by 2018

A file photograph of the BARD Offshore 1 wind farm, located 100 kms north-west of the German island of BorkumReuters

Wind and solar energy is to be cheaper for most countries than using fossil fuels by 2018, a new report states.

Following the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, most countries have been slow to give up their reliance on carbon-emitting resources, because of the cost of renewable sources.

More from IBTimes UK

 

However, a new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) says that it sees a drastic reversal of that trend, with the cost of wind and solar energy plummeting, making it a more promising investment.

The report said: "Even though the renewables proposition has always had environmental appeal, technology has historically been subpar in delivering appropriate returns to investors without an impact mandate.

"Inefficiencies in incipient solar and wind technologies have perpetuated a global energy matrix that still features coal and natural gas accounting for 62% of total generation.

"Nonetheless, exponential improvements in renewable technology, both in efficiency and cost, have made renewable energy competitive in the past few years."

According to the WEF's findings, using data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, the cost of solar energy has dropped 80% since 2009. Whereas wind energy costs have dropped 30% in the last three years.

Combined with rising fossil fuel costs, 2016 marked the first year that a number of countries reached "grid parity" – where fossil fuel and renewable energy costs were the same.

"It is estimated that more than 30 countries have already reached grid parity without subsidies, and around two-thirds of the world should reach grid parity in the next couple of years," the report added.
"If electricity costs were to rise by 3% annually, 80% of the global market would reach grid parity in the next couple of years."

Chile, Mexico, Brazil and Australia were all cited as countries that have reached grid parity.
The report added better energy storage technology was allowing countries that experienced fluctuating levels of wind and sunlight to also reap the rewards of renewable energy sources.

This Rare Black Ferrari F50 Is Valued At Over $3 Million

 

 
The vast majority of the F50s that Ferrari sold were, as you might expect, finished in red. In fact 302 out of the 349 were painted Rosso Corsa, and another eight in a darker shade of Rosso Barchetta. There were a handful painted other colors, though – including 31 in Giallo Modena, four in Argento Nurburgring, and four in Nero Daytona – like the one you see here.

Chassis no. ZFFTG46A6S0104092 was one of two delivered in black to the United States. The other one crashed recently, and though it was repaired, the example you see here remains the most pristine you're ever going to find.

Color aside, this F50 carries the same mechanical components as any of the other 349 made. That means a 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V12 rated at 520 horsepower, mated to a six-speed manual transmission – making the F50 the last of Ferrari's flagships to include a clutch pedal. With a carbon-fiber chassis and bodywork, the twelve-cylinder roadster could hit 60 in 3.6 seconds and top out at over 200 miles per hour.

With just 2,090 miles on the odometer, this black F50 has been coddled its entire life. The hardtop, the canvas top, and the three-piece matched luggage set have never been used and are still in their original packaging. That's a bit of a shame, considering that a car like this is made to be driven. But it means that the murdered-out supercar remains highly valuable.

How valuable, you ask? Between $3 and 3.5 million. That's how much the auction house expects it will sell for when it drops the gavel in Arizona in a few weeks. But you can check it out now in all its glory thanks to Drew Shipley, who shot these beautiful photos for RM Sotheby's.

Home Remedies for Killing Gnats & Fruit Flies!

One of the most annoying things that you can find in your kitchens are the gnats and fruit flies. No matter how much we try to get rid of them, they just don’t seem to go away. We might have prepared something really yummy and kept it on our table and before our guests could arrive, the fruit flies would already be there as our surprise guests. Then, how to get rid of gnats?

If you too are in the same place and hunting for some effective remedies to get rid of fruit flies, you’ve come to the right place! Read this article and learn how to get rid of gnats and fruit flies with some of the best home remedies. There are also over the counter products that can be used in order to kill the gnats and fruit flies. But, however, they are not very preferable as they might be affecting our goods and fruits too! Home remedies are hence the best way of getting rid of fruit flies and gnats. Read this article and take home some amazing home remedies. These methods are worth trying before you call the professionals who’ll help you to get rid of fruit flies. Read on “how to get rid of gnats”!

How to Get Rid of Gnats & Fruit Flies?

 

1. The Vinegar Trap For Killing Gnats & Fruit Flies

If you believe that vinegar is something that’s only confined to a kitchen, then let me tell you, you’re wrong. Vinegar can be used as an amazing remedy to get rid of the fruit flies. This method is a very simple one but works wonders and you’ll be shocked to see that the fruit flies and gnats would never come back again.

• You will need a container, some dish soap water, sugar and the apple cider vinegar to do this trick.
• Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of the vinegar, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar, take some dish soap that’s capable of producing more bubbles and mix few drops of it to this mixture.
• Add 1 glass of water to this mixture and mix it well until you feel all the ingredients are blended into each other really well.
• The vinegar trap is already ready to go!

All you need to do now is the place this container in the area where there are too many gnats. These insects will get so much attracted to the vinegar that they’ll approach the container and try to drink it off. All the gnats and fruit flies will get attracted to the container. They will then succumb to death when they try to lick the liquid as there is soap bubbles content. That’s how simple it is! No hard gas professionals required! Try this and you’ll be surprised yourself!

 

2. How to Get Rid of Gnats With The Rotten Vegetables Trick?

Instead of just throwing away the rotten vegetables, what if I tell you, you could make use of them for getting rid of the gnats and fruit flies? Just like the vinegar trick, this one too is very simple and an effective remedy. You don’t have to store all the rotten vegetables, all you need is one or two rotten vegetables. Rotten fruits too will do the trick!

• Take a small container. Add 1 or 1 and a half glass of water to it.
• Take a dish wash soap that comes with a lot of bubbles. You might also try the liquid washes that are available easily on the market.
• Let the dish wash soap or the liquid washes be mixed well into the water. Let it show some bubbles.
• Now, take the rotten vegetable or the fruit that you have and place it with the bottle. Cover the rotten fruit or the vegetable with a nice plastic so that it doesn’t stink too much and it can all he held in place.
• Use a plastic tape and bring in place the container and the rotten fruit or vegetable. Now take a sharp pin and make some holes in the vegetable or the fruit.

Place this container in places where there are too many fruit flies or gnats. You will see that they are attracted towards the container and they’ll slowly try to gulp the liquid too. And that’s what we want! They will succumb to death. Use this trick if you’re fine with bearing the bad odor for some time until the gnats and fruit flies are all dead.

 

3. The Bleaching Powder Trick to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

When you are having gnats that are probably breeding in the pipes of your sink, this trick is recommended. In most cases, the gnats will start breeding in your kitchen skin and from there, they’ll start spreading to the other parts of your home too very soon. So, treat the place from where it all starts and definitely, the gnats will be reduced over time.

• You will need some bleaching powder to do this trick. Add some bleaching powder with water such that it is blended well. Make sure it’s mild, not very concentrated, neither too dilute.
• Pour this mixture in your sink and especially pour it well into your sink pipe.
• Consider doing this, twice a day and you’ll soon see that the gnats that are breeding in your sink pipe are gradually disappearing with time.

This trick can also be applied in the washing basin. Sometimes, if your washing some fruits and nuts in your wash basin, you’ll be noticing gnats from their too. You can apply it there too! And also, it’s not just serving the purpose of getting rid of gnats and fruit flies. Your kitchen sink will shine by the virtue of bleaching powder! Time to give it a shot!

 

4. How to Get Rid of Gnats Using Red Wine Trick ?

This is yet another effective way for how to get rid of gnats and fruit flies. The red wine is something that appears very attractive and welcoming to the fruit flies and the gnats. So, you’ll not have to roam around your home with a gnats trap but they will come to the red wine bottle on their own. You will need some red wine for doing this. You needn’t really spend too much on buying the costliest red wine. Get the cheapest one, it would suffice to do the trick.

• Take a plastic container that is a see through one. It can be of glass too. But make sure, it’s transparent and see through. Opaque ones are a no no.
• Pour some red wine into the container.
• Do not use the container lid to close it, but use a plastic polythene to cover the lid of the container. Use any sharp substance to make small holes on the plastic polythene.
• Now, add some soap dish into the red wine so that it can create some bubbles.
• The aroma of the red wine is very welcoming to the gnats and the fruit flies.

You will notice that the gnats and fruit flies that are present in various places of your home will be attracted to this container. They will come hunting for the red wine that looks like a fruit juice to them and they’ll slowly succumb to death by virtue of the soap bubbles. The best way of using this trick is to keep the container in the night and leaving it there overnight. By you wake up in the morning, all those annoying gnats and fruit flies will be dead and gone!

How to Do Cat Eye Makeup Step by Step?

Cat eye makeup is also known as Lauren Conrad’s look and it is a flirty trick that every girl have included in her beauty routine nowadays. The makeup is dramatic with the taste of classic beauty.

This makeup look is not at all the easiest makeup look to master but if you use the right tool and right techniques you will be soon applying the eye flick like a professional.

Since nobody can be a pro at the first attempt but like they say “Practice makes man perfect”, some practice and few tricks for getting the right flick can have you rocking this makeup look in no time.

So without wasting any more time let us learn how to do a cat eye makeup step by step using two different methods.

How to Do a Cat Eye Makeup?

Method 1: Free Hand Flick

Step 1: Draw The Outline and Find The Angle

• Start the makeup base with light coloured eyeshadow to prime your eyelid allowing smooth application of eyeliner.
• This will help eyeliner to stay put and will not rub off.
• Then lower your upper eyelid and start by drawing the line from the middle of your eyelid as close to the eyes lashes as possible.
• Depending on how dramatic you want to create the look, make the line thin or thick and determine the width accordingly.
• The reason for doing it is because the line will always look small when you will open your eyes. You can go for a thin line for the subtle look.
• You would require the little bit of practice and can start with either short strokes or draw a single stroke of eyeliner close to your lashes.

Step 2: Draw a Triangle

• Hold your brush against the side of the nose and angle the brush towards the end of the eyebrow. This is the point where you would want your wings to follow.
• Once you find the right angle, put a dot to mark the tip of your wings and draw the line to connect the dots and to the outer edges creating a triangle.
• Do not stretch your skin while drawing the line because when you will release the crease, it will go back to normal. Instead, tilt your head to the back and lower your lash line.

Step 3: Fill The Triangle

• Use the liquid eyeliner to fill the triangle and make sure you apply it smoothly. If you have marked the dot little higher, the eye makes up will be thicker and more dramatic.
• Ensure that the dots are marked at the same height and angle on both the sides.

Step 4: Connect The Triangle to Your Lash Line

Apply another coat of eyeliner to connect triangle with your lash line. So basically, you are applying your normal eyeliner from inner corner to the triangle.

Step 5: Clean Up The Mistakes

There are chances that you did not get it correct for the first time, so use a Q-tip to erase the smudges or the area that you need to sharpen.

Step 6: Apply Mascara

Once the cat eyeliner dries out, finish your makeup look with few coats of favourite mascara. See if both your eyes look symmetrical. Once you have mastered the overall look, wear it for a night out or on a date, or just the signature look for everyday use.

Method 2: Using Tape

Step 1-

Start by applying eyeshadow all the way up to the crease and lash line. Use the colour that matches your skin tone.

Do not use eye concealer because when you will use tape to draw the line, it will take off the concealer. Tape can also remove the eyeshadow in that particular area.

Step 2-

Take a small piece of tape and remove the excess glue by tapping it on the back of the hand.This will make tape gentler on the skin around your eyes.

Steps 3-

Stick the tape towards the outer corner of the eyes.

• Place it just beneath the lower lashes and make an angle towards the top of your temple area. To create more dramatic eye makeup look, place the tape to the end of the eyebrows.
• This will give thicker line. Make sure you press the clear tape on your skin to avoid the liquid eyeliner bleed through.

Step 4-

Finally, apply the eyeliner and make a thick line drawing towards the outer corner. Apply the cat eyeliner smoothly.

Tilt your head to the back and lower your eyelids. This way you will be able to see the lash line.

Step 5-

Extend the eyeliner towards the corner of the eyes using the tape. Draw thinner liner towards the corner end.

It is completely up to you how long or short you want the flick to be. Remember, longer and thicker it is, more dramatic and more classic your cat eyes will be.

Step 6-

Slowly peel off the tape and give a little touch up if required. When you will remove the tape, you will be able to see the crisp and sharp line.
In case your eyeshadow was removed by tape, fill more eyeshadow and patch it up. Give a little retouch to your base shadow and concealer.

Step 7-

Finally, apply multiple coats of mascara or your can use fake eyelashes for fuller eyes. Apply a single coat to the bottom lashes.

Few Tips to Remember and Off Course to Follow

There are some cat eyes makeup tips that will surely save some time, some mess:

• Single tip or felt tip eyeliners are easier to use and give a good amount of control.
• While doing your cat eye makeup, make sure you pull your hair back to prevent any last minute mess.
• The thicker your eye wing, more classic or retro it would look.
• When using your pencil eyeliner, make sure it is very sharp for sharp lines. To achieve the darker look, you need to layer it multiple times.
• You can experiment with the height and the length and also the angle to find out what looks best on you.
• If you are not good with straight lines, use the business card or credit card. For drawing curved lines, try with the spoon.
• Liquid liners are perfect for creating cat eye makeup but if you are not used to using liquid eyeliners it can get little difficult to use at first. Therefore, try gel based liner for first attempts because it won’t smudge as well.
• You can also start by applying gel liner first and then fill the triangle or lines with liquid liner. This will help in creating dark, nice look without any fear of running liquid liner.

A well-carved cat eye is one of the versatile makeup looks from many years. When the cat eye makeup look is worn with a sheer lipstick and little touch of blush, it completes the look for that Sunday brunch. When it’s done with a little vampy lip and heavy mascara, it is transformed into an ideal night look. Hence, we completely agree that cat eye makeup is one skill that all the ladies should learn sooner or later to experiment with different time of the day with the same style.

Easy Tips on How to Lose Lower Belly Fat!

Here we will come to know some of the easy tips on how to lose lower belly fat? Why is it so important to lose the lower belly fat?

We get ready to go somewhere and you wear one of those best fitting dress to look dapper and damn! You see that small pooch on the lower belly. Not so pleasing to see and you tend to get a little depressed. Apart from not so great to see, the lower stomach fat can also be dangerous. Also, knows as the visceral fat, this fat is stored around the stomach or in and around the organs. This type of fat can be dangerous to health as it can result in increasing the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.

Now, how to lose lower belly fat? Quite tricky and takes the time to lose. But certain dedicated lifestyle changes and dietary patterns can be the answer to achieve the goals.

How to Lose Lower Belly Fat?

1. Reducing The Calorie Intake

If you need to lower the fat accumulated in the stomach, you need to reduce the overall caloric intake. There is nothing like you can just focus on the stomach fat and reduce only that portion. If you want to lose belly fat, you need to lower the total body weight by reducing the calorie intake.

• Keep a journal or a food guide about how much calories are you eating everyday. This will help you in getting an idea about what you are eating and how much are you eating.
• Now subtract 500 calories from the total calories that you eat everyday. This small and gradual decrease can bring down the pounds and help you lose up to ½ kg per week.

 

2. Improve On The Protein Content In Your Diet

High protein diet helps you to boost metabolism and increase a number of calories burned. It reduces the appetite and makes you eat lesser calories later.

• Prefer lean meats like skinless chicken than red meats like lamb, pork or beef.
• Include whey in your diet.
• Tofus, soya, low fat cottage cheeses and egg white are a must in your diet.

 

3. How to Lose Lower Belly Fat With The Intake Of Carbohydrates?

Eating too much carbohydrate can add to your waistline.  When we eat too much of carbs, the calories that are not presently needed in the body gets converted into triglycerides and gets stored as fats. Carbohydrates can also stimulate insulin hormone which works in the body to store fat.

• Avoid crackers, pretzels or even breads. Even watch out for foods high in sugars, honey, molasses, corn syrup or high fructose corn syrup. Beware of processed low-fat foods as they have high sugar levels that spike your blood glucose levels and raise your triglyceride levels.
• Prefer foods that raise the blood sugar levels slowly or foods with low glycemic index.Prefer foods like apple, lentils, peas, grapefruit,  green beans, cherries, chickpeas and kidney beans that are low in glycemic index.
• Prefer foods that are unprocessed, low in fructose, carbohydrates that come from vegetables and whole grains that are high in fiber and low in calories.

 

4. Drinking Alcohol? NoNo!

We know stress and strain of our everyday life take a toll on our peace of mind but drinking alcohol is not the solution for that. Alcohol impairs the functions of liver thus hampering the metabolism of fat. Alcohol consumption leads to fat gain rather than fat loss. Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram. Now that’s slightly higher than carbohydrates and proteins. To add to that, alcohol contains calories without nutrients or as we say empty calories. On consuming alcohol, liver is busy in processing alcohol that all other metabolic functions take a back seat leading to stubborn fat accumulation and high cholesterol. 2 to 3 drinks a day can add up to 400 calories extra each and every day. Now that’s unnecessary extra calories that you are adding.

Alcohol consumption stops the fat burning process, adds extra calories and stimulates appetite.

• Alcohol in moderation is recommended.
• Prefer red wine than beer. Beer, prepared in hops are fat gaining and difficult in fat loss.
• Avoid sweet drink with added sugar as it causes spike in blood sugar.
• Avoid high carbohydrate snack with alcohol to avoid insulin elevation and hence higher levels of fat in the blood stream.

 

5. How to Lose Lower Belly Fat With the Intake Of Fruit and Vegetable?

“A vegetable or a fruit has a magic wand of melting the belly fat away and giving you a perfectly toned body”. That’s not possible. You are thinking wrongly. Fruits and vegetables are best for weight reduction and thus reducing the total fat percentage and thus it helps in reducing the midsection too.

• Improve the calcium content of our body through in take of fruits and vegetables. Green leafy vegetables like kale, dandelion or even okra can help to bring up the calcium content from 10 to 14 percent. Add leafy veggies into soups or curries, even add greens into the scrambled eggs or omelets.
• Prefer water dense fruits and vegetable that will keep you hydrated but will not add the calories. Cucumber, turnips, radish, tomatoes and celery are water based vegetables whereas watermelons, grapefruit, pineapple and rhubarb are the fruits.
• Make a point to start your meal with a green salad, add more veggies into the sauces that are added to pastas. Just adding fruits and vegetables into your processed, refined or packaged foods will not do wonders. Preferably add fruits and veggies into unprocessed foods or whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins like chicken, fish, nuts or beans.

 

6. Include Foods Rich In Monounsaturated Fats (MUFAs)

Improving the Monounsaturated fat quality of the diet is essential. It not only helps to reduce the belly fat but also help in controlling the satiety and reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.  MUFA rich diet help in controlling the spike in blood sugar and hence prevent belly fat accumulation.

• Include MUFA rich food in every meal.
• MUFA rich foods include nuts, flaxseeds, olives, seeds, avocados, canola oil, groundnut oil, sesame seed oil, soybean and dark chocolates.
• However, you need to be careful and control the intake of these MUFA rich foods considering a number of calories these foods can add. Add small but regular intake of MUFA rich foods to your meals.

 

7. Be Active

Incorporate aerobic exercise into your health regimen. Cardiovascular exercises help to speed up the metabolism and burn calories so that you can lose weight overall.

• 30 minutes of exercise everyday need to be done. You can even bring up to 60 minutes of workout.
• Jogging, brisk walking, swimming, biking and hiking are the exercises that can be included.
• If possible, it would be effective if we do high-intensity interval training as it helps to lose more fat from the stomach than your regular cardio exercise.The high-intensity interval training is done for a short period of time but works on the body effectively. Alternating shorter duration of high-intensity workouts with moderate intensity exercise is what is done.
• Get an efficient and full body strength training workout and an extra dose of a cardio workout through Tabata training.This training alternates 20 seconds of training with 10 seconds of recovery. Tabata workout includes 6 different exercises like lunges, pushups, squats, dips, planks and bent over rows. Do eight rounds of each exercise.

 

8. Manage The Stress

Stress results in an increase in cortisol levels, a steroid hormone and if that remains high for too long, it increases the amount of fat that you hold in your belly.

• Keep some time to meditate, join yoga classes and identify and deal with regular stressors in your life. Keep some time free for your family and get enough of sleep.
• Avoid foods that can cause inflammation like foods high in Trans fats, saturated fats and low in fiber as it can cause an elevation in cortisol levels.

Hence stress management with dietary changes and physical activity will help us to deal with accumulated lower stomach fat faster and effectively.

By following the above advice on “How to lose lower belly fat” once can certainly achieve the perfect looking flat abdomen. It takes time, patience and lot of determination to achieve the results but in the end it proves fruitful for sure.

If you enjoyed reading this article then why not share “how to lose lower belly fat”  tips with your friends on Social media? Also please give your valuable feedback in the comments section below.

The World’s Richest Made $237 Billion This Year

In a year when populist voters reshaped power and politics across Europe and the U.S., the world’s wealthiest people are ending 2016 with $237 billion more than they had at the start.

Triggered by disappointing economic data from China at the beginning, the U.K.’s vote to leave the European Union in the middle and the election of billionaire Donald Trump at the end, the biggest fortunes on the planet whipsawed through $4.8 trillion of daily net worth gains and losses during the year, rising 5.7 percent to $4.4 trillion by the close of trading Dec. 27, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

“In general, clients rode through the volatility,” said Simon Smiles, chief investment officer for ultra-high-net-worth clients at UBS Wealth Management. “2016 ended up being a spectacular year for risk assets. Pretty remarkable given the start of the year.”

The gains were led by Warren Buffett, who added $11.8 billion during the year as his investment firm Berkshire Hathaway Inc. saw its airline and banking holdings soar after Trump’s surprise victory on Nov. 8. Buffett, who’s pledged to give away most of his fortune to charity, donated Berkshire Hathaway stock valued at $2.6 billion in July.

Berkshire Bonanza

Warren Buffett

Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

The U.S. investor reclaimed his spot as the world’s second-richest person two days after Trump’s victory ignited a year-end rally that pushed Buffett’s wealth up 19 percent for the year to $74.1 billion.

“2016’s been event-driven with global news driving prices rather than fundamentals,” said Michael Cole, president of Ascent Private Capital Management, which has about $10 billion of assets under administration. “The belief that Trump is going to come in and deregulate big parts of the economy is driving the markets right now.”

The individual gains for the year were dominated by Americans, who had four of the five biggest increases on the index, including Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, the world’s richest person with $91.5 billion, and oilman Harold Hamm.

The country’s richest were largely opposed to a Trump presidency during the election, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who told the media in May that stocks could fall as much as 20 percent if Trump were to win the election.

Wealth Administration

U.S. billionaires -- including Buffett -- favored Trump’s rival Hillary Clinton. Still, they profited from his victory when they added $77 billion to their fortunes in the post-election rally fueled by expectations that regulations would ease and American industry would benefit.

The New York real estate mogul is building a cabinet heavy on wealth and corporate connections, and light on government experience, a mix that hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio said last week would unleash the "animal spirits" of capitalism and drive markets even higher. Dalio is the world’s 63rd-richest person with $14.1 billion.

Wilbur Ross

Photographer: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Investors and executives welcomed Trump’s picks, including billionaire Wilbur Ross to lead the Department of Commerce and former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. executive Steven Mnuchin as his Treasury secretary, who have a combined net worth of at least $5.6 billion, according to the index.

“You know, I was not opposing Trump as much as most people,” Saudi Arabian billionaire Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber said in a Dec. 11 interview. “He’s capable and -- as a businessman -- he’s shrewd about the bottom line. The people he’s surrounding himself with have baggage but they’re also successful and shrewd.”

France’s Bernard Arnault was the sole non-American representative among the five best performers, adding $7.1 billion to take his fortune to $38.9 billion. His LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE said the Chinese luxury-goods market is improving.

Gates remained the world’s richest person throughout the year. Amancio Ortega, Europe’s richest person and founder of the Zara clothing chain, was in second place on the index for most of the year until he ceded it to Buffett in November. Ortega, who dropped $1.7 billion in 2016, is the world’s third-richest person with $71.2 billion.

Harold Hamm

Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Wildcatter Hamm’s fortune was propelled by a strengthening oil price and expectations a Trump administration will slash fossil-fuel regulations. Hamm added $8.4 billion to more than double his fortune to $15.3 billion. He led the 49 energy, metals and mining billionaires, who were the best-performing category on the ranking, adding $80 billion and reversing the $32 billion fall they had in 2015.

Billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch each dropped $2 billion after Koch Industries reported on its website that annual revenue is estimated to be "as high as $100 billion," compared with the estimate of "as much as $115 billion" that the conglomerate published on the site previously. Company spokesman Rob Carlton stated in a Nov. 17 e-mail that Koch revenue fluctuates with the price of commodities.

Technology fortunes were the second-best performing on the ranking, with 55 billionaires adding $50 billion to their fortunes over the year, despite worries that a Trump presidency might introduce policies that could hurt their companies.

“I think we’ll have to see what the policies of the administration are,” Google co-founder Sergey Brin told the media gathered on the red carpet of the annual Breakthrough Prize gala in Silicon Valley in December. “I certainly hope they will be pro-science, pro-technology and all the things this world has really benefited from.”

Jeff Bezos

Photographer: Patrick Fallon/Bloomberg

Amazon.com Inc. founder Jeff Bezos, who doubled his fortune to $60 billion in 2015, led gains among technology executives again this year, rising $7.5 billion in 2016 on robust sales growth at the online retailer. He was followed by Facebook Inc. co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, who added $5.4 billion.

Hidden Wealth

Some of the industry’s biggest relative gains went to the founders of the world’s leading startups, such as Uber Technologies Inc.’s Travis Kalanick and Snap Inc.’s Evan Spiegel. The so-called "unicorn" billionaires, which include Spotify Inc. co-founder Martin Lorentzon, who was identified as a billionaire for the first time in 2016, secured a series of mammoth funding rounds while moving closer to testing their fortunes on the public markets.

Other billionaires uncovered by the Bloomberg index in 2016 included the father and son behind Jose Cuervo tequila, New York real estate developer Axel Stawski and Kosovo construction tycoon Behgjet Pacolli.

Marcos Galperin

Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg

The index also unveiled 11 surviving family members of reclusive Thai entrepreneur Chaleo Yoovidhya, the inventor of Red Bull, whose heirs share a combined $22 billion net worth, the world’s largest energy-drink fortune. Three billionaires emerged in Argentina, including the country’s first technology billionaire Marcos Galperin, as markets rose on enthusiasm for President Mauricio Macri’s finance-friendly economic policies.

Wang Jianlin

Photographer: Justin Chin/Bloomberg

Most fortunes outside of the U.S. didn’t get the same boost from Trump’s victory, and were hurt by fluctuating commodities prices and the rise of the dollar, the currency used for the Bloomberg ranking. Nine of the 10 biggest decliners in 2016 were from outside the U.S., led by China’s second-richest person, Wang Jianlin, who lost $5.8 billion. Wang ended the year as the world’s 21st-richest person with $30.6 billion.

Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, the richest person in Africa, lost $4.9 billion or one-third of his wealth as the combined effect of falling oil prices and the June devaluation of the naira pushed him to No. 112 with $10.4 billion. Dangote was the world’s 46th-richest person in June.

Saudi Arabia’s Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud fell $4.9 billion, a 20 percent drop. Alwaleed said in November that all of his stakes in public companies including Citigroup Inc. are potentially for sale, reversing a longstanding policy that some of his most prized shareholdings were “forever.”

Chinese Downturn

Wealth creation in China turned negative for the first time since the inception of the Bloomberg index five years ago, with the country’s richest losing $11 billion in 2016 amid a slump in the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index and a 7 percent decline for the yuan against the dollar.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. founder Jack Ma closed the year with $33.3 billion, adding $3.6 billion in 2016. He dropped in and out of his place as Asia’s richest person for the first four months of the year before claiming it for good in May after Alibaba’s finance affiliate, which is laying the groundwork for an initial public offering expected as soon as next year, completed a record $4.5 billion equity fundraising round.

China has 31 billionaires on the index with $262 billion, trailing the U.S., which has 179 billionaires who control $1.9 trillion, and Germany, whose 39 individuals have $281 billion. Russian billionaires also began to put the negative effects of U.S. and European sanctions behind them, reversing the combined $63 billion declines for 2014 and 2015 and adding $49 billion in 2016.

Looking Ahead

Wealth managers for the world’s richest are girding themselves for similarly frenetic start to 2017 as the seismic changes voters demanded this year start to take shape.

"Expect the unexpected," said Sabine Kaiser, founder of SKadvisory, which advises family offices on venture capital and private equity. "I don’t think family offices are overly concerned or getting too nervous but after Brexit and Trump they’ve resigned themselves to market volatility."

6 Digital Trends in 2017 That Will Redefine Influence and Interaction for Marketers

 

In 2016, we've seen mobile completely redefine how people interact with one another as well as with brands. And while social and mobile have had an indisputable impact on marketing, communications and business, in 2017, we're going to see old dogs with new tricks in areas such as content mixed with new dogs who want to change the game all together. Here are a few areas we've identified as part of Edelman Digital's annual trends predictions for 2017.

Kevin King

Conversational experiences
Messaging apps are becoming the new second home screen. Why now? There's a chatbot revolution going on, and it's primarily being fueled by the adoption of chatbots by major social and messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger, Google, Microsoft Skype, Salesforce, Slack, Twitter DM, WeChat, Kik and Line. Now that there are billions of daily users of messaging platforms who are accustomed to engaging with brands in the feeds, the platforms hope they will enable marketers with the ability to scale creative 1-to-1 engagement opportunities called "conversational experiences." These conversational experiences will bring together past revolutions in ecommerce and text services while highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence.

 

Immersive content
2017 is going to mark a turning point in the way audiences interact with and consume video content. Through the releases of the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PSVR and Niantic Labs' Pokemon Go on Unity, virtual reality and augmented reality became important technological breakthroughs in 2016. In 2017, we anticipate significant improvements in immersive devices as well as software. Also, look for efforts from brands with skin in the game to make using a headset culturally acceptable.

 

Influencer marketing
According to eMarketer, 2017 is predicted to mark a major milestone for digital advertising—for the first time, digital spending will surpass that of TV. So where will those dollars go? Considering the challenges marketers face with bot fraud, ad blocking, social algorithms and general skepticism, influencer marketing will play a renewed and central role in the marketing mix for 2017. Influencer marketing isn't new, but it will mature in 2017 as we see brands not only partnering with digital savvy Snapchatters and YouTubers but co-creating original content that can't be found anywhere else.

 

Blockchain
What Uber did for on-demand auto transformation Blockchain promises to do for financial transactions. And with $1.4 billion in venture-capital money in the past three years, 24 countries investing in Blockchain technology for government services, 90-plus central banks engaged in related discussions, and 10 percent of global GDP to be traded via Blockchain technology by 2025-2027, it is important that marketers understand the potential implications for their business. We believe Blockchain technology will be a part of The Next Great Flattening and removal of middle-layer institutions.

 

B2B
Under increasing pressure to demonstrate tangible ROI on marketing and communications investments, business-to-business brands continue to adopt techniques including account based marketing, or ABM, marketing automation and advanced targeting. In 2017, we see B2B marketers aggressively moving away from basic awareness metrics toward identity-based KPIs that attribute high funnel marketing activities to downstream sales engagements and revenue generation. While some B2B brands will continue to experiment with emerging consumer-oriented technologies and platforms, we believe ROI pressure will lead marketers to seize ownership of the overall customer experience and create strategic alignment across marketing, communications, sales and IT. 

 
Sizzle meets steak: balancing what works today with what will work tomorrow
There will be no shortage of steak or sizzle in 2017. As influencer marketing for example matures, brands will measure it with the same rigor applied to traditional, or "tradigital," media. Content that has largely become a commodity for brands and consumers will strive to dazzle us in multiple dimensions, seeking to stand apart from the crowd. For marketers and brand managers, our remit is clear—we must master both the shiny and the substantial as part of our everyday roles and responsibilities. 2017 will be a year when we are tested on both fronts: being able to execute what we know works today with what we believe will work tomorrow.