Say Hello to a Radiant Face

Who doesn’t love to look radiant and youthful? We spend so much on creams, lipsticks and other cosmetics in an effort to get that glow. In fact, over the years, women have become even more conscious of their looks, taking immense pride in the way they appear. This is evident from the fact that, since the turn of the millennium, the Indian cosmetic industry has been growing at a rate of 15-20% every year, according to the figures released by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

While we spend so much on cosmetics, do we really know their effects on our skin? Instead, shouldn’t we be choosing a face therapy that resulted in our skin becoming healthier? So, whether your skin in dull, pigmented or tanned, whether you wish to get rid of acne or wrinkles, or you simply wish to look more beautiful than you already do, here are some things you should know.

Choosing a Face Therapy Can Be Tricky

The harmful UV rays of the sun could have left your skin looking lifeless and darker. Other factors like dehydration and deficiencies in our diet result in dimming the natural glow of our face. While a face therapy can help restore the sheen, it is essential to consult a dermatologist or beauty expert. This is because the treatment needs to be identified only after taking into account your particular skin type and what you wish to achieve.

Peels are rightly believed to be good for your skin. A treatment with peels stimulates the epidermis, balances the oils, deep-cleanses the pores, helps to even out your skin tone and aids in removing wrinkles. However, some of us have oily skin and others have dry skin. This means that the formulations of the peels and the techniques used to apply them need to vary.

If your skin is dry, you could opt for a treatment focusing on intense hydration and nourishment of the skin cells. Such a treatment can help provide your skin with the much-needed Vitamin A, B5, C and E, resulting in a new found radiance.

For your skin is oily, the treatment needs to focus on getting rid of excess oil and shrinking the pores. With a combination of exfoliation, massage and mask, the treatment can repair sun damage, improve blood circulation and lighten skin complexion.

When chosen correctly and done by an expert, a face therapy can even accelerate cell renewal, help repair skin damage, remove aging lines and make your face glow with freshness.

Islamic banking: savings and current accounts

What are some of the features you can expect when you open accounts under the Islamic banking model? Read on to know.

A great banking model in Islamic countries is the Islamicbanking model, which follows the principles of Sharia in its activities. This model of banking is also popularly known as Sharia-compliant finance.

The principles of Islamic banking

As such, Sharia does not allow for the taking of interest at a specific level for money loaned privately to individuals or companies. This is a principle that is followed irrespective of the nature of the loan, i.e. fixed or variable loan. However, Sharia also dictates that loans will not be given to individuals or businesses that deal with items or services that are considered taboo under Islam, such as alcohol and pork.

In the context of Islamic banking services catering to Muslim populations in Islamic countries, these principles are extended to mean that loans and financial assistance will not be provided to individuals or businesses that deal with services and activities that are traditionally considered prohibited under Islam.

Banks and financial institutions following business models in keeping with Sharia are called Islamic banks. Their services are available for Muslims in the Islamic world. It was estimated that at the end of the year 2014, Islamic banks constituted about 1 per cent of the world’s financial assets. It is a rapidly growing arm of finance in the Middle East, and especially in the UAE.

Opening accounts under Islamic banking

One can avail of a host of benefits when one holds an account with an Islamic bank, right from taking insurance to remitting money abroad. One can open a range of accounts under the Islamic banking model, but the most basic types are savings and current accounts.

Both accounts can be opened in the UAE using the Dirham as its base currency. Most banks insist on account holders in both categories maintaining a certain minimum balance per month, though some banks are now relaxing this rule for savings accounts. Islamic banking in the UAE also allows many benefits for both savings and current account holders, by way of free banking over the Internet and mobile phone, as also free debit cards and no charges on ATM transactions.

Other benefits of Islamic banking in the UAE include no charges on issuing quarterly bank statements, quick processing of utility payments and money transfers, and free cheque deposit and money withdrawal systems. Some Islamic banks also allow current account holders to take an advance payment against their salaries.

Is it Safe to Trust Investment Banks?

After the 2008 sub-prime lending crisis in the US, Wall Street, which is the Mecca of investment banking, came crashing down. Many people lost their money, banks declared bankruptcy and it had a global effect. But the question is: Is it safe to put your money in an investment bank?

What does an investment bank do?

Investment banks are mainly comprised of three areas, the investment banking division (IBD), Sales and Trading (S&T) and Asset Management. Global banks provide all three services, while smaller institutions only offer advisory services. Investment banks raise financial capital for individuals, corporations and government agencies by acting as the client’s agent for the issuance of securities. Demat accounts are opened in the name of the individual and the bank invests on behalf of the customer through this account. Trading of mutual funds, equities, bonds, shares and debentures, apart from systematic investment plans, are the services offered by such institution. This is why they are called institutional investors.

Why invest through institutional investors?

Investment banking has gained popularity because of the experts sitting behind the desk handling investments. There is a huge risk in this form of banking, which is why it requires extensive market research before any investments are made. This is exactly what the financial institution does for you. You can never rely on one income source for life, therefore investing your money for future returns has become a necessity. Investment banks are especially helpful for start-ups, since they help raise capital. Most banks across the world provide investment banking as one their services. They might, however, charge certain fees and commission for the services provided to the customer.

Before investing or relying on any bank, one should always take certain safety measures. Always read the documents carefully and understand them. Be aware of your bank’s polices and terms and conditions. You can also ask friends and relatives for recommendations. It is also a good idea to read customer feedback on the banking website for more information. Never invest all your money in one sector and never rely for investment from one source alone. As they say, you should never put all your eggs in one basket.

Invest and trade in sectors where the valuation is on the rise. Never invest in a company whose valuation rose without any strategic change in company policy and services. There could be foul play at hand. Understand the risks and prepare yourself for the worst, since the financial markets and the economy are volatile at present.