Dazzle like a diva on Diwali
While we dress up our houses for Diwali every year, its time we pay attention to our skin as well. Between all the card parties and late-night binges, it’s time we rejuvenateour skin with these tips by experts.
FRUIT PACK
Fruits like banana, apple, papaya, avocado, oranges can be mixed together and applied as a face mask for all skin types. Papaya, rich in enzymes, cleanses the skin of dead cells and helps in cell renewal. Banana tightens the skin. Apples and oranges are rich in vitamins. Avocado is rich in antioxidants;it hydrates the skin and has age control benefits. Apply and wash off after 30 minutes.
FACIAL SPRAY
For acne prone skin, take 100 ml distilled water, add 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil, spray it on the face and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse with plain water. Keep the spray bottle in the fridge and reuse it.
TONER
Use green tea skin toner, which is a good antioxidant. Take half cup water and two teaspoons of green tea. Bring the water to boil. Put tea leaves in a ceramic bowl. Pour the hot water over it and keep for two minutes. Strain and cool the liquid. Apply on face with cotton wool to tone the skin.
BODY SCRUB
The best body scrub is the ageold ‘ubtan’ made at home with wheat bran, gram flour, curd or cream of milk, and a pinch of turmeric. All these can be mixed together and applied on the body, 20 minutes before bathing. It clears dead cells and makes the skin smooth.
REMOVE TAN
Take sesame seeds, dried mint leaves, one tablespoon each lemon juice and honey. Crush the sesame seeds coarsely and powder the dried mint leaves. Mix them with lemon juice and a little honey and apply it on face and arms. Sesame seeds have sun protective properties and also soothe sun damaged skin. It helps to remove tan. Mint has a stimulating effect and adds a glow to the skin, while honey moisturises and softens the skin. Rub it gently on the skin. Leave it on for a few minutes and wash off.
HAIR MASK
Take two teaspoons vinegar, one teaspoon pure glycerine and one egg. Mix them together well. Massage lightly into the hair. Wear a plastic shower cap and leave it on for half an hour before washing the hair. Henna packs help to add shine, body and bounce to the hair. For oily, dandruff prone hair, add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs and enough “tea water” to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. To make tea-water, boil used tea leaves again in enough water. After boiling, you should have about four to five cups of tea water. Cool and strain and add to the henna paste. Apply the henna on the hair and wash off after an hour with plain water. If you do not wish to use egg, add more tea water.
SHINING NAILS
Take warm almond oil and soak the fingers and nails in it for 10 minutes. Massage the oil on the nails and on the skin around nails. Wipe off with a moist towel. The nails can also be “buffed.” This is usually done with a piece of chamois leather. It should be gently rubbed with the chamois leather. It helps to remove discolouration on nails and also makes the nails shiny.