The Natural Way

Suparna Trikha Dewan offers natural solutions and home remedies for your beauty problems

I’m an 18-year-old, suffering from pimples. I have also tanned a lot. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Pimples could be a teen problem or even a lifestyle problem. Drink 12 glasses of water, and chew six neem leaves daily. Make a pack using 2tsp multani mitti, a pinch of camphor, 1tsp mint paste and rose water. Mix well and apply on the acne-affected area. Let it dry and wash off with cold water. Eat lots of green vegetables, fruits and salads. For the tan, clean your skin with rose water. Mix sandalwood paste with grated cucumber and make a face mask. Apply this on your face on alternate days for a week and you will see that your skin has become lighter by at least two shades.

I am an 18-year-old girl with wavy hair. How can I straighten my hair naturally? Please give me a haircare routine so that I can get a long, thick and lustrous mane.

Meghna, via e-mail

Oil your hair with Mahabhringraj oil twice a week and follow with steam therapy. Mix 3tbs honey, 3tbs mayonnaise, 2tsp each of amla, reetha and shikakai powders.Whip together and apply on oiled hair and cover with a shower cap. Wash off with a mild shampoo which will help combat dryness and make the hair more manageable, straighter and softer.

My daughter is 20 years old and waxes her legs. However she cannot do it as often because she lives out of station and on a budget. Recently she came across some magazine which said that caramel or molten sugar with lemon juice is a good substitute for waxing creams. Is it true? Is there any natural way of make waxing creams at home?

Shabnam Ali, Asansol

Wax is made using sugar, lemon and honey. You can simmer it on a slow fire until it becomes thread-like. But if you want to avoid all the hassles, just pick up a jar of cold wax and disposable strips and do it at home.

I am an 82-year-old woman. My scalp is very dry and itchy even though I apply coconut oil once a week. Please suggest a natural remedy.

Farheen, Calcutta

With age our estrogen levels fall due to which we need to provide our body with oil and vitamin supplements. Eat plenty of dairy products, soya, Vitamin E, calcium and dry fruits — at least 10 almonds daily. You can even eat the leaves of drumstick or make tea from them. Mix equal quantities of coconut, olive and wheatgerm oils and apply it on your hair. Follow this with turban therapy.

I am a 15-year-old girl. I do not have dandruff but recently my hair has started falling at an alarming rate. Please help.

Name and address withheld

Follow a nutritious healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits, green vegetables and salads. Start using a good Mahabhringraj oil that will help promote hair growth and improve the texture of your hair. Follow it with turban therapy. You could also have a haemoglobin test done to check for if there are any internal weaknesses.

I have been suffering from acne for a long time. I have tried using clove oil mixed with multani mitti but it hasn’t helped. Please suggest a natural remedy.

Name and address withheld

You should combine a healthy diet with a disciplined lifestyle for great skin. Keep your skin squeaky clean by massaging it with honey to which you have added a pinch of camphor. Continue with the clove pack. Also avoid constipation, exercise to increase blood circulation and eat healthy.

Cosmetic cures

Bridgette Jones has the most effective make-up tricks up her sleeve

Sohini Paul Actor I believe that keeping yourself healthy reflects on your skin and hair. My skincare routine is very basic. I try and avoid using soap and make-up as much as possible. When I am not shooting, I use minimal make-up like lipgloss and sometimes kajal. But after shooting, I ensure that I remove make-up. I have dry skin so I use a good moistursing lotion. I oil my hair once a week and go for a hair spa regularly. For my hair, I use products from Dove and L’Oreal. For my face, I use a cleanser from Sheer Cover. Pix by Rashbehari Das

I am a 40-year-old woman with a round face. I have a double chin that makes it rounder, making me look older. How can I tone the skin under my chin and in the neck area?

Name and address withheld

As we age, our skin and muscles lose their natural firmness. However, that doesn’t mean you have to live with that double chin and sagging skin. Go for a diet that’s high in fibre and low on fat. eat low-cal food and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This will help reduce the fat deposit in your body.

You can also apply a skin tightening or toning lotion on the troublesome areas. This will help tone your skin. exercising will also help in reducing and toning the skin. Try this exercise: open your mouth wide and pull your bottom lip over your bottom teeth. Move your jaw up and down as if you are trying to scoop something into your mouth. repeat this 10 times.

I am a 22-year-old and will be getting married soon. Though I have a wheatish complexion, whenever I apply even a light touch of foundation, lipstick and kajal, I look darker. But I love wearing make-up and will obviously have to apply make-up on my wedding day. How can I look my best and not appear dark? Is it necessary to use a moisturiser regularly? I have normal skin.

Name and address withheld

Normal, dry , sensitive, oily or combination — no matter what your skin type is, it is important that you follow the basic skincare routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising. This will keep your skin clean, healthy and glowing.

Identifying your exact skin tone is the first and most important step you can take toward using cosmetics effectively and making the most of every feature. While choosing your make-up colours that suit your complexion, make sure you do not set yourself too many rules. Unless you experiment with different hues, and break some of the rules, you will never be able to find out which shades of make-up work best for you. However, when it comes to foundation, there is almost no scope for experimentation. It should match your complexion as closely as possible. Colours to experiment with are warm hues like terracota, golden orange and soft browns. Make sure you blend all make-up well to create a natural effect. Practice will make you perfect.

TIP

Here’s a winter tip for your hair: If you’re used to colouring your hair, particularly adding

highlights, winter is a good time to warm up your look with a change of hue — and add less intense ‘low lights’ (highlights closer to your base hair colour) for eye-catching pizzazz with minimal damage to your hair.