Beauty care at home, Naturopathy and its importance

Naturopathy is fast gaining popularity around the world for its safe and effective healing. In Indian homes, home remedies come before the trip to the doctor. All ailments are believed to be caused by what you eat and what you don't eat. A traditional Indian doctor will first make slight adjustments to your diet before he prescribes a medicine, which is the last resort.

There are various forms of medicine in practice in India, such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, etc. Ayurveda is based on the theory that with proper diet and corrective therapy aided by massages, techniques of respiration and through meditation, all problems can be cured. Yoga therapy corrects respiration and all bodily imbalances by the use of different postures that facilitate the above and initiate recovery. Yoga is practiced by itself and can be combined with other therapies as well. Diet plays a very important role in Unani medicine as well. When an illness is being treated, diet is controlled during the initial stages and if the problem persists, medicine is administered.

Similarly, skin ailments are also naturally cured. Be it acne, dryness, a rash etc. In fact, in India skin care and beautifying rituals have such an important place that there are 16 steps to complete care. These are cumulatively called Solah Sringar or 16 adornments. These start with the pre-bath oil massage and go up to the perfuming step. The beautifying ritual for a bride begins with a ceremony in which a mixture of gram flour, turmeric and mustard/vegetable oil or clarified butter is rubbed on her. Then she is given a manicure and a pedicure with milk and on the big day she is bathed in milk and rose water. Milk softens the skin and the rose water cools and deodorizes the body.

For those with oily skin, a mixture of gram flour and turmeric makes for a great scrub and face pack removing excess oil and cleansing the face. There are many such concoctions that Indian women use even today for problems as varied as colds and unwanted hair.

Following are a list of such mixtures guaranteed to work very effectively and if they don't work as desired, you can be sure that there won't be any side effects since these are completely natural.

Lemon

For cough, cold and fever, lemon is very effective. Squeeze a lemon in a glass full of water and drink repeatedly. This will cure all three. But if the fever is high and makes you thirsty, boil the water. This will bring down the fever and reduce the thirst. If the cold is severe, add required amounts of honey in the above mixture. Another very beneficial method is: cut a lemon in half, add in it salt, ground black pepper and powdered molasses. Heat this and squeeze the juice directly on the tongue.

If you don't like the freckles on your face, rub a piece of lemon on them everyday and they will lighten considerably. Sprinkling a little alum on the lemon works wonders for the complexion. Rubbing half a lemon on the teeth not only makes them shiny and bright but will also cure bad breath.

If you are looking to lose some weight, before crash dieting try this: add a little salt and one lemon to 350mls of lukewarm water. Drink this daily on an empty stomach. If you prefer honey to salt, you can substitute. Drink this mixture every time you feel thirsty. Try this for a month and you are sure to see results

Milk

Milk should ideally be consumed in the morning since it is believed that the heat of the sun digests milk. Adding sugar to milk is very harmful since it not only induces phlegm, it also destroys the calcium content in it. It should be drunk at room temperature if possible, or cold. But if you prefer warm milk then don't overheat it. Overheating destroys all its beneficial elements. For the sweetening of milk and easy digestion, add honey to it. Never drink milk if you are suffering from cough, constipation, diarrhea, stomachache or indigestion. For acidity, drink cold milk twice a day. And for tiredness a glass of warm milk will prove effective.

For wrinkles, pimples and blemishes apply warm milk and wash with water. Do this regularly before sleeping at night, it will solve your problem and improve your complexion. Adding a little saffron to a spoonful of fresh milk and applying on the lips will cure their darkness and make them softer.

If you are suffering from an itchy rash, add a little water to some milk and apply on the rash with cotton wool and then wash. It will stop the itch and cure the rash

Salt

Salt is good only in small quantities and rock salt is better than sea salt. Eating excessive salt weakens the gums and is also the cause of body odour. Due to excessive consumption of salt, body cells die and these dead cells come out from the pores through perspiration. This makes the odour very strong and foul. To help the situation, eat salt in very small quantities. Salt is very drying, thus excessive amounts of salt causes unnatural thirst. Small quantities of it can be very beneficial.

In a headache, keep a pinch of salt on the tongue and ten minutes later drink a cold glass of water. Or, smell a mixture or three grams of salt in one-fourth cup of water.

For a stomachache, mix half a spoon of salt in a glass of hot water and drink. This will not only cure the pain but will also remove the cause of the pain.

For softening the skin, wet the skin and take a fistful of salt, rub on the skin in circular motions and then wash. Do this once a week, it will slough off dead skin thus making it soft. For cracking heels or rough feet, add salt to warm water and soak your feet

Its the end of another long, tiring day and the many-headed demon of stress, pollution and fatigue has been busy at work as well…robbing your skin of moisture, blocking pores with grime and grease and etching fine lines with slow but deliberate progress.I have long noticed that we malayalee women who are well known for our natural beauty and long hair are today least bothered to keep up themselves as they pose to be busy mothers, dutiful wives or tough working executives. But in the kitchen kingdom there are a lot of ways by which you can bring back the glowing skin! isn't that wonderful! read along then.

Getting the most from your mask:

Wash your face and neck and apply some gentle protective cream around the sensitive eyes and mouth areas. Apply the mask on your face and neck for up to twenty minutes at the most. Rinse off gently and apply a moisturizer suitable to your skin type.

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Citrus mask

This mask is effective for oily skins. Grapefruit unclogs pores and lemon is an excellent astringent and clarifier, while egg whites tighten the skin. Expect a tingle with this mask-that means its working but if your skin is dry it could start to burn. If this occurs, wash it off immediately.

Ingredients:

½ grapefruit

½ lemon's juice

1 egg white

5-6 seedless grapes

Mix ingredients together in a blender. Apply on your face and leave for fifteen minutes, then rinse off with warm water.

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Egg and Honey Facial

This easy mask is suitable for all skin types. It clarifies and moisturizes the skin, leaving it cleansed and silken. Egg yolks contain anti-oxidants, which are very beneficial to our skin.

Ingredients:

1 egg yolk

1 tsp. honey

1 tsp. vitamin E oil

1 tsp. almond oil

Mix all ingredients together, stirring until smooth. To use, apply to face and rinse with warm water after 15 minutes.

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Egg White Skin Tightener

As far as masks go, it can't get simpler than this…it leaves your skin tightened and feeling very refreshed.

Ingredients:

1 egg white

Separate the egg white from the yolk. Put the egg white on your face and relax for about 15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.

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Honey Mask

This mask effectively moisturizes and tightens the skin, making it smooth and soft.

Ingredients:

1½ tbsp. honey

1 egg white

2 tsp. glycerin

1/3 cup flour

Whisk the honey, egg white and glycerin, and then add the flour. The result should be a thick paste. Apply to face and rinse after 15 minutes

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Vegetable Mask

This mask works well for oily skin, since it absorbs the surplus oils. Tomatoes are excellent anti-oxidants, and the curd prevents excessive drying.

Ingredients:

1/2 tomato, mashed (remove seeds and skin)

2 tsp. curd

1 tsp. mashed cucumber

3 crushed mint leaves.

Mix ingredients together and apply on your face. Wait for ten minutes, and then wash off with warm water

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Yogurt Moisturizing Mask

This mask is super-simple and will add lots of moisture to your skin. Plus, it's great for those of us who hate spending time in the kitchen and want something that's quick to prepare and easy to make

Ingredients:

Plain yogurt

Smooth yogurt over your face and let it set for about 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

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Honey moisturizer

Legend has it that honey and milk were Cleopatra's beauty secrets. This mask will make your skin extremely soft; also, try it in a bath for that all over silkiness.

Ingredients:

3 tsp honey

4 tsp. milk.

Mix the ingredients together. Apply to face, rinse after 10 minutes with warm water.

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Sandalwood pack

This pack will help in keeping your skin fresh and soft in the long summers.

Ingredients

1tsp turmeric powder

1tsp cream

1tsp sandal powder(chandan)

1tsp bengal gram flour

All the above ingredients are made into a thick pasteand should be applied everyday for 1/2 an hour before bath.

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Watermelon pack

This pack helps in clearing off blemishes and will freshen the skin.

Ingredients

2 tbsp juice of watermelon

Apply and leave it on your face for 20 minutes. Then wash off with hot water and apply some cold water.

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Methi pack

Pimples are a headache for teenagers, scared to use chemicals at that age as the skin is soft and can have side effects in future. try this simple remedy out

Before going to bed at night grind a few leaves of methi and apply on your face with a pinch of turmeric. wash off the following morning in luke warm water.

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Hey! a party is up and you have no time to a walk to the beauty parlour.I hoped if I knew the art of makeup myself!

This section has been so designed so as to give you the basic idea of social dressing to a small get-together or party. Hence be ready to change yourself into a much complex and dignified women.

Steam your face once a week, pour cold water over the face to close all the pores, or you can use an astringent

After steaming clean your face with a good cleansing milk

After cleansing rub your face dry and massage a good cream little by little into the skin.

EASY TIPS FOR PERFECT FINISH FOUNDATION

1. Choose a shade as close to your natural colouring as possible. You can do this by testing the colour over your jaw.

2. Apply foundation evenly, by putting dots of foundation, one on each of the cheeks, the forehead, the nose and the jaw. Smudge these dots, extending out from center of face towards roots of hair, as well as jawbone, to avoid an obvious line along jaw line.

3. Dab your face with a face tissue, to remove any extra foundation, and to also achieve a matted look.

EASY STEPS TO APPLY FACE POWDER

1.Choose a shade of the powder as close to your skin colour as possible, unless you are looking for a particular look - like the bronze look or the gold look.

2. Apply powder first with a powder puff, using feather like strokes to provide a longer-lasting hold.

3.Using a large brush and with downwards movements, dust off any excess powder to hide facial hair.

EASY STEPS FOR A PERFECT BLUSH

1. The shade of blusher you choose should complement the shade of the lipstick you are wearing.

2. Apply blusher in the hollow of the cheek, in a straight line with the pupil of the eye.

3. Using an outward movement, sweep blusher along cheekbone.

* Note: Blush-on is a powerful cosmetic for changing the face shapes, and it can be applied in different manners for a desired result. However, the 3 step technique mentioned above is a common technique, and suits most of the face shapes.

EASY STEPS FOR MESMERIZING EYELINER

1. Sharpen pencil to ensure a clean and flawless effect.

2. Draw a dark line across upper lashes as close to the base of lashes, as possible.

3.Using a cotton swab, smudge and soften outer corner of line to create a "smoky" effect.

EASY STEPS TO GET PERFECTLY CURLED LASHES

Follow these steps - before applying mascara and using a clean lash curler:

1.Clamp the curler at the base of lashes and hold it gently for upto 10 seconds.

2.Gently "walk" the curler up along the length of your lashes.

3. Apply mascara to maintain the curled look.

*Hint: Warming the curler for a moment with a blow-dryer helps to "set" the curl. Be careful - don't let the curler get too hot!

EASY STEPS FOR LUSCIOUS LIPS

1. Give your lips an outline. Define the shape of your mouth using a lip liner. Choose a shade that complements your favorite lipstick. Now color in your lips with the liner to get a colour that really clings.

2.Now use the lipstick to cover the liner, and blot any excess.

3. Set the look. Finish off with a little dusting of translucent powder and a second coat of lipstick. Or, just use a transfer-resistant lipstick, which stays perfect for hours

Pregnancy is the one stage in your life that you can truly pamper yourself and be waited upon by your family! Make the most of this time to relax and prepare yourself for the demanding times ahead, when your dates with the hairdresser and masseuse will play second fiddle to the pediatrician, maids schedules, colic panic....!! So read on and make your pregnancy the most beautiful time of your life!

Hair stylists say that pregnancy is the best thing for hair. It will turn amazingly full, shiny and soft.

Your new, thick healthy locks are due to an estrogen increase, which results in more hair follicles remaining in the resting phase and fewer in the falling out phase. Your healthy prenatal eating habits and vitamins help, too. The hormonal activity usually benefits the hair during pregnancy.

If there is any mental stress, however, this can reflect on the hair, by way of problems like hair loss. It is after the baby is born that hair loss can occur. In fact, post-pregnancy hair loss is almost routine. The hair may also begin to look dull and lifeless. There is no need to be alarmed about it. Once the hormones settle, the condition is usually checked. Regular hair care during pregnancy goes a long way in minimizing problems.

Regular hair care helps in maintaining the health of the hair and scalp.

Wash your hair with a mild herbal shampoo.

Avoid using hair dryers, unless it is absolutely essential. Allow the hair to dry naturally as often as you can.

Weekly henna treatments also help to keep the hair in good condition. and add body and shine.

Weekly oil treatments are also needed. In fact, the oil may be applied at night and left on, washing the hair next day.

A tonic treatment can help problems like hair loss and dandruff. Select a good hair tonic or hair vitalizer, containing natural ingredients. It should be applied daily on the scalp, with the help of cotton wool.

Have it cut every six weeks and condition weekly.

If you want to color your hair during pregnancy, switch from a peroxide formula to a stain. It won't completely cover, but it's safe. Get highlights, which give your face a lift. The color is woven in and won't touch the scalp."

Don't get a new hairdo until six weeks after delivery, since new body chemistry changes can wreak havoc on hair. It may fall out or alter the texture.

SKIN CARE

Sometimes, the "mask" of pregnancy can appear around the 4th or 5th month of pregnancy. It is characterized by irregular pigmentation marks around the face. This phenomenon is strictly hormonal and progressively disappears after the baby is born.

Protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays that are responsible for accenting the "mask" of pregnancy.

Use a day moisturizer with an SPF (Hydration-Plus Moisture Lotion SPF 15) or apply a protective sun treatment (SPF 15 minimum) over your regular moisturizer.

VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins on your legs or perineum are sometimes caused by pressure on the pelvic veins from your uterus. Long periods of standing or sitting can make them worse.

When you're sitting or lying down, try to keep your legs elevated.

Mild or moderate support hose or elastic stockings can help your circulation.

A brisk walk daily, in addition to moving and bending your legs throughout the day, is also enormously helpful.

DRYNESS AND ITCHING

When the skin on the abdomen becomes stretched, there may be a problem of dryness and itching. Relieving the itching by scratching the skin with the nails can make the problem worse.

Massage with oils helps to prevent dryness of the skin.

MASSAGES

Massage helps to minimize the problem of stretch marks on the abdomen and breasts, which is very common in pregnancy. Use circular strokes to massage the skin in these areas.

Stretch marks form when weight loss follows weight gain. By maintaining skin elasticity and resilience, the formation of stretch marks after pregnancy, is minimal.

Massage can decrease stress and improve relaxation, improve lymph drainage, have a balancing effect on glands, all of which are of huge benefit during pregnancy.

Muscle tension and stress decrease the nutrient absorption and slows down the toxin elimination necessary for normal, healthy cells.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Releases endorphines

Helps with lymph drainage

Helps muscle tone

Promotes muscle elasticity

Minimizes spider veins

Reduces fatigue

Helps allleviate symptoms of morning sickness

Although it has its benefits, it is important to remember that massage can also be used to stimulate miscarriage. If prenatal massage is done improperly, the potential for miscarriage is very high.