Want perfect skin and glossy hair? The good news is you can look absolutely stunning with a little know-how and care. MERI SAHELI outlines a step-by-step, easy-to-follow, foolproof a-z beauty guide that helps you look perfect.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants are super skin agents that protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals (formed when the body comes in contact with pollutants like cigarette smoke, UV rays, etc). Eating antioxidant-rich foods protects your skin from environmental damage. Try berries, broccoli, garlic, carrots, tomatoes, etc. Also, look for cosmetics which incorporate antioxidants like vitamins, mainly A, C and E.
BLACKHEADS
Blackheads are caused when the skin’s natural oil collects and hardens in the pores.
Oily and combination skins are most susceptible to these. To get rid of blackheads, exfoliate the blackhead-prone area 3-4 times a week or go in for manual extraction.
CLEANSING
Use gentle facial pore cleansers, exfoliants, face washes and scrubs. To get the most out of your cleanser, choose one that’s appropriate for your skin type. There are two types of exfoliants—manual (in a scrub format) and chemical (with ingredients like Alpha Hydroxyl Acid and Beta Hydroxyl Acid also known as Salicylic Acid).
DANDRUFF GOODBYE
Blame air pollution, oily hair and the rest for your dandruff woes. Wash your tresses with an anti-dandruff shampoo at least three times a week. Avoid chemicals such as—leave-in conditioners, hair colouring, etc.Opt for regular head massage. Include enough vitamins such as zinc, beta-carotene, B6, B12 and selenium in
your diet.
EYE MAKE-UP
A soft smudge of eyeliner around the eyes and a coat or two of mascara can lend class, character and charisma to the eyes. It’s up to you to decide whether you want a nude look, a smoky effect or a clean style. Eyeshadow kits come in all colours. Opt for pale browns and earthy shades for daytime wear.
For the evenings, greys are a great option..
FACIAL
A facial hydrates, moisturises, exfoliates and nourishes your complexion. There are so many brands and styles of facial available and each brand and beauty expert describes them in a different way. Whichever facial you choose to do, the treatment includes the basics of cleansing, toning
and moisturising.
GLOSSY, GORGEOUS HAIR
Want shiny, polished tresses? Keep blow-drying to a minimum. Choose shampoos and conditioners that are labeled nourishing, hydrating or moisturising. You can opt for a gloss treatment (deep conditioning) at a salon.
Use a conditioning mask on your hair once or twice a week.
HYALURONIC ACID
Hyaluronic Acid or HA lubricates and maintains smooth, elastic skin. As we get older, our bodies produce less and less HA. The skin starts to lose its elasticity and wrinkles appear. Thus, using creams that contain HA will help retain moisture.
ICE MAGIC
Rubbing an ice cube all over your face improves blood circulation. In case you're getting ready for a party, make sure you rub some ice on your face before starting your make-up as this helps the make-up stay for a longer time. It also helps to subside zits and tightens and minimises pores.
JUICY LIPS
Lipstick adds grace to your face. Choose two different colours—reserve the lighter, natural shade for the day and the darker, sexy tone for the night. Again, if your eye make-up is heavy, go subtle on the lips to balance the look.
KOHL
The kohl look can never be outdated. Create soft, smoky eyes in black, brown or blue. Just blend the eyeliner and kohl together. Apply black eyeliner on the eyelids and use blue or brown kohl inside the eyes. Smudge the eyeliner and kohl at the ends to give a smokey finish.
LOVE YOUR BODY
We all want to look beautiful, but we have to remember that healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Having a positive body image and a healthy mental attitude is important to stay happy and cheerful.
So, eat healthy foods (they promote healthy skin and hair), exercise daily (increases
self-esteem) and stay stress-free to have a clear skin.
MOISTURISER
Without a moisturiser your skin will look dull, tired and older than it is. For normal skin, a light-weight moisturising lotion is apt, while for dry or sensitive skin, use a rich, hydrating cream with ingredients such as petroleum, glycerine or shea butter. People with oily skin should preferably opt for an oil-free formula.
NUTRITION
The journey towards a healthy skin begins with good nutrition. For good skin, eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and unsaturated fats. Top this plan off with plenty of water and limit your intake of sugar.
OVER-THE COUNTER PRODUCTS
Do you love to splurge on beauty masks? Then you only need to dash to your kitchen. The Internet has lots of beauty tips and recipes for treatments that you can make at home. Nature has all that we need to maintain our health. You just have to tap into that power.
PERFUMES
Buy fragrances according to your mood and personality. To feel sensual and powerful, try a spicy, floral or oriental perfume. Citrus-based perfumes are also a big hit. Always spray the perfume on your pulse points—wrists, behind the ears and in the bends of the elbows. For the actual scent to evolve, give it approximately 20 minutes; so the base note can settle down.
QUICK BEAUTY
If you’re in a real hurry and have no time to do up your face, just dab a suitable colour on your lips. Lipstick brightens up your face immediately and adds glow to it, even if there’s no trace of
make-up otherwise.
REVIVE THOSE NAILS
Good hands, especially nails speak volumes about you. Massage them with a moisturiser at least once a day. Protect your nails by applying nail polish. Also, do not forget your toenails. If you suffer from dry, brittle nails, avoid hardeners or polishes containing formaldehyde as it has a drying effect.
SUNSCREEN
Use products with SPF 15 or higher, and both UVB and UVA protection. According to experts, there are six skin types and Indian skin mainly belongs to Type IV and Type V (burns minimally and is less sun-sensitive). But nevertheless, a sunscreen should be used year round as it protects the skin against environmental damage.
T-ZONE CARE
If you have combination skin, chances are your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) is oily, while your eye area and cheeks are dry. So look for gentle cleansers and moisturisers that will work to keep it under control. And instead of trying to mix and match products for different skin types, use skin care for combination skin. Use oil blotting sheets to get rid of excess shine.
UPDATE YOUR MAKE-UP
For ideas, flip through our magazine for current beauty trends. Or get a free makeover from the pros at cosmetic counters at your nearest department store. Also, change your make-up routine with each new season.
VOLUME TO YOUR HAIR
Want to fake volume into your thinning hair? Most hairdressers suggest going for shorter cuts. Use volumising shampoos. Avoid serums or anything greasy or oily that can destroy natural body. Be cautious while using blow dryers and curlers. Extreme heat can cause your tresses to break.
WRINKLE-FREE COMPLEXION
The best time to fight wrinkles is before you see them. Limited sun exposure and regular use of moisturiser is the key. Though there are lots of anti-ageing products available in the market, you can try natural wrinkle treatments too. Mix turmeric powder with sugarcane juice and apply it on your face. It helps minimise and prevent wrinkles.
X- FOLIATE
Exfoliating your skin at least twice a week has a wonderful effect on your face and body. It helps rejuvenate your skin and keeps acne at bay. You can use a body brush, a loofah, pumice stone or an exfoliating glove to remove the dead skin cells. Make sure you follow it up with a nice moisturiser to seal in the moisture.
YOUTHFUL SKIN
Youthful skin is moisture rich. Drinking plenty of water is important, so is having lots of fruits and vegetables. Nourish your skin with a moisturiser and a night cream that contains vitamin A and fruit acid. Use lighter-coloured lipsticks, eyeshadows and liners as darker colours make you look older.
ZITS
Wash your face twice a day with a gentle face wash. Remove your make-up before going to bed. If you prefer using acne creams, look for one that contains benzoyl peroxide (BP)—but with a 2.5 per cent formula. Higher concentration can irritate dry skin. Just apply it in the morning on your problem areas.
