BEAUTY’SPEAK

Eve’s Times is happy to carry out a column on beauty care by Cosmetologist and Aesthetician Vasundhra, Chennai’s own renowned woman of beauty and influence. Vasundhra’s tips will help the busy Chennai women of today to maintain their health and appearance without much ado.

Soothing Ayurvedic Massage

The usual practice when you want to do a massage is to massage from down upwards. But Ayurvedic massages are done by starting the massage from up downwards. Also, when you massage your face, you also massage the centre of your forehead, your temples and earlobes as well as the sides of the neck. Starting your massage from above and moving downwards, you must continue massaging for five to ten minutes. After this, apply Ayurvedic oil and now massage from down upwards.

In our parlour, when we do a massage, we give importance to the pressure points. When the pressure points are massaged, blood circulation improves and you will also feel relaxed.

After the massage we apply gram flour or green gram flour or vetti ver and scrub gently. This scrub helps in improving the radiance of the face. If you decide to go in for this kind of Ayurvedic massage, no other facial or face massage is necessary. You can also get this massage done for your body. Or you may decide to get it done for your face and neck.

We also give treatment for crow’s legs (creases at the edges of the eyes) as well as dark circles under the eyes. There are also treatments available for strengthening the muscles. We use muscle stimulators to strengthen muscles. For those who are tired or fatigued, muscle stimulation offers immense benefits.

To be Continued...

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Aha Facial

Some people have an inferiority complex that they aredark-skinned. Overridden by this complex they are usually not able to concentrate on any productivepursuits to attain success. We must remember every creation of God is beautiful. There is beauty in everyone. Your smartness lies in bringing out the hidden beauty reposing within you. Those who want to improve their complexion should give up using soaps and cosmetics that have harsh chemicals. Even the fairness creams that are available in the market may have strong chemicals. If you use such cosmetics often, you skin will become dry and lifeless. To avoid this condition you can use nourishing creams and lotions. You can use creams made of extracts from pearls or those with vitamin E

Apart from this in beauty parlours offer herbal facials for improving complexion. We call this treatment, ‘Aha Facial.’ This facial is made of a combination of fruit extracts, dry fruits and Alfa Hydroxy Acid. If you get this facial done you can get two major benefits. The old skin will be cast off and a new skin will be regenerated. In the process, you skin will get good nourishment.

To be continued…

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Dry Fruit Facials

Soak raisins, dried figs and dates in warm water overnight. Grind into a paste the next day mixing milkor honey and apply on your face. Stay and wash off.Brides-to-be and those attending parties can use this facial to get instant results- a bright and glistening face! If you can, you can also mix almonds or pistachios to this and grind to a paste. This may enhance your complexion.

Vegetables Face Masks

Everyday vegetables that we use for cooking will give us magnificent result when used as face masks.

Carrot

Carrots are good for dry skin. Grate carrots or grind to a paste and apply over the face. It helps dry skin to attain normal texture

Potatoes

Potatoes are excellent herbal bleach. They are effective in lightening dark circles under the eyes and removing black heads.

Grate potatoes and remove extract. Apply over face, wait and wash. You can also use potato powder available in the market to make a paste and apply over the face. You can mix milk or buttermilk to this powder for greater benefits.

Cucumber

Cucumber is suitable for all types of skin. Grate cucumber and apply over face. Let it remain for sometime. Wash. Cucumber not only cools the face, it also helps improve complexion.

Cabbage

Soak grated cabbage in warm water for two hours and wash your face with this water. Your face will become bright if you do this regularly

White Pumpkin

Those who have dry skin or do not have moisture in their bodies can use white pumpkin as a beauty therapy.

In beauty parlours we normally mix fruits with enriching creams and make facial pastes. Or we mix fruits with aroma oils to make facial pastes. As a result you get greater benefits. Some women may hesitate to use grated fruits and vegetables or their paste directly over their face. They can use soft muslin cloth and place it over their face and then apply the face mask.

To be continued…

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Fruit Facials

Let us see how we use fruits for facials.

Palm Fruit

You can select young and supple palm fruit, grind it to a paste, mix with milk or milk powder and apply on your face. Wash off after a few minutes

Melon

Melon is good for facials too. Since it has a lot of moisture of about 90%, it is good to moisturize the skin. Grate melon or grind and make a paste. You can even think of placing slices of melon in a soft muslin cloth and rubbing over your face.

Fruits have a lot of nutrients which are good for the skin. Without being laidback, try to use fruits for a home facial at least once a month, that will improve the texture and complexion of your skin. Using fruit facials at home is inexpensive and safe.

When you use fruits like lemon or pineapple, see that you mix a little water with the extract.

The Right Way to Massage

It is important o know ho to massage for your home facials to be effective. Whenever you massage, it is better to use your middle finger. When you begin a massage, it should always be from down upwards. Then it should move towards the outer edges of the face and inside and then over the eyelids and eye brows. When you massage, if you are aware about the massage points, it will make a major difference and give you immense benefit. It will not only relax you but it will also rejuvenate your skin.

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The Art of Make-up

Blushers

Your make up is not complete without the blusher or what was called as rouge earlier. Rouge in French means pink. The idea of the blusher is to add a touch of pink to your cheeks to give you that healthy glow and feel. Blushers are also known as Cheek Colours. Currently the fad is brown colour blushers because it suits all types of skin. Some girls swear by the rosy pink tinge. Most teenage girls go for beige and brown shades of blushers.

When you choose a colour for a blusher, it is advisable to select a colour that suits your skin shade, your personal likes and dislikes and also your age. Usually those who have a darker complexion, those who prefer sober make up and those who are in their middle age prefer shades of pink and brown. Use the special brush to apply the blusher on your cheeks. The usual practice is to start from the cheek bones and extend towards the temples in even strokes. This will give your cheeks and enhanced and chiseled look.

Lip Embellishments

The paraphernalia for lip embellishment includes the lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm for cold weather and of course a lip pencil. College girls today like to use dark shades of lipstick. And if it is a model on a ramp, she may even choose shades of violet, lavender, blue and white! Shades of brown, beige and black are most popular shades today. Models in fashion shows and film stars go for blue, green, gold and silver colours. .

Use a lip balm during winters. Or you may choose to use Vaseline. Ensure that all traces of lip make-up are removed before going to bed. After washing off the cosmetics from your face, you can try to apply a little coconut oil , Vaseline or lip balm on your lips before going to bed.

If you like to make your lips appear glossy, you can choose your own lip gloss which can be a gel, a paste or a liquid roll-on. Lip gloss is also available in mild shades of pink and come in different flavours such as chocolate, flower and fruit flavours. During parties you can decide on a lipstick that is glossy or use a lip gloss which has sparkles of silver or gold. For photographs, parties and weddings, lip gloss will give you a very appealing look.

Before starting to apply the lipstick, you can draw an outline of your lips with a lip pencil that also comes in different shades. The normal colour that will suit anybody is shades of brown, mauve and beige. Once the outlines are drawn, fill in the lips ensuring that you also do the part of the lip that overlap. This part is difficult to take the colour ; so you have to be patient when you apply the colour. Ensure that the lipstick does not stray out of the corners of the lips or does not leave stains on your teeth. You can also use your compact powder on your chin and upper lip after closing your lips tightly to ensure that your foundation can cover up any accidental lipstick stains. Once this is done, roll-on your favourite lip gloss and you are now ready to go .

Your make up should be light during day time and during the evening, it can have a darker tone. You can experiment with revolutionary colours, gloss, shades and tinges during ceremonial occasions in the evenings.

To be continued…

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GET RID OF ACNE

To keep your face clear of acne, it is important to understand how acne happens. This will help us tackle acne and enable us to decide what treatment we can adopt to get rid of pimples.

Why Does Acne Occur

The underlying reason for eruption of pimples is too much oil in the skin. During adolescence when the hormones wreak havoc, they also trigger acne. The aftermath of hormonal upheaval is eruption of pimples, especially over the forehead, nose and cheeks. When the oil under the skin is exposed to bacteria, combine with the microorganisms to form pimples.

Pimples attack the skin of those who use make-up everyday. Also those who are prone to trying out different and new cosmetics often are exposed to the hazards of acne. It is safe not to share towels, soaps and cosmetics, especially with those who have pimples. Acne is also hereditary and hence unavoidable. If your family has a history of acne, it is better to be careful and ensure that your children do not develop acne during adolescence. When the pores of your facial skin get clogged by grease, dirt and bacteria, it leads to formation of pimples. Body heat triggers acne. Hence, steaming can result in pimples for those who are already prone.

How to Prevent Acne?

As a general rule, it is better to avoid anything that can cause the body heat to go up. Avoid fat and oil in food. Don’t keep changing different soaps, shampoos and other cosmetics, influenced by advertisements. Those who have acne should avoid medicated soaps.

Harsh soaps and cosmetics have chemicals that can ruin the health of your skin and cause allergy. They may result in pimples too. Special soaps are available in medical shops for treating acne. You can use such soaps from good companies. First wash your face with warm water and then with cold water.

If you have a habit of washing your face often and keeping your facial skin clean, chances of pimple assailing you are less. It is a good habit to avoid using handkerchiefs because when we use the same hanky again and again, if you already have pimple, it will only cause acne to spread. Use face tissues and throw after every use.

You have to change your pillow covers everyday. Even dandruff may lead to acne. Hence it is important to keep your scalp clean.

Do you know what the worst habit of those afflicted with acne is?
Think and wait until next week!

To be continued…

Beauty Tips for the Week

Take equal quantities of Bengal gram dal and whole green gram dal (250 gms). Mix 100 gms of kus kus (poppy seeds) to this and dry under the sun. Powder and store this powder in an airtight container. When you wash your face, take a little of this powder and mix kasturi manjal and vasambu powder to this. Squeeze a few drops of lemon and milk to this and make a paste. Your face will become bright if you use this paste every day to wash your face. Also blemishes and blackheads will disappear and give a new glow to your face!

Those who are in interested in maintaining a glossy mane and would not mind taking the trouble to go that extra length to achieve this can get hold of a bunch of keezhanalli keerai, manjal karisalanganni keerai and ponnanganni keerai each. These greens will be available with your local keeraikaran or shops that sell greens. Dry the greens in shade for a day. Add a little gingelly oil and cook the greens briefly. After the contents become cold, grind in a mixie. You will get more oil than you added- the extra oil comes from the herbs. Store this oil in an airtight bottle and apply this on your scalp every day. You can brush your hair lightly with this oil too. This concoction will make your hair grow long, strengthen the roots and prevent premature graying.

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BEAUTY’SPEAK

To look great, all your hair needs is good care and maintenance. Keep your scalp clean and use a good brand of coconut oil to nourish your hair.

Premature graying is a major problem among the youth today. While heredity is a major cause, acidity, vitamin deficiency and lack of nutrients in the food we eat are all reasons for premature graying. It is important to have a balanced diet to prevent graying of hair . Also try to consume foods that cool our body such as fruits, milk, vegetables, greens and cereals.

Massage oil on the scalp often. This improves blood circulation.. Olive oil is good for massage as it strengthens the hair roots. Alternatively you can use oils from medicinal herbs fortified with vitamins.

We can prepare a thailam at home to tackle premature graying and help our hair attain a jet black sheen.

Ingredients

Gingelly oil                                                        500 gms
Olive oil                                                            500 ml
Curry leaves powder                                       100 gms
Karisalanganni or karisalai powder               100 gms
Triphla powder ( containing gooseberry,        25gms
jadikkai and danikkai)

Pour the two types of oil in a pan and heat. Once the oil becomes hot, shut off the flame. Mix all the powders in the oil. When it becomes cold pour into an airtight glass container . Keep it for an hour at least under the sun for two days. Filter and used it on the scalp. Gradually you can see the gray hair vanishing.

Cut arugampullu, add gingelly oil and keep under the sun. for a week. Apply on your scalp and before you wash your hair. This cures graying and will also help make your eyes bright.

To be continued…

BEAUTY AND FITNESS FROM PADMA SHANKAR

Petite and fitness conscious, small screen actor Abhishek’s wife, Padma Shankar, is a talented musician in her own right. Despite managing a demanding career in performing arts and a home, fitness does not take a back seat. To be a performing artiste amidst public glare, grooming oneself is very important. Padma Shankar shares her beauty secrets with Eve’s Times readers.

Quick Beauty Tips for Youngsters

Drink a lot of water everyday.

Avoid makeup and use cosmetics only if really necessary.

Don’t step out anywhere without sunscreen lotion. This really helps a lot especially in a city like Chennai, which is hot round the year.

Fitness Tips:

A brisk walk is essential in the morning at least for ten to twenty minutes, to kick start the day.