To LightenTan

The skin gets a tan due to long periods of exposure to sunlight especially in Winter when the sun's rays are more direct. Any of the treatments given below should be done regularly for a week at least.

Wash the face and arms well. Mash some ripe strawberries and apply as a paste. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.

Tips 1:

Powder the kernel of a walnut and mix the powder with1 tbsp of milk. Apply and leave for 20 minutes.

Tips 2:
Honey 1 tsp with a few drops of vinegar applied for ½ an hour.

Tips 3:
Soya beans flour 1 tbsp with 1 tbsp of milk applied for ½ an hour.

Tips 4:

Apply grated tomato pulp mixed with cucumber juice. 1 tbsp each. Wash after 20 minutes.

To Reduce Face Wrinkles

Wrinkles generally are due to age, Stress and dry skin. You should always keep the areas around the eyes mouth and nose and also the neck well cared for and moisturized.

Take 1 tbsp of cold milk and add 3-4 drops of lime juice. Rub this paste well into the wrinkles before going to sleep. The next morning wash with warm water and dry with a rough towel firmly. Once again rub in the cream - in the direction opposite to the wrinkles. Wait for ½ an hour and wash, avoid using soap.

Tips 1:

Rub the pulp of a ripe Papaya on the face and leave for ½ an hour before washing.

This is a very good toner also.

Tips 2:

Rub almond oil on the wrinkles in upward strokes. Leave overnight and wash with warm water next morning.

Tips 3:

Cut open a Vitamin -E capsule, add ½ tsp of glycerine and apply. Wash after 15- 20 minutes.

Tips 4:

Add ½ tsp honey to 1 tsp rice powder. Smoothen the lines with this paste. Leave for ½ an hour and wash.

Tips 5:

Mix 1 tsp honey with 1 tsp of milk cream. Apply well. Wash after 20 minutes.

Note: Treatment for wrinkles should be done everyday for a period of 30 - 40 days to have visible results.

Usually blackheads are the result of oily skin and blocked pores. After a warm bath the face should be splashed with cold water.

tip 1:

In a pan add 5-6 cups of water and add the juice of 1 lime. Remove from heat when the water boils. Place on a table and covering the head with a large towel, steam the face. Rub the blackheads firmly with a face towel after 10 minutes of steaming. Wash the face with chilled water to close the pores.

Tip 2:

Boil 3-4 cups of water and add 2 tsp soda bicarbonate to this. Steam a towel with this and place the towel on the face. Repeat 5-6 times. Now rub the face in the area of the blackheads with a paste of 1 tsp curd mixed with 1 tsp of rice flour. Wash with cold water.

Tip 3:

Rub a pinch of table salt mixed with a pinch of the soft soggy portion of a glycerin soap. (Pears) Rub well into the blackheads. Repeat for a week.

Tip 4:

Take 1 tsp of fresh coriander leaf juice with ½ tsp of turmeric powder. Apply this at bed time and wash in the morning. Repeat for a week.

Tip 5:

Take 1 tsp lime juice mixed with 1 tsp of finely powdered cinnamon. Apply at bed time and wash in the morning.

For Fairer Complexion

The masks mentioned below are very good to lighten the skin tone and add a glow to the complexion. They must be followed for the specified time and inculcated as a daily routine.

Tips 1:

Soak 4 almonds overnight. Make a very fine paste with them, using milk to grind them.

Apply this paste on the neck and face before going to bed. Wash with cold water in the morning. Repeat daily for 15 days, followed by twice a week.

Tips 2:

Take 1 tbsp of gram flour and 2 tsp of raw milk and 2-3 drops of lime juice. Mix well and apply. Wash after 15 minutes. Repeat for 4 weeks and follow up with once a week.

Tips 3:

Grind a cup of mint leaves to a fine paste. Apply and leave for 20 minutes. Wash. Continue for 15 days.

Tips 4:

Grate a tomato. Add 2-3 drops of lime juice. Apply and wash after 20 minutes. Do this morning and evening for 15 - 20 days. Apply well on the neck area also.

Tips 5:

Diluted Vinegar
Potato juice with 2-3 drops of lime juice.
Cucumber juice with 2-3 drops of lime juice.
Diluted lime juice.

Tip 6:

After removing the skin of the Cucumber and making a paste of the cucumber with raw milk and applying it on your skin will improve your complexion.

Tip 7:

Mix equal amounts of Cucumber juice and Lime juice and apply them to your face before taking bath; wait for at least 10 mins. Your complexion will improve.

To Prevent Dark circles

Tip 1:

Grate 2' piece of cucumber. Squeeze through a muslin cloth and extract the juice. Dip cotton pads in this and place on eyelids. Relax for 15 minutes.

Tip 2:

Take 1 tspn Tomato pulp,1 pinch of Turmeric powder ½ tspn of limejuice and 1 tspn of gram flour. Make a paste and apply gently. Remove gently with moist cotton pads after ½ an hour.

Tip 3:

Soak 2 Almonds overnight. Peel and grind to a smooth paste. Add a few drops of limejuice to this Apply for 20-25 minutes. This should be followed daily and gradually after 2 weeks, every 3rd day and finally when the difference is visible, to once aeek. A paste of Almonds can be stored in a clean bottle in the 'fridge.

Tip 4:

Apply a paste made by crushing a handful of Mint leaves

Nail Care

Your nails may be craving something - If your nails are weak, splitting, fragile etc, the problem could be traced back to an inadequate water intake.Most people don't drink nearly enough water. Drink up!

What to do about brittle nails

The most common nail wreckers are harsh detergents and water, which can stress nail fibers. So be sure to put rubber gloves on while you clean or do dishes.

Also, avoid using perfume lotions that usually contain alcohol if your nails are brittle. It will only make your nails worse.

It may be possible that your calcium intake is low, as well.
How to Give Yourself a Manicure

Whether you prefer your nails to be long or short, they can still look stunning with a little know-how.

1 Wash and dry your hands.

2 Using a double-sided emery board, file nails using a gentle stroke. Avoid corners of your nails as this can weaken them.

3 Begin to shape your nails. The most popular shape to use is oval, but choose what is most suited to your hand and finger shape.

4 Check to see how well you have done. Run your nails over an old pair of pantyhose. Your nails should not snag the hose.

5 Apply a softener to your cuticles. Allow to site for a minute or so.

6 Transfer hands to a bowl of warm water and soak for an additional few minutes.

7 Gently push back the cuticles. This should not be painful. If hangnails are present, carefully clip them.

8 Apply hand lotion and begin to massage the palm of your hand with the thumb of your other hand. This will help to circulate the blood. Work your way over the remainder of the hand and then repeat giving equal time to the other hand.

9 Before color is applied to nails, they must be cleaned and the easiest way to do this is with an orange stick that has been wrapped with cotton. Dip into nail polish remover and then rub over the surface of the nail. Check the nail for any creamy residue. When none remains, your nails will be ready for polishing.

10 Time for color. Pick up a small amount of polish on your brush and paint one stroke down the center of your nail. Your brush should hold just enough color to accomplish this. Stroke the sides of the nail and you are done. The nail should be completely colored in three strokes. Allow to set for a minute or so before applying the second coat.

11 Wait until polish is set (dry to the touch) and then apply the top coat. Don't skip this step as it not only adds life to your manicure, it will protect your nails as well.

12 Sanitize all of your equipment with alcohol and when they are dry, store them away until the next manicure.

Nail Tips:

1 Nail polish can be stored in the fridge.

2 If your nail polish is too thick, try thinning with a polish thinner.

3 To prevent the cap from sticking, coat it with a little Vaseline to prevent this from happening

Tips For Eyebrows

1 You should pluck eyebrows before bedtime so any redness will disappear overnight. In shaping your eyebrows use your facial features.

2 Use a pair of slant edge tweezers which grip hairs easily. Comb hairs one way and then the other to remove loose hairs.

3 You should pluck hairs between the brows and any stragglers. Never remove the hairs from above your eyebrows.

4 Pluck each hair individually close to the root. Work in the direction of the growth.

5 Always avoid over plucking. In defining your eyebrows choose a shade similar to your natural hair colour.

6 When using a pencil you should apply in small, feathered strokes. Starting at the inner corner work outwards.

7 Blend the colour with a brush. To tame stray hairs just use hair gel and comb through to neaten.

NATURAL TIPS FOR HEALTHY HAIR

For Dandruff

1 Massage the Scalp with pure coconut oil. This will also help for growth of hair.

2 Apply coconut oil which has been boiled with small onions. Wash it off with a mixture of green gram powder and water drained from cooked (boiled) rice.

3 Apply a mixture of almond oil and gooseberry juice with finger tips on the scalp.

4 Apply the warm mixture of olive oil, lemon juice and coconut oil. Do a steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes and wash the hair with a shampoo.

5 Apply a paste of fenugreek and mustard to the scalp.

6 Mix Shikakai powder with the water drained from the cooked rice and wash the hair with it.

7 Crush the leaves of five petal hibiscus flower and take the juice. Wash the hair with this juice.

8Heat the oil with a little camphor. Apply the oil in the scalp and massage for 10 minutes. After 30 minutes wash the hair with a herbal shampoo. Do the steam -towel- wrap for 15 minutes.

For Healthy and Shiny hair

1 It is better to apply castor oil for a healthy growth of hair.

2 Wash hair with tea once in a week.

3 Apply besan in the hair and wash it with water drained from the cooked rice.

4 Soak a handful of gooseberry in a cup of milk for two hours. Make it as a paste and apply in the hair.

5 Apply the mixture of an egg white, 2 spoon of castor oil, 1 spoon glycerin, in the scalp and hair. Wash it after some time.

6 Massage hair with warm coconut oil an hour before washing. Let it soak. Cover your head with a hot towel and wash your hair after an hour or so.

7 Boil a few hibiscus flowers in coconut oil. Filter and use this hair oil to control hair loss and thinning.

8 Do a 'steam-towel-wrap' once in a while, if your cuticles are damaged, as this steaming opens out the pores and absorbs the oil.

9 Deep condition with curd, beer and egg.

10 Mix a little vinegar in warm water and rinse your hair with this solution. This will add bounce to dull and lifeless hair.

11 Soak 1 teaspoon fenugreek in curd and keep it for a night. Have it in the next morning.

12 Boil coconut oil with the juices of curry leaves, basil, hibiscus flower and gooseberry. Apply on hair, keep it for sometime and rinse.

13 Egg white and curd is a good conditioner for hair.

14 Take a cup of coconut and mustard oils. Soak half a cup of curry leaves in the oil mixture and keep it for a night. Next morning, heat on a slow fire till the curry leaves turn crisp. Remove from heat and add two to three camphor balls. Allow oil to cool and then strain. Apply oil to hair roots using cotton wool along the parting and massage in circular movements. Leave the oil overnight and shampoo the next morning. Repeat twice a week.

15 Add a lemon peel to a 'shikakai' and 'amla' mixture while washing your hair.

For Graying

1 Take a little Mehandi , an egg, juice of half a lemon, one table spoon of instant coffee powder. Mix it together and apply on the hair. Wash it after 45 minutes.

2 Boil one cup of dried gooseberry with 4 cups of water. Add a pinch of sugar in it. Keep boiling till the quantity of the liquid reduces to one cup. Mix 2 cups of Mehendi, an egg, juice of a lemon and the gooseberry solution and apply on hair. Wash the hair after two hours.

Lip Care

1 You can mix one-tablespoon cranberry sauce juice with two tablespoons Vaseline for a delicious home made lip balm.

2 Apply the juice of lemon skin for avoiding black colour of lips

3 Massage your lips with coriander leaf juice for soft and rosy lips

For Blemishes On The Face

Sometimes due to illness or some form of allergy you develop some dark patches on the face. You need some gentle help to get rid of them.

Tip 1:

Rub in some coconut oil before going to bed. Wash well in the morning. Repeat for 15 days.

Tips 2:

Watermelon juice applied and gently massaged on the blemished area. Left on for 15 minutes will definitely help.

Tip 3:

Tender coconut water dabbed on blemishes and left for ½ an hour. Repeat for 15 days.

Tips 4:

Carrot juice applied for 15 minutes for 15 days will clear the blemished skin.

Eye care

1 Dip wads of cotton in a chilled mixture of cucumber and potato juice. Keep this on your eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes and gently wash it off. Apply a little baby oil.

2 For long eyelashes.., apply a thin coat of castor oil every night. It strengthens lashes and cools your eyes.

3 Massage a few drops of coconut oil around the eyes to get rid off dark circles.

4 To reduce puffiness of your eyes, grate a potato; tie in a cloth and place the cloth over your eyes for about 15 minutes.

5 Add a small pinch of salt in water and wash for bright and sparkling eyes.

6 Mix tomato juice and lemon juice in equal quantity and apply around the eyes. After 30 minutes wash it off with cold and hot water alternatively.

7 Make a paste of sandal wood and nutmeg. Apply the paste around the eyes before sleeping and wash it off in the morning.

8 Crush a cucumber and take the juice. Add a little rose water and apply around the eyes and wash it after 30 minutes.

9 Place cotton wool swabs dipped in cold milk on closed eyes for removing dark circles

BODY CARE

1 Mix six-teaspoon petroleum jelly, two-teaspoon glycerin and two-teaspoon lemon juice. Apply this moisturizing lotion at least twice a week if you have dry and flaky, arms and legs

2 Peel and grate a cucumber. Squeeze the juice to this, mix half-a-teaspoon glycerin and half-a-teaspoon rose water. Apply this on sunburns, leave it for some time

3 If you have cracked heels, melt paraffin wax; mix it with little mustard oil and apply on the affected area. Leave it overnight. After 10 or 15 days, your heels will become smooth

4 Massage your body with a mixture of coconut oil and any of your favourite scented oils like lavender or rosemary

5 For rough palms, use a mixture of glycerin and limejuice in equal proportion

6 For cracked heals, massage the foot with coconut oil and keep the foot in warm water for some time. Wipe the water off the feet and apply a mixture of hibiscus flower(10), Henna (1 handful) and juice of half a lemon. when dry wash it off.

7 Remove scars on your hands and feet by rubbing them with lemon peel

Celebrities @ 2010