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Magazine
BEAT THE HEAT
Feel cool, look cool
KANKANA BASU
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Simple dos and don’ts to keep your cool through frayed tempers, dehydration and other woes of summer.
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“There is nothing as soothing as dabbing sun exposed skin with fresh cucumber juice or cold milk…” – Maya Deshpande
Photo: Reuters
Heat shield: Sun glasses are a vital summer accessory.
As the mercury soars alarmingly all over the country and energy levels dip, it is becoming increasingly difficult to look and feel good. Frayed tempers, sweating, dehydration, lack of appetite and sunburn only add to summer’s woes. But there are remedies to most summer related problems, reassure the experts, and it merely involves incorporating simple dos and don’ts into everyday life.
Keeping hydrated
Beauty begins from within and no amount of cosmetics can camouflage a tired body and spirit. “Skin reveals dehydration very fast. Drinking two to three litres of water a day to hydrate one’s system is very essential in summer — it could be a little more for sportsmen and people on the road and a little less for people in air-conditioned interiors. Alternate water with nimbu-paani, tender coconut water, buttermilk or fresh fruit juices if desired and spike drinks with rock salt and roasted cumin powder for maximum benefits. Adequate intake of vitamin C (found in amla, cabbage, guava, oranges, capsicum, papaya etc.) is a must. A well hydrated and well nourished system results in soft supple skin,” advises nutritionist V. Aran, Senior Diet Consultant of Apollo Clinic, Mumbai.
A common misconception among people is to mistake a damp skin for moisturised skin. “Sweat is not a substitute for moisturiser. Summer skin badly needs to be revived after the assault of sun, heat, pollution and dust. Opt for light moisturisers, preferably herbal ones as rich creams could lead to acne and excessive sweating. A sunscreen is a must in summer,” advises veteran beautician Rita Liew. Sunlight reflecting from surfaces like water and glass and coming in through the tinted glass panes of windows could also cause skin damage and people who stay indoors are advised to apply sunblock too. While the stores might display a wide variety of fancy creams and lotions, the humble kitchen continues to provide some of the most effective, time-tested beauty recipes. “There is nothing as soothing as dabbing sun exposed skin with fresh cucumber juice or cold milk — I recommend keeping a bottle of cucumber juice in your refrigerator at all times,” says septuagenarian Maya Deshpande, who is still gets complimented on her peaches-and-cream complexion. Popular Bollywood singer Madhushree swears by the traditional besan-curd-lime face pack to remove a dark summer tan which she smears on her face for 15 minutes before bath time. “Recording songs force me to travel to studios all over the city,” says Madhushree, “and I trust my mother’s age-old kitchen recipes for good skin and hair in summer.” While new-fangled beauty treatments like chocolate, pearl, cocoa and gold facials may be all the rage, traditional ingredients like flour (maida), turmeric (raw as well as the dry powder), sandalwood, neem, fresh cream, dry amla and reetha, known for their therapeutic and nourishing qualities, continue to be eternal summer favourites.
Hair care
Hair, like skin, is a barometer of a person’s internal health as well and deeply sensitive to changes in the external environment. “Hair tends to get coarse and straw-like in summer. This is because perspiration (which forms on the scalp and flows down to coat the hair shafts), is saline in nature. As a result, freshly washed hair could turn rough and sticky by the end of the day. There is no remedy for this other than to wash hair every other day. But with such a high frequency of washing, one should opt for gentle herbal washes or baby shampoos to ensure that hair is not stripped of its natural oils. Also, since hair is predominantly composed of protein, a protein-rich diet (found in eggs, fish, nuts and pulses) goes a long way towards making hair healthy and shiny”, says hair expert Parvati Das. She recommends smart short haircuts for summer while women with longer hair could coil hair into elegant chignons, buns and French plaits, styles which leave the nape of the neck free. “Feel cool to look cool,” remains Parvati’s favourite summer advice to her clients while popular dress designer Jagruti Parekh seconds this philosophy. “Colours and attire play a big role in looking good. Go lime green, lemon yellow, candy pink or dazzling white this summer for the fresh cool look. Pastels like peach, beige, sky blue, pistachio green and baby pink are also good alternatives as they reflect heat,” she says. Sunglasses, besides being a medical necessity (to avoid squinting) are a great way of making a fashion statement as is carrying a stylish parasol for the sun.
In this age of unisex salons and with men fast waking up to summer beauty consciousness, whatever holds true for women holds true for men too. The bottom line for both the genders is common and clear. Keep it simple dude, say the experts, keep it smart. For the ultimate in cool, wear cottons, ensure clean washed hair, wear a light fragrance and keep things minimalist. Wear a smile, wear your attitude, wear confidence and remain unfazed in this blistering heat.
Kankana Basu is the author of Cappuccino Dusk.
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