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Ask Shahnaz

Beautician Shahnaz Hussain offers beauty tips and answers queries. You can send your queries to shahnaz_press@yahoo.co.in

I travel by bus daily to college. My hair becomes untidy if I leave it open. Can you suggest a way to overcome this problem? I frequently shampoo my hair and also use shikakai. — Varshini

Obviously, your hair is exposed to dust and pollutants. You can always protect your hair by tying a scarf when you travel. There is no harm in washing your hair frequently, provided you use a mild shampoo. Use less shampoo and rinse your hair well with water. Have henna treatment once a week. It conditions the hair. Add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs and enough curd to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. Apply it on the hair and wash it off after an hour. If you do not wish to use egg, add more curd.

I have odd work timings. So, it's hard for me to stick to a routine. Can you suggest a diet suitable for me? I feel if your system is cleansed of toxins, it reflects on your external appearance. — Madhav

All of us need a diet that supplies the required nutrients, according to age. For example, a growing child would need more protein than a middle-aged person. A balanced diet should contain a variety of foods so that all essential nutrients are available. Ayurveda advocates that 40-60 per cent of the diet should consist of whole grain cereals. Vegetables and fruits should form 30-50 per cent of the diet and 10-20 per cent should come from high quality proteins. Ayurveda also recommends adjusting the diet according to the "dosha" imbalance, but this is a general guideline. Include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts, curd, cottage cheese (paneer) made from skimmed milk, dals, beans and lightly cooked vegetables. To cleanse the system, eat a fibre-rich diet and drink plenty of water. You can include dalia, soya bean and gram flour. You can add the flour of kala channa and soya bean to wheat flour and make chappatis with this. Take dalia for breakfast, with a little milk and one teaspoon of honey, instead of sugar. Have fruits with the skin, wherever possible. Have fresh fruit juices, diluting them with water. You should also avoid highly salted foods, like canned foods, salted nuts and fried snacks. Salt encourages retention of fluids and wastes. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily. Exercise is important. Consult your doctor before making changes in your diet and exercise programme.

I have a double chin. How can I get rid of it? My eyes look dull. What can I do to make them look brighter? — Sarayu

Double chin can be due to hereditary factors or excess weight. If it is due to excess weight, losing weight can help. A daily massage using a nourishing cream or oil, starting from the chin and going downwards will help. Use both the hands, one hand following the other. It is said that sleeping without a pillow also helps. Learning yoga may help. You can also try this exercise. First, open your mouth as wide as possible.

Hold that position for about 10 seconds, then relax your mouth, and repeat a few more times. Apparently the muscles that open and close your mouth are located in the exact area you wish to target.

For faster results, step up resistance by placing a tennis ball underneath your chin while testing your jaw-span. To brighten the eyes, first have a look at your lifestyle. You should get adequate sleep and avoid too much eyestrain. You can use eye pads.

Chill rose water in the fridge. Make thick cotton wool pads, cutting them into 3" squares. Soak these in the rose water and place them over closed eyes. You can lie down and relax while you do this.

Keep the pads on for 10 to 15 minutes. This is said to relieve eye fatigue. Tea bags can also be used as eye pads. Soak them in cold water and then use over the eyelids.

I have dark circles around my eyes. I do sleep well and have tried different creams but in vain. For pimple marks on my cheeks, I apply honey daily. Also, I have pigmentation on my hands. I have dry hair and dandruff. Please suggest remedies. — Nousheen

You can mix cucumber juice and lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it daily. Wash it off after 15 minutes. Actually, whether you use an under-eye cream or a home remedy, you need to follow the treatment daily for at least two months to get results.

Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements and do some deep breathing exercises daily. Follow the rice powder and curd remedy for pimple marks. You can mix rice powder with curd and apply it on the areas with pimple marks.

Rub gently on the skin with tiny circular movements. Leave it on for 5 minutes and wash it off with water.

For the hands, mix besan with curd and a pinch of turmeric.

Apply it daily, 20 minutes before bathing. For dandruff, once a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on the scalp, using cotton wool and rubbing gently. Leave it on overnight.

Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon and wash your hair after half an hour. Wash your hair at least three times a week, using a mild herbal shampoo.

Half an hour before shampooing, take one tablespoon of vinegar and massage it lightly into the scalp.

Once a week, apply henna as mentioned in one of the earlier responses.

I am 32. I have fine lines on my forehead, under the eyes and on the sides of my lips. I am using besan, curd and honey, but in vain. My face also looks dull. — Umanshi

You have not mentioned your skin type, but I presume it is normal to dry. The lines on the forehead and beside the lips are expression lines. You should use a nourishing cream daily.

Wet the face, then apply the cream and massage it on the skin, using outward and slightly upward strokes.

Under the eyes, massage lightly, using only the ring finger and going from the inner to the outer corners on each side.

On the forehead, start from the bridge of the nose and go slightly upwards and then outwards in an arch, on either side.

Three times a week, mix two to three teaspoons of oatmeal with one teaspoon each of honey, curd and egg white. Apply it on the face and wash it off when it dries.

I am 18 and have dry skin. I used a costly moisturiser and now my skin is all right. Will my skin become dry if I discontinue the moisturiser, or should I continue to use it? I have two medium sized moles on my face. Is there a natural way to get rid of them? — Divya

If the skin is dry, a moisturiser should be used daily. You can use a sunscreen lotion if you are going out in the sun, as sun-exposure also causes dryness.

You should continue to use a moisturiser. You can also apply honey on the face daily, washing it off after 20 minutes with plain water. It will keep the skin soft and prevent dryness.

Use a mild glycerine soap.

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