Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

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.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail