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Ask shahnaz

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

I am fair complexioned but my hands are tanned after riding a two-wheeler. — Bharti

Massage sesame seed (til) oil daily on the hands. Mix besan with curd and a little haldi and apply it daily on the hands 30 minutes before your bath. Or, mix lemon juice with large grains of sugar and keep rubbing it on the hands till the sugar dissolves. Keep it on for a few minutes and wash it off with water.

I have rough and thin hair. I had my hair straightened a year ago. Now I am suffering from severe hair loss, split ends and breakage. I use a conditioner after shampooing and apply oil once a week. — Varsha

Your hair has become weak and brittle. First trim the split ends. Avoid tying the hair tightly with rubber bands, using hair dryers and brushes. Use a wide-toothed comb. Twice a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on the scalp and the hair. Then apply a hot towel wrap. Use a mild herbal shampoo and continue to apply conditioner. Try using a leave-on type conditioner or serum for added protection. Apply very little and massage it into damp hair, mainly from the middle to the ends of the hair. Then comb the hair to the style you wish.

Tell me how to use a blush on. My complexion is a little dark. What colour should I go in for? — Prabha

Buy a powder blusher, as it is easier to apply. They come with their own applicator brush. However, you can use your fingertips to dot the cheek area with the blusher. Then blend slightly upwards and outwards with the brush. No lines of demarcation should be left; otherwise it will have a blotchy effect. To slim down cheeks, use it just under the cheekbones and apply highlighter on the cheekbones. You can choose blusher colour from rose, coral, copper, bronze, wine and burgundy (dark wine colour).

I have a few dry spots on my hands, since I used temporary tattoos. I used moisturisers, but they did not help. — S. Udaya

Massage sesame seed (til) oil daily on the area. While bathing, scrub the area with a loofah or washcloth. Immediately after bathing, apply a cream, massaging it into the skin. Once daily, add some grainy sugar to lemon juice and apply it on the area. Rub it gently till the sugar dissolves. Avoid these tattoos, as the adhesive may not be good for the skin.

I am 36. I feel the skin on my face and neck is sagging. Please suggest a remedy. — Anita

Give your skin daily nourishment and massage. Facemasks will also help. At night, after cleansing, apply a good nourishing cream mixed with a few drops of water and massage it on the face and neck. For the face, use outward and slightly upward movements. For the neck, massage from chin downwards, using both the hands, one hand following the other. Wipe off the cream with moist cotton wool. Prepare a mask at home with two teaspoons of choker, one teaspoon of oatmeal and one teaspoon each of curd, egg white and honey. Apply the mask twice a week and wash it off with water after 20 to 30 minutes. Or, try a ready-to-use mask, which is easily available. A weekly salon facial, with professional massage and rejuvenating masks, will also help rejuvenate your skin.

Is it safe to use a facial scrub or besan and curd on pimples? Please tell me the benefits of aloe vera. Does it work effectively against acne and scars? — Mohit Sharma

Facial scrubs should not be applied on pimples. However, curd by itself can be applied if there are pimples.

As far as the skin is concerned, aloe vera helps moisturise it. It is also an anti-oxidant and helps promote the skin's cell renewal function.

It has not been known to help acne, although during ancient times, it was used to heal wounds and burns.

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