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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 have normal hair. For the past three weeks, I have been using only curd to wash it. But even after washing, the smell remains. — Laxmi

Using curd alone to wash hair means the hair will remain sticky. Stale curd, sweat and oil deposits from the scalp tend to stick to the hair, attracting more dirt. It is better to heat oil and apply it once or twice a week at night. Leave it on overnight.

Next morning, wash the hair with a mild shampoo and rinse thoroughly with water. If you wish to use curd, apply it half an hour before shampooing. If you wish to use a home cleanser, take a handful each of dried reetha, amla and shikakai.

Soak them in one litre water overnight. Next day, simmer the herbs on a low fire till the water reduces by half. Allow the mixture to cool and then strain it with a clean cloth. Use the liquid to wash hair. This quantity should be enough for four to five washes. Refrigerate it. Make small quantities at a time.

Is egg yolk or egg white good for dry hair? Also tell me how can I have thick eyebrows? — Mitra

Egg yolk is better for oily hair. However, you can apply the whole egg on the hair, as egg white will help cleanse it. Keep it on for half an hour and then wash the hair. For thickening the eyebrows, apply a little castor oil daily and leave it on.

My eyelashes were really long, but sometime back, I plucked them. Now they have grown, but are shorter and thinner. A friend suggested eyelash transplant, but it is expensive. — Shobha

Such experiences teach us that we should not destroy our natural beauty. However, do not get depressed. Many people have thin eyelashes, while some lose them to illness or severe dandruff conditions. Apply mascara to make the lashes look thicker.

Roll-on mascara would be best. Apply one coat, allow it to dry, comb with a tiny eyelash comb, dust very little powder on them and apply a second coat. Apply a little bit of castor oil daily on the lashes, using a cotton bud. Do not apply it at night. I am 24 and have developed pimples on my cheeks and forehead in the last few days. My skin feels dry. Can cold cream be applied when I have pimples? I have dandruff too. — Shilpi

Dandruff can lead to pimples. Pimples occur on the oily areas of the skin. Therefore, applying cold cream can lead to further pimples.

Mix one part of pure glycerine with four parts of rosewater and keep it in the fridge. Apply it on the face after washing and before applying it, add a few drops of lemon juice to it. Once daily, apply curd mixed with a little turmeric on the entire face, and wash it off with plenty of water after 20 minutes.

Apply sandalwood paste on the pimples. Twice a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply it on the scalp at night, using cotton wool. Leave it on overnight.

Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash your hair after half an hour. Apply henna once a week. My lips are always dry and chapped and the sides have become black. I use Vaseline. Has that caused the darkening? — Sravani

Lips can become dark due to a reaction to the perfume in some lipsticks on sun-exposure. Apply a sunscreen lotion sparingly on the lips and then apply lipstick. Change the brand of your lipstick.

After washing the face, rub the lips gently with a soft towel. This helps remove the dead skin.

Apply cream of milk and leave it on for half an hour. At night, apply pure almond oil on the lips and leave it on overnight.

I am 18 and have hair above my upper lip. Is it safe to remove it by laser? Also, my legs and hands, especially knees and elbows, are tanned. — Revathi

To get rid of upper lip hair, threading or waxing can be done at a beauty salon. Laser therapy is safe, but the problem is to find a reputed laser clinic.

It is also an expensive procedure. First, find out the cost involved and how many sessions you may require. Talk to people who have had it. For the tanned areas, take two lemon halves and rub them only on the knees and the elbows. Then apply til oil and massage it daily on the knees, elbows, arms and the legs. You can also mix besan with curd and a little haldi and apply it on the dark areas. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

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