Beautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. Send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com
I apply vinegar on my scalp before a shampoo wash 4 to 5 times a week to prevent dandruff. Is this the right thing to do? — Santosh
Yes, applying vinegar before a shampoo wash will help. But use very little shampoo when you wash your hair. Dilute it with a little water and then apply it. Wash your hair with a mild herbal shampoo four times a week, using very little shampoo and taking care to rinse it off well with water. Half-an-hour before a shampoo wash, massage your scalp lightly with two tablespoons of vinegar. Once a week, heat olive oil or til oil and apply it on your scalp at night. Leave it on overnight. The following morning, apply the vinegar as advised half-an-hour before a shampoo wash.
I have dark skin. What should I do to improve my complexion? — Leela
If your skin is dark due to sun tan, the tan may be removed. Use a facial scrub twice a week. You can either buy a facial scrub, or mix rice powder with curd and use it as a scrub. Apply it on your face, rubbing the skin gently using small circular movements. Leave it on for 5 minutes before washing it off. Take two teaspoons of curd, add a pinch of haldi to it and apply it daily on your face. Wash it off after 15 minutes with plenty of water. Twice a week, apply a face mask. Mix 3 teaspoons of oats with one teaspoon each of honey, curd and lemon juice, or egg white. Apply it on your entire face, avoiding the lips and the area around your eyes. Wash it off after half an hour.
My complexion is good. Yet, my face doesn't glow. — Manesha
Tone the skin daily with chilled rosewater, using cotton wool pads. To make it glow, use a facial scrub once or twice a week. Mix ground almonds with curd. Rub the skin gently, with small circular movements before washing the scrub off. Mix honey and lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it daily. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Mix together ripe papaya pulp, grated cucumber, curd and oats. Apply it and wash off after half-an-hour.
