Beautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. Send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com
I have lot of facial hair. What should I do to get rid of it? — Sowmya
Have threading or waxing done at a beauty salon, depending on the area of hair growth. Home remedies do not remove facial hair. But, they are said to lessen facial hair growth if used regularly over a period of time. Try any of the following remedies for discouraging the growth. Make a thick paste of sugar, lemon juice and water and apply it in the direction of the growth. Wash it off after it dries. Apply it once or twice a week. Make a paste of turmeric powder and milk and rub it on the skin with a circular motion. It is said to discourage facial hair, but may leave the skin looking slightly yellowish.
I have dandruff and lice in my hair. — Janavi
Twice a week, heat olive oil or til oil and apply it on your hair. Apply it on the ends too. Then do the hot towel wrap as described in previous columns. Apply vinegar on your hair and scalp. After an hour, comb your hair with a fine-toothed lice comb and have the nits removed by hand. Vinegar loosens the nits making it easier to remove them. Then wash your hair with a mild herbal shampoo. After a shampoo wash, add two tablespoons of vinegar to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. Then comb your hair again with the lice comb. Do this daily for a week. This will help your dandruff problem too. Have weekly henna treatments. Add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two raw eggs, one teaspoon of fenugreek powder and enough tea water to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. If your hair is dry, add two teaspoons of oil. Apply the henna on your hair, washing it off after an hour.
What should I do to have healthy nails? — Madhura
After using soap or detergents, massage cream on your nails and the skin around your nails. You can also apply almond oil the same way. Or, soak your fingertips and nails in warm almond oil to nourish and strengthen them. Include adequate protein and calcium in your diet. Consume skimmed milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese, leafy green vegetables, fish and sprouts. Dissolve one teaspoon of gelatine in a little boiling water. Cool the water and add it to fruit juice. Drink this daily for 10 days.
How can I improve skin tone? — Murali
After cleansing, tone your skin daily with chilled rose water, using cotton wool pads. Wipe the skin with them. Then stroke the skin, on either side of your face, going upwards across your cheeks towards the temples, ending with a light pressure. Pat your face briskly with the rose water soaked pads. Apply a face mask twice a week. Mix three teaspoons of oatmeal 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.
What should I do to have thick eyebrows? — Helen
Castor oil is said to encourage the growth of eyebrows. Apply castor oil daily on your brows, with a cotton bud. Meanwhile, you can make the brows appear thicker by using an eyebrow pencil and drawing short feathery strokes. Avoid harsh lines.
