Ask Shahnaz

Beautician Shahnaz Hussain offers tips and answers queries. You can send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com

Sonam Kapoor

I have normal to dry skin. For the past six months, I've been getting pimples on my forehead. Suggest a remedy. — Varsha

Pimples normally occur on oily areas of the skin. You may be having combination skin, in which the forehead, nose and chin can be oily. Dandruff can also lead to pimples on the forehead. Wash your face twice a day, morning and night with a medicated soap. Then wipe the pimple-prone areas with an astringent lotion, using cotton wool. Astringent lotion will be available at a cosmetic store. Mix a little rose water with sandalwood paste and apply it on the pimple-prone area and wash it off after 15 minutes with plain water. Sandalwood paste can also be applied directly on pimples. Once daily, at any time, mix one teaspoon each of honey and lemon juice and apply it on the face. Wash it off with plain water after 15 minutes. It helps relieve dryness and also reduces pimples. Mix multani mitti with rose water and lemon juice into a paste and apply it on the pimple-prone area two or three times a week. Wash it off after it dries. Include fresh fruits, salads, sprouts and yoghurt in your daily diet. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of water and drink it first thing in the morning.

I apply oil once or twice a week, but after massaging I notice more and more hair falling. What should I do? Is it good to apply oil at night and wash hair the following day? —

Deepika

You have not mentioned your hair type. Hair loss can occur if the scalp is oily. If your hair and scalp are oily, avoid oil applications. Also, if there is hair loss, avoid massage. The roots may be weak and massage will aggravate the problem. Use only the finger tips to oil the scalp. Apply a herbal hair tonic daily on the scalp and leave it on. If the hair and the scalp are not too oily, apply oil once a week at night and leave it overnight. Nutritional deficiencies can also cause hair loss. Have a small bowl of sprouts daily and include fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables, soya bean and curd in your diet. Ask your doctor to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

I am engaged to be married. I want to know what make-up to use. — Anitha

You can have bridal make-up done at a beauty salon, for which you have to book in advance. For make-up, the main items you will need are foundation in two shades, powder, blush on, eye-shadow in 2 to 3 shades (including highlighter), eyeliner/eye pencil, eyebrow pencil, mascara and lipstick/lip gloss. For dry skin, select a creamy foundation and for oily skin, you will need a water-based foundation. One foundation should be close to your normal skin colour and the other should be one or two shades lighter to conceal blemishes like marks or patches. Or, use a concealer instead.