Ask Shahnaz

Beautician Shahnaz Husain offers tips and answers queries. Send your queries to askshahnaz@gmail.com

December 04, 2011 08:08 pm | Updated 08:08 pm IST

Soha Ali Khan Photo: PTI

Soha Ali Khan Photo: PTI

Which oil is best for the face and body in winter — castor, almond or olive oil? I have oily skin. Will it increase the growth of facial hair? What should I do for an even complexion?— Sunakshi

For oily skin, avoid applying oil. If there is winter dryness, apply a light moisturiser. Or, mix 100 ml of rose water with one teaspoon of pure glycerine. Keep it in an airtight bottle and apply a little of it on your face to relieve dryness. For an even colour tone, use a facial scrub once a week. Mix rice powder with curd and apply it on your face. Rub it gently on the skin, especially on the dark areas, and then wash it off. Twice a week, apply a face mask. Mix 3 teaspoons of oatmeal with one teaspoon each of honey, curd and lemon juice, or egg white. Apply it on the entire face, avoiding the lips and the area around your eyes. Wash it off after half an hour. For the body, try massaging the skin with olive oil or almond oil. Applying oil does not cause hair growth either on the face or on the body.

What should I do to minimise the growth of facial hair?Bindu

Home remedies do not remove facial hair. They are believed to lessen facial hair growth if used regularly over a period of time. You may try any of the following remedies for discouraging facial hair growth. Make a thick paste of sugar, lemon juice and water and apply it in the direction of hair growth. Wash it off when it dries. Apply it once or twice a week. Apply a paste of turmeric powder and milk and rub this on the skin with a circular motion. It is said to discourage facial hair, but it may leave a slight yellowish colour on the skin.

My lips are dark. What should I do to make them lighter in colour?Kamil

The skin of the lips is thin and delicate. However, after washing your face, when your lips are wet, rub them gently with a soft towel. This helps remove dead skin. Then apply cream of milk and leave it on for an hour. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the cream before application. Apply pure almond oil daily on the lips at night and leave it on overnight. You can also look for a lip balm with sunscreen. Or apply a little sunscreen lotion before going out in the sun.

I had acne. Though the condition has cleared, it has left marks. What should I do to get rid of them and have a glowing complexion?Naveena

Mix rice powder with curd and a pinch of turmeric and use it as a facial scrub once or twice a week. Apply it on your face, rubbing the skin gently with tiny circular movements, especially on the dark spots. Leave it on for a few minutes before washing it off. Do not us it on acne, pimples or rash. Mix honey and lemon juice in equal quantities and apply it daily on your face. Wash it off after 15 minutes. Twice a week, apply a face mask. Mix 3 teaspoons of oatmeal with one teaspoon each of honey, curd and lemon juice, or egg white. Apply it on the entire face, avoiding the lips and the area around eyes. Wash it off after half-an-hour.

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