The Natural Way

Suparna Trikha Dewan offers natural solutions and home remedies for your beauty problems

Ferena Wazeir Actor Exfoliation is extremely important for the skin so I rub raw papaya on my face which works wonders. I deep cleanse my skin with mud packs and with fuller’s earth mixed with rose water which leaves my skin soft and supple. To clean the entire body I use rock salt while bathing. For my hair, I don’t oil it much but use amla and shikakai powder which leaves my hairy glistening and also gives it a good bounce.

I am a young woman with oily skin. I once had a burst of pimples which have left behind ugly black spots. How do I get rid of them? I also have lots of white and blackheads on my face. Please suggest a natural remedy.

Name and address withheld

It’s clear that you are not following a regular skincare routine. Mix masoor powder with fuller’s earth and a little rose water. Use this paste to scrub your skin regularly. Take 2tsp fuller’s earth, rose water and half teaspoon camphor. Massage your skin with this mixture. Apply it on the skin and keep it for sometime till it dries. wash off with fridge cold water.

I am a 22-year-old woman with an oily T-zone. My work keeps me outdoors for long hours. I apply a sandalwood pack every alternate day to avoid getting a tan. I would like to know how to clean my face properly after returning from work. Also I have thin eyebrows. Please help.

Diya Chakraborty, via e-mail

Add a pinch of powdered camphor to 2tsp honey. Massage your skin with this regularly. Once you are done, wipe your skin with wet cotton. This will leave your face cleaner and softer. For your T-zone, continue with the sandalwood pack. Apply castor oil on your eyebrows to increase growth.

I am a 19-year-old girl. My hair is very weak and thin. How do I get thick and silky hair?

Name and address withheld

What you need is a healthy diet, lifestyle changes and a regular haircare programme. Massage your hair with a good quality Mahabhringraj oil. Make a hair pack using 2tsp each of amla, reetha, shikakai, a pinch of black pepper powder and two eggs. Apply this on your hair and leave on for 40 minutes. Wash off with a mild herbal shampoo.

I am 25-year-old man with a dark complexion. There are also some chicken pox marks on my face. Will surgery help remove the marks and improve my complexion?

Name and address withheld

Surgery can help remove the scars but will not do much for your skin tone. Incorporate changes in your lifestyle, diet and follow a proper skincare routine to improve your complexion.

Cosmetic cures

Bridgette Jones has the most effective make-up tricks up her sleeve

Bhagyashree Actor The trick is to drink lots of water everyday. I also make sure to clean my face thoroughly after a shoot. I usually use baby oil to remove make-up and after that I moisturise my face with Oil of Olay. I make it a point to drink half a glass of amla juice everyday for the glow on my face. I also make it a point to splash my face with cold water everyday.

I am a young woman. I like to wear my hair long and do not go for a haircut often except to get rid of split ends. How often should I have my hair trimmed to keep it healthy?

Name and address withheld

It depends on how fast your hair grows and how long it is. Short hair naturally will require more frequent trims, but that’s most likely done to keep the style in shape. Longer hair needs regular trimming too. I suggest you have the ends cleaned up every 8-12 weeks, even if you’re trying to grow your hair out, in which case you’ll just have less cut off. There’s a misconception that allowing your hair to just grow without regular maintenance will achieve your goal faster. If you want it to be healthy and look well put together you’ve got to keep it trimmed.

I am a young woman. I’m sick and tired of my boring brown hair colour — it’s been this way my entire life! What colour should I opt for and how can I liven up my tresses without having to go for major upkeep?

Name and address withheld

Keep it simple and use your natural colour as a foundation. Ask your stylist to place some subtle highlights either just around your face or on top to help break up the solid nature of your current shade. Don’t go too drastic with the colour or amount and/or thickness of the highlights. Try a shade maybe two shades lighter than what your natural colour is and something in the natural brown range colour-wise. You might be able to do warmer tones like copper or cooler ones like burgundy, but you should consult with your hairstylist first to be sure that those shades will work with your skin tone.

I am a 27-year-old woman with a dusky complexion. For an evening out, I prefer using pink lippers for my pouters instead of the boring rust browns and maroons. I think it looks chic and makes me feel young and glamourous. Am I being too experimental or should I go ahead with all the style experiments?

Sarita, via e-mail

Make-up calls for a lot of experimentation. Sometimes a novel approach can create the most amazing results. We are often wary of experimenting with shades of our lipstick or eyeshadow but it is the best way to catch up with evolving fashion trends. It is only through experimenting with different colour palettes and by breaking certain cardinal rules of make-up will you be able to find a look that suits you best. However, your foundation should always be close to your natural skintone.