A Lone Stranger

Beauty lies in… my hair In Kerala, women splurge as much as `6,000 per month only on hair treatments When one compliments a woman for her lovely tresses, they never know the price she has to pay to maintain the look. Women in Kerala are spending a major portion of their income or pocket money at beauty salons, that too for hair treatments. From hot oil massage to hair spa and hair colouring, they like to have the treatments done at a salon rather than in the confines of their home. "Women of all ages are well aware of the evolving trends these days, and they are more concerned about their hair than anything else," says Rajeshwari, a beauty expert. "Irrespective of the cost, they are ready to spent money to maintain the smoothness and texture of their hair," says Theertha Sasidharan, a beautician in the city. Sujith, a beauty expert, informs that on an average, a woman spends `5000 a month at beauty salons. "While some avail of services once in ev...

Keep your skin young. Here's how (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) We get an expert to assess his skin for its age. Here's how you can keep yours young The human body does not consider the skin a vital organ like the heart, lungs and the brain. So when the body faces a crisis — such as dehydration, fatigue due to stress or lack of vitamins in the blood stream — the skin is the first to show symptoms, as its crisis always gets addressed last. French skin expert Julien Moignard from Keraskin Esthetics was in Mumbai and analysed the skin of this correspondent. The test was done with an instrument equipped with a microscope. It measured lipid levels, hydration, wrinkle onset, skin sensitivity and pigmentation. Moignard, Dr Nina Madnani, consultant dermatologist Hinduja Hospital, and Laura D'souza, skin aesthetician, share secrets that can keep your skin looking young. Lipids Lipids are essentials oils — made of proteins, cholesterol and fatty acids — secreted by...

Homemade face packs for the summer (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) The skin, due to exposure to the harsh sun becomes dry and dehydrated. Here are face packs that can be made at home... Tomato and cream: Tomato juice and malai provides a cooling effect to the skin. Apply this with cotton. Tomato seeds can be retained in the pack. Mango pack: Apply two tablespoons mango pulp, one tea spoon of sandalwood powder, one teaspoon of honey, one tablespoon of yogurt, and some turmeric powder on your face right after some time in the sun. This saves the skin from getting damaged. Banana pack: Some banana pulp along with one tea spoon honey is also soothing for the skin. Potato juice: Applying the juice of freshly grated potato helps remove tan and is healthy for the skin. Multani mitti: This is as simple as it can get. Make a paste of it by mixing it with water and rinse off after applying it for 15 minutes.

How do you get beautiful lips (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) Taking care of your lips is just as important as looking after the rest of your face Most women spend loads of money on cosmetics for their face but their lips are often neglected. Other than a cursory swipe of lipstick or a touch of lipgloss, many women do not bother too much about taking care of or worrying too much about their lips. But it is important to remember that looking after the lips, can not only add to your beauty, but also enhance any colour you may add as makeup. The most common problem among women in India is having lips in different colours and this could be mainly due to sun exposure. Home remedies range from applying milk, honey, milk cream or lemon on them, but all this will be ineffective if you do not use sunscreen everyday. This will at least prevent the further darkening of the lips. And though there are only a few whitening creams for the lips, the best way to begin is by protecting th...

Your guide to fixing hair disasters (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) Every woman yearns to have long, thick and shining hair with a healthy bounce! Yet, changing seasons and hectic lifestyles make it extremely hard to manage the tresses. Here's the trick to fixing tress troubles If neglected, your hair may show signs of hair fall, split ends, dryness, dandruff, roughness and often hangs dull and lifeless. Here are simple ways you can help your tresses bounce back from some common hair disasters. Dry hair: -If you suffer from dry, lifeless looking hair, wash it 2-3 times a week with a mild hydrating shampoo. Herbal ingredients like Aloe Vera, vetiver oil and licorice hydrate and nourish the hair roots and also provide moisture to your hair and scalp -While choosing a shampoo, always opt for a shampoo which is SLES free. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) which is commonly used in many shampoos is a foaming agent which may contain traces of impurities like 1,4- dioxane wh...

Dos and don'ts for naturally glowing skin (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) The first signs of a beautiful skin are - soft, smooth and glowing. To get a flawless skin, here are a couple of skin care dos and don'ts to follow. Dos Wear makeup with the most natural ingredients possible. Mineral makeup provides flawless coverage while allowing your skin to breathe. Fewer ingredients often means the makeup's better for your skin. Exfoliate regularly. Once a week works for most. If you have oily or combination skin, use a chemical exfoliator like glycolic or salicylic acid. Those with normal or sensitive skin will reap the greatest benefit with a microdermabrasion formula exfoliator -- the kind with little beads that scrub your face. Use eye cream every day! The skin around your eyes is very thin and fragile. Protect it with an SPF 30 eye cream. Eat and drink healthful foods. Great skin starts on the inside. Drink lots of water to keep hydrated, and ingest lots...

Why chocolate facial is good (Thinkstock photos/Getty Images) If you thought eating a bar of chocolate can satisfy your mood swings, then you're wrong. Chocolate facial, a new fad in the beauty circle will not only enhance your complexion but also ensure that your skin is healthy and glowing in the long run. Chocolate cream, paste, scrub etc - used for chocolate facial has a smooth and creamy texture with the fragrance of chocolate that ensures that your skin is de-tanned and glows. Chocolate helps in getting rid of the tan. Why is it good for your skin? - Chocolate is high in anti-oxidants and contains anti-ageing properties too. - Chocolate also imparts a healthy glow to your face. - It increases the production of collagen and lightens blemishes and acne marks. - It hydrates your skin and softens delaying the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. - It suits all skin types and is known to be one of the best ways to relax and rejuvenate yourself after a tiring...