'I oil my hair with mustard oil'

Singer Shibani Kashyap tells about her beauty and hair care tips

Skintillating
I like to keep my skin hydrated. Protection from the sun, cleansing of the skin and sleep are very important for a good glowing skin. My daily skin care regime starts with washing my face with cool water first thing in the morning. I leave it for at least half an hour and then rinse it off. Trust me, it works like magic on the skin!

One thing that I always remember to do is to apply a sun block before stepping out of my house. I prefer going in for a no make-up look most of the times and use make-up only during shoots. With the temperatures soaring high I keep spraying rose water on my face to keep my skin fresh.

Before sleeping in the night I use a light scrub to get rid of the grime and a soap free facewash followed by a toner and a light overnight cream to keep my face hydrated through the night. Skin of the entire body needs pampering, so i take a weekly body massage, body scrub and body polish. I believe in loving your skin and taking good care of it.

Mane point
Hair they say is the crowning glory of a woman. A good healthy high protein diet is a must for healthy bouncy shiny hair. In summers I make it a point to wash my hair every alternate day with a good shampoo and conditioner. I avoid getting my hair coloured, highlighted or straightened. I do not like them to get subjected to chemicals. I oil my hair regularly with mustard oil and also use an egg pack with curd and honey. They are natural conditioners and leave the hair deeply conditioned.

Teenage problem
As a teenager just like others I had pimples but not too many as elders in family would suggest to keep the tummy clean. I would stay away from oily food which I still follow and eat curd as its rich in protein plus keeps you hydrated.

Naturally speaking
The best homemade remedy I've come across to remove a tan is to apply curd and lime juice on your face and viola the tan goes instantly. Also multani mitti with a pinch of turmeric, little honey and water/cold milk is excellent as face pack. For my hair, I like hot oil which I keep overnight and if time permits then I put curd with a few drops of lime which removes oil and gives great shine to your hair.

Quick fix
If you have long hair and if they are unmanageable for some reason then just tie them into a ponytail. Keep a bodyspray or perfume handy and a lip gloss for that last minute.

Must-have in the make-up kit

Always keep face wash, moisturiser, compact powder, kaajal and light lipstick or lipgloss.

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Tomato for clear skin

Tomatoes are a staple in every kitchen but hardly will you hear anyone extolling its cosmetic benefits. Whether you want to cure large pores or reduce acne and rashes or sooth a nasty sunburn or simply to revive the glow on dull skin, tomatoes are beneficial in many homemade beauty treatments.

Not only do tomatoes taste great but they also keep the skin healthy. It is necessary to consume tomatoes as they have lycopene, which is an antioxidant and hence works as a sunscreen from within. These antioxidants make tomato an anti-aging product as they help in fighting cellular damage and reddening of skin. It is recommended to have at least 16 milligrams of lycopene per day as they reduce the number of free radicals in the body and also help to retain the moisture in people who are used to sitting in air-conditioned environs. You don't need to spend your hard-earned money on expensive cosmetic treatments if you follow these simple steps to get healthy-looking skin:

Big pores? Shrink Them
Big pores provide easy access to dirt and grime thus increasing the chances of infecting the pore. Take a tablespoon of fresh tomato juice. Add two to four drops of fresh lime juice to this. Use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on your face. Massage it in circular motions. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash off with cool water. Regular application will shrink pores greatly.

Acne healing
The acidity in tomatoes helps in reducing and clearing up your acne. Vitamin A and vitamin C are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines and tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K. If you have mild acne, cut a tomato in half and apply the inside on your face. For severe acne mash a fresh tomato and use the pulp as a pack on the face. Leave it on for an hour. Rinse it off and moisturise. Do this on a regular basis or as many times as you can. Your acne is bound to dry off soon.

Astringent
If you have oily skin and struggle to keep your face from shining like a fried papad, tomato is the solution to your agony. Crush a fresh tomato and strain it. Make a little cucumber juice and add it to the tomato juice. Apply this juice with a cotton ball daily to control excessive oiliness and acne.

Good to eat, great to clean
A tomato and avocado mask works wonders on combination skin. This is because tomato works as an astringent as well as a blackhead and oil-reducing agent while avocados have an antiseptic and moisturising effect. A pack of mashed tomatoes and avocados help in soothing and cleansing combination skin (oily and dry), as they are rich in vitamin A, C and E. Apply this pack and wash off after 20 o 30 minutes with lukewarm water.

Burns no more
Summer is fast approaching and with harsh summer comes burnt, inflamed skin. A lot of people's skin gets sunburnt, raw and itchy due to exposure to the sun. Crush half a tomato and mix it with two tablespoons of plain yogurt. Apply this concoction on face, neck, hands and feet. Wash it off after 20 minutes. Tomato cools the skin and neutralises the surface while yogurt gives it a much needed protein boost while leaving it soft and supple.

Glowing skin
Mix honey with tomato juice until you get a thick paste. Apply this mixture and wash off after 15 minutes for smooth and glowing skin.

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Choco-vanilla fudge for your skin

If you are a fan of chocolate sauce with vanilla ice-cream, then a vanilla cream massage is just perfect for you.

A mix of vanilla with cocoa powder will not only soothe your senses but tantalise your taste buds too.
Experience the rejuvenating magic of vanilla cream massage at Aura spa, in the capital.

A dimly-lit massage room with soothing music in the background, sea-shells on the wall and fresh flowers floating in water, giving positive energy, welcomes one to a relaxing session.

It starts with a dry massage, followed by full body massage with the paste of cocoa powder, vanilla, coconut cream and coconut granules.

The paste promotes blood circulation, has healing properties and repairs tissues, with the massage therapist massaging the body with equal pressure, focusing on the acupressure points and applying long soothing strokes in a rhythmic manner. One cannot ask for more.

At the same time, the aroma of vanilla and chocolate lingers in the air, giving ample scope for one to think of chocolate brownie with vanilla ice-cream!

A quick hot bath after the session leaves the skin soft and supple and you leave the place with a fresh mind and relaxed body.

Duration: 90 minutes.

Price: Rs.3,500

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Big bums are women's biggest fear

Guess what's women's greatest fears? Their big bottoms!

But then why do women often ask this question - does my bum look big in this?

According to a new study, the image-conscious women seek reassurance because it's one part of their anatomy they can never really see for themselves.

Over half the 1,800 women questioned in a survey on behalf of Wizard Jeans said that they worried more about their posteriors than about their breasts or their stomach.

"You only have to watch women trying on a new pair of jeans to see that their prime concern is always the bit they can't really see for themselves – their bums. They twist and turn in front of the mirror but then, inevitably, ask for reassurance," the Daily Express quoted fashion expert Sally Allen of Wizard Jeans, as saying.

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Hair care before you say 'I do'

Every bride wants her hair, and everything else, to look gorgeous on the big day. Here are a few beauty tips that you can use...

In the days preceding the wedding, the bride does not even get time to breathe, but there are certain aspects that she simply cannot afford to forget, and one of them is hair and skincare.

For the hair
Begin your hair care at least six months prior to the wedding because some treatments take time. Go for regular hair spa — twice a week; if you can't afford it, once a week is a must. Oil your hair every week. Do not oil overnight because the oil blocks pores and doesn't let the hair breathe at night. Oil improves blood circulation and helps the hair grow stronger. Use two tablespoons of any Ayurvedic oil or mix olive oil with castor oil and apply an hour before washing your hair. Do not apply hair colour just before the wedding because you would want your hair colour to match your outfits. You can't be seen with strong highlights on your special day. Go for a regular trim every six weeks to two months. If you are planning to grow your hair, don't touch it for six months. Get a haircut at least six weeks before the wedding so that the hair is well settled. Have a lot of vitamins in your diet to make your hair healthy. No amount of treatment can save damaged hair if your diet is not well balanced. Always use a wide-toothed comb to remove the tangles from your hair. Avoid using a brush when it's wet.

For the skin
Start your beauty treatments six months in advance. Go for regular facials and skin exfoliation to remove dead cells. Your daily beauty regime must include cleansing, toning, exfoliating and moisturizing. Use a sunscreen when you step out. Go for regular manicures and pedicures. Get them two days before the wedding. Use red jewelled gel nails on the toes. They look really nice with mehendi. Plan all your hair and beauty treatments well in advance to avoid last minute mishaps and stress. Be in a happy state of mind because the results reflect on your skin.

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Get rid of your old cosmetics

Using old cosmetics or fake makeup brands can lead to lots of problems to your skin.

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Wondering why your face looks taut?

With the level of pollution going up, the only way to protect your skin is to keep it clean and hydrated and use regular face packs.

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Coping with bad hair during summers!

Come summer and most of us are fighting tooth and nail to fend off those usual problems with hair

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Get oh-so-perfect looking nails

Almost every woman likes to have colourful, smart looking nails that grab others attention or make a

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Beat body odour

Eat foods that contain loads of fibre, whole grains, wheat, soy products and green leafy vegetables.

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Home remedies to treat acne

We give you home remedies to reduce acne and pimples

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Easy ways to stop ageing!

The process of ageing cannot be stopped, but it can be delayed by a few years. We list the top age repellents ...

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Choose the right glares

Ask most women what is that one thing they can't walk out of their home without, and you may hear a chorus

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Keep wrinkles at bay!

 Wrinkles are one of the most unwelcome signs of ageing. Delicate creases and sagging is caused over time as

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Get a skin-tillating body

We give you tips to get silky smooth and soft all over

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Want to get rid of acne?

If you are trying to get rid of acne, changes in your lifestyle and some cleanliness habits in your daily routine can do wonders to your facial skin, say experts.

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Makeup tips to help you look and feel like royalty

Though Prince William is about to wed and ruin our chance to take over the thrown of England, that does not

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Expert beauty tips to keep you looking young during the menopause

 

 Hold back the years: The menopause plays havoc with your skin but simple treatments can help

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Bollywood Beauty Tips and The Hidden Cost of Tanning Addiction

 

 This week, we chatted up recent bride Reese Witherspoon, and served up hot tips for scoring the hair cut

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Beyonce Reveals Top Beauty Secrets to SoJones!

Okay, maybe Beyonce shared her beauty secrets with Allure Magazine first, but that’s because SoJones

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