Indians are well aware of the antiseptic properties of haldi (turmeric) and no Indian kitchen is complete without this wonder herb. It has its sacred place in beauty rituals as well and no Indian wedding is complete without the auspicious haldi ceremony, where the bride or the bride groom is beautified with this super skincare spice. There is a long list of skin care benefits associated with turmeric, including treatment of acne, blemishes, blackheads, dark spots, hyper pigmentation, eczema and even psoriasis. It is excellent for improving the skin’s elasticity and hence known to keep wrinkles at bay.
So if you’re big day is approaching, instead of wasting money and time on a lot of chemical treatments sold in the name of beauty enhancers, bring in a routine of pampering yourself with rich and natural ingredients. Ideally, try and create a list of things you’d like to do to take care of yourself, two months ahead of time (or as much time as you have). Here are some of my suggestions below:
– Sanatan Kriya, will not only harmonise your mind and body, but also render that youthful glow and radiance which only comes when you are in a state of balance
– Pamper yourself daily with one beauty ritual or another e.g. one day, do a self-massage an hour before shower; the next day, use a rich ubtan for skin exfoliation. The following day, you can treat your hair with a rich nourishing hair pack. Make a weekly planner or call us to help you with all that you need, to pamper yourself – daily and practically. We are not born in the age of the Rajas and Maharanis, but who is stopping us from taking care of ourselves by being a little creative and resourceful in terms of beauty rituals
Below are some simple home-based remedies which can reap you lasting results:
Haldi Ubtan
To make a traditional ubtan, blend equal parts of almond flour, chickpea flour, rice bran powder/oats and combine with smaller portions of milk powder, rose petals, sandalwood, pinch of turmeric and saffron. You can add more herbs and essential oils to make this blend more exotic. Make a paste with heavy cream and apply to skin. The ubtan should be massaged into the skin until it dries and rubs off. Ubtan treatments leave the skin feeling unbelievably soft.
Treat Acne/Blemishes with Turmeric
Turmeric is excellent to treat oily/acne-prone skin. It helps regulate production of sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. Acne is generally inflamed due to bacteria in these sebaceous glands. Organic freshly squeezed orange juice helps clear blemishes. Sandalwood is a natural calming agent and turmeric is excellent to fight the bacteria. Add about 1 and half tablespoon sandalwood powder, a pinch of turmeric and 3 tablespoons orange juice. Apply the paste on the face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Banana and Honey Hair Pack
Dry hair can be treated well using a banana hair pack. Mash a banana and mix with it one tablespoon (tbsp) honey and one tbsp lime juice. Mix everything together till you get a creamy texture. Apply the paste on to your hair, especially focusing on the roots. Rinse off after an hour and shampoo. Your tresses will be more manageable.
Most importantly, remember the above self-loving approach need not be forgotten after you’re married or even if marriage is not on the cards. You are alive and vibrant; enhance it more with all these expressions of self-love.
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