India's culture has produced beauty products and tips suited for use worldwide.
Shining hair, high cheekbones, sparkling eyes: Indian women are associated with beauty traits beloved worldwide. Because Indian culture is thousands of years old, Indian women have developed beauty rituals using natural products like herbs and botanicals to treat their hair and skin and benefit their appearances. Whether you're looking for a unique beauty product, or a natural and organic treatment to replace your current beauty routine, India has tips for every woman and look.
Skin
Indian beauty treatments can help protect skin from arid conditions anywhere.
The granular powder called besan is used to exfoliate the skin, help slough off dead skin, and relieve oiliness. Besan may be used in place of soap to wash the face or mixed with milk and turmeric powder and applied as a mask to the face. After allowing the mixture to dry, it may be removed with warm water and a washcloth. While the besan scrubs skin, turmeric is known for anti-bacterial properties. Turmeric helps completely cleanse the skin while milk adds moisture.
Indian people also use natural astringents to tone and cleanse the skin. Grind one cucumber into a watery paste, filter out the juice and apply the liquid to the face with a cotton cloth. After allowing the juice to dry, gently rinse off with warm water. The same process can be repeated with a lemon, watermelon or tomato for similar toning effects.
Hair
People of any nationality can benefit from Indian hair treatments.
Coconut oil, massaged into the scalp and hair, promotes growth and prevents dryness. Apply the oil to the head and hair for fifteen minutes before bathing to allow it to penetrate hair follicles and seal hair cuticles. Flowers, such as hibiscus, and herbs, such as karuvaepilai or curry leaves, can steep in the oil to impart an appealing smell and maintain hair color.
Treatments unique to westerners include headstands, to encourage blood flow to the scalp, and vigorous massage of the head with the fingers. If you can't handle a headstand, try standing with your head below your waistline for 15 minutes at a time. Moderate exercise can also increase blood circulation, theoretically stimulating hair follicles and producing more and healthier hair.
For dandruff, try the traditional Indian remedy of applying apple cider vinegar to the scalp. Or, steep one ounce each of rosemary and sage in a pint of water overnight before applying the mixture to the hair. The herbs help soothe the scalp and reduce flaking and dryness.
Fragrances
Try sandalwood, lemongrass, or another essential oil in your beauty routine.
Natural essential oils provide both pleasant scents that calm, energize or relax, depending on the scent. Sandalwood, called chandanam, is offered as a stick, powder or paste. With natural cooling properties, as well as a woody, sweet aroma, this product is a staple of Indian scents. When applied to the skin, it also can moisturize or alleviate stretch marks and scarring. Dried sambraani, a tree resin, is toasted over an open flame and the smoke is used to scent the hair. The rich, woody smell helps the hair dry faster and may discourage colds and sinus congestion. Other common Indian fragrances include jasmine, hibiscus, coconut and lily.
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