Good makeup is more than a touch of lipstick, a dash of eyeliner and a coat of mascara. Done properly, it is a precise art that can transform you dramatically. All it takes is the inclination, the right tools and some good cosmetics. It can make your skin look flawless, make your eyes expressive and your mouth provocative. It can give you a natural look, a sexy one or a glamorous one, depending on the mood you’re in and the colors you use. In short, it can take you from seedha-saadha to drop dead gorgeous.

Lemons are very high in natural fruit acids that rejuvenate the skin.

If life gives you lemons…use them as beauty aids. The sour fruit’s glucose and mineral content also helps replace loss of the body’s fluids through sweat, especially during the summer months. It stimulates blood circulation, reduces arterial pressure, and activates bile and intestinal secretions. From a cosmetic viewpoint, lemon acts as a bleach and astringent. The only thing to remember is not to use it undiluted, as it can be harsh on the skin.

A spot on the face often leads to heartbreaks and heartaches and is a nightmare comes true for an adolescent. Our expert gives some tips to overcome this frightening situation.

Keep pimples at bay

Removal and prevention of blackheads is part of preventive care for pimples and acne.

Daily cleansing and skin care, with appropriate products, is the only way of preventing acne and other oily-skin conditions. A medicated cleanser, which is specially formulated for oily skins, should be used. This helps to reduce surface grease and restores the natural acid-alkaline balance. Use plenty of water to wash off all traces of the cleanser.

The face has 120 muscles. Even low grade stress can strain these muscles causing premature wrinkling. Facials can counteract this damage.

In their 20’s, most people think it can never happen to them. At 30, the truth of the situation begins to dawn. By the time they hit 40, it’s too late to reverse the damage. This may sound harsh but the truth is that skin ages and the signs are very visible. However, pollution, the sun’s rays and stress all combine to cause premature skin damage. So what’s the solution? Facials apart from a regular skin care regimen help counteract the damage.

A fabulous movie called ‘Fedora’ spoke about an ageing movie star’s fight against time. Secluded in an old villa, with only her mother for company, Fedora meets a young man whom she falls in love with. He marvels at how young she looks; only her hands give away her age. But, we learn at the end, that the old crone we know as the mother is actually Fedora. The woman we are told is Fedora is actually her daughter. And yes, her hands have been artificially aged to make the impersonation credible.

Bran, gramflour and oatmeal are a few of the ingredients that hold the key to a glowing, well scrubbed complexion.

Our grandmothers swore by the exfoliating properties of chokar (wheat husk) mixed in malai that sticks to the bottom of the pan after the milk is heated. The scrub was used for rejuvenating and removing dead skin. Coarse gram flour or besan is yet another effective homemade scrub they used. Traditionally used, a turmeric scrub, over time, is known to remove facial and tender body hair altogether.

A pair of well-groomed eyebrows can open and lift the visage in a way none of the other facial features can - even without make-up.

Eyebrows are generally overlooked by the masses; they’re the ugly stepsisters to their more glamorous siblings, the eyes, nose, cheeks and month. But a pair of well-groomed eyebrows can open and lift the visage in a way none of the other facial features can - even without make-up. Here are a few simple steps on how to pluck your way to a better you.

Banana is the perfect food and helps in slowing down aging. It contains virtually no fat and should be on your daily food list. Bananas are rich in vitamins, potassium, calcium and manganese.

Apply the following banana face pack.
Mash 1/2 of a banana and apply. Relax for a half hour and then remove with cool water. Bananas are rich in oils that will keep the skin from drying out.

If you are looking for an exfoliating mask, blend a mashed banana with white cosmetic clay and apply. This mask is both moisturizing and nourishing.

Our skin is very delicate and in order to keep it looking youthful and beautiful one has to take lots of care. Your skin looks its best in your teens but if you do not take proper care then you will start looking older than your age. Thus give yourself 15 mins everyday and care for your skin. With age no doubt you will lose the radiance and shine on your skin but there are ways by which you can easily cheat on your age.

Following are a few tricks that will help take 10 Years off your looks:

A fabulous movie called ‘Fedora’ spoke about an aging movie star’s fight against time. Secluded in an old villa, with only her mother for company, Fedora meets a young man whom she falls in love with. He marvels at how young she looks; only her hands give away her age. But, we learn at the end, that the old crone we know as the mother is actually Fedora. The woman we are told is Fedora is actually her daughter. And yes, her hands have been artificially aged to make the impersonation credible.