Your Beauty Questions Answered

Q : I like to swim in summer but my permanent problem is the bikini line waxing. I hate to go to a parlor for a waxing and fear that hair removing creams would lead to a darkening of skin. What else can I do to remove the horrible hair?

A : For a more permanent hair removal option you have to think on the lines of diode hair removing laser treatment. This works best on coarse and dark hair and lasts forever (though some hair might reappear). You may need four to six sitting s though half that number might suffice. It is best to start the process before you reach a decision. In the meantime, alternate between shaving and waxing. Opt for a style of shim wear that is longer in the area as one choice, so just shaving may suffice.

Q : I bought purple mascara because it looked lovely in the advertisement. Now, when try it, the color just doesn’t show up. What can I do?

A : The advertisement was probably in a foreign magazine with a foreign model! Color mascara might look perfect on very fair skin under the right light but, for Indian skin tones, it is the blacks and browns that seem to get the best result. When you have very light or blonde eyelashes, these colors show more. Now, to get the maximum result from your purple mascara, use it with purple or pink eye shadow colors. Get a base coat of mascara that is normally white so that the purple shows more upon application.

Q : I like light fragrances but they just seem to evaporate on my skin, irrespective of the season. How can I make it last for me?

Lighter fragrances suit lighter skins this is not the color of the skin but the quality of skin. Yes, fairer skin is more prone to being thinner. If your fragrance is not lasting long enough, then start to layer it.

Use more than one product of the same fragrance. If you use the same soap, body cream, then EDT and pure perfume of the same fragrance it will definitely last longer. Also, your sweat might be hindering the fragrance, so one of my knees is much darker than the other as I had an accident a couple of years ago.

I tend to wear a lot of skirts and it looks peculiar. Please suggest a remedy. You have not written your age as, when you are younger, this kind of discoloring often repairs itself. However, do talk to a dermatologist who can give you a more real picture.

For a temporary remedy you can use make – up (a good quality foundation) applied sparingly and topped with a face powder. You can wear skin – color stockings of tights in winter and for summer you can opt for make – up. Another alternative would be a glycopeel by a laser treatment person as that removes the color from the top layer of skin.

Q : I love the smell of nutmeg and want to use it in my face packs. How do I know if it is suitable for my skin type and how do I use it?

Yes, nutmeg is a delicious smell but it can be a problem for sensitive skin. Never use more than a pinch of its powder that you can acquire by grating the nutmeg or by crushing it in a good pestle and mortar. When you have made the paste apply it to the inside of our wrist for at least 10 minutes to check for a reaction. Unless you have sensitive skin, there should be no problem with using nutmeg with a fruit of mud – based pack. Use a fragrance free antiperspirant. If you are using fragrances with smells of essential oil, you can try to use that essential oil add a few drops in your bath water.

Q : The lipsticks I buy always look different on my lips than it does in the case, how do I know if it will suit me, before I buy it?

There are two ways of checking the right color of the lipstick. You can see it on a white tissue. Thes is the real color of the lipstick. Rest of the changes appear due to the lips’ shape, size, and of course your skin tone. The inside of our wrist is often the closest to our lips’ color so you can check the shade on that area. Also you may request the shop assistant to let you try it on your lips, Carry your own lip brush for this and wipe with cleansing milk between trying two shades of lipsticks.

Q : I have puffed up under eyes. I have tried all kinds of creams and lotions and sleeping but nothing helps.

A : You have not mentioned your age as certain puffiness comes with age and the deposit of fat that builds up under the eyes. It could be water retention or even fat deposit. You can raise your head a bit more while sleeping as that would help the water retention. The fat would need cosmetic surgery. Rule out allergies and sinusitis before talking any drastic action.

Q I have ugly stretch marks above my bum. I do have a good figure but these show above a sari as also low waist jeans. What can I do for hiding these?

A : Stretch marks normally come due to sudden gain and ten loss of weight, so it is nice that you now have a good figure. For cosmetic camouflaging you can use derma color that is water and sweat proof. This would last for about 10 hours but it might leave some residue on your clothes after that, For a more permanent treatment you might want to consider laser treatment but do it only if you are above 22 years of age. Certain light treatments are affordable and would bring color back on the white lines.