The New Nation - Internet Edition

WP Report

A good lashing downpour is the perfect excuse to stay at home with your family members. But if you have to go outside, bring along your umbrella and rainproof makeup on your face.

Don't let rainy days determine what you decide to wear. Try to wear bright pieces of clothing that make you cheerful. Just because the weather outside is dreary doesn't mean your wardrobe or mood has to be.

Monsoon is the time where your skin behaves a little strange and is often unstable; suddenly it's gets oily or become dry and dehydrated. Hence it is very necessary that you take care of your skin during this season in order to look fresh and beautiful. Following are a few skin care tips that you need to follow.

Clothes call

The most difficult part of this season is to hold the look that you started your day with. Your white flowing skirt and your neatly done up ponytail could well be a mangled mess by the time you reach your destination. But, solutions are at hand, as designer

Always go for clothes that are not too long. Capris and knee length skirts which will not get slushy are the best option. Wear cotton as much as possible. It dries up easily even if you get wet. Also, since the weather is very humid the material will keep you cool. Other than cotton one can also try out something in khadi or chiffon but the problem with these fabrics is that they get crinkled very easily.

Monsoon is the time to flaunt the pinks and greens as your bright outfit can off-set the dull skies above you. As far as cuts are concerned, knee length skirts which are very 'in' this season should be teamed up with sleeveless tops or ones with puff sleeves. Light embroidery is fine but don't try out one which is overdone. There is a range of rubber footwear available at various shoe stores and in malls. You could avoid the boring brown and go for some bright colours.

Looking good

Skin care is the other important thing to take note of during monsoon because a good skin can do even without make-up. For a good skin, the first thing to ensure is to eat right during the monsoons and the second thing is to use good natural skin care products.

Cleansing: Your skin will require regular cleansing in order to keep it looking fresh and healthy. Follow these home remedies.

Dry Skin: You can use almond paste or honey cleanser. Take ten crushed almonds and make a paste and add two tsp of honey. Massage on face for 5 to 7 minutes, rinse face and pat dry.

Oily Skin: You need a very mild cleanser to get the dead cells and grime off from skin. Use pure oatmeal scrub to cleanse oily skin or use ripe papaya pulp as a mild exfoliant.

Toning: It's a must at night. During monsoon, a lot of airborne and waterborne microbes are let loose. So a good anti-bacterial toner will go a long way to prevent skin infections and eruptions. It is a good idea to get anti-bacterial face wash too. You need to mildly tone a dry skin since the pore size is small. Use five drops chamomile oil in a one tsp milk to tone dry skin and ten drops Lavender oil in one tsp water to tone an oily skin.

Moisturising: During monsoon, moisturising is as important as it is in summer. Monsoons can mean a de-moisturising effect on dry skin and an over-hydrating effect on oily skin. The skin gets wet often and with the constant wetting and drying, a lot of dehydration (yes, in the rains!) takes place. That explains the itchy feeling one gets during monsoons. Use a non-water based moisturiser, if you happen to get wet often. Otherwise a water- based moisturiser will do.

Dry Skin: Take I tsp honey, I tsp fresh curd and I tsp jojoba oil. Mix all of these together and apply on your face and neck. Leave it on for 10 mins and then wash off with plenty of water.

Oily and Combination Skin: In 2 tsp rose water add 2 drops of strawberry oil and fresh orange oil. Mix and apply on face and neck for 10 mins and then wash off.

Try to apply proper face masks, as per the skin type. Clay masks works better to cleanse the skin completely and prevent clogging of skin pores. Clean your skin regularly with a good cleanser followed by toning and moisturising process suitable to your skin type. Wash your face with fresh water repeatedly to feel fresh. 'Go minimum' is the mantra for make up during monsoon.

The other thing that one has to keep in mind while choosing monsoon makeup is that it should be waterproof.

Foundation should be avoided, and if at all used, it should be just a hint of it. Lots of mascara works well for monsoon and gives a chic and smoky look if you are partying out. Eye shadows should be avoided and as far as lip colour goes, choose bright and young colours like candy pink, orange but not red.

Make skincare your makeup during the monsoon. Clean skin with less makeup is the best way to brace yourself for a rainy day. Mix a few drops of foundation in water-based moisturizer. For a light weight canvas treat foundation like a moisturizer and smooth over clean skin till it completely disappears. The use of loose powders and oil-based products should be kept minimal during the rain.

Tweak, pluck or thread your eyebrows in the correct shape, as an eyebrow pencil is not recommended during a downpour. Keep eye makeup light and moisturize lips with lip conditioner at regular intervals.

Tress tale

If you like to flaunt your tresses, then this is not the season. Monsoon is the season that calls for extreme care and if you really want to have good quality hair, you need to tie it up for at least two months from the onset of monsoon.

The first bad effect of monsoon is on your hair and therefore it is essential that one should start taking good hair care immediately after initial downpour begins. . A regular hair care routine will go a long way in insuring you against tangles, wet and messy hair.

Firstly, choose a sensible hairstyle. Though short hair is easier to maintain in the rains, select a style that can bounce back into place easily after being wet. Avoid hairstyles that require your hair to be straightened, crimped or curled since the high levels of humidity in the air will make the hair go limp.

Try not to use hair sprays and gels as the lacquers and gums can stick to the scalp causing dandruff.

No matter how much trouble you take to keep your head dry, a heavy Mumbai shower is sure to leave you soaking. Proper drying of hair can help in minimizing the damage of excessive wetting of hair. If you dry your hair with a towel, avoid rough back and forth motions. The proper technique to pat-dry gently before using an electric blower and make sure that the temperature is not too high or you may burn your hair.

Do not leave your hair wet or tie it while it is still wet, as this could cause dandruff.

Make sure you tie your tresses before you head out.

Use a good shampoo as per your hair type at least thrice a week as the hair becomes really messy and oily because of the humid weather.

Shampooing should be followed by conditioning. Your hair actually needs some extra care, so it is always better to go for some natural hair therapies that would give sheen to the hair and let it breathe freely.

A high ponytail is the best option. No matter where you are going, but this hair do is manageable.

For your feet

Muddy splash of monsoon may harm a lot in your feet. When you feel your leg fatigue then dip your legs in warm water. To remove bad smells from your feet you can mix lavender oil, rose oil with the milky water. It also makes your feet smooth and clean and utter comfortable.