By Shahnaz Husain
Cleansing is of great importance for the working woman, who leaves home to get to work, battling through traffic and exposing herself to the grime and pollutants in the air. Cleansing the skin at night, before bedtime, is a must, so that you can remove make-up, sweat, oil, dirt and pollutants.
After cleansing, tone the skin with chilled rose water or a rose-based skin tonic. It not only refreshes and cools the skin, but closes the pores and helps to stimulate blood circulation to the skin surface and add a glow. If your work entails traveling, apply sunscreen. For oily skin, apply oil-free sunscreen gel.
Use a facial scrub two or three times a week. A facial scrub helps to remove dead cells and provides deep cleansing of the skin. It brightens and refines the skin, keeping the pores unclogged.
To refresh your make-up, you need to carry fragrant wet tissues, a powder compact and lipstick to touch-up after lunch. Carry your favorite deodorant.
The hair attracts dirt and pollutants from the environment just like the skin. For normal to dry hair, shampoo and condition the hair twice a week. For oily hair, wash the hair at least three times a week.
Apply warmed coconut once a week. Avoid vigorous massage. Next morning, wash the hair with a mild herbal shampoo. Add the juice of one lemon to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse.
Use a scarf or a chunni to cover the head while traveling to work. This helps to protect the hair from dust and sun-exposure.
Although long hair is in fashion, avoid keeping it loose, while you are at work. This is more so in summer. Fussing with the hair is most distracting. Put it up in a roll or pin it up. It can also be tied back in a ponytail. Actually, pony tails are in fashion. You can have a high or low ponytail, tied back with ribbons. In fact, match the ribbon with the color of your outfit. Or, use a hair accessory. Many kinds of clips and other attractive hair accessories are available. But they should not be too decorative for work. Keep the hair away from the face. If you have short hair, wear it softly and naturally layered. Even in hair colour, use subtle colors with natural highlights.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty icon.
