Jayanti Krishnan
Since many of us are spending most of our time indoors, now is the perfect chance to focus on your #selfcaregoals and make yourself a priority. Self-care is a good way of keeping anxiety at bay and indulging in something that you truly enjoy. And, when there is zero exposure to the pollution, this is the perfect time for indulging in everything that makes you shine.
Trust me, you will be pleasantly surprised by seeing the results which will only further motivate you and uplift your mood and energy levels.
Your skin is constantly replacing itself, so it is never too late to start a healthy skin-care routine. Any act of skin care is self-care, so here are some quick and simple ways that you can take up to utilise this lockdown to work on your hair and skin health and also eliminate stress.
Body Care
Olga Lorencin, celebrity aesthetician and founder of Olga Lorencin Skin Care recommends taking a bath with Epsom salt. Also indulging in full-body scrubs will exfoliate your skin and remove the dead skin layer. It will improve blood circulation and nourish the skin from deep within. Facial can be a good way to rejuvenate skin and de-stress.
Combination of rolled oats, almond, sugar and coconut oil is an excellent body scrub. You can use it daily and do not forget to hydrate and moisturise your skin afterwards.
Additionally, indulge in a weekly once lavish oil massage (you can use sesame oil or mustard oil. In case you are experiencing pain in your body, do heat the oil and add some garlic to the oil to alleviate the pain).
Facials
One of the most recommended ways of relaxation is quick facial. A periodic facial keeps the skin healthy and helps remove wear and tear. Start with deep cleansing using raw milk, and follow it up with steaming your face. This will help open the pores on your skin and loosen any build-up of dirt for a deeper level of cleanse. It also makes your skin ready to absorb whatever product you want to apply.
Steaming is usually followed by exfoliating that is done by gently scrubbing to clear the dirt in the opened pores better. Then comes the most crucial step, i.e. massaging, to help increase blood circulation and remove all the toxins from the skin to give it a natural flush of glow. It can be done using any oil or cream, preferably jojoba and almond oils.
This leaves us with the final step of facials that is putting up face masks. For a quick hydration face mask, you only need some chickpea, half a banana and some honey. Mash the three ingredients together and simply apply to your skin. Full of great vitamins and antioxidants, this mask will hydrate and nourish your skin completely.
Facial is a very good way to rejuvenate skin and de-stress.
You can use facial epilator to do eyebrow trimming and facial hair removal at home.
But do keep in mind, even though we now have plenty of time at home, a facial should be considered a treat, not an everyday occurrence.
Hair Care
In your normal routine, you hardly get time to put hair mask for the recommended duration and you often wash it off in a hurry. But now, you can go for deep hair oiling and massage, and keep it for as long as you want.
As a hair mask, you can apply soaked fenugreek and curd. This duo combo does wonders to the scalp and overall health of the hair. It also arrests hair falling.
Onion juice has nutrients and properties that enhance hair growth. The sulphur in onion juice is said to potentially help provide the much-needed nourishment to the hair for its growth. Also its antibacterial properties help keep your scalp away from infections.
Additionally, you can apply henna pack once a month to give that bounce and shine to the hair. And no, it does not make your hair dry if you oil it properly afterwards.
Do not forget to massage your scalp for one complete minute every time you shampoo as it helps stimulate hair growth and enhance the strength of your roots. Washing your hair with very hot water can be harmful as it leaves the scalp extremely dry. Therefore it is ideal to wash your hair with lukewarm water.
Lastly, it is very important to trim your hair every six weeks. You can easily do this at home. There are many YouTube videos on tips and tricks for cutting your hair. Check them out and snip away.
Manicure and PedicureÂ
With an increased number of household chores, you are bound to neglect your hands and feet upkeep. Take advantage of staying at home and indulge in manicure and pedicure regime. It will lead to increased blood circulation and improved flexibility for the joints.
This simple process includes soaking your feet in warm water and salt (helps to de-stress), scrubbing, shaping nails and applying pack (multani mitti and rose water works great).
Use a good hand cream as your hands tend to become very dry due to frequent washing, especially after you do dishes. You may also opt for a pair of hand gloves while doing the dishes.
Night Regime
Wake up to a glowing skin by nourishing your skin at night time. Apply a good night oil or moisturising cream on your face, hands and feet after washing them thoroughly.
Applying aloe vera gel to your face and keeping it over night boosts the blood flow in your skin and kills harmful bacteria. Aloe vera is also used to spot treat acne breakout areas.
In these difficult times, it is important to take the utmost care of your physical and mental health. Self-care is nothing but being mindful of your own needs. Thus, indulging in these smaller self-care methods will not only make you feel good about yourself but also ensure that you spend your time more creatively. Learn to nourish your mind and soul by practising self-care, which is the only way to a beautiful and healthy life.
Stay home, stay safe, stay beautiful!
Eyra 