Most of us are now busy preparing for the festive season. There's so much to do! Between decorating the house, buying new clothes, looking for recipes for a festive feast and organising and attending many parties - we've got our hands full! All this can get pretty exhausting and one has to take care of oneself, remember it isn't just about looking good but feeling good too and that requires some effort. I have come to believe in recent years that many of us don't even enjoy our festivals anymore because we are so tired and weary by the time we have organised everything that although we may be smiling through our pujas and parties our skin and hair looks tired and so do we from inside. So, what are some of the things that we can do to look and feel better during the festive season? Simple things that won't take up too much time and if done consciously and regularly will make a difference to the way you look and feel? Here's what I would recommend:
Festive Skin and Haircare | Simple Steps To Help You Look and Feel Fresh
Dry-fruits are an integral part of most Indian festivals. Along with all our festivals, come a lot of dry fruits that we pack away in jars to be used later. Here's a better way to use those almonds, and one that will not lead to weight gain! Soak at least 10 almonds and have these daily after peeling them. If you don't have time for this then make a small packet and mix in a handful of raisins, figs, almond, walnuts and cashews and keep in your handbag at all times. Munch on when you feel the need to snack on oily savouries.
Almond milk also is excellent and can be made very easily at home in your everyday mixer. Try and have a small glass of this daily to keep your energy levels high.
The festive season and changing weather impacts the skin by making it patchy and dull. Dry fruits can also be used to make a wonderful face scrub that will wake up your skin and nourish even the driest and patchiest of skins.
Almond milk also is excellent and can be made very easily at home in your everyday mixer
Festive Season Scrub | Almond & Walnut Scrub
- 2 tpsp almond powder
- 2 tsp walnut powder
- 2 tsb oatmeal
- milk
Mix all of the above ingredients with enough cold milk to make a thick paste and apply on clean skin. Once it has dried completely, dab with milk and scrub in a rotating manner gently scrubbing areas that may be discoloured and patchy.
Another excellent scrub, and I think scrubs are important for this weather, is one of my all-time favourites for normal to combination skin.
Fig Fresh Scrub | All-Season Scrub For Healthy Glow
- 10 figs
- 1tsp chironji
- 2tsp kaolin clay
- 1tsp rose water
- 1tsp yoghurt
Grind the dry fruit in a dry grinder and add the rest of the ingredients to make a thick paste. Apply to cleaned skin and leave on till dry, dab with water and scrub off.
Simple Remedy For Stress-free Skin
Stress levels can be quite high during the festival season as we tend overtire ourselves with inadequate hours of sleep. I think some soothing chamomile and lavender teas can be great ways of unwinding after a long exhausting day or in between chores.
Did you know Pooja flowers can also be used to look after you skin? Marigolds and roses are some of the most common flowers used in the festive season, this year don't throw away these flowers but use them to make some nourishing masks for your skin and hair.
Marigold flowers are wonderful for treating falling hair, reducing dandruff and dryness and improving texture of the hair. Make the following super-duper hair mask and see how your limp lifeless hair comes alive!
Flower Power Hair Mask
- 3tsb aloe vera gel
- Paste of 10 marigold buds
- 2tsb almond oil
- 2tsb rosemary paste
If you can't get rosemary, use 2-3drops of rosemary oil. Mix everything well and apply from scalp to ends of hair and leave on for an hour before shampooing normally.
Aloe vera is great for your skin and hair
Rose Rejuvenation Mask
- 3tsb rose petal paste
- 1egg white whipped till it peaks
- 1tsp avocado oil
- 1tsp rice flour
- 1tsp honey
Mix well and apply to cleaned skin and let it dry completely. Avoiding talking or any facial movements during this time. When it has dried completely, you will be able to feel the stretch on your skin. Wash off with cold water and pat dry.
Keep Eating Fresh Fruits
Raw foods have a great effect on the body. Not only do you feel your energy levels go up, fresh foods have a positive impact on the way your skin and hair looks too. So, when you are buying fruits for puja don't give away everything as prasad, keep some for yourself too. Make it a point to eat at least 5 pieces of fresh fruit a day be it an apple, orange, a bowl of pomegranate, papaya or kiwi.
Pick up salad sticks between your organising chores. I always feel stocking up on healthy alternatives to munch on in the fridge helps make eating healthy and easier. Be it carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers or raw radish, eat as much and in plenty to keep your metabolism and energy levels high!
Pick up salad sticks between your organising chores
Things to avoid this festive season should be the following:
- Too many late nights
- Too much alcohol
- Excessive heavy fried foods and sweets
- Sleeping without removing make up is a complete NO
- Too less sleep
- Inadequate water intake
- Stress
Enjoy the festive season. After all its you, your family, friends and loved ones that will make it something to remember by. And look after yourself to be able to look after them. Believe me these simple but effective tips will help you for a long, long time to come!
Keep glowing naturally!