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Face:
I am a minimalist when it comes to makeup, and before my wedding, about 6 months earlier,
I gave up doing makeup entirely. There were two reasons, first I wanted to stay away from
any of the chemical based products as much as possible and secondly, I wanted to look
completely different once I become a bride, hence stayed sans makeup as much as possible
OK so my day started with :
Cleansing: My skin is dry therefore I use cream based face washes/cleansers (oily skin ones
should use gel based cleansers)
I tried a lot of local and high end face washes but somehow I was never satisfied like
completely from any of the ones I tried. Some gave a stretchy feeling after wash, some
caused pimples after few weeks and some just sucked moisture outta my skin. One day I
randomly picked Himalaya Herbals Face Wash from Naheed, cream one, having least
expectations from it but hey! It has become my HG face wash now. Kept my skin super
soft/no stretchy feeling and never caused any break outs - only two requirements I have from
a face wash and it fulfilled both. The moisture is retained and my skin feels and looks supple.
Toning: I switched using between Nivea Daily Essentials refreshing toner and Loreal White
Perfect toner and I loved both of these.
Moisturizing: I used Loreal White Perfect day cream as my moisturizer. Since I have super
dry skin, essential oils work well for me. I add one drop of Argan Oil in my moisturizer and
then apply all over face and neck. This is my 'skin lit' oil, just apply it and TADAA, the glow
comes instantly! This also improved my skin texture immensely! It can work wonders in
reducing lines under eyes or around mouth and keep skin looking well nourished.
Face Masks:
1. Tomato Face Mask:
This face mask I used to apply daily while getting my ubtan done. This included tomato paste
and 1/4th teaspoon honey. Apply all over face and neck. Kept cucumber slices on eyes and
lie down till the entire massage was done
The key is to relax, loosen your body and take deep breathe and FORGET everything for a
few minutes, just calm your senses!
This mask worked wonders for me - instantly brightened my face, and the glow would last
forever. It helped reducing a few dark spots I had and left skin super soft and supple
2. Gramflour(Baisin) Mask :
This face mask I used to apply every 4 days. This mask included 1 teaspoon gram flour
(baisan), 1 teaspoon milk, 3 drops honey and a pinch of turmeric. Girls! If any one of you
wants an angelic bright complexion, this is for you! Try it and know for yourself smile
emoticon This will work as a natural bleach for your complexion, will even out your skin,

maintain the moisture in your skin and will give you baby soft skin you wont help touch again
n' again
Scrub:
I used St.Ives apricot scrub twice a week. This is such an amazing scrub. Works super
effectively and easy on the pocket too!
Eyes:
For eye soothing and de-puffing, I used to apply grated potato for 15 minutes every day. Cut
potato slices, grate it, take iced water and soak the grated pieces in it and refrigerate for a
couple of minutes so they become colder
Lie down and put the grated pieces all over and under your eyes. After 15 minutes wash off
with the same water.
Again, just relax, loosen your body and take deep breathe and FORGET everything for a few
minutes, just calm your senses!
B. Body
The most religiously followed ritual for brides to be from ages is application of ubtan. I bought
Saeed Ghani Ubtan and had my massage wali apply it on me daily.
The Ubtan mixture included, Ubtan, sandalwood powder (Saeed Ghani), chambeli oil and
milk.
My massage wali would apply it all over my body and massage gently. Meanwhile I used to
apply the above mentioned tomato mask on face
After Ubtan was rubbed off, she would apply olive oil mixed with almond oil - equal parts and massage all over my body. This helped in talking off any ubtan residue and sooth dry
patches if any.
After I was done with massage, I would wait half n' hour then take shower. After shower, I
would add few drops of oil (olive oil or almond oil) in a mug with water and pour all over so
the skin remains soft. I never rub my face or body with towel, just pat dry. Then apply body
butter all over.
C. Foot care
We often tend to skip when it comes to taking care of our feet in the entire beauty regime
What I use to do weekly was, take luke warm water, add shampoo in it, soak my feet for a
good 20-25 minutes and then wrap in a towel . Once dried apply thick layer of petroleum jelly
and wear socks (even in summers, yes!) for about half n' hour.
D. Night Time Routine:
Before going to bed, I used to make sure I cleanse my face thoroughly to remove any dirt
traces. Milk is the best cleanser I have ever used, trust me. Its natural properties can never
mach upto any inorganic product.

I used to dip a cotton ball in milk and gently rub all over the face to cleanse thoroughly.
Afterwards I would wash my face with my usual face wash.
Once air dried (no towel drying) I would apply the night time mask.
This mask included one tablespoon milk, 2 drops honey and 2 drops lemon. (At times I would
add a pinch of sandalwood powder too) Using my middle and ring finger, I would gently
massage all over my face and neck, specifically around eyes and mouth. Leaving it for 20
minutes and rinsed of with cold water. The lactic acid in milk helps diminish dark spots,
improves complexion and this masks helps curb pimples too.
After that, I would apply my night moisturizer, I used Loreal White Perfect Night cream (face
and neck, never forget your neck while taking care of your face)
Post that, I would take few drops of Almond oil on my palm and using ring finger, gently pat it
under and over the eyes. This is miracle oil for dark circles and puffiness. This will take away
all the tiredness around eyes and leave eyes fresh looking and de-stressed.
On my lips, I would apply 1/4th teaspoon milk cream with one drop of glycerin. This will bring
natural pink tone to your lips, heal dark lips, no chapping and totally hydrated lips.
Later, I would apply glycerin and rose water mixture on my feet and hands so they remain
soft and any dry patches are healed during night time.
E. Hair Care Regime:
Oiling
Add 5 drops of Argan oil in Almond oil and apply one hour before washing hair
I wash hair thrice a week only
Straightening/ Coloring treatment:
My hair were frizzy so I had my relaxing done 2 months before wedding to avoid
straightening and blow drying for post wedding dinners which is such a tiresome task.
I used Schwarzkopf Bonacure Repair Rescue range as shampoo, conditioner with Framesi
By serum after every wash
Did not face any hair fall Alhamdulilah rather my hair became more glossy and lustrous.
1 month after relaxing treatment, I got complete dye - walnut brown. Just so that I can have a
different look altogether and loved it heart emoticon
Hair Masks
There were 2 hair masks I used alternately
1. Yougurt mask
- A half cup of yogurt (or less depending on your hair volume and length).
- A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (got from Neco's)
- A teaspoon of honey

Mix the yogurt, apple cider vinegar and honey in a bowl. Apply the mixture to the scalp,
working from the roots to the ends of the hair. Let it sit for at least fifteen minutes before
rinsing with warm water. Wash again with shampoo
This mask restored the softness of my hair keeping them healthy looking. This helps
tremendously in controlling oily scalp so if any one of you gets oily hair, this should be your
HG mask!
2. Egg Mask
- One egg
- 1/2 cup of milk (take 1 cup if you have long hair, mine are shoulder length)
- A squeeze of lemon
- Two tablespoons of olive oil
Separate the egg whites and egg yolk. Beat the separated egg yolks.
Add 1/2 cup of milk and two table spoons of olive oil to the gooey egg mixture and mix well.
Add a squeeze of a lemon to the mixture
Massage well into scalp, working from the roots to the hair ends, and let it sit for at least
fifteen minutes. Cover with a shower cap
Using lukewarm or cold water, rinse very well and effectively, tackling all areas of your scalp
to get rid of egg bits.
Use a shampoo to make a final cleanse of your hair.
This mask helped restoring my hair moisture and luster tremendously
F. Diet Plan :
(If any of you think you are over weight / need to loose weight you can skip this)
Since I (was) skinny, (40kg) before I started my diet plan, my goal was to gain at least 8-10
kg before wedding.
I wanted to have just the right amount of curves so I do not look like a hanger with such
heavy bridals on me. Also, certain amount of flash is necessary on your face to look flattering
in your pictures and videos.
And most importantly, if you are on a heavier side of weighing scale, please please never
skip meals. You should NEVER starve to loose weight as it will effect your face the most,
making you look un-fresh and tired. Plan your diet and add exercise in your daily routine to
curtail your weight.
Ok so for myself, I divided my 3 meals to a 6-7 meal diet that I used to consume every 1.5 - 2
hours gap. It goes like
1. Fried egg, cheese sandwich, whole milk with chocolate powder
2. 1 glass Ensure milk
3. In lunch I would eat any curry made at home with min 2 chapattis and lots of yogurt.

4. Banana and peanut butter smoothie with whipped cream (This will act like a catalyst to
your weight gain diet)
5. 2 tuna sandwiches
6. In dinner - a serving of rice with regular curry plus one chapati
7. A glass of Luke warm milk
1 glass of Apple juice I would take in the morning mainly
Every alternate day I would take beetroot juice - that included, 1 beetroot, 1 apple, 1 carrot
and half orange
Girls! This juice did magic smile emoticon Made my cheeks and lips pinkish red and I loved
it smile emoticon plus it's amazing in cleansing your kidneys and reduction of dark circles
too, a must take for everyone.

I made a jar of nuts - mixed peanuts, raisins, almonds, cashews and pistachios. Kept on
munching all the time as dry fruits help gain considerable weight and have amazing
properties for skin reconstructing.
And viola, I touched my target weight by the end of December 2013 smile emoticon
G. Yoga:
This was the first time I started yoga and the amount of inner peace and calm it brought to
me was remarkable. I exercised some surya mudras for half an hour daily during evenings
which were health and beauty related mudras. You can search Surya Mudras online and
choose as per your requirement and practice daily to see some incredible results.
H. Shopping routine:
- Every time I used to go out shopping, I used to take 1.5 liter water bottle with me to stay
hydrated
- I use to carry my jar of mixed nuts so I can munch on them when I get hunger pangs and
avoid junk food (I used to fail at times though:) )
- And don't forget your Sun Block ever!
*Few not- so-random tips*::
- Keep a bottle of rose water handy, spray all over your face every now and then the entire
day
- Keep a lip butter/Vaseline with you all the time and apply immediately when you feel your
lips going dry
- Never forget a sun block before going out!
- Make sure to add one pulpy/squishy fruit to your diet daily, its a must, mind you!

-Become pani ka keera smile emoticon Drink as much water as you can. Don't depend on
highlighters only, the internal glow is long lastin