Look into your kitchen

Why go rummaging through stores for that summer beauty fix when your kitchen has all the remedies you need.

Myriad beauty problems turn up at our doorsteps every single day. Be it pimples, oily skin or dull hair, we are burdened with many issues. But before you reach out to that artificial cleanser or dandruff-reducing hair oil, head to your kitchen. It has all the answers to your beauty queries, especially in this scorching heat. Here are some easy-fix remedies for all your skin and hair problems:

For your skin
Some honey & oranges: Mix one teaspoon each of honey and orange juice with egg white. Apply on the face, and wash it off after 20 minutes. This pack suits all skin types and will make your skin soft and smooth. 

Fruits for beauty: Fruits like banana, apple, papaya and orange can be mixed together and applied on the face. They should be mashed or made into a pulp before applying. Keep it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Wash off with water. This suits all skin types.

Green goodness: Mix together one ripe avocado with one teaspoon of olive oil and egg yolk. Apply on the face, and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes. Wash off. Avocado will help moisturise and nourish your skin. 

Wheat bran & aloe vera: Take one tablespoon choker (wheat bran), one teaspoon each of orange peel powder and curd and one tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Mix together and apply on the face. Wash off after 30 minutes for smooth skin.

Cool cucumber: Cucumber juice (or pulp) can be mixed with two teaspoons of milk powder and egg white. Put the ingredients in a blender and grind to a smooth paste. Apply on face and neck, and rinse off with water after half hour.

For oily skin: Take one tablespoon lemon juice and one tablespoon rose water. Add crushed mint leaves and let the mixture sit for an hour. Strain the leaves and apply the liquid on the face. Wash it off after 20 minutes.

Summer mask: To one tablespoon honey, add 15 drops of orange juice, one tablespoon oats and one tablespoon rose water. Mix together and apply on the face. Wash off after 15 minutes. This can be your go-to summer skin refresher.

For your hair
When hair is damaged: For extremely dry and damaged hair, mix together a little olive oil and the yolk of an egg. Apply this on the hair. Tie an old scarf on the head and leave the mixture on for an hour. Then shampoo your hair using a mild shampoo.

Banish those split ends: Heat pure coconut oil or almond oil and apply on the scalp and hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three or four times. Wash your hair the next morning.

For that sleek shine: For this, you will need tea water and lemon juice. Boil used tea leaves again in enough water. You should have five to six cups of tea water after boiling. Cool and strain this concoction. Add the juice of a lemon to this and use it as the last rinse after shampoo.

(The author is a beauty expert)