ABC of Monsoon Beauty

1. For all round care: Do not get unnecessarily wet in the rain. Even if you get wet and catch a cold, then immediately drink chicken soup. Chicken soup is a very good antidote to cold. When you catch cold you get rough bits of skin on the nose which look very ugly. Rub a little cold cream or Vaseline on the nose and then use a soft piece of toweling material for removing the skin.
2. For building up good bodily resistance: Those who avoid junk food and road side food and cold drinks and eat and sleep well and exercise regularly are generally less prone to monsoon ailments.
3. For communicable diseases: These are ranging from cough and cold to typhoid and malaria. The increased humidity in air plus the unavoidable drenching in the rains gives rise to cough and cold and other rain diseases. As soon as you reach home change to dry clothes otherwise you will not only catch cold but also fungal infections of the skin. Following exposure to rain the feet should be washed in soap and water followed by vigorous massage and a change to dry socks to avoid diseases of the feet.
4. Dark colours: To beat the grey days you should wear vivid vibrant colours. The clothes you choose to wear should not soak up water and should not become limp when they dry and loose their crease. Synthetics like nylon, terelyne, Epolyester and other man made fibers are ideal for this season because they resist creasing, dry up fast and regain their original shape when dry.
5. Exposure to rain: If the shoes become wet and you are wearing wet shoes, you will immediately fall ill. Always keep an extra pair of shoes at your place of work or in your bag so that you can change into them if your shoes get wet. A good way of drying wet shoes quickly is to stuff them lightly with crumpled newspaper then dry them in the kitchen away from the direct heat of fire.
6. For fungal infection: This usually thrives between toes if you neglect your feet. It causes raw, cracked and itchy skin. It will be cured if you smear the places with alcohol after cleaning and drying them a few times a day. Diabetics should be especially careful of fungal infection otherwise it can lead to serious infection of the feet.
7. Good looks: How are you going to maintain good looks in this humid season? Massage your face with a nourishing cream every night before going to bed. Massage in upward movements and never in downward movements. Twice a week apply this beauty mask on the face. Mix with egg­yolk, 1 teaspoon of orange juice, 1 teaspoon olive oil and a few drops each of rose water and lime juice. Wash off after 20 minutes to give the skin a soft glow.
8. Hairdo: The watch word for hair do should be simplicity. Avoid intricate buns, curls and waves because the humidity in the air will make your hair limp and ugly within no time.
9. Illness: For illness like malaria which is a real nuisance, make a decoration of Tulsi, black paper and jaggery and lime juice and drink while it is still hot. After drinking cover yourself with a warm blanket and lie down. Do this 2- 3 times daily to get cured.
10. For jewellery: Monsoons require vivid vibrant colours in jewellery made of gold, precious stones and mina work. Anything which puts a glow in your complexion should be of a deep vibrant shade and apply a dash of Vaseline or lip gloss over it to make them look real enticing.
11. Keratin:This protein is a main component of your hair, skin and nails. Hair-care products containing it (or another protein from non animal sources like wheat or silk) give your follicles extra strength.
12. Lines: Pencil your eyebrows in a series of fine lines and never in the form of a thick curved line with one swing of the pencil. The final effect should be a natural looking arch. Use blusher sparingly. Blend it carefully into the skin, see that it is a glow of red colour and not an ugly looking red spot. Finish your makeup with a light puff of powder.
13. Matchsticks: To make your damp matchsticks work, just dip them in your nail varnish and see them light again.
14. Nail varnish: Like the clothes and jewellery your nail varnish should also be in warm colours like glowing turquoise, warm red, deep orange to beat the grey days.
15. Onions: A must in rainy season. A salad made with raw onion, ginger, lime juice and black salt if eaten regularly will help you remain hale and hearty during this season.
16. Prevention: Is the best cure. To avoid falling sick always drink boiled and filtered water, carry your water where ever you go. Do not take chances with outside eatables because you never know if it has been exposed to flies. Flies breed in this season and cause a number of dreadful diseases.
17. Qaracteristic smell of tulsi plant: It repeals mosquitoes, the carriers of malaria parasites. Juice of tulsi leaves smeared over exposed parts of the body will give protection against mosquitoes and malaria.
18. Raincoat: Brighten up the dull monsoons with a pretty plastic raincoat. Don't buy the readymade rain coat. Get one tailored in a distinctive style. If you like get big patch pockets, a huge collar or a contrasting binding. Select a fairly thick but soft plastic in bright shade with masses of flowers or other designs.
19. Swimming: Swimming should be avoided during this season since several microbes specially those causing colds and conjunctivitis are spread through the pool.
20. Tomatoes: Boil some ripe tomatoes in little water. Strain the liquid and use it to wash your face to remove extra greasiness of the skin during this season.
21. Umbrella: It is no longer something to shelter you from rains. It is a fashion accessory. Choose the umbrella which goes with all your clothes. Do not go for the common colour black. To lengthen the life of your umbrella dissolve 3 tablespoons of alum in water and coat your umbrella with it with a soft towel after keeping it open. Leave it to dry.
22. Very useful tulsi juice: If taken regularly with ginger juice and honey it not only stimulates appetite but also prevents cough and cold, fever and pneumonia.
23. Weight: It is important to keep a constant check on your weight because in rainy season most of us turn couch potatoes gorging on hot bhajias, tea, samosas, halwas and other fattening foods. You can enjoy these once a while but remember to exercise to burn off the extra calories. If you cannot go outdoors then you can walk up and down your staircase a few times. This is also a form of exercise which burns calories.
24. Xtra attention given to your skin: If your face has natural tendency towards dryness, take a yolk of an egg and mix in ¼ teaspoon cream of milk and a few drops of rose water. Wash off after 15 minutes to make the skin soft and smooth.
25. Yourself: Whether it is raining or any other season you should always enjoy every season and keep your mind lively and try to maintain a cheerful positive disposition.
26. Zest: Always enjoy every moment God has given you. Go out feel the rain on you face. Get drenched once in a while by walking in the rain and enjoy bhutta (corn - on - the cob) with salt and chili which will put fire in your lips and heart and sparkle of life in your eyes.