Sneha Singh tells you how to be the belle of the Garba ball
With Navratri two days away, it’s that time of year when words like ‘Gathasthapana’ and ‘Durga Pujo’ are buzzing in your ears. Streets are being lit up, the final touches of decorations put in place… But are you really ready to ring in the celebrations? No matter how charming your ghagra choli or how colourful your kediyu dhoti, with a dull face and tired skin, you won’t make the desired impact in the Garba arena. If you want to look your best during the 9 days of revelry, read on for tips to really shine…
Eat right
You become what you eat! And if you are going to munch on greasy junk food all the time then getting a radiant shiny skin will remain just a dream. A platter full of fruits and veggies can give you the desired glow in case you don’t have time to splurge on expensive parlour routines. Clinical Dietician, Dr Kanchan Patwardhan advises, “Diet should be low in fat, high in protein, moderate in carbs and rich in antioxidants which include all seasonal fruits and vegetables. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C-rich fruits such as amla, lemon, melons and berries helps our skin to glow more.” Other recommendations: Avoid oily snacks and sweets as high fat and simple carbs (sugar) lead to indigestion, bloating, acidity and fatigue, weight gain and a hampering of gut health which will result in weight gain and skin disorders.
Keep drinking
Don’t get us wrong – drink water and fresh juices more often to keep yourself hydrated. As higher water and fluid intake purifies your skin internally, it also detoxifies the body. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. Apart from regular drinking water, coconut water, lime water, kokum water, buttermilk, rajgira kanji etc. are some of the natural energy drinks suggested by Dr Kanchan that will help you get the natural glow.
Follow a routine
Take a pause and pamper yourself. Don’t miss out on the chance to indulge in self-grooming. Dermatologist, wellness expert and founder of Isya Aesthetics, Dr Kiran Sethi Lohia recommends, “Make sure you have a good skincare routine for morning and evening. It takes only a few minutes. Take the time out for a facial once a month, and do a mask on Sundays while you are getting your chores done!” Elixir Hydrafacial, Bliss Oxygen Collagen boosting facial and InstaGlow are some of the hand-picked facials suggested by Dr Lohia for faster, effective and amazing results.
Mind your make-up
Many women tend to try and match up with the vibrant and loud atmosphere of Navratri and end up going over the top. Excessive make-up can also affect your skin negatively. Dr Lohia explains, “Sometimes your make-up can cause zits. The heavier the coverage, the more will be the layers and higher the likelihood of pimples, blackheads and bumps.” Keep make-up minimal.
Glam up your eyes & lips
Discussing the make-up trends that every girl must try out this Navratri, make-up artist Faizal Khan a.k.a. Daddy Delicious shares, “Eyes and lips have always been the trend. A little pop of colour, winged eye according to the eye shape and lip colour matching the outfit is ideal.” He adds, “Highlights under the eyebrows, pigment on the centre of the eyes and dramatic false eyelashes are LIT”. For the lips he suggests the ombre effect, where you merge a bright colour and a contrast colour to get the perfect pout.
‘Hair’ it all
With all the vigorous dancing, flaunting fancy hairstyles could be risky. Leaving your hair open is also a bad idea as sweating is a given. Instead go for simple hairstyles, a pony tail or a fish tail braid for a comfortable and clean look. “A bun or a doughnut is the best hairstyle as it’s a dancing festival so you don’t want to get disturbed,” concludes Faizal.