If there is one thing that seriously ticks me off in people is when they lie about the skincare products they use on their faces! I mean, what’s going to happen if they just tell us what works for them? One, reaction to products vary from one person to another so it might not even work for me. Two, even if it works I am not going to end up getting THEIR face! Three, why do they feel a sadistic happiness from seeing me suffer from skin problems while they flaunt around with their perfect faces??
One thing that someone I know hid [and what I found out later through a small slip on her part] was that she drank carrot juice everyday. I remember her having a glowing, golden yellow face- seriously! The downside to this is that you will be left with hands with yellow palms, not permanently though. I decided to follow this beauty tip but unfortunately was unable to follow through- imagine peeling and blending carrots every single day? It gets quite monotonous and I hate yellow palms anyway!
Thinking back, I think I have always been obsessed with healthy and radiant skin. I don’t know about you but the first thing I notice about someone is their face and when see someone with clear skin, I just swoon over in admiration. I remember paying a visit to my school as I was invited to judge the grade ten’s debate. After it was over [In the middle of it I kept experiencing flashes of me in the dreary bottle green uniform arguing quite passionately - can see the silliness in that seriousness LOL] I strolled into the old classrooms and happened to see a 15-year old girl with the clearest skin ever! She had this brown-yellow skin and it looked moist [like cake batter] and glowing without a single tiny bump Masha Allah! I and the 24 year old teacher there spent the rest of the morning in a whispered discussion over which student had the best skin.
Although my obsession with clear skin had waned a bit and have realized that as cliche as it sounds, being beautiful on the inside is what matters in the long run because physical beauty can only mesmerize you for a short time. Recently I was surprised to be disgusted with the fake behaviour of a stunningly beautiful celebrity. She actually annoyed me with her made-for-TV accent and laugh. It goes to show that ultimately what sticks with you is integrity and good heart.
However I still think keeping up a good appearance matters and that it also contributes to being self confident. I would like to share with you some simple things that worked for me. I have sensitive skin and so had made a careful note of what works for me and what doesn’t.
Home remedies that DIDN’T work for me: Applying tomato, cucumber, aloe vera and/with lime or lemon juice on the face only resulted in pimples. Neither did gram flour pack or any with lentils work for me. Even when added with yoghurt or curd. And applying olive oil at night only made things worse!
Home remedies that work for me: Applying potato juice [squeezed from grated raw potato] made my skin look fresh and I think it also toned it. Rice flour with curd was also a good pack, especially because it had scrubbing involved. Applying plain honey didn’t bring a difference to my face but it didn’t bring out a reaction either. Rubbing ice cubes on face made it look better but there was no noticeable difference.
Some products that I use:
This is the only shampoo I know which has no harmful chemicals in it.
I try to apply hair oil BEFORE shampooing because otherwise you are left with dry and brittle hair. I also read in a magazine that we should wash our hair every other day to maintain clean and shiny hair.
Shahnaz Hussain's Kajal: Doesn't come out as dark as the one below but this is better for the eyes.
I use it rarely as I have heard it to have harmful effects.
I use this as a base when applying make up to prevent clogged pores and acne flare-ups.
Sometimes I only apply this when going out and it keeps my skin fresh and for the most part oil-free.
This made a huge difference to my face few years back.
That’s it folks! I may have more products and tips to share but these are just off the top of my head and so will add more when I remember. Till then, share with some things that work for you? 
I dont understand why people are so secretive about what they use either. I think i should try the home remedies you suggested but how on earth can you squeeze out potato juice?
You have to peel it and then grate it. The grated potato should be squeezed out and there you have- potato juice!
You have got gorgeous skin at present, what’s your secret? :-p
“…even if it works I am not going to end up getting THEIR face…” LOL
So the yellow palm is due to peeling carrots every day
Also, I have never tried the potato juice thing…perhaps I should give it a try someday.
My skincare products include (although not used on a daily basis) apricot scrub, Himalaya fruit pack, petroleum jelly, Clean and Clear oil-free moisturizer, a ‘papaya-flavored’ toner by Eskinol, and OCM.
The yellow palm is due to drinking carrot juice.
Even I was surprised but it’s true, the colour shows up in you skin! I was watching a cartoon, yep a cartoon [Magic school bus] and they explained that the culprit is actually the pigment found in carrots called carotene which gives the orange [it's a golden colour really] tint!
And I love your skin care products! My cousin started using that Eskinol toner and he said it made a big difference, especially after a day out in the polluted Colombo city.
And is the apricot scrub St. Ives?
I have just started using natural shea butter, it seems to give me an amazing glow
ANd yes, kohl is nice too !
Hi ‘Stranger’!
I have never known anyone who had tried shea butter but I have heard that its a really good moisturiser. Are you using it overnight and whats your skin type? Sorry for the questions but when it comes to skin I can be quite nosy!
I bought a mud mask made from minerals in the dead sea. I really like that. And I just usually wash my face with this kiwi scrub and use eye cream. And I think you’re suppose to wash your face with warm water at night and cold water in the morning. I don’t really get the ice thing. hope this helps!
u know one thing dear Alisha ….. everything and anything one reads in the magazine doesn’t necesserily means it is good !! Try yoga n eat healthy … i don’t want to sound chiki … but one of my friend rough dull skin – she started doing yoga and with in weeks one can see a huge difference … her skin was actually glowing from within (she does “surya namaskar” 30 in numbers) ….as for my skin i eat plently of fish – so it’s healthy n glowy !!
p.s. btw it is really very true …. inner beauty will remain forever !!
if you are really happy inside out, you will glow. positively. tried and tested.
Thanks a lot for your comments, ladies. Sorry I couldn’t reply sooner, took a looong blogging break hehe.