Desi Guide for Fashion

India is a country known for its vibrant colors, rich culture, and timeless traditions. What many don't know, is that India has been at the center of all-natural beauty techniques that have been used for 100's of years. Below is an account of 4 of these traditional beauty methods, and their benefits.

Threading is a centuries-old technique of hair removal practiced in India, and rapidly growing in popularity across the United States. Being that it is 100% natural, it is especially recommended for sensitive skin. The beautician removes individual or rows of unwanted hair by using string or “thread”, and pulling out the hairs by the follicle. Threading is better than other methods of facial hair removal including waxing, tweezing, and razors. Waxing is not as precise; it burns, peels, and scars skin, and repeated waxing on the face (especially the eyebrow area) can cause premature wrinkles. Tweezing and razors often times cut the skin and cause ingrown hairs. Unlike all 3 of the mentioned methods, threading is precise, gentle on the skin, and is actually excellent for removing ingrown hairs.

Sugaring is an all-natural method of removing unwanted hair, much like waxing. The key ingredients in sugar wax are lemon and sugar, each of which have their own benefitting properties. Lemon is known for its naturally astringent qualities, and is an excellent cleansing agent. Sugar is a natural exfoliant in beauty, ridding the skin of dead cells. Most clients say that sugaring hurts less than traditional waxing, and redness if any, fades quickly. There are absolutely no chemicals in sugar wax, and is therefore ideal for sensitive skin.

Henna, also a centuries-old tradition in India, is used to create intricate hand art designs. The paste of a ground plant, naturally in a reddish-brown dye, is used to create temporary “tattoos” which last between 1-3 weeks. In India, henna has traditionally been used on women before special occassions, holidays, and weddings. In addition to using henna on the body (usually hands and feet), henna has also been used on the hair to color gray hairs to a reddish-brown, and to deeply condition non-gray hairs. It's an excellent alternate for pregnant women who would like to maintain their appearance, but cannot use the harsh chemicals found in mainstream hair coloring kits.
Turmeric is a yellow spice used in much of Indian cooking. It has also been used as a Ayurvedic beauty agent. Turmeric not only has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, but also corrects hyperpigmentation and softens the skin. For these reasons, many Indian brides use a turmeric treatment to prepare for their wedding day - it leaves skin even-toned, shiny, soft, and supple.