Yes, we know that it’s the age of microdermabrasion and botox but nothing beats something that you whip up yourself. And why waste thousands (and sometimes lakhs!) of rupees for something that you can do yourself. DIY’s just need a lot of patience and a super enthusiastic bride to give it a shot. South Indian skin is unique, stunning and timeless as the South Indian bride herself. So we bring to you the best 10 DIY’s that south Indian brides swear by!
1. Pout Baby Pout – One of our favourites and the most under-credited treatment is a lip-treatment. After all your lips are going to ensure that your smile is a million dollar one, your lipstick sits right and your that your first kiss as newlyweds is perfect!
Things you need
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon raw honey
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon powder (Dalchini powder)
Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl. Apply to lips with fingertips and gently slough off dry, dead skin cells. Rinse with warm water and follow with lip balm. Voila, perfect peachy pout!
2. Baby Soft Hands – Congratulations, you are getting married! This means your hands are going to get clicked a lot as you show off your engagement ring. So you need baby soft hands!
Things you need
- 3 tablespoons Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
Combine these two and rub your palms and hands with the mixture gently for at least 5-7 mins. Rinse and dry with a soft towel.
3. Glowing Skin – Nothing says bride like glowing skin. Skin that is fresh and glowing ensures you have the perfect base for all your makeup looks. Natural highlighter! And this one has an ingredient present in every south-Indian household – turmeric!
Things you need
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (Preferably directly from the plant)
- 2 tablespoons milk cream (malai)
- A pinch of turmeric
Mix all the ingredients to form a paste-like consistency and apply this evenly on the face and neck. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. Say hello to your new glow!
Image via Minchu Studio
4. Bye Bye Cellulite – As brides, you are constantly on this rollercoaster ride of losing and gaining weight. So cellulite is something that inconveniently pops in. So what is better than the king of South-India to help get rid of it!
Things you need
- 1 cup coffee powder
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons sea salt or sugar
Measure out the dry ingredients and combine in a large measuring cup or bowl. Add in the coconut oil and mix well to form a thick paste like consistency. Apply your scrub to areas with cellulite. Massage the scrub onto skin in a circular motion for at least 15-20 mins before rinsing. Exfoliate those dimples away!
5. Hello Bright Skin – Looking to even out all those mis-matched skin tones on your face? Pigmentation is one of the most annoying problems for a bride. How do you find the perfect foundation shade if your face isn’t in one shade?!
Things You Need
- 1 tablespoon Gram flour(Besan)
- 1 tablespoon Lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 4 tablespoons Rose water
Mix all the above ingredients well and apply on your face. Let it dry for 20 mins and then rinse with lukewarm water. Gram flour is a very good cleanser and exfoliator while lemon juice helps in reducing the accumulated tan. Rose water is a good natural toner while turmeric is an antibacterial ingredient which acts against pigmentation.
6. Banish Away The Acne – It’s your bachelorette tomorrow and that pesky pimple popped up? Whip this quick mask if you have acne-prone skin
Things you need
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
Mix the honey and cinnamon together until they are thoroughly blended and have formed a sort of paste. Apply the mask to your face (or spot treat) and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off completely, and pat your face dry.
Image via The Con Artists★ 4.8
7. Racoon Eyes– There is no banishing away those panda eyes after your sangeet night, but we’ve got a remedy for you!
Things you need
- 2-3 cotton pads
- Chamomile or Green Tea – Brew it and then cool it
To reduce puffiness and diminish dark circles, soak some cotton pads in chamomile or green tea, cut the cotton pads in half and use it under your eyes as an eye mask.
8. Quick Pep Up Skin Mask – Need a quick pick me up between functions? Here’s a simple and easy DIY Mask for it!
Things you need
- 2/3 cup papaya
- 1 cup chopped pumpkin
- 1 egg
Mix the egg with the papaya, then add the pumpkin and whip it all together in a blender or food processor. Apply all over the face and let it sit for five to fifteen minutes. You'll feel some tingling as the enzymes in the pumpkin go to work immediately, gently exfoliating your top layer of skin. It works like a scrub, just less abrasive!
9. Body Care – Ignoring your body is one of the worst mistakes a bride can do. After all how will you show off that back or your waist in that stunning lehenga you got?
Things you need
- 4 tablespoons coffee
- 2 tablespoons of grinded sugar
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 Vitamin E capsules (Available at any local chemist)
Cut the capsules, and mix all the ingredients. Let the concoction set for 5-10 minutes before starting with scrubbing. Using gentle circular motion, scrub your entire body. Do so for 1-2 minutes until you start feeling the smoothness. Rinse it off using lukewarm water, followed by body wash and moisturizer. This scrub will take away dead skin, imparting moisture and glow to your skin.
10. Tress Talk – It’s easy to forget your mane when you are just looking at your skin. But how will you pull off those gorgeous waterfall braids if you don’t take care of your hair?
Things You Need
- 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
Mix all ingredients into a bowl, transfer mix into a pot and heat up until melted. Apply this to hair from top to bottom and cover with a shower cap. Let it sit for 15-20 mins and rinse for soft & shiny hair! Also, you can make a paste of fenugreek seeds and apply it on your scalp for soft and silky hair.
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