Home made masks for the summers!!!

Summers are here again!!And once again sweat,grime and oiliness are our best friends.Esp.for those with a skin type like mine..Combination/oily skin.

I am basically really LAZY and want everything ready .When I was young and that was quite a few years ago :) I had Mom do the Ubtan/mask routine for me.She made me wash my hair with yogurt...and egg too.Was never fond of the fragrance that followed me after the later one ,esp. because it made me go solo for the next  couple of days(since no one would come near me coz of the stench)
Later as Igrew ,it was mehendi/henna on my hair (for conditioning).
Now as I have turned into a mother myself, am learning new ways to make home masks....so that I can pass on my knowledge to my daughter as well.(OK , son too,since there is no gender bias on looking Well groomed these days).I hope that I my daughter thinks of me as a knowledgeable mom who has so many tricks(Read,ghar ke nuskhe) up her sleeve...:)
here are a few masks Iusually use in summers..for my face >Also have added my favorite hair mask as well.
These were searched 2 years ago from the internet,and have modified them a bit.
My modification is shown with an asterisk.

Cucumbers are the bland vegetables,which usually adorn salads and raitas.They are usually eaten more in summers as they have cooling properties.In addition ,they also have astringent like action when applied to the skin and can be used as a toner too.(have not tried that though.)

My first face mask...I have got good results with this one:

1. Cucumber & Yogurt Mask

This one is good for combination skin
1/2 cucumber
1 tbsp plain/natural yogurt
Puree the cucumber in a blender. Mix in the yoghurt. Apply all over face and neck. Relax for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then follow with a splash of cold water.
*My TIP : I also add a bit say 1/4 tsp of lime juice to it, for a bleaching effect.
The yoghurt and cucumber cool the skin.Yoghurt makes it softer.The lime juice has a bleaching effect.
and also the cucumber closes pores.My skin feels really soft to touch and  bright.Usually use it before a outing.

2. Cucumber Anti-Blemish Face Mask

1-inch chunk of cucumber

1 drop lavender/ patchouli essential oil

1 egg white

few drops lemon juice

Whizz the cucumber in a blender until it becomes completely liquid, then add the drop of rosemary essential oil. Whisk the egg white until stiff, fold in the cucumber mixture and smooth over the face avoiding the eyes and mouth area. Remove after 15 minutes using a clean, damp washcloth.

My tip....

 When I first  tried this mask I found it to be runny...so I add a 1 tbsp of Multani mitti(fuller's earth ).to make it into a pack like consistency.

  With the egg it might cause drying ,so people with dry skin may use 1tsp honey and  or those with oily skin who do not want to use egg may use fullers earth 1tbsp and 1tsp honey .

This is used as a anti tanning  mask once in 10 day.Do try this

I found this from the net too. but haven't tried it yet. once i do will update it.

3. Cucumber with honey for a Cucumber-Honey Toner
1 medium Cucumber, peeled and cut up into pieces
2 teaspoon. Honey
Puree cucumber in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey. To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2 cup.

My super simple hair mask
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup dahi /yoghurt
Blend the banana well.add dahi.blend some more.massage this mask into your scalp and then layer it on hair like you do while applying hair color...or mehendi.
wash after 1/2 hour.And voila,super soft smooth well conditioned hair.
If you have an oily scalp ,you can use half the quantity of shampoo you usually use ..to rinse off extra oilyness.For those with dry brittle hair..just rinse off the mask and you are done!!
Hope you try these super simple masks at home.So let me know
Chow
Shivani