Nothing looks as sensual on a woman as a well covered sari. Most of the people believe that the saree suits all body types and looks great on women of all ages. True, but only up to a point!
The whole truth is, the midriff-baring and curve-hugging saree makes for a striking and eye-catching outfit. If covered well, it shows the curves of a woman perfectly. On the other hand, if it is not designed well, it looks quite drab.
For this reason, wearing a sari requires special attention to things like skin care, grooming, and fitness. Because? Because, in a sari, many of the areas of the body, which would otherwise be hidden, are exposed.
These include –
-
middle riff
-
Neck and Back
-
Arms
-
Shoulders, if you are wearing a trendy top that leaves the shoulders bare
-
Even your face and hands, not forgetting your pretty feet, are in focus.
FitnessAffairs
-
Well, for overall fitness, a tighter abdomen, a flat back, and toned arms, you should increase your exercise efforts. Get going with crunches and bicep curls, if you want to look leaner and meaner in your sarees.
-
To reduce flab around the waist, increase cardiovascular and aerobic exercise. Also, do yogic breathing techniques like Kapal Bhati. Lift light weights to get rid of pesky love handles and bun tops. Side stretches and leg lifts are great for achieving a well-defined waist line.
-
Better fitness levels also translate to better posture. And you surely know that a great posture can translate into a regal saree look.
-
Improved fitness levels lead to better sugar metabolism and blood circulation. This improves skin texture and lightens breakouts, uneven skin, and dark spots. So keep going, even if you haven’t exercised properly in years!
The toilet reflects…
-
Impressed by the saree style of your favorite celebrity? Well, look at how more than just their ensemble, their sharp sharp hair, style, and makeup sets them apart from the crowd.
-
You can’t afford to be lazy in these regards either, in this day and age, and certainly not in a sari. Clear skin, neat nails, hairless arms (and back, if necessary) and shiny tresses – they will go a long way in creating a wonderful look.
-
Furry tales: Shaved arms are non-negotiable (unless your top is long-sleeved, you should stick to this essential aspect). Sarees are elegant garments, and hairy arms are sure to take the grace out of a lady. Have your back waxed or bleached professionally as well, if you have prominent body hair on your back area. The same goes for your neckline. Ideally, visible hair on the stomach and torso should also be removed.
-
Manicure and Pedicure: Manicured and pampered nails, feet and hands can take your overall saree look from mediocre to bland. Paint your nails in a color that complements your saree.
-
Go backless? Or sleeveless? – Backless and sleeveless tops require extra care in revealing places. Fresh, hair-free underarms and arms are a MUST! Clean yourself up and clean your back too, preferably for a neat and shiny look with a low back top.
Dry and Dull Skin!
-
Dry, flaky skin may not be instantly visible to you, but these trouble spots show up instantly under the scanner in a revealing outfit. So, don’t forget to moisturize your bare areas when you dress up a saree.
-
The abdomen, arms, hands, back, neck and décolleté (and face) should be supple and well hydrated. Don’t forget to gently rub in the sunscreen, too, if you’re out in the sun.
-
Annoying Dry Spots – Elbows should be first on this list! Many women strive to style and plan their look, but forget about this little detail. This can completely derail your efforts and style. Since you can’t see your back yourself, you may end up neglecting it too. Whose!
* Plush fur tip – Eat plenty of good fats, take vitamin E supplements, and ask your doctor to prescribe vitamins for skin and hair. Cod liver oil, fish oil, and flax seed oil can also be consumed as supplements for beautiful skin. [DO NOT FORGET TO GET A CLEARANCE FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR CHECK FOR ALLERGIES, before starting any medicinal herbs, special diets or supplements.] Aloe vera gel is excellent for combating dryness and dullness, as is Ghee (clarified butter). You can also apply aloe gel to your skin, if you are not allergic to it.
Great skin matters…
Many women forget to take care of their arms, neck, back, and feet as well as they do their faces. They may get regular facials, but a back polish or manicure may not feature prominently in their beauty routines. Well, you can’t afford to do that, if you love wearing sarees. Can? Here are some other ‘must haves’ for great skin…everywhere –
-
Eat a balanced diet, exercise and lead a good lifestyle to get rid of skin problems.
-
Always use good quality toiletries and cosmetics.
-
Do not forget to remove make-up (including from the neck, back, etc.), before finishing your day/night.
-
Avoid strong sunlight. Cover up when traveling or riding a two-wheeler.
-
Pigmentation and dark spots worsen with age and hormonal imbalances. Stop aging leading a good lifestyle. Get a full checkup if you suspect you have a hormonal problem, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.
-
Dark lines and spots on the neck, armpits, and back indicate underlying health problems, ranging from poor sugar metabolism to hemoglobin deficiency. Be careful!
-
Insistently tackle dark spots on your face, neck, arms, back, or hands with expert care, based on the advice of a trusted dermatologist and esthetician.
-
If you suffer from arm/back acne and are left with deep blemishes, consider glycolic and laser peels, but only if your doctor and dermatologist suggest it.
-
The same goes for permanent hair removal. If that’s on the agenda, don’t forget to take the advice of a trusted doctor or certified laser professional. In such cases, price should be the least of your considerations.
* Plush fur tip – Reduce carbohydrate intake. Specifically, consumption of wheat products and sugary/fried foods should be curbed. See how this clears up the skin, in just a few weeks. In the meantime, don’t forget to substitute it with healthy alternatives like eggs, yogurt, gluten-free flours like ragi and chickpeas, vegetables, and fruits.
*Water Council – Drink an adequate amount of water (according to its composition) during the day to keep the skin hydrated. Don’t stick to the generally recommended glasses; your body may demand less or more water, depending on its unique composition [and also as per the seasons]. Try to drink 2-4 glasses of water on an empty stomach every morning. Apart from other obvious benefits, this will also help you deal with skin allergies.
Home remedies
There are tons of home remedies to address relatively superficial or temporary skin problems, ranging from tanning to rashes to dullness to dryness. Home remedies are also great for cleansing the skin, removing stubborn dirt, and restoring lost shine and moisture to the skin.
Many women routinely and effectively use home remedies for their benefit. However, they forget to use them all over the body, usually focusing only on the face. Whichever “face pack” you wear, be sure to turn it into a “body pack”, focusing on exposed areas like the back, décolleté, neck, behind the ears, shoulders, etc.
tanning – Apply cucumber juice, mixed with a few drops of lemon juice (if your skin is not too dry) to remove tan. Leave for at least 20 minutes. Mix the curd with cucumber juice, egg white, chickpea flour, and a little lemon juice to make a tough tanning pack. Leave to act for 25-30 minutes. Potato juice is excellent for reducing bad tans. Aloe vera can effectively deal with sunburn. If you have flaky sunburned skin, apply slightly warm (warm) ghee and leave it on overnight (don’t do this if you have open pores, breakouts, or acne).
Dark spots – Potato juice is excellent for treating dark spots. You can also make a sugar scrub to get rid of dark elbows and ankles (or even back and neck). Take 2 teaspoons of sugar, add a little honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Using the lemon peel (from a cut lemon), apply this sugar mixture to your trouble spots. Rub gently until the sugar is completely dissolved. Leave to act for 15 minutes. Repeat for a few days for best results. Milk, honey, egg white and cucumber juice mixed in one packet is ideal for dry and normal skin. Used tea bags, rinsed with clean water and refrigerated for some time should be placed over the eyes to combat dark circles. Potato juice and cucumber juice also work well to lighten the skin under the eyes. Grated cucumber can be placed to cool any eye irritation.
*star tip – Soak some almonds, Charoli (Chironji) seeds and a tsp. of masoor dal (pink lentils) in milk overnight. In the morning, make a fine paste and apply it on the dark and dry spots. You can also add a pinch of turmeric powder, if you’re not going to get it right away. Repeat for a few days. It also works well on the arms and back!
Massage: Massaging the skin regularly is great for restoring moisture and adding a warm glow to the skin. Use mustard oil to massage your arms, legs, abdomen, neck, and all over your body while bathing. You can also use coconut oil on the problem area or if your skin is too dry. The massage also improves blood circulation, the results of which will soon be visible in your glowing face and arms/back.
Follow the tips to look impeccably styled with your sarees and watch the spotlight woo you wherever you go.
