DIY Hacks for Indian Skin and Hair
For many Indian women, skincare and haircare are more than just a routine; it’s a way of life! Indian beauty rituals are built from naturally derived ingredients and have been tried and true from one generation to the next. We’ve compiled two of our favorite Indian beauty rituals for you to try at home!
Rose Powder Face Mask - Brighten skin
Rose petal powder is high in vitamin c and antioxidants that boost collagen production and strengthen the skin’s cells, which allows blemishes and acne scars to heal faster. Rose petal powder can be purchased online, or you can make it yourself by drying rose petals and then grinding them to a fine powder.
Ingredients:
Rose petal powder
Plain yogurt
Honey
Directions:
Mix ingredients and apply one to two times per week and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Mehendi/Henna - Hair Conditioning & Coloring Mask
Henna, also known as “mehendi” in India, is a natural and healthy way to color and condition hair. Henna is known to treat a variety of skin and scalp conditions, including irritation, dryness, itchiness and dandruff. It also prevents breakage and promotes hair growth. Henna naturally brings a reddish-brown hue to your hair, and when done properly, it can make hair shine and feel rejuvenated. You can find henna in your local Indian store or even from Lush Cosmetics.
Ingredients:
Henna made for hair (ideally in powder form)
Water or milk
Optional: Coffee or black tea to deepen the color of the henna
Optional: Egg (If you have really dry hair, only add the yolk. If you have really oily hair, add only the egg whites. If your hair is a combination of oily and dry or balanced, add the whole egg.)
Directions:
Mix three tablespoons of henna with one cup of milk or water. Add more liquid or henna depending on the consistency.
Add a couple of tablespoons of coffee or black tea and mix.
Store mixture overnight and apply the next day. Don’t forget to wear gloves as you apply the henna!
Wrap your hair with saran wrap and wait three to four hours before washing out.
We do NOT recommend using shampoo and conditioner when washing out your henna because it can interfere with the natural coloring process. The henna takes about 24 hours to deposit color in your hair after washing it out, so in your final rinse, use your leftover black tea or coffee to ensure you maintain the rich color. To lock in the color, put coconut oil and castor oil in your hair before your second wash.
Written by Kamya Chandra, Sneha Sinha, and Chantal Vaca
Header graphic by Kesha Peterson
