Shahnaz Husain is the pioneer of herbal care in India where herbal beauty care today is fashioned after the treatments and products devised by her. With a crusader’s zeal she has taken the Indian herbal heritage to every corner of the globe, achieving unprecedented international acclaim. Today, she heads the largest organization of its kind in the world, with an integrated system of more than 400 franchisee clinics in India and abroad, supported by ranges of Ayurvedic formulations. She has been in the business for 32 years.

Q: I am a 22 yrs old female. I have an oily skin n fairly medium complexion. I have few acnes on my face. I have a dream of having a clear n fair complexion. Can you please suggest me a simple n effective home remedy for the same. I drink a lot of water also. Many thanks.

A:  For acne, it is necessary to use medicated products. However, as a home remedy, mix sandalwood paste with a drop of rose water and apply on the eruptions. Once a day, apply curd all over the face and wash off after 20 minutes. Curd helps to restore the normal skin balance. Once the acne condition subsides, you can use treatments to improve the complexion.

Q: Hello Shahnazji, I am a 22 yr. Old girl I initially had pimples but now my skin is clear except that I have these open pores in the skin adjoining nose and cheek, please suggest something that will really help. Thank you.

A: Open pores are common on oily skins, as the pores become stretched with hardened oil. I suggest you use a facial mask for oily skins daily. We also recommend the use of Shagrains and Sharose by mixing together and rubbing gently on the open pores. Leave on to dry and wash off with water. Wiping the face several times with a rose-based skin tonic also helps.

Q : Can u give any suggestion for fair skin who is slightly plump and has a round face??? I would like to know what kind of bags, jewellery, and others things will suit??

A: Shoulder length hair, which does not add width to the face should suit. Applying a darker foundation or blusher below the cheekbone and a highlighter or lighter colour on the cheekbone (going outwards and slightly upwards) helps to contour the face and make it look less plump and round. Bags, jewellery and other accessories should suit your outfit. Neutral colour bags and shoes are very useful - like black, brown, beige. For jewellery, avoid heavy earrings which hang upto the jaw level. This may add width. You can try longer dangling earrings. Avoid short necklaces and chokers. Try long strings of beads or long chains.

Q: How about clothing colour wear along with accessories and footwear, handbag should go along for a fair women like me, what will suit the best to me. I am not very fair also like the Brahmins, but yes could be somewhat wheatish complexion or lesser than a fair brahmin girl.

A: As I have just mentioned, shoes, handbags, belts etc should either match your clothes or be in neutral colours. They should complement your clothes, not your complexion.

Q: I am working as a marketing manager in Ranbaxy. I have to spend 8-9 hours in field. How frequently I should go to beauty parlour for facial & bleach? Which facial I should opt? I have normal skin type.

A: You should carry a sunscreen. Apply it 15 minutes before sun-exposure and then reapply every half an hour. For normal to dry skin, a once-a-week facial is advised after the age of 25. I don't advise bleaching. Instead, you should cleanse your face every night with a Cactus-Aloe cleanser (Shacleanse), using moist cotton wool. Then massage Shalife for a minute or two. Then wipe off with moist cotton wool.

Q: Dear Shahnaz, I've always liked your beauty tips which in my opinion are natural and economical. I always read your tips and have seen you on television. However, no matter what I try for my dandruff, they won't get away. I've never had dandruff before and it's giving me a hard time. Plz help. Thanking you in anticipation.

A: Use a herbal hair tonic like Shatone daily. It is non-oily and should be used every night, leaving it on. You should use a mild herbal shampoo and wash your hair daily for one week. Then wash 3 times a week. Use very little shampoo and rinse very well with plain water. Once a week, heat pure coconut oil and apply on the scalp, rubbing gently to dislodge the flakes. Leave on overnight. Next morning, apply the juice of a lemon on the scalp and wash your hair after half an hour. Drink plenty of water. Avoid fried foods, colas and too many sweets. Include fresh fruits, salads, sprouts and salads in your daily diet. If your dandruff is severe, wash your combs, brushes, towel and pillow cover daily, adding an antiseptic solution like Savlon in the soap water.

Q: Hi Shahnaz, I am a boy of 25 yrs of age and I am suffering from hair loss continuously so please tell me some remedy for this & also my skin is fair and cool , I want my skin to be very glossy & shining so what should I do? Thanks for your answer in advance. I WANT TO LEARN THESE COURSES FROM YOU. COULD YOU HELP Me???

A: Hair loss can be caused by dandruff, so you should get it treated. Use a hair tonic daily. Avoid massage. Hair loss in men can be hereditary. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe Vitamins B Complex and C. We have a school for men, called Men's World International. You can write to the Principal, M-106, Greater Kailash 1, New Delhi 110048

Q: Beauty - How can I hide acne scar marks on my face. I am dark skinned and 39 years old.

A: You can use a foundation or concealer to conceal the marks. If the skin is pitted, take a fine brush and fill each pit with a lighter colour foundation/concealer, or cover with it. Then use your normal foundation over the entire face. Use powder to det it. We recommend a "hide and heal" base called Shabase, which is mixed with a moisturiser and used on pimples/pimple marks. You can also use a facial scrub daily. This gentle rubbing helps to minimize the scars. Also, there are clinical treatments like Vegetable Peeling.

Q: Beauty - How can I keep the skin of my nose firm and clean.

If your nose is prone to blackheads, use cleansing grains (Shagrain) mixed with rose skin tonic (Sharose) by rubbing the mixture gently on the area and wash off with water. Do this daily.