How does your skin look and feel?
In the early twenties most of us have combination or oily skin. This is the age when hormones are settling in, the oil glands of the skin enlarge under hormonal influence and produce more oil. Blocked oil glands result in bacterial overgrowth giving rise to acne. Post 25, the skin texture and tone gets better. It’s fresh, youthful, with an even skin tone and minimum pigmentation.

Skin care regime: Though your skin is not dry, it’s essential to keep it hydrated as this practice will arrest the effects of ageing. “Get into the habit of cleansing and moisturising your skin at least twice a day and you will reap the benefits in the years to come. Never step into the sun without applying a sunscreen. It’s a known fact that sun rays hasten the ageing process,” says Dr. Rekha Sheth, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Partner, Yuva Beauty Centre. Once a week, take out an hour and indulge your skin with a deep cleansing ritual. Massage cleanser onto the skin for 5 minutes and wipe off with some damp cotton. Next massage your face with facial cream (10 minutes) using upward circular strokes. Wipe with a warm wet towel. Apply a purifying mask to rid the skin of deep set toxins.

Clarins, H2O Plus, Shiseido and Blossom Kochchar’s signature line have some effective options. To make one at home mix multani mitti (fuller’s earth) with rose water for oily skin or yoghurt for normal to combination skin. Wash off after 10 minutes. Your skin is will look and feel visibly clearer.

Effective skincare ingredients: “Salicylic acid is a good beta hydroxy acid which helps in oil control. Trichlosan is a very effective routine use antiseptic compound which helps in prevention of bacterial overgrowth. Regular use of trichlosan ensures that even if your glands are blocked, you would not get the red/pus filled acne. This ingredient is more critical for Indian skin as genetically our skin has more oil glands and climatic conditions increase chances of bacterial overgrowth, says Dr. Snehal Sriram, Head Medical Services, Kaya Skin Clinic.

Star secrets
For Riya Sen, beauty is not skin-deep but the gorgeous actress is also aware that her profession doesn't allow her to ignore her skin. She's in her 20s, so this is the time she can take preventive measure to maintain the youthful appearance of her skin. Over to the young and pretty Riya for her skin-secrets ...

Clean, clean, clean...
My friends joke that for me, removing make-up before sleeping is more important than a good night sleep itself! I use a number of products for the same. I swear by Shu uemura Skin Purifier which is a Japanese product and is a cleansing oil which removes any traces of make-up effectively. Sometimes I use La Mer Skin Exfoliant.

For that dewy look...
La Mer Moisturising cream is very effective. I always use La Mer sunscreen before stepping out in the sun. I use Guerlain Cleansing Milk for my face and Issima Midnight Secret which is a great product to use, especially when I have to sleep late and wake up early for a shoot!

Don't mess with my tresses!
I oil my hair regularly but keep changing the oil every week. I use almond oil, castor oil and coconut oil in various combinations. Conditioners too, I change quite frequently, one of my favourites being John Freeda.

Stay young...
Thankfully I've never faced any skin-problems, even as a teenager. Once in a while, I do get a rash or something because of the use of excessive make-up while shooting. For that, I make a face pack of fuller's earth (multani mitti) which I find quite useful. I mix sugar with a little water and use it on my face. One should take vitamin E pills or Omega capsules for healthy skin.

On Riya’s dresser you will find…
Shu uemura Skin Purifier La Mer Skin Exfoliant Issima Midnight Secret John Freeda conditioner Fuller’s earth face pack

Expert advice: The solution to treat acne consists of a three-pronged approach: First, open up the blocked oil glands, secondly use antiseptics/antibacterials to take care of bacterial overgrowth and thirdly prevent further oiliness by regular maintenance. Good exfoliation with sufficient concentration of beta hydroxy peels help in all the three. Cosmetic Dermatologist and Skin Surgeon, Dr. Satish Bhatia suggests using a Benzoxyl Peroxide face wash and a Clindamycin gel for acne twice a day and a non oily sunblock such as Ranbaxy’s Suncros gel whenever you step out in the sun. A skin brightening treatment would serve as a preventive measure for pigmentation in the coming years, says Dr. Sheth.

Make-up manual: Keep it fresh and soft, says make-up artist Clint Fernandes. Since the skin tone is even, go for light foundation formulations like a tinted moisturiser. To make your own formulation mix a few drops of moisturiser in your regular liquid foundation to have a lovely translucent finish. Powder compact is another must-have product. It gives a light translucent coverage and also helps absorb excess oil. Use a good quality mascara to curl up your lashes, and you are set to step out. Master the art of creating a pair of stunning smoky eyes.

They will sail you through special occasions where you want to look a bit more special. It need not be in shades of grey and silver. Create a splash by working with happy colours such as pinks, corals, lavenders and even turquoise. Keep the lips soft and glossy. Tip that works: “Get into the habit of preparing your skin by moisturising it before you apply any make-up.”

Hair SOS: These are probably the best hair years. “As tempting as they seem, salon treatments that use heavy chemical should be avoided. Colouring now may be stylish, but in the later years it may become a compulsion. Keep it for then. Go for highlighting instead as it doesn’t damage the scalp as much,” advises Dr. Rita Khatwani, Trichologist at Juice. A hair spa every now and then, regular cuts and balanced diet is just about enough for enjoying healthy hair. Eat well, sleep well and use reliable products. Don’t forget to have fun with your hair though. While your work may require a neat look, your social life will want to see it more styled. Get a cut that suits both the looks well. Stylists recommend a length that is easy to tie and hold back for work hours.
(With inputs from Brinda Khandwala)

Exercise, eat at regular intervals and cut down on preserved and packaged food as much possible. Every week indulge in a body (oil) massage to maintain the body’s suppleness. Start young and you will be able to maintain youth and vigour without much effort
* Dr. Ratheesh Kumar C., Spa Manager & Ayurveda Consultant , Club Mahindra Backwater Retreat, Kollam

For Riya Sen, beauty is not skin-deep but the gorgeous actress is also aware that her profession doesn't allow her to ignore her skin. She's in her 20s, so this is the time she can take preventive measure to maintain the youthful appearance of her skin. Over to the young and pretty Riya for her skin-secrets ...

Clean, clean, clean...
My friends joke that for me, removing make-up before sleeping is more important than a good night sleep itself! I use a number of products for the same. I swear by Shu uemura Skin Purifier which is a Japanese product and is a cleansing oil which removes any traces of make-up effectively. Sometimes I use La Mer Skin Exfoliant.

For that dewy look...
La Mer Moisturising cream is very effective. I always use La Mer sunscreen before stepping out in the sun. I use Guerlain Cleansing Milk for my face and Issima Midnight Secret which is a great product to use, especially when I have to sleep late and wake up early for a shoot!

Don't mess with my tresses!
I oil my hair regularly but keep changing the oil every week. I use almond oil, castor oil and coconut oil in various combinations. Conditioners too, I change quite frequently, one of my favourites being John Freeda.

Stay young...
Thankfully I've never faced any skin-problems, even as a teenager. Once in a while, I do get a rash or something because of the use of excessive make-up while shooting. For that, I make a face pack of fuller's earth (multani mitti) which I find quite useful. I mix sugar with a little water and use it on my face. One should take vitamin E pills or Omega capsules for healthy skin.

PRODUCTS WE ROOT FOR
1. Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel starts out as a refreshing honey-coloured gel that adheres to surface impurities and make-up, then melts into a sheer deep- cleansing oil. Add a splash of water and it transforms into a deliciously light rinse-off cleansing milk.
2. Shiseido the Skincare Tinted Moisturiser (comes in 4 different tones) and lends a flattering glow to the face.
3. Shiseido’s Pureness range comes with aromachological technology specifically for oily and acne prone skin.
4. Clarins Colour Quench Balm gives your lips high-shine colour and a hint of fruity flavour. Your lips will look and feel soft, supple and sensual all day long.
5. Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel (Rs. 850, 200 ml) unclogs the pores, cleanses and exfoliates the skin deep within, ideal for combination to oily skin.
6. Molton Brown Heavenly Gingerlily Shimmer Oil (Rs. 2650, 100ml) with its blend of fragrant aromas of gingerlily and body pampering natural hydrators, leaves you feeling glamourous, glowing and silky-smooth
7. Estee Lauder Magnascopic, Maximum Volume Mascara (Rs. 1390) opens up the eye and adds volume to the lashes.
8. Foaming Face Cleanser (Rs. 550) by VLCC 'I' by Vandana Luthra cleanses the face and leaves it soft and dewy.
9. Lancome Le crayon khol (Rs. 950) is a creamy-smooth pencil for lining, defining, colouring and contouring eyes.
10. Chanel Makeup Creation Studio playfully adapts the legendary tweed in a refined blush, Les Tissages de Chanel. It combines two shades sprinkled with 13. golden or silver pearly pigments, ideal for embellishing the complexion or creating a rosy glow.
11. Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask (Rs.1095) reduces sebum levels, equalise oiliness and deep cleanses the skin.
12. Chanel’s Hydramax + Active gel cream is an excellent product for young women (with normal to dry skin). Works best as a night care option. The very next day the skin will feel hydrated and wonderfully supple.
13. Beaute Initiale by Chanel is designed to boost radiance and restore skin’s natural defense system with key ingredients like blue ginger, a supercharged 18. antioxidant hand-picked in Madagascar, and vitamins C and E. It delays the first signs of ageing.
14. Biotherm Aquasource Gel is an intensive moisturising gel treatment that drenches dry skin in moisture immediately. Leaves skin feeling smooth, moist and supple.
15 .H2O Plus Waterwhite Range has a host of brightening products to leave your skin luminous, radiant and youthful.

Smoky eyes made easy:
 
Always use a light base colour before you start making up your eyes. This will give an even skin tone and help your make-up to last longer.
Line your lower and upper lids with a stroke of khol pencil.
Take your colour of choice on a brush and highlight the lower lid along line. Gently smudge the hues as you move inwards from the outer tip.
To create more drama, work on the eye socket area. Select two complementary colours, and use the first one on the inner half and the second one on the outer half.
Then blend, blend and blend to get a gentle, sexy smoky eye effect.
Use mascara to add volume and open up your eyes.
— Vimi Joshi, Sr Make-up Artist, M.A.C

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