Beauty

Embrace Natural Beauty: Alternatives to Chemical Hair Treatments

The quest for beautiful, healthy hair often leads us to chemical treatments that promise quick results but can damage our hair in the long run. Fortunately, nature provides numerous alternatives that nourish and revitalize your hair without causing harmful side effects. Dhanush Kumar lists eight natural alternatives to chemical hair treatments, each with unique benefits to help achieve healthy locks.

Alternatives to Chemical Hair Treatments

1. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is packed with nutrients that offer deep nourishment for hair. Its high fatty acid content allows it to penetrate the hair shaft, preventing protein loss and helping to keep hair strong and healthy. Regularly using coconut oil can reduce frizz, add shine, and avoid split ends. For best results, apply it as a pre-wash treatment or a leave-in conditioner.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is celebrated for its soothing qualities, making it an effective natural conditioner. It contains proteolytic enzymes that help repair dead skin cells on the scalp, fostering healthy hair growth. Aloe Vera can also help reduce dandruff and maintain the pH balance of your hair. Use fresh aloe Vera gel as a conditioner shampoo for soft and manageable hair.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar, a scalp superhero, is a fantastic natural alternative for clarifying and balancing your scalp. It’s a pro at removing product build up, restoring the scalp’s natural pH level, and adding shine to your hair. Just mix equal parts of ACV and water and use it as a rinse after shampooing. This treatment will leave your hair feeling fresh, smooth, and shiny. 4. Henna

4. Henna

Henna is a natural plant-based dye that can add a rich, reddish-brown colour to your hair without the damaging effects of chemical dyes. It also strengthens and conditions your hair, reducing breakage and enhancing shine. Mix henna powder with water to form a paste, apply it to your hair, and leave it on for a few hours before rinsing for a vibrant, natural colour.

5. Argan Oil

Argan oil, often called liquid gold, is rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E. It hydrates and softens hair, making it more manageable and reducing frizz. Regular use of argan oil can also protect hair from heat damage and environmental stressors. Apply a few drops to damp or dry hair to keep it silky and smooth.

6. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is recognized for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it an excellent remedy for scalp issues like dandruff and itching. It aids in unclogging hair follicles and nourishing the roots, which supports healthy hair growth. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, and massage the blend into your scalp to maintain its health and cleanliness.

7. Yogurt

Yogurt is a natural protein and lactic acid source that strengthens and moisturizes your hair. It helps repair damage, reduce hair fall, and improve hair texture. Apply plain yogurt to your hair and scalp as a mask, leave it only for 20-30 minutes, and rinse thoroughly for smooth and shiny hair.

8. Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a natural treatment recognized for encouraging hair growth and reducing hair loss. Packed with Vitamins A and C, amino acids, and various nutrients, it supports the health of hair follicles. To use it, create a paste from hibiscus flowers and leaves, apply it to your hair and scalp, and let it sit for 30-60 minutes before rinsing. This can help foster healthy hair growth and impart a natural shine.

Conclusion

Integrating these natural remedies into your hair care regimen can lead to healthier, shinier, and more manageable hair while avoiding the adverse effects associated with chemicals.

July 22, 2024

Beauty

Glow Goals: Dr. Rashmi Shetty’s Bridal Skin Secrets

Internationally acclaimed celebrity dermatologist Dr. Rashmi Shetty has spent over two decades perfecting the art of natural, radiant beauty. Renowned for her pioneering work with injectables, laser technologies, and holistic skin health, she blends science with artistry to create timeless bridal looks. For wedding-bound brides and grooms, she shares her expert tips to achieve that coveted glow inside and out. When should a bride or groom start pre-wedding skin treatments for the best results?Ideally, it’s best to start six months before if you have a skin issue. If you don’t have any major skin concerns and only want to prep for better hydration, glow, and plump, happy skin, then starting a month before the wedding can also work. It really depends on your starting point what condition your skin is in at the beginning. For those with issues, you’ll need corrective products (like acne creams or pigmentation treatments) that are usually applied at night. Nighttime is best for skin repair since you get 10–12 hours of rest without external irritation. Nourishing creams, moisturizers, and barrier creams are also best used at night. During the day, your focus should be on protection using moisturizers that guard against wind, pollution, and, of course, a good sunscreen. What is the ideal skincare routine in the final month before the wedding?The final month is definitely not the time to experiment with new active ingredients you’ve never tried before. Avoid new treatments that may irritate your skin. Instead, this is the time to add supplements that help from within. Ideally, supplements should begin three months before the wedding, but even one month can make a difference. Recommended supplements include: Raw Bright: a strong antioxidant to fight oxidative stress (which increases due to wedding planning stress, shopping, and pre-wedding parties). Raw Defense: an anti-inflammatory to calm

Beauty

The Big Fat Indian Wedding Playbook

The Big Fat Indian Wedding is more than a celebration, it’s an experience. From grand floral mandaps to Instagram-worthy dessert tables, from runway-ready garment trends by top designers to celebrity-inspired makeup and cinematic wedding photography, we explore the trends redefining how India says “I do” in 2025. Shantanu & Nikhil on Redefining the Modern Groom Shantanu & Nikhil redefine the modern groom in 2025 merging architectural tailoring with fluid drapes, pastel palettes, and statement detailing. From military-inspired bandhgalas to androgynous accents, the duo’s vision champions versatility, relevance, and unapologetic self-expression for the Big Fat Indian Wedding. Shantanu & Nikhil are pioneers in introducing drapes to Indian menswear. How has that silhouette evolved for the modern groom? When we first brought drapes into men’s couture, it was a statement against the stiffness of ceremonial wear, a way to soften structure without losing authority. Over the years, the drape has evolved from being a fluid accent to a fully integrated sartorial code. Today, it works in harmony with sharp tailoring, creating silhouettes that are commanding yet effortless. In our recent collection- Metropolis, the drape takes on sharper intent: asymmetric overlays under cropped bandhgalas, crossover shirts beneath cinched jackets, and pleated pearl-layered inners under contemporary overcoat sherwanis. For the modern groom, this isn’t embellishment; it’s a language of movement and ease, balancing regality with relevance. How are you making your signature style more accessible to younger or more experimental grooms? Accessibility, for us, is about adaptability. In Metropolis, every silhouette is conceived to travel between moments and ceremonies; an overcoat sherwani layered for the wedding procession, then pared down for a more intimate after-event. By reimagining our codes in lighter constructions, modular layers, and versatile cuts, with hints of bling, evolving grooms can engage with ceremonial couture on their own terms without losing

Beauty

Sandy: Bridal Makeup Insights 2025

“In this Hashtag Magazine exclusive, Sandy unveils her expert 2025 bridal makeup insights, blending timeless elegance with modern trends to help brides achieve a flawless, radiant, and unforgettable wedding-day look.” 1) Your signature style often plays with textures how do you balance dewy, glowing skin with makeup that lasts all day for brides? For me, it’s all about strategic layering. I love creating luminous skin, but I prep with mattifying primers in key areas like the T-zone and set only where needed. This way, the glow shines through while the makeup still stays intact from morning rituals to midnight dancing. 2) What’s one unconventional product or technique you swear by that most brides wouldn’t expect? Eye drops but not for the eyes! A tiny drop mixed into metallic or shimmer pigments makes them glide on beautifully and stay crease-free for hours. It gives that ethereal glow without heavy layering. 3) How do you adapt a bride’s makeup to ensure it looks equally stunning in person and in high definition photographs/videos? I work with a “soft-focus” principle. Products with light-reflecting properties keep the skin radiant in person, while carefully diffused contouring and a touch more definition on eyes and lips ensures the features don’t get washed out on camera. 4) With multiple wedding functions, how do you keep each bridal look fresh yet cohesive across events? I treat it like a story arc. Each look has a different mood but they’re all connected by a thread. If the sangeet is playful with bold liner, the wedding may lean towards timeless elegance, and the reception becomes glamorous sophistication. Cohesion comes from balancing color palettes across outfits while keeping the bride’s essence consistent. 5) What’s your approach when a bride’s personal style clashes with current trends do you adapt the trend or stay

Beauty

Common Skin Conditions That Worsen in Summer & Their Treatment

Increased heat, humidity, and sun exposure can trigger or worsen various skin conditions, from acne and eczema to sunburn and hyperpigmentation. Understanding the right treatments and preventive measures can help keep skin healthy and glowing. Dr Mehnaz Jahan shares expert advice on managing summer-related skin issues and the latest dermatological treatments. What are some common skin conditions that worsen in summer, and how can they be treated?Several skin conditions tend to worsen in summer due to increased sweat, humidity, and heat. Acne – Excess oil production leads to clogged pores. Using non-comedogenic products, extractions, and laser therapy can help manage acne. Eczema – Excessive sweating worsens eczema. Treatment includes using moisturizers, topical corticosteroids, oral antihistamines, avoiding scratching, and applying cool compresses. Wearing loose, breathable clothing is also beneficial. Seborrheic Dermatitis – Managed with medicated shampoos, antifungal treatments, and stress reduction techniques. Heat Rashes – Staying in cool areas, wearing loose clothing, and using calamine lotion or powders can provide relief. Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating) – Controlled using clinical antiperspirants, light breathable clothing, and Botox injections if required. What is the best way to treat sunburns and prevent peeling?Sunburn can exacerbate conditions like psoriasis. Effective treatments include applying cool compresses, moisturizing with aloe vera, avoiding peeling of dried-out skin, and staying hydrated. One can also use gentle exfoliants. Using topical corticosteroids and vitamin D analogs for psoriasis-related sunburns Can laser hair removal be done in summer?Yes, laser hair removal is effective in summer, but precautions should be taken. Avoiding sun exposure before and after treatment helps minimize the risk of complications. What’s the best way to manage body acne caused by sweat and friction?To manage body acne, wear lightweight and breathable clothing. Shower immediately after exercising and use gentle cleansers. Use body washes and sprays specifically designed to reduce acne.What are the