Look: Beauty: Skin Wisdom That Comes With Age ; Your Beauty Regime Can Be Pure and Simple

WITH 27 years in the beauty industry, there’s no better person to give advice than leading holistic therapist Bharti Vyas.

Using simple methods learnt from her family to treat a number of loyal clients, from celebrities to busy working mothers and stressed executives, Bharti(inset) works on the proviso that ‘beauty comes from within’.

Her seventh book, Tips For Beauty Wisdom, was written because she believes that everyone has the right to look and feel good, not just those who can afford it.

‘We are all constantly learning along the way, but this book gives people some easy tips and immediate solutions to overcome their problems,’ she says.

‘Understanding and educating about the problem is important.

Little problems can rule people’s lives and bring down self- confidence, with skin and face being the most common areas of concern, so once you know what to do, life becomes easier.’

And Bharti, who helped develop the popular Skin Wisdom range at Tesco, reveals that she wanted to get involved in the industry after her own experiences.

‘As a youngster, I had terrible acne and I was told that I couldn’t get help unless I had money.

I hated that! It made me feel that I had to live with spots because I didn’t have money,’ she admits.

‘I wanted to go into the beauty industry so that I could correct what I hated. Therapists tended to say, ‘Come to me and I’ll sort it out’, but what I say is, ‘Come to me and I’ll help you sort it out’. I’m helping the industry to communicate, not dictate

FACE

‘IT may seem like an obvious point, but keeping your skin clean is the number one skincare priority,’ says Bharti.

‘You need to cleanse your face both night and morning to remove surface oil and dead skin cells and the grime that has accumulated during the day.’

One of the oldest and gentlest methods of cleansing the skin is oil – particularly good for mature skins.

‘Apply a light film of almond or sunflower oil all over your neck and face, and rub in gently. Leave for a minute and remove

DIY TREATMENTS

‘YOU don’t have to spend a fortune on expensive beauty treatments and facials. Many basic store-cupboard ingredients are as good as, if not better than, fancy store-bought concoctions,’ Bharti says.

If you feel the tell-tale tingling sensation of a cold sore, hold an ice compress against the area. Once the sore has erupted, dab on lemon juice mixed with a pinch of salt.

Oats and oatflakes have a gentle but deep cleansing action, ideal for dry, irritated and sensitive skins. They also help correct skin imbalances. Runny honey is good for dislodging dead skin cells, making it perfect for decongesting

skin

COMMON PROBLEMS

MANY common ailments can be treated without resorting t o expensive lotions and potions, Bharti says.

Suffer from excess blackheads? Add half a teaspoon of Epsom salts to a cup of warm water, and wash your face by dipping a cotton ball into the liquid. Grind up fresh parsley into a pulp and apply to the area prone to blackheads, lie down for 15 minutes, then cleanse, nourish and moisturise as normal.

Treat dandruff by mixing one egg yolk with a squirt of lime juice and a few drops of camphor. Apply to your scalp for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

And if you have an outbreak of mid-life acne, cleanse and moisturise with almond oil softened in your hand. Massage your skin to calm your irritated nerve endings

BODY

‘IT’S very important to find time for yourself, and bathtime is my favourite time to do so,’ says Bharti.

She recommends making a big treat out of it, lighting candles, using indulgent potions, and playing music..

‘Five drops of lavender oil to your bath water will help to ease aches and pains, while a few drops of sandalwood oil will help to dispel nervous tension, lift depression, relieve insomnia and is well-suited to dry skins