NATURAL MAKEUP: LET’S GIVE MAC A RUN FOR ITS MONEY!

While I am definitely not a card-carrying lover of all things green and am perfectly happy slapping on Chanel foundations and Dior mascaras, sometimes going natural is worth its weight in gold, isn't it? And who knows, some of these ancient beauty recipes might just become the inspiration for your own cosmetics line?

NATURAL MAKEUP REMOVER
Peel and puree a cucumber and then add half a cup of milk to the liquid. Simmer this mixture on a low flame for 10 minutes. Strain and pour into an airtight container. This will stay good for a week if stored in the refrigerator. To use, dip a cotton ball into this mixture and wipe off makeup gently, then rinse face with warm water.

For stubborn eye makeup, simply wipe of with a little olive, jojoba or sweet almond oil and a cotton ball.


TRADITIONAL INDIAN EYE LINER (I USE THIS DAILY – IT GIVES THE SMOKIEST LINE!)
Make a thick wick from cotton wool and soak it in pure ghee (clarified butter). Then fill a silver or earthenware diya (cup or lamp) with more ghee, place the wick in the center and light it. A few minutes later, place a small silver plate, diya or cup around half an inch over the flame (a pair of tongs is indispensable here), and let the soot emanating from the flame collect on this surface. Once you have enough soot, carefully scrape it off the surface and transfer it into a small silver container. Add pharma-grade castor oil and mix well to the desired consistency.

ORGANIC BLUSH & TINTED LIP GLOSS
Melt 1 tablespoon of beeswax in a double boiler or heavy-bottomed pan then add 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil. Whisk in a pinch of beet powder (or few drops of beetroot juice) – start with a few granules for a natural pink and add more for a deeper red hue. Mix well, allow to cool completely, then test the color on your cheeks and lips (apply like a stain). If it’s too dark, add more oil and beeswax (in the proportion of 1:2); if too light, add more beet.