With coronavirus cases rising in India, the entire nation is still under certain restrictive lockdown measures. And according to the Hindu calendar, the festive season is just beginning. But this year, most of the festivities are going to be a bit different. Even though you can't conduct any kind of extravagant poojas in temples at large, you can still offer prayers and celebrate any festive occasion with just the family members and maybe a few relatives at the safety of your homes. But yes, we should ensure that the invitees at the festive gathering should be a mere few, to avoid any kind of spread of the contagious infection.
Varalakshmi Vratham, an auspicious occasion falling today, is a significant event to worship Goddess Mahalakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth and prosperity. This festival is celebrated in a grand and colourful manner, in the southern states of India, namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, as well as in the western region of Maharashtra. Elaborate prayers and customs are performed by married women, seeking the blessings of the Almighty, for the well-being of their husband, children and the other family members. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Varalakshmi on this divine day is equivalent to revering Ashtalakshmi i.e. the eight incarnations of Lakshmi, including Goddesses of Wealth (Sri), Learning (Saraswati), Love (Priti), Earth (Bhu), Fame (Kirti), Peace (Shanti), Pleasure (Tushti) and Strength (Pushti). 
Usually, women get dressed beautifully, all decked up in traditional sarees, intricate jewellery and makeup, to celebrate this pooja with their near and dear ones. But this year, since most parlours, salons and spas are closed, you probably feel like you are missing out on the getting ready part. However, there's no need to put on a gloomy face, as this year, it’s all about making use of natural ingredients present right at home, to get that rejuvenating glow and radiant complexion. Since we generally use kumkum, haldi, chandan and rosewater for this pooja, why not use these incredible herbal ingredients for their beauty benefits.
So, let's strap on to our seatbelts and embark on a beauty ride, to achieve radiant skin, to amaze everyone during the spiritual celebrations right at home.
DIY Homemade Beauty Recipes For Varalakshmi Vratham:
Rose And Witch-Hazel Cleanser/Toner
Ingredients:
1 cup rose water
2-3 tsp glycerin
¾ cup witch hazel
2 drops of rosemary essential oil
2 drops of tea tree essential oil
Method:
Allow the witch hazel herbs to steep in the rosewater overnight.
Strain the solution and add the other ingredients to it.
You can also keep the witch hazel in the mixture for added benefits.
Pour the solution in a pump bottle.
Spray some on a wet cotton ball and clean or face with it.
Store the remaining in a refrigerator for future use.
How It Works:
Rosewater is known for its beauty benefits since time immemorial. It acts both as a cleanser and toner and hence not only removes dirt and grime particles from the face but also tones the face and keeps it moisturized. Witch hazel soothes burns and reduces pain and inflammation whereas both the essential oils prevent breakout and control excessive oil secretion while locking in the natural moisture of the skin.
Also Read: 3 Amazing Ways The Goodness Of Rose Makes Your Skin Glow
Turmeric And Besan Face Scrub
Ingredients
2 tbsp besan or gram flour
1tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp sugar granules
1 tbsp curd
1 tsp almond oil
Method:
Blend all the ingredients to make a fine paste.
Smear it all over the face.
Lightly scrub in circular motions.
Let the face pack dry for 30 minutes.
Wash off with cool water.
How It Works:
This face pack is highly beneficial for dry and peeling skin. While besan and sugar slightly exfoliates and gets rid of the dead skin cells, curd nourishes and hydrates the skin within. Turmeric powder enhances the complexion and prevents skin infections and inflammations whilst almond oil locks in the natural moisture of the skin for a longer duration.
Saffron And Sandalwood Face Pack For Oily Skin
Ingredients:
2 tbsp sandalwood powder
2-3 saffron strands
3 tbsp raw cold milk
1 drop of sandalwood essential oil
Method:
Mix all the ingredients together to make a paste.
Apply the paste on your freshly washed face.
Spread the pack evenly all over the face.
Massage gradually in a circular motion and allow it to dry for 20 minutes.
Rinse it off with cool water.
How It Works:
This face pack works wonder for acne-prone oily skin. Sandalwood powder enhances the complexion and prevents breakouts, whereas saffron brightens and lightens the face. The presence of milk moisturizes and nourishes the face whilst sandalwood essential oil prevents bacterial infection.
Also Read: 5 Incredible Ways Saffron Helps You Get Beautiful Skin
Banana And Olive Oil Hair Mask
Ingredients:
1 big ripe banana
2 tbsp olive oil
Method:
Mash the banana into a pulp and whisk it together with olive oil in a bowl.
Apply an even layer of this creamy blend on the scalp as well as hair, from root to tips.
Let it stay for 20 minutes, then rinse off with cold water and towel dry hair gently.
How It Works:
Banana houses ample amounts of vitamin C and potassium, which reinforce hair follicles for the growth of strong, thick locks and also help maintain optimal pH balance in the scalp. Imbued with vitamin E, olive oil imparts a silky and shiny texture to hair, besides arresting hair fall and mending split ends.
Shea Butter And Geranium Essential Oil Hand Cream
Ingredients:
5 tbsp shea butter
3 drops geranium essential oil
2 tsp almond oil
Method:
Dilute the geranium essential oil in the carrier oil i.e. almond oil and mix the shea butter along with it in a jar.
Wash and dry hands thoroughly, then smear on a uniform coating of the dense cream all over the palms.
Leave it on overnight for best results.
How It Works:
Bestowed with skin-fortifying fatty acids, shea butter confers fabulous emollient traits for moisturizing dry, peeling and wrinkled hands. Geranium essential oil contains vast reserves of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial compounds, that combat bacterial and yeast skin infections to lessen swelling, redness, pain, hydrate rough patches and supply smooth, soft, supple hands.
Netmeds.com Wishes All Its Customers A Very Happy Varalakshmi Viratham!
