Shahnaz Husain tips to look better than you feel

`Illness can really play havoc with our looks, not to mention the vagaries of the cold and dry weather. What do we do when we have a cold? How do we deal with the after effects of fever on our looks? What do we do about those tired, puffy eyes? Fever can cause dehydration, with dry lips, redness of the eyes and dehydrated skin. These are the times when we really need ways to look better than we actually feel.

There is nothing better than a hot bath to make you feel better. A bath really revitalizes and refreshes. In fact, it can be most soothing and relaxing. Bath salts, added to bath water, can help to remove fatigue and induce relaxation. The salts that can be used are crystals of the normal salt, Epsom salts, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), borax, etc. For good results, it is recommended that one should add the bath salt preparation to the bath water in your tub and then soak in it for about 20 minutes. Then the body should be washed with clean, warm water. In order to make your own bath salts at home very simply, just add two tablespoons of salt crystals to the bath water, along with essential oils. Among the oils that may be used are Cinnamon Oil, Lavender Oil, Rose Oil, Geranium, Neroli or Eucalyptus Oil, etc. You can add 5 drops of an essential oil to pure olive oil and then add it to the water along with the salts. Cinnamon Oil relieves fatigue and muscular tension, while Lavender induces relaxation. Rose oil is said to have a calming effect on the mind. Essential oils should not be used by themselves.

Winter can mean dry, flaky skin. If you are constantly wearing make-up, it can compound the problem. Dry skins lack both oil and moisture. If they are not kept moisturized, very tiny lines may become visible on the outer layer. In some case, there may be rough, red, flaky patches.