Intense Nutrition (for your hair)

There are many lotions available that protect your skin during the brutally cold/dry winter air. When it comes to your hair, there aren’t nearly as many effective options. Conditioners, which are considered solutions for dry hair, can do more harm than good by irritating your scalp. Another option, hair oil, typically reduces volume and leaves your hair feeling stiff. Rene Furterer, the French hair products company, may have the best solution for defending your hair against the winter elements - at least among those I’ve tried.

Karite Huile oil conditioner works differently than typical conditioner. Instead of using it on wet hair in the shower, you spray it on dry hair the night before a shower. If you spend extra time working it into the ends, you’ll notice the difference the next day. Depending on the natural level of oil in your hair, you may want to use it more sparingly at the roots. Even if you can't escape winter, your hair doesn't need to suffer the effects any longer.

Lasting Beauty

My parents recently gave me an assortment of photos that I haven’t seen in years. I love seeing the pictures of the dresses that my mom made for me when I was young. My mom was my first “seamstress” and made most of the clothing I wore as a child. While my mom and my massis (aunts in Hindi) introduced me to fashion, they also taught me much more important aspects of beauty. In particular, that while wearing beautiful clothes can make you feel great, lasting beauty begins with taking excellent care of yourself.

I have always wanted to compile the advice these five beautiful women have given me over the years. They have all kept themselves looking young and beautiful. And although they have made it look effortless, I know they have worked very hard over the years to sustain their beauty. I admire how much fun they have managed to have in the process.

As children, we take flawless skin and perfect physiques for granted. From a very young age I remember my mom and her sisters reiterating the importance of taking meticulous care of yourself in order to maintain these qualities. While there are many wonderful products available to help women preserve their beauty, my mom and her sisters have gathered and perfected a multitude of inexpensive techniques that can be created at home to keep you looking and feeling great.

Since the Monika Roy brand is all about natural beauty, I want to begin sharing some of the anti-aging and health tips that I have learned from my mom and her sisters over the years. This week’s suggestion is for a Vitamin C cream alternative:

Rather than spending a lot of money on expensive vitamin C creams, choose organic. My mom and her sisters rub orange peels directly on their faces, which is refreshing and surprisingly effective. You can also use fresh squeezed orange juice or grapefruit juice diluted in water and splash it directly on your face. This is a great way to exfoliate and can optimally be applied twice a week.