Nothing looks as sensual on a woman as a well-draped saree. Most of the people believe that the saree suits all body types and looks great on women of all ages. True, but only up to a point!

The whole truth is that the saree that reveals the middle of the riff and hugs the curve makes for an eye-catching and eye-catching outfit. If covered well, it shows off a woman’s curves perfectly. On the other hand, if it is not well designed, it looks quite drab.

For this reason, wearing a saree requires special attention to aspects such as skin care, grooming, and physical fitness. Why? Because, in a saree, many of the areas of the body, which would otherwise be hidden, are exposed.

These include –

• middle riff
• Neck and Back
• Arms
• Shoulders, if you wear a fashionable blouse that leaves the shoulders bare
• Even your face and hands, not forgetting your pretty feet, are in focus.

FitnessIssues

• Well, for overall fitness, a tighter tummy, a sagging back, and toned arms, you need to increase your exercise efforts. Get going with sit-ups and bicep curls, if you want to look slimmer and badder in your sarees.
• To reduce sagging around the waist, increase your cardio and aerobic exercises. Also, perform yogic breathing techniques like Kapal Bhati. Lift light weights to get rid of pesky love handles and muffin tops. Side stretches and leg lifts are great for achieving a well-defined waistline.
• Better fitness levels also translate to better posture. And you surely know that a great posture can translate into a majestic saree look.
• Improved fitness levels lead to better sugar metabolism and blood circulation. This improves skin texture and lightens breakouts, uneven skin, and dark spots. So keep going, even if you haven’t exercised properly in years!

The toilet reflects…

• Impressed by the saree style of your favorite celebrity? Well, notice how more than just their outfit, their clever and sharp hair, styling, and makeup sets them apart from the crowd.
• You also cannot afford to be lazy in these regards, in this day and age, and certainly not in a saree. Clear skin, clean nails, hairless arms (and back, if necessary), and shiny tresses – they will go a long way in creating a wonderful look.
• Furry Tales: Shaved arms are non-negotiable (unless your top is long-sleeved, you should stick to this essential look). Sarees are elegant garments, and hairy arms are sure to take the grace out of a lady. Have your back professionally waxed or bleached as well, if you have prominent body hair in the back area. The same goes for your neckline. Ideally, visible hair on the stomach and torso should also be removed.
• Manicure and Pedicure: Manicured and pampered nails, feet and hands can take your overall saree appearance from lackluster to bland. Paint your nails in a color that complements your saree.
• Go backless? Or sleeveless? – Backless and sleeveless tops require extra care in revealed places. Fresh, hair-free underarms and arms are a MUST! Scrub and clean your back too, preferably for a neat, shiny look with a low back top.

Dry and dull skin!

• Dry, flaky skin may not be instantly visible to you, but these trouble spots instantly show up under the scanner in a revealing outfit. Therefore, do not forget to moisturize your uncovered areas when you give yourself a saree.
• The abdomen, arms, hands, back, neck and décolletage (and face) should be flexible and well hydrated. Don’t forget to gently rub in sunscreen too, if you go out in the sun.
• Annoying dry spots – elbows should be first on this list! Many women strive to style and plan their look, but forget about this little detail. This can completely spoil your efforts and style. Since you can’t see your back for yourself, you may end up neglecting it as well. Whose!

* Plush fur tip – Eat plenty of good fats, take vitamin E supplements, and ask your doctor to prescribe vitamins for your skin and hair. Cod liver oil, fish oil, and flax seed oil can also be consumed as supplements for beautiful skin. [DO NOT FORGET TO GET A CLEARANCE FROM YOUR DOCTOR OR CHECK FOR ALLERGIES, before starting any medicinal herbs, special diets or supplements.] Aloe vera gel is excellent for combating dryness and dullness, as is Ghee (clarified butter). You can also apply aloe gel to your skin, if you are not allergic to it.

Great skin matters…

Many women forget to take care of their arms, neck, back, and feet as well as they do their face. They may get regular facials, but a back polish or manicure may not feature prominently in their beauty routines. Well, you can’t afford to do that, if you love wearing sarees. Can? Here are some other ‘must haves’ for great skin…everywhere –

• Eat a balanced diet, exercise and lead a good lifestyle to get rid of skin problems.
• Always use good quality toiletries and cosmetics.
• Do not forget to remove your make-up (even from the neck, back, etc.), before finishing your day/night.
• Avoid strong sunlight. Cover up when traveling or driving a two-wheeler.
• Pigmentation and dark spots worsen with age and hormonal imbalances. Stop getting old by leading a good lifestyle. Get a full checkup if you suspect you have a hormonal problem, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.
• Dark lines and spots on the neck, armpits, and back indicate underlying health problems, ranging from poor sugar metabolism to hemoglobin deficiency. Be careful!
• Aggressively address dark spots on the face, neck, arms, back, or hands with expert care, based on the advice of a trusted dermatologist and esthetician.
• If you have arm/back acne and deep blemishes, consider glycolic and laser peels, but only if your doctor and dermatologist suggest it.
• The same goes for permanent hair removal. If that’s on the agenda, don’t forget to take the advice of a trusted doctor or certified laser professional. In such cases, price should be the least of your considerations.

* Plush fur tip – Reduce carbohydrate intake. Specifically, the consumption of wheat products and sugary/fried foods should be curbed. See how this lightens skin, in just a few weeks. In the meantime, don’t forget to substitute healthy alternatives like eggs, yogurt, gluten-free flours like ragi and chickpeas, vegetables and fruits.

*Water Council – Drink an adequate amount of water (according to its composition) throughout the day to keep the skin hydrated. Do not stick to the generally recommended glasses; your body may demand less or more water, depending on its unique makeup [and also as per the seasons]. Try to drink 2 to 4 glasses of water on an empty stomach each morning. Apart from other obvious benefits, this will also help you deal with skin allergies.

Home remedies

There are tons of home remedies to address relatively superficial or temporary skin problems, ranging from sunburn to rash to dullness to dryness. Home remedies are also great for cleansing the skin, removing stubborn dirt, and restoring lost shine and moisture to the skin.

Many women routinely and effectively use home remedies to their advantage. However, they forget to use them all over the body, usually focusing only on the face. Whichever “face pack” you use, be sure to turn it into a “body pack,” focusing on exposed areas like your back, décolleté, neck, behind your ears, shoulders, etc.

tanning – Apply cucumber juice, mixed with a few drops of lemon juice (if your skin is not too dry) to remove the tan. Leave for at least 20 minutes. Mix the curd with cucumber juice, egg white, chickpea flour, and a little lemon juice to make a sturdy tan pack. Leave on for 25-30 minutes. Potato juice is excellent for reducing bad tans. Aloe vera can deal with sunburn effectively. If you have flaky sunburned skin, apply slightly warm (lukewarm) cow butter and leave it on overnight (don’t do this if you have open pores, breakouts, or acne).

Dark spots – Potato juice is excellent for treating dark spots. You can also make a sugar scrub to get rid of dark elbows and ankles (or even your back and neck). Take 2 teaspoons of sugar, add some honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Using the lemon peel (from a cut lemon), apply this sugar mixture to your trouble spots. Gently rub until the sugar dissolves completely. Leave on for 15 minutes. Repeat for a few days for best results. Milk, honey, egg white, and cucumber juice mixed in one pack are ideal for dry and normal skin. Used tea bags, rinsed with clean water and chilled for some time, should be placed over the eyes to combat dark circles. Potato juice and cucumber juice also work well for lightening the skin under the eyes. Grated cucumber can be placed to cool any irritation in the eyes.

*star tip – Soak some almonds, Charoli seeds (Chironji) and a teaspoon. of masoor dal (pink lentils) in milk overnight. In the morning, make a fine paste and apply it on the dark and dry spots. You can also add a pinch of turmeric powder, if it’s not coming out right away. Repeat for a few days. It also works well on the arms and back!

Massage – Regularly massaging the skin is great for restoring moisture and adding a warm glow to the skin. Use mustard oil to massage your arms, legs, abdomen, neck, and your entire body while taking a bath. You can also use coconut oil on the problem area or if your skin is too dry. Massage also improves blood circulation, the results of which will soon be visible on your glowing face and arms/back.

Follow the tips for flawless style in your sarees and watch the center of attention woo you wherever you go.