Desi Diva

By Shweta Govindarajan

Spring Secrets

Q: Spring is here, and I want my legs to be smooth and silky! Trouble is, every time I shave I seem to get little red bumps. What's going on?

A: Warm weather kicks hair removal into high gear, and shaving is one of the fastest ways to get rid of unwanted hair. But a lot of us seem to take shaving shortcuts that can make for a nasty finish. If you've got a penchant for a good, old-fashioned shave, the first thing to remember is that you must change your razor regularly, even if the blade seems to keep cutting even after three weeks!

Shaving with a dull razor is the primary culprit of the red bumps, which are the result of ingrown hair – hair that grows in by itself or that is

trapped under the skin. If you shave everyday, general wisdom calls for switching your razor every 10 days. But if your skin is especially sensitive, change it every Sunday.

To minimize skin irritation, try waiting until the end of your shower to shave – your skin will be hydrated and the hair will be wet – prime conditions for a clean cut. Although many of us shave from the ankle up, going against the grain can also cause ingrown hair. Next time, try running the razor in the direction of hair growth. If you’re a soap-and-water kind-of gal, think about using a shaving gel or a body wash instead. Soap has a thinner consistency than gels or creams, and probably doesn't provide the amount of lather you need for a nick-free shave. Here’s a tip: Conditioner makes for a great leg lube in the shower, especially those formulas that have an added moisturizer.

Q: Now that it's getting warmer I want to wear tank tops and skirts, but embarrassingly enough, my inner thighs rub together when I walk. In the heat it can get pretty painful. Help!

A: This is one of the most common problems women have as the days heat up, and unfortunately, the beauty industry has been slow to catch on. Chafing is a result of friction, which in the heat can make the skin moist and irritated. The trick to preventing chafing is to keep the area dry. There are some creams available that claim to reduce skin chafing, but we at ABCDlady swear by a simple – and cheap – solution: powder, which has been used for ages to naturally absorb moisture.

Before getting dressed, apply a liberal dose of baby or talcum powder to any areas that might rub together. It should last for a few hours, but if it’s really hot and you're doing heavy duty walking, you'll probably have to reapply sooner. The best way to spread powder over your skin is with a large puff, available at the drug store. It will distribute the powder evenly over select areas and prevent it from getting all over the rest of your clothes.

Q: I love wearing makeup, but I think my colors are still in winter mode. How
do I lighten my look for spring?

A: One of the easiest ways to figure out what shades of makeup to wear each season is to look at nature’s palette. In spring, some of the prominent colors are bright and grassy greens, soft and feminine pinks and sky blues. And the best way to incorporate these shades is through eye shadow.

For a classic daytime spring look, try dusting a pink shadow (adjust the shade depending on your complexion; the effect should be warm, but not too bold) over the lids and blend upward, just above the crease. If your eyes feel bare, add a brown liner to the outer edges of your upper and lower lids. Dab peach blush on the apples of