Indian born Ira Mathur provides inspiration for many Indian women in Trinidad as a journalist working in various forms of media: radio, television and print. I look forward to reading her lively columns in the Guardian Newspaper relating stories from her global and culturally influenced perspective, telling them like only this woman of the Diaspora can.
Born in Gauhati, India to a Hindu father and a Muslim mother, Ira initially moved to Tobago with her family at the age of twelve. At age fifteen she was sent to Boarding school in Buckinghamshire in the UK, spent some years studying in Canada then returned to Trinidad where she got married to a Trinidadian and became the proud mother of two lovely children.
Ira has been my client for some time now and it is always a pleasure having conversation with this well travelled, educated and light hearted woman of substance. Usually, I am greeted heartily by the door with Ira either chewing on cardamom or drinking a glass of Lassi which she swears holds the secret to her boundless energy and by extension the fountain of youth. I am always curious about the Lassi of course and of India, her thoughts, experiences, the skin care routine and makeup of the gorgeous Bollywood actresses of India.
What I have discovered is that Indian women regardless of whether they live in India or on sunny islands like ours seem to gravitate to natural skincare and beauty routines employing the use of various spices, roots like saffron, yogurt and dahi. If your skin is dehydrated and lacks it's normal glow and luster, apply some plain homemade yogurt on your face and leave on for 10 minutes, wash off with cold water and apply a rich moisturiser. To combat fine lines, add a half teaspoon of honey to your mixture; honey naturally absorbs and retains moisture which makes it an excellent hydrating agent.Dahi or curd is considered one of the best aids to natural beauty in India, supplying the skin with healthy ingredients, as an added bonus the presence of zinc counteracts the effects of sun exposure. Dahi mixed with lemon or orange juice makes an excellent skin cleanser as it supplies moisture and vitamin C to the skin as well. Mix one spoonful of juice to one cup of Dahi, apply to the face and let it sit for 15 minutes, tissue off and wash with cold water to close pores.
The healthy bacteria present in Dahi mainly Lactobacillus and Streptococcus work together to brighten complexion and clear the skin from a tan, apply a mixture of Dahi and oatmeal flour to the face, leave on for twenty minutes and rinse with warm water. Whether you eat it, drink it or apply it on your face and body, one thing is for certain these natural foods have been tried and true staples in many an Indian home wherever on this planet they choose to make their home.
