It's the Age of Aquarius
Summer can be particularly harsh on you, and your natural beauty. But to look your best, even in the hottest of summers, all you’ve to do is be a true water baby. And by that we don’t mean just splashing in the surf during your holiday by the sea. Water can be your beauty Aid No 1, whenever, wherever you are – holidaying, sweating it out at your office or unwinding on a leisurely Sunday at home.

Skin Care - Moisturize is the Mantra
Moisturisation is the most important part of daily skin care, since skin needs more moisture than it does color sheen or gloss. You may be surprised that your summer skin, which looked radiant throughout winter, suddenly looks dull, blemished and oily. "This is because, in winter your skin’s natural oils solidify, whereas in summer they flow freely," explains Kristina McHugh, South African beauty specialist. Because of this, most people need a lighter moisturizer in hot weather.

Although you must buy a water-based moisturizer, you need to work out your skin’s needs. Maybe just plain water works for you. Herbal beautician Shahnaz Husain says that flower-based lotions like rose water or cucumber water (made by diluting cucumber juice with water) can be sprayed on the face to tone and refresh it. You need to cool these tonics in the fridge before use.

Besides this, make a habit of splashing your face gently with water for instant freshness (try and use mineral water). You can splash as many as 20 times as long as you don’t use very hot or cold water on your skin (which can cause fine vein to appear on your face). Steam face regularly to release dirt (five minutes for dry skin and 10 minutes if it is oily). Pat dry with tissue and moisturize. Moisturizers should be used damp on the skin. This seals in the water and helps skin to hold the moisture better.

Foot Care - Feet Fetish

Just like you, your feet need TLC (tender loving care) at the best of times, let alone in summer. And the unpedicured, peeling feet are a beauty disaster! Blistering heat makes feet swell and sweat, and sexy summer footwear means it’s for all to see. So, keeping both hands and feet clean with a liberal use of soap and water (followed by a moisturizer) is a grooming must. "There’s nothing more off-putting than looking at cracked, dirty heels," insists Christina Fritzgerald of Sydney salon Smyth and Fitzgerald.

Again, water is your only escape route out of unkempt hands and legs. Soaking feet and hands helps to get rid of fatigue, more so if you add a pinch of salt to the water you use. This softens the dry, dead skin around your soles, easing its removal. Soak feet for 15-20 minutes. Shahnaz recommends hot and cold contrast soaks for the feet to help boost circulation. Soak your feet first in hot water and then in cold water for two minutes each. Do this for about 15 minutes, once a week.

Body Odor Control – Say Bye to Smell!

Have you ever thought how a small bottle with nothing but clean water in it can rid you of your nightmares? You can use herbal flower water too, to spray your armpits with. Add a few drops of cologne to the water, if you like, in the spray bottle. Earlier in the day, use a spray deo immediately after a bath on semi-damp skin. Water makes a better spray than strong cologne because some cosmetics block the natural and necessary process of perspiration. Spray twice or thrice a day.

Tip Tidbits – Little things, Great Help

You know you should, but do you do it? Drink at least 15 glasses of water a day.

• Mix the fruit juice of your choice with mineral water for a healthy soda.
• Is there a waterfall you can get under, or a brook to swim in? Don’t pass up the opportunity. Great for blood circulation.
• Sinking into a bathtub has a tranquilizing effect on the mind. Throw in mineral salts if you can.
  Use water as mouth freshener along with a sprig of mint, honey and lime.
• Make a compress for dry, flaky, irritated skin using water. Use gauze dipped in tolerably cold water. Apply on affected area and leave on for 10 minutes. Walk barefoot on grass or immerse your legs in cold water up to the knees. This increases resistance to illness. With water, remember, more is always better.