Story details

Turmeric paste used to be rubbed onto a bride's face the day before a wedding. It gives a golden tinge and makes her beautiful, all glowing. Then she'd have her hands patterned with mehendi. It's such a lot of work getting ready for your marriage! Then the bride's friends would rub jasmine oil in her hair.I use that now, rub it in and massage the scalp then brush it out and rub the hair hard, very hard with a cloth, so it shines like silk.

For everday we make a paste of besan flour and water, use it as a facial scrub, instead of those ones you buy, with the apricot shell in. On special days I use sandalwood paste instead, it makes the skin paler and smells really nice.