Tag Archive for neeraj

Our Expert Your Queries

Questions by PARITA :

1. I love to do soft neutral eye makeup’s but I have quite dark eye lids, they are darker than my entire face similar to dark circles so any brown eye shadow shade never shows up on my eye lids. Can you please suggest any creams or techniques which will help me in reducing the darkness on my eye lids? I have tried using under eye dark circles cream but it doesn’t work.

Always use an eye shadow primer over a concealer on the lids. The primer neutralizes the darkness and acts as a base to let powder eye shadows adhere to your eye lid. Also choose shimmery browns (if really have to). A Dark brown or any dark matte colors can make your lids and eye area look darker so learn expert correcting and concealing if you want to sport really good eye looks. For primers I would suggest you to go for MAC Paint pot in Soft Ochre. Always keep trying for stuff till you find the best one and then proceed to find the next best.

You can also use colored shimmery eye liners to brighten up your eyes. Try skipping browns if you can.
2. Is it possible to do chemical peeling at home? Do we get such peeling sets which can be used safely at home? If yes can you pls suggest few brands which make them? I basically am looking for something which will help me in reducing scars on my cheeks.

Chemical peeling is safe only if you follow a regular skin care regimen with daily application of sunscreen. I trust Clinique Once a week Radiance peel, Elizabeth Arden peeling cream and Clarins Gentle peeling cream (forgot the name). These solutions are not that great for removing scars on your cheeks which I presume are because of acne. See a dermatologist first and then decide before trying something on your own. Also invest in skin care products that suit your skin type and the climate that you stay in to prevent further skin damage.

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Our Expert your Queries

Questions by Nidhi -


1.)     I have yellow tone fair skin with lots of acne scars some of them are even 1 year older, I was thinking of taking microdermabrasion treatment professionally. I went through all the details but still not sure can you please tell me is it really effective?

Ans. Well first of all microdermabrasion is not a good option if you are getting active acne as they might form worst scars due to machine trauma. I suggest doing a chemical or enzymatic peel. Chemical peel with lactic acid or salicylic acid is safer and enzymatic peel with papaya is amazing. Include natural vit. C and A’s in your diet and check for hormonal surges. Please remember hormones do not cause acne. Bacteria and clogged pores do. So try keeping your skin oil free, using masks containing clay and oil absorbing materials, do not over exfoliate with harsh scrubs and put in raw veggies in your diet along with good protein supplements.

2.)     In my next month wish list I added Clarisonic Mia; do you have any idea how effective it is?

Ans. Not good for acne. I find it too abrasive for a sensitive skin like yours. Have u tried Peter Thomas Roth for acne?

3.) I am using Clinique 3 step skin care routine from more than 2 years now but I couldn’t find it effective on active acne although it reduces the oiliness and only moisturizer which doesn’t break me out J  I have acne due to hormonal changes, is Vitamin A dosage helpful to reduce these type of acne?

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Our Expert your Queries

Dr Neeraj…warm regards ….I m back with another set of questions…… Dr.Shilpa


1. You suggested me to use an oil free sunscreen.

Please suggest any particular brand. Currently I m using Neutrogena ultra sheer dry touch sunblock, though it has not broken me out but it does make my skin oily.

Clinique Solar Smart sunscreens are one of the really good oil-free ones and they are packed with anti-oxidants and all and act as a very good makeup base. Also Shiseido makes some lighter sunscreens but I always noticed an oily film on my face after few hours which do not happen with Clinique.

2. You told me to Make “exfoliation” my best friend and use a clarifying lotion from Clinique.

Are the clarifying lotions meant for exfoliation? If not then does u suggest any particular exfoliator, which is not harsh on skin as most of them are? Brand reccos plz.

Clarifying lotions contain Salicylic acid and Acetyl Glucosamine, so when you wipe your face with a cotton ball, they dissolve the superficial layer of dead skin and reveal a younger looking glowing skin. I am not a big fan of scrubs as good exfoliators as we don’t have any control on them and they can cause lot of skin damage and abrasions on the face.

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Our Expert your Queries

Questions by Parita :

Dr Neeraj, firstly thank you very much for taking out some of your precious time for answering out queries and concerns. This column really is very helpful especially with gals like me who have just started to learn the basics of makeup. Your effort is highly appreciated!

A little about my skin, I have oily to combination skin with warm undertones. I would consider myself in-between medium to dusky skin tone. Also my skin is prone to acne and blackheads, though I do not get any acne as of now (touch wood!!!) but I do have small zits here and there.

Also I have uneven skin tone with skin along my chin and lips appear to be darker than other areas on my face. I have seen this as common problem across many gals…no idea why


Now for the questions :)

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Our Expert Your Queries

Questions by Trupti

1.  How long a lipstick should be preserved and used or what is the validity of a lipstick?

Throw the lipstick the moment it tastes, smells or looks weird. Smell wise you can get that horrible smell of the rancid oils. Taste-wise it would be bitter than your usual lipstick. If you look at the lipstick and if you see oils separating or fungus on the sides, chuck it! Otherwise you can use a lipstick for over 2 yrs or till it gets over (which rarely happens if you are just stuck to one lipstick everyday)

2.  Many times I have noticed that skin toning gives me problem of open pores, is toning really useful?

Pores open and close according to skin’s reaction to the atmosphere and not our brains. I would suggest open pores that are unclogged instead of clogged. Tightened pore would open up if you are oily and the oil is glue that catches dust and dead skin cells and clogs the pore. Also if inadequate sun protection is taken then there are chances that the pore walls get scarred (also happens during extractions and other reasons of physical trauma to the skin) or the support structure under the pore get collapsed. At such times an anti-ageing skin care regimen works. Using an exfoliating serum like Estee Lauder’s Idealist or Clinique’s Pore Minimizer Refining Serum would tackle your concern.

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