Pre and Post-Holi Skin And Beauty Care Tips

The festival of colours, Holi, is here and this time is coming to us on a long weekend. Simply putm it means that we have two reasons to celebrate. While many of us have switched to organic and natural colours, we can never be sure that it's absolutely safe and okay for our skin. Constant exposure to sun, water and/or dry colours, in addition to that, can also make your skin and scalp dry, resulting in problems like breakouts, rough hair with split ends and even allergies.

Here’s are some simple tips and precautions that you can take in order to help keep your skin and hair protected during and post-Holi celebrations.

During celebrations
Do not forget to prep your skin and hair in advance. A little mindfulness goes a long way to make sure that there's the least amount of damage. 

Go natural
Natural oil works wonders to protect your hair and skin from chemicals and external factors like pollutants and even the harmful UV rays to some extent. Massage your hair and skin lightly with coconut or olive oil before the festivities begin. This will prevent the colour from seeping deep within and will ensure that your skin and scalp is moisturised.

Sun protection
Slather on some sunscreen before venturing out in the sun. The rays may not seem harsh but prolonged exposure to the sun can take a toll on it later. Tanning is not the only sin problem that should worry you in this case. 

Keep hair up
To avoid damage, its best to keep your hair tied up. Open or untied hair will catch more dirt and colours leading to dryness and breakage. Wear a pony, braid your hair or tie it in a high bun to keep it damage-free.

Cover yourself
If you do plan to step out in the sun for long, try dressing up in a way so that most of your body parts are covered. Or carry a scarf to cover yourself when needed. This implies for hair too. Covering the head will keep your hair unharmed. You can carry bandanna or a cap, depending on what you like better.  

Post-Holi care

Do not be harsh
Be gentle with your body while washing away the aftermath of Holi. Instead of scrubbing, try to remove the colours with a damp cloth. You can also soak the cloth with aloe vera gel mixed and mix it with a few drops of almond or olive oil to remove the colours from both skin and hair.

Washing it away
Avoid harsh soaps and shampoos as they can make your skin and hair drier. Massage your skin with aloe vera gel for instant relief from the chemical reactions. Wash your body with lukewarm water and moisturise immediately while your skin is still wet. This will lock in the moisture and keep your skin feeling soft and supple.

Relaxing massage
A good massage will soothe your skin and scalp and will release a lot of tension and tiredness from your body. Indulge in a warm-oil massage or go to a professional. It’s a great way to unwind over the weekend!

Indulge in masks
Nourish your skin and hair with homemade natural masks. This will replenish lost hydration and will keep your skin and hair healthy and shiny.

Avoid using heated tools
After washing your hair, wrap it in a clean cotton tee shirt. Soak away excess water and let your hair dry naturally. Do not use a blow dryer, tongs or hair straightener for a couple of days.