Holi is a riot of colors and this year, it falls on March 13. The festival is just around the corner and if you are planning to take part in the color madness, you need to ensure that you shield yourself from the harmful chemicals in the colors. In order to stay gorgeous post Holi, here are tips you should follow before, during and after the festival of colors. (ALSO SEE 5 tips to take care of your hair before Holi)
Holi is usually played outdoors and it is vital that you protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. So 20 minutes before you step out, apply a generous dollop of sunscreen on exposed skin. Choose one that is water resistant and is at least SPF 30. It should also have both UV-A and UV-B protection. Sunscreen will also shield your skin from colors to an extent so make sure that you have enough on your skin.
If you wear contact lens or are generally worried about protecting your eyes, you can wear an old pair of shades when playing Holi. You may have to discard them later if there is too much color on them but if you are playing with organic colors, you can safely reuse them. These shades will protect your eyes not just from the colors going into your eyes but also from the rays of the sun. (ALSO SEE How to protect your hair, skin and lips this Holi)
Your hair can get damaged with the harmful chemicals in the color and the color can settle on your scalp too. In order to form a protective layer, oil your tresses and tie them up in a bun, fishtail ponytail or braid. This will cause minimum damage and the oil will prevent the color from seeping into your hair shaft. Oiling is also a good way to nourish your scalp.
If you are planning to play a wet Holi, wear something that easily dries up. Clothes made of lycra or synthetic fabric are your options. These don’t soak up the water and are fast drying too. Since you will be out in the sun, it will dry up even faster. If you want to be a bit trendy, you can opt for a spagetti top in this fabric and pair it up with shorts.
Yes, they are a bit more expensive than regular colors but organic colors are safer and less harsher on the skin and hair. Since they are made using natural ingredients, they have lesser or no chemicals and are less harsh. These colors are also easy to get off after playing and seldom leave behind any residue.
After playing out in the sun with colors, your skin needs some respite and the best way to soothe is to apply cool aloe vera gel on it. After taking a bath, apply this gel and leave it for your skin to absorb it. You can buy one easily available in the market or squeeze it out from the plant. Test it on your arm first to see if you are allergic.
Your skin and hair will have to bear a lot during Holi so it is best to give it some time to breathe. Avoid going for beauty treatments like bleaching, waxing, threading, hair coloring, straightening a few days before and after Holi. Book an appointment a week after Holi as your skin and hair would have recovered by then.
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