BEAUTY TIPS FOR HOLI

WHAT YOU SHOULD APPLY ON YOUR FACE BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR HOLI?

Since your face will be exposed to sun, dirt, dust, heat, etc., it is extremely important to protect it beforehand. To add a layer of protection, wash your face, then apply a light moisturizer and leave it for 10 minutes. Let your skin soak in the moisturizer, then apply a sunblock with SPF 30 and above. Don’t apply sunscreen with a SPF of 50 unless you know it suits you perfectly, or you risk damaging your skin. If you want, you can apply two layers of sunblock as well, keeping a 10-minute gap between them. Please do the moisturizing and sun-blocking process at least 30 minutes before you leave the house. And right before you leave, take a few drops of olive or coconut oil and dab it on your face. You can do this whole process on all the parts of your body that are exposed to the sun, dust, dirt or are not covered with clothes.

MOISTURIZE ALL THE WAY.

I am sure you will not be showing up before going for Holi, and why would you? You are going to get extremely dirty, but I highly suggest you make sure you do your post-shower skincare routine before you go for Holi. Before stepping out of the house, slather your body with a rich, creamy moisturizer. Then massage each part where the moisturizer has been applied for 2 minutes so that it is all soaked into your skin. The oil or moisturizer will act as a barrier between the colors and your skin, and of course, it will make it easier for the colors to come out as well.

WEAR FULL CLOTHES.

Holi is mostly an outdoor activity, and a fun one at that. Make sure the clothes you choose for Holi are relatively old and cover the majority of your body. Opt for a full-sleeve t-shirt, a kurta, or a top combined with full-length trousers, denim, or even joggers, which will work perfectly. Wearing full clothes will not just protect you from sun damage but will also protect you from chemical and color damage. Ideally, when wearing dark-colored clothes, this will definitely ensure the colors do not pass through the fabric and still come on your skin easily when mixed with water. However, if you want some glamorous pictures for your social media accounts, then wear shorts and a strappy top and follow the other tips mentioned in this blog.

COTTON CLOTHING IS THE WAY TO GO.

Try opting for comfortable clothing that is made up of breathable fabric, like cotton, which lets the air pass by. Tight clothes made of synthetic fabrics might lead to rashes and an allergic reaction when they come into contact with chemical colors. I know you guys might be thinking, but they dry quickly, so we would rather wear that. But it is better to opt for breathable natural fabrics that help your skin breathe, like cotton.

PREP YOUR NAILS

If you neglect your nails, you're going to have a tough time cleaning them the next day, and believe me, the Holi colors settle in your nail cuticles and then even enter your digestive system when you eat something in the post-Holi days. Save yourself from taking chemicals and your nails from getting damaged by keeping the nails short and filled and applying dark nail polish before you step out to play. Rub a little olive oil on your hands and nails before you leave, and let it absorb into your skin. This oil will act as a shield between the nails and the colors and not let them stain easily. Remove the polish after Holi and apply a fresh coat. This will help you remove all the stuck colors as well. Do not forget to cut your nails before Holi, as this will ensure no color settles in your nails and gets ingested in your digestive system.

KEEP YOURSELF HYDRATED

While you are having fun playing Holi, remember that you are constantly in the sun, and you need to keep yourself hydrated with water, glucose, juice, etc., whatever is available close to you. If you feel low on energy, keep a glucose tablet in your mouth; it will instantly boost your energy. Also, dehydrated skin can get sunburned easily. Dehydrated skin combined with chemicals and colors can make your skin appear lifeless, pale, and dull after Holi, which obviously no one wants. If you plan on drinking alcohol, do not forget to alternate your glass with a glass of water to keep yourself hydrated.

DO NOT FORGET YOUR EARS, LIPS AND EYES.

Do not forget to moisturize these areas, as colors tend to settle on ear lobes, at the back of an ear, in the lip cracks, or below the eyes. Also, because we cannot rub vigorously around these areas, it becomes very difficult for the color to come out. Coat these areas with petroleum jelly to keep them moisturized and smooth and also to prevent colors from entering and settling in. Be careful while applying the jelly to your eyelids and under your eyes; make sure it does not enter the eyes, or else it might burn.

CONSULT YOUR DERMATOLOGIST

If you are already going to your skin specialist, for some skin condition that you already have and you are currently getting treated for the same, it is best to consult your doctor before stepping out to play Holi. They will be the best people to guide you on the kind of precautions you need to take, or whether you should play Holi at all. It is better to be safe and well prepared rather than doing damage repair later especially because it is your skin that is going to be highly exposed to all the chemicals and colors.

HOW TO REMOVE COLORS POST-HOLI

If the colors used are harsh and not chemical-free, it can be a little difficult to come off, especially from your face, as we cannot scrub our faces too rigorously as we run the risk of getting rashes. Take some regular cleanser in your hand, apply it, and massage gently on your face. Rinse it off with cold or warm water. After this, dip a cotton ball in coconut oil and gently start removing the color in an upward direction. Once the excess color has come off, take 4-5 drops of coconut oil and massage your face with it. Take a foaming face wash and rinse it off with it. This should help you get rid of all the color on your face. You can follow the same process for other body parts as well if you like. If the colors on the other parts of your body are harsher, you can use a body scrub to get the colors out.

SKIN CARE POST HOLI

Even though our body heals itself after playing Holi, your skin will definitely need some extra pampering, even if you follow the above steps of pre-holi skin care.

DIY MASK TO THE RESCUE

Homemade face masks are a brilliant way to heal your skin and soothe it from all the chemicals. These masks will also help you get rid of colors to some extent.

MASK – 1

2 spoons of curd, 2 spoons of gram flour, 1 spoon of milk, and 1 spoon of coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients properly, apply them to your face, hands, and legs, and sit in the bathroom for 10 minutes until it becomes semi-dry. Gently scrub this mask off your skin. And wash off with cold water.

MASK -2

Two spoons of honey, 1 spoon of lemon juice 3 drops of vitamin E oil. Mix all the ingredients well, apply them to all the color-affected parts of your body, and sit for 15 minutes or until you feel this mixture drying up on your skin. Lemon and honey together will help remove impurities and have antibacterial properties as well.

MASK - 3

Papaya and olive oil. Take 15–20 pieces of ripe papaya and mash them in a bowl. Add one spoonful of olive oil to it. Mix it properly, and apply this paste to your face and hands. Let it rest for 15–20 minutes, or until the papaya starts drying up. Papaya has de-tanning and anti-inflammatory properties and will heal your skin from any sun damage. Your skin will definitely feel moisturized after this pack. Rub ice after the whole skincare routine. Ice will soothe your skin instantly, and frankly, it is a must since you risk getting sunburn from prolonged exposure to the sun. Ice cubes will shrink your pores and provide relief from heat, making your skin smooth. You can also add some cucumber pulp to these ice cubes while freezing for an additional cooling effect. I hope this will help you keep your skin safe this holiday.