It’s that time of the year again, when you fish out those clothes you don’t mind ruining. And while your skin and hair will soon be covered up with a multitude of colours when celebrating Holi, there’s no reason not to step out with your best face on.
Aakriti Kochar, beauty and makeup expert, Oriflame India, says red is the colour of confidence and also happiness. “Swipe your favourite bright red matte lipstick out of your vanity. Wear a thin layer of foundation so that the focus is drawn to your lips. The layer of foundation also ensures that the colours don’t get in touch with your skin directly. Keep your eyes nude or sport a crisp black eyeliner with lots of mascara,” she says.
As Holi leaves its traces on the body for weeks, especially the nails, it is best to use transparent nail paint to ensure that the colours come off easily. As for makeup, Aakriti suggests a metallic look with silver or gold eyeliner combined with fuchsia lips for a fun and colourful look.
“If you want to have a bare face for Holi, wear bright nail paints like bright red, orange or yellow to add drama. Tinted lip gloss can keep things simple, yet colourful,” says Aakriti. To minimise damage and exposure to your hair, tie it into a side braid or experiment with interesting buns. She adds, “Twisties can make your hair stay clean and tangle free, keeping away from chemicals at the same time. However, if you intend to play rigorously with colours, try not to wear any make up.”
Dr. Neetu Saini, Aesthetic Dermatologist, Les Cosmedics Laser Skin Clinic, says, “Avoid sitting in the hot sun, with the colours still on your face or body, especially if you have used chemical colours. This makes the colours stronger and difficult to wash off. Sit in a shade even if you are outdoors.”
While playing Holi, it is best to use organic colours to protect your skin. No matter what kind of powders you use, never resort to harsh soaps to remove the colour stains off your skin. Instead of an alkaline soap which further dries your skin, use a cleansing milk or moisturiser. Sesame seed (til) oil can also be used to remove colours by massaging it on your face and body. This not only helps to remove the colours, but gives added protection to the skin.
For your hair, rinse with plenty of plain water before shampooing. For the last rinse, add juice of a lemon to a mug of water; this helps restore the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp. Beer can also be used as a last rinse to soften and condition the hair. Dr. Neetu also says, “Hair should be deep conditioned after the wash. Make sure your hair is clean. Apply hair mask after 2-3 days to cure the damage. Don’t wear lenses when you go out to play. While Holi colors cause irritability, lenses have a tendency to absorb the colour, thereby making things worse. Wear glasses and keep wiping them clean. ”
