Pooja Banga
Holi is the most awaited festival in India and the celebration of the victory of good over evil – the destruction of the demoness Holika (or Holi). It is celebrated every year at the end of the winter season, that is, early March, on the last full moon day in the Hindu month of Phalguna.
Holi is the festival of vibrant colors, new beginnings, new hopes, and new horizons. It encompasses much more than just throwing colors and gulaals in the air and brings people together from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds to celebrate the divine love of Lord Krishna and Radha and the triumph of good over evil. Also, there is a popular saying – Bura na maano Holi Hai!! So, people know no bounds or limits when smearing each other with colored powders, water filled balloons, and water guns. That’s the spirit and happiness that Holi brings to us all.
While Holi brings along fun, frolic, and colors, it can cause heavy damage to your skin and hair. Right from skin rashes to itching, allergies, and stings, there can be various aftereffects of the Holi colors on the skin. Unlike earlier days when Holi colors were created with hibiscus flowers, henna leaves, etc., modern Holi colors are made up of hazardous chemicals like mercury, asbestos, and lead, which are toxic and thus much feared by people for their skin.
It’s critical to be ready with the best beauty tips and tricks to maintain the health of your skin and hair during the Holi festival. Here is some of the most useful beauty advice that you all should swear by for better skin care before and on the day of Holi.
Try out cold therapy/ice
Ice and all things made from ice can soothe and calm our senses like none other. They can not just soak up all the heat on a hot day but also do wonders for your skin. Ice is a great way to keep your skin safe during Holi. It can reduce inflammation, ease pain, and reduce the redness associated with Holi colors. It can help soothe irritated skin and also speed up soft tissue healing. Wrap some ice cubes in a clean cloth and gently apply them for 5-10 minutes to your skin after playing Holi. Additionally, make sure to wash your face with a mild soap or cleanser to rinse off the remaining colors and protect your skin from further damage.
Apply Vaseline or lip balm on lips
Lips are a symbol of beauty and something you should care for at all times. After Holi, many people experience dry, cracked lips. If you want to keep your lips soft and supple even after Holi, consider applying petroleum jelly or lip balm to your lips for moisture and protection. Begin this practice at least a week before Holi. Also, your lips say a lot about you! If you want to best show them off, follow this tip on a daily basis.
Apply almond oil to your body.
Oil is our best friend in many ways. It not only hydrates the body but also provides essential nutrition. Oiling is an essential part of taking care of your skin during Holi. As it helps create a safe barrier between your skin and harmful colors, it protects your skin and comes as a savior. Make sure to massage all the exposed parts of your skin well with a natural oil like coconut or almond oil a few hours before playing Holi.
Avoid beauty treatments such as facials or bleach a week before Holi
Being perceived as beautiful offers many advantages, and this is why women love all those beauty treatments like facials, bleaching, etc. But here’s one thing to remember as you start the Holi preparations. Avoid beauty treatments like facials, bleaching, waxing, and exfoliating face masks before Holi as they can lead to skin related problems such as irritation. Such facial treatments tend to dissolve some of the cells (dead cells) on the top of your skin and hence can cause dangerous reactions.
Tweak your nail paint game to wear bold and dark colors
Maintaining dirt free and clean nails is a key aspect of leading a healthy life. However, Holi colors can get stuck to your nails and cause a lot of trouble while leading to unhygienic practices. Removing them from your nails isn’t as easy as removing nail paint, and this may take even weeks. To prevent color stains on your nails and cuticles, dabble your nails in a dark nail polish and be a maximalist on the day of Holi. This is one of the cleverest tricks every woman should know who loves her nails, because nails can catch unpleasant stains like hair color, holi gulals, etc. very easily.
