The festival of colours is a joyous celebration and partaking in the festivities is a must. However, the use of colour, both natural and artificial can often have serious effects on your hair and skin. And so having a pre and post-Holi routine helps to protect your hair and skin allowing you to fully enjoy the revelry.
Pre-Holi
Prevention is better than cure. And so a pre-Holi skincare routine is often much more effective and important to shield your hair and skin from the harsh ingredients of gulaal.
Following your daily skincare routine is always advised, although experts suggest sticking to the basics — moisturizing, sun protection and a non-comedogenic facial/body oil to prevent colour from penetrating too deep into the skin. As for hair, a good, nourishing hair oil always works wonders.
Moisturizer
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Water Fresh Cream
Photo Courtesy: Bobbi Brown
Formulated with 70% water, Bobbi Brown’s lightweight formula with hyaluronic acid and hydra-essence provide 100 hours of non-stop hydration, while the probiotic technology helps strengthen and repair the skin’s moisture barrier.
An award-winning moisturizer, Charlotte Tilbury’s magic cream contains powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid which moisturizes skin’s outer layers, while vitamins C and E transform the appearance of tired, dull skin providing a more dewy, plumper-looking canvas.
A whipped, ultra-light sorbet creme, this anti-oxidant moisturizer by Estee Lauder contains a proprietary complex of five antioxidants that helps defend against daily environmental damage, with an innovative water-light texture that delivers an intense 72-hour moisturization.
A rich nourishing cream, L’Occitane Shea Ultra-Rich Body Cream is made with 25% shea butter, along with moisturising ingredients like apricot oil, linseed, marshmallow, sweet almond oil and honey that adds a refreshed softness to the skin without leaving a greasy film.
Morrocanoil’s body butter range comprises of three varieties—Fleur D’Oranger, Fleur De Rose and Fragrance Originale Body Butters. These luxurious, concentrated body creams include antioxidant-rich argan oil, shea, and cocoa and mango butter that absorb quickly leaving behind long-lasting skin hydration and maximum moisture replenishment.
A visibly firming body cream, Sol de Janeiro’s award-winning Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is a rich moisturiser that is enriched with Cupuaçu Butter (a fruit from the Brazilian Amazon rainforest closely related to cocoa) which absorbs quickly into the skin adding instant hydration and moisture with an addictive pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla scent.
A sunscreen that helps minimise early signs of ageing, Dermalogica uses a unique formulation of white tea and hyaluronic acid which helps control skin ageing triggers while providing hydration and protection from harmful UV rays.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50
Photo Courtesy: La Roche-Posay
Made with Cell-Ox Shield ® Technology, a formulation of Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB filters and powerful antioxidant protection by La Roche-Posay, the Anthelios tinted sunscreen is a 100 per cent mineral sunscreen. Its lightweight, fast-absorbing formula makes it one of the best sunscreens for oily/combination skin.
Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++
Photo Courtesy: Murad
Another mineral formula sunscreen, Murad’s Age Defense Sunscreen also shields skin from blue light filters with its Environmental Protection Technology which acts as a shield against harmful UVA as well as UVB rays, blue light emissions and radiation.
Tatcha The Silk Sunscreen Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA++++
Photo Courtesy: Tatcha
A lightweight mineral formula, Tatcha’s The Silk Sunscreen has a light as air texture that provides all the benefits of a broad-spectrum sunscreen while blending seamlessly leaving the skin fresh and hydrated.
A new trending ingredient, Bakuchiol is a powerful antioxidant that is considered to be a more natural, gentle variant of retinol. The oil is prepared from seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. The oil is also packed with squalene. While bakuchiol helps strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture, squalene helps prevent irritation while soothing the skin.
Forest Essentials Cold Pressed Virgin Almond Oil is a deeply nourishing oil that offers adequate nourishment to the skin as it has the ability to reach the deepest layers of the skin. The oil is distilled into traditional wooden kohlus without the application which helps retain the oil’s nutrients. It is a multi-purpose oil that can be used both on the skin as well as on your hair.
Kama Ayurveda Urjasara Hydrating & Replenishing Face Oil
Photo Courtesy: Kama Ayurveda
Kama Ayurveda’s facial oils are a blessing in disguise. Their Urjasara Hydrating & Replenishing Facial Oil is especially alluring given its all-natural Ayurveda-based formulation of varneekarana which enhances the complexion. The facial oil is said to improve skin hydration and texture, with ingredients like vitamins A and E which hydrate the skin, while cardamom improves blood circulation, preventing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles while costus heals skin and enhances skin texture.
Another brand backed by Ayurveda, SoulTree’s Pure Organic Hemp Seed Oil is filled with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has a luscious texture that allows it to absorb into the skin fast. It also boasts nutritional properties that nourish the skin and help prevent fine lines. It can also be used for the hair, to promote hair growth, and nourish and repair damaged hair.
Coco & Eve, who broke the internet with their beloved Like A Virgin Hair Masque, have returned with a new Miracle Hair Elixir that promises to bring you closer to your hair goals, regardless of your hair type. Formulated with the same coconut and fig oil, the elixir is said to repair hair from within to seal split ends, while hyaluronic acid and vitamin c and e hydrates soften and add shine to your locks.
Inspired by the traditional uses of potent essential oils, this pre-shampoo conditioner is a lightweight elixir for all hair types. It is infused with a balanced mix of rosemary leaf oil, avocado oil, and safflower seed oil which smooths and conditions both the scalp and hair, providing softer, smoother and more manageable hair.
L’Occitane believes that the first step to reviving damaged hair is to repair it from within. This silicone-free formula uses sunflower oil as its hero ingredient to nourish and strengthen hair from roots to tips. A combination of angelica, ylang-ylang, sweet orange, lavender and geranium essential oils work to regenerate and repair the hair, giving you soft, supple and shiny hair.
A post-Holi routine mainly focuses on a deep cleansing routine followed by copious amounts of hydrating and moisturizing the hair and skin. And so incorporating products like cleansing oils, masks, and moisturizers work well to cleanse and rehydrate the skin and hair.
Skin
Cleansers
Clay Co Zero-Residue Tsubaki Cleansing Oil
Photo Courtesy: Clay Co
A new player in the beauty industry, Clay Co’s Zero-Residue Tsubaki Cleansing Oil draws from ancient Japanese skincare practices. The lightweight formula packed with Vitamin E and Tsubaki (camellia oil), gently cleanses the skin removing traced of oil and dirt leaving you with clean, nourished skin, minus the greasy feeling.
Known for its hydrating range of products, this Multi Deep-Clean Cleanser from Laneige works on cleansing the skin without stripping it dry. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, papaya enzymes and blueberry extract, the cleanser rids the dead skin on the surface, while detoxifying the skin from within.
O3+’s Seaweed cleansing gel is packed with seaweed extracts and marine minerals that reduce the oil and clarify the skin. A boon for oily and acne-prone skin, this cleanser effectively removes dirt and excess oil from the skin while controlling the appearance of acne and post-acne marks.
One of the best mud masks in the market, Glamglow’s Supermud mask is an advanced clearing treatment containing activated-x charcoal that helps lift dirt, toxins and excess oil from the deepest and toughest areas to purify pores. The mask contains a blend of six acids and K-17 clay which helps loosen dead skin cells to clear the complexion leaving behind smooth, nourished skin.
Perfect for sensitive skin, this organic purifying mask from Sulwhasoo contains ingredients like clay and fine micro particles from the Yellow Sea which deep cleanses the skin, removing dead skin cells, dirt and grime while tackling problems like fine wrinkles, and large skin pores simultaneously.
Bath & Body Works’ latest Dream Works shower gel is a fragrant concoction of aloe vera and vitamin E. It also includes ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter, all hydrating ingredients which make this shower gel perfect for daily cleansing.
Sadhev Ayurvedic Ashwagandha, Celery Seed Oil & Rosa Centifolia Hydrating Body Wash
Photo Courtesy: Sadhev
Boasting powerful Ayurvedic ingredients, essential oils, vitamins and minerals, Sadhev’s hydrating body wash effectively nourishes and rejuvenates the skin. Its hydrating ingredients like Ashwagandha help revitalise and de-stress the skin, while celery oil seed and rosa centifolia hydrate and remove dead skin respectively.
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4play Moisturizing Shower Cream-gel
Photo Courtesy: Sol de Janeiro
The Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel is a creamy, formula that gently nourishes and cleanses the skin. Infused with naturally powerful ingredients such as cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açaí, this lathering wash cleans your skin leaving it smooth leaving behind a deliciously addictive pistachio-caramel fragrance lingering.
A pioneer of oil-infused hair care, Moroccanoil’s Restorative Hair Mask is a rich hair treatment that is formulated with Argan Oil to restore the hair’s elasticity as well as Acetamide Mea which conditions and improves overall hair texture.
Price: ₹3330/- Buy Here
OUAI Hair Treatment Masque
Photo Courtesy: The OUAI
A mask that instantly restores hydration, fights frizz and repairs damage. OUAI’s Hair Treatment Masque is formulated with a nourishing blend of shea butter, panthenol, and hydrolyzed keratin. It works towards repairing damage caused by extreme weather, targeting split ends and dehydrated hair. The mask comes in two formulations, one for fine hair and another for thicker hair.
Price: ₹2805/- Buy Here
Schwarzkopf Professional Oil Ultime Treatment with Argan and Barbary Fig Oil In Cream
Photo Courtesy: Schwarzkopf
Inspired by aromatherapy, Schwarzkopf Oil Ultime is one of the most luxurious hair masks ever. It has a unique oil-in-cream formula that is made with 100% natural, purified Argan and Barbary Fig Oil. Despite its rich blend of argan, marula, rose and barbary fig oil, the mask is extremely lightweight and perfect for daily use.
