All set to look glam in every #Holi photo? Let’s get your skin and hair Instagram-ready with our pre and post-holi skincare tips!

With Holi just right around the corner, aren’t we all gearing up for the vibrant festival of colours? Apart from herbal colours, water balloons, and sweet gujiyas, what more do we need for a happy Holi? A practical holi skincare routine, DUH! Our skincare experts have curated an effective pre-holi and post-holi skincare routine so that you don’t have to panic about sensitive skin and funny stains before the after-party! 

Pre-Holi Routine

Most Holi colours carry harsh chemicals and toxins that might prove to be perilous for the skin. So how do we deal with this? Lock up ourselves in our room? No way! We’ve got you covered (pun intended) for a safe and happy Holi. Let’s get started, shall we?

Pre-Holi Skincare

• Skin Icing

Ice cubes are the coolest way (quite literally) to prep your skin for Holi. Rubbing ice cubes on your face can help shrink pores to prevent colours, dust, and other allergens from settling in the pores. It will help prevent any itching, acne, or irritation that may otherwise be caused due to clogged pores. Plus, it’s a great way to prime your skin for a long-lasting holi makeup look. 

• Oil Your Body

Well, yes, you read that right! Oiling isn’t meant just for the hair. Oiling your skin is an excellent pre-holi skincare tip that naturally protects your skin texture from the harshness of toxic colours. Apply a mix of castor oil and coconut oil to your entire body. Not only does the oil form a protective barrier between the skin and colours but also keeps it nourished amidst the joyful splashes. 

• Sunscreen’s never off duty!

Holi means playing outdoors for hours and that means continuous exposure to the sun. Longer exposure to the sun clubbed with toxic colours and water could lead to tanning, excessive dryness, and dullness. That’s when sunscreen comes in handy! Generously apply sunscreen to the face, neck, ears, and hands before splashing into the festivities! Cover up and wear full sleeves for maximum protection. 

• Lip protection

Don’t our lips do a lot for us on Holi, by helping us gorge on innumerable sweets and smiling away for the prettiest Holi photos? Let’s ensure that your lips are holi-proof too! Gently exfoliate with a natural sugar and honey scrub. Generously apply a lip serum or lip balm to lock in the moisture. Go for a tinted lip balm or a lightweight lipstick and avoid mattifying lip products to prevent dry and chapped lips. 

• Nailing it the right way!

Raise your hands if you hate those terribly stained nails and dirty cuticles after holi! Taking it off feels like an eternity! Prevent nail and cuticle staining by coating your nails and the skin around them with Vaseline, olive oil, or any thick moisturizer. You can also paint your nails with nail polish to prevent staining.

• Go light on makeup!

Avoid wearing heavy makeup on Holi as it can clog your pores and make it difficult to remove colors later. Instead, opt for minimal, lightweight, waterproof makeup. You don’t want your foundation and mascara trickling down your face with every splash of water. So remember, when it comes to your Holi makeup look, “less is more” is the ultimate mantra!

• Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate!

Holi marks the onset of spring and eventually summer, which means you need to amp up your hydration, both internally and externally. Drink plenty of water before you set foot outside. Increased water intake will ensure that your skin feels hydrated throughout the day. Use a moisturizer that richly hydrates your skin so that it stays supple and soft all day against the drying spell of the incoming summer. 

Pre-Holi Haircare

• Oiling goes a long way!

Oil your scalp and lengths with a lightweight oil infused with Neem or Aloe Vera to protect your hair from harsh chemicals. Oil forms a protective sheath between the scalp, strands, and colours to prevent dirt and chemicals from accumulating in the pores. Also, make sure not to shampoo your hair just a day prior to Holi; it will rob your scalp of its natural oil and make your hair drier, making it prone to itching, irritation, and terrible dandruff.

• Hair serum to the rescue

Use a nourishing hair mist that will ensure that your hair stays soft and beautiful for all those pretty holi pictures! Taming your hair with serum will help prevent tangles and knots so that cleaning your hair after Holi becomes easy! You can also use a hair mist toner to keep your hair looking frizz-free and voluminous during in all your #Holi reels!

• Do not leave your hair open

While we all do want to look like Deepika from the song Balam Pichkari, trust us, it’s a bad idea to leave your hair open while playing Holi. Tie up your hair in a braid or bun to provide maximum protection against colours clogging the hair follicles and damaging the strands. You can go a little stylish while holi-proofing your hair by accessorizing with a bandana or scarf! 

Post-Holi Routine

After a long day of playing with colours, getting rid of the colours can prove to be more tiring than playing Holi itself! But don’t worry, we have got your back with a perfect post-Holi haircare routine! Let’s get you ready for the after-party!

Post Holi Skincare

• Double Cleanse

Don’t run straight to the shower! Taking a simple shower won’t do the trick! The trick is to double cleanse. Start with an oil-based cleanser as Holi colours are fat-soluble and oil will help remove the colours from your skin. You may use coconut oil or olive oil and wipe it off later with a soft dry cloth. Proceed to shower. 

• Avoid Harsh Exfoliation

Exfoliating might seem like the ideal thing to do when it comes to taking off Holi colours but trust us, you don’t want to irritate your already irritated skin. Avoid scrubbing your skin harshly. Use a mild, natural soap and a natural loofah pad to gently get rid of the colours. 

• Face Packs to Tackle Stains

There’s nothing more embarrassing than funny colour stains. Make a curd and turmeric face pack to get rid of stubborn stains and post-holi dullness. If you hate the hassle of making homemade face packs, you can use our Haldi Chandan Ubtan to regain a naturally glowing complexion. 

• Nourish with Serum and Toner

Holi colours can leave your skin feeling parched, dry, and lifeless. Use a refreshing face mist toner to give your skin much-needed hydration. Follow with a nourishing serum to repair the skin barrier and replenish the skin for renewed vitality. Use a Vitamin C or Rosehip serum that seeps into your skin to revitalize the tissues for a rejuvenated glow. 

• Amply moisturize

Dryness is an inevitable skin trouble that follows the Holi madness. After showering, pat your skin dry with a soft towel and generously apply a nourishing moisturizer to restore a supple and smooth skin texture. You can also use aloe vera gel or coconut oil to moisturize.

• Avoid waxing or shaving

Your skin might feel a little sensitive even after a few days of Holi. It is best to avoid waxing, shaving, and any other intense skin treatments as they may cause the risk of further aggravated skin. So let’s just say NO to the razor and wax strips for a little while, shall we?

Post-Holi Haircare

• Use a gentle shampoo

Before shampooing, simply rinse your hair with plain cold water (make sure, no hot water) to wash off any color. Use a mild scalp clarifying shampoo and scrub gently with a scalp massager to easily remove colour, dust, and grime on the scalp. 

• Use a nourishing conditioner

Holi colours can rob your hair of its natural shine and texture. Your hair is in dire need of deep hydration and nourishment right after Holi. Deep condition your tresses with a softening conditioner and apply a hydrating hair mask to ward off dryness and brittleness. 

• Don’t forget the toner!

Once done with the hassle of getting your hair and scalp clean, it’s time to tame your tresses with a hair mist or serum to prevent any knots, breakage, and brittleness. A smoothening alcohol-free toner gets rid of tangles, enhances the hair texture, revitalizes the strands, and restores natural lustre. 

Have A (Skin) Safe Holi!

This Holi, be carefree, drench yourself in vibrant hues, and enjoy delicious sweets. But amidst all the fun and frolic just don’t forget to follow our Holi tips for skin and hair. The right tips and the right products go a long way when it comes to protecting your skin from the harmful effects of harsh colors. So, gear up to enjoy the festivities, and we wish you a safe and happy Holi!