With just a little care, and you can have a fabulous Holi, says Shahnaz Husain. She gave us a few tips on how to make the most of this festival while looking your best:
>Remember to apply sunscreen (SPF 20 or above) at least 20 minutes before going out in the sun. If your skin is prone to pigmentation, select one with a higher SPF. If your skin is dry, apply sunscreen, wait for a few minutes and then apply a moisturiser.
>The real problem about Holi is getting the colour off. Mix half a cup of milk with half a teaspoon of olive oil. Pour this in a bottle and shake well. Apply on the face and wipe off with a moist cotton ball.
>For getting colour off the body, massage in sesame seed (til) oil. This even helps counter sun damage.
>While bathing, scrub yourself gently with a loofah or a wash cloth. Immediately after your bath, while the skin is still damp, apply a moisturiser. This helps seal in moisture.
>For your hair, first rinse thoroughly with plain water to get as much of the colour out as possible. Then apply a mild herbal shampoo, working it into the hair. Massage well and rinse thoroughly with water.
>Add the juice of a lemon to beer and use for the last rinse. This will help condition the hair well. Pour the mixture on the hair after you have shampooed. leave on for a few minutes and rinse off with plain water.
>The day after Holi add two tablespoons of honey and a pinch of turmeric to half a cup of curd. Apply this on the face, neck and arms. leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with water. It softens the skin and has anti-tan properties.
>The day after Holi, mix one tablespoon pure coconut oil and one teaspoon castor oil. Warm this a little and apply on the hair. Dip a towel in hot water, wring well and wrap around the head like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat three to four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb oil better. Wash your hair after an hour.
>Conditioning with henna can add shine and body to hair. To the henna powder add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two eggs and enough curd to make a paste. Apply on your hair and wash off after an hour.