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You are here: Home / Archives for Hair Care

Hair Care

How to protect your Skin and Hair during Holi?

Swathy · March 5, 2015 · 8 Comments

holi, protect your skin and hair, indian festival, organic colors,
Image Courtesy : Aneesh Ans via pexels.com

Wow! We are already celebrating holi in 2019. How fast does time move? Now a days, organic colors have become a little more common and everyone is concerned about putting unnecessary chemicals on their skin. Kudos to us! But, we are not yet rid of the chemically synthesized colors completely yet. So, you have to take precautions so that the color does not touch your skin and does not affect it.

How to protect your Skin and Hair in Holi?

Getting ready to play

Wear a high factor water proof sunscreen on every part of your body which is exposed. Apply it in a thicker layer than usual. Wear white clothes so as to deflect sun rays. Do not forget your forearms, hands, feet and back of the ears while applying sunscreen.

If possible, follow up with a light layer of body oil, preferably almond or coconut oil, over the top of sunscreen. They make a film on your skin and protect direct contact from colors. Sesame Oil also provides an added sun protection as it is a natural sun blocker. Protect your lips, nails and cuticles as well.

A leave-in conditioner or a serum will protect your hair from absorbing any colors.

Observe these precautions while playing with colors

Protect your eyes with sun glasses. It would be advised not to wear contacts as they may come out when playing with water or if someone accidentally pokes you in the eyes. Glasses are better. If any color enters your eyes, wash them with cold water repeatedly.

Go for organic or homemade colors instead of the synthetic ones. They are also good for the environment.

Playing environment conscious holi is a way to save water. Play with dry colors and encourage everyone to do the same.

How to wash off after playing with colors?

If you have put on sunscreen or makeup, use a cleansing milk or cleansing balm. Most of your color should come off right then. Clean your lips as well.

Brush your teeth once just in case you accidentally got color there. It does happen!

Wash off the dry color with cool or room temperature water. Do not use hot or lukewarm water as it takes more time to wash off.

Use a gentle soap and do not be harsh on your skin. Try to remove as much color as possible but do not scrub your skin too harshly. In case the color is not getting off, let it be.

Wash off your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup. Condition it with a hair mask for 10-20 minutes, preferably.

If color has gone into your nails beds, clip your nails or use lemon wedges to clean your nails.

So, follow these tips and I am sure you will have a wonderful Holi. Wish you all a very Happy Holi. Feliz Holi, todos!

Till then, ciao.

#OneMonthofHealthyHair – Activity 3 – Go for a Hair Wash!

Swathy · March 4, 2015 · 2 Comments

questions on shampoo and condition hair

I know yesterday’s activity would take sometime to get completed so let us proceed to something simple! It might have been 2-3 days since you would have washed your hair in case you are following the event activities. So, I guess it is time for a hair wash.

How often should you wash your hair?

This is probably the most frequently asked questions in the hair care department. Though I would also say, daily wash is not good but there is really no hard and fast rule. So, I would just reply by saying keep your scalp clean under any circumstance.

Like I shared in this post, there are quite good reasons for washing your hair everyday. So, I think it is best suited on your lifestyle to decide when you should wash your hair. The only axiom being your scalp should be clean!

What products do you use?

That brings me to the next point being whether you use harsh products or hair-friendly products! Now, if you are the candidate who washes her hair everyday or more than twice a week, it is highly recommended to go sls-free. Though, you should go sls-free in either case.

How much can you spend?

If you want to go sls-free, the products are not exactly inexpensive. Recently, I came across a brand which was pretty unknown to me and it was about 900 bucks for shampoo and another 900 for conditioner. Same is the case everywhere.

I had been using another sls-free brand which was costing me 600+ for each of the products. So, you have to decide your budget before hand.

And, yes, do check out if you can get the colored hair range products. They are generally more gentle on hair. And, some of the salon or professional brands offer sls-free versions of the same products as well.

So, are you willing to try your hand at home remedies?

And, again I come back to the entire essence of my blog. I remember how I used to enjoy browsing all around the net searching for home remedies to take good care of my hair, both because I was on budget and because I wanted to go natural. But, that was long long time back.

Times have changed now and I am too lazy to contemplate using home remedies. Well, to be honest, they do take a lot of time and effort and create a whole lot of mess. For someone who cleans her filth on her own, I really do not want to add more burden on myself. On the other hand, the results might be worth the effort.

There are quite a few remedies which you can use to cleanse your hair and scalp instead of going heavy on shampoos everyday or even alternate days. Or, I can suggest this simple hack to make your shampoo more hair-friendly!

What do I suggest?

Aah…you know just this Sunday, someone who came across my blog told me that though my blog is informative, it is quite time taking to implement the advises! Looking beyond whether it was a compliment or a comment, I see it as a very positive and practical feedback. Honestly, I can list down scores of remedies which you SHOULD apply in your life BUT who has the time and energy, right?

And, honestly, when things get tedious, one tends to go off the track and I really do not want you to go off the track or stop enjoying these activities so let us try out simpler and more practical things. If you would ask me what I would do, I would definitely suggest you to try out the hack I talked about in the earlier point.

Or, if you are even lazier, another trick is to dilute your shampoo with a bit of water (2 handfuls of water for one dollop of sls-free shampoo and half-dollop of regular shampoo). This actually works, makes your so-expensive product last long and saves you loads of money.

How much shampoo to use?

And, yes, do not forget NOT to use more than one dollop of shampoo for one hair wash for shoulder-length hair.  And, apply shampoo TWICE in one hair wash.

It is said that the first wash removes the dirt and oil and the second helps the goodness of shampoo to penetrate the hair. But, that is hogwash. Your hair needs wash twice in a row for proper cleansing.

And, do not forget the conditioner!

When I had asked you guys (the participants I am talking about, oh yes we have team of 50 who are participating in the event so hurray to you all :)), I did get couple of people telling me that you do not use conditioner.

Start using one. It need not be the counterpart of your shampoo and it can be simple honey as well. Or, a intensive hair mask treatment. Anything!

Leave it on for 15-20 minutes while you shave off your legs or do other things and then wash off and voila, super soft hair or at least tangle-free hair.

How much Conditioner should you use?

Though there is a limit on how much shampoo SHOULD you use, you can use as much conditioner as you are comfortable with. Do not overdo it and waste the product but yes coat the hair generously ears down.

And, I use a whole LOT of conditioner and mainly focus on my ends. The lower part of your hair is the oldest and needs most intensive care so I always followed the principle of applying conditioner ears down and focusing more on the ends and coating the hair length adequately.

Try to do the hot oil treatment before washing your hair

Even if it is for 30 minutes!

References:

  • Use SLS-free shampoo for hair growth {Tip of the Day}
  • When should you wash your hair? {Hair Care}
  • Are you shampooing your hair the right way?

Earlier Posts from #OneMonthtoHealthyHair event:
#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity 1 – Hot Oil Treatment
#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity of the Week – 1
#OneMonthofHealthyHair – Activity 2 – Get a Hair Cut!

#OneMonthofHealthyHair – Activity 2 – Get a Hair Cut!

Swathy · March 3, 2015 · 8 Comments

#OneMonthtoHealthyHair - hair cut

So, we are on the third day of the month already! Gotta buck up. So, today’s activity is all about pampering yourself.

Get a Hair Cut!

How long has it been since you had your last hair cut?

Well, if you talk about me, I am fairly lazy and visit a parlor only after pondering on the thought for at least 15-20 days! Anyways, my last hair cut was 2-3 weeks back but I am not really happy with it.

How long has it been since you had yours?

#DidYouKnow that one should have a hair cut every 6-8 weeks to keep the split ends away. Split ends are the number one reason for damaged looking hair.

So, if you are serious about #OneMonthtoHealthyHair event, I would strongly suggest you to get a hair cut as soon as possible.

Time for some pampering

And, if you are so interested, get a hair spa as well along with the hair cut. You and your hair, both, would feel great at least for 3-4 days!

Do you cut your hair at home?

Do you believe in saving money by getting a hair cut at home? If the answer is a yes, it is a really bad practice. Hair Cuts MUST be done only by professionals using professional tools. Otherwise, it can create more hair damage.

How much hair to cut?

Let a professional analyze your hair and share your hair issues with him / her. And, I would suggest you to get rid of entire hair damage at one go than going for hair cuts in installments. Split ends have a bad habit of climbing up the hair shaft and damaging the entire hair length.

References:

  • 5 FAQ’s on Conditioner and Hair Care {Five Series}
  • Skipping Conditioner = Split Ends? {Hair Care}

Earlier Posts from #OneMonthtoHealthyHair event:
#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity 1 – Hot Oil Treatment
#OneMonthtoHealthyHair – Activity of the Week – 1

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