Youth Incorporated Magazine

What’s not to love about this cosy weather! The curl-up-with-a-good-book-and-coffee kind of weather. But let’s admit, it isn’t the best time of the year for hair and skin. That’s why it needs a little extra attention, and we’re telling you just how to be hair and skin ready, even for the most ferocious of weathers –

Haircare

The monsoons aren’t the nicest to hair, and often leave it rough and frizzy.  Which is why, it is wise to invest in a good quality hair serum. There are plenty of them available in the market; you don’t need to buy the most expensive one. Simply apply the serum to wet hair, after your shower, and let your hair dry naturally. Stay away from using electronic hair appliances often during this season. However, do not apply the serum to your hair if your hair gets wet in the rain, it only damages the texture further.

If you’re someone with an oily scalp, chances are you’ll have greasier-looking hair this season, considering the high humidity. A simple solution to this is to wash your hair 2-3 times a day. But here’s the trick – people often ferociously wash their hair to ‘effectively’ remove the excess oil. But doing so only strips your hair of its healthy natural oil. Instead, wash your hair a little more often than you normally would. Avoid applying conditioner to your scalp, and limit the application towards the tips of your hair. When applying shampoo, ensure that the water should be of medium temperature, and cold when applying conditioner.

Wet hair is particularly susceptible to damage during this season. As wet hair swells, it becomes very fragile and is therefore easily breakable. Make sure you do not run the comb through your hair when it’s wet. Wait for it to be semi-dry or completely dry. Don’t use a comb that has too many teeth, use a wide toothed comb instead, which makes it easier and less-painful to detangle your hair. Also, avoid using a brush on wet hair, and use only when your hair is completely dry.

If your hair gets wet in the rain, there’s no need to wash it every single time. Blow dry your hair and it will be back to normal. You can then wash your hair a day or two later.

Skincare

Cleanse your skin at least thrice a day. This mucky season tends to clog your pores with a lot of dirt and grime, that needs to be cleaned out every now and then. The cleanser that you use should be of your skin type – normal, dry, oily or combination. There are a number of good-quality and inexpensive ones available in the market, so you don’t need to go hunting for a high-end one. Follow it up with a toner and moisturizer.

It is important to stay hydrated throughout the year, no matter what season it is. A well-hydrated body reflects on the outside as well, and you’ll have the good-fortune of glowing, supple skin. Additionally, water boosts essential oils, flushes toxins away and leaves your skin feeling absolutely fresh.

Don’t skip your sunscreen. As dull, and gloomy as this weather can be, never leave home without some SPF. The sun’s rays can affect our skin 365 days of the year, and the sun does shine during the monsoon too. Wearing sunscreen also slows down ageing and prevents pigmentation to a great extent.

Avoid wearing makeup at all costs during this season! The rains are a breeding ground for bacteria and microbes, which leads to various skin problems. Who would love spending hours glamming up, only to have it all (literally) washed away by the rains. Stick to using a face powder, eyeliner, some lip colour and you’re good to go.