Protect Your Hair From Holi Colours & Learn How To Make Natural Ones

Are you ready to play Holi? The dry “Gulal” and wet colours available in the market are not always derived from natural sources. They contain chemicals, shiny particles of mica and even lead, which collect on the scalp, cause irritation, and damage the hair. So, it is important that you be prepared. 

Here’s the world-renowned herbal beauty expert, Shahnaz Husain, giving you tips on hair care pre- and post-Holi and also telling you how to make your own natural colours.

Pre-Holi Hair Care Tips

Apply a protective leave-on conditioner or hair serum before playing Holi. They coat the hair and protect it from chemical colours, pollutants and sun exposure. They also add shine to the hair.

Post-Holi Hair Care Tips

While washing the hair, first rinse with plenty of plain water to wash away the dry colours and tiny particles of mica. Then apply a mild herbal shampoo, working it into the hair with the fingers. Massage the scalp gently and rinse thoroughly with water again. Add the juice of a lemon to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This helps to restore the acid-alkaline balance of the scalp.

Beer can also be used as a last rinse. In fact, it will soften and condition the hair. Add the juice of a lemon to the beer. Pour over the hair after shampoo. Leave on for a few minutes and rinse off with plain water.

If there is itching, add two tablespoons of vinegar to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This helps to reduce itching. However, if the itching continues, and there is rash and redness, you may be allergic to the colour. Consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Within the next few days, give your hair a nourishing treatment. Mix egg yolk with almond oil or olive oil and massage it lightly into the hair and scalp. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap three to four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Wash your hair after an hour.

The next day, give your hair a nourishing treatment. Mix one tablespoon of pure coconut oil with one teaspoon of castor oil. Heat and apply to the hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 to 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Wash your hair after an hour.

Conditioning with henna would help to restore damage to the hair, adding shine and body. To the henna powder, add four teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, two eggs, two teaspoons of oil and enough curd to mix into a paste. Apply on the hair and wash your hair after an hour.

How To Make Your Own Natural Colours For Holi

·       Simmer Tesu flowers in water. Leave overnight. Strain and use the water to play Holi. Tesu flowers leave a yellow colour. The botanical name of Tesu is Butea monosperma.

·       Henna powder can be mixed with gram flour (besan) or maize flour (makki) and used as a dry green colour.

·       Turmeric (haldi) can be used both as a dry and wet colour. Turmeric can be mixed with gram flour for dry colour. Or, it can be added to water and boiled. Leave overnight and then use.

·       Boil beetroot in water. This leaves a bright magenta colour. Cool and use the water. Or extract beetroot juice, add a little water and then use it.