All ages of Bollywood have brought melodious romances with the rains, when the actress flaunts herself in teasing whites, and no amount of rain seems to wash off the roses in her cheeks or highlights in her moist hair. In reality though, we see monsoon as a season of damp, icky and sticky discomfort- when make-up melts and hair either frizzes into frenzy or falls flat!

As you prepare the wet weather’s wardrobe, plan ahead and prepare your body too for the monsoon. If your skin and hair feel good, it’ll put the romance back in the rain! ‘Freshness’ is the key word this season. As long as your skin and hair is washed and dry, you will have a sunny smile even when it’s grey ‘n’ gloomy.

Ensure no bad-hair-day even in bad weather
* Make your basic washing routine more frequent. Rainwater can reach the scalp and cause greasy dandruff. Humidity makes curly hair frizzy and straight hair sticky. A frequent wash, at least each time hair is exposed to rain, should keep it clean and fresh. Use a mild shampoo and conditioner like Garnier Nutralia Frequent Use Shampoo. Also try a thickening shampoo like Neutrogena Anti-residue Clarifying Shampoo especially for thin straight hair. This is light enough to use twice a week and yet a heavy, volumising formula.
* If hair becomes very greasy after a rainy day out, wash it with Wella Lifetex Balanced Shampoo for Greasy Hair. It is also formulated to help the scalp remain clean and healthy.

* Make time to air-dry or blow-dry your hair before you step out. Wet hair will remain wet all day in this weather if it is not dried. And if exposed to the rain, it will get sticky and give a damp smell. Avoid using gel-based styling serums.
* Excess moisture can also weaken hair and make it more prone to falling. Depending on your hair type, get a few hair-strengthening salon treatments for this season. If you prefer treating hair at home — get the Kerastase Strengthening Hair Pack containing Vita-Ciment Complex. This three-pack set has been designed to breathe life into weak and damaged hair.
* Once in a fortnight, oil your hair an hour before wash. Hairvit, recommended by stylists and available at any pharmacy, is excellent oil-light and strengthening. Weak hair can be washed with Kerastase Specifique Bain Prevention, for gentle cleansing and reducing hair loss.
* If you experience excess hair loss or thinning during the monsoon, try the Kerastase Densitive tablets. It contains vital hair supplements.
* For those who get excess volume, frizz and tangled hair with humidity, use TIGI Bed Head Control Freak — it is currently the best ‘humidity fighting’ shampoo in the market. It not only works as a frizz-control formula, but also as a straightener. Avoid using styling gels every day. But for occasional styling needs, use Schwarzcopf Supersoft Frizz Control Serum.
* To keep hair, further in control, apply Neutrogena T/Gel after shampooing. It is known to continue scalp treatment and keep hair manageable hours after the wash.

Apart from the wash-condition-dry routine and a few treatments; keep your hair neat throughout the monsoon. It is very unattractive to have wet, thin, long strands sticking on your neck and back! Every season requires a fresh cut, that way you make sure you get a haircut every three months. For the rains, you need your hair either cropped short, or just long enough to tie back.

If you have straight hair, style it simply with just a ponytail, bun or braid during the day. In the evenings, if you like to wear it down, dry your hair with some large rollers to keep it looking bouncy.

Curly hair needs to be tamed, kept tied and pinned during the day. You can use a good leave-in product like the salon recommended L’oreal Techni Art Fix Anti-Frizz Anti-Humidity. And for the evenings, maintain the Preity Zinta wet-curl look with L’oreal Techni Art Play Ball Cosmo Spritzer.

Here’s how to get fresh skin in sticky wet weather
* Use a light moisturiser during this season. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel also comes in an oil-free gel formula. Those with dry skin even in this season should avoid water-based moisturisers to reduce dilution. Try Dove Sensitive Essentials Day Lotion, it is light and effective for dry skin.
* Dab your face with a powder compact to keep it dry and fresh. Maybelline Shine-free Pressed Powder is one of the best. Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-free Compact or Cover Girl Queen Collection Powder Shine-Free are also good buys.
* Do not use thick, creamy shower gels or soaps. Instead opt for a light daily bath product like The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, Papaya or Passion Fruit fragrances are all good. Or use glycerine-based soap bars.
* Keep your hands and legs dry by using talc after your shower. Any talc is good for keeping skin dry. The easiest one to buy would be of the same brand and fragrance as your day wear perfume. That way you avoid wearing different scents at the same time. A little talc between the toes will keep feet and footwear from smelling damp.
In general, wear lighter make-up during monsoon. Carry your compact in your purse to dab dry the greasiness during the damp days. In the evenings, wear water-resistant makeup to avoid make-up melts. But this make-up can be pore clogging so it should be washed off before bedtime.
Wet weather doesn’t mean that you will be naturally moisturised! We perspire just the same due to the heat and humidity, so keep your body well-hydrated even for the monsoons!

 

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