Opportunities Today : September 2006 Issue

Monsoon Magic

 

 
It's amazing how rain can affect your moods! A rainy day is most welcome if you are planning to cozy up indoors, but alas, most of us need to step out for something or the other. This not only leaves you feeling low but can also play havoc with the way your hair looks and skin feels. Well don't loose heart - here are few handy tips to keep those monsoon blues away.
 
Try and avoid getting your hair wet in the rain but, if it does happen, washing it clean with a mild PH balanced shampoo quickly thereafter is a must. Excessive humidity during the monsoon is another factor that can wreck your hair to a great extent and the best protection is to keep hair sparkling clean. Conditioners should be avoided by those with normal hair and should be used only by those having very dry hair. Remember, however, that on very rainy days the scalp tends to get oily and sticky, hence apply the conditioner only on the hair shaft and not on the root area. Those having extremely oily hair will feel that it is more limp during the monsoon. A quick remedy here is to use white vinegar diluted with water in equal proportion as a last rinse after shampooing. Also, oiling hair should be avoided in this season.

Another menace during the rains is dandruff, more so oily dandruff than the dry, flaky variety. Applying an antiseptic such as Savlon and leaving on the scalp for 10 minutes before a hair wash will help tremendously. Use of a hair dryer is most essential during the monsoon. However, care should be taken that it is not used on dripping wet hair in order to avoid hair damage. You should wait till it has dried upto 50% naturally. Have an exciting trendy new look to give your image a thundering boost by having a chic wash-and-dry fashion haircut. This will also help you manage your hair well. Even when it's pouring, you can keep your skin glowing if you make sure that the toxins from your body are out. During the monsoon, the intake of fluids drops and also perspiration reduces tremendously, hence make a conscious effort to drink plenty of fluids.

During this weather the skin tends to be erratic and at times you will find it to be oily and at others dry depending on the humidity in the air. Cleanse and tone your skin regularly. Dead cells can be got rid of by using rice powder and oatmeal as a good Exfoliating scrub on the face at least twice a week. Make sure that your eye makeup is waterproof. You would not want your mascara and liner running down your face if you get caught in a downpour. Skin foundation those with oily skin can use a compact powder and for those with dry skin a light moisturizer as a base is ideal. A dash of eye pencil or eye shadow will help to add some colour and sparkle to the eyes, especially on a dull, rainy day. Pamper yourself with pedicures, facials and other beauty treatments. When it's pouring cats and dogs outside, you may prefer to indulge yourself in a beauty salon as you are unable to freely move about outdoors.




Due to constant fluctuations in weather conditions, your skin will tend to look dull and lifeless. Also, the chemicals in the rain tend to break down the protein bonds of the hair shaft, causing your hair to become limp and flaky. Beat the dull rains this monsoon by taking a little extra special care and have glowing skin and healthy hair. Let the monsoon magic do wonders for your moods!