Make sure that you have all the essentials in place to enjoy Holi better. By Team Viva
A pinch of gulaal, an abundance of colour and a stir of bhang — holi means all that and more. The day means that there are a plethora of activities to do and celebrations to be a part of. But before stepping into this world of revelry and non-stop fun, here are a few things that need to be taken care of to make sure that the celebrations continue, even post the festival.
The perfect checklist
Wearing old, retired clothes on Holi? Not done. It is a festival after all. The idea is to look vibrant, vivacious festive and fashion-trendy rather than tacky and worn-out.
Sandhya Sakhuja, business head, personal care at India’s largest private platform for products that are made from traditional techniques, skills and hand-based processes and Soumya Kant, founding member at an online lingerie brand suggest a few clothing essentials:
- Go bright in white: White is unofficially the colour of the day. Women can opt for a white Chikankari kurta paired with a vibrant bandhani-printed dupatta and/or a coloured churidar or patiala. Men, can utilise one of their crisp cotton white shirts as a canvas for the day.
- Cool cottons: Summers have just begun and choosing the right kind of fabric in this heat means half the battle won. Opt for a cotton kurta as it will absorb the sweat. It will also dry out faster after Holi celebrations. Pair it up with the right-sized lingerie so that it’s not too tight or loose to avoid feeling sticky and uncomfortable.
- Nude innerwear all the way: Always opt for nude lingerie instead of white. Most people make the mistake of wearing white lingerie underneath white garments, which is more visible. Nude-coloured undergarments blend well with the skin, provide a no-show underneath your sparkling whites, offer the best cover and are your safest bet to wear under the sheer kurtas.
Holi proof your hair
With gulal and colours, come traces of synthetic pigments which could potentially harm your hair and skin. The first suggestion from experts is oiling hair with coconut, castor or jojoba oil before you go out in the sun and your hair gets doused with colours. It is the most popular, traditional and convenient way to reduce hair damage caused by toxic colours. It greases the hair strands and helps in removing the colour later. The oil puts a coating that shields and protects hair from the chemicals and the harsh, direct sunrays. It also avoids colour deposition on the scalp.
They also suggest that split ends should be chopped off before Holi as artificial colours can make the hair drier and cause further split ends. Apart from that, one of the easiest ways to protect the hair from damage is to use a headscarf or a bandana. Tie up your hair into a bun or make a ponytail. Ensure that the scalp is secured, and colours don’t get absorbed easily.
Well, there are a few things that your hair needs post-Holi as well. After playing with colours, washing your hair correctly helps. Apply a mild shampoo on the hair, gently massage the scalp and leave it for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will help in removing and softening all the dust, artificial pigments and colours that get stuck on the scalp. Following that, apply a rich conditioner to reload the oil and moisture that have been taken away by the chemicals.
safe-guard your belongings
It’s important to remember some safety rules amidst the swirl of colourful madness. This list from an Indian e-commerce brand has a few must-haves to protect your belongings and tech gadgets from water splash and harmful chemicals in colours.
- Rubber mobile pouch: Be prepared for water splashes and colours with a waterproof mobile phone cover. The pouch is made up of silicon which will seal the gadget and make sure it is safe from every possible damage.
- Waterproof speakers: Soundbot SB518 is a compact waterproof bluetooth speaker which comes with a suction cup at its back. With this, one can place the speaker even on the wall to enjoy the party. These come with a warranty period of one year and have a playback time of six hours with a good battery backup.
- Aviator sunglasses: Do not forget to accessorise your look with a pair of trendy sunglasses. They will not only protect your eyes from the scorching heat and colours, but add to the festive swag and keep up your style quotient.
- Power bank: A power bank is a must-have for people who can’t resist clicking pictures until their battery dies. Keep your electronic gadgets going and capture the lovely memories for a lifetime.
Go herbal, play phoolon wali Holi
Keeping in mind the increasing awareness about the toxic impact of commercial colours available in the market, why not go herbal and natural this time?
Without having to worry about allergies, blotches of colour that refuse to be washed away and other long-term health implications, this time, play Holi with flowers. There are also options in the market where colours made of flowers and other natural ingredients are used. Go natural and have a holi that is happy, colourful and safe.
