Happy Holi! When gearing up for the festivities, we tend to concentrate all our attention on food and often forget that while it’s fun playing with colours, there is always the cleanup after Holi that needs attention. Even if you use organic colours, there will be some amount of damage that your skin and hair will have to bear. Here are some simple hacks on how to prepare for Holi and how to get rid of Holi colours that will minimise the potential damage and also remove the deep-seated, stubborn stains.

1. Oil your hair beforehand

Oiling is one of the most important things that you need to do. You can use castor oil, coconut oil, olive oil or mustard oil. The oil will form a protective layer over the hair which will make the colours come off easily when you wash it. Apply the oil 20 minutes before you go out so it gets absorbed and forms a protective layer on your scalp.

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Related: 5 Benefits Of Castor Oil And 5 Ways To Use This Superstar On Dry, Brittle Hair

2. Don’t skip the sunscreen

Apply sunscreen with a good SPF in order to protect your skin from harmful chemicals and sunburn. In case your skin feels irritated, apply aloe vera gel to soothe it. And don’t get any threading or bleaching done the day before Holi as that will leave your skin sensitive and prone to irritation.

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3. Use gel-based products to protect your skin

Before letting the colours touch your skin, apply a thin layer of titanium dioxide or just a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This will form a physical barrier between the skin and the harmful metallic colours. It will prevent any skin reactions or rashes that you might get from the colours.

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Related: 10 Tried And Tested Uses Of Vaseline Apart From Moisturising Dry Lips

4. Apply a coat of dark nail paint to avoid staining

This is the easiest and most commonly practised hack for Holi. Paint your nails with dark nail paint to prevent your nails from getting stained from the colours. Take it off after the festivities and rub your nails with some nail oil to nourish them.

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5. Homemade hair masks to the rescue

Avoid shampooing your hair immediately after playing Holi. Apply egg yolk on your scalp and leave it for 30 minutes before shampooing your hair. You can also mix fenugreek (methi) with curd in place of egg yolk and apply the mixture to your scalp. Wash your hair with lukewarm water as usual.

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Related: Frizzy, Damaged Or Dull Hair? Try These 10 DIY Hair Masks For Every Hair Problem

6. Homemade face masks to the rescue

After playing with colours, do not use face wash or soap to cleanse your skin. It might cause an imbalance of the skin pH as they are mostly detergent-based which dehydrates the skin. Use honey, mixed with a mashed tomato or papaya, as it acts as the perfect scrub when applied with multani mitti. You can also use curd, gram flour, turmeric, olive oil, and lemon to make a paste that can be applied to colour-stained parts of your body.

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Related: 5 Homegrown Beauty And Skincare Brands For Indian Skin Which You Need To Know

7. Dip your nails into an oil mixture

Start by washing your nails with cold water and then soak them in a mixture of almond or olive oil with either lemon juice or vinegar for 10-15 minutes. This mixture will help soften your nails and clear off all the stains without harming the texture. Wipe off with a cotton pad, and you are good to go.

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8. Apply lip balm before going out and exfoliate your lips afterwards

Your lips are one of the most sensitive parts of your body, and you definitely do not want to mess with them. Apply a generous amount of lip balm before heading out for Holi. Once you are done, use a mild lip scrub to exfoliate and hydrate your lips. You can combine 1 tsp of coffee with 2 tsp of sugar and 1 tsp of coconut oil or shea butter. This will remove any impurities and colours on your lips, leaving them soft and nourished.

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Related: 5 Lip Oils That You Need To Try If Your Lips Are Always Dry

9. Apply glycerin after cleaning up

Glycerin is mild and helps to maintain the ph balance of your skin. Apply a mixture of glycerin and rose water after all the cleaning up to prevent dry or itchy patches on your face.

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Now that you know how to take care of your skin and hair during Holi, you can let go of all worries and really enjoy the festival. And the only way to do that during Holi is bhang. Check out these bhang recipes which will make you the star of every Holi party.