Thursday 14 July 2011

Healthy & Stylish Hair This Monsoon

While we all love splashing about and getting soaked in the cool, welcoming shower, there is also a huge battle to safeguard one's hair. High pollutant levels of the rainwater, coupled with humidity, can prove disastrous. iDiva gets experts to chalk up a plan to keep the mane shiny and well-groomed this wet season. 

Dandruff and dull hair
What makes our tresses most unattractive is the dull look. "This happens  because of a mix of temperatures - humidity and heat take a toll on the texture of the hair," explains hairstylist Placid Braganza. "A good idea is to use a water-based serum, which is light, to protect the hair," he adds.    

Dirty rainwater can also cause dandruff due to flaky dryness of the scalp. Climatic changes always bring about change in hair care. A wet and sticky scalp also gives rise to secondary infections like dandruff and boils. All this leads to hair woes that must be sorted out. There are ways to do this at home.

Style it up
There are a lot of fun ways to wear one's hair in the monsoons. Putting your hair up is totally in for an unstructured yet fashionable look. You can also accessorise with flowers, feathers or a brooch. You can also scrunch hair up and tie it on one side for a formal or informal look. If it's a ponytail you like, twist it to make it look exciting and wear it on one or either side of your crown. In addition, you can opt for a French braid and add pearls to the knots. I'd recommend people with wavy hair to use some leave-in conditioner and then tie a ribbon or a scarf around their hair.

Avoid these at a salon 
While it might be tough to stay away from hairstyling if the occasion demands it, here are reasons why you ought to push away that hair appointment for a while. Says Robequin, "The humid atmosphere spells disaster for those with chemically-treated hair. During monsoons, your hair absorbs the moisture and this nullifies the effect of any chemical treatment or product used on the hair. The best thing to do is to give your strands a break during this season. Let them shape naturally and avoid blow-drying, ironing or using harsh chemicals." Agrees Braganza, "Hair bonding, perming and straightening are avoidable, as they require hair to be off moisture in the monsoon, which isn't easy."

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Love your locks
Dr Nirmala Shetty recommends home-made hair spa treatments

For dry scalp
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup curd

Blend all in the mixer till you get a creamy mixture. Add two drops of ylang ylang essential oil in case the eggy odour disturbs you. Massage on scalp for five minutes. Wash after 20 mins.

For oily scalp
  • 1/4 cup of methi (fenugreek) soaked overnight and ground to remove extract
  • Paste of 5 hibiscus flowers
  • 1/4 cup of brahmi leaf paste
  • 1/4 cup of neem leaf paste
  • 2 tsp coconut oil

Mix all and gently apply on scalp and hair. Remember, this time the massage has to be gentle and light.  
 
For Dandruff
  • 1/4 Beet juice
  • 1/4 coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup curd
  • 1 tsp lime
  • 3 tsp olive oil

Blend and massage. In case of stubborn dandruff, repeat twice a week.

Dos
  • Wash hair every alternate day with a mild shampoo.
  • Use a leave-in conditioner after washing.
  • Go in for moisturising hair treatments.
  • Protect the hair with a cap or a stole in the rain.
  • Oil hair once a week.

Don'ts
  • Using hairsprays or gels.
  • Excessive blow-dry treatments.
  • Swimming without a cap.
  • Sharing a hairbrush or comb.

Bling it on
Swarovski crystal clips and those with diamantes can add sparkle to your locks. Use them to jazz up your monsoon look!

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