Rain-proof your style: Say no to acnes, rashes, make-up woes

Rains are known for their clammy nature, often causing acne, rashes and hair breakage. Add to this, the make-up woes, such as running mascaras or smudging rouge. But don’t let the monsoon dampen your spirit. Here, a few experts put together a set of tried-and-tested beauty tips.

Make-up
“Listen to your skin; if it’s feeling dry, you may want to opt for a moisturiser. Most importantly, drink water at regular intervals,” says Natasha Nischol, co-owner and co-founder of make-up academy Fat Mu.

1. Start with a good primer for the face and the eyes. It will keep your base and eye make-up in place.
2. Humidity can make your skin oily, so avoid using cream-based foundations. Instead, use liquid-based ones or a powder foundation. Dry skin can handle creams, but use them frugally.
3. Use lip and cheek stains in liquid or pencil form, and paint pots and pencils for eyeshadows. Opt for a water-proof mascara and eyeliners. You can also go for gel-based eyeliners.
4. When it comes to lipsticks, pick hot pinks, oranges and reds in matte finish, as it has more impact. Gloss can smear and stick on windswept hair.

Haircare
“Frizzy hair is a common problem during monsoon, as human hair is very susceptible to moisture. It is caused by a larger number of hydrogen bonds formed as a result of excessive moisture in the air. Make sure you have a well-thought-out-care regime to take into account the drastic change in weather,” says Dr Harshna Bijlani, co-founder and medical head, The Ageless Clinic.
1. Use hair serum at night, and massage into scalp and the shaft.
2. The next day, wash hair with a mild shampoo, and apply a restructuring hair mask in the shower. Allow hot water to flow so that steam is created. Keep the restructuring hair mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse.
3. Apply deep-conditioning hair-mask.
4. Keep for 20 minutes and then rinse.
5. Finish by using some serum
6. Wash your hair thrice a week (or more if oily – daily washing does not cause hair fall).

Skincare
A widely held misconception is that sunrays are milder during the monsoon. So, many tend to skip using a sunscreen lotion. However, experts strongly advice against this. “Sunblock is a must. The UVA and UVB rays are just as harmful during monsoon, as they penetrate through the clouds and play havoc with our skin,” says Nisha Javeri, founder and CEO, Myrah Spa.

Depending on your skin type, opt for any of the following regimes:

Oily skin
1. Wash with lukewarm water.
2. Use a cleanser with fruit acid.
3. Use cold water to close your pores, follow with toner.
4. Use a water-based moisturiser.
5. Use a gel-based sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
6. Use a vitamin A-based moisturizer at night, along with a light water-based moisturiser.
7. Use a scrub, at least three times a week.

Normal skin
1. Wash with lukewarm water.
2. Use a cleanser or face wash suited for normal skin.
3. Use cold water to close your pores, follow with toner.
4. Use a water-based moisturiser.
5. Use a gel-based sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
6. At night, wash your face with a cleanser or face wash, and then use a good quality moisturiser.

Dry skin
1. Wash with lukewarm water.
2. Use cold water to close the pores.
3. Use a cream based moisturizer or natural oils.
4. Use a sunscreen, with a minimum SPF of 30.
5. At night, wash your face with a mild face wash and use a heavy moisturizer, containing hyaluronic acid or use natural oils.

Combination skin
1. Wash with lukewarm water.
2. Use a combination skin cleanser or one that does not foam too much.
3. Use cold water to close pores,follow it with a toner only on your t-zone.
4. Use a gel-based or light moisturiser for your face.
5. Use a lotion-based sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
6. At night, wash your face with a cleanser or face wash, and use a cream-based moisturizer only for the cheeks and neck.

(With inputs from Dr Harsha Bijlani, Natasha Nischol and Nisha Javeri)