Nothing dulls the festive spirit more than the thought of getting your chocolate brown ombré colour job turning into a fiery red. Even if you’re all prepped with organic colours and cold-pressed coconut oil, there’s a high chance your hair might catch colour, especially if it’s coloured lighter, bleached or has higher porosity (meaning it absorbs moisture more quickly). Don’t let that keep you from enjoying the festival of colours — we give you the low-down on how to protect your hair during Holi.
We asked 5 hair experts how share their best tips to protect your hair and hair colour from turning into a tangled, lifeless mess this Holi.
Cover up
“The best way to protect your hair is to cover it up with a scarf to avoid any major staining. But if that’s not an option, avoid washing your hair two days prior to the festival or load it up with a hair spray, wax or paste to create a protective barrier,” says Rod Anker, Director, Rod Anker Salons.
Amp up the protection
“Lighter hair colours like blondes can stain very easily and will require colour correction. As a precautionary measure, you can try applying your regular conditioner on your hair and letting it dry like a leave-in overnight to protect hair and keep it moisturised,” says Natasha Naegamvala, Wella Professionals Hair Expert. “Also, the lighter your hair, the thicker your serum should be. I usually would opt for something like Kerastase Elixir Ultime Oil for virgin hair and L’Oreal Professionnel Liss Control for coloured hair,” adds Akshata Honawar, hairstylist and member of the L’Oreal Professionnel Dream Team.
Stay out of the sun
“Everyone knows oiling your hair forms a strong barrier between your hair cuticle and the colour. But for double the protection, try spraying your hair with a strong hair spray as well to create a thin film against the harsh chemicals. You can also avoid staying out in the sun as the heat, oil and water will cause natural oxidation of your hair colour, making it lighter. Remember — oil, detangle, braid, hair spray and avoid the sun,” says Anchal Morwani, celebrity hair stylist and colourist.
Rinse off the right way
“Prep your hair with a good leave-in cream or serum from mid-lengths to the ends that wash out easily and reduce the chances of the powdered colour sticking to your hair and blocking the pores on your scalp. Also, make sure you never rinse off the colour with hot water as it will only end up solidifying the colour. Finish off with a hydrating serum like BBLUNT’s Intense Moisture Hair Serum,” advises Adhuna Bhabani, co-founder and creative director, BBLUNT.
Well, now that you know how to take care of your hair, go ahead and don’t be afraid of being splashed (and splashing others in return) with coloured water.
