Summer haircare
Yet another exciting Bengali summer has already begun. Your hair will now grow faster than any other time of the year, however, if not taken care of, even the healthiest hair can get damaged.
As Baishakh unleashes its characteristically humid weather, here are some easy tips to maintain a head of healthy, shiny, dark hair.
AVOID HEAT
Heat can be a source of damage for your hair. In summer, as the hair is already exposed to a lot of sunlight, any kind of hairstyle involving additional heat entrapment can damage it faster. Bid farewell to all the heating tools and welcome the loose natural locks. Heat-protective serums of any kind can be very useful if you are out and about and expecting long hours under the sun; just spritz the serum generously all over the hair so that all the strands are well coated.
For frizzy hair, which naturally tends to dry out faster, tying up the locks can be helpful as it keeps the frizz in control. In that case, a whole bunch of hairstyles such as messy buns, ponytails and fishtail braids are available; no matter the weather, such hairstyles can make any woman look presentable, if not classy.
SCARF UP
An hour under the sun, in addition to dust and humidity, can rob your hair of its natural moisture and create grease in the scalp; this leads to shampooing the hair more frequently which in turn strips more moisture from the scalp. Covering the hair with a scarf is the best way to prevent accumulation of dust and it also protects the hair from the direct heat from the sun. If you are often out during the day, this is in fact a must since it also prevents the hair from tangling and also retains moisture in the scalp.
SHOWER ESSENTIALS
Conditioning is a must for any kind of hair in the summer – be it textured, coloured or straight. Try deep-conditioning your hair at least once a week, after shampooing it. However, frequent washes must be avoided, especially for textured and coloured hair, as it makes hair more and more dry leading to chaotic frizz and split ends.
Try to rinse the hair gently every two days, and see if it gets rid of the extra oil and dirt. Also, dry shampoo or loose talcum powder can also be dabbed on the scalp with a cotton bud to stop the grease from gathering.
TRIM IT, ROCK IT
Summer is the time when the metabolic rate of the body shoots up, so does the hair's growth rate. Do not be afraid to trim a couple of inches, as it will grow back within a month or less! Trimming becomes necessary during summers as it takes an extra load off your head and also reduces the consumption of hair products.
SOME HELPFUL HOMEMADE PACKS
Like the rest of your body, hair needs protein too. Take equal parts of olive oil and an egg and whisk until they mix. If you desire a shine to your hair, blend two medium sized onions and mix it with the pack. Apply it from the root to the tip of your hair to ensure maximum coverage and keep it on for an hour before washing it off.
While applying shampoo, make sure no onion pulp or oil stays back in your hair. Afterwards, apply a generous coat of conditioner and keep it on as long as possible before washing it away.
The now infamous Bengali summer can be challenging even for us Bengali people. While some women rush to professional care, many of us find it difficult to do so. Save up the expenditures by following the aforementioned steps with patience for some months and the change it creates will astonish you. So this summer, love your hair and be patient. It always helps!
By Dania Manal
Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed
Model: Mousum
Make-up: Farzana Shakil
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