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7 waterproof makeup buys under ₹1499—eyes, lips and face, included
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Monsoon for me is jumping over the puddles of Mumbai in my beloved white sneakers, pairing a cup of piping hot chai with crispy fritters and heading out of the city to trek lush hills or chase waterfalls. But until last year, monsoon for me also meant more hairfall on the bathroom floor.
My hair is naturally curly and disobedient. Earlier, I used to religiously follow an elaborate routine of shampoo, conditioner, leave-in cream, styling gel, hair mist and a frizz-taming stick on hair wash days (plus a curl refreshing spray the next day). Other days, I used a hair straightener till a faint smoke wafted off my head. In both cases, I would fail to get the ‘look’ I wanted. My monsoon months would be spent tying up my hair in a boring bun or hiding it beneath a silk scarf.
But this year has been different. First, I cut my waist-length hair into a ‘lob’ that hits right above my collarbones. Second, I’ve been spending a little more time giving my hair some extra love and attention, with the right products. In this unpredictable weather, these nourishing formulas have been caring for my locks from scalp to tip. But making them a part of my routine has also given me a moment to pause, to breathe. With a few more months of torrential rain and sticky humidity to go, consider giving your strands a little TLC with these products.
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Blonde, espresso, cherry red. Over the last few years, I have dyed my hair (or tried to) in many hues, along with chemically straightening it. This left it damaged, making every haircut look unflattering. Using this mask, designed with the intent of colour protection, frizz control and nourishing damaged hair, has made my hair softer.
On the quest to build a routine that works for my curls, I experimented with many brands. Arata was among them. While my go-to bottles and tubes have changed, this conditioner has remained in my washday basket. It has reduced how many strands I lose while de-tangling my wet hair in the shower and the butter-soft conditioner has had a moisturising effect.
Moxie Beauty is another name that curly-hair girls are familiar with. This hair serum gently removes any flakes, build-up and excess oil from the scalp. A must-use for me when I get back home from a muddy, sweaty trek, it’s infused with syricalm, which soothes any skin irritation, redness or itching; renewing the scalp.
Speaking of treks, carrying a big rucksack is a big no-no, seeing that I will have to climb up slippery rocks in pelting rain with the heavy weight. For those weekends, this small spray bottle of dry shampoo is a lifesaver. It absorbs oil, sweat, dirt and other residue from my hair, leaving it clean and with a refreshing scent.
In the monsoon, I stick to washing my hair only twice a week to avoid stripping off natural oils from my scalp. This gentle shampoo is now a part of that practice. Formulated with salicylic acid and niacinamide, it has become another favourite of mine along with Moroccanoil’s argan-infused lightweight oil.
In mornings, I rub a few drops of this lightweight hair serum into my tips before turning on the hair dryer or straightener. Made with a blend of six oils, it makes my hair smooth and sleek without feeling greasy. Sometimes it is also the last step in my hair-styling routine as it absorbs into my hair quickly, making it shine.
During the monsoon months, I also reduce how many times (and how much) I oil my hair. So sometimes, they get a little too dry and frizzy. This hair-repairing cream made with murumuru butter also helps regenerate it. Created with dyed hair in mind, I recently recommended it to a friend who went burgundy. To be used just like a conditioner, let it sit in your hair for three minutes for a silky finish.
When I don’t have to rush through my hair-wash routine, I take my time with this creamy conditioner. Working it into my strands, using a wide-tooth comb in the shower to distribute the product evenly and washing it off with hot water has become my Sunday reset. The tea tree leaf water in the formula moisturises my hair and scalp, adding shine and improving elasticity.
