Simple Tips for Maintaining Glow During Harmattan

If you are on ‘team natural hair and organic skincare routines’ you need the next few tips to protect yourself in the dry season

• You want to get scarves for your hair. Get satin so there is less friction between your hair and the fabric. That way, there is no extra breakage coming from using a scarf.

Satin is very fancy and if you get your colours right, it can be a very stylish piece to add to your dressing. This is a win-win situation; you protect your hair from dust and dryness and still enjoy looking great.  

• If you use cold-pressed oils like coconut on your skin, you want to increase the weight a bit because coconut oil penetrates the skin easily and requires large doses to appear hydrated. 

Add Shea butter, mango butter or even heavier oils like palm kernel to the blend before applying to your skin. Applying products when your skin is damp is the best format. 

• You want to ensure your skin is moisturised. Do not wait until your skin is completely dry and scaly before battling with your lotion, oils and moisturisers. 

• There is a huge temptation to ‘cook’ yourself in the bathroom because of the cold. Resist that urge! 

Hot water will dehydrate your skin and dry out whatever moisture is left in it (you don't want that). Instead, use warm water (warm enough to get you through the cold and cold enough to leave your skin feeling wet instead of dried and scaly). 

• Stay hydrated; drink lots and lots of water. If possible, apply oil to your skin with water or get a handy emulsion body spray for when you are outside. This keeps moisture locked into your skin, especially if you have allowed your skin to dry up into that scale-like view before moisturising with oils. You do not want to look oily but dry (that makes you look unkept).

• Invest in covering. This is the time to hide your skin. Leave us tasty for the sight of you till the heat or rainy season; socks, covered shoes, pantyhose, etc. You want to ensure you are not exposing your skin to excess dryness that would crack your skin. If you must expose your skin, layer your oils and massage into your pores well. 

• Invest in sunscreen so you do not get sunburned and have different skin shades when unnecessary (your skin shade is not uniform naturally)

• Get a massage if you can; it will detoxify your skin and moisturise your skin more deeply than you can achieve in daily 30-second rendezvous as you hurry off to go to work.

 If you cannot get to the spa, make up your mind to massage lotion or oil into your partly damp skin for about 30-60 seconds at least twice a week to avoid scaly skin and white patches. 

If you are fashion-conscious, 

1. You want to rearrange your wardrobe and preserve your bright clothes. If you do not drive a car with air conditioning ( so you do not need to open your vents for fresh air), please do not wear white this time. The dust will ruin it and if it does not, the excessive washing will. Hide your white, sky blue and pastel-coloured outfits if longevity and sustainability are your style. 

2.  Bring out your natural tone colours like ash, grey, brown etc. You can wear mustard yellow but ensure the fabric is not too delicate.

3. Wear more cotton fabrics; they are comfortable and can handle the change of weather at noon 

4. It is fine not to like sweaters but invest in sweatshirts; they can be corporate, casual or anything you need. 

5. Yes! Yes! Get your glasses. Photochromic glasses are perfect this season. 

Please do not get glasses that are colour-specific; they will alter your dressing colour scheme and can be limiting for you. 

There are about four to five glass frame types for your face type. Take an assessment and get yourself stylish and befitting glasses.