Shahnaz Husain
Travel adds a wonderful dimension to one’s life. It is not only refreshing and renewing, but also a great learning experience. Of course, it can mean different things to different people. You may be travelling on work, or on vacation. You may have a hectic schedule, or a relaxed one. The fact remains that you are away from home……….and the time and means to make yourself attractive are not easily available. So, here are some tips, to limit your grooming needs, and yet, look attractive, feel comfortable and relaxed!
Travelling light is an advantage, so you need items that are compact and portable. Get yourself a spacious shoulder bag and two small, plastic lined cases, for your toiletries and make-up. Your beauty aids should be within easy reach. Before setting out on your journey, have your hairstyling done. This includes colouring and styling. A short hairdo that can be brushed and arranged is good, while for long hair, take a headband and hair clips, to keep your hair tidy. Remember to take a scarf along to protect your hair from exposure to the sun, wind and dust. You will need it if you are out motoring, boating, trekking or even just strolling. There are things that you must remember to pack to protect your hair and also keep it looking good. Whether it is a beach destination or mountains, carry hair cream or hair serum containing sunscreen. Actually, the effects of sun-exposure are much more near reflective surfaces, like water and snow. You also need to take a mild herbal shampoo, hair oil, hair conditioner or hair serum. A small hair dryer would be very useful in both destinations. You can take along herbal hair mascara for temporary streaks, to add glamour when you dine out. The effect lasts till the next shampoo. You may carry rollers or heating rod to style the hair yourself.
For the beach, a swimming cap would help to protect the hair from the sun and salt. Sea water makes the hair rough and dry, so apply a leave-on conditioner, or serum. Take very little, smear on both palms and then smooth the palms over the hair. Or, massage it lightly into the hair and then comb hair in your desired style. Wash the hair with less shampoo and apply conditioner or hair serum again, for protection.
In a warm and humid climate, the hair may need to be washed frequently. Use a hair rinse instead of creamy conditioner. Make your own hair rinse even in the hotel room. Add a tea bag to 4 to 5 cups of warm water. Remove tea bag and cool the water. Then add the juice of a lemon and use it as a last rinse. This helps to make the hair silky and shiny.
If you are trekking in the mountains and the weather is cold and dry, the hair may lack moisture. Apply oil, the night before shampoo. Use a mild herbal shampoo. After shampoo, use a creamy conditioner, massaging it lightly into the hair. Apply on the ends too. Leave it on for two minutes and then rinse with plain water.
You can arrange for natural ingredients for hair care very easily when you are travelling. Among these are tea bags, lemons, beer. As already mentioned, tea can be used to rinse the hair. For dry hair, have a beer rinse. After shampoo, add the juice of a lemon to beer and pour over the hair. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse off with plain water. For oily hair, lemon juice itself can be added to a mug of water and used as a last rinse.
A few quick fixes or emergency treatments for the hair can be really useful while travelling, especially if you have a hectic schedule. When you have no time to shampoo, put a little eau de cologne on your brush and brush your hair. Cologne absorbs oil and leaves your hair cleaner and fragrant. In warm and humid weather, add the juice of a lemon and half a cup of rose water to a mug of water and use it as a last rinse. This also leaves the hair clean and fragrant. If you suddenly find your hair has too much static – i.e. a “fly away” hair problem, just wet your hands with water and smooth your palms over the hair. Avoid too much brushing.
Travelling across time zones at high speed means dealing with jet lag, dry skin and hair. Eat light meals during the flight. Salads and fruits help to ward off symptoms of jet-lag. Water and fruit juices will help to prevent loss of body fluids. If it’s a long flight, take a walk down the aisle every two or three hours. Relax and enjoy the flight!
(The author is founder, Chairperson & Managing Director of the Shahnaz Husain Group)
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