Holi colours, especially the synthetic ones that are still common despite the growth of organic alternatives, genuinely damage skin and hair, drying, staining and sometimes irritating skin that was not protected properly beforehand. A few specific steps before playing genuinely reduce this, more than the vague "oil your hair" advice usually offered without much detail.
This covers what to do in the days before and the morning of. Our separate guide on repair after Holi covers what to do once the colours are off.
A few days before: get skin and hair into good condition
Skin and hair that are already in reasonably good condition handle colour exposure better than skin and hair that are already dry or damaged going in. A hair spa a few days before, similar to the timing logic in our other festival guides, and a hydrating facial if skin has been feeling dry, both give a better starting point than trying to protect already-compromised skin and hair on the day itself.
The morning of: what actually helps, specifically
| What | Why, specifically |
|---|---|
| A generous layer of oil on hair, scalp to ends | Coats the hair shaft so colour sits on the oil layer rather than penetrating the hair itself, making it easier to wash out later |
| A thick layer of moisturiser or petroleum jelly on exposed skin | Creates a barrier between colour and skin, particularly at the hairline, ears and nail beds, where colour tends to settle and stain the most |
| Petroleum jelly or a thick balm specifically on lips | Lips have no natural oil barrier and are especially prone to drying and staining from colour |
| Old clothes that fully cover arms and legs where practical | Reduces the actual surface area colour needs to be removed from afterward, which is the single most effective way to limit damage |
What to avoid doing beforehand
Avoid any fresh waxing, threading or bleach in the day or two right before Holi, since skin that has just been through one of these treatments is more sensitive and reactive to colour exposure than settled skin. Our waxing timing guidance applies here with extra reason: freshly treated skin and Holi colour genuinely do not mix well.
Booking your pre-Holi routine
Planning ahead for Holi? A hair spa and a hydrating facial in the days before, timed the same way we suggest for other festivals, gives skin and hair a genuinely better starting point than any last-minute morning routine alone can provide.
Common questions
Does oiling hair before Holi actually help?
Yes, genuinely. A generous layer of oil from scalp to ends coats the hair shaft so colour sits on the oil layer rather than penetrating the hair itself, which makes it noticeably easier to wash out afterward.
What should I put on my skin before playing Holi?
A thick layer of moisturiser or petroleum jelly on exposed skin, particularly at the hairline, ears and nail beds, creates a barrier that reduces how much colour actually stains the skin underneath.
Should I get a facial or waxing right before Holi?
It is better to book these a few days before rather than the day immediately before. Freshly treated, sensitive skin reacts more to colour exposure than skin that has had time to settle.
Do I need to reapply oil and moisturiser during a long day of Holi celebrations?
Yes, if practical. A single morning application wears down over several hours of active play, and a midway reapplication genuinely extends the protection rather than relying on one layer for the whole day.
Book what this guide covers
Full price lists and details for the services discussed here.
