Are you set?
I for one cannot wait for the bustle of the festivities. The shopping, the traveling, the visiting, the food, and just everything the season brings along; with the Harmattan too!
The harmattan is special in this part of the world as it is the closest we come to experience our very own ‘winter’.
The Harmattan is a trade wind that blows from the Sahara desert across West Africa into the Gulf of Guinea and is characterized by dryness, dust, and cold. As a result of the harshness of the elements during this period, the harmattan comes with mixed feelings for a lot of people.
What does the harmattan mean to you?
To us, it is symbolic as it plays an important role in the Euphoria of the season. To others, however, the allergies, chattering lips, and dried skin it brings leaves a lot to be desired. Here are a few ways to ensure that the Harmattan means to you as much as it means to us.
YOUR SKIN
The dryness that comes with the weather usually affects the largest part of the human body; the skin, by sapping the moisture within thus leaving behind cracked, wrinkle- looking skin.
Moisturizers work by rehydrating the top layer of your skin while trapping in the necessary moisture it needs. Moisturizers contain 3 main ingredients – Humectants, Occlusives, and Emollients which all work to provide a buffer for your skin in dryness.
The harmattan is when your skin experiences the harshest of conditions as such, you need to put in extra effort in ensuring that your skin stays hydrated and radiant. You do not want your skin or palms feeling dehydrated. Go for what suits your skin type in our array of Sunscreens to prevent harmful sunrays, Moisturizing creams, and moisturizing soaps too to keep you on track.
YOUR LIPS
The lips naturally lack the protection the rest of your skin has because it has no oil or sweat gland. Unless you take special care of your lips, in the harmattan, they can get chapped, dry, and scaly. A good lip balm can protect your lips against dryness while nourishing it. Using a lip exfoliator once in a while is a great idea too.
Don’t forget that running your tongue across your lips does more harm than good as Saliva takes moisture off the lips. A lip balm should be your closest companion instead.
YOUR HAIR
The hair is usually not left out during this period. As a matter of fact, your efforts to grow healthy lustrous hair could be brought to null in just a few days if you do not take the right precautionary measure. Regardless of if your hair is Virgin or relaxed, the ideal hair care regime during this period must be aimed at replacing lost moisture and preventing damage. The following tips are pertinent:
*Invest in mild alcohol-free shampoos
*Deep Condition with Leave-in Conditioners to moisturize your hair often especially after washing.
*Head Wraps should be inculcated in your dressing to protect your hair from the harsh weather.
* Make protective hairstyles to cover your hair. These include braiding, using wigs or extensions.
ADJUST YOUR WARDROBE
With the harmattan, temperatures usually fluctuate from very cold at night to warm and dry in the afternoon. To be safe, it is wise to wear protective weather friendly clothing to bed and in the early hours of the morning. Now is the time to stock up on Hoodies, Head warmers, Shawls, face masks, stockings, warm socks, and more.
Most important of all during the harmattan is the need to stay hydrated. Drink as much water as you possibly can to help your body’s metabolic processes and also to substitute your body’s water loss during this period.
Harmattan is coming! Get prepared and stock up on all you need with KONGA. Take advantage of TOP OFFERS THIS PINK SEASON while at it.
With KONGA; Shop Smart, Live well!
