Here’s some advice for those of you who will be attending speaking engagements this harmattan period:
- Constantly hydrate. Make sure to drink at least 2 litres of water daily. This will ensure you don’t suffer from dehydration, dry throat and mouth, chapped lips and dry skin. When attending a speaking engagement, don’t assume they will have water there. Bring your own and have it with you as you deliver your presentation.
- Invest in a very good face and body moisturiser. You don’t want to get on stage looking like you trekked to the venue from the Sahara desert. Have a hand cream in your bag that you can quickly apply to “top up” before you get on stage.
- Invest in a good chap stick (lip balm). This isn’t just for the ladies. Everyone needs a good chap stick to avoid having cracked, dry, dull lips. It’s unattractive. Don’t be distracting your audience with your lips.
- If you can, wear covered shoes. Our legs can quickly go dry and “white” without notice. We don’t want to look like we’re re-enacting the Isrealites’ wilderness journey in the 21st century.
- Wear protective clothing. The weather is dry and windy. Low humidity and dry winds can strip your skin of moisture and its natural oils. Wear clothing that covers your body to retain your skin’s moisture.
- Ladies, instead of using foundation, invest in BB Cream instead. BB Cream is like foundation but a lot lighter and contains moisturising agents. Ask your local cosmetics shop. If you have oily skin and cannot directly apply oils on your face, a BB Cream will work better for you, to give you a nice finish for your makeup.
- This is for everyone. Have a good daily skin care routine. A simple CTM (Cleanse, Tone, Moisturise) will do. However, because it’s harmattan, you might want to invest in a face serum as well. A serum helps to restore your face’s natural oils and protects against dry weather lines (or what we call artificial wrinkles). You use a serum after toning and before moisturising. Men, this is for you too. Who doesn’t like a man that grooms himself?
- Don’t forget to take care of your hair too. Your hair can become dull, frizzy and prone to split ends especially during this harmattan season. Invest in a good hair cream. Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner during wash day. Whether it’s your natural hair or it’s a braid, weave or wig, use good hair oils to keep shine, seal in moisture and protect from the elements. Guys, rub cream on your head too.
- Avoid food and drinks that will cause dehydration, such as alcohol-based drinks and food products, and dry foods like eating ordinary bread or garri.
- The fact that the weather is cold and dry, doesn’t mean you won’t sweat. Please bathe before you leave the house, shave your underarms, invest in a good deodorant and wear clean clothes always, so that it shall be well with your audience.
Una hear? Ehen.
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