Out and about

Foreign climates are not just cold for students who go abroad but when coupled with first-time responsibilities and academic pressure, chances are that you will have very little time to take care of your skin and hair. Follow these simple directions and you’ll be dazzling as usual, no matter how far away from home.

First and foremost, remember to hydrate. No matter where you are — in Europe, Australia or America — you ought to drink loads of water. Drinking water before and during your classes will keep your skin looking fresh. Staying hydrated will help to prevent any headaches or exhaustion you might normally have thanks to the anxiety of starting out a new kind of life. Instead of wasting your money on overpriced bottled water abroad, invest in a reusable bottle.

Moisturise your skin every morning. If you are in a distinctly colder country, the high latitudes and intense air conditioning in labs and classes are bound to dry your skin. It is best to generously apply your daily facial moisturiser. You could carry along a water toner to spray on dehydrated skin. Spring water is hydrating, so if you spray it directly on your face, it gets moisture into the skin immediately and works better than coffee in keeping you awake.

Your lips could be susceptible to cracking. It’s best to stick to a medicated lip balm to ensure completely smooth lips and after that you can add a quick layer of gloss.

Carry cleansing wipes with you and wipe off excess oil or dirt from your face. Be sure to sleep well. Homesickness and jet lag are the two detractors to getting your rest for the tough challenges of the day and looking good while doing it.

No matter where you go to study, your hair will either become frizzy or fall lank due to the change. If you have long hair, flip your head upside down and pull your hair into a loose topknot for the first few days. The knot helps to preserve your natural hair because the shape sets the hair and gives a boost to your roots, just make sure not to make it tight. For short hair, lightly spritz it with water if it’s too cold to take a shampoo bath. This resets the root direction to give you volume again. If you don’t have a spray bottle, get your fingers wet in a bathroom sink or via a cup of water and massage the root area to reset the root.

— The writer is a skin specialist.