Ganpati arrives on September 14, which means the festive beauty rush is officially on.And if you’re planning to dress up for darshan, attend aarti, meet family or simply want to feel a little more put together during the celebrations, the trick is not to leave everything for the last day.Beauty experts say the best results usually come when you give your skin and hair a little time to settle.“Ganpati arrives on 14 September, and the most common mistake is treating beauty prep as a last-day errand,” says Namika Kant, Technical Expert at Envi Salons. “The treatments that genuinely change how hair and skin behave need time to settle. So work backwards from the date.”Here’s what that could look like.
10 days before: Start with your hair
If you’re thinking about colour, smoothening, keratin, bond-repair or a deep-conditioning treatment, this is the time to do it.According to Kant, colour needs a few days to settle into its true tone, while repair treatments work over time. Hair that’s been properly nourished over a week will also behave differently from hair that’s been styled just before an event.This is also a good time for a trim, especially if your ends have had a rough monsoon. Don’t wait until the morning of the first big celebration to deal with them.For those looking for a simpler option, Bhavna Karia, Style Director at LOOKS Salon, recommends booking a hair spa about a week before Ganpati. She suggests speaking to your stylist about hydrating treatments such as Kerastase, particularly if you’re dealing with dryness or frizz.And if you’re planning a traditional hairstyle, sort that out early too. A sleek bun with a gajra may look simple, but knowing exactly how you want it styled can save a lot of last-minute stress.
One week before: Give your skin some attention
This is when you can focus on facials, clean-ups, de-tan treatments and other exfoliating services.Kant recommends doing these around a week before the celebrations, giving the skin roughly four to five days to settle. The idea is to arrive at the festivities with calm, settled skin rather than dealing with redness right before stepping out.If you’re trying a treatment for the first time, give yourself even more breathing room.Karia also recommends starting your basic skincare routine at least a week before the celebrations. Cleanse and moisturise morning and night, use SPF 50+ before heading out for darshan and add hydrating face masks containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or aloe vera.If you’re considering a hydra facial or another professional facial treatment, this is also a better window than squeezing it in at the last minute.
Three to four days before: Waxing, threading and nails
Threading and waxing are best done around three to four days before the celebrations, according to Kant.That gives your skin some time to settle, especially if you’re someone who tends to experience redness or sensitivity after these treatments.Then, about three days before Ganpati, turn your attention to your hands and feet.A proper manicure and pedicure can take a little time when done properly — soaking, cuticle care, massage and then your chosen colour or extensions. And if you’re planning nail art, don’t rush it.There’s a practical reason for getting the pedicure done too. As Kant points out, you may be barefoot around the mandap, sitting through aarti or simply taking plenty of photographs with family.So yes, your feet are going to be seen.
The day before: Keep it simple
The day before Ganpati is not the time to experiment with a new treatment.Stick to finishing touches – a blow-dry, styling, a hydrating mask or getting your brows tidied.Karia also has one clear warning: avoid chemical peels, harsh exfoliation and last-minute colouring or highlights just before the celebrations. These treatments can sometimes cause reactions, and the last thing you want is irritated skin or unhappy hair when the festivities begin.Instead, plan ahead.A leave-in serum can help keep hair manageable during daily styling, while your regular moisturiser, SPF and a hydrating mask can keep your skin looking fresh.And if planning all of this feels like too much, Karia suggests booking a pre-festive beauty and hair package with your salon expert and letting them map out the treatments for you.One final thing: the days leading up to Ganpati are among the busiest times of the year for salons. Longer treatments and popular appointment slots tend to disappear first.So if you already know you want a hair spa, facial, colour or mani-pedi, it’s worth booking now rather than trying to find a slot at the last minute.
