Raksha Bandhan 2026: As preparations begin for Raksha Bandhan, confusion surrounding dates is resolved by the Panchang. Sawan Purnima will begin at 9:08 AM on August 27, 2026, and conclude at 9:48 AM on August 28.
While the Purnima fast will be observed on August 27, the festival of Rakhi will be celebrated on August 28 as per the Udaya Tithi. On this sacred day, sisters tie a thread of protection on their brothers’ wrists, praying for their long life and health, while brothers promise protection.
Celebrated during the humid rainy season, achieving glowing skin requires preparation starting a week in advance. International beauty expert Shahnaz Husain, widely known as the ‘Herbal Queen,’ shares crucial skincare, hair, and light makeup recommendations for the daytime festival.
Pre-Festival Skincare and Home Remedies
To look vibrant in royal blue, red, pink, or maroon traditional outfits, proper skin preparation is essential in humid weather:
Cleansing & Exfoliation: Wash your face with a mild face wash suited to your skin type to remove oil and dust without harsh rubbing. Gentle exfoliation one or two days prior helps remove dead skin cells, though sensitive skin types should skip scrubbing.
Watermelon Juice: Apply fresh watermelon juice to the face for 20 minutes before rinsing with fresh water. It eliminates dryness, adds softness, and restores natural radiance.
Fruit Mask: Mix banana, apple, papaya, and orange. Leave the paste on the face for 30 minutes, then rinse with cold water to cool the skin, clear dead cells, and fade dark spots.
Cooling Mask: Blend cucumber juice with two spoons of powdered milk and an egg white. Apply to the face and neck for 30 minutes before washing off.
Oily Skin Mask: Blend one spoon of Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) with rose water. Leave it on the face for half an hour before washing off with clean water.
Eye Care: Soak cotton pads in rose water, squeeze slightly, and place them over closed eyes while resting. Used tea bags soaked in lukewarm water can also be applied to soothe the eyes.
Hair Care and Styling Tips
To manage frizzy or unmanageable monsoon hair:
Conditioning Spray: Mix a creamy hair conditioner with clean water in a spray bottle. Mist over hair and comb through to spread evenly. Wash off with fresh water after one hour to leave hair soft and shiny.
Hairstyles: Soft bouncy curls at the ends, fancy clips, ribbons, or fresh flowers add elegance. Traditional braids suit almost every face type; keep the braid shorter for long faces.
Daytime Makeup Guidelines
Since Raksha Bandhan is a daytime event, makeup should remain minimal and light:
Base Makeup: Avoid heavy foundation if skin is clear. Apply moisturizer and sunscreen, then set with light or baby powder using a slightly damp sponge for longevity. For oily skin, substitute moisturizer with an astringent lotion and set with compact powder on the T-zone.
Eyes: Use an eye pencil or line the eyelids with subtle brown or grey eye shadow, finished with a single coat of mascara.
Lips & Cheeks: Blend blush thoroughly if used. Avoid dark brown or overly bright lip colors. Opt for soft pink, light mauve, light brown, bronze, or copper. Outline the lips first, then fill in using a lip brush.
