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Hair Care Tips for Summer

Jul15
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

It is very essential to be equipped with hair care tips for summer, if you want to retain the health of your hair throughout the summer season. The scorching heat can sometimes irreversibly damage your hair, and this makes it important for you to know what to do and what not to do in summers.

Summers is a vacation time when we visit the beach and intend of doing so every single day. Summers are when you want to let your hair loose and have some fun. Letting your hair loose might just be one of the things you shouldn’t do in the summers. You don’t have to cover your hair every single minute of the season, but it is advised to do so most of the times. Just like your skin, the sun can be very damaging to your hair as well. It is very important for us to take proper care of our hair in summers, as sometimes, this damage cannot be repaired. Simple hair care tips for summer, like those mentioned below can help you fight the sun in no time.
Hair Care during Summers…
The main problem with summers is that they drain out the moisture from your hair. Exposing your hair to direct sunlight is very bad for your hair as this can even lead to complete burning of the hair. All the hair care tips for summer mentioned below revolve around how we can retain that moisture and how we can avoid more drying of our hair.
Shelter for Hair
It is very important that you shelter your hair from the scorching sun as a prevention that wasting time and money on the cure later. Wearing scarves is the best option you have. Hats and caps are also good options, specially if you’re at the beach, but then these at times, lead to sweating. If you tie your hair in a bun, you automatically prevent some portions to remain hidden from the sunlight. Any such hairstyles can help from excessive drying due to sunlight. You can use anything you want to cover your hair but make sure it isn’t too tight on your scalp as this reduces blood circulation there.
Say ‘NO’ to Anything that is Hot
Anything that is hot, is a strict no-no for your hair in summers. Stay away from blow dries at all times. Don’t style your hair all the time in the summers and try to keep it as natural as possible. Straightening irons and curlers should also be avoided as they expose your hair to heat when there is already more of it than required. Do not wash your hair with hot water and instead opt for lukewarm or even better, cold water. Blow drying should be avoided in all cases.
Necessity of Hydration
One of the best hair care tips for summer that is sure to help you prevent most problems is to consciously stay hydrated. This will help you to fight many problems including the drying of hair due to the sunlight. A good intake of water will help you to retain the moisture in your hair. It is said that a diet that is full of vitamins and proteins is also very good for maintaining healthy hair during summers.
No to Chemicals
Make sure you don’t expose your hair to any chemicals during the summer and opt for only natural therapies. Shampoos, conditioners or any oils that you choose to use should be checked for alcohol and formaldehyde. These cause the hair to dry faster than necessary and sometimes even make the hair frizzy and cause split ends. Chemicals in hair colors and highlights should also be avoided. In the summers, keep your look as natural as possible.
These were some hair care tips for summer that will help you maintain your hair all through the summer season. Do not shampoo your hair everyday, instead rinse and condition it. Another hair problem during summers is oily dandruff which can be fought by keeping your hair clean at all times. Washing your hair with cold water will also make sure that your cuticles are closed. Keep it Natural!

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Oscar Predictions 2011: Celebrity Hairstyles

Jul15
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

What is it about human nature that makes us want to predict everything? From the weekly weather forecast to our upcoming astrological year or even the world’s demise come 2012 (thanks for that one Mayans) — we just have to know what’s in store for us.
The 2011 "Academy Awards" aren’t much different. But unlike your super competitive "who will win what" office poll (you know, the one you NEVER win), we want to predict which hairstyles will be worn. Why? Because it’s a whole lot of fun and, hello, we’re a beauty website!
Skip to see which celebrity hairstyles we are predicting for this years Oscars.
Perhaps we also like to make grand guesses about celebrity hairstyles because we want to be in control. And when we’re feeling extra delusional, we like to believe that maybe, just maybe, a mentioned celebrity will see the hairstyle we have predicted for them and actually heed the advice.
OK, OK, we know that likely won’t happen, but at least making these Oscar hairstyle predictions gives us purpose in life (don’t judge).
So, who did we grant gorgeous hairstyles to and how? Well, we picked some of our favorite celebrity hairstyles seen in the past and thanks to Photoshop placed them onto the heads of these actresses that will be at the 2011 "Academy Awards": Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Amy Adams, Sandra Bullock, Claire Danes, Emma Stone, Hilary Swank, Mila Kunis, Anne Hathaway, and Penelope Cruz.

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What are Hair Accessories and How Can They Improve My Look?

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

What Are Hair Accessories and How Can They Improve My Look? By Hair Care Hints

Hair accessories, or "hair toys", come in all shapes and sizes. Simply defined, a hair toy is any item you put in your hair to help with styling or give that "special touch" to your ‘do. These items are as widely varied as the things you can do with them, so let’s start with your hair length and discuss some of the most popular items for each. Yes, there is so much more out there than just hair ties!

Short Hair Accessories

Short hair has become increasingly popular in both men and women; it’s possibly the least versatile length but still has so many styling options. Bobby pins, small clips and headbands all work great for helping the hair keep its shape, adding a little bit of color and maybe a twist or two, and great for people who are growing their hair out and have reached an "awkward phase" where the hair always wants to be in the way. Try clips for short corn rows or French twists or throw in some pin curls with a few unobtrusive bobby pins for a style that stays put and looks great. Bandannas and head scarves are back in style and make colorful solutions to hair that just wants to stick up all over the place.

Hair Accessories for short, medium and long hair types.

Medium Hair Accessories

Medium hair (shoulder length to mid-back) opens up all sorts of new possibilities for hair accessories. You can try a decorated hair tie to add a personal touch to a basic ponytail, hair combs for effortless half-ups, hair sticks and hair forks for easy buns, barrettes in endless varieties, and hair-friendly slide barrettes for half-ups or holding your entire head of hair. Hair claws are easy-to-use items that will pin your hair up off your neck and stay secure through a vigorous work day.

Long Hair Accessories

Long hair takes a lot of work, so many people opt for lower-maintenance looks; however, if you’re one of the dedicated "long hairs" there is no end to styles you can achieve. Many hair toys available in department stores won’t work for very long or thick hair except for half-ups, but there are a ton of items you can buy or make to keep your hair protected and looking gorgeous.

Adding a little bit of color and maybe a twist or two is great for people growing out their hair

In addition to all the suggestions for medium-length hair, there are a number of accessories that are expressly for or work especially well on long hair. Brand-name Ficcarres are high-quality clips that can hold an entire bun for all lengths and thicknesses of hair in a wide array of gorgeous colors.

Bun wraps such as the increasingly-popular Hairagami clip or a simple piece of sturdy wire with a soft fabric cover are wonderful for very fast, secure and effortless buns. Ladies, go for a Renaissance look with a classic braided crown accented with ribbons, clips, or pretty bobby pins. Gentlemen, try a lace-up leather or faux leather ponytail cuff that is extremely gentle on the hair and will stay in through anything.

Your hair is one of the top features people notice about you; with the right hair accessories you can make your styles just as unique as you are. Whether you are male or female and have chin-length or knee-length hair there is an astounding selection of hair toys available for your styling experiments.

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What are the Best Shampoos and Conditioners?

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

What are the best shampoos and conditioners to use on my hair? Since every head of hair is different, there is no definitive answer to this important hair care question. However, here are a few helpful tips to help you find the right products that work best for your unique tresses.

First, be aware that though your hair may look healthy, it may actually be heavily damaged. Many shampoos and conditioners, especially cheaper ones, have many silicone-based ingredients. Check the ingredients list for the products you use; any ingredient ending in "cone" is silicone-based. These ingredients are not necessarily bad for the hair, but they are made to coat the hair shaft to make it smooth and appear shiny which can mask underlying damage.

Believe it or not, many shampoos contain cleansing ingredients that irritate the skin and are very harsh on the hair.

If silicone-based ingredients, or "-cones", build up on the hair they can actually lock moisture away from the hair shaft. Insufficient moisture makes hair brittle, causing split ends and breakage. To avoid this, if you habitually use-cones you will need to use a diluted vinegar rinse every 1-3 weeks to remove excess silicone.

Most people who use -cones have no idea what condition their hair is really in. The first step in beginning a hair-healthy regime is to find shampoos and conditioners that contain no-cones; these are usually a little more expensive and often marketed as "salon quality", but they are certainly worth the price and eventually less product will need to be used.

At first your hair may be very difficult to manage without-cones and may be dull and easily tangled. This is the true condition of your hair. By observing-cone-free hair you can begin identifying your hair’s needs, then you can decide what type of care is needed based on those observations. Bear in mind that going without-cones indefinitely is not for everyone; I suggest you go without them for at least two months to give your hair a chance to recover, then decide if you prefer-cones or not.

If your hair is dry and brittle you certainly need moisture, but don’t forget the protein too. The best products are those that contain natural essential oils such as jojoba, coconut or hemp seed oil. These are all excellent moisturizers and closely mimic your hair’s natural oils.

Every good shampoo or conditioner must have ingredients that add protein to your hair as well. Again, natural is the best, and some great protein-adding ingredients are honey, wheat protein and soy protein. If you’re not sure what function an ingredient is meant to perform there are many online resources to help.

Believe it or not, many shampoos contain cleansing ingredients that irritate the skin and are very harsh on the hair. The best shampoos contain glycerin, a moisturizer that occurs naturally during the saponification process. Manufacturers of cheaper hair care products separate the natural glycerin out of the product and replace it with sodium laureth sulfate or, even worse, sodium lauryl sulfate. Both of these products are known to be skin irritants and can be a primary cause of an oily, flaky or itchy scalp.

There are so many choices for your hair care products that the task of finding the right ones can seem daunting, but it’s definitely worth the effort.

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Vitamins For Hair Growth

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

As hair thins or gets damaged by various environmental elements, we start looking for ways to correct the problems. Most people know at least some about hair care products meant to improve their hair in various ways, but what about dietary supplements? These are some of the most effective hair care products because they ensure the hair has everything it needs to form well, and it has the added plus of benefiting your entire body instead of just your hair.

First, just about every vitamin and trace mineral the body needs helps out the hair in some way. You guessed it, this means the first step to healthy hair care is to take a good multi-vitamin to make sure your body is getting all the basics it needs. Be aware that some cheaper brands of vitamins are known to have difficulty digesting properly, and some cheaper gel caps don’t dissolve fast enough. Once you’re taking that multi-vitamin, there are a few extra supplements you can take that are good for your hair.

Vitamins For Hair Growth

Biotin is a major component of hair growth and strength. It is recommended that you take at least 2,500mcg of biotin every day if you’re looking to improve your hair, and most multi-vitamins do not contain enough. Luckily, biotin is also sold in pill form by itself or in supplements such as "Hair, Skin and Nails". It is estimated that the average diet provides about 40mcg per day.

It’s controversial whether MSM truly has any use as a dietary supplement, though many people swear by it for increasing the growth phase of your hair and decreasing shedding. Many people who take MSM supplements see a marked decrease in shedding, though it is unknown if it is actually because of the MSM or if the claim to lengthen the growth phase is accurate.

Other Vitamins and Supplements

Sulphur and cysteine are required for good hair structure and contribute most of the hair’s strength. Cysteine is a protein that comprises much of the hair shaft when it bonds with sulphur. Without a good balance of both of these your hair will be very brittle and unhealthy, so make sure that either your multivitamin has them both or you find additional supplements.

Copper is the base of many pigments in the skin and hair. Only bare traces of copper are needed in the diet, but if there is a deficiency of copper it can result in dull, colorless hair.

The first step to healthy hair care is to take a good multi-vitamin to make sure your body is getting all the basics it needs.

Flax seed oil and fish oil are both excellent sources of essential fatty acids which will help promote healthy sebum production. Without enough sebum there is nothing to protect your hair from damage or replenish stripped oils. Either one of these can be used, though many prefer flax seed because of the unfortunate aftertaste that comes from some brands of fish oil capsules. These supplements have the added side effect of preventing dry eyes and "cotton mouth".

In addition, any vitamins that promote cell reproduction, protein metabolism, gland function, digestion and so on directly or indirectly influence your hair. If your hair is not healthy, it will lack the color, shine and strength that it could have with just a little more care to your overall health.

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How To Get Rid Of Chemical Residue & Gain Shiny Hair

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

So how does one go about removing soap and chemical residue from their hair so that they gain fresh, shiny looking hair?  How is this possible if ones hair is dull and listless? Well, you should know that "shiny hair" is in fact, very healthy hair.

How To Get Rid Of Chemical Residue

To remove excess soap and chemical residue and be left with shiny, natural looking hair requires a few easy but vital steps. To start, there’s certain things you’ll need to do get you started in the direction of obtaining shiny hair.

The very first thing you need to do in the process of restoring a natural shine to your hair is to mix together "half water" and "half vinegar" in a clean container and rinse your hair thoroughly.

After applying this blend of water and vinegar you’ll notice that it actually cleans and removes all of the excess soap and chemical residue that’s accumulated in your hair over a prolonged period of time. Most of the shampoos in the marketplace today will not completely cleanse your hair of soap and chemical residue. However, using this unique "hair shine" formula will help restore your hair to a more healthier and natural looking shine. Another good thing about this mixture is… it won’t leave your hair with a smell or odor of vinegar once your hair has dryed.

Learn How To Get Rid Of Chemical Residue And Gain Shiny Hair

Avoid Washing Your Hair Everyday

The other secret to getting really shiny hair is not to wash your hair everyday. If you wash you hair too often it tends to strip away vital proteins and natural oils which can cause your hair to become dull and dry. However, when you wash your hair infrequently your hair will retain the natural oils allowing your hair to stay moisturized and silky smooth.

Another really important aspect to getting naturally shiny hair is to make certain you use only a natural shampoo and conditioner. Why? Because natural product shampoos and conditioners do not contain harsh chemicals that can strip sebum from the scalp. Using natural products for your hair is just one aspect of getting shiny hair. You also need to make sure you don’t overuse hot tools like a blow dryer and even a flat-iron if you chose to straighten you hair. The best thing to retain shiny hair is to use a ceramic iron when straightening your hair.

Here is another important tip to getting shiny hair. Use a boar-bristle brush because it has a tendency to pull scalp oils down the hair follicle. Also, you should invest in a top hair oil the same as or similar to Mira hair oil. Truly, one of the best ways to get natural looking shiny hair is to use hair oil. A quality hair oil will act as a deep conditioning treatment for your hair. Simply apply it once a week to get lustrous shiny hair.

Dull and listless hair can be a result of the hair being deprived of either moisture, protein, or both.

Remember though, when using a top quality hair oil take a little more time and slowing massage the oil into your scalp. The problem here is… most users don’t take the extra time needed to massage their scalp with oil well enough so that it actually does what it’s suppose to do. And that is… penetrate well into the scalp and the hair follicles. Again, for the absolute best results use Mira hair oil or a similar quality product.

Another method of using a product like Mira hair oil is to apply it to your hair as an actual smoothing agent. It’s best to take a small amount of hair oil and apply it generously between your hands and run it through your hair smoothing your hair as you go. Use it in this exact manner, and it’ll make it your hair glossy, lustrous and shiny.

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How To Straighten Your Hair

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

There are various methods to straighten hair. It can be done at a local beauty salonor at home. If you have wavy or naturally curly hair, there’s probably timesyou would like to experience straight hair, even if its just for a day.

There are a number of ways to straighten hair at least for a few hours. However, for a much longer lasting effect, you can opt for salon chemical and commercial heat treatments. But if you desire to find out more on how to get straight hair a natural way, then once again there are several options you can use. The following information sheds light on all such methods on straightening ones hair. Simply read through it and choose the techniqure that most suits your lifestyle.

Straightening Your Hair At A Salon

Your local beauty salon can offer you straight hair through two different methods. These are what are known as commercial thermal reconditioning and of course, the use of a flat-iron. Thermal reconditioning requires an application of specific chemical solutions, and followed-up by straightening your hair with a heavy duty flat iron. This effect will usually last up to about 6 to 12 months. However, hair regrowth does suggest that it be reconditioned thermally about every 30 days or so.

Discover How To Straighten Your Hair - Straight Hair

If your desire is only to temporarily straighten your hair, simply choose the flat-iron option instead. To fully understand how these procedures work you should be aware that your hair is divided into small groups. Each group is straightened with a commercial, heavy-duty pre-heated flat iron. You may also here this referred to as "hair straightener." The main drawback is this procedure requires sufficient heat being used, and this can (if not done correctly) have a tendency to damaged the hair when its done frequently. However, these days, a specially developed "heat protective serum" which contains commercial silicones along with other chemicals is now available. By using "heat protective serum" prior to running a flat-iron on the hair can prevent your hair from thermal type damage.

When you have your hair straightened at a salon the use of special chemicals along with a heavy-duty flat-iron will result in an instant straightening effect on your hair. Nevertheless, constant and regular use may bring about some ill-effects on your hair and scalp over a long period of time. So, it’s probably for the best that you ask a professional stylist about how to straighted your hair without the use of a flat-iron and/or how to get a straight hair effect without excessive use of heat.

Straightening Your Hair At Home

Here is one of the best ingredients to use for straightening your hair at home. Pour a glass of coconut milk into a clean container. Next, add approximately one quarter cup of lemon juice. Then mix and blend the ingredients really well. What you do next is place the container in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours. You should check it periodically to see if a creamy layer has formed at its top. When it has settled to the right consistency, apply it on your hair rubbing it gently through as you go. After you’ve done this, leave it the creamy paste in your hair for about 30 minutes. If you do this at least once a week it’ll straighten your hair in about 4-6 weeks. In addition to the straightening effect, by regularly using a misture of coconut milk and lemon juice you will discover that it actually makes your hair smooth and shiny looking.

Another method of straightening your hair is to use a mixture of eggs and pure honey. Simply beat two or three eggs (the number of eggs you use will depend mainly upon the actual thickness and length of your hair) then separate the white part of the eggs. Next, add some honey to it using the ratio of egg whiteand pure honey at a 4 to 1 blend. It’s a good idea to really mix the two ingredients well. Once you’ve done this separate your strands of hair into smaller sections. Take one section and apply this blend evenly from the root of the hair to the actual hair tip. You must do this separately for all of the sections of hair. You should then allow the mixture to dry on your hair for at least 30 minutes. Next, wash it off really well using plenty of water. For the best results, you should use "cold water" because it will leave your hair with a shiny glow about it. Also don’t use a blow dryer but instead allow your hair to air dry naturally. You should do this procedure at least twice every 30 days. This method is truly one of the most easiest and popular methods on how to straighten your hair without using harsh chemicals or heat from a flat-iron.

A third way to straighten your hair is to use a mixture heena, lemon juice and egg white. Simply use a clean container and add a single cup of curd, 3 to 4 drops of fresh lemon juice, the white of an egg along with 2-3 teaspoons of quality mustard oil. You should then blend all of these ingredients well. The prime reason for doing this is to give the mixture the consistency of creamy paste. You should leave it overnight. You should also oil your hair really well with warm mustard oil prior to going to bed. The next day you should then apply the creamy paste on your hair, and leave it on for at least 120 minutes. Next, wash it off really well using plenty of clean water. Do this until the actual brown color stops running out from your hair. But don’t use a commercial shampoo to wash your hair. Allow it to air dry naturally and once dry rub your hair through using mustard oil. You should leave it in for at least 24-hours after which you should use a a mild baby shampoo to wash your hair. The results will be… you’ll discover that your hair is much smoother and with a great shine. If you do this for a minimum of 15 days it will not only straighten your hair but will also improve the overall health of your hair as well.

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How To Add A Great Shine To Your Hair

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

Want great shine? Even perfectly healthy hair can get dull without a little extra something, especially if you do not use shampoo with silicone-based ingredients as these are made to promote shine, however the also result in a multitude of other hair care issues if you don’t know how to use them, there are so many better ways to get that gorgeous shine that will really make your hair "pop". For this article we’re going to assume that your hair is already healthy and just needs the shine added back in, if this is not the case you may want to research ways to improve your hair’s health through vitamins for hair growth and adding moisture and protein as well as cutting out "hair care" routines that damage the hair.

Common Problems That Prevent Hair Shine

When the cuticle (outside layer of the hair shaft) does not lie down flat, it can cause dullness and a course texture. This is a very simple one to fix, just rinse your hair in cold water when you’re finished washing to make the cuticle lie flat. It’s much the same as closing the pores in your skin and will also help keep the hair from getting damaged from gunk or snagging.

The next problem that generally affects your hair’s shine is buildup. This can be buildup from hair products, environmental factors such as smoke or smog, or just plain stubborn dirt and gunk. Many people who use only conditioner and no shampoo often have some dullness problems because there are no harsh detergents stripping everything out of the hair…no, you don’t have to go back to the shampoo!

Natural and organic methods of adding a great shine to your hair

Steps For Natural Hair Shine

About 1tsp of apple cider vinegar diluted in 12ozs of water makes a great finishing rinse. When you’ve already washed and conditioned and have washed those hair products out, pour this dilution through your hair then rinse it in cold water. Now we’re talking SHINE!

Some of the favorite hair shining oils are jojoba, coconut, olive, grapeseed and even broccoli seed oil.

A few drops of essential oil can smooth the hair out, help prevent tangles, and really bring out the shine. Just apply a couple of drops to your palms, rub your hands together and then finger-comb through your hair (it should be groomed with a high-quality wide-tooth comb first). If your hair is wet and you have never used oil before, stick with just a couple of drops until you know if your hair will need more or not – it may not feel like much, but it only takes a tiny bit to coat lots of hair. If dry it will be much easier to tell how your hair is reacting to each amount of oil, just bear in mind that what you see is what you get, this stuff doesn’t do any drying or anything so make sure you continue spreading the oil thinner until you get the look you want. Some of the favorite hair shining oils are jojoba, coconut, olive, grapeseed and even broccoli seed oil.

Additional Hair Shine Secrets

Honey is another big favorite in the shining arena. Typically, you’ll want to add a couple drops of honey to a bottle of conditioner. Shake vigorously to make sure the honey is dispersed throughout the conditioner, then condition as normal. Honey also takes a big role in deep moisture treatments or super conditioning treatments.

You might also try taking silica along with your normal daily supplements as this is known to decrease hair loss and promote shine. If none of these suggestions work for you, there may be some other problems that need to be addressed that could be affecting your hair’s ability to shine. Some hair, namely coarse hair or that found in people of African descent, is simply not meant to shine…instead, these types of hair should have a nice velvety sheen to them.

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How To Defrizz Your Hair

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

The hair condition lovingly known as "frizz" is extremely annoying and makes the hair difficult to comb and style. While many try to treat frizz with straightening irons and extra hair styling products, these measures are not only very temporary but will also serve to exacerbate the problem. If you truly desire frizz-free hair, you must be willing to get to the root of the problem.

Identifying Your Hair’s Imbalances

Frizz is caused by an insufficiency and/or imbalance of moisture and protein. In some cases the hair only needs one or the other; a simple strand test can tell you which. Take a shed hair and wet it, then stretch it out. If the strand breaks immediately you need moisture and if it stretches significantly without breaking or recoiling back to its previous state, you need protein. Our everyday "hair care" routines are, in many cases, the primary cause of the hair’s frizz.

While frizz occurs in every hair type, it is most common in curly hair; this is a naturally dry hair type because hair is lifted away from the scalp and the natural line of descent for natural oils coming from the roots. Curly hair is also subject to the most drying abuse. Namely, in most places straight hair is in style right now so some fashion-savvy individuals consistently use flat irons and relaxing treatments to force hair into a shape that’s unnatural for it.

The Rundown on Hair Straighteners, Hair Dryers and Curling Irons

Straighteners, hair dryers and curling irons literally cook your hair. Even on low settings these items severely dry the hair and damage the proteins the hair is made of. Chemical treatments like perms, coloring and relaxers are intended to destroy proteins. Now, does it make sense to try to "fix" a condition resulting from dehydration and protein deprivation with something that causes both? Certainly not.

Our everyday "hair care" routines are, in many cases, the primary cause of the hair’s frizz.

As with many other problems, it will probably get worse before it gets better. First, if you use shampoos with silicone-based ingredients (the ones ending in "cone"), you will need to do a rinse with diluted vinegar or some similarly gentle clarifying treatment. This will strip away all the stuff that is designed to make the hair appear healthy and reveal what kind of condition it’s really in.

To help correct the problem, many people opt for specialized washing regimes to promote natural oils in their hair. Some of the most popular are CWC (using light shampoo on the scalp only and conditioning twice) and WO (water only, fairly self-explanatory. Regardless of which of these specialized methods you prefer (except WO), it is highly recommended that you use a low-detergent shampoo, or at the very least dilute your current shampoo to reduce the oil-stripping impact on your hair. Also bear in mind that hair does not need to be shampooed every day, often a rinse every day and a shampoo every other day is more than sufficient.

Learn How To Defrizz Your Hair For Beautiful Natural Curly Hair

Natural Ways To Combat Hair Frizz

You can add additional essential oils such as jojoba, coconut or olive oil to add further moisture and to keep frizz down without the detrimental effects of hairspray or mousse. For curly hair, a few drops of your favorite oil spread on your palm then run through wet curls will result in significant and immediate improvement in the amount of frizz.

Curly hair can also be made frizzy simply by pulling hairs out of their natural waves and spirals. If you are in the habit of playing with your hair when bored, consistently styling dry or using a hair brush, these may all be contributing to your frizz. A wide-tooth comb of horn, bone, wood, or high-quality plastic (that is, plastic with no seams from its mold) is the best choice to get great, sleek-looking hair with minimal risk of damage from pulling, breaking, or thinning caused by seams scraping the hair.

Be prepared to exercise some patience when working to get the frizz out of your hair; repair may take a long time, and some severely damaged hair may not be able to be fixed. However, if you’re willing to break some bad habits and adjust your routine a little, your hair WILL improve, if slowly or in the form of healthy new growth.

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How To Stop Split Ends

Jul14
2011 Leave a Comment Written by limi2011

Stopping split ends in high maintenance hair Split ends are nasty problems that can seem impossible to get rid of; no matter how many trims you get or how careful you are with your hair they just never seem to go away! The truth is, just about any kind of damage your hair is subjected to will result in split ends, so it’ll take all the preventative measures you can possibly manage.

First, an assessment of your hair’s overall health must be made. If you use hair care products with silicone-based ingredients (the ones ending in "cone") you may need to discontinue use and find something without them for a couple of months or clarify with a diluted vinegar rinse to wash the coating out of your hair and see what kind of condition your hair is really in. Splits occur more easily if the hair is deprived of either moisture, protein, or both. Silicone-based ingredients coat the hair and can make it look healthy and shiny, while sealing the hair shaft away from moisture and making it even unhealthier.

Avoiding Nutritional Hair Imbalances

Do a "strand test". With a strand of wet hair held firmly between your fingers (it can be a shed hair from your comb), pull the hair slowly and gently in both directions. If the hair breaks immediately, it needs moisture. A hair that stretches over 30% of the original length without breaking and does not return to its original shape when released needs protein. Healthy hair will stretch about 30% longer than its original length then pull back into approximately the same shape it started in. There are all sorts of oils and proteins you can use to correct these imbalances, your hair type will determine exactly which ones you use. One favorite for a wide range of hair types specifically trying to eliminate split ends is an infusion of catnip poured on the hair then rinsed out in the shower.

Once nutritional imbalances have been corrected it’s time to go on to other causes. Often, problems with splits are made even worse without the proper maintenance. It’s much easier for an already-split hair to split even further and snag on other hairs and cause them to split. If the ends of your hair tangle easily and/or you can see lots of splits, a micro-trim can help that problem. These trims only take about 1/4" off the bottom of the hair and are for the sole purpose of removing some of the most troublesome split ends.

Finding splits in-between trims? Trimming individual hairs, or "dusting", will help curtail the problem; dusting should be done with a pair of very sharp hair cutting scissors that are used for no other purpose. Dull scissors can crush the end of the hair at the cut, effectively creating a new split where it just removed one. If your hair is too short to hold in front of your eyes, you’ll probably have to have someone help you with this task or attempt to do it in front of a mirror. The easiest way to pinpoint splits is to take a small section of hair, gently twist it into a loose rope, and trim off the ends that pop up.

Splits occur more easily if the hair is deprived of either moisture, protein, or both.

Identifying Mechanical Hair Damage

So now your hair is nutritionally balanced and you’re doing everything you can to remove splits…but they keep coming back? Mechanical damage of all sorts may be afflicting your beloved strands. Pay attention throughout your daily activities. Does your hair rub against the back of the seat in the car? Against your office chair? Your clothes? All of these can cause tons of damage all along the length. It surprises many people to know that the most damaging thing in your everyday life could actually be your pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases are rough on the hair, even more damaging than cotton clothes because the hair is rubbing against it – possibly with a head on top of it – all night long. Satin pillowcases are a favorite of hair-conscious individuals…and they’re really comfortable too!

Finally, avoid harsh chemicals, excessive heat, alcohol and other things that can dry out your hair. Be sure to keep well-hydrated and try to avoid subjecting the hair to excessive direct sunlight. It may take a long time to catch all the splits in badly damaged hair and it may seem impossible at times, but if you take some steps to improve and protect your hair you will eventually see some stunning results.

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