Herbal Steam Facial

I sometimes treat my self to an Herbal facial. here's how you can try this "spa-like" treatment in your own home:

Bring 4 cups of water to a simmer and add 4 tablespoons of an herb like lavender to a teapot. Pour boiling water over herbs in teapot, cover teapot. Sit at table and cover head with towel, slowly pour steaming herb/water mix into deep bowl, do 1/3 of the water at a time. Allow the steam to build up around your face, but be careful of the hot water. The steam will do wonders for your face, skin is moister and younger looking, feeling. Do not steam longer than 20 mins. Use an astringent immediately after steam while pores are open, for best results.

CHOCOLATE LIP BALM

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons Cocoa Butter (available in the pharmacy).

3-4 Chocolate chips

1 Vitamin E capsule

1/4 teaspoon almond oil (or cooking oil)

DIRECTIONS:

Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted. You may have to microwave the mixture again for a few seconds. Add Vitamin E and Oil. Vitamin E is a natural preservative Stir very well, or the lip balm will turn out lumpy. Pour into a small container. Great gift!

Victorian Facial Scrub

A wonderful facial scrub that was used to soften and smooth the

complexion of Victorian ladies.

1 Cup Rose Petals

1 Cup Lavender Flowers

1 Cup Whole Oatmeal

1/2 Cup Chopped Almonds

Additional Supplies:

Coffee Grinder, Food Processor or Blender

Grind together all the ingredients until the texture is quite fine. Store in an air tight container. To use the scrub, rub a handful gently onto damp skin in small, circular motions. Allow it to dry on the skin for a minute or so, then rinse off.

Lavender Peel-off Mask

1 packet unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup fresh fruit juice/herb extract* (*A few tablespoons of chopped lavender -- you can use less if it's dried.)

3/4 cup of water

Place the water and herbs in the saucepan with the heat on low. Let simmer for about 10 minutes. Let cool and then strain -- press on the herbs to get all of the juices. Gently heat the gelatin with your liquid until the gelatin is dissolved completely. Let cool until it is almost set. Smooth the mixture on your face and let dry completely. Peel off!

Dry skin facial steam

Here's a steam to soften the skin and lift your spirit. Bring a pan filled with about 16 oz. of water to a boil. Remove from the stove and add about 5 drops of rose (Rosa damascena) or geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil to the water.

Cover your head with a towel, making sure that the sides are closed, and lean over the pan.

The steam will open pores and cause you to perspire, helping to release trapped toxins and debris from the skin. The essential oil will also help soften the skin and lift your spirits

Lavender-Rosemary Toner

Normal to Dry Skin

Makes 8 ounces of toner

4 ounces spring water

1 ounce lavender water

1 ounce rose water

1 ounce witch hazel

1/2 ounce vegetable glycerin

1/2 ounce organic aloe vera gel (health food store)

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

16 drops lavender oil

16 drops rosemary oil

4 drops lemon oil

4 drops of rose oil

Put ingredients in a clean bottle, and combine them in the order shown above. Apply gently to clean face and neck, using a clean cotton pad.

Store in refrigerator, capped tightly between uses.

Scented Body Lotion

1/8 tsp. Borax 1/4 cup distilled water 1/2 cup

almond oil

1 tbs. grated beeswax Fragranced essential oil, your

choice of scent(s)

Combine borax and distilled water; set aside. Heat almond oil and beeswax together until beeswax is almost melted. Remove from heat and stir. Heat borax and water mixture to almost boiling. Slowly pour water into heated oils while stirring with a wire whisk.

Once the water is completely mixed into the oils allow the mixture to cool. Once it is completely cool add the essential oil or oils of your choice for fragrance. Makes about 8 ounces.

Handmade Herbal Lotion

Ingredients:

1/8 teaspoon borax

1/4 cup distilled water

1/2 cup sweet almond oil

1 Tablespoon grated beeswax

Combine the borax and distilled water. Set aside. Heat the oil and the beeswax gently until the beeswax is almost melted. Remove from the heat and stir. Heat the borax and water till almost boiling. Slowly pour the borax water into the almond oil mixture while stirring with a wire whisk. Add 4-5 drops of an essential oil such as rose, lavender, rose geranium, or other gentle scents, also whisking it into the mixture. Pour into a container and allow to cool. Makes 8 ounces.

Herbal Face Scrub

This recipe is very mild and gentle on your skin and an excellent face scrub to make and use for beginners.

Herbal infusion (use dried chamomile, elderflowers or fennel for normal skin types);

2 tablespoons fine oatmeal

1. Mix 3 tablespoons of the herbal infusion (your choice of herb, hot water, left to "infuse" for approximately 20 to 30 minutes then strain, keeping the infused liquid) with the oatmeal to make a paste.

Let stand, allowing the oatmeal to soften, about 5 minutes.

2. Gentle massage the mixture into your face for five minutes.

3. Rinse well with tepid water. Pat dry, tone, and moisturize.

This

Fluoridated toothpaste came about as the result of a discovery made in Naples, Italy in 1802, when local dentists noticed yellowish-brown spots on their patient's teeth - but no cavities. Subsequent examination revealed that high levels of fluoride in the water caused the spots and prevented tooth decay, and that less fluoride protected teeth without causing the spots. It took a while for the discovery to be implemented; the first U.S. fluoridated water tests didn't take place until 1915, and Crest, the firth toothpaste with fluoride in it didn't hit stores until 1956.

6 EASY FACIAL MASKS THAT YOU CAN MAKE!

Treat yourself with a luscious homemade facial mask today!

1~Banana, Sour Cream & Honey~

Mash 1/2 banana and add 1 tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons sour

cream. Apply to face and let set for about 10 minutes. Gently wipe

off with a damp wash cloth

2~Simple Cornmeal~

Two tablespoons of cornmeal mixed with enough water to make a thick

paste makes a great inexpensive facial mask. Gently apply to face and

wash off.

3~Almonds and Berries~

In a food processor or blender, combine 1/2 cucumber, 1 tablespoon

yogurt, a few strawberries, and 1 teaspoon honey. Apply to face and

allow to dry. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

4~Easy Avacado~

Mash half of an avocado and apply to entire face. Let set for about

20 minutes and then gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

5~Apricot Cream~

Soak 1 cup dried apricots in water until softened. Puree in blender

or food processor with 2 tablespoons skim milk powder. Apply to face

and let set about 15 minutes. Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

6~Cucumber Yogurt~

Puree 1/2 peeled, sliced cucumber in a blender or food processor and

add 1 tablespoon yogurt. Apply to face and let set about 20 minutes.

Gently wipe off with a damp wash cloth.

Freckles And Age Spots

Becoming a mother: woman and infants

Unfortunately, this often happens in everyday life. Majority of women understand the fact they are pregnant already on 3-4 week of pregnancy. And after all, one should prepare herself for childbirth long before this happy moment. A kid’s health depends on his parents’ health entirely, their emotional balance and high-grade food.

I will not be surprised, if some of mummies cannot recollect what they ate for a dinner on Saturday and whether they had stress during a week. Think these are trifles? Probably. But big develops of trifles! And in this case, this is a future baby’s health, and you cannot risk it. Therefore, it is necessary to approach pregnancy planning after careful consideration and prepare in advance.

Step first

Even if you consider yourself absolutely healthy, do not neglect a visit to the therapist. Measurement of arterial pressure, general analysis of urine and blood can reveal latent chronic diseases — for example, anaemia, illnesses of kidneys, hypertension, what is very important for future woman and infants health.

Do not also ignore a gynecologist’s office. A doctor will make general investigation of reproductive system, channelize on blood analysis for AIDS, antibodies to chicken pox, hepatitis B and C, roseola. Roseola during pregnancy, especially at an early stage, when fetus internal is formed, can be seriously injurious to baby health. Therefore, before conception, make blood analysis, which will confirm you have immunity to this illness. If immunity is not present - you should necessarily pass vaccination. Hand over the analysis in advance, as pregnancy is extremely undesirable within three months after inoculation.

Be necessarily surveyed on gynecologic infections, as woman and infants can be affected by them. Even if you consider you are free of them, it is better being convinced of it by means of corresponding researches on vagina microflora.

Before pregnancy it is desirable to visit endocrinologist and check up a thyroid gland condition. Especially, if you suffer from endocrine system work infringements. At first a doctor surveys thyroid gland on ultrasonic, and then, if negative changes are found out, it is necessary to hand over additional analyses on level of cholesterol and maintenance of various hormones in blood.

Geneticist is another very important doctor for woman and infants. Visiting genetics is desirable before 29, and is obligatory after 30.

For your advantage, do not be too lazy and visit a stomatologist. Pregnant women have one of the highest risks of stomatologic diseases occurrence. Basic illnesses of oral cavity a woman faces are parodontosis and caries, they are also transferred to a kid

Step second

If you used any means of contraception, it is possible to stop doing this safely.

Step third

Refuse everything that is harmful - cigarettes, abusing caffeine, alcohol - better before pregnancy. Remember that formation of fetus basic bodies, which occurs in the first 18 weeks of pregnancy, is the most mportant period during. By the way, under medical data, people used to moderated drinking (only on holidays), should stop taking alcoholic drinks approximately three months prior to prospective conception. It concerns both men, and women. Though during pregnancy you can allow yourself red wine in reasonable quantities. And there can be problems with smoking. Smoking women are recommended to refuse cigarettes one year prior to prospective conception. Men can do it three months prior to the appointed day.

Step fourth

Try to improve food allowance, as it is very important for woman and infants future health. It is very important to provide organism with vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy fetus development, even before conception.

You need to use products which contain all useful substances. Prefer high-quality and fresh food. Try to avoid fried products, boil or stew them, or bake.

A future mum should not use chips, alcohol, salads and refined products, try to avoid products which can be infected with Listeria or salmonella - these bacteria are dangerous for woman and infants. If you can, refuse cakes and sweets, and also from superfluous coffee or tea.

Do not eat canned food and products containing various additives. Do not drink aerated drinks containing lots of sweeteners, artificial dyes and aromatic additives.

We recommend diversifying also a choice of dishes containing all necessary vitamins. Women who wish to have infants should take enough folic acid. It plays a considerable role in prevention of fetus nervous tube defects, leaders to backbone pathologies. Pregnant women are often recommended taking 400 micrograms of folic acid, since 12 week before conception and till 12 week of pregnancy. A source of folic acid - dark green vegetables, for example, spinach and broccoli, and also oranges, vitaminized porridges and bread from not sifted flour.

Step fifth

It is not necessary to neglect recommendations about struggle against excess weight. It is desirable, that your weight would correspond to norm for your growth half a year before conception. Passing to a hungry or unloading diet during pregnancy is impossible, even if you have considerable surplus of weight, not to deprive yourself and a baby of important nutrients.

Step final

Experts assert that you should give 20 minutes to aerobics a day three-four times a week, and women expecting infants are not an exception here. Reasonable preventive maintenance before and during pregnancy – a diet, physical culture, control over state of health – will help you keeping health and beauty after a childbirth.

Strengthening these muscular groups you can avoid, for example, ruptures of uterine neck and even patrimonial fetus traumas.

Before beginning of exercises walk a little. Then take basic rack: heels together, socks separately, hands are lowered along a body freely, back is straight line, head is lifted.

*

Starting position: basic position. On a breath dissolve hands in sides a little and take them away back, bend trunk slightly. On an exhalation come back in an initial position. Repeat several times.
*

Starting position: basic position. Breathe enevly, trunk is turned to the right, hands follow casefreely , then the same - to the left. Repeat several times.
*

Starting position: lying on a stomach, emphasis on forearms. On a breath, leaning against palms, lift the top part of a trunk. On an exhalation return to a starting position. Repeat several times.
*

Starting position: lying on a floor, press waist to a floor densely and lift feet vertically upwards. Separate and cross feet, without bending them thus in knees. Repeat 10-12 times in each side.
*

Starting position: sitting on a floor, feet are straightened, emphasis on hands behind. At uniform breath bend right foot, take away a knee outside, then return back, take a starting position. Now the same - with left foot. Repeat 2-3 times.
*

Starting position: lying on a stomach, extend feet and press them densely to a floor. Extend hands forward, head – a trunk continuation. Without lifting a head upwards, tear off the top part of a trunk, making smooth movement upwards-downwards with hands, as at swimming by a breast stroke. Make 10–12 repetitions by both hands.
*

Starting position: lying on a floor with bent feet, raise pelvis upwards, compress muscles of buttocks and simultaneously strain muscles of perineum and anus. If you sit or stand, just strain these muscles, without lifting a pelvis. Hold pressure for 5-7 seconds, then – a break for 10 seconds, and some more repetitions.

To make pregnancy safe from the very beginning, it is better to start preparing for it in advance. There is a number of conditions, which observance not only increases probability of conception, but also guarantees birth of a healthy kid as much as possible. It is better to start preparation three months prior to conception - after all, in the first weeks, when you, most likely, still do not know you are pregnant, fetus is especially subject to adverse influences. Besides, confidence that you give a baby all the best, will help experiencing pregnancy better and enjoying woman and infants relationship in future. Good luck!

mitation of Grace Kelly or Veronica Lane type

is in this winter season. In the first case, we are offered to wear straight sleek, combed back (or even in a bun) hair with open forehead. They will look great under any cap, accentuate your sensuality, intellectuality, allow you to play with make-up. In second case, your image will be softer, feminine, tender. For this you need to arrange flowing hair of middle length with a big round hairbrush, sleek hair near roots, part your hair (in the middle or at one side), and fix with usual invisible hairpins above ears.
Let’s say a word about hoop, which is still in for the second season running. It will help to tame even most unruly hair, hide defects of hairdo, carelessness of setting, not very healthy hair. This can be a knitted or satin fillet, a lath of cobweb of chiffon or lace, metallic hoop of any width, with velvet trimming and beading. A hoop will not only discharge its function, but will also become a very nice accessory that is quite appropriate for any business situation.

By the way, right in winter we start thinking whether we need to follow the rules of fashion in such difficult, uncomfortable conditions for our hair.

By the way, right in winter we start thinking whether we need to follow the rules of fashion in such difficult, uncomfortable conditions for our hair. Should we torment our hair with often radical coloring, difficult settings or take their course, resorting to a priority of “naturalness”?
Don’t run to extremes. Don’t just copy hits of season, don’t be lazy too, thinking that you spare your hair by doing nothing. You always have an opportunity to find a golden middle, including fashionable tendencies of a season.

Be also careful while hair coloring.

Be also careful while hair coloring. Firstly, do hair coloring only in well-known, approved salons. Secondly, if you color your hair at home, read everything that is written in annotation carefully. It should contain minimum of ammonia and peroxide, and maximum of vitaminous and polymeric complexes, UV-filters, vegetable extracts. These remedies fill in damaged parts of your hairs and renew their structure while coloring element changes the tone.
Be also very careful with hair settings. Any set and hairdo can easily lose its form under caps, so it’s very difficult to resist the temptation to use all hair holders you have at once. Of course, this is your choice, but remember, these holders should contain minimum percent of alcohol that drains your hair, they will lose their shine at once and will look dirty and greasy. Gels for setting should be used especially carefully, as they make your hair especially heavier and collect dirt on them.

Secrets of shining hair

Secrets of shining hair

8Feb2006 Filed under: Beauty Author:

It’s clear that out skin suffers from cold, wind, dry conditioned air, beriberi, however, we can at least correct its defects with the help of make-up. As for hair, we are at a deadlock very often. Meanwhile, there’s quite a standard choice of simple rules, observing of which can raise your spirits essentially, as it will inevitably improve condition of your chevelure
t’s clear that out skin suffers from cold, wind, dry conditioned air, beriberi, however, we can at least correct its defects with the help of make-up. As for hair, we are at a deadlock very often.
Meanwhile, there’s quite a standard choice of simple rules, observing of which can raise your spirits essentially, as it will inevitably improve condition of your chevelure. It’s clear, that it will require certain efforts from you, but it’s known since long ago, that beauty requires care. And some quantity of your private time, which you’ll spend to put your hair in order, will turn to be rather eligible investment in your future good mood.
By the highest standards, winter hair care doesn’t differ too much from the same procedure in other season. Every season has its own pluses and minuses, you need to bring some correctives to each season, leaving general principles the same. Anyway, you need to wash, clean and nourish your hair. Just in winter you should use other remedies, and, may be, in some other order.
Thus, for example, you need to use other cleansers for your hair, besides shampoo. Hair become dirty quicker under cap, and skin of head suffers from lack of air, what leads to intensive sebaceous excretions. You need to escape from this immediately, if you don’t want to lose almost half of your chevelure by spring, because of hair shedding in such uncomfortable conditions.
This can be done with the help of deep hair and head skin cleansers, which are produced in forms of gels, mousses, scums and creamy pastes. Of course, these are more expensive things, than usual shampoos, but believe, they are worth of it.
You should also change your shampoo for this cold season, it should have additional functions for sure. As a rule, manufacturers produce a diversity of shampoos with certain choice of properties, and you may find something appropriate for your hair among your usual trademark’s output. In particular, for winter season, choose tonic, corroborative, protective shampoos for damaged hair, adding them shine and renewing their structure.
However, it’s not enough just to clean (or wash) your hairs for such difficult ordeals, your hairs have to pass in winter. Use various hair and head skin masks for sure. These should be firstly nutritious masks or restoratives for hair structure. If your hair are more damaged, do a massage of head skin using special vegetable oil extracts once a week. They will nourish your hair, stir up blood supply of coverlet, and save from died off scutes. Moreover, this is a very pleasant procedure, and if your loved one does this massage for you, this will be extremely erotic.
To a lesser degree use different conditioners and balsams, which add additional qualities to your hair - more volume, comfortable combing, easiness of curls “lining” etc. , during cold season. This is a constraint for your hair in a certain sense, and they don’t need additional stress at all under such negative condition

* o So, what is the right way of washing the hair?

The first thing you should do is to comb the tangles out of the hair before you wet it so the hair would wash easily and the tangles would not worsen. And then, wet your hair thoroughly under the shower. You can use either warm or cold water if you like, but for best results, you can wet your hair with warm water to open the scale-like cuticles of the hair and wash all the oil and dirt off. And then, you can rinse your hair with cold water afterwards to close the cuticles and add to the shine of your hair.

Rinse your hair under the shower to rid it of the leave-on conditioner and styling aids you have used previously, using gentle strokes of your fingertips. Then, pour a dollop of shampoo in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, and then apply the shampoo to your scalp. Take note that you should put the shampoo on your scalp and not at the ends of your hair, as the shampoo would dry your hair's ends and cause it to weaken and split. Also, do not mix your hair all over your head as you shampoo because it will get all tangled up. After this, rinse the shampoo off.

More often than not, we need to shampoo our hair for a second time. The purpose of the first shampoo is to clean the oil and dirt off; the second shampoo is supposed to let the shampoo treat our hair. So, repeat the process, but let the shampoo sit on for around a couple of minutes. Rinse the hair completely after this.

To get the excess water off your hair, just squeeze the water out. Do not pull or tug at the hair because the hair is at its most delicate when it is soaked. When the excess water is out, apply a dollop of conditioner - mane event - and apply it along the hairline, the nape and the ends of the hair. Pile your hair then inside a shower cap and let the conditioner stay there for around ten minutes. And then, rinse it off completely.

The process described here does seem tedious and time-consuming. But remember, having great hair takes time and effort. And it is definitely worth it for a picture perfect hair.

Home Remedies for Oily Hair

You wash and style your hair every morning, but within a few short hours, it looks stringy and dirty. You, like millions of others, have oily hair.

But don't get mad at those glands for doing their job. Oil protects your hair shafts from breaking, keeps your scalp in good condition, and gives your hair that nice, healthy-looking sheen. Unfortunately, sometimes it's overzealous.

So why does the dipstick measure too much oil? Several factors can be responsible, including:

• Heredity: If your dad had oily hair, chances are you will, too.
• Hormonal fluctuations: In adult women, it may come with the menstrual cycle or using birth control pills. In teens, it's just part of the ever-embarrassing teenaged experience -- oily hair, zits, the works. When the hormones simmer down, the problem usually evens out.
• Bulking up: Excessive oil is a side effect of using androgenic hormones to increase body mass.

Diet's Not to Blame
Take notice that diet is not one of the oil-producing culprits listed. That's because diet doesn't play much of a role in the development of oily hair, contrary to what many people believe. Eating French fries won't send the grease directly to your scalp unless you rub your French fries through your hair.

The good news is that oily hair can be managed successfully with home remedies, including things you'll find in your very own kitchen. Go to the next page to read about home remedies for oily hair.

For more information about oily hair and how to prevent it, try the following links:

• To read about all of our home remedies and the conditions that they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
• If your oily hair is accompanied by oily skin, you can calm it with Home Remedies for Oily Skin.
• For information on how to condition dry hair, visit our Home Remedies for Dry Hair page.
• If your skin lack moisture, read our Home Remedies for Dry Skin page.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

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Nix the 100 strokes.

Despite what you may have heard, too much brushing can actually fracture the hair, causing it to fall out. Fragile, dry hair is even more vulnerable to excessive brushing. Always brush hair gently and never when it is wet (use a comb, carefully, when hair is wet). The type of hairbrush you use is important, too. Boar-bristle brushes or "vent" brushes are good choices, since their rubberized tips don't pull the hair excessively.

Pour the hot oil.

Hair-care professionals often recommend hot-oil treatments to repair dry, damaged hair. Over-the-counter hot-oil products are available that you heat and place on the hair for 5 to 20 minutes (according to package instructions). Wear a plastic bag or shower cap over your hair while the hot oil is on, then wash the hair thoroughly with a gentle shampoo.

Pour on the conditioner.

Strawlike hair needs conditioning. Look for products that contain little or no alcohol, which will dry out hair even more. Reading labels will help, but it might be simpler just to take a whiff before you buy: Conditioners with little or no fragrance tend to be low in alcohol or contain none at all. If your hair is really dry, consider using an overnight conditioner, which you apply before going to bed (you sleep wearing a shower cap) and rinse off in the morning.

Use a gentle shampoo.

Dry hair needs a gentle, acidic cleanser. The ideal shampoos for dry hair have a pH of between 4.5 and 6.7, but here's a good rule of thumb: Don't use any hair cleanser that you wouldn't put on your face. Some people recommend baby shampoos, but their pH is usually far too high; such alkaline shampoos dry out the hair. Acidic shampoos are better for your hair.

Be kind to your hair.

Dry hair is the most fragile type of hair and is subject to breakage, so it must be handled with care. When lathering, be gentle. Avoid any pulling or yanking on your hair in any way, which strains the hair shafts. Don't scrub with your fingernails, which can not only break the hair but irritate your scalp. Work up a lather using your fingertips, instead.

Don't overdo the shampoo

Shampooing too often is one of the most common causes of dry hair. Many people believe that squeaky-clean hair is healthy hair, so they wash it one or more times every day. But shampoos often contain harsh cleaning agents that can strip away your hair's natural oils, which help hold in moisture. On the other hand, a gentle shampoo will stimulate the oil glands, so you probably shouldn't go longer than three days without a good lather.

Home Remedy Treatments for Dry Hair

You can learn to treat your hair with T.L.C. and teach your dry hair to be more manageable. Here are some home remedies for treating your hair properly:

Home Remedies from the Cupboard

Mayonnaise. You'll need the full-fat kind, not a diet or low-fat version. Slather 1 tablespoon or so onto your hair, rub it in down to your scalp, then cover with a plastic cap and wait about 30 minutes. Rinse it out thoroughly or you'll be craving tuna salad the rest of the day.

Oil. Rub a little oil into your scalp. Olive oil works well, as does coconut oil. After you rub it on, cover your hair with a cap and leave it on overnight, then shampoo and rinse the oil out in the morning

Home Remedies from the Refrigerator

Avocado and banana. Mash a little overripe banana and avocado together, spread in your hair, and leave it there for up to an hour. Then rinse with warm water.

Beer. After your shampoo, rinse your hair with a little beer. This can help restore shine.
Avocado and banana. Mash a little overripe banana and avocado together, spread in your hair, and leave it there for up to an hour. Then rinse with warm water.

Beer. After your shampoo, rinse your hair with a little beer. This can help restore shine.
Eggs. To clean hair and give it a super shine, whip an egg into tepid water (not too hot or you'll be dealing with a poached egg), then lather it into your hair. Rinse it out with tepid water or that egg will poach right on top of your head. To deep-treat damaged hair, give it a healthy sheen, and cure dryness right down to the roots, use this pre-shampoo conditioning treatment: Mix together 3 eggs, 2 tablespoons olive oil or safflower oil, and 1 teaspoon vinegar. Apply it to your tresses, cover with a plastic cap, and leave it on for 30 minutes. Then shampoo as usual.

Natural Home Remedies for Dry Hair

If your hair has the moisture content of the Mojave Desert and nothing short of dipping your mane in a bucket of oil seems to correct the problem, here are a few home remedies that can make that brittle hair supple and shiny again.

Home Remedies from the Cupboard

Nuts and seeds. Try snacking on some seeds and nuts. They contain essential fatty acids that can pop that sheen right back into your hair.

Vinegar. There are several ways you can help your dry hair with vinegar. Vinegar is a great conditioner and can improve cleanliness and shine. Just add 1 tablespoon vinegar to your hair as you rinse it. Keep a travel-size plastic bottle of vinegar in your shower for this purpose, and take one when you travel, too. Since dandruff can make your hair look dull, use vinegar to make dandruff disappear. Massage full-strength vinegar into your scalp several times a week before you shampoo. Or, a brief soak in vinegar and water before you shampoo can help control dandruff as well as remove the dulling buildup from sprays, shampoos, and conditioners. Add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to a small basin of water and drape your hair into it. As an alternative, you can put the concoction in a spray bottle and apply it to your hair. A conditioner that controls dandruff and gives your hair a healthy shine can be made by mixing 2 cups water and 1/2 cup vinegar. Apply the conditioner after rinsing out your shampoo, and let it stay on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water. If you need a stronger treatment for dandruff control, use this same method, but keep the rinse on your hair for 1 hour, covered with a shower cap. Then rinse it out. This vinegar rinse will also help control frizziness in dry or damaged hair.

Home Remedies For Shiny Hair

We all love our hair and would not mind taking that extra step to take care them. For beautiful, lustrous and shiny hair use these simple home remedies.Tea and beer rinse is one of the oldest ways to bring shine to your hair.

• A shiny look is also provided if you use vinegar for your final rinse.
• To bring that shine one can use honey to keep your scalp moisturized. You can make honey lotion for your hair by mixing 3 teaspoons of honey for pint of water.
• The use of henna as a natural conditioner proves to be very beneficial for your hair. It helps to bring back the bounce and flair of your hair which has been lacking for quite a while.
• You can add small amount of baking soda in the shampoo which, removes dirt and grease from your hair to give you the shiny look.
• To remove the dirt and other matter from your hair you can use one fourth cup of apple cider vinegar in one gallon of condensed water. This can be stored in the refrigerator and can be used every two weeks for clean, smooth, silky and shiny hair. The proper way to use this solution is to wet your hair with warm water, shampoo it later rinse it. Pour two cups of this mixture and leave it in your hair for sometime. The last stage is to rinse your hair with cold-water.
• To get that extra shine for your hair brew one cup of strong espresso, let it cool. Pour the espresso over your dry hair and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it to get the extra shine and glow.
• You can also make Egg shampoo at home which requires 1 egg, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon castile soap, 1/2 a cup water or herbal tea and last but not the least 5 drops of essential oils of your choice. Blend all these together to make an Egg shampoo which can bring shine to your hair.
• Many of us who want to clean their hair use shampoos. Try this for a change, massage baking soda into your hair and scalp. This absorbs oil and loosens the dead skin on the scalp. Rinse it thoroughly with water. In the initial stages the hair would be dry but after several weeks you would be dandruff free with smooth and shiny hair.

Dry & Damaged Hair Home Remedies

Salon hair treatments can be expensive and may contain chemical additives. Instead of paying those prices, consider using products you have at home to pamper your hair. Restore the luster and body of your hair and then keep it that way. Avoid brushing your hair when it is wet; instead gently comb out tangles. Allow your hair to dry naturally whenever possible, as hair dryers can damage your beautiful hair. Periodically using home remedies as well as eating a healthy diet will keep your hair looking and feeling its best.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Eggs
• Mayonnaise
• Bananas
• Avocados
• Sunflower oil
• Wheat germ oil
• Almond oil
• Coconut oil
• Honey

1. Step 1

   Apply one cup of mayonnaise to your damp, freshly washed hair. You may use a little more or less depending on the length of your hair. Coat all the strands from the roots to the ends. Cover the hair with a shower cap and allow it to sit on the hair for about 30 minutes. Wash with a gentle shampoo and allow hair to air dry.

2. Step 2

   Mash one-half of an avocado, one-half banana, and one egg yolk together and apply the mixture to damp, freshly washed hair. Coat all the strands from the roots to the ends. Cover the hair with a shower cap and allow it to sit on the hair for about 30 minutes. Wash with a gentle shampoo and allow hair to air dry.

3. Step 3

   Mix one egg with one tablespoon of almond oil, one tablespoon of coconut oil and two tablespoons of honey and apply the mixture to damp, freshly washed hair. Coat all the strands from the roots to the ends. Cover the hair with a shower cap and allow it to sit on the hair for about 30 minutes. Wash with a gentle shampoo and allow hair to air dry.

4. Step 4

   Warm one-half cup of sunflower oil mixed with one-half cup of wheat germ oil and one tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture to damp, freshly washed hair. Coat all the strands from the roots to the ends. Cover the hair with a shower cap and allow it to sit on the hair for about 30 minutes. Wash with a gentle shampoo and allow hair to air dry.

5. Step 5

   Avoid using rubber bands on your hair; only use coated hair bands to hold ponytails or braids. Pat your hair dry instead of rubbing it. Keep split ends trimmed off from the ends of your hair. Avoid using curling irons or hot rollers. Alternate these home remedies using one a week to restore the shine and luster of your hair.

How to Take Care of Hairfall

If you are the kind of person who has a few dozen hair fall off every time you run your fingers or comb through it then you are suffering from hair breakage or hair fall. It is a metabolic disorder where the hair starts thinning, falling or disappearing.

What causes hair fall?

An improper diet is the most common cause for hair fall. Lack of vitamins like vitamin B6 and folic acid along with poor eating habits cause hair loss. Diseases that have strong medication like influenza, typhoid or chronic cold cause loss of hair as well. Stressful conditions like loss of family, job stress or other common anxieties can cause hair loss as well. Not washing shampoo of your hair or not maintaining hygiene are also common conditions for hair loss.

What are the symptoms?

None but the obvious, you will find hair fall in the shower or while you run your fingers or comb through your hair. This leads to your hair looking thin and lifeless.

Home remedies for hair loss

Some simple techniques include massaging your hair with hot oil every 3 days. All you need to do is boil 1 cup of oil (mustard, almond or coconut) and add a few herbs like henna leaves to it. Make sure to crush the leaves before you boil them.

Wash your hair with shampoos that are lemon or lavender based. Rinse of lemon juice or vinegar.

Squeeze lemons and soak them over night. Use this water to wash your hair or boil the water. Place a towel in the water and then squeeze out the excess water. Wrap it around your head so that you get a hot steam massage with the lemon water.

Add protein to your diet. Drink 10 – 12 glasses of water. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily and drink 2 cups of milk daily.

Home Remedies to Reduce Hair Fall

Hair loss is a common problem and it knows no distinction of age or sex. Factors like stress, too many treatments on the hair, hormonal changes, deficiencies in diet and weather can cause hair fall. The amount of hair fall depends on the degree of the factor affecting the condition. While it is normal to lose 50 to 100 hair.

Several simple techniques will help to reduce your hair fall. Remember to always wash your hair with warm or cold water. Hot water reduces the amount of moisture from your hair and makes the roots weak. This increases the possibility of hair fall. Wash your hair daily to reduce the amount of dirt and pollution collecting on your scalp. Comb your hair regularly and always keep it tied up when you are traveling to avoid friction that increases breakage of hair.

Use almond or coconut oil on your hair twice a week to give it a deep conditioning effect. Massage the oils into your scalp and let it stay over night. Wash it in the morning to reveal soft silky strands. Another way to benefit from an oil massage is to massage the oil on to your scalp and then use a hot towel on your strands to give it a warm compression. The steam will help to strengthen your strands from the roots thus reducing the possibility of breakage and hair fall.

Avoid using harsh products son your hair like hairsprays and gels. Using these daily weaken your hair and thus causes them to fall. Also coloring your hair will increase the hair fall. Most coloring agents have harsh chemicals in them that help to dye your hair and hence increases the possibility of hair fall. Avoid coloring your hair often and if you do; then you must avoid touching the roots of your hair. Color from one inch above the strands.

Avoid styling your hair daily and keep your hair ties as far as possible. If you are suffering from hair fall then keeping it ties will reduce the amount of friction on the hair and thereby reduce hair fall.

Diet and Home Remedies to Overcome Hair Loss and Balding

Millions of people all over the world are obsessed with their hair and try different products in the hope of achieving perfect looking hair like that of the model in a shampoo commercial. Most people never really succeed, because what you see in the commercial is not real. It is hair that is graphically made.

In fact one the main reasons for hair loss is the abuse we put it through by using various products that are loaded with chemicals. Don’t keep trying every new product that is available in the market. Be sensible and choose wisely. Look for reputed brands which have good quality products.

To be able to cure any skin or hair related issue, what we eat is actually more important than what we apply topically. It’s the nutrition that counts. Foods that are rich in protein are excellent for hair. Include eggs in your daily food intake. If the doctor has asked you to go easy on easy on eggs due to a medical condition, try drinking soy milk everyday or add tofu to your daily diet. Eat foods rich in protein, but be careful with red meats as these might not be good for your heart. Eat fish instead.

Vitamin E promotes hair growth. Nuts like almonds & walnuts are a good source of the vitamin. Eat these as your mid day snack everyday. Look for other foods that are rich vitamin E. Another vitamin that is good for hair is vitamin A. Include foods like pumpkin or carrots in your diet. Check with your doctor if it is okay for you to take vitamin supplements.

Avoid harsh hair treatments like coloring, perming or straightening as these cause damage to the hair follicle. Don’t use the hair drier too often. The heat from the drier is not good for your hair.

Start exercising! When we work out, our body releases good hormones and helps us throw out the toxins. It helps improve skin and hair health.

You can also look for yoga exercises that promote hair growth.

Use shampoos which are mild if you wash your hair everyday. Look for shampoos which are specifically made to control hair loss. If the conditioner you use does not suit your hair, it could sometimes cause hair loss.

All these measures won’t show results immediately, it will take at least 2 to 3 months, so be patient. Another main reason for hair loss is stress. So stop worrying about how much hair you are loosing..

Ponytail Hairstyles

Ponytail is often considered a cure for bad hair day. But it is also a nice hairstyle for day or evening! It is a great way to get hair off your face and make messy hair look neat quickly.

They are not flattering for many face shapes. Wear it low at the back of the neck for business or evening occasions. Or keep it in the middle of the head for a sporty look.

How to Do a Ponytail

1. Comb your hair and remove any tangles;

2. Add small amount of styling mousse or pomade to dried hair;

3. Style the front of your hair;

4. Part your hair where desired;

5. Pull a rubber band around the wrist of your lead or brush hand;

6. Brush hair into your free hand, letting the tail hang parallel to your spine;

7. Collect the hair you want to include between the L made by your thumb and palm;

8. Set the brush down, then tighten the grip on your
gathered hair;

9. Transfer the ponytail into your lead hand;

10. Your palm should face the back of your head, with your fingers and thumb facing down and your elbow facing up;

11. Let your hair form a cord in the tunnel of your grip;

12. Hook the rubber band with your free index finger and stretch it down;

13. Pull your ponytail through the band, keeping a soft grip;

14. Keep the rubber band tense as you insert your other fingers and thumb into the band and twist it around the base of your ponytail;

15. Press your pinky against the point where the rubber band crosses and make a wide circle;

16. Grab your ponytail and pull it through the rubber band;

17. Repeat steps from 12 to 15 until the rubber band fits snuggly;

18. Take a small section of the tail and wrap it twice - once for short hair - around the rubber band;

19. Secure it by inserting it into a strap of the band;

20. Use an extra dab of gel or anti-frizz serum on the twisting section for greater contro

Picture of ponytail.

Ponytail Tips

If the band sits too low, take half of the ponytail in each hand and pull gently just under the rubber band. The ends should be parallel to your shoulders as you pull.

The hair leading into the ponytail should lay flat and smooth.

Do not make your ponytail too tight. Your hair could fall out if you do.

Use high-quality, coated rubber bands. You may apply a little conditioner around the inside of the coated elastic.

Go gently when making a ponytail. Shift the placement of ponytail from day to day.

Popular Ponytail Hairstyles

- Side
- Sleek
- Chic
- Messy
- Wrap around
- Super cute
- High
- Wavy
- Perky
- Inverted

Hair Styles With Bangs

Hair styles with bangs must suit your face shape! Wispy or straight bangs are great for providing shape to your face. Bangs make your face look a little smaller.

They're the perfect disguise for a high or narrow forehead. They look great on straight hair, while they look messy on curly hair. You can have various hair styles with bangs. They can be thin and sparse or thick.

They can be long, up to your eyebrows or up to your eyes. Or short, an inch from your hairline.

Hair styles with bangs are very much en vogue. You can cut your bangs at home but only if you are 100% sure what you are doing. If not, have a professional stylist cut your bangs.

If you do it yourself, you must use a pair of sharp haircutting scissors. Do NOT use kitchen scissors.

How to Cut Your Bangs

1. Your hair should be wet, tangle-free;

2. Comb the section you want to cut forward;

3. Pin all other hair away from your face;

4. Collect the same amount of hair from both sides of a middle part;

5. Gather the section you want to cut into a point;

6. Cut anything lower than the tip of your nose;

7. Shake the bangs out;

8. Decide how you'd like to shape them;

9. Comb one side of your bangs straight;

10. Grasp them between straight index and middle fingers;

11. Pull gently;

12. Hold the hair at a slight distance from your face;

13. To create straight bangs cut from edge to edge following the horizontal line of your fingers;

14. To create jagged, spiked bangs cut vertically, snipping up, not across;

15. Be sure not to cut too much;

16. Trim your bangs by following the line you originally created.

If you make a mistake, do not try to correct it by further cutting. See your hairstylist. He will help you with your hair style with bangs.

Hair Brushes and Brushing Hair

Brushing your hair produces several benefits for your hair beauty! It massages the scalp, removes the loose scales accumulated on the scalp and distributes the sebum (oily substance) evenly through the hair.

Regular brushing with a ball-tipped bristle brush through to the scalp will stimulate the blood supply and promote healthy growth.

On the other hand, over-brushing can make your hair greasy and may damage the hair and scalp.

Keep in mind that the wrong tool and the wrong technique can tangle or tear your hair.

The type of the hair brush that we use is important in getting the right style and preventing damage.

There are five types of brushes, each designed for a specific purpose.

Types Of Hair Brushes

• Vent Brush

• Styler

• Cushion Brush

• Paddle Brush

• Thermal Brush

The Vent Hair Brush

It is the simplest brush to use but gives only the simplest of effects.

It has vents through which air flow. Use this brush to give your hair height and volume as well as some direction.

The Styler Hair Brush

No vents and easy to use. But it cannot provide enough tension so you will not be able to get the smoothness you want.

The bristles are on one side only and form a slight half circle bend. They are best used on bob shape cuts and mid length hair.

With this type of brush you will straighten the lengths and ends of your hair.

The Cushion Hair Brush

Very simple to use and popular with men.

Have a soft cushion base with bristles on one side.

If your hair is short to medium lengths and not too thick or dense, use this brush to smooth, without lift or volume.

The Round Hair Brush

They are not just for creating curl.

For achieving maximum height and lift use the more open bristle type.

If your hair naturally has a wave or curl, the densely packed real bristle round brush is great at smoothing and straightening your hair with the tension needed.

The size of the brush you need depends on the length of your hair and the effect you want. Your hair needs to be long enough to rap around the brush once.

The Paddle Hair Brush

The paddle brush is larger and flatter than the cushion brush.

Use this brush if your hair is long.

After using a round brush to straighten wavy or curly hair, use this type of brush to finish off. Also use the paddle brush to smooth naturally straight hair.

With this type of brush you won't create volume if you sweep the brush down the length of your hair with a paddle type motion.

The Thermal Brush

There are round thermal brushes but they also come as vent or styler types.

A heat conductive material is the center of the brush. This material gets hot using the heat from your hair dryer.

As you increase the heat that is drying your hair it will be working not only on the surface of your hair, but internally as well.

Be very careful, it is easy to scorch your hair if the brush gets too hot!

How to Brush Your Hair

For short hair

use a Paddington brush with soft protective bristles.

For medium length straight hair, use a Paddle Brush with soft protective bristles. For smooth silky look use the large paddle brush.

For medium length wavy hair, use extra large round brush to blow out the kinks and curls.

For long hair past your shoulders use a thick, loose toothed brush. Mason Pearson hair brushes are renowned for the pure boar bristles which don't tear hair or leave static.

Never use a brush on wet hair, always use a wide-toothed comb from end to root. Try not to touch the root at all.

Some suggest not even to comb it in wet condition. Hair is three times weaker when it's wet.

Heavy wooden brushes are easier to straighten hair with.

The size of the brush depends on the length of the hair.

Finer hair should use a smaller brush. The smaller the brush, the greater the root lift.

For thick hair use a paddle brush to make it straight.

For thick frizzy hair, never brush it! Use a pick comb to style.

Don't buy cheap plastic stuff! It causes electrostatic. Don't use metal combs and brushes.

Ensure that your hairbrush and comb have rounded bristles.

Cleaning brushes is very important. It can be done by using another brush or comb to take out the build-up. Shampoo or soap can be used to wash bristles. Wash once a week.

Brushing Your Hair

If you brush your hair very often, it's important to do it right.

• Start to comb your hair before you start to brush.

• Combing has to be done bottom up.

• Start combing at the end of your hair.

• Go through some inches until all knots are combed out, and then restart some inches higher.

• If your hair is really messy, separate it and comb each strand.

• After this use a brush to go through the whole length, top down.

• Use a firm, regular stroke.

• Don't brush rude.

To get rid of static or flying hair while brushing spray some water onto your hair. This will discharge your hair. After brushing apply a spray.

To prevent catching static or flying hair during the day, use a hairspray to protect long hair.

Long Hair Brushing

1. Bend forward, allowing hair to fall;

2. Use a wooden base natural bristle brush to bring hair from the nape of the neck over the head and down to the ends;

3. Stand straight again with hair falling normally and brush from the underside of the hairline down the strands to the ends;

4. Brush the top layers into place with long, even strokes.

Short Hair Cut Styles

A short hair cut is assertive, confident, glamorous, and stylish.

According to a study carried out at Yale University , people perceive women wearing short haircuts to be confident and outgoing.

Short hair is sexy. It emphasizes femininity. Your hair looks thicker and glossier. It’s easy to manage and you look younger.

Short hair needs to be trimmed every 4-6 weeks to keep it looking its best.

Short hair means you have less hair to fight with! Shorter hair dries quicker on its own and keeps split ends to a minimum.

Determine your face shape before you choose a new short hairstyle.

Oval or heart-shaped faces suit short looks.

Round and square faces require longer pieces in back or wisps around the face.

Go short if you have small features. Anyone with a petite mouth and nose looks great with short hair.

Long Hair Cut Styles

Long hair has always been linked with sexual attraction.

The key words for long hair styles are shine and volume.

Long hair is only beautiful when it is in good condition.

To keep it in good shape or to improve the condition:

• In the morning use your fingers first to remove tangles.

• Use a natural bristle brush with a wooden base.

• Try long smooth strokes.

• Move your hand over the hair to eliminate static.

• Apply a once-a-week treatment.

• Apply a conditioner to the lengths and ends of your hair.

• Brush your hair before shampooing.

• Heat dry as little as possible.

• Do not use heated rollers, tongs, flat irons or crimpers more than once a week.

• When you do use them, use a thermal protector.

• When sleeping, put your hair up in a 'scrunchie' or covered band on the top of your head.

• Trim every 12 weeks.

• If growing out layers cut every 8 weeks.

• For general maintenance cut every 6 to 8 weeks.

• To make long hair look sexy and healthy try a shiny semi permanent color.

Go long if:

• You are a wash-and-wear type.

• You have particularly pretty hair.

• You have thick curls.

• You have strong features or a big body.

• You want to look younger

How to Blow Dry Hair

We blow dry our hair often! If you use blow-dryer improperly, it can cause severe damage to your hair. Blow drying can cause hair's cuticle to lift up, releasing moisture and leaving shafts brittle. Hair is most fragile when wet so extra care should be taken when drying.

Using a blow dryer set on high heat is very damaging. Extreme heat causes the loss of the hair's natural moisture resulting in dullness, brittleness and breakage.

Blow Drying Tips

pat dry with a towel.

• Set your blow dryer on low or medium heat.

• Do not hold the dryer too close when drying hair.

• Keep the blow dryer about six to eight inches away from your hair.

• Section your hair up and start with the under sections.

• If you dry your hair upside down, start at the nape, move on to the sides and dry the crown last.

• Aim the airflow from your dryer along the hair in the direction of the ends.

• Use a blow drying lotion to dry hair more quickly.

• Use your blow-dryer's nozzle attachment.

• Use a faster speed rather than a higher heat setting.

• To prevent heat damage, use a thermal protector according to the product instructions. It adds body and shine.

• To control static in your hair, spray hairspray on your hairbrush and brush it through your hair from the roots to the ends.

• Begin styling the hair when the scalp is completely dry and 80% of the hair is dry.

• Get rid of any blow dryer older than five years. The older the blow dryer, the higher the chance that the temperature gauge is damaged.

• Give your hair a break once in awhile and let it just dry naturally

Blow Drying Hair Straight

How to do it - step by step instructions:

1. Shampoo

and condition;

2. Detangle your hair using a wide toothed comb;

3. Start when your hair is 80% dry;

4. Begin with the hair in the nape;

5. Section off a 5cm deep piece of hair;

6. Use your brush to remove any tangles;

7. Draw your brush over the surface of the section from roots to ends;

8. Direct your hair down towards your shoulders;

9. Keeping tension in the hair;

10. Wind your hair around the brush back towards the scalp;

11. Do not bend the ends;

12. Use your other hand to smooth the hair as you wind;

13. Unwind the brush to reveal a length of hair to be dried;

14. You should have the tension that will get your hair really straight;

15. Pick up your hairdryer and direct the flow of air along the hair under tension;

16. The flow of air must be from scalp towards the brush but not on the brush;

17. Blow dry the hair that is pulled straight between the scalp and brush;

18. Keep the hairdryer about 3 to 5 cm from the hair;

19. Work down the length of your hair until only the ends are left around the brush;

20. Your next step depends on how you want your hair to look;

21. If you want your hair to be turned in or turned out simply bend the hair around the brush;

22. If you want the dead pan straight sleek look:

- Remove the brush and insert it underneath the ends;

- Use the airflow from the dryer to keep the ends against the brush but not around it;

- The ends should be in the same direction as the rest of the hair;

- Do not curl or twist your brush;

23. Let the section fall away and check that it is fully dry;

24. Move onto the next section without disturbing the one you just finished;

25. Repeat instructions 5 to 24 until all of your hair is dry.

Four more tips:

A styling product is necessary if you want your blow-dry to last.

Use mousse or one of the products designed specially to help straighten your hair and keep it that way.

To finish with, use a gloss or oil to smooth your hair and remove any frizzes.

Do not apply finishing products too close to your scalp

Best Blow Dryers

When it comes to choosing the best hair dryers, keep in mind that there are a few brands that are all-time favorites. Here's a list of the top dryers from cheap to expensive:

Inexpensive Blow-Dryer: Conair Infiniti

Medium-Priced Blow-Dryer: Super Solano

Lightest Pro Blow-Dryer on the Market: T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight

Ionic Blow Dryer: Bio Ionic

Inexpensive Travel Dryer: Hot Tools Ionic Dryer

High-Powered Travel Dryer: T3 Tourmaline Overnight Travel Dryer

How to Perm Hair

People have been trying to turn straight hair into waves and curls for thousands of years. A permanent wave is a process that creates a curl in the hair shaft by altering its chemical structure. Perming hair is a good way to add body and curls to straight hair. It also requires a bit of extra care.

Perms work best on hair that is not colored. Also, the thicker your hair, the better the perm will take. Very fine hair is the worst hair to perm. It needs the minimum amount of perming solution and processing time. Very straight, coarse hair is often resistant to perms.

Whether or not a perm will take depends on three factors:

1. the type of the hair

2. its past history of chemical treatments and

3. the skill of the stylist

You should never perm your own hair as this is a delicate job. If you do you run the risk of losing hair or damaging your hair shaft. In expert hands, perming can create wonderful effects. Stylist will need one to two hours to perm your hair. Perm lasts between 2-6 months.

Different Types of Hair Perms

- Acid perms create highly conditioned, flexible curls. Acid perms have a mildly acidic action that minimizes the risk of hair damage. They are ideally suited to hair that is fine, sensitive, fragile, damaged, or tinted.

- Alkaline perm gives strong, firm curl results on normal and resistant hair.

- Exothermic perms give bouncy, resilient curls. Exothermic refers to the heat that is produced by the chemical reaction that occurs when the lotion is mixed.

- Body perms are very soft, loose perms. The result is added volume with a hint of wave rather than curls.

- Root perms add lift and volume to the root area only.

- Pain curl perms give soft, natural waves and curls.

- Stack perms give curl and volume to one-length hair cuts.

- Spiral perms create romantic spiral curls. The hair is rolled vertically rather than horizontally.

- Spot perms give support only on the area to which they are applied.

- Weave perms involve perming certain sections of hair and leaving the rest straight

How to Perm Hair

1. The hair is washed by clarifying shampoo;

2. The hair is tightly wound around a curler or a rod;

3. The perm lotion is applied to the hair;

4. After a while the perm lotion is thoroughly rinsed;

5. A neutralising lotion is applied;

6. A failure to rinse and neutralise properly can lead to many problems.

7. The hair should not be washed for two to three days.

8. Cut your hair after you perm.

9. If your perm does not take you should wait a while before getting a new one.

10. Because permed hair can be dry, avoid over-use of irons, hot combs, and high-speed blow dryers.

11. Use hair care and styling products that are specifically recommended for permed hair.

12. Wait one week to color your permed hair.

13. If the curls have dropped, use curl boosters and cut down on washings.

14. Avoid bleaching permed hair.

Your perm won't take

There are several reasons that can make this happen:

• Age

• Medications

• Pregnancy

• Hormonal activity

• Illness

• Some people have hair that just will not perm

Caring for Permed Hair

- Don't wash your hair 24 - 72 hours after getting your perm. This is crucial if you want the perm to last for months.

- Touch-ups should only be done when necessary. Redo only the most unruly sections of your hair.

- Use products made for permed hair. Use conditioners to deeply moisturize. Select alcohol-free styling products.

- Scrunch hair every day to enhance your new style.

- Comb your hair, using a wide-toothed comb.

- Avoid blow-drying your hair.

- Style with added caution.

Hair Coloring Advice

Millions of people regularly color their hair. Coloring your hair is the quickest and most spectacular way to change your look and beauty.

Healthy, color treated hair feels and looks great. Different coloring methods suit different hair styles. The most basic rule of hair coloring is to have your hair look as natural as possible.

The best advice you can get is to stay within two shades of your natural color. Color should compliment your skin tone and eye color.

Make sure you have your hair in the best possible condition before coloring.

Different Types Of Hair Colors

• Temporary - color lasts from one shampoo

to the next. Color is deposited on the outside of the hair shaft.

• Semi-Temporary - color lasts up to 4-6 shampoos.

• Semi Permanent Hair Color - color is for masking white or light hair and lasts 4 to 6 weeks or 6 to 12 shampoos. Semi-permanent color darkens the hair. Semi-permanent colors are the gentlest way to color your hair. It contains no ammonia or peroxide.

• Demi-Permanent – color last longer than semi-permanent color. It’s stronger chemically and can damage the hair. It last between 24 to 26 shampoos and do not contain ammonia. It contains a small amount of peroxide.

• Permanent - color formulas change the natural color. The permanent colors penetrate the inner core of the hair strand. They can not be washed away. They are used with ammonia and peroxide. Permanent colors lighten the hair.

• Henna: Natural haircolor - least damaging way of the chemical methods to alter your color. It can be drying. Generally lasts 3-4 weeks.

You can find the haircolor in a variety of forms: creams, tubes, gels, and shampoo.

The color will not be permanently changed if it is not the part of an oxidation chemical reaction. Hydrogen peroxide is the oxidizing agent or developer. It is available in various forms and strengths.

The developer allows the formula to permanently alter the hair's color. The desired results determine the strength of the developer.

Fine textured hair can be damaged easily. The fine hair has less cuticle layers so the penetration of chemicals occurs faster. Coarse textured hair has more cuticle layers. This type of hair is more resistant to color.

Coloring will damage your hair if the wrong level of peroxide is used or you are over-processing your hair.

If you constantly change your color you must regularly use deep conditioning treatments. Over-processing is the main reason if your colored hair looks dull.

One of the most important elements of hair coloring is determining your hairs' underlying pigment. When you combine underlying color and artificial color in the right way you get the desired result.

How to Test Hair Color

You should always test for allergic reaction on your skin. Here is how:

• Place a small amount of the color on your skin.

• Wait 20 minutes.

• If there is allergic reaction, do not use the color.

Test the product on a few strands

• Mix together two drops of the color and two drops of the developer.

• Snip a tiny amount of your hair.

• Tape it together on one end.

• Dip the un-taped end into the mixture.

• Leave it for 25 minutes.

• Rinse, dry and compare the results to what you expected