Trendy Hair Dying

Hair dying is a kind of trend that gives you a sumptuous look if done appropriately but it can be a scary prospect if ends awfully.
Girls are highly fond of getting their hair coloured but are often undecided about what color to choose, which hair colour brand to go for. What would suits their hair best, high lights or low lights, what’s in fashion and what not? It’s really a rucksack full of problems!
Well the first essential thing a person should keep in mind before getting their hair dyed is the base colour. This is important, afterwards a person can do high lights or low lights. You should always get a base colour applied to your hair before getting them dyed. Because if you get high hair or low hair tinted without a base colour, they will appear simply absurd.
Once you get your hair dyed, they should be oiled on a regular basis, if not regular, then at least twice a week, and take proper care of them. Conditioning is a must after dying the hair, because hair tends to get very dry and messy after dying.
Also, touch ups are necessary, i.e. after the dye has dissolved from the roots and has outgrown you should get your roots dyed again so that the hair doesn’t look multi coloured.
A person should dye their hair according to their personality; this is the key to being fashionable and trendy. If you dye your hair in such a way that doesn’t suit you, it would be better that you don’t dye them at all. Dying hair according to your skin tone, fashion sense, persona will bring flying colours to your whole personality.
It will be better if you get your dye done from salons because if you try to do it at home, you will be less aware of how many solutions to mix, how long the dye should be applied, how to wash and different techniques of doing so.
You should not make the blunder of wasting time and money by trying to do this delicate job by your self, when you can get it done professionally according to your requirements.
You should take care of your hair and be careful in dying the hair, because it is not as simple task as the directions on the dying kit will indicate.

How to care your hair

How to care your hair...

When it comes to hair care, there are a few basic rules that everyone should consider adopting for the long term health of their strands.

These tips include the following:

• Always use a treated elastic hair band like a Blax, Bungee or similar, when you put your hair into a braid or ponytail. This will prevent hair breakage and loss which results from using a plain rubber band. Never use a rubber band. Rubber bands will rip, tear and damage hair.

• Never sleep in a tight braid or ponytail. This practice may cause ongoing hair breakage and/or loss over time.

• Always carefully remove tangles from your hair with a pick or brush before shampooing. This will prevent unnecessary knots and tangles making hair much easier to dry, style and braid.

• If you plan on trying out a brand new hairstyle for a special event (e.g. wedding or prom) always plan to practice several times before the big event arrives. This will guarantee great results.

• Never brush wet hair. This guarantees breakage because hair is most fragile when wet. Although some hair experts don't agree with this tip, the majority do.

• Use a good wide tooth comb, pick or your fingers to untangle your hair as you dry it. Hair should be 100% dry before brushing.

• Braid your hair while it's still damp and allow hair to aid dry while braided. This will add beautiful waves to the hair when you undo the braids.

• Keep hair easy and simple. Hairstyles look great when they are natural with a few waves or curls.

• Adjust hair care productsaccording to the change in seasons. Utilize rinse-out, leave-in and deep conditioning options to keep hair moisturized, paying special attention to the ends to prevent split ends.

• Give your hair a break whenever possible from excessive cleansing, heat styling and chemical processing.

• Invest in the best hair care products and tools you can afford, designed for your type (fine/thin, medium, thick, very thick) texture (straight, wavy, curly, kinky) length (very short, short, medium length, long, very long) and current condition (normal, dry, very dry, damaged) and scalp condition (normal, dry, dandruff).

• Avoid brushing hair other than to detangle. Never use brushes with knobs on the ends which may rip and tear delicate strands. 100% boar bristle brushes are usually best.

• Allow hair to air dry whenever possible.

• Whenever possible finish your cleansing cycle with cool/cold water rinse.

Hair and Stress

Hair & Stress

OTTAWA: High levels of the stress hormone cortisol in hair may be a strong predictor of heart attacks months in advance, said Canadian researchers in the journal Stress. Issues such as jobs, marital or financial problems are linked to an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease, including hearts attacks.

But until now a biological marker was not available to measure chronic stress and so predict several months in advance who may be most at risk of heart attack.

"Traditionally, cortisol has been measured in serum, urine and saliva. All of these matrices measure corticol levels in the last hours to days and, therefore, do not reflect the stress response over prolonged period of time," said study authors Stan Van Uum and Gideon Koren of the University of Western Ontario.

But., cortisol is also captured in the hair shaft. On the average, hair grows one centimeter each month and so by examining a six-centimeter-long strand of hair, it is possible to determine stress levels over a longer period. The researchers looked at hair samples from 56 stress levels over a longer period. The researchers looked at hair samples from 56 men admitted for heart attacks to the Meir Medical Center in Kfar-Saba, Israel and compared these to hair samples from 56 men hospitalized for non-cardiovascular health issues.

The heart attacks patients were found to have higher cortisol levels in their hair. And after accounting for known risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking and a family history of coronary artery disease, "hair cortisol content emerged as the strongest predictor of acute myocardial infarction."

Does your Image suit Hair Wig

Some of us wear wigs because it is a fun way of keeping abreast of the trends in hairstyle. When wearing wigs, we do not run the necessary risk of getting our hair damaged as a result of too much styling. It also helps us get away with having a trendy and updated look without having to incur the expenses that come with the regular maintenance of a hairdo.
But just because hair wigs are fun and are made of artificial or snipped-off hair, you should still make it a point of treating your wigs as if they are real hair growing on your scalp. For instance, the adhesives that keep your wig stuck to your scalp and prevent it from being blown off or skewed can build up and irritate the skin. And the hair strands of the wig itself can get dull, dirty and lifeless. A wig that is not taken care of properly can get really hideous, not to mention itchy.
So, what is the best way to care for a wigs?
Why, just keep it clean, the way you would keep your real hair clean. First, you have to deal with the adhesives on the wig, and then the hair strands itself.
Using your fingernails, scrape the adhesive tape off the wig. Do it gently so it does not damage the wig. If the tape is on the lace mesh of the wig however, just leave it alone. And if you cannot remove the tape with your fingernails, then soak the wig in an adhesive remover specially formulated for wigs for a few hours.
After you have removed the adhesive tapes on your wig, put the wig in a plastic container and pour some cleaning solvent on it until the solvent covers the base of the wig. Let it stay there overnight if you want to. This will make it easier for you to scrape the adhesive buildup on the wig later on.
When you are done with the soaking, remove the wig from the solvent, but do not throw the solvent away just yet. Just set it aside. Using a nail brush, gently brush the residue of the adhesive from the lace parts of the wig. If the residue would not come off, leave it to soak for some more time in the solvent.
Once the adhesive residue is all gone, wash the base of the wig with ordinary dishwashing liquid. After this, wash the hair part of the wig with the shampoo of your choice, and then apply conditioner. Rinse it thoroughly, and then let the wig dry.
So your wigs would have a longer life, be sure to keep them clean and dry. Also, store them carefully in a place where they would not get all dusty and where they can get a proper airing.
Wearing wigs can be fun. It lets you experiment with different hairstyles without actually doing damage to your real hair. But always remember to keep your wigs nice and clean. After all, when you wear it, it is a part of you, too.

Thinning Of Hair and Your Diet

Some women experience hair loss as they age, especially when menopausal changes are in effect. Thinning hair (also known as female pattern baldness) can be due to the effects of hair-care treatments, dyes, and styling; the habit of twisting or pulling your hair; or even thyroid disease.

A healthy diet helps the body in its efforts to heal itself.

To maintain healthy hair and help prevent further loss, try these two simple changes:

1. Make sure you're getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. Eat wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, herring or mackerel two or three times a week, or sprinkle two tablespoons of freshly ground flaxseeds per day on cereal or salads.
2. Supplement your diet with GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) in the form of black currant oil or evening primrose oil. Take 500 mg of either twice a day for six to eight weeks to see if it helps.

3 Best Hair Treatments

Protein Hair Treatment 

What you need:
1 ounce soy sauce
1 cup warm water

Procedure:
After you shampoo, pour this over your hair. Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse out.


Super Body Hair Treatment 

What you need:
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons unflavored gelatine
1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon stale beer

Procedure:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
Comb or brush into your hair.
Cover your hair with a plaster shower cap or wrap with a sheet of plastic wrap. Cover with a thick terrycloth towel.
Leave this hair treatment on for 30 minutes, then rinse in warm water.
Shampoo your hair.
Avocado Scalp Soother Treatment 

What you need:
1 egg
1/2 avocado, peeled and mashed
2 tablespoons wheat germ oil

Procedure:
Process egg in a blender until frothy. Add the avocado and oil, blending until smooth. Use right away.

If you have long hair, divide your hair into several sections and apply the paste first to the scalp and then work outward, massaging the paste along the hair shaft.

Cover your head with a plastic cap and leave on for 30 minutes.

To cleanse your hair, rinse first with warm water for 5 minutes and then use any mild shampoo.

The 7 Hair Care Tips For Pool Water

It’s finally summertime and we are ready to soak up some sun!  A popular way to beat the heat is to of course take a dip in that cool, ever-so-soothing swimming pool.  While the water feels fabulous on your skin and swimming is a fantastic, low-impact way to exercise, the chemical-filled pool water can be devastating to your otherwise lovely locks!
Chemicals are used in swimming pools to kill bacteria in the water to protect the swimmer, but what are you doing to protect your hair from the drying and discoloration those chemicals can cause?  Here are our top 7 tips for protecting your mane from pool water plunders so you can cool of this summer worry-free!

1. Wear a Swim Cap – Though it might not be the fashion statement of the season, wearing a swim cap is THE best way to protect your locks from damaging chemicals.  You may not look the most fashionable in the pool, but your healthy, moisture-filled, shiny hair will turn some heads at the after party!
2. Comb in Conditioner – Comb a light, leave-in conditioner through your hair before diving in.  The conditioner will help protect your hair from absorbing so many pool chemicals.  Notice we recommended a light conditioner – a heavy, oily conditioner may not be good for the swimming pool. Try Pantene Pro-V’s Curly Hair Series Light Conditioning Detangler.
3. Wet Before Entering – Soak your hair in regular water before dunking it in the chlorine tank.  Saturated hair is less likely to absorb the pool water’s chemicals.
4. Pull Into a Pony – Try and keep your hair in a ponytail, bun or braid if the length allows.  This can help some of the hair stay dry if you don’t put your entire head in the water. It also keeps the hair from tangling as badly so you are less likely to cause additional damage when combing your hair out after the pool party.
5.  Shower Immediately – Shampoo and condition your hair as soon as you get out of the pool.  Allowing the chemicals to dry in your hair, as well as on your skin, will increase their dreaded drying powers.
6. Clarify Weekly – Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to rid your hair of any lasting chemicals.  Our latest love is Amika Oil Obliphica Balancing Shampoo.
7. Deep Condition Weekly – A weekly, deep conditioning treatment can restore moisture and shine to hair dulled by pool chemicals and other crazy summer atmospheric conditions.  A great, inexpensive option is Dove Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Deep Repairing Mask.

Grey Hair - Facts and Myths

Facts and Myths About Those Pesky Grays!

They are a fact of life for most and we grow up thinking the first time we see one on our heads means the end is near. What are we talking about? GRAY HAIR! The words sound so daunting, right?  Everyone’s opinions on the matter vary but for most, gray hair is disliked and unwanted.

There are many myths out there about what one can and can’t do to avoid those pesky gray strands, so we thought we would break them down for you and bring out the TRUTHS behind the gray hair mystery to help soothe those gray hair woes!

The Facts

Graying of hair is a natural process. Of course it varies from person to person, but at a particular age the hair starts to gray. Gray hair occurs with normal aging because the hair cells on the scalp produce less melanin. A family history of early onset gray hair usually foreshadows its potential for development in offspring. Nonetheless, there is not enough research to say for certain which genes or on which side of the family gray hair is inherited from.

The first signs of gray can begin when you’re 30 – in rare cases earlier – and most people have at least a few strands of gray hair by 40. Caucasians tend to gray first, often as early as their mid-30s, followed by Asians and then Africans. About half of 50-year-olds are at least 50 percent gray. Basically, the age at which graying commences is greatly dependent upon hereditary factors as well as the climatic conditions in which you live.

Speaking of climatic conditions, studies show that smokers are FOUR TIMES more likely to have gray hair than nonsmokers. When a person smokes, the oxygen supply to the blood is reduced due to contracting of blood vessels. Blood supply is necessary for all body functions, therefore it is thought that the reduced supply of blood and oxygen to the scalp can be a cause of graying of hair. On top of the gray factor, smoking also increases your chances of premature hair loss.  No time better than the present to quit!

In some cases gray hair may be due to a vitamin B12 deficiency, according to Disabled World. People who are not getting enough folic acid or vitamin B9 may experience premature graying as well. Vitamin B12 is found in animal products (such as fish, meat, milk and eggs) but is also added to fortified cereals and multivitamin supplements.

In children, early graying tends to be inherited. A single strand of gray hair is of course most noticeable in people with darker hair and is usually not worrisome if the child’s general health is normal. However, there are some health conditions that can cause gray hair in children. One such condition is alopecia areata, which causes patches of hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body. As the hair grows back, it may be gray at first.  Abnormal thyroid hormone levels in the body (either too low or too high) can also cause gray hair. Your pediatrician may perform a blood test if one of these conditions is suspected.

The Myths

Contrary to popular belief, plucking your stray grays will NOT make more grow back in its place! Hair has color because cells in our hair follicles called melanocytes create pigment (color) in the hair. When these cells stop producing the pigment, the hair loses its color. Plucking out one gray hair will not affect the melanocytes in the other hair follicles, so other hairs will not turn gray as a result. Gray hair really occurs as a result of age or a medical condition. Truth be told, your “gray” hair is actually transparent! The hair appears gray due to the dead cells that make up the strand.

When one sees a new or additional gray strand appear, we tend to blame stress whether it’s a high pressure job, unruly children, a tough class or you are simply a worry wart! There have been a number of scientific studies conducted over the years trying to link gray hair with stress, yet none have been able to conclusively, without-a-doubt link the two evils together.  It is definitely “thought” that the two are linked and there will likely be conclusive findings in the near future, but even if scientists find connection between stress and graying, it is still ultimately genetic factors that determine who is ultimately susceptible.

In conclusion, the amount of gray hair you have does NOT put you any closer to death than the next person! Love life and embrace the gray!

Tips To Reduce Hair Loss In Women

For both men and women, having a full head of healthily growing hair is an essential key to having a good self-image. We spend so much money on products that will ensure that our hair is healthy, glossy and full of life, products such as shampoos, conditioners, styling aids, and so many others. A great many of us also go to salons on a regular basis to keep our manes as beautiful as possible.
The condition of the hair is so important that it can actually boost our self-confidence or aid to its collapse. So when the hair is lost, it can cause so much trauma and uncertainty on the person experiencing the hair loss.
For some of us, hair loss is inevitable. It can be because we have inherited genes that make us predisposed to losing our hair once we reach a certain age. Hair loss can also be a sign of illness in the body, or a result of having that illness treated, such as the way people undergoing chemotherapy lose their hair. It can also be because we exert too much pressure on our hair strands with constant styling.
We should take note that it is perfectly alright to lose around 50 to 100 hair strands a day. Our hair grows to a certain length for a certain time before our scalp sheds it to lead to the growth of new hair. Sometimes, it looks like we are losing more than 100 strands a day, but that could be because hair previously shed got tangled with the other strands and only got freed with the shampooing or the brushing.
If ever hair loss does happen to us, we should remember that it is not the end of the world for us. There are solutions to dealing with hair loss such as medication, transplantation or replacement.
When you go to a hair restoration clinic, you can expect the doctor to advise you to take medication first to treat your hair loss. Or, he or she could diagnose that your hair loss may be the result of another underlying illness, and he or she will look for symptoms of such illnesses in your body. Anyway, if the doctor tells you to take medication first, he or she will either prescribe to you the drugs Propecia or Rogaine.
Propecia is the brand name under which finasteride is marketed. Finasteride is a formulation that is intended to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that is thought to be responsible for hair loss. Propecia is taken orally, but its effect lasts for only as long as the drug is consumed. Women are not usually prescribed to take finasteride, because it can result to birth defects on male babies.
Rogaine, on the other hand, is the brand name of minoxidil. It is applied topically on the scalp. Just like finasteride, the effects of minoxidil last only as long as the drug is used.
If you wish to undergo hair transplantation surgery, your attending doctor will have to determine if you are a candidate for such a procedure, because not everyone can go through this kind of treatment. But if you do proceed through the surgery, what the doctor will do is to graft individual hair strands onto your scalp, imitating the natural growth pattern of your hair as closely as possible.
For people who do not wish to spend so much money on surgical procedures or on medicine that may or may not work, there is always alternative medicine like acupuncture. Some experts claim that acupuncture works in encouraging hair to grow back onto the scalp. What acupuncture does is to stimulate nerve endings on the scalp and improve the circulation of blood to the scalp. With increased circulation, more nutrients are brought to the scalp, encouraging new cells to develop in the hair follicles. The blood flow also enables the quicker repair and replacement of damaged cells.
If medication and hair transplantation does not work, there is always hair replacement - another term for wearing a wig. Wearing wigs can be fun, trendy and stylish. The really good wigs are now made so that the wearer does not have to fear the wig being blown away by the wind or skewed by sudden movement. If you choose to wear wigs, just take care to wash them often so it does not irritate your skin.
Hair loss can be inevitable for some of us, but it is not the end of the world. There is always a solution to it.

5 Foods For Healthy Hair

We hear about diets and new health findings every day and know basically what foods are good and bad for our bodies, but do we ever stop to think about our hair before taking that first bite?  It makes sense that since hair is basically an extension of the body that the foods we ingest would have an affect on our lovely locks, but what is good for our hair and what isn’t? We did some digging and found 5 great dietary tips to lead you down the right path to a healthier head of hair!

1. Sugar Free Please – Too much sugar like the ones found in refined carbohydrates and alcohol can rob your hair of Vitamin B.  Vitamin B is essential for hair growth and overall scalp health.
2. Go Green! – Green leafy vegetables spinach and broccoli are great mineral sources which rich in silica, calcium and iron and are very important in preventing hair loss.
3. Got Milk? – Dairy products like milk, yogurt and cottage cheese feed your hair important proteins like casein and whey to keep it strong.  Low-fat varieties work just as well so you feed your hair and not worry about your waistline!
4. Catch of the Day – Oily varieties of fish like salmon and mackerel contain Omega 3 fatty acids that can slow hair loss.  Additionally, fish contain high amounts of iron and vitamin B12 which ensures both healthy hair AND skin.  Talk about a bang for your buck!
5. Go With the Grain – Whole grain foods contain zinc, B vitamins and iron.  Zinc regulates hormones that can have direct affect on hair growth and thickness.  Luckily, there are plentiful whole grain options out there from breads to pastas to crackers, so no excuses!

7 Quick Hair Makeover Tips For Busy Women

You are very busy getting to work but still want your hair to look presentable...
1. Towel off and towel fast.
Super-absorbent towels which have more fibers in the cloth can knock five minutes off blow-dry time. At the very least, squeeze the water out of your hair with a fresh, unused towel!
2. Blow dry at the speed of light. 
Keep the dryer (with more than 1,600 watts) in constant motion, at least six inches from your hair, to prevent burning. Concentrate on the top sections - this is what the world sees after all.
3. Start at the roots and work your way up. 
Lift the sections near the crown with a round brush and spray the roots with a volumizer. The just blow-dry the base.
4. Create waves without rollers 
Fasten your hair into two low pigtails (one by each ear), twirling them away from your face until they coil into themselves, then anchor them with pins. When you take out the pins, you will get a big, soft wave that is sleek and close to the head.
5. Cover hair roots 
The fastest way to hide your roots is to paint hair lightener - ask your colorist for suggestions - on sections around your face and along the part.
6. Avoid bedhead 
Pull your hair into soft crunchies at the crown (for volume) or at the nape of your neck (for smoothness). Now you can sleep like a baby and in the morning just take it down. brush through, and go :)
7. Cheat clean hair
Pull your hair back into a ponytail and wash your bangs. Then just blow dry these areas of your hair. Once dry, comb and redo your ponytail neatly and let the freshly washed layers speak for your whole head.

5 Minute Quick Hair Makeovers

Quick Hair Makeovers
Did you ever have one of those days when you really just didn't feel like doing anything with your hair? Ponytails live for these days! But even though they may be the quickest, easiest and most common fix for hairstyle fatigue, a few new accessories in your arsenal could really give your hairdo a lift! We've all got our favorite brushes and combs, a few hair ties and probably some neat barrettes. But when it comes to facile fashion, are you clued in?
Five seconds...
For the least maintenance possible, you can always toss your tresses back into a ponytail with an elastic band, a rubber band, a scrunchie or other hair ties. Just as quickly and just as easily, you can also introduce a new look with a headband! Once you brush your hair straight or work with your curls, you can gently slide a headband on for a new look. Very convenient and easy to use, any woman can benefit from a headband, no matter how short or long her hair might be.
Another quick fix works especially well when you don't have the time to dry your hair. A decorative hairpin that is about three or four inches in length will work wonders for your hair. First squeeze any remaining water from your hair with a towel. Next, brush your hair flat against your head and pull it toward the nape of your neck, almost as if you're trying to create a low ponytail. Now twist your hair tightly in the same direction and twirl it around into a mock bun. Finally, take the hairpin and stick it through your hair, making sure the style feels strong and securely fastened. While there seem to be a lot of instructions for this style, it truly only takes about 10 to 30 seconds to produce, depending on how well you like your first and second attempts. You can also replicate this style with a set of decorative chopsticks for hair.
Five minutes...
If you're planning a special night out – a date, a formal event or a girls' night to a club or bar – you'll probably care more about your hair than if you're just going to the supermarket, the library or running some other errands. For a beautiful yet simple style, first twist your hair atop your head and secure it there with a claw clip. Using a curling iron, create gentle spiral curls with the lengths of hair that stick out from the clip. You might want to spray a little gel or hairspray to keep the style before letting your hair down. Once you have added a nice display of curls, remove the clip and let your hair fall as it may. You'll have pretty waves and gentle curls dusting your shoulders and your back in no time!
If you know how to braid hair, you merely need to add your own creativity to produce a beautiful and unique hairstyle. For a retro look, part your hair directly down the center. If your hair is long enough in the front, make three “microbraids” on each side of your head, starting at your hairline, just outside the part. Once you've created the braids, pull them toward the back of your head and fasten them together with a small elastic band or a tiny barrette. If your hair is not long enough for this style, consider braiding two pigtails down either side of your head for a youthful look.
If you see some accessories at the store that appeal to you, consider picking out a few to try at home. Hair scarves, claw clips, headbands, elastic bands, standard clip barrettes and hairpins are fairly easy to use and they look beautiful in a number of styles. Don't be discouraged if you aren't completely familiar with certain hair accessories or styles. The biggest part of designing a beautiful hairstyle is listening to your creative intuitions!

Tips to Cut Long Hair

Cutting Long Hair
Learning to cut long hair does not have to be difficult. There are many styles that can be created with long hair and the simple use of shears. There are layers that can be created in the hair, the hair can be cut short or the hair can be cut into a bob. These are only a few of the styling options that are available for a long haircut. Cutting long hair requires patience and may often take longer than a short haircut, or a trim.
When cutting long hair it is important to ensure that the hair is clean and free from product. In the case that it is, simply wetting the hair with a spray bottle before beginning will enable you to get the precise effects which are created from cutting hair that has been dampened, rather than cutting dry hair. If the hair has excessive product in it than the cut may be affected, therefore, a wash is recommended before the hair cut is begun.
One of the most popular hairstyles for cutting long hair includes a graduated layering style which is best for people that wish to keep the length on their hair. This graduated haircut starts at the bangs and uses the popular seven section parting technique to complete the haircut. The layers are created longer on the bottom and shorter on the top, like many popular layered hairstyles. Use the bangs as a marking for the haircut to determine where the haircut should lie. There is often six inches between the top layer of the hair and the bottom layer. As you work, be sure to check if the sections are the same length by bringing them to the front of the face. Cut half of one section at one time to ensure that you are creating a well blended haircut. Finishing should include cross checking and other forms of making sure that there are no sharp edges or trims that stick out from the haircut.
A bob haircut can be cut into medium and long styles and is often without layers and is often the same length through the entire style. The bob can be cut by ensuring that the hair has been dampened. Determining whether the bob cut is asymmetrical or not can help to plan the cut. In the case of an asymmetrical bob, the hair will be cut shorter in the front than in the back, but will follow the same lines of the haircut. One of the most important things to remember when cutting long hair is the finishing. There are techniques that are used in finishing the haircut that include cross checking and blending the hair. This will ensure that the haircuts can be created to be sleek appearing and blended together though straight lines and cuts are used throughout the style.

Tips to cut Curly Hair

Cutting Curly Hair
Curly hair should be cut when it is dry. Cutting curly hair when it is wet can lead to a style that changes after the cuts have been made into the hair. In some cases, cutting curly hair while it is wet can lead to the development of a completely different style as the outcome of the haircut.
Blunt cuts are those which encompass the same length throughout the perimeter of the hair. These should be avoided as they can lead to the hair being heavy and the curls losing the bounce that they should have. Since the blunt cut has the same length throughout, it is just not the right choice for curly hair.
Cutting the hair when it is dry is important, but it also is important where the hair is cut. The hair should be cut at the bottom of a natural curl to reduce the amount of frizz that can be seen with curly hair. When cuts are made in the middle of the curl it can lead to a frizzy and disheveled appearance, meaning that the haircut will look as if it had been created sloppily. This is something that you want to avoid as a stylist as it can lead to unhappy clients and a bad reputation.
It is important to remember that while cutting thin hair into layers there should be no techniques used which can decrease the thickness of the hair. Therefore, thinning shears are a no-no when it comes to cutting curly hair. Curly hair needs thickness to give definition to the curls, thinning the hair can only lead to the hair appearing frizzy.
It is important for the stylist to realize that that the top of the hair should be cut last. These curls are most fragile and should be cut last. This means that the stylist should trim as little as possible from these curls to ensure that the new curls are maintained. Although this becomes part of the layered hairstyle, over layering can reduce the definition of the style.
Although the hair should not be thinned, the hair stylist should take advantage of layers that can increase the appearance of the volume to the hair. It is important to remember that too many layers should be avoided as it can lead to the hair appearing frizzy. With curly hair styles and haircuts there is one major thing that should be avoided, and this is doing anything which can cause the curls to appear frizzy. Frizzy appearing curls are not attractive and are often the sign on bad management and a bad hairstyle.

How to style your long hair?

Putting the Ponytail Out to Pasture
Tired of pulling that long hair back into the same old ponytail?
Seems like those long flowing tresses we work so hard to grow spend a whole lot of time being pushed out of our way, bridled with a hair tie and visible only from the back view. Although the ponytail is an easy, quick way to control frizzy, flyaway long hair, today’s modern hair care tools and products make styling long hair easy whether you choose to let it all hang loose or you choose an ‘updo’.

• First, though, if you’re just not ready to let go of that ponytail, you can still add some flair to your hair with just two simple long hair styling tips and techniques.
• Giddy-up & Go -> Change your ponytail into the easiest of updos. Simply twist the tail up and fasten it to the hair closest to your scalp with a large clip. Leave some tendrils around your face to give you a gentle, romantic look.
• Practical and Stylish -> Braid your ponytail. A braid not only keeps long hair out of your way, braids are neat, chic looks that add an executive flair to your style. An additional advantage of braided hair is that when you “let your hair down”, the braid has “set” your hair into a natural, glamorous wave that lets you easily move from the work place to more pleasurable night time activities!

Tip : Braid your hair at night to both minimize tangles during morning comb-outs and take advantage of the ready-made waves during the day.
Maintaining the Mane

• Before you begin styling long hair, take care to maintain it properly. What you do when you shampoo and immediately after has a major effect on the ease of styling long hair.
• After shampooing, never rub long hair dry. Friction is a major cause of hair damage that results in split ends, frizzies, and breaking – all factors that can put a big crimp in styling long hair.
• The next step after shampooing is to comb through any tangles. While hair is damp, take out snarls using a stiff wide-tooth comb. Flexible combs stretch hair follicles and weaken them. The same goes for the flexible bristles of a brush. Never brush wet hair. Always use a comb.
• When combing, always start at the ends and work towards the top. It’s a whole lot easier (and better for your hair) to work through little tangles, working bottom to top, than it is to tear through big snarls that accumulate from top to bottom.

Curling Long Hair

• A basic problem with curling long hair is achieving lasting, natural-looking curl. The top goes flat; the ends go limp and out comes the scrungie. To create long lasting curl, first build volume into your long hair. Apply a volumizing product to clean, damp, detangled hair starting at the roots and then combing it through to the ends.
• Scrunch it -> Mix some finishing (heavy-hold) hair spray with some mousse or gel. Using more mousse or gel gives you a softer curl. For stronger curl, use more spray. (Pump types of hair spray are best for mixing.)
• Work the mixture into your damp hair and then scrunch the hair. You’ll get more curl with smaller sections and more wave by scrunching all of your hair at once. Let your hair finish drying naturally. This is an excellent technique to get long-lasting curl on hair that is damaged from chemical treatments (such as perms or relaxers) without causing further damage through applying heat.
• Blow it -> When styling with your blow dryer and styling brush quickly dry your hair, again starting at the roots and using the high heat setting of your blow dryer. Keep the heat away from the ends. When hair is near dry, use your styling brush to hold hair in place and reset your blow dryer to cool to finish drying and ‘set’ your style. Use a high-hold finishing hair spray to keep your style in place throughout your day.

Tip : Carry a light-hold hair spray with you in your bag. They’ll help maintain your style throughout the day without adding a stiff, over-sprayed look to your hairdo.

• Roll it -> Curling irons are best used to style just the ends of long hair. Use a thermal protector along with your curling iron to minimize damage from heat.
• Hot rollers are another styling alternative for long hair. They’re quick to use, taking just minutes to put in and take out again. When styling long hair with hot rollers, use a working spray for long-last curl. Spray the inside of the curl as you roll it. Leave rollers in for 10 minutes or for stronger curl, a maximum of 20 minutes. (By then the rollers will have cooled anyway!)

How to style your curly hair?

Styling Curly Hair
Curly hair gives you one big styling advantage over straight hair. Whether your hair is naturally curly or permed, curls mean lots of volume... sometimes, too much! Curly hairstyles, while enviable for both volume and beauty, are not smooth sailing! Most curly headed people find that lying obediently in place is not a curl’s strong point. It’s second (maybe first) nature for a single curl to stick up, out... do anything to make itself the center of attention in your hairstyle.
Making Curls Behave

• Layer your curly locks. Layered hairstyles make your curls easier to shape and manage whether your hairstyle is long, medium length, or short.
• Use only moisturizing shampoos to keep your curls from drying out. Curly hairstyles naturally get more air than hair that lies flat against your scalp, a factor that makes curly heads dry more quickly, but also leads to over drying of curly hairstyles that result in frizzies and flyaway curls.
• Hair ‘defrizzing’ products help smooth hair and give you a sleeker, more pliant curl.
• To create a gentle curl, rub some wax or hair pomade into the palms of your hands after curling. Then gently comb your fingers through your hair to apply the treatment.
• When curling medium length to long hair use hot rollers to produce a well-defined, tight curl. Use a working hairspray and spray the inner part of each curl just before you begin to roll it or if you’re very sure-handed, spray as you wrap your hair onto the roller.

Curling Iron Tips
Be sure the barrel of your curling iron is the right size for both the length of your hair and the size of curl you want. Curling iron barrels may be as small as 1/4 inch to three inches in diameter. Especially for short hairstyles, it’s important that all the ends of each curl are neatly tucked away as you roll the curl.
Thinner barrels produce curlier, denser curls except in the case of long hairstyles. Wrapping long hair around a too thin barrel leads to tangles, hair breakage, and the over-drying of ends. Use thin barrels on long hair only to quickly curl your ends. Misting ends with a working spray before curling helps set the curl more quickly and provides some heat protection against over drying your curls.
Permed Hair: Preserving Your Hard-Earned Curls

• The top of a grown-out perm can make your hairstyle look as tired as a flat tire. After shampooing, pump up your hairstyle by using a volumizing product on your roots. Than create lift by blow-drying your hair, starting at the scalp.
• Hair is always at its most vulnerable when wet and this is especially true for permed hair. Scrubbing hair dry or wrapping permed hair in a turban adds friction and causes tangles. Gently blot the moisture from your hair after shampooing.
• Use a blow dryer’s diffuser attachment to dry permed hair. The prongs of a diffuser lift your hair as you dry it, providing quicker drying time as well as creating extra volume.
• Be gentle when using hair styling tools such as curling irons, flat irons, hot rollers, blow dryers and even diffusers. Give your permed hair extra protection by using a thermal protector when styling with heat.
• Perm rejuvenating products help define your curls, add shine, moisture and generally make hairstyling curly hair easier.
• In fact, using the right tools and techniques to style curly hair can coax the wildest curls into a pretty and perky hairstyle!

How to style you short hair?

Styling Short Hair
In this busy world, a major advantage to styling short hair is that in the blink of an eye you can wash, blow and go! Yet, that’s only the beginning. Short hairstyles let you change your style as often as your mood changes and just about as quickly!
Today you might feel trendy, tomorrow retro might fit the bill, and the next day a romantic, classic short hair style might be just your cup of tea; one day curly and coy and the next, sleek and chic!
A good short hair style emphasizes your best attributes, but as well as personal attributes such as eye and hair colors, skin tones, body shape, face shape, and of course, the density and texture of your hair, the right short hair style fits snugly into your personality and lifestyle, creating a sense of balance between your head, face, body and the unique person that is you.
Hair tools and products seem to be made especially for styling short hair. For instance, ceramic flat irons let you straighten curls and kinks in just minutes and gels and sprays are ready to let you put them back in as quick as a wink!
Short Hair Styles

• In the 1920’s a new breed of women caught the world’s attention. The libertine ‘flappers’ rose up against tradition and were the first women to rebelliously ‘bob’ their hair. However, using today’s modern products, you can create a “flapper look” that would be the envy of yesterday’s flappers!
• To begin, blow dry hair back away from your face. Slick it back applying gel or a light finishing product to your hair while it’s still wet. Pull a tendril out from each side and make a short, sweet curl.
• Scrunch it, spike it, or style for traditional waves and curls. From hair bobs to pixies to curly-urchin short hairstyles, today’s hair care products let you define your style, no matter what type of hair naturally sits atop your head.
• What’s more, styling a short haircut can put the glitz back into an end-of-the-season wardrobe!

Short Hair Styles Revival

• If you’re like me, the transition from winter to spring and from autumn to winter is a time when everything in your closet looks shopworn. Before you scream, “I don’t have anything to wear,” consider perking up your style-weary wardrobe by accessorizing your short hair style!
• Sparkling hair clips, barrettes, and brightly colored head bands not only add glamour to your hairdo, but also add dimension and style to what you wear. Besides, face it! Those glittery earrings usually hide under your long tresses. Short hairstyles add shine to every aspect of your style!
• Talking about shine – is there any sexier or more stylish look than a clean, neatly trimmed short hair style?

Short Hair Care Tips

• For shiniest short hair, using a shine spray or cream puts the glow back into short hair styles.
• Trim often. Every four to six weeks will keep your short hair in style.
• Daily washing is nearly a necessity for short hairstyles. Natural oils are much more evident on short styles and an oily sheen just isn’t the same as a healthy shine!
• Short hair can cut conditioner needs right out of your budget! You’ll only need it if your hair is naturally very dry. Even so, a little conditioner goes a long way. Condition only the ends of short hairstyles.
• Short hair doesn’t have to be flat! Spritz a volumizer onto your roots after shampooing and before blow-drying.
• Hold your blow dryer at bay. Too much heat can quickly damage short hair, taking the shine from your style and adding the frizz! Blow dry only until hair is damp and let it finish drying naturally.

Do you know these hairstyling ideas?

Hairstyling Ideas
Wash, dry, and comb is the painless, quick, and easy method of hair styling. Yet, whether your hair is short, medium length, or long, our list of hair styling ideas lets you quickly and painlessly make hair styling glamour an easy part of your daily regimen.
Fun as well as easy to use, today’s hair styling accessories add allure to hair styles for every occasion– from morning through night. You’re probably already familiar with many of them, but some less common accessories may be just the right thing to perk up your style:
Alligator Clamps & Jaw Claws may sound like instruments of torture, but they’re really among the quickest ways to add quick elegance to a hair style.
Add just a hint of sparkle with jewel studded bobby pins and their wider cousins, the hair forks
Hair sticks - long and short available either as singles or in pairs.
Medieval circlets - tiara like except that these enchanting “hair necklaces” circle your head with bright jewels that drape strikingly over your forehead.
If your budget is tight, let your earrings enhance your hair style. Stay conservative during working hours with earring posts and studs. After hours put a little swing in even the shortest style with a pair of danglers.
Sweep hair back with a wide leather or fabric headband.
Fashion a hair band out of a sheer scarf. Instead of knotting a scarf, hold it together with a favorite brooch or pin.
Before unruly hair makes you mad as the March Hare, add an Alice Band to your hair style. Named after “Alice Through the Looking Glass”, an Alice Band keeps unruly hair out of your face and puts a finishing touch on either short or long hair styles. Find Alice Bands gem-studded, fabric wrapped, or in just plain plastic in several colors and style variants in price ranges to suit every budget.
Change your part. Go from left to right, center to off-center, even from straight to zigzag! If your style includes short top layers, pull some of that top knot forward for heavier bangs. If your top is long, consider a shorter part and pull the rest of your top tresses back into a ponytail, braid, or fasten them with a barrette or another type of clip.
Use your curling iron to curl just the parts of your hair style that emphasize your best features. Before curling, spritzing your hair with a working spray helps keep your curl alive and bouncy throughout your day.
Get the ultimate “curl for a day” by setting your hair with hot rollers. Again, spritz your hair with a working spray for long-lasting curl. Divide your hair into two-inch wide sections and wind each section up vertically. After the rollers cool, carefully remove them and instead of combing, style your hair by running your fingers through your curls.
When your hair color makes you feel a bit bleached out, try the reverse on your hair. Instead of highlights, add lowlights, twilights, or veils to your hair.
Veils — a semi-permanent method of brightening old color by applying a darker glaze over permanent color.
Twilights — a first cousin to lowlights, twilights are a subtle addition of darker tones used to add depth and mystery to hair color treatments that have become too bright and brassy.
Lowlights — When your hair style looks flat, it may be that your hair color is fading into the sunset. Low lighting is a hair coloring technique that pumps up your hair style by creating new dimension and depth with the introduction of a few darker tones.

Tips For Hair Color Removal

Roots grow out and hair color fades with time. Sometimes we’re just tired of our hair color and want to get back to natural, but sometimes we're met with a hair color calamity. Whatever our reasons for hair color removal, where there’s a will, today there is a way to return to normal hair color.
First, if your hair color is over three days old, chances are you won’t be able to remove it. Your best option is to find a professional skilled in different hair coloring techniques. Besides highlighting drab hair colors, your stylist can darken too-light hair colors and offset hair color mistakes.
If you’ve experienced a hair color catastrophe in the last day or two, if you’re prompt, the damage can probably either be minimized or completely reversed. Generally, hair color takes from 48 to 72 hours to set into the cuticle. However, because this window is so brief, before you begin experimenting with hair color removal, consult with a professional stylist.
In addition:
Even if your hair color problems are self-inflicted, good professionals are usually familiar with consumer hair products and are best equipped to use the right hair color removal methods. Depending on the product you used and the severity of the problem, your stylist can remove, offset, or blend hair colors to repair the damage.
If your stylist made the mistake, she knows exactly what product she used and has a better idea than anyone else as to what went wrong. Most professionals will do everything they can to keep your business and their good reputation. No stylist wants to be known as “the one who turned Judy’s hair green”!
Unless you caused the problem, most professionals will make corrections at no extra cost. Just be sure to ask if they’ll “make it right” before you make an appointment for hair color removal. If they expect to impose an additional charge, you’ll be able to choose another option.
Home Hair Color Removal

• Okay, your not-so-professional stylist tells you “there’s no free lunch, ya know.” Don’t throw in the towel just yet. There are both commercial products and other possible solutions for hair color removal at home.
• If your hair color problem resulted from an at-home application, start looking for help from the maker. Most major manufacturers have a consumer help line. You’ll find the phone number either on the box or in the instructions pamphlet.

• Almost too simple to be true, but hot water sometimes fades chemical hair colors.
• Volume shampoos and gels are often designed to blow open the hair cuticle. Although they won’t completely remove hair color, they may speed up the process.
• Hot extra-virgin olive oil also may help strip chemical colors. However, do be careful. You don’t want to soak your head in boiling oil!
• Get out the scissors. A short cut can minimize hair color problems. Your stylist can suggest one that will camouflage old color with new hair growth.
• Put on a scarf and head to the nearest open-all-night super-store.
• The red in tomato juice may help neutralize green hair color.
• If your hair color came from a product that was chlorine enhanced, a special chlorine removal shampoo may help tone it down.
• A couple of hair color removal products are worth considering:
• One ‘n Only Colorfix – Made to remove permanent hair color and may even be used to correct color in specific areas.
• Clairol The Uncolor System Haircolor Remover – A semi-permanent hair color remover that Clairol says is gentle, quick, and easy.
• Tips for successful hair color removal:
• Always strand test before you try any hair color removal
• Deep conditioning with a low pH conditioner after hair color removal helps protect your hair as well as return it to natural softness and shine.
• Remember to protect your clothing from hair color removal products. Even tomato juice can leave a nasty stain!
• Precisely follow the directions on all hair color removal products.
• Do not use hair color removal products on henna. Henna is unpredictable and can leave you with unusual results!
• Keep hair color removal products away from your eyes. Don’t ever use them on lashes or brows.
• Don’t use bleach for hair color removal. Bleach helps artificial colors penetrate deeper into the hair shaft and weakens the hair shaft, causing even more damage.

Coloring Your Hair At Home

When time or money doesn’t allow you the pampering of salon color, you’ll find that at home hair coloring preparations are both affordable and easy to use.

• Be prepared.
• Start healthy: Deep condition your hair. Then wait a couple of days after shampooing to give the natural oils in your scalp time to resurface. They’ll help protect your skin from chemical reactions, help your hair color to set better, and give you more uniform results overall.
• Put your toolkit together. Wear an old t-shirt and gather up some older towels and washcloths that you won’t miss if they get stained. Include some hair clips for sectioning your hair, have a timer handy and find a hand mirror so that you can see the back of your head.
• While you wait, take some time to getting to know the density of your hair. Practice sectioning before you have to handle your hair in one hand and an applicator bottle in the other!
• Give a natural boost to hair color – go organic!
• Hair Color Espresso – Perk up black or brown hair with a strong cup of dark grind coffee or espresso. Brew, cool and add it to your dry hair. Shampoo after 30 minutes.
• Nuts about Hair Color – Add sparkle to dark hair with walnuts. Boil one cup of chopped walnuts with one cup of water. Cool, strain, and pour it on! Shampoo after 30 minutes.
• Hair Color to a Tea – To add highlights to dark hair, brew a cup of strong dark tea and use it as a final rinse after shampooing.
• Spray or comb a cup of strong chamomile tea into blond or light brown hair. Leave on for twenty minutes, shampoo and rinse.
• Put Some Punch in Your Hair Color with Fruit Juices – Of course, you probably know that lemon juice lightens, but did you know that using ½ cup of cranberry juice as a final rinse will give a lift to red hair and add subtle red highlights to dark hair?
• Even when coloring hair with these organics, always remember the color wheel. When coloring hair, opposites don’t attract – they neutralize each other.

Special Hair Coloring Tips for Long Hair, Gray Hair, Natural Curls and Waves

• Long hair: Four hands are better than two when coloring long hair. Get a friend to help you with at home hair color.
• The ends of long hair are more porous than the rest of the hair shaft. In addition, because your body’s natural heat works to speed up the process of hair coloring, start color application in the mid-lengths of long hair and work the color up to the roots and down to ends.
• If your hair is thick as well as long, because of process time, it may be best to color it in sections.
• Natural curls and waves: Experts generally advise against using permanent hair color on naturally curly or wavy hair. Any type of chemical treatment can impact natural curly or wavy hair. If your hair is already dry because of straightening or relaxing, the addition of more chemicals can result in worse damage. In addition, semi-permanent colors give you richer color that won’t fade like permanent color does.
• Gray Hair: Hair turns gray or white when the hair shafts lose pigment. These shafts tend to be coarser and less porous, making it more difficult to set hair color. Before coloring, soften gray hair with a special softening shampoo or developer. Choose a color at least one shade darker than your expected result. Keep the hair color on your hair for at least 35 minutes.

Healthy Hair – Hair Coloring Tips

• Shampoo that’s made for color treated hair keeps your hair color soft and natural looking. Regular shampoos can strip color and natural moisture from your hair.
• Install a water filter for your shower or bath. Besides frequently being treated with chemicals, tap water coming through old plumbing contains undesirable elements like rust that leave your new hair color flat and dull looking.
• Deep condition regularly – at least every two weeks – to restore moisture and shine to color treated hair. As roots grow out, a color enhancing conditioner will help your natural hair color blend with your color treated hair.
• After shampooing, always blot your hair dry. Don’t rub hair dry or wrap it in a tight turban. When using a blow dryer, dry your head– not your hair. Over drying hair strips it of moisture and also results in static.
• Never use a brush on wet hair. Work through tangles with a wide tooth comb, starting with the ends and moving to your scalp.
• Conditioners that you leave in your hair often contain sunscreen and help protect your hair color from fading.
• Wetting your hair with bottled spring water helps to shield it from the harsh swimming pool chemicals.