Properly apply your hair products

PROPERLY APPLY YOUR HAIR PRODUCTS

With so many different hair products and brands on the market today, you be forgiven for being confused about what is actually useful and what is just false advertising. Mixed in with this is the discovery that many of us are buying these expensive products and actually minimizing their effectiveness through improper use. In order to help the health of your hair and to justify the cost, here are ten tips for using your hair products in exactly the right
ways.

 

 

Using Too Much Moisturizing Lotion

The main problem with moisturizing lotion is that it’s easy to use too much of the product. Rather than providing a luscious, rich effect, it results in over hydrated, weighed down hair. The perfect amount of the best results is nothing larger than a pea size squeeze rubbed between your palms and applied throughout the head. 

Not Enough Spritz

It is very common for someone to limit spritzing their hair with heat protective serum to only two or three times after a towel dry and during a blow dry, flat iron or curl. It is really important to make sure ALL sections of your hair are covered by the spritz before you apply a high degree of heat to it, every time. This will stop it from becoming dry and brittle.

Hair Spray Nozzle is to Close

Holding the nozzle of your hair spray too close to your hair after blow drying it can be really damaging. Applying such a concentrated amount of hair spray to just one spot on your head can lead to becoming crunchy and hard to deal with. The optimum distance at which to spray the product on your hair is roughly twelve inches, allowing for better coverage.

Applying Too Much Shine Enhancer

Many people make the mistake of applying shine enhancer to every part of their hair after a blow-dry. This is not the recommended way to use the product, with manufacturers instead encouraging you to apply the formula to the ends of your hair only; the reason being that your roots are the healthiest part of your head and already have a natural shine.

Applying Curl Definer Too Late

Instead of waiting until after the majority of your hair has been dried by the air to apply curl or wave definer, it is actually recommended that you apply the product to your hair as soon as you have shampooed it. It is the best way to achieve great curls and keep frizz to an absolute minimum.

Only Applying Volumizing Formula to Your Regrowth

Many women tend to apply root lifting creams and formulas only, unsurprisingly, to the area encompassing their roots, but in fact the best way to achieve extra volume with these products is to of course apply to the roots but also to comb through the rest of your hair to achieve more structure and body.

Using Conditioning Spray on the Ends Only

Because many #women see their ends as being the driest part of their hair, they focus only on these when it comes to applying conditioning spray. In actual fact, lightweight conditioning spray is great for all areas of the hair, helping the hydrate it and keep overall frizz to a minimum.

Rubbing in Curling Cream Rather than Twisting

Instead of trying to smooth your frizzy curls by rubbing curling cream in to the top layer of your hair only, it works much better if you take a pea sized amount, rub it in to your palms and work to curl your fingers around your hair so that all areas are given an equal coverage.

Only Using Salt Spray on the Top Layer

To get the absolute best results from a salt spray product, it is recommended that you work it in to all sections of the hair rather than just focusing on the top layer. Use bobby pins to help you get to each layer of your hair so that you can achieve a maximum coverage.

Using Too Much Mousse/Gel

This is something many people are guilty of - using too much hair wax, mouse or gel to the point where the product makes your hair a rock hard, difficult to work with mess. In most situations only a quarter sized squeeze of product will be able to mould your hair in the style that you wish.

 

 

Hairdresser Questions

WHAT TO ASK YOUR HAIRDRESSER BEFORE A HAIRCUT

There are some questions your hairdresser will love to answer. Her goal is to help you have the best hair possible. After all, you’re a walking advertisement for her business. Consider some of these questions to ask your hairdresser at your next appointment.

Will this cut work for me?
You can see a haircut on someone and fall in love with it. But you have to remember that it isn’t going to look exactly the same on you. I think this is so easy to forget. Certain cuts favor certain face shapes better than others, as well as certain cuts working better on certain hair types and textures. Your hairdresser is the best person to answer this question for you.

How do I style this cut?
Okay, you’ve found your perfect cut and you’re so excited about it. But there’s a problem. You don’t exactly know how to style it. Ask your hairdresser! She’s the girl with the know-how. You’d be surprised how much of a difference a little bit of instruction can make for your look.
 
What products should I be using?
Some women are hesitant to ask this question because they’re afraid their hairdresser will lecture them on how they should only use salon products. And while this is possible, it’s not likely. Most hairdressers are happy to point you in the direction of some good products for your hair without sounding condescending.


Will this color work for me?
Before you have your hairdresser take you from brunette to platinum, you might consider asking if it’s the best color choice for you. Being open to her expert opinion can save you months of heartache. You often don’t know how emotionally attached you are to your current hair until you’ve had a hair disaster. If your hairdresser doesn’t think what you’ve got in mind will work then ask her for some suggestions. She may have a color suggestion you’ll love.

Is my hair in good condition?
You handle your hair every day so it can be difficult to tell if it’s in good condition. Damage can happen to your hair slowly, such as the kind that occurs from styling tools. That makes it difficult to notice. It’s good to ask your hairdresser if your hair’s healthy. If it isn’t, she can offer you some suggestions on what to do about it.


What hair tools do I use to style my hair with?
Do you love how your hair looks when you leave the salon? It may have a lot to do with the hair tools your hairdresser uses. Ask her what she’s using to style your hair. She’ll probably be happy to share the information with you. The right hair tools can make a huge difference in your hair.

Do you have any other tips for me?
It’s good to leave the door open for your hairdresser to give you any other advice she feels is helpful. There may be something she’s hesitant to mention but could really be helpful to you. Asking her this question can give her the encouragement to share with you. Get all the helpful information you can from your hairdresser. It can help you look your best.

Hair styles that reqire no heat

NO HEAT HAIRSTYLES

The easy hairstyles and tips here will enable you to have gorgeous hair every day without the help of a hairdryer, curling iron or flat iron! So why don’t you give your hair a break and try some of these super easy hairstyles right now? These heat-less hairstyles will save your hair and keep it from breaking so much, and they look great!

 

Crimped Style
Ditch the crimping iron because one of these easy hairstyles is one very popular, totally hot style you can literally achieve overnight! Wash your hair an hour before you’re planning to go to bed, give it about 30 minutes to dry naturally, then braid it into a lot of thin, tight braids. Leave the braids overnight, undo them in the morning, style your hair and voila! This is a great trick if you have oily, curly or straight hair!

 
Wavy Hair
How easy would it be to get a head full of shiny, perfectly polished waves without a double or triple barrel curing iron? Well, it’s actually pretty easy! Start by shampooing and conditioning your hair. Let your hair dry until it is slightly damp. Use a wide toothed comb to ensure that there are no more tangles. If you have hard to curl hair, rub a little texturizing paste into your hair. Now take a hair tie, twist your hair and put it up in a messy bun. Wait for your hair to dry completely and then slowly take off the hair tie and style as required. Remember, the more hair ties and the more buns you make, the tighter your curls will be. 

Wild Curly Hair
Cut an old tee/sheet/pillowcase into long strips (or you could just use socks), then wrap sections of your half dried hair into them by placing the end of each section on the center of the strip and rolling up. Once you’re done, just tie the ends of the strip together and move to the next section. And remember, the smaller your sections are, the tighter your wild curly hair will be.

Natural Loose Curls
Start with dry, clean hair, then slightly wet only the bottom half of your length. Apply styling mousse on the damp part, comb it to distribute the mousse evenly, then put it up in a tightly rolled bun. Allow your hair a couple of hours to dry and form, then let it down and enjoy your natural loose curls! This can work for any type of hair.

Spiral Curls
You don’t need a curling iron to have sexy curls, not when you can get wild spiral curls without heat. The trick to creating spiral curls without using heat is to fold small sections of your wet hair onto your scalp, then pin those loops down using bobby pins. It takes some time and you’ll need to arm yourself with patience but the end result is so amazing that you’ll want to do this all the time. Bonus tip: Do this before you go to bed and secure your loops overnight by sleeping with a shower cap on.

Twisty Hair 
This technique is one of the best ways to get big, wild hair overnight! Take tiny sections of hair, apply a generous amount of the styling product of your choice, then twist each section until it starts to coil around its base. Secure these little knots with small silicone bands or bobby pins, let loose after a few hours, and you're instantly rocking some sexy, twisty hair! 

Vintage Hair
I know lots of you are in love with vintage hair, which is really having a moment! The good news is that you can create gorgeous curls and waves without any heat whatsoever. You'll need some good foam rollers, some patience, and a love of old Hollywood glam, plus a quality bristle brush won't hurt! Vintage hair looks retro and regal at the office, in the classroom, and definitely out on a romantic date, and since the vintage look is so easy, what's to stop you from trying it?

Cocoon Curls
Looking for those messy, slept in curls? Drop that curler and keep on reading! This technique for bouncy curls requires almost no tools except for your fingers. Beforehand you just need to slightly wet your hair and you are ready to start. The whole process consists of twisting and turning of your hair around itself and your fingers.

Bantu Knot Curls
There is no need to damage your hair and burn your already dried roots to achieve the bombshell curls! Using a curing iron might give great results but completely ruin your hair in the long run. So instead we can resort to bantu knots that are easy and completely harmless. Just grab a handful of hairbands and get going. Take a chunk of your hair, twist it around and then begin twisting it in a bun. Once you are done with it secure the twisted bun with a hair band and continue with the whole head. The next morning you will wake up with sexy bombshell curls!

Deep Curls
One of my favorite ways to achieve deep waves is by using old magazines. It's cheap, easy and it produces perfect results. You just have to make sure to damp your hair slightly so that the curls grab on easier and your hair is able to dry overnight. After that rip pages out of the magazine, fold them in desired length and wrap your hair around it. The only material that you would need besides a magazine is bobby pins, to secure the pages with the hair.

Prominent Waves
Are there several scarfs lying around in your closet? Don't throw them out because you can actually recycle them and use them as curlers! All you need to do is take sections of damp hair and wrap them around the scarf. Once you have completed your whole head, the last thing you need to do is sleep on it. It might cause some discomfort but beauty is pain!

DON'T NEGLECT YOUR WINTER FEET

 Now is the time to start taking care of your feet. Ever think just because it's winter you don't need a pedicure? Well that could not be further from the truth. We are more dry in the winter months than summer months, so it's good to get a regular pedicure to keep up on those dry cracked heels. We walk an average of 8,000 steps a day which can be harmful on your feet if not properly maintained.  Here are some other health benefits to getting a regular pedicure that you must read.

EARLY DETECTION

Receiving regular pedicures can help your pedicurist detect early health problems such as corns, bunions, and fungal infections. These problems can be treated easier if detected earlier. 

DECREASES THE CHANCE OF INFECTION

Proper maintenance such as clipping, cutting, and cleaning the toe nails prevents them from growing inward and causing infection.  Have you ever had an ingrown toenail? They can be very painful. Keeping them clean by eliminating dirt and bacteria can prevent nail diseases, fungal infections, and foot odors.

PRESERVES MOISTURE

Pedicures commonly include a soak in warm water while using lotions, and scrubs which help preserve moisture in the feet. This will help by preventing blisters, cracks, and other foot problems. Also keeping your cuticles moisturized can help prevent the growth of ridges and cracks.

FOOT EXFOLIATION

Exfoliation and removal of dead skin cells prevents the accumulation of the cells that cause bunions and corns. These can be uncomfortable and painful if not treated early. Removal of dead skin, especially on the heel, encourages new cell growth which can lead to smoother more attractive feet.

PROMOTES CIRCULATION

A favorite and most enjoyable part of the pedicure is the massage. Massaging  helps promote circulation and helps relieve tension on the calves and feet. Increase of blood circulation can reduce pain and help distribute heat thoroughly through the body. 

BODY RELAXATION

A great pedicure can help relieve stress and can be very therapeutic. Massage therapy can be therapeutic to your overall health.