Posts Tagged ‘blow dryer’

Anyone can be beautiful, even on a low budget. It is quite often said that beauty is on the inside. Even though there is nothing more true, many women are left feeling not up-to-par because they cannot get the look they see other women have.

The trick? It’s all a mental game and, of course, shopping strategies. We’ll start with the fun strategy first: shopping; or should I say “shopping around”. At first it will take some leg work, but you’ll be there soon enough. From top to bottom:

1) Find the right stylist. Women with the beautiful “do’s” usually go to salons that charge a minimum of $75 a cut. You can get the same “do”; you just need to shop around. Occasionally, there is a hidden diamond in the rough, or better worded, a good hairstylist in the less expensive salons such as Fantastic Sams or Bo Rics. The best way to choose your stylist is to pick someone who is pretty, well groomed, and has a similar style to what you would choose.

2) Find the right clothes store. Everywhere you look there are stores with clothes under $15 an item. The stores in my area are DOTS and Rave. Just because there is nothing in there one week that suits your style, don’t let it deter you, go the next week and I promise you will find something cute that is very reasonably priced.

3) Pay less! You could pay more, but why? I have recently stumbled across Target shoes as well; very cute and very reasonable.

And now for the mental uplift:

1) Smile! Smile, smile, smile. It makes your face light up!

2) Hit the dollar store and what you can’t find there, go to your local convenience store. What you need:

*Blow dryer and brush: You have to blow-dry your hair while brushing it straight or wispy. That is an absolute must to shiny hair. I also would suggest purchasing some anti-frizz serum, even if you’re not frizzy. It will add shine. But only use the size of a dime or you will end up looking greasy.

*Scented lotion: First, you’ll smell pretty. Second, you’ll be doing something extra for yourselfmental uplift.

*Make up: Just the basics. Cover-up if needed – both liquid and powder. Blush: don’t forget a dab on your nose, chin, and forehead. Lipstick: glossy, flat, lined or unlined doesn’t matter, just wear it! Mascara: dark, full lashes are beautiful, and don’t forget the eyelash curler.

*Nail polish: even if it’s just clear, you will feel prettier with it on.

3) Exercise: Yes, it’s physical and mental together so why not? Even after your second workout, you will feel thinner and healthier. It will, of course, take a few more workouts to see the results, but if you’re feeling it, the mental uplift is working.

With the right shopping strategy and about an hour a day, you can easily match your outer beauty with the inner beauty you have always had.

There are different reasons that our hair can become damaged, but the main reason is due to the improper treatment of the hair. When it hair becomes damaged, it needs to be treated with a great deal of care. If it is not then you will only make the situation worse.

So many people do not know the proper way to treat their hair and so taking care of it when it is damaged will require a radical rethink about your hair care routine.

Washing.

In order to avoid damaging your hair any further you need to know how to wash it properly. Wet your hair with warm water and apply a small amount of shampoo into the palm of your hands and smooth it over the roots and temples. Gently massage it into the scalp with your finger tips using small circular motions. Do not scrub at the hair or pull at it to try and remove any knots because you will damage it if you do.

Rinse the shampoo out by letting the water run down your hair and gently moving it to make sure all of the shampoo has been removed. 

Next, you will need to gently remove the excess water from your hair, do this by carefully squeezing the hair and then wrapping it in a towel for one minute. Then apply your conditioner and massage it into the hair using your finger tips. Leave it for as long as possible to allow it to work and then rinse it thoroughly.

Try to avoid brushing your hair when it is wet. Wet hair is incredibly fragile and so it will break very easily. If you need to style it with something then use a wide toothed comb. This will cause minimal damage. If it is possible then try and use your fingers to style your hair instead. This will cause less damage and it will also create a natural look

Always apply a heat protection serum to your hair. Many people think that if they are only using a blow dryer then they do not need it, but this is not true. Your hair needs to be protected from all kinds of heat.  

Always wait until your hair is at least 70% dry before blow drying it. Use your blow dryer on the lowest heat setting and always keep the nozzle pointing downwards. This will help the cuticle to lie flat making the hair smoother and shinier. 

Do you have hair that frizzes? Frizz is when the fine ends of your hair “puff” out from your head in an attempt to suck moisture out of the air.  Frizziness is actually caused by the hair lacking moisture.  So the first thing to do to fight frizziness would be to condition your hair with moisturizing conditioner.  Shampoo your hair every other day to avoid excess dryness.  If your hair is dryer, you can shampoo less often; if your hair is more moist, you should shampoo more often.  It is also a good idea to use a deep conditioner once a week.

The second trick to combat frizz lies in the products you use.  When your hair is damp from the shower, apply some anti-frizz serum or cream to the hair.  Apply only a dime-sized amount as frizz serums and creams tend to weigh hair down.  Of course, you can adjust the size of the amount due to the length and density of your hair.  

The next thing you should do to your hair to combat frizz is to blow dry it in a special manner.  You should take a paddle brush, and place it under a section of hair.  Using a blow dryer on high heat and aiming down in alignment with the hair’s cuticle, slowly move the brush down the length of the hair, following with the blow dryer. Make particularly sure you get the top layer of your hair as this is what is visible to others.  Since you have to use such high heat to get the silky smoothness you desire, compensate by spraying in a heat protective spray of some sort before you begin styling.

After your hair is dry and frizz-less, you’re going to want to hold the hair in place and keep the frizz at bay the rest of the day.  Take your anti-frizz serum or cream and rub it between your hands, then run your hands through your hair paying attention to the outermost layer of hair.  Again, this is what people see and the frizz-less look is lost if the top layer of hair isn’t given significant attention.  

Once you run the product through your hair, focusing on the top layer of hair, you should have sleek, straight hair with shininess that will hold up all day, even in high humidity. Make sure that the next day you shampoo your hair, as frizz serums tend to be heavy and need to be washed out of hair daily.

Everyone would like to have shiny, smooth, gorgeous hair, like hair shown in commercials. When you have frizzy, damaged, lifeless hair instead though, you have some serious work to do.

Trims

Try sliding your hands through your hair, starting at the scalp and ending at the tips. If you observe a difference in texture, or if you feel something different at the ends, you are definitely due for a trim. It is wise to arrange for monthly trimmings of damaged areas with split ends.

Avoid heat

Do not use a blow- dryer, hot comb or hot rollers in your hair. The rollers and the hot combs do a lot of damage, because as the heat is applied, they stretch your hair. Already damaged hair will be even further damaged, as a result. If you absolutely have to use a blow-dryer ( like in winter for example, when you cannot let your hair dry alone), then always remember to keep the heat on the lowest setting. Also, always avoid extensive sun exposure.

Choose the right shampoo

Many shampoos consist of cleaning agents that can further damage your hair. It is important to choose acidic shampoos with a pH between 4.5 and 6.7. When washing your hair, try to massage gently. Avoid washing your hair every day, three times a week is perfectly okay. Washing hair daily will deplete hair from natural oils. Pay attention to the ingredients mentioned in the shampoos and conditioners. Choose products that contain little or no alcohol. If your shampoo and conditioner are extremely fragrant, it is quite possible that they contain plenty of alcohol. You can also make your own natural shampoo, by mixing chamomile flowers, comfrey root, elder flowers and nettle with boiling water. Let stand for 30 minutes and then add 1/4 cup of cider vinegar. Using that shampoo on a regular basis, will help your damaged hair become shiny and soft.

Balanced diet

A diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help your body grow healthier and stronger hair. Prefer fish and nuts, green vegetables and beans.

Hair colors

It is advisable to use semi- permanent hair colors in damaged hair, which can coat the hair strands and make them appear lustrous. They do not contain ammonia, therefore are not harmful to the hair.

Coconut to the rescue

Mix well a cup of coconut milk and two tablespoons of gram flour. Massage it gently for about 5 minutes into your hair and scalp. Leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing. Use this once a week.

Intensive moisturizer

Add a teaspoon of honey into three cups of warm water and massage through your hair after washing them. Do not rinse, let it stay in your hair all night long. Use this twice a week.

Everyone would like to have shiny, smooth, gorgeous hair, like hair shown in commercials. When you have frizzy, damaged, lifeless hair instead though, you have some serious work to do.

Trims

Try sliding your hands through your hair, starting at the scalp and ending at the tips. If you observe a difference in texture, or if you feel something different at the ends, you are definitely due for a trim. It is wise to arrange for monthly trimmings of damaged areas with split ends.

Avoid heat

Do not use a blow- dryer, hot comb or hot rollers in your hair. The rollers and the hot combs do a lot of damage, because as the heat is applied, they stretch your hair. Already damaged hair will be even further damaged, as a result. If you absolutely have to use a blow-dryer ( like in winter for example, when you cannot let your hair dry alone), then always remember to keep the heat on the lowest setting. Also, always avoid extensive sun exposure.

Choose the right shampoo

Many shampoos consist of cleaning agents that can further damage your hair. It is important to choose acidic shampoos with a pH between 4.5 and 6.7. When washing your hair, try to massage gently. Avoid washing your hair every day, three times a week is perfectly okay. Washing hair daily will deplete hair from natural oils. Pay attention to the ingredients mentioned in the shampoos and conditioners. Choose products that contain little or no alcohol. If your shampoo and conditioner are extremely fragrant, it is quite possible that they contain plenty of alcohol. You can also make your own natural shampoo, by mixing chamomile flowers, comfrey root, elder flowers and nettle with boiling water. Let stand for 30 minutes and then add 1/4 cup of cider vinegar. Using that shampoo on a regular basis, will help your damaged hair become shiny and soft.

Balanced diet

A diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help your body grow healthier and stronger hair. Prefer fish and nuts, green vegetables and beans.

Hair colors

It is advisable to use semi- permanent hair colors in damaged hair, which can coat the hair strands and make them appear lustrous. They do not contain ammonia, therefore are not harmful to the hair.

Coconut to the rescue

Mix well a cup of coconut milk and two tablespoons of gram flour. Massage it gently for about 5 minutes into your hair and scalp. Leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing. Use this once a week.

Intensive moisturizer

Add a teaspoon of honey into three cups of warm water and massage through your hair after washing them. Do not rinse, let it stay in your hair all night long. Use this twice a week.