Posts Tagged ‘shampoo and conditioner’

Looking after dry hair requires products that will care for it, repair your hair and leave it looking smooth and shiny. This again entails the need of products that can make your hair look and feel beautiful. Here are the top products that you need in order to care for dry hair.

Hair Masks
This will be your best friend in caring for dry hair. Dry hair needs to retain moisture, to repair and to also get that radiant shine which dry hair can lack in. A good quality hair mask will get rid of all your problems or most of them. Usually they are used once a week to replenish and revitalise your hair. They can be used more often if needed. Always look for a hair mask that is suited for dry hair, ask your hair stylist to recommend you one.

Shampoo/Conditioner
One always has to wash their hair and investing in a shampoo and conditioner that is suited to your hair type (dry/damaged hair) is vital. This will make sure that your hair is not stripped of all its moisture by shampooing it. The Body Shop produces an excellent shampoo and conditioner for dry hair. They are priced more than the drug store brands however last a long time and is excellent for your hair. In addition, never shampoo your hair more than necessary as this will strip it of the oils that your hair needs. Dry hair should be washed twice a week to keep the natural oils.

Leave in spray/conditioner
Always use a good leave in conditioner for your hair, it will help protect and repair your hair between washes and is a great detangling product. Do not use a lot of the product as some may weigh down the hair, use a small amount and work through the whole hair using a comb or brush.

Oils
You can purchase many oils separately such as olive oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil or almond to use on your hair. You can also purchase them as a mixture from many stores. Furthermore, you can use oils in many ways on the hair.

Purchase a spray bottle and fill it with the oils of your choice. You can use this and spray onto your hair when needed.

Hot oil treatment
Apply a blend of oils to your hair making sure all the hair is coated. Wet a hair towel and heat it in the microwave. Or put the hair towel in hot water and wring it out. Put the towel onto your hair. Put another towel on your hair; however make sure it is dry. This will hold in the heat. Leave it for around 45 minutes. You can also keep it in overnight for an intense hydration.

There are several “must have hair care products” that my hair just could not survive without, but before I let you in on my little hair care secrets, let me give you a brief history of my hair. I am someone who likes to change my hair colour on a regular basis. When I see a celebrity in a magazine or on television it makes me long for that particular hair colour. I love the feeling that a new hair colour can evoke within me. My natural hair colour is a very dark brown, which I like, but quickly bores me.

I have always wanted hair with multi tones and highlights-Jennifer Aniston‘s hair colour being my all-time dream hair colour, but it is surprisingly difficult to achieve her hair colour. This past three months alone I have gone from black hair, to medium brown, to very bright (somewhat luminous) blonde. I am currently a dark blonde hair colour and am considering scattering a few blonde highlights throughout the front of my hair – just to liven it up a little. My aim is to look as “naturally” blonde as possible, especially now with summer on its way, I would like to lighten it up.

You must be thinking that my hair is in horrendous condition, maybe even on the verge of falling out, but I can assure you that it is in good condition. I have always taken care of my hair. I have bought very inexpensive hair care products to the most expensive hair care products on the market, and I can advise you that the best hair care products are definitely the inexpensive products.

I am someone who is a bit of a hair care product “junkie”. I used to spend hours at the weekend just reading the labels on the back of bottles of shampoo and conditioner, comparing the expensive and inexpensive brands. My research revealed to me that the number one ingredient listed on all shampoos and conditioners was “aqua”, in other words “water”. I asked myself why I should pay exorbitant prices for water, and I decided that I would start spending my money on the inexpensive brands. However, I would recommend sticking to fairly well known brand names.

My “must have” every day shampoo and conditioner is any from the Timotei range. They are very gentle on the scalp and hair and smell good too. My all-time “must have” hair care product is VO5 Hot Oil Conditioner. It is a little miracle in a tube. You just pop it in a cup of warm water, wait a few minutes, then smooth it on to your hair, wait another minute and shampoo and condition as usual. You will notice the difference in your hair almost immediately.

I hope my recommendations will have helped you achieve healthier hair, just remember not to buy into the marketing and advertising hype of the more expensive hair care brands.

“The hair is real – it’s the head that’s a fake.”
~ Steve Allen

Hair extensions hit the American public in a big way when Bo Derek wore them in the movie “10.” Hair extensions were added to Derek’s own hair in order to lengthen the braids. The look was so attractive that women everywhere copied it.

Since that period, hair extensions have continued to live on in different forms. Long, curly shags. Short bobs. Ponytails. The “looks” , today, are endless. However, no matter what form they take, the wearer, has to ask herself one question. How do I take care of them?

Taking care of hair extensions isn’t difficult if you know what to do. Below are a few pointers, you’ll want to follow.

Keep your hair extensions clean.

> Whether your hair extensions are synthetic or human, it’s important to keep them clean. Clean extensions will decrease the amount of tangling you experience with them. Also, it will provide the optimum conditions for styling. So what do you use? A gentle shampoo and conditioner. While using your fingers, work the shampoo through your hair with a little bit of water. Then rinse gently with minimal water and pat dry with a soft towel.

Style your hair extensions with minimal heat and soft instruments.

> Brushes with rough bristles and too much heat can tear up your extensions. Therefore, treat them like you’d treat soft baby hair. Use wide combs, super soft brushes and low heat for styling. It’ll maximize the length of time you’re able to use your extensions and save you money.

Protect your hair extensions while exercising.

> Hair extensions are always wonderful until it’s time to exercise. Sweat, dirt, chlorine, and other outdoor elements are enemies to hair extensions. They dry them out, make them look dull, and cause hair breakage. So, it’s important to wear a cap or wrap your hair up in order to protect it. Then, exercise as normal.

Wrap your hair before you go to bed.

> In order to prevent snags and tangles, wrap your hair up before you go to bed. Also, make sure your hair is dry. This process will add to the life and beauty of your hair extensions and keep you from making an emergency call to your stylist.

Use a leave-in Conditioner on your hair extensions.

> Use a leave-in conditioner on your hair extensions to combat dryness. It’ll also help with any tangles. Try to get one that is designed for hair extensions. Ask your hairstylist for direction on which conditioner to use.

Avoid perming, relaxing or coloring your hair extension.

> Any type of chemical process that will change the condition of your hair extensions should be left up to a hair stylist. They have the training and tools to handle chemical treatments on hair extensions properly. You don’t. So stay clear of them.

Very few people are happy with their hair.  Some blondes want to be dark haired, some dark haired women bleach their hair.  Those with curls want straight hair, while those with straight hair want curls.  All that coloring and styling damages hair and in an attempt to repair such damage, hair often gets damaged even more.

If you are like most people, you have bought every product that promised you a small miracle and were disappointed.  Fact is, to repair your damaged hair, you will have to go back to basics.

Stop believing what you see on TV and stop buying department store products.  Do you really think the models use the products they advertise?  I think not. 

For damaged hair you need organic shampoo and conditioner.  For this you consult a search engine of your choice, type in organic hair care and see what pops up.  Those are the kind of products that will really help to repair your hair.

Do not expect miracles though, repairing takes time.  You will feel immediately that what you are using is better quality than department store products, but to fully restore your hair’s health and beauty you might have to give it a few weeks.

In addition, stop putting mousses, gels and serums in your hair.  All these products may promise you to curl, smooth or fight frizz, but all of them contain a certain amount of alcohol.  Alcohol is bad for your hair, it dries it out.

If you want a product to comb through wet hair easier, give it shine or control frizz, look no further than your kitchen.  If you have olive oil, you have everything you need.  Rub a few drops between the palms of your hands, start by treating the ends of your hair and then smooth hands along the length.  You will see and feel immediate results.  In the long run, combined with the organic shampoo and conditioner, olive oil will repair your hair.

You can also use almond oil, but this oil is far more expensive. 

In addition, you can give your hair a mask from time to time using mayonnaise.  Leave the mayonnaise in for 30 minutes and then give your hair a good wash.

Stop using heat on your hair.  A flat iron may take out the curls, but it is detrimental to your hair.  Common sense tells you that.  The same goes for curling irons, hot rollers and blow dryers. 

Let your hair air dry.  To minimize curling, roll your hair in a knot when still slightly damp.  The result will be beautiful waves with no frizz at all.  This does not mean that you can never blow dry your hair, but do use a dryer with every wash

You might want to look at your diet too.  Healthy hair needs protein, vitamin B and zinc.  This is why it is important to eat fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, cottage cheese, bacon and salmon.

Give it a try, see what you think.  You won’t be disappointed.

“The hair is real – it’s the head that’s a fake.”
~ Steve Allen

Hair extensions hit the American public in a big way when Bo Derek wore them in the movie “10.” Hair extensions were added to Derek’s own hair in order to lengthen the braids. The look was so attractive that women everywhere copied it.

Since that period, hair extensions have continued to live on in different forms. Long, curly shags. Short bobs. Ponytails. The “looks” , today, are endless. However, no matter what form they take, the wearer, has to ask herself one question. How do I take care of them?

Taking care of hair extensions isn’t difficult if you know what to do. Below are a few pointers, you’ll want to follow.

Keep your hair extensions clean.

> Whether your hair extensions are synthetic or human, it’s important to keep them clean. Clean extensions will decrease the amount of tangling you experience with them. Also, it will provide the optimum conditions for styling. So what do you use? A gentle shampoo and conditioner. While using your fingers, work the shampoo through your hair with a little bit of water. Then rinse gently with minimal water and pat dry with a soft towel.

Style your hair extensions with minimal heat and soft instruments.

> Brushes with rough bristles and too much heat can tear up your extensions. Therefore, treat them like you’d treat soft baby hair. Use wide combs, super soft brushes and low heat for styling. It’ll maximize the length of time you’re able to use your extensions and save you money.

Protect your hair extensions while exercising.

> Hair extensions are always wonderful until it’s time to exercise. Sweat, dirt, chlorine, and other outdoor elements are enemies to hair extensions. They dry them out, make them look dull, and cause hair breakage. So, it’s important to wear a cap or wrap your hair up in order to protect it. Then, exercise as normal.

Wrap your hair before you go to bed.

> In order to prevent snags and tangles, wrap your hair up before you go to bed. Also, make sure your hair is dry. This process will add to the life and beauty of your hair extensions and keep you from making an emergency call to your stylist.

Use a leave-in Conditioner on your hair extensions.

> Use a leave-in conditioner on your hair extensions to combat dryness. It’ll also help with any tangles. Try to get one that is designed for hair extensions. Ask your hairstylist for direction on which conditioner to use.

Avoid perming, relaxing or coloring your hair extension.

> Any type of chemical process that will change the condition of your hair extensions should be left up to a hair stylist. They have the training and tools to handle chemical treatments on hair extensions properly. You don’t. So stay clear of them.