Hair care: Here you'll find some invaluable tips on how to DIY you hair to perfection and resolve some of those age old problems. Keep this page book marked as we'll be adding more and more tips as the months go on, building up a library of knowledge that'll help you through those bad hair days.
Click on the title links to skip to each section or have a leisurely read through.
A rest is as good as a break
Hair Colour Tips and Tricks
So, what is the right way of washing the hair?
Want a short hair cut
No Fail Blow-Drying for Smooth, Shiny Hair
A rest is as good as a break - top
Have you ever had one of those perfect hair days where your hair looks fabulous just before you're about to hop in the shower knowing full well that you'd be generously lucky for your hair to look half as nice, you grab that quick shower, even though you just washed your hair this morning/last night.
You needn't wash your hair repeatedly to ensure remarkable results, so why not skip a shampoo or two? Remember, the more you wash your hair and the more styling products you apply, the greater the amount of buildup that adheres to your silky strands.
Every once in a while, forego the routine washing by twisting your hair up into a towel or piling it into a shower cap before you step into the shower. To alleviate your concerns of how your hair will smell, look and feel without shampooing it just this once, try these tips to keep your hair vibrant and refreshed.
Hair Colour Tips and Tricks - top
1.Try to stick pretty close to your natural hair color if it is your first time. This way it won't be the end of the world when your roots start growing in.
2. Also, you might consider a temporary washout color treatment if you are a beginner. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to remedy the situation if you don't like the new color of your hair.
3. If you opt for do-it-yourself highlights, have a family member or a friend help you, if possible. It is always nice to have another set of eyes to guide you through things you cannot clearly see. Mirrors may be deceiving, so having someone there to help really could be the difference between an okay dye job and an excellent one.
4. Follow the instructions closely and thoroughly. No skipping steps. Test a small area of your hair as instructed, just to be sure you aren't allergic to anything in the dye.
5. Leave your hair down as you color it and you will achieve a more even look. Pinning your hair on top of your head leaves more to chance.
6. Part hair into sections and apply color from roots to ends, starting near the temples. Double-check the instructions to be sure you are following them properly.
7. To prevent hair from dripping on your skin, apply a thin layer of moisturizer or petroleum jelly to the skin at your hairline. Most hair dyes will not drip, but in case they do, this makes cleanup so much easier!
8. If you want beautiful blonde tresses, consider seeing your stylist for best results. Dyeing darker hair into a lighter shade, especially blonde, can be a tricky task. Even if you're an at-home hair dyeing professional, remember that it's easier to do it right the first time than to cover up any boo-boos.
9. More Home Coloring Tips: Deep condition before you color your hair. Wait two days after shampooing before coloring. The color will adhere better, since your scalp is more sensitive after shampooing, it will make the process more comfortable. Plus the natural oils in your hair will protect it.
So, what is the right way of washing the hair? - top
The first thing you should do is to comb the tangles out of the hair before you wet it so the hair would wash easily and the tangles would not worsen. And then, wet your hair thoroughly under the shower. You can use either warm or cold water if you like, but for best results, you can wet your hair with warm water to open the scale-like cuticles of the hair and wash all the oil and dirt off. And then, you can rinse your hair with cold water afterwards to close the cuticles and add to the shine of your hair.
Rinse your hair under the shower to rid it of the leave-on conditioner and styling aids you have used previously, using gentle strokes of your fingertips. Then, pour a dollop of shampoo in the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, and then apply the shampoo to your scalp. Take note that you should put the shampoo on your scalp and not at the ends of your hair, as the shampoo would dry your hair's ends and cause it to weaken and split. Also, do not mix your hair all over your head as you shampoo because it will get all tangled up. After this, rinse the shampoo off.
More often than not, we need to shampoo our hair for a second time. The purpose of the first shampoo is to clean the oil and dirt off; the second shampoo is supposed to let the shampoo treat our hair. So, repeat the process, but let the shampoo sit on for around a couple of minutes. Rinse the hair completely after this.
To get the excess water off your hair, just squeeze the water out. Do not pull or tug at the hair because the hair is at its most delicate when it is soaked. When the excess water is out, apply a dollop of conditioner - mane event - and apply it along the hairline, the nape and the ends of the hair. Pile your hair then inside a shower cap and let the conditioner stay there for around ten minutes. And then, rinse it off completely.
The process described here does seem tedious and time-consuming. But remember, having great hair takes time and effort. And it is definitely worth it for a picture perfect hair.
Want a short hair cut- top
Short hair cuts reflect self-assurance, readiness to take new challenges.
Short hair shows you are cool, confident, in control, and too busy to spend hours 5 Minute Makeover fussing with your hair.
Great things about short hair cuts
1. Short hair is sexy. A man will see you and your personality.
2. Well-cut short hair emphasises femininity, especially if you get chunky layers and softness cut into the style.
3. Your hair - see Salma Hayek looks thicker and more glossy. Shorter hair looks healthier than the dull, damaged ends of longer hair. It's a good choice for women with fine hair.
4. Short hair is easy to manage. You just step into it and go.
5. You can look younger. Wrinkles are emphasised by the straight lines of long hair, but the softer shape of short hair makes them less obvious. Turn back the clock!
Common Dos and Don'ts:
Don't use any rubber band to the keep hair off your face. Rubber bands tend to break or split hair. Instead use a scrunchy or a fabric coated elastic band.
Don't brush wet hair too harshly because it's three times weaker and more likely to break off mid-strand. Towel dry hair first, then gently detangle using a wide toothcomb.
Oil your hair before every wash. Massage oil well into the scalp and keep for a minimum of half-hour. This keeps your scalp nourished and conditioned.
Avoid over-conditioning. Excessive use of conditioner can damage your hair and cause split-ends.
No Fail Blow-Drying for Smooth, Shiny Hair - top
Want that silky, touchable hair that Pantene Pro V products claim their shampoo will give you? Look no further-you can have that flawless look by spending only a few extra minutes blow-drying your hair! Ditch the designer hair products and follow these simple instructions to give your hair the same beautiful look and soft feeling:
Materials:
* Towel
* Hairdryer
* Brush / Comb
* Claw-Clip or barrette
* Your usual styling products or a small amount of hair gel for touch-ups
(These may not be necessary after you try this tip.)
Step 1: Twist hair up into a towel in order to remove excess water. How long you keep it wrapped in the towel is up to you-my hair is long, so time permitting, I keep it like that for about 15 minutes.
Step 2: Comb out any tangles and part hair as you wish.
Step 3: Gather hair and twist except for a thin layer at the base of your head. Pin hair atop your head with the clip or barrette.
Step 4: Begin drying the loose hair. (You can use a lower heat setting if you do not have a time restriction.) When hair is complete dry, turn off hairdryer and brush or comb hair.
Step 5: Remove clip and take another section of hair to be dried. Re-twist your hair and replace pin.
Step 6: Repeat step 4 as necessary. For thicker hair, you may need to separate hair into sections several times. My hair is of a medium thickness but long, so I separate it into 3 sections.
Step 7: Once hair is completely dry, brush and style as you wish, or leave it down, as it should be less dried-out and more manageable. If your hair is not completely frizz-free and cooperative, rub a small amount of gel in your hands and gently smooth over your hair, paying close attention to the ends.
Drying and styling time will vary based on your hair's thickness and length. Though I do not always have enough time to use this drying technique, it works wonders for my hair for those special occasions!
Approximate Time Required: 10-20 minutes, depending on thickness and length of hair. Long hair takes more.
