Long Wavy Hairstyles: Have Them Naturally

 

 

How to Have Long Wavy Hair:

1. The first step for any hair type is ensure that you are taking care of your hair in order for it to grow long and get that healthy sheen. A proper, balanced diet is essential, along with a good intake of omega-3 fatty acids (think salmon and nuts). Make sure you are conditioning your hair as well (I prefer natural products). You can help improve its sheen by applying homemade ingredients like egg yolks, olive oil or almond oil.

2. Growing your hair long takes patience and still requires regular cuts to trim off dead ends. Stay healthy, and practice the following wave-creating hair tips on hair of any length while you wait for it to grow. If you already have long hair...enjoy it and take care of it.

3.If you have dead straight, fine hair you are probably going to need to break out the curling iron to fake those wavy locks. First, apply some light gel or mousse so your hair will hold the curl. If your hair is thin and fine, don't use too much or it will weigh your hair down.

4. The best way to obtain a natural wave is to hold the barrel vertically while keeping the clamp closed and begin wrapping a section of hair around the outside of the barrel (not clamped inside). You can start at the top by the root or midway down- just be sure to wrap hair all the way to the end. 

5. Curl your entire head, section by section. It also helps to pin up your top layer of hair and curl the bottom layer underneath first. This adds more volume to your hair. I like to curl the hair sections that frame my face by wrapping in the direction AWAY from my face. This gives you that somewhat feathered (but not too 70's look). Finish off with a spritz of hair spray.

6.  If your hair takes kindly to a little wave on its own, you may not need a curling iron. One trick I use is to twist damp hair into tight little buns and pin them to my head while the hair dries. Depending on how much hair you have, you may only need one or two buns on each side of your head (I like to do the bangs/face framing layer separately). Once dry, take out the pins and shake the buns loose, scrunching hair lightly, while trying not to destroy the waviness.

7. This twisting hair method works best if you have a little texturizer in your hair before putting it into the buns. Saltwater is an excellent texturizer...I twist my hair after getting out of the ocean and it dries into lovely waves. If you don't live by the beach, you can try mixing sea salt with water and spritzing it onto your hair.

8. Another method for creating waves that some people have luck with is wrapping your damp hair on top of your head into a bun and securing with a scrunchy. Sleep with you hair like this and shake it loose in the morning. 

9. If you have lovely, naturally wavy hair, you may try applying some frizz easing products to provide a silky sheen and set your waves. Super curly-haired people may want to try a curl relaxing product to loosen up the curls into tousled waves. Whatever your hair type, try wavy for a day and you will instantly feel more girly, sexy and carefree!

• Tips & Warnings

• It is best not to brush your hair after you have created the waves or they will lose their structure.
• Some people like to substitute the curling iron method with a hair straightener instead.
• If using the "twisting method", after removing your buns, flip your head upside down and tousle your roots with your finger tips to lift hair and give it some volume.

Tips for Shiny Healthy Hair

Healthy Shiny Hair

Great hair doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You don’t need to spend money on expensive high-end products, or even go to the salon every month. All it takes is a little tender loving care to get your hair back to its natural health and shine.

 

 

 

Here are 10 Tips for Shiny Healthy Hair:

 

 

Tip#1

Choose the right shampoo and conditioner according to your hair type.

 

 

 

Tip #2

Preventive Care: Don’t let your hair be a victim to the environment. Protect it by deep conditioning once a week or using a hair mask. This will fortify your strands, making them much healthier and easier to manage. So treat your hair to some spa time every week and within a month, you’ll definitely see a difference!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip #3

Skip the Heat: I cannot tell you how important it is that you skip the blowdrier/straightener/curler as much as possible! On your days off where you’re not leaving the house for example, why not let your hair air dry to its natural state? The more heat you put on your hair, the more you dry out the strands, leaving your hair weak, brittle, and not very healthy. If you must blowdry every day, make sure you do it at the lowest heat setting possible. Yes, it does take a little longer, but especially for those with thin hair like mine, it can make a world of difference! Also, don’t forget that ceramic irons are much more gentler on your hair than non-ceramic ones, so be sure you use the best kind.

 

Tip #4

Don’t rub! After getting out of the shower, pat your hair dry and then wrap it in a towel. But under no circumstance should you rub your hair dry since that causes breakage which will eventually lead to split ends.

 

Tip #5

Brush With Care: The way you brush your hair is very crucial to its health. Never pull on it too hard – you’ll end up pulling out strands! If your hair gets easily tangled, brush it slowly and with care starting at the ends and working your way up – especially if your hair is wet.

 

 

Tip #6

Skip a Day: One of the best advices I was given by my hairdresser was to not wash my hair every day. Sure, it may sound a little gross, but washing your hair every single day strips it of its natural oils, which leaves your hair dry and brittle. Instead, wash your hair every other day to retain essential oils.

 

Tip#7

Natural Oils: Apply a few drops of castor oil, argan oil or coconut oil all over your hair, especially to the ends after shower before combing your hair. You can apply jojoba oil into the scalp. They all add strength as well as shine to your hair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip#8

Cut your hair every 8 weeks: On average, hair grows at a rate of about one-half inch (1.25cm) per month.This means, between cuts, the hair should have grown about an inch (2.5cm). If your hair is already the length you desire, this means you have an inch to spare, and that inch is the part of the hair that has been the most abused, most mistreated, and most damaged. In short, that inch is ready to retire.

If you are trying to grow your hair longer, this means you can lose the least

healthy half-inch of hair with each trim and still gain 3 inches each year. It may seem like slow progress, but you'll be happier with the results in the end. 

Removing split ends is one of the ways to healthy hair.

 

 

Tip#9
Healthy diet is a must: Dark green vegetables, fish (especially salmon), chicken and turkey, beans and nuts should be consumed. Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color.

Tip#10
Avoid hair dying: If you dont have grey hair, don't dye your hair. Dyes ruin the hair's chemistry.

 

 

 

 

 

                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

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REMEMBER: A woman's hair is her crowning glory!!!!

ALOE VERA: Beauty and Health

 

Aloe vera's soothing gel inside the thick, succulent leaves is an incredible natural skin care product. Aloe vera is a semi-tropical succulent plant originally from North Africa, and now grown worldwide. It looks like a desert plant. Aloe vera is one of the oldest and most popular medicinal plants known to man. The bulk of the aloe vera leaf is filled with gel, which is approximately 99% water. The other 1% contains over at least 75 known nutrients including 20 minerals, 12 vitamins, 18 amino acids, 200 active compounds called phytonutrients, enzymes and of course, water. It is used worldwide in just about every skin and hair care product imaginable.  

The processed leaf of the Aloe Vera plant is a popular gel that is known to have brought healthful benefits to our skin. Aloe vera gel is an excellent skin moisturizer. It supplies oxygen to the skin cells which in turn increases the strength and synthesis of skin tissue. It soothes, hydrates and rejuvenates the skin.

 Aloe vera has also been known to relieve and/or improve external skin discomforts such as eczema, psoriasis, ulcers, stings, bites, bruises, sprains and frostbite.

BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA GEL TO THE SKIN

Suitable for all skin types, aloe vera gel can be used even by people with sensitive skin. Let`s take a look at the benefits of using aloe vera gel to treat skin conditions.

1. Aloe vera gel is great for moisturizing.

For women: Popularly used as a moisturizer by women who use mineral make-up regularly, aloe vera gel is great for face. Applying aloe vera gel on skin prior to application of make-up can prevent the skin from drying.

For men: Aloe vera gel can be used as an aftershave. Its healing properties can treat small cuts caused by shaving.

2. Aloe vera gel is great for treating acne.

Aloe vera gel has antimicrobial properties that kill bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. It allows the skin to heal quickly and naturally with minimal scarring. Aloe is moisturizing but doesn`t give skin a greasy feel, so it`s perfect for anyone with an oily complexion.

3. Aloe vera helps fight common problems of skin aging.

Let`s face it: as we get older, everyone begins to worry about the appearance of lines and the loss of elasticity in our skin. The vitamin C and E present in aloe gel can improve our skin`s natural firmness and keep our skin hydrated.

4. Aloe vera can lessen the visibility of stretch marks.

Whether due to a growth spurt, weight change, or pregnancy - many of us are plagued with unsightly stretch marks. These marks appear due to minor tears in the layers of the skin caused by sudden and excessive stretching. Aloe vera gel can help hide these stretch marks by healing these wounds.

5. Aloe vera can be used to treat sunburn.

Aloe vera gel can reduce the pain and swelling you experience during sunburn. It acts as a protective layer on the skin and helps replenish its moisture. When the skin is hydrated, then it will recover faster from the sunburn.

6. Aloe vera can be used to treat sunpots

Using aloe vera gel is a great way to heal sunspots.

ALOE VERA GEL FOR THE EYE AREA

        

• The Aloe Vera gel contains beneficial ingredients that are good for the eye area. This gel is rich in nutrients that have different vitamins such as vitamins A, C, B12 and vitamin E. It also contains minerals such as zinc, calcium, magnesium, proteins and amino acids. All these help the eye areas restore its youthful looks.

• The Aloe Vera gel helps reduce fine wrinkles around the eye areas. Its anti-aging properties help maintain collagen of the skin. The gel also helps stimulate collagen formation to help restore the suppleness of the skin around our eyes.

• The gel also acts as a good moisturizer and emollient for the eyes. As we age our eyes are one of the prominent body parts that show signs of aging. The skin around our eyes begins to thin and become sensitive. Applying the gel would help reduce these problems since they help hydrate the skin.

• Applying the gel around the eyes would also help reduce infection. The Aloe Vera gel has anti-bacterial properties that would protect the eyes from virus and help prevent further spreading of infection to the eyes.

• Another benefit of this gel is that it can heal wounds, bruises or burns near the eye area. It provides soothing relief for these problem areas. It also lessens inflammation and helps increase blood circulation to the injured part of the eye area.

• The Aloe Vera gel also helps in reducing dark circles around the eyes. It helps lessen puffy eyes and keeps the eyes look refreshed and alive. It can be substituted as an eye cream to keep the eye area healthy.

  
 

ALOE VERA GEL FOR THE HAIR

   

 

       

Some hair care products like shampoos, conditioners and styling solutions contain aloe vera gel and other byproducts of the aloe vera plant, and even pure gel squeezed straight from an aloe leaf can be used in your hair care routine.

- Dandruff Prevention : Aloe vera gel has natural antibacterial and fungicidal properties. Various fungi and the spread of bacteria caused by excessive sebum oil production in the scalp can cause dandruff, so using aloe vera gel shampoo or even massaging pure aloe vera gel into the scalp can improve this condition. Aloe vera gel also has proteolytic enzyme characteristics, meaning that it can break down proteins, including dead skin cells. This helps the gel to serve as an exfoliant on the scalp, sloughing away dead skin so that it doesn't appear later as dandruff.

 

- Conditioning: Aloe vera gel is a powerful hair conditioner that nourishes hair strands from root to tip. At the scalp level, aloe vera is used in combination with other botanical ingredients in medicated herbal shampoos to open the pores, which helps exfoliate follicles and condition hair right at the root.

- Hair Loss Prevention:

Both men and women can use this natural product to solve hair loss or significant thinning. It also lessens the effects of Alopecia that causes hair loss and promotes the growth of new hair, but Aloe Vera can be effective in the treatment of hair loss if used at the first sign of excessive hair loss.

- For Hair Growth: Aloe Vera activates new hair growth along with the growth of already existing hair follicles by increasing the blood circulation to the scalp.

OTHER BENEFITS OF ALOE VERA

• Aloe vera is an antioxidant and cancer fighter, especially colon cancer
• Reduces and stops inflammation, both internally and externally
• Oxygenates blood and energizes cells, hydrates skin and repairs skin tissue
• Aloe vera heals internal digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, acid reflux - cleanses the intestinal tract
• Reduces risk factor for strokes and heart attacks by making "sticky" blood "unsticky," and boosts the oxidation of your blood, plus circulation
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits
• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance
• Stabilizes blood pressure and reduces triglycerides
• Aloe vera juice can be used as mouth wash for some relief and to speed up healing of mouth ulcers.

*****I personally use aloe vera gel as under-eye cream, mostly. It soothes my tired eye area while hydrating it. Try out yourself! You'll be thankful to me :)))*****

Hairstyles: Summer 2012 Hair Trends

In a season defined by minimalism and natural beauty, hairstylists channeled easy elegance for this summer. The sporting life was a popular theme with styles that looked fresh from the ocean or outdoors, and today's glamor had a big moment with polished ponytails, graceful braids, and bouncy blowouts. Still, nothing was too perfect or impeccable—deconstructed waves and undone knots and twists proved that having a bit of an edge is as chic as ever.

Glistening Hair

Ponytails

The Urban Wave

Embellished Updos

Bigger Blowouts

Sophisticated Braids and Twists

You can pick best one that fits you!!!

cut your own hair (layered cut)

For some people, going to the hair salon is an enjoyable experience. For others, it is something that they would rather not do. Whether it is because of the cost or other factors, if you decide to cut your own hair, here is how to do a quick layered haircut.

The tools you will need are:

1)   A comb

2)   Shears or hair cutting sharp scissors

3)   Hair clip

4)   A mirror

Cutting hair is not a big deal and doing it yourself can save you lots of money and time. Eliminate the dependency on your hair stylist!!!! Follow these easy steps to cut your own hair in layers and have fun!

1)   Shampoo and condition your hair, as wet and conditioned hair is easier to comb and cut.

2)   Comb your hair as straight as you can

3)   Bend over, flip your head upside- down, so that the crown of your head points toward the floor.

4)   Comb all your hair straight down so it hangs neatly. (All of your hair, including that at the nape of your neck, should point toward the floor.)

5)  Gather your hair into a high ponytail as close to your front hairline as possible and secure it with a hair clip.

6)   Choose a length that you want to cut. It's always a good idea to cut it slightly longer than you want. You can always cut it a bit shorter.

7)   Begin cutting a straight line across the ponytail. Cutting a straight line will automatically layer your hair, as you are cutting across many different lengths of hair while they hang down. (Each hair will be at the same length)

8)   Finish cutting the straight line, unsecure your hairclip, shake your hair loose and flip your head back up.

9)   Comb your hair straight again.

10) Refine your layers by combing small sections and holding them between your pointer and middle finger with the ends pointing up. Snip off any stragglers.

11)Cut bangs by combing a section above your forehead down across your eyes. Be careful not to include side hairs. Comb them straight, take your bangs between your index and middle fingers and pull them down and carefully trim all the way across. Check the length and repeat if necessary. Remember to cut across for a straight bang or cut diagonal (angled) for a side-swept bangs that fall across the eyes. Don't try to trim too much length at once. You can make the line of your bangs less blunt-looking by diagonally cutting the tips of a few strands of hair across your bangs. Be careful not to overdo.

This is how i cut my own hair and bangs!

Tips & Warnings

Layering your own hair perfectly takes time and attention to make sure every strand is at the same length. Consider help from a friend. The biggest piece of advice I can give you in learning how to cut your own hair is to only trim off a little at a time until you are more comfortable with it. You can always go back to trim more if you need to.

Additionally, do not become scissor-happy with your own hair. I have a habit of trimming once a month. The truth is that it's practically impossible to eliminate every split end on your head. There's no need to be manic about split ends. So, determine a trimming schedule and stick to it.

by ipal emin.