Archive for June 22nd, 2006
Joanne Elliott
Split ends, (or trichoptlosis), are the bane of every self-respecting woman’s life! They happen when the protective cuticle has been stripped away from the
ends of hair fibers. Split ends are more likely to develop in dry or brittle hair,
and typical causes of damage include excessive dying or vigorous brushing.
Once the hair cuticle is removed, it is impossible to replace. Typically the hair splits into two or three strands, and can be as long or two to three centimeters in length. The best treatment is to cut off the split end of the damaged fiber.
But you don’t necessarily have to go to the salon every week to keep your split ends in check. In the sixties and seventies, woman used to burn off their split ends themselves! Ouch! I’m sure you’ll agree that that’s a little excessive. There are easier ways to get rid of your dead ends before they split further… DIY (do-it-yourself) hair trims. Don’t be afraid, everyone does it!
Supermodels who openly take the snip between salon appointments include Natasha Vojnovic, Giselle Bundchen (of Dior advertisement fame), and Liya Kebede. In a recent Vogue interview, Sam McKnight, hairstylist to the stars, said “I’m all for people doing their own hair. It shows confidence and individuality. You can loose dry ends, add layers, even do a whole haircut yourself, although this is not for the fainthearted.”
These DIY hair trimming tips are for woman who are happy with their hair; for those who don’t need a re-style, but simply want to freshen things up with a ‘homegrown’ sort of look. If you are in any doubt, leave it for the professionals!
To remove split ends:
• Take small sections of hair and carefully twist them in a gentle downward motion.
Any split ends will automatically stick out.
• Carefully snip into the twist with sharp scissors. Don’t cut right through; just cut into the thickness to remove the damaged cuticles and give a natural layered effect.
• Be careful to cut roughly the same amount from each twist.
Remember, sometimes the simplest, and least expensive, ideas are the best. So get trimming!
Joanne Elliott is an international freelance writer and illustrator involved in several different areas. Enquiries welcome: joelliott45@yahoo.co.uk
June 22nd, 2006
Learn to cut a quick layered hair cut. Sharp scissors and straight lines make this easy and affordable.
Cutting your hair can takes time, money, and talent. What if you have little of these? Using an easy technique can give you a quick, layered cut.
This technique can be accomplished with long or short hair. By short we are speaking about shoulder length. Long hair would be considered anything longer than shoulder length.
Proper tools are probably the hardest part of this haircut. A pair of sharp scissors is a must. Most trouble with do it yourself haircuts comes from using scissors that are dull. It is impossible to make straight, clean cuts with dull scissors. Most haircutting scissors found in grocery or drug stores will work just fine. They usually don’t retain their sharpness as long as an expensive pair but they work for a while.
A fine tooth comb is another tool that will make this cut go fast and easy. Any type of comb is fine as long as you can comb the hair our evenly. Hair must be combed out evenly and a fine tooth comb works well. Clean hair is also a must for this cut to work. Hair can be wet or dry although most people prefer wet cutting. Make sure that hair is shampooed and snarls are combed out. The hair must be free from residue such as hair spray and gel. Make sure that you cut your hair in an area away from food and where the hair can drop freely onto the floor.
If you are trying this cut on yourself don’t bother with a plastic covering for your clothes or a towel around your shoulders. If will just get in the way and make it difficult for you to cut. The cut can be done in front of a mirror to make sure all of the hair is tangle free and smoothed out, but the actual cutting will be done by looking at the hair.
With a pair of sharp scissors, a fine tooth comb, and clean hair that is tangle free, you are ready to begin the cut. The explanation of this cut will be cutting your own hair. It can be adapted to cut someone else’s. Stand up, feet one foot to one and a half feet apart. Bend over, flipping hair towards the floor. Comb hair out straight and smooth. Make a cut straight across your hair. Depending on the thickness of the hair, you may need to make more than one cut. Just cut horizontally as straight as possible. The length from the top of your head to the scissors is how long the top layer of hair will be. All hair beneath the top of your head will be longer. If your cut is three inches from the top of your head, your top layer will be three inches and neckline layer will be approximately nine inches. All the other hair will be layered to lengths in between three and nine inches.
Be careful not to lock your knees. Locking your knees can lead to light-headedness. You may already feel some light-headedness by bending over. If you need to stop, do so, then repeat the process beginning where you left off, cutting as horizontally straight as you can.
It’s easy and it works. Have fun with your new haircutting technique.
June 22nd, 2006
Chop one lemon (or an orange for dry hair). Place in a pot with 2 cups water. Boil until half of the initial amount remains.
Cool, strain, and place in a spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator.
If it is too sticky, add more water. Add one ounce rubbing alcohol as a preservative and then the spray can be stored for up to two weeks unrefrigerated.
June 22nd, 2006
Complete Styling Instructions
All styles begin with a good shampoo. Here are step by step instructions.
How to create the style comes on the next page.
How To Wash Your Hair
1. Hair should be saturated with water before applying shampoo. This is more important than you might realize.
2. The amount of shampoo used should be according to the length of your hair. Long hair should use only about a tablespoon. Shorter hair, obviously less.
3. Massage scalp to loosen the dead skin cells. This is often what becomes dandruff.
4. Rise well. We don’t spend enough time rinsing the soap from our hair. Be sure to check the hair line before you go on to the next step.
5. Apply conditioner and distribute to the ends. This is the oldest and most damaged area and needs all the help it can get.
Try to leave the conditioner on your hair for about a minute.
6. Rinse if necessary. Be sure to check whether you are using a traditional conditioner or a leave in variety.
7. Squeeze as much water from your hair as possible.
8. Blot your hair with a towel to absorb excess water. Never rub as the cuticles can catch on the fibres causing more damage. If time allows, allow hair to air dry.
Styling Instructions
1. Pull hair up into a high ponytail and secure using a barrette or scrunchy… your choice.
2. Dampen ponytail and wrap small sections around rollers of your choosing. Some people prefer bendable rods. What ever is easiest to work with should be your choice.
3. Dry naturally if you have the time, or use a bonnet or blow-dryer.
4. When hair is completely dry, give a blast of cold to help set the curl.
5. Slowly unwind the rollers, wrapping the curl around your finger before moving onto the next.
6. When all curlers have been removed, one by one, pull on curl so that they lengthen.
7. Check the final result and pay attention to the finer points such as bangs if you have them, or curls that may need extra attention.
8. Spray a fine mist of hairspray to help hold your hair in place. A good hairspray will hold without feeling overly hard to the touch.
June 22nd, 2006
From Julyne Derrick,
So you’ve fried your hair. We know. We know. You got a little crazy with the curling iron or your colorist went overboard dying your black hair white-blonde.
Maybe you put a perm atop a coloring job & fried your hair that way.
In any case, if your hair feels like straw, it’s fried. And believe it or not, there’s relief.
We’ve read a lot of fried hair fixes & here we feature our favorites:
Option #1: The simple fix You need a deep conditioner, stat. Run product throughout hair & leave on for several minutes. The product will absorb into your hair shaft & soften your hay-like strands. Time it takes: About 10 minutes, not including the shower. We suggest deep conditioning twice a week the first couple weeks, then continue once a week.
June 22nd, 2006