Archive for July 10th, 2006
Depending on your type of hair and any specific treatments you have done to it, you can purchase many different types of shampoo to effectively and safely clean your hair.
Choosing the wrong variety, on the other hand, could result in poor cleaning, chemical damage, or color changes.
Regular Hair
If you do not treat your hair roughly (frequent heat styling, saltwater or chlorine swimming, or constant sun exposure) or use many chemicals ( hair spray, dye, gel, etc.), a standard formula should work fine. Different manufacturers offer a range of cleansers in different scents, from a basic odor to complex fruit blends, which are only a matter of personal preference. There are also shampoo-plus-conditioner blends to provide extra care in the convenience of a single bottle.
Specialty Hair
Many people’s hair has special needs and they may not even realize it. If your hair is very fine, prone to breakage, especially oily or especially dry, or you have a sensitive scalp or easily develop dandruff, you may want to use a specialty formula. Over-the-counter varieties are available to treat different types of hair, and they are formulated to work specifically with different conditions. If your hair only has mild problems, you may want to alternate using a specialty product with a regular variety to save on the specialty expense. For medical conditions such as dandruff or sensitive skin, stronger medicated versions can be obtained with the proper prescription.
Treated Hair
Hair that has been colored, permed, or otherwise aggressively styled qualifies as treated. Shampoos designed to work with those specific treatments will help your hair keep its treatment longer with less fading, damage, or alteration.
Using Shampoo Effectively
There is far more to effective hair cleaning than the cliché “lather, rinse, and repeat” instructions. First, always use an amount of the cleaner commensurate with the amount of hair to be cleaned – very long or thick hair will require more shampoo than short, fine hair. Wet hair thoroughly to insure that the suds will adhere to every strand, and if deep cleaning is necessary, it may be desirable to let the lathered suds sit on the hair for a few minutes – particularly for medicated varieties or those containing conditioners. Always rinse thoroughly, since leftover soap can easily attract additional dirt. In certain circumstances (just after swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool or when hair is especially dirty), repeating the process may be required for the cleanest hair possible.
Not everyone needs to wash their hair on a daily basis. In fact, over-washing can strip hair of natural moisture and oils, leaving it dull, limp, and lifeless. To overcome that condition, more extensive conditioning treatments may be required. How frequently you wash your hair depends on the type of hair (how oily it is, for example), your climate (humidity and pollution levels can affect your hair), and your daily activities (swimming, vigorous exercise, etc.).
Over time, using the same shampoo may result in a buildup of chemicals on the hair or scalp, which may dull hair, weigh it down, or otherwise give it an unclean feel. To prevent this buildup, wash hair with a different brand occasionally (once or twice per month, depending on how frequently you normally wash your hair).
By choosing the appropriate brand and using it properly, shampoo is the best tool you have for fabulous, healthy hair.
July 10th, 2006
Heading to a salon for highlights is a great way to get professional looking results, especially if you want to go more than 2-3 shades lighter than your natural color.
Salon personnel have experience helping to pick the right shade that compliments skin tone and eye color.
Salon stylists also are trained in several techniques of hair highlighting. Foil highlights involves painting color onto hair, and folding into a foil. It is precision-based, hard to touch up, time consuming, but produces great results. Another technique is bialiage, which is the simple painting technique. Chunking and piecing can create a trendy and customized look with thicker strands of color put in. Low lighting involves adding darker pieces to minimize brassy tones or simply darken hair.
To get the look you want, bring in a photograph or two of people whose highlights you admire. However, if your skin tone is significantly lighter or darker than those people, your results may not look the same. Making an appointment for a consultation with your stylist before doing the color can help the two of you achieve the best look. If you have never colored your hair before, ask friends for stylist and salon recommendations.
July 10th, 2006
Because getting a salon highlight can be expensive and hard to work into a busy schedule, many people are choosing to use do-it-yourself home kits.
With the many choices available, it is important to choose a kit that is easy to use and produces good results.
The L’Oreal Hi-Light Styliste line offers lots of options for color. High lighting, low lighting, and refinishing toners for currently highlighted hair are all available in several formulas, depending on your current color. It also offers a precision brush for control, and how-to videos online. Many other brands offer similar options.
To pick the best color, follow these simple guidelines:
▪ Pink-toned people should avoid red shades
▪ Yellow-toned people may want to stay away from yellows or orange based colors
▪ Olive-toned people may want to go darker and use low lights
Always do an allergy test before dying your hair. Even if you have used the brand before, an allergy may have developed. Instead of using the gloves provided, you may want to purchase your own better fitting gloves. Unless the directions state otherwise, apply color to dry, unwashed hair.
Hair highlights should go on the top layer for the best visibility. However, if you change your part or switch styles frequently, consider doing a layer or two below that to keep from looking unbalanced. Highlight from back to front, so you do not drag your arm through the colorant. Asking a friend to help with coloring can produce better results, as she or he can help with the back. When in doubt, leave the color on for less time instead of more.
July 10th, 2006
Colored hair requires special maintenance. Chemicals used in hair highlighting damage the strands and can make hair dull, more prone to breakage, and frizzy.
To keep hair in good condition, try these tips:
▪ Use a shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair. Pantene Pro-V Expressions and Dove Advanced Color Care Shampoo for Lightened or Highlighted Hair are two lines that offer products especially made for different kinds of color treated hair.
▪ Deep condition hair once a week.
▪ Avoid chlorine when hair is colored — it can turn strands into shades of green. If you want to go swimming, put a leave-in conditioner on hair before getting into the water.
▪ Do not do another chemical treatment for 1-2 weeks. Over processing can cause hair to fall our or break off.
To keep hair highlights looking their best, touch up long hair every 6-12 weeks, depending on how drastic of a change from your original hair color. Shorter hair will show roots more obviously, and may have to be done every 4-6 weeks.
July 10th, 2006
Ponytail Holder Hair Accessories
Ponytail holders, also known as pony-o’s or hair ties, are the little black dresses of the hair accessory world.
Elastic ponytail holders can create a wide variety of styles, from classic ponytails to braids to trendy bun looks. Ponytail holder selections include:
▪ Standard Ponytail Holders: An elastic band usually held together with a small metal band.
▪ No Damage Ponytail holders: A continuous strip of elastic that reduces hair damage.
▪ Hair ‘Hose’: Stretchy bands consisting of nylon or other hosiery materials.
▪ Scrunchies: Elastic bands surrounded by a strip of fabric that ruffles or bunches up around the band.
▪ Decorative Elastics: Ponytail holders with a central jewel or design accent.
Hair ties and elastics come in a wide variety of sizes. A standard medium size can work with many styles and hair types. For small braids, multiple tie backs, or fine hair, small and mini elastics are needed. If you have thick hair, large or oversize holders will work well.
Hair Clips
Hair clips is a generic term for a wide variety of hair accessories. Hair clips can pull hair back, away from the face, or just add some pizzazz to a style. Hair clips range from very simple to very elaborate, come in a variety of sizes, and work by clamping or snapping down on a portion of hair.
▪ Barrettes: Although the majority of barrettes are metal, they can be made from a wide variety of materials, from plastic to wood. Available in small, medium, and large sizes, barrettes snap or clasp close to hold a portion of hair in place.
▪ Alligator Clamps: Alligator clamps generally com in small to medium sizes. They open by squeezing one end and close down on the hair. They hold a small to medium amount of hair.
▪ Condor Clips: Similar to alligator clamps, condor clips are larger and hold more hair. They can be used to secure messy or piecy buns and updos.
▪ Hair Claws or Jaws: Hair claws or jaws are squeezed open and gather together a portion of hair in its ‘jaw’ or ‘claw.’ Mini claw clips look cute pulling back small portions of hair, while larger jaw clips can pull back larger portions of hair and secure updos.
▪ Hair Snaps: Used mainly for decorative purposes, hair snaps are tiny clips that hold only few strands of hair.
Hair Pins
Hair pins are smaller than clips and slide into hair rather than clamp down. They are used for both securing portions of hair in a style and for decoration. Bobby pins are used in both everyday and dressy hairstyles, while chignon pins and hair pin jewels are hair accessories usually reserved for formal occasions.
Hair Sticks
Hair sticks are hair accessories used in securing buns and updos. Small hair sticks can be used to secure partial updos and smaller amounts if hair. Wood is a popular material for hair sticks, although metal, plastic, and other materials are available. In addition to hair sticks, variations like hair forks, hair prongs, and hair spikes are available.
Headbands and Wraps
Headbands and wraps hold hair back away from the face and come in several styles. Some headbands are made of stiff materials like plastic or metal, with or without gripping combs, and rest on the head ending behind the ears. Other headbands and wraps are made of soft elastic or conforming materials and wrap completely around the head.
July 10th, 2006