Does our hair have to suffer in summer? Well with aggressors ranging from the sun, chlorine and seawater, not to mention the wind, healthy hair is certainly more of a challenge in the hotter months.

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Although women with curly locks leave those of us with straight hair green with envy, having curls is not always a day in the park. Curly hair often means dry hair, and when there is a bit of moisture or humidity in the air, those bouncy curls turn frizzy, which, let’s face it, is the envy of no one.
There are things you can do to curly hair to keep the frizz factor down that won’t cost a fortune, or necessitate weekly visits to your favorite hair salon.

Just follow these tips:

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What’s behind the proliferation of “Green” claims?
These days there is an abundance of haircare products claiming to be “natural”, “organic” or “green” in every drugstore, salon and beauty-supply store. The market for these products has witnessed a huge boom in the past few years, but what do these labels really mean? (more...)

Which of my hair traits are due to my DNA?
Common hair issues, such as baldness, hair loss, and hard-to-manage textures are often blamed on genetics: “I’m losing my hair because my mother lost hers…” is a classic. So which issues can be attributed to genetic factors? (more...)

The best of both worlds: sure Beauty-id business is brisk, but we always make time to take in the sights and sounds of Paris.

My Beauty-id On-the-Go Pack and I fly to Paris for business (and pleasure!) several times a year, and clients often ask me where to go in the city of light to get the best food, drinks, shopping, or just to plain people-watch and relax.

Although Beauty-id takes up the better part of my waking hours, I always find time to linger in my favorite Parisian tearooms. After all, what better way to take a break from the bustle of the city, if not over a cup of tea and a patisserie?

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This month, we are giving away Beauty-id's Daily Conditioner and a scented note book from France.

Congratulations to this month’s winners:

Christine Cocanour of Sacramento, CA

Laura Easton of Houston, TX

Nancy Freudenberg of Galveston, TX

So what exactly is this condition? Dandruff means that the dead skin cells on your scalp flake off and your scalp can become excessively itchy. It generally comes from an overly oily scalp, which can be the result of poor hygiene, an unhealthy diet, hormonal imbalances or, last but not least, stress. Overuse of styling products can encourage dandruff as the build-up of products can cause an oily scalp.
There are several ways to treat dandruff, namely washing your hair regularly (yes, it can come from having dirty hair) and using an anti-dandruff shampoo when needed. Don’t use dandruff shampoo every time you wash you hair; it’s best to alternate with your everyday shampoo. Be sure to massage it into your scalp with your fingertips (without digging your nails into your scalp!).
Try an herbal dandruff shampoo first as many of these contain ingredients like tea tree oil and ginger that do wonders to clear up the condition, naturally. (more...)

Here’s a rundown of your basic haircare appliances. These items take their toll on your hair, so use sparingly and on the lowest heat setting possible. Prices range from the reasonable $25 for a basic hair dryer to more sophisticated items in the triple digits.

Blow dryers are an indispensable part of many women’s haircare routine. If you’re watching your pennies (most of us are these days!) opt for a well-known brand. You can also try an ionic hair dryer, which are generally pricier. They work by blasting the hair with negative ions, which, when they come into contact with wet hair’s positive ions, lock in moisture. Some claim ionic hair dryers make their hair shinier.
If you have a tendency for dry hair, choose a blow dryer with variable heat settings.

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Being pregnant is a sacred little slice in time, and it brings many changes to a woman’s body. Considering our hair is a fair indicator of our general state of health, the fact that most pregnant women witness their hair growing thicker and more lustrous during those nine months is proof positive of good health. (This is not always the case, however, and while they remain the minority, some soon-to-be mothers find that their hair is drier, more prone to breakage and is even falling out more during pregnancy).
Our hair changes are due to an increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy. This extra estrogen translates into hair and nails that grow thicker, stronger and sometimes faster. You may also experience hair growth where you don’t really want it: on your abdomen, face and sometimes even on your back.
Your normal hair “behavior” might also throw you a curveball—dry hair could become oilier, oily hair become drier, and might gets curlier or straighter.
This is one time in your life when you might want to go more “natural” than usual. Find a hair style that is easy to manage and doesn’t require laborious styling, or a lot of products. Your stylist can suggest a style that is both flattering and easy to care for. (more...)

A glossary of scalp ailments and nature’s way to treat them

Here’s a list of the most common scalp conditions that inevitably have a knock-on effect on your hair.
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