Beauty Ideas» How-To Tips

My favorite natural hair mask

Rino Jasper — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:49:01 +0000

‘Dirty-dishwater blondes’ are in a tough spot—their hair is blonde, but not necessarily luminous, especially in winter, when sunlight is rarely around to lighten up one’s natural color.

Here is a recipe using natural ingredients that works without the sunshine additive (unlike lemon masks).

You’ll need the following ingredients:
One yogurt (obviously sugar-free!)
2-3 tablespoons honey (the more liquid the better)
2-3 tablespoons strong Chamomile tea or a few drops of Chamomile essential oil extract

Steep several teabags or chamomile flowers in a cup of boiling water until you have a small amount of very strong tea, usually ten minutes is plenty.
Mix the yoghurt and honey with a fork until it is well blended and pour in the chamomile concoction.
Blend the ingredients and apply thoroughly to dry hair.
Cover hair with saran wrap for 45 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and wash with a gentle shampoo.

This mask can only do your hair good—there are no drying ingredients—so you can apply as often as you wish. (We advise once a month during the winter). You may need to wait for the first few applications to notice a change, but for ‘dirty-dishwater’ blondes, you’ll notice your hair is lighter and more luminous.

For brunettes, this recipe also works, but substitute chamomile extract with a shot of espresso!

Should I change my shampoo on a regular basis?

Rino Jasper — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:46:04 +0000

Most of us have heard, at one time or another, that the best way to have healthy, shiny and vibrant hair is to change shampoos on a regular basis. But what if you’ve finally found your dream shampoo and really don’t feel like changing? Dream shampoo or not, when you wash your hair everyday, or at least on a regular basis (most of us do!) your shampoo will build up on your hair shaft, as will conditioner and styling products.
This isn’t to say that your products are lacking in quality—even the best products applied on a regular basis will create build-up on your hair. Changing shampoos doesn’t actually get rid of this build-up, but as each shampoo’s ingredients differ, changing products will give it a “new” wash.
If you really don’t want to part with your beloved shampoo, try a natural alternative. A few times a month, apply a vinegar rinse to your hair. This is a gentle and natural way to strip your hair of product build-up and reset your hair’s PH balance, which will result in shinier locks. Cider vinegar is the best variety to use: add one teaspoon to a cup of lukewarm water and rinse your hair with the concoction after shampooing. You can then either rinse out the vinegar rinse with warm (not hot) water, or leave it in. Although vinegar smells strong when applied, fear not, the smell disappears as your hair dries.
For those of you who like tinkering in the kitchen to create your own hair-care products, certain herbs can be added to the vinegar rinse to enhance a particular color. More on that in an upcoming post!

Beauty-id’s Surefire Tips for Great Hair

Rino Jasper — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:40:20 +0000

Few of us have hours to spend getting our hair just right every morning, but there are a few basics—from lifestyle choices to using the right products—that will give your hair the cared-for look it deserves!

The first golden rule is to eat right. A diet high in saturated fats and processed foods is not doing your hair any favors, or your body for that matter! Eat greens, nuts, berries, fresh fish and drink plenty of water on a regular basis.

Visit your salon every few weeks for a trim. This will not only keep your hair in prime condition, but your stylist is the best person to detect any hair care problems you might have and offer the appropriate solutions. Getting a haircut also does wonders for your self-confidence—who doesn’t feel great walking out of the salon?
Don’t weigh down your hair with too many products; remember, less is more! If you have oily locks go ahead and shampoo daily, but for normal or dry hair restrict yourself to every few days at the most. Choose a gentle, frequent-use shampoo (Beauty-id’s Vitamin + Kiwi shampoo, for example) and remember to condition the tips. Keep your styling products to a minimum as well.
Brush your hair with a natural-bristle brush every day, and if you can, massage your scalp. This stimulates hair growth.
Protect your hair from the sun. This means either a hat or products that shield your locks from UV rays.
Keep blow-drying to a minimum and air-dry your hair with your fingertips instead whenever possible.
Don’t pull your hair back tightly with elastic bands or clips on a regular basis. This will lead to hair breakage and in some cases to excessive hair loss.

The Essentials of Hair Conditioning

Claudie Jasper — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:01:52 +0000

Conditioner has become a regular part of most women’s hair care routine, but what exactly does it do? For one thing, conditioner brings much-needed moisture, volume and shine to hair that is regularly assaulted by the elements (sea, sun) and over-processing—coloring, blow-drying, perms and styling products overdose. It can also give softer locks as a good conditioner smoothes the hair’s cuticle.
Conditioner has evolved from the “cream rinse” of the 1970s, and shoppers are now spoiled for choice—from products that are left in for a few minutes (detanglers, light conditioners), to deep conditioners which have a similar, but less intensive action than a hair mask, and leave-in conditioner which isn’t rinsed out at all.

The type of conditioner you need depends, of course, on your hair type.

Normal hair calls for a light moisturizing product—Beauty-id’s Vitamin and Kiwi conditioner, for example, combines moisturizing and anti-oxidant ingredients to give hair that extra kick.
Dry, over-processed, chlorine-stricken and bleached hair cries out for heavier moisturizing and repairing properties, which is where masks come in.
Fine hair that tangles easily requires a basic cream rinse/detangler.

Conditioner should be applied to wet hair that has been squeezed—you don’t want it to be sopping wet. For normal to dry hair, apply your favorite conditioner to the ends, massage and then rinse. Don’t put any on the roots if you have oily hair, this will only aggravate sebum production in your scalp.
Last, but not least, rinse thoroughly—nothing is worse than the residue of a good conditioner to reverse the desired effect!

What Everybody Ought to Know about Pollution and Hair

Rino Jasper — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:18:16 +0000

Unless you live in a tiny village by the sea or in a tree house in the forest, chances are you’re exposed to pollution. Most of us are concerned (and rightly so) by the harm air pollution can inflict on our respiratory system, but it also takes its toll on our skin and hair. Scientists have gone so far as to claim that pollution has an active role in hair loss.
Dust, dirt and smoke settle onto the hair, causing it to get dirty faster. (Notice how you can skip a shampoo if you’re out in the countryside?)

The scalp is also a victim as pollutants act as an aggressor to that sensitive area, making it even more fragile.
In addition, dust and smoke coat the hair, which can cut down drastically on the shine factor. Smoke from cigars and cigarettes have a similar effect—even if you’re not the one smoking. Thankfully, bars and restaurants in many major cities have banned smoking, so passive smoke is no longer a problem.

Here are a few ways to protect your hair from these noxious environmental factors:

Shampoo your hair more often with gentle, frequent use products.
Massage your scalp on a daily basis, as increasing blood flow will encourage a healthier scalp.
Wear a hat or scarf—a fashion statement in all seasons!
Relax. The stress of city life can have a detrimental effect on your hair, so set aside a few moments of down time every day.

Some hair care brands offer “anti-pollution” products, which are said to create a protective film around the hair shaft. There is no scientific proof that these products actually cut down on the negative effects of pollution, but try them if you’re tempted and you be the judge!

Essential Facts on Dry Shampoo

Rino Jasper — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:49:17 +0000

What is it and does it really work?
Dry shampoo has been around for thousands of years. In Asian cultures, women would apply clay as a cleanser to their hair and then comb it out, and in the courts of France hundreds of years ago, women would “powder” their hair to clean it. (Or alternatively they would simply wear a wig to avoid washing altogether!)
While dry shampoos were traditionally used when there was really no other option—on camping trips or during travels in remote places where water was not readily available—today sales are climbing. Some clients claim the time-savings benefits (after all, you are skipping the wet, shampoo, rinse cycle) while others say that dry shampoos have a volumizing effect on their hair and that by not washing every day, a salon blowout can last a good bit longer.
But let’s face it: dry shampoo does not clean your hair as well as the old-fashioned shampoo and water, and it doesn’t leave that nice smell afterwards either. Your hair can get dirty in just one day, especially if you live in the city, so go a few days without washing and even the best dry shampoo won’t get it really clean. And then there’s the issue of conditioning. If you dry shampoo your hair, how will you condition it? Answer: you won’t.
The beauty of dry shampoo is that it doesn’t require water to wash your hair. But perhaps the reason dry shampoos have never truly caught on is because we like the ritual of wetting our hair to clean it; it gives us a boost in our day and we feel better about ourselves when we step out of the shower. So in extreme situations, why not try dry shampoo, but for everyday, it might be wiser to stick with the tried-and-true.

Essential Recipes for Sun-Drenched Hair

Rino Jasper — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:24:51 +0000

After-sun recipes for your hair
Tis the season when your hair is regularly exposed to sun, sea and pool, which means it’s also time to give it a bit more tender loving care. If you don’t want to run to the store every time your hair needs a fix, here are some recipes for dry and sun-drenched hair that you can whip up in your very own kitchen.

After-Sun Hair Oil
3.5oz olive oil
2 teaspoons rosemary essential oil
2 teaspoons ylang-ylang essential oil
2 teaspoons geranium essential oil
Blend ingredients and apply to dry hair. Cover in saran wrap for 15-30 minutes.
Wash with a gentle shampoo and rinse well with lukewarm water.

Sensitive Scalp Mask
2.5oz olive oil
8 tablespoons shea butter
1.5 tablespoons cypress essential oil
Melt the shea butter and olive oil in a double-boiler. Once the mixture is blended, take the pan away from the heat and add the cypress essential oil. Wait for the mask to cool down and then apply to your hair, concentrating mostly on your scalp. Cover with saran wrap or a towel and leave on for an hour. Shampoo and rinse well.

Nourishing Olive Oil and Honey Mask
4 tablespoons liquid honey
6 tablespoons olive oil
Blend honey and olive oil together or melt in a double-boiler if needed to obtain a uniform mixture. Apply mixture to hair and cover with saran wrap. Leave on for 15-30 minutes, then shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

The Reality of Water’s Effect on Hair

Rino Jasper — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:55:20 +0000

The Water Effect
When you think of getting your hair wet, showering and swimming come to mind. But our hair also absorbs water when we exercise (through sweat), when we visit the sauna, hammam or spa (thanks to the steam) and, of course, when we get caught in a rainstorm and forget our umbrella! So what effect does this have on its wellbeing?
For one thing the hair shaft is permeable, which means it absorbs moisture and when it does it “swells”. In this moisture-laden state, our hair becomes more sensitive.
Add to this the fact that seawater and sweat contain their fair share of salt, which has a tendency to dry out the hair shaft. Chlorine, meanwhile, contains a mixture of chemicals and can be even harsher on your hair, not to mention the changes in color it can provoke on blonde hair. Excessive sweating takes the potential damage one step further, as in the long term it can lead to hair loss, but this is less frequent.

For the exercise and sauna-addicted there is hope for your hair, just follow these few pointers:

Shampoo your hair with a frequent-use product after exercising and/or a spa visit.
For pool swimmers, wet your hair with regular, soft water before swimming and apply a moisturizing conditioner after your post-pool shampoo.
If you can’t wash your hair after each swimming or exercising session, then be sure to at least rinse it.
Apply a hair mask at least twice a week.
If you don’t have soft water in your home, think about getting a water softener or purifier. Hard water contains a higher level of minerals, which can cause your hair to be dull and be harder to wash.
Rinse your hair with a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of white vinegar after your shampoo and conditioner.

An Insider’s Guide to Hairbrushes

Claudie Jasper — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:28:09 +0000

Let it be known that all hairbrushes are not created equal, and this is one item you don’t want to skimp on. Brushing your hair daily is an important part of a good hair care routine as it stimulates the creation of sebum, and helps distribute this natural oil along the hair shaft, creating shinier and smoother locks.

Here’s how to find the brush best adapted to your hair type.

Don’t fall for plastic brushes with epoxy-tipped metal “bristles” as when these break off, which inevitably they do, they can scratch your scalp and get caught in your hair causing breakage.

The king of hairbrushes is made of natural boar bristles. Although you may not be able to afford a Mason Pearson there are other brands offering great quality boar bristle brushes. Be warned that while natural or nylon brushes are pricier, they will have a longer lifespan than their plastic counterparts if well-cared for.
Natural bristles are ideal for fine or normal hair, while nylon brushes are more adapted to very thick hair. There are also combination types—a mix of nylon and natural bristles. For very fine or children’s hair, choose an extra-gentle boar bristle brush.
Remember that the longer the hair, the bigger the hairbrush needed. When it comes to styling, such as blow-drying, use a rounded brush to encourage curls and a paddle or flat brush to keep straight hair nice and smooth.
To clean your brush, first remove the hair and dust with a small-toothed comb. Wash in lukewarm water, but don’t soak your brush for more than a few minutes as this will damage the bristles. Cleaning your brush once a month is a good idea.

Claudie’s tip: Brush you hair with your head upside down morning and night. This does wonders to circulation in your small blood vessels.

How to Make Your Own Hair Mask at Home

Rino Jasper — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:51:12 +0000

Choosing a hair mask at your local drugstore or beauty supply store can give you a headache in no time. For those of you who like tinkering in the kitchen, you can just as easily make your own mask at home. All it takes is a few essential oils (visit your health-food store) to concoct your own hair potions. It might be a bit tricky the first time, but once you’ve made your first batch, you’re home free!

Here are a few favorites, to be applied once a week for damaged hair, or twice a month for normal hair.

Ultra Nourishing Mask
A dream come true for dry, brittle hair.

2 teaspoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons shea butter
2.5 teaspoons geranium essential oil
2 teaspoons vetiver essential oil
In a double boiler, gently heat and mix together shea butter and avocado oil. Once blended, remove from heat and add the geranium and vetiver essential oils. Apply on your hair while the mixture is still warm and leave on for an hour. Rinse with gentle, frequent-use shampoo.

Floral Mask for Natural Dark Hair
A great way to give your natural color a floral pampering session.

5.5 tablespoons thyme flowers
4 tablespoons rosemary leaves
3 tablespoons lavender flowers
1.5g tablespoons red vine leaves
Mix and blend dried leaves and flowers. Add boiling water, just enough to make a paste-like texture. Spread on your hair and leave on for 25 minutes.

Restorative Mask
If you’ve gone overboard on perms, coloring, styling products or blow-outs, this is the mask for you.

2 tablespoons jojoba oil
4 teaspoons castorbean oil
2 tablespoons geranium essential oil
Mix oils and carefully apply to hair. Leave on for one hour, then use a gentle shampoo as usual.

Recipes adapted from Secrets de Beauté au Naturel, published by Flammarion