Beauty Ideas» How to take care of my hair

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.

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!

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.

Healthy Hair: Five Things to Avoid

Rino Jasper — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:39:54 +0000

There are lots of things you can do to maintain healthy hair. Here are 5 no-nos when it comes to keeping it in prime condition.

Frequent home coloring: it’s counterproductive to skip a visit to the salon in order to color your own hair. Home-coloring kits are often harsher on your hair than what you’ll get in the salon and how to be sure you’ll hit on the right color? You’re better off visiting your stylist—your hair will thank you for it!
Styling wet hair: will it really set you back to give an extra ten minutes to your hair? Never blow-dry, brush or apply styling products to wet hair. Blowing wet hair dry leeches moisture from your locks and brushing it wet breaks it. Most stylists advise to towel-dry wet hair until it is just damp, then blow-dry and apply your products.
Product overkill: everyone has their favorite products, but some of us just have too many of them! Layering on the styling agents and/or conditioners will only dull your hair and cut down your chances of having a shiny mane. Use the bare minimum and spend your hard-earned dollars on products recommended by your salon.
Hair in the sun: No matter how good it feels to have a sunbath, this is the last thing your hair needs. Excessive sun exposure, especially in warmer months, will leave your hair drier and more brittle. If wearing a hat is not for you, apply UV-protection products and condition more frequently.
Fast food: eating junk food is putting yourself on the fast track to dull, lifeless hair. Like your skin, your hair is a reflection of what you eat. Substitute those empty calories with tasty nuts, berries and fresh fruits and vegetables—it’ll show!