Archive for October, 2011

What Are the Best Clip in Hair Extensions?

Published by on October 31st, 2011

If your hair is short or fine and needs that little extra boost in length or volume, then you should try hair extensions. Hair extensions are the best way to create that much needed fullness without your styles looking tacky or artificial. However, you do need to choose a good quality set of hair extensions to accomplish this and wow everyone with the fabulousness of your styles.

Clip in hair extensions are an affordable and effective way of creating the illusion of body and length in your looks, but what are the best clip in hair extensions to use?

With clip in hair extensions, you get wefts of hair that are lined with comb-like clips along the top. These clips latch onto your natural hair easily and can be removed when the style is no longer needed. Different types of clip in hair extensions provide different results, for example, synthetic clip ins are cheaper but the result won’t be as amazing as if you were to use natural clip in extensions.

The best clip in hair extensions are those that use quality human hair in each weft. Only this ensures that your styles will look absolutely natural and utterly fab. Human hair clip in extensions have a lot of advantages. For one thing you can style the hair as easily as your own, unlike synthetic hair extensions which have a different weight and consistency. With quality human hair you are able to blow dry, straighten, curl, wash, cut and color the extensions to your heart’s content (as long as it looks good). The higher the quality of hair, the longer the clip ins will last and the better the results will be.

Of course, you need to take into account that high quality human hair clip in extensions are pricier than others so be prepared to invest!


Where to Find the Best Curling Irons

Published by on October 28th, 2011

For creating the loveliest, bounciest curls you are going to require a good quality curling iron, but where to find one? First of all, you need to determine what it is you need before choosing a model.

The best curling irons aren’t the cheapest nor the most expensive on the market. You can get a general idea of which curling iron is the best but in the end it’s basically a matter of what benefits you and your hair the most. Not everyone can use the same curling iron and obtain the same results. Those with thick hair won’t benefit much from a thin barrel curling iron and those with course, damaged hair certainly won’t get a lot out of a discount curling iron.

Once you realize which curling iron suits your needs the best, you can then find the ideal place to buy one. Just avoid dicount stores where you can find curling irons really cheap. These models will do more damage to your locks because they aren’t made with high quality materials. The barrel is simply coated in ceramic or tourmaline and this isn’t enough to provide safe styling or even heat distribution. What your hair needs is a good quality curling iron that features heating materials such as titanium, ceramic or tourmaline in their purest form.

Once you have decided, you can have your pick of the best curling irons, which include high quality professional models that are able to safely curl your hair and provide superior results without causing the health of your hair to decline.

You can generally find efficient curling irons at reasonable prices online, and here you can compare models and find reviews to guide you in your decision. You can also consult a professional if you want more information on the ideal curling iron for your locks.


How to Create Casual Curls with Your Curling Iron

Published by on October 27th, 2011

If you want to transform limp hair into beautiful casual curls, or simply spruce up your naturally wavy or curly hair by defining the style, you can do so!  With a high quality curling iron, some spare time and the motivation to look fabulous, you can instantly achieve flowing, loose waves and curls  by simply following these steps:

1. Use a gentle shampoo on your hair and a light conditioner on the ends to keep them hydrated. Towel dry your hair to get rid of excess moisture and blow dry using a low setting until your hair is only slightly damp. If you have naturally curl hair, use the blow dryer and a round brush to straighten it. Untangle with a comb.

2. Apply a volumizing mousse to your hair but not too much because it will weigh down on your locks.

3. Turn on the curling iron. For best results, choose a curling iron with a large barrel to create loose curls and waves. When the temperature is high enough, start curling your locks.

4. With a comb, make a parting in the middle or towards one side (which works very well if your hair is flat) then separate a 1 or 2 inch section of hair. Start about 3 inches from your scalp when curling, using your opposite hand to wind your hair around the barrel.

5. Hold the curling iron in a vertical position away from your face and keep it there for around 10 to 15 seconds. Release the curl and repeat this step with other 1 to 2 inch sections of your hair until it is all curled.

6. Let your hair cool to allow the curls to set, then use your fingers to gentle break them up. Try not to handle them too much as this will cause frizz. Finish off with some long-lasting hold hairspray and don’t forget to not touch your hair too much! You want the curls to be smooth and defined for as long as possible.

For a better idea of how to create these curls, have a look at this simple video tutorial:


Best Hair Dryers for Salon Quality Results

Published by on October 26th, 2011

There are hundreds of hair dryers around, that much is clear, but not all of them offer salon quality results. Some people are fine with buying a cheap model, but many others will prefer hair dryers that are professional level.

Now, a professional hair dryer isn’t limited to the salon. If you think this, then you’re missing out on the full power of a professional-grade hair tool! If stylists use these kinds of hair dryers all day everyday with amazing results, just imagine what you can do with one in the comfort of your own home! Owning a professional tool comes with a lot of benefits, one of them being convenience and amazing results.

Now, what are the best hair dryers? Let’s look over the advantages of having one that can provide salon quality results.

 

  • A professional hair dryer features adjustable heat and speed settings to allow you more control over the process
  • You can use a variety of different attachments to boost your styles, such a diffuser for curls or a concentrator for straightness.
  • You can dry and style your hair very quickly and with minimum heat damage.
  • Professional dryers are extremely durable and made to be used constantly for heavy duty blow drying.
  • Results will be sleeker and shinier.
  • The even heat distribution allows for healthy styling.
  • A sleek, ergonomic design for easy handling.

The best hair dryers are those that provide you with these benefits and more. They additionally feature powerful motors that help bring out the potential in this heat styling tool to create the best outcome. How do you use a salon level hair dryer? Well, though they may include more gadgets and buttons, it’s actually not that difficult to get accustomed to. Just make sure the air flow isn’t too close to the scalp and use filters when drying to prevent heat damage.

 

 

 


10 Ways You Can Control Greasy Hair

Published by on October 25th, 2011

Does your greasy hair force you to constantly hide away? Is your collection of hats growing by the day? Well, don’t worry, here are a few tips to help you get rid of that grease and start styling the way you want.

First of all, where does all this grease come from?  You might not think so, but the cause of greasy hair is basically the lack of oils in the scalp. When there is less oil than normal, the sebaceous glands begin to over-produce sebum, (a natural, waxy substanced designed to keep hair supple, soft and waterproof). This is what makes your hair look so oily.

There are more factors involved with greasy hair, and one of them is hormonal change during puberty which can also be linked to greasy hair. The genetic factor is also present. Greasy hair can further be linked to the development of skin problems like acne on the face and scalp.

You will find two main types of greasy hair: greasy scalp and dry roots, and greasy hair from roots to ends.

To control greasy hair, here are 10 things you should avoid:

  1. Gels, creams or mousses that attract oil to the scalp area.
  2. Conditioners applied close to the scalp. Just work them in at the middle or ends, not the roots.
  3. Washing your hair with hot water
  4. Moisturizing or deep hydration shampoos applied to your scalp. If the ends of your hair tend to dry out, apply moisturizing products only to those areas, avoiding the roots.
  5. Brushing, combing or touching your hair since this can transfer oil to and from the scalp and spreading oils.
  6. Deep conditioning products applied close to the scalp.
  7. Bangs that constantly brush against your forehead. Oil from your hair and skin can mingle creating skin problems and greasier hair.
  8. Wearing your hair around your face, this can transfer the skin oils to your locks and vice versa. Try to keep your hair up an away from your face.
  9. Oil based skin care products.
  10. Brushing your hair unless to lightly style, as brushing can stimulate the oil glands.

 


What to Expect from the Best Flat Iron

Published by on October 24th, 2011

How do you know that the best flat iron is the one you hold in your hands? Read on to find out what sort of things you should expect from a flat iron that is meant to be the best.

Here’s what not to expect: hair damage. Cheap flat irons are great at causing this, because the plates aren’t made of high quality materials like professional flat irons. These cheap metal plates are usually coated with ceramic or tourmaline, and this coating peels away after frequent use causing the metal to peek through and cause burning and snagging.

The best flat iron is a good quality professional model that features excellent heating materials, advanced heating technology and a whole load of benefits that allow you to take care of your locks.

What can you expect from one of these flat irons? Well, for one thing you can be sure of your hair’s health when you use it. Since professional flat irons use such high quality materials, there’s hardly any danger of burning or frizz, and when using advanced tourmaline, ceramic or ionic technology you have even more advantages. This kind of technology allows you to style your hair much more efficiently and securely, without worrying about damage. With ceramic you obtain a gentle, efficient heat that seals in moisture and relaxes the hair shaft. Tourmaline produces large quantities of negative ions to eliminate frizz and straighten faster. Cheap flat irons produce positive ions that only cause more frizz and damage.

The best flat iron also features adjustable heat settings to help you straighten your locks at a temperature you deem the safest for your hair. One other thing you should expect is an elevated cost! Professional flat irons are a bit pricier than regular ones, but considering all the benefits and advantages they offer, investing in one doesn’t sound too bad.


Best Haircut Scissors for Hair

Published by on October 21st, 2011

When you’re a professional stylist, you have to work with other people’s hair, therefore you must be careful about which tool you decide to use. Never use cheap, mediocre scissors if you want to create professiona results because you most probably won’t. Cheap scissors tend to have not-so-sharp blades which are more inclined to rip the hair rather than cut cleanly through it.

So what are the best haircut scissors? Well these are ones that can easily snip through strands without leaving a mess behind. A professional, high quality pair of scissors is able to do this, since the blades feature long-lasting sharpness.

The best haircut scissors are ones that provide you with an ergonomic hold as well as superior performance, allowing you to work comfortably all day without feeling the usual strain of continuous styling. Since a stylist’s job involves standing up all day constantly wielding hair tools, this will come as an added benefit.

What else do you need to know? Well not all hair scissors are suited to all stylists, there are a few factors you must take into account before making your final purchase decision. Things like blade edge, metal quality, ring size, handle type and so on, are important to consider when choosing your own hair cut scissors. The best pair aren’t the most expensive, they are the ones that match your personal needs as a stylist.

Find a good quality pair of professional shears, only then will you have guaranteed results. These scissors are durable and functional, plus they come with a warranty to act as a back up plan if ever anything should happen to them. Remember, the best haircut scissors will adapt to your personal work rhythm and meet your styling needs so keep this in mind when comparing models and checking out prices.


How to Create Great Volume with a Hair Dryer

Published by on October 20th, 2011

Do you want to give your tresses more bounce and more life? Add some extra volume to them when you blow dry! Limp hair doesn’t have to stay that way, just follow the step by step guide to achieve maximum results that include lush fullness and a sleek finish.

All you need is a good quality hair dryer, a rounded hair brush, a wide toothed comb and a heat protectant.

1. Let’s have a look at that hair dryer first. There are plenty attachments you can use to influence the outcome of the results, for example a concentrator nozzle focuses the airflow while a diffuser will disperse it. For gaining volume just use the hair dryer on its own and a rounded brush.

2. As soon as  you’ve finished washing your hair, remove the excess moisture by blotting your hair with a towel or wrapping your hair in it. Don’t rub, the friction can damage the hair cuticles.

3. Get rid of the tangles using a wide toothed comb while your hair is still damp. Do this gently because wet hair is more vulnerable and can be easily damaged.

4. Next use a heat protectant to guard your hair from excess heat. Distribute it into your locks well to coat every strand. The presentation of protectants may vary, coming in creams, serums or sprays.

5. Now for blow drying. Hold your hair dryer in a comfy position, not too close to your head because you can burn your hair and scalp. Use your fingers to lift the roots as you dry them. Always start from the roots so that the moiture won’t travel down to the ends while you style.  Curl sections of your hair around the brush and apply heat. Turn the brush in your hand as you do this and repeat until your hair is dry. Use the round brush to style the ends if you wish.

Finish off with some holding spray and you’re done!

 


The Secret of Argan Hair Oil

Published by on October 19th, 2011

Often referred to as ‘liquid gold’ argan oil is one of the best all-natural ways to regain the smoothness and healthy glow of your skin as well as the lustre of your hair. Let’s have a look at the secrets of argan hair oil so that you can find out how much it can benefit you.

First of all, what is argan oil? This oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree, commonly grown in Morocco. Argan oil has been valued for its medicinal and cosmetic properties, being rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, included in skincare products for centuries, and recently hair care. This lightweight oil is quickly absorbed and much less greasy than other oils (even olive oil). It’s moisturizing essential fatty acids and anti-aging abilities make it perfect for use in cosmetics, since it softens the skin and reduces age lines without clogging the pores.

It’s also ideal for hair care, bringing out the shine and softness by deeply conditioning and smoothing each strand.

The best part is that argan oil is completely natural, free of contaminants, chemicals and artificial elements otherwise found in other conventional cosmetic products. You can feel refreshed and revitalized without resorting to painful medical anti-aging procedures, and be free of any side effects or long term health issues. Furthermore, the composition of this oil makes it completely non toxic…it’s so nutritious that it is used in many traditional Moroccan recipes!

If you are interested in this oil to rejuvenate tired skin or use it as a conditioner to increase shine in your locks and restoring their health, then go for it, it is the most natural way for you to do so. The simple formula in argan hair oil allows you to use it as a deep hydration treatment or even a heat protectant, making it easy to smooth out the strands and reduce static and frizz.

 


Quick and Easy Hairstyles for Work

Published by on October 18th, 2011

When you’re a working gal, there are lots of things you have to do in the morning and worrying about what hairstyle you’re going to wear is one of them. Here are some quick styles to help you take advantage of your time and look great for work.

Hippy Chic

If you’re going for a casual look, this is perfect. It works on medium to long hair that is a day old and slept on, and it’s really easy to do. Just flip your hair over and spritz it lightly with hairspray on the underside, then flip back up and do the same on the top, tousling it with your fingers till it’s dry. Gather your bang area to keep it away from your face. If your hair is straight, use a curling iron to curl 1 inch sections away from your face, wrapping the hair at ear level. Unpin your bangs and do the same. Shake out the curls with your fingers to mess them up a little, then pin back a piece of hair on each side, securing them with bobby pins. Mist with shine spray to finish.

Side Bun

Also good on medium or long hair, this will look elegant and professional in only 5 minutes. Make a deep side part with a comb and apply some shine serum to tame flyaways. Next, gather your hair into a low side pony tail behind the ear opposite your part and secure it with an elastic band. Wrap the tail up towards your ear then under the pony to create a bun, leaving the ends free. Use a hair stick to pierce the bun, threading one end through the elastic before letting it out the other side to hold the bun in place.

Chic Ponytail

Great on medium to long hair that is straight or wavy. Works on day old hair or freshly washed (though in this case use some styling cream to eliminate flyaways). Pull your hair into a low ponytail using a flat boar-bristle brush to avoid bumps, fasten with an elastic. Separate a section of hair roughly the width of a pencil and spray it with hairspray. Wrap it around the elastic band and pin the piece under the tail with bobby pins. Mist over with hairspray and smooth with your hand.

Curly Bun

An easy way to keep curls under control, just smooth shine serum over the top layer of hair and secure tightly into a ponytail. Use bobby pins to fasten your curls to the hair surrounding the elastic to hide it. Finish with hairspray.

Messy Updo

Chic and casual, the key is to leaving a few strands loose to frame your face and create a great style for work. Just pin or tie your hair back into a classic ponytail or bun and leave strands of hair loose, sprucing up the style with accessories.