How to Grow Long, Healthy and Strong Hair Fast

Up until last year, I had hair that came to about my shoulders. It was relatively healthy, but it had been in the same style for years and it was time for a change. I thought of getting my hair cut short, but I had done that before and I wanted to try something different. I also wanted to grow my hair long so I could eventually donate it to a charity.

With these goals in mind, I set out to grow my hair long, strong and healthy. I also had a few requirements:

1. I wanted to use only natural products

2. I didn't want to spend a lot of money

3. I wanted the hair growth to happen fast

A tall order, for sure, but I was determined to make it happen. I am happy to report that after about one year, my hair has grown down to the middle of my back, and it is longer (and healthier) than it has ever been!

So how can you grow healthy, long hair quickly and easily?

Step 1: Get a haircut

I know what you're thinking, "But I'm trying to grow it long! Getting a haircut is the opposite of that." I know it seems counter-intuitive, but trust me, it improves the overall health of your hair and will allow you to grow long hair that looks and feels healthy. Think of it this way, if your ends are damaged or split, the damage will eventually travel up the hair shaft, making it break. Broken hair is shorter hair, and split hair is unhealthy and will look (and feel) damaged. Getting your hair ends trimmed will help your hair stay healthy, and will allow you to easily grow it long without having to battle broken hair.

Step 2: Don't over-style

Blow dryers, curling irons, hot rollers, flat irons, bleach, commercial color, perms, teasing brushes - they can all wreak havoc on your tresses. Try to significantly limit, or even eliminate, using these styling elements, and you will quickly notice a difference in the quality of your hair. Likewise, take precautions when swimming by applying conditioner to wet hair before even heading to the pool.

Step 3: Don't comb your hair when it is wet

One of the quickest ways to stretch, break and damage your hair is by dragging a brush through it while it is wet. If your hair tangles easily like mine did when it was wet, try running your fingers through it right out of the shower or bath. Then, either wrap it up in a microfiber towel (preferably not a terry cloth towel), or leave it hanging down to dry undisturbed. The trick here is leaving your hair alone until it is dry. Don't rub hair vigorously with a towel or twist it to wring it. If you need to, you can always gently pat it dry. Once your hair is completely dry, you can brush it without the damage.

Step 4: Switch to a cruelty-free boar's bristle brush

I used to have what I called pyramid hair. I had flat, oily hair at the roots, and a fuzzy poof of hair at the ends, leaving my hair looking like a pyramid. It was awful, and I would spend a lot of time every day slathering on anti-frizz products, washing my hair to get rid of the oils, and trying to style my hair so that it looked more normal. Now my pyramid hair is history! I picked myself up a cruelty-free 100 percent boar's hair brush, and I noticed a huge difference in my hair in only one week!

Boar's bristle brushes smooth the hair cuticle and massage the scalp, leading to healthy hair growth, plenty of shine, smooth hair, and well distributed natural hair oils (sebum). Now my morning routine consists of me waking up and brushing my hair with the boar's hair brush, that's it! No more expensive (and ineffective) products to tame the frizz, I have no frizz to tame. No more scrubbing the oil from my scalp, I simply redistribute the oils to the tips of my hair with my daily brushing. Using the boar's hair brush twice every day has made the biggest difference in my hair, and it is a difference I can both feel and see.

Step 5: Wash hair less often

By now you're probably already thinking, "Ew. No, I have to wash my hair every day." Trust me, I used to wash my hair every day, too, but now I wash my hair only a few times per week. Washing hair every day strips the natural oils from hair, leaving it dry and delicate. By going longer in between washings, you are allowing the hair oils to naturally distribute throughout your hair. This is especially true if you use the boar's hair brush mentioned in Step 4. Worried that hair will be dirty and stinky? No need to worry. My hair always smells fresh and is perfectly clean. When I exercise, if I am in between shampoos, I rinse my hair thoroughly with water to remove any sweat, and I allow the hair to dry naturally. I also use my boar's hair brush to remove pollutants, dirt, and pollens from my hair by brushing thoroughly a few times a day. Yes, there can be an adjustment period, but if you stick with it for a short while, you will notice an amazing difference in your hair.

Step 6: Switch to natural shampoos and conditioners

I used to spend a fortune on shampoos and conditioners that left my hair looking OK - not great, but OK. When I finally made the switch to a natural shampoo and conditioner, I couldn't believe the difference. My hair was shiny, full of body, manageable, smooth and smelled incredible! I have never gone back to the chemical concoctions that I used to use on my hair. If I can't pronounce it, I don't use it on my hair. For me, natural works best, and it allows my hair to kind of self-regulate, as strange as that may sound. My hair now cranks out an appropriate amount of oil, distributed by brushing, and it so silky that I often only need a tiny dollop of conditioner. Whenever I do shampoo, I apply a dime sized amount of conditioner or oil to the ends of my hair only, and my hair is more manageable and healthier than ever. If you can, ditch the chemicals, and switch to more gentle shampoos and conditioners. Some people even choose to go shampoo-free, which I think is very cool, I just haven't given it a try yet!

Step 7: Mind what you eat

A healthy diet means healthy hair. Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods will accelerate hair growth, and will help to make your long hair healthy. When I switched my dietary habits a year ago, I noticed a difference in my body immediately. It wasn't until a few months of hair growth had passed that I noticed the great effects my diet had on my hair. Also, add a multivitamin to your daily routine, and make sure that it includes biotin. Great hair starts with great nutrition!

Step 8: Be careful how you style your hair

Tight braids that pull hair, snugly wrapped coiled buns, or root tugging ponytails are all off limits as they can damage hair over time. Instead, opt for loose ponytails, loose French twists, loose buns, and other styles that don't put too much stress on your hair. After all, if you want to grow long, healthy hair, breaking it off during styling will definitely not help. Keep this in mind when you are buying hair accessories, as well. Avoid anything that looks damaging, or could get snagged in your locks.

It may also be a good idea to wear your hair with the ends tucked in as often as possible. There is a theory that not exposing hair ends to the air constantly will keep them from drying out, and will promote faster hair growth. It can't hurt to try it, and the styles are gorgeous.

Step 9: Deep condition

About once a month, treat your hair to a deep conditioning. This can be a homemade deep conditioner or a natural deep conditioner that you purchase. Either way, your hair will thank you for the extra love and moisture!

Step 10: Bedtime for your hair

Never sleep with loose hair. Put it into a loose style before going to bed so it does not become the victim of bedhead friction. If you can't sleep unless your hair is loose, pick yourself up a satin pillowcase to lessen the friction on your hair.

Follow these easy tips, and you'll see longer, healthier, stronger hair in no time. Good luck, and happy hair growing!

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Shaving Vs Waxing: Which Method is Best for Your Legs?

When the weather warms up and summer is about to burst on the scene, clothes tend to get skimpier and skin becomes more visible. Having smooth legs that are free of hairs and stubble is almost a must to get through the season in a fashionable manner. Waxing and shaving are two of the options you have to get rid of the hairs on your legs. Both methods have pros and cons, and learning about these, might help you decide which method is best for your gams.

The Pain Factor Shaving Vs Waxing

Although you can get your legs waxed at a salon, you can also give yourself a wax job right at home. Regardless who does the waxing, expect the experience some pain, because you're pulling a bunch of hairs out at the same time. When the wax is applied to your legs, it adheres to the hairs. A cloth is then used to pull the wax and unwanted hairs off your legs. As for shaving, the process is pretty much painless, unless you don't have a sturdy hand or shave your hairs when your skin is dry

The Duration Shaving Vs Waxing

Even when done at home, waxing takes longer than shaving and tends to be messier. Heating the wax, whether it's rubbing wax strips between your hands or using the microwave, takes time. At a salon, it might take 30 minutes, if not more, to get the job done. Shaving is quick and easily done while taking a shower. Quick touch ups are easy, and unlike a wax job, which requires hair to be at least 1/4-inch long, you don't have to wait for the hair to grow to a certain length.

The Cost Shaving Vs Waxing

The supplies needed to shave your legs will most likely cost under $10. A sharp razor and shaving gel are all you need. A home wax kit can cost about the same amount, but if you have the process done by a professional, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $70, depending on the salon.

The Risks Shaving Vs Waxing

The biggest risk with shaving your legs are the nicks and cuts that might occur when you're in a rush, and the red bumps that might emerge on irritated skin. Taking your time, using a shaving gel, shaving your legs when the hairs are soft and moving the razor in the direction of the hair growth, can ease the process. Waxing can result in ingrown hairs, and because the hairs are removed root and all, the follicle stays open, increasing the risk of an infection/ This is why it's essential to apply antibacterial lotion after waxing hair.

The Results Shaving Vs Waxing

When you shave your legs, you remove just the visible part of the hair. You cut it off at the point where it meets your skin. Waxing, removes the entire hair including the root, which gives a cleaner, smoother appearance. The latter also lasts longer. A wax job can keep your legs free of hair for two to three weeks, while shaving can result in stubble within a few hours of as soon as the next day, depending on how fast your hair grows.

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How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger With Make Up

Big eyes are beautiful eyes. The most beautiful women in the world have big, open eyes. But some of us are not blessed with big eyes, including myself. For those of you that want to make your eyes bigger, there is hope! Make up is magic, when used properly and precisely. Here are a few easy make up tricks to make your eyes look bigger and brighter.

Mascara

Mascara is probably the most useful and most effective tool to make your eyes look bigger. Swipe a few coats to your top lash line. It will open your eyes up and make them appear more prominent as well as bigger. If you're feeling bold, and want to make an even bigger impact, apply some mascara carefully to your bottom lash line too.

Curl Lashes

Before or after mascara, whatever is your preference, curl your lashes. Lash curlers can really be life savers. If you don't have one, invest in one! There are some pretty cheap ones that can be found in drugstores for under $3. By curling your lashes, your eyes open up wider and appear bigger.

Brows

Full, well groomed brows can actually make your eyes look less tired and make them look more open and awake. Full brows add definition to your eye area. You can use brow powder or a pencil that matches your brow color. With short, soft strokes, fill in the sparse areas of your brows and give them a fuller shape.

Shimmery Shadow

Apply a soft shimmery champagne shadow all over your lip. A shimmery (not glittery) shadow can illuminate your eyes, and make them appear brighter. The shimmer will reflect off light, making your eyes appear bigger.

White Liner

Applying a white liner to your waterline can bring out the whites in your eyes, making them appear wider and brighter. Beige pink liners work well too. This gives your eyes a natural look while still enhancing them. Even apply the liner to your inner tear duct to open your eyes even more.

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Best Facial Cleanser and Lotion ... And It's Homemade

I have never grown out of the acne-prone skin I developed in high school. It's not as bad as it was back then, but I still have monthly breakouts that sometimes include very painful pimples across all layers of my skin. During the past two decades, I have experimented with every acne product in the drugstore: the cleansers, the scrubs, the lotions, the creams, the vitamins, the sponges, the soaps and the masks. I have tried multiple brands of each of these products, as well. In college, I even tried that expensive monthly club that charged $40 a month for a little bottle of cleanser and astringent that I could barely stretch over the 30 days. It didn't help, anyway.

So, here I am, with acne that isn't quite that bad, but skin that still breaks out and, worse, has pitted scars to remind me of the skin that plagued me in my teens and early 20s. My adequate drug-store skin regimen included a Buff Puff sponge with Noxema to exfoliate, wash with antibacterial Dial soap, and then moisturize with Cetaphil lotion. But I still wasn't happy with my skin.
 

The Recipes

I use two 2-ounce baby food jars: one for my face cleanser and the other for my homemade moisturizer. The cleanser lasts me about two weeks washing morning and night, and the lotion lasts for weeks. There is at least one night per week, however, that skip my cleanser and go straight for a pure baking soda scrub for a microdermabrasion effect. A regimen of one microdermabrasion a week is helping reduce the appearance of my pitted acne scars. After two months, people have started to notice that my skin is smoother and more even without any prodding from me whatsoever.

Face Cleanser

3 Tbsp ground oatmeal (not instant)

3 Tbsp baking soda

3 Tbsp of honey

3 Tbsp of water

1. Ground up your oatmeal in a blender. I have another container I use to store the unused portion so that, when it's time to make a new batch, my oatmeal is ready to go.

2. Add the oatmeal and the baking soda to the baby food jar.

3. Next, add the water. Put the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously. This helps shrink the mixture down and thin it out enough to mix it with the honey.

4. Add the honey to the jar and shake again. Really shake it so that all of the ingredients mix together well. The solution will likely be thin at first, but will thicken overnight as the oatmeal absorbs the water and honey.

5. When it's time to use the cleanser, you may need to reshake the jar or stir it with your finger first. The thinner the mixture is, the more the ingredients will separate with the heavier baking soda settling on the bottom.

Understanding that this recipe is the one that has been working wonders on my skin, you may require a slight adjustment. For example, one of the recipes I tried included a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil. This reduced the abrasion of the baking soda and thickened the solution into a paste-like texture. If you find that my recipe is too harsh for your skin, consider reducing the baking soda to 2 tablespoons and add a tablespoon of unrefined coconut oil.

Moisturizing Lotion

2 Tbsp unrefined coconut oil

.5 Tbsp of honey

.5 Tbsp of water

Put everything in a jar and, if your coconut oil is soft enough, just shake the jar until everything is mixed; if not, use your finger to mix it together. It should be creamy when you're done, with a slight brown tint. For your morning moisturizing, use a small amount on the tip of your finger. A little bit of this lotion goes a long way. If you do a pure baking soda scrub at night, use a bit more and really coat your skin to protect it.

Since this lotion is oil-based, be aware that its texture is dependent upon the temperature in the room. If it gets too warm, it will liquify; if it gets too cold, it will be harder. Additionally, keep the lotion in an air-tight jar. The honey in it will crystallize if you leave the lid off. If this happens, simply put some on your finger, run it under water and rub your hands together to smooth it back out.

Pure Baking Soda Scrub

If you have scars that you want to treat, one or two nights per week, wet your face, add about half a tablespoon of baking soda to a damp washcloth, and massage it over your face for about a minute. Thoroughly rinse and put a generous amount of coconut oil over your skin to protect it overnight.

The Research

How did I come to these recipes? Well, first I spent some time researching homemade facial scrubs. I came across a lot of recipes online. Some mixed different combinations of these ingredients with oils, vinegar toners, citrus juices, and other household and food products. As I researched those products, I found that the four ingredients in this recipe had all the properties I needed in a skin-care regimen.

After selecting my ingredients, I experimented with different combinations until I found a texture that gave me that clean-skin feeling without being too abrasive, and there were a few days where I scrubbed off a bit too much skin. It's hard not to get a little zealous about a new scrub, but do start slow or you can do more harm than good, even with these all-natural, homemade recipes.

Let me share a summary of this research with you, including some cautions about using baking soda recipes on your skin as it can affect the pH of your skin.

• Oatmeal is not only a gentle exfoliant, it helps reduce swelling, dryness and itching in skin. Its starches, beta-glucan, saponins and phenols have been shown to not only help problem skin heal, but actually buffer and clean skin.

• Honey is both antiseptic and provides a layer of protection for wounds. It is also a natural preservative for your homemade recipes. It's also a great way to lighten scars, moisturize skin and treat eczema.

• Baking soda is an abrasive that exfoliates the skin. In addition to whitening teeth, baking soda can provide various levels of skin cleansing from light exfoliation to a microdermabrasion-like treatment.

• Unrefined coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer for hair and skin. Various studies suggest that coconut oil is effective at treating some skin conditions and conditioning hair. Remember, a little bit goes a long way.

Balancing the pH

In my research, I encountered some who caution against using baking soda on your skin. After all, some use this chemical to scrub their sinks and toilets. The main objection is that our skin has a natural acidic top layer, or an acid mantel, that protects us from bacteria. Scrubbing this layer away can cause worse breakouts, and do that is especially easy with baking soda, which is a base. The above recipes and skin care regimen works to keep your skin's pH at the right level and maintain a protective layer at all times.

If you find that you're breaking out too much, reduce how vigorously you scrub. I noticed, in the first couple weeks, that I was breaking out after doing my microdermabrasion treatments with baking soda. Of course, I was doing it two consecutive nights. When I cut that down to one night a week, I stopped breaking out. Your skin is unique so you'll need to use a little trial and error to find the right regimen for you, but err on the side of caution.

• Oatmeal pH is about 5.5 (weak acid) - about the same as black coffee or urine

• Honey has an average pH of about 3.9 (moderate acid) - about the same as tomato juice and acid rain

• Baking soda has a pH of about 9 (weak alkaline)

• Water is neutral

Using only the oatmeal and baking soda with water would create a slightly acidic, but close to neutral solution. Adding a bit of honey tips the scale toward the acidic side, which helps fend off bacteria and match the natural pH of your skin, which is about 4.5 to 5.

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Red Lipstick Rules for Your Hair Color and Complexion

Nearly anyone can pull off red lipstick, but there are some rules that you should follow. There are many different shades of red, and what you should wear depends on your hair color and complexion. Whether your complexion is dark or if you are very light-skinned, there is a shade of red that will work perfect for you. The trick is to know how to find perfect that perfect shade. Use these red lipstick rules to wear red lipstick confidently.

Find the perfect shade

Remove any lipstick or lip balm from your lips so they are completely natural. Visit a makeup counter where you can try on different shades of lipsticks. Find some red lipsticks that you like and apply the shade to your top lip only. Compare the shade with your bottom lip. You want the shade on your top lip to be one or two shades darker than the natural color of your bottom lip. Once you find this, you have found the perfect shade of red for your lips.

Match red lipstick to your complexion and hair color

You also need to take into consideration the color of your hair and the color of your complexion when selecting a red lipstick for your lips. You should first decide if your skin tone is cool or warm. Once you know this information, you can easily find the right shade of red. If you have a warm complexion with brown or black hair, you should select red lipstick that has a brown base. Find lipstick shades such as coral, golden red, or deep orange. If your complexion is cool with brown or black hair, find shades such as burgundy, plum, or cherry red.

If you have blonde hair and a warm complexion, try shades such as copper red, orange red, or coral. If you have a cool complexion and blonde hair, try shades such as plump pink, light rose or red, dusty rose, or any shade of red that has a blue undertone.

If you have red hair with a warm complexion, you can get by with bright shades of red or orange red shades. If you have red hair with a cool complexion, try shades that are blue-toned or darker shades of red.

Take it easy on the blush

If you are going to wear a bright red lipstick, you should not wear a bright blush on your cheeks or it will be too much color. This can give you a clown look. Your red lips will be your focal point and you don't need a lot of other make-up to go with it.

Once you find the right shade for you, you can apply the lipstick and have a beautiful shade of red that goes well with your hair and complexion.

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