How to Grow Long Hair Fast

Bobs, shoulder length, or pixie cuts can be designed to fit your face, but growing out strands for a new style can seem to take forever. If you are waiting for a Rapunzel-type mane, it could seem like a lifetime. However, there are steps that you can take to improve the condition of your hair and speed up the growth rate. Here are some great tips on how to grow long hair fast.

Healthy diet increases allows hair to grow

Eating large quantities of raw fruits and vegetables can improve the structure of the hair and initiate growth. Julien Farel, a celebrity hairstylist and owner of a NYC salon states, "a healthy diet that incorporates a mixture of protein and nutrients can improve the condition of the hair." He also states that eating balanced meals, a keeps the hair strong and prevents the strands from breaking easily.

NYC board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologists, Dr. Gervaise Gerstner, suggest including omega-3 in your diet. She recommends salmon, supplements, and nuts. Dr. Gerstner states that it is important to keep the weight stable, for the hair can be affected by fluctuating changes weight.

Safe Styling will retain hair strength

It is very common knowledge that heat does a great deal of damage to the hair, so it is important to limit the use of flat irons to probably no more than twice a week. Dr. Gerstner also recommends limiting sunlight and blow drying, as both can strip the hair. Deep conditioning the hair once a week is a good idea for keeping the hair as healthy as possible. According to Farel, many hair care products have the same detergents so it is important to choose products that are safe for the hair and will not damage it.

Vitamins will grow long hair fast

Farel states, "Arginine, fish oil, and biotin aids in the production of enzymes which stimulate the root of the hair." The best vitamins and minerals come from natural sources, such as dark leafy greens and fruits. Many individuals have had great success by changing their diets to include large amounts of raw fruits and vegetables. This is by far the most important aspect in how to grow long hair fast.

Relax

Just take it easy. Stress is not good for your health, and it is certainly not good for you. Dr. Gerstner recommends tissue massages on a weekly basis, for it relaxes the mind and the body.

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What You Should Know About Essential Oils

Basic Information and Uses to Get Starting with Essential Oils

Essential Oils have become quite trendy. You can purchase various grades of essential oils now in health food stores, grocery stores, bed and bath establishments and drug stores - not to mention online and through mail order. How can you know what to purchase or how to use the tiny vials? Here are some suggestions on how to use essential oils and what you should know before incorporating them into your personal care routine.

Essential oils are distilled from various plants. All parts of plants can be used including leaves, seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers and fruit. The plant parts are cooked down and the essential oils are the distilled result. Essential oils can be 50-100 times more potent than the plant they are derived from.

Unlike "base oils" such as olive oil, almond oil, peanut oil, etc. which feel filmy and greasy and stay on the surface of the skin, essential oils can be absorbed quickly into the skin and the essential oil can evaporate at room temperature. Within twenty minutes of applying essential oil to a person's skin, evidence of the chemicals within that oil can be found in every cell within the body. That is just one of the ways essential oils can be so powerful in fighting illness and improving the immune system.

Essential oils are used as herbal and medicinal supplements, as aromatherapy, and cosmetically and domestically for various uses. It is important to use pure "therapeutic grade" essential oils, not oils that are watered down. It can be tempting to buy the least expensive versions, but often these are not "therapeutic grade," so use a reliable source and supplier and investigate for quality. Check with a specialist at a health focused merchant or an informed medical specialist.

There are so many different essential oils, and at least as many uses. It is a good idea to do some research prior to making purchases. Good references are: Essential Oils Desk Reference, compiled by Essential Science Publishing and Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, by Julia Lawless. You can also do some investigating online or at your library for more reference materials regarding essential oils.

How can you use essential oils? Since they are so concentrated, remember to use them sparingly. Here are some beginner's ideas for using them around the house:

Cleaning: use a few drops in your washing machine and clothes dryer for fresh smelling laundry; add a drop or two to your vacuum bag or sprinkle on carpets and vacuum to freshen the air and the floors; lemon and citrus oils can work well as a disinfectant added to warm water and used as a cleaner.
 

Aromatherapy: Inhale or diffuse essential oil in a spritz/spray bottle and spray into the air; a drop or two on a hand or a hanky can be inhaled; use a cold-air diffuser or a pot of steaming water to spread the aroma into the air.

Topical Use: Add a few drops to a bath; mix 12-15 drops into ¼ cup of Epsom salts for a soothing, therapeutic bath; Add to a massage oil; wear as a perfume or cologne or rub directly onto the skin.

These are just a few uses for essential oil. Essential oils can also be ingested and taken internally, but see a specialist or medical professional to obtain recommendations and information about how to safely ingest essential oils.

There are so many wonderful uses and different types of essential oils, one could spend a lifetime just investigating the variety. Just remember to find a reputable supplier and use only therapeutic grade essential oils - do some homework and try to talk with someone at your health food, health supplement or other specialty store and you'll be well on your way to discovering the world of essential oils.

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Make Your Own Hair Care Treatments and Shampoo

Have you ever considered going strictly natural? Are you tired of paying for hair care products that have so many different and foreign ingredients that it's beginning to make freak you out? Are you ready to use what God has already provided you with to make your own reliable hair care products? Well if you answered yes to any of these questions than this article is for you.

Often times we put harmful products into our hair because we like and trust the bright colored commercial on television. However, we don't realize that the women that use the products on the commercial didn't just slap the product on their hair; however, they sat down for hours with a professional beautician to make their hair beautiful for the commercial. I cannot count the numerous amount of times that I have seen people try out a new product and then loose a great amount of their hair. Sometimes the products that we may attempt to use can cause allergic reactions due to some foreign ingredient that may be present in the product.

It is time to wake up and realize that the best way to take care of our hair is to use nature's own remedies. That is why I have put together a recipe collection of hair care products that you can easily make at home and for reasonable prices. Not only can you start using these safe products for yourself but you can also share these great recipes with family and friends.

However, if any products, in a given recipe, does cause you to have an allergic reaction please discontinue use or do not use at all.

My Avocado Deep Conditioner

1 small jar of mayonnaise

1/2 avocado

Peel avocado and remove pit. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl with your hands until it's a consistent pretty green color. Smooth into hair being careful to work it to the ends. Use shower cap or plastic wrap to hold the body heat in. Leave on hair for 20 minutes. For deeper conditioning wrap a hot, damp towel around your head over the plastic, or use a hair dryer set to a low to medium heat setting.

Paradise Conditioner




1 avocado

Coconut milk

Peel and pit avocado. Mash avocado and slowly add coconut milk until smooth and the consistency of hair conditioner. Work through hair to ends. Rinse after 15 minutes and shampoo and rinse.

My Nettle Hair Lotion

1 cup nettle tops

Simmer nettles in three cups of water. Strain. Rub into hair and scalp every other night for soft, shiny hair. Keep refrigerated.

My Dry End Treatment

2 ounces beeswax

8 ounces safflower or vegetable oil

22 ounces distilled water

1/2 ounce Triethanolamine (Triethanolamine is a liquid available at drugstores.)

Mix safflower oil, beeswax and stearic acid. Heat to boiling. At the same time, in another pot, heat distilled water and Triethanolamine. After heating, add the distilled water solution to the oil mixture and stir continuously until the solution has cooled.

To use this concoction, put a small amount on palms, rub hands together, and apply to dry ends, massaging in gently.

Note: Eggs are a great way to condition your hair. Eggs are very good at making your hair shiny also. Here is a brief group of hair products that require the egg.

Simple Cholesterol Hair Treatment

2 egg yolks

1/2-teaspoon shampoo

1-cup warm (not hot) water

Beat all together. Apply to wet hair; massage in hair; leave on for 5-30 minutes and rinse. For deep hair conditioning, put on a shower cap and sit under a hair dryer for up to 45mins and then rinse.

My Egg Shampoo

1 egg

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup your favorite shampoo

1 tsp vegetable oil

Whisk the egg until frothy and then add the remaining ingredients. Pour into an old (clean) shampoo bottle and then store in the refrigerator for obvious reason. Share with the family as "shelf life" is only about two weeks.

Super Egg Cider Shampoo

1 large egg

2 oz mineral water

1 T cider vinegar

Using a wire whisk, whip up all three ingredients until well combined and then massage into the scalp. Rinse with warm water. Because of the egg content, the use of warm water is essential.

I hope that God-willing this article will be very helpful for you. Please consider using natural hair care products in order to maintain a healthy head of hair.

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Ethnic Hair and Options for Care

I am a black woman with naturally curly hair. It's soft, wispy and spirals like miniature slinkies. Should I chose to change my style I can use basic heating tools and it will straighten out with no problem. I do not have a perm. Nor would I dare revert back to the torture from my misguided youth.

In my neighborhood my type of hair is referred to as "good hair". I find this terminology offensive and frustrating at the least. It implies the rest of me is not good enough or that women with thicker, coarser hair are inferior. My sister Sean inherited the thicker and coarser version. Her hair is also stronger and longer than I could ever imagine mine being; which constantly led to us envying each others crowns of glory as children.

Having, what is now called "ethnic hair" on any level is a constant topic in the black community. This includes my bi and multi-racial friends who have even more difficult times finding competent hairdressers. If your mama didn't grow up in a household using terminology such as "hot comb", "grease", "glover's" or "perm" and you have ethnic hair; either she wasn't black, didn't grow up in a black community, her belief system wouldn't allow her to do that to her babies head or you had money to have someone else do your hair.

Today, there are many options for getting ethnic hair done. Sadly, most of these are not in ANY of the beauty schools I've visited. Most beauty school will only teach how to care for European and Asian type hair. Any hair with the vaguest resemblance of African roots is feared. Unless the teacher is African (meaning; new to this country) odds are your hair stylist will be confused by your curly hair.

Here are some things to ask when seeking a hair stylist if you have "ethnic hair"

Do you do natural hair?

Is there an extra charge?

How long have you done natural hair?

Before going to the salon, gather pictures of hairstyles that will compliment your natural tresses. Be realistic. Unless you're going to perm your hair, YOU KNOW you can't pick a straight style and expect it to last for three weeks. Pick something you can maintain on your own. If you're on a budget, pick something that will be easily maintained for six weeks and will not look weird in between washings.

Understand that natural ethnic hair needs special care. I cannot go days or weeks without washing my hair. I know some women who will only allow their hairdresser to wash their hair. They have a standing appointment every two weeks. I will scratch my scalp raw if I wait two weeks between washings. Especially if I wear it in its natural state. If I'm wearing a natural curl, I condition daily and wash every 2-3 days. Washing my hair daily would strip it of its natural oils and I would be running around town looking like I have a large bale of black hay on my head.

My hair dresser informed me that naturally curly "ethnic" hair gets drier than the average head of hair. I use olive oil daily. Yep, plain old over the counter Bertolli or a generic brand. Extra virgin.

Natural hair needs to breathe. This is where braids come in. I personally will not sit for hours at a hair dresser. Although, I will go to a spa and get a 1 hour massage which includes a scalp massage. This generates good blood flow and distributes natural oils and promotes a peace. If you are braver than me, try braids. Most braiders will want to put synthetic hair in your head. I am starting to see some scary effects of having this done and will not allow hair to be braided into my head. Instead I will normally opt for the front part being braided with the back natural or straight.

I keep straight days to winter months. I live in Texas and 110 degree weather will not allow me to keep a straight style for longer than 30 minutes. In the winter I am more apt to straighten my hair. I will normally wash, condition, and moisturize, then air dry. After that I heat up the curling iron and straighten it out. My curly hair is also slightly thin, so I do not need a lot of heat to get the results I like. If I want it straighter still, I will blow dry and then use the curling iron or flat iron. Should I lose my mind and want to venture into the land of "bone straight", I'll go to the salon and let the professionals deal with it.

Since I love the way my curls feel I never allow them to straighten it too straight. Some hair dressers have taken out the perm products as soon as they see me walk in the door and were flabbergasted when I said "no". How dare anyone not appreciate me wanting to be natural.

Test different products. Mane and Tail and olive oil are a mainstay in my hair routine. I wash with Neutrogena Triple Moisture and use their daily and intensive conditioners. Once I step out of the shower I use about a tablespoon of olive oil; distributing it throughout my hair. Then I run Mane and Tail Conditioner throughout my hair; grabbing handfuls of hair and watching the curls spring into shape. I'll either let it dry like that or add a headband to get it in the position I want it to fall for the rest of the day.

If you like straight styles but refuse to perm, BRAVO!!! Also, you should talk with your hair stylist about thermal techniques such as "hot combing".

The hot comb which was made popular by Madame CJ Walker was a fixture in my house. My mother could not comb through my sisters natural hair unless it had been straightened. My sister got the hot comb treatment weekly as a little girl. When that became too much of a chore, mom started perming. I think my sister is the only female in history who could withstand the strength of the French Perm. Oprah said she was damn near bald using a French Perm.

My friend Minerva who has a Pilipino mama, a black daddy and a gorgeous crop of raven black hair introduced me to a Japanese thermal process which allows the hair to stay straight for weeks. It costs about $700 but is a healthier solution to a perm. You can find salons in your area that do these processes simply by doing a yahoo or google search.

Another method of getting a great stylist if you have natural hair, stop any woman you see who has a great style and ask "Who does your hair?". Networking and word of mouth has its benefits. Most women are walking billboards for their stylist. Read the celebrity magazines and find a celeb who has a style you like. Take it to your stylist and ask if she can duplicate it. Most black stylist can, and will.

Now, I know you may be asking . . . if I'm technically a white woman with hair like a black woman, will someone be able to help me. Darlin, yes! You may have to step out of your comfort zone and walk into a salon filled with black woman and say, "HELP!!!" I have talked with white stylist who had no qualms telling me they "hated" doing black ("ethnic") hair because it was too "wiry", "hard", "coarse", "nappy" and hard to deal with. I can't get mad at them because those are the same things young black stylists are saying. But, they are not taught to care for "ethnic" hair. Many young black women couldn't identify their natural hair texture in a line-up! But, our society bombards us with images of long, flowing, blond hair. That is supposed to be the standard to aspire to and many women want. Therefore, many schools will teach what is popular as oppose to what is reality.

So, here are some tips to get you on your natural way:

1.Natural hair first of all is hair. Our care system (like any) is based on trial and error. Find products that work for you.

2. If your products work in San Francisco, don't be shocked it they don't work in Texas!

3. If you're on medication of any kind, ask your doctor about the side effects before perming your natural hair. I have known women to lose lots of hair when the chemicals and the drugs didn't react well together.

4. Talk to family, friends and strangers about the products they use, ESPECIALLY if you like their style.

5. If you are not a white woman and have never ventured into a predominately black salon, don't be scared. We are all about peace, joy and are entirely too cute for the drama ignited by a lack of diversity in our society.

Now get out there and get coiffed, correctly.

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Special Care for Curly Hair

From Carefree Corkscrews to Ravishing Ringlets, If You Have Curls, These Tips Are for You

Got Curls?

You're in luck! There is a large assortment of hair care products, hair dryers, and heat styling appliances solely dedicated to caring and caressing curls of every shape and size. Whether you have naturally kinky hair, soft curls, or loose waves you can find everything you need to keep your curly hairstyle looking great. Born without curls? These top tips will help you create more defined, longer lasting curls with hot rollers, curling irons, or flat irons with curved plates. From carefree corkscrews to ravishing ringlets, if you have curls, these tips are for you.

Humidity Proofing

In my opinion, carefree curls are always in style, but only if they look healthy and defined. If you have curly hair you already know that humidity is curl enemy #1 and there is nothing worse than a head full of frizzy curls. Keep your curly hairstyle free of frizz and fly-aways with some of my favorite frizz fighters:

Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-in Fortifying Spray, KMS California Curlup Curling Balm, Matrix Curl.Life Body Shaping Foam,CurlFriends Tame Smoothing Serum

Defining Moments

Whether your curly style is long and loose or tightly wound, curls need definition to look healthy. The less definition to a curl, the more unfinished and unhealthy it looks. Tousled, sexy curls are pretty, unruly, messy curls make people cringe. Coax your curls into shapely, sexy, curves with these best-selling curl definers:

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Starlit Waves Wave Enhancing Spray, got2b Kinky Curl Defining Curling Mousse, CurlFriends Nourish Rinse Out Conditioner, TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Curl Amplifier, Sebastian Hi Contrast Gel

Diffuse the Situation

A diffuser is really a curl's best friend. Built on the principle that curls should be pampered and not blown dry into a knotty mess, diffusers come in many varieties perfect for short curly hairstyles and long alike. Shorter styles dry faster, longer lengths take more time, so be sure your diffuser works well with your hair dryer to crank out enough airflow for the length of your locks. These diffusers deliver power and pampering at the same time:

Babyliss Pro Diffuser, Metropolis Z-Ion Zirconia Ionic Diffuser, Sedu Finger Diffuser, T3 Diffuser, Bio Ionic iDiffuse Ionic Conditioning Diffuser

Mega Shine

Straight hair seems to shine effortlessly, but it's a myth to think that curly hairstyles cannot be super shiny too. You just need the right products...in the right amounts. Whether you choose a glossing styling spray, a shine enhancing lotion, or a polishing crème, just remember that less is more when applying any shine enhancer. Turn your shine up to eleven with these mega shine must-haves created especially for curly locks:

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Instant Touch Up Glossing Spray, Got2b Glossy Anti-Frizz Shine Serum, Alfaparf Cristalli Illuminating Shine Shaping Gel, CurlFriends Shine Hair Gloss

Curl Friendly Choices

Curl texture plays a big part in how cooperative your curls can be, and there are lots of curl friendly product lines on the market today that are tailor made for your type of curls and styling needs. From shampoos and conditioners, to styling creams and hairsprays, there are entire brands dedicated to making curls look their curviest. Bravo to these curl friendly brands:

Curl.Life by Matrix, CurlFriends, Curly Hair Solutions, Curly Sexy Hair by Sexy Hair Concepts

Curl Diva

Caress those curls with a hair dryer made just for them! Promising power to produce 6 times more negative ions than any other negative ion hair dryer in the world, and created with most unique diffuser innovation in over 60 years, this hair dryer and diffuser combo is specifically designed for curls and waves. There might be a few curly-specific hair dryers on the market today, but only one for divas:

DevaSun Dryer and Diva Fuser

With products like these you can get your curls into sexy, carefree curves in no time!

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Mustard Seed Oil for Hair Growth

Mustard seed is mostly being used by the Romans and Greeks for medicinal purposes but it has being researched that it can also be used for skin and hair treatments. Mustard seed oil for hair growth is used to promote hair growth and also stimulates scalp circulation. The body is prone to hair loss if it lacks zinc and selenium (a substance that helps vitamin E to be utilized by the body). This oil contains lots of nutrients for hair growth such as vitamins and minerals and beta carotene. Mustard seed oil for hair growth contains beta carotene that helps to nourish and protect hair fibers thereby promoting healthy hair growth. Mustard seed oil causes hair growth, promotes healthy and strong hair.

One of the leading causes of hair loss is inadequate nutrients or poor diet or nutrition. Mustard seed oil for hair growth contains high amount of omega 3 fatty and omega 6 acids which helps hair growth. This oil contains minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, proteins and niacin. The nutrients contained in mustard oil for hair growth all help to nourish the scalp and assist hair growth. This oil contains antioxidant that makes hair stronger and prevents the hair from falling out. In other words, mustard oil serves as hair strengthener.

Mustard oil for hair growth contains essential fatty acids and omega 3 fatty acids which are nutrients that are needed to condition the hair. By using this natural conditioner to condition the hair, it allows the hair to grow stronger and reduces the risk of dry hair, split ends and hair breakage. The nutrients contained in this oil helps to stimulate growth and adds shine and luster to the hair. Mustard oil for hair growth promotes scalp circulation and serves as a hair stimulant that makes hair grow faster and healthier.

For effective results, you should massage mustard seed oil for hair growth into the scalp about three times weekly. Each time you apply it, you should try to leave it on for about three to four hours before rinsing. You can also leave it overnight depending on your choice. You should always rinse with a mild shampoo and by doing this weekly, you will achieve a healthier and stronger hair in no time. You can also adjust your diet and do exercise regularly to improve your blood circulation and promote healthy hair growth.

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Review: Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo and Conditioner

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship is meant for those with longer hair, but can be used by people growing their hair or anyone else. I love everything about Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship shampoo and conditioner.

Packaging & Cost

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship shampoo and conditioner comes in a wavy, red, plastic bottle and the normal size bottle is 12 fl oz. The bottles dispense the shampoo and conditioner from the bottom of the bottle which is how it sits so you never have to worry about vigorously shaking the bottle to get it out. The packaging is attractive and the design of the bottle makes it easy to get out every last drop of shampoo and conditioner. The average cost of the shampoo and conditioner is $3.99 a piece at both stores.

Scent and Texture

The smell of it is intoxicating. It is infused with satin and red raspberry and the texture is creamy smooth. The color of the shampoo is pink and it lathers easily when applied and massaged into hair. The conditioner is also pink and it is nice and think and easily distributes evenly. They both have a great red raspberry scent that lasts all day.

Does it work?

The shampoo thoroughly cleans my hair without leaving it with that dry feeling. Even before I condition my hair feels soft and is mildly easy to brush through. The condition hydrates my hair and I have noticed a significant difference in shine and a great reduction in new split ends. After I condition a fine tooth comb glides through my hair like a knife through soft butter. I recommend leaving the conditioner on for 3 minutes and rinse with cool water for even more softness. My hair moves freely and stays soft all day. Both of these products are also gentle on color treated hair. When I use most shampoos and conditioners they seem to strip the color right out, but this product seems to be quite gentle on my dyed hair. My hair also feels a bit thicker, is shinier and softer.

A few more uses for Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship

The conditioner makes a great shaving cream replacement. My legs were silky smooth and had a nice and light red raspberry scent. If you do not like to shave with conditioner you can massage some on after you shave and then rinse away. You can use the shampoo as a body wash. It is moisturizing and just like the conditioner it leaves a light red raspberry scent.

I would recommend Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo & Conditioner to anyone. Whether your hair is long, you're trying to grow it long or you simply love the smell of raspberries this is the shampoo and conditioner for you.

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Product Review: Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner - Is it Worth the Price?

Having made my own soaps for a couple years, I know the benefits of more natural ingredients going into bath and body products. When I saw Organix line of hair products contained organic active ingredients, I decided to see if it was worth the higher price. I purchased their Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner.

The Cost: Organix shampoo and conditioner each cost $6.99 for thirteen fluid ounces at my local drugstore. At the time, I justified the higher cost with the fact that they were currently offering a rebate for up to $6.99. I basically would be trying it for free. That's always a good thing. Unfortunately, it was a mail in rebate, and being a procrastinator, to date I have yet to mail in my rebate. But the offer was still there.

The Ingredients: Organix hair products have organic active ingredients. Their Coconut Milk line has organic coconut milk to nourish, whipped egg whites to strengthen and coconut oils for hydration. They are also sulfate free. Sodium Laurel Sulfate, or SLS, is a surfactant commonly used in many bath and body products because it is cheap to use, which keeps the cost of the products to a minimum. It is also a foaming agent, and almost everybody associates bubbles with being clean. Rumors were circulating at one time that sulfates were causing cancer. According to snopes.com, SLS does not cause cancer. But it can be an irritant if left on the skin. So Organix has avoided using this ingredient.

However, Organix does contain Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate. It may sound similar to SLS probably because they are both surfactants. Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate is listed as their second ingredient. For those that don't know, ingredient labels have to be listed in order of volume. This means that Organix shampoo has more Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate in it than any other ingredient (including those organic ones) with the exception of water. Water is the ingredient listed first. As for the conditioner, water is listed first with Cetyl Alcohol coming in second.

For both the shampoo and conditioner, there are a lot of other less than organic sounding names listed before you actually get to the organic ingredients. But the organic ingredients are in there. And to be honest, you are probably not going to find a shampoo and conditioner that is completely organic and without surfactants on your store shelf.

The Scent: Organix Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner has a wonderfully subtle coconut smell. I love the smell of coconut. Organix is not overpowering like other coconut scented bath products tend to be. It has a scent reminiscent of that which you would find in high end salon products. The scent was impressive.

Performance: I decided to use Organix a week before I made my final decision. After reading the ingredients, the soap maker in me wanted to be able to scoff at this product. But I can't. The first few days, I was less than impressed with how it worked. It wasn't that it didn't work, it was just that in the beginning I couldn't see much of a difference between using Organix and a less expensive brand. But after using it for a week, I have noticed a difference. It left my hair feeling clean and soft, without weighing it down. My hair has body, and it is manageable. The conditioner is thick, not watered down, and you can feel a difference in your hair while using it. I have had no "bad hair days" since using it, which is uncommon for me. I have also noticed less breakage and hair loss since I started using it.

The Bottom Line: Despite the presence of those less than organic ingredients, Organix Coconut Milk shampoo and conditioner truly is a great product. The old saying "you get what you pay for" is evident in the results you will see while using Organix. The price you pay compared to other less expensive brands is worth it if hair care is a priority. You will notice a difference. And unless you are buying a natural handmade shampoo bar from a soap maker, I doubt you will find a more organic option for your hair. My bottom line...Organix is definitely worth the price.

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Product Review: Herbal Essences Shampoo and Conditioner

Hello Hydration, Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Are you one of those people that sees a new product and has to be the first to try it? Or, are you one of those that likes to have someone else spend their money and time trying it out, before you buy it? Maybe you're like me, a combination of both. I love trying new products, but after being let down by so many, I do tend to buy less brand new items. I don't mind my friends letting me know if a product is worth the money or not. Actually, I have a friend that kind of takes turns with me trying out new things we are both interested in. It is a little easier on the pocket book that way. The product I am reviewing today, I buckled down and tried first. It is a fairly new product from Herbal essences called hello hydration.

Herbal essences has been a product of Clairol for many years now, making our bathing experience a little better by smelling so good. Their hello hydration line is no exception to the rule of wonderful scent. It has a blend of orchid and coconut milk, for an almost summery scent that will have you sniffing your own hair.

Both the shampoo and conditioner bottles appear to be almost the same color blue, but the shampoo is actually in a clear bottle. So, the blue you're seeing is the shampoo itself. The shampoo stands upright, while the conditioner stands upside-down. They both have a green pop-lid on them. Both bottles boast the line "let me soak it to you" on the front. This hello hydration line claims to be all about moisture and says it will quench your hair with lots of hydration. They also claim to leave your dry, damaged hair, silky, supple, and manageable.

Each bottle also has a question, which, they cleverly put the answer on the other bottle. The shampoo asks the question, "On average, how many bubbles are in a bottle of champagne?" In order to get the answer to the question, you have to get the bottle of conditoner. The conditioner asks the question, "What do 15% of women do on Valentines day?" Again, in order to get the answer, you have to get the shampoo. Of course, you could always just look at the other bottle for the answer while you're in the store if you don't want to buy both. I didn't notice the question until I was taking a shower, so a little bit of trivia during my daily routine wasn't so bad.

Now, on to how the product actually performs. I should describe my hair type to give you a better idea of my experience with this product. I have long, wavy hair that goes down to my shoulder blades. It has a mind of its own most of the time, especially if I go to bed with it wet. It curls great, and straightens ok. Now, like I said earlier, I really enjoy the smell. Smell if very important to me, not as much as performance, but very important none the less. The shampoo lathers nicely and seems to rinse completely out without leaving a heavy feeling. The conditioner automatically makes your hair feel very silky. I have a habit of brushing my hair in the shower while the conditioner is in my hair. I leave it on for the the remainder of my shower, then rinse right before I get out. After rinsing my hair, it feels very soft. When my hair dries, it still feels very soft and silky. It does sometimes get a bit poofy though. With additional help from other products, the poofiness goes away.

Overall, I love this product. My hair is definately moisturized like the product claimed. My friend is now addicted to the line also. I will continue to buy this line of affordable, great working shampoo's and conditioners.

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Sesame Oil for Hair Growth

Everyone wants a good hair growth it doesn't matter if it's short as some people like it short, long or curly, it all depends on what you want. The most important thing you need to do is ensure that you create a favorable condition for a healthy hair growth and provide the needed nutrients required for the hair to stay healthy. This is so because most of the things we do every day ranging from our environment to bad habits all end up reducing hair growth rate. Sesame oil for hair growth is an herb that is today used in hair treatments. This oil is one of the best herbs for hair treatment you can come across. The botanical name for this herb is sesamun indicum. The oil is extracted from the flower sesamum while the seeds on the pod are edible. Sesame oil for hair growth has a highly nourishing, healing and lubricating property.

Sesame oil for hair growth helps the health of the hair in so many ways depending on the reason you want to use. If you want to improve the color of your hair to be dark, you need to massage your hair with sesame oil daily. Sesame oil helps to treat and control dry scalp and also prevents further hair loss. This oil increases scalp circulation as it has a high penetration ability thereby promoting hair growth. Even when your hair has being damaged badly with chemicals, sesame oil can help to regain your hair due to its high penetrating power and the hair begins to grow within.

Sesame oil for hair growth has antibacterial properties that keeps the scalp free of infections and helps to heal the scalp as it has a natural healing property. The oil helps to nourish the hair shafts and roots to enhance hair growth and also helps to strengthen the hair and prevents it from breaking. Sesame oil helps to soften the hair as it is also known for its conditioning property.

Another benefit of sesame oil for hair growth is its ability to get rid of the risk factors that cause hair loss such as depression and stress. This oil is also known as a natural sunscreen as it protects the hair against the damaging effect of UV rays and also keeps environmental pollutions from getting stuck to the hair. It helps to prevent and treat premature hair graying due to its darkening qualities. For best results, you should warm sesame oil before application on the scalp. After applying, leave it overnight and then shampoo in the morning. Sesame oil can be combined with other essential oils for more effective results.

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Homemade Beauty Tips and Recipes

Ten Common Household Items as Beauty Products

Today many women are looking for easy beauty routines that can be done from home. Having a homemade beauty routine allows far more control of what's in the beauty products, and it can be far cheaper then going to a spa, without sacrificing quality. There are hundreds of diy beauty tips and homemade beauty recipes out there. Almost everything in a woman's home can become a homemade beauty double agent. I've outlined my ten favorite homemade beauty tips, complete with some homemade beauty recipes.

Mayonnaise - An excellent hair and scalp moisturizer. Slather on the hair and scalp then wrap in a towel. The towel helps prevent drips as well as allowing the mayonnaise to sink in. My favorite times to do this is just before a shower, or while I'm soaking in the tub. Washing your hair is a necessary step afterward.

Egg Whites - Can be used as a good face toner. Helps firm up skin as well. Don't waste the yolks, they can be used in your hair to strengthen and moisturize.

Vaseline - Use as a lip balm, especially overnight. Also can be used to tame unruly eyebrows. Add a drop of peppermint oil to create a minty taste.

Coffee - Can be used to "wake up" skin. Use cold coffee to rinse brunette hair (dyed or natural) to wake up the color. Old coffee grounds can be used to treat cellulite. Place old coffee grounds on affected area and wrap with cellophane. Allow to sit for at least thirty minutes, then rinse off.

Cream Of Tarter - Use one half to one teaspoon of cream of tarter and mix with water to create a paste. Makes a great alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peel! (Via Candace Reed)

Olive Oil - Use a dab of olive oil to refresh lackluster nail polish. Keep in a spray bottle for easy shine serum, or place a small amount in hair. Rinse out if too much is added, hair is oily, or the smell is an issue. Can be used as a scalp moisturizer as well. See Mayonnaise. Add salt for an all over body scrub.

Lemon Juice - Be careful to avoid sunlight while using this on the skin. Use a small amount to whiten polish stained, yellow fingernails. Can be used as an astringent. Place in a spray bottle with water to sun-bleach hair.

Oatmeal - Add to bathwater to relieve itchy skin. Make into a paste for a gentle face scrub.

Baking Soda - Sprinkle some in shoes to relieve smell. Add to a foot soak to sooth and neutralize smelly feet. Mix peppermint oil in for added omph. Keep baking soda in the bathroom for brushing your teeth. Helps remove stains, whiten your teeth and remove odor causing bacteria. I use it once per day, after brushing with regular toothpaste. Add peroxide for a whitening boost.

Milk - Whole milk or buttermilk is best. Add to bathwater to soften skin. Can be used with regular bubble bath, but is better without the drying of the bubble bath. All you need is one to two cups.

As you can see, most common items are able to be used in homemade beauty recipes. There is no need to go out and spend large amounts of money on beauty objects when there is an equivalent already in your home.

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Best Eco-Friendly Shampoos and Conditioners

More and more products are becoming eco-friendly, as more people are looking to all-natural organic products for their daily activities. Eco-friendly is not just about clothing or food, but also about shampoo and conditioner and other products we use everyday. If you are looking to get some organic shampoos and conditioners, here are my top choices.

CHI is an excellent line of organic shampoo and conditioner that you might want to incorporate into your daily showering routine. The CHI line of shampoo and conditioner uses all-natural oils, Olive ingredients, as well as essential oils to provide you with the best ingredients without the harsh chemicals in a lot of other shampoo and conditioners. The shampoo is very nice, high-quality like you might find in a salon and it has a very earthy and citrus smell to it. The smell might be overpowering for some people, especially if you get out too much shampoo, which is thin and tends to pour out too fast. The shampoo lathers very nice and leaves your hair feeling smooth and not dry, which is great and makes this product a very good choice. The conditioner is very rich and thick and is loaded with oils and essential ingredients and goes on the hair very evenly. You want to leave this conditioner on your hair for about one minute before you rinse the conditioner out. This conditioner is really good for any hair type, and leaves your hair smooth, soft, and tangle-free. As with the shampoo, the smell can be overpowering for some people so it is a good idea to smell the shampoo and conditioner before you buy it. If you want a great line of organic shampoo and conditioner, the CHI line is great and will only cost you around 20 dollars for a 12 ounce bottle at most retail stores.

Simply Organic is another great line of all-natural beauty products if you are looking for organic shampoo and conditioner. The Simply Organic shampoo has olive leaf extract as well as other essential nutrients and oils, and makes your hair feel soft without feeling weighed down. The shampoo smells wonderful and you only need a small amount to create a rich lather in your hair. They have different types of shampoo depending on what your specific needs are, and each one has organic ingredients with no harsh chemicals or fragrances. The shampoo and conditioner both do not contain sulfates or the other harsh chemicals seen often in hair care products. The conditioner smells wonderful just like the shampoo, and again only small amounts are needed. You can leave the product in your hair for a minute or two before rinsing out, and you will have a clean and very full-bodied feeling. The conditioner is made from everything all natural, with essential oils and nutrients that are found in nature and again contain no harsh chemicals. These lines of products are very nice because they smell very good and they leave your hair feeling soft, light and refreshed. If you are interested in this line of products you can get it at any higher-end retail store or salon for around 20 to 30 dollars.

Nature's Gate is another great beauty brand if you are looking for organic shampoo and conditioner. Nature's Gate has an Herbal Blend line which is dedicated to helping your hair and skin and also a Fruit Blend which is dedicated to protect hair color while providing antioxidant properties. Nature's Gate shampoo is very cheap and will cost you less than 10 dollars a bottle, but is high in antioxidant and organic properties. The shampoo line is wide in selection depending on your hair type and what you are looking for such as color protection, daily use, or volume. They have shampoo for almost any condition from fine or limp hair to itchy scalps, sensitive skin, frizz-control and everything in between. The shampoo smells wonderful while making a rich lather and comes out in just the right amounts making sure you do not over-use the product. The shampoo leaves your hair feeling smooth, refreshed, more natural, and shiner while maintaining that salon look. The conditioner from Nature's Gate will also only cost you around 9 or 10 dollars a bottle and again the selection is very good. They have conditioner for frizzy hair, lifeless hair, limp hair, thick or thin hair, and itchy scalps as well as conditioner for normal everyday use. The conditioner smells wonderful with the blends of fruit and herbs and comes out very nicely making sure you get just the right amount. The conditioner will leave your hair feeling shiny and soft with volume without making your hair feel greasy or too saturated. If you are looking for a cheaper organic shampoo and conditioner option, Nature's Gate would be the best choice. You can find Nature's Gate shampoo and conditioner, along with their other beauty products as stores such as Whole Foods or other organic health food stores near you.

Naked Naturals is another great line of hair care products such as shampoo and conditioner that are organic and very Eco-friendly. Naked Naturals is all-natural and they use an ingredient called Keravis, which is said to replace the harsh chemicals and still give you that wonderful feeling. The Naked Naturals shampoo and conditioners are made from essential oils and herbs that are safe and organic that will provide you with an all-over great head of hair. They have shampoo and conditioner for all hair types such as moisturizing, fortifying, and for color-treated hair as well. The shampoo and condition has a wonderful smell of fruits and citrus and comes out of the bottle very easily and slowly making sure you do not get excess of the product. All of their shampoo and conditioner products are free of sulfates and are not tested on animals, making them a leader in the organic shampoo and conditioner industry. With their key ingredient Keravis, your hair will become 7 times stronger just by using their products, eliminating breaks and frizzed hair. The Naked Naturals line uses citrus extract to make your hair have a better shine and overall increase the health of your hair. They also use Aloe Vera and Chamomile to ensure your hair is strong, smooth,and very shiny while making the hair healthier through the antioxidant properties of the Chamomile. If you are looking for shampoo and conditioner that is great and will make your hair overall healthier and shinier, then you should try the Naked Naturals line. You can get the Naked Naturals line at their shop on the website or in most of your local retail stores such as Target or at salons for about 9 dollars a bottle.

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Rosemary Essential Oils for Your Skin and Hair

Using Rosemary to Improve Your Hair and Skin's Health and Natural Beauty!

Rosemary has always been used in food and cosmetics since countless generations ago. The reasons are pretty obvious, it's a healthy seasoning and food in of itself, and it's got many properties that are incredibly beneficial to the health of your skin as well as your body! Rosemary is widely available as well, as it grows in a variety of climates and survives droughts and extreme temperatures to a degree other herbal plants cannot even touch. Even novice growers and gardeners can have fresh healthy rosemary growing nearby, it's not a favorite of many insects so upkeep of this plant is relatively low. Many skin and hair care products you can buy today feature rosemary extracts and oils, and charge well enough for them. You can harness the amazing natural properties of rosemary in your own home, and get that movie star skin without having to go broke for it!

To get essential oils and essences of rosemary, you can look at a local specialty shop, organic and rare food markets like Wholefoods, or try searching online for a distributor that sells in smaller quantities for private use and not for restaurants. With just a small amount of rosemary oil (I mean small, even a few drops!), you can see a difference in your skin and hair.

Starting with your hair and working your way down to your face, you can use a bit of this essential oil to pamper your hair and skin and feel like you spent a day at the spa. With a soft bristled comb like one you use for your eyebrows and eyelashes, a few drops of rosemary oil, and about a half hour's time, your hair can be incredibly soft, bouncy, and healthy!

Using rosemary for your hair:

Simply rub a couple drops of the oil on the small brush or comb, and gently start dabbing the roots and follicles of your hair, combing just a teeny tiny bit up along your hair strands. Once you've got pretty much all of the base of your hairs covered, leave it on for about 3 minutes. Take a bristle brush next and comb from the base of your hairs down to the tips. It won't look like the oil is getting everywhere, but it is! Keep brushing softly and slowly until you've brushed all of your hair. Let it sit for another 3 minutes, and then shampoo and rinse in the shower. You'll notice a gorgeous, shimmering bounce to your hair, and it will smell wonderful too! This technique is especially effective for women with long hair to keep it shining all the way through, as well as help to rid your locks of any difficult tangles or knots.

Using rosemary for your skin:

There are many products available for purchase that use rosemary extracts and essential oils as a main ingredient. This is because rosemary is a natural astringent and antioxidant, making it an effective cleanser and detoxifying agent. To use rosemary to make a face wash is rather simple, all you need is a few drops of rosemary essential oil, a splash of witch hazel, and some sea salt. Mix them together by swishing or swirling in a small bowl, and wash your face with it as you would a normal face wash. Rinse with cool water to get the fullest firming effect, or warm water to get an immediate softening effect.

It's a good idea to keep some rosemary oil on hand for spot treatments, if you find yourself getting split ends or dry skin patches.

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Tomato Beauty Treatments: DIY Tomato Treatments for Beauty Night

Beauty Night Not Only Pampers Your Body but Pampers Your Soul as Well

You are home alone. You've turned off the phone. You've turned on your senses. Pamper yourself with a glass of champagne and a box of Godiva chocolates. It's Beauty Night again! Step up your pampering with these tantilizing tomato beauty treatments.

Tomatoes are rich in anti-oxidants and so they counter the ageing effects on the skin. Tomatoes help preserve moisture levels in the body. Tomatoes contain vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene.

Only make as much as you need for one treatment, unless otherwise instructed. These recipes do not contain chemicals to prevent the natural ingredients from souring.

Pore Tightener

Tomato juice

Honey

Mix ingredients to form a dense liquid that does not run. Apply to face. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Tomato Scrub for Oily Skin

4 tomatoes

Rice

Soak rice for 30 minutes and grind it coarsely. Crush tomatoes and add the rice. Apply all over the body. After 15 minutes, shower with warm water.

Tomato Paste Pimple Reducer

Apply undiluted tomato paste to face. After 15 minutes rinse with warm water. Can also be used to treat individual pimples.

Tomato Facial Mask

1/4 T Fuller's Earth

Tomato pulp

Yogurt

Cucumber juice

Mix ingredients to form a paste. Apply to face. After 20 minutes rinse with cool water. This mask can be used twice a week.

Tomato Treatment for Hair

Apply undiluted tomato paste to scalp. After 15 minutes, wash it off. This treatment works for getting odors from hair when regular shampooing does not work.

Tomato Crush

Halve a tomato. Gently rub over face and neck. After 15 minutes rinse with tepid water. Save the other half for the same treatment in two days.

To find more ways to pamper and indulge yourself on Beauty Night, simply go to the top of the page and click "Angela Cisco."

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Review of the Top Curly Hair Formulas

For ladies with curly hair that are looking for the top curly hair formulas to smooth hair, there are several great products that assist in the challenge. The variety of top curly hair formulas is as varied as the price range, though all offer excellent results. The top curly hair formulas include gels, crèmes, foams, volumizers and refiners all designed to enhance the straightening process.

One of the top curly hair formulas is Garnier Fructis Style Soft Curl Cream Designed to create a sleek effect the consistency of the product is between a gel and a cream and need only be worked lightly through the hair from the roots to the ends. The easy to use product and one of the top curly hair formulas retails for approximately $4.00 (www.drugstores.com).

Another of the top curly hair formulas that is ideal for straightening curly hair is Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Holding Foam. The easy to use fluffy foam provides lift at the roots and a smooth straight shiny appearance to the hair once it is brushed through. One of the top curly hair formulas created by Bumble and Bumble, the Curl Conscious Holding Foam retails for approximately $27.00 from Bumble and Bumble (www.bumbleandbumble.com).

Miss Jessie's Stretch Silkening Crème is more a whipped crème type product that is not only easy to use and ideal for straightening curly hair, but is also one of the top curly hair formulas formulated to be used on damp hair. Miss Jessie's Stretch Silkening Crème provides a silky shine and smooth appearance while straightening out curls. Available from Urban Bella, the retail price for one of the top curly hair formulas from Miss Jessie is $22.00 (www.urbanella.net.com).

Redken Fresh Curls Curl Refiner is a great choice and one of the top curly hair formulas to help smooth out naturally curly hair. Perfect for flyaway hair the rich lotion is formulated with proteins and coconut oil that strengthen and smooth the hair. The retail price for the Redken Fresh Curls Curl Refiner is $15.00 available from Redken online (www.redken.com).

Another excellent conditioning product to use that is one of the top curly hair formulas is Ouidad Playcurl Volumizing Conditioner. Formulated as the ultimate conditioner Ouidad Playcurl Volumizing Conditioner is an ideal solution for relaxing curls and fortifying hair. Available from the Ouidad web site the retail price for the popular conditioner is $17.00 (www.ouidad.com).

The top curly hair formulas reviewed in the article are all available at local retailers or the referenced online web sites mentioned.

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Bumble & Bumble Product Review

Curly Girl Alert!

I'm a Curly Girl! Bountiful, spiraling curls frame my oval face. The catch is, I have to use lots of conditioner and the right shampoo or my curls will take on a scarecrow look. I have to moisturize and condition daily to avoid being a fuzzy mess.

I've used Neutrogena Triple Moisture for years. And, although it moisturizes beautifully, it does not separate my curls without the help of other conditioning agents. So I will normally wash and condition with Neutrogena then tame my curls with Mane and Tail.

Many curly girls I have talked with say that Mane and Tail dries their hair out. I must be a direct descendent of Kentucky Slew because it works very well on my hair.

A few months ago, while reading an old copy of "Real Simple" magazine, I came across a product called Bumble and Bumble. The title is what caught my eye - - Curl Conscious. I had never seen nor heard of this product before. And in knowing that products for my hair are a crap shot I needed to find a review from someone who had used it prior to making a personal purchase.

Right here on Associated Content I found several reviews. One in particular from SummerIsComing was very informative. The only thing is Caucasian hair (I made an assumption about Summer and apologize if I'm wrong) and African textured hair does not respond to products the same way. I continued my search to see if I could find a review from an African American woman. No luck! So I put the idea of this product in the back of my head.

Weeks after the fact, I was at a spa for mustache removal when, tada, there was a huge bottle of the Bumble and Bumble for sale. The bottle was as big as my bottle of Mane and Tail (32 oz). That was appealing in itself. I untwisted the top to get a whiff of it. Gentle, clean and fresh. Another plus. Then I turned it upside down to see the price. $95!!!!!!!!! What the . . . .? I put the bottle back on the shelf, got the whiskers snatched and did not give it a second thought.

Weeks later I returned to the spa for the scheduled whisker taming. There was something about the Bumble and Bumble product that kept nagging at me. I had to try this product. I noticed there was what appeared to be a tester trio of all of the Curl Conscious products (Shampoo, Conditioner & Curl tamer - all 2 oz). I decided to use my lunch money (yes, I'm serious) for the week and splurge on this $30 impulse.

Although the shampoo made my hair feel soft, it did not feel as moist as my tried and true Triple Moisture. The conditioner didn't seem to do anything spectacular either. Other than condition, it didn't seem to give me the managability I was use to with the Triple Moisture. I was not able to run the comb through my hair as easily as I am accustomed to when rinsing out conditioner.

Once out of the shower I ran a generous amount of Curl Tamer through my hair. Nothing. No bounce, no spiral. Nothing. It actually loosened my curls which made my hair look limp and unenthusiastic. This prompted me to add my favorite Mane and Tail into the mix.

Viola! That was the kicker. The combination of the curl tamer and the Mane and Tail took my usual massive crown of curls, spiraled them to perfection and then allowed them to softly surround my face. Even on a windy day my hair will blow all over the place and the curls will find their way back in place without doing that Don King thing they will normally do when blown.

I have gotten about 10 uses out of these little 2 oz bottles. Of course your experience may be totally different than mine. For me, I will recommend Bumble and Bumble Curl Tamer as an additive to whatever you're currently using to form your curls. I would also recommend searching for a better price on the internet (http://www.bizrate.com is a suggestion) because even $30 was too much for this product. And Lord knows I'm not paying darn near close to $100 for any hair product unless it is going to turn the gray back to black, grow my hair like wild weeds and come with a professional stylist!!!

The price alone is why I probably will not buy this product again. My budget will not allow it. And it really isn't worth it for just the tamer. I can add olive oil to the Mane and Tail and get the same results. The only thing about that is the build up from the oil.

Hope this helps!

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How to Get that Sexy Wet Looking Hair on Dry Hair like Beyonce Knowles or Britney Spears

Wet Hair Tip for Proms, Weddings or Everyday Wear

Ever try to get that sexy wet looking hair, but all you end up with is frizzy, crunchy, and Medusa looking hair like you just woke up out of the bed? Well I have a great solution for you that will give you the ultimate sexy looking wet hair that Beyonce Knowles, Britney Spears, and Carrie Underwood from American idol has worn in the past. This product is called Kiehl's "just out of the shower hair gel'. What's really great about this product is you don't have to go out of the house with a soaking wet head to achieve this look. This product is used on dried hair. That's right people you may achieve the wet look on dried hair now. What can be better than that, especially in the summertime? Never thought you could achieve that sexy wet look on dried hair did you?

Kiehl's hair gel is for all hair types no matter is your hair is curly, straight, flat, thick, medium, or coarse. This gel will make your hair soft, shiny, manageable, not tested on animals, and will not leave your hair feeling like crispy little critters. Kiehl's hair gel is enriched with natural extracts from sunflowers, sesame, soy, and other great ingredients to boost your hair up with some luxurious shine. So how do you apply this gel on dry hair?

First you are gonna do your normal thing shampoo your hair and condition it. Then you are gonna make sure your hair is free of all tangles by taking a wide tooth comb and combing it through your hair. Then you will take a little bit of the Kiehl's hair gel and either place the gel onto the base of the comb or your fingers. Now place the gel carefully into your hair make sure you get all the sections evenly. When all sections are covered comb it through with your comb. Then you can either shake your head upside down to get the messy look or scrunch it with your fingers lightly. Please don't go gel crazy and use the whole bottle then you will end up looking like a grease ball. Kiehl's hair gel will cost you around $12 or so, but you only need a little bit to get that wet look. You can find this gel on Ebay for much cheaper or other auctions sites if you don't want to pay the full price. So if you want to get that sexy wet look like all the celebrities are doing I suggest grabbing a bottle of Kiehl's hair gel and put the sexy into your hair.

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Ways to Hydrate and Cure Dry Hair

We all have our bad hair days, but for some it feels like we are having a bad hair life. Maybe you have straight hair that has no volume or frizzy hair that won't calm down. For many of our bad hair days, there is a simple solution. Dry hair can cause frizz, fly aways, split ends, and brittle hair. All of these symptoms can result from dry hair. The solution? Get rid of dry hair and keep it moist and beautiful.

There are many basic and simple precautions you can take to avoid dry hair that you might not realize are so simple yet so beneficial. First of all, processing your hair with heat from a blow dryer, plat irons, and curling irons can really dry out and damage your hair. Try to let your hair air dry whenever you can. If you must blow dry, use it on a low heat or use a diffuser. Also, try not to flat iron or curl your hair, except on special occasions if you must. Over time, heat can really damage your hair. If you can stop using it all together, you will probably be able to see a difference eventually. Of course, the hair you have now might be over-processed, but soon, your new hair will grow in that is undamaged.

Dying your hair can also cause a lot of damage. If you love to change your hair color and do it whenever you get a chance, you probably see the effects it has on your hair. Try not to dye your hair if you don't have to, which isn't usually the case. If you have gray hair, you might want to cover it. If you do dye your hair, try to do root touch ups to keeps from adding more and more damage.

If you already have damage or even just another very important way to improve the moisture of your hair is to condition. If you have dry hair, conditioner should be your best friend. Every time you wash your hair, you should use conditioner. Try to find a conditioner that is made for dry hair. Stay away from the cheap stuff for a dollar a bottle because it usually isn't good enough. You need a good moisturizing conditioner that is thick and creamy. Leave the conditioner on your hair for 1 to 3 minutes.

In addition to a regular daily conditioner, you should add in a weekly extra moisturizing deep conditioner treatment. You can purchase one from the store or you can make one yourself. Cholesterol treatments are great for your hair and will make it incredibly soft. Use a treatment like this about once per week. Make sure you have some extra time when you use it so that you can leave it on for at least 5 minutes.

If you really want to combat dry hair, you might want to try reducing your shampoos. You don't need to shampoo every time you wash your hair. Even if you just shampooed every other shower, you can improve the condition of your hair. Shampoo strips your hair of its natural oils and dries it out. Try cutting out a shampoo once and week and increase until you feel like your hair is more hydrated or until you feel you need to shampoo. In between shampoos, scrub your scalp with the tips of your fingers and rinse your hair thoroughly before conditioning. You may even decide to not wash your hair everyday. If you don't get it very dirty often, this might be a good choice.

Hopefully you have found some tips that will help you hydrate your hair and eliminate bad hair days. Sometimes such a seemingly complicated bad hair day can have such a simple solution. Hair needs moisture to look its best!

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The Skin and Hair Care Secrets of the Modelling World

Secrets Models Use for Better Skin and Hair Care

Step one: The Shower. Whether you are a shower person or more the bathing type, it is important to to bathe everyday. This is not only is for hygiene purposes, but also to get the dead skin cells off your body that accumulate while you sleep. We all shed these skin cells while we sleep. If you could see an old pillow under a microscope, you would be appalled and amazed at what you would see. If you plan to use bubble bath, soap or shower gel while bathing, make certain it is a moisturizing or allergenic free if you have sensitive skin.

Its also a good idea to use a foot scrub for your feet while in the bath or shower. This will get rid of any dead skin cells and rough calluses.

Use a good shampoo or conditioner that suits your hairs needs. If you have dry or damaged hair, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, etc.. I recommend using a hot oil treatment at least once a week and a deep conditioner that you can leave on while you are bathing, then rinse out. This will help keep your hair in better condition if it is dry or damaged in any way.

Always plan to use a lotion of some sort right after the shower or bath while the skin is still in that absorbent stage. This is to hold and keep moister in. Do not ever blow dry hair right away. If you must, put a towel over your hair while bending forward a bit, then twist and flip it back over you back, like a turban. This will help your hair to dry while you are now ready to pamper your face.

Part Two: Cleaning Your Face. The cleanings not over just yet. It takes more effort to really get the dirt out of them pores.You will want to have several things ready for your face, such as facial mask, astringent and moisturizer for your particular type of skin. First, put the facial mask on.

Now here is a secret: Always use your ring finger of the hand you seldom use-if you are right handed, use your left ring finger. This is because it uses the least muscles, so that you will not cause premature wrinkles. Also use this finger when applying make-up with your fingers.

Make sure you also put the facial mask on your neck just under the chin area where a lot of dirt could hide. Next, let it dry while you do something else. [You could use this time to scrub under your nails good with a nail brush, push your cuticles back and clip any hangnails. If you have time, go ahead and file your nails]. Now, rinse off the mask. Always use warm water (as warm as you can stand it) to open them pores and get that dirt rinsed out really good. When you feel you have gotten it all off (look in the mirror if it helps-just don't get it in your eyes), then turn on the cool water and rinse again to close them pores.

The astringent is next. Just pat it gently off over your face and neck. It may tingle a bit. This just means its working and should give your face a healthy glow. Next, its time for the moisturizer. Gently put a dab on your (ring finger), and rub in an upward motion-never down as you are trying to keep your face from ever sagging prematurely. Do this on your neck too.

Now make sure you brush your teeth really well and get your gums as well. If you have sensitive teeth, use a toothbrush that won't scrape your gums and make them bleed. I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your teeth clean. Not only for oral hygiene, but also because Periodontal disease can get into your bloodstream and travel to the heart. It just makes good since to brush your teeth at least twice per day.

Its time to take that towel off your head. Bend forward and shake your head from side to side and back and forth to shake off the excess water. Do it gently if you are not use to it. (Do not try this if you have had a neck or head injury)! You could also just pat your head dry and use a scrunching motion. Never be rough with your hair with the towel. I am strictly against thin combs. I have seen them used for years by our elders and I feel that's a sure way to lose your hair faster as you age. If you must, at least try a big comb. I recommend just scrunching and using your fingers to style it in place until it is dry or you are ready to blow dry your hair. Which should take place when it is two thirds dry with still some moister, so that you don't burn or damage it.

Do not put the blow dryer too close to your head. Flip your head forward again and blow dry your hair from the back forward. Try to scrunch it into your hands if you want a more wavy, sassy or wilder look. Now hold your head up and blow dry it back and into the shape you want. Use a round brush of you want to keep the wave look or if you like the feathered look, use your fingers.

Finally, make certain you clip those toenails, this too can be done right after the shower. File and if you like, paint them. I always use clear or french manicure because it looks more natural, but its your nails, live it up. Some guys are just wild for red!

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Choosing Drugstore Shampoos and Conditioners for Coarse Hair

Great Coarse Hair Doesn't Have to Be Pricey!

Coarse hair can be tricky to manage and different shampoos and conditioners produce different results, but you ry, damaged hair. These are particularly good for the person with coarse textured hair because tdon't have to go to a salon to get great products for your hair type. Several tips and tricks will make shopping easier.

Many shampoos and conditioners are made for straightening hair or for the products have added oils which weigh down frizz and smooth out kinkiness and natural wave. For best results you should wash and condition then blow out or natural dry, and follow with styling from a heat tool. Heat tends to dry out and damage the hair so spray on a heat protection product like got2b Guardian Angel Heat Protect N' Flatten Flat Iron Balm and Gloss Finish which can be purchased at any drugstore for about $6.99.

The coarse haired person will want to experiment with different brands of shampoos and conditioners for two reasons. First, all hair types tend to respond poorly if a particular shampoo and conditioner is used consistently for a very long period of time. At first the hair quality will be amazing, but over time the results will be less noticeable. Keep switching between your favorite brands every three months or so for the best looking hair. The second reason to try new things is that new products are constantly being developed and re-formulated so you could be missing out on the best product for your hair simply by not trying new things!

Some drugstore brand shampoos and conditioners that have produced excellent results on coarse hair include Herbal Essences Hydralicious Reconditioning Shampoo and Conditioner, Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner, Loreal Vive Pro Hydragloss products, Loreal Vive Pro Nutrigloss products, Citre Shine Highly Laminating Shampoo and Citre Shine Miracle Laminating Conditioner.

Some products have produced less than stellar results on coarse hair. These include Pantene Extra Straight Shampoo and Conditioner, Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, Pantene Brunette Expressions Shampoo and Conditioner, John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Shampoo and Conditioner, and Suave Professionals Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner.

What works on one person's coarse hair might not work on the next, so it's a great idea to try many shampoos and conditioners before settling on a favorite or completely writing one off. Swapping with a friend is a great way to try twice the products while saving money. Many brands also offer coupons and samples from their websites.

Every hair type has something to offer, and the coarse haired person is blessed with thick, sturdy and durable strands. One you take care of your kinks and you'll be glad you were blessed with beautiful, coarse hair. Have fun with it, it doesn't have to cost a fortune.

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