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Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Setting Hair: Which Products Work Best?

Setting Hair: Which Products Work Best?


Setting hair is most effective when each section of hair that is wrapped is given a quick dose of setting spray.

This way, you can do roller sets on dry hair. A huge plus because it means that you only wait for the product to dry, rather than an entire head of wet hair.

Much faster.

Setting hair this way also creates a softer, more natural looking curl and eliminates the obvious partings that result on the scalp when setting wet hair.

The products featured here are ideal for hair sets with velcro or rag rollers. But they're are also working hair sprays. Very effective for thermal hair setting, involving heat styling tools (i.e., hot rollers, curling irons, flat irons).

Hair Pomade: Do You Need It?

Hair Pomade: Do You Need It?


Hair pomade is a great product for adding shine and a bit of separation to a hair style.

Great for controlling frizz and even repelling humidity if you get the right product.

Don't expect any holding power with hair pomade, though.

It's essentially just a slippery coating that'll shine your hair up and tame it a bit.

If you like the effects of a pomade on your hair but want a bit of hold for more control, mix it in your palm with a liquid or strong hold gel before applying.

If you have fine hair, pomade is not the best choice. A liquid glossing product or a be better. Although you may have good results with a pomade if your fine hair is frizzy and you live in a very humid or very dry climate.

How to Use Pomade

Use these products very sparingly by emulsifying the hair pomade into your palms until it's barely there. Then skim gently over the surface of the hair, coaxing stray hairs into the natural waves where they're supposed to be.

Follow through to the ends for best definition... and don't forget about the back.

Hair Spray: Get The Best, Forget The Rest

Hair Spray: Get The Best, Forget The Rest


The hair spray you choose depends on the hair styling process.

If you do alot of intricate styling, it's a good idea to have both a working spray and a finishing spray.

Hairspray comes in aerosol and pump forms, which you choose is strictly personal preference.

Generally, the aerosol products dry faster. Some people are partial to the pump action sprays simply because they're less impactful on the environment.

This page breaks down the best of the best in each of the following categories.

Hair Wax, Clay, Mud, Paste & Putty

Hair Wax, Clay, Mud, Paste & Putty

Products To Create Texture in the Hair


Hair wax and other texturizers can be used before or after drying the hair.

Be cautious of how much you're applying, though. Add a little at a time and make sure you purchase a product that's right for your hair type.

See our suggestions below for some of the best hair waxes, pastes and putties below.

Texturizing products are designed to increase movement and create visible separation in the hair.

Define waves or maximize peaks throughout your hair with one of these great products.

NEUTRALIZING BRASSY TONES

NEUTRALIZING BRASSY TONES

PREPARE THE HAIR

A porosity equalizer that helps ensure even color results. Prevents over-porous areas from grabbing too much ash or other pigments and taking on an unwanted tone.

If you've been lightening your hair with permanent hair color, you've probably noticed that it's become more difficult with time to get the brassy-yellow tones out.

That's because as we mature, our hair naturally darkens and the to a point where the neutralizing pigments in hair color can't combat the yellow/orange tones as effectively.

You may need to kick it up a notch and pre-lighten by

If you're mixing hair toner for most blonding processes, look for a light or lightest ash blonde tone. However, because overly porous hair tends to absorb mostly the ash tones from hair color, if you're coloring this type of hair, add in some neutral... even a bit of light golden blonde. If you still get a muddy looking color, forgo the ash entirely.

Hair Toner: Toning Hair Tips and Techniques

Hair Toner: Toning Hair Tips and Techniques


Advice on using hair toner effectively to rid the hair of unwanted hues.

Surely you've heard the expression 'bleach and tone'? Toning hair is done to neutralize brassy (yellow or yellow/orange) pigments.

After bleaching hair is the most common time for using hair toner.

Because bleach leaves the hair in a raw-pigment state which is less-than-attractive, you need to add back pigments to create a 'natural' look. So... whip up a toner!

Step Three - Understand the Color Wheel

Step Three - Understand the Color Wheel

The color wheel is a universal chart which shows how all colors are created from just three basic (primary) colors. Here's how it goes...

Primary Colors (inner circle) - Red, Yellow, and Blue

Secondary Colors (middle ring) - Orange, Green, and Purple
Secondary colors are made by mixing 2 primary colors together:

  • Red + Yellow = Orange
  • Red + Blue = Purple
  • Blue + Yellow = Green

Tertiary Colors (outer ring)
Created by mixing primary and secondary colors together:

  • Yellow + Orange = Orange/Yellow
  • Yellow + Green = Yellow/Green (lime green)
  • Blue + Green = Blue/Green
  • Blue + Purple = Blue/Violet
  • Red + Purple = Red/Violet
  • Red + Orange = Red/Orange
Why is the hair color wheel so important?...

1) All hair color is comprised of different ratios of the primary colors (red, yellow, blue).

2) It clearly illustrates which colors neutralize which...find the primary color you want to tone away and look directly across the chart to the opposite secondary color.

Step Two - Identify Your Underlying Pigment

Step Two - Identify Your Underlying Pigment

Hair color chart.


A hair coloring process that involves any amount of hydrogen peroxide (which can include some semi-permanent formulas) will bring out the natural underlying pigment of your hair.

The "natural looking" tone that's visible as your hair color is not the true tone when it comes to the chemistry of hair coloring.

Think of it as a surface layer that's stripped away, and laying in wait underneath are the bold and brassy tones of your underlying pigment.

The chart above clearly illustrates which color of underlying pigment corresponds with the natural level you identified in step one. So now you know what you're dealing with.

Step One - Identify Natural Haircolor Level

Step One - Identify Natural Haircolor Level

An international system is used to identify the level of darkness of your hair, 1 being the darkest (black) and 10 being the lightest (blonde). Match your hair (just the regrowth if it's previously colored) to the hair color swatch below that most closely resembles the darkness of your haircolor...not necessarily the tone, which could be warm(red), cool(ash), or neutral, but the degree of lightness or darkness.

Hair Coloring Success

Hair Coloring Success

The Hair Color Wheel


There are some very specific rules that come into play with hair coloring.

This page outlines the basic chemistry involved and highlights some of the most critical rules to keep in mind.

Knowing where you're starting, where you're going and what to expect along the way is the best way to ensure good results from your color.

Here's the formula... nice 'n simple...

FINISHING COLOR

FINISHING COLOR

Either permanent or semi-permanent will work for the finished color. Permanent is better if you've gone a bit overboard with the filler and need a formula with a bit more oomph to neutralize out more of the orange. Otherwise, go with semi(or demi)-permanent.

Semi-permanent is deposit only, which is exactly what you need to get your hair darker. There's no need for the ammonia and peroxide contained in permanent colors when all you want to do is deposit a darker color. So semi-permanent is always my personal choice for that purpose.

Semi-permanent pigment is also more likely to fade, and you may find that to be a good thing. Especially on extremely porous hair which can end up going darker than expected.

If it fades, simply re-apply as needed.

Or prevent color loss by using a colored shampoo and conditioner like icon. These special pigmented cleansers and conditioners deposit a slight color on your hair which deepens your shade and keeps your color looking fresh.

Color Back

Color Back

From Light to Dark Hair


A color back is the process of taking an artificial blonde back to a darker shade.

There are a few essential steps for getting an even, natural looking color that will last.

This article will take you through the process so you can avoid any mishaps.

A blue/grey/green cast is a common outcome with a color back process.

The blonde hair is over-porous and will absorb the blue pigments in the color formula moreso than the red and yellow. So adding some of those warm pigments back to the hair is important.

Hair Color Articles

Hair Color Articles
Expert Advice for Optimal Results


Questions about hair color? This page offers articles with professional advice on a wide range of processes from highlighting hair with foils to coloring grey hair, and more.

Oh, the tantalizing array of choices. Something new every season. New products, new trends... Limitless possibilities!

Exciting?... You bet! But the range of options can also be overwhelming. Boxes of color, row upon row, it can all become a bit of a blur.

These articles will help to demystify the art and science of coloring your own hair.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Henna Hair Coloring Tips

Henna Hair Coloring Tips

Henna has been used to color hair for centuries in India, the Middle East, and many other parts of the world. Apart from the coloring part, henna is also good for the health of the hair. For a few henna hair coloring tips, read on...
Henna Hair Coloring Tips
What is Henna?
Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a flowering plant, possessing a burgundy dye molecule called lawsone, which is more concentrated in its leaves. Lawsone bonds with protein and this explains the usage of henna as a dye to color the hair, skin and nails. Henna is also used to dye silk, wool and leather. Natural henna can give a natural red color to the hair. Products which are labeled as black or brown henna contain some other dyes and ingredients. Hence, it is better to choose natural henna (without any other dyes or chemicals) over other hair color products. Henna is now so popular, that the plant is commercially cultivated in many countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Egypt, etc.

Benefits of Henna Hair Color
One of the advantages of henna over other hair color products is that it is natural and is beneficial for the hair in many ways. As henna is a , it is almost devoid of any side effects. Apart from dyeing the hair, it is also a good conditioner, which imparts a lustrous shine and smooth texture to the hair. It is also believed that henna has anti-fungal properties, which helps in controlling dandruff. It also contains several nourishing constituents that strengthens the hair. Application of henna on the hair makes it more tangle-free and manageable. Unlike some of the commercial hair dyes, which can cause side-effects in some people, pure henna is free of such problems, but can cause serious reactions in people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Henna Hair Coloring Tips
As in the case of cosmetics and other beauty aids, the origin of can also be traced back to the ancient Egypt civilization. It is believed that henna was used as a hair dye, by the Egyptians, for the first time in 1500 B.C. Since then, the popularity of henna hair coloring has been on the rise. Being a natural hair color, henna is preferred as a by many people across the globe. You can also try henna on your hair with the help of the following henna hair coloring tips.
  • Always remember that application of pure henna can change the hair color to natural red only. The black and brown versions of henna available in the market may either contain some other natural dyes or chemicals. It is better to use pure henna powder. Repeated usage is found to be beneficial for too.
  • Take a sufficient quantity of powdered henna in a plastic bowl. Add some warm water and lemon juice and mix it to make a paste with the consistency of yogurt. Cover the bowl and keep it overnight to allow the release of the dye.
  • Mixing the right ingredients is very important, as far as the end results are concerned. If you are having dry and brittle hair, add some drops of mustard oil into the paste. If you have dandruff, two teaspoons of yogurt can be added. In case of oily hair, lemon juice is good. If you want a darker tint, you can add some dried gooseberry powder to the mixture.
  • Wash and dry your hair before applying the henna paste. Wear some old clothes and cover the floor with some newspaper to protect from spillage of the paste. If you are applying henna for the first time, then you have to do a strand test to check whether you are allergic to henna hair coloring. This can be done by applying henna on a few strands of hair, starting from the roots to the tips. If you develop any reactions, then don't proceed with the application.
  • If you are not allergic, then you can proceed with the application of henna. Wear hand gloves to prevent staining of your hands. First, part your hair in the middle. Apply the henna paste through the parting, making sure that you are covering both the sides and the entire length of the hair on both sides. Next, roll these strands in the shape of a bun. Repeat the process of parting and application. Other such strands should also be rolled over the first one in a clockwise direction. Continue the procedure till the whole scalp and entire hair is covered with the paste.
  • Leave the hair like that for one or two hours. Once the paste becomes somewhat dry, wash it off with running water. If the paste is completely removed, then shampoo the hair and let it dry naturally.
Now, feel the difference in your hair texture. It should have become smooth and shiny with a change in color. If you are having application of henna gives a red highlight, which can be seen in sunlight. Henna hair coloring makes blonde hair look natural red in color, while red hair turns to a deeper red shade. White hair turns to a natural red color with the usage of henna. For deeper color tones and for maintaining the color change, you have to apply henna frequently. Always make it a point to buy pure and henna, without any harmful chemicals.

Coloring Your Hair

Coloring Your Hair

Hair Colors

Coloring your hair is perhaps the quickest and most dramatic way to change your look. It is also an excuse to go out and buy a new wardrobe of clothes, because you'll find that what suited you as a brunette looks rather drab on a new blonde.

There are two types of hair dyes: permanent and semi-permanent, with variations of each.
A) Permanent Tints:
Must be mixed with hydrogen peroxide to lift hair color. The peroxide opens the hair cuticle so that the tint can penetrate the cortex and form the color. The higher the level of peroxide, the quicker and lighter the result.
B) Semi-Permanent Colors:
They don't actually lift the color - you can either vary the tone within your natural highlights or go darker. Quasi-color contains ethanolamine and 3% peroxide which slightly opens the cuticle. This means that the color can last up to 20 washes and will softly fade as you shampoo, causing no regrowth problem.
C) Semi-Permanent Vegetable Colors:
Contain only vegetable extracts and natural ingredients, so no color is stripped from your hair. It is similar to henna but it doesn't coat the hair (adds shine though). This color sits on the hair's surface and will wash out after about 8 shampoos.

Different coloring methods suit different hair styles, so get some expert advice when deciding which one to go for...
Skin Tone: Your new hair color should complement your skin tone. Light-skinned people don't look good with very dark hair because it draws color out of their skin. Dark, tanned skin doesn't look great when mixed with a one-tone blonde, but four or five blonde, chestnut or honey tones look fabulous.

BLONDE:
If you would love to be blonde, talk the process through with your colorist (or stylist) before you go for it. It should be relatively painless on virgin dark brown hair, but if your hair has been permanently tinted then the process will become a long saga.
Never attempt this kind of dye job on your own for the first time.

RED:
Red is the ultimate sexy shade, for color that cries out for attention. Hair holds on to red-toned pigments well, so going copper-top can be easy for most people.
But be warned - if you are blonde you will usually have to go two or three shades darker than your natural color to achieve a rich red (brunette), and it's not easy to reverse it.

BROWN:
Brunette is always a safe choice as it suits nearly every girl in town. Varying the shade with highlights can achieve a huge range of looks. From chocolate brown and bronze shades to honey or dark blonde, combinations of natural tones gives incredible shine as darker-pigmented tints add condition to your hair.

BLACK:
This is by far the easiest color to accomplish because the molecules in black tints are larger and will cover all hair types very effectively. Caution is needed when using black as it only tends to look good on people with darker and olive skin tones. it's great for getting the goth look, but definitely not for your granny.

After Care of Colored Hair

After Care of Colored Hair

Once the hair has been chemically treated it is more fragile, therefore using hair products that are gentle and non-drying on hair is advised. There are many products specifically for color-treated hair in all price ranges. Deep condition a few times a month to keep the hair healthy looking.

After the initial color job and a few touch ups, the process becomes a breeze. First timers might be surprised at how much healthier and shiner her hair is after coloring. (Just like the commercials!) And if she has been paying the salon prices for her hair color previously, she will be thrilled at the do-it-yourself results she got for under $10.00!


Color Technique Tips

Color Technique Tips

Color in an area where a bath mirror can be swung open to see those hard-to-view parts of the head, or use a hand mirror. The color will look dark on the hair during processing, so don't panic! Also, a few missed spots won't ruin the result and probably won't even be noticed once hair is styled. (Even natural hair has light and dark areas!) The main sections that require coverage are the front, natural parts, and if hair is worn in an updo often, the sides and neckline.



Steps for Touch up Color:

Steps for Touch up Color:

  • Remove all contents from the box and follow instructions completely.
  • Part hair into four sections, securing with non-metal clips.
  • Start at the top of the head, applying the color mixture evenly to the first section, starting at the roots. Repeat for other sections.
  • The applicator is pointed, which helps for coloring the back, where there is limited visibility. Make vertical parts in the back with the applicator and squeeze the color along the part, continuing until the entire root section has been colored.
  • Once roots are saturated, clip treated hair away from the face and neck and start timer.
  • Wipe away dye that has dripped on face, neck or in the ears. Check the floor and surrounding walls too!
  • Once the time is up, the remaining color is worked into the rest of the hair, left in for five minutes.
  • Rinse and add the conditioner provided in the box. Don’t shampoo!!

Coloring the Hair

Coloring the Hair

If hair is short to mid-length, the actual coloring of the hair is a fairly simple DIY project. Longer hair is a little more challenging, and first timers may want some assistance from a friend the first color. Initially, a strand test should be done 24 hours prior to coloring.

Before coloring, hair should be in fairly good condition and not newly washed. Day old hair has natural oils on the hair shaft that helps protect the scalp and skin from irritation, and will enable the color to set more evenly. Be prepared for some spills. Covering the floor and wearing an old blouse or smock will ensure that dye drips don't ruin anything. A towel, washcloth, hair clips and some cotton balls should be handy as well.


The first time color treatment goes fairly quickly, because the dye is worked into hair starting at the roots continuing to the ends almost like shampooing. However, touch ups require a little more work. The purpose of a touch up is to color the roots that have grown out since the last color. If the dye were added over the entire hair area for the full processing time after that initial color, the hair shaft would become stressed and brittle.



Monday, November 28, 2011

Picking the Color and Product

Picking the Color and Product

Choose a color that matches skin tone and coloring and a product that matches the life desired effect. For instance if grey coverage is the goal, read the label to ensure the product is designed to do that.

has a reference color chart in its “Choosing a Haircolor” section. They advise that a woman first determine if her coloring is “cool” or “warm”. "Cool” coloring will look best in ash shades, and "Warm” coloring. the golden tones. There are many products on the market, all with similar shades. However, one brand’s “ash blonde” shade may be slightly different from another. It might take a few trys to find the right brand and color. Once the right color is determined, it is best to continue to use it for touch ups.


Tips for Coloring Hair at Home

Tips for Coloring Hair at Home

Do-it-Yourself Hair Color Can be Salon Perfect!

Two toned treatments are best done in the salon - sjs5769/morguefile.com
Two toned treatments are best done in the salon - sjs5769/morguefile.com
Coloring hair in the salon can run as much as $50 to $100, but a woman can get the same results right in her home at a fraction of the cost!

their hair for various reasons. She may want to add temporary or permanent highlights, twilights or lowlights; she might be in the mood to change her hair color entirely; or just needs to cover the grey.

Some hair color products are temporary or semi-permanent, wherein the color washes out after shampooing for a few weeks. If a woman is unsure of the color she wants, or only wants a new color for a special event, using a temporary color that will wash out makes the most sense. The permanent hair color lasts until it is cut off, but the shade may fade somewhat right before it’s time for a touchup.

Permanent Hair Color

Cloring with permanent hair color requires a commitment. Here are some things to consider:


Hair Cutting Shears & Tools

Hair Cutting Shears & Tools

View every category of hair cutting shears and tools available all in one place: right here! We've broken up each style of hair scissors we offer into easily identifiable categories for your browsing convenience. Shop by price, price, most recommended or even color. Finding the best hair cutting tools requires careful research and comparison so don't forget to take a look at our blog for the latest information on choosing tools and learning new hair cutting techniques. offers a full selection of hair shears to meet the needs of any stylist, from beginner to seasoned professional. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding your hair cutting tools, please feel free to email us at sales@myhairstylingtools.com

Cowlick Information

Cowlick Information
When you cut hair, you will have to deal with cowlicks. You will see at least one cowlick on every head of hair you cut. Every one has at least one cowlick in the crown area of his/her head. This spot, the cowlick, is where the beginning of a person's hairgrowth pattern starts. The cowlick determines the pattern of the hairgrain for the rest of the head. It is like the axle on a bicycle wheel, with the hair around the cowlick being the spokes of the wheel. The axle determines the direction or motion of the wheel just like a cowlick determines which way the hair wants to lie.
Cowlicks aren't only in the crown area, they can also be in the front hairline as well as at the back in the nape of the neck. These cowlicks also have the hair growing out and away from them. This of course adds interest to the way the hair lies, how it must be cut and how it needs to be styled.
But does eveyone really have a cowlick? I'm sure you can think of many people who you would say don't have one. That is because certain hair lengths and hair types can camouflage a cowlick very easily. These are
Long Hair - When hair gets longer, it gets heavier. This causes it to bend. When the hair bends at the roots, it can cover the cowlick area with long, bent hairs. If the same hair is then cut a bit shorter, the weight of the hair is gone. This will allow the hair to lie the way it wants to and then you'll be able to see the cowlick.
Wavy and Curly Hair - This type of hair grows out of the head like coiled springs, whereas starighter hair lies closer to the head. Because curly and wavy hair grows out like springs, when you look at it, you mainly see the ends. However, because straighter hair lies closer to the head, you can see more of the hairshaft and therefore you can also see more of the cowlick and the hairgrain (the direction that the hair lies).
The wavier or curlier the hair that you cut, the shorter you have to cut it to see the cowlick. If you cut it to a 1 inch length, you'll probably see the cowlick, but if it is a half of an inch longer, it will camouflage the cowlick.
This article is protected by copyright 2007 by Nadine Visscher. All rights reserved. This article may not be reproduced or quoted in any way without permission from the author.

Dealing With Unwanted Hair on Your Customers' Heads

Dealing With Unwanted Hair on Your Customers' Heads
Build extra value into each haircut for your cutomers. Go the extra mile and trim off all extra, unwanted hair. This will make the haircut that you give look even better.
If you've read some of my other you will know that hormones are responsible for hairgrowth, as well as its texture, density, and whether it even continues to grow at all. Men in particular can have coarse hair growing from their ears, eyebrows, noses and even below their necklines. Let's take a look at how to deal with the extra hair in each of these areas.
Ears
Extra, coarse hairs usually grow out of the top rim of the ear or out of the flexible little cartilage nub that you push against to plug your ears. You can cut these hairs using an electric razor or with a scissors. Be careful if you are using a scissor. Hold your scissors at a 45 degree angle so you can cut those hairs as short as possible. Cut carefully and slowly.
Eyebrows
Unruly, wiry, long hairs in the eyebrows can be cut using the . Here the comb takes the place of the and needs to move against or sideways to the hairgrain. If you comb with the hairgrain you will just be combing the hair down flat. But if you comb against the hairgrain, the hair will stand up and build up against the back of the comb. You cut the hair off that sticks past or protrudes from the comb.
Nose
Hair growing out of a nose is very noticeable since it's right in the middle of the face. Very carefully and very slowly cut the hairs with a scissor. Only cut the hair that protrudes from the nose. Don't be tempted to go just a bit inside the nose to get to the root of the problem.
Below the Neckline
This area often gets a bit messy between haircuts. This can be cleaned up with an electric shaver, a clipper on the lowest setting (with no attachment on), or with a razor (safely) and shaving cream. If you really like the you can use it, but remember that there will be hair left behind that is the same length as the thickness of your comb. Use a very thin comb and keep the comb very close to (right against) the skin.
Each of these 4 areas need to be trimmed up when you give a haircut. The ear, nose and eyebrow areas are extremely sensitive areas, so extra caution is needed. The hair below the neckline should be cut as short as possible to keep it looking tidy for as long as possible.
Go the extra mile for your customer and s/he will come back because you do such a great job!

Clipper-Over-Comb Cutting Technique

Clipper-Over-Comb Cutting Technique
The clipper-over-comb cutting technique is good for sides/sideburns and the bottom area of the haircut by the neck. Some general guidelines to follow are:
  • The hair must be dry because wet hair clumps and therefore won't get cut evenly by the clipper blades. Do the clipper-over-comb technique at the end of the haircut. When you start cutting at the beginning of the haircut, the hair needs to be damp. However by the time you've finished the outline and the top ½ of the head, the bottom should be dry enough to cut with the clippers.
  • Hold your comb in your less dominant hand (left) and lift vertical sections of hair at a 90° angle (straight out) from the scalp.
  • With your clipper in your dominant hand (right), start at the bottom of the section of hair protruding between the teeth of your comb. Move your clipper up your comb, cutting off any hairs that stick past your comb.
  • If you want to taper the hair with the bottom being the shortest and having the top of the section you are cutting to be longer, you'll need to angle your comb. When you lift out vertical sections of hair, have one end of the comb close to the head and angle the other end out. Hold it at the angle that makes most sense for the haircut you're giving.
  • Keep cutting in vertical sections around the head. Work from the bottom of the hairline, going up until you reach the bottom of the hair that is already cut at the top of your head.
  • With this technique, your comb has the most important role because it determines how much hair you are going to cut off. Hold the comb steady as you are cutting to avoid any uneveness
  • Use hair that you've already cut to act as a guide for how you hold your comb. Picking up some hair that's already been cut along with some uncut hair helps you to see how to hold your comb for the next cut. Be careful with the first cut you make since you have no guide for it. Be conservative with how much you cut off the first cut. You can always go back and cut off more if needed.
Using the clipper-over-comb cutting technique is a real lifesaver for hard to cut areas at the bottom of the haircut. You can make the bottom edges much shorter (and therefore make the haircut last longer) if you pick hair up with a comb rather than with your fingers.

How to Coordinate Your Hands When Giving a Haircut

How to Coordinate Your Hands When Giving a Haircut
If you are totally new to cutting hair, it can be difficult to get your hands in synch with what you want them to do. When giving a haircut, you need to use both hands. They both have different but important jobs to do. Since only 15% of people are left-handed, we will look at the jobs your hands do assuming you are right-handed (for sake of illustration). Your right hand is your cutting hand and your left hand is your holding hand. Your left hand is very important with your pinkie and ring fingers being your spacer fingers with your middle and pointer fingers being your holding fingers.
Jobs of Your Holding Hand
Your holding hand (for illustration, it's your left or less dominant hand) has 3 important jobs to do:
* Holds the hair - Once your right hand combs the hair up away from the head, your left hand takes hold of that hair between your middle and pointer fingers.
* Decides how much to cut- Your pinkie and ring fingers determine the spacing between the scalp and the cutting point. They decide how much hair needs to be cut off and act as a guide.
* Holds your comb - Once your spacer fingers help you decide where to cut, you need to transfer your comb from your cutting hand to your holding hand. Without letting go of the hair in your holding/left hand, slide your scissors between your thumb and your pointer. Press your thumb against your hand to hold your comb steady.
Jobs of Your Cutting Hand
Your cutting hand (your right or dominant hand) has 2 jobs to do:
* Combs up hair- You start off with wet, clean hair lying on the scalp. You need to comb up a section of hair so your holding hand can slip it between your 2 holding fingers.
* Works the scissor- When the hair is held between your holding fingers and is measured using your spacing fingers, you are ready to transfer your comb to your holding hand and make the cut.
Even though your cutting hand makes the most difference visually, it is the work of the holding hand that makes all the difference. If you don't have your hair neatly lifted and spaced, you will end up with a messy and uneven haircut.
For directions for how to manipulate scissors correctly, see chapter 5.

Homemade Oil Treatments

Homemade Oil Treatments
Hot oil treatments are wonderful for revitalizing your hair by adding moisture and life back to dry and damaged hair shafts. Follow these great recipes to give your hair an organic treat.
Honey and Oil Treatment
3 tsp honey
¼ cup olive oil
* Heat 3 tsp of honey in either the microwave or in a small sauce pan.
* Pour the honey into a small bowl and add 1/4 cup olive oil.
* Mix it until it is thoroughly blended.
* Bring the mixture over to the sink and mix the conditioning mixture into your hair, small sections at a time.
* When your hair is thoroughly coated, cover your head with a plastic covering such as an old plastic grocery bag or an old shower cap.
* Leave the conditioner in your hair for 1/2 hour for it to do its work.
* Take off the plastic covering over your sink and shampoo your hair thoroughly to remove all the oil.
* Rinse well and towel-dry as usual.
The oil in this mixture revitalizes and the honey adds shine to your hair.
Olive Oil Treatment
1/3 cup olive oil
* Heat 1/3 cup of olive oil in either the microwave or in a small sauce pan.
* Bring the oil over to the sink and carefully work the oil into your hair, concentrating on the damaged ends of your hair.
* Cover your head with a plastic covering such as an old plastic grocery bag or an old shower cap. Make sure all your hair is under the plastic covering.
* Wrap a hot towel (you can warm up the towel in your dryer) around the plastic bag on your head. This deepens the treatment that your hair is receiving.
* Leave the hot towel on your head for 1 hour.
* Remove the towel and plastic bag (over the sink) after an hour and shampoo throroughly.
* Rinse well and towel-dry.
This deep hot oil treatment is great for putting new life into very dry and damaged hair.
Cucumber and Oil Treatment
1 egg
1 Tbsp olive oil
¼ peeled cucumber
* Put 1 egg and 1 Tbsp olive oil into your blender.
* Peel 1/4 of a cucumber and add it to the egg and oil in the blender.
* Blend the mixture until it's thick and smooth.
* Pour the mixture into a small bowl and bring it to the sink.
* Add the mixture to your hair, working it in in small sections at a time.
* When your hair is thoroughly coated, cover your head with a plastic covering such as an old plastic grocery bag or an old shower cap.
* Leave the oil mixture in your hair for 10 minutes.
* Remove the plastic bag over the sink and work shampoo directly into the oil in your hair.
* Rinse well with lukewarm water.
* Towel-dry as usual.
This oil treatment is different than the others because you don't heat up the oil. If you did that, you could have the eggs starting to clump on you, having something similar to scrambled eggs. The egg in this treatment strengthens your hair. This is essential for people with fine hair who swim in chlorinated pools frequently. Their hair will certainly need strengthening to withstand the damaging effect of the chemicals in the pool water.

Homemade Rinses

Homemade Rinses
If you want a natural, strictly organic rinse for your hair, these recipes are for you. These rinses are gentle, low pH rinses that leave your hair shiny and silky smooth. The rinse you choose will depend on your hair color. Vinegar rinses are for darker colored hair and lemon rinses are suggested for lighter colored hair. A honey rinse can be used on any color of hair and is great for adding a shine to your hair.
Vinegar Rinse
3 ½ Tbsp apple cider viegar
2 cups water
To give yourself a rinse, have a large bowl on a table or counter where you can comfortably bend your head over it. Pour the vinegar rinse over your freshly washed hair. Let the large bowl catch the excess and then use the extra to repeat the rinse. When you've finished that, move back to the tap to do a final rinse with warm water and towel-dry your hair.
Lemon Rinse
juice from ½ lemon
2 cups water
Place a large bowl on a table or counter where you can comfortably bend your head over it. Pour the lemon rinse over your freshly washed hair. Let the large bowl catch the excess and then use the extra to repeat the rinse. When you've finished that, move back to the tap to do a final rinse with warm water and towel-dry your hair.
Honey Rinse
1 tsp honey
4 cups warm water
Pour 4 cups of warm water into a large bowl and add 1 tsp of honey. Mix the honey gently until it has melted and has been evenly mixed with the water. Pour the honey mixture over your freshly washed hair. Let the large bowl catch the excess and then use the extra to repeat the rinse. Do not rinse this rinse out of your hair. Towel-dry your hair like you usually do.
Lemon-Honey Rinse
2 tsp honey
juice from ½ lemon
4 cups warm water
Put 4 cups of warm water into a large bowl and add the honey and lemon juice. Stir the mixture gently until the honey is melted and it is thoroughly mixed. Pour the mixture over your freshly washed hair. Let the large bowl catch the excess and then use the extra to repeat the rinse. Do not rinse this mixture out of your hair. Towel-dry your hair like you usually do.
You'll find that these lower pH rinses will soften your hair, making it silky smooth and with a lot less tangles.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Homemade Shampoos

Homemade Shampoos
You don't necessarily need fancy, modern shampoos in their funky packaging to get your hair clean and healthy. You can make it yourself and still get a thorough cleaning. How else did they do it 100 years ago? Here are a couple simple recipes and tehniques to get your hair looking great the old fashioned way.
Economical Shampoo
Supplies:
mild bar soap
distilled water
grater
weigh scale
* Boil 8 ounces of distilled water
* Grate 1 ounce of mild bar soap (use weigh scale to measure)
* Add it to the boiling water
* Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
If you want your shampoo to smell, you can add a few drops of essential oils such as lemon, wintergreen, or cloves.
Should you have fine hair or damaged hair, you may need to lower the pH to make the shampoo softer and milder. You can do this by adding acidic joice from either a lemon or a lime. If you're really particular about the pH level, you can buy Nitrazine paper from a drug store to test your shampoo to see if it falls in the 4.5 - 6.0 pH level.
Egg Shampoo
Supplies:
1 egg
bowl
beater
* Thoroughly wash the egg (especially if it's farm fresh) and crack it into a bowl
* Beat it until frothy and bring the bowl to where you will wash your hair
* Thoroughly wet your hair and scalp with warm water
* Pour 1/2 the egg into your hand and apply it to your hair as if it were shampoo
* Rinse the egg out of your hair with lukewarm water. If you use hot water, the egg could start to "cook" and get clumpy just like scrambled eggs.
* Repeat the process with the seond half of the egg, washing and rinsing very thoroughly
Baking Soda Shampoo
1 Tbsp baking soda
2 cups warm water
* Pour 2 cups of very warm water into a large bowl.
* Add 1 Tbsp of baking soda.
* Gently mix it until the warm water dissolves the baking soda and the water looks murky throughout.
* Pour the baking soda mixture over your hair. Let the large bowl catch the excess and then use the extra to repeat.
* Gently work the baking soda shampoo through your hair to thoroughly clean it.
* Let the mixture sit in your hair for about a minute for good cleaning action.
* Rinse out the mixture well.
This shampoo is great for getting rid of buildup because the baking soda cleans it up very nicely. If you have very thick or long hair and 2 cups of this mixture is not enough, just double the recipe.
It's a good idea to follow this type of shampoo treatment with a special hair rinse or a conditioner. Your hair will thank you for it.

Shampooing Your Hair

Shampooing Your Hair
Shampooing is necessary to keep your hair healthy and looking great. A daily shampooing (with a low pH shampoo) is ideal. A refreshing way to start your day is with a shower and shampoo. Towel dry your hair to remove most of the moisture and within half an hour, it should be mostly dry. If you prefer to shampoo every other day, you can still wet down your hair in the shower daily. The warm water will soften your hair to get it to lie where it should (it helps avoid the "bed head" look).
The reason you need to shampoo daily, or at least every other day is to get it thoroughly clean. You want to get rid of all dirt, dead skin, and natural oils. Dirty hair does not look nice or smell nice and it is not healthy. You need to get it "squeaky clean". By this, I mean that when your finger rubs against a section of freshly shampooed hair, you should hear a squeaking sound. This means it's clean. How do you get your hair this clean?
First, thoroughly wet your hair and scalp with warm water. Put a small amount of shampoo in your hands.
Rub your hands gently together to spread the shampoo evenly over both hands. Use both hands to spread the shampoo evenly over all your hair. Once that is done, use circular movements all over your head to work the shampoo down to your scalp. Really work it in with your finger tips, but be gentle. When your hair is warm and wet, it is softer than usual and can break more easily.
Thoroughly rinse out the shampoo, making sure not to leave any behind. Slide your fingers over the surface of your freshly shampooed hair. If you hear a squeaking sound, it is clean. If not, you'll have to repeat the process.
Towel dry your hair once it is squeaky clean. Again, remember that warm wet hair is fragile, so be gentle. Shorter hair can be rubbed dry, whereas longer hair and finer hair are more prone to breakage. They should be blotted dry or wrapped up in a towel until the excess moisture is soaked up.

Permanent Hair Loss

Permanent Hair Loss
Permanent hair loss is something that none of us wants to experience. Unfortunately, if you are genetically predetermined to experience it, there is little you can do, but there are things you can do to prevent it as long as possible.
Hormones
Once you reach the age that your hormones decide it's the time for the papillae (the part of the hair that creates new hair cells) to retire, there is nothing you can do about it. What actually happens is the male hormone, testosterone, builds up in the blood vessel going to the papilla (the factory for new hair cells) and blocks it. This makes it impossible for the necessary blood to reach the papilla and nourish it so it can produce more hair cells. How can this be avoided? By discontinuing the production of testosterone (via castration) or by administering a lot of estrogen (the female hormone). Neither option would be a consideration since estrogen will cause a man to develop breasts and to grow in the hip area - simply put - he will start to look like a woman.
Men vs. Women
The situation is a bit different for women than it is for men. Women naturally do not produce as much testosterone as men (only 25% of what men produce) and therefore it does not plague women as early as men. However, when women reach the age of menopause, their estrogen leverls go down, but their testosterone levels stay the same. This leads to some hair loss. Women can receive extra estrogen via hormone therapy, but there is the danger of cancer or blood clots that goes with it.
Those people who are genetically designed to lose their hair at a certain age can do nothing about their permanent hair loss, but there are some people who experience permanent hair loss due to constant abuse. They actually do it to themselves.
Abuse
The first type of abuse and the easiest to avoid is a filthy scalp. If you do not shampoo often enough, you will begin to get a buildup of dandruff, dirt, and oil. If left long enough and often enough on your scalp, this layer will actually create an airtight cap that will strangle your hair follicles. Your hair on your scalp needs to breathe, so if you choke it with an airtight layer, you will kill your hair cells. It's very easy to avoid this - just shampoo your hair regularly to keep it clean and healthy.
The second type of abuse is continuously bending your hair right at the follicle, going against the natural growth pattern of your hair. Think of the mystical Japanese geisha who always wore their hair pulled up and back. After several years, they would have to camouflage bald spots on their heads. Some women who wear ponytails for many years have experienced this too. Even though hair loss with this type of abuse is usually temporary, it can end up being permanent. By wearing your hair pulled straight back on a regular basis, you are putting constant pressure right at the root of the hair and you are making it difficult for the papillae (the factory for new hair cells) to do their job.
The third type of abuse to your hair that can cause permanent hair loss is the lack of nutrients that your hair needs to thrive. Protein is essential for hair growth. If you see pictures of malnourished people, you'll notice their thin, sickly looking hair. Although a lack of protein can be the cause of just temporary hair loss, it can lead to being a permanent loss.
Iron is also important for hair growth because it increases the amount of oxygen in your blood. Since your hair needs oxygen to live and grow, iron is important for healthy hair. Vitamin E is a great help for your circulatory system, vitamin C for the skin on your scalp, and vitamin B for hair growth. Now I'm not suggesting that you take specific supplements or else your hair won't grow, but eat a healthy diet and shampoo regulartly to make your hair the best it can be.

Temporary Hair Loss

Temporary Hair Loss
Hair loss is something that worries a lot of people. The average person should lose between 50 and 200 hairs per day. If you are losing a lot more, you should check into it. It could be temporary hair loss, hair breakage, or permanent hair loss.
Breakage
Let's take a look at hair breakage which can be confused with hair loss. If you have very fine har, it will break easily. Chemicals (such as perms) can wreak havoc on your fine hair and so can swimming in chlorinated water. After you've brushed or shampooed your hair, pick up some hairs and look closely at both ends for a bump/"root". If you can't find the "root", the hair did not full out but broke off. If you have more than 200 hairs falling out daily and they all have bumps at the end, then your hair is falling out much faster than the daily average and it bears checking into.
Shampooing
Another reason you might get more hair loss than 200 hairs per day is if you shampoo your hair only once a week. When you are scrubbing and washing your hair, you are dislodging all the hairs that are ready to be replaced. If you washed your hair every day, you would dislodge a few hairs daily, but will end up with the same total of hairs by the end of the week. It just looks like more when you shampoo your hair once a week because it all comes at once.
Temporary Hair Loss
Temporary hair loss is a different matter all together. This is when you lose so much in such a short amount of time that it feels like you are going to go bald. Don't worry - if it's temporary, it will grow again and go through the 3 stages of hair growth, but it takes time. Why would your hair fall out so quickly? There are at least 6 possible reasons -
* Physical stress - such as major surgery, or high fever
* Emotional stress - from traumatic events such as rape, war, or the loss of loved ones
* Child birth - hormonal upheavals that follow child birth usually cause hair loss
* Drugs - from cortisones and amphetamines
* Hormonal disorders - especially having to do with the thyroid or sex glands
* Diet - protein is necessary for hair growth
If you are experiencing hair loss, look whether there are bumps on the ends of the hairs you are losing. If there aren't any, the hairs are just breaking off. If there are bumps and you can relate to one of the 6 reasons for temporary hair loss that are mentioned, be patient and the hair will slowly come back in again.

Hair Growth

Hair Growth
Many people agonize over the growth rate of their hair. Let's face it, nothing grows out slower than a bad haircut! What most people don't realize though, is that your hair is constantly going through 3 stages of growth. Once a hair falls out, it doesn't mean that that's it for that particular spot where that hair came from. Your hair is constantly going through the 3 steps - growing, shedding and fresh new growth. When you shed a hair, it's not the first step toward baldness, but it's just a continuation of an ongoing cycle.
Anagen Stage
We'll start with the anagen stage where hair is just growing, getting longer. For some people a hair will continue growing for about 2 years, but for others, it could be as long as 6 years. The length of time that hair grows depends on how old you are and your genetic makeup. The growing or anagen stage is a lot longer for a teenager than for someone who is middle-aged. Your genetics also have a lot to say about how long your hair continues growing.
Catagen Stage
The second stage of hair growth is called the catagen stage. This is when the papilla (the factory for producing hair cells for growth) shuts down. This process generally takes between 2 or 3 weeks. When that happens, the follicle (the skin surrounding the hair root) begins to shrink.
Telogen Stage
The last step in this cycle is the telogen stage. During this stage the papilla (the hair growth factory) takes a rest and the follicle hangs onto the hair for about 2 or 3 months. The hair could fall out during this stage during combing/brushing or during shampooing. It won't necessarily come out because it was dislodged, it could also be pushed out by the new hair that is starting to grow in the papilla.
In any given time, about 85% of your hair is in the longest stage, the anagen or growing stage. The other 15% is either in the catagen (shutting down) or telogen (shedding) stage. Because of that, you will loose between 50 and 200 hairs per day. It's perfectly normal to lose and shed hair.
If everyone goes through the same 3 stages of hair growth, why do some people seem to be able to grow hair much faster than others? This is because the papilla (the hair growth factory) produces hair cells a lot faster for some people than for others. Also, the anagen, or growing stage, lasts a lot longer for some than for others. So if one person has an average rate of producing hair cells, and the growing stage lasts 2 years, s/he will have a lot shorter hair than the individual who papilla produces hair cells very quickly and whose growing stage lasts 6 years. But don't be alarmed. When you lose your longer hairs, they are just finished growing and will very quickly be replaced by the other hairs that are longer and have been growing for some time.
Remember - 85% of your hair is in the growing stage and only 15% in the catagen (shutting down) or telogen (shedding) stage. It's not going to fall out all at once!

Why Do You Need Oil in Your Hair?

Why Do You Need Oil in Your Hair?
Your hair needs lipids to stay beautiful, healthy, and strong. Lipids are defined as fats, oils, and waxes that are insoluble in water. Some lipids in your hair form a necessary part of your hair shaft, while other lipids come from the nearby sebaceous glands.
Oils From Within
The oils within your hair shaft account for 3% of it. They are made within your bair bulb and are part of the "intercellular cement" in the cortex (the place where you hair produces its color) and the cuticle (the outside of your hair shaft that acts like a coat of armour). These oils are a protective coatingfor your hair to prevent it from absorbing too much water and they help "cement" the components of your hair together. Therefore you can see how the oil within your hair is very useful.
Oils From Without
Then there is the oil on the outside of your hair that is produced by the sebaceous glands. These sit right next to the hair follicle and form a film on the surface of your skin and they lubricate your hair. This allows your hair to be flexible (to bend) and to shine.
Hormones
The amount of lipids that you produce is determined by your hormones. If your hormones tell your hair bulbs and sebaceous glands to kick into high gear, your hair will become greasy faster - and there isn't a thing you can do about it. The grease in your hair will attract impurities from the surrounding air and make your hair dirty. On the other hand, if your hormones decide to produce only a samll amount of lipids, your hair will become damaged, dry, and dull.
You need the pilids (oils) in your hair for protection, flexibility, and shine. Even though it may be a pain to have to wash your hair as often as you do, the oils in your hair are a blessing in disguise. Imagine if you didn't have it - your hair would be a real mess.

Water and Hair - Not a Good Mix

Water and Hair - Not a Good Mix
Have you ever noticed that wet hair is hearvier than dry hair? Why is that? The outer layer of your hair, the cuticle, is made up of tightly over lapping scales for strength and resistance. And then there is the sebum, or the natural oil, that coats the scaly cuticle. Despite these 2 defenses, your hair still absorbs water. In fact healthy hair can absorb more than 30% of its own weight of water. Damaged hair is even more permeable - it can absorb up to 45% of its own weight of water. When the hair shaft is fully saturated, its diameter increases by 15 - 20% and it stretches or gets longer.
Effects of Water
What effect does water then have on hair? When the hair shaft is saturated, the cuticle's structure of the tightly over lapping scales is altered significantly. This causes the hair shaft to be fragile and more easily damaged. Add sunshine to this mix and you have very vulnerable hair. With the scales of the cuticle not offering enough protection, the sunshine can more easily damage the melanain - the part of your hair that is reponsible for color. Therefore, swimming on a hot summer day is refreshing for you, but it is very hard on your hair.
Hair Absorbs Water
You don't need to actually make your hair wet (by swimming, showering, or washing it) for it to absorb moisture; your hair can take in moisture from the air. People actually use human hair to make hygrometers (instruments used to measure humidity). Your hair changes in a very predictable way when you expose it to changes in humidity. It is very simple - hair stretches when it's wet and contracts (shortens) when it's dry. This happens at an exact rate and is proportional to the amount of water in the air. This is what makes your hair so predictably difficult to manage when the weather is humid.
Water is necessary to keep your hair clean, but it is hard on your hair by altering its structure and making it much more susceptible to damage.

Swimmers' Hair Problems

Swimmers' Hair Problems
Water is not necessarily your hair's best friend. It amplifies any weakness or damage that your hair may have. Combine these qualities with chlorine and you have a recipe for trouble. Swimming pools can have at least 3 effects on your hair - blonde hair can turn green, hair can become dull and dry, and hair can turn weak and brittle.
Blonde Hair Turning Green
I'm sure everyone has either seen or heard of blonde hair turning green after frequent swimming in chlorinated pools. I have had to buzz cut 2 of my boys' hair after only 3 trips to the swimming pool. Depending on the concentration of chlorine, the green can set in quite quickly. Sometimes darker hair can even develop a slight tinge of green.
What this is caused by is high concentrations of copper dissolved in the water. This copper chemically interacts with the chlorine, resulting in a chemical compound (combination) that very easily attaches itself to the outside layer of your hair shafts. If you have high levels of copper in your tap water, it can also make your hair green even without the chlorine.
You can try to treat blonde-hair-turned-green with hot vegetable oil or hydrogen peroxide. I find it easier to buzz cut my boys' hair and put a water proof swim cap on my little girl.
Dull and Dry Hair
Your hair naturally has an oil coating to give it a shiny look. This natural oil gets removed by the chlorine, giving it a dull look.
Your hair also has a hard outer layer, made up of overlapping scales to protect it. Chlorine can get between these scales, and push them up to give an otherwise smooth hair a very rough exterior. The combination of the oil being stripped off and the scales being roughed up results in hair that looks dull and dry and can feel rough to the touch.
Weak and Brittle Hair
As I've alsready mentioned, water is not your hair's best friend. Hair is much weaker when it is wet than when it is dry. Hair actually absorbs water and when it has soaked up as much as it can, wet hair is 20% weaker than dry hair. Because of this, handle your hair very gently when it is wet, avoiding tightly pulled back styles or vigorous combing.
Another thing to think about is that chlorine is a salt solution. When you are in the pool, the chlorine can actually get inside your hair fibers because they have holes in them and water can get inside. When your hair dries after you swim, the salt from the chlorine will crystallize inside your hair fibers. You might think that if you shower immediately after you swim, you can wash out the chloine. Yes and no. You can wash the chlorine that is sitting on the surface of your hair, but not the chloine that has gotten inside your hair fibers. The only way you can get rid of that chlorine is to soak your hair in clean water for about 10 minutes.
As your hair dries and the chlorine crystallizes inside your hair fibers, the salt crystals get larger and change the structure of your hair - it weakens your hair by separating the scales that overlap to protect and strengthen it. As the scales stand out (instead of lying flat), your hair is weak and very prone to break.
After you've read this article, you'll think twice about swimming in a chlorinated pool again! Do your hair a favour and cover it with a swim cap.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Hair Stre-e-e-e-tches

Hair Stre-e-e-e-tches
When your hair is wet, it's causing it to become thicker and longer. It gets longer because it absorbs water and stretches. Your hair's elasticity is the measure of how much it will stretch (and then return to its normal length).
Elasticity
The elasticity of your hair depende on a couple of factors - whether it is wet or not and whether it is healthy or unhealthy. Healthy hair stretches up to 35% of its length before snapping off whereas unhealthy hair breaks more quickly because it does not have much elasticity. Healthy dry hair stretches up to 20% of its normal length and healthy wet hair can stretch up to 50% of its usual length and then return to its former length without breaking. Wet hair has more elasticity than dry hair. Elasticity is often described as being lonw, normal, or high.
Effects of Elasticity
How does this effect you? It can help you decide what hairstyle is best for you or your client. Hair with normal or high elasticity is easy to work with. It responds well to wet-roller sets, curling irons, etc. Hair with low elasticity is more difficult to work with because it can be hard to curl or lose its quickly.
Testing Elasticity
You can determine the elasticity of your or your client's hair with this simple test. Take at least 4 strands of hair from different areas of the hair. Make the hair wet. Hold one end of one strand in each hand and pull the hair taut to stretch it. If the strand stretches and then returns to normal after you release it, you have good elasticity. If the hair snaps or does not return to its former length, you have low elasticity. Test each of the 4 strands separately. Make your decision based on the average result of your "stretch tests".
If you have low elasticity, the bad news is that your hair is very susceptible to breakage, it will be hard to curl, and it will not perm well. Therefore, you should treat your hair with tender loving care and opt for a straighter hairstye.

Dull Hair

Dull Hair
We have all seen those ads where there is a picture of a woman with a head full of amazingly thick,shiny, beautiful hair. How do you look like that in real life? Let's look at how you can make your hair look its best.
In order to understand what can make your hair look dull, you need to understand the composition of your hair. Each strand of your hair is made of 3 layers - the cuticle, the cortex and the medula.
* The medula is at the core, made up of soft, coin-shaped cells stacked on top of each other.
* The cortex surrounds the medula and is made up of spindle shaped cells which determine the color and texture of your hair.
* The cuticleis the outer layer which consists of hard, round tubular cells that overlap and act as armour for the softer, more delicate cells that are inside your hair shaft.
When the outer layer (the cuticle) becomes damaged, the overlapping cells begin to curl up and out. This will have consequences.
* It will be more difficult to comb a "lumpy" strand of hair than a smoother strand (with the cells overlapping nicely).
* The softer middle layer (cortex) becomes exposed, resulting in breakage and split ends.
* Curling cells diffuse the light and give a dull appearance (rather than the healthy sheen that reflects smooth, overlapping cells).
Stages
Very drab or dull-looking hair usually comes in stages, it doesn't just happen overnight. It follows this pattern-
1. It starts with the cuticle being roughed-up, and there is noticeably less shine.
2. It then moves on to the difficult combing stage where the hair starts to tangle a lot more easily than before.
3. The last step is when the hair has no sheen whatsoever because it absorbs light (rather than reflecting it) and looks completely dull.
Prevention
You can prevent dull hair several ways -
* Use a low pH shampoo. A high alkaline shampoo will make the cuticle cells curl.
* Shampoo your hair regularly. Your hair naturally secretes oil which, left unwashed, can coat your hair. This oil attracts dust and dirt which will give your hair a dull look.
* Rinse your hair well when shampooing it. A coating of soap in your hair will not only give you an itchy scalp, it will dim the natural sheen of your hair.
* Limit or avoid the use of styling products (gel, mousse, hairspray). These can create a buildup over time, which will leave your hair looking dull.
* Get regular haircuts every 6 - 8 weeks.
If you have dull hair, it can be rejuvinated with a good shampooing (for the oil, dirt, and buildup), a haircut (for the split ends), and a hot oil treatment (to insert moisture and new life into your damaged hair).