TIME FOR A CHANGE -

TIME FOR A CHANGE -

Change your appearance and add spice to your life without breaking the bank. You don't need to overhaul your wardrobe if you're looking for change� a few snips in the right places will do the trick. Changing your look every now and again does wonders for your self-esteem, and it also gives you a break from an otherwise monotonous existence. Some people like Madonna are constantly re-inventing themselves, and every season they seem to have a completely new look, while others seem to have never had a haircut or changed anything about themselves for decades! Start off the New Year by reinventing yourself. You will be surprised at how much it will pep you up. A different hairstyle can do wonders for changing your entire image and this goes for men too (think Aamir Khan in Dil Chahta Hai). Start off by getting a haircut and we mean a proper cut, not just a trim. Changing your look doesn�t necessarily mean that long hair should be cut short. You can keep the length if you so desire and get it cut in steps, or, shorten it from the front so that it frames your face. Avoid getting a fringe unless your hair is very straight, silky and thick so that the fringe bounces back on your forehead every time you run your hands through it or when the wind blows. If you don't want to cut your hair, think about colouring it. You could go in for an all-over colour or for highlights. If you go in for an all-over colour, opt for a colour just a few shades different to your natural hair shade. Don�t go in for something very drastic because you are certain to get a shock when you look at yourself in the mirror. In addition, the new colour may or may not look good on you. Also, when your original hair grows back, the colour difference will be very apparent and stark and you will need to constantly keep retouching your roots. If you do want to go in for a colour very different from yours opt for highlighting instead of all-over colour. Add a few more highlights to the front of your face so they are more visible, and fewer highlights scattered through your hair at the back. In this manner your hair texture will not suffer. If you feel colouring your hair is not for you, go in for a perm. Straightening your hair is harsher than perming. Also, when you straighten your hair it makes blow-drying your hair straight after every wash a little easier, but you still will need to blow-dry your hair after every wash. You could go in for Japanese Hair Bonding, but unless it is done very well, it looks artificial. On the other hand, once your hair is permed, you don't need to subject it to any heat treatments or spend any time styling it. Even if you have curly, wavy or frizzy hair, consider getting it permed for better-formed, tidier curls. If you want to go straight, you don�t need to get it chemically straightened unless your hair is very, very curly. All you need to do is blow-dry it straight in sections, pulling your hair tight, after every wash. Whatever you decide, avoid going in for two chemical processes at the same time. So if you colour your hair, don't perm it immediately, or vice versa.

HAIR AND YOUR HEALTH -

HAIR AND YOUR HEALTH -

Hair is a woman's crowning glory. When it starts to fall at alarming rates it becomes a cause of incessant worry. Many believe that baldness occurs only in men but this is incorrect. Ignoring hair loss can be a big mistake because hair is an indicator of health and losing your tresses might mean there is some imbalance that needs attention. Dermatologists believe that hair loss can be treated in most of the cases with timely medical help. What is hair loss? Shedding 50 to 100 hairs is a part of the normal hair cycle. But if you are seeing a gradual thinning of your mane or bald patches on your scalp, consult a dermatologist. What are the causes? If you have diffused thinning all over your scalp, you might have androgenetic alopecia. Hormones are the culprit. There can be an increase in male hormones and other imbalance related to ovarian cysts, pregnancy, birth control pills and menopause. Heredity factors might also have a role in it. If your hair growth goes in to a resting phase, yours might be a case of telogen effluvium. Child birth, malnutrition (iron and protein deficiencies), crash dieting, surgery, infection or extreme stress can cause a lot of shedding of hair. If you are losing hair in patches, it is called alopecia areata. This happens when the hair roots are attacked by your immune system. Other reasons for hair loss include: Medication Chronic illness like renal and liver problems Pulling your hair through regular braiding and ponytails Thyroid disease Improper hair treatments with repeated use of chemical colors or incorrect way of applying hair cosmetics. How can it be treated? The good news is that most cases of hair thinning can be reversed or stopped with medical help. When hair loss follows temporary events, it will grow back after you pass that phase. Stress, pregnancy, disease, medication are some of the examples of such temporary events. If your hair is thinning out because of an underlying protein or iron deficiency, it will grow back when you take a proper diet or supplements. In cases where tress trauma is caused by hormonal imbalance, dermatologists may prescribe estrogen and progesterone pills or creams. Birth control pills with low androgen levels are also given in a few cases. But a thorough medical check-up is required before taking these treatments. If you are losing hair in patches, your doctor might give you topical treatments like ketoconazole to treat any underlying fungal infection. Many a times dermatologists may not be able to help you regrow your hair. In the case of thyroid disease, you might not see your tressing making a comeback even after taking thyroid medication. However, your doctor might be able to stop further hair loss. There are many companies peddling hair loss cures. Don't let these magical cure companies mislead you with their before-and-after pictures and guaranteed hair regrowth. The solution to your lost tresses does not lie outside. By taking a good look at your body basics you will not only treat your hair but also find a cure for the silent ailments that are attacking your health.

HAIR THAT SHINES

HAIR THAT SHINES

Nothing enhances a little girl's confidence than a mane of shiny, glorious hair. Often parents don't pay attention to their daughter's hair problems. They believe their children are too young to be concerned about beauty problems, and this is not the age to worry about such things. However, children do worry, and what's worse is that there is nothing they can do about it since they depend on you for guidance. So if you ignore your child's wild, unruly, frizzy hair, and believe that keeping hair clean and tangle free is enough at this age, you should know that perhaps your child is the butt of hair jokes at school. Children can be cruel, and you don't want your child to be taunted for her hair when such taunts can so easily be avoided. Curly hair is far easier to maintain than straight hair. It needs to be shampooed only once a week, or once in five days. This is because curly hair is dry, and washing hair more often will dry it out even further. When shampooing your child's hair, concentrate on the scalp and not on the hair. Massage the shampoo well into the scalp, and then wash off. Every other day wash your daughter's hair with conditioner, and no shampoo. This increases moisture in your child's hair, while removing dust or dirt from the scalp. Don't massage conditioner into your child's scalp. Comb her curly hair after a wash, when it is still damp. Never brush curls as the curls will open up and lead to frizzies. Similarly, don't comb dry, curly hair, only comb it when it is still wet. Never, ever flip your child's curly hair upside down while combing. This is certain to produce frizz. As you will be combing her hair when it is wet, don't worry about tangles. Finger-comb dry hair when required. Your child should apply a leave-in conditioner to her curly hair everyday, to reduce frizz. Acid soluctions like vinegar or lemon juice shrink and harden your hair's cuticle cells. This causes the cells to lay flat and well-alligned, causing a better reflecting surface. As a result hair starts shining. So if you want your daughter's hair to shine, try this: Squeeze a lemon into a mug of water or add a tablespoon of vinegar to a mug of water and give your daughter's hair a final rinse with this solution. (Don't wash off.) Egg is excellent for hair. Not only is it a great conditioner and nourisher, but it also increases shine. Apply egg to your daughter's hair once a week, and wash off after half an hour with cold water. Mayonnaise, which is made of oil, egg and vinegar, is also excellent for the hair. In addition, mayonnaise also helps getting rid of lice. Lice breathe through their legs, and applying mayonnaise blocks their air passage, suffocating them. You may not be able to get rid of nits (lice eggs) in this manner though. Make sure you keep checking your child's hair regularly for lice. If your daughter's hair is straight, cut it in one length. This gives a better reflecting surface and adds shine to the hair. Hair that is cut in layers reduces shine.

BANGS -

BANGS -

If you are looking for a drastically different hairstyle but don�t want to lose the length, consider bangs.

Simply cutting out bangs make you look like a completely different person without sacrificing too much hair, or without using chemicals.

What kind of hair do bangs look good on? Bangs look great on straight hair, while they could look a bit messy on curly hair. Some people prefer the messy look, so if you�re one of them, go for it! However, remember that your bangs will not fall down straight on your forehead as they will if you have straight hair. Every time the wind blows, your bangs will fly backwards, but if your hair is straight, your bangs will just flop right back into place. One way to overcome this is to iron bangs straight. Curly hair with ironed straight bangs looks bang-on glam. Pull your curls back into a half ponytail and let the bangs fall straight on your forehead for instant sex appeal.

Minimal Risk

The best part about bangs is that even if they look bad, you can part them in the centre or on the side and let them sit like flicks. In addition, they will grow out in no time, and you can start tucking the longer strands behind your ear. Compare this with chopping off your entire hair for a new look, and then deciding you liked long hair better after all!

Two Looks!

You could also simply gel back the bangs and leave your hair loose. So, you can wear bangs, or you can brush them up: two hairstyles and two completely different looks at the same time!

Face

Bangs make your face look a little smaller, so if you have a wide forehead, bangs are a great option to even out your features. Bangs look great on smaller faces as well, especially if you have short hair. They then help in adding height to your face and making your features stand out. You could in fact use bangs to even out your face in various ways.

Bang Styles

You can have various styles in bangs. Your bangs can be really thin and sparse, or they can be thick. They can be long, up to your eyebrows or even up to your eyes if you want to get a bit funkier, or short, just an inch from your hairline. (Think Sadhana). Needless to say, your hair needs to be poker straight to carry off very short bangs.

Eyes

Bangs force people to focus on your eyes, making them look larger and more prominent. This works best if you highlight your hair a little, and add stronger highlights to your bangs. Remember, it doesn�t matter if you completely saturate your bangs with chemicals, since you will be keeping them short and trimming them regularly, getting rid of split ends at top speed.

Low Maintenance

You don�t need to make frequent trips to the parlour to keep your bangs in shape. It is easy to trim your bangs at home by yourself, while you let the rest of your hair grow longer. Wet your hair, and cut after straightening bangs with a comb. You could also get away with trimming bangs at random. Very cool.

En Vogue

Bangs jazz up your look instantly and make you look with it in a second, since bangs are very much en vogue. Or you could go retro and combine straight bangs with a few curled ones. Don�t be afraid of gelling and spraying your bangs to keep them in place.

GET IT STRAIGHT!

GET IT STRAIGHT! -

Those with straight and silky hair are quick to rush in for a perm, while those with curly, wavy locks long for smooth and straight hair. Here's how to get your hair straighter, faster. The grass is always greener on the other side, which is why those with straight and silky hair are quick to rush in for a perm, while those with curly, wavy locks long for smooth and straight hair. It is however far easier to curl straight hair than it is to straighten curly hair. Straightening hair is a lengthy and apparently never-ending process. If you've always dreamt of having straight hair but didn't know where to begin, if you've longed for smooth and silky locks without a clue as to how to achieve the same, you've come to the right place. Read on for tips on getting your hair straighter, faster. Long Hair Grow your hair long. Short hair tends to curl more, and is harder to straighten. In comparison, longer hair is relatively easier to straighten. Because of the weight of long hair, the top portion tends to straighten out on its own, leaving only the ends curly and giving a very nice, soft effect. This, of course, depends on the strength of curl you have in your hair. Very curly hair may retain its curl along the entire length, even when very long. Chemical Straightening Should you straighten your hair chemically? One thing that is important to remember is that even after you straighten your hair chemically, you will still need to blowdry it straight after every wash. The only difference is that it becomes easier to blowdry your hair straight at home after a chemical straightening and you will not need to go to the parlour to get it blowdried straight. Remember to always blowdry hair straight in sections. Invest in a powerful blowdryer for maximum effect. A blowdryer with a diffuser attachment reduces frizz. Alternatively, try applying a leave-in conditioner or a serum like Livon to combat frizz. Ironing Hair If you like rod-straight hair (think Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Na Ho), ironing hair is easier to do at home than blowdrying, but ironing is harsh on the hair and again, it only lasts until the next wash. So if you iron your hair regularly, avoid other chemical treatments such as colouring your hair. Trim your hair regularly to keep split ends in check and maintain your length at a few inches below your shoulders. If you want to keep it longer like perhaps waist-length, avoid ironing the ends of your hair and iron it only from the top. Let the ends remain curly. In this manner the ends will be healthier and you will be able to grow hair longer. Consider investing in a ceramide hair iron, where the ironing plates are made from ceramide. These irons are more expensive than regular irons but are more effective and also far, far gentler on hair. If a ceramide iron is beyond your budget (they generally cost at least Rs 3,500), consider going in for a steam iron instead. Make sure you try out the iron before buying it as you don't want to be stuck with an ineffective hair iron. Japanese Hair Bonding This is the latest method of chemically straightening your hair. When your hair is straightened by this method, you will not need to blowdry your hair straight after every wash. The hair that has been straightened stays straight for life, and you will need to re-straighten new hair as it grows by way of touch-ups. This is the most expensive method of hair straightening, and some parlours charge as much as Rs 10,000 for hair a few inches longer than the shoulders. Make sure you go to a reputed parlour, as there is no point if this job is not well done.

DANDRUFF PROBLEM!

DANDRUFF PROBLEM!

Plagued by dandruff Cheesed off by those dry white flakes that just keep dropping off your head providing you with your own mini snowfall in the midst of a sultry Indian summer You are not alone. In fact, research suggests that more people have dandruff than those who do not. Here's what you can do to keep dandruff at bay so that you too can dare to wear black without having to furtively dust your shoulders every now and then. First, let us find out what causes this condition: Causes There are many theories regarding the cause of dandruff. Dead skin One theory suggests that dandruff is a natural process, and is caused by the flaking of the scalp. Just as the body sheds dead skin, so does the scalp. When this skin is shed at an excessive rate, it leads to dandruff. Oily skin It is a widely held belief that dandruff is caused by a dry scalp. However, this is not always the case, and dandruff is just as often caused by an oily scalp. The excessive oil forms a layer on the scalp, which dries, thickens and flakes off in the form of dandruff. Perspiration If you exercise regularly, you perspire more, which could also lead to dandruff, especially if you do not shampoo as often as you should. Fungus Certain forms of dandruff are also believed to be caused by a fungus on the scalp. It is believed that this fungus cannot be removed completely. Thus, dandruff too cannot be completely eradicated, only controlled. Other factors include: Cold weather Use of hair sprays and gels Certain conditioners Improper shampoo rinsing Infrequent hair washes Diet Stress Hormones Don't ignore the dandruff, because ignoring it only leads to more build-up. This causes itchiness, which leads to you scratching your hair. Vigorous scratching can cause wounds to the scalp, leaving them vulnerable to infection. Treatment If you have mild dandruff, you could try increasing the frequency of your hair washes. The rule of thumb is the more frequently you shampoo, the less dandruff you will have. If necessary, shampoo daily with a mild shampoo, to keep dandruff in check. If your hair is dry but your scalp is oily, you may be hesitant to shampoo more often. Try this: wet your entire hair, but apply shampoo essentially to your scalp. Let the shampoo lightly run over your entire hair when you are rinsing it off your scalp, giving your locks a gentle wash. If mild shampoos don't work, and if your dandruff is severe, use a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo which contains selenium sulfide to wash your hair. Use it sparingly, as anti-dandruff shampoos tend to be strong. After applying it, leave it on for at least five minutes before washing it off, to give the formula time to work. After applying shampoo, massage your scalp lightly with your fingertips to loosen the scales. The shampoo could be used on its own, or mixed with your regular shampoo. You could also alternate an anti-dandruff shampoo with your regular shampoo. Once the dandruff has gone, switch to your regular shampoo. Help from your kitchen shelf White vinegar is an excellent remedy for dandruff. Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water, and pour this over your scalp after your hair wash, as a final rinse.

DANDRUFF PROBLEM!

DANDRUFF PROBLEM! DANDRUFF PROBLEM! -

Plagued by dandruff Cheesed off by those dry white flakes that just keep dropping off your head providing you with your own mini snowfall in the midst of a sultry Indian summer You are not alone. In fact, research suggests that more people have dandruff than those who do not. Here's what you can do to keep dandruff at bay so that you too can dare to wear black without having to furtively dust your shoulders every now and then. First, let us find out what causes this condition: Causes There are many theories regarding the cause of dandruff. Dead skin One theory suggests that dandruff is a natural process, and is caused by the flaking of the scalp. Just as the body sheds dead skin, so does the scalp. When this skin is shed at an excessive rate, it leads to dandruff. Oily skin It is a widely held belief that dandruff is caused by a dry scalp. However, this is not always the case, and dandruff is just as often caused by an oily scalp. The excessive oil forms a layer on the scalp, which dries, thickens and flakes off in the form of dandruff. Perspiration If you exercise regularly, you perspire more, which could also lead to dandruff, especially if you do not shampoo as often as you should. Fungus Certain forms of dandruff are also believed to be caused by a fungus on the scalp. It is believed that this fungus cannot be removed completely. Thus, dandruff too cannot be completely eradicated, only controlled. Other factors include: Cold weather Use of hair sprays and gels Certain conditioners Improper shampoo rinsing Infrequent hair washes Diet Stress Hormones Don't ignore the dandruff, because ignoring it only leads to more build-up. This causes itchiness, which leads to you scratching your hair. Vigorous scratching can cause wounds to the scalp, leaving them vulnerable to infection. Treatment If you have mild dandruff, you could try increasing the frequency of your hair washes. The rule of thumb is the more frequently you shampoo, the less dandruff you will have. If necessary, shampoo daily with a mild shampoo, to keep dandruff in check. If your hair is dry but your scalp is oily, you may be hesitant to shampoo more often. Try this: wet your entire hair, but apply shampoo essentially to your scalp. Let the shampoo lightly run over your entire hair when you are rinsing it off your scalp, giving your locks a gentle wash. If mild shampoos don't work, and if your dandruff is severe, use a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo which contains selenium sulfide to wash your hair. Use it sparingly, as anti-dandruff shampoos tend to be strong. After applying it, leave it on for at least five minutes before washing it off, to give the formula time to work. After applying shampoo, massage your scalp lightly with your fingertips to loosen the scales. The shampoo could be used on its own, or mixed with your regular shampoo. You could also alternate an anti-dandruff shampoo with your regular shampoo. Once the dandruff has gone, switch to your regular shampoo. Help from your kitchen shelf White vinegar is an excellent remedy for dandruff. Mix one cup of white vinegar with one cup of water, and pour this over your scalp after your hair wash, as a final rinse.

COLOURING HAIR DURING PREGNANCY

COLOURING HAIR DURING PREGNANCY

I get a lot of questions asking whether it is safe to colour hair during pregnancy, or whether it is safe to bleach the face when pregnant. There is, as yet, no definite answer to these questions. It is a fact that these colours contain chemicals that are teratogenic, which means that these chemicals can cause birth defects. Hair dye or hair colour has indeed been found to harm the foetus in animals, but the same data is not available for humans. In addition, the amount of chemicals administered to the animals was much greater than the amount a woman would use to colour her hair once a month. When lower doses of these chemicals were applied to animals, they were found to be relatively harmless. However, as no human data is available, research on this subject is not conclusive. So should you colour your hair? As you are going to be pregnant for nine months, it is perfectly understandable that you want to look good and feel good during this time. In fact, it is important that a woman feels good about herself when she is pregnant. Needless to say, there's not a lot you can do about your weight or figure, but you certainly can do something to make your hair look better, to hide those grey strands and to brighten it up. The question is, should you? Not in the first trimester Your baby is most susceptible to harm in the first trimester, so it is best to avoid colouring your hair at all during this time. We know for sure that the chemicals in hair dyes and hair colours are not very toxic, and are relatively harmless except when administered in large doses. If a change in your hair colour makes you feel better about yourself, play safe by colouring your hair in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. Consider highlights Play even safer by getting highlights in your hair, instead of all-over colour. The chemicals in hair colours are absorbed into your bloodstream through the scalp, and not through the hair shaft. If you highlight your hair instead of colouring it all over, a lot less chemical comes into contact with the scalp. Whether or not a chemical will affect your foetus depends upon the amount of chemical that you come in contact with, upon whether you absorb it by direct contact or inhale it, and of course, upon the nature of the chemical. Some chemicals may sting, but they are not necessarily dangerous as they only have a surface effect and don't get into your bloodstream. Henna is a good option Henna is a completely natural product, so if you must colour to your hair cover grey strands, highlighting may not be the best solution for you. In this case you could consider applying henna to your hair. Henna has no chemicals, and is perfectly safe for the baby. If you do not dislike the colour imparted by henna, this is your best bet. Wear gloves If you are colouring your hair by yourself at home, make sure you wear gloves. Wash off the colour after the requisite time, and do not keep it for longer than necessary. The best way to ensure a healthy baby is to keep your contact with chemicals to the minimal. Is facial bleach safe? Bleach too is a chemical, and it is best to apply avoiding it in the first trimester. Lemon is a natural bleaching agent, so apply this to your face instead, with a little honey to prevent the sting. This may not make as much of a difference as you would like, but it does help to an extent. Thread your eyebrows and upperlip and avoid do bleaching your face as far as possible in the first trimester. You could start bleaching again towards the end of the second trimester. When applying bleach, avoid contact with your fingers, and wash it off within the stipulated time period.

HAIR COLOUR -

HAIR COLOUR -

Coloured hair lightens and brightens the face, and makes you look better. Before you decide on whether or not you should colour your hair, ask yourself these questions: Do you have split ends? Is your hair damaged? Has your hair been recently chemically processed (permed or straightened)? If your answer no to all three questions, your hair should stand up to colouring without any problem. Highlights or all-over colouring? The first thing you need to decide is whether you want to highlight strands, or if you want to colour your entire hair. Both look good, and what works for you is a matter of personal choice. Here is a quick comparison: Highlights tend to look good on straight hair, but if your hair is curly, you could opt for colouring your entire hair. Highlighted hair is, of course, easier on the hair, as only selected strands of hair are coloured and not the entire hair, but once again, if you take care of your hair after colouring, there will not be any damage. You could colour your hair at home instead of spending big bucks at a beauty saloon, by simply purchasing a packet of hair colour. Various brands of reputed companies are available in the market. However, you will not be able to give your hair fine highlights without professional help. I have lovely hair. Will colouring ruin my hair? As long as you look after your hair well after colouring it, the quality of your hair will not go bad. Your hair may dry out a little, but regular oiling would keep the dryness under control. It is a myth that colouring ruins your hair. However, if you neglect your hair after colouring it, if you blowdry it too often and don't bother oiling or conditioning your hair, you will definitely cause it harm. Using colour that is too harsh, or leaving the colour on for too long, may also damage your hair. In any case, your natural hair that grows out will be just as healthy as it always was, and the only portion that will get damaged is the coloured part, so don't believe that your hair will get ruined for life after colouring it! In fact, if your hair is too oily, get it coloured to balance it out. Should I colour my hair if I have split ends? If your hair is damaged, colouring it will only damage it further. Wait until your hair recovers before subjecting it to any form of chemical treatment. Why should I do a strand test? If you are colouring your hair by yourself, make sure you do a strand test. Many women apply colour to their hair and wash it off only to find that their hair has not caught any colour at all. So colour a very small portion of your hair first, to see how long you need to leave the colour on. If you have curly hair, leave the colour on for less time than that specified, as curly hair is porous, and catches colour easily. If your hair is straight and healthy, it may take a while longer to colour your hair, so leave it on accordingly. After taking the strand test, you will get a general idea as to whether you need to leave the colour on for more or less time. After-Colour Care Oil your hair at least once a week. Apply a generous amount of warm oil to your scalp, and massage well, so the oil spreads right to the ends of your hair. After applying oil, whip up the yoke of an egg and apply it to your hair, for extra conditioning. If you like, you could add curd to this mixture too. All of these natural products are excellent for the hair, and provides it with all the nourishment it needs. Leave the oil, egg and curd on for at least 45 minutes, and then shampoo your hair. Use a gentle shampoo, preferable one especially formulated for coloured hair. Apply conditioner after shampooing your hair, to prevent your hair from drying. You could also consider a leave-in conditioner, which is preferable for chemically processed hair. Natural alternative to conditioner: Another tip for conditioning hair that works well for me is to simply apply curd to the hair after shampooing, leave on for five minutes, and rinse off. Do not apply shampoo again; simply rinse off the curd with water. This conditions your hair rather well, and keeps frizzy hair in check. However, I do follow up with conditioner, for increased protection. Natural alternative to leave-in conditioner: Apply 2-3 drops of oil, more for longer hair, to your palms. Rub them together, and apply to your hair.�