Water Damage

Too much water and chemicals

Get into the habit of wearing rubber gloves when you do any cleaning around the house.

The reason? Cleaning agents can be extremely harsh on both nails and hands. The nails when exposed to water, swell and then shrink back as they dry. This contributes to brittle nails.

Soft Hands

Soft Hands

So your hands don't feel soft anymore?

Before you go to bed, lavish on the Vaseline and then pop on a pair of cotton gloves. Your hands will be incredibly soft by morning.

Hand Massage

Hand Massage

To stimulate circulation, rub your palm over the back of the hand and then repeat with the other hand.

This movement is very similar to washing your hands and it does not only stimulate circulation, it also warms the hands.

French Manicure

How To Get A French Manicure

STEP 1
It's essential to prepare your hands and nails before applying nail polish. First, exfoliate your hands by massaging them using a small amount of body scrub. Rinse with water and dry thoroughly. One of the main causes of chapped hands is not drying them properly after washing.


STEP 2
File your nails. If they are brittle or tend to split, keep them flat across the top with smooth, rounded edges. When filing, move in one direction, from outer corner to centre-sawing movements can damage the nail plate. Choose a nail file with a fine surface that glides over the nail.



STEP 3
Coat hands in a layer of sweet almond oil, to norish and soften, then wrap in a warm towel and relax for 15 minutes. Unwrap, and gently push back cuticles using a rubber hoof stick (available from most chemists). Never use cuticle clippers, as they can nick the skin. Rinse hands with warm water and dry thoroughly to remove any oil residue.

STEP 4
Apply one coat of base coat over your entire nail and allow a couple of minutes to dry. This will help strengthen the nail. Some products also level fine ridges and imperfections, leaving a smooth surface to apply polish. There's a wide range of base coats to choose from.



STEP 5
For a square look, paint a straight line across the tips; for a rounded appearance, follow the curve of the nail; and to get a pointed style, paint in from each side to the centre. Some manicure kits include sticky strips to use as a guide. when applying, lay your hand on a flat surface and keep the ball of your painting hand steady and keep the ball of your painting hand steady by resting it on the same surface. Leave to dry.

STEP 6
Finally, apply a coat of translucent shell-pink nail polish over the entire nail to seal the whitened tip and complete the look. Allow 10 minutes for it to dry. For extra shine and protection, apply a clear, glossy top coat.

French manicure

Hand Treatment

A Quick Hand Treatment

Hands are the most visible parts of you, but they also take a lot of abuse. You use them in everyday activity, and yet, they are the ultimate accessory. You must give them the same attention you give your face.

* Soften your hands even while you do the dishes. Add a little almond oil (about a teaspoon) to dishwater. The water will soften rought skin while the oil seals the moisture.

* Slough off dead skin cells with a solution made of sea salt lemon. Brush it into hands with an old toothbrush. Do this twice a week to soften hands and remove discoloration.

* Wash hands thoroughly with warm water, then, using a coarse washcloth, rub briskly. While skin is slightly damp, apply a mixture of one teaspoon honey and one teaspoon olive oil. Place hands in small plastic bags, then in a pair of cotton gloves for thirty minutes. The heat helps the treatment penetrate.

* Warm a cup of milk in the microwave for thirty seconds (or until warm, but comfortable to the touch). Soak your hands for five minutes to strengthen nails and hydrate skin. Not only is milk loaded with lactic acid, a natural alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates dead skin, but its high calcium content will strengthen fragile nails.

Pubic Hair

Pubic Hair Removal - Shaving Pubic Hair
By Beverly Smith

For pubic hair removal, shaving is most utilized. Whether you're a male or female, get a fresh razor and follow these steps to avoid in-grown hairs and infections which feel itchy and appear as painful bumps.

Sit in a chair with your feet up above your waist and legs spread apart.

Trim your Pubic Hair
To make this process easier, trim the genital area before applying the razor! You'll save blades this way. Electric razors, clippers (with safety guards) or scissors work well. To get a closer cut and avoid unwanted nicks, pull the hair up then trim away.

Soaking
Take a long, warm bath beforehand. This softens coarse pubic hair and makes it easier to shave and style.

Lathering
Apply shaving cream or gel to lather the pubic area. A thin layer of petroleum jelly will help with a closer shave. Soap doesn't make the best lather for pubic shaving. Note that some people may have allergic reactions to certain shaving cream.

Shaving
There are many different ways to style your pubic hair. Think about it before you start and be as creative as you desire. It is recommended to shave the same way the hair grows. Avoid constantly stroking the same area during the shave because this may irritate the skin. Aim for two to three short strokes. Do stretch the skin to reach the difficult hairy spots.

Attention First-Timers! The pubic area is sensitive and may take time to adjust to the razor. Shaving once a week is enough for your first month. Don't worry about a smooth shave the first month.

Exfoliating (Removing dead skin)
It's important to clean your skin after shaving. The best way is with a "loofa sponge" and your normal body soap. Due to sensitivity of this area, rub lightly with the sponge to prevent skin irritation. This will help remove anything that may clog the pores.

Moisturizing
Rinse, dry and moisturize the freshly shaven pubic area. Baby oil and Aloe Vera work well. It's best to avoid moisturizers that contain fragrances and colors, since this may cause irritation. You may also want to use baby powder for comfort.

Hygienic Maintenance
Wash your shaven genitals on a daily basis. This helps remove unwanted oils and sweat. Moisturize and powder the area daily to avoid irritation. If you keep the hair short, you'll avoid stubbles, which causes itching. Try to wear cotton underwear and to stay away from tight fitting cloths pants. The lack of air circulation and friction of tight cloths may lead to in-grown hairs.

A Few Warnings

• For some people, pubic hair is always easy and fun. However, for many other people it presents problems. When the genital hair begins to grow back, itching often occurs. Red bumps and ingrown hair may appear. To relieve the irritation, you can apply cortisone cream. If these symptoms cause you stress or don't go away, see a doctor.
• People who are allergic and react to some shaving creams. This area seems to have heightened sensitivity. Furthermore, if it does react, your natural sweat and the natural abrasion this area receives will most likely make your life miserable (temporarily). Use hypoallergenic shaving creams or consider avoiding shaving all together.
• Some women have noted genital sensitivity during menstruation. If shaving becomes uncomfortable for women during their periods, they should time pubic shaving around their menstruation cycle.

If shaving does irritate your skin, waxing may not cause as much irritation or in-grown hairs.

Dry Hair

How To Treat Dry Hair

Hair normally has a moisture content of approximately 10%. If your hair�s moisture content drops below this level the key is to increase the hair�s ability of attract and retain moisture. This is accomplished by using moisturizers.

Good ones have "humectants" that not only replace lost moisture but actually attract moisture and retain it in the cortex of the hair. Essential fatty aids (EFA�s) are great moisturizers. One of the best and most cost effective essential fatty acids is safflower oil. It is the kind you can buy to cook with. It is rich in EFA�s.

The scalp produces the best EFA�s called sebum. The problems is once the hair grows past the neck line or does not have direct contact with the scalp the scalps natural oils can not be utilized throughout the hair shaft.

You can manually replace the lost EFA�s by:

• Placing 1 or 2 drops of safflower oil in your palms and rub them together.
• There should only be enough to make your hands "shine" in the light.
• Carefully take your hair (while dry) and "scrunch" the small amount of oil to the ENDS first and work toward the scalp.
• Leave this in your hair.
• 1-2 drops of safflower oil on dry hair is so small, you won�t notice it is there.

Doing the above as often as necessary will ensure your dry hair will have the proper amount of humectants to attract and reatin moisture. The key is that a small amount will go a long way.

Hair Volume

Pump Up the Volume for Your Hair

By Lisa L.

Flat hair step aside, full body hair is back. But that means using lots of products to build it up. To get the most of your perfect hairstyle make sure you start of with great clean hair. Use shampoos specifically for cleaning to remove any product build-up. Not only will it lift the weight of your hair, it will let your products work the way they are supposed to by giving you volume all day long.

For short straight or wavy hair start off with trying OSIS Volume Cr�me. Only apply a small amount of the lightweight combination cr�me right at the root. It can be applied in a fingertip application and it help your style all day long.

For long to medium length hair try JOICO's Volissima. Volissima is great to build volume on long straighter curly hair. Use half Volissima and half the mouse of your choice and apply at the root - viola! Those curls have definition and hold without that crunchy feeling.

If your hair is medium length and you want it straight with a lot of volume just use the Volissima gel on it�s own. When your hair is dry add more volume by using your hot rollers or Velcro. Use the bigger rollers so you get more volume and less curl. After leaving them on 15 minutes brush out your hair, whipping into style.

If you have thin hair, Juice's Ice Whip Mouse is sure to thicken any hair, but you may need a shine spritzer to spruce up your hair. The Ice whip works wonderful but it dulls your hair and shine is so important. Another product is Osis's Volume Shot. Its alcohol free application is great for fine hair. Only a drop is needed on any length to pump on the volume on your hair!

If you need another way to get volume without curls use big thick rollers. Spray and hold for a good 15 minutes. When the big rollers come off brush with a paddle or bristle brush into shape. If you have time to apply heat, it will hold it for a full day. The bigger the roller, the less curl and more volume.

Remember, always apply any volume product to the roots! That's where it all starts

Instant Volume

Bigger volume of hair

Do you have long hair and you'd like more volume?

Towel your hair dry and then it pull up on the top of your head. Secure with a fat "elastic" (that won't damage or crease your hair ) and then blow dry the scalp hair until it is dry.

This will give you plenty of volume with little effort.

Drying And The Brush

Drying And The Brush

Hair drying and the brush

We all want to have beautiful hair so we have to know about proper hair care.

The worst thing you can do if you color your own hair is to apply the permanent color throughout your hair every time you color.

You know how vulnerable your hair is while it is wet. Using the brush can really do some damage.

So, after you shampoo your hair, blot it dry with a towel and then try to detangle it with your fingers. Don't use the brush! This is the time when you can stretch the strands and weaken them to the point where they snap.

When you brush your wet hair you can also cause frizzing to occur. Don't pick up the brush until your hair is somewhere between damp and dry and then use the blow dryer and a round brush until it is styled and completely dry.

Hair Color Mistakes

Hair color mistakes

The worst thing you can do if you color your own hair is to apply the permanent color throughout your hair every time you color.

The reason? It makes the hair more porous with the repeated colorings and it grabs more color giving you uneven color. Also, it is not healthy for your hair.

So try a semi permanent color instead, if you don't have the time to do the job properly.

Fuller Head Of Hair

Have a fuller head of hair

Try a little scalp massage to stimulate hair growth.

It not only feels wonderful, it's good for you, too. Oh yes, the feeling is just, aaah, you have to do it! :-)

Hair Shine

Boost the shine of your hair

Once your hair is completely dry, finish it off with a cool blast of air to seal the cuticle.

The reason? If the cuticles are ragged, there is no shine...