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.

Some popular coloring questions:

* Will coloring my hair damage it?
Only if the wrong level of peroxide is used or you are over-processing (too many permanent colors are applied) your hair. If you constantly change your hair color , especially if you go from blonde to brown and back to blonde, you must regularly use deep conditioning treatments.

* Why can colored hair look dull?
Over-processing is the biggest reason. If your hair is starting to look dull, use semi-permanent colors where the pigments sit on top of the hair adding plenty of tone and shine.

* What's better for my hair, semi-permanent or permanent color?
Semi-permanent color give your hair a higher shine and enhance condition, but they won't lift natural hair color. Also, a semi-permanent tint will not cover large amount of grey hair (more than 50%).
If a permanent tint is used correctly, you will always achieve a beautiful effect and semi-permanent tints can be used to maintain these permanent treatments, adding condition.

s

Adding Shine

Adding Shine To Different Hair Types

Fine Hair:
Look for a shampoo that has wheat protiens and polymers as ingredients. They coat the hair shaft, making it appear thicker.
Learn to use spray volumizers. They light enough to deposit a light mist of shine in droplets on the hair without wilting it.

Normal Hair:
Use a shampoo that has silk amino acids. It adds softness and repair hair structure. Lecithin restores hair texture.
Gels and creams will add shine without weight. First, it's necessary to pour the product in your palm. Rub your hands together, and then lightly pat over head.

Thick Coarse Hair:
The best shine enhancers for this type of hair are old-fashioned pomades. They work not only to deliver shine, but to moisturize this type of hair.

Tips For More Shine:
* Use heat-activated shampoo
* Deep condition at least weekly
* Don't use too many styling products that can dull the hair by coating it.

Strawberry Hair Mask:
Mash eight strawberries with one tablespoon mayonnaise. Massage into washed, damp hair. Cover with a shower cap, then a warm towel. Wash out with a shampoo/conditioner combination. This luscious mix of rich acidic berries will leave your hair both conditioned and with rich gloss.

Split Ends

Hair Split Ends ...
Joanne Elliott

Split ends, hair SOS (or trichoptlosis), are the bane of every self-respecting woman�s life! They happen when the protective cuticle has been stripped away from the ends of hair fibers. Split ends are more likely to develop in dry or brittle hair, and typical causes of damage include excessive dying or vigorous brushing.

Once the hair cuticle is removed, it is impossible to replace. Typically the hair splits into two or three strands, and can be as long or two to three centimeters in length. The best treatment is to cut off the split end of the damaged fiber.

But you don�t necessarily have to go to the salon every week to keep your split ends in check. In the sixties and seventies, woman used to burn off their split ends themselves! Ouch! I�m sure you�ll agree that that�s a little excessive. There are easier ways to get rid of your dead ends before they split further... DIY (do-it-yourself) hair trims. Don�t be afraid, everyone does it!

Supermodels who openly take the snip between salon appointments include Natasha Vojnovic, Giselle Bundchen (of Dior advertisement fame), and Liya Kebede. In a recent Vogue interview, Sam McKnight, hairstylist to the stars, said �I�m all for people doing their own hair. It shows confidence and individuality. You can loose dry ends, add layers, even do a whole haircut yourself, although this is not for the fainthearted.�

These DIY hair trimming tips are for woman who are happy with their hair - picture perfect hair; for those who don�t need a re-style, but simply want to freshen things up with a �homegrown� sort of look. If you are in any doubt, leave it for the professionals!

To remove split ends:

• Take small sections of hair and carefully twist them in a gentle downward motion.
  Any split ends will automatically stick out.
• Carefully snip into the twist with sharp scissors. Don�t cut right through; just cut into the thickness to remove the damaged cuticles and give a natural layered effect.
• Be careful to cut roughly the same amount from each twist.

Remember, sometimes the simplest, and least expensive, ideas are the best. So get trimming your hair!

Joanne Elliott is an international freelance writer and illustrator involved in several different areas. Enquiries welcome: joelliott45@yahoo.co.uk

Crimping Clinic

Modern Crimping
By Joanne Elliott

What is crimping?

Modern crimping is a hair styling technique that has been around since the early 1970s. Just like a straightening or curling a crimping iron uses heat to cause a temporary change to the hair's appearance and texture.iron, Crimping adds texture, and the ability to do a completely new look to your hair. This is not a permanent style - you can wash it out in just one shampoo! The key to crimping is experimenting to find the look that is best with your face shape and current hairstyle.

Should I crimp?

The ideal face shape to support crimping is small and oval, however, any face shape can take advantage of crimping if it is applied wisely. Some face shapes can support an entire head of crimping, some shapes do best with only partial crimping. Crimping can be done to just the bottom layer of the hair, the top layer of the hair or all of the hair.

Crimping of the bangs will add texture and fullness to the front of your face while crimping of a topknot or ponytail will add height. Why not try experimenting, and crimping multiple ponytails, for example? Remember, if your hair is thin, crimping will give it body. If you have thick hair, it will make it look �big�.

With crimping, the �messier� you go, the better! If you want more volume, use a volume enhancing shampoo and conditioner and apply a little volume gel to the roots of your hair before you begin to blow dry.

How to Crimp

If you have analyzed your face shape, the condition of your hair and have figured out a great way to add crimping to your "look" follow these steps:

• Wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
• Use a good moisturizing conditioner.
• Finish with a cold water rinse to seal the hair shaft.
• Blot your hair as dry as possible with a towel.
• Detangle.
• Apply a good heat protection spray.
• Blow dry your hair on the coolest setting.
• When hair is totally dry, use the crimping iron on your hair, small sections at a time.
• Apply the crimping iron to the hair for only as long as the crimping irons� instruction manual states (models vary� but it�s generally a few seconds)
• When the time is up remove the crimping irons from your hair. And then, hey wow! Check out your funky new style!

To crimp, or not to crimp?

If your hair is in good condition, then why not give crimping a try? But make sure you don�t crimp your hair too often (as in every day) as it will cause damage in the long run. If you are going to crimp, make sure that your hair is 100% dry before you begin, and always use a heat protective spray. Since crimping may cause some breakage to the hair, it is best to stop the crimp just above the ends of your hair.

If your hair is in bad condition, and is prone to snap or break, think twice. Even with the aid of a heat protecting hair product, your hair will sustain damage, and its condition will deteriorate still further. Also, don�t forget that crimping might not suit your face shape. Get an honest opining from your girlfriends or your Mom before you go out to the mall!

Where can I buy crimping irons?

You can buy a crimping iron at most beauty supply stores, retail stores and discount outlets like Best Buy, K-Mart and Walmart. But before you make an investment in a brand new crimping iron, you may want to get a professional hairstylist to fix your hair in crimps to see if you like it!

Celebrity hair and Hair routine for beautiful hair

Healthy Hair

A Recipe For Healthy Hair
By Joanne Elliott

Forget hair revitalizing shampoos, great nutrition is the most effective way of getting awesome hair!

Shiny, healthy hair is a reflection of a healthy body, so it's like two for the price of one. Just like your body, your hair needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. So follow this recipe for healthier hair, and be amazed at the difference it makes!

Water

Water makes up one-fourth of the weight of a strand of hair. Moisture makes the hair supple, so make sure you get plenty of fluids. A key point is NOT to wait until you're thirsty. If you're thirsty, it means your body has already lost more water than it should have, and it's urging you to fill up the tank. Water not only hydrates your body, but helps keep your hair silky and shiny. Ideally, you should drink between eight and ten glasses of water a day.

Protein

Protein is the building block of hair, so a diet for healthy hair contains an awful lot of protein! Protein will give the shaft of your hair more strength, and will reduce the likelihood of dame through snapping and splitting. You can get protein from foods like fish, meat, milk, cheese and cereals.

Minerals

• Iron helps to carry oxygen to the hair. Without enough iron, hair and its follicles get starved of oxygen. This means that the �goodness� in the root of your hair is much less effective along the length of the strand. You can increase your iron intake by eating red meat and dark green vegetables, or by iron supplements.
• Zinc builds hair protein which helps to prevent hair loss. Meat and seafood are the foods highest in zinc.
• Copper is involved in the pigmentation of hair. You can optimize your natural color with a diet with plenty of copper. Who needs hair dye and fake color! Shellfish, liver, fresh vegetables, nuts, seeds and meat are all high in copper.

Vitamins

• Vitamin A will give you a healthy scalp, because it�s great for the skin! You can get vitamin A from foods like vegetables - in particular, in carrots. (So it�s good for the waistline too!)
• Vitamin B and C are important for good circulation, hair growth and hair color. If you ensure that you have enough vitamin B and C, you�ll have strong, supple strands of hair that do not split. You can get these vitamins from eating foods like fruit, vegetables, cereals, eggs, milk and bread.

So follow this healthy guide� be sure to add in a hefty dose of daily exercise to keep that blood pumping� then add proper hair care on the surface! Go ahead! Try it!

Soon enough you'll be turning down offers to do shampoo commercials!

Flip Today, Crimp Tomorrow

Flip Out Today, Crimp Out Tomorrow
By Lisa Lach

It's 4:50 and ten minutes to go before home time but the fun is just beginning. You have a date with a stylist for a blow-dry and you've prepared for your busy weekend. Drinks with the girls on Friday, a hot date on Saturday.

Get two days or nights worth of your blow-dry. Flip it out today; crimp some pieces tomorrow. Two looks, two moods and two deals for the price of one.

Saturday comes and your Friday night of fun is over. Now you're ready to get a second night from your great blow-dry. While the Crimper is heating for the final changes, brush out your hair in an upward motion to get out any tangles. Lightly spray Shine before adding the heat from the Crimper. (So the ends don't fry)

Use some clay, mud, wax whichever the best suited for your hair, and piece the ends outs. Take small sections and crimp one piece at a time. Try to do one in the front, one at each side and a few in the back. The crimping is not supposed to take over the style just enhance it. Turn it into va-voom!

The best part is that it's so easy you can do it yourself.

Also see: Hot Hairstyles in Five Minutes

Curly Hair

Hairstyles for Curly Hair
By Lisa Lach

Curls, tussles, waves, twists are back bigger than ever! Trend setting Celebrities like Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys at the Grammy wore sexy curls. Even Justin Timberlake did - but he can't help it.

It's a matter of convenience, less time doing your hair and more time having fun. Girls just want to have fun!

Prepare and get those curls bouncing, they're in!
For a loose sexy style curl scrunch your hair using a medium-to-strong gel. If you mix a little silk serum to soften, that's fine. Flip your head entirely over when scrunching. Try to bunch the hair in handfuls and keep the heat flowing between your fingers through your hair. After it's dry let it stay and cool for a minute, then flip it up.

To create loose curls, use a soft shine wax on the ends, if you want it to hold go in and curl with your finger any piece that did not curl so well, use some hairspray and Voila! If you want just a little wave use the soft shine wax from root to end.

If you want moving bouncing curls, invest in some hot rollers sold at Wal-Mart. Set your hair, it should take 10 minutes to heat and curl. Take the rollers out and before putting any product on it piece out the curls one by one. If you want a tighter curl, spray a little hairspray before wrapping the the hair on the roller. Spray the hairspray on your hair, not the roller itself. The harder the spray, the firmer it holds.

If you already have natural curly or wavy hair, lucky you; just remember to visit your stylist and get some long layers to revamp your curl. The same products apply in your case. Ask your Salon for more details and see more Curly Hair Tips