Hair Things

To find the answer you must first look at the structure of hair. Below the skin is the hair follicle, the sebaceous gland and blood vessels. The hair itself is made up of protein. We do our shopping and purchase our hair care products and assume we are doing the right things for hair health. Through promotion and marketing we are led to believe that some of the products available today are things we just can’t do without. But is that really true?

When you brush your hair it causes the sebaceous gland to produce sebum. This oily substance coats and protects the hair from the elements. It also stimulates the blood vessels to provide the nourishment your hair needs. Brushing your hair and or massaging the scalp are beneficial to hair health.

With commercial products, most shampoos and conditioners contain harsh chemicals and synthetic products. In shampoos, that means it can over clean your hair and strip it of its precious oils. Now you need to condition it to replace the oils. It can harm the scalp and hair follicles. It is the same with laundry detergents. They are loaded with fillers and less actual soap so that they can sell you more detergent. It’s a money making strategy that has worked so they will continue to do so.

Now if you are like most people, you’ve read the labels but don’t have a clue as to what the ingredients really are and what their function is. Here it is in layman’s terms:

1) Distereate and propylene glycol or glycol are petroleum based (crude oil). They are very cheap which is why they are widely used in the cosmetic industry.

2) Isopropyl alcohol is another very cheap solvent.

3) Propylparaben or Methylparen are preservatives that are synthetic. The human body typically does not understand synthetic, it understands organic.

4) Cetearyl alcohol is an emulsifier and it can be natural or synthetic. Synthetic is often used because it’s cheaper and easier to produce.

These petrochemicals are absorbed through the skin, then down through the organs and tissues. Many believe that long term exposure to these toxins can cause permanent damage anywhere in the body, and yet, governments have sided with big industry to not require them to disclose what these products contain or what they really are. Instead we have big fancy names you can hardly pronounce let alone understand.

The solution? It’s not as hard as you think. It’s as close as you health food store or even your own fridge. Here are some tips:

1) Buy a natural liquid soap from the health food store. Also purchase some essential oils such as lavender (for all hair types), rosemary, clary sage, cedar wood, birch and peppermint (for hair loss) bergamot, rosewood, eucalyptus etc. Also purchase natural oils such as olive, jojoba, or avocado. Here’s what to do; in a clean spray bottle, pour in about

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The short hair cut is as popular as ever and more and more women are taking the plunge and sporting ultra-short locks. From the heavily textured and spiked to the soft and feminine, there is no doubt that the short hair cut is here to stay and has proven to be one of the most popular hair cut styles among women.

But how do you know if you should go short with your new hair cut or when you should take the plunge? For most, the answer to these questions is going to be a personal decision, but there are some guidelines that you can follow to help you decide whether or not a short hair cut is for you.

Choosing the right hair cut style should be a joint effort between you and your stylist. With her professional advice as to what will look sensational on you and your personal preference, together you should be able to find numerous new hair cuts that are perfect for your individual personality, tastes and features.

When to go for the short hair cut and when not to

You should choose a short hair cut if you prefer shorter styles or if you have been thinking about going short for a while. If you have already worn a short hair cut in the past and loved it, then you are one step ahead of the game. Likely, you will have a good idea of what short cuts will look good on you and which cuts will give you the most styling ease and freedom.

You should not choose a short hair cut just because it is trendy or you saw it on someone else and want to achieve the same effect. While some hair cut styles will look just as great on you as they do on others, getting a short hair cut on a whim is never a good idea. If you see something you like, think about it for a while before deciding to get a new hair cut. Even better - use one of the interactive online hair galleries, to test out the look before you buy

Never get a short hair cut for emotional reasons. Having a bad hair day? Do not cut your hair off in anger. If you do, you may end up fighting with dreaded tresses that are much too short for your particular style. Instead, go for a trim or a style that is just slightly shorter than the one you already have.

How to go short

If you have never had a short hair cut, you should go shorter gradually to reduce the level of shock experienced with getting a short hair cut and to see if you are going to like wearing shorter styles. Be prepared to experience some level of shock, though, even if you only shorten your style by a few inches.

Talk to your stylist and decide what type of short hair cut is your ultimate goal. Then, choose several hair cut styles that you can get over the course of a few months that will decrease your hair’s length gradually. That way when you finally take the plunge and get the short hair cut you will know that you will be comfortable with it. Nothing is worse than trying to grow out a short hair cut that you hate.

Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit the great hair styles website

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It’s hard to imagine the difficulties women went through to straighten their hair back in the “good old days.” With no specialty tools available at the time, women had to use things like a clothing iron to get the desired look. Dangerous and damaging, but there was no other choice, then.

Today there are effective appliances and products that will help ease the transition from curly to straight.

Going Straight

Getting your hair straight is not a quick and easy task, especially if your hair is extremely curly. Thick or long curly hair can take hours to get right.

So, this is certainly not a quick style change to try before a first date.

But it is certainly doable. However, there are some steps you should take to make the process easier.

The Process

Begin by washing and conditioning your hair. Use a deep conditioner, otherwise straightening hair can leave it dry and damaged. Towel-dry your hair and apply a straightening gel. The gel will help prep your hair for the process. Allow your hair to partially air dry before bringing out the hair dryer.

Pin the top portions of your hair up on top of your head. Work just 1 section of your hair at a time. Use a brush (flat paddle or round) to pull a small section of hair straight while drying it with a hair dryer.

Repeat this process, section by section, until all of your hair is dry.

If your hair is very curly, you will probably see some frizz. Don’t worry; this will go away when the process is finished.

You are now prepped and ready to straighten.

The Tool

The best tool for straightening curly hair is called a flat iron, which come in several different widths. The best one for our purpose is 1.5 inches wide. This is easier to work with and provides better control than larger models.

Most flat irons have multiple temperature settings. Hair types respond to heat uniquely, so you must experiment. Until you know otherwise, start with the lowest setting and work your way up in temperature until you get the results you want.

You can get one at most drug stores or beauty shops. You want a ceramic model for stubborn curly hair. Prices range from $30 to $200. Don’t buy the most expensive flat iron at first. Sometimes the cheaper models work just as well.

The most important key to straightening success is good prep. With well prepped hair, any reputable flat iron should give you a smooth, frizz-free look.

Visit Women’s Hair Styles to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer, visit his website at Website

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

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