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Tight curls, gentle and soft curls, wavy hair – curls are amazing. And the best part is that they flatter just about any type of hair, and on any length. But if you’re blessed with straight hair, (and we say blessed because straight hair looks amazing too, right?) then what do you do? Hair curling is an option, but what about hair damage? Fortunately, there are several techniques that teach you how to curl hair without a curling iron or tongs. We’ve put down the fastest and the best ways for hair curling without heat. #1: Old t-shirt for New Curls Wash your hair the way you usually do. Blot it dry with a towel. Cut a t-shirt in long strips from the neck to the hem. The thinner the strip, the tighter the curls. Take a small section of your hair, and roll the strip and the hair upwards till your scalp (or till as much as you want). Roll inwards so the curls turn towards your neck. Tie the end of the strip to hold the hair in place. Repeat this for all the hair. Let your hair dry completely before removing the strips. #2: Headband for Retro Curls Wash your hair the way you usually do. Blot it dry with a towel. Slip a headband around your head. Take sections of your hair and wrap around the hairband until all the hair is within the band. Secure loose ends with pins. Let your hair dry completely. Gently remove the headband and pins, and unleash your curls. #3: Braiding for Natural Waves Wash your hair the way you usually do. Blot it dry with a towel. Make a center parting and tie two ponytails. Braid the two ponytails and secure the end with a rubber band. For tight curls, make more braids, for looser curls, make just one braid. Let your hair dry completely. Gently loosen the braids and shake your curls free. #4: Sock Bun Waves Take an old sock with the toe part cut out and roll it into a doughnut shape. Wash your hair the way you usually do. Blot it dry with a towel. Pull your hair into a ponytail at the top of your head. Pull your ponytail through the sock. Wrap the hair and tuck it in securely. Roll the sock to include more hair. Continue rolling and tucking until you reach the top of your head. Secure the bun with the help of clips. Sleep in with the bun and loosen it in the morning for gorgeous tumbling waves. #5: Waves are Easy Wet your hair lightly unless you’ve just washed it. Detangle your hair and make a center parting. Twist each section tightly to form a bun on the two sides of your head. Let your hair dry overnight. Gently open the buns the next morning and voila! Waves! #6: Roll with it Get your hands on some hair rollers. Big rollers give big curls, and small ones give tighter curls. Wash and condition your hair, and blot it with a towel. Separate a section, roll it and immediately encase it in a roller. Secure the roller as per instructions. Repeat the step until all hair is sheathed in rollers. Leave untouched for 4-5 hours. Gently remove the rollers and enjoy the curls. #7: Twist & Curl Wash your hair the way you usually do. Then dry it with a soft towel. Comb your hair thoroughly and make a center parting. Twist each section until it resembles a tight coil. Secure it to the top of your head with a clip. Do the same to the other side. Allow your hair to dry overnight. Remove the clips and enjoy your curls. You are thinking that the above methods can only be used in curling long and medium hair lengths, right? Well, if you are wondering how to curl short hair without a curler, then we can assure you that, the methods mentioned above are workable on short lengths of hair. Rather the braiding and the headband roll methods are best for short hair, and will give you waves with an oomph!

It’s not hard to make a mask for your hair. In fact, it will involve a lot of the same ingredients you would use for a mask for your skin. The application process is different, obviously, but making and using the homemade hair mask will be just as simple! COCONUT OIL HAIR MASK This is the most simple homemade hair mask you can make. It only has one ingredient – coconut oil! All you need for this is about a quarter of a cup of warmed coconut oil. (It needs to be in its liquid state.) Simply apply it to your hair (wet or dry, it doesn’t really matter) and leave it in for at least an hour. You’ll want to be in the bathtub for this, or well-covered with a towel. If you’re going to continue going about your chores or even keep this treatment on overnight, make sure you take the necessary precautions, like a shower cap. Coconut oil will stain clothing and linens. When you’re finished with your treatment, wash the coconut oil out of your hair and carry on as normal. AVOCADO & EGG YOLK Turns out egg really is a great thing to put in your hair. For a moisturizing, restorative, make-it-shine homemade hair mask, mix it with some avocado! ½ an avocado 2 egg yolks Mix ingredients well. Apply to wet or dry hair and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing and washing hair. YOGURT, HONEY & OLIVE OIL HAIR MASK Honey might not sound like something you want to put on your hair, and I understand. It’s like the stickiest substance found in nature. But when you mix it with a little yogurt and olive oil, it’s an important component to helping get your hair back in shape. 1 tsp olive oil 1 Tbsp honey ¼ cup yogurt Mix the ingredients well. Apply to damp hair, and allow to sit for 15-2o minutes. Rinse and wash your hair, and allow to dry as normal. BANANNA HAIR MASK Bananas are simply the best fruits one can find year-round. They are incredible beauty fruits, as they are super rich in potassium, vitamins, anti-oxidants, and natural oils. Use a homemade banana hair mask for its amazing moisturizing properties. The moisture boost will strengthen your hair to prevent breakage and split ends, maintain your natural hair elasticity, and make your hair bouncy and healthy. 1 to 2 overripe bananas 1 teaspoon coconut oil 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 tablespoon honey Blend the bananas very smoothly, until there are absolutely no chunks or teeny banana pieces. This is not the recipe to be cutting corners—put in the time for the fine blending. Add the honey and coconut and olive oil to your delicious mixture and blend again. Slather the smoothie into your hair, and let it settle and sink into your scalp for at least five minutes. Thoroughly rinse the mixture out with warm water. Afterward, take your time to comb through your hair. You want to make sure you have removed any pieces you may not have blended thoroughly. Do a final rinse. Because bananas smell delicious, you need not shampoo. STRAWBERRY HAIR MASK Strawberries are tart fruits, loaded with vitamin C, which makes them perfect for controlling scalp oil. They help rinse away excess oil build-up and are very gentle in doing so. Strawberries also regulate the scalp’s natural pH. Use strawberries in your homemade hair mask for glossy, shiny hair! 1 handful of fresh strawberries (roughly seven for medium-length hair) 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon honey Blend the ingredients to form a fine puree of sorts. Then apply the mixture evenly throughout damp hair. Rinse well with warm water. You don’t even need organic shampoo, because strawberries have their own mouth-watering delicious smell. Lastly, remember, the longer you keep the hair masks on, the deeper the nutrients will sink into your scalp, nourishing and energizing the hair roots. The time you keep your hair mask on will also impact how soft your hair will become.

If you think you know everything there is to know about your hair, think again. You may know how to style it or whether or not you want to finally get those bangs you’ve been thinking about at your next salon appointment, but there’s a lot of weird stuff going on up there that we rarely give a second thought. These weird hair facts may just blow your mind, or at least make you rethink the extent of your hair knowledge. Hair is made up mostly of keratin, the same protein animals’ horns, hooves, claws, feathers, and beaks are made of. When wet, a healthy strand of hair can stretch an additional 30% of its original length. Hair grows slightly faster in warm weather, because heat stimulates circulation and encourages hair growth. All hair is dead, with the exception of the hair that’s still inside the epidermis of your scalp. Hair contains information about everything that has ever been in your bloodstream, including drugs, and is one of the most commonly used types of forensic evidence. The only thing about you that can’t be identified by your hair is your gender—men’s hair and women’s hair are identical in structure. Black is the most common hair color. Redis the rarest and only exists in about 1 percent of the world’s population, with blonde hair found in 2 percent. As soon as a hair is plucked from its follicle, a new one begins to grow. Hair is 50 percent carbon, 21 percent oxygen, 17 percent nitrogen, 6 percent hydrogen, and 5 percent sulphur. Hair can grow anywhere on the human body with the exception of the palms of hands, soles of feet, eyelids, lips, and mucous membranes. Goosebumps from cold or fear are the result of hair follicles contracting, causing the hair and surrounding skin to bunch up. The average number of hair strands varies by natural color, with blondes having the most and redheads having the fewest. The scientific term for split endsis “trichoptilosis.” Aside from bone marrow, hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body. Balding only begins to become visible once you’ve lost over 50 percent of the hairs from your scalp. At any given time, 90 percent of the hairs in your scalp are growing, while the other 10 percent are resting. A single hair has a lifespan of about five years. Hair acts as a layer of thermally insulating protection for our heads, which lack the insulation that fat provides for the rest of our bodies. Eighty percent of Americans wash their hairtwice a day. Each strand of hair can support up to 100 grams in weight. Multiply that by the average 100,000 to 150,000 strands on each head, and your entire head of hair could support the weight equivalent to two elephants. Everybodyshedsbetween 40-150 strands of hair per day.

Spending too much on expensive shampoos, but not getting the desired results that you want? We have collected some natural ways to get great hair. Follow these easy and simple beauty tips for hair to give that luster and shine, and flaunt your hair like the models do… REMOVING DANDRUFF Lemon has anti-fungal properties that fight dandruff and other scalp fungal infections. To help eliminate dandruff add ½ a teaspoon of lemon juice to every 2 tablespoons of shampoo. SPEEDING UP THE GROWING PROCESS Add one teaspoon of aloe vera juice to every two tablespoons of your shampoo. This wonder plant’s strongest power is its function to thicken your hair and kick some hair follicle butt for them to start producing healthier hair strands again. FIGHTING STATIC FRIZZ This one is a little different for every teaspoon of shampoo use 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar will remove residue from product buildup and help you get shiny, lustrous, frizz-free locks. HEALING YOUR SCALP For every teaspoon of shampoo use 2 tablespoons of oatmeal. It is a natural moisturizer and regular use can treat a dry and itchy scalp. RESTORING HAIR STRUCTURE To help restore the hairs structure, simply add one teaspoon of rosewater to every 2 tablespoons of shampoo. It will replenish lost moisture and make hair more manageable, smoother, shinier and healthier. Plus, the natural anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce dandruff and its stimulating properties help to increase scalp circulation and promote hair growth. PREVENTING FRAYED HAIR & FIGHTING DRYNESS Chamomile oil is a great essential oil for hair because it adds shine and softness to your while soothing your scalp. Simply add 3-4 drops of chamomile oil for every 2 tablespoons of shampoo. You can also use lavender or rosemary oil as a substitute if you can’t find chamomile oil or prefer a different scent.

Doing your own blowout is a lot like attempting a soufflé—one false move and it all goes south. The surefire recipe for a good hair day? Strong biceps, patience, and these ten pro tips. SWITCH YOUR SHOWER LINEUP If you’re after bouncy hair, skip shampoos and conditioners that bill themselves as moisturizing or damage-repairing—they contain ingredients that weigh down even thick hair. Go for ones labeled volumizing, which are lighter. NOW LEAVE THE BATHROOM It might seem like the obvious place to style your hair, but if it’s at all humid, your blowout will frizz. Move the whole shebang to another room. GET IN ON A SECRET Quick-dry sprays actually work. They contain ingredients, like isododecane, that wick water off hair so it dries faster. DRINK COFFEE. CHECK YOUR EMAIL. Procrastinating before you jump right in to blow-drying can actually make your hair look better. If you try to style soaking-wet hair, it will take forever, and you’ll probably give up before your hair is completely smooth. Rough-dry your hair any which way until it’s barely damp, or let it air-dry for about 20 minutes. HOLD OFF ON MOUSE If you’re after smooth results, mousses (and gels, and anything with hold) work best when you apply them to damp hair and then blow-dry immediately. Letting them sit in hair while it air-dries for even ten minutes can freeze kinks and waves in place so they can’t be undone with a brush and a dryer. Oils, leave-in conditioners, and other anti-frizz products should be applied right away. ALWAYS TACKLE BANGS FIRST For side swept bangs, use a medium-size round boar-bristle brush and sweep them to one side. If your bangs are blunt, start by brushing them from side to side with a paddle brush as you dry them so they’re polished but not too flat. KNOW WHEN TO USE IONS An ionic dryer flattens the cuticle, which is great if you want your hair to be straight and not puffy. If your aim is lots of volume, ditch the ionic dryer. DON’T LET A BLOWOUT DEFLATE The difference between straight and lank is a two- to three-inch round boar-bristle brush. Use it to stretch your hair up slightly at the roots and then down toward your shoulders in a slight arc, pulling the brush straight through the ends. Move quickly to minimize damage. COUNT TO FIVE FOR VOLUME When you let hair cool for a few seconds on the round brush, it dries bouncier. Pull your hair up toward the ceiling, and then roll the brush down the length of your hair and back up. Keep each section of hair wound around the bristles for about four or five seconds after you’ve dried it. CHECK YOUR WORK Once you think your hair is dry, feel around for damp spots. If you want your blowout to last, hair needs to be 100% dry. Otherwise it will frizz and volume won’t last.

We all know how life changing dry shampoo can be, especially for those busy days when you don’t have time to wash your hair. Although drugstore dry shampoo does solve your hair problems, the aerosol is not the healthiest solution and it leaves an unpleasant chemical smell. What’s the solution you might ask? DIY Dry Shampoo! Why Should You Use Dry Shampoo? Everybody wants their hair to look fresh and smell wonderful all the time. But washing it every day can strip the natural and essential oils it needs to stay healthy. So instead of jumping in the shower every day and using shampoo, you can use a DIY dry shampoo solution to remove dirt, grease, and build up without leaving your hair dry or weak. How Does It Work? All dry shampoos, whether bought in a store or homemade, serve the same purpose. The ingredients within them are designed to soak up oil quickly and effectively. In homemade solutions, the starch absorbs grease and any excess oils. Within store bought solutions, alcohol is used to soak up the excess oil. They also contain drying agents to cancel out the chemicals being sprayed into your hair. Why Go With A Natural Solution? While it’s easier to just go out and purchase over the counter products, you have to understand that they come with a long list of harmful ingredients. Some include butane, isobutane, propane, or other gases that some panels and studies have deemed safe. These are not ingredients you really want to be freely applying to your hair or scalp. Pretty much all oil-absorbing products have “fragrance”, which in reality is a blanket term for hundreds of different ingredients. This can cause a problem because without knowing what is included, you are leaving yourself exposed to possible side effects while using these products. Going natural is the safest and best solution because you’ll know exactly what’s going on your body and you can control the ratios. Here’s a way you can achieve those beautiful loose everyday waves, without any heat! How to Apply Once you have created your homemade dry hair cleanser (be sure to try our two-ingredient recipe), applying the hair powder is easy. Here’s how: Make sure you mix your dry hair powder thoroughly. Either use a clean makeup brush or your fingertips to apply. Try to focus on getting the mixture on the roots and areas of your hair where grease tends to accumulate. Using your fingertips or makeup brush, gently spread the powder throughout your hair. Massage your roots to ensure full absorption. Gently use a brush to get the excess powder out if necessary. Style to the desired look. This can be repeated on daily bases. If your hair is excessively greasy, you can even keep your DIY dry hair cleanser in an easy-to-carry container for quick touch-ups while on the go. How Often Should I Use Homemade Dry Shampoo? You only need to use the homemade dry shampoo when you feel like your hair is getting a little greasy. For example, if it takes 3 or 4 days after the last wash before your hair starts to look greasy then that’s when you start applying it. It is important to remember that the dry shampoo powder will absorb oil, so if your hair isn’t oily, you could be removing the natural oil that your hair needs to remain moisturized and healthy. When applying your DIY dry shampoo, remember that a little bit goes a long way. Whether you use your dry shampoo daily, several times a day, or once a week, please do not overdo the application. Keep a careful eye on the situation to make sure you are not at risk of over usage. If you do find that your hair is starting to dry out or look unhealthy, think about using other treatments like coconut oil to bring your hair back to a healthier state. Can Using DIY Dry Shampoo Be Bad for Your Hair? If you use it to replace shampooing altogether or use it way too much, then yes, DIY dry shampoo can cause damage to your hair. Even though it absorbs excess grease, it can remove too much of the good and healthy oil your hair needs too. Also if used excessively, you are in danger of clogging hair follicles because it sits right on your scalp. It’s been well documented that clogged hair follicles can lead to thinner hair and an overall reduction in shine, volume, and health. Ref: www.luxyhair.com

Dandruff may be the result of a dry scalp, or a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis. It could also be caused by eczema, psoriasis, or, very commonly, an overgrowth of a yeastlike fungus called malassezia. Drugstore dandruff remedies might include shampoos with zinc pyrithione, which targets fungus and bacteria; ketoconazole, which also fights fungus; coal tar and selenium sulfide, which slow the growth and die-off of skin cells on your scalp; and salicylic acid, which loosens flakes so they can be washed away. These are the best over the counter dandruff shampoos for you, but read on for the trusted at-home, natural dandruff remedies. ASPRIN Aspirin contains the same active ingredient (salicylic acid) as many medicated dandruff shampoos. Keep flaking in check by crushing two aspirins to a fine powder and adding it to the normal amount of shampoo you use each time you wash your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for 1-2 minutes, then rinse well and wash again with plain shampoo. TEA TREE OIL One study showed that shampoos with just 5 percent tea tree oil significantly improve the severity of dandruff. You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to your favorite shampoo as you wash normally. Tea tree oil can actually reduce the effects of several unpleasant conditions. BAKING SODA Your kitchen could hold the key to an itch-free, flake-free scalp. Some ingredients you use every day double as effective dandruff remedies—like baking soda. Wet your hair and then rub a handful of baking soda vigorously into your scalp. Skip the shampoo and go right to rinsing. Baking soda reduces overactive fungi that can cause dandruff. Your hair may get dried out at first, but after a few weeks your scalp will start producing natural oils, leaving your hair softer and free of flakes. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Dr. Mehmet Oz swears by apple cider vinegar as a dandruff remedy, as the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Mix a quarter cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup water in a spray bottle and spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week. MOUTHWASH To treat a bad case of dandruff, wash your hair with your regular shampoo, then rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash. Follow with your regular conditioner. Mouthwash’s anti-fungal properties help prevent dandruff-causing yeast from growing. COCONUT OIL Coconut oil is a “tried and true” dandruff treatment, and it smells nice too. Before showering, massage 3-5 tablespoons of coconut oil into your scalp and let sit for about an hour. Shampoo normally. You can also look for a shampoo that already contains coconut oil. LEMON Dandruff relief may be no farther away than your refrigerator if you have lemons on hand (which you should because they have lots of handy uses!) Just massage 2 tablespoons lemon juice into your scalp and rinse with water. Then stir 1 teaspoon lemon juice into 1 cup water and rinse your hair with it. Repeat this daily until your dandruff disappears. Lemon’s acidity helps balance the pH of your scalp, which helps keeps dandruff at bay. SALT The abrasiveness of ordinary table salt works great for scrubbing out dandruff flakes before you shampoo. Grab a saltshaker and shake some salt onto your dry scalp. Then work it through your hair, giving your scalp a massage. You’ll find you’ve worked out the dry, flaky skin and are ready for a shampoo. Pair one of our other dandruff remedies with your shampoo for the full treatment. ALOE VERA All of these dandruff remedies will make the dandruff go away, but aloe vera doubles as an itch-fighter. Stop yourself from scratching by massaging aloe vera into your scalp before shampooing. The cooling effects of aloe vera will soothe the itch. GARLIC Garlic’s antimicrobial properties are perfect for eliminating dandruff-causing bacteria. Crush garlic and rub it into your scalp. To avoid that potent smell, healwithfood.org suggests mixing crushed garlic with honey and massaging into the scalp before washing as usual. OLIVE OIL An overnight olive oil soak is a folk remedy for dandruff. Massage about 10 drops into your scalp and cover with a shower cap overnight. Follow your regular shampoo routine in the morning. For a quicker cure, look for a shampoo that contains olive oil.  

The whole getting ready process in the mornings can be quite annoying. By the time you’ve decided what to wear for the day and put on what little makeup you can manage, you really just don’t have time to fuss much with your hair. They say, “You have as many hours in the day as Beyonce,” and you do, but you don’t have her hair stylist. Until it’s acceptable to leave the house looking like a wild animal, we will forever be on the search for lazy girl hair hacks. Here are some lazy girl hair hacks that are hopefully going to change your life. Spray a toothbrush with hairspray to tame fly-aways. Use bobby pins in the back, underneath your hair, to help keep your ponytail from sagging. Dry shampoo is a godsend, however the white residue left on roots is the only annoying thing about it. A trick to get rid of this unappealing look is to spray dry shampoo into hair the night before and sleep on it. It soaks up the oil overnight and leaves your hair fresh and clean the next morning. By doing this you also save time in the morning by not having to rub the dry shampoo into your roots. Be sure to clean your brushes regularly. Taking proper care of your bristles and cleaning them frequently helps their performance, extends their lifetime, and prevents harmful bacteria from forming. This technique is really easy and takes just a few minutes. Want some quick waves? Braid your hair and run a flat iron over it, then release the braids for beautiful beachy waves. Oiling your hair is one of the best solutions to let your hair grow thicker, longer stronger. Of all the varieties of hair oil, your hair can absorb coconut oil better than any other option available out there. When using bobby pins you have the angled side of the bobby pin pointing down towards your scalp. This will prevent them from slipping. You can also spray them with a little hairspray to increase hold. We all know crushed up aspirin is a common acne treatment but did you know using powdered aspirin in your shampoo can also help your hair? Every two weeks, crush up one aspirin into your regular shampoo routine and lather up. The salicylic acid content in aspirin helps banish dullness from your hair by clearing build up, revealing healthy-looking hair. If you find your frizz situation getting out of control while on-the-go and you’ve forgotten to pack any anti-frizz product, rub a coin-sized amount of hand lotion into your palms and use it to smooth out and tame frizzy bits and ends in your hair. Whether it’s from a brand new sweater you bought or cold temperatures outside, static hair is no fun. Save yourself the embarrassment by taking care of the situation before you leave the house. Dryer sheets can be very useful in this scenario. You might look a little nuts but, hey, only you and your bathroom mirror will know. Rub the dryer sheets down your hair to get rid of pesky static bits that are standing on edge. Another bonus is the dryer sheet leaves your hair smelling like fresh laundry! Do you have trouble combating dandruff? An amazing at home product that exfoliates the scalp and prevents dandruff is baking soda! Try it for yourself by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to create a fine paste and coat your scalp with it. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes then wash off and it will have worked its magic on your scalp. Here’s another kitchen solution ready for double duty. Hair makeovers don’t always go as planned, and it can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars to get them fixed. If you ever find yourself with a color job that doesn’t suit your fancy or one that simply needs to be stripped down a little, add a drop or two of all-natural dish soap to your regular shampoo. Using a natural product avoids adding any extra harsh chemicals to the mix while helping to dial the intensity of your color job down by a whopping two to three shades. We can already sense how many of you 90s kids are going to love this. It’s one of the crazier ones, but we’ve got the intel that it definitely works. How many of you brunettes have left the salon with perfectly ashy hair only to find it turning a gunky brass tone days later? We suggest that brunettes who find themselves in this type of brassy fix should use grape Kool Aid (yes, Kool Aid) to neutralize those warm tones. Continue to use your purple shampoo as normal and give this trick a go next time you need to nudge your hair in the right direction. Multitasking everyday items from the kitchen seems to be a recurring theme when it comes to hair hacks. This one has been tried and tested and still seems just as crazy every single time. If you have blonde hair, chances are you’ve spent a little too much time in a pool or in the ocean and left with a head of green hair – OMG! Rid your blonde hair of those unwanted green tones by soaking your hair in tomato juice. The science side of this hack explains that the red in the tomato juice neutralizes the green and gives your blonde a boost. Leave the juice in for 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition as you would normally. Repeat if necessary. If you love bouncy curls but using a curling iron takes too much time and damages your hair in the process, you can use bananas or toilet paper rolls to curl hair instead! All you have to do is spray your hair with water and roll it around a banana or toilet paper roll. Once your hair has dried, finger comb through the curls to break them up and finish by spraying with a texturizing product. This may be the strangest hairstyling hack, but surprisingly Coca-Cola gives hair insane volume and texture! Simply pour Coca-Cola over your hair, then wrap your head in a towel to let it dry. You are left with voluminous supermodel hair!

Hair loss due to stress can occur anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months after a very stressful life event, such as divorce, death or serious financial worries. This temporary hair loss, called telogen effluvium, can also be caused by factors such as hormonal changes (think menopause or post-pregnancy), illness or poor diet. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce stress induced hair loss. Try these 5 remedies for hair loss due to stress. Meditate Don’t be intimidated by meditation. Meditation can be as simple as sitting quietly for a few minutes, closing your eyes and focusing your attention on reciting a short, encouraging phrase (silently or out loud). Try to minimize any other thoughts that creep in to distract you from your recitation. Just a few minutes a day can ease stress. Psychologists even believe that daily meditation may alter the brain’s neural pathways, improving your resilience to stress in the long-term. Connect with your network When we feel stress, we may think we need to work out our problems on our own. But in fact, expressing your worries out loud and face to face with a friend, a family member or a trusted colleague helps put stress in perspective. Not only does saying your concerns out loud help you vent, but it can actually help you see it from a new perspective and it might even shine light on a solution you could not have seen on your own. Belly laugh Life may not seem too funny right now but research shows that finding something to laugh deeply about is not only good for the spirit but can literally improve your mood. A good laugh actually lowers levels of the brain’s stress hormone cortisol and boosts endorphins, all of which lifts your mood. So, log on to YouTube or call your craziest best friend to address your hair loss due to stress. Your stresses will all seem more manageable after a good laugh. Play some tunes Soothing music has been shown to actually lower blood pressure, slow your heart rate and quiet anxiety. Try mid-tempo, melodious classical music, or even nature sounds such as ocean waves or a babbling brook. Sit and quietly focus on the instruments in the piece or picture the natural scenery associated with the sound. This exercise encourages you to quiet your thoughts and breathe deeply to relax. Get up and get moving When it comes to hair loss due to stress, all forms of exercise can help ease anxiety and depressed mood by helping the brain release endorphins. You’ve heard of a runner’s high, but a brisk walk, dancing or jumping jacks, can all help elevate mood-boosting brain chemicals, enabling you to better deal with stress. Hair Loss Due to Stress: Healthy Hair Solutions & Stress Relief While you take steps to lower your stress, reduce stress related hair loss by promoting hair growth and reducing hair shedding. Maintain a healthy scalp with an invigorating hair and scalp serum, an exfoliating gentle shampoo, and a moisturizing conditioner with Argon oil and hazelnut oil. These 3 hair care products will help create the ideal environment for healthy hair growth. This multifaceted approach is the best way to alleviate hair loss due to stress.

Day and night, women are preoccupied with keeping their hair clean, groomed or braided. However, there are days when it simply doesn’t look the way women want it to.  If you’re one of them, then what you need is hair extensions. No. Rapunzel didn’t have them, but the celebrities you look up to sure do while showing off their irresistible hair on the red carpet. Good news is that you can have this look, too. All you need to do is carefully pick your hair extensions, apply them and use high-quality hair straighteners and brushes to maintain them. Ready to add a few more inches to your hair and glow with elegance wherever you go? Here’s how to choose the best hair extensions. GO FOR REMY HUMAN First of all, you should check which type of hair extensions you’re buying. The market is full of synthetic, non-Remy, Remy and human hair. The question is which one to get. And the answer couldn’t be simpler. Remy human hair is always the best choice. The first advantage is that it lasts longer than the synthetic one. If made from human hair, your extensions will live through a lot of events and rainy days. They actually look like your real hair and are treated the same way. You can dry them, use hair straighteners on them as well as go swimming. Opposing to that, synthetic hair extensions cannot handle something like this. What’s more, Remy human hair is the healthiest out there. It’s picked one strand at a time and keeps the ends and roots in the right direction. No wonder, it’s considered the highest hair quality. Although this means that it’s pricier than the rest, but it’s definitely worth it. CLIP-IN VS. TAPS-IN EXTENSIONS CLIP IN If you are looking for a quick DIY hair extension system with no long-term bonding, then you have found it. Clip-in hair extensions are easy to attach and can be perfectly matched with your own hair. They give you longer hair, lowlights, highlights or added volume. All clip–in hair extensions come in one or multiple pieces (wefts) of various widths. These extensions can be clipped–in or out in minutes and are virtually undetectable. I believe this is a great solution to having longer hair with less damage. You can wear them only when you want or for a special occasion. No need to commit to high maintenance hair extensions which require regular salon visits to fix and maintain them. TAPE IN Tape-in extensions are the latest hair extension trend on the market. Tape-in hair extensions are thin tape wefts, 1-inch wide pre-taped hair wefts, that get “taped-in” in between your own hair in “sandwich” like bonds. Nowadays, this is the most popular hair extension method in salons worldwide. This method is 100% natural, requires no tools or chemicals, and lasts up to three months. The hair is reusable. It takes less than an hour to apply an entire head with zero damage. The application of tape hair extensions is pretty simple. You section your hair into a thin straight line, remove the backing tape seal and place it under a small section of your natural hair, as close to the scalp as possible. It is advised to use as little hair as possible as the sticking strength of the tape will be much higher, the more hair you stick it to, the less likely it is to hold. You then need to smooth your hair onto the tape using the end of a tail comb. The next step is to take another piece of tape hair, remove the seal and press it directly on top of the previous piece. It is then recommended to leave your hair unwashed for at least 3 days so the taped hair has enough time to set. Finally, whatever type of hair extensions you choose, remember to familiarize yourself with the products beforehand. Also, try to go for the best quality you can afford. It will pay off in the long term. After all, it’s your look you are investing in. CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOR When you go shopping for real hair extensions, another very important thing you need to pay attention to is the color. You don’t want to add blonde curls to brown hair. Always, compare the extensions’ color to your natural one until you find a match. It’s better to do that during the day, though. Natural daylight will reveal all the shades, allowing you to make the perfect choice. If, by any chance, your hair isn’t one-dimensional, look for dual-blended or tri-blended colors for your extensions. FIND THE BEST HAIR TEXTURE The real goal when choosing hair extensions is to make sure they perfectly blend with your natural hair. That includes matching the texture, as well. Each type of real hair extensions is suitable for several hair textures. For example, Chinese hair fits hair with medium density, while Russian hair usually has better denier. In any case, if you apply extensions that don’t follow the texture of your real hair, you risk looking messy despite all the effort. That’s why you should touch your hair and examine it closely before buying extensions. If it’s curly, then don’t take a straight extension unless you want to experiment. In that case, you can wear the curly real hair extensions and then use hair straighteners to turn them straight. Cool idea, right? DECIDE ON LENGTH AND OCCASION Not every length suits every person. So, while choosing your hair extensions sort your priorities, first. Your comfortability plays the main role here. If you prefer having short hair, don’t buy very long extensions and vice versa. It’s best to have a clear picture of what you want your hair to look like and abide by it when picking. Aside from this, make sure you imagine where and when you want to wear the extensions. They’ll be on for quite some time, so have all the occasions in mind. A FINAL THOUGHT In a nutshell, hair extensions are precious additions to your hair. They improve its density and appearance, giving you the look of your dreams. However, before applying them, make sure you choose the right ones. Look for certified stores for selling hair and its products that own respectable and reputable brands. Don’t trust anyone with your hair. And that includes your hair stylist. Go to one that has an expertise in hair extensions to apply yours.

Throughout history, women (and men) have tried every outrageous trick, product and hairstyle out there in an attempt to fit in with whatever civilization they were part of. Ancient Egyptians shaved their heads and turned to wigs, Europeans covered their heads with elaborate powdered wigs, and over in China, the goal was to have long hair that stayed black long into old age. While wigs haven’t made a comeback yet, our ancestors were full of ancient haircare secrets that are still useful today. DIY beauty products are easy to make, inexpensive, and can work just as well as their chemical-laden counterparts. Luckily, we can turn to ancient civilizations for easy DIY ways to make hair longer, stronger, shinier, and less damaged. Although some of the methods are a little out there, you’ll be familiar with other ingredients that we still use in beauty products today. ALOE VERA In Native American culture, long hair was valued in both male and female populations. In photographs of Native American populations, both men and women had long black hair that resisted graying even in old age. Part of this can be chalked up to aloe vera, which was an essential ingredient in Native Americans’ diet. The versatile plant is known for relieving burns, but it can also be used to strengthen and protect hair. Apply some of the gel to your hair when you’re going to be in the sun or use it to soothe a sunburned scalp. SAPOTE OIL This oil, also referred to as sapuyulo oil, is extracted from the fruit of the mamey sapote tree, which is native to Central and South America. The oil is a multi-tasker that can be massaged into the scalp and is known to reduce dandruff, soothe dry and itchy scalps, and even promote hair growth. ARGON OIL This Moroccan product is ubiquitous in the beauty world, but that doesn’t make it any less useful. Argon Oil has a number of beauty uses, but its moisturizing properties are perfect for dry and damaged hair. FERMENTED RICE WATER Women in the Yao ethnic minority in a small village in the Guangxi Province of Southern China are known for their extraordinarily long hair, which stays long and black well into the women’s’ 80s. One of the secrets to their hair is fermented rice water, which is used as a shampoo in many Asian cultures. They store the leftover water from cooking rice and store it for several days so it has a chance to ferment. Using this water as a shampoo allegedly makes hair softer and stronger. AWAPUHI This plant, which grows in tropical areas like Hawaii and the Polynesian islands, is a member of the ginger family has also infiltrated the modern beauty world. The flower of the awapuhi produces a gel that has long been used as a hair product. Today, brands from Paul Mitchell to Suave have added awapuhi to their shampoos and conditioners. CASTOR & ALMOND OILS No compilation of ancient beauty practices is complete without one from Egypt. Ancient Egyptians used kohl to create the original cat-eye and were among the first people to use sugaring to remove body hair. In Egypt, the combination of castor oil and almond oil was used to promote hair growth by massaging it into the scalp. The castor oil does the actual work, while almond oil creates a more fluid liquid and sweetens the smell of the mixture. You can make a DIY hair-growth formula easily with just a few ingredients. Here are some other ways to keep your hair healthy and growing strong. HEAD EXERCISE Lie down horizontally on your bed, with your head hanging fully out. Close your eyes and using the soft pad of your fingers, massage your scalp gently for five minutes. The blood shoots right to the scalp, which pushes the hair follicles. Do this for five minutes, every day, and your hair will have grown an inch. Try it! BINGE ON THE RIGHT FOOD One thing our Indian cuisine has in plenty is coconut, curry leaves and dal. All of which are powerhouses of vital nutrients and antioxidants, which strengthen the roots, promote regeneration of new hair follicles and boost blood flow. HERBAL RINSE Herbal Rinse Brew a fresh cup of tea with used green tea bag. After shampooing, rinse your hair with the solution. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Massage your scalp for about 2 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. This simple herbal mask for hair growth will add a nice shine and volume to your dull hair. ONION JUICE OFR BALDING SPOTS Onion has a high sulphur content, which is known to promote hair growth. Peel, grind and extract juice of 1 onion. Massage it rigorously on the balding spot. Let it sit overnight and wash it off in the morning. Use this herb to strengthen roots every night, till you see visible results. FALL HAIR MASK High in proteins, egg is known to infuse life back into dull and dead hair. Take a bowl, and separate egg white from the yolk. Mix a few drops of lemon juice and rosemary oil to the egg white. Apply it on to your wet hair. Wait till it dries and then shampoo and condition as usual.

It might sound crazy, but we get so excited when we find a good DIY personal care recipe. There are so many toxins in the things that we put on our bodies that can lead to all kinds of problems. So, when we find a good one we don’t hesitate to share! Check out these great natural DIY hair recipes we found. DIY: HAIR SPRAY Hairspray is one of the worst offenders when it comes to chemicals in beauty products. It typically has aerosol, plastics, VOCs and more. Luckily, like most beauty products, there is a simple, natural and easy to make alternative that is also less expensive and healthier for hair. Surprisingly, it uses only a couple ingredients, including white sugar (an ingredient that is terrible for the body but can be great for skin and hair). If you use hairspray, try this natural alternative… your health and the environment will thank you! If you are looking more for a texturizing and volumizing spray, check out this sea spray for hair instead. Hair Spray Ingredients: Spray Bottle 1.5 cups filtered water (be sure that you use filtered water; tap water has a bunch of stuff in it that you do not want sitting around for a long time) 2 tablespoons white sugar (dark ones don’t work) 1 tablespoon high proof alcohol like vodka (I prefer spiced rum for the scent) 10-15 drops of essential oils of choice What to Do: Boil water and dissolve sugar in it. Allow to cool to room temp and add alcohol and essential oils. Store in spray bottle and use as regular hair spray. Note: This recipe lasts indefinitely if kept in an air tight container. Adjust the sugar up or down for more or less stiffness/hold (more sugar=stronger hold) but don’t add too much or hair will feel sticky. DIY: OVERNIGHT HAIR GROWTH SPRAY Who doesn’t wish to have lustrous, thick and healthy hair? If you aren’t naturally blessed with thick hair or if you are suffering from hair issues like hair fall, stunt hair growth, hair breakage etc. its time you try some natural and effective hair remedies that can boost your hair growth and strengthen follicles. Here is an easy DIY essential oil hair spray recipe to start off: Growth Spray Ingredients Spray Bottle 1 cup witch hazel 10 drops rosemary essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil 10 drops peppermint essential oil What to Do: In a spray bottle, add each essential oil, one after the other. Then add in the witch hazel. Shake well and spray this on your scalp and hair. Massage/comb through before bedtime. DIY: GINGER HAIRSPRAY FOR DANDRUFF Hair fall, breakage, stunt hair growth, etc. are common hair problems and the only way to keep your hair lustrous and healthy is by boosting healthy hair growth. Hair growth can be stimulated by providing nourishment and required nutrients to your hair follicles through healthy diet and topical application of growth boosting compounds. Her we are with a ginger hair growth spray recipe you need to try today: Dandruff Spray Ingredients Spray Bottle 1 cup filtered water 2 tablespoons ginger juice 5 drops rosemary essential oil What to Do: In a spray bottle, add filtered water and ginger juice. Add in rosemary oil and shake well. Spray this on your scalp and hair generously 2 hours before hair wash and massage. Use once a week. DIY: ROSEWATER MIST FOR DRY, DAMAGED & FRIZZY HAIR Rose water naturally conditions and moisturizes the hair and scalp because it is rich in flavonoids and vitamins A, B3, C, D, and E. Rosewater can be used in shampoos, conditioners, or just in a spray bottle or spritzer to treat dry, frizzy hair. Rosewater Spray Ingredients Spray Bottle 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel 4 tablespoons of rose water 3-5 drops of orange oil What to Do: First take a bowl and pour rose water in it. (You can make your own rose water at home.) Then put aloe vera gel into the water. Mix both of them well. Add 5 drops of orange oil. Put mixture into a spray bottle. Shake everything well for 1 minute. Voila your moisturizing hair misty is ready. You can apply it directly after washing your hair as leave-in-spray. It will make your hair manageable by controlling frizz and taking care of the dry ends. Moreover, all the ingredients used are natural so with regular use it will make your hair healthy and beautiful. DIY: FENUGREEK HAIR SPRAY FOR SMOOTH, SHINY HAIR & FASTER HAIR GROWTH Dull hair is a concern among many, thanks to pollution, unhealthy lifestyles, excessive heat treatment, excessive usage of hair products, lack of hair-care, genetics etc. Who does not want a bunch of healthy, strong and shiny hair? Natural remedies always work wonders for hair, especially if you use fenugreek which is long known in Ayurveda as a hair care product! Below is how you could use fenugreek water as a mask for shiny hair: Fenugreek Spray Ingredients Spray Bottle 1 cup fenugreek seeds What to Do: Take 1 cup fenugreek seeds and soak them in 2 cups water overnight. The next day, transfer it to a pan and add ½ cup of water to it. Bring the fenugreek seeds to a boil. Let it cool down and strain. Pour the water into a spray bottle and spray it on your scalp and hair thoroughly. Tie a bun and keep it for 4-5 hours or overnight if you like. Shampoo it off and flaunt your healthy and shiny hair. Note: You can add few drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil to the hair spray for added benefits. CAUTION Always patch test before use. If you are pregnant, always consult your doctor before incorporating any essential oils in your health/skin care/hair care routine. Never use essential oils directly on your skin, make sure they are always diluted with carrier oil. Always use organic ingredients to avoid clogging pores and other skin issues.

Humidity can throw a wrench in any beauty routine, whether it’s runny foundation or an unruly mane that seems to have a mind of its own. But, while melting mascara and bronzer can be a serious life-ruiner, unmanageable strands prove to be even more frustrating. No matter whether your hair is pin-straight or super curly, high-moisture air in the summertime can mean trouble for any hair type, as frizziness and flyaways can wreak havoc on up-dos and blowouts everywhere. But instead of continuously hiding your locks under hats, know that the key to winning the battle with frizz is all about good prep work. To keep the bad hair days at bay, here are 10 expert hacks to try next time the horrid mugginess kicks in. USE MOISTURINZING PRODUCTS You may think that frizz management starts with tons of hairspray and an arsenal full of heat styling tools, but it turns out good frizz defense starts right in the shower, as hydrating and deep-conditioning products are essential in keeping frizz under control. The secret is to use products supply moisture and humidity resistance. When this cuticle layer is shut, tresses will then have this perfect moisture balance. You can return this moisture balance easily through the right shampoos and conditioners that moisturize from the inside out. RINSE HAIR WITH COLD WATER Great frizz control also starts with the right water temperature, as cooler water temps can actually keep frizz down once it’s time to blow-dry. Too much exposure to heat will only dry your hair out even more, making your frizz even more unbearable. Rinse hair with the coolest water you can to seal the shingles and get them ready for styling. Towel-dry hair and lightly tousle dry hair upside down. TRY NOT TO WASH AS MUCH Warm and humid days may tempt you to wash your hair frequently, but shampooing less is key in winning the war with frizz, as the natural oils from your scalp keep your hair healthy and safe from becoming a poofy mess. Shampooing your hair less is an important effort that should be made if you are struggling with frizzy hair. Instead of using shampoo every time you wash your hair, try rinsing it with warm water to take away some of the sweat and oils, but then condition the ends, style as usual. By not stripping all your natural oils, you are instantly creating more healthy hair. USE A BOAR BRISTLE BRUSH TO DRY When it finally comes time to blow-dry, it’s important to select the right brush, as certain types of brushes can actually fry and dry hair, making it more susceptible to frizz. To get smooth and sleek tresses, try using a boar bristle brush instead to get a sleek blowout. Use a boar bristle Ibiza brush to combat humidity and ensure longevity, smoothness, and shine. TRY BLOW DRYING YOUR HAIR FROM TOP TO BOTTOM Changing the way you heat style can also help rev up your frizz defenses. Next time you dry, try blow-drying from top down while focusing on the ends with a brush. Blow-drying in this particular direction helps keep flyaways and frizz to a minimum. Always dry the roots about 70 percent first, then focus on the ends. Make sure you control the ends with your brush, or try using your hands to press the dried hair smooth. Make sure your hair is completely dry before you go outside. If your hair is damp when you go out, it will only encourage the frizz. USE THE COLD AIR SETTING ON YOUR BLOW DRYER Also, while a good blowout requires heat to thoroughly dry your hair, using the cool air setting on your dryer can stop frizz before it gets out of hand. Shoot your entire head with the cold air setting upside down, running your hands through entire hair and hair shaft. Do this step and you’ll have supermodel bombshell hair without frizz. USE OILS FOR TOUCH-UPS It’s true that oils get a bad rep, as they are believed to cause excess grease and buildup. But while some oils can be too heavy for certain hair types, using volumizing oils (in moderation) can actually work to tame frizz, making the hair look full and voluminous. If you have to refresh it or touch it up a little bit, use a volumizing oil, as it actually makes hair fuller and more vibrant and can be used on fine hair.  USE A LARGE BARRELL CURLING IRON It may be tempting to straighten over extremely frizzy locks, but hair pros recommend using a curling iron instead, as these types of irons keep your hair frizz-free longer throughout the day. Using a curling iron helps to smooth the cuticle layer of the hair, similarly to a flat iron, but it leaves your hair with voluminous curls. As opposed to just blow-drying the hair, using a curling iron will keep it frizz-free longer because the follicle has been smoothed. But while curling irons combat frizz more effectively, it’s important to use them with caution because hot scorching temperatures can definitely cause split ends. The trick to using a heat tool is not to leave it in one spot. Constantly keep the iron moving. Don’t put the heat on too high. It should be just hot enough to curl or straighten your hair, but not hot enough to burn it. TRY PROTECTIVE STYLES IF YOU ARE ON THE GO When the rain and humidity make heat styling out the question, trying some hairstyles can also keep your hair shielded from frizz and heat damage. Try wearing some protective hairstyles—twists, braids or different styles of buns, these styles protect your ends and can contain the hair and as a result. But if a sleek pony is more up your alley, try adding some coconut oil to your hair before styling to keep hair hydrated and free of pesky flyaways. Swap your pomade for coconut oil. Apply a nickel-size amount to your hair and comb through. Slick your hair into a ponytail and voila! Not only will you tame your flyaways, but you will also get conditioning benefits from applying the coconut oil to your hair. DON’T TOUCH YOUR HAIR No matter how tempting it may be, touching your hair is a huge don’t when it comes to frizz management, as running your hands through your hair allows frizz-causing moisture to spread. Like a sponge, your hair will absorb excess moisture in the air, and touching your hair causes moisture to spread, creating more frizz. Ref. newbeauty.com

There are two methods for blending clip-in extensions with curly hair. The first method is the Heat Free Method. First, dampen your clip-in hair extensions with water. You can also use a sea salt mixture if you have really textured or course hair – this will help roughen up the extensions a bit. Then, braid the hair in a simple three strand braid. If you have loose waves, make bigger braids. If you have tighter curls, make really tight, small braids. As most curly-haired girls have multiple curl patterns through their hair, we recommend to use different sized braids on your extensions as this will help make the final result look more natural. Wash your hair extension wefts and let them dry overnight, as this will help make the curls dry and settle more naturally. If you are on a tight deadline and need to expedite the process, however, you can always use a hair dryer on the braids. Once the wefts are completely dry, untie the braids and start removing the braids by using a rat tail comb. Or, you can simply use your fingers – whichever is easiest for you. This technique creates beautiful mermaid waves. The second method is the Curling Method. First, apply a heat protectant to your hair extensions to ensure that they do not get damaged from the heat. Then, using a half inch curling wand, wrap small section of hair around the barrel and let it sit for around 20-30 seconds before releasing the curl. In order to ensure that the curls maintain their shape for a long period of time, cup the curl in the palm of your hand and let it cool down. Once you’re finished curling a weft, rake your fingers through the curls to loosen them up to your liking. Be sure to separate them as much as you want to ensure that they match the texture of your hair perfectly. Both methods are perfect for those who want to fully embrace their natural curls, and for those who are perhaps transitioning from straightening their hair, to letting their natural curls come through again.

Do you remember the horror of finding your first gray hair? Looking back, it’s funny to think how old we felt at the time. Now that we’ve collected more than a few gray stands, we’ve learned to accept the inevitable. But that doesn’t mean letting your gray hair grow out is a hassle-free, or in any way enjoyable experience. Despite that, there’s no debate: Gray hair is beautiful! But if you’re feeling unsure about the whole thing, we’ve answered all your questions, including “What’s the best way to let gray hair grow out?” Try these foolproof tips for letting gray hair grow out to achieve your most regal mane ever. First, face your fears. Many women are disheartened by the sight of gray hairs and frantically try to hide this sign of aging. But your salt-and-pepper tresses are nothing to be ashamed of. The rule of thumb is that 50 percent of people age 50 will have gray hair — so chances are you aren’t the only one pondering the gray hair grow-out process. Considering the emergence of the gray hair trend (yes, young people are actually choosing to dye their hair gray), it’s possible we’re slowly moving in the direction of normalizing this change. Plus, there are plenty of actresses and actors with gray hair — like Jamie Lee Curtis, Roseanne Barr, and, of course, silver fox George Clooney — who love their locks. “I wanted to stop [dying my hair] way before I did,” Curtis admitted to Marie Claire back in 2007. Once she stopped with the dyes, “I had people who were emphatic in their disapproval, insisting it would age me. Now they’re all eating crow and saying how right I was to do it.” You go, girl! Discuss options with your hairdresser and keep an open mind. Talking with a stylist you trust is the best way to make going gray easy. If you’re anxious about how gray hair on dark skin will look, or you’d prefer to ease into the gray hair transition by trying gray hair with blonde highlights, your stylist will be able to talk you through your options and give the pros and cons of each. A stylist can also open your eyes to your possible gray hair styles — like short gray hair cuts. For example, have you given much thought to a gray-hair pixie cut à la Jamie Lee Curtis? What about gray hair lowlights? Gray hair highlights? If you’re starting to get overwhelmed, just relax. That’s why your hairstylist is there — to make the process as painless as possible and to give you results you’ll actually love. Don’t have a trusted hairdresser on speed dial? Start asking around for local recommendations. Pick a cut based on your look and lifestyle. If you’ve never dyed your hair, you can simply let your roots grow out. But if you do dye your hair you have two options: You can cut your hair as often as possible to remove the old dye from the ends, or you can grow the gray roots and get a short haircut. Not surprisingly, Curtis is an advocate for short hair. “It helps if you can be courageous and cut your hair off like I did,” she said in the same Marie Claire interview. “It’s much harder to transition with longer hair, since then you’re stuck with two inches of gray roots.” If you’d like to make the change as fuss-free as possible, the second option — transitioning with long hair — requires no prior prepping; you just let your hair grow! That said, roots do take a long time to grow out, so if you don’t like the look of gray roots against your dyed hair, this might not be the best choice for you. Worried that gray hair will make you look older? The best way to defy this stereotype is by choosing a modern cut that will complement your daily routine and overall personality — another reason why communicating with your hairstylist is so important. “My stylist keeps my cut edgy and contemporary — otherwise I can go Bea Arthur very quickly,” Curtis said. Choose your hair products wisely and skip the boxed dyes. If you’re tempted to save money with store-bought dyes, you may want to think again. While most at-home dyes can be harmful to your hair, there’s one in particular you should be careful to avoid: gradual gray-coverage dyes. This type of dye can cause your hair to fall out when you wash with hard water or try to fix the damage with professional grade dyes. Another step to consider on your journey to gray hair is maintenance after you’ve gone gray. Over time, your light gray or silver hair can turn yellow or brassy with exposure to the elements. Fortunately, you can pick up gray hair shampoo at Walmart (or any drug store) to counteract any discoloration and make your hair appear more vibrant. There is also gray hair conditioner, although some stylists will tell you that using one is overkill and you’re better off saving your money. You can also ask for recommendations when it comes to taming products to fight that unfortunate frizz many women experience after going gray. With these tips in mind, who wouldn’t want to try such a beautiful, natural look?   REF: FIRSTFORWOMEN.COM

It’s official: These days, bold rainbow hair colors reign supreme. But despite their popularity in the beauty world, office environments aren’t always quite as welcoming to imaginative hair color. That doesn’t mean you can’t try the latest hair color trends. In fact, there are a few subtle ways you can incorporate a pop of rainbow color into your hair while still maintaining a super-professional appearance, such as opting for hidden rainbow hair. Below, we’ve rounded up five ways to wear rainbow hair colors at work. Whether you want to rock hidden rainbow hair or create an allover wash of rainbow color, we’re telling you how. Get excited to join the rainbow hair color frenzy! WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE GETTING A RAINBOW HAIR COLOR? Keep in mind that if you’re going lighter, you’ll need to bleach your hair first—and the darker your starting shade, the more work may be required to reach your desired rainbow hair color. Just because your rainbow hair is hidden doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow a hair care routine for colored hair. Look for a system of shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask formulated for color-treated hair. RAINBOW HAIR COLOR IDEA #1: RAINBOW UNDERCUT Since some offices simply aren’t on board with the whole rainbow hair color trend that has taken social media by storm, it’s time to get a little creative. This hidden rainbow undercut is a great way to do that. With an undercut, the bottom third of your hair on the underside of your head is shaved off. You can get custom patterns shaved into this section of hair and, best of all, you can create one-of-a-kind colorful looks that will be hidden from sight. Until casual Friday that is—in which case, show your hidden rainbow hair color off! RAINBOW HAIR COLOR IDEA #2: HIDDEN RAINBOW LAYERS Not ready to shave off a third of your hair? Girl, we feel you. Instead, consider getting a hidden layer of a rainbow hair color instead. To the naked eye, your hair will look totally professional—but as soon as you have the opportunity for a hair flip, you can let your pretty rainbow hair color stand center stage. RAINBOW HAIR COLOR IDEA #3: HIDDEN RAINBOW ROOTS We understand that dyeing your hair a rainbow color can be a little intimidating. If you’re not quite ready for a full layer or rainbow hair or a hidden undercut, consider getting hidden rainbow roots. Only visible when you run your hand through your hair, rock braided hairstyles, or perform the occasional hair flip, this hair color idea is perfect for those who want to experience the magic of a rainbow hair color without going all in. To get the hidden rainbow roots look, bleach your roots and paint them with the rainbow colors of your choice. Since hidden rainbow roots can be tricky, you always have the option of visiting a professional colorist. RAINBOW HAIR COLOR IDEA #4: PLATINUM BLONDE If you’re in the market to change up your hair color, why not embrace one of the lightest, brightest hair colors that’s a mainstay on fashion models and celebrities? We’re talking about platinum blonde. Of course, platinum blonde is a super-light rainbow hair color, so not only does it require bleaching, but it’s also very high maintenance as root re-growth is quite visible. RAINBOW HAIR COLOR IDEA #5: ROSE GOLD If you really want to fully embrace a rainbow hair color that’s not too bold for the office, you can’t go wrong with rose gold hair. This pastel-metallic hybrid is incredibly head-turning and well accepted. Since it has a reddish blonde base, you can always say that it’s simply your version of strawberry blonde hair. REF: LOREALPARISUSA.COM

How do you air-dry your hair? The answer seems obvious: Do nothing and let nature take its course. But if you want your hair to look smooth and frizz-free, there’s a little more effort involved. Here are some tips on how to get the best results from air drying your hair. Moisturize Your Hair If you want smooth, glossy, frizz-free hair, the first step is making sure that the cuticle — the outermost layer of your hair — is closed. Luckily, you’re probably already using conditioner, which closes the cuticle for you, sealing in moisture to keep your hair smooth and soft. It’s okay to skip shampoo depending on your hair type, but all of our experts agree that you should use conditioner. (If you want to go the extra step, you can also use a strong hair mask to give it a little more conditioning). Rinse with Cold Water After you wash out conditioner, rinse your hair with cold water. It doesn’t need to be ice-cold, but it should be colder than room temperature. It may not feel pleasant but switching between hot and cold temperatures is good for your hair. Cold water also seals the cuticle. Brush in the Shower Now take a wide-tooth comb or Wet Brush, and comb through your hair. This is when hairstylists agree your hair is best — it’s smooth, it’s moisturized, and it’s shiny. (Note: You want to do this in the shower, not afterwards, because this is when you can comb it without breakage. But more on that in a bit.) Set Your Hair Do you want your hair to fall flatly and prettily over your ears, young Sofia Coppola-style? Do you want your hair to have a side or center part? Then do the modern version of a “set” — make sure that you section your hair into that part when it’s wet, so that it naturally goes into that style as it air-dries. Add Smoothness If you want your hair to look extra smooth, consider adding some more product. Some light leave-in conditioner or a smoothing serum can ease it along, and also help close the cuticle. Avoid Towels Every single expert interviewed for this story agreed: No matter how fancy your towels, don’t let them touch your hair. Cotton fibers only. Wrapping your hair in a regular towel dries it, but also dries it out. Plus, towels can create knots and snarls. We suggest using old T-shirts or microfiber towels. Justine Marjan (the Global Stylist for TRESemmé) also suggests squeezing your hair, rather than rubbing it, to remove moisture. “Just squeeze the water out of it,” she explains. “If you rub it, that increases friction and frizz.” Most curly-haired girls already do a variation of the technique called plopping. Stop Touching It Being lazy actually works for your hair when you get it to this point. Your hair is in its most fragile state when it’s wet. Go against most people’s natural inclination to brush it again: This is when it’s most tender and prone to breakage. Brushing or even hand-combing it opens the cuticle again, making it vulnerable to damage and frizz. The more you brush it out of the shower, the more you break up natural waves and cause frizz. Don’t scrunch it, either; that also adds frizz. Or Put It Up in a Braid or Bun If you do want to add texture to your hair, when it’s damp, twist it into a very loose braid. Other variations of this trick include spraying a wave spray and/or a sea-salt spray, pinning it into a loose bun, and then letting it dry. Also try pinning hair into loose loops all over the head to create waves and removing it when it dries. Let It Dry Relax and chill. Be Accepting Despite your best efforts, you may have some frizz and flyaways. If you do have a few errant hairs, our favorite trick is to spray hairspray into our hair or onto a brush and use it to brush the hairs down. It tames them without smashing them. If you simply must use a blowdryer, we suggest blowing out just the hair around your hairline to keep it smooth. It’s a trick hairstylists often use backstage when they want the hair to look air-dried but also polished. Also, sometimes it’s just beyond your control. The bad news is that some people’s hair just looks better blow-dried.   REF: THECUT.COM

  We all know that dying our hair chemically is really bad. Right? Your hair will just get thinner and more brittle for each dye. And let’s not even get started on all those chemicals. Really, let’s not. Let’s instead get started on what you actually can do to dye your hair without the suffocating in your bathroom. The most common way to naturally dye your hair permanently is to use henna. Unfortunately (whatever your beliefs were before) henna will only dye your hair one color, and that’s red. More on that soon. There are also these things called neutral henna and black henna. While these products are all natural and nice, they are not henna. The so-called “neutral henna” will probably be Cassia Obovata, that will have all the other benefits of henna except for the color. Black henna in turn is the indigo plant. Why use henna? There are lots of advantages to using henna as opposed to other traditional hair dyes. Price: Henna is a lot cheaper than other hair dyes. A lot. Good for your hair: Unlike chemical dyes, henna is nothing that you should be cautious of using too often. In fact, it is only good for your hair! Apart from the color, henna will also strengthen and add texture and shine to your hair, and help remove dandruff. Permanent: Henna color is permanent, and is not as affected by shampooing, blow-drying etc. as chemical permanent dyes are. Also, the color will intensify when redying. DIY-friendly: We have found that getting an even color on hair is a lot easier with henna than with chemical dyes.  So, no need to go to the hairdresser. Sure, it’s a bit messy and time-consuming but the results are always great. Red & Red Only You have probably seen the boxes of hair dye in organic shops with “henna hair color” in all shades imaginable. Also when googling for “henna hair dye” or ”henna hair color”, most image results that show up are color charts with tons of shades to choose from, everything from black to bright purple. This is not henna. Henna will only dye your hair in one hair color, and that is red. These henna hair dyes will probably contain a small amount of henna, and then the rest is chemicals or, if you’re lucky, natural plants. By the way, if you ever heard the rumor that henna causes cancer, there is no real evidence for this. This statement is based on a poorly made study from the 1920’s. What you should be afraid of, however, are henna mixtures that don’t have ingredient lists on them. Some might contain PPD (p-phenylenediamine) which is extremely allergenic. Do a patch test on your wrist to make sure your powder doesn’t cause you any reactions! Are you curious to try out henna your hair now? First of all, make sure you really want to. As I said, this is a permanent hair dye, and is really hard to get out of your hair. How To Use Henna HENNA POWDER Henna can be bought from Indian shops or, ten times pricier, organic shops or beauty shops. The henna powder should be a light algae-y green. Mix about 3 tbs henna with a bit of very hot water in a bowl that you’re not too fond of (it will be stained by the henna). The consistency should be a thick paste, not too runny. Then you will need to let the mixture stand for at least 12 hours. If you want to, you can do a test to make sure it’s done, by adding a teaspoon of the mixture to your wrist. Rinse off after a minute – if you have a yellow spot on your hand, the mixture is done. Then apply to your hair, wrap some plastic foil around it and let stand for at least an hour. The longer you have the mixture on, the more color you will get. To get the mixture out of your hair, the best way is to apply heaps of some cheap conditioner to the hair, massage for a good while and then rinse out. If you make too much, just freeze the rest of the mixture and use in the next time. We recommend making at least a double batch so you won’t have to make the mixture too often. If your hair is a weird color the first time you do it, wait a couple of days before panicking. When the henna gets in to the strand, an oxidation process takes place which means it might be a bit strange at first, but it will taper down to red. HENNA RECIPES HENNA GLOSSES, CASSIA OBOVATA One of the amazing things with henna is that apart from the color it also has other fantastic properties for the hair! Hennaed hair will be conditioned and shiny, easy-manageable and soft. It helps fight oily hair, you will find that you don’t need to wash your hair for a good while after hennaing. Additionally, henna helps remove dandruff and cure itchy scalp. So if you’re interested in henna for its properties for your hair, but not the dye in itself, there’s a couple of possibilities. A henna gloss basically means that you add only a little bit of henna to something else, for instance conditioner. If you have light hair it will give you hair a light red shimmer, but still condition and strengthen your hair. To make a henna gloss, prepare a small amount of henna paste, 2 TBS should be enough, but you can always make more and store in the freezer for up to a year. Add the paste to your favorite conditioner, or some yogurt.  Apply to towel dry hair and leave on for at least 30 minutes. Cassia is just as good for your hair as henna, only without the color. You can also try doing a mixture of henna and cassia – the ration depends on how red you want your hair. Prepare and apply cassia as you would henna. You might feel that you want to do cassia more often, as the effects aren’t quite as long lasting as henna is. INDIGO AND HENNA MIX If you’re more interested in a dark or black color, try indigo. Also, here you can mix with henna according to how you want it. Check out the PDF called Quick henna mix chart on this link to get an idea of what your color will be; it also features more exact application instruction for cassia and indigo. If unsure, remember to do a strand test.

This is how to repair damaged hair the easy way using items you already have at home. These inexpensive at-home tricks will remedy your damaged, dry locks, leaving you with healthy hair. AVOCADO Here’s how to repair damaged hair with a common fruit you most likely have in your kitchen. Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply this home remedy to wet hair. Avocados are rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids, and minerals that will help restore luster to your hair. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse your hair out several times. Repeat once a week for damaged hair and once a month for healthy hair. BUTTER Try this home remedy: treat dry, brittle hair with a small amount of butter for a glossy shine. Massage it into your dry hair, then cover your hair with a shower cap for about a half hour. Shampoo as usual, and rinse all the butter out. OLIVE OIL Put the moisture back into dry hair by warming up 1/2 cup olive oil (do not boil it), and then rubbing it into your hair. Cover tresses with a plastic bag, then wrap everything in a towel. Let this home remedy do its thing for 45 minutes, then shampoo and completely rinse. TEA You may think of tea as a sore throat remedy, but you can also use it to give hair a natural shine. Use a quart of warm, unsweetened tea (freshly brewed or instant) as a final rinse after your regular shampoo. Tea can enhance hair color, so make sure to use a tea that works with your hair color. Blondes should use chamomile tea; black tea may darken their tresses. Brunettes should use black tea to enhance shine and enrich color. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR This is how to repair damaged hair with apple cider vinegar (a must have in everyone’s home). Put the life back into your limp or damaged hair with this terrific home remedy: combine 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 egg whites, then rub the mix into your hair. Keep your hair covered for about a half hour using plastic wrap or a shower cap, then shampoo and rinse. MAKE A “SHAMPOO OMELET” Mix one egg with a small amount of shampoo, then apply to your damaged hair for five minutes and rinse well. This treatment helps to enhance the protein in your hair. BOTANICAL OILS Available at health food stores, olive, jojoba, and sweet almond oils are all wonderful elixirs for damaged hair. If your hair is thick and heavy, coconut oil works well. Dampen your hair and apply small amounts of the botanical oil until your hair is thoroughly covered. Top off with shower cap and warm towel for about 30 minutes, then rinse and shampoo your hair out. SANDALWOOD OIL Mix a few drops of sandalwood oil with a few drops of olive or jojoba oil, rub the mixture between your palms, then smooth it through the ends of your hair for instant sleekness and a way to curb and condition brittle, flyaway hair. Alternately, squirt a few drops of hand lotion in your palm and smooth it through damaged hair. CONDITION NATURALLY WHEN SWIMMING Before the beach or after a swim, protect hair from harsh elements or chemicals with a homemade rinse of 1/4 cup apple cider mixed with 3/4 cup water to help cleanse hair, then follow with conditioner. WRAP WET HAIR DRY Instead of rubbing your hair after you get it wet, wrap up your damaged hair in a cotton towel, and let the cotton absorb the moisture for a few minutes. This helps protect against further split ends. USE A HUMIDIFIER AT NIGHT Your home heating probably keeps the air very dry, especially in winter, and that can dry out your hair. Putting moisture back into the air will help your hair from becoming drier and more damaged. LET YOUR HAIR DOWN If you usually wear your hair in a ponytail, take it out for a few hours a day to give your hair a break. Also, try not to pull hair back too tightly. And never sleep with any sort of accessories in your hair.   EAT YOUR OMEGA-3’s Take one to three 250-milligram capsules of borage oil, evening primrose oil, or flaxseed oil one to three times a day. All are rich in omega-3 fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid, great for keeping hair (and nails) moisturized.